LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 41
Late learning to steal is frightening, and I found myself deeper into the game than I had expected. There was no other choice. My life, devoid of any stimulation except for alcohol, cigarettes, and novels, had never allowed time or leisure for games.
How long had it been since I hadn’t thought about novels all day? I spent the entire weekend almost solely playing games. At first, I thought I would only play for a bit. Jae-Ah and Hwa-won called me to play together. But as I continued, I found it surprisingly enjoyable.
The reason I didn’t find it fun at first might have been because Jae-Ah recommended the support role since it was easy for beginners. While there is some fun to be had as a support, it just didn’t suit me. Rather, I felt much more suited to the solo laner position where I could take the lead, specifically in the top lane.
Of course, it was never easy. Getting solo kills was a given, and I got beaten up all day long. But still, the top lane came with a sense of responsibility. It wasn’t a role where I could push responsibility onto others like a support.
What had started as a game to fit in with Jae-Ah gradually became something I did for my own fun. By Sunday, I was playing alone even though Jae-Ah hadn’t called me. While it was still hard to judge whether I was doing well or poorly, winning solo games to some extent made me think I had some talent.
It was Monday morning when I was in the middle of playing the game.
During an intense team fight, the doorbell rang.
Who could it be? There shouldn’t be anyone coming? It was a confusing situation. Pondering for a moment, I decided to hold out until the team fight ended and exited the game. When I quickly checked who had rung the doorbell, it turned out to be Ham Yejin. I had made her wait for quite a while.
I promptly opened the door. There stood Ham Yejin, waiting with a stiff expression as the door opened.
As soon as she saw me, Ham Yejin’s already stiff expression hardened further, and she let out a deep sigh.
“There’s… a lot I want to say, but first, let’s talk about your clothes.”
At those words, I momentarily checked my outfit situation.
A junior bra under a t-shirt and a pair of plain panties.
Um….
Ah.
~
Leaving Ham Yejin behind, I immediately went back to my room to put on pants.
This wasn’t because I had some weird exposure issue. I just typically wore comfortable clothes when I was alone at home, and since my time as a man, I had been in just a t-shirt and underwear when alone at home.
For a man, no, even for a woman, such a state would be an unusual thing, but anyway, it wasn’t something that could be considered exceptional. Of course, if I had gone out in front of Ham Yejin like that, it would have been a problem in itself.
But for a woman to appear in such a way was even more problematic.
If Ham Yejin had come during a normal time, I would have dressed properly, but since she had unexpectedly arrived in the middle of a game, I couldn’t think straight.
Once I was dressed properly, I waited until my embarrassed face calmed down before stepping out of the room. Ham Yejin was sitting at the table.
“You’re out.”
“…Yes. Sorry about that.”
“I’m fine, but you shouldn’t do that in front of others. You’re not a man anymore.”
No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t claim to be a man here. It was honestly embarrassing to act that way in front of someone who had seen me in girl’s panties.
“B-but what brings you here all of a sudden?”
“Didn’t I say before? I would come to check on you once over the weekend. I texted you in advance yesterday, but you didn’t see it. You didn’t answer my call today either.”
Oh, that reminded me of the promise I had forgotten. Ham Yejin had said she would visit regularly from the day after I met Hwa-won again. So today was the day.
I had completely forgotten about it, absorbed in games all day.
“Why didn’t you answer your phone?”
“Um….”
For some reason, speaking in front of Ham Yejin was a bit awkward. However, lying to her, who was the actual homeowner, didn’t feel right, and I couldn’t simply not say anything, so I eventually confessed.
“…I missed your call while playing a game. I also took a while to open the door for that reason.”
For reference, when I turned around to check the computer screen while getting dressed, the game’s result screen was already displayed. A defeat.
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s okay. You can play games. It’s just….”
Just what was I trying to say? I couldn’t help but notice the pile of trash and dishes stacked in the sink behind Ham Yejin.
“You’ve got a lot of trash and dishes piled up. Your appearance is quite messy too. When was the last time you washed your hair?”
As I stammered at her words, Ham Yejin let out a slight sigh.
