Chapter 5: A Photoshoot at Shinomiya-san’s House!?
“Hey, Takumi. Can you listen to me for a sec?”
It was a morning a few days after the second photoshoot. I was idly scrolling through the photo folder on my phone when, as usual, Shin approached me. But this time, there was something unusually serious in his expression and tone.
“Sure, I don’t mind… but am I imagining things, or does this feel oddly familiar?”
“You’re imagining it! Besides, this time it’s serious!”
He confidently reassured me, but all I felt was unease. Nothing good has ever come from that tone of his when he claims it’s “serious.”
“Fine, I’ll hear you out, so just spit it out already. Don’t tell me this is about the results of that meeting you mentioned the other day—whether Shinomiya-san has someone she likes or not?”
“I’d love to talk about that too, but this is something way more important—something that could turn into a huge problem depending on how it plays out!”
“…You’re being unnecessarily dramatic. Wait, is this about Shinomiya-san again?”
Does he ever get tired of this? Or maybe he’s just bored? Are the members of her fan club seriously thinking about Shinomiya Rinoa 24/7, 365 days a year? If so, it’s not an exaggeration to say they’re completely unhinged. And realizing my best friend standing in front of me is one of them gives me a headache.
“Here’s the thing—” Shin began with a flourish, “—don’t you think Shinomiya-san’s been giving off more allure lately?”
“…Are you an idiot?”
I couldn’t help but blurt out a blunt insult, skipping right past exasperation.
“The idiot here is you, Takumi! This is something every single member of the Shinomiya Rinoa Fan Club unanimously agrees on!”
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Unable to believe my friend’s words, I glanced around the classroom. To my shock, everyone nodded in agreement. What is this place, a room full of morons? I let out a heavy sigh and shrugged my shoulders.
Oh, I forgot to mention—the key figure in question, Shinomiya-san herself, hadn’t arrived at school yet, which was rare for her. Not that this conversation could’ve happened if she were here.
“Alright, fine. Let’s say, for argument’s sake, that Shinomiya-san’s gotten more alluring. Do you have any proof?”
“Ugh… this is why non-members are such a pain. Haven’t you noticed how there’s this subtle eros seeping into her expressions and every little gesture lately?”
I wanted to retort that calling it “eros” was a bit much, but the sound of nodding heads echoing through the classroom left me speechless.
“It’s hard to put into words exactly, but… how do I say this? Even her casual movements and smiles have this weirdly seductive vibe now. Doesn’t that mean—!!”
Just as Shin was about to finish his sentence, the classroom door slid open with a loud rattle. Stepping inside was none other than the center of our discussion—Shinomiya-san herself. A wave of tension rippled through the room.
“…Everyone, what’s going on?”
Even Shinomiya-san, perceptive as she was, picked up on the strange atmosphere and tilted her head in confusion as she asked. Sadly, not a single classmate could muster a response. They either awkwardly averted their gazes or forced strained smiles.
Unfazed by the odd vibe, Shinomiya-san walked gracefully over to the desk next to mine. After hanging her bag on the hook, she sat down and greeted me with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Anno-kun.”
“…Morning, Shinomiya-san.”
I racked my half-awake brain, trying to figure out how to handle the inevitable questions she’d ask about this mess.
If I could, I’d make the culprit who started this take responsibility, but that jerk had already bolted and was nowhere to be seen.
“Hey, Anno-kun. I can’t help but feel like everyone’s acting strange… Am I imagining it?”
“Unfortunately, you’re not imagining it. And to top it off, the reason for this weird atmosphere is you, Shinomiya-san.”
“Huh? Me?”
She tilted her head slightly in a cute, puzzled gesture. It was endearing enough to put me at ease, but my classmates clearly didn’t have that luxury. Led by Shin, they shot me furious glares that screamed, “What the hell are you saying!?”
“Right before you walked in, everyone was talking about how ‘Shinomiya-san’s gotten more alluring lately.’”
“I see, I get the gist of it. So basically, my timing was terrible, huh?”
“Pretty much.”
From the peanut gallery, I could hear resentful mutters like, “Deny it! It’s not Shinomiya-san’s fault!” and “Who just says it straight to her face like that!?” But I couldn’t care less.
“Speaking of which… alluring, huh? I’m not aware of it at all. What do you think, Anno-kun?”
Her casual question made the classroom air crackle with tension, and the pressure from everyone’s stares made it hard to breathe.
“…Why are you asking me?”
“Why? Because you’re the one who sees me the most, Anno-kun. Obviously.”
Her words hit me like a vice grip around my heart. She’d said things that could be misinterpreted before, but we’d avoided disaster because those moments happened when we were alone. And yet, here she was, saying something like that in front of the entire class—the one situation where she absolutely shouldn’t.
“H-Hey… Takumi. What did Shinomiya-san mean by that just now? Depending on the answer, our friendship might be over.”
Shin stormed up to my desk, his face twisted into a demonic scowl that suggested he might not just end our friendship but my life. We’ve known each other for a while, but the last time I saw him this pissed was when I told him I’d done a solo shoot with Yuzha-san.
“Calm down, Shin! I’m just the guy who sits next to her—there’s nothing like what you’re imagining!”
“Anno-kun’s right. I just thought that since he sits next to me, he’d notice even small changes in me. There’s no deeper meaning beyond that, okay?”
Shinomiya-san said this with a soft chuckle and a saintly smile. But despite her gentle expression, there was an unusual weight to her words—almost like she was steering me toward a specific answer.
“So, what do you think, Anno-kun? Do you think I’ve changed?”
“…It’s probably just everyone’s imagination. You haven’t changed, Shinomiya-san.”
Suppressing my emotions, I replied in a flat, monotone voice. The classroom let out a collective sigh—half dissatisfaction, half relief.
“N-No, wait… Even if you deny it, Takumi, everyone else’s opinion—!”
