Chapter 1: The Photoshoot with the Older Sisters
June. The blissful golden week was long gone, and the grim reality of a month and a half without holidays loomed over me. As if that wasn’t enough to crush my spirit, the rainy season—the pinnacle of discomfort—had descended, plunging my life bar past zero into the negatives.
“Ha… I’m so tired,” I muttered, slumping over my desk.
“Hey, what’s with you, Takumi?” chirped Kuki Shin, my friend, with his infuriatingly high energy as he approached me before morning homeroom. “The day’s just starting, and you’re already out of steam?”
The humidity and low pressure were doing a number on me, and I was trying to salvage my mood by resting my head on the desk. “You’re extra chipper today, Shin,” I said, reluctantly lifting my heavy head. “Something good happen?”
I’d have preferred to fake sleep and ignore him, but a year of friendship taught me that ignoring Shin only made him more persistent—like a buzzing fly you can’t swat away.
“If anything, I wanna know why you’re so down,” Shin shot back. “Lemme guess—buried in photo editing hell?”
“Haha, not bad, Shin. Spot on,” I admitted.
Last month’s midterms had thrown everything off schedule. To catch up, I’d been pulling late nights, leaving me perpetually sleep-deprived.
“Same deal as last year, huh?” Shin said. “Summer Comiket’s right around the corner, and you’re churning out Yuzha’s photobook, right?”
“If I don’t hustle now, I won’t make the deadline,” I replied. “Gotta do what I can while I can.”
Comiket, the massive biannual doujinshi convention, was the world’s largest of its kind. Naturally, Yuzha-san was participating, which meant I had to produce a new photobook for her.
“With finals looming, it’s a lot to juggle,” Shin noted. “Must be nice getting one-on-one shoots with a super-popular cosplayer, but damn, you’ve got your hands full.”
“Maybe,” I said with a shrug. “But I love doing it, so it’s not a big deal.”
Sure, it wasn’t easy, but the thrill of seeing a finished book—watching it sell, doubling my joy when it sold out—was indescribable. That sense of fulfillment was worth every sleepless night.
“Anyway, what’s got you so hyped?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. It couldn’t be something as simple as summer’s arrival or the promise of summer break in a month and a half. Even Shin wasn’t that basic.
“Come on, it’s obvious!” he exclaimed. “The uniforms, man! Summer uniforms started today. You know what that means!”
“…What?” I asked, though I had a sinking feeling I already knew.
I kept quiet to spare Shin—and the other guys in the room—some dignity, but my friend clearly didn’t pick up on my tact. “Ugh, you’re hopeless,” he groaned. “Guys like you, used to seeing beauties all wet and clingy, just don’t get it. Listen, Takumi—summer uniforms mean thinner fabric, right?”
“That’s basic logic,” I said, unimpressed.
“And it’s the rainy season—humid as hell, hot as hell. You sweat, right?” he pressed, his eyes gleaming.
“Stop, Shin,” I warned. “Don’t say another word. I’m begging you.”
I knew where this was going, and it wasn’t good. But Shin, ignoring my plea like he was speaking for every guy in the class, clenched his fist and declared, “Sweaty skin, bras faintly showing through the shirt… That’s enough to get any guy’s blood pumping!”
“You idiot…” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.
It was so predictable I could only shrug and sigh. The other guys in the class nodded enthusiastically, confirming I was the odd one out.
“Shut up!” Shin snapped, undeterred. “You’re standing in paradise, Takumi! A world apart from the rest of us high school guys!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“You don’t get it?!” he practically shouted. “You’re always alone with Yuzha, that drop-dead gorgeous, busty cosplayer, snapping pics of her in swimsuits and skimpy outfits! I can’t even find words beyond ‘jealous’ and ‘unfair’!”
I gave a wry smile. Just moments ago, he’d called my workload tough, and now he was flipping the script, stomping his foot like a kid. But he wasn’t entirely wrong. Yuzha-san’s shoots often involved revealing outfits—swimsuits, lingerie, you name it—for her upcoming Comiket book or the event at the end of the month. If I mentioned that to Shin, he’d probably disown me, so I kept it to myself.
“I get you’re working hard,” Shin went on, “but staying calm with Yuzha’s boobs and ass right there? That’s gotta be rough.”
“You’re saying some pretty awful stuff, you know that?” I shot back.
“But hear me out, Takumi,” he said, undeterred. “I’ve been thinking. It’s the stuff that’s almost visible, the tease of it, that’s the ultimate fetish. Like catching a glimpse of a bra by chance—that’s when you feel alive.”
“You’re beyond saving,” I sighed.
I understood his point. The allure of the almost-seen, the spark of imagination it ignited—like the infamous “absolute territory” of a thigh-high skirt—was real. But he could’ve lowered his voice. The guys were eating it up, but the girls’ icy glares were stabbing through me by association.
“You two are as close as ever, aren’t you?” came a clear, bell-like voice, cutting into our conversation.
Shin and I didn’t need to look to know who it was. Shin barely stifled a croak of panic, his face draining of color.
“Uh, s-sorry, Takumi,” he stammered. “I just remembered something—gotta hit the bathroom. Text me when the teacher shows up, ‘kay?” With that, he bolted out of the classroom like a scared rabbit.
“Morning, Shinomiya-san,” I said, relieved. “Thanks for the save.”
“Good morning, Anno-kun,” she replied with a smile. “You look as sleepy as ever. Meanwhile, Kuki-kun’s bursting with energy, as usual.”
“That guy’s never not energetic,” I said. “It’d be creepy if he was down.”
“You could stand to borrow some of that energy,” she teased, gracefully taking her seat beside me.
Instantly, I felt the classroom’s collective glares—envy, jealousy, the works—boring into me. Shinomiya-san, with her “Princess” and “Saint” nicknames, was the epitome of beauty and charm. Everyone wanted to sit next to her, and just being in her orbit was shaving years off my mental stamina.
