After about 30 minutes of waiting, our turn came around, and we were led to one of the several large box-like items. Inside the pure white interior, with a crystal in the center that seemed to be used to operate the magic tool, along with an explanatory signboard nearby.
The crystal was apparently used to change the background and take pictures. There’s a time limit of 10 minutes, and after that time, the guests are asked to leave even if they didn’t take any pictures.
[This thing looks pretty solid. They also designed it so what was inside couldn’t be seen from the outside.]
[Well, part of the reason why that is was because the photography culture hasn’t really taken root yet. There are many people who are reluctant to see other people in their photos. So, they designed it so that this place wasn’t visible from the outside, with explanations and magic tools inside for the guests to operate it on their own.]
[Heehhh…… That is…… something quite convenient for Alice, isn’t it?][I won’t deny it…… Alright, we have a time limit, so let’s decide on the background and such.]
Saying that, Alice operates the magic tool, and the background, or rather, the interior of this magic tool switches to various scenes. Though I say that, they only have simple ones and there aren’t many types.
There were about 10 different types of backgrounds, including meadows, beaches, and other typical places like that.
[This beach one has a pretty nice atmosphere. Ah, but they only have the night version available huh……]
[Beach…… Night……]
[Can’t this be changed to a morning version…… Really can’t huh. Huh, Alice?]
[Ah, n- n- n- n- n- no!? I- I- I- It’s nothing! C- Come on, let’s play it safe and go with a bright background! How about this meadow!!!? We don’t have much time!!! We’re running out of time!!!][……We still have about 7 minutes though.]
[WE DON’T HAVE TIME ANYMORE!!!]
[……O- Ou.]
Isn’t she pushing herself through this with quite the excessive vigor? Well, whatever……
With that in mind, Alice and I stand side by side in front of the meadow background. It’s fine for us to just stand normally, but since we’re aiming for a lover-like photo, I put my arm around Alice’s shoulder and gently pulled her closer.
[Whyaaahh!? Ahh, t- that’s right…… Lover-like photo……]
[You fine with this?]
[Ahh, t- that’s right…… Ah, no, Kaito-san. Our height difference makes the photo look a bit uncomfortable, so would you mind squatting down a little?]
[Should I crouch down a bit?]
There certainly is quite a height difference between Alice and me, so squatting a bit should give the photo a more romantic feel.
[No, but does squatting like this make it look alright?]
[It doesn’t feel too awkward. I mean, even if you say it’s crouching, you’re just lowering your body a bit……]
[Let’s go with this then.]
[Yes. I’ll be taking the photo then. The count will appear above the signboard, so pay attention to that.]
Following Alice’s words, I turned toward the signboard and saw large letters floating above it. It kinda looks like when I received hummingbird letters.
The countdown starts from 5, and when it reaches 0, that’s when the photo will be snapped. So, I have to keep my eyes forward and make sure I don’t close my eyes……
[———–Chuu.]
[Huh? Eh?]
I suddenly felt a soft touch on my cheek, and right after I felt taken aback by what just happened, I heard the sound of the photo being snapped. When I turned around, dumbfounded, I saw Alice with a smug smile on her bright red face, looking as if steam would start coming out of her head.
[H- Hahaha, y- you let your guard down! E- E- E- Even I can do it when I try, you know…… Haha…… Ah, wait, my face, it feels like I’ll go explode……]
Seeing Alice cover her face with both hands, the blush on her face reaching her ears, I couldn’t help feeling moved in a strange way witnessing such a brilliant self-destruction.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [What the heck are you doing!? You’re the type of person who’s too shy to do anything on your own, right!!!? Stop charging headfirst towards those sweet deve……]
