Chapter 372 Airi and Nazuna-senpai
The Photography Club was a medium-sized club. It didn't have many members, and the majority of them were girls.
"Airi, that's the feeling! Hold that pose just a bit more steadily, and it'll be perfect!"
"Right, relax your shoulders. Let the corners of your mouth curl just a tiny bit more—don't make it too forced~"
"Hold it, don't... Perfect! With this look and aura, you could literally debut as a school idol right now!"
Currently, in the Photography Club activity room, a simple, solid-colored "ins-style" background cloth hung on the wall. The room was fully equipped with various DSLRs, fill lights, and decorative props.
Sakura Airi stood in the center of the set. Her slender, graceful figure was upright and looked very photogenic. Her burgundy twin-tails draped over her shoulders, making her face appear even smaller and more exquisite. Several girls from the club held DSLRs with pre-set parameters, pointing their cameras at her and occasionally calling out instructions for her posture.
Mizuhara Yue knocked on the door, drawing the eyes of the club members.
The first to react was Asahina Nazuna. Her eyes lit up, and she immediately put down her camera. A vibrant and warm smile spread across her face as she waved vigorously toward the door, her tone light and intimate: "Eeeh! Hachiman-kun, good afternoon~ What a rare guest! Come in, come in! A very warm welcome!"
Sakura Airi, who had been obediently posing at her mark, stiffened the moment she heard that familiar voice. Her eyes instantly brightened. She stopped all movement and subconsciously raised a hand to quickly smooth the stray hairs by her ears and flatten the wrinkles on her clothes. After tidying her appearance, she walked briskly toward Hikigaya, her eyes filled with unmistakable affection.
"Hachiman-kun~"
She called out softly, her voice soft and delicate.
Watching this scene, Mizuhara Yue's mouth twitched slightly. She turned her face away with a helpless, cold sweat, sighing inwardly: 'Good grief, as a legitimate colleague from the Student Council, I've been completely ignored.'
No wonder Hikigaya-kun looked down on her; he was surrounded by top-tier beauties.
"Ah, Mizuhara-san, you're here too."
Asahina Nazuna caught sight of Mizuhara Yue, and her enthusiastic expression dimmed slightly. Her tone became flat and distant—she clearly wasn't very fond of this "underground lover" of Nagumo Miyabi.
Hikigaya didn't pay attention to the subtle atmosphere between the two. He spoke calmly and straightforwardly: "Nazuna-senpai, Airi, we are representing the Student Council to conduct a routine club inspection of the Photography Club."
"I see."
Asahina Nazuna nodded understandingly and gestured casually toward a small inner room. "Then you can just talk to our captain about the inspection. I won't meddle in official business."
"Understood."
Mizuhara Yue didn't waste words either. She turned and headed toward the inner room to coordinate with the Photography Club captain.
Hikigaya didn't follow. Instead, he stayed in the outer activity room, intending to use the interval to chat with his two acquaintances.
"Airi, it seems you've gotten very used to being in the Photography Club."
"Mhm! It's all thanks to Hachiman-kun giving me that push back then."
Sakura Airi's eyes curved into crescents as she revealed a sweet, brilliant smile, her eyes full of sincere gratitude.
The scenes from when they first enrolled were still vivid in her mind. At that time, Sakura Airi had severe social anxiety and an isolated, introverted personality. She had clutched her portable camera tightly, wandering back and forth through the crowds of club recruitments, looking at the lively booths but never gathering the courage to sign up. She could only stand there awkwardly, at a loss.
If no one had pushed her then, Sakura Airi would have surely retreated in the end. Hikigaya had seen her distress and proactively led her to the Photography Club to sign up, giving her the sense of belonging she had today.
"Kouhai has always been bold, and his mind is very delicate."
Asahina Nazuna teased with a laugh, reaching out to affectionately pinch Sakura Airi's soft cheeks. "I have to say, Kouhai's eyes are truly good. He saw at a glance that our Airi-chan was a top-tier beauty hidden in the crowd~~"
Who would have thought that a rustic girl with glasses and braided hair was actually a hidden, high-energy beauty?
"Nazuna-senpai, don't—don't do this, many people are watching..."
Sakura Airi's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She struggled slightly in a bashful manner but didn't actually push the other away. It was clear the two were very close, and such intimate interactions were already a regular occurrence.
"Hehe~ Airi-chan's cheeks are so soft, they feel great to squeeze."
Asahina Nazuna's gaze drifted downward, and a mischievous smile played on her lips. "Of course, there are even softer 'large cotton balls.'
No wonder it makes our perverted Kouhai's eyes go straight!"
"Ahem! Please be mindful, Nazuna-senpai."
Hikigaya looked straight ahead, practicing "civilized viewing."
"Sigh~ poor Senpai only has a C-cup. I don't have enough attraction for Kouhai." Asahina Nazuna looked at herself and sighed helplessly.
"According to the average standards in Japan, Nazuna-senpai is already above most people," Hikigaya stated his personal opinion seriously. "Besides, a woman's charm isn't something that can be measured by just one specific part."
"Hmph... After all, Kouhai has even taken down that silver-haired loli kouhai from Class A. I suppose he isn't a 'breast-cultist' type." Asahina Nazuna analyzed with sound logic.
