Ch.9393. Uncle

[“Yeon-i! This game is super hot among streamers these days!”]

[“Oh, and I made a list of songs that might suit you? They could be good reference when you’re doing covers.”]

[“Also, have you thought about doing subscriber milestone events? Like doing something special when you reach a certain number of subscribers haha”]

Yeon-i gently moves her mouse to click the exit button.

After checking all the messages on VoiceCode, her impression was simple.

…This is burdensome.

I just needed someone to manage the chat.

The person who took over as manager after Suhyeok, [YeoniWorld], was someone with excessive enthusiasm.

They would suggest content without being asked, and even researched how other streamers set up chat rules, saying it might be good for her to implement something similar.

They had begged so persistently for contact information for “smoother communication” that Yeon-i had reluctantly shared just her VoiceCode ID.

“Ah… maybe I shouldn’t have given it to them after all…”

She couldn’t help but sigh.

But it would look strange to dismiss someone she had just hired simply because she didn’t like their style.

Because this person seemed to genuinely like ‘Yeon-i’ too much.

Above all, despite everything, the broadcasts that followed their suggestions were showing quite an upward trend.

At this pace, she might actually hit 500 viewers.

500 viewers.

The number at which Suhyeok had promised to grant her one wish.

Whether her wish could be realized or not, Yeon-i planned to capture that moment.

Though she had already discussed it with the new manager, Yeon-i still had homework to do.

That was to create donation reactions.

She was told to come up with fixed reactions that people would like for different donation amounts, but Yeon-i had no idea what to do.

She’d rather just sing a song…

Forcing herself to come up with cute lines was really…

Yeon-i stared blankly at the spot where Suhyeok used to sit.

She got up from her chair and crouched down in the exact same position he used to take.

What would you have recommended?

Suhyeok.

Looking back now, those times when they laughed together while deciding even the smallest things felt so precious to her.

She liked how he would casually suggest things that would suit her well.

She liked how he seemed to already know what she wouldn’t like and never even mentioned those things.

It had been so comfortable and harmonious…

Since limiting contact with Suhyeok, Yeon-i had gradually been losing interest in streaming.

This was separate from the performance and financial aspects.

Yeon-i felt as if she were withering away, like the protagonist in one of Suhyeok’s original songs.

While hoping that Suhyeok’s love life wouldn’t be cloudy, the overwhelming loneliness attacked her every night.

Her phone was tempting her.

If she actually called Suhyeok, he would surely come back.

But that would be…

When Yeon-i picked up her phone, she opened not her contacts but her gallery.

There she was with smudged makeup looking somewhat unattractive, and next to her was Suhyeok, staring at the camera with a slightly foolish expression.

It was a photo shared only between the two of them after a performance, when they had been left alone with no friends around.

“…I miss you.”

If nothing else, Yeon-i wanted to know the result of Suhyeok’s confession soon.

* * *

[What should I wear?]

[Something casual]

[Will my everyday clothes like this work?]

[Hey. Just wear what I picked out for you at the performance]

Having gained confidence from his call with Hana, Suhyeok flung open his closet.

His first day of work was confirmed.

It was also his first part-time job ever.

His heart was already racing before he’d even left.

There were two main reasons.

First, it was literally his first time doing this.

Second, the band performing at the live hall today was quite well-known domestically.

It would be his first time seeing a live performance too.

Apparently, if he were to enter as an audience member, the ticket would cost 20,000 won.

After showering and getting dressed, Suhyeok headed out.

Heat waves rose from the asphalt.

Late July in South Korea was boiling without restraint.

Already drenched in sweat before even arriving, Suhyeok stopped in front of the sign he had seen in pictures.

[RADIOHEAD CLUB]

A club named after Radiohead, considered giants in the band world.

It seemed that Hana’s uncle must be a Radiohead fan.

Suhyeok himself often listened to Radiohead’s songs.

Especially “Creep,” a masterpiece that any loner could immerse themselves in with 200% intensity.

Traces of their music still remained in Suhyeok’s playlist.

The performance was scheduled to start at 6 PM, so Suhyeok arrived at 4:30 PM.

Since no customers were lined up yet, Suhyeok descended the silent stairs one step at a time.

It wasn’t sleek or clean.

The building seemed quite old.

There was a bit of lingering dampness in the basement.

-Creeeeak

The door wasn’t locked, so he just opened it and went in.

