Morning Anticipation

As the soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains, Joon-ho stirred from his slumber, his mind already buzzing with anticipation for the day ahead. With a yawn, he reached for his phone, hoping to find a message from Soo-jin, but his notifications remained stubbornly empty.

Undeterred, he decided to take the initiative and shoot her a quick text, inquiring about their plans for the day. The familiarity of their routine, where outings typically began in the morning and ended by evening, gave him a sense of comfort, knowing that they would eventually meet up as they always did.

After sending the message, Joon-ho set his phone aside and made his way to the bathroom, the cool tiles soothing against his bare feet. As he splashed his face with water and brushed his teeth, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling of uncertainty.

Was Soo-jin running late? Was she caught up in something? Or perhaps she had simply forgotten about their plans altogether. The silence of his phone only added to his growing unease, but he pushed aside his worries, choosing instead to focus on the tasks at hand.

Once he had finished his morning routine, Joon-ho glanced at his phone again, half-expecting to see a response from Soo-jin. But to his disappointment, there was still no sign of any messages from her. With a shrug, he decided to give her a bit more time before jumping to conclusions. After all, Soo-jin was known for being a bit scatterbrained at times, and it wouldn't be the first time she had lost track of time.

As he dressed for the day, Joon-ho found himself growing increasingly restless, his thoughts drifting back to their plans and the excitement of spending time together outside of the game. Despite his efforts to remain patient, a sense of apprehension gnawed at him, leaving him wondering if something had gone awry. But deep down, he knew that Soo-jin would never intentionally stand him up, and he held onto that belief as he waited for her reply.

The enticing aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, drawing Joon-ho downstairs to the dining area where his mother, Eun-ji, was busily setting the table with an array of delicious dishes she had prepared.

As he entered, he spotted his father, Min-joon, seated in the living room, engrossed in a television program that Joon-ho couldn't quite make out. Television had lost its appeal to him long ago, especially with NexaRealm occupying most of his free time.

Eun-ji noticed Joon-ho's arrival and greeted him warmly.

"Good morning, Joon-ho. Have a seat; breakfast is almost ready."

"Morning, Mom," Joon-ho replied with a smile, taking his place at the table. He glanced over at his father, who was engrossed in the television program. "Morning, Dad."

Min-joon nodded absentmindedly in response, his attention still fixed on the screen.

"Joon-ho, you're up early today. Do you have plans with Soo-jin?" The Kang family gathered around the table, and as they began to eat, Eun-ji turned to Joon-ho with a curious expression

"Yeah, we're going out today. Soo-jin wanted to celebrate her victory from yesterday's match," Joon-ho nodded, swallowing a bite of his food before replying.

"That's wonderful!" Eun-ji exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Congratulations to her! Did she win the whole tournament?"

"No, Mom, just one match. But it was still a big win for them," Joon-ho chuckled softly, shaking his head.

Realising the misunderstanding, his parents nodded in understanding.

"Well, that's still impressive," Min-joon remarked, finally tearing his gaze away from the television. "Tell her we said congratulations."

"I will," Joon-ho replied, feeling a sense of pride for Soo-jin and her classmates. "Thanks, Dad."

As they continued to enjoy their meal, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel grateful for his family's support. Despite the misunderstanding, they always showed genuine interest in his and Soo-jin's endeavours, strengthening the bond that held them together as a family.

After finishing his breakfast and helping his parents clean the dishes, Joon-ho felt a sense of contentment knowing that they had shared a rare moment as a family. His father's demanding work schedule often kept him away from home, making these moments even more precious. As the only son, Joon-ho understood the importance of showing appreciation and affection towards his parents whenever possible.

Once he had finished helping, Joon-ho returned to where he had left his phone. As he picked it up, he noticed a notification waiting for him. With a curious glance, he opened the message to find a reply from Soo-jin. Surprisingly, she suggested meeting in the afternoon instead of their usual morning plans.

