Bridal ✽ Chapter 1

[Scene – 3-A Classroom]

Eichi: Morning, Hakaze-kun. You’re attending class properly today.

Kaoru: Ah, yeah. If I skip class too much, I’ll just end up having to deal with another lecture from Mr.Glasses~

More importantly, what do you want with me, Tenshouin-kun?

Eichi: Ah, I just wanted to give you my thanks for the other day, for taking me to the game centre. It was a very fun and valuable experience.

Kaoru: You didn’t really have to thank me…you’re unexpectedly strict on these kinds of manners, huh, Tenshouin-kun.

And, uh. Was that it? I’d like to leave soon.

I want to pass by the shopping district, you see. Always looking to meet new girls♪

Eichi: You’re pretty determined, aren’t you. Well, anyway…do you remember when I told you I always pay back my debts?

Kaoru: Um? Oh, you did say something like that…it’s fine, it’s not like I had anything else to do that day anyway.

And Anzu-chan was really nice to me as well - I got to spend some quality time with her.

Eichi: Hold on, listen to me until the end.

There’s been a request for someone to do a gravure shoot. I want to ask you to take the job- what do you think?

It’s a bridal-themed shoot, so you’ll be wearing a tuxedo during the shoot.

Kaoru: Bridal…?

Eichi: Ah, you can be re-assured that this job came from a trusted source. If you say the word, I’ll contact them right away.

Kaoru: Um… I don’t really have any experience doing gravure shoots, so I might just cause trouble. Thanks for the offer, but could I refuse?

Eichi: Fufu, you really are an impatient person.

As I said. Listen to me until the end.

[Scene change – corridor]

Kaoru: (Nn~ Tenshouin-kun really got me this time.)

(Even though I wanted to refuse…after he said all that, he really left me no other choice but to take the job.)

……Nn?

Hi hi, Anzu-chan! I’m happy to see you~♪

Anzu-chan, you’re on your way to the studio as well, right? Tenshouin-kun asked you to take care of the photoshoot job, right? I heard about it~♪

(Heh. To set up something like this just to repay a small debt, Tenshouin-kun really does over-dramatic things, doesn’t he?)

(But well, it’s a rare chance, so I’m going to make the most out of it~♪)

Hey, walking side-by-side like this, don’t we look like a couple?

…I get it~ Anzu-chan’s just doing her job, there’s no helping it, right?

But I’m happy. You always run away whenever I try to talk to you.

Ah, sorry if that sounded bad. I’m not trying to blame you or anything.

I’d much prefer to be liked than hated by girls, you see. Huh? Am I ok with being hated by guys, you ask?

Well…being liked by guys doesn’t make me especially happy…and truthfully, I don’t really like them in general.

But well, it’s thanks to Tenshouin-kun that this is happening, so I should at least be grateful to him♪

Hm? Ah, nothing, nothing. Just talking to myself♪

Anyway, what should we do today? Hold a meeting with just the two of us?

Heh heh. The two of us alone in a secret room, there’s no better way to sow the seeds of romance~♪

Nn? Anzu-chan, why do you look so proud of yourself suddenly?

Eh? You found a reliable helper…?

You, you thought that since I was unexperienced with gravure shoots, you decided to call someone to help? O-oh. I see.

Ah, no, I’m not against it. Anzu-chan thought of me and did this for my benefit, after all.

Thank you, Anzu-chan. Ahh, I think I’ve fallen even harder for you♪

Wait, don’t run away. I won’t do anything to hurt you or make you uncomfortable, it’s okay.

Well then, should we go? It’s a bit different from what I imagined, but I’ll do my best for Anzu-chan~

Bridal ✽ Chapter 2

 [Scene – Studio]

Kaoru: Anyone here…?

Seems like our helper hasn’t arrived yet. I get to be alone with Anzu-chan~☆

Hey, let’s not waste any time and get started. We can finish this job quickly, and head to the shopping district together.

A date…we could reflect on the shoot together as well, it’s fine, right?

Izumi: You’re in the way. Just standing there like this, how do you think people are supposed to get in?

