Megumi stood stiffly beside his gyaru girlfriend inside the cramped photo booth at the mall, feeling completely out of place. She bounced excitedly on her toes, flashing him a mischievous grin as she pulled out a handful of flashy props—oversized sunglasses, sparkly hats, and goofy boas. “Come on, Megumi-kun! Smile! These are gonna be so cute,” she chirped, already adjusting her hair and pouting at the camera. Megumi sighed inwardly but couldn’t help the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth. Her energy was infectious, even if it made him feel like a fish out of water.

As the countdown began, she threw an arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer. “Let’s do something fun!” she whispered, winking. Megumi blinked, caught off guard when she pressed her cheek against his and made a peace sign. His usual serious expression faltered, replaced by a softer, more genuine smile that surprised even himself. The camera flashed again, and she giggled, squeezing his arm like it was the most natural thing in the world. The awkwardness faded, replaced by the simple joy of being with someone who loved him exactly as he was—even if it meant posing for ridiculous photos.

When the strip of pictures slid out, she grabbed it instantly, holding it up with a proud smile. “Look at us! Perfect couple goals,” she teased, nudging him playfully. Megumi glanced down at the photos—the way she leaned into him, how his eyes softened despite his best efforts to stay serious. For once, he didn’t mind the attention or the teasing. Maybe, just maybe, this wild, colorful girl was exactly the spark he didn’t know he needed. And for once, Megumi was glad to be caught on camera smiling like that.