Vol-05 Ch 4 – Yuti’s School Life

Part 1

"Okay, everyone, take your seats. We have a new transfer student coming today!"

After they returned from another world for the holidays, Yuti's school life at middle school finally began. Everything was new for Yuti, from putting on her unfamiliar uniform to letting go of the bow she always carried around with her, and so on.

Until now, Yuti had lived alone with her master, the "Bow Saint," and had never practiced communicating with humans. Hence, she was worried about whether she could fit into an environment where Yuuya and Kaori were not present.

However, Yuuya and the others were unaware of Yuti's anxiety because it did not show on her face, nor did she talk about it. With such thoughts weighing on her, as Yuti waited anxiously in front of the classroom, excited voices could be heard from inside.

"A new student!"

"Eh, is it a boy or a girl?"

"It will be nice if it's a cute girl!"

"Even if it's a cute girl, you won't be taken seriously by her either, you know?"

"S-shut up!"

"Yes, yes, please be quiet! Well then, Yuti-san, please come in."

"….."

When Yanagi-sensei, the homeroom teacher who would be taking care of Yuti, gave the signal, she entered the classroom with trepidation.

Yuti's contact with existences such as Yuuya and Kaori made her feel less hatred and fear towards humans than she had when her Master died. However, she still had mixed feelings when she considered the fact that humans were partly responsible for her Master's death.

Still, she was well aware of the fact that the humans here were not responsible for her Master's death.

Yanagi-sensei, who's in charge of Yuti's homeroom, had a calm personality, which was something that Yuti was grateful for, given her circumstances.

"….."

The moment Yuti entered the classroom, the previously noisy students all turned silent at once. This made Yuti anxious as if something was wrong with her, but Yanagi-sensei didn't seem to pay it any mind and wrote Yuti's name on the blackboard.

"Yes, Yuti-san. Please introduce yourself."

"A-affirmative."

Yuti gave a small nod and opened her mouth slightly, scanning the students in the class fearfully.

"I'm Yuti. …N-nice to meet you, all…"

Yuti ended up introducing herself in such a simple manner because she didn't know what to say.

Then───.

"S-so cuteeeeeee!"

"Eh!?"

The whole class erupted in unison.

"Eh, what!? Isn't she incredibly cute?"

"I was expecting a handsome boy, but a girl this cute is totally fine! I'd rather it not be anyone than this girl!"

"She looks like a doll!"

"Yuti, right? Are you a foreigner?"

"Err, um…"

The unexpected reactions of the students left Yuti utterly confused. Until now, she had always solved her problems by force, and Yuti didn't know what to do in this situation where her power was ineffective.

Besides, Yuti was not used to being welcomed so favorably in the different world, where human beings would not interact in such a way without caution.

"Yes, yes, everyone. Yuti-san is feeling troubled! If you have any questions, please do so during the break!"

Sensing that Yuti was uncertain how to react to this reception, Yanagi-sensei put a stop to the students' commotion, and turned to Yuti with a gentle smile.

"Then Yuti-san, you can sit in that vacant seat."

"Okay."

When Yuti got to the seat shown to her by Yanagi-sensei, she took a breath. Then a girl sitting next to her spoke to Yuti.

"Hey, Yuti-san. I'm Haruna! Nice to meet you, okay?"

"N-nice to meet you, too…"

Yuti was surprised to be approached so abruptly, but Haruna's cheerful atmosphere eased Yuti's nerves a bit.

＊＊＊

Yuti successfully finished homeroom and started the classes, but a big problem remained.

It was… ....

"…Confused. I can't understand them."

Since Yuti has never studied before, it was only natural that she could not solve even simple problems. Fortunately, Kaori taught her about writing and other things in this world. She also acquired the skill [Language Comprehension], so she can speak, read, and write without problems, but she struggled in other areas.

Although Yuti stumbled academically, she showed her true potential in the following physical education class. In class, the girls were playing basketball, but Yuti didn't understand the rules.

"Haruna."

"Hmm? What's wrong? Yuti-san."

Therefore, when she gathered up the courage to talk to Haruna, who was seated next to her, Yuti asked her about basketball.

"Unknown. I don't know anything about basketball."

"Eh, really? You mean you've never played it before?"

