Chapter 117: I have to keep the promise

It took quite a long process of verification before Seora would meet someone without a guardian.

She had to be convinced that the person wasn’t strange.

You could say that Wooseung and Lee Jun passed that test safely.

And after becoming someone trustworthy like that, one could become Seora’s guardian again.

The reason she could invite Once, whom she was meeting for the first time, to this place was because there were trustworthy people—Wooseung and Lee Jun—here.

But Wooseung, whose mind was racing in all directions, misunderstood.

Wasn’t she able to invite him so naturally because they had already met in real life?

When Wooseung and Lee Jun first met Seora, it was at a place where Seoryoon was present—at Seora’s villa, no less.

So to invite someone like this so casually now—didn’t that mean they were close and had met a few times in real life too? That’s what he assumed.

“Hello, hello.”

So when Once first appeared, Wooseung was on guard.

“I’m Jung Taehun, streaming under the name ‘Once’ on TryIt. I use the same nickname in-game too.”

“I’ve seen you on the ranking page a few times. We’ve met in-game too, right?”

“You remember! I’m a huge fan!”

While Lee Jun and Once (Jung Taehun) greeted each other warmly, Wooseung kept eyeing the new intruder.

If Lee Jun was someone naturally big-boned with muscles added through workouts, then Taehun was someone with an average build who had gained a lot of muscle through intense training.

Compared to Wooseung’s average body, even from appearance alone, there was a different level of intimidation.

And since he still believed that Seora liked Lee Jun, he wasn’t too fond of Taehun being that muscular.

‘Is she into pine tree types?’

When Seora made up the lie about liking Lee Jun, she had mentioned “tall and muscular.”

Does she like guys with built-up muscles?

Should I start going to the gym tomorrow?

No—he wasn’t supposed to like her in the first place.

He wasn’t supposed to try and win her over.

Countless thoughts swept through his mind.

“Victory! It’s great to meet you! I really enjoyed your performance in the finals!”

And Taehun was simply excited.

The reason he had wanted to come here so badly was to meet the professional players he admired.

It wasn’t just about shaking hands or getting autographs. Being able to drink and hang out in the same space—how amazing is that?

A successful fanboy, you could say.

And just like he said earlier, it was his first time meeting Seora in person.

But since they had chatted a lot on the same Biscord server, he knew she wasn’t fond of over-the-top compliments or flattery about her looks.

So he kept his greeting short.

“Thanks so much for inviting me.”

However, the fact that he gave a long introduction and explanation of how big a fan he was to strangers like Lee Jun and Wooseung, while giving just a short greeting to Seora—this only strengthened Wooseung’s misunderstanding that Seora and Taehun were very close and met often.

He wanted to control and calm his emotions, but that’s easier said than done.

If it were that easy, monks would all reach enlightenment in a day.

Once gathered in one place, the group talked a lot about games.

With a little alcohol, they even started talking about life.

Feeling unsettled, Wooseung unintentionally drank more than his usual limit.

The next morning, Wooseung woke up in an unfamiliar bed.

And beside the bed—there was the presence of another person!

“Gasp!”

Startled, he realized the other person was Lee Jun.

Friends can share a bed, right?

‘Where am I?’

He tried shaking Lee Jun, but no matter how hard he tried, the guy didn’t wake up.

With no other choice, he picked up his phone from the charger on the table and quietly stepped out of the mystery room.

Taehun, who appeared to be the host, was sleeping on the sofa.

A proper host who gave up his bed for the guests.

“You’re awake?”

Unlike Lee Jun, who wouldn’t wake up no matter how much you shook him, Taehun stirred at the sound and woke up.

“Sorry, but what happened yesterday?”

A question filled with the underlying thought: Why am I here?

“You completely passed out, so we brought you to my place. It was too late to call anyone.”

Nineteen years old.

Even before becoming an adult, he had debuted as a pro and lived obsessed with practice.

How much drinking could someone like that have done?

Passing out from drinking a little too much was an understandable and even cute mistake.

“Did I do anything wrong?”

“Nothing happened. But—”

But?

