Chapter-07 · EP-103

Episode 103: Yuno Hayasaka (Part 3)

Under Takamiya-senpai's guidance, the three of us went through the basic exercises.

Even the way I nocked the arrows felt a little smoother than at first.

I was hitting the target more often, too, and gaining a little confidence.

When we finished the basic training, Takamiya-senpai spoke.

"You're getting used to it. Well then, since we're here, I'll also show you the building next door. Follow me."

Led by senpai, we headed to the building next to the archery hall.

It was a modern building, in stark contrast to the wooden hall.

White walls, a glass entrance. Its appearance, like a research facility, left me a bit bewildered.

"This is the second practice range. A high-tech hall for nobles."

The large glass automatic doors opened, and as we entered, we saw rows of machines I'd never seen before.

Large monitors, equipment hanging from the ceiling, what looked like sensors embedded in the floor.

It was like another world.

"Amazing…"

The words slipped out. Hikaru-san and Mei-san also had wide eyes.

"Here, you can practice with mechanically moving targets, or with holograms of monsters. You can train in conditions close to real combat."

Takamiya-senpai operated a panel, and a green light appeared in the air. It quickly took shape – a hologram of a slime.

"This is a slime from the first floor. Next –"

She continued operating, and this time a goblin appeared. Then even a Giant Toad.

They moved just like the real thing.

"This is incredible… I never knew such facilities existed."

Hikaru-san's voice was full of admiration.

"First, I'll show you a demonstration."

Takamiya-senpai raised her bow.

The holographic goblin moved left and right.

Senpai released the arrow – a hit.

The next slime, and the Giant Toad – she pierced them all accurately.

"Now, you try."

Our turn came.

I was the first to try.

I aimed at the moving goblin – and missed.

I missed again.

I couldn't seem to hit it.

"It's hard…"

Hikaru-san and Mei-san were also struggling.

It was completely different from hitting a stationary target in class.

Was it this difficult to hit a moving opponent?

After several attempts, I gathered my courage and asked Takamiya-senpai.

"Um… Senpai. How can I become able to hit as well as you?"

Takamiya-senpai smiled gently.

"Well… To be honest, this is amazing equipment, but it's not very useful. It just cost a lot of money."

"Huh?"

I was surprised by her unexpected words.

"Of course, it's good for getting used to moving targets. But what's really important is honing your concentration in the archery hall next door. And training in real combat. It's more important to build a solid foundation than to rely on high-tech equipment."

I nodded at senpai's words.

She was right. I felt that calming my mind in that quiet hall was more important than practicing with machines.

But there was still something I wanted to ask.

Gathering courage, I spoke again.

"Um… actually, I've been really worried about something lately…"

"What is it?"

"My party members are incredibly strong. Everyone is growing so fast. But I… I can only use Healing Magic. I'm worried I'm holding them back."

Saying it out loud made my chest tighten.

"Iori is strong with a sword, and Maika is getting better and better at magic. Only I can't do anything…"

My voice trembled.

Hikaru-san gently took my hand.

"I feel the same. I feel like I'm not useful in the dungeon either…"

"Hikaru-san…"

Mei-chan watched us with a complicated expression.

Takamiya-senpai looked at the two of us intently.

Then she slowly spoke.

"You're both being too hard on yourselves. You don't need to compare yourselves to others. What's more important is finding what you're good at, finding your own individuality."

Senpai's voice was gentle.

"It's true that I'm good at archery. But that's because I have the skill 'Hawk Eye'."

"Hawk Eye…"

"It improves my dynamic vision, allows for predictive shooting, and gives me a bird's-eye view. It's a skill suited for archery. That's why I'm good at it. But it's not because I made a special effort; it's because I happened to have this skill."

I felt dejected.

So it was about skills after all.

I only have Healing Magic.

I have no offensive skills.

Maybe it's impossible for me…

Seeing my expression, Takamiya-senpai continued.

"But you know, even I went through a time of worrying, just like you."

"Huh?"

I looked up at her unexpected words.

"In my class, 3-A, there are the student council president, Kazuma Kujo, who is my childhood friend, and the vice president, Kenji Yamagata."

"The student council president…"

Hikaru-san, realizing it was about her brother, also listened with interest.

"Since we were little, I couldn't beat those two. If I'd been born in a different grade, I might have been top of the class. But having two geniuses in the same grade… honestly, it was painful."

Takamiya-senpai looked into the distance.

"No matter how much I studied, no matter how much I exercised, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't win. My grades were always third place, from first year on."

"But… senpai, you're amazing."

"Thank you. But you know, I was saved when I discovered archery."

Senpai smiled.

"With archery, I felt I could do it. This one thing, I didn't want to lose at. And then, strangely, I stopped worrying about losing in other areas."

"Stopped worrying…"

"Yes. Because I found my own individuality. I can't beat those two at studying or combat. But with archery, I lose to no one. I finally came to accept that this is who I am."

Takamiya-senpai looked at me and Hikaru-san.

"If you two can find your own individuality, the belief that you have to be better than someone else will disappear. It'll be okay."

Her words sank into my chest.

My own individuality.

What, for me, is my individuality?

"You're only first-years. You'll find it. Don't rush."

I nodded at Takamiya-senpai's words.

But –

Would I really find my own individuality?

After practice ended, I changed and got ready to go home.

Hikaru-san called out to me.

"Yuno-san, let's do our best together."

"Yeah… Thank you, Hikaru-san."

We smiled at each other.

But the fog of unease still hadn't cleared from my heart.

What, for me, was my individuality?

Healing Magic – was that the answer?

But you can't defeat enemies with Healing Magic.

I couldn't help my friends – that thought still lingered.