Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093093605365078/episodes/16818622171958321431
After school, I met up with Hinayo and visited a movie theater in a shopping mall.
It was a weekday evening, so not many people were there.
“Nishimeya san, what movie were you planning to see the other day?”
“Well, uh……actually, the screening period has already ended…….”
“Sorry…..it’s my fault……”
“D-d-d-on’t apologize ! The movie will be available on streaming services in a little while, so it’s fine.”
“I’ll watch it with you again then. I need to make up for the promise I broke.”
“Huh……”
Hinayo, perhaps not expecting to be told such a thing, showed a slightly happy look on her face.
That’s good. She’s been looking gloomy for a while, so I’d be happy if she could brighten up even a little.
“Let’s just decide what we’re going to watch today. Nishimeya san, do you have something in mind?”
“I’m a little curious about the recently trendy movie [The Promise of Seven Days to Live: The Hope You Gave Me]”
“Oh, I may have seen that title before.”
“The movie is based on a novel that won the Bookstore Grand Prize. I read it as soon as I bought it, and I couldn’t stop crying.”
“Wow, that sounds very promising.”
“So can we watch it……today?”
“Of course. I’ll go buy the ticket.”
“Eh, um…….”
“Just leave it to me, it’s just to make up for today, so you can rely on me.”
“Oh…….”
I flicked the touch screen of the ticket machine and bought two tickets.
The place wasn’t that crowded, but Hinayo seems to not like crowds, so I took a seat near the back, where we wouldn’t be noticed.
It would ruin the movie if I was shaken or kicked on the backrest by the people around me.
I looked at my smartwatch on my left hand and saw that there was still some time left before the movie
Let’s kill some time by chatting at the food court. I’ll suggest it to Hinayo.
“T-that’s a good idea. I’ve always wanted to try it.”
As soon as I said it out loud, she gave me an enthusiastic yes.
Isn’t she a little too happy? I wonder if she likes the food court that much.
It’s fun because there are so many different kinds of restaurants.
“You wanted to try…having a chat in the food court after school?”
“Y-yes ! Because that kind of thing is not for a gloomy ugly girl like me……”
“I’ve already said that Nishimeya san isn’t ugly. As for gloomy…..there’s room for growth.”
“Hah……”
After buying some donuts at the food court, the two of us sat down in convenient seats.
Since it was after school, there were quite a few students chatting away in the same way.
“T-thank you for the meal. I even got a donut…”
“It’s okay, it’s not that expensive.”
“Then I’ll have some…….”
Hinase bites into the Old Fashioned.
Her mouth is small, and she looks a bit like a small animal, which is cute.
“It’s delicious. I always eat donuts only when my parents buy them from takeout.”
“Oh, so both of your parents work. Your parents probably come home pretty late, don’t they?”
“That’s right. That’s why the donuts they bought are not freshly made like the ones we eat here.”
“I see. Freshly made donuts taste good, don’t they?”
Hinayo nodded her head. She seemed to be savoring the taste of the food and savoring the happiness.
Freshly made food is the best. Fried chicken, for example.
“Speaking of which, Nishimeya san, are you and Haruto getting along?”
“Fwueh !? F-Fujisaki kun….?”
“Yeah, it was the same when we went to watch the basketball game, you guys seemed close.”
“N-no, no, it’s normal.”
“Really? Haruto seems to be having fun when he’s talking about Nishimeya san. So I thought maybe that’s the case.”
Since I’m invoking the student privilege of having a nice after-school food court chat, I decided to shift the topic of conversation to love stories, just like a student.
I think Haruto and Hinayo are on the same wavelength.
“I-I don’t think so at all. Fujisaki kun is……um, I mean, he is supporting me……”
“Support?”
At that moment, Hinayo’s face lit up.
Did she slip up?
“N-nothing !”
“Oh come on, I know it’s not nothing. If Haruto is ‘supporting’ you, does that mean Nishimeya san has someone else she likes?”
“Hah…….”
Hinayo turned bright red and stopped saying anything.
In a way, this kind of blushing is the best part of talking about love.
“Heh, I see. Nishimeya san, you’re doing pretty good.”
“H-Hirakawa kun you meany……”
“So, who is it?”
“O-of course it’s a secret…..!”
“Eh, since we’re here, why don’t you tell me?”
“I-I-I-I can’t !”
“You can’t?”
“By all means.”
Hinayo doesn’t talk any more.
She confided in Haruto, but she wouldn’t tell me.
…Do you think I’m a loose tongue?
It’s true that compared to Haruto, I might be, but I’m not that loose !
Although I’m an easy man-whore !
……I don’t know if it’s called ‘whore’ in this world.
“The movie is about to start, so let’s go.”
“Y-yes……!”
“I haven’t been to a movie in a while, so I’m looking forward to it.”
“S-same here. I often go alone, so it’s…the first time I’ve gone with someone, or rather…..”
“I think there will be more opportunities to go out with someone from now on.”
“W-why is that?”
“Because you’re going on a date with someone you like, aren’t you?”
“I-I-I-I don’t have that kind of date…….”
“You shouldn’t be shy, Nishimeya san. …Oh yeah ! Why don’t you try using me as a practice dummy?”
“Practice dummy…..?”
“Yep. Then you wouldn’t be so nervous, would you? You just need to practice.”
“Huh…….”
It was a good idea, even for me.
Since Hinayo isn’t used to being around men, there’s no one better suited to be her practice partner than me.
After all, we know each other to a certain extent, and Hinayo won’t be nervous around a guy like me.
In preparation for her special someone, who I don’t know where he’s from, she should learn how to escort him on a date.
Yeah, yeah, that comes to mind.
Hinayako has become a capable woman, and I can be seen standing behind her with a smug look on my face saying, [Look…that’s my Hinayako…]
Alright, I’ll do my best to help Hinayo.
I don’t think for a second that I’ll actually be doing anything after this.
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