Work Text:
[Have you heard WOS is getting a major update?】
[AAAAH- Finally! An update to that long outdated text RPG!]
[WOS?]
[Replying to above: An outdated text RPG that's gotten popular recently- courtesy of the platform's top streamer- The Regressor.]
[Fake fan spotted. Don't use his in-game title- any real fan knows he doesn't like it.]
[No, you're talking about Yoo Joonghyuk? That guy just riding off the popularity of his last tournament? Any other WOS player is better than him- he just repeats the same gameplay over and over again- 'The Regressor'? A joke of a title- Nirvana is way better.]
[Nirvana's private life is a reputable mess- Jang Hayoung is clearly the best- starting in the middle of the plot is a total advantage.]
[It's a game with customisable playthroughs - what's the point of talking about people with fixed titles? Not to mention Yoo Joonghyuk still hasn't beaten the game.]
[You're all nuts- Yoo Joonghyuk is the only player who's been playing for 10 years.]
[Let's all be civil.]
[Speaking of Yoo Joonghyuk, I heard he's running a viewer raffle for a co-op playthrough on the day of the release. (link to post)]
[Damn, I don't care how trash WOS is, getting to stream with Yoo Joonghyuk is a win.]
December, the coldest part of the year.
Lively commercial streets filled with intoxicating aromas and joyful laughter, and in a nearby park, parents carefully watched over their children as they played in the snow.
For some reason, I found myself out here, again.
Alone in an alleyway, scrolling through old stream clips, listening to the hustle and bustle just a step away-
"Ahjussi- we have a promotion for the holiday weekend! Please check out our store."
A girl handed me a flyer. It was a 2 for 1 promotion for a nearby store, advertising a limited edition snowman-shaped hot chocolate.
"Thank you."
Despite having no use for it, I folded the flyer into my pocket. I wondered if I would soon be relegated to handing out flyers as well.
A fierce gust of wind passes by, carrying a piercing cold. I pulled my coat closer, quickly entering the subway. In the train car, I opened the familiar stream.
[Your followed streamer 'Yoo Joonghyuk' is offline.]
What kind of streamer has this kind of irregular streaming schedule?
Flipping to the announcements page, a notification popped up.
[Your followed streamer 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has started a subscriber raffle 'WOS Co-op First Playthrough Partner', with the note: 'Subscribers only. Raffle closes in 24 hours.']
"...Ah?"
A pair of hands with wide palms and calloused fingers, wrapped in leather gloves and resting on the keyboard, this picture appeared in the corner of the screen. Those hands reached closer, approaching the camera and re-adjusting the microphone.
"Can you all hear me?"
A smooth, low male voice, causing countless ears to tingle, echoed from the speaker.
"Today... We'll be streaming WOS."
The man's fingers rhythmically tapped the desk.
"Yes, I'm holding a raffle for someone to join my playthrough- 'Isn't the new update exciting enough?'", the voice paused, amused, "Don't want to join my stream?"
"Anyway, let's start the raffle-"
A roulette wheel filled with subscriber names appeared on screen. With a click from Yoo Joonghyuk, it started to spin.
"Who do I hope wins the raffle... of course, one of my subscribers."
The wheel slowed. It landed on a name-
"Salvation?"
I shrank into my chair, my face flushing red. It's a name I was familiar with, to a ridiculous extent.
Nonetheless, the man continued speaking,
"Congratulations. I've sent you a link to the voice chat. Check it?"
Ding!
Almost simultaneously, a notification appeared on my screen.
[Your followed streamer 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has sent you a private message: (link).]
I clicked on the link, following the prompt to turn on my microphone.
"...Hello?"
"I'll send you a link to the game- have you already downloaded the update? If you haven't, we can chat first."
"...I've downloaded it."
"Alright. Salvation... can I call you that? I've sent you the invite link."
I shivered in shame.
"Please call me Dokja."
I wasn't that creative. I couldn't come up with a fake name on the spot, but I didn't want to keep hearing him call out that username.
"A nickname?"
"You can call it that."
[No way it's his real name.]
[Right? Who names their kid 'only child'? Isn't that just cursing them to not have siblings?]
[Maybe he just likes reading? Before the update, WOS was crazy wordy.]
[It's obviously a cold joke.]
At least these viewers didn't suspect anything.
[Could it be an old viewer? Hey, someone check how long he's been subscribed.]
[Looks like he subscribed after the raffle opened. If he's not a new viewer, he's a cheapskate.]
Ding!
Before I could pay attention to the stream of comments, I received a notification.
[Your followed streamer 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has sent you a private message: (WOS co-op invite link).]
As I started the game, the following text appeared.
1:[Player 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has joined the lobby.]
2:[Player 'Salvation' has joined the lobby.]
"Do you want to customise your character? I can turn that option on."
"Okay."
"Are you nervous?"
"What?"
"You're not talking much... should I shut off the stream?"
[Yoo Joonghyuk, you've become biased.]
[Don't don't don't don't!]
A barrage of comments flew past in rapid argument.
"No, I'm just not used to talking in public. There's no need to turn off the stream."
"Then I'll start the game."
After the words were spoken, a loading screen appeared.
The WOS update completely revitalised the old text RPG format with the latest 3D graphics. With my old desktop computer, let alone longer loading times, it was a miracle the game even ran.
[The free service of planetary system 8612 has been terminated.]
[The main scenario has started.]
A subway carriage appeared on the screen.
"We're not in the same train car- are you okay on your own?"
The low voice snapped me back to reality.
"No problem."
After all, I'd thought about how to clear this scenario thousands of times.
This time, I was lucky- there was a child carrying insects in the car, so I easily saved everyone I needed. I was surprised to see Yoo Sangah in the car, and waiting for the next part of the game to start, I couldn't help but wonder if she was friends with the creator.
"Aagh-"
With an impressive show of force, the blood-stained carriage doors were pushed open.
A bloody figure appeared- a man resembling a sculpture carved by the most devoted artist, his eyes and eyebrows as if stroked with ink, his clothing torn and bloody.
The passengers around me recoiled in fear- in this carriage, where everyone was forced into their worst state, he was clearly out of place.
At a glance, I knew- this was the protagonist.
This game's graphics were absurdly good. To the point where I wanted to ask the game studio if they had specially tailored Yoo Joonghyuk's avatar for publicity.
It was incomparable to a text-rpg that barely described the protagonist.
[Aaaaaahhhh!!! A game avatar- how dare it look this good?!]
[One word. Awesome.]
Walking out of the carriage, I felt a pull on my sleeve- it was the child.
"Lee Gilyoung."
"Hyung, don't go with him."
"..."
Lee Gilyoung had misunderstood me.
Against the shocked gazes of five pairs of eyes, I pulled the protagonist aside.
Woosh!
In an instant, I found myself shoved against the cracked railing of the bridge, my back aching from the hit. Rough, calloused fingers tightened around my neck.
