Chapter 103: Eat Some Bread to Calm Down
At the innermost seats of the dimly lit theater, the flickering light from the screen danced across their faces.
Vigne's eyes were hazy and soft, her lips curved into an uncontrollable gentle smile as she lovingly fed the blue-eyed young dragon beside her one popcorn after another. The faint buttery aroma mixed with the sweetness of soda filled the small space between them, and every time Kanna's small mouth opened to catch a kernel, Vigne's heart melted a little more.
It wasn't until the popcorn bucket was completely empty that she sighed faintly and asked, a trace of loss in her voice, "Kanna-chan, are you full?"
"Full." Kanna lifted her little face, her tone calm and matter-of-fact.
"Still hungry?"
"Hungry."
"Eh? Didn't you just say you're full?"
"Full."
"Still want to eat?"
Kanna nodded seriously, her pale-blue eyes glimmering. "Eat."
"..."
Vigne sighed helplessly and covered her forehead. The sound of her quiet sigh almost got buried under the surround sound of the movie.
"You can't eat anymore, okay? Kids who eat too much will get stomachaches…"
She knew well enough that this blue-eyed little dragon wasn't an ordinary child—she could probably devour the entire snack stand and still look fine—but if someone noticed, it might cause unnecessary panic. She didn't need another scene like the one at the shopping mall last time.
As she brushed some stray popcorn crumbs from Kanna's dress, Vigne murmured, "Speaking of which, it feels like someone's missing ever since we entered the theater…" Her gentle tone carried a faint question, but she already had a suspicion.
"...Where's Satania?!"
Kouya turned at her voice, his gaze sweeping over the dim row—Gabriel slouched lazily with her drink, Raphiel smiling faintly at the movie, even Takanashi Rikka had fallen asleep, her little ahoge twitching in rhythm with the soundtrack. Then came Kanna and Vigne…
Sure enough, that red-haired fool was missing.
"Where did that idiot go?" Kouya blinked, his mind quickly piecing things together.
When they came in, Satania had said she needed to use the bathroom. Then the movie started, everyone got pulled into the story, and even Vigne, who should've noticed her absence, was too distracted feeding Kanna. In the end—everyone just completely forgot about Satania!
"She's probably still in the bathroom. I'll give her a call…" Vigne took out her phone, typing quickly, but after several rings—nothing. Her frown deepened.
"The call's not going through. I'll go check." She stood up, leaning forward slightly so she wouldn't block the view of the audience behind her, and hurried through the narrow aisle.
As she turned, her hair swayed lightly, brushing across Kouya's face. A delicate fragrance of shampoo lingered in the air. The soft strands tickled his cheek and nose, and before he could stop it, he sneezed.
Vigne's face instantly flushed red. She bit her lip and shot him a glare before disappearing down the steps, her heels clicking faintly on the floor.
...
A few minutes later, Kouya's phone vibrated with a soft buzz. It was a message from Vigne.
"Kouya-kun, I searched the entire bathroom and couldn't find Satania anywhere… I have no idea where she went."
He stared blankly at the message. The entire bathroom? Did she seriously associate that red-haired idiot with the toilet now?
Another message popped up right after. "Could you come out and help me look? It's too much for one person. Let Raphiel stay and watch Gabi-chan and Kanna."
Kouya sighed. Do they even need watching? With Kanna there, no one would dare touch their snacks. Anyone who tried would probably get eaten in one bite!
"I'll head out for a bit," Kouya murmured to Raphiel. She only smiled knowingly as he left.
Outside, Vigne was waiting near the theater doors. Her brows were knit in worry, her fingers clutching her phone. When she saw him, her eyes brightened slightly in relief.
"Satania's missing, and her phone's off. Let's split up and look for her…" she said quickly, voice still calm but edged with concern.
Before she could finish, a surprised voice came from behind them.
"Eh? Vigne and Kouya-kun?"
They turned. A graceful girl with long black hair stood nearby, holding a small purse, her eyes wide in curiosity.
It was their class representative, Machiko.
"Um… are you two dating?" she asked with an innocent blink.
"D-Dating?!" Vigne froze as if she'd been struck by lightning. Her cheeks flared crimson, and she stumbled back, clutching her chest. "O-of course not!"
"Ah, no need to explain, I get it…" Machiko said with a smile, nodding in a knowing way.
A boy and girl from the same class, watching a movie together on a weekend—come on, who would believe it was purely friendship?
"I didn't expect you two to be the first couple in class! Congrats!" Machiko said cheerfully, clapping her hands together.
Kouya's mouth twitched. Congrats your ass! Since when did being the first couple in class count as an accomplishment?!
Japan's law considered adulthood at twenty, but men could marry at eighteen, women at sixteen. School romance wasn't frowned upon—in fact, with declining birth rates, it was practically encouraged. Falling in love wasn't shameful at all. It was practically national service.
"I told you it's not like that! Listen to me!" Vigne's face burned brighter as she glared at Kouya again.
Why are you glaring at me?! he thought helplessly. She's the one who said it!
Machiko tilted her head thoughtfully. "Still, we're high schoolers, so studies come first. Even if you go to a love hotel, remember to stay safe…"
Kouya choked. "Pfft—"
You're killing me here! he thought, gripping his forehead. 'Stay safe'? What do you even know?!
"I told you to stop imagining things! Let me explain!" Vigne was on the verge of snapping.
She finally managed to explain everything to Machiko in a single breath.
"Eh, so that's what happened?"
"Of course it is!" Vigne huffed, crossing her arms.
"Sorry, I thought you two were dating…" Machiko smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. "Oh, right—you're looking for Satania, right? I can help."
Vigne hesitated. "Wouldn't that interrupt your movie?"
"No, no, it hasn't even started yet. I was just heading to the restroom when I saw you," Machiko said cheerfully.
"Then… thank you," Vigne said softly.
"You're welcome."
"Kouya-kun, you go that way. Machiko and I will take the other side," Vigne directed.
"Got it." Kouya nodded, waving lightly.
He wandered through the quiet lobby, scanning the crowd. The faint scent of buttered popcorn and the hum of movie trailers filled the air. Couples laughed, staff called out for refills, and in the middle of it all, he spotted a familiar mop of red hair.
Satania.
She sat alone on a bench, head bowed, shoulders trembling. Her hands covered her face as if she were crying. The sight looked so pitiful that Kouya's heart twitched for a moment.
Did she get lost? Did someone steal her wallet? He frowned, stepping closer.
But as he got near, the illusion shattered.
She wasn't crying. Not even close.
The idiot was grinning.
A huge smile split her face as she clutched a golden pineapple bun with both hands, crumbs dusting her lips. She chewed happily, eyes half-closed in sheer bliss.
Vigne had been worried sick thinking she'd been flushed down the toilet—and this moron was here in her own private paradise!
The fragile boat of friendship just capsized! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻!
"What are you doing here?" Kouya asked, his face darkening.
"Eh?" Satania jumped, instinctively hugging the half-eaten bun to her chest like it was treasure. "Why are you here?"
Shouldn't I be the one asking that?! he thought. Why aren't you watching the movie and instead sitting here stuffing your face?!
"B-because after I came out of the bathroom, I lost my ticket…" she muttered pitifully, then her expression brightened instantly. "But then I saw they were selling pineapple buns—limited edition ones! I got the last two!"
She puffed out her chest proudly, flashing her little fang. "I almost missed out, but in the end, the great demon Satania prevails again! Ahahaha—"
"And then?" Kouya deadpanned.
"T-Then I thought I'd eat one to calm my nerves…".