Do-young's Favorite Random Game (8): "Zero Lime Game...?"
It happened often. Do Ha-min tilting his head in confusion at something Ban Do-young said, not grasping the meaning. Stuff like "sun people" or "momguilt." But this time, it was a bit different.
Until now, the things Do-young threw out that Ha-min didn't understand were truly words he'd never even thought about before—completely brand-new concepts. But Zero Lime and game. Combining two words he clearly knew into something incomprehensible. Was this just like Do-young, who could turn eggs and sugar into some mystery lump of charcoal?
"Wh-what? You don't know what a Zero Lime Game is?"
"L-like a drinking game...?"
Ha-min figured the game Do-young was talking about might be one of those adult drinking games played at booze-ups. The name alone, with "cola" or booze in it, gave off a weird sense of kinship. Ha-min had zero interest in alcohol or party games, of course, and knew nothing about them. But he'd seen that recent news about a domestic idol dropping a track with one of those games as the theme, sweeping the music charts.
If even Ha-min caught wind of the trend, it must've been huge. Someone like Do-young, who grabbed all the attention from her peers, would naturally be super tuned into that stuff.
"Oh dear, freezing up without knowing what a Zero Lime Game is... Do Ha-min, this won't do—we can't wrap this up."
"Sorry... first time hearing it."
"Yeah, it would be. I made it up, after all. Kuhuhu."
"...What? Then my reaction's totally right. How am I supposed to know something I don't know? Common sense."
"You think common sense applies on April Fool's Day?"
On April Fool's, pranks and lies that didn't cross the line were fair game. Do-young's mood had been sky-high even before starting, just like when she'd insisted on playing this with Ha-min—it wasn't a joke.
"Rules are simple. Gimme that cup."
Do-young took Ha-min's glass and poured cola until it was half full. Then she did the same in her own glass and set the remaining PET bottle on the table.
"This game has offense and defense. Offense tells lies, defense has to drink all the cola in their glass while fending them off. Got it so far?"
"Uh... yeah, for now."
"Offense keeps lying or joking at defense until they finish the cola—make 'em laugh or freak out. Spill from laughing or hiccup from shock? You lose. Succeed? Roles switch, keep going."
The rules weren't hard. The Zero Lime bit felt weird at first, but basically, it was an April Fool's prank with soda in your mouth. For Ha-min, who'd already spilled drinks multiple times falling for Do-young's pranks without needing a game like this, it felt familiar... and a tad embarrassing.
Forcing laughs or flusters with lies and jokes? Might as well call it the Of Course Game with soda. Even a game noob like Ha-min had been half-forced into that one at summer Bible camp or school retreats.
'Do Ha-min, you've never kissed a girl, right?'
'...'
'Hey, why the serious face? It's a game! Play nice?'
'...Of course.'
'Kekekeke! Look at that total loser's face—total Indian rice vibes!'
Of course, Ha-min's memories of those games weren't great.
"I get it. You kept me here this late just to play this?"
"Duh, of course. April Fool's is perfect—no hard feelings, just fun."
"... "
No hard feelings. Not wrong, at least for Do-young. Someone honest and full of self-esteem like her could brush off provocations and pranks in a game like nothing. April Fool's. It's just for fun. Game's a game. Don't take it to heart. Laugh it off. If you can't, prank me back.
That was the line kids always spouted after dragging you into a game you didn't want, using "rules" to shatter what little pride you had.
Lies. Jokes. Not serious.
But Ha-min knew. The kids attacking him in those games always dragged out his raw truths to hit him with.
'Hey, if you're mad, do it back, Do Ha-min. Fight fire with fire.'
'Y-you... You've confessed to girls and gotten rejected...'
Kuhuhu, that you? Yeah, of course.'
The "lies" in there were just Ha-min's feeble counter-jabs, powerless provocations disguised as pranks from the kids coming at him.
"Why turn away like you're lost in thought?"
"N-no... nothing. So, what happens if you lose? Penalty like a drinking game—loser chugs a Zero Lime?"
"Hey! Why would that be a penalty? It's a reward! Is Zero Lime poison or what?"
"Eek...!"
Do-young roared at Ha-min calling Zero Lime a penalty, blasting his ears. This kid really loves lime. Come to think of it, she'd shown off lime-print panties, and her pajamas tossed on the bed had lime patterns too. Next thing, she'd name her kid Lime or something. With Do-young, it felt plausible.
"Loser obeys whatever winner says for 10 seconds. Within reason, obviously."
"S-surprisingly gentlemanly rules."
"Duh. Game's for fun—no gross stuff. All-ages! No 'kiss so-and-so' or 'strip'—total NG."
"O-of course. I know."
Penalty: obey winner for 10 seconds. Long if long, short if short.
"Wanna try?"
"Hmm..."
Seeing Do-young's pleading eyes, Ha-min hesitated. No game skills meant he worried more about losing than winning perks.
'But she said no creepy requests that'd gross someone out...'
Sounded risky at first, but her conditions made it seem fair, not savage.
If the host being Do-young was the biggest risk, the game itself was wholesome.
"...Not gonna? I busted my ass solving your problems 'cause you were studying at my place—wanted to play this after. Really no, Ha-min?"
"Wh-why the begging tone this time..."
Do-young calling his name in a pitiful voice. So different from her usual "let's do it" commands when she wanted something—Ha-min froze, unsure how to respond.
"I slaved over your problems, but you won't play my game? Unfair! How you gonna fix this tilted field? Smash the glass ceiling?"
"O-okay, fine... jeez."
"Woo-hoo!"
Ha-min reluctantly nodded, accepting Do-young's Zero Lime showdown.
"Alright, balcony first. Fresh air, and easier to clean spills outside."
Glasses in hand, they headed to the third-floor balcony. Opening the window let in cool, pleasant night breeze brushing their faces.
"You first, Do Ha-min."
"Uh, okay..."
First attack always to the newbie. Ha-min got offense.
"Here we go. No freakout needed, but hiccup mid-sip and you lose—so sip slow."
Do-young sipped her cola, kicking off the Zero Lime Game proper.
Th-think. This is my chance to prank her guilt-free.
Standing equal with Do-young for once, Ha-min gripped his glass tighter. A little lie—or all lies—was fine today. Just a game. April Fool's.
"Th-truth is... I like you!"
"Mm..."
"Wh-what's that reaction?"
"...Yeah, got it."
"...I said I like you! I like you!"
"Yeah, thanks. Glad you like me."
Ha-min's pumped April Fool's confession. Do-young just kept calmly draining her glass.
"Ah, all gone."
Ha-min's face flushed cherry-blossom pink as he plopped down, defeated. Do-young, expression unchanged, flipped her empty glass overhead—switch time.
Why hadn't he realized? Words Ha-min might ponder how often he'd heard from non-family his whole life were everyday chatter to a girl like Do-young.
"Switch time."
"Th-that was just an April Fool's joke... Don't get mad I said I like you. You started it. N-no real feelings or anything..."
"Thanks. Nice lie. My turn now."
"Ugh..."
Had he hoped—just a bit—for Do-young to waver? First attack a flop, Ha-min gloomily lifted his glass.
"J-just words, right? No tickling or touching."
"Duh. Drink up."
"... "
A bit tense, but Ha-min was prepped. Do-young's lies wouldn't differ much from his.
"D-done. Go!"
Ha-min passed offense, calmly sipping. It's fine—I'm used to her pranks now. Hold back screams, focus on the cola, and offense comes back. Bring it. Won't flinch.
"I'm a guy."
*Pffft!*
The game director's lie hit different from the start.