Whisper Game
After checking Min Ga-hee's status window, Seo Joo-hwan clicked his tongue inwardly.
'The S-rank talent is impressive, but…'
If anything, the sheer number of talents she possessed was even more astonishing. Normally, a status window only displayed the top three talents with the highest potential ratings. It would add more if there were ties among the top three, but Min Ga-hee had the most talents he'd seen on anyone so far.
'Excluding her composition talent, she's maxed out nearly all of them.'
Shin Ha-neul, who had a hair fetish, had also pushed most of her talents close to their limits. But that made sense—her skills in hairstyling, styling, and pretense aligned perfectly with her profession.
In contrast, Min Ga-hee's highest-rated talent, composition, had the lowest proficiency. Even lower than baking and acting, which seemed unrelated at first glance.
She's probably tried her hand at a lot of different fields. It's unusual to max out five talents, but having many talents isn't special. Nor is having the lowest proficiency in an S-rank one.
'Really?'
Yes. Most people have at least one or two outstanding potential talents. Unlike you, Master, they can't see their status windows, so many never discover them before they die.
'What makes Min Ga-hee's talents stand out in number?'
Because they're B-rank. Others just have higher top talents that push them off the list. Plenty of people have multiple B-rank talents.
That explanation made sense. Thinking back, the lowest talent rating he'd seen so far was B+. Those people probably had plenty of other unlisted talents too.
With his questions cleared up, Lucy explained the fetishes as usual.
Ochlophilia is attraction to crowds—getting aroused in places packed with people. Maybe that's why Ga-hee got excited at the club, not just the performance.
Aphephilia is arousal from others touching your body. People with it usually love skinship. Severe cases even enjoy gropers.
The explanations fit Min Ga-hee perfectly. He recalled how she'd hugged him tight and bounced around right after the performance.
'She said it was her first time at a club, right?'
That might've amped up her excitement even more. So, how should he win her over?
Lost in thought, he heard a voice calling him.
"Oppa? Joo-hwan oppa?"
"Huh? Yeah?"
Looking up, Min Ga-hee was staring at him curiously, her head tilted. Her blue hair swayed with the motion.
"Oppa, what're you thinking about so hard? You're staring right through me."
His gaze must've been fixed on her while checking the status window.
Seo Joo-hwan panicked briefly but played it cool.
"Nah, just... your hair color's so unique. It turned out really pretty."
His deflection accidentally hit her interest spot on. Delighted, Min Ga-hee ran her fingers through her locks.
"Right? It suits me super well!"
"I went all out on this. Thought I'd lose all my hair bleaching it. Tell me it suits me quick!"
"Yeah, it does. What's the color called? Not just plain blue."
He hadn't planned to ask, but it genuinely suited her. A tough shade to pull off, yet it meshed with her quirky innocence—cool blue but fresh and vibrant.
She flashed her signature cheeky "ehehe" grin.
"Cobalt blue. But thinking about it fading in a few days makes me sad already."
With a few questions and reactions, she chattered away happily. Then the server arrived.
"Here's your food and drinks."
The snacks: assorted fries with cheese and sweet potato sticks, mango punch. The rest was soju and beer.
Seo Joo-hwan whispered to Lee Jeong-hoon alone.
"Hyung, this your specialty combo?"
Jeong-hoon had picked the menu confidently.
He shrugged nonchalantly.
"Just threw it together. Avoided soups on purpose. You gonna fill up on snacks? Gotta get 'em drinking."
"Ooh, deep strategy."
"Trust your hyung. Now that you're in, I got this covered."
"Got faith in you, hyung."
"Good man."
Even the orders had intent. Lesson learned: dry snacks with girls. Prioritize booze over bites. Noted.
As they whispered, Min Ga-hee puffed her cheeks.
"Why're you two talking secretly?"
"Sorry. Food's here—wanna do a drinking game?"
Jeong-hoon smoothly intercepted.
Blue-haired Min Ga-hee lit up at "game."
"Drinking game? Awesome! Seol-gi, you cool?"
"I'm fine. Worry about yourself."
"Hey! What about me?"
"Ugh, you little rascal."
"Then you're the wicked witch!"
They bickered again. Jeong-hoon cut in before it dragged.
"Okay, we're doing it? You know Whisper Game?"
"Whisper Game? What's that?"
Both girls looked blank. Seo Joo-hwan was too—it was new to him. His drinking game experience was limited to half-hearted college rounds of Baskin Robbins and Game of Death.
Game expert Jeong-hoon grinned and explained.
"Quick rundown before we start. Whisper Game is..."
