Maybe it was because too many people were watching, but even though Utaha was clearly displeased, she didn't argue with Yukino on the spot.
Only after the crowd had dispersed and everyone went off to rest did she finally approach Yukino and Haru.
"I'll admit it... I did shoot it that way on purpose."
Yukino held a cup of hot tea, gently blowing on the steam. She didn't drink right away, her expression calm and composed.
"Because Haru's face can help you draw in more views, right?"
Haru laughed from the side.
"So what you're saying is… this short film has turned into my 'pretty-face showcase'?"
"I never thought of it like that!" Utaha shot back quickly.
But when she saw their skeptical looks, she sighed and added, "Since you, Yukinoshita, refused to act, my original plan was ruined. I had to fall back on a backup plan."
"You're that quick to push the blame onto me?" Yukino's tone sharpened.
"I'm only speaking the truth. When the script was finalized, I wanted you in it. You didn't say no at the time," Utaha explained.
Yukino didn't refute that. She had indeed considered it back then. But after much thought, she had chosen to remain behind the scenes.
She knew well... if she and Utaha both appeared in the same short film, even if it were just a crime story, the two of them together would easily draw in far more viewers.
But that wasn't what she wanted, nor did she care for such gimmicks.
So instead of arguing further, she simply asked, "Then why go out of your way to shoot him looking good?"
"For practice," Utaha answered flatly.
Neither Yukino nor Haru had expected that response.
"What do you mean by that?" Yukino frowned.
Haru noticed Utaha's momentary hesitation. Thinking it over, he suddenly recalled the director Mika Ninagawa.
"Senpai… don't tell me you've been secretly consulting her?"
Yukino immediately caught on. "Ms. Ninagawa?"
Utaha scratched her cheek, embarrassed.
"…Yes. I've been chatting with her online a bit."
She had long agonized over whether to formally study under that senior. But after Haru's analysis last time, she realized she didn't have the energy to commit, and put the idea aside. Admitting it now in front of the two still felt awkward.
Yukino, however, didn't seize the chance to mock her. Instead, she mused seriously.
"I think I understand now."
Haru nodded as well. He saw it too.
Ninagawa was brilliant at visual language, but Utaha was still a novice... even less experienced than Yukino. For her to suddenly replicate Ninagawa's style was impossible.
Clearly, Utaha knew that herself. So rather than rely on environment and atmosphere, she had opted to focus on faces—it was simpler, more manageable.
The problem was, she may have pushed too far. The end product was smooth and free of glaring flaws, but all those lingering close-ups and heavy filters made it feel more like an idol drama than a crime short.
"I'll fix it," Utaha said firmly, realizing the issue.
Yukino took a sip of tea, her tone mild.
"I was just about to say... since this is your first film, and the end result is decent, why not lean into the part you are good at?"
Haru shared the same thought. Switching styles midstream was difficult.
But he also knew Utaha wouldn't agree.
Sure enough, she shook her head.
"No. If I have the ability to do better, I won't settle for 'good enough.'"
Yukino narrowed her eyes slightly. "So what you really want… is to surpass me?"
Utaha stayed calm.
"Not surpass... catch up. That's all."
It wasn't a lie. Ever since she'd personally felt Yukino's overwhelming "queenly presence," she'd set aside her ambitions of surpassing her.
But if someday she could stand on equal ground, she might revisit the idea.
Haru popped open a hot drink from the bag, grinning as he teased,
"If you ask me, it's possible for Senpai to surpass Yukino, but it's unlikely that Senpai will surpass Yukino."
Both Yukino and Utaha stared at him.
"…Do you even hear yourself?"
Haru didn't explain. He'd only meant to lighten the mood, to keep them from quarreling.
Just then, Megumi trotted over.
"Amaiya-kun, quick! Come look Furukawa-san's gotten into an argument with someone."
"Furukawa?"
Haru immediately set down his drink and dashed off. He knew his friend too well... honest, timid, always avoiding trouble. If he'd gotten into a confrontation without Haru around, odds were he'd be the one at a disadvantage.
Yukino and Utaha quickly followed. Their sudden departure drew everyone else's attention.
"What happened?"
"Not sure... let's go see."
Even Shizuka, who had been chatting with others, got up to join them.
By the time Haru arrived, Furukawa was sitting on the ground, face flushed with anger. His friends were equally furious, glaring at a group of young men opposite them.
Beside those men stood a nervous-looking woman clutching a child.
Before Haru could ask what happened, Shizuka's voice cut in from behind.
"Of course it's these bastards again!"
Haru turned in surprise to see her striding up, face dark. Yukino's expression had also hardened.
"You know them?" Haru asked.
Yukino explained quickly. They were the same punks who'd tried bullying a couple in the park the other night, using numbers to their advantage.
Hiratsuka frowned at the mother and child. "I'd bet anything these freeloaders were harassing them."
Understanding the situation, Haru didn't hesitate. He stepped forward.
"Haru, those scum were harassing the mother. I tried telling them off, and they started shoving," Furukawa explained heatedly.
"I get it. Leave this to me," Haru assured him.
His friends visibly relaxed. After all the incidents last year, they'd long seen Haru as their rock.
The young punks noticed them too. But when they recognized Yukino and Shizuka, their bravado wavered.
The memory of Yukino casually flooring them last time still lingered like a nightmare.
And now, with even more people at her side, unease spread quickly.
The leader glanced at Haru as he approached, opening his mouth to sneer...
Only for Haru to seize his arm in one swift motion and slam him face-first into the ground with a dull thud.
The takedown was so fast that not just the punks, but even Shizuka and the others were left stunned.
"…That was… efficient," Shizuka muttered.
Utaha's eyes lit up in appreciation.
That move was clean. Stronger, quicker than when Yukino had pinned her.
I need to learn that.
As for Yukino and Megumi, they stayed where they were. They both knew Haru's "other side," knew that against thugs like these, he was practically built with a natural advantage.
But the punks were far from calm.
Especially the one Haru had floored... he hadn't even gotten a word out before being humiliated, pinned down with Haru's leg pressing into him.
Red-faced, straining, he gasped out the classic line:
"I… I can't breathe! Get off me, you bastard!"
Haru ignored him, glancing instead at Furukawa's friends.
"You didn't throw any punches, right?"
"No," they all shook their heads.
"Good." Haru turned to the pinned boy's three companions.
"Then we can all take a trip to the police station."
Yukino already had her phone out. She'd wanted to do this last time too, but inexperience had let them escape.
At the word "police," the man on the ground panicked.
"Don't just stand there! Help me, damn it!"
His companions looked from Yukino's calm face to the others gathered around. Outnumbered, outmatched... they didn't dare make a move.
"Hold steady, we can win!" the pinned boy shouted desperately.
But his friends had already reached the obvious conclusion.
Win? Against this group? Not a chance.
Almost as soon as the thought crossed their minds, they turned and bolted.
Which was exactly what Haru had been waiting for.
If they didn't run, how else could he justify getting rough?
~~~~~~~~~~
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