The second day ended, and I was lying on the second-floor bed. It’s only been two days. Thinking that there are still 12 days left, I felt a sense of emptiness. In the midst of it all, I think Josia noticed me after I caused a bit of trouble. How should I handle that? My mind was blank. Whatever, I’ll think about it tomorrow. For now, I just want to clear my mind and rest. ‘I feel like playing a game.’ And as soon as I cleared my mind, the thought of gaming came first. Maybe because I’ve been gaming for five years straight, I turned on my phone, an addict who thinks of games whenever I have free time. What I entered on my phone was none other than the Road of Academy chatroom.
[I Know: Guild Master, come quickly.]
[Deathlight and Heart: Greetings.]
[Blackstar Ayu: Domi Oppa, hi! I’ll come after ranking!]
Looking at this, it seems like quite a few people are online today. Seeing Ayu, who still calls me Oppa in the game when it’s not just the two of us, I smiled for a moment.
[I Am Extra: Domi, long time no see!]
A familiar nickname appeared. I Am Extra, shortened to Nae-ki, a guy who said he was trying out a new game and then disappeared for a while, came back after a long time. Yesterday, our times didn’t match, so we didn’t meet online, but today it seems we did.
[Doremipasolo: Nae-ki, long time no see. I thought you quit gaming.]
[I Am Extra: Why would I quit? I came back somehow!]
This guy who went to play a new game sure talks big.
[I Am Extra: Domi, you wouldn’t know how much I struggled to clear that game. I even went head-to-head with the developer.]
What kind of game makes you fight the developer? Anyway, he’s always been an exaggerator.
[Doremipasolo: So, was the new game fun?]
[I Am Extra: Fun? Well… it was crazy. It was hell while playing, but after finishing, I felt relieved and also a bit regretful.]
It seems the game was quite a masterpiece.
[I Am Extra: It still lingers, but now that it’s over, I have to return to reality.]
[Doremipasolo: What kind of game is it? Tell me the name. I’ll try it later.]
[I Am Extra: Domi? No way, you can’t clear it.]
[Deathlight and Heart: Agreed.]
What kind of game is this that they’re talking like this?
As I chatted with Nae-ki, others joined in, and the guild chat became lively. Ggotbi also logged into the chatroom. Seeing the guild chat so active after a long time, I felt at ease. It felt like coming home and chatting with friends. ‘It was a meetup.’ Looking at the chat, I fell into thought for a moment. After meeting Ayu and Ggotbi, I became a bit curious about the real appearances of others. I never used to think like this before, but it seems I’ve changed a lot recently. ‘I used to have terrible self-esteem.’ There were times when I was ashamed to show myself to others, having run away from society, so I never even dreamed of meetups. But as time passed and I went through significant events, trivial things no longer bothered me. ‘I’m changing too.’ Feeling the five years that had been stagnant finally flowing, I smiled briefly.
Beep- Creak
At that moment, I heard the door open downstairs. Glancing over, I saw Eun-namu holding a towel going outside. It’s bedtime for everyone. Realizing her purpose with the washing tools and towel, Eun-namu looked at me and gave a sleepy smile. “Shh.” She put her index finger on her red lips and went outside, making me feel oddly guilty. I’m sharing a room with a girl. And in another world, she’s my ex-girlfriend. What a ridiculous situation.
Ding-
My phone chimed with a message. Picking it up, I saw it was from Si-ho.
[Manager, are you busy?]
Does she have something to say? As I typed ‘No’ and sent the message, I suddenly felt a weight on my chest. Startled, I looked up to see Si-ho crouching above me.
“Si, Si-ho?”
“I came over.”
Startled, I tried to sit up but stopped, realizing I was on the second-floor bed close to the ceiling. If I got up, Si-ho might hit her head.
“No, why did you come?”
“Can’t I come without a reason?”
“Well.”
No, you can’t. Or can you? As I made an ambiguous expression, Si-ho leaned her face closer to mine. Seeing her cute, small face, I instinctively leaned back, and Si-ho smiled.
