Everyone is Young Except for Me

Translator: rainbowturtle

Editors: LD & Jyazen

2 years later.

In the hot sunlight, the cries of cicadas came from everywhere. Under the hot sun, there was a woman who placed a white flower in front of the tomb.

“Grandfather, I'm here.”

She was Choi Chuntaek’s granddaughter, Choi Mido. Next to her were Park Muyeol and Park Seongchan. In front of them were the graves of Choi Chuntaek and Yoo Seonyeong. Next to the large black gravestone were letters and words of gratitude from many people to Choi Chuntaek on various post-it notes. All of them were written in commemoration of Choi Chuntaek. Choi Chuntaek, who died after saving South Korea, wasn’t buried and the government made this in return.

“Chuntaek, this jerk. You had been unknown, but you have become very famous after death. Why are there more letters than last year?” Park Muyeol looked at the black gravestone and grumbled.

Mido just laughed.

“I’m glad it ended at this level. The government said it would give him an order of merit and transfer him to the national memorial hall. Since we refused that and the memorial service, the citizens stood up and petitioned the Blue House. The number was over 10 million, so we had to do something like this. If we didn’t do this, people would swarm like bees and we don’t know what they would’ve done. Even now, reporters are blocking the door. If I didn’t do this, wouldn’t it be noisy and Grandfather would be unable to sleep?”

Park Muyeol showed a small smile at Mido’s words.

At that time, they could see several people coming up to the grave from the bottom.

“Mom, Dad!”

They were all Choi Chuntaek’s family. First, there was Choi Kanghyun, Choi Jeonghyun, and the youngest daughter, Choi Seohyeon. Then the grandchildren and in-laws were coming up. Mido ran and was held in the arms of her mother, Kim Mikyung.

“My child. Shouldn’t you say something to your grandfather after seeing him?’

“Huuung.”

Choi Kanghyun saw this and laughed. “You are still a child.”

"What are you talking about? Now she is all grown up. Jeongdo also graduated from high school and became a university student, right? At first, I was worried he would have to retake the exam. Who knew he would end up at the same university as Mido?”

“Mom, aren’t you speaking badly of me?”

“Oh my, you heard me? Hohoho. Still, I’m proud of you, my son. You are now a professional gamer that everyone knows.”

“Yes yes~ I know it.”

“This guy. What are you saying to your mother?”

Choi Kanghyun hit Jeongdo on the head.

“Ack! Dad, do you know that you are becoming more like Grandfather?”

“What? Hahaha.”

Choi Kanghyun laughed again and Park Muyeol approached.

“You’re a bit late.”

“I’m sorry. There was a traffic jam. Everyone was coming together, so we took a long time to prepare.”

“Well, there is no way. It’s fine since Chuntaek isn’t someone who cares about that.”

Park Muyeol waved his hand. After that, the other family members arrived and greeted them. Seohui’s hand was held in Park Muyeol’s hand. Seohui was now about to enter elementary school. He slowly climbed up the hill to the gravestones with a smile and Choi Kanghyun asked like he just had a thought.

“Right, Uncle. Is the kendo dojo going well?”

“Don’t mention it. There was a news report and now so many people have gathered. In particular, there is a little boy who doesn’t listen...”

It was a hot summer. It was a day when the cicadas were calling.

* * *

There were many changes in the world.

Union’s collapse was predetermined. Lee Geonmyeong’s evil deeds weren’t known, but Lee Seokjun took responsibility for the incident. He officially stepped down from the position of chairman at the general shareholders meeting. He was no longer able to set foot in South Korea, so he and his family immigrated to Hawaii to live quietly. It was unfortunate since Union boasted the world’s best technology, but people thought it was unavoidable, just as time passed.

Surprisingly, Arkstar didn’t shut down its service and was released free of charge due to the people who formed families there. They filed a national petition against the abolition of Arkstar. The name of the person who started the national petition was Choi Bulryong.

* * *

Time flowed like water and five years passed.

“It seems we are destined to work together. It is nice to see you.”

"I am honored. Please take care of me.”

Two well-dressed men in suits shook hands with each other.

“Ah, you know each other right? This is my brother-in-law.”

“Of course I know. He is the one who gave me the recommendation. It is nice to see you, Joseph-ssi. We meet again.”

“Haha, it seems so. Have you been well?”

“Of course.”

