The theatre was still largely empty as Iino and Ishigami rushed right into their seats, long before the movie was going to start.
"By the way, the name of the movie sounds familiar."
Ishigami gave a quick nod.
"Yeah. It's an adaptation of a pretty popular manga."
Iino popped some popcorn into her mouth as an intrigued look appeared on her face.
"And that would be?"
"It's just some popular shoujo manga. Apparently, they're doing a movie adaptation of it."
A look of intrigue appeared on Iino's face.
"It's an adaptation?"
"Yep. I'm a little nervous about how this movie handles it, since I loved the manga but I feel like if the movie messes up here or there, then the whole thing could fall apart, y'know?"
Iino nodded along, a neutral smile on her face.
"Oh? That's interesting. Please, do continue."
If you haven't noticed already, Iino has already begun to craft her plan!
Honestly, I couldn't care less about what he's saying or the movie itself, but this type of situation will set a certain romantic ambiance which can lead to all sorts of things! I can start to get more aggressive and watch as he tries to keep it together! After that… uh…
Iino struggled to find an endgame.
Whatever! It'll be fun to watch, so do I really need an end goal in mind?
Iino abandoned her principles in a grand total of 3 minutes.
"Well in any case, the movie's starting, so I'll stop for now."
"Okay."
The 2 of them settled into their seats as the opening sequence began to play. The music began to enter with a light and atmospheric tone as the scene in front of them played.
Ishigami rolled his eyes at this and before long, he had begun to rant (quietly so as to not disturb the other movie goers).
"Oh, yeah, of course. So we've for the opening scene of the male lead being admired by everyone around him as they rapid-fire all the perfect things about him. How original."
Iino took a handful of popcorn as she gave him a slightly confused look.
"Eh? Isn't it based on the manga?"
Ishigami clicked his tongue, crossing his arms.
"Well, yeah but I was hoping that they'd rework it somehow…"
A chance has arisen! Seeing Ishigami in this state has filled Iino's mind with possibilities! Whether it be grabbing his hand or patting his head, any action she takes here can be easily played off as a joke with a simple "Man, you're so emotional!" A perfect plan with a flawless exit plan!
"Well, you can't ask for everything, I suppose."
Ishigami gave a sigh.
"The voice acting isn't the best either. I always visioned the heroine with a lower tone of voice, but here, it almost feels like she just drank a gallon of helium or something."
Iino had unfortunately chosen that moment to take a large swig from her soda.
"PFFFT!"
A panicked expression jolted onto Ishigami's face Iino gave a loud laugh which caused the soda to shoot out of her nostrils. She held her hand up to her nose as a hot blush began to spread across her face.
Dammit! I just had to go and make a fool out of myself! I wanna die…
"Oi, are you ok, Iino?"
Still holding her hand over her hose, she looked up to see a concerned expression on Ishigami's face as she felt the warm sensation of his arm on her back.
"I… uh…"
Now beginning to stutter, she found herself unable to speak as she had begun to blush for more than one reason.
First he shoots soda up my nose, then he just casually touches me? Just how far ahead is this guy thinking?!
While her mind was in the gutter, Ishigami's own mind had begun to spiral out of control, albeit for a very different reason.
What just happened?! Did I do something? Was I bothering her? Is she ok?
He's completely oblivious! Speaking in a mostly quiet voice, he used his free hand to dab at Iino's nose, causing her blush to intensify even more.
"Seriously, are you ok, Iino? Is everything alright?"
Iino could feel her heart skip a beat as he looked into her eyes, that expression of genuine concern combined with the soft sound of his voice seeming to crawl into her ears and spread throughout her body, it was almost like…
It's like he's my own prince…
Iino turned away, wrenching free from his grasp as she blew her nose into her handkerchief, speaking in a hushed tone.
"I-I'm fine, really… Just a little worked up is all."
Ishigami stared at her, confused for a moment.
"Cool, but if you need anything, then don't wait to let me know, ok?"
Iino's mouth was hanging open in surprise by this point, though her blush was quickly accompanied by a soft smile as she gave a nod.
"Mm. Thank you."
Ishigami looked back at the movie, trying to refocus on the movie as he tapped his finger against his arm rest. A full 15 minutes passed without him saying a single thing, completely unable to concentrate.
I can't seem to shake the feeling that something's going on right now. Iino isn't even looking at the movie; she's just staring at the floor, so I have no idea what's going on in her mind… Did I seriously do something?
Ishigami thought back to his actions since entering the movie theater, his mind zipping between thoughts as fast as his brain could allow.
