Games and the Cafe Ding-Dong
Last period was over, and with homeroom looming, my heart pounded like crazy, impatience bubbling up. Just one hour left until the Elden Souls Limited Edition went on sale.
If I bolt right after homeroom and hop on the bus immediately... I'd still probably arrive just in the nick of time. It was a real second-by-second battle.
Luckily, our homeroom teacher had nothing to announce and just told us to clean up and head home. But I wasn't on cleaning duty! The moment I turned to sprint out the back door—
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"
"...?"
I glanced back to see Kang Ha-ri staring at me, her bag slung over her shoulder, looking utterly baffled. What the hell? I was swamped!
Irritation twisted my face as I stood there awkwardly, and she said, "Oh... uh, you wiped my hands at lunch, remember? I said I'd buy you a drink as thanks. Come on."
A drink? Now? When I'm dying here?! ...Of course, I didn't say that out loud. I was a mannerly part-time guy, steeped in Confucian values and customer service.
"Oh, right. I've got something super important today, though. Buy it for me tomorrow?"
A cozy cafe? Sweet drinks? Zero interest. My brain was laser-focused on that limited edition.
"See ya tomorrow! Bye!"
I barely waved and dashed off. I heard Ha-ri calling from behind, but whatever! Tomorrow's me could deal with it. Anyone blocking my exit was unforgivable.
"What the...? This is ridiculous..."
Han Do-hyun had vanished from the classroom into the hallway in a flash. He said he'd let me buy it, then ghosts me like that? I didn't even beg him—it was his offer!
I was one of the top first-years, and this was how I got brushed off? It didn't sit right.
'Whoa, Kang Ha-ri just got ditched?'
'Damn, isn't she scary? How does he ignore her like that?'
'Ugh... if even Kang Ha-ri's looks don't work, we're doomed.'
The whispers from the other kids were getting to me. My face burned with embarrassment and rising defiance.
'Important errand? Fine, let's see just how important it is.'
I gritted my teeth and headed in the direction he'd disappeared.
On the bus, amid the after-school crowd, I watched a guy with earbuds in, seated quietly. A deep sigh escaped me.
Hood pulled low, gripping the handle, I held my breath. My eyes were fixed on Han Do-hyun near the back door—but also glaring at the cluster of girls around him.
This guy was totally defenseless outside school. His uniform shirt hung loose and open, earbuds in, staring at his phone screen like nothing else existed. Oblivious to the students eyeing his exposed chest!
His pale, bare face was neat and mysteriously melancholic, drawing eyes even more. Office ladies' gazes slid slyly—blatantly—over his profile and neckline.
Hey, you aunties—what the hell are you staring at?!
Then a woman boarded, and Do-hyun stood up. Was he meeting her? Like the saying, a tame cat climbs the ridgepole first...
"Here, have my seat!"
"Oh, thank you, student. Is it that obvious? How'd you know I'm pregnant?"
"Saw the badge on your bag."
"Wow, so thoughtful~ Your girlfriend must love you~"
"Haha... no, not really..."
Huh... pregnant, got it.
But is it okay to be that nice to everyone?
My brow furrowed involuntarily, a menacing aura leaking out—when screech!! The bus braked hard with a roar. Passengers lurched, and a young woman in heels next to Do-hyun lost balance, yelping as she toppled.
In that instant, Do-hyun's left arm shot out like a striking snake. Thwack! He grabbed her waist firmly and pulled her toward him effortlessly.
"Wh-whoa...!"
"Careful. Those heels—you almost got hurt bad."
He popped out one earbud, his low, steady voice casual. He set her upright, then turned back to his phone like nothing happened.
The woman, face beet-red, mumbled like a mosquito, "Th-thank you..."
From behind the pole, I seethed—but could do nothing. Just grumble inwardly!
Look at him! Straight to the waist—bad habit! Guys do that and get misunderstood!!
Knowing that same gentlemanly pull-the-chair act from the cafeteria worked on other girls twisted my gut with annoyance. Leaving this defenseless busybody alone? Who knows what trouble he'd stumble into.
No choice. I'll tail him all day and keep watch.
It was unavoidable.
Soon, Han Do-hyun got off at Gukjeon (International Electronics Center).
"What...? Why here?"
Disbelief leaked from my mouth. Not meeting a girl, not family stuff. Otaku and gamer holy land? What would a guy like him want here?
Did that face secretly love anime or something? And today, Gukjeon teemed with burly, rough female gamers—no room to breathe. Sweat stench and stifling heat. All women, plus the smell? Hell no.
But into that nightmare throng, Do-hyun strode without hesitation.
"Hey! Han Do-hyun, it's dangerous—!"
Before I could grab him, he was in the thick of it. Then, an unbelievable sight.
Through narrow gaps where big women shoved shoulders, he slipped like flowing water—graceful steps. Slight shoulder twist, lowered center of gravity, beast-like dynamic vision reading the crowd flow. Even to my athletic eyes, it was awe-inspiring evasion.
"Wh-what the hell is that movement...?"
I dove in to keep up. But otaku determination defied sports logic.
"Hey, don't push!"
"Move!! I need the limited edition!!"
Shoved this way and that, my stamina and sanity shredded in real time. Do-hyun had long vanished from sight. I was just driftwood in a wave of malice.
Why'd I follow him in here...?
"Argh! If I catch Han Do-hyun...!"
Finding him didn't matter anymore. Escape now or die! I wormed through, threading gaps like a needle.
This is worse than track meets...
How'd that jerk slip out?
Finally bursting from the horror near a game shop corner, I braced my knees, gasping raggedly.
"Hah... how do I even get back..."
Sweeping sweat-matted bangs, I looked up—and froze. A familiar shirt design right there.
"....."
At the display shelf. Han Do-hyun cradled a massive Elden Souls Limited Edition box like treasure. And he was smiling down at it—radiantly.
Not his usual grumpy laziness or polite fake grin. Pure, wrinkle-free boyish joy, like he owned the world.
Thud—my heart plummeted.
The noisy chaos faded like underwater, only his pretty smile etching into my eyes in slow motion. Like a movie scene, just us two in the world.
I'm losing it...
My face heated; I fanned myself unconsciously.
"Huh?"
Do-hyun, stroking the package, sensed me and looked up. Our eyes met—me standing dumbfounded.
His rabbit-wide eyes scanned me top to bottom.
"Kang Ha-ri? What are you doing here?"
He tilted his head in confusion, then chuckled softly with an 'aha' face.
"Seriously? You followed me all the way here for that drink? Persistent, huh."
"...Huh?"
"Whatever, I'm thirsty anyway. Perfect timing. Let's go! Cafe nearby. Follow me."
Unlike at school, he looked thrilled—no trace of his usual apathy. He approached naturally, bumped my arm lightly with his fist, and led the way.
Heart hammering—would he hear?—I could only nod dumbly, breath caught.
This inscrutable pushover's pace was dismantling mine without mercy.