Chapter 15
Chapter 15
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: Smiling Makes Her Look a Bit Savory
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Today, as usual, I headed out for my part-time job (soon to be quit) and received VIP treatment from the two friendly and considerate coworkers.
Strangely enough, the PC bang was more peaceful than ever that day.
There weren't any of the usual colorful troublemakers, and I only had to handle a measly five call-ins.
It was the perfect feel-good day.
'Gotta buy a lottery ticket on the way back.'
I stopped by the lotto stand at the corner, bought a ticket, then grabbed some cheap tangerines from the fruit vendor since they were on sale.
I also picked up some discounted ingredients from the mart's closing sale, and by the time I got home, it was already past 7 p.m.
I unpacked the groceries for Ye-eun, who must be starving, and hurriedly prepared dinner.
We ate, cleaned up.
By the time I returned to my room, it was nearly 8 p.m.
Ye-eun had recommended streaming on weekdays from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
She said consistency at the scheduled time was key.
Stick to a short but reliable routine, and fixed fans would surely come.
This was the second broadcast, starting today.
The title was this:
I activated the stream, and viewers started trickling in one by one.
But the numbers were suspiciously high.
...
Messages scrolled up so fast it made my eyes dizzy.
New viewer entry notifications mixed with chats from those already in, creating total chaos.
I belatedly found the option to turn off entry messages and hit OFF.
Finally, the chat cleaned up a bit.
The viewer count display had blown past 90, heading straight for 100.
Yesterday's peak of 80 was long surpassed, and it kept climbing.
What the hell was going on?
Yesterday had that clickbait thumbnail, but today?
Forgetting I was even live, I glanced at my sister amid this mystery.
Han Ye-eun, hiding in the corner as my command center for the day.
She panicked at the eye contact, then slyly looked away like she had a guilty conscience.
'What's up with her again?'
I set aside my shifty-eyed sister for now and focused on the stream.
"Looks like some newbies today, so to be fair with yesterday's viewers, questions only via donations."
A barrage of Q&A flew in.
With so many people, questions poured like rain.
Maybe because I stuck to casual speech throughout.
Someone didn't like it.
"Real men talk short."
...What was this weird, sticky reaction?
Unlike yesterday's barrage of crude bro-jokes, the chat felt oddly toned down.
If I had to describe it, it was like sweet guys talking to a girl they liked.
Like if Heo Jun-tae or Choi Myung-jin hopped into my stream.
Aha, the newbies didn't know me yet.
I corrected their misconception for the rookies.
"Listen up. Seems like a misunderstanding, but this ain't guy act or concept. I'm a real dude."
"Hey fuck. Why the reactions like this???"
Our Hyo-jeong my ass.
The tough guy spirit clashed hard with the chats, dealing serious mental damage to Han Hyo-jeong. She went groggy, mouth flapping without words.
What even is streaming...
Why am I doing this...
Sudden reality hit, I stared into space as donation pings rang out.
I weakly stared at the chat.
Me frozen solid had them rioting.
And so the mission rush began.
I ignored them all, no reactions.
The storm of missions quieted, replaced by new complaints.
"Nah."
Instant backlash.
The chat made no sound, but felt deafening.
Lightning-fast messages voiced their frustration.
Honestly, their anger was justified.
Like ordering gukbap at a noodle joint, getting only kimchi and side dishes. No soup in sight—frustrating as hell.
So how to appease them?
Safest bet: give what they want.
Gukbap for gukbap lovers, pork belly for BBQ fans.
What they wanted?
Call 'em oppa.
Impossible.
Dance reaction.
Impossible.
Cute aegyo.
Fuck no.
My will vs. viewer demands crossed paths.
Finding compromise would take trial and error.
If I wanted to keep streaming, I had to convince them somehow.
They didn't specifically want reactions.
Just a pretty girl meowing their username or shaking her ass.
But that's not my style.
So what then?
Ye-eun's advice popped up.
Character. For long-term streaming success, establish a solid character.
Right.
Time to define mine here.
My broadcast direction, my roadmap.
"First off, my stream's tough guy concept, so no reactions."
I scoffed at the nonsense.
"Am I crazy? Rip my clothes?"
Not just the price.
This outfit was a gift from Ye-eun.
My treasure #178 wasn't trash to shred for viewer missions.
"Tough guy stream means sticking to my guns no matter what y'all say."
"Everyone knows I'm the epitome of tough guy? So whatever I stream is tough guy stream."
Chaos ensued, but settled into "keep yapping" vibes.
"That's what we're gonna figure out together now."
"Tough guy trait. Do first, think later."
With Buddha-like compassion overlooking foolish mortals, I bestowed mercy.
"Fine, say what you want."
What viewers wanted.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Then, finally, a reasonable suggestion.
"Oh, first real demand! 'Stream consistently.' Nice, so that's what our viewers want. First suggestion, so I'll consider it positively."
Plenty agreed it wasn't bad.
"Ha~ lights a fire in a man's heart."
First thing I liked since stream start.
Pierced right through me, who started this as a half-assed hobby and was already thinking of quitting.
Nailed the core.
"OK, deal! With your support, screw it, let's seriously stream!"
"Dunno about weddings, but coffin live for sure."
"But you too. When my stream's on, only watch mine forever."
Chat flooded with '?'
"Why? Scared? Then die."
"Nah, gotta rest sometimes."
"Jeez unbelievable. Should I note all your nicks and hunt down no-shows to hang 'em? Say something sensible."
"Sigh, talking to you guys makes me feel crazy. Anyway, off days only if unavoidable, minimize. Wait, no. No offs for a full month straight. How's that?"
Satisfied now?
My cam face asked as much.
"Nah~ won't happen~"
"If I off in a month? Then whatever you want, for real."
"Hey. Even you guys know crime's a no-go."
Ultimately, the masterstroke worked.
Viewer wishes and my identity finally aligned, like trains on the same track.
Euphoria of meeting demands.
Relief of laying my own rails on this creaky stream.
All emotions mixed, my face freer than ever.
A satisfied smile bloomed naturally.