Joon-ho raised an eyebrow in mild surprise but didn't dwell on it too much. If Soo-jin had something to do in the morning, he reasoned, he should respect her schedule. Besides, today was all about celebrating her victory, so he was more than willing to accommodate her preferences. With a quick reply accepting the change of plans, Joon-ho set his phone aside and began to prepare for the rest of his day, looking forward to spending time with Soo-jin later on.

As Joon-ho found himself with four hours to spare before meeting Soo-jin, he couldn't help but procrastinate. With no homework to occupy his time, his thoughts turned to the looming final exams. The realization hit him that he was in his final year of high school, and academically, he considered himself above average. However, the same couldn't be said for Soo-jin, whose passion for NexaRealm often overshadowed her studies.

Despite Joon-ho's attempts to encourage her to focus on her academics, Soo-jin's dedication to NexaRealm remained unwavering. While she had shown some improvement and managed to avoid failing, it was unlikely to be enough to secure her a spot in any reputable college or university. Joon-ho couldn't help but wonder if Soo-jin's desire to pursue a career in professional gaming stemmed from her academic struggles and the allure of the potential financial rewards.

In NexaRealm, the lines between the virtual and real worlds blurred, with in-game currency, NexaCoin, being exchangeable for real money. Traders and collectors within the game often engaged in auctions and market activities to profit in the real world. Joon-ho didn't fault those who chose this path, but he understood the inherent risks involved. The gaming market was volatile, driven by changing demands and trends, and success was never guaranteed.

Despite the challenges, Joon-ho respected Soo-jin's determination to pursue her passion, even if it meant venturing into the unpredictable world of professional gaming. He knew that she would face obstacles and hardships along the way, but he also believed in her ability to overcome them. As he contemplated the future, Joon-ho couldn't help but feel a mix of concern and admiration for Soo-jin's unwavering determination and resolve.

As Joon-ho contemplated Soo-jin's future in professional gaming, he couldn't shake off the feeling of responsibility weighing on his shoulders. While he respected her passion and determination, he also recognized the challenges she would face in pursuing such a career. Despite his initial reservations, he knew that supporting Soo-jin in achieving her dreams was essential.

Scrolling through the beginner tips for becoming a NexaRealm marketer, Joon-ho found himself immersed in a world of strategies and tactics. He realized that he could leverage his knowledge and expertise to guide Soo-jin in navigating the complexities of the gaming market. With his analytical skills and understanding of economic principles, he believed he could provide valuable insights to help her succeed.

As he delved deeper into the intricacies of NexaRealm's virtual economy, Joon-ho began to see the potential for growth and profit. He envisioned himself and Soo-jin working together, pooling their resources and expertise to build a successful trading empire within the game. While the path ahead was fraught with challenges, he was determined to support Soo-jin every step of the way.

With newfound determination, Joon-ho made a mental note to discuss his ideas with Soo-jin when they met later in the day. He knew that she would appreciate his efforts to understand her passion and support her goals. Together, they could overcome any obstacles and forge a path towards success in the competitive world of professional gaming.

As the morning wore on, Joon-ho continued to research and educate himself on the intricacies of NexaRealm's virtual economy. He took notes and bookmarked useful resources, eager to share his findings with Soo-jin. With each passing moment, his excitement grew, fueled by the prospect of helping Soo-jin achieve her dreams and build a brighter future together.

As the clock struck noon, Joon-ho glanced at his phone, realizing that it was almost time to meet Soo-jin. With a sense of purpose and determination, he gathered his thoughts and prepared to embark on a new chapter in their journey together. As he headed out his bedroom door, he knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, he and Soo-jin would face them together, united in their pursuit of success and happiness.

As Joon-ho stepped out into the afternoon sun, he felt a renewed sense of purpose and excitement. The prospect of helping Soo-jin achieve her goals filled him with a sense of fulfilment, unlike anything he had experienced before. With a clear vision in mind and a determination to succeed, he set off to meet Soo-jin, eager to share his ideas and support her in any way he could.