Chapter 35

One day at the end of March.

Usogeon, a returning student, thought his recent life wasn’t too bad.

Though it was still pandemic season with its chaotic cries of “you die, I die” everywhere…

After being discharged, he was reluctantly attending university, just waiting to graduate, but lately, he found a pretty engaging stream.

It was a channel run by a streamer called Haru who broadcast an unheard-of combination of high school girl night screenshots.

Somehow he also landed the position of chat manager.

Just like the main character in those community-famous tales of growing a streamer like Hako, he planned to diligently assist Haru…

[LIVE] High School Girl’s Cosplay Broadcast [121]

“What is she planning to do now?”

Lately, Haru had started doing things she hadn’t before.

Through cosplay pictures posted on the girl gamer gallery, Usogeon learned that Haru might look good, but he hoped she’d refrain from fully revealing her face.

In the photos, Haru appeared to be an exceptionally beautiful woman, one rarely seen at university. With just a bit more refinement, her looks would likely appeal to anyone, regardless of gender or age.

And if Haru stepped into the female streamer market, she was bound to succeed.

As a viewer who’d watched her channel since its early days, he naturally wished her success. However, knowing her success would primarily come from being a female streamer made him feel somewhat strange.

“Should I send her a message to stop talking nonsense?”

Usogeon didn’t have much money since he’d been job-hopping to attend university and missed the chance to find a new job when the pandemic hit.

If the big spenders who dominate the female streamer market started gathering…

“Damn it… she’s bound to blow up if she does this…”

Even the chat manager position, which was his first in the streaming world, was at risk of being taken by these big spenders. It wasn’t unheard of for Hako’s chat manager position to be overtaken by such patrons.

“Ugh…”

Usogeon scowled, as if staring at some filth near a utility pole.

He felt irritated for no particular reason.

“I started watching her first.”

“I started because I liked her artwork.”

He was frustrated at the idea of losing the chat manager position to the wealthy viewers who’d only come for her face.

“I keep overinvesting in this… it’s not right…”

Knowing he was the first to recognize Haru’s face and was the sole chat manager of her channel, he began showing signs of mild obsession, just like some Hako streamer managers had shown.

And then…

“So I thought about it—what if I only show my face to the truly loyal fans? It’ll serve as proof and be beneficial, right? That’s why I’ve decided to create a cosplay book.”

Suddenly,

Hayoon’s words, spoken through Haru’s persona, caught Usogeon’s attention.

“Is this… a good thing..?”

If Hayoon didn’t reveal her face, the current “high school girl night screenshot” identity would be maintained.

Even if some attention from the female streamer crowd happened due to popular games, if Hayoon continued to stick to her current attitude, the broadcasting style wouldn’t change drastically.

“I trust her. Really… I’ll be a loyal follower, so please don’t turn on the camera needlessly…”

Usogeon hoped that Hayoon would keep the current broadcasting flavor and sent a donation to express his support.

“I’m going to buy the VIP edition right away. A thousand won… I’m sorry for not having more.”

“Ah, Manager! It’s you! Thank you! Thank you!”

In response, Hayoon expressed gratitude, promising to draw an illustration for anyone who certified their purchase of the VIP edition. The previously quiet audience also began showing interest, asking if they’d get an illustration if they joined in.

And Usogeon?

“Oof, I got the signal. Nice.”

He mistakenly interpreted Hayoon’s casual gratitude as a sign that the camera would “never” be turned on—an overreaction to his obsession.

However,

His intent to purchase the VIP edition wasn’t a lie.

In fact, he upgraded his purchase to the VVIP edition, proceeding with the purchase confirmation.

The cosplay book, a long notepad, acrylic stand, hanging frame, shower towel, and various other goods were included. There was also a digital version with added pages and a personal signature for a total of 400,000 won. In addition, Hayoon planned to draw pictures live on the stream later.

“So much of a bargain.”

To Usogeon, it was an unmatched deal.

After finishing the payment process, he sat with a subtle smirk on his face, pondering what to do next.

