As the romance movie came to a close, the credits began to roll across the screen. I hadn't really had much experience with the genre—it was rarely a category I would reach for on my own—but it had proven far more interesting than I’d anticipated.
Rather than the melodramatic, forced misunderstandings I’d expected, the story moved at a brisk pace, letting the bond between the protagonist and the heroine deepen naturally. It lacked that transparent, heavy-handed vibe creators sometimes use to bait tears from the audience; instead, it concluded with a clean, satisfying happy ending that left me in high spirits.
"Phew, that was great! It’s been so long since I’ve seen a movie... that was the best."
"It really was as good as the rumors said. I don't usually watch romance, but I found myself completely drawn in. It was a wonderful film."
"Well, it’s certainly a genre that tends to appeal more to women than men. I’m just glad you enjoyed it too, Kaito-kun. I was a little worried I’d pushed my own preferences on you when we were picking what to watch."
Kaori-san gave a self-deprecating laugh, but she hadn't actually forced the choice on me. In fact, she had been incredibly considerate, asking if I’d prefer an action movie or something else before we settled on a genre. However, since she clearly looked like she wanted to see the romance film everyone was talking about, I was the one who ultimately suggested we go with it.
"On the contrary, I probably wouldn't have picked it if I were by myself. I feel like I’ve come out ahead by discovering such a great story thanks to you. The plot was surprisingly refreshing. I liked that it didn't get too bogged down in unnecessary drama or clichéd tragedies."
"There are plenty of those out there, though," Kaori-san noted. "You know the ones—the clichéd tropes where the heroine is suddenly diagnosed with a terminal illness halfway through, and you immediately realize it’s going to be a story about a tragic parting. Those have their own charm as classics, I suppose, but I personally prefer happy endings. 'Merry Bad Endings' can be moving, sure, but they leave me feeling so heavy afterward."
"I know what you mean. Bittersweet or tragic endings definitely stick in your memory, and there are certainly masterpieces I’d want to watch again despite the sadness... but I’m with you. I prefer happy endings because they leave you feeling good when the lights come up."
"Exactly. In that sense, this movie was perfect. Since I’m close in age to the heroine, I found myself empathizing with her quite a bit. I even got a little teary-eyed toward the end."
Exchanging thoughts like this was surely the best part of watching a movie with someone else. I hadn't seen a film with another person since I went with my parents back in elementary school, but seeing how lively our conversation had become, I was certain I wasn't wrong.
"Now that you mention it, the couple in the movie had about the same age gap as we do."
"Oh, that’s right. Wait, Kaito-kun, you were a university student, weren't you?"
"Well, I dropped out, so I’m a 'former' student now..."
"I never went to university myself, so I don't know much about it. Did the way they showed campus life in the movie feel accurate to you?"
"Hmm, it probably depends on the school. For instance, the university I attended had a small shop that sold textbooks and stationery, but we didn't have a kiosk that sold food and drinks like the one in the film. Instead, there was a convenience store right next to the campus, so we’d just buy whatever we needed there."
"Ah, that makes sense. If there’s a convenience store that close, you wouldn't really need anything else."
"Yeah. And apparently, some universities even have convenience stores right inside the campus buildings."
"Heh... I suppose they’d have a very stable customer base, so it’s probably a good deal for the store too. Though I imagine they’d have a hard time finding enough staff..."
Since there were still some snacks left over, I continued our idle chatter over tea. Perhaps it was the lingering excitement from the movie, but our conversation felt even more effortless and enjoyable than usual.
"Still, even if the movie was great, it’s a shame how much time slips away while you’re watching."
"That one was about an hour and a half, after all."
"It’s already lunchtime. Are you hungry, Kaito-kun? I can whip something up."
"Ah, if it’s not too much trouble... I’ve been grazing on these snacks, so I’m not starving. Something light would be perfect."
"Leave it to me. I’ll make some sandwiches."
"Oh, want me to help?"
"Nope! You can leave this to the professional. It’s not a complicated meal, so just relax and wait a bit."
With a gentle smile, Kaori-san headed into the kitchen and tied on her apron. She seemed to be in exceptionally high spirits, humming to herself as she began to prepare our lunch.
Serious-senpai: "Noon... I see. Kaito visited Kaori's shop around 10:00, went to see Olivia, came back, and watched a movie... and it's still only just past midday? That means... this isn't over... is it?"