Chapter 76 – Couple photo

After expressing her desired reward, Sakura could only feel her face burning unbearably hot, even her little ears seemed to be scorching.

The only one still at work, the technician, couldn't help but silently appreciate the beauty of youth.

On the other hand, Yukio was indifferent: "Is that all you want? How about a brand new digital camera instead? I remember, Sakura, your camera is quite old, isn't it?"

"Isn't this okay?" Sakura didn't comment on the condition of her camera; her words were tinged with a clearly audible disappointment.

"Of course, it's okay." For Yukio, a photo was a small matter compared to a new camera that would require personal points to purchase: "I just feel that compared to the valuable information you provided, a photo is not enough. It seems like you're getting the short end of the stick."

The information Sakura, as an undercover, provided about the leader candidate of Class D alone had earned Yukio a whopping 50 class points and even allowed him to extort a steady monthly contribution of personal points from the other three classes.

Compared to that, a photo was of significantly less value.

"It's not like that." At that moment, Sakura, for some reason, felt a surge of courage in her heart.

Words that she usually couldn't say now flowed out effortlessly, and requests that were hard to voice were now simply put forward: "The reward I want is just this."

Not a loss at all! But the courage that had risen in Sakura didn't enable her to voice this last inner thought.

After she spoke, the courage seemed to vanish suddenly, like the magic of the fairy godmother in Cinderella's story. After midnight, Cinderella's magnificent dress would turn back into plain clothes, coming quickly and leaving just as fast.

After repeating her request, Sakura began to worry again, her heart full of uncertainty. What if Yukio found her request too whimsical? What if he started disliking her because of it?

If only she had just gone along with whatever Yukio suggested. Why did she make such a request?

Could Yukio possibly notice the small, budding feelings she harbored in her heart? If he discovered them...

Sakura didn't even dare to continue imagining. If her feelings were found out, she would be mortified. Her brain overloaded again, thoughts evaporating like steam, leaving her mind blank.

"Okay, how do you want to take the photo then?" After agreeing to her request, Yukio started to discuss seriously, wondering if Sakura wanted to take a themed photo with a concept.

"Just a simple one!" Sakura couldn't contain her passion when it came to photography, setting aside her inner turmoil: "We can just use a phone, it's easy to take, no need for anything else, just standing close together is fine."

"It'd be best if it could be used as a phone screensaver, that, that…!" 

What did she just say?

Realizing that her request for a reward was a bit too intimate, Sakura began to regret it. She should have stopped after the first part of her sentence. Why did she foolishly mention the part about the phone screensaver?

Generally, using a photo of a boy and a girl as a phone screensaver implies a romantic relationship between the two, or at least hints at it, right?!

Thinking of this, Sakura's cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red, as if the spa's equipment had malfunctioned, causing all the capillaries in her face to burst.

"No problem, we'll take it after the massage." Yukio, aware of the girl's sentiments, agreed without hesitation. He didn't see any issue with it.

It's just a photo, not a direct promise to Sakura. Besides, if a single photo and a little warmth could ensure Sakura's wholehearted support as an undercover in Class D, why not? Such a cost-effective deal was hard to pass up.

Though using the photo as a screensaver could risk exposing Sakura's relationship with Yukio to her classmates in Class D, potentially leading to the failure of her undercover mission, Yukio decided to agree first. He planned to reason with her later, ensuring she would keep the photo private to avoid detection.

When Yukio mentioned "we'll take it after the massage," the technician massaging his back coughed softly.

Sakura's technician also tactfully stopped her work: "We're done with the massage. Please wait a moment while we wash our hands, and then we'll come back to help you with the head relaxation."

After the technicians left, murmuring about the youth and vitality of the younger generation, Yukio immediately got up: "Perfect timing, let's take the photo now, Sakura?"

"Just a moment, wait for me!" Sakura, flustered, quickly got dressed and cautiously opened the curtain, avoiding direct eye contact with Yukio.

Seeing Sakura in such a flustered state, Yukio found it amusing, as if he were teasing a hamster. Without saying anything, he sat down next to Sakura.

As the distance closed, Yukio could catch a faint, peach blossom-like fragrance, and his charming voice resonated near Sakura's ear: "Shall we just sit together for the photo, or do you have some creative ideas?"

"Do you have any suggestions, Yukio-kun?" Sakura grew even more nervous, feeling Yukio so close, her mind nearly blank, relying on Yukio for direction.

Yukio slightly shook his head: "Sakura, you're a web photo idol. Shouldn't you be the one calling the shots when it comes to photography?"

"Where, where would that be." Sakura, flattered by the compliment, felt her heart sweeten, and her blushing face dipped even lower. In such an atmosphere, the courage she had lost seemed to be making a timid return.

When it came to photography, Sakura indeed behaved differently than usual. She gently wrapped her arm around Yukio's right arm, half-burying her head in his shoulder, suggesting they take a photo like this to see if it worked.

Then, like an ostrich avoiding the camera, she didn't even look at the lens. Her mind wasn't entirely on the photo; she was overwhelmed by the proximity to Yukio, almost embracing him, inhaling the refreshing scent of sunlight on his clothes. Sakura felt a dizzying illusion, as if intoxicated.

How wonderful it would be to lean on Yukio like this forever?

Yukio handled the phone, set a timer, and positioned it at an appropriate distance. When the time reached 0.7 seconds, he looked at the lens, displaying a standard, polite smile.

He could only muster a courteous smile, not a genuine one, as he was distracted, trying to maintain his composure.

Why the effort? Because Sakura was too close, his arm wrapped around hers was deeply immersed in a soft paradise. After all, he was a young man in the prime of his youth; how could he not feel anything?

The resulting photo seemed to depict a girl too shy for a photo, at least too embarrassed to show her face, while the boy still took the photo, facing the camera boldly with a sunny smile. That's the impression the photo gave.

Yet, the reality was quite the opposite.

Sakura gazed fondly at the photo, finally holding the phone with both hands over her heart, chiming happily, "I will cherish this photo forever."

***

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