Chapter 12: Became the Older Brother of a Top Star

“......”

Ryu Jae-won stared blankly at the screen that had turned gray.

What the hell is going on here?

This was a match he had to win, a match he couldn't afford to lose.

When he checked the opponent's ID earlier, it turned out that the guy had never even played this game before.

So he was determined to shut him up for good.

But,

‘This guy is a monster.’

Literally, a monster.

‘What the hell is he?’

Is this guy a professional trainee or something?

I've played this game thousands of times, but I've never seen anyone play like this.

Moreover, it was as if the opponent had seen through his playstyle, attacking from angles he never even considered and securing kills in an instant. It was hard to believe that such play was even possible.

After getting killed again,

“This is ridiculous!”

Finally, Ryu Jae-won couldn't hold it in any longer and jumped up from his seat.

He didn't win a single match out of five.

If it had been a close match, it wouldn't have been so frustrating.

“Want to play one more round?”

The opponent taunted, acting all relaxed.

“......”

Another round?

He couldn't bring himself to say it.

Because no matter how many times he tried, the result would be the same.

At that moment, he realized,

‘This is a wall...’

A wall of talent that no amount of practice could help him overcome.

He never thought he'd encounter such a wall in a PC room.

So,

“Brother.”

Ryu Jae-won approached the person who had made him feel this wall of talent for the first time, bowing respectfully and clasping his hands together.

“Please teach me how to play the game well.”

* * *

Unlike before, Jae-won now had a suspicious look in his eyes.

“Really, you want me to play this champion?”

Just a moment ago, he was begging to be taught how to play well.

His son is starting with suspicion.

“Yeah.”

“But... this champion doesn't fit the current meta, and I'm not good at it either...”

He hesitated but eventually said everything he wanted to say.

Well, he's not entirely wrong.

I know what Jae-won is worried about.

And to be honest, I don't know the current meta of the game in detail either. But one thing I do know is,

‘Jae-won's aura.’

I learned something today.

When Jae-won chooses a certain champion,

Whoosh!

The aura that seemed so dull suddenly flared up and changed.

And with some champions, his aura even dimmed.

Moreover, the champion that Jae-won usually plays, Zed, had a rather weak aura.

For the aura to react so finely in the game,

It's a truly bizarre ability.

“Jae-won. What did we bet on when we played the game earlier?”

“Listening to the opponent.”

“Right. So don't doubt and just do it. You just played a game with me, didn't you? I did pretty well, right?”

“Yeah! I've never seen anyone play the lane like that.”

This kid.

It was all possible because of your aura.

If Jae-won's aura wasn't there, he would have bumbled around and died.

And the fact that I could play like that means that Jae-won can also improve his skills here.

The aura I received is ultimately the opponent's ability.

“So don't doubt and just do it. And your mental game is too weak. Try to play without getting too excited.”

“But our team is so bad, it makes me angry.”

I understand that feeling.

There are always people who make you wonder about their parents.

But if you're a pro,

“I know. You might lose because of bad team luck. But isn't it true skill to win even with a bad team? If you really want to become a pro, you need the ability to carry the game despite everything.”

You have to overcome even the unfairness of the world.

“Ah...”

I patted Jae-won's shoulder as he slowly nodded.

“And you're too burdened. You don't have to carry all that weight. Your mother is always cheering for you, isn't she?”

“Yeah...”

“And now I'll cheer for you too.”

“Huh, you for me?”

“Yeah. I believe you can do it.”

“Really?”

Then Jae-won's eyes started to well up.

Wait. Don't tell me...

“Sniff.”

I knew this would happen.

“Hey. Don't cry. Why are you crying all of a sudden?”

Anyone watching would think I'm taking advantage of you.

“I've been so stressed. I'm already in a slump...”

At that moment,

The aura that was so twisted and sharp, like a demon's, began to return to normal.

It was like a rotten tree gaining new life and blooming with flowers. Jae-won's aura was doing the same.

“Hey, can I ask you something?”

“Sure. Here, take my number.”

I handed Jae-won my phone and made a slight contact.

Then a new aura from the kid spread through my body, and the dark, cold feeling in my heart disappeared.

Maybe the kid had shed some of his burden.

‘Hmm? That’s...’

At that moment, I saw my aura rising and connecting with Jae-won's aura, just like it did with Baek Su-jin.

‘Just like with Baek Su-jin, right?’

Just like with Baek Su-jin at the agency, Jae-won's aura was completely connecting with mine.

