Tokyo's Most Affectionate - Chapter 117

Kouhai

Considering the weekend rendezvous, Kurosawa found it necessary to make some preparations.

The day’s classes concluded at 5 p.m.

Upon the conclusion of his studies, he departed from the school alone, taking the subway and navigating to the Shinjuku district through mobile search.

The destination he chose was Yodobashi Camera, a large electronics store primarily specializing in various household appliances, including photographic equipment.

Entering the mall, he walked through it, quickly locating the store.

After all, camera shops are quite conspicuous, with displays in the shop windows.

“May I ask what the customer is looking to purchase?” Upon entering the store, a male clerk greeted him warmly and inquired.

“I would like to buy a digital single-lens reflex camera.” Kurosawa, upon seeing a staff member, did not shy away and straightforwardly stated his intention.

“Please follow me.” In response to this request, the clerk nodded slightly, offering a welcoming smile as he guided him.

Customers seeking to purchase a digital single-lens reflex camera were generally considered high-value patrons, as these cameras tend to be priced relatively higher.

“Please take a look first to see if there are any products that catch your interest, and I will provide you with detailed information afterward.”

Soon, the clerk led him into a designated area where various digital single-lens reflex cameras were displayed in the showcases.

“May I pick them up to have a closer look?”

Faced with the multitude of cameras, Kurosawa’s eyes were a bit overwhelmed, and he decided to take his time in making a selection.

The challenge he faced was that, since the mission had not been completed yet, his entry-level photography had not evolved into a permanent reward. 

Therefore, he lacked both experience and theoretical understanding of photography.

To be more precise, his photography experience was almost nonexistent… He had only taken a few selfies not long ago during an online relationship.

“Yes, certainly. Most of the products here can be tested.”

The clerk stood by, responding enthusiastically.

Receiving this answer, Kurosawa felt more at ease.

As long as he could get his hands on a camera, even if it was just a trial, the skill might still be triggered, providing him with some reference standards.

Glancing around, he didn’t have much concept of brands, but he felt that each camera had a very high and handsome appearance.

Soon, he locked onto a camera, a Nikon brand, and asked the clerk to take it out for him.

As he held the digital single-lens reflex camera in his hands, Kurosawa felt it was quite light, possibly due to his strong arms.

Regardless, upon actual contact with the camera, his body responded.

Upon activating the camera, he began experimenting with it, not taking photos but just looking at the world through the lens.

While he was looking around with the camera, suddenly a figure entered the frame, automatically focusing.

It was a slender and graceful girl with snow-white, cascading long hair, fair skin, and well-proportioned limbs. 

Even from the side, she looked like a painting of beauty, with excellent taste in clothing and exceptional temperament.

Noticing that the camera lens was aimed at her, the white-haired girl became aware and looked over.

“Click.”

At the moment she turned her head, the sound of the shutter echoed.

This was Kurosawa’s instinct as a photographer, an unconscious act of capturing the moment.

After completing this act, Kurosawa realized and somewhat awkwardly put down the camera.

The sound of the single-lens reflex camera’s shutter was crisp, clear, and quite audible. The girl he captured in the lens turned towards the sound.

Separated by about six meters, they gazed at each other across the space.

With willow-like delicate eyebrows, fan-like eyelashes, a petite and exquisite straight nose, budding cherry-like lips, oval-shaped face, and features untouched by cosmetics, yet flawless and with a somewhat tender beauty, she was extremely beautiful and stunning.

She wore a pure white long dress, her demeanor as pristine as a blooming snow lotus, pure and untainted like snow without a speck of dust.

“Miki-kouhai?”

As they faced each other, seeing her light blue eyes, as clear and beautiful as ice and snow, Kurosawa suddenly recognized the girl’s identity.

In this year’s entrance ceremony, this girl had served as the representative of the new students and delivered a speech on stage.

At the moment of entering the school, she was directly crowned as the school belle, not without reason, because she was too stunning, like a princess stepping out of a fairy tale.

“Who are you?”

Miki Shiraha, originally feeling strange about being photographed without her knowledge, became even more puzzled upon hearing this address.

“Sorry, just now I was testing the camera, and you suddenly walked into the frame. I couldn’t resist taking a photo, but I’ll delete it right away.” After recognizing her, Kurosawa also apologized for his actions.

Taking pictures of others without consent, even if it was a direct shot and not from a creepy angle, was not good behavior.

“It’s okay. You called me ‘kouhai’ just now. Are you also from the University of Tokyo?”

Miki shook her head slightly, not particularly concerned about the photography incident, but now she was curious.

Encountering a fellow student outside the campus was quite rare. 

After all, the university was large, and even if you encountered someone, you might not necessarily know who they were.

The University of Tokyo didn’t have a school uniform, there was only a formal dress code. 

“Do you not recognize me?”

Kurosawa was surprised that she didn’t recognize him.

According to Miyazaki, didn’t Miki Shiraha have thoughts of inviting him to a gathering? 

She even mentioned that as long as he went, she would go. It seemed like she was interested in him.

“I’m sorry, should I know you?”

Miki felt a bit awkward upon hearing this and spoke with a timid tone.

“Miyazaki Yuta, you’re in trouble tomorrow.” 

Seeing her reaction, Kurosawa felt extremely embarrassed and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

“It’s not necessary to know each other, I’m Kurosawa Hikaru, a second-year student in the University of Tokyo’s Economics department.”

