- International Call......

Ziongzong stared hesitantly at his phone, his finger hovering over the green dialing button.

The numbers had all been pressed, all that was left was the decision.

However, this is not really too big a deal, a phone call.

--Asking someone to do something, or call with sincerity.

So Ziongzong gritted his teeth and dialed the number.

"Duh... duh... duh... duh... click."

"Hello, is this JingYu? Long time no see, this is Ziongzong."

"Is that what you call JingYu? Be a good boy and call me sister."

"What's wrong? Are you in a bad mood?"

"Yes, I'm so angry that I want to kill someone."

"I'll help you if you still want to kill me when I get back. "

"Eh? You're coming back? When?"

"I'll contact you then, but before that, I want you to investigate something for me. "

"It's been a long time since I've spoken to you on the phone, but aren't you ashamed to give me such a straightforward request? "

"No, I'm sure you've taken the liberty of writing down another favor."

"I'm glad you know, so what's the big deal that I have to do?"

"Help me find out if Situ Kilian is dead."

"......?"

"What are you talking about? This guy Situ Qilian is now the talk of the town. The police haven't even caught him yet, so how can you ask me to find out if he's dead?"

"You go to check it out, just think of it as looking for someone with the same name."

"...... Okay, I'll do it for you if you ask me once."

"Then let's contact each other by email, that's all."

Ziongzong then dialed another number.

"Beep, beep, beep, beep, click."

"Hello, is it Zebei? Long time no see, this is Ziongzong."

"You can call Zebei just like that, asshole, call me brother! "

"What's wrong with you? You've been rejected by a guy again and you're angry?"

"No, I'm not. ...... I was so pissed off at a stupid thing that I almost had to become a virgin."

"That's a good thing."

"I thought you'd died in Japan and gotten lost in the world of peachy sex. "

"That's you, isn't it?"

"You know me, even if I'm lonely, I'll just go to a gay bar. "

"I'll get right to the point, help me set up a road bike, and contact Mr. Ou, tell him I'll go to him in the near future, there is heavy work. "

"I'm sure the bike thing is fine, but Mr. Ou may not be there. "

"If he's not here, I'll find a way. For the car, I'll refer to my original one for the basic configuration. If there are parts that take a long time to transfer, it's up to you. "

"I understand, you're coming back, right?"

"Yes, I'll bring you back with trouble, that's all."

After two phone calls, Ziongzong's heart felt more stable, using familiar language, hearing familiar voices, these are the long-lost hometown feeling.

-- But what a coincidence, the two of them would actually be in a bad mood at the same time ...... two people who don't know each other ......

the two people who became JingYu and Zebei by Ziongzong, should have been don't know each other.

--The two people who are Ziongzong and Zebei should not know each other.

-- Living in the same city, it is not impossible ......

Ziongzong felt an inexplicable worry, before he felt that those two people are not compatible with each other before they were not introduced to each other, and now... ...

- I hope I'm just thinking too much.

"I'm back~"

"Welcome back~"

The person who opened the door for Ziongzong was Uesugi Yuuki, who seemed to think that it was Yukino-san who had returned and greeted her in a rather bold way.

What is a bold greeting? Naturally, it's more than just a simple 'Welcome back~'.

Probably because she was on her way to change her clothes when she came to the door, Uesugi Yuuki was still wearing her school uniform on the upper half of her body, but her skirt had been taken off ...... Anyway, that was probably the look.

Then, blood from the bottom up, Uesugi Yuuki from the neck to the forehead, and then from the forehead to the ears, like a red-hot iron into the cold water, swish a lot of steam.

She turned around stiffly and walked back to her room with the same hands and feet as if she were a robot.

--I'll just pretend I didn't see anything~

Ziongzong smiled bitterly and closed the door, although it's a bit embarrassing to say this to Yuuki, but the pure white underwear of the schoolboy is not tempting to him at all.

Right now, his mind is on another thing.

--Box ~ black box ~ where are you~

Ziongzong searchs in his room, the black box , but also, along with the other thing to see.

A large bag.

Ziongzong tried hard to recall, and then remembered the night he spent at Katagiri Mai's house ...... no no, it was remembered that the morning after that, under that apartment building, the plane had a side of the black long straight, stuffed himself with a bag of something like a book.

He still hasn't opened it to confirm what's inside, he just threw it in the locker at that time.

Then it was forgotten by him.

-- Let's settle the box first.

Ziongzong took the black box into the bathroom, turned on the faucet, soaked the entire black box, then put it on and stood aside to wait for it to change.

A minute later, Ziongzong got the expected result.

--water reveal box, really shallow and tricky.

Shallow because it's simple, tricky because people who haven't seen "Yagyu of Sin" will never find out the secret.

On the lid of the black box, three lines of white writing emerged.

Wonderful full

Buddha light ten steps outside

Three feet under the tree shade

-- This is a hint?

Not surprisingly, this should be the hint that points to where the second page of the diary is located.

Ziongzong smiled slightly, compared to the code-like riddle given by that dreadful uncle, this hint looks much more reliable.

Just a little search in the memory, Ziongzong probably understand this hint.

-- This can be put off for a while, then, the next is ......

Ziongzong went back to the room and opened the bag that Black hair girl gave him.

-- What could be inside?

Before opening it, Ziongzong didn't think much about it, after opening it, Ziongzong's ability to think short-circuited for a second or two.

Inside the bag was a complete set of brand new unopened copies of Yagyu of Sin.

--what is this.

Whether it was the actual weight, or the weight in thought form, this set of "Yagyu of Sin" was really not light at all.

--"Someone asked me to give this to you, as for who that person is and for what purpose, I can't say anything about that, so I hope you will understand and accept this.'

--"Nothing can be revealed? "

--"Well, yes.'

--Do you think I should have this?

--Why do you ask?

---'If you think so, then I'll take it.'

--I seem to have unknowingly earned your trust.

-- 'No, no, trust doesn't need a reason, suspicion does, doesn't it?

--Then, I think you should take it.

Thinking back on the conversation, Ziongzong thought it was remarkable that he could forget this thing of unknown origin in his room for so long.

Now, he clearly smells a trap.

Ziongzong originally thought he would know about the Yagyu of Sin, using the Yagyu of Sin as a clue, finding the black box in the library, the diary, deducing the clue of where the second page of the diary is located - all these are just a chain that started by coincidence.

But now, these are no longer coincidences.

Even without the coincidence at Katagiri Mai's house, he would still have learned something about Yagyu of Sin.

Because someone had sent him Yagyu of Sin.

Ziongzong realized that he was being set up, that someone was deliberately trying to get him into these events.

Once this was understood, then the rest of what to do was simple.

Ziongzong put the book back into the bag, stuffed it into the cabinet, and closed it.

Since, the other side's purpose is to make Ziongzong do these things, then he just do not do it, so that the other side either give up, or take further action. Ziongzong, too, is either quite nothing has happened, or will be a scheme to figure out the identity of the other party, as well as the true intentions.

--If your main goal is to make use of me, you have picked the wrong person.

After dinner, Ziongzong continued to look for clues about the man who robbed him of his nine-section whip.

Since the last search was unsuccessful and the time needed to travel to and from the Central Capital District far exceeded the excuse of 'going for a walk', Ziongzong chose to look on the internet tonight.

Ziongzong has already done this by looking up keywords in search engines, but the man in the third dimension does not seem to have appeared in the Internet, so Ziongzong had to use some more troublesome methods this time.

He posted on social networking sites, high-traffic forums, with a side photo of the man and a text description, hoping to gather useful information.

All that was left was to wait, one day, two days, three days, until something came up.

The non-routine life interspersed with the daily life, Ziongzong felt a bit of a trance.

As a result of this trance, he almost followed Uesugi Yui into the women's locker room of the Kyudo club when he went to school in the morning.

Of course, he didn't go in.

In the morning, Ziongzong was in his seat reading a book while enjoying the dreary atmosphere of the classroom for the entrance exam.

It was clear that there was still a semester left before the entrance exams, but the place was already in a state of desperate battle.

This reminds Ziongzong of the feeling of classes inherent in domestic high schools.

What is it like to be in a key class?

It was the miserable feeling of holding back the urge to go to the bathroom to save time for solving a problem and eventually bursting your bladder.

"Uesugi-san, can you give me sometime?"

A shadow enveloped Ziongzong. The person who came was the main general of the kendo club, Ishimoto Eiji.

Only a stout guy like Ishimoto Eiji could achieve the effect of enveloping someone with a shadow.

