Since he had requested an express repair service, Hikaru po use the day's camera pickup as an opportunity to grow closer to Sakura.
His approach was simple—eh her through photography. If he could get her to take pictures with him, it would prove that she was sloting his presence.
With this in mind, Hikaru took out his phone and messaged his best "wingman."
---
Hashima Hikaru: Kushida-san, are you going with Sakura-san to pick up her camera after school today?
Kushida Kikyo: Yes, we po finish this up today since we already weerday.
Hashima Hikaru: Would it be alright if I joined? I've retly taken an i in photography.
Kushida. Kikyo: Really?
Sitting at her desk, Kushida raised an eyebrow as she read the message.
He never mentioned photography before—so why was he suddenly ied now?
Following that thought, her gaze shifted toward the back of the , where a certain red-haired girl sat.
As always, Sakura remained isoted, her head down, lost in thought, barely speaking to anyone.
Although Hikaru's sudden i was suspicious, Kushida didn't dey in responding.
Kushida Kikyo: Sure, let me ask Sakura-san first.
Hashima Hikaru: Thanks. I hope it won't trouble her too much.
---
Leaving her seat, Kushida approached Sakura's desk and spoke in a friendly tone.
"Sakura-san, would it be alright if one more person joined us when we pick up your camera ter?"
"Eh?"
Sakura instinctively wao refuse, hesitating as she gnced up.
"Umm... Do we have to add someone else...?"
"It's Hikaru-kun," Kushida crified. "He mentiohat he's ied in photography and wao e along."
The moment Hikaru's name was mentioned, Sakura's eyes subtly lit up before she quickly nodded.
"If it's Hikaru-kun… then… that's fine."
"You don't mind?"
"Umm… not at all."
Sakura shook her head gently.
To be ho, she had been wanting to talk to Hikaru more. But she her had his taformation nor the ce to seek him out in Css A.
So now that he was the one initiating tact, eveioning photography, she felt genuinely excited.
---
Kushida observed Sakura carefully.
The normally reserved girl, who rarely spoke to anyone, had reacted positively the moment Hikaru's name was brought up.
Her thoughts turo the previous day.
She remembered catg Sakura sneaking g Hikaru at least twice.
She alks to anyone, Kushida thought. Yet, she's okay with spending time with a guy from another css?
And then there was Hikaru himself—was he really ied in photography?
Or was he doing this for Sakura?
Kushida ched the eraser in her hand, her eyes flickering with a sharp glint.
But after a few seds of thought, she suddenly realized something.
Lately… she'd been thinking about him a lot.
She wasn't just monit Hikaru to make sure he kept her secret.
She was keeping tabs on his iions.
Her mind drifted back to the st in Hikaru's dorm room—the unmistakable fragrance of Iose.
They're both single, yet they keep eating diogether in his room?
Tch.
Hikaru's luck with women is unbelievable.
She bit her lip, irritated.
The way he immediately reassured her during the "handprint i" was satisfying, but this?
Was she worried about him leaking her secret… or something else?
Shut up. Stop overthinking it.
F herself to focus oudies, Kushida shoved aside the unwahoughts and prepared for css.
---
Meanwhile, Hikaru was pletely unaware of her internal flict.
He sat at his desk, researg basic photography teiques on his phone.
He needed just enough knowledge to carry a versation with Sakura and use it as a topic of discussion.
Beside him, Iose peeked at his s with curiosity.
"Hikaru-kun, are you getting into photography?"
"Something like that."
Hikaru gave a vague answer, naturally avoiding the real reason.
"Then… you take pictures of me someday?"
Iose's bright blue eyes sparkled mischievously as she asked the question.
"Uh… I'm still a beginner. Probably not good enough yet."
"That's fine! I'm sure you'll learn fast—I believe in you."
"Well… I'll think about it once I actually learn some skills."
Hikaru ughed lightly, shifting his focus back to photography guides.
Iose smiled to herself.
---
After school, Hikaru left after telling Iose he had something to do.
He o reduce his time spent with her.
If he wao bee a true market maniputor, he had to start pying his moves carefully—and keeping Iose from getting too attached art of the strategy.
By using photography as an excuse, he could subtly distance himself without arousing suspi.
Upon arriving at Keyaki Mall, Hikaru didn't wait long before spotting two familiar figures.
One walked calmly in front, while the other kept her head lowered, nervously trailing behind.
Sakura was still unfortable with being in public—he wondered if she'd ever grow past that.
"Kushida-san, good afternoon."
Hikaru greeted with his usual smile.
"Good afternoon, Hikaru-kun!"
Sakura hesitated before summoning her ce to greet him as well.
"H-Hikaru-kun… good… afternoon."
Hikaru chuckled softly.
"Let's hurry a your camera back, Sakura-san."
With that, the three of them set off.
---
As they he eleics store, Hikaru recalled Sakura's rea to the creepy store clerk yesterday.
"Sakura-san, stand behind me whe there. I'll hahe versation."
"Eh? Is that okay…?"
She fidgeted, feeling slightly guilty.
"Of course. Besides, this is a great e to ask about camera models—I might buy a beginner one."
"Really?! There's one I really like…"
Sakura instantly perked up, eager to reend something.
Hikaru o himself.
Perfect. The guide was right—this was w.
Meanwhile, Kushida, now reduced to a third wheel, forced a smile.
"Well the's not keep Sakura-san's camera waiting."
---
At the store, the same shady clerk greeted them.
Upon seeing them, his eyes immediately searched for Sakura—but Hikaru was already standing in the way.
"Wele. Ah, it's you guys agaio pick up the camera?"
"Yes, you get it for us? We're in a hurry."
The clerk hesitated.
Hikaru towered over him, his presence blog the man's view of Sakura entirely.
"You did say the repair was plete, right?"
"Uhh… Y-Yeah."
"If not, then I guess our rush fee was wasted? We could always file a pint about that."
The clerk paled instantly.
"N-No need! I'll go get it right away."
Within seds, he relutly retrieved the pink camera.
Hikaru took it without a word, then turo gently hand it to Sakura.
"Check if it works properly."
Sakura nodded seriously, iing her camera.
Moments ter, she looked up, smiling softly.
"Hikaru-kun, it's fixed."
"That's good."
Then, Hikaru turned back to the clerk.
"You two wait a moment—I have something I o ask him."
It was time to test the waters.
~~~
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