"Nazuna-senpai, can you leave me some dignity?"
Hikigaya looked around. The other girls in the Photography Club were all holding their cameras, looking like they were watching a gossip show, their eyes fixed on him. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Pfft~ Isn't it a bit too late to worry about your reputation now?"
Asahina Nazuna giggled, then changed the subject and suggested: "By the way, Hachiman-kun, you arrived at the perfect time. Our Photography Club is currently short of a handsome male model with a matching aesthetic to save the day."
"If you're short on handsome guys, what does that have to do with my 'dead fish' eyes?" Hikigaya retorted righteously, having zero desire to appear in photos.
"Um~ Hachiman-kun, I brought men's glasses." Sakura Airi pulled a pair of glasses out of her pocket.
"Wait, Airi? Why would you carry those with you?" Hikigaya was speechless.
"Because... I felt there would eventually be a chance to use them."
Sakura Airi opened the case and personally put the glasses on him.
"Mm! Hachiman-kun's gorgeous transformation!!"
"Eeee—"
"A handsome guy has been discovered!"
"This aura... he's practically a different person!"
The girls in the Photography Club had stars in their eyes. They stared at the refreshed Hikigaya, their eyes full of wonder as if they had dug up a rare treasure. Small gasps of amazement broke out one after another.
"Wait, let me be clear, I'm here representing the Student Council to work, not to take photos..." Hikigaya tried to restate his identity.
"Oh, hush! Minor things like work can wait until later!"
Asahina Nazuna interrupted him directly, picking up her DSLR to quickly adjust the focal length and parameters. She commanded excitedly: "Now stand properly and strike a pose! It's a rare opportunity, come take a picture!
Airi, you go over and stand a bit closer to Kouhai."
"Yes!"
Sakura Airi was very proactive, switching into "energetic idol" mode in a second.
"I really can't do anything with you."
Since Airi was so enthusiastic, Hikigaya couldn't bear to ruin her mood.
"You two, please get a little closer..."
"Airi, stand on your tiptoes a bit. Yes, yes! Just like that."
"Hachiman, put both hands on Airi's waist. Oh ho!"
"A perfect couple!"
Asahina Nazuna directed while snapping photos excitedly. As the shutter kept clicking, Sakura Airi—who was initially a bit shy and hesitant—slowly relaxed. She began to strike various natural and beautiful poses, and the two of them in the same frame looked exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
"Can we have a kiss?"
"How is that possible!"
"Eh~ what a pity."
"Please do not violate public discipline."
"Coming from Kouhai's mouth, that sentence just doesn't sound right."
"You have a point; I actually have no rebuttal for that."
After finishing a few sets of couple photos, Sakura Airi's cheeks were slightly red. She softly suggested: "Um, Nazuna-senpai, why don't you come and take some photos too?"
"I've been waiting for you to say that, Airi-chan!"
Asahina Nazuna hugged her affectionately. "Not hogging the food, knowing how to share—Airi is the best!"
The two swapped places. Sakura Airi took the DSLR.
Asahina Nazuna leaned in front of him with a grin: "Handsome Kouhai, please take care of me~"
"Senpai, you are too 'sunny.'" Hikigaya reached up to adjust his glasses.
"Isn't it a perfect match? Sunny Senpai x Cool Kouhai?" Asahina Nazuna laughed and raised her arms, lightly circling Hikigaya's neck in an intimate and natural posture.
Click—
Sakura Airi found the best angle and pressed the shutter, freezing this scene in time.
Half an hour later, Mizuhara Yue walked out of the inner room. Seeing Hikigaya surrounded by people taking photos and Asahina Nazuna acting intimately with him, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes.
"It seems Hikigaya-kun has thoroughly 'NTR'd' Miyabi."
The shooting ended. Hikigaya took off the glasses and took the handkerchief Sakura Airi handed him to wipe his sweat.
"Thanks for the 'treat'... is that how you say it?" Asahina Nazuna giggled nearby.
"Uuu..." Sakura Airi's face was completely red, but she took back the handkerchief Hikigaya had used.
"Nazuna-senpai, please don't bully Airi too much." Hikigaya patted her head with doting eyes.
"I can't help it. Airi-chan is too cute; if only she were my younger sister," Asahina Nazuna said with a bit of regret.
"Airi already has a sister," Hikigaya said.
"Ah~ you mean that blue-haired girl with a 'chest' as big as Airi's?" Asahina Nazuna's description was very apt. "Even though she's a good girl, I always get the feeling she'll 'eat' secretly."
"Yeah, Haruka likes to 'steal' things from other people's bowls." Sakura Airi pouted, her eyes looking at Hikigaya with a few more hints of resentment. She looked like she wanted to say something several times...
'This child... she hasn't already realized, has she?'
Hikigaya suddenly felt a bit guilty.
"Clearly, I was first..." Sakura Airi muttered in a low voice. "I don't even know how far behind I've fallen."
"It's okay, Airi-chan." Asahina Nazuna hugged her from behind and said softly, "Love is war. Being ahead for a moment doesn't mean anything. Only the one who persists until the end is the true winner."
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