-Memory-
We arrive in a car park.
It seems to be near a town centre or something of the sort.
The Chauffeur opens the door and allows Takao, Maya, Atago, Choukai and me out of the car.
"Thank you, sir!" Choukai says as she stands up straight.
"Just doing my job..." He scratches his head in embarrassment.
I wonder why...
"Kojou, do you have a genre in mind, now that we're here?" Atago comes up to me.
"Sorry to disappoint, but no." I simply answer.
"That's not good." Atago's smile dissipates. "Let's head inside for inspiration."
"Yeah, okay..." I begin to follow my sisters inside the cinema.
I really hope that the decision of which movie we watch is not relayed to heavily to me.
In actuality, I have zero clue what movies I like.
I don't watch them.
We enter a air conditioned, dark entrance hall with a snack and ticket booth.
Looking around, I notice lots of small screens with previews for the films being shown at present.
The girls begin speaking among themselves, so I'm left here awkwardly waiting for them to finish.
I inspect the surroundings a bit more when I notice some guys from my school.
Luckily, right now, they're not looking this way.
Ugh, if they spot me with my sisters...
They'd surely bring it up relentlessly when we go back.
Eh, maybe they'll forget about it, we are early into the summer holidays.
"Kojou!" Takao's voice brings me out of my contemplation.
"Y-yes?" I look at her.
"Do you have a preference?" She turns me to face the board with the names of films on display.
"I thought the 4 of you would be able to decide, I'm indifferent." I explain.
Takao sighs. "We tried, and we have a few ideas, but it's ultimately your decision that will choose which presentation we attend."
She signals over the rest of my sisters.
Choukai speaks first. "I want to see that one."
She points at some sort of horror movie.
Maya interjects. "Well, what about that?"
She points at some sci-fi flick.
Finally, Atago impedes. "Come on, Kojou, pick this one."
She points at a family comedy.
I internally sigh.
Why is it up to me?
Whatever I pick, at least one of my sisters will be upset.
Oh well, not like a movie choice is going to break Agape.
I read the descriptions for each choice thoroughly.
"Hmmm..." I grumble.
"Well?" Everyone except Takao pressures me.
I frantcally exclaim. "Here!"
I ended up picking the horror movie.
"Well then, that's the one!" Takao begins her way to the ticket booth. "No more arguing."
I begin to follow, but I'm pulled aside by Atago.
"Listen, Kojou, I really don't want to watch that." I notice that she's trying hard to keep herself calm.
"I didn't pick it to spite you, I panicked because I was being pressured." I try to relax her. "But are you really that worried?"
"Well, I...um...don't do well...with scary stuff." Atago looks at the floor.
"Atago, it'll be fine, just be strong like the oldest sibling should." I reach up and place my hand on her shoulder. "If it does get too bad, you can leave, I'll come with you if necessary."
She breathes deeply. "I'll try my best."
I walk with Atago to catch up with the others.
"Here you go!~" Choukai hands us our tickets.
I can't help but notice how enthusiastic she is.
That choice was straight out of a VN, I swear.
Choukai surprises me with a quick hug.
"Thank you, Kojou!" She says while holding me.
"N-no problem..." I don't have the heart to tell her that it was more an accident than free will.
She releases me with a radiant smile plastered on her face.
"Who wants snacks?" Maya asks.
Everyone exuberantly agrees.
To my surprise, Atago takes the ordering into her own hands.
Maya approaches me.
"Not my first choice, but I'm sure I'll enjoy it." She says to me in a strikingly friendly way.
"Glad I could make you somewhat happy..." I remark.
Maya's expression immediately toughens again.
Well, that was nice while it lasted.
"Come on!" Choukai calls to us.
I notice Atago is struggling to comply.
I walk up to her.
"I'm sorry about this..." I look at the floor, slightly embarrassed.
"Oh no, don't worry about it." Atago perks up a bit. "I'll manage."
We walk together with the others and reach the screen room.
Altogether, we take our seats.
We've barely even touched the chairs and I hear chewing.
I also feel Atago gently clench my hand.
I think about speaking up, but I decide to let her keep it there.
Genuinely, I feel sorry for her, I didn't know she took horror this badly.
Takao distributes the concessions between us.
I end up managing the sweets.
Choukai gives us each our respective drinks just in time for the room to dim.
The shift in lighting causes Atago to tighten her grip on my hand a little.
"Atago?" I whisper to her.
She lowers her head to listen in a bit clearer.
"Nothing has even happened, and your squeezing my hand a bit too hard." I elucidate.
