I'm Sorry I'm So Unappreciative...

The bustling shopping street looked different from usual. Since it was the weekend, it was no longer filled with students in their uniforms; instead, people in casual clothes thronged the streets.

Of course, they were still those same students, just dressed casually. The shopping street was crowded with people coming and going, and laughter and chatter filled the air.

Amid the lively, bustling crowd was a girl with fiery red hair, dressed plainly and keeping her head down. At a glance, she was the sort of person you could easily overlook.

In other words, she was a timid country girl.

The only thing that stood out was the pair of black over-the-knee socks beneath her skirt. Against her plain outfit, the black fabric hugging her thighs drew particular attention.

If someone came up to talk to her, there was a good chance he was a fan of girls in black stockings.

Of course, he might also have been after her ample chest. In that regard, she could easily outshine most women.

Her excessively long bangs and thick-rimmed glasses were the tools she used to seal away her looks.

At the moment, she was shifting uneasily on her feet. She was waiting for someone, and as a socially anxious person, she found this sort of environment frightening.

As it happened, a boy was walking toward her. She noticed him immediately and quietly took several steps backward.

Don't come over. Don't come over. Please!

She prayed frantically, hoping he wouldn't approach, but it did little good.

"Hey, would you mind if I got to know you?"

The boy came over anyway.

What do I do? What do I do...

"I..."

Just as she was about to refuse, a shadow fell over her.

"She's not interested."

U Amakasa appeared, stepping in front of Sakura and taking her by the wrist to make sure she was behind him.

Without even bothering to acknowledge the boy, U Amakasa turned to Sakura and said, "Sorry I'm late."

"No, you're not late at all..."

It's not even time for us to meet yet... I'm the one who came too early.

Ever since they'd talked about going to buy a camera together on LINE last night, Sakura had been so excited that she'd barely slept.

If U Amakasa had brushed a finger beneath Sakura's eyes, he would have noticed the dark circles there.

Sakura was wearing light makeup for two reasons: to cover her dark circles, and because... well, she wanted to.

"Then let's get going," U Amakasa said with a bright smile.

U Amakasa wore a simple white cotton T-shirt with a loose fit that gave him a relaxed, carefree look.

A light gray, thin-knit cardigan hung casually over his shoulders, adding a touch of languid charm to his overall look.

Combined with U Amakasa's naturally handsome features, his appearance made the girls around them blush as they stole glances at him.

Looking at him like that, Sakura couldn't help blushing.

"Mm..."

After receiving her affirmative reply, U Amakasa pulled Sakura away without hesitation, leaving the boy behind, thoroughly bewildered.

Once they were a good distance away, U Amakasa let go of Sakura's hand and praised her at length. "Sakura, you really are charming."

"U Amakasa... you're so mean."

U Amakasa shrugged. "I'm not wrong. Sakura really is beautiful."

Despite what U Amakasa said, Sakura's current look had nothing to do with being beautiful.

There was only pure allure: the black stockings hugging her thighs and those ample curves that most girls couldn't match. It had to be said, Sakura managed to look incredibly sexy in anything.

"U Amakasa, stop teasing me."

"Sure, sure~"

By now, Sakura had grown familiar enough with U Amakasa that her social anxiety no longer made her stammer around him. Otherwise, given her personality, she would never have agreed to this "date."

Perhaps U Amakasa was the only one who thought of it as a date. Sakura still thought they were just going to buy a camera together.

Still, today's "date" might get a little exciting.

"Sakura, no matter what I do later, will you play along? In return, I'll pay the Class Points for whichever camera you choose today."

"Huh? Why...? I can pay for it myself. Cameras are expensive, and I have plenty of Class Points."

U Amakasa helplessly patted Sakura's head. "You'd better save what little you have. You never know when you might need it later, so don't refuse. I'll pay."

It'll be funny if this silly girl can't afford food next month. Besides, I can get those points back soon enough.

There was a one-hundred-percent chance that Class D's Class Points would drop to zero. Next month, the students in Class D wouldn't receive any points at all.

Thinking of that, U Amakasa felt a faint twinge of guilt. Class A's Class Points definitely weren't the 980 points they'd had in the original story.

As for why... U Amakasa knew perfectly well. It was because of a bad apple like him.

"P-please don't do that, U Amakasa."

Sakura didn't pull away from him. She only made a shy request, her lowered face flushed red.

Seeing this, U Amakasa reluctantly withdrew his hand. He had to admit, Sakura's hair felt quite nice.

Sneaking a glance at U Amakasa, Sakura thought that he really was so handsome.

She was especially sensitive to people's gazes. She could feel the attention around her without even looking.

The girls are probably saying I don't know what's good for me.

I'm sorry I'm so unappreciative...

After U Amakasa's hand left her head, Sakura twined her fingers together. Thinking it over, she realized she wasn't actually all that opposed to it...

Although she hated being the center of attention, it was still far better than the invasive gazes of boys.

Especially those crazed fans. She still remembered what had happened before, which was why she wanted to hide herself.

Fear had won out over loneliness, and so she had ended up alone.

That was why Sakura thought it would be nice if things could stay like this forever, with U Amakasa.

I'm so glad I met U Amakasa...

"Sakura, we're here."

Looking up, she saw all kinds of cameras inside the store. A man with a sleazy face was standing at the counter.

"Let's go in."

With that, Sakura was about to start picking out a camera. More than anything, she wanted to introduce U Amakasa to the different kinds.

"Wait." U Amakasa stopped Sakura as she was about to go inside.

"Sakura, do you trust me?"

"Huh? Of course I trust you, U Amakasa. What's wrong?"

U Amakasa looked at Sakura seriously. "Then no matter what happens later, you'll play along with me, okay?"

Seeing U Amakasa suddenly look at her so seriously, Sakura gazed at his handsome face and couldn't help blushing.

"Mm..."

Her voice was as tiny as a mosquito's, barely more than a whisper, but the nod she gave made it clear she agreed.

U Amakasa smiled happily, then took her hand while Sakura watched in shock.

"Then... let's go in."