Why add a “but” like that and make someone nervous?

Wooseung looked at Taehun with anxious eyes.

“Don’t tell me… you don’t remember agreeing to appear on today’s stream?”

Did they get pretty close thanks to the alcohol?

A sudden promise of a joint broadcast?

But both Wooseung and Lee Jun belong to pro teams.

They can’t just appear on any broadcast without informing their teams.

“I’m sorry, but—”

Wooseung was about to say, “That’s not something I can decide on my own.”

Then suddenly, the intercom on the wall rang.

Why did Seora come all the way here?

As he wondered, a blurry memory returned to Wooseung.

The joint stream was supposed to include all four people.

Taehun, who opened the main entrance via the intercom, asked Wooseung,

“What were you trying to say earlier?”

“I don’t remember, but if I promised, then of course I’ll go on the stream.”

Wooseung woke up Lee Jun and had him get permission from their manager.

He also contacted his own team.

Meanwhile, Seora arrived at Taehun’s place.

“It’s already past lunch. Why does it feel like everyone just woke up?”

“Ahaha, sorry. I guess we overdid it yesterday.”

“You drank a lot, skipped your workout—your muscle loss must be huge!”

“I’m not a bodybuilder. I’ll just work harder tomorrow.”

“You’re not a bodybuilder!?”

Seora pretended to be shocked.

They seemed really close.

After last night, Wooseung once again felt a strange, budding emotion.

“What’s with the wig? Your makeup looks really unfamiliar too.”

“It’s my streaming look.”

Lee Jun, having finished his call with the manager, came out and commented on Seora’s appearance.

At the drinking party yesterday, she looked fresh and natural, but now she had a more noticeable, styled appearance.

Still pretty, though.

“I get self-conscious being recognized on the street. It’s basically a disguise.”

“Yeah? Smart move.”

Saying that, Lee Jun reached for Seora’s wig.

“Hey! Did you wash your hands?”

“I did, I did. This really feels like real hair.”

“Because it is real.”

“Wait—real human hair? Now that you mention it, that’s kind of creepy.”

“Touch it and you’ll be cursed…”

That natural closeness is so enviable!

Before meeting Seora, they had all been similarly close.

But now, whenever Wooseung was near Seora, he felt like he short-circuited.

He couldn’t seem to talk naturally like that, and it frustrated him.

“Let’s start by getting rid of this hangover. How about some soup?”

It took quite a while for the three of them to get ready.

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* * * *

<What kind of lineup is this?>

<Isn’t it too cruel to invite the champion and runner-up together?>

<That guy’s the worst of them all>

<Our boy 22-JunJun won’t break that easily>

<Wait why does “22” show up twice?>

The stream started a little early in the evening.

Seeing the three of them on one screen wasn’t something easy to come by.

Massive, muscular Lee Jun. Muscular and massive Taehun. And even the tall Wooseung.

Why only three?

Because Seora wasn’t on screen—she was standing in the back, preparing for a surprise appearance.

…Even while standing, she didn’t appear behind the seated Lee Jun, she was that petite.

She moved back and forth just slightly, intentionally drawing attention.

<Something’s moving in the back>

<What is that?>

<Aren’t all three already on screen?>

As viewers started noticing a mysterious presence behind them, Seora lifted her head higher and moved more deliberately.

Today’s wig was ash blonde and long wavy.

Bleached hair without the damage—thanks to the wig.

At this point, was it still a disguise? Or was she just having fun?

<Is that… a girl??>

<Who is she?>

<Hurry up and show yourself!!!!>

<With this lineup, it has to be her>

<Is there anyone still not getting it?>

<Who are you even talking about?>

<Please reveal the guest’s identity!>

This wasn’t a mystery worth dragging out.

Soon, Seora’s face suddenly popped out beside Wooseung’s head.

“Hello.”

<Who is she?>

<She’s insanely pretty omg>

<Her face is like half the size of Wild’s>

<Why is Legend standing so far away? Come closer please>

In a screen full of heavy muscles and dark tones, the legendary “Jeon Jeonseol” finally appeared to bring some life to the show.