A strange expression flickered over the protagonist's face. With a hoarse voice, as if the man hadn't spoken for a long time, he asked, "Who are you?"
I was shocked.
[What kind of game is this? Even teammates don't recognise each other?]
[...Friendly fire?]
[Wow, first time seeing a game with both free input and choice options. Is it procedurally generated?]
[Don't joke around, with what money?]
"...It only gave me one option. You're going to have to explain yourself."
I struggled to speak against the rapid decrease in my breathing ability.
"Keuk- h-ack- let's make a, ugh, deal."
"What?"
I gave him a wicked smile. He frowned at me, clearly displeased.
"You need a reliable companion. You can't clear the 46th scenario alone."
The killing intent in the air rapidly increased.
"How do you know?"
"U-ugh- I'm your- companion."
The fingers around my throat loosened momentarily. In my blurry vision, I saw the protagonist's pupils constrict.
"...Why should I believe you?"
[Quickly!!!! Make an excuse!!!]
[Anyone who's watched Yoo Joonghyuk's WOS streams know this character is ruthless.]
[Oh my god, what kind of gameplay is this? Salvation, what are you doing????]
[Maybe he has fixed choices too?? This is crazy unreasonable.]
[Trash game.]
[...Wait, what's going on?]
"We have a contract between us. If you're alive, I can't die."
It was a lie.
"How are you going to prove it?"
My body hung precariously off the bridge. I knew the answer he wanted.
I opened my mouth to speak-
"Nevermind."
"I believe you. You're definitely... my companion."
Right after, the protagonist's gloved palm released my neck.
In the last moment before I fell off the bridge, I saw it.
That crazy bastard was smiling.
I watched helplessly as Yoo Joonghyuk's avatar threw me off the bridge.
[Wow.]
[Wow!]
[Wow!!!!!!]
"...Wow."
"...Are you still alive? We can restart."
"I won't die for now, so keep playing. Let's meet at Oksu."
"...Okay."
Soon after, the sound of a mechanical keyboard clicking continued.
[How is he alive??? Those giant river monsters are terrifying!]
[It's a miracle.]
[No, streamer, aren't you going to ask what he's doing? How is he even alive?]
[He's probably just lying- doesn't want the playthrough to end early.]
[Are you stupid? Yoo Joonghyuk just offered to restart! He clearly treasures his viewers!]
We stopped after another six hours- since this wasn't a game you could finish in one sitting. At this time, I didn't realise it would take an entire year to reach the ending.
Ding!
[Your followed streamer 'Yoo Joonghyuk' has sent you a private message: 'It's inconvenient to chat on the platform. Send me your contact information.'.]
...Wasn't he still streaming?
After I sent him my contact information, I received a friend request from an account with a profile picture featuring the profile of a tall, handsome man in short sleeves and an apron, cooking dumplings.
Accepting it, I added his number and changed his nickname in my contacts.
Ding!
A bright red '1' icon appeared next to his profile picture. I clicked on our previously empty chat.
Sunfish: You're my first viewer, right?
Sunfish: Salvation.
...What?
At that moment, I was frozen in shock.
In the brightly lit hospital ward, I was forced to listen to the couple in the next bed argue.
"Why do you care if I watch Yanyan's stream? You should be grateful I'm not cheating on you!"
"Bastard!"
"What can you do? Break up with me? Hah, as if anyone else is willing to be with you."
In the next moment, the sound of something shattering pierced through the flimsy partition.
"Get out of here!!!"
While I was stunned, the door of the ward was pushed open by the nurse on duty.
"Visits are over, please leave!"
"Tsk. Fine, I'm leaving. Just watch me come here again, you crazy b-"
After the nurse forced him out, she closed the door and walked over to me with an apologetic expression.
"I meant to give you these earlier- don't mind the noise in the ward. You can use these to listen to music."
I clutched the headphones tightly in my hand.
"...Thank you."
I knew she felt sorry for me. I had been in this ward for a month, without any visitors. The sympathy in her expression grew stronger every day.
After she left, the hospital ward sank into silence, until the woman in the next bed started talking to her friend.
"Yes, I know I should break up with him- it's just- we've already been together for 8 years! You know I'm already 30- my parents are waiting for my wedding! -Hey! Don't scold me!"
I plugged the headphones into my old smartphone, shutting out their conversation.
Before I realized it, I had already clicked into a streaming platform. Scrolling through the homepage, I clicked into a popular stream.
"Hi~ It's me, Yanyan here~ today we'll be playing a newly released puzzle game!"
"Are you guys excited~?"
[Excited, I'm excited.]
[Ah!!! Another day of gaming-version Yanyan!]
[Yanyan, your fluffy ears are so adorable!]
I felt out of place. Rifling through the different categories, I found myself clicking on a stream room without any viewers.
It was the only stream in the category- 'Ways of Survival (WOS)'.
The screen was black. Just as I wondered what scam this was, a sentence appeared.
[If you're reading this, you will survive.]
The stream was silent, save for the faint clicking of a mechanical keyboard. What followed was the gameplay of an extremely verbose, text-based rpg.
[You failed to reach ■■.]
I realised I had been watching for several hours already.
[Due to the support of your constellation, you find yourself back in the familiar subway carriage.]
My heart constricted, an unknown emotion piercing my chest. Tears wet my face, sending a shiver down my neck. While I was busy wiping my tears, the streamer paused the game.
"This is the end of the stream."
A sense of panic arose. Not caring that this was surprisingly a male streamer, I quickly started typing,
[When will you stream next time?]
There was a frustratingly long period of silence. Then, I finally heard his voice again, "Tomorrow, 3PM."
"I stream at the same time every day."
Did he want me to keep watching his stream? A glimmer of joy flickered in my heart.
[Thank you.]
The stream buffered for a few seconds before ending. Realising he didn't respond to me, I felt slightly upset.
At night, the lights dimmed.
By the time the stream ended, the ward was silent. After a month of insomnia, in that quiet atmosphere, I finally fell asleep.
Over the next few days, I watched the streamer regress over and over again. In the final stream before my discharge, I accused,
[Why did you save Kim Namwoon? He causes so many problems!]
I sent a lot of messages, but he only replied at the end.
"Even if he's a liability, I need him."
I didn't know why, but I was unhappy. Why was he defending someone like that?
"The future stream timings won't be regular for a while. If you follow me, you can receive notifications when I start stream."
There was a pause,
"I'm ending the stream now."
Knowing that I might not be able to catch his streams after my discharge, I felt a bit betrayed. Still, I created an account and followed his channel.
After more than a month of leave, I had to return to school. Noticing my classmates' stares, I pulled at my sleeves. Their laughter made me deeply uncomfortable.
After returning to a dusty apartment, I felt exhausted, crawling under the thin blanket and reluctantly staring at the empty stream channel before succumbing to sleep.
The next day, after I checked my notifications, I found out the streamer had started an hour after I fell asleep. In the evening, after clicking into the stream, I was interrogated.
"Where were you yesterday?"
