Utaha's quick agreement was actually expected by Makoto.
From the moment they met, relying on the advantage of the time loop, whether in casual chat or serious talk, he always kept up with Utaha's pace.
This gave Utaha a feeling: this perfect harmony is amazing!
Most importantly, aside from their experiences in the time loop, Makoto was unfamiliar with Utaha in real life.
So Utaha wouldn't suspect: did he meet me long ago? Or is he secretly investigating me?
After all, they went to the same school, and Makoto's popularity was on par with Hayato's. If he had been digging for information privately, Utaha would definitely know.
No prior investigation, and they didn't know each other before; with these two conditions, their seamless interaction made Utaha feel fate was truly mysterious.
Previously, when Makoto went to the bookstore to photograph Ichika and Itsuki, it was also partly to "lay the groundwork" for Utaha.
Only by planting this expectation in Utaha's mind in advance, combined with Ichika's and Itsuki's surprised reactions, could she develop high expectations for Makoto's photography skills.
By the time he invited her to be a model, her chances of refusal were very low.
Also, as a girl and a top beauty, though she wasn't interested in adolescent girls' obsession with pretty photos, if she could truly get high-quality photos, she would be happy.
This dog of a man, Fushimi Makoto, had learned a lot during the time loops, and the most useful lesson he found was: never do something unprepared.
He wanted to check if someone's academic credentials were genuine, so he had to find the school address first, then figure out how to get past the security guard's blockade, so he could enter the school.
Yes, Makoto was seriously thinking about the school, nothing else.
At that moment, Yumiko sent a message: [I'm heading out, do you want to come pick me up?]
Makoto: [Okay.]
He had already figured out this blonde girl's nature; picking her up meant they could meet earlier.
If nothing unexpected happened, she must have put on a lot of effort dressing up today, otherwise she wouldn't be in such a hurry.
Makoto got up immediately. "I'm going to pick up a friend. What about you, senior?"
"I'll go with you," Utaha stood up as well.
But when paying the bill, she thought: Normally, wouldn't friends come directly? Why does he have to pick her up? Could it be that Ichika?
In her impression, Ichika was also a very "capable" girl.
In terms of looks and figure, the other girl was not inferior to her.
Not long after they left the dessert shop, they suddenly heard behind them, "You stop right there! Didn't you hear me?"
Makoto and Utaha both turned around.
A man wearing a mask was sprinting toward them, clutching a woman's handbag, with two police officers in uniform chasing after him.
"Thief?" Utaha guessed.
Makoto remained silent. Seeing the masked man getting closer, he seized the opportunity, lowered his center of gravity, and raised his shoulders.
This was a lost martial arts technique in the underworld — Iron Mountain Lean.
He even controlled his strength carefully.
But despite that, with a dull thud, the masked man was knocked sideways, rolling on the ground several times before stopping, groaning in pain.
Utaha was stunned.
Makoto's move was too sudden.
It was like a wild jungler crouching in the grass suddenly ambushing.
The two police officers were also stunned but then reacted quickly, sprinted over, and firmly pinned the masked man to the ground.
"Thank you so much. This guy just stole a woman's bag at the mall. When caught, he even punched the lady. What a jerk!"
The police thanked Makoto while explaining the situation.
Makoto smiled lightly, "Just a spontaneous act."
One young officer asked with interest, "Hey, brother, what was that move just now? It looked so powerful. Is it some kind of self-defense technique?"
Makoto: "It's a lost skill from an old friend, rarely mentioned these days."
Hearing his formal tone, the two officers respectfully nodded.
Utaha's eyes flickered. He knows martial arts too?
This little incident passed quickly.
Utaha casually brought up the previous scene: "Have you trained in fighting before?"
"Studied it, mainly for fitness," Makoto replied.
"No wonder you were so agile just now. It must be the result of long practice."
Utaha nodded and curiously asked, "Who is that old friend you mentioned?"
Makoto: "It's complicated to explain, and even if I did, you probably wouldn't understand."
Utaha smiled teasingly, "How do you know I wouldn't understand if you don't explain?"
Makoto took out his phone and easily found a video of a middle-parted man.
With strong and familiar music playing, Utaha watched the video thoughtfully.
When it ended, Makoto put away the phone, and she raised her head with an expression that said, "Are you kidding me?"
Makoto shrugged: "I said it before, ordinary people rarely understand this martial arts skill."
Utaha gave a blank-faced "hmm." "You're right, I really don't understand."
Yeah right, as if! That was obviously a dance video, only somewhat similar to your impact move.
Five minutes later, Makoto and Utaha met the carefully dressed Yumiko.
The blonde beauty wore a fitted printed long-sleeve top that easily highlighted her well-developed chest and slender waist.
