Jaeyoon stared blankly at the ceiling before raising his upper body from the bed. I’m free today. He blinked slowly and held his phone in his hand.
Sunbae Hajun [Why are you two going together?]
Heejun [He said he’s scared to go alone]
Class President [I never said I was scared!]
Sunbae Hajun [So that’s why you two went together?]
Sunbae Hajun (Emoticon of a puppy running back and forth)
Class President [There was no rule saying I had to go alone! I didn’t bend any rules!]
Though he sent an emoticon of a cat striking a proud pose, inside, Jaeha was probably anxious about what Hajun might say to object. Imagining the scene naturally forming in his head, Jaeyoon leaned back against the bed. Contrary to his expectation of an immediate reply, there was no response from Hajun. After five minutes with no reply, Jaeha called out to him questioningly.
Class President [Hyung?]
Class President [Why aren’t you answering?]
Class President [Are you upset?]
Hajun, who had remained silent despite these anxious questions, finally appeared after three minutes. Messages rapidly filled the chat window as he sent them without pause.
Sunbae Hajun [Arggghhhh!!]
Sunbae Hajun [That bastard vice-president!]
Sunbae Hajun [Doesn’t even do his work properly]
Sunbae Hajun [Why]
Sunbae Hajun [Just why!!!]
Sunbae Hajun [Why did he want to be vice-president?!]
Sunbae Hajun [I won’t let this slide!!!!!!!]
Sunbae Hajun (Emoticon of a growling dog)
If he was talking about the vice-president, it must be that guy they mentioned during lunch break—the one who actively campaigned to become vice-president without doing any work?? From the state of the messages, it seemed that Hajun had once again taken on all the vice-president’s responsibilities because he hadn’t done his work today.
‘And in the end, Sunbae will end up helping him.’
Jaeyoon could clearly picture Jinhoo helping out despite pretending to be annoyed by Hajun’s complaints.
‘If this vice-president guy doesn’t want to do the work, why did he want the position? Does he think it’ll help him get into university?’
While pondering with his arms crossed, Jaeyoon eventually shrugged his shoulders. There was no way to know the intentions of someone he’d never met. Maybe I should casually check who it is the next time I go to the art room? After seeing that Hajun was still fuming, Jaeyoon turned off his phone and stretched his arms upward.
‘Sunbae is at the art room, Heejun and the class president are at the movie theater…’
Jaeyoon blinked blankly. For the first time in a long while, he had nothing to do. After awkwardly scratching his cheek, he crawled back under the blanket. Then, with just his hand peeking out, he held his phone and started playing the DangTube app.
‘I’ll enjoy some leisurely hobbies for the first time in a while~’
A satisfied smile appeared on Jaeyoon’s face.
***
Leaving behind the raging Hajun, Heejun put his phone in his pocket and turned his gaze to Jaeha, who was seriously looking at the menu board.
“Popcorn? Churros? What should I eat…?”
Stroking his chin contemplatively, Jaeha turned his head to look at Heejun.
“What do you want to eat?”
Heejun’s eyes lingered briefly on the nachos before moving away. Why does this guy always only offer sweet options? Frowning, Heejun let out a small sigh. He probably thinks I like sweet things. I’ve always accommodated his taste…
“Popcorn.”
“Hmm, then should I order a large caramel popcorn? Drinks—cola or cider?”
“Cola.”
“Okie~”
If it’s popcorn, it’ll disappear on its own even if I don’t touch it. Watching Jaeha order, Heejun brushed his bangs aside.
‘Why do I like this guy who doesn’t even know my preferences?’
The more he thought about it, the less he understood. Why did he have to like Jaeha of all people? Among all the people in the world, why did it have to be not only another guy but also his friend…? No matter how many times he questioned himself, no proper answer came to mind. There’s no exact answer to why someone likes another person. He just found himself liking him before he realized it.
His friends with similar preferences worried about him. Because he was in love with almost zero chance of happiness. They told him it would be better to move on as soon as possible. To meet someone else. That there would definitely be someone else he’d come to love.
‘But can I control that at will? If I could, I would’ve done it a long time ago…’
“Heejun!”
Lost in thought, Heejun snapped out of his reverie at the voice calling him. He looked at Jaeha, who was handing him two paper cups of cola. It was quite funny seeing him precariously holding the drinks while hugging a large caramel popcorn to his chest.
“Ah, take them quickly!”
“Yes, yes.”
“What were you thinking about so deeply? I called you several times and you didn’t answer… Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind and want to go back?”
Heejun let out a big sigh at the anxious question. Jaeha’s pupils shook quickly in response.
“Oh no! Don’t go! Please!!”
“Why do I like this idiot…”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Which theater is it?”
“Hm? Oh, just a moment…”
Watching Jaeha struggling to pull the movie tickets out of his pocket, Heejun sighed deeply once more.
‘He has absolutely no perception.’
This should be enough to turn anyone off, and yet… Heejun followed Jaeha’s back while once again questioning himself.
The employee who took their tickets looked at the two high school students as if they were cute. As Jaeha had said, she seemed to think they were just friends, not a couple.
“Theater 5 is on the right. Enjoy your movie.”
“Thank you.”
Heejun’s footsteps stopped as he followed Jaeha toward the screening room. His violet eyes lowered as he watched the receding back.
‘A relationship that no one even suspects might be romantic… Is that what Jaeha and I are?’
“Heejun!! Come on!”
Heejun quietly observed Jaeha waving his arms in front of the theater before finally moving his feet.
“The seats…”
Entering the theater, Jaeha made an awkward expression at the sight of couples everywhere. He pretended not to mind the people around him while earnestly rolling his eyes, trying to find seats. Seeing his face that clearly expressed a desire to sit down and rest quickly, Heejun narrowed his brows and snatched the ticket from his hand.
“What?”
“Looking around nervously like that, when are you going to find our seats?”
“I wasn’t being nervous or anything.”
“At least wet your lips before lying.”
Jaeha looked away at the sharp gaze. Frowning, Heejun quickly found their seats and sat down. Resting his back against the chair and relaxing his shoulders, Heejun looked at Jaeha, who was delighted by how wide the seats were.
‘He’s such a child.’
“Hey, this is my first time sitting in a chair like this!”
“For someone who was whining about not wanting to come, you’re really enjoying it, aren’t you?”
“I wasn’t whining! I just…”
After awkwardly scratching his cheek, Jaeha looked at Heejun and smiled.
“I haven’t been able to go out much since starting high school, so I’m happy to come to the movie theater with you after so long! It reminds me of middle school.”
Heejun’s light pink lips parted slightly at the sight of Jaeha’s bright smile. After staring blankly at him, Heejun smiled bitterly.
‘Don’t say such meaningless things so easily, you idiot…’
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
