Late Night Lessons

Late into the night, as the weekend loomed ahead, Joon-ho and Soo-jin found themselves engaged in a different kind of activity than their usual NexaRealm sessions. Instead of immersing themselves in virtual battles, they were immersed in their studies, preparing for the looming final exam. Despite the late hour, they remained connected through a video call, determined to make the most of their study session.

As they delved into their textbooks and notes, Joon-ho suggested the idea of studying together in person, either at his house or Soo-jin's, but she proposed the convenience of staying in their respective rooms while maintaining the video call. While initially hesitant, Joon-ho agreed, realizing that the important thing was that they were both committed to studying and helping each other succeed.

Their conversation flowed as they reviewed their lessons, asking each other questions and explaining concepts they found challenging. Soo-jin's voice echoed through the call as she tackled a particularly difficult problem, while Joon-ho offered his insights and suggestions to guide her through it.

Soo-jin groaned as she stared at the math problem on her screen.

"Joon-ho, this question is impossible. I don't even know where to start!"

Joon-ho leaned forward, studying the equation. "It does look tricky, but let's break it down step by step. First, we need to factorize the expression."

Soo-jin sighed, her frustration evident. "But I don't understand how to factorize this. It's too complicated."

"Take a deep breath, Soo-jin," Joon-ho reassured her. "Let's start by identifying any common factors. Look closely at each term."

Together, they analyzed the equation, with Joon-ho guiding Soo-jin through each step of the process. As they worked, Soo-jin's confidence slowly began to grow, and she tentatively suggested a factorization strategy.

"That's it!" Joon-ho exclaimed, impressed by Soo-jin's progress. "Now, let's apply the distributive property and simplify further."

With Joon-ho's guidance, Soo-jin navigated through the remaining steps of the problem, her determination shining through despite the initial challenges. Finally, they arrived at the correct solution, and Soo-jin's face lit up with pride.

Soo-jin's face lit up with triumph as she stared at the solved equation on her screen.

"I did it!" she proclaimed, her voice filled with pride and accomplishment. "See, Joon-ho? I told you I could figure it out on my own."

Joon-ho couldn't help but smile at Soo-jin's confident declaration. Her newfound sense of pride was evident, and he couldn't fault her for it. After all, she had indeed solved the problem with minimal guidance.

"Yeah, you did," Joon-ho replied, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Looks like you're getting better at this."

Soo-jin grinned, feeling a surge of satisfaction at her success.

"Of course I am," she boasted, her confidence shining through. "I'm a math genius in the making, thanks to my brilliant intellect."

"Now that math is out of the way, let's dive into biology. You did say you could tackle anything, right?" Joon-ho, ever the strategist, smoothly transitioned to the next subject.

Soo-jin's confidence, so proudly displayed moments ago, crumbled within seconds. Her eyes widened, and a faint look of panic crossed her face.

"Biology? Well, I mean, math is one thing, but biology is a whole different beast."

"Come on, Soo-jin, you're practically a genius in the making, remember? I'm sure you'll handle biology just fine," Joon-ho couldn't resist teasing her a bit.

"Okay, okay, maybe I got a bit ahead of myself with the genius talk. But hey, I'm still willing to give it a shot. Teach me, oh wise one," Soo-jin sighed, realizing she might have overplayed her hand.

"Alright, let's tackle this together. Biology is all about understanding concepts and memorising terms. Once you get the hang of it, you'll find it's not as intimidating as it seems," Joon-ho chuckled at her playful sarcasm.

As they delved into the intricacies of biology, Joon-ho guided Soo-jin through various topics, patiently explaining complex concepts and breaking them down into more manageable parts. Despite her initial reservations, Soo-jin's determination shone through, and with Joon-ho's guidance, she navigated through the challenging subject.

By the end of their late-night study session, Soo-jin had not only conquered the dreaded biology but had also gained a newfound sense of accomplishment. Joon-ho couldn't help but feel proud of her progress, knowing that they were both one step closer to acing their upcoming exams. The video call had transformed into a valuable learning space, where their shared efforts and camaraderie made the daunting task of studying a little more enjoyable.

