He Is That Guy

The vibe at the meetup was way better than I’d expected.
With the Guildmaster, Drink Some Water, and the Vice, Haereun, guiding first-timers so they didn’t get lost—and with everyone tossing in something about Xenorise, a topic we could all agree on—the early awkwardness melted away like snow.
I’m not the type to get shy at a gathering like this, so I could enjoy it just fine. Chatting with TheHunter and Staeric seated across from me while grilling meat, two hours flew by.
Full and a little stifled from sitting in front of the hot grill, I stood up to get some air. Right then, Drink Some Water and Haereun also rose and said,
“We’re gonna run to the convenience store for a bit. Want to come with us, Jolrye?”
“Yeah.”
I threw on my coat and left the restaurant with the two of them. The sky had grown even heavier, and, just like I’d worried, snow was pouring down.
Going to be a hassle getting home.
It wasn’t just snow; the wind had picked up too. Without an umbrella I’d get pretty wet. We walked, snow stinging our faces, toward a convenience store about five minutes away, and Drink Some Water spoke first.
“We’ve got minors here and some folks leaving after the first round, so we’re gonna hand out a few simple snacks.”
Ah. I nodded at the explanation.
I’d felt it before—Drink Some Water had great sense. No wonder she could hold down a job and still run a gaming guild.
“Your name’s Yu Ji-han, right? I overheard you talking with Hunter earlier. I’m Kang Ji-ye, and this is Park Yu-jun.”
I appreciated that they volunteered their names without me asking. I’d already been feeling a bit burdened about being called by handles outdoors.
“Is it okay if I keep addressing you the way I have been?”
“Of course.”
At the convenience store, Kang Ji-ye and Park Yu-jun bought a bunch of light snacks—jellies and candies and the like.
While they paid, I debated whether to buy an umbrella. My phone buzzed in my pants pocket.
[Chae Yu-jeong: hyung, it’s been snowing non-stop for a while]
[Chae Yu-jeong: did you bring an umbrella?]
[Yu Ji-han: no, I’m debating whether to buy one]
By the time I’d sent my reply, the two had finished paying and stepped out. I’d missed my umbrella window fiddling with my phone, so I just followed them out.
Thinking about it, lugging an umbrella around when I was out to hang was kind of a pain. Better to swing by a convenience store near home later.
“Mm, Ji-han. Can we talk for a minute?”
Back at the restaurant, Kang Ji-ye handed the bag to Park Yu-jun and asked. She looked like she had something on her mind, so I nodded. Park Yu-jun took the bag and went in first.
Standing under the tarp by the restaurant entrance, watching the snow whirl past, Kang Ji-ye began carefully.
“It’s nothing big—I’m just curious about something.”
“What is it?”
“Yu Chae left the guild last month.”
Ah. I realized what she wanted to know and answered as evenly as I could.
“He did.”
“He left in a rush because of some circumstances, but he told me he’d explained everything to you. You two still keeping in touch, right?”
“No, we’re not.”
“Huh? You’re not?”
She’d clearly assumed we were, and she looked visibly surprised.
“Why not? Did you two fight or something?”
“We didn’t fight… I mean… I guess it just ended up that way.”
I almost said it was because Yu Chae hadn’t reached out, then changed my mind. If I was being honest, I hadn’t handled it perfectly either.
If I’d truly wanted him to text first, I shouldn’t have sat there sulking and waiting. I should’ve taken the initiative.
“Are you in touch with him?”
“Y-yeah, a bit.”
Watching my face, unsure what to do, she added, sheepish,
“Not that often. We’ve known each other a long time, but we’re not exactly close.”
“Is he doing okay?”
“…He seems to be. Sorry. Even if he quit the game, I figured he’d at least contact you since you two were tight.”
“It’s fine. You don’t have anything to apologize for.”
“Shame. You two had fun. I mean, he did mess up a lot with you too.”
