Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 113

The Level 1013 Escape

​In the high-stakes world of 20XX, a weekend off was a miracle.

But for Jimin's birthday, Aen had pulled off the ultimate logistical feat.

She had secured a private, luxury gaming lounge in Dongdaemun-a soundproofed sanctuary where the members could finally exhale.

​Yoongi sat at the head of the gaming array, looking more like a producer-turned-pro-gamer than a social service agent.

He leaned back as Jimin walked in, the room glowing in a birthday-themed purple and yellow neon.

​"I thought we were doing a formal dinner," Jimin laughed, his eyes crinkling into that famous eye-smile.

​"Formal is for the Shilla in a few weeks," Yoongi said, his voice warm.

"Today is for losing your sanity in a battle royale. Happy Birthday, Jiminie."

​As Jimin settled into his seat, the room erupted into the rapid-fire clack-clack-clack of mechanical keyboards and the low, aggressive hum of high-speed cooling fans.

​The lounge was loud, but a different kind of noise was happening on their phones.

Every few minutes, a familiar ping echoed through the room.

​[7+1 Strategy Room 💜]

​Hobi: Happy Birthday to our Jiminie!! 🥳✨ Aen-ah, make sure he eats well! Yoongi-hyung, don't let Jungkook win every round just because he's the youngest! I'm cheering for you guys from the base! I wish I was there to dance with the birthday boy! 🕺💜

Hobi: Why is it so quiet in the chat? Wait-don't tell me you're all ignoring your phones because you're already gaming? I'm offended!

​Hobi: Send pictures of the cake or it didn't happen! 🎂📸

​Jin: HOBI-YAAAA! Don't be jealous! I'm currently physically dominating the game for Jimin. My hands are too fast for the screen! 👑✨

​Jin: Also, I'm eating the spicy chicken you can't have! It's delicious! I'll send a photo of the crumbs just to make you feel worse! 🍗😈

​Hobi: JIN-HYUNG! That is cruel! 😭😂

​Yoongi: Focus on your training, Hobi. Jin-hyung, stop raiding the ration supplies. We've got the chicken covered.

​"Hobi's spamming the chat because he's jealous he's stuck at the base," Jin laughed, typing a final taunt before sliding into a seat next to Namjoon.

He leaned back, stretching his arms, his presence immediately filling the room with a different kind of energy.

"Namjoon-ah, move over. If I have to watch you struggle with that controller, I'm going to have an aneurysm. Let the professional gamer take over."

​"I am not struggling," Namjoon protested, though he looked relieved to relinquish the controller.

"I am simply... calibrating my strategy."

​"You were walking into a wall for five minutes, Hyung," Jungkook snorted from the other end of the array, not looking up from his own screen.

​Jin cackled, his fingers already flying across the keys with practiced ease.

"That's it, I'm taking lead. Jimin-ah, get ready to carry me. Today is your day, so I'll allow you to be the protagonist, but only if you win this round."