Astonishing Coincidence

Ten days had passed since his discharge. The first week of February slipped by, and tomorrow marked the start of Seo Joo-hwan's independent life in his new place.

The night before moving out, his parents sat him down in the living room.

"Son, now that you're set on ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠living alone, make sure to focus on school. If you need side dishes, just let us know."

Seo Ae-ra looked at him with worried eyes. She seemed anxious about her son starting his first solo living arrangement.

Seo Joo-hwan gave a wry smile. It was only natural—they'd spent years watching a timid son plagued by all sorts of misfortunes. He understood her concern. Even though he'd changed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a lot lately, in his parents' eyes, he was still like a child left by the water's edge.

But that timid, unfortunate version was from before his regression. To reassure them, he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠forced a bright smile.

"Haha, don't worry. You've already packed me a ton."

"That'll run out quick. Call as soon as you're low. Living off delivery will ruin your health."

Seo Jae-pil spoke in his usual gruff tone, his face etched with worry. Even the father who'd readily approved the move now looked uneasy as the day arrived. Seo Joo-hwan felt a flush of embarrassment at his stoic dad's rare show of concern and scratched the corner of his eye.

As he stood up, he said, "Mom, Dad. Before I go, how about a massage?"

"Oh, really? It's been ages since my son gave me one."

"Ahem. What, like I'm that old."

"Oh, come on. Just take it from your son!"

"Fine, fine. I'll take it."

Seo Ae-ra shot him a glare, and Seo Jae-pil immediately backed down. Petite even for a woman, she was the undisputed boss of the Seo household.

Holy Touch. Lucy, can you turn off the arousal boost?

Holy Touch had three effects: first, boosting the target's arousal; second, massage; and third, a mild healing touch he'd yet to try. Seo Joo-hwan activated the second and third effects on his mother's shoulders.

"Ahh. Son, your massage skills have improved. Where'd you learn this? Oh, right there—feels so good. Ah, refreshing."

"Hmph. Making a fuss over a simple massage."

Seo Jae-pil grumbled softly, irked at being upstaged by his son in front of his wife. But that lasted only a moment.

"Whoa! Hngh, J-Joo-hwan, you... Whoa! Press there more."

His reaction was even more dramatic than his mother's. All that cooking at the snack bar had knotted up his muscles. Groans escaped him nonstop as his face relaxed into bliss.

The next day, Seo Joo-hwan bowed deeply to his parents and stepped out.

On the bus, staring out the window, he thought, Familiar scenery.

He'd left Gwangmyeong, his hometown, but the view outside was still nostalgic—like ten years ago, deep into his college days.

*

Two days into solo living, on a weekend, guests arrived at Seo Joo-hwan's place.

"Hi, Hwan oppa! Here to help out~"

"Hey. Came to repay the favor."

Han Su-ah and Seo Joo-hee had come to help tidy up.

Seo Joo-hee stepped inside, scanned the room in surprise, and said, "Whoa. What? I figured it'd be a studio, but it's a two-room? Oppa, did you take out a loan or something?"

"Where would I even get a loan?"

"True, but... a fresh dischargee in a two-room? Kinda wild."

"Earned it writing. Guess your bro's got more talent than you thought."

"Whoa, writing money? Real skills? Do Mom and Dad know?"

"Keep your mouth shut."

"...Why you gotta be so prickly just with me? The vibe with Su-ah is totally different."

"What, now you notice?"

Seo Joo-hwan shot his sister an exasperated look. As if it was news that he was harsh with her. Since when had they been all soft and sweet?

Of course, back when they were little, he'd been the doting big bro and she'd followed him around—the picture-perfect siblings.

Have things changed with her too?

That ideal phase didn't last. As they grew, they became the typical siblings who barely talked—maybe once or twice a year.

...Come to think of it, she was always the one reaching out first. Was I that indifferent? She was his only sibling; he should make more effort.

"Tch...."

Seo Joo-hee puffed her cheeks, dissatisfied, while he was lost in thought. He placed a hand on her cute face and squished her cheeks.

"Eub?! "

"Where do you get off acting cute? Wanna die?"

Resolve to get along aside, he couldn't let his blood sister's cutesy act slide.

She scrunched her eyes, whining, "Ugh. Fine, I'll snitch to Mom about the two-room."

"Go ahead, doesn't matter. But kinda tacky, right? Guess you don't need that birthday gift then. I've got cash to burn."

"...Hehe. Dear brother, where should we start? Floor first?"

"Yeah, little miss. Make it sparkle."

"Aye aye."

Bowing to money, Seo Joo-hee dove into cleaning. Han Su-ah followed suit, her tiny hands sorting items, her single ponytail swishing like a puppy tail with every move.

Thanks to them, the place was spotless fast. Heavy stuff was already handled the day before.

"Let's grab food."

"Your treat?"

"Yup. Gotta feed you after all that."

"Ooh."

"Hehe, thanks oppa."

After chatting and cleaning, he treated them to a nice spot.

"Bye Hwan oppa, we'll head out. Text often!"

"Will do. Be safe."

