The theatre lobby glowed softly when Ji-hoon returned, arms full. A huge couple-sized popcorn and two cold drinks, a quiet excitement dancing in his eyes.
"Come," he said softly.
She smiled a little and followed him.
They settled into their seats, shoulders close but not touching. He placed the drinks carefully into the holders, then handed her the popcorn. She looked at him and murmured, "Thank you."
He smiled.
The lights dimmed. The movie began.
It was a romantic film, but Ji-hoon barely watched the screen. His eyes kept drifting back to her face, tracing her expressions, memorising the way the light softened her features. Every scene unfolding on the screen, he imagined with her in it. Every confession, every lingering look, every quiet touch.
She felt his gaze. Every time.
Her heart reacted before she could stop it, fluttering traitorously, but she kept her eyes fixed on the screen, pretending to be deeply invested in the movie. She reached for popcorn now and then, chewing slowly, deliberately.
Ji-hoon smiled to himself. He could sense it. She knew he was looking. Yet she was choosing not to react.
Still, his gaze never wavered. It returned to her again and again, unyielding, quietly consuming.
Then suddenly, a kissing scene appeared on the screen.
She blinked, her lashes fluttering, her attention wavering for just a second.
Ji-hoon's head turned towards her. His eyes were on her. Shamelessly so.
They lingered on her lips, tracing their shape, imagining something he shouldn't be imagining so freely. His chest heaved, warmth spreading through him at the thought of kissing her someday.
He bit his lip, flustered by his own thoughts, and quickly looked down, trying to hide the shy smile threatening to betray him.
Control, Ji-hoon. Don't rush. Take it slow. At this rate, you'll scare her away. She is only just beginning to open her heart. For now, cuddles are enough. More than enough.
He scolded himself gently, then forced his attention back to the screen. Watching the movie. And still, inevitably, stealing glances at her.
Finally, the movie came to an end, the lights coming back on as people began to move. The crowd surged toward the exit, and the theatre slowly emptied, voices and footsteps blending into a restless tide.
Without thinking, Ji-hoon reached out and held her hand. Secure. Firm. Protective.
The crowd was thick. Loud. Chaotic.
She didn't resist. She simply followed him quietly, trusting his lead as he guided her out of the chaos and into the open space outside.
Only then did he turn to her.
"Do you want anything?" he asked softly.
She looked up at him, hesitating for a moment before answering. "Um… yeah. I need to use the washroom," she said slowly.
He smiled immediately. "Come."
Still holding her hand, he led her through the corridor, eyes scanning until he spotted the sign.
"Here," he said, gesturing toward the entrance.
She paused and slowly handed him her small bag. "Can you please hold this for a while?" she asked softly.
He glanced at the bag and smiled. "Sure."
"Thank you," she said, before disappearing inside.
Left alone, Ji-hoon looked down at the tiny bag in his hands, an amused smile tugging at his lips."What does she even carry in something this small?" he murmured to himself.
Curiosity stirred, nudging him insistently. He looked toward the washroom entrance, then back at the bag.
Isn't it bad manners to look into someone else's bag? He wondered.
A second later, he dismissed the thought with a quiet scoff. She's my wife, he reasoned. What's wrong with checking your wife's bag?
Convincing himself, he slowly unzipped it… and peeked inside.
There wasn't much inside. Her phone. A few notes of cash folded neatly. A lip balm. And some small hair ties and hairpins scattered carelessly, as if they had minds of their own.
Ji-hoon let out a soft chuckle. "Even her things are cute… just like her," he murmured.
He closed the zipper carefully and slung the bag over his shoulder, the gesture casual on the surface, though something about it felt… proud.
A moment later, she emerged from the washroom.
"Let's go," he said gently. "This building has one of the best restaurants… in Busan."
This time, he held her hand deliberately because this time he wanted to.
He led her toward the restaurant line, and she followed, quietly adjusting herself to his small, protective gestures.
The restaurant they entered was elegant and polished, the kind that carried a quiet luxury. The soft lighting, the attentive staff, the rich aroma of food drifting through the air… everything about it whispered expensive.
She glanced around, taking it all in, then looked at him.
He walked ahead calmly, still holding her hand, her bag resting on his shoulder as he scanned the room for an empty table.
Finally, they sat down.
Moments later, a waiter approached with a polite bow. "Welcome, sir. May I take your order?"
Ji-hoon scanned the menu briefly before looking up.
"Spicy grilled lobster, Osam Bulgogi (Spicy Squid & Pork Stir-fry)," he said calmly, "Haemul Sundubu Jjigae (Seafood Soft Tofu Stew)… and Makgeolli (rice wine)."
The waiter nodded, noting everything down.
Ji-hoon looked at her. "Do you want to add anything?"
Hae-in lifted her gaze from the menu. She spoke, a little softer but sure. "Kkaennip Jeon… with seafood stuffed in perilla leaves."
He looked at her.
Really looked.
Then a smile curved on his lips, slow and warm. "Get that one too," he said to the waiter.
"Twenty minutes, sir. Your order will be served shortly."
Ji-hoon nodded in response.
As the waiter walked away, he leaned back slightly and looked at her again, curiosity lighting his eyes.
"You like Kkaennip Jeon?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yeah… actually, I wanted to try it with seafood stuffing. And they're serving it here," she said easily, without hesitation.
His smile deepened.
"Interesting," he murmured. Then, with quiet certainty, "I'll try making that at my restaurant someday. For you."
A soft smile bloomed on her lips, and her heart fluttered again, betraying her calm.