Your Friend Yukino Is Requesting to Join the Battle

Utaha stared at him in a daze.

She couldn't help recalling something she'd read online: for some people, photography was the pursuit of art.

She didn't really understand that kind of art, but she'd seen plenty of high-quality photographs.

After what had happened at the bookstore last time, she'd only been a little curious about Fushimi Makoto's photography skills.

But seeing how serious he was now stirred her curiosity and interest at last, just like it had once done for Yukino.

Utaha even found herself adjusting her posture, sitting up a little straighter and lifting her full chest.

First, she said, "Sorry. I didn't think it through just now."

Then, with utmost seriousness, she asked, "Can I be your model?"

This time, she didn't say "temporary."

She said model.

She wanted to learn from him and improve.

He wanted to photograph her, so she had no reason to refuse.

What Utaha didn't know was that her serious attitude instantly brought a meme to Makoto's mind: Plan successful.jpg

"Gladly," he said.

Chapter 50: Your Friend Yukino Is Requesting to Join the Battle

Utaha's quick agreement was actually just what Makoto had expected.

From the moment they'd met, he'd relied on his Time Loop advantage to keep pace with her, whether they were chatting or discussing something serious.

That gave Utaha the feeling that it was wonderful to be so perfectly in sync.

Most importantly, apart from what had happened in the Time Loop, Makoto and Utaha didn't know each other in real life.

So Utaha had no reason to suspect that they'd met long ago, or that he'd looked into her in secret.

After all, they went to the same school, and Makoto was as popular as Hayato Hayama. If he'd really been asking around about her, Utaha would definitely have heard about it.

They hadn't known each other before, and he hadn't investigated her in advance. With those two things established, how well they clicked would make Utaha feel that fate was truly mysterious.

Makoto had also made a point of "laying the groundwork" with Utaha when he'd gone to the bookstore to photograph Ichika and Itsuki.

With that groundwork in place, and Ichika and Itsuki's delighted reactions fresh in her mind, Utaha would expect a great deal from Makoto's photography.

By then, the chances of her turning down his invitation to model for him would be very low.

Like any girl—and a top-tier beauty at that—she wasn't interested in teenage girls' obsession with pretty pictures. But if she could get some high-quality photos, she would still be happy.

Makoto had learned a lot in the Time Loop. The lesson he found most useful was: never do anything unprepared.

If he wanted to check whether someone's academic credentials were genuine, he first had to find the school's address, then figure out how to get past the security guard. Only then could he enter the school.

Yes, Makoto was thinking about the school in a perfectly respectable way. Nothing else.

Just then, Yumiko sent him a message: [I'm heading out. Want to come pick me up?]

Makoto: [Sure.]

He'd figured out how the blonde girl was. If he went to pick her up, they'd get to see each other sooner.

If all went as expected, she'd definitely dressed up carefully today. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been in such a hurry.

Makoto immediately stood up. "I'm going to pick up a friend. What about you, senpai?"

"I'll come with you," Utaha said, getting to her feet too.

But as she paid, she couldn't help thinking, Wouldn't you normally have your friend come meet you? Why go out of your way to pick her up? Could it be Nakano Ichika?

In her mind, Nakano Ichika was also a girl with plenty of "assets."

Neither her looks nor her figure were any worse than Utaha's.

They'd barely left the dessert shop when they heard someone shout from behind them, "Stop right there! Didn't you hear me? I said stop!"

Makoto and Utaha turned around together. A masked man was running toward them, clutching a woman's handbag. Two uniformed police officers were chasing him.

"A thief?" Utaha guessed.

Makoto said nothing. As the masked man drew closer, he seized his chance, lowering his center of gravity and driving his shoulder forward.

It was the long-lost martial arts secret known as the Iron Mountain Lean.

He even made sure to hold back.

Even so, a muffled thud rang out as the masked man went flying sideways. He rolled across the ground several times before stopping, crying out in pain.

Utaha stared, stunned.

Makoto had acted so suddenly.

It was like a jungler who'd been crouching in the bushes for ages suddenly bursting out to attack.

The two police officers were startled too, but quickly recovered. They sprinted over and pinned the masked man to the ground.

"Thanks so much! That guy stole a woman's bag at the mall, and when she caught him, he even punched her. What a bastard!"

One officer thanked Makoto while explaining what had happened.

Makoto smiled. "It was nothing."

The younger officer asked with interest, "By the way, man, what was that move you just used? It looked really powerful. Is it some kind of self-defense technique?"

"It's a secret technique from an old friend. These days, hardly anyone talks about it anymore."

Hearing how solemnly he said it, both officers looked at him with newfound respect.

Utaha's eyes flickered. He knows how to fight, too?

The little incident soon passed.

Utaha picked up the conversation about what had just happened. "Have you studied martial arts before?"

