"No… My father has more important matters to attend to, obviously. Why do you ask?"
"I was just wondering. After all… Is this not quite important to you? Or was I wrong in assuming Yuki genuinely meant something to you?"
"…"
"Because if that were the case, I'd say that this event would be a pretty big thing for my son and therefore as his father something I would want to attend to."
"Yeah, well sometimes it just isn't that simple. I wouldn't expect you to know anything about that. Regardless, since you made your shot, I guess we will increase the distance. 50 meters should be adequate as distance for our second shot."
"Fine by me."
Jonathan gave a sign to his guards which stood next to the crowd, at which they brought two new targets and removed the first ones. Placing the new targets 30 meters further away from the last spot, making a total distance of 50 meters. One would think that this would not be a problem for Yamato since he already seemed to have masterr archery, but that was not the case at all.
"Let's see, if I have to start I might just have to really take my time… After all, I was only able to hit my first shot by copying Jonathan's movements and because the distance was relatively small… But now, with nearly double the distance and bo reference to copy, I may need to up my game… Which if course is easier said than done. However, with this basic technique acquired through my first shot, and calculations regarding the force behind my shot, gravity and wind, then adjusting it to the new goal, I should get close enough to it… However, if I take too long, I will only lose the confidence of the people watching… And most importantly, I can't lose, neither competition nor image."
After finishing his calculations and visualizing his arrows trajectory in just a moment, he made his shot, aiming towards the center of the target. However that was not where it landed, as it only barely hit the target at the outermost point, which obviously still counted but was mildly infuriating to him.
"Ooh, looks like that will be the furthest you will hit. It's almost a waste… Having that many people come here to watch, just for you to barely hit the second target, don't you think?"
His words did not affect Yamato at all, though his shot impressed hin once more. Hitting the center of the target with ease. The new distance of the target was now at 70 meters. After the crowd saw Yamato just barely pass, their cheering had toned down again, with only Yuki remaining loud and proud. Yamato let out nothing but a sigh at Jonathan's mockery, giving him a dull expression as he aimed his bow.
"…I think soon you will come to regret many things. You will wonder where it all went wrong, and when you could have prevented them. I tell you, right now would have been your way out."
"What are you talking about… Just take your shot."
As Yamato shot his arrow, it once again failed to hit the center. However this time, it was much closer to it. Considering the increased distance, one might struggle to still call it just luck.
Jonathan of course took his shot shortly after, hitting the center perfectly once more.
"I'm thinking we increase the challenge a little… Why don't we jump to 150? Otherwise the audience might get bored, and you went out of your way to bring them here after all, did you not, Yamato?"
"…That's not a problem. But since you are so confident, why don't you shoot first this time?"
"I don't see why the order matters, but if you insist."
Meanwhile, Carina was spent from all the cheering, even though she did not go all out like Yuki. It was not like anybody would notice her taking a break anyway.
"What are you doing, Carina?! This is part of our religious dury!"
"I'm just taking a break! And you won't even tell me how you know the person we are cheering for… Or what your relationship to him is. This is all bery suspicions! Suspicious I say!"
"I think you're overreacting. But if it helps you, he is my—…"
"Wait, am I allowed to be in a romantic relationship by the church's standards? I mean, not that I care… But I am an undercover spy right now, so I guess I should know about these kind of things beforehand… Well, all I can do now is guess, I suppose."
"What is it now? Besides, how come you are not exhausted at all? You've been doing way more than me, but you don't seem bothered at all!"
"That's because I take my duties very seriously, and I would never forgive myself knowing I did not give it my all! As for who he is, he is my fiancé!"
"…You can't say that, Yuki."
"I just did."
"Yeah, I heard that! I'm serious though, you know you can't!"
"Haven't you heard?"
"Heard what?"
"Uhh… That one rule, that you talk about, has been changed!"
"What are you talking about…"
"It's true!"
