Attempt 3
"Se-in... "
Arin slipped into my room. She had this gloomy, serious look on her face, but seeing her pout like that made it impossible for me to stay straight-faced. She plopped down naturally in the chair by my desk and opened her mouth in a voice laced with fear.
"Um..."
"What's up?"
"That... voice of mine. Could you check if it's okay?"
"Sure."
I didn't need to be told. She'd been muttering to herself in her room for hours straight since yesterday. It didn't sound like regular game voice chat, either. Looked like she'd finally started streaming.
It might not work out, but it's fun to watch...
There was no real reason for her to make money right now anyway, and she couldn't exactly earn much to begin with. This had to be something she genuinely wanted to do.
Still, internet streaming...
A chuckle escaped me—it suited her so perfectly. Someone who loved holing up at home as much as I did, and who was crazy about games, didn't have many career options.
"What kind of voice?"
"You know, like... wait."
Arin cleared her throat and cautiously spoke up. It was ordinary chit-chat, nothing suited for an online stream, but her voice fit surprisingly well. Still, watching her expression, I couldn't hold back the laughter bubbling up.
She was adorable. Pitifully so, pushing through her embarrassment with that voice—it matched her to a T.
"Hmm..."
Hard to judge. She sounded pretty and cute to me, but I doubted listeners would enjoy it.
"Oh... not good?"
Arin threw her arms around me. I paused my game and hugged her back without thinking.
"Ugh... "
Bad habit. Ever since we'd gotten close, my body moved before my brain, pulling her in.
Soft. She smelled nice. No fancy cosmetics, but her morning scent was always fresh and inviting.
"Cute."
Her effort was impressive. I didn't think that way myself. Gaming was fun enough—no boredom, no fatigue. Sure, I'd occasionally wonder if my life was meaningless, but I never felt the urge to do something "meaningful."
When those thoughts crept in, hugging Arin or Set-a was enough. Seeing a woman panting in my arms filled up whatever hole had formed in my self-esteem.
Still, her drive to try something was beautiful. I knew how much she hated hassle, how introverted she was—that made it all the more admirable.
"I mean, I don't know if this'll lead to success or anything—"
"Wha-wha-what? Huh? Oh, no, I'm not doing anything. Just... asking for no reason!"
I stared at her with wide eyes.
...Is she clueless?
Hours of self-talk, and she thought I wouldn't notice?
"Anyway! Next voice! Tell me which was better—this one or the last!"
This time, she went for sexy and husky. It fell short of the mark because a faint undercurrent of shyness permeated every word.
"This one's a no!"
I could tell for sure. If she could keep talking for hours like this, it might've worked. A character stubbornly claiming sexiness without delivering it had its own teasing charm.
But after two hours, the novelty would wear off. Not suitable for streaming.
After that, I listened to a few more variations. They were great—voices of the woman I loved. Watching her sweat through the acting, desperately gauging my reaction for approval—it was all good.
I wasn't an expert, but it felt like I was on a judging panel.
"S-sorry! I took too much of your time, huh?"
"Nah, it was fun."
I wasn't totally against something naughty, but her eyes were so earnest I had to hold back.
"Thanks! Really, thank you!"
Arin squeezed my hand, hugged me tight, then dashed back to her room with hurried steps. The door slammed shut, and right on cue, Set-a entered.
"Daddy, no sex?"
"You..."
I pinched her cheek and stretched it lightly. She stuck out her tongue.
"I heard her making weird voices, thought maybe roleplay, but then sis bolted out—super weird."
"And why were you listening outside...?"
"Just curious what sis was up to?"
Set-a flashed a sly grin.
"Sis seems busy for a bit... not bedtime yet. Wanna do something naughty in Set-a's pussy real quick?"
I pulled her body close without a word. Hot breaths soon spilled from her lips.
/////
"Sh-she didn't hear, right...?"
Arin forced down her pounding heart.
"No way. She was just checking, probably."
She knew his patterns well. Normally, he gamed. He never entered her room first unless it was mealtime. She always went to him. When she was in the mood, she'd seduce him—and unless something huge came up, he'd never refuse. But he never approached her while she was holed up in her room.
Indifference? Or consideration? Given how he groped her chest or hugged her every time he saw her, probably the latter.
"My voice wasn't that loud anyway..."
He usually gamed with headphones. She wasn't screaming, so low chance he'd notice.
"C-can't be late. Gotta work hard today..."
Her confidence fluctuated wildly with time. Fresh out of bed in the morning, she'd brim with baseless optimism—like she could conquer the world. Then she'd game, making excuses.
Not entirely invalid. Who watched streams at 9 AM on weekdays? Prep time let her confidence soar. She couldn't believe yesterday's sloppy self. No wonder single-digit viewers—or none.
Voice-wise... Se-in liked the first one best.
No one else she could ask about that "comfortable" voice. She hadn't specified streaming, but he watched occasionally. Unlike Set-a, he could advise on what appealed to guys.
Time passed. She went live. Viewer count unchanged—disappointing, but expected. Newcomers wouldn't notice improvements.
Ten minutes. Thirty. She couldn't hold the few random drop-ins. Confidence plummeted exponentially.
She spoke less. Forgot why she needed to talk nonstop or grind games. Wanted to quit from "fatigue," surf the web, ignore chat, play carefree.
But she pushed on.
I have to try...
Starting now felt hypocritical. Cam and art weren't cheap, but she hadn't splurged on 3D models or face-tracking. She could've anytime. Her parents would've backed her if she begged.
Poor family meant freeloading for uncertain dreams was filial impiety. But past Arin hadn't even tried that.
"..."
When Dad's business boomed, she'd half-thought she could NEET forever. Not serious, but now? Hypocrisy. Leeching without guilt, yet denying it—cowardice.
Could she truly commit now? In this cozy setup where Se-in's arms guaranteed ease?
Thoughts spiraled, filling her head. Viewers, stuck below five, dropped to one—herself. Realizing that, she sadly ended the stream.
At least no one would know.