“Up late working again?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Yeah, pretty much,” I said. “Can’t afford to miss a deadline for the new book.”
“The event’s in August, right?” she said. “With finals coming up, you’re pushing yourself hard way ahead of schedule.”
“You’d think there’s plenty of time, but there really isn’t,” I explained.
My job didn’t end with editing photos. The real challenge was the book-making process: selecting photos, arranging layouts, consulting with Yuzha-san. Sometimes we had to reshoot or even add an extra book, which meant every minute counted.
“It’s not just about shooting,” I continued. “There’s deadlines for printing, binding, and checking for errors. The sooner we finish, the better.”
“I see,” she nodded. “Early submissions can save on printing costs, right? But last-minute jobs get pricier… though I guess that depends on Yuzha-san.”
“Exactly,” I said. “If she wants a bonus book or to turn unused photos into postcards, the workload explodes.”
“I understand,” she said. “But don’t overdo it. Burning out won’t help anyone.”
“Thanks for the concern, Shinomiya-san,” I said, smiling. Yuzha-san had been nagging me about the same thing—prioritize school, don’t shave years off my life.
“By the way,” she said, her tone shifting, “you and Kuki-kun were having quite the interesting conversation earlier. Care to explain?”
“…What are you talking about?” I said, feigning ignorance with all my might.
Her gentle smile didn’t waver, but her words were a fastball. “Don’t play dumb,” she said. “Sweaty skin being sexy, summer uniforms showing bras, the ‘absolute territory’ being the ultimate fetish—you were having a grand time, weren’t you?”
“You heard all that?” I groaned, realizing my mistake. I should’ve gagged Shin when I had the chance.
“It’s a misunderstanding!” I insisted. “I didn’t say any of that. It was all Shin!”
“I already knew the ‘almost-seen’ absolute territory was your thing,” she said, smirking, “but bras showing through shirts, too? Didn’t expect that.”
“No, stop twisting things!” I protested. “That’s Shin’s fetish, not mine!”
“Oh, my apologies,” she said, her tone dripping with mock sincerity. “I forgot—you’re the type who prefers seeing underwear directly, not just peeking through clothes.”
“Whoa, hold on!” I said, my voice rising. “How’d you jump to that?!”
I wanted to yell at her teasing, but with the whole class watching, I held back. Crossing the beloved Princess in public would make me a pariah.
“Nobody said anything about wanting to see underwear!” I muttered, exasperated.
“Well, you’ve seen me in my underwear—and worse—plenty of times,” she said nonchalantly. “A little bra peeking through wouldn’t faze you now, would it?”
Her phrasing was reckless, especially in a classroom. Sure, I’d seen her in compromising situations—half-undressed in an empty classroom, changing, in a swimsuit under a shower, even in her underwear at her house. A bra showing through a shirt? Small potatoes. But still.
“There’s a better way to say that,” I grumbled.
If I said it didn’t excite me at all, I’d be lying. I wasn’t as bad as Shin or the other guys, but the idea of the school’s radiant Princess with a faintly visible bra? Yeah, it’d make my heart skip a beat.
“I’ve got an idea!” she announced suddenly. “How about our next shoot: soaked from head to toe, bra showing through, then changing clothes. Perfect, right?”
“What the hell are you suggesting?!” I said, though I couldn’t outright dismiss it. “I mean… it’s not a bad idea.”
As much as it pained me to admit, her spur-of-the-moment idea fit the rainy season perfectly.
Caught off guard by a sudden downpour, you take shelter at a classmate’s house, soaked to the bone. Water drips from your hair, your eyes carry a hint of melancholy, and your wet uniform clings to your body, revealing your bra. Your classmate hands you a towel, pointing it out, and you blush shyly—
“…You’re such a perv, Anno-kun.”
You pout, and I quickly look away.
It wasn’t just good—it was a flawless scenario. Just imagining Shinomiya-san’s mix of allure and cuteness made me dizzy. If we pulled it off, the photos would be phenomenal.
“Fufu,” she giggled. “I knew you’d like it. No guarantee it’ll rain, but how about this weekend?”
Her enthusiasm made me chuckle, but it was way too sudden. “As much as I appreciate your excitement, Shinomiya-san,” I said, “I’ve got plans this weekend. Next week’s free, though.”
“…I see,” she said, her shoulders visibly slumping. “If you’ve got a prior commitment, I can’t argue.”
Her obvious disappointment stung, even though I hadn’t meant to upset her. That sad look made my chest ache with guilt.
“Is it… a shoot with Yuzha-san?” she asked hesitantly.
“Something like that,” I said vaguely.
Shin and now Shinomiya-san—everyone was on point today. But her guess was only half-right. Yes, I was shooting with Yuzha-san, but the other half? Her sister, Alice-san, a professional model, was joining us.
Shinomiya-san’s feelings toward Alice-san were complicated. She admired her, buying every magazine Alice-san appeared in and even wearing the same clothes, but guilt from harsh words exchanged when Alice-san left home kept her from being honest. If I told her Alice-san was part of this weekend’s shoot, I had no idea how she’d react.
“I can’t exactly ask you to ditch Yuzha-san to shoot me in a wet uniform,” she said, pouting slightly.
“Could you not give me that look?” I pleaded.
Her sulky expression and the thought of her in a soaked uniform were, admittedly, a little tempting.
“Next week, then,” she said, brightening. “Your place, right? Afternoon?”
“Sounds good,” I agreed. “After lunch?”
“Morning’s fine, too,” she said. “I could even wake you up if you’re being a sleepyhead.”
“I’ll pass, thanks,” I said firmly.
