CH 3.2

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a foreign movie.”

Touya-kun, who was sitting next to me, said so.

Today I had a date with him again, and we were at the movie theater we had agreed to go to the other day.

Come to think of it, it has probably been a while since I’ve seen a foreign movie too.

The last time was when Kinu, Touya-kun, and I watched them together when we had just entered middle school.

…But why was that coming up now?

“Ruri is looking forward to it too, right?”

“Eh… Y-Yes. Right.”

But as usual, I was sure I was not smiling…

Ever since the incident that happened on our way home from our date at the aquarium, Touya and I were still in a relationship. But neither of us wanted things to stay the same…

“It’s about to start.”

I heard Touya’s words and turned my attention to the front.

Immediately after, the buzzer sounded and the screening began.

The title of the movie we were going to see today was “Freedom.”

It seems to be a popular movie these days.

As soon as the movie started, Touya and I quietly watched the movie.

Then, a woman named Iris, who appeared in the movie, caught my attention.

To be precise, it was a Japanese woman named Nanase Rena who plays the role of Iris.

“You know what!? That ocean is amazing! It’s like there are countless jewels shining right before my eyes!”

Nanase-san happily expressed .

Was that an act? I found myself wondering.

She really seemed to be enjoying herself… I felt somewhat envious of her.

“That’s awesome!”

After that, Nanase continued to act as if she was enjoying herself. Everything in her performance conveyed her love for acting.

“I am sure they will understand if you do your best to tell them how you feel.”

And I was deeply moved by Nanase’s performance.

At the same time, I wished I could be like her.

Not in the sense of wanting to be an actress or anything like that, but in the sense of wanting to live like her!

That’s what I naturally thought after watching the movie.

“Nanase-san went to the U.S. all by herself after high school.”

After leaving the movie theater, I was looking at the pamphlet.

On the page I was looking at was an interview with Nanase-san, who was making her Hollywood debut.

The interviewer asked her how she was able to become the Hollywood actress of her dreams. Nanase answered that it was because she lived her life as herself.

In addition, she also said,

“Living life as you are is definitely the most enjoyable of any life!”

At the moment I saw these words, something echoed loudly in the back of my chest.

“The movie was really interesting!”

Touya, who was walking next to me, spoke to me. He was smiling as usual.

He always smiled when he talked to me.

…But I’m sure that smile was the exact opposite of Nanase’s words about being oneself—

“I’d like to talk to you about something.”

I said, stopping walking. Then, he stopped walking too.

Watching Nanase-san’s performance and knowing what she said made me think.

I wondered if I was living my life as myself now.

When I was in middle school, I made a big mistake.

I should have helped Kinu no matter what the reason.

Until a few minutes ago, I thought it was too late for everything.

But now, I was sure it was not too late. Nanase-san made me believe that today.

“Touya, I knew that—”

“Wait a minute.”

I was about to speak when I was interrupted again by Touya.

…But I won’t hesitate anymore. For my own sake and for Touya’s.

I have to tell him.

But—

“Actually, I have something to tell you as well.”

Unexpectedly, he said these words.

I was surprised and fell silent.

“May I ask you something?”

Touya-kun asked, his serious eyes fixed on me.

I was surprised and kept my mouth shut.

“…Yes, okay.”

I nodded my head.

Then Touya-kun began to talk to me.