Chapter 20 : Is that how you normally are?

Is this your real personality?

“…I didn’t think I’d actually come here.”

Instead of a flashy neon sign typical of meat shops, the name was engraved with vintage yellow lighting.

Just the sign alone advertises that this is a traditional meat shop, different from the usual run-of-the-mill ones.

…I wanted to try it, though.

It was too expensive for pork, so I couldn’t come. What did they say about aging the meat?

Even though there’s a famous restaurant in the neighborhood, I was so frustrated I couldn’t go…

Swish.

I took out my phone and double-checked the location.

[Hanasaki Yui (Seo Ahyun): I’m at the table in the right corner! It’s okay to come slowly.]

Actually, I had already arrived, but… I was too nervous to go in. No. How do I even go in? Could the person I’m eating with really be Yoshida Misa, the infamous quiet one…

Yoshida Misa, the most awkward person to meet at LumiLive…!

“Ah. If I hadn’t gotten so excited back then…”

I said all sorts of things every time I killed her, thinking I’d never see her again…! I said lines that were as cringe-worthy as characters in a soccer comic…

‘To target me is to commit murder.’

‘What is that person saying! Of course, it’s murder!!! Eek!’

‘Do not bow before the king.’

‘I was just walking normally! You shot me in a strange alley!!! Ugh!’

I ended up sitting down, messing up my hair.

Damn it. Thinking about it again, I can’t meet her. I’m too embarrassed to go through with it…!

“Ugh. My head feels cold…”

I just brushed it off, but after waiting for so long, snow had already piled up on the top of my head.

The expression of the staff members looking at me started to feel strange, and I really had to go in now…

“Ugh. I don’t care…”

A little embarrassing, but it’s over now.

Let’s just hold on a bit.

I took a deep breath and carefully opened the door to go inside.

As soon as I opened the door, a rush of heat and the smell of grilling meat surrounded me. The sound of grilling meat and bright lights filled the place.

“Haah.”

…It’s hotter than I expected.

My body is very sensitive to heat, you see.

The staff member, who had been staring at me for a while, finally smiled.

They probably thought I was some strange person. From the angle I was at when I was outside, they couldn’t have seen my face.

“Welcome…”

Thud.

What’s this?

Why is the expression suddenly stiffening?

The atmosphere turned cold, and no one spoke. Wait. The people grilling the meat were all staring at me with their mouths open.

Did I do something wrong?

Do I need to play some entrance theme when I enter this meat shop?

“…Ah.”

Ah.

I get it now.

The man at the far table, who was staring, was pinched by his girlfriend.

The man who had been grinning was receiving cold looks from his colleagues.

The women sighed, shaking their heads in disbelief.

Even if I had no sense at all, I could tell now.

It’s because I’m so beautiful, isn’t it? Right?

“Heh…”

When I was a guy, I could never have imagined this kind of situation.

Now, I’m almost used to it.

I can’t help but laugh.

It was a good idea to wear a mask. It would be awkward if I laughed while trying to set the mood.

Last time I went to the convenience store, I was disappointed that the staff member was a woman. But today, I’m really getting my dopamine boost.

I intentionally walked a little slower, pretending to look for my group.

If this were a light novel, there would probably be a line right now like, “Who is the lucky person getting to eat with such a beautiful girl?!”

Well, anyway, Misa and Yui both said the meat hasn’t been served yet. There are still 3 minutes before the appointment time, so I’ll enjoy myself a bit and then head to my seat…

“Heh. ‘The King of Sniping,’ huh?”

A cute but somehow annoying voice rang out.

As soon as I heard it, I just wanted to smack their head… that annoying voice.

But the content was…

Suddenly,

My body, which had been leisurely walking between tables, stopped. The only people who knew that alias were those who had watched the stream together…?!

How do they know…

“We moved to room 3! After seeing the mama entrance scene, I figured we wouldn’t be able to eat a normal meal!”

The purple hair tied up lightly swayed, and large red eyes sparkled mischievously.

It felt like a doll just popped out of a fairytale.

Ah. Now that I listen carefully, this voice…

“Is that… Dakkpil?”

I casually mentioned Yoshida Misa’s nickname, which came from a chat where people complained that Misa was somewhere between a pro gamer and an average person.

“…!”

As expected, my prediction was right. As soon as she heard the nickname, those red eyes widened in shock.

Her eyes, wide open with anger and embarrassment, were filled with emotion.

“Eek!”

Thump, thump.

Misa’s small feet shuffled on the floor, and her white face turned bright red.

Seeing her have a fit after hearing the nickname she got post-stream, I knew it was really Misa. I never thought her body would be so immature like this.

“I… I tried to let it slide because I thought you were cute! Hey! Are you trying to do this here too?!”

“Pfft.”

Ah. I couldn’t hold it in.

At my burst of laughter, Misa, whose face was already red, blushed even deeper and glared at me.

‘I was the one who got beaten in the FPS game, how are you going to challenge me here? Should I bring a gun?’

“Hey! Book a plane ticket!”

Misa must have decided to leave now.

With how she’s pulling off such a reckless move.

“Let’s settle this in America! I wanna see if you’re good at shooting in real life!”

“You can’t even control recoil; you’ll probably miss.”

“Ahh!”

“Pfft.”

Before I knew it, an evil laugh escaped from me.

I’d be losing out if I didn’t tease characters like this.

