Chapter 19
“Sunbae.”
Feeling like this was the right moment after all his hesitation, Kwon-ju carefully opened the conversation. The only way to make himself more than just one of many welcome juniors, to create special interest and greater affection. His heart seemed to beat harder and harder, perhaps because he had been waiting for this situation for quite a while.
“I, um, play games.”
“Huh?”
“Arc Serenity. I remembered you talking about it all the time… so I tried it and it’s more fun than I expected, so I’ve kept playing.”
Ji-won froze with his ice cream halfway to his mouth at the unexpected gaming talk. He plays Arc Serenity?
The impact of hearing someone mention Arc Serenity in person was quite significant for Ji-won. A gaming friend he simply couldn’t find around him. Jung-hoon, the only one who played with him, seemed to be planning to shift his main content soon as he was taking a break from streaming, and Ji-won had long given up trying to recruit his other friends, having no energy left to promote the game. The name that casually dropped from his welcome junior’s mouth was more delightful than he could have imagined.
“Where, which server do you play on?”
“Asuka.”
The same server, as if by fate. Thinking it would be silly to show too much excitement, Ji-won carefully pulled down the corners of his mouth that were trying to rise and asked:
“Want to add each other as friends?”
Ji-won, busy controlling his own excitement, had no way of knowing that Kwon-ju was holding his ice cream stick with both hands deliberately to hide his trembling, seeing those sparkling eyes. You’re so obviously excited about your sunbae. Kwon-ju took a big bite of his still unfinished ice cream and nodded.
“Yes.”
“It’s amazing, how did we end up on the same server?”
“Yeah. It’s amazing.”
Although Asuka was one of the largest servers in Arc Serenity, quite a few users avoided it for being too crowded, so the probability of overlapping wasn’t that high. As Kwon-ju calmly agreed with a composed face, Ji-won made direct eye contact and belatedly poured out what he wanted to say.
“I’ve hardly seen anyone around me who plays it. Even when I suggest it, they always just do the tutorial a bit and then go off to do something else. I never imagined I’d meet you and get to talk about the game.”
While Kwon-ju sat with a mild expression listening to the extended remarks, his mind was almost deafeningly noisy. It’s cute how talkative he gets. When he likes something this much, how could anyone just do the tutorial and leave?
Trying hard to keep his lips flat to hide his surging emotions, Kwon-ju struggled. Now he had a topic they could discuss enjoyably, and using the game as an excuse, opportunities to exchange personal messages or share private time.
I’m glad I started right after the college entrance exam. Even though I couldn’t level up much because of time constraints, I still bought items and saved up a lot of gold, so I should be able to match his level somewhat. If we meet in-game, I really want to try the sleeve insertion technique I learned from the guild members.
“Ah, I’ve been talking too much by myself.”
“No. I was listening to everything.”
Kwon-ju quickly corrected the situation when Ji-won spoke with an embarrassed face, perhaps because his attempt to just control his expression had made him look too serious. Ji-won seemed reassured by his sincerity and continued the conversation.
“What level are you?”
“Almost max level, but I can’t remember exactly.”
“You’ve been playing for a while then?”
Kwon-ju nodded. Actually, it hadn’t been long, but he knew that if he was honest, Ji-won would obviously try to help him with various things. He wanted to play the game as equals, to give help or items, not to receive them.
“Then do you want to join our guild too?”
It would be nice to introduce you to Sasa. You’re the same age and similar level. For a moment, Ji-won felt something oddly uncomfortable, but dismissing it as his imagination, he finished the last bit of his ice cream while waiting for an answer.
“Um… guild?”
Seeing Kwon-ju’s apparent reluctance, Ji-won realized his mistake. If he’s almost at max level, he probably already has a guild. But before he could withdraw his offer, a positive response quickly came.
“Yes. I’d like that.”
“With such a high level, you haven’t joined a guild yet?”
“Ah… no.”
Kwon-ju felt a momentary pang of guilt but answered that he didn’t have one. It was clear that just being in-game friends wouldn’t allow them to play together all day, so he wanted to join the same guild if possible. While it was undeniable that there were many nice people in his current guild, considering who made him start the game in the first place, he couldn’t miss this opportunity.
“It’s not such a small guild, so you should be fine.”
“Small is fine too.”
“No, it shouldn’t be. Guild rewards are so important.”
Before they knew it, as they chatted about small details, it was time for the first round of the opening ceremony to end. Come to think of it, I came because Mingyu called me, but I didn’t even get to talk to him much. Ji-won felt a bit sorry for neglecting him after being asked to come along, but figured it was okay since Suhyeon was there. Well, I didn’t make new junior friends, but I met Kwon-ju again and we’re going to play games together—what greater success could there be? He was almost grateful to Mingyu for insisting he come.
