Chapter 86: A Sign
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 86: A Sign
I couldn't breathe.
I was afraid that if I opened my eyes, the scene I’d just witnessed would flash before them again.
I buried my face deeper into Oppa’s embrace.
Without a word, he gently patted my back.
But I was still aware that the stream was on. I had to go back.
When I pulled away, Oppa’s jet-black eyes met mine.
His lips formed the words without a sound.
-Are you okay?
Sniffling, I shook my head.
I’m not okay! I’m not okay at all! How could anyone be okay after seeing that?!
I wanted to scream, but I could save that for after the stream.
Reluctantly, I pulled myself together and returned to my seat, only to find the chat room in an absolute uproar.
[Explain]
[Clarify]
[Who’s Oppa?]
[Clarify]
[Don't tell me you're with your boyfriend right now?]
[Explain]
Ah… I must have been so startled that I’d instinctively called out for Oppa.
I had a sinking feeling that I was screwed, but first, I took a long gulp of water.
[Ah. Ah. Everyone.]
As my voice came through again, the Pink Army’s messages grew even more intense.
[What do you want me to explain? To someone who was so scared they were about to faint just a moment ago?]
[Did I say ‘Oppa’? Me? Didn’t I say ‘Appa’?] [T/N: Appa means Dad.]
[No, seriously, guys. What time is it? Who would be here with me? Besides, I'm streaming alone in the studio right now, you know?]
I had to handle the situation as calmly as possible.
And in truth, no one could prove that Oppa was here.
How could they? They couldn't see him.
This wasn't a live stream with a face cam.
Despite my explanation, the trolls kept latching onto it.
Wanting to continue the game, I had no choice but to take a stand.
[Guys. Should we just stop the game? It feels like none of you are focusing on me playing.]
[I mean, come on. You all said you wanted to see this, so I'm trying my best to push through how scary it is for you.]
[Is me screaming for my dad so infuriating, so unfair, that you can't even watch the stream anymore?]
As I spoke with the game paused, the chat finally showed signs of dying down.
[No. Just watch.]
[She said it was her dad, why do you keep going on about it? ;-;]
[I was enjoying it, why are you all ruining it.]
Honestly, the mood was so ruined that I didn't feel like playing anymore, but I knew that ending the stream here would only fuel the controversy.
Ugh… but I think that ghost mom is going to show up again.
I glanced over at Oppa and saw him typing furiously, his face a mask of concentration.
[Lucario: Stop with the malicious accusationssssss]
It seemed he was busy running interference, trying to dilute the issue and defend me in the chat.
Regardless, I steeled myself to continue. I screamed for my mom, my dad, God, and everyone in between, and finally, the seemingly endless horror game came to a close.
[Ugh…]
I let out a deep sigh as I clicked the 'Exit Game' button.
I was just so mentally exhausted.
Playing the horror game was stressful enough, but with the controversy over what I’d said on top of it, my head was spinning.
[Everyone. Did you have fun?]
I asked in a withered voice, and the chat was immediately flooded with Pink Army emotes giving a thumbs-up.
There were still a few parrots demanding an explanation for the ‘Oppa’ incident, but I knew they weren't the type to listen to reason anyway.
[I… from now on, even if I have to make a pledge, I'm not doing any more horror games… sob…]
[My heart can't take it. It really can't.]
[Still.]
I knew that ending the stream by whining wouldn't be good for my idol image, so I wrapped things up with a message of gratitude.
[It just means you all love Closer that much.]
[The horror game… I felt like I was going to die, but you all had fun watching, right?]
As the chat generally turned heartwarming, I finally felt a sense of relief.
[Haa… what am I to do with these trolls…]
[Everyone, I'll see you all on the next stream, okay? Lubai everyone~ Lubai lubai lubai~]
And with a smile, the stream ended.
After confirming it was completely off, I trudged weakly over to Oppa.
“Doah.”
He stood up from his chair and came toward me.
“Ah… I’m just so…”
A moment ago, it felt like I had a million things to say.
But when he hugged me, the words vanished.
“It's okay.”
His low voice was followed by a gentle pat on my back.
“You worked hard.”
Why was that one simple phrase so moving?
A wave of emotion washed over me, but not wanting to actually cry, I wrapped my arms around his waist even tighter.
“Let's go home.”
I took the hand he offered, and that day, too…
I asked him not to leave until I fell asleep.
The next morning.
“Haa…”
A deep sigh escaped my lips.
This was bad. This was really bad.
Honestly, I knew it was a risky situation the moment it happened, but just as I’d feared, Luka’s ‘Eoppa’ clip was setting internet communities on fire.
The reactions were all over the place.
There was one faction that believed her and accepted that she’d said ‘Appa,’ and another that was stubbornly insisting it was definitely her boyfriend.
[LMAO, you simps still don't get it after all that's happened, huh?]
[Seriously. Is calling for her dad during a horror game really something to get this worked up about? Listen to it again. I fucking hear 'Appa'.]
[lol, this popcorn is delicious.]
Scrolling through the comments on Luka's channel, which was ablaze with controversy, I called Doah.
I wonder if she's okay…
Given Doah's timid personality, it wouldn't be surprising if she were bawling her eyes out right now.
After a few rings, a sullen voice answered.
[Hello.]
[Hey, Doah.]
[Oppa…]
As if hearing my voice made all her pent-up sorrow burst out, Doah's voice started to crack.
[Are you okay?]
[Yeah…]
[For now, don't look at the community reactions or anything. Just wait until the company gives you instructions on how to handle it.]
[I already finished my call with the manager.]
Feeling a bit awkward that she was already a step ahead, I asked her how it went.
Instead of an answer, she told me to come outside.
[…I want ice cream.]
[…Should I bring you some?]
[No. I want to go eat it with you.]
[Alright. I'll be in front of your place in ten minutes.]
I quickly got dressed and headed down the stairs to Doah's apartment.
Doah was there, wearing a long padded coat with the hood pulled up.
The coat was so long that she looked like a little kid wearing her dad's clothes.
“You're here?”
“…Yeah.”
“Let's go.”
I held out my hand, and she took it without a word. We walked down the alley and into our usual ice cream shop.
“Here.”
I handed her the ice cream we ordered, and she took the cup with both hands.
Doah took a big spoonful, chewing on it heartily as if she didn't feel the cold at all.
I was trying to gauge the right moment to bring up the topic when she spoke first.
“…I got scolded.”
She said it as if she knew exactly what I was thinking.
“You got scolded?”
“Yeah.”
I raised my eyebrows, prompting her to elaborate. Doah puffed up her cheeks for a moment before speaking.
“It wasn't like they harshly berated me, but I got a stern warning. They said it would be a problem if this kind of controversy ever happened again.”
“Ah… and that was it?”
“No. They even asked if I really had a boyfriend, so I just told them honestly that I did.”
Her answer made my eyes go wide, and my voice instinctively rose.
“What! Is it okay for you to say that?”
“I didn't really want to… but I just told the truth. It's not like the Closer contract has a no-dating clause, anyway.”
“I see…”
Should I be relieved? Or should I be asking how she could have been so reckless?
Deciding to hold my tongue, I just squeezed her hand instead.
“I'm sorry. From now on, I'll make sure not to be there when you're streaming.”
“No, it’s not your fault.”
Doah shook her head vigorously.
“I probably would have screamed something similar even if you weren't there.”
“Doah…”
“And to be honest, the more depressing part came after that…”
Her gaze, which had been on our clasped hands, drifted to the window.
A green town bus pulled away from the curb, its noise filtering through the glass.
“Jennifer unnie told me…”
She trailed off, unable to continue for a long moment.