Getting woken up by Shinomiya-san sounded like a dream, and the old me would’ve jumped at the chance. But now I knew better. This Princess wouldn’t just gently wake me—she’d probably do something to rattle me. Beneath her pure exterior, she loved teasing people.
“I was looking forward to some ASMR in your ear,” she said, feigning disappointment.
“ASMR?” I said, surprised she knew the term—Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, apparently. “Wouldn’t that be better before bed? You know, for relaxation?”
“Oh, so you want me to sleep over instead of waking you up?” she said, twisting my words.
“How do you even get there?!” I exclaimed. That wasn’t misinterpretation—it was straight-up fantasy.
“Sharing a bed with me… You’re bolder than you look, Anno-kun,” she teased. “Even I’m shocked.”
“I’m shocked at your imagination,” I shot back.
“Honestly, you perv,” she said, smirking. “But if you insist—”
“Gooood morning, everyone!” bellowed our homeroom teacher, Sakurazawa Miko-sensei, bursting in with her signature over-the-top energy. “You feeling down ‘cause of the weather? Got a headache from the low pressure? No excuses! When you’re an adult, you gotta go to work even if you’re crying from unfair treatment or hungover from drowning your sorrows after a gacha disaster!”
Her painfully specific examples hit too close to home—yesterday’s events, no doubt. I could practically hear the class’s collective thoughts aligning with mine and Shinomiya-san’s.
“Enough about me!” Miko-sensei declared. “I’m mad this morning, and why’s that, Anno-kun?”
“Me?” I said, caught off guard. “Uh… you got chewed out by the head teacher for being late?”
“What?!” she gasped. “How’d you know I was late?! Were you spying on me getting scolded in the staff room?!”
“Impressive, Anno-kun,” Shinomiya-sam murmured beside me. “You nailed it.”
“I didn’t expect to actually be right,” I muttered back, equally stunned.
“Ahem!” Miko-sensei coughed. “We’re not talking about my screw-up! I’m mad because you, Anno-kun, forgot you’re on class duty today!”
“Oh, crap,” I said, wincing. Between the effort of dragging myself to school and Shin’s nonsense, I’d completely spaced on my duties.
“Honestly!” she huffed. “I’ll let it slide today, but forget again, and you’re in big trouble! Don’t let it happen!”
“Thank you, Sensei,” I said, hurrying to the front to grab the class log. If she’d made me stay late to fill it out like in spring, I’d have been in tears.
“Alright, let’s get homeroom started!” she announced.
“You forgot again, didn’t you?” Shinomiya-san whispered.
“Your weird suggestions distracted me,” I shot back.
“I was just trying to cheer you up,” she said, fake-sniffling. “That’s so mean. I might cry.”
“Stop with the crocodile tears,” I said, rolling my eyes at her exaggerated act. “I’ll take the sentiment, thanks.”
“No way,” she said, pouting. “That’s not enough. As punishment, give me your spare key. I’ll come wake you up next week.”
“Absolutely not,” I said firmly. “Please don’t come over.”
Why so adamant? Because if I gave her a key and let her wake me once, I’d probably start wanting it every morning. Worse, I might not want her to leave. “Pretty stubborn, huh?” she said, smirking. “But I’ll make you say yes. Be ready.”
“Take it easy on me,” I muttered, shaking off the ominous feeling and turning my attention to Miko-sensei’s homeroom.
The pressure from Shinomiya-san seemed to grow heavier by the day, threatening to crush me, but somehow I survived until the weekend.
It was nearly ten in the morning, and today’s shoot was at a studio owned by Uezu-san, the manager of Emocion, a cosplay shop in Akihabara known for everything from ready-made costumes to custom orders. Uezu-san was something of a local legend in the scene.
“I set up a new studio, so come try it out!” he’d said, like he was pitching a new café menu. It’s free for you to use before the grand opening! Neither Yuzha-san nor I had any reason to refuse such a generous offer.
The three-story building was entirely dedicated to shooting spaces, each floor with its own unique theme, including creative setups you couldn’t find anywhere else.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Takumi,” Yuzha-san called, arriving right on time with a travel bag in hand. “You’re as punctual as ever.”
“I just got here myself,” I said.
“Fufu, such a good boy,” she teased. “Wait—where’s Alice?”
“Not here yet, as you can see,” I said. “Is she really coming? Also, please stop patting my head.”
Yuzha-san ruffled my hair like I was her little brother, her smile wide and genuine. It wasn’t bad, but the embarrassment outweighed the warmth.
“No need to be shy,” she said. “It’s been a while, so let me recharge my Takuminium.”
“Takuminium?” I said, incredulous. “Don’t make me sound like some sketchy new energy source.”
“The fastest way to absorb it is a big hug,” she said, eyes glinting. “Wanna try?”
“Absolutely not,” I said, shutting her down.
“It’s just a greeting hug,” she pouted. “Oh, back to Alice—she’s coming. She’s the one who asked to join today’s shoot.”
Apparently, Alice-san wanted to observe our session, though Yuzha-san didn’t know why.
“Alice’s whims aren’t new,” Yuzha-san said with a shrug. “No idea what’s on her mind.”
“Haha, sounds like someone else we know,” I said, thinking of Shinomiya-san’s unpredictability.
“Why the side-eye?” Yuzha-san asked, narrowing her eyes.
“No reason,” I said quickly. “Just… pouting a bit.”
She sighed dramatically, as if I were the problem. For the record, she was the one who introduced me to Alice-san at that café in spring. I hadn’t seen her since.
“Sorry I’m late!” called Alice-san, finally arriving. “Prep took longer than expected.”
“Some nerve, showing up late when you’re the one who suggested this,” Yuzha-san said, her tone sharp.
“Eek! Yuki-chan, you’re scary!” Alice-san squealed, playfully hiding behind me. “Save me, Tak-kun!”
Yuzha-san’s expression darkened further. “Don’t drag me into this,” I muttered.
