Chapter 18: Rainbow-colored suspicious person Part 2

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

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And just recently.

I had forcibly parted ways with Ayano and was now staking out at the ticket booth.

“Ah… outside.”

He muttered with a zombie-like face.

Since I'm quite fond of movies, I often visit movie theaters.

So I was well aware of the reputation of “that” film.

It’s widely known online as a “Z” grade movie.

… I don't understand him.

Jumping from children’s movies to Z-grade films, what's the meaning behind it?

So—I decided to follow him.

I even went into a café.

And then.

---

“…Done.”

At the counter seat, he was diligently writing in a notebook and typing something into his phone.

Suspicious. Maybe it's Ayanon's observation diary—

“—Where are you going?”

“Eh?”

He looked genuinely surprised and froze.

Good. It seems he hadn't noticed me.

“Uh, just a moment ago—”

“Ah, good.”

“‘Good'?”

“Ah.”

“Are you writing something bad?”

“…You can look if you want.”

He handed over the suspicious notebook.

He had been so keen on hiding it earlier… now I'm confused again.

“? Let's see… what's this?”

“It's a summary of the movie I watched earlier. Oh, spoilers—”

“…Oh. Well, I wasn't going to watch it anyway, so it's fine~”

“I-I see.”

… Honestly, I was curious about the movie.

But since there's no one else who'd watch “this kind of movie” with him, it was okay.

So, I opened the notebook.

---

Page 1: Synopsis

[Beginning]

No explanation.

Suddenly, the protagonist falls from a spaceship to Shark Planet (why he knows this name is unclear).

A group of creatures in shark costumes, crawling on the ground, attacks him.

He responds with a glowing mysterious sword (probably a knockoff lightsaber) and wins.

[Middle]

The protagonist falls in love with the Queen of Shark Planet and proposes to return to Earth with her (at this point, it’s revealed the protagonist is a human from Earth).

However, the King of Shark Planet is apparently very evil and intends to invade Earth (it's revealed that Shark Planet is close to Earth).

The Queen proposes to live here forever. The protagonist struggles with the decision. This part was quite compelling. The Queen's voice is good, though her face is a shark.

[End]

The protagonist chooses to return to Earth with the Queen.

Earth and Shark Planet enter into a political conflict.

The perspective switches to Earth, leading to a full-scale conflict between Earth and Shark Planet.

However, due to budget constraints, everything is explained through some documents.

Ultimately, the protagonist persuades the King of Shark Planet to establish a peace and friendship treaty.

But it turns out the Queen was the mastermind, intending to dominate both Shark Planet and Earth.

The King of Shark Planet, realizing this, attacks the Queen, causing an explosion (?) and defeating her.

The scene where he charges in headfirst like a shark was impressive.

The end. What happens to Shark Planet afterward is unknown.

It's the typical ending where the audience is left to imagine what happens next.

---

Page 2: Character Introduction

Protagonist—Name unknown. Referred to as “Earthling” throughout.

This becomes confusing towards the end (due to the war with Earth).

Shark Planet Characters

Shark Planet Queen—The heroine. Has a slightly cute pink crest (a trait of the chosen royal bloodline) (Note: Explained at the beginning).

Shark Planet King—The King of Shark Planet. Has no other distinguishing features; also not a pink crest. Likely an oversight.

Shark Planet Inhabitants—Numerous minor characters. Some may have pink crests, but it's not significant to the story.

---

Reading a few pages gave me a headache.

But, it was certainly something he wrote.

“Well, it was a deep movie.”

“Too deep!”

He laughs, as if he's given up.

It's clear that writing such a notebook requires more than a casual effort. It needs genuine “passion” for the movie.

“Well then, I should head to the screening time.”

“You're still going to watch more!?”

“Yeah. The live-action movie of ×□.”

“Oh, that's the one that's getting heavily criticized online, right?”

“Yeah.”

His face turns cool again, and he says this.

I'm at a loss.

