Chapter 45
Chapter 45
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 45
Chapter Title: Lovers
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"U-uh-huh."
Myth approached me, brimming with tension, and sat down right beside me.
The light pressure sinking into the sofa felt nice, along with the subtle way my body tilted toward her.
"You got here early, but you don't seem surprised?"
"I was."
I smiled at Myth's question.
As if I wouldn't be.
Bring anyone in the world here. If they were psyching themselves up to confess, only to have the person they wanted to confess to suddenly appear right in front of them, who wouldn't be startled?
"You don't look all that surprised, though."
"The joy outweighed the surprise."
Gulp. I heard Myth swallow hard.
It was a pretty solid line, if I do say so myself, and I couldn't help but chuckle.
Love wasn't really about winning or losing, but somehow, she and I had turned it into a little contest to see who could make the other's heart race more.
"...Hey."
Myth twisted her body back and forth, poking me sharply in the side.
"Guh?!"
Correction. Not a poke—a full-on jab.
I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
Was she so thrilled that she couldn't control her strength?
Not even noticing my gasp, Myth just leaned her head on my shoulder.
"I'm happy."
"Yeah?"
"Of course. Who wouldn't be happy hearing that from the person they like?"
Ugh.
Now it was my turn to blush.
Knowing she liked me and hearing it straight from her mouth were two entirely different levels of impact.
Myth giggled.
She probably thought she'd landed a good one.
We exchanged smiles and kept up the small talk.
"Why'd you come so early? I thought you were staying there at least a week."
"I missed you."
"Don't joke."
I flicked Myth's forehead.
No matter how much she missed me, her schedule was for four days—flying back today didn't make sense.
But Myth rubbed her forehead where I'd flicked it, looking all wronged as she butted her head against my shoulder like a puppy.
"I'm not joking. I was lying there and suddenly missed you so much, I pushed the whole schedule forward and wrapped it up quick."
"...Whoa."
I hadn't expected her to go that far.
Feeling a bit guilty, I rubbed the spot on her forehead I'd just hit.
I hadn't hit her that hard, but her pale skin had turned faintly red.
"Sorry."
"It's fine. Keep going instead."
"Sure thing."
"Oh, right. I got you a souvenir from Busan while I was at it."
"Busan has souvenirs worth getting?"
"Well, kinda, but wait a sec..."
Myth stretched out her arm as far as it would go to grab the souvenir.
What could it even be from Busan?
If it were Gyeongju or Jeju, I'd get it, but Busan or Seoul? Nothing came to mind.
A Haeundae seagull doll or something?
As I pondered what someone might bring back from Busan, Myth pulled out something ridiculous.
"Ta-da~! NinXdo Switch 2."
"You said it was a Busan souvenir."
"I got it at a game event in Busan, so it counts as one. They were giving them away, so I took it."
"...This is definitely one of those lottery things they're seeding from Japan, right?"
"Hmph. Seol, who do you think I am? This isn't even special treatment."
I took it from her in a daze.
Well, if they're giving it away, I'd take it anyway.
It was something I wanted, too.
"I'll put it to good use."
"They said there are a ton of party games and two-player ones. Let's hook it up to the TV sometime."
"Oh yeah, it connects to TVs, right?"
"Heh heh. Amazed by future tech?"
"Pfft, I knew about that much."
Of course, I won't deny I was shocked when I first learned about this console.
Grrrrowl.
As I was tidying up the NinXdo Switch 2, a rumble echoed from Myth's stomach.
"Ah."
Myth ducked her head.
Her short hair hid her face, but unfortunately not her ears sticking out.
Seeing those flushed red ears, I pulled out my phone.
Did she really come without eating anything?
It wasn't quite lunchtime yet—wonder if any places were open now.
"How about burgers? Quick, easy, and good."
"...Please."
"Any menu I pick?"
"Yeah, I'll trust your recommendation this time, Seol."
The burgers didn't take long to arrive.
Instead of sitting at the table, we stayed on the sofa and ate there.
"How was the event?"
"Eh, just okay. Sang from behind the screen, played some games with fans, and it was a NinXdo demo anyway."
"Lots of fans show up?"
"Gratefully, yes. It was capped at a thousand, and all thousand spots filled."
"Ooh, popular girl, huh?"
"What, like it's news after seven years? I'm way past getting embarrassed about that~."
We finished the burgers, cleaned up.
And kept chatting about nothing important.
Until the sun hung over the mountains, turning the house awash in red sunset glow.
Coward, what the hell are you doing?
Damn it.
I'd been dead set on doing it, but for some reason, the words wouldn't come.
Was I scared? Anxious? Worried she'd say no?
I glanced carefully at Myth.
"What?"
Myth's eyes met mine welcomingly.
She'd already been looking at me.
Since when?
With a soft smile, Myth waited for me.
Ah, she already knew.
What I planned to do today.
Surprisingly, courage rose instead of embarrassment.
Propelled by that courage climbing my back, I gently took Myth's hand.
