Chương 260: Chapter 5 Part V
Today's classes felt surprisingly long.
Maybe it's because I've gradually begun to look forward to the study sessions with my friends after school.
I headed to the cinema with Yukimura and the others.
"It feels exciting going out with everybody… Ki-Kiyotaka-kun"
Speaking reservedly, Airi also expressed her excitement next to me.
In spite of the thought that she's as innocent as a child, I also felt the same way.
What can I say? I'm childish too.
"Yeah true. It's not an unpleasant feeling."
"Ehehehe... Kiyotaka-kun."
"What's the matter?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"You called my name right?"
"...D-Did I call for you!? I-I'm sorry, it's not like that at all!"
I didn't think I misheard, but Airi denied having called out for me.
We arrived at Keyaki Mall and headed straight towards the cinema.
Haruka had ordered the tickets in advance, so she handed them out to everyone one by one.
"I've been looking forward to-"
"Ayanokōji-kun!"
A voice called out to us from in the distance. Maya Satō, why is she here…
"Are you by any chance going to the movies right now? Ah! That super popular one!"
She spoke excitedly after seeing the movie ticket in my hand.
"Actually, I came to see that movie, too. Karuizawa-san and the others came too!"
"...Looks like it."
Several girls approached in a crowd from behind Satō.
"Were you invited by Karuizawa?"
"Nope. When I was talking about how I wanted to go to the movies during our study session, Karuizawa-san said she wanted to go too, so we decided to go together. Since it's a rare opportunity, let's go watch it together!"
Having said that, Satō grabbed my arm with both hands.
"Fuaa!?"
Behind me, Airi makes a sound somewhat similar to a scream.
"He-Hey, stop it."
"Eh? How come~? What does it matter."
Satō spoke casually, but her face was a little red. It seems like she's trying hard to overdo it.
"What a coincidence, Yukimura-kun and Ayanokōji-kun. Hasebe-san and Sakura-san as well."
Karuizawa spoke, giving off a bit of a condescending attitude.
It wasn't a coincidence at all. I had told her just the night before that I would be going to the movies. However, I didn't expect Karuizawa to come herself.
"...What an unpleasant coincidence. I'm going inside."
With of look of resentment, Keisei handed over his ticket and went inside the cinema.
"In which case, I'll go as well..."
Separating myself from Satō by force, I followed after Keisei and the others.
The inside of the theater was packed full with enough students to entirely fill all the seats. The fragrant smell of popcorn and roasted hot dog stimulated my nostrils.
We had reserved the five seats in the highest row at the very end, counting from the right.
Satō, Karuizawa, and the rest of their group appeared to be concerned about what to buy at the shop and hadn't come in yet.
"Um, K-Kiyotaka-kun."
As I sat in my seat, Airi quietly whispered in my ear from the seat next to me. Since all of the other students around us were chatting happily, I didn't think she needed to speak so softly.
"What's the matter?"
"Kiyotaka-kun… well… has been getting along really well with Satō-san recently, right...?"
Considering what had just happened, it would be impossible not to think so.
However, if I don't strictly deny something when it isn't true, it'll be hard to stop if the rumor spreads.
"It's just a misunderstanding. Satō and I were paired for the finals so we've studied together a couple of times."
"B-but, people don't usually walk a-arm in arm?"
"That wasn't arm in arm, that was being latched onto."
"I feel that, if you dislike it you could shake her off..."
Airi responds with a timid, yet accurate retort. That certainly may be the case.
I had become passive while going with the flow of things, but it's not a good idea to accept misunderstandings like this.
"I see. I don't think there will be a next time, but I'll be careful."
"A-And Besides..."
There's still something else...
"Before the pairs were chosen, you went somewhere alone with Satō-san, right?"
That being said, when Satō had asked me to follow her, Airi did seem to be looking at me in the classroom.
"...B-between you two, is there anything..."
"No."
Saying no might be a lie, but at most I was only asked for my contact information.
Airi and I have also exchanged contact information, so this isn't something for me to feel guilty over.
"Not convinced?"
"N-no. S-sorry. I'm asking you all kinds of strange things... Did I make you uncomfortable...?"
"Not at all. If there's something you are worried about, you can tell me any time."
"L-leave it to me! I will properly keep my eye on you, Kiyotaka-kun!"
No. It's stressful to have you observed me so closely...
I couldn't bear to deny Airi, who had made a slightly triumphant gesture, so I swallowed the words.
Nothing special happened after that, so I enjoyed the movie in peace.
Although there was something somewhat odd about the content of the film.
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