Chapter 17

"Wow… That haunted house was pretty intense. Definitely the spookiest one I've ever been to," Takeda exclaimed, glancing back at the haunted house they had just completed. "Did you enjoy it, Maeda-kun?"

Maeda trailed behind Takeda and Fuutaro with a somewhat pale expression. His arms were crossed awkwardly, and he appeared to be trembling. "Huh…? R-Remind me not to enter any place with a scary theme again," he uttered in a trembling voice. "I really need something bright and happy to clear my mind of those ghosts… Maybe a warm tea could help stop this shaking…"

"Agreed. Let's head to the nearby food and drink stall to relax a bit." Takeda retrieved a park pamphlet from his pocket, searching for a nearby food stall on the map. "Hmm… The closest one is a bit of a walk from here, so I hope you can tough it out for a bit." He then glanced at Maeda. "Luckily, today's weather is sunny, so let the warmth of the sun ease your mind from that haunted house. Remember, ghosts aren't real, so don't think on it too much."

"Yeah…"

The attraction proved to be a spine-chilling yet intriguing experience for them. The haunted house enveloped them in darkness, their only guidance the faint glow of the floor markings and sporadic lanterns strategically placed throughout. The frigid atmosphere added an extra layer of fear, causing their bodies to tense with every step, leaving them susceptible to unexpected jumpscares and eerie sounds that echoed in the shadows. The sound effects of creaking doors, the hollow thud of wooden floors, the rhythmic drip of water, and the haunting whistle of a breeze conspired to heighten the terror as they maneuvered through the chilling corridors.

The suspenseful journey kept them on edge, unsure of when a ghostly apparition might materialize. The anticipation of where the specters might emerge intensified the unnerving uncertainty. When the ghostly figures finally did reveal themselves, the timing and their terrifying design only heightened the fear.

Fuutaro and Takeda found amusement in the haunted house, occasionally succumbing to jumpscares from the ghostly figures. On the contrary, Maeda spent the majority of the time in a state of fear, easily startled by the slightest of sounds. This provided ample opportunity for Takeda and Fuutaro to playfully tease him for his apprehension. At one point, Maeda took a wrong turn, navigating backward in the dimly lit corridors, a situation that unfolded into a comical spectacle. The darkness intensified his panic, exacerbated by the relentless eerie sound effects that did nothing to alleviate his fear.

When the attraction almost reached the end, the trio unanimously agreed that this haunted house surpassed any they had encountered, marking it as the most terrifying one they had ever braved.

After some walking, they reached the food stall. The three perused the menu, seeking a well-deserved treat and drink to help alleviate the lingering unease from their unsettling experience in the haunted house.

"Let's see…" Takeda mused, scanning the menu board. After a brief contemplation, he made his decision. "I'll have an iced lemon tea and chili cheese fries. The weather's pretty hot today, so a cold drink will help me stay fresh. What about you, Uesugi-kun?"

Fuutaro quickly settled on the cheapest drink available. "Just a black coffee with sugar," he stated, not bothering to glance at the dessert or food options as he retrieved his wallet to pay for his drink.

Maeda took more time to decide, his apparent lack of focus evident in his prolonged scrutiny of the menu. "Umm… I'll go with a hot green tea," he told the clerk, paying for his drink. "Oh, and throw in a hot dog with extra chili sauce."

After placing their orders, they found a vacant table to wait for their snacks. They agreed on a brief break before continuing to explore the park. As they waited, Takeda seized the opportunity to playfully tease Maeda about his fright during the haunted house experience.

"Hehe… I still can't believe you're scared of ghosts, Maeda-kun," he remarked, glancing at Maeda, who still bore a slightly restless expression. "A tough guy like you should have breezed through the haunted house effortlessly. Instead, we were the ones guiding you to the end and getting you back on track." Takeda then chuckled, recalling the comedic situation where he and Fuutaro had to redirect Maeda. "Pfft… How on earth did you manage to get lost and go backward?"

"Oi! Shut up, Takeda!" Maeda retorted, his face flustered and embarrassed by his groupmate's nonstop teasing. After a long sigh to compose himself, he admitted, "Okay, fine, I'm kinda scared of that stuff… I wasn't scared of ghosts in the first place, but last year's school trip courage challenge changed my perspective. I still shudder when I think about it."

