Chapter 249: Let Go...
"Ah!!"
A faint scream echoed through the dark, cavernous theater, barely audible over the ominous hum of the movie's soundtrack.
Raphiel, the ever-sly angel, suddenly gripped Kouya's sleeve, her delicate voice trembling as she whimpered, "So scary!" Her tone was sweetly fragile, like she was both afraid and thrilled at the same time.
Kouya's mouth twitched.
'Seriously? If you're scared, maybe stop smiling like that.'
Her lips curled in faint amusement even as she leaned closer, pretending to shiver. But he knew better. Two days ago, in that haunted manor outside the city, she'd exorcised an actual ghost with a smug grin—and now she was scared of a movie ghost? Yeah, right.
Even Vigne, who had been clutching her drink with both hands, gave her an incredulous look. "Raphiel, you're being ridiculous."
"Eh? Am I?" Raphiel tilted her head thoughtfully, her long silver hair brushing against her shoulder. She raised a finger to her lips, feigning confusion. "Then maybe I should say it like this..."
She cleared her throat delicately, then let out a weak, drawn-out "...Kyaa~?"
The fake tone was so flat it could've killed the mood entirely. Everyone within earshot could tell she wasn't scared—she was acting.
If she ever tried that in a haunted house, the poor workers pretending to be ghosts would probably lose their will to live.
Raphiel frowned as though she'd failed an audition. "Hmm, maybe that didn't sound convincing either." Then, with a soft giggle, she covered her mouth and let out a breathy, trembling moan. "Mmm~... How's that?"
"..."
'Better my ass!'
That didn't sound like a scared reaction—that sounded like something way more suspicious! The people sitting nearby were already glancing in their direction, brows furrowed. Anyone who didn't know the situation would think he was doing something inappropriate in the middle of the movie!
Kouya hissed under his breath, "Just eat your popcorn and be quiet."
Raphiel obediently took the bucket, her lips curling into a teasing smile. "Mmm... Thanks for the treat. Kouya-kun's flavor is... nice."
He nearly choked. His expression darkened as Raphiel giggled, crunching softly on a piece of popcorn before finally—mercifully—falling silent.
...
The movie continued to unfold with deliberate slowness, weaving tension into every frame. The couple on-screen had just moved into their new home—an old countryside mansion creaking with age. At first, it seemed normal, but small, eerie occurrences began to pile up.
Late at night, footsteps echoed down the hall. A baby's crib rocked on its own. Faucets dripped even though they were tightly closed. Marbles rolled across the wooden floors by themselves, and furniture shifted positions whenever no one was looking.
As these strange happenings multiplied, the couple's arguments became more frequent. They wanted to leave, but couldn't afford to. Their savings had gone into buying the house, and they had nowhere else to go. In the end, they decided to stay—hoping the nightmares would fade on their own.
But that night, the baby began crying.
The husband snored on, oblivious. The exhausted wife rubbed her eyes, dragging herself to the nursery.
The dim room was empty. The crib rocked slowly, creaking back and forth as if pushed by unseen hands.
Vigne's knuckles whitened on her drink.
She loved horror movies—but she also terrified easily. The paradox fascinated her. Fear made her heart pound, but she couldn't look away. The suspense, the adrenaline—it all drew her in like a dangerous game she couldn't stop playing.
The mother turned on a lamp, checking the windows. Everything was locked tight. No sign of anyone—or anything. The baby's cries faded. For a moment, the room seemed calm.
Then... a faint sound crept through the silence.
Click... click... click...
It was quiet, yet sharp—like teeth grinding or bones cracking. It came from beneath the crib.
The theater's sound system rumbled with tension. Several audience members shifted uncomfortably. Vigne held her breath, eyes wide.
Sweat glistened on the actress's forehead. She took out her phone, using its weak light to peer under the crib.
The glow revealed only a polished wooden floor. The sound stopped.
"Phew..." she whispered to herself, relaxing slightly. "It must've been... nothing."
Then—without warning—a decayed, bloodstained hand burst from under the crib and clamped around her wrist.
"AHHH!!"
The entire audience screamed. Several people spilled their drinks. Vigne flinched violently, and Kouya felt a sharp tug at his arm.
He looked down—Vigne was gripping his wrist with both hands, trembling, her eyes glued to the glowing screen.
Of course. When she watched movies at home, she always hugged a pillow. Without one, she'd chosen... him.
'You're supposed to be a demon, not a frightened kitten!'
'It's just a movie!'
As the scene shifted, she exhaled shakily and realized what she'd done. Her cheeks reddened. She immediately let go. "S-sorry, I didn't mean to—"
"Scared?" Kouya asked, brow raised.
"N-no," she said quickly.
"Really?" His skeptical tone made her glance away.
"...Maybe just a little," she admitted softly.
'Just a little? You screamed!'s
Still, he didn't tease her further. The movie's atmosphere grew darker, the mansion now a labyrinth of dread. Every faint sound—footsteps, whispers, doors creaking—felt like it was echoing directly in the theater.
The audience leaned forward in silence. Raphiel was smiling faintly, Satania was munching noisily on her popcorn, and Vigne sat frozen, her shoulders trembling.
Then another jump scare struck. A shadow darted across the screen, followed by a guttural shriek.
Vigne yelped and once again grabbed Kouya's arm.
Kouya's lips twitched. First time—fine. Second time—he'd let it slide. But a third?
Nope.
When she reached for him again, he beat her to it—his hand darting out to catch hers.
Her hand was soft and warm, slightly damp from sweat. The texture was smooth, delicate, her fingers twitching in his grasp like they might slip away.
Vigne froze. Her attention snapped away from the movie entirely. She tried to pull back gently, but his grip held firm.
She tried again—harder this time.
Still no luck.
Kouya tightened his hold, his thumb brushing against her knuckles.
Vigne puffed out her cheeks, whispering furiously, "You... let go."
"No," Kouya said simply.
"Let go now."
She glared, trying to sound serious, but her voice wavered.
Instead of letting go, he squeezed a little tighter.
"You—!"
Her pulse quickened. Heat spread up her arm, flooding her chest and face. She wanted to yank free but didn't dare move too much—Raphiel and Satania were right there.
Her heart thumped violently. Her body felt uncomfortably hot despite the theater's cool air.
She bit her lower lip, shooting him a look equal parts anger and embarrassment before sneaking a quick glance toward Raphiel.
The angel's face was serene as always... but that smile—too calm, too knowing—made it clear she'd noticed everything.
Meanwhile, Satania happily stuffed popcorn into her mouth, blissfully unaware of the silent tension beside her.
Vigne swallowed hard, trying to focus on the movie again, but her pulse refused to settle. The screen flickered with another chilling scene, shadows stretching, whispers growing louder.
And next to her, Kouya still hadn't let go.
His hand was steady, warm, unyielding.
She could feel every heartbeat echo through his palm.
Her cheeks burned.
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