kscans

Chapter 628 - Scary is Cute

It was a classic, straightforward Japanese horror film.

A hit from a few years back, it was known for its meticulous and faithful adherence to the fundamentals of the genre rather than trying anything clever. I'd never seen it, but I knew it by name.

It wasn't the type that relied mainly on jump scares—using loud noises to startle you—but rather one that focused on atmosphere, slowly building a creeping sense of dread.

I'm not particularly averse to horror, so I probably would have enjoyed a well-regarded film like this.

But that's only if I'd been able to watch it normally.

—And so, ten minutes after the movie started.

"…! …!?"

"What are you even trembling at? That's definitely just an extra taking a walk, she has nothing to do with the story. And look at the cute Shiba Inu."

I couldn't help but jab at Nia, who had been freaking out at everything on screen since the opening credits, long before anything remotely scary had happened.

—Thirty minutes later.

"…The, the window…"

"Right, the window, I saw something too. It's okay, calm down. Take a deep breath and slowly release my left arm. Putting your neighbor in an armbar has no exorcising effect!"

As the film began to reveal its true colors and the horror elements started to trickle in, Alicia would react with a flat, emotionless voice while tightening her grip on me. I tried to placate her.

—Forty minutes later.

"Sora-san, you alive… awake? You haven't moved a muscle."

"……………………I'm watching, properly."

"I-I see."

While scared, it seemed her curiosity was winning out. I was impressed with how she was able to watch the movie so intently, like a good girl.

—And then, one hour in. During the story's climax.

"That's just a prop."

"She's started stating the obvious! Hey, wait, you…! If you're going to start chanting affirmations, at least calm down! What did my left arm ever do to you?!"

"The people who died are all still alive. This is a work of fiction."

"Hey! Look away from the film and face reality for a second!"

Your voice is trembling, Princess. I'm honestly surprised. I never thought you were the type to get scared like this. And it's not just my left arm, now my right one too!

"—, —…! ———!"

"I don't understand! I can't understand you if you shake my hand infinitely in two different ways! And your grip is so strong! Where does a slender arm like yours get that kind of power?!"

"————————!!!"

"Listen to me, you two!"

With Alicia escaping into the fictional world and Nia letting out literally voiceless screams, there was no chance for me to enjoy a peaceful movie viewing. Time passed without me absorbing more than a few fragments of the plot…

"………………"

At some point, the one girl who had become completely engrossed was the only one properly enjoying the film.

◇◆◇◆◇

"I'm never watching a horror movie with this group again."

"'We're sorry.'"

It had been a little over ninety minutes. I made my declaration, sunk in an exhaustion that had nothing to do with the film's horror, and received apologies from both sides.

I know that people react to fear differently, and it can't be helped, but as the one who was subjected to joint locks and had his hand nearly crushed, I think I'm allowed to complain a little.

Though when they apologize so sincerely, I don't mind forgiving them in a heartbeat.

For now, I'll just rewatch this movie by myself when I have the time… A post-movie discussion doesn't seem likely to go anywhere, so here's a topic unrelated to the film.

"I was honestly pretty surprised… Alicia-san."

"What is it?"

"You're actually unusually bad with horror, aren't you?"

"…………"

She averted her gaze. Was it out of embarrassment, or was she just being a sore loser?

"…I wasn't always this bad. It's all Arcadia's fault."

"What do you mean?"

"The virtual world, VR technology, AR technology, AI technology—so many things I thought were impossible have been overturned. If seemingly occult, magic-like technology exists… then I can no longer say for sure that unscientific beings like ghosts don't exist either."

"Ahhh…"

That was a more logical reason than I expected. That, combined with her concise and deeply convincing way of speaking, told me the Sword Queen was back to her usual self.

Now, for the person to my right.

"Nia-chan?"

"…………"

"Come on, spit it out. You're under suspicion of putting my right hand in a vise grip."

"Don't make me sound like I have monstrous strength!"

I'd say it's at least above average for a girl. Being healthy is a good thing.

"It's not like that. I'm fine with foreign horror or monster movies, just like a normal person."

"I see. So with Japanese horror, you're more than just a little terrified."

"I can't help it! When I was little, my dad traumatized me by scaring me with all sorts of youkai, ghosts, and Japanese horror culture! He's just as mean as you are!"

"Getting mad at me with such an acrobatic tangent doesn't help…"

Also, I'm sorry, but besides the fact that she called him "Dad," not much else registered.

With a daughter like her, he must have doted on her immensely. As a fellow man, I can understand why her father might have felt the urge to tease her.

Most guys never really outgrow their childish side, no matter how old they get.

—And now, for the last one.

"Sora-san, you seemed surprisingly okay with it, huh?"

I turned to my partner, who, by the end, had visibly relaxed and was staring intently at the screen, unfazed by the storm of horror.

And to bring some peace to my own heart, could you please get off my lap now—the fact that I even hesitate for a moment before saying that out loud is a testament to how soft I am on Sora.

From the other two, I've been told to "spoil her as much as you want," but blatant favoritism isn't something to be proud of, so I have to exercise some restraint… or so I tell myself.

She turned to me when I called, her face innocent. I'm so weak to that guiltless expression.

"When I'm with people, it's surprisingly okay. Um, well, because it was lively."

"Ah, you mean the thing where you calm down when there's someone more scared than you are…"

I get it, I totally get it. That was especially true for me this time.

I didn't feel any fear from the screen itself, but I did feel my life was in danger from both sides. I don't understand why I was the one screaming for reasons other than the horror on screen—

"But, you see. Um…"

"Yeah. Yeah?"

Sora, looking no worse for wear, continued to speak with a troubled expression. What's more, instead of getting off my lap, she pressed her back even closer against me…

"I've always been this type of person, but…"

"What type of person?"

After a slight hesitation, she confessed in a small voice.

"—Tonight, I probably won't be able to sleep."

"Ah… that type of person."

In other words, the real horror begins after the movie is over. The kind where you imagine a presence behind you in the shower, or feel something at the foot of your bed. I see, I see… In that case, there's only one thing to say. She's so—

"'Cute.'"

I barely managed to swallow the self-destructive comment, "You're all cute (look who's talking)," just in the nick of time.