"It's okay, everyone has their fears, and it's just fun teasing you about it," Takeda said. Leaning back in his chair, he continued, "Speaking of last year's courage challenge, I heard from some of our friends that there was a real ghost in the forest, letting out a wailing cry while wandering around the area. I heard you were in the ghost crew, Uesugi-kun. So, was that the crew's doing, or was it really a ghost?"

Fuutaro let out a weak laugh, smirking, at Takeda's claim. The ghost that had been everyone's hot topic for quite some time, even after the trip… turned out to be Itsuki. During that night, she got separated from Nino in the forest when it was their turn for the activity. Initially believing it might be a real ghost, Fuutaro later learned the truth from Nino. The wailing was Itsuki's cries, crying from being frightened and left all alone. "Yeah, I heard the cry in person." His smirk then faded, and his expression returned to its normal, bland demeanor. "It wasn't the crew's doing. They were just as terrified when they heard it."

"That was it! That's what made me scared of ghosts!" Maeda chimed in, his voice loud. "I heard the wailing while I was still walking in the forest, and I ran like hell afterward! I can still clearly remember those terrifying cries… Thank goodness I didn't actually see it, or... I don't even want to think about it..." He shuddered from the memory.

Takeda nodded repeatedly, closing his eyes, seemingly intrigued by the supernatural incident from last year. "Hehh… So the forest was really haunted, huh? Good thing I was in the first wave and didn't notice anything creepy."

After a few minutes, their drinks and snacks arrived. Takeda wasted no time taking a sip of his iced lemon tea. "Yup, just what I needed. Help yourself to some fries, Uesugi-kun. Same goes for you, Maeda-kun."

"Ah, thanks. Don't mind if I do." Maeda grabbed a few fries and began eating them alongside his hot dog.

Takeda and Maeda enjoyed their snacks and beverages while continuing the conversation about last year's school trip.

Fuutaro, on the other hand, quietly sipped his coffee. He crossed his arms and gazed at the bright, clear blue sky above, lost in thought. His mind was filled with various scenarios on how to ask Ichika to walk with him after this outing. This park trip seemed out of the question, given his commitment to spend time with Takeda and Maeda until the afternoon trip concluded. Looking ahead to the evening, they would have a substantial amount of free time after dinner, until the curfew started. However, this free time would be confined to the hotel vicinity, as their teachers strictly prohibited students from leaving the hotel area, without exception.

This left him with the conclusion that the only available opportunity was during their free time in the hotel.

"Hmm... this is complicated…"

"We're going to be stuck in the hotel..."

"The hotel is boring though, and there's not much to do..."

"What should I do…?"

"Hey, Uesugi-kun, you need to hear this."

Takeda interrupted his silent contemplation, and Fuutaro, turning his attention to him, saw his usual teasing expression mixed with enthusiasm. It was probably related to teasing Maeda, as usual.

"Hmm? What?" he asked, showing little interest as his mind was still preoccupied with his thoughts.

"On second thought, I'll tell you later. Now that we're good to go, let's head to the next attraction," Takeda declared, opening the park pamphlet and placing it on the table. "We can't visit every place in the park, so let's pick the most interesting and fun one. Any preferences from you two?"

Fuutaro glanced at his pamphlet and took a moment to peruse it. Among the numerous places and attractions, one had caught his attention ever since they left the haunted house. Checking the map, he noted it was near the entrance gate they used earlier, estimating it would take several minutes to reach from their current location.

"How about the archery stall? I've never tried archery before, and it seems interesting," he suggested.

Takeda looked at the archery stall information and smiled. "Archery stall, huh? Works for me." Standing up, he held out his cup of lemon tea and the box of French fries. "Since you haven't eaten much, take the rest of my fries. Don't be shy." He offered the box to Fuutaro.

Fuutaro stared at the fries for a moment before accepting. "Ahh, thanks." Taking his cup of coffee, he joined them as they headed back toward the entrance for the archery stall.

As they strolled through the theme park, Fuutaro could not help but marvel at its unexpected size, dwarfing the amusement park he had visited with the quintuplets months ago.