“I understand what Kuki-kun’s trying to say. But in this classroom, the one who can see me most objectively is Anno-kun. If he says so, then it’s settled.”
Shin—and more accurately, the unconvinced classmates—were met with an unusually sharp gaze and a firm tone from Shinomiya-san as she cut them off decisively. Even Shin flinched at this.
“There’s no need to explain why Anno-kun is the most impartial, right?”
“Y-Yes… that’s fine. Sorry for bothering you so early in the morning!”
With that, Shin dashed back to his seat like a gust of wind. He’s always bustling around and making a racket. I pressed my fingers to my temples and let out a sigh. The day hadn’t even started, and I was already exhausted.
“Are you okay, Anno-kun? You look pretty worn out.”
“…Whose fault do you think that is?”
We kept our voices low, avoiding eye contact so no one else could overhear.
“Hmm, whose fault indeed? If I had to guess, wouldn’t it be the person who started saying my allure’s increased?”
“No doubt about that.”
In other words, it’s Shin’s fault. If that idiot hadn’t spouted such nonsense, none of this would’ve happened, and I wouldn’t have turned the entire class against me. I’ll give him a good punch during break time.
“By the way, Anno-kun. What’s the real answer?”
“…Huh?”
“Don’t play dumb. That comment earlier… it was a lie, wasn’t it?”
Shinomiya-san’s whisper coincided perfectly with the chime of the bell. Thanks to that, I was the only one close enough to hear her bewitching voice. The sense of exclusivity—and the racing of my heart—belonged to me alone. And the realization that Shinomiya-san’s allure had indeed increased—
“Hehe. You really are possessive, aren’t you, Anno-kun?”
Propping her elbow on the desk and resting her chin in her hand, Shinomiya-san giggled softly. Her smile was lovely, but it carried a seductive venom, like the thorns of a rose. A femme fatale whose touch could spell doom.
“…Shut up.”
I turned my face away, grumbling curtly to hide what I was sure were flushed cheeks.
“But it doesn’t feel bad, does it? I wonder why that is?”
“D-Don’t ask me something like that…”
Just as I was about to say I didn’t know, the door burst open with a bang.
“Morning, everyone—! How’s my crew doing!? No one’s sighing this early, right!?”
Saved. I silently thanked Miko-sensei from the bottom of my heart for barging in with her usual high energy. Who knows what would’ve happened if that conversation had continued?
“Let’s pick this up at lunch on the rooftop, okay, Anno-kun?”
“…Please go easy on me.”
It seems my life expectancy only lasts until noon today.
---
“So, Anno-kun. What should we do for the third photoshoot?”
As usual, I was eating lunch with Shinomiya-san on the rooftop when she brought up scheduling, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I’d been on edge, expecting her to continue the morning’s conversation, so this caught me off guard—in a good way.
“I’m free this weekend. Do you have an image in mind?”
“Yes! This time, I’d love for you to shoot me in my casual clothes!”
After her uniform and swimsuit, now it’s Shinomiya-san’s casual wear? I’m all for it. That dress I saw her in when we went to Manager Uezu’s Emocion together was so perfect it defied description. I’d regretted not photographing it ever since, so the chance for a redo had my excitement skyrocketing.
“Where should we shoot? Doing it at my place again might get repetitive, don’t you think?”
“Now that you mention it, you’re right. How about a studio?”
For minors like us to rent a studio, we’d need parental consent. My parents are overseas and unavailable, so that’s a no-go. That leaves Shinomiya-san, but—
“My mom and dad… no way. They’d never sign off on it, and they might even tell me to cut ties with you… Sorry.”
She drooped her shoulders apologetically. It’s only natural her parents would freak out if they knew their precious daughter was being photographed in questionable ways. They might even call the cops.
“No need to apologize. Then this time, how about—”
“No, how about we do it at my place instead?”
I was about to suggest my house again when Shinomiya-san dropped a bombshell. For a moment, I couldn’t process what she’d said, but her tone and serious expression made it clear she wasn’t joking. That’s why my response came out so dumbstruck.
“…Huh? What did you just say?”
“I said, let’s do the third photoshoot at my house. I’ve been to a boy’s place twice now. Isn’t it about time the girl invites him over when her parents aren’t home?”
She suddenly started framing it like a story scenario. Sure, it flows naturally—sneaking a boy over when the parents are out has that thrilling sense of taboo.
“…Are you sure about this?”
That works in fiction, but reality’s a different beast. If her parents came home during the shoot—
“No need to worry. This weekend, they’re away on a business trip and absolutely won’t be back. No one will interrupt us.”
“I-I see… Wait, what about your sister? Is that okay?”
If I remember right, Shinomiya-san has an older sister who’s a model. Isn’t there a chance she’d be home?
“No problem there. Ever since she moved out for university, she hardly ever comes back.”
Shinomiya-san spoke in a flat, emotionless tone. This wasn’t about like or dislike—it was as if she were denying her sister’s very existence. I felt a chill. What could’ve happened to make her feel that way about her own flesh and blood? As an only child, I couldn’t even imagine.
“So, this weekend, let’s have the photoshoot at my place. Sound good?”
“…Got it.”
With a flicker of unease, I could only nod.
“Now that the photoshoot’s settled, how about a little mini-shoot right now?”
“…I’m still eating, you know?”
What’s this beauty suddenly going on about? Even if we’re alone on the rooftop, this is still school. Someone could show up any moment, and a photoshoot here—
“You’re more about the food than the flowers, huh, Anno-kun? How about this, then?”
“No matter what you do, it’s not happening—Shinomiya-san!?”
I dropped my chopsticks and shouted. Why?
Because Shinomiya-san had suddenly placed her hands on the hem of her skirt and started lifting it slowly right in front of me. Her pristine, snow-white legs—hidden until now—came into view. She stopped just at the edge, where her underwear was barely out of sight, and gave a teasing, sultry smile, stoking the excitement of anyone watching.