Ziongzong remembered him well. He had written a love letter to Uesugi Yui a while ago.

"Oh, what is it? "

Ziongzong unconsciously put on a high posture of a brother meeting his son-in-law - even though Uesugi Yui was actually his sister.

"Where's Yui ...... gone, I have something I want to see her about."

--Asshole!

Ziongzong nearly broke his grip on the ballpoint pen.

"She should be in the third grade teacher's office, you can go check it out, I'm not really sure. "

Ziongzong actually knew very well that Uesugi Yui was doing her morning exercises at Kyudo Club at the moment, but he just had to tell this guy named Ishimoto Eiji the opposite direction.

"Okay, thanks."

Ishimoto Eiji thanked Ziongzong nervously and walked out of the classroom quickly.

Ziongzong was a little embarrassed to be thanked so frankly, but he didn't regret it at all.

The moment Ishimoto Eiji turned around, Ziongzong saw a letter he had hidden in his pocket.

He had already written a love letter last time, so what was he doing with another letter now?

--Although I have the awareness of being a 'brother-in-law', it doesn't mean I'm not picky~

This combination of simplicity and chutzpah probably won't develop into a sinister friendship.

On his lunch break, Ziongzong still didn't feel full enough after eating Yukino-san's love lunch, so he went to the welfare office to buy bread and sat under a tree in the courtyard, looking at the trunk of the tree that had lost all its leaves, and ate the Japanese bread full of creativity.

The combination of "fried noodles and bread", a cross-generational combination, was really something.

Incidentally, although it was called a welfare club, it was really just a kiosk.

At that moment, Beisui Yata, who was carrying a bag of bread, walked past Ziongzong.

--Although it was just a favor of bread, it was still a benefactor.

"Good afternoon, Yata-san. "

Ziongzong smiled and greeted her.

"Good afternoon ...... Uesugi-senpai. "

She faintly stared, then smiled and waved at Ziongzong.

The girls seemed to favor foods like vegetable bread that were lower in calories than the set meals in the cafeteria, which should be the main reason why Beisui Yata always carried bread.

"I bought more bread today, too.

Beisui Yata saw Ziongzong eating the bread, so she smiled and carried the big bag of bread she was holding to Ziongzong.

Obviously, she misunderstood.

--No...... that embarrassing situation last time just once was enough.

"Uh, actually, I already ate my bento earlier, just because I wasn't full, that's why ......"

Ziongzong awkwardly shook the fried noodle bread in his hand.

"Ah ...... sorry, I just thought ......"

Beisui Yata finally understood what was going on and apologized to Ziongzong with a guilty face.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter.'

"...... don't mind, you'd better take it, it's really an extra purchase."

"No ......"

"Boys eat more to grow stronger ......"

Ziongzong really didn't want to spout off that he wasn't skinny at all at a time like this.

"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to say that ......"

"It's okay, I don't mind."

Ziongzong took the bread out of her hand.

"Indeed, one doesn't seem to be enough to eat. "

At a time like this, there was no choice but to accept the bread to end the awkward conversation.

Beisui Yata also showed a heartfelt smile.

She really is a very good person to get along with, know how to keep some distance, also good at understanding others' difficulties, before people think that not good at talking because always with the lively and active Haramura Kana, but in fact is a generous, quiet and elegant girl.

-- Speaking of Kana Haramura ......

"Recently, I haven't seen you and Haramura together. "

Ziongzong's careless mention of the word made Beisui Yata feel uncomfortable.

Her eyes, which had been looking at Ziongzong, moved away.

"...... little quarrel, it doesn't matter, it will be fine in two days."

-- stepped on a mine ...... didn't think it was really a quarrel.

"I'm sorry for talking too much."

"It's okay, Uesugi-senpai means well."

It's just a gesture, I guess.

"I hope you two can make up soon, Haramura-san seems to be more childish, so Yata-san should be more humble."

"Thank you for your advice ...... My friends are waiting for the bread, so I'll leave now. "

"Yes. "

After seeing Beisui Yata leave, Ziongzong continued to eat the bread in the same place.

In the campus, eating bread alone in such a corner looks quite pathetic - but Ziongzong, who is the person in question, does not feel that way.

"He was pretending to be a good person again. "

The reason for this is probably that someone will always come to him.

Katagiri Mai walked past Ziongzong with no expression on her face, while dropping a snide remark.

"Don't forget that thing."

--I thought she should be the type of person who speaks little, but I didn't expect her to be so verbose ......

Or rather, that thing is more important to her than Ziongzong can imagine.

--Find out about Watanabe Gengo, is it that important to her.

"Yes yes yes~~~"

Ziongzong know there's nothing to be gained by confronting her, or is it best to play it casual.

But she was just passing by, and did not mean to pester Ziongzong, and after dropping the poisoned tongue incendiary bomb, she accelerated away like a B-25 Mitchell bomber.

-- Watanabe Gengo guy ......

such a dangerous person, Ziongzong naturally will not let him and Katagiri Mai easily meet, at least, also have to wait until Ziongzong to investigate the matter clearly, and then consider At the very least, he would have to wait until Ziongzong had investigated the matter clearly before considering whether to fulfill this promise with Katagiri Mai, a simple promise that could be made or not.

"Oh, there you are."

After Katagiri Mai, someone else came to interrupt Ziongzong's lunch.

The person who came this time was a little annoying to Ziongzong.

"What can I do for you, Araki-sensei? "

Ziongzong suppressed his discontent and put on a smile.

"Ah, there's actually something I want to ask you. "

Mayumi Araki also put a rare smile on her face.

"You're already in the third year, and you're going to the Kyudo Club training that takes ten days?"

--No, Mayumi Araki cares about that?

Ziongzong instinctively thought that Mayumi Araki must be thinking of something.

"Well, yeah, what's wrong? "

"As far as I know, you are not an official member of Kyudo Club, right?"

"No, but I've been invited, so I can't go, right?"

"Oh, I see... ...... But as a transfer student, do you really care about your studies?"

Ziongzong got goosebumps, "Does it really matter academically?" Such words coming from Mayumi Araki's mouth, he really couldn't believe it.

"...... don't beat around the bush. "

Ziongzong stood up.

"Come on, say your intentions, I don't believe you're this type of teacher."

This straightforward line made Mayumi Araki freeze for a moment.

Immediately afterwards, she said ......

"Can you ask me if you can add another place? "

Ziongzong had to admit that Mayumi Araki was the most uncouth teacher he had ever met, bar none.

That's too much straightforwardness, asshole!

"You ...... you want to go too? "

"Can't I?"

"What about the class?"

"What about what?"

"Don't you want to leave it alone? Do you want to leave it to Mr. Hondo?"

"Oh, the guy with the hemorrhoids, he can be trusted since hemorrhoids are cured. ...... But don't you know that?"

"What do you know?"

"On the day you go to the training, the third grade will start to take a school holiday."

"Eh? A study break? But there's still ...... "

"And the day after you come back from the school break, there's a mock exam before the final exam."

"No!"

"Yes."

Ziongzong knew that his heart was twisted into a ball at this moment, and it was still being tightened, gradually turning into a twist.

--Mayumi Araki, you bastard ......

"Don't say bad things about me in your heart, I can hear you."

"Okay, I'll ask for you."

"Well, I'm counting on you, Takahashi-san."

"......"

After the attempt was successfully completed, Mayumi Araki followed the usual practice and called Ziongzong by the wrong name again.

--Someday I'll make you call me by the right name, asshole!

Today, Uesugi Yui seems to be in a particularly good mood.

It wasn't hard to tell because after finishing the club activities today, she and Ziongzong didn't go straight home, but found a sweet store on the way and went in for a short sit.

It was definitely a new experience for Ziongzong - but it was too early to be happy, and new experiences are not always good.

"Welcome to the light ...... eh? "

Right after entering, the unexpected element was met, at least for Ziongzong.

As for Uesugi Yui, her face was not patronized by the guest named "surprise".

Then, it was clearly a deliberate factor.

When they entered the store, the waiter who greeted them was actually Ito Tomono - Ito Tomono was helping out at this sweet store owned by a relative, and the only person in the school who knew about it was Uesugi Yui.

"Welcome, are you two, this way please. "

Ito Tomono forced to pretend that she did not know them.

Uesugi Yui did not say anything, smiled and led Ziongzong in with him, as for Ziongzong ...... he already had a strong feeling that if he asked a question, he would be killed, so he put the desire to know that can kill people into the cold house The company's main goal is to provide the best possible service to its customers.

