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That was it: There were too many clubs at Shujin.
Not that it was wrong for students to have places to fit in. That was fine. Great, even! But when every club was tasked with putting together a booth it became overwhelming to navigate. Kotone found a nook toward the far end where the archery club’s empty stall lay, a respite from the close quartered and noisy halls of the school.
An empty stall, except for — “Yukari!”
“Wha-” Yukari jolted to attention, her phone clattered from her hand to the floor. A grumble passed through her lips before her eyes fell on Kotone. “— Oh, it’s you. You scared me! You know not to sneak up on me!”
“Is it my fault that you’re supposed to be paying attention while running the booth?” Kotone stuck her tongue out at Yukari. “Doesn't look like you're very busy. Where is everyone?”
“Shooting apples off another’s head isn’t exactly an activity everyone is lining up for.” Yukari sighed as she lay her chin against her palm. “I haven’t had a single customer, but my shift is almost over.”
“Won’t that be bad for the club’s funding?” Kotone hummed with a tilted head as she looked around the booth. Bare, sans the toy bow, arrows, and bucket of apples. “There’s no prizes? It’s no wonder no one's here. Sounds like this could be a fun date. I doubt Mets would want to, though.”
“I can’t imagine.” Yukari chuckled. “Mitsu would. I think. But her confidence is what scares me.”
“I get that.” Kotone snorted as she looked over the prices. She fished for some yen before placing it on the provided tray. “Well, let’s not make your shift a bust. I’ll help you out.”
“Thanks…?” Yukari blinked as she went to grab the money. “You don’t have to do that, though.”
“Nuh-uh.” Kotone placed her hand over the money before Yukari could scoop it. “I’m a paying customer, and I want to give this booth a try.”
“Wha- I…” Yukari groaned before giving Kotone a nod. A grin pushed into Kotone’s cheeks as she lifted her arm, allowing Yukari to take the yen. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
Yukari set the plastic pink bow on the counter. A featherman toy. Armed with three plastic arrows. Yukari stood by the back wall with an apple on her head.
“You better not hit me in the face.” Yukari grumbled with her arms crossed. “I’m trusting you.”
“We’re in this together.” Kotone winked. “Right?”
“That… You…” Yukari shook her head, careful to not allow the apple to roll off. “It’s been… so long since we first left that palace.”
“You were pretty brave. Wanting to come back and fight without a Persona.” Kotone chuckled as she took aim. “Who would have thought our team would become so big?”
“Is this your way to get me to feel at ease?” Yukari’s shoulders deflated with a lack of tension. “But you’re right. This has been… A lot. So much more than just one terrible teacher. Now there’s—”
“Hey, don’t worry about anything else. We’ll find a way through it all. Let’s just focus on today.” Kotone gave Yukari a reassuring smile as she let the arrow fly. To her surprise it hit the apple dead on. The arrow bounced off, and the apple rolled off Yukari’s head with a thunk. “Huh. That worked.”
“Sheesh. Give me a warning next time.” Yukari took a deep breath before she leaned down to grab the dropped apple and arrow. “But… that was impressive. Those toys are pretty inaccurate.”
“Is that right? That might have helped me.” Kotone chuckled as she set the bow on the table. “But fair is fair. How about we swap?”
“What? That’s not—” Yukari’s nose wrinkled before she looked back at Kotone. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?” Kotone grinned. “We’re in this together.”
“Fine, fine. We’ll make the most of your money.” Yukari tossed Kotone an apple before drawing the plastic bow. She took a deep breath, closed one eye, and took aim. “Thanks, by the way.”
“Huh?” Kotone blinked. “For what?”
“I’d have a shorter list if I said what I wasn’t thanking you for.” Yukari huffed. “We started this journey together. And whatever happens? We’ll finish it together. So thanks. For staying by my side through it all.”
“That’s a given.” Kotone chuckled. “And don’t worry, I’m prepared. Shoot away!”
“If you insist.” Yukari grinned. “Lucky for you, I don’t miss.”
– – –
It only took four arrows to the face before Yukari finally knocked the apple off Kotone’s head.