TGMND 103

Lately, Yoon Ji-gu had been in a great mood. He didn’t have to deal with nosy questions about how school was going during the break, and his favorite hyung lived close by. Plus, Lee Yeo-woon liked him—a lot!

[Couple] neutaaaa: Oh, did you change your outfit again?

[Couple] Ji9star: Yep lol

The outfit Earth Star’s character was currently wearing was the limited edition ghost costume from last year’s Halloween event. The eerie ghost expression on the hat was the highlight, creating an effect that made it look like a set with the ghost cat pet. It was a rare item, so the price had skyrocketed on the server.

Even Yeo-woon, who wasn’t known for having a good sense of style, seemed to recognize its charm. Ji-gu walked around showing off his outfit in front of Yeo-woon, striking various poses as if he were in a fashion show. Yeo-woon responded by using the laughing emoticon, clearly finding it cute. Feeling proud that he seemed cute in Yeo-woon’s eyes too, Ji-gu used a boasting emoticon, putting his hands on his waist and lifting his head.

[Couple] neutaaaa: lololololol cute

[Couple] Ji9star: I know lol

[Couple] neutaaaa: I meant the outfit, not you

[Couple] Ji9star: ? I never said it was me

[Couple] Ji9star: lolololololololol

[Couple] Ji9star: Seems like you’ve been thinking I’m cute all along lol

[Couple] neutaaaa: Yeah sure -_-

Now, even Yeo-woon’s indifferent reactions to Earth Star felt good. Of course, it would be really nice if Yeo-woon treated Earth Star kindly too, but thinking about it the other way, it meant that Yoon Ji-gu, that is, himself, was really special. The thought made his heart swell.

[Couple] Ji9star: I have one more of these, want it? ><?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Nah, it suits you better. Not really my style

[Couple] Ji9star: lol Does this suit me?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Not bad

[Couple] neutaaaa: Maybe I’ll change my outfit for the first time in a while, too

Yeo-woon’s outfit was always the same. A strange cloak over a blue tracksuit, and a character that he said resembled his neighbor (Yoon Ji-gu). If Ji-gu hadn’t known better, he wouldn’t have felt anything, but now he found it amusing that Yeo-woon had even customized his game character to look like him.

[Couple] Ji9star: What will you change into?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Wait and see

After leaving those words, Yeo-woon’s figure disappeared. Ji-gu sat in the spot where he had vanished, waiting for him and starting to guess what strange outfit Yeo-woon would appear in next.

Would he appear wearing just strange leaf underwear like last time? Or maybe the fake abs top that was newly added? By now, he was confident he wouldn’t be surprised no matter what Yeo-woon wore. He couldn’t understand why Yeo-woon, who dressed normally in real life, had such poor sense when it came to the game outfit.

He wanted to dress in couple outfits soon, and if Yeo-woon had a cute pet, he would somehow get another one to have couple pets too…. Unfortunately, Yeo-woon’s love for Little Forest had ruined his taste. It seemed the only option was for him to gradually change Yeo-woon’s tastes from beside him.

A moment later, Yeo-woon appeared with a poof. His character was still wearing the cloak that covered most of his body, so the outfit change wasn’t very noticeable. However, two purple bats flapped around his character, and he now had small fangs protruding from his mouth.

[Couple] Ji9star: Dracula?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Yep

After a long while, Yeo-woon finally put together a normal outfit. What was even better was that when he stood next to Ji-gu’s character, they looked like a flawless couple.

[Couple] Ji9star: Cute ;

[Couple] neutaaaa: lololololol haha

[Couple] Ji9star: Did you match couple looks with me? lol

[Couple] neutaaaa: ㅡㅡ

Then Yeo-woon switched into that ridiculous leaf underwear. It was truly a horrifying sight.

[Couple]J i9star: Ah I’m sorry ㅠㅠ

[Couple] Ji9star: Don’t take it off ㅠㅠ

[Couple] Ji9star: Why does this hyung take jokes so seriously?

