Perfect Date Course (4)
'Whoa... holy shit.'
Am I seeing this right? I came to the arcade with Seonghun oppa to watch a movie, but...
I like stuff like Street Fighter or claw machines too, so I thought maybe I'd win him a plushie or something.
"Wait here a sec."
"Huh?"
Ignoring me completely, Seonghun oppa headed straight for the punching machine.
Out of all the expressions I've seen on his face, this was the happiest he'd looked—maybe tied with when he's scarfing down some kkukbap.
I figured I'd watch what he was up to. What if he hurt himself? What if this caused some trouble?
"It's fine. I'll go set a new record."
This guy always talks a big game... He handed me his popcorn and cola like it was no big deal, reassuring me, then fed some coins into the machine.
The moment he tensed his right fist... I saw it.
The veins bulging on that hand of his.
'Holy shit...'
That was all I could say out loud. Hell, could anything else even fit?
"Whoa... fucking insane, look at those muscles."
I wasn't the only one staring at his forearm. Two high school girls nearby... even women with their boyfriends. Everyone was gawking at Seonghun oppa, whispering about his arms.
BAM!!!
"Huh?"
The massive thud from the machine drew every eye. The score climbed, and an alarm blared announcing a new record.
"Phew... fucked that up."
A fuck-up? That was a fuck-up score?
I stared at him, dumbfounded, just like everyone else.
"Crazy... think that guy's single?"
"Ah... should I go ask for his number?"
"Hey, wait, me first."
"But... we have Hyun-su."
"He's a guy, right? Not some chick in disguise?"
"The build's legit male. I'll go get his contact."
"No, don't!"
I had to stop the girls next to me from swarming my oppa. Were they seriously about to drool all over him?
No way. I needed to mark my territory—this man's mine.
I had to get to Seonghun oppa fast.
"Hey, let's go."
"Huh?"
He was already there, grabbing my stuff and dragging me away.
We switched spots and headed straight to the theater.
His forearm and those veins were still burned into my brain. I'd never seen arms like that on a guy before.
Oppa acted like it was nothing, but anyone could see it was insane.
I stared at him forever, not knowing what to say... until I remembered that must-do date tip from Dusshi.
Just like Dusshi said, we went for a horror flick.
I told him to cling to me if he got scared, and the movie started.
The beginning was fine. It was fun, actually. Then came the jump scares, the really terrifying parts.
-KRAAAAAH!
"Eek!"
Sure enough, someone screamed.
Not Seonghun oppa... me.
Come to think of it, I can't handle scary stuff either.
**
Whoa... fucking awesome.
The massive screen, booming sound. No wonder rich bastards build home theaters—this is the shit.
The movie didn't start with scares; they popped up now and then, but nothing too intense.
My life's been nonstop terror anyway.
Plus, before this world, I'd faced the scariest "human" imaginable. This was nothing.
That 57-year-old Park Ha-gon uncle threatening to smash a soju bottle over my head in my sleep. Graegus groping my thigh. The moving company auntie confessing to me on the job.
After surviving that shit in real life, was this supposed to be horror? Kid stuff.
To me, life was the horror movie.
After that kinda existence, this flick just felt fun first, scary second.
I was glued to the screen, eyes sparkling, when...
"Eek!"
"...Scared?"
"Huh? Oh. No, I'm fine! Totally f—" "Eek!"
Why'd this girl pick a horror movie? I'm loving it, but Jeong-ah's squeezing her eyes shut, glancing at me like she's terrified.
She really seems freaked. Why suggest this, then?
Not like she's pranking me 'cause she knows I hate scary shit.
Her weird behavior baffled me, but I should help out.
"Uh... Jeong-ah? You okay for a sec?"
"Huh?"
I covered her face with my palm.
Seemed like the jump scares were getting her. I'd move it once she calmed down.
This felt like the best move. I told her it was fine and gently held my hand there.
"Ah... it's okay now, but... could we maybe stay like this a bit?"
"Huh?"
Jeong-ah pulled my hand down and placed hers on top.
"Um... if I grip too hard, tell me right away. I'll let go."
"Yeah... go ahead."
Figured she just wanted to hold hands 'cause she was scared. No big deal. As long as she stayed quiet and let me watch in peace...
I refocused on the movie when...
"Crazy... is that girl holding hands with a guy?"
"...Lemme clear my throat... Sung-jae, I'm sca—"
"Eek~!"
"...Sorry."
What the fuck... Focus on the damn movie, dude. Don't squeal like a chick, you pussy.
At least it was quick; things quieted down, and I dove back in.
Deep into the film, a signal hit from my crotch.
Touching a girl made this dick hard? Nah, different vibe...
This was...
'Dad, I think I'm gonna leak.'
Hold it in, son...
My hidden kid was signaling a bladder burst.
Yeah, I'd chugged that cola. My bad for not pissing first. Just hit the john quick...
But right at a key scene—couldn't bail easy.
Hold on a bit longer, I thought, sticking with the movie.
'Dad... Dad...! I'm dying here!'
Just a little more, son. The bladder's at its limit, starting to dribble.
Fuck... no choice?
"Oppa?"
"Be right back."
I lightly shook off Jeong-ah's hand and bolted out.
Bladder over ending any day. Piss and return...
Straight to the restroom.
"O... oppa? It's scary again... AHHH!"
Sorry... but I had priorities.
**
Business done, back to my seat. Movie was wrapping—bright scene, everyone laughing. Credits rolled. Glanced at Jeong-ah.
"...Oppa, why'd you leave?"
"Sorry... bathroom."
She slumped, pale as a ghost, staring at me.
Something huge must've jumped out at the end. She looked wrecked; "sorry" was all I could muster.
"It's... f-fine... feel better now, oppa?"
"Sorry."
I led her out to calm down.
Outside, it was evening. Time to head to the goshiwon.
Felt bad—maybe apologize properly?
"Jeong-ah... too early to split. Wanna grab a drink? You up for it?"
"Huh...? For real?"
Guilt hit hard; offered booze. She perked up, smiling, hunting for a spot.
I had male subsidy left, plus alba cash. No issue.
Wonder if there's a hoebang nearby...
"Oppa, how 'bout here?"
"Huh?"
The bar on her phone... Bar? English said BAR. Not your average joint. Safe for me?
Anxious, but she wanted it. My fault anyway—let's go.
We headed over.
Never hit fancy cocktail bars. As a beggar, booze was soju with ajummas at the kkukbap joint.
Would I even fit in? Anxiety peaked.
"Oppa, let's go in."
"Uh... y-yeah, okay."
She dragged me in by the hand. Sat down.
Didn't catch prices... but I'm loaded now. Should be fine.
One thing I'd always wanted in a swanky bar: order with a cool line.
Sat and delivered.
"One Loneliness, please."
"Pardon?"
The ajumma across the table blinked in surprise.
Dramas and movies always got a fancy drink with lines like that. Time for my classy shot today.