When the Team Meant for Five Became Six
The team that was supposed to be five players had somehow ballooned to six. While Arang's mother chatted separately with the front office staff, the rest of us—including the coach—gathered in one room.
"What's going on here?"
As usual, Jang Seonho was the first to speak up. Yeah, he could be a bit of a pain, but it was convenient having him break the ice every time.
"Front office and I decided it. The idea actually came up right when we first connected with Arang."
"Does this team have that kind of money? Enough to bring in two people?"
"Can't discuss the details. All I can say is the situation allowed it."
Everyone turned to Sharpness—Kim Hanseo—at those words. The situation allowed it. To make room for Arang in this setup, Kim Hanseo would've had to take a serious pay cut otherwise.
Glancing at his face again, it was clear whatever the reason, he didn't look thrilled about it.
Honestly, Kim Hanseo didn't have the friendliest features to begin with—like some local thug you'd spot anywhere in the neighborhood. A rough-looking neighborhood bro, maybe?
With his expression all sullen on top of that, he wasn't exactly approachable.
"For now, we've judged that Arang has potential but isn't ready to start right away. She needs more time. So Hanseo will keep playing main top for the foreseeable future, and he'll coach her alongside me."
"Sharpness?"
Him... teaching Arang? The coach made sense—even without the physicality, he held Grandmaster top, so sharing LoE knowledge wasn't weird. But Kim Hanseo?
Sure, same team and all, nothing strange about it. But he didn't strike me as the mentoring type...
No. Judging someone purely on first impressions was the worst mistake. He seemed a little unreliable, but I shouldn't view him too negatively.
"Anyway, that's how it is. Team's complete now—give a round of applause for the new additions!"
The coach's explanation was pretty skimpy, leaving everyone with lingering questions. Applaud? Really?
We clapped anyway. Barely audible, utterly half-hearted claps that didn't sound like applause at all.
"That's enough. One thing I wanna ask."
Kim Hanseo was the one who cut it short.
I'd have stopped that awkward mess too, but his mood still seemed off, and it didn't feel like the claps were the issue.
What was he gonna ask? As we all watched him, his eyes landed on me.
"Uh, who's that girl over there?"
...Ah!
All eyes turned to me.
Thinking about it, the original crew—including Arang—knew about me by now, but the newcomer Kim Hanseo had no clue. Sure, they'd probably mentioned the mid spot was taken by Dice...
"Where's Dice?"
They hadn't spilled that I'd become a woman yet. Had to be.
"Oh, haven't explained yet. Hold on."
The coach pulled out the documents I'd handed to the team earlier and gave them to Kim Hanseo. He looked skeptical at first—what's this?—but started reading.
Unlike his thuggish vibe, he pored over them meticulously, flipping to the end, then starting over. Did it again. After the third full read, he finally looked at me.
"...She's Seo Yeonwoo?"
He pointed right at me with his finger and asked the coach.
Couldn't believe it easily, huh? Familiar reaction—I just gave an awkward smile.
"Yeah, that's Seo Yeonwoo. Any issues?"
Made sense he'd be thrown. From a pro's perspective, suddenly three women on the team—and he hadn't known before signing.
Maybe some complaints brewing?
"No, not that."
Not that, then?
"Hm, alright."
Kim Hanseo clammed up. He looked thoughtful, but his expression had softened a bit from before.
Well, he'd come knowing there'd be a woman in support already, so maybe he was flexible. Pay cut and all to join—doubt he'd complain now that the contract was done.
"Arang moves into the dorm in three days. Hanseo, you're in tomorrow. Yeonwoo?"
"Ah, I'm all set—coming tomorrow too."
Arang needed prep time, but I'd decided ages ago.
Pretty haphazard operation here, all things considered.
"Okay, that's the plan. Seohui, you'll room with Arang—cool?"
"Yeah, fine by me."
"Wait, I wanna room with Pudge."
Arang, Arang—what are you saying?
"Absolutely not. I used to be a guy."
"You're a girl now."
"No means no."
Arang looked full of grievances, but I couldn't budge on this. Plus, eventually her mom would learn my secret—if she found us rooming together then? Disaster.
The coach scanned us all one by one.
Team finally assembled. No turning back now.
"We're late to the party, so we're gonna grind hard. Get ready."
The real start.
The coach raised his hand and shouted.
"Everyone, fighting!"
Too hasty for the moment. But no one griped. This time, we all yelled it together.
Our thoughts differed a little,
but what we craved was the same.
~
Afterward, the coach told us young ones to bond over some booze or whatever and dipped, saying he had work. Not like he was that old.
But with six of us left, the vibe was predictably awkward—straight-up uncomfortable, honestly.
Blame Kim Hanseo. Frowning brow plus fierce features? No way that fostered a chill atmosphere.
But Arang was the total opposite, as always. She thrived in tension like this.
"Hi! I'm Kang Arang!"
Whatever her deal—school refusal and all—she stepped up first. I'd figured crowds might bother her, but not this much. No trace of those earlier tears; she introduced herself bright as ever.
