"..."
Nibutani trembled as she picked up her coffee—unfortunately, the coffee that had accompanied her through this absurd negotiation had already reached the bottom of the cup.
"You're not normal at all! That dream must be karma for all the vile things you've done!"
As the coffee's calming effects faded, Nibutani began to unleash her torrent of complaints.
How could someone live a routine life like this? He's basically a spirit summoned by a kidney alone!
Facing the furious Lady Sen, Kamashiro Shirou calmly wiped the spit from his face.
"Mori sama, please don't forget your status."
Whoosh!
As soon as Kamashiro Shirou finished speaking, Nibutani instantly returned to her sweet and serene demeanor, gently twirling her hair. "Kamishiro-kun, where were we just now?"
Looking into those pure eyes, Kamishiro suddenly felt like he should be the one complaining. That mood swing was way too fast!
"You're really just… Wait a second! Those two?!"
Just as Kamishiro was about to continue his rant, he noticed an unexpected duo outside the window!
Idiot Iori and girl-next-door Aina?!
"Kamishiro-kun, why exactly are we being such creeps and stalking people like this?"
At that moment, the two of them were peeking out from behind a utility pole, spying on what appeared to be a couple up ahead.
At least, Nibutani certainly thought they looked like a couple.
Aside from seeming a little unfamiliar with each other, they looked like your typical lovebirds.
"Please don't use words like 'creepy' and 'stalking.' I'm merely concerned about public safety. You do realize that either of them alone is a threat to social order, right?"
Yeah, that's true.
One of them could turn into a naked man at any moment, and the other into a zombie-like corpse-beauty who might randomly kidnap any handsome passerby.
(For details, refer to: The Untold Story of Kohei and the Corpse Beauty.)
No, wait—this isn't even just about public safety anymore!
Kamashiro Shirou stared intensely at Iori and Aina, unable to comprehend what the two were doing.
Was this… a date?
The horrifying realization sent a cold sweat down his forehead. Was their club's social dynamic about to shift?
(???)
Nibutani turned her gaze away and looked exasperatedly at the fired-up Kamashiro Shirou beside her.
"Then why didn't you come do this alone?"
He had pulled her over behind the utility pole the second he spotted them—didn't even care about his own dream anymore. For a moment, she thought this scumbag had finally lost it and was about to propose some wild, exciting activity.
"Huh? Going solo on this kind of thing is the fastest way to get labeled a stalker, okay?"
"You literally just said 'stalking'…"
"..."
Kamishiro quietly averted his eyes. "You misheard. I said public safety awareness."
"You definitely said stalking! And who told you that two people stalking together isn't still stalking?! What's the difference?!"
Nibutani clutched her head in frustration. This kind of behavior completely clashed with her beautiful-girl persona!
"Oh, there's a difference. If one person gets caught, it's just stalking. But if two people do it…"
Noticing Kamishiro's smug expression, Nibutani had a feeling the next thing out of his mouth wasn't going to be good—but her curiosity got the better of her.
"What's the difference?"
"If two people do it, it's organized crime! And the cops get double the bonus!"
Bang bang bang!
Nibutani smacked her head against the utility pole. She knew it! This scumbag never said anything decent. Did he not realize they were the ones who'd be caught?!
They were the bonus!
And what the hell was with that proud expression on his face?!
To prevent her first police station visit from being as a stalker, Nibutani felt she needed to take action.
"Well then, Kamishiro-kun, since you're so busy, I won't disturb you anymore. Let's not—no, better not—stay in touch. It's weird for a junior to always hang around a senior."
Nibutani turned to leave with conviction. She didn't even know those two—why would she follow this scumbag to spy on them? She had a hair appointment today, for heaven's sake!
"Oh? Then I suppose we shouldn't meet again in the future. Lady Nibutani will probably be quite busy soon~"
Whoosh!
Right as Kamishiro spoke, Nibutani's head popped back into view, now beside his shoulder.
With a forced smile that didn't reach her eyes, she said, "You're right. Public safety is more important~"
But deep inside, her inner Nibutani was stabbing a little Kamishiro doll over and over with pins.