[You find yourself back in a familiar subway carriage, eyes fixated on a familiar figure- ]
[You make a decision.]
->[Kill him first.]
->[Kill everyone in the carriage.]
With every regression, the protagonist had been reduced to increasingly violent options.
"Salvation!"
Accordingly, the streamer's character followed suit.
[I fell asleep waiting for your stream.]
[Why were you so late?]
"...I have to take care of my sister for a while. I'm still working out the timings."
[Sorry.]
"..."
"Is it okay for you to be up this late? I can change my stream time to a little earlier."
"Are you a student?"
Did he think I was in elementary school?
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to."
[I'm a high school student.]
"Oh. Then I'm around the same age as you."
I wondered why he didn't question why I was able to watch his streams. After all, high school students were still in school at this time. Actually, if he was the same age as me, then how could he stream now?
[Why did you start streaming?]
"I wanted to start earning money."
[...Oh.]
I didn't want to douse his enthusiasm, but his stream wasn't anywhere close to the status of 'earning money'.
"Are you laughing at me?"
[I'm not.]
[Are you good-looking? You can make money more easily if you show your face.]
"I'm not that kind of person."
[Then your hands? I've seen a lot of gaming streamers show their hands while streaming.]
"...That's to show they're playing honestly."
[Then, are you not playing honestly?]
There was a brief period of silence. When I started to wonder if my joke had offended him, he finally replied,
"...I'll consider it."
This time, the stream ended in a strange place- the protagonist hadn't died yet. I finally got a chance to see the main menu, the words 'Three Ways To Survive in A Ruined World' displayed prominently.
Before ending the stream, the streamer asked me a question.
"Why 'Salvation'?"
My username? Thinking about how to respond, I finally said three words,
[...You saved me.]
Ding!
A notification startled me back into reality.
Sunfish: ?
Did I leave him waiting for too long?
Dokja: You remember me?
I sincerely hoped he didn't remember my previous embarrassing comments.
Sunfish: You watch my stream every day
Dokja: How do you know?
Sunfish: I get a notification every time you join
Dokja: What?
Sunfish: Legacy accounts are all like that
Was that really true? I searched it up without finding any relevant information.
Sunfish: What have you been up to recently?
Maybe because his job was in the public eye, I knew everything he had been doing recently, but he didn't know anything about me.
Dokja: I've been working at a company.
Sunfish: What company?
Dokja: ...You wouldn't have heard of it.
I didn't want to tell him I was working part-time as a contractor at a 3rd rate firm. With contract renewals and hostile management looming over my head, my job was anything but stable.
Sunfish: Mm. When are you available for next stream?
Luckily, he didn't linger on the topic. After arranging a time, I didn't receive any further messages.
Late at night, the lights filtering through flimsy curtains disrupted my sleep, and waking up, I suffered from insomnia. Restless, I couldn't stop myself from messaging Yoo Joonghyuk,
Dokja: How is your sister?
I instantly regretted it, retracting the message.
Sunfish: Why did you retract it?
Sunfish: ...She's well, already in middle school.
After a pause,
Sunfish: Why don't you comment anymore?
"I-"
Dokja: You have a lot of viewers.
Sunfish: Mm
Sunfish: None of them are you.
Now I was starting to wonder if the raffle was rigged. I stared at that message until my insomnia faded.
The next day, after returning home and washing off the subway grime, I collapsed into bed, checking my phone for messages.
Sunfish: Are you ready for tonight's stream?
I started up WOS. This time, we made it another decent chunk into the game when Yoo Joonghyuk spoke up-
"I'm stuck at the top floor of the movie theatre."
Damn it.
"I'll come wake you up."
"No need."
"Just wait for me."
* The character is currently in a loss of reason state.
Reading the words at the bottom of Yoo Joonghyuk's [Character Summary], my stomach flipped.
Damnit.
This bastard had already activated 'Transmission'. This was the worst case scenario.
"You didn't tell me it was like this!"
"Sorry."
He didn't sound sorry at all. As I fought Yoo Joonghyuk's uncontrollable avatar, he started talking to his chat.
"Why I haven't beaten the game yet? Can't you see how hard it is?"
"'The creators haven't given the game a proper ending because the writers haven't finished the story'... I won't comment on that."
Finally, it was over.
Leaving the protagonist to Lee Jihye, I lifted the unconscious Lee Gilyoung and headed downstairs.
"You're not taking me with you?"
"You're unconscious."
"I'm useful."
Really? I knew he was right, but I couldn't help but mock him internally.
"Fend for yourself."
"We're playing co-op right now, Dokja."
"Which is why I just saved our run from ending."
"..."
He couldn't say anything to that.
It was a good point to end the stream. Shutting down my computer, I received a message.
Sunfish: (picture)
Sunfish: Do they look good?
It was a pair of familiar hands, tightly wrapped in fingerless leather gloves.
Dokja: They look good.
Dokja: ...But why are you asking me this?
Sunfish: Don't you remember?
A sense of foreboding fell over me.
Dokja: Remember... what?
Sunfish: You're the one who suggested I show them on stream- isn't it obvious I should ask you whether they look good or not?
How was that obvious? And was he talking about his hands or the gloves? No, no, that wasn't the important point.
Dokja: You actually remember that?
Sunfish: Why wouldn't I?
Dokja: ...
Sunfish: Don't tell me you really thought I was showing my hands to prevent cheating accusations.
Was he taking revenge on me?
Dokja: When are we playing next?
Sunfish: Next week, I have something to do tomorrow
Feeling a bit spiteful, I asked about the single topic everyone in Yoo Joonghyuk's stream wanted to gossip over,
Dokja: A date with your partner?
Sunfish: ...
Sunfish: I don't have a partner
Dokja: What about the rumours online?
Sunfish: Don't believe everything you read. I'm single.
So the tabloids were fiction. ...Did I annoy him?
Sunfish: What about you?
Dokja: What?
Sunfish: Do you have a significant other?
Dokja: ...
Dokja: Who would want to date someone like me?
Sunfish: So... you don't have one?
...Annoying bastard. I turned off the lights and went to sleep. For all I cared, he could message me in my dreams.
The next day.
Arriving at work, I found out my contract wasn't going to be renewed- I was fired.
"Dokja-ssi..."
On my way out of the office, seeing the unhappiness plastered over Yoo Sangah's face, I comforted her,
"It was going to happen eventually."
"Still-"
"I can always find a job elsewhere."
In reality, I didn't know what I would do after this.
"It seems Dokja-ssi didn't enjoy this job in the first place."
"I-"
I stopped halfway- I didn't know what to say to that.
"...How about this? I have a friend who's looking for an editor for her novel. It's similar to what Dokja-ssi enjoys reading... would you be interested?"
Admittedly, I had read several novels similar to WOS when Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't streaming. With 10 years of experience, working as an editor wouldn't be too difficult, right?
"I'll send you her contact information and you two can schedule an interview... is that alright?"
"Can you tell me the name of the novel?"
