It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

A private room in a luxurious sushi restaurant. It felt like a place where an intimate political gathering should be happening. Unfortunately, it was wasted on meaningless… harmful conversations.

An attorney, a broadcaster, and even a high school student. The topics of conversation among this disparate group jumped all over the place. However, just as rivers branch out and all eventually meet in the sea, the end point was always the same.

In the end, it was about broadcasting. About the broadcasts I had done.

I didn’t think my streams were something worth so much discussion. Yet, thanks to the trio who seemed to be competing over who was the more genuine fan, stories about “GetDevoured”’s broadcasting exploits showed no sign of ending.

They had a knack for exaggerating trivial matters to an unusual level.

As Kim Jinhee or Revan added comments here and there, the exaggerated falsehoods subtly garnered the status of an official narrative. Just by listening, one could mistakenly think I had buried bigger controversies with large scandals.

Recently, the content had been slightly… provocative. But that was unavoidable due to some really inevitable circumstances.

Before Faraday made some weird patch, the broadcasts by CravingWarmAmericano had been extremely ordinary and quiet talent streams.

Clearly, the extraordinary aspect of the broadcast wasn’t the broadcaster but the viewers. Their flashpoints were close to room temperature, they were strangely versatile, and… they had an unusual amount of time on their hands.

Take, for example, that friend who had suddenly started tearing up again.

“So… back then, I was really frustrated… I shouldn’t have, but I sent an email… I’m really… so sorry….”

… Is she really not drunk? I should probably check her cup.

I trusted that Revan wouldn’t let his underage sister drink alcohol, but still… it was hard to believe.

“… It’s okay. Really. I was just genuinely curious about what a spinning heel kick was. I just asked for a video.”

This was the fifth apology in barely an hour. What was there so much to apologize for? Anticipating yet another lengthy mumbling from Yuna as she opened her mouth again, I pushed a grape into it.

“It can’t be! I, I really— Oh. I’ll eat it. Ah, thanks….”

This one had seeds, so she should stay quiet for a while, right?

Indeed, her chewing and silent retreat really meant this was perfect timing, even if I say so myself. In gaming terms, this could be considered a reward for a “just cancel”.

The joy of finding a break-through for a maliciously difficult pattern did not discriminate between games and reality.

However, unlike in games, in reality, even a successful gimmick break-through came with a price. For some reason, Ahri’s gaze, filled half with resentment and half with anticipation, stung me.

… Wasn’t it my turn to be resentful? My one and only disciple couldn’t even help out at times like this….

But then again, judging by past after-parties, there were countless times Ahri had been left unattended and it cost me. Thinking of it as a tycoon game, I just busily moved my chopsticks.

After moving a piece of fruit onto Ahri and Jinhee’s plates, Lee Yeri, who barely touched the expensive meal, lingered in my mind.

Additionally, that self-proclaimed walking black history archive, attorney Yoo, who claimed to have watched my first broadcast and recited parts that weren’t even in the videos, couldn’t be ignored either.

Why would she use her memory just to remember my broadcast history?

With such thoughts circling, it hit me that I had missed someone – Ah, right.

-Tak!

I forcefully stretched my leg to step on the foot of the unhelpful canary, but despite being ranked 322nd, was it his talent for achieving a VR challenger that caused my shoe to cut through the air and meet the floor disappointingly?

Matching the sound, I shook my head once more and shrugged my shoulders – fine. So that’s how it would be, huh. The more this continued, the more I felt I was being granted absolution.

Now, no matter what I did later, I felt like I wouldn’t feel any guilt.

“Sorry. …I already scolded my sister earlier…and I’ll give her a stern talking-to later.”

Perhaps Revan noticed the anger-filled look in my eyes, sighing and offering a misplaced apology – completely missing the point. I didn’t care about the apology; I just wanted him to calm his sister down.

And also, wrap up this event.

It felt like the longest meal of my life. At least the prepared course had ended, that was some relief. I doubted there would be another course after the fruit at this seafood restaurant.

I let out a faint sigh, rolling the completely dried-out soju glass slowly in my hand. It was the unfortunate glass that had been emptied once and then banned from refills. Despite ordering the panacea, because of the mere fact that it was still daytime…

This glass must have been sad too.

Maybe not as much as I was.

-Hoo.

Letting out a deep sigh, I slumped into my chair, tilting my head back and closing my eyes towards the ceiling. Even so, the group, who’d somehow gotten close in the meantime, was joyfully chatting away.

I thought about how much I wanted to see the stars.

