Eyes Open to an Utterly Incomprehensible Situation
I open my eyes, and an absolutely incomprehensible situation unfolds before me. If anyone could make sense of this... they'd have to be insane.
The house is empty. At first, I think maybe they just stepped out to the convenience store. I wait 10 minutes... 20 minutes... 30 minutes, but no one comes back. I try calling, but no one picks up. Is this a hidden camera prank? I glance around, then start by tidying up the bedding. I draw the white curtains. Being on a high floor, the Han River view is stunning.
"Whoa..."
It's the kind of scenery that makes me crave an Americano. I look around. I shouldn't touch things without permission, but damn, I want coffee. Checking the kitchen, I spot a coffee machine and capsules, so I make one. Sipping hot coffee while gazing at the Han River view... it's like a dream.
As I savor the dream, my thoughts drift. Why is Sena a VTuber, anyway? This question lingers far longer than a moment. I finish the coffee but keep tilting the empty cup, slurping away absentmindedly. The more I ponder, the more frustrated I get. I have no idea. No clue at all.
If it were me, I'd travel the world first... hit the department stores for some luxury flexing... more travel... travel when bored... more travel... maybe try a desk job when really bored? Nah, just think about it once and jet off again. Live like that forever. That's Moteok's dream.
I want financial freedom before 35, quit work, and live free. If I had this life, I wouldn't bother streaming. So why does she do it? I keep thinking, but I can't understand Sena's mindset.
"I really don't get it."
My thoughts don't settle, but my mind clears. Once I'm back to myself, I wash the cup I used and plop down on the sofa.
"Why isn't anyone coming?"
Sudden anxiety hits. It's been 30 minutes... no one shows. This late? No texts on my phone either. It's the first time something like this has happened, and my brain flatlines hard.
"Should I just leave?"
Hosts who abandon a guest at home. Is bailing the right move? Without a word? I call Sena. Ring ring ring. Thankfully, she picks up.
'Huh! You're awake?'
"Where are you?"
'Me? I'm eating right now! (Gotta go. Gotta go.) Why'd you hang up?'
"No, where are you two? Maru's there too, right?"
'Yeah! We're together. Eating gukbap.'
"And me?"
I was baffled. Wake me up and go together. Why? Why? Just the two of them?
'You were sleeping so we didn't wake you! Mom should be there soon. Eat with her!'
"Huh?"
I couldn't process Sena's words. "What? Say that again."
'Mom. She'll be there soon, right? Hasn't arrived yet? Eat lunch with Mom when she gets there! Our mom's cooking is delicious.'
"Wait. Hold on. What did you say?"
Sudden static crackles, then...
'Tteok-ah. Eat with her. Mom's super kind. Food's great. Don't worry, just eat.'
"Huh? What are you talking about?"
I fumble into my clothes. Sweat soaks through from the wildest prank I've ever heard. Being told to have lunch alone with a colleague's parents for the first time? Can't take that as a joke. If it's a prank, it's insane; if serious, even more insane.
'Hanging up. We're not coming. Not kidding. Oh, and tell her you're Sena's senior. Make sure to stream today.'
"What the hell? No, this is a joke, right?"
'Joke? Then stay there fore~~~ver~~~ Looking forward to it~'
Maru giggles and hangs up. I bolt up, grabbing my stuff. When panic hits, vision narrows like a racehorse's. "Wallet... where's my wallet? Wallet. My bag. Where's the bag? What kind of bullshit is this? Uh...?"
Ding dong. Ding dong dong.
"Huh...? No way?"
My heartbeat matches a sleepy office worker's right after waking up late. The door opens, and Sena's parents walk in. Mom spots me and smiles warmly with her eyes, bowing her head.
"Hello? We heard. Our Sena's a bit eccentric, isn't she?"
"Uh... hello? I'm... uh... Moteok... no, Lee Ji-hyun..."
"They called you Moteok, right? Our girl said to subscribe, so I did~"
"Ah... uh..."
My face burns red. This was more embarrassing than telling a banker my job.
Moteok? No, no... at least give them my real name. Ugh... seriously.
I grimace, squeezing my eyes shut. The most humiliating moment of my life. Top three, easy.
"Moteok dear~ Had lunch yet??"
