Impressive Camera Girl / Kei Karuizawa Wants a Reward

Once Sakayanagi Arisu recovered, she immediately pulled out the [Trap Card] she had set up earlier.

"Is she your classmate, Sakura? Kamuro said she took a powerful photo that could refute Class D's claims."

"As for the details, let Hedgehog fold ↑ Dai·Pou∶:◆, Temple※@] [∶<>{ Kamuro-san."

After serving Hoshino En Enishi the milk she had ordered, Sakayanagi Arisu handed the stage over to herself [the cute subordinate], while she sat happily to the side watching the show.

Kamuro Masumi: "..."

So why didn't you just tell me to contact Hoshino myself? Why did you come here and cause trouble? You almost got yourself into trouble.

She looked at Hoshino En, who seemed completely unconcerned about the situation, and slowly explained, "It's like this—"

"On the 30th of last month, didn't Sakura and I photograph the incident involving Ken Sudō at the Special Building? After that incident, Sakura was very scared, so the next day we changed locations to practice photography."

"So you went to the grove next to the dormitory area?"

"Yes. Sakura said there are no security cameras there, and the scenery is also very good."

"But the problem lies in those landscape photos."

As she spoke, Kamuro Masumi took out her phone and pulled up a photo that had been sent to her beforehand.

It was a photograph of a sunset.

In the photo, a girl wearing Kodo Ikusei uniform stands on the shore, one hand holding onto the railing, the other casually hanging by her side.

She turned to the side, her gaze fixed on the distant sea. Sunlight streamed in from the side of the lens, shimmering on the water and illuminating the area in front of her.

Although the sunlight only illuminated her profile, her exceptional beauty was still enhanced by the perfectly balanced light and shadow, making her even more stunning.

Not to mention, the subject of the photo didn't even notice the camera, and that incredibly natural expression elevated the quality of the photo to another level.

"Wow, this photo is really good! The lighting and angle are excellent, and the expressions on the subjects are just right."

Hoshino En showed a rare expression of interest, and looked at Kamuro Masumi with anticipation.

"Did you take this photo?"

"No, it was Sakura who took the picture."

Upon hearing this reply, the enthusiasm on Hoshino En's face visibly faded.

"Really? You didn't take this picture... What a shame."

Kamuro Masumi: "..."

What the hell are you regretting?!

Then she heard Hoshino En say, "If you're the one filming, then I won't feel guilty about ordering you around."

!!!

"After all, you've been following me for a month straight. Although I don't mind, you should still show some appreciation—like being my personal photographer on a daily basis."

You're trying to exploit me, aren't you?! You're right!!

"En-kun, could you please ask Kamuro to take a picture of me?"

Then Kamuro Masumi heard the airhead sitting next to Hoshino En say something like that.

"Of course. To be honest, I think you look really beautiful when you're reading in the library, like a Silver Fairy flew out of a book."

"Given the skill level of the person who took this photo, being able to capture it without being noticed by the person, she should be able to capture your most natural state."

"Hehe~? Search + ":≥: scar∷sam!-other"

Has she become part of these two guys' scheme?

Immediately afterwards, Kamuro Masumi heard her immediate supervisor say, "Don't worry, En-kun, I believe that Kamuro will reach this level one day. I will supervise her closely."

What exactly is your attitude?!

"No, the photo itself isn't the point; the point is the person in the photo."

Kamuro Masumi straightened the crooked building and pointed to the girl in the photo, asking a question.

"This person must be Sato Maya, the one who filed the second appeal, right?"

"The time recorded in the camera's memory, combined with Sato's condition in this photo, is enough to overturn the claims made by Class D in this appeal."

"This must be very dangerous for you, right?"

"Yes, that is indeed very dangerous."

Hoshino En crossed his arms, but there was no sign of worry on his face.

"But you also said that the time recorded in the camera's memory is needed as evidence. Sakura is a student in Class D, and she's also very socially awkward. Do you think she would betray her class for the sake of the truth?"

"While there's the possibility of the memory card being stolen or Sakura being threatened, what does that have to do with me? So what if the class loses? After all, it's Class D. No one will say anything even if we lose."

"If Class C can't hold on, then in the end, it's the school responsible for dividing the students into four classes and the homeroom teachers of each class who will be losing face. So Class D's chances of winning were already very small. Even if this loophole is plugged now, there's always the possibility that some kind of evidence might suddenly appear to overturn Class D' s claim."

So--

Hoshino En returned the phone to Kamuro Masumi.

"Kamuro, you're just overthinking it."

"As for this photo, there is another interpretation: for example, Sato Maya was tragically assaulted, is seen leaning against the railing and crying, but due to the lighting and angle, the photo does not capture her red eyes and aggrieved expression."

"Without irrefutable and conclusive evidence, a single photograph cannot serve as proof."

"Or did you film another video this time?"

As she spoke, Hoshino En kept a Kamuro Masumi's micro-expressions.

Although he maintained his aloof and arrogant demeanor, a hint of wavering did appear in the other person's eyes the moment he asked the question.

"Looks like no photos were taken. Well, there's nothing we can do about that then."

Kamuro Masumi: "..."

I @#￥%￥#@#￥%...

"However, Sakura actually managed to take photos related to the deliberations twice in a row. In a way, she's really amazing."

