“It’s our first time on a movie date.”
“Ah… um… yeah?”
It was partly true and partly a relief. He worried about what would happen if he remembered when they went to watch a movie together before and how he acted strangely while writing a novel.
“Did you tell them to call me? Will you not mention seonbae status to them right now?”
“That I lose my memory?”
“Yes.”
“Yeah. I won’t mention it.”
The point at which Do-hwa decided to pretend to have lost his memory was the moment he met Min-jun. So, even if he remembers his family, Min-jun wouldn’t find it strange. He just decided to refrain from mentioning the family matters that occurred after losing his memory, so as not to let Min-jun know as much as possible.
“Is it because you think your brother would worry?”
“Yeah…”
In reality, he wasn’t worried, but he just wanted to avoid going into detail about his family situation, so he gave a vague answer.
“What about the fact that you manifested as an Omega?”
“I might tell when my pheromone control becomes possible.”
He honestly wanted to pretend to be a Beta because of the factory he would be working at in the future.
“I think it’s better to keep it a secret.”
“But you can’t just hide it by hiding. Shouldn’t you report it to the town hall?”
“Just report it and don’t tell anyone around.”
“…Ah.”
“The criminals who commit murders near the university area target only female Betas or Omegas. It would be troublesome if you became a target for no reason.”
The words ‘Are you not the criminal?’ almost slipped out of his throat, but he managed to hold them back.
“Think about it slowly.”
Min-jun quickly diverted his gaze to the screen. The movie soon started playing. What kind of movie could it be?
Earlier, Min-jun had expressed a desire to watch a movie and had booked it through an app right there. However, he didn’t reveal which movie it was. Plus, when they entered, Min-jun’s rejection of Jio had made such an impact that there was no chance to see the posters at the entrance.
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.
Rbk, la kjr jybea alwf ab olcv bea atlr ues’r ajraf.
“P kbcvfg lo rfbcyjf klii ilxf atlr wbnlf.”
“Qtja…?”
Pcrafjv bo jcrkfglcu Gb-tkj’r defralbc, Zlc-pec rlwqis rwlifv rboais. Ca atf rjwf alwf, Gb-tkj mbeivc’a tfiq yea gfmjii atf lwjuf bo Zlc-pec geatifrris yfjalcu wfc klat jc lgbc qlqf. Jbeiv la yf j tbggbg wbnlf…? Pa wluta rffw ilxf jc bynlber uefrr, yea…
Do-hwa tensed up, his gaze fixed on the screen. The movie had just started. Whether it was a romance or not, the first scene showed the male and female leads passionately kissing. After seeing a similar scene in the drama they watched at the officetel earlier, he found it hard to breathe.
The title finally appeared. It was an overt title, ‘A Million Kisses.’
ꕥꕥꕥ
“It’s worth watching.”
Min-jun emerged from the theater with a satisfied expression. Do-hwa nodded silently while keeping his head down.
Do-hwa found himself in a bit of a dilemma, feeling increasingly awkward throughout the screening. While sipping his cola quietly, when he reached out to grab some popcorn, his hand accidentally overlapped with Min-jun’s. He almost spilled the popcorn bucket. He wished there were other audience members around; being alone with Min-jun made the situation even more uncomfortable. He found it strange that, despite it being a movie released today, there weren’t many people in the theater.
“Seonbae, did you enjoy the movie?”
“Yeah, it was okay.”
There were too many kissing scenes, which made him a bit uncomfortable, but overall, it was worth watching.
“After watching the movie, do you not feel like kissing?”
“What?”
Do-hwa was confused. Why was Min-jun asking such a bold question? Did he want to kiss him? But why? It was bewildering, especially after his lie about them being lovers. On top of that, he hesitated on how to respond.
“Maybe seonbae didn’t want to do that.”
Min-jun’s eyebrows were slightly furrowed as he closely studied Do-hwa’s face. He felt a twinge of hurt.
“That’s not it… It’s just that… I haven’t fully remembered yet, so I can’t answer hastily…”
Do-hwa broke out in a cold sweat. However, Min-jun’s expression was growing increasingly stiff. Under that pressure, Do-hwa entertained the simplistic thought of kissing him, but it felt burdensome and awkward, especially with people passing by. He decided to abandon the idea. It seemed like they needed to change the topic. What should he talk about… He furrowed his brows, pondering for a moment.
“Do-hwa.”
Jio was approaching. It wasn’t exactly pleasant to face him again, but it was fortunate in a way because it offered a way out of the awkward situation.
“What movie did you guys watch? I thought you were going to see ‘A Million Kisses’.”
“I watched that too. But I guess we were in different theaters.”
“Huh? Really? Where did you watch it…”
Before Jio could finish his question, Min-jun grabbed Do-hwa’s hand and brushed past Jio. Do-hwa was startled as he looked at Min-jun. He definitely seemed upset. He couldn’t understand why.
They arrived at the elevator. There were many other people around, so they had to wait in line to get on. Of course, Min-jun stood out wherever they went, so the attention from those around them felt overwhelmingly intense.
