Chapter 32: Yuamhwamyeong (5)

Part 14

“I was out of it for a while, going to the hospital and all, so meeting up with a friend felt like a big deal. We’re all adults now, so only one guy could make the time.”

• We heard you were sick when you started appearing, are you okay now?
• Nunabbattajo and her friend, oohhh…

What are they imagining? With my appearance, they probably picture a female friend who looks similar. It’s a convenient misunderstanding, but no need to clarify. I let it slide.

“I’m doing pretty well now. The hospital visits are just routine checkups and talks. Honestly, it feels like a waste of money.”

“But that’s not the point right now.”

The character’s cheerful face slid down an icy slope, catching my eye as I scanned the chat. The game’s scenery zipped by. Was this the third time I’d seen this part? Fourth? Sanghyeon, who’d screamed in frustration the first time he slipped, now just slumped over the desk, letting out a dying groan.

“I can’t do this anymore…”

“You said you’d finish before midnight.”

“This isn’t… fun… it’s not fun…”

Is he acting for the stream or actually about to cry? I glanced away from the chat, meeting his glazed, unfocused eyes staring somewhere vague. Same old impatient Sanghyeon, I thought.

• Cheungjeokun’s dead!
• Meanwhile, the mission reward keeps climbing lololol
• Safe asset’s too reliable~

“Sob… look, Sis… no one’s on my side… the game, the viewers, they all want me to suffer…”

Definitely playing it up. Those cheesy, shonen-manga lines? I’d learned enough about streaming culture over the past three weeks to not take it too seriously. Hopefully.

“If you’d stuck to your usual games, you wouldn’t be struggling with something you’re bad at.”

“…Is that supposed to be comforting?”

• lolololol
• “Bad at it” “Bad at it” “Bad at it”

“RomanticSwordsman, thanks for the 10,000 won donation. Why fixate on that part? Look at the overall action, come on.”

I’m even patting his back. Isn’t that enough to show I care, even if it’s a playful jab?

“Quick, say, ‘Thank you, Sis, I’m comforted.’”

“…Don’t you think that’s a bit shameless?”

“Lately, I’m finding this bold attitude kinda fun.”

• She’s turning into a streamer omg
• “A bit shameless” lol

“My friend did say I’ve gotten brighter.”

Not exactly a compliment, but the viewers never reacted badly, so whatever. Whether it’s their influence or not, if the change looks positive to most people, that’s fine, right?

“…By the way, chat, did you know?”

• Finally giving up?
• Suddenly missing the Rift?

“Our Nunabbattajo’s hands are soft and warm. Jealous, huh?”

“Eek!”

I yanked my hand back with a squeak, startled. Sanghyeon’s cackling followed, clearly amused by my reaction.

• Siscon alert!
• Cheungjeokun… that was… kinda creepy… you weirdo.

“Just admit you’re jealous. Show some sincerity, and I might share more.” He laughed maniacally.

• Eek, cute!

“TwoEyesTooturuBbaraBba, thanks for the 10,000 won donation. But this isn’t the kind of donation I meant!”

“What are you saying about family?!”

Embarrassment hit as the shock faded. Soft and warm? Why say something so gross? With that thought, I swung my hand hard at his back, still slumped on the desk.

“Ow!”

• Reward oohhh!
• Soft and warm oohhh!
• Nunabbattajo, I’m dying~~~~

I decided physical attacks were useless.

Part 15

“Alright, I’m off to bed.”

Glancing at my phone, it was past 11 p.m. Tomorrow’s Sunday, so no need to wake up early for breakfast prep, but I didn’t want to mess up my habits either. I wanted to see Sanghyeon clear the game, but judging by his progress, he wasn’t finishing tonight.

• Nunabbattajo, don’t go!!!!
• Show us those dead eyes one more time!!!!

“Why do you want to see that…?”

I thought I was used to this, but sometimes it feels like we’re not on the same wavelength. Curse for us or show us dead eyes—is masochism a real thing? Can I even pull that off with this face?

I stared at my reflection on the cam. No matter how I racked my brain, this face didn’t seem capable of looking scary or imposing.

“…Go to those sites for that stuff. There’s plenty out there. Pho—”

“Okay, that’s enough. Looks like Sis is sleepy, starting to ramble nonsense.”

