⚪️Short Story｜Shut Up
"The long weekend starts tomorrow, doesn't it?"
"Yeah, it does."
"I need you to help me with something."
"Me? Why?"
"You look like you've got nothing better to do."
"Shut up. I mean, I am free, but still."
"See? Thanks."
"I didn't say I'd help."
"I want to start a photography club."
"Huh?"
"So, be my vice-president!"
***
I thought, 'What does that have to do with the long weekend?', but when I listened closely, this was what it was about.
The club application form was already prepared. The purpose of establishment, activities, and annual plan were all filled out. There were two members: Haru as president and me as vice-president. The advisor section was blank. She said she wanted to attach some sample photos as reference material when she submitted it after the long weekend.
"We're going to hold a street snap photography session!"
Hmm.
***
And so, we met up in front of Amanogawa Shrine. I couldn't help but snap a photo of Haru right then and there when she arrived five minutes late in her casual clothes—a red sweater with a small digital camera slung over her shoulder. Even though it was just my phone.
"I came here for Shichi-Go-San. I wore a kimono and had my picture taken. From around there. Will you take one? In the same spot."
"Sure, sure."
Haru found picturesque scenery everywhere and kept clicking the shutter. Since I only had my phone and didn't really understand what 'street snaps' were, I decided to take pictures of Haru instead.
I walked through the shrine grounds, listening to her talk about how she'd been bought cotton candy or played hide-and-seek, and then she said, 'Look, here's a shortcut,' and after we went down the grand staircase and crossed the Amanogawa Bridge, she told me it was her favorite place to watch fireworks from. I took pictures of her profile as she said things like that.
Watching Haru wander through the temple town and snap photos occasionally, I realized this was basically a date, and the moment I thought that, I turned redder than her sweater. Oh no, I'm acting awkward.
But luckily, a north wind blew and messed up her hair. While Haru was busy with her hands in her hair, flapping the hood of her white coat, the wind managed to lift her skirt.
Our 'I saw it' and 'I was seen' moments collided, and we both froze.
"Shutter chance. Missed it," I said.
"Idiot. It's tights."
Haru intentionally lifted her skirt to show her black tights.
"See? See?"
"Stop it!"
After that, we ate the local specialty soba, had tea at a sweet shop, and parted ways.
"Thanks for hanging out with me today. Looking forward to working with you, Vice-President!"
I wonder if we can actually start a club like this.
Right after we parted, I got a message from Haru. It had several photos of me attached—I don't know when she took them—and it said, 'Don't miss the shutter chance next time.'
She's way too calculating!
( To be continued )
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#AmanoWritingClub
#ShutUp
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