Streamer Crazy About Slaughter - Chapter 465
***
Inside the large van heading to the post-match gathering of TSJ.
Most of the players from TSJ in the van did not hide their joy, and the coaching staff and coach were also wearing gentle smiles as they mingled with the players.
And among them, in the middle window seat, Eunha, who was a key player in today’s final and was selected as the MVP, was gazing out the window.
She looked tired. Even as she yawned slightly while leaning against the window, the other players chose not to disturb her.
They all knew who must have had the hardest time today. However, there was someone among them who still spoke to her.
“Unnie!”
“…Yes?”
“Why are you looking out the window like that?”
When Seol Ah asked with a bright expression, Eunha turned her gaze outside and smiled softly.
“Just… It’s hard to believe we won.”
In her calm voice, which was tinged with a small joy, Seol Ah smiled brightly.
‘This final was different for Unnie as well.’
Last year, even though they had won, she had only shown her happiness momentarily. After that, she had displayed a calm and collected demeanor.
Seol Ah had admired how mysterious and cool her older sister was, but today she seemed to feel a greater joy, which was nice to see.
“Really… I definitely can’t believe it either. Even now, it feels like a dream that we won…”
Even as she spoke, her heart kept racing.
Considering how particularly challenging the final had been, the joy of winning was extraordinary.
Gently.
She unconsciously pinched her thigh lightly, but it wasn’t a dream.
—Winning.
The fact that they had won had become reality.
“A dream…?”
With a calm tone, Unnie smiled softly and nodded, making eye contact with Seol Ah.
As if reflecting light like obsidian, Unnie’s eyes held her gaze, making Seol Ah feel a little flustered as she met her eyes.
However, for a moment, as if looking back at her, Unnie shook her head gently.
“Even thinking about it now… If it weren’t for you, I might have really lost.”
As she suddenly brought up Seol Ah, it caught her off guard momentarily, and she hurriedly shook her head.
“N-no. Even if I hadn’t done well, you would have surely shown your skill.”
Avoiding Unnie’s gaze, she suddenly felt embarrassed, her face heating up.
Receiving a compliment from Unnie, whom she had always wanted to be acknowledged by, made her heart race as if it were broken.
She finally felt recognized by the sister she had longed for.
“…”
Fidgeting with her hands, she began to reflect on the last match.
Retiring along with Kang Hyuk was the play she had to make.
Yes. It was the play she had to make no matter what.
If she had carelessly retired against Kang Hyuk again, she would have clutched Unnie’s ankle once more.
Like she regretted for game 4… she surely wouldn’t have been able to smile like this now.
So, while she felt joy, she also felt an endless sense of relief.
Relief that she had played a sufficient role. That she had become a source of strength without having to cling to Unnie’s ankle.
Swoosh.
While she hesitated like that, she saw Unnie naturally turning her head away.
As if the previous words were the end, she gazed out the window again, making it hard for Seol Ah to take her eyes off her.
Unnie’s appearance was the same as always.
But because of that, it felt strangely disappointing.
‘I wanted to talk just a little more.’
Was that my selfish desire?
The noise in the van was bustling.
The excited voices of the other players and coaches talking about their joy of winning felt oddly distant.
Right now. All that was visible to her was Unnie.
Unnie, looking out tiredly, seemed to radiate an atmosphere that made it hard to approach her.
Perhaps the others felt it too, and that’s why they didn’t dare to speak up.
Even knowing Unnie was tired, Seol Ah tried to speak anyway.
She wanted to share this happiness and joy she was feeling with Unnie.
And Unnie didn’t find her bothersome and answered her.
Just knowing that made Seol Ah happy.
Unnie, who had previously shown little emotion, seemed to be changing little by little.
As she gazed at Unnie, trying to calm her racing heart,
Swoosh.
She saw Unnie looking at her smartphone, as if checking something.
…
As she gazed at the passing scenery outside, Eunha’s heart was slightly uplifted.
‘Is this happiness?’
She found herself thinking and nodded in agreement.
It was definitely happiness.
Winning.
Her career as an athlete.
When was the last time she felt this joy?
It was hard to remember, but she was certainly happy.
Was it because today’s final was particularly difficult? Or was it because she received support from Ms. Serin?
She wasn’t sure.
Perhaps both reasons intertwined. Or it could just be one reason, but the emotion of happiness was clear.
Like a cloth slowly submerging in water, her heart felt completely full of happiness and joy without diminishing at all.
As she realized her emotions were bubbling up unusually, she had no desire to erase them.