-- Is it war coming?

Ziongzong and Uesugi Yui were seated by the window with Ito Tomono as their guide.

"What would you like to order? "

"Mango shake and fruit and vegetable shake."

Uesugi Yui didn't ask Ziongzong what he wanted to drink, but ordered it for him without even looking at the menu.

This simple detail already made Ziongzong's forehead full of beads of sweat.

It goes without saying that the current Uesugi Yui is quite domineering and does not even leave Ziongzong the power to choose.

In other words, Ziongzong probably has little chance to make decisions for himself today.

Just go with the flow of a poor boy.

After ordering, Ziongzong thought he could finally breathe a little.

Unfortunately, this is just what he thought.

During the waiting period for drinks, the conversation is unavoidable.

Since it was unavoidable, Ziongzong thought it would be better if he started the conversation himself, because if Uesugi Yui had spoken first, there was no telling how it would have turned out. ......

However, he thought of it a little too late, and there are many tragedies in this world because of 'a little too late'.

"There are many girls around Ziongzong. "

Uesugi Yui stirred his drink and said that lightly, beforehand.

"I've only been in Kyoto for a short time. "

"You have?"

Such a careless question, but unusually sharp, can be said to be straight into Ziongzong's vitals, so that he instantly his whole body cold hair up ......Uesugi Yui just a careless look, but already Ziongzong into the first level of combat state.

"...... uh.'

Ziongzong wanted to muddle through and stall for time first.

"No."

Uesugi Yui, however, had no intention of giving him a chance to catch his breath, and added a rhetorical question without mercy.

With two simple words, Ziongzong was forced to a precipice, a precipice, a precipice between life and death.

-- Why you ask me this kind of question??

Ziongzong's heart has been panic, uncle heart put pants over his head everywhere, a heartless hysterical self-loathing look.

Generally speaking, if a girl asks herself this, then most of the time it is a hint before confession, but now is never a situation that can be described as "generally speaking", Ziongzong is not at all happy to be confessed, but a completely sad feeling of waiting for death on the guillotine.

Wow wow, the sharp guillotine hanging on it is about to fall down.

"Yuuki, Koga,Ito, Katagiri ...... and you, there are indeed a lot of them, should we add Yukino? "

The desperate Ziongzong, simply broken, since the question to be so straightforward, then he also so straightforward answer.

There are many girls around, so what, it is not as long as the man and woman together must be a relationship.

If only men and women were together in this world to create a relationship, then there wouldn't be so many members of the group who are looking forward to dying at 11:11:11 on November 11, 2011.

"Mom would be very happy to hear that. "

Uesugi Yui smiled lightly.

Unfortunately, Ziongzong's blunt attack did not shake Uesugi Yui, she still had the same smile on her face.

It's scary.

A woman.

"So, Ziongzong, aren't you going to settle down with someone? "

The scene in the drink store was frozen at that moment.

--Yui, you want to kill me so badly?

Ziongzong knew his expression was getting out of hand, so he simply put his fist to his nose and bent his head down thirteen degrees in contemplation.

--Excluding the two children and a mother, Ito Tomono to me is just a schoolgirl and the head of the Kyudo Club, and it's fun to tease her, but I don't think there's anything between us.

--As for Katagiri Mai, I just got out of a negative relationship, so just being friends with her is already a luxury, let alone a relationship.

-- Then, the only thing left is ...... you.

Ziongzong and uncle heart together to calm down.

They are people who have been through the storm, how can a third grade girl make them lose their manners so much.

"So what about you Sister Yui, are you going to settle down with someone".

The hot question was thrown back by Ziongzong.

"Answer my question first, don't change the subject."

Then it was thrown back again.

"It's still too early for me, I don't know anything about it. "

Ziongzong still remembered clearly that Ishimoto Eiji, the main general of the Kendo Club, had given Uesugi Yui a love letter.

"That ...... is just ...... Eiji guy playing around. "

Uesugi Yui stammering explanation, such a statement, of course, Ziongzong do not believe.

--Playing around? The simple and honest Ishimoto Eiji is not someone who can play around with such skills~

However, Ziongzong did not have to poke holes in it, because Uesugi Yui would say that, which means that Ishimoto Eiji's courtship has been destroyed, so he was relieved - There's no ambiguity here, it's just that Ziongzong feels that Uesugi Yui's boyfriend needs to be someone he can trust, and Ishimoto Eiji is not that person.

Now, all Ziongzong had to do was feel good about Uesugi Yui's stammering explanation, because he had finally swayed the elusive sister, and that was hard to come by.

"Here are your drinks, please enjoy them."

The war of words came to an end when Ito Tomono appeared with a tray.

Uesugi Yui took the mango shake first and left the fruit and vegetable one to Ziongzong.

-- Fruit and vegetable ...... shake ?

It looks like it's mixed with tomatoes, radishes, apples, etc. ...... But that's not important, it's all within Ziongzong's acceptable range.

What Ziongzong can't accept is the shape of the glass.

--The funnel-shaped glass ......

"Very interesting glass , the first time to see."

"......."

Ziongzong echoed, with some strange feeling in his heart.

The cup in front of him reminds him of the ghostly riddle: there is a toad, nestled in a funnel-shaped glass with some ice cubes in it. The glass was placed on a coaster, and to one side of the glass, there was a small hen staring at the toad in the glass.

-- The same funnel-shaped glass. What does the toad in the funnel glass mean?

The riddle overlaps with real life, and Ziongzong has to take it seriously because of the warning - 'If you can't guess, you'll lose your life'.

Of course, there can't be a toad in this cup.

So, was Ziongzong being paranoid, or did the toad have another intention?

"What's wrong with Ziongzong, staring at the cup so intensely? "

"Ah, nothing, I just thought it was rare, so I looked at it more."

--Toad in the cup ...... Toad ......

Ziongzong stirred the crimson drink in the cup and his heart began to beat faster.

He didn't want to imagine the worst, but he had to think about it now.

-- "If you can't guess, you'll lose your life"

Ziongzong now understood the meaning of the man's warning.

It was completely literal.

---"Toad in the cup".

The question suddenly became simple, if this funnel-shaped glass contains not fruit and vegetable milkshake, but a toad, Ziongzong will drink it.

The answer is no.

So, Ziongzong gets the drink and just stirs the straw.

If he just stirred the straw and didn't drink it, he was bound to get a question from Uesugi Yui. There was no excuse, but Ziongzong couldn't use simple excuses if he wanted to achieve his goal.

Ziongzong waved to Ito Tomono before Uesugi Yui could speak again, and at the same time, he used his other hand to operate his phone under the table and sent a message to Eiji Hayamizu sent an empty email.

"Ito, come here for a moment."

"Well, what's wrong?"

"...... Nothing, I just wanted to call you out of the blue."

"Really, can't you see me working? Stop it."

During the conversation, Ziongzong's cell phone rang, it was the beep of an email received, as Ziongzong expected, Eiji Hayamizu replied very quickly, the content was simple, just a question mark.

Ziongzong stared at the question mark for thirty seconds.

"I'm sorry, sister Wei, my classmate asked me to go back to school immediately.

"What's wrong?"

"There are not enough people to clean the gym."

"...... Then you should go."

"Yes."

"Ito, can you pack this drink for me? I have to go now."

I can't take this funnel-shaped glass with me.

"What a request! ......"

"Can you do it? I haven't drunk it yet, so I think it's a waste."

"Okay, for the spirit of thrift, I'll help you."

Out of the dessert store, Ziongzong pretended to run towards the school, ran out of two or three hundred meters, glanced back, saw that no one followed out, immediately turned into the alley and ran towards the nearby police station.

This police station Ziongzong is not familiar with, but Ziongzong and a police officer inside a slight acquaintance.

His name was Dojou Kazuaki.

Dojou Kazuaki is the person in charge of the last abduction case, and because Ziongzong is more or less involved in the case (the part where he played Yoshihiro Itou is not included), he also had a few contacts with Ziongzong.

After explaining his purpose to the doorman, Ziongzong was led directly into Kazuaki 's office.

"Oh, it's you, what's up?

The working Dojou Kazuaki just swept his eyes at Ziongzong and didn't even raise his head, continuing to work at his desk.

So, Ziongzong also opened the door to the clear talk, no more pleasantries.

"Can you help me test this stuff, Officer Dojou. "

Ziongzong put the fruit and vegetable shake packed in a plastic cup on the table.

