Chapter 9: What’s this?

 

“Huh?”

 

Did I approach too hastily?

 

But the suggestion to watch a movie came from Eun-ha.

 

It wasn’t just a simple query, nor did it seem like a joke given her expression.

 

With a puzzled look, I glanced down at Eun-ha, and she swiftly waved her hand in the empty air.

 

“Sorry-! I was thinking to myself, and it just slipped out!”

 

What made her voice out that thought?

 

Did I do something off?

 

Was it because I had confidently said I liked someone yesterday?

 

“No, I don’t smile at everyone like this.”

 

Still, it seemed right to give her an answer.

 

Vague, but enough to make her wonder.

 

“Huh?”

 

Eun-ha looked visibly taken aback.

 

I wanted to gaze at that surprised expression of hers for a while longer, but I too was feeling a tad embarrassed.

 

“So, I’ll go buy the popcorn? Will you wait here?”

 

“Huh...? Oh! Yeah! Go ahead!”

 

I quickly got up from my seat and headed straight for the snack corner next to the ticket booth.

 

“I’ll have a double combo, please. And for drinks, two cola.”

 

“Sure. What flavor would you like for the popcorn?”

 

“Caramel popcorn, please.”

 

“Okay. Please wait on the right side.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

I waited for a moment as the popcorn order was being prepared.

 

From a distance, I saw Eun-ha playing with her bangs as she waited for me.

 

Whether she had bangs or not, she looked pretty. I wondered why she seemed so conscious of them.

 

“She’s truly adorable.”

 

“Your popcorn is ready~”

 

“Ah! Yes! I’m sorry! Thank you!”

 

I tried to carry both the popcorn and the cola at once, but it was too cumbersome due to their size.

 

As I momentarily pondered how to manage, Eun-ha timely approached from beside me.

 

“I thought you might have trouble carrying it all by yourself.”

 

“You came just in time. Can you hold the popcorn?”

 

“Sure. Did you get the straw?”

 

“Yeah. Let’s head up.”

 

Eun-ha and I took the escalator together and entered the theater. Once we sat in the seats that Eun-ha had reserved, she began to take off her long padded coat.

 

“I’ll hold the popcorn for you. You’re taking off your long coat?”

 

“Oh- Yes, thanks.”

 

As Eun-ha took off her coat, I got a clear view of her casual attire. Light blue jeans paired with a white crewneck tee, a rather common outfit, but it looked distinctively special on her. My heart fluttered as I watched her adjust her hair.

 

“The theater is a bit warm, right?”

 

“Huh? Oh- Right. Wearing this coat does make it feel warmer.”

 

Eun-ha settled into her seat beside me.

 

“Did you see the trailer for this movie, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Yes. It looked interesting.”

 

The film was one of those occasional heartwarming stories about a young man, worn out and beaten by reality, who returns to his hometown. Such a movie would probably resonate more with working adults than high school students. But then again, perhaps that was just a stereotype?

 

“Han-gyeol, do you want to take turn in holding  popcorn?”

 

“Huh? No, it’s okay. If I feel uncomfortable, I’ll just playfully poke your arm and give it to you.”

 

“Okay. Oh? It seems like the movie is about to start. Enjoy.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Gradually, the theater darkened.

 

As the movie officially began, I stared blankly at the screen. The opening scene, as expected, was of an employee getting scolded by his boss.

 

The sight of the worn-out protagonist dragging himself back to his apartment after a day full of scolding seemed all too familiar to me. I soon found myself engrossed in the film.

 

-Tap

 

While I was engrossed in the movie, Eun-ha gently tapped my arm with her finger. When I turned to look at her, she was staring intently at my face.

 

From her surprised expression, it seemed she had accidentally touched me while trying to grab some popcorn.

 

With a bashful smile, Eun-ha picked up some popcorn and popped it into her mouth.

 

After that, nothing particularly eventful happened.

 

There weren’t any youthful romantic events like hands touching while reaching for popcorn.

 

The film passed its midpoint and approached its climax, eventually coming to an end.

 

“Shall we get up?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Eun-ha and I exited the theater together.

 

“How was the movie? You seemed really engrossed.”

 

“Did I? It was interesting. It felt like a genuine portrayal of adult life.”

 

“Haha! What do you mean? If someone overheard you, they’d think you’ve lived an entire adult life.”

 

“I just meant it felt that way~”

 

We accomplished today’s goal of watching a movie.

 

We could part ways now, but going home directly felt a bit disappointing. However, suggesting to do something else here seemed a bit daunting...

 

While I was lost in thought, I noticed an arcade next to the cinema.

 

“It feels a bit too soon to go home. Want to stop by the arcade?”

 

“Huh? The arcade?!”

 

“We might as well drop by before heading home.”

 

Taking the lead, I walked ahead, and Eun-ha promptly followed behind.

 

Of course, it made sense. Surprisingly, Eun-ha really liked arcades.