“Step away from Takumi, Alice,” Yuzha-san said coolly. “I’ll forgive you if you do it now.”
“What? Are you jealous I might steal Tak-kun?” Alice-san teased, batting her eyes. “Didn’t know you were the possessive type, Yuki-chan.”
“Takumi, get over here,” Yuzha-san ordered, yanking my arm and pulling me away from Alice-san. She hugged me tightly, like a kid protecting her favorite toy. Her sweet scent sent my heart racing.
“Yuki-chan, you know possessive types get cheated on, right?” Alice-san said, smirking. “Keep that up, and Tak-kun will get fed up fast.”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Yuzha-san snapped. “Takumi’s not the cheating type, and I’m not possessive!”
I appreciated her trust in me as her exclusive photographer, but banning me from shooting anyone else? That’s textbook possessiveness.
“Really?” Alice-san said, tilting her head. “Looks pretty possessive to me. Tak-kun, you don’t like being tied down, right?”
“I mean, I don’t—” I started, but Yuzha-san cut me off.
“Don’t ask him weird questions, Alice,” she said.
“Or maybe Tak-kun’s into tying others up?” Alice-san said with a wicked grin.
Yuzha-san gasped, and I was too stunned to respond.
“Is that true, Takumi?” Yuzha-san asked, wide-eyed. “You like tying people up?”
“Tak-kun’s secretly an S, huh?” Alice-san purred. “Wanna tie me up? Or maybe some blindfold play?”
“No way, Takumi!” Yuzha-san interjected. “If you’re doing blindfold bondage, do it with me, not her!”
They say three women make a racket, but two were plenty noisy. If Shinomiya-san were here, I’d get a headache and vertigo. Ignoring their bickering, I headed into the studio alone.
“Wait, Takumi!” Yuzha-san called. “We’re not done!”
“Yeah, Tak-kun!” Alice-san added. “You gotta pick who you want for bondage play!”
“Enough!” I shouted. “Time’s not infinite! If you’re gonna waste it on nonsense, I’m leaving!”
This shoot wasn’t even necessary—Comiket photos were done, but Yuzha-san insisted on an extra book. If they were just going to toy with me—
“Kidding, Takumi!” Yuzha-san said, waving her hands. “Don’t go! Tell her, Alice!”
“Sorry, Tak-kun,” Alice-san said, wincing as Yuzha-san smacked her head. “I didn’t know you were that shy—ow! What was that for, Yuki-chan?”
“I told you to stop teasing him,” Yuzha-san said, glaring. “I let you observe because you begged, but if you’re bothering Takumi, go home.”
“Ugh, sorry,” Alice-san said, bowing her head earnestly.
I wasn’t actually mad, and her sincerity made me feel guilty. “Look, it’s fine,” I said, sighing. “I’m not angry.”
“Really?” Alice-san said, perking up. “You won’t tell Rinoa-chan?”
“Why would Shinomiya-san come up?” I said, shrugging. “I haven’t told her about today anyway.”
Alice-san’s eyes widened in surprise. Telling Shinomiya-san that Alice-san was here, especially after I’d turned down her shoot, would be a disaster, given her complex feelings toward her sister.
“Enough chit-chat!” Yuzha-san declared. “Takumi, I’m changing. Set everything up. Alice, don’t mess with him while I’m gone.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Alice-san said, mock-saluting. “I’ll be good, so take your time!”
“Takumi, call me if anything happens,” Yuzha-san said, shooting Alice-san a wary glance before heading to the changing room.
“Let’s go, then,” I said to Alice-san.
“Go where?” she asked, blinking.
“The shooting area, obviously,” I said, leading her upstairs to the main set.
“…Thanks for everything, Tak-kun,” she said suddenly as I set up my camera and lighting.
“For what?” I asked, pausing to look at her.
“After we talked at the café,” she explained, “Rinoa-chan reached out to me. First time since I left home.”
“That’s great,” I said. “But I just took her picture. Nothing more.”
“Fufu, so humble,” she teased. “I tried contacting her, but she never even read my messages. You take one photo, and she calls me? What kind of magic did you use?”
“No magic,” I said, chuckling. “Just snapped a picture.”
I thought back to our shoot at Shinomiya-san’s house, the interview-style session where she opened up about her feelings for Alice-san.
“I want to be free, like my sister, at least in photos.”
“Will she forgive me? After I ignored her and said such awful things…”
Since then, Shinomiya-san had been trying to mend their relationship. I wished she’d update me a bit, but it was their business, not mine.
“By the way, Tak-kun,” Alice-san said, shifting topics abruptly, “what kind of shoots do you do with Rinoa-chan?”
“…Huh?” I blinked, caught off guard.
“Well, unlike Yuki-chan, Rinoa-chan’s not a cosplayer, right?” she continued. “And she’s not a model like me, either… So I’m curious—what kind of photos do you take with her?”
“Oh… yeah, I guess that’s a fair question,” I said, stalling.
My mind raced back to my shoots with Shinomiya-san. I could confidently say there was nothing shady going on, but the specifics? They were a minefield of potential misunderstandings, and I wasn’t eager to share.
“Oh, right!” Alice-san exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. “When I stopped by the house the other day, Rinoa-chan was wearing an outfit I’d modeled for a magazine! Is that the kind of thing you usually do?”
Her question was pure curiosity, without a hint of malice. But how was I supposed to answer? The outfit she mentioned might’ve been the most revealing one Shinomiya-san had worn, and it was definitely a departure from her usual “Princess” image. But it was still just clothes, nothing more.
The real issue was the other stuff: capturing her as she slipped out of her uniform with an intense gaze, photographing her in a competitive swimsuit under a shower, or shooting her at her house in a baby-doll dress with a choker, embodying liberation from repression—complete with a video to capture her sultry, feverish expressions. The blend of her pristine innocence and captivating allure was breathtakingly beautiful. No way I could tell Alice-san any of that. Not in a million years.
