Future Diary

On a Saturday morning, sunlight lazily spilled through the gaps in the curtains onto the dormitory floor. For most students, this was a rare and cozy holiday, but for Sakura Airi, today was destined to be anything but calm, for she was about to receive an invitation from Wu Qiao.

That's right, "about to" receive, not already received.

Sakura Airi sat on the edge of her bed, her gaze locked tightly onto the ordinary-looking notebook in front of her.

This was her greatest secret: a diary with infinite pages. It not only recorded the past but updated in real-time with future events, and the text upon it would shift based on her own actions.

Soon, new handwriting emerged on the diary's surface, clearly foretelling what was about to happen. At the same time, the terminal sitting to the side let out a "beep," and the message arrived right on cue.

Wu Qiao: [Sakura-san, I heard your photography skills are excellent. Are you free today? I was hoping you could teach me some techniques.]

Looking at the words on the screen, Sakura Airi didn't show the panic or shyness an ordinary girl might feel when invited out by a boy. Instead, she let out a long sigh, revealing a sense of resignation that said, "So, it's finally my turn."

Ever since the start of the semester, when word spread that Wu Qiao was humbly asking for advice from every classmate regardless of gender, such invitations had become a mundane, everyday occurrence in Class D.

Whether they were good at academics, sports, or possessed a specialized skill like her, everyone would eventually be targeted by Wu Qiao. The idea that "those with talent will eventually be unearthed" seemed to have become an established fact within the class.

Sakura Airi lowered her eyes, her finger hovering over the screen, ready to find an excuse to decline politely. She feared human contact, and she feared having too much interaction with others outside the safety of her camera lens.

However, before she could type a response, the terminal vibrated again. Wu Qiao had sent a second message.

Wu Qiao: [As a token of my gratitude, lunch and snacks today are on me. Order whatever you like.]

Seeing this, the fingers Sakura had intended to use for a refusal froze. She subconsciously glanced at her beloved digital camera in the corner, then looked at the personal point balance displayed on her terminal.

Because she had gritted her teeth to buy this high-performance camera to pursue her hobby at the start of the term, her personal points were now stretched thin—to the point where she had to calculate every meal.

For someone currently running on empty, Wu Qiao's additional condition was an irresistible temptation.

The handwriting in the diary seemed to twist subtly at this moment, the previously blurred future becoming clear. Sakura Airi struggled for a moment, but ultimately succumbed to the pressure of reality. She bit her lip and replied: [Really?]

A few seconds later, Wu Qiao instantly replied with an affirmative sticker.

Sakura Airi looked at the sticker, smiled helplessly, and replied: [Alright.]

Perhaps being with Wu Qiao wouldn't be as terrifying as she had imagined.

After all, even the diary indicated that this was just an ordinary invitation to learn photography.

Sakura Airi's photography skills were truly professional; whether it was composition, the use of light and shadow, or the capture of fleeting moments, she possessed a sharpness far beyond her peers.

The reason Wu Qiao had taken the initiative to learn photography from Sakura Airi wasn't a whim, but preparation for practicing the Path of Remembrance.

There was no helping it; the core characteristic of this Path was "recording and witnessing."

Of course, there were many ways to practice the Path. Wu Qiao could absorb memories by listening to others pour out their hearts, thereby gaining experience points, but the amount of experience was tied to the weight of the memory itself.

The weight of a memory differed from person to person. In some eyes, a past event might be insignificant, like smoke passing before the eyes; but to others, it could be incredibly precious—a pillar of support strong enough to sustain a lifetime.

By using photography as a means of objective recording to capture the world, Wu Qiao could gain experience as a "witness" more stably and purely.

In the afternoon, Sakura Airi looked through her viewfinder at Wu Qiao, who was earnestly adjusting his camera not far away, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

Wu Qiao's learning speed was simply too fast. From the beginning, when he could barely coordinate aperture and shutter speed—resulting in photos that were either overexposed or blurry—by the afternoon, he was already producing decent shots with clean composition and distinct layers of light and shadow.

