altimit | ›› 2nd round

Oh ... [ He understands people have desires for privacy. But, why did that sting? ] I guess you really like to keep your real life separate, huh?

[ It's been on his mind a lot lately. Bramb has told Joonghyuk all about his university, the city he lives in - he's even given him access to his email and twitter. Finding him is so searchable. Seeing him in real life and the book shop he works in is also searchable. So ... is there really any room for secrets here? ]

Unless you, uh, don't want to meet. T-That's cool. [ He fidgets. ] Um, you can just forget I said anything ... just pretend it's a joke. We're just gamers ... I shouldn't make it weird.

I have my reasons.

[ Joonghyuk regrets saying that consideering what Brambles says next. ]

No, you got that wrong. I won't tell you because I don't want to affect your choice.

[ Most of the universities Brambles might consider are probably in Soeul anyway, but if he finds something that suits him better in some other part of the country, that's also fine. ]

If you have your reasons, I won't pry. I just feel like ... [ He scratches his cheek awkwardly. ] I don't know how an online gaming friendship is meant to be. Every day when I log on and see you here, I feel so happy. Like you're my real friend. But, like ... you know my email address, where I live, my name and if you've been on my social media, you know how I look in real life. I'm a real person who ... who likes playing on this game with you. And you're real, too. I feel like you know me ... but I don't really know you.

[ They should be cooking but it's time to cook up a discussion that Bramb has wanted to have for a while now. ]

Why would affecting my choice be a bad thing?

I don't know how it's meant to be either. But... at the same time, I don't think there's a recipe for that kind of thing.

[ He hates that he's made a pun unwillingly. But what Joonghyuk hates even more is that while he feels the same, he doesn't know how to express it. Brambles just laid bare the feelings he has and yet...

Joonghyuk shakes his head. ]

Because it's your life.

Well ... how do you feel about me? If I told you that I consider you a friend, do you feel that way also?

[ He's so nervous for a response that he can actually feel his heart pounding. ]

It is, yeah. And maybe I want to live it.

Yeah. [ That answer sounds a bit dry, so he adds: ] You're a friend.

[ What Brambles says next makes his chest feel a bit tight. ]

Just pick a place and I'll tell you if it's close or not.

[ The relief that washes over him is incredible. Brambles exhales a breath that he didn't even realise he was holding. And naturally, he smiles. ]

Really? Heh, I'm so glad ... like, really glad.

[ He is one happy boy. ]

Um, Seoul?

Close. [ A beat. ] Very close.

[ Actually, he's living here but the tsun in him is preventing Joonghyuk from admitting that. ]

Don't tell me you're going to pick Seoul because of my answer. You should choose what's best for you.

Ooh! Interesting!

[ He just laughs. ]

But anything could be best for me. I actually like the idea of travelling far away from England.

[ He looks away, flustered and clearly debating if he should say something or not. In the end, he murmurs something that Brambles might find surprising: ]

Then Seoul will be the best for you, I think.

Seems that way. I feel like it would be good for my "Seoul" ...

[ DID HE REALLY JUST-- (HE DID) ]

If these potatoes were baked, I would shove one into your mouth.

[ He'd do that with a lot of feeling. ]

Hehehe! Oh no.

[ Are these bad boys ready to be cooked? It seems so. ]

On that note, let's get these cooked before you follow through on that.

It's up to you if I follow through on that.

[ All it is going to take is one more pun...

Instead of waiting for Brambles to take up this punny challenge, Joonghyuk puts the potatoes into the owen that comes with the cooking station. ]

If you come visit, you can live with—me.

[ He almost spilled the beans about Mia here. ]

[ Brambles performs a double-take BECAUSE ....... WHAT? ]

Wait, huh? L-Live with you?

Yeah. My flat isn't too big, but it's expensive to rent a place in Seoul.

[ That's the only reason he's offering, duh!!! ]

[ He's .... honestly so touched. ]

That's a really generous offer. But please understand that I wouldn't want to invade your space too much ... the university is likely to accommodate students.

You're going to do what you prefer, but just remember that my offer stands.

[ Maybe he was too forward? Joonghyuk feels a bit embarrassed, even if it doesn't show on his face. ]

[ He lightly touches Joonghyuk's arm. ]

Thank you ...

It's fine.

[ Why is he feeling so warm... is it some other bug in this game? It's hard to tell. ]

I can show you around, too.

[ It feels silly to offer that because he considers that an obvious fact, but he doesn't know what else to say, still feeling flustered. ]

Really? I'd love that!

[ Time for him to reminisce for a moment: ]

I've always had the most fun in places when someone local would show us around. My dad knew a lot of people when I was growing up travelling with him, and I always had so much fun getting shown around places and playing with their children. Those days are long gone ... but getting to experience similar as an adult makes me really happy.

Playing with children? [ Joonghyuk tilts his head in surprise. The fact that Brambles said that those days are long gone makes him wonder if there's any point in asking the question on his mind. ] Do you like kids?

[ There's absolutely no reason for him to ask. ]

[ He nods! ] Yeah! I do. We have a cosy corner for children that we run in the bookshop. We allow readers and guests to come in and read stories to them. I never grew up with any siblings, but I have no problem with kids.

[ That answer leaves him sighing with relief. ]

I was just curious. [ There's absolutely no other reason!! ] These potatoes are taking forever...

[ Nice deflection. ]

If there's a Korean dish you like, I could make it for you.

[ Even nicer deflection^{[citation needed]}. ]

They have to take forever! They're baked potatoes. They're best when they're all fluffy inside.

[ Even in a game, he believes this is important! He brightens at Joonghyuk's suggestion. ]

Oh, please! I've never tried any Korean food before! You should surprise me with something nice and vegetarian!

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