I'm in Love with the Gorilla Sitting Next to Me - Volume 1 Chapter 5.2

Events are the best way to deepen friendships 2

“What if it’s full, or only seats far apart are available?”

“We’ll reserve for the next showing. We’ll have lunch first, play a bit, and then come back.”

“Okay, let’s go with that plan.”

While discussing this in the elevator, we got off on the seventh floor where the theater was. More than half of the people who had ridden with us got off on the same floor, so the ticket counter was quite busy.

After waiting in line for about three minutes, we checked with the Onee-san at the counter for the next showing of the movie we wanted, and luckily, there were seats next to each other, albeit on the edge. We couldn’t help the location, so we presented the free tickets and got our own.

I received the tickets from Tora-senpai and bowed deeply.

“Hehe, I’m so grateful! Senpai, you’re the best!”

“Mmhm, don’t mention it. Now, what about drinks?”

“Ah, I’ll pay for that.”

“You don’t have to treat me, but… are you sure?”

“Okay okay, I can handle that much. Oh, but what about popcorn…”

Buying two would leave me without lunch money. Even one is pretty expensive.

“I don’t need it particularly… but it does smell good…”

“Besides, it’s over two hours, so we’ll get hungry. It’ll be two o’clock by the time it’s over, right?”

“HmmHmm. But there’s also the risk of not being able to have lunch.”

“Then let’s share one. We’ll each pay half.”

It’s super embarrassing that I can’t offer to treat, but it’s much better than pushing myself and not being able to last the rest of the day.

Tora-senpai blinked several times at my compromise proposal, then twitched her nose before responding.

“Mmm, that sounds very much like a date…!”

“Is that so? I think even friends do that kind of stuff.”

“Stop it, you’re hitting a nerve with someone who’s lost all connections with friends since middle school!”

“Oops, my bad. So, one large size is good enough?”

After stepping on a landmine and receiving a glare full of complaints, Tora-senpai glanced at the food counter and said,

“…That’s fine. Which flavor should we choose?”

“I’m good with either salt or barbecue. What about you, Senpai?”

“I’d prefer cheese or caramel.”

“We have four flavors and we don’t overlap… Well, that’s fine. If we go for half & half, we can each pick a flavor we like.”

“Indeed, let’s do that—but wait a moment.”

Just as I was about to line up at the food counter, a slender cat-like hand swiftly grabbed me.

“I’m going to the restroom. Could you please order a large jasmine tea and caramel for me?”

“Sure, got it. Oh, I’ll head to our seats after buying, is that okay?”

“That’s fine. I leave it in your hands.”

Saying this and handing me a thousand yen bill, Tora-senpai walked away at a brisk pace.

I stood alone in line for a few minutes, bought drinks for both of us, and a bucket-sized popcorn, then carried the tray towards the theater. I handed my ticket to the staff, passed through the large doors left ajar, and placed my belongings and the tray on our designated seats towards the back left side of the theater.

Checking the time on my smartphone, there were less than five minutes until the movie started. Tora-senpai hadn’t returned yet, but there was no need to rush since the pre-show warnings and upcoming movie trailers were still playing… Still, I might as well use the restroom too.

Deciding this, I left my bag, which didn’t contain much, at my seat and exited the theater through the nearest side door, checked the signboard, and headed for the restroom.

I quickly found the place I was looking for, but it seemed there was a line extending into the hallway. The question was whether this line was for the stalls or not. It’s common for the urinals to be available with no need to wait.

As I was contemplating whether to go in and check, someone called out to me.

“Hey, are you heading to the restroom too?”

“Oh, Tora-se…?”

I froze on the spot as I bumped into Tora-senpai coming out of the restroom.

Perhaps because I froze so suddenly, Tora-senpai put away the handkerchief she was using to dry her hands and peered into my face.

“Is something wrong? Don’t tell me you’re at your limit…?”

“No, it’s not that. I was just surprised to see Tora-senpai coming out of the men’s restroom so casually.”

Half in a daze, I replied, and Tora-senpai’s cat-like eyes narrowed with a face that looked ready to hiss.

“I can’t help it. If I go into the women’s restroom, I’ll be treated like a pervert, and I can’t use the multi-purpose restroom because it’s often visited by those who truly need it… I’m using it with a heavy heart.”

Although Senpai spoke with a rough tone, it was in a quiet voice, and all I could respond was, ‘I see’.

Of course, that makes sense. Senpai is perceived as a male, so that’s why she went to the restroom early to use the stall.

“…What do you do at school? Don’t you get teased for always using the stall?”

“…I use one that’s in a remote location where not many people go. I’m still not used to hearing male voices around me…!”

“Ah, I see… Sorry, that was insensitive of me.”

I asked out of nervousness, but it’s not appropriate to ask a girl about such things. Especially since Senpai is in a unique situation.

“Since I’ve already been rude, could you tell me what the inside is like? Were the urinals empty?”

“…I didn’t look closely, but I think about half of them were free. This is the line for the stalls.”

“Nice info! Then, wait for me at our seats.”

I cut the conversation short, perhaps a bit forcefully, and entered the men’s restroom with a swift stride. True to the information, the stalls were all occupied, but there were a few urinals available.

Using one of them, I finished my business while pondering Tora-senpai’s daily life.

—Unlike my curse, Tora-senpai’s affects those around her. Living as a male among men despite being a girl seemed much harder than I had thought.

Yes, “hard” seems to be the right word. Not just difficult, strict, or tough, but hard. It’s not something that can be fixed with effort, and even if one gets used to it, it’s only ‘somewhat better’, not completely okay. After all, Tora-senpai is still a girl.

…I really want to help lift Tora-senpai’s curse first… But to fall in love with Tora-senpai… to fall in love, huh…

Whether that’s feasible or not, I honestly have no idea. She looks like a cat to me, so I don’t really feel that she’s the opposite sex.