"What's the reason?"

Dojou Kazuaki still didn't even look at it.

"I don't have a reason, but if Officer Dojou would like to take a sip of this drink, I'll leave immediately and convincingly. "

Ziongzong's words finally made Kazuaki stop the pen in his hand.

He first observed Ziongzong's expression, and looked directly at him eye to eye for a few seconds before standing up.

"...... well, come with me."

Dojou Kazuaki took Ziongzong into another room, which smelled like a laboratory with the smell of chemical reagents wafting through it. A staff member, who was writing a paper, looked at the two who suddenly entered with a surprised look.

"Sergeant Dojou, what are you ......? "

"This drink may be poisonous, so I'd like to have it tested, please. "

"No, you're welcome."

"So, how long do I have to wait?"

"Five minutes, if I'm not surprised."

"Okay."

Dojou Kazuaki ignored Ziongzong and casually found a chair and sat down as if he were in his own home.

Ziongzong couldn't find anything to say, so he just stood and waited for five minutes.

"The results came out, it was potassium cyanate. "

The good thing is that the laboratory staff worked very efficiently, allowing Ziongzong to get rid of this suffocating atmosphere.

Ziongzong raised his head and looked at Dojou Kazuaki, the results were even more terrible than he thought.

"The result was even more terrible than he thought. This thing was served to me as a fruit and vegetable shake in the dessert store - a good reason for the test, right? "

Dojou Kazuaki didn't say anything, but looked down and pondered for a while before speaking.

"The reason for the test is sufficient, but what is the reason for me to believe you? "

Ziongzong was stuck, he didn't expect that he would encounter so much trouble when he came to the police station as a middle school student seeking help.

It was almost as if they were deliberately making things difficult for him.

"As a police officer, shouldn't he trust the citizens? "

Ziongzong became impatient, and his language became sharp.

"Of course the police trust the public, but they don't just barge into a sweet store to conduct a sample investigation just because of a random middle school student's words. Who knows if some middle school student mixed chemicals into his drink on a whim and then made his own show? "

In terms of tone, Dojou Kazuaki didn't have a common opinion with Ziongzong, a middle school student, and remained calm and steady, but the wording was not at all inferior to Ziongzong, leaving no half-heartedness.

"......'

Ziongzong had nothing to say, he knew he was at an impasse, it was easy to continue to lose his temper, however losing his temper would not bring him any help, he realized he had gone seriously off track, if he continued like this, not only would he not get help from the police, he would also get into trouble with them.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Policeman, I'm too impolite! "

Ziongzong slowly bent down and apologized to Dojou Kazuaki in a loud voice.

This abrupt turn of events caused Kazuaki to frown and stare at Ziongzong again with a serious expression for a moment.

'What are you doing? Think I'm giving you a hard time because of a matter of etiquette? I want credentials, and don't consider anything beyond that.'

Ziongzong was completely confused by Dojou Kazuaki.

Ziongzong always thought there was an uncle living inside, here is finally met a real uncle.

Ming did not do anything yet, already let Ziongzong do not know what to do uncle.

The actual Ziongzong does not know what to do, but Dojou Kazuaki took the liberty to change their attitude.

"...... forget it."

Dojou Kazuaki gently patted Ziongzong's shoulder.

"Leave your things, you go back first."

"Eh?"

"I'll let you know when the results of the investigation are in, but until then, just wait. ''

Kazuaki put his hands on Ziongzong's shoulders and pushed him toward the door.

"You are just a kid, why do you have to pretend to be an adult? "

"I didn't mean to make things difficult for you, but I wanted to see how far you could go in pretending to be a grown-up. "

"You've seen the result yourself, so be a good boy."

"Just be a child."

The experience at the police station slapped Ziongzong unmercifully, but did not expel him from one road to another, remove the details, pull out the concept that someone timely in Ziongzong too exuberant when he poured cold water on his head, let him stop, so as not to overdo it.

Ziongzong also knows that he is the spirit of moving the account to transfer The nature of the middle school students, is living a strange life with the "schooling" "youth" relationship is not too big.

The whole body and mind immersed in, dedicated to a thing and will achieve it, is very addictive.

That's why Ziongzong created "Itou Yoshihiro" as a virtual personality separate from himself, so as not to be affected too much by the events, but he obviously underestimated the fatal attraction of adventure for a boy his age.

So, during the weekend, Ziongzong immersed himself in an atmosphere of leisure, morning exercise, good morning, breakfast, books, lunch, TV, napping and playing around ...... lived like a high school student.

As for the matter that he was anxiously waiting for the result inside, there was no news, as if his visit to the police station had never happened.

On the weekend night, Ziongzong did not go out alone as planned to find out about the man with the longbow, but took Uesugi Yuuki to Koga Mizuo's house to play.

After a short period of time, the relationship between the Uesugi and Koga families became as familiar as neighbors who had lived together for several years, and the two lollies, who were so in love with each other, were naturally responsible for the rapid rapprochement.

This, perhaps, is also another reason for Ziongzong to let go of his risky deeds.

The wind blowing waves together lapping on the reef, into white foam scattered around, hidden in the humid sea breeze.

The wind and sun under the sky, the reef under the surface of the sea is still invisible.

Dessert store, mixed with potassium cyanate fruit and vegetable shakes, withered into a bone spur, resting in the heart of Ziongzong.

The calendar went to Monday, classes continued as usual, and Ziongzong met Ito Tomono at school from time to time, but he did not say a word about the milkshake, not that Ziongzong was too gentle to ask, but he thought it would be useless to do so.

Suspicion is not a bad thing, but one is never proud to doubt others.

If Ziongzong had asked Ito Tomono, what would have happened to Uesugi Yui, who had taken Ziongzong to the sweet store that day?

So, Ziongzong remained as he always was, pretending that nothing had happened.

The thorn that rests inside, however, will grow with time and stab Ziongzong even deeper.

When and where will the next drink with murderous intent be served to him by a smiling waiter?

It is not a bad thing to be suspicious, but one is never proud to be suspicious of others, and, when one has to, one has to be suspicious of everyone, and that just leaves an endless self-destruction.

The uncle heart did not abandon Ziongzong or be abandoned by Ziongzong, he still accompanied him and helped him to play the identity of a normal student well, without the slightest flaw.

After school, two people can go home together to talk and pass the time, while a person home is often dazed all the way.

The time of daze will be boundless to think about something, the genre is not limited, but most of the time will be affected by the scenery seen on the way home.

The cold wind blows, the boundaries of autumn and winter gradually become blurred, and it snows in Kyoto in winter, which makes Ziongzong look forward to it, because it doesn't snow in Xiamen all year round.

"Meow~"

-- Hmm?

Not all cat calls attract Ziongzong's attention, but this cat is a 'familiar face' to Ziongzong.

Ziongzong looked up and the black and white cat was perched on the edge of the fence, pawing at the fur on its head, staring at Ziongzong as well.

"Yo, long time no see."

"Meow."

The last time I saw him, he had tormented Ziongzong, but compared to the damage Katagiri Mai had suffered, Ziongzong was nothing compared to what he had done.

Compared with the wretched appearance when we first met, Anna's body is now sturdy and her fur is full of shine. In addition, on its neck, a black collar was hung with "ANNA" written on it.

--It seems that Katagiri Mai really likes it.

Ziongzong just by looking at Anna like this, he could feel Katagiri Mai's love for Anna.

'Anna.'

Ziongzong clapped his hand towards Anna, and it immediately jumped obediently into Ziongzong's arms, squinted its glasses, and rubbed its ears against Ziongzong's arm, seemingly very happy.

The way it was now inviting, and the way it had bitten Katagiri Mai last time, made it impossible to link them together.

"What happened last time, don't do it again, understand? "

"Meow."

Anna gave a serious meow, but unfortunately it was useless to be serious.

Ziongzong looked around, but couldn't find the figure of her master, Katagiri Mai, the girl with the cold attitude.

-- Coming alone again?

Ziongzong did not want to send Anna back to Katagiri Mai's house again, such an experience is enough.

But we can't just leave it like that.

--Have no choice but to ......

The good thing is that at this time of the day, Katagiri Mai should still be at school for club activities.

So, going back to school became the best option, while the club is still active, it should not be difficult to return Anna to Katagiri Mai smoothly and without any fuss. Also, Katagiri Mai and Uesugi Yui are in the Kyudo club together, so having Uesugi Yui there should be helpful in some way.

