Youkoso Jitsuryoku Shijou Shugi no Kyoushitsu e - Volume 6 - Chapter 6.5

6.5

CLASS THE NEXT DAY felt surprisingly long. Maybe that was because I’d gradually begun to look forward to the study sessions with my friends. When school was done, I headed toward the movie theater with Yukimura and the others.

“It kinda feels exciting to go out with everyone…K-Kiyotaka-kun,” said Airi, walking next to me. She sounded reserved, but also upbeat. She was like a child, but I felt the same way, so I guess I was childish, too.

“Yeah, it does. It’s not a bad feeling.”

“Hee hee. Kiyotaka-kun.”

“What’s up?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You said my name.”

“I-I did?! S-sorry, you must’ve heard wrong!”

I didn’t think I’d misheard her. Upon arriving at the Keyaki Mall, we immediately went to the movie theater. Haruka had bought the tickets ahead of time, and she handed them out to us one by one.

“I’m looking forward to this.”

“Ayanokouji-kun!” Satou Maya’s voice called out to me. Why was she here?

“Hey, are you going to see that movie right now? You know, that one everyone’s talking about?!” she asked excitedly, glancing at the ticket in my hand. “To tell you the truth, I came here to see it, too. So did Karuizawa-san and the others,” she added.

Behind Satou, a crowd of girls approached the theater. “Looks like it,” I replied. “Did Karuizawa invite you?” 

“Nope. When I mentioned wanting to see a movie after our study group, Karuizawa-san said that she wanted to come, too. So, we all decided to go. Since we’re all here, let’s see it together!” said Satou, quickly latching on to my arm.

“Huuuh?!” Airi yelped. 

“H-hey, knock it off,” I told Satou.

“Huh? Why? This is okay, isn’t it?” she asked. Satou sounded calm and composed, but her face was red. She was trying a little too hard.

“Oh, what a coincidence. Yukimura-kun, Ayanokouji-kun. Oh, and Hasebe-san and Sakura-san, too,” said Karuizawa in a slightly condescending manner.

It wasn’t a coincidence at all. I’d told her last night. However, I hadn’t imagined that Karuizawa was really going to come here herself.

“What an unpleasant coincidence. I’m going inside.” Keisei went on ahead by himself, looking rather indignant. He handed over ticket and went inside.

“Well, guess I’ll go, too,” I said.

Separating myself from Satou somewhat forcefully, I followed Keisei inside the theater. It was almost entirely full, and the scent of popcorn and hot dogs tickled my nostrils. We’d reserved the five seats farthest to the back and right. Satou, Karuizawa, and their group had gone to buy popcorn and soda, and hadn’t come in yet.

As I sat down, Airi leaned over and whispered to me. “Um, K-Kiyotaka-kun?”

Since everyone around us was chatting loudly, I didn’t think she needed to speak that softly. “What’s the matter?”

“Well, Kiyotaka-kun, it’s… Recently, you’ve gotten along pretty well with, um, Satou-san, right?” she asked.

Considering what Airi had seen, it wasn’t surprising that she was curious. However, I needed to keep that particular rumor from spreading. “That’s not how it is. Satou and I are exam partners. We’ve been studying together.”

“B-but…p-people don’t normally walk, um, a-arm-in-arm like that, do they?”

“That wasn’t really arm-in-arm. She just grabbed me,” I replied.

“Well, if you dislike it, you could just, um, shake her off,” said Airi.

While timid, Airi’s comeback was correct. I’d passively gone along with Satou. It wasn’t good to allow misunderstandings to fester.

“I understand. I don’t think there will be a next time.”

“A-also…”

There was more?

“Before we partnered up, you went somewhere with Satou-san alone, didn’t you?” she asked.

I remembered the day Satou had called me over in the classroom. Hadn’t Airi watched me?

“I-Is there s-something g-going between you two?”

“No.”

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Then again, all Satou did was get my contact information. Besides, Airi and I had also exchanged contact information. It was nothing to feel weird about.

“Not convinced?” I asked.

“N-no, I am. S-sorry. I’ve been asking you all these strange questions… Did I make you uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. If there’s something bothering you, you can ask me any time,” I told her.

“I’ll keep an eye on you, then, Kiyotaka-kun,” she replied. “L-Leave it to me!”

Er, thanks? Not too closely, I hope.

Well, I didn’t want to burst Airi’s bubble. She looked very confident now, although nothing particularly special had happened.

After that, I enjoyed the movie in peace and quiet. Well, as much as I could. The movie itself was very strange.