Haru's feelings at the mont were... complicated.
He could easily decipher the signals Utaha was giving off.
And it was precisely because he could understand them that he found himself amazed.
"We only t briefly as kids. There's no way that left such a lasting impression, right? It's not like we're characters in Naruto, bound by the power of friendship."
As for delivering the umbrella, that was a trivial matter to Haru.
Since Utaha had joined the photography club, willingly helped out, and was essentially a walking, high-quality experience pack, how could he refuse her a simple favor like this?
Of course, even though Haru was a transmigrator, there was no way he could've predicted that today's rainstorm had been part of Utaha's plan all along.
Back at the photography club, she had already made her first move, subtly teasing him.
Now, taking advantage of the brief mont of shelter from the rain, she was once again flaunting her charm.
"Are you really planning to shoot a short film?" Kasumigaoka Utaha broke the silence, starting a new conversation.
Haru nodded.
"And what about all the production costs?"
"I'll take care of it. You guys just focus on practicing and improving."
"How generous of you."
She sounded like she was casually praising him, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she spoke.
The motion, combined with her natural grace and beauty, carried a subtle sensuality.
Haru glanced at her.
As if anticipating his reaction, she tilted her head slightly, eting his gaze.
Haru kept his composure. "With your learning speed, I think you'll pick this up faster than Yui. You might even end up helping train the newcors..."
"You're really quick on your feet, imdiately dragging Yui into the conversation just to shift the topic." Utaha cut him off mid-sentence.
Haru froze for a second, caught off guard.
Seeing his reaction, she couldn't help but chuckle. "If you want to look, just look openly. There's no need to hide it. Though…"
She paused deliberately, her lips curving into a playful smile. "If you keep staring for too long, it might co off as rude."
After she finished speaking, she straightened her posture, accentuating her already alluring figure.
The curves of her body were impossible to ignore.
Haru sighed, a hint of exasperation in his tone. "I wasn't trying to change the subject."
I know. But I need to pretend you were.
She thought to herself, smiling slyly.
Just as the rain was getting lighter, she changed the subject very smoothly: "Let's go, before it gets heavier again."
Haru opened his umbrella and followed her.
"Could you walk a bit faster?" she said, walking ahead, quickening her pace.
The two of them arrived at the convenience store, shaking the water off their umbrellas.
Utaha was pleased with the current atmosphere, but as she turned, she noticed that Haru looked like he was about to say sothing but hesitated.
"What's wrong?" she asked, suspicious.
Haru's expression was a little awkward. "You didn't really have to rush over like that."
"Why? What if the rain picks up again?"
Haru's expression grew even more strange. "Well, I was about to call soone to bring us over, but you kept speeding up, and I didn't even have the chance to say anything."
Utaha blinked.
No wonder he had that odd look earlier. In his eyes, I must have done sothing foolish.
The atmosphere beca a bit awkward.
But Utaha was quick to change the subject. "Is Yukinoshita-san really that talented at photography?"
Here it cos, she couldn't resist asking about Yukino.
Haru couldn't help but chuckle. "Yukino is a prodigy, you can't compare."
"A prodigy?" Utaha asked, confused.
"She learns everything incredibly fast. Ever since elentary school, she's been a multi-talented girl."
"Really?"
Utaha seed skeptical.
Haru didn't bother explaining further.
Having grown up with Yukino, he knew the weight of the "genius girl" label on her.
For others, it might just be a title.
But for Yukino, it was probably more like a buff.
When he taught her Chinese, her progress was astonishing.
When she taught him Spanish, he struggled to keep up.
No system, just raw stats.
That's what a prodigy looked like.
Utaha didn't press the issue further. She turned to study Haru's profile. "Earlier, you said you wanted to personally shoot a film, so you created the photography club for that?"
"Not entirely."
"Oh? Do tell."
Seeing her interest, Haru smiled casually. "The original purpose of creating the photography club was just to give Yukino a place to improve."
Utaha was taken aback.
He continued, "She's always wanted to catch up with , and I needed sothing to do in high school, so I created the photography club. That way, she has a place to learn from ."
"That's enough for that topic." Utaha suddenly cut in.
Haru turned to look at her, only to see her hand on her forehead, looking like she had a headache. "Is it really appropriate to keep bringing up another girl's na in front of a girl?"
I think it's perfectly fine.
Haru thought to himself.
Utaha noticed his silence, about to say sothing when a voice suddenly interrupted from behind: "Aren't you going to notice ?"
Both she and Haru jumped in surprise and turned around.
Standing near the back of the convenience store, was none other than Kato gumi.
With a calm tone, she said, "I've been waiting for you two for a long ti."
Haru: "?"
Utaha: "?"
The atmosphere fell silent for a mont.
Haru was once again reminded of Kato gumi's near-invisible presence.
Just like last ti, he had completely failed to notice her.
Yet here they were, walking toward the convenience store, completely unaware of another classmate being present behind them.
The most absurd part was that she casually said, "I've been waiting for you two for a long ti."
It was like a sudden shift to a horror movie.
"Who are you?"
Utaha asked, her eyes scanning Kato gumi and Haru back and forth.
From what Kato gumi had just said, it was clear they must have known each other.
"Hello, Kasumigaoka-senpai. I'm Kato gumi," Kato gumi greeted honestly.
Utaha imdiately asked, "Do you know Amamiya-kun?"
Kato gumi seed to remain just as honest. "We t when we were kids."
Huh?
Utaha froze in place.
So, you have a "childhood buff" too?
Haru glanced at the umbrella Kato gumi was holding. "Are you here to avoid the rain too?"
"Yeah, I saw you both enter the school, and then you walked toward and stood in front."
Kato gumi spoke with a neutral expression, as if discussing sothing as mundane as eating or drinking.
Now I get it.
Haru thought to himself, No wonder she said that funny line about waiting for us for so long.
Utaha furrowed her delicate brows, thinking, I didn't even notice soone was behind us.
If it weren't for Haru knowing Kato gumi, she'd almost wonder if she'd just encountered so urban legend.
She quickly dismissed the thought as unimportant.
Today was her carefully planned chance to avoid Yukino's watchful eyes and spend ti alone with Haru.
She certainly didn't want this mont to end so soon.
Just as Utaha was about to speak, Kato gumi suddenly said, "The rain's getting lighter. We can head back now."
Utaha was cut off, trying to interject, but Kato gumi, as if not seeing her, turned to Haru. "Amamiya-kun, you said we could call a car, right?"
"Yeah, since you're here too, we can all go together." Haru nodded.
"I'll cover the fare," Kato gumi added.
"I wasn't calling a taxi, so you don't need to pay for the fare. We're all classmates."
"Thanks."
The two exchanged words, while Utaha stood there, dumbfounded.
Why is she still talking?!
Does she ever stop?
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