When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 29: Does going out with a girl count as a date?  ―3

Does going out with a girl count as a date?  ―3

The movie theater was bustling with people. A long line had formed at the ticket counter as well.

Ayame widened her eyes at the lively atmosphere.

“There are so many customers!”
“Y-Yeah, I guess it’s because it’s the weekend?”

I responded, my voice slightly trembling. Ever since the thought crossed my mind—Am I on a date with Ayame?—I had been overwhelmed with nervousness.

Ayame, on the other hand, seemed as relaxed as ever. She was entirely at ease, untouched by nerves. It appeared that I was the only one overthinking things.

So, I’m the only one who thinks this might be a date? The realization made me feel incredibly embarrassed, like some delusional guy. At the same time, it left me with a strange, unsettled feeling.

Frowning at the inexplicable discomfort, I shook my head to clear my thoughts.

No, stop thinking weird things. We’re here to watch a movie—might as well enjoy it to the fullest.

I masked my inner turmoil and gently took Ayame’s hand.

“Let’s get in line for now.”
“Okay, let’s do that.”

Together, we joined the long line at the counter. It seemed like it would take some time before our turn came.

I wanted to sit together since we came here as a pair, but would there still be seats available by the time it was our turn?

This concern popped into my mind, and I furrowed my brows.

“It’d be best if we could sit next to each other… but do you think we’ll manage?”
“Don’t worry, Tetsu-kun.”

Ayame smiled reassuringly and pulled tickets out of her bag.

“These tickets seem to have assigned seats, so we’ll definitely be next to each other.”
“Oh, you’re right.”

Looking closely, the tickets were indeed for reserved seats, and Ayame and I had consecutive seat numbers. This meant we’d have no trouble sitting together.

Relieved, I opened the movie theater’s official website on my phone to check where our seats were located.

Cross-referencing the seat numbers on the tickets with the seating chart, I suddenly froze.

O-Our seats… they’re couple seats!?

That’s right. The seats assigned to Ayame and me were none other than the pair seats—the ultimate choice for couples everywhere.

Panic set in as my thoughts spiraled into chaos.

D-Did Yuri-san know about this when she gave me the tickets? Or maybe she didn’t notice? She did say she got them from a friend. But… are couple seat tickets something you’d give to a friend? Then again, Yuri-san is married, so maybe it’s not that unusual?

I was overwhelmed by questions I couldn’t answer, my head spinning from the confusion.

Yet, above all the uncertainties, there was one thing I absolutely wanted to know.

Swallowing my nervousness, I asked hesitantly:

“Hey, Ayame? Did you realize these tickets are for couple seats?”

Ayame flinched ever so slightly. A blush spread across her snow-white cheeks, painting them a soft crimson.

That reaction told me everything. Ayame had noticed. She knew they were couple seats and still decided to come to the theater with me.

My heart pounded wildly, my body growing warmer by the second.

After a brief pause, I asked her another question, my voice faltering.

“Are you okay with this? Sitting in a couple seat with… well, with me?”

Her blush deepened, spreading to her entire face as her eyes darted away.

Looking down shyly, Ayame replied in a voice so soft I had to strain to hear it.

“…Yes.”

“O-Oh, I see.”

Her innocent reaction only made me feel more flustered. If no one else had been around, I might’ve started squirming in embarrassment.

Stealing glances at the bashful Ayame, I couldn’t help but wonder.

Could it be that Ayame is thinking the same thing I am? That this might actually be… a date?

The thought sent a fresh wave of heat coursing through me.

Though I was unbearably embarrassed, the uneasy feeling I’d had earlier had vanished completely.