“He seems really busy. It is what it is.”
Maybe, when he quit the game, he wanted to cut ties he’d made through the game too. He always struck me as the type to draw a firm line between game and real life. Whatever the answer was, it was past now.
Still, if he’s doing well, that’s a relief.
Even if the tie’s cut, I hope his work goes well. He said he was quitting because of work—hope he makes bank.
White flakes ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) rocked down through the pitch-black sky, and the phone I’d forgotten about since the convenience store buzzed again.
“Give me a sec.”
It was Chae Yu-jeong. I excused myself to Kang Ji-ye and picked up. A familiar voice came through.

—hyung, are you still eating?
“We finished. I’m just taking a short break. Why?”
—I texted but you didn’t read. Did you buy an umbrella?
“I was going to grab one on the way home.”
Why’s he drilling down this hard? I knit my brows, puzzled, and he hesitated, then continued.
—truth is, I’m at Gangnam Station right now…
“What? Right now?”
—yeah. If you’re heading home, I was going to drive you.
Good grief. I sighed and rubbed my forehead.
“Since when have you been out here?”
—not long. And my team housing is in Gangnam too, so it’s not far.
“…hold on.”
I pulled the phone from my ear and, feeling apologetic toward the bewildered-looking Kang Ji-ye, asked,
“If everyone’s heading to a second round, would it be okay if I head out first? A younger friend came to pick me up because of the snow.”
“Oh—yeah? Of course. Want me to bring you some candy at least? Eat it with your friend.”
“Thanks.”
“It’s nothing. Wait here—I’ll be right back.”
She went inside to grab the snacks she’d left with Park Yu-jun. Left alone, I immediately sent my location to Chae Yu-jeong.
“From Exit 11 at Gangnam Station, head straight and turn into the alley.”
—Exit 11? I’m close. I’ll be right there.
He really was nearby. Not even five minutes after we hung up, Chae Yu-jeong appeared with an umbrella.
“Hyung!”
He spotted me and hurried over with a bright smile. I walked to meet him, and he tilted the umbrella toward me without missing a beat.
“Is it okay if you head home? No second round?”
“The others will go. But you’re here—how could I go?”
“You’re skipping second round because of me?”
“What, am I supposed to blow off the guy who came to get me and go to second round? You showed up without even asking me first.”
If he heard the scolding, he didn’t show it. Still shyly smiling, he chattered, excited,
“It wasn’t pressure—I’m in Gangnam and you’re in Gangnam, so I came to drive you! It’s snowing and windy; it’s nice to ride in my car. If you’d said you were going to second round, I would’ve given up…”
“Got it, enough. Where’d you park?”
“There’s a lot right out front, so I just left it there for a bit.”
“Ji-han.”
Right then, Kang Ji-ye came back out. Holding a bag of candy, she opened the restaurant door—and froze when she saw Chae Yu-jeong next to me.
Why is she reacting like that? Did she recognize him? I subtly angled my body to block him and took the candy.
“Thanks. I’ll get going.”
At that, she wrenched her gaze from him back to me.
“O-oh. Okay… get home safe. See you in-game later.”
“Yeah.”
The second the parting words were over, I grabbed Chae Yu-jeong by the arm and led the way.
I was dying from the nerves that someone would recognize him, but with his arm in my grip getting tugged along, he looked like he didn’t have a care in the world. Following quietly, he spoke in a gentle voice.
“Hyung, was that the same woman who answered when I called earlier?”
“Yeah. She’s the Guildmaster.”
I checked his face to see if he was jealous—nothing like that. Just pretending?
“If I’d been born a little earlier, I could’ve called her that too.”
There he goes, spinning some weird fantasy again.
“Cut the crap. Even if you were older than me, I would never call you ‘hyung.’”
“Why not? What’s wrong with me?”
“You seriously don’t know?”
We got in the car, and he offered a straight-faced counter.
