One day, my best friend suddenly turned into a sickly girl from the TS - Chapter 21: Let's go to the movies.

On a certain holiday, I was out in the city with Yoru. We were headed to the cinema to watch a movie about a robot-themed anime.

“Hey, hey! They’re showing that anime movie. Let’s watch it! There’s a new character and everything; I want to see it!”

Yoru’s enthusiastic suggestion was the catalyst for today’s plan. This conversation happened in the classroom this morning, so quite a few people witnessed it… Lately, there have been two kinds of reactions to us.

First, some simply find Yoru’s actions cute… And second, there are the boys who look at me with jealousy. Yoru are already known as my girlfriend, so although I don’t flaunt it, I see the need to be watchful. It also means that Yoru’s identity as a woman is accepted by those around us.

“I thought that character died in the anime… how are they still alive?”

Next to me, a beautiful girl intensely theorized about the anime, making me smile wryly. Yoru has always been like a popular kid, but her love for anime is part of her charm. However, our friends and I dragged her into this world.

“Sorry, I’m getting excited alone on our date.”

“No, it’s fine. Just watching you have fun is a treat for my eyes.”

“…Really? Hey, Yuki.”

“Yeah?”

“I like how direct you are.”

“…You’re pretty straightforward yourself.”

“Of course♪”

Yoru’s smile made me blush yet again.

But… she’s doing this on purpose. Like now, with her so-called “pie-slash.” The strap of her bag, running across her chest atop her soft, knit fabric, accentuated her cleavage.

“…Hey Yoru, just to ask…”

“What’s up?”

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

“What? The pie-slash?”

“……………”

She knew all along!

Yoru looked up at me with a mischievous grin, her ample figure even more evident from below. Even from the front, it was pretty noticeable… I felt other’s gazes on her and grumpily wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

“…You’re a stunning beauty with an amazing figure, Yoru. Don’t be too provocative like this.”

“Oh… right.”

“Save it for when it’s just the two of us, in private.”

“…Okay♪”

Do I have such strong possessive feelings?

But then, I’ve never had a girlfriend before. Isn’t it normal to feel this way about someone you care about?

“Yuki♪”

…Well, if Yoru’s happy, it’s fine.

We continued to the cinema hand in hand and watched the movie Yoru was excited about. The action-packed battle of robots on the big screen had her eyes sparkling. I found myself watching her more than the movie.

“……………”

I wanted to avoid bothering her during the movie or distracting her unduly. However, I reached out and held her hand.

“Yuki?”

“……………”

There was no particular reason; I just wanted to. It might sound needy, but Yoru didn’t seem to mind.

We stayed hand in hand until the movie ended. Yoru enthusiastically shared her thoughts afterward, saying this part was great and that part too.

“There seems to be a sequel. Let’s come again!”

“Definitely.”

…There’s just one thing I regret – I was looking at Yoru during a really good part of the movie, so I don’t remember much. It might be tough if she asks me about it, but I’ll try to cover it up.

“Sorry, I need to use the restroom.”

“Okay.”

As Yoru headed to the restroom, I watched her leave and then killed time by fiddling with my phone. Many people were coming out from the movie we had just seen and from a romance movie that had just ended.

“…? Uozumi, is that you?”

“Who’s that?”

“…?”

Suddenly, someone called my name, and I turned to see a familiar face.

“Kiriya?”

“Uozumi, long time no see.”

The person who approached me was Shogo Kiriya, a classmate from middle school. It had been about two years since we last met, and while it was a nostalgic reunion, I wasn’t particularly thrilled.

“What’s up? Still into anime, huh?”

“Oh, an otaku?”

Kiriya always liked to mock people. He wasn’t exactly handsome, but his personality was worse, and he didn’t have many friends. He was disliked by girls and hung out with similar types of guys.

“So you’re on a date with your girlfriend?”

“Yeah. Sorry, you must be envious since you came alone.”

I thought he’d be with some easy-going girl.

Kiriya and his girlfriend were annoyingly smirking at me, making me wish Yoru would return soon.

“It’s embarrassing not to have a girlfriend in high school, right?”

“I don’t think it’s a problem not to have one.”

“Trying to act cool is so lame. Right, Shogo? Talking to him makes us look weird.”

…Annoying.

I was giving them an irritated look. They said they didn’t want to be seen with someone like me, but they didn’t seem to be going anywhere.

“…?”

Then, finally, Yoru came out of the restroom. She looked surprised to see me with them but seemed to understand something from my look and nodded.

“Sorry to keep you waiting♪ Sorry, did I take too long?”

“…No.”

…Um?

Yoru spoke in a cutesy voice, unlike her usual self. She hugged my arm and looked at Kiriya and his girlfriend, continuing in the same tone.

“Do you need something from my precious boyfriend?”

“No… Huh?”

Kiriya and his girlfriend were stunned, looking back and forth between me and Yoru.

“Yuki, let’s go. We still have a date, and we need to be lovey-dovey.♪”

“O-Okay!”

My voice cracked.

Yoru pulled me out of the movie theater, and once outside, she let out an exasperated sigh.

“…Sorry, that felt gross.”

“It wasn’t gross, but it was a bit fresh.”

Yoru probably sensed I was in trouble and acted on instinct. She often notices when I’m in a bind.

“Thanks, Yoru.”

“No need to thank me. But was he really that annoying?”

“Quite a bit.”

“Then I’m glad.”

I patted Yoru’s head in gratitude, and she smiled happily. I then suggested something natural for a boyfriend and girlfriend.

“Let’s continue our date. I want to be lovey-dovey, too.”

“…Right♪ Let’s go!”

Despite the bothersome encounter, we resumed our date as if nothing had happened.