Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/2912051598917319858
“Rintaro. I want to do something grown-up.”
During lunch break, after finishing her large portion of fried chicken set meal at the school cafeteria, Shino blurted that out with a serious look on her face.
Even though I thought she was coming up with another silly idea, she was radiating an aura that screamed, “Please listen to me,” so I reluctantly decided to hear her out.
“Like what, exactly…? Going to a pachinko parlor or getting a driver’s license?”
“Not that kind of thing. Something that’d look more Instagram-worthy.”
“Other than that, there’s hookah or bars… though those are for people 20 and up, right?”
“Exactly. It’s funny how the very activities that feel the most ‘adult’ are the ones we’re not allowed to do yet.”
It was true—there weren’t as many standout activities as I’d expected. But since the legal age of adulthood was only recently lowered to 18, I guess it can’t be helped.
“What else is there? Getting married, maybe? Rintaro, wanna give marriage a try?”
“That’s not something you do on a whim.”
“What if I was just covering up my embarrassment and actually meant it?”
“If that were true, it’d be clumsy but cute. But you’re not the type to do something like that, Shino.”
“…I guess so…”
Twisting a strand of hair around her finger, Shino leaned back deeply in her chair.
She sat there lost in thought for a while, but eventually seemed to come up with an idea and looked up suddenly.
“A late-night movie… wouldn’t that be nice?”
“Oh, a movie. I think you can’t get in after 10 p.m. unless you’re 18, right?”
“Exactly. Doesn’t that make us feel like relaxed adults?”
That’s true…
It’s not as tacky as pachinko, nor is it as serious an event as getting married. A movie theater after 10 p.m. It’s a place we’ve been able to go before, but at a time we couldn’t go until now. Stepping into that space makes me feel like we’ve clearly expanded our horizons.
Combined with the vibe of the term “late show,” it definitely feels grown-up.
“You’re right… that sounds really good.”
“Right? Don’t you think it’s a great idea, even by my own standards?”
Shino looked smug and proud of herself.
“So, are you free today? Want to go with me?”
“That’s pretty sudden.”
“Acting on a whim is one of my best qualities.”
“I’m working my part-time job today.”
“Until what time?”
“Until 9:30 p.m. today, though…”
“Then you can make it. Shinjuku has late showings, right?”
I guess I should try to learn from Shino’s proactive attitude.
I don’t have any morning classes tomorrow. Even if we end up staying out until the last train, I’ll just have to stay up a little later.
To be honest, I was pretty into the idea—partly because I was kind of drawn to the sound of the phrase “late show.”
“Well, if that’s the case…”
“Okay, then let’s climb the stairs to adulthood together ♡”
“Stop saying it like that.”
I felt my heart skip a beat a little when Shino peered up at me with those big eyes, but I decided to brush it off as just another one of her usual jokes.
“So it’s settled, then. Rintaro, let’s grow up together tonight!”
“Seriously, watch how you phrase things.”
Shino gave a small chuckle when she saw me looking a little flustered, then started checking the movie showtimes on her phone.
A brief silence. During that moment, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
—Why did Shino ask me out?
Ever since that time we went to the aquarium together, just the two of us, I’ve found myself strangely conscious of Shino.
To me, Shino was just a close female friend, a long-time acquaintance, and a mischievous buddy. I’d always thought of her that way.
But was I really the same to Shino?
I’d almost start thinking, “Maybe…” but every time I did, I’d dismiss the thought, telling myself I was just being self-conscious.
★ ⭐︎ ★
Class ended, and I headed straight to my part-time job. Before that, I decided to text Ellis. I’d already told her I’d be late from work today, but since I was going to a late-night movie afterward, it would be past midnight by the time I got home.
I had to let her know so she wouldn’t worry unnecessarily.
“I’m going to see a movie after work today, so I’ll be home late.”
Just a few seconds after I sent it, it showed as read.
As always, her response was way too fast.
“With Shino?”
“Yeah, yeah. We were talking about how she just turned 18 and wants to do something grown-up.”
“Not coming home tonight?”
“No, I plan to catch the last train.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll stay up a little late and wait for you.”
“No, I feel bad. You really don’t have to worry about it.”
I feel bad making her wait just for me.
I guess that’s just like Ellis, but I feel a little guilty for making her worry unnecessarily.
A little while later, another message came in.
“I’ll be waiting.”
Just a short, casual message.
But that one line strangely stuck with me.
I wondered what kind of expression Ellis had on her face when she typed that message.
★ ⭐︎ ★
By the time my shift ended, I was already completely exhausted.
Even though it was a weeknight, the restaurant was pretty busy, so I ended up running all over the place.
I changed out of my uniform and left the restaurant.
Out of habit, I almost headed in the opposite direction of the station, but I quickly turned around and headed to Shinjuku, where Shino was waiting.
When I arrived in Shinjuku, Shino was waving shyly at me from beyond the ticket gates.
“Good job, part-time warrior Rintaro-kun.”
“You seem unnecessarily energetic even at this hour, Shino.”
“Well, yeah—I’m totally hyped up.”
“Getting hyped up from staying up late? You’re acting like a kid.”
“What did you say, you jerk?”
Shino, scowling, blew on her clenched fist.
Then, with a soft thud, she gave my shoulder a light punch. That behavior definitely didn’t look very grown-up.
But when I took another look at Shino’s outfit, she actually looked more mature than usual. The off-the-shoulder top that revealed her collarbone gave her a glamorous vibe.
“Well, let’s go. We don’t have much time before the movie starts.”
The two of us walked through the streets of Shinjuku.
Even though it was already late, the streets were packed with people everywhere, making it a struggle just to walk. I turned around once every five seconds to make sure I didn’t lose sight of Shino as we made our way to the movie theater.
