Chapter 161

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**A Voice Just for You. (6)**

“Alright then, for the two whose relationship’s gotten a little awkward, today we’re going to play the _‘I Like You’ Game!_”

“…The _‘I Like You’ Game’_?”

I tilted my head at the name of a game I’d never heard before.

But for some reason, even though it was my first time hearing it, I had a pretty good guess what it was about.

I snuck a glance at Toya’s face—her expression had stiffened slightly.

Just what kind of game is this ‘I Like You’ thing, for Toya to react like that—?

“For the seemingly confused Nacchan, let me explain! The _‘I Like You’ Game’_ is where two people take turns saying ‘I like you,’ and whoever gets embarrassed first loses! Of course, variations are okay! You can include gestures or actions too! Do whatever it takes to make the other person blush first—that’s the essence of the _‘I Like You’ Game’!_”

“…What even is that?”

– Nacchan genuinely disgusted wwwwww

– Don’t say that with a wink, Inari wwww

– Even if you say it cheerfully… 草

– Fox brain strikes again… ww

– Might end up not being that interesting.

– Don’t they already say “I like you” to each other all the time? 草

– That’s true actually wwwwww

– 草

One misconception the viewers had:

Surprisingly, Toya and I _didn’t_ say “I like you” to each other often.

Rather than saying it outright, it was easier to express through actions.

In that sense, saying it out loud to each other was, well…

‘N-nothing big, r-right…? Uh-huh. N-nothing at all!’

Just imagining myself saying “I like you” to Toya made my heart pound like crazy.

Uh, this definitely _is_ a big deal.

– Nacchan’s face is turning red wwww

– Maybe they actually don’t say it as often as we thought ww

– Nacchan’s blushing is adorable 草

– The fact the blush gets tracked now shows how far tech has come…

– Nacchan looks like she’s just a real person at this point 草

– Real life?

– Nacchan doesn’t exist in real life~

Right, of course. I’m a virtual girl, after all.

But still, thanks to our absurdly advanced tech, everyone could see just how flustered I was.

At this rate, I might lose the game _before_ Toya even says she likes me.

Not that this was about winning or losing anyway.

“So who wants to go first? Toya? Or Nacchan?”

“Natsu, you okay?”

“…I don’t mind.”

I answered like it was nothing, but my voice was already trembling.

Why am I like this? Normally, I’d shrug this sort of thing off like it was no big deal.

I’d just think, “It’s Inari being Inari,” and laugh it off…!

“Hmm, then Toya goes first!”

“Okay, I’ll go.”

– Love the confidence 草

– So Toya’s the one who’s more into her after all ww

– TOYA! TOYA! TOYA! TOYA!

– Toya does what we could never do, so effortlessly. That’s why she’s the best!

– Toya, please tell me you like me too…

Despite how confidently she spoke, Toya’s face looked stiff.

She was totally frozen, like her face was shouting, _‘I’m nervous right now~’_

Wait… Toya? Nervous?

That thought alone hit me like a truck. I never imagined Toya would get nervous over something like this.

“Natsu.”

“Y-yeah?”

E-even hearing it makes me nervous…

Just two syllables.

Just my name—but those two syllables hit with surprising emotional weight.

Even without hearing “I like you,” I could feel it in the tone.

The affection. The tension.

“I like you.”

“…Mm.”

Surprisingly, despite all my worrying, when Toya actually said it, I felt… fine.

It felt natural—like something that made sense.

Yeah. Of course Toya likes me. And I like her.

All that heart-pounding from earlier settled down the moment I heard her say it.

– That was smoother than expected?

– Nacchan looks totally fine ww

– Seems like she was more nervous _before_ she heard it ww

– I thought she’d totally fall apart after hearing it…

– Unexpected reactions are even better sometimes 草

…Maybe I should’ve _pretended_ to blush.

Disappointed chat. Disappointed Inari. Toya’s unreadable expression.

I glanced away, suddenly self-conscious.

Seriously, how am I supposed to react here?

“Hmmm… I thought Nacchan would lose instantly, but you’re holding your ground better than I expected. Okay! Then it’s Nacchan’s turn to attack!”

“I-I’ll just take the loss, so can we end it now?”

“If you forfeit, you have to say ‘I like you’ a hundred times.”