It seems that the only one who can subdue Katagiri Mai is Uesugi Yui, the big sister.

"Let's go ...... er, Anna.'

Since Ziongzong still has the fact that Anna is a male in his subconscious, it was difficult to call a male cat by the name Anna smoothly.

It was about to be winter and it was getting dark extra early.

"So, under the sunset, a young boy and a cat set out to defeat a vicious demon king. "

"Meow...!

And so, a foolish boy and a strange cat named Anna returned to school.

After school, the busiest place in the school is the floor used for club activities.

Kyudo Club, a big club, has a floor all to itself, located on the fourth floor. On the way to the fourth floor, another big club, the Kendo Club, which also occupies a floor, gave off a strong aura that made Ziongzong stand.

If I were to describe this aura, it would be the sound of the members stepping and waving their bamboo swords, a sound full of power that Ziongzong could hear comfortably.

In contrast, the Kyudo Club is much quieter, and if you compare the temperature, it is zero degrees.

Ziongzong stood at the entrance of the stairs and could not hear anything.

The white painted walls stretch to the end of the corridor, and in the middle of the long wall, there is a huge sliding door about six meters long.

Ziongzong and Anna stood in front of the door for a long time but did not dare to pull the door, because it was too quiet inside.

A very serious atmosphere, even through the sliding door, can be clearly felt, so that people dare not arbitrarily pull open the door, say a 'disturbance' hastily. Moreover, Ziongzong also does not know if Anna can bring in, what are the requirements to go in and so on ......

- strange things really make people headache.

"Meow~"

Anna sat up straight on the ground, looked at Ziongzong, and whimpered in confusion.

"Shhh! "

Ziongzong put his index finger in front of his lips, not sure if Anna could understand Ziongzong's meaning, continue to stay in front of the door will only make people feel more nervous and anxious, Ziongzong simply pick up Anna and go to the stairs ...... anyway, sooner or later will have to end the activity to go home, this is the only The only place where you can go up and down the stairs, guard here will be fine.

"Ziongzong?"

"Ah! "

Ziongzong was startled by the voice coming from behind.

"It's really you, what are you doing here? Don't you have club activities? "

Uesugi Yui came up from the bottom of the stairs, still wearing the school uniform and carrying her school bag.

Among the third year students, there are only a few like Uesugi Yui who are still active in the club.

Moreover, Uesugi Yui is the commander of Kyudo Club, and is also the main player.

"There's something going on at ......, so you're just now coming over? "

Uesugi Yui put on a bitter face.

"I've been delayed in the student council, so I've been busy again. ......"

"Wow~~ what a cute kitty."

But that bitter look disappeared in a flash.

Uesugi Yui found Anna hiding at Ziongzong's feet and immediately bent down and picked her up, holding her paws in her hands and waving them from side to side with a happy smile on her face.

"Hello, what's your name, kitty cat? "

"Meow."

"I don't have a name, so let me help you think of one."

"Meow."

"You agree? I'm so happy!"

"Meow."

"I'll give you a name now, right?"

"Meow."

No matter how you look at it, it's just Uesugi Yui talking to herself, and no matter how hard you make the cat work, it's still "meow".

Ziongzong wanted to interject "The cat already has a name", but Uesugi Yui was already in character, so it was risky to force it.

--It's just a name, so let's call it what we like, anyway, it's not as if ......

"Well ...... is called... ...How about Anna ......? "

"Meow~!"

"Well, you like it, that's good, well ~~~~ Anna is good ~~~~"

"Meow~"

Ziongzong was quite speechless.

There is such a coincidence under the sky.

Ziongzong was killed and then resurrected and killed again, Ziongzong also firmly do not believe.

--She already saw the cat before, right?

"It is not your first time saw Anna, right?"

Ziongzong felt that this level of questioning should be safe.

"What's that tone? Of course it's the first time, isn't it, Anna-chan? "

Uesugi Yui pretended to be indignant, then pulled Anna's paw and played with it happily again.

"Nah, Ziongzong, what did you bring Anna-chan here for? "

The name was really smooth.

Ziongzong confirmed the fact that he had been fooled by Uesugi Yui.

''I brought it here to find the master.''

"Oh, Mai?"

--I didn't say the cat had anything to do with Katagiri Mai~

--You do know the cat's name ......

"Do you know each other well? "

"Yes, as a senior, I have to take good care of my juniors."

"When Mai first brought Anna to me, she asked me to name her, so I named her "Anna".

Uesugi Yui was quite proud of himself, he smiled ...... while Ziongzong had a stiff smile on his face.

--The culprit who gave this male cat a name like "Anna" is you.

"Why is Anna with you?"

"I met her near the school entrance."

While they were talking, they reached the entrance of Kyudo Club.

"Let's go in."

"Eh? That's it ......"

Wow.

Without giving Ziongzong time to hesitate, Uesugi Yui pulled the door open ......

and was greeted by ...... a bright and spacious corridor.

"Eh?"

"What are you surprised about?"

"I thought I was entering the Kyudo field ......"

On the walls on both sides of the corridor, there were a lot of awards and certificates, framed but some of them were already yellowed. The Kyudo Club of Higashiken High School seems to have had a glorious history.

"We have about an hour to go, so let's leave Anna in the locker room. "

"Oh."

Uesugi Yui extended her hands to Ziongzong.

"Come on, give Anna-chan to big sister. "

Ziongzong thought the smile on Uesugi Yui's face was really suspicious.

"Don't put it in any strange place."

"What are you talking about? "

"I'm a big sister with a big heart! "

"What's a strange place?"

Uesugi Yui said a lot to Ziongzong, and then hugged Anna.

"Let's go change with my sister, Anna-chan~"

So Uesugi Yui carried Anna into the dressing room.

"Well ......"

A sour feeling ran through Ziongzong's heart.

-- Hey, that one is a male .

Ziongzong slapped his forehead hard.

--The first thing you need to do is to get rid of the cat's gender, do not be silly.

Small animals and so on, of course it is possible not to care.

But the ......

dressing room inside, the slight, clothes rubbing sound, incomparably strong harassment Ziongzong's eardrums.

-- Calm down

Ziongzong put a lid on those exhilarating fantasies, ah, no, bad fantasies, and blamed them on the poor quality of the walls and the poor sound insulation.

"Ziongzong, what are you muttering about alone? "

"Ah, no, nothing, nothing."

Because he was so absorbed in his thoughts, Ziongzong seemed to say it unconsciously, and he didn't even notice that Uesugi Yui had changed his clothes and walked out ...... Uh, changed his clothes?

The white do-rags, the black skirt and pants, the belt tied around the waist to highlight the slim waist, the narrow pleated stripes make the already slender Uesugi Yui, look even more handsome.

"What's wrong? "

"No...... nothing."

Of course, Ziongzong would not say something like, "I'm looking at it because it's so handsome".

However, Uesugi Yui also did not notice Ziongzong's eyes, she was busy adjusting a piece of black stuff hanging on her chest, ahem, a protective gear called "chest barrier".

"Okay, then go in."

"Do you mind if I go in too?"

"I don't care, just think of it as a tour. "

Although Uesugi Yui, who was the main person in charge, said so, Ziongzong could not relax at all.

He had heard that Kyudo was a movement that was very, very concerned about "etiquette", but after Uesugi Yui started to explain to Ziongzong what to do after entering, Ziongzong realized how much weight this "very, very concerned" really carried.

For example, when entering, which foot to step on first, where to bow, how many degrees to bow, where to look with your eyes, the speed of your steps when walking, and even the turning technique - Ziongzong felt that Uesugi Yui had forgotten that he was just a tourist.

The red tape of Kyudo ...... had been burned into the furrows of Ziongzong's brain even before the first Kyudo fellowship event.

About fifteen minutes later, Yui felt that it was almost time to take Ziongzong into the dojo.

Incidentally, they had taken their shoes off outside before entering the six-meter-long door.

This is the rule, so being in Japan, you have to have a pair of clean, odorless socks to accompany you every day, otherwise, you will suffer the torture of being lined up by the crowd.

Back to business, the door into the dojo, smaller than Ziongzong expected, is probably a wooden sliding door that allows one person in and out at a time.

Clatter clatter clatter.

The door frame rubbed against each other, moved to the side, and the door was pulled open.

The first sight was full of shock.

The standard kneeling posture, upright spine, focused eyes, awe-inspiring atmosphere, as if there is an invisible wind is blowing violently against Ziongzong, nearly blown down.

