After successfully inviting Sakura to be his friend, Hikaru was quite satisfied. Seeiock price rise to 50 points, he knew he was already making a solid profit of 100,000 with 5,000 shares in py. And that was just the beginning—there was still room for further growth.

  So, maintaining his usual gentle demeanor, Hikaru apanied Sakura on a casual walk around campus.

  To his surprise, he discovered that this shy, soft-spoken girl seemed to be very familiar with all the secluded, quiet areas of the school—perfect for photography without any interruptions.

  She must've discovered these spots herself over time.

  With his limited knowledge of photography, Hikaru was essentially a plete beginner. Oher hand, Sakura was in her element, taking on the role of a patient and passioeacher.

  Despite her usual reserved and timid nature, she spoke enthusiastically about photography.

  Her bright blue eyes sparkled with passion as she expined different teiques, demonstrating a level of fidend joy that he hadn't seen in her before.

  So this is what she looks like when she's doing what she loves.

  Even though her appearance in, with thick-framed red gsses and an overall modest fashion sense, Hikaru could still feel her deep love for photography.

  No wonder she works as a blogger and a model.

  ---

  "Look here, Hikaru-kun. If you adjust the angle slightly, you get a pletely different effect."

  Sakura, standing close beside him, gently guided him in positioning his phone camera.

  "Ah, I see! This angle really ges the position. You evehe refle of the trees ier!"

  Hikaru nodded in admiration, ag like an eager student.

  "Yes! That's a great find. I think you might have a natural talent for this, Hikaru-kun."

  Standing so close, Sakura could feel his presence beside her, the warmth and energy of a boy's presence filling the small space between them.

  At first, it made her a bit flustered, but as she focused more on teag him photography, she gradually got used to it.

  We're friends now. So, standing close shouldn't be a problem, right?

  She mentally vinced herself and tinued leading him through various quiet locations around the campus.

  To Hikaru, this turned out to be an ued bonus—he was learning about all the hidden spots on campus that he hadn't noticed before.

  Damn, this girl really knows her way around.

  ---

  Their photography session sted about two hours.

  Seeing the faint sheen of sweat on Sakura's forehead, Hikaru decided it was time to things up.

  "Alright… this ourned out pretty good."

  He showed her his final sic shot, then casually g his phone s.

  "Wow, it's already six o'clock? Time really flies."

  "Sakura-san, what time do you usually eat dinner?"

  "Huh? Oh… um…"

  Only now did Sakura realize how much time had passed. She had been so immersed in teag him that she had pletely lost track of time.

  "Probably around the same time as everyone else… Around six, I guess."

  "Perfect. Since you taught me so much about photography today, let me treat you to dinner!"

  Hikaru grinned, casually making the offer.

  Before she could refuse, he quickly added:

  "And don't even think about saying no! We're friends, right? Having diogether is pletely normal."

  "U-Um…"

  Sakura hesitated, but seeing the warmth in his eyes, she nodded slightly.

  "...Okay."

  ---

  Since he knew Sakura wasn't fortable in crowded pces, Hikaru purposely avoided the popur dining spots.

  Instead, he picked a quiet ramen shop with fewer ers, ensuring she could eat without feeling overwhelmed.

  As they waited for their food, Hikaru tinued his strategy tthen their bond.

  "Sakura-san, since we're friends now, should we exge tafo?"

  "Eh…?"

  Sakura blinked, looking slightly hesitant.

  "If I ever have more photography questions, it'd be easier to ask you directly through messages," he added quickly, giving her an easy excuse to accept.

  "...That makes sense."

  Sakura had actually been wanting to exge tacts with him but felt too shy to ask.

  Now that Hikaru had brought it up first, she happily agreed.

  With their numbers exged, Hikaru smiled.

  "I think this is an important first step."

  "Friendship starts with taking that first step toward each other. Only when we support and uand each other we create more memories together."

  Sakura listened quietly, thely adjusted her gsses.

  "I think… being friends with Hikaru-kun is also my first step forward."

