Ch.81 : It's Time for a Photo Shoot!

After everything that happened, Nic decided to not stress too much over his insane mission target of 250,000 girlfriends. The number still haunted him, sure, but with no clear deadline, he figured he could take things slow for now.

"Relax... I'll just keep doing what I always do," he muttered as he casually walked toward the school gate.

As he approached, Nic spotted Principal Edward casually chatting with the school security guard. They were laughing about something, but Nic didn't try to listen. After what he'd learned from the Goddess of Love, he figured their relationship would forever be... strange. No need to make it more awkward.

The day at school went by peacefully. Classes felt shorter, the atmosphere was light. Before heading home, Nic swung by the UNITY clubroom—where many of his school-active girlfriends often hung out.

The moment he opened the door, laughter and chatter exploded out.

A bunch of girls were taking selfies, striking silly and elegant poses alike.

"Nic! Finally! Come take pictures with us!" Leona waved him over with a grin.

Vivi handed him a camera.

"Yours?" Nic asked, taking it.

Vivi shook her head. "Nah, it's Nia's. But she's busy with student council stuff, so I borrowed it."

Nic gave her a light smile. "In that case, how about we take our pictures at the main UNITY base instead? More space, more fun."

Everyone agreed instantly.

Soon after, they packed up and made their way toward the UNITY headquarters.

On the way, Nic mentioned wanting to buy a better camera for documenting their activities. Chloe and Olivia offered to go with him.

As they passed through a public park, Nic spotted a girl behind a large camera, adjusting her tripod. She had long silver-gray hair and a focused expression.

"Wait, isn't that the photographer from the fashion contest?" Nic whispered.

Olivia nodded. "Yeah, I remember her. She took amazing shots of you."

They approached her. She noticed them and stood up with a friendly smile.

"Oh, it's you guys! I remember now," she said cheerfully. "You were the participants at the Solis fashion show, right? Especially you..." She looked at Nic for a long moment. "I still have tons of your photos on my hard drive."

Nic chuckled awkwardly. "Haha… So you really were the official photographer, huh?"

She nodded and introduced herself. "I'm Astrid. Freelance photographer. I take school and community gigs too. Today's just a small photo booth I set up for fun."

"Well, what a coincidence," Olivia said with a gentle smile. "We were just about to do a group photoshoot."

Chloe jumped in, "Wanna be our photographer?"

Nic added, "Don't worry, I'll pay you based on how many photos you take."

Astrid thought about it for a second before nodding. "Alright, I'm in. Sounds fun."

With Olivia and Chloe's help, she packed up her equipment and closed her stand. Together, they headed toward the UNITY base.

Outside the door, they found a familiar face—Vera.

She stood awkwardly near the door, head lowered, clearly debating whether or not to ring the bell. Her face was red.

She was the same girl whose affection and loyalty had quietly reached 100%, unintentionally becoming Nic's girlfriend through the system.

"Vera?" Nic approached her quietly, making her jump.

"W-Wha—Nic?! I-I was just... passing by!" she stammered.

Chloe grinned. "Mmm? Waiting for someone, Vera?"

Vera blushed harder, but finally admitted, "I just wanted to see Nic... for a bit."

Not wanting to embarrass her more, Nic nodded warmly. "Well then, come on in. Join the photoshoot."

Vera gave a shy but happy smile and followed them inside.

---

Astrid was speechless the moment she entered the UNITY base.

The interior was full of unique decorations representing each of Nic's girlfriends—paintings, instruments, climbing walls, even a mini science lab. It wasn't just big—it was alive.

"This place… it feels like a giant house filled with love," she whispered.

Nic clapped his hands. "Alright! Our photographer's ready, let's get started! First group—sports lovers. We're heading to the gym. Everyone else, wait in your rooms. I'll come to you one by one."

Vivi, Leona, Nia, Fanny, Jenny, Raina, and Eliz eagerly followed him to the gym.

Once there, Nic helped them get into positions and encouraged them to act natural. Astrid was immediately in her zone, snapping photos from every angle, capturing light, motion, and emotion effortlessly.

Vivi and Leona had a mini basketball face-off—though, as usual, Leona tired quickly while Vivi stayed cool and confident.

