Chapter 31

Yuzu senpai is cute.

But there is a limit to how much of that cuteness I can memorize.

No matter how strong my feelings for Yuzu senpai are, their cuteness updates almost every single day.

Supply exceeding demand. An oversupply of cuteness.

My brain is about to short-circuit, overheating from the cute overload.

That is where the technological marvel comes in. Yes, photography.

People might wonder what I am going on about in this day and age, but I will forever respect whoever invented the photograph. Whoever they are.

Because it lets me preserve Yuzu senpai’s cuteness forever.

Ever since I joined the literature club, I wanted to take pictures.

But I was too scared to just ask if I could take any.

My dream of getting tons of photos of Yuzu senpai while reading is finally coming true.

“Senpai, could you scoot a little closer this way?”

“S-Seriously, even closer!?”

Now that my wish is finally coming true, I am searching for the absolute best shot.

I was waving around the smartphone camera I fished out of my pocket, hunting for the best angle to make Yuzu senpai, sitting right on my lap, look stunning.

“It’s fine. Like this… clinging to me, please.”

“Eh… R-Really!?”

Of course.

The absolute premise here is that both Yuzu senpai and I are in the frame.

If I could, I would take pictures of just Yuzu senpai, but I have to hold back for now.

“Yep. I still think a photo that screams literature club fits us best.”

“L-Literature club vibes…?”

I want to use the setting sun as a background, but it looks like it would create a backlighting issue and doesn’t really scream literature club, so this will have to do.

Hmm, holding the smartphone in my right hand and snapping a side-angle shot of both the senpai and me feels like the best way.

“Yeah. Speaking of recent literature club vibes, I think this situation is it.”

“W-Well, that’s true, but…!”

I am on a roll. I am seriously on a roll right now.

This is all thanks to the red-rimmed fashion glasses that senpai gave me as a present.

Glasses are amazing.

Just putting them on makes me feel smarter.

“W-Wait, I’m feeling a little embarrassed…”

“You’ll be fine! You’re the one who sat on me, senpai!”

“T-That is… ugh…”

“Don’t worry! I’m going to take the cutest picture of you ever, senpai!”

“S-Seriously, you’re something else…!”

Thud, thud.

Yuzu senpai gently pounded on my chest from point-blank range.

Since I am holding the smartphone in my right hand, I am naturally completely unguarded.

The impact feels about as strong as a child giving a shoulder massage.

Extremely cute.

Yuzu senpai is still straddling me, sandwiching both of my legs.

It is a secret that I am fighting for my life to keep my consciousness from wandering down to my legs every time Yuzu senpai shifts even slightly.

“Alright, senpai, I’m taking it.”

“W-Wait, I’m not mentally prepared yet!”

Despite saying that, Yuzu senpai is staring fixedly at the camera lens.

“Senpai, smile, smile.”

“W-W-What is a smile!?”

That sounded like someone who has no concept of emotions.

Yuzu senpai is completely stiff with tension.

If I don’t help her loosen up somehow, the ultimate cute shot will—ah.

“Senpai, senpai.”

“Hehehe.”

Whoa?!

The problem of that forced smile being way too cute.

No, wait, wait, that’s not it.

“Excuse me.”

“…Hehe, eh?”

Pat-pat.

Pat-pat, pat-pat.

I patted Yuzu senpai’s head with my free left hand.

“Ehehehe…”

She melted.

Yuzu senpai melted in an instant.

I’m sorry, Yuzu senpai, but I’m reaching my limit too.

Sitting face-to-face on a chair with the person you like in a nearly embracing, tightly pressed hug is absolute heaven and hell at the same time for a teenage boy.

She’s soft, warm, and smells nice; Yuzu senpai’s cute face is right in front of me, those red-rimmed glasses suit her so well, and I can’t hold back much longer, which is why I patted her head—I didn’t mean anything else by it, Yuzu senpai is the best, thank you very much.

“Well then, senpai, I’m taking it.”

Yuzu senpai and I are reflected on the smartphone screen.

There we were, standing side by side while wearing matching red-rimmed fashion glasses.

Yuzu senpai’s new facets, updating day by day.

Capturing that single fleeting moment into an irreplaceable memory.

Yet, amidst all that changing, there was one thing that never changed.

…Yeah, just as I thought.

“Ehehe…”

Click.

Yuzu senpai smiling is the cutest of all.