Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: The True Identity of Apple
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Such novel sentiments.
Not only the fact that someone was sharing my private space, but that this person was none other than 'Apple'—that was what made it so significant.
'I've really been in her debt a lot.'
Grinding in Eden was unbearably tedious.
Whether it was circling the same area picking herbs or mob farming with the same build to scrape together gold, it was all the same.
Without Apple's streams, it was obvious I never could've made a living out of that endless grind.
'The landlady's son... no, daughter... wait, son...? It's this Apple. She's loaded?!'
'I heard people who manifested as men suffer from depression the most. Should I offer some comfort?'
'No way, who am I to...'
'Maybe ask for an autograph instead?'
A whirlwind of thoughts churned in my head, leaving me with plenty to say but no words coming out easily.
Once the excitement faded, the situation felt awkwardly unreal, like a bad dream.
"……."
"……."
After my last words, she—no, he—clamped his mouth shut with a strange expression.
The silence was so heavy I wanted to bolt out the door.
'It must've been hard to reveal, so why to me of all people?'
'He doesn't look that troubled, though...'
'What did he look like as a girl?'
The internet said in awkward situations like this, the guy should take the lead.
Unfortunately, I wasn't the heroic type. I just hoped someone would break the ice while my mind raced.
"Um, Noeul?"
"...Yes? Yep!"
As if reading my mind, Haon Park thankfully spoke first.
"Doesn't this feel weird?"
"...Weird how?"
"Me being a guy."
"You are a guy...?"
He was handsome enough that it was odd for him to question it himself, but apparently that was the wrong answer—his eyebrows twitched.
"I mean, the streamer 'Apple' manifesting and turning into a guy."
"Ah..."
That was what he meant.
Haon glanced sideways at me in a way that didn't suit him.
"...Well, it's awkward since it's not the voice I'm used to, but what can you do."
"……."
"It's not like you chose to become this."
You didn't. Neither did I.
This wasn't a situation we'd wished for.
A woman and a man facing each other, but really it was man and woman who'd switched. A laughable twist.
"Right? It's not like we chose this."
"...Exactly."
"So it's not weird, right?"
"Yeah... sure?"
"There are over 200 manifesters here, over 10,000 worldwide! And... Noeul's one too."
"Yeah, sure, me too...?"
"It's totally normal."
"……."
"It's not like we chose it...?"
I'd said it casually, but Haon seemed to like it, mulling it over repeatedly.
Maybe I had a talent for comforting people?
Seeing his expression soften, I thought we weren't normal at all, but kept it to myself.
I'd survived school by reading the room. I knew better than to say that now.
"After manifesting, I was scared to tell the viewers. That's why I couldn't use the mic...?"
"...I'm a viewer too."
"But Noeul, you're my neighbor too, and in the same boat."
"Ah...?"
"What about you? How'd your family and friends take it?"
Shouldn't he ask if I even had friends first?
His eyes sparkled with curiosity, but I couldn't give him the answer he wanted.
"I don't talk to my family much, so no idea."
"...Ah."
"And I don't have friends...?"
"Ah...?"
His gaze drifted to the pay-per-bag trash bags and pizza boxes in the corner.
My face heated up for no reason.
"I was gonna collect and toss them—that's efficient, no wasted trips, you know, eff-efficient!"
"...Ah, yeah. I do that sometimes too."
I hadn't said it expecting agreement, but now it just looked weirder.
I shifted to block his view.
"Please don't stare like that...?"
"Ah, got it."
"...But don't stare at me either."
"Then, uh...?"
"That works."
His eyes followed my finger to the half-empty water bottle.
"...Samda Water?"
"Seems just right."
He asked with clear confusion, but obliged my request.
Without his gaze on me, the awkwardness eased.
"Anyway, I've been agonizing over what the viewers would think. Then I remembered you said you watched my streams a lot, so I figured I'd ask."
"...I see."
"Yeah. Didn't expect you to be 'Tasty Apple,' though."
"……."
"I thought you were a troll, but it was just your way of showing interest, right?"
"Y-yeah."
I couldn't admit it was because the chat hits felt good, so I just nodded. Communication, after all.
"So, what do you think?"
His face was full of worry as he asked.
I had no idea if he truly wanted my opinion, but I had only one answer.
"Just keep streaming."
"Without a mic...?"
"No, why not just come out with it?"
Streaming without a mic defeated the purpose.
No one had time to watch while hunting, and it wasn't fun.
He hesitated, lips twitching, so I added quickly, knowing viewers' concerns.
"At least I didn't watch 'Apple' because she was a girl."
"……."
"A gender change doesn't change who you are."
"...True."
It wasn't intentional, but it worked—his expression relaxed.
"Yeah, I can't hide forever, like you said."
"……."
"That helped. You're good at this comforting thing."
Like I'd uncovered a hidden talent.
Hearing I'd helped someone felt nice, warming my chest.
His gaze, fixed on the Samda Water, swung back to me. I redirected it there too.
"You'll keep watching, right Noeul?"
His voice had a subtle edge, so I nodded in agreement.
"What's your ID? I'll greet you in chat."
"Ah, I'm banned...?"
"Pardon?"
"Oops...?"
Comforting my favorite streamer and bonding felt great, so I'd blurted it out—then regretted it.
"Tell me, I'll unban you."
"...No, I'm fine lurking."
It was true. I'd adapted after the sudden ban.
As long as chats filled the silence, in-game talk was fine. Not sure what 'Apple' thought...
"Tell me."
"……."
I glanced up; his expression said enough.
No autopsy content here.
I shook my head vigorously, but his eyes narrowed each time.
"I'll cheer quietly from the back."
"Noisy up front's fine too."
"Might cause misunderstandings...?"
"Like what?"
"Friendship bans, you know?"
"I'm the owner, it's fine."
Hypocritical, but irrefutable. What could a mere viewer do?
I held out, but his subtle pressure won.
I watched wistfully as he pulled up my ID, unyielding.
Then my past sins laid bare—I squeezed my eyes shut.
"...Hmm, 'Finger joints look like they're just hanging there to boil into broth'?"
"Th-that means your controls need work...?"
"...And 'Did a truck hit you on the way?'...?"
"Means get the stream started quick...?"
"... 'S-sex... ahem. Thanks for the great use today?' What was great...?"
"Th-that! Means I enjoyed the stream...!"
"……."
"...For real!"
Whatever the intent, hearing my 'affectionate' chats read aloud by the source was pure torture.
They really were affectionate...!
"...S-sorry."
I fidgeted with innocent fingers, desperately avoiding his piercing gaze.
Maybe I should've toughed it out with thicker skin—regret hit late.
Somehow, tears pricked my eyes. All because of this body swap.
"I always wondered what kind of viewer sends chats like these."
"……."
"This is unexpected."
"...Hic."
His scanning gaze and that sly tone felt so foreign—a hiccup escaped.
But Haon wasn't two-faced.
I got pardoned that day, and the next, a massive storm hit the community.