Kaoru: Woah, you scared me! Why are you here, Sena-kun?

Ah, don’t tell me our helper is Sena-kun!?

But wait, even Anzu-chan is saying that’s not the case…uh, what’s going on?

Izumi: Uggh, do I have to explain every little thing? So~annoying.

Kaoru: Wait, wait, don’t be like that…Anzu-chan’s surprised as well, so I think we deserve some explanation as to why Sena-kun is here.

Izumi: Seriously…why do I have to explain this. Damn Naru-kun…

Anzu. You asked Naru-kun to help out for a gravure photoshoot, right?

Something urgent suddenly came up, so he asked me to take his place.

Kaoru: Huh. It’s definitely more re-assuring to have someone experienced in modelling to help out with a gravure photoshoot, but…

Anzu-chan, aren’t you scared of Sena-kun?

Izumi: Hah? Then why is Anzu hiding behind me right now? If she was scared of me, she wouldn’t even want to be near me, though?

Kaoru: Wait, when!?

Why, Anzu-chan? You’re much safer with me than Sena-kun!

Izumi: That aside, I’ve explained myself, so can we get to the practice run?

I want to finish this up fast and go home. Why do I have to do something like this even though I’m on hiatus from modelling?

…what’s with the smile, Anzu.

…hah? You’re saying I came anyway despite my complaints?

I said it just then, but it was Naru-kun who asked me- if I tried to refuse, he would’ve just kept on insisting, so it’s not like I had a choice.

Hakaze, if you’re going to do this, do it properly, got it? I can’t have you thinking that this is ‘just’ a gravure shoot.

Kaoru: Ooh, you’re getting into it, Sena-kun~

You said you were on hiatus from modelling- will you be alright? That means you have a blank, right? Will you be able to guide me properly?

Izumi: Don’t lump me in with the third-rate models out there. It’s not like I went on hiatus because of a slump or anything. I could return any time if I wanted to.

Kaoru: Is that so? If that’s the case, why did you go on hiatus?

…ahh, is it because you wanted to focus on idol jobs?

Izumi: That’s part of it. …anyway, that’s enough about me. Right now, the issue is whether you’re able to do your job as the model, okay?

For now, show me what you can do right now, I’ll decide how to lead you after seeing that.

Kaoru: Okay, okay, as you wish~ (1)

Watch me closely, Anzu-chan.

…ahaha, don’t worry. I think I’ll be okay if I just do what I usually do. I might even ace this on the first go?

With that said…Anzu-chan. If I perfect this on the first try, will you go on a date with me?

I mean, earlier I was asking if you wanted to go to the shopping district with me, until Sena-kun distracted us.

I wanted to make my request clear♪

Eh, yes? Really? Y~es! I guess you really never know until you try, huh♪

Thanks to that, I’m in top condition. I seriously might not even need Sena-kun to teach me anything in this state. If that happens, I apologise in advance, Sena-kun.

Izumi: Whatever. Can we just start already?

I’ll take the photo, so you just decide on your pose, okay?

Let me tell you this in advance: I’m strict.

Kaoru: Leave it to me.

“Give me your hand, princess. I’ll make you the happiest bride in the world~♪”

(Hehe, I think that was pretty good even for me! I don’t think even Sena-kun would have any qualms with this.)

(I was a bit hesitant since it was a bridal-themed shoot, but it seems like it’ll be okay if I just do what I always do…)

(Huh, things might go unexpectedly well for me?)

Notes

(1)   Kaoru deliberately uses the phrase that Knights commonly uses, “仰せのままに”, so he’s basically saying something like “as you wish, your majesty” but without the “your majesty”.

Bridal ✽ Chapter 3

 

[Scene – studio]

Kaoru: How was it? Ah, Anzu-chan. You say I looked cool?

Thanks~♪ I tried saying that to Anzu-chan just then, since you could be my future bride and all.

Since it’s going well, we could ride the wave and have Anzu-chan become my bride for real?

Ahaha, I just received an intense refusal. But well, I did get a “you looked cool”, so…

…I assume Sena-kun’s happy with this too?

