LS 53

While working part-time at an internet cafe, apparently there was always a huge cleaning frenzy around ten o’clock. That’s when the largest wave of customers rushed out all at once. According to Moonhyuk, many customers unusually came by the desk around that time to leave napkins or scraps of paper behind. Oddly enough, these incidents always happened when he was alone at the desk, with the other part-timer conveniently away.

–I don’t get why they leave trash at the desk. It’s always paper and stuff, and it always has scribbles or phone numbers written on it. Kids these days–wait, do I sound like an old geezer saying this…?

–No, go ahead. Kids these days, what?

–They’re just too careless. You shouldn’t write personal information on random pieces of paper and leave them lying around. The world’s dangerous, you never know what could happen….

Just hearing that much, Dohee already knew exactly what was going on. Those customers were probably trying to hit on Moonhyuk, jotting down their numbers, names, and other personal info on notes or napkins, then leaving them deliberately at the desk. Unfortunately for them, Kwon Moonhyuk was the kind of guy who wore his handsome face merely as decoration.

Dohee had to desperately hold back laughter at Moonhyuk’s next words.

–So, I discreetly folded them up, shredded them into tiny pieces, and threw them into the trash…. Jeez, why don’t they just text each other? Why scribble notes on napkins and throw them around? The news these days makes it clear the world’s pretty messed up…. I wish I could tell them not to do that, but they’re not customers I really know well enough to talk to….

Good grief. Shredding someone’s shy feelings into tiny bits and throwing them away like that–truly, innocence could be the cruelest thing, and that was exactly Kwon Moonhyuk. Dohee wondered how Moonhyuk had lived his life to be so oblivious to people leaving him their numbers to express interest. Yet at the same time, a strange sense of satisfaction and amusement blossomed within.

Indeed. Gaining the affection of their Knockoff, whom it was difficult even to party or trade with, through just a note scribbled with a phone number seemed far too lacking in sincerity. To become truly ‘close’ to Knockoff, one should at least rescue him from a villain or craft some amazing gear for him.

Thinking about it, this was an impenetrable wall of obliviousness. Whoever ended up dating Knockoff in the future would probably suffer a lot. Oblivious, unintentionally defensive, timid, awkward…. How frustrating would that be? Sending condolences to that future someone, Dohee spent the whole day trying desperately not to laugh.

Anyway, every time Dohee heard these little anecdotes, he found Kwon Moonhyuk fascinating. Knowing his face made the fascination double. Truly, wasn’t such a personality attached to that face a rarity almost worthy of national preservation?

Just as Dohee finished reminiscing, his game chat chimed again. He burrowed deeper into the soft, warm blankets and picked up his phone.

Knockoff

It’s not… it’s not that, just–how should I put it…? 8 ㅅ 8

It’s just that I can’t really guess your age, AssaGo-nim…

Knockoff

There were times I thought you might be younger, but hearing that you served in the army makes me think maybe we’re the same age.

And you said you have a car… 8 ㅁ 8

So then I wonder, maybe you’re way older than me…? ㅠ-ㅠ

Rather than seeing him as some game-addicted loser who hadn’t even served in the military, Knockoff probably just thought he was young. Dohee slowly typed a reply.

Me

I enlisted early.

Had nothing else going on, lol.

How old are you, Knockoff?

Why? You don’t like older guys?

Imagining Knockoff leaping up in shock and panic after reading the message, frantically denying any such implications, oddly made Dohee feel a bit regretful. Despite all their conversations, they’d never shared their ages. It hadn’t seemed necessary.

Dohee habitually spoke in a casual-polite way, while Knockoff was unfailingly polite, regardless of whom he was speaking with, even those who picked fights for no reason. Hence, it was tough to guess age or even feel the need to ask.

However, Dohee did know Moonhyuk’s face and could roughly gauge his age from the stories of part-time jobs, university attendance, and military service. Probably similar to his own age, he figured–no more than a couple of years apart at most.

Waiting for Knockoff’s reply, Dohee rolled over toward the window. Dim sunlight seeped through the blackout curtains. Though sunrise came later in winter, the sun was already peeking up. Recently, Dohee’s sleep schedule had completely flipped. It hadn’t been this extreme before….

He didn’t need to ponder the reason, of course, it was Knockoff.

Adjusting his schedule to Knockoff’s, who worked part-time until dawn and came home at six or seven, Dohee ended up gaming together through the night. He woke up around late lunchtime, ate, and started gaming again. During the day, Knockoff usually studied, tutored, or read at the library. In the evening, when Knockoff left for the cafe, Dohee either waited in-game or occasionally met up with friends.

To outsiders, he might seem like a gaming addict, but Dohee didn’t care. What was wrong with flipping day and night? He still got about seven hours of sleep regularly. In a way, he was living quite a disciplined life.

Hardworking, indeed, Baek Dohee rationalized.

He didn’t dislike it. Gaming with Knockoff was too enjoyable to resist. If sacrificing his sleep schedule was the price, it was a small one to pay.

Watching the blurry sunrise, he recalled teasing Knockoff about starting gaming just because he liked a streamer. Dohee had nothing to retort, he himself had completely rearranged his life to extend those fun moments a bit longer.

But ‘pathetic’ was the wrong word.

No passion should ever be called pathetic. At least, that’s what Dohee believed. Anyone who called passion pathetic was, ironically, the truly pathetic fool.

Knockoff

No!

That’s not it…! ㅠ-ㅠ I swear it’s nott!!! ㅠ-ㅠ

I really don’t carehow old you are… 8 ㅅ 8

Really!!! ㅠ-ㅠ

Knockoff’s reply soon arrived, filled with typos clearly indicating his panicked state. Knockoff usually carefully spaced and spelled everything, so the rush was obvious. Unable to help it, Dohee burst into laughter, shaking with amusement as the blanket rustled softly around him.

Me

So?

How old are you, lol

Knockoff

I turned twenty-seven this New Year… 8 ㅅ 8

Dohee slowly typed his reply.

Me

27?

Twenty-seven? Then you’re hyung.

How does it feel if I call you hyung? Do you like it?

Knockoff responded immediately, lightning-quick.

Knockoff

You’re younger than me!?

Me

I’m twenty-six, lol.

Should I start calling you hyung?

Knockoff

No

No!? It’s okay… 8 ㅅ 8

Please just talk like you always do…

Knockoff

It’s kind of scary… ㅠ-ㅠ

I don’t think I can handle it… ㅠ-ㅠ

How could someone 27 years old be so adorable? Dohee giggled uncontrollably as he sent another reply.

Me

Okay, hyung.

Knockoff

ㅠㅁㅠ.

Imagining that huge guy typing “ㅠㅁㅠ” was just too funny. Sprawled out on his bed, Dohee laughed endlessly.

He didn’t know what to do with this ‘hyung.’

As the sun rose, his eyelids grew heavier, but Dohee resisted sleep. He wanted to keep talking, keep messaging. Just a little longer.

He was greedy for more.