The Price of a Successful Debut
The broadcast was brought to a successful close. Every member of Another World had finished their stream without a hitch, drawing plenty of attention. "Haa, *nggh*~ It’s over." I watched as Siri’s stream ended and finally stepped out of the capsule. It really was a world of difference compared to the one I used at home. If I’d been at home, I would’ve been drenched in sweat by now since my setup lacked proper ventilation or air conditioning... This was just heaven. Now that I’d earned some money, I was determined to move to a new place and upgrade my capsule. I absolutely had to.
I stretched my stiff body, said my goodbyes to the staff who had helped me, and began to walk slowly toward the exit. I didn't have any particular plans afterward, so I thought I’d just head straight home, rest, and review the footage to see if there was anything I’d missed or anything that felt lacking. I felt like I’d made it without any glaring flaws, but the more I thought about it, the more features I wanted to add.
"It’s still a bit of a shame, though."
Since it was an avatar debut, I had inevitably scaled things back a little. I’d wanted to create something where they could all gather together, but for a new avatar debut, it was more important to showcase each individual's unique charm, so that was a missed opportunity. Now that the new avatars were out, I figured I’d make a group collaboration map within the month. With that decision made, I stepped out of the company building with a light heart. Time to go home, change into something comfortable, and relax~
"Ah! There you are! Are you just going to leave without saying goodbye?"
"Leaving already? Isn't that too fast?"
"Oh... thank you for today's broadcast. Thanks to you, I gained a lot more confidence."
"Don't you think it's a bit sad to just leave like this?"
I had been about to push the company door open, but I flinched and spun around at the voices coming from behind me. Uh... why were they here? The broadcast was over; shouldn't they be hanging out with each other and resting? I darted my eyes around, taking them all in. Something... something felt dangerous. I had a sinking feeling that if I stayed here, I wouldn't be able to leave.
"Ah, well... good work on the broadcast today. That's right. Ahaha, so, um. You really did great, and I think I'll be heading off now..."
"It’s a bit much to just leave like this. We’d feel so bad if we just let you go after you helped us so much."
I was startled as Siri—Seongeun—grabbed my wrist just as I turned to make my escape. No, letting me go was the best gift you could give me! If you keep holding onto me like this, I won't be able to do anything!
"Uh, well, you see..."
"We’d feel too guilty letting you go just like that."
"That’s right! Besides, the broadcast was a success! So we want to take Ha-yun Mama out for a celebration dinner!"
I stared blankly at Poru—Yura—who had grabbed my other hand and was looking down at me. A... dinner? Who, me? I’m going to a company dinner? Really? Nah, they must be joking. They should be spending time together as members; why would they want to drag me into it? They’re just saying that to be nice. They don't actually expect me to come. ...Right?
"Are you uncomfortable?"
"Honestly, I don't think she likes it. Like... we aren't even that close, so it's probably awkward, right?"
Seeing Momona—Sia—crossing her arms with a look that suggested she realized this was a bad idea, and Rin—Seola—fidgeting as if she were nervous, it became even harder to say no. I really wanted to refuse and go home to rest... but looking at those faces, it wasn't easy to turn them down. Besides, I’d likely be taking on more commissions to create content and avatars for them, so maybe once wouldn't be so bad.
"...O-okay... I'll go. Yes, I'll go to the dinner. Thanks for the invite."
Right, it’s fine to live a little once in a while. There are a lot of people, but... if I just go, eat, and come back, it should be fine.
"Really?! Thank goodness."
"A-are you sure?"
"Then I'll make the reservation right away. Beef is a safe bet, right?"
"You aren't overdoing it, are you?"
I just smiled through their mix of relief and concern. Ah, why did I say that... Hearing four people talk at once was overwhelming. I should have just... gone home. Regret washed over me as I looked at the Another World members who were now holding my hands. Okay, just today... I'll endure just today, and then I'll spend the next month doing nothing but development at home. Ah, wait, I have to move... okay, just one week. Yeah.
I let them lead me to the dinner. *Ugh*... just a little more, hang in there.
One surprising thing I realized on the way to the dinner was that Sia was the one driving, and contrary to my expectation that she’d have a cute, small car, she was driving a massive SUV.
"We're here!"
I climbed out of the car as Sia spoke and looked up at the restaurant. It looked like the most high-end establishment I’d ever seen in my life. I gulped, staring at the top-tier Korean beef restaurant, wondering if I was really allowed to step inside, when someone tapped me on the back.
"*Eek*."
"What are you doing, not going in? I made a reservation, so they’ve probably already started grilling the meat."
"Ah, well... um, no."
I wanted to say that I really didn't belong at this dinner, but the look in Seongeun’s eyes stopped me. She was looking at me with such high expectations that I couldn't possibly tell her I couldn't do it. I felt like I’d be a total jerk if I did. I had no choice but to follow Seongeun inside. The scent of charcoal and the savory, nutty aroma of high-quality beef wafted through the air.
