74. Queen? Yes? What Did You Say?
My head is ringing. It feels like I've been slapped 5,700 times by someone.
I cling to my fading consciousness, which is trying to slip away comfortably. It's an unexpected situation, but I steady my mind. Even in this dire crisis, if I keep my wits about me, I can hack my way out. Didn't our ancestors say that even if you're dragged into a tiger's den, stay sharp and you'll be fine?
"……."
Tigers are freaking scary though….
Seon-hwa's eyes flicker coldly. They're icy yet burning, the kind that won't tolerate any half-assed excuses. I swallow hard and try to play it cool.
"Haha, who do we have here? Why would you even think that?"
"…First off, buying clothes on impulse today, then jewelry for me, and that pricey car you showed up in. Everything about today was suspicious."
"Just from that…?"
"And the watch. At first I thought you rented it to show off since you were broke… but you wear it every day. Unless you've taken a bullet to the head, who buys a luxury watch when they're flat broke?"
Shit, that clock gave me away. Should've just worn a fake one.
"I-I told you I found a job… Yeah! I got a big investment for starting up that startup. And just because I have some cash now doesn't mean you can link it to that weirdo in the mask…?"
I ramble like a third-rate villain in a panic. Her radiant platinum hair sways as she shakes her head, as if my excuses are full of holes.
"That's the most unbelievable part. Unless you won the lottery or risked your life in some dangerous gig, how could you make that much money overnight?"
"What, you saying I don't have that kind of talent?!"
"Yeah."
"……."
No comeback. Her insight is sharp as ever. Seon-hwa pokes my profile, declaring it done.
"But… you're talented in other ways…."
"Huh?"
"I don't know the details, but I read an article. He works in that risky broadcasting field. Word is, viewers rate him highly, he's great at it, and the place is big…."
She's skirting around it awkwardly since it's embarrassing to say outright, but the nuance is clear. Seon-hwa hides her discomfort and presses on.
"So… if it's you, all the puzzle pieces fit perfectly. You'd put on an insane show in that line of work. And if you blew up and got famous, you'd make decent money. With the stream doing well, maybe you splurged on the car and watch."
She shoves a photo from the article in my face.
"Look, the height, the gym-built body—it all matches. And with your terrible fashion sense, it's gotta be you."
She nails every point, tightening the noose. Her logic clicks perfectly, cutting off every escape route. She corners me with her tongue.
I always knew Seon-hwa was quick-witted, and damn, she is. Years of broadcasting leveled up her experience, paired with the queen's cold gaze. She's got that intellectual edge.
"Am I wrong?"
The finishing blow. I rack my brain for an out, but I'm tapped. Checkmate in one go.
…Just deny it flat-out? There's no hard evidence. It's all circumstantial—what she says is just hunch. As long as the mask hides the face, no one knows.
If I call it a coincidental misunderstanding, there might be a loophole.
"No… you're right."
But I stop. No more lies. Dodging clumsily would make it worse. Lies breed more lies until it all blows up—that pattern flashes in my mind.
Plus, I don't want to deceive Seon-hwa. She's my first girlfriend; I don't want our bond built on bullshit.
…Honestly, from this, it seems lies won't work on my girl anyway.
I gulp, place both hands on my knees, and await judgment.
Seon-hwa sighs deeply first.
"…So it is you?"
Once I confess, her furrowed brow relaxes a bit. Her calm poker face holds.
"I knew it."
"Sorry! I just started streaming, and it's awkward to talk about…."
"Yeah… you're working hard."
She murmurs low, like a warning of the storm to come.
"……."
"……."
"……."
"……?"
But the long silence. Seon-hwa clams up, as if that's the end.
"Huh? T-that's it?"
Her blank reaction has me questioning. I braced for impact, but nothing.
No "We're done!" or "Have you lost your mind?"—the usual reactions. Worst case was getting beaten to death, FYI.
"Why? Should I be mad?"
"No… I mean… I kinda expected you might."
"Why get mad? It's just a job."
