For me, Super Orlando/Mario World' was a truly meaningful game.
Did I have fun playing it?
Not at all!
I really wanted to play it, but I never got the chance. That only made me more drawn to it.
When I was a kid, quite a few people had family game consoles.
But Super Family was much harder to come by.
I often heard rumors—someone had one at their house, there was an incredible game called 'Super Battle Tournament'… I heard a lot about it.
Unfortunately, I never got to play it properly.
One day, my curiosity got the better of me, and I went to a game shop in the next neighborhood.
It was far enough to need a town bus, but I remember stubbornly walking all the way there, sweating profusely.
That was how I arrived at the second-floor game shop.
Through the large glass windows, I saw a small CRT screen displaying Super Mario wearing a cape.
Huh?
Was Mario always this sharp and vibrant?
Back then, I didn't even know what 16-bit was, but I was so overwhelmed by the vivid colors that I was left speechless.
"Wow."
Even after such a long walk.
I wasn't tired at all—I just kept staring at the game screen.
I didn't care if I wasn't the one playing.
I just wanted someone, anyone, to play that game.
Not the auto-play demo that ran when the console was left on—I wanted to see real gameplay.
Looking back now, I should've just asked the shop owner.
Told him I came all the way from the next neighborhood just to see 'Super Orlando World.'
That I didn't have money, but I still really wanted to watch it being played.
If a little kid had been that honest, the owner might've taken pity on me and let me hold the controller just once.
But back then, I didn't even have the courage to open the game shop's door.
Not having money… felt like such a huge crime, weighing down on my small shoulders.
Thinking back, I must have been really timid.
"What are you thinking so hard about in front of the console?"
Tennessee's voice snapped me back to reality at just the right moment.
Whew!
A second later, and I might've gotten unnecessarily sentimental.
I turned to Tennessee with a smile.
"Wanna make a donation sometime soon?"
"Donation?"
"Super Family, 'Super Orlando World', 'Capsulemon'—we can donate them to kids from low-income families."
"Out of nowhere?"
"Don't want to?"
Tennessee, setting down his burger, blinked in confusion.
"If you don't want to, I can just—"
"I'll do it with you, sure. It's not even hard."
His words made me smile in satisfaction.
An hour later.
"Is it really that fun?"
Tennessee asked, and I nodded silently.
Fun alone couldn't fully describe what I was feeling.
It was like traveling back to that time.
Like stepping into the game shop and finally opening that heavy door.
If I was smiling right now…
Then maybe I was wearing the smile that little kid should've had back then.
'I feel a lump in my throat.'
I handed the controller to Tennessee.
"You play for a bit."
"Why?"
"I'm hungry."
"You just ate a burger…"
"You ate most of the fries."
"When—when did I?"
Tennessee awkwardly took the controller.
"I'm making ramen. Want some?"
"What's that?"
"It's like spaghetti, but with broth."
"No, no. Absolutely not."
So, I only made one serving.
But it seemed like the distinct Korean aroma had enchanted him.
Like a cat that just spotted a Churu treat, Tennessee crept toward me.
"Why did you lie?"
"About what?"
"How is this even remotely like broth spaghetti?"
This guy… Was he about to ask for a bite?
Since the portion was obviously small, he just smacked his lips without bringing himself to say it.
I smirked.
"Want me to share some?"
"Hm…"
Yeah, right.
I brought out a bowl and a ladle.
'He'd probably prefer a fork over chopsticks.'
Once we sat at the table, there was no messy slurping like a nobleman.
He simply twirled the noodles with his fork and chewed quietly.
"How is it?"
"Hmm… It's kinda spicy."
"Not good?"
"It's weird. It's spicy, but… it feels like it's stimulating my nerves. Like it's relieving stress."
So, he likes it.
"Got any pickles?"
I let it slide when he twirled the noodles with a fork.
But pickles with ramen? That was crossing the line.
"I have some Korean food. Want to try?"
"Korean food?"
His eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Let me see."
I brought out the aged kimchi and baek-kimchi that my grandfather had prepared.
At the sight of the aged kimchi, he hesitated slightly.
Yeah, jumping straight into that might be too much, even in my opinion.
Let's just stick with baek-kimchi for today.
I placed a piece of white napa cabbage on his small plate.
"It looks pretty."
Thankfully, he didn't seem to have any resistance to baek-kimchi.
Crunch.
At that moment—
"…Oh!"
A short gasp escaped him.
The cool, slightly sweet flavor must have suited his Western palate.
'That's my mom's signature taste!'
I watched him proudly.
"Give me the red one too."
Tennessee pointed at the aged kimchi.
This was moving way too fast…
"Save that for next time."
"Why? It looks good."
Alright then…
Squelch.
Judging by his expression, the texture was a surprise.
"Hmm."
He had words in his head but seemed to be double-checking his thoughts.
"Did your mom make this?"
"Yeah."
"It's… good…"
Told you. You should've saved that one for later.
Sure enough, he decided to stick to the baek-kimchi.
After a while, as if suddenly feeling embarrassed, he changed the subject.
"So, anyway…"
He cleared his throat.
"Where are you planning to go for college?"
"College?"
"Oxford, I assume? Or maybe the U.S.?"
I hadn't really thought about it.
If I managed to retire successfully, I wouldn't need to go.
And if I was still on the run, then a standard four-year university would be better than Oxford's three-year program.
