Chapter 24
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 24
Chapter Title: So, Should I Pay Full Price and Commit Fraud or What?
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How did she know I got my hair cut? Even I thought I'd cleaned it up so it wouldn't show.
I fiddled with the ends of my hair using my index and middle fingers.
"Uh...! How did you know...? I cut my hair yesterday."
"Something looks a bit different about you."
"It doesn't show that much, does it?"
"It's like you've gone from a street mutt to a pampered pet."
"What kind of analogy is that? That's..."
As I chatted with Si-woo, I felt eyes on us from around.
My voice might have been a little loud.
Checking the time, there were still 20 minutes until the movie started.
No, factoring in the 10 minutes of ads, we'd arrived a full 30 minutes early.
So how early had Si-woo gotten here?
"When did you get here...?"
"Not long ago. Just arrived."
Maybe because I'd smelled the caramel popcorn from the elevator, I suddenly craved some.
It had been a while since I'd been to the theater. Buying popcorn wouldn't hurt.
"Yeah...? We've got time. Should we get some popcorn?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
We stood in front of the concession stand. I looked up at the menu board.
No collab items, unfortunately.
Two small popcorns and two medium colas: 17,000 won.
Popcorn and cola for just two people at this price?
Lowering my gaze a bit from the menu, a small panel caught my eye.
...This is way cheaper.
While eyeing the menu,
'Maybe I should get nachos...'
I was thinking when Eun-hae suddenly nudged my elbow.
I turned, and she was pointing at a small panel next to the register with her finger.
[Movie Theater Couple Discount]
[Couple Menu 50% Off]
"Should we do that one? It's so much cheaper."
"Is that okay to do...?"
Eun-hae tilted her head like what was the problem.
"? ...We should take the deal when it's there. So you're saying pay full price and commit fraud?"
"No, well, if you say so. Let's do that."
"Oh, right. You order. It's not on the kiosk..."
"When did you even check that? You're so on top of everything."
We approached the counter. Eun-hae followed slowly behind.
The staff greeted us kindly.
"You can order at the kiosk..."
The words trailed off, probably spotting Eun-hae hiding behind me, and they switched.
"Couple menu order?"
"Ah, yes... They said it's not on the kiosk."
"That's 8,500 won."
As soon as the price was announced, Eun-hae shoved in from behind with her card.
"Ah, I'll pay for this..."
"When your number comes up on the right, pick it up. Please wait a moment."
Eun-hae's face lit up with genuine joy as she pulled out her card after payment.
"Saved money...!"
Luckily, the cheap couple set was one large popcorn and two medium colas.
Maybe because it was a couple menu, it was one L instead of two M's, which was a bit disappointing, but still a huge bargain.
One popcorn might be more than we could finish anyway.
Si-woo hugged the popcorn tub to his chest with one hand holding a cola.
"Should I hold the popcorn...? Or I can take both colas."
"Nah. It's fine."
He looked a bit strained, but if he said it was okay.
I checked our tickets.
"Which screen...? Screen 8. Over there."
No footsteps behind, so I looked back. Si-woo wasn't following.
"Why aren't you coming? Hurry up."
"Hey, don't you need one of these?"
Si-woo pointed with the hand holding the popcorn.
At his fingertip, kids' cushions were neatly stacked in the display.
"Ah, damn. Quit messing around and come on."
As I turned and walked, laughter came from behind.
Maybe because we got there early, the theater was still lit, no ads playing yet.
A few early birds dotted the quiet space. Si-woo and I found our seats.
As I'd worried, I was the only woman there.
"Been a while since the theater..."
"Yeah, same here."
"Now that we're seated, should I hold the popcorn...?"
"No, it'll be a hassle in the dark. I'll keep it."
It'd be easier for me to eat if I held it.
Well, conversely, he was holding it because it was easier for him.
Waiting seated, the ads ended before we knew it, and the lights began dimming.
Finally, total blackout. Nothing visible.
In the silent theater, only popcorn crunching and rustling clothes.
Gotta stuff popcorn now early on.
Otherwise, during the intense mid-to-late parts, you'll feel self-conscious and have to let it melt without chewing.
The familiar logo appeared, and the movie started.
