Between A and B C21

Chapter 21

“I only watch movies sometimes. When I’m bored, or when there’s nothing else to do… But if you go to the cinema, won’t people recognize you?”

I asked with a puzzled expression. Woojin’s lips parted slightly, as though he were weighing his words, before he answered.
“Well… If I wear a hat, glasses, and a mask…”
“Wouldn’t people still recognize you, though…?”

My eyes unconsciously roamed up and down his figure. Covering his face didn’t seem like a solution. Maybe he felt my gaze, because as he drove with his eyes forward, he cast me a sidelong glance.
“Then… would you like to try a drive-in theater? Since we’d be inside the car, there’s no risk of being spotted…”

I’d never been to a drive-in before, but the thought seemed appealing. At night, with the car lights off, there was little chance of exposure. I was just about to nod when the oddness of it struck me, and I closed my mouth.

But then Woojin said something stranger.
“Sunbae-nim, have you ever been to a DVD room? That might be good too…”
“……”

Two men going to a DVD room together… wasn’t that a little odd? My silence stretched until Woojin glanced back at me again. Feeling I couldn’t just leave it hanging, I forced a casual tone.
“Uh… do you go there often?”
“DVD rooms? No, I’ve never been.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“Ah, I see.”
“……?”

Even without looking, I could almost see the question marks floating above his head. I turned my eyes forward and shifted the conversation naturally.
“Anyway, let’s save the cinema for later. Did you get home safe last night? Sorry I had to leave so suddenly…”
“Yes, I got home fine. Did you manage to handle things?”
“Yeah, yeah. It’s all sorted. Ah, here we are. There’s a parking lot inside, just park there.”

We chatted idly until we arrived. Inside, we were led to a private room, and a staff member brought menus.
“Take your time looking, and press the bell when you’re ready to order.”
“Thank you.”

Once the door closed behind him, I asked,
“What do you want to eat? My treat, so order whatever you like.”
“No, sunbae-nim, let me pay.”
“I made you wait yesterday when I suddenly had to leave, so I’ll treat. Just order what you want.”

At that, Woojin’s reply was barely audible, like the crawling of an ant. As he looked over the menu, he added,
“Then… I’ll show you a movie.”
“What?”
“A movie. That’ll be on me.”
“……”

Wasn’t the movie talk over already? And DVD rooms… weren’t those for groups of friends? I’d hardly gone to the cinema even with friends, so it felt awkward. But really, there was nothing inherently strange about DVD rooms.

“Alright then, next time you’re free, let’s just go to the cinema together.”

I figured that was better than watching in some cramped booth. Woojin gave a small smile and nodded. Watching him, I suddenly felt a pang of pity.

Was it that he’d never really had much fun, debuting so young and always busy? The way he kept suggesting outings and seemed so eager… At first, it had just struck me as odd. But now, seeing him closely, he looked almost giddy.

“You haven’t been to the cinema either?”

I asked, just to confirm. Woojin nodded.
“Yes, I haven’t. If I wanted to watch something, I just saw it at home.”
“Ah…”

So my guess had been right. At twenty-three, never once in a theater… He must have missed out on plenty. BB had debuted two years ago, and with their packed schedule until recently, now that they were in a rest period, it made sense he’d want to try things he never had the chance to before.

“What will you have, sunbae-nim?”

Pulled from my thoughts, I glanced over the menu.
“I’ll have the abalone seaweed soup. Want to share a grilled tilefish too?”
“Yes, then I’ll have the abalone seaweed soup as well.”

Resolved that I’d have to take him to a theater one day, I placed our order. The staff noted it down, eyes flicking between the two of us. Woojin I could understand, but why was he looking at me? I found myself sneaking glances back. Then, when he looked at Woojin, he suddenly jolted in surprise.

Puzzled, I turned to Woojin. His eyes were wide and sharp, fixed on the staff.
“Ah, hello. Excuse me, are you an idol? I don’t really watch TV, but you look familiar…”

Perhaps Woojin’s stare had been too intense, because the staff laughed awkwardly. I was about to say something, but Woojin spoke first.
“Yes, I am. Would you like an autograph?”
“Really? That would be amazing, thank you! Just a moment, I’ll grab some paper.”

