Do My Photos Look Good?

At ten o'clock in the morning, the students of Class 1-E finished their self-introductions under the guidance of Ms. Hasumi, becoming familiar with each other and gaining a basic understanding of their classmates' interests.

As for who they might get along well with later, that would depend on how they interact over time.

Ms. Hasumi then asked a few of the more robust boys to help bring the new semester's textbooks from the office to the classroom.

"Alright, everyone, your main tasks today are to attend the entrance ceremony, receive your textbooks, and get to know your classmates. Regular classes will start tomorrow."

"You can go home now. Classes start at 8:30 tomorrow, so don't be late just because you overslept."

After distributing the textbooks, Ms. Hasumi gave her final reminder to the students of Class 1-E and left the classroom with a smile on her face.

Once Ms. Hasumi left, the classroom became lively again. Some students arranged to go out together, some gathered to discuss topics of common interest, and some of the more introverted students quietly packed their textbooks and left the school.

"Um... Sawamura, do you have any plans later? A new cake shop opened in front of the station. I've heard that it's really good. Would you like to come with us and try it?"

A cute long-haired girl and a short-haired girl with black hair approached Eriri's desk and nervously invited her.

"You're Ishimaki and Satomi, right? Thank you for inviting me; I'd love to join you. I don't have any other important plans, but could I invite another classmate to come along too?"

With a dazzling smile, Eriri responded to the invitation from her two female classmates standing before her.

"Azusa, Azusa, Sawamura actually remembered our names... I can't believe it!"

Hearing Eriri call out her and her friend's name, Kiyo Ishimaki, the long-haired girl, excitedly grabbed the arm of Azusa Satomi, the short-haired girl, and exclaimed.

"Okay, okay, I'm also happy that Sawamura remembered my name, but you need to calm down, Kiyo; you haven't even answered her question."

Azusa Satomi looked at her friend's embarrassing behavior with a helpless expression.

With Azusa Satomi's reminder, Kiyo Ishimaki quickly came to her senses, her face instantly turning red as she looked at Eriri apologetically.

"Ah... I'm sorry, Sawamura. I got too excited and made a fool of myself... Um, of course, we don't mind at all."

"Hehe, thank you, Ishimaki."

Seeing the girl's adorable reaction, Eriri couldn't help but feel delighted.

"It's fine, it's fine. We're just glad you accepted our invitation, Sawamura. We'll go pack our things now. You can go ahead and invite your friend; the station isn't far from school, so we can walk there together."

Kiyo Ishimaki shyly waved her hands with a flushed face before quickly pulling Azusa Satomi back to their seats.

Meanwhile, from her seat behind Eriri, Megumi Kato silently watched Kiyo Ishimaki and Azusa Satomi leave, her eyes showing a hint of envy.

She let out a soft sigh, and just as she was about to get up and leave the classroom, Eriri's voice reached her ears.

"Hey, Kato, do you want to come with us?"

"Eh?"

Megumi Kato's eyes widened slightly in surprise as she looked up at Eriri, who had turned around to face her with an inexplicable smile.

"You noticed me?"

"Isn't that obvious? Such a cute girl sitting right there would be strange not to notice."

Eriri looked at Megumi Kato, who had delicate features and fair skin that seemed very smooth, with a bob cut of black hair. Her height was just right, with a well-proportioned figure. She was, in a word, adorable.

The next moment, Eriri suddenly stood up from her seat, placed her hands on Megumi's desk, and leaned forward to whisper in her ear, "Hey, how do you like my photo, Megumi-chan?"

Megumi Kato, who had been surprised but calm, turned visibly red upon hearing Eriri's words. Her composed demeanor broke, leaving her flustered.

"No... It's not like that... I didn't... Let me explain..."

Watching Megumi Kato stammering to explain something, Eriri's smile grew even brighter.

She slowly extended her right hand, forming a fist and extending her index finger, gently pressing it against Megumi's soft, moist lips, then brought her finger back to her lips.

"Shhh..."

"You... You noticed?"

Realizing that Eriri had caught her taking a photo at the school gate, Megumi Kato was instantly overwhelmed with embarrassment, unable to meet Eriri's gaze just inches away.

"Hey, Megumi-chan, why did you secretly take my picture at the school gate earlier?"

"I'm sorry, Sawamura. I shouldn't have taken your picture without permission. I really didn't mean anything by it, it's just... just..."

At this point, Megumi Kato fell silent.

"You thought no one would notice you, right?"

Looking at the silent Megumi Kato, Eriri asked in an undeniable tone.

"Yes, I've always had a very weak presence since I was young, and it's easy for people to overlook me. Even teachers often forget I'm there. I'm really sorry, Sawamura. I'll delete the photo later."

"Heh heh, you've miscalculated, Megumi-chan. You might have a weak presence in other people's eyes, but I'm no ordinary person, you know..."

Watching the dimming light in Megumi Kato's eyes, Eriri chuckled mysteriously and said something that confused Megumi.

"Megumi-chan, I'm not upset. You don't have to delete the photo. In fact, I hope you keep it. And you can call me Eriri from now on."

"Even if others easily overlook you, I'll never overlook you. That's my promise to you!"

Eriri tightly grasped Megumi Kato's right hand on the desk as she spoke.

"Okay, thank you, Eriri."

At that moment, Megumi Kato's smile bloomed like a flower.