Sunday, April 14th, 10:45 AM.
Hayato got there five minutes early. He'd spent way too long picking out the gray outfit that morning, wanted to look like he cared but not like he was trying too hard.
The weekend shopping district was packed. People everywhere, couples holding hands, families with kids, groups of friends laughing. Every few meters, someone shoved a flyer at him, advertising some sale or new restaurant.
About six minutes late, Hayato heard footsteps coming toward him, quick and light, a little rushed.
Hayato turned around.
Nanase Ren walked up wearing a pink dress that looked really good on her. Her hair was done up nicely, and she had some makeup on. She'd clearly put in effort.
She looked really good. And judging by how many guys were turning their heads as she passed, he wasn't the only one thinking it.
"Sorry I'm late, Hayato-kun!"
Nanase Ren stopped in front of him, a little out of breath, cheeks flushed from rushing.
"It isn't late." Hayato found himself smiling more easily now, some of the tension bleeding out. "You look really good, Ren-san."
"Thanks." The word came out soft, almost shy. She looked down at her feet in that way she did when embarrassed, then peeked back up at him. "You look good too, Hayato-kun."
"Half the guys on this street are staring at you," Hayato said, nodding toward the sidewalk where a group of men had actually slowed down to look. "Pretty sure I saw one almost walk into a pole."
"Anyway, it's lunch time. Want to grab food?"
"Yes, that sounds good."
The mall looked exactly how you'd expect, shiny floors, music playing somewhere overhead, stores trying to get your attention. Other couples are walking around. Some looked nervous, keeping their distance as if touching might burn. Others were comfortable, walking close together like they'd been doing it forever.
People kept glancing at him and Nanase Ren as they passed. The way they moved together, close but not touching, facing each other but with space between, made it hard to tell what they were. Together as a couple or just... a friend to each other.
Nanase Ren kept looking down at the floor, taking small, careful steps like she was trying not to draw attention. All those people staring was getting to her, he could see it in the tension of her shoulders.
"You okay?" Hayato kept his voice quiet.
"Mm. Yeah." She paused, worrying her bottom lip. "Just... a lot of people."
The crowds were clearly bothering her. Each glance from a stranger probably felt like a spotlight.
"If it gets too much, we can leave," he offered, meaning it. "Go somewhere quieter."
"No!" It came out sharper than she meant, and she flinched at her own volume. She softened right away, looking almost apologetic. "No, I'm fine. Really. I want to be here. With you."
The determination in her eyes was real, even if her hands were fidgeting with the hem of her dress.
"Okay. But if you change your mind—"
"I know. Thanks, Hayato-kun." A small smile crossed her face, genuine and warm.
They took the elevator to the third floor. Food court smells hit them when the doors opened, frying oil, grilled meat, and the sweetness of teriyaki sauce. Restaurant staff standing around trying to get people's attention with enthusiastic waves and cheerful calls.
"Anything specific you want to eat, Ren-san?"
She shook her head in that quick little way she did, almost reflexive. "Whatever you pick is fine."
Does she ever say what she actually wants? Hayato wondered, watching her carefully neutral expression.
"How about tonkatsu?" The smell from that place was hard to ignore, making his mouth water. "Supposed to be pretty good."
Her whole face lit up like someone flipped a switch. "Oh! I love tonkatsu."
The change was instant, genuine excitement replacing the careful politeness. Worth suggesting just for that reaction alone.
They got a table by the window. Wood interior, sizzling sounds from the kitchen, the warmth of the space chasing away the AC chill from outside. The waitress brought menus with a bright smile and promised to return shortly.
Hayato looked over the options while Nanase Ren studied hers like it was a test she desperately needed to pass, her eyes moving line by line with intense focus.
"See anything good?"
"Um... maybe the hire-katsu set?"
"Good choice. I'll get the rosu-katsu. Want to split some sides?"
"Sure." She smiled at that, seeming pleased he was including her in the decision.
When the waitress came back, Hayato ordered for both of them, trying to sound confident even though something about ordering someone else's food felt oddly intimate. Nanase Ren just watched him with those soft eyes, looking happy about it rather than bothered.
Food came fast. Still sizzling, steam coming off it, smelling so good it made him forget everything else for a second.
