Chapter 42

Yuzuki put on his usual shirt and jacket, styled his hair with wax, and headed to the station where they were supposed to meet.

Arisa had already arrived.

It was still quite hot due to the lingering summer heat.

Because of this, Arisa was dressed in a slightly cooler outfit.

She wore a sheer blouse with a jacket, and a long skirt.

The décolletage visible through the blouse was dazzlingly white and beautiful.

She had stylish earrings in her ears.

She had applied a light makeup, and her originally plump and beautiful lips looked even more lustrous and slightly sensual with the lip gloss.

Yuzuki tilted his head inwardly, wondering if it was just his imagination that she seemed to become more beautiful every time they met.

"Did I keep you waiting?"

"No, I just got here too."

After exchanging such customary lines, Yuzuki tried to avoid looking at her slightly revealing neckline while commenting on Arisa's outfit for the day.

"You look more feminine today... or rather, more ladylike."

Yuzuki used a word he himself didn't quite understand to compliment Arisa.

In reality, she looked very good, and he could definitely feel more of her "woman" today.

She looked sultry but not vulgar, giving him that impression.

However, it would be embarrassing to say that directly, so he used a vague expression.

"Thank you. You look... cool too, Yuzuki."

"It's nice to hear you say that."

Although Yuzuki's fashion was not much different from usual, unlike Arisa's.

Then he asked Arisa.

"So, what movie is it?"

"This one."

Arisa showed Yuzuki the screen of her smartphone.

Yuzuki's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wait, this is a horror movie, isn't it?"

It was a horror movie that had recently gained a reputation for being scary.

"Are you not good with horror?"

"Well, I'm fine, but... are you okay? I thought you were afraid of the dark and scared easily."

Arisa shook her head.

"Yes, I am a bit scared. I might not be able to sleep at night."

"Then why...?"

Yuzuki couldn't understand why Arisa, who was afraid, would choose a horror movie.

But Arisa answered as if to say, "What are you asking?"

"Don't people watch horror movies because they want to be scared?"

"That... well, now that you mention it, I guess that's true."

Horror movies are valuable precisely because they are scary.

While there are some B-grade horror movies that are essentially gag films, horror movies are generally watched to be scared.

People who say, "I'm not scared of horror at all!" probably can't truly enjoy horror movies.

"Besides, the girls in my class said it was interesting. I am scared, but I'm also very curious."

"I thought you weren't the type to follow trends."

Yuzuki couldn't help but say this, thinking it was unusual for Arisa to act like a "normal high school girl."

Arisa smiled slightly and replied.

"It's not that I don't want to follow trends, but I can't. Due to family circumstances."

"..."

"That was a self-deprecating joke."

Seeing Yuzuki's strange expression, Arisa quickly tried to smooth things over.

Being able to make such jokes, even a little, might be a good influence?

Yuzuki was a bit hesitant but...

"Well, whether it's thanks to me or not, you can follow the trend this time."

"Okay, let's go then."

The two headed to the nearby cinema.

"Sorry, but it's my first time at a cinema. ...Do we need to make a reservation?"

"Only for popular movies that have just been released... but this one has been out for a while, so I think there will be plenty of seats."

Yuzuki said this and headed to the ticket machine in the cinema hall.

Since Yuzuki and Arisa were high school students, they could get a student discount.

However...

"I see..."

"What's wrong?"

"Apparently, today is a day when couples get a discount."

When Yuzuki said this, Arisa's skin tinged slightly pink.

When she blushed like that, it made him even more embarrassed, and he wished she would stop.

"Is it more economical that way?"

"Yeah, it seems so."

"Then let's do that. It's more economical."

Yuzuki wasn't short of money, but it was wise to save when possible.

They bought a couple's ticket together.

Then he pointed to the snack stand.

"Let's get some drinks first. How about some popcorn? It's before noon, but..."

When Yuzuki asked, Arisa nodded slightly.

"Having popcorn at the cinema is a common thing. I want to do it. ...But I'll be in trouble if I don't eat lunch, so how about we share?"

"Sure, that sounds reasonable."

Popcorn can fill you up more than you expect, so it's a good idea to be careful.

Arisa's suggestion was perfect.

"There are three flavors: salt, butter, and caramel. Which one do you want?"

When they ordered the popcorn, the clerk asked.

Yuzuki was fine with any, so he asked Arisa what she wanted.

"Then... caramel."

He had expected her to choose caramel, and she did.

He couldn't help but smile, thinking how cute she was.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing."

Yuzuki said this to dodge the question and entered the theater with Arisa.

After sitting down, a video warning about behavior during the movie started playing.

"Wow..."

"What's wrong, Arisa?"

Yuzuki asked Arisa in a low voice when she let out a small sound.

"I don't like... that."

Arisa frowned.

The video on the screen was the famous "movie thief."

"Well, it's not exactly pleasant to watch."

To be honest, Yuzuki didn't like it either.

But it was probably effective because it was designed to instill fear.

"I hope this movie is scarier than the movie thief."

"I won't be able to sleep."

Arisa said this with a pale face.

She was already trembling.

You chose the horror movie, didn't you?

Yuzuki thought to himself while putting popcorn in his mouth.

Why do people want to see scary things?

Well, it's probably similar to the psychology of watching infidelity dramas.

So, next time.

Arisa's brain will be destroyed by the horror movie.

Will she be able to go to the bathroom alone!?

And with such a predictable preview,

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The next chapter will be the day after tomorrow or the day after that.

Please wait a little longer for the dere dere level.