“How’s the Academy? Si-ho is curious.”
Looking at Si-ho, I scratched my cheek. Seo-ho said Si-ho might visit, but I didn’t expect her to come unannounced in the middle of the night. Moreover, she was wearing animal pajamas that reminded me of a black cat.
“Si-ho, it’s too late.”
“It’s okay. No one knows.”
What does she mean by ‘no one knows’? Even as I made a troubled expression, Si-ho just smiled brightly at me.
Trrrrr-
At that moment, my phone started ringing. Trying to avoid Si-ho, I answered without checking the caller. A voice came from the other end.
[Ah, ahem, Ha-chan, did I wake you? I called to see how you’re doing at the Academy.]
It was Baekseolhyang. What’s with today?
Then, Si-ho frowned slightly and looked somewhere else.
“…A woman’s scent.”
No, what, that.
[…A woman’s voice?]
No, wait a minute.
Beep-
As Si-ho and Baekseolhyang’s voices echoed simultaneously, Eun-namu, who had gone to wash, started opening the dormitory door.
What’s this? Are they all trying to corner me?
A sense of danger more intense than with Gwak Sa-yeon made my head spin.
“What are you doing?”
As I panicked, Baeksan peeked his head out from the wall and looked at me. Help me, Returner! Baeksan looked at me, Si-ho, the opening door, and the phone, then pulled his head back into the wall. Useless Returner! Since blaming Baeksan wouldn’t help, I calmly assessed the situation. Then, my head tilted.
‘Why am I panicking?’
Thinking about it, I hadn’t done anything wrong. I panicked because Si-ho and Baekseolhyang’s voices sounded sharp, but there was no reason for me to be in trouble.
“Si-ho, Baekseolhyang.”
“Yes, why?”
[Speak.]
“I’m sorry.”
As soon as I heard their voices, I apologized first. I don’t know what for, but I must have done something wrong.
Creak-
At that moment, the door opened. Eun-namu, with her long hair wrapped in a towel, looked up and tilted her head. Because Eun-namu and Si-ho’s eyes met.
“Ha-chan.”
“Ah, sorry, it’s just.”
From Eun-namu’s perspective, I must look like a lunatic who suddenly brought a girl into the room we share.
“Tell me. I can make space.”
“No, what space?”
“Wasn’t that it?”
Eun-namu was gesturing something with her fingers.
“Stop! She’s a minor!”
“I can tell by looking.”
“Then don’t do it!”
We’ll get caught.
“Manager.”
“Ah, yes, sorry, Si-ho. That’s Eun-namu, my classmate and roommate.”
“Why are you sharing a room with a girl?”
[Sharing a room with a girl?!]
Baekseolhyang, who had been silently listening, also shouted. She coughed awkwardly, realizing she had shouted, but my head was throbbing.
“Si-ho, Eun-namu is.”
“She’s a girl.”
Before I could explain, I looked back at Eun-namu. She had told me about her gynecomastia, so she didn’t wear her usual supportive underwear after washing. Because of that, her chest was visible through her clothes, making her look like a handsome girl.
“Ah, I’m a guy.”
At that moment, Eun-namu casually said she was a guy.
“My hormones are a mess. I look like a girl, right? It’s because of the hormones.”
Like she had lied to me before, she grabbed her chest and showed it. Please stop, it’s embarrassing.
“Do you want to touch it to check?”
Si-ho silently looked at her and then suddenly appeared in front of Eun-namu. She reached out and grabbed Eun-namu’s chest without hesitation.
Even then, Eun-namu had a sleepy smile.
“How is it?”
“It’s soft.”
“It’s a chest.”
What am I witnessing? A minor touching a cross-dressing girl’s chest.
Suddenly, my head started hurting, and I held my forehead.
After touching for a while, Si-ho let go and looked at her hand, seemingly frustrated.
Then, she stared intently at Eun-namu. Since Si-ho is so short, she had to look up, but Eun-namu showed no change in expression.
“Even so, it’s not appropriate to show a minor your lower parts. Should I ask your boyfriend to check?”