[Couple] Ji9star: ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ Please change back quickly so I can take a screenshot

Ji-gu had initially planned to tease Yeo-woon for his outfit, asking if he really spent money on it. But the red bow-tie shirt under his cape actually went well with it, and, to be honest, this was the most decent outfit Yeo-woon had ever worn.

[Couple] neutaaaa: Does this hat look better?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Or is this one better?

Yeo-woon took off the black hat on his head and put on a red ribbon. Was he seriously asking that?

[Couple] Ji9star: The first oneㅡㅡ

[Couple] neutaaaa: Ok Ok

Yeo-woon changed back to the hat item. It felt a bit funny to be dressing up in Halloween-themed outfits when Christmas was just around the corner, but Ji-gu was excited nonetheless—it was the first time they’d ever worn matching couple outfits. He dragged Yeo-woon to the Haunted Mansion theme map, striking various poses and taking screenshots. Although Yeo-woon complained about why they were doing this, he still posed enthusiastically.

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: ;; What are you doing?

As Ji-gu was pressing the screenshot button repeatedly, an uninvited guest appeared on the screen. And he wasn’t alone—he brought three strange newbies with them. Ji-gu lifted his finger off the Print Screen button.

[All] Ji9star: Mind your own business ㅗ

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: ?

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: Suddenly being told to leave, huh?

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: That makes me want to stay even more~

CatMeowMeowMeow stood between Yeo-woon and himself, separating them.

“This little…”

There were still many poses left to take. He wanted to take a few more pictures after moving to the place with the chandelier above, but if CatMeowMeowMeow didn’t leave, he couldn’t take perfect pictures.

[All] neutaaaa: lololol Cat, what brings you here?

[All] neutaaaa: our level doesn’t match this area

The horror mansion map was a hunting ground for level 40 users. It meant it wasn’t an area where max-level players like CatMeowMeowMeow should appear. Yeo-woon was undoubtedly speaking indirectly, wanting to drive CatMeowMeowMeow away.

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: That applies to you guys too lolololol

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: Why are you even here?

[Whisper] Ji9star: We’re taking pictures, read the room

[Whisper] Ji9star: Get lost

[Whisper] Ji9star: Get lost

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: Neuta, Earth Star keeps whispering to me to get lost

[All] neutaaaa: lololololololol Who’s behind you?

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: I’m helping my friend level up and also helping someone in the right level range lol

[All] MudGoat: Hello…

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: This is my friend

CatMeowMeowMeow pointed at MudGoat with his finger.

[All] MudGoat: Wow, how do you do that?

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: You have to unlock the emoticon. You can’t do it lol

[All] MudGoat: Nothing works **

[All] MudGoat: Can’t even swear ㅠ

Looking at MudGoat wearing basic armor reminded Ji-gu of when he first met Yeo-woon. Back then, Yeo-woon was also wearing basic armor that dropped on hunting grounds, except for the cloak. At that time, Yeo-woon was really annoying, creepy, and dislikeable, but now, less than a year later, he liked him so much. Indeed, you never know how things will turn out with people.

Moreover, the fact that the person he had such a complicated relationship with moved next door couldn’t be explained by mere coincidence.

This had to be fate. Was it destiny between Yeo-woon and him…? Ji-gu’s face heated up at the thought.

[All] zombie: Can we go quickly? I’m busy;;

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: Oh right lololol Yes!

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: Just a moment, let me reset the party

[All] zombie: lololololol What have you been doing without even doing that?

[All] zombie: Looking at this, I can’t stay quiet anymore

[All] zombie: You said you’d help with the mansion scenario but you’re just standing around chatting, f***ing hell lol

Then, one of the guys lingering behind MudGoat stepped forward and picked a fight. He seemed to be a beginner who was added to the party while helping a friend. CatMeowMeowMeow seemed flustered and just stood there without saying a word.

Yoon Ji-gu could have stepped in to fight if he wanted to, but Yeo-woon wasn’t the one being picked on, and dealing with such a guy was bothersome. He’s not a kid, he’ll handle it himself…

[All] MudGoat: lololololol then go solo if you want, loser

[All] MudGoat: You’ve been subtly pissing me off for a while

[All] MudGoat: Normally, you pay people when they help you run a dungeon, right? If you had even a paid single penny, it might be less ridiculous to hear you talk like this

[All] MudGoat: If you’re broke, just shut up and wait~ Why are you ** to my friend lololol Have you lost all conscience?