"No, ma'am... no... uh... don't call me Moteok. Lee Ji-hyun's fine. That's my real name."
Top three? Nah, top one. Nothing's ever been this mortifying. Worse than admitting I'm a streamer at the bank.
"Oh~ Really? Moteok's a pretty name though? Anyway~ Got it~ That Yujin girl before felt the same. Everyone likes being called by name~"
"Yujin?"
"Who was that? Oh... Maru? Sena said not to wake Yujin 'cause she was sleeping soundly~ Our girl left her alone in the old one-room~"
"..."
My eyes widen. I bite my lower lip hard.
"Not here today? Sena said you'd come together before... Guess she left."
"Ah... haha. Yeah, seems like it..."
So that's what it meant. 'From last night, fiddling with your phone... "Look forward to tomorrow. You'll regret not sleeping?" Laughing like that. I wondered. Can't let only me suffer. So this was it.'
Every puzzle piece clicks.
Maru is the true GOAT of pure female power. A goddess. Womanly goddess. Her empathy is on another level. Pure female power incarnate. This is what a woman is. I was in awe, over and over. How is her consideration so exceptional? She thought of what I never would and handled it perfectly.
"If Moteok's left alone, she might panic, so tell your parents ahead of time." How... how...? I called Mom from the gukbap place and explained. "Senior 'Moteok' is sleeping, so don't wake her. She'll be hungry, so definitely feed her lunch..." Mom said, "Got it."
If not for Maru, I wouldn't have thought of that. Plus, Maru got gifts for your parents since she had a schedule and couldn't come.
I strode home proudly, holding the gift box Maru gave me.
"I'm home!"
Delicious smells hit even at the entrance. "Mom, Dad, I'm back."
I march in triumphantly. Hands full of gifts!! Eheheh. They'll be shocked when they see these.
"Huh? What's this? Why're you back?"
"Brought gifts! Check these out, eheheh. Amazing, right?"
"Gifts? What's inside?"
"Gifts."
"What're the contents~?"
"Ah~ Hanwoo beef."
Mom's face? Priceless. Shock and disbelief. Delicious reaction.
"See? Real deal, right?"
I hoist the box high. Nearly dislocated my shoulder carrying it.
"No, this is expensive... Why buy this? Where'd the money come from?"
"Eheheh, I didn't buy it! Maru did. She had a schedule so couldn't come, sent these!"
"No way... Aigoo."
"I thanked her!"
Mom seemed speechless, so I declared proudly. Successful Sena, thanks to great friends. How's that? Cool, right? Cool!! Epic!!
I head to the sofa like a winner. "Oh! Moteok!"
Moteok sits demurely on the sofa. Sees me and beams innocently.
"Y-you didn't abandon me!"
Her voice cracks with emotion.
"Who?"
"You, Sena."
"Me?"
What? I can't understand.
When did I abandon Moteok? She's my senior.
"Thought you ditched me."
"Me?"
"Yeeeeees."
"Hmm... A misunderstanding."
I cross my arms, deep in thought. What did I do to cause this? No idea. Zero clue.
"Misunderstanding? You ditched me... Would've been so hurt if you didn't come back."
"Me?"
I never ditched. It was consideration. She doesn't appreciate it? Maybe my pure female power's too advanced? High raw power, but lacks Maru's true 'womanly touch'. I'm innocent. Even Moteok not getting my consideration hurts. Upset.
"No! It was real consideration."
"Consideration?"
"Yes! Let you sleep in peace!"
"This?"
"Yes! For real! Believe me! I meant to be considerate! Con-si-de-ra-tion. To let Moteok sleep well!"
I explain desperately. After over 10 minutes, Moteok finally gets it.
"Ah~ So that's it? Right?"
"Yes! Exactly! For real!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
Moteok crosses her arms, tilts her head slyly, giving me a suspicious look.
"For sure?"
"Yes!"
"Got it. You have no idea how shocked I was. Total panic... First time ever, I was floored. Seriously..."
Honestly, I don't get it. Why panic? Meeting colleague's parents seems nice? And free meal? Epic!! Thought it'd be touching... No idea.
I pull out my phone and ask my friend...
See? I wasn't wrong. Uhahaha. Gave her a memory! Cheers~! My one true friend is GPT.