Chapter 111: Island Maiden, Part 1

Seo Ji-woo had high expectations for her upcoming life in Seoul, now only ten months away.

“Assuming I get a single room for a deposit of 8 million won and monthly rent of 300,000 won next year, I’ll just put a bed and a desk…”

She had already checked the estimated rent for single rooms using a real estate app.

Graduation photos would be taken in the spring or early summer, and if she moved to Seoul around December, she could skip school for a month or two after that and still receive her diploma.

She planned to live in Seoul from December, briefly return to Ulleungdo in February to receive her diploma, and then come back to Seoul.

“Ah, I’m so excited.”

She had saved about 3 million won, painstakingly accumulating the meager earnings from her Utaite channel, added another 3 million won from her saved holiday allowance money, which she rarely used, and a bit more from other miscellaneous income, aiming for the 8 million won deposit.

She planned to earn the rent money from December onwards after debuting as a streamer, and cover living expenses with the remaining earnings and allowance.

As was usual with living alone, it wouldn’t be easy to live comfortably, but the fact that she would be living independently excited Seo Ji-woo.

“Soundproof booth, soundproof booth, computer, computer.”

A trot-like melody flowed from her characteristically boyish voice.

Many islanders had their own sea shanties, and having grown up listening to the adults humming, it naturally came out whenever she was excited.

–Beep, beep, beep.

She entered the password Hayoon had given her and stepped into the Igloo, the place that would be her responsibility for the next three years. What greeted Seo Ji-woo was a three-bedroom apartment, feeling complete with three new soundproof booths installed.

“Wow, this is my studio?”

Perhaps because she took the morning train, there was no one in the Igloo yet.

Scarlet’s stream usually started in the evening, and Choi Arin tended to arrive leisurely after lunchtime.

“I wonder if the computer setup is finished?”

Playing the Ta-ra-ra-ra~ real estate background music in her head, Seo Ji-woo entered the soundproof booth she had previously chosen.

“Yes, this is it.”

She found a computer, decked out with high-end RGB components, and a monitor with a post-it note that read, “[Lucy, Seo Ji-woo’s].”

The keyboard, mouse, headset, and even the rigging microphone were all set up, ready to go. It was truly the boundless grace of Hayoon, her boss, friend, and fellow Vtuber.

“I should do some basic setup beforehand. It doesn’t seem like anyone’s here anyway.”

Seo Ji-woo immediately turned on the computer and started typing away.

She quickly installed and logged into essential programs like Grom and CocoaTalk. After about an hour of installing various programs and logging into portal sites to customize the settings…

“I’m hungry…”

She started to feel hungry.

Snack carts had disappeared from KTX trains since the pandemic, and she had come straight to the Igloo after visiting Olive Young, so it was time to feel hungry.

“Should I have eaten first…”

But since she had come all the way to Seoul, wouldn’t it be better to ask Hayoon to take her to a good restaurant and eat together?

Seo Ji-woo stroked her empty stomach, thinking this.

“Ah,
, this is embarrassing…”

Suddenly, she cursed under her breath.

Living on Ulleungdo Island with strong sunlight, Seo Ji-woo’s skin was quite tanned.

Even now, as she stroked her flat stomach, her tanned hand contrasted sharply with her pale skin.

“I have to wash up and change clothes at Hayoon’s place, but this is so embarrassing…”

Still, her tan would fade as she lived in Seoul.

She hoped Hayoon wouldn’t find it too strange.

After all, Hayoon was her first real friend in a long time.

“Islanders are all so boring; they just stare at their phones all day.”

But Hayoon was different.

Hayoon’s stories about illustration were interesting, and she listened patiently to Seo Ji-woo’s complaints. If she could only have one friend, Seo Ji-woo thought Hayoon was the best choice.

“Haa, I’m bored.”

Thinking she might as well look around the other rooms, she dashed over to the studio Hayoon used.

“Mmm.”

“Cold.”

“Hmm…”

She found Hayoon and Choi Arin in the midst of a passionate moment.

“Uh…”

“Uh…?”

“Uh…”

“Ah, hi…? You’re here…?”

It seemed they had both arrived while she was setting up her computer. And she had just witnessed their routine pre-work kiss from the front row.

