Yuzuru threw on his usual shirt and jacket, styled his hair with wax, and headed to the station where they were meeting.
Arisa was already there.
It was still fairly hot today, the lingering heat of late summer hanging in the air. Perhaps because of that, Arisa was dressed in something a little cooler.
She wore a sheer blouse with a light outer layer over it, paired with a long skirt. The skin visible at her décolletage was dazzlingly white and beautiful. Stylish earrings adorned her ears. She had a light touch of makeup on, and her naturally soft, full lips were made even glossier with lip colour, giving them a faintly sensual look.
Every time he saw her, she seemed more beautiful than before. Was that just his imagination? Yuzuru tilted his head inwardly.
“Have I kept you waiting?”
“No, I’ve only just arrived myself.”
After exchanging that well-worn line, Yuzuru did his best to keep his gaze away from her rather eye-catching chest area as he commented on her outfit.
“You look more… feminine than usual today. Or, well—more feminine, I guess.”
He wasn’t entirely sure what he meant himself, but he tried to compliment her anyway.
In truth, it suited her incredibly well. More than usual, he could feel her as a “woman.”
There was a certain allure to her, yet it didn’t come across as vulgar.
Of course, saying that outright would be far too embarrassing, so he left it vague.
“Thank you. Yuzuru-san, you look… handsome too.”
“I appreciate that.”
That said, unlike Arisa, Yuzuru’s outfit wasn’t all that different from his usual.
He then asked her—
“So, what film are we seeing?”
“This one.”
Arisa held out her smartphone for him to see.
Yuzuru’s eyes widened.
“…Wait, this is a horror film.”
It was one that had recently gained a reputation for being genuinely frightening.
“Are you not good with horror?”
“No, I’m fine with it… but are you sure you are? You said before you don’t like the dark. I just assumed you were the easily-scared type.”
Arisa shook her head from side to side.
“Well… I am a bit scared of that sort of thing. I might not be able to sleep tonight.”
“…Then why?”
Yuzuru couldn’t understand at all why she would choose a horror film despite that.
But Arisa answered as if it were obvious.
“Don’t people watch horror because they want to be scared?”
“Well… I mean, when you put it like that, I suppose… maybe?”
Horror films have value precisely because they’re frightening. Of course, some B-grade ones are practically comedies, but generally speaking, people go to see horror to be scared.
Anyone going in like, “Horror isn’t scary at all!” probably isn’t really enjoying it for what it is.
“Besides, I heard it’s good… the girls in my class were talking about it. I am scared, but I’m also very curious.”
“I thought you weren’t the type to follow trends.”
It slipped out before he could stop himself—she seemed unusually like a “normal high school girl.”
Arisa gave a small laugh.
“It’s not that I don’t follow them—I can’t. Family circumstances.”
“…” “Oh—just a self-deprecating joke.”
Seeing the odd look on Yuzuru’s face, she hurriedly corrected herself.
The fact she could make jokes like that now… was that a good influence?
Yuzuru wasn’t entirely sure.
“Well, whether that’s thanks to me or not… looks like you get to follow a trend this time.”
“Yes. Shall we go, then?”
The two of them headed towards a nearby cinema.
“Um… actually, this is my first time at a cinema. Do we need to make a reservation or anything?”
“If it’s a popular film right after release, yeah—but this one’s been out a while. There should be plenty of seats.”
As he spoke, Yuzuru walked over to the ticket machines in the lobby.
Since both he and Arisa were high school students, they qualified for student discounts.
However—
“I see…”
“What is it?”
“…Looks like today’s one of those days where it’s cheaper if you come as a couple.”
At that, Arisa’s cheeks flushed a faint rose.
When she reacted like that, it only made things more awkward for him too. Honestly, he wished she wouldn’t.
“Is that… the better deal?”
“Seems like it.”
“…Then let’s go with that. It’s more economical.”
Yuzuru wasn’t particularly short on money, but saving where you can is just sensible.
They bought a couple’s ticket together.
After that, he pointed towards the concession stand.
“Let’s grab some drinks. Want popcorn too? It’s not even noon yet, though.”
At his question, Arisa gave a small nod.
“I want to try that typical thing—eating popcorn at the cinema. …But I might not have room for lunch afterwards, so shall we share?”
“Yeah, that’s probably best.”
Popcorn could be surprisingly filling if you weren’t careful. Her suggestion was perfect.
“They have three flavours—salt, butter, and caramel. What would you like?”
When the staff member asked, Yuzuru left the decision to Arisa.
“Then… caramel, please.”
He’d had a feeling she’d pick caramel—and sure enough, she did.
It was oddly endearing, and he found himself smiling.
“…What are you smiling about?”
“Nothing.”
He brushed it off, and the two of them entered the theatre.
After taking their seats and waiting a while, the usual pre-show warning video began to play.
“Ugh…”
“What’s wrong, Arisa?”
Noticing her small murmur, Yuzuru leaned over and asked quietly.
“I don’t like that… something about it.”
She frowned at the screen.
The video playing was the well-known anti-piracy clip, Eiga Dorobou. Literally “film thief,” a Japanese anti-piracy campaign video shown in cinemas. Similar to the “You wouldn’t steal a car” campaign in the West, but with a more unsettling tone. It’s also become quite a meme, just like its Western counterpart.
“…Yeah, it’s not exactly pleasant to watch.”
To be honest, Yuzuru didn’t like it much either.
Then again, it probably worked because it unsettled people.
“Hopefully this film is scarier than that film thief.”
“…I won’t be able to sleep.”
Arisa said that with a pale face.
She was already trembling.
(You’re the one who picked a horror film, you know…)
Yuzuru thought to himself as he popped some popcorn into his mouth.
