My Ex-Girlfriend Regrets Dumping Me

19 – Anxious Heart (1)

“Then, would you like to go on a date with me?”

Jia asked him with a trembling inner voice, contrasting with her bright appearance. She was afraid of the silence that momentarily flowed through the receiver.

As Seo Yeon had said, to others, Ji-ah may seem brave, but she was not without fear herself. After all, she had no experience in relationships. Even something as small as a date request was unfamiliar and awkward to her. If he had not taken a liking to her when they met at the gathering, she would not have been able to gather the courage to ask him out.

“A date? Sounds good. What do you want to do, Ji-ah?”

Fortunately, there was a positive response, and Ji-ah let out a sigh before speaking.

“I just want to watch a movie or something…how about you?”

In truth, Ji-ah had never planned a date course before. Naturally, she could only choose a safe course. The possibility of failure was too high if she tried a new challenge.

“Oh. I haven’t watched a movie in quite some time. It works out well.”

“Is that okay?”

“Yeah. I like it.”

Phew, so far so good. Ji-ah was grateful that Ji-hyun usually did not reject her suggestions. He was always kind enough to follow what she said. This was also evidence that their intimacy had increased, so their efforts were not meaningless.

“What movie do you want to watch? Did you already decide on one?”

“No. Not yet…I’ll look it up and contact you later.”

Choosing a movie was not easy. She had to consult with Seo Yeon, who could be called her love mentor. Ji-ah had planned to pull his heartstrings during this date. First impressions are crucial, after all.

“Really? Okay. Take your time to find out and get back to me. We have plenty of time anyway.”

“Yes, and there’s something else I want to ask you, oppa. Can I ask you?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

“…..What do guys at my brother’s age usually like?”

Since she didn’t have no male friends at all.

Jia wasn’t entirely clueless when it came to guys.

But this question was an essential point in her plan now.

In fact, she was asking to find out what Geon-yul likes.

“What does he like?”

“No. I have an older brother who is the same age as me. It’s his birthday, so I want to give him a present, but we’re not that close, so I don’t know what he likes.”

“Oh, I see. Well, isn’t that different for everyone?”

His perfectly stated excuse appeared to have worked well. Without realizing it, Jia’s lips curled up into a smile.

hehehe. Mission accomplished.

The response that came back was just as she anticipated.

“Then, what are your brother’s tastes? Even a little hint will help.”

In reality, she didn’t even have an older brother.

She only had one older sister.

It was just a lie she’d made up to find out Geon-yul’s preferences.

“Something simple like a wallet, a watch, or cologne?”

“Uh-huh…I see.”

“Or even clothing would be fine. Shoes or clothes are safe options.”

Jia sat on a pink gaming chair, writing down the items Geon-yul mentioned on her notebook on the desk. When she finished writing, she thanked him.

“Okay. Thank you. Oppa.”

“Sure. Glad I could help if it did.”

It wasn’t even related to him, but he answered so kindly.

It tugged at Jia’s heartstrings once again.

She realized it herself. It felt like she was playing right into the palm of his hand.

“I’m really grateful for your help. But I’m tired now, so I should go to bed.”

“Oh. Okay. Let’s talk tomorrow then.”

“Sorry. It seems like I’m just asking what I need to know and then hanging up.”

“No, it’s okay. It’s late, and you should get some rest. Just hearing your voice made me feel better.”

“hehehe. Me too. Good Night, Oppa.”

“Yeah. You too.”

The call ended with a sweet voice, and Jia immediately turned off her phone.

It was different from what she told Gun-yul before.

Originally, Jia had no interest in this matter.

But she had to search for the gift she would give to Gun-yul from now on.

There was still about a week left, so there was no lack of time.

However, expensive brand products often took time to deliver, so she had to prepare in advance.

“…Should I buy it with my wallet, or should I choose a watch…?”

Jia’s dreams were unfolding as she searched through the websites of brand stores costing tens of thousands of won.

