COTE: Horikita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Chapter 125: Sakura Airi gets excited

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Gathering her courage, Sakura spoke up. "matsuoka-san, now that lunch is over, let's go take some pictures and test out the camera you just bought."

After saying this, Sakura, with her cheeks blushing, lowered her head shyly, anxiously and cautiously awaiting Rin's response.

'Don't refuse, don't refuse, please don't refuse...'

Rin did not disappoint Sakura, who was silently praying. He smiled warmly and said, "Okay, where shall we go to take pictures? You can decide, Sakura."

"Um!"

"I found a lot of great spots for taking photos over the past two days."

However, Sakura suddenly realized that what she considered a "good place for taking photos" might not be ideal for Rin.

She gave him a shy and embarrassed smile. "Because of my terrible shyness, I only feel comfortable taking selfies in places where there's no one around... I wonder if you would mind taking pictures in such places."

"I don't mind, Sakura. You can arrange it."

"Okay! Come with me!"

Sakura put her mask back on and eagerly led Rin to a place she thought would be perfect for their photos.

As they walked, Rin followed her to the side of the school's special teaching building.

"This is it," Sakura said, coming to a stop.

Rin looked around. They were at the back of the special teaching building. The area was quiet, with soft green grass adding to its secluded and serene atmosphere. It was clear that few people came here.

In that moment, Sakura felt a fleeting urge to confess her feelings to the handsome boy standing before her.

After all, in most anime and youth dramas, wasn't it always in a quiet, little-known place like this that the protagonists confessed their love?

"It's pretty cool here, isn't it? Hmm... Sakura, why is your face red again?"

"N-No, it's nothing!"

Sakura waved her hands frantically, quickly suppressing her stray thoughts. "Matsuoka-san, give me your camera. I'll take a picture of you first."

"Alright."

Rin opened the box and handed her the brand-new camera inside.

Sakura's soft palms brushed against the sleek surface of the camera, her expression one of pure delight. Her fondness for it was so evident that Rin couldn't help but smile.

"You seem to really like the new camera, Sakura. Why don't you just buy another one?" he teased.

"I've been thinking about it. After all, the school gives us 100,000 points every month, and I can't even spend all of it," Sakura said with a distressed look. "But after encountering that creepy clerk in the store, I lost all interest in buying a camera."

"So, do you want me to go back with you to buy one? That guy is probably under investigation by the school now, so he wouldn't dare cause any trouble."

"No, no, no. Let's test this camera first. After the school punishes him, I'll ask Matsuoka-san to go with me," Sakura said, sneaking a shy glance at Rin before whispering, "Is that okay?"

"Of course," Rin replied readily, and Sakura smiled brightly, her joy unmistakable.

The thought of arranging another outing with Rin to buy a camera made her heart flutter. It would give her an excuse to see him again, perhaps even go on another date.

The idea filled her with excitement, though she tried to keep her composure.

After familiarizing herself with the camera a bit, Sakura turned to Rin. "Matsuoka-san, go stand under that tree and strike a pose. I'll take a picture of you."

"Alright," Rin agreed.

He walked over to the shade of a nearby tree. The afternoon sunlight was especially bright, filtering down through the gently swaying leaves and casting dappled patterns on the ground.

The sunlight, like fragmented shards, filtered through the tree leaves and illuminated Rin beneath its shade, adding a touch of brilliance to his already handsome face.

When Sakura saw Rin framed this way through the camera lens, her eyes lit up involuntarily, and she pressed the shutter without hesitation.

"Matsuoka-san, change your position. Put your palm on your cheek. Yes, yes, just like that!"

"Great! Matsuoka-san, try another pose and smile at me. Mmmm! Perfect!"

…

While photographing Rin, Sakura transformed into a completely different person. She was brimming with confidence and enthusiasm, eagerly directing him to strike various poses.

After taking several satisfying shots, the excitement in Sakura's heart finally subsided, replaced by a faint blush on her fair cheeks.

It was only then that Sakura realized how overexcited she had been.

"Well… I'm sorry, Matsuoka-san," she stammered, her embarrassment palpable. "I think I got a bit too excited. You see, I've always taken photos by myself before, so I'm not used to having someone else cooperate with me…"

Rin smiled warmly at her awkward explanation. "I understand, Sakura, so there's no need to apologize."

Hearing that Rin didn't mind her enthusiasm, Sakura let out a breath of relief. Yet, she couldn't help silently berating herself for getting carried away.

It's just my first time taking photos of a boy—why was I so excited?

She sneaked a glance at Rin, but his strikingly handsome face made her look away shyly.

I can't keep staring, or I'll die of excitement!

As Sakura fumbled with her flustered thoughts, Rin's voice interrupted.

"Sakura, is there anything else you'd like to photograph? I'm happy to accommodate you today."

Rin's words hit right on the mark—exactly what Sakura wanted but was too shy to ask for.

She had wanted to keep taking photos of Rin but worried it might bother him or make him unhappy. She had been about to give up when he brought it up himself. Her response was immediate and full of excitement.

"There is!"

Rin couldn't help but smile when he saw her beautiful face light up with joy once more.

"Then tell me, Sakura, and I'll cooperate with you."

"Alright~ Matsuoka-san, let's move to the next location."

"Sure."

Rin's handsome appearance and cooperative nature kept Sakura in high spirits. She cherished this opportunity deeply, thinking it might never come again. Determined to make the most of it, she aimed to take hundreds of photos of Rin—enough to fill the camera's memory card completely!

They ended up shooting from noon until 4:30 in the afternoon. Except for a short break at a drink shop, the rest of the time was spent photographing Rin.

At the drink shop, Sakura handed the camera back to Rin.

"Matsuoka-san, I'm returning your camera now. I'll hold on to the memory card for a bit. When I get home, I'll sort through the photos and delete the ones that aren't up to par."

"Thank you for your help," Rin said with a grateful smile, showing no urgency to retrieve the photos.