Chapter 47: Suspension of payment (8)

Part 19

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I felt wasn’t the refreshing sensation of a good night’s sleep but a heavy, unpleasant lethargy. The lingering ache of pain still clung to me. Groping through my foggy mind, I managed to sit up. What time is it? The thought hit me, and I fumbled for my phone, which felt unusually elusive today. Finally grabbing it, I checked the screen: 4:30 p.m. How long did I sleep?

“What a waste of time,” I muttered.

Irritation surged. It was my day off, and I’d just made a big decision yesterday. The thought made me toss my phone onto the bed. Why now, of all times? Damn it.

“Ughhh!” I groaned, burying my face in the blankets.

Unspoken complaints and frustrations turned into strange noises, muffled by the bedding. The ticklish sensation annoyed me, and I rolled around for a while until exhaustion finally stopped me.

“…Haa,” I sighed.

It wasn’t just lethargy—something heavier weighed me down. Dragging my sluggish body from the bed, I knew staying there would only trap me in a loop. The sweat-soaked collar of my T-shirt clung to my neck, and I yanked at it irritably. Right. Shower first. Or maybe water first?

My half-awake brain couldn’t think straight. Unable to decide, I let my body move on its own.

Stumbling through the hallway, I realized the kitchen was closer. Frowning at the light leaking out, I shuffled toward it, intending to soothe my dry throat. It felt less like walking and more like dragging my feet. Every gritty sensation on the floor sparked another wave of irritation, though I barely restrained myself from stomping.

Wait, the light’s on. Is Sanghyeon up? What about the stream? Should I go or not? I’m not in pain anymore… As I poked my head into the kitchen, there he was, looking disheveled, staring at his phone between the table and the microwave.

To get to the water purifier, I’d have to skirt around the table to avoid him. The moment I thought, I’ll have to go around, my mouth moved before I could think to start a conversation.

“Sanghyeon.”

“…Huh? Oh, Hyung, you’re up—”

“Move. You’re in the way.”

It made sense, in hindsight. Why go around when he could just step aside? A strange satisfaction settled in as the hum of the microwave filled the kitchen. Brushing sticky hair from my cheek, I shot him a sidelong glance, but he stood frozen, as if he’d heard something shocking.

Don’t make me say it twice.

“Didn’t you hear me? Move,” I repeated, frowning.

“Uh? Oh! Y-Yeah…” he stammered, finally snapping out of it and shuffling aside.

Here I am in pain, and you’re the one acting stunned? I wanted to snap at him, but opening my mouth felt like too much effort. Glaring at his awkward expression, I turned away sharply, hoping he got the message: Don’t do this again.

“…Uh, Hyung?” he said cautiously.

“What?”

I grabbed a cup and filled it with water. His hesitant tone grated on me. Just act normal. Worrying about me now? Should’ve done better earlier. My reply came out sharper than intended. I didn’t look, but his sharp inhale told me enough about his expression.

“Uh… you feeling okay?” he asked.

“I’m walking, so I guess I’m fine enough.”

“Uh, um…”

His vague response sparked another wave of irritation. What? I answered you. What’s with that reaction? I tried to ignore it, but my annoyance flared, and I whipped around to glare at him. His eyes darted around, pretending not to stare while stealing glances. My lips twitched, ready to let loose, but I bit them shut.

If I open my mouth now, I don’t know what I’ll say.

“…If you need anything, just call,” he said.

“You’ve got a stream to do.”

“I know, but I’ll help however I can.”

Frustration made me gulp down the water, shoving it past my lips. The sensation of too much water forcing its way down my throat ached, but I kept chugging, addicted to the relief of quenching my thirst. Sanghyeon’s anxious fidgeting kept catching my eye.

“…Haa,” I sighed.

“Hyung…?”

“Take your stream more seriously. Stop worrying about me. It’s not fair to your viewers.”

His mumbled response made me slam the cup into the sink with a thunk. He flinched, muttering a quiet “Yes…” in a small voice.

“Good. Now move, I need to get by.”

This time, he stepped aside without needing a second prompt. Would’ve been nice if you’d stayed out of the way to begin with, I thought, but it was fine enough. I started toward my room, then noticed my sweat-soaked shirt.

“…Haa.”

Shower first, then I’d think.

Part 20

Recalling the earlier moment, Cheungjeokun couldn’t shake the image of Yoonseo’s cold glare. If only that were all. Just minutes ago, she’d banged on his door, snapping, “Keep it down, you’re loud,”—something she’d never done before. When he’d peeked out, pretending to head to the bathroom, he saw her in the living room, punching the couch while the TV played.

• What’s going on lol.
• Tell us too!!!!

“No way. Right now, it’s just me in this house. That’s how it is!” he declared.

Normally, he’d at least try to meet his viewers’ requests, but his stubborn refusal signaled a real reason. The viewers caught on: Guess it’s a no-go. Something’s up. Let’s just mess with Cheungjeokun today. That vibe spread quietly among them.

Then, a loud thump-thump-thump on the door. Cheungjeokun froze. The chat exploded with question marks, sensing something off. Before anyone could ask properly, he shot up from his chair and bolted to the door, the cam capturing every move.

• Sanghyeon, open the door.

“Nuna, what’s up now…?” he said.

• Just open it.

The door creaked open, letting bright light spill into the dimly lit room. A figure stood outside, backlit, face shadowed but unmistakably familiar to the viewers.

“Sanghyeon, I asked you to keep it down,” she said.

“But, uh, it’s a stream, so…”

“You don’t have to yell every time. Your stream’s about skill, right?”

Her calm, measured voice, so familiar, carried a different edge—colder, sharper. The parade of question marks in the chat slowed, replaced by growing exclamations like hnnng.

“Y-Yeah, that’s true,” he stammered.

“You know I’m not feeling great. Can’t you at least try to be considerate?”

“Uh, yeah…”

“Am I asking too much?”

“No, no, of course not.”

A brief silence. The girl, arms crossed, tapping her finger on her forearm, let out a deep sigh and turned away.

“I know you’re a good kid, and I’m sorry for asking you to adjust to me, but I’d appreciate it if you tried,” she said.

“No… I’m the one who’s sorry… haha…” he replied.

Before he could finish, she vanished from the cam’s frame. Her faint footsteps faded. The door closed. Cheungjeokun stood there, shoulders slumped, before stumbling back to the monitor.

“…You saw and heard that, right?” he said.

• What… what was that…?!
• What’s happening lol.

“As you saw… my sister’s not doing great right now.”

• More!
• Scold us too, Nunabbattajo!!!!
• Scolding-mode Nunabbattajo hnnng…
• Why do you get to see her?! Show us what you saw!!!!

“…Hahaha, why are you all ganging up on me…?”

The chat’s frenzy left Cheungjeokun dumbfounded, and it took a while before he could resume the stream.