Online Date.

Chapter ➊: My Online Boyfriend.

*.·:·.✧ Soo Min's POV ✧.·:·.*

It seems my Asian mother had one goal in mind when she named her second daughter "Soo Min" – ensuring I'd grow up to be a doctor or a lawyer. But if my parents only knew that naming your child "cleverness" wouldn't magically make them one, they might have opted for a different approach – like having another baby altogether. That's how desperate my parents are. Yet, I sincerely doubt anyone can pass on intelligence genes when they're lacking in the department themselves. Special case in point: Suyeon High School's Valedictorian, Haeun.

Not only does Haeun excel in all subjects, but he also happens to have both looks and a wealthy family. Every teacher adores him, and so do the students. The only issue I can spot with him is his aloof, introverted personality. Haeun is practically a legend among students; even freshmen must have heard of him through the teachers' endless praise and the fueling of competition.

If I had the power to choose my parents, I'd definitely consider trading places with him. I know it sounds foolish, but just imagine: I'd be living in luxury, playing all the video games I want, while my parents would have a child who effortlessly meets their sky-high expectations. Sounds like a win-win, doesn't it? But alas, that's just a fantasy in an impossible reality.

I might sound like I've known him for years, but I've never spoken to him once. Yet, his name is the most common word I hear daily whenever the teachers decide to scold me for my grades. Are they dumb? If everyone were a "smartass," no one would be "stupid" to compare them to, and then what? You'd start complaining about something else beyond reach again.

Simply put, I wasn't made to excel in the academic world, or so I believe. I enjoy math and informatics subjects, but I've never claimed any high scores in them, nor have I participated in any related competitions. I'm an amateur, you could say.

Oh, but I do have a hobby I'm pretty good at – playing the PixWorld online multiplayer game! I stumbled upon this gem two years ago, and it quickly became the center of my life. I'm more into its updates and events than school life. Whenever I find a sneaky opportunity, like a bathroom break, you bet I'm rushing to open the phone version of the game and check out all the daily updates.

Honestly, I wouldn't be bragging if I said people call me the King of the game, because that's actually my title after winning numerous events and founding my own guild. Oh, maybe you're wondering why it's "King" and not "Queen"? Well, that's because I registered in the game as a male player, and my character is a guy. Why, you ask? Because I discovered there are more male skins focusing on strength and stamina than the female ones. For the female players, they get cute and fluffy outfits, tools, and poses. But if you're aiming to level up quickly and explore various player roles, being a male player is far more efficient in this aspect.

No one knows I'm a girl in the game except... my online boyfriend! Yes, my first relationship is an online one – we met through the game, and we've been together for a year now. It all started one day when I noticed some male players harassing this cute, princess-like player named "Princessbean32" in the general chat. No matter how much she tried to flee, they'd chase her endlessly. Seeing one of my fellow girls in need of help, I knew I had to step in.

"Hey babe! :)" I texted in the general chat, and then I sent her a whisper message, "The only way to get rid of these players is to act like you have a boyfriend." After sending the message, I awaited her reply, but instead, the mysterious princess-like player chose the "kiss pose" beside me before typing, "Hey! Did you arrive home safe yesterday?" What a quick-witted girl, I thought while smirking. "Yes sweetheart. Hm? Are these the stalkers you told me about yesterday 0-o??" I texted as I approached the other players who were bothering her.

"Hah!! Who are you?!" One of the players replied, brandishing his sword. It was ridiculous to see such low-level players with poor items acting tough, so I didn't hesitate to draw my strongest item and reply, "Princess's boyfriend and you? Her stalker XD! I don't mind 1v1 – let's see who will kick the other's ass." After stoking the tension, I wasn't afraid to engage in a 1v1 with all the other players chasing her; after all, none of them were even half my level.

It didn't take long before I had defeated them all. I mean, why are they even in this game if they're just going to chase girls? they know there are dating apps, right? Upgrade your gaming skills and learn some manners at least if you want a gamer girlfriend. How pathetic they seemed to me with their harassment. After they quit the server, the princess-like player approached me and sent me a friend request along with a whisper message saying "Thanks."

"Dw girls stick together XD" I sent her a whisper before realizing what I had said. "...? You are a girl?" she replied in a whisper.

"Yep :D" I replied. The next minute, I didn't know I would be hit with an uno reverse card.

"Actually, I am a boy o_o..." the princess-like player replied.

Let's be honest, I was shocked. I mean, most male players are real boys because they want smoother movements and more stamina.

"lol so we're in the same boat XD" I replied with another whisper. Whatever his reasons for wanting a female player, it was obvious it had something to do with the cute last princess skin he was using. I didn't blame him; those outfits were so adorable, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if they maintained the same level of abilities, and most importantly, if I had enough allowance.

So yes, we eventually became close friends, and I welcomed him into my guild. People in my guild assumed Princessbean was my crush, and I was trying to woo her in the game with my skills. Honestly, I couldn't break it to them because of how amusing they were acting towards us. I often received messages like "We'll leave you two to have fun~" and "Just date already, bro!" from my online friends whenever I played with Princessbean. Until the day Princessbean confessed to me at the Valentine event – he was so sweet I couldn't refuse. So, we started online dating since then. We even have the "engaged" status in the game, and now everyone in the guild knows we're dating.

Everything felt as rosy and sweet as sugar, and we started having voice chats often in private quests and even texting outside of the game. That's how I met my cute online boyfriend, Ben-y. That's what I call him, and he calls me Kin, short version of my username "Kingming". Despite not sharing our faces or real names yet, he was very patient with me, and so was I in teaching him how to play better.

It was all fun and roses until he texted me one day, "Kin, let's meet in real life."

.·:*¨༺Special Note༻¨*:·.

Hello!! This is going to be my first book, I hope whoever reads it enjoy it fr. I will try to update daily. If there is any confusion, errors, grammar mistakes, pls contact me. I truly hope this novel make some people happy.