'Die, you scum!'
'Die!'
'Aaaaahhh why won't you just die?! This is blackmail!'
Kamishiro, having already seen Nibutani switch moods countless times, wasn't surprised in the slightest.
He just looked at her with a teasing glint that clearly said: Gotcha~
Nibutani's face puffed up like a dumpling. "This is the only time, alright?! After this, you cannot use this to threaten me again!"
"Of course. I'm not a devil or anything."
Kamishiro gave her a gentle smile. He was very experienced in this kind of thing.
'You are a devil!'
Nibutani flipped him off mentally, then refocused her attention on Iori and Aina up ahead.
"So those are your friends? Stalking your own friends' date—how vile can you get?"
"It's… complicated. Just understand this: those two should never be alone together in a place like this, especially without me knowing!"
(???)
Seeing how sure Kamishiro looked, Nibutani felt the urge to mock rise again. "What are you, a nosy auntie? I think the ones who really shouldn't be here are you and me."
"Come on, we're a match made in heaven. Enough talk—they've stopped! Let's go!"
Without giving Nibutani a chance to object, Kamishiro grabbed her wrist and started running.
Nibutani's cheeks turned pink at the sudden hand-hold. She had imagined this scene countless times before…
By the sea.
In a forest.
At a shrine.
But never—not even once—did she imagine running from one utility pole to another!!!
(╥_╥)
Looking at the dashing boy pulling her along, Nibutani silently shed tears.
This is not a date. Absolutely not a date!
Elsewhere…
Iori and Aina had arrived at their destination.
The cinema!
Aina was clearly dressed up today—her elegant white dress gave her a sweet girl-next-door vibe, and showed off her slender legs.
Compared to her, a certain Lady Nibutani's legs were kind of stubby...
"Haha, it's been so long since I've done anything other than diving or drinking."
Iori laughed heartily at the cinema entrance. Now that he thought about it, he had been in Izu for so long and hadn't really taken time to explore.
How sad…
But being the idiot he was, Iori wasn't going to let that get him down.
In less than a second, his face brightened again. "Don't let appearances fool you. I'm actually really looking forward to today."
Boom~
Just as Aina was about to respond, her mind went blank as if struck by a thunderbolt of pink lightning.
Ah!
This is the taste of love!
She lowered her head, blushing like a freshly cooked shrimp.
"Hm? What's wrong?"
His completely oblivious question yanked Aina back to reality.
She quickly waved her hands. "It's nothing! By the way, what kind of movies do you usually like, Iori?"
Even after spending so much time together, she didn't really know his hobbies. Perfect chance to find out!
"Probably hot-blooded sports films. Same as that Kamishiro guy."
"Eh? Kamishiro?"
"Yeah. He's only into action-romance flicks."
"..."
Why'd he have to bring that guy up right now?
As if you don't like those movies too!
"So today's film is Out Box, right?"
Iori's face lit up with excitement—he'd been looking forward to this one for ages.
{{(°△°; "}}!
Aina froze. She suddenly remembered: last night, they had spent all their time talking about what might happen, and totally forgot to check what the movie actually was!
And seriously, why go on a date to watch a sports movie?
"Isn't it?" Iori looked confused. Logically, it should be.
"No, no—it's perfect! I actually wanted to see that one too!"
Sensing his shift in mood, Aina quickly recovered. It didn't matter what they watched—it was the who that mattered.
Still, she couldn't help but ask, "So why that one?"
"Of course, it's because of the movie selection!"
Iori smiled and gestured for Aina to look up.
There, above the cinema, were three large posters.
"Out Box"
"Magical Girl Rarako"
"Dive Blue"
The moment Aina saw the three posters, she instantly understood.
If Chisa were here, she would definitely choose the ocean-themed one.
Kouhei, on the other hand, would undoubtedly pick Rarako, even though he'd already seen it six times.
As for Kamishiro Kamashiro Shirou... hmm, forget it.
But this time, he hadn't brought Chisa or Kouhei along!
The intention was crystal clear—it was for "Out Box"!
