Himegi-san a Bride from the Future Begs Me to Confess My Love to Her Again - Volume 1 Chapter 2.11

Date 11

With the drinks from the cashier received, we headed toward the entrance gate.

As expected, the male staff member from earlier was standing at the entrance gate.

When we handed him the tickets, he looked at us with an incredibly puzzled expression.

It seems this staff member remembered our faces and was thinking something like,『Are these two going to watch the same movie again?』

“Is there something wrong? That person looked at us as if he had seen something unusual.”

“Ah-ahaha! I-It’s probably just your imagination, just your imagination.”

“Is that so?”

Despite looking puzzled, we entered the theater and sat in different seats from before.

I think last time we were in H-17 and H-18, and now we’re in the row in front, seats G-17 and G-19.

…I see. This probably represents the current distance between her and me…

Feeling a slight sadness, I turned off my smartphone and quietly waited for the movie to start.

By the way, the theater was even emptier than before.

“Hey, Ouji-kun.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“Is this your first time watching this movie?”

“No, it’s my second time.”

In fact, I just watched it a little while ago.

“Oh? So it’s a movie you think is worth watching twice…”

“Yes, I’m also looking forward to the sequel.”

“…Wait, they’ve confirmed a sequel?”

“Just a hunch, but I think the sequel will be out within six years.”

“Why six years?”

“…Just a feeling.”

I shouldn’t say anything more unnecessary.

However, with her current words, I understood one thing. Himegi-san is watching this movie for the first time.

Then, the lights dimmed, and the movie appeared on the screen.

Naturally, the content of the movie is exactly the same as before.

Normally, watching the same movie in succession might be tedious, but this movie is still interesting no matter how many times I watch it.

Moreover, I realized that there’s a different way to enjoy it on the second viewing.

I hadn’t noticed before, but some of these minor lines from the background characters might have been foreshadowing.

There were tiny details and Easter eggs woven into the scenes.

During the first viewing, I only appreciated the overall atmosphere and story, but now I realize there are many things I’ve missed.

More than anything, I found myself empathizing with the determined efforts of the protagonist.

I get it, I really do. Confessing to someone you like and getting harshly rejected——I can relate to that feeling.

And then, in the final scene of the movie, the protagonist is faced with a dilemma: choosing between her own happiness or her mother’s.

In the end, the young girl chooses her mother’s wish after a hard decision.

Perhaps I got too emotionally invested in the protagonist, as I found myself shedding tears during the final scene.

The first time I watched it, I didn’t shed any tears, but this time, tears were streaming down my cheeks.

Movies are great, aren’t they?

It’s totally different from watching movies at home.

I should buy a pamphlet on the way out.

And while I’m at it, I’ll also purchase a pen and a key holder. Himegi-san is probably crying too.

After all, Touka-san shed such large tears.

I’m sure she’s crying heavily again this time.

With that thought in mind, I stole a glance at her.

Illuminated faintly by the screen’s light, her beautiful face showed no trace of tears.

She was staring at the screen with a calm expression, different from what I expected.

Even though she was crying so much earlier… now, her eyes weren’t even moist.

Just like me, did it not touch her heartstrings the first time she watched it?

Either way, knowing the scene from earlier, her current reaction was unexpected for me.

And, because I was so absorbed in staring at Himegi-san, she also noticed my gaze and turned to look at me.

Our eyes met in silence.

Himegi-san looked at my face and displayed a slightly surprised reaction.

It seems she didn’t expect that I would be crying.

Sh-she saw me…

Embarrassingly enough, the girl I like saw me in tears.

I tried to reach for my pocket to wipe away my tears with my handkerchief.

Oh, wait? My handkerchief is missing.

Right, Touka-san has my handkerchief right now.

While I was thinking about this, Himegi-san silently handed me a handkerchief.

Taking advantage of her kindness, I wiped my tears with the handkerchief she lent me.

Her scent lingered on the handkerchief.

It was sweet and gentle.

***

The movie ended, and I had initially intended to go home alone, but somehow I found myself heading to the food court with Himegi-san.

She seemed to really want to eat takoyaki.

Listening to her request, I thought about it.

If we were to go to that takoyaki shop together, it would definitely become complicated.

So, I opposed it. I rejected it with all my might. However, that suggestion was easily dismissed with a single word, ‘No.’

Well, it would be better to accompany her nearby and wander around rather than to the food court and make things complicated.

…However, I’ve noticed that suggesting something to Touka Himegi often results in rejection.

While thinking about that, I became really curious about how the other Touka Himegi is doing.

It has been two hours since the restroom incident.

Unless she is an idiot, I want to believe that she’s capable of making her way home on her own.

…Surely she’s not still wandering around this shopping mall, right?

Even if I wanted to contact her, she can’t use her smartphone, so that’s quite inconvenient.

And then we finally arrived at the food court.

“By the way, Himegi-san, do you like takoyaki?”

“Not so much. I don’t know why, but I suddenly really want to eat takoyaki.”

“I see.”

If her movie choices are the same, then maybe her food cravings are too.

Even after six years, her fundamental behaviors might not change that much.