The shop clerk pretended to check the camera's damage level, when in reality he was trying to pry out the memory card (SD card) inside.
He knew very well what the contents of that memory card were, of course he wanted to take it so he could bring it home and watch it slowly.
Ryunosuke noticed that small movement. He immediately snatched back that digital camera, pulled out its memory card in front of the clerk's eyes, then handed it to that clerk again while deliberately mocking.
"Repairs shouldn't require a memory card, right?"
The corner of the clerk's lips twitched, but he didn't dare argue. He was forced to do a normal and honest technical inspection.
Airi showed a grateful expression. She also realized something was wrong with that clerk, but she didn't dare speak up; she was indeed a bit too timid.
Ryunosuke kept watching that clerk while he examined the camera. Finally, that clerk gave an answer.
"Repair time will take about a week. The cost is 23,000 personal points."
"Do you want to repair it? If yes, please pay the points first, then fill in the delivery address. A week later, I'll send it to you."
Ryunosuke transferred 23,000 personal points. Airi reflexively was about to fill in her address, while the clerk showed a disgusting lecherous expression.
Seeing that expression, Airi felt frightened. Her hand that was about to write the address froze in the air, unable to move the pen.
That clerk urged. "Hurry and sign! If you don't fill in the address, how can I send this camera?"
Airi said in a small trembling voice. "Actually... I can come myself to pick it up."
"How can that be!" That clerk stood up emotionally. After realizing he was acting excessively, he sat back down and tried to explain with fake patience.
"If you don't fill in the address, this shop won't repair it. Let me tell you, at this school, only I'm the only one who can repair digital cameras. Think carefully."
Airi wavered, not knowing whether she should fill it in or not.
Ryunosuke immediately took the pen from Airi's hand, wrote his own dorm address, then handed it to that clerk.
"My address should work too, right?"
"Sakura-san, later you just pick it up at my place."
"Thank you, Akasaka-kun!" Airi said full of gratitude.
That shop clerk clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Damn brat, acting like a hero."
He muttered softly, but was still heard by Ryunosuke.
Ryunosuke smiled coldly and thought internally: (Don't celebrate yet, after this incident is over, I'll also make you disappear from this school!)
After the address matter was settled, Ryunosuke led Airi out of that camera shop. He then returned the memory card containing Airi's personal photo collection to her.
Airi received it carefully, gripping it tightly in her palm while continuing to bow her head.
After all, in that card there were photos of herself as a photo model! Thinking that card had just been held by Ryunosuke made her feel a bit difficult to accept reality from embarrassment.
Ryunosuke actually knew what the contents of that card were, but for the sake of his next plan, he pretended not to know and continued executing his plan.
He then offered something to Airi.
"I have a digital camera at home. If you don't mind, you can use it temporarily for now."
"After your own camera is finished being repaired, then return it to me."
Hearing that, Airi's emotions overflowed with joy. "Really?"
But she immediately realized she was acting excessively and tried to calm down again.
"Sorry, I lost control earlier," she said with slightly flushed cheeks.
Ryunosuke signaled that it wasn't a problem, then deliberately asked. "Do you really like photography?"
Airi's body reflexively trembled. She immediately shook her head to deny. She didn't want to admit that she was a photo model, because that would cause many problems.
Seeing Airi's reaction, Ryunosuke realized he shouldn't rush. Actually, this meeting was his deliberate doing.
His purpose was to get additional points from this naive girl. After all, his debt was very large, not a small amount. If he only relied on safe ways to make money, who knows when that debt would be paid off.
Therefore, he was forced to take a risky path and use slightly "dark" methods to make money. Although feeling a bit guilty for having to take advantage of the girl in front of him, he promised to give her compensation later.
The naive Airi had no idea at all what was in Ryunosuke's mind. She only looked at him full of hope; she really liked cameras but didn't dare admit it.
Actually, she very much wanted to borrow Ryunosuke's camera, but she was afraid her small secret as a photo model would be exposed, so it was difficult for her to say it.
Ryunosuke understood the girl's dilemma. Partly because of his guilt, he said:
"You don't need to worry. Just take the camera and use it."
"I won't ask what you're using it for, just return it to me after you're done using it."
Airi hesitated for a few seconds, but finally she dared to nod.
"Thank you, Akasaka-kun." After saying that, she bowed deeply.
She wasn't a stupid person; she knew Ryunosuke said that to protect her feelings. Ryunosuke must have realized how much she liked cameras, but still respected her privacy.
(Akasaka-kun is truly a gentle person...) Airi thought internally.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Before long, the two of them arrived at the boys' dormitory where Ryunosuke lived. Because this was a male area, Airi could only wait outside while Ryunosuke took the camera.
Ryunosuke entered his room and took the camera he had prepared. This digital camera was already equipped with a GPS tracker, the purpose being so he could know Airi's position at any time.
Although he intended to take advantage of her to get a large amount of points, he had to guarantee that girl's safety. If not, even if points were obtained, his heart wouldn't be at peace.
He immediately handed that camera to Airi.
Airi really liked it and promised to take good care of that camera. At the same time, they mutually added contacts on each other's student terminals.
Initially Airi didn't want to add contacts, but Ryunosuke used the reason "need to contact when the original camera is finished being repaired," so she was forced to agree.
The reason Airi was reluctant wasn't because she didn't want to, but because she felt she was troubling others too much and felt embarrassed. Her personality was indeed fragile; she became a photo model precisely to change herself to have courage to communicate normally with others.
Ryunosuke was one of the few people she could communicate with normally... as a friend, perhaps?
(Have we already become friends?) Airi thought internally with mixed feelings. She said shyly.
"Thank you, Akasaka-kun, for being willing to lend me the camera."
Ryunosuke acted indifferent. "No problem. Besides, I'm the one who damaged your camera, it's only natural I give you compensation. You don't need to feel bad."
"Oh yes..." He gave a small warning. "If you have difficulties, remember to contact me. You already have my contact, call anytime."
That sincere warning was given so when Airi was in danger, he would be the first person contacted. Airi's cheeks heated up slightly; this was the first time she felt there was someone who cared so much about her. This feeling felt very subtle and foreign...