Movies

(Sumeragi Yukino)

Sorry Kaidou-kun, I can't watch Muramuro's show with you. It's not that I don't like it. I'm just afraid that I will laugh if I go there with you. No — it will happen. That's why I avoid it.

Luckily, we can go to the movies now. This is one of the many things I want to do with you. Still couldn't believe we could do this before we even seeing each other.

"Are you sure it's okay to watch a romance movie?" Kaidou-kun looks at me from the side.

"As long as it's free, it will be fun for me."

Kaidou-kun suddenly laughs.

"Why are you laughing?"

"Sorry. Funny to hear that from a rich girl like you."

"I'm not rich."

"Really?"

I nod.

Where did he get that information from? Is there gossip spread about me at school? I'm not a rich girl. I'm just an ordinary girl trying to look elegant. Of course, I'm doing it only for Kaidou-kun, not for anyone else.

After a few minutes of walking, we then arrived at the cinema.

"Should we go now?" He asked.

I nod.

Kaidou-kun gave the tickets to the receptionist.

"Do you want to buy some snacks? There's a set for couples with a 50% discount. You two are dating, right?"

I'm glad to hear that. Do we look like a couple?

"No, we are —"

"We're a couple! I want to buy that set, Babe!" I hug Kaidou-kun from the side.

It's so embarrassing to the point I want to die right now. But I want to get that discount set snack!

And, of course, I want to hug him too.

"Oh, okay! Then it's free. Just take it." The receptionist gave us one big cup of popcorn and two bottles of drinks.

"W-what do you mean by free?" Kaidou-kun asked.

The receptionist smiled. "Actually, it's free for everyone whether a couple or not. We're celebrating the 10th anniversary of this theatre today. Go ahead, and enjoy the show."

"I-is that, so? Thanks! Let's go Sumeragi-san!"

I nod.

I stopped hugging him when we left the receptionist. We walked into the room together without saying a word.

"Sorry for hugging you earlier. I just wanted to get those discount snacks."

"I-It is okay, Sumeragi-san." He looks away.

Our seats are next to each other in the back. It's not a place I like, but it's fine.

"Sumeragi-san, have you ever been here before?"

I nod.

"Who's coming with you?"

"I came alone."

"Alone? Why don't you invite your friends?"

"I don't have any friends to go with."

That's the truth. From my freshman year until now, I never went to watch movies with my friends. That's because my favorite movie is horror, and none of my friends want to come with me.

"Me too. I want to come here with Takashi, but he always says no. He says he doesn't want to come here with a guy, hahaha." He then looked at me. "Glad I came with you today. I'm not alone anymore."

"You can ask me whenever you want. I'll go with you."

...

W-what did I just say? Since when did I have the courage to say something like that? I have to stay cool and not talk much.

"T-thanks, Sumeragi-san. You really are a good classmate."

Uh, classmates.

My happiness suddenly flies away.

*

When the movie finished, we walked again together. He accompanied me to the bus stop.

"I can go alone, Kaidou-kun. You don't need to accompany me."

"I want to buy taiyaki for my brother. The place is the same direction you are going."

"It's okay then."

You're lying right, Kaidou-kun? You just want to take a walk with me, right? Just tell me right away, Takashi-kun! Say that you want to accompany me! I want to hear that from you.

"It was an interesting movie, wasn't it? I don't really like romantic stuff, but this one was good." Kaidou-kun smiled.

"That's because the tickets are free."

He laughs again.

"Right. I think we got lucky today. Not only did we get free tickets, but we also got free snacks!"

He looks so happy. I don't want to go home now. I still want to hang out with Kaidou-kun. So, I didn't stop when we passed the bus stop.

"Sumeragi-san, we've already passed the bus stop."

"I also want to buy Taiyaki."

He looks surprised but suddenly smiles.

"Okay, let's go."

I don't know many places near the school. I always go straight home or come to the tutoring. It's not like I don't have friends or anything. I just don't have time to go there.

Now, as I stop taking courses, I can hang out every day with Kaidou-kun after school.

"We're here. Do you want to go home or eat here?" Kaidou-kun asked.

"I want to eat here with you."

It's meaningless if I don't eat with him.

"But it's already late, are you sure your parents won't be angry?"

"It's okay."

My parents will be home late. So it's fine as long as I get home before eight. I just feel bad for my little brother. I'll buy him taiyaki as an apology.

We sat and eat taiyaki together. We remain silent, but it's not awkward at all. Instead, I feel comfortable. This is a dream I've always wanted to come true. My hard work over the past year has paid off.

"Sumeragi-san, what movie do you like?" He asked.

"Horror."

"Really? Me too!"

He likes horror?! That sounds great! I've always dreamed of watching a horror movie with a man in the middle of the night in a dark room covered with a blanket together. I thought it would be very warm and pleasant.

"Let's watch horror together sometime," I say.

"O-okay... if you don't mind."

We talked until we finished eating our taiyaki. People might see us as a couple, I think. I hope it will come true in no time.

"See you on Monday, Sumeragi-san." He waved his hand.