Chapter 161: The Arrival of the White Devil in Korea - (2)
"Ah... I see. I didn't realize the wedding was just two weeks away, lost in old memories for a moment there..."
Even though I'm a workaholic, being on the brink of marriage makes it impossible to stay absorbed in work.
Especially when the release of Psych Battle and Dragon Emblem coincides right after proposing, leaving me almost solely responsible for the wedding preparations alongside Yuki, who I felt deeply apologetic toward.
"Junhyuk-san might not know much about Japanese wedding customs, so I'll take care of the preparations."
Whenever I felt awkward, she'd offer a slight smile as if everything was fine.
Maybe I'd taken her warm consideration for granted under the pretext of being busy?
&
Before the time slip, I was single, but that didn't mean I avoided relationships entirely.
Endless overtime, explosive client issues, debugging tasks, and the relentless push from higher-ups amid all the stressthere was no room for me to cherish anyone near me.
In those moments, I just wanted someone who could truly understand the situation I was in.
"Looking back now, it's like I was searching for a living Buddha..."
Yuki owns an incredibly bright personality.
While she struggles to refuse others' requests, her level of consideration for them is deep.
She's stringent about self-care concerning work, and during my busiest times, she never minded spending time alone.
Once, during a brief meeting after the launch of Raon, when I cautiously apologized, she said:
"I enjoy being with you when you're free and looking forward to new games when you're busy. I'm your girlfriend and a passionate fan of Pentagon Soft."
Perfect.
That one line perfectly summarized her.
But the moment I began to consider such kindness as an inherent right, trouble between us began, and I was well aware of it.
"Time travelers don't fail. Can we apply this principle here too?"
Well, considering I've gone back to '83 at the age of 34, my mental age now is roughly 43. And Yuki, being 24 this year...
"What a sneaky one."
As I chuckled to myself like a madman, Mr. Kawaguchi, eating with us, tilted his head and asked, "Junhyuk-san, are you okay?"
"Oh, just lost in thought for a moment. I should visit Korea after the food cools down, as Mr. Kawaguchi suggested."
"You've made a good decision. After it cools, feel free to come over."
My response seemed to satisfy Mr. Kawaguchi as he smiled contentedly.
&
The first weekend of June 1992.
Yuki and I had a modest wedding ceremony in a suburban area nearby.
There were four types of weddings in Japan: the Shrine wedding (Shinzen-shiki), the Buddhist wedding (Butsuzen-shiki), the Christian wedding, and the Civil ceremony (Inzen-shiki).
The first three didn't quite fit our situation due to various reasons, leaving us with the Civil ceremony.
"Are you sure? Don't most women dream of a more extravagant wedding?"
"My sister, who raised me alongside our parents, and Junhyuk-san's parents replaced by great colleagues and cherished friends. Is there anyone else I need?"
"No, it's perfect."
"I think so too."
The warmth felt in our clasped hands, her compassionate gaze meeting mine, and the subtle dimples when she smiled were all so captivating...
On that day, under the warm summer sun in the fragrant garden, Yuki and I promised to spend our lives together.
My close friend, Junpei, took the role of the host at the ceremony.
Representatives from Pentagon, Mr. Kawaguchi, Morita, and Hayashi attended from the company. From RaonTech, Chandra and Pumala were present.
After exchanging vows in front of our intimate circle, the short ceremony ended, and during the reception, guests from across the globe joined us.
"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. Kang."
"Thank you for coming, Mr. Wilson."
"I might not attend others', but I must attend yours. It's a matter of respect."
Mr. Wilson, who now had wrinkles around his eyes and mouth compared to our first meeting, held my hand and smiled contentedly.
After the launch of Raon, Elise, now a mother of two, had taken over the management role at Mintendo's U.S. branch.
"Oh, sorry for not being able to attend Elise's wedding, but I'm here now..."
"Of course, you should be sorry! How desperately I waited, wondering if you'd show up on my wedding day."
James, who was beside Elise, burst into laughter upon hearing her remark.
"Hey! So, was I the one you were waiting for?"
"Jealous?"
"A bit?"
Elise playfully jabbed James' side and naturally leaned into his embrace.
"Elise unnie!"
Yuki, having just finished chatting with the bride's side, rushed over and hugged Elise.