Twitch. She trembled slightly.
First time I'd reached for her hand first?
Couldn't quite remember.
We must've held hands a couple times. Come to think of it, Myth loved grabbing my hand.
Like she was holding onto me.
"I went to the hospital alone for a checkup a while back."
"Yeah. You did."
"The doctor said I'm dealing with extreme anxiety."
"Really?"
Myth didn't seem all that surprised.
If anything, she nodded like she'd expected it.
...Of course.
She already knew.
"You knew?"
"Kinda."
"How?"
"How? Come on, common sense. Someone who lay there seven years can't just be fine. If it were me, I'd be bawling and throwing tantrums."
Once more, that pleasant weight on my shoulder.
Leaning on what had become her favorite spot, Myth spoke.
"If you hadn't been by my side, that's exactly what I'd have done."
Damn it.
Dangerous.
My heart pounded like mad.
While you're leaning on my shoulder.
The heartbeat she could surely hear—no turning back now.
When did these feelings start, anyway?
Definitely, up to Christmas Eve, I thought we were just streamer and viewer.
Why I saved her? Not sure.
Hero instinct to save the person in front of me? Pure reflex?
When did I fall for you?
"You know, I'm still anxious, honestly."
"About what?"
"My whole existence. Being a VTuber isn't exactly a job that benefits from having a boyfriend."
"Can't deny that."
Myth admitted it surprisingly readily.
I was a little shocked. Didn't expect her to agree.
An awkward silence fell.
I glanced sideways at her.
You, leaning on my shoulder, eyes closed, feeling me.
I closed my eyes too.
"But you know, Seol."
"Yeah."
"Love doesn't care about gains or losses."
"...Is that dumb thinking?"
"No, it makes me happy."
"Why's that?"
"That you thought about me like that. It makes me so happy."
"...Too direct. Bad for my heart."
"I felt that for seven years and never got used to it. Just accept it."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Seven years without a word between us, but my heart wouldn't stop."
"You didn't do anything weird while I was out, right?"
"..."
"Hey."
"Joking. Pinch your cheeks, stuff like that?"
"Huh. Thought you'd done more."
"I trusted you. Knew you'd wake up. Saved everything for that day."
"Idiot. What if I never woke up?"
"I'd have waited forever."
Anyone who's confessed knows.
Your mouth won't move easily, your heart races like crazy.
Fingers tremble, head spins.
Your flushed face burns hot, your breath carries giddy love.
Even me, with a 100% success guarantee, felt dizzy. Wonder how it is for others.
Makes me respect them all the more.
"Nervous?"
"Yeah. A lot."
"Take your time. I'm used to waiting."
"Don't want to make you wait anymore."
"...Ah, now I'm getting nervous too."
"Hey, what if you get nervous?"
"Why? They say watching someone more nervous makes you calmer."
"Honestly, didn't expect you today."
"Prepping some event?"
"Thought about it. First confession and all."
"Your first? Surprising. Thought you'd be popular, Seol. Oh, wait, I'm on the receiving end."
"High school was all about one girl—modeling her, living for her. No chances to meet others."
"...That might make me happy. No, it does."
"What about you? You must've been popular."
"Unless it was an outside event, stream from home, rush to the hospital after, sleep, stream—."
"Got it. Sorry, sorry. No doubts here."
I tilted my head slightly.
Thud.
My head rested atop Myth's, which was on my shoulder.
Our hands overlapped, thighs touched.
On one sofa, feeling each other more than ever.
"Myth."
"...Y-yeah."
I felt her shiver faintly.
My shoulder grew slightly damp.
...Used to waiting, huh.
As if anyone could get used to that.
Sorry for making you wait so long.
I opened my eyes, wiped the tears sparkling in Myth's sunset-lit eyes.
Myth opened hers.
With the sunset beside us, we took each other in.
My heart trembled wildly.
Anxiety surged, but love crushed it down inside me.
"Let's date."
Myth didn't answer.
Couldn't.
Tears welling up, reflecting the sunset in crimson streams—they answered for her.
"U-uh, u-uhh—."
I felt her breath catch.
Shoulders heaving, exhaling harshly, wanting to speak but frustrated by her body's rebellion, she gripped my hand like it might shatter.
Just a few seconds.
An eternity of waiting.
"Y-yes...!"
Phew.
I hadn't realized I'd been holding my breath until it burst out.
I'd been insanely tense too.
Only then did I feel my sweat-slick forehead and palms.
Ignoring it all, Myth buried her face in my chest.
"Ah, wait. I'm sweaty—."
"Yes! Yes! Yes...!"
As if sorry for the late reply, she gave her answer over and over.
Rubbing her face against me wildly, not hiding her joy.
...No idea why she's so thrilled, but it was so lovable I just let her be.
Whoooosh.
A warm breeze passed through the open window, blessing us like.
On the day spring was just beginning.
"Take care of me from now on?"
"Yes...!!"
We became lovers.
The start of the brilliant days to come.