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Chapter 96: Poetry composition class (2)

Part 4

“Wow… guys, what am I even looking at right now?” Cheongjeokun said.

Peephole 😍
This guy’s insane lolol
It’s a pretty unique situation tho lol

When Cheongjeokun, out of curiosity, checked and saw Yoonseo’s stream was unexpectedly live, the first feeling was confusion. Despite explaining multiple times that streaming simultaneously was common, Yoonseo always avoided it, saying, “It might affect your stream negatively.” So why was she streaming at her usual time? Had she mixed up her schedule? What caused the mistake? With these questions, Cheongjeokun tuned in, and the viewers’ reactions hinted something was up.

Postponing planned tasks to watch Yoonseo’s—Jeokranun’s—stream felt natural. Seven hours had passed since the stream started. Didn’t she say she’s only working Friday to Sunday now? The realization hit late: seven hours was an unprecedented runtime for her. Her streams were usually one to three hours, casual morning chats. The reason for this marathon became clear with a soft gasp and the stream’s visuals.

…Ah…

A short exclamation. The snowy boulder-filled landscape shifted to a tiled rooftop. Cheongjeokun cringed at the sight: a ridiculous figure, lower half stuffed in a pot, swinging a hammer in absurd arcs. Yoonseo’s dazed expression sealed it. The chat, bursting with laughter, prompted Cheongjeokun to let out a hollow chuckle. Her brief gasp, paired with her desolate look, clashed with her usual gentle vibe, creating a comedic effect.

In short, the gap from her usual self was so big it was just funny.

Try 6 hours 30 minutes!

“She didn’t buy that game herself, right? How’d this happen?” Cheongjeokun asked.

She was chatting for an hour, then someone gifted it, saying it’s a good time-killer.
Total demon move lolol
She said, “It’s a gift, gotta finish it!” and has been at it for 6 hours 30 minutes.

“Ahh…” Cheongjeokun nodded.

The flow was clear. Her personality—feeling obligated to honor a gift—had hooked her, then stubbornness took over, turning into a “I’ll beat it!” mindset. The game had that strange allure, driving people to obsession. Watching Yoonseo flinch as if she felt the crash impacts, barely moving the mouse, Cheongjeokun understood.

I’ll eat when my parents get home, don’t worry. I’ll beat it before then.
No way she’s clearing it today.
Snowfield’s hopeless lolol

Why’s Bonfire there? A familiar nickname caught Cheongjeokun’s eye. Living a pretty chill life, huh?

“So, what do you guys think?” Cheongjeokun asked.

It’s hilarious lol
No shouting, but her face screams pterodactyl.
Real talk, she’s bad at the game, but her expressions are pure gold.

“She doesn’t show much emotion, but she’s bad at hiding her face. That’s our noona,” Cheongjeokun said.

Mesmerized, Cheongjeokun forgot their own stream, watching Yoonseo. After all her struggles, seeing her embraced with laughter by so many feels… meaningful. Cheongjeokun still carried guilt for using family for a bet. Maybe it’d linger forever.

Today’s content: spying on noona’s stream?
Yo, Cheong, watch her there. Get to work!

“Can’t I just watch my family for a bit? Chill with the rushing. I’m curious about something,” Cheongjeokun said.

Don’t overthink it. Good is good. Cheongjeokun didn’t feel entitled to worry about someone who’d chosen to live joyfully.

…Hoo… I’ll beat it. Watch me.

Her struggle was probably fun for her too. With family, friends, and countless supporters, she’d be fine. Smirking, Cheongjeokun’s fingers swiftly opened the chat program on their PC, knowing Yoonseo had it on her laptop too.

“Let’s peek at her reactions for a bit,” Cheongjeokun said.

Soon, thud thud thud—wall-pounding echoed. On-screen, Yoonseo paused the game, stood with a frustrated expression, and Cheongjeokun couldn’t hold back a booming laugh. Her silent restraint was so very her.

Part 5

“Ughhh…!!!!” I groaned, pounding the wall to Sanghyun’s room.

My hands dropped limply. My ears burned with embarrassment. I knew my pathetic wall-thumping was probably caught on cam, but I couldn’t help it. Dragging my feet back to the monitor, I saw the chat mocking my antics and my flushed face as I slumped into my chair.

The emotions I’d suppressed boiled over uncontrollably. I buried my face in my arms on the desk. Even without looking, I could picture the chat cheering “Fighting!” half-mocking, half-teasing.

“…Guys, look at this,” I mumbled.

Lifting just my eyes, I sluggishly moved the mouse, switching to the messenger program and showing the chat labeled “Little Brother.”

“As a sibling, isn’t this too much…?” I asked.

Another message popped up, and my blood boiled again. I shot upright reflexively. The chat, briefly quiet due to the delay, erupted in laughter and cheers.

Lolololol
He’s right tho lolol
Cheongjeokun spitting facts for once lol

“Shouldn’t at least one of you take my side?” I pleaded.

A short message: “So bad for real lol.” The fire in me fizzled like it’d been doused with ice water. I’d appealed to the stream in desperation, but even threatening to end it didn’t win me allies.

“He… he took four hours himself…” I muttered.

Noona, Cheongjeokun cleared it in 4 hours, but you’re at 7 and still stuck in the snowfield.
It’s different lol
Cheongjeokun earned his bragging rights.

The pent-up frustration felt ready to burst. Lost for words, I let out an incoherent “Argh!” and buried my head again.

After a while, the sound of the front door opening made me lift my head slowly. The chat was filled with half-joking, half-serious “Don’t cry!” messages.

“…I’m not crying,” I said.

No one believed me, of course. I ended the stream, hearing Sanghyun’s cackling. Without asking, I stormed into his room and kicked his side with all my might.

That probably hurt.