An Outing in the Scorching Heat
People hurried down the escalators into the underground, fleeing the blazing sun. Amid the crowds, Nami grumbled inwardly about how unseasonably hot it was for April as she trudged through the subway tunnel. Her long hair, tied in twintails, now nearly brushed the floor. Passersby stole occasional glances at the girl with her child-model looks and exotic hairstyle waiting alone for the train, but Nami ignored them completely, her eyes glued to her phone screen.
She opened the map app, memorized her stop and exit, then squeezed into an empty corner seat on the subway. The train glided silently forward without its usual jolts and rumbles, arriving at the next station in a flash. Not her stop yet—she closed her eyes, letting the soothing white noise lull her like a lullaby, easing the lingering fatigue.
[The train will depart shortly.]
Even with the announcement, the doors stayed open. It was a transfer station, swarming with passengers rushing in and out. They snatched up the empty seats one by one, and soon someone plopped down next to Nami.
"Um..."
Nami opened her eyes at the young man's troubled voice. He was pointing at the seat beside her.
"Sorry about that."
"No, thank you."
Nami boldly gathered her sprawling hair, coiling it into her lap like a pet. The young man barely stifled a laugh at her doll-like cuteness, then hurriedly sat down before she could change her mind, setting his bags on the floor.
Nami tried to drift back to sleep amid the white noise, but it wasn't long before an unwelcome intruder from the next car shattered the peace.
"You fucking traitors, you xx bastards! Get the hell out, you xx scum!"
A filthy old man, reeking of neglect with his matted beard and ragged layers of tatters, bellowed as he shoved through the crowd. The passengers averted their eyes, grimacing in disgust, pretending he didn't exist.
"What a nutjob."
"Shh, just ignore him."
Staggering like he was drunk, the man scanned the car, spitting curses at anyone who looked his way. He seemed about to pass harmlessly, but unfortunately, his gaze locked onto Nami, and he froze.
"What're you staring at, you xx bitch? You think I'm a joke? I'll gouge your fucking eyes out!"
"..."
"You're one of those North Korean spies sent to watch me, huh? We gotta round up all you commie xx spies and—"
"Hey, old man! What the hell are you doing to a kid? Get lost before I call the cops—now!"
The young man next to her shot up, blocking the aggressor.
"You green little shits, both of you...!"
"Keep it up, and I won't hold back."
The old man raised his arm as if to strike, but the young man seized his wrist roughly. The man's arm trembled under the grip.
Clatter—
In the scuffle, the young man's file folders tumbled to the floor. A brief tussle seemed imminent, but the burly young man proved too intimidating; the old man slunk away with a scowl, earning silent cheers from the relieved passengers.
"Man, Line 2 is full of all kinds of villains. Hey, kid, you okay?"
Nami, who had already gathered the scattered folders, handed them back neatly stacked.
"Yeah, thanks."
"Whoa, you didn't have to—really, thank you! God, I bet that guy didn't even tag in properly."
"Heading to a protest...?"
"This?"
The young man gave an awkward smile at the exposed cover of one folder.
"It's nothing big. Like, imagine you order your favorite food, but the restaurant screws it up. So we're going as a group to let them know we're pissed. You know World of Arceria? Maybe too young for it?"
"I know it. Pretty well, actually."
"Oh, cool—you do? This is my first time at something like this, so I'm kinda nervous. The script was thrown together last minute; no idea if it's any good..."
"Isn't what matters showing your honest feelings?"
"Huh?"
"You love the game, right? Just speak from the heart, and it'll be fine. This is my stop—good luck out there."
"Oh, yeah...! Thanks a ton, kid!"
The train halted with a slight lurch, but everyone handled it like pros. Doors opened, hundreds poured out, hundreds poured in. The car transformed into a new world of faces, until a plump woman in baggy clothes waved wildly at the young man, snapping it back to familiarity.
"Whoa, you found car 7-2! Annyeong, annyeong. Leader-nim, you pull this off okay? Heard you pulled an all-nighter?"
"Don't even ask. I was just thinking about offing myself a minute ago."