Izumi: Excuse me? What makes you think I’d give a passing mark on that? That was utterly hopeless, I don’t even know where to start.

Kaoru: That’s got to be too harsh, right? I don’t think my performance was that bad.

Anzu-chan even complimented me. If it’s really no good, I need a proper reason for it.

Izumi: Isn’t that just because Anzu saw that in-person and not through the camera?

What are you doing talking to Anzu anyway? You need to talk to the person on the other side of the camera.

What you did just then was only good for stage purposes. Understand?

If you want to succeed in modelling, you need to be able to send your feelings through your photo. Model with the intention of touching the hearts of people who see the image.

Kaoru: Ugh…I get what you’re saying, but… I’m pretty sure I put my feeling into that, so I don’t get what’s different.

I mean, when it comes to photos, we’ve got bromides as well. Those make our guests pretty happy already.

Izumi: Can you not treat this like part of fanservice? Being an idol is a completely different thing to modelling, get it?

Kaoru: Even if you say that…it’s hard to understand without some kind of hint. What kind of feeling should I be trying to convey?

Izumi: The theme this time is bridal, isn’t it? In that case, imagine the person on the other side of the camera to be your bride.

Kaoru: Uuu~… even if you say that, it’s not like I’ve ever gotten married, you know? There’s a limit to how far I can go trying to imagine a real bride.

Izumi: What kind of far-fetched excuse is that?

You were so sure of yourself just a minute ago, and now this…

Ugh, fine. We won’t make any progress like this. If you don’t get it, I’ll just demonstrate for you.

Okay, we’re swapping. Hakaze, you take the photo.

Kaoru: You’re full of confidence, huh…even though it’s not like you’ve ever experienced marriage either.

Izumi: Don’t underestimate me. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid. Imagining something that isn’t there is a piece of cake.

Okay, I’m starting~

Kaoru: ……!?

(W-wait. Eh? What was that? I just got the chills!)

(This is Sena-kun’s true ability as a model…?)

(Just by seeing this…I could instantly tell how laughable my performance just then was.)

Izumi: Well, that’s the general gist of it. Did you get it?

Kaoru: Y-yeah. It’s frustrating, but I have to admit I didn’t understand anything about modelling at all.

Sorry, Sena-kun. I assumed I’d be able to do it and thinking of modelling as an extension of being an idol.

But seeing the real thing…I realize I need to change that line of thinking.

Haha…I’m embarrassed at myself for saying that I might not even need Sena-kun’s help.

Izumi: Hm, I guess you understood properly. Now try replicating what I just did.

It’s all down to practice. I’ll teach you the parts you don’t get…

But it’d be annoying to have you asking about every little thing, so only ask me the parts you really don’t understand, okay?

Kaoru: Kindness or strictness, which is it… well, I’ll do it again, so watch me.

(Imagine a happy bride on the other side of the camera, and smile.)

(…ahh, I wonder why. I should be experiencing extreme bliss, but my heart feels like it’s about to be ripped apart.)

Bridal ✽ Chapter 4

 [Scene – studio]

Izumi: No good at all! Do it again!

Kaoru: ………

Izumi: Why are you even worse than before? Didn’t you say you understood after watching me?

I told you to imagine a bride on the other side of the camera, right? Why does your expression keep darkening the moment I take the photo?

You’re receiving your bride with beautiful flowers, so look happier than that!

Kaoru: ………

Izumi: Hakaze, don’t just stand there in silence and respond to me!

Nn? Anzu, you’re saying we should take a break? There’s no way we’re in the position to be able to afford a break.

It’d be troublesome for someone I guide to deliver a half-assed result.

I don’t have time to keep doing this for the next few days, so I want to get the feeling down within today.

I’m taking it again. Look over here, imagine a bride, and smile.

Kaoru: O-okay…

Izumi: As~ I~ said~, why the hell do you look so sad? Don’t make me repeat myself!

Kaoru: Un… I’m sorry, Sena-kun.

Izumi: Seriously…I’m not Anzu, but it’s probably better if you take a break.

We don’t have much time, and I really don’t want to allow this, but we’re not going anywhere at this point.

