Chapter 31: Movie Theater Just the Two of Us (1)

“You want to use the club room?”

That evening.

When I went to Juho’s dorm room and asked to borrow the club room, they replied with a somewhat dubious question.

Though I tried to act natural, Juho seemed to see right through me. Well, maybe trying to fool Juho, an aspiring film director, was wrong from the start.

But I couldn’t exactly say “Yeah, I want to watch a movie alone with Han So-yul.” I decided to just play innocent.

“I want to watch online lectures but my laptop screen’s too small and hurts my eyes. Thought it might be better watching on the screen.”

Though hastily made up, it sounded quite plausible. Even I could hear the confidence in my tone.

“Well. I guess that makes sense.”

Indeed, this time Juho gave their OK.

“Do you know how to set up the projector? It can be tricky if it’s your first time.”

“No idea. Never touched it before.”

“Then I’ll show you. First there’s a red button on the ceiling projector, right? That…”

Juho explained everything from how to operate the projector to which drawer had the laptop connection cables. They even drew pictures in a blank notebook to avoid any confusion.

“…Connect it like this and it should work. Move any props in front of the screen and put them roughly back after. Call me if anything’s unclear.”

After finishing their long explanation, Juho handed me the notebook with drawings. I took it somewhat dazedly and hesitated for a moment.

Trusting others so readily and even giving such kind explanations. It was quite awkward as someone deceiving them.

As a sort of penance, I said:

“Thanks, as always.”

Watching me mumble awkwardly, Juho laughed out loud.

“No need for thanks. I owe you anyway, so it’s natural.”

“I wasn’t planning to force you to repay it.”

“It’d be trouble if I had to pay it back with interest later.”

Hearing this, maybe they weren’t really trusting me after all.

“Just kidding.”

Juho snorted then:

“Thanks to you I got a camera from school, and though I had to act alone without actors, I even showed a short film at the arts festival. I should help where I can too.”

“Is that so.”

Since they said that, I could shake off unnecessary burden. Anyway, being a club member meant there was no reason I couldn’t use the club room. Internally accepting this, I nodded slowly and was about to leave.

Just then, Juho suddenly asked:

“But… you’re not planning anything weird, right?”

My feet stopped abruptly.

Glancing back, Juho wore a bitter smile.

“…What do you mean weird?”

“Well, it’s fine if not.”

At my blatant evasion, Juho showed a small smile and:

“Just be careful. As you know, this school prohibits everything.”

They added just these words then showed me their palm as if saying goodbye.

Perhaps it was Juho’s own version of an “NG” sign.

◎

On the way to the arts track building where the club room was located.

I walked quickly with my head down.

I’d learned from doing various things with So-yul. Crisis could strike anytime, anywhere. You couldn’t be too careful.

Though it was evening time it was still quite bright. Since summer was approaching, the sun set late. At this level faces could be made out from far away, so I couldn’t let my guard down.

Getting in the elevator while moving like some secret agent… an unnecessary sigh escaped me.

‘Just be careful. As you know, this school prohibits everything.’

Juho’s warning that wasn’t quite a warning wouldn’t leave my mind.

Having somehow made it through dangerous situations, my sense of crisis seemed to have dulled.

This place had many prohibitions. Not just relationships between boys and girls – even showing signs of it earned punishment. Even watching movies together like today was the same.

I wanted to kick back a little against such a stifling school.

Our fake relationship was formed for such a vague reason. Looking at it another way, it meant a relationship that could end anytime.

For example if we got caught by the school and punished. Or if fear of that possibility grew in one of us.

In such a position, it was pathetic that I developed real feelings for So-yul. Maybe if graduation was right ahead, but with a year and a half left. Just staying together until then would be like walking on thin ice.

Was it really okay for me to like So-yul?

Lost in these thoughts, the elevator doors finally opened.

A dark corridor with lights off stretched before me. The unnecessarily large building created an eerie atmosphere on its own. It even felt a bit chilly.

So-yul had definitely said she’d come first and wait. Where was she?

With this small curiosity, I stepped out of the elevator. The sensors must have detected my presence as the corridor lights turned on.

And.

“Finally here.”

“Uwah.”

I was startled by a voice suddenly coming from a corner. Looking that way in shock, fortunately it was So-yul standing there. I’d thought it might be some vengeful ghost.

“Why are you so late, dummy…”

…Not a ghost, but seemed to hold a grudge.

In the middle of the lit corridor, So-yul was grumbling with a thoroughly sulky look. Her lips were pushed out far too. At a glance her cheeks seemed puffed up too.

Then her glaring eyes pierced me. Though I wasn’t even late, I found myself avoiding her gaze.

