A Clash of Secret Gifts
He had never heard of such a thing, but if it was the academic consensus, then so be it. Tae-hyun was surprisingly weak to this kind of logic. Since her sisters insisted it was true, he just shrugged and accepted it.
"Anyway, assuming I accept it... I can't just take it without giving anything back. I want to get her a gift."
"You could just gift her yourself—Aaargh!"
Lee Da-saem squealed, tears welling in her eyes as she collapsed forward. Lee Da-sol had actually stepped on her foot. That really hurt!
"What has she been babbling about this whole time?"
"Oh, it's nothing! More importantly, I think it's a wonderful idea to get her a gift. Sis will be absolutely, incredibly, deeply thrilled!"
"But we haven't even decided what to get her yet."
Where does this blind confidence come from? Did they catch something from Cain? Tae-hyun wondered, harboring such rude thoughts.
"Well, what kind of gift do you have in mind?"
"Initially, I was thinking of an in-game item..."
"..."
"..."
The sisters' expressions instantly turned complicated. Normally, they would have blurted out, No, that's a terrible idea, but they couldn't say that when it came to Lee Da-bi. Because she would actually love it! Honestly, Da-bi was the type of person who would be far happier receiving top-tier gear in Pan-On than some mediocre real-life present. Still, Da-sol wanted him to give her something different. Something other than a game item! Anything!
Fortunately, Da-sol didn't have to rack her brain for long. Tae-hyun continued.
"...But I realized I don't really have any suitable game items to give her right now."
It was true. Da-bi's equipment was already near-perfect. Even her Archisus armor was far too luxurious for a mere merchant to wear! Her other gear wasn't lacking either. To craft anything better, Tae-hyun would have to invest an absurd amount of resources. With no suitable materials on hand, it simply wasn't feasible.
"Right! If you don't have any game items to give, you shouldn't force it!"
"You look awfully happy about that."
"Must be your imagination!"
"Anyway, that's why I'm struggling. Hmm... I don't really have anyone around to ask. I was going to ask Lee Se-yeon, but..."
"!!"
"!!!!"
"...I think she blocked me."
Da-sol let out a quiet sigh of relief. Before Da-saem could do the same, her curiosity got the better of her, and she blurted out a question.
"W-what on earth happened?"
"I won, so she's sulking, obviously."
Tae-hyun understood the feeling perfectly. If he had lost the finals, the very first thing he would have done was pull out his phone and block Se-yeon. A preemptive strike against taunting!
"She'll probably unblock me in about a month."
"Why a month...?"
"Because that's when I'll unblock her."
"..."
Though the sisters were momentarily dazed by the bizarre dynamic between Se-yeon and Tae-hyun, they quickly snapped out of it. The priority right now was Lee Da-bi!
"How about something small and sparkly... No, that's way too much."
The sisters caught themselves. If their older sister found out they had suggested something like that, she would literally throttle them!
"If you mean small and sparkly, could it be..."
"It's not LEDs!"
Da-saem cut him off preemptively. For some reason, she felt like Tae-hyun would completely miss the point. Even if you don't get her something small and sparkly, please at least understand the romantic implication of what we're suggesting!
"I know that much, okay? You mean a house key."
"..."
"..."
Spoken like a true real estate tycoon's son!
"But Da-bi said she doesn't want a house."
He actually offered her one!
"Well, she is preparing to move out..."
Although she was currently staying on the upper floor of Team KL's penthouse, Da-bi had been steadily saving up to find her own place. She didn't want to keep imposing on them forever.
Observing Tae-hyun's reaction, Da-sol asked hesitantly, "Are... are you sad about that?"
"Huh? Of course I am. It was convenient having her close by to talk about things, but if she moves far away... Wait, why do you keep changing the subject? I asked you to recommend a gift."
"Hmm..."
"Uh..."
"...Do you guys not know either?"
