Chapter 278: You Guys Didn't Call Me!
There wasn't much to say about the story of "The Ring."
From the moment the videotape appeared, everyone, even Umi and the other two who had only heard about the movie without seeing it, knew that something terrifying was about to happen.
Yukiho was fine; she sat on Kaede's other side, and with a boy present, her fear was somewhat lessened.
In contrast, Umi on the other side would flinch every time a scary image appeared.
Even though Kotori next to her kept comforting her, saying it was just a movie and all fake, Umi still couldn't control her emotional changes.
And as she watched, Kotori suddenly realized that Umi's reaction was quite amusing.
Kaede's unintentional action seemed to have triggered a certain girl's mischievous personality.
The ninety-minute movie finally ended.
Kaede got up to open the curtains, and only then did Umi blink, belatedly, her entire body relaxing.
"It... it's over?"
With light returning to the room, Umi felt her body had no strength left.
She said in a weak voice, "How... how did I even watch that...?"
"Was it that scary?"
Kaede, who had returned, chuckled and said, "It should be alright.
Since I knew it was your first time watching, I gave warnings in some places."
"That's not the same..."
Even though it was over, Umi, as if holding back a flood, spoke in a voice that was almost crying, "I'm never watching a horror movie again! It was so scary!"
For a moment, Kaede and Eriri didn't know how to comfort Umi.
And just then, the two of them noticed that Kotori, who had been sitting next to Umi, had a strange expression, looking at Umi with an odd smile.
Kaede couldn't help but gasp, wondering if he shouldn't have let everyone watch a horror movie together.
However, Kotori's expression came and went quickly.
Before Kaede and Eriri could speak, she had already reverted to her usual refined young lady demeanor, gently stroking Umi's long hair and softly saying, "It's okay, Umi.
Let's do something not scary next."
Kaede quickly followed, saying, "Exactly, exactly.
There are still some snacks at home; do you want some?"
It took several minutes, but they finally managed to soothe Umi.
Yukiho, meanwhile, blinked blankly, as if seeing Umi for the first time.
Snacks were brought out, drinks prepared, and after everyone started eating, Eriri checked the time.
She got up and went to the bedroom door; it was time to wake Honoka, who had been sleeping for two hours.
As soon as she pushed open the door, Eriri's expression couldn't hold, and she chuckled, saying, "This girl, her sleeping posture is really interesting."
Since it was almost November, the blankets prepared at home weren't thin; they had some thickness.
But unexpectedly, Honoka, after falling asleep, had already kicked off half the blanket in just two short hours.
She lay sprawled on the bed, occasionally smacking her lips, seemingly dreaming of eating something delicious.
"Sigh, she's not even afraid of catching a cold."
Eriri walked in, first covering Honoka with the blanket, then nudged her, saying, "Honoka, it's time to get up.
You've slept for quite a while."
"Mmm..."
Being nudged, the deeply sleeping Honoka slowly opened her eyes, wiped away non-existent drool from the corner of her mouth, and said, "Ah, good morning..."
"What good morning? It's afternoon now! Do you even remember where you are?"
"Um... where am I?"
...This girl, she'd probably be easily tricked if taken out.
Eriri shook her head, only able to continue, "It's time to get up; we're about to have afternoon tea!"
And at the mention of food, as if by muscle memory, Honoka's eyes instantly widened.
She sat up and said, "Food! Ah... this is... hehehe~~~"
It seemed she had realized.
Eriri smiled and patted her head, saying, "Alright, hurry up and get up.
Snacks and drinks are ready.
Change your clothes and go wash up in the bathroom; I'll get you a towel."
"Okay~~~"
After Eriri left, Honoka stretched.
She was completely well-rested and full of energy, so she quickly put on her clothes.
After changing and making her bed, she washed her face.
Honoka came to the living room, saw everyone eating, and immediately shouted as she ran over, "Ah! You all didn't wait for me!"
Kotori, delicately eating a macaron, smiled and said, "Whose fault is it that you slept until now, Honoka?
An hour is usually enough for a nap."
Umi also didn't speak up for Honoka at this moment.
After a delicious macaron and some fruit juice, she said, "Honoka, you were sleeping the whole time; how could you know my suffering?
I felt like half my life was gone just now.
By all accounts, these snacks shouldn't be for you; I should get more!"
It was truly unexpected that even the usually refined Umi would say such a thing; it seemed horror movies had a significant impact on people.
Hmm, in the future, it's better to consider the psychological endurance of the participants before choosing this activity.
Honoka, meanwhile, was a bit bewildered by Umi's words: "Eh? What exactly happened?"
Then, with her younger sister Yukiho's explanation, she finally understood what had transpired.
After listening, Honoka's eyes widened.
She looked at everyone and said, "Eh!!! You guys were just watching a horror movie, and you didn't even call me!
I wanted to watch too!"
"?"
Yukiho asked her sister, puzzled, "Sister, do you still want to watch a horror movie?
Aren't you most afraid of those?"
"Of course I'm afraid!" Honoka affirmed frankly, nodding her small head and saying, "Precisely because I'm afraid, I don't dare watch alone, and I never even think about it.
But today was such a good opportunity; we could have watched it together!
Instead, you all didn't call me and just let me sleep alone!
Ah ah ah, what a pity! Kaede-nii, how about we find another movie to watch now!"
Before Kaede could speak, Umi immediately hugged Honoka and shouted, "No! Absolutely not!
If we watch again, I definitely won't be able to sleep tonight!"
Umi, whose emotions had almost recovered, would truly not dare to sleep if she had to repeat what happened just now, fearing that something terrifying might appear from nowhere after she went home tonight.
Being hugged by Umi, Honoka swayed, unable to reach for a macaron.
She quickly retracted her suggestion: "Waaah, I know, Umi, no more watching, no more watching, let me get something to eat!"
But unfortunately, Umi had no intention of letting go, leaving Honoka to complain bitterly.