Shangri La Pt. 1

109: Cautious

"EVERYONE DUCK!!!" Awase screamed just as the greenette released another arrow that went flying and made all the Knights in the area duck and dive for cover. 

No matter how many times she'd done this already, it was clear that Izumi wasn't all that great at using a bow to shoot arrows at a target, even when the target was right in front of her. 

"I-I don't understand, why aren't they going straight? I'm doing everything I'm told to aim the arrow, aren't I?" Izumi asked as she appeared concerned as to why this wasn't going the way she wanted. 

"D-Don't feel discouraged, Miss Izumi, n-not everything works the first time you try something new." Awase encouraged, even though it was clear he and all the Knights were being cautious since Izumi's arrows weren't aiming at the target at all. 

"Erm– I suppose you're right, then I'll just have to keep trying until I land at least one arrow on the target!" Izumi proclaimed as she pulled the string back to aim the arrow. 

'Ack! Is she trying to kill us all?!?! We can't keep dodging those arrows!!! Ah–'

As she remained focused on keeping her eyes on the target before her, Izumi didn't pay any attention to those around her. 

'I have to keep trying, because nothing comes easy. I suppose watching Katsuki do all of this so easily influenced me to think it would be easy for me, but I must continue trying until–' 

"Relax your shoulders." A hoarse voice spoke behind her, quickly forcing her out of her thoughts. She didn't hesitate to listen to whoever this was and forced her shoulders down. 

"Bring down your arm, it's too high up." the voice instructed as they helped the greenette gently pull down her right elbow that was holding the string back. 

"Rest your mouth onto your hand." 

"Ah– O-Okay." And without any warning, she felt this person's rest their right hand on top of her shoulder and their left hand over her own left hand that was holding the bow. 

"Relax this hand." 

"M-Mmhm." 

"Breathe in." 

The greenette took in a deep breath like she was told and then heard; "Release."

Without faltering, Izumi released the string of the bow and watched–as well as everyone else–the arrow fly forwards and land right onto the center of the target that she'd been trying to aim at this whole time. 

Izumi batted her eyes to process what she just witnessed, and then a large smile grew on her lips as she realized she accomplished her goal. 

"Ah– I-I– I did it!" 

"Did that feel good?" 

"Yes! Very much so! Thank you so much– Ah–" 

When she turned around to thank the man responsible for helping, Izumi's face froze up when she easily recognized that spiky blond hair and Ruby red gaze. What the greenette–along with everyone else didn't expect to see–was that their blond Captain was standing before her and revealing the softest, sweetest smile to her. 

"Ah– I-It was... Katsuki, y-you were the one that helped me just now?!?!" Izumi blurted as her cheeks reflected her feelings as she still couldn't help it from seeing this man smile at her.

"No one else looked like they wanted to help you, right?" Katsuki noted as he couldn't help but glare at all the Knights surrounding them. 

The Knights understood what their Captain meant to the point of them all bowing before the pair.