137 - I Unknowingly Rejected My Favorite

EP.137 #137. The Influx “Mr. Kim Eojin.” Doa, who was sitting on my lap, swung her legs playfully. “What is it, Miss Kim Luka?” “Aren’t you becoming a bit too popular these days?” Doa had suddenly appeared at my place, saying she wanted to see me. For some reason, she didn’t seem inclined to get up from her spot on my lap, dressed comfortably in her track pants. “Well, it's not like I'll ever be as popular as you, dear Teacher Lu.” Just because the interview views were rising didn’t necessarily mean my popularity was soaring. At this point, I thought such comments were merely flattering overestimates. “It seems like you’re all the rage among the online community.” “If we’re counting, aren’t you the cult leader of the Pixie Wing group?” As she spoke, Doa brought her lips to meet mine, staring intently. “Hmm. Maybe it's because you’re more popular now, but your lips taste more expensive.” “What on earth does that mean?” Expensive lips? I had no clue what she meant by that, which made me chuckle lightly. Doa leaned in again for another kiss. “Aww~ She gave in~” She escaped my embrace and dove onto the bed. “Why?” “What about today’s stream? You need to take responsibility, Lucario.” Though her words came out muffled from being buried in the blankets, her frustration was clearly communicated. “Hmm... How should I take responsibility?” I whispered in her ear as if I were a genie from a lamp. Not anticipating my move, she shivered, sensitive ears catching her off-guard. “Should I come to the stream and donate?” “Are you planning to ruin my business?” Doa suddenly lifted her head, her cheeks puffed with air like a balloon. “But you just told me to take responsibility.” “Just do nothing, okay? Things will calm down as time passes anyway.” If that’s what she planned to say, why even bring up taking responsibility? Feeling somewhat playful, I decided to retaliate against Doa's stubborn streak by tickling her stomach. Slipping my hand inside her hoodie stealthily... “...Doa, did you gain weight recently?” Something soft felt a bit more substantial? “Ah! Seriously! What’s with you!” Doa snapped, wriggling to free my hand from her body. “What do you mean ‘what’s with me’? It's because I like you.” Though my tone held feigned outrage, a smile played on my lips. “...I just ate a lot today, that’s all.” “What did you have?” “...Tteokbokki.” She had some delicious food on her own. Her answers were cute, even with her trying to look all smug, and I couldn't help but hug her tightly. “I’m really a blessed fan.” “A fan with a lot of desires?” Oh, so this is her new joke? As our time together grew, so did the level of jokes between us. “Yes. I'm such a fan that I have to touch you today.” “I’ll expose all of Han Tae-min online.” Doa struck a pose as if yelling out a window, although I knew she wasn’t serious. Embracing her, I buried my face in the nape of her neck. Her skin was smooth, and I adored the unique scent that came from her. Regardless, Doa continued to mumble to herself like a recluse beside me. “Ah... today’s stream is doomed...” “It’s not. It’s not doomed.” Actually, mightn't there be people tuning in just because of me? “It’s doomed... My stream is doomed because of you~” She started lightly singing the whole ‘doomed’ bit, my girlfriend did. “If you fail, there’s no reason for me to do this.” Smiling, I patted her hair, and Doa looked at me wide-eyed, asking. “Huh? What does that mean?” Only then did I realize how nonchalant I had been. “Oh, it’s just... I'm working hard to buy you snacks, you know.” Luckily, she didn’t seem to doubt my words, donning a cheeky expression. “Oh, talking big even before you’ve received your payout~ Do you think I can't buy snacks on my own?” “There might be days you want something a little pricier.” “Enough already.” Doa gave me a playful swat on my thigh. “Don’t worry about me. Just do everything you want!” Almost like a hopeful character in a comic, she sent me her message of encouragement. “I really hope everything you do goes well! Hmph.” Likewise. I genuinely want everything you do to go well too. * * * It feels like it’s been ages since I last started a stream with such nervous energy, all tensed up. Sipping the cocoa I picked up on the way to the studio, I briefly composed myself. You can do it, Kim Doa. Saying I didn’t want to stream