Ch.11I’ll Buy You Tonkatsu Later (1)

# Unexpected Date

Hamin’s mouth froze at the unexpected date proposal.

He was never confident when speaking, but this time he felt especially nervous.

“Ah, seriously… I shouldn’t have crossed that river. You tempted me, so you take responsibility.”

“D-don’t tell me you watched all of it in one night?”

“Yeah, I stayed up all night reading it. Before this feeling fades away, I need to see the movie that’s coming out this week.”

“Well… if it’s urgent, couldn’t you watch it with other friends…?”

“Should I tell everyone that I got a taste of this after finding it in your bag?”

“Ah, no…! That’s! Girls misunderstand just by looking at the cover!”

“That’s why I need to see it with you! You’re the one who baited me first!”

“Hii-eeek…! I-I’m sorry!”

Though he wasn’t sure what he’d done wrong,

Hamin kept apologizing to Doyoung.

“You’ll watch the movie with me, right? This weekend!”

“Ah, no… that’s…”

“I’m even giving you until the weekend! I actually want to see it on Wednesday when it premieres!”

“O-of course, but…”

“Will you watch it or not? Just answer quickly…!”

Doyoung shouted, showing Hamin the illustration of [Mari★huana] she had taken a photo of.

Her oddly third-rate villain-like dialogue, like someone holding the protagonist’s daughter hostage in an action movie, made it seem like she was genuinely interested in [Mari★huana].

‘This is bad… if I refuse, she’s really going to tell everyone…’

If he didn’t accept this date proposal,

Doyoung’s eyes conveyed a firm determination to reveal his secret to the entire school.

Hamin had already experienced how Doyoung’s standing could sway public opinion

through what happened with Lee Jeongkyu.

If this were a fictional world like [Mari★huana],

she would be the queen and protagonist who could control all the inhabitants at will.

Conversely, he would be a mere extra who had no choice but to follow the queen’s orders.

A chess piece used to elevate the queen’s authority. Nothing more, nothing less.

“Um… I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t apologize, just come watch it with me, okay?”

Hamin knew what would happen if he went against her wishes.

But in the end, Hamin turned away from Doyoung’s proposal.

“…I don’t think I can go with you. I don’t deserve to.”

He had made up his mind when he first decided to attend this school.

That he would focus only on studying.

He had failed to get into his first-choice prestigious high school.

Why had he chosen this distant school that took a full two hours to reach?

To devote himself solely to studying during his three years here, even cutting off what few friendships he had.

For that, he had cleared out all the novels and comics he had painstakingly collected by saving his allowance.

It wasn’t something his mother had enforced or part of her discipline.

It was a decision Hamin had made himself.

He never figured out why that one volume of [Mari★huana] he couldn’t find until the end was in his bag, but what did it matter now?

Hamin had already resolved to let go of the things he loved.

He had promised himself not to pay attention to entertainment or interests that were just for himself.

At least not until he achieved grades stable enough to get into his target university.

“What, you don’t want to go? If you carry it in your bag, I thought you’d know about the theatrical release this week.”

“…Yes, I knew.”

“Then why are you saying sorry? You should say ‘let’s go together.'”

He never imagined Doyoung would talk about the movie.

It was his first opportunity since coming here to talk and enjoy something with someone else based on common ground.

It was an incredibly joyful thing.

He was grateful that the person was Doyoung.

Just one day.

Though he had only been swayed by Doyoung for that brief time, Hamin enjoyed being with her.

So much that the resolutions he’d made for school became blurry.

It was only his second day at this school.

For his determination to waver already.

He felt not just pathetic but disgusting.

Here, he needed to take a step back.

The joy of school life.

Such things were nothing but luxury for Hamin right now.

‘I failed to get into my first-choice school, so I can’t just come here and act like nothing happened.’

This was the answer that best expressed Hamin’s feelings.

But he couldn’t use this as a reason to refuse Doyoung’s request.

It might be clear and rational as a reason.

But it lacked consideration.

‘I’ve become interested in what you like. So let’s enjoy it together.’

Could he reject such a kind offer with his own reasons?

Wasn’t there arrogance in his refusal?