"Of course, it's called SSSSS‑grade Infinite Regressor."
...Alright, there should be no problem.
At the underground subway station.
After getting on the train and checking my car number, I couldn't help but let out a laugh.
'3707'
It was a number I had seen hundreds of times.
What wasn't funny, however, was spotting someone that, in reality, I had never seen on this train before.
Why was he here?!
Yoo Joonghyuk had no reason to be here!
The man, wearing a black trench-coat and fingerless leather gloves, looked nearly identical to his avatar.
I received a large amount of whiplash. At least he couldn't recognise me. In the first place, the only reason I could confirm it was him was his participation in an e-sports championship- the winners had their faces posted on the platform. Though clearly it didn't receive enough publicity for him to cover his face.
As it became increasingly crowded, I was pushed alarmingly close to Yoo Joonghyuk.
Suddenly, the train screeched to a halt, sending me crashing straight into his chest. A hand steadied me.
Then, I was shoved away.
"..."
Fuck, you bastard! At this point, I didn't even want to apologise for bumping into him. As I turned around, I saw him frowning at the sign displaying the carriage number.
"Attention passengers, due to an unexpected situation, there will be a short delay as we get the train moving again. We apologise for the inconvenience."
What an eerie announcement.
I glanced at Yoo Joonghyuk and was instantly startled- why was he so pale?
Thankfully, after a few minutes, the train started moving again.
Looking at the face that was gradually regaining colour, my unsettled heart regained a bit of comfort. He couldn't have really thought that the scenarios would start, right?
I chuckled internally.
When the train stopped, and I stepped out of the doors, Yoo Joonghyuk grabbed my arm.
"Do I know you?"
Any humour I had found from the situation- instantly died.
Dokja: Are you awake?
Dokja: Did you... finish what you needed to do today?
I waited for a while, to no reply. Instead, I was pulled into a group with the author Yoo Sangah wanted to introduce me to, Han Sooyoung. Seeing that she was swamped with work, we quickly scheduled the interview for this weekend. Thanks to Yoo Sangah, I felt relieved.
Finally, I received a reply from Yoo Joonghyuk:
Sunfish: Don't worry, I won't miss our appointment.
Sunfish: Did you take the subway home?
Sunfish: ....Sorry, can we call?
My heart started to pound, only calming down when I realized I hadn't said a word to him in person. He didn't know what I looked like- he couldn't have recognised me.
Sunfish: (Voice call)
With a click, the call connected. A deep, familiar voice resounded-
"Today, I met someone... strangely familiar."
"..."
"Was it you?"
My hardly calmed down heart started jumping. There was a thread of anticipation in his voice I didn't want to let down. Instead of answering his question, I responded bitterly,
"I didn't take the subway today. ...I was laid off."
"Sorry."
"You don't need to apologise."
I paused.
"I've already found a new job."
Was I a habitual liar? ...There were some things I didn't want him to know.
"...That's good. Joining me on stream takes a long time, I should be paying you."
"No, I enjoy it."
After all, this was a story I had been watching for ten years. The next moment, Yoo Joonghyuk asked me something unexpected,
"Do you want another reward?"
"What?"
"Instead of payment."
For the next few days, after the end of each stream, Yoo Joonghyuk started sending me... photos. Photos that had gotten increasingly explicit. Worse, for some reason, I had started sending them back.
Sunfish: (Photo)
On the screen, a familiar hand rested on thighs wrapped in fitted black cotton trousers, fiddling with the joystick of a game controller.
My fingers trembled, almost dropping my phone.
Sunfish: A lot of games need controllers... I've had this one for a while, since I started streaming
Dokja: ...and why are you telling me this?
Sunfish: I really want to play with you.
This time, my phone clattered to the ground. I bit my lip and picked it up, replying,
Dokja: You-
Sunfish: I have another one here, waiting for you. Do you want to see it?
Did this bastard think he could get away with this?
Dokja: I want to see it.
Sunfish: Equivalent exchange
Dokja: ?
Sunfish: What do you look like?
Why was he still stuck on this? I opened my notes app and started drawing.
Dokja: (Image)
Sunfish: Is that supposed to be you?
Sunfish: Your drawing skills are terrible
Was that supposed to be subtle?
Sunfish: (Photo)
Sunfish: Video call?
Dokja: (Video call)
With a click, the call connected. Luckily, I didn't have any distinguishing features, and with a mask, Yoo Joonghyuk wouldn't recognise me. Still, I made sure the camera angle only revealed the lower half of my face. I struggled to speak,
"...What kind of photo did you send me?"
"You don't like it?"
A deep voice rang out.
Yoo Joonghyuk sat on his gaming chair, with his palm holding up his chin and his fingers lazily tapping at those frustratingly high cheekbones- an image his fans would scream to see.
"...It's not that."
"I'm glad you like it."
As the words finished, a smile flashed across Yoo Joonghyuk's face.
"Did you just smile?"
The fingers tapping stilled. Yoo Joonghyuk looked at me ignorantly,
"You're dreaming."
"Do you expect me to take that seriously?"
"I took your drawing seriously."
He said it so righteously that I almost went along with him. Frustrated, I changed the topic,
"Why did you want to video call?"
"I want to show you something."
I couldn't help but tease him, "Didn't you already show me?"
"...Not that."
Yoo Joonghyuk flipped his camera, walking over to a set of bookshelves. A series of books appeared on the screen.
"...Three Ways To Survive In A Ruined World?"
"The game company sent me a copy. Apparently they had saved my game files over the years."
Isn't that an invasion of privacy?
"Do you have to do anything?"
After all, it wasn't cheap to print so many books.
"Just a social media post."
As expected of the most popular WOS streamer. Though that wasn't much of a title before the update, it had gained a lot of popularity recently. The days where Yoo Joonghyuk was the only streamer in the category seemed far away.
After all, he was an E-Sports champion with an unfairly handsome face.
"'If you're reading this, you will survive'... Is this sarcasm? I died so many times."
For some reason, Yoo Joonghyuk started reading aloud.
"'Lost in thought, you stare out the window of the subway carriage. For you, today was already anything but normal, and it was about to get ten times worse.' ...Was it this line?"
A chill ran down my spine. Although it was never mentioned, why was the protagonist on the subway that day? And why would Yoo Joonghyuk be in the same place ten years later? Was it really just a coincidence?
I interrupted, "Isn't it creepy?"
"What?"
"How much it knows about you."
"..."
"Don't you think so?"
Yoo Joonghyuk put the book back in the bookshelf, speaking firmly,
"Dokja- I'm not him."
"What?"
"I'm not the protagonist in your favourite novel."
"..."
"Isn't that what you think of me?"
Suddenly it was my turn to be speechless.
"Dokja?"
The camera flipped back to Yoo Joonghyuk, who was looking at me seriously. How is this bastard so good looking? But I would never admit why I actually watched his streams.
"That's not true."
"Is that so? Why did you ignore me on the subway?"
