After returning from the trip, Yukima Azuma borrowed a cara from Kato gumi and transferred the photos to his phone. He browsed through scenic shots of Hokkaido—snowy hills, cozy hot springs, vibrant shopping streets—and chose a few that featured himself in flattering angles.
Then, he sent different versions of the scenic portraits to three people: Kirisu Mafuyu, Yukinoshita Yukino, and Gotoh Hitori.
Bocchi read the ssage imdiately—her "Read" notification popped up like a reflex.
Yet, minutes passed. Still no reply.
What's she doing with the photos...? Azuma wondered, half-amused, half-concerned.
The first reply ca from Kirisu-sensei.
Mafuyu: [Hokkaido, huh? The scenery is truly beautiful.]
Azuma: [It's a pity Sensei couldn't co.]
Mafuyu: [You all went on a trip together. If Sensei had joined, wouldn't it ruin the atmosphere?]
Azuma: [Not at all. Kirisu Mafuyu is my friend.]
Mafuyu: [Really, you're such a cheeky student!]
Azuma smiled wryly. Her reaction was gentle, but... too polite. Not a word about the pictures of him.
He bet she zood in. Probably stared for a while, then pretended she hadn't. That little gap between pride and curiosity—it was so very Mafuyu.
Next ca Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yukino: [Very beautiful.]
Short. To the point. Azuma blinked.
Was she talking about the scenery—or... him?
Azuma: [Do you an Hokkaido or ?]
Yukino: [You.]
Azuma froze.
Wow.
Yukino, direct as always, knocked the air out of his chest. And lately, she'd been softer, warr—was this the ti to push his luck?
Azuma: [In return, can you show your feet?]
There was a beat of silence.
Then—
Yukino: [Picture of Yukinoshita Yukino's feet.jpg]
Azuma: [Itadakimasu.]
He zood in.
High heels, pale skin, a pencil skirt—taken in Laplace Corporation's office. Her long legs shimred like snow in morning sun.
Azuma stared for a long mont, then saved the image to a locked folder.
Elsewhere, Yukino lay face-down on her desk. Her cheeks, flushed red, radiated heat.
"Was that too much...? Is this indecent?"
She wasn't used to this—romantic vulnerability, the kind of flirtation she'd missed in her teenage years. But part of her, the part that wanted to take that step forward, was glowing.
anwhile, Azuma turned back to Bocchi's chat.
She was still typing.
Azuma: [Bocchi, are you doing sothing weird with my photos? Just don't overdo it.]
Bocchi: [No way! I an—! It's not like I don't have any desires toward Azuma-kun, but doing that kind of thing... feels kind of disrespectful.]
Bocchi: [Anyway I didn't do it but I really really like Azuma-kun!! Red Bean Paste Secret Marseille!!!]
Her reply ca in a burst of flustered passion.
Azuma couldn't stop grinning.
He decided to change the subject.
Azuma: [Do you think the scenery's beautiful?]
Bocchi: [Very beautiful, like sothing from a film.]
Azuma: [Next ti, let's go together. Just the two of us.]
Bocchi: [Huh?! You don't have to go that far for ... I'm happy just seeing the pictures.]
Azuma: [So you really didn't do anything "weird" with them?]
Bocchi: [...I didn't. But I imagined the things we've already done.]
Azuma raised an eyebrow.
Bocchi's honesty was always surprising.
Curious, he opened his photo album and found a few casual selfies taken post-shower—his hair still damp, shirt a little clingy.
He sent them.
Azuma: [It's okay, Bocchi. Feel free to use these.]
At Gotoh Hitori's house, silence.
Then, the photos appeared.
A wet-haired Azuma, droplets clinging to his collar, shirt half-transparent in the light—like a photobook cover ant to kill teenage girls.
"EHHH!? What am I supposed to say to this?!"
Bocchi stared at the screen, her whole body overheating.
Then—
Bocchi: [Itadakimasu!]
Later, Azuma closed LINE and opened his new Twitter account. He had applied for official verification the night before, and it had already gone through.
No tweets yet, but thousands of followers had already found him.
Perfect ti to stir the pot.
He typed:
[Hello, everyone! I'm Yukima Azuma, author of Saekano. Thanks for your support! Volu 2 of Seishun Kodoku Shounen drops next week!
Note: Volu 2 is a prequel set in high school—so Kujou gumi won't appear. This one focuses on the childhood friend, Kurokawa Akane.
P.S. Kujou gumi is my wife.]
Three minutes after posting, the internet exploded.
"'Kujou gumi is my wife'—WOC! Sensei, you just got here!"
"gumi not appearing?! Then why even publish it?!"
"So he took a bribe from the Akane cult, huh?"
"Lock him in the basent! Bring gumi back!"
Azuma scrolled through the chaos.
Perfect. The outrage and engagent would drive curiosity—and sales.
Just then, a voice called out.
"Azuma-san... can you help ? The zipper on the back won't go up."
Azuma turned off his phone.
gumi stood in the hallway, her back to him, wrapped in soft white. A two-piece swimsuit with delicate trim, exposing a graceful curve along her spine.
Her figure wasn't overly dramatic, but perfectly balanced.
Azuma's breath caught. gumi is my wife.
"Azuma-san?"
"Coming."
He stepped forward, gently zipped her up, his hand brushing her back.
gumi's head dipped, her ears pink.
She turned, revealing the full outfit—pure white, subtly enchanting.
"How does it look?"
"It suits you perfectly. But... are you really going out like that tomorrow?"
gumi smiled. "Of course not. This version is just for Azuma-san."
She lifted a jacket.
"Tomorrow I'll wear this over it."
Azuma swallowed.
Then, gumi stepped close—arms around his neck—and kissed him. Slow, warm, and certain.
When they broke apart, the hallway was silent—until a distant door creaked open.
gumi touched her lips, winked playfully, and disappeared into her room.
Azuma stood stunned.
Then—
"Azuma, why are you standing there like an idiot?" Eriri appeared, towel on her shoulder.
"Don't you have sothing to show ?" Azuma asked.
"Eh? Show you what?"
He chuckled, shaking his head.
"Nothing. Go to bed. We're hitting the beach tomorrow."
"Okay..." Eriri walked away, still puzzled.
Back in her room, she began packing—then froze.
Her eyes locked onto the carefully chosen swimsuit she'd left on the chair.
"NOOOO!!" she shouted internally, realization dawning.
Tomorrow was the beach. And she had nothing ready to show yet.
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