Chapter 209
Pushing aside that inexplicable unease, I headed straight for my parents' house. Our family would probably be thrilled if I just showed up unannounced, so I hailed a taxi right away.
Mom and Dad are the kind of couple who act like best friends, and sometimes I forget because of how they behave at home—but both of them have been at the top of their fields for ages. Mom's circle mostly consists of actors, singers, and celebrities she got close to while doing their hair styling. And whenever I check the credits for the latest movie or anime soundtrack, Dad's name—Baek Seung-hyun—pops up so often it leaves me with this weird mix of pride and disbelief. It really feels like musical taste is genetic or something. Especially when the opening or ending theme hits just right, and I scan the credits hoping... and there it is, those three letters, making my mood all complicated.
"Hello."
I climbed into the app-summoned taxi and started shaking off the lingering drowsiness clinging to my body.
...Come to think of it, it's been three days since I last saw Yoo Seol-ah? That might explain the faint, creepy feeling from earlier. But even when we went five days without seeing each other before, she managed to keep her wits about her, more or less. A couple days plus a few hours shouldn't be a big deal. Especially since she's been busy with games or work—sex drive doesn't really get a foot in the door then.
Should be fine. No need to worry.
"Thank you."
"Sure thing, have a safe trip~"
This apartment feels so familiar no matter when I come back, probably because I've spent so much time here. We're not hurting for money, so we could easily move somewhere nicer, but Mom and Dad won't budge until Baek Sia finishes college.
I punched in the familiar passcode and flung open the front door.
"...What the hell are you doing?"
"What? I need you to top me off so I can fill my health bar..."
"...I'll revive Dad, so let's run first."
The door should've made plenty of noise when I opened it, but everyone just glanced my way once before diving right back into their screens.
...Why does our house suddenly feel like a PC bang? And no one even greets their son and brother after so long? That's a problem, right?
"...Ah, I'm dead."
Baek Sia let out a sigh, and all three of them pulled off their headsets almost in sync, setting them down.
"Oh, you're here?"
"......"
So much for a surprise. No shock at all. I decided to clear up the mystery first.
"...What's all this?"
"Well, I found this gaming channel lately—run by a couple? They've got so much fun stuff. Got me hooked on games."
...A couple's gaming channel? Dad keeps up with all sorts of channels online, sure, but only one famous one comes to mind. The one named after Yoo Seol-ah and Jia...
"Snowy Land?"
"Oh, you know it too? They seem around our age, and they're insanely good."
...Yeah, they would be. I've played with them myself.
Baek Sia nodded beside me. "I watch them a lot too. Tons of my friends know them."
"They live so youthfully."
"......"
They are youthful. Not much different from our family. You can sense their experience, but their banter is light and hilarious—perfect for young crowds.
"We'll meet them eventually anyway."
My deadpan tone must've thrown them off—Mom, Dad, and Sia all looked confused.
"Who?"
"The Snowy Land folks. We'll run into them soon enough."
Only then did the three of them tilt their heads. Baek Sia spoke first.
"You know them, oppa? Those people?"
"Yeah."
"For real? How...?"
They're the parents of the girl you like so much. I kept it simple.
"It's Yoo Seol-ah's parents' channel."
Seol-ah and Sia probably chat a ton, but Seol-ah's not one to brag, so unless Sia brought it up first, no way they'd know. Sure enough, Sia and Dad's eyes went wide. They say daughters take after their dads, and even their shocked faces match.
Mom's expression didn't change much, but her open mouth gave her away.
"...Sion, get Dad's autograph for me."
"...Me too."
Both parents are total superfans. Not just surprised—asking for autographs.
I shot Dad an incredulous look. "Get it yourself. You'll meet them anyway."
"Nah, that's as parents-in-law. Right now, I'm talking as a fan."
"......"
...I give up. This is just how it is at home—no disorientation or anything. I told them to handle the autograph themselves and turned to Baek Sia.
"...But why are you home?"
It's Monday. My schedule has gaps, but high schoolers don't get those.
I gave her a suspicious glare. "...You skipping?"
"Would I be gaming out in the open if I was?"
She smacked my shoulder with familiar ease and turned away.
...No wonder she and Seol-ah get along. Twinsies.
But if not skipping, why home at 11 a.m.? Sia grumbled one more line.
"They have zero interest in their dongsaeng."
"Sia's got a piano competition today—totally legal skip."
Parents saying "legal skip" is kinda funny, but she had a schedule.
...Still doesn't explain the gaming.
"But why game instead of practice...?"
"Loosening up my fingers?"
She wiggled them proudly, which somehow made it more absurd. Piano comp, obviously, and while Sia's in composition, not performance, still...
She's always been chill by nature. Seeing my dumbfounded smirk, she fired back.
"You don't practice on the day of anyway. Staying relaxed is key."
"...Yeah, sure."
True, but hearing it from her pisses me off somehow.
"Honestly, piano talent's genetic for me. Not as good as you, oppa, but still."
"......"
Her smugness made me want to flick her forehead, but she dragged me into it, so I shut up. Truth is, Sia's been way better at piano than me for ages. I haven't properly played in forever. No contest against a pre-college music academy kid like her.
"So when do you head out?"
"Around lunch."
Not