Currently, Sakura and I are heading to the archery club at the private Suigunbara Academy.
Walking along the red and white brick-paved path of the campus, it is eerily quiet, with no one around. In the distance, two large three-story teaching buildings stand cold and desolate, and I notice that the clock hanging in front of the buildings shows 7:03 AM.
It's still so early; why do I feel like the last few hours have stretched on for so long?
"Brother, your shoulder is hurt. Why don't you skip today's archery practice?"
A respectful female voice comes from beside me, and I realize that under Sakura's guidance, I am now standing in front of a dojo-like building. Before I could open the door to the dojo, Sakura had already made arrangements for me.
What a good little sister.
"It's fine, I just want to take a look around."
According to Sakura, the archery club has been intensifying their training to recruit new members, so they come in early every morning. The dojo used for archery practice happens to be part of the Matou family's property, and in fact, I am here with the mindset of visiting a private estate.
Sakura gave me a strange look but didn't say anything more as she opened the wooden door of the dojo, revealing that there were already people inside.
The first thing that caught my eye was a girl in a crimson coat standing by the door. Upon hearing the door open, she turned around, and my gaze instinctively followed her twin ponytails as they swayed, making eye contact with her.
She was a girl with a completely different aura from Sakura. While Sakura gives off a gentle and serene impression, this girl exudes a commanding presence. Her beautiful cobalt blue eyes met mine directly, showing no hint of timidity. Her clean, fair oval face bore a calm and composed expression. At about 160 cm tall, she was only half a head shorter than me, which added to her imposing demeanor.
My attention was more drawn to her figure, specifically her long legs covered in black stockings.
Whether in reality or in movies, I had never seen such exquisitely long and curvy legs, especially accentuated by the alluring black stockings, making it hard to look away. As one of my friends who has a leg fetish used to say, those legs could keep him entertained for a lifetime.
"Good morning, Tohsaka-senpai."
Sakura's greeting startled me. Tohsaka?!
"Good morning, Sakura."
The long-legged girl responded cheerfully, then turned her gaze toward me.
"Morning, Shinji-kun."
I swallowed hard. Could this girl be Tohsaka Rin?
"Morning, Rin?"
"Shinji-kun, what do you mean by that questioning tone?"
This girl not only looked imposing but also spoke in a confrontational manner. However, I confirmed her identity—this long-legged girl is my girlfriend? Tohsaka Rin?
It feels like I just hit the jackpot!
"N-nothing."
"Ah, how rare! You're here so early for practice today; did you catch a whiff of Tohsaka's scent?"
A fourth voice interjected, belonging to a girl with red hair styled like a kimono, dressed in black and white, holding a long bow as she joined our conversation.
This is Matsuzuki Rinko, the information Sakura gave me mentioned her as the archery club president, a bright and cheerful girl. Her teasing comment seemed directed at me, and I couldn't help but feel that there was a hint of mockery in her tone.
Before I could respond, a light sound echoed as Tohsaka Rin flicked Matsuzuki Rinko's forehead with her hand. Rinko covered her forehead and mumbled, "Tohsaka, you can't take a joke."
"It's Matsuzuki who doesn't know how to gauge a joke's appropriateness," Tohsaka Rin replied gracefully, confirming what Sakura said—she really is a strong-willed young lady.
"Good morning, captain."
Seeing Matsuzuki Rinko, Sakura bowed and greeted her.
"Ah, good morning, Sakura. Are you here all by yourself today?"
She completely ignored me. It's not an illusion; this girl definitely harbors malice toward me.
"Yes, I'm sorry I couldn't help."
"It's fine, it can't be helped if you're unwilling."
Matsuzuki Rinko's conversation with Sakura felt a bit nonsensical, leaving me puzzled.
"Well, I'll be on my way. See you later, Rinko."
After watching their conversation, Tohsaka Rin said her goodbyes and walked toward the door without acknowledging me again.
Hmm? Why does it feel strange? Haven't Rin and I been dating for six months? Why does she seem so cold toward me? Is she the tsundere type who doesn't dare to show affection in front of others?
"Thank you for your hard work, Tohsaka-senpai."
Sakura politely stepped aside to let Tohsaka Rin pass. As Rin walked by, she glanced at Sakura's hands resting by her side, and I noticed her pupils dilate suddenly before she stopped in her tracks.
"Shinji-kun, I need to talk to you. Come outside with me."
Tohsaka Rin turned her head and said coldly to me.