“Go ahead, take as many shots as you want. I’ll even let you do an ultra-low-angle shot, just this once.”
“W-What… did you say?”
Her words meant I could capture the hidden treasure tucked away in the uncharted cave of her skirt. My hand instinctively reached for the phone in my chest pocket.
“Come on, hurry up, or someone might show up. What do you think would happen then?”
She fluttered her skirt provocatively. If someone walked in now, my life would be over. If they saw this scene—eating lunch with our princess Rinoa and clearly in some compromising situation—it wouldn’t be hard to get the wrong idea.
“There’s no need to hesitate now, right? After all, you’ve already seen me in some pretty shameless states, haven’t you, Anno-kun?”
“Don’t you know the meaning of TPO!? Home and school are completely different!”
“You say that, but didn’t you photograph me in a disheveled state in an empty classroom?”
With that, Shinomiya-san let out a sultry chuckle. It’s frustrating—I know she’s toying with me, yet I can’t suppress the urge to take the shot.
“…Fine. Then I’ll take you up on that offer without holding back. Could you stand up and step back to the wall?”
“Of course, gladly. I’m happy you’re getting into it, Anno-kun.”
After cutting off her escape route by having her back up, I crouched low and raised my phone. Through the screen, Shinomiya-san’s expression morphed into a melted, forbidden look that should never be seen at school. Swallowing hard, I pressed the shutter button.
---
The morning of the third photoshoot arrived. Staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I let out a deep sigh.
“Ugh… this is the worst.”
Dark circles were etched under my eyes, and my head felt as heavy as lead. No matter how you look at it, I was clearly sleep-deprived. I couldn’t even laugh at Shin anymore for oversleeping like a middle schooler too excited to sleep before a field trip.
“Good thing I prepped the gear last night…”
Muttering to myself, I sighed again.
The clock showed just past 11:30.
Last night, I was too wired to sleep. Even after crawling into bed, I couldn’t drift off, stuck wandering in that strange limbo between dream and reality. Sleep didn’t come until sunlight slipped through the curtain gaps, and by the time I woke up, it was already this late.
We were meeting at 1:00 p.m. at the station nearest Shinomiya-san’s house. It’s about an hour from my place, so I needed to head out soon.
“No forgotten items… Yep, looks good.”
I dragged a suitcase rattling with the bare minimum of equipment—stuff I wasn’t even sure I’d use. It felt like packing for a short trip. In terms of convenience alone, shooting at my house would’ve been way easier.
“Shinomiya-san’s house, huh? Wonder what it’s like…”
I mused idly as the train rocked me along. According to Shin, she lived in a luxurious standalone house in a prime downtown area. But was that really true?
One thing gnawed at me, though—whenever family came up, Shinomiya-san’s demeanor shifted oddly. I couldn’t deny my excitement at being invited to a classmate’s house—especially a stunning beauty like her. That’s what kept me up all night. But that same excitement was matched by my unease over the blank, emotionless look she got when family was mentioned.
“Family, huh… That’s a tough one.”
It’s not something an outsider like me should casually pry into. My stance on that hasn’t changed since the start. Still, seeing that indescribably pained, lonely expression made me want to help her. Was that arrogant of me to think?
Lost in those thoughts, I arrived at my destination before I knew it. Shaking my head to refocus, I stepped off the train. The sun blazed down, intense for a day not yet summer. If it got any hotter by the time we started, I might melt away like ice in the heat.
“Anno-kuuun! Over heeere!!”
As I climbed the stairs and reached the ticket gate, there she was—Shinomiya-san, inexplicably in her school uniform again, beaming with a full smile. She bounced up and down, waving energetically. She was adorable, but those swaying twin peaks asserting their size and softness made it impossible to look directly at her.
“Hey, Anno-kun. You’re right on time today—pretty rare for you.”
“Sorry for making you wait, Shinomiya-san. I kinda overslept a bit.”
Apologizing, I passed through the gate and joined her. We left the station and walked side by side, soon entering a high-end residential area. Looks like Shin was telling the truth after all.
“Overslept? That’s unusual for you. Did you stay up late or something?”
Her incredulous expression made me mutter inwardly, “It’s your fault, you know.”
“Oh… Wait, don’t tell me you were like a kid before a field trip, too excited about coming to my house to sleep? Did you imagine something naughty, maybe?”
She grinned mischievously, poking my side with a teasing, “So, how about it?” It tickled, and I wished she’d stop. But letting her have the upper hand like this was starting to grate on me.
“Yeah, that’s right! I was so excited about going to your house that I couldn’t sleep! Is that a problem!?”
“Huh? W-Wait, seriously!? Anno-kun, are you for real right now!?”
Caught off guard by my intensity, Shinomiya-san faltered slightly. If I was going to press the advantage, this was my chance—like an invasion swift as fire.
“I’m dead serious. It’s your house, Shinomiya-san! Just the two of us! Who wouldn’t get their hopes up?”
“U-Uh… S-So, Anno-kun, you’re getting your hopes up too?”
Her face flushed red as she glanced at me with just her eyes, her voice shrinking to a faint, mosquito-like whisper. This shy reaction was a far cry from the little devil who’d been teasing me. And that upward glance with those glistening eyes? Totally unfair.
“H-Hey… So, what’s the deal? Do you… want to do it with me, Anno-kun?”
“Do what… exactly?”
I swallowed hard and asked, my throat dry. I knew. I didn’t need to ask. But I couldn’t not ask.
“Hehe. ‘Do what,’ you say? Isn’t it obvious? It’s—”
As she spoke, Shinomiya-san stretched up slightly, bringing her face close to my ear. I realized I’d lost this battle. Everything was in the palm of her hand. I’d fallen right into her trap—a pitiful lamb ensnared.
“—naughty stuff, of course.”
