[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 368

“Ugh…”

“What’s wrong? You have a good seat.”

“A good seat? A good seat… ahahaha.”

A self-deprecating laugh.

But can we really call that a laugh?

Kim Jae-min, bursting with energy, seemed utterly exhausted as he shook his head in disbelief, clearly not in good shape after a long flight.

In contrast, our mother couldn’t help but smile brightly, finding everything amusing despite the long haul.

“Why did you sit over there instead of the comfy spot? Mom is sad.”

“…Just.”

“You weren’t uncomfortable? Your back must be hurting, and such. Sigh…”

“I’m fine. It was fun.”

“Really? Then I’m glad.”

At first glance, it sounded like she was genuinely worried about me, but for some reason, a chill ran down my spine.

“Oh, Jae-min had fun.”

“…Huh?”

“We talked a lot about various things.”

…What on earth did they discuss?

I couldn’t muster the courage to ask, so I kept my mouth shut.

“What are you doing? Hurry up!”

“…Ah. Okay!”

Maybe it was just me, but it seemed like my mother was genuinely enjoying this whole situation.

…It felt like I was dying inside.

“…Is this All-Star event going to be okay?”

“Huh? What did you say?”

“Nothing.”

Still, it was supposed to be an All-Star event, and bringing parents along seemed a bit off…

“Yujin, it’s your turn.”

“Ah.”

…As I thought, the moment I faced the reality of customs inspection, all those thoughts vanished.

Thanks to my mother having already prepared potential questions and answers under her direction, the customs process was less daunting than I expected.

Well, to be fair, our reason for coming to the U.S. was legitimate, so it made sense.

“Did everyone finish?”

“Jaem-min is still inside.”

“Then let’s wait a bit longer.”

We waited longer than anticipated before finally seeing a tired-looking Kim Jae-min shuffle out.

“What took you so long?”

“…It’s nothing.”

“It’s nothing? Your face says otherwise.”

“…”

“Forget it, let’s talk later. For now, we need to head to the dormitory and unpack first.”

Even though the customs inspection was uneventful, I had a strange feeling that things wouldn’t be so simple.

“Yujin, what are you doing? Aren’t you coming?”

“Ah, I’m coming.”

At my mother’s call, we scurried out of the airport.

Finally, the air in America greeted us.

*

“Hyung, look! A foreigner, a foreigner!”

“…So what? It’s America, of course there are foreigners.”

“Yet you can’t take your eyes off them either.”

Baek Seong-an and Kim Jae-min were mesmerized by the view as soon as we left the airport.

I wondered if there was much to see, but it definitely felt foreign.

“Let’s go.”

After leaving the airport, we jumped into the waiting car and headed straight to the hotel we booked.

It was close to the stadium where the All-Star event would take place.

We had reserved three rooms.

One for my mother and me, another for the other four team members, and the last one for the secretaries.

“Will this be okay? It might be uncomfortable.”

“What do you mean?”

My mother suggested that it would be better to book a room for at least two people each, but I didn’t feel that was necessary, so I shook my head.

We needed at least one space where all five of us could gather and practice, right?

“Haha, we’re fine.”

“I’m relieved, but… if it gets uncomfortable, just let me know. It won’t be hard to book another room.”

“Yes, thank you.”

Booking another room right next to where the All-Star event is happening wouldn’t be that difficult…

“By the way, where’s Jaem-min?”

“Yeah, he was right next to you, Yeon-woo.”

“He said he’d be gone for a minute…”

“Where to?”

“I’m not sure…”

An oddly uneasy feeling crept in.

“Oh, there!”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Kim Jae-min bounded down the corridor, practically bouncing.

I had no idea where he had been, but he looked overly excited.

“Where have you been?”

Baek Seong-an asked, and Kim Jae-min couldn’t hide his grin.

“Oh, someone recognized me and asked for my autograph, so I gave it to them.”

“…You?”

“Of course! Finally, this body has become a star.”

“Full of yourself again.”

Ah, now I get it.

The weird looks I occasionally felt back at the hotel.

I had somewhat gotten used to being stared at, so I didn’t think much about it, but it seemed people recognized us for participating in this All-Star event.