“…Just normal photos,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “Like the kind you do for work, Alice-san.”
“Hmm, is that so?” she said, her voice tinged with suspicion.
I tried to stay calm, hoping she wouldn’t notice my unease, but Alice-san’s eyes narrowed as if she’d sensed something. Suddenly, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me from behind in a tight hug. Her citrusy scent—a sharp contrast to Shinomiya-san’s sweet, honey-like fragrance—hit me, and I could feel the softness of her ample curves pressing against my back, even through her clothes. Slightly larger than Shinomiya-san’s, but less firm—wait, what the hell was I thinking!?
“A-Alice-san!?” I yelped. “What’s with the sudden attack!?”
“Hey, Tak-kun,” she whispered seductively, her breath hot against my ear, sending a jolt down my spine and freezing me in place. “Why don’t you show me the kind of Rinoa-chan you’ve been photographing?”
“If they’re just normal photos, you can show me, right?” she teased, her voice dripping with allure. “Unless… you’re taking pictures of Rinoa-chan that you can’t show me?”
She leaned closer, her face inches from mine, pressing herself even tighter against me. My hands froze mid-task, and I took a deep breath to steady my racing heart.
“You’d have to get Shinomiya-san’s permission for that,” I managed to say, wriggling slightly in a feeble attempt at resistance. “I can’t just show them on my own.”
“That’s way too high a bar!” Alice-san whined. “Rinoa-chan would never agree to that! Come on, Tak-kun, just a peek! I promise I won’t tell her!”
She shook me vigorously, practically climbing onto my back. I sighed, thinking to myself, You’re asking the wrong person.
“If you show me, I’ll let you photograph me however you want!” she pleaded. “I’ll even wear something a bit naughty that Yuki-chan wouldn’t touch! Please, it’s the request of a lifetime!”
“—Alice, you shouldn’t listen to her ‘request of a lifetime,’ Takumi,” came a voice, cutting through the chaos.
Our savior had arrived. We both turned to see Yuzha-san, now changed into casual loungewear perfect for the shoot’s “home date” theme, standing there with an exasperated look.
“…Yuki-chan, is that your own outfit?” Alice-san asked, tilting her head.
“Yeah,” Yuzha-san replied, puzzled. “Just my usual loungewear. Why?”
She was wearing a camisole topped with a fluffy, oversized fur jacket. The outfit was fine, but her shapely, alluring bare legs were boldly on display. She was wearing shorts, right? If it was just underwear, that’d be way too much.
“No reason,” Alice-san said with a grin. “It’s just my first time seeing you in loungewear, and it’s kinda sexy! And cute! Tak-kun, you holding up okay?”
“…Just to clarify,” I said cautiously, “what do you mean by ‘holding up’?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” Alice-san said, rolling her eyes. “I’m asking if you’re getting all hot and bothered seeing Yuki-chan looking all sexy-cute in her loungewear!”
I sighed, unsurprised by her bluntness. “Getting ‘hot and bothered’?” I said. “I’m here as a photographer, not some horny teenager. It’s a bit rude to assume I’d be drooling over her.”
“Fufu, don’t worry, Alice,” Yuzha-san said with a wink. “Takumi’s not that kind of guy. Though sometimes it makes me wonder if I’m not attractive enough.”
“I keep work and personal feelings separate,” I said, exhaling. “If I got worked up over every shoot, I wouldn’t get any work done.”
Yuzha-san’s playful wink was met with my exasperated response. My mom had drilled into me since forever: “Keep your relationship with your subject professional. Only cross that line when you’re ready to commit. Got it?” It was as sacred to me as my dad’s mantra of capturing fleeting beauty forever. Though, admittedly, Shinomiya-san was starting to test that resolve.
“Wow, Tak-kun, that’s so cool!” Alice-san said, clapping her hands. “Like a real pro!”
Gone was the poised older sister vibe I’d first gotten from her. Despite being close in age to Yuzha-san, there was a childlike energy to her that I wasn’t imagining.
“Thanks,” I said, chuckling. “And I think it’s cute how you call Shinomiya-san ‘Rinoa-chan,’ Alice-san.”
“H-Huh!?” Alice-san squeaked, her face turning bright red.
She’d called her sister “Rinoa” when we first met and at the café, but today it was consistently “Rinoa-chan.” Maybe a remnant of their past, but it was heartwarming to see her affection for her sister. Now if only she’d say it to her face.
“Alright, enough chatter!” Yuzha-san said, puffing out her cheeks in a mock pout, her voice tinged with irritation. “Takumi, you ready?”
“Yup, good to go,” I said, quickly double-checking my setup.
“Good,” she said, nodding. “I was worried you were too busy fawning over Alice.”
She strode into the set and plopped onto the pristine white bed, perfectly suited for the “home date” theme.
“Wow…” Alice-san murmured, staring at Yuzha-san. “Just sitting there, Yuki-chan’s got this incredible aura, Tak-kun.”
“That’s the Yuzha-san who captivates everyone,” I said. “Didn’t you know?”
Alice-san, who’d known Yuzha-san longer and even introduced her to cosplay, should’ve been well aware.
“I mean, I’ve seen your photos of her,” Alice-san said. “But the Yuki-chan I know is still this shy, introverted girl. It’s hard to reconcile.”
“Yeah, she’s got that side, too,” I agreed.
It was hard to believe, but Yuzha-san was a different person around strangers versus friends. Calling her socially awkward wasn’t entirely wrong.
“…Takumi?” Yuzha-san said, crossing her legs and puffing her cheeks again. “What’re you doing?”
“Sorry!” I said, snapping to attention. “Let’s get started!”
