Pandora of Fantasy And Reality Chapter 70

Deeply Quietly

Christmas Eve.

Akito and Yakumo were wearing santa hat at their workplace. They  handed a cake to a salaryman who stopped by here on his way home.

「Thank you for your patronage.」

The salaryman carried the paper bag. After this he surely would go home and presented it to his child.

After the customer left the store, Yakumo spoke her impression after seeing the content of the customer’s bag.

「It was the newest type VR machine just now wasn’t it?」

「Is that so?」

Akito checked the remaining cakes in stock while listening to Yakumo’s words.

「The price is going down again recently. It makes me feel stupid buying it when the price was expensive.」

The VR machine had gotten cheaper and easier to purchase anywhere.

There were also new game and the like that got announced, but the sale of VR machine was still growing even now.

The number of customers who were buying point to be used inside game was also increasing.

The purchase of point once fell really drastically for a period of  time, but then it went up again after the resumption of Pandora’s  service got officially announced.

「I was playing using the machine for business use, so I also have to think about replacing it.」

The machine for business use also took some space, and on top of that it consumed more electricity.

The burden of it was a bit harsh for a student who lived alone.

「That might be cheaper if you consider the long term usage. More importantly, are you alright with the clothes?」

Akito sighed.

「Ahahaha……I bought another set just in case. They are cheap things though.」

The place where Maya made the reservation didn’t have any dress code,  but it was apparently a big hotel. As expected his old attires would be  too casual for such place……such thing came up.

He had bought a jacket, but apparently both Maya and Yakumo would be wearing dress.

「Then that’s fine.」

Yakumo was relieved. Akito tilted his head.

Yakumo asked him 「What’s wrong?」, so Akito spoke what was in his mind.

「No, that……I’m thinking if there’s a need to go to that kind of high  class hotel. You know, if it’s just a movie theater then there’s also  one nearby.」

There was the movie theater than Akito and Yakumo had gone to several times.

If they went there then they wouldn’t need to worry about not making  it in time for the last train. They could even go home on foot from  there.

Yakumo looked exasperated.

「It’s for Christmas Eve. It’s fine even if we go to somewhere a bit extravagant.」

Akito thought.

(Well, that’s fine I guess.)

This was a rare invitation that came from the two girls, so he wanted to come. And most of all they were entering winter break.

Even if they missed the last train, they could just stay the night somewhere. He had such simple thought in mind.

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Jun was receiving a complaint from his friend――Maya’s father through phone.

Perhaps he was worried for his daughter even though it was Christmas Eve――no, it was exactly because it was Christmas Eve.

『What’s the meaning of this! Maya told me that she will go play with  her friend overnight! I found out that it was you who arranged the hotel  reservation for her! Just what’re you planning here!』

Jun kept away the smartphone from his ear while thinking about his yelling friend.

(She’s going to a strange direction because you two husband and wife are too controlling. I’m just being thoughtful over here.)

But, Jun too was someone who had negotiated with a lot of people until now.

He calmed down and spoke slowly.

「Now now, calm down. She would rebel if you don’t allow it right?  Here we should accept her wish while directing her to stay at the right  sort of hotel. There won’t be any problem if they all sleep in separate  rooms.」

But, he only reserved one room for them.

All the other rooms had been filled.

『C-certainly that’s true. More importantly, I want you to find out  about this friend of her. I’m going to kick away the stray dog that is  sniffing around my daughter!』

(Won’t that just make him happy? No, Ponsuke-kun is normal……is he really normal?)

Perhaps he was potentially a masochist seeing how well he got along with Maya?

But that also meant that they had good affinity with each other, so Jun thought there wouldn’t be any problem at all.

(Maya-chan is also pretty, and she’s a good kid. Her hobby is a bit  like that but, surely it’ll be fine. Ponsuke-kunn will also be happy.  It’s a wonderful pairing that won’t hurt anyone.)

If there was order of priority inside Jun, it would be Maya>Ponsuke.

Personally Ponsuke was his friend inside a game, and he was also indebted to him about his son’s case.

But, that was that, this was this.

「Leave it to me. I’ll check on him the first thing in the morning.  Don’t scold Maya-chan over this okay? You’ll get hated again.」

『I-I get it. Don’t forget, investigate about this person no matter what!』

He didn’t understand the feeling of a father who had a daughter, but  was it really something for his friend to feel this flustered about? Jun  felt a bit puzzled about it.

