Yumiko happily squinted her eyes.
Soon she thought of something and hesitated a little:
"If that's the case, then if I want to take the perfect photo you envision in the future, does that mean I have to completely follow your requests?"
"It's not a request, it's a suggestion," Makoto corrected.
Then he gazed into Yumiko's beautiful eyes and gently said, "So, are you willing?"
Thump thump!
Yumiko suddenly felt her heart race.
Even though I know you take photography seriously, don't suddenly make such a formal invitation!
The girl awkwardly avoided his gaze, slightly turning her body, her cheeks blushing:
"I actually prefer choosing my own styles, but you're the professional, and you've put it that way…"
"Then I'll listen to you from now on."
She said this with a bright smile.
A very beautiful smile.
At that moment, she didn't even realize that the trust she was developing toward Makoto went far beyond just photography.
[Congratulations, host, mission complete.]
[Mission reward: Miura Yumiko's Queen Aura (can be freely turned on or off): When you activate this aura, people around you are more easily influenced by you.
However, because Yumiko's image among classmates varies, the aura will also grant random positive buffs to people nearby.]
[Note: This aura will not cause negative buffs but may cause strange buffs.]
Before Makoto could rejoice at completing the mission, the system's mechanical voice sounded again.
[To fully support the host, the system grants you a free item.]
An unexpected surprise?
Makoto's spirits lifted.
Deep blue, let me see your limit!
[As an old-timer, your energy declines significantly with age. Without sufficient energy, how can you keep improving?]
[Powerful Red Bull (consumable): This item keeps you energized all day. You can freely share it with others. After use, a new can will automatically appear every day at midnight.]
Nice.
That was Makoto's first thought.
With this, he could literally "train to death or keep training."
And not only could he use it during the time loop, but also in reality.
"Thank you, system," Makoto thought gratefully.
[You're welcome, host. We will improve together. My internship depends entirely on you.]
After taking photos, Utaha still had her own things to do, so she took the initiative to leave.
As she left, Yumiko's smile immediately grew brighter.
She didn't even bother pretending anymore.
Makoto noticed and found it amusing.
"I'm going home at noon, and since we have some time now, shall we find a place to sit?" Yumiko straightforwardly invited.
"Sure."
The two found a fairly busy dessert shop and sat down. The intricately made promotional sign on the counter caught Makoto's attention.
The sign said: Collaboration with Mr. Panda Pan.
This was a trap for Yukino, Makoto thought.
Since he had already had a drink earlier, he didn't order anything now and just watched Yumiko chat with the waitress.
After the waitress left, Yumiko quickly glanced over: "Makoto, are you close with Kasumigaoka-senpai?"
Her eyes showed obvious nervousness as she asked.
Makoto asked back: "Didn't you hear everything?"
"Hear what... oh, I almost forgot."
Yumiko felt a little embarrassed.
She was right there before and heard Makoto say he still wasn't close enough with Utaha.
Despite the embarrassment, her mood was better now.
"You have club activities this afternoon, right? I'll be there too."
"Welcome."
They talked about daily trivial matters.
As they chatted, Yumiko discovered a very attractive quality in Makoto.
He seemed to know everything!
Whether it was casual talk about tennis or other topics, he spoke confidently.
This composed yet emotionally attentive image was extremely attractive to a girl her age.
She also noticed quite a few girls stealing glances at them in the shop.
Especially the group of high school girls at the next table in uniform, their excited expressions made her frown.
Because they were so close, she overheard fragments of their conversation:
"Those two don't look like a couple,"
"Go for it, take that handsome guy,"
"You're a Shibuya gal, no problem at all."
"Don't mind such things," Makoto's voice suddenly sounded.
Yumiko was startled: "You heard that too?"
"Their voices weren't quiet. Of course, I heard," Makoto said casually. "You're so popular at school, you must run into this often, right?"
Yumiko held her head high: "Of course, but I handle it well."
Handle it well?
That version sounded different from what I overheard.
Makoto had heard about Yumiko's image among classmates:
She doesn't get the atmosphere, always centers on herself, lacks social skills.
Of course, these comments came from classmates who didn't have a good impression of Yumiko.
Most classmates still admired and feared her.
"Their words really irritate me," Yumiko frowned, muttering softly.
Makoto knew she meant the girls next door and laughed: "It's pointless to let strangers affect your mood. Besides, didn't you notice?"
"Notice what?"
"They also look at you. That means they actually envy or are jealous of your looks. That's something you should be proud of."
"Well, that's true…"
Yumiko hesitated.
Makoto lowered his voice: "I just thought of a spell."
"What spell?"
"Be good, obedient."
"Huh?"
Yumiko was stunned, her face flushed slightly, and she gave him a playful glare: "It's childish that you can even say that…"
She said that but didn't complain about the earlier matter anymore.
She was gradually turning into his shape.jpg
Thinking this, Makoto felt he could look forward to the future.
Like unlocking more plays.
They talked a little more before Makoto went to the restroom.
As soon as he left, the girls at the next table suddenly looked over and actively spoke: "Hi, are you dating that handsome guy from just now?"
Yumiko's smile instantly disappeared.
I already decided to listen to Makoto and not bother with you girls, and now you even come here?
She coldly retorted: "What does that have to do with you?"
The girls were stunned, not expecting Yumiko to be so difficult.
The girl previously called a Shibuya gal by her friends was displeased: "You don't have to be so rude."
Yumiko said coldly: "You think I don't know what you're thinking?
You're nowhere near as good at makeup as I am. Where do you get the confidence to say you'll take Makoto down?"
Such a strong attack!
The girls at the next table were dumbfounded.
They were about to get angry, but then their eyes fell behind Yumiko and suddenly froze.
Not only were they looking at what was behind Yumiko, other customers in the shop were too.
Because Yukino had arrived.
"What a beautiful girl," someone unconsciously said.
Yumiko also noticed the girls' gazes and looked back puzzled. When she saw the black-haired, straight-haired beauty, her expression changed slightly: "Why is it you?"
Yukino seemed not to hear and glanced around but didn't see Makoto's figure.
Yumiko was a bit annoyed: "Yukinoshita, why are you ignoring me?"
Yukino finally spoke, her voice cold: "Because you asked a stupid question."
"Huh?"
"You clearly know me, yet you still ask that. What answer do you expect me to give?"
Yumiko was stumped and angrily said, "I meant, how come you're here?"
Yukino: "None of your business."
Yumiko: "..."
Her chest hurt from anger.
She had heard rumors about Yukino and Makoto at school before. Now seeing the real person, especially during her own "date," made her uncomfortable.
What annoyed her more was that Yukino's attitude was just as rumored: very difficult to get along with.
"Excuse me, where is Fushimi?" Yukino, though cold, still remained polite.
Yumiko: "Did you come specifically to see him?"
"Yes."
"Oh."
Yumiko made an "oh" sound and quickly said, "It's none of your business."
After saying that, she felt a little proud — she had finally won a round.
However, Yukino looked at her with a caring-but-slightly-dumbfounded expression and was about to say something when Makoto's voice came from beside them: "Why are you here?"
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Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
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