Chapter 110: [Romance Movies]
Translator: Soafp
320：Username: 1
So, on that note (suddenly), I'm thinking of catching a movie after my Sunday shift ends.
321：Username: 1
Choices:
- A trending romance movie
- A classic Hollywood superhero flick
- An award-winning coming-of-age Japanese film
- A knockoff that's ethically questionable, only similar in name to a masterpiece
- The lowest-rated fantasy film in Hollywood history (critics called it “fancy trash”)
>>330 will decide.
322：Username: Anonymous in Love
How many choices can we pick?
323：Username: 1
Could you not assume picking multiple is an option? (death)
324：Username: Anonymous in Love
It's after your shift, so…
325：Username: Anonymous in Love
Hmm, tough choice…
326：Username: Anonymous in Love
I'll go with 1…
327：Username: Anonymous in Love
1.
328：Username: Anonymous in Love
1.
329：Username: Anonymous in Love
Maybe it's good to try something different once in a while. I'll choose 1.
330：Username: Anonymous in Love
1.
331：Username: 1
Wait, what?
332：Username: 1
Are you guys really… you?
[“I love you.”]
[“M-me too…”]
“…”
So that's how it happened.
After my shift, I found myself watching a romance movie alone (suspicious individual). Gazing intently at the kissing scenes.
…Well, to me, it was too sweet (problematic customer). Compared to those shark-on-shark love scenes from a Z-grade movie I wish I could forget (I really don't want to remember), this was child's play (zero experience).
“…”
To be blunt, I couldn't get emotionally invested.
In the end, it's just another love story between a handsome guy and a beautiful girl. So far out of my reach!
How is he supposed to be an introvert? Just putting glasses on a handsome guy doesn't make him a nerd (harsh opinion).
The movie’s tagline was something like, “The heartwarming love story of an underdog!”
But seriously, with that height and good looks, how is he an underdog? It's so unfair (jealousy).
I couldn't relate at all…
Well, at least that means I could review it more objectively (pretending to be a critic).
“…Haa…”
But still.
In the end, the protagonist had to choose between two heroines. And I felt a bit relieved by his choice.
I guess I did get a little invested… just a tiny bit.
As the credits rolled and the theater lights slowly came up—
“!?”
When I stood up, I saw a familiar face ahead of me.
It was Hatsune-san, with two of her friends from the basketball team.
Her face, slightly visible, was flushed red—she was covering it with her hands.
It was as if—
The screen.
Inside the movie. She was looking at “him”—
“Ugh…”
Feeling bad, I bolted out of the theater.
[“I can't imagine a future without you in it.”]
…Of course, Hatsune-san must be into guys like that. Covering her face, how red must she be? Even such cheesy lines, when said by a handsome guy, have devastating power.
Even from behind a screen, actors are impressive.
I'm not tall like that, nor do I have a good face.
The world is so unfair… but that's just the way things are.
In the end, love—or someone who would actually like me—or even having a girlfriend—those things just aren't in my future. That's something I've come to realize.
Just once, I wish I could've been the kind of guy a girl might think is “cool” (END).
“…Haa…”
But—personal feelings shouldn't interfere with a review.
Rest assured, I will provide a fair and unbiased evaluation (what authority?).
Once again, my hobbies may have saved me.
[Momo PoV]
It was now around 3 PM, much later than I had expected for a Sunday afternoon.
“”Yay! We won again! Good job, everyone!””
“Good job, everyone!!”
We faced a tougher team today, but we somehow pulled through. Now, we're celebrating at our usual spot after the match.
“It's been a while since we came to this family restaurant.”
“Momo, are you really okay?”
“I'm fine. Those people won't come anymore…”
“Are you sure they didn't do anything awful to you?”
“…Yeah. Come on, cheers!”
“…Jii…”
“Hey, Akira, Momo said she's fine, so don't pry too much.”
I avoided the piercing gaze from my junior, holding a glass in my hand. I hadn't told them yet about how Icchi had helped me.
But they had seen me getting an apology from that alum on our way to school. After all, we had been walking to school together. They were even more surprised than I was by the alum's apology. I guess that's to be expected.
“You'll feel better if you throw up, you know…”
“Hey, stop it.”
“Akira, your hands are getting weird!”