The rules were simple. Set turn order, whisper a question to the person next to you. They answer by pointing or shaking their head—no speaking the question aloud. Want to know? Drink. No drink, no info. Curiosity costs booze.
Jeong-hoon raised his glass post-explanation.
"Let's down a couple first. I'll mix someks."
Loosen up to ramp up question heat. He whipped up someks fast. Cheers clinked, and they gulped smoothly. Golden ratio magic.
The four chatted idly, downing two someks each pre-game. The girls held strong despite the pace.
"Questions go clockwise from chopstick spinner. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Okay!"
"Got it."
Spin—landed on Jeong-hoon. He grinned, stood, and whispered to Min Ga-hee. Aiming for Yoon Seol-gi? Or into Ga-hee?
She burst laughing.
"Pfft. Point now?"
"Yeah, easy."
"For real?"
Her finger whipped to Seo Joo-hwan. He pointed at himself, confused.
"Me? Uh... is the answer me?"
Or a question about him? Unclear.
"What? What was the question?"
"C'mon, oppa, drink if you're curious! Gonna?"
"Tch. Can't skip the first one. Down it."
Min Ga-hee mixed his—5:5 soju-beer. Brutal penalty ratio. He slammed it.
"Phew. Spill."
"Oppa, you drink well? Hehe. The question I got was..."
"Nah, Ga-hee, tell just Joo-hwan. Seol-gi didn't drink."
"Or you wanna, Seol-gi?"
"Nah, I'm good."
"Hehe. Joo-hwan oppa, ear here."
"Uh-huh."
What could it be? Excitement built despite nothing major.
She leaned across, breath tickling his ear.
"Jeong-hoon oppas question was..."
Teasing pause. Then, giggling:
"Who here do you wanna kiss? Hehe."
Shocked, he stared—she beamed shyly. Bold first question, bolder pick: him. Ah, the Charm Boost Lip Balm from earlier. Glancing at Jeong-hoon, thumbs-up under table. Joo-hwan thumbs-up back. Worth yielding that Army Chief commendation.
*
Seo Joo-hwan never liked drinking games. Pre-regression college tries ended badly—clueless, always tagged, ruined vibes. Drank penalties solo, slipped out feeling out of place. Lone smokes outside, quiet bed. Sad memory.
"What? What question?!"
"Haha! Drink if you wanna know."
But not now. Were games always this fun? His past "games" were just hazing or boozing excuses. Here, booze was mere tool—for steamy vibes.
"My turn!"
Yoon Seol-gi whispered to Jeong-hoon. He smirked mischievously, pointed at her. She widened eyes, blushed.
Seo Joo-hwan teased slyly.
"What question makes you blush like that? Huh?"
"Whoa, what? What'd you ask, Seol-gi?"
Min Ga-hee poked her side.
Seol-gi dodged with a sip.
"Drink if curious."
"Cheater."
"You didn't tell either."
"Tch. Fine, drinking."
Min Ga-hee drank; Joo-hwan followed slyly. Curious despite not tagged.
All drank; Seol-gi wrinkled nose.
"Who I wanna stay up all night with tonight."
All night? Not just drinking, obviously.
Min Ga-hee twirled blue hair, eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Omo omo. Wanna stay with Jeong-hoon oppa tonight, Seol-gi?"
"Hey, it was him who..."
"Pfft. Look at shy Seol-gi~."
"Shut up..."
"Eek. S-so Jeong-hoon oppa wants to stay with Seol-gi?"
Seol-gi glared sharply; Ga-hee switched targets fast.
Jeong-hoon grinned slyly.
"Yeah. Wanna stay with her."
"Kyaa! Pervert!"
"Ooh, hyung making moves?"
Seol-gi flushed deeper. Jeong-hoon shrugged innocently.
"Huh? Meant all-night drinking. What else?"
Three laughed, teasing her. Jeong-hoon probably picked her for balance: Joo-hwan-Ga-hee pair, him-Seol-gi pair. Vibe set after rounds.
Seo Joo-hwan eyed blushing Seol-gi.
'She's serious about him.'
Started standoffish, now proactive, flirty. His sharpened instincts caught it—she liked Jeong-hoon plenty. One-night fling? Messy aftermath.
But he shrugged it off quick.
'He'll handle it.'
Who worries who? Veteran Jeong-hoon got this.
He clinked glasses privately with Ga-hee. Mood ripe—game backseat to chats and sips.
Drinks ran dry. Min Ga-hee beamed brightly.
"Noraebang! Noraebang!"
Predictably, everyone but her soured.