Chapter 12: Open your eyes gently

Seo Yuna rolled around on the bed, clutching her head.

“Crazy, crazy! Why did I ask him out on a date?”

She buried her face in the pillow, kicked off the blanket, and slapped the floor repeatedly.

“Ahhh! Why did I do that, Seo Yuna!”

She threw a pillow with force but then picked it up again and hugged it while rolling around.

Her head was full of Dohyun’s face.

‘Kim Dohyun definitely told me to contact him, right? But what should I say?’

Her hands trembled as she gripped her smartphone.

She kept opening and closing the messaging app.

“How about, ‘I’ll treat you to lunch tomorrow’? No, that sounds so desperate!”

“‘Where should we meet tomorrow?’ Ugh, that’s weird too!”

“‘Do you want to watch a movie tomorrow?’ No, that feels way too forward…”

Yuna buried her face back into the pillow and kicked her legs in frustration.

“Ugh, whatever! I’ll just send it!”

Closing her eyes tightly, her fingers moved quickly.

[Tomorrow, meet me at 10.]

As soon as she sent the message, she tossed her phone aside and rolled around on the bed.

‘Ahhh! I sent it!’

Before a few seconds had even passed, her phone vibrated.

[Kim Dohyun: Ok.]

“What’s with that tone?” Yuna pouted her lips but clung to her blanket with a small smile.

“Still, it’s nice.”

She grinned, feeling her mood lift, but suddenly jumped up.

“What should I wear? No, how should I do my makeup? My hair too! Ah, this is driving me crazy!”

After working herself up, she finally buried herself under the blanket.

‘Tomorrow… I’m looking forward to it…’

***

Sunlight streaming through the window tickled my eyelids.

I frowned and burrowed deeper under the blanket.

‘Ah, I should’ve bought blackout curtains.’

On a normal day, I would have lazed around under the blanket for another hour or two.

But the phone next to my bed buzzed loudly.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

I grabbed the phone and checked it to find a message.

[Seo Yuna: Are you ready? Don’t be late.]

I stared blankly at the screen and sighed.

‘Why did I say I’d have time?’

As if possessed, I made plans without much thought, but now that I had to go out, I was feeling lazy.

[Seo Yuna: Reply.]

If I canceled now, who knows what kind of revenge I’d face at school.

[Me: Getting ready.]

I sent a half-hearted reply and got out of bed.

After a shower, I stood in front of the mirror.

‘What should I wear?’

I rummaged through my closet and pulled out black slacks and a white shirt.

The fabric was smooth and crease-free, giving off a neat vibe.

Pairing it with white sneakers that left a bit of ankle showing, I thought it looked decent.

‘Not bad.’

After running my fingers through my hair to fix it, I looked presentable enough.

My younger sister, Harin, was sitting on the couch, watching me.

“Brother, where are you going?”

‘What is she, a gatekeeper?’

‘Do I need permission to go out?’

Grabbing my wallet from the dining table, I replied, “To meet a friend.”

Harin crossed her arms and smirked.

“It’s not a female friend, is it?”

Damn.

‘Did she hack my phone or something? Maybe I should reset it.’

I paused briefly but managed to keep my cool.

“No, I’m meeting Jinyoung for a bit.”

“…You’ve been meeting that friend a lot lately.”

“Yeah, we play games together often.”

Hurriedly, I slipped on my shoes and deflected her questions.

“I’ll be back before dinner. See you later.”

Harin kept her gaze fixed on me until I quickly shut the front door behind me.

Seriously, women’s intuition is something else.

***

I took the subway to Hongdae.

Being a weekend, the streets were bustling, and everyone seemed excited.

On the subway, I checked Yuna’s message again.

[Seo Yuna: Don’t even think about being late. You’ll regret it.]

Why is the tone of someone offering to buy me a meal like this… I should’ve ignored her yesterday.

Arriving at Hongdae Station, I climbed the stairs and noticed an elderly woman struggling with a heavy bag.

Without much thought, I walked over to help her.

“Let me carry that for you.”

The elderly woman looked at me in surprise before expressing her gratitude repeatedly.

“Oh my, thank you, young man. Kids these days rarely help like this. Would you like a drink?”

‘Why am I suddenly reminded of urban legends?’

I quietly carried the bag up the stairs.

Though the elderly woman kept thanking me, I only nodded with a neutral expression.

As I neared the top of the stairs, I spotted a familiar face.

A guy fiddling with his phone glanced at me briefly.

Shrugging it off, I continued on my way.

Yuna was already waiting at our meeting spot.

She wore a white sleeveless blouse, a flared skirt, and pristine white sneakers.

She looked undeniably pretty.

Some passing guys gave me envious glances.

If they wanted to trade places, they’d need to deal with a yandere little sister first.

Yuna tapped her wristwatch, glaring at me.

“You’re late.”

“Late? No way.”

Checking the time, I replied nonchalantly, “I still have one minute.”

Yuna pouted and grumbled, “Who shows up exactly on time?”

“Me.”

“I’ve been waiting for ten minutes!”

“Are you stupid?”

She glared at me for a moment but eventually turned away, muttering under her breath, “You’re mean. Really…”

Showing up on time should be enough.

‘What’s the big deal?’

I casually put my hands in my pockets.

“So… What are you buying me for lunch?”

Yuna looked startled, her eyes widening before quickly averting her gaze.

“Lunch?”

“Yeah, you said you’d treat me. Something about showing your gratitude.”

Yuna tapped the ground with her toes and frowned slightly.

“Didn’t you eat breakfast?”

I checked my watch again. “I did.”

“Then why are you talking about food the moment we meet!”

She puffed her cheeks and glared before abruptly turning her head.

“Since we’ve both already had lunch, how about… a movie instead?”

