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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Nekorune
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My skin had gotten a bit lighter.
At this rate, I wouldn’t look like a tanned blond delinquent anymore.
I was already missing the blond part; if I lost the tan too, I’d just be a regular delinquent.
Well, at least I could pull off brighter clothes now. That’s gotta count for something.
After leaving the movie theater toilet, I ordered a coffee at the café right next to it and waited for Miyuki.
Around 7:50 p.m., I spotted her coming up the escalator.
She was looking around, her backpack slung over her shoulder, as if she’d come straight from the arcade without stopping by home.
I raised my hand in greeting, and she approached with a smile, taking a seat across from me.
“When did you get here?” she asked.
“About ten minutes ago.”
“You’re early.”
“It just happened that way. You’re here early too.”
“Unlike some people, I don’t make a habit of being late.”
I chuckled at her playful jab and pushed the extra iced Americano I’d ordered towards her.
“Here. You look like you could use this.”
As if to prove my point, tiny beads of sweat dotted her forehead, causing a few stray strands of hair to stick to her skin. It did little to detract from her beauty, though.
She accepted the drink with a grateful smile.
“Thanks, I appreciate it.”
“Came straight from the arcade?”
“Yeah. We were only going to stay for an hour, but… time flew by.”
You had that much fun with Tetsuya?
Stop making me jealous.
Taking a long sip through the straw, she sighed contentedly.
“Wow, that’s refreshing… Have you bought the tickets?”
“Yeah.”
“What are we watching?”
What else screams summer but a good horror flick?
It was practically a cliché in romantic comedies.
“Something scary.”
“Huh…? A horror movie? Do you even like those?”
This would be my first time watching one voluntarily.
It would’ve been helpful to know the plot so I could anticipate the jump scares, but in the game, the event was triggered by a few simple lines: “It was a horror movie,” “the moment the ghost first appeared…” That was it.
So, naturally, I was a bit more on edge than usual.
“I was thinking of watching something else, but this one had good reviews. Do you like horror movies?”
“I do, actually.”
Right, because the whole “damsel-in-distress terrified of ghosts” trope was getting old.
Though, thinking back, it was a bit ironic how the game, despite being chock-full of clichés, robbed me of the chance to enjoy some of them.
If Miyuki was easily scared, I would’ve had ample opportunity for some accidental skinship.
As I nodded silently, she pulled out her wallet.
“I’ll get the popcorn. Cola, right?”
“Already ordered it. We just need to give them the number.”
“How much was it?”
“990 yen.”
She turned her attention to the café menu, calculating the price of the Americano.
“Here’s 1,370 yen.”
“Don’t worry about it, it’s my treat today. You can take care of it next time.”
I made sure to leave the possibility of another date hanging in the air. Miyuki hesitated, her hand freezing mid-air.
She looked conflicted for a moment before responding hesitantly.
“I know, but… we should still split the cost… Remember what happened at the hospital…?”
Since when did we start drawing lines in the sand?
If it bothers you that much, you can always pay for our love hotel later.
“Don’t sweat the small stuff. Just take care of it next time, alright?”
“O-Okay… I will, I will. I promise.”
She even emphasized her point with a double “I will.” Things were looking good.
“Alright, alright. Let’s go get our popcorn.”
“Yeah.”
I stood up and casually slung her backpack over my shoulder before she could protest.
“Your bag weighs a ton… No wonder you’re so short. Are you even 5’3”?”
Miyuki, about to ask for her bag back, puffed out her cheeks in indignation.
“I-I’m 5’4”! You’re just too tall, that’s all…!”
“Look at you, trying to act tough despite being so tiny. A thank you would suffice.”
“W-Well…! Just… carry the bag… H-Hey, Matsuda-kun! Wait up…!”
Ignoring her protests, I headed towards the stand. She trailed behind me, coffee in hand, a cute pout on her face.
She spent the next few minutes trying to wrestle her bag back from me, but I remained steadfast. Finally giving up, she thanked me with a grumpy expression.
She was so adorable, I just wanted to pinch her cheeks.
Flashing her a playful grin, I handed the order number to the cashier.
We received our popcorn, two colas, and a hot dog.
“Order number 837, Couple’s Set. Enjoy your movie.”
I gave the cashier a nod and grabbed the popcorn and one of the colas. Then, I gestured towards the remaining items.
“Here, you can carry the other cola and the hot dog.”
“Huh…? Oh, okay…”
Miyuki’s face flushed slightly.
She was flustered about the whole “couple” thing.
It was a small, almost insignificant act, but these little things added up. This was how sparks flew, how love blossomed.
Though, once we started dating for real, this type of reaction would be hard to come by… I might even miss it.
Good thing I still had Rinka and Hiyori to shower me with these reactions later.
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“Isn’t this color a bit too flashy…? I prefer silver, white, or even black. You know, something simple.”
“I agree. Only try-hards drive cars like this.”
“Matsuda-kun, be nice.”
“Fine, fine.”
We chatted while browsing through car options on my phone during the commercials, falling silent as the movie began.
Creeeak…!
The publisher’s logo appeared on screen, accompanied by an eerie sound that sent chills down my spine.
This was what I hated most about horror movies.
That deliberate use of sound to build suspense right from the get-go.
