Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Date 2
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The movie theater was located on the floor below the food court.
I'm impressed by the design that clusters places like the movie theater and food court where crowds would naturally gather. In fact, as we rode the escalator down floor by floor, the number of people doubled each time we got closer.
Stepping off on the movie theater floor, I scanned the surroundings. As expected, it was jammed with throngs of people.
"What are we gonna watch?"
"Hmm."
I shook my head at Si-eun's question.
I knew there was a department store here with a movie theater inside, and the vibe wasn't bad. I'd gathered that much from online info and prior scouting trips. But I hadn't decided on a specific movie.
I checked the electronic board above the ticket counter.
Number one was a blockbuster action flick from a famous series. Number two was a family-friendly comedy. Number three was a romance based on a pretty well-known original work.
"You pick. I'm good with anything."
"You always make me decide the meal menu too... but since you'd just pick ramen anyway, it doesn't really count."
"Yeah. If you don't pick, I'll just go with that one around number thirteen."
Our time together so far wasn't wasted, it seems. She's learned that in situations like this, it's better if she chooses.
Given Si-eun's personality, I figured she'd go for the gritty action blockbuster.
But my guess was off. Si-eun headed to the kiosk and picked number three—the romance movie.
"This one?"
"Yeah. I saw online that it's fun."
"Hmm."
I remembered seeing the title before. I'd even skimmed spoilers, figuring I'd never bother watching it.
The plot vaguely came back to me. A terminally ill woman gets close to some guy. She collapses, gets surgery, comes back, and they live happily ever after, or something like that.
I wondered if this was Si-eun's taste, but there was no reason to fight her choice. Showtime was in fifteen minutes—perfect timing. I accepted quietly.
We hit the restrooms separately, then grabbed popcorn and cola before heading into the auditorium.
A ton of people were already there, waiting for the film to start. Seeing them seated in pairs, it looked like mostly couples.
Our seats were right next to each other, of course.
I set the popcorn bucket in the middle to hold our spot. I considered two medium sizes, but one large would avoid leftovers for sure.
I'm not big on watching movies in theaters, or munching popcorn during them. Still, for the atmosphere, it felt right.
As I reached into the bucket, my fingers brushed Si-eun's.
We both yanked our hands back at the same time.
"Ah."
"Oops."
The mood turned awkward in an instant.
I tried to play it cool and hide my fluster before speaking up.
"Uh, you go first."
"Y-Yeah. Thanks."
With that, Si-eun scooped up a big handful and shoved it into her mouth.
Si-eun's appetite really is something else.
A moment later, the movie began.
The story matched the spoilers. It follows an ordinary guy’s perspective until he witnesses the girl vomiting blood, drawing him into her life.
Cliché as it gets, but this setup is killer for tugging heartstrings.
By the midpoint, the two start inching closer.
She tries shoving him away, but he cluelessly keeps coming on strong. In the end, she falls for his pursuit.
I glanced at Si-eun next to me.
She was glued to the screen, totally immersed, her lips pressed tight—except when she was grabbing popcorn.
Finally, the film raced toward its climax.
On a trip together, she collapses. He frantically calls 119 and rushes her to the ER, but her condition is way worse than he realized.
"Why hide it?" he asks. She replies, "I just wanted to go on a trip with you......" before passing out again.
I'd seen the rough outline from spoilers, but damn, it hit hard.
"Sniff......"
And Si-eun seemed way more torn up about it than I was.
I peeked over at the sudden sound. Tears were streaming down her face. Totally unexpected. For whatever reason, I'd always pictured her as someone who didn't cry easily.
Her teary face had its own appeal, too.
Looking so vulnerable and fragile—it was a side of Si-eun I'd never seen, and it stirred something in my chest.
The movie wrapped with her post-treatment embrace of the guy.
Through the final stretch, Si-eun kept sniffling or outright crying. She muffled it to avoid bothering anyone else, but I could hear every bit.
Once we exited the auditorium, Si-eun acted totally fine.
Her face was stoic, like she hadn't shed a tear, but her eyes were bloodshot and puffy around the edges. You can't hide that stuff.
Pretending I hadn't noticed, I decided to ask anyway.
"Did you cry? Your eyes are all swollen."
"......No."
She says no.
"This is...... y'know. From eating ramen last night and crashing. That's why they're puffy."
Sounded plausible. I nodded to myself.
Unfortunately, her excuse had a hole in it.
"They were fine before the movie."
"Not that...... Truth is, the movie sucked so bad I was yawning nonstop. That's what made 'em swell. Yeah."
"Who sniffles like 'hic-hic' while yawning?"
"If you heard it all, don't ask!"
She scowled hard and shot me a death glare. Whoa, scary.
She could've just admitted it was touching. Why play tough? It's not embarrassing.
"Crying's no big deal. It was touching. Pretty sad, too."
Even after I said that, her pouty expression didn't budge. Maybe I teased her too much.
Soon, she huffed.
"It was touching, huh? But you didn't cry at all."
"I've never cried at a movie. Haven't really cried since I was a kid, honestly."
"You're emotionally parched."
"Am I?"
Maybe so.
As I walked along thinking that, Si-eun suddenly stopped.
"So? What'd you think?"
"Huh? Eh, it was touching."
"Not that."
She extended her index finger, pointing at the floor.
"We came here today to check if we should invest in this place, right?"
"Yeah~ Pretty much."
My vague reply must've irked her. She fixed me with a suspicious stare.
"......We are here to scout today, aren't we?"
"Of course."
I quickened my pace ahead, brushing off her gaze.
"Let's hustle. Time's not unlimited."
"Hmph."
Prodded like that, she grumbled distrustfully but soon fell into step beside me.