Don't Think Weird Things – This Is Super Important
“Don't think weird things. This is super important.”
“No, no, I mean, yeah, it is, but...”
I mean, did you really have to ask it so bluntly? No wonder “Are you crazy?” almost slipped out. If I'd had something to drink, I would've spit it everywhere, for real.
“I don't even get periods to begin with. I wasn't originally a woman—how could I?”
“Huh? The hospital papers you brought before said it was possible. Didn't you read them properly?”
...Okay, I skimmed them pretty casually, but is that for real?
“Your face says you didn't read them.”
“No, I did skim them. I skimmed.”
“It's your body, so you need to know it better than anyone. You're lucky it hasn't started yet, but the problem is we don't know when it might. If it does, tell me right away. We'll have to sync schedules.”
...How does this guy bring up periods so casually, without any hesitation? Even if I was originally a guy.
And who just straight-up asks for someone's cycle like that? I wasn't a woman from the start, but still, this is the kind of thing people usually can't ask easily. Wait... I'm not the only woman on the team.
“Um, did you ask Seohee and Arang the same way?”
“Are you nuts? Of course I had a female staff member with me.”
So he did ask.
Well, putting aside my embarrassment, it made sense for a women's pro gamer team to track cycles. Skill was the biggest issue for women in pro gaming, obviously. But physiological stuff like this was a huge factor too.
Every month, there are a few days when your condition is just awful. If that lines up with a match day? It could be an instant loss.
So yeah, when women go pro, discussing this stuff is inevitable... or at least, that's why most female pros who debuted ended up as subs.
Of course, 99% of it was skill. But that 1% was real.
“Seohee came in prepared for all that from the start. I'm no OB-GYN, so I don't know the details, but she said she can adjust her schedule to avoid matches. And luckily, her cramps aren't too bad.”
But we have two girls on the team. What about Arang? Does she get them too?
“What about Arang?”
“She's a sub for now, so no need to adjust with meds yet. But just so you know, I didn't exactly want to track your cycles. Seohee brought it up first.”
“Seohee brought it up first?”
Yeah, that sounded like her—sharp and straightforward. She'd always been dead set on going pro, so of course she'd speak up.
I had no idea if cycle adjustment was even possible, but if she said so, it must be.
“You think I'd bring it up? Be honest. Do I seem like the sensitive type who'd proactively ask about girls' periods?”
“Nah, not really.”
His attitude right now proves it. No way.
“I'd totally forgotten until I saw Seohee today.”
“...Because of her?”
“She's—”
“Stop. Got it, just drop it.”
I really didn't want to hear about my teammate's cycle. No wonder she'd been extra pissy and skipping games today.
“But... how are you gonna tell the guys?”
“Can't give exact cycles, so I'll just explain. They'll have to figure it out.”
“Poor guys...”
Come to think of it, did we recruit Arang for this reason too? She's a girl top-laner, sure, but having a sixth man means we can sub in if issues pop up. Better than forfeiting or sending someone out mid-period.
Even if I started, our cycles probably wouldn't sync up perfectly.
In the end, I dragged myself back to the practice room, totally drained from the talk. Seeing Seohee lounging on the sofa with that listless look brought a whirlwind of thoughts.
“Back? What'd he say?”
“Uh... I'll tell you later.”
Dunno why, but I felt bad. I handed her the warm canned coffee I'd grabbed from the vending machine on the way.
“What's this coffee for?”
“You looked like your stomach was bothering you, so I figured something warm might help.”
“Whoa, thoughtful much? Thanks, I'll enjoy it.”
My eyes drifted to Jang Seonho. The guy who usually teased Seohee nonstop was dead silent today, even with her half-slacking. Come to think of it, she'd been on the team a month already.
Tsk. Time to game.
Obviously, pro gamers don't hole up in their rooms every single day. We go out sometimes, and up till now, nothing bad had happened on outings.
Back when I was a guy, fans occasionally asked for autographs. But today...
I wasn't being extra cautious on the way out. Season started in a few days anyway.
Turns out, revealing my face had more impact than I thought. Online and IRL.
“Um, excuse me.”
“Yes?”
I'd lost a bet with the guys and was heading back from the convenience store with penalty ice cream when a stranger approached. Young woman. Fan who recognized me? Felt familiar.
First time since the change, though.
And yep.
“You're Dice, Seo Yeonwoo, right?”
“Ah, yeah. That's me, Seo Yeonwoo.”
“Whoa! I'm a fan!”
Thanks. I smiled back.
“Oh, cool. Appreciate it. When did you start liking me?”
Not just thanks—small talk too. Fans always said my streams sucked, but my in-person fan service was top-tier. Can't just brush it off face-to-face, y'know.
Probably a Tundra fan from back then. Or maybe CM Revolution era.
But her next words blew past my expectations.
“Last week's LCK!”
“...Huh?”
“Became a fan watching last week's LCK.”
“From that?”
Can you even become a fan from that...?
Well, sure. Fans come from everywhere—even just the face sometimes.
Maybe her too? I love all fans regardless, but becoming one without watching games? Kinda baffling.
I wasn't that handsome back then. Now, maybe.
But we're both girls now—fan of my face?
“What about me made you a fan?”
“Your face first off. Way too pretty.”
Nailed it.
Yeah, girl idols have girl fans too. Liking pretty and cute is human nature—nothing weird about a girl fanning over my looks.
“Haha... thanks.”
“Your guy-era face was handsome too, and overall just amazing. And so cool—challenging again! I'm rooting for you!”
Fan of my guy days too? I had girl fans and looks-based ones before, but this? Hard to wrap my head around. I wasn't that hot back then.
“Even back when I was a guy? Thanks for saying that. I wasn't even that handsome.”
“Huh?”
“Anyway, really grateful for the support! I'll keep pushing hard. Gotta show a cool side. Oh, want an autograph?”
“Uh, yeah, but I don't have a pen or anything right now... Would love one, though.”
“Hang on a sec? Dorm's right up ahead. I'll grab a pen and autograph paper.”
“For real?! That'd be awesome!!”
So I brought the fan right to the dorm building.
“I'll run up and get it—wait here, okay?”
“Sure!”
As I headed in, Yuseung came out. He sighed at the sight of me and spoke.
“What, making ice cream at the store? Why're you so late?”
“Ran into a fan, chatted a bit. You headed somewhere?”
“Came to find you. Called, but some 'whoever' didn't pick up.”
Ah, checked my phone—missed call.
“Sorry, must've missed it talking.”
“Whatever. Why'd you bring the fan all the way here?”
“Wanted to sign but no pen, so...”
Yuseung bowed politely to my fan and went inside. I followed to grab the pen.
“Got the pen. Where to? No paper? Use this autograph sheet then.”
Back down, but she looked off—mumbling while eyeing the dorm.
“Why's a face like that doing pro gaming...”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, sorry! Got distracted.”
“Yuseung's face?”
Happens all the time. Guy's handsome. Always had tons of girl fans.
“He's, like, too good-looking.”
“Yeah, he's got that vibe. Kinda lanky giraffe, though. So, autograph how?”
She snapped out of it.
“Ah! On the sheet, please. Thanks. Write 'To Yang Seoran-nim'.”
“Pretty name.”
“Hehe... thanks! Cherishing this forever! Oh, right! C-can we take a photo too?”
“Of course.”
Autograph done, photo snapped. Gotta do this much for even one fan to be pro.
“Can I post online? Like a proof pic...”
“Should be fine.”
My face was public anyway.
“Thanks! I'll watch your games—fighting!”
“Take care!”
My fan left, still mumbling something.
“So that's why she said she wasn't that handsome earlier...”
Too far to hear.