Crossroads-3

The realization of how she knew made my heart sink.

But, so what? Why should I feel like I got caught cheating?

Seeing her so triumphant, I felt a temporary cognitive dissonance.

“Yeah, so what?”

[Are you hitting on her?]

I was dumbfounded by the unexpected question.

“What? No, before that, how did you know I was watching Lonely Trainer’s broadcast?”

[You can see what broadcasts your friends are watching if you’re friends.]

Oh, we were friends? I didn’t notice because I didn’t pay attention.

I don’t manage my friend list, so I didn’t even know that feature existed. Why does an internet broadcasting platform even have a friend function?

Hana, thinking she had caught my Achilles’ heel, spoke with more energy than before.

[You’re embarrassed because you got caught being nice to a small-time Broadcasting Jockeys, getting her number, and trying to hit on her?]

“Not really? It’s not what you think in the first place.”

[Ha, a dog doesn’t stop eating poop. Do you think I don’t know you, Kang In-ho? You’re a Kang In-ho who sponsors Broadcasting Jockeys to get their contact information and asks them to meet up for meals, a horny bastard?]

“……..”

[If you’re human, have some shame. Honestly, I’ve taken a lot from you too, but you suddenly acting all clean and reformed is honestly disgusting, you know?]

“Now your true colors are showing. So, what do you want to say?”

[I won’t tell her about you, so give me some money. Just support me until the end of the year.]

“I’m speechless at how confident you are.”

[I don’t think we need to pretend anymore. I’m saying this in a business-like manner. I won’t interfere with you hitting on her, so just lend me money until the end of the year.]

I was honestly impressed by her skill in switching to Plan B and renegotiating when her pitiful act didn’t work.

This is such a new experience that I feel like something shocking is happening every second.

[The messages you’ve sent me so far… you wouldn’t want anyone else to see them, right? What woman would like those kinds of messages?]

When I didn’t respond, Hana started ranting, possessed.

[So, I’ll keep my mouth shut. Help me out instead. Just turn a blind eye.]

What I’ve been feeling lately is that I’m seeing a lot of the disgusting parts of humanity in this dimension.

“Haa….”

[You’ll do it, right?]

Hana, taking my long sigh as a sign of agreement, pressed me.

“Get lost.”

[…….]

[You’ll regret it.]

That was my last call with Hana.

“Ugh, my head is spinning.”

Perhaps because I was momentarily agitated, my vision spun, and the back of my neck stiffened.

I threw my phone far away from the desk and dove straight into bed.

I really can’t have my body like this…

Let’s just sleep. I’m tired. I don’t even want to eat.

The center was quiet again today. Garam was sitting at the desk, working.

Her job was managing PT members.

The only PT client was Inho, who was in the East Sea, but she was seriously considering the exercise program.

Because she had heard why Inho went to the East Sea, she had no choice but to remove all the strenuous exercises.

Just as she was wondering how much to increase the number of repetitions to make up for the lack of strength training, her phone rang.

“Huh? What’s this?”

It wasn’t a text message or KakaoTalk.

When she pressed the notification, the Oceania TV app launched.

Then, a chat window appeared on the screen.

Hana(hanazzing): Hello. Are you the Lonely Trainer?

LonelyTrainer: Yes, who are you?

Hana(hanazzing): Ah, I’m Hana, a Broadcasting Jockeys. Do you know me?

LonelyTrainer: No… I don’t think so.

Hana(hanazzing): Ah, I see^^ I have something to tell the Lonely Trainer, so I DM’d you.

LonelyTrainer: Ah, okay. What is it?

Hana(hanazzing): Do you know Kang In-ho? Or the ID Supreme Landlord?

Garam’s hand paused at the unexpected name.

How does this person know Boss’s name?

An inexplicable anxiety sprouted from the depths of her heart.

LonelyTrainer: I know Inho Boss.

Hana(hanazzing): Ah… Has he not said anything yet?

LonelyTrainer: What do you mean?

Hana(hanazzing): Like asking to meet up or anything?

We see each other almost every day, so is there a need to meet separately? Garam muttered.

When Garam didn’t answer, Hana sent a series of messages as a warning.

Hana(hanazzing): I’m just trying to give you some advice since you seem to have just started broadcasting.

Hana(hanazzing): That guy goes around sponsoring every Broadcasting Jockeys, getting their contact information, and hitting on them. He’s kind of famous in this scene.

Hana(hanazzing): You should be careful too. I was hurt pretty badly.

Garam frowned and typed on the keyboard irritably.

LonelyTrainer: I don’t know how you found out… but I think this is a personal matter.

LonelyTrainer: Thanks for the advice.

LonelyTrainer: But it’s not cool to talk behind people’s backs like this.

“Okay~ shall we start the broadcast?”

Hana, wearing thin pajamas, smiled brightly at the camera.

She smiled sweetly and scanned the rising chat window.

“Huh? Why do I look gloomy? Ah, well, I just have a lot on my mind these days.”

Hana answered a question that no one had asked.

As she paused after starting, the topic of the chat window began to converge on one point.

“Well, honestly, my ranking has been falling lately. And I have some business debts to pay off.”

Then, she startled and waved her hands.

“Ah, no, I’m not trying to get money. Really. Really. It’s just hard. I should only be showing you good things, but I’m being too weak. I’m sorry.”

As she closed her eyes and bowed her head, donations came in.

Hana deliberately lowered the corners of her mouth and looked up at the ceiling.

“I’ve tried so hard to raise my ranking. But it’s not working. Other broadcasts are so popular these days.”

LookingForSmallBroadcasting Jockeys: Come to think of it, Chairman hasn’t been coming lately either?

As the chat she wanted appeared, Hana snatched it up like a shark taking its prey.

“Ah, Chairman? Well… um…”

Sensing something in Hana’s reaction, the viewers pressed her, asking what happened.

“I had a bit of a misunderstanding with Chairman…”

ShookShookShoook: Misunderstanding?

“I think he heard some bad things about me somewhere and hasn’t been coming to the broadcast. But it’s all lies…”

Lazenka: ????

“Okay, let’s stop here. Chairman will come back someday. Okay, let’s broadcast.”

Hana’s broadcast lasted for four hours, and she showed the most enthusiastic and energetic side of herself in recent times.

After the broadcast ended, a topic began to circulate in the internet broadcasting community: Who leaked false information about Hana?

“Right, who would dare mess with me?”

Seeing the embers slowly burning, Hana smiled as she scanned the community bulletin board.

Instead of being grateful for the advice from a senior broadcaster, why are you trying to lecture me?

“Anything that bothers me must be destroyed.”

Hana muttered as she searched for other sponsors on her phone.