Ch.110110. Amethyst and Garnet (10)

“So you wanted to see a romance. You should have just said so.”

“W-what…? I, I never…!”

“You. Your eyes have been fixed on the romance movies, haven’t they? This is…”

“N-no they haven’t…? Action, action is…?”

“Don’t pretend to be looking for action movies now.”

Well.

Kids that age might be interested in romance.

But what kind of romance movie is it?

I was just thinking it was a romance because of all the pink and pastel tones, but I should really check the back to know what it’s about…

“W-wait…! Let’s watch action, action…!”

“Why are you making such a fuss? Pfft. To think you’d get this excited.”

“No, hey! No, no!!”

“Alright. Our pubescent high school student Seohyun is feeling shy… Oh.”

To tease Seohyun, I turned over the movie poster to look at the back.

The words before my eyes.

– The forbidden love story of two women, unfolding here.

– The tender love story of two school rivals.

…

Yuri.

Wait.

I turn the poster back around to check the front again.

Two women.

They were backlit so I couldn’t see clearly.

It was a romance movie with two women…?

Animation…?

“…”

“…”

Our faces both turned red, and we couldn’t look at each other.

…

Just imagine two girls coming to watch this kind of movie.

Isn’t that strange no matter how you look at it?

We’re not even… c-couples…?

Avoiding each other’s eyes, we both looked down.

“…Seohyun.”

I called her name in a small voice.

Our clasped hands felt hot.

I worried they might be getting sweaty.

Ah.

Earlier already…

“What…?”

“…Are we going to watch this?”

“…Do you want to?”

“I’m asking you…”

“Ugh… action… ugh, why isn’t there anything good to…”

“…”

“…”

If someone else had been watching us, we must have looked strange.

Two people with flushed faces, looking down while talking.

“…Let’s watch this.”

“…Okay.”

“Action…”

“Let’s watch this.”

“…”

“…”

We just held our clasped hands tighter.

Walking without even knowing where we were looking, we bought tickets.

Barely managing to buy popcorn.

…

It’s caramel popcorn.

And for drinks…

“Couple set…?”

“T-two people can share this best…! And, we can get a discount… They said people watching this movie get a d-discount on couple sets…”

“…”

“What…”

“Nothing.”

“…What were you about to say just now?”

“Nothing…”

“…I’ll let it slide this time.”

And so until the movie started.

We ate popcorn on the theater stairs.

When would the movie start?

There were still about 40 minutes left until the start time.

Sitting on the stairs, all I could think was…

“…What?”

“Can’t I even look at you…?”

“…It’s embarrassing.”

“What is…?”

“Why are you staring…”

“No, that’s…”

“…It’s your fault.”

Being treated like the bad guy for no reason.

Of course, I am a bad person, but I didn’t want to be blamed like this.

As the awkward time passed, I was afraid my hands might get sweaty and tried to think of something else when suddenly…

“Theater 4, please enter~”

Miraculously, a voice of salvation rang out.

“Oh. We’re in Theater 4, right?”

“Yes. Theater 4… it is.”

The title that gave me a strange feeling every time I looked at it.

“Under the Lily Garden in Bloom.”

…Lily, huh.

In my memories as a man, lily symbolizes… that.

To just openly…

Anyway. Overcoming all embarrassment, I grabbed one of the cushions placed in front of the theater.

“…Is it raining?”

“Pardon…?”

“That… do you have to use that?”

“…Yes. Why? If you don’t use it, the person in front will block your view a lot.”

“No… that… never mind. Should I carry it for you?”

“No… I’m the one using it…? It’s not that heavy.”

“Ah…”

Seohyun looked at me with pitying eyes.

What does she want me to do?

It’s not my fault I’m short…

As a monster, my body doesn’t grow, so there’s nothing I can do.

I’ve resigned myself to it for years. Making a big deal out of this.

“…Shall we go in? We’re in people’s way…”

“Ah, oh. Yes. Hahaha…”

That look in her eyes isn’t pity.

Does she dare think I’m cute?

“…What? A person can be short sometimes.”

I said that as we reached our seats and I laid down the cushion.

“…People actually use these, huh.”

“Just because I’m short doesn’t mean I’m not a person…”

“Well, whatever. Huff… sit down first.”

“Alright.”

I hopped back and landed on the cushion.

