Reality Quest: Questism

Jihan stepped into the PC café, the familiar hum of computers filling the air along with the faint scent of cheap ramen and energy drinks. The place was packed, mostly with students in uniform, some huddled in groups, others glued to their screens with headphones clamped tight over their ears.

It wasn't his first time in a PC café, but it had been a while. He usually avoided places like this. Too many people, too much noise, and more chances to run into someone looking for an easy target.

But tonight was different.

His eyes scanned the rows of seats, searching for Dowan. He didn't have to look for long.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THAT WASN'T A HEADSHOT?!"

The voice was unmistakable. Jihan turned toward the sound, and sure enough, there he was, Ha Dowan, hunched over his screen, one hand gripping the mouse like it had personally wronged him, the other jabbing at his keyboard in frustration. His headset sat slightly askew on his head, dark eyes blazing with the kind of rage that only bad hit registration could inspire.

Jihan hesitated for a moment.

This guy… really just did whatever he wanted, didn't he?

Dowan slammed his hand down on the desk, then exhaled sharply, like he was trying to physically push the anger out of his body. "Alright, that's it. I'm uninstalling. I'm actually uninstalling."

"You said that last round," came the dry voice of a stranger sitting next to him.

Dowan turned to glare at the guy like he'd committed some unforgivable sin. "And yet, I'm still here. Who's the real loser?"

The other player just snorted and went back to his game.

Jihan shook his head, finally making his way over. He stopped just behind Dowan's seat. 

"You invited me out just so I could watch you have a breakdown?"

Dowan twisted around in his chair, eyes widening slightly when he saw Jihan standing there. Then, like nothing happened, he grinned and gestured to the empty seat next to him. "Nah. That was just a bonus. Sit down. You play or what?"

"A little, I took some classes on it when I was younger."

He paused. "Classes… on how to game?"

"Mhm, a bit of everything." 

Dowan clicked his tongue. "You know what, I'm not even going to ask. Here, come join me on DeathCall."

Jihan sighed again, but this time, there was the slightest hint of amusement in his expression as he logged in.

Maybe… maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

***

I leaned back in my chair, stretching my arms over my head as the match ended. Victory. Finally.

Jihan was better than I expected. Way better. His reaction time was crazy, his movement was clean, and he actually knew how to play support without needing to be babysat. I had to carry a little, sure, but that was mostly because he wasn't used to the game. Once he got the hang of it, we were steamrolling lobbies like we'd been playing together for years.

I shot him a glance. "You sure you haven't played in a while? 'Cause that didn't feel like 'a while.'"

Jihan shrugged, adjusting his headset. "Used to play a lot. Stopped."

That was all he said. No explanation, no extra details. If I hadn't peeked at his stats earlier today, I might've let it go. But the more I looked at him, the more it made sense. He wasn't just a good player, he was efficient. Always in the right spot, always covering angles properly, barely wasting a single movement. 

I turned back to my screen, debating whether or not to push the topic, but before I could say anything, Jihan spoke again.

"This was fun, Dowan."

It wasn't much. Just three words. But considering the guy had barely talked today, it was something.

I grinned. "Told you."

He shook his head, but I caught the tiniest curve of a smile on his face.

We played a few more matches, swapping between different games. It was easy… natural, even. For the first time in a while, I wasn't thinking about the Bully Council, or my father, or whatever the hell I was going to do next.

Then his phone vibrated on the desk.

At first, I barely noticed… too busy yelling at my screen like a degenerate. But then he stood up. Just like that. No words, no reaction, just stiff movement as he pulled off his headset.

That's when I actually looked at him.

His face had gone pale, eyes locked onto his phone screen like he wasn't really seeing it.

"I… I have to go."

That was all he said.

I blinked, momentarily ignoring the fact that my bot lane had the IQ of a potato. "Go where?"

"The hospital."

…Oh.

That one word made something in my chest tighten. Jihan still hadn't looked at me, his hands clenched tight around his phone like he was bracing himself for whatever news was on the other end.

I didn't hesitate. Logged out, stood up, grabbed my jacket. "I'll come with you."

Jihan shook his head immediately. "You don't have to—"

"Shut up." I rolled my eyes, already walking toward the door. "You think I'm just gonna let you run off alone looking like you're about to pass out? Come on."

He hesitated. His grip on his phone tightened, his whole posture stiff.

I sighed, patting his back lightly. "Let's go, man. We can run if you want."

Finally, he let out a breath. "…Alright."

That was all I needed to hear.

"Good. 'Cause if I'm running, you're buying me something after."

The faintest trail of smile perked up on his face before disappearing again. I quickly paid for both of us at the till and then we left the Cafe.

The whole way there, Jihan didn't say a word.