"Visit home sometimes. Mom's already moping about you being gone."

"Did you choke on dinner? Suddenly acting all mature."

"Ugh, seriously!"

"Haha, kidding. Got it. You too, safe trip."

He walked them to the bus stop, then headed home. The lively ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠day with his "little sisters" made the night streets feel even quieter than before.

Smoke one before heading in?

A smoking booth was nearby—a perk of the neighborhood, booths everywhere.

"Oh, empty. Nice."

He avoided crowds; the haze annoyed non-smokers. Classic smoker hypocrisy, probably.

As he lit up, a long-haired woman entered the booth.

Wow, stunning. Model?

Her looks were striking: just over 170cm, long limbs unlike most East Asians, sharp features, long lashes with a Western edge. But her icy aura made her seem unapproachable. Strangely, she felt familiar.

Staring too long? She turned, cigarette in mouth, meeting his eyes. He panicked inwardly, but she glanced once and looked away.

Whew, close call.

His heart raced; she was that pretty—froze on eye contact.

The familiar message popped up after ages. Flirting hint?

Then she grumbled, "Ah, damn."

Click. Click. Lighter out of fluid, it seemed.

Just the two of them in the booth. She looked his way again. He offered his lighter first.

"Here, use this."

"Oh, thanks."

Unlike her frosty look, she bowed slightly.

"No biggie. Smokers gotta stick together."

Something about that amused her; she smirked and took it. After lighting up, she handed it back. Déjà vu hit again as he took it.

He couldn't hold back. "Excuse me."

"Yes?"

"Have we met somewhere?"

"No, first time."

"Maybe YouTube or TV? You look familiar...."

He winced—sounded too prying. Sure enough, her brows furrowed. But she chuckled.

"Hitting on me?"

"Huh?"

"Sorry. I like tall guys."

He'd hit 175cm recently—above average. But she was easily over 170, so not much difference.

Oof, kinda rude.

Not even flirting, yet shot down. Her confidence grated a bit. But his words were flirty enough, and she was gorgeous enough to overlook it.

He gave a sour smile. "Nah, not my intent. My bad for staring."

She blinked mid-puff, flustered. "W-Wait, not hitting on me?"

"Nope."

"Oh god, embarrassing.... Sorry."

Her pale cheeks flushed red—clearly mortified.

He flicked ash. "All good. I'm heading out."

"Ugh... Take care."

"You too."

He waved casually and left. Walking home, the scene replayed, drawing chuckles.

"Haha, hilarious."

Death and regression? Recent life-or-death scraps? Whatever—old timid him wouldn't have spoken, let alone teased her. Fun.

*

Home, he sat at his PC to write. The new rig booted instantly, unlike the junk at home.

"Lucy, Focus Blessing... Wait, points left?"

He'd burned a lot lately. Steady buffs ate them up.

"More than I thought."

[From achievements—plenty.]

"Right."

Achievements were vast. Massaging parents earned some; starting solo life netted 10,000 LP two days back. Helping Han Su-ah's stream added more. Her edited vid hit 100k views yesterday, dripping 1 LP per 100—despite the half penalty for others' content. Limited vids meant more to come.

"Can spend freely."

[Not quite. Daily gacha will drain it fast.]

"That? Necessary?"

[Not essential, but buy when you can. Variety.]

"Sigh. Gotta grind."

Money fine, points not. Broadcasting's a hassle. Why no points for serialization ranks? Only 10k favorites gave any.

"Time to write."

He shook off distractions, opening his HWP file, spellchecker, web dict, and Geuljoa site—his writing ritual.

Logging into Geuljoa, unread messages piled up.

"Finally."

Contract offers from agencies. He'd waited for one specific.

The heartfelt pitch kept his smile glued on. Perfect agency, and from Choi Mi-hwa herself—jackpot.

Future legend among webnovelers: her advice transformed works, eagle eye for raw talent earned "headhunter" rep. She later founded her own agency, skyrocketing with her finds. No brainer.

He'd request her specifically; her being a fan? Lucky.

"But... she said she messaged before?"

Long ago, implied.

"Shit. Deleted by mistake?"

He recalled: trolls spammed aggressive DMs alongside comments. Likely nuked hers too.

He replied pronto.

"Weekend—might wait?"

Hoping quick, then:

His phone buzzed. Screen: Choi Mi-hwa.

Instant reply. He picked up.

"Yes, hello?"

"Yes. Choi Mi-hwa PD from Punibooks, right?"

"Spot on... Did I mention it?"

"...?"

Stunned by the sudden cheer, he just tilted his head. How'd she know? And his real name?

Not news—treating pen name as obvious real name was odd.

Then it clicked. Wait, why's her name saved?

Unless institutional or saved. First contact ever.

"Ah!"

Now it hit: not Punibooks Choi Mi-hwa, but the other one. The woman he'd saved from the killer on leave. "Call after discharge," she'd said. Same name.

Seo Joo-hwan let out a hollow laugh at the insane coincidence.

"Haha...."

Choi Mi-hwa's voice rang from the smartphone.