Yes. Without a cushion, the view isn’t good.

“…Pfft.”

“What?”

“Are you kicking your feet like that because they don’t reach the floor?”

“…They might not reach. And I wasn’t kicking.”

“Right, right. Here, popcorn.”

“Thanks.”

I grabbed a handful of popcorn and ate it in one bite.

Advertisements before the movie started.

And then the movie began.

The movie wasn’t particularly special.

Like typical romance animations, it had build-up and a love story.

Childhood friends who became fated rivals.

Then meeting as enemies.

Understanding each other, forgiving, reconciling.

After the final confrontation, the winner’s words to the loser.

– Come to the festival with me.

– …Is that your wish for winning this match?

– I want to finally sort out these feelings I have for you.

And then.

The tension builds.

Almost bursting, as they exchange words.

Finally.

As the two confess to each other under the fireworks.

I was just bringing the cola to my lips.

It happened to be a couple cup.

And we happened to drink at the same time.

-…Can you love someone like me?

– Of course, Natsumi.

*BOOM*

As fireworks exploded with special effects, the theater brightened.

Our eyes met.

“…”

“…”

We both realized we were drinking from straws at the same time.

The background music continued with the passionate love scene of the two lovers.

The story leading to a kiss.

I don’t remember the rest of the movie properly.

I was too focused elsewhere to pay attention to the film.

When the movie ended and the credits rolled.

No lingering emotions, just heat.

“…”

“…”

Sitting again on the stairs from earlier.

Eating the leftover popcorn one by one.

Which straw was mine again?

The cola I couldn’t drink because I didn’t know which straw was mine.

And the fact that we were still holding hands, already embarrassingly warm.

Just the lengthening silence.

Not even noticing the stares of people gathering around.

Not even hearing the subtle sound of camera shutters somewhere.

The throbbing felt in my hand.

That pulse.

“…”

Our fingers now intertwined.

“…”

Since when had we been feeling each other’s body heat like this?

Since when had our fingers been intertwined?

We’re not even lovers.

Those intertwined hands from the movie earlier…

Why are we holding hands like this?

At first, it was just under the pretext of protection.

Is there a reason to still be holding hands like this?

With a feeling of not caring about such things.

There was no time to feel the afterglow of the movie—no.

I think we might have left this kind of afterglow.

“…Shall we go?”

“Ah, yes…”

We directly realized what was happening when.

We arrived home.

“Seohyun and Bine are ba— Whoa?”

“…”

“…N-now that we’re here, shouldn’t you let go?”

“Ah, y-yes…! Okay…”

Because of Seohyun reluctantly letting go of my hand as if disappointed, and Blanc’s surprised look.

“You’re back… what were you two doing…?”

And Ulbo’s expression, not much different from Blanc’s surprised one.

“What is it? What is i— Eek?! Bine? Don’t you have anything to say to your big sister?”

“What would I have to say to you?”

“Hmm… I thought we were very close, but… you’re two-timing with Seohyun…?”

“Stop talking nonsense… Seohyun. Let’s go inside.”

“Ah, yes…”

And what really made me understand the situation was.

Ellis and Arin coming down the stairs to greet us.

“Bine!”

“Sisters! You’re here?”

They seemed to have rushed down at the sound of the door opening.

But as soon as they saw our faces.

“…Bine? Did something happen? Do you have a cold? Why is your face so red…?”

“Seohyun unnie…! We all agreed! Not to cross the line!”

…Crossing the line?

I wanted to ask Arin what she meant, but.

My brain couldn’t even process such thoughts right now.

“…Bine, do you want to lie down?”

“Yes.”

So I let myself be led to the sofa at Seohyun’s suggestion.

Well…

It seems she wants to give me a lap pillow again.

…

I don’t know anymore.

Just thud—

I collapsed.

Today was too exhausting.

“Seohyun… what happened…? You said you were just going to watch a movie…?”

“That’s right. What did you two do?”

“Are you going to tell your sister everything? Your sister will be upset~”

“Unnie, unnie! Tell us quickly. What exactly did you, no. What happened?”

“Ask one at a time. Well, you’re all asking the same thing… I’m confused right now too…”

“Okay. Tell us when you’ve sorted it out.”

Seohyun began her story while gently stroking my head.

That they went to see a movie.

That the movie they chose was a romance.