Sipping his coffee and taking in the surroundings, he found the areas he traversed now even more impressive than the entrance. Every building boasted authentic Edo-period architecture, reminiscent of what he often encountered in history books and documentaries. To his right, an impressive structure caught his eye – the Nakamuraza theater. According to the pamphlet, it hosted a show about various Ninja topics and performed three times a day. Surveying the area again, he noticed a higher number of visitors compared to the entrance, some donning traditional kimonos available for rent from nearby clothing stalls.

The atmosphere held a unique charm, an experience Fuutaro had never encountered before, and he found himself thoroughly enjoying it. The ambiance resembled the historical documentaries on the Edo period he often watched on TV or during history class.

"This theme park is really amazing..."

"Choosing this place was definitely the right decision..."

Earlier, Fuutaro had been too preoccupied with the frustration of his failed opportunity to walk with Ichika, causing him to ignore the surroundings. Now, with his emotions in check, a smile graced his lips as he began to immersed himself in the park's ambiance. Occasionally, he snapped pictures of the surroundings.

"If only I had the chance to walk with you..."

"It would undoubtedly make this experience hundreds time better…"

After a brief stroll, Fuutaro and his companions reached the archery stall. Fortunately, no one was in line, granting them the freedom to try their hand at archery at their convenience.

"Welcome to the Yaba archery experience," the clerk greeted them. "The cost for this attraction is 300 Yen per session, and you'll receive five arrows to shoot at five targets. Hit at least three, and you'll earn a prize. Strike all five, and you'll get two prizes as a bonus."

The attraction was relatively modest, resembling a small booth commonly found at festivals. Neatly arranged on the counter were a few sets of bows and arrows, not only available for use by players but also serving as decorations for the stall. Upon closer inspection, the bows appeared much smaller than those typically employed in Kyudo Archery, a characteristic shared by the arrows and targets. Inside, a diverse array of prizes for the attraction adorned a wooden shelf, meticulously organized to include stickers, keychains, small figurines, plushies, and various other items.

With Maeda having overcome the earlier fright of the haunted house attraction, he eagerly stepped forward, pulled out 300 Yen, and declared, "I'm going first, okay?" He placed the money on the counter and grabbed a set of bow and arrows.

Takeda, hand on his hip, said, "You sure you can handle a bow, Maeda-kun? It's not as easy as it looks, you know?"

"Oi, don't ruin my good mood, Takeda. I'm not an expert, but I've had my fair share with bows and arrows at the summer festival," he shot back, giving Takeda a mildly irritated look. "And do you even know how to handle a bow and arrow? You act really big-headed about this."

"Yeah, I was in the archery club in our first and second year. So, I know a thing or two about shooting an arrow with a bow."

"Hehh… Really? Okay then, why don't you show us how it's done?" Maeda challenged, passing the bow and arrows to Takeda.

Taking the equipment, Takeda glanced at Maeda, arching an eyebrow. "Oi, oi where did all that confidence of yours vanish to?" His voice carried a playful yet puzzled tone.

"Don't worry about it. I was just curious to see the right way to do it, and it looks like you've got some experience. Go on, take the first shot," Maeda remarked, crossing his arms, his smirk growing wider. "Or maybe it's your big mouth that will do the work instead?"

"Heh, alright. If you're curious, watch how I handle my posture and grip," he stated confidently, accepting his groupmate challenge as he stepped onto the shooting line. "You interested too, Uesugi-kun?"

Fuutaro, who had been observing his two companions in silence, replied with little enthusiasm, "Yeah, I suppose I could use a demonstration since I've never tried this before."

Now that everyone had reached an agreement, Takeda directed his attention to the five targets neatly arranged in the booth. Retrieving an arrow from his other hand, he nocked it onto the bow, aligning the instrument precisely to his front-right side. As he drew the string backward, Takeda's body exhibited a posture that was definitely not a beginner. His feet were firmly planted, shoulders squared, and torso slightly turned to optimize his range of motion. The bow, held with a stern grip, seemed like an extension of his arm.

As the arrow's end settled near his ear, Takeda's gaze narrowed, fixing intensely on the target ahead. With a measured breath, he entered a momentary state of stillness, absorbing the surroundings with focused concentration. Then, releasing the string, the arrow surged from the bow.

The outcome of his first shot was unexpected— hitting the bullseye, the arrow found its mark dead center on the target.

