The Weight of Foresight
Two hundred million won hit the account, pushing the balance into nine digits. I was still staring at the screen when a message arrived from my contact at Ocean.
[The contract deposit has been processed and successfully deposited.]
I checked the message and set my phone down. Vrrrt, vrrrt. Just then, a call came in from Usik. I pressed the answer button and held it to my ear.
“You up?”
“Just now. What’s up this early?”
“Did the contract go through okay?”
“Yeah. Signed with Ocean. The deposit just hit, too.”
Usik let out a huff of air. “Already? Man, they’re fast. They made me wait the full week before sending my deposit.”
I chuckled. It sounded noisy on the other end, like he was outside. “Where are you?”
“Me? At a friend’s place.”
“What for?”
“He moved, so I’m helping him haul his stuff.”
I glanced around my room. A cramped rooftop apartment. Now that the deposit was in, it was finally time to think about moving.
“I’m thinking of moving soon, too.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“They’re starting redevelopment here. The landlord told me to start looking for a new place.”
“Really? You have anywhere in mind?”
“Not yet. I was just about to start pounding the pavement.”
Usik paused for a moment, then said, “Oh, that works out perfectly. A guy I know who lived here was looking for someone to take over his lease.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. He had to head back to his hometown suddenly, and he hasn’t found a tenant yet.”
I asked immediately, “How much is it?”
“Ten million deposit, sixty a month, I think? Let me know if you’re interested. Oh, and it’s already got a soundproof booth installed.”
I thought about it. With the redevelopment, I didn’t know when I’d be forced out. This might actually be for the best.
“Got it. Keep it for me.”
“Okay. I’ll tell him.”
“When can I go see it?”
“Anytime. Today works, too.”
“Right. I’m heading over to see Mom, so I’ll call you later this afternoon.”
“Sounds good. Talk later.”
After hanging up, I called Mom. It rang twice before her familiar voice answered.
“Yes, son?”
“Mom, do you have time today?”
“Why? Is something wrong?”
“I just wanted to see you and talk about something.”
“Is that so? It’s my day off, so come by whenever.”
“Okay, I’m heading over now.”
I hung up and stood up. It was time to start sorting out the things I’d been putting off.
I entered the familiar alleyway. Even in the daylight, it felt strangely dark. Old, black stains spread across the base of the walls, and cigarette butts were scattered everywhere. I climbed the stairs. The door opened to reveal a familiar face.
“Son, you’re here?”
I smiled. “Yeah.”
The inside was tidy, but signs of wear were everywhere. As soon as I sat down, Mom asked with a worried tone, “You said you had something to tell me. Is something wrong?”
Instead of answering, I pulled out my phone. “Take a look at this.”
“What is it?”
Her face stiffened as she looked at the screen. “…What is this?”
“It’s my account.”
“No, I know that, but…” She looked at the screen again, as if she couldn’t believe it. “Where did all this money come from? It was like this last time, too. Are you sure you’re okay? You aren’t doing anything dangerous, are you?”
I shook my head. “No. This is the deposit I got from signing with Ocean.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. You can ask Usik.”
Mom blinked, clearly struggling to process it. “Why would they give you so much money?”
“My stream is doing better than I thought.” I showed her the settlement screen. “This is the amount settled this time. I earned this much from just fifteen days of streaming last month.”
Mom stared at the screen for a long time. “…This is all money you really earned?”
“Of course.” I put my phone away and said, “Mom, I want you to move.”
She immediately waved her hands. “Don’t talk nonsense. Save that money for when you get married.”
I didn’t argue, instead turning my gaze toward the window. The wallpaper under the frame was bubbling faintly—the spot that had gotten wet when it rained a few days ago.
“Look. It still leaks when it rains.”
Mom went silent.
“I’m looking for a new place, too. You should move this time, Mom.”
A brief silence followed. Mom looked at me and said with a sheepish expression, “…It’s going to cost a lot.”
“I’ll just earn more.”
Mom sighed. “Still, don’t push yourself too hard.”
I shrugged. “Just start by picking a place you like. We don’t have to decide right now; we can look at a few places together and choose.”
Mom looked at my face for a long time before nodding.
I waited a moment before speaking again. “Oh, and look into schools, too.”
