49 Popcorn

Balancing the reflective sunglasses on her nose bridge, Megumi cautiously slinked through the rows of seats that filled the cinema. She managed to snag a VIP ticket for the showing of the film they were watching, all thanks to Franz's hard work. The ticket was just like any other ticket, except Megumi could take a seat anywhere and the management wouldn't mind it at all. Megumi had no idea how Franz got such a perk by buying a single VIP ticket but she wasn't about to question his ways. Right now, she's got all the power she needed to stalk, er, to follow Hajime and watch over him like a hawk.

Since Megumi was too preoccupied with the mission at hand, she didn't even notice what the film was about. She didn't even bother to read the title on the movie poster by the front of the cinema.

The cool frigid air blew against her whole body as she entered the cinema right behind Hajime and Natsumi. She quickly found their seat, and she sat one row behind them. By now, she had enough experience of following Hajime that she was confident she wouldn't be caught. in hindsight, she had never been caught so there was nothing for her to worry about. With utmost self-assurance, she domineeringly sat right behind Hajime, eyeing him with her flaming eyes without reprieve.

"Isn't that the old lady? She's sitting right behind us." Natsumi whispered to Hajime, seductively leaning in towards his ear, causing Megumi to almost jump on her and exact fury upon her.

She was able to hold back though after digging her fingernails on the armrest of the seat. An urge to grit her teeth almost overcame her, but she suppressed it. Right now, she couldn't show even a modicum of her animosity towards Hajime, Natsumi, or both. If she did so, then her location would be compromised and she would have a hard time explaining why she was seated exactly one row behind them. It would be a simple feat to explain what she did to Hajime since she considered him her friend. She knew Hajime would understand her curiosity. However, it's another thing when it comes to Natsumi— she may as well justify her actions in front of a rock.

A few minutes later, the movie started, and Hajime comfortably leaned in on his seat. It had been a few years since he last went to the cinema that he forgot how cold it could get. He regretted not wearing his signature hoodie as he curled up on his seat, desperately fighting the impulse to shiver in the cold. He sideglanced towards Natsumi, who didn't seem to mind the cold at all as she continuously popped popcorn in her mouth. "Want some?" She offered, putting popcorn in Hajime's opened mouth before he could complain.

Hajime almost choked on the popcorn in surprise. For some odd reason, he felt goosebumps all over his body as if someone was directing bloodthirst toward him.

Well, he had a vague idea as to where the bloodthirst was coming from.

.....

An hour or so ago, back at the park.

Sunset. One of the most anticipated times of the day, or at least that's how it is for Hajime. The transition between the warmth of the afternoon and the chilly breeze into the night was what made sunset more special. That was one of the two reasons why Hajime frequented the park near their place. Under the trellis, his favorite spot, he would always lie on his back with his arms at the back of his head, taking in the cold air in a deep inhale before comfortably dwelling with nature and falling fast asleep.

"Why is she following me?" Hajime asked himself, partially opening her eyes to take a glance at Megumi who was crouching a few meters away from him. As usual, she was following him, much to his displeasure, but he didn't find it particularly disturbing. At most, Hajime would feel annoyed, but that's about it.

Megumi had once been successful in following Hajime but in the end, she was still caught red-handed. This time, Hajime already caught her in the act as soon as she started. The only difference between what happened back then and now was that Hajime had a full stomach. That's why his senses weren't dulled at all. Since he wasn't all that hungry, he could focus more of his attention on his surroundings. These skills he honed over the past year were all because of the constant harassment he received from the debt collectors. That's why he could spot a stalker even from a mile away. Furthermore, Megumi wasn't the least bit careful nor cautious while she acted like a spy. Hajime didn't kill her joy, however, and decided to just let her be so she could have a little bit of fun.

Right then and there, Hajime could've stood up, walked towards Megumi, and cut her off. Nevertheless, he opted not to, notwithstanding the fact that he was a bit annoyed by Megumi. He completely understood that Megumi was going through a lot, and her act of following him must have been her chosen pastime as she took her mind off of things.

Fortunately, Natsumi didn't even notice Megumi, probably because both their attention didn't overlap with each other. For Hajime, Megumi was as conspicuous as a huge billboard by the highway, but for Natsumi, she was as invisible as a ghost. Hajime couldn't believe that Megumi was actually pretty good at her game since Natsumi didn't even get a whiff of her scent.

When they got to the cinema, Hajime immediately recognized whom the old lady Natsumi was referring to and he couldn't help but sneak in a snicker, covering his mouth as he did so. Right behind the reflective glasses and the white hair was Megumi, and she was really into character. A few meters from the corner of his eye, Hajime also noticed Franz, who was following the young miss, monitoring her so she won't get in trouble. With this crazy company, Hajime entered the cinema, hoping that all the excitement of the day won't catch him off guard.

He was dead wrong however since Natsumi immediately crushed his guard to pieces by feeding him popcorn out of nowhere.