Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Intruder in My Little Kingdom
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No outsiders except my brother had ever set foot in my little kingdom.
In other words, it had maintained a peaceful existence, untouched by any foreign invasion. Until today, that is, when it all came crashing down.
Too many monumental events had piled up in an instant for it to feel like mere impulsiveness; it was getting hard to keep up.
"...It was a guy?"
The piles of volume-based trash bags in one corner and the disorganized room suddenly felt embarrassing.
I hadn't meant to scratch at anything, but the man's eyebrow twitched.
"No, that's... um..."
"......"
"Does that even matter? Ha..."
"......"
It matters a lot...
The guest, honored to be invited into this humble space, seemed to have plenty to say. His lips twitched before he finally let out a sigh.
I fiddled aimlessly with my fingers.
Haon Park, sitting across from me with his legs crossed, alternated his gaze between me and the Eden screen projected on the monitor.
"More importantly, that—that's real? I can't believe it."
"I-I can't believe it either..."
I added unnecessarily, then shrank back as his eyes narrowed again, swallowing my words.
Who could've known that my uncontainable joy at seeing Apple's character pop up right in front of me would lead to this mess?
Yeah, it was just a reflexive reaction, like Pavlov's dog.
I was a fan, and I wanted to connect, but definitely not like this.
"...You said you wouldn't say anything..."
"Huh?"
"N-No, nothing..."
I pouted and grumbled softly, but he had ears like a hawk.
An awkward silence stretched on for a while after that, until Apple—Haon Park—broke the ice first.
"One thing I've been dying to know: why were you following me around and killing me like that?"
"...Because."
"Pardon?"
"Because I'm a fan..."
"For real?"
"...Yes."
His eyes brimmed with suspicion, but it was the truth, at least.
That's why I went on to defend myself.
"I-I'm a real dedicated fan...! I've watched for two years, donated, and even while working, I always have it on...!"
That's when Haon Park's eyebrow twitched again.
"While working? What... why?"
"Why...? It's fun to listen to, like the radio..."
"...Even when you're with Daesik?"
A flicker of bewilderment crossed his previously confident face.
What was that reaction about?
I tilted my head in confusion, but oddly enough, the one truly puzzled was me.
"...Isn't it okay to have the stream on while doing transactions?"
"...Doesn't it feel a bit off?"
Ouch, that stung a little.
What was so wrong with rice eating!
I couldn't hold back my frustration in that moment.
What gave me that confidence? Yeah, it wasn't like me at all.
"Even if the perception's a bit iffy, it's not like it's impossible!"
"No, it's illegal...!"
"...Th-That's true, but!"
"And did Daesik even say it was okay?"
"What does he have to do with it?"
"...Wouldn't he mind?"
"Why would he? He doesn't care what stream I watch anyway..."
That's when Haon Park suddenly looked shocked.
"What?! You don't care even though you can hear my voice?"
Now it was my turn to be shocked.
"H-How do you hear voices?!"
Unless there was a hidden camera, it was impossible. How could he say it so boldly?
His brazenness made me feel like the weird one.
"Of course, when we're... together, why wouldn't I know?"
"Why are you together?"
"...Like with a cam?"
"...A cam? I don't even have one to begin with."
"Then..."
"We chat!"
"Chatting's kinda niche though..."
"It's totally normal!"
Haon Park's mouth dropped open at that.
No, was this really that shocking?
Sure, the game company didn't allow it officially, but everyone did it tacitly. His reaction was over the top.
And besides...
You did it too...!
I felt insanely wronged. That's why my voice rose a notch, uncharacteristically.
"No, wait... D-Doesn't Apple buy them?!"
"I don't do that stuff!"
"'That stuff'? You might not know, but you've bought from me a few times!"
His face paled at that, and he waved his hands in denial.
"Whaaat?! M-Me? I never did anything with you, Noeul!"
"You did!"
"N-No, I didn't!"
"Ugh, you totally did!"
There had to be a transaction history, but his denial made me feel so unjust.
How long can he keep playing dumb?!
So I dramatically opened the trading site and scrolled frantically.
Where's the recent history... Ah!
"Look! Right here! Isn't this you, Apple?!"
"......Huh?"
Haon Park's expression hardened as he checked the monitor.
With evidence this clear, he had nothing to say, right?
...Or so I thought, but his face started flushing red like Apple's.
Was it that embarrassing?
...Did I go too far?
Making me look like the bad guy...
That's not fair...
"E-Everyone does it, so what's the big deal?"
"......"
"It's illegal like you said, sure, but it's a noble act upholding market economy—a necessary evil, you could say..."
"...Is that what your 'job' is?"
...He had no filter, saying that right in front of a self-proclaimed fan.
