Ichinose's Little Scheme / A Late-Night Confession
With a gentle smile, Aoyama pressed the shutter to capture their beautiful moment.
"How was it? Did you take a good picture of me?"
As soon as Aoyama put down his camera, Amikura swayed her single ponytail and approached him, just like Himeno, who seemed to lack motivation.
Chapter 172 Ichinose Little Cunning
"Absolutely adorable!"
Looking at the two people in the camera, each with their own charm, Aoyama generously praised them.
Even though Himeno's smile seemed a little unnatural, he could tell that she was happy inside, just not very good at expressing it.
A blush crept across Amikura's adorable face. "That's too much!"
Being praised so directly by such a handsome and attractive man, she couldn't help but feel pleased, and her shy expression made Himeno's lips curl up involuntarily.
To be honest, Himeno didn't really want to come along for the photo shoot. It wasn't that she hated taking pictures, but she wasn't good at being in crowded Matoba or facing other people's gazes.
She wouldn't be here if it weren't for Amikura, a fairly close friend, who had dragged her here with a rather forceful attitude.
Ichinose suddenly stepped between Aoyama and Amikura, "Then it's my turn and Chihiro's turn. I'll leave it to you, Aoyama- kun."
"Leave it to me, I'll make sure I get Ichinose." Giving up on returning the camera to Amikura, Aoyama replied with a smile.
"Remember to emphasize the Xiao Fanbo."
"Yes, yes, Chihiro, who loves Xiao Fanbo the most."
Aoyama gave a teasing smile to a girl who made no attempt to hide her self-awareness.
Linking arms with Ichinose, Shiranami's face flushed red. "I just admire Xiao Fanbo, and don't call me Chihiro."
"Okay, okay, hurry up and get into position."
Looking at the two people standing together who didn't seem like classmates but more like older and younger sisters, Aoyama smiled faintly and raised his camera.
In the scene, with her hand that wasn't held by Shiranami, Ichinose gently brushed a strand of hair from the side of her face and softly placed it behind her ear. Her eyes, whether looking at the camera or Aoyama, gave people a warm feeling like spring water.
What captured Ichinose's current appearance even faster than a camera was Aoyama's mind.
"Perfect."
Without any notification words like "eggplant," Aoyama decisively pressed three buttons in quick succession.
"How can Xiao Fanbo be so beautiful?"
Seeing that Aoyama had finished taking pictures, Amikura immediately rushed to Ichinose's side and hugged her other arm.
Ichinose looked even more beautiful and captivating than usual just Ichinose.
Finding Himeno still standing there, Amikura waved vigorously at her, "Koyuki, come quickly too! Next up is a group photo of the four of us."
"Just go along with her, otherwise she'll definitely come and pull you up."
Noticing that Himeno's dead fish eyes seemed even more lifeless, Aoyama reminded her with some amusement.
"This is such a hassle."
After glancing at Aoyama, who had guessed her thoughts, Himeno muttered something in surprise, then stood next to Amikura and raised her ever-present peace sign.
"Eggplant--"
Without pointing out Himeno's perfunctory attitude, Aoyama pressed the shutter with a pleasant feeling.
Photos taken with four people, three people, and one person.
After taking pictures for a while, Ichinose took the camera from Aoyama and said that Shiranami also wanted to take a picture with him.
Blushing, Shiranami retorted in a flustered manner, "I never said that, Xiao Fanbo."
"Can Chihiro say you don't want to at all?" Ichinose smiled gently. "Lying isn't good for a child."
"Just a little bit."
"That'll do then, Aoyama -kun will definitely be willing."
"I couldn't ask for a photo with Chihiro."
Pushing Shiranami, who was a little hesitant and reluctant to let go, Aoyama arrived at the photo spot with his back to the sea, placed his hands on Shiranami's shoulders, and smiled.
The distinctive sound of a camera rang out, Ichinose, who was holding the camera, suddenly chuckled. Amikura, who was watching beside her, did the same.
"You two give off the feeling of being siblings with a significant age gap." Amikura's smile widened.
"It doesn't look like it at all."
Aoyama retorted decisively, then suddenly grabbed Shiranami's soft, adorable cheeks with both hands.
"That's more like it, isn't it?"
"Aoyama, oh— Shiki!" With his cheeks pinched, Shiranami's speech became incoherent.
Judging from those wide, bulging eyes, Aoyama's fate is not good.
"Aaaaah, Aoyama big bad guy, Aoyama!"
As soon as Ichinose finished patting Aoyama's cheek and released her, Shiranami immediately turned and chased after the mischievous girl who had already taken off running.
The chase lasted for quite a while.
After running a short lap around the deck with Shiranami, Aoyama deliberately slowed down, letting Shiranami catch him at the starting point for taking photos, and then gave him a light pinch on the soft flesh of his waist.
"Ichinose, want to take a picture together?" Aoyama invited Ichinose, who was watching with a smile, while letting the Shiranami attack his body.
There's something he might need from the photo of him with Ichinose; it's better to be safe than sorry.
"Hey--no problem."
Unexpectedly, Aoyama took the initiative to invite her. Ichinose moment, then quickly nodded. After handing the camera to its original owner, Amikura, she immediately and gently persuaded the indignant Shiranami to leave.
Originally, she planned to let the Amikura take the photos first to cover up her own intentions.
Aoyama continued, "Would you mind if we got a little closer, Ichinose?"
Intimate? How intimate? Like what Chihiro just did?
Do you really enjoy pinching girls' cheeks, Aoyama -kun? That's not a good idea.
