Since they had already scheduled expedited repair service, the next morning, Yudao planned to execute his strategy to get closer to Sakura Airi.
His approach would be to start with her interest in photography. If he could actually become someone who takes photos with her, it would mean the girl had accepted his presence.
So, Yudao took out his phone and began calling his best "wingman."
Yudao: Kushida, are you going with Sakura to pick up the camera this afternoon?
Kushida Kikyou: Yes, since we already went yesterday, might as well finish this task.
Yudao: Can I come along? I'm actually a bit interested in photography.
Kushida Kikyou: Really?
The short-haired girl sitting at her desk immediately felt confused after seeing this reply. He hadn't mentioned any interest in photography when they went to the electronics store. Why was he suddenly interested?
Thinking of this, Kushida couldn't help but glance at the red-haired girl sitting at the back of the classroom. She was always alone, sitting silently at her desk, mostly staring blankly at her books.
Although puzzled by Yudao's sudden comment, Kushida replied quickly.
Kushida Kikyou: Sure, I'll ask Sakura.
Yudao: Great, I hope she won't find it troublesome.
After leaving her seat, Kushida Kikyou walked to Sakura Airi's desk and asked kindly, "Sakura, when we go to pick up the camera today, would it be okay if one more person joins us?"
"Huh?"
The girl looked up, and upon hearing this, she almost instinctively wanted to refuse: "Um... is it necessary to add another person?"
"It's Yudao. He says he's interested in photography, so he wants to come with us."
Originally approaching with a probing attitude, Kushida saw Sakura Airi's eyes suddenly light up after she said this, and then she answered: "It's Yudao? Then... alright."
"Sakura won't find it troublesome?"
"Hmm... no."
Sakura Airi shook her head gently. She actually wanted to chat with Yudao more, but she didn't have his contact information and didn't dare go to Class A to find him, so she could only keep this thought hidden in her heart.
Now hearing that he wanted to join them, and even mentioned an interest in photography, a sense of anticipation took root and sprouted in the girl's heart, making her quite attentive to the afternoon meeting.
"Okay, I'll tell him then."
After taking a long look at the expression on Sakura's face, Kushida returned to her seat with a smile and began typing.
Kushida Kikyou: Sakura agreed! Yudao can come with us later.
Yudao: Great, are you going right after school? I'll wait for you at the entrance of Zelkova Shopping Center.
Kushida Kikyou: That works. See you this afternoon.
After ending the chat, the short-haired girl clutched her phone, her thoughts complex.
From her perspective, this Sakura had always maintained an invisible presence in class, never talking to anyone. Neither boys nor girls could communicate well with her, so naturally, she had no friends.
But during yesterday's outing, Kushida Kikyou remembered this Sakura looking at Yudao's face at least twice of her own accord, and her attitude toward him was very peculiar.
Usually seeming unwilling to interact with anyone, now she was consenting to accompany a boy from another class?
And that scoundrel Yudao, suddenly claiming interest in photography, was it for Sakura?
The silent Kushida Kikyou squeezed the eraser on her desk, her eyes flashing with a cold light. But after thinking for a long time, she suddenly realized why she had been thinking about that guy so often lately, even caring about what he was thinking.
That fragrance in Yudao's dormitory—the short-haired girl could now confirm it was left by ichinose Honami. These two were both single, yet they often ate alone together in his dormitory?
"This guy really has a way with women..."
Kushida bit her lip. After the "fingerprint" incident that night, Yudao's immediate declaration had satisfied her. The girl could still feel that gentle emotion from him.
But the current situation made her somewhat upset. She didn't know if she was afraid of him leaking her secret, or afraid of him...
At this thought, Kushida Kikyou pressed her temples, stopping the random thoughts in her mind. She forcibly shifted her attention to previewing the next lesson. After all, the socially adept angel Kushida was also a reliable good student in academics.
On the other side, Yudao naturally didn't know about the girl's complicated thoughts. He was sitting at his desk, using his phone to search for information on basic photography.
Since he was going to use this method to open up conversation with Sakura Airi, he just needed to master some basics first. The rest could serve as material for questions.
Nearby, ichinose Honami, seeing Yudao searching for photography-related content, curiously leaned over and asked, "Is Yudao interested in photography lately?"
"A little bit."
Yudao glossed over it. He certainly couldn't tell the pink-haired girl about the cause and effect, so it was better to brush it off if possible.
"Then can Yudao take photos of me in the future?" ichinose blinked her beautiful blue eyes, looking at Yudao's face.
