NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13
Tap tap tap-
“Hey, there’s Lee Sin coming.”
I moved my character around the screen absentmindedly.
The flashy skills were dazzling in front of me, but nothing was sinking in.
“Hey, Lee Sin’s coming!!”
How far is the distance between Han Seo-ah and me right now?
Too far to be lovers, too close to just be childhood friends.
“Hey, I said Lee Sin is coming!”
In the midst of it all, I was lost and wandering, not knowing where to go.
—Ah, I’m dead.
“Hey, you damn idiot!!!!!!!”
“Whoa, gee, you startled me! What’s wrong with you, you crazy guy?”
While I was lost in thought, unable to shake off Han Seo-ah’s smile, I suddenly flinched at the yelling from Kim Seung-hyun next to me.
“No, what the heck is Joonu doing!!!! I told you Lee Sin is coming so many times, and you died, you piece of trash!!!”
“Oh, was that happening?”
I thought about saying to just speak a little louder—knowing a punch would probably fly back at me—instead, I scratched my head and looked at the screen.
There it was, my character proudly displaying the glorious stats of 0/8/1.
—Yeah, I see why you’d be mad.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I can’t concentrate.”
“Is it that you finally got a girlfriend or something?”
“Not a girlfriend yet, you idiot.”
“Look at you saying ‘yet.’ I feel like I’m gonna kill you, so focus. It’s a promotion match for me and Park Jae-hwan!”
That’s not really a promotion match for me, though.
After squeezing out every ounce of focus that was left, I tried hard, but no matter what, 0/8/1 just turned into 0/12/2.
[Defeat]
Watching the two letters engulfing the screen while our side was obliterated, I could feel a gaze from the side, as if they were about to murder me.
“…Hey.”
“…I said I’m sorry.”
“You just cost us two kills…”
The screen displaying [Promotion Failed] seemed unreal, as Kim Seung-hyun repeatedly clicked uselessly, mumbling.
“You might have Han Seo-ah, but for us, this is everything, you bastard…”
“….”
Slumped in his chair, Park Jae-hwan spoke with a tone of defeat, and only then did I realize the mistake I made by looking at my two friends who had completely lost it.
—How serious are these guys about gaming?
Wait, if Han Seo-ah wasn’t around, would I be like them too…?
A chill ran down my spine at the dreadful thought.
“Hey, press start. I’ll carry you in the next match. I’m focusing hard!”
“Shut it…. If you’re gonna play like that again, just go home…”
“Come on, let me play. I’ll really carry you.”
“Ha…. If I get fooled one more time. Hey, Jae-hwan, press start.”
Seeing those two grumble yet hit the start button, I checked my phone before the game began and saw a message from Han Seo-ah.
[ㅎㅅㅇ]
– Joonu, what time will you be playing at the PC Bang? (an emoticon of a rabbit peeking)
– Joonu~~~~
– You must be busy gaming…. (an emoticon of a crying rabbit)
– It’s me; it’s about the game!
– You’ll pick for me, right…?
– You know I can contact you while playing, so it’s not annoying, right…? Sorry…. Have fun! (an emoticon of a sad rabbit)
X is here.
The last message was… 7 minutes ago.
Is it still safe?
– I’m sorry, sorry, sorry (an emoticon of a dog kneeling)
– My phone was on silent mode, I didn’t know. Seriously.
– I’ll be home around 9.
– Of course, I’ll pick you.
– Ha~~~I won’t be annoying, so feel free to contact me.
Sweating bullets, I hurriedly replied from the top, but the number 1 didn’t disappear.
Was she mad at me…? No way, right?
She’s probably just busy with something else?
As I trembled nervously, just staring at my phone screen, the game had already started.
“Hey, Joonu. The game started, what are you doing?”
“Hey, I really think I’m screwed.”
“Just say you can’t focus. Then we’ll first make sure you’re totally screwed. Don’t worry.”
Ah, damn.
First, I took a last look to check that the number 1 still hadn’t disappeared and slid my phone into my pocket.
I thought I’d just play this round and call right after.
#53
Human greed is endless, and they keep repeating the same mistakes.
[Victory]
“You could do this, you bastard!!!!”
Watching the opposing base crumble, while my two friends shouted with joy, my heart was burning.
It had to be a fierce match, making the game last nearly 40 minutes.
Please, let the number 1 still be there as I prayed and pulled out my phone.
[ㅎㅅㅇ] – 8 messages
– Hahaha, as expected from Joonu. Sorry for bothering you while you’re having fun with your friends 
– But I’m so bored without you, Joonu….
– So I’ve been rolling around in bed! (an emoticon of a rabbit glancing)
– I miss you, Joonu~
– Joonu, the number 1 hasn’t disappeared yet…
– Hueng….
– Joonu said to keep sending me messages; I said I’d look. Yeah.
– Got it, Joonu.
X is here.