“…Schools?”
“Yeah.” I said it casually. “You said last time that you wanted to study more.”
“Did I say that?”
“You did.” I smiled lightly. “You can do it now.”
Mom couldn’t say anything for a long time. She avoided my gaze, nervously fiddling with the tablecloth. Only after a long while did she speak in a small voice.
“…Thank you, son.”
I said it like it was nothing. “Don’t mention it.”
Mom cleared her throat, clearly embarrassed. “You’re making me feel awkward, bringing that up so suddenly.”
I just smiled. It was a huge relief to see her look so happy.
I met Usik in front of the station.
“Is it far?”
“Five minutes on foot. A girl used to live here. She took her equipment, but the soundproof booth was a hassle, so she left it behind.”
I nodded. We walked toward a villa a bit away from the station. It wasn’t brand new, but it was much better than the rooftop room I was in now. Usik opened the door, and I stepped inside. It was a two-room villa. The room with the soundproof booth had wallpaper that was a bit too colorful for my taste, but the air inside was clean.
“No cigarette smell?”
“Yeah, she was a non-smoker.”
“I like that.”
Usik laughed. “How is it? You like the place?”
“Yeah. It’s good.”
“Right? Should we coordinate with the realtor tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Let’s do that.”
This was more than enough for one person.
Back home, I turned on the stream. As expected, donations started pouring in the moment I went live. The chat window scrolled by in a blur.
Five people were already locked in. I scanned the donation list and opened my mouth. “First up is HaraHyang.”
I stopped.
I narrowed my eyes. “You got a reading two days ago, didn’t you?”
The chat paused.
“I put in the notice that anyone who’s had a reading can’t reapply within a week. Come back later.”
I didn’t change my expression as I cut her off. “Next.”
I immediately called the second reservation. “DalShabby, come in.”
A moment later, the Discord connection sound chimed. A young, fresh voice spoke up. “Um, hello.”
The chat buzzed. I asked straight away, “What are you curious about?”
“I’m a retaker, and the CSAT is coming up soon.”
The chat went wild.
DalShabby hesitated before asking, “Can you… give me the answers?”
The chat exploded in laughter.
I closed my eyes. A short scene flashed through my mind: a thick puffer jacket, a sweat-drenched neck, a head nodding off during English class.
“Don’t wear too many layers.”
DalShabby paused. “Yes?”
“You’ll fall asleep during English.”
The chat went crazy.
“Thank you. I’ll be careful.” DalShabby said her goodbyes and disconnected. I said immediately, “Next.”
After a few more readings, I reached the final turn. I hesitated before calling the nickname: [Lunabelle].
The chat reacted instantly.
I said without much reaction, “Lunabelle, come in.”
A moment later, the Discord sound chimed. A familiar voice spoke. “…Hello.”
The chat became noticeably more active.
I asked briefly, “What brings you here?”
Han Yuna hesitated before saying, “I have two jobs I want to take.”
The chat quieted down a bit. “One is a side everyone says is fine, and the other is one that keeps weighing on my heart.”
I listened in silence. “Neither are easy opportunities to come by, but I have to pick just one.”
I narrowed my brows. “One is a drama, the other is a movie. What does your agency say?”
Han Yuna was slightly flustered but answered cautiously. “I guess there’s no point in hiding it. To be honest, my agency prefers the drama. It’s written by a famous writer, and the role isn’t bad.”
“And the movie?”
“The script for the movie is really good, too. The role is strong. But the screen time isn’t much.”
A short vision flashed before my eyes: camera flashes, interviews, a face standing in front of a poster. A fleeting, yet strong impression.
I opened my mouth. “Go with the movie.”
Han Yuna asked in a small voice, “…Not the drama?”
I didn’t hesitate. “The drama will pass by without a ripple.” I took a short breath and continued. “The movie will leave you with a new name.”
Han Yuna hesitated, then answered, “Thank you.”
The Discord connection cut off. Just as I was about to call the next person, zzzt. A voice cut into the Discord, which I thought had disconnected.
“…Park Jihun, please, help me.”
My gaze shifted to the Discord screen. The name in the voice channel: [Doyun].
It was Doyun, the streamer who had left the studio after refusing to get a reading.