"Uh... I haven't even started learning yet. I'm probably far from the level where I can take photos for others."
Yudao didn't want to directly refuse, so he steered the conversation to have more room for error: "Maybe I'll just give up if I haven't learned it by then."
"How could that be? I believe Yudao learns everything quickly. I have confidence in you."
"Well, let me master some techniques first, and we'll see."
Yudao nodded and continued searching for photography knowledge on his phone. The more preparation he could do, the better.
After school in the afternoon, the young man told ichinose Honami he had something to do and left.
Since he had decided to become a master operator, Yudao planned to actively reduce his time spent with ichinose Honami from now on. At least with interests as an excuse, he wouldn't have to worry about the girl overthinking.
Arriving at the entrance of Zelkova Shopping Center, Yudao waited for a few minutes before seeing two familiar figures—one walking confidently in front, the other following behind with her head lowered.
It seems Sakura still isn't used to going out with others. I wonder if she'll ever be able to change this personality.
"Good afternoon, Yudao!" Kushida greeted the young man energetically.
"Good... afternoon... Yudao," Sakura mustered the courage to look at Yudao's face, her voice somewhat low as she greeted him.
"Good afternoon! Let's quickly head to the electronics store to retrieve Sakura's camera."
Yudao smiled, gesturing for them to set off. After walking for a few minutes, they arrived at the same electronics store from yesterday.
Remembering Sakura's encounter with the clerk yesterday, the young man gently suggested, "Sakura, why don't you stand behind me? I'll handle the communication."
"Is that okay?" Looking at the concern in his eyes, the red-haired girl felt a bit embarrassed.
"Of course. I can also take this opportunity to ask him about various cameras. I might try a basic model in the future."
"Really? Then I can recommend one to Yudao. There's one I really like..."
After hearing the young man's words, Sakura's eyes lit up, showing genuine interest.
"Sure, but let me practice with my phone first, get a feel for photography, before we talk about selecting a camera."
Seeing the girl's interested expression, Yudao nodded inwardly. Following the instructions really was efficient—this would be a good approach.
Meanwhile, Kushida, who was almost becoming a bystander, forced a smile and suggested, "Let's go then. Don't keep Sakura's camera waiting."
When they arrived at the counter again, it was indeed the same bearded male clerk who received them.
However, as soon as she saw his figure appear, Sakura Airi immediately followed Yudao's earlier reminder and stood directly behind the young man, not wanting any eye contact with the clerk.
The disgusting fear she had experienced yesterday was something she absolutely didn't want to experience again.
"Welcome."
"Oh, it's you all. Are you here to pick up the camera?"
When the man saw everyone, his eyes immediately tried to find the red-haired figure.
Unfortunately, he was met with the young man's calm face instead, startling him.
"Since it's already fixed, could you please bring the camera directly? We're in quite a hurry."
"This..."
Since Yudao was a head taller than Sakura Airi, once he blocked her with his broad frame, the clerk couldn't see the girl's face at all.
"What, isn't it fixed?" Yudao smiled, his gaze passing over the clerk's face. "Don't tell me our expedited fee was wasted?"
"In that case, I think we can file a complaint, since the points shouldn't be spent in vain."
Hearing the young man's threat, the clerk's face immediately changed. He had gone to great lengths to become a clerk here, and a complaint would be very troublesome.
"Of course... of course it's fixed. Please wait a moment."
The male clerk efficiently took out Sakura's pink camera from a cabinet behind him. He had initially wanted to hand it directly to Sakura, but seeing that the young man had no intention of moving aside, he had to hand the camera to him.
"Thanks."
After a bland response to the clerk, Yudao turned around and returned the camera to the red-haired girl in front of him, saying gently, "Sakura, please check if it's working properly now."
"Mm."
Sakura nodded seriously and began testing her camera's functions. Before bringing it in for repair, she had already removed her memory card, as there were so many important photos she absolutely couldn't let others see.
After a simple operation, seeing the screen light up again, a faint smile appeared on the girl's lips. She looked up at Yudao's eyes and said softly, "Yudao, the camera is fixed."
"That's good. Could you both wait for me for a moment? I have something to ask this clerk."
Yudao gestured for Kushida to take the girl aside, letting him have a one-on-one conversation with the clerk.
He had caught the clerk trying to peek at Sakura Airi again, and combined with the strange attitude displayed yesterday, Yudao had many questions in mind and wanted to probe a bit.