Scaredy-Cat (2)

I had no idea how much unreasonable hate I endured before my real unni showed up. No, calling me some "heavenly girl" just because I got startled when the monster in the game lobby suddenly vanished? That's utterly ridiculous.

Anyone could see it was malicious staging designed to scare players, and my reaction was all part of the WWE spectacle—but using that as an excuse for hate comments? Absurd. At least they shut up the moment unni arrived.

Clunk.

"Our little Rie, did you wait long?"

Unni unfolded her camping chair and plopped down right next to me, naturally leaning her head on my shoulder as she peered at the chat window. The familiar scent of unni so close by was making me feel all warm and fuzzy…

"Not that long."

"Really? Chat was blowing up asking when I'd get here."

No matter how I thought about it, viewers were no help at all. When did I desperately beg for her? I was just alone and bored… er, scared.

More ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠importantly, when did Huran-i sneak into the broadcast? She didn't see me get a little down earlier, did she?

"No, I just felt off starting without unni, that's all."

"Yeah, let's go with that."

Unni lightly stroked my hair and nodded. That smug, baby-soothing smile of hers was annoying as hell, and I wanted to snap back—but since she'd agreed to play games with me later, I let it slide.

"Okay then, unni can just watch from the side."

"Uh, yeah…"

Deep down, I wanted to hand the game over to unni, but viewers would riot if I did. I let out a big sigh, gripped my trembling mouse, and hit the new game button.

Static…

[Now you all…]

"Eek…!"

The creepy voice and dubbing hit way too loud, and I accidentally let out a little whimper, letting go of the mouse. Why start the game with chills like that?

"Heh… Scared?"

It wasn't real fear—just a jump scare from the volume—but unni and everyone acting weird about it was bizarre. Cuddle in unni's arms? Honestly, I'd love to. Not because I'm scared, but it's winter and cold, okay?

"The sound was too loud, that's all!"

"Got it. Should unni stay quiet then?"

"…No. If I'm playing alone, the audio feels empty since I'm focused—so unni react next to me."

The chat's quick reads left me speechless.

"Pfft… Okay, okay—unni'll stick right by your side and react."

Unni finally burst out laughing, wrapping her arm around my waist and pulling me super close. No joke— I could hear her breathing, and our thighs were basically touching. Isn't this too close?

"U-Unni! Too close, isn't it?"

"Psh, too close? We used to snuggle even tighter watching movies."

Back when I was a guy, my little sis would cling like this—but the memory flashing now was the total opposite. In it, unni wanted to watch a horror flick, I'd nod, and she'd hug me saying not to be scared…

"Th-that was high school."

"You graduated high school last year?"

"Oh."

I thought it was a high school memory, like five years ago—but nope, I'm twenty now. Old memories and new ones mixing up like this trips me out sometimes.

"A-anyway! Game time—everyone quiet!"

Dubbing over, I yelled, grabbing the mouse for real play. I'd never touched horror games even in guy lobbies, but here we are.

"Ugh… why's the vibe so creepy."

Old game meant blocky graphics and dead silence—super eerie. I tapped keys to walk around and scout.

Thud.

"Eep…!"

Suspicious noise—I hit ESC for the menu and checked chat.

"N-no! The footsteps were super loud!"

I protested like it was unfair, but chat was all mockery. Even unni, glued to my side, buried her face in my shoulder stifling laughs.

"…Let's keep going."

Face heating up, I calmed down, closed the menu, and slowly looked around. Gotta end this boring fast—now I know the tricks, no more scares.

Click.

"Eek…! What, who's there? Hah!"

"Snrk, Rie—it's just the light switch."

"N-no! Why's the light switch that loud? Ridiculous."

Super unfair, but unni and chat just wheezed. The sound was huge! I turned it down earlier—bug? If intentional, devs are evil.

"Anyway, no more scares. Patterns mastered."

I bit my lip, gripped tight, and walked on. Lights on—back to that doll spot? Creepy as hell, don't wanna…

Forcing my feet, I crept the character. Past the brighter room, into the lobby—

"Huh…?"

The fuzzy doll was gone. Looked everywhere—nope, empty pedestal.

"U-Unni. Where'd it go?"

"Dunno? Maybe ate you cuz you're too cute?"

Unni teased, but I just ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wanted to quit. That creepy doll wandering?

"U-Unni."

"Yeah. Unni's right here."

Knowing she was there eased me a bit.

Luckily, just puzzles after. Viewers claimed arm glimpses—lies, I ain't falling for it. Puzzle horror? Love it.

Whirr.

"Eek…! Almost an hour—ending soon, right?"

Factory noise startled me, but end in sight—relief.

"Yes! Puzzles make it fun—pure scares suck."

I boasted, shoving the dog doll into the display. Door opened—I dashed for exit—

Thud! Thud!

"Wh-what…?"

Screen shook wildly; from the "exit," the fuzzy monster bared teeth, lumbering forward.

"U-Unni! What is this? What do?!"

"Run?"

I mashed keys fleeing blindly, bumping walls—thuds right behind shook everything.

"Eek…! Right behind! Don't come! Stay back!!"

"Vent? Where?!"

Tips said vent—but where? Then—

"Kieeeek!"

"Hup…!"

Teeth-filled monster filled the screen with a horrific screech—I slapped hands over eyes, diving into unni's arms.

"Waaah… U-Unni…"

Tears welled up. Sounded like crying—but nah, stifled yawn. Never playing next game… even if refunding 100k won.