"Huh?"
I'm stunned. But Seon-hwa lists it off indifferently.
"I get that broadcasting is just entertainment. And I know you're good at that stuff… so it makes sense you'd do a stream like that."
"You're okay with it? You… watched the stream?"
"Are you insane?! Why would I blind myself like that!"
Ah, just the articles then. I stepped on a landmine by accident. Sure, I started for the money, and it's a job providing fun to people. If Seon-hwa sells her looks, I'm in the entertainment biz giving thrills.
Turns out there's an entertainment shield. She understands my side—maybe I scored a girlfriend as broad-minded as she is smart.
Grind grind…
…Or not?
Seon-hwa finally ignites late. She grits her teeth, glares with wide-eyed fury, yells once, and ramps up.
"The money!"
"Uh, huh? Money?"
"How much do you make?!"
"Uh, well…."
I tell her the average per stream.
"Ugh… so you make more than me?"
"It varies, so not exactly! …But you're mad, right?"
"Why would I be mad, idiot! You said it's entertainment!"
Still gnashing, huffing, arms crossed, chin turned away. Words and actions clash now. The queen's inner turmoil is showing. She's shaken but suppressing it hard.
Veins bulging, she squeezes her arms, then interrogates with crossed arms.
"…How was it?"
"Huh…?"
"Did you enjoy playing with those women?"
"No no no! Like you said, it's just work! Purely providing entertainment. Yeah!"
"Really?"
"Of course! No dirty thoughts at all."
"…If you're lying, you're dead."
"Not lying. You're my one and only girlfriend."
"……."
The glare softens. Seizing the moment, I scoot to my sulky girl. We share a tender car kiss. I thaw her frozen heart by the shoulders.
"Mmm… haa… smooch♥ kiss♥"
Arms uncross; Seon-hwa cups my cheek. Deep kisses shift us to makeup mode.
Whew, I survived….
To hide my relief, I kiss harder, tongues tangling. She found out… but it went okay. No breakup, no quit-stream demands. Gotta buy a lotto ticket later.
Shocked, but I played it cool. Of course it bugs me that my boyfriend does that kind of stream. Imagining him messing around with other women boils my jealousy.
But Lee Seon-hwa's short dating history was always guys chasing her. Many flailed for the queen's heart, tried to chain her, obsessed till the end. Never did Seon-hwa give her heart or cling.
So I don't want to obsess over a guy we've barely dated. We've met countable times; no way I wanna act like a jealous nag. I want to keep my cool, chic, proud queen pride.
I'm pissed…! So pissed…!
Image aside, I'm still mad en route. I secretly bite my nails to ease the anxiety.
If another girl dated my man and found this secret, I'd dump him instantly. Block Kakao and calls, report him to keep him away.
But Chae Seon-woo is the first guy who's truly clicked with Lee Seon-hwa. Weird start, but being with him stirs waves of emotion. Heart pounds stupidly each date; I look forward to meetings. He makes me giddy like a girl. Don't wanna break up.
And excusing the stream isn't total bullshit. Seon-hwa knows from her underdog days how hard it is to blow up—luck's key. In capitalism, ride the wave when it comes. I get how tough grabbing the public's heart is, full of hardship, so I won't interfere.
But why am I still pissed…?
Still hate that it's my guy. Touching other women? Gross. Jealousy might explode, so vow: no watching the stream.
"We keep hitting red lights…."
Seon-woo mutters beside me. I snap irritably.
"…What's the rush? Just go slow."
"Time's wasting. Can't stand not being with you sooner."
"……Hmph."
Snooty at the obvious play, but his free hand covers my handback. Big, warm man-hand overlays. Rubs gently♥, interlocks fingers tight. Melts my sulk, grips sweaty-strong like sharing his heart.
"……♥"
Sneaky. Used to pounce like a horny dog, now sweet words and mood. Learned girl-charming from streams? Suspicious, but the flattery feels good.
I squeeze back.
"Hmph…♥"
Can't hide the happy smile with my favorite guy.