62.
The hotel where the wedding was held was much bigger than I thought, and the facilities were good. Seo Tae-young said he had a hard time finding and getting the venue.
When I logged on the Guest book and went to deliver the congratulatory money, Seo Tae-young found me and approached me just in time.
“Hey, Ji-han. How long has it been since I last saw you?"
Alongside with the bride, as the groom of the day, Seo Tae-young wore his tuxedo with his bangs neatly brushed back.
I held Seo Tae-young's outstretched hand and smiled slightly.
“It’s been almost a year. You look really great today.”
“It feels good to hear you say that. Wasn't it inconvenient to come?"
“It was good because it was close to the station. Aren't you nervous?"
“I feel like dying right now. I was thinking of taking Cheongsim pill, but I can't decide because they said I might get sleepy if I take it on the wrong timing.”
“What medicine? Just hang on.”
When I deliberately answered as if joking around, Seo Tae-young lightly slapped my arm with his smiling face.
“Thank you for coming despite being busy.”
“Of course I should come. Congratulations on the wedding."
"Okay. If you get hungry in between, go and eat. Don’t be self-conscious and just go.”
Seo Tae-young winked at me, avoiding the eyes of the adults around him, and moved to greet others.
Since I still had about 30 minutes to spare before his wedding started, I moved on so that I could look inside too.
Seo Tae-young was one of the few pro gamer acquaintances I was close with from when I was 18 until now, six years later.
Six years ago, I was in the state of going back and forth between diamond and master rankings, and Seo Tae-young was a rookie gamer who had just debuted as a pro. Even back then, the number of users in the heavenly tier was so small that they often met as the same team.
After playing the game several times and working together, I naturally added friends, and occasionally chatted through messengers to keep in touch. Then, when I participated in an offline competition at the age of 19, I actually met him for the first time.
The organizer of the off-line competition held at that time was Kim Se-hun, a first-generation pro gamer, and the team he belonged to when he was a pro was LVS. That's why Seo Tae-young, a junior on the same team and a mid laner player like Kim Se-hun, came to the competition to cheer and promote.
'Time flies so fast.'
Seo Tae-young, whom I met like that, has already been retired for over a year and is even getting married now.
Due to the nature of e-sports, which usually debut young and retired around the age of 20, he debuted at a rather late age, so he could not continue his career as a player for long. Still, he has been a recognized player who has been consistently active as a mid laner in the LVS team that has swept the competition every time since its founding.
‘And Gamgack is also a member of the LVS team.”
You said he was coming to this wedding too? I've worked with Seo Tae-young for 2 years, so of course he will come.
He was a stranger who I know nothing about except for his face and nickname, but I couldn't help being nervous. It was such a big blow to me that I had to give up the game I've been working hard on for years.
Let's stay quiet and leave around halfway through the ceremony. I wandered the hallways looking for a nook where people weren't congregating.
“I can’t believe that Tae-young Hyung is getting married.”
“It’s also the first wedding I'll be attending.”
“Please don’t make any trouble, stay calm and let’s go, huh?”
“Coach! When can I eat?"
I could hear people talking nearby. Among them, the face of the one called Coach was familiar.
He was the man Seo Tae-young had previously informed that he was the coach of the LVS team. Then, all the people over there are LVS team players or officials.
'I just need to avoid that side.'
I don't know if Gamgack is still on the LVS team or not, but I'm sure he's hanging out with people he knows anyway.
I turned my back and walked to the other side, pressing my brow with force. I came to my Hyung's wedding and I don't know what I’m doing.
It's true that I don't want to meet him, that I'm trying to avoid it this far, so it's only right that I'm being hit. Gamgack wouldn't even know who I was. At that moment, when I thought about the whole thing, I couldn't help but sigh.
I inadvertently turned my gaze to the side when I heard a low and soft voice, finding an unexpected opponent that shook my shoulders.
Tall, with light-colored hair that shines brightly in the lighting, and ears that glow brightly unlike his white skin.
"Hello. Well, I'm..."
He hesitated, unable to make eye contact with me as if embarrassed, but soon opened his mouth.
“Gamgack…. Seo Tae-young is on the same team as me, do you know?”
'Crazy.'
After hearing the explanation that followed, I couldn't hide my bewilderment at this unrealistic situation.
'Why are you talking to me?'
