Stealing Spree

The Anthology Album that Kokonoe-senpai brought out was something they did for their Cultural Festival booth before. It contained all the works not just from their members but also from the former ones. They displayed and made an exhibit for it.

In any case, I couldn’t care less about the other entries in it. As soon as it got handed to us, I sat down alongside Juri to search for the photos taken by her.

Shimura also joined us eventually and the two of us sang praises for every Juri’s work that we identified. On the other hand, Juri, who probably didn’t expect my over-the-top reaction to it, almost crumpled from the accumulating shame for her work. Perhaps for her, it’s like we’ve been scrutinizing her naked body that would later result in us worshiping her natural allure. Well, except her photos were mostly sceneries. The only photo that captured her appearance from two years ago was at the end of it wherein every member of the club was introduced.

There’s a solo photo that could very well be a magnificent portrait of her and a group photo where she’s standing among the others from the same club.

Of course, there’s also Kokonoe-senpai there, and like Juri, she became embarrassed upon realizing that we’re comparing her appearance back then to her current one.

Obviously, the guy who got pushed aside earlier also scrambled over to take a look at Kokonoe-senpai’s photo. Too bad for him, he got pushed away by the girl, saying she didn’t want him to see that.

Well, I guess that confirmed their closeness.

“I’m not an expert but if I must say something about these, it’s that you certainly improved a lot compared to your recent photos.”

Upon closing the album, I turned to check on Juri who was still trying to hide her embarrassment by hiding her reddened face using my shoulder.

Given that our closeness was also pretty much showcased earlier, no one found that weird at all. Moreover, Kokonoe-senpai was even more pleased to see her senior with fresh reactions that she was witnessing for the first time.

“Onoda-kun, does that mean Koizumi-senpai has taken new photos?” Shimura asked. As she’s also taken in by Juri’s entries that were supposed to be taken two years ago, Shimura’s eyes flashed with excitement.

Her interest was understandable, of course. She’s part of this club means she’s also someone who finds photography as either a passion or a hobby.

“Mhm. It’s great enough to be considered a work of art. At least, in my eyes.”

Not counting her most recent photo that captured my figure in it, the other ones in her personal album were amazing.

“Is that true? Juri-senpai has more?! Let me see!”

Of course, the other girl in the room that was more like a fan than simply a junior also excitedly reacted to what I revealed.

As a result, Juri was forced out of her ‘hiding spot’ to address that. But before opening her mouth to answer them, she nibbled on my ear, expressing her slight frustration. She probably wasn’t planning on telling them about it but I went ahead and brought that up.

It’s wrong of me to do that, I admit.

But in my defense, I want them to feel the same way I did when I saw those photos. Partly like bragging about my girl’s accomplishments.

I know. I was getting ahead of myself but if Juri truly hated it, she would’ve stopped me from revealing it.

Furthermore, apart from the guy who I already forgot the name, Shimura and Kokonoe-senpai will definitely give positive feedback regardless of Juri’s choice to show them that album or not.

Did she even bring it with her? For sure. She’s treating that like a personal diary so she’ll always keep it close to herself.

“Do you all want to see it? I bet you’ll be surprised. Especially you, Imari-chan.”

After leaving my ear alone, Juri faced her two juniors from this club. She’s grinning from ear to ear as if she’s about to throw away her propriety again.

“Huh? Why will I be?” Shimura blinked her eyes in confusion.

On the other hand, Kokonoe-senpai appeared more enthused at the prospect of a surprise.

“Why don’t you ask this blabbermouth?” Juri answered as she poked my cheek. And even before Shimura followed her words, she already pulled out the album.

Kokonoe-senpai was the first to react to that. She pointed at it as if she was staring at a sacred relic. “Oh! That photo album! You never allowed anyone a glimpse of what’s inside that, Juri-senpai. To think that Onoda-kun got to see its contents first. I’m envious!”

“There’s a reason why I refrained from showing this to others before, Marin. I wasn’t confident yet... Today, however...”

Even without finishing her words, her passionate gaze directed at me was already enough implication to my involvement.

Yep. In this club, Juri was going all out in flaunting what kind of relationship we have. Although we’re not confirming anything, we're definitely not acting like a normal senior and her junior. It's more than that.

Kokonoe-senpai clapped her hands excitedly upon understanding it. On the other hand, Shimura had a different reaction.

At first, it’s like another weight fell upon her shoulder, she forced a smile to hide her slight bitterness from realizing that even if Juri isn’t my girlfriend yet, she’s already the same as the other girls around me. It's like she gained another powerful rival and her chances of getting her own spot had just gotten an increase in difficulty.

Ah. She recovered from it quickly though. She shook her head and her genuine excitement and anticipation for Juri’s work resurfaced.

And with that, Juri presented them with the photo album, showing them all of her entries there.

Once they reached the last page, the expected happened, Kokonoe-senpai’s grin grew wider while Shimura was astonished and amazed at the same time before looking at me with more admiration than before.

“Y-you look great in that photo, Onoda-kun.”

“I know, right?” Juri agreed right away before another mischievous smile bloomed from her lips, “Ah. Right. This is a secret but Ruki here has the aptitude of being a top model. I have photos of him that show that. Wanna see?”

Ah. Of course, she’s going to get back at me by also showing them a side of me that was far from how I usually is; the photos she sent to that magazine contest.

No matter how thick of a face I have... there’s no doubt that when I saw both Kokonoe-senpai and Shimura eagerly nodding their heads, my face heated up.

And so, for the next five minutes, it’s my turn to hold on to my poker face and not act embarrassed.

Upon leaving the Photography Club, Juri and I didn’t return to Setsuna-nee right away. Instead, as if we were just waiting for one of us to take the initiative, our feet led us somewhere we could truly be alone. A place where no one could interrupt us...

Where? Of course, an empty clubroom.

“Ruki, isn’t it inappropriate to stare at me as if you’re going to wolf me down?”

“Well, I admit, that’s what I’m thinking about right now. But can you blame me? You made me like this, Juri... Before bringing you back to Setsuna-nee... there’s no way I will miss this opportunity...”

Even before the door we entered closed, I already caught the girl in my arms. Likewise, Juri hooked her arms around my nape, pulling my head down, enough for our foreheads to touch.

Then, after a short burst of laughter from both of us, we closed our eyes and let our bodies move on their own according to what we both desired at the moment.

A second later, our lips touched and our passionate moment started. There’s no need to restrain ourselves anymore.