today didn’t mean I couldn’t keep avoiding it forever. A situation best confronted sooner rather than later. Knowing it was unavoidable, I turned on the stream with trembling excitement. [Hello~ everyone~] I started with an elevated voice, trying to set a cheerful tone. [Luha~] [Luhaluha] [Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain! Explain!] Expectedly, the demanding requests for explanations spurted forth like a flood right after my greeting. [Guys, what do I need to explain now?] Since it was well within my expectations, I chuckled as I spoke playfully. [Are you talking about the rumors between Han Tae-min and Luka? Is that what you mean?] To be fair, while my brother was pursuing acting, being a streamer meant that acting was more or less part of the job description. Even on hard days, I'd need to react to donations; when feeling drained, I'd still put on a cute front. I aimed to manage the situation professionally, with all my might. [Guys, does that even make sense? Huh?] [I’m of course grateful when Mr. Han Tae-min cheers for me~] [But he watches various closers’ videos too. I watched through the interviews.] In truth, my brother frequently answered in contexts with multiple groups, leaving loopholes to escape speculation. [Thanks to all your support, we got to know about such an actor, didn't we? Hahaha] In the chat box... With a mix of viewers who had and hadn’t seen Tae-min's interview, the chat buzzed with conversation. Those less engaged with the community seemed unaware of the recent buzz. [Hmm... Should we watch it together? Is it alright if I show this on stream?] After a quick message to the staff managing the stream, I got the all-clear. [Oh, they say it’s fine. Now, where’s that link...] Upon clicking the video, Tae-min’s bespectacled face in a tracksuit filled the thumbnail, resulting in a flood of astonished ‘gasp’ messages in the chat. These viewers would ‘gasp’ at anything. [So, let's have a quick look at this video from actor Han Tae-min, who’s kindly supporting Luka.] Those who had seen it before spammed the chat with emoticons pressing their heads down, while newcomers had their own reactions. [This is definitely viral marketing.^^] [But wow, he’s really handsome...ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ] [Do you have to be that good-looking to appear on Luka’s stream?] Come on, you asked to see it! With the blame absurdly redirected at me, a dry laugh escaped. [We... listen to Closer’s... boundary... often.] Pandemonium ensued whenever my brother mentioned the word “Closer.” [Whoa!] [Legendary.] [If Han Tae-min is the average look for Pixie Wing, I’m all for it~] [Agreed~] Right, just keep joking around with each other. It seemed wise to set aside time to deal with such topics. Discussing my brother non-stop while focusing on games or other topics could become tiresome. [Mr. Han Tae-min! Are you watching?] Concluding the segment, I sent a video message to my brother, who was likely watching. [Thank you so much for your support~ Please continue to love Closer~] Even though I spoke in the most professional tone possible, the chat erupted into boos and angry emotes. ...Some things couldn’t be helped. [Alright, let’s put this aside and move on to practicing the game we planned for today!] This weekend, a Closer team-up for Neverwatch was scheduled. Originally designed for six players per team, a recent patch now allowed five players, perfect for us. [Luka will definitely play as a dealer.] Unless Muring brought up ranks and insisted otherwise, I was determined to stick to playing as a dealer. After enduring a long queue, the game finally began. [Ah! Why am I missing so much!] My shots kept missing enemies, as if a glitch had set in. With another death bringing my death count to seven, frustration grew. [Agh... Maybe it’s because it’s been too long since I've played.] Why am I doing so poorly? I didn’t recall doing this badly the last time. While dead, I decided to glance at the chat, only for my expression to harden. [Ugh... Does Tae-min really enjoy this kind of stuff...?] Who on earth thinks Tae-min is their brother? He doesn’t have a sibling, alright? And this 'kind of stuff'? Calling it that...? Though I thought I had gotten used to all sorts of annoying chats, the influx brought by Han Tae-min’s newfound attention managed to seriously irritate me.