Chapter 2: The First Photoshoot Features a Live Changing Situation
It was a lazy weekend afternoon. I stood at the station nearest my house, fidgeting nervously as I waited for someone.
That someone was Rinoa Shinomiya, the most famous girl in school. She wasn’t an idol, yet she somehow had a fan club of die-hard admirers. Known as the "Saint" or "Princess," she was confessed to on an almost daily basis. And for some inexplicable reason, she had asked me to "take pictures of her in an embarrassing pose." I still didn’t understand her true intentions, and that lingering haze of confusion followed me all the way to the day of our meeting.
"Just what is she thinking, Shinomiya…?" I muttered to myself.
I couldn’t wrap my head around it. She wanted to hold a planning meeting at the house of a guy who just happened to sit next to her in class—me. And not only that, she insisted on jumping straight into a photoshoot right after. Sure, I had all the necessary equipment, but wasn’t she being a little too carefree about this?
"Ah! Anno-kuuun!"
Lost in my vague musings, I snapped back to reality as the girl in question—Shinomiya herself—came down the escalator, waving at me energetically. She was like a single blooming flower in an otherwise drab landscape. Her mere presence seemed to brighten everything around her.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! I actually tried to get here early, believe it or not," she said as she stepped out of the gate, flashing an apologetic smile.
I glanced at my watch—it was just past 1:30 p.m. Our agreed meeting time was 2:00 p.m. I’d arrived at the station around 1:00 p.m., thinking I might’ve been too early, but since it meant I didn’t keep Shinomiya waiting, it all worked out in the end.
"It’s fine. I only just got here myself," I replied. "But… can I ask why you’re wearing your uniform?"
It was the weekend. We weren’t going to school, so there was no need for her to be in uniform. Truth be told, I’d been secretly looking forward to seeing her in casual clothes.
"Well, I thought the uniform would be best for the photos first… Wait, Anno-kun, don’t tell me you wanted to see me in my casual outfit? Did I get your hopes up?" she teased.
For some reason, she found this hilarious and started pressing herself closer to me. I wished she’d stop poking at my ribs with her elbow—it tickled.
"Are you disappointed it’s just the uniform? Are you? Are you?" she prodded further.
What a pain. This wasn’t the behavior of a saint—it was more like something a cheeky little gremlin would do. Rubbing my temple, I decided to brush her off with a half-hearted response.
"Yeah, yeah. I was totally looking forward to seeing you in casual clothes, and I’m super disappointed it’s just the uniform. Happy now?"
"Ufufu. If Anno-kun begged me on his knees to see it, I might not be entirely opposed to showing him, you know?"
Shinomiya took another step closer, closing the distance between us even further. Her voice dropped to a teasing, devilish whisper right by my ear. If we’d been alone somewhere private, my heart would’ve leapt into my throat, and my face would’ve turned bright red. But in this situation, I couldn’t exactly afford to lose my composure.
"…Right. I wouldn’t mind begging, but could you maybe step back a little first?"
"Huh?"
Shinomiya blinked at my request, looking genuinely confused. Did she seriously not realize what she was doing right now? I gently placed a hand on her shoulder and explained the situation as patiently as I could.
"I don’t mind you being close, but we’re still at the station with tons of people around, you know? Timing and place matter."
"H-Hwah!?"
Letting out a flustered yelp, Shinomiya jumped back from me in a panic. Her reaction stung a little, but at least we could finally move forward.
"Haa… Let’s get going. Standing around here any longer is just going to draw more attention."
"Time is finite, after all. Lead the way, Anno-kun!"
"Hey, Shinomiya. Are you really sure about doing the meeting and photoshoot at my place?"
"What’s with the hesitation now, after we’ve come this far? Didn’t you agree it’d be convenient since you’ve got all the equipment?"
When she first suggested holding the meeting at my house, I’d naturally objected. The biggest reason? My parents have been working overseas for the past year and are hardly ever home.
Thanks to that, I’ve been living a carefree solo life, but I’ve never once invited a girl over. Doing so would feel like betraying the trust my parents have in me. Even my closest friend, Yuzha, has never set foot in my house. I explained all of this to Shinomiya in painstaking detail, but she just shook her head.