Back where her nose made love to her drink… Was I really being that funny? But then, right after…
Sparks flew in Ishigami's face before realization shot across his face along with a hot blush.
Wait… Right after that, I…
This realization hit Ishigami like a truck. He snapped to look over at Iino before coming to the realization that:
She's completely red!
He is no longer completely oblivious.
Is she grossed out because I touched her? No, Iino's way to assertive to let just any guy do that to her-
His mind flashed back to the culture festival and Tsubame's party before his expression darkened.
Nope… She'd totally do that… I'm back to square one…
Ishigami wallowed in self pity for a few moments before regathering his thoughts.
Hang on. I could probably use this, couldn't I? If she blushed that much from me just touching her…
Ishigami imagined a scenario where he "accidentally" reached for the popcorn at the same time as Iino, then grabbing her hand, holding it close and saying:
"Shouldn't you have me instead of that popco-"
That would be 10 times worse than a confession!"
Ishigami dug his fingernails into his thigh and cursed himself for his foolishness! He reached for the popcorn, holding his head in his free hand in shame.
How could I think of an idea like that?! I mean seriously, what kind of guy am I-
*bump*
Time seemed to stand still for a moment as Iino and Ishigami sat frozen in place. They looked at each other before looking down at the popcorn, realizing:
They're touching! x2
They each retracted their hands, blushes springing into each of their cheeks.
If Iino could see my face right now…
If Ishigami could see my face right now…
They each winced, their minds charging headlong towards the worst-case scenario.
"Oh? You're getting this flustered just by touching hands? You really are quite cute."
No way! x2
After a long bout of silence, Ishigami reached for the popcorn tub, only to find…
"Eh? It's already empty?"
Iino's body immediately tensed up as she felt a gaze of judgement boring into her.
"Don't tell me…"
Iino used 'Curl'! A tactic where she curls into a ball to escape Ishigami's cruel words of logic!
"...you finished off the whole double-sized pack?!"
It wasn't very effective…
"I only had a few bites of popcorn here and there, so in other words…"
"Shut up already…"
Ishigami caught himself mid-rant, his cheeks turning slightly pink as he turned to the screen.
"Ah, I'm sorry. That was rude of me."
Confusion set into Iino's expression as she looked up at Ishigami, varying thoughts flooding into her mind as the events of the day replayed in her mind.
Between him acting like a prince earlier and now actually shutting up for once…
Even with the carrying nature in her memories, Iino's thoughts all led to one question in her mind:
Is this really Ishigami?
###
"You were just ragging on the movie 15 minutes ago, but you're like this now?"
Music filled the theater, though Iino could barely hear it over the sound of Ishigami sobbing his eyes out.
"I… *sniff* can't… help it! The childlike voice and the crying and the cinematography and everything just…"
Dammit… She's totally gonna start making fun of me any second now…
Iino gave a concerned smile as another wail came from Ishigami. However, her mind was a different state altogether as she held her hand at the edge of her eye.
Keep it together, keep it together, keep it together!
She's basically on the verge of tears herself!
I can't help it! It's not like I have any special resistance to this myself! But if I cry, then…
That's when doubt began to make its home in Iino's mind. The image of Ishigami crying bounced around in her mind, and before long, she asked herself a question:
Would he even care?
Iino took another look at Ishigami's controlled sobbing (so as not to disturb the people around him) and before long…
*sniff* "S-stop that, Ishigami…"
She put her arm on Ishigami's back, lightly patting him as she put her hand over her own mouth, tears beginning to fully pool in her eyes.
"If you cry that much, then…"
The swelling of the music, the sight of tears dripping past his handkerchief, and the light shaking of his back was what finally pushed Iino over the edge.
"I… I won't be able to stop myself anymore…"
Tears spilled out, one after another as Iino fully lost control.
"Honestly…"
Still, between her tears, she managed to form a smile as she leaned up to Ishigami, holding a tissue to his face.
"You're really such a crybaby, aren't you?"
Ishigami looked at her smile, at how it mingled with her tears, at how the light from the movie screen reflected off of her face, and at how delicate her touch was on his face.
"You're beautiful…"
…
"Eh?"
Both of them stared at each other and once again, time seemed to freeze as the movie faded into the background until it seemed like they were the only two people in the world until Iino managed to squeak out:
"W-what did you say?"
Ishigami was taken aback, physically leaning away from Iino before he averted his eyes, putting his hand on the back of his neck, looking back at the movie screen.
"Nothing…"
Iino gave a sigh before looking at him with a pout.
I'll definitely make him say that again…
Result of today's battle: Ishigami's victory.