# Chapter 39
Kwon Dojin’s intimidating presence as he narrowed the distance in an instant made not only me but also Kang Jinwoo freeze. Even though we hadn’t done anything wrong, the atmosphere made it feel like we should apologize.
Smoothly and naturally blocking my path, Kwon Dojin let out a deep sigh.
“What is it this time?”
He tilted his head askew and asked in a tone full of annoyance. Seeing Kang Jinwoo about to flare up and confront him in the same way, I quickly raised my arm to stop him.
I crossed my arms to form a big X, and Kang Jinwoo clicked his tongue when he saw my gesture. Contrary to that reaction, he swallowed his words, which made me feel relieved that at least he did that much.
Having stopped Kang Jinwoo, it was now time to stop Kwon Dojin, so I tugged at his clothes. Unlike usual, when he would have immediately looked at me upon feeling my touch, this time he stubbornly kept staring at Kang Jinwoo.
It seemed that actions alone wouldn’t be enough to stop Kwon Dojin. So this time, I pulled his clothes more forcefully than before and spoke.
“It’s a misunderstanding.”
“What is?”
“Nothing happened. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but whatever assumptions are in your head are all wrong.”
When I spoke firmly, Kwon Dojin finally turned to look at me. Of course, he didn’t turn his body, just slightly turned his head.
“Really, nothing happened?”
“If something had happened, I would have said something the moment I met you.”
“Like he threatened you—”
“Hmm…? That person?”
The thought ‘Wouldn’t force be more fitting than threats or schemes for him?’ crossed my mind, and before I knew it, I was looking at Kang Jinwoo. Following my gaze, Kwon Dojin made a subtle expression. It seemed like he realized how absurd his words were.
“Hey, that’s a bit offensive?”
At Kang Jinwoo’s comment, who had been quietly watching, I bit my lower lip, realizing my mistake. I had spoken too directly because what I heard was so ridiculous.
“It’s similar to saying a person is the same in front and behind, so there’s no need to be offended.”
“…Is that so?”
Kang Jinwoo rested his chin on his hand, thought deeply, and then, although he still looked skeptical, he accepted it.
Kwon Dojin, who laughed dryly at Kang Jinwoo’s behavior, touched his forehead. It seemed like he was having doubts about suspecting such a person.
“Then why are you together?”
“Rather than being together, it would be more accurate to say our paths unintentionally crossed.”
“So, why are you going the same way as me?”
Kang Jinwoo, who had quickly latched onto my words, frowned and pointed at me with his index finger.
“That’s because I’m going to the movie theater over there.”
When I pointed to the large building nearby, Kang Jinwoo followed my finger with his gaze.
“Then you too, Kwon Dojin?”
Instead of answering verbally, Kwon Dojin nodded to indicate yes. At that, Kang Jinwoo chided Kwon Dojin with an incredulous look.
“Even if you’re making plans, why that building in particular?”
“Why?”
“The arcade in that building is famous as a place frequented by those in the ranking.”
At Kang Jinwoo’s words, I quickly raised my head and looked at Kwon Dojin. Since his expression wasn’t clearly visible, I moved my body and partly emerged from behind him.
Seeing the evident look of surprise on Kwon Dojin’s face, it seemed this wasn’t a situation he had intended.
“I thought it wasn’t originally there—”
“The arcade that was the headquarters closed down, so they moved their base.”
“Since when?”
“Since two days ago.”
Why did it have to close down two days ago?
At this point, it felt like someone was performing a ritual to ensure we would get caught up in an incident. I was so dumbfounded that I couldn’t speak, only moving my lips, and Kwon Dojin pressed his temples firmly.
“Let’s go somewhere else now.”
“What? Isn’t that a waste of money?”
We had made plans according to the movie time, so it was awkward to cancel the reservation now. Moreover, even if we went to the ticket office and canceled, a full refund would be impossible due to the service fee.
“I don’t mind, but it could be dangerous for you. Plus, the distance between the movie theater and the arcade is close.”
“But still—”
Regardless of the danger, it was a waste. For a student, throwing away the cost of a movie ticket was quite burdensome.
While Kwon Dojin and I were arguing about canceling the reservation, Kang Jinwoo, who had been quiet, left after saying one thing.
“You two figure it out. I’m leaving.”
Without the energy to properly see him off, I just waved my arm casually and looked back at Kwon Dojin.
“This much is fine.”
“It’s a bit difficult to find another movie theater too. Is there another one nearby?”
“That’s…”
Kwon Dojin, at a loss for words, slowly shook his head. As far as I remembered, there wasn’t one, so it seemed he was right.
“It’s a waste of time and money. Let’s just watch the movie and leave quickly. I’ll be with you the whole time anyway.”
At most, we’d only be separated when going to the bathroom, and it would be fine if we went to the bathroom near the theater. I held onto Kwon Dojin’s sleeve and persuaded him, and he reluctantly nodded.
