Chapter 40
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 40
Chapter Title: Hakko's Three Principles
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1.
"So, what should we do now, yo?"
After a brief silence, Yura spoke up. She wrapped both hands around the cup in front of her and cautiously met my eyes.
"First off, it might be good to set a date. When are you free, Yura?"
"I'm good anytime, yo! Even right now, or tomorrow would work!"
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. She was even tapping her feet lightly under the table—she really seemed thrilled.
"You mentioned you have a part-time job. Is it okay for work?"
My sister, who had been quietly listening until now, chimed in.
"Oh, I forgot about that, yo. Hang on a sec. I'll talk to the boss."
Yura stared blankly into space for a moment. She was probably messaging someone.
"...Yura?"
Her bright expression gradually darkened as time passed. Even her rabbit ears drooped.
"Time-wise... it should be fine anytime, yo. I just got fired..."
"What? Just like that, out of nowhere?"
"I was supposed to go to my shift today, but Yura just... didn't go on her own..."
Her voice trailed off. I could guess the reason without asking. After what happened this morning, she probably didn't have the courage to go out.
'And Korea is a foreign country to Yura, after all.'
It must have been especially tough for her to venture outside.
"...Got it. So you're free for a collab stream anytime, right?"
"Yup, yo. Anyway, if Yura's not working or streaming, she just lies around in her room all blank, yo."
"Then let's set it for three days from now. If we drag it out too long, people might lose interest."
I didn't know much about Japanese cuisine either, so I needed time to research and prepare. We couldn't just wing the stream.
"Got it, yo! So what should Yura do until then? Can I stream?"
"That... might be best avoided. Word's probably already out that you're the next guest. If you go live now..."
"Ah, I get it, yo. Yura doesn't want those scary people showing up either."
Yura nodded vigorously, clearly understanding. Her expression showed the daytime events were still fresh in her mind.
"Alright, let's summarize what we've discussed so far, do a final review, and wrap up the meeting."
"Okay, yo!"
We went over everything point by point. Yura listened intently with a serious face.
"That concludes the meeting. Thanks for your hard work today, both of you."
"You too, yo!"
There were no major disagreements or confusion. The meeting ended smoothly.
"Thank you so much for helping me like this, yo!"
Yura came up to me and bowed deeply. Her rabbit ears drooped just like her head.
"No need. We help each other out—that's life."
"Honestly, Yura was thinking of quitting streaming and going back to Japan. But thanks to you all, I can stand up again, yo!"
Yura bowed once more.
"I'll work super hard, yo! And I'll treat you as lifelong benefactors! I'll definitely repay the favor, so wait for it! Yura will do her best!"
She clenched her fists tightly, her eyes shining. I smiled warmly and replied.
"I didn't help expecting anything in return. Really, it's fine."
"No way, yo. My mom always said: repay favors tenfold, grudges a hundredfold! So Yura will definitely pay it back, yo!"
"...Understood."
I knew arguing wouldn't work, so I quietly accepted.
"Yura, if I may ask... where are you living right now?"
"In a basement apartment in Seoul, yo!"
She answered without hesitation. My sister looked at me. Not sure what she wanted, but I nodded slightly anyway.
"Do you stream from home? Or at a capsule room?"
"Started at a capsule room, yo. But it was too uncomfortable and wasteful, so I bought my own capsule and set it up in my room!"
"Isn't it cramped? Capsules are pretty big..."
Yura smiled sheepishly and nodded.
"It is kinda tight, yo. But it's livable. I can lie on the floor, and I can even boil cup noodles. Oh, but Korean ramen is way too spicy, yo!"
She laughed as she said it, but I could sense the hardship underneath.
"I see. Any thoughts on moving?"
"I wanna move, yo... But I don't have money right now, and no good place in mind..."
My sister spoke up as Yura trailed off.
"What if you moved into the place I used to live in?"
"What do you mean, yo?"
Yura tilted her head, ears perking up. My sister smiled gently.
"I used to live alone, but now I'm living with Hayul. We recently reconnected and decided to room together."