I’m really screwed.
What does “got it” even mean?
The last two messages were almost like something from a horror movie.
The change from ‘Joonu’ to ‘Joonu’ in the address was a clear sign she was angry.
With sirens ringing in my head, I debated whether to call or reply when a voice of bewilderment came from beside me.
“Hey, why are you sweating so much?”
“Yeah, it’s not even hot in here.”
Seeing my friends think I was sweating because it was hot, I realized that they were the reason for this mess (nah) and felt nauseated.
“You bastards. You made Han Seo-ah mad…!”
“Eh? Han Seo-ah?”
“Because of us? Why?”
The two of them stared at me with blank expressions, oblivious.
“I couldn’t contact her while gaming because of you guys!”
“Ah damn, is that it? Seemed like no big deal.”
“I really thought it was our fault.”
Before my words finished, the two of them nonchalantly turned their heads away, leaving me feeling utterly wronged.
“It’s not like I wanted to game because of you guys! Ah, what do I do?”
“Wait, didn’t you say you weren’t dating yet? If you’re gaming, there can be times when you can’t contact her.”
“Yeah, right. It’s just about missing a message…?”
“You guys can’t see how mad Han Seo-ah is. If she’s mad, it’s seriously…!”
“Seriously, what?”
Thud- my heart sank.
In a PC Bang that was already loud with gaming sounds and chatter, there rang out a distinctly cold voice.
As a voice that shouldn’t be heard here echoed from behind, the air around froze.
Unable to look back, I looked at the two guys in front of me, who were also staring at me with their mouths agape.
Actually, they were looking at behind me.
“Joonu. I asked. Seriously, what?”
It was unbelievable that the sweet voice just moments ago could now be as cold as ice. Cautiously, I turned my gaze to the owner of that voice, and there stood Han Seo-ah, arms crossed, looking down at me with an expression of cold discontent.
Not knowing what to say, I stood frozen, and Han Seo-ah spoke while gazing past me.
“Hey guys, can I talk to Joonu for a moment?”
—Save me, guys.
“U-uh, sure! No, just take him away!”
“Yeah, we’ve played enough, you can just take him!”
—You bastards…
Seeing those two waving me off to leave, I felt an overwhelming warmth of friendship, almost moved to tears.
“Let’s go, Joonu.”
“Uh… yeah.”
Save me….
#54
Between us, sitting facing each other in the empty PC Bang, cold silence lingered.
“….”
“….”
“…Are you mad?”
Zing-
Cautiously breaking the silence, just looking into Han Seo-ah’s eyes told me she was furious right now.
“…I’m sorry.”
With no excuse left to make, I lowered my head and apologized, and I could hear a deep sigh escape her.
“Joonu.”
“Yeah….”
“Look up.”
As I slowly raised my head, there she was.
Looking at me with a look of disappointment, her eyebrows furrowed.
“…Liar.”
“What do you mean…?”
I looked at Han Seo-ah, dumbfounded by her sudden accusation.
She stretched out her hand and pinched the back of my hand lightly.
“…You said being with me was the best. Liar.”
“…”
“I hate you.”
Ironically.
Just a moment ago, I was racking my brain with how to handle her anger.
But now,
Seeing Han Seo-ah whining that she hates me made me want to grab this adorable creature and hug her tight, as my mouth twitched into a smile.
“I really am sorry. I won’t let it happen again.”
I promised as I gently held the tiny hand still pinching the back of my hand with my other hand.
“…Is that just words?”
Although I could tell she wasn’t completely done with it yet, the look in her eyes softened tremendously, and I couldn’t help but smile at her seemingly expectant glance.
“…I’m still not wholly forgiven.”
“Ugh, I’m sorry…”
Hastily recomposing myself, I cleared my throat.
I didn’t want what I was about to say to come off as a joke.
“Seo-ah.”
“…Yeah.”
Gently stroking her soft and neat hand resting on my palm, I continued.
“I’ll say it again. I’m really sorry. I’ll make sure this doesn’t happen again.”
“…Okay.”
“And saying that being with you is the best.”
Looking at you with shining eyes that sparkled beneath your long lashes, I replied genuinely.
“I mean it. I’m sorry for making you feel otherwise.”
Wishing my sincerity got through, I looked into her eyes, hoping to convey my feelings.
After a brief silence, Han Seo-ah, slightly blushing, finally opened her mouth softly.
“Next time… I’d like you to let me know if it’s tough to contact you.”
“Sure. I’ll do that.”
“I know I was bothersome, but I was so happy when you said it was okay to contact you. So I was even more upset.”
“I’m sorry.”
Before I knew it, the hand that used to pinch my skin was now gently stroking it.
“I was worried.”
“Yeah.”
“I was upset.”
“Yeah.”
“…I missed you.”
“…I missed you too.”
The cold atmosphere that once surrounded us gradually turned warm like the sweaty palms we were holding.