As Kaorin and Katsu appraoched the shining marquee of the theater Kaorin turned to Katsu.
"What movie are we going to see?", she asked.
"I thought we'd go see that one.", Katsu responded, pointing to one of the lit movie posters hanging in the vestibule.
The poster read Fated to Live and showed a man dressed in a white robe, the robe blowing in the wind as he stood atop a craggy outcropping holding a shining black club as lightning struck behind him, casting his form into contrast with the night sky.
"Oh! I've read reviews about that movie. One critic said it was 'Too epic for words.'", Kaorin commented.
"Yea, it's not even Japanese either. I hear it was written by some guy with a weird name that I couldn't pronounce, but it certainly wasn't Japanese. I've heard people say he might just be the best writer in the world right now.", Katsu said.
"Sounds like fun.", Kaorin said with a smile and a small giggle.
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Sakaki smiled as she was bathed by the lights of the theater marquee. She had already decided beforehand that she would see a newer film about a kitten that saves its owners from certain doom. Besides being about her favourite animal, she thought Fated to Live looked long and boring and Epica looked a bit too scary despite featuring characters that bore a striking resemblance to some of her friends.
She stopped for a moment under the marquee simply to gaze at the craftsmanship of the golden swirls and mural paintings along the underside. She always found them quite beautiful. She had just begun to admire the beauty when someone shouted.
"It's just like you to lose 'em!"
"Shut up it's not like you were any..."
"Look out!"
The three Numbnuts collided with Sakaki, bringing all four of them tumbling to the pavement.
"Now look what you did!", said Kagura.
"Oh, like it's my...oh...hi there Sakaki.", Tomo said.
"Um...hi.", Sakaki said, getting to her feet and brushing herself off.
"Heya there Sakaki!", said Osaka cheerfully. "Have you seen Kao...OOF!"
She was cut off by Tomo landing a wicked punch to Osaka's midsection.
"You never saw us...", Tomo said mysteriously and dragged the other two girls toward the ticket window.
Despite their efforts to be quiet, Sakaki could overhear their conversation.
"Shit! I didn't bring any money!", Tomo griped.
"Good going there, smart leader!", Kagura said, her voice dripping sarcasm like a leaky pipe.
"I brought some fruit snacks! Anybody want some fruit snacks?", Osaka said, holding out a few packages.
"Hold on...", Tomo said, giving Sakaki a suspicious eye before approaching her.
"Hey Sakaki! Mind if we borrow a few yen? We came to see a movie but we all forgot our money. How silly of us! I promise I'll pay you back in school.", Tomo said, intending in no way, shape or form to pay her back whatsoever.
"Alright. But just this once ok?", Sakaki said, handing Tomo a few bills.
"You're awesome, Sakaki!"
"Yea, you rock!", Kagura added.
The three then assembled before the ticket counter once more.
"What movie do you think they went to see?", Kagura asked, keeping her voice low so Sakaki couldn't hear.
"Prolly something all lovey-dovey and emotional.", Tomo said.
"Ok then...Three for The Field at the End of the Road Where My Heart Once Lay Broken and Forlorn please.", Kagura said to the teenager managing the tickets.
"Besides, we can just go to another if they aren't watching that one.", Tomo said.
As they rushed inside Osaka followed complaining.
"Ohhhhh...but I wanted to see Epica. I got a strange feeling that I'd like it a lot..."
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In reality, Kaorin hated epic movies. She was never much for action and adventure. Personally, she wanted to see The Field at the End of the Road Where My Heart Once Lay Broken and Forlorn. She adored romance movies, manga, books, anything! The calm and serenity of mind that it gave her was overwhelming. The crazy, swift-talking hero of this movie, battling off undead beasts and travelling the universe just wasn't her cup of tea, per se. Yet she stayed and smiled, if only for the fact that Katsu was beside her holding her hand.
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"Dammit! They aren't in there.", Tomo said as the Numbnuts exited the first theater.
"That movie looked all emotional and gross anyway.", Kagura said.
"I bet those kinda movies are where people like Miss Kurosawa get all that pervy stuff from. Very educational.", Osaka mused.
"Let's try this one.", Tomo said, gesturing to the theater for Fated to Live.
The three entered, sitting in the back and letting their eyes adjust to the darkness.
"Now this is more like it!", Kagura said as she watched the man on screen pummel a horrid beast into submisson with his glorious club.
"SHH! We're supposed to be looking for Kaorin and Katsu.", Tomo reminded the girl.
"There the are.", Osaka said almost immediately. She pointed to two indistinct figures five rows ahead.
"How the hell can you tell?", Tomo asked. To her they looked like nothing but silhouettes.
"I know the back of Kaorin's head from anywhere.", she responded.
Tomo remembered that indeed Osaka had sat behind Kaorin for an entire year in Mr. Kimura's classical literature class.
Just then they saw Katsu stand up and begin to walk out of the theater.
"Now where the hell does he think he's going!?", Tomo said. "Let's go.", She motioned for the other two to follow her.
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"I'll be back in a sec. I gotta go to the bathroom.", Katsu said.
"Ok.", Kaorin smiled back as he walked off.
Kaorin noticed that Katsu was rubbing his chest as he left.
'I hope he's feeling alright...'
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Katsu waited until he had reached the solitude of the bathroom stall to fall to his knees in pain. He gripped at his shirt and was glad he had worn a black one. Any other colour would have made the blood seeping from the new wound in his chest very visable. He held his chest and awaited what he knew came next.
'It's almost time Katsu...are you prepared?', asked the melefluous voice in his head.
"Yes, sir.", Katsu stammered out.
'Good...Don't forget your vow.', answered the voice moments before his pain disappeared.
He caught his breath and washed his face of the accumulated sweat before exiting the bathroom.
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"No we can't go into the boy's bathroom! That would be like...", Kagura was saying moments before Katsu exited and came face to face with the three Numbnuts.
The parties stared at one another for a moment before Tomo, Kagura and Osaka screamed and ran out of the multiplex in a panic.
'Wonder what's up with those three...', Katsu thought before returning to the theater.
Upon returning to his seat Kaorin questioned him.
"Are you ok? I saw you holding your chest."
Katsu smiled and answered.
"I'm fine. Just had a small cramp."
"Oh! Are you sure you still want to go to dinner? Maybe you should go home if you're not feeling well.", Kaorin said.
"I'm alright. I really want to take you to dinner.", Katsu smiled and pulled her close for a hug.
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"That movie was so...", Sakaki teared up at the happy ending when the small kitten helped find the bad guys that had captured her owners.
Enamoured, Sakaki walked into the theater lobby. Reliving the cute, fuzzy moments in her head she accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Please...Kaorin?"
"Sakaki-san?", Kaorin said, looking up at the girl.
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Kaorin: (cries) Why do all the bad things happen to me!?
Jay: Short end of the stick I guess.
Kaorin: Shut up! At least give me a happy ending.
Jay: What are you talking about? I give you happy endings all the time.
Kaorin: After nearly killing me first! (goes for the stranglehold)
Jay: (Pulls out Kaorin's secret diary) Ok, just for trying to choke me I'll be reading from this for the author notes in the next few chapters, how does that sound?
Kaorin: Why do I even come back...