Chapter 14: Business…what? (1)

The source of the incident itself wasn’t hard to find.

[Yuu Reina Storytime.clip]

(TL Note: “썰풀이” (sseolpuri) means telling a story/anecdote)

“Ah, everyone. I went to the company today, right? Ah, is it yesterday now?”

“When I looked, it seemed like she was about to leave after finishing her recording too…”

“I grabbed her right away and dragged her back to the recording studio. I did well, right?”

The introduction was a part I knew.

There wasn’t anything particularly distorted.

“But hey, I finished the recording in one take. Awesome, right?”

“It’s not usually like that. Is it because Reina was there?”

“…No. Listen up, Haruris (Yuu’s fans). There’s a reason for all this.”

(TL Note: “하루리들” (Harurideul) seems to be Yuu’s fanbase name.)

…However.

From the moment Yuu mentioned me as the reason for her successful recording…

The atmosphere in the chat room changed slightly.

It wasn’t that it became serious, more like they’d found something to tease about.

“Usually, it’s just me and the trainer, so I get a bit nervous.”

“But that day… Reina was watching from outside.”

“It was strangely reassuring? There was something like that.”

“Um… you know Reina’s eyes, right? They look really fierce, but somehow that gives people a sense of stability?”

…Hmm.

‘My eyes, are they fierce?’

‘But that gives stability?’

‘Is this an insult or a compliment, what the hell.’

“Anyway, we went to eat dinner after that, right?”

“Then Reina told me to touch her hair, you know? Because it’s a different color but natural.”

“She said it so confidently, and it felt weird not to go, so I went and touched it…”

…Anyway, this too.

It was just something we talked about amongst ourselves.

“As I was touching it, something else… kept catching my eye?”

“Hmm. Eye candy.”

‘…What’s this?’

‘Hmm…’

So, to summarize…

After this clip came out, the instances of people shipping Yuu and me increased dramatically.

But…

“…Where’s the problem?”

I really don’t know.

---

And so, all that time spent worrying was futile.

Without reaching a conclusion, my broadcast time approached.

And….

– Ex

– plain

– Ex

– plain

– Ex

– plain

– Ex

– plain

– Ex

– plain

– Ex

– plain

– Ex

– plain
(TL Note: Viewers are spamming “해명해” (haemyunghae) which means “Explain yourself!”)

“…Wow, look at this chat.”

It’s a mess.

How do I handle this?

‘Well, there’s nothing really to handle…’

As mentioned before, it wasn’t like someone caused an accident…

It was more like people latching onto something to tease me about.

A kind of affectionate teasing.

So, it’s fine to just ignore it.

At worst, it would end with them saying, ‘Aww, no fun.’

…

But, that’s…

Too boring, isn’t it?

“You guys, why, again, what.”

At the timing when it seemed most of the viewers had gathered.

After turning on the mic, I deliberately dived in with an annoyed tone.

Well… if I play along appropriately here, new topics for conversation will arise…

[Anonymous donated 1,000 won : Why are you cheating on us with Yuu?]

[Lugigyeon donated 10,000 won : Is it us or Yuu]

(TL Note: “루기견” (Lugigyeon) is likely a specific fan’s name or a group name within the fandom.)

[FreeSampleCornerLeftoverThief donated 1,000 won : I’llgetdarkerI’llgetdarkerI’llgetdarkerI’llgetdarker]

(TL Note: “까매질게” (kkamaejilge) means “I’ll get darker/tanned,” likely a reference to Reina’s “golden-tanned delinquent” image, implying they’ll change to be her type.)

And as the viewers respond, the broadcast progresses.

…And I earn some money on the side. Hmm.

“What are you on about now. Huh?”

“What, about eating with Yuu? What about it.”

Well, anyway.

The point here is my relationship with Yuu.

Something stemming from a private meeting piqued the viewers’ curiosity.

[Anonymous donated 2,000 won : You seduced our Yuu, you bad girl]

“…? Seduction?”

Of course, since I didn’t fully know the cause and effect…

There were points in between that I didn’t understand.

“No, what did I even do.”

“All I remember is running into her after work, getting dragged along, and eating?”

Still, it didn’t become a big problem.

[Anonymous donated 1,000 won : Was Yuu… just a fling…?]

“Ahem, who told you to use bad words.”

“Only I can use those, you know?”

Anyway, none of them are truly serious.

Just reacting as usual is enough.

And, in addition to that.

“And… Yuu, I love her.”

“As much as Yuu likes me, I like Yuu too.”

– Wha

– Wha?

– Is this for real??

– Wowowowowowowowow

The first technique of a broadcaster, taught by the CEO.

Add a spoonful of anticipation, just a little bit….

“…As a colleague.”

And then, immediately flip the table.

(TL Note: “밥상 엎어버리기” (bapsang eopeobeorigi) means to flip the dining table, a metaphor for ruining expectations.)

– ?

– Ah

– ???

– What does that mean

– You’re… not aware…_?

(TL Note: Viewers are confused and disappointed.)

…Hmm.

It feels like it’s getting a bit too long.

Should I end it around here?

“Anyway, a lot more of you came than usual…”

“Since you’re here, please listen to my No Ceiling cover once. Thank you.”

– ???

– ?

– Yes?

– Surprise Promotion

– I already listened, do I listen again?

– ?

– Crazy promotion ghost;

(TL Note: “무친 홍보귀신” (muchin hongbogwishin) – a playful jab at her shameless self-promotion.)

(TL note: Above is the illustration of the cover song, No Ceiling)