'Rice bug' didn't have the best image, but if he kept going like that, I might actually get hurt...
"I know rice eating's not great... No, it's illegal, but it's not worthy of that kind of look!"
"......"
"And if anything, call it an industry night shift worker... Anyway, buyers are people too!"
I blurted it out from my own embarrassment, but to my chagrin, Haon Park just sat there silently, face red.
What was his deal?
As I wondered that, he finally stuttered open his tightly shut mouth.
"I-I wonder if I should even say this..."
"...Huh?"
"At first, you said you get paid for... hard-to-describe services. And customer management..."
What was he talking about?
The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't interrupt.
"You said that's all you could do, and the internet's full of those kinds of issues, so..."
Averting his gaze, his mumbling was hard to follow.
Was it even the same language?
"Those ads that pop up online sometimes..."
"What kind?"
"Ah... There's one in the banner right now..."
His finger pointed at the monitor, and my eyes followed.
There was a banner that seemed to be what he was indicating.
Way too flashy, impossible to miss.
[Looks and body guaranteed! 100% pure Awakener managers for ♥♡♥HAPPY TIME!♥♡♥
#I know best since I was a guy #Female Awakener managers always ready #Conquest desires fulfilled 100%
☞010-0000-0000☜ 24-hour consultations available]
For a second, I thought I misread it and rubbed my eyes, but no, my vision was fine.
Unfortunately.
"...For real?"
"......"
Haon Park avoided my gaze.
...He didn't have to say it out loud...
I glanced back and forth between the banner I couldn't unsee and Haon Park.
This had to be a lie.
"......"
For real?
No way, seriously?
"......"
Ah, come on, don't mess with me. Not funny.
A million thoughts raced through my head, but my mouth wouldn't open.
His head was bowed, so I couldn't see his face, but his ears were beet red, ready to burst.
My body heated up too, and instinctively, I yelled. If I didn't, my face would explode.
"Fuck! That's fucking, fucking rude!!"
I could barely remember the last time I'd yelled at someone.
Elementary school? Definitely not since middle school.
Yeah, a new personal record.
'Make me a true woman.'
Fuck, was that really what I saw?
The nauseating phrase resurfaced, filling me with rage and betrayal.
I was a fan! ...I definitely said I was!
"Are you insane?!"
"S-Sorry..."
"You fucker!"
"Eep...!"
Had Noeul ever sworn in someone's face in her life?
Truly a monumental day in every way.
Yeah, it was summer.
As he'd said, there was no rudeness quite like this.
Watching her huff with her face flushed beet red, I didn't know where to put myself from the guilt.
'Why did I even think that?'
Haon Park knelt politely by her bedside, pondering, but found no answer.
...If you phrase it that vaguely, anyone would think that way...
The self-defensive thought crossed his mind, but he kept it to himself.
He had enough sense not to say it; it felt like she'd actually hit him.
Haon Park found this moment more bewildering than when he'd woken up realizing he was a man.
'What do I even tell Daesik...'
Another victim of his delusions.
It was only human to feel sorry for his comrade, suddenly branded 'that kind of person' from his room.
'I'll apologize properly...'
He'd come in all confident, and now look at him.
To top it off, his knees were starting to ache.
As Haon Park had that full thought, Noeul thankfully changed the subject.
"...But is it really true?"
"Pardon?"
He looked up at the quiet question. She'd been fuming for ages but was back to her usual self.
Relieved, he sighed and asked back at the vague query.
Anything to escape this situation—he'd welcome any topic.
"What part?"
"Are you really the streamer Apple...?"
Oh, right. He'd forgotten about that.
Thinking it a good pivot, Haon Park nodded.
"Yes, that's me."
"...But you're a guy? The Apple I know is..."
"Ah, I'm an Awakener too."
"......"
Just like you.
He said it casually now, unbothered, but from Haon Park's view, it sent ripples across Noeul's face.
Her eyes rolled as she cautiously scanned him, sharp and intense. He felt a pang of novelty.
"...For real?"
"You killed me earlier."
"IDs can be borrowed..."
"Want me to log in with my streaming ID?"
"......"
No response, but her suspicious glare prompted Haon Park to borrow her computer briefly.
Only after logging in did her eyes soften a bit.
"It's real?"
"......"
Thinking the conversation was going in circles, Haon Park silently nodded anyway.
"No one knows yet. You're the first, Noeul."
"...I'm the first?"
A spark lit in her eyes at his words.
She really was his fan—her cheeks flushed faintly.
"...Ha, I owe you so much already!"
"......"
To think he'd actually hear those words someday.
...Not in that sense, probably.
To avoid repeating his mistakes, he had to believe that.