It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

‘Huh? Name…?’

A single word slipped from the lips of a woman dressed in a black suit and white blouse. Busy assisting with the event, Kim Jinhee quickly approached upon hearing the two-syllable name ‘Yena’.

The question of whether Yena had ever revealed her name and the instant answer that it was impossible emerged almost simultaneously. After all, wasn’t she always someone who concealed herself to an almost awkward extent?

Though her broadcasts surprisingly had a lot of audio content, she never spoke about her personal life. Nothing about her family relations or the schools she attended ever came up. Even those who claimed to be long-time fans had no clue about who ‘GetDevoured’ truly was in real life.

The only time her age was mentioned was long after she started broadcasting, when Jinhee openly asked her. When a donation questioned whether she’d even attended school, it was not a few who subconsciously nodded in agreement. Of course, it was a donation laden with the implication that she might not have been well-socialized.

In any case, it was clear that someone like her, who meticulously hidden her personal details, would not have revealed her name to her viewers.

So, standing stiffly in front of Yena, looking down at her with an air of peculiar intimidation and charisma, was surely someone Yena knew in real life. As hard as that was to believe.

‘This is not good.’

Her face, clothes, makeup, and overall vibe were of an average person who might occasionally watch G-Tube, but might not even do that. More importantly, she clearly didn’t understand the abyss of internet broadcasting, nor the danger of personal information being exposed to its viewers. Just moments ago, she had unhesitatingly called out Yena’s real name.

However, for Yena, who was supposed to be more cautious, not showing any vigilance was unbelievable. After the fan meeting, Jinhee would definitely have to lecture Yena on the importance of managing her personal information as a broadcaster.

But then again, considering Yena had decided to reveal her face, she probably also decided not to hide her name anymore. So, perhaps this woman was a real-life friend Yena had personally invited.

Having reached that conclusion, Jinhee naturally turned her gaze toward Yena. Noticing the lack of any comment about the name and instead offering candy first, it was clear Yena wasn’t thinking much—like always—but Jinhee still needed to confirm whether everything was all right.

What Jinhee saw was a face frozen in unprecedented tension, trembling pupils, and hands shaking violently while holding a ginseng candy. It felt almost like she could hear a voice whispering that wanted to escape.

Reacting instinctively, Jinhee squeezed herself between them with a stiff smile.

“Hello! Are you a friend of GetDevoured?”

It was a far from natural remark, but it didn’t matter. At least Jinhee had managed to hide Yena behind her. Despite the sudden human barrier that appeared, the woman in front showed no sign of surprise. She didn’t even respond to the question.

Her cold, narrowed eyes slowly shifted toward Jinhee’s face in the silence.

“A little while ago, you were looking at Yena with those eyes…”

Seeing her up close, she was unexpectedly short. When making eye contact, the difference in height wasn’t noticeable at all.

She felt her body naturally tense up.

The only reason she didn’t crumble in front of her was because the anger bubbling up inside him came first.

“Even if you are her friend—”

She suppressed her urge to ask if she couldn’t see that Yena was uncomfortable, and instead, she planned to say, “Even if you’re her friend, we’re in the middle of a fan meeting, so please be a little considerate.”

“I’m not a friend, but her older sister.”

A surprisingly low voice for a woman interrupted. Her older sister, she said. Indeed, she had a youthful appearance, but her expression and demeanor carried an air of subtle maturity that suggested she wasn’t Yena’s age.

“But so what.”

“Oh, I see. I’m also a close friend of GetDevoured. But right now, we’re holding a fan meeting, and there are viewers watching, so could you please understand? Regardless of your circumstances, could you save personal conversations for another time?”

Jinhee crossed her arms and tilted her head, trying to project the most intimidating appearance she could think of. She slightly gestured towards the police officers standing in the plaza while continuing to speak.

“If you don’t want to, shall I call them?”

A brief moment of silence followed. And then.

“… Did you say you’re a close friend?”

“Yes. But it seems like you’re not such a comfortable ‘older sister’.”