When Elise and Yuki met during Rob's visit to Japan, despite the long time apart, they embraced each other like sisters.
"When did you arrive?"
"Just now. Is it too late? I'm sorry."
"No, not at all! Thank you so much for coming."
Dressed in a pure white gown, Yuki shone brighter under June's sun than anyone else.
The gentle pace of my steps slowed as I exchanged greetings with other guests. In that moment, I halted as I noticed an elderly man seated at one end of the guest seats.
At first, I assumed he was one of Yuki's guests, but upon closer inspection, I realized he was the grandfather from the game store who had given me Game & Watch for the first time.
"Oh... sir? How?"
"Heh heh heh. This lad. Came back to the past and turned into quite a big shot."
"Sir..."
Standing still, I stared at the old man, who pulled out a plastic chair from his side and gestured for me to sit.
"Alright. Judging by how you've been living here, even if 2015 were approaching, it doesn't seem like you'd return to that life."
"I've contemplated it deeply."
"I see. Given what you've achieved here, it'd be too much to give up."
"I visited Korea in 1988. I saw myself in my early years there. And I met my mother."
"An unusual experience, I'd say. How was it?"
"At first, it was incredibly surprising, but at the same time, it brought a sense of relief."
"Was it meeting someone who could replace you?"
"Yes."
My response made the old man smile, deepening the wrinkles on his face.
"To be honest, lad, your regression has a unique aspect."
"What do you mean?"
"Usually, when someone gets a chance to go back in time, they pick a pivotal moment, a turning point or a time when they made a big mistake. It means going back to their own past. But you, how was it?"
"I... Oh, come on!?"
"Yeah. You've essentially created an entirely new person's life. If we liken it to a game, can we say you've created a whole new character?"
"That's a very apt analogy."
If I had gone back to 1983 when I was born in 1982, I would have been just a newborn passing my first birthday. But in that state, I adjusted my age to 21, and from there, the axis of time twisted, creating another version of myself.
"I just wanted to experience the era when games as content were growing."
"I see. Don't be too surprised. I didn't come here to scold you. Rather, I enjoy the things you're doing here every day."
The old man pulled out Laon and casually showed him, and unwittingly, I almost burst into laughter at the sight.
"Is that Dragon Emblem? That was quite fun. I'm looking forward to more."
"But sir, I've been meaning to ask since you disappeared suddenly last time. What on earth is your identity?"
"Heh heh. This lad. Young people these days really lack intuition, huh?"
"Could it be... a god?"
"Think whatever suits you."
What? Does this answer remind me of the legendary statue scene in the drama Iris? At that moment, Yuki's voice calling me from a distance reached my ears.
"Junhyuk! What are you doing over there? Let's take a picture together!"
"Oh, sorry. I was chatting with this elderly gentleman for a moment. Excuse me for a moment."
In that moment, the old man, who had been sitting right next to me, disappeared somewhere while I turned my head for a moment.
Even before, he would disappear without any explanation, leaving only Game & Watch.
"Is it common for gods to be like this?"
Rising from my seat, I muttered to myself, looking at the empty chair where he had been sitting.
"Junhyuk! Come on. Let's take a picture with the guests!"
"Ah, sorry."
Smiling and waving at the crowd in the distance, I walked towards them.
The precious connections formed here.
And the one I love...
When I first went back to 1983, I thought I would return to my 34-year-old self when 2015 came, leaving them behind.
'How can I go back and leave them...'
Jumping into the crowd and standing next to Yuki, she asked me in a whisper.
"What were you thinking while sitting alone on the bench?"
"Um... about my parents."
"Oh, during your overseas trip, they were reported missing, right...?"
Even now, and in the future, it was a conclusion that they were healthy and alive, but to say they had passed away was difficult.
"Junhyuk! Congratulations on your marriage. Your bride is so beautiful~?"
"Mother..."
"Congratulations, my son. Always stay healthy over there, and don't become like me. Drink moderately..."
"Father..."
"Three~!!"
Click!!
"Well, then, if you've faced each other and are ready, please begin."
"Huh? What?"
Then Yuki smiled at me and opened her mouth.
"This."
In a moment of distraction, her lips pressed against mine.
>
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