The Path to Qualification

The day of the tournament had arrived, and the air was thick with tension. The archery club members stood ready, each determined to qualify for the next round. The venue buzzed with activity, and the pressure was palpable.

Haruki stepped up to the line, his heart pounding. He took a deep breath, nocked an arrow, and drew his bowstring back. The world seemed to narrow to just him and the target. He released the arrow, and it flew straight and true, hitting the bullseye.

"Nice shot, Haruki!" Aiko cheered from the sidelines.

Haruki smiled, feeling a surge of confidence. He continued his shots, each one precise and controlled. His focus was unbreakable, and by the end of his round, he had a nearly perfect score.

Next up was Mei. She approached the line with a calm demeanor, but inside, she was a bundle of nerves. She took a deep breath, drew her bow, and released her first arrow. It landed just outside the bullseye.

"Focus, Mei," she whispered to herself.

Her next few shots improved, but there were a few misses that cost her valuable points. She finished her round with a decent score, but not as high as she had hoped.

Aiko's turn came, and she was determined to perform well. She took her position, drew her bow, and released her arrows with precision. Each shot was carefully aimed, and she hit several bullseyes, securing a strong score.

Finally, it was Riku's turn. He approached the line with his usual bravado, but there was a hint of nervousness in his eyes. He drew his bow and released his first arrow. It hit the target, but not the bullseye.

"Come on, Riku, focus," he muttered.

His next few shots were mixed. Some hit the bullseye, while others missed the mark. The pressure was getting to him, and it showed. By the end of his round, his score was lower than he had hoped.

The results were announced, and the team gathered to hear their standings. Haruki and Aiko had qualified with flying colors. Mei had just made it, but Riku's score was not enough.

Riku's usual grin was nowhere to be seen. He stared at the ground, his shoulders slumped.

"Hey, Riku, it's okay," Haruki said, trying to comfort him. "We'll get them next time."

Riku shook his head. "No, Haruki. I messed up. I'm not good enough to stand with you guys."

Aiko put a hand on his shoulder. "Riku, you're part of this team. We need you."

But Riku just gave a weak smile. "Thanks, guys, but I let you down."

The ride back to school was unusually quiet. Riku sat in the corner, staring out the window. The usual lighthearted banter was missing, and the team's spirits were low.

Back at school, they gathered in the clubroom. Mei, trying to lighten the mood, attempted one of Riku's usual jokes. "So, did you hear about the archer who won an award? He was on point."

There was a forced chuckle from the group, but Riku didn't even crack a smile. "Thanks, Mei, but... I just don't have it in me right now."

Coach Takeda entered the room, sensing the somber atmosphere. "Alright, team. I know today was tough, but we need to keep our heads up. Riku, one tournament doesn't define you."

Riku stood up, his voice shaky. "I appreciate it, Coach, but maybe I need some time. I don't think I can keep up with you guys."

He left the room, and the silence that followed was heavy. The team watched him go, unsure of what to say.

Aiko turned to Haruki. "We need to help him. He can't give up."

Haruki nodded. "We'll figure something out. We can't let him go like this."