Beat me in a little competition

(chapter originally by doragom333 at writing.com)

"-succeed where she failed."

"Wait, you don't mean-?" Yukari gasped.

"A friendly little game of strip archery, with the same forfeit of course. That is how this all started, don't you remember, Yukari-chan?" Kaya smirked, emphasizing the honorific in a sarcastic, mocking tone.

Kaya's remarks stabbed Yukari to her core. While she had no idea of the extent this would go to back then, it was true that she had originally suggested the contest and agreed to Kaya's terms. In a way, this was all her fault for rising to Kaya's taunts in the first place. And now her close friend and leader was going to suffer for her mistake?

"Minako-chan, let's just-" she began,

"I accept!" Minako suddenly burst out, leaning forward, and obscenely gesturing in Kaya's direction.

"W-wait!" Yukari shouted, dragging Minako off to the side. "I can't let you do this!" she whispered.

"No one messes with my friends," Minako said reassuringly. "Especially not this bully who makes Shadows look like humans in comparison! Besides, you know I know my way around a bow."

"Shooting down Shadows is different from a real archery contest. You have to stand really far away and perfectly hit a small circle, you can't just charge in and release it point blank!"

"Ah, right..." Minako said, somewhat let down, "Although if it comes down to it, I could always just use my last shot on Kaya-"

"Minako!"

"Kidding, just kidding!" Minako grinned. "Seriously though, I'll be fine. Just trust me, okay?"

Yukari was only barely keeping her tears at bay. There weren't many things that could get under her skin so badly, but having a friend put themselves on the line for her and being unable to help herself was one of them. But, Minako always seemed to be able to bring her spirits up at her worst. It wasn't her words, really, but more the spirit behind those words; the spirit of someone who would never give up and see everyone safely to the end.

"Okay," Yukari sniffed. "Just, be careful, alright?"

"You got it," Minako replied, and turned to face Kaya. "One piece per round, right?"

"Exactly, and because I'm such a good sport, I'll even let you go first."

Yukari watched as Minako grabbed a nearby bow and quiver and took her place at the shooting range. Despite the high stakes that the girl was undoubtedly facing, she seemed calm and focused. "Maybe she can beat her," Yukari thought.

"Oh, and one more thing," Kaya said, having moved to the nearby fieldhouse wall for some reason, apparently to hang her purse on the wall. "My phone with the video is in this bag. If either of you get any bright ideas about getting out of this by taking my phone well-" she suddenly nocked an arrow and pointed it at Yukari. "-a little accident may happen, understand? I'll be watching."

Both SEES girls remained silent. "Why didn't I think of overpowering her and going for the phone?" Yukari thought, smacking her forehead. "Argh, it's too late now I guess. It's all in Minako's hands now." She could only hope that the girl had it in her to beat Kaya at her own game.