Chapter 33: Games Really Are A Sickness... I Made A Mistake. (2)


    TL: looloo


    Schedule: 4/Week Wed-Sat


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    We had a brief disagreement, but quickly, we all focused on the game. ying a game alone can surely make time fly, but when you gather with friends like this, it feels as if you''ve jumped into a time machine.


    Before we knew it, hours had passed as we were deeply immersed in the game.


    "Hey! They''re pushing mid! What are you guys doing?"


    "We''ve already lost, what can we do?"


    "Honestly, we lost because the jungler sucked. Agreed?"


    "I agree."


    "Agreed."


    "Alright, three of us agree! We lost because Han Yeonho really sucked."


    "If these jerks who got solo kills in theirnes keep this up, I''ll get really annoyed."


    "I really want to abandon support and kill the ADC, but let''s just surrender and y the next game."


    We were constantly ming and trash-talking each other. It might feel unjust when I''m the target of me, but that''s how it was.


    Inwardly, I cursed at these conscienceless guys. I vowed to immediatelysh out at anyone who made a mistake from now on.


    But then...


    A Legend Appears!


    "..."


    "Han Yeonho, stop feeding!"


    "Sorry..."


    It seemed like a lie, but from that moment...


    First Blood!


    "Why are they here..."


    "Everyone, stay alert! Han Yeonho is dragging us down!"


    "Ugh..."


    Due to my mistakes or the skill gap in the jungle...


    Double Kill!


    "Wow, Master Han Yeonho! Not content with dying alone, you''re taking me down with you! Your skills are trulymendable!"


    "..."


    We suffered defeat after defeat.


    To be honest, a significant portion of the defeat was on me, and I had no excuses. However, even as they consistently berated me, they eventually stopped, realizing it was just unfortunate circumstances. We just kept encountering strong yers, especially in my position.


    "Sigh..."


    After consecutive losses, I became even more focused on the game. I mindlessly queued up for the next one, but after the third straight loss, reality hit. It was already around 5 PM.


    I quickly checked the time on the bottom of the monitor, preparing for the next game. Almost unconsciously, my gaze dropped to the phone I''d tossed beside my keyboard. I wasn''t trying to check anything, it was just a habitual nce.


    I swiftly swiped past the lock screen without even seeing the notifications.


    But when I naturally went to the main chat screen, there it was.


    [ Heena : I wonder when Yeonho will see this... (38) ] - 2:35 PM


    "...Oh."


    Thud!


    A mix of regret and dread made me drop my phone.


    The sudden sound caught my friends'' attention.


    "Han Yeonho, are you not ready? Got jitters?"


    "...It''s nothing. Let''s queue up again."


    It wasn''t exactly "nothing", but it was toote to do anything about it. I remembered promising to reply whenever I had the time.


    I was so focused in what I was doing that I only remembered our promise just now. Silently, I ced my phone back down.


    If I responded immediately, Heena would probably reply quickly, and it would be hard to continue the game.


    Of course, staying in touch with Heena was crucial.


    My mind told me I should check the message and apologize right away.


    But my heart was screaming that I needed to break this losing streak if I wanted a good night''s sleep.


    If things stayed like this, the memories of today''s worst ys would haunt me until I went to bed.


    So, I made a decision.


    To act as if I hadn''t seen it.


    Whether I apologize now or in a couple of hours, the oue will be the same, right?


    After all, I''ve heard it''s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.


    If I need to apologize, I''ll do itter!


    Sorry, Heena!


    ---


    Raei Trantions


    ---


    Ignoring Heena''s messages, I kept on with the game, which, to put it mildly, was an utter disaster.


    Aplete one.


    We lost three more rounds, and this time, it wasn''t just me; everyone had their fair share of defeat.


    But there was a silver lining. If we had lost by a small margin, we might have been irritated and turned cold towards each other. However, this crushing defeat had an oddly refreshing effect on everyone.


    Losing so spectacrly actually made it humorous.


    "Ha, I just looked it up, that top yer who kept killing us was a masterst season! He ys so well~"


    "HAHAHAHA! Seriously, I couldn''t even breathe, let alonend a skillshot!"


    "A 7-game losing streak is probably a new record, right?"


    "Absolutely. It''s like these shameless pros have one ringer each and are just ying against us."


    "We started strong with a win or two, then gotpletely wiped."


    Having crossed the valley of frustration, we found ourselves on the mountain of great amusement,ughing and reviewing our games.


    After a while of chatting and reminiscing, fatigue started to set in, so we paused our gaming. We began sipping on beverages we had ordered earlier and started conversing about topics other than the game.


    The most current topic of interest was our nned beach trip that we briefly discussed on thest day of school. The loosely set date was already next week.


    "So where are we headed?"


    "I don''t know. How about Sokcho, where Han Yeonho went? It seems nice."


    "The beach there is clean and quite good, but there were a lot of people. There''ll probably be even more by the time we go."