Ziongzong had to admit, in just a moment of stepping in, he was deeply attracted by this solemn scene.

Three neat rows of Kyudo members, lined up on one side of the dojo, their expressions of total concentration, unmoved by the two people who had just entered the dojo, what concentration, what a strong cultural atmosphere.

Ziongzong had heard about it in China, and with a little reading after deciding to join the Kyudo society, he learned that Kyudo is a movement that places great emphasis on etiquette and considers spiritual cultivation as the soul. It is a sport that focuses on etiquette and spirituality as the soul.

It is a practice of the arrow as well as the heart.

Therefore, Kyudo is called "Tachi-zen" as opposed to "Sitting Zen"

- it's so fascinating, it's the embodiment of "ritual"!

Ziongzong's taste.

Ziongzong's taste is naturally the result of the dean's tutelage.

The dean's education is full of the rich fragrance of ancient Chinese culture from the beginning to the end, but children are always easily bored with what has come to hand, well after a period of rejection, Ziongzong gradually taste the part of this pedantic appearance shining light, unconsciously attracted by it, unconsciously addicted to ......

So, after seeing such a wonderful scene, I couldn't help but be moved.

Ziongzong found a place to sit down near the door and watched Uesugi Yui enter the ranks of the members.

Uesugi Yui is worthy of being a great general, and her steady pace contains a powerful pressure. Yui's presence became more textured.

--That's really enjoyable, this tension where every inch of skin is pressed to breathe is so exhilarating.

Ziongzong didn't expect to experience a similar feeling anywhere other than against the dean.

He looked around happily ...... then realized that the distance between the door and Ziongzong was, like, five steps.

--Truly, just nagged at me for so long, what's the point, anyway.

Scanning around, in addition to the community members wearing do-rags, did not see the figure of the adviser teacher ...... the teacher is a lazy person?

-- It's not because Yui is very responsible, so she's just pushing everything to her.

--Or maybe it's because Yui loves to do things too much and takes everything over to do them?

Both are possible.

Ziongzong readjusted his sitting posture. For Ziongzong, who lives in China without the habit of sitting on his knees, sitting on his knees for half an hour is also a very deadly thing, and now he should relax his whole body, spread his body weight as much as possible, and reduce the burden on his feet to prevent the tragic situation of not being able to stand up later.

The tightened bowstring, the bent bow, the flying arrow.

Ziongzong looked at the beautiful scenery in front of him and thought that it was not a mistake to agree to Ito Tomono to join Kyudo Club.

Of course, technically speaking, it was still a bad decision, but it was good that the general direction was right.

--So, today is an early preview of the Kyudo Club of the future.

Now it seems to be a demonstration study time, sitting in the last row looks to be the first-year children, in the first two rows, should be the second and third-year students ...... that is, according to seniority to line up, because the school has mandatory rules to join the club, plus, without special reasons, it is generally very difficult to change the club, that is to say ...... Ziongzong searched for Katagiri Mai in the last row, but could not find it.

The sharp sound of an arrow leaving the bowstring and cutting through the air was followed by the muffled sound of a solid, hitting target.

Then came the well-timed, yet unobtrusive, courteous applause. Each group of four members, in order, took turns shooting arrows.

After one round, a steady gait back to the line, exchange the next group ......Ziongzong saw Katagiri Mai, and only group.

--That guy, is not only the junior, how to start with only ......?

Ziongzong was quite surprised by this, but she did not notice Ziongzong's presence at all, not ignored, but did not notice. She was already fully engaged in the practice of Kyudo, as just said, Kyudo is 'Ritsu Zen', from the moment you enter the dojo, whether or not you have a bow in your hand, whether or not you have an arrow in your hand, it is all about 'cultivating your nature' - the process of cultivating your body and nurturing your nature.

Ziongzong concentrated on the scene in front of him - for some reason Katagiri Mai, who was standing over there, was the best general of the Kyudo.

Ziongzong also took this opportunity to see with his own eyes, the "eight sections of the shooting method" written in the book. --Footing - Body Formation - Arrows - Raising - Pulling - Concentration - Separation - Keep posing.

Uesugi Yui's hand was already wearing a handbag, professionally known as a "handguard", and her stance was straight and her gaze was like a torch. With the bow in her left hand and the arrow in her right hand, her hands held motionless at waist level, her feet facing forward at the same time, she walks slowly to the shooting position, standing firmly, facing the target, with the front of her body to the right of the shooting position, her toes in a straight line toward the center of the target, and finally, standing firmly in the shooting position, facing the target, with her left foot taking a half step forward toward the target and her right foot fanning out to the right of the shooting position.

--It was perfect.

The textbook standard stance made Ziongzong admire it to the core.

The audience's figures entered the corner of Ziongzong's eyes, and everyone's eyes were firmly fixed on Uesugi Yui.

Uesugi Yui's high popularity is not just based on appearance.

After the "footing", there was the "body structure".

Uesugi Yui put the lower arc of the bow on his left knee to stabilize his upper body according to his own pace, and then, he "loaded the arrow".

--I remember that there are three preparatory movements for the "arrow"... ...... It seems to be "take the suspension", "hand inside", and "see the object"?

The terminology was so awkward that Ziongzong didn't know exactly what to do even after looking it up in the dictionary.

Uesugi Yui's arrow was placed on the string in one fluid motion, and then she slowly raised the bow above her head, held it with one hand and pulled the string with the other, opened her hands from side to side, and pulled the bow and arrow to eye level.

Then came the difficult 'concentration'.

Uesugi Yui kept the bowstring taut, regulating the power, and her whole body was still ...... as if time had stopped flowing until the sound of the flying arrow penetrated the frozen glass screen.

The arrow hit the target and left the string.

The process of "separation" was clean and precise, without hesitation.

The members of the club sitting on the sidelines applauded as Uesugi Yui's movements did not falter even after hitting the bull's-eye, making the final "keep posing" as good as it could be.

Unknowingly, her hands were already full of sweat. Watching Uesugi Yui's excellent performance, Ziongzong would have stood up and applauded loudly if not for the etiquette. Even though he knew she was the main general, even though he knew she was Uesugi Yui, Ziongzong did not expect her to be so specialized in Kyudo.

Incidentally, there are quite a few schools of Kyudo shooting, of which the two most common are the two main schools, commonly known as the "Ritual Shooting System" and the "Martial Shooting System".

Ziongzong now slightly regrets that he did not join the Kyudo club in the first place, after all, he did not know the strength of Ito Tomono. Ziongzong of course knows that it is not right to think this way, but the idea of tending to benefit is very difficult to curb, but it is only a thought, and what is promised must be done.

Snap!

From the position next to Uesugi Yui ...... to be exact, the position of the target next door, came a rather loud sound.

Ziongzong's hastily moving eyes saw another arrow that hit the bull's eye ...... Katagiri Mai let go of the bowstring, her eyes still fixed on the mark.

-- Quiet uncomfortable

Katagiri Mai shot an arrow that gave a rather bad feeling, not because it was inaccurate, or the force was wrong, but, her gaze, and her aura, rather than shooting at a lifeless target, she was aiming at a life-bearing enemy with killing intent.

It was neither the style of the "Ritual Archery Department" nor the "Martial Archery Department".

Or ...... Even Ziongzong, a layman, could see that she had broken Kyudo's taboo.

Kyudo's "Seven Barriers to Archery".

"Next group.'

Uesugi Yui did not say anything about it, her face still had a solemn expression, her status, not only as a general, but also as a president, she divided the priorities quite clearly.

After that, it was still in order.

An hour of light passed in a flash.

Ziongzong, who was a visitor, left the Kyudo-sha dojo before the end and stood in the corridor outside the door waiting for Katagiri Mai to come out.

"Meow. "

Anna was also standing in the corridor and slipped out at some point.

"Yo. "

Ziongzong greeted Anna.

"Meow."

Anna wagged her tail.

"You've just seen something you shouldn't have, haven't you?"

Ziongzong said this sarcastic remark as a joke, but to his surprise ......

"Meow! "

Anna actually shook her head.

Ziongzong could only take it as an illusion.

"Hey, that was an illusion, right? "

Ziongzong picked Anna up and questioned her to her face.

Anna's innocent "meow meow".

Ziongzong was relieved that what he had just seen was a coincidence.

Soon, the members of the Kyudo Club came out one by one, and compared to the Kendo Society, the members of the Kyudo Club all looked quite kind and harmless.

This is definitely the result of cultivating their bodies and natures.

