"Shall we go see a movie today?" She asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.
I had never been to the movies with a girl before, only with friends. The idea sent a rush of nervousness through me. I turned to my friend, Mingu, for advice.
"Mingu, that girl wants to go to the movies with me today; what should I do?"
Mingu chuckled knowingly, "If a girl wants to see a movie, it usually means she wants to go shopping afterward, right, Sunwoo?"
Sunwoo, another friend, joined in, "Yes, that's right. My girl is just like you. You'll need some extra money for sure."
Mingu added, "And remember to get her favorite lipstick. If you don't do that, you might fail the exam."
I sighed, "Hmm. If it's that hard, I might just be single forever."
Sunwoo gave me a reassuring pat on the back, "Oh, don't think like that, Yeop. Enjoy life."
As I waited for her, my heart raced with nervous excitement. When she finally arrived, she apologized for being late.
"Sorry, Glummy! I'm late," she said.
I quickly dismissed her lateness, "No, you're not late at all. What would you like to eat?"
"I like popcorn," she replied.
With popcorn in hand, we entered the dark movie hall. As the movie played, she slowly took my hand, and I felt a warm shiver run down my spine.
"Yeop, have you had a girlfriend before?" she asked.
I admitted, "No, actually, this is my first time. Should we go shopping after this?" I asked curiously.
She hesitated, "No, let's plan for another day. I have a class in the evening."
"Okay then, let's go any day you like."
After the movie ended, we stepped out into the lobby. As I walked behind her, I noticed a red stain on her skirt. Concerned, I took her hand and guided her to the washroom.
"Yeop, what are you doing?" she asked.
"Zengyu, you stay here. I'll get you a dress and be right back. Don't go anywhere."
I rushed to a shop in the mall, purchased sanitary napkins for her, and picked out another dress.
"Go and change into these clothes, like a good girl. Then I'll take you home."
She entered the washroom silently, and when she came out, she simply said, "Thank you, Yeop."
"Don't thank me," I replied, "I understand you."
Surprised, she asked, "How do you know about this? How did you bring my favorite type?"
I explained, "I have an older sister. She takes care of me since our mother is gone, and I take care of her. I brought the one she likes."
She smiled warmly, "You're a good friend, Yeop."
"Come on, I'll drop you off at home."
We took a taxi to her place, and as I dropped her off, I said, "Then go to sleep now. Text me tomorrow morning."
When I returned home, my sister was sitting in the dark, lost in thought about the evening I had spent.
"Nuna," I began, "I was scared. Why are you sitting in the dark without turning on the light in this house?"
My sister retorted, "My silly brother is going to the movies with girls. But he left as if he didn't even see his sister."
I asked, "Did you go shopping today?"
She replied, "Every day they blame me for bringing clothes of one color. So I went to buy clothes for you today, but you left as if you didn't see me. Do you treat me like that?"
My sister threw the bought clothes at me in frustration.
"Nuna that girl had her period. I helped her."
"I saw everything. Eat your dinner. I'm tired and I'm going to sleep." My sister didn't look at me and went to the room and closed the door.
I shouted "Nunaaa".
She left without talking to me, so I went to the room without eating and closed the door.