Surprise lit up Maeda's face, his eyes darting back and forth between Takeda and the arrow, utterly taken aback by his groupmate's performance. Fuutaro, too, observed with eyes slightly widened, not anticipating a bullseye on the first attempt.

"Whoa... Bullseye on the first try," Maeda muttered, still wrapping his head around the result. "You sure know your way around archery, huh? Or was it just a stroke of beginner's luck?"

Takeda's smirk held a tinge of annoyance as he replied, "Still doubting me, huh? Well, allow me to demonstrate the skills of an Asahiyama archery club member who made it to the semi-finals in the regional competition."

"Regional competition… Wait, what?!"

For the next minute, Takeda maintained a concentrated silence, gracefully shooting arrows toward the remaining targets. The quietness also enveloped Fuutaro and Maeda as they witnessed the archery prowess of the school's most popular student. Until this moment, neither those two were aware that Takeda was a member of the school archery club, let alone had participated in a regional competition and reached the semi-finals. His recent statement left no room for doubt—Takeda was undoubtedly an expert in this field.

The end results? Takeda hit all five targets right on the bullseye.

Maeda's jaw dropped, and shock swept over him. The perfection displayed by Takeda caught him off guard. It was evident that his earlier trash talk had unwittingly singled out a seasoned professional. "Umm… I don't think I've got the will to play this anymore," he muttered, turning around with a defeated air of gloom.

"Don't be like that, Maeda-kun. Here, I've got you covered for the next two rounds." Takeda placed the bow back on the counter, pulled out 600 Yen from his pocket, and settled the fee with the clerk. Stepping toward Maeda, he pushed him back toward the booth. "For amateurs or beginners, the key is having the proper technique in holding the bow and shooting the arrow. But, if you're totally inexperienced, just focus and control your breathing."

Now positioned directly in front of the booth, Maeda stared lifelessly at the bow and arrows. He picked them up with a motion that conveyed a lack of motivation. "Okay..."

Just as Maeda was about to take his turn at the archery booth, the clerk congratulated Takeda on his flawless performance, "Congratulations on hitting all five targets, sir! You're entitled to select two prizes of your preference. What will they be?"

Instead of making a selection, Takeda looked at both Fuutaro and Maeda. "What do you guys want? Feel free to pick anything."

"Ehh? Are you sure about this?" Maeda asked in surprise, the gloomy aura he had dissipated with this unexpected offer.

Takeda gave a casual nod. "Yeah, I'm serious. Let's call it my treat."

"Wow... Thanks a lot!" Maeda exclaimed with newfound energy, his face brightening due to the generosity of his groupmate. He scanned the available prizes and, after a brief moment, settled on his choice. "Umm... Let me have that samurai figurine right there."

"Certainly." The clerk retrieved a small samurai figurine from the shelf and handed it to Maeda. Turning towards Fuutaro, he inquired, "And what will you have, sir?"

"You sure, Takeda? I don't really want anything, to be honest," Fuutaro said in a rather indifferent tone.

"Don't hold back, Uesugi-kun. Like I said earlier, it's on me, and you don't owe me anything in return," he insisted, smiling. "Go ahead, take your pick before I swipe that plush and sneak it into your bag." He playfully pointed at an animal plush with a teasing grin.

"Okay, okay, if you say so." Fuutaro rolled his eyes as he approached the booth further to see the array of prizes inside the stall. Plushies, figurines, keychains, and various other items were on display—a typical selection of amusement park prizes. While none particularly interested him, considering their lack of practical use, Takeda's insistence left him little choice. After perusing the selection, Fuutaro finally settled on something he deemed relatively useful. "Let me have that sports water bottle right there."

"Certainly, please wait a moment." The clerk reached up for the water bottle on the top shelf. "Here's your water bottle. We hope it makes a great prize for you."

"A water bottle, huh? As expected from you," Takeda remarked with a small smirk, nodding repeatedly. "So, are you still up for playing this attraction, even after snagging a prize?"

"Of course, I am. The whole reason I suggested this attraction because I wanted to give it a try," he replied, stowing the new water bottle into his backpack. "I don't really care about the prize. I just want to experience shooting with a bow."

