Chicken Mukbang (1)
I tore off a sheet of tissue and wiped away my tears. Even as I did, I kept my eyes glued to the chat window, slowly savoring the words of encouragement pouring in.
Even while sniffling, I thanked them as I read the messages.
"Now… I'm really going to be happy. They said Dad's trial will move forward quickly too."
I didn't want to be unhappy anymore. I was sick of it. Hadn't I already experienced it countless times? No matter how many times I fell, I could still get back up. It would be stupid to stop walking just because I was afraid of falling again. That thought crossed my mind.
"Since I finally managed to stand… I'll try walking forward from now on."
One slow step at a time. That was all I needed to do.
"Oh, yesterday I didn't eat anything and just threw everything up… Ah, I thought I was going to die choking on my own spit… I'm hungry and there's nothing in my stomach, so wow……."
"Let's eat while we… Since there's no content planned today, should we just browse for a game to play slowly?"
"EoW… It's not fun."
"Ah……."
The Jireongis were tapping at the resolve I'd forgotten. I glanced at them for a moment, then shook my head and declared I wouldn't play EoW today.
"EoW is a little… embarrassing to play while streaming. And more than anything, it stresses me out……."
The Jireongis teased me, calling me a baby. I puffed out my cheeks in dissatisfaction and picked up my phone, thinking I might as well eat dinner first.
"Um… I can order food with my phone too… Heheh."
Today's dinner was going to be bought with the donations I'd saved up. 'I feel a bit guilty…….'
I glanced nervously at the chat, wondering if it was okay to spend it on chicken. The Jireongis teased me, asking why I was staring so hard if I was embarrassed.
"I'm embarrassed!"
Scratching my head awkwardly at the teasing Jireongis, I forced a smile and spoke up.
"Um, well… I was thinking of using the money you all sent to order ch-chicken! Is that okay…? I was saving it because I wasn't sure if I could spend it however I wanted……."
"Ah… I-I see. Thank you."
I'd been sincere, but the Jireongis seemed to think I was joking. With my face bright red, I awkwardly thanked them and quickly ordered a whole soy sauce chicken.
"Eek… Twenty-five thousand won for one soy sauce chicken… So expensive……."
"Still, it's delicious… I have memories of watching the kids eat it too. Of course, I got caught sneaking bites and got beaten half to death by Dad."
As I spoke, lost in old memories, the chat started trembling.
"Ah… S-sorry…! I won't say it again."
The sudden realization that I'd dumped my pain on them made my head spin. When I apologized, the Jireongis sobbed that it was okay. Feeling truly sorry, I cleared my throat and changed the subject.
"L-let's find some content to do until the chicken arrives……."
They were all worried about me. But I'd already started the stream, and with so many people gathered, it felt a shame to just end it like this.
"It'd be a waste to end it like this… I should at least show you something."
Besides, today had been nothing but dark and gloomy stories.
"I don't want you all going to bed feeling uneasy… I want to show you that I'm really okay."
I didn't want the Jireongis to fall asleep unsettled because of what had happened to me.
They seemed genuinely moved. Smiling proudly, I spotted an interesting comment.
Someone suggested just doing a chicken mukbang. Honestly, I wasn't sure if that was okay. I wasn't particularly good at eating deliciously or eating a lot. If anything, my picky eating might make people uncomfortable.
"A mukbang… should I do one?"
Still, I asked carefully. The chat responded by asking if I could even do a mukbang.
At the questions about how much I could eat and how I'd show the food, I smiled shyly and answered.
"I-I might turn on the cam… after a long time……."
It seemed like I'd have to do a cam broadcast after a long time.
* * *
Half-cam broadcast. The last time I'd done one officially was during an IRL collab. And now, after turning on the stream, I was introducing my most precious friend.
"…My best counselor and my one and only friend after Yeon-a… Cutter Knife Teacher."
The Jireongis were flustered. Grinning at their reactions, I pulled out the cutter knife.
"Swish swish!!"
Then I pretended to slice across the bandages on my recently increased scars.
When I pretended to cut my arm, the chat sped up instantly. Most of them were angry, asking what the hell I was doing.
"S-sorry."
When I quickly apologized, they told me never to do it again. Promising to remember, I stood up, saying I'd go get the chicken.
"Um… Th-then I'll go get the chicken… Hehe."
I turned off the mic and hurried to the front door. The savory smell of soy sauce chicken was already wafting through.
'My mouth is already watering…….'
Saliva was already pooling in my mouth. Chicken really was always the right choice, no matter when. Even if I could only eat a few pieces and would have leftovers. Still, that would be enough to chat with the Jireongis for about an hour.
"I'll eat deliciously… and be a meal buddy for the Jireongis."
Smiling brightly, I grabbed the chicken and rushed back to my seat.
While they were playing around cutely, the moment I returned they greeted me warmly.
A smile naturally formed on my face.