‘City girls are so shameless…?’

She felt a strange flush of heat.

Seo Ji-woo thought,

‘City girls are so shameless…?’

There was a saying that in the countryside, with so little to do, boys and girls would just have s*x if they liked each other, spending their school days that way.

Seo Ji-woo, a country girl herself, hadn’t seen any of her peers living like that, so she thought it was half a joke…

But now she saw city girls kissing each other in broad daylight…!

City people were more shameless than country people!

“J-Just continue… I’ll go get some water…”

However, continuing to watch made Seo Ji-woo, who was not immune to such things, feel a bit dizzy.

She felt lightheaded and tried to quickly excuse herself…

“Hey, Ji-woo.”

“Huh…?”

Hayoon, looking slightly dazed, strode over and wrapped her arm around Seo Ji-woo’s waist, pulling her close.

Their stomachs pressed together, and Seo Ji-woo’s small chest was buried in Hayoon’s ample bosom…

“Don’t be so surprised by this. Everyone does this.”

Hayoon spoke casually, gradually bringing her face closer to Seo Ji-woo’s.

“H-Hayoon… W-We’re…”

We’ve only met twice…

We talk a lot on the phone, at least ten hours a week, but this is a bit too fast…

She was about to say this, but she closed her eyes tightly.

Hayoon’s arm around her waist was firm, and the atmosphere didn’t seem like she would stop if asked.

Like a lamb before a wolf, the innocent island girl could only shrink before the cool city girl…

–Smooch.

“…?”

When she cautiously opened her eyes, she saw Hayoon’s ear.

That’s right.

Hayoon had simply pressed their cheeks together and hugged her lightly.

“Why were you looking at us like that? Everyone does this.”

“Uh? Uh…”

Perhaps it was because of the intense scene she had just witnessed…

Seo Ji-woo’s mind wasn’t working properly.

Really? Was that true?

Did everyone hug while pressing their cheeks together?

Was it okay because they were both girls?

Such thoughts jumbled in her head, making her dizzy.

“I did that because I thought we were close, but should I not do it if it makes you uncomfortable?”

“N-No!”

Seo Ji-woo shook her head in surprise at Hayoon’s casual question.

They were friends, even if it was only their second time meeting in person. They had accumulated so much closeness by talking on the phone for at least ten hours a week.

She couldn’t let that crumble with a single word.

“I like you, Hayoon! I like you a lot!”

As if asking for more, Seo Ji-woo hugged Hayoon tightly.

‘Her chest…’

Hayoon’s ample bosom stirred a pang of envy, but Seo Ji-woo suppressed the unsettling feeling, thinking that small breasts had their advantages too.

For instance, she could comfortably wear a crossbody bag like the one she had on today without anything getting in the way.

Small breasts weren’t so bad!

As Seo Ji-woo thought this…

‘Wow,
, that was close.’

Hayoon had forgotten that Seo Ji-woo was coming today.

Or rather, she hadn’t forgotten, but she was so used to casually kissing Choi Arin that she hadn’t realized Seo Ji-woo was already in the Igloo, looking around the soundproof booths.

If she hadn’t handled the situation well, she might have been met with looks of disdain for displaying affection in the workplace, but luckily, Seo Ji-woo was somewhat naive.

While Seo Ji-woo mumbled to herself, clutching the strap of her crossbody bag, Hayoon turned her head slightly and looked at Choi Arin, who looked stunned.

“Be quiet.”

Hayoon tapped her lips with her index finger.

‘Be careful.’

She wagged her index finger from side to side, signaling to be more careful in the future.

‘Y-Yes…!’

Choi Arin nodded in understanding.

The option of refusing physical affection with Hayoon had long since vanished from her mind.

There was no option of not doing it if they were seen.

If they were seen, the solution wasn’t to stop, but to do it where others couldn’t see.

“Anyway, now that Ji-woo’s here, shall we go record the original song?”

Hayoon suggested they leave, adjusting the strap of her crossbody bag, which she had brought to the Igloo today, so that it was securely nestled between her ample cleavage.

“Your chest…”

“Yes?”

“They’re really huge…”

The island girl felt a pang of sadness about her small chest.