Parameter Supremacy: The Man Who Seizes a Harem Through Sheer Effort. - Chapter 42.

Episode 42: Chance Encounter.

Sniff…

The main feature ended, and the end credits began to roll. From the seat beside me came the small, wet sound of Shiina stifling a sob. It wasn’t just her. All around the theater, similar choked sniffles overlapped here and there—people who couldn’t quite hold it back. After a while, the credits finished.

“…It was good.”

“Yeah.”

Shiina and I sat there for a moment, wrapped in the lingering high from the film, the quiet melancholy of its ending, and the strange dizziness that came when the house lights suddenly rose. Our heads were still full of the movie’s scenes and emotions; a pleasant exhaustion settled over us, dulling the edges of reality just a little. In my cup, only ice remained. I took a sip of the last traces of cola-flavored meltwater, feeling the faint chill. When I glanced sideways, Shiina was sitting with the same distant, dazed look.

“Ryuuji-kun… the ending was sad, but… love is something wonderful, isn’t it?”

Her eyes were fixed somewhere far away, as though she were overlaying our own relationship onto the characters on screen. Until now, I’d always tried to change my circumstances through sheer solitary effort—but maybe I didn’t have to carry everything alone. For the first time, I let myself imagine a future where I walked forward with someone supporting me.

“Yeah. I thought the same. Love really is something good.”

When I answered, Shiina blinked in faint surprise, then let out a soft, relieved smile.

“Then shall we go? I have to buy the pamphlet.”

With that, she rose lightly and took my hand. The warmth of her fingers drew a natural smile to my lips.

***

I left the theater with Shiina. We tossed the rented lap blanket, empty cups, and the remnants of popcorn into the designated trash bins. The overly sweet caramel popcorn had been delicious after so long, but bits were still stuck between my teeth—uncomfortably gritty. I worked my tongue around my mouth as we headed to the concession stand together.

A line had already formed of people—like Shiina—waiting to buy pamphlets. I stole a glance at her. The tears had stopped, but her eyes were still faintly red, her expression a little vacant. Probably still lost in the afterglow of the film. While we waited in line, I spoke up.

“That last scene… really hit hard.”

“Yeah. It was so good. The ending was sad, but I loved how she was finally able to look forward.”

“True. The moment she found and read that letter—it got me right here.”

I tapped my chest lightly. Shiina’s eyes glistened again at the memory.

“That part was impossible… I couldn’t stop crying.”

“Yeah… even I almost lost it there.”

“You didn’t cry, though?”

She looked up at me with a tiny pout.

“Crying in front of a girl… feels a little embarrassing.”

“Pfft, what’s that supposed to mean?”

Shiina laughed, then continued in a teasing tone.

“Will there ever come a day when I get to see Ryuuji-kun’s tears?”

Her playful question made me answer without missing a beat.

“I hope not.”

Shiina had just finished buying her pamphlet and was stepping back toward me when another couple caught our eye. They noticed us at the same time, their faces shifting into surprise.

“Shiina!?”

It was Satou Minato and Isshiki Moe. Shiina blinked, murmuring “…Minato-kun…” under her breath. Isshiki gave a resigned little smile and said, “Shii-chan, so today was your movie day too?” Shiina returned an awkward half-smile. “Yeah… what a coincidence.” Satou, meanwhile, had been staring at me with an oddly intimidating look the whole time.

“What’s up?”

When I asked him directly, he averted his eyes.

“N-nothing…”

So basically: two pairs who’d received the same invite vouchers had—by sheer chance—chosen the exact same screening date. What were the odds? This world really did feel like one of those romance games where events just keep triggering.

I glanced at Shiina. She was whispering back and forth with Isshiki—probably something they didn’t want overheard. Better not to interrupt.

“You guys about to watch it now?”

I asked Satou.

“N-no… we just finished.”

“Oh. Same as us then. How was it?”

Trying to keep the conversation going felt awkward—and it was. This was the first time Satou and I had ever really talked.

“I don’t really get romance movies. But it wasn’t boring.”

“Fair. I like flashy action and horror too, but romance can be good once in a while.”

“You watch action stuff too, Sagara?”

“Yeah. Not the obscure ones, but the big-name films—I’ve seen a lot.”

Satou seemed to warm up a little; we ended up talking movies for a while. Surprisingly, our tastes overlapped more than I expected. The tension eased, and after a bit he asked,

“So today you’re here with Shiina?”

“Yeah. We’re friends. Of course I’d come watch a movie with her.”

He looked visibly relieved. “…I see.”

Technically, it wasn’t a lie. If you set aside feelings and how close we actually were, Shiina and I weren’t dating. She was simply waiting for me to sort out my own heart.

The line moved forward; Isshiki bought her pamphlet. Shiina and Isshiki chatted happily about the film. Eventually Shiina returned to where Satou and I were leaning against the wall.

“Hey… if you’re free, want to grab food together? All four of us?”

She suggested it casually. I flicked a glance at Satou—he seemed to be thinking it over.

“I’m fine with it.”

When I agreed, Satou gave a reluctant “…Okay.”

And just like that—without anyone planning it—a double date began.

***

The four of us left the theater. The sun had started to slant lower in the sky. I’d originally pictured something quiet—a café with just Shiina and me—but four people changed the equation. While we debated where to go, Satou spoke up.

“How about the food court at the mall?”

That was the same mall Shiina and I had gone to yesterday. Two days in a row felt a little much, but when I looked at her, she gave a small, wry smile and nodded.

“I’m okay with it.”

If Shiina was fine, I had no complaints.

“Sounds good to me too.”

I told Satou. Isshiki had been smiling the whole time. Taking that as agreement, Satou started walking ahead with a simple “Let’s go.”

The cinema and the shopping mall were right next to the same station—a walkable distance. On the way, Satou kept talking to Shiina nonstop. Well… childhood friends. They probably had years of catching up to do. While I thought that, I glanced at the girl walking beside me.

Isshiki wore a white sleeveless top paired with a black knee-length flare skirt accented by delicate embroidery. There was still a trace of childishness in her features, yet the way she deliberately chose a more mature outfit created this perfect, swaying balance that only made Isshiki Moe’s cuteness stand out more vividly. Her soft, light chestnut hair swayed gently, catching the light in little sparkles that enhanced her entire presence. She naturally drew the eyes of passersby—enough that some actually turned to look again.

“Isshiki… your outfit today… it’s really cute.”

She clearly hadn’t expected me to say something like that. For a second she froze, then—“Eh!?”—her face flushed bright red.

“W-what… suddenly…?”

“I just don’t usually see you in casual clothes, so… I thought it honestly. It suits you really well.”

After a moment of surprise, she gave a shy smile.

“…Thank you. That makes me happy~”

Her reaction was so endearing that I couldn’t help smiling. Her cheeks stayed pink as she looked down and fell quiet.

Right then, I caught Shiina glancing back from ahead. She’d probably turned to check on Isshiki. Her eyes narrowed slightly; she let out a small sigh.

“Mou, Ryuuji-kun… you’re not doing anything weird to Moe, are you?”

Her tone carried playful accusation. I raised my hands.

“I just complimented her outfit.”

Shiina pressed a hand to her forehead with an “Ahh~” and stepped over to Isshiki’s side.

“Moe, I totally get how you feel.”

Smiling sweetly, she linked arms with Isshiki and started walking again, already complaining—“Honestly, Ryuuji-kun is…” The motion pressed Isshiki’s chest softly outward in a way that made me hurriedly look away.

Up ahead, Satou—suddenly left alone—walked toward the food court with a faintly sulky expression.