“But I like you more than the movie. Watching you enjoy it is way more fun.”
Popcorn rained down to the floor, and Hwang Seol-bin’s startled face turned toward him.
Kang Biso had only said it to tease—just messing around because Seol-bin kept sneaking glances at him during the film—but his reaction was surprisingly intense. It almost felt like he was watching some shy heroine fall head over heels from one cheesy line.
The thought alone made Kang Biso’s heart swell with laughter. He paused mid-reach, then extended his hand again, gently brushing the popcorn off Seol-bin’s clothes.
Seol-bin didn’t say a word. His eyes stayed fixed on Kang Biso the entire time—and God, did he love that gaze.
When did this all start…?
At first, it was simple curiosity. He’d never met a Guide who could knock him down before.
And to top it off, their Matching Rate was unreal—so high, it felt like the universe itself was confirming their connection. It made him want to get closer, to stick around and figure him out.
For the first time in his life, he felt the urge to have someone. And whenever Kang Biso wanted something, he made sure he got it—no matter what it took. So of course, he’d kidnapped and locked Seol-bin away.
But Seol-bin had slipped through his fingers—bold, calm, and completely unfazed.
…Just locking him up wasn’t enough.
The loss hit him harder than anything ever had.
After that humiliating failure, Kang Biso’s plan evolved. Dragging Seol-bin back by force would never work. He’d just escape again. So instead of trying to control him, he decided to win him over. Make him stay by choice.
But somehow, the more he tried to reel Seol-bin in, the more he found himself falling. The more he gave away, the more that selfish desire to possess turned into something softer—something terrifyingly close to love.
Every time he looked at Hwang Seol-bin, his heart skipped. And when Seol-bin’s blank face cracked into even the tiniest smile, it felt like his whole chest dropped out from under him.
Just like that line in the movie.
The Guiding—that had once been his entire goal—didn’t matter anymore. He didn’t care about that. Just being near him was enough. Just seeing his face made him feel like everything was right in the world.
No one had ever made him feel like this before. Only Hwang Seol-bin.
[“I like you.”]
The movie wrapped up with a happy ending. The female lead realized her feelings during the movie and confessed. They ended up together.
…I’m jealous.
Jealous that their feelings pointed at each other, not just one-way.
He wanted that with Seol-bin. A happy ending, just like the movie.
He knew it wasn’t possible yet. But if he kept circling, kept staying close… maybe someday, Seol-bin would turn to him too.
If—though he hoped it never happened—Seol-bin ever started looking at someone else, Kang Biso still wouldn’t give up. He’d just make sure their fates were too tangled to ever come undone.
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
“The movie’s over.”
At some point, the credits had begun to roll. People were slowly getting up and leaving, but Seol-bin stayed frozen in place, staring at the screen.
“Shall we go?”
“…Yeah.”
Seol-bin tried to sound casual, but his trembling eyes gave him away completely.
Still so damn cute.
Burying the urge to drag him off somewhere right then and there, Kang Biso walked with him out of the theater.
***
Once they were outside, Kang Biso found himself unsure of what to do next. They couldn’t just stand around, and as he glanced around, a clothing store caught his eye.
“Kang Biso-ssi? What is it?”
At Seol-bin’s question, he pointed to the store, and Seol-bin followed his gaze.
“How about we look at some clothes? We didn’t get a chance earlier.”
“…Sure, why not.”
Seol-bin hesitated for a second, then nodded with surprising ease. The two stepped inside together.
“Welcome!”
Kang Biso casually browsed through the racks. What kind of style would suit Seol-bin? He always wore dark colors, but with that pale skin, lighter tones would probably look amazing on him too.
After a bit of deliberation, Kang Biso picked out a light shirt and a pair of pants he thought would match well, then handed them to Seol-bin.
“Here.”
“Huh?”
“I think they’d look good on you. Try them on.”
“…These?”
“Yeah!”
Eventually, after much coaxing, Hwang Seol-bin gave in and headed into the fitting room. Kang Biso had no doubt—it would look great on him.
As he waited, heart fluttering with anticipation, he browsed through more racks. There were a surprising number of outfits he thought Seol-bin would look good in.
Oh, this one would suit him too.
He pulled out an ivory sweatshirt, then a soft mint T-shirt—one after another, piling up pieces he thought would match Seol-bin’s vibe. That’s when he heard Seol-bin’s voice behind him.
“…Um, I can’t try on all of those.”
“Ah, you’re done—”
Kang Biso turned around—and the words died in his throat.
“I’ve never worn something like this before… It doesn’t look weird, does it?”
Weird?
Kang Biso was floored. It didn’t just suit him—it stunned him. Shaking his head, he managed to reply.
“No way. You look incredible.”
Dressed in light-toned clothes from head to toe, Seol-bin looked completely different—fresh, youthful, like someone his age actually should look. And the way he kept fidgeting with the hem of the shirt, clearly unused to the style, only made him look more adorably flustered. It was such a contrast to his usual calm, mature demeanor that Kang Biso couldn’t take his eyes off him.
“Try this one too.”
His heart swelling with affection, Kang Biso started pulling out more of the clothes he’d been holding, handing them over with gentle encouragement. Though clearly embarrassed, Seol-bin didn’t argue—he quietly took each outfit and changed.
By the time he came out in the fifth one, he looked visibly drained.
“I can’t do any more. I’m seriously beat.”
Aww… I wanted to see him try on a few more.
Still, Kang Biso let it go, bringing the original shirt and pants to the register and paying for them. He handed over the bag with a small smile.
“Here. It’s a gift.”
“Why are you buying me this?”
“It’s our first date. So take it—as a present.”
Grinning wide enough to show off his dimples, Kang Biso held out the shopping bag again. Seol-bin paused, a dazed expression flickering across his face, followed by a slight frown.
