21. Live Broadcast

Lumia Star's first comeback broadcast went live. I watched from off-camera, careful not to show up as much as possible.

The moment the broadcast started, Lumia's expression brightened.

"Long time no see! Lumia Star is back!"

The viewer count skyrocketed right as the comeback stream started. Even after such a long hiatus, her firepower was insane.

"Okay, okay. Before the official comeback announcement, I'm back with some light cooking content!"

"Today's dish is super spicy bean sprout tonkatsu!"

"Ahem. It's fine. I'll make it with controlled spice. Adjust the chili powder when you try it at home."

Lumia faced the camera, progressing smoothly like a pro. This was the real deal.

Seeing her broadcast like this, she looked so cool. Her face was bright, and she ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠seemed genuinely happy. Just watching her smile happily healed my heart.

The cooking proceeded flawlessly. Steaming bean sprouts, marinating in sauce. Pounding the pork cutlet, dredging in flour, egg, breadcrumbs—perfectly breaded and fried in oil.

Even from afar, it felt like a dad's pride. Full without eating.

"And now, today's guest! Let me introduce my new manager! Drumroll!"

Manager? Wait, no one said anything about that! I was screaming internally when—

"Han Siwoo! Introducing the manager!"

The chat exploded. Crazed NTR spam. And... trolls. No, Lumia had become the troll bait. And the cause was...

Me.

"Ahaha... Hello. I'm Lumia's manager, Han Siwoo."

The chat was on fire.

"You guys don't like my manager? I've had plenty of male managers before. If you keep this up, I'll be sad."

"I'm not really involved with Lumia at all..."

A chill ran down my spine. I glanced over—Lumia stared at me with dead eyes.

"I'm one of Lumia's managers, so don't worry and keep watching, everyone."

"Everyone."

Lumia's voice suddenly changed. Cold and low. Not her broadcast tone.

"I finally came back after so ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠long, and if I keep getting this reaction, I'll quit streaming altogether. There's such a thing as 'moderation.'"

Uh...? This is UFC territory...?

Something was seriously wrong. Time to change course.

Sudden ban wave. Public sentiment normalized fast.

"Now, my hand-made dish—our manager here will taste and review it."

"Y-Yes...? Me...?"

Something was seriously off. But Lumia's face said no refusing. Refuse and face the irreversible. Pure survival instinct.

"Yes! Yes yes!! I'll eat it!"

"Hehe, better be tasty."

I grabbed fork and knife quick. Sliced tonkatsu, shoved a bite in.

"Mmmph!"

Delicious. Tear-jerkingly so, but... Was it going down my nose or mouth? Out of my mind, just scarfing it down.

"Looks good! Eating like crazy."

"It's delicious!"

Reacting without swallowing. As big as possible. Thumbs up to Lumia.

"Eat the bean sprout salad too. Balances the richness perfectly."

"Mmm super good. Guys, Lumia's cooking is no joke. Better than any restaurant!"

Reacting blindly, time passed unknowing what I said. Talking or eating? Soul half-gone, stream ended. Plate cleaned.

"That was fun! See you next time!"

With Lumia's closing, I slumped in the chair.

"Huuuuh."

"First stream, you did great."

I said, watching her casually pack gear.

"Lumia, this okay...?"

No agency consult for this scale? The bans midstream—agency mod, right?

"It's fine. Always like this."

Thinking back, her streams felt refreshingly straightforward. All that bold progression—just raw stage guts? Shocked by her personality, I collapsed on the sofa, drained.

"Just a bit of rest..."

"Don't worry. Won't tire you with streams. No forcing you on future ones."

"Huh? But..."

"Just rubber stamp. Preemptive strike— he's my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠man, no rumors."

"Haha..."

"It's okay. Public opinion won't be bad. Probably...?"

Then my phone buzzed. Text.

Friend's text.

Oh god. News spreads fast. Makes sense, he's deep in magical girl sauce.

Opened friend's link.

Public sentiment weirdly positive...? Am I dreaming?

Phone buzzed again.

Friend messaged.

Casual reply sent.

Suddenly heard Lumia's inner voice. Thought it was out loud. Turned—

Lumia checked her phone, probably reactions. Puffed cheeks adorable.

But inner thoughts kept leaking?

Inner thoughts poured like waterfall. Lumia fully rage mode.

"Uhmm..."

And then the status window poured oil on the fire.

Lumia at 100% arousal. And rising real-time.

Fanning her clothes like hot.

"Wanna shower first?"