Coach, I Want to Learn Photography

It was Kushida Kikyo.

A smile rested on her small face, but beneath that smiling mask, there seemed to be a hint of coldness.

"So it's you, Kushida. Come on in." After letting Kushida inside, the boy reached out and closed the door.

"It's so late. Was there something you needed to talk to me about, Kushida?"

After hearing the boy's question, Kushida didn't answer right away. Instead, she started glancing around the dorm room as if she were looking for something.

"?"

"What are you looking for, Kushida?"

"Who were you having dinner with just now, Classmate Hashiba?"

The short-haired girl was still smiling. She caught that familiar scent again, her gaze fixed intently on Hashiba Hikaru's face.

"Oh, so that's what you wanted to know, Kushida?" Hashiba Hikaru replied calmly and gently. "It was Ichinose. She helped me pick out the ingredients today, so I made her a meal to thank her."

"Didn't you see her just now?"

"...Is that so?"

At his answer, Kushida Kikyo's expression changed abruptly, her gentle, approachable angelic look transforming in an instant into the cold expression she'd worn that night.

"So you really are on very good terms with Ichinose."

"Well, we're classmates, so of course we're a little closer."

Kushida suddenly took several steps forward, pressing herself against Hashiba Hikaru's chest. She spoke slowly, one word at a time. "Don't forget what you promised me. If you dare tell Ichinose my secret..."

"About that, Ichinose and I are simply classmates fighting side by side for our class. I won't tell her anything personal, so please don't worry, Kushida."

"See that you don't!"

Kushida reached out and grabbed the collar of Hashiba Hikaru's shirt. A few seconds later, she let go and smoothed out the wrinkles.

"I'll be watching you every second, so don't you dare betray me!"

"Was that what you came to see me about today, Kushida?" Hashiba Hikaru touched his collar, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Of course not. I have a very important discovery to tell you about, Classmate Hashiba."

In the blink of an eye, the short-haired girl's expression returned to its earlier gentleness. Then she took her phone out of her pocket.

Damn, she's gotten really good at changing faces at the drop of a hat.

What a pro.

"Take a look at this, Classmate Hashiba."

After taking her phone, Hashiba Hikaru saw a very beautiful model photo. The girl in it had long red hair and dressed fashionably. She smiled at the camera, full of energy.

"This is..."

"Keep swiping. I just found these online. Do you think this girl looks like someone?"

"You mean Sakura?"

Hashiba Hikaru had always been good at recognizing people. After looking through several model-style photos, he quickly connected the person in them to the shy girl who liked to keep her head down.

After all, the Stock Analyzer had made it very clear that Sakura Airi worked as a print model and a Blog Idol. Were these photos from her work?

"That's right. Besides how similar they look, check the last one. The background looks a lot like this school's dorms."

"Hmm... It really does."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded as if he were putting on an act.

But if Sakura was so active online, why was she so timid in real life?

"I think that's probably why she didn't want to agree to help us at first," Kushida said, offering her own analysis. "She hides this side of herself, so naturally she doesn't want to interact with too many people, in case she gets exposed."

"But it's all right. Sakura just messaged me to say she's willing to help with Sudo's situation." Kushida smiled, looking relieved. "I guess going with her to get her camera repaired today wasn't a waste."

"That's great. I hope you'll be able to get through this hurdle."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded, though his mind remained on the online photos of Sakura Airi he'd just seen. According to the information from the Stock Analyzer, taking pictures with Sakura Airi could raise her stock price.

Would bringing it up as a way to start a conversation help them get closer?

He'd have to try and see.

Chapter 84: Coach, I Want to Learn Photography

Since he'd already booked expedited repair service, Hashiba Hikaru was ready to put his plan to get closer to Sakura Airi into action the next morning.

His approach was to start with her interest in photography. If they really could become photography buddies, that would mean the girl had accepted him.

So Hashiba Hikaru took out his phone and called in the most useful "wingman" he had.