“I might be overstepping, but getting too absorbed in games isn’t good. Of course, I understand wanting to distract yourself during tough times, but you still need to wash and take care of yourself.”
I didn’t want to admit it, but her words were quite genuine.
“…Um, would it be alright if I go wash up?”
Ham Yejin nodded.
~
I’ve now gotten used to washing. I’ve gotten accustomed to seeing my naked body and my smaller stature, lower gaze, and the annoyingly long hair growing all the time, which no longer felt strange.
I definitely seem to have become too absorbed in gaming. Saturday and Sunday were nothing but a repetition of playing games, eating, and sleeping. At this rate, I was no different from being unemployed. It was a problem that had arisen because I neglected writing. After finishing my shower, I lightly slapped my cheek. I needed to get it together.
After washing, I definitely felt my mind clearer. It made me feel even more embarrassed about the scene I had just shown.
After properly changing clothes again, I found Ham Yejin looking serious as she stared at her smartphone. As soon as she noticed I had come out, she spoke.
“You’re out. You look tidy, it’s nice.”
“Ah, yes.”
What should I say? Ham Yejin’s slight smile made me feel a bit pressured.
As I sat across from her at the table, Ham Yejin brought up the purpose of her visit today.
“As I mentioned before, I will be checking on you roughly every two weeks from now on. This is part of the government oversight. To put it directly, it’s to assess any signs of suicidal tendencies.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
“Well, that’s good to hear, but there have been various incidents, so….”
Ham Yejin took a sip of water that seemed to have been brought in while I was away.
“However, there is something I need to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“While I’ll continue to observe your condition, it seems that the agency overseeing you may change. Initially, the National Intelligence Service looked after your case for identity issues, but since you’ve declined identity laundering, it will probably shift to the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family.”
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, of course, was the government agency I disliked the most. I couldn’t help but show a slight hint of displeasure, but there was nothing I could do about it.
“What happens to you then, Ham Yejin?”
“For a while, I will still be responsible, but after some time, someone else will take over. I have to let you know about this in advance.”
My displeased expression soon turned into a grimace. I wasn’t too fond of another change in personnel. I didn’t like the idea of Ham Yejin being replaced, and I didn’t want another woman coming in either.
“Is there no way for you to stay on?”
“I can’t guarantee that. But I won’t completely cut off contact, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
“I’m not worried.”
For some reason, Ham Yejin smiled slightly. I found that smile uncomfortable and turned my head.
“Anyway, shall we get to the point? How have you been lately? I heard a friend has been visiting you often; is there any particular issue?”
In response to Ham Yejin’s question, I shared my life so far without hiding anything. Though I couldn’t discuss Hwa-won’s private life, there was no need to conceal anything else.
“It’s a relief to hear that there are no special issues. However, I hope you can cut back on gaming a bit.”
“Yes, well.”
“Oh, by the way, do you enjoy coffee?”
“Coffee?”
I preferred sweet over bitter. To put it simply, if I had to choose between drinking black coffee and something like cola or chocolate, I’d go for the latter.
“I actually received a gift and replaced my coffee maker, but the one I was using is still fine. I brought it just in case you might need it.”
However, it wasn’t as if I lacked social skills to the extent that I would say I didn’t particularly enjoy coffee, so she could take it back.
“Then I’ll gratefully accept it.”
Ham Yejin took out the coffee maker she had brought from the bag. She then personally plugged it in under the table.
“It’s been cleaned thoroughly, so you can use it right away.”
I nodded. I didn’t particularly care for coffee, but it could come in handy for late nights or when guests arrived. Thinking about it, Ham Yejin was technically a guest as well. I had felt slightly concerned about only offering a glass of cold water until now, but now I could serve this.
Of course, a coffee maker was not only there for coffee, so I wouldn’t need to boil water for instant noodles anymore.
It turned out to be a surprisingly useful gift.
“By the way, your hair has grown significantly since the last time I saw you.”
“Well, my hair tends to grow quickly if I don’t pay attention to it…”
Ham Yejin scrutinized my appearance and hesitated for a moment before asking.
“Do you happen to have any work going on right now?”
“No.”
“Then wouldn’t you consider going to get a haircut?”
That was a surprisingly unexpected suggestion.