Unexpected Date?! (3)
Lee Hyun, who had been kicking Seonghwan vigorously, still wasn't over her anger and barely acknowledged Hyoseok with a greeting before dragging Jia ahead and storming off.
"Sunbae, I saw Lee Hyun kicking you from afar. You okay?"
".....You saw that?"
"I even heard the thwack."
"........."
My shin still throbbed. She'd kicked me without mercy just now.
That little brat. Doesn't treat me like a brother at all.
I ground my teeth inwardly as I shot Hyoseok a warning glare.
"Remember this. You saw how shitty her temper is, right? If you ever screw up, she won't just kick you—she'll slap you silly. So don't even think about getting close."
"She looked cool to me, though?"
".....What?"
"Aggressive girls... girl crushes are so attractive."
"........."
Hyoseok, walking beside me, had hearts practically sparkling in his eyes. His mouth hung slightly open, lost in the memory of Hyun's kick. I could only stare in disbelief.
What the hell is wrong with this idiot?
"A slap might hurt my pride a bit... but a kick to the shin? I'd be thrilled. It's like playful lovers' quarrel with some affection mixed in."
Not an idiot—a pervert?
I started walking a bit farther away from Hyoseok.
"Hyun-ah, what about this book?"
"Hm? Uh... I don't really have a hobby for reading...
"Oh? Then what do you like? Any hobbies?"
"I used to love biking, and I'd play all sorts of games. That was when I was a kid, though—I've forgotten most of those old games now. Back then, I practically lived in the arcade."
"Whoa... didn't expect that from you. Wanna catch a movie and hit the arcade after? There's one in this building. Perfect for killing time while waiting for a movie."
"Uh... sure, why not?"
Hyun's positive response lit up Jia's face, and she started organizing the books and study guides in her hands.
"You're just getting reference books, Hyun?"
"Yeah. I browsed around, but nothing really caught my eye."
"Your bag won't get too heavy then. I'm buying five—gonna weigh a ton."
"Give 'em to me. I'll stick them in my bag and give 'em back Monday. You're gonna look at them over the weekend anyway, right?"
"For real? You're the best, Hyun—you're so sweet."
Jia pretended to knead Hyun's shoulders before eyeing her bag.
"Huh? What's that? Since when did you have a teddy bear keychain on your bag, Hyun? First time seeing it today."
"Ack!"
Hyun panicked at Jia's words, glancing around. She spotted two guys browsing books far off and sighed.
"Just... an old doll from when I was little. Caught my eye after ages, so I clipped it on."
"From when you were little?"
Jia's eyes sparkled as she eyed the bear Hyun was fussing over, petting it protectively. It was well-maintained, fur neat, but showed signs of years of love—faded spots here and there.
When she was little...
Jia shifted her gaze to the distant guys: Hyoseok flipping through a book intently, Seonghwan staring at him like he'd lost his mind.
Heh heh.
A smile crept onto Jia's lips. Meanwhile, the target of her gaze, Seonghwan, was staring at Hyoseok with utter incomprehension.
"You're really buying that?"
"Yeah. This one's perfect for me."
Seeing the title Hyoseok proudly held up, I couldn't help but gape.
Legendary Pickup Artist's Strategies Unleashed: Even a Man's Single Gesture Sparks a Woman's Affection
This guy's so obsessed with girls from all that studying he does nothing but? Buying this at a major bookstore? Fuck, is this a dream?
Oblivious to my thoughts, Hyoseok spat enthusiasm as he raved about the book.
"The author's a big deal in that scene. Does academy lectures too. He categorizes women's personalities and looks, then spills all his know-how on approaching them accordingly. That's what the ad says."
The pages Hyoseok flipped open were ridiculous: diagrams of hand shapes, male body language, precise motions all laid bare.
"Like this—extend your hand like that, and she'll focus on the gesture. Then, in a deep, mature voice, say something like, 'My hand feels awkward—mind holding it a sec?' And boom..."
"........."