Suddenly, a flash of deep distrust flickered in Tae-hyun's eyes. It was the exact look he usually reserved for Cain! Realizing this, the two sisters panicked. They absolutely could not allow themselves to be lumped into the same category as Cain!
"How... how about clothes?!"
"Clothes?"
Da-saem had blurted it out in a sheer panic without thinking, but Tae-hyun took it quite seriously. Come to think of it, Da-bi doesn't seem to have many clothes...
Da-bi always nagged Tae-hyun for only wearing sponsored clothes, but in truth, she wasn't in a position to talk. Tae-hyun had plenty of clothes and just chose not to wear them, whereas Da-bi literally didn't have any to wear! If Prosdas hadn't been generously sending her apparel, she would have been in trouble.
"Sis only ever buys clothes for us..."
"Hmm. That sounds like a great idea. Some casual wear for everyday use, a formal suit since she'll have plenty of broadcasts and official events to attend from now on, and maybe a coat so she can prepare ahead, even though it's still hot..."
"..."
Are you trying to open a boutique? the sisters thought, but they kept their mouths shut. To be fair, Da-bi deserved to receive every single one of those outfits!
"Who should I commission... Ah, my mother knows a designer. What was his name? I should ask her."
Tae-hyun hung up. He had obtained the information he needed. It was a stroke of luck that the designer was currently in the US, and in the very city where the finals had been held!
"Alright, let's go!"
"Huh? Wait, us too?"
"You guys know your sister's taste best."
"It's not like Sis really has a specific taste..."
"Cheap, durable, and high defense?"
"That last one sounds like a game."
Regardless of their protests, Tae-hyun ignored them, grabbed them, and stood up. I know you guys want to go sightseeing, but my business comes first! The two sisters had no choice but to follow him with crestfallen faces.
"I will be in touch. Have a safe trip back."
After concluding their conversation and sending Lee Da-bi and Vincent on their way, Martin Kim closed his eyes. In his hand, he held an autograph sheet. To think I'd actually get her autograph like this.
He had watched the finals live at the arena. Although he had maintained his serious, dignified persona as a high-end fashion designer in front of Da-bi, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to get her autograph. Fortunately, Da-bi hadn't minded at all and had readily signed it for him.
—Do you really need someone like me's autograph?
What nonsense! Martin Kim walked into his inner office and carefully placed the autographed paper inside a frame.
Asking for the other team members' autographs too... would have seemed too greedy. I really want Kim Tae-hyun's as well... Maybe I should bring it up casually next time I see Yun-hee...
In truth, since he was close friends with Tae-hyun's mother, he could easily get one with a single word. However, Martin Kim wanted to maintain his image as a lofty, elegant, and mysterious designer who lived solely for his craft. Games? Pan-On? What's that? I have no idea.
It's a bit inconvenient that the person wearing it didn't come in person, but the measurements she provided are so detailed that it shouldn't be a problem. A suit for a tall man? Is he Player Lee Da-bi's boyfriend?
While Martin Kim was lost in thought, his phone rang. It was a call from Tae-hyun's mother, Jeong Yun-hee.
"What is... Hm? Yes... Yes... Wait, WHAT?!"
Martin Kim, who had been speaking in his usual elegant tone, suddenly bolted upright. Had he heard her correctly?
"Sir, there is someone here claiming they made an appointment, but we don't have any more scheduled for today. Should I send them away?" his secretary asked with a hint of annoyance. Given Martin Kim's immense reputation, there were countless designers trying to meet him by any means necessary just to show him their portfolios.
"W-w-w-what utter nonsense are you talking about?!"
"Excuse me?" The secretary was taken aback. Had she done something wrong?
"Go out there and let them in this instant! Right now!"
"O-oh... Yes, sir!"
Startled by the sudden outburst from the usually calm, elegant, and refined Martin Kim, the secretary rushed out. A moment later, Tae-hyun walked in.
