Jealous.... (8)
Irrelevant scenes might disrupt a movie's flow, but some people actually wait for them. 'Now, the heroine suddenly jumps into the water, right?' Disappointed by the male lead who casually ignores her true feelings, the heroine gets drunk on the beach, goes crazy, and dives into the ocean out of nowhere. The male lead spots her late, chases after, and pulls her out as she flails in the water. His eyes waver at her soaked, see-through figure. But the men in the theater, Seonghwan included, were far more interested in her drenched body.
'Ooooh, here it comes!' By now, the plot was the last thing on Seonghwan's mind. He already knew the story anyway, and the black comedy bits mostly came from the supporting cast's chemistry anyway. When the leads shared the screen, it was all about their visuals. 'She's gorgeous. Heh heh heh.' Sure, Seonghwan had plenty of beautiful women around him these days, but the polished stars on the big screen still commanded his full attention.
As the movie progressed, Seonghwan's bored expression gave way to wide eyes glued to the screen. And then—
Thud.
'Huh?'
Seonghwan felt his popcorn-holding hand bump into something. He tore his gaze from the screen and glanced sideways. Ye-seul scratched her cheek awkwardly, then leaned in with her head down, whispering, “Sorry, you were focused, and I just reached for some popcorn without thinking.”
“Ugh.”
Caught fixating on the heroine's soaked body, Seonghwan felt a flush of embarrassment. He quickly shot back like he had an excuse. “It was a key moment—the flames of love igniting in the guy's eyes. Super romantic scene.”
“Pfft. Sure it was. Guys only feel the spark when she shows some skin.”
“Aw, c'mon...”
Seonghwan shifted the popcorn in front of her, cheeks burning. Rustle.
“Hee hee hee.”
Ye-seul's satisfied, hushed laugh revealed her neat white teeth. Her low chuckle tickled his ear.
'Hmm...'
Seonghwan's right arm had been brushing Ye-seul's left since earlier. The seats weren't huge, but spacious enough. Sitting pressed close like this almost felt like they were a couple.
'Damn, what am I thinking...'
Originally, Yun-su was supposed to sit in the middle, with Seonghwan on the left and Ye-seul on the right.
'Sitting next to a stranger feels awkward. I'll take the middle.'
'If the lady insists...'
Seonghwan and Yun-su had coolly agreed to Ye-seul's suggestion. So they'd ended up on the edges, each with cola and popcorn.
Thud. Rustle.
'Ye-seul loves onion popcorn too, huh.' Yun-su went for the classic original-caramel split, but Seonghwan craved salty cheese or onion. Today, he'd stubbornly picked just onion flavor before entering the theater.
Crunch. Crunch.
Ye-seul, leaning on his shoulder, grabbed a huge handful. Seonghwan chuckled.
“What?”
She must've noticed him laughing, narrowing her eyes to meet his gaze.
“Tasty? You're devouring it like it's your last meal. Never seen you stuff your face and chomp away like this.”
“'Chomp away'? You want me to eat all dainty in the dark?”
Even in the dim light, her sassy expression came through loud and clear.
“Hee hee.”
“Heh heh heh.”
The leads' stunning romantic chemistry. The supporting cast bantering and laughing beside them. Off the main stage, but always setting up the protagonists' moments, cheering them through tough times—that was the supports' role. Seonghwan watched the side actors cracking everyone up on screen now. People might not realize it: those background figures weaving foreshadowing, holding the fragile threads that protected the leads. But they might not know either—that even those side characters dreamed of brighter spotlights. Craved the attention, the eyes of more people. Every supporting role harbored that hope.
“Ho ho ho.”
“Ha ha.”
Seonghwan and Ye-seul laughed softly, forgetting the quiet theater around them.
****
“The movie leaves a weird aftertaste.”
“Aftertaste? You mean Shin Yu-hee?”
“No, dumbass. The end, when the leads finally face off. Why'd you jump straight to the heroine? What kinda movie-watching is that?”
“Pfft, her face is all I remember. Sue me.”
“Yeah, that's right. Gotta be Kim Seonghwan. But seriously, who picks a melodrama? Now I gotta watch real romance 'cause of you two?”
“Real romance? One kiss makes it 'real'? Then your hard drive's a 4D theater.”
The movie ended, Ye-seul headed to the bathroom, and Seonghwan and Yun-su naturally fell into chit-chat. Guy talk about a melodrama? Predictable as hell.
“Yun-su, you gotta admit Shin Yu-hee's insanely hot, right?”
“Dude... obviously. Why even ask?”
“Heh heh heh.”
“But you two were giggling and chatting the whole movie. What about?”
Yun-su suddenly remembered, asking about the theater. Their whispers had grown louder, reaching even him on the edge—natural curiosity.
“Park Soo-hyun, the male lead's college buddy actor? Hilarious performance. We cracked up at that. Especially when he saves the drowning heroine and smacks his lips like he's gonna give CPR himself. Killed me.”