When Ji-won, who just wanted to go home quickly, returned to the venue with Kwon-ju, everyone was already packing up to leave.
“Hey, Han Ji-won. They’re moving to the next place now, so please take care of this guy, please.”
Suhyeon pointed at Mingyu, who was sprawled face-down on the table, with a tired expression. Mingyu, who didn’t normally have a weak tolerance for alcohol, had somehow fallen asleep with his eyes firmly shut and his mouth open.
“If you send him home, I’ll go home too.”
Suhyeon, who had said she would go to the second round where current students gathered, declared she would just go home, seemingly tired. As she slapped both her cheeks as if to drive away her intoxication, Ji-won walked past her and patted Mingyu’s back. Seeing how he only managed to mumble some unintelligible sounds, it seemed unlikely he would be able to walk straight on his own.
Fortunately, Ji-won knew his home address and was about to put his hands under Mingyu’s slumped body to get him into a taxi, when Kwon-ju, who had been quietly observing, urgently spoke up.
“I’ll do it.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll help support him.”
“It’s fine.”
“Still…”
“Really, it’s okay.”
He must be trying to do the dirty work for his senior. But Ji-won wasn’t such a pushover. As he firmly refused the kind offer and tried to lift his friend who was sprawled so ungracefully, Kwon-ju, who had been standing far away, somehow got there first and grabbed Mingyu.
“I’ve received a lot of help from Mingyu sunbae, so I’d like to support him.”
“Oh… really?”
Since Kwon-ju insisted this much, it seemed strange to argue that he would do it himself, so Ji-won stepped aside. Kwon-ju, who barely managed to hold the body that was swaying without balance, frowned as he tried to find the most stable position. But when Ji-won approached to help, he had to quickly remove the wrinkles that had formed between his eyebrows.
“Just take him to the crosswalk over there.”
“Okay.”
Ji-won was impressed seeing Kwon-ju walk away supporting Mingyu’s rather plump body without much difficulty. I haven’t seen him for quite a while, but looking at him now, he’s really grown a lot. Seeing the broad shoulders and back of his junior, who used to be much smaller and thinner than himself, it felt like looking at a completely different person.
“I called a taxi, so just wait a moment.”
Fortunately, there were many taxis roaming around, so they didn’t have to hold him for long. Taking advantage of when Ji-won wasn’t looking, Kwon-ju practically threw Mingyu into the taxi and turned around with a much more relaxed expression, asking:
“Should I pay for the taxi?”
“No, I already paid when I called it. I can get it back from him tomorrow.”
What an inconsiderate friend. Kwon-ju looked disparagingly at Mingyu, who had made himself comfortable in the back seat as if it were his own bed, and closed the car door. After confirming the taxi had departed, Suhyeon said she was leaving first and disappeared toward the bus stop, and the remaining people moved to the next location, leaving only Ji-won and Kwon-ju.
“I’m heading home now, are you going to the second round? They all seem to have gone already, should I take you there? You don’t know the location, right?”
“I was planning to go home too.”
“You don’t want to hang out more? I feel like I kept you too long.”
“I’m not good with alcohol, so I preferred being outside.”
Actually, the fundamental problem wasn’t the alcohol but the suffocating food and people smells. Kwon-ju, who always wanted to appear normal and diligent in front of Ji-won, didn’t bother to elaborate.
“That’s good then… Do you live alone?”
“Yes. I found a place near here.”
“I’m heading this way, so I’ll go first. Get home safely.”
“Yes, you too, sunbae.”
Ji-won stared at Kwon-ju’s face as he politely said goodbye until the end, and pondered. The way he addresses me feels a bit awkward. Both in high school and now, we are indeed senior and junior, but it felt a bit strange to keep having him call me “sunbae.” We’re going to play games together now, so it would be awkward if we’re too formal. Coming to a quick conclusion, Ji-won immediately addressed the formality issue.
“Kwon-ju.”
“Yes?”
“Just call me hyung, it’s more comfortable.”
He didn’t think it was a difficult form of address, but there was no response for a while. Even seniors I met in university quickly told me to call them hyung.
“Is that uncomfort—”
“No! …hyung.”
The slightly urgent “hyung” that popped out made Ji-won wonder only briefly. After saying “hyung,” Kwon-ju smiled somewhat shyly, and it seemed like the reason for his delayed response was written all over his face, so Ji-won said nothing more and just greeted him once more.
“I’m really going now.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
