Ch.5656. The Connection

Looking at the ring around my neck makes me feel strange.

Even now, Suhyuk hadn’t grown accustomed to the cold, slightly rough sensation against his neck.

One face kept appearing in his mind.

Hana, who had placed the necklace around his neck while fidgeting with her cherry-like lips.

Suhyuk wasn’t sure if Hana knew, but she had the same habit of nibbling her lips when playing the guitar.

It was especially noticeable when she was concentrating or during difficult passages.

Her front teeth would torment her lips in such a pronounced way.

He thought it was cute.

No. Rather, it would be more disrespectful not to think so.

Hana was truly a human being close to a flower.

Suhyuk had to admit it.

That he felt a flutter at Hana’s gestures.

But at the same time, he had to hide it.

Because Hana probably hadn’t intended to cause such feelings.

The more attractive he found Hana, the more consciously he tried to distance himself from her.

That was the right way to respond to kindness.

Misinterpreting someone’s friendliness was the rock-bottom behavior of a loner.

Even socially awkward loners have their own principles.

And Suhyuk had no intention of creating a situation that would benefit neither of them.

He put on a white long-sleeved shirt with a stretched-out neck.

Suhyuk grabbed the doorknob, wearing his slippers.

His destination was Juyeon’s place.

Today again, Juyeon had called him over without revealing the agenda.

-Ding dong ding dong

After pressing the doorbell, he heard footsteps from inside.

Juyeon peeked her head out.

Her glossy dark brown bob hair swayed neatly today as well.

“Hi.”

“Hi.”

A familiarity like that of cohabiting lovers.

As soon as Suhyuk entered, he took a deep breath.

“What did you eat?”

An unidentifiable aroma, similar to rich cheese, was wafting through the air.

“I haven’t eaten yet.”

Juyeon turned around and opened a deep beige paper bag placed on the table.

A savory aroma instantly filled the room.

Inside was a hot dog that was still warm.

It looked like she had just bought it, as even the batter still appeared crispy.

“What? Did you just buy this?”

“…Yeah. I wanted to eat it with you.”

When Suhyuk just blinked without saying anything, Juyeon timidly held the edge of the bag.

“…Don’t you like it?”

“No. I like it.”

It wasn’t that he disliked hot dogs; he was just stunned by Juyeon’s thoughtfulness.

Having someone buy food with him in mind was an experience he rarely had outside of his parents.

Even though he had a few close male friends, this kind of thoughtfulness wasn’t something he’d find from them.

“Here.”

Juyeon held out the hot dog stick.

“Thanks.”

“You know you have to work for what you eat, right…?”

Suhyuk chuckled at Juyeon’s words.

“I might be worth a hot dog’s price.”

“What does that mean?”

“If you’d bought chicken, I might not have been able to provide equal value.”

Suhyuk felt he could certainly offer advice worth about 2,500 won.

“So… what’s today’s meeting topic?”

“I… I want you to be my manager.”

“Hm?”

Suhyuk, munching on his hot dog, tilted his head.

“Manager?”

“Yeah. Broadcast manager.”

Larger internet broadcasts often needed managers.

Basically, they were there to manage or remove those who didn’t follow chat etiquette.

It was a system employed because it was too much for the broadcaster to manage all the chat themselves.

“…Is that really necessary?”

Juyeon felt slightly humiliated by Suhyuk’s response.

“Yes. It is.”

“Why?”

Juyeon began explaining what had happened last week.

Juyeon’s broadcast had about 50 viewers.

Though it had grown slightly, it was still within the realm of a small channel.

But even in that small pool, trolls existed.

One viewer had started causing trouble in Juyeon’s room.

They would pick on trivial things and start arguments.

If it were a larger broadcast, they could be removed without hesitation, but for a small channel, there were certainly difficult aspects to consider.

She needed someone to help make those decisions.

And Juyeon wanted that person to be Suhyuk.

“That’s going to cost more than a hot dog, you know?”

In terms of hourly wage, it would be at least 10,000 won.

“Ah… so… you will do it…?”

When Juyeon actually started fumbling for her wallet, Suhyuk grabbed her hand.

“No… uh… hmm…”

The reason seemed both valid and trivial.

