“Come on, come on! Let’s move to the second round!”
“Second round! Second round! Second round!”
It hadn’t taken long for the group to get fully intoxicated. This gathering, without any broadcast, was purely social.
As a team that had bonded while preparing for the tournament and achieving outstanding results, there were no hard feelings. It was the perfect setting to freely share drinks and revel in the moment.
Even the presence of a slightly bothersome old man didn’t matter much once everyone was sufficiently drunk.
Perhaps it was because he usually avoided alcohol. Revan felt the rising heat of intoxication somewhat unfamiliar. How long had it been since he had drunk this much?
Nonetheless, Revan still seemed relatively sober compared to the others, who appeared to have reached their limits.
“Oh! I’ll stop by the convenience store for a bit! I’ve posted the address and reservation name in the chat, so you all can head to the venue first. Heh…head to the venue…hehe…”
Especially StarPork seemed to be in quite a bad state. Perhaps he should follow her to the convenience store to buy her some hangover relief drinks.
Although Revan initially offered to accompany her, he stepped back when Guntak quickly volunteered to go with her. It was fortunate to have a married man, free from misunderstandings, taking over the task.
The group, which had been four, was now down to two.
“Uh…Gorabox seems to be wandering around nearby, saying he can’t find the entrance. I’ll go get him.”
Next, Ark scratched her head and informed the group she’d have to leave briefly.
“Gorabox? Did he get confused in his hurry? Let’s go together.”
“No, it’s okay. I’ll quickly meet up with him and come back. It’s just past 8 now… A little while ago, Ahri called to confirm that they are coming. Shihoon oppa, please go ahead.”
Watching Ark leave, waving off assistance, Revan continued alone to the address guided by the navigation app.
Unlike typical bar entrances, this place had a massive door resembling a hotel entrance. It was an upscale bar, chosen by Guntak, who had insisted on treating everyone at his favorite place.
As soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by a grand showcase filled with an assortment of whiskeys. It felt like an array of premium whiskeys, each likely older than he was.
“Good evening, this is The Oak. May I have the name of the reservation, please?”
The staff at the counter greeted him courteously. Was it because he stood awkwardly by the entrance? Despite himself, Revan felt increasingly out of place in this setting.
“Please follow me this way.”
Following behind the staff in a suit, the path to the reserved room was quite long and winding. It was a seemingly endless maze of dark corridors.
Rather than a design flaw, it was likely a layout designed for guests seeking privacy. For broadcasters, who could be recognized at any time, this should have been a grateful space. Yet, Revan couldn’t shake the increasing discomfort within him.
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have come…’
Reflecting on his usual tendencies, he would have politely declined or made up some excuse to avoid attending.
How did he end up coming here? His alcohol-soaked brain couldn’t quickly supply an answer. Perhaps it was because there were too many reasons.
Partially, it was because he felt the need to check on Lee Yena, who tended to cause accidents even without drinking, especially amid a gathering of four broadcasters.
Also, he worried that Lee Yena, who was visibly uncomfortable with social interactions, might find herself awkward and out of place. Curiosity about what kind of person she really was played a part too…
No, that’s not it, he thought, shaking his head.
It wasn’t solely because of Lee Yena.
There was also Ark, Guntak, Gorabox, and StarPork… Although he wasn’t the type to frequently collaborate, these people were ones he had crossed paths with and, as a broadcaster, it wasn’t bad to maintain connections with them.
-Creak.
Yes, it was silly to think this now. Nevertheless, he had almost achieved his purpose for coming here.
‘Let’s get up early. Just say… that I drank too much…’
“This way, it’s the Glen Room. If you need anything, please press the bell here. Have a pleasant time.”
His train of thought cut off as if by scissors.
A large marble table, luxurious velvet sofa chairs, and a full glass wall with a city night view outside, none of it registered properly in his mind.
She looked as fragile and delicate as porcelain.
Her pale skin seemed to emit a glow. Perhaps it was the contrast with her jet-black hair. The exposed white nape of her neck, briefly visible between the strands of hair tucked behind one ear, held his gaze captive.
It was then that she seemed to realize someone had entered. Slowly turning her head, she locked eyes with Revan.
Half-closed eyes, slightly drooping at the corners, gave off a languid look, as if she found everything in the world tedious. If not for her finely shaped nose, she might have appeared a bit younger.
As if reading his thoughts, her tightly pressed lips formed a slight diagonal line. The woman furrowed her brows slightly, tilting her head softly as she whispered.
“You’re in the wrong place.”
“What? Oh, yes! I’m so sorry. The staff directed me here… I apologize.”
