106.
A week has passed since the day Yoo Ji-han asked for his cell phone number. Yoo Ji-han did not access Zenoris even once for a week.
It was only then that Chae Yoo-jeong realized that something was going strangely and became reflective. His answer must have offended Yoo Ji-han.
Chae Yoo-jeong, who had been shaking with anxiety for a while and didn’t know what to do, quickly turned on the messenger.
[Chae Yoo-jeong: Can u]
[Chae Yoo-jeong: Please lend me one cell phone]
[Chae Yoo-jeong: with a separate number]
[Yoo Gyung-seok: ??]
[Yoo Gyung-seok: Why suddenly?]
[Chae Yoo-jeong: You have a phone that you don’t use]
[Chae Yoo-jeong: Give me that]
He thought that if what Yoo Ji-han wanted was Yoo Chae’s cell phone number, he should give it to him somehow. However, the request he made to Yoo Gyeong-seok, feeling like he was grasping at straws, did not end well.
[Yoo Gyeong-seok: I don’t mind if you have it]
[Yoo Gyeong-seok: I’ll give it to you, when I reach Korea]
[Yoo Kyeong-seok: I’m in America now]
“Ah.”
He was so focused on Yoo Ji-han that he forgot that the Hero World Tournament was going on right now. There is no way the LVS team will fail in the group stage, so they will have to stay in the US for at least three more weeks.
[Yoo Gyeong-seok: Why are you asking for that tho?]
Chae Yoo-jeong did not reply and just closed his messenger window.
He was so anxious that without thinking, he tried to borrow his cell phone. But when he thought about it again, even if he gave Yoo Ji-han his number, he couldn’t meet him in person as ‘Yoo Chae’.
Chae Yoo-jeong continued to wait for Yoo Ji-han without finding any solution. A week and a day had passed since Yoo Ji-han did not log in to Zenoris.
For 15 days, Chae Yoo-jeong, who had been logging into Zenoris with a glimmer of hope that he might be able to meet Yoo Ji-han today, was discouraged repeatedly.
He must be busy because the semester has started. I guess he’s just going to quit like this. Chae Yoo-jeong, who had been suppressing his nervousness and impatience, bit his lip. He remembered the time when Yoo Ji-han quit Hero and he felt like he was going crazy.
This time, he was relieved because he thought he had become closer to Yoo Ji-han. No matter how close you are with Yoo Ji-han in Zenoris, if he quits the game, the end will be the same. He felt like he was the most foolish bastard in the world.
‘What do I do?’
‘What should I do if Yoo Ji-han doesn’t come back to Zenoris? We barely met each other again, but we let go so easily?’
“Ha…………….”
Chae Yoo-jeong lowered his head while leaving Zenoris on without Yoo Ji-han. He covered his forehead with his hand and closed his eyes, recalling the last chat he had with Yoo Ji-han.
Should I have given my cell phone number right away instead of rejecting it? But if my identity as ‘Gamgack’ is discovered, I can’t be around him…………
[Guild] Harn: Because school started
[Guild] Harn: The log-in rate of guild members has been cut in half ㅜ
[Guild] I’ll take care of you: The students must be busy
[Guild] Mocha Bread: In times like this, rather
[Guild] Mocha Bread: Office workers look leisurely ㅋㅋㅋ
[Guild] Drink some water: Hmm
[Guild] Drink some water: I’m thinking about having a Jungmo event at the end of this year
[Guild] Harn: In December?
[Guild] Drink some water: yeah
[Guild] Drink some water: Everyone will be on vacation by then, right?
[Guild] Bright Clouds: Vacation won’t start until mid-December
[Guild] Drink some water: Then, let’s set it for about the third week
[Guild] Drink some water: The exact date will be announced later
[Guild] Harn: ok ok
[Guild] Mocha Bread: Who is coming this year?
[Guild] Mocha Bread: Gilma-nim is coming too? For Jungmo
[Guild] Drink some water: He’s not coming
[Guild] Harn: I think Sleepy-nim will come haha
Chae Yoo-jeong didn’t have to chat, Kang Ji-hye took the lead and answered.
If Chae Yoo-jeong had not been active as a professional athlete, he would have been able to confidently attend the official meeting and meet Yoo Ji-han. Not only that but also, when Yoo Ji-han asked for his phone number in the first place, he probably would have given it to him right away.
‘I thought wrong.’
Sure. The game wasn’t the problem. Even if Yoo Ji-han didn’t quit Zenoris right away, there was no way he would play the same game for the rest of his life.
Being satisfied with their gaming relationship was itself a problem. If he could get to know Yoo Ji-han in real life... no matter what game he plays, he would always be able to remain by his side.
‘Then what’s left...…………….’
At Seo Tae-young’s wedding, there was no other way but to approach Yoo Ji-han.
***
Yoo Ji-han returned a month and a half later.