Resting my chin on one hand, I studied her.

“You said you’d buy me lunch, but now you’re talking about a movie?”

Yuna shrugged, avoiding eye contact.

Seo Yuna trailed off, her words faltering as she looked away.

“I’ll buy you lunch later. Today, we can watch the movie first. So, uh, that’s what I mean.”

Her hesitant tone amused me, and I nodded.

“Hmm…”

Yuna cautiously studied my expression before asking, “Do you not like the idea?”

I chuckled softly and waved my hand.

“No, it’s fine.”

Yuna let out a relieved sigh and quickly picked up her pace.

“Then let’s hurry! There’s not much time left before the movie starts.”

I watched her back as she walked ahead, sunlight reflecting off her hair and making it shimmer.

She glanced over her shoulder at me a few times, her steps quick and determined.

‘How did it come to this? The distance between me and Yuna feels way too close now.’

I shook my head, letting out a small sigh, and followed her.

***

The movie theater was packed on the weekend afternoon.

Lines of people holding popcorn and drinks stretched all the way to the entrance.

“Hey, just pay for lunch. I’ll buy the tickets.”

“No way. That’s not happening.”

Defeated by her stubbornness, I asked, “Do you want popcorn or a drink?”

“No. I’m trying to cut back these days.”

“Well, I’m not. I’ll go get some popcorn, then?”

“Suit yourself.”

I headed toward the concession stand, muttering to myself, ‘Popcorn is the highlight of a movie theater experience. What’s wrong with her?’

At the counter, I scanned the menu.

“Welcome! What can I get for you today?”

The employee, a woman who looked like she was in her early twenties, greeted me with a bright smile.

“One single combo, please.”

“Sure! Just a moment.”

As she grabbed the popcorn container, she glanced at me and struck up a conversation.

“Are you here to watch a movie?”

‘No, I came to buy popcorn and leave,’ I thought sarcastically but replied plainly, “Yes.”

She filled the popcorn tub and continued chatting.

“If you ordered a single combo, are you watching the movie alone?”

“These days, it’s common for people to watch movies alone. I do it sometimes after work, but I keep wishing I had someone to go with, you know? Haha.”

I froze for a moment, caught off guard.

‘What’s with all this talking? Just give me the popcorn already.’

Before I could respond, Yuna’s voice cut in from behind me.

“I got the tickets.”

I turned to see her holding two movie tickets, waving them in front of me.

Her expression, however, was far from ordinary.

Her sharp gaze was fixed on the concession worker.

‘What’s with her now?’

Yuna silently scanned the worker from head to toe before walking over and linking her arm with mine.

Soft.

The sensation froze me in place.

Still, Yuna didn’t look away from the worker, her expression unyielding.

‘Are there no women around me who can just relax? Please, just open your eyes gently.’

“Is the popcorn ready?” Yuna asked.

Feigning calmness, I nodded. “Yeah, almost.”

The concession worker’s hands moved noticeably faster after Yuna’s arrival.

“Here’s your single combo.”

She handed over the popcorn with an awkward smile.

Just as I was about to thank her, Yuna interrupted.

“Excuse me, could you upgrade this to a couple’s set?”

The worker’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Ah, yes. Of course. One moment.”

I was just as taken aback.

“Hey, didn’t you say you weren’t eating because of your diet?”

Yuna turned to me with a sly grin.

“I got hungry all of a sudden.”

The worker quietly adjusted the order, adding a larger popcorn and two drinks.

“Here’s your couple’s set.”

The worker handed over the items, her smile visibly strained.

Yuna accepted them, her narrowed eyes fixed on the worker.

“Thank you.”

I looked at Yuna, shaking my head in disbelief.

“So, how much time is left before the movie starts?”

Yuna checked her watch and responded casually.

“Not much. Let’s go in already.”

***

Inside the theater, dim lights greeted us.

Yuna plopped down into the seat next to mine.

She placed the popcorn on the armrest between us, stuck a straw into her cola, and muttered to herself.

“Since it’ll make me gain weight… I’ll just have a little.”

I smirked and grabbed a handful of popcorn, popping it into my mouth.

“Then why’d you order it in the first place?”

Yuna turned sharply to glare at me, her eyes narrowing.

“I said I’d eat a little, not none at all, okay?”

So defensive.

As the lights dimmed further, Yuna nibbled on the popcorn, sneaking glances at me every now and then.

I could feel her gaze but ignored it, chewing my popcorn slowly.

This was nerve-wracking.

Watching a movie alone with a pretty girl wasn’t something I was used to.

Adverts began rolling across the screen.

Yuna clung to my arm, her posture stiff and tense.

“When are you letting go of my arm?” I asked.

“Is it uncomfortable?”

“…Not really.”

“Then leave it.”

Sighing, I held out the popcorn.

“Eat. Didn’t you upgrade it for yourself?”

Yuna hesitated before grabbing a handful and munching on it.

“Ugh, I’m going to gain weight like this…”

Cheeks puffed out, she chewed in frustration.

‘Then just don’t eat it. You’ve already eaten five handfuls, and I’ve barely had two.’

The movie began as the screen lit up.

The tension between us slowly began to ease.

Throughout the film, Yuna’s attention seemed to drift between the screen and me.

Her constant glances were starting to feel overwhelming.

‘This is too much. Seriously.’

Unable to take it anymore, I asked, “Is there something on my face?”

“Huh? N-no?”

“Then why do you keep staring?”

“Where I look is my business, okay?”

Fair enough.

I had no counterargument to that.

Her arm clinging to mine made sitting comfortably almost impossible.

Yuna fidgeted as well, shifting her position repeatedly.

We spent the rest of the movie quietly munching popcorn and watching the screen, the occasional glances and awkward tension lingering between us.