She wore short denim shorts that only a long-legged girl like her could pull off well, showing off fair and tender legs with nice curves.
Makoto quickly compared in his mind: their legs were all great.
When Yumiko saw Makoto, her surprised smile hadn't yet blossomed before she was drawn to the tall senior standing nearby.
"Kasumigaoka-senpai?"
A trace of surprise flashed on her obviously made-up beautiful face.
"Hello," Utaha nodded lightly.
She had seen this blonde girl at school but didn't know her name.
After all, Yumiko was far less famous than the Nakano quintuplets or Yukino.
At the same time, she was surprised. She had just been certain it was Ichika, but now another girl appeared.
Makoto had long anticipated this and timely stepped forward to introduce them.
When Yumiko heard that Utaha was here to talk business with Makoto, her smile immediately relaxed.
Utaha noticed this detail.
Another one!
Besides Ichika, and the school rumor about Yukino being close to him, now there was also Yumiko.
Utaha discreetly glanced at Makoto, thinking, this guy attracts so many beautiful girls, isn't he afraid of trouble?
"Makoto, have you finished your business?"
Yumiko wasn't thinking that much; she was here just to take photos.
Last time, not only was she satisfied with the photos, but after her parents saw them, they even asked if she had hired a professional photographer.
She picked two photos to share on social media and unsurprisingly, they received likes from friends.
Some girls privately messaged her asking for photography tips and said they were willing to pay.
Yumiko naturally chose to ignore them.
Because of these things, she was even more determined about her previous idea: Makoto must become my personal photographer!
"You arrived just in time; we've already finished our business," Makoto said.
Then, as if remembering something, he pointed to the senior in black stockings beside him: "By the way, senpai also wants to take photos. Let's do it together, the three of us."
"Huh? She wants to too?" Yumiko was stunned and didn't hide her possessiveness.
That familiar feeling returned.
Last time, Ichika was just as wary of me.
Utaha was very annoyed.
She really didn't want to deal with girls like that.
But since she was Makoto's friend, she simply said, "That's how it is."
Yumiko's chest rose and fell slowly, feeling a bit upset.
Before she could speak, Makoto pretended to think, "This could actually be a good opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
The two beautiful girls looked over.
Makoto: "I thought before, whether it's senpai or Yumiko, you both have strong personal styles.
If there's a chance to photograph you together, the collision of different styles will definitely produce good results."
Utaha was slightly stunned. Even with Miura showing hostility towards me, he still seriously thinks about photography? Looks like he really values it.
Yumiko was also surprised. Makoto said before photography is art, so today I...
She glanced unwillingly at Utaha.
For Makoto's sake, I can't break them up, I have to join them.
Makoto lightly stopped the potentially tense atmosphere, inviting the two to pick locations, and said,
"Today is a rare opportunity. I'll rent a camera. If the equipment can't keep up, there's no way to fully showcase your beauty."
Seeing how serious he was about photography, neither Utaha nor Yumiko said anything further.
After the three left, a black luxury car on the roadside rolled down its window, revealing a very beautiful face.
The face was very similar to Yukino's but more mature.
"Oh? Isn't this the boy my mother has praised many times? Mother said Yukino seems very close to him?"
She smiled, took out her phone, took a photo of Makoto and the others' backs, and sent it to Yukino.
With the message: [The boy you care about ran off with other girls. But big sister will help you. I'll watch where they go and send you the address later.]
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
Yukino had been seriously reading a book, but when she heard her phone vibrate and picked it up, her delicate face immediately darkened.
Especially when she saw that photo, her expression grew even colder.
Whether it was her sister's teasing that put her in a worse mood, or the two very charming figures in the photo, Yukino wasn't sure.
She had always thought of herself as very clear-headed.
But precisely because of that clarity, she could sharply feel the irritation growing inside her.
The experiences they had in the time loop still haunted her dreams, and sometimes she even had to get up in the morning to change her underwear.
Although after leaving the time loop she never again let Makoto touch her legs, those memories were real.
"I'm here seriously preparing for the club activities this afternoon, and you're off on dates with two girls?"
Yukino said this as if giving herself a way out.
Then she threw down the photography-related book and stood up to go to her bedroom.
She was going to change clothes and then head out.
She could predict that once she appeared, those two girls probably wouldn't welcome her.
But who cared?
She, Yukino, was no cowardly lizard.
Besides, she had a perfectly reasonable excuse: to ensure the smooth shooting of the short film, so that everyone's preparations wouldn't be wasted, she had to bring that irresponsible club president back and make him kneel and suffer.
Your friend Yukino is requesting to join the battle.
Do you accept it?
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Maaan I seriously hate Yukino's sister.
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