Wooyeon had missed out on experiencing roughly 80% of what ordinary people typically do in their lives. This included simple activities like eating out with friends, watching movies, traveling, or even shopping together. While he had tried some of these during his time with Daniel in the United States, ‘going to the movies’ still remained an unknown territory for him.
“What are we going to watch?”
Ever since Dohyun mentioned they would watch a movie, Wooyeon’s eyes sparkled every time he looked at him. It seemed as if there was someone inside him who hadn’t been there before, someone who seemed earnestly empty, begging for Wooyeon’s attention. Whenever Wooyeon made such expressions, Dohyun smiled pleasantly, as if he were watching a little puppy.
“Well, do you have anything in mind?”
Dohyun casually replied as he twirled a sharp pencil with graceful hand movements. Wooyeon, with a pensive look, took out his phone. As soon as he tapped the search bar, the search history displayed a popular movie theater website.
“I looked it up, and this seems to be the most popular these days.”
On a Friday morning, they met in the classroom and naturally discussed which movie to watch as they sat side by side. Wooyeon showed a horror movie poster exuding gloominess from the start.
“A horror movie.”
What’s with horror movies this early in the season? There was even a sticker clearly stating ‘Restricted: No one under 19 allowed’. Dohyun squinted at the poster, alternating his gaze between Wooyeon and the poster.
“Can you watch this?”
His straight finger pointed at the character in the poster holding a bloody chainsaw. It seemed quite gruesome. Wooyeon checked the director’s name and ratings, nodding indifferently.
“I’ve seen this entire series.”
It had surprised Daniel in the U.S. several times how unfazed Wooyeon was by gruesome or ghostly scenes, contrary to his appearance. Wooyeon didn’t find anything artificially created particularly frightening.
“…Really?”
Dohyun responded slowly, tapping the screen of his phone. After swiping a few times, the fifth highest-grossing movie appeared. It was a children’s animation with round characters as protagonists.
“I was thinking of watching something like this.”
“…”
Wooyeon narrowed his eyes and stared at Dohyun. Was he teasing him now? Dohyun responded to that expression by jokingly rolling his eyes. It seemed he was indeed teasing.
“Even though you’re just four years older…”
Wooyeon grumbled slightly as he carefully scrolled through the list of top movies. From horror, romance, and action/thriller, to animation and documentaries, there were plenty of movies playing, but nothing particularly caught his eye.
“Whenever Moon Garam gets drunk, she calls you ‘baby’.”
Dohyun took the phone from Wooyeon’s hand and checked the horror movie he had shown. After seemingly checking the plot or reviews, he looked back at the list and also examined the romance movie ranked second. While going through the list one by one, Wooyeon blushed instantly at the mention of ‘baby’ by Dohyun.
“You can choose between these two.”
In the end, the first and second rankings became the final candidates. While Dohyun naturally tried to include up to the fifth ranking, Wooyeon reluctantly returned it to the second place. He chuckled softly and explained.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
“The first one is too gruesome, and the second one is fun but calm. Do you like horror or romance?”
“I don’t particularly have a preference for genres… And you, Sunbae?”
“I lean towards scary stuff if I have to choose. Other people’s romance isn’t really my thing.”
Wooyeon didn’t object and suggested they watch the horror movie. Dohyun, perhaps considering booking tickets right then, took out his phone.
“Today is a bit sudden…”
“I’m fine with today.”
Wooyeon seized the opportunity without hesitation. He raised his gaze, giving Dohyun a pleading look. Dohyun covered his mouth, furrowing his brows. The corner of his mouth twitched momentarily.
“Then, after class, shall we watch the movie?”
Wooyeon nodded quickly. Dohyun, with a gentle gaze, asked softly,
“Where would you prefer to sit?”
“I checked, and they say seats in the first row are good.”
It was a similar response to when he asked about the movie earlier. Eventually, Dohyun burst into laughter, finding it amusing that Wooyeon had also looked up such details. Though feeling somewhat like a child eagerly awaiting a picnic, Wooyeon nodded without a word.
“And did you find anything else?”
“Movie theater etiquette… Wait, you’re not making fun of me, are you?”
“Why would I tease you?”
“You seem like you’re teasing…”
Wooyeon, who was fiddling with his phone, squinted his left eye. Dohyun also blinked his double eyelids. Watching him reserve seats, Wooyeon muttered softly,
“I looked up the movie theater’s location and how to buy tickets.”
“And?”
“…”
It was a tone of certainty that there must be something more. Wooyeon briefly closed his mouth, then deliberately tried to sound indifferent as he spoke.
“…I also looked up the types of popcorn.”
Dohyun put down his phone and covered his face at the embarrassed answer. Whether it was his small face or large hands, it was unclear what expression he was making. After a moment, he removed his hand, leaving only a faint smile. He asked in a slightly teasing tone,
“So, what flavor did you want?”
“…They say caramel is delicious.”
Today, Wooyeon found Dohyun unusually gentle. While Dohyun was naturally kind, this level of softness was unusual. Somehow, Wooyeon felt excited, and even he found himself looking forward to it. Seeing the teacher acting this way, it was clear that the movie theater would be genuinely enjoyable.
“You can also try other flavors since you can have half-and-half.”
