Chapter 2: The People at Home

"-Is that really you, Geon?" The shaky voice of Choi Sua invaded the 17-year-old boy's ears.

As far as he remembered, his mother was a cold, indifferent type of a workaholic woman.

Not once did she gave him attention except when he struck a nerve.

So, why now?

Geon felt conplicated at the unexpected warmth his mother's sudden hug gave him.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry..." He felt his shoulders getting wet--

Wait.

Is Choi Sua crying?

"I'm sorry." She kept repeating those words.

Sorry for what?

For not being a good mother?

For not being signifant enough in his son's life to the point where not once had he thought of her in his hardest times in [Family] except in rare occasions when the [System Window] brought her up?

Li Munchen cleared his throat.

"I'll leave you two alone." He awkwardly said before exiting the room.

They were in the penthouse of a certain 5-star hotel.

5 minutes later, Choi Sua stopped hugging Geon.

She held his hands as she stared at him in regret, pain, and desperation.

"I realized my sins when you disapeared. My child, I'm so sorry for not giving you the things you deserve and need. I'm sorry for being narrow-minded and only giving you material things instead of love. Words are not enough... Please let me make it up to you, Geon, my son. Please." The 17-year-old boy was shock at his mother's words.

Maybe...

If it were the old him, he would've cussed his mother out and threw a fit.

But he had grown not only physically but also mentally (thanks to the [System Window], it contributed a lot to his character developement).

"... Give me some time to think."

Ding!

[How cruel!]

'Shut up.'

•••

"Good morning!"

Geon rubbed his eyes as he entered the kitchen.

He stopped on his tracks when he had finally digested his mother's words.

"I made you breakfast." Geon's eyes widened as he stared at the mouth-watering dishes placed on the kitchen counter.

"Wow..." Choi Sua smiled proudly at his son's reaction.

"I learned how to cook in case this day would come."

•••

"Good morning madam and..."

"!"

"Oh my!"

"So young! Is he madam's secret lover?"

"Shut up, idiot!"

"Y-young master...?

"Sir Geon?!"

The whole mansion was in chaos.

Old servants, new servants, everyone was panicking.

Ding!

[Congratulations for completing the Side-Quest: Go Home!]

'I'm truly home.'

Everyone had changed, including me.

•••

Y-young master, is that really you?" Geon's heart shook at the sight of his nanny 3 years ago (yes, he still had a nanny despite being 14 back then).

He wasted no time.

He ran towards her and hugged her tightly.

Hyojin was the only one who sticked with him back when he was still a self-centered brat.

Oh, how much he missed her.

Choi Sua who witnessed all of this, cursed herself for another realization.

This nanny was a better mother to her son than her, the actual one.

•••

After some catching up with the servants, Geon was left alone in his room.

"Madam personally prepared this older version of your room. The only ones who knew that you ran away from home are her and me. Everyone believed that you moved abroad. Between me and madam, she's the one who has the strongest belief that you'll return." Hyojin winked at him before leaving his room.

The 17-year-old boy laughed at her words.

Those were lies, right?

The mother he knew all his life couldn't have changed that much, right?

After checking out his room, he couldn't help but smile in content.

The walls were painted white while the sides of the door and windows were painted red.

The floor is made of white marbles.

Geon sat on his comfy bed.

Oh how much he yearned for comfortable sleeping materials in those 3 years in [Family].

Geon diverted his attention to the current crisis he is facing.

"I need a plan."

'Status window.'

Swoosh!

[-Profile- Choi Geon (17)

Stamina: 10/15 (Advanced)

Strength: 10/15 (Advanced)

Agility: 10/15 (Advanced)

Intellect: 10/15 (Advanced)

Rhythm: A

Vocals: -C

Dance: C

Rap: -B

Visual: A+]

"Are these my idol stats or something?" Geon glared at the screen floating in front of him.

'What are these A, C...'

"Fuck! Why's there a minus before the C?!"

Geon was extremely confused and lost.

But the [System Window] did not provide instructions or something.

'I miss the old [System Window].'

•••

At first, Geon was unwilling to do the [System Window]'s "quest".

But knowing that it was mainly thanks to the [System Window] why he survived in [Family], Geon decided to comply to its wishes.

The rewards for everg quest completed were extraordinary but the consequences for failure were extreme (based on his past experiences).

[Good day, Geon! You have been granted the main quest [Was it Worth It?]. Get ready to step into the world of stars-- find out if your best friend's dream was worth his death. Become an idol.]

Geon kept staring at the floating screen.

"Damn... How do I become a idol?" He caressed his nonexistent mustache.

He always dreamed of having one-- let's save the reason why in another chapter.

He knew too little about idols.

His life as a kid was composed of purchasing in-game products, firing servants he found annoying, attending guitar and private lessons, and arguing with his mother he only saw once every 2-3 at that time.

Someone suddenly knocked on his door.

"You can enter."

A cute kid who appears to be at the age of 9 or younger, entered the room.

"Hello, my name is Youngchan and my grandma sent me here to ask you if you need something." The kid informed, his voice and face devoid of any emotions.

He was trying his best to hide his disenterest.

"By grandma, do you mean nanny, Park Hyojin?" Geon asked curiously.

"Yes."

His room fell into an awkward silent.

"Well, I don't need anything."

"Then, I'll take my leave." Youngchan said politely.

When he was about to leave, Geon remembered something.

"Wait."

"Yes?" The kid stopped on his tracks.

"Can I borrow a gadget?"

'Madam's son is weird and uncool!' Youngchan thought in disbelief.