Kaoru: Anzu-chan, Sena-kun, thank you. I’m gonna get some fresh air and get myself in gear.

Izumi: …what’s up with him. Anzu, do you know anything?

He was acting a bit weird when we went to the game centre the other day as well.

…well, it’s not like I care. What’s troubling him has nothing to do with me anyway.

U~gh, we don’t know when he’ll come back at this rate. I’m going to ask Naru-kun to compensate me overtime.

Nn? “You were incredible”?

Of course I was. I have experience with bridal-related photoshoots, so it was easy even with my blank.

I have plenty of experience with other themes too. I’ve been doing this ever since I was a kid, after all. I’ve had a lot of practice.

Nn? You’re asking whether I’ll resume modelling?

About that… well, I’m actually in the midst of wondering what I should do.

Naru-kun keeps trying to make me go back. He keeps finding reasons to make me take up modelling jobs.

Even this time, he might’ve asked me to guide Hakaze just so I’d remember how fun modelling is.

Though it might’ve really just been an urgent situation and he had no one else to ask.

It r~eally feels like Naru-kun pulled me right into his plans, doesn’t it?

I always say that I won’t return to modelling unless it’s with Yuu-kun, but…when I stand in front of the camera, it’s really fun.

It makes me realize that I really love this job.

…not like I’d ever say this to Naru-kun, though.

I can see him pestering me, saying things like “I knew all along that Izumi-chan really wanted to model as well♪”

That aside, why am I telling you all of this?

I didn’t have any intention of saying any of this, but you were listening so attentively I just ended up talking about everything!

…but, really. Hakaze still hasn’t returned.

He wouldn’t just up and leave like this, right?

Oh? Anzu, you’re going to look for him?

Then I’ll wait here. Hakaze might come back, so someone should stay at the studio.

He’ll be happier if you went to look for him, anyway.

He always goes on and on about you in the classroom too.

Okay, off you go. If you dawdle for too long the sun will set.

…Anzu, I leave Hakaze to you.

Bridal ✽ Chapter 5

 

[Scene – Fountain]

Koga: Here boy~ stay very still, okay?

…yeah, we got a great shot! Leon, you look at this too. Don’t you look manly as hell? ♪

Aah? What is it Anzu. I’m in the middle of an important photoshoot. Don’t get in my way.

Hey Leon, don’t start jumping around just because Anzu’s here. Though it does get boring staying in the same pose, so just a bit is fine.

Haah? What am I doing here?

I told you already, I’m photographing Leon.

Look. Isn’t this fur the best? I brush it every single day.

I want to bath him every day too, but Leon hates it so I have to limit it to a few times a month.

Nn? You’re asking if I’m just photographing him because he’s cute? Course not. Leon’s at that age, and I’m thinking of finding him a bride.

You upload images and arrange meetings with the ones that seem to work. I can look for partners on my end too. (1)

Can’t start anything without having photos to upload first, so I’ve been taking him to a bunch of places.

Anyway, Anzu. What the hell are you doing here? You seem to want to say something.

Aaah? Have I seen that playboy?

Not at all. It’s weird to see you looking for him though. It’s always the other way around.

Even though you two aren’t even in the same class. He always asks me “have you seen Anzu-chan anywhere~?”, but I just tell him to look for you himself.

Hmm…so you were doing a gravure shoot, and got stuck? And then he went out to get some fresh air, and hasn’t returned since?

There’s no way I’d know where that playboy would go.

Nn? Wait. I might know?

Woah, don’t jump at me like that. Are you a fucking dog!?

I’ll just say this first, I don’t know for sure. Don’t come complaining if he’s not there, got it?

If that’s decided, let’s hurry. Aah? Am I going with you?

It’d be faster if I just took you there. You’d get lost otherwise.

What……it’s not like I’m being nice, got it?

It seems like a good place to get more shots for Leo…that was my intention from the start, anyway.

Oi, don’t give me that smile, I ain’t going with you like that!

[Scene change – the beach]

Kaoru: ……

{Hm? I ended up here without noticing…}

(Even though I said I’d only be out for a little bit to get some fresh air…I wonder if Sena-kun is mad.)