He looked like he wasn’t going to take it—but when Kang Biso offered it again, he finally accepted with a quiet “thanks,” then walked ahead without looking back.
Seriously, he’s too cute.
Kang Biso couldn’t stop the laugh that slipped out.
…We’re definitely coming back here again.
***
They’d seen a movie, shopped, had a meal—and now it was already evening.
Damn… I don’t want this to end yet.
It felt too soon to part ways.
If everything had gone according to plan, they’d be in a hotel room right now, enjoying a quiet Guiding session together. But now that the moment had come, he found himself hesitating to suggest it.
He glanced over. Seol-bin was casually taking in the cityscape, eyes darting around with interest.
…Still, for a first date, this atmosphere’s not bad.
They strolled through the streets for a while, soaking in the surroundings. Then, without warning, Seol-bin stopped in front of an arcade.
After a brief hesitation, he pointed toward it.
“Wanna go inside?”
“Sure.”
The place was packed with every kind of game—shooters, fighters, horror games, whack-a-mole, hammer games, and more. They explored a bit, until Seol-bin stopped in front of a shooting game.
“How about this one?”
A shooting game, huh.
Now that he thought about it, Kang Bijun had mentioned Seol-bin was a crack shot. And considering how stingy Bijun was with compliments, that meant something. Seol-bin had to be seriously good.
“Looks fun. I like shooting games too.”
“Yeah? So… who’s going first?”
“You go ahead. I’ll take the next round.”
No matter how good Seol-bin was, there was no way he’d outscore Kang Biso. It wasn’t a real gun, after all—but if Kang Biso could rack up a higher score, it’d definitely impress him.
Might even earn me some cool points.
His heart buzzed with anticipation.
Seol-bin picked up the gun and smoothly slipped into position.
…Whoa. That stance is textbook.
From the moment he raised the gun, it was obvious—this wasn’t just for fun. He had perfect posture, every movement fluid and precise. Kang Biso silently gawked as Seol-bin pressed the start button.
The game started off simple—enemies popping up one by one, easy targets. But Seol-bin took them down with effortless precision, headshots every time.
Okay… he’s actually pretty damn good…
As the game progressed, the difficulty ramped up—more enemies, faster movement. And without realizing it, Kang Biso had clenched both fists so tightly that his fingers had gone numb.
What the hell… this isn’t “good.” He’s on another level.
Kang Biso was left speechless as he watched Hwang Seol-bin dominate the game. He swallowed hard, stunned.
…No one said he was this good. Damn you, Kang Bijun!
The high score had already been crushed. Even with enemies pouring in nonstop, Seol-bin stayed calm, steady—never missing a beat. His flawless aim, his focus—it was unreal.
Kang Biso didn’t stand a chance. His plan to impress Seol-bin with a flashy win was dead on arrival. But instead of being disappointed, he found himself completely hooked—drawn to the cool, composed energy Seol-bin radiated.
What, did he grow up playing with guns? How is he this good?
Overwhelmed, Kang Biso could only watch as Seol-bin cleared the final stage with ease. A small crowd had gathered by then, and applause broke out the moment the game ended.
“Whoa! That was insane!”
“Nobody clears this game! That was nuts!”
“You’re amazing, hyung!”
Seol-bin set the gun down and turned to him—and that’s when Kang Biso froze.
Seol-bin was smiling.
Confident. Relaxed. Radiating the kind of charm that came naturally to people who knew exactly what they were doing.
Kang Biso blinked hard and shut his eyes for a second, as if trying to reboot his brain.
I lost. I totally lost.
Not just the game. In life, in love—game over.
…God, this is ridiculous. Does he even realize what he’s doing?
Did Seol-bin know how lethal that smile was? What that one expression did to him?
Feeling completely overwhelmed, Kang Biso raked a hand through his hair, trying to cool the mess of emotions crashing through him.
***
“I had fun today.”
“Me too.”
“…Hyung, let’s do this again sometime.”
“Yeah.”
Night had fallen without them realizing. After a simple goodbye, Seol-bin got into a taxi and left.
Kang Biso had fully intended to use the “I’ll walk you home” excuse to get inside Seol-bin’s apartment. That plan was dead now, too.
Still lingering in place, unwilling to move, he stared at the direction the taxi had gone, heart heavy with lingering longing—when his phone buzzed.
It was Kang Bijun.
“Yeah?”
[“Yo, Captain. How was the date? Did it go well?”]
“Date?”
[“You were freaking out all morning about meeting Seol-bin today. Come on, how’d it go? Are you still with him?”]
“Nah. He just left. It was a disaster. Nothing I planned worked out.”
[“What? I thought you were gonna lock it down this time—bring him home or whatever.”]
“That was the idea…”
[“And?”]
“It was… amazing.”
[“What?”]
“I didn’t win him over…”
[“Didn’t?”]
“He won me over.”
[“What the hell are you even saying? Just explain properly. What happened?”]
Kang Biso’s mind drifted back.
The outfits Seol-bin picked for him. The way Seol-bin looked wearing the clothes he’d chosen. The shy little flinch at the theater when their hands brushed and he dropped his popcorn. That stunning moment at the arcade when Seol-bin calmly obliterated the high score. And that smile. That heart-stopping, confident smile that burned itself into his brain.
It was perfect. All of it.
Just thinking about it made his chest throb like it was about to burst.
“Bijun…”
[“What? What is it?”]
“I think I’m in serious trouble. I like Hwang Seol-bin so much my heart might actually explode. What do I do?”
[“…Ugh. What are you even saying? Gross.”]
Kang Biso ended the call.
Talking to his brother wasn’t going to help. Not when all he wanted now was to hold onto this feeling a little longer—to replay every smile, every glance, every moment from today on loop.