"I- "
I abruptly paused. I looked at my phone- Yoo Joonghyuk was staring at my expression.
"Are you talking about the game?"
I feigned ignorance.
"Dokja... Show me your face, hm?"
"..."
Maybe my silence had gone on for too long, because he suddenly changed the subject.
"Do you have any scars?"
What was this bastard on about?
"I have a lot of them. A few high temperature burns, a few deep wounds from mishandling a blunt knife, and many small cuts on my fingers."
"...Then why do you still cook?"
"After being injured so many times, wouldn't it be a waste of experience to give up?"
"..."
"Dokja?"
"You know I was in the hospital... It would be impossible to not have a few."
I finally answered his question. At this point, what was I talking about? Maybe I was caught off-guard. It was strange hearing Yoo Joonghyuk speak like this. Was he trying to comfort me?
After all, I really didn't want him to see my face. I didn't even want him to know my name.
Yoo Joonghyuk frowned, "Were you seriously injured?"
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Why would I talk about something like that with some random streamer I met on the internet?
In the first place, how did Yoo Joonghyuk even think that I could mistake him for the protagonist in his WOS playthrough, when they were this different? Could that sunfish bastard still talk like this?
"...If you don't want to show me your face, can you at least tell me your name?"
Kim Dokja.
I hated my parents for giving me this kind of unique name. I couldn't tell him my name. I couldn't. There was no way I could give him the chance to find out what kind of trash I was.
"..."
"Dokja?"
Yoo Joonghyuk was frowning... it seemed like I hadn't responded in a while.
"Is it important?"
"What?"
"Who I am, is it important to you? Really?"
"..."
"I can tell you... but our relationship needs to change. Yoo Joonghyuk, don't you want to be my boyfriend?"
"...Dokja."
I had to take advantage of him.
"If we're in that kind of relationship... I can tell you my name, let you see my face... after we meet in person."
Because more than anything, I wanted a sense of security.
Yoo Joonghyuk's fingers tapped his wooden desk. He spoke slowly,
"I agree."
"..."
"Salvation... as long as you're you, I don't care about your identity. So... what's our relationship now? Dokja."
Walking into the coffee shop, I felt out of place. This place was... absurdly upscale. And perfectly fitting into that environment was the woman, who, despite her concerning complexion, looked, as they call it, expensive.
"You must be Kim Dokja. Nice to meet you! Do you want anything to drink? Expresso, latte, the like?"
The only thing that gave away her career as an author were the dark circles under her eyes.
"Author-nim... Just water is fine..."
Before I could say anything, Han Sooyoung ordered two expressos.
"You look like you need it."
Did I look just as bad as her? After video calling Yoo Joonghyuk yesterday, I hadn't slept all night.
"By the way, since you're Yoo Sangah's friend, just call me Han Sooyoung. Even if you're my editor, calling me author-nim all the time is... Wait, are you one of my readers?"
How would I know? When I wasn't watching Yoo Joonghyuk's stream, I'd read hundreds of novels like that- 'SSSSS‑grade Infinite Regressor' was just one of them.
"I read your novel in my free time."
But what kind of potential editor didn't read the serialisation they were interviewing to work on?
Han Sooyoung laughed happily, "So you're my fan."
"Then you should know I desperately need an editor! Since you've already passed the technical test, this interview is just a formality."
Just then, the waiter arrived with two expressos. Han Sooyoung immediately downed her cup, scalding her mouth and cursing in the process.
"Fuck, it's hot! By the way, are you in a relationship?"
"...Is that important?"
"What if you have a family emergency and I'm suddenly missing an editor?"
Was that even possible?
"Don't worry, unless I suddenly enter a coma, if you hire me, I'll still be your editor."
Han Sooyoung raised her eyebrows, "You can admit to being single- you look it, anyway. Since we're going to work together in the future, just consider me a friend."
What was that supposed to mean? After all, this wasn't the first time we were speaking, and Han Sooyoung wasn't the type of person that appreciated someone that held their tongue.
"But I'm not single? Ah, Sooyoung-ssi, are you in a relationship?"
Han Sooyoung's expression twisted, "Don't ask about that. I've been on so many terrible blind dates that I almost want to hire someone to avoid them. You've seen my update schedule- how could I have time to date?"
Then Han Sooyoung's face filled with gossip, "But are you really in a relationship?"
"Why would I lie to you?"
"With who? You're not getting scammed, are you?"
"...You wouldn't know them, and what do you mean- scammed?"
"No steady job, no house, no savings- aren't you the type that can't get into a relationship even if you wanted to?"
"Under your logic, who would want to scam me?"
"Don't you know there are people that go into debt to send money to scammers?"
"...You don't need to worry. I'm not getting scammed."
"Good, I don't want my new editor being chased by debt collectors."
"..."
"Then, let's discuss the direction of the next few story arcs? Ah, don't worry, I'll pay you."
"...Fine."
After leaving the coffee shop, I waved bye to Han Sooyoung, turning into the commercial area. It was the weekend, and at this time, the shops were crowded with people. After finally buying what I wanted, I checked my phone to find the closest subway station, when I felt a tug on my sleeve.
"Ahjussi, I'm lost."
It was a little girl. No, it was a little girl that looked eerily like Yoo Joonghyuk. ...How old was his sister, again? I must be imagining things, right?
Even if this girl was lost, why did she pick me of all people to ask for help?
"What's your name?"
"Yoo Mia."
Oh, great.
"Do you have a relative you can call to pick you up?"
"Ahjussi, are you dumb? I left my phone at home! Why else would I be lost?"
As expected of Yoo Joonghyuk's suspected sister, in a situation where most kids would be crying, she was both calm and sharp-tongued.
"Did someone tell you to remember their phone number for emergencies?"
"Mhm, my brother told me! He said to find someone who looks harmless and borrow their phone... oh, ahjussi, can I borrow your phone?"
Did I look harmless?
"No, you can't."
What a joke, I only had one number. If I let her call Yoo Joonghyuk with my phone, he would immediately find out I had lied to him.
"What? Why not?"
"My phone just ran out of battery. I'll borrow someone else's phone to call your brother, is that okay?"
Eventually, I managed to borrow someone else's phone and call Yoo Joonghyuk. I deliberately obscured my voice, and in his panic, he didn't seem to recognise me.
"Your brother said he'll be here in five minutes. He asked me to wait here with you, is that okay?"
Even though I wanted to leave before he got here, it was unreasonable to leave such a young child here alone, let alone Yoo Joonghyuk's younger sister.
Finally, after another few minutes, Yoo Joonghyuk arrived. He comfortingly ruffled Yoo Mia's hair, grabbing her hand.
"Thank you for staying with her. Ah, it's you-"
Yoo Joonghyuk's expression turned complicated. I shook my head and turned to leave, but was stopped by a small hand.
"Ahjussi, you forgot this."
"Oh, thank you."
I said reflexively. Freezing, I took the shopping bag and left.
