Watching a Movie

Beihai wished he could find a hole to crawl into and hide himself.

This was truly beyond expectations. Beihai's idea of "low-key and by the book" meant being just like everyone else—no special abilities, no extreme or violent temperament.

Follow the crowd, and hardly anyone notices you. Everyone's just an ordinary, unremarkable person.

But this Kiyotaka Kiyotaka beside him had clearly gotten the wrong idea. What did he mean by "hiding his strength by blending in" by challenging half the school's clubs?

Did he have some misunderstanding about being low-key?

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka clearly didn't realize his own problem. If anything, he seemed a bit regretful—the chess club had already been challenged, so there were no extra points left to bet on.

He could only stop there. Counting the clubs he'd hit along the way, half was still a little short.

He must have done very well, just as his friend had said—not too strong, not too weak, picking a middle ground.

That way, he wouldn't draw envy and get ganged up on, nor would he be too weak and invite unnecessary trouble.

"Let's stop here. Any more and we'll attract attention."

Hearing that, Beihai rubbed his forehead in headache.

"It looks like I misjudged you. I think I need to stay far away from you."

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka was a bit puzzled. When he didn't understand, he naturally asked.

"Why?"

Beihai saw the innocent look in his eyes and had to explain.

"Do you think challenging half the clubs won't catch people's attention? Attention means trouble.

Trouble delays my studies. So don't you think I should keep my distance?"

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka nodded in agreement. "Fair point. I just didn't expect most people couldn't do it."

He was still confident in his ability to hide his strength. For example, during exams, he'd score exactly 50 points in every subject to control his results.

So when challenging clubs, he figured this school was supposedly all about merit, with elite classes like Class A.

And Class D had Rokuju Takaharadera, not to mention Beihai. The other classes couldn't be that bad, right? Most people should be able to handle it easily.

Those who didn't show up were probably too lazy or hiding their strength.

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka's mindset was basically: How can people not even do calculus?

"Forget it. It's already happened. Look on the bright side—now that you've shown your strength, no one will bother you. And the clubs you challenged probably have to keep it quiet anyway, since it's embarrassing."

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka didn't argue. He nodded obediently, looking almost docile. He still had a lot to learn.

After collecting a batch of points, the two headed to the movie theater.

The school's theater released movies in sync with the real world, but if you had enough points, you could choose your own film for a private screening.

Of course, for a private screening, you had to ask. If you didn't, they'd just say it wasn't available.

"Cola, popcorn, snacks, and supplies are all set. Now the question is, what kind of movie do you want to watch?"

Beihai took two bottles of iced cola from the staff and handed a big bucket of popcorn to Kiyotaka Kiyotaka to hold.

"Are movies about acting out life? What kind is good to watch?"

Faced with such a naive question, Beihai didn't know how to answer. It was like asking someone to buy you breakfast and just saying "whatever."

If they actually got you "whatever," you'd say it wasn't what you wanted.

"As for movies, there are Hollywood ones with simple plots but great effects and popcorn appeal.

There are ones that explore life, philosophical ones, preachy ones—lots of types. And some bad ones too."

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka listened intently, occasionally popping a few kernels of popcorn into his mouth. The sweet taste burst on his tongue—not bad.

"I've never watched one. Can you recommend something, my good friend?"

Beihai wasn't surprised. Some people really had never been to a theater. In his past life, Beihai and his friends loved going.

But one friend didn't like it—even resisted it, thinking it was a waste of money, preferring streaming.

"Hmm, let me think. For a first movie, The Bucket List, The Truman Show, Forrest Gump, The Shawshank Redemption, Green Book—stuff like that."

"That's a lot. We can't finish them all today, can we?"

"Right. Even watching all night wouldn't be enough. But life is long. You've got to find some hobbies.

To put it simply, cherish your bad habits. They might be the main reason you love life."

Without thinking, Kiyotaka Kiyotaka blurted out, "So your hobby is staying up late."

"You're wrong. My hobby is not staying up late."

Beihai protested without thinking too. But this time, he had to choose. After all, he was treating the other to a movie.

He'd originally planned to let Kiyotaka Kiyotaka pick, to see his taste, but it fell on him instead.

It was selfish of him, but now he felt more at ease.

While waiting in their seats, Beihai took the time to teach his gaming partner how to eat popcorn with cola for that sweet burst on the tongue.

Kiyotaka Kiyotaka learned fast. When he chewed the popcorn, letting the sugar stick to his tongue, then took a sip of cola—it felt amazing.

Just then, the movie officially began.

After the film ended, it was already evening—time to head home, or back to their respective dorms.

On the way back, there were still students along the roadside, though most weren't carrying backpacks. More often, two or three people gathered together, sipping afternoon tea or chatting.

Only the two of them still had their schoolbags slung over their shoulders.

"Beihai, do you really like watching movies? That kind of thing..."

It seemed utterly meaningless and false. By his own reasoning and logic, it was a waste of time. If it were his father, he would never have allowed him to do this.

"Of course I like them. They're a celebration of human creativity. I want to see people tell stories—about their lives, or about things that get really tough.

Eras blending into art—I find it incredible that we can even achieve something like this.

When you see something that resonates with you, that speaks to a part of yourself you've never touched before, it's hard to put into words. It lets you feel. I just think that's one of the most beautiful things, because we humans created it.

I love games for the same reason. The difference is that in a game, the main character is you.

You can throw away so-called rationality and choose what you love. You don't have to chase perfection. No one grabs you by the ear and forces you to do everything flawlessly. It lets us see our own flaws."