*Yua Ichika's POV*
//November 12, 2029//Monday//
An old man reached his hand and asked me that question. His voice is soft and weak. He looks frail, and he has wrinkles everywhere on his face. He wore neat clothes, and he is holding a cane that is probably supporting him so that he can walk properly.
"I'm fine…" I said.
"Don't lie to yourself, young lady. Let us find a place to sit, and let me treat your injuries."
The two of us found a chair where we could sit, and the old man walked slowly towards it. He opened his worn-out hand case, and I saw a lot of stuff that is used for medicine.
"Let me take a look at your injuries, young lady."
The old man inspected my bruises, and the cuts that I had when my father beat me up. Looking at his face, he was shocked that someone my age had these kinds of injuries.
"Who did this to you? The old man asked.
"..."
"I see… It's fine if you do not want to tell me."
I was probably afraid to tell this old man that it was my own parents that did this to me. I don't know what this old man's intentions are, and it might be bad if my parents found out that I told what they did to me to someone else so I kept my mouth shut. The old man probably understood why I kept silent and cleaned my injuries right away.
"This might sting a little bit, young lady. Try to endure it."
The old man used some kind of cloth to clean me, and it hurts because of the bruise that is all over my body. After he cleaned the dirt on my body, he spread an ointment to treat my bruises.
"Don't worry, young lady. This ointment will treat your bruises."
After that, I saw him take cotton, and apply some kind of liquid to it. He applied this to the cuts that I got, and it really stings.
The treatment this old man gave me was painful, but it doesn't compare to the pain my father gave me so this is still better than getting beaten up.
The old man then patched my cuts, with a band-aid, and he smiled at me after he was finished treating my injuries.
"There you go, young lady. Wow, you really are pretty."
This is the first time that I heard a compliment from someone else. The first person who told me that I am beautiful is an old man that I have never met before who treated the injuries that I got from my father.
"Thanks…" I muttered.
"I'm sorry that I can't provide you with new clothes that you can wear."
"It's fine…"
The man stood up from where we are sitting and reached his hand to me.
"Young lady, you want to watch the movies, am I right?"
"Y-Yes…" I answered hesitantly.
"Well then, follow me."
The old man walked slowly in front of the counter and bought two tickets.
"Are you hungry, young lady?" The old man asked.
"No…"
*GROOWL*
"I told you not to lie to yourself, young lady."
My stomach suddenly roared, and I was embarrassed about it. The old man smiled gently at me for lying, and walked straight towards where they sell food for the movies.
"One large popcorn please." The old man asked.
The lady who was at the counter gave the old man the popcorn that he ordered. The popcorn gave off a savory smell, and it made me drool a lot. He gave it to me, and when I took one popcorn, it was the best food that I have ever tasted in my entire life.
"Is it delicious?" The old man asked.
"Yes…"
"Well then, let us go inside the cinemas so you can eat that snack while we are watching the movies."
He then walked straight to the entrance of the cinema where I saw the man who kicked me earlier. He saw me behind the old man, and he looked irritated to see me again.
"LISTEN BRAT! I TOLD YOU THAT YOU NEED A TICKET TO COME IN HERE!"
"Here you go, young man. One ticket for me, and one for the young lady." The old man said.
"BUT-!"
"Didn't you tell her that if she had a ticket, she could come inside the cinema?"
The man scratched his head and sighed at both of us.
"Fine… You may come in."
The man let the two of us in, and we entered the cinema. It was dark, and I could not see anything at all. It was really cold, and my whole body was freezing.
"Wear my jacket, young lady."
The old man handed his jacket over to me. When I wore his jacket, it was really big, but it is really warm, and I felt comfortable. The two of us walked to where the seats are, and that is where I witnessed something beautiful for the first time.
"Wow…"
There was a huge screen in front of me where I could see the two people dancing together magnificently. It was not a picture, but the two people that I saw on the poster were really moving.
The colors are vibrant. The music that was coming all over the place is soothing, and it fits perfectly in the scene.
The two of us went straight to our seats, and watched the movie together while I was eating the popcorn that the old man gave me earlier.
"Do you want some?" I asked.
I reached the popcorn that I am holding with both of my hands to the old man. He looks like he was surprised that I offered him the popcorn that he gave earlier, and patted my head while giving me a gentle smile.
"Just enjoy your food, young lady. Thank you for asking me."
The two of us continued to watch the movie, and every second of it really amazes me. Each scene was different, but all of it was stunning.
"The movie really is beautiful every time I see it."
"Have you already watched this, mister?" I asked.
"Yes, In fact, this was directed by my grandson, and this is his first movie. I believe that he is the same age as you."
Someone the same age as me has created something this beautiful? If that is the case, he is someone amazing to create something like this.
I am kind of jealous that someone like him was blessed with an amazing talent, and he can contribute something to our society. But, I am thankful for this person, whoever did this is the person who made me witness something beautiful for the first time.
"Old man, what is the name of your grandson?" I asked.
"His name is Ryo Asahi."
******** TO BE CONTINUED ********