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Past midnight is a time when most people are already resting after a long day, but that does not apply to Lee Sanghyeok. At this hour, the sound of keyboard clicks echoes through his room, accompanied by the constant voice of characters in the game he plays. His hands move swiftly to guide his character as he wishes. After a bold "VICTORY" appears on his monitor, he finally pulls his hands away from the keyboard.
The new season of competition has just started. As a pro gamer, he must quickly adapt to changes both in and out of the game. With new teammates, they need to readjust everything from strategy to playstyle to achieve victory. This cycle has been part of his life for 12 years since debuting as a pro gamer. Rubbing his tired eyes, he initially wants to close the game, but something catches his attention: Gumayusi's username indicates he is still grinding in solo queue at this ungodly hour. Seeing this makes his thoughts and worries about him resurface. He knows Lee Minhyeong is tough and resilient, always confident and striving to prove himself, which may explain his relentless grinding. However, he can't help but worry since Minhyeong has been playing all day without much break. Without thinking much, he reaches out to him.
"Still on solo queue?"
"Yes, you worked hard today, hyung... you can go rest first." His response makes a frown appear on Lee Sanghyeok's forehead and tightens his lips.
"You should rest. You've been on solo queue all day."
"I'm alright, hyung." This stubborn kid, he thinks inwardly. But still worried for him, he quickly types back.
"Okay... how about duo with me?"
"But isn't this past your bedtime? You should get your healthy sleep, hyung..."
It's true. He usually goes to sleep at this hour because he strives for quality rest. However, tonight he doesn't want Minhyeong to feel alone.
"It's alright."
"Okay if you insist..."
The next day as a result, he wakes up late because they were grinding together, but at least he feels satisfied as his worries lessen a little bit. Fortunately, it's a holiday, so waking up late is forgiven. After eating meat with his family, they had a little chat, and suddenly topic about Minhyeong was brought up by his father.
"It's been a while since I've seen Minhyeong, we should invite him over"
"Yes, Father."
"I've seen the news that he might not be playing for a while... " his father continued, "he must be having a hard time right now since it's so sudden" his voice filled with concern.
Hearing his father's words, Sanghyeok only quietly listened as he finished his meal.
The night has come but his father words still bothers him. When the news broke out, it throws people wondering the reason for the switch, leading into confusion and speculation. As a player in a team game, there is a time when they had to sacrifice themselves for the sake of team. That is the consequences they had to bear. It can happen to anybody in anytime, and Lee Sanghyeok is no stranger to it. However, when Lee Minhyeong included, he can't help to feel worry about him. Lee Minhyeong is someone who likes to act like mature person despite harsh circumstances. He even says that he's young person with old soul inside to prove that he's indeed a mature person. With his bright personality and good social skills he always try to take care of everybody in the team like a good, role model person. But just like the sun that shine brightly the darker the shadows will be. Sometimes he wish that Minhyeong can lean on him without pretending to be strong when he's not. He's a straightforward person that can express his feeling fluently yet when he's struggling he never shows it on his face and try to solve his problem alone. Lee Sanghyeok dislikes that part of him, since he cares for him....a lot more than he thought. His strong feeling about Minhyeong makes Lee Sanghyeok decided to give Minhyeong a call.
"Hey Minhyeongie, how about coming over to my house? I’ll give you New Year allowance."
Low laughter could be heard from the other line.
"Are you alright, hyung? Why are you being so generous all of a sudden?" Getting teased by Minhyeong made him unconsciously pout his lips.
"Hmph... I'm always a generous person."
"Yeah, I know..." Minhyeong quickly replied.
"Thanks for the offer, hyung, but my family is already planning a vacation... I’m sorry."
His answer left him feeling dissatisfied for no reason. Especially after hearing Minhyeong's voice lacking its usual spirit made him want to see him just to check on his condition with his own eyes.
"Hmm... that’s too bad. But do you have time tonight?"
"Huh? For what?"
"Let’s meet up. There’s something I want to talk about," Lee Sanghyeok said firmly to convince him.
"Can’t we just talk over the phone?" Lee Minhyeong asked, feeling confused.
"Nope. Let’s meet up," he replied with a final tone, leaving no room for argument.
"But—" Without waiting for Minhyeong's response, he hung up, wrapping up their conversation and preparing himself to meet him.
So now he patiently waited for him with a bottle of black barley in his hands. After the fourth sip, he heard footsteps approaching behind him, and a familiar voice, tinged with annoyance, greeted him.
"So, what important thing do you want to talk about?"
Lee Sanghyeok's lips slightly raised because he felt amused by the greeting as he turned his head toward the person standing behind him. There was Lee Minhyeong, with a white scarf wrapped around his head and a black puffy jacket. His outfit made him look like an annoyed bear just woken from hibernation.
"I thought you wouldn't come," said Lee Sanghyeok softly.
Lee Minhyeong let out a sigh that made white smoke appear in the cold night air. "Are you crazy? I know you’re stubborn. You would wait for me until I came," he pouted in a helpless tone.
His answer made Sanghyeok laugh heartily. Yes, they knew each other too well. They had been beside each other for a long time, understanding how the other thought and behaved. Unexpectedly among his teammates Minhyeong stayed longer than he expected, bracing himself with determination in the vicious cycle of people come and go for short amount of time. Maybe that was the reason they had to meet, because they both are stubborn person.
"Okay... don't be angry. Sit beside me~," with tone in a similiar way to coax a child, he instructed while tapping the space next to him.
Just like an obedient child, Lee Minhyeong finally moved to sit beside him. He really was an obedient child, always working hard to become the best. He had gone so far as to follow Sanghyeok’s advice wholeheartedly in his younger days. Even when he got into trouble, he always kept that as a reminder not to repeat the same mistakes. Sometimes, he wondered why he still had such a bright and warm personality in a harsh environment full of competition for the starting player spot. He had experienced that before, but it didn’t mean he was immune to the pain he had to endure. Upon closer inspection, he noticed Minhyeong's dark eyes and his chubby cheeks had gotten slimmer—a sign that his condition was not as good as he claimed.
"How's your day?" Sanghyeok finally broke the silence between them.
"It's fine; I ate a lot of meat today and played with Doongi all day," Minhyeong answered nonchalantly.
"Alright, how do you feel?" Sanghyeok asked again.
"I'm fine."
"You know that's not what I mean."
"You can be honest with me," he added softly.
A rigid breath could be heard beside him as Minhyeong bowed his head down. "I feel upset, sad, and shocked. I thought I could keep my position like before, but it seems I'm not enough," he replied, trembling all over.
His response made Sanghyeok quickly pull Minhyeong's head to rest on his shoulder while softly caressing his back to comfort him. He vividly remembered Minhyeong telling him that adults don’t cry even when they are sad. So he had to tell him...
"It's alright if you want to cry, Minhyeong... even adults can cry when they're sad."
As he felt his shoulder getting wet, Minhyeong suddenly asked him a question, "Hyung... tell me... am I not enough?"
"No, that's not true," he quickly responded with firm tone as he moved his hand to hold Minhyeong's chubby cheek and turned his face toward him. "You have the ability to become one of the best. Just believe in yourself like you always do."
Lee Minhyeong avoided his gaze and weakly muttered, "Maybe you are mistaken, hyung."
With a tone full of conviction, Lee Sanghyeok added, "You believe me, right? I believe that you will stay by my side for a long time." He gently caressed Lee Minhyeong chubby cheek and brought their foreheads together.
A tearful-faced Lee Minhyeong only stared back at him with glistening eyes, igniting a spark of silent promise between them.