After I Picked up a Notebook Filled With Intense Emotions, the Girls Started Acting Strange - Chapter 21

After the movie, we headed to a café inside the same shopping mall to talk about what we thought of it.

By the way, the letter she gave me said she wanted me to read it at home because it was too embarrassing.

A letter hidden under the popcorn.

Seriously, when did she even put it there? I was the one holding the popcorn until we sat down…

But this whole situation matched what she talked about in that practice date discussion before. Maybe she’s just acting out that plan again? This surprises me, too. She’s probably testing how I’d react before trying it for real, right?

Also, for the record, we didn’t stop by the convenience store to buy fried food this time.

“Ah, Shiomi-kun, Sena-san. What a coincidence.”

While walking toward the café, someone called out to us from behind.

Oh no. Did someone we know just see me hanging out with Sena-san?

And to make it worse, she’s still holding onto my arm.

We totally look like a couple.

If anyone thought Sena-san, who actually likes Shindou, was dating me instead, that would be a huge misunderstanding.

Realizing how weird the situation looked, I nervously turned around.

What I saw first was a glimmer of silver.

It was Kuroe Rei, the girl I usually only see in her school uniform.

She was wearing a long monochrome skirt, a simple white blouse, and a light cardigan on top.

The outfit matched her usual cool and calm image perfectly, it made her look really mature.

“Kuroe-san. What a coincidence seeing you here!”

“Yes.”

Before I could say anything, Sena-san greeted her. Normally, Kuroe-san barely reacts when people talk to her, but today seemed different.

“What are you two doing here? Don’t tell me that you’re on a date?”

“N-no, that’s not─”

“Oh, you noticed?”

Sena-san…

You’re supposed to deny that…

She looked pleased while hugging my arm tighter and pressed closer to me. Naturally, that soft feeling on my arm became even more noticeable.

“Hehe. But Shiomi-kun looks uncomfortable. Maybe there’s some reason behind all this and he just got dragged along?”

That was surprisingly accurate. Almost like she’d been watching the whole time.

But this was my chance.

I didn’t know why Sena-san called it a date, but I couldn’t let Kuroe-san misunderstand. That would cause problems later.

“Y-yeah, that’s it! She just wanted to talk about something, and I’m helping her out. Right, Sena-san?”

“…Well, that’s true.”

“I see. Sounds like you’re having fun, then.”

Sena-san clearly didn’t look happy about that.

“And you, Kuroe-san? What brings you here?”

“Hehe. I have something important to take care of.”

“Something important…?”

When I heard that, something about her words felt strange.

What kind of important errand would bring someone to a shopping mall?

If it were work, she’d just say it’s work. If it were shopping, she’d say that too.

There’s no reason to be vague about it.

Maybe it really was something serious that I just couldn’t imagine yet.

But even so, it was Golden Week, the mall was packed with people, and for someone who supposedly hates crowds, her being here didn’t make much sense. Ah, maybe that’s just my bias talking.

Still, why would Kuroe-san, who normally doesn’t talk to anyone, go out of her way to come up to us just because she saw us?

“Yes. It’s an important errand.”

I followed her gaze and there I saw a boy and a girl standing together.

“—!”

It was Shindou and Orihara-san.

…So they picked the same day to hang out?

Looks like Shindou had also just come out of the movie theater and was glancing around.

Wait, no, this is bad.

If Shindou saw us like this, especially with Sena-san clinging to my arm, it would be a huge problem for her.

I glanced sideways at Sena-san to see her reaction.

And then—

“…”

Nothing!!

She was staring at Shindou with a completely blank expression.

Was she jealous of Orihara-san standing next to him?

Even if she was, what kind of emotion is nothing supposed to be?

“Um, Sena-san. Should we go?”

“Ah, yeah.”

“Then, Kuroe-san, we’ll get going.”

“Yeah. I just hope your lie doesn’t get found out.”

“…”

What did she mean by that?

Leaving behind those unsettling words, Kuroe-san walked away.

“Let’s go…!”

“Y-yeah.”

Sena-san glared at Kuroe-san’s back for just a second, then turned to me with a bright smile.

Still feeling uneasy, I followed her, and we headed toward the café.

◆

“What the hell was that!?”

I never imagined we’d end up watching the same movie as those two.

And to make it worse, our seats were way in the back. It was a bad view and a terrible angle.

If it were Mizuki, she would’ve booked good seats ahead of time.

But more than that, Shiomi and Mizuki.

Those two were acting all lovey-dovey inside the theater like idiots!!

What the hell is going on!?

Mizuki’s supposed to like me!?

So why is she watching a movie with him!?

I kept thinking about that the whole time, and couldn’t focus on the story at all. Total waste of money.

My popcorn got soggy and my drink went warm, just the worst.

Yukina didn’t seem to have those problems, so I guess I was just unlucky.

Next to me, Yukina looked completely satisfied.

If the movie was that good, maybe I should’ve actually watched it properly.

This is just a romance movie. Damn it.

Nothing’s going right today.

From what Yukina happily talked about afterward and the few scenes I still remembered, the story went something like this.

—A childhood friend gets stolen away by some random guy.

What kind of movie is that!? Is this really what’s trend these days!?

Feeling like I was losing my mind, we walked out of the theater.

Yukina said something to me, but I couldn’t focus on a single word.

I kept glancing around, thinking those two might still be nearby.

And then I saw them─.

Mizuki and that guy, talking happily and with them was my girlfriend-to-be (candidate), Rei.

…Why?

W-why is he with Rei too…?

With that scene and the movie’s story overlapping in my mind, a wave of anxiety crashed over me.

“So~, what do you wanna do next?”

And that’s when my frustration finally snapped.

“Hey, are you listening?”

“Shut up!! Just be quiet for a second!!”

I’d snapped at Yukina without meaning to. I hadn’t noticed who was around.

It was too late to take it back.

“Y-yeah. I’m sorry. That was…”

I said it and immediately regretted it, so I apologized.

“I-I’m sorry. I said something weird, didn’t I? I’m sorry? Please don’t hate me…”

But her reaction wasn’t what I expected.

Yukina looked like a scared kid who thought she was about to get yelled at, on the verge of tears.

Seeing her like that made a strange feeling rise in me.

Right. Yukina likes me.

So it’s not my fault. She ruined my thoughts, so it’s her fault.

And whatever I do to her is my choice.

Alright…

“I’m sorry, Yukina. Come on, let’s go to the next place.”

While I planned my next move in my head, I followed the direction they had walked off in.

I’ll make him regret it. For touching what’s mine.

“Hehehe… Huh!? My wallet’s gone!?”

After that, I panicked and went back into the theater to look for my wallet.