Chapter 136
Chapter 136
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 136
Chapter Title: The Belated Christmas Broadcast
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Having gotten totally wasted last night under the guise of celebrating Christmas Eve, I woke up around lunchtime.
“Ugh…”
Just as I’d feared, the hangover was slamming me from head to gut, hitting my whole body.
I knew I should get up right away because of the appointment, but I didn’t want to leave the bed.
The weather had to be this damn cold, making the blanket feel so heavy.
“Hup!”
In the end, I mustered some fighting spirit and escaped the blanket.
…Tough opponent.
More importantly, how’d last night go?
I went to Maho’s place and cracked open some beers, but I don’t think I made any big mistakes. Anyway, I made it home safely.
I stepped out into the living room, and through the balcony, I could see the yard.
It had been snowing lightly yesterday, but it picked up overnight, blanketing the grass thickly.
I watched white Boksil frolicking excitedly in the snowfield for a bit, then headed to the kitchen.
In the kitchen, there was a dried pollack soup set out, probably for hangover relief.
Nice… Home is the best.
No wonder I have no thoughts of moving out.
I want to live here forever, getting fed by the family.
Mrs. Jang would freak if she heard that, but I lightly knocked back the soup for some hangover relief and got properly ready to head out.
Today was the Christmas party at Hyun-su’s studio, after all.
***
It didn’t take long to get to Hyun-su’s studio.
Everyone from the band was there—Hyun-su and all—seemingly busy in the kitchen area.
“You’re here?”
“Yeah, I am.”
I gave a casual reply to Hyun-su’s greeting—he was lounging peacefully on the lobby sofa, ignoring his busy sister and brothers—then threw myself onto another sofa.
“Whew.”
I thought the soup had fixed me up, but the hangover was still lingering in my body.
Crazy girl… How much did I drink last night?
“Are you feeling sick somewhere?”
Hyun-su asked as he watched me flop onto the sofa alone and groan right after arriving.
“You know what a hangover is, right?”
“Hangover? Looks like you had some drinks last night.”
“Yeah, I got absolutely smashed. Anyway, Hyun-su, you’re basically an adult now?”
Just a few more days, and this high schooler could buy booze and smokes and strut into R-rated movies.
Time flies, huh.
“Right?”
“Then you won’t have to drink soda at after-parties anymore.”
“Yeah, just a few more days, and I can drink openly.”
Hmm…
Thing is, you learn to drink from adults. I’m just worried he’ll turn into some wild clubbing musician type now that he’s twenty, going all out.
“Hyun-su, drink in moderation, okay?”
“Huh? What… I don’t really like alcohol that much?”
“That’s a great mindset.”
The moment you start enjoying booze, life starts creaking.
And if it turns into dependency, your whole life twists.
“Hey now, what’s wrong with booze?”
That’s when the band folks—the poster children for delinquency—sneaked over.
“Tsk tsk, this one’s dying over here.”
“You okay? We’re drinking today too.”
Ayoung said that while pointing to the kitchen.
“They filled it up real good.”
My face crumpled at the sight.
“No way, seriously not.”
More here?
Humans forget easily, sure, but suffering like this and drinking more? No way.
“Heh heh, if you don’t drink, that’s good for me.”
What’s that mean?
As I narrowed my eyes at Ayoung’s meaningful smile, Kang Hyeok next to her explained instead.
“We splurged for Christmas and bought some imported liquor.”
“Oh.”
Imported liquor?
“Is it any good?”
“What, Suhyun, you’ve never had it?”
“Nope.”
I’ve had cocktails and stuff, but they probably mean wine or whiskey, right?
I’m super curious now.
In movies, the big bosses sip it from glasses.
“Looks like you’re interested? Your eyes just lit up.”
Ayoung caught my vibe and grinned. I nodded, embarrassed.
“Kinda… yeah?”
“Then get up and try some.”
“Yep.”
When would I ever get to try imported liquor?
I shot up from my seat, and Hyun-su narrowed his eyes at me.
“What?”
“Uh… nothing.”
“Hey, that look in your eyes is disrespectful. No respect for your elders.”
This.
Does it look like I enjoy drinking?
It’s just normal human curiosity.
I followed them to the kitchen, where food prep was in full swing.
A Christmas party, and they’re cooking?
“You cook here too?”
“Hyeok’s good at it~”
“Oh…”
Impressive. He’s good at cooking too.
Kang Hyeok snorted at my gaze and pointed to one side of the table.
“Suhyun, help set up. Gotta move the food.”
“Got it.”
I wasn’t planning to just sit and eat anyway.
Gotta help—after a sip of that imported stuff first.
But Ayoung didn’t even pull out the liquor. She just grinned and pointed to the kitchen and table.
“Help right now.”
“Huh?”
“You gonna drink alone? Set the table first, then we all drink together.”
“Oh…”
Damn, got tricked.
