Monsoon Romance

The school's photography club had recently held an exhibition, inspiring a wave of interest among students. Aiko, always curious and eager to try something new, was captivated by the idea of capturing memories through a lens. When she saw Haruto walking toward her during lunch break, she greeted him with excitement.

"Haruto, guess what? I borrowed my dad's camera! Let's try photography together!" she exclaimed, holding up an old, slightly bulky film camera.

Haruto raised an eyebrow. "Photography? Are you sure you know how to use that thing?"

Aiko pouted. "Of course! Well, sort of. I read the manual. Besides, how hard can it be?"

He chuckled. "Alright, let's give it a shot. Where do we start?"

After school, the two headed to the park near their neighborhood, a place filled with vibrant flowers, towering trees, and a playground bustling with children. Aiko fiddled with the camera as they walked, squinting at the dials and buttons.

"So, what's our first subject?" Haruto asked.

Aiko paused, looking around. Her eyes landed on a patch of daisies swaying gently in the breeze. "Those flowers! They look so cheerful."

She crouched down, aimed the camera, and clicked the shutter. The sound was satisfying, but Aiko frowned as she looked at the camera.

"What's wrong?" Haruto asked.

"I forgot... This isn't digital. We can't see the picture right away," Aiko admitted sheepishly.

Haruto laughed. "That's the charm of film, right? We'll have to wait and see if it turns out good."

They wandered deeper into the park, finding inspiration in the simplest things: a bird perched on a bench, sunlight filtering through the trees, and children laughing on the swings. Aiko clicked away, sometimes asking Haruto to hold a branch or stand in the frame to add a "human element," as she called it.

"Okay, now let's take a picture of you," Aiko declared, pointing the camera at Haruto.

He held up his hands. "Wait, I'm not photogenic!"

"Don't be silly. Everyone's photogenic. Just... look natural," she said, adjusting the focus.

Haruto sighed and leaned against a tree, crossing his arms. "Is this natural enough for you?"

Aiko giggled. "Perfect. Say cheese!"

Click.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" she teased.

"Easy for you to say. You're behind the camera," he replied, shaking his head.

As the afternoon stretched on, they came across a small pond. The water was still, reflecting the sky and surrounding trees like a mirror. Aiko gasped.

"It's beautiful. We have to capture this," she said, already adjusting the camera settings.

She crouched low to get the perfect angle, but as she moved to stand up, she lost her balance. Haruto grabbed her arm just in time to steady her.

"Careful, Aiko. You almost went swimming with the fish," he said, smirking.

"Thanks, hero," she replied with a mock bow.

When the sun began to dip, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Aiko turned the camera toward Haruto again. "One more picture. This time, smile for real."

Haruto rolled his eyes but couldn't help grinning at her determination. The warm light bathed him, and Aiko snapped the shot.

"Got it! That's going to be the best one yet," she said confidently.

"You're awfully sure for someone who can't see the results yet," Haruto teased.

"Trust me. It's all about the moment, not just the picture," Aiko said, placing a hand over her heart.

The next day, Aiko dragged Haruto to a photo lab to develop the film. They handed it over to the technician, who promised to have the prints ready by the evening.

When they returned to pick up the photos, Aiko was practically bouncing with excitement. She tore open the envelope as soon as they stepped outside, flipping through the glossy images.

"Look! The daisies came out so bright! And here's the pond... Oh, this one's a little blurry, but it's still pretty," she narrated, holding up each photo for Haruto to see.

When she reached the picture of him leaning against the tree, she paused.

"See? You're photogenic after all," she said, showing it to him.

Haruto examined the photo, his lips curling into a small smile. "I guess it's not terrible."

Aiko laughed. "High praise from Mr. Modest."

They spent the rest of the evening looking through the pictures, reminiscing about the moments they had captured. Each photo told a story, freezing a slice of time they could revisit whenever they wanted.

"This was fun," Aiko said, tucking the photos back into the envelope. "We should do it again sometime."

"Agreed. But next time, let me take a few pictures too," Haruto said.

"Deal. But only if you promise not to cut my head off in the frame," she teased.

The two walked home under the soft glow of streetlights, their shared laughter echoing in the cool evening air. The first photograph session had not only captured memories but also deepened their bond, leaving them eager for the next adventure.