People bring their own maids to the training camp

By the time they noticed, the gymnasium was already filled with a lively atmosphere. From the teachers acting as supervisors to the club representatives, no one showed any annoyance towards the noisy first-year students, and they continued to explain.

After concluding their presentations, the club representatives stepped down in order and proceeded to a location with simple tables. Most likely, membership applications would be submitted there immediately after the presentation.

Finally, only one person remained on the stage.

A boy who seemed decisive and efficient.

"Huh, what club representative is this? Why isn't he saying anything?" Netkura Asako tilted her head slightly. "Could it be that he's too nervous?"

“Public speaking can definitely make people nervous!” Xiaoqiao Meng immediately chimed in. “So, should we cheer him on?”

"That's a good idea, then we—"

Before the students from Class B could make a move, the one on the stage took action first.

He simply glanced at the freshmen below the stage, and even through his glasses, he could still feel their sharp gaze.

In just 30 seconds, the huge stadium fell silent.

"I am Horikita Manabu, the student council president," the boy said.

10. When Happiness Knocks on the Door

"I am Horikita Manabu, the student council president," the boy said. "This year, coinciding with the graduation of the upperclassmen, the student council will be recruiting candidates from the first-year students. There are no special requirements for candidates, but if you are considering becoming a candidate for the student council, please avoid joining other clubs. In principle, those who wish to participate in both the student council and other clubs will not be considered."

His tone was gentle, yet it created a palpable tension in the air. He alone silenced the more than one hundred freshmen in the vast gymnasium.

Of course, this power wasn't due to his position as student council president. It was the inherent strength of the student before him, named Horikita Manabu. The atmosphere of the entire scene gradually fell under his control.

"Next—our student council does not want anyone running for office with naive ideas. Such a person would not only be elected, but would also likely leave a stain on the school. Our student council is highly anticipated precisely because it has been given the power and mission to change the rules by the school. We only welcome those who can understand this."

After delivering his speech smoothly, he stepped off the stage and walked out of the stadium.

"Hahaha, I was just thinking that club activities might conflict with the students, but now it seems even more impossible for me to join a club." Since Ichinose had no plans to join a club in the first place, she wasn't particularly disappointed.

"But wouldn't this make many people hesitate between clubs and the student council? Perhaps both sides will lose out on outstanding talent."

“But on the other hand, both sides can get enough focused members.” Ichinose thought to herself as she watched Horikita Manabu leave.

Chihaya also memorized Horikita Manabu's name.

"Thank you for your hard work. This concludes the briefing. We will now begin accepting applications for membership. Also, since applications will be accepted until the end of April, students who wish to apply afterward should bring their application forms directly to the club they wish to join."

In other words, the next month is recruitment season, giving hesitant students ample time to experience different clubs.

"So where will Chihaya's first club be?" Hayasaka asked Chihaya as the formal recruitment process had begun.

"Hmm, yes, it's time to make a decision..." Chihaya frowned slightly as she pondered.

"Wow, beautiful girls look good no matter what expression they make." The girls next to her started again.

"It's the same principle as the so-called 'Xi Shi holding her heart', right? Fei Gong's version looks beautiful, but others might just see it as 'Dong Shi imitating Xi Shi'."

Hey you over there, you think you're so good at Chinese, huh?

Seeing that she had become the center of attention again, Chihaya quickly pulled Hayasaka to the archery club's booth.

Every club that passed by extended an invitation to the gold and silver duo, but Chihaya politely declined them all.

Finally, the two pushed through the crowd and overcame all difficulties to reach the archery club's booth.

"Isn't this a bit too enthusiastic?" Chihaya patted her chest, looking somewhat shaken.

"Hahaha, it's all because Chihaya is too charming! No club wants to let you go—what monster would pretend not to see Tang Sanzang?"

"...Although I understand what you mean, Xiao Ai's analogy is really bad."

"Hehehe, got it!" Hayasaka patted Chihaya on the shoulder. "Alright, hurry up and sign up! Otherwise, these seniors won't give up, you know?"

"..."

Chihaya simply glanced left and right and found that more than 100 stalls were staring at her—among them, the Kyudo Club, which was the closest in a straight line, had the most intense gaze.

The expression on Hashigaki-senpai's face in the archery club can be described as that of a character from a movie: The Pursuit of Happyness.

The only question is that the person knocking on the door might also be knocking on the door next door.

"Hello, are you sure you're Hashigaki-senpai from the archery club?"

"Ah, that's right! This junior has a pretty good memory!"

"I'm very interested in joining the archery club. May I try it out first?" Chihaya asked with a smile.

"Of course, no problem!" Hashigaki straightened his chest, practically raising his chin to the sky. "Vice Minister, you stay here and continue recruiting. I'll take care of this one..."

"My surname is Fei Gong."

"I'll take my junior sister, Fei Gong, to the dojo to try out the bow."

"No problem, Minister!"

We won! Now the club's funding for the next few years is secured!