"Yeah, my bad." Takeda promptly turned to Maeda, giving his shoulder a quick tap before he could start. "Hold on, Maeda-kun. Let Uesugi-kun have a go first."

Maeda, in the midst of lifting the bow, raised an eyebrow, casting an annoyed look at Takeda. "Huh?"

"This guy here hasn't played this game ever, not even once... You really haven't experienced it, not even at the summer festival?" Takeda asked, glancing at Fuutaro, who responded with a slightly irritated expression and a glimpse of gritted teeth at his choice of words. "I guess you're not kidding, huh? Come on, let him have a turn first, and you can play afterward."

"Okay, fine, whatever. Here's the bow, Uesugi," Maeda responded somewhat gruffly, handing the bow to Fuutaro.

Fuutaro accepted the bow and retrieved 300 Yen for his turn. Taking the arrow from the counter, he placed it on the string, where his posture betrayed his inexperienced status, the bow held with uncertainty, lacking the fluidity of a practiced archer.

Raising the bow, he attempted to replicate Takeda's seasoned movements, but his inexperience with the activity became pronounced. The pull of the string was hesitant, almost forced, and when he released it, the arrow did not launch forward; instead, it stubbornly clung to his finger. Undeterred by the awkward start, Fuutaro persisted, repeating the unpolished stance for the second attempt, only to be met with the same clumsy outcome. The third try was pretty much the same, highlighting his struggle to navigate the nuances of the bow with an amateur's touch.

On his fourth attempt, his arrow finally escaped from the bow, but its trajectory far from the smooth release he had envisioned. The arrow collided with the wooden wall of the booth behind the target, missing it by a considerable distance.

Frustration and discomfort etched across Fuutaro's face, his tongue clicking in annoyance as he geared up for the second target. This repeat performance closely mirrored the roughness of the first target, but on the third try, he managed to release the arrow— only to witness it fall short, landing awkwardly on the booth floor.

A deep sigh escaped Fuutaro as he shook his head in self-disappointment. He turned to Takeda, who observed from behind. "I didn't get this right, did I?"

Takeda nodded, his face oddly neutral and bland, in contrast to his usual lively and charming expression. "Your form was very stiff, and you released the arrow too quickly," he remarked before sidling up to Fuutaro. "It's understandable, given your lack of experience in archery. Remember, focus on the target, and don't forget to breathe. Inhale deeply, and as you exhale, release the string. It'll help ease the stiffness in your muscles and let you relax."

"I see…" Fuutaro mumbled, taking another arrow and redirecting his attention to the activity. His eyes fixated on the third target, and he assumed a more relaxed posture. Inhaling deeply, just as Takeda advised, he drew a substantial amount of oxygen into his lungs. Gradually exhaling, Fuutaro released the string, and the arrow launched from his bow like the wind.

The result surprised him; the arrow hit the target, although not on the bullseye. Instead, it struck the very far right side of the target. Even though it was not a bullseye, Fuutaro felt a small spark of pride and satisfaction inside him. He always struggled with activities other than studying, so achieving something decent felt gratifying. A small smile appeared on his lips as he could not help but be happy with this result.

"Not bad, Uesugi-kun," Takeda complimented, a smile playing on his lips. "If you can hit the last two targets, I'd say it's a decent result for you, considering you have no experience in archery."

Somehow, Fuutaro felt a weird sensation in his chest when Takeda praised and complimented him. It was a rarity for him to receive acknowledgment beyond his academic accomplishments, except from his family and, to a certain extent, the quintuplets. The compliments he usually received came from his peers and teachers, focused on his outstanding grades and academic achievements. However, Fuutaro did not perceive these as genuine; they felt more like routine obligations in his everyday life.

In the final two attempts, Fuutaro continued to follow Takeda's advice, concentrating on his aim and maintaining controlled breathing, a method that had proven effective. Unfortunately, he narrowly missed the mark on the fourth attempt, hitting the wooden wall of the booth once more. However, on the fifth target, he achieved a shot very close to the bullseye.

Now that his turn had finally concluded, Fuutaro released a deep exhale, experiencing a sense of exhaustion akin to finishing a final exam. Placing the bow down on the counter, he stepped backward, making way for Maeda to take his long-awaited turn.

Takeda followed him and commented, "That was okay. That last one, you could've had it, but your lack of technique prevented you from doing so."

