A Centaur's Life (セントールの悩み)

So this is yabusame?

Hey, now...

Was that a failed attempt?

Yep, total fail.

You're losing your nerve, Senpai!

Hey! It's dangerous to shoot past people!

I'm sorry...

Wait, forget that!

It looked like you were slacking off, so I came to wake you up.

Hey, Hime.

Oh. This is Wakamaki Ayaka-chan.

She's in middle school, so a year younger than us.

Hello.

She played a little prank just now,

but she's normally a very good, serious girl.

She's great at both yabusame and regular kyudo.

Ugh, just stop it already!

I'm good at yabusame? You're the one who won last year!

Is this her rebellious phase?

But...

I won't let that happen this year.

Uh...

Okay. Let's both do our best.

If you'll excuse me!

If all of you will be present to support Senpai at this year's meet,

I'm sure you will be disappointed.

Please try to motivate her a bit before then.

Goodbye.

Oh...

What?

By the way, how'd the kyudo tournament go?

I placed third individually and failed to advance to the nationals.

In the team competition, I didn't even graze the target.

So as a final memory for middle school,

I will at least beat you and win, Senpai!

You'd better be ready!

She was really fired up.

Yeah...

Actually, she tends to get a little too enthusiastic.

So last year, to try to ease her nerves a bit...

Ayaka-chan, Ayaka-chan!

Boo!

Feeling relaxed now?

Are you making fun of me?!

Now my concentration is shot.

Flop

You made a weird face?

Shino-chan thought it was funny...

This one isn't a little kid.

She's seemed to hate me ever since then.

She came over just to get your attention. I doubt she hates you.

Yeah, I'd say she actually likes you.

Really?

You think so?

I just came up with a good way to get Ayaka-chan to relax.

Really? What?

Whisper, whisper...

You think it'll be okay to do that?

It'll be fine.

Hey.

Konatamorei-sensei!

That's enough girl talk. Back to practice.

Yes, ma'am.

Instead of yabusame, would you girls like to try some regular kyudo?

Thanks for hanging around during my practice.

No problem.

It was pretty fun for us, too.

I guess archery is much harder than it looks, isn't it?

Japanese archery is, especially.

By the way, Himeno-san, why do you practice archery?

Huh?

Because my mom told me to, I guess.

My grandpa would give her a pretty hard time if I didn't.

It's really more about finding a marriage partner, isn't it?

Regardless of its meaning today, the meet came about because...

A place to practice, good equipment, and plenty of time to practice

were barometers of wealth and evidence of good health.

Since there aren't many centaur families,

it was a good way to find a centaur husband or wife.

You mean it's for the sake of reproduction?

Well, putting it that way might be a bit too direct.

Does "reproduction" count as an obscenity?

I was certain it was a serious term.

It depends on the time and place.

Oh, um...

I'm not doing it for... reproduction... at all.

It's true!

Thinking of getting married right out of high school?

Huh? I've never even thought about that.

But... I wonder what it's like for Ayaka-chan.

I think she's from a pretty well-to-do family.

Well, even if she's not old enough to marry,

there's still engagement, I guess.

An Antarctican?

Wow...

Here?

Ah.

Well, hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Hiya.

Isn't that our vice president?

Uh, who are they again?

They're in Komori-kun's class.

Oh, they're my juniors, then.

Remember the girl with the bright red hair?

They're probably here to watch her.

Ah.

Oh, you're friends of Rei-chan's?

Have a good time.

This is weird.

It's about what I'd expect.

Nozomi-chan! Kyo-chan! Suu-chan!

Hey.

Oh, hello.

Hello.

Hello.

Oh... An Antarctican...

Who's this?

Maki-chan. She's my friend from kindergarten.

Nice to meet you.

Is that a monster?

No, that's not a monster. That's Suu-chan.

You look sharp today.

Participants, please assemble.

Oh, I have to go.

I'll see you guys later.

Good luck, Nee-tan!

Go get 'em.

Let's all cheer for her together, okay?

Scary monster!

It's okay. The nee-tans are here.

Also, she's not a monster.

That's right. I'm not a monster.

It's okay...

Go talk to them.

You go.

But it's hard for me to talk to high school girls...

We won't take Hime-oneechan away.

Oh, yes, we will!

That was pretty good.

Thanks.

Next, Wakamaki Ayaka-san.

Oh, I have to go.

Ah, wait a second...

What? Are you going to say something to distract me again?

No.

What, then?

Why don't we make a bet to liven things up?

Well, that sounds interesting.