Midterms (1)
"This is hopeless. I just can't focus."
With the exam just a day away, I turned off the tablet screen that felt faintly warm to the touch and slipped the stylus back into its holder, twirling it absentmindedly. To keep my promise to Choi Da-eun, I'd already gritted my teeth and studied to a certain extent. But knowing I'd already read and summarized the material once before made it even harder for the content to stick in my head.
Five minutes of studying, then hopping onto the internet. Five minutes browsing, then checking Star News. Five minutes studying, then scrolling shorts. I was the textbook definition of adult ADHD, my concentration shot to hell. I was wasting time and piling on stress in equal measure. If I kept this up, I'd drag myself to the exam tomorrow in terrible shape.
I needed a solution, no ifs or buts. Closing my eyes for a moment, I started racking my brain.
The devil's whisper popped up on my tablet screen right as I was agonizing. A KakaoTalk from Kang Min-jun, who had no exam tomorrow. Gaming the night before an exam? Insane. But... I could feel my resolve starting to waver, bit by bit.
Still, there weren't many 24-hour cafes near the university. This spot had taken me a full 30 minutes of wandering to snag. If I left now, I'd never find another seat and end up heading home.
Go or no? Go or no? I was torn. I wasn't focusing anyway. A quick mood refresh might help me buckle down. I'd already done one full review. Tap tap. Rationalizations kept popping up nonstop. But it wasn't quite enough to silence the nagging guilt lingering in the corner of my mind. Going like this would just lead to deep regrets later. I needed one decisive push...
Free food to boot, perfect justification for a mood refresh. The last shreds of guilt melted away. I quickly packed my bag and headed out. Thirty PC Bang was right in the basement below the cafe where I'd been studying.
The moment I stepped in, the slightly musty smell hit me. Unlike the upstairs cafe where you had to stifle even a cough, this place was alive with game sound effects and chatter.
"Jun-woo! Over here!"
A high-pitched, reedy voice cut through the noise. Han Ji-soo was waving wildly from a dim corner near the entrance.
"Where's Min-jun?"
"Oh, he went to top up your time at the counter."
Free food and time credits? The protagonist lived up to his role with killer generosity.
"Your seat's next to mine."
Four seats in a row—mine right beside Han Ji-soo.
"Already logged in, huh."
He knew my ID from all our PC bang trips since childhood. I clicked the game icon on the desktop, launched it, and started browsing the menu. The food here looked appetizing—the owner clearly put effort into it, with more variety than a convenience store.
Not in the mood for anything too heavy. I settled on a hot dog and placed the order via card. Just in case, I messaged Kang Min-jun at the counter to handle payment for seat 46.
"No studying for you, sis?"
"I knocked one out this morning. Next one's in two days."
"Lucky. Already done with one."
"Lucky my ass. Five more to go."
She let out a long whoosh of a sigh. The mood tanked. I pivoted to lighten things up.
"Anyway, Min-jun said four people, but no sign of him. Not here yet?"
"Nah, he's here. Just stepped out to the bathroom... Oh, there she is."
Han Ji-soo pointed—Lee Soo-min was heading our way, drawing stares with her striking beauty. She looked so out of place in a PC bang. And she was taking the same class as me tomorrow.
"Why the grin?"
"Nothing. Really."
She shot me a suspicious glare. I just shrugged innocently.
Okay, now I feel better.
Not that I saw her as competition. Just... knowing someone in the same boat was slacking off too eased my mind. Not a great mindset, but whatever.
Where the hell is Kang Min-jun? The guy who'd gone to the counter was MIA. No read receipt on my payment request. My food might arrive first.
"Your order's up."
My worries were spot on. The server set it down.
"Pay with this card, please."
"Oh, your friend already covered it at the counter."
"Thanks."
As the server left, I checked my phone for what the holdup was. A new message from Min-jun.
Whew, nothing serious. Urgent shits happen. I picked up the hot dog for a bite but hesitated, a weird feeling nagging me, and set it back down.
"Sis, want a bite if you're cool with it? I can get a knife and cut some."
"Nah, I'm good."
"Soo-min, you?"
"I'm fine."
No need to ask Min-jun. Finally, I took a big chomp. The chewy sweetness of the bun filled my mouth, mingled with the savory sausage and primal sauce kick. Pure satisfaction.
"Oh, sis—Min-jun says he's got an urgent call, back in 3. Make a lobby?"
"Sure, let's do it."
Four characters huddled on a ruined backdrop. With customization options, looks varied: Min-jun and I in random mid-game gear, Soo-min in starter defaults.
"Everyone's avatars are so basic," Han Ji-soo scoffed.
Hers? Black panties, triangle sunglasses, and pink bunny ears—the classic vet look. And top level among us, naturally.
"Sorry, took a bit."
Min-jun returned, face enlightened like he'd attained nirvana post-dump. Han Ji-soo teased slyly.
"Urgent call, huh? No biggie, then."
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Nothing major."
"Good."
Caught off-guard, he caught my eye, nodded, and mouthed a silent thanks.
Life extended by 1 day.
Remaining life: 51 days
Unexpected bonus. Protagonist perks extended to generosity.
"Alright, let's go!"
Min-jun's upbeat call kicked off the game. Full squad meant instant match—basic map, square island with loot spots. Center had tons of gear but hot drops and early fights.
"Not many landing—edge of the map?"
Min-jun and I favored safe builds for late-game pushes. As I nodded, Han Ji-soo vetoed.
"Center drop. Trust me."
She leaped from the plane. Couldn't leave her solo—we followed.
"Follow me."
Straight to the main building. She snagged a gun, mowed down tails, looted more, cleared the rest inside. Relentless. Wall-climbing like Spider-Man, picking off foes—she played a different game. No wonder the vet fit.
We just tailed her, looting or cleaning per orders. Game flew by—three squads left, all circling wary. She broke the stalemate.
Smoke grenades blanketed the field. Gunfire echoed through the haze. As it cleared—bang—final kill log.
Today it's steak-woo~
"Whoa, first place."
The signature win phrase. Lee Soo-min snapped a pic, amazed.
"Ji-soo sis, how'd you nail the last one through smoke?"
"Sharp ears."
She grinned, tapping hers. Sound-whore play in identical blind conditions. Tried it—my reflexes said no.
"Jun-woo, that was fun—one more?"
Kang Min-jun eyed me slyly. Just one more. Ended quick, not even 7 PM. Room for another. I nodded; he checked Soo-min. She'd agreed to one too.
"One more..."
She hesitated, voice trailing, face flushed—first-win high lingered. Probably her debut #1. That dopamine rush from your first victory? Still vivid. I'd binged 10+ games that day on false hope.
"..."
I glanced sideways. Soo-min glued to her monitor. The other two, no exam tomorrow. I could see where this was headed.
Lee Soo-min, concentrating like she's about to merge with the monitor (Image)
