Homecoming Heartbeats
The scenery beyond the window slides past like pages in a sketchbook.
Winter is waning, but the wind remains biting cold. Bare tree branches outside the car window sway in skeletal rhythm, and patches of lingering snow hug the roadside, shadows of the season lingering in silence.
Siwoo buries himself in the long down jacket from the team. The heater blasts inside the car, but against Korea's fierce winter gusts, its warmth scatters like mist.
Korea's winter lives up to the hype.
His fingertips feel frozen solid.
"Hoo."
He exhales deeply, and a puff of white breath blooms from his slightly parted lips. Every time this happens, he thinks it looks like cigarette smoke.
Of course, he doesn't smoke. He's never even held one, nor does he plan to. He knows it'd just worry Mom and his big sister.
Anyway.
Today is Tuesday, February 9th.
A day off granted by the team.
Thanks to the team's consideration, Siwoo rides home in the team manager's car.
He'd insisted public transport was fine, but they couldn't let their core player fend for himself.
So here he is, in the sedan.
"Haha, a rare golden holiday. I'm heading down to the provinces tomorrow, but what about you, player? Got any plans?"
The manager glances back from the driver's seat. Siwoo musters an awkward smile.
"Mom's not feeling great, and things are rocky with the relatives. Haven't been down to the countryside in years."
Memories of his grandparents are faint blurs. Their faces barely surface. Probably because he was so young.
"Oh, family troubles?"
The manager raises an eyebrow, surprised, as they stop at a red light—safe driving.
"Yeah, something about guarantees from when Dad was in business. Things soured after that."
Siwoo's family wasn't particularly close-knit.
Blood ties crumble like powder before money. He still recalls relatives showing up at their door in hysterics during his childhood.
Dad... left the world in an unfortunate way, shouldering the burden of his overextended business failure alone.
It was so long ago, and memories of him are scarce, so it's not particularly sad. Just your standard family drama, really.
"Ah..."
The manager nods sympathetically, eyes softening in understanding. Adults get it from a single hint.
"Sorry, I shouldn't have pried."
"No, it's ancient history. I don't dwell on it."
True enough. It's in the past, and they're doing fine now. No point wallowing.
"Still... things at Kaiserst changed a lot since you joined. Used to be such a gloomy vibe. The GM was always fuming."
The manager scratches his cheek with an embarrassed grin.
"We owe you big time. Workplace morale's through the roof. And with the win streak, bonuses keep rolling in for the staff."
Kaiserst's streak is practically Siwoo's doing. MVP every match, key player accolades—you name it.
"Glad to hear it. The better I do, the happier everyone gets."
Siwoo chuckles lightly.
Just playing a game he's naturally good at, and now he's getting thanks.
Pro gamer life's the dream.
"Here we are. This the place?"
"Yep."
The car pulls up. Peering out, Siwoo sees the familiar street—unchanged since his elementary school walks home.
"Thanks. Drive safe."
"You too! Happy Lunar New Year!"
Stepping out, Siwoo waves off the manager and strolls down the road. It feels strangely new, even though it's only been two months away.
And just like that, he's home.
"Siwoo's here?!"
"Welcome home, dear."
His big sister and mom greet him at the door. Siwoo beams, kicking off his shoes.
"How've you been?"
"Great. Living it up thanks to you."
"Quit your job?"
"Yeah. Got severance and unemployment benefits."
His big sister ruffles his hair, messing it up.
"And you, Mom? Feeling better?"
"Fit as a fiddle! Chemo's done, and I'm good as new. Hitting the gym, picking up hobbies, watching my diet."
"That's a relief. You looked so worn out..."
"Mom bounced back quick, didn't she?"
Mom asks,
"Eaten yet?"
"Not yet."
"Then let's eat together. We haven't either."
The aroma of crispy fried rice and japchae wafts from the kitchen. They must've just finished cooking.
"Sounds good."
Siwoo smiles warmly and heads to his room.
It's spotless, tidied up. But after two months empty, the air feels chilly. Still cozy, though.
"Hoo."
He drops his bag and flops onto the bed. Familiar mattress—not bad. Though compared to the team dorm's, it's pretty basic.
Wonder what Jiyeon's up to.
Siwoo grabs his smartphone and fires off a message.
Quick reply—holiday lunch lull, probably.
Siwoo's lips twitch upward faintly. Not a bad feeling. Actually, pretty good?
Anyway.
His heart can't take dragging this out. Siwoo brazenly changes the subject.
"Ah."
Siwoo smacks his forehead. Right— he's Challenger-bound, Jiyeon's Diamond. Massive MMR gap; no Master buffer means system-blocked.
"Hoo."
Nailed a natural gaming hangout with Jiyeon. Looks like holiday time with her.
Skipping family? He can carve out separate time. Plenty of break left.
Anyway.
Excitement bubbles at seeing Jiyeon soon. Like old indigestion melting away, stress evaporating.
Time to hit up the group chat.
Siwoo opens KakaoTalk, messaging the group Jiyeon made: Jongsu, Jeongin, Jinseong.
Bummer.
Had time for once. Oh well.
Cheolmin's last.
Won't get mad over late contact, right?
Siwoo switches chats.
Siwoo snickers, sends the reply, and pockets his phone.
Delicious smells from the kitchen—time to help with dinner.
Meanwhile, Han Jiyeon smirks at her chat history with Siwoo.
So cute.
Awkward and shy, but that's Siwoo's charm. His cute looks pair perfectly with that firm yet timid personality.
What to wear when we meet?
She hops off the bed, opens the wardrobe. Winter shopping haul spills out.
This? Or that?
She imagines outfits, but both look good. Tough to pick one...
Hmm.
No choice—ask him.
She tries on her top three favorites, snaps pics.
Wait, spoils the surprise.
Can't decide. Ask Siwoo or keep secret?
Usually, you'd show up in something new for the wow factor—like romance novels or shoujo manga.
But they're not dating... or are they?
...Are we?
Jiyeon blinks at the mirror. Never thought about it, but to outsiders? Maybe.
Daily hangouts pre-pro, entire winter break together—not exaggeration.
Gaming, street food hunts, outings...
Somehow became couple-like. High school sweethearts vibe?
"...Whew, hot. Why's it suddenly so stuffy?"
She fans herself. Head heats up.
First time feeling this—lost on what to do. Just let it flow?
Become that with Siwoo? Or push more?
...What now?
Outfits, relationship.
A day deep in dilemmas.