I’ve been addicted to playing games ever since I was a child. And I was so good at it. May it be fighting, dancing, strategy, or dancing games, my relatives and strangers tried to beat me, but they couldn't. I was too good.

I was in high school when this new game called RiotWorld came out. It became a massive hit. It was only natural for me to play it and be a top player. Considering, ahem, how good I am.

However, one day, there seemed to be a rising player who was challenging my top spot. He played a mage class in the game, while I was a fighter class. He asked for a duel, and I had the hardest time battling him. I eventually won, though, which is fairly expected. But I realized it would be a waste if I left him alone. So, I extended my hand out to him and asked him whether he wanted to be a duo with me.

“Hey, do you maybe want to team up with me?” 

Of course, who would pass up this opportunity? He immediately agreed.

We became the coolest duo in the game. We conquered every boss battle, duels, and dungeon quest. Time flew by so fast that I didn’t realize we had been calling and playing together for a year already.

This is until this happens.

One day, we were calling and playing with each other, as we normally do.

In the game, we won against this massive aqua monster boss in a high-ranked dungeon quest together.

*Flashback ensues*

“Nice job, Mystical Sorcerer! If you weren’t there to back me up, I would have died here.”

I ran closer to him and gave him my brightest smile. “I really wouldn’t be able to find a better partner than you! Give me a high five!”

“Yeah… Good job.” He gave me a wry smile and tapped my palm slightly. He walked past me, walking out of the dungeon. Huh? Did I do something wrong?

I walked behind him. “Is something wrong?” I peeked behind my shoulder.

He sighed. “No. It’s nothing.” He refused to meet my gaze. Well, if you’re going to deny something, at least make it believable!

I went past him and stopped him in his tracks. I put my hands on his face to force him to look at me. “Ugh. You baby! Just tell me what it is!"

He hesitated for a while but gave in at the end.

“Yu sed wi ar bet parnr..” What is this guy talking about? I can’t understand him!

“WHAT?!” 

He sighed and pointed to my hands. Oh! AHHAHAH, my bad. I was squeezing his face so hard that he couldn’t speak properly.

I released him from my hold, and he started talking.

“It’s just that…”

“That?”

“I feel…”

“OH, COME ON! JUST SAY IT!”

“I feel bad that maybe you just see me as a tool here in the game. We have been playing for a long time now, yet you don’t even tell me your real name! And every time I suggest maybe we could hang out in real life, you always make excuses."

This caught me off guard. Was I too obvious about how I was trying to hide my identity?

Gah! What am I thinking? Of course, I was too obvious.

I didn’t know how to respond. I don’t like going out! I have social anxiety, so I’m afraid of crowds. Plus, I don’t know anything about him! What if he’s a serial killer who is collecting victims organs to sell for money, or what if he’s a stalker who would kidnap me and trap me in his basement forever? AHHH!! I’m too scared! I don’t want to!

“Ahhh, hehe. Sorry, my mom is calling me. I have to go now. See you,  Mystical Sorcerer!

*Flashback stops*

Sigh. I’m glad I got to escape that awkward situation. Well, at least that was what I thought. He kept pestering me and pleading for us to meet for a whole month! AH! I’m going crazy. I didn’t know what to do. I could just ignore him and cut him off, but I doubt I would find a better partner than him here in RiotWorld. I eventually agreed and gave him my number. I had no choice!

We agreed to meet in a park thirty minutes away from my house next Saturday. Here’s a tip for all of you: if you meet someone you only know online face-to-face, make sure you meet in a place with crowds. Because if you meet in private, you are vulnerable. No one is around to help you if something bad happens.

My most dreaded day eventually came. I’m now here, hiding behind a tree in the place we decided to meet. Gah! I knew this was a bad idea! People are looking at me like I snuck out of the mental hospital! Well, I couldn’t blame them. I’m covered in this big black hoodie with baggy pants, a mask, and a cap while loitering around a tree. I would have called 911 if I were them. Wait. That’s actually a good idea, so I wouldn’t be able to meet this guy!

*Ring, ring

I was surprised when my phone rang, and I accidentally pressed the answer button! It was Mystical Sorcerer! Ugh, why am I so stupid?!

“Hey, GoldenWarrior1. I just arrived here. I’m wearing a black and brown jacket. Where are you?"

Oh no, oh no. I am not yet ready. I dropped the call. Gah! 

He called me again, which caused my phone to ring loudly again. Shoot! Shoot! If he’s nearby, he might notice!

Sigh. I had to shut my phone off. That was a close call. I can’t believe he really wen-

“Is that you, GoldenWarrior1?” 

EKKK!!! My heart almost gave up when I heard his voice near me.

I gulped. W-what s-should I do? I hesitated for a while, then decided to slowly turn around. What surprised me the most is that when I turned around, I expected a normal average guy to be MysticalSorcerer, my long-time online buddy, but it was the most famous and most handsome idol alive!!!! He was wearing a cap, and he lowered his mask to his chin. 

