Awkward Family Dinner and a Climb to Master
The match between Hanseam Esports and Prok Airwings turned out to be a bloodbath, way tougher than expected. On paper, Hanseam should've steamrolled a bottom-feeder like Airwings, but those guys held their ground like pros.
"Airwings is on fire today."
"Yeah. They got crushed lifelessly in their last game, but they came back sharpened."
Airwings snagged the first set. They fell short in the next two, but for a team hovering on the edge of relegation, that was about as good as it gets.
"I'm starving. Let's order something. Been too glued to the game to even think about food."
"Sure. What do you want?"
"Hmm..."
As we mulled over the menu, the front door suddenly clicked open. At this hour, it could only be Dad.
"Dad must be home."
"Uh... yeah."
"Hang on a sec."
I left Yuseung in the room and stepped out to greet Dad.
"Welcome home."
"Yeah. Who's here? Saw some unfamiliar shoes."
"Yuseung. Hey, come out here a minute."
At my call, Yuseung shuffled out awkwardly and bowed to Dad.
"Hello. Long time no see."
"It's been a while, huh? How've you been?"
"Same as always—doing great."
"How's the wrist? Heard it healed up."
"All good. Thanks for worrying."
"Good to hear. You two eaten yet?"
Yuseung blanked out for a split second at Dad's question, so I jumped in.
"Not yet. About to order."
"No need. It's been ages—let's go out for some meat. I'll get ready quick; you two do the same."
"Huh? Uh, sure... okay."
I'd blurted out agreement before I could think. Back in the room, Yuseung hit me right away.
"Dude, you and your dad make up or what?"
"Huh? No."
"Then what's this?"
"Beats me."
Thinking about it... yeah, it was kinda weird. When did we get to this point?
"No clue. At some point, he started bringing home food, saying let's eat together. Couldn't exactly say no."
"You used to treat him like the enemy."
"Dunno. But free meat? Passing that up would suck."
"Fair... whatever. Your family drama, not mine."
"Drama? What's that mean?"
"Crack a dictionary."
"You my dad now?"
Whatever drama meant, it wasn't hurting business. Dad said to get ready, but we had nothing to do—we were still in the same clothes from earlier.
"He even knew about your wrist healing. That's basically making up."
"Huh? I never told him."
"Then how'd he know?"
"Uh... no idea?"
Yeah, how did Dad know that?
"Interviews are out there. He could've looked it up."
"You know he never checks that stuff. He hated me going pro."
"No other way unless your parents talk, and they don't."
Really had no idea how he found out.
Anyway, Dad finished prepping soon after, and the three of us headed to a fancy-looking grill joint right outside the apartment.
"Eat up."
"Yes."
"Yes."
The meal wasn't exactly lively. No one wanted to break the ice first—with Dad there, neither Yuseung nor I were the type to dive in.
"Ah, I'll grill."
"No, eat."
Yuseung offered as Dad manned the grill, but Dad waved him off. I hadn't planned on grilling anyway.
We stared silently at the sizzling meat until Dad spoke up.
"How've you been lately?"
"Ah, same old. Back on a team now, so practice and matches every day."
"Heard your recent results aren't great. Hope it turns around."
"Th-thanks?"
"How do you know that, Dad?"
I couldn't let this slide. Wrist thing might've been a lucky article skim, but league standings—especially Challenger League ones? No way without digging.
Even I hadn't checked.
"Curious since it's been a while, so I searched your name earlier."
...Oh. Nothing special then. Still, something nagged at me, but I couldn't pin it down.
"Sorry if searching in front of you felt rude."
"Nah, no biggie. Especially with the meat."
It still felt off, but Dad's calm vibe suggested it was just me overthinking.
Maybe to loosen things up—after that, Dad and Yuseung chatted easily. Nothing deep: family updates, small talk.
One odd bit: Dad got Yuseung's number. For emergencies, probably—no harm there.
The faintly awkward meal wrapped up. While Dad paid, I slipped to the bathroom.
In the now-familiar women's room, I handled business, then splashed cold water on my face. Hated the chill, but that unease demanded it.
Snapping back, I spotted Dad and Yuseung talking—and ducked out of sight without thinking.
"Yeonwoo's... changed a bit, but you look the same."
"Huh? Ah... honestly, first time seeing her like this, so I'm still adjusting. Can't believe it's really Seo Yeonwoo. Feels like some random girl acting buddy-buddy."
"Really? You two seem pretty close."
"Well... her voice gives it away eventually, and treating her like a stranger would just piss her off."
"Yeonwoo's lucky to have you. Thanks for being a good friend."
...What nonsense were they spouting? Yuseung really saw me as some unknown chick? I'd smack him later.
I stomped back loudly.
"What're you two chatting about?"
"Nothing much. I'm heading home. What about you?"
"Gotta head back soon too."
"I'll walk her and send her off."
"Alright, see you."
Dad left first—thank god—and it was just me and Yuseung again.
"You two got along better than expected."
"Caught me off guard."
"Dad always liked you anyway."
"Pre-pro days."
"So? 'Random girl'?"
"You were eavesdropping?"
"It was loud as hell. No need to."
I playfully smacked his back and walked ahead.
Night had long fallen outside. Under Seoul's starless sky, we chatted idly until we looped back to the park where we'd first met. Small talk fizzled out eventually.
We used to have endless stories as kids. Inevitable now—our lives were half-pro gaming, and Yuseung was deliberately avoiding the topic to spare me.
"Time to go."
"Curfew or something?"
"Not exactly, but too late and it's awkward."
"Subway? Bus?"
"Taxi."
That too—faking chit-chat felt forced; better end it naturally with "time's up." Late night was real, but the consideration wasn't fake.
I appreciated Yuseung... and resented it a little.
"Guess I'll head home too."
"Yeah."
"Stay well. Win some next match."
"Will do. You too."
Despite the long gap, I sent him off like any regular buddy—no dramatics, just normal.
Today had been fun—teasing him, tasty meat—but why the sudden sentimentality?
Back home, Dad asked from the living room.
"Back? Yuseung gone?"
"Yeah. He left."
To his own world, unlike mine.
No more talk—I retreated to my room.
Booted the PC like always, fired up LoE. Kinda embarrassing, but there it was.
When I'm down, I play LoE.
Today, I queued up.
No stream.
Master promotion awaited.
Three straight blowouts later, somehow anticlimactic.
I'd reached Master.
Fun.
The game.