Vol 3 Ch 7

On the way out of the movie, the boy grunted, watching Philip’s eyes like a desperate puppy.

 

“Uhm… .”

 

It was already the fifth time he bowed his head when their eyes met while trying to speak.

 

What the f**k did he have to say?

 

“What do you have to say?”

 

When Philip asked, pretending not to know anything, he said, “It’s nothing,” and he hurriedly turned his head. He stood in front of the elevator. Philip parked his car in the underground parking lot and pressed the button to go down.

 

“I will go here.”

 

Said the boy, pointing to the exit.

 

“Okay. Goodbye then.”

 

Philip smiled brightly and waved his hand. He wasn’t a woman, so he didn’t even need to drive him. It was comfortable.

 

The elevator door opened. The boy said hey, and called Philip back.

 

“Yes?”

 

Did he want a car ride? Or was he going to come and ask for some kindness in return?

 

The boy opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

 

“… I hope you feel better after watching the movie.”

 

“… … .”

 

“Have a good weekend.”

 

The boy smiled and said goodbye. Through the door that was about to close, a friendly smiling boy’s face appeared. Philip pressed the elevator’s open button.

 

“Get on.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“I’ll take you home.”

 

“No. I can walk. It’s not far from here.”

 

The boy waved his hand. He took a step backwards as if he was serious. Others in the elevator glanced at the boy. Philip reached out and grabbed the boy’s arm. Then, without a moment of refusal, he pulled him up and made him stand by his side.

 

“It’s late. I’ll give you a ride..”

 

“… I’m fine.”

 

The boy murmured in a soft voice. The nape of the boy’s neck, not knowing what to do, was dyed red.

 

As he walked to where he parked his car, the boy muttered to him several times.

 

“Type in your address.”

 

As soon as he got into the car, Philip pointed to the navigation screen and said: The boy reluctantly began to tap his address slowly.

 

“It’s close. Our house.”

 

“… Yes.”

 

“Seat belt.”

 

“Yes. Okay.”

 

The boy hastily pulled the belt and tried to buckle it. However, because he was not used to it, he missed several times. When Philip, unable to watch him, reached out and buckled the seat belt instead, the boy said thank you with his shoulders stiffened.

 

It was funny to see him being so conscious and startled.

 

“Let’s leave.”

 

Philip said that in a happy voice and turned the wheel. There was no conversation between the two until the car pulled out of the parking lot.

 

“How was the movie?”

 

When the signaled car stopped, Philip spoke first.

 

“It was fun. Compared to the original, the adaptation was good and the dramatic direction was good. Usually, if there is an original work, the fun tends to be reduced due to the comparison, but I think this movie made use of each of their charms well. Especially since the main character fell alone… .”

 

The boy who had spoken, quickly shut his mouth and looked into his eyes as if he had realized something.

 

“… Did you have fun?”

 

Then he timidly asks:

 

“Yes. In a way.”

 

As the boy said, the film was a work that maximized its unique charm by utilizing the characteristics of the medium.

 

“It seems that the director read the original a lot.”

 

“Yes. I think so. I think it was made by making use of the small details.”

 

The boy’s eyes twinkled. The boy didn’t have the ability to hide what he liked. Perhaps, if there was someone he was dating, he will show off so much that anyone will notice.

 

Philip tapped the steering wheel and stared at the boy.

 

“… The signal has changed.”

 

Philip started the car again.

 

“Hey, are you mad?”

 

“Me? No. Why?”

 

Philip replied with a smirk.

 

“No, you just got a little scary look on your face… .”

 

Phillip glanced at his face in the mirror. His eyes weren’t smiling at all. There was no reason not to feel bad, but strangely, he didn’t feel good.

 

“I think it’s because I’m a little tired.”

 

“Are you tired? Shall I drive instead?”

 

Philip turned from the driver’s seat and glanced at the genuinely concerned boy.

 

The boy was skinny enough to hold both wrists with one hand and suppress it. His bloodless, white face looked pale as if he was about to fall if hit.

 

On the other hand, he was the captain of the sports club. He had a healthy-looking body. Tiredness was also an instantaneous word.

 

He was curious.

 

Did he really want to do something like that and seriously worry about him?

 

“Are you worried about me?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Are you worried?”

 

“Yes, of course… . Can’t I worry?”

 

Pure eyes that did not show a single lie looked at him and asked.

 

As soon as he met those eyes, he wanted to ask. How did he make it so natural?

 

“Would you care if I was a bad guy?”

 

“… You are not a bad person.”

 

“Ahahaha.”

 

Philip burst out laughing.

 

He was the bad guy. No, it wasn’t enough to say he was a bad guy. Honors student Philip Levin, the main quarterback of the football team, was a fucking b**t**d contrary to his external image. Even if a person died right next to him, his ability to empathize was so low that there would be no psychological disturbance. He went to the hospital and received counseling and treatment, but he could not get better. He was born that way.

 

Not a single person who knew his true nature liked him. Even his mother who gave birth to him was reluctant to make eye contact and talk.

 

“I could be the bad guy.”

 

Philip said in a voice still brimming with laughter.

 

“… I don’t think you are… .”

 

What do you know?

 

Philip smiled softly, closing his eyes.

 

After all, the boy couldn’t understand the darkness inside him. It didn’t change anything just because he knew, and he didn’t want him to know… .

 

“… Wouldn’t that worry you?”

 

“What?”

 

“I don’t think you are, but even if you are a bad person, I would be worried. You said you were tired, so if you’re not feeling well… I am worried.”

 

In a slow, cautious tone, the boy expressed his concerns. The moment he noticed the gentle gaze staring at him, a feeling of warmth spread across his chest. The heat rushed up to his throat in an instant. The unfamiliar sensation, which was difficult to describe in words, made Philip feel impatiently thirsty. He wanted to say something.

 

“You… .”

 

As Philip was about to speak, the car’s dashboard lights flashed and a beep sounded.

 

“What?”

 

The boy asked with a more frightened face. Philip stopped the car on the side of the road and checked the instrument panel.

 

“Wait a second.”

 

Philip stepped out of the car and looked at the right rear wheel with a warning on the dashboard. Looking at it, the wind in the tire was so low that the wheels of the car slumped down.

 

“Is it okay?”

 

The boy poked his head out the window and asked.

 

“It’s not okay. I think we’re in trouble.”

 

The boy’s face turned to contemplation at the playful word.

 

That’s a big deal. Philip straightened his bent back and clicked his tongue inwardly.

 

“Hey, I’ll help. Please tell me how to do it.”

 

Seeing the boy rushing out of the car, Philip swallowed a laugh.

 

It was a big deal because it kept getting fun.

 

He put the boy back in the passenger seat and leaned against the window.

 

“First, put on your seat belt. I will tell you later.”