Sweet DMs and the Thrilling First Call

A chill ran down my spine as I stared at the DM, wondering if I'd seen it right, but nope—nothing had changed. Why on earth did she want to collab with me? Sure, it'd be great for me, but it'd be tough for her.

"Haa..."

The sigh slipped out before I knew it, and seeing the viewers who'd been scratching at me moments ago now worrying felt nice—but the DM's contents had me too distracted to really take it in.

"What is it? You were all raking me over the coals a second ago, and now I look a little pitiful?"

"Pfft..."

Maybe it was my slightly drowsy tone, but watching their attitudes turn sweet made me burst out laughing. Should I tell them what the DM said? Or wait until it's confirmed later?

"Thanks for worrying, but really, it's nothing. If you're that concerned, should we pick a name for the fan cafe?"

Yeah, better to spill it later. Announcing now might hype dying bait, and what if Huran and I didn't vibe and it fell through?

"Thanks, everyone. Then let's check the poll results before I go."

If they're sending me off early, that's fine by me. A bit disappointing, but I could stream earlier tomorrow? Or tell Noona and just do Saturday this week.

Opening the poll, a pretty decent name sat at the top. I'd figured the blandest, most "smash it if I can't have it" option would win...

"Surprisingly normal?"

Ugh, that raisin farm crap pisses me off. Should've checked after ending stream instead of live. Annoying as hell, but thanks for picking a nice name.

"Anyway! Fan cafe name is Atelier!"

"I'd love to show you, but personal info might pop up..."

The old Seo Ha-yoon wasn't into that stuff anyway, never even touched those cafes. Still, real name or age leaking would be disaster.

"I'll make it as soon as Noona's back and post the link, so come visit! I'll stream early tomorrow to make up for today!"

I checked the reactions, then drew a line in the chat.

"Okay! I'll shout out ten names under my post before I go!"

Huh...? In the flood of chats, a familiar name popped up. Did I misread? Looking again, tenth from the top was Huran—the one who'd sent the DM.

And "see you tomorrow"—did that mean collab tomorrow? Great for me, but...

"First up, Dorian for watching today, StartOnceOnly..."

Is it okay to shout her out? Some viewers already saw, and she asked in chat, so probably fine?

"Huran too! Thanks for watching!"

I hit end broadcast right after. If I hadn't, it'd pull so much aggro. Gallery bait would roll on anyway...

"But should I really message her?"

Noona wouldn't be off for two hours, so DMing makes sense? What if it was just a casual chat? What if I'm overexcited? Never messaged a girl first—driving me nuts.

"What do I even say? 'Why'd you come to my stream?' Too confrontational?"

I typed and deleted in the DM window forever. After dozens of tries, I settled on the safest one.

"Haa... this doesn't sound like total loser, right?"

Sighing in relief, about to close notifications—

Reply speed like Noona's... First time getting a girl's contact—less burdensome, more ticklish excitement.

"I can really add her?"

Muttering, I rummaged desktop—no Discord. No games, no communities—what did girl Ha-yoon do for fun? Just mala tang and Noona, crazy girl...

Unlikely, but while downloading, Huran might wait—so another DM? Hands shaking on keyboard.

"So cute, so cute! She's adorable..."

Way cuter than imagined. No Discord? Unless master manipulation, she's pure! Rie could flirt openly and I'd be fine, but she wouldn't lie.

I fired back fast, hugging the monitor, waiting for Discord ping. Hearing that drowsy stream voice directly? Insane.

"Eek... ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ehe!"

Weird laugh I'd never made, but couldn't help it—direct call with Rie! Staring at Discord—

Exciting ping—cute 'Rie' nickname request. Accept, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠then call immediately rude? Meanwhile, message from Rie.

"Hng...!"

Her drowsy voice echoed in my head—heart ached. Even text feels this cute?

But no call after my eager reply. Too pushy? Regretting collab now? What's wrong with me? Useless after all...? Dark thoughts filling head—

"Phew..."

Thought I'd been dumped—nearly cried. Deep breath, calm heart, slowly ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠accept.

"Ah, uh. Hello? Huran?"

Oh god. Real Rie. The kind Rie who saved me, cried for me.

"Um... Huran?"

Shy voice insanely hot... love it. Wanted to blurt brain words, but that'd end my life?

"Ah, ack! Yes!"

"Hear me okay? No settings adjusted..."

"Yes! Super clear! Sounds great! Best!"

"R-really? Thanks..."

Shy voice too damn cute, insane? Seducing on purpose?

"Haa... haat."

"...Huran? You okay?"

"F-fine. Just cold."

Breathing too heavy? Close call. Semester start soon—don't know name or major, but this voice? Unforgettable.

"Can't wait to see you..."

"Pardon?"