Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Game
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Recently, Seol-i seemed hooked on something.
It turned out to be far more unexpected than I'd imagined.
What was it?
"Haneul, have you ever played games?"
"Games?"
"Yeah."
Games.
I was the type who got into gaming pretty late.
It was when I turned twenty, started living alone, and entered college.
I skipped even the freshman welcome party, but gaming was the one way I could hang out with other newbies. That's how I learned from those guys.
They kept calling me a "total noob!" and taught me everything to the point of annoyance, but looking back, those were some of the few fun moments in my college life.
The important thing is, I don't play games anymore.
"Nah, I don't."
"Oh...?"
Seol-i was peeking at me cautiously.
I knew this pattern. It was when she wanted something but was too shy or guilty to ask outright.
And the reason for this pattern was...
"Do you want to try playing a game?"
Seol-i wanted to try gaming.
"Yeah... a little."
"Who suggested it?"
"Ji-yun did..."
"What game?"
The game that came out of Seol-i's mouth was one I really didn't want her to play if I could help it.
It was full of filthy chat and didn't suit her delicate nature at all.
"...You sure you'll be okay? Strangers might trash-talk you while playing. That game's got a bad rep for that stuff."
-Twitch
Seol-i's body flinched slightly.
Considering her sensitive heart, I absolutely didn't want her playing that game.
But in the end, the choice was hers.
If she wanted to, I'd respect that.
"If you still want to, you can block all the chat and such. Turn it all off. And play with friends as much as possible."
"...Won't you play with me, Haneul?"
That was probably the main point.
Seol-i wanted to play games with me.
I thought about it for a moment, then nodded.
"Yeah, let's do it."
There was no reason not to if she wanted to.
Seol-i beamed a smile and thanked me, and I just nodded back.
A few days later.
"Alright, newbies! Just trust this big sis! First, everyone block all chat~!"
I ended up gaming with Lee Ji-yun, Park Woo-jin, and Lee Jun-hoo.
Side note: Kim Do-yoon, the original protagonist, was supposed to take my spot but stepped aside when I said I'd join.
Taking off those rose-tinted glasses, he really seems like a great friend.
How many middle school boys would bow out first when another friend wants to play together?
I should buy him a drink later.
Of course, that's for later. Right now, focus on the game.
"Kids, this game is..."
Lee Ji-yun was explaining the game to me and Seol-i.
Not that I needed it—I knew it inside out.
Pick characters, fight 5v5. Storm the enemy's base and smash their nexus to win. The world's most popular game.
No more explanation needed.
I'd played it before possessing this body, so it was nice seeing it again.
Makes me think the author and I are around the same age... Weird.
"So, Seol-i, what do you want to try?"
"Hmm... Me... This one!"
Seol-i picked a cute fairy character specialized in shielding allies.
"Then I'll go with this."
To protect her, I chose a ranged archer that could position next to hers.
Once we picked our faves, the other three went with their mains...
...Three hours later, Seol-i's sulky voice came through.
"I... I think that's enough for today."
She sounded so upset, it was impossible not to worry.
I quit right there and called her.
-Riiing...
-Click!
It connected after one ring, and her gloomy voice answered.
"...Hello? Haneul?"
"Seol-ah, you okay?"
She immediately whined at the sound of my voice.
"No... not okay..."
"Why?"
"The game's too hard... I feel like I was dragging everyone down..."
Just as I thought.
Seol-i's voice had soured throughout the session.
She seemed excited at first, thrilled her clicks made the character move.
But that was it.
The longer we played, the darker her tone got, until it fully sank.
How could I cheer her up? Say "You did great for a first-timer"?
No, that might backfire.
Instead... Hmm...
I racked my brain and came up with an idea.
Idea? More like a simple thought.
"...Seol-ah."
"Yeah...?"
"If you don't want to keep going, you don't have to."
That was just buildup.
But Seol-i took it overboard.
"Sorry... I was so bad..."
I don't like cutting her off, but now was the time.
"No, that's not it."
"Huh...?"
"It's not that...
I laid out the objective truths.
"We play games to have fun, right?"
"Yeah..."
"If you weren't having fun, no need to force it. Plus..."
"Plus...?"
"I had a blast playing with you."
I really did.
Hearing her scream when she died, her constant praise for me, laughing out loud with the others.
Seeing new sides of her, making new memories—it was great.
"Really fun...?"
"Do I seem like a liar?"
She answered firmly.
"No..."
"See? I had fun. The others did too, I'm sure."
"...We didn't win once?"
True. Zero wins.
"Still fun."
Honestly.
"Ask Ji-yun if it wasn't."
She went quiet, then whispered softly.
"...Thanks."
"No problem~"
"I... had fun too... Playing with you and everyone..."
A smile crept onto my face automatically.
"Let's play with them again sometime."
"Yeah, definitely..."
Her voice perked up from its earlier depths. Relief.
We kept chatting after that.
Couldn't find a good stopping point.
"Hey Haneul, finals are coming up. Can I come study at your place during exam week?"
"Sure, but wouldn't it be better if I came over?"
"You did that last time."
"Still better me moving than you. Plus, Mom's pregnant now."
"Oh..."
Mom was seven months along.
Dad and I handled most chores. She looked exhausted.
Seol-i knew, so she murmured disappointingly.
"Okay..."
"Thanks."
She's so mature and sweet for her age.
Doesn't throw tantrums, just accepts it.
If she were here, I'd pat her head.
"Is Haneul's sibling a boy or girl?"
"Girl. Little sister."
She giggled a bit.
"Haneul oppa."
Haneul oppa...
It felt nostalgic. Back then, ten kids at the orphanage called me that.
But this was different. Not like those innocent "oppa"s—this tickled my heart.
Why? Because Seol-i's a friend. A girl friend.
"Yeah... Guess I'll be oppa."
"You'll be a great oppa."
"Thanks."
I nodded, even if she couldn't see.
We kept talking about this and that, enjoying the time.
Side note: Two days later, Lee Jun-hoo and Park Woo-jin apologized to Seol-i.
Apparently, Ji-yun chewed them out big time for nagging her during the game.
Yeah, those guys had it coming.