Before the opening track even kicked in, I grabbed handfuls of popcorn and ate.
One handful.
Another handful.
The opening track played.
But all my senses were locked on Eun-hae to my right.
I stole a glance at her profile.
This wasn't why I'd come to the theater, but the movie wasn't registering.
Every sidelong look, her profile glowed in the screen's light.
Normally, you'd see it straight on, but now I had to duck my head a bit to see her hair.
Not my first time alone with a girl at a movie, so why the jitters?
Maybe because the only other one was my sister.
Shaking off stray thoughts, I reached for the popcorn tub I was hugging.
The moment my fingertips touched caramel popcorn, something warm and soft brushed my hand's back.
Eun-hae's hand.
So soft.
I looked at her, but she stared fixed at the screen, munching away like nothing happened.
Turned back, and her hand approached the tub again.
Tap. Her hand brushed once more.
Grabbing popcorn, I felt a different texture and realized it was Si-woo's finger.
He spasmed like he'd been electrocuted, bad enough to shake our connected seats.
Glances from other seats in the row.
I whispered in Si-woo's ear.
"What's wrong?"
"...Nothing. Focus."
He's the one not focusing, telling me to.
Anyway, no more hand bumps in the tub after.
Guess he'd gotten the knack eating.
The movie built to climax, protagonist and crew in desperate battle.
And the ally's sacrifice—
"Huh...?"
Why so sad?
Was there a tearjerker point?
Rustling from the seat to my right. I glanced over.
Eun-hae had pulled her hoodie sleeve down over her hand and was dabbing her eyes carefully.
No way she's crying at this scene.
Any emotional beat here? Sure, ally sacrifice, but it's cliché, and we'd seen the source.
Eun-hae was stifling sobs, trying not to let me notice.
Since turning girl, she'd teared up a few times. Lower threshold now?
Not used to seeing a woman—no, Eun-hae—cry up close.
Pretending not to notice seemed best, so I forced my gaze back to the screen.
The key scene had already passed.
The movie ended.
Before the lights came up, I secretly wiped my eyes once more.
Didn't want Si-woo seeing I'd cried.
'He'd tease me for sure if he caught it.'
Crying over this? Back when I watched the original, it was trash story. Can't believe I bawled.
Tear ducts overfilled or something. Why so leaky lately?
I casually asked Si-woo his thoughts, acting normal.
"Ah, more fun than expected. You...?"
Si-woo stared blankly into space, lost in afterglow.
"Huh? Uh... Not bad. Pretty good. Fight scenes turned out better than thought."
We stayed through end credits, then slowly filed out.
Si-woo pointed at the ticket counter.
"Not hungry? Grab the bonuses and get dinner."
We picked up limited posters and metal keychains at the counter and headed for the elevator.
Dinner peak hour, everyone from screenings crowding in.
People inside got off, waiters got on. Us included.
I got swept by the crowd against my will, shoved to the elevator corner.
Si-woo in front, hand on the wall above my head, shielding me like a barrier.
His breath kept tickling my scalp.
Looking up, I saw his jaw.
Si-woo stared at the blank elevator wall.
Couldn't see his expression.
Out of the elevator, wandering the street aimlessly looking for dinner.
Legs hurt, not used to eating out, so I suggested,
"Can't we just go to your place or mine and order in?"
"No way. You picked the movie, so dinner's my choice. Time to socialize."
"Ugh..."
Couldn't really argue.
Then.
"Oppa?"
A strange woman from across the street widened her eyes at Si-woo and approached.
Who? Someone he knows?
"Uh... Why are you here...?"
Si-woo's body stiffened.
I asked softly, just for him.
"Know her...?"
But before his reply, she came closer.
Her jiggling mass drew my eyes with every step.
Couldn't avoid it.
My eye level was exactly there.
"Who's next to you...? Oppa, no way... Not your girlfriend, right?"
She said it softly, but I caught it.
Whoever she was, she mistook me for his girlfriend.
She turned, greeted politely.
"Hello!"
Ha, no choice. I'd play along.
Could save Si-woo's ass for a bit.
"Ah, hello... Yes, girlfriend—"
Thwack—
Si-woo smacked my head.
"Ow...!"