Episode- 29

We had our tickets torn and headed in.

　Just one step outside and you feel like you've entered another world.

"Screen three is...over there!"

　Tohsaka points excitedly.

　With a springy step, she walked lightly ahead of me.

　The popcorn and drink in her arms are, of course, twice the size of mine.

"Everything is so cute, really."

　Taking advantage of the fact that I don't know anyone there, I follow her with a big grin.

　When we arrived at our seats, the two of us sat next to each other and let out cries of amazement at the large screen.

　While I was munching on popcorn and watching the trailer, the movie started before I knew it.

　In a space where the only light emitted from the screen is relied upon, you feel as if your senses are becoming more and more heightened.

　Perhaps because I wasn't particularly interested in movies to begin with, I found myself strangely more focused on the girl next to me than on the film.

　She brings the popcorn to her mouth in a steady rhythm, occasionally opening her mouth and stuffing her cheeks with it again.

　Her facial expression changed with each scene in the film, and her eyes vividly reflected the ever-changing emotions.

　And the movie is nearing the end.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

　Tohsaka's body twitches and trembles.

　The man and woman on the screen bring their lips together.

　and--

"!!!"

　Tohsaka's face turned red and she froze with the cup of drink in her hand.

　Then, as if wondering what she was thinking, she glanced at me with an inquiring expression.

"H--!!!"

　Exchanged gazes.

　Tohsaka quickly looked away and, looking down, munched on the popcorn and kissed the straw vigorously.

　The sudden movement, as if it had been fast-forwarded, made me smile.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　...This is just too cute.

　I bite back the words that were on the verge of coming out of my mouth and turn my eyes back to the screen.

　The two on the screen were holding hands and smiling happily.

　When we left the cinema, it was already past twelve o'clock.

　According to Tohsaka, popcorn is a separate meal, so we decide to have it for lunch.

　We wandered around the restaurant floor, went into a pasta place that caught our eye and placed our orders.

　After looking around the store, Tohsaka began to speak with a smile.

"Even so, that movie was really fun."

"There were a lot of actors I'd seen before."

"That's the first impression that comes to mind..."

　Tohsaka looks at me in amazement.

　She takes a sip of water and continues haltingly, still holding the glass.

"By the way, Fujita-kun... weren't you staring at me a lot?"

"Oh, yeah, I saw it."

"You honestly admitted it! Normally, wouldn't that be a situation where the rally would continue for a few rounds?"

"It's not like I was watching it in a way that wouldn't be noticed. In fact, I was staring intently at it."

"But, what do you mean, staring at me so much? I mean... about me."

　Tohsaka asked, wiping the dew off the outside of the glass with her slender fingers.

"I wonder why... I just can't help but look at it."

"I, I see."

"But maybe it's because she's cute. Yes, that's the only thing."

"Huh! Wow, I'm cute again! I feel like you're using the word cute too much today, Fujita-kun!"

“Even if you tell me… it’s Tohsaka who is spamming them, and she’s the cute one, right?”

"Ah, you see! I've said this many times before, but I'm not used to people telling me I'm cute!!! I'm happy when people call me cute... but if they say that too many times, I'll die! Got it?"

"You say you'll die... if you get heatstroke, you'll die. That's a scary thing to say."

"That's a crazy word!!! You can't call everything cute! Okay?"

"O-okay."

　When I replied, Tohsaka tilted her glass up while patting her face in her hands.

　When the glass, now filled with only ice, was placed on the ground, a refreshing clinking sound echoed.　

　After lunch, we decided to wander around the mall.

　First, go into the furniture store,

"Amazing! This sofa is so soft!"

"You're right. I'm getting sleepy, I want to sleep here..."

"...I'll leave it here."

"Wake me up then."

　We looked around for furniture, saying this and that, even though we had no plans to buy anything.

　After leaving the store, We went into an eyeglass shop that caught Our eye.

　Tohsaka puts on her round glasses, puts her hands on her hips, and looks at me with an intelligent demeanor.

"How is it? Do the glasses look better than you'd expect?"

"Not surprisingly, I'm quite addicted to it. It's so cute... That's right, I was going to die. I'll stop."

“I’ve pretty much said it already, haven’t I? I mean, it’s okay to say it now… but, haven’t I become a total pain now?”

"It's okay, you're cute."

"Now!!"

　Even though it was a bit hectic, I had fun trying to find the style of glasses that suited me.

　Next we went to an apparel shop.

　The curtains to the fitting room slid open and Tohsaka appeared wearing a miniskirt.

　Her plump white legs were generously exposed, and not knowing where to look, I looked diagonally upwards.

"Wh-how...?"

"...Yeah, cute."

"You're not watching, are you? Are you watching carefully?"

"It's cute even without looking! Right, shop assistant?"

"Is this girl a model or something? She's too cute...!!!"

"Huh! Th-Thank you..."

　By the time they left the store, somehow Tohsaka was carrying a shopping bag in her left hand...it seemed she had taken a liking to the shop.

　After that, we went into the first cafe we saw and took a break, then started walking around the shopping mall again.

"Oh! I want to go to that store."

　Tohsaka pointed to a small general store.

　When we went inside, there was a wide selection of items, from small furniture to tiny straps.

"That's it! How about we pick one out for each other and give it to each other as a present? We've come all the way here."

　I was surprised by Tohsaka's words.

"...Hey Tohsaka, you're saying things like a modern high school girl."

"I am a modern high school girl after all..."

　So we decided to do a quick gift exchange.

　I walk around the store looking for something that would suit Tohsaka.

　Having said that, I don't know what Tohsaka likes.

　So, go with your intuition and choose what feels right.

　With that decision in mind, I-

　Ten minutes later.

"Ready, set, go!"

　We open the bags we gave each other.

　Then, with a clinking sound, a funny animal strap came out.

　His face looks lifeless and sleepy, but there's something charming about it.

　And that's...

"How could something like this happen? We would choose the same thing."

"That's surprising. But it's a different color."

　Tohsaka is yellow and I'm blue.

　We puts them together and bursts out laughing.

"Ahahaha! That's interesting."

"What a nice coincidence."

　After laughing for a while, Tohsaka held up the strap.

"Thank you so much, I'll treasure it."

　As Tohsaka spoke, she gave me an innocent smile.

　I was captivated by the sight and forgot what to say in response.

　The same strap hanging from my hand as hers.

　I felt like there was some special meaning behind it, so I held it tightly and treasured it.

"Where should we go next?"

　Tohsaka walks in front of me.

　Innocently, with light steps.

　After a moment I followed after her, when suddenly Tohsaka stopped in her tracks.

"……lie"

　The word falls silently to the ground.

　From behind, it looked incredibly small to me.