—and the protagonist on screen.
Recalling Burnice’s distaste for rats, Wise turned to look at his companion with an apologetic expression.
“We don’t have to keep watching if you’re getting squeamish.”
With his wavering gaze fixed on the screen, Wise could only nod in agreement. He was anticipating a sudden scare, watching as the movie’s sole protagonist reached for the door’s handle. Wise held his breath, expecting some large monster to jump out. However, when the door—
Watching intently, she always haaaaated when people did this in movies! Knowing a jump scared might happen, always means she'll get jump scared !! As long as it wasn't a rat, she can't handle rats !
Glancing back at Wise, she looked comically trying to not be jump scared +
—flung open, there was nothing but emptiness on the other side.
“. . . I-Is that it?” Wise eventually asked, feeling relieved and disappointed by the long buildup to nothing. Seconds after he spoke, a rat suddenly scurried from its hiding place, startling both Wise—
—her reaction as if it would grant him peace of mind.
“. . . This isn’t so bad, right? I was expecting it to be worse.”
Wise spoke as if he was attempting to convince himself. He was beginning to regret not taking her offer for a ride.
The movie began with the protagonist creeping along a narrow hallway, inching closer to a rattling door. It sounded as if someone was banging on it from the other side.
Watching, Wise began to feel uneasy again. His nervous gaze glanced over at his companion, gauging—
❝ Next time we can pick another comedy.~ Or, I could take ya for a ride? ❞ Giggling at the little joke, yeah, she'll protect him from the scary monsters. Well, if something did jump out of the screen, she'd smash the screen herself ...
❝ I did, this little imp can fight.~ ❞
“Yeah? Well, that’s all the more reason for us to watch this together.”
Taking a deep breath, he mustered up enough courage to aim the remote and tap the ‘play’ button.
“. . . I’ll be fine. After all, you made a promise to protect me.~”
His voice turned—
❝ Yeah, it's a super retro one. 'Sides, in the Outer Ring, we don't really get tapes and all that jazz. I mean, we're lucky to have a television in the bar. Any movie that's excitin' is good to me though. ❞ Placing the snacks on the table as always.
❝ I just have fun.~ ❞
Lips curling upward, he let out an amused huff at her considerate words. It made him feel a little guilty.
“I appreciate the thought, but I’ll try to manage. Besides, aren’t you looking forward to this movie. . ?”
❝ Oh? What would you rather watch? If not horror, hmmm, action? What about a comedy horror? Or like, a survival movie? ❞ Head tilted in thought, leaning closer.
❝ I can protect you. ❞
He turned his anxious gaze to her, apprehension flooding his expression.
“W-Well, when you asked to watch something exciting, this isn’t exactly what I had in mind. . .”