But the compliments from Takeda held a different significance for Fuutaro compared to the routine praises he received in school. He sensed a genuine acknowledgment of his efforts in areas where he did not excel. Perhaps it was the fact that Takeda, being an experienced archer, recognized and praised Fuutaro's attempts in a field where he lacked expertise. This acknowledgment brought an unexpected small sense of joy to Fuutaro.

From Fuutaro's standpoint, these emotions likely paralleled his interactions with the quintuplets when they reached a score of at least 30 points on quizzes or tests. He would commend them for meeting the minimum passing score, despite considering it less than satisfactory.

"Yeah, thanks," he replied casually, watching Maeda immersed in the attraction. "It wasn't as easy as I initially expected. It looked so easy when I saw them doing it on TV."

"Believe me, it's not that easy as it looks," Takeda said. "I took up archery back in elementary school, and getting the basics down was quite a struggle. The real challenges started in junior high when mastering the intermediate and advanced techniques proved to be really tough. I even had to stay late after school for the club just to perfect one of those advanced moves."

Fuutaro turned to Takeda, finding a connection in their stories. In some way, he could empathize with the story, having done similar things in his pursuit of academics, staying for a long time in the school library after school or in his living room until late night just to study. "Is that so? I guess it's good for you since all that practicing finally paid off, and you managed to enter the regional competition."

"Thanks. But finishing in the semi-final wasn't my primary goal; I had my sights set on winning the regional competition," Takeda said, releasing a small sigh. He then turned his gaze to Fuutaro. "You know, you should give archery a shot sometime. With your determination and focus, mastering it might come easier to you than to those without. I think you could have a shot if you approach it with the same resolve you showed during the national mock exam."

"I'm going to pass on that," he responded nonchalantly, returning his gaze to Maeda. "Even if I wanted to, it's already too late for me. Besides, there's no activity outside of studying that has caught my eye so far."

"Same old Uesugi-kun, huh? If you looked at life with a more optimistic perspective, you could easily become the most popular student in school, flaunting not just outstanding grades but also various talents, possibly even surpassing me," Takeda commented, a smirk playing on his lips as he chuckled. "Speaking about activities, have you ever tried joining any school clubs before?"

"As far as I remember, no," Fuutaro shook his head while crossing his arms. "I can't see how participating in any activity would be beneficial for my studies. It could potentially distract my focus from academics by splitting my attention. Plus, I already have a part-time job after school and the responsibility of tutoring those five girls. I've already got my hands full, and I don't want any more distractions messing with my study routine."

"Hmm… Your case is worse than I thought. Even a guy like Maeda-kun has a side activity. I believe he's a member of the school track club, if I'm not mistaken…" Takeda then called out to Maeda, "Hey, Maeda-kun, you're part of the school track club this year, aren't you?"

Maeda, about to release the arrow, abruptly halted, causing the arrow to slip from his grasp and clatter to the ground. "Huh? Yeah, I'm still part of the track club this year. Although, I've been kind of slacking on the club meetings lately, feeling too lazy to keep up."

"See? Even a slacker like him is part of a club," Takeda said in a rather cheeky tone to Fuutaro, loud enough for Maeda to hear.

"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?!" Maeda shot back, irritation evident in his voice as he scooped up the fallen arrow.

"Come on, you must have at least one interest in mind other than studying, right? Anything, like reading manga, playing a musical instrument, photography, or even just playing video games…"

The word "photography" caught Fuutaro's attention. While he did have some interest in photography, it was not at the level of an enthusiast or hobbyist photographer. He enjoyed capturing photos of memorable moments, preserving them for future recollection in form of printed portrait.

This discussion about photography and its purpose reminded him of a conversation he had with Itsuki a couple of days ago, where he explained to her of his small interest in photography.

"Since you mention photography, I do have some interest in it."

"Photography, huh? Now that I think about it, I've noticed you taking shots here and there over the past couple of days. I might have to take back what I said earlier; you're not as bad as I thought," Takeda commented, his expression carrying a touch of intrigue. "You know, our school has a photography club, so why haven't you considered joining them? They're pretty skilled at capturing and documenting moments during school events. They even managed to take first place in the city-level competition last year."

