Chapter 102: Assigned Seating
Kouya and the others picked up their tickets at the theater lobby counter, their footsteps echoing faintly over the glossy floor. The smell of buttered popcorn and soda syrup hung in the air, mixing with the faint chill of the air conditioning. They grabbed two big buckets of popcorn and a few drinks before heading toward the main screening hall together, the buzz of chatter and footsteps following them inside.
Although it was his first time in a movie theater, Kouya wasn't particularly impressed. He glanced around as the group entered—the place was large, clean, and dimly lit, with the faint hum of a projector already running somewhere above. To him, it didn't look much different from the lecture hall at school, just darker and with better seats.
It was a mid-sized cinema, and the audience had already filled more than half the room. The walls were lined with soft acoustic panels, and the faint scent of fabric cleaner mixed oddly with the buttery air.
"Hmm, our seats are over here," Vigne said after checking the row numbers, leading the way with quiet confidence. "Everyone, sit according to your ticket number. No skipping seats."
The seats were toward the back, which was actually ideal for viewing. They weren't too far to feel disconnected from the screen, nor too close to strain the neck. Except maybe for Rikka, who barely peeked over the seats in front of her.
Anyone who'd been to a theater before knew the front rows were the worst choice. The closer you sat, the more your neck ached, and after two hours you'd feel like you just fought gravity itself. The back seats were the safe zone.
Then it began.
"Why do I have to sit next to this guy?" Gabriel complained, puffing her cheeks like a sulking child.
Shut up! Kouya grumbled internally. As if I want to sit next to you either!
"You're the one who picked the ticket, remember?" Vigne pointed out with a small sigh.
"I wasn't paying attention when I picked!" Gabriel whined, blinking her big eyes and leaning toward her friend. "Vigne-chan, can we switch seats, please~?"
"Denied," Vigne said immediately, her voice firm.
"Ugh! Fine! Then I'll just move somewhere else. There are tons of empty seats anyway."
Vigne's brow twitched, her perfectionist nature flaring. "No! You sit in your assigned seat! That's what assigned seating means! Don't mess with the order!"
Gabriel groaned but ultimately gave in, dragging her feet dramatically before plopping into the seat beside Kouya. The final lineup went Gabriel, Kouya, Raphiel, Rikka, Kanna, and Vigne on the end.
After a few minutes, the lights dimmed and the hall fell silent. The bright screen illuminated everyone's faces in shades of white and blue. The sound system came alive, rumbling faintly under their feet.
Kouya leaned back in his chair. It was his first time seeing a movie on a big screen, and while he wasn't that excited, there was a strange comfort in the atmosphere—the dark hall, the quiet murmur before the movie began, the shared sense of anticipation.
On the screen appeared a cheerful, polite schoolgirl greeting classmates, smiling at neighbors, radiating that perfect model-student energy. So far, everything was peaceful.
Then she got home.
And instantly transformed into a snack-devouring, soda-chugging, game-addicted gremlin.
Kouya's eyebrows twitched. Director, what the hell kind of plot twist is this?
The girl who had looked like a saint outside was now sprawled on the couch with chip crumbs all over her hoodie, laughing maniacally at a video game.
This wasn't a character arc—it was a total personality switch!
"Ahh, no wonder Gabi-chan liked her. They're practically twins," Raphiel whispered teasingly, eyes sparkling.
No, they're not! Kouya screamed internally. At least the girl in the movie goes to school and studies! This one? Beyond saving!
Gabriel stuffed a handful of popcorn into her mouth. "Ugh! I want a brother like that too!" she said with a pout.
"Yeah right. What you really wan is an on-demand ATM."
"Tch. Isn't it a big brother's job to fulfill his sister's wishes?" Gabriel retorted defensively.
That's not a brother—that's a slave, Kouya thought bitterly. Someone who spoils you until you forget how to function.
After a few minutes, Gabriel's muttering faded. Kouya thought she'd finally settled down to actually watch the movie, but when he glanced sideways, he froze.
She was asleep.
Right there, mid-scene, with the popcorn bucket still balanced on her lap. A lone popcorn kernel stuck to her cheek.
Unbelievable.
Of course she'd fall asleep. She probably stayed up all night gaming again. And now she was drooling on the seat she'd fought to keep.
Kouya sighed. You're wasting that ticket, you useless angel.
Her arm slipped, brushing against his. The faint warmth and softness through her sleeve made him tense instinctively. For a moment, he felt the smoothness of her skin—warm and unreal.
Expressionless, he shifted away slightly and stared back at the screen.
Then came a quiet giggle from his right.
A faint buzzing followed—his phone vibrating in his pocket.
He pulled it out carefully. Vigne had made everyone switch to silent mode earlier, so the buzz was the only sound. On the glowing screen, a message popped up from none other than Raphiel.
Raphiel: "Kouya-kun, Gabi-chan's a really deep sleeper, you know~"
You've got to be kidding me. She's sitting right there! Why text like some secret agent instead of whispering?
Raphiel's lips curved in amusement. In the dim light, she gracefully crossed one leg over the other. The faint rustle of her stockings caught his attention. Even under the theater's shadows, her pale skin contrasted sharply with the black fabric, creating a line of perfect shape from her knee down to her ankle.
Kouya's mind short-circuited for a moment. He suddenly remembered a random phrase from online: "Legs so perfect you could play with them for a year."
He shook his head hard. Focus, damn it!
He typed back one word: "What?"
Her reply came instantly.
Raphiel: "Didn't Kouya-kun just think about lifting Gabi-chan's skirt?"
He froze, jaw tightening. What kind of perverted angel is this?! He quickly typed back, Absolutely not!
Raphiel: "It's fine~ Nobody can see. If you wanted to touch her leg just a little, I wouldn't tell anyone~"
What the hell?! Did she think theaters were some lawless dark zone? There were cameras everywhere! He could already imagine the security room replaying footage of him getting arrested for "cinema indecency."
He glared. "You're doing this on purpose."
Raphiel tilted her head, her smile widening. "Oh no, of course not. Girls just love helping boys, that's all."
"Helping?! That's your idea of helping?!"
She giggled softly, leaning closer until her breath nearly brushed his ear. "You're such a hopeless leg-lover, Kouya-kun. Acting all serious while your mind's full of filthy thoughts—it's adorable."
Kouya's face twitched. This angel was pure evil.
"So why did Gabi-chan invite you, anyway?" she asked again, half-whispering.
He sighed. "Ask her yourself."
Truthfully, he had no idea. Gabriel's halo had been black for ages—she was the last person he'd expect to suggest a group outing. A movie theater full of strangers didn't fit her shut-in aesthetic at all.