"I know, yo! Saw it on your wiki! You two were separated as kids and reunited through streaming! Yura cried watching that!"
"Exactly. We met thanks to streaming. Just like how we met you."
"Hehe... Yup, yo. We met thanks to streaming too."
"That's why I'm saying."
My sister continued.
"The place I lived in alone is still empty. It's an officetel—quiet neighborhood, perfect for solo living. What do you think about moving there?"
"R-Really okay, yo? Won't it be a bother?"
"Not at all. Actually, it'd be great for us. Leaving it empty is just wasting money, but if you use it, problem solved."
"Ughhh..."
Yura clenched her hands and bit her lip. Her eyes wavered, and her rabbit ears trembled.
"B-But legally okay, yo? Can you just lend it out like that?"
"Already got the landlord's permission. Said a friend might stay for a bit. They don't really care about that stuff anyway."
"Really, absolutely no bother?"
"Of course."
Yura hesitated a moment, then nodded as if steeling herself.
"Got it, yo. Then I'll shamelessly accept. And I'll work extra hard to make up for it! Yura won't let you regret this, yo!"
"Looking forward to it."
Yura grabbed my sister's outstretched hand with both of hers. Her fingertips trembled slightly.
"Seems like we're done talking. Let's call it a day."
"Okay, yo. Yura will head out then. See you in three days!"
Yura bowed at a perfect 90 degrees, just like when we first met, and vanished. Once she was gone, I lightly poked my sister's side.
"Aren't you doting on her a bit much?"
My sister smirked and looked at me.
"What about you? Helping her get back on stream. Setting up donations-only chat so she won't be scared. Even splitting the revenue."
She folded her fingers one by one as she listed them off.
"Seems like you helped more than I did, Hayul."
"...She's just endearing. Once you start caring, you can't stop noticing her, worrying about her."
"Same here. Feels like meeting a pure, kind soul after so long."
We shared a quiet laugh. The mood turned softly warm.
"Just out of concern, but can you really recreate Yura's mom and grandma's cooking? Easier said than done."
"Gotta try first. Can't say it's impossible without attempting it."
"True, but what if you fail?"
"Then that's that."
Who'd blame me? Trolls might rage, but most would understand.
"...What kind of plan is that? So reckless. Imagine how disappointed Yura would be if you fail again!"
"You think I said yes without thinking? I have my ideas, so don't worry. But sis."
"Yeah?"
"Feels like you're more worried about Yura than me."
My sister flashed a sly grin.
"Aww~ Is our Hayul sulking 'cause sis isn't paying enough attention~?"
"Cut it out. Who's sulking?"
"Oogu oogu~~~"
"Ugh, get lost!"
I bolted as she reached to pat under my chin.
2.
Gulp—
The bunny-eared girl scanned her surroundings with a tense face. The cozy studio had a kitchen, along with a wooden table and chairs.
'The day is finally here...!'
Truth be told, the past few days had felt like a dream to Yura. She'd left her cramped basement for a spacious, clean officetel!
And it came fully furnished with appliances—no need to buy anything! Thanks to that, Yura could finally live like a human.
How to repay this kindness? She'd agonized over it, and now the day to give back had arrived.
'This stream has to succeed no matter what!'
She'd vowed to work hard, but her mind was a bit chaotic right now. Her old colleague's "Hakko's Three Principles" kept popping up.
Hakko's Three Principles
1. Don't stand out.
2. Don't stand out until a big corp calls.
3. Don't stand out even if a big corp calls.
'They said if you break these, you'll get beaten down by corps and viewers alike...'
How should she act? She'd puzzled over it for days but still had no clear answer.
"Yura, ready?"
Yura snapped out of her thoughts and looked up. Carrier and Noir stood there.
"Y-Yes, ready, yo...!"
Her clenched hands shook. Her rabbit ears quivered in sync.
"Don't be so nervous. I'm right here."
Noir approached gently and took Yura's hand. The warmth eased her tension a little.
"O-Okay, yo...!"
"Alright, stream starting now. Countdown: 5 seconds! 4, 3, 2, 1... 0!"
The broadcast has begun.