"Look, I’m not like the cosplayers you usually photograph, Anno-kun. I’m just an amateur—a regular student. Renting a studio for someone like me would be a waste."
"And your alternative is my parent-free house? I’m not sure that’s the best idea."
Not that I’d be any less troubled if she invited me to her place instead. If that happened, I’m pretty sure my heart would leap out of my mouth. Forget about taking photos—I’d be a wreck.
"So, Anno-kun, are you saying that if we were alone together in your empty house, you’d lose control and turn into some kind of beast?"
She said it with a smug, knowing look, as if she was certain of my answer. I have no idea why she trusts me so much, but obviously, my response was—
"No way. Doing something like that would be my ruin. I’d never betray someone’s trust like that. Never."
You don’t lay a hand on a client. You keep a proper distance. That’s the key to maintaining a good relationship. My dad drilled those words into me so many times my ears could sprout calluses. Though, hearing how he met Mom does make me want to retort, “Who are you to talk?”
"Hehe. You’re so honest, Anno-kun. I knew asking you was the right choice."
"…I don’t think it’s that unique to me, though."
"Oh, it absolutely is! At least from what I’ve seen, you’re a rare breed, Anno-kun. Rare enough to be listed as an endangered species!"
"So, what, you’re my conservationist now?"
Though, given how she’s got me wrapped around her finger, it feels more like she’s my owner than a protector.
"Hmm, you’re a bit too big to conserve properly. Could you shrink down to, say, a first-grader’s size with some kind of potion? Then I might consider it."
"What, like ‘a child’s body with an adult’s mind’? Spare me."
It wouldn’t be terrible—I mean, bath time or sleeping next to her could be nice—but I’m pretty sure my rationality would fly out the window. If it’s happening, I’d limit it to one day.
With that kind of silly banter bouncing between us, I walked side by side with Shinomiya toward my house.
＊＊＊＊＊
About ten minutes later, we arrived at my place—the designated spot for our meeting and photoshoot, per Shinomiya’s adamant request. The moment we stepped inside, she froze, her face a mix of shock and hesitation as she cautiously asked…
“C-Could this really be your house, Anno-kun?”
“Yeah, it is. Is there a problem?”
“N-No… not really…”
Shinomiya murmured, her voice trembling slightly.
It’s just a slightly taller building with a concierge and a gym—nothing all that different from any other apartment complex.
“It’s not like I bought the place myself or anything. Besides, I bet your house is some grand, impressive standalone mansion, right? No need to be surprised by this.”
“…I suppose so. It’s certainly splendid on the outside, that house.”
Her response to my casual remark came with an expression drained of emotion and a voice so cold I’d never heard it from her before. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious about the reason, but it didn’t feel like something I should pry into.
Deciding to let it go, I stepped into the elevator with her. The numbers climbed steadily upward.
Inside the quiet metal box, I’d normally feel at ease, but the faint sound of Shinomiya’s breathing brushing against my ears made my heart beat faster for some reason.
“What’s wrong, Anno-kun? Your face is turning red,” she teased.
“…It’s just your imagination. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Of course. You’re a gentleman, after all. You wouldn’t try anything even if we were alone together, right?”
I trust you. She said it at the exact moment the elevator dinged to announce our floor. Yep, she’s no angel—she’s a little devil. Or maybe a fallen angel.
With a heavy sigh and a shrug, I started down the hallway. Behind me, Shinomiya followed, humming cheerfully to herself.
Her ever-shifting emotions left me bewildered, but I took extra care to hide my trembling hands as I unlocked the door.
“Excuse meeee!” she chirped.
“Welcome in. Not that anyone else is here.”
She called out energetically, yet still neatly lined up her shoes. That kind of effortless manners hinted at her good upbringing. With that thought in mind, I led her to the living room for our meeting.
“I’ll grab some drinks, so just sit wherever and wait a sec.”
“Thank you! Oh, I brought some snacks, so I’ll set them out on the table.”