Aina finally understood what that mysterious "I see now" meant on LINE last night...
So this idiot really didn't think of this as a date?!
Suddenly, a pang of heartbreak hit her.
"Alright, let's go over there and get the tickets."
"We're not buying them?"
Aina asked listlessly. The series of emotional hits gave her a deep sense of defeat.
"I already bought them on my phone with a couples' discount."
!!!
Couples?!
At that moment, Aina's mind could only fixate on those two words.
She!
Was fully revived!
"You really did buy the tickets!"
…
Beside the cinema, near a utility pole—
After seeing the two enter, the stalker duo finally came out openly.
Kamishiro Kamashiro Shirou looked at the "Out Box" poster above and hesitated.
Two muscular men on the poster didn't seem like wholesome characters. Compared to that, he still preferred pretty girls on screen.
"Honestly, we don't have to watch the exact same movie. I really don't think this one will do anything for their relationship..."
After reading the synopsis for "Out Box," Nibutani had also lost interest. As a date movie, this was clearly a terrible choice!
She simply couldn't imagine a couple holding hands while watching other people box.
"Yeah, good point! Makes total sense! Let's pick a different one."
Kamishiro nodded. As long as they came out at the same time, it'd be fine.
The two looked up at the posters again.
A few seconds later, Nibutani twitched at the corner of her eye and glared at Kamishiro, "Do we have to pick from these?!"
None of them were normal!
Anime, action, art films…
Was there no romance film at all?!
Even though the guy next to her was a scumbag, she still wanted to experience a little bit of romantic ambiance!
"Well, we don't have to watch anything... How about going to a café instead?"
"Is there a possibility... that you let me go home, and we meet again in two hours?"
Nibutani looked at Kamishiro with her big innocent eyes—if it were anyone else, maybe they would've softened.
Unfortunately…
She was facing a devil.~
"Of course... not allowed. Let's go, Lady Mori! I found a romance film!"
"Eh? Wasn't there none?"
"What kind of cinema only has three films? Let's go pick up the tickets."
Just now, Kamishiro had already bought the tickets on his phone—also the couples' discount version.~
"Now that you mention it..."
Nibutani, who had been misled by Iori's group earlier, finally came to her senses. She'd almost been led astray.
Thinking about it now, that girl (Aina) was kinda pitiful. Love really does require effort from at least one side.
Nibutani sighed quietly and then chased after the scumbag Kamishiro—this guy didn't even wait for her!
And the worst part? He still wouldn't tell her the movie title!
"So, what movie are we watching?"
"I said it's a romance film."
"The name, I want the name!"
"Oh, that? You'll find out soon~"
At the thought of the movie's title, Kamishiro's lips curled into a mysterious smile.
A few minutes later—
Sitting in the couples' seat, Nibutani was furiously strangling Kamishiro's neck.
The movie title that had been kept hidden finally appeared on the screen:
"Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!"
...
"Ahem, well, it is a romance film, and I found it quite moving."
After the movie ended, Kamishiro walked out.
"Shut up!"
Nibutani's face was completely red. Putting aside the chunibyo stuff, it was a great movie.
Especially when the male and female lead kissed at the end—it completely satisfied her fantasy of pure love!
It even reminded her of a couple from her own high school days.
If it weren't for the male and female lead's delusions being different from her friends', she might've suspected the movie was based on them.
Thinking about the characters in the film—Demon Princess and Undead Knight—it was kind of cool, actually.
It's just… so embarrassing!
She couldn't stop thinking of her own cringe-worthy middle school chunibyo days—memories that deserved to be erased!
And that wasn't even the most embarrassing part!
Nibutani glanced down at her right hand. During the movie, she'd been angrily pinching Kamishiro's side.
But Kamishiro wasn't the kind to suffer silently—he'd held her hand the whole time.
So the two of them had basically... indirectly held hands?!
Nibutani couldn't help but glance at Kamishiro.
Just then, he stepped behind her.
When she turned back, they were so close they could feel each other's breath.
Just like that moment in the movie when the male and female leads locked eyes—it felt like the next moment, they'd kiss…