I didn't push him.

We ran until our legs burned, pushing through the night air, cutting across streets and weaving through crowds. By the time we reached the hospital, I was gasping for breath, and Jihan was already bolting through the entrance. Thank god, the hospital was relatively nearby.

I followed right after him.

The place was quiet, save for the hum of machines and the occasional shuffle of nurses moving from room to room. Jihan went straight to the front desk, barely stopping to breathe.

"My mom. Yoo Sunhee. Room 307. What happened?"

The nurse, an older woman with tired eyes, blinked at him before recognition clicked. "Ah, Sunhee's son? It's alright, dear. She's stable."

Jihan visibly deflated. I actually heard the breath leave his lungs.

"She just had a small scare in her sleep," the nurse continued, softer now. "The monitors picked up some irregularities, so the doctors checked her over. But she's fine. She woke up a little while ago."

Jihan didn't say anything, just stood there, fingers gripping the edge of the counter like it was the only thing holding him up.

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Told you she was fine."

His head turned toward me, and for the first time since we left the PC café, I saw something in his expression that wasn't just tension.

Relief.

"…Yeah," he muttered, voice quiet.

The nurse smiled, gesturing toward the hallway. "You can go see her, dear."

Jihan nodded, already turning. He stopped, like he just remembered I was there, and gave me a look that was half awkward, half… something else.

"…You coming?"

I blinked. I hadn't expected that.

"I mean, uh-" Jihan scratched his head, clearly unsure how to phrase it. "You came all the way here, so…"

I smiled. "Of course I'm coming. C'mon let's go."

The room was quiet when we stepped in. The only sounds were the steady beeping of the heart monitor and the soft hum of the hospital's fluorescent lights.

Jihan hesitated in the doorway.

His mom was lying in bed, eyes closed, but she wasn't asleep. I could tell by the way her fingers twitched slightly at the sound of the door opening. When she turned her head toward us, her expression was tired but warm.

"Jihan," she murmured, a small smile forming. "You ran all the way here, didn't you?"

Jihan cleared his throat, shifting awkwardly. "...Yeah."

Her gaze flickered to me, clearly surprised to see a second person.

"And this is…?"

"Oh, uh-" Jihan seemed to suddenly remember I existed. He rubbed the back of his neck. "This is Dowan. He, uh…" He glanced at me like he wasn't sure how to explain me.

I stepped forward, offering a slight bow. "I'm his friend. Nice to meet you ma'am."

That got a breathy chuckle out of her. "Well, thank you for looking after my son, Dowan."

Jihan groaned. "Mom…"

Despite the obvious exhaustion, despite everything, there was a warmth in her presence that made the sterile, white-walled hospital room feel less suffocating.

For a moment, Jihan didn't say anything. He just stood there, staring at her, like he was reassuring himself she was actually fine.

"…They said it was just a scare?" he finally asked.

She nodded. "The doctors ran tests. Everything's stable. I promise."

Jihan exhaled, his whole body relaxing like someone had just lifted a hundred kilos off his back.

I clapped a hand on his shoulder. "See? Told you."

His mom just smiled knowingly.

We didn't stay much longer. Jihan sat with her for a while, quiet but present, and I stayed off to the side, letting them talk.

Eventually, a nurse came in to do some check-ups, and I took that as our cue to leave.

Outside the hospital, the night air was cool, crisp. The adrenaline from earlier had faded, leaving behind a weird sort of calm.

"I… I think I'm gonna stay here for the night Dowan, just in case." He didn't look as timid anymore, moreso just back to his normal sheepish state.

"Yeah, I understand. So… I'll see you tomorrow."

"...Today's the last day. You realise we're gonna be second years in 2 weeks right?"

I blinked. Oh wells, that's what I get for sleeping at school I suppose. Didn't this happen last time too? I told Jihan 'see you tomorrow at school' even though it was a Friday. 

"I… ah, I slept for most of the day so..."

Jihan turned back to me, raising a brow. "You? Are you gonna be okay?"

It was a simple question, but for some reason, it caught me off guard.

I blinked. "Me?"

"Yeah." He gestured vaguely at me. "You look like shit."

I scoffed. I'd used the healing bean anyways, I was at the peak of my physical perfection. "Wow. Thanks."

"Seriously." He crossed his arms. "You're fighting people left and right, passing out at school, forgetting what day it is… Are you okay?"

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

Was I good?

"...I'm fine man. Take care of your mom. I'll text you tomorrow?"

He nodded and with that I turned and started walking.

The night stretched out before me, the streets quiet, the distant glow of neon signs flickering in the dark.

Two weeks, huh?

I exhaled, stuffing my hands in my pockets.

That Healing bean… it was time to abuse it.

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