Chapter 38

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Translator: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠True Detective

Chapter: 38

Chapter Title: You Should Try Some Financial Therapy

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"The queue just isn't popping at all."

After wrapping up my conversation with Sis, I turned my attention back to the game, but the match still hadn't started.

"I've been streaming for a decent while now, and the queue's taking forever, so let's call it a day."

The chat window was going berserk. All because of that one viewer who brought up the boyfriend thing earlier—what a mess.

I had no intention of dating anyone, and even if I did, what business would it be of theirs?

"Like Sis said, I don't have a boyfriend. Never even thought about getting one."

I let out a deep sigh. I had no idea why I even had to explain this.

"I've got some collab discussions to handle. Game streams are great, but I've gotta do cooking streams too."

"I said it earlier too. I can do cooking streams whenever I want. No, how many times do I have to repeat this?"

Repeating the same thing over and over was getting on my nerves. They weren't goldfish—why keep asking the same questions?

New viewers were trickling in, so it was unavoidable. Something I had to understand.

'No, but why throw out baseless suspicions!'

Irritation bubbled up, but I took a deep breath to suppress it. Blowing up here would just get me called vicious.

"The reason I said I wouldn't do cooking streams was to avoid being swayed by anyone, no matter the form."

I calmly stated my opinion.

Right on cue, a message from Sis arrived. I lifted the corner of my mouth and continued.

"This cooking stream will be with Yura. There's no external pressure whatsoever. It's purely my own conviction."

Saying it like this would spread the word and draw in viewers.

I'd worried no one would know her, but her notoriety from the terror incident had spread—plenty recognized the name.

Celebs too? I hadn't checked my mail, so I wouldn't know.

"No special reason. Like I said, I just want to. Keep that in mind for now. I'll announce the collab details later. Alright, I'm out."

I ended the stream before they could say more.

Less than ten minutes after sending the message, an invite popped up. I opened the door that appeared in front of me and stepped through to see the familiar studio apartment.

"Huh?"

But besides Sis, someone else was sitting across from her. I couldn't see her face from the back, but I had a feeling I knew who it was.

"Hello?"

I sat in the empty spot next to me and bowed my head slightly. The woman, who had her hands demurely on her lap, jumped in surprise.

"N-Nice to meet you! I'm Yura! P-Please take care of me!"

She shot up from her seat and bowed at a perfect 90 degrees. No need to be that formal.

"Nice to meet you too."

A bit flustered, I smiled and extended my hand. Yura grabbed it while trembling.

"Why are you shaking so much? You're making me seem like the bad guy."

"S-Sorry! Sorry! I-I didn't mean it like that! Sorry!"

At my light joke, she startled and bowed repeatedly. I quickly stood, grabbed both her shoulders.

"F-First, let's sit? Let's talk sitting down."

"Got it!"

"Pfft..."

I finally calmed Yura down and got her seated. Turning at the laughter beside me, Sis was covering her mouth, shoulders shaking.

"...Why are you laughing?"

"Pffft... No reason. Just haven't seen you fluster like this in ages."

"I'm a bit thrown off too."

I smiled awkwardly and turned back. Yura was still rigid in her seat. Her hands neatly folded on her lap were trembling.

"Yura, really, just relax. We're equals here—no superior or subordinate."

"I-I'll try..."

She replied with an uncertain expression.

A sudden alert drew my eyes to the messenger— a message from Sis.

The emperor once told me to eat casually, and I ditched all etiquette right there.

'The royals' faces back then were priceless.'

They wanted to call me out but couldn't with the Hero beside me. Those awkward expressions were hilarious.

I shared my story, and Sis glared while typing.

Hic!

A hiccup sound from the side drew my gaze. Yura was pale, hand over her mouth.

"What's wrong? Are you hurt... or uncomfortable anywhere?"

She shook her head vigorously. Hiccups instead of words.

'No way to talk like this.'

I glanced subtly and used holy power to bless her with Courage.

"Y-You two went so quiet... hic... I thought you were mad at me... hic... I was worried..."

The blessing worked; she spoke honestly.

"Not at all! I was just thinking how to start ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and paused. Definitely not mad!"

"That's right."

"Th-Then good... hic..."

Silence returned.

Yura's eyes wandered the table. Her hands on her lap trembled slightly. Her cautious posture looked pitiful.

'Even with Courage blessing, she's like this...'

Sis wasn't this bad even when down. How did Yura manage streaming?

'With mental strength like this?'

Naturally, worry came with the question. But showing up meant she could endure. Definitely not a quitter.

Sis next to me gave a slight nod.

'Proceed, huh.'

I nodded faintly and spoke.

"Yura, thank you so much for accepting our proposal."

"N-No..."

"I know it's too soon for the wounds from those people to fully heal. Thank you for mustering the courage anyway."

"...No. I'm grateful instead...! I know opportunities like this don't come easy! So thank you!"

She bowed her head.

"Hearing that makes me happy. Now, to the point—did our proposal work for you?"

"Y-Yes! Truth is, I'm still scared to face viewers... Not knowing what anyone might say... That's scary..."

I listened silently. She fidgeted, lips quivering.

"But... I got courage because disappearing would be scarier... Vanishing like this feels stupid... Wasting support from family and fans!"

Yura slowly raised her head, meeting my eyes. Her body trembled, but she spoke steadily.

"So when you two proposed this, I couldn't believe it! Thought my dream was over, but it's not! There's still hope!"

Her bright smile overlapped with the Hero's face.

When I was ready to give up everything, the Hero told me the same: as long as you don't quit, hope remains.

"B-But is it really okay to do it this way? I'm a little worried..."

The bold demeanor vanished, back to timid Yura. I chuckled and replied.

"What worries you is no interaction with viewers, right?"

My proposal to her was simple: disable the chat entirely.

Scared of what viewers say? Then make it so they can't say anything. That's where it started.

Originally planned to leave chat on but ignore it, but couldn't guarantee what might happen if left unattended.

'So we pivoted.'

"Yes. I think streaming's strength is communication. Without it... doesn't it lose meaning...?"

Yura said cautiously, glancing. Sharp insight. Over a year of streaming hadn't vanished.

"Exactly. No communication at all, and viewers might lose interest."

I nodded and continued.

"But what if they can't chat but have to keep watching anyway? If it's that entertaining?"

"I-Is that really possible?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Of course. My cooking streams are already like that. Right now, tons of people are watching with interest—my cooking streams."

Not doing them had pulled aggro instead. In other words—peak timing.

"And it's not zero communication. We'll do some. Just not the way viewers expect."

"H-How?"

I gave a meaningful smile.

"Yura, you should try some financial therapy."