Father's Passion and Coach's Warning
The reason Han Jiyeon ended up inviting Siwoo over to her house was simple.
"He says he can come during the break!"
"Really?!"
It was because her father, Han Young-sik, wanted it that way.
These days, he was getting on in years, his passion had cooled, and work left him no time even for gaming—but there had never been another moment in his life when his heart burned as fiercely as it had back then.
Like everyone from his generation, Han Young-sik had loved online games since childhood. They were so accessible that they became an irreplaceable companion in his life.
From StarCraft, Korea's folk game that first introduced esports, to League of Legends, Overwatch, PubG, and countless others.
They had journeyed through life alongside him.
Han Young-sik came from an "owner family" running a major corporation—a so-called diamond spoon—but enjoying culture as a kid hadn't been much different from the common folk.
Naturally, that extended to esports.
He envied kids who were good at games more than those who excelled at studies, and he'd even cover PC bang costs just to duo with high-tier friends.
Anyway.
The point was, Han Young-sik hadn't started running an esports team just for marketing. He became an owner because he genuinely loved it.
Even if the team's record was a total mess.
"When's the break date?"
Han Young-sik asked.
"This Saturday."
"Then we have to treat him right."
"You're not overwhelming him, are you?"
Han Jiyeon smiled faintly and continued.
"You know Dad loves games, but don't make him feel pressured. Siwoo's got a soft heart deep down."
"Is that so?"
Han Young-sik raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"He's been timid and fragile since he was little. You gotta approach him gently."
"Hmm, I see."
His daughter speaking casually to him might seem a bit rude, but Han Young-sik didn't mind. It just meant they were close.
Besides, their home wasn't some icy chaebol drama vibe.
"Anyway, I'm looking forward to it. Getting to meet our Siwoo. Guess I raised my girl right!"
Han Young-sik's eyes sparkled.
They weren't the eyes of a family patriarch or the second son of an owner family in middle age.
In this moment, they were just the eyes of that kid who once loved games—the Han Young-sik from back then.
Wednesday night.
After wrapping up team business at the headquarters, Siwoo rubs his chin and furrows his brows. His gaze sinks low, his expression hardens, giving off a serious vibe.
He's staring intently at the wardrobe inside his dorm room, at the clothes hanging on the rack.
He'd only packed the bare minimum, so the dorm wardrobe lacks anything decent. And he doesn't have much worth wearing back home either.
He usually just wears the team uniform or league-issued gear, so he hadn't noticed—but now it's clear: nothing suitable to wear out.
"……Should I go shopping?"
But he has no time for that. His scrims and personal practice are packed tight. Any free moments come after stores close.
Ordering online? Too many hassles—if the fit's off or the style sucks, he's screwed.
If I'd known, I would've bought some ahead of time.
Siwoo smacks his lips in regret, scratching the back of his head vigorously. He's going to the girl he likes' house, and he has nothing to wear!
What a tragedy.
No choice—gotta squeeze it into rest time.
At least Kaiserst HQ is smack in Gangnam. A short trip gets him shops galore, even department stores.
Tomorrow sounds good.
With vacation coming, tomorrow's scrims aren't brutal. He'll have afternoon free for sure.
Ask the coach.
Siwoo heads out. In the common area, his teammates are reviewing matches on TV and call out.
"Yo, Siwoo, where you off to?"
"Coach."
"Why?"
"Just stuff. Schedule thing."
"Cool."
Lee Soo-hyuk and Kim Yong-taek brush it off, but Kim Ho-jong doesn't.
"Suspicious."
"What is?"
"Just, that look on your face."
"……."
"You heading out this weekend?"
"Why?"
"……You are."
"……."
Damn, how's this guy so sharp? Siwoo keeps a straight face. Feels like cold sweat's beading on his forehead.
"The guy who holes up in his room at this hour suddenly wants to see the coach……."
"……."
"Feedback wrapped clean today. Nothing much to discuss."
"……."
"So it's external stuff. Not leaving mid-vacation……."
"……."
"Got it. Meeting that friend this weekend, but no decent clothes, huh?"
"……!!"
Chills crawl up his neck. Siwoo's hair practically stands on end like static. No illusion—this is real.
"How'd you……!!"
"Ways to know everything, kid."
