"Why did you bet me?! How did you bet me?! That doesn't even make sense!"
"That's… Not that long of a story but I don't feel like giving you a detailed rundown… In short, he challenged me because he crushed on you and then you became the prize. I accepted because why not and here we are."
"But… How does that even work?! How does he think he gets treated by me after he won? I don't see the vision…"
"Honestly… Me neither. In the end, it's your decision. I don't quite get how he believes this to turn out, but if I'd have to guess then I'd say he views it as some sort of arranged marriage."
"…"
Yuki's eye twitched at the mention of marriage, in her mind, there was never even a hypothetical scenario where she married someone other than Yamato. The sheer concept of such a thing was nothing but a blurred image to her.
"When did you say that duel is gonna be held?"
"Tomorrow at noon, in front of town."
"Huh… Aren't you worried he might cheat?"
"I don't think he will… He seemed quite confident in his ability. I was told he was somewhat of a prodigy in that area."
"But you're obviously better, right, Master? I bet you never missed an arrow in your life!"
"No, I never used a bow in my life."
". . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."
After a moment of silence which felt like eternity, Yuki was still at a loss of words. He accepted a competition against a prodigy in a field in which he had no experience in whatsoever? While she was at stake? Though, she hardly was actually at stake here, as she would not do anything of the sort even after being tortured and beaten for centuries straight.
"…Whatever. I believe in you, Master!"
"Thanks…"
"Ah, that reminds me. I need to go back now."
"I see. Have fun."
"…But I don't wanna go back!"
"What a dilemma…"
"Right… It's as if the universe is against me!"
"That feels a bit dramatic…"
"No."
"Alright…"
She suddenly hugged his face, holding on to it tightly before she would have to get off him.
"Shhh… I know you will miss me, Master… But worry not! Let the feeling that I will share your longing comfort you. So that when we meet again, our hearts will be filled with perfectly synchronized feelings of bliss."
"…"
"For how long does she think we will not meet after this…?"
Though Yamato was amazed by her ability to overdramatize her departure, he did fall asleep shortly after once Yuki showed signs of leaving. It was already late anyway. With that, she reluctantly climbed off the bed, and him, ready to go back to Carina as if she had never left. Yuki could tell that this would be a wonderful friendship, full of honesty and openness. And so, she knew exactly what to do the next morning.
Carina was sleeping peacefully in her bed, which felt so warm and comfortable in comparison to the outside, where it was cold and cloudy. Not a very nice day but that would be of no matter for today.
"Good morning, Carina!"
"Oh, good morning, Yuki…? Is it already time to get up?"
"Of course it is! It is 11 a.m, you should hurry!"
Yuki shouted energetically as she pulled the blanket off Carina, the change in temperature having her shiver from the cold.
"Hn…. But I'm so tired still… Which is weird, I thought I fell asleep early yesterday… Yet, I feel as though I was not really asleep, but just unconscious… Why do I have to hurry again?"
"What are you saying, you've been sleeping way too much already! Besides, we need to hurry and prepare for a little trip!"
"Huh? A trip? We can't just leave… I have work to do at the church…"
"Don't worry about it! I got permission from priest Mateo, he said it would be alright for us to take the day off!"
"Really…? I don't think it works like that…"
"Pft, of course it does. Or are you calling both me and him a liar?"
"No, I'd never do that! But still…"
"But I really want to… So, please, as my best friend? Or I will just have to go without you. All alone."
"…Where is it you want to go exactly anyway?"
"That's a surprise!"
"…Just five more minutes…"
She curled back into the blanket which she suddenly had taken back without Yuki noticing, who decided only five minutes would be fine.
After squeezing ten minutes out, the two left the church, which was even quieter than yesterday. As they arrived at Yuki's destination, Carina was even more confused than before.
"Yuki, why are there so many people outside of town? This is at least half the population…"
"Good question… I thought it would be like a private event, but oh well, whatever."
"Private event? What exactly are we here for?"
"I'm here to cheer someone on in the competition that is held here today."
"And you wanted me to come as well because…?"
"Because you have to cheer me on."
"…While you cheer on that person competing…?"
"Exactly! I even got these for you!"
Yuki pulled out a pair of green pompoms from behind her back and handed them over to Carina expectantly.
