Everyone! It's Really My Brother!
"Hello. Let me introduce myself properly once again. I'm Ha-rin's brother, Seo Eun-seong."
I greeted Ha-rin's fans one more time. The chat window on the phone screen immediately exploded like a runaway locomotive. The scroll was still so fast I couldn't even make out the words.
It was just as expected. The fans still couldn't believe me—or rather, they didn't want to. Just two months ago, I'd been a waddling 100kg behemoth, and now here I was, a sculpted, icy-handsome hunk. Cognitive dissonance was inevitable.
"See? They don't believe you."
I shot Ha-rin a troubled look. She bit her lip and yelled at the chat.
"Everyone! It's really my brother! You think I wouldn't recognize my own brother's face?"
"Yeah! I was shocked at first too, but listen to his voice. It's totally Bear Doll!"
Eun-jin unnie chimed in from beside her, playfully smacking my arm and grinning.
"Bear Doll, you gotta prove it somehow quick. Our fans aren't buying it."
"Prove it? Me? Eun-jin unnie?"
"Yep. Show 'em some old clothes or photos from back then. That'll convince 'em."
Ah-hyun nodded at Eun-jin unnie's words.
"Yes, that's right, Eun-seong oppa. Comparing it to the clothes you used to wear would make it clear. That's what convinced me at first."
She said it shyly, avoiding direct eye contact.
"Haa... Fine. Hang on."
I sighed and stood up, heading to my room to rummage deep in the closet. I'd kept some clothes from before Nepal, just in case. Who knew I'd ever dig these out again?
I gathered them up and returned to the living room. As I stood in front of the camera again, the chat stirred once more.
I held up the XXXL jeans I'd loved wearing back then. They looked like a massive swath of fabric, easily three times the size of my current waist.
"Here, take a look. These are the pants I wore up until two months ago."
I held them up against my current track pants. The waistband had so much extra room that two fists could fit inside easily. Heck, both my legs could probably squeeze into one leg hole.
"And this is a T-shirt."
I pressed the 4XL boxy tee against my body. On my current frame, it draped like a blanket. Nothing like the tight fit that now highlighted my bursting pecs and broad shoulders.
The tide in the chat was starting to turn. But I needed a knockout blow. I pulled out my phone.
"This is a photo from two months ago on my phone. Taken right before I left the country."
I held the screen close to the camera lens. There I was, Bear Doll Seo Eun-seong, grinning with thick double chins. Next to me, Ha-rin was throwing up a peace sign in the exact same glasses she wore now.
"See? Compare it. The eye shape, nose bridge, even the ears—they're identical, right?"
I shoved my face toward the camera. My features had just emerged from the fat; the basics were unchanged. Especially those deer-like eyes that matched Ha-rin's perfectly—undeniable proof.
That moment, the chat froze. Then it erupted.
Doubt turned to shock. Shock turned to praise. Especially from the female fans in Siren's fandom—the chat went from suspicion to love confessions in seconds.
"See? I told you it's my brother!"
Ha-rin crowed triumphantly at last. Eun-jin unnie slung an arm over my shoulder.
"Everyone, line up now~ Looks like our Bear Doll's gonna get real popular~?"
"Eun-jin unnie! Eun-seong oppa looks troubled."
Ah-hyun blushed and reined her in.
"Haha... thank you."
I grinned sheepishly at the flood of comments. Glad I lost the weight. Praise sure beat getting trashed. But most of all, I was thrilled Ha-rin wouldn't have to hurt over me anymore.
The next morning, I woke to a world turned upside down.
Last night's live stream had been a massive hit. Peak concurrent viewers: 30,000. Total views: 150,000. The YouTube video had already hit a million views overnight.
"Oppa! Check this out!"
Ha-rin burst into my room, tablet in hand.
"Our live yesterday is #1 on YouTube trending! Comments are all praising you!"
She read them off excitedly.
"Idol? Cut it out~ You're embarrassing me~"
I pulled the blanket over my head. But I couldn't stop my lips from curving up.
Online communities were buzzing too. Female-only sites were circulating live caps as "boyfriend material" pics: me in the pink apron cooking, scratching my head shyly, earnestly explaining with old photos. All hailed as "stan points."
"Hey, Bear Doll. You gonna make it to school?"
In the living room, Eun-jin unnie asked over her cereal. She was in comfy no-makeup mode with glasses.
"Gotta. Need to fix my course registration."
"Watch out. You're fan club material now. Wouldn't put kidnapping past 'em."
"Nah? No way."
I brushed it off, but Ah-hyun packed my bag with a worried frown.
"Eun-seong oppa, wear a mask for sure. Pull your hat low too. Got it?"
"Yeah, yeah. Why's everyone making such a fuss?"
I grumbled playfully as I headed out. But even I had to admit, my reflection in the elevator mirror looked... pretty damn good.
PC bang near school. I hunkered in a corner booth, masked and hatted. My best friend Kim Min-su sat next to me.
"Dude, Seo Eun-seong. You really turned your life around, huh?"
Min-su alternated between the monitor—showing last night's live article—and my face, clicking his tongue.
"You watched the live too?"
"Yup. Even hit like. Nearly died laughing."
He grumbled but punched my shoulder.
"Still, glad. No more hate for you. They're too busy praising now."
"Yeah. Lucky me."
I replied flatly. Praise was nice, but I had bigger fires: course registration. I'd barely reinstated, but all my wanted electives were full—schedule was a ghost town.
"Min-su, got any easy ones? Recommend some honey classes."
"Honey class? Hmm..."
He clicked around the site. Then a sly grin spread.
"How 'bout this? Understanding Acting."
"Understanding Acting? What's that?"
"Elective. Total honey. Prof's super chill. Just watches movies in class, write a review. No exams."
"For real? Just watch movies?"
Sounded perfect. I loved movies anyway. In Nepal, late-night OTT downloads were my only joy. And reviews? Piece of cake for a Korean Lit major like me.
"Ooh, nice. Good grades?"
"Yup. Show up, get A easy. One spot left—hurry!"
"On it."
I clicked without a second thought. Understanding Acting. Prof: Kang Min-cheol. No time for syllabus. Hit submit before it vanished.
Course Registration Completed.
"Yes! Got it!"
I whooped. Perfect schedule now. One honey class, school life's a breeze.
"Kekeke. Congrats, buddy."
Min-su shook with laughter beside me.
"What? Why the laugh?"
I had no clue. Thought he was just happy for my score.
"Anyway, food? My treat, thanks."
"O? Yeonhui's hottie Seo Eun-seong treating?"
"Yup, dude."
Grinning innocently, oblivious that this class would upend my life, I left the PC bang.