Jealousy: Outside the Blanket is Dangerous
I've come to a simple realization. Staying wrapped up tight in my blanket, basking in the cool breeze while watching Rie's streams—that was my happiness. But because I'd strayed so far from my original plan, wandering around outside, I'd forgotten an important fact.
Suddenly, Seohyeon had shown up, and everything went off the rails. Well... I guess avoiding her—not just a little, but a lot—was my fault. But what can you do? Dodging annoyances is instinct. I was just being true to mine.
Anyway, she was already here, so there was no helping it.
Rie's sudden bone-chilling remark left me dizzy for a moment, but I snapped out of it and decided to call Seohyeon. If you can't put it off, better rip the band-aid quick.
Ring ring. The signal tone blared.
"Oppa?"
Her bright voice came through soon after. Had something good happened?
"Yeah, Seohyeon. You get home okay that time?"
"...Yeah. Sorry about before."
"Seol seems to have forgiven you already, so it's not like I need to accept any apology."
"I'm sorry to that unnie too. I'll apologize properly to her face next time."
"Okay."
Seohyeon knew how to separate work from personal stuff, at least. For some reason, she seemed to have feelings for me—something like romantic interest. Obvious enough that anyone but an idiot would notice. At first, I thought it was my imagination, but her actions carried this distinct awkwardness. I chalked it up to a kid's crush. There was no reason she'd like me anyway. Memories of her hating my guts still lingered, making it hard to accept.
"...So why'd you call?"
"If we're meeting, we gotta set a time."
I tossed it out casually, like breathing. She asked the obvious.
"R... right. When works for you?"
"Dunno."
"How about Christmas Eve then? I have time that day."
"Ah, I've got plans then."
"...Plans on Eve?"
Yeah, plans. When Seol made that pitiful request, I'd racked my brain. What would make her happy? Should I pick another girl-friendly spot, like before? But Seol said,
'Sunbae knows I don't... have friends.'
I barely held back tears hearing that. So I changed my approach. This time, a place where she'd actually hang with friends. Christmas Eve just happened to line up—pure coincidence. I knew damn well a guy and girl meeting alone on Eve meant something special, but Seol's schedule only freed up that day.
"...With who?"
Her tone dipped a notch from before. Imagination?
"The girl you saw last time."
"That unnie?"
"Yeah. We kinda ended up agreeing to meet."
"You're just looking out for her, right?"
"Huh?"
"Our house idiot told me—said you're super fond of your kouhai. Nothing more than that... right?"
Why the hell did that guy blab?
"Yeah, pretty much."
"...Got it. Then how about the day after?"
Christmas was out. Rie had a special stream. Sure, it was late evening content, but watching with reverence was my duty. I could compromise on other things, but anything Rie-related? No dice.
"Not sure."
"You got plans then too?"
"Nah, not that..."
"Check your schedule and let me know."
I said sure, then hung up. Should've just said I had plans? Nah, that'd be trashy. At least I didn't wanna lie like that. Even if we weren't close before, she's like a little sister now. An awkward one. Didn't wanna indulge my selfishness with lies to her. I wasn't that morally bankrupt.
After the call, Rie's stream was still on Christmas topics. I fired off a chat.
Rie, mid-rant on Christmas hype, froze.
She reverted to her old timid self.
Had I hit the nail on the head? I'm turning yandere, I thought.
What? Why's she panicking? The stream vibe got weird. Rie noticed too—her twin-tails shook.
Too much what? Anyway, relief. Wait, no—I couldn't watch anyway 'cause of plans with my kouhai. Still, if Rie skipped stream that day, suspicions would be reasonable. An idol having a lover? That was explosive news. The chat mellowed at her words. Stream went on as usual. Her voice dropping a bit? Probably my imagination. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
'Christmas Eve, just the two of us, guy and girl.' Han Seol's hands trembled as she typed. Of all days, Eve for plans. Her own doing, but her heart raced anyway. Still, she felt good. Not a special day or anything, but meeting sunbae...
She started the stream in high spirits. I can do this. Her new routine mantra. ConvenienceStoreStrawThief—the guy called Chairman—was always there. Thanks to him, she pushed forward today too. Rie's fan board had popped up lately, full of Christmas posts. Topic shifted naturally.
Han Seol got curious. What do others do for Christmas? She knew, but wanted confirmation. That it was that special day. Chats exploded when she brought it up.
Most intriguing: the convenience store thing selling big.
Innocent question, but viewers went wild.
Viewers dodging answers, she searched "Christmas convenience store." And up came...
Han Seol scrambled to change topics. What if sunbae watching thought she was weird? Unbearable. She was on edge, wondering if he'd chat. His reaction? Dry. She sighed in relief, then brought up Eve—the day she'd meet sunbae.
Sunbae chatted. Heart pounding reading it, inevitable.
...Scam? She gasped. What scam? Chats exploded harder.
She'd been trying to calm it, but his casual jab stung. She'd planned to go dark. Christmas proper had VTuber Academy special anyway—could blame prep. Then the core doubt hit. Does sunbae... like Rie more than real me? Planning to watch stream even on our meet day? Meeting's nice, streaming's nice, but... Chaos. Chest tightened like when she met his close dongsaeng. No, no. He treasures me the same... He likes me. But, but... Felt off. Not bad, but... Head spinning. Where was her heart pointing? First time feeling this. One thing clear: hurt by him. So maybe that's why her slip:
Han Seol clamped her mouth. Too much? He'd lifted her up. This stream? All thanks to him. Tears welled. I'm such a hassle. Hated this self. Nothing decided, all selfish thoughts. Time to settle it. Where her heart lay. How she felt about sunbae. It'd be fair to him, and clear her path.
'So just hold on a little longer till then.'
Till she could return his feelings. Just a little. A tiny bit.