He's always taking me to such weird things. Things I've never seen or done before. His world is so strange compared to mine, but I never know what I'm going to see or experience. This movie was one of those things. 

I never knew such a world existed. If there was one introduction to his world, this has to be it. A deep dive into the world of LGBTQ, no mercy. I was fascinated. 

When we got to the movie theater, I of course recognized it. I'd even spoken to the owner twice, having asked her about her establishment. I'd been curious, but overall too nervous to step inside myself. They weren't the kinds of movies that I was familiar with, and it made me a bit uncomfortable. Such as, did I belong there? Would there be others who'd not want me to be there? 

But, now I saw those fears were unfounded. The owner was as kind as she had been the first couple of times. She was excited to see me, overjoyed that Kazuya had brought a friend. When she said that word, "friend"... It filled my heart with gladness. I'd still been holding his hand, and didn't want to stop. He didn't seem to want to stop, either. 

He let go of my hand when we got to the concessions. He hadn't had dinner, so he got a hotdog. I stuck to chocolates, and he eyed me when I received them. It made me blush again. Was he worried that I liked all chocolates and not just his? It made me try to hide them, but he already knew I had them. 

It surprised me how small it was in the theater. There had to be at the most thirty seats, and the front row was couches. Not built into the floor, but old couches. He immediately made a bee line for these, and I was smiling, wondering about this experience. It was yet something else that was strange, but made so much sense. Once we sat down, I felt like I was in someone's home rather than a theater. I betted that one could have a great time with friends on these couches, like I was hopefully about to. 

As the lights dimmed, I was surprised yet again. No one else had come in after us. We were truly the only ones here. It seemed like such a waste. We watched the movie trailers together, and I was looking at him more than the screen. He was nibbling on his hotdog, absorbed in the images on the screen. The screen had to have been no larger than a bath towel. That was an exaggeration, but it was so small compared to other theaters I'd been to. However, it definitely made it more intimate for it to be smaller. It took up the whole wall, but the space was so much smaller. As soon as the trailers ended, I found I'd settled in. I really liked it here, how it was different from all those soulless cineplexes I'd been to. 

When the movie started, I forgot about everything else. I forgot where I was. My jaw dropped for a long time, and that was it.

By the end, I was pretty tired, all of my senses having been in hyperdrive for about two hours. However, he pulled at my hand again when we stepped outside of the theater. I was aware of the big, darkened marquee above me. The cold wind flowing from the west. Who knew what time it was. The black sky. I was always seeing him in the dark if we weren't in French Cup. This struck me for the first time, and I couldn't turn away. Another adventure in darkness.

"Let's go somewhere," he said, pulling at me gently. "I don't... I don't want to say good-bye yet."

He didn't have to add on the last thing. He already had me. What other mysterious places would he take me? There were so many possibilities. It was as if we were living in a completely different world now. Now, after having seen that movie, I felt I understood so much more, but I was still a baby in that regard. My understanding was minimal. However, he had so much to show me. Anywhere he took me, he opened my eyes. My eyes were opening endlessly.

This world was so different than the one I knew. In my world, there were so many expectations. Be here at this time, do this and not that, there's consequences if you don't do what I say. But, there was such freedom here. However, I knew now there could be consequences here, too. Just because it was different, that didn't mean it was free from danger. However, when he was looking at me like that, I wasn't afraid.

I nodded to him, smiling. He gave me a hopeful grin, and we were off. We were going toward my hotel again, strolling along together in the dark. It struck me, too, this parallel. The first time we'd met, we'd been going in literally opposite directions. In a hurry, in our own ways. But, now we were together, going in the same direction. It felt...right. No words to explain it, but I liked it. 

As we got closer to the hotel, it made me think. Just what kind of world the hotel was in the middle of... They had no idea where they were. Assuming that everywhere was the same place, so sure that their way was the right one. They were concerned with how much money they could make. They didn't slow down to see it any other way, because they didn't ever slow down. It was a cold machine compared to this warm neighborhood. It was a neighborhood full of friends and happy greetings, caring for one another. I'd seen it demonstrated again and again, especially every time I went to French Cup. They greeted me warmly every time, and the person clinging to my arm, even though we barely had known each other for a week, was the kindest of all. He'd opened his heart the most, and there was no reason for why. I was a stranger, and yet here we were, strolling down the street, and he wanted to eagerly show me something else.

Thai food was steaming in front of us, big bowls of it. He bowed to the nice lady who'd set it down in front of us, and immediately took out his chopsticks and peeled them apart. He didn't wait to say thanks or any other prayer. I followed him, and something felt naughty to not utter a word of compliment, but the same feeling liked that, too. It made me giddy, skipping this. Yet another rule that could be broken in this world. No formality, just diving into your food like we were close to animals. Happy animals.

I'd checked my watch, and it was 1AM. It was madness to be eating right now, especially this late when I'd have to be up at 6AM. For him, I knew he had to be up even earlier. Yet, he was sacrificing sleep for this. Maybe it was for the same reason I was. 

He ate as if he hadn't eaten in three weeks. No regard to me, the food was too much an ecstasy. Even this was a forbidden pleasure, not having to be polite while we ate. I dove in, too, not caring at all. What met my tongue was the most delicious thing in the world, and I saw why he was eating this way.

"What is this?" I asked, pausing, highly aware that there was broth all over my mouth. The menu had been in Thai, and he'd ordered for the both of us. I of course had followed blindly, wanting him to show me more, wonderful things.

"Tom kha gai," he said, grinning, his chopsticks moving. 

"I've never had Thai food before."

"Huh?!" He peered up at me, finally peeling his eyes away from the gorgeous food in front of him. "That has to be a lie!"

I laughed, shaking my head. "I've never had it. I want to eat everything here, though. I never thought it would be so delicious."

His hand came up over the table and tugged at mine, just like on the street. I could get used to the feeling. "We'll come here more," he said, so confident now compared to before. It was like a whole new side to him. 

"I could eat it every day, I don't know," I chuckled, looking back down at my waiting bowl.

"Then let's come here every day!" 

I looked back up at him and he was so serious, but then he matched my grin. We were smiling like children. It was the most wonderful feeling. I never wanted to leave this world. I'd never have experienced this if not for him. I'd never have eaten this. Never have seen that movie, or discovered that movie theaters could have couches. Never had a funeral in the middle of the night. Never seen drag queens. And now here we were, and there was yet so much more to discover.

Maybe this wasn't a new world, but the same one that I'd never been allowed to explore. Such a big world, but mine had been so stunted. It made me feel ashamed, but all of it erased away with him. His eager smile, his even more eager grip on my fingers. Where else would he lead me? I wanted to know more than anything.

I nodded so hard, unable to say anything in my glee. "It's um..." I breathed quick, then decided to just say it. How I felt about him. "It's a date," I said, suddenly breathless. "Let's come here tomorrow together."

His mouth formed a perfectly round "o" shape at my suggestion. Due to the bright light above us, I saw the pink blush form on his cheeks. In the same light, I realized that my blush was redder than the wallpaper all around us. 

All the while, our hands remained clasped on top of the table.