Chapter 107: By fountain (5)

Part 7

“By the way, Sanghyun was looking for you,” Yoonseo’s mother said.

“Sanghyun?” Yoonseo asked.

“He said to call you over right away. Something about a stream emergency?”

Dragging her exhausted body through a shower and changing into comfy shorts and a t-shirt, Yoonseo was halfheartedly eating dinner when her mother mentioned it. Even through her fatigue-fogged mind, the news felt odd, tilting her head in curiosity.

“He’s got no reason to ask me for stream help…” Yoonseo mused.

“Something about an awkward phone call. If he’s looking for you, it’s probably someone you know?” her father added, chewing his food.

Yoonseo felt bad for her father’s attempt to clarify, but it only confused her more. Not the four friends. Another streamer? No reason to involve me. Who does Sanghyun know that’d need me?

“…Oh,” she realized.

“Is it something we wouldn’t get? He just said to tell you. Is it serious?” her mother asked.

“I think I know who it is. Probably not a big deal,” Yoonseo said.

“He sounded urgent,” her mother pressed.

Sanghyun had been streaming smoothly so far, but to their parents, him urgently needing someone suggested trouble. Seeing her mother’s worried expression as she set down her chopsticks, Yoonseo curled her lips into a reassuring smile.

“If you say it’s fine, I’ll trust you…” her mother said.

“He’s just whining. Probably got a call from someone awkward and wants me to save him,” Yoonseo explained.

Someone both she and Sanghyun knew, who’d call him mid-stream for no big reason, and he couldn’t refuse. It’s been a while since we talked, but it’s got to be them.

“Finish eating and go check,” her mother urged.

“I’ll help with dishes first,” Yoonseo said.

Is he drawing today? Or maybe playing a game together like last time? With those leisurely thoughts, she picked up her chopsticks again. The salt-and-pepper stir-fried potatoes tasted perfectly exquisite.

Part 8

“Sanghyun-ah, can I come in—”

Argh! Sorry, folks! My noona’s here, one sec!

Knock, knock, knock. Before Yoonseo could finish asking, a loud clatter came from inside, faster than her words. His slightly formal tone confirmed her suspicion.

Bonfire, no doubt. Stifling a smile, she heard heavy footsteps, and the door flung open roughly. Sanghyun, looking haggard after just a day, greeted her with a half-crying expression.

“Hyung…” he whined.

“It’ll carry on stream,” she warned.

“I missed you so much… sob sob sob…”

“You know the cam’s still on, catching at least some of this, right?”

His exaggerated sobbing suggested he was half-joking, but his attempt to lean in for a hug was too much. She swiftly pushed him back, arms outstretched.

“Too much! Take my familial love!” he pleaded.

“What are you even saying?”

She knew she couldn’t match his strength, but his easy retreat confirmed he was messing around. Making Mom and Dad worry over nothing. I’ll give him a piece of my mind later.

“For that reason, everyone!” Sanghyun announced.

Stumbling dramatically from her push, he darted back to his monitor at the same speed he’d rushed to the door. Talk about professional dedication, Yoonseo thought.

“She’s here! The one you’ve all been dying to see! The one Bonfire’s been desperately searching for—!”

Yup, it’s Bonfire. But his next words sparked unease. He’s about to say something stupid, isn’t he?

“Hey, wait, don’t say anything dumb—”

“The Saintess has completed her pilgrimage to save humanity and has arrived!”

“You—!”

As expected! Yoonseo launched herself at Sanghyun, who was grinning smugly in his chair, and drove a kick into his side. This time, not just a tap—she aimed deep with her toes, full force.

“Guh?!”

Oohhh!

Noona’s too spicy!!!!

Reward right off the bat, ugh…

Unlike his usual unbothered reaction, this time his pained yelp felt genuine. Aiming deep works better than just hitting.

“…Haa. Yes, it’s Jeokranun, fresh from my shift, shower, and dinner,” Yoonseo said.

“Cheongjeokun-nim, you two are as close as ever,” Bonfire’s voice came through.

“Bonfire-nim, it’s been a while. Glad you seem well,” Yoonseo replied.

“Really now. You don’t visit until I ask someone to pass a message about art, and then nothing after picking it up.”

“Haha… thought you might be busy,” Yoonseo said.

Guh… everyone… please, show some love to this Cheongjeokun, sacrificing for your laughs— Sanghyun groaned.

“Self-inflicted. Who told you to say that?” Yoonseo shot back.

Lmao, noona’s reward is way more important.

Jeokun!!! Keep acting up!!!!

“By the way, why do they keep saying ‘reward’?” Yoonseo asked.

After exchanging greetings and cooling off, the chat’s repeated “reward” comments caught her attention. She knew viewers found a pretty woman’s aggressive actions charming, calling it a “reward,” but all she’d done was yell and kick Sanghyun’s side. Were they so starved for excitement that simple violence qualified?

Reward.

“…Oh. Sanghyun, read this,” Yoonseo said.

“‘WhatElseIsThisIfNotAReward-nim’…? Thanks for the 10,000-won donation. It’s a video,” Sanghyun said.

“Guys, I think I know what this is. I’ll get in huge trouble if I play it. What do I do?”

Bonfire’s giggles crackled through the speakers, and the chat’s laughing emojis suggested they knew the video’s contents. Probably not anything weird, but…

“Jeokranun, you decide—play it or not?”

“…Since when did you start with the ‘noona noona’ stuff, Bonfire-nim?” Yoonseo asked.

“How could I not use honorifics for the nation’s Saintess—”

“It’s not honorifics or anything!”

Bonfire was clearly in a playful mood too. Sanghyun, giggling, slid the mouse toward her. One click from playing. Yoonseo shot a sulky glare between the monitor and Sanghyun, then, with an ugh, hit play, resigned to whatever came.

The video, barely a minute long, showed her kicking Sanghyun’s side.

“…Oh,” she said.

Yah!!!!

Her scream echoed in the video, her head out of frame since she was standing, but her extended leg was clear. Now I get why they’re saying ‘reward’ and ‘oohhh.’

“…Perverts! Why clip this?!” she exclaimed.

Lololololol.

This is it, lmao, this is the vibe.

Her face burned red. Glancing down at her short shorts, she realized too late she’d chosen comfy clothes post-shower. Mortified, she buried her face in her hands.

“Cheongjeokun-nim,” Bonfire said.

“Yes?” Yoonseo mumbled.

“That was perfect.”

“This is the power of a streaming genius, muahaha,” Sanghyun boasted.

I wish they’d both disappear. Her head ablaze, Yoonseo thought fiercely.