After booking, Dohyun shared the reservation details via messenger. Wooyeon examined the ticket number carefully with a fascinated expression. Meanwhile, as the professor entered, Dohyun covered Wooyeon’s phone with his hand.
“Pay attention in class.”
Like when he tutored him, Wooyeon obediently put his phone away. From four years ago until now, if it was Dohyun’s suggestion, his body moved reflexively.
***
The Friday before their appointment seemed to drag on slower than any other time. Even after attending morning classes, going to the club room with Dohyun, and having lunch with club members, it was already 2 p.m. Since there were no afternoon lectures, Wooyeon stared at the clock, waiting eagerly for Dohyun to finish.
“Hey, Wooyeon looks restless.”
Garam teased Wooyeon, who was squirming around on the makeshift bed in the club room, even though it was a day without classes. Suddenly, Wooyeon sat up and was asked subtly,
“Do you have plans? Why are you squirming like a puppy that needs to poop?”
“Oh, today…”
Wooyeon hesitated for a moment before shaking his head vigorously. It wasn’t really a date, and there was no need to keep Dohyun showing him a movie a secret.
“If I do well on the exam, Sunbae said he’d show me a movie.”
“Kim Dohyun?”
“Yes.”
Wooyeon answered and resumed his battle with the clock. At first, he looked at his phone, but feeling stifled without a second hand, he switched to the wall clock. The ticking of time felt slower than ever.
“Really? What movie are you going to watch?”
Garam lay down as if disinterested. When Wooyeon mentioned the movie title, she even expressed disgust, saying, “Ew, something gross.” Rolling her shoulders, she turned to the side.
“You two have gotten quite close. Even going to the movies together.”
Wooyeon didn’t respond and just reacted vaguely. Seeing him nod slowly, Garam chuckled, her trademark hearty smile filling the room.
“Wooyeon.”
It was more of a prelude to a question than a call for Wooyeon. Wooyeon tore his gaze away from the clock, looking at Garam as if to ask what she wanted to talk about. Expecting some frivolous conversation, he was surprised when Garam brought up something genuinely intriguing.
“Aren’t you curious how Kim Dohyun and I became friends?”
It had been a point of confusion for Wooyeon at times. They didn’t have similar personalities or shared interests, yet they seemed unusually close within the club.
“Didn’t you just become friends naturally?”
“Like you and Seongyu?”
Garam wagged her finger, indicating that Wooyeon’s statement was wrong. With a flick, her moving index finger pointed at the floor of the club room.
“It was by chance that I joined the club, but I intentionally approached him when we became friends.”
“…”
Wooyeon subtly recalled the memories. Even when they smoked together or talked, the two of them never seemed like more than friends. While they were more comfortable with each other than with others, it didn’t seem like those actions stemmed from any special feelings. Still, despite his doubts, Wooyeon cautiously asked.
“…Is it because you like Sunbae?”
“Absolutely not. Absolutely, positively not!”
Garam, who abruptly stopped talking, wore a genuinely uncomfortable expression. Covering her mouth with one hand seemed like she might gag. Wooyeon, who harbored feelings for Dohyun, felt a little choked up secretly.
“He’s not my type. I prefer cuter and smaller ones.”
Certainly, Dohyun was far from being cute or small. Wooyeon thought of Minjeong, whom he had seen during the midterms celebration. Perhaps that sunbae suited Garam’s ideal type.
“Then why did you approach him?”
“The person I liked had a crush on Dohyun.”
With a puzzled expression, Wooyeon glanced at Garam. His reaction had sprung forth involuntarily, without him even having the chance to manage his expression. Fortunately, Garam was busy with her phone instead of looking at Wooyeon.
“Did it happen three times? Everyone seemed to like Kim Dohyun, so I started teasing him, wondering what the fuss was about, and that’s how we became friends.”
“…You teased him?”
“Of course. he’s annoying.”
Come to think of it, Garam often acted sharply towards Dohyun. It seemed to be a habit of teasing rather than because they were friends. Wooyeon discreetly observed Garam’s fingertips and spoke as naturally as possible.
“…Th-the people who liked Dohyun Sunbae.”
He knew Dohyun was popular, but hearing a specific number like three was surprising. Since Garam wouldn’t just like those who liked Dohyun, it was probably just the tip of the iceberg.
“They dated?”
The teacher’s lover. Even when he received tutoring or now as a junior, he had never heard such talk. Even long ago, when he asked about ideal types, all he got from him was a strange condition: ‘as long as they don’t have a childhood friend’
“With Dohyun?”
Garam laughed as if it were absurd, and her eyes, elongated without double eyelids, seemed to sparkle sharply.
“He doesn’t do casual relationships.”
Thank youu for the translation!!
Wooyeon is too cute 🤧
ofc it must not have a childhood friend! HAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHA LMAOO. omega complex was rlly good tho, love it.
THE trauma there jjssjsjsjsj
NOT THE CHILDHOOD FRIEND LMAOOOOOO thank you for the chapter!!!
Wooyeong please stop drinking, we beg you. You need to remember what you’ve done !
The childhood friend 😭😭😭 LMFAOO
lol dohyun got that omega trauma
Thanks for the chapter
“As long as they are not childhood friends” lmfao I’m dying, poor Dohyun Yoonwoo seriously traumatized him 😭😭
Because he was head over heels with Yoonwoo..