The Gallery Heretics Strike
What kind of answer do you even want from me… “Please turn on the stream!!!” clang! “Tennyun!!!” clang! “If you don’t stream right now, then when the hell are you going to—” clang!
Something’s wrong. I’m clearly writing more posts and interacting on Lene Gallery right now, so why are the number of heretics turning into Lene-bung increasing?
Even the increased heretics were dressing up their actions as fan meetings. Ridiculous acts of terrorism. Even if I wanted to delete the posts, my own past words about not managing the gallery separately were holding me back. The admins were using that exact excuse, saying there was no justification to delete them.
…No. When I think about how one of the admins started this whole terror campaign in the first place, maybe they’re not leaving the posts up because they lack justification. If anything, the admins are probably the main culprits. What on earth are these guys so dissatisfied about?
Anyway, what am I supposed to do about this…? The terrorists keep demanding that I turn on the stream. Of course, I have absolutely no intention of complying. If I cave to their threats even once and start streaming, I’ll lose the trust of the other Lene-bung. I will never give in to the terrorists’ blackmail disguised as negotiation…!
I want the other Lene-bung to know how hard I’m trying, so I’ll write about this tonight.
“Lene unni~! I’m here!”
While I was swallowing that resolution, Bora’s voice came from outside. It was already time for Bora to arrive. Realizing that, I closed my eyes and steadied my breathing. Spending time with Bora required an enormous amount of energy, so calming my mind and body before meeting her was very important.
After finishing that very brief meditation, I went to the entrance and opened the door to greet Bora.
“Ah, welcome, Miss Bora…”
“When is Lene unni going to just call me Bora?”
Bora’s words were familiar by now, but they still made me feel like I might cry. A child’s pure yet blunt way of speaking was too powerful…
“So? What were you doing, Lene unni?”
“The terrorists were threatening me, so I was w-worried about what to do.”
“Terawists? Thweats? Hmm… Want me to help?”
“N-no, I appreciate the thought…”
At my answer, Bora stuck out her lips in a pout, clearly displeased. How was she going to help when she didn’t even know what terrorists or threats meant…? Honestly, I was a little curious, but I dodged the question, worried things might get out of hand. Well, I really was grateful for the sentiment.
“Oh, right! Lene unni!”
“Yes?”
“Let’s have dinner at my house tonight!”
“…Pardon?”
“Mom told me to bring you over for dinner!”
And now there was one more terrorist standing right beside me.
★ Of course I tried to refuse. Of course I wanted to refuse. But there was no way in my head to turn down Bora when she was tearing up and saying “You won’t…?” At this rate, how many men would she make cry once she grew up…? Of course, that had nothing to do with me, but it was still terrifying for some reason.
Anyway, the conclusion was that I would be having dinner with Bora’s family tonight.
“Haa…”
A pointless sigh escaped me. Me, eating in silence with my head down. The awkward atmosphere that would follow. My reputation dropping in Bora’s family’s minds… I could already picture the future. Someone might ask if I was being too negative, but negativity was my default setting…
Why exactly did Bora ask me to have dinner with her? It was an important day in its own way, but… she didn’t even know about that in the first place.
“…Sigh.”
What was the point of worrying about it? The most likely reason was that she just wanted to have a meal together. She was still a child, so I shouldn’t read too much into it. That didn’t mean the urge to run away had disappeared, though.
Before I knew it, it was 7 PM. Bora had already gone home, and the appointment was until 7:30. Thirty minutes left. Maybe time would stop here…? Yeah. No way that would happen…
…Right. Time was going to pass no matter what, and I had to eat dinner at Bora’s house. That sad fact wasn’t going to change. So maybe I should try to think a little more positively. Like, “If I eat dinner at Bora’s house, at least I’ll have something to post on the gallery about.”
Wait. That was actually a good point. Since I basically never left the house, the stories I could post about were limited. The other Lene-bung would definitely like a fresh episode like this.
While I was thinking that, it was already 7:20 PM. Now it was really time to head to the battlefield.
★ Ding-dong~.
The familiar sound of the doorbell rang out. I was always the one opening the door, so being in the position of a guest felt strange.
[Who is it?]
Bora’s familiar voice came from beyond the door.
“It’s me…”
My body trembled slightly as I thought about what was to come, but I hugged my arms and slowly opened my mouth.
[Please say your name~!]
What came back was Bora’s playful voice. It was a meaningless, silly prank.
“I-it’s Lene unni…”
[…Okay! So you’re the Lene unni who really likes Bora! Can’t be helped. I’ll open the door for you!]
With a little hmph~ sound, footsteps could be heard beyond the door.
…Can’t be helped, my foot. You’re the one who invited me in the first place. I couldn’t deny that thought, but it still felt very much like Bora.
And a moment later, with a click, the front door opened, and Bora, wearing pajamas, greeted me.
“Welcome, Lene unni!”
“Y-yes…”
My heart started pounding. Ever since returning to Earth, my range of activity had always been limited to the house. At most, I’d gone out to get food or water, but this was the first time I’d left home to meet someone. I knew I didn’t need to think that way, but my whole body wouldn’t stop trembling.
“Welcome, Miss Lene.”
“H-hello, hello…”
Led by Bora’s hand, I headed to the kitchen, where Bora’s mother greeted me with a gentle smile while cooking.
“He said he’d be here around 8, so please make yourself comfortable and relax.”
“Y-yes…”
Could I really relax here…?
“Hehe. How do you like our house, Lene unni?”
“Uh, um. I-it seems nice…”
I wasn’t just humoring Bora—I meant it. Of course, since it was the same apartment, the layout was identical to mine. But the family photos on the walls and the toys neatly organized in the corner of the living room, along with the smell of seaweed soup tickling my nose, told me this was completely different from my house. I’d known it, but it really was a warm, harmonious family. Almost enviable.
“If you like it, you can come over and play anytime!”
Please… please spare me that…
★ The meal laid out was best described as a feast. From seaweed soup with plenty of beef in white rice to bulgogi, japchae, and fried saury—it was hard to call this an ordinary family dinner. Eating food like this every day… Was Bora actually a rich young lady…?
“Lene unni! Do you know what day it is today~?”
While I was thinking that, Bora smiled and asked me, and the answer to that question had been decided from the start.
“I-is it the anniversary of Miss Bora inviting me to her house…?”
“Pfft!”
Bora’s mother and father burst out laughing at my answer.
“Boo! Wrong!”
Bora, the one who asked, puffed out her cheeks and made an X with her hands.
Why. What. What kind of answer do you even want from me…
“Today is December 21st! It’s… my birthday!!!”
…Huh?
“Happy birthday, sweetheart.”
“Yeah!”
“Sorry for suddenly inviting you like this, Miss Lene. Bora said she wanted to spend time with you no matter what…”
“That’s right!”
“Please take good care of our Bora from now on. We’re really, always grateful.”
“If you ever need anything, please let us know. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll help no matter what.”
It was warm. Even seeing my silver hair and red eyes—features not easily found in Korea—they didn’t think of me as strange. Bora’s family was so kind, smiling gently as if it were nothing. If it had been any other time, I might have teared up from that warmth.
…If it had been any other time.
“U-um… Today is December 21st, right…?”
“Yeah! My birthday!”
“Miss Bora’s b-birthday…”
“I told you to just call me Bora!”
“U-um…”
Even with my head bowed low, I could feel their gazes on me as I slowly opened my mouth.
“I… I also have a birthday today…”
“…What?!”
“Oh my.”
“Really?!”
Three different reactions rang out. M-maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. Bora clearly wanted to be the main character today…