Yoo Joonghyuk stared at the retreating figure with a heavy gaze.
"Oppa, what's wrong?"
Yoo Joonghyuk turned his attention to Yoo Mia. He questioned, "Why did you let go of my hand?"
"I saw one of my friends..."
"...Be more careful next time, okay? I was worried about you."
"Do you know that ahjussi, oppa?"
"That's none of your business."
"Hey!"
Yoo Joonghyuk paused before asking, "Did you see what was in his shopping bag?"
"That's rude, oppa."
"...That's not what I meant."
When I got back to my apartment, I ate something simple and collapsed into my quilt.
The abrupt sound of my phone ringing assaulted my ears.
Not wanting to answer the call, I hit decline, but it started ringing again. I picked up the phone, hesitating while looking at Yoo Joonghyuk's familiar profile picture, finally swiping to answer.
"Dokja..."
"...What is it?"
"Do I need a reason to call you? Boyfriend."
Why did he have to say it like that?
"I don't want to talk to you."
"...What's wrong?"
"..."
"Why are you buried under the quilt like that? It's cute."
"Do you have to say every thought that comes into your head?"
Really, it was annoying.
"Do you want me to do that?"
Despite being something I said out of spite, Yoo Joonghyuk's response piqued my curiosity.
"What are you thinking now?"
"I want to pull you under the covers and..."
"Stop, stop. Restrain your thoughts."
"...hold you tightly in my arms."
Now I was embarrassed.
Yoo Joonghyuk laughed, "Now I can't even hold my boyfriend?"
No, in the first place, where did he learn to speak like that? After messing around for a while, Yoo Joonghyuk changed the subject,
"When do you want to stream together?"
"What happened to the schedule?"
Yoo Joonghyuk chuckled, "My boyfriend doesn't need to stick to a schedule. Besides, you must be busy adjusting to your new job. We don't need to stream as frequently."
Right, I had lied and told him I had already found another job... it was true, after today.
"It's just helping a friend edit her novel, not that difficult."
Yoo Joonghyuk raised his eyebrow, "If you say so."
Having only done a few hours of paid work so far, my words were hardly credible. That being said, Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't aware of this, so why was he looking at me like that?
"By the way, I have something to show you..."
Two months later.
After this stream, I was especially happy- we had beaten the part of the game where Yoo Joonghyuk died the most.
Well, with how many times and different ways he died in his playthroughs, that wasn't saying much.
But Yoo Joonghyuk didn't seem too happy.
Sunfish: (Video call)
"Happy Birthday, Dokja."
Was it my birthday?
"Oh... thank you."
"I've prepared a present, but I don't know when you can accept it."
Yoo Joonghyuk waved a medium-sized gift-box wrapped in blue wrapping paper and a black ribbon in front of the camera.
Why was he talking in circles?
"Why don't you just say you want to meet in person?"
Yoo Joonghyuk curved his eyes at me, asking wryly, "Will you meet me in person?"
"Why are you so impatient?"
I knew- it was me being unreasonable.
"I want to see you, touch you... what's wrong with being impatient, Dokja?"
"..."
"That's not why I called you. Your present is yours, I'll have it delivered to you."
"We can meet in person after we beat WOS!"
Somehow I blurted it out.
Yoo Joonghyuk voice was complicated, "You're this confident we can beat it?"
After all, he was someone who after ten years, despite hundreds of attempts, still hadn't found a way to beat the game.
"If you weren't insistent on saving everyone, you would have beaten it already."
Why did he insist on finding a perfect solution?
Yoo Joonghyuk refuted, "But you chose to save everyone."
"I'm not a good person."
Even I couldn't save everyone.
"I've just grown attached to their story."
A few days later, I received a package. It contained... a star. A blazing, vivid star-lamp that was about the size of two fists. Attached was a card that read:
'I hope you see more light in the darkness.'
'Happy Birthday, Dokja.'
My thumb slowly ran over the handwritten letters.
I spent the rest of the year in a cycle of editing for Han Sooyoung, joining Yoo Joonghyuk to play WOS co-op on stream, and... talking to Yoo Joonghyuk online. During this period, I ran into Yoo Joonghyuk or his sister in person- so frequently it was absurd.
How did this end up happening?
To summarise, the fault lies entirely with Han Sooyoung, and her chosen meeting place- an upscale cafe- being decidedly too close to Yoo Joonghyuk's area of residence.
To the point where I finally ended up drenched in the rain, escorted like a prisoner into Yoo Joonghyuk's house.
I covered my mouth and stifled a cough.
"Ahjussi, are you okay?"
Yoo Mia tugged on my sleeve.
"I'm alright."
Not only was I already down with a cold, but being caught in the late November rain undoubtedly worsened it. My voice was so distorted that Yoo Joonghyuk, who talked to me every day, couldn't recognise it.
Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at me and walked over, pulling me through a door and into a well decorated, modern bathroom, "Take a shower first, I'll bring you a set of clothes."
As I turned on the shower, a burst of freezing water drenched me. I shivered, rotating the temperature control, and the water steadily increased in warmth, breathing life into my freezing limbs.
Not wanting to use Yoo Joonghyuk's expensive scented body wash, I got out of the shower after the chill faded.
Knock, knock.
As I cracked open the door, peeking through the gap, a familiar hand appeared with a towel.
"I left a set of clean clothes on the bed. You can change into them after you're done."
"...Thank you."
"Don't thank me. They're old clothes- I don't wear them anymore."
What was he implying? As Yoo Joonghyuk's footsteps slowly faded from the room, I dried myself off, taking the clothes from the bed.
"...This must have been something he wore in high school, right?"
After wearing the clothes, I felt even more annoyed- they fit me perfectly.
"How tall was this bastard..."
Knock, knock. A lighter knock than Yoo Joonghyuk's sounded.
"Ahjussi, my oppa is calling you for dinner."
I opened the door, locking eyes with Yoo Mia, and informed her, "I'm not staying for dinner."
"My oppa's cooking is really good, ahjussi! And my oppa says it's still raining, if you leave, you'll get drenched. Are you really that stupid?"
"...No."
In the end, I was unwittingly pulled to the dining table. Clink! Yoo Joonghyuk placed a plate in front of me.
"Eat."
Looking at this version of Yoo Joonghyuk, despite it being entirely my fault, I missed the clingy boyfriend that would say more than a few words per sentence on video call.
Looking at the plate of dumplings in front of me, I took a tentative bite-
"Ahjussi, I told you my oppa's cooking is good."
The instant I bit into the dumpling, the intense, delicious flavour burst in my mouth. I savoured the heavenly taste. After I finished eating, I felt both immense satisfaction and intense craving. If it wasn't for Yoo Joonghyuk staring at me, I would have licked the plate.
Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at me, clearing the plates from the table and walking into the kitchen.
I couldn't resist saying, "Your oppa is so homely."
Yoo Mia hid behind her chair, "Today, you're lucky! My oppa usually doesn't cook for anyone but me!"