[All] zombie: I wasn’t talking to you, why are you butting in?

[All] zombie: Ah lol Feeling guilty?

[All] MudGoat: This **** complains a lot

[All] MudGoat: ** Why can’t I swear ㅠㅠ That ** could, why only me

[All] neutaaaa: lololol Try inserting characters like / in between

Lee Yeo-woon really is kind and considerate, to the point of explaining something like that. Ji-gu couldn’t help but smile.

[All] MudGoat: F/uck

[All] MudGoat: You shameless piece of s/hit

[All] MudGoat: Wow it works!! Thank you!

[All] neutaaaa: No problem lol

[All] zombie: lololol You guys really stick together

[All] zombie: Honestly, soloing would have been better than wasting all this time with you lot, haha

[All] MudGoat: Bye then~ You said you can’t clear this map alone lol

[All] zombie: Yeah~ Yeah, I’ll just hire someone way faster than you^^ I’ll be way ahead of you in no time, see ya

[All] MudGoat: lolololololololololol

[All] MudGoat: Hahaha, go ahead, your life’s biggest accomplishment is getting to the first job change in Illusion ㅠㅠ

[All] zombie: ㅗ

After making a big fuss, zombie left the party and disappeared from the map.

[All] neutaaaa: Cat, are you okay?

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: lololololol I’m fine I’m fine

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: I’m just helping out of boredom, sometimes weird people get involved lol It’s okay! Those type usually quit soon anyway

[All] Ji9star: Pitiful MeowMeow

Then, one of the brown-haired beginners who had been standing still despite all the commotion, popped a speech bubble above their head.

[All] SkyTwilight: Cat-nim, I reported everything ㅇㅅㅇ

[All] SkyTwilight: And I’ve hired help before too

[All] SkyTwilight: Your clearing speed is way faster than those 3,000 coin hires. Don’t listen to him, ignore those comments ㅠㅠ!!

[All] CatMeowMeowMeow: Ah lol Thank you
[All] MudGoat: Hey let’s go

CatMeowMeowMeow finally disappeared into the inner map where the dungeon was, taking the two newbies with him. They should have gone earlier…. Yoon Ji-gu spent time taking various pictures with Yeo-woon, going through the horror mansion maps up to level 8.

[Couple] neutaaaa: I envy Cat… My friends have zero interest in games

[Couple] Ji9star: Hehe but you have me >_

[Couple] neutaaaa: Yeah, that’s true

[Couple] neutaaaa: Did you finish taking pictures?

[Couple] Ji9star: Yep

Yoon Ji-gu got very satisfactory results. Next time, he’d suggest wearing matching couple outfits again. In fact, maybe they could wear identical clothes instead of just themed ones. Ji-gu ran through dozens of outfit simulations in his head for what he and Yeo-woon could wear together next time.

[Couple] Ji9star: What are you doing next Tuesday?

[Couple] neutaaaa: Christmas?

[Couple] neutaaaa: I’ll probably be at home

[Couple] Ji9star: Not meeting anyone?

[Couple] neutaaaa: It’s weirder to meet friends on such a day lolol It’s awkward…

[Couple] neutaaaa: I’ll just play games with you and watch a movie or something

[Couple] Ji9star: lololololololololol

That day was the opportunity!

[Couple] neutaaaa: What about you?

[Couple] Ji9star: Same as you lol Playing games and watching movies

[Couple] neutaaaa: I knew it lolololololol

There was still a week left until Christmas, but Ji-gu already felt anxious. He started searching for movies to watch with Yeo-woon. Christmas movies, movies perfect for confessions, romantic movies, R-rated Christmas movies….

In the end, he chose a Christmas movie that was moderately romantic and reportedly had a very high couple formation rate when it was released. It was a movie that would inspire courage in Yeo-woon, who always hesitated. Yoon Ji-gu clenched his fist with determination.

On Christmas Day, he would definitely get a confession from Lee Yeo-woon!