Dropping into the middle of Shibuya, our fashion sense seemed to be on a completely different level than everyone else's.
"I feel like we shouldn't be here. Don't you think we look like we belong at a shrine in Kyoto?"
At my playful remark, Sister Utahime bristled and poked me in the ribs.
"What's wrong with miko robes? I've worn these my entire life whenever I go out. You're in your school uniform too, Touya. People are going to wonder what kind of combination this is. A pair wearing a gakuran and miko robes..."
"That's exactly my point. Why are you poking me, Sister? Well... more importantly, should we grab some food first? It's right around lunchtime."
"Hmm~~ Sounds good. What should we eat? Hamburger steak, as usual?"
'I've felt this since we were kids, but Sister Utahime's palate really isn't suited for a prestigious clan. Well, it's a good thing she isn't a picky eater.'
"Hamburger steak sounds great. Let's find a place."
Just like we did when we were younger, I took Sister Utahime's hand and walked through the city. As we strolled along, chatting about this and that while she hummed happily with a beaming smile, a sudden thought occurred to me.
"Sister. By the way, where is the restaurant?"
At my question, Sister Utahime placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest proudly.
"I've already looked everything up. It's right down this way. We're almost there."
"Oh~ You're quite prepared, aren't you? Were you looking forward to this that much?"
"Stop asking that. Of course I was looking forward to it. Weren't you?"
She gave my arm a shy nudge and looked at me expectantly.
"I was looking forward to it too. It's the first time I've come out to play in the city with you, Sister. And in Tokyo, no less, instead of Kyoto."
Nodding in satisfaction at my words, she grabbed my hand and pulled me along.
"Exactly~ So stop checking and let's go. You're hungry, right? I know you like hamburger steak too, Touya."
"Yes, yes... lead the way. We'll eat lunch quickly and then do everything you want to do."
With a small chuckle, I followed her. After walking for a short while, Sister Utahime pointed to a storefront.
"It's here! They say this place is really popular. Let's get in before the crowds arrive."
She practically skipped into the shop, and I followed right behind her.
"Welcome! My, what a lovely couple we have here. What can I get for you?"
Hearing the owner's booming greeting, Sister Utahime froze, her face flushing a deep crimson.
"C-Couple? Ehehe... it's not like that... Touya, you're having the hamburger steak too, right?"
"Yeah. Give us two hamburger steaks, please."
"Right! Two hamburger steaks coming up! Please have a seat. I'll have them out in a jiffy."
After a brief acknowledgment, we sat down at an empty table. I watched Sister Utahime, who was still acting bashful, and chuckled.
"Sister, why are you so embarrassed? It's a natural mistake for someone to make."
"That's because! Whenever we walked together before, people only ever thought we were siblings. This is the first time anyone has called us a couple."
She raised her voice indignantly before catching herself and whispering quietly while glancing around.
"Is that so? I guess I haven't heard that before. Still, it's nothing to be that embarrassed about."
"Be quiet! More importantly, after we eat, we're going to watch a movie. I've planned everything out, so just follow me."
I noticed she was trying to change the subject, but I decided to let it slide and answered her.
"That works for me. But is there nothing else you need? This was originally supposed to be in place of a gift, anyway."
"I don't really need anything. Just being able to come out and hang out with you is more than enough for me."
Seeing her smile so purely and brightly made my heart skip a beat involuntarily.
"Huh? Your face turned red. Is our Touya embarrassed?"
"Your face is just as red, Sister. We're in the same boat, so don't tease me. Are you saying things like that just to see my reaction?"
Sister Utahime bristled again, her face still flushed.
"I am not! I'm just saying that I'm really happy to be out playing with you right now..."
Faced with her earnestness, I stared at her reddened face, feeling a bit flustered. Just as I was about to open my mouth—
"Um, Sister, perhaps..."
"Two hamburger steaks! Enjoy your meal."
"Thank you. L-Let's eat, Touya. It looks delicious."
The sudden arrival of the food broke the atmosphere, and I couldn't finish my sentence.
'Just now... no. I can ask her later.'
In an awkward silence, we focused on our food. The hamburger steak was delicious, but my mind was in a whirl. My tension eased slightly as I watched Sister Utahime eat so frantically that it looked like she was trying to shove it up her nose out of nerves. We finished the entire meal in less than fifteen minutes without a word.
"Phew~ That was delicious, wasn't it? ...Oops!"
She stood up and patted her stomach with forced cheerfulness before quickly stopping, realizing she was drawing stares from the other patrons. Realizing we needed a change of pace if we were going to enjoy the rest of the day, I teased her further.
"Pfft... Indeed. You must have really enjoyed it. Is that a little belly I see poking out?"
"It is not! I'm exactly the same! Still... eating out in the city like this feels different, doesn't it?"
"Yeah. Famous restaurants are popular for a reason. It was great. Shall we go?"
She nodded, and I led her toward the counter to pay.
"Checking out? That will be 2,300 yen."
"Yes. Please take it from this."
As we were leaving after the transaction, a waitress caught Sister Utahime and whispered something in her ear. I couldn't hear what she said, but Sister Utahime's face turned bright red as she stole a glance at me. I watched her suspiciously as she trotted back to my side, and I asked her as we left the shop.
"What did she say? You look suspicious."
"Huh? Nothing. It was nothing special. She just... told me to tell you that you're very handsome."
I didn't quite believe the casual look on her face, but I decided to let it go.
"Hmm... sure. Let's go with that. You said we're going to a movie? I assume you already found the theater... I'm getting sleepy now that I'm full. What if I fall asleep during the movie?"
Hearing that, Sister Utahime puffed out her cheeks and poked my side.
"Absolutely not. If you fall asleep, I'll pinch you awake. Follow me. It's this way."
As she pulled me along, I asked another question.
"But Sister, have you ever even been to a movie theater? I bet you haven't."
"Eh? Of course I haven't. But it's fine. I've researched how it all works. Just trust your big sister."
She spoke with a confidence that felt entirely unearned, but I nodded and followed her until we arrived at the theater.
"Oh... it's huge. The whole building is a theater?"
"I-Indeed. It's even bigger than I expected. Should we head in...?"
Despite her confident words, seeing her start to tremble slightly the moment we arrived made me break into a grin. That was Sister Utahime for you.
"As I thought, you can't do this alone, can you? Want some help?"
"I don't need help! Let's just go. We need to reserve our tickets."
The interior was even more crowded than the outside. As we stood in line at the ticket booth, I looked at the various movie posters displayed.
"Look over there. See that? We're going to see that romance movie. I heard it was really popular. I'm sure it'll be heart-fluttering and wonderful."
"A romance? Well... if that's what you want. I don't really have a preferred genre."
I nodded half-heartedly as she clasped her hands together, already lost in imagining the movie's plot. After waiting for about ten minutes, it was finally our turn.
"Welcome! How can I help you today?"
Sister Utahime pointed to the screen behind the clerk.
"Two tickets for that movie, please."
"I am so sorry, but that movie just sold out. If you want to see it, the next showing isn't for another two hours..."
Hearing the clerk's words, Sister Utahime looked like she was about to wail in despair.
"Whaaa?! Sold out already? No way..."
"In that case, what other movies are available right now?"
I stepped in and asked the clerk, seeing as she had practically lost her soul.
"The only one starting immediately is Ju-On..."
'Ju-On? That's a horror movie... right?'