As the broadcast continued for several hours, Luke’s expression gradually turned weary.
Finally, Luke announced the end of the broadcast.
– “Phew, that’s it for today’s broadcast. Muscleman123, thank you so much for joining today. And thank you for the various advice… Anyway, sleep well and have sweet dreams.”
Is it really over already?
Fun times always seem to pass quickly.
Well, still, it felt like he had done everything he could.
Dayton, pushing aside his disappointment, typed into the chat.
[muscleman123 – Today was fun^^ See you next time~!]
After reading that message, Luke smiled faintly and replied.
– “I’m glad you had fun. Thank you. Well then, see you next time.”
– Thud.
After that, the screen flickered momentarily, displaying the message “Preparing the broadcast.”
This meant the broadcast was definitely over.
Finally, Dayton stretched comfortably and murmured.
“Ah, that was fun.”
It really was an enjoyable prank.
He felt like he could understand why people spend so much money watching broadcasts.
He was able to see various cute antics, including a cat imitation that even Yerna hadn’t seen.
At this point, the 150,000 gil wasn’t a waste at all.
However, unfortunately, only he knew how charming Luke had been during today’s broadcast.
Because, until the very end, not a single person had entered.
But even if the broadcast settings were strange, how could it make sense that no one came but him?
Considering humanity’s insatiable curiosity, it seemed impossible.
He had intended to leave if others showed up, but he didn’t expect to watch until the end.
He even removed the filters like the title and profile in the middle of the broadcast, wondering why he did that.
Even though it was perplexing, Dayton hadn’t really watched many other people’s initial broadcasts, so he shrugged it off, thinking, “Well, it might just be unfortunate luck.”
What was really important wasn’t that.
Dayton tidied up and stood up.
“Alright, should I go hear Luke tell me he loves me?”
It was time to receive the 50,000 gil reaction for “Saying I love you to Dad.”
He was so curious about how Luke would respond!
—
– Knock, knock.
Dayton knocked on Luke’s door and spoke as if he knew nothing.
“Luke, is the broadcast over now? Or are you doing something else? Can I come in for a moment?”
Then, he heard Luke’s weak voice from inside.
“It’s open, so come on in.”
– Click.
As Dayton turned the doorknob, it turned easily, just as Luke had said.
When did he unlock it?
Confirming the door was open, Dayton cheerfully stepped into Luke’s room and said.
“Hey, how was the broadcast? Share your thoughts with me—”
But Dayton’s cheerful voice didn’t continue.
What he faced after entering was Luke, slumped over his desk, looking dejected.
Luke’s appearance in such a state was not something one could see easily in another way.
Realizing this, Dayton panicked and asked.
“What, what’s wrong? Was the first broadcast really tiring?”
Luke’s weak voice followed.
“Dayton, I think I might have to quit broadcasting.”
“What do you mean?”
Where did that confidence of his—claiming he would definitely succeed when broadcasting—disappear to?
Without delay, Luke launched into his lamentations.
“No matter how I think about it, I don’t think the broadcast will go well.”
Even after receiving viewers’ advice and modifying the broadcast title, name, and profile, only a single viewer had entered—and that number could hardly be called successful.
Sure, he earned a decent amount of 150,000 gil, but the fact that all that profit came from just one person was far from desirable.
If that one person disappeared, the earnings would plummet to zero.
Even if other viewers joined, it was hardly likely they’d throw that much money.
“The broadcast I wanted to do was never supposed to be like this…”
Furthermore, Luke had originally wanted to do a show where he didn’t just flatter viewers for an entire day.
It was what the paying viewer wanted, and since he only had one viewer, he had tried to cater to them. But originally, he planned to show off his wide-ranging talents through discussions, music, food, etc.
Yet when he finally turned on the broadcast, all he could do was mimic a cat and express gratitude.
Luke soon let out a powerless smile and muttered weakly.
“Broadcasting is harder than it looks.”
The life of a broadcaster may seem tranquil and leisurely like a serene lake from the outside, but in reality, it resembled a duck frantically paddling just below the water’s surface.
Luke felt ashamed for having judged solely by appearances, and he found his prior casual attitude quite pathetic.
It had been a long time since he had experienced such a devastating failure.
“I guess I have to quit. What will I do with a broadcast that has no audience to watch? I think I’ve really made up my mind about this. Earning money isn’t so easy after all.”
Hearing that, Dayton had a sudden realization that perhaps his prank had gone a bit too far.
