28.
“That’s right. There are a lot of advertisements.”
This was only the second time Choi Mujin had been to a movie theater. So only after Haseo mentioned it did he notice this aspect. The first time he watched a movie, Choi Mujin was alone. His home was always a mess, and since he didn’t attend school properly, he had never seen the movies that everyone else had watched. So on the day he first got his hands on some money, he went to see a movie alone.
The early morning show, which had the cheapest ticket price, was just an ordinary action movie. The screen was quite flashy, but it wasn’t entertaining. So he thought he would never come again, but today he was here with Haseo.
“I know, right? What kind of marketing strategy is this?”
Despite grumbling, Haseo’s expression wasn’t dark. It was cute to see how excited he was. Judging by his words and actions, it seemed like Haseo was visiting a movie theater for the first time. He kept acting awkward throughout but couldn’t hide his excitement.
While they were engaged in small talk, the lights in the theater went out. Then the screen was bathed in pastel tones as the movie began. It was a romance movie that might seem trivial in some ways. Long-lost love, amnesia, belated realization, and regret. There was nothing special about it, but the actors performed well. Looking to the side, Choi Mujin could see Haseo’s nose turning red in the flickering light.
Since he seemed to be crying, Choi Mujin handed him a handkerchief, which Haseo used to wipe his eyes. Throughout the rest of the movie, the handkerchief didn’t return.
“Wow. That was fun.”
Haseo said this while looking at the handkerchief in his hand. The once-pristine handkerchief was now soaked with tears, turning a darker color.
“I’ll wash and return it to you.”
“If you want.”
In truth, Choi Mujin didn’t mind if something as trivial as a handkerchief wasn’t returned.
“But what should we do with the leftover food?”
Although Choi Mujin had eaten more than half, there was still food left. This was because from the middle of the movie, he too had become engrossed in it. Haseo looked at the remaining popcorn and buttered squid with a troubled expression. Normally, he would have thrown it away on his way out, but looking at Haseo, he didn’t want to do that.
“Should we take it with us?”
When asked, Haseo quickly nodded.
“Can we take it?”
“Of course. We paid for it.”
Since the tray was made of paper, they could just carry it as is. If they hadn’t come by car, it might have been a concern, but they weren’t going to walk anyway.
They left the theater and loaded the remaining food into the car. One tray was placed in the back seat, and the other on Haseo’s thighs. This was because they were worried about spillage with the drinks and popcorn. The two, unfamiliar with movie theaters, didn’t know that they could have requested lids at the concession stand.
“What if it spills?”
“Then we’ll clean it up.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Haseo showed a concerned expression before starting to munch on the popcorn.
“If you eat that, will there be room for dinner?”
“We’re going to eat dinner too?”
“Are you full?”
“Not really, but it’s a waste to leave this.”
Instead of saying it wasn’t a waste, Choi Mujin moved the steering wheel. Since they had already started, he thought they might do some shopping before dinner. And in his opinion, the most convenient place to shop was a department store.
Although he had a business card with “Director” on it, he wasn’t a VIP at department stores. Most of his clothes were suits, and he had a separate store for those. So he would have to pick out clothes among crowds of people, but it couldn’t be helped. Looking at Haseo’s bright face, he thought something other than a suit would suit him better.
“Would you like some?”
After eating diligently by himself, Haseo offered popcorn to Choi Mujin’s mouth. He didn’t particularly like sweet things, but he calmly opened his mouth. The caramel-coated popcorn stuck stickily to his mouth.
“Cola too.”
When he asked for a drink, Haseo quickly held the straw to his lips. But this was somehow fun. Every time the car stopped, Choi Mujin asked Haseo for something to eat. Despite moving diligently, Haseo didn’t complain once. He just smiled whenever they made eye contact.
“But where are we going? This isn’t the way home?”
“Shopping for clothes.”
At Choi Mujin’s words, Haseo glanced at the suit he was wearing. He seemed to be misunderstanding something, but Choi Mujin didn’t bother to correct him.
“Oh, a department store.”
Haseo said without much enthusiasm and carefully got out of the car.
“Men’s clothing is on the third floor, it says.”
Instead of the crowded elevator, they took the escalator up to the third floor. Choi Mujin looked around the third floor and entered a store displaying relatively casual clothes.
“They don’t sell suits here?”
“Today we’re buying clothes for you.”
“What? I have clothes.”
Haseo objected, but Choi Mujin snorted.
“If you can call those clothes.”
“No, really, I’m fine!”