He felt like he was reducing Doyoung, who was faithfully living her own school life,

to just ‘a girl who only likes to have fun.’

“Why won’t you go? Are you studying on weekends? Don’t act like a model student when you’re bringing novels to school and proselytizing!”

“Th-that’s not it!”

He should give another reason.

Even if it meant denting his pride a little.

“S-sorry… I don’t have much money right now.”

With his head bowed,

Hamin gave a reason that wouldn’t hurt Doyoung.

It wasn’t a complete lie.

It really was a big expense for Hamin.

His allowance was barely enough to cover daily transportation costs to school.

When he thought about the cost of traveling to the area on weekends when there was no school,

plus movie tickets, the expenses quickly added up.

“So I’m sorry, but…”

-Thwack

Doyoung’s finger flew to Hamin’s forehead as he kept his head down.

“Ouch…”

His bangs flipped upward from the flick.

“Idiot. If you don’t have money, why did you buy cola from the subway vending machine?”

“Well, you kept looking like you wanted it…”

“Repeat after me: One, I will not touch cola unless it’s a 1+1 deal or bulk discount.”

“C-cola… I will not touch cola unless it’s a 1+1 deal or bulk discount…”

“Sigh… I guess there’s no choice.”

Doyoung sighed deeply and pulled up a chair to sit down, looking disappointed.

It was fortunate.

Though his reason was half-fabricated, it seemed to be effective.

No matter what, she couldn’t force someone without money to go.

“I’ll pay for you. Just follow me quietly.”

“Oh, okay… What?”

“You just said okay, you did.”

Doyoung took out the calendar Hamin had placed under his desk and drew a red circle on Saturday’s date.

“There, it’s confirmed. You’re dead if you don’t show up that day.”

“Ah, aah…”

The situation had progressed to a point where Hamin could no longer refuse.

**

“A movie…?”

“*cough* With Hamin?”

“Yeah, we’re going to see it together this weekend.”

In the afternoon after classes ended,

After that Hamin guy had left first on the subway.

I was on my way home with Sahyang, whose voice was unusually hoarse, and Hyerang, whose skin was unusually shiny,

when I mentioned that I was going to see a movie with Hamin.

“How long has it been since I told you to keep your distance, and already…”

“What does it matter? That bastard Jeongkyu. He didn’t even come to school today.”

I hadn’t forgotten Hyerang’s advice.

It’s just that [Mari★huana] that Hamin was reading was too interesting.

Sincere ‘lessons’ can never beat pure ‘fun’ no matter what.

If you’re going to do something, do it enjoyably.

That was Ban Doyoung’s motto—to approach everything with joy.

“But that guy. He said he didn’t have money but was still testing me. I got so annoyed after holding back, I just said I’d pay for him, so follow me.”

“Hooh, is this how he’s repaying the favor from yesterday?”

“This too must be the grace of Zero Lime…”

It’s certainly a bit excessive.

I should at least make him pay for popcorn and cola.

“I really can’t tell if you actually want to see the movie, or if you just enjoy teasing Hamin. You’re not forcing him to watch a movie he doesn’t want to see, are you?”

“What do you take me for… He was the one who baited me first… mmph.”

That was dangerous.

I hadn’t told Sahyang and Hyerang what movie we were going to see.

If I mentioned that, I’d have to talk about everything I’d kept secret with Hamin.

I kept my promise, Hamin.

“But Doyoung. Are you okay with money? Didn’t you say you spent all your allowance on that coffee tumbler last time?”

“It’s fine. I got my new allowance at the beginning of the month. At the very least, I can afford movie tickets…”

-Pop

Suddenly, memories from last night flashed through my mind.

[Would you like to purchase the complete collection of Magical Girl Marina★Harina?]

[Payment: 50,400 won]

[Remaining balance after payment: 6,974 won]

“Ah.”

I had forgotten.

The pockets of growing students are never easy.

“Just so you know, I’m not lending you any.”

“I spent all mine at the karaoke. Good luck.”

.

.

.

“I love you, Dad! Give me some allowance!”

“I don’t have money, you brat!”

“Tch.”

When money is urgent, saying “I love you” comes out surprisingly naturally.