Episode- 05

After transferring once from the nearest station, you will exit through the ticket gate two stations away.

　Spread out before us was a huge shopping center, the beloved LaLa port.

　In addition to housing numerous shops, it also houses a movie theater and an event venue, making it one of the area's largest leisure spots.

　Perhaps because it was Sunday, I was intimidated by the number of people there and checked the time on my smartphone.

　It was 12:30. I arrived earlier than the meeting time, probably because I was nervous.

"Meet at LaLa port tomorrow at 1pm."

　I look around me while looking back at yesterday's messages.

　Many people come with their families or friends, but what really catches your eye are the couples.

　When Koizumi chose this spot, which is a classic date spot, I thought my heart would jump out of my chest.

　Even though I don't have any romantic feelings for her, it's inevitable that I'll grin when a girl invites me out.

　Of course, I didn't think of it as a date, but I did style my hair and choose my clothes. I never thought that the unveiling of my practice would turn out like this.

　What should I do? Should I go to the bathroom and look in the mirror? I wonder if I smell bad. I took a bath before leaving the house, though...

"...You're behaving extremely suspiciously."

　When I saw Koizumi calling out to me from behind, I gasped for a moment.

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　She wore a cool-looking blouse and a skirt with a slit, revealing her slender, white legs.

　I turn my face away to hide the fact that I was mesmerized.

"That was the first thing you said... Well, it's true."

　I kept standing up and sitting down at the rest area and wandering around the area. Even I would have mistaken myself for a suspicious person.

　Koizumi is so kind for even talking to me like that.

"...Have you done any work on your hair today?"

"Eh? I tried putting some wax on it just in case."

"You look like you have bad sleep habits, you should practice."

"..."

　This is what it means to be left speechless.

　Seriously? I want to punch myself for thinking in front of the mirror that maybe I looked good after all.

"Well, if you look closely it's just a little annoying so it's fine. It's not that different from usual so it's fine."

"That's no consolation."

　This guy is definitely not kind.

"So, why did you call me here today? I haven't been told anything."

"Yeah, today."

　She stopped mid-sentence, took out two pieces of ticket from her pouch, and held them up for me to see. huh?

"I'm going to see a movie today. I have a ticket."

"That's pretty sudden, too."

"...Not really. Come on, let's go. The showtime is almost here."

　With that said, she quickly started walking towards the movie theater.

"Oh, hey, wait! I'll pay you."

"I don't want it. It's a ticket I couldn't throw away even if I wanted to. I'm not getting any money for it."

"What kind of cursed item is that...?"

　I like scary stories, but please refrain from telling realistic ghost stories.

"That's really bad. I'll pay."

"Sure."

"No, I'll pay."

"I'm telling you it's fine!"

"No, but..."

"That's why!"

　Koizumi stopped in her tracks and turned around with a demonic look on her face.

"This is the ticket I bought for my date with Sakuma!"

"…………sorry"

　It was truly a cursed item.

"I bought the tickets first, and then I was planning to ask him out on a date, but he dumped me, so I really don't have any use for them."

"That's the wrong order. Normally you would make arrangements and then buy tickets, right?"

"Well, that's...! When I thought about our movie date, I got so excited that I bought the tickets first! You understand, right?"

"I totally get it."

　A movie date would be great. I'd love to feed each other popcorn.

"That's why I don't need money."

"yes"

　Having stepped on a landmine, I had no choice.

　He receives a cursed item, or rather a movie ticket, from Koizumi.

　The seats are regular seats. Judging from the number, they're probably in the middle.

　Thank goodness! If it had been a couple's seat I would have felt so awkward and would have run to the toilet!

"...By the way, this is the movie I'm going to watch."

　Koizumi pointed to one of the many movie posters lined up that were being shown.

　The title was "The Greatest Love in the World." It was a romantic movie that was the talk of the town right now.

"Hey, say something!"

"It's fun."

　I want to run to the bathroom.