The first day of the vacation.
Haru and Yukino spent the morning at home. After lunch, Utaha and Megumi arrived to join them.
This shoot was entirely planned by Utaha, so she naturally took charge of notifying others through the group chat.
Haru also sent a message to Furukawa and the rest... these friends insisted on helping, and of course, he couldn't refuse.
The photography club members, along with Shizuka, met at a nearby intersection and headed together to the first shooting location.
"Since it's still early, the park should be quiet. Let's finish the park scenes first, then move on to the indoor shots," Utaha announced, her leadership qualities on full display. She checked her notebook as she outlined the day's schedule.
"Indoor shots? Have the locations been arranged?" Haru asked this was news to him.
Utaha puffed out her chest slightly, exuding confidence. "I asked my parents' friend to find a suitable place. We can use it for a day, and I've already checked it's perfect for the environment I want."
"Impressive, Kasumigaoka-senpai," Furukawa whispered in admiration.
"Wow, Utaha," Shizuka teased with a smile, "if we didn't know better, we'd think you were the club president."
Haru interjected, "Are we already discussing a coup? Should I pick a day for a dignified abdication?"
Everyone burst into laughter, and Utaha shot him a sharp glare.
Even Yukino looked over with quiet admiration. Utaha had handled all of this behind the scenes without telling anyone she had clearly worked diligently to settle everything privately.
Megumi remained silent, focused on memorizing her lines as the lead actress.
A group of teenagers and one adult, each carrying bags and filming equipment, naturally attracted curious stares from passersby.
Before reaching the park, a small incident occurred.
Since Utaha led the group, her tall, curvaceous figure and striking beauty drew the attention of several male passersby.
A few excited boys even approached: "Hello, are you Kasumigaoka Utaha from Toyogasaki High?"
Oh my, wow!
Haru mentally exclaimed.
Utaha stopped, looking puzzled. "Yes… may I ask who you are?"
"You're really you!" the boys exclaimed, even more excited. "We saw the school short film you were in... you were stunning, and your acting was amazing."
Utaha paused... fans?
Haru and the others stayed quiet, observing.
The boys had no ill intent; they were just star-struck, captivated by Utaha's beauty and talent.
Although everyone, including Haru, felt recognition was mostly due to her looks…
Acting-wise, by Yukino's standards, Utaha had only just crossed the threshold essentially a very talented and attractive figurehead.
After a brief chat, the boys, learning that Haru's group would be filming, eagerly asked if they could be extras.
They didn't want payment, meals, or snacks, and were even willing to spend their own money.
True dedication.
Utaha politely declined they had a strict schedule and couldn't afford surprises.
But she did grant them autographs.
After parting ways, Shizuka chuckled. "Utaha, looks like you're becoming a big star."
Utaha pressed her lips together, silent, but her eyes gleamed with determination and confidence.
In short: she was fired up.
Yukino's voice broke in: "Those boys must have watched our short film multiple times. Otherwise, they wouldn't be this excited. But they seemed to overlook the co-lead, Megumi."
Everyone was surprised... it seemed she was right.
Megumi remained calm. "That's normal."
Haru added, "I overheard them on their way out. They were complaining about not seeing the other female lead... probably too distracted to notice Megumi."
Yukino frowned. "How did I not hear that?"
Shizuka and the others nodded none had noticed either.
"Do you expect me to tell you I have super-hearing?" Haru joked.
Yukino's face flushed as she covered her forehead and turned away, embarrassed.
The others looked on curiously.
Megumi asked, "Why is she like that?"
Haru met their gaze. "I once made her watch an anime called Calabash Brothers. One of the characters has super-hearing."
Yukino's voice dripped with disdain. "You forgot to mention... it's a children's show. You made me watch it when I was almost in high school."
Everyone finally understood.
"So Yukino thinks you're childish," Shizuka laughed.
Haru remained earnest. "Calabash Brothers may look childish, but it contains satire and philosophy. If she thinks it's childish, she didn't watch it properly."
Yukino paused, glancing at him for a few seconds. "You're serious?"
"Of course I'm serious," Haru replied.
Yukino fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "I'll watch it with you again tonight. If you lie, I'll scold you."
Haru's confidence was unwavering. He wasn't lying this seemingly old-fashioned children's anime held much philosophical depth.
After this small episode, everyone mentally bookmarked the classic animation.
Especially Furukawa and his friends... they were already die-hard fans of anime and games.
Arriving at the park, just as Utaha had predicted, it was nearly empty, save for a few children and mothers.
Utaha found a quiet spot for setting up equipment.
A brief commotion drew the curiosity of a few kids nearby.
The park scene was simple, only a side plot. Haru and Furukawa would be extras.
Haru, playing a dead character, wouldn't appear on camera, and if he did, Utaha would edit him out later.
Megumi, familiar with her lines, performed flawlessly throughout.
Several shots passed with no NGs; each take was perfect.
Utaha couldn't help but reflect: if it weren't for Haru, the only person she'd collaborate with seamlessly would have been Yukino now Megumi joined that list.
But she thought again: without meeting Haru, would she even know these two?
"Let's take a short break. Two more shots, then let's finish in one go," Utaha said, clapping her hands and smiling.
The unexpected encounter with her fans earlier, though surprising, had bolstered her confidence.
Real-life fans were different from novel readers, their encouragement and expectations had a unique effect.
Though she remained outwardly composed during the shoot, Haru, Yukino, and Megumi could see that she was burning with determination.
The kind that is very dazzling and charming.
Even Furukawa whispered to Haru: "Have you noticed Kasumigaoka-senpai seems different today?"
"Because she's on the right path, and she's going at it fearlessly," Haru smiled.
Furukawa and the others were stunned. "That's… so dramatic."
Haru remained silent, smiling.
During the break, Haru was discussing upcoming shots with Yukino when he noticed Shizuka standing alone under a tree, seemingly lost in thought.
He recalled previous events.
It seemed Shizuka hadn't completely recovered.
Although she appeared normal earlier, the moment she wasn't busy, her mind drifted to those embarrassing images.
Haru guessed she was thinking about that night with him and Utaha.
After a brief chat with Yukino, he walked over.
"Why are you here?"
Shizuka noticed his steps, looking up with a bright smile.
"You seemed troubled, so I came to help you," Haru said, striking a mysterious pose.
Shizuka laughed. "When did you acquire the 'mystic powers' skill?"
"Honestly, I just made that up on the spot."
"…I knew it."
Shizuka smiled, then suddenly grew quiet.
After a few seconds, she looked back at Haru. Her beautiful eyes now carried a different, more complex emotion.
"Haru…"
The moment she said "Haru," he immediately knew this wasn't casual. He focused all his attention.
Shizuka's gaze flickered, and she feigned a casual tone as she asked, "About the question in the office earlier… I'm actually quite curious myself. If you had to choose between Yukino and Utaha, who would you pick?"
~~~~~~~~~~