The Warm Melody

Chapter Fifteen - "Movies"

"Nico"

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*Nozomi's POV*

"And what about her?" He asked, seeming as if he doesn't care.

"Cancel the marriage," I answered with no absolutely hesitation, "She already has a partner."

"So what? Does this partner benefit my family? I have kids to feed you know," He replied.

"Funny how you say that. Her partner is..." I paused for a moment, smirking, before continuing my sentence, "Nishikino Maki. Daughter of the Nishikino family."

He was silent for a while.

"Very well. However, if I see no improvement, I'll make sure she marries who I choose," He accepted.

"Farewell then." I waved him goodbye and turned around.

---

*Maki's POV*

"And then I de-" Nico was cut off by a sudden beep, was it her phone?

She read what it said and her eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Maki! Maki! Father cancelled the marriage!" Nico exclaimed.

"W-What?" I was shocked, "Why the sudden change of mind?"

"W-Well.." Nico blushed, "N-Nevermind that! L-Let's continue with what we were talking about!"

"Hey! You didn't answer me!" I said, before checking the time, "Are you gonna stay here forever? It's already been awhile. You should head home."

"Uehhhh? But I want to hang out with you more!" Nico admitted.

"Then how about meeting up at 5 to watch a movie?" I suggested.

"Sure!"

---

*Nico's POV*

I can't believe she just asked me out on a date! I'm so excited. But when did Maki become my girlfriend? And how did father know?

"Bonk!" I felt a chop on my head. Oh, it was Maki.

"What was that for?!" I faked my anger.

"It's dangerous to space out in a place like this you know," She scolded.

"Oh? Is my dear Maki worried for me?" I teased.

"O-Of course I am! You're my friend, aren't you?" She said, mumbling the last sentence.

I was lost for words. Since when was Maki this cute?!

"W-Whatever! Let's go already!" Her tsundere side started to surface.

Walking towards the cinemas, we spotted Kotori and Umi holding hands.

"Woah Maki. Since when were they dating?" I questioned.

"Not sure. Let's not disturb them, I'm sure they want to be alone too," Maki chuckled.

"Hey hey Maki! This movie looks nice!" I pointed at the preview showing on screen.

"I'm more of a horror fan rather than romance," Maki stated.

"E-Eh? H-Horror? Ahaha yeah let's do that!" I stuttered.

"Are you sure? You don't seem fine," She asked.

"I-I'll be fine! D-Don't worry..." I reassured her, but it wasn't really very assuring.

---

Okay this isn't good... I accepted unknowingly and now I'm going to watch something I don't want to..

Gahhh! What do I do?!

"It's starting! It's starting!" Maki whispered excitedly, trying not to disturb the others.

"H-How on earth do you get excited from a horror movie?" I asked.

"Isn't it exciting because you don't know what's going to happen?" Maki questioned curiously, like an innocent child.

"I-Isn't it just filled with a bunch of jumpscares?" I could feel myself trembling at the thought of one. As I finished my question, the movie started to play.

It starts off with a screech, as if it was made from a car. Scary... The sound of someone's footsteps were then heard, followed by constant flashing and gun shots. The footsteps started getting louder.. and louder.. before a sudden crash.

I shrieked and clung onto Maki's arm, clutching onto them as if my life depended on it. Maki flinched at the sudden feeling of contact before realising that I was crying.

"Nico.." She whispered.

Grabbing me by the hand, she rushed out of the place and dragged me along with her. It felt like she knew I didn't want to be there any longer.

"You okay?" Maki asked.

"I'm fine.. Thank you Maki," I managed to make a smile under my never-ending stream of tears.

We instead walked around the mall. Oh, Kotori and Umi are still here.

"Hey! Kotori! Umi!" I shouted at them and started to wave frantically.

They waved back and started to walk over to us.

"Hello. What are you two doing here?" Umi asked.

"We were going to watch a horror movie but apparently Nico doesn't do too well with them so we left," Maki smirked, "You should've seen her face. She was even crying."

"B-Baka! I wasn't crying!" I denied with a face so red that it rivalled Maki's hair.

We continued walking around as a group till we were tired. As we waved eachother goodbye, I turned to face the direction of my house and started walking home.