They were Kang Jaeseong, Yoo Minseok, and Joseph respectively. Together, the three of them walked to the sofa to sit down. The secretary came in and served tea while Kang Jaeseong laughed with a satisfied face after drinking coffee.

“Do you know what I like most after waking from the coma? It is that I can drink this coffee. Haha! I really thought I was going to die then.”

Kang Jaeseong shook his head. Now he was fully healthy and was full of energy. Kang Jaeseong had a new virtual reality game that he created. After leaving Union, he conducted endless research and finally finished it. At the same time, he needed a manager to take care of it so he invited Yoo Minseok, who was in Joseph’s phone contacts.

“I would like to start this open beta in a special manner. As you know, this game is virtual reality, but it is the RTS genre created by applying the core technology with the memory chip from Gaia, the supercomputer previously used. That is why the demonstration to be held next month will implement ‘them’...”

Kang Jaeseong’s words continued for a long time. The discussion between the three people continued before they finally finished. Later, Yoo Minseok asked Kang Jaeseong if he could recommend his brother-in-law, Cha Jincheol. Kang Jaeseong had heard of Cha Jincheol’s talents and naturally approved.

“I should naturally welcome such a talent.”

“Thank you. I will contact my brother-in-law, but he should still do the interview. I will tell him to come.”

“Haha, I was also curious, but this is just right. Let’s talk while eating together. I’m curious about the friend who was called a genius in Union.”

In this way, Cha Jincheol got a job after being unemployed for a while. Suddenly, there was a ringing sound and Joseph got up quietly from his seat. The atmosphere was interrupted as he apologized and went outside in a hurry. He answered the phone on the way. Based on the screen flickering, it was a video call.

-Children~ would you like to say hello to your father?

-Daaaaaaddy!

Kang Jaeseong shook his head when he saw Joseph going out.

“In any case, he is really great.”

“What do you mean?”

“I just heard from my younger sister. She is having a third child. I found out by chance first, but she said she is going to tell him today. She probably made a video call to talk about it.”

“Ah! I see. Congratulations. Haha.”

“The number of people I have to give New Year’s money to has increased. Hahaha.”

Kang Jaeseong laughed with joy. After a while, the sound of Joseph screaming with joy could be heard outside the door.

* * *

One month later, COEX in Seoul.

-Everyone has been waiting a long time!From now on, we will start the open beta with a demonstration of the new virtual reality game.All guests, please be seated.First, some words from Dr Kang Jaeseong..

A huge crowd gathered in COEX, Seoul. It wasn’t just the Korean people. People around the world were now focused on the new virtual reality game. Dr Kang Jaeseong’s skills were the best in the world, so it was no wonder why many people’s eyes were focused here.

A year ago, an anonymous report revealed that Lee Geonmyeong was the culprit behind the attack and many people were shocked. Everyone knew that Dr Kang Jaeseong was in a coma at the time so he naturally escaped responsibility. After a while, Dr Kang Jaeseong stepped up to the podium and gave a short greeting.

-It is nice to see everyone.

Waaaah!

The endless shouts subsided and Kang Jaeseong slowly said the things he wanted to say. Soon after, applause and cheers poured out and the stage darkened. Then there was the tense sound of drums. The demonstration was about to begin. The bright lights that appeared gathered and illuminated someone, revealing Mido on the stage.

Waaaah!

The public cheered after recognizing the faces of those on the stage. She and her party were participating in the demonstration on behalf of South Korea.

“Noona, are you shaking?”

Park Seongchan pushed her with his elbow. Mido’s mouth protruded in a pout.

“I’m not?”

“Hey, Jeongdo. Look at your Noona’s face. It is completely pale, deathly pale.”

Surprisingly, there was Jeongdo next to Park Seongchan. He was a participant in this demonstration because he was a very famous professional gamer who graduated from the virtual reality department that Mido graduated from. Jeongdo was steadily continuing his activities for his dream of being a professional gamer and he was a well-known celebrity in South Korea as a powerful rival of Park Seongchan.

“Do you want to die?”

Mido’s fists came up.

Suddenly, lights lit up the other side and the Chinese representative, Zhen Sulong, and other players came up. They had a close conversation with Zhen Sulong. Then Michael and James came up. In particular, Jeongdo’s eyes fell on James.

