Episode- 07

"Oh, that was fun...!"

　We watched the whole movie right up to the end credits, and then we were swept away by the wave of people leaving the cinema, and we both uttered the same words.

　As expected from a hot topic on the internet, the story was just perfect. The love story that unfolds between the protagonist and heroine, both students, as they overcome difficulties together is cheerful, sad, and above all beautiful.

　It was hands down the best movie of my life.

　Just before the movie started, I felt uncomfortable being surrounded by couples and even felt a little murderous, but as the story progressed I didn't care about that at all, or rather, my mind was filled with thoughts about the movie.

"Ah, I wish I could have had a youth like that too..."

"That's right."

　Being a youthful heart-warming film, there are plenty of scenes like the "wall pounding," "chin grab," and "head pat."

　Every time such a scene came up, Koizumi would exclaim ``Hmm'' or ``Wow'' and stare at the screen with tears in her eyes, covering her mouth.

　With her flashy appearance and her girlish reactions, I couldn't help but feel uneasy next to her. To be honest, she was so cute. I couldn't help but think, "Is this what they call gap moe...?" I guess she has surprisingly girly tastes.

　Ah, but she did say that he was her first boyfriend, so come to think of it, it's not surprising.

　I know, I know. At first you fall in love with love. I'm the source.

　And even though I know that, there is no salvation for me as I am still in love with love.

　It's been about a week since the breakup. I promised Koizumi that I would move on, but I can't help but think about Shiina-san now.

　Even if a touching situation like in the movies never occurred, there was a possibility that I could have lived a normal youth with Shiina-san.

　The title is "The Greatest Love in the World." The author is different from me, and I'm sure he's enjoying the glittering days of his youth.

"What are you going to do after this? If you don't have any plans, how about we go to Starbucks? They have a limited edition Black Strawberry Love Sweet Spring Frappuccino."

"That's fine. Uh, what?"

"Well, let's go then! Starbucks is on the second floor, right?"

　With that, he got on the escalator and went down to the lower floor.

"Ah, hey, wait!"

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　I followed behind Koizumi, making sure not to lose sight of her.

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"This is my first time at Starbucks."

"What? Are you serious?"

"No, seriously."

"Ugh, that's scary."

　We were waiting in a fairly long line and when we started talking casually, they were totally put off.

　What do you mean, scary?

　Looking inside the restaurant, the seats were full and there were a lot of people there, including a man watching videos on his laptop as if he was working, and a high school girl taking multiple photos, adjusting her smartphone in increments of a few millimeters.

　That was fine with us since we weren't planning on staying inside the store anyway, but the number of people there made us feel dizzy.

　At first glance, there seem to be a lot of young women here, but is this because? Are they here for the limited-time items that Koizumi mentioned?

"Oh, that's right. I'll treat you."

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, you gave me movie tickets."

"I explained that that's fine! You're so persistent."

"I'm not paying for the movie, I'm paying for Starbucks. I'm giving back because the movie was good."

"Such quibbling... Ah, never mind. Thanks."

"you're welcome"

　The limited-time item is just over 900 yen including tax. It's a big expense for a high school student's wallet, but it's not a bad use of money.

"But I don't know how to ask, so please tell me. Are there any special rules?"

"I feel stupid for thinking it was cool for a moment. There's no rule like that. I just ask normally."

　As we were talking about that--

"Seriously? And that's why she confessed to me?"

"Sakuma really is popular! I wonder if I should kill him."

"Stop it. I rejected her confession and now I'm free so I'm hanging out with you guys, right?"

　His features and style are so striking that even though he is walking with three other boys, everyone's eyes are drawn to him.

　Koizumi's ex-boyfriend, Sakuma Mitsuteru, was walking around in his school uniform, presumably on his way home from club activities.

　It's only two stops away from the high school we go to, so it's not surprising that we'd meet people from the same school, but it's the worst thing that it's Sakuma of all places.

　Koizumi noticed Sakuma at the same time as me and hid behind me with her face down.

"S-Sōuma..."

"I know."

　I heard my name being called in a voice so loud it seemed it would be drowned out at any moment, so I stood as a wall to block Koizumi from Sakuma's line of sight.

　Sadly, I'm not famous at school. To be honest, even in my class, there are probably very few people who know my name. In other words, the chances that Sakuma knows me are close to zero.

　My aim seemed to work, as the trio including Sakuma passed by without even a glance at me.

　However, their relief was short-lived, as the three of them began lining up for the Star Party.

　And I regret this moment.

　I wondered why I didn't take Koizumi and leave this place sooner.

"Now that I think about it, Sakuma said he got a girlfriend recently. What happened?"

　I felt a chill down my spine.

　A shaved-headed man who is a part of Sakuma's entourage starts talking about the topic he least wants to talk about right now.

"Oh, we broke up. Not long ago."

"Too soon! I thought you were cute, so why did you break up with me?"

"No, I heard some rumors that she was a bitch. That's impossible, being a bitch or something."

　--teeth..O-O?

　It didn't make sense to me, but that's not what I should be thinking about right now.

　If I could hear it, then Koizumi, who was next to me, could hear it too.

　At that moment, Koizumi broke away from the line and ran off.

"Oh, come――"

　I couldn't call her "Koizumi!" If I called her by her name, he would notice.

　I had no choice but to follow her in silence.

　I run after her, pushing my way through people, and finally manage to catch up with her in front of the station.

　Rather than catching up to her, I simply reached Koizumi, who had stopped. But seriously, she's really fast...

"Haa haa... Hey, Koizumi!"

"...I'm sorry, Souma."

"Well, there's nothing to be apologizing for."

"See, you said you'd treat me but you didn't. And you made me go through all this today."

"That's fine. Anyway, are you okay?"

"Yeah! I'm fine, I'm fine. I'm okay!"

　It was a horrible, fake smile, so much so that it almost made me cry.

"...Koizumi."

　There's a lot I want to say. But what's the point of me saying it? It might just hurt Koizumi.

"Eh, hahaha. Why are you looking so gloomy? I'm fine! I've already been dumped, and I promised you I wouldn't cry!"

"I, I see... that's true..."

"That's right! Ahahaha. Haha..."

　Ah, why me?

"Haha... I did promise..."

　Why can't I even make Koizumi laugh?

"...I'm sorry, Souma. I broke my promise..."

　I couldn't say anything to those words, and I couldn't even stop the tears.

　All I could do was watch as Koizumi ran towards the station.