The movie theater at night felt a little different from its bustling daytime self. There were office workers on their way home from work and pairs who looked like couples; the atmosphere was somehow calm and more comfortable than I’d expected.
“So, what are we watching?”
“Since we’re here, shouldn’t we go for something a little more grown-up?”
“What do you mean, a ‘grown-up’ movie?”
“…Like a quiet foreign film or something?”
“That is definitely grown-up…!”
What kind of conversation is this? It’s not grown-up at all.
Shino must have been thinking the same thing, because we locked eyes and quietly laughed.
“Don’t fall asleep.”
“You’re the one who shouldn’t fall asleep, Rintaro.”
We bought our tickets and headed to the theater.
We decided to share the popcorn because eating too much at this hour would make us gain weight.
We settled into seats a little behind the middle—they looked like they’d offer a good view—and looked around.
As expected, given the late hour, most of the seats were empty.
The theater before the lights went down. I didn’t mind the indescribable silence.
“Do you feel like you’re climbing the stairs to adulthood?”
“Honestly, maybe not so much. But it does feel like a break from the ordinary.”
“It hasn’t even started yet, but I already feel like I’ve gotten my money’s worth.”
Shino laughed, keeping her voice low.
Her smile, illuminated by the dim light, was strikingly beautiful.
I smiled a little and looked away.
The lights dimmed, and silence fell.
The screen lit up, and the main feature began.
A quiet foreign film.
Just as the description said, the screen was generally dark, with absolutely no flashy plot twists. It was an artistic work that quietly and delicately portrayed the nuances of human emotion.
Under normal circumstances, I might have been able to appreciate those subtleties, but for my tired body after a shift at my part-time job, it was a pretty grueling movie to watch.
—I’m sleepy.
I managed to hang in there for the first 30 minutes or so.
I followed the subtitles, tried to figure out the relationships between the characters, and even thought about how the story might unfold.
But gradually, I succumbed to drowsiness; my thoughts grew sluggish, and I started to lose track of the story. I’m sleepy—my eyelids feel heavy…
──I wonder how Shino’s doing?
I glanced over and saw that Shino had already succumbed to sleepiness.
Her head was resting against the seatback, tilted just slightly toward me.
[I want to do things only adults can do. Let’s take the next step toward adulthood.]
“Is this what you mean after saying that?” I almost let out a laugh.
The light from the screen illuminated Shino’s defenseless sleeping face.
Somehow, it felt like I was looking at something I shouldn’t be seeing.
As soon as that thought crossed my mind, I felt a little uneasy, so I turned my gaze back to the screen.
I tried to focus on the screen so I wouldn’t look at her… but that just made the drowsiness hit me even harder…
(This isn’t good…)
In my head, I tried my best to fight off the drowsiness, but my resistance was in vain, and my consciousness sank into a deep slumber.
★ ⭐︎ ★
“Excuse me… the movie has ended.”
Suddenly, I heard a voice from above and opened my eyes.
When I looked in the direction of the voice, a staff member who had come to clean was standing there.
“…Huh?”
That’s right—I was watching a movie, and then…
I messed up—I completely fell asleep.
In a panic, I shook Shino’s shoulder; she was snoring next to me.
But I felt her body heat through her bare shoulder, so I quickly pulled my hand away.
“…Oh no, I totally fell asleep.”
“Come on, let’s get out of here.”
“Yaaay.”
Shino stood up, still dazed and unsteady on her feet.
There were hardly any people left in the theater.
“Sorry, we’ll be right out.”
After apologizing to the staff member, I hurriedly led Shino back to the lobby.
There were hardly any people left in the lobby; it was deserted—
“Oh no…!”
When I saw that, the blood drained from my face.
I quickly pulled out my phone to check the time.
“Shino, we’re in trouble. We’re right on the cusp of the last train!”
“Huh!?”
Shino’s eyes, which had been half-closed just a moment ago, snapped wide open.
“I messed up. What are we going to do?”
“We’ve got 15 minutes until the last train. If we hurry, we’ll probably make it.”
“…15 minutes. I see.”
“Come on, let’s go.”
No sooner had I said it than we bolted out of the movie theater.
Shinjuku never sleeps. Even though the date had long since changed, the street leading to the station was still packed with more than enough people. We weaved our way through the crowd, heading toward the station.
“Shino, are you okay in those heels?”
“I’m a little scared I might trip, but I’ll be fine.”
Just one more traffic light to cross, and we’d reach the station.
It was still a bit of a walk from there to the ticket gates, but we should be able to make it.
Just as I thought that and picked up my pace slightly—
Someone tugged at my shirt sleeve from behind.
“……Shino?”
When I turned around, Shino was looking down slightly.
—Did she hurt herself somewhere?
Before I could say anything, Shino looked up.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were glistening—
“……Why don’t we skip the train?”
I didn’t immediately understand what she meant.
Missing the last train meant we wouldn’t be able to get home.
It would be one thing to miss it by accident, but to let the last train leave of our own accord? Why would we do something like that—
“……What are you talking about? We won’t be able to get home.”
“Yeah.”
Shino kept holding onto my sleeve, refusing to let go.
My thoughts came to a halt. The sounds around me faded into the distance, and my consciousness was drawn to the tips of Shino’s fingers gripping my sleeve.
Wasn’t this some kind of mistake?
No matter how hard I tried to think it through, there was only one answer I could come up with.
“Shino, that’s—”
“If I’ve said this much, Rintaro, you must realize it, right?”
I felt her grip on my sleeve tighten even more.
As if she were trying to pull me back and stop me from heading toward the station.
“…I’m okay with it you know?”
Ten minutes until the last train.
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