"Hahaha! And now?"
"Got a huge confidence boost from this super cute little kid cheering me on. You see her on the way? Looked like a first-grader or something."
"Dunno? Was buried in my phone."
"Damn, you missed out big time. Looked like a damn actor. Maybe she was one? Spoke like a total pro too. Should've gotten an autograph."
"Who cares about movies or dramas? No point in an autograph. Let's just stan our cute NoName together."
"Cute? That kid was way cuter."
The young man thumped his chest in frustration at his own poor wording.
"Pfft, you only watch NoName's VODs, not lives, so you don't get it—her main avatar is insanely cute too. What if NoName's cuter? Wanna bet?"
"It's still just an avatar. What I saw was a real person. Can't compare like that."
"Virtual reality dwellers are so picky..."
"What?"
"Anyway, I'll show you. Get over here—don't just sit there."
"My stop's ages away...!"
"No way I got the wrong spot."
The location Seramaru had sent via KakaoTalk for "Gamgol Cafe" was definitely here. But all that greeted her were empty buildings and stacks of sandbags. Circling the structure revealed a recent relocation notice—but no new address. Info must've blown away with the wind; she was stumped.
Texting Seramaru again felt pointless, so she decided to keep moving.
"Excuse me, miss—sir."
She flagged down a passing couple and showed her phone.
"How do I get to Gamgol Cafe? It moved recently, but it's not on the map."
"Oh...! Hang on, where'd Gamgol go...? Honey, remember?"
"Nah? Heard they were remodeling, but when'd they move?"
"The owner told us last time! Call Sunwoo. Hurry up."
"Kim Sunwoo? Oh, Park Sunwoo? Yeah, we went with them."
"Wait just a sec, kiddo? Asking my friend right now!"
Thrilled at being called "miss," the woman clapped enthusiastically, earnestly helping out. They stood awkwardly under the sun as the call connected.
"What's your name, sweetie?"
The woman in the black long skirt knelt down while her boyfriend was on the phone.
"Nami."
"Wow, such a pretty name! How old are you, Nami?"
"Turning eight soon."
"Ooh, eight and out here alone? Where's home?"
"Not far. One, two stops maybe."
"Nami's so grown-up! Taking the subway by herself."
"No answer? Try Yubom. Hang tight, Nami?"
Seemed faster than waiting on Seramaru, so she nodded. The woman beamed at her, staring intently.
"Her lashes are insane. Right, honey?"
"Nami, the miss says you're super pretty."
"Ahaha..."
"Heard that a lot, huh? Bored of it?"
"You can tell just looking? Nami must be crazy popular! Got a boyfriend?"
"No boyfriend."
"Why not? Bet tons of boys like you."
"Well..."
"Kyaaah, too cute—how?!"
Thankfully, the couple's gushing didn't drag on. Nami bowed gratefully as the woman forwarded the location info.
It wasn't far—just the next block. The area was a maze of identical under-construction apartments, but she navigated on foot.
[Gamgol Cafe]
Pushing open the cafe door brought a rush of cool AC, drying the sweat beading on her forehead.
"Welcome!"
"Hi, hello."
She returned the cheerful young counter girl's greeting and claimed the corner-most seat. Even traveling light due to her frail body, her shoulders ached. She set her bag on the adjacent chair, pulling out file folders, capsule recording memories, and such, arranging them neatly on the table.
Right on cue, a text from Seramaru pinged.
Fast as ever. Ignoring it, she unpacked paper and pen from a folder, aligning everything perfectly under the ideal light and angle.
[VTube Joint Business Contract]
"Ready to order?"
The counter girl loomed too high. The menu board towered even more. Nami had to crane her neck fully to take it all in. After some thought, she placed her order first with the smiling staffer.
"Caramel frappuccino with whole java chips, please. Lots of espresso whipped cream, mocha syrup, and caramel drizzle too. Rest when my friend's here."
"Uh, yeah? Got it! Wa—wait a sec!"
"Take your time. No rush."
On a day like this, she craved something sweet. Even if it wasn't this kind of day.