"…What are those? Am I supposed to do something with that or…?"
"It's simple! You put them on your hands like this!"
She pulled out a pair of blue pompoms and put them on.
"And then you just wave and dance around with them and look cute!"
"T-that seems… Why though…?"
"Because it motivates the participants to give their all! It is like charity work, if you think about it."
"What gave you that impression…"
"Cuz we do it for free."
"We…"
"Yes we! But you don't have to cheer on any participant in particular. Just me~ Oh, and there is one you can't cheer on no matter what!"
"How many are there anyway…?"
"Two, I believe."
"And you cheer on one of them?"
"Yes!"
"And I can't cheer on the other one because then we'd cheer on against each other?"
"You got it all figured out!"
"…I guess I will just do neutral cheering then…"
Carina put on the pompoms as well, though she was uncertain about what to do next, she would just follow Yuki's lead.
Meanwhile, the event seemed to get started. Yamato and Jonathan were already positioned in front of their targets. The first target was positioned 20 meters away from them, and had the form of a typical archery target. Three colored rings with each probably having a different value. However, that seemed irrelevant for Yamato now.
"You know what, Yamato? I don't think we should count accuracy in. As long as it hits the target, it counts as a hit."
"You shouldn't underestimate me. You might just throw away your only chance to win with that."
"I don't think I do."
"Well, in that case I have a small request. Would it be okay with you if I do a little test shot?"
"By all means, go for it. You are the challenged, after all."
"Thank you."
Yamato picked up the bow and arrow that was prepared for him. After a small inspection, he drew the bow as he thought it would work best. Of course, he had no idea about technique or tricks to make it easier for a beginner. He aimed at the target, going for the center of course as even though it counted the same as the edge, if the arrow changed direction mid air it would still be more likely for it to hit at all if it is aimed at the center. As he let go of the bowstring, the arrow shot towards the target, and landed with perfect accuracy in the ground 10 meters next to the target.
"Ooh, that didn't look all that good, Yamato… You do know you are supposed to hit the target, right?"
"…"
The crowd shared Yamato's silence. However after a couple of seconds, that silence was broken by…
"Y.A.M.A.T.O, go, go, go, go! Win for me and show that fool, he is just an amateur!"
"Uwah… Go… Go… Go…?"
Yuki shouted energetically, while dancing oht every letter of "Yamato", angling her arms in a 90 degree angle and with her feet together for the Y, with her arms against her body and feet apart dor the A and so on. With her pompoms waving, and her own support cheerleader, who was not as sure of what she was doing, but still tried her best. Though that was just punching the air with her pompoms, Carina's performance was quite eye catching as well. The people in the crowd were not moved to take part in their performance though, and just gave them a few looks before focusing back to Yamato and Jonathan who seemed to have an argument.
"…You dare have multiple women cheering for you when you already have someone like Yuki by your side?!"
"I didn't ask them to do that… And I don't even know who that other one is…"
"Yeah, right. She is better off with me and I will prove it here and now! Let the competition begin!"
"Please, impress us."
Jonathan drew his bow now as well, not even aiming for a second before shooting and hitting the center of the target like it was childs play.
"Let's see if you even hit the first target. After your pathetic first attempt I don't expect much though. And I think everyone else watching thinks the same."
"Well, I can say with certainty it's not everyone…"
The crowd was not silent anymore, but rather talked among themselves, though it was clear that after that first shot believe in Yamato's victory was at its lowest point. Though of course Yuki's shouting could still be heard despite the crowds chatting.
"Go on, it's your turn. This one counts, so don't go out already."
"We'll see…"
As Yamato drew his bow, he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Picturing the arrow flying through the air, feeling the wind and how it would impact the arrow. As he let go, his arrow flew through the air once more. Everyone watched it intensely, as it could already end right here. Silence filled the crowd and even Jonathan did not let out a remark, as the arrow hit the center perfectly just as his own had. Only Yuki's cheering was it that brought the crowd into cheering as well, even though nothing was decided yet.
"T-that was luck… But even so, I suppose we ought to continue."
"Hey, Jonathan, I was wondering… Is your father present today?"
Jonathan was taken aback by that question, especially since the answer was so obvious.