Couple in Movie Theater
The movie starts. Today’s movie is a short one-hour animation movie.
Just like last time, I tried to reserve seats in advance, but Ichijo-san stopped me.
(Senpai treated me last time, so this time it’s my turn.)
She said that, and as soon as we set the date, she fiddled with her phone and did everything, including making the reservations.
“In exchange for the tickets, I’ll get the popcorn and drinks.”
She stubbornly refused to let me buy the ticket, so I convinced her to at least let me pay for the popcorn and drinks.
“Moo, Senpai…”
“Ah, I think I’ll ask my junior to buy all the drinks.”
She laughs happily. One caramel corn and one iced tea syrup. I remembered her drink choice from last time. She likes the caramel taste and is more of a tea drinker than a coffee drinker. I remembered it because we’ve been to the cafe together so many times. She also likes pancakes and parfaits and other desserts with lots of fruit and caramel sauce.
“You even totally figured out what I like…”
“Maybe you would have preferred a different flavor?”
“No. In fact, I’m glad you remembered my taste. Senpai, you are very good at casually pleasing girls, aren’t you? Is that the result of your mother’s upbringing?”
It’s true that my mother trained me. I can only pretend and smile bitterly in embarrassment.
“I’m also glad you asked for the couple set. Last time you were a bit worried and chose half and half.”
As expected from the smartest girl in school. Sharp points of view were waved at me. A bitter smile might not be enough to cover it up.
By the way, the difference between the couple set and the half-and-half set is that instead of having only one flavor of popcorn, the size is increased by 50 percent. Ichijo-san loves sweet treats, so she would probably gobble it up even with the increased portion.
I also feel more comfortable mentally now that I can order a couple’s set. You know, the last time, it was quite a hurdle for a high school boy to order a couple’s seat or a couple’s set on a date with a girl he was not yet dating.
“Well, it’s movie time, so let’s go. I know it’s bad manners, but I can’t resist, so I’ll take it a little.”
She says this and takes a bite of her caramel-covered popcorn. She looks happy, but still a little shy and red.
“Senpai. Let’s go. A real movie date, I’m looking forward to it.”
The mischievous girl slowly walks into the theater lobby with her favorite popcorn. I hurriedly followed.
I could not help but notice the beauty of the screen.
There are many depictions of rain. But it is not stagnant, and nature is beautifully depicted.
It is really beautiful.
I couldn’t help but look at the face of the beautiful girl who came with me. Like me, she was also glued to the screen.
Her eyes were shining.
The story has reached its climax. A great wall of fate stands in the way of the hero and heroine.
I stared at the screen as if to devour it.
Just as I was about to immerse myself in the story, I felt a cool sensation on the back of my left hand.
Ichijo-san’s thin fingers were wrapped around the back of my hand.
It was so fragile that I thought it might break.
Perhaps she sympathizes with the characters in the story who are on the verge of despair.
I looked at her. She looked at me with a worried look on her face. Fear and anticipation. And a strong will to desperately resist despair.
(Please don’t ever let me go.)
She seemed to be screaming this in her heart.
I promise you again and again. I will never let go of this hand.
She nodded softly and slowly.
Then I took her right hand firmly. Her cold hand gradually warmed up.
(Thank you, Senpai.)
As if she had told me, she squeezed my hand tightly.
Our hands remained connected until the end of the movie.