(I even left Anzu-chan and Sena-kun alone together…honestly, what I am doing…)

(I thought I’d managed to change gears, but I was hopeless. I’m such a coward.)

Kanata: Puka, puka…♪

Oh, Kaoru. What a coincidence, to see you here.

Today is a great day for a ‘bath’. It’s ‘dawn’, so the ‘temperature’ of the water may be a bit ‘low’, though.

Kaoru: Waitwaitwait!? It’s still bright, but it’ll be dark soon? Swimming in the ocean at night is suicidal, you know!?

Kanata: Does Kaoru want to ‘bath’ with me? You also love the ‘ocean’, like me, after all~♪

Ah, but I’ve never tried ‘surfing’ before, so I don’t really know…

Kaoru, you always say you want to go ‘surfing’…it’d be nice for ‘summer’ to come soon~♪

Kaoru: Don’t say so many weird things and come over here, okay? Seriously, you’re lucky we happened to run into each other.

What if you went into the ocean without anyone noticing and never came back?

Kanata: Um…did I…worry you? Kaoru, your eyes are ‘swollen’.

If I worried you, I apologise. I am sorry, Kaoru.

Notes:

(1)   IT’S TINDER FOR DOGS (…that’s it. That’s all I wanted to say.)

Bridal ✽ Chapter 6

 

[Scene – the beach]

Kaoru: Ahh no, this isn’t because of you…

Uhh, it’s pretty obvious isn’t it? I guess I’ll have to hide it with make-up or something…

Kanata: Kaoru, are you in the middle of a ‘job’?

I’m proud~ good boy, good boy~♪

Kaoru: Oh, it’s not the real thing yet…but Kanata-kun, is it just me or are your hands wet?

Kanata: Ah, did you notice? Actually, I was putting ‘water’ on just my ‘hands’. This is okay, right?

Kaoru: Even if you look at me with those eyes…

Ahh fine. My eyes aren’t swollen because of Kanata-kun, so don’t worry.

Things just weren’t going so well for me…so I just came here, and cried a little bit in secret.

Kanata: I see~ do you want to eat ‘fish’?

Kaoru: Eh, wait, why are we talking about that? I didn’t say I was hungry, right?

Kanata: It’s good to eat and be ‘full’, when you’re feeling ‘down’~ and I am good at ‘passing judgement’ on ‘fish’, too~

Ah…the ‘fish’ are swimming around~ I’m going to go catch them♪

Kaoru: Sto- stop floating around like that, it’s scary!

Ahh seriously! I’m glad you were thinking of me though. But instead of playing around with cooking fish, could you listen to me for a little bit?

Kanata: Okay~ I am ‘free’ today, anyway…♪

Kaoru: Thank you. Well, I got a request for a gravure photoshoot.

The theme is bridal, you see, and I honestly don’t know what I should be feeling.

Sena-kun tells me to imagine a bride on the other side of the camera…

But every time I try to imagine it, I think of my sister.

…I started wondering if she was a happy bride. That maybe she really didn’t want to get married at all. These thoughts just kept coming.

It sounds like an excuse, but when I heard my sister was going to have her omiai, I felt so much better after letting myself go a bit wild with my classmates and sleeping it off. (1)

But this time…the bridal theme just brought back all my feelings.

I’m grateful that Tenshouin-kun was so mindful of me, but…the timing was just bad, I guess.

Sorry about that~ I said a lot of pointless things.

I can’t really talk about this to anyone else. It really helps to have Kanata-kun listen to me.

Kanata: If you are okay with me, I am always happy to ‘listen’.

I am not Kaoru, so I do not perfectly understand the ‘emotions’ that Kaoru is feeling, but…

It is not a bad thing to shed ‘tears’. As ‘people’ let their tears out, they also ‘grow’ as a person.

…no, they become stronger. Therefore, please don’t ‘hold back’ when you want to cry.

Kaoru: Kanata-kun… if this was the usual me, I’d say I don’t want a man complimenting me, but…

Thank you. Hearing you say that made me feel better.