“…Is that a rule?”

“Just made it up!”

– That’s cheating wwwwww

– Inari is desperate to hear Nacchan say it wwww

– She’s not even the target but still wants to hear it wwww

– She’s determined to get at least _one_ “I like you” out of Nacchan 草

– Inari’s kinda cool today… is it just me? ww

– Might not be just you 草

What exactly is cool about this?!

I stared daggers at Inari, but she just giggled innocently.

Guess I had no choice.

Dragging it out would only make it worse.

So I had to just close my eyes and say it once—just once.

_You can do it, Han Yeoreum. You can do it, Han Yeoreum!_

“…Toya.”

“Y-yeah?”

Hearing my name didn’t shake me much, but saying _her_ name made my heart pound.

Toya seemed more flustered hearing _her_ name too.

…Oh right, variations were allowed, weren’t they?

Maybe I could sneak in a little context while I’m at it. Something I failed to say last time.

Yeah. Think of this as punishment for not saying it then.

“That thing I didn’t say before… it was this.”

“…Natsu?”

“I like you, Toya.”

I don’t know if that counted as a proper answer, but I said it, and that made me feel a little lighter.

Though I did immediately lower my head afterward.

I mean, seriously. Who could stay composed after saying something like that?

I couldn’t even look at Inari or the viewers—I just kept lowering my head.

Until eventually all I could see was my knees.

“Hic…! Hiccup…!”

“Pf—”

“D-don’t laugh… hic?!”

“Pwahahahahahaha!!!! T-Toya…!! _That_ Toya…!!! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!”

Toya had started hiccuping—adorably.

—

**[Why does Inari feel oddly charming today…]**

[(Inari declaring the start of the “I Like You” Game.MVI)]

Ha… should we go for a run?

– Let’s go for it!

– I’m bowing 10 times toward the Inari shrine from today onward…

– Fox fox~

– (Inari: “I’m a shrine maiden, after all” emote)

– Inari really _is_ the best for love advice ㅋㅋ

– Who would’ve guessed Inari would be the cupid for ToNatsu ㅋㅋㅋ

– Did they really do it? I didn’t think either of them would actually go through with it ㅋㅋㅋ

– They always seemed like they liked each other, but never said it outright ㅋㅋ

– Honestly thought Nacchan would deadpan reject it and ruin the mood ㅇㅇ

– You… you dared expect this…

**[Toya said ‘I like you’ to Natsu on stream??]**

[(Toya saying “I like you” to Natsu.MVI)]

The reaction was… not what I expected.

I thought Nacchan would freak out, but she was surprisingly composed ㅋㅋㅋ

– Says she’s used to hearing it now, apparently~

– She looked more nervous _before_ hearing it

– Some people really do get more anxious _before_ things happen

– To be fair, she always panics leading up to events, but handles them fine when they happen ㅋㅋ

– That unshaken response might be even tastier

– “Tasteless”? Nah, your imagination’s just weak, bro ㅇㅇ

– Just imagine Toya saying it to her every day until she stops blushing—dopamine go BRRR

– You need to leave ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

**[Toya hiccuped?!]**

[(Toya starts hiccuping after hearing “I like you” from Natsu.MVI)]

Of course she did, why else would I post it ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Delicious ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– _That_ Toya got flustered like this ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– (Polar bear without a home emote)

– So when are these two getting married?

– Already living like a married couple, apparently~

– Please let the wedding be a cyber-wedding…

– If it’s a real wedding, I’m gonna find a red pill and crash the venue

– Me at Nacchan’s wedding: eating buffet and shaking hands like a boss

– Natsumin average reaction ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

**[Toya hiccup reaction trending…]**

– (Nagisa: “This is a gourmet meal” emote)

– (Inari: “This might be worth eating” emote)

– (Yukitoki: “Just shove it all in your mouth!” emote)

**[Looping Toya’s hiccups on repeat. This is my content now ㅇㅇ]**

– What do you even _do_ with that ㅋㅋ

– (Natsu: “I’m gonna sue all Koreans!” emote)

– “If you wanna sue me, become a Korean first, Kim Toya!”

– If Toya actually marries Natsu, does she get Korean citizenship?

– No choice. If you’re Korean, straight to jail ㅇㅇ