The slam of the door from Hyunbin and Sangwon’s dramatic exit still echoed faintly in the air.
Mimi stood from her seat, smoothing the back of her frilly skirt. "Umm... I think it’s really no use, huh?"
Zeno, who had just taken a sip of water, looked up at her calmly. "Sit down."
"Huh?" Mimi asked, confused.
"We’re going to practice," Zeno said.
Jace turned to Zeno with wide eyes and covered his mouth, feeling touched. He knew it! Zeno was different from other actors. What a cool guy.
"I’m the most confident," Zeno added without missing a beat.
Jace pursed his lips. Well, it seed his confidence was pretty misplaced.
Mimi stifled a laugh as she sat back down, arms crossed. "You’re seriously so funny."
Minutes later, the screen glowed as they launched into a classic match. Mimi picked her usual midlane mage, Jace queued into jungle, and Zeno—ever faithful to the cursed hero—locked in Lacta Lynx.
"We can win this," Zeno said.
Not even ten seconds later, Zeno was slain.
"Zeno!" Jace shrieked. "You walked into the tower again!"
"Right," Zeno said. "So, even in different maps, it does the sa, huh?"
"Of course it does!"
Mimi broke into laughter, her eyes shining.
They started another ga, and while Mimi was doing decent and Jace was dominating his lane, Zeno was providing codic relief by repeatedly getting baited into bushes and fighting flunkeys like they were real heroes.
After another loss, Zeno was 0/7/3 this ti.
)
"Oh wow," Zeno muttered. "I died quite little this ti."
Jace facepald while Mimi leaned back in her seat with a sigh.
"This... takes my mind off things," she said softly.
"Huh?" Jace asked, glancing over.
Mimi gave a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Well, it’s not like I only stream for fun. I do it because it’s the only thing I can do right now that makes money and still feels like... ."
Zeno paused. "What do you an?"
Mimi’s fingers fidgeted with her headset. "I work like this at night, streaming and doing minor influencer work when I can. But in the mornings—"
She looked at them both.
"I’m a nurse."
Jace’s jaw dropped. "What?!"
Even Zeno raised one brow.
"Yeah," Mimi said with a tired laugh. "I don’t work with this wig, though. Don’t worry. Most of my patients and co-workers don’t even recognize ."
"Then why even join this event?" Zeno asked, brows furrowing.
She scratched the back of her neck. "My mom. She has stage four kidney failure. We found a match recently. But we didn’t have the money to book the transplant on ti. It was given to soone else."
She said it so matter-of-factly, but Zeno noticed the tremble in her hands.
"I still have siblings to feed. I’m the eldest. My dad’s not in the picture anymore. If I win this tournant—" she exhaled, "then maybe I can at least secure the next transplant offer. The hospital said we’re still on the priority list. That ans hope."
Zeno and Jace fell silent.
Zeno glanced at Jace.
Jace glanced back.
They both knew right away—if Mimi won, she wasn’t spending the money on fancy new gear or a lavish vacation. She was going to save her family.
"Well, then," Zeno said after a second, his voice oddly calm. "We’ll just have to win."
Mimi smiled again, but this ti, there was a bit of light in it. It also appeared like she didn’t feel they would actually win/
"Can I stream with you guys?" she suddenly asked.
Zeno raised an eyebrow. "You want to stream us playing?"
"Yeah," she grinned. "I think it would be pretty fun."
Zeno narrowed his eyes. Well, he did know that strears lived off of donations. Maybe he could rake in so donations. Along with that, his fans were pestering him to go on another live.
This would be hitting two birds with one stone.
"Alright," he finally said.
"This is gonna be so cool!" Mimi exclaid, bouncing a little in her chair. "Should we do it tomorrow?"
Jace nodded, also excited. "We can do it at my apartnt. I’ve got decent setup space. Just bring your filming equipnt."
"I will!" Mimi said brightly.
***
The night air was cool as Zeno slipped on a black hoodie and cap, tugging it low over his forehead. He adjusted the face mask snugly against his face before heading toward the door.
"You look like a robber," Doha muttered. They were hanging out in front of the units when Zeno said he had to go.
Zeno ignored Doha’s comnt and looked at Eli’s closed unit. "Is he still not coming out?"
Minji pursed her lips and nodded. Doha sighed. "I don’t know what his deal is."
"He’ll co around soon," Minji added softly. "Stay safe, Zeno."
Zeno nodded and sprinted down the stairs.
The streets were quieter at this hour, the occasional passing car rolling by under the dull orange glow of streetlights. Zeno walked briskly, hands tucked in his pockets. Jace had said his place was near Doha’s gym—but when Zeno reached the building, he stopped short.
f r\ee.c(o)(m)
"Near" was underselling it. It was right beside the gym. And it was huge.
The glass doors glowed softly, and even the lobby was lit like a hotel. Security guards stood by casually, nodding at people who ca and went. Zeno blinked up at the building, quietly impressed. Jace was seriously rich.
Inside the lobby, soone stood by the large decorative planter near the elevator. Mimi, in a pink hoodie, was already waiting, a phone in hand. Her eyes widened as Zeno approached.
"You’re actually here."
"I said I would join you," Zeno said.
Mimi scratched the back of her neck. "Well, it’s just—there are so monts when famous people ditch small strears at the last minute. I was hoping you wouldn’t because I already posted earlier that special guests would be joining tonight."
"So people had already figured it out."
Zeno shrugged. "If I say I’m doing sothing, I’m going to do it."
She smiled, and at that mont, Jace appeared from the elevator. "Right here!" he exclaid.
They boarded the elevator and went to Jace’s room.
"Whoa," Mimi muttered, stepping inside. "This is your place?"
"It’s just an extra unit," Jace said, scratching the back of his neck as he walked barefoot across the glossy floor.
The living room was pristine, with a soft sectional couch against the wall, a giant TV, and a large space with computers at the side. Mimi made a beeline for the desk and imdiately started setting up, unfolding her ring light and checking her cara angles.
Zeno looked around the space. "This is an extra unit?"
"Yup," Jace replied, tossing Zeno a bottle of water. "The main unit’s on the top floor."
Zeno shook his head. Yeah, he should stop being surprised now.
anwhile, Mimi had already finished setting up and was adjusting her mic. She was dressed in a fluffy pink cardigan and pleated skirt, her signature aesthetic. She slid on her cat-ear headphones and glanced at the boys.
"You guys ready?" she grinned.
Jace sat down at the left station. Zeno took the one on the right.
Mimi turned to her monitor and gave a few test clicks. Then, her screen flashed. They were live.
"Hellooo!" she said sweetly, voice shifting instantly into strear mode. "Welco back to the MimiKawaii channel! Today is super special because I have not just one, but two very special guests with tonight!"
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