As they left, they all nodded and smiled at Ziongzong in a friendly manner, making Ziongzong, who had a black encounter in the Kendo Club, feel quite flattered.

However, by the time almost everyone had left, Ziongzong saw no sign of Katagiri Mai -- and, no sign of Uesugi Yui either.

-- probably because of what had just happened.

Kyudo is quite spiritually oriented, in the local Japanese way, 'heart'.

Katagiri Mai is too hostile, and in that state, the results would be very unstable.

I didn't see her, I think she was left by Uesugi Yui.

Earlier, Uesugi Yui also said that in order to enter the whole country, Kyudo Club is in need of talents. Although Katagiri Mai has unstable emotions just now, she is already quite good in terms of shooting skills alone, and she already had a good foundation before joining Kyudo Club.

--that is, a talent worth cultivating.

Not long ago, I overheard a conversation between Ito Tomono and Katsuo Hondo-sensei and was forcibly invited to join "Ito Tomono's Kyudo Club", Ziongzong still remembered it, if you walk in and hear something you shouldn't hear then it will be the same thing again ......

--Well, ...... is saying that.

"What's the matter, senior."

The walls with poor sound insulation ...... are a sin.

Ziongzong was simply, innocently, standing in the corridor outside the Kyudo Club, and the door of the Kyudo Club was closed properly, but Ziongzong still heard their conversation, Ziongzong really did not mean to Ziongzong really did not mean to listen, it was all caused by force majeure factors, Anna can testify for Ziongzong.

He is certainly very simple deliberately did not think of "as long as a certain distance away will not hear" such a simple way to avoid.

"I'd like to talk to you for a while, can I? "

"...... Okay."

Katagiri Mai's voice sounded rather reluctant, and Ziongzong could easily imagine what was going on inside right now.

"Mai, are you in a bad mood? "

Previously, Uesugi Yui would affectionately use the nickname "Mai-chan" when referring to Katagiri Mai in the conversation, but now, when talking about business, the authority of the president was displayed to the fullest.

"No, it's nothing."

Katagiri Mai's reply was cold, and the meaning of perfunctory was obvious.

"Can you tell me about the seven barriers of archery? "

"Happiness hurts the heart, anger hurts the liver, sadness hurts the intestines, doubt hurts the spleen, surprise hurts the stomach, fear hurts the kidneys, and depression hurts the mind. "

The seven emotions are: joy, anger, sadness, thought, grief, fear, and fear.

If the seven emotions are too much, those who are injured are the "seven obstacles of archery".

Not only Kyudo, but also Chinese martial arts are similar in this respect.

However, Katagiri Mai's cold tone of voice made the 'seven obstacles of archery' sound even more unsettling.

"Just now, when you shot the arrow, your anger was too heavy, recently, did something happen?"

"No."

"If ...... doesn't mind, you can tell me."

"Nothing really."

There was neither anger nor disdain, and Katagiri Mai's tone of refusal was so unemotional that it was difficult to pursue.

"Then ...... is fine.'

"Then, I'll leave now, Yui-senpai."

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

That was the end of the conversation.

Ziongzong pondered how he should deal with this difficult Katagiri Mai.

Just stuff Anna.

Don't do anything superfluous.

Ziongzong told himself that.

So, as the door was pulled open, Ziongzong offered Anna with both hands.

"Your Anna, Katagiri-san."

The one who came out first was Uesugi Yui.

"Eh?"

"How come you came out first?" "How come you have Anna?"

Uesugi Yui and Ziongzong asked each other questions at the same time.

"She slipped out on her own, where did Katagiri-san go? ""I went back."

"Back?"

"I went back."

"But I don't see her ......?"

"She went down the other side of the stairs, of course you couldn't see her."

"Eh?"

"There's another entrance to the dojo?"

"Well, there are two, on both sides of the stairs."

"......"

Ziongzong was stunned for a moment.

"Sorry, I'll go first!"

Ziongzong grabbed Anna and ran towards the stairs with all his might.

He had to run as hard as he could, because if he couldn't make it, he would be in big trouble.

When Ziongzong arrived downstairs panting, he looked back and forth, left and right, but there was no one in sight, let alone Katagiri Mai.

-- I am too slow?

Ziongzong calculated the time a little, thinking that it was very unlikely that he was too slow, and, if he was, it would not help to chase him out again, so he chose to trust his own projections.

He went up the other side of the stairs. If his projections were correct, then he would meet Katagiri Mai on the stairs.

And indeed that was the case.

There were just a few differences in the details, not meeting, but bumping into.

Katagiri Mai sat crouched in the corner where the stairs turned, her head buried in her lap, as quiet as if she were asleep.

And it was only a momentary static sight; she quickly sensed the approach of others, and as soon as she looked up, she met Ziongzong's gaze.

"......"

Before there was a change in expression, Katagiri Mai was already on her feet.

Immediately afterwards, she raised her foot to Ziongzong without a word.

Very hard.

Whether in terms of speed, force, and verve, all conveyed a message to Ziongzong that "she is using her full strength, and it will hurt to be kicked.

Ziongzong could have dodged, but he didn't because, if he had, Katagiri Mai might have lost her balance and fallen down the stairs.

This can be much more serious than his own pain.

So, he chooses to block it with his arm and stuck it at the ankle, removing the force to the maximum extent.

"Hey, don't kick someone without saying anything. "

After blocking the blow, Ziongzong retreated two steps down to a place out of Katagiri Mai's reach.

The bones in her arms were faintly painful, and Katagiri Mai had used more force than Ziongzong had thought.

She really wanted to hurt Ziongzong with her kick.

"I was kind enough to bring Anna to you, but this guy is running around on his own again. "

"......"

Katagiri Mai didn't make a sound, looked at Anna for a moment, then at Ziongzong, seemed to want to say something, but clenched her teeth and didn't say anything.

"Here."

Ziongzong handed Anna with both hands, and this time, Anna did not behave strangely like last time, and nestled into Katagiri Mai's arms obediently.

"Shall we go back?"

"......"

Katagiri Mai nodded and went downstairs with Ziongzong, one after the other.

The journey was uncomfortably quiet.

Ziongzong was a little concerned about the way Katagiri Mai was crouching there just now, but he also knew that with his status and his relationship with Katagiri Mai, even if he asked, nothing would come of it.

So he could only hold back his own itch.

The difference appeared at the corner between the third and second floors.

Katagiri Mai's speed down the stairs had slowed down significantly.

"What's wrong? "

The way she was walking looked strange.

"Nothing."

This was clearly a lie.

Katagiri Mai was having a particularly hard time going down each staircase.

Especially with her right foot, she looked cautious every time she moved.

"You sprained your foot,right? "

After thinking back a little on what had just happened, and the way Katagiri Mai was acting at that moment, Ziongzong deduced the reason for Katagiri Mai's strange walk.

"No."

"Don't try to be pretend."

"I've said no!"

Ziongzong ignored Katagiri Mai's argument and knelt down in front of her, pulling the stocking down to her ankle on her right foot, and then, with a little force, he gave her ankle a grip.

"Ah!"

Katagiri Mai couldn't help but cry out softly.

Then, her face flushed red, probably because of the softness of her cry.

"......'

Ziongzong let go of Katagiri Mai's ankle and stepped aside.

"Sorry, does it hurt?

"......"

"It's not serious, but the ankle will swell up after a while, so I have to go home and ice it and spray it.

"......"

"Let me carry you down."

"No!"

"I won't do it!"

"Don't come near me! "

Katagiri Mai resisted very strongly.

--I don't think you'll let me carry you down anyway.

But the height of the third floor is not something you can just jump with one foot.

"Okay, so how can I help you?"

Katagiri Mai thought for a long time and looked around again, she really had no one else to rely on, there was no other way.

"...... shoulder."

"Let me hold your shoulder for a while. "

It seems that this is the final solution after Katagiri Mai's thought struggle.

Ziongzong smiled imperceptibly and walked to a position one step away from Katagiri Mai, so that it would be easier for Katagiri Mai to hold his shoulders.

The girl's hands are very soft.

Ziongzong had heard this story many times and had tested it, but he never felt that it was right.

Until now.

Katagiri Mai hand softness, so that Ziongzong even down the stairs have become particularly gentle, afraid to produce a little vibration, affecting the delicate hand.

This makes the three floors down extraordinarily slow.

The process only Anna screaming cheerfully, the humans are quiet like autistic people like.

It is not easy to go down the stairs, but there is still a short distance from the entrance of the school, not to mention the station far, far away.

