I'll Buy You Pork Cutlet Later (2)
“Movie with a friend tomorrow? That's great!”
“It's just watching a movie, nothing more. I used to go to the movies with friends around here sometimes too.”
“Still, it's good. It means you've already made close enough friends to make plans like that.”
It was Friday evening, the night before the weekend. Ha-min was eating a late dinner with his mother, who had just gotten home from work, chatting about tomorrow's plans.
Ha-min's return time from school wasn't particularly early, and his mother's workday ended late too, so their dinners were always a bit delayed like this. Usually, Ha-min would pick up simple ingredients from the mart on his way home, prepare dinner, and have it ready for his mom when she arrived.
Today was no different.
“Phew, I was a little worried when you said you were going to that far-off school with no friends. But I'm glad. You made new friends so quickly. And with all those novels and books you saved up for so carefully... you said you'd throw them all away and just study. I was anxious you might be too shocked being so far from home.”
His mother's face lit up with a bright smile at the mention of going to a movie with a friend. It was a stark contrast to the tired expression she'd worn just moments ago after work. She seemed overjoyed that her son was enjoying school life.
Ha-min's decision to attend a high school far from home had been a tough one, even in hindsight—an anxious choice. Seeing her son navigating it so well must have made her proud.
“I-I really did say I'd focus only on studying. This time, that kid kept insisting so much that I had no choice but to go along.”
Ha-min shook his head, making it clear he'd expressed his refusal. His original resolve hadn't wavered at all.
“Then I guess I'll have to go to Grandma's alone this weekend. You go have fun with your friend.”
“Huh?”
“Oops, did I not mention it? Grandma made a ton of brined cabbage and told us to come pick some up over the weekend.”
This was a far more plausible excuse than lacking money—no need to swallow his pride or hurt Do-young's feelings.
“You should've said so earlier. I could've told them I couldn't make it.”
“Hey now, you can't just brush off a friend's kind gesture like that.”
“Then I'll come straight home after the movie and go with you.”
He couldn't back out on Do-young now, but sending his mom alone still bothered him.
“I wasn't planning to play all weekend anyway. I still need to catch up on my study schedule.”
He wouldn't let his self-imposed promises slip. It was just a brief detour, he added.
“Aw, why so stiff? If you just watch the movie and split, won't your friend feel bummed out?”
“Hmm... maybe. You think so?”
Do-young's not-quite-a-threat—that he'd better clear his weekend schedule no matter what—flashed in his mind. She'd suggested the movie simply because Magical Girl Marina★Harina looked fun, not because she was interested in him. Of course, that alone was plenty exciting.
A girl like Do-young would never take a liking to someone like him. He was certain of that. His life so far was proof.
“Not short on allowance? Want me to slip you some extra? Just watching a movie and parting ways would be awkward. Grab a meal together, check out the neighborhood where your friend lives.”
The moment he heard her suggestion, Ha-min unwittingly pictured strolling through downtown with Do-young. It popped into his head without resistance.
Do-young not in her usual uniform but dressed up casually, looking her best. Walking the streets side by side, chatting, sitting at the same table sharing a meal and talking animatedly.
It was a horrifying image. No, the image itself was innocent. The fault lay with the artist who conjured it.
He felt disgusted with himself for even entertaining such a fantasy. Just that morning, he'd thought of Do-young as the protagonist and himself as a lowly extra—yet here he was, imagining this so easily.
Just as Lee Jeong-gyu had said. Thinking he was something special, when he couldn't accomplish anything on his own.
“So, need a little pocket money?”
“...I'm good. We won't be hanging out that long. She's not interested in me anyway—just wants to see the movie.”
“Interested? Wait, the friend who asked you to the movies... is a girl?”
“Kuh! Cough cough—!”
Ha-min choked on his water mid-sip, setting down his cup as he coughed violently.
“Heh heh. My boy's got game, huh? Then it's not just a meetup—it's a date!”
“Kkh... Heh. Th-thanks for the meal!”
Ha-min grabbed his bowl and plate, bolting up from the table.
“Hey, at least tell me her name before you go! Or her last name, anything!”
“No way! Even just the last name's dangerous. I absolutely oppose!”
“Oppose? Wait, is it Ban by any chance?”
His mother's intuition was sharper than expected.
“I-I'm heading to bed first. Good night!”
Clunk!
Ha-min quickly washed his dishes and dashed to his room, locking the door behind him. Any more talk with his mom, and he'd spill everything about Do-young.
“Haa...”
Ha-min flopped onto his bed.
'Then it's not a meetup—it's a date?'
Even lying down to catch his breath, his mother's words circled his mind, tormenting him.
“Mom's just... saying useless stuff.”
