(Okay, we still haven't tried...

Oh, we could try a low-angle shot.)

Aoyagi, I'd like to try a low-angle shot next. Can you try looking down at the camera for me?

Okay.

(Hmm...

This isn't bad, but...)

How'd that turn out, Azusawa?

So, it looks great...

And you look cool and mature...

But because of how our second photo went, I think we're going to have to find a way to do better...

Yeah, we may need to try something completely different...

For example, we could try for more charm like Airi and the others. Something that really catches people's attention.

Charm...?

Now that you mention it, I've been trying to take eye-catching photos, but haven't really been thinking about the whole picture like they have...

Then, what if we tried using some props like them? But I don't have any good ideas from the top of my head...

Why don't we take a quick break?

Some ideas might come to us after we've had a chance to rest a little...

Oh, good idea...

Thanks for the suggestion, Haruka.

Then, I'm going to go get something to drink.

I'll go with you.

Would you like anything, Kohane?

No, I'm okay.

You two go without me.

(But how do you achieve that sort of charm? I need to think of a way...)

(No, I won't be able to beat Ena and the others at their own game.)

(Still, are we really going to be able to take something better by trying whatever comes to mind like this...?)

I'm supposed to be taking a break, but my mind wants to keep trying to think of something...

<Heya, Kohane!>

Huh?

Luka! KAITO!

<Sorry for dropping in so suddenly.

We came to visit since you said you'd be doing your shoot for that photo contest today!>

<So, how are things going?

Is something bothering you by chance...?>

Actually, yes...

We've been able to take a couple of good photos, but we're having trouble getting back into the top ten...

I want to take something better, but I'm not really sure what to do.

<Something better...?>

<First, can you show us what you've already taken? We might be able to help you after we've had a chance to look!>

Oh, sure...!

Any advice would be really helpful right now...!

So, here's what we've taken so far...

<Wow! Toya looks so cool!>

<What a beautiful shot!

I really like how the light's hitting him.>

<Hmm... I honestly only have good things to say about this.>

<Me too!>

<But you want to take an even better one, right, Kohane?>

<Actually...

In your mind, what makes a photo “good”?>

Huh?

<If you clarified that, then we might be able to figure out the solution to this problem!>

Uhh...

To me, a good photo is...

(That's really hard to put into words...)

(I try to copy the way other people frame things and use lighting, but that alone doesn't guarantee quality...)

(There are plenty of great photos out there that don't adhere to basic foundations.)

(So, what is it that makes a photo “good”...?)

...

<I'm sorry, Kohane! It wasn't meant to be such a hard question!>

No, I'm sorry for not being able to find the right words...

<That's understandable. If someone asked me what makes a song “good”, I probably wouldn't be able to give a quick response either.>

<I know...! Kohane, can you tell us about some of the times when you thought you took some really good pictures?>

When I...? Uhh...

Oh...

I think the photos I took of a show I saw at PXL are the first ones that I thought were really good...

<PXL? You mean that amusement park you really love?>

Yes!

I was in junior high school and it was the first time I took a photo using the camera my dad gave me...

The show was so magical. I got so excited that I couldn't help but take so many photos.

Most of them didn't turn out great. They were blurry and poorly framed...

But I liked what I took...

I still feel that way even when I look at them now.

<Oh? Why's that?>

Why...?

I don't really know why...

But I get really excited whenever I look at them.

Seeing the cast members' bright smiles and the sparkling lights puts me right back in that moment.

<I see... Then, it sounds like those photos mean quite a lot to you.>

Oh, yes...

They really do.

<But I feel like all the pictures you take are beautiful and compelling... I always get excited whenever I look at them...>

Wait, you do...?

<Yes! I remember one of those flowers that looked so pretty in full bloom... Or that family of cats, which was so heartwarming...>

<It's clear what you were feeling each time you went to capture a scene.>

<Which is why I really love your work, Kohane. I think all the pictures you take are good.>

Luka...

(She understands what my photos are really about. That makes me so happy...)

(Oh...)

(So, all my photos...

I guess they're a record of what I felt after seeing those things...)

(Which allows me to go back in time, relive them and even share them with others... Is that why I love photography so much?)

So, to me, a “good” photo is...

Thank you...

I think I know how to answer your question now.

<Oh, really?>

Yes... I want to leave a record of the things that really move my heart.

And take photos in a way that others can understand what I was feeling. That's my aim...

But I'm not really sure if that's the best way to receive likes from others...

<Who cares?

You should take the photos you want, Kohane!>

<What he said! Because if you don't think what you took is good, then there's no way others will!>

<However, based on that logic, Kohane, you'll need to take a picture of Toya that you personally like...>

<Hmm... What does that entail?>

Oh...

<Oh, was that a lightbulb?>

Umm.... What if we took one of him smiling?

<Smiling?>

Yes. When we first formed our team, Aoyagi's facial expressions didn't really change much.

But as we spent more time together, he slowly began to learn how to smile and laugh...

Which sort of felt like evidence that we'd become close enough that he's willing to open up to us. I remember how happy I was after realizing that.

So, if we can somehow recreate that heartwarming atmosphere, then I think everyone who sees it will really like it...

<Yeah, that's a wonderful idea!>

<Then, for your last attempt, you'll be going for Toya's smile...?>

Yes...!

I genuinely believe that a photo of him smiling will end up being the best one we take today!