"...I don't see him. Is the timing bad?"
Sung Suah, dressed in her usual casual suit, looked around the cafeteria early in the morning as she always did. However, the person she was looking for was nowhere to be seen.
"Or does he not eat breakfast?"
As she thought, Suho tended to skip breakfast. In fact, the cafeteria was the most relaxed during breakfast hours. While lunchtime was bustling with activity, the cafeteria was quiet in the morning, a testament to how many people skipped breakfast.
Deciding that Suho wasn't there, Sung Suah was about to find a seat for herself when something caught her eye. A cadet, happily stuffing her mouth with what looked like twice the amount of food anyone else would eat, sat alone. It was Song Ara.
'She's alone again today...'
Sung Suah smiled wryly and sat down next to Song Ara.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Ugh! Teacher! Of course!"
Song Ara covered her mouth, worried that food might spill out as she spoke.
"Teacher... Is that girl really coming next week?"
"...Well, she's scheduled to start attending next week, but it's not confirmed yet."
"Ah..."
Song Ara pouted, resting the tip of her spoon on her lips as she listened. Sung Suah smiled at her and said.
"Don't worry. She'll definitely come back."
"Hehe..."
Song Ara began eating again, and Sung Suah decided to ask her something she had been pondering since yesterday.
"Ara."
"Yes?"
"Do you know what guys like?"
"Guys?"
Song Ara tilted her head, her gaze drifting to the ceiling. After a few seconds of thought, she lightly tapped the table with her palm and said.
"VR gear."
"...Isn't that what you like?"
"Hehe... Well, yeah... But the guys go crazy over it. They say as soon as they earn money as heroes, the first thing they buy is VR gear."
"What about you?"
"...It's definitely my top priority. Hehe..."
Despite being a standard model, the VR headgear was priced at around 500 million won. There were even more expensive capsule models, but even Sung Suah, an active hero, found them difficult to afford. The ones used at the Hero Academy were similar to those.
'Someone like Ara could probably buy one right away.'
If you asked any instructor who they thought would graduate at the top of the class this year, they would all point to one person: Song Ara. She was highly regarded for her skills, talent, and character. However, she had one issue...
'If only she were a bit more flexible, everyone would like her...'
Despite her recognition and outstanding abilities as a cadet, her peers kept their distance. It wasn't that they disliked her; they were just wary. Her lack of flexibility, even at a young age, had become a flaw. But as Sung Suah watched Song Ara eat heartily, she set aside her worries.
'Well, I'm not in a position to worry about her... But VR gear, huh...'
Sung Suah remembered how Suho seemed to enjoy virtual reality the day before. However, considering the price of VR headgear, it felt too extravagant to give as a gift, even to a close colleague.
'...Should I give him mine?'
It didn't seem like a bad idea. The VR headgear Sung Suah owned was quite old, and she hardly used it. Although it was expensive when she bought it, keeping something she didn't use didn't seem like a good choice.
'Yes, that's a good idea.'
As she scooped a spoonful of rice from her tray, Sung Suah worried.
'...He won't feel bad about receiving a used one, right?'
***
"You don't have to give it to me."
"...Huh?"
I tried to return the card key for the VR training room to Cho Seo-hyun, but she refused to take it back. Crossing her arms and glancing at me sideways, she said.
"Anyway, during VR training, assistant instructors are required to accompany the trainees. So, don't lose it and use it as you please."
"Alright, understood."
"Good work today. You can go now."
"Okay."
I briefly responded and was about to leave the faculty office when I overheard some murmurs directed at me.
-"It's strange. Is Instructor Cho Seo-hyun usually this nice to assistant instructors?"
-"Yeah, by now, she'd be yelling and pinning mistakes on someone."
-"Maybe she liked him from the first day."
-"...Because he's a kid?"
-"No, not that. During the weapon handover ceremony, they finished really quickly. I heard this assistant instructor is quite efficient."
-"Ah..."
I felt relieved as I listened to their conversation.
'Cho Seo-hyun... What kind of behavior do you usually exhibit?'
[The trait assessment of the students from the first day really helped.]
'Really... If it weren't for that, just imagining it would be terrifying.'
I pretended not to hear the whispers and headed to the cafeteria for lunch. Upon arrival, I saw cadets and staff bustling about for their meals.
"I wonder what the side dishes are today~"
"Today's Korean menu: beef, rolled omelet, and seaweed soup."
"Yay, jackpot... Huh?"
I accidentally responded and turned around to see Sung Suah smiling, holding a tray.
***
"That's too kind of you..."
"Don't feel burdened... Do you dislike it?"
Sung Suah explained her reasoning. Given what happened the previous day and the fact that she had an unused VR headgear, she wanted to give it to me. I could guess her intentions.
'She seems like the type who can't stand feeling guilty...'
[Though that applies to her boyfriend too, which is the problem.]
'...So she wants to play virtual reality games together.'
Seeing Sung Suah yesterday, I felt that if we were in a place where no one was watching, she would gradually open up without hesitation. That's why I wanted the VR gear...
"Not at all. If I had the money, I would've bought it already."
"That's good to hear. Then I'll have it sent to your dorm tonight."
"Ah... But it's such an expensive device, I feel a bit..."
Truthfully, I had no intention of refusing. I really wanted it, and there was no reason to stop her from giving it to me. However, my reason for wanting the VR gear wasn't to enjoy games. I needed a medium to connect with Sung Suah. If I just accepted it outright, it would merely be acquiring a good gaming device.
Sung Suah looked disappointed, her expression tinged with regret.
"You don't have to feel burdened..."
