This World is too Cruel to Men

Despite the awkwardness and slipperiness, I somehow made it to the movie theater.

I arrived, but… why was everyone lingering outside instead of going in?

‘Don’t tell me…’

Were they all covered in snow and the theater was preventing entry to avoid dirtying the floor?

Unless the theater owner was crazy, that couldn’t be it.

Then what was it?

Had something happened inside?

“Why is everyone just standing around outside?”

“I don’t know. Did something happen inside?”

It seemed my curiosity about the strange sight wasn’t unique to me, as Yun-Seo voiced the exact same thought.

And, as if she thought she might be able to do something if something had indeed happened, Yun-Seo pushed her way through the crowd gathered at the entrance to the theater.

Following her, I saw…

“Whoa… Hey… This is…”

As if a ‘Welcome to Dongmakgol’ parody was being filmed, popcorn with a buttery aroma was scattered all over the theater floor.

“What the heck is this?”

I muttered involuntarily at the unexpected sight.

One of the kids who’d moved aside to let Yun-Seo through then sidled up to me.

“I heard the part-timer had a talent control mishap while making popcorn and it exploded.”

“So that’s why everyone’s out here?”

“Yeah, earlier the manager or someone came out and was practically begging the Teacher.”

Well… considering the state of the roads on the way here, it was understandable from the theater’s perspective.

The floor was already a mess with popcorn, and now imagine middle schoolers with shoes soaked in melted snow trampling all over it.

Just thinking about working there sent shivers down my spine.

Anyway, it seemed we’d have to wait here until the popcorn-covered floor was cleaned up.

There was just one problem…

‘…It’s kind of cold.’

That was it.

Perhaps because Yun-Seo had been exposed to the falling snow before buying an umbrella at the convenience store.

The combination of my snow-soaked clothes and the icy wind sent chills down my spine.

The absence of my scarf, usually a source of warmth, which Yun-Seo now had, made it even worse.

I was rubbing my goosebump-covered arms when I noticed Yun-Seo, equally displeased with the situation, frowning and abruptly swinging the umbrella she was holding.

Dokgun assumed she was acting out of frustration, but he was wrong.

Yun-Seo had a reason for her actions.

What more was there to say?

Yun-Seo had been increasingly annoyed with the situation.

How could she be happy when Dokgun was shivering right next to her?

And to top it off, the theater staff, instead of letting them inside after a quick clean-up, were meticulously cleaning as if they were taking advantage of the situation to do some thorough housekeeping…

‘Annoying…’

It irritated her.

That’s why she swung the umbrella towards the inside of the theater.

The timing was perfect.

The warm air flowing from inside had melted the snow clinging to the umbrella into droplets.

As soon as she swung the umbrella, the water droplets scattered, and… the moment Yun-Seo focused, they froze mid-air.

She had secured the tools she needed.

Now it was time to move.

‘…Will this work?’

She felt a flicker of doubt.

She was confident in manipulating liquids to block or stop incoming projectiles, something she’d practiced consistently since childhood on Dokgun’s recommendation.

However, she hadn’t practiced simultaneously lifting scattered objects like these water droplets using liquid manipulation.

Dokgun had suggested that such an ability could be useful in certain situations and encouraged her to practice, but it wasn’t easy.

It was much easier to control a large volume of liquid than to control numerous water droplets simultaneously. It required immense concentration.

Not to mention using them to interact with other objects.

She had been training as Dokgun suggested, but… honestly, she wasn’t very confident.

Even now, after consistent practice, her success rate was about fifty-fifty.

So she might fail.

But if she succeeded?

She would not only impress Dokgun but also leave a good impression.

He surely hadn’t forgotten his own recommendation.

With that thought, she began to manipulate the suspended water droplets… and as expected, it wasn’t easy.

Yet, she couldn’t stop.

The murmurs rising from around her made her acutely aware of the surrounding sounds and Dokgun’s reaction beside her.

She tried her best to maintain her focus.

Of course, it wasn’t easy. Especially with her heart pounding in her chest.

But perhaps it was because she was feeling particularly good today… she managed to maintain her focus.

The water droplets, responding to her gestures, swiftly engulfed the scattered popcorn.

She lifted them upwards and launched them towards a trash can placed among the theater staff.

Then, she released the force she was exerting—

Thud—! Pitter-patter—!

The water-laden popcorn rained down into the trash can.

“Ooh…”

A familiar, impressed voice reached her ears.

“Been practicing, huh?”

“Hmph, this is nothing.”

It wasn’t easy at all, but it sounded cooler this way.

“Anyway… it was getting a bit chilly out here. Guess we can go in now.”

As if on cue, the presumed manager of the theater came out, apologizing profusely to the students for the wait in the cold and bowing deeply.

He then handed out combo discount coupons, one per person.

Thanks to this unexpected bonus, we decided to buy popcorn after all.

“So, what movie are we seeing anyway? Don’t you think it’s time you told me?”

“Yeah…”

I tried to sound casual as I agreed with Dokgun, but I was actually quite nervous.

It was unavoidable.

We were about to watch a movie together in a theater, even if there were distractions and obstacles around.

Of course, we had done this a few times before, but… it was completely different now.

Back then, I was lost in some strange delusion.

Now, I was fully aware of my feelings for Dokgun.

Moreover, today, a crucial event in my life was just around the corner.

Naturally, I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious and nervous.

Maybe this could be considered our first real date?

“So, do we just go in and sit wherever?”

“I think so. I heard some kids from other classes saying the school rented out an entire theater to avoid disturbing other people.”

“Oh, really? Sweet.”

“I don’t know. Guess they’re trying to be nice for graduation.”

“Anyway… so we can just sit wherever we want?”

Hearing that, I felt a pang of anxiety, worried Dokgun might suggest sitting separately.

But seeing what he was holding, I was immediately relieved.

Some people didn’t touch their popcorn during movies, but Dokgun wasn’t one of them.

“Where do you want to sit?”

“Well… the middle is the best, but…”

I agreed, but I wanted to avoid the middle section.

It would undoubtedly be swarming with classmates, and that was… not ideal.

“Wouldn’t it be noisy?”

“Hmm, true… Then should we just go to the very back?”

“Okay. I’ll run to the back as soon as we go in and grab seats.”

“No, you’ll spill the soda. I’ll run.”

“Then I’ll just use the restroom quickly.”

“Suit yourself.”

After our little strategy meeting, we entered the theater. As planned, I headed straight to the back.

I was about to settle into a seat, but… I couldn’t.

The seats at the very back, in the truest sense of the word… were far too intimate for us to sit together.

I stood there, flustered, and of course, that’s when I heard Dokgun’s voice from behind.

“You said you’d grab seats? What are you doing standing there?”

“Oh, well…”

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“Wait, aren’t these… Couple Seats?”