Distressed Pudding 3
“Our goal is the planetarium on the top floor.”
Chika said, pointing upwards.
“A planetarium? That brings back memories.”
He muttered absentmindedly while lining up at the ticket counter.
Before arriving, he had skeptically wondered if there were actually any visitors to planetariums, but contrary to his expectations, there was a steady stream of couples and families queueing up to buy tickets.
“I think the last time I came here was on a school field trip in elementary school.”
“I think it’s the same for me.”
“Huh? Didn’t you choose this place because you’re interested in stars and planetariums?”
“No, I’m not particularly interested. I’m not good at earth science. I chose this place because it was on the list of recommended date spots that Miki-chan gave me.”
“That’s your reason?”
“Yes, after all, we’ve pretty much been to all the other date spots.”
When Sōma was taken aback, Chika puffed out her cheeks in protest.
The classics for a date would be shopping, dining, karaoke, picnics, sports, and so on.
Sōma and Chika had done all of those.
“I wanted our first date to be at a new place.”
“Can you stop repeating the word ‘date’? It’s making me embarrassed.”
“That’s exactly why I’m saying it.”
While pleading with a pout, Chika pressed her body against him and flashed a mischievous smile.
“Isn’t it weird to make your date embarrassed?”
“That’s one thing, this is another.”
“That’s too sneaky.”
While they were talking, it was their turn to buy tickets.
“I’d like one pair seat, please.”
Sōma was surprised by Chika’s words as she took out her wallet.
“Pair…!? Wait a minute. There are such seats in a planetarium?”
“Yes, there are. That’s why it’s listed as one of the date spots, right?”
She said it matter-of-factly and purchased the tickets.
“Aren’t you embarrassed? It’s a pair seat.”
“With you, Sōma-san, it’s different. We’ve linked arms, hugged, and even slept in the same room before. If you think of it as a combination of those, it’s no big deal.”
“I guess you’re right when you put it like that, but still…”
Nevertheless, the idea of a pair seat was embarrassing and made him nervous.
After taking a deep breath, they stepped into the dome where a giant projector was set up in the center.
“Ah, here it is, the pair seat.”
“Wow… it’s softer than I thought.”
The round seat colored a deep navy reminiscent of space was surprisingly soft.
The backrest was almost non-existent to allow for easy viewing of the starry sky projected on the dome, making it feel like a round bed.
“It really is. It’s so comfortable!”
Chika immediately lay down on it, stroking the surface with excitement in her voice.
“I wonder if all pair seats are like this. I’m curious now. I’d like to try the pair seats at a movie theater next time.”
The movie theater was a classic among date spots, yet he realized he had never gone with Chika.
“As long as it’s not a horror movie.”
“I’m not good with horror movies either, but I do want to see you get scared, Sōma-san. It’s a tough choice.”
She started pondering with a serious face while looking up at Sōma, who was still standing.
“You really have a unique personality, Chika.”
“I’ve said it before, but it’s only for you.”
“That doesn’t make me happy at all.”
Chika frowned and tugged on Sōma’s arm, pulling him down to lie next to her.
The lights in the dome theater began to dim slowly.
“Ah, it’s starting.”
As the solemn and mystical music flowed, artificial stars began to twinkle on the inside of the dome.
Sōma had expected the planetarium to be an extension of a geoscience class, perhaps discussing the Summer Triangle or the zodiac constellations.
However, the program that was shown was a love story between a beautiful woman and a young hero.
It centered around the love story of Andromeda and Perseus, interspersed with Perseus’ adventure to slay Medusa and the sordid political drama between the human queen Cassiopeia and the sea god Poseidon, all vividly portrayed alongside the glittering stars.
The narrative was based on myths associated with the constellations but was boldly arranged to be enjoyable as a story. It was quite impressive.
At first, Sōma watched with a lazy attitude, but as he followed the complex interplay of human and divine machinations, he gradually found himself rooting for Andromeda and Perseus, who struggled valiantly to uphold their love.
At the climax, when Perseus defeats the sea monster Cetus in the constellation Cetus and rescues the chained Andromeda, Sōma genuinely feels glad that the pair are rewarded in the end.
The runtime was about an hour, but because he was so engrossed, it felt much shorter.
As the lights slowly came back on, he clapped along with the other audience members and slowly sat up.
“That was quite interesting. I wonder if they change the content with the seasons. If so, it might be worth coming back in the winter.”
While saying this, he turned to look at the girl beside him.
“…zzZ…”
Chika, lying on the navy pair seat, was sleeping soundly, looking very comfortable.
“Hey…”
This was definitely not what he expected.
Chika was the one who said that the planetarium was a classic date spot and brought him here.
Smack!
“Ouch!”
When he tapped her forehead, a startled Chika leaped up.
Looking around in confusion, she noticed the audience members leaving the room with satisfied expressions and seemed to understand the situation.
“Ah, um…”
With a troubled look on her face, she began aimlessly stroking the surface of her camel-colored bag that she had placed beside her.
“Did you have a nice nap?”
“Yes… I almost wish I could nap here again. It was so comfortable.”
“You shouldn’t say things like that. It’ll disappoint the staff here.”
“…I’m sorry.”
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When Sōma scolded her, Chika shrank down, looking dejected.
***