Her seductive whisper, laced with hot breath, sent a shiver down my spine. My breathing grew erratic, and I could feel my body temperature spiking—not just my cheeks.
“You’ve seen me in shameless states three times already—empty classroom, my place—and never made a move. But now that you’re coming to my house, you suddenly want to?”
“Sorry, I’m kidding. I’d be lying if I said I never thought about it, but I don’t actually plan to do anything like that. Honest.”
I threw my hands up in surrender. Once I knew the fight was unwinnable, retreating fast was the smart move. But sadly, like a beast that doesn’t let go until its prey stops breathing, Shinomiya-san kept whispering in my ear.
“That’s a shame. But if I said I’m always open to it, what would you do?”
“—S-Shinomiya-san!?”
My brain boiled over the moment I processed her words. Was she serious? Or joking? Her voice alone didn’t give it away.
“They say a man who doesn’t take what’s offered is a fool. Don’t tell me you’re not just reserved but a total chicken, Anno-kun?”
No doubt about it—99% provocation. If I took the bait, I’d end up her slave for life. Which, honestly, didn’t sound half bad.
“Hehe. Your face really gives everything away, huh? I can tell exactly what you’re thinking.”
“…You’re kidding, right?”
“Believe it or not, that’s up to you, Anno-kun. Anyway, we’re here. This is my house.”
In the end, the whole exchange remained shrouded in mystery as we arrived at our destination—Shinomiya-san’s home, the venue for today’s shoot. Standing before its nameplate, I was speechless at the sheer opulence of the mansion.
“T-This is your house…? Incredible.”
“It’s only impressive on the outside. To me, this place is just a hollow shell.”
“…Shinomiya-san?”
There it was again—her emotions draining away. But it lasted only a moment. She quickly plastered on a smile and grabbed my hand.
“Come on, don’t just stand there—let’s go inside, Anno-kun! We’ll bother the neighbors if we linger out here too long!”
“Okay, okay—just don’t pull me!”
I couldn’t help but feel a faint tremble in Shinomiya-san’s hand as she gripped mine tightly. It was probably just my imagination, I told myself, forcing the thought aside as I stepped into her house.
---
Seated on an ultra-soft sofa in a living room nearly twice the size of my own home, I felt a twinge of discomfort. Finally, I voiced a question that had been nagging me since we met up.
“By the way, Shinomiya-san. I’ve been meaning to ask… why are you in your uniform?”
The first photoshoot made sense—it was a study session, so the uniform fit. But this time, the concept was “inviting a classmate you’re curious about over on a day off for a private tea party, where the mood gradually turns sweet.” A uniform didn’t quite match that, did it?
“Oh, that’s because I’ll be changing soon. The outfit I want you to photograph is something I’ve never worn before, and I’d be too embarrassed to wear it outside…”
Handing me a cup of rooibos tea, Shinomiya-san plopped down beside me—so close our shoulders nearly touched.
“I-I see?”
I was thrown off, wondering what kind of outfit could be too embarrassing to wear outside. It couldn’t possibly outdo the swimsuit from last time, could it? Though, I wouldn’t mind seeing that.
“And, well, maybe it’s lingering attachment or something… but I really wanted you to photograph it…”
“Photograph what?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Me changing, of course.”
She pouted, lips pursed as if to say, Don’t make me spell it out. Meanwhile, I shrugged and let out a heavy sigh.
So she hadn’t given up on that idea—or rather, was she that eager to have me photograph her changing? At this point, it felt less like attachment and more like an obsession. Was I imagining it?
“It’s like this: a girl invites a boy she’s curious about to her house to show off a new outfit for the first time. But then, the door’s left ajar, and he catches her changing… That’s the situation. What do you think?”
“What do I think…?”
More shots than planned wasn’t a bad thing. Adding a narrative element would make it even better. But that’s for something like a photo collection. Photographing a classmate changing? That’s a whole different story—I couldn’t possibly.
As if peering straight into my conflicted heart, Shinomiya-san’s lips curled into a sly grin. Placing a gentle hand on my shoulder, she leaned in close and whispered in my ear.
“Do you really not want to photograph it? A girl who deliberately leaves the door cracked, hoping the boy will peek. Aren’t you curious what kind of expression she’d make?”
“…Tch.”
This little devil, I cursed inwardly, while simultaneously thinking, Is she a genius? What kind of face would Shinomiya-san make when her plan to be peeked at succeeded? The fact that I couldn’t picture it only fueled my desire to capture it.
“O-Okay…”
I couldn’t fight my instincts. The moment I even slightly wanted to photograph it, I’d already lost.
“Hehe. I knew you’d say yes, Anno-kun. Thank you.”
Pulling away, Shinomiya-san beamed with genuine delight. It seemed today would be a day of me dancing to her every tune. Worse, a part of me didn’t mind—heck, I was even enjoying it. That realization gave me a headache.
“You really wear your emotions on your face, huh, Anno-kun? I like that about you—it’s cute.”
“…Don’t throw around ‘like’ so casually. Some guys might misunderstand and cause a mess.”
“What if I said I don’t mind if they misunderstand? What would you do then?”
Standing up, she tossed the remark out nonchalantly. It took a miracle to stop myself from screaming. I knew it—this was another trap to tease me. I’d learned on the way here what happens if I take the bait. The best move now was to stay silent.
I wanted to tell the Shinomiya Rinoa Fan Club members: Your precious princess loves toying with people’s pure feelings—she’s a little devil.
“Now that you’re nicely flustered, shall we head to today’s shooting spot? Follow me.”
“Head where?”
“Isn’t it obvious? My room, of course.”
Once again, she said it like it was nothing. Part of me thought, Yeah, that makes sense, while another part resisted the idea of stepping into Shinomiya-san’s private sanctuary.
“I-Is it okay… for someone like me to go into your room?”
“Of course. Didn’t I say it before? That a lot of my ‘firsts’ might end up belonging to you, Anno-kun. Do you get what that means?”