The staff hurried out. Woojin frowned and turned to me.
“Do you know him?”
“Me? No?”
“He kept looking at you, so I wondered.”
“Probably just curious since you’re with me?”

It had been over two years since my last promotion, and I’d served my military duty in between. No one recognized me anymore. I was sure it was because of Woojin. But when the staff returned with two blank sheets and handed one to me, my eyes widened.
“You’re from Another, right?”
“Me?”
“Yes. When you debuted, I loved your debut track. Listened to it a lot.”
“Ah… Thank you.”

Still dazed, I scribbled my autograph. Woojin signed his quickly and handed it over.
“Here you go.”
“Thank you! I was so surprised when you walked in. And you gave me autographs too… I’ll make sure they prepare your food especially well.”
“Ah, okay.”

I handed over my signed sheet, still in a daze. Woojin watched the staff leave, then murmured,
“His eyes were strange.”
“Strange? How?”
“I don’t know, just… off.”

I couldn’t recall the look clearly. I’d been too flustered. But Woojin’s displeasure was plain, so I steered the conversation elsewhere until the food arrived. The seaweed soup and grilled tilefish were excellent.

At the register, the same staff handled our bill. As I signed the receipt, he asked,
“Did you enjoy the meal?”
“Yes, it was delicious. Thank you.”
“If so, could we take a picture together?”

He smiled as he spoke, and I was about to nod without a second thought. But Woojin, watching silently, suddenly gripped my wrist.
“We’re in a rush. Maybe next time. Thank you for your service.”
“Ah, of course. Goodbye.”

Dragged by Woojin’s grip, I glanced back. The staff had fully turned toward us, raising his middle finger. The moment our eyes met, he spun away in haste. I looked at Woojin in awe.

He really had a sharp eye for people.

[Selling BB Segaon autograph — PM offers]
I ran into Segaon today by chance. He just kept staring back at me and, without me even asking, gave me an autograph. What a diva with a celebrity complexㅋㅋㅋ But god, he’s ridiculously handsome. Never seen anyone like that in my life. Seriously… unfair world.
Also, I’d seen online about Another’s someone giving him discipline or whatever, so I only knew the face. I said I liked their debut track, and he smiled like he did too ㅋㅋㅋ For the record, I don’t even know what their debut track wasㅋㅋㅋ
I asked for a photo, but Segaon said he had to leave quickly, so no photo^^ Acting all high and mightyㅋㅋㅋ
Anyway, selling Segaon’s autograph. Quick deal, negotiable. Will throw in the autograph from that guy from Another for free.

Comments

Please check your messages.
The way you talk reeks, seriouslyㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ
re: For real, trashy as hellㅋㅋㅋ acting like he’s expensiveㅋㅋㅋ
Celebrity complex? The way you talk is fucking disgusting, assholeㅋㅋ
Gaon doesn’t have a celebrity complex, that’s literally just his personality. Shut your fucking mouth if you don’t know.
Still available? Please check messages.
What’s with these people raging in the comments? The OP even said he was handsomeㅋㅋㅋ
re: Saying “handsome” doesn’t erase the stench of this post. Think tossing in a compliment as a cushion fixes it?ㅋㅋ
re re: Exactlyㅋㅋ so fucking unpleasantㅋㅋ
What are these comments, a stone-throwing contest…
Where did all these rabid stans crawl out from;; poor OP.
He signs an autograph and still gets shit.
Being an idol is hellㅋㅋㅋ You give someone what they ask, and they sell it for cash while others cuss you outㅋㅋㅋ
The OP and the commenters cussing are both trash. I hate both.
re: Both? You blind?ㅋㅋㅋ
re: Nah, both are equally badㅋㅋㅋ
re: I hate you tooㅠㅠ
re: Oh wow, same, I hate you too.
Another’s debut track was Boy Meets Girl…
re: That song was good…
re re: Omg you’re the first person I’ve seen mention itㅠㅠ
re re re: I used to listen to it all the timeㅋㅋ total masterpiece.
re: I just listened out of curiosity, and wow, it’s really good.
Check your DMs.
Is it sold yet?