Nia showed off her sharp martial arts moves with wind-like grace.

Nearby, Fanny and Jenny playfully attacked Nic like street fighters. He stood his ground, calm and smirking.

In a corner, Raina was doing push-ups while Eliz lifted weights steadily, focused on her breath.

Klik! Klik! Klik!

Astrid didn't stop clicking. Every moment—every interaction—was captured in full.

---

Next stop: the music room.

The moment the door opened, the sound of a piano filled the air. Inside, Olivia, Monica, Bella, Melody, and Emily were warming up.

Melody played elegantly on the grand piano, Monica and Olivia rehearsed harmonies. Bella stretched for dance, while Emily sat quietly by the speakers, smiling softly with a tablet in hand.

"Glad you made it, Nic," Olivia said sweetly. "We thought you'd forgotten us."

"No way," Nic grinned, grabbing an electric guitar from the wall. "This is the coolest room."

Monica smirked. "Don't mess up our harmony with your noise, alright?"

"It's not noise—it's flavor." Nic strummed a loud rock riff.

The room came alive. Bella danced freely to the beat. Olivia and Monica took turns singing. Emily stood up, tapping her foot to the rhythm.

Astrid snapped away, circling them like a pro. "Their energy is amazing…"

---

Then came the art and gaming zone.

There, Rika, Lily, Talia, Mika, Yui, and Julia were already waiting.

"Yo! The king arrives!" Lily shouted, holding up her controller.

"We've been waiting, oh divine gamer," Rika teased.

Nic chuckled. "Let's start… but Mika, maybe don't jump around with a burger in your mouth?"

"Too excited!" Mika laughed, then shoved half a burger into Nic's mouth. "Here!"

Nic nearly choked. Julia shouted from the corner, "Mika! Be careful, jeez!"

Talia giggled. "You're kinda cute when you're panicking, Nic."

Meanwhile, Yui quietly painted the scene—Nic being attacked with food. Astrid, of course, caught it all.

---

In the fashion room, Violet, Chloe, and Vera were trying out gothic outfits.

Violet posed confidently in a black dress. "Three words: made for me."

Chloe examined two outfits. "Didn't expect to like this style… but it's actually cool."

Vera stood nervously by the curtains, her hair done up, face bright red. "Does this look… weird on me?"

Chloe whispered, "You look adorable. And kinda mature."

Nic added, "Totally agree. The contrast suits you perfectly."

Vera blushed deeper, but a faint smile crept onto her lips.

Astrid clicked just in time, catching that shy expression flawlessly.

---

The lab and med bay came next. Luna, Viona, Mira, and Serene were inside.

Mira held her dog while Viona checked it with a stethoscope. "Heartbeat's fine. But maybe less jogging?"

"But he loves it…" Mira replied.

In the corner, Luna mixed bubbling chemicals, cackling.

Serene peeked over. "Can I try?"

"Not yet," Luna warned. "If you drink this now, I'll get in trouble."

Serene giggled. "Fine. But you owe me a sip later."

Nic watched them, smiling at how natural everything felt. Astrid kept shooting.

---

Lastly, the backyard.

Sylvia, Charlotte, Zestia, and Gina were already seated on a bench, warm drinks in hand. Zestia brewed tea while Charlotte read a book.

"Took you long enough," Charlotte said without looking up.

"Hey, this place is refreshing," Nic replied, stretching and breathing in the cool air.

Gina stood. "Perfect place to chill."

"Totally," Nic nodded.

Zestia and Sylvia smiled. "Let's take this shot before the sun sets."

Astrid snapped away, capturing the golden light and relaxed vibes.

---

Finally, everyone gathered in the main lounge. They crowded around the big sofa and carpet. Nic stood in front, forming a finger-gun pose toward Astrid.

Inside his mind: "Zeta, activate Cupid Arsenal... Choose pistol... and-"

BAM!

A silent, invisible love shot struck Astrid just as she clicked the final photo.

Zeta's notification popped up:

[Congratulations, Master Nic! Astrid now has 100% affection for you!]

[Heart Claim activated. Astrid has been registered as an indirect girlfriend!]

[You have acquired the passive skill: God of Photography]

Nic grinned. "One more... slowly but surely."

To be continued...