There is something wrong with Hikigaya’s classroom of the Elite, as expected

Chapter 125: The Ambiguous Photos

The girl, now seated again, lowered her head, not daring to meet the eyes of the boy sitting across from her. Just thinking about what had just happened—her entire body pressing against his, their eyes locking in close proximity—made her feel unbearably hot, her cheeks burning.

Although Hikigaya’s face remained expressionless, he was equally embarrassed inside, even feeling a sense of absurdity. Why would a scenario that only happens in light novels occur to me in real life?

The room was filled with an awkward yet undeniably ambiguous atmosphere.

Hikigaya coughed a few times and quickly handed the camera back. He hadn’t expected it to contain selfies of Sakura, which explained why she had suddenly reacted so strongly.

In reality, selfies are a subtle thing. When taking them, one doesn’t find anything unusual, but the thought of someone else seeing them induces an instinctive sense of embarrassment.

“S-Sorry…”

Sakura, realizing how overly emotional she had been, apologized softly.

“D-Don’t worry, I-I didn’t see anything,” Hikigaya hastily assured her, afraid of any misunderstandings. He then prepared to leave, but before he could stand up, Sakura suddenly called out to him. Though she still had her head lowered, she held the camera out to him with both hands.

“Eh?”

Hikigaya froze in place, momentarily unsure whether to take it or not, and even more uncertain about what Sakura meant.

“Hikigaya-kun, actually, I…”

Sakura had never imagined herself calmly revealing her ‘secret’ to a boy.

It was a secret that belonged only to her. She had often worried about what would happen if it were exposed—would people mock her, slander her, reject her, exclude her? The anxiety, fear, and despair had plagued her mind, even causing insomnia and nightmares.

It was why she was always tense, overly cautious, and one of the reasons she had fled to a school where no one knew her.

She was terrified that if someone uncovered her last sanctuary, she would have nowhere left to escape.

But now that it had actually happened, she unexpectedly felt… relieved.

It was as if the noose tightening around her neck had suddenly vanished. She knew it was because of the boy in front of her.

So… she decided to muster the courage to confess her secret.

And then… she felt as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She could finally attempt to raise her head and look at him, though the very next second, she quickly lowered it again.

It’s still too embarrassing!

Hikigaya observed the change in Sakura. Though he didn’t fully understand the emotional turmoil she had gone through, he could tell that something in her had shifted—and in a positive direction.

After revealing her secret, Sakura felt a tiny bit of unexpected joy. A secret that belonged to one person has now become a secret shared by two. The sudden shift made her cheeks flush as she murmured in a small voice, “I-If you don’t mind, you can take a look.”

She didn’t even know why she said that. Her mind had gone blank as soon as the words left her lips. It was only afterward that she realized what on earth did I just say?! How embarrassing!

“So… I can keep looking?”

Hikigaya held the camera, his expression slightly perplexed.

Saying he wasn’t curious would be a lie.

But looking at Sakura’s selfies—possibly even personal photos—right in front of her? Even Hikigaya found the idea both embarrassing and… slightly exciting?

Damn it, I probably look like one of those perverted train gropers right now…!

Hikigaya Hachiman, you are seriously the worst!

“Mm…”

Sakura’s voice was as soft as a mosquito’s.

With a mix of 30% anticipation, 30% nervousness, 30% composure, and 10% hesitation, Hikigaya finally turned on the camera’s screen. He tried to maintain a neutral expression, but his trembling fingers betrayed his inner thoughts.

The images were mostly selfies Sakura had taken inside the Special Teaching Building. Her expressions and poses were entirely different from the shy, introverted girl he knew. She had an incredible sense of the camera, and from some of the bolder poses and alluring gestures, it was clear she had the makings of a gravure idol.

Moreover, with her glasses off and her bangs styled, Sakura looked especially lively and cute, making it impossible to take your eyes off her. It was as if she had completely transformed into a different person.

If it weren’t for the familiar school uniform and the large front armor, Hikigaya might have truly had trouble believing that the girl who had her head lowered, looking all socially awkward and self-conscious, was the same person as the one in the photo.

Indeed… girls’ photos are deceiving; this saying turns out to be true!

“And… the photography skills are way too professional.”

Hikigaya couldn’t help but exclaim. Most of the photos on the camera were selfies, and it was clear that the photographer had great skill, with the camera language standing out vividly.

Hikigaya was a self-proclaimed photography failure, so he was often ridiculed and criticized by Komachi, who called him a “clueless older brother” who could only use the “AUTO” setting.

When Sakura heard the boy’s compliment, a happy expression unconsciously appeared on her face. But then, afraid of being found out by the boy across from her, she quickly tried to hide it. However, the slight smile at the corner of her mouth still revealed the happiness in her heart.

Sakura didn’t even realize that Hikigaya’s praise made her happier than when she had been complimented online.

“Eh, wait! Don’t, don’t—”

Just as Sakura was internally reveling in her small joy, she suddenly realized something “serious” and her expression turned frantic. She immediately tried to stop Hikigaya from continuing, but she was a step too late.

Hikigaya had already flipped to the next picture, and his face froze. It was a selfie taken in a bathroom, with Sakura wearing a yellow bodysuit that perfectly showcased her curvy, full figure. Hikigaya unconsciously swallowed, and the next second, the camera was “snatched” away by Sakura!

She clutched the camera tightly, her face as red as a ripened apple, exuding a palpable sense of embarrassment.

“Is, is this cosplay?” Hikigaya attempted to change the subject, trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

If Hikigaya wasn’t mistaken, it seemed to be a tokusatsu cosplay, specifically from the Super Sentai series. No wonder it was so… No, no, he couldn’t think about it anymore. The image of Sakura striking a provocative pose in the yellow bodysuit lingered in his mind. Sakura’s cosplay was way too…

Sakura nodded eagerly, her head bobbing like a chick pecking at the ground.

“It’s kind of hot, huh? This July weather,” Hikigaya wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Despite the air conditioning being on in the room, both Sakura and Hikigaya felt unusually hot.

Then, the two fell into a heavy silence, and the atmosphere became extremely awkward.