Her sulky expression was cute, but for a “date” vibe, I wanted her smiling. “I’ll take a few test shots first,” I said, raising the camera. “Here we go. Three, two, one—”
Click. The shutter sounded, and the shoot with Yuzha-san finally began.
The lead-up to the shoot had been chaotic, but once I started snapping photos, everything flowed smoothly. It wasn’t just Yuzha-san—Shinomiya-san was the same. The moment the camera turned on them, their posture, expressions, and even subtle gestures shifted, like a switch had been flipped. That transformation was what I loved most about this world, what made me glad I’d gotten into it.
“…Yuki-chan, can I ask you something?” Alice-san said hesitantly, an hour into the shoot as I reviewed photos and Yuzha-san took a break.
“Sure, what’s up?” Yuzha-san replied.
“Is it always like this when Tak-kun shoots you?” Alice-san asked.
“Like what?” Yuzha-san said, glancing at me. “This is just how Takumi and I work. Why?”
I nodded in agreement, and Alice-san let out an awed, “Wow… It’s like you two are in perfect sync. Yuki-chan poses exactly when Tak-kun wants to shoot, and Tak-kun nails the shots without even saying anything. It’s uncanny!”
“We’ve done this a lot,” I said. “I can tell when she wants a shot taken.”
“Fufu, we’re pretty in tune,” Yuzha-san added with a smile. “Though that’s not the only reason. Curious? Why don’t you let Takumi shoot you, Alice?”
“What!?” Alice-san gasped. “Is that okay? Won’t it be, like, NTR?”
“Like some ero doujin?” she added, prompting Yuzha-san and me to sigh and shrug in unison.
“Why does it always go there with you?” Yuzha-san said. “Wasn’t your whole reason for coming today to get photographed by Takumi?”
“Haha, caught me,” Alice-san said, laughing sheepishly.
“Your motives are transparent,” Yuzha-san said, letting out a heavy sigh.
I was stunned she’d allowed Alice-san to join, knowing how she got—pouting like a pufferfish and tearing up whenever I even mentioned shooting another cosplayer.
“Fine,” Yuzha-san said reluctantly. “I’ll allow it just for today. I really don’t want to, but I will.”
“You don’t have to say it twice!” Alice-san teased. “Don’t worry, I won’t steal Tak-kun from you.”
Yuzha-san narrowed her eyes, glaring at Alice-san with palpable skepticism. If she hated me shooting anyone else that much, why agree to this?
“But, uh, what about clothes?” Alice-san asked. “Is this okay?”
“Ugh, fine,” Yuzha-san said. “I’ll lend you something I brought.”
“Really!?” Alice-san squealed. “Thanks, Yuki-chan!”
“Why didn’t you bring your own clothes if you wanted to be photographed?” Yuzha-san said, exasperated. “I told you the theme.”
“I didn’t think you’d actually say yes!” Alice-san admitted. “Oh, why don’t we do a joint shoot? Let’s do a collab!”
“Fine, whatever,” Yuzha-san said, sighing for the third time. “Let’s go change.”
She grabbed the giddy, bouncing Alice-san’s hand and dragged her to the changing room. I would’ve just watched them go, but Yuzha-san’s last word stopped me cold.
“Wait, hold on,” I said. “Yuzha-san, are you serious?”
“About what?” she asked, feigning ignorance.
“Don’t play dumb,” I said. “You said a collab shoot. You’ve never done a collab with anyone!”
Our shoots were always one-on-one. I’d never done a group shoot with other cosplayers, let alone with Yuzha-san. To think it’d happen like this?
“I said it, yeah,” she said. “What’s the big deal? If you don’t want to, we won’t—”
“I’ll do it!” I interrupted, practically leaping. “Please let me! No take-backs, okay? I won’t accept it!”
“Fufu, calm down,” Yuzha-san said, chuckling at my eagerness. “I wouldn’t lie to you. Have I ever?”
I blushed, realizing how overeager I’d been, but a collab with Yuzha-san was a rare opportunity.
“Yuki-chan’s like Tak-kun’s big sister,” Alice-san said, grinning. “We’ve known each other since college, but I didn’t know you had a brother-complex!”
“Who’s got a brother-complex!?” Yuzha-san snapped. “I’m just looking out for Takumi—Enough! We’re done here! Takumi, wait for us. Alice, let’s go!”
She dragged Alice-san to the changing room, their voices echoing.
“Hey, Alice! Where do you think you’re touching!?”
“Yuki-chan, your body’s so soft! And you smell so good… I’m jealous of Tak-kun getting to enjoy this.”
After about thirty minutes—faster than I’d expected, given makeup and all—I was stunned by what I saw next.
“How’s it look, Tak-kun?” Alice-san asked, fidgeting shyly. “Do I pull it off?”
Her usual boldness was gone, replaced by an embarrassed flush. Her loungewear look left me speechless.
“C-Come on, say something!” she pleaded, her eyes tearing up. “Is it bad!?”
“N-No!” I stammered, looking away. “It’s not bad at all. The opposite, actually.”
She’d taken my silence as rejection, and I scrambled to explain. Her outfit—a sheer white camisole dress—was simple yet stunning, accentuating her healthy, curvaceous figure with delicate lace. Her ample curves rivaled Shinomiya-san’s, with a professional model’s poise that screamed confidence.
“The opposite?” she said, lighting up. “You mean it looks good? Cute!?”
“Don’t make me say it,” I muttered. “And you’re too close. Back off, please.”
“What? This is just normal skinship!” she said, inching closer. “Unless… being this close is a problem for you?”
She pressed herself against me, the warmth and softness through the thin fabric sending my brain into overdrive. But I held firm, thanks to Shinomiya-san’s relentless teasing toughening me up. The other reason?
“…Alice, what are you doing?” came a cheerful yet chilling voice from behind.
