A Liar's Truth [UNDER FINAL REVISION]

Ch 56: Jump!

Third person's point of view

Hara reached for the camera again, only to stop halfway, "Oh!" She snapped her fingers, "Wait a minute."

Everyone turned toward Okano.

"...What?"

"You're the only one who hasn't had a picture yet!"

"Oh, c'mon." Okano rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I'm not nearly as photogenic as these three."

"You'll survive," Hara said, already trying to usher her toward the tree.

"I don't even know how to pose."

"Neither did I," Hara admitted.

"You posed like you were running for office."

"I looked amazing."

"You looked constipated."

"I—" Hara gasped theatrically, "...That was unnecessarily honest."

Okuda let out another quiet giggle, "I-I think you looked nice..."

Hara immediately brightened, "See? Okuda appreciates art."

Ginka watched the exchange with a small smile, absentmindedly spinning the camera strap around one finger.

It was... nice.

Simple.

No cameras from reporters. No staff hovering nearby. No expectations.

Just classmates teasing each other beneath swaying pines, their laughter blending with the distant surf.

For a little while, she could almost forget she was "Seiun."

She was simply—

"Asano-san!"

The familiar voice carried over the rustling pines.

She turned toward the hill overlooking the shoreline. Chiba stood several meters away, one hand raised above his head.

Beside him, Hayami had already slung her rifle case over one shoulder while securing another bag against her hip. Several wooden target dummies lay scattered nearby, waiting to be carried uphill.

"We're heading up," Chiba called. "You coming?"

Ginka blinked, "Oh."

Right. The assassination.