Taking Photos

That night.

Sakura Airi curled up under her small blanket, clutching her terminal tightly to her chest. The screen flickered on and off—her fingers tapped against the input box, deleting and retyping, yet she never dared to send the words on the screen.

She had to go take photos again tomorrow, but the mere thought of the person who had been harassing her almost daily made her heart tremble with fear.

After hesitating for a long time, she thought of Uesugi Hara.

He was the first friend she had made in years; he had helped her fix her camera, dragged her out to have fun on weekends when she was lonely, and even helped her chase away a pervert.

Although Uesugi Hara would stare at her legs from time to time when they were together, making her ears burn with shame, that didn't change the fact that he was a good person.

However, she had always been a loner and had never taken the initiative to invite anyone anywhere, so she found herself at a loss for how to bring it up.

After agonizing over it for who knows how long, Sakura Airi finally took a deep breath, gathered her courage, and sent a message: "Um, Uesugi-kun, tomorrow... would you be able to... accompany me to... take some photos?" The ellipsis at the end betrayed her nervousness.

On the other end, Uesugi Hara, who had just stepped out of the shower, picked up his terminal while drying his hair. He froze when he saw the sender was Sakura Airi.

He tapped on the message, half-doubting his own eyes.

This was the first time Airi had ever taken the initiative to message him.

He closed the terminal in disbelief and opened it again; the timid message was still there. Uesugi Hara's heart soared instantly, but he didn't agree right away, instead asking back: "Really? Airi." Thanks to his previous shameless persistence, he had long since succeeded in calling her by her first name.

A few seconds passed before a single character popped up on the terminal: "...Yeah."

Uesugi Hara... you must stay calm...

"Then, see you tomorrow?"

"O... okay."

Closing the terminal, Uesugi Hara could no longer hold it together. He threw himself onto his bed like a child, rolling back and forth while muttering: "Airi invited me... Airi..."

If Kamuro Masumi were to see him looking so foolish, she would surely roll her eyes in disgust and mock him: "Heh, men. Look at that pathetic face of yours."

He didn't log into his alt account to find Sakura Airi tonight; work-life balance was the most important thing.

The next afternoon.

Uesugi Hara accompanied Sakura Airi as she wandered around the school, looking for a suitable place to take photos.

But every spot Airi chose was secluded and empty. The students passing by either cast unfriendly glances or winked at them with "I get it, bro" expressions.

Uesugi Hara: What are you guys doing? I'm a gentleman! What's with those weird expressions!

Finally, the two walked into a path behind the sports field. Airi stopped and whispered, "J-just here."

Uesugi Hara looked around; there were no cameras and no people. Girl! The spot you chose is a bit dangerous!

But you should be glad you ran into me!

"Alright, is there anything you need me to do?" he asked.

"N-no, just watching from the side is fine, Uesugi-kun." Airi's face flushed slightly, and she shook her little head. She felt that having him accompany her for so long was already enough of a bother, and she didn't want to trouble him further.

"Alright then," Uesugi Hara replied with a hint of regret.

Airi nodded and began to focus on preparing for the shoot.

She first took off the glasses that sealed away her beauty, revealing a pair of clear, lovely eyes, and then reached out to undo the buttons on her coat—wait, taking off... her clothes?

Uesugi Hara immediately looked away, thinking to himself: Does Airi trust me this much?

But his peripheral vision couldn't help but drift toward her.

Unfortunately, he didn't see anything scandalous.

It turned out Airi had already worn her outfit for the shoot underneath, just covered by a coat.

He let out a sigh of relief, followed by a touch of regret: She even guards against gentlemen.

After changing, Airi began to change her socks. She was supposed to wear over-the-knee socks for today's shoot, but she had forgotten to change them when she left the house. Fearing she would waste Uesugi Hara's time, she had rushed back to the dorm to grab them before heading out.

So, she was currently wearing black stockings that reached her thighs, which she had to take off first.

She took off her shoes, lifted her foot, and slowly peeled the black stockings down her thigh with both hands...

"Gulp," Uesugi Hara clearly heard the sound of himself swallowing.

Damn, is this a test for me?

Uesugi Hara felt a rush of heat and quickly rubbed his nose, but there was no wet, warm sensation.

He let out another sigh of relief; fortunately, his body was sturdy and he didn't have a nosebleed, or he would have been humiliated.

By now, Airi had taken off one stocking. Her small, white-and-pink feet were truly appetizing, like jade. As if noticing his gaze, her little toes curled up in shyness.

"U... Uesugi-kun..."

Under his gaze, Airi's face was already ripe with a deep red, and her earlobes were burning crimson. She buried her face in her chest, unable to look him in the eye, and behind her hanging bangs, she looked like a nervous little deer.

Uesugi Hara coughed twice, then closed his eyes and resumed his look of being devoid of desire, while silently thinking to himself: Thanks for the treat.

"O-okay..."

When she opened her eyes again, Airi had finished changing.

Her small face was still flushed, and the moment she met Uesugi Hara's gaze, she immediately lowered her head to look away.

"It looks great." Uesugi Hara gave her a thumbs-up.

"Th-thank you!" Airi was very happy to be complimented.

...In reality, she was rarely complimented.

"I'm going to start now..."

"Mm, good luck!"

"Mm!"

Airi took a deep breath, and when she opened her eyes again, it was as if she had become a different person. The inferiority and unease on her face vanished in that instant, replaced by a confident smile.

"Eh~ truly charming..." Uesugi Hara sat to the side, resting his chin on his hand, silently admiring the girl.

If she were like this all the time, perhaps... no, definitely, she would be pursued by many people. But... right now, I'm the only one who knows... Watching her strike various poses with such poise and grace, it formed a sharp contrast to her usual cautious self.

"You look so beautiful~"

"Tired? Have some water." Uesugi Hara handed over the water he had bought from the nearby vending machine.

"Th-thank you!" After finishing the photoshoot, Airi had returned to her previous mode.

The two sat side by side on a flower bed. Airi flipped through the photos they had just taken on the camera, while Uesugi Hara shamelessly leaned in to look with her.

The girl was very shy, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse the boy.

The girl shared her feelings about the photoshoot while looking at the pictures, and the boy would occasionally chime in with an exaggerated expression to match her.

This made the girl blush furiously, yet a smile remained on her lips.

How the girl wished this happy time could pass more slowly, allowing her to savor it just a little longer...

She had been lonely for too long, and she couldn't bear to let this time, which she cherished so dearly, slip away just like that...

But time always slips away quietly, doesn't it?

Uesugi Hara glanced at his terminal; it was already past five o'clock, so he spoke up, "Alright, it's getting late. We should head back."

"I see..." Airi lowered her head, her tone revealing blatant disappointment.

Seeing this, Uesugi Hara reached out and ruffled her hair. The soft strands brushed against his fingertips; the texture was unexpectedly better than ruffling Sakayanagi's hair.

Perhaps it was a psychological effect, but compared to Sakayanagi's overbearing personality, he truly preferred Airi's gentle, soft-spoken nature.

"If you want to take photos again next time, you can still ask me," he said, softening his tone.

"Really!" Airi looked up, her eyes sparkling, her voice rising involuntarily.

"Of course, I never lie." Uesugi Hara nodded with a smile.

Just as the two were about to leave, an accident occurred...

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