    "I''ll be annoyed if it''s too crowded."


    We began to discuss the vaguely nned trip.


    But since none of us were particrly good at making detailed ns, the majority of decisionsnded on me.


    Useless guys.


    The beach is lovely anywhere, but the issue is that it would be swarming with people wherever we go. Then, I recalled a memory fromst year.


    "How about we go to a valley instead? Shin''s rtive lives near a pretty nice spot. Remember, we nned to go therest year but couldn’t?"


    Last year, instead of the beach, we had nned a valley trip. We intended to stay at the house of the rtive Shin Uihyun had mentioned.


    But, a couple of days before our trip, thedy of that house had injured her leg, so we couldn''t go. She insisted we shouldn''t worry and should stille, but honestly, we couldn''t help but feel concerned.


    If there aren''t any issues, it seemed like a good choice for this year. It would just be us, the ce wasn''t too remote, had some facilities, and best of all, amodation would be free.


    Plus, it''s primarily used by locals, so it wouldn’t be crowded.


    I was silently praising this brilliant n, but the group didn''t seem too thrilled.


    "A valley trip might be..."


    "Why? You were super disappointed when we couldn''t gost year."


    "Yeah, but..."


    Kim Suhwang trailed off ambiguously, and the others also radiated a simr vibe. I wondered if they made some other ns without telling me, but then Shin Uihyun took over.


    "Even my aunt mentioned she might visit this year..."


    "What? Perfect! We should head there!"


    "But it''s a valley."


    "Why the heck are you guys so upset about a valley?"


    Sure, it''s different from the sea, but valleys have their own charm. And don''t just be against it, either give an opinion or don''t.


    I, who didn''t understand English, continued to hear nonsensical chatter.


    "We can''t pick up girls in a valley, can we?"


    "...Wait, what? Pick up girls?"


    Have these guys lost their minds?


    "Why are you suddenly talking about picking up girls? Let''s just go to the valley and forget this nonsense."


    There might be people who actually try to pick up girls by the beach, but that''s not our style. In fact, I''d never heard them use the term "pick up" before.


    Wondering why they suddenly showed interest in that now.


    "Just because you have a girlfriend, you talk so freely. Jerk..."


    "Loners like us should just shut up and hang out with our own kind."


    "I appreciate your concern for us singletons. Truly grateful."


    "......"


    They''re just jealous I have a girlfriend. It''s hard for me to say anything since I asionally post couple photos.


    I should be more considerate in the future.


    "Or..."


    While reflecting on my behavior, thest member of our PC room and travel party, Hyunwoo, spoke up.


    "What about your girlfriend''s friends...? Maybe they''d be interested...?"


    "Heena''s friends?"


    "It''s not like we''re nning to do anything. Just hanging out would be nice."


    I blinked at that. Heena rarely talks about her school life. I know she has friends, but I have no idea who they are or how many she has. I doubt Heena, of all people, would have unpopr friends, but I don''t know if they''d want to join us.


    Anyway, it was an interesting idea, and I considered it for a moment.


    Hmm, adding Heena''s friends to our group might be a good idea. The challenge would be aligning our schedules.


    If they''re okay with it, these guys can be a bit immature at times, but they''re not bad, are they?


    Wait, I shouldn''t be thinking about that right now. When is Heena going to read and reply to my message?


    I''m losing my mind. She''s probably mad, even if she is Heena.


    Worries I had momentarily set aside began to resurface.


    I felt shaky and rubbed my chin in anxiety when a loud shout came from beside me.


    "If not that, let''s go to the beach and try to pick up girls together!"


    I''m already worried about how to appease Heena, and now I have to deal with this nonsense.


    "Why would I do that, you maniacs?"


    "Um... Fair point, Han Yeonho has a girlfriend. It would be weird. How about just hanging around while we try to pick up girls, and if any match happens, you stay out?"


    "That''s a good idea? This guy looks innocent on the outside, so it''s likely girls will let their guard down."


    "But we need Han Yeonho to open up a bit too..."


    How am I supposed to stop these delusional ideas? Moreover, the biggest problem with this awful n is...


    "So, you''re saying that regardless of its feasibility, if it seeds, you''d just ditch me and have fun? Seriously, have you ever seen bigger jerks?"


    "I thought some sacrifice would be...uh..."


    When I criticized their heartless remarks, it seemed like an immediate rebuttal was about to be thrown back. However, Suhwang abruptly stopped speaking and, with trembling eyes, looked up above my head.


    Realizing his gaze wasn’t directed at me, I wondered if the PC room owner had approached because we were too loud, so I slowly turned my head.


    In that moment, I almost lost my breath.


    "?!?!?!?"


    Because right behind me stood my girlfriend, smiling as brightly as ever.


    Author''s Note:


    Thank you always for the tremendous interest, rmendations, andments!


    This novel is suitable for all ages... but perhaps not for those under 19.


    I always cherish you!


    Lots of love and thank you so much!