With that, Shinomiya pulled a little gift from her bag and opened it up. Her thoughtfulness was almost too much—it made me feel a bit guilty.
“Sorry for the wait. Is rooibos tea okay?”
“No need to worry. I’m fine with anything. That said, rooibos tea… pretty stylish choice! Is this someone’s influence, perhaps?” she asked, smirking mischievously as I handed her a glass.
“Sorry to disappoint your wild guesses, but it’s just my mom’s influence. Nothing to do with a crush or anything like that.”
“Oh, my mistake. I thought maybe it was the preference of a certain cosplayer you’re close with… My apologies.”
“Geez… Enough with the nonsense—let’s get to the point.”
If I let her ramble on at her own pace, the sun would set before we knew it. And if Yuzha found out about this, she’d definitely butt in with, “Wait, isn’t that basically a home date!?” I needed to take control of this conversation, fast.
“You said you want me to take ‘embarrassing’ photos, but you also mentioned having a specific image in mind, right? Care to fill me in?”
“Before we get into that, could you take a look at this first?”
Shinomiya fiddled with her phone and then handed it to me. On the screen was the SNS account of a woman with a massive following—countless fans, to be exact.
She didn’t show her face, but her defining feature was her… abundant assets. She posted daily photos of her everyday life, lingerie, and fetish-themed shots. I’d come across her a few times myself.
Honestly, she seemed worlds apart from someone like Shinomiya, so what was the connection?
“A classmate told me about her. Apparently, even amateurs like us can post photos online, gain a following, and make easy money.”
“…That only works for a tiny fraction of people at the top. Plus, you’re way too naive about this world—and frankly, you’re underestimating it.”
My voice came out sharper than I intended, tinged with irritation. I get it—someone clueless might think that way—but as someone who actually takes photos, it felt like she was spouting nonsense in her sleep.
“That’s not what drew me in,” she said. “I looked into it more after seeing her photos, and I realized something on my own.”
“…Realized what?”
“They all look like they’re having so much fun. Whether it’s cosplay or revealing shots, they’re fully expressing what they want to do, what they love… and I was captivated by that beauty.”
“…I see.”
“The more I looked at their photos, the more I thought… I want to try it too. I want to be photographed like that.”
Shinomiya pressed a hand to her chest as she spoke, her expression utterly serious. I took a deep breath, letting go of the brief flare of anger I’d felt, and silently apologized to her in my head.
“Thanks for telling me. I get how you feel now, Shinomiya. So, circling back to the start—what kind of ‘pose’ do you want me to capture?”
“I want you to photograph the real me, Anno-kun. Just as I am. Is that… okay?”
Her voice trembled with a mix of hope and anxiety, clinging to me with those words. There’s no way I could refuse her—not when she asks like that. Honestly, I’d pay good money for the chance to photograph her. The only thing nagging at me is that I can’t quite picture what she means by “the real me.”
“Uh, Anno-kun? Don’t just sit there quietly—say something. You’ll take my pictures, right?”
“Oh… sorry. Of course I will. I’d even beg you to let me, honestly.”
“Thank you! I was so worried you might say no or turn me down—I’m relieved.”
Shinomiya flashed a smile of pure relief. Getting to photograph a beauty on par with Yuzha? It’s a dream come true.
“Though, let’s be real—you never had the option to refuse in the first place, Anno-kun. If you’d said no, I would’ve spread all sorts of rumors about you,” she added with a smirk.
Would’ve been nice if she’d left out the blackmail part. I let out a small sigh before pressing her further.
“So, this ‘real you’—what exactly does that look like? Do you have a specific image in mind?”
“Yes, I’ve thought about it. Though, technically, you’ve already photographed me once before.”
“Huh? I have? Wait—you mean that time in the classroom?”
The only time I’d ever photographed Shinomiya was that sneaky shot that started this whole mess—when she caught me and turned the tables. Back then, she’d been trying to take a selfie with her uniform unbuttoned. Was this her way of getting a do-over?
“Exactly. That photo you took—it was exactly what I wanted. I’d love for you to capture me like that again.”
