"Your Kyuudou is as fine as ever!"
A flash of red-white, and surely the sound of her rippling sleeves as the arrow pierced the paper-thin air must have been for show.
"But of course, mine is better," she laughed, and swifty aimed another arrow in succession.
Two targets fell apart, pieces sinking into the shallow wharf at the same time; They have been timed to.
"I don't lose to people that dare to aim at the enemy with their eyes closed."
Turning as swiftly as I could manage, I released an arrow in her direction-
Red-white. Red-white-red-white!
She took my arrow with one of hers head on, resulting in a satisfying snap.
Both arrowheads and their shafts fell cleanly into the gentle Spring waves between our clogs.
She yawned as if without regard for her incredible skill, and rubbed her tummy.
"Let's have tea! I'm so hungry and thirsty."
Skiiing towards me, she gave a wink.
"You need to try better at killing me, or the enemy will engulf everything we know."
I never knew those dark eyes could carry such stern emotion, despite the smile beneath them.
I knew I should not have hesitated at the very last moment.
Red-white… white-red.
"I… I don't mind some dumplings."
Those eyes finally relaxed to reflect some of the afternoon rays.
She dragged me with a hand warmer than Springtime, and we headed to Houshou's.