Luxurious design and high prices.

They were not things that could be easily used by a college student.

“….He’ll like it, right?”

She thought of Gun-yul, who would receive her gift on their first date and like it.

For a while, she couldn’t leave her seat in front of the monitor.

*

Time flew by quickly, and it was already the weekend.

I arrived at the meeting place early and checked my appearance in the building window.

Black slacks and a clean white t-shirt.

And the casual yet neat blue jacket on top of it.

Even for me, It was a decent and clean date outfit.

“It’s nice to dress up carefully like this.”

After breaking up with Hae-yeon, I honestly didn’t bother dressing up much.

Since the person who would appreciate my looks was gone, I just wore whatever I got my hands on.

But seeing myself dressed up cleanly after a long time, I didn’t feel bad.

“Oppa~! You’re here early.”

Jia came running towards me from afar, waving her hand.

A beige short skirt and a light pink frilled blouse.

Today’s outfit was cute and playful.

Jia really gave off a feeling of a fairy tale elf.

“Did you wait long?”

“No. About 5 minutes? Shall we go in?”

“Yes. Sounds good!”

We stood side by side and got on the elevator.

The movie theater, located in the heart of the university district, had floors 5 to 8, so we had to ride the elevator for a while.

Luckily, the elevator we got on had no passengers.

I asked Jia the question I was curious about.

“Jia.”

“Yes?”

“We booked a thriller movie, right?”

“Yes, we did. Doesn’t the poster give you the feeling? It’s creepy.”

In the middle of spring, family movies and refreshing films were pouring out at this point, but strangely, Jia insisted on a thriller.

“But why a thriller? Usually, girls don’t like these kinds of movies much, right?”

“Oh. About that? I just thought it looked interesting. Why? Does oppa not like it much?”

“No, I’m okay with it. It’s just that you seem to like these kinds of things.”

If you ask me if I’m good at watching scary things, it’s honestly not really my thing.

But it’s not like I’m so scared that I can’t even watch it.

I thought that thrillers or horror movies were a bit strong on their own, and sometimes they were fun.

“Um, I’m not good at watching it, but I like it. Should I call it a crush?”

“… A crush?”

“Well, I have a taste for spicy food. My tongue hurts all the time. Thrillers are kind of similar.”

After hearing that explanation, I had a rough idea.

It’s like liking horror movies, but not being able to sleep at night after watching them.

“Heh. I think I know what you mean.”

“Right? So it’s hard for you?”

We laughed and arrived at the movie theater without realizing it.

After we picked up our reservation tickets, we quickly entered the theater with a combo set suitable for two.

.

.

The movie had a rather brutal survival thriller feel to it.

It begins with the story of a man who takes a boat to a small island village for a vacation.

After staying in the village for a few days, the man discovers the village’s cruel secret, and the villagers start closing in on him.

The eerie atmosphere and frequent brutal scenes made even me, a man, flinch.

[John. You’ve learned too much.]

[Casey? What the hell is going on? And what is this place!]

I paid attention to the dialogue that appeared in subtitles.

The chilling music playing sent shivers down my spine.

As the man who discovered the village’s secret tries to escape, there was a scene where the woman he thought had been helping him betrays him and locks him up.

And then came the horrifying massacre taking place where John was captured.

*gulp*

While I was swallowing saliva during the following brutal scene, something nudged the back of my hand.

Slightly surprised, I turned to see Jia sitting next to me, tears in her eyes.

Seeing her scared expression, I felt like laughing for no reason.

“…Seems pretty scary.”

Her trembling, delicate hand seemed to convey just how frightened she was.

If I didn’t expect myself to be like this, Jia must have been even more scared.

Although it didn’t seem too frightening when I read the reviews, it was intensified when I actually watched it.

As I pondered whether I should take her outside with me, Jia suddenly leaned closer and whispered into my ear.

Her warm breath tickled my ear, creating a pleasant shiver.

“…Oppa, I’m scared. Can you hold my hand?”