Volume 2 - CH 24

“It’s quite bright inside.”

Anri, who entered the curtains first, was looking around inside.

I’d never seen this machine before, and I looked around inside it.

“Tsukasa-kun, have you never taken pictures before?”

To be honest, I have only taken pictures with my parents.

I had a fresh memory of my mother forcing me into this machine when I graduated from junior high school, saying that it was a commemorative photo.

The picture from that time is still in a drawer at home, but the drawn face of my father is somehow interesting.

But it’s a very elaborate machine, isn’t it?

“There is one. I took it a long time ago, and I’m no beginner.”

I tried to look strong.

“I see. Well, let’s get right to it.”

I started fixing my clothes, prepared a hand mirror, and started fixing my hair.

I don’t think I have to go that far.

Suddenly, Anri’s hand began to stroke my hair.

“Tsukasa-kun. Just a minute.

She stood up taller and started to fix my hair, then started to fix the mess of my clothes while looking over me in general.

“You don’t have to go that far, do you?”

“That’s not true. This picture is going to be the first picture of us dating…”

With that being said, I was finally ready to have my picture taken.

As I put the coins into the machine, an announcement was made.

[Choose your mode.]

There are various options on the screen: family mode, friend mode, best friend mode, companion mode, lover mode, and so on.

In this case, is it a lover mode? As I was thinking, Anri selected the lover mode without hesitation.

Then, Anri selected all the options that appeared one after another, and my finger did not move until the end.

“Anri, aren’t you very familiar with this?”

“Really? But since there were only obvious choices, you didn’t have to think about it, right?”

Is that so? It seems I’m the only one goofing around.

[All right, I’ll take the first shot! Ready?]

The announcer’s voice is unusually cheerful.

[Then, first of all, you need to cross your arms.]

I did as the announcer said and crossed my arms with Anri.

I was somewhat embarrassed. I’m doing as I’m told, but I’m still embarrassed.

Something soft slightly hitting my arm, let’s not think about it like a man.

Looking at Anri with a sideways glance, I can see that she is a little embarrassed.

But her expression is calm and smiling. I am standing next to her.

The screen shows us with our arms crossed.

――Pasha

[This time, I’ll take the second one! Now you two hug each other! Don’t be shy!]

This machine is very aggressive. Aren’t the lovers in the street embarrassed by this?

Is this normal because adults use it too? Or am I the only one who’s embarrassed?

I open my arms to welcome Anri, and she jumps into my chest, fidgeting.

We are in the right position to embrace each other, but this will remain in the picture, won’t it?

Will you delete the recorded data or something?

――Pasha

Oh no. I can’t do this anymore. It’s too embarrassing.

Anri has turned completely red. I’m sure I’m getting red too.

[The next one is the last one. Shall the two of you kiss?]

Impossible. I can’t do it in a place like this.

The hurdle is too high.

“What are you going to do, Anri?”

As expected, Anri would refuse to do this.

And when I looked in Anri’s direction, I found that she had already closed her eyes while turning toward me.

Eh? No, no, no, as expected, that’s not going to happen, right?

“Anri, aren’t you forcing yourself?”

Anri, who has her eyes open, speaks to me in a small voice.

“Today, after dinner, you’re probably going to tell them about us, right?”

Sure, I’m going to tell them about us after everything is over today, and I’ve already told Anri about it.

“If you do, it might cause a breakdown of our existing relationship. Then, even if I do fun things with Tsukasa-kun, I feel like I’ll be trapped somewhere. So, for now, I want to enjoy my time with Tsukasa-kun as much as I can.”

“Anri……”

[Are you ready – I’m going to take a picture!]

――Pasha

After a while, the screen switched to a screen where you can edit photos with text, stamps, and so on.

Here again, Anri is doing her best to write all kinds of things.

She did not write anything on the third photo taken.

She only wrote on the first and second pictures.

The screen switches over after the time is up, and Anri looks satisfied and satisfied with what she has done.

“It’s fun to be able to write on the pictures. You didn’t want to write, Tsukasa-kun?”

“Hm? Me? Because I would have preferred to see Anri writing on it.”

“Oh, yeah… Did you have a great time?”

“Oh, it was fun. Your eyes lit up like a child who loves to draw.”

“That’s embarrassing. Next time, please write together with me.”

“Next time. Next time.”

While we were talking like that, a photo was printed from the side.

The printed photo includes today’s date and the words “Celebrating! First Date” and a heart mark.

The whole thing was made pinkish and pretty.

The third photo, however, has nothing written on it.

The photo is of Anri standing tall and kissing me on the mouth while grabbing my cheeks with both hands.

I think it is the opposite of a man and a woman in terms of position, but I feel embarrassed when I look at it.

I would not be able to show my face to anyone.

If I could, I would like to erase my memory and this picture.

“It’s a good souvenir, isn’t it?”

“Oh, it’s a good keepsake, and I’ll put it in the treasure chest in my room for safekeeping forever.”

“Yes, it is. It is a treasure. I’ll make sure to keep it in my notebook so I don’t lose it!”

Please don’t do that! Seal it up! Please!

“You know, Anri. Aren’t you being a bit aggressive or overdoing it?”

Taking my hand, Anri started walking out of the arcade.

“We have to enjoy the moment. Our present moment is the only moment we have. See, Tsukasa-kun, you too. Even if you’re a little embarrassed or bewildered, let’s cherish this moment, this time together!”

We are indeed embarrassed, and there are many times when we are not sure what to do.

But this moment is the only moment we have. Enjoy the moment. It’s not a bad thing.

Enjoy the present while thinking about the future. In tune with Anri’s thoughts, my hand was pulled by her and she began to take me toward the arcade.

‘We had a blast at the arcade! Next, let’s go to the grocery store! Say, Tsukasa-kun, are you having fun right now?”

“I’m having the most fulfilling time of my life, and I’m having the most fun with Anri!”

I grab Anri’s hand back as she grabs mine.

Our relationship has just begun. I enjoy today and look forward to tomorrow.

It’s not that I don’t think about anything.

But for now, there is no mistaking my desire to cherish this time.