RACA 35

To be precise, he wouldn’t trust his own words. So he’d probably send that observing gaze again. Or maybe it didn’t matter at all, as long as he just gave birth to the child.

“What?”

“Nothing. Let’s go!”

Knowing well he’d asked not because he hadn’t heard but because he was flabbergasted, Eunsol pretended otherwise and walked past him.

But Pyo Jaebeom never let things slide. A confrontational voice followed from behind.

“You’re really funny. I pay for the movie tickets, I buy the snacks, and this is the thanks I get, questioning whether I believe you or not?”

To him, it must have sounded rather out of the blue.

“What do you think it feels like when I ask what you want to eat, and you retort with ‘I don’t believe you’?”

“…It’d be ridiculous.”

“Exactly. So tell me. Why did you say that?”

Eunsol furtively looked around before finally confessing the truth.

“Earlier, when I mentioned my past… You said we should talk again after you find my father. I wondered if you didn’t believe me back then.”

“Ever heard of cross-verification? It’s confirming both sides to establish the facts.”

“I know that too.”

He flushed, thinking he was dismissing him, but paused when he realized his intention. After making him feel flustered, Pyo Jaebeom calmly ordered popcorn from the snack bar clerk.

“I’ll take the combo set and the spicy wing set next to it.”

“Combo and spicy wing set, correct? Let me process your payment. Will you be paying by card?”

The black card he’d seen earlier reappeared. Now that he looked at it, the color seemed remarkably sophisticated.

An unlimited credit card. The bank CEO was really different.

‘Come to think of it, how did a gangster transition from loan sharking into the financial industry?’

While lost in thought, he saw Pyo Jaebeom emerge holding large snack boxes in both hands. Eunsol hurriedly grabbed the two remaining drinks.

“Which theater is it?”

“Ah… Theater G.”

Eunsol swiftly relayed the theater he’d checked beforehand, then scanned the area again. Spotting the letter G, he signaled to Pyo Jaebeom.

“Looks like we go that way. …But this isn’t exactly cross-verification, is it? You just thought I was lying, right?”

“People usually dismiss that kind of talk as nonsense.”

“Maybe not.”

People need to be flexible in their thinking. Have you never even considered things like souls switching places or possession in your life?!

He stomped his feet as he walked, then relaxed his legs, worried it might affect the baby.

“Whether it’s true or not is for me to decide. Where are our seats?”

“Row J, seats 12 and 13.”

Though grumbling, Eunsol swiftly scanned the theater. Having frequented cinemas whenever possible, navigating the layout was a piece of cake, he found the seats in no time.

“Uh…”

The problem was that their seats happened to be in the couple section. He hadn’t noticed that detail, preoccupied with worrying about Jaebeom. Was that his mistake?

The couple seats featured two reclining sofas side by side, complete with cushions and lap blankets.

‘This is a romantic movie…’

Though few occupied the other couple seats, the pairs all appeared to be couples or married.

He’d chosen the movie to jog Pyo Jaebeom’s memory, but it seemed like a poor choice after all.

“Honey~ Try this!”

“Delicious! You try some too.”

“It tastes even better when you feed it to me!”

Surely he wouldn’t have to listen to that the whole movie? Especially with the slurping sounds too. Eunsol became acutely aware of Pyo Jaebeom beside him.

But Jaebeom himself seemed oblivious to his surroundings, busy examining the seats. After wedging the snack box into the space between the two seats, he asked with genuine curiosity.

“Are movie theaters always like this?”

“Huh?”

“The seats are cushy, and they even have a snack compartment. Pretty nice, huh?”

Eunsol’s eyes widened.

“Is this your first time at a movie theater?”

“Like I’d ever have a reason to watch a movie.”

Right. That was true. He’d heard he didn’t like movies, but he never imagined he’d never even been to a theater. This new revelation ignited Eunsol’s enthusiasm. He didn’t know what Jaebeom was like before, but if this was his first time, he was determined to make sure he enjoyed it properly.

