Kaito and Kaori returned to the shop with their haul of sweets and immediately set about preparing for the screening.
"Is this the part where you can project it onto a wall or something?" Kaori asked.
"I can do that, but it can also generate a sci-fi-esque monitor in midair. It gives us a fair amount of freedom in how we set it up."
"Oh, in that case, why don't we use this table? It’d be perfect if we projected the screen over that way."
After some discussion, they settled on a table for four. While Kaori arranged the snacks and drinks, Kaito got the terminal he’d received from Canaris ready. They’d picked out a romance movie—the one they’d talked about on their way back.
"I'm all set over here," Kaito said.
"Ready here too."
"All right. I'll dim the lights once you're seated, Kaito-kun."
She flipped the switch to make the screen easier to see. Since it was still afternoon, the room didn't go completely dark, but the izakaya-style interior lacked large windows. The resulting dimness created an atmosphere remarkably close to an actual movie theater.
Once Kaori took her seat next to Kaito, the movie started.
(...He doesn't seem the least bit flustered to be alone with a girl in a dark room. In fact, he seems so relaxed it’s like he’s used to these situations. Is this the power of a romance expert? ...No, maybe I’m just the one making too big a deal out of it.)
Kaori’s thoughts wandered for a moment, but the film soon captivated her. It was a movie she’d wanted to see for a long time, and the novelty of watching a visual work after over a decade away from Earth made it all the more moving.
The story followed a young widow and a university student in a tender love romance. In terms of the age gap, it wasn't far off from Kaori and Kaito themselves.
(Wow, this is wonderful. A total hit. I love that the heroine is close to my age; I can relate to her in so many ways. It’s really pulling me in. Romance with a younger boy... there's such a nostalgic sense of youth to it.)
Deeply satisfied with the choice, Kaori watched with a happy smile. At one point, her gaze drifted toward Kaito. His profile was illuminated by the flickering light of the screen. He looked completely absorbed in the story, oblivious to her staring. There was a certain dignity to his focused expression that made her heart skip a beat.
(...You really never know where life will take you. How long has it been since I enjoyed a movie like this? Middle school? Back then, I just assumed—for no real reason—that high school would be a sparkling, wonderful time of youth... but it wasn't like that at all.)
Kaori had lost her parents right at the start of high school. In the chaotic aftermath, she’d been tossed between relatives who didn't want her, struggling just to keep her head above water. There had been no room for something as indulgent as movie appreciation.
(After Dad and Mom died, the days were a blur. I barely knew what was happening. I was rejected so many times... I remember just wanting to disappear. I was right on the verge of being sent to a foster care facility when I was summoned here. Then I spent years as a traveler. I never had a second to even think about "youth.")
She had lived a truly bizarre life, yet she didn't regret her choices. There were moments she thought she could have handled things better, but she was happy with the life she’d finally found.
(Life is just... unpredictable. I’d completely given up on ever having a "youth," yet here it is, rushing toward me now of all times.)
She watched the movie, occasionally glancing at the man beside her with a bitter smile.
(...Then again, maybe I was just born under a strange star. In this late-arriving youth of mine, the guy I’ve fallen for... is another outrageous, world-shaking powerhouse who isn't easy on my stomach at all. He really is a handful.)
She had already found a purpose in this world and was satisfied with her days, but meeting Kaito had made everything feel more vibrant. Her happiness had increased, but so had the chaos. She was constantly being swept up in his pace, and her stomach had paid the price more than once.
Still, she couldn't bring herself to think her life was bad. More often than not, she felt like she was finally getting to live the life she’d missed out on.
(...Well, I guess a love that doesn't go exactly as planned is the essence of youth. I still don't understand half of it, but... let’s keep this going. Even though you’re a total stomach-ache, you’re cool, and you're wonderful... my youth that arrived late.)
Serious-senpai: "Oh man... I forgot she has a heavy past. One way or another, her potential ability for heroine power is through the roof..."