"It's been a long time, Player Kim Tae-hyun. We met once when you were a child. Do you happen to remember?"
"Yes. You made clothes for me back then."
Seeing that Tae-hyun remembered, Martin Kim smiled warmly.
"That's right. And congratulations on winning the tournament."
"Ah. Did you watch the match?"
"...J-just the results. I heard about it... from Yun-hee."
"I see."
"Since we've crossed paths like this, would you mind giving me your autograph?"
"Wouldn't it be a bit out of place to have my autograph in your office, sir?"
Tae-hyun's autograph in a boutique frequented by political and business elites? But Martin Kim took on a dead serious expression.
"Don't say such things. You are an incredible player, Tae-hyun. Not just anyone can become one of the absolute best in the world."
"Thank you."
Meanwhile, the secretary emerged from the back office, her face pale.
"...?"
—We don't have any autograph sheets left.
Signing on any random scrap of paper was out of the question; Martin Kim's aesthetic sensibilities simply would not allow it. He glared at the secretary as if shooting lasers from his eyes. What are you doing?! Why of all times does it have to be now?!
—I-I'm so sorry!
"Is something wrong?"
"Ah... It seems we're out of autograph sheets."
"Haha, that's a shame. I wanted to give you one, too. Well, nothing we can do."
Since it looked like the autograph was about to slip away, Martin Kim spoke up desperately.
"I-I'll send you my address, so...!"
"...D-do you really need to go that far to get one?"
"Ahem. *Cough.* I-I'm just so proud to see my friend's son doing so well... *Cough.*"
Tae-hyun just nodded, accepting the explanation at face value.
"Shall we start by taking your measurements, then?"
"Ah. It's actually not for me. I want to gift it to a friend."
"...?"
To receive the exact same request twice in a single day. And come to think of it, wasn't Lee Da-bi on the same team as Kim Tae-hyun? Moreover, when he calculated the measurements she had provided... they perfectly matched the young man standing right in front of him!
She ordered clothes for Player Kim Tae-hyun?!
Don't tell me the person Tae-hyun is ordering for is...
"Hey, girls. Can you give me Da-bi's measurements?"
"Sure!"
"!!"
It was confirmed! Martin Kim felt goosebumps break out all over his skin. So right now... these two players were secretly trying to give each other surprise gifts?
...Are these two filming a K-drama or something?
Even dramas weren't this cliché! Martin Kim trembled at the realization that he was the only soul on Earth who knew this. He desperately wanted to share this massive truth with someone! His mouth was practically itching!
...Should I ask Yun-hee if she knows?
"I'm trash! *Sob!* I'm absolute garbage!"
Crash!
Daniel swept all the mechanical parts off his table, stomped on them, slammed his head onto the floor, and spun around like a human whirlwind. It was a scene of pure madness! Since this happened so frequently, the Power Warrior guild members didn't even bother coming inside anymore.
[Guild] Member 1: Is he doing that again?
[Guild] Member 2: He'll calm down soon.
"I'm not going to be fine, you bastards!"
[Guild] Member 1: Whoa. You could hear us?
"This time, it's a real problem!" Daniel yelled back.
"I mean... Daniel, isn't your standard just too high? The things you make are already top-tier."
"Exactly. Except for Tae-hyun, you're practically the second-best engineer in the game."
Unlike Gabriel, who was solely obsessed with bombs, Daniel challenged himself with all kinds of mechanical engineering items, making him highly popular among the guild members. He was always kind enough to gift them various fun gadgets! Of course, when he went into one of his manic fits, he looked completely unhinged...
"...That's not the problem. The crafting keeps failing. I think the durability of the parts is just too low."
If it kept failing even after using up all the hardest ores available, then the only thing left was...
"Adamantium...! I need Adamantium!"
At Daniel's crazed shout, the guild members gasped in horror. Wait, whose life savings is he trying to ruin with a demand like that?! It's not like Adamantium is just some common pebble on the street!