Chapter 25

After finishing my workout, I returned home and decided to take a shower.

We have four bathrooms, so we could have showered separately, but Seol Yun insisted on bathing together and kept pestering me.

“Let’s bathe together, sister!”

“Even with the large bathtub, is it really necessary for two grown adults to share it? Isn’t that a bit strange?”

“Seol Yun is lonely! Please bathe with me! Hooeng!”

Her cajoling was so unbearably cute that I found myself helplessly nodding in agreement.

We began with the time-consuming task of filling up the bathtub while brushing each other’s hair.

After finishing brushing, we tied our hair up high to avoid water exposure, forming a cute hair bun. Then we attached a washband to keep everything in place. Hair could get damaged if it touched hot water in the tub, so precaution was necessary.

Human bodies can be fragile, exactly as one would think.

“Twin tails make you look so cute, sister!”

“Indeed.”

Her hairband, designed with wires to shape it into twin tails, was undeniably adorable. Why must even the short-lived washbands exude such cuteness? The psychology of women still baffles me.

If Seol Yun were the top student, having excellently adapted to this, I’d be nothing more than a failing one scoring less than ten.

“I’ll wash your back!”

During the shower, Seol Yun took away my shower puff and began scrubbing my back. Bathing together did provide some conveniences, such as cleaning parts that are hard to reach.

“Then let me do yours too.”

Taking her shower puff, I positioned myself behind her, and then an idea struck me. In stories, there’s a tale where a son is surprised that his father’s back looks so small.

Just like that story, as I gazed at Seol Yun’s back, I thought…

‘Wow, Seol Yun’s back is so broad!’

Well, perhaps it’s more accurate to say I’ve grown too small. Everything is relative, after all.

Seol Yun, being tall for a woman, has a feminine figure suited to fit snugly in a man’s arms of the same height. If I perceive her back as wide, it means I’ve grown exceedingly small.

The bath was slowly filling up, and after rinsing herself, Seol Yun stepped into the tub first.

“Sister, hurry and come over.”

She’s lonely.

Did she say lonely?

Does Seol Yun feel alone when I’m not there?

A memory resurfaced.

Returning home after finishing academy, often around midnight, I’d find an empty house. Both dad and mom were at the hospital, always wanting to keep a close watch on Seol Yun, never knowing when she might fall ill.

On the dining table lay merely the evening meal prepared by the housekeeper. It was growing cold, cold, very cold.

Though, technically, the food couldn’t grow that cold, despite the warmth indoors. It only reached a lukewarm temperature.

Food can be reheated, but not my heart. When asked if I resented my younger sister for being sick, my mouth would grow heavy and remain shut.

Thankfully, nobody ever asked.

Now my sister is healthy, a reliable daughter.

The one worrying mom unnecessarily is solely the eldest daughter who suddenly turned into a hikikomori.

The tub emanated a pleasant fragrance from the bath additives. Though I hadn’t bought them, I wondered when she did.

“Sister, don’t feel too burdened or worried about anything.”

As I entered the tub, Seol Yun took my hand, laced her fingers between mine.

“Mom, I’ll handle her. I’ll also be a good daughter.”

Even if both parents only cared for Seol Young, it’s fine. She’s sick, so it’s only natural for her to receive more attention.

As the eldest son, I’ll responsibly grow up alone. I’ll study well, attend school diligently, and avoid trouble.

That eldest son eventually seemed to crumble in the eyes of mom, who couldn’t bear the sight.

I’ve grown incapable of continuing my social life. Because every man fancies me while every woman dislikes me. I can’t endure their confessions, rejections, or their eventual gossip when I turn away.

I can’t tolerate nasty criticisms from sharp-tongued individuals.

I’ve become the world’s most beautiful defective item. Still, if Seol Young grew healthy because of this, I must be grateful, right?

My beloved younger sister.

“Sister, do what you want. Live as you please.”

The bath water is too warm, and the warmth of our touching hands feels faint, yet her feelings are unmistakably conveyed.

“I’ll always support sister.”

“Me… I… I’m attempting to do internet broadcasting. That way, I don’t have to face people, see? Yep.”

To tell the truth, ever since my gender was discovered, I’ve desperately wanted to quit and run away!

But then, still, still.

I believe if I don’t do this, I’ll never be able to face the world with confidence.

“What if you have stalkers!?”

“I won’t reveal my face, only my voice, so don’t worry.”

“Like a radio show?”

Seol Yun still doesn’t know how incredibly skilled I am at gaming. Having spent all her time in the hospital, there was never a chance for me to show her. Plus, excelling in trendy minor games like Magical Fight wouldn’t get much appreciation anyway. She might have praised me while giggling, calling me great, but that would hurt even more. It’s like bowing deeply in humility.

“Tell me the stream link! I’ll come to support you every day!”

“Not yet, please. It’s too small and embarrassing right now. I’ll let you know if it gets better.”

It’s a lie.

On the second day of broadcasting, the viewership exceeded four thousand. Checking the Wild broadcast, over ten thousand people had watched.