“Hey, he might be your brother-in-law, but do you have to stare like that?”

“Shut up. What brother-in-law? If he loses to me, then this marriage is invalid. Right, Seongchan?”

“Of course. If he can’t win against either of us, then I can’t give my Noona to him in peace. Absolutely not.” Park Seongchan nodded.

Mido sighed as she looked at the two of them. Once all the players finished entering, they got into their capsules. There were many shouts that signaled the start of the new virtual reality game. The game began and South Korea and the United States fought fiercely. They repeatedly attacked and defended, moving back and forth like they couldn’t wait to tear each other apart

“Can you take my Noona like this?”

“Can’t my brother in-law take care of me?” James wondered.

“I don’t like it. Additionally, brother-in-law? Your words are too much.”

“Haha, it is hard to get married.”

There was a metallic sound as James and Jeongdo’s swords collided. Then Park Seongchan stepped on Jeongdo’s back and jumped, aiming the sword violently at James from above. They were rivals in South Korea, but at this moment, they were comrades who were of one accord. The cooperation between the two of them was simply a fantasy.

Just then, Michael intervened in the melee between Park Seongchan and Jeongdo. However, the two of them only targeted James.

“Groan, isn’t it too much to only target me?”

“I don't know. You should figure it out with Noona!”

“Haha, I have to be very good to my brother-in-law.”

“What brother-in-law bullshit?”

The fight between Jeongdo and James continued for a long time. Park Seongchan was in charge of Michael and it was now a fight between two people. However, Mido suddenly appeared there. “Hey! Choi Jeongdo, do you want to die?”

“Ah, Noona!”

Mido’s sword turned to Choi Jeongdo and Choi Jeongdo took a few steps back in a flustered manner. James smiled and walked toward Mido. Suddenly, Mido grinned and swung her sword at James.

“W-Why?” ƒ𝗿e𝘦𝚠𝗲𝚋n𝚘ν𝙚𝗹.𝑐o𝙢

“Have you forgotten? You are my enemy.”

“It is like this.”

“I think it is a couples fight before marriage.”

“If a couple fights twice, there won’t be a house left. Hahaha.”

Mido and James continued the fight. Jeongdo was watching the two people with an expression like it was absurd. Then Park Seongchan appeared by his side and placed an arm around his shoulder. “Tsk tsk. Based on what I see, there is no way to stop them from getting married, my friend.”

“It seems so. I don’t know, though. I don’t like him. Doesn’t he look like a playboy?”

“Let’s see? I’m not sure.”

“Then I will continue to stop him.”

Choi Jeongdo gritted his teeth while Park Seongchan giggled. Looking at this, people seemed to see Choi Chuntaek and Park Muyeol’s childhood. Just then, something happened. A small gap appeared in the space next to Mido and James. Then the space was completely broken and a vast universe was seen beyond it.

“......!”

Everyone stopped fighting and stared there with blank expressions. From that place, two people slowly walked out.

“Mido and Jeongdo? Everyone has grown a lot!”

“Grand...father? Then the one next to you...”

Mido spoke in a trembling voice when she saw the person next to Choi Chuntaek. She was Choi Chuntaek’s wife, Yoo Seonyeong. Her appearance was just as it was before her death. She was a middle-aged woman with some wrinkles. Yoo Seonyeong smiled and held out her arms to Mido and Jeongdo. “My children. Come here.”

There was the sound of a sword falling to the ground and Mido fell into Yoo Seonyeong’s arms. Jeongdo came over as well while Park Seongchan stared blankly like he couldn’t believe it. The four people burst out crying and the demonstration was naturally stopped.

Choi Chuntaek discovered some familiar faces and greeted Michael and Zhen Sulong. At this time, Jeongdo whispered in Choi Chuntaek’s ear. Choi Chuntaek heard the words and suddenly became angry. “What? Mido is going to marry that shameless man? Bring me that damn guy right now!”

Choi Chuntaek pulled out a knife from his waistband and swung it at James. The nimble movements showed his skills despite his old age.

“W-Wait a minute. Grandfather! Don’t do this...!”

“Shut up. This guy! I will have that unfinished conversation with you today!”

“S-Save me, Mido!”

“I don’t know anything.”

“Aaaack!”

Mido turned her head with a sniff and smiles blossomed on everyone’s faces. It was another hot summer day. It was also the happiest day in the world.