Alice-san flinched, turning stiffly like a wind-up toy. There stood Yuzha-san, hands clasped, smiling brightly.
“Uh… sibling bonding?” Alice-san said weakly.
Yuzha-san placed a hand on her shoulder, her smile unwavering. “Bonding time’s over, Alice. You’re making Takumi uncomfortable, so let go.”
“Is he, though?” Alice-san said, doubling down. “I don’t think he minds. Assuming he’s bothered isn’t fair, right?”
She wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me tightly. A silent scream escaped me as Yuzha-san’s temple visibly twitched.
“I’m jealous—I mean, let go of Takumi now, Alice!” Yuzha-san snapped. “And Takumi, resist a little! You always dodge when I try to hug you. This is unfair! Let me hug you, too!”
She stomped her foot, fuming. It wasn’t about preferring Alice-san—I’d just been caught off guard.
“Sorry, Yuki-chan,” Alice-san said, stepping back with a pitying look. “Let’s start shooting, Tak-kun.”
“Don’t look at me like that!” Yuzha-san said, grabbing my collar and shaking me. “You prefer Alice over me, don’t you!?”
“It’s not that I don’t like you!” I said, flustered. “It’s just… embarrassing.”
“So I can hug you, too!?” Yuzha-san said, eyes sparkling. “I can, right!?”
“How does that follow!?” I said. “No way!”
I wished she’d consider a teenage boy’s fragile heart. Any guy would be thrilled to be close to a beauty like Yuzha-san, but actually letting it happen? It’d obliterate my self-control and spark a possessive streak I didn’t want to unleash.
“Look, Yuzha-san, let go,” I said firmly. “We’re restarting the shoot.”
I pried her off, steeling myself. Capturing her through my lens was enough.
“Ugh, you’re so mean, Takumi!” Yuzha-san pouted, glaring. Her childish side, contrasting her usual cool demeanor, was unfairly adorable.
“Kufufu,” Alice-san laughed, clinging to my arm. “I told you, Yuki-chan. Wanting to monopolize Tak-kun is understandable, but overdo it, and he’ll get fed up.”
She pulled me toward the bed, but I gently shook her off, sensing a future where I’d be pinned down. She didn’t take offense, instead skipping happily to the bed.
“Before the collab with Yuki-chan, how about a solo shoot?” she suggested. “Theme: ‘Date night with my girlfriend—sweet evening edition.’”
“…Got it,” I said. “Let’s do it.”
Her idea seemed to be a cozy moment after a fun day, post-bath and ready for bed. I dimmed the set’s lighting to set the mood.
“Fufu, nice work, Tak-kun,” Alice-san said, grinning. “You get it.”
“Thanks,” I said. “Let’s start.”
Thus began my impromptu shoot with Alice-san. She moved freely on the bed, exuding both cuteness and allure. Her expressions—coy glances, shy smiles, bold looks—shifted with every click, showcasing her pro-model prowess. While Yuzha-san was the “serene, seductive girlfriend,” cool and composed, Alice-san was the opposite: the “lively, cheerful girlfriend,” bursting with energy and charm. The contrast was like the moon and sun, a new type for me, and my excitement soared. For the record, Shinomiya-san leaned closer to Yuzha-san’s vibe.
“Impressive, Alice,” Yuzha-san said. “You’re used to being photographed.”
“Hehe, thanks, Yuki-chan!” Alice-san replied. “But Tak-kun’s shooting makes it so easy.”
Her praise, coming from someone who worked with pros, warmed my heart. I didn’t need to direct her—she naturally struck the poses she wanted, unlike with Yuzha-san, where I gave more input. My instinct told me letting Alice-san do her thing would yield better shots, a feeling oddly similar to shooting Shinomiya-san. I wondered how she’d react if I told her that.
“Hey, Yuki-chan!” Alice-san said, bouncing on the bed. “Let’s do the collab now!”
“Fine, fine,” Yuzha-san said, chuckling like an indulgent older sister. She joined Alice-san on the bed.
“That’s rare,” I said, surprised. “You’re being awfully cooperative.”
“I know resisting her is pointless,” Yuzha-san said, shrugging. “Takumi, can you keep going a bit longer?”
“No problem,” I said. “It’s not tiring—it’s actually really fun.”
Shooting anyone other than Yuzha-san was rare, and a pro model like Alice-san? A once-in-a-lifetime chance. Plus, my first collab shoot had my adrenaline pumping.
“Yuki-chan, don’t you think Tak-kun’s nicer to me?” Alice-san teased. “Can’t he share some of that love?”
“You’re flirting with him, that’s why,” Yuzha-san said firmly. “As long as I’m around, I won’t let you pull anything weird with Takumi.”
Her protective stance was touching, though her earlier tearful plea to hug me undermined her authority.
“Watch out, Tak-kun,” Alice-san said. “The one who hunts mummies often becomes one.”
“Who’s becoming a mummy!?” Yuzha-san snapped. “Don’t get cocky, Alice!”
“Yuzha-san, calm down,” I said. “You’re gonna mess up your outfit.”
Yuzha-san tackled Alice-san, their skimpy outfits already pushing boundaries. A tussle like that was begging for a wardrobe malfunction. My rationality hadn’t completely vanished, but I snapped a few shots anyway.
“Takumi, don’t shoot this!” Yuzha-san yelped.
“Then behave,” I said, clicking away.
Pasha, pasha. The two beauties bickering like playful cats made for perfect shots. This’d blow up on SNS.
“Okay, I’ll behave!” Yuzha-san said. “Just stop shooting!”
“I think we should keep going,” Alice-san said mischievously. “Let Tak-kun decide, Yuki-chan.”
“Alice, where are you—nngh!” Yuzha-san gasped.
In a swift move, Alice-san flipped their positions, pinning Yuzha-san down and placing a hand on her curves.
