Rumors Reach Overseas (1)

Vacation was over.

Time to head back.

"Ah, it was fun."

"Well, of course it was."

He'd fallen head over heels for a girl at first sight, stuck to her like glue, and even got an autograph from his favorite idol. How could it not have been a blast?

"Haha..."

Cheolhun let out an awkward laugh as he opened the car door.

Time to go home.

"We have a date planned for next week."

"Oh, congrats."

"Where should we go?"

"If you love each other, anywhere's fine."

I didn't see any visions of their date crashing and burning.

Anyway, they were giving off total mutual crush vibes, honey practically dripping from their eyes. Whatever they did, it'd be fun.

"Maybe I should just take off on some faraway business trip?"

"Haha..."

"Kidding. Where would I even go? I'll be sticking around home for a while, so do whatever you want, Cheolhun."

If I ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠didn't step outside, Cheolhun had nothing to do.

So he might as well use that time for dates or whatever.

"Yep! Thanks!"

"Drive safe, then."

I hopped in the passenger seat and dozed off while Cheolhun drove.

Blinked, and we were home.

"Good work."

"Just doing my job. Get some rest."

Cheolhun headed next door, and I went inside.

Coming back to an empty house felt soothing.

Maybe time for a stream.

I fired it up, and viewers poured in fast.

"Kkungshili, your house cat isn't eating 'cause she hates the food. Switch from Cat's Land to Healthy Book kibble."

"YangjuJoga, you've already ordered jjajangmyeon—why ask about dinner? And lay off the booze. You drank last night too."

"Your brother's embarrassed 'cause he tripped dancing like an idol. Let it slide."

Lots of trivial requests.

Nothing serious.

Not everyone's got major problems all the time.

After peeking into ten viewers' futures, I ended the stream, feeling hungry.

Already 1 a.m.

Should sleep, but I wanted something to eat.

Convenience store run...

I slipped on some flip-flops and shuffled out.

"Whoa? Noah bro?"

"Oh, a viewer."

"Was just watching your stream."

The clerk recognized me.

I gave him a casual wave, set triangle kimbap and cup ramen on the counter. He rang it up and asked,

"Bro, let me cover this if you read my fortune?"

"Sure."

Free food? Easy trade.

I nodded, and he asked carefully,

"I'm prepping for the civil service exam—failed last time. Should I keep going?"

Civil service exam?

Spotted a workbook on the table nearby.

I grabbed a deck of cards, shuffled, and held it out.

"Hmm..."

Flipped a card.

The Joker.

The clerk's eyes lit up.

"This one's tough, but you'll pass next time?"

"Ugh... Really? I've been grinding hard."

"Yeah, I see it—you're studying your ass off, even working here for living expenses."

"Gotta. So? After I pass?"

"Nothing special."

Straight-up smooth sailing.

The kind of life anyone could picture.

The life most people I meet end up with.

A peaceful one others might envy.

That's what lay ahead for him.

But if I tell him he'll pass and he slacks off, the future changes.

He sighed after hearing that.

"Well, I'll keep studying properly anyway."

Figured as much.

His future didn't shift even after I spilled it.

"A peaceful life, huh. Nice."

He chuckled, swiped his card for payment, and kept talking.

"Still, sometimes I fantasize. Like a G-cup S-rank babe drops from the sky: 'You're the hero who can save our world! Please!!'"

"Saw an anime like that once..."

"Heh. Welcome to the World of Swords and Magic. Even special folks like you fantasize, right?"

"Obviously."

"What about?"

"Gates open in Seoul, and I get powers like my maxed-out game character."

A gate in downtown Seoul.

I awaken as a special hunter, live large.

That was my dream of being special.

Now I've got a different kind.

"Anyway, enjoy. Thanks!"

"No ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠prob. See ya."

Casual goodbye, back home.

Poured water into the ramen, microwaved the kimbap.

An ordinary day rolled on.

Next day.

Up in the morning, washed up, headed to the park for a walk.

Lots of commuters, folks like me enjoying morning strolls.

"Young man! Out again today?"

"Haha. Ma'am, walking Pposhil?"

One regular ajumma I'd gotten to know from these walks grinned at me.

A white dog on her leash whimpered happily.

"Yeah, Pposhil loves morning walks."

"Cool. Can I pet Pposhil?"

"Go ahead. Loves people hands."

I stroked Pposhil's head.

Like before, tail wagged like crazy.

Hm. Should I get a dog?

Thought about it, but the guy who killed a cactus at the orphanage? Nah.

"Whew. Need a break."

While I petted, ajumma sat on the bench.

Sipped slowly from her water bottle.

"You're a streamer, right? That kinda thing?"

"Yep."

"Doing well?"

"Not bad."

"Lucky. That's talent. Talent. My daughter's got no clue what she wants..."

"Haha. She'll figure it out."

"College hit, now she's out partying every night."

Comes home drunk constantly.

What if she meets some ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠bad guy?

Job? Other kids study hard post-admission— is this okay?

Classic mom-of-a-daughter worries made me smile.

"Your daughter's fine, ma'am."

No disasters for her daughter in ajumma's future.

Average college, average job, average marriage.

That's it.

"God, I hope so."

"Don't worry too much."

"Parents are like that."

Bitter smile.

Something I'd never know.

"Alright, gotta go. Pposhil, come on."

Woof woof!

Ajumma and Pposhil headed off.

I watched, then sighed.

Time for me to go too.

Things had been quiet lately.

Everyone I met had some issue before, but even Kang Injeong was just pushing papers now.

This is normal.

Even the Conan BGM in my head faded.

"Ow, what're you talking about."

No way something big's coming, right?

Messed around laughing with the goofy viewers, then ended the stream.

Time for the convenience store?

Vroooom!!

A sound shattered the peace.

Hong Siyeon's call.

Video call.

Isn't she on a US trip?

Checked the time.

11 p.m. here—10 a.m. there.

Fair time to call.

"Hello?"

Answered, and a redheaded beauty filled the screen.

Radiant as sunlight.

Her golden contacts stood out; she beamed in neat clothes.

Her smile's always so pretty.

She was all sunshine.

As always.

Short explanation, then a grin.

"Hong Siyeon."

"Get up from your seat first."

My tone sobered her up too.

She glanced around and stood.

"Bodyguards with you? Head to the principal's office with them."

She was in the school cafeteria.

Shouldn't be there.

She bolted at my order.

Her guards looked puzzled but followed without question.

"Hang up and call 911 right now. Gunman just broke into your school."

Things were going too smoothly lately.