Part 2The Pro Gamer's Secret Crush

I clicked into the post-game screen in a daze.

A notification popped up:

[Player "Hell's Ladykiller" wants to add you as a friend.]

I accepted immediately. I knew what this was! He wasn't done; he wanted to 1v1 me in a flame war? Bring it on! I've never lost a trash-talking contest.

But then I saw his message.

[My cousin broke his arm, so he was playing badly. I apologize on his behalf.]

I sat up straight in bed. I wanted to slap myself.

I am a monster!

I typed frantically:

[I'm so sorry! I didn't know! I shouldn't have been so rude...]

He sent a voice message. It was a kid's voice, sniffling: "It's okay, big sister. I was just too bad at the game."

I froze.

Disaster. I made a kid cry!

Guilt washed over me. I reflected hard on my life choices and immediately started groveling.

[Actually, I just have a foul mouth. Can I send you some money? Kid, please stop crying. Add me on WeChat, I'll buy you snacks and bubble tea. Don't be mad at me. Want a skin? I'll gift you one.]

I sent my contact info.

After a long silence, he replied:

[Is that profile picture you?]

My WeChat profile picture has always been a childhood photo of me. I was a chubby kid, looking nothing like the glamorous star I am now. No one would ever connect the two.

So I replied honestly: [Yeah, why?]

He sent another voice message. It was the mature guy's voice again:

"Nothing, just thought it was cute. My cousin is okay now, he went home. Want to play more? I'll carry you."

Huh? Did his voice just get... softer? It sounded even better than before.

I didn't think too much about it.

[OK, let's duo.]