Shiina Hiyori turned Kamuro Masumi's phone around and looked at the picture of the Class D "real gal" who didn't exude any gyaru vibe at all. Exclamations of admiration and respect followed one after another.

"Moreover, these photos of hers are really good; they're award-worthy."

"Why would someone like that be assigned to Class D?"

"Is it because you're too introverted?"

Hoshino En offers a possibility for literary girls.

"She can't even talk to me—not because she has nothing to say, but because she simply can't open her mouth."

"I'm talking to her like this now, but she's trembling like a little hamster, and we can't even have a proper conversation."

"This level of introversion is already a form of social anxiety. Add to that her poor academic performance and the difficulty in improving her physical education due to her fuller figure, and being placed in Class D is an inevitable result."

"However, the quality of students in Class D is uneven, and most of them are students with poor abilities and character. She actually didn't have a good time in the class."

"Hmm, is that so? Then she's really pitiful."

Shiina Hiyori expressed her regret.

"If she were in Class C, I feel like I could become good friends with her, Ibuki would probably like someone like her too."

"If you want to be friends with her, isn't there a middleman right here?"

Hoshino En Enishi nodded her chin in the direction of Kamuro Masumi.

"Sakura goes to Kamuro whenever she needs something, so Kamuro must be a very close friend to her now— Sakura would be much more receptive to her if Kamuro were to make the introduction."

As soon as she said this, Kamuro Masumi saw the airheaded girl who always clung to Hoshino En blinking her big, watery eyes and giving her a pleading look.

That look in her eyes... there's no way I could say anything harsh to her!

Moreover, she inexplicably felt a sense of healing.

Now I understand why Hoshino En dotes on this child so much.

First Semester of First Year:

Chapter 137, Chapter 129: Karuizawa Kei Wants a Reward

Kamuro Masumi ultimately declined the request for an introduction.

"The atmosphere in Class D and Class C is really tense right now, and Sakura is very socially awkward. I feel like she'll faint from fright. Let's wait a while before making any decisions."

Kamuro Masumi's reasoning was quite reasonable, and Shiina Hiyori could only regretfully give up.

After dinner and finishing their business, the four of them began their journey home.

After that, Hoshino En, just as he said, did not interfere much with Class D' s attack on Class C.

As expected, Class D withdrew their complaint after the second hearing, seemingly realizing they couldn't win the case.

Actually, we won in the end.

Saturday, June 18th, evening --

Lying on Hoshino En's bed, Karuizawa Kei curled up into a ball, like a hermit crab, hiding under the covers, gently inhaling the lingering scent left by Hoshino Emi on the blankets, as she spoke.

But more than the truth behind the clash between Class D and Class C, Hoshino En is now more concerned about her blanket.

"Don't you think you look like a weirdo with a strange sense of smell?"

He sat in the chair next to the desk, holding the novel recommended by Shiina Hiyori, and made a sarcastic remark without looking up.

Could Karuizawa have smeared some strange liquid on his blanket? Some things are beyond human control.

His words seemed to provoke the blonde bombshell, who immediately struggled to get out of bed, showing no embarrassment whatsoever. "So what if I'm a little perverted? Who in this society isn't perverted?"

"I'm already tired enough living with a mask on all the time, what's wrong with letting me show my true self now?"

So your "true self" is hiding under the covers with a guy of the opposite sex, smelling his lingering scent on the sheets, while making strange expressions and noises?

"I'm not a girl, I only act cute towards you, En-kun ~"

Karuizawa Kei immediately saw through his thoughts and responded in advance.

Hoshino En: "..."

When a relationship is too close, this situation can easily occur: you feel like the other person knows exactly what you're thinking.

He closed the book, looked up at the girl, and saw her flushed cheeks, like a persimmon, and the fine beads of sweat on her forehead. He began to feel increasingly frustrated.

This guy... don't let your sweat get on his blankets and sheets!!

"What do I need to do to stop you from using my blankets?"

"If you do this, I'll have to wash the blankets and change the sheets afterwards, which is a lot of trouble."

He usually does this once every two weeks or once a month, but if he continues to let Karuizawa continue like this, he might have to change it every day.

This kind of unnecessary trouble absolutely cannot happen! No! Absolutely not!!

"Don't worry about those little details!"

Karuizawa Kei sat up on the edge of the bed, her legs dangling out and swinging back and forth.

"I didn't drool on the blankets or sheets, and I didn't bring anything strange with me, so please don't worry about it."

"But you've already sweated."

Hoshino En walked up to Karuizawa Kei, reached out and touched her forehead; fine beads of sweat dampened his palm.

J pushed the large, wet hand in front of Karuizawa Kei and questioned her.

"Can you guarantee you didn't get sweat on my blankets and sheets just now?"

This fact caused Karuizawa Kei's next words to catch in her throat, and an embarrassed blush appeared on her face.

"These... they just came out; they weren't here before!"

She suddenly spoke forcefully, her tone carrying a hint of the unreasonable tantrum typical of a hot girl.

"Anyway, if you really don't want me to freeload..."

She stretched out her hands and grasped Hoshino En's large hand, which was placed in front of her, her eyes blinking as she stared at the patterns on it.

Looking at her blinking eyes, Hoshino En suddenly had a bad feeling.