“…Got it. So that’s why you wore your uniform instead of casual clothes today. It all makes sense now.”
“Yep! Plus, I figured if we’re at your place, I can take it off without worrying about anyone watching.”
Though it’s still my house, I grumbled internally. A girl taking off her uniform at a guy’s place doesn’t exactly sound innocent on paper.
“By the way, the situation I’m imagining is: ‘Visiting a classmate’s house for the first time, studying in his room, and then things start to feel… a little naughty!’”
“Couldn’t you just stop at the studying part!? Why does it have to get ‘naughty’!?”
I slammed my hand on the table. It’s not like I got flustered hearing the word “naughty” come out of her mouth or anything. It’s just—her image was so vivid, I couldn’t help but wonder if she’d actually experienced something like that.
“It’s just a scenario, okay? We’re not actually going to do anything! Geez, Anno-kun, what exactly were you imagining?” she teased.
“Don’t mess with a teenage boy like that…”
Letting out yet another sigh—how many was that now?—I stood up. If we kept chatting like this, the sun would set before we even started shooting.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“To prep for the shoot. No matter where in the house we do it, I need to hear more about your vision first.”
“Then the location…”
“It’s a classmate’s room where you’re studying, right? That leaves my room as the only option.”
It’s far from ideal, but I can’t exactly use my dad’s office, and my parents’ bedroom is out of the question. Process of elimination leaves my room as the only choice.
Luckily, it’s clean, and anything embarrassing is safely tucked away in my PC, so there’s no issue there.
“For studying, a small table would help. I think I’ve got an old one stashed in the closet… I’ll drag it out.”
“Um, Anno-kun? You don’t have to go that far, you know?”
“You want to see a side of yourself you don’t know—the real you, right? Then we’ve got to nail the details.”
In actual shoots, improvising with whatever props are on hand can boost the quality—it’s a common trick. For this, the key is figuring out how to stage that shift from “just a normal study session” to something more. Setting it up right is my job, and it’s where I get to show off my skills.
“So, just hang tight for a bit. I’ll have it ready in about thirty minutes. Watch TV or something in the meantime.”
“W-Wait, Anno-kun!?”
Ignoring her flustered protest, I started planning. Beyond props, there’s lighting—setting up strobes, tweaking them… though, maybe natural light could work here instead.
“C-Can’t I help with something…!?”
“Hm? Nah, you don’t need to worry about it. Just relax.”
“But you’re doing all this because of my request—it feels wrong to just sit here and do nothing…”
Even so, Shinomiya’s shoulders slumped, her face clouded with guilt. Now I felt like the bad guy.
“Hmm… Alright, how about we go to my room together, then? You can think about how you want to be photographed and get a feel for the vibe.”
Shinomiya’s job here is to be photographed. To get the best performance out of her, I need to help her build up the right energy.
“It’d help if you could start imagining what kind of expression you’d make in that ‘atmosphere’ before I finish setting up.”
“Got it. I’ll think it over in your room, then.”
“Appreciate it. Let’s work together to get some great shots.”
“By the way… are you sure it’s okay to just let me into your room like this? You’ve hidden anything you don’t want me to see, right!?”
She leaned forward as she spoke, her eyes sparkling with excitement for some reason. The eager gleam in her gaze—clearly ready to snoop—made my head spin a little.
“I’ve heard that when you visit a boy’s house for the first time, the classic thing to do is hunt for naughty magazines! So… it’s fine, right!?”
“No, it’s not fine! That’s not even a ‘classic’ thing! And who the heck told you that nonsense!?”
Whoever’s out there filling the head of this so-called saintly, angelic girl with garbage like this needs to stop. At this rate, she’ll barrel straight into that doujinshi trope: “the pure-looking girl who’s secretly a total vixen.”
“Just sit quietly and mentally prep yourself! And whatever you do, don’t touch my computer!”
“Ohhh, I get it… so the important stuff’s all digitized, huh?”
“It’s unfinished editing data, okay!?”
My desperate yell echoed through the living room.
Maybe this playful, mischievous side is the real Rinoa Shinomiya after all. As I started prepping for the shoot, I couldn’t help but wonder again if this whole photoshoot was even necessary.
