{Me, the Movie, and Satou-san}

Satou-san is a bit of a plain girl.

Even though today was supposed to be a date, she’s wearing a dull beige dress, carrying a childish pouch like a middle schooler, and wearing low-heeled sandals. Of course, she’s not wearing any makeup. I had suggested she wear a skirt today, so she must have taken that into account.

But I wish she’d put in a bit more effort. It’s hard not to notice how much more polished I am compared to her. It’s always like that with Satou-san, no matter where or when.

However, it’s not that she’s not cute. Satou-san is cute.

In the cinema’s lobby, Satou-san stands absentmindedly, captivated by the monitor.

What’s playing is a trailer for a movie that’s set to be released soon.

She’s busy with her expressions—sometimes her eyes widen, sometimes she giggles, and sometimes her shoulders flinch. Every time the screen changes, the color of the lights shifts and illuminates her profile and dress.

Even though she looks plain and somewhat old-fashioned, her expressions are not unappealing.

Holding a bucket of freshly bought popcorn, I hesitate, wondering when to speak up.

We were supposed to watch a movie together. But Satou-san, absorbed in the endless trailers, seems oddly happy just with them. If she’s satisfied with only the trailers, that would be cheap and convenient.

But it’s almost time for the movie. Since all seats are reserved in this cinema, there’s no need to rush, but with Satou-san, it’s a different story. It’s probably better to hurry up for her sake.

I sigh and then called out to her, who was still engrossed in the trailers.

“Satou-san.”

“Oh, Yamaguchi-kun. Welcome back.”

Turning towards me, Satou-san smiled brightly.

Her smiling face was illuminated by the colors from the screen. At that moment, a horror movie trailer was on, so the light was green.

“Did you enjoy the trailer?”

When I asked, Satou-san shyly replied, “Yes, very much! Everything looked interesting, and it was really captivating.”

“Well, that’s good.”

As expected, she’s cheap. It’s so like Satou-san.

“This is my first time coming to a place like this, so I’m really excited.”

Satou-san’s eyes sparkle as she looks around.

This new cinema in the suburbs seems quite popular because of its newness and convenience. The benches in the lobby are packed, and there’s a long line at the concession stand.

The sci-fi movie we were supposed to see today had few empty seats left, and we ended up in the very back row. It’s not the most ideal for a date, but well, it’s fine for a start.

“I used to go to regular movie theaters a lot as a kid. This place is so clean and big; it’s my first time in a place like this. It’s nice to have so many movies to choose from.”

Satou-san said this with a sense of nostalgia, and I nodded in response.

“Recently, there are more cinemas like this. They’re convenient, clean, and have a good atmosphere.”

“Yeah, really. It’s surprising how amazing it is.”

Seeing Satou-san so excited makes me relieved. I’m glad she’s enjoying herself. It was worth bringing her here—even if I can’t be certain until we finish the movie.

“Shall we go in soon?”

I thought she might not want to leave the lobby if left alone. With that concern in mind, I urged Satou-san to move along.

“Is it okay to go in already?”

Satou-san tilted her head, still looking absentminded.

“It’s fine. They announced it earlier. Didn’t you hear?”

“Oh, I didn’t… I got so caught up in the trailers.”

It was indeed the case. If left alone, she might watch trailers all day. If that’s what she prefers, so be it.

I shook my head in exasperation but started walking toward the theater.

Of course, I had no intention of leaving her behind.

“Satou-san, let’s go.”

After starting to walk, I made sure to call out to her. After all, today is supposed to be a date. No matter how usual Satou-san acts or how hectic the cinema might be, I want to enjoy it as well.

Satou-san smiled and followed me, trotting along behind.

Inside the screening room, flashy commercials had already begun. A mascot character for the cinema was dramatically explaining the rules and manners for watching movies. The lights hadn’t been turned down yet.

We took our seats in the back row as indicated on the tickets, with Satou-san sitting right next to me, just like in class.

When I offered the popcorn, she happily took a little and said, “Thank you. Popcorn is a must when watching a movie.”

“Yeah, definitely.”

No objections there. I nodded in agreement.

Satou-san continued cheerfully, “My mom used to take me here a lot when I was a kid. She always bought popcorn whenever we came to the movies.”

“Really?”

“So, when I think of movie memories, the first thing that comes to mind is popcorn.”

It’s very Satou-san-like, the first thing she remembers is a snack.

“Is there anything else you remember about going to the cinema?”

“Anything else? Hmm…”

When I asked, Satou-san thought for a moment and then began speaking shyly.

“Well, there was one time when my mom told me not to be quiet while watching a movie.”

