Alpha Trauma Novel - Chapter 38. Spring Breeze (1)

Wooyeon had lived without experiencing about 80% of what ordinary people do. Typical examples included eating with friends, watching movies, traveling, or shopping together. He had done a few of those with Daniel in America, but even so, the ‘movie theater’ was an unknown space.

“What are we watching?”

After Dohyun said he would “show him a movie,” Wooyeon’s eyes sparkled brightly every time he saw him. Anyone watching would think Wooyeon had desperately begged to see a movie, forgetting who was initially reluctant. Dohyun would smile pleasantly like he was looking at a small puppy every time he saw Wooyeon act that way.

“Well, is there anything you want to see?”

Dohyun replied softly, deftly twirling his mechanical pencil. Wooyeon looked at the spinning pencil and then, with an excited face, pulled out his phone. As soon as he tapped the search bar, a famous movie theater website appeared in his search history.

“I looked it up, and this one’s the biggest hit these days.”

On Friday morning, they met in the lecture hall and naturally sat next to each other to discuss which movie to watch. Wooyeon showed him a horror movie whose poster alone felt eerie.

“It’s a horror movie.”

Why a horror movie in such an early season? It even had a clear ‘No admittance to minors’ label. Dohyun narrowed his eyes, alternating his gaze between Wooyeon and the poster.

“Can you watch this?”

A straight finger pointed at the figure in the poster. The foreign actor holding a blood-splattered chainsaw suggested it was likely a gory film. Wooyeon checked the director’s name and ratings, then nodded indifferently.

“I’ve seen the whole series.”

Even Daniel in America had been surprised by Wooyeon several times. Unlike his appearance, Wooyeon was very good at watching gory things or ghosts. To be precise, he wasn’t scared of anything artificially created.

“…Really?”

Dohyun responded slowly, tapping the phone screen. After a few swipes, a movie appeared at number 5 on the hit list. It was a children’s animation, starring round characters.

“I was thinking of watching something like this.”

“…”

Wooyeon furrowed his brows and stared at Dohyun. Is he making fun of me? Dohyun playfully curved his eyes into a smile at Wooyeon’s expression. As expected, he was indeed teasing.

“You’re only four years older…”

Wooyeon grumbled heavily, then carefully scanned the list of popular movies. Horror, romance, action/thriller, animation, and even documentaries. There were many movies showing, but nothing particularly caught his eye.

“Moon Garam calls you a baby when he’s drunk.”

Dohyun took the phone from Wooyeon’s hand and checked the horror movie Wooyeon had shown him. He seemed to be looking at the synopsis or reviews, then returned to the list and also checked the romance movie that was ranked second. As he looked through them one by one, Wooyeon’s neck quickly turned red at the word “baby” that Dohyun had uttered.

“We can choose between these two.”

In the end, the first and second ranked movies became the final candidates. Wooyeon stubbornly steered Dohyun back to the second choice when Dohyun naturally tried to include the fifth. Dohyun let out a soft laugh and then explained in a calm voice.

“Number 1 is very gory, and number 2 is fun but calm. Do you prefer horror or romance?”

“I don’t really mind genres… What about you, sunbae?”

“If I had to choose, scary ones. Other people’s relationships aren’t my taste.”

Wooyeon didn’t object and said, “Then let’s watch a horror movie.” As if intending to book tickets right away, Dohyun pulled out his phone.

“Today’s too sudden, so…”

“I like today.”

Wooyeon didn’t miss the chance to retort. When he looked up and made a desperate expression, Dohyun covered his mouth and frowned. His lips seemed to twitch a little.

“Then, want to watch a movie after class?”

Wooyeon nodded quickly. Dohyun’s eyes curved gently as he asked in a soft tone.

“Where do you want to sit?”

“I looked it up, and they say I-seats are good.”

It was a similar answer to when he’d asked about the movie earlier. In the end, Dohyun burst out laughing, amused that Wooyeon had even looked that up. He felt somewhat like a child waiting for a picnic, but Wooyeon nodded without complaint.

“And what else did you look up?”

“Theater etiquette… No, you’re not teasing me, are you?”

“Why would I tease you?”

“You sound like you are…”

Wooyeon, who was fidgeting with his phone, winked his left eye. Dohyun’s double-lidded eyes also twitched in response. As he watched Dohyun book the seats, Wooyeon murmured in a small voice.

“I also looked up the movie theater location, and how to buy tickets.”

“And?”

“…”

His tone was confident that there must be something more. Wooyeon was silent for a moment, then spoke as casually as he could.

“I also looked up popcorn flavors.”

At his embarrassed answer, Dohyun put down his phone and covered his face. Whether his face was small or his hands were big, he couldn’t see what expression he was making. Soon, he removed his hands, leaving only a faint smile, and asked in a slightly ticklish tone.

“So what flavor did you want to eat?”

“…Caramel is supposedly delicious.”

