Chapter 12 – First Date is a Blast

Even if I’m not good at studying, I can do my best. If it’s for her, I’ll give more than my usual effort.

I survived the supplementary exams without a hitch, probably because my studies at the maid cafe were so good.

“I wish you had done this since the beginning…”

That’s what the teacher said while handing me my answer sheet.

That’s my line too. If I could do it from the start, I wouldn’t have had any trouble.

The questions on the follow-up test were exactly the same as in the previous test. It would be strange if I couldn’t do it. If you’re not able to do this, you can’t complain if people think you really don’t want to study.

Anyway, the supplementary exams are over. I’m a free man!

“So let’s go on a date.”

I can ask Kotone-chan out on a date with a clear conscience. By the way, I didn’t explain my reason. I’m too embarrassed to say I had a follow-up exam.

“Y-Yes. A date… Let’s go.”

She nodded, looking shy. It was a memorable moment when the first date was decided.

I thought about waiting until the next holiday, but I couldn’t wait any longer. Kotone-chan doesn’t have a part-time job today. By the way, she has a part-time job four times a week.

“W-Where do you plan on going for our d-d-date?”

“Hmm…”

A date… A date, huh? Where should I go on my first date?

Speaking of the standard dates, should we go to an amusement park? But as expected, it’s difficult to go there after school. It’s too far.

It should be a reasonably close location and affordable place. I’ll just mention the places that come to mind.

“How about a movie?”

“That sounds good, let’s do that.”

She came on surprisingly normally.

The cinema is near the nearest station. It’s close and the price is…affordable, I can pay for it. I should show her what kind of guy I am!

※※※

So after school. As promised, I had a movie date with Kotone-chan.

“Ehehe, I’m kind of nervous.”

Kotone-chan is acting bashful. She’s giving a smile so powerful that it hurts my face.

“R-Really? It’s just normal.”

I lied. I’m so nervous.

When I came to the front of the cinema, I started to get nervous. Come to think of it, even if it’s not a closed room, it’s dark and we’ll end up sitting next to each other, right? Shouldn’t we be able to touch each other’s shoulders or hold hands or do whatever we want? Is this really okay, cinema!?

It was a weekday evening. There wasn’t a long line, but there were quite a few people. There were a few couples here and there.

“What do you want to watch?”

A quick glance at the genres shows that there is a wide range of genres. There are romances, action, horror and anime.

But I don’t really know what’s new. I rent movies from rental shops. I never went all the way to the cinema.

I’ve been left behind on all the latest trends. I think it’s time for me to catch up.

“Is there any film you want to watch, Kotone-chan? I’d like you to choose.”

This doesn’t mean I’m indecisive. It’s just natural that, as a boyfriend, I’m trying to find out what Kotone-chan likes.

Well, I thought about this for a moment.

A movie with a lover. Considering the mood, I wondered if a romantic movie would be good.

Our hearts start pounding and we are glued to the love scene… Suddenly, our hands overlap, and Kotone-chan and I look at each other. The distance between us naturally closes, and in short, it’s a happy ending.

But it’s embarrassing to say you want to watch a romance. Men are creatures of silence.

And if I suggested it, I’d probably slip up and say I’d prefer something safe and action-packed. That would be interesting, but not at this moment.

“Can I choose?”

“Of course.”

“Let’s see…”

Kotone-chan groaned “hmm” as she picked up the pamphlet and pondered.

If you’re a girl, you probably want a romance. But it may be short-sighted to think that.

Kotone-chan seems to be hesitating. Is she so indecisive that she can’t make a quick decision? Maybe she’s okay with any genre?

But then again, she’s a girl. A love story should catch her eye. I gave her a push in my mind.

“L-Let’s watch this!”

“Okay.”

I kept my composure.

She chose the action one. I have no complaints. It’s good to know what genre Kotone-chan likes.

We’ve decided what we’re going to see, so we bought the tickets. I tried to buy one for Kotone-chan, but she refused.

“I have a part-time job and I can pay for it myself.”

If she has said no, I have to back down. Who said that if you buy something for a girl, she’ll like you unconditionally…? I want that person to take responsibility.

We bought the classic popcorn and coke and got in line. She didn’t let me buy this for her either. I wonder if, in fact, splitting the bill would increase one’s likability?

“By the way, why did you choose an action film? Is it going to feature any of your favorite actors?”

I tried to suppress my dissatisfaction that an action movie wouldn’t lead to a heart-pounding development.

“N-No…erm…”

Even though she was stuttering and mumbling, she told me the reason why.

“M-My friend said the explosion scene in this movie was amazing…I-I love explosions!”

She looked away and told me.

“I see. So Kotone-chan likes explosions.”

Love lost to explosions…

Girls are unexpectedly fond of explosions, aren’t they? Does this mean they like extreme things? I learned something new.