"Like I said, I only have a little interest in it, not on the level of those enthusiasts," he clarified, retrieving his digital camera from his bag and giving it a thoughtful look. "To be honest, I haven't used this much outside of family vacations and school trips."

Takeda nodded in response to Fuutaro's statement. "Hehh… Then, let me take a look at some of your photographs." With a quick move, he swipe Fuutaro's camera from his hand.

"O-Oi!" Fuutaro exclaimed in panic as his camera was abruptly snatched away without warning.

Takeda flicked through the photos Fuutaro had taken since the school trip began, offering nods and occasionally stopping to examine certain shots. After a minute, he handed the camera back to its owner. "You've got some decent shots there, Uesugi-kun," he remarked. "I'm not just talking about the objects. The angles and attention to lighting are well done. The ones that stood out to me were Senbon Torii, Kiyomizu-dera main temple, and Otowa Waterfall." He then added, "You even caught some interesting spots in Fushimi Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera that I hadn't noticed. You've got a good eye, you know that?"

Swiftly stowing his camera into his backpack, Fuutaro experienced a profound sense of relief. Among the images stored in the camera, there were some that he intended for his eyes only. Luckily, those particular photos were safely stored on a different SD card in his bag. The current SD card in the camera held only his photos of Kyoto's landmarks, captured since the beginning of the trip. Regardless of the circumstances, the contents of the other SD card were securely shielded from prying eyes.

Releasing a hefty exhale, Fuutaro responded, "Yeah, thanks…"

"Hey, Uesugi-kun, I have an idea. If you're interested, I can put in a good word with the head of the photography club to let you join after summer vacation," Takeda suggested, his enthusiasm evident on his face. "It might be a nice break from studying."

"Huh?" he raised an eyebrow before declining, "No, thank you. Like I said earlier, such activities would be too much for me and could divert my focus from studying, tutoring the girls, and my part-time job."

"Fair enough," Takeda chuckled, then sighed softly. "How about this—I could talk to whoever is going to coordinate the school festival and recommend you for the documentary team. It won't be as demanding as attending a club every week until the end of the school year, and your responsibility will only last until the festival is over, or maybe a few weeks after."

Fuutaro responded with a simple shake of his head, saying, "Nope, I'll pass on that."

"Come on, Uesugi-kun, you need to chill and enjoy life more. Not everything is about studying," he advised calmly, seemingly undeterred by his friend's reluctance. "Also, remember what I said earlier—you're a class rep, so you get more attention than regular students. Improving your not-so-great image is crucial. By joining the photography club or the documentary team, you'll earn positive recognition from our friends and teachers. They won't easily forget your contributions; it will be appreciated, especially by those in the organizations. Every bit of help is valuable in these groups, and remember what I said about helping those in need?"

Fuutaro did not immediately respond; instead, he fell into thoughtful silence, contemplating the validity of Takeda's reasoning. Upon logical consideration, Takeda's words seemed to strike a chord.

The reality was that Fuutaro needed to enhance his image at school, given his role as the class representative, which attracted considerable attention from both classmates and teachers. While his reputation had seen some improvement, especially after securing the top position in the school rankings and third place nationally in the mock exams, not everyone's perception had shifted. Some students still murmured negativity about his cold, indifferent demeanor, while others dismissed his academic achievements as mere showboating.

In assessing the situation, he weighed the option of accepting Takeda's offer to further bolster his image. This opportunity aligned with his modest interest in photography, ensuring he would not find it tedious or pointless. Additionally, Ichika had already expressed similar sentiments, enthusiastically supporting any idea that could positively boost Fuutaro's visibility.

"Hmm... Should I accept this offer?"

"I really don't want to, to be honest..."

"But if both he and Ichika believe it can improve my school image..."

"I should take it without hesitation..."

"But still..."

"I need more time to consider this offer..."

Letting out another big exhale, Fuutaro admitted, "Okay, I can see the sense in what you've said." He then directed his gaze to the bright sky above, pondering the significance of the offer. "But I need time to think about it since this is new for me. If I deem this activity unworthy of my time, I won't join either of these two organizations. The same goes for the opposite."

