Reincarnation: Yukino Yukinoshita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Yuigahama Yui found herself surrounded by so many girls from her class all at once. At first, she was quite nervous.

But after hearing their disgruntled words, she understood.

"You've got it all wrong. Amamiya-San and I really became friends, but the situation is not exactly what you think it is."

Yui rubbed her face, trying not to laugh.

But given the current situation, she held herself back.

"So, what's the actual situation?" the girls asked, not quite believing her.

Yuui answered honestly, "I joined the photography club."

"Huh?"

The moment she said that, Yui noticed the strange expressions on her classmates' faces.

This left her a bit confused. "What's going on with you guys?"

"So all this time, the reason your relationship with Amamiya-San has been progressing so quickly is because of that?"

In an instant, Yui realized that the hostility from her classmates had vanished.

Yuigahama Yui found herself encircled by a group of classmates, her confusion only growing as she listened to their chatter.

"You joined the photography club? That takes guts!"

"Yeah, we found out back then when Amamiya-San wanted to start the club. A bunch of us helped him gather the minimum number of members, but he seriously told us that photography club wasn't a joke—he actually planned to put real effort into it."

"I still remember his serious face. It was so rare to see him like that."

Listening to their various comments, Yui couldn't help but ask, "Isn't taking the club seriously a good thing?"

Her classmates froze for a moment, their expressions awkward.

Finally, the girl who had initially confronted her broke the silence.

"Amamiya-San's a good guy. He specifically told us that photography knowledge can be really tough for most people to grasp. If you're not interested in it, being in the club would just be boring."

"Yeah, so instead of having us fill out application forms, he let us try it out first."

Yui glanced at the girls' sheepish expressions and pieced things together. Still, she asked, "And then?"

The group exchanged looks, clearly more embarrassed now.

"Then we realized… we didn't understand a thing!"

"No, no, it's not like Amamiya-San's explanations weren't detailed. We understood a bit! But that Snow Queen, Yukinoshita, was just too strict!"

"Exactly! She's always so stern in the club. I tried to get on her good side for Amamiya-San's sake, but when I asked her a question, she said, 'Your intelligence isn't at the level where I can teach you.' Can you believe that?"

The girls puffed their cheeks in frustration.

Yui thought back to Yukino's cold demeanor in the club—it sounded just like her. At a glance, Yukino did seem hard to get along with.

"Photography's so complicated, Amamiya-San teaches so seriously, and there's a demon like Yukinoshita watching. Good luck surviving in the club, Yuigahama," one of them teased before the group dispersed.

Yui opened her mouth, wanting to say she actually loved the club's atmosphere.

That sense of being truly welcomed—it made her genuinely happy.

Even if Yukinoshita Yukino was strict, her high standards were also a good thing for the club.

After school, Yui went straight to the photography clubroom.

Haru wasn't there, and Yukino was quietly reading.

"Yukinoshita-san," Yui greeted.

"Hm. You're here."

After a brief acknowledgment, Yukino returned her attention to her book.

Yui sneaked a glance at the title.

The Art of Lighting in Cinematography.

On the desk beside her lay a stack of similar books, including Introduction to Film Theory, Volumes 1-3.

Yui's eyes widened. What kind of books are these? Isn't this the photography club?

Wait... Film?

She remembered the scene at the dessert shop that day.

Hesitantly, she asked, "Yukinoshita-san, was Amamiya-San writing a script that day at the dessert shop?"

"You saw that?" Yukino looked up, her expression calm.

Yui flushed, mumbling, "I was just curious..."

Yukino closed her book. "You've probably heard about the photography club, haven't you?"

Yui blinked.

Yukino elaborated, "Or maybe someone mentioned Haru's teaching style—that he gets very serious."

"How do you know that?" Yui was startled.

"Are you wondering if I was there when you heard it?"

"Eh? You figured that out too?"

"Your expression gave it away."

Yui: "..."

That was fast!

She averted her gaze, embarrassed.

The stories she'd heard about Yukino mostly revolved around her beauty, but she was clearly much sharper than that.

Yukino, unbothered, continued, "Haru's strictness when teaching stems from two things. First, he genuinely enjoys teaching. Second, the photography club represents his dream."

"His… dream?"

Hearing such a weighty word, Yui immediately straightened up, standing at attention.

Yukino nodded. "You noticed the books I'm reading, didn't you? Even though this is a photography club, there are books on lighting theory and film studies. It's natural to find that odd."

Yui blushed—she had thought it was strange.

"Since you saw him at the dessert shop, there's no point hiding it. Haru is indeed working on a script. Actually, he's written several scripts before."

Yui's jaw dropped.

Yukino anticipated her reaction. "He was supposed to tell you himself, but he tends to overlook such details, so I'll explain instead."

Her tone turned serious. "Yuigahama-san, I can guess why you joined the photography club. But now that you've signed up as an official member, I expect you to take it seriously".

"I don't tolerate laziness. And I especially dislike it when someone has ulterior motives while he's giving his all."

The intensity of Yukino's words made Yui feel like she was shrinking.

For some reason, Yukino's demeanor reminded her of a "main wife" character in those TV dramas she used to watch—commanding, confident, and utterly unyielding.

"I-I'll work hard! I promise I won't slack off because… I really like being here!"

Blushing, Yui declared her determination.

For the first time, Yukino smiled at her. A genuine smile.

"Then, welcome to the photography club."

"Thank you."

As Yukino returned to her book, Yui finally exhaled.

But inwardly, she was rattled.

I only joined the photography club to get closer to Amamiya-San and because I liked the welcoming vibe here!

How did we jump to the president writing scripts—and not just once or twice?

And from the way Yukinoshita-san studies those books, it's only a matter of time before I hear news of Amamiya-San making a movie.

Am I about to dive into the deep end already?!

Her mind was a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts, like, Should I start preparing to challenge a legendary filmmaker?

Little did Yui know, Yukino had been quietly observing her out of the corner of her eye.

He is responsible for external affairs, and I am responsible for internal affairs. This is indeed the most suitable way.

Yukino's resolve only grew firmer.