H-how c-could this be? I was being mean to him all the time! I hope he’s not here to sue me. 

He reached out for my hand.

“Hi, I’m Mystical Sorcerer. It’s finally great to meet you in person, Golden Warrior 1."

I almost fainted. Every woman and gay boy in this world wanted him (of course, including me), while every man wanted to be him! So, tell me, how should I react when he’s right in front of me now?

He invited me to eat at a restaurant afterwards, which I agreed to, with a little forcing from him, of course. But, honestly, even if he didn’t insist, I would still go because, duh! Who would miss a chance to hang out with a celebrity?

Due to his fame, we ate in an exclusive restaurant, where we had our own room. It's too fancy! I am thankful that it’s only the two of us, though. I am afraid of crowds, remember? At least we have something that we agree on.

When we came, there was already food on the table. So, we removed our caps and masks to eat. At first, both of us didn’t talk. God, I might die of this awkwardness. He was the first one to break the ice.

“I hope you like the food. I didn’t really know what you wanted, so I ordered everything.” He smiled at me gently. Honestly, I couldn’t understand what he just said. His face is too distracting. How can somebody be that handsome?

His giggle brought me back to reality. GAH! I’m so embarrassed! I must have stared too much.

“Were you surprised?” He asked me.

“A-about what?” I replied.

“Me.” 

I gulped. Of course! Who wouldn’t be? Before I could even think of what to say, my mouth had already spoken on its own. Sigh, why am I always an embarrassment?

“Duh! Who wouldn’t be shocked when your online friend turned out to be the hottest man alive!!” 

…

Only after I let those words go did I realize the things I said. SHOULD I JUST RUN AWAY?!

He giggled, and gosh, he looked so handsome that I almost stopped regretting what I did.

“Thank you for thinking of me that way.” 

Notice the ALMOST. I doubt I’ll forget this embarrassment even after 20 years!

Then he reached out for my hand. “You might know me as Seven, but that’s only my stage name, Myung-do. What’s yours?”

“M-my n-name is Tae-ri. Nice to meet you.” We shook hands. 

Me and Myung-do talked, and it turns out we have so many things in common. I actually couldn’t believe that I had a great time with him, and I could tell he had a great time too. BECAUSE HE INVITED ME AGAIN TO MEET UP! Wah! I mean, I like him and have a huge crush on him and all that.

But we’re literally two worlds apart. He’s a superstar; I’m just a normal person. He’s rich; I’m not. He’s beautiful; I look average. He’s always surrounded by people, and I don’t like people!

I was about to refuse him, but he pleaded cutely and even showed me his irresistible puppy eyes. The nerve! But who was I to refuse him when he’s being this cute?

That was how my life suddenly became haywire.

He would call me unnoticed. Do you know how stressful that is for someone with severe social awkwardness? And take note, it’s always a video call! If I don’t answer, he will just call me again and again! Gahhh. I get a heart attack every time he shares his camera. He’s drop-dead gorgeous. One time, he forgot he wasn’t even wearing a shirt! I died there and then. Then, we would play RiotWorld while video calling. And he would frequently ask me to hang out in person. I try to refuse every time, but I think he knows the power his puppy eyes hold. I always fall victim to it.

Although I don’t usually like being with people and get really anxious instead, for some reason, I feel comfortable around him. He’s gentle and considerate, though pushy at times; his cuteness makes up for it, so it’s okay. Funny, kind, and humble. Sometimes, I even forget how we live in two different worlds. That is, until he brought me to his penthouse. My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw that my apartment was literally just the size of his bathroom. Sigh, the sad reality of the middle class. He led me to his arcade room after, and I thought that was heaven. We meet up maybe once or twice a week just to play there. We became closer and closer each time. 

But one day, something between us happened in his arcade room. We just finished playing RiotWorld and did a hard boss quest. I unconsciously hugged him out of excitement. When he returned the hug, that’s when I realized what I had done.

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to. I just got excited.” I said it with an embarrassed laugh.

“It’s okay. I liked it.” 

I was taken aback by what he said. W-what does he mean?

“I’m sorry?” 

“Ah, it’s nothing.” 

Awkward tension got between us as we looked away from each other. What’s with this weird atmosphere? No one talked for a while. But he broke the cold air between us.

"Hey.” He spoke to me gently. I was still looking away from him.

“Yeah?”

“Could you face me, please?" My cheeks started to feel a bit warm. What’s with the tone of his voice? It sounds so sensual! I can’t take this!!

I slowly faced him, but I couldn’t face his eyes. I waited for what he wanted to say, but it’s already been a couple of minutes since he didn’t speak.

So, I faced him and saw a very bright red flush covering his face.

“I….” 

“I think I like you, Tae-ri.”