Looking at his face, the man standing in front of me clearly had the vibe that I had seen him before in an internet article a while ago.
No, why is Gamgack talking to me? How do you even know me? No matter how hard I tried to understand, I just couldn't understand it.
“Ah, yes. I know...……….”
I hurriedly looked around. But there was no one but me in the corner hallway.
Gamgack, who heard my answer, took a step closer to me with a wide smile as if he was happy. On the contrary, I took a step back.
“You know. I wanted to meet you before.”
“Me?"
"Yes."
The long eyelashes fluttered, closing and opening his eyes several times before he continued.
“I’m sleepy, right? You played a lot of games with me. And I also heard a lot about you from Tae-young hyung……”
“......”
Hearing my game nickname from the mouth of Gamgack feels a bit weird. Creepy goosebumps ran up my spine.
'But why is his voice so familiar?'
I've seen the behind-the-scenes videos and tournament interviews uploaded by the LVS team once or twice, but this would be the first time I've actually heard their actual voices. Strangely, the voice of Gamgack seemed familiar.
I was confused and did not know how to react, and as I stood there, a voice announced that the wedding would soon begin.
- This is an announcement to the distinguished guests. The ceremony starts in 10 minutes, so please enter in advance to ensure smooth progress.
“Haha, I see. Nice to meet you. Then I’ll be going then.”
Nice timing. With the excuse of having to go to the ceremony, I quickly ended the conversation and turned my back on him.
“I-I have to go in too………….”
But Gamgack chased after me, babbling unanswered words like talking to himself.
Ah, I’m really about to go crazy.
***
The wedding went smoothly without any problems. Standing at the very back, I sparsely applauded and thought.
“What’s wrong with him?”
Gamgack stood close to me and kept glancing at me as if he had something to say.
If you had something to say, it would be nice if you could do it quickly and leave, but as more and more people were looking at us, it was getting uncomfortable.
'What’s stopping you from saying it……?
I can't. If I can go out and see a little more, I will go out without notice.
I sighed with my arms crossed, but Gamgack, who had been standing quietly and hesitantly, spoke to me again.
"Hey, I'm sleepy-nim."
I'm bored to death.
“Call me Yoo Ji-han.”
“Ah, yes.”
When I told him the name, Gamgack smiled shyly.
“Yoo Ji-han... nim?”
"Please speak."
“I think the wedding is almost over… Are you going to eat?"
Why are you wanting to ask such a thing? Do you want to eat with me?
Sensing an ominous feeling, I hurriedly shook my head.
"No."
“Ah…”
He put on an embarrassing face and drooped his eyebrows. Seeing that sullen appearance, my conscience hurt a little, thinking that I had rejected it too quickly, but I didn't want to change my words now.
In this kind of atmosphere, I wondered if I could have a meal with a stranger whom I had never met before. It's even more of a problem because the other person looks uncomfortable with it.
Just in time, applause rang out, announcing that the wedding was over. The officials at the ceremony opened the door that had been closed and removed the decorations to make it easier to move. Each of the guests got up and took pictures with the bride and groom or started to leave the ceremony hall.
I'm going to go out at this moment. As I turned away from Gamgack to leave, someone suddenly appeared in front of me and blocked my way.
"Chae Yoo-jung!"
“.......?"
The one who blocked me was the LVS team coach who I saw before the wedding.
He ran straight my way, gave me a sympathetic look, and began to fire off rapid questions as if he was losing his senses.
“Hey man, if you come, you should call to say you're here. Why didn't you answer the phone? Did you see the wedding?"
"I saw it."
Gamgack replied in a deep voice unlike when he was dealing with me.
No, but wait.
'The name of the guy is Chae Yoo-jung?'
Gamgack was a fairly popular player, but like other pro gamers, he was more known by his nickname than his real name.
Although I enjoy playing games, I am not very interested in tournaments or players, so I just learned his name for the first time… If Gamgack's real name is Chae Yoo-jung...……….
At that moment, something flashed in my mind like a thunderbolt. The impact stiffened my entire body.
No way, no way.
No way…………….
---
Credits:
Translator: Hoshi Miya
Editor: Meimei
Support on Kofi:
MM: *SCREAMING INTO THE VOID* Lol at least we have Yoo Chae's real name now!
HM: Wwwwww I really was atleast relieved seeing his name. hehe
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