Volume 1 - CH 19

“Oh, today we’re going to watch the superhero movie you wanted to see, Nanami-san. You mentioned you haven’t seen it yet, so I bought the tickets online and reserved seats.”

“I didn’t know you could do that. We always bought tickets on the spot when we went together. So, did you get couple seats?”

“No, I didn’t. Besides, that theater doesn’t have couple seats, you know. Don’t tease me about it.”

Nanami-san smiles with her teeth showing next to me and lets out a somewhat mysterious laughter, “Nishi-nishi.” I can’t quite understand it. Despite her change in appearance, Nanami-san is still the same. She often teases me but also tends to make self-deprecating jokes.

Well, the seats are arranged next to each other, so it’s practically like a couple seat.

“By the way, I’ve never seen this series before. Do you think I can enjoy it even if it’s my first time?”

“Hmm, I think you’ll be fine. I got hooked on it even when I started watching it halfway through. I haven’t seen all the movies in the series either.”

I see, that’s good to hear. If we were to watch all 20 films together, it would be like a dream. It would take much longer than a month to finish the entire series, even if we pushed ourselves. But that’s not what she meant.

I wonder what she really thinks about this relationship.

Am I just a practice partner for her? Does she feel obligated to be with me as part of a punishment game, or does she genuinely have feelings for me? Sometimes, she wears a sad expression—is it out of guilt?

I know that this relationship is part of a punishment game, but she doesn’t know that I’m aware of it. She smiles at me without a hint of malice, completely unaware… Every time I see that innocent smile, I feel like I’m deceiving her.

I wish there was a way to accurately gauge a girl’s feelings or have a parameter that conveniently displays the nature of our current relationship. I’m so lacking in experience that I have no clue.

“I think she’s head over heels for you, even though you’ve only been together for less than a week. But, in your eyes, does she seem like the kind of person who would deceive a guy like that?

My answer to Baron-san’s question was a definite no.

I can answer that without hesitation. She’s not that… Well, to be blunt, she’s not that skilled. But that’s different from how I feel about her. I can’t help but think that my emotions of liking her are separate from that.

I’m overly negative, even though I realize it myself. I just can’t gather the courage for that final step, despite coming this far…

“Youshin…? Could it be that you’re the type who prefers watching movies alone?”

I snap back to reality at her words. Right now, I’m on a date with her. Setting aside my negative thoughts, I should just focus on enjoying this time with her.

“No, that’s not true. It’s just that when we watch a movie at home, it naturally ends up being just the two of us, and I thought I might get nervous and not be able to fully grasp the movie’s content. Besides, there are so many films in the series… It would take over a month to finish watching them all, right?”

At my words, a fleeting shadow crosses her face.

It was a bit complicated to hear her thanking me with a voice trembling with laughter.

While we were talking like that and moving, we arrived at the movie theater in no time.

“Oh, well, my parents are both away on a business trip today. They’re scheduled to come back tomorrow night.”

“So, what are we going to do for dinner tonight?”

“Well, I was thinking of just buying some ready-made dishes or ordering takeout or going out to eat…”

Upon hearing my words, Nanami-san showed a slight sign of pondering something before speaking up.

“…That’s not good. It won’t be balanced in terms of nutrition, right?”

“Hmm… But I don’t cook, so… Well, I guess it’ll be fine for one meal.”

“…Okay, I understand.”

I thought Nanami-san had agreed with me based on her words, but it turned out to be different. Her expression seemed to harbor a determined resolve, as if she had made up her mind about something.

“Hmm?”

“Today, I’ll go to Youshin’s house and make dinner for you!”

…Huh? Why would it turn out like that?

Interude: Nanami’s inner conflict after making the declaration.

I said it! I said it, didn’t I?!

But, you know, it’s a chance to let Youshin taste something other than my lunch, and having him eat dinner alone afterward…

Since it’s a special day for our date, I want it to end happily… Plus, I want to spend a bit more time together…

…Wait, hold on. Now that I think about it… His parents aren’t home, right? …Does that mean… just the two of us?!

Y-Youshin won’t do anything weird, right? Oh, but… a kiss on the cheek wouldn’t be too bad, right…? No, but… still, it’s too soon… But…