“S-So, you mean I’m the first guy to enter your room?”
“That’s what I’d like to say, but it’s not quite right. You’re the first friend to come into my room.”
The correction seemed minor, but depending on how you took it, it carried weight. It hit me with a pang of sadness—Shinomiya-san really didn’t have anyone she could call a friend.
“Come on, don’t just stand there—let’s go! We’ve got a lot to do before we start: camera settings, adjusting the door gap, all that stuff!”
Grabbing my hand, she started leading me toward her room.
The Shinomiya residence was a two-story house with a garden. No pool, but it stood out even among the upscale neighborhood’s homes.
Her room was on the second floor, so we climbed the stairs. Neither of us said a word during the short walk from the living room.
A weekend day. In the silence, with no one else around, I could almost hear my heartbeat—thump, thump—echoing. My palms grew sweaty. Praying she wouldn’t notice my nerves, I glanced at her back as she walked ahead. Her ears and neck were red.
“Here we are! This is my room!”
With a click, she opened the door and gestured me in. A sanctuary no one else had entered. It was surprisingly—maybe rudely put—practical and understated for a high school girl’s room, lacking much decoration.
“I’ll get ready to change, so could you adjust the peeking setup in the meantime, Anno-kun?”
“Got it.”
Once she stepped inside, I closed the door. Then, I slowly cracked it open, testing the gap with my camera and fine-tuning it.
Too narrow, and I couldn’t capture her; too wide, and it lost the “peeking” vibe. I snapped a few test shots to check the mood.
“How’s it looking, Anno-kun? Think it’ll work?”
“Yeah, this should do it. How about you, Shinomiya-san?”
“I’m good to go anytime! Though I’m a little worried if the outfit suits me.”
“I don’t think there’s an outfit that wouldn’t suit you…”
If there was something that didn’t look good on Shinomiya-san—a beauty so stunning the word “peerless” wouldn’t be an exaggeration—I’d love to know what it was. Nurse, cop, maid, bunny, suit—she could pull off anything.
“Hehe. Even if it’s flattery, I’m happy to hear that. Thank you.”
It’s not flattery, I thought, tweaking the camera settings. Any outfit should feel honored to be worn by her.
“Oh! How about we go shopping together sometime? Dye me in your colors, Anno-kun!”
“Your phrasing’s weird! There are better ways to say it—like ‘coordinate’ or something! Watch your word choice!”
She really needed to be more careful with her words. If it weren’t me, this could’ve turned into a disaster by now. I’d rather not spell out how.
“I’m looking forward to what outfits you’ll pick for me. Your… not fetishes, not hobbies—your sense. I’m counting on it!”
“You said ‘fetishes’ anyway! Seriously, what do you take me for…?”
“Someone who knows me best, in every sense.”
Her lips curved into a suggestive smile as she spoke with an air of implication. My heart skipped a beat, but I muttered, Give me a break, and shrugged.
“Fine. If we ever go shopping, I’ll pick the perfect outfit for you—so brace yourself.”
“That sounds fun. Let’s make it a promise. Now, shall we start the shoot?”
“…Yeah.”
I nodded with a sigh. Continuing this conversation would just pile on more embarrassment. Escaping that quagmire was the best option.
“I’m ready whenever. I’ll match your timing, Shinomiya-san.”
“Got it. Where should I stand?”
For a setup where she’s changing and wants to be peeked at through the cracked door, just barely visible would be ideal. That’d put her near the bedside, probably. One thing to watch for—
“When you’re changing, try not to face the camera directly. You can look toward it, but only after you’ve fully taken off the uniform.”
“…I see.”
Chin in hand, Shinomiya-san quietly visualized it. The moment she notices she’s being peeked at as planned—what expression will she make? It’s arguably the highlight before we even get to the casual outfit shots.
“By the way, Anno-kun, before we start—why two cameras today?”
“Oh, I didn’t mention? Technically, it’s one for photos and one for video.”
I held the camera I’d used before, but today I’d also set up a second one on a tripod.
“For a peeking setup, I thought a fixed viewpoint might work. Unlike photos, video lets us do long takes.”
It was a backup, really—to catch fleeting moments photos might miss. The main focus was still stills.
“Then how about putting the video camera in the closet? Shooting from inside the room rather than the door gap would give it more of a hidden-camera feel.”
Without hesitation, she grabbed the tripod and camera, opened the closet, and stashed it inside. Stunned by her decisiveness, I shook my head to reboot my stalled brain.
“Wait, wait, wait! The closet gap’s too much! That’s straight-up hidden-camera territory!”
“It’s a legal hidden camera. The person being filmed consents, so no problem. Just adjust the angle.”
Ignoring my protests entirely, Shinomiya-san declared her intent with a smile—one that didn’t reach her eyes. She was dead serious about wanting a real hidden-camera setup. And, of course, I had no right to refuse.
“Ugh… Fine. I’ll do it your way, princess. Give me a sec.”
Reluctantly, and with a nervous edge, I stepped into her room. The moment I did, a sweet, distinctly feminine scent hit me, threatening to melt my brain. Holding onto my sanity for dear life, I started adjusting the setup.
“The tripod’s a bit too low…”
If we’re going for a hidden-camera vibe inside the closet, the lens should be at eye level. But the tripod I’d brought fell just short of the right height.
“Why not put it on top of the wardrobe?”
At Shinomiya-san’s suggestion, I placed the camera on the wardrobe. Sure enough, the height was perfect—ideal for the hidden shot we wanted. After tweaking the angle, the gap, and setting it up for remote control via my phone, I was ready.
“Phew… Sorry for the wait, Shinomiya-san. Good to go?”
“Yes! My mental prep’s flawless! Leave it to me!”
She huffed confidently through her nose. The saying “twice means thrice” nagged at me—claiming I wasn’t anxious would be a lie. But this was our third shoot. Sometimes you just have to roll with it.
