I Want to Play Tuhon, Teacher (2)
“I'm saying this for your sake. You know you'll suffer for life if you get hurt, right? Me, I got nothing else to do, and at my age, even if my body's wrecked, I just keep going... but you're different.”
Arguing back would be like totally ignoring Kim Joo-im's concern. But staying silent felt like I'd be kicked out tomorrow. Kim Joo-im's face was unusually serious.
Still, quitting here meant nowhere to go. I might end up pretending to be a deadbeat dad commuting to a PC bang after a layoff.
“...No way. I'll come tomorrow too. And the day after, next week, next month. I'll show up.”
“Don't.”
“Don't wanna? I can at least eat the three-meat stew even if I don't work, right?”
“Hey. What the...”
I couldn't see my own expression, but I could definitely read the shift in Kim Joo-im's emotions as he stared at me.
“I won't overdo it, so let me come. I got nowhere else anyway.”
Kim Joo-im stayed silent for a long stretch before quietly stepping over and patting my shoulder lightly.
“I won't tell Jeomjang-nim for now.”
“...Thanks.”
“But absolutely don't let it show. Jeomjang-nim or the drivers won't nag you for not lifting heavy stuff.”
“They'll be bummed though.”
“You little shit, always gotta have the last word.”
“Ow, ow. My shoulder. Shoulder.”
“Maybe I should hit you harder. Make you rest properly.”
“Ehey! Hey! Ow! Stop hitting and let's go eat!”
“Yeah. Let's grab food.”
“Pork cutlet set? Cool?”
“Cool.”
I grabbed my hoodie and zipped it up, opening the door first. Kim Joo-im, bundled in his thick windbreaker, trudged after me.
“But why do you hate accounting so much? Something with Ye-ju?”
“Ah.”
I didn't hate women. It was just... women getting too close when I didn't want it felt a bit uncomfortable.
All thanks to our landlady. After her chest chokes threatened my life a few times, I started avoiding situations where we'd be alone.
Open spaces were fine, but sealed rooms like the office or home? Terrifying. No one knew when the accountant sis might turn into Ta-in Mk-II.
“Just... I'm thick-headed, y'know.”
Kim Joo-im grumbled back gruffly.
“Thicker than me?”
“Hey, you bastards. Enough with the spamming already.”
“What dad joke? Bullshit again.”
He played like shit but gamed well enough to piss off both opponents and viewers. Silent, he seemed normal; open his mouth, and he turned lunatic. That was Ppase.
“What agreement, you crazy fucks?!”
“You call that a question? For real? You guys force it every time.”
Viewers didn't pick on Ppase for nothing. Why leave a streamer who gave satisfying reactions when poked?
“You crazy punk. You ain't even a real dad, spamming like that? How old are you, huh?!”
Ppase mouthed curses and switched from cam to game screen. The account ID was different from usual—borrowed for today's content.
“Explanation? When did I ever smurf? I announced it before starting, but you fucks didn't read.”
Viewers didn't buy it. He had history: promising burgers, opening free matches via advantage rules, trolling viewers.
He was an entertainer gamer, sure, but skilled. Viewers suffered through content while he enjoyed it.
Such reactions were inevitable.
“Hey, that's my content. Can't complain about that. You guys enjoy it too, right? If it's fun even while getting wrecked, eh? Isn't that a win?”
“Only throw stones if you didn't laugh at my stream.”
“What stone delivery! Hey, hey. How 'bout this?”
Mood soured, but Ppase wouldn't back down. He needed to meet Ren-mom. Smith meta wouldn't die, and scam Arnold users exploded. Without Ren-mom next tourney, it'd be hell mutts (feat. Smith & Arnold) showdown. (*Mutts: dogshit chars = busted chars)
“Whoever spots Ren-mom match, I'll sub you.”
“Ah, ah! Right. Burgers too. Ppap icons incoming. Free room till Ren-mom shows. Win, get sub + burger. I'll ban both feet. Cool?”
“Hey, hey! When did I say Michael? Stop the narak spam or I'll ban you all.”
“Hey, for real. No Michael. Promise.”
“Holy shit, how'd you know.”
Chat filled with Smith's straight punch kiai sounds.
“Joking. I'll ban all skills but straights. Cool?”
Free match room hit capacity in 5 seconds flat—10 slots overflowing.
But as first game queued...
A huge fanfare blared. Ppase jolted up in shock.
“Ah, Samgongsa boss! Ppase~. Thanks! How'd you spot it? Hey! Everyone out. Ren-mom popped, don't bug bro.”
“Yessir~. Thanks for hot support~. Main game's here, stay seated~. Where? Bros who eat hooks, one round?”
Ren-mom made char last week, hit Orange this week. But high MMR meant matching upper tier vets. Ppase's editor? Red native. Snipe success guaranteed.
“Gonna try Arnold again. Last time got stomped clueless. Practiced like hell since.”
Chat consensus: snipe succeeds, Ppase still loses big. But Ppase aimed for that.
Ren-mom once paid back his taunt with dad joke and bounced fun. Twice?
Would she refuse advice again and flee? No way.
Every Tuhon fan dreams “Maybe I stream and make bank?” Life's tough, bosses and troll teammates grind you down—gamers hole up or escape. Endgame? “Internet broadcaster.”
Free ride dream. Who doesn't want it? But few go pro. Future's uncertain.
Mid-major like Ppase doesn't help? You fizzle alone. But Ren-mom? Loaded with hype factors.
Obsessive Ren-only madness. Cracked new Arnold counter in one game, precise hitbox mastery. Trash dad jokes to seal the troll.
Real dad? Jackpot. Not? Still hype. 4-year vet Ppase saw jet booster ready to skyrocket.
He'd fuel it. Win-win. Handshake, everyone's happy.
“Samgongsa boss. Status? Ren-mom matched? Mid-game? Hurry. Need entry timing.”
“Yas! Nice! Reroll now! Always thanks! Samgongsa booooss! Nice shoooot!”
Ppase searched rank match. Perfect timing—same pool as Ren-mom.
Match. Please match. Give me my comeback chance, Ren-mom teacher!
~30 seconds later. Opponent locked.
Ppase's desperate prayer hit? Split screen right: unfamiliar idol face.
Here comes a new challenger!
ppasengi - VS - SDGB
“Ppaassseeee!”
“Alright, alright! Bet points! Gamble!”
No need for mission gold. Snipe success alone? NewTubang goldmine.*
*
Sunday hit again, same as last. Mid-game, Ta-in burst in. I hunched, rose to flee—but she stood in living room yelling.
“Lena, you matched Ppase again!!”
Her phone blared a familiar guy's racket.
That fucker again?
“Wasn't he Black?”
“Borrowed someone's account to snipe you.”
“What...”
“......”
Ignore? But quitting queued match = account penalty. Permanent, even on new acc.
“Here for something else today?”
“Nah. Just watching you game.”
Good—no Ta-in antics. Perfect setup to play chill.
“I see.”
Couldn't let his cockiness slide. Not me weird—he invites the rod. Why drag Ren? Shit char adds nothing.
“Time to make a retard.”
“Lena... nice words...!”
“Это причинит тебе боль.”
“Nice words, right?!”