"Affirmative. I've never seen it before either."

Hearing Yuti's words, not only Haruna but the girls nearby were dumbfounded.

"Y-you don't know basketball…? Is there such a country?"

"Then, I'll teach you."

Fortunately, no one made fun of Yuti for not knowing basketball, and everyone was kind enough to teach her. After listening to the conversation, Yuti understood most of the basketball rules and picked up a basketball that was lying nearby.

"Confirmation. I have to put this ball through that net. Is that correct?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Can I throw it in from anywhere?"

"Eh? Well, yes. But as expected, at this distance is───."

"Hmm."

Yuti lightly jumped up on the spot and threw the ball in the direction of the faraway basketball net. Then the ball went through the net in a straight line without missing a beat. As soon as the ball landed harmlessly on the spot, Yuti turned around to confirm with Haruna.

"Is that correct?"

"….."

However, no one could respond to Yuti's question. Not only the girls, but also the boys who were also taking a class in the gym, and even the teacher opened their mouths in astonishment at Yuti's physical prowess.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

"Hah! W-what was that just now… Yuti-san, is this really your first time playing basketball?"

"Affirmative."

"No way!"

Yuti did not know the rules of any sports on Earth, let alone basketball, but no one would believe it after seeing her movements. First, Yuti would confirm the rules and such, and from then on, the actual game will be played…

"Yuti-san!"

"Hmm."

"Eeeeeeee! Three points again!"

As a disciple of the "Bow Saint," it was no more than a child's play for Yuti to put the ball into an immovable target… the net.

Whenever she took a shot, the ball went in. It didn't matter how big the court was for Yuti. However, as soon as people around her realized that Yuti's scoring prowess was extraordinary, the opposing team tried to stop her.

"We have to stop Yuti-san's shot!"

"Don't let her shoot! If she shoots it, it will go in!"

Some of them were from the basketball club, and under normal circumstances, if they marked someone in particular, they would have been stuck and unable to do anything.

But even this didn't work against Yuti.

"No way, how come?"

"W-we can't stop her!"

Yuti slipped through the group of girls who were trying to stop her and easily escaped from the encirclement. She then received a pass from her teammates. The opposing team was unrelenting and moved in to prevent her from taking a shot.

"I won't let her shoot!"

"….."

"Eh?"

Then, the schoolgirl who came to stop her widened her eyes in surprise. The reason was that Yuti was not looking at the net and just stood there in a daze. What's more, Yuti then lightly threw the ball, as if she had no thoughts of where the ball would go.

Then…

"Eh, what!?"

"When did that happen?"

The ball thrown by Yuti landed in the hands of a teammate who was passing by, and the teammate who received the ball took a shot in a hurry.

Yuti had generously used the "Bow Saint" technique that she was using when she fought against Yuuya and the others. She had predicted where and when her fellow teammates would pass by, and she did the divine work of presenting the ball precisely in line with that.

"How can we win this…?"

The opponent's dispirited voice unintentionally leaked out, but everyone in the room agreed with their words. After that, Yuti's outstanding performance continued, and the match ultimately ended in a one-sided development.

＊＊＊

"Yuti-san, you're amazing!"

"Hmm? Is that so?"

When the physical education class was over, and Yuti was changing back into her uniform, Haruna said with a sparkle in her eye.

"That's right… and there were also students from the basketball club on the opposite team…!"

"Basketball club?"

"Yeah, that's right! Our basketball club is pretty strong, you know? I can't believe you can win decisively against those girls all by yourself…"

"Denial. It's not just me. Everyone's got their shots."

"No, it was all because of Yuti-san's pass!"

"That's right."

"Eh?"

Then one of the students, who was listening in on the conversation between Yuti and Haruna, came to talk to them. She has a short haircut and a somewhat boyish vibe. She approached them while wiping the sweat off her face.

"Oops, you still don't know my name yet. I'm your classmate Natsuki; nice to meet you!"

"Natsuki…"

"Yeah, yeah. And I got beaten up in the game earlier, but I am a member of the basketball club."

"Basketball club member?"

"Un, well, Yuti-san beat us one-sidedly. It was because of her support that the other girls were able to score. Well, Yuti-san's passes were so accurate that it's like she knows someone will come there…"

"Affirmative. I know, so I threw the ball."

