Chapter 88: Crossroads-2
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 88: Crossroads-2
It has already been two weeks since she started broadcasting under the name 'Lonely Trainer.' The channel is cruising along.
Actually, calling it "cruising" feels a bit embarrassing.
Even though it’s a broadcast, she doesn't really do much. She just sets up the camera every morning and evening, works out, promotes the gym before turning it off, and that’s it.
Starting the day before yesterday, she even began including cleaning the center in the stream. This was because a viewer generously donated a whopping 100,000 won, which sent Garam’s motivation skyrocketing.
When you usually make 20,000 to 30,000 won a session and suddenly pull in 100,000, it’s only natural to get fired up...
The usually pessimistic Garam was spouting such nonsense, which should give you an idea of just how high her spirits were.
The people who flocked in thinking, Is this a new female streamer? have mostly filtered out.
Looking at the current viewers, the regulars are mostly people who either work in fitness or have taken it up as a serious hobby.
The former burn with passion while marveling at her unbelievable physical stats, while the latter admire her athletic ability while also enjoying the view.
In a way, it feels like she’s opened an Agora for gym rats.
While the fitness fanatics engage in heated debates over her workout routines, office workers follow along with her schedule.
And in between all that, donations trickle in.
The vibes are good.
I haven't fully explained it to her yet, but I’m also running a YouTube channel using edited clips from her streams. I haven't met the monetization requirements yet, so there’s no income, but it feels like only a matter of time.
O God of the Algorithm, please help us.
With that thought, I drive the car.
"Hello?"
[Ah, yes, Brother. Are you on your way?]
I am currently heading toward the East Sea.
"Yeah. I’m almost there. Everything okay?"
[Yes, well, same as usual. I’m planning to go around the buildings this time to see if there’s any maintenance needed.]
"Take it easy. It’ll be tough if you try to finish it all in one day."
[Got it. I’ll take my time with the inspections.]
After finishing the call with Ho-cheol, I look ahead again.
I am racing down the wide-open highway. As I increase my speed, the engine roars, and the car shoots forward.
The reason I suddenly decided to go to the East Sea was none other than my physical condition.
A week after I increased my workout intensity to break through a plateau, I woke up in the morning with a nosebleed.
I’d had a few dizzy spells before, but this was the first time I’d felt that lightheaded while bleeding, so I visited the hospital.
When I went to the hospital Ho-cheol had booked, the doctor in charge—who was a stranger to me, though he seemed to know the previous owner of this body—greeted me warmly.
The doctor said while looking at the results of my preliminary tests.
Since this body was new to me, I asked out of a slight sense of fear. The doctor spoke calmly.
The exercise was one thing, but not getting enough sleep while managing the YouTube channel was likely the bigger factor.
So that was the situation.
I left after receiving that advice, along with prescriptions for blood pressure medication and some other mysterious pills.
That became the reason I was heading to the East Sea.
When I told Ho-cheol I was taking a slightly long vacation, he booked a hotel with an ocean view for a week.
With my money, of course.
Anyway, this was my first chance to organize my thoughts and rest since possessing this body.
While the goal was to rest my body as the doctor advised, to be precise, I wanted to give my soul some breathing room.
Constantly moving between dimensions, possessing different lives, and having to walk the path already trodden by those lives...
Because of this situation that I couldn't share with anyone, I felt I needed time alone.
Hence, the vacation.
I wanted time where I wouldn't be disturbed by anyone.
Fortunately, Garam’s broadcast was running without any issues, so the timing was perfect.
*
After checking in, I stood on the terrace, drinking water and looking outside.
In the distance, I could see the East Sea reflecting the dazzling afternoon sun.
Unlike the forest of city buildings, the wide-open view was beautiful. I thought it would be truly stunning at sunset.
Of course, it probably wouldn't compare to the mountain sunsets I saw with my Master.
I didn't plan on going anywhere today; I just unpacked and sat in a chair to read a book. The cool breeze made me feel even more relaxed.
The phone rang. It was Garam.
"Hello?"
[Yes, President. Did you arrive safely?]
"Yes, I’ve unpacked and I’m resting inside."
[Okay. Even though you’re there, make sure to manage your diet. Only one delicious meal a day.]
"I know. There’s a gym here too, so I’ll do cardio every day."
[Good. We’ll do another InBody check when you get back.]
She’s relentless, this woman.
"Right. Good luck with your evening stream later, Garam. Everything okay on your end?"
[Yes!... Oh, that’s right! A few new members registered today.]
"Oh, that’s great."
[Yes, I feel like things are finally starting to go well.]
We chatted about trivial things before hanging up.
I turned my eyes back to the book, but the phone rang again.
"Did she forget something?"
Why call instead of using KakaoTalk? With that thought, I answered, but a different voice came through.
[...So you actually picked up?]
It was Hana.
My peaceful mind immediately felt cluttered again.
"What is it? I thought we agreed to stop bothering each other."
[Oppa... can't you help me just this once?]
A desperate voice traveled from the other end to mine.
"Help you with what?"
[My rankings dropped a lot this time. My settlement wasn't much, either.]
"And?"
[O-Oppa, you know. My shopping mall, the debts. And the car insurance and all that...]
She seemed to swallow the words: You used to pay for all of it.
Something I realized while ending things with Hana was that the previous "me" had been the ultimate pushover.
Since I had always paid for everything, the costs she should have naturally covered herself had likely vanished from her mind. That’s probably why she couldn't even do the math when we split up.
Isn't it funny? Economically, I held all the power, yet somehow Hana had been the one in control.
Regardless, now that her income had decreased and the reality of the bills she had to pay was setting in, she had chosen to throw away her pride and call me.
"Why should I pay for that?"
[Th-that’s...]
"If you don't have money, sell the car. The shopping mall? If it’s not working, you should close it."
[Oppa... please don't talk to me so coldly.]
Well, I was incredibly angry that my rest was being interrupted.
"Don't call me. I told you last time, didn't I? This time, I’m really blocking you."
[Oppa, you found another woman, didn't you?]
Her voice shifted instantly from pleading to a low, chilling tone.
"What?"
[You found another female streamer.]
"What are you talking about?"
[Lonely Trainer. That’s the broadcast you’ve been watching lately, isn't it?]
In that moment, my heart sank.