* * *

“Phew. My son. You're so cute. You got a perfect score. I never thought you could do it with your thick head. I even wondered if you were really my child or if you were switched at the hospital. Hahaha.”

While listening to my mother's praise, which could also be considered criticism, I smiled awkwardly.

“Mom! So, are we having chicken tonight?”

“You brat.”

Yuna, who butted in without any tact, got a playful slap from my mother.

“You got a perfect score? You've never even scored above 60.”

“Ouch. It hurts.”

“My heart hurts more, you brat. I've never scored that low in my life. And what do you mean by chicken? We had it two days ago.”

“Hiiing.”

I couldn't help but smile as I watched Yuna rubbing her head.

“Mom.”

“Hmm? What, my smart and handsome son?”

“I want to eat chicken too. Can we have it tonight?”

“Haha. Why not? If our prince wants to eat, he should eat.”

“Yay! Big brother is the best!”

“You, be quiet!”

It's like a ghost that couldn't eat chicken in life has possessed her.

She loves it so much.

“Mom, soy sauce! Let's have soy sauce chicken!”

“Pfft! What soy sauce? Chicken is fried.”

“No! Soy sauce is the best!”

They both have very strong preferences.

In the end, after some bickering, we ordered soy sauce, fried, and spicy chicken.

“Wow. Thanks to my son, we get to eat chicken again. Hahaha! It would be nice if we could have pork or beef too, right?”

Dad's face said it all.

He seems to be a chicken god.

“Nah. Dad. Chicken is better than pork or beef! We can sit together as a family and feel each other's warmth while eating.”

But how could he refuse when his pretty daughter was singing the praises of chicken and acting all cute?

“Then, Yuna, you shouldn't gain weight, so just eat the chicken breast. I'll eat this tasteless chicken leg.”

“......”

Of course, Dad isn't easy to deal with either.

“By the way, Yoon-sung.”

“Yes?”

“PD Kim said to come over once.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. He said you said something funny to Su-jin the other day? He suggested you try a solo debut...”

I quickly bowed my head.

“I'm sorry. I said something out of line.”

I need to fully accept that these are now my parents, but it's still difficult.

Dad quickly waved his hand.

“Don't be sorry! Thanks to Yoon-sung, we're preparing for the girl group debut smoothly. And it was all for the company's success. I'm the one who should be grateful.”

Dad pinched my cheek.

“How did you grow up so fast, my son? It's a bit touching and a bit disappointing to see you suddenly mature. Haha.”

But the warm atmosphere didn't last long.

Mom, who was tearing into the chicken, said,

“You complained to me about when this kid would become a human, and now you're disappointed?”

“Hey. When did I say that?”

It seems Yoon-sung has been a real headache.

“Anyway, come over tomorrow. PD Kim has something to show you.”

“Ah, yes. I will.”

After giving advice, some time has passed, so I'm curious to see how much has changed.

“Yuna, did you just eat a leg?”

“Huh? Yes!”

“And you're going to eat another one?”

“Yes!”

“This brat has no consideration.”

“Eek! Dad, Mom, hit him!”

“She can eat another leg!”

“Shut up. I saw you eat two.”

“......”

Next time, I should just order boneless chicken legs.

After the harmonious (or not) dinner, I returned to my room and opened my notebook.

‘What was that connection?’

There's this aura, and it looks different for each person. Some auras are sharp and reveal emotions.

But no matter how much I think about it, it's strange that my aura would connect with someone else's.

“Does the aura connect when we become close?”

It could be that some mental barrier or wall is breaking down, allowing the connection.

If not,

‘Does it connect when I teach someone something?’

It happened with Baek Su-jin and Ryu Jae-won. The common point is that I taught them something to help them develop their talents.

Wait. If that's true, why not with Yuna...

“Big brother!!”

Bang!

Surprised.

Yuna, in her pajamas, burst into the room.

I glared at her quietly.

Then Yuna smacked her head and slowly closed the door.

Knock knock.

“Big brother~ Can I come in?”

“......Damn.”

That's cheating.

I can't get angry when she does that.

“Come in.”

“Yes~.”

She answers well.

“What's up?”

“I came to get help with this.”

Yuna handed me her school textbooks.

“Homework?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay, sit down.”

“Yes~!”

But Yuna didn't sit on the chair; she suddenly flopped onto the bed.

“Ah, so comfortable.”

“......?”