Revan quickly bowed his head a few times. Despite having done nothing wrong, he felt as if he had committed a crime. It was her face and voice that carried such power.
Why did the staff make such a mistake? Thanks to that error, he momentarily and foolishly wondered if she might be GetDevoured.
It really was one of those days where nothing went right.
He thought that as he lifted his head again—
The woman’s eyes formed a gentle crescent shape.
“The logger meeting is in the next room.”
For a moment, he couldn’t even understand what she said. Her narrowed eyes… was she smiling?
Three or four seconds might have passed. It felt like an eternity before Revan, who was standing there in a daze, barely managed to move his lips that seemed frozen.
“Uh, ah… CravingWarmAmericano?”
“Yes.”
“… Everyone will be here soon. If you’ve arrived, you should have said something. People were wondering the whole first round if you were coming.”
What was he even saying? The beating of his heart was so loud in his ears, his mouth moved drunkenly, spitting out his usual chides.
Lee Yena stopped smiling and turned her head towards her phone.
Was she upset? Compared to what they usually exchanged on Discourse, it seemed like nothing. To begin with, was she really GetDevoured? He had always imagined her with a bit more madness in her eyes, wearing a headband that said “Top Rogue”…
His fuzzy head was filled with meaningless thoughts. Lee Yena, who didn’t look at him anymore and was fiddling with her phone, made his chest feel like it was tightening.
-Buzz.
The phone in his hand vibrated lightly. Revan’s eyes unconsciously turned to the glowing screen.
“I’m here”
When he looked up again, unable to hide his surprise, Lee Yena was staring straight at him.
“I did say something.”
Slightly, very slightly.
Her white teeth showed between her softly parted lips, and her lips slowly curled upwards. It was a smile as bright as a blossoming flower bud.
* * * *
“Yena-nim! What a surprise. You should have told us you arrived! You look incredibly pretty today. Weren’t you scouted at least ten times on your way here?”
“Long time no see, Jinhee-nim.”
“Oh, um, wow, you’re calling me by my name now? You can just call me Jinhee unnie!”
“Me too! Please call me Ahri too!”
“Yes, Ahri-nim.”
“Huh, what’s this atmosphere? Then I’ll call oppa Byung-gu too—”
“Hello, broadcaster partner of Guntak.”
“Ha ha ha, our GetDevoured indeed has a good sense of humor. Anyway, nice to meet you! To celebrate our victory today, it’s my treat, so order any alcohol you’ve been wanting to try. They have good cocktails here too, so ladies, please take a look at the menu. I’ve already ordered the first bottle.”
Anything… was he serious?
Then maybe that… Macallan 30 years old… wow, how many zeros are there. My conscience barely restrained my curiosity, so I took my eyes off the menu.
The whiskey Guntak recommended was quite smooth. It felt like it was rolling on my tongue. It couldn’t match up to Baldu, but for this setting, it was a good drink.
The burning sensation down my throat was also to my liking.
Even after the introduction round, the attention towards me didn’t wane. It wasn’t solely because I didn’t come to the first round, was it? It seemed like everyone had already had their share of drinks, as the conversation flowed freely and openly across the room.
“Wow, but really, you are more beautiful than I imagined. Why don’t you do a cam reveal? Actually, wait, don’t. If you do, you might end up with stalkers. You should just stay as pretty as you are.”
Before I could even respond to Guntak, the guy sitting next to me jokingly lightened the mood with a laugh. Was his name Gorabox? There was no need to feel so flustered.
“If Yena unnie were to do a cam reveal, she might as well have become a celebrity. She is just that beautiful.”
“… Aren’t you two the same age?”
“If you’re pretty and good at games, you’re an unnie.”
Laughter erupted around the room. The sound of clinking glasses and the rising volume of voices created a lively and rowdy atmosphere.
Maybe it felt particularly loud because it had been so long since I had been in such a gathering. While the noise wasn’t too bothersome, the sensation of everyone’s eyes on my face was something I couldn’t quite get used to.
Indeed, it was more comfortable indoors lately. I wanted to retreat, but…
I had already taken a significant step out of my comfort zone today, so…
I glanced at the only person quietly blending in, Revan. Now that I looked closer, he somewhat resembled that hero.
Remembering Revan with an awkward face saying, “How did you get here”, I couldn’t help but let out a small, suppressed laugh.
Hmm… if Ark dressed up as a saint… if Revan was the hero, and StarPork was the rogue, it would be perfect. That’s a broadcast I’d love to watch with some beer and chicken.
As a fan of Ark, an avalanche of potential donation messages flooded my mind.
Wouldn’t the two of them make a great couple? They matched well.
I swallowed such unspoken thoughts along with the whiskey.
It was indeed delicious.