Swallowtail: Mariposa Radiante

Sinking Ships and Festival Trips

Swallowtail:

Chapter 5:

Sinking Ships and Festival Trips

Nino was grumbling as she walked toward the mall entrance, smoothing out her hair. Kaikane walked beside her, ignoring most of those mutters, trying to remember the last time he had come to Shopping Mall 9. It was the largest shopping complex in Asahiyama City. Boasting six floors filled with consumer goods, it had a grocery store, a gym, an arcade (his personal highlight), and even an indoor aquarium and go-kart track. It was one of the places teenagers and young adults liked to hang out. It was also the location of the local IMAX Theater, where Titanic was being played.

He held the door open for the lady, who didn't even thank him as she continued looking at her reflection in her pocket mirror. They had entered through the Food Court, which, even at the time of day, was fairly crowded. Nino paused after a while, closing her mirror and turning to face the young man.

"Well?"

"Well, what?"

"Do you have the tickets?"

"No? You buy them at the ticket counter. Don't you know how movies work?" he questioned, earning an odd look from the girl.

"Um... we usually buy them on our phones and just have them scan the code."

He blinked a few times, slapping his own neck. "Right... right. Look, I've had a long week, forgive me for not even thinking about that. Whatever the case, the first showing isn't until noon so we still have time. Let's go to the theater for the tickets, then we'll look around for whatever it is you are looking for."

She didn't say anything, allowing him to take the lead. He hardly glanced at the stores as he walked, already knowing the location of the theater by heart. It was on the fourth floor, across from the AniMate that he used to frequent when he was younger. He leaned against the moving arm rail, glancing back at Nino.

"So... how was it?"

"How was what, the ride?" she asked, causing him to nod. "It was alright, a little cold but alright nonetheless. It was my first time on a motorcycle."

"I noticed, you were squeezing me kind of hard. Did you enjoy it?"

"Ugh... perv. Here I thought you were changing your pervy ways."

"I'm not a perv, Ribbons."

"If you say so. I'm still not forgiving you about what happened at the apartment."

"What happened at the apartment?"

"Exactly."

"Good."

Silence. He bit the inside of his cheek. "Fantastic conversation we're having here, Kaikane-kun. Real fantastic. God just end me now."

Making it to the 4th floor, he continued leading his friend across the way, heading directly toward the IMAX Theater. It wasn't like others he had been, this one only had about 5 showrooms compared to the larger ones. It was still the perfect place to catch a flick on the weekends. He stepped right up to the counter, just after a couple of adults had purchased their own tickets. The man behind the glass gave him a smile.

"How's it going there, young man? What can I do for you?"

"Could I get two tickets to the 12:00 showing of Titanic? The 4k one."

"Of course you can! That movie has been a hot seller, we sold out the afternoon tickets already and have two left so you are just in luck!" he said cheerfully.