“They’re recliner seats. Try sitting down. Press this button to raise your legs, and this one to recline the seat.” “

Pyo Jaebeom watched Eunsol excitedly press buttons and explain, as if he were a salesperson, with an amused look.

Just moments ago, he’d been sulking and ready to lash out, but now he’d completely forgotten about it, chattering away like a little bird, just like Jongjong at home.

Knowing Eunsol wouldn’t be hurt by such words now, Pyo Jaebeom placed his hand on his head instead of speaking.

“Why, why, why are you doing that?”

Startled by the sudden touch, Eunsol looked up at him. His heart fluttered unnecessarily at the gentle caress of his fingers through his hair. Whether Pyo Jaebeom realized it or not, every little thing he did sent ripples through him.

The movie opened with the Alpha driving off to meet the Omega. Simultaneously, a luxury sports car was shown speeding dangerously down the opposite road.

That alone hinted at what was about to happen.

Sure enough, the two cars collided at the intersection. Both drivers, seriously injured, were taken to the same hospital, but there their fates diverged.

Both drivers’ hearts stopped almost simultaneously. Afterward, it was the sports car driver whose heart began beating again.

‘Not yet?’

Eunsol glanced at Pyo Jaebeom. He sat slumped back, watching the movie. He had hoped he might react, given the similarity to the situation before transmigrating, but Jaebeom showed no particular response.

‘Well, I guess not. Nothing comes to mind for me either.’

Seeing that even he couldn’t recall the events immediately preceding his possession, it seemed he’d have to wait a little longer.

Before he knew it, the movie had shifted to a scene where the Omega, having waited endlessly for the Alpha, turned away in disappointment. Days later, Alpha regained consciousness, struggling with confusion before finally accepting his situation. The film then jumped forward three years, showing the two reuniting.

Crunch. Crunch.

A crisp sound accompanied a savory aroma wafting from nearby. Eunsol glanced over and was surprised to see Pyo Jaebeom’s jaw moving busily.

With an indifferent expression, he grabbed a handful of popcorn and shoveled it straight into his mouth. It was an ordinary action, but Eunsol found himself unable to look away. For some reason, his mouth felt dry. Just as Pyo Jaebeom seemed to notice his intense gaze and turned his head, he quickly looked back at the screen.

‘Ugh, ugh…’

He hadn’t done anything wrong, so why was he reacting like this? Eunsol clenched and unclenched his fists, trying to calm his racing heart.

Then, pretending to focus on the movie, he kept his eyes glued to the screen. Just then, the scene where the Alpha spotted the Omega in the park played out. The expression on the Alpha’s face as he stood still, gazing at the Omega, was heartrending.

‘If he felt that way, he should’ve gone to find his the moment he regained consciousness.’

Of course, the circumstances weren’t ideal. He had to undergo rehabilitation training, and sorting out the complicated mess around him had also taken up a lot of time.

But shouldn’t he at least try to find out how the person he loved was doing?

“After neglecting him for three whole years, that’s the expression he gives? He’s disqualified as the protagonist.”

A cold sneer erupted from beside him.

“He spent a year on rehab. It happens. Besides, that person had family troubles too.”

He was glad to hear a similar perspective, but why did he have to phrase it so spitefully? Eunsol defended himself.

“They weren’t even family. Why bother?”

“Come on. Even if they say no, how can you just ignore them?”

“But they’re still strangers, right?”

“Even the CEO treats us like family…”

He almost asked if that was true, but his mouth shut tight. Pyo Jaebeom’s gaze as he chewed popcorn seemed to say, ‘Go ahead, say more. See if you get scolded.’

“What?”

“Nothing…”

How could he speak with that murderous glare? Grumbling inwardly, Eunsol turned his gaze ahead again. In the movie, the Alpha had begun his full-on pursuit of the Omega.

They staged a chance encounter, made plans, and progressed to sharing a meal together. The Alpha tried desperately to make it clear he was his lover.

The protagonist realized that simply stating the fact wouldn’t be enough to convince the other person, so he wanted to drop indirect hints. Watching him agonize over [Read on]how to give those hints, Eunsol felt a connection with the protagonist.

‘What the hell. Why do people think so similarly?’