Chapter 69
Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: I Fell for That Side of You
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Oh my god.
Having heard Sara's entire story, Legend was utterly shocked.
He was surprised that such a thing had happened in modern times and that the world's top English-speaking corporation was behind it, but what shocked him even more was Sara Iris's kind heart.
'Burning $500,000 at once?'
That's 7 billion won. No small sum.
From the start, the company had pushed Sara as their main star, and she had diligently fundraised for the children through promotional activities.
Her only actions were those. How could a girl who looked younger than him bear any responsibility for the embezzlement that followed?
It was a case of pure goodwill betrayed by malice.
Was it really okay to take money from a child like this? A pang of conscience stabbed at him.
'To begin with, me too.'
Sara had called herself blessed because she had miraculously recovered from Corolon Plus on her own.
That's why she wanted to share that blessing with others. Could there be anyone in the world more blessed than him?
Seven years in a coma. Followed by a miraculous full recovery.
Even the doctors had first suspected zombification. He was the subject of a miracle with no precedent in the world, practically impossible in reality. Wasn't that him?
'What do I do.'
The worries continued.
Doing it wouldn't be hard at all.
In fact, with Myth recently forcing him to stop working out of worry, this would be a great excuse to alleviate his boredom, and making a single map wouldn't take long anyway.
Money was honestly the least of his concerns.
If he was helping others, he wanted to do it with purely selfless intentions. As Myth had said, he already had enough money to live on for life; he didn't need more.
There was just one thing bothering him.
He could see himself in his own eyes.
More precisely, it was his reflection in Myth's eyes.
'When?'
Exactly when had she started looking this way?
He couldn't remember clearly if he had looked first or if Myth had.
As he searched for the answer, somehow his head had naturally started following her.
His wavering eyes, her steadfast gaze fixed straight on him.
Thoughts connected, worries deepened.
- Do whatever you want.
That's what she'd surely say.
But was that right? The doubt circled in his mind.
He was in a uniquely unrivaled position in this industry, yet he didn't know much despite that.
That's why he was afraid.
Being in such a position meant he had no idea what impact his actions might have on her.
The first time using his abilities for someone else.
The fear that this might end up troubling her flooded in.
'When I make things for Myth, I never have to worry about this.'
The worries piled up endlessly.
What if the map he made turned this concert into such a massive hit that suddenly Sara overshadowed Myth?
It sounded ridiculous, but you never knew with the world.
Every time one of his works shook the industry since he revealed himself to the world, it drove home the point painfully.
His creations were something else, so caution was needed.
A single event could cause an earthquake in the VTuber world. This wasn't hyperbole; it was plain fact.
Wavering eyes, steadfast eyes continued to entwine.
'What do I do.'
- Do whatever you want.
He sought the right answer, but none came. Myth simply gazed at him steadily.
Her beautiful eyes, like they held the entire universe, seemed to sparkle with stars like an avatar even in reality.
Yeah, he couldn't do it.
Not if it might make her sad because of him.
He didn't hate helping, but he didn't want to risk anything that could harm her even slightly.
He turned his head to look at Sara.
Slightly misty eyes, the gaze of someone seeking hope.
'Ah.'
The words wouldn't come.
He had to refuse. But he couldn't help the ache in his chest.
"I'm sorry, Sara."
Ah, was his voice trembling a bit?
Even so, having opened his mouth, there was no taking it back.
"That request—"
Resignation settled into Sara's eyes.
Unable to meet her gaze, he unwittingly closed his own.
The final blow.
Just before voicing complete refusal.
"Sara."
Tap. Someone grabbed his hand.
Warmth spread, and when he opened his eyes, Myth's hand was firmly holding his.
"Can we talk about it a little later?"
"Uh—"
"Seol-ah, just a moment."
Myth stood up, still holding his hand tight.
The Label's rooftop.
Sunset time. Wow, has it gotten this late already?
On this spot that somehow lingered with the smell of cigarettes, they sat side by side on a bench, overlooking Seoul's skyline.
"Why did you do that?"
Gazing down at the sunset, Legend asked Myth, feeling utterly drained.
Myth looked at him and replied.
"What?"
Myth, dyed red by the sunset, was so beautiful that he nearly lost himself for a moment.
Shaking off the unintentional temptation, he asked.
"Why did you stop me from refusing?"
"...Hmm. Yeah."
Myth looked toward the sunset.
A breeze blew just then, tousling her hair.