“Knowing your personality, you’d definitely call me ‘hyung.’”
“I’d sooner show more respect to a dog than call you ‘hyung.’”
“That’s harsh!”
“You cause trouble like you do and still want the ‘hyung’ treatment? Have you no shame?”
Bantering about nothing with zero nutritional value, we headed home.
I split the candy from Kang Ji-ye with him and looked out the window. The flakes had thickened into big, heavy clumps dumping down fast enough to stick.
Seeing the weather turn nastier, he eased the car down even more. Snow plus a Saturday night in Gangnam meant we crawled.
It took almost an hour to finally reach my place. After parking and getting out, he stopped in front of me.
“Thanks. That was way easier.”
“It’s nothing.”
I looked at him with a fresh feeling.
He gets into trouble sometimes, but he’s considerate in moments like this… with a pretty face and a solid job, he must be popular. I asked something I’d been curious about for a while.
“Chae Yu-jeong.”
“Yes.”
“How many relationships have you had?”
“…what?”
He blinked for a long beat, then averted his eyes, flustered.
“…why bring that up all of a sudden?”
“You seem like you’ve had a lot.”
“No…”
“How many, then?”
“…”
He hesitated forever, lips working, then finally answered, stiff as a board.
“I haven’t dated.”
Cold silence dropped between us.
I just stared at him without a word. After fidgeting for a long while, he squeezed his eyes shut.
“Th-then I’ll get going…”
“Where do you think you’re going.”
He drops a bomb and tries to run? I caught his arm as he started to turn away.
“Are you serious? You’ve never dated?”
“…yeah.”
“Why? How? What possible reason?”
“…”
“Is it like—premarital chastity or something? I’ve heard devoutly religious people don’t really date.”
“No. I don’t have a religion.”
“Then?”
“Just…”
Head bowed, unsure of himself, he answered slowly.
“I never wanted to with anyone. And if I don’t like someone, it shows a lot…”
“Yeah. Your personality’s not great.”
“How do you know that, hyung?”
“You think I’m an idiot? How could I not?”
I’d already been sure when he cursed me out the moment I unbuckled his belt to make him comfortable, but even before that, I’d had a few chilly hunches.
He argues immediately when something rubs him wrong—even with me, who he tiptoes around. With other people, he’d be worse, not better.
“I’ve never disliked you, hyung.”
“What have we even done for you to say that?”
I let out a dry laugh, and even while sulking, he shot me a glare.
“You never even gave me a chance.”
“What do you mean I didn’t? I did—otherwise we wouldn’t be here like this.”
“We still haven’t even gone on a date.”
“A date? We’ve had plenty.”
“We haven’t…”
We haven’t? I was baffled all over again.
“Why do you think you can only date after you start a relationship? Do you know how many times it’s been just the two of us eating together?”
“That’s…”
“When you got drunk, I couldn’t just put you in a taxi, so I brought you to my place. We slept, and we had breakfast.”
“…”
“On Christmas you brought a cake and we ended up spending the time together. And you think we haven’t dated?”
The more I talked, the redder his ears grew.
It was weirdly fascinating. My skin rarely flushes, but he was easy to read. With skin that fair, it stood out even more.
“Sorry. I didn’t realize. We did go on dates.”
“That’s how it usually is. Not many people jump straight into a relationship just because they like someone. I especially think the time getting to know each other matters.”
He lifted his head slowly. Under the streetlamp’s yellow glow, countless emotions rippled across his face in a way that was hard to put into words.
His hair glittered like gemstones in the light. Over his shoulder, snow fell in soft, fluttering sheets.
Even without saying it out loud, the mood was instinctive. Even if it was just my own thought, it was the perfect moment.
I reached out, grabbed the lapel of his coat, and pulled. He didn’t resist; he came along easily.
That now-familiar gentle scent skimmed the tip of my nose. Something soft touched my lips. I kissed him carefully and slowly drew back.