Fine, right. Looking at the clothes Haseo had been wearing, few were in good condition. Especially seeing what he wore at home sometimes made even Choi Mujin narrow his eyes.
Things like stretched and stained t-shirts with green sweatpants that no one could guess when they were bought. At least when going out, he dressed somewhat decently, but his clothes were always the same. Similar shirts with tight-fitting pants. It wasn’t that they didn’t suit him, but sometimes Choi Mujin wanted to dress him differently.
“Take it when it’s offered.”
When he stated firmly, Haseo quickly became dejected. Choi Mujin thought he understood why Haseo was acting this way. He too once had his pride despite having no money.
“Welcome.”
The store employee greeted them kindly.
“Let’s look at some clothes.”
“Yes, who will be wearing them?”
“This fellow here will wear them.”
The employee looked at Haseo with measuring eyes and recommended a few things. A sweatshirt in a soft color, good-looking jeans, and even canvas shoes provided by the store.
“Try them on.”
Haseo looked like he had a lot he wanted to say. Still, since Choi Mujin told him to try them on, he took the clothes without protest and entered the fitting room. When he came out wearing everything, he looked younger and fresher.
“And now that it’s getting chilly, you could also lightly layer with an outer garment.”
Choi Mujin approached Haseo, who was pouting his lips like a duck, and pinched him with his fingers.
“Ow!”
It must have hurt quite a bit as Haseo screamed.
“You two seem close.”
When the employee said that, Haseo made an aggrieved expression.
“Yes, we get along well.”
“Is he your younger brother?”
The employee probably asked with a light heart. But Choi Mujin calmly pulled Haseo into an embrace and said:
“He’s my lover.”
The employee’s eyes widened at the half-joking statement.
“Huh?”
Additionally, Haseo’s eyes changed similarly. Only after both looked at Choi Mujin with surprised expressions did he change his words.
“I’m joking. He’s my cousin.”
“I-I see. You’re a good older brother.”
Only then did the employee return to their original expression and continue with their sales pitch.
“So, do you like the clothes?”
“Yes, please package everything he’s tried on so far.”
“Everything?”
“You can deliver it, right?”
“Of course we can!”
What he had tried on so far was over ten sets. Four tops, three bottoms, two outer garments, and even shoes. Haseo grabbed Choi Mujin’s elbow in alarm.
“You’re going to buy all of this?”
“Yes.”
“The clothes here are expensive.”
He seemed to be trying to whisper, but the employee heard it too. She made an awkward expression and kept her hands busy.
“I saw earlier that just one sweatshirt costs over 100,000 won.”
“I know.”
If he knew the price of the suit Choi Mujin was currently wearing, he wouldn’t say such things. Should I show off more that I have money? Thinking this, Choi Mujin handed his card to the employee.
“Would you like to pay in installments?”
“No, please charge it all at once.”
As the employee took the card, Haseo fidgeted uneasily.
“I’m telling you, it’s really expensive!”
“Do I look that broke to you?”
“That’s not it… I already receive a high salary.”
Looking at Haseo’s stubborn face, Choi Mujin belatedly thought of something. The young man standing right in front of him was born on the hottest summer day. It was a season before they had even met, but it seemed appropriate to use as an excuse now.
“Then let’s call it a birthday present.”
“My birthday has already passed.”
Haseo blurted this out as if it was absurd, then tightly shut his mouth. So young yet full of thoughts.
“I need your signature, please.”
Choi Mujin scribbled his signature on the payment terminal and gave the address to the employee. The employee said they would deliver it nicely and bowed politely. Only then did Haseo open his closed mouth.
“Since you say it’s a birthday present, I’ll accept it. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Haseo might think that everything was finished now, but the shopping had just begun. Choi Mujin grabbed Haseo and entered the next store. And through a process similar to the first store, he bought a ton of clothes.
“Why are you buying so many clothes? When am I supposed to wear all of these?”
“There are 30 days in a month, can’t you wear them all?”
“Are you telling me to change every day?”
“If you want.”
Now that they had bought casual clothes, should he get a suit tailored too? Haseo looked good in everything he wore, making it rewarding to buy clothes for him. Since there was a store he usually frequented for suits, he could take him there next time. After shopping to their heart’s content, they headed to the floor with restaurants for dinner.
“What do you want to eat?”
Haseo looked at a sushi restaurant with a sulky face. When they sat in the restaurant and looked at the menu, Haseo’s eyes sharpened. The prices were high, likely because it was a place that marketed itself as upscale.
“Should we eat something else?”
He muttered belatedly, but once again, Choi Mujin didn’t listen to Haseo’s words.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
