(Another perspective) It’s not just in Korea that people watch dramas.
Hold on a second.
Let’s stop talking about the situation where Jiwoo found out about Suhyun’s acting debut. It’s pretty obvious (she’s screwed).
Right now, we need to focus on the unexpected aftermath of the drama Suhyun filmed without thinking.
The place is a high-end mansion area in Japan.
Yes.
The room was lit by fluorescent lights, but it was a place where natural light didn’t come in.
The windows were completely covered with thick curtains, and on the desk, there were a laptop and empty cans scattered around in a mess.
A large VTuber with 1.76 million subscribers.
Now, Nanoka is no longer part of it, but one of the top VTubers of Hanaralive, Hanamori Miyu.
With her cute voice and overflowing charm, she even had a nickname “Kachikoi Generator.”
Because of that, her earning power was higher than other VTubers with more subscribers.
Loved by many, but also had plenty of antis.
Her real name is Asahi Sakura.
Sakura buried her body in the sofa, holding her phone in one hand, flipping through channels.
“Hmm, the 8th episode is finally airing.”
This was the moment Sakura had been waiting for.
Today was the day the highly anticipated Korean drama Busker’s first episode was airing in Japan as well.
I heard that the male lead actor is supposed to be a really good actor.
I wonder if his acting will really be that impressive.
With a nonchalant attitude, she quietly pressed the remote.
The TV screen flickered and soon became clear.
[Hoo… Hoo…]
A girl quietly catching her breath.
Her school uniform was messy, and her eyes were faintly wet. Her acting was calm, yet filled with deep emotions.
But that image didn’t change at all.
“Sakura! Thank you for liking me.”
“Because of you, I’ve come to love broadcasting. Hehe. I even feel sorry now to be called ‘older sister.’ Thank you for always helping me.”
“Goodbye. Sakura. I’m graduating now.”
That image.
The afterimage that stuck so strongly in her mind it felt like it would never leave.
It hadn’t changed at all.
“Older sister. Nanoka older sister.”
Sakura unexpectedly brought her fingertips to her lips.
Just saying that name felt like a tickling sensation.
A person she had lost long ago was now alive and moving on the TV screen.
Higurashi Nanoka.
An idol, a love, a friend, an older sister, an older sister.
It wasn’t that surprising she appeared in Korea.
She had tried to hide it, but it was easy to tell she was from Korea, and Sakura hadn’t really thought much of it.
What was important was that she hadn’t forgotten.
The days they had spent together.
The moments they laughed together, cried together, and sang together.
Then, suddenly, she disappeared.
“Goodbye. Sakura. Thank you.”
After graduation, she vanished as if she no longer existed in the world.
All contact was lost, and even after searching for a long time in Japan, she couldn’t find her, but Sakura couldn’t forget her.
“Did she abandon me?”
“Am I the only one left?”
It was still okay.
Such experiences were common.
So, all she needed was an apology.
So, all she needed was for her to come back.
“…Ha.”
Sakura stood up from her seat.
As she stood, the moments they had shared flashed through her mind.
“Older sister.”
She murmured slowly.
Should she contact her now?
Or…
“Hehe. Yeah.”
How foolish.
She could have met her, contacted her.
Sakura stared at her phone.
A number that used to be so easy to call. Now, it was a number she could no longer press.
“Older sister. Do I really have to remember?”
She gripped the phone tightly.
And smiled softly.
“I’ll wait.”
Sakura, wearing a black mask, finished getting ready to go out.
She held candy in one hand, and her ear piercings glistened in silver.
Her eyes were deep.
She smiled playfully like before, but her gaze had changed in some way.
She had made up her mind.
“I’ll see her in person.”
Suhyun. She was going to see Suhyun in person.
Zing.
“…Hick!”
- Where did the room owner go?
- Why did they suddenly mute?
- Did they go to the bathroom?
“Aah. No. It’s just that I suddenly got goosebumps…”
What was that? Just now.
Suddenly, she got so scared that her back straightened and froze…
Ding!
[NANOBLOSSOM donated 500,000 yen!]
Wow.
- Wow ᄃᄃᄃᄃ
- Crazy big spender ᄃᄃᄃ
- Kya, they said they like me
“Ugh.”
What the heck? That’s crazy.
How many zeros… Oh my. 500,000 yen.
5 million yen…?!
Oh my. Was I about to get money for drawing an avatar?!
“Heh…! No. I mean, Nanoblossom…? Thank you for the 500,000 yen donation!”
…But looking at this, it feels like a Japanese basement otaku vibe.
Well, since they donated 5 million yen, anything is fine.
Whether it’s an otaku, a sage, or a possessive guy, 5 million yen makes everything cute.
If it’s 5 million yen, anything sounds nice.
Though, possessiveness is a bit much.
But if they’re donating 5 million yen with that possessiveness… I’ll gladly accept it!
The bigger the donation, the cuter, lovelier, and more admirable they become.
Hmm? But Nanoblossom.
Nanoblossom.
That name reminds me of Nanoka…?
Wait, are they a fan of Nanoka?
It feels… uncomfortable, unfamiliar yet familiar.
But there’s an overpowering force that pushes away the discomfort.
Ding!
