Chapter 52: Togo Napshin (4)

Part 7

“…Still, I want to express my apology somehow,” I said.

• You let things slide so smoothly but get hung up on the weirdest stuff.
• No need to be embarrassed~

Feeling somewhat redeemed didn’t change what I had to do. I wasn’t shifting the topic because I couldn’t handle the warm atmosphere, I told myself, steering the conversation back to why I’d started the stream. I couldn’t just brush off what needed to be done.

“Hung up? Come on, I started this stream to apologize. To those whose donations I ignored, or who got snapped at in chat. It’s not about being embarrassed,” I insisted.

• Embaaarrassed~
• Lololololol.

These people. The stream’s vibe had somehow reverted to its usual chaos, and I let out a hollow laugh despite myself. I thought we were being serious, but was it just me? Were they just quick to shift gears? I’d only watched Sanghyeon’s streams and one other, but the thought hit me: Viewers are impossible to pin down.

“Don’t tease me, seriously,” I said.

Still, I didn’t hate the vibe. It’s why I’d found streaming fun in the first place. Watching the chat burst with laughter, I couldn’t help but let out a suppressed giggle. I couldn’t hold onto the serious mood alone.

“Anyway, I’m not some amazing person, but I was thinking if there’s something I could do for you all…” I said.

• We all had fun, so it’s fine, right?
• Honestly, everyone here’s just grateful you’re talking to us at this hour.

“Then let’s say I’m doing this to ease my own mind. It was my first time treating people like that, and if I let it slide, I won’t sleep tonight,” I replied.

• Guess we can’t argue with that.
• If Nunabbattajo says so, that’s that…

Their easy agreement made me chuckle again. I remembered Sanghyeon complaining, “Viewers never listen!!!!” These people were probably his regulars, yet they followed my lead so easily. What would he think? Maybe I should save the VOD.

“…Ahem. So, is there anything you’d like me to do? As you know, I’m jobless, so nothing too expensive…” I said.

Sanghyeon would’ve warned, “Don’t cross lines or you’ll get banned!” but I doubted these folks needed that. From experience, they weren’t likely to request anything crude or unethical.

• Giving viewers that much freedom’s gonna bite you lol.
• You sure you can handle it?

“Of course, I’ll say no to anything too much…” I said.

As expected, their playful, slightly intimidating chats didn’t include outright demands for “Do this!” They were joking but still considering boundaries. I just hoped they wouldn’t suggest overly silly things like “Curse us” or “Do voice impressions.”

• Do a cosplay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A chat with a trail of exclamation marks caught my eye. It stood out as the first bold request amid the subtle back-and-forth, and its content drew my attention even more.

“Uh… cosplay? The costume costs—” I started.

• I’ll lend you one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“What…?” I blinked.

Before I could say it was too much, another chat from the same person made me notice their name: Dununttutturuppara-ppa. The one who’d visited the bakery where I work, who mentioned working in a cosplay team’s photography.

• If the size doesn’t fit, I’ll make it work, so cosplay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Ooh, cosplay’s a great idea.
• Then I’ll draw an illustration of you in cosplay?

What’s this now? As I processed cosplay info, another puzzling chat appeared. My eyes slid to the name: Bonfire. I’d promised to contact them but hadn’t set a date.

• What? Actual Bonfire?
• No way, Nunabbattajo’s got big shots in her stream????
• Bonfire watching someone else’s stream on a weekday morning? Stop lying lolol.

“Haha…” I laughed.

The apology’s purpose was fading into chaos. The sluggish chat from earlier seemed a lie as Bonfire’s appearance sent it into a frenzy. Famous people really are different. Why don’t they treat Sanghyeon like this? A twinge of jealousy stirred.

• Bonfire’s trying to get Nunabbattajo in skimpy clothes!!!!!!
• I didn’t say that, you lunatic;;

“Eek… no way, nothing too revealing…” I said.

Was it my mood, or was this the mark of a true streamer? Joining the teasing of Bonfire, their desk-pounding reaction popped up, followed by more playful jabs. I couldn’t help but laugh.

Sorry, Bonfire-nim. Not bursting out laughing was my best effort.

“…Well, seems like everyone thinks cosplay’s not a bad idea,” I said.

• Genshin Nunabbattajo!!!!!

“That character’s too revealing. No way. Nope,” I replied.

Fun as it was, I couldn’t keep this up forever. Seizing the moment, I steered back to the topic. What amazing viewers, actually listening. The chat, busy teasing Bonfire, shifted to respond to me.

Talk of wearing extra shorts, no bare leotards, and such.

“Ugh… still no. If I wear something like that, people who know me will imagine the in-game character,” I said.

Women’s clothing already felt daunting, let alone something evoking that imagery. Wait, isn’t most cosplay skirts?

“…If anything, I’d prefer pants,” I said.

• Absolutely not.
• Apology, you say? Apology? Apology? Apology?
• Don’t run! Face it!!!

“Figured…” I sighed.

Did I just say something huge? Too late to backtrack—the chat was set on me cosplaying as an apology. Cold sweat trickled down. This is bad. I’m not ready for anything beyond culottes.

• Nunabbattajo, how about the Traveler? From the same game.

“The Traveler…?” I asked.

As I scrambled for an out, the photographer’s chat appeared with a hyperlink. Clicking it, I saw an image of the game’s protagonist. I hadn’t noticed when playing on Sanghyeon’s account—Kamisato Ayaka’s effects were too flashy—but…

“…Isn’t this super revealing…?!” I exclaimed.

• That’s basically a long skirt lol.
• Nunabbattajo’s shoulders! Her shoulders!!!!!
• Dununttutturuppara-ppa, a god?
• Now that I think about it, they donate a ton to Cheungjeokun too. What do they even do to afford lending cosplay outfits?
• Traveler! Traveler! Traveler!
• Even I think this is the best pick lol.

Bonfire’s chat sealed it. Maybe the shared blonde hair fueled it, but the momentum was unstoppable. I can’t escape this, can I?

“…But Bonfire-nim, drawing me in cosplay is just game fanart,” I said.

• Eye candy’s enough for me.

This guy’s living true to his desires. I let out a wry laugh, shaking my head.