"If that's the case, that's really great…"

Natsuki thought Yuti's words were a joke and laughed.

"Anyway, since you're so strong, Yuti-san, do you want to join the basketball club? In my opinion, you are most welcome…"

"Question."

"Hmm? What is it?"

Yuti looked at Haruna and Natsuki with a serious expression and tilted her head.

"Basketball club, basketball club member, what is that?"

""Eh?""

"I know basketball. But I don't know about the club, or club member."

At Yuti's words, both of them were perplexed as they did not expect that.

However, Haruna, who recovered her senses immediately, asked anxiously.

"Err… Could it be that there were no club activities where you were before, Yuti-san?"

"Club activity?"

"Oh, there were not, huh…"

Judging by Yuti's reaction, she could tell.

"It's so rare that there were no club activities…"

"Right. It's more like… I can't believe there wasn't a basketball club with such a gem of a person. …It's such a waste."

At Natsuki's words, not only Haruna, but the other girls who were listening around nodded in unison.

"Unknown. What is this club activity?"

"Ah… I don't know what to say about club activities, but I guess it's more like a group of people who get together afterschool to do sports and other activities that they want, with a similar goal in mind."

"…Difficult to understand. So, do I have to be in a club?"

"Not that you have to, but… is there anything you want to do?"

"Affirmative."

Yuti nodded in agreement, as she suddenly remembered that she has not touched a bow in this world.

"Bow…"

"Bow? …Maybe you mean Kyūdō* or Archery?"

[T/n: Kyūdō is Japanese Archery.]

At Natsuki's words, Yuti looked up vigorously, and excitedly approached Natsuki.

"Kyūdō? Archery? Unknown. Just a bow, can I use it?"

"Y-you can use it, but… Yuti-san, are you interested in trying Kyūdō or something?"

"Negative. I always use it."

"You are using it?"

"I'm surprised. Well, maybe you should show up and join the Kyūdō club or something. What do you think? I'm off today, so I'll show you around if you want?"

"Ah, me too, me too!"

Yuti nodded vigorously in response to their grateful offer.

"Okay, then the three of us will go to the Kyūdō club after school!"

"That's right. Still… I'm a little disappointed that it's not basketball, but I'm also surprised that it's Kyūdō."

"Surprised? Why?"

"Because… no, if you've been living abroad, it's not surprising if you know archery."

Natsuki muttered to herself, and Haruna asked Yuti a genuine question.

"Come to think of it, where did you live, Yuti-san?"

"Forest."

""Huh?""

"Forest"

""…..""

Haruna and Natsuki asked again, but Yuti's answer did not change. Considering Yuti's response, they looked at each other unconsciously.

"B-by forest, you mean, a real forest?"

"No, not many people live in the forest in this day and age, right? Maybe it was Aomori* Prefecture or something?"

[T/n: Mori = forest.]

"Ah, it's possible. …But, it doesn't sound like that's the case, and it looks like you're a foreigner, right?"

"Hmm… your Japanese is fluent, though…"

"S-surely…"

The existence of Yuti was becoming more and more of a mystery to them, and they both just nodded their heads.

"So, where do you live now?"

"Yuuya's House."

""Huh?""

"Yuuya's House."

""…..""

Again, not only the two… but everyone who was present was silent.

Haruna, who immediately came to her senses, asked fearfully.

"W-wait a minute. Is Yuuya someone… we also know? In our school, there's a very famous person with the same name…"

"Hmm? Unknown. But he's in the same school. I think it's called high school?"

"B-by the way, what's his last name…?"

"As I recall… Ten, Ten, Jou?"

"….."

And again, silence.

And then──.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhh!"

"Huh?!"

A scream echoed through the women's locker room.

"No-no-no way! Yuti-san, you live with Tenjou-senpai?"

"No, what kind of relationship do you have with Tenjou-senpai in the first place?"

"Being alone with Tenjou-senpai… I-I'm so jealous…!"

The barrage of questions that followed made Yuti's eyes go black and white.

"Did I say something strange?"

"No, it's not strange or anything, but… huh, is that strange…?"

"That's not the point; it's the fact that you are living with Tenjou-senpai! What does that mean?"