[NANOBLOSSOM donated 100,000 yen!]
Okay.
- They said they wanted to meet, kyaa!
- …This is getting a bit scary
- Japanese basement otaku possessive guy ᄃᄃ
It’s about time to stop, Nanoka.
“…What? 100,000 yen donation! If only I had a 3D avatar, I would’ve given an awesome reaction…”
- Ugh, trash
- Do something
- Swallowed 600 down
“Should I do a singing broadcast?”
- Sorry
- Please don’t do that…
- Regretful collapse ON
“Hmm. Everyone’s stopping me.”
Well, who cares!
They donated 6 million yen, so they did. No need to attach meaning to it.
Maybe they’re an important figure related to Nanoka or something.
It’s either a maniac stalker looking for me in Japan, or… there’s no way, right?
[NANOBLOSSOM donated 100,000 yen!]
くそ
“Ah! Another donation! Yay~.”
Capitalism is the best!
Since I’ve basically earned enough for today, I turned off donations, and the mysterious person from Japan disappeared.
They might still be typing away in the chat, but since this is the first stream after my break, their presence probably got buried in all the excitement.
Ahh. I’ve made my money, and the troublemaker is gone. What a lucky day.
A wide, uncontrollable grin spread across my face.
“Haha. Looks like today’s stream is off to a great start.”
ᆞThat’s some solid financial therapy right there, lololol.
- If I started with 6 million won, I’d feel amazing too, lol.
- You don’t have Yuki’s voice, so it won’t work.
- You bastard.
“With that in mind, I was thinking of doing my first-ever chat stream today.”
I’ve never done one since my debut, right?
“Alright then, let’s get started with the behind-the-scenes talk about Deokchun Island that everyone’s been curious about!”
The chat exploded in an instant.
- Finally!!
- Yuki Mama behind-the-scenes!!!
- Talk about the final battle between the Police Chief and Keanu Reeves!
As expected, the hype was real.
I took a sip of water and spoke slowly.
“You’re all curious about the final battle, right?”
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
- That was a special system added to the server, wasn’t it?
- It wasn’t originally there, but why were you so good at it, lol?
“No, guys. The truth is, both Killno and I are military otakus, right?”
- Ahhh.
- Now it makes sense.
- Basic military nerd knowledge—CQC.
“Exactly. Killno is the traditional type. Perfect fundamentals. But me? Hmm… I’m the unpredictable type. To put it simply, I like messing with my opponent.”
・LOLLOLLOL
- Yuki Mama, you’re way too confident, lol.
- But you’re not wrong…
“So, how did the knife fight happen? Well, there was no plan for it. It was completely improvised.”
After all, Deokchun Island itself was an impromptu roleplay.
I casually waved my hand and added,
We both knew, without saying it, that we would pull out knives. When we ran out of bullets, we already understood what choices we would make.
“It was already decided.”
- Holy shit, LOL.
- So that’s why it looked so natural?
- It was like watching John Wick.
Hehe.
I love seeing reactions like this.
“I was the one who attacked first. But Killno blocked it perfectly. So what should I do next?”
Basic knowledge. If you watch my stream, you should study tactical knife fighting.
I paused for a moment and then smirked playfully.
“That’s right. You attack from an angle they don’t expect.”
Makes sense, lol.
- So that was your fighting style, lol.
- Have you studied Silat or Kali Arnis by any chance?
Oh.
Looks like someone figured it out!
Better pretend I didn’t see that…
“But Killno wasn’t someone who would just take the hit. He counterattacked while dodging at the same time. I anticipated that and intentionally left an opening. So…”
Snap!
I flicked my fingers.
That’s the cool part.
“We both landed a hit. I got stabbed in the side, and Killno took a hit to the thigh.”
- Wow, that’s insane.
- So it was really a draw?
- Yeah, but Yuki Mama fought kinda dirty.
Hmm.
Are they talking about the police station explosion…?
Yeah, I guess that was a bit underhanded.
“That’s true. But guys, here’s the important part.”
I slowly smiled.
“Who do you think collapsed first?”
- Oh no.
- Wait…
- Damn it. Not again…!
“That’s right. Killno collapsed first.”
I declared confidently.
“So in the end, it was my victory.”
- No way, LOL.
- Barely won, haha.
- Just another JOAT moment…
I took another sip of water and chuckled.
“Anyway, Deokchun Island was a blast. Next time, I’ll prepare an even more fun stream. Look forward to it!”
The chat was going crazy.
Deokchun Island was over, but people were still talking about it.
“What should the next topic be? I’m starting to run out of material.”
- 700 donation scam.
- Do something in return for the stream.
- Poll time!!
Ugh.
“Ehh… I mean, I guess…”
A viewer poll?
It’s definitely gonna be something inappropriate.
“Well… go ahead and vote!”
One hour later, the votes were in.
Hmm. The winning choice, with 64% of the votes, was…
Ugh.
“Horror games?! This is different! Hey! You bast—!”
- Whoa, she’s swearing.
- Bon appétit.
- Looking forward to the next stream ^^7
Shit. I did not see this coming…!
At that moment, I had no idea.
That horror games come in all sorts of varieties.
And that some of them mess with your past… or even your traumas.