I took a deep breath to steady myself. Meanwhile, Shinomiya-san adjusted her position, getting ready.
“Ready whenever you are, Anno-kun.”
“Got it. You decide the order of undressing. Let’s… start.”
Hearing her soft “Okay,” I triggered the video remotely.
Would she start with the blouse or the skirt? How does Shinomiya-san usually change when she gets home? To capture it all, I raised my camera.
“…”
Shinomiya-san’s hands moved slowly to her uniform.
First, she undid the ribbon at her chest. Makes sense, I thought, nodding as she untied it with a soft rustle and let it fall to the floor. I snapped away in burst mode.
Without hesitation, in a smooth, natural flow, she unzipped her skirt. The metallic ziiip sounded unnaturally loud. Imagining what came next, my mouth went dry.
She began sliding the skirt down, stepping out of it slowly. The mundane motion somehow felt impossibly alluring.
Long, graceful, flawless legs. Exposed shorts—a vibrant cherry-blossom pink, blooming out of season. Delicate, pure, and perfectly suited to her.
My heart pounded—thump, thump—in stark contrast to her calm demeanor as she unbuttoned her blouse, one by one, at a leisurely pace.
Even knowing this was a shoot, my chest swelled with anticipation and guilt. Don’t shake, I told my hands, waiting for the moment.
“Do you want me to hurry up and strip?”
I could’ve sworn I heard that whisper just as Shinomiya-san’s lips curled into a seductive smirk and she let the blouse slip off her shoulders.
Pristine white skin, untouched like fresh snow. Matching cherry-blossom shorts adorned with delicate petals. The ripe, enticing fruit they cradled. It wasn’t my first time seeing this, yet my pulse skyrocketed.
My heart thundered painfully. I opened my mouth for air but forgot how to breathe. Still, I kept shooting, determined to record my lascivious classmate.
As if to say, I knew you were watching all along, she turned toward the door with a smile.
“—Hah!?”
Our eyes met through the viewfinder—her sultry grin—and I stumbled back, landing on my butt in shock.
It was an act. She was just following the planned scenario. My head knew that, but somehow I panicked as if I’d genuinely been caught peeking.
“If you’re going to look, you could come closer. Or… is it not my changing you want to see, Anno-kun, but me in my underwear?”
With a honeyed voice, she crawled toward me on all fours. Her swaying curves, still clad in lingerie, filled the frame.
Close enough to touch if I dared reach out. Even through the lens, her rich scent and softness overwhelmed me. What kind of good deeds in a past life would let me claim this all for myself?
“…A-Alright! Let’s wrap up the undressing scene and move on!”
Snapping out of it, I jumped to my feet and turned away. I fumbled with my phone to stop the video. A few seconds later, and my rationality would’ve died, sparking an incident.
“Got it. Next, I put the clothes on, right?”
“Yeah, but… since we got shots of you noticing being peeked at, keeping the same framing might feel off…”
She’d stripped to her underwear and noticed the gaze—perfect so far. But her crawling toward me like a pantheress stalking prey was unexpected. The beauty and allure were beyond “great”—the shots were phenomenal.
Problem was, continuing the peeking-from-the-hallway style didn’t fit the narrative flow anymore.
“Why not just shoot from inside the room?”
Tilting her head innocently, she spoke as if it were obvious, leaving me at a loss. Ignoring my hesitation, she pressed on.
“A girl who notices she’s being peeked at doesn’t scold the boy—she takes his hand and invites him in. Then, she starts dressing slowly in front of him as his breathing grows heavy. Perfect, right?”
“…Y-Yeah, sure.”
I had no counterargument. She’d seamlessly woven her improv into a coherent, natural storyline. My only concern? She might drag out dressing in her underwear just to toy with me.
“Settled, then. Come on in!”
“Wait, don’t pull me! Give me a sec to brace myself!”
Before I could steel my nerves, she dragged me into the room. Pointing to the floor near the bed, she motioned for me to sit.
Following her lead, I knelt in a formal seiza position. She stood close, gazing down at me with a teasing smile. I felt like a defendant awaiting judgment.
“Hehe. Why the seiza? Isn’t that awkward for taking photos?”
Unsure if it was intentional, she crossed her arms under her chest, pushing it up as she giggled. Already provocative in her lingerie, the way it shifted left me clueless about where to look.
“Well, it just felt… necessary somehow…”
“Oh! Is that it? There’s a reason you have to sit like that? Like…”
Her gaze dropped to my midsection. Then, crouching, she whispered in my ear.
“Did seeing my body… get you excited?”
“—!?!?”
Her bluntness drew a voiceless scream from me.
She really was a little devil. Saying “body” instead of “underwear” made it worse. I scooted back, hitting the wall with nowhere to run. Done for—or so I thought. But oddly, she didn’t press further. Instead, she grinned and stepped back.
“Good to know you’re a proper boy, Anno-kun.”
“…Huh?”
“You got excited over me, right? I’m relieved I didn’t lose my confidence.”
She smiled brightly, clearly pleased. This was the fifth time since the empty classroom incident that I’d seen her skin, but did she not realize how hard I fought to keep my composure each time?
“Hehe. Let’s move to the second half before your excitement cools off. Ready your camera.”
“Y-Yeah… got it.”
Sighing at how she’d seized control of the shoot’s pace, I raised my camera and restarted the closet video.
“Start whenever, Shinomiya-san.”
“Alright. Here goes…”
Turning her back to me, she reached behind, unhooked her bra with a click, slipped the straps off, and let it fall. Capturing that fluid motion in burst mode was a miracle.
Her exposed back—a sculpted masterpiece of divine elegance. Knowing I was the first to see and record it sent heat coursing through me.
Click. Click. Click-click. The crisp shutter echoed in the quiet room. Half-unconsciously, I photographed her bare form, a sight I’d likely never see again.