He hadn’t intended for it to come to this…
“Ah, but it’s only been a day, right? How about giving it a little more time? You can’t fill your stomach with just the first meal.”
Even with Dayton’s persuasion, Luke was resolute.
“No, there are things you can understand with just a first meal. I don’t have the talent to attract people on the network. I’ve clearly realized that this time. So I will give up. It’s not like it’s something I have to do anyway.”
The power of thorough indifference Luke experienced for the first time was stronger than he expected.
Perhaps that was why, even at this moment, his attachment to broadcasting was slowly fading from his heart.
Having let his emotions out, he felt somewhat relieved.
“…”
And seeing Luke’s reaction, Dayton thought.
‘This isn’t good.’
Had Luke always been such a negative person?
He couldn’t tell; it seemed like something had suddenly broken within him.
He thought maybe he should have warned him not to do the broadcast.
Recognizing the heavy atmosphere, Luke soon sat up, turned his chair toward Dayton, and put on a smile, raising his voice.
It seemed he was trying to create a bright appearance.
“Thanks for listening to my complaints. Well, that’s enough about that. So, Dayton, what brings you to my room?”
Since it felt so natural, Dayton began to question whether Luke’s smile during the broadcast was genuinely heartfelt joy or perhaps just a mask, hiding tears within.
Thinking that made him feel so guilty.
What have I done…?
But isn’t it true that it wasn’t his fault that no viewers came?
After all, he had kindly advised him to change the title and profile.
If no one came even after that, there must have been another problem.
But he had no idea what that problem could be.
What exactly was wrong with Luke’s broadcast?
As Dayton felt cold sweat bead on his back, he continued speaking.
“Ah, no, it’s just… I was curious if the broadcast went well. So, are you really not going to broadcast anymore?”
When Dayton, trying to avoid the question, responded to Luke’s inquiry, Luke shrugged nonchalantly and opened his mouth.
“Yeah. But it’ll be unfortunate for that one person who watched the entire broadcast and sent me money. Since I received 150,000 gil, I feel bad for quitting so soon. But I don’t even know who they are, so I don’t know how to convey that.”
Luke thought for a moment.
‘Should I hack into his account as Arinseia to find out his location?’
No, that might scare him, so he should drop that idea.
He didn’t seem like a bad person, but asking him to call him “Dad” definitely indicated something was off.
Still, could he figure out something like a phone number to call…?
No, doing that would expose his own number, and he didn’t like that idea.
If he sent it with caller ID blocked, it would be suspicious, and it was clear they wouldn’t answer.
‘What to do…’
Noticing Luke’s troubled expression, Dayton snapped to attention and spoke.
He was convinced that if he didn’t inspire Luke right now, this would be his last chance.
Plus, he felt a sense of unease.
“…If you broadcast tomorrow, wouldn’t he come back? If he was a viewer who watched your first broadcast until the end?”
After thinking for a moment, Luke nodded.
“Yeah, that’s definitely a good idea. Alright, I’ll give it another try tomorrow. Thanks, Dayton. You’re quite clever in moments like this.”
“Hahaha, really?”
With Luke’s reply, Dayton felt a strange sense of relief and sighed softly.
“Phew! It felt like a big problem was about to happen.”
Having been born with an innate sensitivity to magic, Dayton was an incredibly perceptive guy.
“Then I’ll take my leave now. Sleep well!”
Dayton turned away as if to flee.
‘Great, this means he will broadcast tomorrow. Now, I guess I’ll try to increase the number of viewers…’
There were countless ways to increase the number of viewers.
Well, if the number of viewers increases, Luke would surely feel better.
He took out his phone.
This way, it would be good for both Luke and the viewers of his broadcast, a win-win situation!
Just as he was about to upload the link to Luke’s broadcast in the Forest Keeper group chat, he heard Luke’s voice.
“Oh, right, Dayton.”
– Freeze.
Dayton’s body stiffened at Luke’s sudden call.
“Uh, yes?”
He turned around stiffly in that state.
As he looked at Luke, he was caught up in the thought, ‘What if he figured out what I was planning to do with my phone?’
But Luke just averted his gaze to the floor and muttered in a voice that seemed to hold back embarrassment.
“Good night, my beloved dad…”
At that voice, Dayton briefly lost his senses but quickly remembered something.
‘Oh, did I not receive the 50,000 gil reaction?’
“…Uh, I love you too. Our daughter.”
What was this, it felt strangely nice…