Jun muttered after the call was cut off.

「Forgive me. But, this is for everyone’s sake. You will understand it one day.」

Jun sent a message to Maya after he finished persuading his friend.

『I persuaded him.』

A reply immediately came from Maya.

『Thank you so much, uncle. I will repay you for this next time.』

Jun felt a bit creeped out from how fast the reply came while looking outside the window.

It looked like it would snow today.

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They finished their part-time work, changed their clothes, and headed to the hotel. The hotel was really big.

He had seen it at the pamphlet, but seeing how very high class the hotel looked made Akito recoiled.

Maya was waiting for them in the hotel’s lobby. She waved her hand at them a little while approaching.

She was wearing a dress and a top. She was also wearing a light makeup.

She looked different than how she was usually at school. It made his heart beat faster.

Yakumo was also the same beside him.

Yakumo had changed at their workplace. She also looked different than  usual with the light makeup she was wearing. Walking with the two of  them caused attention to turn toward them.

(We got seen by acquaintances. I wonder if I’ll get interrogated when winter break is over?)

The three met up.

Akito checked the time.

「Are we alright with the time?」

Normally the time the movie started followed the schedule, but today was Christmas Eve. There was change of time.

Maya said 「It’s fine」 and guided the two.

「It’ll start in fifteen minutes. Do you want to buy drink or snack  first? I already reserved the seating so there’s no need to hurry.」

Yakumo smiled at Maya for her good planning.

「You really have planned things nicely. Then let’s choose the drinks. What are they playing tonight?」

Maya was also smiling.

「It looks like a movie about Christmas. Ah, do you two bring your student ID?」

Both Akito and Yakumo took out their student ID. Maya looked relieved.

「Then there’s no problem. Come on, let’s go.」

The three went down the stair inside the hotel that connected to the basement. They entered into the movie theater there.

Akito felt relieved seeing Yakumo and Maya smiling while talking to each other.

(Thank god. It looks like they have gotten out of the game’s influence.)

The feeling of discomfort that he had been feeling in his daily life  had vanished. Akito thought that all his efforts were worth it seeing  the two of them getting along like this.

(I don’t want them liking me or something thanks to a game. It’s fun already being together with them as friends.)

Most of the people around them came with their lover rather than family.

They went to the stalls and found that all of them were luxurious and  expensive. As expected from stalls that were managed by a hotel.

The price of a glass of juice was around 500 yen.

Things like popcorn or sweets were around 1000 yen.

They were really expensive.

(Well, it’s only for today so it’s fine I guess.)

They bought some drinks and snacks, showed their student ID to the staff in place for ticket, and then they went to their seats.

It was a spacious movie theater with the seats arranged in the shape  of stair, but the number of audience wasn’t a lot. Large sofas were  placed for seating so that lovers or family could watch the movie  together.

Each sofa also had a table attached, so audiences could enjoy the movie comfortably.

The three took their seat and Akito looked around.

「There are only lovers around us. Though some are with their family.」

Maya sat beside Akito while Yakumo sat at his opposite side.

「Don’t goggle around. Now then, I’ll go to the restroom before the movie start.」

「Ah, I’m going too.」

Akito saw off the two going together to the restroom on good terms.  Then he waited for the movie to start while wondering what kind of movie  it would be.

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At the female restroom.

Maya and Yakumo were standing in front of a mirror while checking their makeup.

The smile that they were putting on in front of Akito before this had  gone from their face. They were conversing expressionlessly without  even looking at each other.

「I think you already understand but, don’t do anything strange okay?  This hotel is quite high class so they will treat any commotion  harshly.」

Maya’s words implicated a warning to not make any move to Akito inside the dark movie theater.

Yakumo also retorted back.

「I’m more worried about you rather than myself. Before this, the  staff bowed when he saw you……you have connection to this place aren’t  you? Seems pretty convenient for you.」

Maya paid attention to her hair.

「……A warning, don’t do anything strange in front of Akito okay?」

「That should be my line.」

Both of them had shown their side that shouldn’t be displayed to Akito in the previous offline gathering.

But, the two had learned their lesson.

Maya thought.

(……Well, it’s displeasing but I’ll let you spend some time together  with him. You’re just a tool for me to make Akito let his guard down. Do  your best to be useful for me.)

There was a medicine inside her bag. It was a sleep inducing drug.