Takeda smiled, chuckling. "Sure, whatever you say. Don't forget, my phone number and my ears are always open for any advice if you have doubts or need more information about it." His expression turned neutral as he closed his eyes. "If you say no, I've already done my best to convince you, and I can't do anything more, respecting your opinion. The decision is yours, Uesugi-kun, so think it through seriously."

"Yeah, I understand."

As Fuutaro and Takeda shifted their attention to Maeda, the other groupmate was still immersed in the extra rounds Takeda had generously covered earlier. Not quite finished, Maeda seemed to be taking aim at the final target as they approached. Checking the other four targets, he had managed to hit two of them.

If Maeda succeeded in hitting this last target, he would be eligible for an extra prize.

"How are you still not done yet, Maeda-kun?" Takeda asked, shaking his head in bewilderment. "Did you go for another round after I gave you those two free ones?"

"Shut it, Takeda! I need to land this last shot, and if I do, there's another prize waiting for me." He grabbed an arrow from the counter and pointed to specific reward. "See that? I've got my eye on that ninja figure."

"Hehh… Is that so? Then remember the basics: focus and breathe."

"I know. So, give me some space to focus," Maeda stated sternly as he prepared to shoot the final arrow.

Silence enveloped them, and Maeda narrowed his eyes at the fifth target before him. Placing the arrow on the bow, he raised the bow high in front-right of him, pulling the string back. Taking a deep breath, he slowly exhaled as a signal to release the string. When the string was released, the arrow shot from the bow and hit the target—right on the bullseye.

Observing this positive outcome, Maeda's expression brightened instantly. Pumping his fist with enthusiasm, he let out a loud "Yes" to revel in his accomplishment. The clerk extended congratulations and handed him the ninja figurine he had set his sights on.

"Hell yeah! I've been aiming for this for four rounds, and it finally paid off!" he exclaimed with energy as he carefully stowed the figurine in his bag. "Those 1200 Yen were totally worth it, not a waste at all!"

"Four rounds, huh? Your determination deserves some applause. So, congratulations," Takeda said with a smirk, giving a few small claps. "Now that we've hung around here for a while, let's move on to the next destination. As usual, where do you guys want to head next?

Maeda pulled out his phone, glancing at the screen. "Hmm… It's already this time, huh? So, I guess it's time for lunch…" He then consulted his pamphlet, searching for a place to eat. It did not take long for him to make a choice. "I want to eat at this restaurant. This place looks promising with its food selection. You okay with this place, Uesugi?"

Fuutaro opened his pamphlet, studying the restaurant's information. "This restaurant, huh? Fine with me."

Maeda turned to Takeda for confirmation, and he responded with a simple nod. "I'm starting to get hungry as well, so the timing is just right."

"All right! Come on, let's go to that place!" Maeda exclaimed loudly with an energetic expression, leading the way to the restaurant as Fuutaro and Takeda followed closely behind.

A/N:

Chapter 17 is now complete, here it is!

This chapter gave me some difficulties to write because Takeda and Maeda had minimal screentime in the main series and I had to carefully consider a realistic side activity for each character. In the end, I decided to give Takeda expertise in Archery, particularly Kyudo Archery, as it aligns with qualities such as focus, discipline, and elegance, fitting for his character. For Maeda, I imagined him participating in the Track club, reflecting somehow of his athleticism, but also incorporating his slacker demeanor, partly due to his delinquent personality.

I hope I've portrayed their interaction in a decent and realistic way, given the limited reference from the main series and relying on imagination to craft their dynamic.

Regarding the regular chapter fixes, Chapter 15 of "Our Promise and Bet" is set to be released on either Sunday or Monday. I apologize for the delay, but considering its length as one of the longest chapters, importance, and its role as the climax of the story, I need a bit more time to ensure the best outcome for this pivotal chapter.

Looking ahead, the next chapter of this story is scheduled for release in either the second week (12th February – 18th February) or the third week (19th February –25th February) of February. Due to the lengthy process of fixing Chapter 15 of "Our Promise and Bet," writing this chapter, and dealing with several migraine attacks over the past couple of weeks, I find it necessary to take a brief period to rest from writing. If all goes well, the next chapter will be released in the second week of February, but keep an eye on both weeks for its potential release.

As always, thank you for reading this story, and I'll see you in the next chapter!

If you enjoy the story, feel free to review, follow, and favorite it!