Chapter 72: Mother of the double-breasted fish (4)

Part 7

“Sanghyeon, can I come in?” I asked, knocking lightly.

A muffled mumble came from beyond the door. I couldn’t make out the words, but it definitely wasn’t “No way!” so I figured it was fine.

“Coming in!” I called.

No need to sneak this time. I opened the door and stepped into the dimly lit room. The only lights were the monitor’s glow and a faint bulb, barely illuminating the space as my eyes adjusted.

“…Think you’ll win?” I asked.

“Probably!” Sanghyeon replied.

He was leaning into the screen, completely absorbed, like the game could go either way but might tilt in his favor. He gets better reactions when he loses, though. I didn’t say it, but maybe I should root for a loss.

“Our streamer Cheungjeokun-ssi’s too busy gaming to even glance at family,” I teased.

• Dayum… Jeokranun-nuna… we don’t need Jeokun…
• He’s gonna lose anyway, just mock him after the defeat lol

“Who’s losing?!” Sanghyeon shot back.

Even mid-game, he was peeking at the chat. Impressive reflexes. Compared to Bonfire’s chaotic streams, this felt calm. Is this cozy or just low turnout?

Either way, it was very Sanghyeon. Smiling, I sank into the spare chair—now practically reserved for me when I dropped by. Looked like I’d be chattering solo for a bit.

“How many wins and losses today?” I asked.

• 3 wins, 4 losses, I think.
• Win this and it’s 4-4~
• Nuna, show us that thing from earlier one more time!!!!

Reading the chat, I flinched. Isn’t it common courtesy to let that slide quietly? What if Sanghyeon saw it? Worry crept in.

“No way I can react if you front-flash like that!” Sanghyeon shouted.

My gaze darted to the glowing monitor and his eyes, glued to the screen. Letting out a held breath as naturally as I could, I relaxed.

“Don’t say stuff like that,” I said.

“Huh? What, someone talking nonsense again?” he asked.

“No, just someone saying you suck at the game,” I covered.

“That is nonsense!” he protested.

Whew, safe. I’d worried he’d caught the chat while glancing earlier, but the timing worked out. Glaring at the chat with a mock scowl, I saw the viewers—already catching on—erupting in laughter and playful jabs.

• For real, don’t say that, so tactless lol
• Jeokun’ll get mad!!!!
• Jammin vibes?
• Kids can be like that lol

“…Even kids shouldn’t say that,” I said.

Maybe it was a kid. Reflecting, this stream did have younger viewers mixed in with adults. I might’ve gone too far with my prank. Hard to say I’m blameless…

“…But I messed up too. Let’s all drop it and move on,” I suggested.

• Kinda unfair lol
• If Nuna says stop, we gotta stop.

Someone probably clipped it already. It’d likely reach Sanghyeon’s ears while I slept, so nothing would really change. Easing my frown, I let out a small laugh. If we all had fun, no need to get upset.

“Huh? What’d Nuna do wrong?” Sanghyeon asked.

“Asking about your record was a mistake…” I dodged.

“I’m winning this and evening it out!” he declared.

Sounded like those four losses were a streak, putting him in a tough spot. If he gets demoted, he can’t do other stuff?

“Is tier that important?” I asked.

“In a game where pros make billions, high tier’s pride!” he said.

“You’re not pro-level,” I pointed out.

“…Ouch,” he muttered.

• Nuna, stop the violence!!!!
• Don’t fall, Cheungjeokun, die standing…!

“You guys are the worst!” he yelled.

Fueled by the taunts, he refused to lose. Ignoring the chat completely, he clawed his way to a hollow 4-4 after four losses and four wins.

Part 8

“So, today we’re setting up Nuna’s stream, as promised. Woo—applause!” Sanghyeon announced.

• Woooo!!!!
• She starts streaming… and Cheungjeokun’s viewers drop by half…

“What kinda joke is that?” he said.

“…Finger snap, maybe? Hey, buddy, you picked the wrong target for jokes,” I teased.

I didn’t do it often, but snapping wasn’t hard. Just press your middle finger and thumb together, then flick the middle finger down with force.

As a kid, it took days to master that crisp sound for some trend. Once I got it, I could snap without thinking. …Or so I thought.

“…Uh, yeah, that’s the move,” Sanghyeon said.

• So cute lol
• Nuna’s fingers are baby-like…?
• Kinda pitiful lol

“Wait, hold on,” I said.

Why isn’t it working? Blank-faced, I tried again. Only pathetic fizz sounds came, no crisp snap. First time with this body—must be why. But after two, three tries, the fizzing sped up. Why’s this not working?

“Nuna?” Sanghyeon asked.

“Just a sec. I can do this,” I insisted.

“…Okay. Site ID and password—same as usual, right?” he asked.

“Yeah, hold on…” I muttered.

More force on the middle finger? Sweaty hands? Rubbing thumb and finger together, I kept trying.

• Nuna, you’ll break your finger—maybe stop?

“Huh?” I yelped.

A robotic donation voice startled me, my head snapping up. The words sank in late. Why was I so worked up? My stunned face reflected on the stream, and the chat erupted in laughter.

“They’re saying it’s hopeless. Look at the monitor,” Sanghyeon said, his tone smug, like he was getting revenge.

My frozen face burned. Ugh, so embarrassing…

“No, it really used to work!” I protested.

“So, open the program and log in like this,” he continued.

“It did work!” I insisted.

I was already mortified. All I had left was to salvage some pride. Cutting him off, I frowned dramatically, throwing out words. My flushed face and stern glare didn’t restore my dignity, though.

Sanghyeon stared, then grinned wickedly. A chill ran down my spine. Something bad’s coming.

“I’m just a scrub who’ll never go pro, so I don’t remember stuff like that,” he said, shaking his head and sticking out his tongue.

“…Ugh,” I groaned.

Silence. I broke first, unable to handle his expression.

“Ugh?” he teased.

“Ughhh…!” I growled, pounding his shoulder relentlessly.

My weak physique felt more pathetic than ever.