There's nothing more disappointing than carefully choosing a gift that the other person likes, only to have them feel awkward about it. Despite Sung Suah's continued persuasion, I held my ground.
I awkwardly tried to convince her.
"Well... Even if I accept it, I'd have to use it alone anyway."
"Ah..."
Originally, the online mode would be possible, but due to Hero Academy server issues, all external internet connections were blocked except for basic communication networks. The VR headgear could still be used, but only on the internal network. While Hero Academy staff could use it among themselves, it was unlikely that anyone other than official instructors owned one. Without close ties to the instructors, I could only use it for solo purposes.
Sung Suah closed her eyes for a moment, then smiled brightly and said.
"Then how about we try it together?"
***
"Phew... Is the setup done?"
As soon as Sung Suah arrived at the dorm, she had the VR headgear from her room delivered to Suho's room and set up the new device she received today.
After hearing Suho's reason for refusing, she considered other gifts but then remembered something she had heard when she first joined the Hero Academy.
"We provide VR headsets to Hero Academy instructors for free during their tenure. Though most already have their own, so few request to borrow them."
Sung Suah recalled this and immediately explained the situation to Suho, suggesting they use it together. Hearing her explanation, Suho smiled brightly and readily agreed.
As soon as classes ended, Sung Suah headed to the supply room to borrow a headset. The headset type was easy to set up, and she managed it without difficulty.
"I never thought I'd end up using it together... But I guess once he gets tired of playing with me, he can go back to using it online."
She wasn't particularly interested in games herself. However, the experience of virtual reality from the previous day had left a pleasant memory, and she wanted to try it a bit more.
"First, link the device to my phone info..."
Unlike capsule types, this VR device used personal information for registration instead of biometrics. Seeing the message that her phone information and contacts had been successfully linked, she lay down on the bed wearing the headset.
"And then press this button... Ah! It's working!"
Pressing the button on the device, a screen appeared displaying warnings and important messages.
As Sung Suah carefully read the warnings, her vision went dark.
***
"I'm in. Let's check my clothes... Phew... This time it's normal."
As soon as she connected, Sung Suah meticulously checked her outfit. If something went wrong like yesterday, she wouldn't be able to face him again.
"First, let's find Suho in the contacts..."
She pulled up the contact list as a hologram and immediately found Suho. She always meticulously organized her contacts, so despite having many, she could quickly find and remember the ones she needed.
"Wait! Let's set the connection to private..."
There was a reason Sung Suah rarely used the VR headgear, even though she owned one. Whenever she used it, random people would contact her, mistaking her for someone who enjoyed games because she couldn't refuse their requests. As a result, she had tried various RPGs and battle games but found no enjoyment in them. Eventually, the headset ended up stored in a box in the corner of her room, like a sacred relic.
"Back then, I didn't set it to private because I thought my brother might join... But now, if I'm with Suho, it might cause misunderstandings. Let's set it to private."
Sung Suah set the connection to private and initiated a voice chat with Suho.
"Can you hear me?"
[Ugh! You scared me!]
"Pfft... Did I startle you?"
Sung Suah smiled to herself.
'Somehow, being with this person makes me laugh more.'
Unaware of her smile, Suho flusteredly explained,
[Ah... Instructor Sung Suah? It's my first time, so I'm a bit confused...]
"It's okay. I'll guide you step by step."
Sung Suah, having not used the system in a while, decided to choose a game first and then connect.
"Meeting in person is probably important. It'll be easier to explain side by side."
[Yes, that makes sense.]
"First, click on the game list on that screen and tell me which game you'd like to play."
[Ah... I...]
Sung Suah thought to herself.
'Guys usually like battle games or FPS, right?'
Although the environment was limited due to being offline, most games were available on the headset. However, many were trial versions, so to play the full game, one would need to buy a chip or download the game online.
'Even if it's a battle or RPG format, he should be able to enjoy it for 1-2 weeks without issue.'
Suho, who seemed to be carefully considering his options, finally told Sung Suah the title of the game he wanted to play.
"Animal Village? That sounds good."
"...Animal Village?"
Sung Suah was familiar with the game. It was a slow-life game where you lived in a rural village and decorated it. She had played it briefly and remembered enjoying it. The game was originally a slow-life game but had gained popularity as a way for long-distance couples to meet and enjoy time together. However, due to the high cost of VR gear and the passage of time, it had few users now.
'Back then, I asked my brother to play with me, but he refused... Should I try it now...'
Hiding her disappointment, Sung Suah spoke to Suho through voice chat.
"Let's try that. I'll host the game. Join right away."
[Okay.]
As soon as Sung Suah started the game, her vision was filled with a vast plain surrounded by beautiful mountains.
'...I remember feeling so good back then too.'
Sung Suah was captivated by the natural scenery, gazing at the sun in the sky. As she stared blankly, she snapped back to reality and looked for Suho.
"Ah! Instructor Suho is... Oh my!"
"..."
Suddenly, a child who looked like an elementary school student appeared before her.
"Was there an NPC like this? What do I do... You're so cute!"
Sung Suah, who loved children, hugged the NPC tightly, rubbing her cheeks against the child. Normally, she wouldn't randomly hug a child, but being in the game environment made her feel free to do so.
As she was engrossed in hugging the child, a voice called out.
"Uh... Instructor Sung Suah..."
"Ah! Sorry, sorry. The child was just so cute... Huh? Where are you?"
Sung Suah heard Suho's voice but couldn't find him anywhere. Then, the child in her arms softly spoke.
"...I'm right here."
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? đź“– Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