Chapter 57

<Chapter 57> Why are you here?

* * *

It's been a few days already.

I wanted to create a new account right away, but unfortunately, since my identity issues haven't been completely resolved, it's said that I need some time.

...If I had known this, I would have delayed deleting my account a bit.

Originally, this would have been the time to grow a new account, but I ended up with an involuntary break, rolling around in bed.

────────

­Compilation of the deceased's amazing plays.avi

­Why is the atmosphere already like a funeral? Don't kill the prisoner, damn it.

­The prisoner will come back. As always.

────────

‘This is a mess.’

I've been watching the community and broadcasts for a while, and the more I watch, the more my passion for the game grows.

Of course, I could play other games if I wanted to.

However, there's a big difference in interest between playing another game for a while to clear my head when I have a choice, and playing a game out of necessity because I have no choice.

Soon, all games became boring.

I always thought I was a pure gamer, but it was a huge misconception.

Shockingly, I wasn't a slave to games, but a slave to League of Legends.

“I'm so bored...”

Hey, my voice sounded a bit strange just now.

...It doesn't matter, right? There's no one to hear it.

“What are you doing?”

“!”

“What's that weird sound?”

Please knock next time...

The problem is that the door is too soft. No matter how distracted I was, how could I not hear the door opening? A door should at least creak.

“Have you been like this for days?”

My shoulders involuntarily tensed at my mother's words.

Then I blurted out a poor excuse.

“...I have nothing to do.”

I want to quickly create a new account, level up, rank up, get a team offer, and debut as a pro as soon as possible.

But what can I do if things in life don't always go as planned?

“If you don't have anything to do, would you like to come with me for a bit?”

“Where to?”

“To the new house. We need to start organizing the stuff. You can decide the layout of your room. Didn't you say you wanted to?”

Ah, that's it.

“...Didn't we go there last time?”

“At that time, we only chose the room. Today is for organizing the furniture.”

“Already?”

That means the move is right around the corner.

It also implies that the issues with my identity are about to be resolved.

‘By the way... Could she be making me do some work there?’

At that moment, my mother's expression became very strange, as if she had read my mind.

“Don't worry. I wouldn't make you do anything. Just tell me where you want to place things like your desk.”

“...I haven't said anything yet?”

“It's all over your face.”

...I need to practice managing my expressions. My lack of social experience is too obvious.

“Anyway, get ready.”

“Okay.”

“What's the matter? I thought you'd say it's too troublesome and not go.”

“Yeah, me too.”

I'm also very curious.

Perhaps the hardships of the past few days have pushed me to this point.

‘An outing.’

Maybe it's because it's been a while since I went out, or maybe it's because a new stimulus has finally appeared in my boring routine, but I felt strangely excited.

*

Black military cap.

Bright beige hoodie.

And my usual long down jacket.

Having finished my preparations for the outing, I stood in front of the front door with a light step.

“Are you wearing that again?”

“What do you mean? The cap and hoodie are different.”

Although I didn't have much to do for a few days, I can't stress enough how much effort I put into choosing this.

“...What do you expect from me?”

My mother shook her head.

Regardless, I looked in the mirror by the front door and lightly adjusted my clothes.

“You look so pretty.”

Can you deny that?

“Tsk.”

My mother sighed as usual, as if there was nothing she could do, and stepped out the front door.

My mother, who was in the driver's seat, said,

“By the way, Yuli will be there around dinner time. Let's eat dinner nearby.”

“Really?”

I hadn't really noticed because the house is usually so quiet, but it seems we are moving.

“Dad?”

“He has a company dinner. So let's go eat something delicious together.”

Is this... the weight of the head of the household?

For some reason, I could vividly picture my drunk father humming a song as he came home.

“We're here.”

The scenery wasn't particularly new because I had been here before.

I guess I'm getting old.

Of course, that doesn't mean I'm familiar with all the scenery.

‘Hmm...’

[SY Palace]

Even though I had been here before, the imposing presence of the towering building, which seemed to pierce the sky, was no less overwhelming.

It's not for nothing that ancient rulers built tall buildings as symbols of their authority.

If this wasn't going to be our new home, I probably wouldn't have come here in my lifetime.

“What are you doing?”

“Ah, yeah.”

I timidly followed my mother into the building entrance, and immediately, the surrounding gazes started to focus on us.

It must have been a bad day, as a group of neighborhood aunties happened to be passing by.

“Hye-min's mom, over there.”

“What?”

“It seems to be the family moving into the penthouse.”

“Oh, the announcer... Oh my.”

The gazes that initially focused on my mother soon shifted to me.

Even I, who am usually oblivious to people's gazes, could feel it starkly, but my mother showed no reaction.

‘Is she used to it?’

I heard my mother used to be a famous announcer.