And if she truly wanted a guardian, wouldn’t a regular viewer be better than Suhyuk?

He thought that employing him to decisively remove people was like leaving fish with a cat.

To be honest, Suhyuk wasn’t confident he could do it well.

“I… I don’t broadcast that long! Just twice a week. That’s all.”

“That’s true, but…”

“I’ll pay you… give you snacks… buy you food…”

In a way, it was like an employer-part-timer relationship.

“Please…?”

Suhyuk was someone who could understand Juyeon’s feelings.

She must have agonized a lot before making this request.

And given their relationship, it was hard to coldly refuse…

“Two school meals.”

“Huh?”

“On days I watch your broadcast, you buy me meals. That’s my condition.”

That was Suhyuk’s maximum wage demand.

Juyeon’s eyes widened.

Her mouth, unable to hide her emotions, broke into a big smile.

“Deal.”

Another bond was formed between the two.

Classmates.

Club mates.

Fellow loners.

Now, manager and broadcaster.

“By the way… Suhyuk.”

“Yeah?”

“Did you buy that necklace?”

The unfamiliar silver thread caught Juyeon’s eye.

“Ah. This.”

Suhyuk hesitated to answer.

Hana had given him the gift separately after sending Juyeon home.

If he thought about why she did that, it would be reasonable to assume she didn’t want it known…

But she hadn’t explicitly asked him to keep it a secret, so it felt awkward to deliberately hide it.

“I received it as a gift.”

“I see.”

Juyeon didn’t ask further.

“That’s unexpected. I didn’t think you’d wear something like that.”

“Since it was a gift, I thought I’d try wearing it.”

“From a girl?”

-Cough cough cough

Suhyuk coughed at the direct and blunt question.

“Uh… yeah. That’s right.”

It would have been even stranger if he’d said it was from a guy.

“…I thought we were comrades. Turns out you’re quite popular.”

Juyeon glared at him as if she’d met a traitor.

She was considering expelling him from the loner alliance.

“But then, shouldn’t you not be here?”

This was, after all, a girl’s apartment.

If he had a potential girlfriend, this would be off-limits.

“It’s fine. Here.”

“I’m starting to feel a bit offended.”

Juyeon wondered if he didn’t even consider her as a girl.

“I mean it’s not that kind of gift, so it’s okay.”

Suhyuk, unusually, joked around.

Something that would have been impossible in any other space.

A quick-witted response possible only in this comfortable atmosphere.

“Anyway… well. I’m counting on you, Manager.”

Juyeon extended her hand as if for a handshake.

“But if there aren’t any troublemakers, aren’t you just asking me to watch your broadcast?”

“Yes.”

“Won’t you be embarrassed?”

“I started broadcasting to overcome my embarrassment.”

If other members saw these two talking, they would feel betrayed.

The two who stumbled over words and could barely hold a conversation elsewhere were speaking fluently here, like professional actors.

“Alright then. I’m heading out now.”

Suhyuk cleaned up the trash and stood up.

“The first broadcast will be on the weekend after the performance.”

“Weekend work comes with additional pay, you know.”

“How much? I’ll pay.”

“I’m kidding.”

Juyeon accompanied him to the entrance and stood modestly in front of Suhyuk.

“Get home safely.”

“It’s just a 3-minute walk.”

“Still, get home safely.”

Juyeon waved her hand, and Suhyuk waved back once before returning home.

Sigh… Juyeon’s broadcast manager…

Suhyuk wondered if he could do it well, while also questioning if there was much to do.

He flopped onto his bed to organize his thoughts.

After Friday, it would be a free period after the festival and after-party were over.

Just as he picked up his phone, thinking he should check how other small channel managers operate—

-Vrrrrr

His phone vibrated.

The caller was Hana.

Given that she was calling at such a late hour, it was likely something urgent.

Suhyuk slid the screen and put the phone to his ear.

[Hello?]

[Yeah. It’s Hana.]

[Hey, Lee Suhyuk. Do you have anyone to hang out with on the second day of the festival?]

[No. I don’t.]

Hana was silent for a moment.

Just as he was checking the screen to see if the call had dropped—

[Th-Then, do you want to hang out with me?]

It was becoming increasingly difficult for Suhyuk not to misunderstand.