The person who likes me is a yandere.

"Hmm—, I barely passed at sixteen. Seventeen-year-old Tohka should have no problem at all."

"You're not seventeen yet, but I do think it's better to watch it if you're fifteen or older."

"Oh, really? But why did you choose this movie? Do you perhaps like this kind of genre, Tohka-san?"

"I don't know? I can't remember myself. But hasn't Mine-kun always wanted to see this movie?"

"Yes, indeed."

"Then this will work, won't it?"

Riding the tram, we finally regained our normal energy. We arrived at the cinema 10 minutes before the movie started.

Walking through the hall, which was covered with a thick, slightly dark carpet, it felt like a separate sink, very quiet.

I bought regular popcorn and caramel popcorn, as well as two servings of cola from the store, and handed them to Tohka.

"Can you drink carbonated beverages? What kind of popcorn do you like?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Let me give you the money first. How much?"

Tohka, who had been staring at the notification screen, hurriedly reached for her wallet, but I stopped her by offering her a Coke.

"No need, you already paid for my ticket. But monetaryly speaking, it's not equivalent at all."

After thinking for a moment, she said thank you and took the Coke.

What is this brown popcorn?

"Huh? You don't know this?"

"Yes."

Is it because of amnesia, or did she simply not know before? Considering her fame, the latter is unlikely, but judging from her personality, she doesn't seem to deal with snacks very often.

"This is called caramel popcorn. The brownish part on top is caramel... Would you like to try some?"

"I'm starting now." After saying that, Tohka picked up a piece with her hand and put it into her mouth with a light peck.

"..."

Then the second piece, the third piece, the fourth piece, the fifth piece...

"...Then let's choose the caramel one?"

"Ok."

The whole bucket of popcorn was handed to Tohka, who nodded slightly. She took it and started eating heartily. It seemed the food suited her taste.

"If you start eating this early, there won't be any food left during the movie, right?"

"Ah, that's true."

Wow, Tohka is so honest... I'm usually the one who gets reminded by her. It feels so good.

"?What's wrong?"

"No, it's nothing. Let's go to the stands."

"Ok."

At this time of day, there were only about ten people in the audience besides the two of us.

It's probably because it's currently a lull in movie releases.

After the new trailer ended, the movie began.

I remember part of the plot summary. A frail female protagonist is targeted by a notorious serial killer. One by one, those around her are murdered, but the protagonist bravely survives.

Surprisingly, this simple and easy-to-understand thriller features a multitude of bizarre and unusual scenes from the very beginning.

The serial killer stabbed a woman to death. He then continued to stab the body repeatedly. So violent.

About 30 minutes into the story, Tohka, who had been constantly grabbing popcorn, stopped.

I wondered if she had finished eating, so I turned to look at her bucket. I found there was still about half left. Looking up at her face again, under the screen light, her expression was somewhat startling.

"Tohka-san?"

I spoke to her softly, gently placing my hand on her shoulder. Sakura, whose expression looked rather grim, trembled slightly. Suddenly, I felt a pang of pain in my heart.

After thinking for a moment, I asked her in a very soft voice.

"...Shall we go outside?"

"Uh?"

I took back her popcorn and cola, and silently took her hand, ready to take her out. Her hand was very soft and smooth.

He quickly left the theater and let go of her hand after returning to the lobby.

"Qian, Qianyu. What's wrong?"

"Yes, it's much more obvious in bright light. Qianyu, you look terrible."

"Huh?"

She had looked quite well before, but now her face was completely pale. The change was so drastic that it was noticeable even in the dimly lit theater.

"Are you not feeling well?"

"No, no, it's fine."

"Really? Then sit on this sofa for a while, I'll go get you some drinks."

After placing my belongings on the sofa next to me, I went to the store, bought some drinks, and handed them to her.

"Sorry, that movie might be a bit too much for girls."

"There isn't that kind..."

"However, you don't look well."

"........."

Tohka looked away.

The hand that had just been touching her skin now seemed to carry the guilt of having done something wrong.

"I'm sorry, I'm feeling a little unwell..."

"It's okay, it's okay, no need to apologize. There are so many dark scenes, your reaction is normal."

Even if you understand that it's just a movie, you can still feel fear when you see the same "people" being treated so violently.

Even if it's not true, the power of science tries to make it seem real, making it difficult to distinguish what's on the screen.

"What should we do? Maybe we shouldn't go back to the theater."

"No, I'm fine now, let's go back."

"Is that so?"

As the movie progresses, the horrific scenes will likely increase. I'm already this terrified; I really don't want her to go back.

"Don't force yourself. If it's not suitable for you, it's best not to watch that kind of movie."

"But Qianyu likes it, so I want to watch it too."

That doesn't quite make sense; I don't really understand your theory.

"Actually, it's not that I like it. Besides, I know that ignoring Tohka makes me uncomfortable and I'll just keep watching."

"........."

"Ah, no, anyway, today's date is mainly about Tohka."

I was embarrassed by the words I blurted out without even realizing it, and I tried to cover up my blunder with incoherent rambling. Tohka looked at me and relaxed as she sat down on the sofa.

"Do you really not like that type of movie?"

"Yeah, I don't really like it."

"If you don't like it, why do you keep thinking about that movie?"

"I just like the female lead."

"Ah, this..." she said, letting out a soft breath, the pressure on her shoulders easing as she felt relieved.

It felt like I had achieved a huge goal for myself.

"what happened?"

"It's nothing. I heard some information that was completely different from what I had in mind before, so I feel a little relieved."

"Um, what kind of impression do I usually give people?"

"Neurotic, silly, right?"

"...All bad things."

However, if it were me, knowing that Tohka likes this kind of violent and dark movie, I would feel quite conflicted.

Chapter Thirty-Three: The Ability to Observe

Although the examples given are rare, the contrast between someone who is usually so sunny and gentle and someone who secretly watches this type of movie is quite unsettling.

"So what kind of movies do you think I should like?"

"Hmm, what could it be? A comedy, or an animated film or something?"

"Phew—" What a peaceful option.

Suddenly, something popped into my head. If I usually like watching comedies, what kind of movies does Tohka like? I immediately thought of something.

I knew she would disagree if I tried to discuss it with her, so I went back to the ticket office alone.

I checked the broadcast schedule, and the timing is perfect.

Two tickets for high school students cost 2,000 yen each. Although I don't work part-time, I still save up a considerable amount of pocket money.

It's okay to spend money occasionally, right?

"Qianyu, where did you go just now?"

"Okay, off to buy tickets."