---
Despite all her earlier fussing, Shinomiya calmed down once I showed her to my room. Gradually, though, a hint of nervousness began to creep into her expression.
“Alright, this should do it for now. Looks study-session-y enough, right?”
I’d dug an old small table out of the closet—the one I used as a kid—and set it up with textbooks, a notebook, and some pens. To add that “visiting friend” vibe, I placed two glasses on it too. For the atmosphere, I decided to stick with natural light.
“Y-Yes! It’s p-p-perfect, I think!”
Her voice squeaked as she answered. We hadn’t even started yet—was she going to be okay? Gripping my trusty camera, I felt a flicker of unease.
“Alright, let’s get started. You good to go, Shinomiya?”
“I-I’m fine. I’ll give it a shot.”
She took a few deep breaths to steady herself. Unlike that time in the empty classroom, it’s only natural she’d get nervous with a camera pointed at her for the first time. But this jittery side of her fit the scenario perfectly. Without a word, I pressed the shutter.
“Huh!? You’re taking pictures already!?”
The click, click of the camera startled her. My bad—I should’ve given her a heads-up—but the moment was so spot-on I couldn’t help myself.
“Of course. Your nervous energy’s coming through beautifully.”
“Auu…”
She turned away, embarrassed, and that reaction was adorable too—perfectly in line with the vibe. A grin slipped onto my face.
“Shinomiya, can you start taking off your uniform little by little?”
“W-We’re jumping to that part already!?”
“Take it slow—unbutton it one by one. Oh, and could you face me first?”
My room’s not exactly spacious, so my movement’s limited. Trying to circle around to her front didn’t work—she kept hiding herself, leaving us in a loop.
“Ugh… How are you so calm about this, Anno-kun? I’m over here freaking out all by myself—I feel like an idiot!”
“It’s a shoot. If I got flustered over every little thing, I wouldn’t be able to do my job, right?”
That said, it’s not like I’m completely unfazed. During a shoot, I can’t take my eyes off the subject for even a second—there’s no room for me to lose focus.
“O-Okay, I get it…”
Her voice wavered, but with a determined breath, Shinomiya slowly turned to face me. She untied her ribbon with a soft shrrp, then reached for the first button, then the second.
“Haa… haa, haa…”
Her breaths naturally grew heavier, tinged with heat. Her cheeks flushed red, and her expression melted into something sultry and alluring.
It’s hard to believe this is the same girl who sits next to me in class, always surrounded by friends, flashing bright smiles. The thought that this popular saint is baring herself so provocatively in my room, through my lens, is enough to drive me insane.
The quiet, narrow space filled with the sound of her breathing and the camera’s shutter.
“A-Anno-kun…”
Her voice, laced with a sensual edge, called my name as she parted her blouse wide. Averting her gaze, she revealed flawless skin and lingerie far too mature for her age—vivid red fabric adorned with rose embroidery and lace, shimmering with flashy gold lamé threads—encasing an enchanting, forbidden fruit now exposed to the light.
“…”
The sight was so bewitching, I unconsciously swallowed hard. At the same time, a rush of superiority hit me—I’m the only one in the world witnessing Rinoa Shinomiya blushing with shame like this. Words failed me.
“You’re stunning, Shinomiya. Okay, next—”
“…Yes. I know.”
Before I could finish, she read my intent and shifted into a crawling pose, peering into the lens.
The excuse was studying together, but the girl had this in mind from the start. The boy, flustered by the sudden turn of events, panics, unsure what to do. Frustrated by his indecision, she takes the lead and presses forward.
At some point, she’d fully slipped into the role. The shame vanished from her face, replaced by a decadent, inviting look that seemed to say, “You can do whatever you want, you know?”
“Yeah, that’s a great expression.”
The initial tension was long gone, and it’s as if my voice wasn’t even reaching her anymore—Shinomiya’s performance only intensified. She licked her lips, closing in slowly like a leopardess cornering her prey. Matching her movements, I stepped back, adjusting the frame up and down, shifting my body left and right to keep shooting.
