“Popcorn and cola… oh, I got you orange juice instead. Your childhood taste hasn’t changed, right?”
“Mm, no, no it hasn’t.”
Thank goodness… he really just went to get some snacks.
I took the orange juice, sipped a little, then placed it in the cup holder.
The cold juice chilled my throat a bit, easing my earlier anxiety.
Just as I was thinking about what to talk about, the lights in the theater suddenly went out.
“It’s starting.”
By the faint glow from the screen, I saw Gu Fan sitting with his arms relaxed across the armrest, his gaze casually resting on the screen.
Mm… I guess I should try to focus too.
I forced myself to keep my eyes on the screen.
The novelty of watching a movie for the first time still lingered in my mind, but I was already aware of my truest feelings at the moment.
I think… I don’t really like watching movies that much?
Maybe it’s just an illusion.
After all, this is my first time watching in a theater—maybe I just haven’t gotten used to it yet.
I tried to stay alert and kept my eyes on the shifting light on the screen.
It started with narration setting up the background, then the male and female leads appeared as the romantic atmosphere built up.
For most of the couples in the theater, it was probably the perfect time to get a little cozy.
But me? I just stared blankly.
Yeah… I’m not feeling anything.
Maybe it’s because I clearly recognize that everything is just made-up characters in a fictional story, so I don’t feel anything deeply.
Crap. Am I one of those people who just wants to sleep as soon as the movie starts?
Nervously, I fidgeted with the hem of my school uniform jacket.
If Gu Fan notices how un-cute I’m acting right now, maybe he’ll end up disliking me?
After all, girls are usually supposed to be emotional and sensitive—just watching a movie would be enough to bring them to tears.
But I’m like a cold recording device, just storing the scenes in my brain with a shallow impression, not really adding much emotion to it.
Sigh… I should’ve watched more movies or shows on a regular basis, worked on building some sense of aesthetic and emotion.
That way, I wouldn’t be struggling so much now.
I pulled out my phone from my pocket, fiddled with it a bit, then turned it off again. Boring.
Even after three years, I still don’t really understand all the functions on a smartphone.
I’m not into killing time with videos or news either.
Well, since I don’t feel like watching the movie, I’ll just look at Gu Fan instead.
I can’t really explain why I want to stare at Gu Fan—it feels like something one would do on a date—but once the impulse arose in me, I decided to go along with it.
Stare～～
Under the flickering light from the screen, Gu Fan’s profile shifted through various shades and colors.
Using that light, I could barely make out the expression on his face.
He still looked as laid-back as ever—not exactly disinterested, but also not particularly focused.
If I had to describe it, Gu Fan looked kind of like someone working. Calmly carrying out a task, indifferent to whether it succeeds or fails.
Mm… most people probably don’t like work, right? So maybe Gu Fan is someone who doesn’t really like movies?
I slightly opened my mouth, eyes fixed on him, as if by staring hard enough, I could inject my consciousness into his body and see what he was truly thinking.
“Hmm? Hm……”
No, no. I shouldn’t be thinking like that.
I don’t know how much time passed, but when I caught sight of the now nearly empty popcorn bucket in Gu Fan’s arms out of the corner of my eye, I suddenly snapped out of it.
I totally spaced out… I even thought about dragging Gu Fan out of the theater. How could I just assume he didn’t like watching movies?
Besides, the atmosphere in the theater is so good—the space is enclosed, and I get to sit so close to Gu Fan in the dark that I can feel the warmth of his shoulder.
Isn’t that more than enough reason to stay?
All these little thoughts were churning up in my head, but I grabbed hold of them. Crushed them.
The answer is already clear: there’s no way I’m going to waste this hard-won movie-watching experience—other people are watching the movie, but I’m watching Gu Fan.
Quietly staring at him, completely unlike his nonchalant attitude, I was seriously imagining how to help Gu Fan stay happy for the next three years of high school, carefree and content.
When Gu Fan drank his cola, I saw his Adam’s apple bob distinctly as he swallowed.
It was my first time noticing how an Adam’s apple moves when someone gulps something down.
Mm… kind of like being in biology class?
I guess I turned Gu Fan into a subject for observation, haha.
I leaned toward him slightly, turning my body in his direction and using my orange juice bottle to hide the corners of my trembling mouth.
Now that I think about it, whether in the past or now, I’ve never observed Gu Fan this closely or for this long.
Gu Fan, too, was dutifully focused on watching the movie.
He said he would watch it, and he’s been watching it the whole time—not even glancing in my direction once.
I didn’t know whether I should feel relieved or a little disappointed.
My tail was wrapped around my waist, but the fluffy tip still twitched up and down with excitement.
* * * * *
Once a cat clings to you, it’s really hard to shake her off.
When I was little, I used to feed stray cats in the neighborhood.
After they finished eating the food I gave them, they would rub against my legs and meow affectionately.
Some of the bolder cats would even climb up my leg all the way to my shoulder.
But… because I missed the old cat back home, I never brought any of those other cats home.
I would just play with them for a bit and leave it at that.
And now, I’ve ended up being targeted by a catgirl.
After leaving the cinema, Zhi Nian would glance at me every three steps.
Her gaze wasn’t like she noticed something dirty on my face—it was a kind of hesitant, wavering look, as if she had something to say but kept holding back.
“What’s wrong? Didn’t like the movie?”
This strange behavior went on for a while before I finally asked her lightly.
“Huh? Ah… no, I liked it a lot.”
Zhi Nian waved both hands and hurriedly denied it.
Even though I haven’t had much contact with Zhi Nian for the past three years, from her current behavior, it’s obvious she’s saying one thing but thinking another.
After all… even I felt the movie was just so-so after watching it, and I kind of regretted choosing a romance film.
Not that it mattered to me—I can calmly finish watching any kind of film.
But if it were Zhi Nian… she might overthink things, right?
“So, is there something you want to say to me?”
I spoke without taking my eyes off the road, walking ahead of Zhi Nian to guide her, making sure she didn’t walk into a streetlamp while lost in thought.
“Mm…”
Zhi Nian let out a quiet little whimper, and her cute cat ears twitched up and down.
Looks like my question really troubled her.
Oh well, since Zhi Nian doesn’t want to talk, let’s just continue with our plan to skip class.
“Zhi Nian, want to get donuts?”
Zhi Nian stared at me in a daze, her lips moving slightly, then she nodded as if relieved.
“…I do.”
“That shop’s new. I only heard that it tastes pretty good. If it’s bad, don’t blame me.”
“Mhm, I won’t. Just the fact that Gu Fan is willing to take me out for donuts already makes me really happy.”
Zhi Nian shook her head sincerely.
No matter what I ask her, she always answers so seriously and earnestly.
That attitude of hers is one of the reasons I’m willing to take care of her.
After all, who wouldn’t like having their words taken seriously?
kitty