Was that a declaration of ownership?
A warm grasp touched my shoulder. I shivered, turning around reflexively. Yoo Joonghyuk looked at me and frowned,
"Don't misunderstand."
I stared at him silently. Yoo Joonghyuk finally relented, "...It's a thank you for helping me look after Mia."
I didn't think I had done enough to warrant a thank you.
Bang!
Thunder flashed outside the window, the already heavy storm increasing in ferocity, as if the wrath of Poseidon was pouring down on the world.
Eventually, I ended up on the same couch as Yoo Joonghyuk, watching a Journey to the West remake with him.
"..."
Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at me and asked, "Do you not like comedy?"
This bastard was expressionless- did he even find this movie funny? After the rain lightened up, I finally got ready to leave.
Yoo Mia walked over in her pyjamas, rubbing her eyes. A soft pull tugged my sleeve, "Ahjussi, are you leaving?"
"If I don't leave now, I'll miss the last train."
I waved goodbye to Yoo Mia, closing the door behind me. After I walked a while away from Yoo Joonghyuk's house, not too far from the station, I felt someone watching me.
I shuddered. A sense of unease crawled over me.
After walking into the subway station, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then, I felt someone's breath down my neck. Before I could react, a piercing pain stabbed through my side.
"Fucking bastard! Stay away from Han Sooyoung, do you hear me?!"
Ah... who was this bastard?
If it was Yoo Joonghyuk... he would have been able to dodge, right?
The last thing I heard before I lost consciousness was an ear-piercing scream.
In the brightly lit hospital ward, an angry voice sounded out, "Kim Dokja, you're lucky you're not dead."
"I've already talked to police, that bastard won't bother you again. Ah, you might have to talk to them later."
"...Hey, say something!"
"Don't yell in the hospital ward. You're disturbing the patient."
I woke up in a ward filled with noise, vaguely recognising Han Sooyoung's voice from the cacophony. My entire body ached, the pain in my side worse than when I was stabbed.
"Hey, you're awake."
Han Sooyoung smiled at me apologetically, guilt written all over her face, asking, "Are you feeling okay?"
"...Why are you here?"
"Well, uh- the bastard who stabbed you, haha. Apparently he said my name?"
I stared at her.
"Ok, yeah, maybe I've been using you to block blind dates. And one bastard who can't handle rejection- well, he stabbed you."
I closed my eyes.
This was undoubtedly, an unwarranted calamity.
"Right, aren't you going to call your boyfriend?"
"I- what?"
"Isn't he? That guy I always see you with."
She wasn't-
"Tall, dark, handsome... I didn't peg that for your type, Kim Dokja."
"Shut up."
I didn't have the patience to speak. However, my curiosity got the better of me, "...What makes you think he's my boyfriend?"
Han Sooyoung raised her eyebrows and whistled, "What, you're not actually together? Haven't you noticed the way he looks at you?"
"..."
"...The way he looks at me?"
Han Sooyoung grinned, "Like, he wants to skin you."
That stings. After all, I had just eaten his handmade food... he couldn't hate me that much, right?
"...and that gives you a romantic impression, how exactly?"
"If I was in a relationship with you, I'd probably want to skin you too."
"Fuck you, Han Sooyoung!"
A month later.
I watched as snowflakes landed on the hospital window, their icy trails melting into dew.
I didn't tell Yoo Joonghyuk about my hospitalisation. It was almost over, anyway. Luckily Han Sooyoung let me borrow her laptop... although the experience wasn't pleasant.
"What? You need it for- hahaha, Kim Dokja! I didn't think you had it in you!"
"...Is it that strange?"
I muttered to myself.
Hearing Han Sooyoung laugh as if she had heard the joke of the year, I felt a bit unhappy.
"You're lying to your boyfriend, refusing to show him your face, and streaming with him while you're in the hospital.. and he doesn't know. Tell me, don't you think it's funny?"
"..."
"No wonder he wants to skin you."
At this point, Yoo Joonghyuk really wanted to skin me. After all, I had been avoiding his video calls for a month now.
Recalling our agreement to meet after beating WOS, and then looking at my screen... I immediately felt unwell.
[Congratulations! You have cleared the final scenario.]
[Constellation, 'Demon King of Salvation' has reached his ■■.]
[You have become the 'Oldest Dream'.]
...
...
[Your ■■ is 'Eternity'.]
"..."
"Yoo Joonghyuk?"
Why wasn't he talking?
[What kind of ending is this? Everyone lives happily every after? So boring.]
[At least they beat it.]
[Aaaah, finally! An end to a ten year journey!!]
A notification appeared on the screen.
[The server will now close for maintenance.]
[?]
[What's this?]
"...Sorry, I'm going to end the stream."
[Yoo Joonghyuk???]
[Ahhh- streamer, why???]
Then, I received a series of messages from Yoo Joonghyuk.
Sunfish: XXX Hotel, Suite 10A
Sunfish: I want to see you, tomorrow.
Sunfish: Can you do that for me?
Sunfish: Dokja.
Ah, he was really angry.
I stuffed my phone under the hotel pillow. Anymore thinking could be left for tomorrow. At this point, I was just grateful that Yoo Joonghyuk didn't know my ■■ was 'Eternity'.
Despite my insomnia, I eventually drifted into sleep.
As he turned off the stream, a strange, hollow feeling pierced into Yoo Joonghyuk's chest, radiating a sharp, dull ache that left him unable to breathe.
Was that really the ending?
Why... Why did it feel unreal?
After sending a message to a man whose name he didn't even know, he lay in bed, hiding his eyes with his arm. At this moment, Yoo Joonghyuk felt a sense of confusion.
A happy ending.
That was what it should be, but Yoo Joonghyuk's intuition told him something was wrong.
As if... something similar had already happened.
He muttered to himself, "If it's not him, what will I do? And if it's him... what should I do?"
At an expensive hotel.
After talking to the receptionist, she made a call to the specified room for confirmation, then handed me a keycard.
According to her directions, I took the private elevator to the tenth floor. Without having to walk too far down the hallway, I found the door labelled 10A and swiped the card.
Click.
The door opened.
An irresistible force yanked me into the room, pushing me against the wall. A warm, tingling feeling arose as Yoo Joonghyuk buried his head in my neck.
"Hiss!"
Even after a month, my wound hadn't fully healed- at least it wouldn't reopen.
"What's wrong?"
"..."
Yoo Joonghyuk lifted his face and looked at me. I watched him seriously. He stared at me for a while before finally asking with restraint, "Can you tell me your name now, boyfriend?"
"My name is Kim Dokja."
My voice trembled. I finally managed to say the words I had prepared.
Yoo Joonghyuk's calloused hands touched my face, his thumb brushing against my lips, "Kim Dokja."
He was silent for a while. The atmosphere stilled, and finally Yoo Joonghyuk opened his mouth to say, "You lied to me."
"..."
"Why didn't you reply to my messages?"
"..."