It was inevitable.

After all, this hotel was just a stone’s throw from where the All-Star event was being held, and surely among the guests were fans and various associates.

On top of that, I didn’t want to brag, but our team had been getting significant attention, for better or worse.

“Where are you off to now?”

Baek Seong-an caught Kim Jae-min as he tried to move away.

“Don’t tell me you’re wandering off just in case someone recognizes you again?”

“…Just a little.”

“Sigh… Don’t do anything foolish. Just stick around here. Got it?”

“Okay!”

As I watched Kim Jae-min gallop towards the hotel lobby, my mother signaled to one of the secretaries nearby.

“Just in case.”

Even though no one asked, my mother said that with a smile.

“Yujin, Yeon-woo and I are going to look around outside for a bit. Do you want to come?”

“What about Ji-hoon?”

“I heard there’s a famous fitness center nearby, so I thought I’d check it out.”

“Ah… okay.”

Kim Ji-hoon seemed slightly excited, which was unusual for his usually silent self.

Having come all the way to America, it wouldn’t be too surprising for him to change his routine, but it looked like he was eager to try something new now that he was here.

“I’ll pass.”

“Oh? All right, see you later then.”

“I’ll… see you later.”

With that, Baek Seong-an and Seo Yeon-woo excitedly left to enjoy their trip to America.

As I watched them go, my mother casually commented.

“You can go have fun, you know?”

“…I think I’ll go inside.”

“Of course, you would. Okay, let’s head in.”

She shook her head.

If it had been anyone else, it might have been different, but my mother knew all too well about my lifestyle and personality, so she understood exactly why I wasn’t keen on wandering outside.

A serious homebody.

No matter how healthy I became or how much my life changed, that fact hadn’t budged one bit.

Officially, the schedule for the All-Star event starts the day after tomorrow, so it was okay to spend today and tomorrow sightseeing and resting…

‘But somehow, I’m just not feeling it.’

Whether it was due to the long flight or some other reason, I felt a bit drained.

“Then I’ll go take care of some errands. You just relax in the room. If you get hungry, order room service… oh, do you know how to order room service?”

“…I’ll manage.”

“No, if you get hungry, just call me. I’ll order it for you.”

“No…”

Feeling that this overprotectiveness was a bit excessive, I fell silent knowing it was pointless to argue.

…The truth was, I didn’t actually know how to order room service.

I thought maybe I should eat something quick like instant rice I had packed in my suitcase, so I nodded.

“Okay, just go. I’m heading in to rest.”

“Gosh, fine. I’m going. Who did you inherit that lack of cuteness from?”

“My face is cute, though.”

“…Huh?”

Maybe she didn’t expect me to say that, but my mother stared at me in genuine surprise.

The moment I saw her face break into a broad smile, I knew I would have to pay for that careless remark.

“…I was just joking.”

“Well, technically, it’s true.”

Why do I feel so embarrassed about what I said?

If she had reacted differently, it might have been easier to shrug off, but sadly it would take me ten years to outshine my mother.

“I was just joking…”

“Aw, why are you getting shy about it? Our daughter is a bit cute. I wonder who she takes after?”

“I’m not your daughter…”

“Huh? You’re not my daughter? That’s strange. You’re so pretty, yet you’re not my daughter?”

Ah, I shouldn’t have said anything.

“…I’ll just go.”

“Why don’t you come with me? My errands won’t take long. I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea for us to explore America together.”

“I’m going…”

“Fine, fine. Just stay in the room. I’ll be back shortly.”

“…Do as you please.”

I felt utterly drained.

No, it wasn’t just a feeling.

“So I’m really going. You stay inside.”

“…Okay.”

I had no choice but to head to the elevator, feeling like I was running away from my mother to escape.

In an instant, I felt like I’d aged three years, and today the elevator seemed to stretch on forever.

2nd floor, 5th floor, 10th floor, 15th floor…

After reaching the 17th floor where my room was located, the elevator door slowly opened.

And then,

“Ah.”

“Huh?”

Seeing the face of someone standing right outside the opened elevator doors made me freeze for a moment.

An utterly unexpected encounter.

Rainbow appeared right in front of me.