Wooyeon thought Dohyun was particularly gentle today. Dohyun was usually kind, but he hadn’t been this soft. Wooyeon himself felt excited by Dohyun’s somehow buoyant demeanor. Seeing his “teacher” like this, the movie theater must really be fun.

“You can mix half-and-half, so try another flavor too.”

After making the reservation, Dohyun shared the booking details via messenger. Wooyeon carefully checked the ticket number with a look of utter fascination. Meanwhile, the professor entered, and Dohyun covered Wooyeon’s phone with his hand.

“Listen to the lecture.”

Just like when he used to tutor him, Wooyeon obediently put his phone away. From four years ago until now, his body instinctively moved at Dohyun’s words.

Friday, before the appointment, passed slower than ever. After morning classes, going to the club room with Dohyun, and having lunch with club members, it was still only 2 PM. There were no afternoon lectures, so Wooyeon stared at the clock hands, waiting for Dohyun to finish.

“Hey, hey, Wooyeon, your eyes are going to pop out.”

Garam playfully teased Wooyeon. Even though it was a non-lecture day, he was, as usual, lounging on the club room cot. He abruptly sat up and quietly asked.

“Do you have plans? Why are you acting like a puppy who needs to poop?”

“Oh, today…”

Wooyeon hesitated for a moment, then waved his hand. It wasn’t a real date, and his sunbae was just showing him a movie, so there was no need to keep it a secret.

“If I did well on my exam, Sunbae said he’d show me a movie.”

“Kim Dohyun?”

“Yes.”

Wooyeon replied and resumed his staring contest with the clock. At first, he used his phone, but the lack of a second hand was frustrating, so he switched his target to the wall clock. The tick-tock of time felt as slow as a snail.

“Really? What movie are you going to watch?”

Garam quickly lay back down as if uninterested. When Wooyeon told him the movie title, he scoffed, “Ugh, gross,” and shuddered. He shook his shoulders and rolled over onto his side.

“You two have gotten really close. Going to movies and all.”

Wooyeon didn’t answer, just reacted vaguely. Garam grinned, showing his teeth, at Wooyeon’s slow nod. His characteristic hearty smile seemed to be full of hidden intentions.

“Wooyeon.”

It was more of an opening to a question than a call to Wooyeon. Wooyeon tore his eyes from the clock and turned to Garam, as if to say, “Speak.” He expected another silly remark, but unexpectedly, Garam brought up something Wooyeon would truly be curious about.

“Aren’t you curious how Kim Dohyun and I became close?”

It was something Wooyeon had wondered about before. They didn’t have similar personalities or hobbies, yet the two of them were uniquely close within the club.

“Didn’t you just naturally become close?”

“Like you and Seongyu?”

Garam waved his finger, indicating that Wooyeon’s words were wrong. His index finger, which had been wiggling, pointed to the club room floor.

“Wooyeon was the one who joined the club, but I intentionally approached him to become close.”

“…”

Wooyeon subtly traced his memories. Even when they smoked or talked together, the two didn’t seem more than friends. They seemed more comfortable with each other than with other people, but to him, it didn’t seem like behavior stemming from any special feelings. Still, a faint sense of unease prompted Wooyeon to ask cautiously.

“…Perhaps because you like Sunbae,”

“Absolutely not. Absolutely, absolutely!”

Garam immediately cut him off, his face genuinely disgusted. He even covered his mouth with one hand, as if he might vomit. Wooyeon, who liked Dohyun, felt a pang of private indignation.

“He’s not my type. I like cuter, smaller guys.”

Indeed, Dohyun was far from cute or small. Wooyeon recalled a person named Minjeong whom he had seen at the midterm party. That sunbae was probably Garam’s ideal type.

“Then why did you approach him?”

“The person I liked, liked Kim Dohyun.”

Wooyeon stared at Garam with a serious expression. It was a reaction that had popped out unconsciously, without him having time to control his expression. Fortunately, Garam was looking at his phone instead of Wooyeon.

“It happened about three times? Everyone said they liked Kim Dohyun, so I wondered what kind of jerk he was and picked a fight, then we became close.”

“…You picked a fight?”

“Of course. He’s annoying, isn’t he?”

Come to think of it, Garam occasionally acted especially prickly towards Dohyun. Perhaps it wasn’t because they were friends, but a habit from picking fights with him in the past. Wooyeon stared at Garam’s fingertips for a moment, then spoke as naturally as possible.

“…Those people who liked Dohyun Sunbae, you know.”

He knew Dohyun was popular, but this was the first time he’d heard a specific number like three. Since Garam wouldn’t specifically pick out people who liked Dohyun to like them himself, it was probably just the tip of the iceberg.

“Did they… date him?”

With Kim Dohyun? Garam scoffed, as if it was an absurd idea. His long, single-lidded eyes briefly glinted sharply.

“He never dates within the university.”