A Different Day Out: Mart Run and Schedule Shenanigans
Going out today is different. Yesterday, while watching VTuber streams, I studied what kinds of content they do. They have a lot of stuff where viewers can participate. Like touring viewer rooms, reading viewer stories, viewer this and that... But I wasn't up to that level, and I didn't have the viewers for it anyway.
Next, I noticed they all do weekly content planning. They make a schedule of what streams to do that week, do a poll along the way, and chat with everyone. All VTubers do it, so since I'm a VTuber too, I'll copy them. Copying is the mother of creation, after all.
Before turning on the stream, even though it's sweltering hot, I headed to the Large Mart for the first time in ages. I'd made a bit of money and wanted to strut a little. But I still couldn't justify a taxi. Not at that level. Get it together.
The bus would take 15 minutes to come, so I decided to walk instead—it'd be like a stroll. But maybe because it's been so long since I walked properly? It was brutally tiring. I got exhausted super fast. I really felt the need to take a break.
I wandered around and found an empty bench. I wanted to sit. I touched it with my hand—scorching hot. But I sat anyway. I knew it was insanely hot, but I wanted to sit. Ow. My butt started burning, so I jumped right back up. Yeah, if it's hot to the touch, it's hot on the butt too. I thought my pants would protect me a bit. Nope, not at all.
The sunlight was so intense, I couldn't see my smartphone screen. I shaded the top with my palm, and then I could see. Opened the weather app: 32 degrees, heatwave advisory. I regretted dragging myself out. But I'd walked too far to turn back now. I didn't want to go home empty-handed.
I trudged on brainlessly. "Huuuuh."
The end of this exhausting journey was in sight. The biggest Large Mart near my place. Five stories tall, with parking, the ultimate mart. Heaven itself for me. At convenience stores or small marts, my presence feels too big if I linger, and people stare. But in a huge place like this, no one cares if I'm there or not. I can bask in the AC endlessly without feeling awkward.
What did I come to buy...? Nothing...! I just came...! Wanted to try some impulse buying. Right now, ice cream comes to mind. Even one would make my wishes come true. Let's get one ice cream...!
As soon as I stepped inside, the blasting AC hit me like a hero's welcome. The heat vanished instantly. The AC was so refreshing, I pretended to browse like I had tons to buy. Really, just one ice cream. I'm economical. Heh heh heh.
I stifled a laugh and wandered the aisles. "Ah... here."
I arrived at the fried dumpling tasting corner. This place holds memories for me. Grab a fried dumpling here, sausage a bit further on, then crispy fried tofu, a fish cake, head to the fish section for some fish bits while glancing around nervously, time it for the bread samples and snag a piece. That fills me up just right. Then to the fruit section for an orange, apple, or banana. But I don't like bananas. The others are big chunks, but bananas are mouse-dropping sized, no impact compared to oranges or apples.
Finish with iced tea or coffee in a paper cup. But that's popular and rare, so only if I'm lucky. If I score iced tea, I buy ramen and snacks as thanks. Otherwise, just ramen. That's my route. I'd hit the tasting spots every time I came for ramen. Especially these fried dumplings— the best.
I've been mooching a lot, time to pay it back. I put a pack of fried dumplings in my basket... then took it out and put it back on the shelf. The one-plus-one next to it was cheaper... changed my mind.
Drinks... not yet. Skipped. Can't splurge on drinks. The world's tastiest drink is water. And it's healthy too.
Ramen... cheaper online. But I always forget. Forget. Mean to buy, forget. Let's get this week's. I loaded up several boxes of cup ramen bundles.
After 30 minutes wandering, it's cold in here. Suddenly lost the craving for ice cream. Should I just go home? Hmm.
I set down my basket and checked the weather. Definitely 32 earlier, now 33... Earth is hurting bad. Don't hurt, Earth... I'll tough it out with ice cream. Let's get healthy quick.
I put my items on the counter; the cashier scans them one by one and looks at me. "13,200 won."
"Here."
"Tap it here."
Using Pay for the first time in forever. I swallowed hard, tense. What if insufficient balance? I checked earlier, but still anxious. I let out deep sighs until it went through.
"Receipt?"
"No, thanks."
To save on the volume-based bag fee, I stacked the fried dumplings and cone ice cream on the ramen boxes. Both hands full, structurally couldn't eat while walking. So I stood by the exit and devoured the ice cream first.
This cone ice cream I splurged on big-time. Not something you eat casually. A special reward for me, only on special days. I chewed it thoroughly. Delicious. So delicious. Vanilla melting in my mouth.
The reason cones are iffy is the soggy shell. Biting into a mushy one flashes 1,000 won through my mind. But this shell was crispy all the way. Big mart quality? Nice. Not soggy at all.
After finishing, buy another? It was good. Another one. I shook off the devil's temptation and walked against the stifling heat. Walked more. My usual route. Nameless flowers blooming, green leaves pretty, but scorching sun made it too hot. Cicadas screeching in my ears. Random bug chunks startling me.
Mart was fine for over 30 minutes, but outside? Couldn't last 5. No strength left. Wanted a taxi. Call one now? Devil whispering nonstop. Taxis are so cool. Quick ride. Save 5,000 won for what? Call it. Go comfy.
"If you're gonna take a taxi here, you should've from the start!"
Nearly fell to the temptation. I snapped at myself and gritted my way home.
Taxi... should've taken one. That was the lowest point. Sweat poured the whole way back. Arrived home drenched. But after washing up, felt refreshed. I rarely turn on AC, but today I'd die without it. Turned it on. Room from 31 degrees slowly dropping. Heat solved.
But a bigger problem remained. As a guy, hair air-dried fine. Wipe with towel, done. Now? Feels like it'd stay damp all day. Especially ends touching my back—towel would soak my clothes.
I rummaged the room. "This... found it!"
Luckily, a hairdryer. Plugged it in and dried my hair. ... Washing hair? Hate this already. Wrists hurt from snapping too much. And just drying took effort.
"Hungry..."
Need to stream, but starving. Thought quick ramen then stream, but eyes locked on the one-plus-one dumplings. Like prince and princess fate.
"Bought 'em to eat... right?"
I grabbed the golden fried dumplings and hit stream. Super tense, but relaxed in 1 minute.
"No... chomp chomp, really thank you, chomp chomp, wel, chomp chompcome. I prepared stuff today but got hungry quick. Sorry."
7 viewers, 9... 11... 13... Viewers who didn't abandon me. I teared up chewing dumplings.
"Fried dumplings..."
"Ah... no. Hi Himaru, chomp chomp there."
Too touched, words stuck. I just blankly munched dumplings.
Bad vibes. Didn't even realize I was chomping. First time noticing today.
"Nom nom... nom nom..."
"How do I eat without chomping?"
Closed mouth, chewed slowly, kept closed. Tough since not used to it. And slow chewing boring?
"But isn't slow chewing boring?"
"Ah, went to the mart today. Bought fried dumplings and ramen. Ate ice cream on the way."
Share stories to connect. Basic streamer skill.
No empathy, just question marks. Wh-what now? Gotta salvage.
"So yeah. Cone ice cream."
Even more question marks. 26 viewers, 17 jumping in enthusiastically. What went wrong? No clue. Reran my words in my head. Still no clue. Dunno.
"I, I have content today. Prepared watching VTubers yesterday. Schedule planning. Let's make a schedule together."
Euhaha. Prepared viewer participation content. And best part? We plan content together. Win-win!!