116: Instigation

After leaving the haunted house, the movie was just about to begin.

The four of them headed to the cinema together, had their tickets checked, and went in.

The movie Tanuma Tsubasa chose was Your Name.

Takashi had seen this movie in his previous life. Now watching it for a second time, the first thing that came to his mind wasn't the plot.

Inside the cinema, Takashi originally thought Nagisa would ask to sit next to him—but she didn't.

She obediently sat between Tanuma Tsubasa and Maki, not causing any trouble.

After playing on his phone for a while, someone finally sat down in the empty seat next to Takashi just before the movie began.

"Excuse me."

Takashi moved his legs to let the person pass.

At the moment the figure passed in front of him, a window popped up in Takashi's view.

[Target: Iino Miko]

[Age: 15]

[Intelligence: 7]

[Charm: 7]

[Stamina: 3]

[From: Kaguya-sama: Love is War]

[Crush: None]

[No boyfriend, available for dating.]

Takashi tilted his head to glance to the side.

By now, the movie had already started and the theater lights were completely off. He could only observe her quietly under the faint glow of the screen.

The girl named Iino Miko was petite—she didn't even seem to reach 150 cm.

Of course, that kind of height was very popular in Japan.

She was the typical "fair, young, and slender" type. Her small face had a bit of baby fat, giving her a youthful look. 

She looked adorably squishable.

Her bright, large eyes were like a little deer peeking through the forest.

"Huh?"

Noticing the boy next to her staring, Iino Miko quickly turned her head away.

Their eyes met, but Takashi didn't look away even after being caught. He simply kept staring at her like he didn't mind at all.

Iino Miko froze for a second, glanced down at her glowing phone screen, and quickly turned it off.

"Was I bothering you?"

Takashi smiled and shook his head, then slowly turned his gaze back to the screen.

Is there something on my face? What was he looking at just now?

Although Takashi wasn't looking at her anymore, Iino Miko had become very conscious of him.

Halfway through the movie, Takashi suddenly felt someone poke his arm.

"What is it, Maki?"

He thought it was Maki poking him.

Maki looked at him confused. "Nothing?"

"Oh."

Takashi figured it was just an accidental bump and didn't think much of it, turning his attention back to the movie.

Less than a minute after refocusing on the screen, he felt another poke on his arm.

"Maki, why are you poki—"

His words stopped mid-sentence as his eyes swept over.

Because the one poking him wasn't Maki—it was Nagisa.

Her body was pressed tightly against Maki's, and her slender arm had reached between the seat gaps and around the backrest to poke him.

When Takashi turned to her, Nagisa gave him a mischievous wink.

This crazy woman.

To avoid Nagisa's teasing, Takashi instinctively leaned away—toward Iino Miko.

Their arms touched through the thin fabric of their summer clothes.

Iino Miko: "!!!"

W-What is he trying to do?

Testing the waters before harassing her?

What should she do?

Should she call the police?

Iino Miko started panicking a little.

Takashi's exaggerated avoidance of her made Nagisa stifle a laugh.

He's way too cute.

"I'm going to the restroom," Nagisa said as she got up and left her seat.

Before leaving, she cast Takashi a meaningful glance.

She's not hinting I should follow, right? Takashi thought, internally rolling his eyes.

To avoid any sudden calls from Nagisa telling him to come out, Takashi turned off his phone.

After doing that, he returned to his previous posture.

Eh? Was I overthinking it?

Iino Miko started feeling a little embarrassed about her earlier wild thoughts.

Wait… is he going to the restroom later too?

As soon as Nagisa left, Tanuma Tsubasa glanced toward Takashi.

Maybe it was just his imagination, but he felt like his girlfriend was a little too interested in Takashi.

If he didn't act soon, his girlfriend might not be his girlfriend anymore.

"Takashi, why doesn't Taki remember Mitsuha?"

Among everyone in their row, each had their own thoughts—only Maki was genuinely watching the movie.

She watched attentively and would occasionally chat with Takashi.

Takashi gave her an exasperated look. "Seriously, Maki, you're actually watching the movie?"

"Takashi, what are you talking about? Isn't that what you're supposed to do at the theater?" Maki looked at him strangely.

Takashi rolled his eyes. "What decent person comes to a cinema just to watch the movie?"

"Look here, and here, and here!"

He pointed out several spots around them.

Even though she knew Takashi wasn't talking to her, Iino Miko couldn't help but follow the direction of his finger.

And when she looked—her face turned red.

She saw several couples already cuddling and kissing.

"Shameless!"

Blushing furiously, Iino Miko blurted it out.

Doing such things in a movie theater!

Did they really think no one would notice?

What did they think the surveillance cameras were for?

Maki looked like she had just discovered a whole new world, eyes wide open.

"The theater is practically a sacred ground for couples to get closer,"

Takashi adjusted his imaginary glasses. 

"The dim lighting gives men courage and lowers a woman's shyness and reserve. For most couples, the ice-breaking moment of physical contact happens right here in the theater."

"Whether male or female, it's hard to let go in broad daylight even if no one's around. 

But in a cinema, it's different. Even when it's full, everyone's focus is on the movie, so couples can be as affectionate as they like."

"Plus, when a couple watches a romance film together, those intimate scenes affect them. Whether it's holding hands or snuggling, the romantic atmosphere pulls them in. 

Even if you lean in for a kiss, the girl might not object. She might even give in with just a little resistance."

Maki listened to Takashi's strategist-level breakdown and found it more and more convincing.

Even Iino Miko listened with interest.

He knows so much! He must've dated a lot… she thought.

Good thing Takashi didn't know what she was thinking, or he'd definitely protest: knowing a lot doesn't mean dating a lot.

Some people have reading lists full of romance novels and still haven't had a girlfriend in years.

"Tanuma's girlfriend isn't here right now—that's your chance, isn't it?" Takashi whispered like a devil tempting Eve, his voice brushing softly against her ear like a feather teasing her heart.

The warm breath he exhaled made Maki's ears itch and turn red.

They were so close that she could even catch his pleasant scent.

"I-I… what should I do?" Maki stammered, nervous from being this close to a boy for the first time.

"I'll help you."

Takashi picked up the iced cola he bought before the movie started—and poured it right on her lap.

"Ah!"

The icy water jolted Maki to her core, and she jumped up from her seat with a scream.

Now everyone in the theater turned to look.

"Takashi! You—" Maki glared angrily at Takashi, but before she could finish, he turned to Tanuma Tsubasa and shouted, 

"Tsubasa, I accidentally spilled my drink on Maki. Her seat's wet. Let her sit next to Kashiwagi-san for now."

"Sure."

Tanuma Tsubasa didn't object—he didn't even think anything was off.

Wait, this actually worked?

Maki was first stunned, then looked at Takashi with admiration, giving him a silent thumbs-up in her heart.

So this is what a top-tier strategist looks like?

With Takashi, everything flows smoothly!

Only Iino Miko, who had quietly witnessed everything from start to finish, stared wide-eyed, unsure whether to speak up.

She had seen everything clearly.

That was no accident.

Takashi had poured the drink on her on purpose.

Iino Miko hesitated about exposing him—when suddenly, a fair and delicate arm reached between her and Takashi from behind, wrapping around him. 

A teasing voice followed:

"Kitahara-kun, I wasn't even gone that long, and you're already pushing Maki to seduce my boyfriend? Isn't that a bit much?"

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