"You're late, Amano-san."
"You're just way too early, Prez."
We met up at the entrance of SW Mall, located in Samu City, where our school is also situated. It's 5 minutes before the agreed time, and she's already calling me late?
"So, what are we gonna do here?"
"Fufu, I'm glad you asked!" She then presented a list of activities we would be doing inside the mall.
"10 AM: Window shopping, 11 AM cinema watching, 1 PM eating out, 3 PM window shopping again. What the heck is this schedule?"
It looks like a typical schedule, but on second thought...
"This looks like a date schedule."
"H-Huh?? It's not a date!" Her face turned red as she vehemently denied it.
"This is just a meet-up between the two of us. A meet-up, yes!" she tried to convince herself. I had no idea why I was even here, but might as well go along with it.
"Sure. Whatever you say. Anyways, shall we get inside?"
We entered the mall, and it was bustling with people. Understandable, considering it's the weekend. The mall was vast, with every store filled with numerous customers.
"So, where should we go first?" I asked.
"Didn't you just read the--- sigh, never mind. Come with me then." She folded the schedule and grabbed my hand, leading me somewhere.
"So, what movie is this again?"
Kurokawa brought us to the mall's cinema. She already secured tickets for us, and for some reason, the line for the movie we were watching was incredibly long.
"You've never heard of it? It's a fantasy drama about Harold, the main character, falling in love with Anna, a girl from the kingdom of Florence. It premiered today, and one of my Student Council colleagues recommended it."
Ah, that explains the crowd. Just your average fantasy drama, but who knows, it might be different from what I know back in my old world.
"I see. And why did you bring me here too?"
"Because... I want to watch it... with you..." She whispered something, but her voice was so soft I could barely hear it.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Never mind that! Let's just get in line, okay?" She pushed me towards the queue, leaving me to wonder why I was here. Well, I'll just enjoy it.
We took our place in line, and before we knew it, we were inside. The cinema was brightly lit, with a large screen and comfortable seats. Almost every seat was taken.
"Follow me, Amano-san, this way." She led us to the center of the cinema, assuming this was our seat.
"Brr, it's getting cold in here." It was an unexpected chill. Although I have A/C in my apartment, I don't set it too low, so feeling this sudden cold was strange.
"Don't you get cold in that outfit of yours, Prez?"
I glanced at her. She wore a white long-sleeve shirt with a brown jacket and a black miniskirt. With that kind of outfit, it's impossible not to feel suddenly cold.
"I've gotten used to this cold. Besides, I always keep my A/C at a low temperature all day."
Must be nice for those who can afford it. If I set my A/C to such a low temperature, my electric bill would skyrocket.
"Must be nice." As I replied, the surroundings darkened, and everyone got a bit noisier.
"Shh, the movie's starting."
We focused on the big screen. About halfway through, the movie depicted the situation in the kingdom, with the prince managing challenges and finally meeting the princess. Some scenes were cheesy, but acceptable for someone like me.
"It's good. Wonder how it'll end, though."
After the prince's hard work, one scene showed him finally holding hands with the princess. The audience seemed hyped for some reason.
While that happened, I checked if she was okay. Kurokawa was focused on the screen, seemingly awestruck.
"Hey, you good in there?"
I reached for her hand from the side, gaining her attention.
"Hiyaaa??" She made a soft shriek as I touched her hand, surprised.
"Ah, sorry. Did I scare you?"
"N-No, I was a bit surprised."
"I see. Just wanted to ask if you're good in there."
"Ahh, yes. I have no problems here."
"Alright, that's good to hear."
We continued watching until the end. For some reason, Kurokawa kept looking at me, seemingly wanting to say something, but either couldn't or it was just my imagination.
After the movie
"The movie is really great! The actors portrayed their characters perfectly, the soothing music played in the background, and the sweet dramatic story and how it ends. It truly deserves a ten score for me."
"Uh-huh..."
After the movie, Kurokawa took us to a fancy restaurant on the mall's fifth floor. The menu was enticing, but I chose something simple and cheap-sounding. The people around us looked like they came from rich families, making me feel out of place.
"You look really stiff. Is this your first time in a fancy restaurant?" Kurokawa asked, finishing her meal.
"Yeah, and it makes me feel out of place."
"Fufu, I get you, but worry not because I am here." She made a smug face at me.
"I feel a bit better after hearing that. Thank you, Prez." I gave my gratitude.
"N-No need to thank me. I just do what a friend would do. And would you please stop calling me 'Prez'?"
"What should I call you then?" I asked.
"My friends in the Council call me Emiko, so you can also call me that."
"I see. Then, you can also call me by my first name."
"T-Then... Ryosuke-kun..." she said my first name in a soft tone. Only Kazama and Ryosuke's family had used his first name, so Prez was the first person to call me by mine.
"Yes, that's right, Emiko."
As I said her first name, her face turned red. She was really cute when she got embarrassed.
"Say, where should we go next?" The day had just begun.
