Cosplay? (2)
[-What's up with her?]
I glanced at my phone, and the chats were flooding in. The viewers were clearly wondering why I was sitting there like this. My brain had just frozen up, folks. For now, I'd finish this slice and say something. Sitting here silently bawling while devouring pizza made it look like I'd pulled some aggro or something. It was getting close to dawn, but we still had almost as many viewers as before.
But seriously, what do I even say? I couldn't just blurt out, "I did cosplay." It wasn't really cosplay—I didn't have the outfit, just elf ears, so claiming it was cosplay felt off.
"Nom nom."
As the speculative chats started veering into weird territory, I figured screw it, just say something. First, wet my throat with some cola.
"Ahh~"
The cool cola washed down the greasy pizza from my mouth and throat—it felt so good, I let out a sigh without thinking. The girl who'd been sniffling just moments ago was doing this now, so the viewers looked baffled. But oh well, it was about to get even more ridiculous.
"Guys."
With the words that might become my dark history looming, my mouth wouldn't open. In that brief silence, they couldn't wait and started chatting again.
"Guys. I have something important to say."
The sudden "important announcement" had the chats buzzing. Viewers who'd been dying to know what warranted this bizarre stream were flooding in fast. Yeah. I was confident. Confident. Confident.
"The truth is... I'm actually an elf."
"You probably won't believe me, but it's true."
I wasn't confident at all. As expected, the chat was filled with mockery and pity. My face burned hot. But I'd already said it—turning back now would be worse. Sure, it was embarrassing dark history now, but if I pushed through with thick skin, maybe it'd work out. Streaming's all about the flow, right? Since it's my debut, they might see me as just another wild streamer. Plus, I couldn't wear those uncomfortable glasses at home forever. If I drilled this now, later they'd just roll with it.
Even on YouTube, tons of foreigners do concepts, all kinds of wild ones—elf shouldn't be a dealbreaker. And VTuber culture's settling in Korea now, so this could become a funny memory. If I endured this minor(?) embarrassment, it might become my unique identity.
"Believe it or not, doesn't matter. I'm an elf."
"Ah, shoulda said Baleta."
Like the chats said, if I'd insisted on Baleta and thrown on a suit or something, with today's stream it'd tie into a ceremony vibe. Well, they might accept it now anyway?
"Guys."
"The truth is... I'm actually Baleta."
RomanticNoona: 1,000 won
Baleta or bugleta whatever just explain why you cried stuffing pizza
"Ah. Probably lots of new viewers today. Folks who saw my night stream last month might know, but when I eat tasty stuff, I get teary."
"No, for real? Nothing sad today, why would I cry for no reason. Hold on."
Elf thing, fine, unbelievable. But tearing up from tasty food—I'd mentioned it on the afterparty stream a month ago. Plenty saw that, right? Sure, forums called it weird concept back then too, but I didn't want pity lighting like now. So, cue up Seung-yoon's stream from a month ago to prove it again. Uh. Proof bro. No, proof sis.
"See? Crying here too, right?"
My tear proof vanished, now they're arguing if the restaurant's viral or not. Wow. Really nothing better to do? Fighting over that.
"Guys stop fighting. Reason I turned on stream? Nothing big. I eat a ton when hungry? But food costs stack up with no return. Gotta stream anyway. So here for mukbang to cover food bills."
"Alright, first freak show: cola bottle nose blow."
Never tried it, but food vanishes instantly in my gut, so should be fine. Challenge!
"Gulp gulp gulp. Ack. Cough! Cough!"
Ah... forgot the throat burn separate from stomach. Am I an idiot?
The stinging carbonation reflux sent me sprinting to the bathroom to clear it out. Chat looked entertained when I got back. Fine. You guys had fun, mission accomplished.
"Ow. That sucked. Did you enjoy, everyone? First freak failed, but if I made you laugh, I'm happy."
I clapped cheerfully to wrap it up, but the cam showed my face beet red already. Shoulda just done mukbang. Thought I'd squeeze extra cash after a good stream, but ended up manufacturing dark history despite it all being real, just called a concept.
I wouldn't believe elf or "tears from tasty food" either. Tears especially—like someone sweating from spice, unique constitution. But actual elf??? Total bullshit. Needed buildup or solid concept from start, but to newbies: random ears, stuff pizza, cry, "I'm elf"—looks insane. Lucky the 30-win King of Fist ceremony chat gave somewhat plausible direction.
"Aigoo thanks for the mission. Eat it all for the dream? Let's see... time limit day or week? Again, no sad backstory like chats said—real mukbang stream, no takebacks?"
Food bill: about 300k won. Already recovered 50k. Good mukbang call.