Chapter 48
Chapter 48
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: Thursday #3
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After finishing our healing stroll through the park with Lee Sea, we headed to the movie theater.
As expected, the downtown streets and the theater lobby were packed with people.
Even someone like me was out having fun—what must it be like for the popular crowd?
Fortunately, Lee Sea had pre-booked the tickets back at the park.
It would’ve been such a letdown to battle through this crowd only to find no seats and slink home without catching the movie.
Lee Sea’s always so thorough about stuff like this.
We lined up at the familiar snack counter.
"Ijin."
"Yeah."
Lee Sea looked up at me, her eyes sparkling.
"Should we get the couple set?"
"...Whatever. It’s cheaper..."
For some reason, memories from the not-so-distant past came flooding back.
The day I’d come to the theater with Lee Soyun. The day with Seong Yurin.
And today, Lee Sea was the one beside me.
Huh? Looking at it like this, it kinda feels like I’m living a pretty solid high school life.
Compared to my previous life, it’s night and day.
Back then, my biggest outings were the occasional PC bang trips with the guys—those were the highlights.
There are perks to rolling with a rom-com protagonist.
I should cut Yoon Jiu some slack. The guy’s been totally drained lately over his test scores.
As I nodded along to Lee Sea’s cheerful chatter, quietly appreciating Yoon Jiu in my head...
It was our turn.
"Couple set, please. Caramel flavor... and cola for the drink."
"Got it. Let me help with the payment."
I slipped my card out over Lee Sea’s shoulder.
She offered hers too, but the staff member deftly grabbed mine.
The staff lady gave me a knowing wink.
"You bought the tickets, right? My treat this time."
Always this back-and-forth nonsense. What a hassle every time.
But I couldn’t just let it go...
Payment done, we grabbed the popcorn and cola and plopped down on one of the lobby waiting chairs.
"When’s it start?"
"Mm. A little while. Booked the earliest slot, but it’s forty minutes out."
"Makes sense. We didn’t plan ahead. Miracle there were seats at all."
A quick glance around showed the place was jammed.
I popped a handful of popcorn into my mouth, casual as ever.
Caramel popcorn’s still the best for my taste—sweet and perfect.
Salt or butter-only? Tried it a bunch, but it just doesn’t hit.
"Oh yeah. Tomorrow’s Soyun’s birthday—got her gift ready?"
Lee Sea piped up while sipping her cola.
Birthday gift, huh.
Of course I had.
"Yeah. Picked out some clothes that’d suit her. You?"
"Huh? Clothes? Same here."
"No way. For real?"
Lee Sea getting clothes too? Now I was curious.
"What’d you get? Lemme see."
"Hmm~ Maybe..."
She pondered for a sec, then pulled out her phone.
Found it quick—her finger froze, and she looked my way.
"Show me yours first, Ijin."
"Uh... Just this."
I pulled up the purchase history on the shopping site and showed her.
I’d gone with a casual shirt and pants—figured it’d look great on a girl, especially a tiny one like Lee Soyun.
You have no idea how much time I spent scouring online shops and lookbooks. Next time, something other than clothes.
"Whoa, cute! Perfect for Soyun. You’re always in black rags yourself, but damn, good fashion eye."
"Nah... Black’s just practical all around. And this was a top seller anyway."
I nudged her to show hers.
She flipped her phone around to reveal her pick.
"Oh. Hm..."
Surprisingly feminine vibe from Lee Sea’s choice.
"Soyun never wears stuff like this. Gotta nudge her into it. She’ll be adorable, trust."
Fair enough.
She’s a total cutie in the original story—decked out like that, she might give off a fresh charm, totally different from her usual.
Come to think of it, that dress at Lee Sea’s birthday suited her great too.
Lee Sea, holding up her phone with the outfit, leaned in and whispered slyly.
"Hey. Like you did for me... you’ll do it for Soyun too, right?"
"Do what? ...Oh, that."
Took me a beat, but I got it.
"The portrait? Eh... Secret for now."
Secret or not, truth outs tomorrow anyway.
Sure, I’d drawn one—but not quite like hers.
"What’s that supposed to mean."
She shot me a glare.
"C’mon, head in. Time’s almost up."
She stood with a sigh, like she couldn’t win.
"Fine. Let’s go."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Lee Sea stepped into the screening room with Seo Ijin.
Right there before her eyes: the seat etched deep in her memory.
Booking at the park, she’d seen it open and snagged it like she was compelled.
She glanced sideways.
Seo Ijin.
Days ago... Yoon Jiu’s spot.
Now Ijin’s.
Did you catch it?
The meaning of us in this seat—for what we are.
Nah, no way. You’re blind to that stuff.
Meanwhile, Seo Ijin eyed the ticket she’d handed him, finally clocking the movie. Awkward grin.
She nudged him.
"How’s it feel? Couple popcorn with me, romance flick."
"........."
No reply.
But she giggled at his faintly pink cheeks.
Yeah. Not a total lost cause.
A spark of hope at last. And a hunch on reeling this guy in.
...Still, call it here for today.
She itched for more, but...
Plans with the others. Ties to untangle.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Stepping out of the theater into blinding sunlight—what’s that like?
Jet lag vibe, maybe...
Inside feels like midnight. Out? Broad daylight.
Messes with your head.
Mine right now.
"Uwaaah. Dang~ Awkward time gap left?"
Lee Sea stretched all dramatic.
I rolled my stiff neck too.
Checked the clock, then asked her.
"What now? Head home?"
"Ehh? Don’t wanna hang more?"
Shocked face.
I backpedaled fast.
"No, not that..."
"Then dinner together. Pleeease?"
"Sure."
She hummed triumphantly.
"Hmm~ Okay... Japanese for dinner? Your fave. Heard you hit this ramen spot a lot."
Hm. Word from Lee Soyun or Seong Yurin?
Place is solid.
"Yeah. Cool with you? Perfect. Late means killer lines. Early like now? Gold."
Awkward downtime flipped to win.
Y’know, fourth girl to this ramen joint...
Owner gonna clock me?
Four visits in days—plausible.
Please no.
Not that kinda thing, but looks shady to outsiders.
Anyway: Lee Sea ramen date? Total win.
Me: set from jump. Her: ramen only, then rice add-on. Ate like a champ.
Post-feast, coy glance my way. Too late.
...Yup. Chick magnet taste.
"So. Number four?"
Out the door, poke to the ribs.
"...Huh?"
Knew exactly. Played dumb.
Felt wrong spilling.
"Hmmm. More than three, bet..."
Dodged her sly eyes and mutter, hustled homeward.
She whined for more time.
Tomorrow’s Soyun’s birthday—we’d link up. Soothed her. Home for tonight.
Plus amusement park tomorrow—crash early, skip fatigue. Sold.
Watched her vanish inside. I followed suit.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Home: neighborhood dark.
Empty house: pitch black, chill air.
Lights on. Water down. Chair slump.
Replayed the day.
Today’s Lee Sea? Off-script a tad. Nah, she teases plenty—but vector shifted.
Enough to jolt my dusty romance wiring.
Blank stare mode. Head shake. Vacuum grab.
Pfft, as if.
Quiet night. Roaring clean-up symphony.