But—

“Alright.”

“I—I'll come too!”

“Are you insane?”

I was insane.

That's what I thought, but I said it anyway.

This theater carries a wide range of products.

Moreover, movies that are labeled as “landmines” by the public still make their way here.

The prime example is the “Shark Planet” recorded in his notebook.

…Apparently it's oddly popular abroad.

---

“You actually bought it.”

“Why are you saying that when you bought it too~?”

“I bought it for reviewing purposes.”

“Why?”

“Well, various reasons…”

“What's that?”

“Why are you interested?”

“! It's a secret~”

The reason is simple.

There's no one else who'd watch “such a movie.”

For me, movies are meant to be watched with others.

I love sharing my thoughts about a movie after watching it, whether it's with family or friends.

And—there's no one willing to watch “such a movie.”

… Honestly, I was a bit curious.

But after watching it, if there's no one to discuss how likely it was to be “boring,” I'd be left with that frustration.

Sharing on social media doesn't quite cut it…

“—Well, we need to go.”

“Yeah!”

To be honest, I would have gone with anyone I knew.

Even if it was a sudden victim of Ayanon.

Yes.

People willing to watch “such a movie” are incredibly rare.

With that light-hearted feeling, I followed him—

Or so I thought.

---

“Thank you, I'd love to if you're okay with it.”

“Of course! I'll bring them next time~! Bye-bye~!”

Waving goodbye to him, I walked to the station.

Took the train—and eventually arrived home.

“Ah…”

My body trembles.

“It was—so much fun…”

I found myself saying it out loud.

The time spent with him was exhilarating.

Continuing to throw critiques on that seemingly hellish movie together was so much fun.

Toumachi-kun responded to me without hesitation. In fact, we got even more enthusiastic.

More than anything.

His genuine, passionate gaze towards the movie was impressive.

He even mentioned buying the original novel on the way back, and naturally, we could discuss the movie of ○×Cure too.

Everything about him was passionate—full of enthusiasm.

It's impossible not to enjoy talking with someone like that.

After all, I love movies too.

“The food was delicious too…”

I was a bit mischievous, wanting to have a discussion so much, but he took me to a really good place.

…

But.

---

[――“I'm sorry, Toumachi-kun… for disturbing you before you watched it. Is your time okay?”――]

[――“!”――]

At that time, his reaction was very clear.

He had been avoiding eye contact and seemed nervous every time we talked.

With Ayanon's outfit being as striking as it was, it's understandable.

It was clear.

…Probably, he likes Ayanon. Just—

[――“W-well, what a coincidence”――]

[――“I'm sorry… Who are you?”――]

He seemed different from then.

Was it just the hair color? No, there was something more fundamental…

“Ugh…”

What should I do?

If he likes Ayanon, I don't want to become friends with him.

…Because.

I can't help but remember the past with male friends “who used to be” friends.

[――“Can you give me Kisaragi-san's contact information?”――]

[――“What does Kisaragi-san do on her days off?”――]

[――“Ask Kisaragi-san if she has a boyfriend”――]

“…Haah.”

I remember.

All the guys who approached me and tried to be friendly were always asking about “her.”

Their conversations, their outings… everything was just a means to get information about Ayanon.

What if he's like that too? What if talking to me is just a way for him to get closer to her?

…No.

I might be a little mistrustful of people.

“But…”

If we could talk about the things I love with that level of enthusiasm.

I can't help but think about it.

I want to get along with him.

And talk more about creative works.

Not just movies. Manga, anime too.

“…He seems to live in the same area.”

I murmur.

On Sunday, he was at the park doing exercises.

Maybe he'll be there again.

“If I see him, let's talk again—yeah…”

My heartbeat quickens slightly.

For the first time in a while, I felt that I wanted to be friends with a boy.

Even if he is quite unusual.

With that rainbow-colored hair.

It's not a big deal.

“I hope he doesn't like Ayanon…”

I exhale and murmur.