I Ended Up Cross-Dressing, My Secret Relationship with a Handsome Guy (BL) - Chapter 33

The movie theater was located just slightly away from the busy streets.

It wasn’t one of those massive modern theaters playing all the latest blockbusters—

It was small, almost like it had been left behind by time.

I liked that about it.

Unlike the big-name chains, this kind of theater didn’t require reservations—

You just bought your ticket at the counter.

I wasn’t a huge movie buff, but every now and then, I’d get an uncontrollable urge to watch something.

And when that happened, it was never a new release.

It was always a revival screening of some older film.

Today’s choice was something way too heavy for two high school boys to be watching together.

If one of us saw this as a “date,”

Then this would have been the worst possible movie to pick.

But—

I hadn’t hesitated at all when deciding.

Because this whole thing was about Kiryu getting to know me.

I didn’t consider his preferences even once.

The small theater was nowhere near full.

There were a handful of other people scattered throughout the seats,

But it was practically a private screening.

Kiryu kept glancing around, clearly intrigued by the old-fashioned interior.

I smirked at how out of place he looked.

Then, noticing my amusement, he pouted and turned his attention back to the screen.

That only made it funnier, so I had to suppress a laugh.

When the lights dimmed, the entire space fell into a deep silence.

Then, for the next two hours—

The story unfolded before us.

One of the film’s songs was incredibly famous.

Honestly, I was mainly here just to see where it would be used.

I had already read the synopsis.

I had even watched an old trailer for it on a video-sharing site.

I knew it was going to be heavy.

But actually watching the whole thing—

It still hit me in ways I hadn’t expected.

Even so, I liked these kinds of films.

The ones with an unresolved, bittersweet ending.

“…Kiryu. You good?”

The credits finished rolling, and I turned to check on him.

He looked… a little drained.

“Yeah, I’m fine.

I don’t watch movies often, so I think I just overloaded my brain with too much information.”

“Ahh, yeah. That happens sometimes.

These kinds of movies make you think too much.

They kinda weigh on you afterward.”

Trying to shake off the lingering heaviness, I stood up and stretched.

When we had entered the theater, the sky had still been bright.

Now—

The sun was setting, casting the streets in warm orange.

I pulled my scarf tightly around my neck, making sure to shield my nose from the cold,

And slipped my hands into my pockets as I walked alongside Kiryu.

“…I knew that song.”

“Yeah, it’s famous.

That’s actually why I picked this movie—

I wanted to see where it would show up.”

“…When you said we were watching a movie,

I kinda thought it’d be, y’know, a romance or something.”

“Hah.

You’re an idiot, Kiryu.”

There was nothing else planned after this.

I figured this outing had already done enough to show Kiryu who I was.

We wandered aimlessly, talking about the movie, school,

Even future plans—

Until I realized where we had ended up.

The shrine from the summer festival.

Back then, the streets had been packed with food stalls and crowds.

But now—

The same road looked so much wider.

“…Let’s go up there.”

“Huh?”

Before Kiryu could question it,

I stopped at a vending machine and bought a hot milk tea.

“You want something?”

“…I’ll have coffee.”

With warm drinks in hand,

We walked up the now silent path toward the shrine.

Somewhere along the way,

Our conversation faded into silence.

By the time we reached the small side shrine,

Neither of us was speaking at all.

In the summer, the festival crowds had blocked this view—

But now, I could see it clearly.

A tiny shrine stood before us, with a pair of flat stone seats beside it.

It was completely deserted.

In the absolute quiet,

Even the rustle of our clothes as we sat down sounded loud.

“Kiryu.

You look like a prisoner on death row right before execution.”

“…I might actually be feeling that way.”

Kiryu had his elbows on his knees,

Both hands covering his face as he slumped forward.

I could kind of understand the feeling.

So I didn’t say anything—

I just twisted open my bottle cap.

Steam rose from the drink,

Carrying the gentle, familiar scent of sweet milk tea.

I took a sip, letting the warmth spread through me.

Then, after a moment—

“I kinda dragged you around all day, huh?”

My breath turned white in the cold air.

“But you know what?

I had a really good time.”

Kiryu’s head snapped up so fast I actually heard it.

His expression was a mess of uncertainty and hope.

Like a stray dog unsure if it was about to be kicked or fed.

I sighed.

“Of course I had fun.

I like you, Kiryu.”

This time, his face twisted as if he was about to cry.

He was a lot more expressive than I had thought.

“…So, what about you?”

From the start, this whole situation had been his choice.

Our weird relationship had started because of him.

Then I had broken away—

And he had been the one to pull me back in.

He had asked for a chance,

And I had given him one.

So now—

Everything was up to Kiryu.

“Even when I’m not in drag—

Do you still want to touch me?”

I had joked about him looking like a man awaiting execution—

But in reality, I was the one on the chopping block.

My heart hurt,

And my chest felt tight with fear.

But I had to say it.

Kiryu’s normally well-shaped brows scrunched downward in hesitation.

Maybe even a little wet at the edges.

I bit my lip.

Took a short, sharp breath.

I was scared.

But we both knew this couldn’t drag on forever.

“…Can I?”

“If you’re sure about this.”

It was a teasing answer.

But it felt like the only one that made sense.

Kiryu’s body tensed for half a second—

Then he exhaled,

And looked at me dead-on.

His eyes were clear, direct, and unwavering.

Slowly—

Painfully slowly—

His hand reached forward,

Fingertips grazing my cheek.

“…You’re such a fool, Kiryu.”

Kiryu’s fingertips were freezing when they first touched my skin.

But when he cupped my cheeks with both hands, warmth finally started to seep through.

“…Why?”

“Because you could’ve stayed ‘normal’—

But instead, you chose me.”

The smile I gave him was probably self-deprecating.

But Kiryu’s face twisted in mild panic, and he wiped my cheek with his thumb.

“Yukiho, don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying.”

“You are.

You’re a terrible liar.”

This time, Kiryu was the one laughing.

Then—

He took off my glasses.

My vision blurred instantly.

But I could still feel his cold fingertips carefully wiping away the tears from my other eye.

“…Yeah, maybe I am an idiot.”

His hands stayed where they were, gently cradling my face.

“I’ve always known—

That you were cute even without doing anything.”

His eyes were right there.

Even with my glasses off, I could tell—

He was close.

Close enough for our breaths to mingle.

“…I love you, Yukiho.

I’m sorry it took me so long.”

His forehead pressed against mine.

Then, our noses brushed.

And just before our lips met—

I broke.

“Damn it—! You’re so late, you absolute idiot!”

“Yeah.”

“Seriously, you—”

“Yeah.”

Tears streamed down my face, impossible to hide.

So this time, I reached for him first.

For the first time, I willingly touched Kiryu.

His warmth bled through my fingertips. Even through the layers of his clothing,

Even through the winter chill.

And it was warm, so warm.