Take the Best Shot! - 7: The Best Shot

Nonogi Park

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1

Haruka

So, a picture of Aoyagi smiling...?

2

Haruka

Okay, let's give it a try...
I do agree that we should be able to capture a different side of him.

3

Toya

If you think it'll turn out well, Azusawa, then I trust you.

4

Kohane

Thanks...!

5

Kohane

Anyway, we're short on time, so let's focus on making the most of our last attempt.

6

Haruka & Toya

*Nod*
Yes!

7

Toya

But I'm still not sure how to go about doing this. Smiling on cue isn't something I do often...

8

Kohane

I know it's really hard when you're put on the spot like this. I also have trouble smiling when someone asks me to...

9

Kohane

But I want to capture you as you are, Aoyagi, so just try to relax.

10

Toya

Relax...?

11

Toya

Okay, I'll try...

12

Kohane

Now, the sun's peeking through nicely as it sets, so let's try to make use of it. Can you stand here for me?

13

Toya

Here?

14

Kohane

Yes! Now, try giving me a smile.

15

Toya

Okay.

16

Toya

How's this...?

17

Kohane

U-Uhh...

18

Haruka

I can't say that your expression's changed much...

19

Toya

I see...

20

Toya

Trying to relax is more difficult than I realized...

21

Haruka

You may be tensing up because you're trying too hard to smile.

22

Haruka

So, instead of forcing out a smile, you could try thinking about some fun or happy memories from your past.

23

Toya

My memories...?

24

Haruka

Yes, this method helped me learn how to smile more.

25

Kohane

Huh? But you're...

26

Haruka

The truth is, when I was little, I had a lot of trouble smiling.

27

Kohane

You did?

28

Toya

I'm also surprised. I was under the impression that all idols were good at that...

29

Haruka

Hehe. I'm good at it now.

30

Haruka

But I really did used to have a lot of trouble smiling...

31

Haruka

Then I met this idol while she was doing an event at a mall, and she asked me to join her on stage.

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32

Haruka

I remember having so much fun dancing with her. The audience really enjoyed seeing that, which in turn made me unbelievably happy...

33

Haruka

Before I knew it, I had a big smile on my face.

34

Kohane

That really happened?

35

Haruka

Yeah. Now, I can't help but smile whenever I think about that moment.

36

Haruka

Which is why I think you should try doing the same thing, Aoyagi. Try remembering a moment that really made you smile.

37

Toya

That really made me smile...

38

Kohane

Oh, I know...
What about that time we went camping?

39

Kohane

You seemed to have a lot of fun while pitching the tents and chopping vegetables.

40

Toya

That's right...

41

Toya

Not only did we work together to accomplish various things that time, I got to experience a lot of new things.

42

Toya

I definitely enjoyed seeing my horizons expand.

43

Haruka

Hehe. Sounds like a really important memory.

44

Toya

Yes, and... I was elated after completing my very first track.

45

Kohane

Oh, that's right. You were able to after asking Soma for advice.

46

Kohane

I remember really liking it.
It was gentle but also powerful... Like it wanted us to keep moving forward.

47

Toya

It was meant for my friends, so it makes me glad to hear you say that.

48

Kohane

(Oh, Aoyagi seems a little more relaxed now...)

49

Kohane

You were also really happy when you heard the news that An and Shinonome weren't getting held back...

50

Toya

Yes, I was.
I honestly didn't know what would happen after they failed those tests...

51

Toya

But they studied very hard for their last finals for the year, so I was ecstatic after I heard the news that they'd passed.

52

Kohane

(...!
He's smiling. He's really smiling.)

53

Kohane

(Now's my chance...!
Focus your lens and...)

54

Toya

Speaking of tests, I still haven't heard back from them about our most recent ones...

55

Haruka

Huh?

56

Toya

I can only hope that they received passing scores...

57

Kohane

Aoyagi, wait...!
Your brow's getting all wrinkled...!

58

Toya

*Gasp*
S-Sorry, I couldn't help but worry...

59

Kohane

No, that's okay. If anything, I should be the one apologizing for bringing up their test scores...

60

Haruka

But the way you smiled just now felt really natural.

