In the Open World Engineering class, we actively utilized peer reviews.
That’s because one professor couldn’t evaluate all 30 students’ games in detail.
We grouped into teams of 5 and played the games made by the other 4, scoring them based on completeness, creativity, and technical skills.
And in the final class, the professor compiled the scores and selected the best works to showcase to the students.
“Na-me! I had so much fun enjoying your game. How did you come up with the idea to shoot the magic circle with a gun?”
The student sitting next to me lowered her head and whispered.
“Wasn’t coding really hard? Each magic circle has different specifications, so it must have been tough to standardize them.”
“Well, after tinkering with it…”
“Wow, that’s amazing. Are you planning to officially release it on Resonance later? It would be a waste to use it only as a project. Let me know when it comes out!”
It was understandable that people saw my game as something out of science fiction.
From their perspective, it probably seemed plausible to imagine events happening in a world rich in Mana.
Someone once said that great science fiction should predict traffic jams rather than just predict cars.
Anyway, I’m glad they liked it.
After the last class of the winter semester, I received an email from the professor.
[What surprised me the most was that NoName student maximized ASI’s potential. In particular, ‘NPC Hibris’ exhibited an exceptionally human-like behavior pattern comparable to ordinary people. Moreover, I have many praises for the medieval rural background, unique architectural styles, and vivid demon beast designs. Perhaps-]
It summarized that my game was profoundly played with admiration multiple times.
The professor hoped that I would take the Open World Engineering II class, but unfortunately, the time had come for me to head to Korea.
A preliminary evaluation meeting for the National Exchange Tournament was scheduled for April.
It was the day when representatives participating in the National Exchange Tournament would be checked at the national level to ensure they met the minimum qualifications.
The end date for the Open World Engineering class had been postponed by a week, making time tight.
Since I continued to stay in the U.S., rumors even started that I might skip the preliminary evaluation meeting.
Ding-
[Cheon Saetbyeol: When is Na-me Unnie coming!ㅠㅠㅠㅠ Please come!ㅜㅜㅜ]
[NoName: Don’t worry, I’ll be there before your birthday.]
[Cheon Saetbyeol: When you come, you have to bring my birthday gift too (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧]
[NoName: Was that your goal?]
Above all, Saetbyeol, who had been living alone for a month, had started pestering me like this recently.
I was a little worried that her house might be a mess since she wasn’t cleaning.
“I’m back from school. Dad, are we leaving right now?”
Just then, Professor Cheon was moving the carrier to the front yard.
I hopped onto the carrier he was holding.
“If you’re not careful, you might miss the flight.”
“Oh no, we can’t have that. Let’s hurry!”
Professor Cheon took the driver’s seat and I sat in the passenger seat.
Fortunately, Massachusetts law didn’t require car seat usage.
I rolled down the window and leaned out slightly, enjoying the cool April breeze.
It was a perfect cozy day, not too hot, not too cold.
“Did your classes finish well?”
“Yes. I have no idea what classes I’ve taken until the grades are announced.”
“Did you get good grades?”
“Just a moment.”
I pulled out my phone from my pocket and showed Professor Cheon.
[Advanced Theoretical Aura Studies: A+]
[Magic Duel Practice: A+]
[Open World Engineering: A+]
“Hehe.”
“It must have been worth all the hard work.”
“Eh, is that all? It’s not easy to get an A+.”
“Hahaha, good job, good job. I’m really proud to have such a smart daughter.”
“That’s almost like begging for compliments. I think everyone has set their expectations for me too high.”
“Oh no. From now on, I won’t hold back in complimenting Na-me.”
“Yes, if it’s not too bothersome, please do.”
Since there were still about 20 minutes until the airport, I decided to take a nap.
I rolled up the window and leaned the seat back.
“Oh, Na-me can tilt her seat alone? Our daughter is so cool.”
“That’s a bit forced, isn’t it…? Forced compliments deduct points.”
“Oh dear, if I want to score points, I’ll have to try harder.”
I had only pressed one button, after all.
“I stayed up all night yesterday and am tired, so I’m going to sleep.”
I smiled and closed my eyes.
*
Upon arriving at the airport, we first stopped by the duty-free shop.
I thought about what Saetbyeol needed the most, and cosmetics came to mind first.
Some might think, what does a high school student need with makeup, but at least I don’t.
‘In my past life, rather the older people encouraged kids to start wearing makeup from a young age.’
In fact, by the time you entered high society, makeup was a must.
However, makeup trends change drastically depending on the era and region.
I held my dad’s hand as we entered the cosmetics store, but I just stood there blankly because I didn’t know anything.
