Mesugaki and the Fluffy Cat
Fluffy. I had no idea what it was, but it felt like my body was swimming through the softest fur imaginable. Every breath brought those tickling strands brushing against my mouth and nose. When I shifted slowly, the fuzzy warmth enveloped me like a gentle hug. So warm, so cozy. It was just like being cradled in my mother's arms as a kid. A sea of black fur wrapped around me.
"Meow!"
Neiro? I lifted my head to identify the fur I'd been nuzzling, and there she was—an enormous Neiro, curled up in a perfect ball.
Ah... it was a dream. The moment you realize you're dreaming, you lose the dream and snap back to reality. Just like now.
"Huh?"
Levi donated 10,000 won!
Oh, I'm awake. My eyes flew open at the donation chime right as I stirred. I stared at the still-glowing monitor. The stream was still live, chats scrolling endlessly, viewers climbing in real-time. What the hell was so entertaining that all these people were piling in? We'd been hovering around 600 before I dozed off, but now we were pushing 1,000.
"Mmm... why are there so many people?"
Seeing way more people watching than expected chased away any lingering sleepiness in a flash. Who the hell wants to watch some dude sleep anyway? And the chat firepower was at least double my usual streams—insanely intense. I spotted some familiar names here and there, but the flood was too fast to keep up.
"Seriously, why so many?"
Haejang donated 50,000 won!
Let me smash my head on the desk for that.
"Thank you!!!"
Thonk! I slammed my forehead down, propping myself up on my elbows. We hereby dub this pose the dogeza. Overwhelming gratitude.
"Kyaaooow...!"
"Neiro!!!"
I'd leaned too far forward, squishing Neiro between me and the desk. She couldn't move, turned into a sandwich. I hadn't pressed hard, so no real harm, but the thought of hurting a tiny life smaller than mine freaked me out.
I reached into my shirt and gently pulled her out. This time, she didn't resist much, so it was easy.
"Meooow~."
"They say cats aren't usually this cuddly, but is this one a dog-cat?"
Dog-cat. Real cats are aloof and treat humans like rocks or slaves on the daily, but ones that love people like dogs and beg for pets? Those are dog-cats. She licked my hand and rubbed her head against it nonstop—too cute. I naturally started scratching under her chin.
SaxNulongi donated 10,000 won!
Attach "nyaa" to the end of every sentence for 3 minutes: 50,000 won.
"You got it, easy peasy~ nyaa."
Ending sentences with nyaa was kinda embarrassing, but if they're paying? Duh. Fifty grand ain't pocket lint.
"No nyaa~ Gimme the cash nyaa~ Hurry up nyaa!"
"Nyaaong..."
I started nyaa-ing, and Neiro gave me this pitiful look before letting out a real cat meow. She was nestled in my arms now, but every so often she'd glance at the monitor and raise a paw, like she was showing off her cuteness.
"Hey now, what kinda talk is that from my editor nyaa? You wanna die for real nyaa?"
BigTitsYangEunje donated 1,000 won!
Nyaa~ Horny season nyaa~ Gimme juice nyaa~.
This editor chick had finally lost it, going full sexual harassment. I'd been lenient, but she'd crossed the line...
No choice. I slowly grabbed the mouse and clicked Yang Eunje's name. Her chat history and kick count popped up.
"Take a breather nyaa~."
BigTitsYangEunje has been temporarily banned.
"Tank? Don't say dangerous stuff. I love everyone nyaa."
As the crowd grew, so did the crazies. There must be a law of crazy bitch conservation in this world. Otherwise, why would my stream attract so many?
I tried continuing the stream after banning Yang, but my phone kept buzzing wildly in my pants pocket.
"Hold up~ Vibration in my pants nyaa~."
"It's not that!"
"Meow~."
"See? Even Neiro says no."
Nice assist, Neiro. First day meeting, but your soft fur and dog-cat vibes make me wanna keep you forever.
I slipped my hand into my right pocket, rummaged a bit, and pulled out my smartphone. Not the latest model, just a budget one, but it handles daily life fine.
I pressed my finger to the fingerprint scanner.
"Hmm... messages~ Oh, from my editor slave?"
"She says?"
I'd love to free my editor, but no can do. As a streamer, I gotta treat all viewers equal—no favoritism. Just step out for 10 minutes...
BigTitsYangEunJe donated 30,000 won!
Bail money, trash boy.
"Okay! Thank you, loyal sucker!"
Bail paid? Can't say no. Who refuses someone paying to get out? It's streamer skill to overlook it for the gesture.
Wait... money? Why was I nyaa-ing again? I tapped my temple, thinking. Money, mission, money, mission... SaxNulongi!
"SaxNulongi!!! You posted that mission—where's my cash?!"
"Hurry up, you beta wage thief!"
"Hey, pay up quick?"
She wasn't paying fast enough, so I decided on a little threat. Like with Yang, I hovered over her profile, ready to ban.
"No quick pay~ and you'll never see my stream again~."
"Hey, no waiting even if you beg~."
SaxNulongi donated 50,000 won!
Ahaha, now drop the gun please.
"Thank you~ Arigato~!"
Money's the best. No one to share this joy with, but I've got a partner—Neiro! I lifted her with both hands and shook her side to side. Luckily, she's chill; she just yawned through it.
"Thanks nyaa. Thanks nyaa~."
"Don't call me cute."
She said my least favorite thing, so I wiped the smile off my face and warned her seriously. Strangers calling me cute pisses me off.
"Say it again and you're banned?"
I grinned evilly, tilting my head up to glare down sharply.
Hmm... not quite?