Hashiba Hikaru: Kushida, are you going with Sakura to pick up her camera this afternoon?

Kushida Kikyo: Yes. We went yesterday anyway, so we might as well get it done.

Hashiba Hikaru: Could I come with you? I'm kind of interested in photography.

Kushida Kikyo: Really?

The short-haired girl, sitting at her desk, immediately felt a little puzzled when she saw his reply. He hadn't mentioned anything about this when they went to the electronics store before. Why was he suddenly interested in photography?

Thinking about it, Kushida glanced back at the red-haired girl sitting at the back of the classroom. She was always alone in class, sitting silently at her desk and spending most of her time staring blankly at her book.

Though Hashiba Hikaru's sudden message had left Kushida a little confused, she replied quickly.

Kushida Kikyo: Sure. I'll ask Sakura.

Hashiba Hikaru: Great. I hope she won't think it's a bother.

After leaving her seat, Kushida Kikyo went over to Sakura Airi's desk and asked in a friendly tone, "Sakura, would you mind if one more person came with us to pick up your camera today?"

"Huh?"

The girl looked up. Hearing the question, she almost instinctively wanted to refuse. "Um... Does someone really have to come along?"

"It's Classmate Hashiba. He said he was interested in photography, so he wants to come with us."

Kushida had only asked to test the waters, but after she said this, she saw Sakura Airi's eyes suddenly light up. "Classmate Hashiba? Then... then that's okay."

"You don't mind, Sakura?"

"Mm... No, I don't."

Sakura Airi gently shook her head. She actually wanted to chat with Hashiba Hikaru some more, but she didn't have his contact information and didn't dare go to Class A to see him, so she'd had to keep the thought to herself for now.

Now that she'd heard he wanted to come along—and even mentioned being interested in photography—a feeling of anticipation took root in the girl's heart, making her look forward to seeing him that afternoon.

"Okay, I'll tell him, then."

After giving Sakura a long look, Kushida returned to her seat with a smile and started typing.

Kushida Kikyo: Sakura agreed. You can come with us later, Classmate Hashiba.

Hashiba Hikaru: Great. Are you going straight there after school? I'll wait for you at the entrance to Keyaki Mall.

Kushida Kikyo: Sounds good. See you this afternoon.

After ending the chat, the short-haired girl gripped her phone, her thoughts a little tangled.

From her perspective, Sakura had always been a completely invisible presence in class. She never spoke to anyone, and no one, whether boy or girl, could manage to communicate with her. Naturally, she didn't have a single friend.

But during their outing yesterday, Kushida Kikyo remembered Sakura looking directly at Hashiba Hikaru at least twice, and her attitude toward him had been rather peculiar.

Normally, she acted as if she wanted nothing to do with anyone. But now, when it came to a boy from another class, she was actually willing to go along with him?

And that bastard Hashiba Hikaru—was his sudden interest in photography because of Sakura?

Kushida Kikyo silently squeezed the eraser on her desk, her eyes flashing with a hard light. But after thinking it over for a while, she suddenly realized how often she'd been thinking about that guy lately—and even wondering what he was thinking.

The scent in Hashiba Hikaru's dorm room... The short-haired girl could now confirm it had been left by Ichinose Honami. They were both single, so why were they often having dinner alone together in the dorm?

"That guy really is popular with women..."

Kushida gritted her teeth. After the "fingerprint promise" incident that night, Hashiba Hikaru had immediately made his position clear, which had pleased her. She could still feel that gentle side of him.

But the situation now was making her a little unhappy. She couldn't even tell whether she was afraid he'd reveal her secret or afraid that he...

As that thought crossed her mind, Kushida Kikyo pressed her fingers to her temple, stopping her mind from wandering. She forced her attention onto preparing for her next class. After all, the angelic Kushida, who was so good at making friends, was also a trustworthy student when it came to academics.

Meanwhile, Hashiba Hikaru had no idea about the girl's tangled thoughts. He was sitting at his desk, using his phone to look up some basic photography tips.