"Ah."
The smell was so appetizing that my mouth watered instantly. Even though I’d never been to a place like this, I could instinctively tell how good it would taste, and I couldn't help but feel excited. I couldn't just sit anywhere, so I followed the Another World members into the reserved room. I wondered if it was okay to be in a room so close to the entrance. I worried that if I were caught, my red pill might be exposed... but I figured they’d have taken precautions, so I tried not to worry.
"Ah, hello."
I bowed my head timidly to the server who was grilling the meat inside. Seeing the others exchange greetings as if they were regulars, I figured they must come here quite often. Everyone else found their seats naturally, leaving me standing there like a fool. The only empty seats were right next to everyone else... it wasn't easy to just pick one.
"Hm? Why are you just standing there? Sit here."
Yura patted the empty seat next to her. I darted my eyes around and ended up sitting next to Sia, who I was most comfortable with. If I sat next to Yura, I honestly didn't think my sanity would survive. She would definitely keep talking to me until the dinner was over; that was the most dangerous seat in the room.
"*Ooh*, why are you ignoring the seat next to me?"
"No, um. I’m not ignoring you..."
"*Puhaha*, I'm joking~ Were you that surprised?"
Seeing Yura giggle, I realized I’d made the right choice. She was already draining my energy just by existing. "By the way, do you like Sia the best?"
"Yeah. You only send content to Sia, too. Were the other members not good enough?"
I was left speechless by Yura and Seongeun’s comments as the server finished setting the table and closed the door. No, it wasn't that, but it was hard to explain that to the two people least likely to actually do the content I sent. Yura wasn't the type to focus on one thing, so unless it was something she was truly obsessed with, she wouldn't have done it properly. As for Seongeun, she preferred FPS games and things like that, so it was hard to send her stuff I made. I could whip something up for everyone now, but in the past, I couldn't... and even if I had, wouldn't it have been buried, unlike the stuff I sent Sia?
"Um... it’s not discrimination or anything, but Sia is just really good at it. Even if the content isn't great."
She was the one who dug up and played my old content that nobody else touched, so it was only natural that I felt grateful and wanted to make content for her.
"Right. Seongeun-unnie and Seola-unnie only play the stuff they're used to, and Yura wouldn't have lasted five minutes with Ha-yun's old stuff anyway!"
Sia said it with such pride that everyone looked at her, dumbfounded. Honestly, Sia is...
"Don't you just like 'trash games'?"
She definitely liked the crappy stuff. Otherwise, she wouldn't have stopped playing all the games that could be classified as 'god-tier' among the ones she dug up. The potion shop game I sent recently was just an outlier; looking at the others, she clearly loved 'trash content.' Seeing the other members nod in agreement, it seemed everyone thought the same thing.
"...*Haa*? You think so? I like well-made games too. But everyone worked hard on those, so it’s a shame if they just get buried, right?"
She denied it vehemently, but honestly, I was suspicious. She says that, but looking at her skill in finding those games and the way she plays them...
"*Hit!*"
"I'm telling you, it's not like that."
I was looking at her with suspicious eyes when a finger poked my side, making me flinch. I stammered, looking at her gaze that insisted she was innocent, and then nodded. She went this far to deny it, so it must be true. I was definitely not nodding because I was afraid of being poked in the side again; I was nodding because I understood that Sia wasn't actually a 'trash content' addict. Really.
"Well, let's leave that aside. The meat is cooked, why aren't you guys eating?"
Seongeun placed the perfectly grilled, sliced beef onto my plate. I scratched my cheek. It looked delicious and perfectly browned, and I wanted to eat it, but I felt it was bad manners to eat before the person who was paying or the eldest. However, the others didn't seem to feel that way, and I panicked as all eyes turned to me. What? Why is everyone looking at me? Did I do something wrong? No... *eh*?
"Uh, um... h-hey, *eh*?"
I let out a stupid sound and gripped my chopsticks tightly. No, seriously, don't just stare at me, say something! Staring at me like that doesn't tell me anything!
"*Puhaha*, Ha-yun worked the hardest, so she should eat first."
Yura was the first to speak. I watched as she added even more beef to my already full plate, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Yeah, Ha-yun-ssi worked the hardest. You watched over the broadcast so there wouldn't be any accidents, and you made the avatars and the maps."
"That's right. You worked so hard for us, so you're the one who should eat first."
Seola and Seongeun also chimed in, saying that I had worked the hardest and that I was the one who deserved to eat first.
"Ah, or did you want this? Here, *vroom*~"
And finally, Sia held up a piece of beef and made 'airplane' noises as she tried to feed it to me. It was so dizzying. Ah, please... I should have just eaten it earlier! If I’d just eaten it, none of this would have happened! As the beef drew closer, I squeezed my eyes shut and opened my mouth. Is this normal among women?! Really? Is this how it’s supposed to be?