The somewhat cool spring wind cleared his head a bit.
"Because you were screaming that you wanted to do it?"
"...No."
"You were."
He couldn't respond.
She had already seen right through him anyway; there was no point in arguing.
"Hey, Seol-ah. Honestly? I was happy."
"Why?"
"It felt like you chose me over the kids. Yeah, sorry to the suffering children, but I was honestly thrilled. To think I've become this important to you."
Myth placed her hand on her chest.
Smiling broadly, as if truly delighted.
"It made me so happy that every action of the person I love is based on me."
"...I get that feeling."
"Right~?"
Myth swung her feet back and forth.
Like an innocent child, not hiding her joy at all.
"But, Seol-ah, there's no reason for you to give up what you want because of me."
"...How could there not be? If my popularity drops because of me and you lose fans, I'd go crazy with guilt."
"Hahaha. Yeah, that's the reason. But Seol-ah, you're misunderstanding something."
Mwah.
A sudden sweet sound, and his cheek burned hot.
He turned his head, and Myth's face, which had been close, pulled away as she returned to her spot like nothing happened.
What the— Words failed him, stuck in his throat, when Myth lowered her head, looked up at him, and said.
"I like you, Seol-ah. For real. To the point where I could give you everything I have."
"What does that have to do with—"
"I love waking up in the morning and getting to see you."
Interrupting Legend, Myth continued.
"I love picking lunch menus together, rolling around on the sofa with you. I'm happy I can give you a lap pillow, love saying goodnight to you. I love that you're watching me during streams—"
An unending barrage of "likes."
His face heated up in an instant.
"I love falling asleep knowing I'll see you tomorrow."
"W-What, suddenly. You're embarrassing me."
"Hehe, what I want to say is this. My ranking as a VTuber—"
Myth stood and walked to the railing, resting both arms on it as she faced the sunset.
Her ears, flushed bright red like they might burst, from the sunset? Or embarrassment?
Toward the sunset, Myth shouted her heart.
"I love the world where you exist."
Despite his heart pounding in his ears, those words rang clear.
Dreamy scenery, sweet voice, your scent tickling his nose.
"I love how you poured three years into the dream of a girl whose face you didn't know, fell for you when you threw your life away for a woman you just met."
Myth turned to him.
Those steadfast eyes from the meeting room, staring straight at him still.
As if that was the direction they were meant to face.
"So, I want you to be you. I want you to stay by my side as you. I don't want you to stop being you because of me."
That's what Myth said.
Words laden with so much meaning. Finally, Myth asked him.
"Seol-ah, about Sara's request—what do you want to do?"
He stood and joined her at the railing, leaning in the same pose, gazing at Seoul's sunset.
"Myth."
"Yeah."
"Honestly, I want to help."
"Yeah."
"Truth be told, it might sound spoiled, but I don't even want the money. Sara's the victim of that scummy president—it's unfair for her to shoulder everything."
He conveyed his true feelings.
She had grown older, but due to the accident, she hadn't experienced society.
He voiced the childish whim of a kid untouched by the world's filth.
He whined that he hated how good people bore all the pain because of bad ones.
"...Is that too stupid?"
"No. It's fine. Actually, it's great."
Myth shook her head at his whining.
Smiling, she shifted slightly sideways, their elbows touching on the railing.
Tap.
That simple contact sent a thrilling spark up both their spines.
Unwittingly, he stepped back, and Myth turned to him with a smile.
"That's the you I fell for."
They killed time on the rooftop until the sun fully set, then headed back to the office via the stairwell together.
About ten floors from the roof. Not a short distance, but walking it together held meaning.
As they descended the stairs, Myth asked.
"By the way, Legend, as long as you don't take money, it's fine, right?"
What was the intent behind the question?
He answered Myth without overthinking.
"Ideally, no one gets hurt, but why?"
"Mm. No, a great idea just came to me."
Heheheh.
As they went down the stairs, Myth let out a sinister chuckle.
A creepy laugh he'd never heard before.
Who knew Myth could laugh like that sometimes? Satisfied at learning a new side of her, he asked.
"A great idea?"
"One where the president does a somersault, Sara's happy, I'm happy, and you can focus on map-making worry-free."
How great an idea to make the president flip in midair?
"What is it?"
"Heh heh. I'll tell you later."
Myth's eyes gleamed in the darkness.
Clearly the eyes of a predator spotting prey.
