episode_0085

As I was led into the movie theater by Siwoo, it was truly a couple’s seat. It wasn’t even a regular two-seater, but one of the few red chairs at the very back of the theater.

“Wow… It’s really eye-catching…”

“Yeah. I’ve never sat in a place like this before.”

“Yeah… Why did you choose this seat?”

“It’s fun, right? Thanks to you, I get to sit here.”

How is that thanks to me? It’s because you booked the couple’s seat. It’s pointless even if you try to sugarcoat it like this.

I sighed and looked around at the people, then slowly sat down. The seat was comfortable like a regular movie theater chair, but I felt extremely uneasy with Siwoo sitting next to me.

“It’s uncomfortable…”

Indeed, it was an uncomfortable chair. The sides were open, so Siwoo’s arm could easily cross over.

Our bodies could touch freely. Although we had designated areas where we could touch, I couldn’t help but worry that a mistake might happen and we would touch where we shouldn’t.

Because Siwoo is like a lawless citizen, following only what’s been decided and ignoring everything else.

I’m scared of Siwoo right now. His reckless behavior is so frightening. I’m afraid he might do something to someone.

“Hey.”

“Eek!”

I closed my eyes and kept throwing the self-igniting bombs out of the fireworks storage, so I was distracted. Suddenly, Siwoo whispered in my ear.

Startled, I moved my body away, and Siwoo gestured for me to come closer.

“Why are you so surprised?”

“Oh, uh, nothing.”

“Baekcheongha followed us in. The seat next to us is a couple’s seat.”

“… Huh? He followed us all the way here?”

The couple’s seat had high armrests like partitions for privacy.

But since his feet were sticking out, I could easily spot Baekcheongha’s sneakers touching the floor next to me.

“He followed us.”

“It seems like he’s planning to watch us the whole time.”

“… He’s persistent. Really.”

The situation I feared had come to pass. My hope that we could easily separate them just by showing affectionate gestures at the cafe was proven to be too optimistic.

“The seats are like this… Can we show something?”

With the high partitions blocking our view, all I could see was his feet. It was hard to tell what he was doing just by his foot movements. Plus, during the movie, people usually don’t talk.

“If we’re going to separate them, it’s better to do it now, right?”

“But… how?”

“Do you trust me to handle it?”

Siwoo raised his eyebrows, indicating that he had a plan. I was so anxious about what he might do.

But if we just leave the theater without any incident, the situation I feared might still unfold. A persistent Baekcheongha melting down in one go. The strategy weapon to show a bird kiss. The situation where we have to show affectionate gestures will come sooner or later.

According to a dating expert book, the overflowing love between lovers can be confirmed with a simple farewell kiss when they part ways. So the effect will be certain. Baekcheongha may be inexperienced in handling relationships, but he probably knows more about dating than I do.

But I want to postpone this as much as possible. I can’t predict how powerful the destruction and aftermath will be.

“So, what are you going to do?”

To use the kiss as a last resort, I asked Siwoo how we could separate Baekcheongha.

“Sit here.”

I thought I had asked for no reason.

Is he crazy, really?

“Sit… there?”

“Yeah. This way, he can see our feet and how we’re sitting.”

“Oh, uh… still, this is a bit…”

Siwoo pointed to between his legs. He was insane.

Unlike regular movie theater seats, the sofa was wide and deep, providing ample space for me to sit comfortably, but this is clearly just a way to fill the void.

I distinctly remember saying that physical contact was limited to hands, shoulders, and faces, right?

Isn’t limited strategy supposed to mean just ordering anything?

No, I get it. Chaewon. It’s fine. I understand. I just can’t handle it.

“That’s being dense. I’ll offer an alternative.”

“An alternative… okay.”

Jung Siwoo openly displayed a disappointed expression. I felt the same way, or rather, Chaewon did too. It’s a nuisance to behave like this in a movie theater. Etiquette should be observed in public places.

“To make it more interesting, let’s both put our feet up on the sofa.”

“Hmm. That’s a good idea.”

“Let’s watch the movie comfortably like we would at home. How about that?”

Although I was secretly disappointed by the radical suggestion being rejected, Siwoo actively agreed with my opinion. I was worried about what would happen if he whined about it, but as expected, Siwoo is Siwoo. He knows when to back off.

“But let me lean on your shoulder.”

Why not just lean on me like you usually do?

However, I appreciate him asking first, as it shows consideration.

“I’ll lean on my side, so just sit still.”

“Really?”

