Character Quote
Sayaka Hōdō
"I once wanted to prove that I was the strongest archer in the Hōdō family. It wasn't until later that I realized 'Hōdō' is not a name of glory, but a cage from which I must break free."
[Huangtang Family · Home Archery Range · Early Morning]
"Starting today, you will resume family archery training, and the personal guard will assume full responsibility."
The command of her father, Huangtang Leizang, echoed through the archery range that morning.
Shaya stood in front of the family's "Orthodox Archery Path," dressed in white with a firm grip on the bowstring. She gazed at the center of the target but didn't say a word.
"You should be grateful. This is the succession path arranged for you by the Huangtang family."
"You've played enough at Dongyun Academy. It's time to come back."
This wasn't persuasion; it was family confinement.
She had imagined countless times how she could reform the Huangtang family's outdated archery system after becoming the family's head. But now, she realized it was all an illusion crafted by her father.
[Flashback: Elementary School Years: First Holding of a Bow]
That year, she was six. Huangtang Leizang stood behind her, holding her wrist, and said, "This is the path you are destined to walk." At that time, she thought she was lucky to be born into the strongest archery family and to have her father teach her step by step.But when she turned ten, during the first public family trial shoot, she missed the target. Her father said in front of everyone, "The Huangtang family doesn't need emotional archers."
That night, she practiced archery alone until late, her fingers raw. She didn't dare cry.
She thought that if she worked just a little harder, she would earn a "You did well."
Ten years have passed, and she still hasn't heard it.
[Reality · Restaurant · Family Meeting] The dining table is filled with family elders. "The Huangtang family must have a stable inheritance. Although Shaye is extremely talented, she is too emotional to lead." "Considering her relationship with Ye Jian Cang, if she could marry into the Dongyun family, that would be our strongest external strategy." "If she refuses, then let Huangtang Liao inherit the archery position." Huangtang Liao, Shaye's cousin, observed with cold eyes and a smile on her lips. "Sister, if you are unwilling, then relinquish your position." Shaye replied in a deep voice, "I will give you my answer in three days during the archery inheritance battle." Everyone was shocked. Even Leizang raised his eyes to stare at her. "You want to duel Liao? Just based on your chaotic archery practice over the years?" Shaye stood up, her tone firm. "I am no longer the child who could only imitate your archery ten years ago. "I will use my own archery skills to break the Huangtang family's target." [Dongyun Academy · Night · Archery Club] When Shaye returned to the club, she found a challenge letter for the Huangtang archery position posted on the door of the training room. Everyone was surprised upon seeing it. Hinmura Wanli stepped forward, hesitating to speak. "Are you certain you want to face the Huangtang family?" she asked. Shaye nodded. "It's not to seize the position, but to tell them that my arrows don't belong to anyone's bloodline." She enunciated each word, "I will shoot the last arrow that belongs to 'Huangtang Shaye.'"