“Do-hwa.”
At Min-jun’s call, Do-hwa looked up.
“Don’t be a fool.”
“Well… What… What do you mean by that?”
He couldn’t understand what he meant by saying something like that. So, just as he was about to ask, the elevator door opened.
Min-jun entered the elevator first, motioning for Do-hwa to go in, and then he followed, sticking close behind him. Just as the doors were about to close and the crowded elevator was preparing to move, Jio managed to slip in between the closing doors.
“Let’s go together!”
He reached in and confidently entered. Somehow, they narrowly avoided the doors closing on the garden.
“What’s with the rush?”
Jio was conscious of Min-jun as he squeezed beside him. However, Min-jun’s expression showed no concern whatsoever.
“So, are you guys going to have dinner now? Want to go together?”
Do-hwa’s eyes widened at Jio’s suggestion.
“Where are you headed if we join you?”
“Minho had something to do, so he went ahead. I don’t like eating alone; that’s why I’m asking. Is it okay if I join you?”
“…”
Do-hwa was feeling awkward as he looked at Min-jun. His expression was even colder than before. Just as Do-hwa was about to refuse, Min-jun spoke up first.
“Sure. Let’s go together.”
“Thank you.”
Jio smiled towards Min-jun. It was the same sly grin he had been showing while teasing Alphas all along. The smile from Jio often left Alphas smitten and unable to regain their composure. This made Min-jun feel anxious, fearing that he might lose to Jio. But it was only for a moment. He felt ridiculous for experiencing such emotions, wanting to escape from the pain of Minho’s lies.
ꕥꕥꕥ
The place they arrived at was an Italian restaurant. Min-jun mentioned his name to the staff, perhaps because he had made a reservation, and they were promptly led to a private room. The table was set for two, but an extra setting was added because of Jio.
Min-jun took his seat first, and Jio casually sat next to him. Do-hwa, anticipating Jio’s behavior, was about to sit across from them when suddenly Min-jun stood up and quietly pulled out the chair for Do-hwa to sit in.
“Be careful when you sit.”
Do-hwa felt there was no need to be cautious as he took his seat. He felt embarrassed as Min-jun seemed to be making a big deal out of it, but he settled into his seat nonetheless. However, Min-jun didn’t return to his previous seat; instead, he sat next to Do-hwa.
Jio’s expression hardened instantly as he faced this sight. Do-hwa felt equally uncomfortable. Min-jun’s apparent avoidance of Jio was evident. Why would he suggest they all go together if he was going to act like this? It was incomprehensible.
Min-jun handed the menu to Do-hwa first and then extended it to Jio. Even the order in which he passed the menu was so obvious that it was uncomfortably embarrassing. Do-hwa glanced at Jio, then chose the Aglio e Olio. Min-jun ordered the Grilled Steak and Jio opted for the Bacon Cream Pasta. After the waiter left, there was a brief silence. But it didn’t last long.
“Are you two dating?”
Jio boldly asked a question that could make the other party feel uncomfortable if overheard. When Do-hwa was about to reflexively say no, Min-jun intervened first.
“Yes.”
It was a firm response. Do-hwa’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He hadn’t expected Min-jun to lie so easily to Jio like this.
“Wow, I didn’t know Do-hwa could snag himself a boyfriend. A Beta, of all things.”
Jio, who took pride in being a dominant Omega, often made derogatory remarks about Betas.
“Our Do-hwa has a naive side. Is he okay to date?”
Jio’s question felt like throwing a well-sharpened knife. Beads of sweat started forming on Do-hwa’s forehead.
However, Jio was also incredulous. While he knew his ethical standards weren’t exactly normal, seeing someone who was about to get married and even pregnant behave like this left him stunned. Moreover, he felt uneasy about how Min-jun, who could veer off in any direction, would take it. What if he messed something up again for no reason? The table was filled with items that Min-jun could easily throw.
“Do-hwa seonbae is really smart and hardworking. That’s why I always get help from him.”
Contrary to Do-hwa’s worries, Min-jun responded quietly. Thanks to him, Do-hwa’s anxieties seemed to evaporate along with his cold sweat. And in front of Jio, the feeling of gratitude towards Min-jun, who was wrapping himself around him, also emerged for no reason.
“Ah… Yes…”
Jio’s complexion began to darken. He lifted his chin sharply after taking a sip from his glass.
“Actually, Do-hwa and I aren’t siblings.”
“Why would you say that…”
Do-hwa was taken aback. While in college, it was known that Jio and Do-hwa were siblings, but the fact that their parents had remarried was kept hidden from everyone except for Jihoon. It was their stepfather’s decision, deeming it tiresome to deal with the gossip. Do-hwa agreed with that opinion, and Jio did too. So, he couldn’t understand why Jio was bringing this up now.
Do-hwa signaled Jio with his eyes not to speak, but he was solely focused on Min-jun.
some of the words and names got mixed up in this chapter and perhaps the previous as well, still thanks for translating!
Hello. I would really appreciate it if you could correct any mixed-up words and names in this chapter, and possibly in the previous one too. Thank you.