61

Toya

It did...?

62

Haruka

Yes, it was such a nice expression.

63

Haruka

An's told me all about your team, but you're much closer than I realized.

64

Haruka

Not only that...
I can tell that you're all working towards the same goal.

65

Toya

The same goal...

66

Toya

Yes, that's true...

67

Toya

We've managed to come this far after deciding to work towards making our collective dream a reality, experiencing new things and overcoming various obstacles...

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68

Toya

Akito, Shiraishi and Azusawa...
They're all irreplaceable teammates.

69

Kohane

Aoyagi...

70

Kohane

(Wait, that look...!)

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71

Kohane

(Yes! Now's my chance...!)

72

Kohane

Got it, Aoyagi!

73

Toya

...!
You got that? But I didn't really do anything...

74

Haruka

Hehe. The fact that you can't tell what just happened is proof of how natural it was.

75

Kohane

Exactly. And I got you smiling just the way I wanted, Aoyagi.

76

Kohane

Thank you both so much. I think this is our best one yet, and it wouldn't have been possible without either of you...!

Several minutes later

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77

Kohane

Phew... We just managed to upload it in time...!

78

Toya

All that's left is to see how it does.

79

Kohane

Right.
But I really think it's our best one, so I'm happy, win or lose.

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80

Ena

Nice work, you guys.

81

Kohane

Oh, Ena...!

82

Shizuku

Entries just closed. Did you manage to get your last one in...?

83

Haruka

Yeah, literally just now.

84

Airi

Ena was worried sick that you guys wouldn't make it in time.

85

Ena

H-Hey...!
I just wanted us to compete on a level playing field is all.

86

Kohane

Ena...

87

Kohane

Thank you for your concern.
Fortunately, we managed to get in a really nice photo!

88

Ena

Really...?

89

Ena

Actually, you guys sort of gave us the push we needed to take one last good one.

90

Kohane

Huh? We did...?

91

Ena

Yeah. The ones you took were so good that we thought we should try to do better.

92

Airi

Still, getting a shot of you in that pose felt like trying to catch lightning in a bottle again...

93

Ena

Hey, we got what we wanted, didn't we?

94

Kohane

Oh...

95

Toya

May we see what you took?

96

Ena

*Nod*
Here, take a look.

97

Kohane

Wow...!

98

Haruka

This one also turned out really well.

99

Haruka

It's like you're trying to tell the viewer something, and that mischievous look on your face is so cute.

Ena

Hehe. Thanks.
I did my best to come up with a fun situation.

Toya

And you succeeded.
Come to think of it, Akito also showed an uncanny talent for coming up with good poses and doodles when we took Print Stickers that one time.

Ena

I'd rather you didn't lump us together...
Wait a second, Print Stickers...? When did this happen?

Toya

No, wait...! Sorry, please forget I ever said that...

Shizuku

Hehe. Would you mind showing us what you all took, Kohane?

Kohane

Oh, here's our photo...

Airi

Whoa... This looks amazing!

Shizuku

Yes, it does. And your expression's so lovely, Aoyagi.

Ena

Yeah, and it's beautiful how the light from the sunset has this softness to it.

Ena

Also...
This feels really heartwarming for some reason.

Ena

You look so happy that I can't help but smile too...

Kohane

Oh...

Kohane

Thank you very much...!

Airi

We can't really complain if you guys win after seeing this.

Ena

Yeah. I mean, something's definitely wrong if this doesn't make it into the top ten.

Ena

But we also like what we took, so I'm looking forward to seeing the final tally...

Shizuku

Me too!

Haruka

I know. Since we're all here, why don't we wait for the results together?

Haruka

They won't be out until later tonight, so we'll have to go find a place where we can sit for a while...

Airi

Okay, let's do that!
I've been meaning to ask you guys how you took those pics.

Toya

I'd like to ask you about yours as well.
We couldn't help but wonder how you were able to get them to be so eye-catching.

Ena

Actually, there's no real trick to that. We just...

Kohane

Oh...

Kohane

What if I...?

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Kohane

Hehe. What a nice photo...

Next Chapter: After The Battle