"For the rule, that prevents marriage between members of the church and anyone else, to be changed, there would have to be a direct order from the pope or a being of divine status send to every church the world… And I'm pretty sure before that there would be talks and discussions. I'm quite certain none of these have even been rumored to be happening. You shouldn't joke about that. Just say if you are a fan of that guy. There is nothing wrong with that. But fantasizing about marriage, or openly declaring engagement goes too far."
"…"
"Me? Fantasizing about our relationship status?! ME?! I think not! And I am a deity!! A supreme being born to impersonate holiness and perfection! If I say the rules change they change! I literally outrank the pope, and I say marriage is allowed! But whatever… I'm just gonna keep watching Yamato and cheer him on silently, to emphasize my pouting to Carina. I hope she feels bad now that she killed my mood! Brutally murdered and butchered it!"
Jonathan made his shot, hitting of course. However, this time, it was not centered anymore. He was about ten centimeters off, which of course was still impressive, but also showed that he was beginning to struggle as well. But it would not matter, if Yamato could not even hit the target.
"150… I'm actually not sure if I will hit this… Copying can only take me so far. If I makw one mistake, it can easily go way off. And even if I hit, it will be even less likely that I will hit the next target. I also don't know what his best distance is… However, from what he has shown so far, and assuming he didn't go all out yet, I think it's fair to assume he can hit up to around 300 meters, maybe more. He doesn't need to hit the center after all… Maybe that's why he wanted to change that at the beginning… Though, if he hadn't, I would have already lost. But it doesn't matter… That sucks. I really wanted to win this. I wonder why though… It's not like this was a fair competition that means anything. Amateur against professional, this was the only logical outcome. Maybe if I had time to prepare… But that's just an excuse. The truth is, I wanted to win without preparation… Because… It is about Yuki? Ever since I confessed my love to her, I don't feel like we've gotten much closer. That's mostly because we were already very close… But it was also because I rushed into things. I had a fleeting moment which caused me to act irrationally, but that's fine. It's fine… I love her. I'm sure of it. I want to win because it shows that I care about her. I want her to see that I care about her. To feel, what I feel… Even though I know she feels much more than I do. That seems irrational again. I'm also taking too long… Maybe I should just shoot and hope for the best…"
Yamato aimed at the target and pulled back the string of his bow, which was when he realized, his heart was racing. A feeling of dread came over him. An irrational feeling which quite repulsed him. Even though it was the most natural thing, he hated it. Which also was a normal thing. After all, who likes feeling bad emotions? However, as he correctly described, these feelings were less about the competition itself and more tied to the prize, Yuki, in other words. If Yuki knew about this, she would be overwhelmed with an immeasurable sense of pride and joy, knowing she was cause of such intense emotions. If she knew? Well…
"Master, allow me, who is imperfect without you, to help you reach perfection…"
Yuki, who apparently was now right next to Yamato, without anyone noticing her walking there, adjusted his posture and put her hand onto his.
"What are you doing… That's gotta be cheating."
"Oh, dear Master… I expect someone whk likes to exploit loopholes in rules so much to know better… I'm not touching the bow. Thus, I'm not using the bow. I'm touching you~"
"That's the same in this case…"
"Shhh… It's alright… It's because in my heart, you won anyways. So who cares what happens officially… It was a silly competition anyway, rigged against you. However, as always, you've proven to me just how awesome you are. And for that, I show you my love. And I show everyone else too, just because I can."
"Everyone is looking at you now… I hope you're happy. He's gonna say this one doesn't count if I hit, y'know?"
"Whatever… We'll just let the people decide. And yes, I am very happy. Because you said it yourself… In the end, it's my decision. And surprise, surprise, I choose you, Yamato."
As Yuki stood behind him and moved his hand back, Yamato wondered if this was what it meant to be together. True unity. He could not help but find it somewhat beautiful. He even admired it, the concept of such connection. Once more, he learned something new about love that helped him define it more accurately.
A concept so pure, so real, that even throughout deception and struggle, it prevails.
A emotion so defining that one could call it the driving force of oneself.
A feeling so fleeting yet omnipresent, an inescapable warmth that envelops the two to the point where they create even more warmth for each other and no one else.
That is what love is.