"Wu-san, the aperture adjustment on this one is excellent." Sakura Airi rarely took the initiative to offer praise. Although her voice remained as quiet as a mosquito's, her tone carried a newfound recognition for a fellow enthusiast.

Wu Qiao lowered his camera, looked at the image frozen on the screen, and shook his head with a smile. "Although parameters and composition can be mastered quickly through theory, I can feel that something is still missing from the things I capture."

Sakura Airi nodded, hugged her own camera, and walked to his side, saying softly, "Well... that's because photography requires feeling. It can't be rushed; it isn't something you can just cram into your brain."

She pointed to the scenery in the distance, then to her own heart, and continued, "The camera is just a tool. What truly matters is the emotion the photographer wants to convey. It's that moment of being moved, or the obsession to hold onto a certain memory. Your photos are perfect, Wu-san, but they are still missing a little... warmth."

Hearing this, Wu Qiao thoughtfully rubbed the edge of his camera. Sakura Airi was right; he was currently performing a mechanical recording, yet he hadn't injected the emotion of a witness.

It seemed that to truly grasp the essence of the Path of Remembrance, technique alone wasn't enough; he needed to capture those moments that truly held weight.

"Warmth, huh..." Wu Qiao looked up at Sakura Airi, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I suppose I'll have to feel that out slowly."

Around four in the afternoon, the afternoon sun gradually softened, casting long shadows from the campus buildings. The two, still searching for a suitable spot to shoot, ran into Ichinose Honami on a tree-lined path near the shopping district.

She was dressed in casual, breezy summer clothes and carried several shopping bags, appearing to have just finished running errands.

Ichinose Honami recognized Wu Qiao at a glance. She enthusiastically took the initiative to greet him: "Wu-kun, hello! Are you... taking photos?"

Wu Qiao nodded and raised the digital camera in his hand. Seeing that Sakura Airi was feeling nervous, he turned slightly and gestured. "This is Sakura Airi, my classmate and my current photography teacher. Sakura, this is Ichinose Honami, the class representative of Class B."

Hearing Wu Qiao's introduction, Sakura Airi subconsciously shrank behind him like a startled little animal.

From Ichinose Honami, she could clearly feel a powerful aura—the confidence and cheerfulness of a top-tier socialite—which instinctively made someone as extremely shy as her feel pressured.

However, under Wu Qiao's gaze, Sakura Airi gathered her courage, poked her head out, and said in a thin, quiet voice, "H-hello, Ichinose-san. I'm Sakura Airi."

Ichinose Honami didn't show the slightest impatience at Sakura's introversion; instead, she offered an even gentler, brighter smile and responded warmly, "Hello, Sakura-san! I never expected Wu-kun to be hiding such an amazing photographer as a friend!"

With just a few words, she easily enlivened the slightly stiff atmosphere. Soon, Ichinose Honami's gaze fell on the camera in Wu Qiao's hand. She tilted her head and suggested with a grin, "So, Wu-kun, would you like me to be your model? The weather is so nice today, and I'd love to have a few nice photos to keep as a memento!"

Wu Qiao heard this and gave Ichinose Honami a once-over. It had to be said that Ichinose Honami possessed a high level of beauty and an incredibly approachable temperament; she was an excellent choice for a model.

Moreover, this was a perfect practice opportunity to capture the vivid emotions of a charismatic person in a natural state.

He smiled slightly and raised his camera toward Ichinose Honami. "Since the popular class rep of Class B has invited me herself, I have no reason to refuse. Then, Ichinose, I'll be in your care."

Sakura Airi watched Ichinose Honami, who stood confidently before the lens, smiling without a trace of gloom, and then looked at Wu Qiao, who had already begun to focus on his composition. The fear of social interaction in her heart seemed to be diluted just a little.

She retreated to the side, watching the scene quietly, secretly looking forward to seeing how Wu Qiao would capture this warmth belonging to Ichinose Honami and freeze it within the frame.