“............”
“............”
...This is awkward.
No, the movie itself was interesting.
It was about a world without red threads, exploring the quagmire of men and women or searching for true love. Yeah, it was interesting.
But... why was one hour out of the three-hour runtime a sex scene!?
Is this really rated R15!?
Because of that, it’s incredibly awkward! It’s so awkward I can’t even look her in the face!!
“Ah—... Th-That was interesting, wasn’t it...?”
“Ye-! Ye-ye-ye-, yeah, right...!”
Riran’s face was bright red, and she kept stealing glances at me.
I’m probably bright red too... that was definitely too much stimulation.
Feeling restless, we wandered aimlessly for a few minutes.
As expected, we hadn't eaten lunch yet, so I wanted to get some food soon.
“Hey, want to grab something to eat? I’m starving after just having popcorn.”
“Y-Yeah. Let’th do that...!”
You’re totally tongue-tied, are you okay?
...Well, no, she’s probably not okay. I’m not okay either.
I took the stiff-with-tension Riran into a family restaurant, and we ate some random stuff.
But... with that floaty feeling and the awkwardness after seeing the movie, I couldn’t taste anything.
Riran must have felt the same way, as she was restless the whole time.
“...Pfft. Hehe... Ahaha!”
“W-What is it...?”
“No, I just thought about how we’re connected by the red thread of fate and even dating, yet we’re so naive.”
“H-Hmph. Sorry for being naive...!”
“We’re both the same.”
“...Yeah, you’re right... Hehe. Our relationship is kind of strange, isn’t it?”
Good. Her tension seemed to have broken, and her smile returned.
But still, the thing connecting us is the Dark Scarlet red thread... I can't even imagine what would happen if we actually did *that*.
...No, no, no, don’t think about it, me. I won’t be able to stand up. I won't be able to stand it.
After finishing the meat sauce pasta and having cake for dessert, Riran spoke up with a “Well then.”
“Hey, Akito. After this, there’s something I want to buy. Will you come with me?”
“Eh? Oh, I’ll go anywhere with you. What are you buying?”
“That’s a surprise for when we get there.”
A surprise for when we get there...?
Does she mean clothes, or earrings, or something?
But Riran doesn’t really wear accessories... Hmm?
◆
“Then, I’ll wait outside.”
“Don’t run away.”
“Gueh!”
Don’t grab me by the collar! Your're going to strangle me!
Pulled back by a surprisingly strong Riran, I looked again at the store in front of us.
Floral patterns, polka dots, stripes, glitter, ruffles, and so on.
The items made of colorful cloth were—swimsuits.
Yes, it was a women's swimwear specialty store.
“Noooooooo! I don’t want to go into a place like this!!”
“Just come quietly! Didn't you say you’d go anywhere with me! Be a man and come with me!!”
“But why a swimsuit shop!?”
“Because I’m going to buy a swimsuit I want to show you, obviously! I want you to help me choose!”
“Riran, you look good in anything, so I don’t have to choose!”
“I want to wear a swimsuit that perfectly matches your taste and make your heart race, so just give up!!”
“My heart is always racing because of you, so you don't need to make it race any more than it already does!”
“Just—come—in—already—!!”
“No—wa—y—!!”
Riran wouldn't let go of my arm, pulling me along.
Damn it, even though she has bad motor skills, why is she so strong at times like this!?
The battle in front of the store fell into a stalemate.
However.
“Um, excuse me, customers.”
““Y-Yes?””
A shop assistant, who had appeared by our side before we knew it, had a twitching temple and a wry smile on her face.
“I am very sorry to interrupt your lovey-dovey moment, but there are other customers as well, so if you’re coming in, please come in quickly.”
““Ah.””
Looking around, people from a distance were looking at us with eyes like they were watching something heartwarming.
Wait, hold on, I can't, this is too embarrassing...!
““S-Sorry...!””
And so, Riran and I hurriedly entered the store.
...We actually went in.