“Gufufu, well, it's just the three of us today, after all.”
“Don't forget why we're here~”
It was just Captain Fubuki, junior Akira, and me today. Normally, we'd have more people, but after what happened last week, for safety's sake, only the three of us came. I feel bad for the team members who wanted to join, but we couldn't risk anyone getting hurt—that was the captain's decision.
Even though I'm fine now, I understand how they feel. They told me I could go home too, but I came because I was worried about the two of them.
…If I were in that alum's position, I wouldn't be able to handle it. Before I realized it was Icchi, I really thought he was someone from the underworld or something.
“W-well, they really haven't shown up…”
“See, I told you~”
“Really? We don't have to be scared of them anymore!?”
“Y-yeah.”
Akira leaned back in her chair with a sense of relief, and I let out a breath along with her.
It didn't feel real until now, but… they really aren't coming anymore. Once again, I realized just how incredible Icchi is. Thanks to him, I can spend time with my teammates like this.
I thought I understood that already, but—
[“—So, Icchi likes little girls, huh?”]
[“—So you’re leaving, huh?”]
On Friday, I said such horrible things. I don't know what was wrong with me that day.
I was jealous of Kanon-chan, and I… tried to do something to Icchi while he was sleeping… um…
“Momo?”
“Senpai?”
“Oh, sorry, I was just spacing out…”
“Momo, you've been like this a lot lately. You're sharp during matches, though.”
“Is something bothering you? If it's a bad guy, I can take care of him.”
“Haha, I'm fine, really. Sorry to worry you.”
I shouldn't let my teammates worry about me. Lately… I've definitely been acting strange.
“But now that we know the alum won't come anymore, I'm suddenly excited!”
“Do you want to go somewhere?”
“Oh, that sounds fun!”
“Where should we go~?”
“After the tournament, I don't really feel like doing something that takes a lot of energy.”
“Karaoke, bowling, and the batting center are out, then!”
“Hmm, so—”
The place we ended up deciding on was a bit crowded: the top floor of a building. After some discussion, the three of us decided to watch a movie.
“Wow, tickets are even more expensive again!”
“Well, it's Sunday, so the only discount is for students~”
Surprisingly, the two of them are pretty girly. So when it comes to movies, they tend to go for romance.
“Should we go for the one with the super hot actor or the one that's more story-driven?”
“Isn't that one a bit too flashy? I think the serious guy actor in this one would be better.”
“I-I'll leave it up to you two~”
Honestly, I'm not that into romance movies. I've watched a few, but I never found them that enjoyable.
Because… there are no flashy action scenes.
There’s no sense of tension, like someone might die at any moment.
And more than anything, I just can't relate to the characters.
…But, well, maybe once in a while is fine.
“I can't even imagine a future without you in it.”
A voice echoed from the speakers in the movie theater. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen.
“Are you really sure you want someone like me…?”
The story was simple.
The protagonist, a quiet high school boy, was secretly very good at singing. After being discovered by chance, he transforms into a popular singer. On top of that, he gets pursued aggressively by a famous idol who seemed completely out of reach.
But in the end, he chooses his “ordinary” childhood friend, who had always been by his side since they were little. She was the one who recognized his talent from the start.
It was such a typical story.
And yet…
“…”
I don't understand. Why am I rooting for the protagonist so much? Why do I want the childhood friend's love to succeed?
…I can't help but project myself onto them. Even though the protagonist's hair is supposed to be black, for some reason, he is—
“You're not ‘just someone.’ It's because it's you.”
“Really…?”
The heroine being embraced… I wished it could be me, thinking—
“I love you.”
“I… I love you too…!”
And just as that thought crossed my mind, the two on the screen drew closer together.
The kiss scene—I instinctively covered my eyes with both hands.
“That was… so good, right—? Momo?”
“Ah…”
“S-Senpai, you’re such a perv…!”
“Akira, stop!”
The lights came back on in the theater.
My face was still hot.
Yeah, something's wrong with me lately.
There's no way I can talk to Icchi in this state. I don't know what would happen if I did.
That's why… I need to keep my distance. If I do that, things can go back to how they were.
“—Yeah, that's right.”
This has to be the right choice.
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Girl fumbled without even knowing
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