Debut Glory: "I Came Here to Win"
The long-awaited debut match is over.
“Whew.”
Logging out and stepping from the capsule, Siwoo exhales a hot breath and lifts his head.
The massive arena ceiling lights up the battlefield projection, and the biting winter air—impossible to block from the walls—fills his lungs, hardening him to the core.
Beyond the capsule booth's glass, fans wave cheer sticks and pom-poms. Their storm-like roars fill his ears.
He can see them.
The sea of fans rippling like waves.
He can hear them.
The cheers echoing like they're right in the heart of the battlefield.
Overwhelmed by the heat incomparable to the Series Cup or class matches, Siwoo finds himself swept up without realizing it.
Feels like a dream...
It doesn't feel real.
The fact that his performance, under everyone's watchful eyes, led the game to victory. The fact that he's here, drawing the attention of countless people.
It's unbelievable.
It's joyful.
He wishes this moment could last forever.
“They're all chanting your name.”
“Siwoo hard-carried, yeah.”
“Been a while since a debut like this shredded the match.”
Finally logging out, his teammates emerge from their capsules. They swarm Siwoo immediately, tossing jokes his way.
“No ceremony? Cameras are on you right now.”
“Hey, ceremonies are mandatory, FYI?”
“Little bro, hit us with a killer one.”
They ruffle his hair and slap his back in jest. As you can see, Siwoo's their plaything. A skilled, mild-mannered maknae naturally draws affection.
“Ceremony, huh...”
Siwoo ponders seriously.
He promised Jiyeon one too. But what? Something simple yet impactful...
“Let's go.”
Siwoo stands, exiting the booth with his teammates. At center stage, he bows deeply. This polite tradition dates back ages.
Gratitude to the fans.
Now for the ceremony—but it's embarrassing, awkward. His teammates, though, have no mercy, shoving him forward.
“Ceremony! Ceremony!”
“You gotta!”
“Not leaving till you do one.”
They giggle all the while. Whew, being the maknae is tough. He has no choice but to play along with their teasing.
“No helping it...”
Pretending reluctance but smiling faintly, Siwoo glances at the camera filming the booth.
Brush brush.
He lightly dusts his shoulder with one hand, striking a casual pose.
Still too shy for more—this is his best.
Fans cheer visibly outside. Siwoo exhales in relief. He worried they'd call it cringy, but luckily, expectations were low.
“Not bad for a first ceremony.”
“No SIU, though.”
“Honestly expected more, kinda lame-.”
His teammates snicker.
“Whatever, let's go. I wanna get outta here quick.”
Embarrassed, Siwoo hurries into his coat. They chat while grabbing theirs.
“Who's POM today?”
“Siwoo solo, right?”
“Probably.”
Talk of POM.
Siwoo's ears perk up. Given today's performance, he can't help but hope...
Who is today's match POM?!
Right on cue, the caster chimes in.
“So many standout players today—anyone could win it!”
“Exactly! But this POM vote was unanimous?! Let's see!”
The central arena screen lights up.
Siwoo's photo appears.
Aaah, it's player Lee Siwoo!
The clear star of today's match!
Today's POM: Siwoo.
Unanimous solo vote.
Spectators, casters, analysts—all picked Lee Siwoo.
“Knew it, Siwoo's the one.”
“Debut MVP is no joke.”
“Stacking 200 POM points from the jump?”
They slap his back and shoulders—light taps, no pain.
As they exit the booth, the waiting manager approaches.
“Player Lee Siwoo! Interview's ready!”
“Got it.”
The unavoidable interview.
He missed it at Series Cup.
“Nail the interview. Mention how your bros made the game easy for you. Got it?”
Ho-jong hyung says shamelessly. Well, it's true. Weirdos or not, they're serious in-game.
“Sure.”
Siwoo chuckles and follows the manager.
Bright white lights illuminate the sky, cameras fixed solely here.
Post-match, fans stay for the interview. Beside him, a polished announcer checks her script.
Three minutes till start.
Broadcast team needs prep time too.
Problem: the female fans in the stands.
Squealing excitedly, Siwoo can't lift his face. Too shy.
He wanted to spot Jiyeon in the crowd, but the attention keeps his head down.
Not a bad feeling, though.
Those three minutes feel like thirty.
“Player Lee Siwoo, interview starting!”
“Yes.”
The announcer smiles brightly, easing into it. The front camera shifts, framing them together.
“Yes! OCK Round 1, opening match victors Kaiserst's POM, player Lee Siwoo!”
Clap clap clap clap—
Applause fills the space.
“Hello, I'm Kaiserst attacker Lee Siwoo. Nice to meet you.”
Grabbing the mic, Siwoo bows to the fans first. Do they usually greet like this? Not sure.
Interviews don't usually start with bows, but Siwoo doesn't know that.
“Player Lee Siwoo! Congrats on the POM in your debut!”
“Thank you.”
She smiles, continuing smoothly.
“Solo POM in your debut—no less unanimous! Thoughts?”
Thoughts? Nothing much to say.
Siwoo smiles, mic in hand.
“Feels great, first off. Satisfied with my play too.”
“Haha, you earned it! Overwhelming sniping in both sets!”
Everyone—pros, viewers—acknowledges Siwoo's feats.
“Can't skip this: In set 1, flashy avatar control and mindgames took down Lee Jung-san and Kim Hyun-soo! What were you thinking?”
She asks.
Siwoo smiles lightly, explaining.
“Well, knew both were coming from the start. Scouted 'em. Bros asked what to do, I said I'd handle it.”
“Then instinct took over. That call was pure gut—can't explain details. Just dodge and kill.”
Siwoo grins sheepishly. Wants to explain, but how? He just did it.
“I-I see! Bold call, sharp play—too bad no details!”
She pivots smoothly.
“Next: Kaiserst synced perfectly despite new roster! Why?”
Why the chemistry?
Simple.
“Bros adjusted to me. As maknae, I get lots of care.”
They recognized his talent, adapted. Ho-jong even shelved his style to support.
She laughs.
“Teammates carrying hard, huh!”
“H-Haha, yeah...”
Siwoo averts his eyes, no more to say.
Longtime OCK fans catch on quick, anyway.
“Got it! One more can't miss: Kaiserst's first perfect score win in ages! Fans' expectations sky-high—more like this ahead?”
Mischievous smile from her. Siwoo answers without hesitation.
“Expect it. I joined Kaiserst to win it all.”
Kaiserst fans erupt.
Old Siwoo would've shrunk from such words—timid by nature, hated standing out.
Wished for quiet always, no confidence.
But now?
Siwoo meets eyes firmly, declaring boldly. He dominated pros. Even on that insurmountable stage, he proved himself.
And above all—Jiyeon's words, coach's conviction, Pajukjuk uncle's guarantee—
Your talent is real.
That certainty seeps into his bones.
Gaming built his confidence; he knows he can.
That's why he says it.
“This season, Kaiserst will be different. Because I came.”
No more shrinking, anywhere.
Siwoo savors the moment.
Everyone here watches him, emotions stirred.
Joyous, thrilling.
Next match, the one after.
Victory, overwhelming like this.