“…”
And because of that,
She wanted to share this feeling with someone else.
The joy and happiness she was feeling right now.
She wanted to share it with someone who had cheered for her today. The longing to do so captivated her like a small craving.
Thud.
She gently pressed the button, and the smartphone’s screen lit up brightly, but that was all.
There was no sign of contact.
Feeling a tinge of disappointment, the time suddenly caught her eye.
—11:47.
It was late at night, close to midnight.
The view outside showed buildings glowing in the darkness, illuminating the scenery. It was late.
‘I heard Ms. Serin usually sleeps a lot.’
Thinking of Ms. Serin suddenly left her with some lingering regret.
She had sent a message after everything had ended, but it seemed Ms. Serin hadn’t read it yet.
She thought she might have fallen asleep. Yet, despite that, she checked to see if she had received any messages.
Thud.
Turning off the screen again, she leaned back slowly.
As they headed to the post-match gathering, she felt okay about the time ahead.
It wouldn’t be bad just to share the joy of winning together.
She didn’t dislike being with her teammates or felt difficulty being with the coaching staff and coach.
On a day like today, having won, she felt grateful to them, and spending time together held its own meaning.
But still, she wondered what it would have been like to spend time with Ms. Serin.
The meal time she had with Ms. Serin. The time spent at the glamping site…
Since Ms. Serin watched today’s game, they could surely have spent a joyful time chatting.
She wondered if Ms. Serin had picked up on the interview she couldn’t directly mention. Would they have exchanged playful banter about it?
Lost in her endless thoughts, she couldn’t help but smile.
‘Really. What am I thinking about all alone?’
She shook her head slightly. Truly, all those thoughts were just her selfish desires.
The time ahead would definitely be spent with her teammates and coaching staff, and Ms. Serin must be tired right now. She was rashly wishing for a different time for herself.
So she cleared her thoughts and acknowledged reality.
The final had ended. With a good result, winning.
The upcoming vacation wouldn’t be as long as before, considering the new Another World beginning this year. But still, it would be a substantial amount of time.
She could create time to spend with Ms. Serin without feeling rushed like this.
Thinking that way, the feeling of disappointment within happiness began to transform into anticipation.
Yes. Even if she couldn’t share it right away, the expectation that she would meet again soon felt good.
As she thought about that, she unconsciously turned her head.
“…!”
With a startled expression, Seol Ah quickly averted her gaze. Other players and coaching staff were also looking at her in surprise.
“Why is everyone looking at me like that?”
“Ah, no. Just…”
“I’ve never seen you so happy before… so it’s just fascinating.”
“Eunha, I’ve really never seen you laugh like that.”
They all stared at her, leaving Seol Ah blinking blankly.
‘Did I… smile?’
***
Seoyoon took a bite of the braised short ribs and widened her eyes in surprise.
“…It’s delicious.”
“Right!?”
When Serin asked as if she was happy too, Seoyoon nodded and shared her thoughts on the flavor again.
“This braised short ribs here is really tasty, isn’t it?”
As Seoyoon nodded, Serin couldn’t hide her satisfaction.
She felt proud to be sharing such delicious food. Even though she hadn’t cooked it herself, she felt as if she had done something for someone.
“Sua said this place is really good too.”
“Sua?”
“Yeah. When we ate together last time, Sua had a really good reaction.”
As she said this, she picked up a piece of braised short ribs.
Since the meaty part was tastier when eaten by hand, she deliberately avoided using chopsticks.
Snap.
As she took a delicious bite of the braised short ribs,
Maybe it was because she was hungry.
When the seasoning and juices spread in her mouth in a perfectly delicious way, she found herself speechless with happiness.
“Really. Why are you eating with your hands?”
Seoyoon asked, looking at her in fascination. Serin smiled lightly.
“What’s wrong with that?”
Playfully licking the sauce off her fingers, Serin noticed Seoyoon making a strange face in disgust.
“Seriously, Unnie… you’ve changed a lot.”
“Changed? What’s changed?”
“Well, you used to immediately want to wash your hands if just a bit of sauce got on them.”
Serin smiled at Seoyoon’s words and thought back to when she used to be like that.
In truth, even in front of others, even with someone as close as Sua, she wouldn’t have shown this side of herself.
But with Seoyoon, she simply showed herself without reservation.
She teasingly held out a piece of braised short ribs to Seoyoon.
“Here. Seoyoon, ah~”
“Wait a minute. Wasn’t that hand just licked?”
“We’re family, so what’s the big deal?”
As she said this playfully, she saw Seoyoon contemplating with a really strange expression.