Alright. Should I tease her one more time?

Just as I was about to deliver my well-prepared blow.

“Are you both being childish? Just hurry and come inside.”

A cute girl with puffed cheeks and her hand on her hip.

Among the unrealistic hair colors, her brown hair looked relatively natural.

But her eyes… they were a sparkling green, like emeralds.

“…Huh?”

It’s the same.

Hanasaki Yui and, it’s the same.

That face.

That smile.

That gaze.

Everything.

Did she hear me make that dumb noise? The girl turned toward me and smiled.

“What are you doing? Hurry and come in. People will start gossiping…”

She took slow steps toward me. It felt as if time itself stopped around her. Then, her soft hair lightly brushed against my ear.

“Mom. Didn’t you want to debut?”

Ah. My heart is pounding like crazy.

I was whispered to by Oshi.

I could die happy now…

Sizzle!

The aged pork belly, which smelled different from regular pork belly, sizzled and popped as the fat splattered.

The rich, delicious scent quickly filled the air, and Misa… no, Arin bounced in my arms.

“Wow! Suhyun, this looks amazing, doesn’t it!”

“Yeah.”

Were we fighting?

No, we were definitely fighting.

But as soon as the smell of meat started wafting, Arin jumped into my arms first.

What did she say? She said it’s much more cushioned than Ahyun. I don’t really understand what that means.

Thanks to that, Ahyun is shooting me some pretty sharp looks.

“I’m relieved to see you two getting along. Here, try this too.”

“Thanks.”

Thud.

As a bundle of meat fell in front of me, Arin picked up her chopsticks with a big smile.

Ahyun discreetly extended her tongs and divided the pile of meat in half.

“Arin, you can’t eat what Mama’s going to eat.”

“Tch.”

Anyway, I ate a few pieces, so I’m full and can’t eat any more.

Arin, grinning, secretly pushed some onto my plate when Ahyun wasn’t looking.

“…Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’m fine.”

Ahyun was smiling slightly and grilling meat on the other side.

No matter how you look at it, this isn’t the skill of an average person.

She casually stirred it around, muttering “177 degrees” while flipping it. It was so fascinating that I almost wanted to record it.

Of course, since VTubers are sensitive to red medicine, I would never do that.

“By the way.”

When Arin was mumbling about the last piece of pork belly with her cheeks puffed up, Ahyun looked at me with a serious expression.

“How do you plan to debut?”

“Ah, well…”

Tap.

The sound of the dying fire was clearly audible.

Every time the flames flickered, the light from the remaining kimchi and other side dishes on the grill shone.

Only Arin seemed carefree, flitting back and forth between us.

She even had a rather excited expression. Such an oblivious little kid.

“Why? Is there something special about debuting? Should we really be making a big deal out of it?”

Puff.

Arin, who had been shaking her legs while sitting on my lap, changed position and buried her face in my chest.

“With this massive chest, everything is okay, right?”

“Hey, that hurts.”

“Huh? What’s wrong~?”

Arin lifted her face from my chest and looked up at me with a shy smile.

If she weren’t so cute, I would’ve already pushed her down.

But she is cute.

Damn. The president of the United States in 2100 is definitely going to be a cat.

Ugh.

By the way, all those exaggerated reactions in comics when touching someone’s chest? They’re all a huge exaggeration.

Even with a small head like Arin’s pressing down, it hurt so much that I almost cried.

“If you want to debut, just go for it! I applied to be good at games without a plan.”

“Well, I’m a little…”

I paused for a moment, unsure how to explain.

How do I explain this? There’s no convenient setting like ‘TS Syndrome’ in reality.

Sometimes, my female personality as Kang Suhyun is stronger, making me introverted for broadcasting.

But on lucky days like this, my male personality is stronger, so I come out and have meals like this.

I’m still relying on randomness for my broadcasts.

“…I’m in a unique situation.”

“What?! What’s that?”

Arin, pouting and acting upset, jumped off my lap.

She then stared directly at my chest and thighs.

How am I supposed to react to this…

I wasn’t really planning to grab her, but she was making it so obvious that I had no choice.

“Come up.”

“Kya-ho!”

“Hah.”

As Arin began rubbing her face against my chest again, Ahyun sighed softly.

She’s probably going to give me serious and realistic advice, unlike Arin. I’m expecting it.

“No matter how unique the RP or situation is, it’s okay. In Japan, there are cases where people with social anxiety debuted and gained 2.13 million subscribers.”

“That… sounds a bit too difficult for me.”

Ugh.

I’m the type of person who showers with my eyes closed, being careful, so would I be able to do something like that? My mind is starting to go blank…

Seeing the clear despair on my face, Ahyeon smiled slightly and added.

“Everyone finds it hard, so don’t worry.”

“Ah. Thank goodness.”

Phew.

As I sighed in relief, Ahyun smiled brightly.

“Whatever path you choose, your fans will follow. At least Arin and I will always support you.”

“…That’s cheating. Now I really want to debut right away.”

Really.

I think I have a great daughter.

“Right! Suhyun’s chest is the best in the world, you know?!”

“Aww.”

Thud!

“Ouch!”

I ended up giving Arin a hard smack on the forehead.

Arin, tears welling up and shaking, was even cuter than usual.

Now I get why people say a smack on the head is the answer for kids like her.

Next time, I’ll make sure to do it, even if there’s no reason.

It’s a daily smack on the forehead.