But I can’t show my stream to my sister. It would embarrass me to death.

‘I should just pretend it’s not working. Pretend only. Keep pretending.’

Won’t it just worry my sister if I do that?

There’s as much of a difference between someone who always fails and someone who does nothing as there is between the Taebaek Mountains.

If you ask, then let it go.

“Sister, you will definitely succeed.”

Seol Yun’s piercing gaze hits me hard.

On the day of the incident, I fled in the middle of an explanation broadcast.

At the point when the ban was lifted, I discarded all formalities and simply shut down the broadcast.

Afterwards, I received numerous messages from Wild, Victory, and a few former clan mates from the same voice chat channel.

But I haven’t replied to any of them since I truly don’t know what to say.

‘Is this the right thing to do?’

I feel like I want to abandon my account and run away, pretending to be a male voice again. But if I keep running away like this, I’ll never take a step forward.

Why not start with the simplest task?

—

Legender- <heehee; sorry>

I sent an apology message to Wild and Victory, who had helped with my broadcast. After apologizing until a sweat formed, I’m sure they understood my sincerity.

‘Donation? Should I accept donations?’

Honestly, I don’t really need them. Dad sends me 2 million won monthly, and after moving, I received around 10 million for necessities. And in my savings account, from various savings over the years, there’s about 40 million won.

Do I really need money?

‘To look like a pro, right?’

If I claim this is my job and not just a hobby, shouldn’t I accept donations?

I studied and applied the methods of broadcasting donations found online.

Meanwhile, Wild and Victory sent messages, but I didn’t feel particularly inclined to read them. I’ll check them later.

“Hmm”

The mere thought of turning on the broadcaster makes me uneasy.

But they only know my voice and hands, right? There’s no need to be scared or worried.

[Broadcast Title: ___]

Filling the blank was surprisingly difficult.

What should I write?

In the broadcast title?

[Broadcast Title: Magical Fight Study Group]

Hot!

Almost as if possessed, my fingers moved involuntarily.

So, is this what my soul truly desires to broadcast?

“No, this won’t work.”

I can’t do this.

I shouldn’t.

Because…

[Broadcast Title: Magical Fight Lecture Broadcast]

A study group assumes there’s someone with similar skill levels, which is now absent. Now’s the time to become a farmer and plant another apple tree.

Let’s grow rookies.

“Hyaauuug!”

Taking a deep breath, I pressed the broadcast start button.

[Host has arrived]

[BGM ON]

[Your Majesty! Your Majesty!]

[Hoeeng! Let us hear your voice]

What’s this, these kids?

Why were they already in my chat even before the broadcast started?

Like campers outside a restaurant that frequently sells out, they were already waiting and ready.

As soon as the broadcast started, there were over fifty viewers.

[Donation of 1000 won received from ‘DailyCheck’]

“One thousand won?”

[Oh, the donation feature is open]

[Is EyeNar continuing the broadcast???]

[Breaking News) Legendary Pro Streamer Debut]

[Kkeekekekek]

[Donation of 1000 won received from ‘ThousandWonPunch’]

“Thousand Punch”

Clearly, donations catch more attention than regular chats. With TTS reading them aloud, they’re hard to miss.

[Donation of 5000 won received from ‘FiveThousandWonPunch’]

“Five thousand punch”

“???”

What did I do to receive money so suddenly?

[Donation of 10000 won received from ‘TenThousandWonPunch’]

“Ten thousand punch”

[Going for ten thousand won punches]

[This streamer’s reactions are insane]

[It’s not insane, it’s just non-existent]

[If you want ten thousand won, turn on your mic faster]

[EyeNar, show your hand cam~ wiggle your fingers~]

Oh, reactions?

Are reactions mandatory?

“Ah, uh, can you hear me?”

[Your highness! Thirty-four tiers]

[Can’t hear]

[Love the honey voice]

[Though it’s not a broadcasting headset but a regular headphone mic]

“Thirty-four tiers, huh? Why did it jump from two to thirty-four? Yes, it’s a regular headphone mic, and… and donations? Th-thanks?”

[Keekeekeekeekee]

[The first one who doesn’t seem at all thankful]

[EyeNar, ten thousand won isn’t money to you?]

[Info) It’s sixteen thousand won]

[For sixteen thousand won, you could have two bowls of rice soup]

“But, why are you giving me money? I don’t understand.”

[EyeNar’s very existence is a gift]

[Because you’re doing well]

[Receive sixteen thousand and at least pretend to be happy, you know?]

“Ah, well, I’m fine. Save up your life expenses and only tip what you don’t need.”

[Instant declaration of silver spoon]

[Wow]

[This.streamer’s not ordinary]

[Anti-likability Stack +1]

[Who has leftover money these days?]

[Some folks do?]

[Does this human not intend to seriously do broadcasting?]

Correct answer.

I don’t intend to take broadcasting seriously.

[Wealthy and beautiful EyeNar? I like it even better! Goodwill Stack +1?]

[Me too lol]

[With so much money, at least buy a proper microphone, you know?]

That’s a fair point.

Let me buy a microphone first.

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