Makoto had no idea that Yukino was on her way over.
After renting a camera he liked, he took Utaha and Yumiko back to the park they had been to last time.
But this time, he didn't plan to shoot outside.
"Yumiko, your smile needs to be a bit gentler."
"Senpai, can you turn a bit, just leaving a profile… Yes, the expression should be cool and aloof."
The two beautiful girls cooperated with him, posing and finding the right angles.
Because Yumiko had experience from last time, she didn't overthink things this time and gave full cooperation.
Utaha was a little unnatural.
She hadn't considered taking photos to be troublesome before, but today she felt it was.
Usually, she either took close-up selfies with her phone or asked family members to take full-body shots.
It basically took only about ten seconds.
But now, she had to follow Makoto's instructions while striking various poses to satisfy him, and sometimes he was still not satisfied.
If it weren't for Makoto's intensely focused expression, she might have suspected he was deliberately causing trouble.
"We're done shooting, you can come look."
When Makoto's voice sounded, Utaha finally relaxed her body and wiped the sweat off her forehead with a handkerchief.
Yumiko was completely different—when she heard Makoto announce the end, the blonde girl immediately ran over with bright eyes, eager and graceful.
"Huh? It looks even better than the raw photos from last time? Is it really the equipment's fault?"
Yumiko was happily holding the camera.
Makoto nodded: "The equipment is an important factor. Although smartphones have improved a lot in photography, professional gear is still better."
Utaha came over to join them.
Since Yumiko was holding the camera, Utaha patiently waited without reaching for it.
But she asked curiously, "Did you take two different styles of photos for us?"
Yumiko came back to her senses: "By the way, Makoto, I've wanted to ask since last time, why do the photos you take of me always lean towards a gentler style?"
Makoto answered with one word: "Contrast."
Contrast?
While Yumiko was still puzzled, Utaha instinctively pondered, "You want to find a different feeling from Miura-san, so you intentionally demand that of her?"
"That's only part of it." Makoto smiled at both of them.
"Yumiko's usual confident beauty left a strong impression on me. I guess that's the style she usually takes photos in."
"Yes, I take photos like that myself." Yumiko nodded.
Makoto said, "That's why I specially requested you. Only then can I discover a different kind of beauty in you."
Yumiko smiled, her eyes curved: "You really know how to say nice things."
Who doesn't like hearing compliments about their beauty?
Besides, she was very satisfied with the photos Makoto took.
Before meeting him, she didn't realize she could take different-styled everyday photos that looked so good.
Oh my god, this is exactly me!
Yumiko looked at the photos on the camera, happily thinking.
Utaha then asked, "Since you want to show more styles from Miura-san, then what about me? Why did you just mention aloofness?"
Makoto smiled, "Because we don't know each other well enough yet."
Utaha was stunned.
Makoto seemed unaware: "I carefully observed your image and temperament just now.
Since we're not familiar enough, to be safe, aloof Senpai—who's usually cool and reserved—definitely presents a flawless beauty."
Utaha pressed her lips together silently.
Even though Makoto was complimenting her, she couldn't feel happy.
Instead, there was a strange discomfort from the contrast.
It was a peculiar feeling.
Normally, she shouldn't have such emotions.
But today, the three of them came to take photos, and she had solemnly told him: I'm willing to be your model.
She had never said such a formal thing to a guy before.
That raised her expectations of Makoto.
Yet Makoto clearly said: He knows Yumiko better and understands her more, so he can accurately bring out different styles in her.
But with her, it became: We're not familiar enough.
What does that mean?
In this group photo shoot, do I not deserve a name?
Utaha felt a surge of irritation.
What she didn't know was that Makoto deliberately did this.
There is an exact term for this behavior: contrast.
Anything with contrast naturally causes people to think all kinds of thoughts.
Just like some people like to compare which singer is better, or which Ultraman is stronger.
Makoto was different.
He wanted to compare the academic profiles of beautiful girls.
During this time together, his friendship with Utaha was also warming up.
Because he had information from the time loop, Utaha increasingly believed in her heart: The two of us are very compatible.
Under this expectation, Makoto suddenly said, "We don't know each other well enough."
That made Utaha uncomfortable.
She instinctively looked at the still-smiling Yumiko, her sharp eyes quickly scanning from Yumiko's face, chest, waist and hips, down to her legs.
She made a quick judgment.
Obviously, she was more outstanding!
Not out of vanity, but a serious assessment.
The only place Yumiko beat her was that exceptionally beautiful blonde hair.
That reminded her that in first year, there was a girl named Sawamura Eriri who was also blonde, and recently she seemed quite popular at school.
"Kasumigaoka Senpai, here you go."
After admiring her photos, Yumiko was in a great mood and proactively handed over the camera.
Utaha took it and immediately looked down to check.
Yumiko also leaned in curiously.
Each photo was very beautiful, but there was one Utaha especially liked.
In the photo, she followed Makoto's instructions, looking straight ahead.
The camera only captured her profile. Her beautiful eyes were deep and serene. In front of her, children playing in the park were intentionally blurred, and she was alone.
"This photo has a feeling to it." Yumiko was also attracted.
Makoto explained, "I took three photos of this scene, but only this one met my standards."
Utaha stared at the photo, lost in thought for a long moment, then softly said, "There's a sense of loneliness that doesn't fit in with the lively world."
"That's exactly why this photo is beautiful." Makoto added.
Utaha suddenly took a deep breath.
She somewhat understood what Makoto meant when he said "photography is art."
Right now, with this photo, she even felt an urge to "keep it forever."
"Thank you," she said.
Makoto replied, "I should be the one thanking you. Without you, I wouldn't be able to realize my vision."
That was a clear compliment.
Yumiko and Utaha both smiled.
But soon, Yumiko glanced at the black-stockings senpai smiling beautifully next to her.
I really don't want her to join!
No matter how you look at it, I still think senpai is annoying!
She immediately told Makoto, "Makoto, take some more photos of me, just like my usual style."
She wanted to show more of her beauty.
Currently, the number of photos she has taken with Utaha is about the same, which makes her a bit unhappy.
But Makoto said, "Is that your usual style? Then let's save that for next time."
"Next time? Why?"
"Photos in that style can be taken anytime, but the style that highlights the beautiful contrast in you isn't something you can capture every day."
"Is there such a thing? I'm right here, so can't you just take the photos however you want?"
Makoto shook his head with a serious expression: "When you start wanting to take photos in a different style, your subconscious will resist my suggestions.
Because of that, the photos won't reach the perfect effect I have in mind."
He then specifically looked at Utaha beside him: "Senpai, for you too, because I don't know you well enough yet, I think the photos taken today are still not perfect enough."
Both beautiful girls showed expressions of contemplation.
Utaha was thinking: It seems he really cares a lot about photography. Besides... I actually want to understand him better.
Yumiko Miura spoke directly: "I understand. You mean if I follow your advice, no matter what style of photos I take in the future, I'll be able to get the most perfect result?"
Makoto: "Exactly."
Then he added, "Although photography skills are important, the person is even more important."
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