Boasting the Cutest Thing in the World (※Not Me!)
Right after activating the YouTube stream, I finished eating and wrapped up my chat with the Jireongi. "Wow, you finished it all…!"
Being praised at twenty-three just for finishing a meal felt a little strange, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Receiving compliments for every little thing really is a joyful experience. The thought that I’d taken another small step forward filled me with pride.
"…It feels a bit awkward to say this in the morning, but thank you all, always."
"Huh…? Why would you lay eggs because of me?"
I brushed aside the weird comment from the Jireongi and smiled brightly as I expressed my gratitude.
"Thanks to all of you… I’m getting a lot better. My speech too—don’t you think I’m speaking a little more fluently now? I think so… Thank you."
So many things had changed since before I started streaming. My siblings and friends had helped, of course, but among all those people, I couldn’t leave out these Jireongi who kept affirming me. They had already become part of my life. Because of the people who poured affirmation and attention on me, I could feel myself slowly improving.
"I still… get really depressed sometimes, but it’s not endless like before… After a little while I bounce back to normal. I guess you could say my resilience has grown……."
With my self-esteem so much higher, I’d also gained resilience. Now I could heal small wounds on my own. This too was thanks to the people watching me right here, right now. I was simply grateful, and I wanted to show them an even better version of myself.
"…You’re all truly wonderful people… I-if there’s anyone feeling down… I-I hope seeing me gives you strength… I don’t know if it’ll help much."
A flood of praise and affirmation poured in. I couldn’t read every single one, but with a bright smile I turned off the cam and brought out my virtual model.
"I didn’t test it, but… should I do a full-screen face cam for the stream end?"
"To everyone heading to work… or school… um, I hope watching this makes your day… yep… a good one."
With those words, I puffed my cheeks out as far as they would go.
Yuna had arrived at school. She sat in the corner of the classroom and secretly watched her boss’s stream.
"Hehe……."
So cute, and so admirable. After binge-watching all the VODs, Yuna could tell just how much effort her boss had put in. Seeing her gradually improving, Yuna couldn’t help but cheer her on.
"…I’ll do my best today too."
Without even realizing it, Suhyun was becoming a source of strength for so many people. Of course, it would probably take her quite a while to truly understand that.
Evening came. [YunaYuna: Boss! I’m home!] [vam: I see. How long will it take you to wash up and come out? You should eat too] [YunaYuna: After dinner it’ll be around 7? I think that’s about right] [vam: Got it, see you then]
A Discord message arrived from Yuna saying she’d reached home. When she said dinner would put her at around seven, I replied that I understood and opened YouTube to check the premiere time.
"Seven… Yeah. She probably timed it to match dinner. So thorough……."
It was the first video going up on my channel, which until now had only hosted VODs. And it was the first official MAD movie of my life.
"Huuu……."
I was nervous. Being able to watch the reactions together through the premiere made it even more so. Since it was also being broadcast live, the reactions would probably be twice as intense.
"Should I just start the stream first?"
Muttering that, I stumbled through the dark room and sat down at my chair.
"Huuue……."
If only I could fix my limp. I felt like I wanted to exercise or something.
"…Exercise. Minwoo would probably teach me well."
Since he was a police academy student, he’d probably be good at teaching exercise. But autumn was coming soon. With the season changing, Minwoo was facing the disaster called the new semester.
"Poor little brother."
I wished him well as he got dragged off to the dorm and sent a message in the family group chat. [Me: I want to do walking exercise, anyone free to help?] [My beloved Jiwoo: Me me me me me me me me me me me me me]
"…!!"
Jiwoo replied at terrifying speed. Startled, I nearly dropped my phone. Then two more messages popped up. [My beloved Minwoo: Ah] [Mom: Would it be okay if Mom joined too?]
"Mom too… I wonder if Jiwoo would be uncomfortable……."
Mom seemed to want to help me as well, asking for permission. I was fine with it, but I didn’t want Jiwoo to feel uncomfortable, so I stayed silent. Then—
Her tone was a little stiff, but Jiwoo was slowly opening her heart to Mom, so she gave permission quickly. Minwoo, apparently not thinking much of it, just sent a thumbs-up emoji after reading.
"…Family. I like this."
It finally felt like our family was healing properly. Honestly, aside from Dad, I didn’t resent any of them. I understood Mom, and she’d kept her promise to come back. My siblings… they’d been trapped because of my selfishness.
"It’d be nice if we could all go on a trip together someday."
With that thought, I closed my phone. Feeling warm and fuzzy, I tested the virtual model and picked out today’s waiting screen and BGM. Then I started another stream.
With the perfect stream title prepared, I went live. The chat exploded instantly.
YouTube talk and morning stream talk flew back and forth. Smiling brightly, I spoke before even bringing out my virtual avatar.
"H-hello everyone……."
With so many more people than usual, my greeting came out a little shaky from nerves. But my Jireongi didn’t seem to mind at all.
"N-no… w-why are you guys like this…!"
When I said that in a fluster, the Jireongi chuckled. My face bright red, I told them that wasn’t it.
"That’s not what I meant… I just… really wanted to show off someone who’s actually cute. It’s not me… It really isn’t, so why does everyone keep saying it’s me? I’m not cute, okay?"
"Ah… Today I’m going to watch my first YouTube video with my editor and react to it… Actually, I haven’t even seen it yet."
Some people voiced their anxiety, but I reassured them that it would be fine. Then I brought out my virtual model and greeted them.
"…Tada! Hello, has everyone had dinner?"
"I… ate a lot in the morning so I’m not hungry. So I haven’t eaten yet, hehe……."
"If I eat too much I’ll throw up……."
The chat went quiet at that. I told them not to look so serious and opened the YouTube premiere while waiting for Yuna.
"My editor should be here soon… She said she’d come around seven."
‘Well… she did tell me she got the Dog Witch username, but maybe she should change it.’
Being called a masochist girl nonstop didn’t feel right, but then the thought ‘Maybe she actually likes it?’ sent a chill down my spine.
‘She’s a minor, so I should tell her to change it.’
Just as I decided that—because I didn’t want the stream to get in trouble—
A message came from Yuna saying she’d be joining soon.