Chapter 126: Above the Clouds, Beneath the Heart
The wait in the airport lounge didn't last long before their flight to Hokkaido was announced for boarding. Thanks to Yukima Azuma's early preparations, the group had first-class tickets, allowing them to board ahead of the crowd through a priority gate.
The spacious first-class cabin offered a luxury the group rarely experienced—wide reclining seats, plush footrests, and private partitions that could slide up to form miniature suites. Yet, rather than seeking solitude, they all chose to sit together in a cluster, the warmth of companionship more inviting than personal comfort.
After a final wave and goodbye to her mother, Eriri silenced her phone and tucked it away.
Beside her, Kato Megumi pulled a compact camera from her backpack.
"Kato-san, you're so well-prepared. I totally forgot about bringing one!" Eriri pouted with mild envy. She could already imagine how many candid shots she was missing out on.
"My sister stuffed it in my bag," Megumi replied with a small smile.
The camera had been a surprise gift from her older sister, Kato Hiromi. Upon learning that Megumi was heading to Hokkaido with club friends, Hiromi had disappeared into her room and returned minutes later, brandishing a neatly packed camera with a fresh memory card.
"Take lots of pictures, yeah? I need ideas for my future honeymoon," she'd said with a teasing grin. "And maybe snap a few cute portraits too."
Megumi, used to her sister's playful jabs, had accepted it wordlessly—but inwardly, she was thankful. The camera had already proven its worth.
Just then, Yukima Azuma sat near the window, resting his cheek against one hand, fingers lightly tapping the sill. Outside, the plane had already taken off. A stretch of soft clouds and a golden skyline unfurled behind him.
Without hesitation, Megumi powered on the camera, adjusted the focus toward Azuma's serene profile, and clicked the shutter.