"Shirou, you are really good with a crossbow. Are you planning to specialize in it?"
After watching Shirou defeat Exusiai with a crossbow and take first place in Penguin Logistics shooting group, Sora naturally suggested that he continue developing in this area.
"Yeah. Even though Exusiai was not using a gun, being able to beat her in shooting means you could try focusing on this."
Texas agreed with Sora, encouraging Shirou to keep learning how to use crossbows.
"Hmm… it's worth considering."
Shirou thought about it for a moment. He did not mind getting more familiar with it but if possible he would prefer a regular bow. Crossbows felt a bit unnatural to him.
"Why does this feel like kids taking their elderly parent out to experience life, then discovering they are really into something and deciding to sign them up for classes…"
Croissant muttered to herself as she watched Texas and Sora persuading Shirou.
"I refuse to accept this! Let's go next door and shoot moving targets!"
Exusiai could not accept losing in shooting and decided to drag Shirou to the moving target range for a rematch.
The difficulty between stationary and moving targets was worlds apart. With stationary targets, you could take your time aiming. But with moving targets, you had to predict the trajectory and calculate where it would be in the next moment before firing.
And in that regard, Exusiai was exceptionally talented.
"Wow, challenging someone who just started using a crossbow to moving targets… Exusiai, that's pretty scummy."
Croissant looked at her with disdain, completely forgetting she had just dragged Shirou into shooting stationary targets earlier to escape being last place.
"Are you interested?"
Texas evaluated Shirou's earlier performance. He might actually be ready for moving targets.
Stationary targets were probably already too easy for him.
Though Exusiai's challenge was indeed a bit underhanded.
"Shirou, you do not have to agree. Or you could just cut off Exusiai's apple pie."
Sora could not stand Exusiai's behavior either and started giving Shirou ideas.
"Hey, aren't I supposed to be your top sniper? Just because Shirou shows a bit of talent, you are already planning to replace me?!"
Watching her teammates, Exusiai clutched her chest dramatically in mock heartbreak.
If not for her exaggerated expression, Shirou might have believed her.
"Moving targets… I guess that's fine—"
Before Shirou could finish, Exusiai had already dragged him away.
"Since you agreed, let's go! Today I am reclaiming my position as Penguin Logistics' number one sniper!"
Exusiai pulled Shirou toward the moving target range.
"..."
Texas, Sora, and Croissant exchanged glances, all thinking the same thing.
"This angel is seriously scummy."
"So this is the moving target range?"
Shirou was dragged to a livelier area.
Compared to the stationary range where most people were just casually playing around, the people here all looked like experienced shooters.
There were also noticeably more people using bows.
Compared to crossbows, bows were harder to use. Crossbows functioned more like firearms once loaded, you just pulled the trigger.
Bows, however, required steady arm strength and proper posture. They needed training to use effectively.
A portion of the people here were using bows for shooting.
The moving target mechanism would randomly launch small targets from the ground, and shooters had to aim and fire while the target was airborne.
With time limits and moving targets, the difficulty increased dramatically.
Yet most people here could hit them consistently.
"Heh, moving targets are my specialty."
Exusiai brought Shirou to an empty shooting lane and picked a crossbow she liked.
"Shirou, watch me first!"
She loaded a bolt, pressed the button, and began aiming.
After a few seconds, Shirou heard a burst of air—a white target shot into the air and was instantly shattered by Exusiai.
"See? Just like that! Easy, right?"
Exusiai made it sound like something trivial, prompting dark expressions from the three who had followed behind.
They had asked her for shooting advice before, but her answers were always things like "just do this and that."
In short, she had never given any proper guidance. For her, shooting was instinctive, she just knew how to do it.
"Go Shirou! Beat Exusiai!"
Croissant raised both hands, cheering him on.
Sora and Texas did not speak, but Shirou could feel their encouragement.
"Are you sure you're actually well-liked, Exusiai?"
Shirou casually said as he took the crossbow.
"Guh—th-that's too much! Too much!"
Exusiai was struck right in the heart and grabbed Shirou's collar, shaking him violently.
"Stop shaking me! That's dangerous!"
Shirou nearly dropped the crossbow as he was shaken.
The other three quickly stepped in to pull Exusiai away.
"Alright, alright."
Texas held Exusiai back and calmed her down.
Shirou's comment hit a bit too hard but Exusiai kind of brought it on herself.
"Okay, Shirou, give it a try. Moving targets are harder, so do not be discouraged if you miss."
Sora encouraged him.
"Got it."
Shirou stepped into the lane, adjusted the crossbow, loaded a bolt, and pressed the button.
Taking a deep breath, he focused ahead.
With a burst of air, the target shot up.
Predict the position. Aim. Pull the trigger.
The bolt shattered the target midair.
"Shirou, you are pretending to be weak just to show off, right? Right?!"
Seeing him casually destroy the moving target, Croissant grabbed his collar and started shaking him.
She was convinced he had been acting like a beginner on purpose.
"Calm down, calm down."
Sora restrained Croissant the same way Texas had held back Exusiai.
"Cough… you are way too excited…"
Shirou took a moment to recover. Compared to Exusiai, Croissant was much stronger, he felt dizzy from the shaking.
"Fair enough…, Shirou, is this really your first time using a crossbow?"
Texas asked.
As for Exusiai, she had already quieted down after seeing that shot. She could tell it was not luck; Shirou had genuinely aimed and hit it.
"With crossbows, yes. But I have learned archery before."
Shirou answered honestly.