Hayato tried a bite, the crispy breading crunching perfectly before giving way to tender, juicy meat inside.
"How is it?"
"Really good. They got the breading right." Hayato nodded appreciatively.
Nanase Ren ate a piece and clearly enjoyed it, making a small sound of satisfaction. But when she went for a second piece, her hand stopped halfway, hovering over her plate. Some argument was happening in her head, playing out across her face.
"You can actually eat, you know," Hayato said, keeping his tone light.
"One more piece won't kill you. You look fine," he said simply. "Actually, you look really good. Don't worry about it so much."
Nanase Ren looked back at him, searching his face like she was trying to figure out if he was lying. "But don't guys usually like..."
Ah. There it is. Body image issues.
"Depends on the guy." He kept his voice steady, matter-of-fact. "Everyone's different. Personally, I think you look great exactly how you are."
Nanase Ren's eyes widened slightly before she looked away fast, suddenly very interested in stirring her soup. A blush spread across her cheeks.
After lunch, Hayato paid even though she tried to protest, pushing the money back toward him—they walked back out into the hallway.
"So where should we—"
Hayato stopped mid-sentence. Familiar faces up ahead.
"Hayato-kun?" Nanase Ren spotted them too, her eyes widening. "Oh."
Fujibayashi Kyou saw them almost at the same time. She tapped her twin sister's shoulder and walked over, waving with an amused smile.
The Fujibayashi twins were wearing matching outfits, white shirts, and black skirts. Classic coordinated look that only twins could pull off without looking ridiculous.
"You two are on a date, right?" Fujibayashi Kyou's smile said she already knew the answer.
"No! It's not—" Nanase Ren's denial came way too fast, her voice pitching up. "Hayato-kun doesn't know Chiba, so I'm just showing him around."
"I see." Fujibayashi Kyou's expression said she wasn't buying it for a second, her eyes dancing with amusement.
Fujibayashi Kyou gave Hayato a pointed look, her gaze sharp and assessing. She clearly remembered him being interested before.
This "tour guide" story wasn't fooling anyone.
"Just finished lunch," Hayato said, trying to sound normal. "You guys eat yet?"
"Yeah, we did."
"We spent yesterday cleaning our new apartment," Fujibayashi Ryou explained, her tone warming. "So today we're exploring this mall. Funny running into you again."
"You're seeing a movie too?" Fujibayashi Ryou tilting her head.
"We were thinking about it..." Nanase Ren admitted quietly.
At that point, going together just made sense. Even if Fujibayashi Kyou's expression suggested she had opinions about it.
The theater waiting area had the usual crowd. They found seats and sat down, Fujibayashi Kyou immediately positioning herself between Hayato and Fujibayashi Ryou like a human barrier.
"Still about fifteen minutes."
Nearby, a couple was arguing about horror movies, their voices rising and falling. Their conversation drifted over, mixing with other voices, someone talking about a huge accident on the Chiba Expressway, multiple cars involved, traffic completely stopped.
When Hayato heard that, he pulled out his phone, fingers moving automatically. He'd been paying attention to weird incidents lately, too many strange things happening to ignore.
Nanase Ren's phone rang, the sound cutting through the ambient noise.
"Yes, this is Nanase." Her voice shifted to something more professional automatically.
Her face changed as she listened, brow furrowing with concern.
"I understand. I'll come right away."
She hung up looking genuinely upset, as she'd just ruined everything.
"What's wrong?" Hayato asked, reading the distress in her expression.
"The expressway accident... the hospital's overwhelmed. They're asking if I can come help." She bit her lip, looking at him apologetically. "I'm so sorry, I—"
"Then go. They need you as a nurse." He said it before she could finish apologizing.
"We'll hang out another time. Your work's important. Just don't push yourself too hard."
"Thanks for understanding." Relief washed over her face, softening the worried lines. "Next time I'm off, I promise I'll make it up to you—"
"I'll hold you to that." He let his tone carry just enough suggestion to make her flush.
Her face went pink, eyes darting away. Don't say things like that in front of everyone!
"I could walk you—"
"No. You already bought tickets. Please stay and watch." Her tone turned firm, leaving no room to argue.
"Good luck, Ren." Fujibayashi Ryou called out encouragingly.