“Could you twist a bit? Like a beauty glancing back?”
“Sure, got it.”
No need to tell her to cover her chest—she already had it hidden with both hands as she turned. She’d responded calmly, but her face was flushed red, and she fidgeted shyly.
“Um, Anno-kun… this is, uh, kinda embarrassing…”
“Don’t move.”
I kept shooting, quietly instructing her as she squirmed. Not just front-on—left, right, low angles, even posing directions—I did my utmost to draw out her charm. I’d never been this focused.
“I’m happy you’re so into my body, but, um… can I put clothes on soon?”
“Oh, sorry! Turn back around and start dressing.”
“Muu… Fine.”
With a slightly pouty tone, she spun around and reached for the neatly folded clothes on the bed.
“Nn… Hup.”
Letting out a cute grunt, she slipped her arms into the outfit. I couldn’t see the front, but the back was wide open, ending just above her waist.
Next, the bottoms. She slid her long legs through, lifting her hips with a subtle snap. Even that simple act oozed allure.
“And finally…”
Sitting on the bedside, she faced me. Raising a leg as if to show off, she pulled on pure white stockings. I watched through the lens, swallowing hard.
“…I-I’m done changing.”
Unlike her bold underwear teasing, she stood slowly, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
“So… how is it? It’s my first time wearing this… Does it suit me?”
This wasn’t just rare—I’d never seen her this unsure, not at school or any shoot. Captivated, I snapped a photo before answering.
“Ahh! Why’d you take a picture before saying anything!?”
“Sorry, sorry. You were fidgeting so adorably, my hands just moved on their own.”
“C-Cute!? Ugh, stop teasing me!”
Shinomiya-san’s face turned bright red as she shouted. I didn’t mean to tease her at all—heck, I’d called her cute or beautiful plenty of times during shoots, so getting shy about it now seemed odd.
“Hahaha… Uh, you wanted my thoughts on the outfit, right? It totally suits you. If you walked down the street and passed ten people, thirty would turn to stare.”
I know that doesn’t make sense mathematically, but what I meant was that everyone—literally everyone—would be captivated by her right now.
The outfit she’d picked for the shoot was an off-shoulder top, boldly exposing her collarbone and chest. It was so short her navel and stomach were fully visible—impossible to look at her upper half directly.
But shifting my gaze downward didn’t help either. Ultra-short shorts, knee-high stockings encasing her gorgeous legs, and that tantalizing absolute territory.
A perfect blend of cute and sexy. From the casual clothes I’d seen her in before, I’d assumed she preferred modest, elegant styles with less skin showing. That’s why this gap left me speechless.
“So, what I’m trying to say is, I was shocked you’d wear something I never imagined you in. And it suits you so well it’s even more surprising.”
“Something I wouldn’t wear… You think so too, huh…”
My casual compliment, meant as praise, somehow clouded her expression. She looked down, dejected.
“Uh… Shinomiya-san?”
An awkward silence settled in. When I called out, puzzled, she jolted and quickly lifted her head. The smile she forced was obviously a front.
“It’s not what I pictured, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t suit you. It’s super cute, actually.”
“It’s not that I doubt you, Anno-kun. I’m really happy you’d say that. It’s just…”
She cut off, biting her lip hard, her face twisting in pain. Just as she opened her mouth again, the front door clicked open downstairs.
““Huh?””
Our voices overlapped. Wasn’t today supposed to be a no-one’s-home day? I glanced at Shinomiya-san, and she looked just as confused by the sudden intrusion.
“I’m hooome—! Wait, is someone here?”
A clear, refreshing female voice rang up from below. The moment it hit, Shinomiya-san’s shoulders flinched. She hugged herself tightly, as if bracing against fear.
“Sh-Shinomiya-san? The one who came back… is it…?”
“My… sister. The sister who wasn’t supposed to come back apparently did.”
Her voice trembled. Her face drained of color, turning pale. Objectively, inviting a male classmate into an empty house for a photoshoot—especially in revealing clothes—might look sketchy. But even so, her reaction seemed extreme. Her mind had completely shut down.
“Should I, uh, hide somewhere?”
“…R-Right! Anno-kun, for now, just… hide in the bedding! I’ll make something up, so stay there until she leaves—”
“Whoa, whoa!? The bedding’s a bad idea!”
She’d seemed to reboot, but her thoughts were spiraling out of control. Before I could protest further, she yanked me onto the bed and pinned me down.
“Rinoa—? Are you with a friend or something?”
The door swung open as the voice—tinged with delight—called out. It’s over. My life ends here.
“…Uh, Rinoa? What’s going on here?”
The visitor asked, visibly perplexed. She resembled Shinomiya-san—strikingly beautiful, with a mix of cuteness and grace, plus a mature elegance Shinomiya-san hadn’t yet developed. In any other setting, I’d have forgotten to breathe, staring in awe.
“Uh, um… Sis? This is, uh…”
I scrambled for an excuse, but words failed me. Tragically, I was the one pinned on the bed with her straddling me—any explanation should’ve come from her.
“Hey, Rinoa! Isn’t that the outfit I wore in that magazine shoot recently!? Did you buy the same one!?”
“...Huh?”
Her sister’s high energy clashed with Shinomiya-san’s icy tone.
I’d thought the outfit was unusually revealing for her, and now it clicked—her model sister had worn it. Mystery solved.
“Just a coincidence.”
Shinomiya-san’s face soured, as if she’d bitten into something bitter—or been caught by the last person she wanted to see. Ignoring her reaction entirely, her sister barged in.
“Oh! You even bought the magazines! All the ones I’m in! Your big sis is touched!”
She spoke with a sparkling, meteor-like enthusiasm—nothing like Shinomiya-san. If Shinomiya-san was the moon’s gentle glow, her sister was the blazing sun. How could siblings be this different?