Kanata: Fufufu, I am glad I was of help~♪

Kaoru, you are like the ‘childen’ of ‘Ryuuseitai’.

Kaoru: Wait, what’s this all of a sudden? You’re not trying to start a fight, right?

Kanata: I don’t like starting fights~ I am not ‘good’ with violence.

Um… the ‘children’ of ‘Ryuuseitai’, also have their problems, and get stuck at places, like Kaoru.

Every one is ‘still growing’, after all.

It is the same with us. Maybe ‘children’ was not the right word~ sorry, Kaoru.

Kaoru: Ah, you didn’t really have to apologize.

But speaking of. Kanata-kun, before you used to say that children were loud and you were bad with them, and things like that, weren’t you? What’s with the change of heart?

Kanata: Fufufu, that is a ‘secret’. But I think I will be able to live on ‘land’ as well…♪

Kaoru: H~m. I don’t quite get it, but it seems like Kanata-kun is having fun at Ryuuseitai.

I’m a bit jealous~ UNDEAD is just a bunch of cheeky kids, after all.

Haha, I think speaking with Kanata-kun has made me feel much better.

If Kanata-kun was a girl I’d definitely give you a thank-you hug~ how unfortunate.

Kanata: You can ‘hug’ me if you want? Kaoru still looks a bit ‘lonely’…

Kaoru: Ah, no, I’ll refuse that.

I’m really okay now. I’ve switched myself back in gear, so I think I’ll be able to do my job.

…no, I have to do my best♪

Notes:

(1)   Omiai refers to pre-arranged marriage meetings.

Bridal ✽ Chapter 7

 

[Scene – the beach]

Kaoru: Oh, this is?

Kanata: Ah, it is a ‘dog’~ fufu, it’s jumping around Kaoru♪

Kaoru: Ahhh, don’t start licking me, it’s ticklish!

It’s really taken to me, huh. This is Koga-kun’s dog, isn’t it? Are you not with your master?

Koga: Oi, Leon!

Haha. You managed to find Hakaze-senpai, huh? Good boy, Leon♪

Kaoru: Nn? Wanchan, you were looking for me?

Huh? Anzu-chan’s here to…ah, I was gone for too long so you came looking for me, huh?

Koga: That’s it. Don’t go making blunders like this, Hakaze-senpai.

Kaoru: Wanchan sure is honest… sorry, it seems like I caused you guys to worry.

Anzu-chan too. I showed you an unsightly side of me, but I’ll pull myself back from now on. Don’t give up on me until the end, okay?

Of course you won’t? Haha, thank you. I’ve kept Sena-kun waiting for a while already, so let’s return to the studio.

What will Kanata-kun do? The ocean is dangerous at night, so I’d much rather you go back to the school with me rather than hanging around here.

Koga: I’m staying here. I want to take photos for Leon’s omiai.

Kanata: I will also stay for a bit longer and look at the ‘ocean’.

Please don’t worry, Kaoru. I won’t enter the ‘ocean’, I ‘promise’ you.

I keep my ‘promises’~ if I break it, I will swallow ‘a thousand needles’. (1)

Kaoru: I see. In that case, I guess it’s just me and Anzu-chan. This is a rare situation, so let’s hold hands and walk back together♪

No? As expected~ you won’t spoil me that much, huh.

I’m already thankful that you came to get me.

Anzu-chan has been really kind to me lately, so I might have gotten a bit greedy.

Nn? Anzu-chan, why are you patting my head?

Ahh, it’s not like I dislike it or anything. It was just a bit surprising.

Hmm, maybe it’s more effective for me if I show a bit more of my weak side to Anzu-chan?

Well, it’s not something I can use every time though. It’d be pretty embarrassing to keep having to be comforted by Anzu-chan.

I’ll become strong enough to comfort Anzu-chan when she’s sad, too♪

[Scene change – Studio]

I, I’m back…?

Izumi: ……

Kaoru: (Uwah…such an intimidating glare the moment I walked in…well, that’s a given, though.)

