After school.

Haruki’s mood became melancholic after the happenings awhile ago. Ayase and Kobayashi got concerned on him as well, asking me what happened.

But he disclosed to me that I shouldn’t tell anything, so I just apologize for the two. Now, it’s already a dismissal. Everyone’s preparing for going back home.

While the others are preparing for their club activities.

A text suddenly popped in my phone and sees the one who pinged me. “Huh? Senior Kagome?”

What’s with her? She suddenly texted me.

I messaged Senior Kei that I have plans going ahead so we can’t go home together today. Then, I asked Senior Kagome her whereabouts.

“I’m at the gate, waiting for you.”

I immediately leave from the classroom right away and go outside the campus to meet Kagome. Dashing ahead of the students walking, I notice her fiddling with her phone.

“Senior Kagome.” I called and waves at her. She turns to see me and nods. Her cool aura due to her pixie cut hairstyle shows. “What’s up?”

“Let’s go somewhere. Do you mind?”

“No, I don’t have plans…” I answered. Beckoning me with her head swaying left side, we both leave the school together.

*****

We arrived at the bustle part of the city, which is the shopping and arcade district. Some of the students from different schools are coming here. “Let’s go watch a movie.”

“Huh? Ah, sure.” I answered and followed her in the cinema theater. Upon arriving, Kagome faces the cashier. “Two tickets, students.”

“May I see your ID?” the clerk asked. We both presented our IDs to the cashier. “Also, we’re a couple.”

I suddenly got jolted as she linked her arms around me. “Huh? Senior Kagome—”

“Shush, play along… will you?” she sneers at me. The cashier nods and smiles at both of us as she pays for the ticket.

“Ahm… Senior, I will pay you with the ticket.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“It’s fine. We’re discounted because we’re couple, right?”

That word makes me anxious. And from there, I noticed the campaign slogan about a 30% discount on couples. What the…? Wait. If she and Kei were together…?

Oh, I missed that. And that’s why.

“The popcorn and drinks are on me.” I smile at her. She seemed displeased in my smile, but nods to agree from my suggestion. We both go in the theater while holding the drinks and a bag of popcorn.

This is my first time watching a movie in a story-like world. In my previous world, whether there’s an extra money on my salary, I go to the movie houses to watch some.

Yet, this isn’t my first time watching with someone. Having this right now recalling me and my ex-girlfriend way back, before we broke up.

Sitting side by side, we both snuggled at the chair. The air conditioner spreads throughout the place. Few other viewers finds their seat in the semi-dark place as the screen filled with some commercials.

“I was planning to watch this movie with Kei, but you see what happened right?”

Though her voice seemed melancholic, Kagome didn’t mind it. “And the only I can invite is you. Since I’m distancing myself to move on from her.”

She has a point. This should be hard for her, inviting the person of the person she liked. I feel the awkwardness between us after hearing it. In a few moments, the whole area became dim. The remaining light reflects is the wide screen.

“What’s the title of the movie?” I asked. Kagome didn’t replied. Her eyes focuses only on the screen. On the screen suddenly popped: 放課後のふたり (The Two After School)

Oh, that sounds familiar—wait…?

Isn’t the movie all about…?

The movie starts. It’s about the two people who didn’t know about their feelings for each other. Both of them are skeptical; making their relationship become a spiral of pretension and intrusive thoughts.

The two girls, named Sakuragi Hanabi, and her friend, Aoyama Hikari. Both of them bears feeling for each other. It’s jut that the two were keeping hiding their true feelings.

After school, the two girls are spending together, making detours and exchange banters. Their closeness has been envied by the boys in their class. And some girls are admiring their indomitable friendship.

Not knowing these two girls are secretly harboring feelings beyond friendship to each other.

Both of their parents are against in same sex relationship. Knowing that their true nature would be a disgrace to each of their families, the two decided to follow what their parents wants.

Hanabi married in a famous CEO of the company, which is kind of cliché, while Hikari moved overseas to make a new start.

The two of them didn’t meet for a long time. Well, it could be a good ending… yet it seems somewhat, that fate makes a way to find their paths together.

10 years passed, Hikari and Hanabi went back to their hometown. Hanabi got divorced with her husband for not bearing a child. Hikari got into a different relationship, but ended up devastated.

They meet for the first time after many years passed. Their paths crossed again, like something’s make their way to see each other again. And from there, they decided to recall everything happened between them.

And as if the fate fiddles their feelings, Hanabi and Hikari once face each other. They’re old enough to be wise for their decisions. And they’re old enough to find their ways in life.

The only regret they had is not to say what they truly feel about for each other. And the end of the movie is the part where the two women hold their hands together.

*****

”The movie was great.” I suggested while stretching as the movie ended. Most of the viewers are couples, and some of them are in a same sex relationship.

“Yeah, it’s great.” Kagome replied as she looks at me. “It would be better if she’s with me, though.”

Oh, damn it. You don’t need to emphasize it. “Let’s go home.” Kagome stands up from the chair and left right away. I followed suit. Exiting the theater, we both go out of the building.

“’Ah, thanks for inviting me… Senior Kagome.”

We both walking on the bustle road of the shopping district as I utter those words. Kagome turns to me. “I just invited you because of the couple discount. You don’t need to thank me.”

“No. I mean… you’re doing this to move on from Senior Kei. But still, I’m glad. Thank you.”

I bowed to show my gratitude. Without me knowing, Kagome moves a step forward to me. Lifting my body up, we see each other eye-to-eye. I almost jumped off from what she did.

“You really are a plain-looking. I don’t really know what Kei sees to you.”

“Huh?” I mumbled.

“Nothing. This isn’t the end, by the way. Until I moved on from Kei, you will accompany me whenever I go.”

Turning her back against me, Kagome left those words. It’s as if she wants to imply something. But I guess, she’s just being friendly with me. Well, I do also want to be her friend.

In the bustle of the districts, the two of us blended with the crowd. Fulfilling what we need to done, we decided to go back home with our families are waiting.