I could already feel goosebumps forming on my arms.
The only saving grace was that the theater was packed.
Thankfully there were a few extras sitting behind me.
Feeling slightly reassured, I turned my attention back to the screen, about to take a sip of my cola, when—
Crunch.
The sound of Miyuki delicately munching on popcorn reached my ears.
I flinched dramatically, pretending to be startled.
“Aw fu–” I muttered under my breath.
Glancing at her with a frown, I found her stifling a laugh, her eyes crinkled at the corners. Leaning closer, she whispered in my ear,
“You’re more easily scared than you look. Were you about to curse just now?”
Her warm breath tickled my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
This was bad. I couldn’t afford to get a boner now, of all times.
“N-No, I wasn’t… And keep it down.”
“I am being quiet! Maybe you’re just jumpy. Are you that scared?”
“I’m not scared… Just drop it.”
Scoffing, I gripped the armrest and tried to focus on the movie.
The plot was pretty straightforward… A group of students planning to film a documentary about exorcism enter a haunted house and get picked off one by one.
Yeah, yeah, how original, I know. But utterly terrifying nonetheless.
Kyaaah…!
A bloodcurdling scream pierced through the air the moment the protagonists stepped inside the house.
Shuddering involuntarily, I silently prayed for the ghost to just appear already.
But as if to spite me, forty minutes into the movie, the ghost was still MIA.
Thump!
Crash!
Thud… Thud… Thud…!
Instead, every time the tension threatened to dissipate, the sound effects kicked in, keeping us on the edge of our seats.
But why was I even invested in the movie?
All I had to do was focus on triggering the event.
The moment I relaxed, thinking I had successfully calmed my nerves—
Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump. Thump!
“Kyaaaaahhhhh!”
The female lead’s ear-splitting scream ripped through the silence, and the terrifying apparition finally made its grand entrance.
“Gah!” I yelped, genuinely startled by the unexpected timing, just as—
“Eep!”
The girl seated behind me shrieked, flinging the contents of her drink all over my head.
The event had been triggered successfully.
Relief washed over me as the cold, sticky liquid soaked through my shirt, ice cubes sliding down my back.
Well, this was one way to cool down in summer.
“Matsuda-kun…! Are you okay…?” Miyuki asked, her voice filled with concern.
“O-Oh my god…! I am so sorry…!” the girl exclaimed, jumping to her feet and bowing profusely.
The sudden commotion drew the attention of the entire theater.
It was time to choose my next move…
I could try to steer the situation in my favor, like I had at the festival, but for this event, I’d stick to the most favorable option the game presented.
Making up my mind, I turned around and gave the girl a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s fine. Please, enjoy the rest of the movie.”
“L-Let me clean that up for you…”
“I spilled my drink too when I got scared. It’s already wet, so don’t worry about it.”
“I’m really sorry… Please, let me pay for the dry cleaning…”
It’s fine! I already told you!
We were in a movie theater, for crying out loud! Keep quiet!
“Honestly, it’s fine. Just enjoy the movie.”
“A-Alright… I’m so sorry…”
Ending the conversation before it could escalate any further, I used the dry part of my shirt to wipe my hair.
Miyuki nudged my arm and whispered,
“Here, use this…” She discreetly offered me a handkerchief.
“It’s okay. It’ll dry eventually.”
“Honestly… You’re so optimistic, even now… What just happened…?”
“You didn’t get any on you, did you?”
“Just a little bit on my arm, I’m fine.”
“That’s good.”
My wet shirt clung to my skin, accentuating my physique.
Miyuki, unable to help herself, snuck glances at my abs, illuminated by the light from the screen. Her gaze fell on the untouched cola in the cup holder, and her eyes lit up.
Leaning in close to my ear once more, she whispered,
“Matsuda-kun.”
“What?”
“You didn’t spill your cola.”
“I didn’t, no. Thought I did.”
She simply stared at me, a strange look on her face.
Touched by my gesture towards that random girl? Your affection points just skyrocketed, didn’t they?
I’m certain the day I start addressing you as “Miyuki” instead of “Hanazawa” is drawing near.
Feigning disinterest in the movie, I tapped Miyuki’s arm.
“Hey, Hanazawa.”
She flinched slightly, her shoulders tensing up.
Feeling guilty for getting caught staring, perhaps?
“Y-Yes…? You need a handkerchief…?”
“No, that’s not it…”
I pulled up the leg of my beige pants, revealing the now-stained fabric.
“Think I peed myself?” I asked with a mischievous grin.
“…”
Did my poorly timed joke leave her speechless?
Miyuki let out a small, exasperated sigh, shaking her head at my antics. But a small smile tugged at her lips as she took in my playful expression.
“Right… Next time, I’ll buy you some adult diapers.”
“They have those?”
“They do. For scaredy cats like you, Matsuda-kun, who can’t hold it in.”
“Speaking of which, now I actually need to pee. I’ll be right back, save my seat.”
“Let’s go together. I’ll ask for some napkins.”
“Sure.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” she asked, an amused smile playing on her lips, expecting me to say ‘please’.
“No.”
She chuckled at my blunt refusal, shaking her head playfully.
The event might’ve been boring, but at least it was meaningful.
Now, all that was left was to end the night with some ice cream. Together.
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