Right as I nearly blurted out a site I used to visit, Sanghyeon’s hand shot out with a thwap, covering my mouth. Whoa, his hand’s huge. Both hands could probably cover my whole face.

• Naughty words!!!!
• How does Nunabbattajo know about that lololol
• Heh… grown-up Nunabbattajo…

Calling me “Sis” while saying I’m acting grown-up? I let out a dry laugh, bewildered. Sanghyeon finally pulled his hand back. Less angry than curious, I tilted my head at his oddly serene expression.

“…Can’t say that stuff on stream?”

“What good would it do? My stream’s got kids watching too.”

Kids these days know everything crossed my mind, but I’m not that tactless. I nodded, accepting, and gave a small bow to the cam.

“Fair point. My bad. Can we forget that?”

• If Nunabbattajo says forget, we forget!
• She knows things…
• Honestly, you’ve gotten so bold lol. You were kinda shy at first.
• Used to be chill, now you’re all lively.

An extension of what I heard earlier? I thought I was just getting comfy with being shameless, but to others, it looks bold or lively? A slight change in phrasing, but it feels like I’m heading in a good direction.

“Thanks for the compliments… That’s a compliment, right?”

• We’re always on your side!
• Trust your viewers~

“Haven’t you shown too many untrustworthy moments to be that reliable?”

I grinned, gave a final bow, grabbed my cap from the desk, and left Sanghyeon’s room. Donation alerts and cries of Don’t go! followed, but I was getting sleepy.

• Nunabbattajo, show us a yawn!!!!

“TurtleEgg, thanks for the 5,000 won donation. They’re asking, Sis?”

“No way. Embarrassing.”

Opening the door, the lit hallway and living room came into view. Mom, Dad, and Junseok-hyung were probably asleep, so the lights were left on for me. Sanghyeon’s voice, starting to ramble, faded into muffled noise as the door closed.

• Stream’s popping off.
• Her looks are a cheat code fr.
• Glad she’s getting comfy. Honestly, we didn’t say it, but we were super worried.

As I left his room, my phone buzzed with messages. Tapping the notification, I saw our group chat with all five friends. Youngjin, Seokyoon, Jooyoung, in order.

I hadn’t hidden it, but Seongyoon was the only one I told about my stream appearances. Their messages, acting like they’d watched, meant he’d blabbed. Scrolling through the backlog, I soon found Seongyoon’s message.

• Btw, Yoonseo’s been cameo-ing on Sanghyeon’s stream. Wanna watch?

I’m not a zoo animal, you jerk.

• Could’ve told us you were watching.

Scrolling back to the latest messages, I noticed Seongyoon’s weren’t there, but the “unread” marker was gone—he’d seen them.

• Didn’t wanna look like we’re cliquing up, bad for the stream lol…
• Sanghyeon’s raking it in lol. Donations pouring in just for breathing?
• Breathing? I’m thinking hard about how to react to keep it fun.
• Looks like you’re just winging it, tbh.

Seongyoon finally chimed in, and the quiet chat exploded with noise. The stream’s full of allies, but this chat’s got none. Suddenly, I miss the stream.

• Btw, Sanghyeon only streams at night, so what do you do during the day?

Amid their giggling, Youngjin’s sudden question got a quick “?” reply from me. Asking for more context, the chat went silent, sensing something serious.

• Okay, I feel bad, but the part-timer at my parents’ bakery quit suddenly. I’m helping in the kitchen, Mom’s at the counter, but I’m busy with my certification. We need someone, preferably a familiar face.
• Got the gist.

A bakery counter could use a female worker, and for a family business, a familiar face makes sense.

• But I don’t think your parents know me.
• I can explain…
• Trash friend trying to profit off her face lololol
• Parents slipping you extra allowance? “Go find a good worker from your academy”?
• These jerks calling me trash again lolol

I got the picture. Youngjin’s not the type to have ulterior motives, and I do have too much free time.

• Gotta talk to my parents first. They’re super worried about me.
• No pressure if it’s too much. Just my wishful thinking.
• Ulterior motives.
• Greedy jerk, greedy.

Giggling, I tiptoed toward the living room.

With a dull thunk, I switched off the light.

Sleepy, so I’ll think tomorrow.