#12 - Movie Theater Date (3)
After the movie ended, Na-eun stretched her arms high above her head with a big yawn.
"Kuuuuh... That was so fun~"
"Yeah, it really was."
The movie had definitely been enjoyable.
I wasn't one to hate romance films, and the acting was solid—no cringey, brain-melting scenes or dialogue just because it was supposed to be some "high-tier" romance. It was just easy to watch.
But that wasn't the point.
It must've been back when we were sharing the popcorn.
I'd casually rested my hand on the popcorn bucket, and as Na-eun reached in for some, our hands brushed against each other.
Why was that bothering me?
On any other day, it wouldn't have registered. Hands bumping while grabbing snacks happens all the time.
But something about it felt... intentional, like Na-eun had deliberately rubbed her hand against mine.
I hoped it was just my imagination, but she didn't grab the popcorn right away—she lingered, pressing her hand against mine. That couldn't have been accidental.
...No. I needed to drop it entirely. There was no reason for Na-eun to do that on purpose. Not unless she had feelings for me or something.
Think about it from her perspective. To Na-eun, I was her older brother's friend, sure—but also some army vet uncle type.
Some people argue that not every guy back from service is an "uncle," but go serve yourself, and that notion vanishes. Even guys from the next barracks over get called "uncle," and you go numb to the term. Before long, you're calling yourself "barracks uncle" or "soldier uncle."
Point is, I was just your average ex-soldier dude—hardly a match for a super cute, outgoing high school girl overflowing with charm.
With my self-awareness firmly in place, I shook off the weird thoughts, picked up the popcorn bucket, and dropped Na-eun's empty drink cup inside.
"Let's head out."
"Okay...!"
Na-eun hopped up with a cheerful reply.
Having those kinds of thoughts about this sweet girl? Yeah, I was a total scumbag. Right?
I really was the worst. Breaking up with my girlfriend and immediately entertaining weird misunderstandings about my friend's little sister.
...Maybe I should get a new girlfriend. That might kill off these fantasies.
Unfortunately, girlfriends aren't something you just pick up easily.
They require a special spark or at least some time getting to know each other—something rare and precious.
Lost in those thoughts, I slowly made my way toward the theater exit.
With Na-eun bouncing along excitedly beside me, for some reason.
*
Our next stop after the theater was, predictably, a cafe.
We'd chat about the movie, gossip a bit— that was the plan.
Na-eun seemed genuinely full now, turning down snacks even when I offered to buy.
"Oppa, I love eating and all, but any more would be too much. Too much."
"Doesn't your 'snack stomach' have room?"
"Even my snack stomach's stuffed~"
Na-eun pouted stubbornly and ordered a tasty coffee instead.
"One chocolate frappuccino, please!"
"I'll have an Americano."
One chocolate frappuccino, one Americano. As I went to pay...
"Oppa, my treat this time!"
Na-eun beat me to it, jamming her card into the reader.
"Na-eun? I said I'd cover today."
"No biggie~ I'm here to hang out with you, not mooch off you~"
...Not even a little?
Okay, maybe a little on my end, but at its core, yeah—we were just hanging out.
Coming at it that way, I was the one freeloading off her.
One person always paying makes the other feel awkward anyway.
Plus, I got the cheap iced Americano—no burden on her.
"Then thanks, I'll gladly take it."
"Of course~ Anything else you need, oppa?"
"Nah."
I shook my head and headed with Na-eun to a quiet corner table.
We settled in and started chatting while waiting for our drinks.
"Oppa, wasn't the movie super fun?"
"Totally. Not flashy or anything, but sweet and enjoyable."
"Right? How'd you find it?"
"Only romance showing at that time."
No clue what was so funny, but Na-eun burst into giggles the second I said it.
Happens sometimes with girls. You say something normal, they laugh like it's comedy gold. Probably just their way of keeping the convo light.
As I pondered that and geared up to keep talking, Na-eun asked something hesitantly.
"...Hey, Seonwoo oppa."
"Yeah, Na-eun?"
"At university..."
"University?"
"Like... umm..."
Na-eun opened and closed her mouth repeatedly, like she was working up to it. I waited patiently.
What could make her choose her words so carefully?
She mulled it over in silence, but time ran out.
Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!
My pager started vibrating.
"Ah..."
Na-eun let out a disappointed sigh. She'd clearly settled on what to say.
"I'll grab the coffee. Tell me after."
"Ah... Okay..."
I fetched her chocolate chip frappuccino and my Americano, bringing them back.
As I handed hers over, Na-eun took it with both hands and asked,
"......What’s dating like at university?"
...Ah, so that's why she was picking her words so carefully.
The day my girlfriend dumped me, I showed up at Seung-min's drunk off my ass and crashed there.
Na-eun had overheard the story the next morning while I was still hungover—and she'd been furious on my behalf.
She knew how much it hurt me.
That's why she phrased it so gently.
I took a sip of my coffee.
The cold, bitter Americano slid down my throat—like a taste of those memories.
"......Nothing special. Not much different from high school dating."
"Not much different how?"
"Just passing notes next to each other, griping about the prof, suffering through assignments together, studying for exams..."
"I see..."
I wanted to stop there, but Na-eun's expression said she wanted more.
So I dredged up those bittersweet recollections a bit further.
"And... well... we're adults, so we did some adult stuff too."
"Adult stuff?"
"Like trips together... hanging at college spots... drinking... you know."
"Ah..."
Na-eun nodded, sipping her coffee with both hands.
I took a sip of mine too.
Slurp.
Bitter. Cold.
The wound from her—from Suhyun—still hadn't healed.
That realization hit me right then.
I'd get over it someday.
But not yet.
Not right now.
* * *
Seonwoo oppa was making this pained face as he drank his coffee.
It reminded me of when we first entered the theater—though this was even more anguished.
But the key was, he was hurting.
That girl... someday, if I see her, I'll slap her silly.
How could she dump someone so kind and cool in the worst way possible?
After building all those adult memories together.
Taking his firsts before I could.
I wanted to grab his hand, stroke it softly, comfort him.
But rationally, I knew we weren't there yet.
A casual hand brush, pretending it was accidental—that was our limit for skinship.
To Seonwoo oppa, I wasn't a girlfriend. Not even a friend, really—just his friend's little sister.
I wanted to slip into his heart slowly, so very slowly.
And one day, when it was filled with me, I'd hold his hand tight.
With that resolve, I glanced at his Americano.
...Yeah, to get into his heart, maybe I needed to be bolder?
The thought crossed my mind, and before I knew it, my mouth was acting on it.
"Hey, Seonwoo oppa."
"Yeah, Na-eun?"
"Can I... maybe have a sip of your Americano?"
"Huh? Uh... sure, go ahead."
"Hehe, thanks!"
By the time I snapped to, his Americano—and the straw he'd sipped from, tongue and all—was in my hand.
And...
Slurp.
I'd pressed my lips to the straw he'd used.
An indirect kiss—so bold, yet it warmed my heart.
Someday, I hoped this would become a real kiss, lips meeting directly.
Someday...