“…Why are you running away?”
Her voice trembled with a sweet edge, her eyes glistening as if she felt not anger, but anxiety over the boy retreating from her approach. The way she seemed to grow restless, her longing tinged with desperation, felt so real it hardly seemed like acting.
“Look at me… please. More… so much more…”
As she spoke, Shinomiya pulled back from me and moved toward the bed. I sharpened my focus, determined not to miss a single gesture, wondering what she’d do next.
“Not just up here… down here too…”
Perching on the bedside with one leg raised, Shinomiya gripped the hem of her skirt and gently lifted it. Those few seconds as she rolled it up felt like the world slowed down around me. I captured every moment through the lens without missing a beat.
She flaunted deep crimson shorts with a subtle transparency, without hesitation exposing them—a sight like a succubus luring a man into a world of lust.
“W-What do you think? I bought these just for today… Do they suit me?”
“Of course. They look amazing on you.”
No guy could dislike the contrast of a refined girl hiding bold, daring lingerie beneath her clothes.
“Then… you can do whatever you want with me, Anno-kun.”
Unbuttoning the last of her half-undone blouse, Shinomiya slid it off her shoulders slowly, without a hint of hesitation—like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. Then, leaning back onto the bed, she reached out toward me.
“Come here… Let’s do something that feels good together, okay?”
“Let’s fall as far as we can fall—together.”
Her expression was so intoxicating, I could almost hear those dangerously sweet words dripping from her lips.
God, she’s beautiful. Wasn’t this exact moment with her the whole reason I picked up a camera in the first place? That impossible delusion flickered through my mind as I stepped closer, pressing the shutter button.
“Come here…” she whispered.
Her soft plea was drowned out by the creak of the bed under her weight. How blissful would it be to toss aside all reason and give in right then and there? But that’s a bottomless pit—once you fall in, there’s no climbing back out.
“Touch me…”
Her voice, thick with heat, accompanied the faint click of metal as she reached behind her back. Before I could fully register what it was, her lingerie fluttered to the floor.
“…”
I swallowed hard. Though she still had her blouse loosely draped over her, the final barrier concealing her enticing curves was gone, leaving her bare skin exposed. If I could do whatever I wanted with her right now, I’d ascend to heaven with no regrets.
“Come on, Anno-kun. You can do whatever you like…”
Lying back, she spread her arms wide in invitation—a fallen angel beckoning me down the path of ruin. Her once-pure white wings now stained black, her delicate smile laced with lust.
I tilted my head skyward, exhaling the boiling heat inside me in one long breath. Then, taking her hand, I helped her sit up and shrugged off my jacket, draping it over her half-naked shoulders.
“Good work, Shinomiya. The shoot’s over.”
“…Huh?”
She blinked, letting out a dazed sound as if snapping back to reality. It was hard to believe this was the same person who’d been seducing me like a soul-draining temptress just moments ago.
“We got tons of amazing shots. I’ll edit them and send them over, so just give me a little time, okay?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Let’s talk details once you’re dressed. I’ll wait in the living room—come join me when you’re ready.”
With that, I rattled off the words in a rush and bolted out of the room like a startled rabbit. “W-Wait, Anno-kun!?” Shinomiya’s panicked voice called after me, but I silently apologized in my head and ignored her.
“That was close… I almost crossed into arrest-worthy territory.”
Leaning against the door I’d slammed shut, I muttered to myself while flipping through the freshly taken photos. Released from the extreme tension, my legs gave out, and I sank to the floor, clutching my head.
What was that about “I can’t get flustered over every little thing or I won’t get any work done”? Her body, her allure—far too mature for someone my age—had completely thrown me off. Pathetic.
“Guess I’d better cool off before Shinomiya comes back…”
With a heavy sigh, I dragged myself up and shuffled to the living room. First, I’d give myself a pat on the back for not letting instinct override reason. Reflection could come later.
About ten minutes passed as I reviewed the still-warm-from-the-shutter photos. Then, Shinomiya returned to the living room, her appearance tidied up, though her face carried a hint of apology.