Maya thought that she would be able to do anything if she put it into Yakumo’s food during dinner.

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Yakumo looked at the content of her bag while Maya was beside her.

(Sorry but I’ll make a good use of you, lady Maya.)

Inside her bag was a sleep inducing drug.

It was a common product in the market but, she heard that it was really effective despite that.

(It looks like you have even gone as far as reserving a room here but, I’ll be the one who have the last laugh.)

The two exchanged such suggestive conversation for some time before they left the restroom when the time came.

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Inside the female toilet.

A tall woman wearing a dress, [Kisaragi Reona] recalled the two high school girls who just passed by.

(That was the daughter of Ichinose family wasn’t it?)

But, she immediately recalled her purpose and knocked the toilet that was still in use.

「Yumi, come out already. The movie will start soon.」

The reason why two women were coming to hotel to watch movie together  was because they couldn’t find partner……was not the reason.

Reona’s friend, [Hazuki Yumi] invited her because she wanted to at least taste the atmosphere.

And yet that friend was shutting herself inside a toilet.

The door opened and a blue haired woman came out with a fearful look.

「What’s wrong? Don’t tell me, did someone do something to you!?」

Reona became angry thinking that something had been done to her friend, but Yumi shook her head.

「That’s not it……hey, Reona.」

「W-what?」

Yumi came out with a pale expression. She looked horribly depressed.

「Woman is really scary.」

「Ha?」

Yumi looked like she was going to cry. Reona was completely at a loss.

「I wonder……if I won’t be able to get a lover unless I become hungrier and dirtier?」

「……Just what are you saying?」

She came here to pick up her friend who was shutting herself inside  the toilet, but then that friend was spouting off some incomprehensible  things.

Reona pulled her hand to get out of the restroom.

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The movie that was playing had [R-15] rating.

Akito blushed inside the darkness. He didn’t know what kind of expression he should make here.

(W-w-w-w-w-what should I do!?)

He didn’t know what kind of movie would be showed.

It wasn’t like it was a particularly obscene movie, but it had bedroom scene that made him troubled of how to react.

Although the room was dark, he could still see the expression of the two at his sides.

He could also see some families being troubled. There was a mother who was plugging the ears and eyes of her child.

(No, I didn’t know anything about this! I thought it would be a milder movie!)

It wasn’t like the bedroom scene played for ten minutes or more.

But, Akito thought that the age limitation was because the movie had  impactful action scene or something with strong stimulation.

He thought that the movie would have grotesque scene, and yet it had a bedroom scene instead. He was troubled of how to react.

However, thinking carefully today was Christmas Eve. This was inevitable considering that the movie was intended for lovers.

Maya was impressed by the actress.

「The movie in the past is amazing.」

Yakumo also loved works from the lost era――which mean the works from long time ago, so she was getting excited.

「I have watched this actress several times. It looks like she was extremely popular.」

The two looked like they were enjoying the movie even though Akito’s heart was beating fast.

(I-I see, they aren’t conscious of me as male so……it’s a bit  disappointing but, this might be better rather than an awkward  atmosphere.)

It was painful waiting until the bedroom scene finished, but there was no problem after that.

It was an interesting movie.

However, the seat――the sofa was a bit small.

There would be more space if it was a family seat, but here his  distance with the two was really close. Their shoulders and arms were  touching.

(Focus on the movie. Focus……focus……)

That was why he didn’t notice.

The running time of the movie was longer than usual. It went over the time for the last train.

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Akito hurriedly went out of the hotel.

It was snowing outside.

It seemed that it had started falling down when the movie began. A  lot had piled on the ground and the asphalt was completely covered up.

The hotel staffs were removing the snow from the hotel’s surrounding, but everywhere else was completely covered in white.

It was a white Christmas, considering the time of the last train, he wouldn’t make it in time for sure.

Besides, it would also be difficult to head to other hotel right now.

Yakumo checked her smartphone. Then she told him that there was no empty room at any nearby hotel.

「Akito, it said that there isn’t any hotel around here with empty room.」

The movie was fun.

It made his heart beat fast in two senses.

The movie, and his sides――.

「N-no way. What should we do?」

Akito was troubled. Maya approached him.

「We also won’t make it in time for the last train. Ah, look……so pretty. It’s white Christmas.」

Maya looked outside and commented at how pretty it was.

Akito didn’t know what to do.

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