"I've looked into it. Mostly for keeping fit," Makoto said.

"No wonder you were so agile. It must be the result of years of practice."

Utaha nodded, then asked curiously, "Who was that old friend you mentioned?"

"It's not easy to explain. And even if I did, I doubt you'd understand."

Utaha smiled deliberately. "How would you know I wouldn't understand if you don't tell me?"

Makoto pulled out his phone and quickly found a video of that middle-parted guy.

A familiar, driving tune began to play, and Utaha watched the video in silence.

Only after it ended and Makoto put his phone away did she look up, her expression asking, Are you messing with me?

Makoto spread his hands like the man in the video. "I told you. Most people would have a hard time understanding this martial arts secret."

Utaha replied expressionlessly, "Mm. You're right. I really don't understand it."

As if I'd believe you!

That was clearly a dance video. The move just happened to look a little like the way you hit that guy.

Five minutes later, Makoto and Utaha met up with Yumiko, who had dressed up carefully.

The pretty blonde wore a fitted, long-sleeved shirt with a floral print. It showed off her well-developed chest and tiny waist.

She wore short denim shorts on the bottom. They only looked good on a long-legged girl like her, showing off her fair, smooth legs and balanced curves.

Makoto quickly compared them in his mind. All their legs are great.

Yumiko's delighted smile had barely begun to bloom when she was distracted by the tall senpai standing beside Makoto.

"Kasumigaoka-senpai?"

A startled expression appeared on the beautiful, clearly made-up face.

"Hello," Utaha said with a slight nod.

She'd seen the blonde girl at school but didn't know her name.

After all, Yumiko wasn't nearly as famous as the Nakano quintuplets or Yukino.

At the same time, Utaha was puzzled. She'd just been sure he was meeting Nakano Ichika, and now another girl had appeared.

Makoto had expected this. He stepped in at the right moment to introduce them.

When Yumiko heard that Utaha had come to discuss something serious with Makoto, her smile relaxed.

Utaha noticed the small change.

Another one!

Besides Nakano Ichika, there's Yukinoshita, who people at school say is close to him, and now there's Miura Yumiko too.

Utaha glanced discreetly at Makoto, thinking, Does this guy have any idea how many beautiful girls he's getting involved with? Isn't he afraid things will catch fire?

"Makoto, are you done discussing your business?"

Yumiko wasn't thinking that far ahead. She was here to get her pictures taken.

She hadn't just been happy with the last batch herself; after her parents saw them, they'd asked if she'd paid a professional photographer.

She'd also picked out two pictures to share on social media. As expected, her friends had liked them.

Some girls had even messaged her privately to ask how to take pictures and said they were willing to pay.

Yumiko had simply ignored them.

Those things had only made her more certain of what she'd decided before: Makoto had to become her personal photographer!

"You came at just the right time. We've finished discussing our business."

After saying that, Makoto pointed to the black-stockinged senpai beside him, as if he'd just remembered. "By the way, senpai happens to want some pictures taken too. Let's do it together."

"Huh? She wants pictures too?" Yumiko blurted, making no effort to hide her possessiveness.

That familiar feeling was back.

Last time, Nakano Ichika had been just as wary of her.

Utaha was thoroughly annoyed.

She really didn't want to deal with girls like this.

But since Yumiko was Makoto's friend, she replied evenly, "That's right."

Yumiko's chest rose and fell slowly, and she felt a little displeased.

Before she could speak, Makoto pretended to consider it. "This is actually a great opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

Both girls looked over at him.

"I've been thinking about this for a while. You both have strong personal styles, senpai and Yumiko. If I got the chance to photograph you together, the contrast between those different styles could create a great effect."

Utaha was slightly taken aback. Miura's already shown hostility toward me, yet he's still seriously thinking about photography? He must really care about it.

Yumiko was taken aback too. Makoto said last time that photography was an art. So today, I...

She glanced at Utaha, reluctant.

For Makoto's sake, I can't come between them. I'll just have to join them instead.

Makoto deftly defused the tension that might have erupted. As he invited them to pick out a location, he added, "This is a rare opportunity. I'll rent a camera. If the equipment can't keep up, I won't be able to fully bring out your beauty."

Seeing how seriously he took photography, neither Utaha nor Yumiko said anything more.

After the three of them left, the window of a black luxury car parked by the roadside rolled down, revealing a very pretty face.

She looked a lot like Yukino, but she was more mature.

"Oh my~ Isn't that the boy Mother has praised so many times? She said Yukino and he seem to be very close."

With a smile, she raised her phone, took a picture of Makoto and the two girls from behind, and sent it to Yukino.

She added a message: [The boy you're interested in ran off with other girls. But don't worry, your big sister will help you. I'll keep an eye on where they're going and send you the address later.]

Meanwhile.