"Unknown. Not sure. But I'm in Yuuya's care."

"You are not sure?!"

The words that came out of Yuti's mouth one after another stimulated the girls' curiosity.

Yuti tilted her head at the sight of the excited girls.

"Question. Yuuya, is he famous?"

"He's so famous, you know! Because it would be crazy not to get a rumor for being so handsome!"

"It's not only that. He also showed off his tremendous physical abilities in the ball game tournament the other day, and more importantly, he cleared out the delinquents who broke into the school before…"

"Oh, that! That was awesome! He was throwing away the delinquents one after the other!"

"Delinquents? …I'm not sure. But Yuuya is more than capable for that much."

Knowing of Yuuya's fighting prowess, Yuti nodded at Haruna and the others' words.

"I can't say for sure because these are only rumors, but I heard he also repelled a bear that attacked during a field trip."

"Eeh? That has to be a lie. Right, Yuti-san?"

"Denial. Yuuya, if it's a bear, he can throw it away."

"Are you kidding me!?"

Haruna and the others were increasingly surprised by Yuti's words. The girls continued to ask Yuti many questions, and they were almost late for their next class.

Part 2

I've been unusually anxious all day.

The reason for this was…

"Speaking of which, I hear an amazing girl is joining the middle school."

"H-heh, is that so?"

"She's a foreigner, and now she's the topic in the school."

…Yes, it's about Yuti.

While we're on break, Ryo was telling me the rumors about Yuti, but from my standpoint, I couldn't help but be at the edge of my seat.

S-she didn't make any big mistakes, did she? Everything's okay, right?

In addition, I'm wondering if Ouma-san, who is currently at home in this world, is behaving properly.

I managed to explain the situation to Owen-san and the others and brought him home without any problems, but Ouma-san is a dragon that is considered a legend in the other world. He would not care about human common sense.

Moreover, Ouma-san was not happy at first, but his eyes sparkled when he saw the food I had prepared, the tools of Earth, and so on. And he finally admitted that I had tamed him.

However, the most memorable part of the exchange with Ouma-san was going back from the capital, and he saw Sage-san's house.

"…This house would be safe, even if I were hit with a full-fledged strike. That guy is the same as always… I mean, his very existence itself is no longer relevant…"

Sage-san, you are being recognized as an irregularity by this legendary dragon.

I was curious about the relationship between Ouma-san and Sage-san, so I asked.

"How did Ouma-san and Sage-san meet…?"

"The first time we met was… a long time ago…"

As he said that, Ouma-san stared somewhere far away.

"I'm not yet as calm as I am now. I was showing off my power when he suddenly appeared and struck me with a blow… The shock I received at that time is still fresh in my mind."

Sage-san, what are you doing?

"I never felt fear before in my life. However at that time, I thought I would be killed. But he only lectured me and did not kill me. …So, Yuuya was the second person to preach to me in my life."

"I-I see…"

I didn't mean to give him a sermon; I was just explaining it to him in a normal, convincing way.

"Anyway, that's where the relationship between Sage and I began, and we spent a long time together, but… he's gone. Leaving me alone."

The expression on Ouma-san's face was somewhat sad as he said that.

"That's why I was so surprised when I could smell him from Yuuya. Your tone and attitude are different, but fundamentally you are similar to him. I've never thought that you would inherit Sage's house, weapons, and abilities."

Ouma-san, who was about to say that much, widened his eyes when he noticed something.

"Could it be that… he had foreseen this to send me a new friend…? That's impossible. But it's that guy we're talking about… Kuh…"

"Ouma-san?"

I called out to Ouma-san, who was lost in his thoughts, and started mumbling something in a small voice, but Ouma-san went directly into Sage-san's house. I wonder what's on his mind.

Anyway, thanks to Ouma-san, I've gotten to learn about Sage-san a little bit more, and now I understand that he's, as expected, an extraordinary being.

But when I think about it, there were shoes in Sage-san's house, which were not made from Ouma-san's hide, but from the Dragon God. Ouma-san's evaluation of Sage-san was not exaggerated. I wonder who he really is.

I had been restless all day given the many situations. I felt sick to my stomach just when Kaede approached me vigorously.

"Yuuya-kun!"

"Y-yes!"

