Watching a movie is an essential step in any date.

Most couples hold hands for the first time in that pitch-black space—and the film choice matters too.

Romance flicks dominate. Their plots easily melt sentimental girls’ hearts.

But for someone like Yao Star妍? I figured I’d need stronger tactics.

I glanced at the two tickets in my hand—*Zombie Party*!

No question about it: a full-blown horror thriller. A girl like Yao Star妍 would surely throw herself into my arms within minutes. Genius!

Inside the screening room, few people had come for this film. Scattered viewers sat in the corners, leaving the center seats empty—exactly where ours were.

I slid into the seat beside her according to our tickets. Before my butt even touched the cushion, she kicked me away.

"Too close!"

"Huh? But my seat’s right—"

"Doesn’t matter. Everyone’s here already. If someone shows up later, you can swap then."

Easy for you to say!

Gritting my teeth under her dagger-like glare, I surrendered and moved three seats over.

"Come back. That’s too far!"

*Argh! Are you kidding me?!*

Resigned, I settled one seat apart.

*Just you wait, little miss. Soon you’ll be trembling in my arms.*

Confident in my plan, I watched the lights dim. The screen flashed "*Zombie Party*!"—and the movie began.

*"Look up… and he’s right above you—"*

*"Staring all night long…"*

*"YIKES—!!!"*

*"Your flesh… tastes delicious."*

*"N-no! Stay back—PLEASE!"*

*"I don’t want to die! I—I don’t want to die!"*

Two hours later.

I was so naive.

Seriously.

Why did no one warn me this film was *that* terrifying?

And why—my head turned shakily. Yao Star妍 yawned, stretching lazily. A murmur escaped her lips:

"...Why did they all die in the end? Ugh~"

Could your reaction be *any* less impressed? It’s a horror movie!

"Gale Splendor, let’s go. Planning to rewatch it?"

"N-nonsense! I-I just encountered a strange phenomenon!"

"Oh?"

"Like… no matter how hard I push my legs, I can’t detach from this chair. S-shouldn’t this qualify as one of humanity’s Seven Wonders?"

"No idea what you’re babbling about…" Yao Star妍 shot me the most brutal look of disdain I’d ever seen. "But you’re frozen stiff because you’re scared stiff."

"Lies!"

I gripped the armrests, straining to stand—and failed.

If Yao Star妍 hadn’t grabbed my hand, I’d still be glued to that seat for the next showing.

What a failure.

I’d planned to sweep her off her feet with this cliché date… only to collapse myself. Next time I write a scene like this, I’ll *really* consider the male lead’s perspective.

"You suggested this film, yet got scared? Pathetic."

"A-ah… I heard it was popular."

Translation: I’d just skimmed the theater’s trending list online.

I checked my phone. Lunchtime. But after those bloody cannibal scenes, I figured—

"—You’ve lost your appetite, right?"

"Huh? Why?"

Her expression shifted.

"Huh? But we just watched—"

"NO PROBLEM AT ALL!"

"What?"

"I said. NO. PROBLEM."

She stared dead serious, enunciating each word. Just as I wondered how she could still be hungry, a tiny *gurgle* escaped her stomach.

Ah.

Willow然 mentioned she snacks between every class. She hadn’t eaten all morning.

*Sigh.*

Such a hassle.

One moment a goddess beyond mortal reach, the next a starving wolf.

This contrast? Zero percent moe.

Yao Star妍 devoured a four-person lunch like an Alaskan husky, oblivious to stares. My wallet lay dead and buried—leaving only a glass of water before me. Correction: plus the empty plates she casually slid my way. To onlookers, it looked like *I’d* eaten it all.

Only a sundae remained before her as dessert.

"What’s next?" I asked.

"Shopping… maybe?"

Truthfully, clueless about dates beyond movies, I had no backup plans. In novels, I’d gloss over such scenes with lines like *"Spent another lovely afternoon with Yao Star妍."*

But reality!

Cruel, cruel reality!

"Shopping…" Yao Star妍 tapped her spoon, thoughtful. "Not bad."

Rare praise.

"I need some computer parts anyway."

Hard to picture a girl requesting PC components—usually a tech-nerd thing. But remembering her other identity (*illustrator*), it made sense.

I knew little about art, but understood this much: drawing demanded powerful hardware. Good GPUs rendered subtle color gradients; ample RAM kept heavy software running smooth.

After leaving the restaurant, I led her toward the nearby mall.

Heads turned as we walked—undeniably a handsome couple. Yet I’d never drawn such attention with Willow然, who was also stunning.

I glanced at Yao Star妍’s cool composure beside me.

*Ah. Aura.*

With Willow然, I absorbed her loud, chaotic energy. But Yao Star妍 walked slightly behind me.

"Uh… hey…"

"What?"

"Nothing… just wondering if this makes talking awkward."

"No!"

She shut it down instantly—then delivered the kill shot: "I don’t want people thinking I’m your girlfriend."

*Seriously? After eating a four-person meal on my dime?*