Grabbed in One Go

The face was completely unfamiliar; Fushimi Makoto was certain he had never seen it before.

Just then, Yukino's voice came from beside her. "Is that Aota- Aota? Why are they going to the camera equipment store?"

Fushimi Makoto and looked in the direction Yukino had pointed, where he could see a familiar figure entering the store at the very end.

Those were his classmates.

"Could it be that they also want to film something to commemorate their high school life?" Fushimi Makoto guessed.

"Maybe," Yukino said, unsure.

Aota and the others had helped out on set before. Although they were closer to Fushimi Makoto, Yukino remembered these kind-hearted classmates.

Soon after, Aota and the others came out. Fushimi Makoto counted them in his mind: four men and two women. He recognized all the men, but he didn't recognize the two women.

"Yo, Fushimi!"

Aota also noticed Fushimi Makoto and Yukino, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

He casually shook off the girl next to him and happily ran over.

This scene Fushimi Makoto utterly astonished.

How come he didn't know the other person was a "Sigma Man" after knowing them for so long?

Just by looking at the girl's dark face after being dumped, you could tell she was definitely angry.

"Hello, Yukinoshita- san."

"Hello, Aota."

After greeting Aota, Yukino immediately sidled up to Fushimi Makoto, putting his arm around his shoulder. "When I saw you post that Shiba Inu meme in the group last time, I suddenly got the urge to take pictures. I happen to have two Corgis at home, so I brought my friend over today."

"Oh, you want to film some everyday pet videos?" Fushimi Makoto understood.

"Strictly speaking, it's short videos about the daily lives of pets. I've been following your group's account, and I thought it would be fantastic if I could do what I love and earn some pocket money at the same time."

"I see. Are you having any difficulties? If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to contact me anytime."

"Thanks! That's a crucial point. As a complete beginner in filming, I'm facing problems everywhere. I was even debating whether or not to bother you..."

Aota spoke, he remembered Yukino being ignored and laughed awkwardly, "Sorry, Yukinoshita- san, I got a little carried away with the conversation."

"It doesn't matter."

Yukino not only had no objections, but actually quite enjoyed watching Fushimi Makoto interact with his friends.

Fushimi Makoto asked, "What was that girl all about? Why did you shake her off?"

"I'm currently focused on my career, and girls are just too much of a hindrance."

"?"

Fushimi Makoto suddenly remembered that famous meme.

"Then I won't disturb your date. I'll contact you online if I need anything." Aota walked away with a grin.

Yukino is no longer shy about being asked out by someone. She stared at Aota's back for a while and said, "They've all changed a lot because of you."

Fushimi Makoto smiled and said, "This is a good change."

"Um."

Yukino thought so too.

Finding something you enjoy doing and doing it with passion is a positive change.

After Aota ran back, the three boys Fushimi Makoto and went back to their business.

"It's time to go home." Yukino hugged her Mr. Pan tightly, already thinking about where to put the doll.

Fushimi Makoto, however, said, "I'm afraid we'll have to go there again."

Yukino looked up in confusion, and when she saw Hiratsuka Shizuka in the coffee shop, she was also somewhat surprised.

She then understood what Fushimi Makoto meant.

Because Hiratsuka Shizuka looked troubled at that moment, and even her smile was very forced. Compared to the two smiling women opposite her, she seemed to be facing difficulties.

"Then let's go take a look." Yukino was still very willing to help Hiratsuka Shizuka.

The two walked toward the coffee shop. Hiratsuka Shizuka dealing with acquaintances and didn't notice Fushimi Makoto and Yukino.

"Shizuka, you haven't come to matchmaking events in a long time. Is it because you've already found a boyfriend?"

"No, no, as you all know, every blind date I go on ends in failure, and lately I don't really want to go anymore."

"That's not right, is it? No matter how many times you failed before, you would always adjust your mindset and try again, but lately you haven't tried even once."

Faced with questions from acquaintances, Hiratsuka Shizuka became increasingly embarrassed.

The reason she stopped going on blind dates was because she had someone she cared about and liked.

The problem is, that person's identity is very special.

She couldn't bear to be in the light of day.

Now, being questioned repeatedly by acquaintances, she felt a surge of shame and embarrassment, and was on the verge of giving herself away.

Just then, she heard a voice that had repeatedly appeared in her dreams. "What a coincidence, Teacher Hiratsuka."

She looked up with great surprise, only to see Fushimi Makoto standing next to Yukino. Her smile froze instantly, her eyes became guilty and evasive, and a blush even appeared on her cheeks.

Upon seeing her reaction, Fushimi Makoto knew that she must have been putting on a show lately.

Moreover, she's currently in a phase of intense, almost frenzied activity, and her energy levels are probably at their peak...

Chapter 178 Grab it in one go

If there's one person Hiratsuka Shizuka has been least willing to see lately, it's definitely Fushimi Makoto.