Hyoseok's full demonstration left me speechless.
Pay attention to hand gestures? Feel affection? For Hyun, buying her some pig's feet would draw more interest. I didn't need to ask who Hyoseok was crushing on—it was obvious. And no way would a book like that win her over. I'd bet my balls on it.
I glanced around and tried to dissuade him.
"Buy it. Suits you. But that's the author's secret sauce—spilling it in a crowded store like this? Pointless. Other girls will catch on."
"Ack!"
Hyoseok snapped the book shut at my persuasion, finally getting it.
If everyone was like this guy, the author would be rolling in cash.
I dragged the reluctant Hyoseok to the counter, where Hyun and Jia were already waiting, checkouts done.
"Picked your books? What'd you get, Hyoseok?"
"Huh? Oh... yeah, I got it. We'll pay and catch up—head out and wait."
Hugging the book tight, he pointed Jia outside.
"What'd you buy? Lemme see. If I like it, I'll grab one too."
As Jia approached, Hyoseok freaked and backed away.
"N-no! It's a personal hobby book—not for showing off. Go on, hurry."
Sensing something off but not pushing, Jia shrugged.
"Okay, we'll wait outside then."
As Hyun and Jia left, I pulled out my wallet.
"Hand it over. I'll pay."
"Huh? No, why you, hyung?"
"I've been mooching extra allowance from Mom and Dad by saying I'm picking books for my dongsaeng. Gimme."
"Whoa?... Hyung."
Truth was, I'd gotten the card from my parents by claiming I'd help Hyun pick hers too. But seeing the fire in Hyoseok's eyes, I decided to show some senior support.
I see my old self in you. Good luck. Doubt that book'll do shit, but as a guy who's been ignored by girls, I'll chip in.
Of course, clueless Hyoseok just gazed with emotion at my back as I paid.
In the end, I covered the book, but Hyoseok paid for lunch—a sweet deal. Whether payback or to impress Hyun, he stubbornly swiped his card for all four meals.
Should've picked a fancy restaurant if I knew.
I'd led us to a casual stir-fried octopus joint, assuming we'd split the bill. Everyone was happy, though, and for me—who hadn't hung with a mixed group like this in ages—the vibe was intoxicating.
"I'll get dessert coffee. That café up ahead?"
I'd planned to split after books and food, but these chatty underclassmen made me want to linger. Especially Hyun, who was unusually meek, maybe minding her peers' eyes—miles from her usual grumbling self.
Yeah. Hyun used to have this cute, shy side back in the day.
Today, childhood memories of her kept bubbling up.
"Skip the coffee."
"Huh?"
Jia, who'd set up today's meet, grinned and pointed with one hand.
"Let's check that out. Grab cola or drinks there."
"Eh?"
She pointed at a movie poster: Between Love and Friendship—classic chick flick.
I scowled.
"Movie's fine, but that? Plenty of SF or action flicks."
Romance had bombed in theaters for ages. OTT was plenty for feels; no need for theater sound in mushy stuff.
Even if kisses echo seductively—no thanks.
Group-wise, it clashed too. But Jia stuck to her schedule.
"I really wanna see it. I'll pay. Right, Hyun?"
".........Yeah."
"Me! I love it too!"
Ignoring Hyoseok's eager butt-in, Jia hit the elevator button for the theater.
"Fine, whatever. Love, friendship—as long as hot girls are in it."
Resigned, I followed.
I expected a dud, but the theater was packed—nostalgia for romance or spring couples' vibes drawing crowds.
"Whoa... surprisingly popular."
Jia laughed, pulling her card.
"Kinda hot right now. Rare straight romance—couples vibe. Rating's over 8.0."
"Huh......"
"I'll get tickets. Seats my pick? Guys want popcorn and cola?"
"Sure."
I'd pegged Jia as cute and innocent freshman at first, but she had leader chops for wrangling groups.
Might suit Hyun well. She was stubborn as a kid but never pushy with opinions.