“By the way, who’s this boy Rinoa’s pinning down? Were you two about to get naughty?”
“N-No way! Nothing naughty! Shinomiya-san and I aren’t like that! Right, Shinomiya-san!?”
“Yes, exactly as Anno-kun says. Don’t lump me in with you, Sis.”
I protested desperately while she calmly slid off me. Still, to anyone watching, that position screamed “one step from scandalous.” No amount of denial would help.
“Well, if Rinoa says so, I’ll let it slide… But first, introduce me to this boy. Is he your boyfriend?”
“No. Anno-kun and I are just classmates—not dating. Stop jumping to romance right away.”
Ouch. Even though we weren’t together, her emotionless denial stung a bit. Also, wasn’t she being way too cold to her sister?
“Come on, inviting a boy to your room when no one’s home and pinning him on your bed? Saying ‘we’re not dating’ doesn’t cut it, Sis thinks. If anything, it’s worse if you’re not dating!”
Her logic was airtight. I had no clue how to salvage this.
“It was an accident, pinning Anno-kun down. You came back out of nowhere, and I panicked, trying to hide him.”
Her sister shrugged, exasperated, while Shinomiya-san replied in her flat tone. I just floundered between them.
“Well, next time, use the closet instead of the bedding—wait, hold on. You said his name’s Anno-kun? As in Anno Takumi!?”
“Y-Yes… But how do you know Anno-kun, Sis?”
Shinomiya-san turned to me, bewildered, her eyes asking, Do you know her? I shook my head vigorously.
“So you’re the famous Yuki-chan’s exclusive photographer, Tak-kun! I can’t believe you’re Rinoa’s classmate. Small world, huh?”
Grinning mischievously, she closed the distance. That boldness was pure Shinomiya DNA. Unlike Rinoa’s sweet, honeyed scent, her sister exuded a crisp citrus vibe. But more importantly—
“Uh… Do you know Yuzha-san?”
For context, “Yuki” is Yuzha-san’s real name.
“Of course! Yuki-chan was my senior at university! And now she’s a top-tier cosplayer—wild, right?”
She laughed heartily, proud as a junior. Once she started talking, she was a whirlwind—unstoppable.
“To impress Yuki-chan, you must be something… Oh! If you’re up for it, could you photograph me too?”
““Huh?””
Our voices synced again.
“Taking pics for SNS is such a hassle. I’ll clear it with Yuki-chan myself! Please, I’m begging you!”
She clasped her hands and bowed. She even knew Yuzha-san didn’t like me shooting others. But even as her junior, I doubted Yuzha-san would agree. Plus, I’d catch hell from her later, so I’d have to politely decline—
“No way! I’m not handing Anno-kun over to you, Sis!”
Before I could speak, Shinomiya-san latched onto my arm, baring her fangs at her sister. Gone was the icy indifference—now she was like a warrior facing an archenemy.
“Huh? Why not? You and Anno-kun aren’t dating, right? Then you’ve got no say if he and I do a private shoot.”
“That’s a different matter! What’s not okay is not okay!”
“Oh, come on, you’re so selfish. Keep acting like that, and Anno-kun might get fed up with you.”
“No, it’s not like that…”
Shinomiya-san growled in frustration while her sister smirked confidently. It was like watching an adult toy with a child.
“What do you think, Anno-kun? Photographing just Yuki-chan limits your growth. You could learn so much more by shooting different people. I could even introduce you to a pro photographer I know—”
“—Don’t take him.”
Shinomiya-san’s small but clear voice cut through her sister’s words. Then—
“Don’t take Anno-kun from me. Don’t take anything else… anything precious from me anymore!”
Her voice broke with tears as she shouted. The raw anguish in her plea left me stunned. What had happened between them? As if in answer, her sister’s brows furrowed, her face twisting into a pained, apologetic grimace.
“Get out… Get out of my room right now!”
“…Okay. I understand.”
“Sorry, Rinoa,” her sister murmured, turning away and quietly leaving the room. Her retreating figure looked so small. The air grew heavy.
Shinomiya-san clung to my arm, her body still trembling faintly. I didn’t know what to do—my helplessness gnawed at me.
After a while, the front door clicked open and shut again, leaving the vast house to just the two of us once more.
“Sorry, Anno-kun. I ruined our photoshoot.”
Regaining her composure now that no one else was around, Shinomiya-san let out a long breath and forced a wry smile.
“Well, some days just don’t go as planned. There’s still time—want to keep going?”
I tried to sound calm, asking a question I already knew the answer to. It was all I could think to say. As expected, she shook her head weakly.
“…Got it.”
With that single reply, I retrieved the camera from the closet and started packing up. I didn’t have the courage to ask about her sister.
“I’m hopeless, aren’t I? I thought wearing the same outfit as her might change me a little… but no matter how much I mimic her appearance, I’m still just me.”
“Shinomiya-san…?”
“Thank you for today, Anno-kun. Despite everything, you went along with my selfish whims four times—I’m grateful.”
“…Selfish? More like blackmail.”
“Hehe. True enough. Though, if we’re pointing fingers, it’s your fault for secretly filming me in the first place.”
She teased me with a laugh, like always, but it lacked her usual vigor. Even in our short time together, I could tell it was forced cheer. So I did my best to lighten the mood.
“What about the next shoot? Should we try an outdoor location for a change? Or maybe ask the manager to borrow a studio?”
“…No, it’s fine. You’ve taken enough photos already. Any more would just be a bother to you.”
“No, it’s not—”
It’s not a bother. I want to keep photographing you. Before I could say it, her finger gently pressed against my lips.
“You’ve got editing to do with all the photos you’ve taken, right? I’m looking forward to seeing them finished.”
“Take care on your way home,” she said with an angelic, loving smile. But as she saw me off, her face was a mix of guilt, frustration, and regret.
And from that day on, Shinomiya-san never asked me to photograph her again.
—
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