“…Boyfriend.”
Si-ho suddenly perked up, then shook her head with a relaxed expression.
“It’s okay.”
With that, Si-ho returned to me using Space Movement.
“Today’s a bit awkward. I’ll come again, Si-ho.”
“Si-ho, if you’re coming, at least let me know.”
“So, you’re allowing me to come?”
I got out-talked by a 19-year-old. Si-ho, with shining eyes, fidgeted and then suddenly hugged my waist tightly.
“That’s enough.”
Before I could say anything, Si-ho left. After the commotion, I made a dumbfounded expression and sighed.
What did Si-ho come for anyway?
[…Ha-chan, I’m still on the phone.]
Ah, right.
“Baekseolhyang, why did you call?”
[Well, since I told you to register as a Hunter, I wanted to see how you’re doing…]
Baekseolhyang’s voice started to sound chilly.
[Were you and Ha Si-ho in that kind of relationship without me knowing?]
“Huh? No! Si-ho and I have no relationship!”
[Hmm, I see.]
Baekseolhyang seemed to think for a moment, then let out a chilling laugh.
[Right. Ha Si-ho is a minor, so a decent guy like Ha-chan wouldn’t touch her, right?]
“Of course not. I would never do that.”
[Then there should be no problem until next year.]
“Huh, what?”
Whether I questioned it or not, Baekseolhyang continued.
[After the Academy, shall we meet? I have something to discuss about the university matter you mentioned. You’ll come, right?]
It seemed like refusing would be a disaster.
“I’ll do that.”
[Okay, thank you. See you then. Good night, Ha-chan. Take care with Eun-namu too.]
As I hurriedly answered, Baekseolhyang ended the call, and I let out a long sigh. Somehow, just from the conversation, Baekseolhyang seemed to have figured out Eun-namu was a girl. But if she’s trying to hide it, she won’t make a big deal out of it.
“Ha-chan, you’re popular.”
“Popular? It’s just that everyone is worried.”
Originally, both contacted me about Academy matters. Hearing my words, Eun-namu tilted her head.
“Ha-chan, have you ever dated anyone?”
“…No.”
No wonder my game nickname is Doremipasolo.
“So that’s why.”
“Why what?”
“The person you just talked to, and that girl, they both like you, Ha-chan.”
At that moment, Eun-namu dropped a bombshell. This was something that would shock anyone.
“Eun-namu, I don’t know what misunderstanding you have.”
“Misunderstanding?”
“Why would those two like someone like me?”
Eun-namu blinked. Then, as if she thought of something, she leaned closer and stared at me.
Why is this so burdensome?
“Ha-chan, you have really low self-esteem, don’t you? That’s why you unconsciously avoid one-sided affection and think it’s impossible.”
“No, that’s not it.”
“Ha-chan, next time, watch how those two act around others. Especially how they act around the opposite sex.”
Amused, she chuckled and went back to her first-floor bed.
“It’s advice from a classmate. Keep it in mind.”
With that, she said good night and covered herself with the blanket. Watching her, I felt a mix of confusion and went back to my second-floor bed.
They like me.
Who?
Si-ho, the younger sister of S-class Hunter Seollsan Iri and an S-class Hunter herself?
Baekseolhyang, the head of the World Returner Association and probably the richest person I know?
‘No matter how I think about it.’
Why me?
Then, I remembered what Eun-namu said.
That I have really low self-esteem.
Her words made me realize I do have low self-esteem. My life, thoroughly trampled by Gwak Sa-yeon, was an environment where my self-esteem couldn’t help but crumble.
‘But now, Gwak Sa-yeon is…’
The woman who ruined my life no longer exists. There’s no reason for my self-esteem to be low anymore.
But even so, I couldn’t accept that those two liked me.
‘She said to check.’
Feeling restless, I washed my face repeatedly. Then, a message came.
[Domi Oppa, I got Diamond! Diamooooooond!]
It was a pure message from Ayu.
…Yes, just stay like this always.
Feeling comforted by Ayu’s message, I ended the second day’s night.