Chapter 259: Summer Special SS “Ichijo Ai Accidentally Watched a Horror Movie She’s Bad At”

Summer Special SS “Ichijo Ai Accidentally Watched a Horror Movie She’s Bad At”

(Author: This is an IF story.)

“Good evening.”

“Oh, Ai-chan, welcome. The seats are full, but the break room is open, so you can use that. Hey, Eiji, Ai-chan is here.”

While I was helping out at the shop, Ichijo-san came in.

If I remember right, today she had plans to watch a movie with Hayashi-san, and unusually they were going home separately. Sure enough, coming back from the theater by the station after school would put her here around now.

“Hello.”

Ichijo-san looked at me bashfully. I wondered why she was reacting like that.

“What’s wrong?”

When I told my brother and my mother that I needed a little time, they told me to go eat dinner with her too. They were being considerate.

Maybe she had something important to talk about. Maybe that was why she stopped by on her way back from hanging out. Feeling a little nervous, I sat with Ichijo-san in the break room, and with a solemn look she said, “Please don’t laugh at me.”

“Huh?” I asked, not really understanding, and she murmured shyly.

“I watched a horror movie with Hayashi-san, but I got scared, and before I knew it, I had come here.”

At that cute confession, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“I told you not to laugh…”

She protested with a touch of anger. That reaction was so different from her usual flawless self that it amused me.

“Sorry, sorry. Then how about you eat dinner here tonight? I’ll give you a ride home after.”

“Th-Thank you very much.”

She lowered her eyes as she gave her thanks. As expected, she was embarrassed, her face bright red. She is bad with horror, but it seemed she couldn’t say anything in front of Hayashi-san. Come to think of it, horror movies had never once come up in my movie talks with Ichijo-san.

“What do you feel like eating? Today’s special is seafood gratin.”

I pictured a comforting dish, and the first thing that came to mind was piping hot gratin. Ichijo-san answered a little eagerly.

“Ah, I want gratin.”

“Got it.”

When I went to relay the order to the kitchen, Ichijo-san called out, “Senpai…” When I turned back, she looked uneasy and said, “I’d be happy if you could come back as quickly as possible. I’m sorry for being selfish when you were helping out at the shop.”

I nodded and closed the door to the break room.

That reaction was way too cute.

We ate the gratin, chatted over tea after the meal, and before it got too late, I walked her home.

She had looked apologetic the whole time.

“The truth is, I could have had you drive me home, but…”

Ichijo-san muttered as if making an excuse.

“You really don’t need to worry about it.”

I said with a smile. My mother had looked genuinely happy too, so there was no need for her to worry. If anything, I might have gotten scolded for letting her go home alone.

“Thank you. But when I feel lonely, I just want to see Senpai’s face…”

I somehow managed to deflect it. I avoided a direct hit, but it almost turned into a fatal blow.

“Do you think you’ll be able to sleep tonight?”

I asked on purpose to change the subject, and Ichijo-san shook her head, looking timid.

“Then… how about we talk on the phone until you get sleepy?”

Mustering a bit of courage, I said that, and she replied, “Really?!” Her face lit with an uncharacteristically clear expression of joy.

“Of course.”

To stay with her as long as possible, I chose to walk slowly.