Made me grateful, actually. Hyun was my precious dongsaeng, spats aside. If she'd been flirting with Hyoseok today, he'd be toast.
And if that ever sparked later...
You? I'd crush you.
I eyed Hyoseok grinning dopily as he took his cola, then grabbed popcorn in both hands and headed for Hyun and Jia.
Wonder if the movie's good. Been ages since theater.
Glancing at the poster en route, I spotted Hyun.
"I told you, I've got friends!!"
"Nah, you've been standing alone... Our group's date flopped, so it's just us guys—kinda awkward. Just checking, no offense."
Hyun's yell and sleazy guys' voices rang out. I shoved through the crowd.
Hyun fuming; tattooed thugs covering her right arm and calf.
Fuck. Came for a movie, ended up in one.
Cliche as hell, too.
Delinquent Stereotype Activated
The guys' eyes screamed mischief, unfazed by onlookers—like routine pranks.
But they'd picked the wrong target.
"What, tattoos make you hot shit? Think I'd cower from punks like you in a bright theater?"
Hyun's rare tiger mode made the thugs shrink, voices softening.
"Whoa... loud much? We just asked. Harassing? All we said was join us if single."
The brown-haired calf-tattoo guy played innocent.
Fair if just that—but Hyun's shrieks said otherwise. Onlookers agreed.
Poor girl must've been desperate...
Thugs pulling shit in broad daylight theaters now? Even for a cutie...
Sympathy for Hyun, fury at thugs everywhere—then Hyun yelled again.
"You grabbed my bag!!"
"......Huh?"
"What?"
Just that? Grabbing her bag?
Everyone thought it—even me. Hyun had slipped off her bag, clutching it tight. Her other hand held...
The bear doll?
"You yanked my bag so hard the bear fell off."
"No... no answer, you just turned—we barely tugged to stop you... really just a little...?"
The tattoo guys looked genuinely wronged.
"When did I not answer? I said I have a boyfriend. Came with someone I like."
Finally snapping, the blonde shoulder-tattoo blond exploded.
"Whispering like ants? We couldn't hear! Fuck, we really didn't. Mumbling as you walked—what? And where's your boyfriend? Hiding shitting himself?"
Fuck.
Not boyfriend, but it goaded me and Hyoseok. Hyoseok beat me:
"Lee Hyun!!"
"Hyun-ah!"
Jia appeared beside Hyun, ticket in hand, confused. Main cast assembled.
I'd geared to jump in, but growing crowd's awkwardness made me hesitate. With Jia and Hyoseok in, no reason to hold back. Tattoos intimidated a tad, but public safety assured me.
Stepping forward—thugs eyed Hyoseok (summoned by Hyun), Jia, then scanned me top to bottom, probing.
I have a boyfriend. Came with someone I like.
Fuck?
Thugs sizing up me or Hyoseok as her guy. Crowd murmurs held questions.
"They her group?"
"No way... that guy? Or... not him either?"
Embarrassing whispers everywhere.
No...
I glanced at Hyun unwittingly: eyes darting wildly, face beet-red, hands flailing in panic. Shame, anxiety, tension—she squeezed her eyes shut.
"Her!!!"
Huh?
Eyes shut, she clutched Jia's arm tight. Then bellowed:
"She's my girlfriend! Yeah, I'm lesbian!!!!"
Mouths gaped wide, staring at Hyun and crew. I flapped dumbly too. Hyoseok clutched his head at the bombshell coming-out.
Gazes lingered, then slyly shifted to one spot.
I gawked at Hyun's declaration, bewildered—till suspicious stares hit me.
What... why?
Crowd eyed me, slid to Hyoseok, back to me, whispering. I caught on.
This... fucking hell?!
Phones out, snapping us amid murmurs.
Fuck, fucking fuck!
I death-glared Hyun.
You fucking bitch. Two guys, two girls—you make the girls lesbians, me and Hyoseok look like total gays, you goddamn bitch!!!
Suddenly LGBTQ+ leader, I fled the flashing phones.