As Joon-ho noticed Soo-jin's yawn, he glanced at the digital clock and realized it was indeed getting late.

"I think it's time we call it a night," he suggested gently, mindful of the importance of rest for both their physical and mental well-being.

As Joon-ho finished speaking, Soo-jin's eyes lit up with excitement, and she practically bounced in her seat.

"Yes! Freedom at last!" she exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across her face.

"I've been waiting for this moment all day. NexaRealm, here I come!"

Joon-ho chuckled at her enthusiasm, unable to resist her infectious energy.

"You really missed playing, huh?" he teased, knowing full well how much NexaRealm meant to her.

"Absolutely! It's my favourite way to unwind and escape reality for a while. Plus, I've been itching to level up my character and explore some new areas," Soo-jin nodded vigorously, her excitement palpable.

Feeling a bit conflicted but understanding Soo-jin's need for a break, Joon-ho relented.

"Alright, but just for a short while," he agreed, trying to temper her enthusiasm. "We'll only do our daily missions and then we'll stop, okay?"

"Deal! Thank you, Joon-ho! You're the best!" Soo-jin's eyes lit up with excitement, and she flashed him a mischievous grin.

"Let's make it quick then. We need to make sure we're well-rested for tomorrow," with a resigned smile, Joon-ho nodded.

As they logged into NexaRealm together, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for going back on their agreement. But seeing Soo-jin's infectious enthusiasm and knowing how much the game meant to her, he pushed aside his reservations and immersed himself in the virtual world alongside her.

Joon-ho couldn't shake the thought that he wished Soo-jin would approach her studies with the same level of enthusiasm and determination. He admired her passion for gaming and understood its importance as a source of joy and relaxation, but he couldn't help but feel a pang of concern about her academic priorities.

In moments like these, as they navigated through virtual landscapes and battled formidable foes, Joon-ho found himself yearning for Soo-jin to channel that same energy and eagerness into her studies. He believed in her potential and knew she was capable of achieving great things if she applied herself wholeheartedly.

Perhaps, he mused, if he could find a way to make learning as engaging and exciting as gaming, Soo-jin might discover a newfound passion for academic pursuits. It was a challenge he was willing to take on, determined to support and encourage her every step of the way.

For the next hour, they completed their daily missions, battling monsters and completing quests side by side. Despite his initial reluctance, Joon-ho found himself enjoying the game, and he couldn't deny the sense of camaraderie and shared joy that came with playing alongside Soo-jin.

As they finally logged out and bid each other goodnight, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel grateful for their friendship and the moments they shared, both in the real world and the virtual one. As he drifted off to sleep, he knew that no matter what challenges they faced, they would always be there for each other, supporting and encouraging one another every step of the way.

As Joon-ho lay in bed, the glow of the digital clock casting a soft light on his room, he couldn't shake off the lingering thought about NexaCorp Korea University. The revelation weighed on him, especially considering Soo-jin's aspirations to become a professional NexaRealm player. He pondered on whether he had unintentionally withheld information that could shape her future.

In the quiet of his room, Joon-ho promised himself that he would find the right time to share this news with Soo-jin. The bond they shared went beyond gaming, and he felt a responsibility to support her dreams, even if it meant navigating the delicate balance between friendship and a potentially life-changing decision.

Joon-ho contemplated the timing of his revelation, wondering when the opportune moment might arise to share this significant news with her. As he drifted into sleep, Joon-ho resolved to keep a keen eye out for the perfect moment to broach the subject, knowing that it could potentially alter the course of their shared journey in the world of NexaRealm.

As he closed his eyes and drifted into a peaceful slumber, Joon-ho hoped that when the right moment presented itself, he could be a true friend to Soo-jin and help guide her towards a future where her passion for NexaRealm could thrive. And who knew, maybe this revelation and finding will be his turning point in life. A reason that he had been seeking for long.