Night had fallen!
On the street, two figures walked quietly under the neon lights.
"Heiji, it's so late. I should head back first."
Although reluctant, Sato Miwako hardened her heart and said it anyway.
"It's only eight. Let's eat first."
A teppanyaki restaurant happened to be nearby. Without further explanation, Heiji walked straight in.
Sato Miwako froze for a moment, staring at his back, then found herself following: Just this once. This is the last time.
As if giving herself an excuse—an excuse to go in.
The two sat face to face.
However, Sato Miwako kept glancing outside and didn't speak.
Heiji followed her gaze: on a tall building, a huge banner hung overhead.
[The Legend of the Red Thread?]
Heiji frowned; that kind of movie looked boring at a glance.
"Heiji, how about we go see that movie?"
Sato Miwako suddenly looked at him.
"That one?"
"Mm-hm."
"Mm-hm, sure. I haven't watched a movie in a while."
After the two finished eating, it was already past nine.
Beika City Hall was bustling with people coming and going, mostly couples in pairs.
Heiji and Sato Miwako's relationship felt oddly undefined. Other people were holding hands or cuddling, but the two of them blended into the crowd one behind the other.
Sato Miwako lowered her head, her face flushed; the strange looks around them made her feel even more shy.
Heiji ignored the looks and walked to the ticket counter.
"Two seats together, please."
The ticket seller quickly handed Heiji two tickets.
"Got them. I'll grab snacks."
Heiji handed the tickets to Sato Miwako, looked around, and walked off in a direction.
Sato Miwako looked at the tickets in her hand, a flicker of sweetness passing through her eyes: Just today should be fine.
She held the tickets tightly, as if afraid they would slip away.
After a while, Heiji finally returned, holding two bottles of drinks and a large bucket of popcorn, and a red scarf.
"This red scarf is for you."
Sato Miwako looked at the scarf in surprise.
"This is handmade, right? It's so beautiful. Thank you!"
After taking it, that silk-like touch made her like it even more.
"Look, isn't that the grand prize from the basketball shooting machine?"
"I remember that's a prize you can only get by making 50 shots within one minute."
"More importantly, I heard that red scarf is the prototype of the scarf in the movie The Legend of the Red Thread. It's really rare."
"Then why would they put it up as a prize?"
"Fifty shots in one minute, and the hoop is barely wider than the ball. If your aim isn't perfect, it's basically impossible. Looks like the organizer took a big hit this time."
"They didn't expect someone who could actually pull it off."
Hearing the chatter around them, Sato Miwako's eyes lit up.
"Is it true?"
Heiji gave a faint smile.
"Just luck."
It really was luck.
But sometimes, even when you tell the truth, no one believes it.
"Thank you, Heiji."
Sato Miwako wrapped the scarf around her neck, happiness flashing across her eyes.
"Let's go. Time to head in."
Heiji carried the two bottles and the popcorn toward the entrance. Suddenly, a hand slipped into the crook of his arm, hugging him tightly.
The next moment, Sato Miwako leaned against him, carrying a faint, elegant scent.
"Heiji, let me lean on you for a bit."
Something complicated flickered across her eyes, but her arms held him tightly.
Heiji didn't say anything, letting this "Flower of the Metropolitan Police Department" cling to him. For this kind of thing, it was better to let nature take its course.
This cinema was set up in an interesting way. There was no armrest between the couple seats—more like a connected sofa—so two people could lean tightly together. As it turned out, the tickets Heiji bought were couple tickets.
Seeing the couples already sitting close together the moment they came in, Heiji felt a bit helpless.
"Heiji, you're blocking the aisle."
Sato Miwako had clearly noticed too. Blushing, she reminded him softly.
"Mm-hm, let's go."
Heiji shrugged casually and led Sato Miwako to their seats.
Front row, near the side door.
He thought it would feel better once they sat down, but the atmosphere nearby made Sato Miwako even more awkward, her face staying flushed the whole time.
"Have a drink."
Heiji opened one bottle, stuck in a straw, and handed it to her.
The screen flickered. The movie started.
Sato Miwako held the drink and watched attentively.
"Heiji, thank you."
Her voice was barely audible.
But there was no response from his side.
Sato Miwako stole a glance—and instantly puffed up with anger: He fell asleep?
This was her first date, and this guy actually fell asleep.
A small hand reached toward his waist...
In the next instant, Heiji's eyes snapped open, and he looked at Sato Miwako beside him in surprise.
Sato Miwako's face reddened further as she glared at him.
"Let go of my hand."
Just now, Heiji had grabbed what came at him on reflex—only to realize it was Sato Miwako's hand.
"Ahem. This movie is kind of boring."
He released her hand, awkward.
"Even if it's awkward, we're finishing it."
Heiji looked at Sato Miwako in surprise.
"What are you looking at me for?"
Sato Miwako rolled her eyes at him.
"I think you look really beautiful right now."
Sato Miwako was already a great beauty. It was just that being a police officer, she usually kept a stern expression. Over time, she lacked that trace of gentle softness people expected. Of course, that didn't mean she wasn't beautiful—she was just as striking, bold, and sharp.
Just a different kind of beauty.
Sato Miwako froze. Her lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Thank you."
Then she lowered her head.
"Heiji, can I kiss you?"
The voice wasn't loud, but in the quiet cinema, it was more than enough for Heiji to hear.
Heiji froze.
Before he could react, she leaned in close—soft, warm, and unsteady.
Her lips pressed against his...
At the same time, the scene in the movie strangely mirrored them. The red thread on the male and female leads' little fingers slowly tangled together, binding them tight.
It lasted a long time.
Sato Miwako pulled back, her face burning, and sat quietly to the side.
Heiji was stunned. From start to finish, he had been completely passive: Does this count as being forcibly kissed?
"Heiji, thank you. Tonight is my most beautiful memory."
After speaking, Sato Miwako stood up, preparing to leave.
Heiji sighed helplessly: Now it feels even messier.
The cinema was on the fifth floor of City Hall.
After Sato Miwako came out, she sat quietly on a bench, tears falling in steady drops.
"Officer Sato?"
A voice suddenly came from behind.
Sato Miwako hurriedly wiped her tears and turned to look.
"Ran, why are you here?"
"I came to watch a movie..."
"The next showing?"
"No, this showing."
"But it's already halfway through. Why are you—"
"I got stood up."
Ran forced a smile, deep dejection flashing across her eyes.
Sato Miwako hadn't even had time to respond.
A loud bang—and then the entire floor began to shake violently.
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