“Ah, um. Sorry for making you wait.”

When I apologized, So-yul made a “hmph” sound and sharply turned her head.

“Of course you should be sorry. Do you know how scared I was waiting for you in the dark corridor?”

“Hmm…”

Right, sorry. As I was about to apologize again, a question suddenly arose.

“Don’t the lights turn on when you move?”

At this completely valid point, So-yul replied with an even more pouty face:

“…I’m too short for it to detect me.”

“Pfft.”

“Don’t laugh!”

Seeing her shout not to laugh was funny too, so I kept laughing.

At me doing this, So-yul kept throwing harmless punches.

◎

Opening the locked club room door, a scene similar to last time greeted us. Cameras and slates. Long tables and chairs. A mannequin with unclear purpose and various props.

And the large screen that was our main purpose for coming today.

I’d brought a laptop to play the movie. Though the setup instructions were complicated, basically you just had to take a cable from the drawer and plug it in.

Getting on a chair and pressing the button Juho mentioned, the laptop screen appeared across the whole screen.

While I set up the equipment, So-yul was openly messing with my laptop. I left her to it too.

The reason was very simple.

I recalled our KakaoTalk conversation after school:

[Me: But don’t we need to rent a DVD or something to watch a movie?]

[So-yul: What era are you living in? These days you can stream anywhere with internet. I have accounts on several sites myself.]

[Me: Is that so?]

[So-yul: Yeah. So just bring your laptop. I’ll find a good movie to watch.]

Because of these unfortunate circumstances.

Therefore, So-yul was now accessing the streaming site and playing the movie… like hell. She was randomly digging through my computer folders.

I immediately rushed to So-yul’s side and forcibly closed the laptop. So-yul lifted her head to look up at me. Her frowning expression was full of dissatisfaction.

Then she asked:

“Why?”

Really unbelievable.

“What do you mean why? Because you’re randomly going through someone else’s laptop.”

When I gave this completely reasonable answer, So-yul’s eyes narrowed for some reason.

Then soon with a mocking smile she opened her lips:

“What? Could it be… you have some weird files?”

What kind of question was she asking?

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but whatever you’re thinking isn’t there.”

“Then? If there’s nothing to hide, showing me should be fine right?”

“Even if there’s nothing to hide, privacy means no.”

Well, it’s not like there was nothing to hide but…

Anyway judging by her questioning tone, she hadn’t found that type of file. That was truly fortunate. Though the interests weren’t shameful, they weren’t presentable either.

Letting out a relieved sigh, I said:

“I’ll handle the laptop, you just tell me what to do.”

Then So-yul answered:

“Tch.”

What do you mean tch.

Anyway So-yul slowly moved aside. Following this, I plopped down in the chair So-yul had just occupied. Maybe it was my imagination but it felt somewhat warm.

Then as I opened the laptop to unlock it… a sweet scent suddenly tickled my nose from beside me.

My whole body froze for a moment.

Come to think of it, this was the first time being so close since accepting that I’d developed feelings for So-yul. The person I liked, in a closed room, just the two of us, this close. A situation where I couldn’t help being conscious even if I wanted to.

I glanced slightly at So-yul sitting beside me.

She wore a box t-shirt on top and hot pants showing her thighs below. The t-shirt was so big on her small frame it almost covered the hot pants. The look was quite bewitching.

Her nape visible through her hair looked pristine as if untouched by dirt. Her small ears peeked out cutely too. Her flowing hair seemed to hold light especially well as always.

Though I’d always known, seeing her like this, she really was an impossibly beautiful person.

Playing fake lovers with someone like this. And developing feelings for someone like this. Really, these days were just one ridiculous thing after another.

“…Why are you looking at me like that?”

Noticing my gaze, So-yul asked while tilting her head slightly.

I’d lost focus somehow. I quickly turned my eyes to the laptop screen.

“It’s nothing.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Hmm~”

So-yul just made this sound and closed her mouth. No probing questions followed. Thank goodness she hadn’t caught my fumbling.

Then I opened the internet and accessed the site as So-yul directed.

Though I didn’t know the ID, since the password was literally secret, I pushed the laptop toward So-yul just for the login.

So-yul had already picked what movie we’d watch anyway. From here it became So-yul operating the laptop under my supervision.

Having finished logging in, So-yul moved her extended fingers to type something.

Then when she hit search, one movie popped up. The poster that appeared showed a man and woman standing while holding hands tightly.

Though I’d find out soon anyway, I belatedly asked:

“By the way, what movie are we watching?”

At my question, So-yul answered with a grin:

“A super famous romantic horror movie.”

Romantic… horror movie?