Unconsciously covering her cheeks with her hands, Ichinose shyly looked up at Aoyama, silently muttering to herself.
"Don't worry, Chihiro is taking special care of her." Seeing Ichinose's actions, Aoyama knew what she was worried about. "I can just put my arm around Ichinose's shoulder."
Ichinose of disappointment flashed across Ichinose's face. "Is just putting your arm around someone's shoulder enough?"
"Stand a little closer."
He added, Aoyama to Ichinose's left rear, letting her block half of his body, and placing his right hand on her soft shoulder through her thin white shirt.
Aoyama's hand is right on my shoulder! And it's so close!
Her heart pounded faster than usual, and feeling the warmth emanating from her shoulder, Ichinose felt enveloped by the unique aura emanating from Aoyama.
Although she managed to maintain a calm demeanor, her gaze began to wander.
"Look at the camera, Xiao Fanbo." Holding the camera Amikura hesitated to press the shutter. Ichinose seemed distracted, and her face appeared slightly flushed.
The boys are handsome and masculine, while the girls are gentle and lovely.
She wanted to take some great photos of such good material and showcase her photography skills.
"Um."
Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Ichinose thought about showing her best side in a photo with Aoyama, recalling the first time she spent her birthday night with a boy.
Unconsciously, a gentle smile appeared on her face, clearly from the bottom of her heart, which made the group of people in the Amikura feel very warm.
So cute it's unfair!
Even as a fellow girl, I was touched. Following Amikura's example, I quickly pressed the Aoyama several times, determined to capture this moment.
"Perfect, that's wonderful, Xiao Fanbo!"
Seeing the photos taken, Amikura happily ran to Ichinose to show off.
At the same time, a hint of sadness flashed in Shiranami's eyes, which then turned into determination.
Chapter 173 Late-Night Confession
The moon is getting rounder and rounder.
At 10 p. m., under the warm, not-too-bright lights, Aoyama lay on a sightseeing chair at the hull of the cruise ship.
Because the view wasn't as good as the bow deck, he was the only person among the neatly arranged rows of sightseeing chairs nearby.
The cruise ship will dock before noon tomorrow. This is the students' last night on the ship, and many students are having a final burst of fun tonight.
Aoyama parted ways with Ichinose in the morning, Aoyama the time before lunch at the gym, and then went to the library in the afternoon, where he successfully caught up with Shiina, who was alone.
He had planned to go to bed early tonight, but an unexpected person pulled him out of bed.
Sigh, why the sudden urge to confess?
With his eyes closed, Aoyama began to wait for someone with little chance of success to return, crying.
On the other side, in a double chair on the cruise ship bathed only in moonlight, Shiranami waited for Ichinose had made an appointment to come.
When exactly did I start to feel lost and doubt my feelings for Xiao Fanbo —did I think they weren't romantic feelings?
Let me verify it. Anyway, the longer it's delayed, the lower the probability of success. That damned Aoyama!
Seeing Ichinose arrive as promised, looking somewhat worried Ichinose uneasy, Shiranami became even more determined to confess her feelings.
If she waited any longer, she didn't know if she would still have the courage to confess her feelings, even though the chances of success were zero.
Although she and Ichinose spent more time together, that wretched Aoyama most likely entered Ichinose's heart and left his mark before her.
"I like you, the kind of liking where I want to be your lover."
Before Ichinose could speak, Shiranami shouted loudly, looking at Ichinose with burning eyes.
Despite knowing she had little chance of success, she had to clearly convey her feelings to Ichinose.
"I'm sorry, Chihiro."
As Shiranami had expected, Ichinose gave a bitter smile, as if to comfort herself as usual. She raised her right hand towards her head and slowly extended it.
"Slap slap--slap slap--"
As Aoyama had expected, Shiranami, who had been waiting there, ran toward Shiranami Ichinose, her face streaked with Rika.
Then, unexpectedly, Shiranami didn't sit down in the chair next to him to complain, but instead unceremoniously straddled his lap and wrapped his arms tightly around his back.
Are you a puppy?
Feeling the warmth on his shoulder and the gentle bite, Aoyama hugged the petite girl who was very light, and gently stroked the little head buried in his shoulder with his free hand.
"I already told you it wasn't the right time, but you still insisted on going. Now you've failed."
"..."
"Yes, yes, I won't say anymore."
Noticing that Shiranami was biting a little harder, Aoyama stopped trying to start a conversation.
He gently inhaled the faint fragrance emanating from Shiranami's petite body and silently waited for Shiranami to calm herself down, since there was still plenty of time before the eleven o'clock curfew.
"It failed."
"It's obvious at a glance, as long as you don't give up."
I've already given up.
When Aoyama tried to comfort Shiranami, who had finally spoken, by saying that there was plenty of time and there would be other opportunities, Shiranami interrupted him.
She has given up on the option of becoming Ichinose's lover.
"Being rejected by Xiao Fanbo, I actually felt a moment of relief, and thought it wasn't so bad after all." Shiranami's tone was somewhat self-reproachful. "It's all your fault, you big bad guy."
After being rejected by Ichinose, she found that she wasn't as heartbroken as she had imagined, and even had the thought that it was for the best.
Then, what surfaced in my mind was Aoyama's mischievous grin, and the warm, unforgettable feeling of being carried on his back on the last day on the Uninhabited Island.
Even though she just confessed, it was because she realized this morning that Ichinose seemed to be snatched away by Aoyama, and she decided to do it. But after being rejected, she couldn't bring herself to hate Aoyama.