Siwoo claps hands over his mouth in shock. Should this guy be a pro gamer or a detective? Reading him without clues……!!
Ghost would weep.
"Kidding. Saw you brooding over the wardrobe earlier."
"……."
Of course.
"So, shopping?"
"Gonna buy one."
"Big event, huh."
Kim Ho-jong nods sagely.
"Can't sit this out. When?"
"By myself?"
"Tsk tsk, rookie mistake. You don't shop solo."
"Then?"
"Need someone to vet it."
Kim Ho-jong crosses arms.
"You know my style game's solid, right? Fashion sense too. I'll tag along."
"Soo-hyuk-hyung rocks Darai best. Chan-seong-hyung's got the top fashion sense."
"What? I'm the king of fits. And I was a hotshot pro once. Famous as hell in China."
"Wasn't that self-proclaimed?"
"……."
Checks out.
"Anyway, shopping? Let's go. Saturday's off, so tomorrow or Friday."
Siwoo considers ditching him, but nothing comes to mind. Guy clings like glue on romance talk.
"……Fine."
Siwoo sighs reluctantly.
"Sweet, approved! Go see coach."
"Yeah, yeah."
Finally clears the final hurdle to coach: romance monster Kim Ho-jong.
Siwoo rides the elevator up to the practice room.
Post-scrim, but coach always stays till the end, grinding work. Probably analyzing GZ right now.
Guy's passion might outstrip the players'.
Anyway.
Ding—
Elevator stops, doors part. Siwoo enters the practice room.
"……."
And sure enough.
Coach sits at the table, replaying GZ's full match history on his laptop.
"Coach."
"Yeah, Siwoo?"
He looks up at the call. Dark circles under hollow eyes, face pale with exhaustion.
"What's up?"
"Wanna take some time tomorrow."
"Time? For what?"
"Hit the department store during personal practice. Oh, Ho-jong-hyung's coming too."
"Sure, go for it. Personal stuff's just warm-ups and keeping sharp anyway."
Permission granted, easy.
"Department store though? Buying something?"
"Yeah, clothes."
"Team gear not cutting it?"
"No, it's not that……."
Siwoo hesitates, then clams up.
"What, got a girlfriend?"
"……No."
"Then off to see your crush?"
Ho-jong-hyung, now coach—how are they all so perceptive? Do you get a romance meter floating over your head with age?
"Heh, busted."
Siwoo stammers, coach chuckles.
"Hey, good to have outlets like that. All games, all the time—you burn out."
"Pros gaming full-time's a problem?"
"Not just pros. Every job."
Coach smiles wryly.
"Back in the day, pros gamed like maniacs too. Know what happened? Burned out, lost it. Tanked big matches with massive throws."
"……."
"So watch it. Pace yourself. Sprint blind to the end, or jog steady. Never drown in work."
Bone-deep mental health advice. He's got a decade more as pro ahead.
"What about you, coach?"
"Me?"
"Yeah."
Siwoo nods.
"You seem drowned in it. Analyzing all night, even worrying about us."
To Siwoo, Shin Seung-hyun looked overworked.
Every night.
Post-scrim, he'd review player games, pinpoint flaws, brainstorm fixes.
And scout opponents' past matches for weaknesses, test combos.
Relentless.
"That's what I said."
Coach chuckles.
"Sprint blind if you sprint."
"……?"
Siwoo tilts his head, confused.
"If I stop or rest here, I won't get back up. So I run till I don't feel the fatigue. That's what dream-chasers do."
Siwoo asks.
"What's the dream?"
"Worlds win."
"Why?"
Coach answers instantly.
"Only thing I'm good at. Field I'm best in. Didn't wanna lose. Wanted the world to know I'm the top."
Siwoo listens quietly.
"To prove it? Worlds title. But me? Too old for pro. Thirty-six. Tier dropped—from Challenger to Diamond."
"……."
"So coach now. Late-found dream, gotta chase it."
"……."
"So. If you've got a goal, chase manic or cruise easy. Never notice the fatigue. We're marathoners."
Siwoo nods.
"……Think I get it."
"Good."
Coach smiles, flips laptop screen back on.
"Take it easy tomorrow. Scrims are light."
"Will do."
Sudden philosophy dump, but anyway.
Siwoo bows out, heads back to dorm. Early sleep tonight—department store tomorrow.