Blown-Up Reactions and Yuu's Sudden DM
I hadn't asked for this much attention, but before I knew it, the day of departure had arrived. Time had flown by faster than I expected. 'Maybe because I've been too buried in assignments to notice the little things.'
The major projects were brutal—color theory analysis, sculpting practice, sketches for my illustration portfolio—all piling up at once. My brain felt like it was splintering. Deadlines had me shuttling between the studio and home nonstop, no time to even check my phone. I hadn't peeked at the reactions to the artwork I'd uploaded on X-Net. Drowning in assignments and exam prep, suddenly it was airport day.
As I finished packing with those thoughts in mind, my phone buzzed. Rrring—
Suihwa was calling. She'd probably just arrived nearby.
"Hello?"
"You all packed, oppa?"
"Yeah, just finished. Ready to head out."
"I'm waiting downstairs at the first floor~ Come down when you're set!"
"Sure."
I double-checked the apartment for anything forgotten, then dragged my suitcase down to the first floor. There was a van parked right in front of me.
'That it?'
As I wondered, the window slid open with a whirr— and Suihwa popped her head out.
But—
"Whoa, you're wearing a dress?"
"Ah."
It was a sight I'd never seen before. Suihwa, of all people, in a dress. She'd always chased comfort over style, so this floored me.
"Just... heading to Japan, wanted to dress up a bit."
"Looks good."
"It does?"
"Yeah. Why haven't you worn one before? Suits you perfectly."
"It's embarrassing."
Is it? A girl in a dress—what's embarrassing about that? I wanted to pry, but let it slide. Her whims weren't new.
"Passport?"
"You think I'd forget for Japan?"
"True, but... just in case. Hehe."
I pulled my passport from my bag to confirm, then hopped into the passenger seat. No way was I sitting in back with a human driver—it'd be rude. Better to help if something came up.
"I drive well now, you could rest in the back."
"Nah, I'm good. Not tired."
"Ah, okay."
I watched her drive for a bit, then pulled out my phone. About an hour twenty to the airport. That'd kill some time.
With that in mind, I cautiously tapped X-Net.
'Wonder how the last upload did.'
I usually checked within two or three days, but work had kept me away entirely. Assignments first.
'They probably think I've ghosted.'
I'd posted weekly before, but now it looked like I'd collabed with Komai Rito and dipped after one pic.
Should've squeezed in a login. Regretfully, I checked the latest upload.
"Huh?"
Insane numbers again. 200k likes wasn't casual for most artists—even against Japanese pros, this was top-tier.
'Rito must've plugged it hard before leaving.'
I'd had fans, but not this level. Grateful, I scrolled comments.
'...So damn vulgar.'
Koreans were bad enough, but Japanese perversion had this awe-inspiring quality. Untouchable, genetic maybe.
Anyway.
'One link with Rito, and this much hype?'
He was huge, sure, but this? Wild. As I pondered, a familiar Japanese handle caught my eye. Unskippable.
"...For real?"
The "supernova" of Japan. Debut single sold out instantly, awards on autopilot. My genderbent version of her manga.
Short comment, but it hit hard. She rarely shouted out outsiders.
Scrolling more, another from her.
"...Insane."
A sigh escaped. The "next-gen commercial killer," bookstores lining up for her drops. She approved my genderbend.
Clutching my shock, I scrolled further. One more line.
My heart skipped. 'This real...?'
A Japanese legend-in-making DMing my quiet Korean account: "Next one too." What was happening? Rito's nod, now Yuu begging for more. Dizzy dream vibes.
I checked Japanese replies to her comment.
Timeline exploding. Rito sparked it; Yuu poured gasoline. Felt like the world was porn-starring me. Absurd.
"Oppa, whatcha looking at?"
"Just killing time on my phone. Why?"
"If you haven't eaten, let's grab something before the airport."
"Oh."
Food. Stomach growling perfectly.
"What're you craving?"
"There's a killer knife-cut noodle spot nearby. Sound good?"
"Hell yeah. Noodles it is."
"Yup!"
At the shop, we sat; Suihwa snatched the menu.
"Oppa, get the one loaded with clams. Broth's super clean."
"Sounds good. That one."
Quiet vibe relaxed me for the first time in ages. She chattered and laughed; I nodded along, sipping water.
Then my pocket buzzed. Casual alert, I thought—till the screen froze me.
"...What."
Suihwa glanced over. "What's up? Your face is weird."
"Oh... just a jump scare in Shorts."
Opened DM: short Japanese line.
Nothing long, but chest tightened. Comments were wild enough; now direct contact. How to reply?
"Knife-cut noodles~!"
Food arrived. Barely touched it. Message burned in my eyes.
Attention was fun at first, but this explosion? Worried how far it'd go.
"Hmmm..."
Sighed lightly, started typing a reply.