From inside, he could hear Hana’s voice.

“Aaaah~ Uncle~”

Her tone was full of aegyo, quite different from her usual manner. Suhyeok paused his steps momentarily.

“No. I can’t just let you do it for nothing.”

The voice was gruff and hearty, but he was refusing her request.

“But I’m working part-time for you~”

“And I’m paying you.”

“But letting me perform is separate! Don’t you have employee benefits?”

“Hana, you know how many customers we get at the end of the year. You know this.”

Small live halls created for performances were busiest at the end and beginning of the year.

Unless it was a slow period with few scheduled performances, giving up an entire day at his niece’s request would be quite troublesome for the owner.

Feeling awkward about eavesdropping any longer, Suhyeok revealed himself.

“Ah. Hello.”

He politely bowed his head.

“Oh! Lee Suhyeok! You’re here!”

“Hi.”

This was his first time meeting Hana’s family member.

Hana’s uncle was quite tall and striking.

His long beard, like that of a foreign artist, was charming.

It seemed the entire family had inherited superior genes when it came to appearance. Suhyeok’s sensor tingled at the impression of a handsome man who must have been quite popular in his youth.

“Nice to meet you. You’re Hana’s friend, right?”

The uncle extended his hand to Suhyeok.

“Yes. I’m Lee Suhyeok! Please take care of me!”

“You’re in the same band, right?”

“Ah, yes. We’re in the same club.”

“That takes me back~ Those were good times.”

“What do your parents do?”

“…Excuse me?”

He had expected various questions, but this was unexpected.

“Um… my father is in our hometown…”

“Hey! Uncle! What are you doing?!”

“Hey, hey, this is important.”

“Ah, seriously. Stop it. I told you not to do this.”

Hana strode up to her uncle with large, glaring eyes.

“Don’t ask him weird questions.”

“Oh my, how scary.”

“Suhyeok is sensitive and will take it to heart.”

Hana separated them like a mother bird protecting her chick.

“Is that so?”

Her uncle burst into laughter.

To an adult’s eyes, it probably just looked cute.

“Sorry. Can I call you Suhyeok?”

“Yes.”

“Suhyeok, um… we need to do one final cleaning before opening, okay? Go ask Hana how to do it. She’s been doing this for a while, so she knows everything.”

When her uncle jerked his chin, Hana nodded in understanding and grabbed Suhyeok’s wrist.

Dragged by Hana, they arrived at the storage room.

Though called a storage room, it was closer to a supply cabinet.

“All the cleaning supplies are here, and usually you sweep the floor first and then mop it, okay?”

“Yeah.”

“Use this broom, then put it here, and wet the mop in the bathroom. Any questions so far?”

It would be strange to have questions. This was no different from what they did at school.

“None.”

“Okay, good. After we finish cleaning together, you’ll probably be assigned to take tickets.”

“Okay.”

“Some people buy tickets on-site, some have reservations, and some will bring physical tickets in advance, you know?”

He had thought he just needed to take money, but Suhyeok was already beginning to doubt his capabilities.

“So it’s all cash…?”

“Yeah, just cash.”

“Oh…”

“Half of what we make from ticket sales is our revenue. The rest goes to the performing team.”

“I see how the system works.”

Suhyeok felt like he was receiving a cultural education from Hana’s explanation.

“Yeah. It’s not difficult, but you can’t make mistakes, okay?”

“…Okay.”

“Do you want to get any autographs?”

“Huh?”

“They’ll be back after finishing rehearsal and having dinner.”

Ah, so they’ve already done rehearsal.

Indeed, instruments that seemed to have been left behind after someone’s performance remained on the stage.

“Then I’ll just take one from the guitarist.”

“Okay. I’ll get it for you.”

Hana smiled brightly.

Suhyeok’s heart raced again at her thoughtfulness.

“Now go. You need to clean.”

“Got it.”

“Let me know when you’re done, okay?”

“Yeah.”

Suhyeok picked up the broom as instructed by Hana and diligently swept the floor.

It was reassuring to hear that things would only be busy at the beginning of the performance and there wouldn’t be much to do afterward.

He just needed to clean up well before leaving.

“Hey, friend.”

The uncle gestured toward Suhyeok.

“Yes?”

“Come here.”

As he approached the owner, the smell of cigarettes hit his nose strongly.

“So, how far have you gone with Hana?”