Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: No Exceptions
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“Kee eee eek!!!!!”
Early in the morning, I was sprawled out on the floor, venting my rage with every fiber of my being.
The monitor displayed an email with these words plastered across it.
Subject: ‘tngus000’ Account Suspension Notice - [NewTube Korea]
Hello, this is the [NewTube Korea] operations team.
We hereby notify you that your account has been suspended for violating our service terms of use.
[Suspension Reason]
Recently, it was confirmed that your account broadcast content unsuitable for minors (adult-oriented). This violates the Juvenile Protection Act and our service terms, rendering the account unusable.
[Specific Violation Details]
Juvenile Protection Act violation: On February 29, 2040, multiple reports were received regarding your account showing a preschool child playing a 19+ rated game, which was verified as true. This is strictly prohibited by the Juvenile Protection Act.
Identity misuse: Investigation confirmed that your account was used by a third party (minor). This violates our terms of use.
[Suspension Period]
The suspension takes effect from the time this email is sent and lasts 365 days, during which account access is impossible. Further investigation after this period may result in permanent banning.
[Prevention Measures]
We strive to provide a safe and healthy broadcasting environment for all users. We ask for your cooperation to prevent any recurrence.
If you have questions about the suspension or wish to appeal, please contact [Customer Support].
Thank you.
[NewTube Korea] Operations Team
That's right.
My stream got banned. After just three days.
“Gya a aak!!”
The stream on the second day after the first one seemed to be going smoothly at first.
A decent number of viewers had tuned in.
I pondered what to do and settled on playing one of my usual games.
Game streams were everywhere when I looked around.
Plus, I wanted to play.
But it must've rubbed some people the wrong way.
My body had changed, and my hands were so small it was tough handling the keyboard and mouse, but in exchange, my reaction speed felt incredibly fast.
At first, the mouse kept slipping and I died a lot, but once I adapted, it went well. In fact, my skills improved beyond before.
I got hyped playing well, so I focused on the game and didn't check the chat.
......
And this was the result.
Trolls trying to mess with me and overly zealous moms (presumably) teamed up in a report frenzy, shattering my dream of easy money before it even hit three days.
I'd finally started getting used to things, only to get hit with lightning out of nowhere.
My game accounts were the same.
This one was permanent ban.
“No, my accounts!!!!”
I didn't care much about the stream, but losing the game accounts hurt deep.
Years of collected skins and items, all gone......
Limited event ones I couldn't get again.
“Euhhuk.”
They say inquire if wronged and explain to lift it, but
There was no longer a 23-year-old male sophomore Kim Su-hyeon at Korea University, so explaining was basically impossible.
I thought I'd found a career that fit for once.
Life never goes your way.
“Oeek.”
Raging for so long made my head spin.
Staggering to the sunlit spot, I flopped down.
I'd learned just the other day that basking in sunlight fixed a lot.
No hunger, better mood.
Strength slowly building too, maybe.
Checked the orange juice I'd given up on because I couldn't open it; drank it unconsciously when thirsty, then realized.
So now I opened the balcony windows morning and evening for sun.
Filling a plastic cup with water, sipping slowly, one gulp at a time.
About an hour of sun, and hunger vanished.
Morning and evening hour each—doesn't that suck balance-wise?
Takes long, but no choice.
Naked it'd be under 10 minutes, but quit after reports.
Yesterday police and people showed up; scared me half to death......
Bang bang bang-
“Anyone home? Gwangjin Police Station here-.”
The knocking came with the voice.
Startled, I hastily ended the stream and went out to see two cops standing there.
And way down the hall, some older aunties and uncles clustered.
“Uh uh?”
“See, the kid stands there morning and evening!”
“Doesn't dress her, always chasing her out, right?”
......?
The cops, seeing a kid alone from a one-room, suspected abuse and started questioning gently.
“Hey little friend, you home alone right now?”
“...Yes.”
“Do you know when the adults or guardians you live with come back? Uncle cop just has a quick question.”
I wanted to answer fast and send them off, but that question froze me.
‘...When do they come?’
I planned to push the original me-niece uncle setup like at the department office, but when?
‘I live with uncle, uncle's name? Kim Su-hyeon, uh... 23, goes to Korea U nearby.’
Preschool niece alone all day, original tenant student unseen for days.
They'd investigate him, no show means...
Missing report.
Then my unknown kid identity exposed, maybe contact grandma?
Headache just thinking.
Can't say I live alone.
‘Oh crap’
No answer, young cop's eyes filled with suspicion.
“D-don't know......”
“Then phone number?”
“Th-that too, don't know.”
“......Ahem.”
Aunties whispering from afar.
I knew it looked suspicious, but no choice but to deny.
Cold sweat down my neck, squeezed eyes shut.
Kept denying, cops murmured between themselves, seemed about to enter.
“Can uncles come in for a sec?”
“......No?”
“Hm, why not?”
...Why? House looks sus obviously.
Only instant food, trash piled, no kid clothes.
Definite suspicion.
“Can't let strangers in!”
I dry-heaved inwardly, acting innocent.
“Uh... um, we're cops though, even us no?”
“No exceptions to the rules!”
“Eh, uh? Well yeah but.”
“No!”
Cops left at my firm stance.
...After saying call if need help, handing paper with number.
“Phew.”
Basking quietly, energy started returning.
...Am I really not human anymore?
No food good, but anxiety surges sometimes.
Anxiety from school starting tomorrow...?
Speaking of, what about school?
Ah
“Sergeant Park.”
“Yeah, what's up, Gyu-chan.”
“Did that kid from yesterday call?”
“Like hell.”
Sergeant Park—Park Jun-ho, five years on the job—ground his cigarette butt into the ashtray.
His eyes brimmed with indelible fatigue, messy hair half-combed, tie loose, top button undone—like a burnt-out office drone.
“You come here first thing just to ask that? You don't even smoke.”
“Nah, not really... saw you on the way.”
The young patrolman sheepishly scratched his head.
Park Jun-ho chuckled with a tsk, tossing him a canned coffee before stepping out of the booth.
“You're young, kid, young. Finish that and hit patrol. Same route as yesterday to save hassle?”
“Yes sir!”
Circumstances made pushing investigation tough.
But for child abuse, probes continue even sans evidence.
Even if kid says no help needed.
Kid might fear or feel pressure, can't speak truth.
But......
‘Scared, was she...?’
Definitely hiding something, but no abuse marks on body.
Didn't seem neglected; looked well-fed, well-rested......
Mental side, hmm... not sure.
Shy by nature? Or terrified?
Bright seeming, yet wary of adults.
Park Jun-ho, with keen instincts and observation, struggled this time.
‘If nothing, good. Always false alarms.’
“Senior, finished mine.”
“Slow down, mine's half left.”
Always the vigorous junior.