Now that I think about it, sneaking a sip alone in the kitchen would look weird.
For now, I helped the other band members move the food.
All Western dishes. And not the easy kind for amateurs.
Once setup was done, I finally got a glass with ice.
“Here, give it a try.”
Ayoung poured a bit of what looked like expensive whiskey into it. I hesitated, then downed it.
“Ugh.”
My face scrunched up instantly.
What? This? Totally not what I expected.
Felt like just drinking alcohol straight.
Throat burning hot too.
“Uhahahaha!”
“Totally a kid reaction.”
“Water! Water!”
The band burst out laughing, like they’d expected it.
The taste was so different from what I imagined, I was still baffled even after.
Russians chug whiskey like water…? Possible?
“Here, try this. It’s tasty.”
Ayoung handed me some wine next.
“…I trust you.”
“Yeah, this one’s drinkable.”
The wine was bitter but okay, even with my doubts.
Honestly, none of it tastes good.
Am I not old enough to like booze yet?
“Here—Hyun-su gets this.”
“Ahaha…”
Well, better than Hyun-su sipping cola next to me.
We enjoyed the nicely set Christmas party table like that.
***
“Haa.”
In the middle of the party, I stepped out for some fresh air and stared blankly at the darkening street.
The party was more fun than I thought. Total chaos.
Band people know how to party, huh.
If they hadn’t held back for the kid, I’d probably be passed out from drinking games already.
Anyway, drank again today.
Less than yesterday, so should be fine.
Christmas calls for a drink or two—no biggie. Work hard starting tomorrow.
I took a breather and went back in. Hyun-su was sitting by the lobby entrance.
“Why’re you out here?”
“They’re all wasted in there. I evacuated.”
“Ahaha, kick ’em out—you’re the owner.”
“Haha, scared I might.”
That’d be a sight.
Imagining the band grabbing Hyun-su’s pant leg begging not to be kicked out—hilarious.
“By the way, no stream today, sis?”
Hyun-su suddenly brought it up out of nowhere.
“Huh? Stream?”
“Yeah, don’t VTubers have to stream on Christmas?”
He knows that stuff?
Sure, it’s a rule for girl streamers to go live on Christmas, but I don’t care.
“Ahaha, nah, no schedule anyway…”
No… schedule?
Why’s it suddenly feel off?
“What’s wrong?”
“Hold on…”
That nagging feeling—something’s up. I racked my brain.
What? Did I forget something…?
“Ah!”
“Jeez, what?”
“Uh, gotta go.”
Crazy.
Forgot this?
“Huh? Now?”
“Y-yeah, going!”
I grabbed my coat in a hurry and dashed out.
I weaved through the crowded streets and grabbed a taxi quick.
“Driver, fast please!”
“Dearie me, boyfriend waiting?”
“Y-yes, yes, he’s waited a ton.”
Like 10,000 people waiting, maybe?
The determined driver sped off. Meanwhile, I checked the community on my phone.
[Miro you bastard]
[When? When? When?]
[Chicken’s cold ffs...]
[???: Streaming tomorrow]
[If I were Miro’s hotel boyfriend right now, mega win lol]
[Fuuuuck!!]
[Heavenly Realm <— World’s Worst Group]
…Whoa.
Should I just not stream?
Say I passed out today.
No.
Still before midnight.
I never said when, so as long as before Christmas ends, fine. Yeah.
Got home, quick wash-up, straight to the soundproof booth.
Set up fast, ready to go live.
“Whew.”
Deep breath first.
Key is thick skin.
I didn’t forget yesterday’s promise.
Just… like, why?
I always planned to, just a bit late.
[Christmas Stream]
Went live.
-Thanks.. Thanks.. Thanks..
-Believed in you damn it..
-Great Miro
-Knew you’d come
Hmm… Doesn’t seem like I missed the golden hour.
Sighed in relief inside and continued.
“Ah, hello everyone.”
-Yes lol
-How was your day?
-Bit late tho
“Yeah—kinda late, right? Snowing outside and all?”
-Snow stopped?
-Pretty piled up tho
-Fucking cold
Chat’s mild, but to me, they’re wearing masks.
If I go “Haha, hung out with band friends, forgot promise sipping whiskey, teehee”—they’d flip and shank me. Tense as hell.
Even now, I see daggers between the nice chats.
Time for a white lie.
Honest? I’m clean.
Didn’t meet a boyfriend. Just drank with friends? Late, that’s it.
But viewers might misunderstand.
Pro streamer Miro uses a kind lie here—win-win, make ’em smile.
“Snow’s piled up, and Christmas means this, right? Can’t miss it.”
Said that and played the backing track for a world-famous carol pop song.
??
-Nice
-No way fr??
-Great Miro
“Got a song ready.”
Didn’t prepare.
But heard tons at Hyun-su’s earlier. Fine.
Ayoung looped carols all day.
Thus, almost at Christmas’s end.
Miro’s belated stream began.