MAX 26

“Phew…”

A sigh escaped Han Jiho’s lips before he even realized it. Every time he saw him, his heart trembled with the guilt of hiding a secret, a sense of apology, and a feeling of pressure.

But of course, what made it hardest for him was Chaehyun’s comment, where he had suddenly blurted out a confession saying, ‘I love you.’

Despite his excuse of having forgotten it, those words still tormented him. For some reason, he couldn’t simply dismiss it as a lighthearted confession from a fan. It was because the image of Chaehyun’s white face, smiling shyly with those eye-smiles, kept popping up and wouldn’t go away.

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Hello hello Chaehyun-nim lol

[Whisper] cocogus: Hello hello!

[Whisper] cocogus: You didn’t log in for two days

[Whisper] cocogus: I was worried you had quit

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Ah, something came up lol

[Whisper] cocogus: I see, that’s a relief

[Whisper] cocogus: I thought it was because of me ㅠㅠ

What is he talking about now?

His moment of sighing and agonizing over what to do was cut short as Han Jiho furrowed his brows at those absurd, incomprehensible words. Chaehyun’s state was a bit strange; something must have happened during the two days he was offline.

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: What???

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: What does that mean…???

[Whisper] cocogus: Ah

[Whisper] cocogus: I thought maybe I was coming on too strong to you, 98-nim

[Whisper] cocogus: And that you felt burdened

[Whisper] cocogus: ㅠㅠ

Han Jiho bit his lip firmly at the random answer.

He didn’t know why Chaehyun was suddenly acting like this, but it was true that he had felt a bit burdened. He couldn’t find his bearings on how to react whenever Chaehyun revealed feelings toward him—or rather, toward ‘Pro Gamer Han Jiho’ instead of ‘HanJiHo98.’

If he played along, it felt like he was praising himself, but if he pretended not to know, he felt uncomfortable as if he were ignoring his own fan. The situation was tangled in many complex ways.

However, he could say this one thing for certain.

Han Jiho liked Chaehyun. Even though Chaehyun didn’t know it, he had been a source of great strength for him.

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: No;;;

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Why would you suddenly think that ㅠㅠㅠ

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: I’ve never once thought it was burdensome ㅠㅠㅠ

Therefore, that last part was a white lie.

[Whisper] cocogus: Really?

[Whisper] cocogus: ㅠㅠ

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Yes hahaha

If it was for Chaehyun, who consistently supported him, he could handle any amount of pressure.

[Whisper] cocogus: Ah, what a relief

[Whisper] cocogus: Then I’ll keep coming on strong without worrying lol

“…Huh?”

No, that’s not it. This isn’t the picture I had in mind.

Han Jiho stared at the monitor, blinking like an idiot. The situation was taking a strange turn, as if it had suddenly hit a sharp curve.

[Whisper] cocogus: I want to become close with you, 98-nim lol

It was clear that Chaehyun was someone whose brakes were definitely broken.

“…”

The cursor in the chat box blinked wordlessly.

What should I say?

Han Jiho pointlessly checked the monitor’s mood as if Chaehyun were standing right in front of him.

Wanting to become close. For some reason, those words felt ticklish, so he scratched the back of his head vigorously. For him, the words “I love you” were actually more familiar. He had heard them countless times from numerous fans.

But “wanting to become close” was different.

No one had ever said something like that to him. If anything, they found him difficult; almost no one wanted to get close to him. At least, that’s how it felt to him.

People were always walking on eggshells around him, being cautious and finding him hard to approach. He didn’t know the reason.

Was it because he was a so-called ‘Legendary’ pro gamer?

But Han Jiho had never used that to show off or act superior to others. He never spoke carelessly, fearing he might cause trouble for the team, and as the team captain, he didn’t step forward unless it was absolutely necessary. That was also the reason why he didn’t use SNS.

But if it wasn’t that…

‘Is it because I look scary?’

Han Jiho sniffled for no reason and rubbed his cheek.

Maybe that was it. Even thinking about it himself, he wasn’t exactly a likable-looking person. He was large and taciturn, and the only thing he was good at was gaming. He didn’t have a single charming side that would make someone want to get close to him.

‘So that’s why I only have one friend.’

Having briefly reflected on the life he’d lived and his current situation, Han Jiho let out a short breath.

He felt a bitter taste in his mouth. All of this was the result of spending over ten years clinging to gaming. He didn’t regret that time, but he couldn’t help feeling a lingering sadness about not being able to look around him because he was too busy racing forward.

Anyway, while Han Jiho didn’t understand why Chaehyun wanted to become close to him, honestly, part of him felt good. Specifically, it felt more special because it was affection toward the ordinary person ‘HanJiHo98’ rather than ‘Pro Gamer Han Jiho.’

Especially because if Chaehyun had known he was that ‘Han Jiho,’ these were words he never would have said.

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Me too

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: lol

[Whisper] cocogus: ][

After hurriedly tapping on the keyboard, Han Jiho reflexively touched his ear. His entire ear was burning hot, as if it had caught fire.

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: But… lol

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: How do we become close;;;

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: lollol

But despite his spirited reply, Han Jiho was still awkward and shy. The moment he became consciously aware that they had to “become close,” the situation felt extremely embarrassing.

[Whisper] cocogus: lollol

[Whisper] cocogus: Well, you know

[Whisper] cocogus: Playing games together

[Whisper] cocogus: Talking on the phone

[Whisper] cocogus: And meeting up to hang out

[Whisper] cocogus: Won’t we become close then?

[Whisper] cocogus: lollol

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Ah… lol

Playing games together was fine.

But what? Phone calls? Meeting up to hang out?

“…”

Reading Chaehyun’s string of chats, Han Jiho rubbed his chin with a troubled expression. There wasn’t a single thing among them that he could easily do.

If he had to pick one, he’d choose the phone, but if it came to that, he’d probably have to use a voice modulation program. There was no way Chaehyun wouldn’t recognize his voice. Getting his identity caught would only be a matter of time.

So, after racking his brain as much as possible, the option Han Jiho eventually chose was…

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Then for now, let’s go clear the campaign gogo

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: lol

A change of subject. He prayed that Chaehyun would just let it slide without saying anything else. He didn’t want things to get any more awkward than this.

[Whisper] cocogus: Okay lol

[Whisper] cocogus: I’ll go switch accounts

[Whisper] HanJiHo98: Okay lol

Fortunately, Chaehyun logged out to switch to his alt account without saying much. So, while he was breathing a sigh of relief and waiting for the alt account ‘cogus2,’ before long, the second scariest thing appeared in the chat window.

It was none other than another Chaehyun.