And it was a yuri romance movie.

That they looked for a discounted popcorn set and the only one available happened to be a couple set.

That the cola wasn’t two separate cups but one large cup with two straws.

That they happened to drink at the same time.

That she doesn’t remember much after that until they got home.

Hearing it like this.

It really wasn’t… nothing.

Sigh… what is this…

This is driving me crazy.

The other magical girls and Ellis seemed to have the same thought, as they excitedly said something, but.

I can’t hear them clearly.

Ah.

I’m sleepy…

I shouldn’t fall asleep…

If I fall…

Asleep…

I shouldn’t…

*Snore*

* * *

“She’s asleep.”

Yoonseul, who had been watching the black-haired girl, said.

“Yes.”

Hyewon, who had also been watching her, confirmed her sleep.

Then, she asked about the whereabouts of that madman from earlier.

The one who had tried to attack Bine with malice.

“What about that person from earlier?”

“The Association Chairman said he’ll support everything from the lawsuit to the trial.”

“Do we have to go in for questioning too?”

Seohyun, who was carefully stroking the sleeping Bine, asked Blanc.

“No. There’s no need for that.”

At that answer, only the sound of her even breathing filled the room.

“…”

“Seohyun. You really did well.”

“…It was my mistake.”

“No. It was an accident.”

“That’s my fault.”

“How is it unnie’s fault…! It’s because of that bad person…!”

Arin suddenly shouted angrily.

“Arin. I find it difficult to place all the blame on that person.”

To that, Ellis, who had been quietly watching Bine, responded.

“Ellis!”

“…But. Bine and I are villains. Beings who took away people’s happiness.”

“That can’t be true! Our unnie…!”

“It can be. I thought you were a bit smarter, but I guess you’re still an elementary school student.”

“Ellis!!!”

“Well. It’s possible. You might not have seen the bad side of the world properly yet.”

“Ellis. That’s enough. Arin too.”

Seeing the argument about to intensify, Blanc mediated between them.

“…We’re enduring it all anyway.”

“Hm…?”

“Both Bine and I. Since that day, things like this, well. We just endure it. When I accidentally went outside without disguising myself. I took sick leave from school and locked myself in my room for a while. Until things calmed down.”

“…I haven’t heard such rumors, even from the Association.”

“The Association’s information has its limitations too. They just treated it as a similar-looking person, or cosplay.”

“…”

“Sigh. The mood has gotten heavy.”

“Indeed. If only I had been more careful to prevent this.”

“Seohyun. I told you there’s no need to blame yourself.”

“But still…”

It was something everyone had thought might happen someday.

When a citizen’s anger physically approached Bine.

She probably already received a lot when they couldn’t rescue her earlier.

But for Blanc, who wanted to spare her from such anger even now, it was nothing short of a nightmare.

“…Sigh. For now, let’s increase the guards.”

“No. I don’t think that’s necessary. If we’re just a little more careful.”

“There’s always the possibility.”

“…Bine would find it burdensome. That kind of thing.”

…

“Then I won’t… Hah. She’ll notice anyway.”

“Yes.”

The magical girls’ concerns only deepened.

* * *

After waking up from a brief nap.

Eating dinner.

Finishing a quick shower, I returned to my room.

And the note hidden in my back pocket.

Before that, I called Ellis to my room.

Tomorrow is Ellis’s day anyway.

I could use that as an excuse to call her.

“…What’s this?”

“Look at the seal.”

“…There was contact?”

“Yes. Today at the department store.”

“…Sigh. Should we do a magical energy scan?”

“No. No need for that. Let’s open it.”

I broke the wax seal and checked the contents.

“…No way. Is this a trap?”

“…They must have their reasons.”

“A plan where even one mistake could be fatal? With less than 2 days left…?”

“That’s why we have no choice but to follow.”

“…Hah. This one-sided communication isn’t good.”

“They changed the plan, so we adjust accordingly.”

“The preparations…?”

“…It was just a matter of making up our minds.”

“I mean, that mental preparation.”

“…We are Eden. The chance to fulfill the Boss’s will has returned. We can’t miss this precious opportunity again.”

“…”

The note written in elegant handwriting.

Two days later.

Ellis, and Blanc.

The last day of Arin.

That day at 10 o’clock.

The fallen paradise shall be rebuilt.