“What do you mean?”

I asked, and Satou-san, looking embarrassed, shrugged her shoulders.

“It’s like, I tend to say things out loud. When I’m surprised, nervous, or find something really funny. My mom told me to stop making noise, so I would hold her hand to keep myself from speaking.”

Thinking back, Satou-san’s expressions while watching the trailers—mouth open, eyes wide, giggling, and shoulders twitching—were all very obvious signs of being engrossed. It seemed she wouldn’t be able to sit quietly through a movie.

“Well, as long as you don’t disturb others, I think it’s okay.”

I said, trying to hold back a laugh.

“Fortunately, we’re in the last row, so I don’t mind. As long as you’re not too loud.”

“Yeah…”

But Satou-san looked a bit uneasy, and at that moment, the lights dimmed.

Another movie trailer started on the screen.

Various upcoming and pre-release movies were shown in a lively manner. They were vibrant and might be interesting to Satou-san, but to me, they were just boring. The wait for the movie always feels long.

“Hey, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Satou-san’s voice suddenly came near my ear.

I thought she would get absorbed in the trailers again, but instead, she looked at me seriously.

In the dim light from the screen, Satou-san’s face seemed to glow pale.

“I have a favor to ask…”

Her voice, serious and whispering, made me anxious.

“What? A favor?”

“Um, this.”

Satou-san held out her left hand. It was a pale hand.

“If it’s okay… can I hold your hand?”

I was relieved I hadn’t been eating popcorn. If I had been, I would have probably choked.

I took a breath and then answered, trying to stay calm.

“W-Why?”

My voice cracked in my attempt to stay composed. It was a shock to hear Satou-san suggest something like this—something so forward of her.

“Well, I remembered my mom used to do that.”

Satou-san, more composed than I was, spoke softly.

“She taught me that if I was about to make a sound, holding her hand would keep me quiet. Whether I was surprised, nervous, or wanted to laugh, I would hold her hand to stay silent. So, today, I’d be happy if you could hold my hand.”

I’m not sure what she’s really thinking. Maybe she hasn’t thought too deeply about it. Even so, if she’s asking me to hold her hand because she sees me as someone close, then that’s fine.

“I haven’t been to the movies in a while, so I’m not sure if I can stay quiet… if you could, please.”

Satou-san’s earnest expression was faintly illuminated in the dark.

I wonder how my face looks to her now. I hope there’s no sign of agitation or ulterior motives.

Well, it does save me some trouble. Plus, I don’t mind.

“Sure.”

I placed the popcorn bucket on the stand between our seats.

Then, I touched her offered hand.

Satou-san’s left hand was cool to the touch. It might have been because my hand was warm. Her palm was smooth and softer than I expected.

“Thank you, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Satou-san said with a relieved voice.

“It’s kind of exciting.”

The meaning of that comment was obviously about the movie. I had a different interpretation, but I nodded sincerely. It certainly was exciting.

The sci-fi movie we watched turned out to be more intense than expected, and it seemed Satou-san had a hard time keeping quiet. Every time she clung tightly to my hand, it was hard for me to focus on the movie.

So, I ended up playfully squeezing her soft hand a few times during the movie. But Satou-san didn’t move at all. Even when I tried to hold her hand more firmly or intertwine our fingers like a couple, her attention stayed glued to the screen.

By the end of the nearly two-hour film, I still didn’t understand it.

All I remember is the softness of Satou-san’s hand, the occasional trembling when she was surprised, and her slightly nervous breath when she held onto my hand tightly. The movie itself was almost a blur.

When the credits rolled and the lights came back on, Satou-san had a bright, happy expression.

“Yamaguchi-kun, thank you so much!”

She expressed her gratitude with a glowing smile.

“You were really helpful. I was so nervous that I wasn’t sure if I could stay quiet, but holding your hand was really comforting.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I was glad to hear that my holding her hand was a comfort. Although I’m sure Satou-san had been clinging to my hand far more often than I had anticipated.

“Well, let’s go home.”

I stood up and offered my hand to Satou-san.

“Yes.”

Satou-san accepted my hand without hesitation. It was like a casual continuation of what we had during the movie.

Her hand, still warm and smooth from earlier, now felt slightly different—like a reminder of our shared experience.

As we walked out of the cinema together, I couldn’t help but think that today’s date was quite special.

I had thought it would be a standard outing, but instead, it turned into an experience I hadn’t anticipated.

Despite the movie itself not being particularly memorable, the time spent with Satou-san was. I felt content and somewhat relieved.

And Satou-san, as she walked alongside me, seemed just as happy, enjoying our time together.