Found It

Kim Minseo chatted away on KakaoTalk, her cheeks slightly flushed. She felt a thrill of excitement and anticipation.

Thump thump. Wonder what my cousin's place looks like now that he's a chaebol? She'd seen mansions and penthouses like the ones in movies and dramas. She'd always wanted to visit one. And now, an opportunity had arisen.

Still can't believe bro's that loaded... Oh, but when did he even inherit it all? Deep down, Minseo felt relieved. If the inheritance had come just a bit sooner, Kim Hyeju might have clung to him. Jaewoo hated badmouthing people, and that included his ex.

But honestly, that noona never really sat right with me. Even someone as friendly and trusting as Minseo could spot a person's true nature. Vain, materialistic, full of vanity. Good riddance. She'd nearly wasted her kindness on someone as unreliable as Hyeju.

"Minseo, who's got you smiling like that on KakaoTalk?"

The woman next to her glanced over and asked. Her nickname was Nyanbyeol—a super cute handle. But Nyanbyeol's appeal had nothing to do with cuteness.

Slurp. I wanna touch those too, noona. Those full, ample breasts. The dress she wore to flaunt her charms during Excel battles showed off her cleavage perfectly. If she just asked once...

"Minseo?"

"Slurp. Oh, no, unnie. Just chatting with my bro."

"Bro... You mean Jaewoos from earlier?"

Minseo might have been imagining it, but Nyanbyeol's eyes sparkled right then. Like she was harboring some expectation.

"Yeah, that bro. I asked if he's really a chaebol."

That was when the two were whispering. Others around them noticed.

"Hey, what's Minseo and Nyanbyeol whispering about since earlier?"

"Huh? Us?"

"Oh, well, you've been checking KakaoTalk nonstop, Minseo... I got curious if maybe you had a boyfriend."

It was ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Kuni who turned their way, drawing everyone's attention.

Kuni leaned forward. "Minseo, you got a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠boyfriend?"

"No, I don't."

Even as she denied it, her pupils shook just a little.

"Right. So who were you texting?"

"That... my cousin bro."

"Oh, Jaewoos hyungnim? What'd you say to him?"

"I asked him to buy me food during Rice Wars."

Kuni explained as she spoke. "Minseo, you're a guest today—no Rice Wars for you, just eat."

Guests only did ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠part 1 anyway. But Minseo shook her head.

"No, President. I'm doing Rice Wars too. Already asked bro to cover it."

"Whoa. So Jaewoos hyungnim's coming for part 2?"

"Oh yeah. Not just part 2—he's picking me up after... President, mind if I give him the address?"

Picking her up. The moment she said it, all eyes turned to her. The implication was clear.

"Oh, so Jaewoos hyungnim's coming here? Yeah, of course. Address isn't a secret, and he's family..."

He would've said yes even if not family. Seocho-dong said it all.

"Yo, but I'm dying to know—what kinda car does a guy like Jaewoos hyungnim drive?"

The chat exploded with guesses. Everyone already saw Shin Jaewoo as filthy rich. Hence the nickname.

"...So Minseo, you were really chaebol?"

"...Not me. Don't know if bro is, but I'm not. Heard my aunt's family is well-off."

Pressed too hard, Minseo spilled what she knew. Rumors were out anyway—fine to share this much.

"Ahh."

Kuni sounded a bit disappointed.

"Aunt's husband... your mom's older/younger sis's guy, right?"

"Yep."

Distant relation to Minseo. She wasn't chaebol. Still, couldn't ignore her.

"But you're Jaewoos hyungnim's lil sis?"

Chats poured in. But most figured even chaebol had limits. No one guessed trillions in his account.

The talk shifted again. Rice Wars begin.

"Today's Rice Wars is PvP... Whoa, but who takes Minseo?"

Kuni sounded exasperated. Jaewoos's 160k Star Balloons left were pocket change. Seocho-dong called him top whale. No one wanted to face her.

"If he goes KimShin-level, even our crew leaders couldn't beat Minseo."

"No way I can win!"

He whined like aegyo. Matches in pairs or quads. Winner eats, loser starves. Simple Rice Wars rule.

But guest Minseo broke balance.

"Can't predict how much Jaewoos hyungnim'll drop."

And Minseo innocently replied.

"Bro says 100-200 mil's no biggie."

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Chat flooded with laughter. Kuni's serious face went slack, defeated.

"Minseo... Didja have to say that on mic? We've got 900k total in part 1!"

She dropped that bomb when opponents were needed.

"Yo, say that and no one's facing you."

Streamers shook heads. Solo unbeatable.

"No choice. Hyungnims, lowering ranks."

Kuni spoke. "Sigh. I'll face Minseo."

Unenthused. He knew.

"Gotta use ultimate. Change title. Tell Gomen, Jeonmen, Tekmen to rush."

"Shut it. No 100 Couple Coupons? All kicked. Gomen, Jeonmen, Tekmen... Calling now."

New Excel sheet ready. Duo by rank or solo matches.

One chat caught Kuni's eye.

Phone to ear, Kuni dropped it.

"Our Couple Unit leader Seocho-dong hyungnim welcome. Long time—need Couple full charge."

"Gotta Rice War Minseo."

First question. Minseo grabbed mic.

"Bro's coming."

Perfect timing.

"Kyaa! Bro, perfect timing!"

Minseo bounced onstage happily. Kuni turned away, shaking head. His defeated face broadcast clear.

Amid the 100k fanfare, Kuni's cry echoed.

"Fuck! I want a Re-men hyungnim too!"

Laughter erupted.

"Shibaaa!"

Shin Jaewoo opened the car door in the parking lot. Old memories surfaced. Back when Minseo was a trainee.

Fuckin bastard.

Trainee dorms. Debut group close to making it lived there. Trouble brewed inside.

Yeah, that was the issue.

Minseo hadn't been hurt. Just witnessed it. A senior trainee. And the shadow above her.

Dirty thoughts—stop. Forgot that senior was still in high school then.

"Haa."

Jaewoo exhaled. Engine roared. Meanwhile, KakaoTalk from Minseo. Quick reply, set aside.

Another ping. Lee Jinmyeong this time.

Lightning fast. Far away, just 2-3 hours since his order. Impeccable.