“I was very worried about what would happen if Hyung never came back again.”
“What the hell. What kind of guy doesn’t even give me his number...…………….”
Yoo Ji-han’s voice coming through the headset was the same as before. However, Chae Yoo-jeong’s heart and thoughts as he laughed and chatted with him were different from before.
Chae Yoo-jeong now knew very well that even if he played well with Yoo Ji-han in the game, it would not mean much.
While Yoo Ji-han was at school, Chae Yoo-jeong visited his team’s dormitory for the first time in a while. The manager and coaches in the dorm were delighted by Chae Yoo-jeong’s sudden appearance.
“No! Why did our Yoo-jeong come all the way here?”
“Gyung-seok is away right now. Ah, did you call him?”
“I did it. Can I use that computer?”
The manager and coaches, who were worried that Chae Yoo-jeong might change his mind and go to another team, smiled brightly despite his rude attitude.
“You can use it, then! I also left the space you used empty. Write it there.”
“It’s been a while since you’ve been here, so say hello to Do-hyun before you leave. You two are close.”
Anyway, the seat that Chae Yoo-jeong was using was next to Kwon Do-hyun, so he had to see him even if he didn’t want to. Seeing as he is pushing me to say hello like this, it seems like he is planning to send himself and Kwon Do-hyun to be the jungler next season.
Chae Yoo-jeong, who immediately realized the plan of the manager and coaches, entered the practice room with a disgruntled look on his face. Even so, Kwon Do-hyun had some business to attend to.
“Kwon Do-hyun.”
“What is it?”
Kwon Do-hyun lowered one side of his headset and responded to Chae Yoo-jeong’s call. Even though it had been a while since they had seen each other, both of them naturally passed over a friendly greeting.
“You used to play Zenoris, right?”
“Zenoris?”
Now that the world competition is over, it has been an official break for a month. Professional players usually went to their hometown or played other games during this time.
“I’ll tell you my account, so you can use it while I go out.”
“What, all of a sudden?”
Instead of explaining the reason, Chae Yoo-jeong raised one eyebrow.
Are you going to do it or not? When asked with an expression on his face, Kwon Do-hyeon thought for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders.
“Tell me your account details then.”
This completes the minimum preparation. A few days later, Chae Yoo-jeong attended Tae-young’s wedding, leaving his Zenoris account in the hands of Kwon Do-hyeon.
His only chance to actually meet Yoo Ji-han and continue his relationship was Seo Tae-young’s wedding, so he had to take the opportunity somehow.
The biggest problem in the process was Yoo Ji-han’s incredible quick insight. Because his Zenoris username is ‘Yoo Chae,’ which is similar to his name, and because of his honest behavior, there was a chance that Yoo Ji-han could catch him.
The moment Yoo Ji-han found out that ‘Gamgack’ and ‘Yoo-Chae’ were the same person, it was all over. So, while ‘Gamgack’ attended the wedding, ‘Yoo Chae’ also had to play the game and leave evidence that he was someone else.
The guilt of deceiving Yoo Ji-han weighed heavily on his heart, but Chae Yoo-jeong tried to ignore it. The best situation is for Yoo Ji-han not to suspect anything, and the next best situation is for him not to be caught even if he suspects something.
If everything goes according to plan, he will be able to stand by Yoo Ji-han’s side as Chae Yoo-jeong.
The ‘Yoo Chae’ in the game is... If you think about the personality Yoo Ji-han has shown so far, he will soon forget about him. Because Yoo Chae was only connected to him through a game.
Yoo Ji-han’s back was visible from a close distance. He could be recognized at a glance even in a crowd of people.
Thump, thump.
Chae Yoo-jeong took a short, deep breath as he felt his heart beating like crazy. It was especially important from now on. He had to somehow imprint himself in his mind during the brief time that the wedding took place.
“I…………….”
His voice was so stiff from tension that he felt so foolish at that moment. Chae Yoo-jeong quickly cleared his throat and continued his greeting with difficulty.
“Hello. Um, I……………… “
His hands were shaking as he looked at the black eyes staring straight at him. A clear alertness was evident in the straight features that filled the small face.
How can he introduce himself to Yoo Ji-han in the most intuitive and clear way? He slowly spit out the words he had thought about hundreds of times.
“I’m… Gamgack. I’m on the same team as Seo Tae-young, you know?”
When Yoo Ji-han heard the username, his eyes widened slightly as if he was surprised.
A pure white wedding hall bathed in midday sunlight. A place full of people’s celebration and joy. The fresh scent of flowers flowing in from somewhere passed his nose.
At the end of a wedding hall filled with only happiness, Chae Yoo-jeong and Yoo Ji-han met again after five years.
HM: How long is this gonna go with the backstory I wonder…..? wwwwww
---
Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor/Proofreader: Meimei, Ghostx
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