“I touched you a bit while changing,” Alice-san said, smirking, “but your body’s so soft and smooth, Yuki-chan.”
“S-Stop it, Alice!” Yuzha-san said, squirming. “Not in front of Takumi—ah!”
“I’m jealous of the guy who gets to enjoy this,” Alice-san teased. “Am I not good enough?”
“What are you saying!?” Yuzha-san protested. “We’re not like that!”
Alice-san’s delicate hands glided over Yuzha-san’s body—her chest, her slender waist, down to her navel. Yuzha-san flinched with each touch, her face flushed, her breathing heavy. I’d never seen her so alluring, and I forgot how to breathe, snapping photos in a trance.
“Fufu, you’re so cute right now, Yuki-chan,” Alice-san said. “Let’s show Tak-kun lots of you.”
“No… don’t shoot, Takumi,” Yuzha-san pleaded, turning her face away. “It’s embarrassing…”
She tried to cover herself, but Alice-san held her wrists firmly. Seeing the cool, composed Yuzha-san blush and writhe in shame and faint pleasure felt like peeking into a forbidden box. Should I share this with the world? My hands didn’t stop.
“Let’s show Tak-kun a whole new Yuzha Yuki,” Alice-san said. “Don’t worry, I’ll help.”
“Takumi, help me…” Yuzha-san begged, teary-eyed. “I’ll do anything…”
“So good, Yuki-chan!” Alice-san said, her excitement peaking.
Yuzha-san’s desperate plea and Alice-san’s gleeful reaction didn’t need explaining. My camera kept rolling—that said enough.
Despite the chaos, the collab shoot with Yuzha-san and Alice-san wrapped up successfully. We moved from the bed to a sofa, and when they shed their outer layers, revealing bold lingerie, I nearly had a heart attack.
“Yuzha-san can make those faces, huh…” I muttered to myself, thinking of the absent beauty.
I’d always found her captivating, but today added a seductive edge. The same went for Alice-san—her playful, carefree demeanor giving way to shy vulnerability was moving. Capturing their gazes and exclusive expressions gave me a sense of triumph. But I couldn’t help wondering what it’d be like if Shinomiya-san were here.
“Tak-kun, great job!” Alice-san called, bounding back from changing and leaping onto my back. The soft pressure against my head sparked stray thoughts, but a deep breath cleared them.
“Your skinship’s a bit much, Alice-san,” I said. “Yuzha-san’s gonna get mad again.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine!” she said. “Yuki-chan’s busy reflecting and squirming in the changing room. More importantly, show me the photos!”
“I’m not responsible for what happens,” I said, handing her the camera. “They came out great, though.”
She’d ignore me anyway, so I let her see the fresh shots. Her face on the screen was youthful and cute yet maturely alluring, especially when interacting with Yuzha-san. She’s a lot like her sister, I thought, chuckling inwardly.
“…Hey, Tak-kun,” Alice-san said suddenly. “You were thinking about Rinoa just now, weren’t you?”
“…No, I wasn’t,” I said, hoping my face didn’t betray me.
“Liar!” she said. “It’s written all over your face! So, who’s cuter, me or Rinoa? Who’s your type!?”
“Why does it always come to that?” I said, exasperated. “I’m not answering.”
“You’re so mean, Tak-kun!” she said, clinging tighter. “I’m not letting go till you do!”
Her arms wrapped around my neck, pressing herself closer. My body temperature spiked.
“A-li-ce?” came Yuzha-san’s voice, icy and deliberate. She’d returned and peeled Alice-san off me. “What are you doing?”
I sighed in relief, but before I could relax, Yuzha-san hugged me tightly.
“I told you not to mess with Takumi,” she said. “Did you forget already?”
“It’s just a little hug!” Alice-san protested. “It’s not like it hurts anyone. But after today, I’ve been wondering… Yuki-chan, are you Tak-kun’s girlfriend or something?”
“W-What!?” Yuzha-san sputtered. “Me, Takumi’s girlfriend? What are you talking about!?”
She didn’t need to sound that much like her sister with these wild leaps. I was too stunned to even sigh.
“At first, I thought you were like his big sister,” Alice-san said. “But the way you look at him sometimes—it’s so intense, like, ‘Look at me more!’”
“N-No way!” Yuzha-san said, flustered. “Takumi and I have a perfectly professional cosplayer-photographer relationship! Nothing more, nothing less!”
“If you’re not dating, then there’s no issue with me getting close to Tak-kun, right?” Alice-san said. “Maybe I’ll even volunteer to be his girlfriend!”
Her logic was flimsy—hugging a guy like that was problem enough, and the girlfriend candidacy? Utterly baffling.
“No way,” I said firmly. “That’s nothing but trouble.”
“Your charms won’t work on Takumi, Alice,” Yuzha-san said, hugging me tighter, as if staking her claim.
“You only resist when I hug you, Tak-kun,” Alice-san said, pouting. “That’s not fair.”
“Fufu, that’s because Takumi and I have a special bond,” Yuzha-san said proudly. “You could say we’re beyond lovers—practically family—Wait, Takumi, where are you going!?”
“Family? With who?” I said, breaking free from their grips with a heavy sigh. “And you’re all way too close for comfort.”
The women around me—Shinomiya-san included—had no concept of personal space. It was a serious problem. Without my mom’s teachings, who knows where I’d be?
“Oh, I get it!” Alice-san said. “Your real crush is Rinoa-chan, right? That’s why you’re not fazed by me or Yuki-chan! Isn’t it!?”
“Is that true, Takumi?” Yuzha-san said, her tone sharp. “Are you dating Alice’s sister? You’d better give me a convincing explanation.”
“Enough with the nonsense,” I said, rubbing my temples. “I’m packing up.”
Ignoring their relentless teasing, I focused on cleaning up, desperate to escape the chaos.
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