Chapter 374 Airi Stocks Soar!
"Click—click—click—"
The crisp sound of the shutter was continuous. With Hikigaya's full cooperation, Sakura Airi successfully finished shooting a complete set of exquisite photos.
Airi looked down, staring at the raw previews in her camera one by one. Her eyes lit up, and a satisfied, radiant smile blossomed on her face. Her tone was absolute: "With this, we've definitely won for sure!"
"It's far too early to say that."
Hikigaya casually took off the glasses perched on the bridge of his nose, his fingertips lazily tugging at the light green matching tie around his neck.
This glamorous outfit, reeking of a heavy "normie" (riajuu) aura, felt uncomfortable no matter how he wore it. He was still more accustomed to being a dark-colored loner.
Hasabe Haruka walked forward with a laugh, raising her hand to lightly pat Hikigaya on the shoulder. Her tone was relaxed: "Hachiman, just relax and trust in Airi's professional skills! Besides, you should trust yourself too—your current looks are actually quite impressive!"
Hikigaya sighed helplessly: "Anyway, the shoot is over, right? If there's nothing else, I'm heading back to the dorm."
After a brief farewell to the two, Hikigaya headed straight back to the dormitory alone.
Over the next few days of the holiday, Hikigaya finally got his wish, spending a period of quiet and stable leisure time without any disturbances.
Of course, different girls still visited his room every night.
But those were just minor matters of no consequence, not worth mentioning to outsiders.
.
.
.
As the holiday drew to a close, the list of candidates dispatched from the Photography Club was announced.
Both Sakura Airi and Asahina Nazuna were selected to become the exclusive accompanying photographers for the upcoming off-campus joint event. The departure time was set for two weeks later.
As the May Day holiday ended, campus life returned to its normal track, with classes and schedules proceeding as usual.
Regarding the fact that he was participating in the off-campus event, Hikigaya never proactively mentioned it to anyone in the class. It wasn't that he was intentionally hiding it or keeping a secret; he simply felt there was no need to talk about it.
However, there are always "attention-seekers" in class who crave the focus and recognition of everyone around them, and they spread the news of the off-campus event.
"Sudo, I heard you're representing the Basketball Club to play a match off-campus?"
"Our school can actually apply for off-campus activities? For real?"
Facing the continuous questioning from his classmates, Sudo Ken beat his chest forcefully, his expression very proud and his tone full of boasting: "Of course it's true! If you don't believe me, just go ask Hikigaya, he knows best!"
"Hachiman-kun, is what Sudo-kun said true?"
Hearing this, Horikita Suzune, who was sitting nearby, looked over, her cold eyes focusing on him.
"It's true."
Hikigaya's expression was indifferent, and his tone was a flat, factual response: "It's a club exchange meet held jointly with another school. I'm participating in this off-campus activity in my capacity as a Student Council supervisor."
"An off-campus club exchange... don't tell me it's Sobu High in Chiba again?"
Karuizawa Kei had walked up behind him at some point, her tone carrying a hint of playful teasing, while a faint jealousy was hidden in the depths of her eyes: "Isn't that perfect? You'll happen to see those girls you met during your last trip out."
"Isn't that right? Even though you've only known them for a few days, you're already close enough to exchange gifts on Valentine's Day."
Matsushita Chiaki chimed in from the side, her voice laced with heavy sarcasm: "I have to say, Hachiman-kun's luck with women is just too good!"
"Don't misunderstand, you're overthinking it."
Hikigaya remained calm and composed, explaining and clarifying without haste: "The partner school for this joint activity isn't Sobu High; it's Kaihin General High School."
"Kaihin General High School?"
Sato Maya let out a light laugh upon hearing the name, casually complaining: "That name sounds like some insignificant 'mob' school."
"But since the activity is back in the Chiba area..."
Kushida Kikyo's eyes flickered slightly as she murmured to herself, her thoughts already drifting elsewhere: "Hachiman-kun will definitely take the opportunity to drop by his home, right?"
Her tone was full of regret, thinking to herself: 'It's a shame I don't have a good reason to go along, otherwise...'
"Kushida-san! Were you just thinking about using this chance to go home with Hachiman and meet his parents? It's written all over your face!"
Hasabe Haruka saw right through the little scheme hidden in Kushida Kikyo's heart at a glance.
"I wasn't~ I just simply want to visit Hachiman-kun's family."
Kushida Kikyo narrowed her eyes, wearing a gentle, harmless, and friendly smile: "And also meet that 'world's cutest' little sister Komachi-chan that Hachiman-kun talks about~~"
"Trying to win favor by going the 'little sister' route—Kushida, you're too devious!"
Seeing this, Karuizawa Kei couldn't help but snap in frustration.
Watching the group of girls bickering and competing covertly, Sakura Airi, who had remained silent throughout the observation, was secretly rejoicing in her heart.
This off-campus activity was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
She made a firm resolution in her heart: she must firmly grasp this chance, strive to meet Hikigaya's family as soon as possible, and win the approval of everyone in the Hikigaya household!
Low profile—she must keep a low profile.
Now was not the time for flaunting or showing off; only by "stealthily raiding the base" (winning quietly) could she secure victory.
Just as Sakura Airi was silently calculating how to quietly conquer Hikigaya's family, a sentence from Sudo Ken accidentally pulled the topic toward her.
"My handsome and heroic figure on the court will be specially photographed by someone!"
Sudo Ken boasted loudly to the surrounding classmates, his face full of pride.
"Tch, stop bragging Sudo. Who would specifically have time to take pictures of you?"
Someone nearby debunked him with a face full of disbelief.
"There definitely will be!"
Sudo Ken immediately explained with full confidence: "For this off-campus activity, people from the Photography Club will be following along for the entire duration to take photos!"
The speaker was careless, but the listeners were attentive.
"..."
Horikita Suzune's brows suddenly furrowed. She lowered her head to recall for a moment, then accurately locked her gaze on the crowd: "You just said a member of the Photography Club will be following along the whole time?"
"Sakura-san, if I remember correctly, you are a member of the Photography Club, right?"
In order to maintain her persona of "being friends with everyone," Kushida Kikyo had long since silently memorized the clubs and basic information of every student in the class.
"Eh!!!"
The several girls present reacted instantly. Sharp gazes—filled with a mix of anxiety, envy, and tension—all focused simultaneously on Sakura Airi, who had been keeping quiet the whole time.
"Ye... yes..."
Seeing that she could no longer avoid it, Sakura Airi could only brace herself and admit it.
"Which means... for this off-campus activity, Sakura-san and Hachiman-kun will be going together, just the two of them?!"
Karuizawa Kei bit her lip, her eyes full of envy and longing.
Spending time alone with Hachiman!
This was truly a golden opportunity!
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