– Anyway, there’s no need to rush into buying the VIP edition.

“Huh?”

Hayoon took control of the atmosphere.

– Of course, I believe that the chat manager and others who love my streams will naturally want to buy it, but there are people who have just started watching, right?

– Those who are new can just search for ‘Cosplay Holic’ on MIST. The game supports Korean searches, and the demo version isn’t too long, so you should try it before deciding. Got it?

Of course, this was also a strategy to sell as many copies as possible.

Hayoon was confident that once people started the demo, they’d be curious enough to fund the rest of the game and finish it.

And Usogeon,

“Ah, there’s a demo?”

While buying the VVIP edition partly out of fandom and partly with the hope that it would prevent her from using the camera, he, being the type to consume everything related to his fandom, was naturally curious and decided to check out the demo by searching ‘Cosplay Holic’ on MIST.

“Wow, it’s really here?”

What would be the visual novel made by Ha-yoon, who was both an illustrator and cosplayer turned streamer?

“Let’s just give it a small try.”

With his stream moved to the secondary monitor, Usogeon quickly launched the demo after it finished downloading. He typed his name, Uso-geon, into the field prompting for it.

—

“Hey, let’s drink!”

The familiar voices calling out again.

“What about that intestine house we went to the other day?”

“Sorry, I don’t feel that well today…”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yeah, sorry.”

Uso-geon bowed his head apologetically and turned away from the group.

He couldn’t handle alcohol well, so whenever the elder students in school urged him to drink soju at their gatherings, it made him feel sick.

That’s why he made it a point to avoid drinking parties like today.

But still…

“I actually want to be able to drink normally…”

He desires to get drunk, ponder life, escape those musings through more drinking, and drift off to sleep with some half-hearted answers.

Life isn’t easy, after all.

Next year, he’d be in his 4th year at university with graduation just around the corner. Would finding a job after graduation be smooth?

What happens after you get a job? Or rather, would the graduation itself be smooth? Worry kept piling on top of worry.

When he sometimes confides in his friends, they always suggest starting to smoke. They would say, “Shouldn’t you have learned smoking in the military?”

But Uso-geon disliked smoking.

He had heard the difference in addiction between smoking and drinking was like the difference between heaven and earth.

“Phew…”

But if things keep festering like this, he might one day end up reaching for cigarettes.

With that unsettling thought, he entered the nearest convenience store and bought a small bottle of soju.

And…

“Guh…”

He immediately rushed to the nearby park and took a quick sip.

It was after sunset, and with no one around in the cool night air, it felt perfect for some deep thought.

Isn’t that the perfect condition for introspection?

“Guh…”

The taste of the soju was rather bad, but with a bottle slowly consumed, and the intoxication starting to rise, his mood improved considerably.

Though unsure of what to do in the future, he thought everything would work out somehow. Courage welled up inside him.

“Let’s go home and study for certifications!”

It seemed Uso-geon decided to use this courage properly.

At that moment, as he walked out of the park intending to head home,

“…”

“…”

Just as he happened to make eye contact with someone passing through the park,

The woman seemed to be quite enjoying her can of beer mid-walk. Did she find it amusing to see another young adult walking around drinking?

“Do you like alcohol?”

“Yeah, uh…”

“Do you like drinking? Holding a bottle of soju implies you’re pretty hardcore.”

Startled, Uso-geon shook his head sideways in denial.

“What if you do?”

“Well, I’m just starting to enjoy drinking…”

“Why?”

Asked bluntly, Uso-geon scratched the back of his neck awkwardly, continuing:

“Because life is so bleak…”

“If you’re drinking to escape bleakness, soju might double that bleakness. If you’re going to drink, it should be something tasty.”

“Ah…”

However, as Uso-geon struggled to find his footing with the woman’s continuing questions,

“Here, take this. Look me up if you’re interested.”

“cocktail Holik Manager…”

Without further ado, the woman drinking her beer handed over a business card and continued walking slowly sipping her drink.

This was Uso-geon’s first encounter with the woman,

And the start of his obsession with cocktails.

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