  Her voice was soft, yet sincere.

  From the moment she first noticed that he felt different from other boys, she never imagihat she would actually bee his friend.

  A—here they were.

  For the first time, she felt like she was moving forward.

  People 't live pletely alone.

  Sakura khat well—but she had never been able to overe her fears.

  So, she always wore a mask, keeping her distance from others, afraid of unication and eye tact.

  Afraid of being dragged into unfamiliar, troublesome situations.

  That's why she had always been alone.

  But that didn't mean she didn't want friends.

  She just never found someone she could trust—someone who made her feel safe.

  Until now.

  Until Hashima Hikaru.

  For some reason, when he looked at her, she didn't feel scared.

  His presence, his kindness—it made her feel at ease.

  "Yeah, we both took our first steps. And that's what matters."

  Hikaru watched the warmth in her gaze, then tinued:

  "Since we're friends now, there's something else I wao say."

  "Something else?"

  Sakura looked at him curiously.

  "It's about trust and support."

  Hikaru smiled, his tole.

  "In this world, aside from family, the people closest to you are your friends."

  "If you ever face difficulties, you should tell your friends."

  "Even if they 't solve the problem right away, just talking about it help."

  Theing her soft blue gaze, he asked:

  "So, since we're friends now— we rely on each other?"

  Sakura fell silent, pting his words.

  Hikaru wasn't just saying this casually.

  Ever siheir first visit to the eleics store, he had noticed something off about that store clerk.

  Despite not knowing Sakura personally, the clerk had dispyed an unusual i in her.

  Even though Kushida was there too—a girl with a far more noticeable presehe man never once looked at her.

  Something didn't add up.

  Before he could fully iigate, he wao make sure Sakura felt fortable ing to him if something happened.

  After a moment of hesitation, Sakura slowly nodded.

  "If Hikaru-kun ever needs anything… he tell me too."

  "I might not be able to help much, but… I listen."

  Hikaru smiled warmly.

  "And you should do the same, Sakura-san."

  "If something's b you, please don't keep it to yourself."

  "That's what friends are for, after all."

  Sakura's eyes widened slightly.

  Hoy…?

  She wasn't sure if she could do that yet.

  After all, she had her ows too.

  But—

  "...Okay."

  She nodded softly.

  ---

  After dinner, Hikaru walked her back to her dorm oh floor, theuro his own room.

  Just as he sat down on his bed—

  Knock, knock, knock!

  Huh?

  Hikaru frowned, got up, and checked the peephole.

  It was Kushida.

  "Open the door."

  Her cold voice came from outside.

  Oh? No more ag, huh?

  As soon as she stepped into the room, Kushida didn't bother with any pleasantries. Without even gng at him, she walked straight to his bed and sat down.

  "I have something to ask you."

  Hikaru raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the doorframe as he shut the door behind her.

  "Alright, what does Kushida-san want to ask me?"

  Seeing her so openly drop the facade she usually maintained, Hikaru couldn't help but find it amusing. It must be exhausting, pretending all the time, right?

  "You've been deliberately getting closer to Sakura. What are you pnning?"

  "Why do you ask?" Hikaru feigned innoce, his tone light. "I like photography, and Sakura-san happens to be knowledgeable about it. So, I figured I'd ask her for some guidance."

  "Cut the crap. I want the truth."

  Having mastered the art of reading people, Kushida had seen through plenty of liars before. Throughout their meeting today, she'd sehat Hikaru had been subtly ingratiating himself with Sakura—yet the girl herself hadn't even realized it.

  "This is the truth," Hikaru replied, shrugging nontly.

  He met her cold gaze, but deep down, he found the situation ughable. Did she actually believe that just because he'd acted as if he liked her before, he'd now obediently answer all her questions?

  That was ridiculous.

  Her stock? He had already sold all of it. There was no longer any reason to py along with her whims.

  And now, she was trying to interrogate him?

  Fine.

  If that's how she wao py it, then it was time to dial up the pressure.

  It was time t out Horikita Suzune.

  ~~~

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