E-book Exclusive Short Story: Hinako and the Adult Movie
Late summer vacation. A few days had passed since we started staying at my old house.
While washing dishes after dinner, Shizune-san called out to me.
“By the way, what kind of places have you been sightseeing with Ojou-sama?”
“Well, let’s see…”
I explained the places Hinako and I had visited over the past few days.
“I see. The shopping district, a gyudon restaurant, huh?”
“Yeah. Also Yuri’s house, and the school I used to go to.”
“Those might all feel fresh and new to Ojou-sama.”
“You’re right. I think Hinako was having fun.”
But for me, who’d been working part-time jobs nonstop until I met Hinako, I was already out of ideas for places to show her. She was still planning to stay at the house for a while, but I’d run dry on inspiration.
“This is a rare chance, and I’d love to show her more places… Any good spots you can think of?”
“Hmm… Honestly, I think Ojou-sama’s top destination was probably your house, Izuki-san. As for other places she might find interesting…”
Shizune-san thought for a moment before answering.
“How about a movie theater?”
“…A movie theater, huh?”
It did seem like a place an ordinary high schooler might enjoy.
But for some reason, I could only manage a half-hearted response.
“Not to your liking?”
“No, no, it’s not that. I’ll go suggest it to Hinako right now.”
I approached Hinako, who was sprawled out comfortably on the futon.
“Hinako.”
“Mmm…?”
“Wanna go out together tomorrow?”
◆
“Whoa…”
The next day, as Shizune-san suggested, I took Hinako to a movie theater.
“This is a movie theater.”
“It’s amazing… such a weird vibe…”
Her choice of words gave me pause, but she wasn’t exactly wrong. It was hard to describe it as anything but a weird vibe. That thrilling dimness, maybe? A unique atmosphere you don’t feel anywhere but a movie theater.
“Alright, shall we head in?”
“Yup!”
With an already excited Hinako in tow, I made my way to the ticket machine.
“Let’s see…”
I fiddled with the ticket machine’s screen.
Purchaser info… Guess I’ll confirm that on my smartphone.
Points… Not sure what that’s about, but if it’s a deal, maybe I should sign up for membership.
“…?”
In front of a puzzled Hinako, I somehow managed to print out two tickets.
I let out a small breath, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
“Izuki, don’t tell me… you don’t actually know much about movie theaters?”
“Ugh.”
The obvious jab hit home.
“…Sorry. Truth is, this is my first time at a movie theater too.”
“Really? …Why didn’t you say so?”
“Well…”
Before meeting Hinako, I’d been scraping by in poverty, so I never had the luxury of watching movies at a theater.
It’s not like we’re at a point where I’d hide something like that, but…
“…I guess I just wanted to look cool or something.”
I wanted Hinako to have fun without worrying about my circumstances.
A small, selfish desire, really.
“Hmph, hmmm… I see…”
For some reason, Hinako turned her back to me.
Was it my imagination, or were her ears turning red…?
◆
Eventually, it was time for the screening, and we took our seats.
“Hinako, it’s okay if you fall asleep.”
“I’m fine. I slept twenty hours yesterday just for this…!”
That’s way too much sleep.
Come to think of it, she was still dozing right up until we left today. So that’s why.
“Wait, but if you prepared like that, does that mean you knew about movie theaters?”
“Nope. …Shizune just said sometimes people fall asleep at them.”
Does even Shizune-san come to movie theaters to unwind?
If so, I felt a little guilty. Maybe I should’ve invited her along.
Soon enough, the movie started.
I’d asked Hinako beforehand if there was a movie she wanted to see, and she said, “Anything’s fine,” so I picked what I thought was a standard romance movie that girls might enjoy…
(…Huh?)
The male and female actors were getting a lot more touchy-feely than I expected.
Wait, hold on, this is a foreign film. I’m pretty sure I chose a Japanese one…
(Oh no… I picked the wrong movie!)
Guess I messed up the reservation because I wasn’t used to this.
No wonder there weren’t any students around us.
This movie was definitely for adults…!
“Kyle, I love you.”
“Oh, I love you too.”
“Let’s be together.”
“Nothing I’d want more.”
On the massive screen, a young couple dove headfirst into a steamy scene.
It wasn’t R18, so there weren’t any explicit shots, but the mood was unmistakable.
This was awkward…
I instinctively glanced at Hinako beside me.
“Zzz, zzz…”
Thank goodness… she was asleep.
I was shocked she dozed off so fast after all that talk about staying awake, but for once, her sleeping saved me.
◆
After the movie, we left the theater and strolled leisurely back home.
“Man, who would’ve thought the mastermind was that guy… Blew my mind.”
“Mhm… Never would’ve guessed the powered suit wouldn’t come off.”
I’d muttered to myself, but Hinako chimed in with her own thoughts on the movie.
That’s weird. She was supposed to be asleep the whole time.
“…Hinako, were you awake?”
“N-No, not really… I just, like, got the vibe or something.”
Hinako hurriedly looked away, flustered.
Oh, she was just playing along, huh?
Though her comment felt oddly specific… I decided not to pry, since digging deeper might make things awkward.
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