[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 367

Seo Yeon-woo hopped into the car, and as soon as she did, her mother in the passenger seat turned around and said.

“Nice to meet you! I’m Yujin’s mom.”

“Oh, yes! Hello….”

At her mother’s sudden greeting, Seo Yeon-woo flinched.

No matter how you slice it, both Seo Yeon-woo and I are just game nerds hanging out in our rooms. There’s no way she would enjoy this situation.

“How’s life in the dorm? Is there anything uncomfortable?”

Usually, when people first see Seo Yeon-woo, they tend to compliment her looks, but I’m not sure if her mom already knew about Seo Yeon-woo or thought that would be rude, but she didn’t say anything like that.

“Yeah, yeah! Nothing at all.”

“Is that so? Still, living with several people must be a bit uncomfortable… I mean, the practice room is one thing, but wouldn’t it be better to have your own space in the dorm?”

“Ah, no! I like it just as it is. Please don’t.”

“Well, that’s a relief. Is there anything else you need? If there’s anything, just let me know.”

“Nope.”

“If you ever need anything, just say the word. Yujin can be a bit indifferent, you know? She’s always playing games.”

“Ah, no! She takes care of me well…”

“Well, that’s good to hear.”

Just that brief exchange made my insides churn from where I was sitting.

“Are you close with Yujin?”

“Yes, yes? Um… yeah.”

“Mom! Why say unnecessary things…?”

“So what?”

I used to think my mother was a really sophisticated woman, but in moments like this, she’s just like any other Korean mom.

Well, I guess she’s really a mom with two grown kids…

‘But she doesn’t look it.’

Must be the power of maintenance.

Or maybe it’s the power of money.

“Geez….”

I felt like it was pointless to say anything more since I would only end up the loser, so I kept my mouth shut.

Of course, just because I gave up doesn’t mean my mother stopped talking.

“I understand. Yujin just doesn’t have much social skill… She’s probably always gaming in her room, so she’s a bit socially awkward.”

“Ah, no!”

“……Mom, I’m a professional gamer.”

“Look at you? You used to just game all the time before you became a professional gamer, didn’t you?”

“That’s….”

Wait, does she really think this, knowing full well I had no choice back then?

Besides, if you want to get technical, Seo Yeon-woo is also someone who just plays games in her room.

“How’s Yujin in the dorm? I can’t imagine she fits in well….”

“Uh? No! We all get along just fine.”

“Really? You’re not just saying that because I’m here?”

“Ah, no.”

It seemed my mother was thoroughly enjoying teasing Seo Yeon-woo.

“Well then… how’s Yujin as a professional gamer? I heard she’s very good.”

“As a pro?”

“Yeah. Yujin really doesn’t talk much about this at home.”

“She talks a lot….”

“When did you? You go into your room every day just to game.”

“Well….”

No words were left.

Hitting me with facts like that… how unfair!

“She’s amazing.”

At that moment, what came out of Seo Yeon-woo’s mouth stirred a strange expression on my mom’s face.

“Huh?”

Soon, it didn’t take long for my mother’s expression to change.

“Oh my.”

Mom gave a strange smile and glanced at me.

An expression filled with mischievous intent.

That look makes me feel uneasy.

“……What.”

“What’s up?”

“You just looked at me weirdly a moment ago.”

“When did I? Look at you, you’re imagining things.”

Mom was smiling brightly, pretending to act oblivious, but it’s clear she’s enjoying this.

I thought about saying something to take her down a notch, but I eventually held back.

It’s not like I could possibly win in any argument with her.

“What’s so great about our Yujin?”

“Uh… she’s good at games, has a nice personality, takes care of her teammates, pretty, and also….”

Seo Yeon-woo, flustered, seemed to be throwing together compliments off the cuff, but sadly, she revealed a weakness to my mother.

“Our Yujin is pretty?”

“Uh? Ah… yes.”

“Oh my.”

Once again, my mom’s face lit up with a playful expression.

It feels like I’m in deep trouble.

“Yujin, did you hear? Yeon-woo thinks you’re pretty.”

“…….”

“Look at her? If someone praises you, you should respond. Don’t make Yeon-woo feel awkward.”

“No, it’s not like that….”

Seo Yeon-woo’s expression was one of sheer panic.

I felt the same way.

“……stop it.”

“What should I stop? She gets all worked up even when someone compliments her.”

Seo Yeon-woo looked at me with a desperate expression, as if asking for help.

I didn’t have any solutions either.

