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Shinhyung, Minhyung’s older brother, had insisted on driving and accompanying him to the Hanwha Life Esports’ Camp One. He wanted to take a cab on the way there, but Shinhyung, who had always been supportive of him since he became a pro gamer, didn't want him to feel alone on the day he moved. Minhyung really insisted that he was ready to do it by himself, but his hyung simply wouldn't let him go alone.
Some of his stuff had already been sent to Camp One, and he was basically the final piece to complete his move.
It had been his first time moving teams, having been in T1 for years. He had been a trainee and a main roster player for the team.
T1 was his first esports team. It was a team that he loved and was loyal to. But now he was ready to face new challenges with a new team and new teammates. It was as if a baby bird had grown up and was ready to take flight on a new venture.
He was only familiar with Wooje, as they used to be teammates in T1 for years. Wooje had trained in T1 too before being promoted to the main team.
Sure, Hwanjoong had been a trainee in T1 too, but during that time, Minhyung wasn't part of the T1 Rookies.
Everything was new to Minhyung, which made him both excited and a bit nervous. The mixture of emotions made him feel like there was something gnawing inside his stomach.
“Well, KakaoTalk us if you need anything,” Shinhyung reminded him, gently tapping his back as they got out of the car. Minhyung took his favorite big white backpack and slung it over one shoulder.
The brothers quietly observed the facility with awe. Camp One looked bigger than he imagined.
“Hyung!” Wooje called as he exited the entrance door with a big grin on his face. “Wow, Inno-hyung! You're here.”
Shinhyung laughed softly and gave Wooje a gentle tap on his arm. “I trust you guys will take care of my brother.”
Wooje tapped Shinhyung on his left shoulder. “You got it, hyung.”
Shinhyung motioned back to his car. “Anyway, I need to go now.”
“Whoa, that fast, hyung? Don't you want to join the tour of the facilities?” Wooje asked.
Shinhyung gave an apologetic smile. “I need to pick up my girlfriend. Give me a tour another time, alright?”
“Got it.”
“Thanks, hyung,” Minhyung said with a smile. Shinhyung once again tapped Minhyung’s shoulder as he walked away from the pair and back to his car. Minhyung’s move to Ilsan and the reality of it all was slowly starting to sink in for him.
“So, are you excited?” Wooje asked.
Minhyung smiled and nodded at him.
He had been briefed that tomorrow, they would be filming a content video where the whole team would be touring Camp One, as he and Jinhyeok had just joined the team. It would be a nice, friendly way for the team to build synergy too. However, he also wanted to check the place before they filmed, as he was feeling nervous about meeting everyone for the first time.
“Well, I said I’d give you a tour, but someone else insisted on doing it with you.”
Before Minhyung could ask about the sudden change of plans, a calm voice welcomed him from behind.
“Welcome to Hanwha Life Esports, Gumayusi-seonsu.”
It was Geonwoo. His tall stature wasn't easy to miss. He was in his usual calm composure, even though he was also just wearing casual clothing. He was effortlessly handsome even when he wasn’t trying.
Geonwoo approached the pair and handed Minhyung a key card.
Minhyung had met him dozens of times backstage in LoL Park. Heck, their teams were even against each other in the Worlds 2022 finals. They had exchanged small talk, fist bumped, and bowed to each other before, but every interaction between them was nothing more than polite pleasantries.
He heard Wooje talk about him and their other teammates when they had dinner at a restaurant a few nights back. However, Minhyung didn’t really have a strong opinion about Geonwoo. He simply seemed quiet and very introverted.
“The manager asked me to give this to you,” Geonwoo said shyly.
“Thanks. Just call me Minhyung,” he said as he grabbed the key card from him and pocketed it. He gave Geonwoo a polite yet awkward smile.
“Anyway, Geonwoo-hyung was so nice to give the initiative to tour you, hyung,” Wooje said.
“Oh? You're not coming?” Minhyung asked.
“My family is picking me upCome and I'm gonna have lunch with them. I completely forgot that it was today. Sorry, hyung,” Wooje answered, scratching the back of his neck.
“No worries,” Minhyung said and then he turned to Geonwoo. “I hope this isn't too much of a bother for you.”
Geonwoo smiled shyly and scratched his collarbones and his neck. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”
Geonwoo walked Minhyung through HLE's Camp One—the kitchen, dining area, practice room, and individual streaming rooms.
Minhyung followed quietly, hands stuffed into his pockets, trying not to seem as flustered and awkward as he felt. This was the first time they had been really alone. It also didn't help him that he felt like his heart would jump out, because it was beating a lot.
“You’re quieter than I thought,” Geonwoo noted as they reached the end of a hallway. The twin towers were now walking towards the sleeping/resting area at the topmost floor of the facility.
Minhyung gave out a nervous chuckle. “I’m not quiet,” he muttered. “It’s just everything's… new.”
Geonwoo stepped closer—just enough for Minhyung to notice. “I’m glad you’re here. Really.”
Minhyung’s face flushed and his throat tightened. “You don’t even know me that well.”
“I'll get to know you then,” Geonwoo replied.
The words hit harder than they should have. Minhyung opened his mouth to say something, anything—but Geonwoo turned abruptly, pushing open a door Minhyung hadn’t noticed.
“The sleeping-slash-resting area is usually empty this time of—”
Geonwoo walked straight into him.
Or rather, Minhyung didn’t realize how close he’d been standing until Geonwoo turned, and—
Their lips collided.
Both of their eyes widened as they stared at each other's eyes in shock. The twin towers were frozen as they pressed in a soft, accidental, and delicate kiss.
They parted in an instant, almost as if they were in sync and rehearsed the timing.
“I—” Geonwoo started.
“I didn’t—” Minhyung said at the same time.
Awkward silence.
Minhyung turned away and put his hands inside his hoodie's pocket. “Yeah, uhm… what were you saying?”
Geonwoo, whose cheeks flushed a bright pink color, covered his face with one hand and went along pretending that nothing had happened. “This. Is. The. Resting. Area. Uhm, yeah.”
Minhyung nodded, but he pretended to be intently looking at the room and kept avoiding having to look at Geonwoo. “Nice. Nice. Nice.”
Minhyung could feel his face and whole body burning at what had just happened, but he decided to act like it didn’t bother him.
After the unofficial tour, the twin towers then quietly descended the stairs. Geonwoo quietly followed Minhyung from behind, but Geonwoo took a deep breath and walked alongside his new ADC.
Geonwoo's fingers brushed Minhyung’s as they walked side by side, but Minhyung didn’t pull away. Instead, he let their hands brush and almost touch.