He Is That Guy

Chae Yu-jeong followed close behind me with an almost expectant look—only to wilt the second he saw the PC bang sign.
Dragging along this one-man ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) circus, I took him downstairs and pushed open the glass door. Even though it was a weekday, it was past nine, prime time, and every seat was packed.
…Wait. Was it really okay to drag him into a PC bang?
I’d forgotten for a bit how trivial this was, but he was still a pro with a pretty recognizable face.
Wouldn’t I just stir up a mess bringing him into a place crawling with gamer dudes? Luckily, everyone was too glued to their own screens to notice him.
“You sure it’s okay for you to be here?”
“I’m not a celebrity. Of course it’s fine.”
“You shot ads before. That’s basically a celebrity.”
Must’ve been last year. After the Spring split, LVS had a short break and the whole team filmed a big-name sportswear ad.
He’d been the center of attention then, too. His face was as lethal as his gameplay, so it was no surprise.
“Well, I’ve been on break for almost a year now… and fans don’t usually track every little thing a player does.”
True. Who would expect Sensory to stroll into some neighborhood PC bang?
Still, better to grab the most tucked-away spot. But after scanning the room several times, I realized only couple seats were free.
“Any open spots?”
“39 and 40.”
Clutching at straws, I asked the counter clerk—yep, just the couple booths.
They were in a corner, sure, but with no divider between the monitors and a long bench seat side by side. Designed for lovey-dovey pairs.
Having to sit there with another guy… it was hell. But changing PC bangs now would mean the same situation anywhere else. No choice.
I sat glued to the very edge, face stiff. Meanwhile, Chae Yu-jeong plopped right down without a care, like he preferred it over a normal seat.
“So, hyung…”
He pressed the power button for me and smiled shyly.
“Are you finally talking casually to me?”
“Ah.”
The irritation had slipped through and I’d used banmal without noticing. After dropping it, there was no going back to polite speech.
I just stared at the monitor, silent. He beamed, relaxed as could be.
“I like it.”
“I don’t. Boot the game.”
“Okay~”
It had been ages since I’d logged into Hiore on my main. The second I did, I checked my info. As expected, the inactivity demotion system had dragged my tier way down.
Diamond IV. Keep neglecting it and I’d hit Platinum. Not shocking after almost seven months off.
But rank wasn’t the point. I opened my block list, and there it was: Sensory, all alone.
“Hyung… I was the only one you blocked?”
“…”
Blocking is a hassle, so I rarely bother. Chances were, he really was the only one. I hadn’t even realized until now.

“Wow… you’re cruel.”
His voice dropped, stripped of its usual playfulness.
The guilt pricked at me like needles, and I hurriedly clicked unblock. A popup appeared in the center of the screen: [Unblocked LVS gamgack.]
“See? It’s gone. Satisfied?”
“Annoyed.”
“You’re using banmal too?”
“Annoyed.”
“I unblocked you. You should look at the result.”
Trying to soften it with a bit of apology, I spoke evenly. He let out an exaggerated sigh in return. This brat.
“Anyway, it’s done. Now explain what I asked earlier.”
“Here?”
I glanced around.
The air was thick with sound effects and rowdy chatter. Not the best place for a serious talk.
“Let’s go.”
“Already? We’ve been here ten minutes. You paid for two hours.”
“Two hours is the minimum.”
“Don’t be like that, hyung.”
He caught my arm just as I was about to get up. Under the PC bang lights, his pale irises burned into me.
“Play a game with me first.”
“What game?”
“We came all the way to a PC bang. Wouldn’t it be a waste not to?”
What a waste, my ass.
Sensing my refusal, he put on that pitiful look again.
“Just one game. Less than thirty minutes. It’s been my dream to play on the same team as you.”
“A dream? You saw my tier. I’ve tanked too far. We can’t queue.”
“I have a smurf. And there’s normal mode, not just ranked.”
“Cut the crap. Let’s go.”
“N-no. I want to play with you. If you don’t, I won’t talk.”
“….”
The words climbed up my throat, ready to spill curses.
Patience… he’s a famous pro. If I throw a punch, it won’t stop at a lawsuit.
Grinding my teeth, I forced the words out.
“Just one.”
“Yes!”
Grinning, he scrambled to log in with a smurf. I booted up my alt—the one I used with classmates.
“Hyung, let’s duo bot. I’ll support.”
“Do what you want.”
Even with my flat reply, his joy bubbled over. I frowned.
What was so thrilling about being on the same team? It was just a normal game—no rank, no stakes.
…Maybe he really did mean it. That “I look up to you,” Sensory the pro said back in the café.
At the time it felt fake, unreal. Now, it started to sink in.
 
****
“Fuck.”
Leaving the PC bang, I checked my phone. It was already past eleven.
I’d caved to his “one more round” line, ended up using all two hours. To top it off, he’d ordered food mid-session, so I left with a full stomach too.
He said, as support he had time, and in between last-hits he actually fed me fried dumplings by hand. I slapped my forehead. I’d been so focused I ate them without thinking. Christ.
“Hyung, today was so fun.”
“…”
He followed me out, smiling from ear to ear, practically glued to my side. The headache hit harder.
“Next time, let’s see a movie. Okay?”
“Shut up…”
He was sharp when it came to the game, so pulling this act deliberately just made it more infuriating.
I was insane. This wasn’t why I came here. I only meant to get answers. But Hiore had been so damn fun I slipped up…
“When are you free next?”
“Huh?”
Tomorrow was the weekend, sure, but I had lectures early morning. Time to call it.
Maybe better to meet again, talk calmly.
“You’ll watch a movie with me?”
“Stop spouting shit.”
“I’m free anytime.”
I looked up from my phone’s calendar at that.
“You’re not busy?”
“I’m basically unemployed. I’ll match your schedule.”
“I thought pros still practiced even if they weren’t competing.”
“Next year’ll be busy. My free time won’t last forever, so I’m making the most of it.”
He grinned down at me. Under the streetlights, his hair and skin sparkled. His gaze was steady, thick with unmistakable affection.
“Then Sunday. And give me a real answer to my question then.”
“Okay. I’ll book the tickets.”
“I’m not watching a movie with you, idiot.”
I set the meeting for Sunday, then thought of Yu Chae.
Saturday, I’d log into Xenorise. I needed to see him. Since I let Chae Yu-jeong sweep me along tonight, I hadn’t gotten anything useful.
So Saturday, I’d play with Yu Chae and try to pick out any overlap.
…Though the personalities seemed pretty damn similar. Clingy, doing whatever they wanted. Just like him.
If they weren’t the same person… then I was trapped by two of a kind, double the pain in the ass. Perfect.
Once I was sure if they were one and the same, I’d cut one off for my sanity. And between them, Yu Chae was easier to handle. Chae Yu-jeong was the worse headache—so he’d be the one to go.