He rubbed his chest, forcing himself to sleep. But his tense body refused to let him drift off, contrary to his wishes.
“Should I... dress up a bit? Or act like it's no big deal?”
He woke in the dead of night, repeatedly opening his closet, agonizing over tomorrow's outfit. Of course, his wardrobe wasn't exactly stylish to begin with. He'd never cared much for clothes, buying only what his mom got him or sale items online.
The only exception was his one Marina printing t-shirt with the Magical Girl Marina★Harina protagonist on it.
“Even so, this is a no-go...”
Fine for a hardcore fan meetup, but wearing it on a date with the opposite sex would embarrass everyone involved. Ha-min shook his head and shoved Marina to the back of the closet.
“Just wear my usual... Dressing up might look like I'm expecting too much.”
He picked a hoodie and jeans—nothing fancy. But giving in to a tiny bit of vanity, he chose a white hoodie instead of his usual black.
White top, blue jeans. It might look like he was heading to a school sign-language performance, but it was the cleanest, most neutral combo he could muster.
“I wonder if Ban Do-young's agonizing over her outfit right now too...”
He chuckled at the thought, then smacked his head and collapsed back onto the bed.
“It's already 5 a.m....”
How long had he tossed and turned? Startled by the flying time, Ha-min sighed deeply.
Appointment at 10 a.m. To arrive on time, he needed to leave by 8 at the latest.
“Phew, still got two hours to sleep.”
Thud.
With his prep done, Ha-min lay down. Two hours wasn't much, but he needed the breather. He buried his face in the pillow and closed his eyes.
'Then it's not a meetup—it's a date?'
“...Ugh, Mom, please.”
Of course, that didn't help him sleep.
Saturday morning. Ha-min had pulled an all-nighter after all. Better that way, he thought—at least he wouldn't oversleep and miss the meetup.
He left home on schedule and caught the perfect train. Visiting Do-young's neighborhood on a weekend, in casual clothes no less, was a first.
“The meeting spot...”
Not yet familiar with the area, Ha-min struggled to pinpoint the location from the messenger app address alone. But he didn't get lost or anything.
Whoa, check out that girl over there.
Model...? Some outdoor photoshoot?)
She's insanely pretty. Should I talk to her...?
Do-young, his meetup partner, stood at the center of the gathering stares and murmurs from nearby guys.
“...She's pretty.”
Ha-min finally beheld with his own eyes the casual Do-young he'd fantasized about in vain countless times.
A white blouse boldly baring her shoulders, a tad out of season; skin-tight skinny jeans accentuating her legs below. Paired with mature, ladylike attire were highly visible, mobility-friendly pink sneakers. She could've passed for a magazine model, just as the onlookers said.
“Hey, guys! That's my girl! Hang around her and the FBI raids your house—hands off!”
“Whoa, close call.”
“Thanks for the heads-up, miss.”
“Yup, just as I figured...”
A bold warning tossed at the whispering men eyeing her. He'd been momentarily dazzled by her casual look, but she was still the Do-young he knew.
“Hey, over here! Here!”
“Ah, hi...”
Spotting Ha-min, Do-young waved enthusiastically and ran over.
“Whoa, white tee and jeans? Ooh, couple vibes.”
“Ah... uh? N-no, it's not... I didn't mean to.”
Ha-min flustered by the accidental couple look. Do-young just grinned, amused by his reaction.
“Good thing you didn't show up in that green plaid shirt.”
“Ahaha...”
He couldn't admit he owned one like that.
“Get some sleep?”
“Y-yeah. Slept like a rock.”
Ha-min nodded vigorously, lying through his teeth. He couldn't say he'd been too excited about a “date” with Do-young to sleep.
“Mm, good breakfast?”
“Yeah, grabbed something light.”
Anticipating no lunch plans, he'd eaten simply. Satisfied, Do-young nodded and headed into the theater building.
Maybe because it was still morning on a weekend—the elevator to the cinema held only the two of them.
“Ahem.”
Ha-min let out a sudden fake cough, the intimate atmosphere awkward.
“What's up, caught a cold? Taking any meds?”
“Huh? Oh, no. Nothing like that.”
“Good, then.”
“Good...?”
Ding.
The elevator stopped at F. Had Do-young been tense around him too? The hand he'd thought pressed 5—for the cinema on the fifth floor—had hit F instead.
Surely she didn't think F meant Five. No, just a mistake.
“...Hey, wrong floor? Isn't the theater on 5?”
“Nah, this is it.”
Do-young grabbed his hand and pulled him out.
“Come on, let's go. Be a good baby? I'll buy you pork cutlet later?”
“W-wait... this is!”
Shocked by her sudden touch, Ha-min's eyes met the red cross sign outside the elevator.
Red Cross is Love
Blood Donation Center