Realizing that she didn’t know him at all, let alone being interested, Kurosawa shook his head and forced a smile as he introduced himself.

“You’re Kurosawa-senpai from the Economics department?”

Upon hearing this self-introduction, Miki immediately remembered.

This was quite a famous person, and many students were talking about him this morning. 

No wonder he asked, “Do you not recognize me?” She couldn’t keep up with everyone’s conversations.

Upon careful recollection, she remembered the discussions about Kurosawa, who had a wealthy girlfriend driving a luxury car, and was exceptionally handsome and with great fashion sense and charisma.

“Yes.” Feeling relieved that she had heard about him, Kurosawa breathed a sigh of relief.

“Is Kurosawa-senpai knowledgeable about photography?”

Confirming that they were alumni, Miki, seeing the camera in his hands, couldn’t help but be curious.

“A little bit.”

Kurosawa didn’t want to show off or pretend to be someone he wasn’t and answered honestly.

His skill hadn’t become permanent yet; it was just a trial card. He didn’t have much theoretical knowledge, not even at the beginner level. 

At most, when he came across a camera, he instinctively knew how to adjust settings and take photos.

“Kurosawa-senpai, can you help me choose a camera?”

Finding an alum in this unfamiliar place, Miki thought for a moment and asked.

“I don’t know much either, but if you don’t mind, I can take a look for you.”

Considering his unintentional photography earlier, though not upskirting or anything of that sort, Kurosawa still felt a bit embarrassed but nodded in agreement.

“I want a camera that can record at a distance, has autofocus, and is suitable for capturing figure skating practice, but I don’t know what kind of camera would be appropriate.”

With his consent, Miki approached and shared her dilemma.

“Figure skating practice? What’s your budget?”

Kurosawa glanced at her, somewhat surprised.

Figure skating? He hadn’t expected this kouhai to be skilled at figure skating.

She had a petite stature, about less than 1.6 meters, a bit shorter than Ichinose, but with a good temperament that probably came from figure skating.

However, capturing autonomous figure skating practice required high specifications, especially considering the fast speed of figure skating. 

Otherwise, it would necessitate long-distance photography.

“It’s around one million. This is the budget my mom gave me. I’m just here to look this time; I’ll bring her next time to make the purchase.”

Miki contemplated for a moment and then somewhat embarrassedly shared.

The reason she wanted Kurosawa’s help was also for this.

Since this visit was just to browse and not a direct purchase, she felt reluctant to trouble the store staff and, being unfamiliar with cameras, she needed to ask many questions.

“With such a high budget, it’s quite straightforward to buy a DSLR that meets your requirements. Don’t worry.”

Kurosawa noticed that she seemed a bit shy and smiled, reassuring her.

When he was searching for cameras earlier, he did see the price ranges. 

Some cameras with good conditions generally ranged from hundreds of thousands to a million yen. With a budget of one million, she could choose from most DSLRs available.

“Thank you, Kurosawa-senpai.”

Miki nodded and thanked him with a slight bow.

“No need to be so polite, let me help you choose.”

Kurosawa waved his hand when he saw her being so polite.

This was a good opportunity for him to explore different cameras.

“Thank you, Kurosawa-senpai.”

Realizing that he was going to assist her first, Miki didn’t know how to repay him and could only express her gratitude.

“Wait a moment, I’ll delete the photo first.”

Kurosawa noticed her politeness, perhaps due to her personality, and didn’t insist on her relaxing. 

After saying that, he picked up the camera again and started using it, intending to delete the unintentional shot he took earlier.

However, when he saw the photo, he was momentarily stunned.

Was it because his photography skills were exceptional, or was Miki just very photogenic?

The result of the unintentional shot was excellent. Miki’s glance back was incredibly beautiful, like a painting or a piece of art, stunning to behold.

Perhaps it was due to his photography skills, or maybe it was his appreciation for beautiful things, but Kurosawa, looking at the photo, felt a reluctance to delete it.

“The photo you took just now? Can I see it?”

As he was adjusting the camera, Miki became curious.

“Of course.”

Kurosawa nodded and handed the camera to her.

“Kurosawa-senpai’s photography skills are really amazing.”

Taking the camera, Miki looked at it, and her beautiful eyes widened instantly.

Due to figure skating, she had been photographed many times, but seeing such excellent shots was rare.

The composition, atmosphere, angles, lighting, lens, distance, and the subject—all were just right, making it stunning and beautiful.

“My photography skills are just okay. It’s mainly because you looked so beautiful at that moment.”

Kurosawa shrugged. He simply adjusted the angle and pressed the shutter; it wasn’t particularly skillful.

Upon hearing this, Miki was stunned. Already having thin skin, she couldn’t help but blush. 

Although she was often praised for being beautiful, receiving compliments face to face was still a bit embarrassing.

“Kurosawa-senpai, you have a girlfriend, you shouldn’t compliment other girls like this.”

Immediately, a somewhat embarrassed Miki raised her head and reminded him.

“Sorry.”

Seeing her feeling embarrassed, Kurosawa apologized. 

After some thought, he realized that his previous comment might not have been appropriate and could make someone feel awkward. He nodded in acknowledgment.

Even though he currently didn’t have a girlfriend, it seemed that way to others.

However, he didn’t elaborate on the matter further. 

After all, he was already involved with enough girls, and it could get complicated if he added more to the mix.

Encountering this kouhai was just a chance meeting, and there probably wouldn’t be much interaction in the future.