Images of all kinds of scenarios flooded Jinhee’s mind. Often, visibly pretty girls got caught up in bullying from seniors; could she have been a senior who tormented Yena during middle or high school?

Given her striking appearance, maybe she had an unnecessary sense of rivalry when Yena first appeared.

Of course, even if that were the case, it was hard to believe someone old enough to know better would do something strange in a public place. But regardless, Yena froze as soon as she saw her face.

That was reason enough to block her approach.

Thus, while gathering herself, Jinhee exchanged sharp glances with the woman.

-Poke poke.

From behind, something poked her back… it had to be Yena. Was she worried?

Jinhee swung one hand behind her, lightly signaling that everything was fine, but—

“Hehehe.”

The intensity of the poking only increased, making her wonder how the person could have understood her words that way. She wanted to turn around immediately and scold her, but now wasn’t the time to be distracted.

She had to endure.

“…… Yeah. Maybe, she wasn’t as easygoing… as you might think-”

As she barely managed to endure, fortunately, the woman, who had been holding her gaze firmly, relaxed her eyes just a little and muttered bitterly.

“First place! Is this first place? Wow! What’s the prize for first place? Not decided yet? Can I decide it? How far can I go? A duo? Can I do a duo?! No, no, a hug? Oh, can I buy an ocarina with this? Yes?”

A joyous scream echoed through the square, and all eyes turned to the source of the noise.

At the very front of the once-long line was a person, wearing a bizarre combination of a gray women’s suit and a hoodie. They were jumping around like a child, screaming in an endlessly excited voice.

The intensity that had been boiling moments ago seemed to abruptly peter out.

“… Haah…”

Maybe everyone felt the same. The woman, who had turned half her head to stare at the first-place winner, let out a deep sigh.

“I honestly don’t know where to start or what to do. It’s been a long time since I felt this way.”

Muttering something incomprehensible, she continued with a faint smile.

“Still, having good people around her… it feels like she is loved… I’m glad I didn’t just drag her away by her ear. Honestly, I was contemplating it.”

Her smile and tone felt eerily identical to Yena’s.

* * *

“I’m so sorry! Really, I’m truly sorry! Really, sorry-”

“… As I’ve been saying, there’s no need to apologize at all. If anyone should be scolded, it’s Yena.”

“No, it’s my fault for not understanding more… No, Yena should be scolded but… Ah, actually, we tried to stop this protest altogether.”

“Oh. I see.”

It felt unjust.

I couldn’t even say I was upset, which made it even more frustrating.

Lee Yeri appeared, and about ten minutes later, the protestors were swiftly dispersed. Some brave loyalists demanding an extension gradually retreated after a brief conversation with Lee Yeri.

I wondered what was said, though I didn’t really want to know.

What weighed on my mind the most were the last five people standing in line. They were deprived of their precious gacha opportunities and left slowly, clutching three or four red ginseng candies.

At least I remembered their faces; that was some consolation.

Perhaps later, I could give them something in return. Verification might be required… but for now, I had bigger problems to deal with.

“Revan.”

“… Did you have an older sister?”

“Yes. But that’s not important… Can I use my wish ticket to ask you to take the scolding for me?”

“You used your wish ticket last time. Remember the day you asked Ark to buy drinks and see if she had any thoughts about becoming my virtual wife?”

“Well, there could be interest accumulating. Like, a fifth of a wish ticket per day.”

His expression… it was a bit telling. Maybe because he had just finished scolding his younger sister earlier.

.

.

.

After the forced end of the protest was declared, we headed to a restaurant, keeping our distance from those lingering behind. Seated at the table were Lee Yeri, her junior lawyer, Jinhee, Ahri, the Canary siblings, and myself – a total of seven people. The atmosphere was quite unique.

Particularly because everyone’s eyes were fixed on me – to the point I felt I couldn’t breathe.

“Can I leave first? I have urgent… um, plans.”

No need to look at me like that.

… I needed a drink.

TL’s Corner:

Canary siblings.