When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

On a holiday, I was at a movie theater in the nearest shopping mall.

I was operating the ticket issuing machine to get the tickets for the movie I had reserved.

I had recently watched an anime movie recommended by Nakano, and it was quite interesting.

And just now, the latest work by the same director is being screened, so I decided to go see it right away.

Speaking of which, I wonder if Nakano has seen this movie?

Considering it’s Nakano, she might have gone to see it on the first day, but in hindsight, I regret not inviting her as I pick up the tickets.

There’s a little time until the screening… how should I kill time?

“Ah-!!”

I heard a familiar voice.

When I turned around, there was Futaba Nakano, dressed in casual clothes, pointing at me with a surprised look on her face.

“Tickets!”

“The same movie, huh.”

When we showed each other our tickets, it was the same movie, the same screening time, and we were seated next to each other.

“Whaaat!? Really!? Sato! Sato!”

“Haha. What’s up? You’re unusually hyped up.”

Well, if this many coincidences pile up, even I’d get excited. Especially since I was just thinking I wanted to watch this movie with Nakano.

“But, you know! I was just thinking about Sato and…”

Her words abruptly ended as if she had realized something.

Her cheeks seemed to be slightly red.

“Oh, no… it’s nothing. I mean… right! I’m just really looking forward to the movie, and I’m a bit excited. Besides, you actually watched and liked the movie I recommended.”

Ah, I can somewhat understand that feeling. It’s always nice when someone close to you likes the things you like.

“I thought for sure Nakano would have gone to see it on the first day.”

“The first day is crowded, right? So I always wait until it calms down to watch.”

I see. Nakano does seem like she wouldn’t enjoy crowds.

“But still, to have seats next to each other…”

“Well, the middle area here has the best balance of visuals and sound.”

“What!? We have the same thought pattern!”

Nakano cheerfully nudged me with her elbow.

From now on, it might be nice to invite Nakano when there’s a movie I want to see.

“Hey, we have time until the screening, right? Want to kill time together?”

“Sure, sounds good.”

So we ended up strolling around the shopping mall together until the screening time.

“Ahem. Sato-kun, do you have something you want to say to me?”

Walking next to me, Nakano suddenly said this.

“Eh? Something I want to say? Oh, can we stop by the bookstore?”

“No!! My outfit!! I’m wearing casual clothes, you know!?”

Nakano seemed to be showing off her casual clothes.

“Oh, right.”

“No, compliment me! Say I look good or cute!! I want to be praised!! I’ve become an approval-seeking monster because of how I’m treated at school!”

“Oh, okay… sorry.”

“…So?”

In the oppressive atmosphere, much like a job interview, my back naturally straightened.

“Ah- um, your outfit really suits you. You look cute.”

“…Where exactly?”

Ugh, what a pain…

Fine. I’ll think about it seriously for a bit.

I scrutinize Nakano’s casual outfit more intensely than when I took the transfer exam to Hekireki Academy.

Honestly, this is a more difficult problem than the exam because there’s no definitive answer.

“…I think the overall color coordination and the way you’ve matched your clothes is stylish. Also, that cap really goes well with today’s outfit.”

…How was that?

I nervously wait for Nakano’s reaction.

“Hehe~ You think so~? Actually, this cap is my favorite~”

Great!! She seems pleased!!

I couldn’t help but do a small victory pose.

“Ah! Can we stop by this store?”

What Nakano pointed to was a shop of a fashionable and famous brand. I had no objections, so we went into the shop.

There were rows of caps similar to the one Nakano was wearing.

Ah, they’re the same brand. When I looked at the price, the figures were predictably high. As expected of a student attending Hekireki Academy, she’s pretty wealthy.

“Ei”

Suddenly, Nakano put a hat on my head.

I was taken aback by the unexpected action.

“He~ It suits you quite well.”

“…Isn’t this the same one you’re wearing, Nakano?”

“Yeah, they have a men’s version too.”

“Hmm.”

Well, I’m not going to buy it though. I’m not interested in caps. Trying it on for fun is enough for me.

“It suits you very well, sir.”

Just as I was about to take off the cap, a female salesperson called out to me.

Ah, I see. Trying to make a sale by saying it suits me even if she doesn’t think so.

Yeah, yeah, that’s a common trick in clothing stores.

But, too bad. I won’t fall for such a trick.

“But, hey, why don’t you buy it this time?”

Nakano, placing her hand on my shoulder from behind, started saying such things.

“Eh? No, I’m good.”

“Ehh~ But it looks good… right? Salesperson?”

“Yes, I think it suits you very well.”

“As expected, Sato looks good in anything because of his handsome face~”

…Handsome? Looks good in anything?

“Yes, I think your face is as well-proportioned as a celebrity’s.”

…Haa.

“If you’re going to go that far, maybe I should buy it~?”

“Wow, what a pushover.”

I felt like Nakano just said something incredibly rude, but I paid for the cap and immediately put it on.

It was a bit pricey for a cap, but apparently, it suits me.

Well, whatever!!

When we returned to the cinema to buy popcorn and juice, there was a decent line at the food corner.

“…There are a lot of couples, aren’t there?”

“Yeah… Oh, why don’t we just buy a large size together?”

“Oh, good idea. By the way, Sato, do you prefer caramel or salt flavor?”

“Caramel, no question.”

“…Whoa, we might just be soulmates.”

She repeated the word “soul” twice.

As we were having this conversation, it was our turn.

We looked at the menu together.

“We currently have a couple set available.”

“‘Eh?'”

We inadvertently stared at each other.

Ah, right. They must have mistaken us for a couple because we’re both wearing matching caps.

“No, we’re not–”

“Then, we’ll have that, please~ We’re dating!”

!?

“What do you want to drink, White Soda! What about you, Pipi?”

“…Uh, cola, please.”

“Understood.”

We received the couple set and left the food corner.

Well, it’s a good deal since the popcorn and drinks are free in the large size.

Nakano must have thought the same.

“Ah, sorry for making you carry the popcorn and drinks.”

“…No, it’s fine. I’m technically the boyfriend after all.”

At my words, Nakano looked surprised, then quickly broke into a smile.

“As expected, Pipi. You always say the most reliable things~”

“Apparently ‘Pipi’ is already old news.”

“…Seriously?”

Nakano, slightly shocked, picked up some caramel popcorn.

“Wow! This caramel popcorn is so good!! Want to try!?”

“You want me to try… both my hands are full right now.”

“Your cute girlfriend will feed you~ Here, say ‘ah’?”

…Well, why not?

I let Nakano feed me some caramel popcorn.

“This is indeed delicious.”

“Right? Here, have more, more.”

“Hey, wait, stop! I can’t eat all that at once…!!”

And so, we entered the theater.