Chapter 12
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Date (3)
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The Japanese restaurant my little sister had picked was incredibly satisfying.
Every piece of aged sashimi melted smoothly in my mouth.
The rest of the dishes were just as perfect.
Bellies full, we headed straight for the movie theater.
The moment we parked and stepped inside, the sweet scent of caramel popcorn wafted through the air.
I went right up to the kiosk to buy our tickets.
That's when my little sister nudged me from the side.
"What's up?"
"Let's get popcorn."
"Sure, what kind?"
"Hmm..."
My little sister and I quietly scanned the menu.
From the standard salted popcorn to caramel.
Even weird ones like banana-seasoned that I had no idea how they'd taste.
I hadn't been to a theater in ages, so there were tons of new, intriguing flavors I'd never seen before.
Since this date was entirely for my little sister, I didn't chime in with my own opinions.
I planned to just go with whatever she wanted.
"Hmm..."
My little sister, disguised in a white bucket hat pulled low and a black mask, stared intently at the kiosk screen.
Her eyes were like she was facing down a monster.
After carefully eyeing the menu, she whispered softly.
"You full right now?"
"I'm just right."
"Then... I kinda want the big one..."
Money wasn't an issue—we had plenty—so anything would do.
But watching her rack her brain and hem and haw was so cute, I just smiled warmly.
"Hey, lil' bro."
"Yeah?"
"What about this?"
Blushing a little, she pointed to one option.
I checked it out.
[Seasonal Couple Set] [Popcorn L + 2 Large Drinks]
She'd picked the couple set.
"It's... a thousand won cheaper than buying separate..."
She'd chosen it herself but looked embarrassed anyway.
If she hadn't been so shy about it, I wouldn't have thought twice.
But now I felt awkward too.
I cleared my throat to shake it off and nodded.
"Let's get that then."
"U... uh-huh..."
We finished ordering and sat quietly, fiddling with our phones while waiting for the popcorn.
"Order 170!"
The popcorn came out fresh and hot in no time.
My little sister and I both jumped up at once.
"I'll grab it."
"No, sis, just get the straws and napkins."
"Oh, got it."
She headed off for straws and napkins while I picked up the popcorn and drinks at the counter.
"Whoa, popcorn after so long."
She stuck a straw in her drink and grabbed a huge handful of caramel popcorn, popping it in her mouth with a blissful smile.
"So good!"
Not a kid anymore, but she lit up like that over caramel popcorn.
Sometimes she really felt like the little sister.
Showtime was approaching, so we munched as we headed to the auditorium.
Suddenly, she held some popcorn up to my mouth.
"Here, sis is feeding you."
"Nah, that's a bit..."
The sweet, nutty aroma hit me hard.
I turned my head slightly to dodge her hand.
This was couple stuff.
Not something for grown siblings.
"You're holding the popcorn and drinks—you can't eat. Let me feed you."
"No, we'll eat inside anyway."
"I'm the only one eating right now, and it's awkward. Don't make me uncomfortable—open up."
"Mm..."
I gave in to her insistence and opened my mouth.
Sweet caramel popcorn flooded in.
"Good, right?"
"Yeah, it's tasty."
"Exactly, so why dodge?"
She playfully smacked my shoulder, grabbed another handful, and brought it to my lips.
I obediently opened up.
"Hee-hee."
A giggle came from somewhere.
I looked over to see a theater staffer watching us with a fond smile.
"Ah..."
Clear misunderstanding.
We both ducked our heads and hurried into the auditorium.
The auditorium was dark and dim.
We found our seats in the shadows.
"Whoa..."
My little sister gasped as she sat.
I was impressed too.
The seats were full-on recliners.
'They got money.'
Amazed, I fiddled with the controls and reclined.
My sister next to me stretched out comfortably, half-reclined.
"..."
Her legs extended, her short tennis skirt caught my eye.
It was dark, so no one should see.
But the thought of someone accidentally spotting her underwear soured my mood.
So I took off my hoodie and draped it over her thighs.
I had a white short-sleeve tee underneath, so no big deal.
She froze at the sudden cover, then scooted closer.
"What's this, lil' bro? When did you get so sweet?"
"I've always been sweet."
"Be honest. You get a girlfriend or something? No way you'd suddenly act this cute."
"I never leave the house—where would I meet one?"
She pondered my rebuttal, then nodded.
"True, my lil' bro wouldn't have a girlfriend."
Relieved, she leaned back comfortably.
Happy her brother was single.
So teasing.
We absentmindedly watched ads, picking at popcorn.
"Oppa, over here."
"Got it."
People started trickling in.
Mostly young couples.
I tried ignoring the envy—jealousy's for losers.
I really tried.
"I love you..."
"Yeah, I love you too."
These damn couples took seats around us and started PDA.
In a movie theater, a public place?
And not just one or two—tons of them. Even more awkward.
This wasn't a motel—why here?
"Hey, this right? Atmosphere feels off..."
My little sister whispered uneasily, sensing it too.
"Dunno... Should I check the movie?"
I'd avoided spoilers and reviews on purpose.
But a bad feeling crept up—like we'd picked wrong.
I reached for my phone to look up reviews late.
-Boom!
Right then, the movie started.
Using your phone after it begins is rude, so I gave up and pocketed it.
A twinge of unease, but I had faith.
The title: Happy Life of Mine.
Beautiful—no way it'd have weird scenes.
I trusted my instincts and watched quietly.
Thirty minutes in.
'Not bad at all.'
Tension eased.
With all the lovey-dovey couples, I'd worried it might be sketchy.
But thankfully, it was a wholesome family flick.
The protagonist—with a big sis and lil' bro—overcame family hardships together. Even I, whose heart had dried up lately, felt tears welling.
Glanced sideways: little sister sipping cola intently, hooked.
Good, she was enjoying it.
I relaxed and dove back in.
[Sis, I passed the Hunter Association exam!]
[Congrats! That's my bro!]
Midway through, the protagonist finally overcame trials and joined the Hunter Association.
'Happy ending.'
I always preferred them in stories and movies—super satisfying.
Could end there, no problem.
[Sis... can you grant one wish?]
[For my beloved bro, anything.]
[A kiss... I want to kiss you, sis.]
"..."
The mood shifted abruptly.
The quiet lil' bro suddenly kissed his sis; she smiled happily and hugged him.
If it ended there, I'd chalk it up to an artsy psycho director.
[Nngh...]
[Sis... I love you... for real...]
[Come...]
They went further, tangled up heading to bed.
Some nearby couples even started kissing in sync.
My head burned.
Wrong movie, for sure.
"Haa..."
My clear mistake—not checking properly.
I felt truly sorry for my little sister.
Meant to give her a perfect date, not this mess.
I tried to make up for it, grabbing popcorn to lead her out.
"..."
But she sat there, face beet red.
Glued to the screen.