VLA | Chapter 1.4

“Is it okay if I sit here?”

“……”

He’d heard that Kwon Ram was the type to bluntly say no if he didn’t like something. But Kwon Ram didn’t respond to his question. Cha Sooha took the silence as a sign that it was okay. He thought to himself that he would move if Kwon Ram said no later.

“What kind of movies do you like, sunbae?”

“……Anything.”

From that answer, Cha Sooha guessed that Kwon Ram wasn’t much of a movie fan. People who watch movies often usually have a favorite genre, but Kwon Ram said anything. Cha Sooha was momentarily at a loss for words but continued undeterred.

“Then can I pick the movie?”

“……Do as you like.”

Cha Sooha wondered why Kwon Ram didn’t answer immediately and always responded a beat late. He observed Kwon Ram closely, wondering if he disliked the idea of him choosing the movie. He noticed Kwon Ram’s jaw tightening.

Kwon Ram was clearly uncomfortable with being stared at. Cha Sooha quietly looked away. If he didn’t like being looked at, he shouldn’t have answered in the first place, Cha Sooha grumbled internally. Then his gaze returned to Kwon Ram, who was staring ahead with a blank expression.

To be honest, Kwon Ram was definitely nice to look at. His noble gaze stirred a desire to conquer. His long eyelashes opened to reveal beautiful eyes that briefly glanced his way. Cha Sooha flinched without realizing it, feeling like he’d been caught stealing a glance.

Kwon Ram looked at him silently and then turned his head forward again. It felt strange. Cha Sooha had expected Kwon Ram to say something, but when he just looked at him and turned away, it felt oddly peculiar.

Cha Sooha, who had been about to make more small talk with Kwon Ram, kept quiet and focused on the class. His mind was a mess, and he even wondered if his past death had been a dream. There was no solid evidence that Kwon Ram liked him, just the man’s words.

Cha Sooha realized that all the information he had was based on uncertain assumptions. For some reason, he suddenly felt anxious. He vividly recalled the sensation of cold cement water pouring over him, the feeling of slowly suffocating. His body began to tremble as the professor’s voice and classroom noise faded away.

Just as Cha Sooha was about to fall into a sudden panic,

“Cha Sooha.”

Kwon Ram’s hand touched the back of his hand. Cha Sooha felt his senses returning. As he stared blankly at him, Kwon Ram spoke.

“What’s wrong?”

Kwon Ram had noticed his condition even while looking straight ahead. Cha Sooha, as if discovering something amazing, asked Kwon Ram.

“Sunbae, you know my name?”

A look of dismay appeared on Kwon Ram’s face. Why did that dismay feel so amusing?

Kwon Ram openly showed that he’d made a mistake. Cha Sooha suddenly wondered how long Kwon Ram had known his name. How many years had he known it alone? Did he learn it this year? Last year? At the freshman welcome party? Or even earlier?

Had he seen him by chance on the street?

Cha Sooha quietly waited for Kwon Ram’s answer. Kwon Ram soon composed his expression and replied coldly.

“……They called roll.”

“Oh, so that’s why you remember my name?”

Cha Sooha nodded, saying,

“Ah, I see.”

The liberal arts professor had only called roll during the orientation. It had been at least two weeks, yet Kwon Ram remembered his name from roll call.

Kwon Ram, couldn’t you come up with a more convincing excuse?

With that, Cha Sooha was sure. Kwon Ram had known his name long before this class.

“I’m okay now. Did I surprise you?”

Cha Sooha quickly added. He couldn’t miss the chance to talk to Kwon Ram. Kwon Ram gave a barely noticeable nod in response to Cha Sooha’s words.

“I had a brief panic attack.”

As he whispered softly, moving a bit closer, Kwon Ram flinched and glanced at him. Seeing Kwon Ram react this way, it seemed like he was definitely paying attention to him. Whether it was genuine affection or something else, he’d have to find out.

“Are you free this weekend?”

Kwon Ram’s face stiffened, surprised by the sudden question about his schedule. After a moment of conflict, he replied.

“……Why?”

Cha Sooha felt like he was dealing with a very cautious cat.

“We need to watch a movie.”

“Oh.”

“If Saturday works for you, I’ll book the tickets.”

“……”

Kwon Ram’s eyes wavered. He seemed to be internally debating. Cha Sooha couldn’t understand why he was hesitating when he could just agree.

“Is 1 PM okay?”

“Um.”

Kwon Ram looked troubled. Cha Sooha, puzzled by his expression, asked again.

“Is it not okay?”

“Do we have to watch it together?”

That wasn’t the case. But Cha Sooha hadn’t expected Kwon Ram to suggest watching separately. Why? Didn’t you like me?

You’re turning down a chance to be together? You like me, don’t you?

Could it be that he liked him so much that he couldn’t bear being in the same space? Are there people like that in the world?

Cha Sooha’s mind was instantly thrown into chaos. Kwon Ram, seeing Cha Sooha speechless with his mouth slightly open, added.

“If it’s not necessary, we could watch separately……”

“We have to watch it together. We need to write the report together, right?”

For some reason, Kwon Ram was trying to escape. Cha Sooha quickly grabbed the back of Kwon Ram’s neck before he could run. Kwon Ram was silent for a moment, surprised that he’d been caught.

