About starting a part-time job as a rental boyfriend and then getting a lifetime contract from the most popular heroine at the university

“I have intruded upon you. Thank you.”

After dinner and the second round of the mushroom cart tournament, Akiba bowed his head at the entrance.

“Come again! Let’s play a game!”

“You’re always welcome to come and play.”

“Yes!”

Akiba, who had become liked by Hikari and Natsukawa’s mother, responded with a smile. Then she turned her gaze to Haruya.

Haruya smiled brightly, raised one hand, and said,

“Well, be careful on your way home.”

“What are you talking about?”

Natsukawa’s mother looked at her son with an exasperated expression. Hikari also looked at her brother with a hint of disbelief.

“It’s already night, at least accompany her to the station.”

“Alright, I understand.”

Haruya hurriedly put on his shoes, opened the front door, and stepped outside. In the residential area, the street lights were bright and not many stars were visible in the night sky. Still, the light of a few bright stars and the crescent moon reached them.

“You don’t have to worry about me, you know?”

“It’s okay. I’ll see you off.”

“Thank you. You’ve really taken care of me.”

Akiba said her thanks one more time and the two started walking side by side. The distance from Haruya’s house to the station was about a ten-minute walk.

“I get to spend a little more time with Akiba…”

“I get to be with Haruya a little longer…”

As they savored this peaceful happiness, the two continued down the nighttime road. Compared to when Akiba first came for a date as a substitute for Kanon, their physical distance had significantly shrunk.

“The moon is beautiful.”

“Yes, it is.”

“Shoot… It’s like a romantic confession from the Showa era…”

“But that’s not it… We’re in the Reiwa era. It’s romantic but…”

Even in such a common situation as calling the moon beautiful, it tickles the back of their hearts and makes them feel restless. Haruya glanced sideways. The streetlights faintly illuminated Akiba’s face, which was soft and smiling happily.

“She’s really cute…”

Initially, Haruya became aware of Akiba because of her cute appearance. Yet, now he wanted to be with her for more than just her looks. It’s not only Akiba’s facial features that are cute. Every expression she makes, every word she speaks, every minor gesture, they all appear attractive to him. That’s why he enjoys being with her. That’s why he wants to be with her.

“Ah, I’m totally smitten…”

“What’s wrong?”

Akiba, noticing Haruya’s gaze, looked up at him with a puzzled expression. Haruya, thinking he should say something, blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“Well, I was just thinking… you’re cute.”

“…!?”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to say something so strange all of a sudden.”

“No, I’m… I’m happy.”

Akiba’s cheeks seemed to turn orange, not just from the warm glow of the streetlights.

“I really need to stop saying and doing things without thinking…”

Of course, the current Haruya didn’t know that this “bad habit” would end up being the key to winning over his favorite heroine.

“Cute… Cute… I won’t be able to sleep tonight after hearing that…”

Akiba held her blushing cheeks and muttered something towards Haruya as they continued walking.

“Um…”

“Y-Yes?”

“I think… you’re cool too, Haruya…”

“…!?”

Today, that was the best they could do. The moment when they could truly say “the moon is beautiful” seems to be a little further away. As the countdown to summer continued, Haruya and Akiba continued walking down the nighttime road.

Back at the house where Haruya and Akiba were absent, Hikari was helping with the dishes. Her job was to wipe and put away the dishes her mother had washed.

“Is this a picture of Dad and Mom’s wedding?”

Looking at the picture stuck on the fridge, Hikari asked while wiping a cup. Her mother looked at the photo her daughter was looking at and smiled nostalgically.

“Yes. It’s been 20 years.”

“20 years… I wasn’t born yet!”

“Of course not. Your brother wasn’t born yet either.”

“Who took this photo?”

“Let’s see…”

Natsukawa’s mother recalls the happy scene of the wedding ceremony. The girl happily holding the camera in front of Natsukawa’s mother, who is leaning on her husband—Haruya and Hikari’s father.

“—Smile!”

She checks the photo and gives a thumbs-up. Her black ponytail swings.

“I guess she was in the second year of junior high school at that time.”

After reminiscing, Natsukawa’s mother answered Hikari.

“It was Hinachan Hinata who took this.”

“Hinata onee-chan!?”

Hinata Natsukawa, sister of Natsukawa’s father and thus aunt to Hikari. Ever since she got the chance to be a photographer at her brother’s wedding, she has been immersed in photography and is now a professional photographer traveling all over the world.

“I want to be like Hinata onee-chan and take pictures at onii-chan and Akiba-chan’s wedding.”

“Oh my, they aren’t even dating yet.”

“I want a camera!”

“You always have something you want… But, there should be an old camera somewhere. Why don’t you practice with that first?”

“Yes! I’ll practice!”

Hikari answered cheerfully, wiped the last glass, and finished helping. From this day forward, Hikari began to carry a camera around every chance she got and started taking pictures.