"I didn't even know if you would come. And you haven't video called me in a month. Are you cheating on me?"
"What? No."
"Do you just want to sleep with me?"
"...?"
"Kim Dokja... do you plan to throw me away?"
"...Why would you think that?"
My voice was slightly hoarse. I finally felt like something was wrong with Yoo Joonghyuk. I had never seen this kind of expression on his face.
I held his hand, trying to comfort him. As his fingers tightened around mine, I flinched at the force.
I sighed.
"You can ask me anything you want."
"...Am I just a game to you? Why did you hide your identity from me for so long? Why don't you look happy to see me? Kim Dokja, even I can feel hurt."
"I- ...I'm sorry. I just- I didn't want you to find out."
Yoo Joonghyuk waited for me to speak.
"My mother is in prison."
"And?"
"She wrote a book... it... I-"
Finally, I bit the bullet, "Yoo Joonghyuk, I'm the son of a murderer."
"Kim Dokja, I don't have parents."
"...?"
"Even if you were a murderer, I wouldn't care."
"...ah?"
No, wasn't that a bit too far? Where was his sense of morality? His ethics?
"You don't care... haa."
The worries I had for a year- in two sentences- became a joke. An intense sense of relief washed over me. As my muscles weakened, I collapsed into Yoo Joonghyuk, and he reflexively supported my waist.
"Hiss!"
Yoo Joonghyuk stared at me suspiciously, "Lift your shirt."
I paused. Before I could react, Yoo Joonghyuk had already lifted the fabric and seen the nearly healed stitches. His expression darkened,
"Is this why you refused to video call me? What happened?"
"...It's not important."
"Kim Dokja!"
"Look, it's already healed- nothing major! ...Wait, Yoo Joonghyuk, wait a second. Where did you get that?! What are you doing-"
Yoo Joonghyuk lifted me up and carried me to the bed, pulling out a pair of handcuffs, handcuffing me to the bed. He threatened, "Then you shouldn't have any problem confirming our relationship."
I watched helplessly as he lifted my shirt. Every time his calloused fingers brushed over the wound, I shivered.
"This is a knife wound... you were stabbed?"
"..."
Yoo Joonghyuk's hands trembled.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"...Sorry."
At this point I had really wronged Yoo Joonghyuk. A shadow fell over me, and Yoo Joonghyuk buried himself in my neck. Before I could comfort him, he bit down, hard.
"...Yoo Joonghyuk, are you a dog!?"
"I won't do anything to you today. But you have to move in with me."
"..."
"Dokja..."
Feeling him lick my neck, I quickly agreed, "Fine!"
Yoo Joonghyuk smiled for the first time tonight, asking, "Can you tell me why you started watching my stream?"
"No. ......Ha, haha, stop it! Stop it, Yoo Joonghyuk!"
Feeling tears start to well up, I finally gave in.
"I needed something to block the noise in the hospital. Are you happy? ...Ha, haha- are you done?! Uncuff me!"
Yoo Joonghyuk made his unhappiness clear as day.
Gasping for breath, I heard him mutter, "Do you know why I kept streaming? For you. Why did you have to say something like that, Kim Dokja?"
"...I started watching because I wanted to know who was streaming without a single viewer, okay?"
"...That was my first stream."
"...Oh."
My face flushed.
A week later, I finally finished moving into Yoo Joonghyuk's house.
"How long are you going to check for? You change the bandages every day- it's already healed!"
Yoo Joonghyuk looked at the healed scar seriously, muttering, "Kim Dokja, patience is a virtue."
"But you're right, it's healed."
Yoo Joonghyuk stripped off his shirt, pulling down the waistband of his cotton trousers.
I asked wryly, "...When do you find time to secretly go to the gym?"
"It's naturally like this."
Just that one sentence could offend anyone he talked to. I assured him,
"You don't have to brag in front of me."
Yoo Joonghyuk raised his eyebrows, "I'm not bragging. As long as you exercise normally, this level is normal. If you don't believe me... why don't you run with me in the morning?"
"No, thank you."
I had no intention of running with this maniac. How could anyone wake up at four in the morning, running until sunrise and returning to make breakfast? No, he must be a monster.
"Are you going to take off your clothes, or do you want me to do it for you?"
"Who was the one that just said patience is a virtue?"
"Nothing is permanent, Kim Dokja."
"Is it really necessary to act refined with your double-standards?"
Pulling at my waistband, Yoo Joonghyuk glanced at me, "Be thankful I didn't handcuff you."
How was this any different?
Feeling Yoo Joonghyuk's hands on my member, I shuddered.
"It's lively."
Before I could react, Yoo Joonghyuk kissed it, and I gasped. The sharp pleasure quickly dispersed into a feverish ache, pulsing through my lower body.
Yoo Joonghyuk chuckled, "You have a pretty cock, Kim Dokja."
Kicking his face, I reached into the bedside table and grabbed the bottle of lubricant, tossing it to him.
He pulled my leg and laughed into my thigh. Finally he looked at me with his eyes crinkled, "Is this an invitation, baby?"
My ears burned. It was embarrassing, but when he called me that- I felt like he treasured me.
As his hot, lithe tongue wrapped around my cock, a steady force pushed into me. I covered my eyes as the familiar fingers scissored inwards, their ranks gradually increasing in number.
Finally, the fingers retreated. Feeling the head of his cock pressed against me, I bit my lip and looked at him.
"...What's wrong?"
His heavy breathing tickled my ears. A shiver ran through me as he lifted my leg and placed it on his shoulder, tugging me closer, his cock penetrating several inches. I groaned.
"Hmm? What's wrong, Dokja? Baby?"
Yoo Joonghyuk gripped my waist and pulled.
"...Fuck- Yoo Joonghyuk- ugh!"
As his cock sheathed into me, a burning, heady sensation eroded my abdomen.
"You're taking me so well... it's so hot inside of you, Kim Dokja."
He leaned over and kissed me, his tongue pushing through my teeth and licking my palate, roaming my mouth. His hand roved over my abdomen, moving upwards to pinch my chest, finally resting on my throat, his thumb rubbing against my adam's apple.
"Haa, haa-"
The sense of suffocation finally faded as he released my lips. I gasped for breath, and feeling his hands tighten around my throat, his cock fully bottoming out, the heady sensation rushed to my head.
As his grip loosened, Yoo Joonghyuk kissed me again, his tongue aggressively intertwining with mine. I wrapped my legs around his waist, the weightless sensation intensifying the pleasure.
It was a thrilling experience. After an intense climax, I laid under Yoo Joonghyuk, exhausted. He kissed my ear, "Did you enjoy yourself, baby?"
"...Haa, ha, let me... calm down first."
Yoo Joonghyuk ruffled my hair, "You did well. You can sleep, Dokja."
A warm feeling filled my chest. For some reason, I didn't feel like kicking him. Along with his gentle caresses, I quickly fell asleep.
The next morning, he woke me up with a cup of hot chocolate- apparently it was a promotion.