(I don’t want to lower my head to a guy, but I was in the wrong. I have to apologize properly.)

Umm, Sena-kun. I’m sorry I was late. I’ll do it properly from now on, so I would be happy if you stick with me until the end…

Izumi: Hair.

Kaoru: Huh? Hair? What do you mean?

Izumi: Your hair is messy.

Kaoru: Eh? Eh?

Izumi: Aah so annoying! Sit there, don’t dawdle!



Notes:

(1)   I’ll swallow a thousand needles – a common Japanese saying when people make promises, similar to ‘cross my heart and hope to die’ in English.

Bridal ✽ Chapter 8

 

[Scene – Studio]

Izumi: Seriously. I don’t usually do this much for people, so be thankful, okay?

Kaoru: Thank you...?

Izumi: Stay still. It’s not my business if make-up accidentally goes into your eyes.

Not only is your hair messed up from the sea breeze, even your eyes are swollen…

I said this the other day, but your appearance is your only merit, okay?

Kaoru: (U~n, it doesn’t seem like he’s too angry? He’s being really gentle…in fact, it seems like he’s trying to cheer me up in his own way.)

Izumi: Hey, Hakaze. Don’t underestimate models too much.

Kaoru: (Ehh? He seems really angry, after all…!?)

Izumi: A bridal concept like this is something I can grasp in an instant. But it’s something that was crafted from years and years of hard work.

So it would be troublesome for people to think of this job as something so simple even an amateur could do it with no problem.

Kaoru: S-sorry…

Izumi: Ah, I didn’t mean it like that…

I was a bit too heated about the whole thing as well, and said things that I shouldn’t have and drove you into a corner…

Kaoru: Sena-kun…

Izumi: Well, I won’t forgive you if you were really underestimating this job, okay?

Kaoru: Haha, I’m not underestimating it at all. I wanted to do it properly, but there were some circumstances, and it wasn’t turning out the way I wanted it…

But I’m okay now. This time, I’ll take it seriously.

…and about that. Could I try doing it my way for a little? If it doesn’t work out, I’ll follow Sena-kun’s leads.

Izumi: …well, why not? I’ve just finished applying your makeup, so go stand in front of the camera.

Kaoru: Ohh, you covered it perfectly. Thank you, Sena-kun.

Izumi: Of course. Who do you think I am? Come on, get moving. I’m taking it~

Kaoru: ……~♪

…and? How is it? Did it turn out well?

Izumi: What happened? It’s immensely better than the ones earlier.

I don’t know what changed, but I could give you a passing grade with this.

Kaoru: Haha. I guess it’s not full points. You’re strict, Sena-kun~

Izumi: Of course I am. It’s rare for me to even give passing grades.

That just shows how well the photo turned out, so you should be proud.

Hm, Anzu? You want to see the photo?

Seems like even Anzu has taken a liking to this photo. Well, if you tackle the real thing with the same feeling, I don’t think there’ll be a problem.

I see that break wasn’t for nothing, Hakaze.

Anyway. It seems like you’ve gotten the feel for it… why don’t we go for another shot?

Kaoru: Eh, isn’t it okay already?

Though, if you’re willing to stick with me for a bit longer, I’d want to keep going…

But I don’t want to keep you too late, you know? Anzu-chan is a girl too~ should I send you home?

Nn? Your parents will pick you up? In that case, should I go greet my future mother and father-in-law?

Woah, that was a joke so don’t start hitting me, okay~?

It’s fine. I’ll make sure to tell them I’m a senpai under your care!

Ahh but. It seems a bit embarrassing to say that, huh?

Izumi: Stop playing around. Put in effort until I give you full points, got it?

Kaoru: Got it. If I can get Sena-kun to say that, I think I’ll even have the confidence to start tackling modelling jobs ♪

Izumi: You’ll regret it if you get too ahead of yourself. Seriously, you’re completely different from earlier.

Really, what the hell happened?

Kaoru: Haha. That’s…a secret♪

(I still don’t fully understand marriage and that sort of thing, but I want the people I love to be happy. I want them to find happiness.)

(--that is one thing I will never stop wishing for.)