Mash-Up: I'm Not A Substitute

Photography, primarily divided into studio shoots and outdoor shoots.

Studio shoots take place inside a photography studio. Typically, the studio has some basic lighting equipment, but there may not be a lot of extra lighting gear.

Outdoor shoots are more complex. In addition to considering the different indoor and outdoor environments, you also need to prepare more lighting equipment.

At comic conventions, some photographers bring their own lighting, while others are provided by the event. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Usually, the convention provides basic lighting setups and reflectors, but this often requires an additional fee.

Of course, these items aren’t just available for anyone to borrow.

These pieces of equipment need to be arranged through the event organizers beforehand.

Takashi was still a student, so he wouldn’t typically have access to these things.

But he was from Aoba.

Takashi looked at the tall, thin, glasses-wearing man in front of him and said, "Senpai, sorry for the trouble."

"The senior taking care of the junior is only natural, right?"

Mikado Haruto flashed a bright smile.

Aoba High had been around for a hundred years.

Graduates of Aoba High could be found across many industries in Japan.

This time, when borrowing equipment, Takashi went to the student council for help.

The student council’s power in Japan was earned through the efforts of the previous generation, so the student council held significant influence.

Takashi was able to get in touch with a senior who graduated from Aoba seven years ago, and who was also the organizer of the convention.

Thanks to this connection, Takashi was able to borrow the equipment easily, saving him a lot of trouble.

Had Takashi been attending a private school or an ordinary public school, he would never have been able to contact this senior.

These days, many people say that "studying is useless," but in reality, it’s not that studying is useless, it’s that the books you’re reading aren’t helpful.

Mikado Haruto chatted with Takashi for a while, then patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright, I won’t keep you any longer. You guys get to work. By the way, if you’re free tonight, let’s have dinner together."

"Okay."

Watching Mikado Haruto walk away, Takashi clapped his hands and turned to Tanaka Kouta, Ootani Shouta, and Gojo Wakana.

"Alright, let’s get started. Gojo-kun, please come help too."

Wakanawas someone who couldn’t refuse others.

After witnessing Takashi’s terrifying anger, he stood up straight like a student who had just been called on by the teacher, shoulders back, and stood at attention.

"Yes."

Takashi glanced at him, then began directing everyone to set up the lighting.

An excellent photographer’s skill can be gauged just by looking at how they arrange the lighting.

Cleverly arranged lighting is key to producing high-quality photos.

Takashi placed three Profoto umbrellas in a triangular formation with 120° angles, one in front and one on each side.

The left side had a warm color filter added.

As Takashi directed the others, Marin, seeing everyone working hard just for her, felt a bit guilty for not helping.

She wanted to go up and assist.

Takashi glanced at her. "What are you doing?"

When Takashi’s cold gaze landed on her, Marin’s face instantly turned bright red.

She shrank her neck, tightly pressed her legs together, rubbing her tights and trying to suppress the strange feeling rising in her heart.

She weakly said, "I just wanted to help."

"Don’t do unnecessary things. Also, you’re sweating. Go touch up your makeup."

"Ah, oh, okay."

Marin, hearing that her makeup was smudged, hurriedly opened her bag and pulled out a small mirror to touch it up.

Takashi glanced at her bag.

Inside were various lipsticks, a powder compact, contouring and highlighter products, a curling iron, makeup remover, facial cleanser, skincare products, a contact lens case, a phone charger... Hmm???

It was almost like a subtle hint that she wasn’t planning on going home tonight and might be staying with someone.

Was she planning to make a move on Wakana tonight?

Tsk tsk tsk. High school students are really something.

Takashi thought to himself as he looked over at Wakana.

Looks like you’re going to take your first step into adulthood tonight?

I hope you have a good experience.

Speaking of which, both boys’ and girls’ first experiences are usually pretty bad.

Don’t ask how I know that!

Just read it in books!

...

"Thank you, Kashiwagi-sensei."

After signing for the last fan, Eriri put down her pen and rubbed her slightly aching stomach.

It seemed like she hadn’t eaten much since last night, and now her stomach wasn’t feeling very well.

"Kashiwagi-sensei, thank you for your hard work."

Mikado Haruto came over and gave a small bow.

"This is something we had already agreed upon. You’re too polite."

Eriri returned the bow.

She was always polite to strangers.

"Is there anything else we need to do next?"

She was one of the special guests invited by the event organizers.

This was also the reason she was present today.

"There’s nothing else. You have free time now, please enjoy the convention."

"I will."

"Well then, I’ll be leaving. If you need anything, just call me."

Mikado Haruto had worked with Kashiwagi Eriri several times, so they were familiar with each other’s personalities.

Knowing that Kashiwagi Eri wasn’t one for casual conversation, he prepared to leave.

Just as he was about to turn around, he seemed to remember something and casually asked,

"By the way, Kashiwagi-sensei! The little assistant who always follows you around, wearing glasses—where did he go? I haven’t seen him."

Eriri, who had just gotten up and was about to wander around, froze at the words.

She silently lowered her head, her eyes reddening.

In the silence, Mikado Haruto realized he had said something wrong. Just as he was about to make a correction, Eriri, who had remained silent until then, spoke.

"I suspect he cheated on me... I’m sorry for making him angry."

Her voice was low and heavy, as though she were holding back some emotion.

"I see..."

Mikado Haruto looked at her, his face filled with awkwardness.

He should have known better than to ask.

If he had a good relationship with Eriri, he could have offered some comforting words and advice, but they only had a professional relationship, so it wasn’t really his place to comment on her personal matters.

"Senpai, sorry to interrupt."

While Mikado Haruto was awkwardly trying to cover his blunder, Takashi walked up.

Mikado Haruto turned his head with a warm smile, "What’s up, junior?"

No matter what Takashi said, Mikado Haruto would comply.

Takashi, seeing his senior’s enthusiastic expression, instinctively covered his rear.

Since his charm had broken the 10-point mark, he noticed that more men had been harassing him recently.

On the way here, a man who looked fairly intimidating asked him how much for a night.

Takashi had told him he was a guy.

The man had responded that he knew.

Takashi nearly exploded.

Why do men who harass women also harass other men? And they’re men themselves?

Now, he had to be cautious around all men.

He didn’t want any unwanted attention.

"Senpai, do you have a little devil?"

"A little devil? What’s that?"

"It’s... "

Takashi glanced awkwardly at Eriri and noticed she was staring at him.

He quickly turned away and muttered nervously, "It’s... that little toy girls have. Macaron colors, the buzzing kind."

Mikado Haruto was confused. "Junior, what are you talking about?"

Takashi gritted his teeth and squeezed out two words from between them: "Vibrating egg!"

Mikado Haruto: (°Д°)

Wait, junior, what exactly are you trying to do?

We’re at a professional convention here.

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