Ziongzong does not need to calculate, if the speed of just down the stairs, to walk to the station must have been dark.

"Yo."

At this time, Eiji Hayamizu also came down the opposite staircase.

Ziongzong thought where did this guy come from, such a appearances are really no preparation.

"Did you see me when I came to visit? "

Then Ziongzong realized that he had completely ignored Eiji Hayamizu during his visit to Kyudo Club.

Eiji Hayamizu is one of the oldest members of Kyudo Club, although he has never made any significant contributions.

"What? What? "

So Ziongzong played dumb.

"Even if it's a lie, would it kill you to compliment me? "

Eiji Hayamizu grabbed Ziongzong's neck and drew him close, then he put a key into Ziongzong's hand.

"Here, this is for you - I have an appointment later, so I won't ride home, remember to ride to school tomorrow and return my bike.

After saying that, Eiji Hayamizu let go of Ziongzong and turned around and walked away.

Lending her bike to Ziongzong was the main reason why Eiji Hayamizu was looking for Ziongzong to talk to her.

For the first time since I've known Eiji Hayamizu for so many days, Ziongzong felt that this guy was really good at being in social.

At this time, of course, Ziongzong would not know that he would deny the conclusion of praising Eiji Hayamizu on his own after ten minutes.

So, after Eiji Hayamizu walked away, Ziongzong waved his keys at Katagiri Mai and then gestured to the carport where the bikes were parked.

The meaning was so clear that Katagiri Mai understood Ziongzong's idea without much verbal explanation.

"......'

It was a matter that could be misunderstood as a couple, and Katagiri Mai would not simply agree to it without any nerve.

But what choice does she have but to say yes?

When the gains and losses, the benefits and costs can be seen clearly, stubbornness rarely trumps reason.

So.

Katagiri Mai shook her head.

Then, again, still nodded.

Anna gave a pleasurable 'meow', celebrating the victory of something unknown.

A minute later.

On the empty streets of Kyoto, a sturdy black iron-framed bicycle whirred forward in the wind, with Ziongzong Uesugi providing the power (human power) and pedaling hard, Katagiri Mai sitting on the back seat, preferring to fall off rather than touch Ziongzong Uesugi's body, and Anna, the strange cat lying comfortably in the basket of vegetables at the front of the car.

There are many paths in Kyoto, and if you are not careful, you will miss them or turn into a dead end - these are only minor things for Ziongzong, but now what makes him most upset is that the roads in Kyoto are too steep.

Kyoto is a basin, a place embraced by mountains, and the city follows a winding surface all the way to the foot of the mountains, with roads that rise and fall along them.

Although uphill means downhill, the combination of uphill and downhill always consumes more endurance than flat roads, and after nearly 10 minutes of riding, Ziongzong started to sweat, and he wasn't tired, but sweating is not directly equated with physical strength.

Originally, sweating on a bike is no big deal, however, in the case of a girl sitting on the back seat, it's different.

What would it be like to be a girl and see a guy sweating on his bike?

Naturally, the word "heavy" is a relevant topic, and the girl's evaluation of the boy will be lowered accordingly.

It's complicated, but it's really just a trivial matter related to puberty and hormones.

Therefore, Ziongzong is only interested in getting Katagiri Mai home quickly.

The most disliked as one wishes is the guy who gives one's wishes, named Heaven, collectively known as Heaven is not as one wishes.

On a long straight uphill, by the road, under the street light, a man and a woman.

The guy hugged the girl from behind, chin pressed on the side of the girl's neck, intimately rubbing each other's cheeks.

Softly murmuring, interlocking fingers.

Ziongzong but can only sell the bike slowly upward, slowly approach them, slowly see them, and leave them in the same slow time.

The pair was on the side of not being too strange.

It was Eiji Hayamizu and another girl from a foreign school whom Ziongzong did not know.

The atmosphere on their open-topped, two-seater luxury transport, the bicycle, became instantly awkward.

"er ......"

Ziongzong thought about what to say on the subject, and finally he realized that keeping silent and sticking to the past was the best option.

Katagiri Mai is not going to talk anyway.

Ziongzong thought.

"Such a guy ......"

Katagiri Mai spoke up, her voice very soft.

"I really want to see one, kill one."

The content of the words was horrible.

Ziongzong didn't think he and Eiji Hayamizu were the same type of man.

He thought that notions like philandering and infidelity would never be associated with him.

But he still felt an inexplicable fear.

Scientists call this phenomenon, the inferiority of men.

Or, when the population is scarce, the instinct to protect their own kind.

The roadside scenery flew by, and the feeling of fighting to get to his destination made Ziongzong feel quite happy.

The valiant air poured into his respiratory tract, refreshing him.

There is a clear destination, a clear sense of distance, each pedal pressed down is a small step forward, where the effort is visible to the naked eye and the results are immediately visible. The hard work that comes with exercise is more tangible than the sweat spent on studying.

Such a tangible feeling is more or less to make him forget the small embarrassment just now, temporarily.

This is the essence of Ziongzong's happiness now.

The roadside trees, at some point have become bare, like soldiers standing majestically, with rough branches, into a slanting gun, firing guns to proclaim the rule of General Autumn, as well as the harsh winter emperor looking out from afar in the annual calendar.

It was already a scene of late autumn and early winter.

"I'm really looking forward to a snowy Kyoto. "

I don't know what I'm talking about, but Katagiri Mai coughed a little.

Compared with the 20 to 30-story buildings in China, the apartments in Kyoto are far beyond Ziongzong's imagination.

Only about seven or eight stories high, and the appearance is not very beautiful ...... mentioned before, the houses in Kyoto compared to China look a little messy. There are no subdivisions here, only single-family apartments and two-story houses of such a wooden structure, and the government does not plan uniformly, but builds according to the rights of the citizens. As a result, the small number of apartments makes them look even more different.

It was as if small boxes were packed together, making Ziongzong, who was used to Kyoto's private houses, feel a little depressed.

"Here we are. "

"Meow~"

The parting scene was still the same as usual, Ziongzong was long-winded and intermittent, while Katagiri Mai, on the other hand, was brief and concise ...... No, she didn't say anything at all, just nodded her head, and then carried Anna into the apartment.

After seeing Katagiri Mai into the elevator, Ziongzong noticed a missed call on his phone.

It was from Uesugi Yuuki.

--This is really rare ......

Because of his shy and introverted personality, Uesugi Yuuki never calls Ziongzong on his own initiative unless there is an emergency, and emails are also rare.

Thinking that there might be something urgent, Ziongzong immediately called back.

The call was answered almost immediately.

It was like holding the phone in your hand and waiting for Ziongzong to call you back.

"Is this ...... brother? "

Such a cautious voice might be a sign of timidity for others, but it was the norm for Uesugi Yuuki.

"Yes."

"You called me just now, right?

"Ah ...... Yes, I did."

Ziongzong waited for Uesugi Yuuki to continue, but she was silent for a few seconds.

"Actually ......"

"No, it's nothing. "

"You're busy now, right? "

"Fine, not really ......"

"It's not a big deal, then I'll leave you alone, BYEBYE."

Before Ziongzong could finish, the phone became a beep beep beep beep hang up tone at the other end.

The phone call, Ziongzong vaguely heard the sound of Yukino sister and Uesugi Tano talking and talking, and the sound of chopping vegetables, at home, then it should be no big deal.

But if that's the case, what is the problem that you can only ask Ziongzong for help, but not your parents?

Ziongzong can't let go.

The bike started to gallop again, this time at a much faster speed than just now.

The journey was uneventful and Uesugi Yuuki did not call again.

No phone call was proof that nothing was wrong, so Ziongzong rode faster and faster.

Thus, when he was close to home, Ziongzong almost had an accident because of the excessive speed.

He suddenly squeezed the brakes and nearly fell out of his seat.

What he saw in front of him made Ziongzong choose to brake sharply.

In front of his view on the right, someone was repairing a street light.

The mechanic sitting on the street light maintenance is not a stranger to Ziongzong.

But also is not an acquaintance.

As soon as he saw him, Ziongzong immediately knew what Uesugi Yuuki had called him for, and also understood why she was hesitant to say anything.

The maintenance man hanging in mid-air, wearing a safety helmet and dressed as a mechanic, was the same proud man who had appeared in the child abduction incident.

Or rather, the man that Katagiri Mai is currently desperate to learn about.

As well, the psychotic hitman Ziongzong least wants to face.

He is Watanabe Gengo.