"Is it true that you live with the new student at the middle school?"

Oh…

I was so concerned about the other world's information and Yuti's uncommon physical abilities that I had completely lost my mind. Therefore, I couldn't react immediately to Kaede's words. Involuntarily I froze, and Ryo's eyes widened as well.

"Yuuya, is what Kaede says true?"

"Eh? No, that's…"

"Well?"

Kaede, who was approaching me with such vigor, put pressure on me.

H-how should I respond to this? To begin with, how do I explain my relationship with Yuti!

As I was frantically thinking of an explanation, I noticed that the hallway was noisy. Not only me, but Ryo also noticed this and turned his attention to the hallway.

"Hmm? What on earth happened…"

The moment Ryo looked towards the corridor, Shingo-kun came in from the corridor, looking flustered.

"Yu-Yuuya-kun! You know, that new student is calling you!"

"Heh!"

As I let out a dumb voice at the unexpected turn of events, Yuti walked into my classroom from behind Shingo-kun.

"Found. Yuuya, there you are."

"Yu-Yuti…"

When Yuti spotted me, she came toward me without paying attention to her surroundings.

"Question."

"Eh? W-what?"

I can't help but answer spontaneously since she asked in such a straightforward and natural way.

"Prevention. Yuuya, you stopped me from carrying a bow. But in today's physical education class, when I said I wanted to use a bow, Haruna said there was the Kyudo club. Anticipation. I want to go. Is that okay?"

"I'm just saying it's not safe to carry a bow around with you on a daily basis… If you want to go to the Kyudo club, I think it's fine."

"! Really?"

"No reason for me to lie about it, you know."

But if Yuti joined the Kyudo club, I'm sure she would play a big part in it.

Then Yuti gave an unusual little smile, and I froze in place when I saw it.

"Gratitude. Yuuya, thank you."

"Y-yeah."

"Leaving. Then, I will go now. I think I might be sweating a bit, so prepare for my bath, okay? Bye."

After saying just that, Yuti left at her own pace.

…And the name Haruna was mentioned in Yuti's words earlier, I wonder if she made a friend without any trouble?

As I was relieved to hear Yuti's situation, I turned to Kaede and the others again.

"Well… it's about my relationship with the transfer student, right?"

""No, you can't fool us anymore!""

Right.

Of course, if we called each other by name right in front of them, we wouldn't be strangers, would we?

I gave up and began to explain, choosing my words as clearly as possible.

"Uhm… that girl before is called Yuti, and she's the daughter of an acquaintance of someone that I'm indebted to, well… that acquaintance had an accident and thus the person I am indebted to had asked me to take care of her because he was busy, or something like that…"

I don't know if such an explanation was acceptable, but this is the limit of details that I can provide. In fact, although Yuti is not the daughter of the "Bow Saint," it seems that they were like parent and child in a sense, so there's no problem in referring to Yuti as the child of the "Bow Saint." Otherwise, it would be more confusing if I had described her as someone else's disciple.

"B-but, she's living alone with Yuuya-kun, isn't she?"

"W-well, you know. I was also confused by the suddenness of the situation, but since she had nowhere else to go, she said she'd stay out in the wild if I don't take her in…"

"U-ugh…! I'm so jealous that she can live alone with… Yu-Yuuya-kun…!"

"Hmm?"

Kaede seemed to want to say something, but she groaned as if she couldn't find the words. No, I also agree that there are many problems for a young man and a young woman to live alone. But I can't say that…

In the end, I spent an uncomfortable afternoon feeling the eyes of not only Kaede but also the other classmates on me.

＊＊＊

After school, after receiving permission to visit the Kyudo club by Yuuya, Yuti was led to the Kyudo hall by Haruna and Natsuki. When they arrived, their homeroom teacher, Yanagi-sensei, was there, wearing Kyudo attire, instructing the students.

"Yanagi-sensei."

"Ara? Haruna-san, Natsuki-san? Why are you here? Hmm…"

When she was called, Yanagi was momentarily surprised to find Yuti behind Haruna and Natsuki.

"Yuti-san. Are you perhaps interested in Kyudo?"

"It seems like it!"

"But listen, sensei. In physical education class today, we played basketball with Yuti-san, and she was so strong that no one was able to keep up with her, including me."