"Uh, hi. Jang Seonho here."
"Phantom!"
"Yeah, that's me... Saw you in solo queue sometimes."
"Yep."
Surprisingly, they had history—not recent scrims, but from her Grandmaster days.
Once Seonho was done, Seo Seohui jumped in.
"Hey, Seo Seohui. Do streams as Crisu. You probably know from managing your sis's channel."
"Love your streams! Haven't watched lately 'cause of Pudge though!"
"Hahaha..."
That last laugh was mine. Nothing wrong with it, but I felt a twinge of guilt.
"Harsh. Watch mine more often."
"But you haven't streamed lately."
"Fair."
The three close in age hit it off—no bad first impressions. They'd resisted Arang before, but with Sharpness aboard, no reason to now.
Jang Seonho eyed us awkwardly.
"Team's wild. First with half the roster women, right?"
"Exclude me."
I was originally a guy.
With Arang breaking the ice like that, Kim Hanseo couldn't just sit out. He approached me first.
"Kim Hanseo. Saw you at last Worlds, yeah?"
Oh right—brief hallway brush-by. Never faced off, sadly.
"Yeah, kinda. Remember the corridor pass-by."
"...You actually remember. Guess you really are Dice."
Testing me? Makes sense, hard to buy.
"Still can't believe it?"
"Would you?"
True.
"Jesus, you're... Yuseung, right? Nice to meet you."
"Ah, yeah. You too."
"Both a year younger than me? No need to be stiff. Banmal's fine, treat me casual."
Kim Hanseo was more adaptable than expected. But that face...
Couldn't exactly say you don't look the type, so Yuseung and I just smiled awkwardly. Then Arang barged in.
"For real? I can banmal too?"
No, Arang—five-year gap.
Worried he'd snap, but nah—totally normal response.
"Kid, how many years between us? Banmal? Call me oppa."
Yeah, hard to rage at a high schooler—even if not a little kid. Immature.
Problem wasn't him.
Just as I thought he's more sensible than he looks, Arang spoke.
"ArangSharpEyes."
"What?"
"Noob."
"Hey, you just—"
"I don't listen to the weak."
...Right, that's her. Forgot amid the cuteness, but Arang was no ordinary girl.
"Arang, what're you saying? Apologize now."
I panicked and reined her in, but she doubled down—more aggressive than I'd seen. What set her off...?
"Aha."
Kim Hanseo laughed.
"Loss-loss-win-win-win."
...Ah, yeah. Opponent's Kim Hanseo.
That explained the aggression. Who else made those tear stains on her face?
Beat her in the way she'd hate most, made her cry—right here.
"What?"
"I don't listen to the weak either? Who was it lost three straight to me and cried?"
These crazy top-lane lunatics.
"Shit! Not even 1v1, you won on CS?!"
"Sure sure, noob who lost CS to a lighthouse keeper. Loss-loss-win-win-win."
"Hey! Rematch!"
"Say 'Oppa, please rematch' and maybe."
"You're insane?!"
Room turned into chaos. Arang charging furiously, Kim Hanseo effortlessly trolling—a sight that had me sighing.
...Well, better than the awkward tension. Kim Hanseo wasn't a jerk; he took her bait without snapping, played along fine.
Credit to Arang.
Thanks, Arang.
"Rematch, noob!"
"Nah~"
Thanks, you top-lane maniacs...
~
That day, I rode home with Arang's mom like before. She kept thanking me the whole way.
Planned to confess my secret en route, but the vibe made it tough.
Still, no future chance, so I spilled after agonizing. Luckily, no anger.
"Not like you did anything weird. Surprised, sure... but it's fine."
"Sorry for the deception."
"Don't sweat it. Not rooming together anyway."
"I wanted to."
"Shh. No way."
Right, no.
"Take care of her going forward. I'll visit often."
"Yes. Don't worry—I'll watch out for her."
"Hehe, see you later."
"Pudge, later!"
The mother-daughter duo dropped me home and left.
Tough day all around, but it ended well.
Watched their car vanish, then headed up. Dad's shoes—unexpected—at the door. Home early?
His voice soon followed.
"Back?"
"Yeah. Early out?"
"You're dorming tomorrow. Thought we'd at least have a last dinner."
Into the kitchen—surprise, full spread on the table.
"You cooked?"
"Yeah. Been ages; no guarantees on taste."
"...I'll eat."
A bit late for dinner—he waited for me? Eating dad-cooked food... years?
No real talk. Dinner ended quietly. Then he said,
"I'll drive you tomorrow."
"No need."
"I want to."
...Yeah.
Showered, holed up in my room. Nothing special last night.
Day passed.
Morning came. Time.
"Let's go."
"Okay."
Still no deep chats. Dad: Packed everything? Call if issues, visit for meals sometimes. Me: Yeah, got it, will do.
Just like any normal parent-child.
Arrived. I hauled two suitcases out. Dad grabbed one to help.
Escorted inside, then headed back to his car—no lingering hellos. Off to work. Typical.
Before leaving, one last line.
"It'll work out."
That was it.