I blinked and asked.

“What are you doing?”

“Ugh. I don't want to study.”

While lying down, Yuna struggled.

“Big brother got a perfect score! I only got fifty! It's so unfair! How can you get a perfect score alone! Someone who's never done it before. It's so unfair!”

“Well, if you study like big brother, you can do it too.”

“Study......”

Yuna slumped like a broken doll.

“No way.”

“Sigh.”

Here we go again.

I tried to get Yuna up from the bed.

“Get up.”

“Just lie down with me. Let's not do homework today. How about a phone game?”

“Pfft. You're making that sound again.”

“Hiiing. I don't want to.”

Like a zombie, Yuna was dragged to the chair by my hand.

If you're going to do this, why bring the textbooks?

I had to explain the same formula again.

“So, this is what I explained last time, right? It's a very simple formula.”

“Yeah.”

Every time I help her study, I think...

Yuna, you really have no talent for studying.

How come you don't have an aura for any subject?

Sometimes I even wonder if Yuna's aura has completely disappeared.

‘What is Yuna talented in?’

She's good at a few games, but not at a pro level.

And the last time she said she wanted to be a doctor or a judge, I looked into it, but there was no aura for studying.

That was a shock.

‘Maybe it's in the entertainment industry.’

After all, Yuna is the top star of Korea.

Yuna's aura must be related to that.

I haven't seen exactly where the aura emanates from.

Since she debuted as a singer, maybe it's in that area.

‘Should I make Yuna debut again?’

That's entirely up to Yuna.

Maybe she has no talent in music, contrary to what I thought.

She sings well, but...

‘Thinking about it, Yuna has never composed a song herself.’

Yuna started her career as a singer and entered the entertainment industry, but as far as I know, she has never composed a song.

She just took the music given by the agency and eventually moved into acting.

‘I'm curious.’

What Yuna is talented in.

Where her aura will bloom.

Honestly, I hope it's not in music or acting.

I'm afraid that if Yuna debuts in the entertainment industry and suffers mentally, I won't be able to see her bright face anymore.

So sometimes I think,

Should I pretend not to see if her aura is in music or acting?

Should I block that path for her?

“Aaaaaah!”

After looking at the textbook for less than five minutes, Yuna gave up.

She pushed her chair back and moved away from the desk.

“Where are you going? Come back.”

“Just five minutes of rest.”

“You've only been studying for five minutes. What five minutes of rest?”

“Hiiing.”

Pouting won't work.

It might have worked at first, but not anymore.

“But, big brother. You don't even touch the guitar, do you?”

“Guitar?”

Now that I think about it, there was a guitar in Yoon-sung's room.

It was covered in dust in its black case, as if it hadn't been played in a long time.

“Hey. Why are you suddenly taking it out when you haven't done your homework?”

“Ai. I'm just checking the condition, just the condition. I don't want to play it at all.”

When you don't want to study, anything catches your eye.

I tried to take the guitar away, thinking she would ruin her homework today.

But,

“Hmm~ Luckily, the guitar strings are still in good condition? The smell is nice too.”

I couldn't take the guitar from Yuna.

Because,

“Big brother, why are you standing there so dazed?”

“......”

The pink aura emanating from Yuna's body instantly filled the entire room.

It was so large and beautiful, something I had never seen before.

‘If Yuna could see this, she would think it's incredibly beautiful, right?’

It was like cherry blossoms blooming in the room, with petals gently falling.

How much talent must she have to emit such an aura just by holding a guitar?

Ding!

“Oh. It sounds good. But I don't know how to play the guitar. Do you know, big brother?”

Even Yuna doesn't know how to play the guitar.

I touched the aura filling the room.

Then the massive aura from the kid flowed into me.

‘It's not just talent for the guitar.’

It's talent for music itself.

I felt a musical elevation I had never experienced before.

It was something far beyond what I felt from PD Kim, a much higher level.

‘Is fate real?’

There's a saying that people have a predetermined fate.

I don't necessarily believe it, but seeing this aura that's turning the whole house pink, I realize that there must be something inevitable.

‘This is too much.’

Instead of feeling happy about discovering Yuna's talent, I felt a sense of melancholy and sadness.

‘How can I stop this?’

I can't stop this kid. I don't have the right to.

If I see this aura in front of me, if I feel its power directly, I will realize even more clearly.

This kid will follow her fate no matter how many times I try to stop her.

She will instinctively follow that path.

Chapter 13