Cha Sooha pressed on.

“Are you embarrassed to watch a movie with me?”

“That’s not it.”

“Then what? Is it because you prefer being alone?”

Kwon Ram hesitated before answering.

“Something like that.”

Cha Sooha raised an eyebrow at that answer. Was he uncomfortable with him being around? Why? Because his heart would race like crazy? Because he couldn’t focus on the movie?

“Can’t we just watch it together?”

“……”

Honestly, all Cha Sooha could do here was insist. The professor hadn’t said they had to watch it together; they just needed to watch the same movie and write a report. Cha Sooha realized that Kwon Ram wasn’t responding to his words. He remembered that Kwon Ram was the type to say no if he didn’t like something. Cha Sooha interpreted Kwon Ram’s silence as a sign of internal conflict.

Kwon Ram seemed to be debating whether to watch the movie with him or not. Cha Sooha deliberately touched Kwon Ram’s arm on the desk and said.

“I don’t like watching movies alone.”

At those words, Kwon Ram looked up at him. Cha Sooha momentarily forgot the situation and admired Kwon Ram’s face. It was a beautiful face, almost too good for Kwon Ram to have.

To have such a face and body and die young, Kwon Ram must be a fool.

“Okay.”

Cha Sooha felt a surge of happiness at the straightforward answer. It felt like he was being given special treatment by Kwon Ram.

“Then, Saturday at 1 PM is good?”

“Yeah.”

Kwon Ram turned his head and answered in a voice that sounded a bit haughty. Cha Sooha, looking at his profile, held out his phone.

“Then can you give me your number?”

Kwon Ram hesitated for a moment before taking the phone and entering his number. Cha Sooha was probably the first person to get Kwon Ram’s number directly.

“I’ll book the tickets and send you a picture.”

“……”

Kwon Ram didn’t respond, but Cha Sooha took it as permission. The aloof prince had granted him time. Now, he had to do whatever it took to climb into the prince’s bed.

Cha Sooha’s lips curled into a quiet smile.

❀ ❀ ❀

Cha Sooha pondered deeply on how to find out about Kwon Ram without causing rumors in the department. He considered asking Ha Kangji again but quickly dismissed the idea, remembering the endless nagging from before.

In the end, the only option was to ask Kwon Ram directly. Poking around might lead to Kwon Ram finding out, which would be troublesome. Kwon Ram was already wary of him, and if he discovered Sooha was investigating him, he’d be even more on guard.

A casual one-night stand wasn’t an option either. The chances of getting pregnant from a one-night stand were slim. At least a month as a sex partner was needed.

The plan was to charm him into a short-term fling. But on the first day, he decided to act like a normal hoobae. If opportunities arose, he’d stack up points here and there.

That was Cha Sooha’s goal. If things went wrong, it could end as a one-night stand, and if too well, Kwon Ram might want to date. Dating Kwon Ram was risky. If he clung to him, claiming life or death when breaking up, it would be a disaster. Sooha had no intention of taking responsibility for Kwon Ram’s feelings. What he wanted wasn’t Kwon Ram’s affection, but his abundant inheritance.

Cha Sooha wanted to remain just another passing guy to Kwon Ram. While pondering these things, Saturday, the promised day, arrived.

Standing in front of the mirror, Cha Sooha hesitated. Should he dress as usual or match Kwon Ram’s style with a simple sweatshirt and jeans? If Kwon Ram had a crush on him, wouldn’t his usual attire be more appealing? But why would someone who likes such outfits dress so plainly themselves?

Maybe he liked everything about him except his fashion sense?

Cha Sooha stared at himself in the mirror. It wasn’t narcissism; he really looked good in anything. He decided not to overdo it. It would be troublesome if Kwon Ram felt burdened by their meeting.

He wore a washed-out gray sweatshirt and jeans with a slight tear at one knee. He removed the chain from his pants, thinking of Kwon Ram. It was a plain outfit, but on him, it looked stylish.

He considered changing his pants but decided against it. None of his pants were plain. He took out his phone and contacted Kwon Ram.

[Sunbae, have you left?]

Honestly, he didn’t expect a reply from Kwon Ram. He imagined Kwon Ram would read the message and head to the cinema without a word.

But unexpectedly, his phone buzzed immediately.

[Yeah]

[How long will it take you?]

[I’ll be there soon]

Cha Sooha checked the time, thinking he might have gotten it wrong. There were still 40 minutes until the meeting time. Since they were meeting near his house, he was taking his time getting dressed, but Kwon Ram was already in front of the cinema?

He quickly replied, wondering if Kwon Ram had mistaken the time.

[Isn’t our meeting at 1?]

The messages stopped abruptly. Cha Sooha quickly put on his shoes and checked his phone. Only after stepping outside did he get a reply from Kwon Ram.

[Yeah, I came early to buy something]

Cha Sooha let out a sigh of relief. It seemed Kwon Ram had some errands to run.

[I’ll hurry then. I’m on my way.]

[Take your time]

The considerate message made Cha Sooha raise an eyebrow. Kwon Ram’s text seemed oddly kind. Was it just his imagination?