SWNOVELXO Chapter 89
Chapter 89: Giving Value to the Worthy
“Thanks for your hard work tonight.”
Hachiman thanked the girl in front of him, who was wearing thick glasses.
“No… no problem.”
Sakura quickly waved her hand and softly said, “I’m happy I could help you, Hachiman-kun.”
After Haruno left, Hachiman didn’t return to the dorm but instead went to the meeting spot they had agreed upon earlier. A certain girl had been waiting there for a long time.
“The video turned out okay, right? I didn’t pay attention; we should’ve picked a place with better lighting.”
Sakura carefully took out a camera from her bag and handed it over, instinctively responding, “No… there’s no problem. I recorded everything as per your request. No, don’t worry, this camera has great night scene capabilities. Look, even with poor lighting, the recording is still very clear.”
While speaking, Sakura began operating the camera, explaining to Hachiman. Even in that dim environment, the LCD screen showed a clear recording.
“After all, the only downside of expensive things is that they’re expensive.”
Hachiman nodded in satisfaction. This camera had cost him nearly 300,000 personal points, but it was worth it!
He then dragged the video to the last part and saw the scene where Ryuuen found the pinhole camera in the bushes. Hachiman nodded slightly, seeing that Ryuuen had indeed fallen for it.
This pinhole camera was Hachiman’s insurance policy. He had even deliberately left some obvious flaws to attract Ryuuen’s attention, in order to protect the real hidden camera operated by Sakura.
Sometimes, the truth you see is just the truth someone wants you to see.
“Sakura, really, thank you. Without you, I doubt we would’ve captured such a clear shot.”
Though the camera’s excellent performance was one factor, it also depended on the user’s ability. At least in that dim environment, without certain technical skill, it would have been difficult to capture such clear and stable footage.
After all, cameras are easy to learn but hard to master. Hachiman only knew how to use the Auto setting, say “cheese,” and press the shutter. Anything beyond that would take much longer to learn.
“Ah… it’s really the camera’s excellent performance. If anyone else used it, the result would be the same.”
Sakura lowered her head, blushing slightly as she spoke.
“Sakura, you’re too modest.”
From how skillfully Sakura had operated the camera and the clear, stable video, it was evident that it wasn’t as simple as she claimed. Hachiman thought it was just her being shy.
“I didn’t expect you to be so good at photography. This really helped a lot.”
“Being able to help is just… really great.”
Sakura’s voice gradually became quieter for some unknown reason.
At that moment, Sakura’s phone suddenly received a transfer notification. She stared in shock at the 200,000 personal points displayed on the screen, and the sender was none other than Hachiman.
“This is tonight’s payment. It’s the reward you deserve. Please, take it.”
Hachiman seemed to have anticipated her reaction and spoke first, “Also, please keep tonight’s events confidential. I’m counting on you.”
Hachiman knew that Sakura had spent quite a bit of personal points on a camera when school first started, and she had been struggling financially ever since. This money would solve her immediate problem.
Sakura wasn’t good with words, and with Hachiman’s sincere attitude, she couldn’t refuse the offer. She just nodded slightly.
“T-This is too much… no, it’s not necessary…”
Sakura instinctively refused. She hadn’t intended to ask for any payment, and more than the money, she was happier that she could help him.
However, Hachiman shook his head and stubbornly pushed the points onto Sakura. Sakura wanted to refuse, but every time she tried to speak, Hachiman’s “look” stopped her.
“I… I’ll keep it a secret.”
Sakura looked up and met Hachiman’s gaze. She seemed to realize something and, as if noticing it for the first time, her face visibly turned red.
“Umm, that… um…”
“Hmm? Sakura, what did you say? Your voice is too quiet. I didn’t catch that.”
“I-I said… ar… aren’t you too close?”
Sakura seemed to gather all her courage to ask, her face now completely red.
“…”
Hachiman, too, only just realized that he and Sakura had been standing too close for some time.
“Ah? I’m really sorry, I didn’t mean to. I’m so sorry.”
Hachiman quickly stepped back and apologized. When they were watching the video earlier, he had been too focused, and neither of them seemed to have realized how close they were.
Sakura lowered her head, her thick bangs hiding her flushed face, and her body started trembling again.
“N-no need to apologize, it’s not your fault, Hachiman-kun. It’s… it’s my fault.”
Sakura stood up carefully and handed the camera back to Hachiman, but for a brief moment, the reluctance in her eyes was caught by Hachiman. She mumbled an “I’m sorry” and hurriedly left, head lowered.
Hachiman watched Sakura’s retreating figure, deep in thought.
“Eh? Wait, Sakura.”
Hachiman quickly stepped forward to stop Sakura, took out the SD card, and handed the camera back to the girl.
“Anyway, I don’t use the camera much, so it just gathers dust here. It’s better for you to have it; you’ll be able to make better use of it.”
The girl froze in place, quickly shaking her head. “I… I can’t accept this. It’s… it’s too valuable!”
Although Hachiman had never mentioned it, the girl had inquired about the price of this camera at the school store when the semester began. Even though she received 100,000 personal points per month, it was still a luxury item she couldn’t afford to buy even if she tightened her belt.
“The value of an item doesn’t lie in its price but in the person who can make the most of it. Since I don’t have the ability to fully utilize it, I want to give it to you so you can get the most out of it, instead of letting it collect dust in the hands of someone like me who doesn’t know much about it.”
Hachiman stepped forward and hung the camera around the girl’s neck. Sakura looked down at the camera on her chest, murmuring quietly, “But… but…”
“How about this: think of it as a reward, and I’m temporarily lending it to you. When I need it, I’ll come get it back. Of course, you’ll have to help me out at that time as well. How does that sound?”
After thinking for a moment, Hachiman made his suggestion.
This time, Sakura’s expression clearly showed signs of wavering. The girl, who had a passive personality and was easily swayed, couldn’t respond right away due to her shyness and a habit of instinctively resisting external pressure.
“Since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take it as a yes. It’s settled then.”
Seeing her hesitation, Hachiman decided for her. Having known Sakura for almost half a month, Hachiman understood her personality well. Not only did she have the traits of an ostrich (avoiding problems), but she was also a “passive personality” who often needed someone to push her from behind to take action or make a decision.
But this kind of personality, always lacking courage and afraid of making mistakes or being ridiculed, wasn’t something that could be changed overnight.
“Alright, it’s getting late. Thanks for your help tonight. You should head back to the dorm and get some rest.”
After leaving those words, Hachiman disappeared from Sakura’s sight. The girl stood there blankly, looking down at the camera still warm from the boy’s touch, her mind completely blank.