Chapter 41

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 41

Chapter Title: Feast of Memories

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1.

The viewer count shot up rapidly less than a minute after starting the stream. It was faster than even when I'd collabed with Elena.

"Whoa, it's rising super fast...!"

Yura jumped in surprise, staring at the numbers surging in the corner of the screen.

"I-is this really okay?"

"Uh, probably? I-it should be fine!"

Even her trusted big sis seemed tense. She'd expected it, but facing it head-on felt different.

"You told me to just trust Noir, right? But Noir's shaking too! I can feel it!"

"S-sorry. I didn't expect this many so soon..."

While they chatted, the viewers had doubled. The two stared blankly at the numbers.

"Snap out of it. We're turning on the camera and mic now."

"O-okay!"

"Y-yeah...!"

I wondered if leaving them like this was okay. But they were streamers too—they'd adapt during the broadcast, right?

'They have to...'

If it got too tough, I'd just run the show myself. That was the plan from the start anyway.

"Alright, let's begin."

I turned on the camera and mic at the same time. After confirming the stream was live, I spoke.

"Hello, everyone. As announced, we're here today for a cooking stream."

It felt a bit awkward without the chat visible. Normally, greetings like this would flood it with messages.

"Before introducing our guests, note that this stream will proceed without chat."

I bowed my head slightly and continued slowly.

"This is to protect our guests. However, we can't cut off interaction entirely, so donations will be open. Thank you for your understanding."

As soon as donations opened, they poured in like they'd been waiting. Messages claiming first place exploded one after another. One side of the screen was buried in alerts.

"Thank you for the donations."

I greeted them calmly, without emotion. No excitement, no fluster. It was expected.

"D-donations keep coming...!"

Yura peered at the screen in shock and shouted.

"Y-yeah?"

"I-I counted them all so far... o-over 500,000 won already!"

'I thought her mumbling was just nerves. Guess not.'

As the first-donation frenzy died down, viewers naturally asked questions.

"I set the amount high anticipating the crowd. Too low, and it disrupts the stream. Also to prevent trolls."

Of course, high amounts wouldn't stop insults. But it'd reduce casual spam.

"Donations aren't mandatory, so feel free. Though it's not a small sum."

"Right! No one's holding a knife to force donations!"

Yura declared boldly.

'Did I bless her with Courage?'

Such daring words? Checking, no holy power lingered. All sober.

Thankfully, viewers took it positively. Maybe as a good joke? She beamed proudly.

"Some new faces might not know, but I'll assume basic understanding of my streams."

"What if they don't?"

"Then... nothing we can do."

I shrugged lightly.

"Irresponsible!"

"Better than lying. And it's not essential info anyway. Just know you can taste normally in VR~ That's enough."

"Got it!"

"W-whoa! Jackpot! A TV PD! Real name too, so legit!"

Yura's eyes widened as she bounced in place.

"'Find the Taste'?"

I tilted my head, and Unni quietly explained beside me.

"A mukbang travel show introducing food cultures worldwide. Pretty famous in its genre."

Then PDs, Vtubers, celebs lined up donations. The screen filled with alerts as VR blurred into reality.

"W-wow..."

Awe slipped from Yura's lips—shock, fear, excitement mixed.

"Th-this is amazing...! C-can Yura really be here...?"

"It's fine. Just relax."

"Dunno if I can..."

Yura curled up small. I laughed, stroking her head. Soft rabbit ears brushed my fingers.

'So soft.'

Warm, squishy. The ears rubbed and crumpled cutely.

"Eek... S-stop... Ears'll get ruined..."

"Okay."

Donations didn't stop even while teasing her. Thought they'd taper if I waited—no sign.

Alerts rang nonstop, screen packed with donation windows. Felt more like onstage than streaming.

"From now, no collab or appearance inquiries via donation. Stop the bidding wars too. Disrupts the stream."

Broadcast stations were serious about booking me—amounts skyrocketed.

'I'm fine, but...'

Glancing aside, Yura and Unni looked soulless. Had to rein it in before they fainted.

"Official channel coming soon with email for proposals. Send inquiries there."

Donations slowed. They got it—pointless here.

'Broadcast stations do have deep pockets.'

Content hadn't even started, yet this much already.

"Yes. Time to start content. You two, focus."

"Gah...!"

My clap snapped their eyes back. Looked like they'd nearly passed out.

"Last time with Elena, we just served tasty food. Changed it up this time."

I turned to Yura.

"How? Let the client, Yura, explain."

My gaze hit her; she blinked in surprise. Swallowing, she steadied her breath and spoke.

"O-okay! Yura'll explain!"

Voice shook a bit, but good enough.

"The change is... we're recreating flavors this time!"

"Flavor recreation specifically? Recreating what?"

Unni picked up smoothly—no cue needed. Streamer experience counts.

"Yura's mom and grandma's cooking!"

Yura clenched her fists tighter.

"Staying in Korea, Yura misses hometown food! Korean food's tasty too! But sometimes you crave..."

"Sure. But Korea has tons of Japanese spots now? Food culture's vibrant—most stuff available here."

"Right. Yura buys or makes it sometimes. But mom's touch... can't match it!"

"Yeah, some flavors are irreplaceable."

Yura nodded vigorously.

"Exactly. Especially grandma's—gone now. Yura wants to taste it once more..."

"And I recreate it?"

"Yes!"

One donation made Yura flinch. I patted her back and answered instead.

"Right. Not easy at all. That's why worth ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠trying. And not impossible."

"Really recreate it?"

"Yes. But Yura's role key. Detail ingredients, tastes—everything."

That was her homework: recall past flavors.

"Tried my best... but not sure... no confidence..."

"Fine. We'll make it work. Ready to start?"

"Okay..."

"Lie back comfy. Relax."

I summoned a cozy recliner like a bed. Yura hesitated, then lay down carefully.

"Recall your mom's old dishes. Taste, aroma, texture, color, vibe... any clue."

"Got it..."

As Yura closed her eyes, I placed a hand on her head and channeled holy power. A golden magic circle floated up.

'Feast of Memories.'

Light spread, enveloping the space. Consciousness flickered.