“Ah... yeah?”
Seonghwan exaggerated for laughs, but Yun-su's face soured.
“What? 'Cause of Ye-seul?”
“Ugh... seeing you two all cozy was... weird.”
Honest bro talk. But Seonghwan knew it was tough for Yun-su—always strutting confidently under everyone's gaze. Hard to admit vulnerability, even to a six-year best friend.
'Reminds me of Kwon Ki-seok.' The male lead's real name, forever hesitating to confess. The role Jia had instantly called frustrating.
'Yun-su showing this side? He must be freaking out.'
Old Yun-su wouldn't have batted an eye at their laughter. Whatever shift happened with Ye-seul these past days had rattled him—no more leisure.
Seonghwan sat beside him. “You're trying to figure her out over dinner, right? Hang tight. Can't change the outcome, but I can dig into the why.”
“Man, embarrassing.”
Yun-su kicked at the air awkwardly. Seonghwan switched topics to lighten up. “Sticking for dinner? Or bailing?”
“No point forcing it—might backfire. Heading out first.”
“Alright... so where to take Ye-seul?”
“Huh? Oh, didn't tell you dinner spot?”
“Just the theater.”
“Ah...”
Yun-su scratched his head like he'd just realized, then fired off a KakaoTalk message.
“Here—five-minute walk. We settled on this.”
“When'd you scout it? Donbbeo Sarang Gamjatang? Gamjatang joint?”
“Yeah, Ye-seul picked it—craving gamjatang.”
Seonghwan's face twisted oddly. He double-checked the shop pic Yun-su sent. “...Ye-seul picked a gamjatang place herself? Not you picking cheap for my budget?”
“Yeah. Surprised me too. She hates offal smell usually, but suddenly wants it. Cravings change?”
“...?”
Yun-su noticed Seonghwan staring at his phone, no reply. He nudged his arm. “Dude, what?”
“Huh? Oh...”
Seonghwan pocketed his phone. “Just thinking.”
“You little...”
Yun-su patted his shoulder, reading him. “I'll leave my card before you go. Can't ditch after asking.”
“What? Do I look broke enough to beg for gamjatang money?”
“Nobody said that. Just thanks. Not even for Ye-seul—you know weekends are killer for you. Part-time weekdays already drain you; giving up a full day ain't easy.”
“...”
No arguing that. Two weeks ago: movies and dinner with Lee Hyun's crew, even Han River. Two weeks later: pool villa with Min Yu-ri.
'Schedule ain't sophomore year material.'
Still, no card. “Nah. Hate money transactions. Buy me a real meal next. We gotta hang without Ye-seul anyway.”
“Stingy...”
Ye-seul's inner turmoil, her changed vibe toward Yun-su. They were drifting, and Seonghwan had to share whatever he learned.
'Starting to feel heavy.'
Seonghwan watched Ye-seul approach from the bathroom. 'Hope it's nothing big.'
Thump thump. Yun-su clapped his shoulder hard with a faint smile. Seonghwan forced one back.
****
“Ah... really sorry. Dad's throwing a fit—not fake, total tantrum. Wants to drag me to the countryside to greet all the relatives. Gotta go. Been too long since I paid respects; must be bugging him. Super sorry. Next time, my treat—I’ll make it up.”
Ye-seul barely back, and Yun-su turned robot: stiff moves, awkward lines, claiming bathroom break then unleashing Oscar-worthy acting. He'd practiced expressions in there—clear effort for naturalness.
'Useless, idiot. You whined about military discharge and New Year's greetings to countryside elders just a month ago. 'Long time'? You some four-generation heir?'
Seonghwan ignored the cringe, glancing at Ye-seul. Ambiguous expression. Not shocked or flustered. Just...
“Then go. It's fine. Seonghwan and I'll eat as planned. Text when you arrive. Got it?”
“Uh? Oh! Yeah... right. Don't worry too much. Uh... Seonghwan, take care of Ye-seul.”
Her casual acceptance made Yun-su's act clumsier. Seonghwan sighed inwardly at his fumbling, waving him off. “Go already. Almost 6—your folks are waiting. Drive safe. See you next week.”
“Yeah, thanks. Seonghwan, really counting on you.”
Only after Seonghwan's send-off did Yun-su relax into a faint smile. He turned back repeatedly before finally leaving.
“Tch... kid seems bummed, dragging his feet like that.”
“Does he...?”
Seonghwan eyed her trailing words, then brightened deliberately. “You bummed too? I'm a busy guy now—not the old me. Make today count.”
“...”
Playful tease, like old times. Yun-su in army, just them two—standard banter. So he'd tossed it casually.
'...Huh? Wait, what?'
But Ye-seul wasn't her old self. She just stared into his eyes, silent. Those familiar deep black irises. But the unfamiliar emotion within. Seonghwan could only fall quiet.