"Thanks." Nanase Ren gave them all a quick bow before hurrying off, her heels clicking rapidly on the tile floor.
She left the three of them in an awkward triangle. Fujibayashi Kyou immediately moved between Hayato and Fujibayashi Ryou, protective mode fully activated. The message was crystal clear.
Don't go after my little sister!
The announcement came for their screening. People started lining up, a slow shuffle toward the doors.
They were seeing some youth romance drama. For the twins, probably nostalgic about their high school story. For Hayato, it had mostly just been an excuse to spend time with Nanase Ren.
As they shuffled toward the entrance, Fujibayashi Kyou suddenly grabbed her stomach, her face scrunching up.
"I need the bathroom. Save the middle seat for me." Her pointed tone made the subtext impossible to miss for Hayato: Don't sit next to my sister!
They found Theater 4. Lights already dim, previews playing on screen. Found their seats and sat down, the cushions sighing under their weight.
At this time, the movie was starting.
Then Hayato heard it.
[Ding!]
The sound only he could hear, chiming in his head like a death knell.
[Cursed energy-infected special item detected in active operation within immediate vicinity!]
[All necessary conditions for the task trigger have been satisfied.]
[Now issuing a new task.]
[Task Name: Night School Movie Scenario!]
[Task Type: Reality-Standard Category]
[Primary Objective: Successfully survive until completion.]
Do you accept this task?]
[Failure to respond within 5 seconds will result in automatic refusal and task cancellation.]
If Hayato refused, he'd probably be fine. Just walk out, avoid whatever was coming. But everyone else... especially Fujibayashi Ryou would die. Hayato was almost certain of it.
Hayato looked at her sitting one seat away, totally clueless, still settling in and getting comfortable.
"Accept." The word came out quietly but firmly.
Didn't even hesitate.
[Task accepted!
[Good luck, Player!]
The air changed the moment he said yes—subtle, but wrong in a way that made his skin prickle. Like the temperature dropped a degree and the shadows got darker.
He moved to sit right next to Fujibayashi Ryou.
She jumped a little, startled by the sudden proximity. "H-Hayato-kun? Is something—"
"Listen." His voice went low and serious, all traces of casualness gone. "If anything weird happens, don't panic. Don't scream, don't run. Just stay calm and stick close to me. Okay?"
"Um... okay?" Fujibayashi Ryou looked completely confused but nodded, picking up on his urgency even if she didn't understand it.
"I'm here. You'll be fine."
Fujibayashi Ryou nodded again, more sure this time, trusting him even though she had no reason to.
Hayato scanned the theater. Six people total, including them. Two couples are scattered in different rows, one person sitting alone.
Were some already transformed? Or was everyone except them already gone? Replaced by curses wearing human faces?
What form would this curse even take?
On screen, the movie started playing through the opening credits. Normal romantic music, normal bright colors, normal everything.
Then everything went wrong.
The footage turned black and white. All the color just drained out like someone pulled a plug. Background music was cut completely, leaving them in oppressive silence. The whole atmosphere got heavy, suffocating, making it hard to breathe.
A chill went through the small audience. Someone gasped.
This was supposed to be a romance. But it felt like horror. Like something wrong wearing the skin of something safe.
---
Meanwhile, in a different area.
Fujibayashi Kyou came out of the bathroom and found what should be the right screening room, checking her ticket twice to make absolutely sure.
But when she got to their seats, Fujibayashi Ryou and Hayato weren't there. Empty seats stared back at her.
"Excuse me, have you seen a girl who looks like me? Shorter hair?" Fujibayashi Ryou asked the person in the next row over.
They shook their head, not even looking up from their phone. "Sorry, no."
Fujibayashi Ryou asked a few others, voice getting more urgent. Same answer every time. Blank looks, shaking heads, nobody had seen anything.
Starting to worry now, she sat down to wait.
They probably just stepped out to buy a popcorn....
Fujibayashi Kyou texted her little sister, but there was no response at all. Not even the little "read" notification.
Five minutes went by, each one stretching longer than the last. Still nothing.
Fujibayashi Kyou tried calling, pressing the phone to her ear.
"The number you have dialed is not in service."
Cold spread through her chest like ice water in her veins.
That bastard! Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.
Where did he take my little sister? I shouldn't have left them alone!