Of course. I should have the upper hand in physical contact.

If you suddenly start getting touchy, I’ll be surprised.

“Can we hold hands throughout the movie? Hmm.”

According to the contract, holding hands is allowed. I’m slowly getting used to handling the explosive moments while holding hands, so I should get used to physical contact under the guise of watching a movie.

“Sure.”

#

As the movie started after the ads, the two of them discreetly hid their feet on the floor. All that was left were two pairs of shoes.

“What, what is it?”

Flustered, Baekcheong cautiously raised her head above the partition. It was too dark to see clearly, but the two were glued to the movie, focusing intently.

“How is it? The situation.”

“Uh, fine… I guess….”

Although they had spent 15 years together, Siwoo always gave Baekcheong a dull response.

During tutoring, there were inevitably minor instances of physical contact, but Siwoo always remained expressionless. There was no indication of liking or disliking it.

– Hey, it tickles.

– Sorry. Was I too close?

– No, it’s just….

However, during the brief moment of silence in the theater, they could hear the faint conversation from the adjacent seats.

– But being like this makes it feel like we’re really watching at home.

– Really?

– Hey. Hey. Are you subtly…?

– Oh, why. A little. Is this not allowed either?

– Oh my!

I see. There’s also an unbridgeable distance between them.

‘Because we’re siblings….’

No matter how different their parents may be, Siwoo could only see Baekcheong as his eternal younger sister and the daughter of Eunsa-nim.

Baekcheong realized this on the 15th anniversary of their relationship.

“You never… played around with me like that before….”

Feeling overwhelmed, Baekcheong descended from the partition and sat down with a thud.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She didn’t have the energy to get up in anger as usual.

“I hate you… oppa… really…… really…. sob….”

The handkerchief that smelled of cigarettes from earlier was clenched in Baekcheong’s hand. Feeling the piercing gaze, Baekcheong raised her head, and Kwon Hanguil lowered his chin, signaling her to stop clinging. It was a sign to give up.

“Sob….”

Still, in the movie theater, Baekcheong chose to quietly sob instead of wailing. It felt like a child who couldn’t control their emotions was taking their first step towards adulthood by revealing their vulnerability to an adult.

His dignified appearance made Kwon Hanguil start muttering words he didn’t even believe in.

“Cheongha, you seem to be having a big misunderstanding.”

“…Huk. Huk… Hng….”

“Love. It’s not just about me liking someone. Both sides have to like each other. You can’t clap with just one hand, right?”

Before working in the entertainment industry, Kwon Hanguil was just an ordinary student. But an angel came flying to him, blessing him, and his path was set in the entertainment industry.

“No matter how much you like someone, there are beings you can’t approach. No matter how hard you try, there are beings you can’t get close to. There are… a lot of invisible walls in this world. You look and see nothing, right? But there’s a wall. It’s so absurd, isn’t it?”

He wanted to see the angel flying up to the sky and being adored by people. So Kwon Hanguil put everything he had on her. Towards the sky. Constantly flapping his wings towards higher places.

But no matter how hard he tried, Kwon Hanguil was just one of the staff. He could never become the angel’s precious person.

“If you want to endure that absurdity and conquer love, you have to push yourself a little. The problem is… if you push yourself too hard…”

Kwon Hanguil’s fists collided from both sides. And as if indicating an explosion, his hands spread wide and slowly retreated.

“Boom. A bad ending where both get hurt and it’s over is typical. That’s how this world is.”

Kwon Hanguil didn’t talk more about it.

Turning a bad ending into a happy ending is also possible. But it doesn’t happen often, and usually, you end up with an even more dreadful outcome just by trying.

Unwillingly, Kwon Hanguil’s angel was similar. Falling in sudden love with a fan. The fan, with eyes wide open, caught the angel’s weakness. The love that started with pushing too hard twisted and broke, and the angel fell.

And so the angel was forever forgotten in this world. Like a sinner who had been erased from the records.

“Let’s give up here. Well, even if I say this, it probably won’t resonate with you…”

The handkerchief that was being twisted around his neck returned, soaked with the girl’s tears.

The girl’s expression as she returned the item was dark and hard to see, but her voice was resolute. It seemed like there was no way back.

“When the movie ends, for the last time… let’s clash. And then end it. If not, I’ll feel too pathetic to bear it…”

At least, he wanted to prevent the bright future of the girl in front of him from falling apart.

Kwon Hanguil accepted the handkerchief and nodded his head.

“Alright. Let’s do that.”