So it's only natural that she wouldn't be bothered by the gazes of others.

“The elevator is here.”

Amidst countless gazes, we arrived at the top floor, and the first thing to greet us was a bustling noise.

“Put that over there!”

“Yes!”

The place was bustling with people moving in new furniture.

‘It doesn't seem like they moved the furniture from our old house... Did they buy everything new?’

What, is it okay to go to such lengths?

‘...Or is it not a big deal?’

While I was lost in these thoughts, one of the moving company employees approached us.

“Oh, you're here?”

“Yes. Thank you for your hard work. I've made a reservation at a nearby restaurant, so please have a meal there after you're done.”

“What, you don't have to... Oh, thank you. Is there anything else you need?”

“Yes. I think it's best if my daughter decides the layout of her room. Could you help her?”

“Ah, yes. Let's go.”

And my mother naturally pushed me forward.

“...Huh?”

“It's your room, so you need to go and check it out.”

“But, what am I supposed to do there? By myself?”

“You said you wanted to decide the layout of your room yourself, didn't you?”

“Well, yes, but...”

My mother's point was clear.

“...So, you want me to tell you where to place the furniture?”

“Yes.”

What should I do?

Should I just say I can't do it?

‘...No.’

As a man, or at least as someone who was born a man, I can't back down here.

“...Okay.”

I'll show you.

The optimal furniture layout for a Challenger.

.

.

.

...That grand dream shattered the moment I saw the stern faces of the men.

“Could you please step aside for a moment?”

“Ah, yes...”

Some of the employees were not much older than me, yet the pressure they exuded was intense.

...Or maybe I'm just a coward.

I believe it's the former.

It has to be.

“No, it must be.”

“Where would you like the desk placed?”

One of the employees, as if reading my distress, approached and asked kindly.

Feeling as if I had met a savior sent from heaven, I slowly stated my requirements.

“...Could you place the desk so that it doesn't face the door? And put that over there.”

“Understood.”

Indeed, money talks, as the employees listened carefully to my requests and followed them.

“Where should this go?”

“Ah, put that on the balcony side.”

“Understood.”

And...

With so many people, the furniture arrangement was completed in no time.

“How is it?”

“It's... perfect.”

“If there's anything you don't like, please let us know. Moving things around is no trouble at all.”

“It's really fine. Thank you.”

A desk in an L-shape that doesn't face the door, with a monitor arm stand that can accommodate at least four monitors.

And all the furniture, including the bookshelf, was arranged for a gamer.

It was the layout I had always wanted.

“Thank you for your hard work. I've sent the location of the restaurant by text. Just mention my name when you get there.”

“Thank you, ma'am. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to call.”

“Hehe, yes.”

After the employees left, I looked around the now furnished penthouse and asked my mother,

“When are we moving in?”

“It will probably take about a week. We need to clean and finish up some things.”

“I see.”

A week...

It was a welcome sound to hear.

“Why, do you want to move in sooner?”

“No, not really...”

As always, the topic of conversation is always on top of my head.

“Let's go. We're waiting for Yuli.”

“Where is she?”

“She should be arriving soon.”

Arriving at the underground parking lot, my mother rummaged through her handbag.

“Huh?”

“What's wrong?”

“I must have left the car keys upstairs. I'll be right back.”

“Okay.”

My mother's steps, which were heading for the elevator, hesitated.

“Since we're waiting, could you go to the convenience store and buy some water? I'm a bit thirsty.”

Oh, another errand?

She's not really thirsty.

This is probably part of the social training my mother has been doing countless times.

I won't fall for it anymore.

“Okay.”

Of course, that's a separate issue from whether I can refuse.

‘It's not that difficult anyway.’

Following my mother's instructions, I arrived at the convenience store in the apartment complex. After a few tries, I found the refrigerator, opened it, and took out two bottles of water.

“1000 won.”

“Ah, here.”

“Could you insert the card?”

“Yes, yes?”

“Here.”

Is this how convenience stores work these days?

I could feel my face turning red as I awkwardly inserted my card into the card reader.

“Wrong side.”

“Huh? Ah, yes!”

I feel like dying of embarrassment.

...No, just kill me.

[“Payment completed.”]

“Now, take it out.”

“...Yes.”

At first, I thought buying a bottle of water would be an easy task.

But I was wrong.

Buying a bottle of water turned out to be a daunting challenge.

‘...I have to insist on getting a water purifier.’

Feeling drained, I pushed the convenience store door.

“Huh?”

What, why won't it open?

...Then I saw someone on the other side.

“Sorry.”

I feel so embarrassed today.

No, almost every time I go out.

And,

As I stepped aside, the door opened, and a face I didn't expect to see walked in.

“Ah.”

Why are you here?

* * *