Movie Theater Date (2)
“Haa… That hit the spot, oppa.”
Na-eun stepped outside with a beaming, utterly blissful smile.
Even so, her eyes held a flicker of worry as she looked at me.
“Oppa, it wasn’t, like, super expensive or anything, right…?”
“Pfft, this little thing?”
I wasn’t some rich kid from a wealthy family, nor did I have bottomless funds.
But when I splurged, I did it right. Hearing that from Na-eun scratched at my pride as a man.
“Go grab some popcorn and cola. I can cover that much.”
“W-Wait, you’re really okay with just popcorn and cola…? You know snacks and meals fill separate stomachs, right?”
The weirdest phrase I’d learned in dating was that bit about snacks and meals having their own separate stomachs—and here it was again.
I just nodded with a grin.
“I know, I know. Eat as much popcorn as you want.”
“I’m seriously gonna eat it…!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
I nodded, checking the time.
We had exactly thirty minutes until our reserved movie started—perfect for a leisurely stroll to the theater.
And so, Na-eun and I ambled toward the movie theater, nice and slow.
Really slow.
The short walk ended, and we arrived at the theater ten minutes before showtime.
Na-eun beelined straight for the kiosk.
With snack counters now replaced by kiosks, we just ordered there. She seemed to know the drill, tapping away like a pro.
“Hmm… Popcorn, which popcorn should we get…?”
While hunting for popcorn options, she glanced at me and beckoned.
I walked over and asked, “What’s up?”
“Just wondering what you’re in the mood for.”
Only then did I see what she was looking at: the Couple Combo. It was a big popcorn tub divided by a barrier into two flavors, plus two colas.
The name made me want to avoid it, but I knew it was the best value—no way I could suggest something else.
“Fill both sides with whatever you want.”
“I can’t do that…!”
Na-eun shook her head vigorously, laying out her case with fierce determination.
“We’re here together! I can’t just order what I want!”
Her resolve was so firm it made me chuckle despite myself. Gratitude welled up.
I could feel how much she was thinking of me.
“…Fine, I won’t hold back then. I like something salty, so let’s go with this.”
I pointed to the Ppurung Popcorn.
It was a collab with those super-salty, powder-heavy chips I’d tried once before—perfect for my taste.
If she liked salty stuff too, she’d probably love it.
Na-eun nodded at it, then said in an excited tone, “One salty one~ I’ll pick something sweet!”
She chose caramel popcorn. A perfect match—sweet and salty harmony at its finest.
“Nice.”
“Heehee.”
She grinned ear-to-ear at my approval, gazing up at me.
“Once we grab the popcorn, straight into the theater!”
“Sounds good.”
I paid with my card, picked up the popcorn and two colas from the counter.
Na-eun had gone for zero-sugar cola—she really seemed to love the zero stuff. She’d picked it at the convenience store last time too.
Might grab her one next time.
For now, I pushed the thought aside and focused on the movie with her.
“Na-eun, let’s go.”
I held one popcorn and one drink; she nodded, grabbing her cola and leading the way.
We took the elevator up and entered Theater B, our reserved screening.
The moment we stepped in, Na-eun scanned around and said, “...It’s so empty.”
“Yeah. Everyone’s streaming at home these days.”
OTT services were devouring the movie industry. It’d been ages since I’d paid for a theater flick.
Last time was back when I was dating her—right before enlisting, on my first leave.
The memory hit like a gut punch, stomach churning. That was when she’d already been plotting to flip the script.
Just as irritation bubbled up, Na-eun’s voice cut through.
“...Oppa, you okay?”
She was looking up at me from beside me.
The theater lights were still on, so her worried expression was crystal clear.
Seeing it made me flush with embarrassment.
I’d been thinking about another woman right in front of Na-eun. That shameless cheater, no less.
Now I was pissed at myself.
No matter what we were, Na-eun was still a woman—a girl.
Thinking about someone else with her right there? Total crime.
“Sorry, just zoned out.”
“You sure you’re okay? If you’re not feeling well, we can head home…”
“I’m fine, really. Let’s enjoy the movie.”
“...Okay.”
She nodded and headed to our seats first—the ones I’d booked, smack in the center.
Prime spot for the best view, comfy as hell.
Na-eun sat, and I took the seat beside her, both of us facing the screen.
She turned to me right away. “Oppa, what’s this movie about?”
“This? Just your standard rom-com, I think.”
It was a classic campus youth flick laced with love comedy.
Good reviews, so I’d booked it—hoping she’d like it.
I glanced at her with that thought, only to find her starry-eyed gaze fixed on me.
Not the screen—me.
“Na-eun? Why’re you staring like that?”
“Hmm~ Just ‘cause?”
Her innocent grin deflated my foul mood like a pin to a balloon. I couldn’t help but smile back.
It didn’t feel bad at all. If anything, it felt good. Her smile had that power.
Hell, the annoyance from moments ago had flipped to pleasant. Mood swing central.
I offered her some popcorn. “Na-eun, try some.”
“Sure~ Dig in~”
She reached over to my side, popped one in her mouth, and kept going—must’ve liked it.
“Addictive, right?”
“Yeah! So good!”
As the lights dimmed around us, I turned to the screen, letting the ads roll by as the movie began.
It was exactly as expected.
Freshman heroine, two seniors chasing her. Cliché as hell, but clichés come with guaranteed flavor—that sweet, reliable charm.
I was enjoying it… until I glanced sideways.
And there she was.
Na-eun, watching me with a happy smile.
In the dark theater, Na-eun had a whole different allure from before.
Stunningly beautiful. Not the cute Na-eun I remembered—like a different person altogether.
The movie was a blast. I’d always loved romance, so no surprise there.
But it barely registered with me.
Not with Seonwoo oppa right there, totally absorbed in the screen.
He’d looked off when we entered—like something was wrong, and it worried me sick. But it vanished quick.
Now here he was, laser-focused on the film. Even that was hot and sexy. The more I watched, the deeper I fell. The movie? Nonexistent.
So I kept stealing glances at Seonwoo oppa…
...and our eyes met.
I was smiling so happily. Just locking eyes in the dark made my heart soar.
But it pounded like crazy. Like I’d been caught doing something forbidden. Like he’d seen right through to my heart.
My chest thrummed wildly, heart under assault.
I wanted to blurt out that I loved him right then.
To steal a kiss in this darkness.
But no. Not yet. So instead…
—Slide… —Rub…
...I pretended to grab popcorn, brushing my hand against the back of his.
Cool, slightly rough—purely masculine Seonwoo oppa.
Yeah. This’ll do for now.
The rest? That’s for future me to savor.