If I wanted to stay off my grandfather's radar, the U.S. would be the best option.
Tennessee seemed to read my thoughts.
"If you're going to the U.S., how about Harvard?"
"Huh?"
"If it's Harvard, I could come up with a few justifications to apply there myself."
Ah.
Most British aristocrats naturally gravitate toward Oxford.
But I guess Harvard was prestigious enough to at least be considered.
"Of course, Harvard is tough too."
Hmm.
Now that I thought about it… unless it was somewhere equally elite, I'd probably just be told to go to Seoul National University.
'Wait a minute.'
Did I reserve a university acceptance letter or something?
Do I get in just because I want to?
Tennessee, however, seemed to see things differently.
"Any university in the world would line up to have you."
"...?"
"Just looking at your career so far, you're already leagues beyond most professors. It'd be embarrassing for them to reject you."
Well…
Even if I just put together a portfolio of the businesses I've run… hmm.
Enough of that!
Why waste time worrying about something so far ahead?
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang in the distance.
The only person who would come to my house… was probably Jo So-deok.
But why would he bother ringing the bell when he had the key?
I pressed the button to unlock the gate, and soon after, there was a knock at the front door.
So it wasn't Jo So-deok?
Which meant I had to walk all the way from the kitchen to the entrance.
I should have gotten a smaller house.
"Who is it?"
"Are you Mr. Park Ji-hoon?"
At first, I thought it was a journalist looking into the department store acquisition.
I was about to turn them away when an unexpected name came through the tightly shut door.
"This is Charles Emerson, the Mayor of Manchester. Would you have a moment?"
"My apologies for dropping by unannounced."
"...."
"I would appreciate it if you considered this an indication of how urgent this is."
We sat facing each other, a coffee table between us.
"And I see you have an unexpected guest as well."
The mayor recognized Tennessee.
That would make things easier.
"If you're here for a business discussion, it'd be better for Tennessee to sit in too."
"Yes, of course. Whatever you're comfortable with, Mr. Park."
But then—
"You two go ahead."
Tennessee spoke unexpectedly.
"I already have my hands full with Red Bull. My head's about to explode."
"What?"
"If Mr. Park Ji-hoon is at a university student level, then I'm still at the babbling toddler stage."
Like just managing to eat and not cry was a miracle.
"Well then, I'll be off."
And with that, he bolted for the door.
As if running away would get him out of this.
'No one ever has an easy time after getting involved with me!'
When the time comes and he has the ability, I'll make sure he gets put to work… ahem.
Anyway.
I thought I'd finally get some time to relax.
Then suddenly, the Mayor of Manchester shows up.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"No, I'm fine."
He started with small talk—complimenting my home, mentioning how he'd heard about me in the media, and so on.
Unfortunately for him, I had no interest in such things.
"So, what brings you here?"
"Ah, well. You may have already guessed, but… you remember the proposal you made regarding Manchester?"
"Did I?"
I feigned ignorance, shrugging as if I had forgotten all about it.
The mayor looked anxious as he carefully continued.
"Yes, um… The great project about repurposing the abandoned factory site into a commercial hub to revitalize the surrounding district…"
"Oh, right. That one."
"Yes, yes. That plan… Unfortunately, it got scrapped due to political reasons."
"Not because of pressure from the Harris family?"
"We usually sum that up as 'political reasons'… yes."
At that, the mayor dropped his gaze, looking visibly uncomfortable.
"This is already causing quite a stir."
"...?"
"A small article was published in the local paper. It mentioned how CEO Park Ji-hoon had initially planned to start a business in Manchester, but due to the mayor's opposition, he had no choice but to move it to London…"
Oh dear.
Looks like he's almost being treated as a traitor.
"Even if I explained that it was due to pressure from the Harris family… it would just make it seem like I caved to financial influence. That's a perfect recipe for a scandal. So I've been keeping quiet, but…"
"With the election coming up, the opposition is going to use it against you?"
"Th-That's right."
Manchester is a city with a strong political identity.
The current mayor had home-ground advantage.
But if he lost his seat just because he pushed Park Ji-hoon out?
His political career would be as good as over.
'So that's why you rushed over here?'
Trying to salvage the business deal you had to throw away because of Harris?
"But what should I do about this?"
"…Excuse me?"
"I have no interest in political affairs."
"Th-This isn't about politics! This is absolutely about public welfare. Do you know how many jobs this project would create? This is about people's livelihoods. It's crucial, absolutely crucial!"
"I'm sorry, but I've already decided to proceed with the project in London."
"You mean Oxford Street?"
"No. I acquired the Harris flagship store. The abandoned factory will become a department store—it's just a change of location."
Gulp.
The mayor's Adam's apple bobbed as his throat tightened.
He looked like he was getting lightheaded.
But he wouldn't have traveled all this way just to give up now.
With unwavering determination, he said,
"Does it really have to be just in London? If it's such a great project, why not build another one in Manchester…?"
"I never planned to stop at just one."
A spark of hope lit up on the mayor's face!
But only for a moment.
"Then why should it be Manchester?"
His eyes wavered.
"There's Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool… Why Manchester specifically?"
None of those places are bad either.
"L-Liverpool?"
The expression on his face said anywhere but there.
Hmm.
Now I really want to go there.
As if he could sense my thoughts, his eyes grew desperate.
"CEO Park…!"
More than ever, his gaze pleaded for mercy.