“S-Sorry to keep you waiting…”
“Good work. So, how was it—your first photoshoot?”
I forced myself to stay calm, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened as I spoke. Shinomiya, shoulders slumped, sat delicately on the chair.
“…It was…” she mumbled, head bowed.
“Hm? What was that?”
“It was so much fun,” she said, lifting her face. “While you were pointing the camera at me, Anno-kun, it felt like… I wasn’t myself, somehow.”
She wore a dazed, almost eerily sensual smile as she added, “This is a first for me.”
“I’m shocked at myself, honestly. Taking off my blouse without thinking, reaching for my skirt…”
“I was surprised too. But in that moment, Shinomiya, you were absolutely a version of yourself no one else knows. Here’s the proof.”
I fiddled with the camera and showed her what I considered the best shot out of the countless ones we’d taken—her lying on the bed, beckoning invitingly.
“This is… me? Really…?”
“Yep. No doubt about it—that’s you, Rinoa Shinomiya, right there.”
“I can’t believe it,” she said, scrolling through the other photos with a delighted grin.
“So? Do you see a side of yourself you didn’t know in there?”
“Yes… every single one feels like it’s not me. But I never imagined I’d expose so much skin. Showing off my underwear to you like that… it’s so embarrassing.”
“Speaking of, didn’t you say something about buying it just for today—”
“Did I really say that!? Anno-kun, forget everything I said during the shoot! Right now! As soon as possible! ASAP!!”
I’d teased her on a whim to confirm the truth, and she slammed the table, her face blazing red as she shouted.
“O-Okay, okay! I’ll do my best to forget! I swear I won’t tell anyone about today, at least!”
“Of course you won’t! This is a secret pact between you and me, Anno-kun! You can’t tell a soul!”
She emphasized absolute silence, and I nodded like a broken wind-up toy. If her fan club found out I’d invited her to my house and photographed her half-undressed in my room, I wouldn’t live to see tomorrow’s sunrise.
“Phew… Anyway, Anno-kun, when should we schedule the next shoot?”
“…Huh? Wasn’t today the end of it?”
Her requests—“embarrassing photos” and “a side of myself I don’t know”—should’ve been fulfilled with this. Yet she wanted to keep going?
“Of course not! There’s no way I could fully discover a version of myself I didn’t know in just one go!”
“Well… yeah, that’s true.”
“So, the shoots continue! And it’s definitely not because I had so much fun today or because the photos were so good that stopping after one would be a waste!”
“…Hearing you say that makes me happy as the photographer.”
Her true feelings and her excuse were clearly flipped, but pointing it out would be tactless. Besides, I was quietly thrilled at the idea of photographing her again.
“Then let’s get right to planning the next one! What kind of scenario do you think would work!? I was thinking a swimsuit shoot! Not just any swimsuit, but—”
“Okay, I get it. But how about we calm down first? There’s something we need to do before the next shoot.”
I gave a wry smile as I gently reined in Shinomiya, who was rattling off ideas with breathless excitement. I understood her enthusiasm—honestly, I’d love to lock in a date and shoot her again right away. But there was an unavoidable step we had to take first.
“Let’s start with a reflection session on today, okay?”
“R-Reflection? Is that really necessary? I mean…”
“Because every photo turned out amazing? That’s flattering, but that’s a separate matter. To start with—”
For the next hour or so, I carefully shared my thoughts from the shoot with Shinomiya, keeping my tone as gentle as possible. The result? Her face, ears, and even her neck turned so red it looked like steam might burst out as she squirmed in embarrassment.
“Ugh… I’ll never be able to get married now. Anno-kun, take responsibility!”
“How does that even follow…? Well, if you’re offering to be my bride, I’d welcome it with open arms.”
“N-N-No way! Don’t take my jokes seriously! You idiot, Anno-kun!!”
“That’s unreasonably harsh!”
Our silly back-and-forth dragged on until the sun had fully set, and she started pestering me to walk her to the station. She really is a spoiled princess.
Still, it’d been a while since I’d spent this much time at home with someone. After Shinomiya left, my house felt strangely dull and faded.
Post a Comment