If I deliberately expose my neck to a famished predator, is there any other choice than to die?

“…….”

Seo Yeon-woo’s face flushed bright red.

I’m sure mine did as well.

… I want to die.

I just want to vanish into the dust and be blown away.

*

The road to Incheon International Airport was nothing short of hellish.

Mom was too busy teasing me and Seo Yeon-woo, while both of us were helpless against her onslaught.

“…Is this fun?”

I remarked in response to my mom, who was laughing till she could barely breathe.

“Yep. So much.”

Wow, she’s really enjoying herself.

“……Are you even my mom? Did I get picked up from somewhere?”

“Of course, I picked you up. I wonder where I found such a pretty child.”

“……Stop with the ‘pretty’ compliments. My ears are about to bleed.”

“Why? Isn’t it nice to be called pretty?”

“I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“Feeling nauseous? Should I give you some medicine?”

“…….”

Seeing my comment about feeling nauseous made her switch back to her usual overprotective mom mode instantly, so I feel like I should pretend to be weak more often.

“We’ve arrived.”

At the secretary’s words, my mom nodded.

“Oh, yes. Let’s get out.”

It sounds obvious, but as soon as we arrived at Incheon International Airport, quite a crowd welcomed us.

For someone like me, who detests crowded places, it was an overwhelming vista that made me feel like I absolutely would be sick.

I thought I finally escaped my mother’s grasp, but then I remembered I’d have to spend over 10 hours with her on the plane.

‘……I should just sleep. Definitely need to sleep.’

Forget about managing my condition or whatever; I just need to get into a deep sleep on that plane for my mental health.

If I let my mother talk any longer, I might end up having some sort of mishap at the All-Star Event.

“Where are the others?”

“They said they’re almost there.”

“Oh, really?”

After waiting a bit in front of Incheon Airport, a familiar car pulled up.

It was carrying the other members of our team.

“They’ve arrived.”

Then, the car doors opened, and the other team members got out.

Unlike me and Seo Yeon-woo, who seemed to have suffered on the way, everyone looked totally fine, except for Kim Jae-min.

“Ugh….”

“Why’s he like that?”

When I asked, Baek Seong-an replied.

“He said he’s feeling carsick.”

“Out of nowhere? I thought he was fine usually?”

“He said it’s because he was in the car longer than usual… He can handle a short ride like from the dorm to the stadium, but anything over an hour is too much for him.”

I learned one very important piece of information.

Kim Jae-min cannot handle being in a car for over an hour.

“Looks like everyone’s here. Let’s head out.”

My mom led the way into the airport so naturally.

With her leading the way, our trip to America inadvertently turned into a supervised field trip.

“……This isn’t right.”

“Hmm? What’s wrong?”

“Nothing at all.”

Our destination is Los Angeles.

The location where this Legends of League All-Star Event will take place.

“This way.”

After following my mom and checking in, before boarding the plane, Kim Jae-min sneakily approached me and said.

“Sis, you know you have to take your shoes off on the plane, right?”

“Of course. I even brought indoor slippers just for the plane.”

“……What?”

Kim Jae-min’s expression turned blank.

As if he thought he could pull one over on me… Did he think I was only gullible in front of Mom, and not him?

“Do you want a pair too?”

“……No.”

He shook his head vigorously and turned to find his next target, Seo Yeon-woo.

I briefly thought that she might be a more likely target for him, but of course, that conversation fell flat as well.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

Before boarding, I called Kim Jae-min quietly, trying to avoid my mom’s gaze.

“Wanna switch seats with me? I’m in first class.”

Naturally, all of our teammates are seated in economy class.

It’s not like we have funds to spare, so that’s to be expected.

But my seat is in first class because Mom made the reservation.

“Really?”

His eyes sparkled at the mention of first class.

Not knowing what hell he was about to step into.

“Yeah, really.”

“Deal!”

That negotiation went pretty well.

*

As I sat down next to him so naturally, Baek Seong-an asked.

“Huh? Why are you sitting over here? Weren’t you in first class?”

“I switched with the kid.”

“Why? Did Kim Jae-min ask you to switch?”

“No, I offered.”

“Why? Just to give away your seat?”

Baek Seong-an looked completely puzzled.

Well, he’ll understand later.

Perhaps it was because I switched seats with Kim Jae-min, but aside from a bit of discomfort in the seat, the flight was peaceful.

I dozed off for a while and watched some game footage from other teams that I had saved on my tablet, and before I knew it, the vast land outside the window began to unfold.

Finally, we arrived in America.