He only needed to learn a few basics beforehand to get Sakura Airi talking. He could use the rest as things to ask her about.

Ichinose Honami, sitting beside him, noticed that Hashiba Hikaru was searching for photography-related information and leaned over curiously. "Have you gotten interested in photography lately, Classmate Hashiba?"

"A little."

Hashiba Hikaru fudged the truth. He couldn't tell the pink-haired girl the whole story, so he might as well be vague.

"Could you take my picture sometime, Classmate Hashiba?" Ichinose asked, gazing at his face with her lovely blue eyes.

"Uh... I haven't even learned the basics yet. I'm still a long way from being good enough to take pictures for other people."

Hashiba Hikaru didn't want to reject her outright, so he steered the conversation toward something with more room to maneuver. "I might not get the hang of it and just give up, for all I know."

"How could you? I believe you'd learn anything quickly, Classmate Hashiba. I have faith in you."

"Okay, then. Let me learn a few techniques first."

Hashiba Hikaru nodded and continued searching for photography tips on his phone. He might as well do as much preparation as he could.

After school that afternoon, the boy told Ichinose Honami he had something to do, then left.

Since he'd already decided he wanted to become a master trader, Hashiba Hikaru planned to start spending less time with Ichinose Honami from then on. Using his new interest as an excuse, at least, would keep the girl from overthinking things.

When he reached the entrance to Keyaki Mall, Hashiba Hikaru waited a few minutes before spotting two familiar figures. One walked ahead, open and confident; the other followed with her head lowered.

It seemed Sakura still wasn't used to going out with other people. He wondered if she'd ever be able to change that about herself.

"Good afternoon, Classmate Hashiba!" Kushida greeted him energetically.

"Good... afternoon, Classmate Hashiba."

Sakura mustered her courage and looked at Hashiba Hikaru's face, greeting him in a somewhat subdued voice.

"Good afternoon. Let's get to the electronics store and pick up Sakura's camera."

Hashiba Hikaru smiled and gestured for them to set off. A few minutes later, the group arrived at the same electronics store as the day before.

Thinking back to how Sakura had acted when dealing with the clerk yesterday, the boy asked gently, "Sakura, why don't you stand behind me this time? I'll talk to him."

"Is that okay?" The red-haired girl felt a little embarrassed at the concern in his eyes.

"Of course. I can use the opportunity to ask him about different cameras, too. Maybe I'll buy a basic one and give it a try sometime."

"Really? Then I can recommend one to you, Classmate Hashiba. There's one I really like..."

After hearing what he said, Sakura's eyes lit up, and she seemed very interested.

"Sure, but let me try taking pictures with my phone first and get a feel for it. We can talk about choosing a camera later."

Seeing that the girl was interested, Hashiba Hikaru nodded to himself. Following the instructions really is fast. This could work.

Kushida, who was practically a bystander now, forced a smile and gestured for them to move along. "Let's go, then. We shouldn't keep Sakura's camera waiting."

At the counter, they were once again greeted by the bearded male clerk.

But as soon as Sakura Airi saw him, she immediately followed Hashiba Hikaru's earlier suggestion and stood behind the boy, wanting no eye contact with the man at all.

The disgust and fear she'd felt yesterday were memories the girl never wanted to experience again.

"Welcome."

"Oh, it's you. Are you here to pick up the camera?"

As soon as the man saw them, his eyes immediately went looking for the red-haired girl.

Unfortunately for him, the next moment he came face-to-face with the boy's calm expression, making his heart jolt.

"If it's already repaired, could you bring the camera over? We're in a bit of a hurry."

"Well..."

Hashiba Hikaru was more than a head taller than Sakura Airi. Once the boy's broad frame blocked the view, the clerk couldn't see the girl at all.

"What's the matter? Didn't you say it was repaired?" Hashiba Hikaru smiled, his gaze passing over the clerk's face. "Or did the extra fee we paid for expedited service go to waste?"