 

She had a backstory of frequently playing fighting games with her older brother when they were young, so it seemed she wouldn’t mind. The only concern was that Eun-ha was exceptionally good at them.

 

“Do you like games, Han-gyeol?”

 

Eun-ha’s eyes began to sparkle.

 

“Huh? Not particularly? I don’t play them that much.”

 

“What do you usually do at home?”

 

“Read novels, watch movies, read manhwa, or take naps.”

 

“Really? Did I accidentally interrupt your rare personal time?”

 

“No! Absolutely not!”

 

I hastily corrected myself, worried that Eun-ha might misinterpret.

 

“Listen! Well... I do enjoy my alone time, but it’s not like I particularly revel in solitude. I also want to watch movies with friends and play games together...”

 

Come to think of it, I had many things I wanted to do.

 

It was just that I didn’t have friends or the time to do them.

 

“Haha! Got it. Let’s head to the arcade. Han-gyeol, do you happen to play fighting games?”

 

Eun-ha looked up at me, her face lit up with a bright smile.

 

I had tried the games Eun-ha liked before.

 

“Bring it on.”

 

“Huh? Are you good?”

 

“Well? I know the basic combos?”

 

“Really? Then I’ll also play for real.”

 

“Bring it anytime.”

 

“Okay!”

 

I took a seat in front of the gaming console, and Eun-ha moved to the spot opposite me.

 

Because we sat with the game machine between us, she playfully leaned her head to the side to get a better view.

 

“Which character do you pick, Han-gyeol?”

 

“Me? The one who kicks. What about you?”

 

“I just go with the high school girl character. Hehe.”

 

Though she was smiling, there was a certain ease in her grin.

 

With the thought of giving her a taste of defeat, the game promptly started.

 

-Tap-tap! Tap-tap!

 

“Starting on the offense.”

 

There was no need to gauge Eun-ha’s skills.

 

Thinking that an all-out attack was the only way, I launched a combo. But just when I was certain my combo had landed perfectly... Eun-ha’s counter-move enveloped my character.

 

“Huh?”

 

Right after, she initiated a mid-air combo. Following that, my character never seemed to want to touch the ground again.

 

What’s this? She’s even got the screw moving down perfectly.

 

As soon as my character got up, I threw a one-two punch, but it was effortlessly blocked by her counter. Watching my character spin helplessly in the air, its HP rapidly decreased.

 

Of course... Eun-ha had spent her childhood years immersed in games. I shouldn’t have expected to win without serious preparation.

 

From the second round, I too went on the offensive, with fire in my eyes.

 

Beyond the arcade machine, the clattering sound of controllers signaled the intensity of our fierce battle.

 

- Thunk...! Tap-tap! Tap-tap-tap!

 

Eun-ha was always ready with her counter, waiting for me to make a move.

 

To outsmart one’s opponent, a thorough understanding of them is essential. Determined not to face defeat a second time, I approached the match cautiously...

 

“Phew...! That was good.”

 

I took the second round.

 

Eun-ha, perhaps not pleased with the unfamiliar taste of defeat, leaned her head closer to the arcade machine.

 

“Honestly. Han-gyeol’s really good.”

 

“You’re not exactly holding back either, Eun-ha.”

 

“Ugh... I’m going easy on you?”

 

“You shouldn’t say that after losing, should you?”

 

Subsequent to that, Eun-ha took the third round, while I claimed the fourth.

 

Before the final round, I took a deep breath and grasped the controller.

 

But then, Eun-ha’s combo suddenly changed.

 

Eun-ha’s previously cautious gameplay was nowhere to be found, replaced by unexpected techniques.

 

No matter how much I tried to throw punches afterward, Eun-ha aggressively pushed through. Seizing the moment I was taken aback, she finished me off with a wall combo.

 

“Whew-! That was a close one. Han-gyeol, you’re good!”

 

“Even if you say that to a loser, it feels like pity... And what’s with that sudden change in combo at the end?”

 

“Ah-! It was still fun, wasn’t it? It felt great playing after such a long time.”

 

Darn. I shouldn’t have suggested coming to the arcade.

 

“Huh? Han-gyeol, look! There’s a claw machine. Wanna try?”

 

“You seem really eager.”

 

“Huh? Oh- did I get too excited? It just feels like I’m genuinely having fun after a long time.”

 

“Haha! I didn’t mean it in a bad way. Should I try grabbing one for you?”

 

“You sure about that?”

 

“Is that a challenge?”

 

Eun-ha and I headed straight for the claw machine. Although I had faced defeat, seeing Eun-ha with a broad smile on her face somehow made it all feel worth it. Perhaps my being in this novel’s world was a gift from the gods, meant to let me experience this kind of youth.

 

“Pick one. Which should I get for you?”

 

“That blue turtle over there.”

 

“Watch closely. I’ll show you how it’s done.”

 

I promptly inserted a ticket into the machine.

 

--- End OF The Chapter ---

 

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