“Is there something you’re looking for?”
I heard fluent Korean right behind me.
I turned around, startled, and saw a woman wearing dark sunglasses.
“Are you an employee here?”
“Oh no, I’m just a customer. Um… that… NoName-nim…?”
“Yes?”
“Wow! I’m such a big fan of yours! I’m subscribed to V-tube Twish too!”
“Ah, yes, thank you.”
“I’m not one of those stalker fans, I just happened to come to the shop and ran into you… If this is uncomfortable…”
“It’s okay, I’m not uncomfortable. Have you been traveling?”
“Yeah! I came to Boston for a 4-night, 5-day trip and am getting on a flight back. What about you?”
“I’m going to Korea too.”
“Really?”
“I have a mandatory meeting for the National Exchange Tournament.”
“Wow, that’s cool! I watched you hanging around the cosmetics section for a while and got curious, so I came over.”
“I’m buying a gift for my family. Can I ask for your advice on what would be good for a high school girl?”
“Hmmm, high school student? Come over here; I saw something pretty earlier.”
It’s a rare moment to run into a Korean fan like this in a store.
She carefully explained the types of cosmetics.
“This foundation that I’m using now doesn’t have that oily shine; it gives a smooth coating shine, so it feels moist. For a high school student, it’s better if it doesn’t get too shiny because you’ll be in school for a long time. It’s easy to retouch too.”
“I’ll pick this one then. Thanks for the help!”
“No trouble at all! By any chance, could I ask for a signature…? For my sibling, too.”
Considering the favor of solving my indecision, signing was easy.
So I purchased Saetbyeol’s birthday present early and left the duty-free shop.
Professor Cheon, who had been quietly watching from the side, finally spoke up.
“Na-me, you won’t be wearing makeup later, right?”
“Yes? Me? Are you worried I might start wearing makeup like Saetbyeol?”
“Hmmm.”
Well, in Korea, fourth graders are indeed starting to learn about makeup.
Yuna had mentioned in a text that she wanted an orange water tint.
“I don’t do those things. Sunscreen is enough for me.”
“Even as an adult?”
“Should I write a letter of intent here?”
“Hahaha, okay, I promised to keep that with Dad. Make sure to keep it.”
I casually shrugged my shoulders.
Is it typical for dads to wish their daughters wouldn’t wear makeup?
I don’t quite understand the parents’ feelings.
Thinking of Luri, well, I guess it wouldn’t feel great.
I texted my acquaintances one by one that I would be returning to Korea soon.
I even took a photo of the birthday gift I got for Saetbyeol and sent it to her.
I notified my manager and editor about my return schedule in order.
[Hello.]
“This voice is Seo No-eul.”
[Eh? What? NoName? Why are you calling our house? Did something big happen again?]
Yuna’s younger brother picked up the house phone.
I wonder what he thinks of me, that he gets so anxious the moment I call.
“Not really. Where are Maru Oppa and Yuna?”
[Just a second, Yuna is right next to me, so I’ll pass her to you. Yuna, NoName is on the phone.]
“Hello, Yuna. How’ve you been? I’m at the airport—”
[Whaaaaat, NoName!]
A proper conversation didn’t happen.
I tried to pretend to understand the alien sounds she was babbling and arranged to meet all my friends when I got to Korea.
The children are growing up fast, I can feel it.
It’s surprising to think that I now have a 2-year-old friend.
I also took a moment to reflect if my mental age had synchroed too low with my physical age.
I left messages for Kariri and my clan members living upstairs.
While snacking on cookies and orange juice in the first-class lounge, the boarding announcement was made.
Perhaps, when I think about it, this moment feels like the life I wanted to live in my first life.
I slowly turned on my phone and entered the Twish app.
I quietly asked the flight attendants if I could do a personal broadcast and stepped into the cabin.
I placed the phone on the holder and covered myself with a blanket up to my neck.
Since this was a comeback broadcast after a long period of self-reflection, I thought I should do at least 12 hours.
For tags, I guess I can just throw on eating show and sleeping show.
*
[NoName]
[Just Chatting – Heading to Korea (Voice X)]
[Broadcasting Time – 0:16:34]
[Number of Viewers – 5922]
[Chat Window]
– I heard NoName is coming back, and I rushed here!
– Airplane sleep broadcast is truly innovative, lol!
– I can’t hear anything!
– Are you seriously planning to broadcast for 12 hours without talking?
– I’m gonna be the content, watch out!
– Look at that shamelessness, it must be our Na-me…
– Room leader, open donations!!! What are we supposed to do for fun!!!
– The squished cheeks are so cuteㅠㅠㅠㅠ