Slowly, upon opening my eyes again and looking around –

There was Jinhee and Revan, looking at me with somewhat worried expressions. The trio had moved on to discussing what type of merchandise would be best. And…

Eventually, there was Lee Yeri, who had been quietly smiling for a while now. That surreal scene, indelibly etched into my mind through my now-clear vision, filled my chest with an overwhelming feeling.

Not even remembering to breathe for a moment –

Right now, standing here, I couldn’t help but feel relieved that I wasn’t drunk.

“No, this isn’t right. When you think of GetDevoured, you think of the ocarina. And the ocarina? That symbolizes GetDevoured. What could be more iconic? You’ve seen the performance streams, right?”

“…What? All of them… No, no. Watching them is more of the problem. Besides, the foundation is crucial, isn’t it? The very first broadcast title was ‘Rogue Revival Movement’, so naturally, the hood and dagger-”

“Excuse me, attorney, sorry to interrupt. Just to clarify, you haven’t seen the ocarina performance streams, have you?”

“Well, uh, due to the nature of our job, we have long working hours, so… later, in the recorded version, at double speed-”

“…You’re disqualified.”

“What?!”

… Still, it would have been nice if they wrapped it up quickly.

* * *

“Everyone, get home safely!”

“Sure! I’ll contact you! Oh, I had such a good meal!”

“Don’t mention it. Thanks for taking good care of me. I’ll arrange something better next time. Not so impromptu like this.”

“That sounds great! Next time-”

.

.

.

The time thick with a deep sense of yearning, like glue sticking everything together. Despite repeatedly advising each other to get home safely, no one made a move, causing the break-up of the group to take over ten minutes.

Eventually, if Lee Yeri and Shihoon hadn’t stepped in to gently push each person away, a second round might have transpired right there on the street.

And thus, the spot where even those who had looked back several times finally departed. On a street where the quickly setting winter sun barely held its ground, the two sisters stood quietly side by side.

Typically, the peace to be enjoyed on the street was fleeting. Two beauties attract three times as many glances as one. Moreover, two alcohol-infused individuals were just brave enough to approach.

Nevertheless, perhaps the heavy and solemn atmosphere they exuded kept the passersby at bay, merely stealing glances and admiring them from afar without daring to draw near.

Thanks to that, they enjoyed the silence a bit longer. Breaking it first was Lee Yeri, whose sharp gaze had softened considerably.

“Were you okay?”

“… Yes.”

The short answer, once uttered, seemed to linger on Lee Yena’s mind. She hesitated for a moment before continuing, with great effort, to lift her heavy lips.

“I’m sorry.”

It was an apology devoid of context, neither acceptable nor rejectable. Despite this, no one pursued the meaning behind it. The cold wind blew past them, and the sound of people walking by echoed several times.

“Um, you know. I thought a lot about the past today. Back then, your friends… whether they were your friends or a fan club, I couldn’t tell. Today felt so similar. Both your reactions and your friends.”

As if given the cue, a biting wind began to blow. Was it too difficult to endure in silence? Lee Yena shivered and tightened her padding, lowering her head towards the ground.

“…I’m sor-”

“Don’t apologize. And… don’t hesitate to do your broadcast. Your broadcasting voice sounded nice.”

A refreshing, small laughter echoed down the alley.

“So- even for your sister’s sake, I’d appreciate it if you could continue. I’ll watch your broadcasts occasionally too. I’ll help with whatever I can…”

“…Uh, you don’t have to… watch…”

“Um– I won’t watch too often. I’d find it burdensome if it were me. But, I still want to watch sometimes. Is that okay?”

It wasn’t a question expecting an answer, but Lee Yena slowly nodded. Meeting Lee Yeri’s eyes, without avoiding her gaze.

Slowly, gently.

Only a few seconds passed from the moment the resolute expression of her younger sister met her older sister’s warm smile. As if the warmth in her eyes a moment ago was a lie, Lee Yeri sharply lifted her gaze and spoke firmly.

“But, one thing. Hand over the manager role for that fan club. I need to post an announcement.”

“… An announcement?”

“Yes. Well, you are somewhat of a celebrity… we can’t just let things run wild. We have to set some boundaries.”

“Ah, do we really need to go that far? It has always been a fun space for all of us…”

“I will give them a chance. Since this is establishing boundaries that didn’t exist before. But, there will undoubtedly be people who will cross the line again… when that happens, we’ll need to set some examples. Don’t worry too much. I’ll handle it so your image won’t be tarnished.”

* * * *

『CravingWarmAmericano is now live!』

『There’s no time, run away!』

TL’s Corner:

Just when I thought that the end of the chapter was wholesome. Yena just had to go live…