Surprised at Natsuki's words, Yanagi-sensei's calm and gentle eyes widened.

"Ara ara, is that true? If that's the case, shouldn't she be joining the basketball club?"

"I know. But it is up to her to decide what club to join… Right? Yuti-san?"

"….."

"…Yuti-san?"

Haruna and Natsuki called out to Yuti, but Yuti didn't hear their voices and her focus was drawn to the students who were shooting arrows.

At that sight, Yanagi-sensei laughed.

"Ara ara, Yuti-san seems to be quite interested in archery. What do you think? Do you want to try to shoot it once?"

Yanagi-sensei handed Yuti the bow and arrows she was holding, and Yuti finally returned her gaze there and looked at the bow and arrows.

When Yuti received them, Yanagi-sensei immediately tried to teach her, but…

"Then, Yuti-san. Before shooting it, you need to wear something that makes you comfortable to move──."

"Unnecessary."

"Eh?"

Yuti ignored the words of Yanagi-sensei and walked forward slowly, entering the place where the students had just finished shooting.

The students who were practicing were surprised to see Yuti and were wondering about what was going on, but Yuti didn't seem to care and stared at the target in the distance and asked Yanagi-sensei behind her.

"Question. Should I aim at the middle of that target?"

"Y-yeah. It's the target but… it is not so easy───."

Yuti drew the bow before Yanagi-sensei could finish her words and shot an arrow out carelessly.

Yuti shot it in her usual way, which ignored the eight stages that Kyudo was based on.

But the result was clear.

The arrow shot by Yuti pierced the middle of the target set directly in front of them, and the people around were all silenced by the sight of it. However, Yuti did not seem to mind at all and continued to shoot arrow after arrow.

"W-wait, Yuti-san!"

With Yuti's sudden actions, Yanagi-sensei hurriedly tried to call out to her, but her voice did not reach Yuti's ears.

And so, Yuti's arrows, one after another, struck the middle of the target in rapid succession, creating a large number of "Jointed Arrows" where the arrowhead pierced the previous shot.

But that wasn't enough, Yuti enhanced her focus, and as she entered her own world, she fired off arrows continuously.

"A-amazing…"

"I never thought of hitting the center so precisely like that…"

"I-isn't it crazy?"

"Hey, look! The back wall is…!"

"Eh, are you kidding me?"

The students who were watching Yuti's performance noticed a problem and began to buzz. It's because the arrows shot by Yuti finally shattered the target and began to penetrate the wall behind it.

And then, Haruna and Natsuki, thinking that this was a bad thing, rushed in to stop her.

"Yu-Yuti-san, Yuti-san!"

"Stop, hey, stop!"

"…Huh!"

Haruna and Natsuki's voice finally reached Yuti, as she decisively fired one last arrow to a place where there was not even a wall anymore. After finishing, Yuti turned to Yanagi-sensei and the others with some excitement.

"Satisfied."

"….."

However, no one was able to comment on Yuti's actions, ability, or excessive randomness. In fact, no one expected the target, or even the wall, to be broken down, so they didn't know what to say.

Yuti tilted her head at the lack of response, but she suddenly felt an uncomfortable feeling inside her body.

It was a sense of discomfort that could only be felt because the nerves had been sharpened by the concentration that had been in place until a moment ago.

"? This sensation is… Evil?"

Although she was aware of the discomfort, Yuti decided not to worry about it, as there was nothing particularly wrong with it. Rather than that, right now, her being able to shoot arrows at school was satisfying.

When Yuti nodded in satisfaction, Yanagi-sensei finally came to her senses and muttered to herself.

"J-jointed arrow… even one arrow is expensive, though."

"N-no, more importantly, what do we do about the target and the wall…"

"…That's also true…"

"?"

Yuti did not understand the meaning of Yanagi-sensei's words, because until now, she had prepared arrows and targets on her own.

＊＊＊

"───Now, finally!"

The red eyes, which glow strangely in the dark space, laugh happily.

"I wondered what would happen to me because of that damned pig… but it was worth it to persevere somehow."

And the red eyes stare upwards.

"You're no longer needed. Once I recover a bit more, I'll snap out of here…"

And the red eyes melted into the darkness.