“If I had known this would happen, I would have checked in advance.”
I patted Kwon Dojin’s forearm as he sighed, saying he didn’t know the base had changed because he wasn’t interested in such things. It was a situation he couldn’t control. For someone involved in the ranking, Kwon Dojin’s reaction was somewhat bland, so there was no way he would have known this immediately.
“Will it really be okay?”
“As long as I don’t get hurt, everything’s fine.”
“Of course. I don’t want you to get hurt either, Habin.”
The answer came without a moment’s hesitation, and my lips curled up involuntarily. When I let out a small laugh, I was met with a curious gaze.
“Habin?”
“Mmm. It’s nothing.”
I tucked my wind-tousled hair behind my ear. Having heard Kwon Dojin’s confident answer, there was no reason to be afraid.
“Thanks to you, I won’t get hurt, so it’s fine. Let’s go watch the movie.”
I lowered my arm that was holding his sleeve, took his hand, and headed toward the movie theater, and Kwon Dojin obediently followed behind me.
After entering the building, I headed straight to the theater without even glancing elsewhere. As I walked at a faster pace than usual, Kwon Dojin burst into laughter.
“Are you going to watch a movie while being this nervous?”
“Being nervous and the movie are separate things.”
In truth, it wasn’t even a movie I was interested in, so it wouldn’t have mattered if I didn’t watch it. It was just that I couldn’t shake the thought that it would be a waste of money. Finding my behavior quite amusing, Kwon Dojin, with a smile that hadn’t left his face, stood beside me.
“If we go this way, we have to pass by the arcade.”
Since this was information I didn’t know, I just blinked my eyes, and now he took the lead. Unlike me, who occasionally hesitated due to not knowing the way properly, he walked without any hesitation, and I just followed behind him.
“If you knew the way, you should have led from the beginning.”
“Because watching you walk is quite cute.”
“…I think you’re the only one who would call a high school boy who is over 170 cm tall ‘cute’?”
“Why don’t they all know? That Habin is this cute.”
I was at a loss for words at his behavior as he naturally stopped and brushed my side hair. It was even more so because I could see sincerity in his eyes.
After seriously contemplating how to respond to this, I realized that changing the topic was the easiest way, so I pulled on Kwon Dojin’s arm.
“The screening time is tight. Let’s hurry.”
“Are you changing the subject?”
A voice filled with amusement tapped at my ears. Since it was true, I didn’t deny it and nodded. And when I pulled his arm again, he followed obediently.
“Habin.”
“What?”
“That’s not the way.”
“…The movie’s about to start. Quickly lead the way.”
Having completely forgotten that I didn’t know the way, I had boldly taken the lead, but after Kwon Dojin’s correction, I tried to hide my embarrassment and pushed his back forward.
“See, I told you you’re cute.”
“Alright, I get it, so let’s just go.”
When I pushed his back again, Kwon Dojin started moving his legs that had stopped. Thanks to him moving on his own, I removed my hands from his back, and he immediately, as if he had been waiting, took my hand.
I looked down at his hand, which was bigger and more robust than mine, for a moment, and thinking it would be okay to leave it be, I didn’t say anything. Kwon Dojin, who had been walking without a word, opened his mouth as we were about to reach the theater.
“Habin.”
“What?”
“Don’t be surprised when we get to the theater, okay?”
What did he do that he needs to give a warning in advance? I was disappointed at his incomprehensible words, but I nodded. I had faith that it wouldn’t be something that would cause harm.
“If you say you understand but later try to leave, I’ll be sad.”
Because he kept asking repeatedly, I became even more anxious. Since we were very close to the theater, I stopped Kwon Dojin, who was about to enter, and placed both hands on his shoulders.
“What did you do?”
“Hmm, I don’t think it’s quite a ‘deed’.”
“Then why are you making me anxious?”
“Just. In case you might leave me behind.”
He was saying strange things again, so I slightly frowned. Kwon Dojin, who raised his arm and placed his hand on the back of mine, curled his lips upward.
“Let’s go, the movie’s about to start.”
“I’m thinking of not going because you’re making me anxious…”
As I pretended to step back to test his reaction, he immediately made a sorrowful expression. He made his eyes droop as much as possible and tightly held my hand that was touching his.
“Are you really not going?”
There was almost no resistance I could offer against Kwon Dojin, who was perfectly utilizing his advantage in front of me. After biting my lip and rolling my eyes here and there, I finally groaned, unable to withstand his piercing gaze.
“Fine, let’s go.”
Completely surrendering, I took the lead and guided Kwon Dojin to the theater. As soon as I took the first step, his face returned to a smiling one, as if he had never looked sorrowful.
As I was about to walk through the darker path inside to our reserved seats, I reflexively stopped in my tracks at the ridiculous sight before my eyes.
“…What is this?”
After a long silence, that was the only thing I could say.