"Oh my, I'm sorry." She relaxes a bit, but doesn't remove her hand.
I turn back to the screen, eager for it to start so I can ignore the nervous woman beside me.
-Azur Lane-
The Commander sits up again.
"I actually can't remember much about the movie itself..." He stares at the wall. "But I can remember what happened between me and Atago during it."
"I-It better not be embarrassing..." Atago suddenly exclaims.
"I don't think it is." The Commander leant back. "Now, where was I?"
-Memory-
Atago is literally clinging to me, while doing her best to muffle her screams.
"Do you want to take a few minutes outside?" I ask, authentically concerned for her breathing pattern.
"Y-yes, p-please." She shakily answers.
"Alright..." I turn to the others. "Me and Atago are just going to take a breather, it's a bit too stuffy in here."
They all nod in affirmation.
"Let's go." I say to Atago as we both stand and make our way to the exit.
Once outside the screen room, Atago rests herself against the wall.
I locate myself next to her.
In an attempt to help regulate her breathing, I place my hand on her arm.
She looks at me, with tears in the corners of her eyes.
"Are you alright?" I ask, stupidly.
"Y-yes, j-just a little shaken up..." Her smile contrasts her voice.
Without warning, I'm thrown into a hug from her.
From this position, I can hear how fast her heart is beating.
I give in and let her squeeze me.
She probably needs it, after seeing how she reacted to that film.
After a few minutes, she releases me and steps back a bit.
Her eyes have dried up now.
"Do you still need a little more time?" I inquire.
"Just a bit..." Atago wears a tender expression, telling me she's not mad at me.
I feel my dog ears twitch slightly.
Why?
...I have no idea.
"Okay, I think I'm fine now..." Atago takes my hand again.
I feel a little awkward having her do this, but I don't want to fight it.
We head back to our seats together.
Atago doesn't let go of me for the remainder of the movie.
-Azur Lane-
"Y-you said it wasn't embarrassing..." Atago looked offended.
The Commander straightened his posture. "I said, I didn't think it was."
Atago had a disgruntled expression displayed on her face, which was rare.
"Obviously, your definition of embarrassing and mine differ quite a bit." The Commander was shocked at how agressive she was.
Takao stepped in and began to calm Atago down.
The Commander leant back again and resumed his telling of the story.
-Memory-
All 5 of us exit the cinema.
Though my sisters' expressions tell exactly how they all felt about the film we just watched.
Choukai looks especially pleased with that experience.
Maya looks like she had at least some enjoyment.
Takao looks relatively unimpressed.
Atago still gives off a feeling that she's a bit shaken.
I wasn't really paying that much attention to the movie itself.
But from what I took in, it was decent.
The Chauffeur exits the car, and opens the door for us.
Like earlier, I enter first, followed by Choukai, then Atago, then Maya and finally, Takao.
"Anywhere else?" The Chauffeur asks, while shutting the drivers door. "Or straight home?"
I decide to let my sisters come to their own consensus.
"Just take us home, please." Choukai says.
"Understood." The Chauffeur starts the engine and we begin to pull away from the car park.
I feel a warm sensation wrap around me.
"Kojou, thanks for that." Choukai has enveloped me in her arms.
"I-it was nothing..." I continue to stare out the window.
"Oh, no." She says. "I really wanted to see that, and it was you who allowed me."
I think for a minute, deciding what would be the best approach for this situation.
"Y-you're welcome." I reply, with as much honesty as I can manage.
Choukai detaches herself from me and joins the conversation with the others.
Again, I don't want her to know that it was an accident.
I like seeing her happy, and I like being praised.
...It doesn't happen that often...
I rest my head against the window, expecting the vibrations to be unbearable, but they are barely noticeable.
Home will be nice to return to.
It's my safe space.
It is...comforting...
-Several minutes later-
"Kojou!"
I sudenly leap awake at my name being called.
"Woah!" Takao seems to lose her composure for a second.
"O-oh, it was you..." I rub my eyes.
"Yes, we've arrived." Takao looks out the window near her.
I see our house at the end of the long driveway.
"You did look quite peaceful there..." She smiles while looking away.
"Well, as a matter of fact, I was." I remark.
We come to a halt and the Chauffeur opens the door for us again.
"Thanks..." I say as I exit after the rest.
"What does everyone say to the rest of today being lazy?" Atago suddenly proclaims.
"I certainly have no objections." I agree quickly.
"Me neither." Takao says while unlocking the front door.
"I can't stop you, but don't get into routine." Choukai smiles at all of us.
Maya simply nods in affirmation.
To my room I go.