Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 77

Triggering the Mission

“Do you also practice archery?”

In the past few days, Shiromiya had noticed this.

In reality, the calluses she left for archery practice were quite faint, as she took extra care of her skin every day.

Even so, Kurosawa still noticed it. Eight or nine times out of ten, he was an expert.

After all, those unfamiliar with archery wouldn’t even know what kind of calluses would be left from prolonged practice.

“I know a little, I learned it when I was a kid.”

Kurosawa thought for a moment, feeling the need to provide some background.

Different from other girls, Shiromiya’s family, being large and influential, allowed for the investigation of many things.

“Do you still practice archery now?”

Shiro didn’t think too much and just asked.

“Occasionally.”

Kurosawa gave a conservative answer. In reality, he hadn’t touched a bow since acquiring this skill.

“Where do you usually practice archery?”

“I just play a bit when I go back to my hometown. There’s no designated place in Tokyo.”

“I practice at the archery club at school, I train at the Windchaser Dojo on Sundays.”

“So, can I understand that you want me to come watch you practice archery on Sundays?”

Hearing her explanation, Kurosawa thought for a moment and teased.

“Wasn’t it you who asked me where I practice archery last week? Who said I wanted you to come watch?”

Shiromiya rolled her eyes at him, remaining calm.

At that moment, a new task appeared before Kurosawa.

Date Mission: 【First Date with Shiromiya Mirai】

Task Objectives: 【Meet at the Windchaser Dojo on Sunday】【Ask her to help you tie the hakama belt】 【Shoot an arrow into her heart】 【Make her look at you with admiration】

Task Deadline: Sunday, 23:59. Failure to meet the deadline will be considered a failure.

Provided Funds: Beginner-level archery, Beginner-level musical instrument – Piano (Trial Card)

Task Rewards: Beginner-level archery, Beginner-level musical instrument – Piano (Permanent) —Author’s Note (The rewards are correct; the same rewards will upgrade the skills.)

The appearance of this date task directly exposed Shiromiya’s intentions.

Clearly, she genuinely hoped that Kurosawa would go to the archery range, meet her outside the study, and see her archery skills.

Kurosawa glanced over the content, feeling somewhat surprised at the triggering of the mission. Although he was curious about the funds and rewards, he decided to leave them for later and ask when he had some free time.

“How is your archery skill?”

Realizing her true intentions, Kurosawa acted oblivious and curiously asked.

“Definitely better than yours.”

Confident in her response, Shiromiya gave a satisfied hum.

She had been practicing archery since childhood, and her skill was good enough to rank among the top in national competitions. 

Perhaps not the absolute best among her peers, but considering the various subjects she had to study, her proficiency was quite high.

“Hahaha, I’d really like to see that when the opportunity arises.”

Noticing her triumphant expression, Kurosawa suddenly wanted to witness the scene where she discovered how skilled he was and laughed.

“Are you interested in seeing me in a hakama? Like the boys at school.”

Seeing his natural smile, unlike the fake smiles of her other teachers, Shiromiya looked at him for a moment and questioned.

“I’d like to see that too.”

Kurosawa also had some expectations about it.

After all, the hakama for archery is a specific uniform distinct from everyday clothing.

Moreover, Kurosawa had never seen Shiromiya outside of this apartment so far, and he was curious about what it would be like.

“Do university students have such thick skin to openly admit that?” Sensing his anticipation, Shiromiya suddenly felt a bit uneasy and hesitant. She didn’t want him to see.

Although she had worn a hakama at school and during competitions, and countless people had seen her in that attire, she inexplicably didn’t want him to see this different side of herself.

“Are you only allowed to let boys from your school see you in a hakama? Can’t I see?”

“It’s not like that.”

“So at the Windchaser Dojo on Sunday? Can I go in and watch? Can ordinary people get in?”

“Ordinary people are not allowed in because it’s a private dojo.”

“How can I get in then?”

“As a student or someone related to archery, at least you can’t be an unrelated person.”

“It seems difficult for me to go watch you practice archery at the dojo on Sunday… I’ll have to figure something out.”

“As a university student, if you join the All Japan Student Archery Federation, you should be able to get in.”

Seeing him at a loss, Shiromiya couldn’t help but offer him some advice.

To be honest, her inner feelings were quite conflicted.

She was afraid that he might come, yet also afraid that he might not.

“Okay.”

Seeing her giving advice, Kurosawa paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

Seeing him smile again, Shiromiya opened her mouth, wanting to say something about how he smiled so much that it seemed frivolous, but the words got stuck.

What if she said it and he stopped smiling? 

That wouldn’t be good… After all, that smile was quite nice, it was very bright and pure, not like the fake smiles she often saw.

“By the way, can’t you just tell the dojo and let me in?” Kurosawa thought of the most direct method.

Given Shiromiya’s status, even though it was a private dojo, allowing one person to enter for a visit shouldn’t be a big issue.

“Miss Akai is also coming along. If she finds out I took the initiative to let you in, what would she think?”

“Wouldn’t she think even more if I just showed up at the dojo?”

“At least it’s better than me asking them to let you in. If you’re worried, you don’t have to come. I didn’t expect you to come in the first place.” Shiromiya felt he might be avoiding trouble, so she said this decisively.

“I’ll definitely go, let’s make it this Sunday.”

Seeing her being evasive again, Kurosawa firmly made up his mind.

This girl had a strong sense of self-preservation. At the slightest hint of trouble or a wrong signal, she immediately distanced herself and denied everything. 

Though she appeared tsundere, it was somewhat different. 

After all, where would you find a tsundere in real life?

Seeing him make a decision, Shiromiya didn’t continue the topic, so as not to appear too eager.

“Last week, you suddenly talked to me and told me to take a break. Why was that?”

Immediately after, she asked another question.

In the past, there were teachers who tried to chat with her and get closer.

But those teachers’ intentions were too obvious, blatantly aiming to climb up the social ladder by pursuing this heiress. So, she reported them right away.

However, Kurosawa gave a different impression. It wasn’t about pleasing her but rather felt like he had temporarily shed his teacher identity and was talking to her like a friend.

That attitude gave her a different feeling—no ulterior motives, he wasn’t trying to get anything from her and was just genuinely chatting with her.

“I just suddenly realized that you must be very tired. I wanted you to balance work and rest, even though there’s not much time, it was just to let you relax a bit.”

At that time, Kurosawa was also impulsive, noticing her situation.

“Weren’t you afraid I would find it irritating and immediately report to my mom?”

“No one dislikes taking a break; it’s human nature to be lazy,” Kurosawa wasn’t worried about that.

“What you said doesn’t sound like something a teacher would say.”

“Is that so?”

“But I think you’re right.”

Shiromiya’s lips curled up slightly, feeling a bit pleased.