Senior Hashigaki enthusiastically introduced the archery club, and made up her mind that no matter how badly this beautiful girl performed, she would keep her in the archery club.

On the other hand, being polite and good-looking, even if she's not good at archery, she'd still be a very pleasing sight as a mascot. Even considering the second and third-year girls, this junior, Himegami, is definitely a contender for the school beauty.

"Is Princess a beginner?"

"I had learned some basic knowledge before and had also drawn a bow simply."

"Having a foundation would be even better. How about we warm up at the dojo later and practice by shooting a few arrows?"

"As you wish."

This child is well-behaved and good-looking; he's a good candidate to be a minister.

Soon the group arrived at the archery club's dojo.

Hashigaki lent Chihaya his spare archery uniform, and Chihaya went to use the changing room to change.

"By the way, does Princess know how many pounds her bow weighs?"

"Ah, a regular one is fine." Chihaya almost blurted out the weight she usually wore, but luckily Hayasaka behind Hashigaki gave her a wink. "Could you please help me pick one out, senpai?"

That weight is not something a woman can normally use, and it might even be mistaken for a superhuman weight.

In order to avoid detection, Chihaya had to choose to use a weight within the normal range.

"I see. Then I'll take the liberty of picking one out for you." Hashigaki glanced at Chihaya's arm, which was hidden inside the sleeve of her school uniform, and then he had an idea.

She returned shortly afterward with a well-maintained bow.

"Why don't you give this one a try?"

"Thank you so much."

"No trouble at all, please." Hashigaki greeted him. "Oh, by the way, since it's informal anyway, let's not be as strict as in a competition. Just shoot arrows as you like."

"Okay, senior." Chihaya nodded, thinking that she had never used such a light bow before and hoped that she wouldn't miss the target.

"Go Chihaya!" Hayasaka simply became a cheerleader. If she did this in a formal setting, she would definitely be blacklisted, since applause is only allowed when the bullseye is hit in archery competitions.

"Ah."

11. Clubs

Chihaya took her position at the target, drew an arrow from the quiver beside her, and then slowly made the motion of nocking the arrow.

The skillful movements reassured Hashigaki somewhat; if their technique was good, perhaps the women's archery team could make further progress.

After completing the initial movements, the girl raised the bow and arrow high above her head, then spread her arms to the left and right, pulled the bow and arrow to eye level, and aimed at the bullseye.

The final step is to shoot the arrow in your hand.

Chihaya's entire routine was fluid and graceful, her movements exuding beauty. Combined with her archery uniform, a surprising blend of strength and elegance was achieved.

Whoosh!

Chihaya released her grip on the arrow, and the arrow, swift as lightning, struck the target in the blink of an eye.

Chihaya, having completed her archery motion, did not retract it. Instead, she maintained the final archery stance, a state known in Kyudo as "zantai".

A few seconds later, Chihaya put away her bow and shook her head, seemingly very dissatisfied with her performance.

"How is it?" Hashigaki asked the member in charge of watching the target.

"Hit the target!" the other person shouted. "But it was a little difficult."

It was a bit of a stretch, meaning the arrow didn't hit the bullseye, but rather was positioned on the edge.

"May I shoot a few more arrows?" Chihaya asked Hashigaki, turning her head to him.

"Of course." Hashigaki readily agreed. Being able to hit the target with a bow he wasn't familiar with at the dojo he was visiting for the first time already proved that he had a solid foundation. If he trained seriously, he might be able to join the ranks of the regulars.

Having received Hashigaki's permission, Chihaya nodded and turned around. Instead of taking arrows from the quiver as before, she straightened her back and knelt on the ground, closing her eyes.

"Shh!" Qiaoyuan gestured for silence to the people in the dojo, and all eyes were focused on the silver fairy-like figure.

About 30 seconds later, Chihaya opened her eyes, quickly got up, and began shooting arrows.

The same smooth, flowing movements; the same clean and efficient execution.

Before Chihaya shot the arrow, Hayasaka noticed that Chihaya adjusted the distance between her feet and that her shooting motion also changed slightly.

A whooshing sound rang out, and Chihaya, now in her crippled state, was clearly in a different condition.

A few seconds later, everyone received Chihaya's score.

"Bullet hit!"

"That's great, Minister! We can win the championship this year!" A member grabbed Hashigaki's hand and shook it vigorously.

"Aren't you overthinking it? County champion, right?"

"Of course, it's the whole country!"

"Don't be too outrageous! But reaching the round of 16 is something we can consider."

In the end, Chihaya hit the bullseye with all five of her arrows, and the last four arrows all hit the bullseye. Hashigaki immediately promised her that she could become a regular member as soon as she joined the team.

Chihaya expressed her desire to try out other clubs in response to the archery club's enthusiastic invitation, and said she would give Hashigaki a reply the next day.

So, amidst the reluctant gazes of the archery club members, Chihaya and Hayasaka leisurely departed for the cooking club's activity room.