Chapter 13: What If I Tried to Act Cool in Front of the Young Ladies?

We arrived at the cinema, and just as I was about to pay at the counter, Aali-san beat me to it and paid for my share too.

「Please, please, don't worry about it. This is a matter of course for one who serves Laila-sama.」

「No, I can't let you do that much...」

「No, no, please, allow me to save face as a maid here.」

When she puts it like that, someone like me who knows nothing about the ins and outs of the upper class can't really argue.

「Okay. Thank you very much.」

「Not at all. If you would be so kind as to look after my lady in return, it will be more than a fair exchange. Now, shall we go, you two.」

Prompted by Aali-san, I followed after her with Laila.

「Laila, are you the type to eat popcorn and stuff when you watch a movie? I eat it all the time.」

「I do not, really... I would be happy to have whatever Kouto-sama like.」

「I see, well I'll choose something to my taste then. What about you, Aali-san?」

「I prefer the caramel flavor. And my drink, of course, is coke.」

I was surprised. She's surprisingly down-to-earth.

We stopped by the concession stand and each picked out what we wanted. And then, as was becoming the norm, Aali-san paid before I could even take out my wallet.

Maybe a guy paying for everything is just a lame attempt to look cool?

It's no use worrying about it, but it just doesn't sit right with me. It's entirely my own personal problem, though.

「Well then, the movie will be starting soon, so let's head inside.」

「You are right. Kouto-sama, I have been looking forward to this movie for a long time. So I truly hope you enjoy it as well.」

「Yeah, I plan on enjoying it too. ...But don't get your hopes up too much, okay? To be honest, I don't really get romance stuff.」

The three of us head inside with our popcorn and drinks.

It's a popular movie, so there are a lot of people as expected. The seats are pretty full too.

「This way, you two.」

As expected of a maid, she's quick on the uptake.

By the time I noticed, Aali-san had already found the seats specified on the tickets. She was beckoning for me and Laila to come over.

「Thank you very much.」

「Not at all, this is a simple matter.」

I'm impressed by Aali-san's elegantly cool reply.

So this is the demeanor of a servant who works for the upper class. It really is amazing.

「Well then, shall we sit?」

「Yes.」

「I bought a pamphlet, please, have it.」

As she said that, she handed me a movie pamphlet from out of nowhere.

When on earth did she buy it? Wondering that, I looked down at the pamphlet she gave me.

A romance movie. I've seen them on TV, but this is the first time I'm seeing one in a proper cinema like this. I glanced beside me and saw Laila looking at it intently. She must have been really looking forward to it.

So, about the plot summary...

A young girl saves a man who was about to throw his life away in despair. The two of them begin to interact and gradually fall in love. Although there is a gap between them in age and social standing, they overcome that difference with their deep love for each other.

To put it simply, that's about it.

I'm so out of touch with romance movies that I don't even know if this is a standard plot, but the situation of these two characters was very similar to mine and Laila's.

Could this be one of the reasons Laila wanted to see this movie?

No, even if it is, it would be tactless to ask.

I myself had become interested in this movie. I'll just let myself purely enjoy it until it's over.

Just as I thought that, the lights in the theater began to dim. Alright, it's about to start.