The second person I dared not see was Yukino.

But today she happened to see two of them at once.

The guilt intensified, and the embarrassment doubled.

The main feature is a super multiplier.

It's truly a case of misfortunes never coming singly!

Hiratsuka Shizuka thought of this Chinese phrase.

I'm feeling guilty and embarrassed by my friend's questions, and the two people I dread seeing most right now are showing up at the same time.

What should I do?

Just as Hiratsuka Shizuka was under immense pressure, Fushimi Makoto's voice rang out again. "Teacher Hiratsuka, how are your preparations for the new short film going?"

Ah?

New short film?

Hiratsuka Shizuka was stunned.

Her two friends were immediately distracted, and one of them asked curiously, "What short film?"

Suddenly, another person exclaimed excitedly, "I remember now! You're Fushimi Makoto, right? I've seen you on the news!"

"Huh? So it really is Fushimi Makoto? I thought he looked a lot like him, but I wasn't sure... Fushimi-kun is just as handsome as he is in the news."

The two women's attention was completely focused on Fushimi Makoto, and they had already forgotten about why Hiratsuka Shizuka hadn't been going on blind dates lately.

Fushimi Makoto maintained a polite smile, and with Matsukaze Mayu's approachable aura, he easily guided the energy of the two adult women.

Hiratsuka Shizuka stared blankly at Fushimi Makoto, belatedly realizing: So he came here specifically to help me out of this predicament?

She glanced at Yukino instinctively.

Yukino nodded slightly, indicating that you guessed correctly.

Hiratsuka Shizuka's feelings became complicated for a moment.

She was naturally pleased that Fushimi Makoto had come all the way to help her.

To be precise, she was not only happy, but also a little touched.

However, what had happened between the two of them was too shameful for her, and moreover, the more she avoided Fushimi Makoto lately, the more she found herself missing him.

She's had countless dreams, especially those indescribable ones.

In my dream, she was a warrior who shed sweat and toil.

And Fushimi Makoto...

It's a mount.

With Fushimi Makoto's intervention, Hiratsuka Shizuka finally recovered from her embarrassment.

She then took the opportunity to say goodbye to her two friends and left the coffee shop with Fushimi Makoto and Yukino.

Thank you for earlier.

Hiratsuka Shizuka composed herself and put on her usual cheerful smile.

Yukino casually asked, "Were you being given a hard time by them just now?"

"No, they're my friends. It's just that the questions they asked made me..." Hiratsuka Shizuka gave an awkward laugh, not finishing her sentence.

Yukino understood immediately.

It seems to be related to blind dates.

She certainly wouldn't ask such an embarrassing question.

So she changed her tune, saying, "What Fushimi said about the new short film is true; I've decided to direct it myself."

Fushimi Makoto chimed in, "Didn't Teacher Hiratsuka say she wanted to help? It just so happens that Yukino the director this time, and you two are already on good terms, so everyone can work together."

What are you doing?

Hiratsuka Shizuka almost lost her composure.

She couldn't believe that Fushimi Makoto was unaware of her guilt in front of Yukino, yet he actually offered to help with Yukino's short film...

Is this guy deliberately trying to make me look foolish?

Hiratsuka Shizuka felt there was a good chance.

Just like before, whenever she was with Fushimi Makoto, he would always tease her, saying that it was an indescribable and adorable contrast to see such a mature beauty like her looking embarrassed.

As she pondered this, a subtle smile crept onto Hiratsuka Shizuka's lips.

She started daydreaming again.

Fushimi Makoto noticed this and quickly spoke up, "Yukino's short film is still in the preparation stage. If nothing unexpected happens, it should be the 'original cast,' which means Ichika and the others, as well as my friends from class who will come to help."

Yukino nodded in agreement, "Teacher Hiratsuka can take her time to consider it."

"I... I understand." Hiratsuka Shizuka quickly snapped out of her reverie.

Fushimi Makoto caught this scene and couldn't help but wonder: How many layers of status has Shizuka been stacked up?

Seeing how frequently she started daydreaming, Fushimi Makoto's curiosity was piqued.

The three then started talking about the new short film, and Hiratsuka Shizuka gradually regained her composure and was no longer nervous.

Yukino felt much more at ease when she saw that Yukino Hiratsuka Shizuka n't mention that she had "forcefully kissed" Fushimi Makoto in the hallway.

The two women, one older and one younger, chatted casually, each harboring their own secrets.

Since Yukino's apartment was the closest, Fushimi Makoto Hiratsuka Shizuka dropped her off at her doorstep first.

As Yukino entered the apartment, Hiratsuka Shizuka noticed Fushimi Makoto looking at her, and she immediately snapped out of it, "Um, I'm going back too."

Fushimi Makoto didn't say anything, just stayed by her side.

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