Yume's dates

Kyudo provides people with an insight into this world.

The flowing air turns into the wind, water vapor becomes rain, all living things are continually circulated and growing...

While the arrows, that can penetrate everything, fly across the sky to stop the time of their targets.

Just sharing a few modest reflections.

Everyone will have a unique understanding when they pick up their bow.

Kyudo aims for the synchronization of the mind and eyes. Since everybody's mind differs, what people can see vary.

Hence, the varied understanding of Kyudo.

I will tell you my understanding of Kyudo. I hope that helps elaborate.

Kyudo originated from the ancient East. It was invented for hunting and gradually developed into a special culture.

Killing is not the goal. It focuses on cultivating moral characters.

You can try this longbow.

The natural state of Kyudo is balance.

The balance between human and bow, between bow and arrow, and between arrow and air.

At the optimum balance, there is no distance between an arrow and its target.

Compared with other weapons, Kyudo brings about a feeling of balance.

It might be the distance with the target, or the calmness that comes with the smooth and comfortable touch of the bow.

Hmm, your pose looks very professional.

But try to relax, when drawing a bow, you need a mixed subtlety of being loose on the outside but tight inside.

It's OK. You can try again... That's it.

You need to unearth your hidden talents.

Seems that you have a talent for this.

Maybe you can feel what I cannot.

So, why do you suddenly want to try Kyudo?

People think Kyudo is old-fashioned. I didn't expect you to have an interest in it.

Kyudo can certainly help people better calibrate themselves.

I am only a beginner. Thank you for your supportive comments, Leader.

Such an enviable lifestyle, which makes everything feel fresh and new all the time.

Your ideas are progressive and interesting.

If I may, can I invite you to visit my Kyudo hall?

I spent my childhood there and it's where all my ancestors studied Kyudo...

I hope the knowledge and wisdom that they left can give you a unique experience.

It's OK. You are welcome, anytime.

OK. But If you change your mind, you can come at any time.

I have a lesson soon. Bye.

Look forward to seeing you in the Kyudo hall.

Excuse me, Leader, can I have a word with you?

I am plagued by some problems.

... No.

So I've struck you as a person whose life is all about Kyudo, haven't I?

Thank you so much.

I am really not good at that...

Actually, it's not a big deal. The school is organizing a school trip.

So I need to spend a few days together with my classmates in a hot spring hotel in a nearby town.

I seldom stay with my classmates for such a long time and I don't know what nowadays girls are interested in.

I'm worried that a dissocial person like me would bum them out. So, could you please tell me how to mingle with the crowd?

Cartoon, manga, games, or something like that?

Their boyfriends or the crushes they have?

Hmm, most of my classmates are nice to me but we don't share the same interests.

A school trip could be a very imports piece of memory of ours...

If I could, I want everyone to enjoy it as much as possible.

I've asked my deskmate about what's important, except for the popular games and cartoons, people are paying more attention to the relationship Yumi and her boyfriend.

Yumi is one of my classmates. We all love her.

So it bothers her, too...

Is that the case?

Like... the relation between bow and arrow? Once separated, they are no longer committed to each other...

Such relation is really... fragile.

But it seems that we all want to give a hand to Yumi.

So I was wondering if I can do something.

I'm all thumbs when facing such problems.

I guess I know the bull's eye better than reading people's mind?

Perhaps this is a solution.

When you don't know what you can do, you only need to listen carefully...

Really?

It makes sense. I also need to focus when drawing the bow...

Thanks a million. I feel relaxed after talking with you.

My interests differ from others' quite a lot, so problems like this tend to make me nervous.

No, it's Yumi's love problems.

You're Leader, you shouldn't mislead others.

Phew, such good advice. I will take it.

Anyway, thank you for your suggestion.

OK... I'm going back to prepare for the trip.

Next time we meet, I hope I can do something for you.

I never knew a garden party could be so lively. It looks like a shrine ceremony.

You can have fun here. The games may be childish but they're a great way to relax.

You've been under stress these days, so I simply wanted to invite you here to relax.

Anyway... the bow string can't be taut all the time.

It seems that you have kept practicing Kyudo these days.

I haven't come to a place like this for fun in ages...

I really miss that feeling.

You are full of childlike innocence.

Look, there is an apple candy shop over there.

I loved shooting balloons the most when I was little.

The look on the stall owner's face was always more amusing than the game itself.

So I would ask dad if that was also a part of Kyudo.

My dad just smiled, touched my head, and said nothing.

Maybe he thought my thought was too childish.

No, your dad seemed happy.

After every party, my dad would ask me to practice a bit more.

Perhaps that was like what you said, "Stress and relaxation are equally important".

Wanna have a try?

If you can hit five balloons in a row, you can get a gift.

Amazing. Is this the first time you play this game? You don't look like a green hand.

Look, it's a piece of cake.

Hmm, can you please take this white bear for me?

What's this stall about? Scooping goldfish?

Hmm, it reminds me of my childhood. Do you want to have a try?

Just be frank that you are lazy...

Speed-control is important for goldfish-scooping, same as Kyudo, you can't keep a bow taut all the time.

Slowly at the beginning, and then speed up...

Look, I got one. Kyudo and goldfish-scooping do have something in common.

Hmm... I learned how to scoop goldfish from my dad.

He told me that goldfish-scooping was like shooting an arrow and that the water flow was similar to the wind speed...

What I need to do is wait for the right time, just like archery...

Ah! Got it, look.

We've been playing for quite a while. Are you tired?

The takoyaki over there should be tasty. Let's get some to eat while taking a break.

You've helped me a lot.

This is just a small token of my appreciation.

After all... I want to have some sweet memories with you, instead of letting you make moves.

I don't need a special day to be the reason for my thoughtful plan.

A good archer takes every target seriously.

Oh, no. You-you are not a target, no. You are...

Ahem, anyway, I'm happy today.

I'm already looking forward to our next date... Next time... we may-may be even happier.