"Mei-san!" A short walk from Kanbutoki Town, a little girl waves her hand with all her might in front of the large theater on the third block. I can't help but smile at her enthusiasm.

"It's been a while, Nanami-san." "Hello! Uh, gobu...?" "Gobusata. It means 'long time no see.'" Standing beside her, Haruno-san watches Nanami-san with a warm gaze like a guardian.

"I'm sorry. I didn't notice, and I wasn't attentive enough..." "No, it's fine." I had heard that Nanami-san's post-surgery recovery from her rare illness last summer was going very well. Although she still couldn't engage in intense activities, she was having no problems with her daily life on the Izu Islands. This time, she came to the city for the first time since her operation to watch the new movie of her beloved "Majo Cure."

It's a weekday afternoon, almost evening, inside the theater in the city center. The atmosphere is lively and fun, as one would expect. As the three of us enter, we're greeted by a bustling scene. "I'll go buy the tickets, so please wait here."

"Okay." Swiftly securing the few remaining empty seats in the sparsely populated lobby, Haruno-san leaves us with those words and heads for the ticket machine.

As we watch Haruno-san walk away, Nanami-san turns to me with a sudden burst of energy. "So, Mei-san, do you like Haruno-san?" "...!?"

I'm speechless for a moment, and then I manage to face Nanami-san. With such an innocent, sparkling gaze directed at me, it doesn't seem like I can pretend otherwise. "To be honest... I don't know."

"Eeeeh!?" Nanami-san's exclamation echoes through the lobby. Embarrassed, I look around and notice some people glancing in our direction. I try to change the subject.

"Um, Nanami-san, are you excited about the movie?" "Oh, yes! I love Majo Cure so much! I've been looking forward to this new movie for a long time." Her face lights up as she talks about her favorite characters and their magical world, and I can't help but be drawn into her enthusiasm.

Haruno-san returns with the tickets, and we make our way into the theater. The dimly lit room is filled with excited chatter from the other moviegoers as we find our seats. The movie starts, and my thoughts of Haruno-san fade away as we become engrossed in the magical adventures on the screen.

After the movie, we all agree it was a great time. Nanami-san is especially ecstatic, giving a detailed account of her favorite scenes and how the movie compared to the TV series. Her excitement is contagious, and I find myself smiling throughout our conversation.

As we leave the theater, the sun is setting, and the evening sky is painted in vivid hues. The nighttime lights of the city start to flicker on, and our surroundings take on a magical aura. I glance at Haruno-san, who is listening intently to Nanami-san's enthusiastic chatter, and my heart skips a beat.

"Mei-san, are you okay? You seem a little… distracted." Haruno-san's gentle voice brings me back to reality, and I realize I've been staring. Flustered, I quickly respond. "Ah, yes, I'm fine! Just enjoying the beautiful evening."

We walk through the city as the sky darkens and the stars begin to appear. The air is filled with the sounds of laughter and enjoyment as people walk by, making the most of their night on the town. It feels as if we're a part of this bustling, vibrant world, and my heart swells with happiness.

Eventually, the time comes for us to part ways. Nanami-san and Haruno-san are staying at a nearby hotel, while I return to my apartment. Before we go our separate ways, Nanami-san turns to me with a grin.

"Mei-san, I hope you figure out your feelings for Haruno-san soon. And don't worry – your secret's safe with me!" I blush, knowing that my feelings were evident even to a child. "Thank you, Nanami-san. Have a good night."

As I watch them walk away, the city lights twinkle in the distance. I think about Nanami-san's words and my uncertain feelings for Haruno-san. I may not have all the answers now, but I'm grateful for the unforgettable day we shared and the magical memories we made together. And maybe, just maybe, my feelings will become clearer with time.