“I’m such a big fan that I really want to do a broadcast together someday. Is there any way we can make that happen?”
“You look really down. I didn’t mention anything like wanting to show the viewers a good example by comparing you and me.”
“Well, that sounds a bit pitying, doesn’t it? Maybe later, when everything’s resolved, I could say it was painful to see you getting roasted, and that’s why I approached you – but who knows?”
“Now is not the time to bring that up. If I say something unnecessary, all the goodwill I’ve built up since our first meeting could disappear in an instant.”
“Ah, that collab… Yeah, collab sounds good… Yes…”
Fortunately, Haryeong didn’t reject the proposal. That means all the effort I put in hadn’t gone to waste.
By the way, Haryeong’s face was oddly flushed while she continued to answer. Her outfit didn’t look that thick, though.
“I think you might have a bit of a fever.”
“Wh-what…?”
I lightly placed my palm on her forehead and pulled back.
She felt a bit warm, but it didn’t seem too severe; if I had to categorize it, maybe just a mild fever.
Even if she had any fever, it wasn’t that strange considering Haryeong needed someone to take care of her. With a state of mind like that, it’d be tough to take care of herself properly.
“Anyway, so we’re doing the collab together, right? No backing out?”
“Yes, yes…”
“Then let’s get up. You haven’t eaten, have you?”
Haryeong nodded slowly. I figured she would. Compared to the videos on VTube, her cheeks had definitely sunken in.
I might need to feed her before sending her back. Honestly, all my business with her was done, and we could talk about the rest over the phone, but sending her back like this just didn’t sit right with me.
I should definitely feed her something hearty and maybe get her some medicine too. It doesn’t seem too severe, so that should be enough.
“Please eat with me. I really don’t like eating alone. While we’re having a meal, we should also talk more about how to do the broadcast. By the way, is there anything you want to eat?”
“…Anything is fine.”
Haryeong said that while slowly trailing behind me, lightly holding onto the end of my sleeve.
*
Meanwhile, new juicy gossip was rolling around in the community.
“What is this??”
(Kayak’s broadcast announcement)
(Haryeong’s broadcast announcement)
They’re collabing?? Out of nowhere??
– The meeting of the original and the copycat ㄷㄷㄷ
– Huh? Why are they suddenly collabing?
– Didn’t Haryeong dislike Kayak? Last time she watched a Kayak video, her face was all twisted.
“No, hating someone is different from making money.”
– Ah, lol! Look at the gallery chief clinging to Kayak like a mosquito that can’t let go!
– Last time I saw, she looked completely broken. Looks like she got her groove back?
– Saying she’s quitting streaming? That’s all for show! How will she eat if she quits? Haha!
– You know how ruthless the gallery chief is, right? ㅇㅇ She’s meaner than an encephalitis mosquito!
– If they collab, Haryeong’s inferiority will be totally exposed, and they’re going for it?
“No, what’s more important is sucking the life out of Kayak.”
“Of course, it’s Haryeong who’s the real vampire. Lol.”
It was the news of the collab between Kayak and Haryeong.
In the community that usually claws at Haryeong, there was no way they would miss this bait. Especially those who intentionally belittle Haryeong in comparison to Kayak.
The fact that Haryeong started streaming before Kayak and that Kayak suggested the collab first didn’t matter to them.
They were just busy discussing how to ruin that day’s broadcast, how to make Haryeong feel bad, and how to expose her inferiority in front of many people.
Because, in the first place, they were all messed up.
They acted without hesitation to intentionally harm others, and the fact that they enjoyed it indicated they were anything but normal.
Engaging in outrageous antics to make others angry, sad, or disheartened while deluding themselves into thinking they controlled others’ emotions—such was the mentality of a madman.
However, they didn’t know. Today’s broadcast would not go as they wished.
*
“Today is the day.”
At last, the day of reckoning had arrived.
It was the day of the joint broadcast to rescue Haryeong from the trolls.
I was currently moving toward Haryeong’s studio. We had agreed to broadcast together there.
Unlike me, Haryeong had prepared a personal studio just for streaming. It truly showed she was a pro streamer who had been doing this for years.
“I can’t let someone like her quit streaming, no way about it.”
Once again, I felt proud of my actions. I was glad I mustered the courage to reach out first.
You might have guessed from the fact that I headed to Haryeong’s studio, but today, the broadcast was going to be entirely her show.
And not just through the internet; I decided to go there in person to do the broadcast together.
This wasn’t Haryeong’s idea; it was purely my own decision.
‘I have to go there and uproot the problem myself.’
The plan was to ban anyone who was interfering with Haryeong’s show, those pesky viewers who were subtly bothering her or stirring the pot.
It wasn’t something we discussed beforehand, but I figured Haryeong wouldn’t mind too much. While we were having a meal, she had complained about facing a lot of issues lately.
She seemed to be a bit fragile, so taking the lead myself didn’t feel like a bad idea.
Lost in thought, I soon arrived at Haryeong’s studio.
“Have you arrived?”
“Yes, are we on air now?”
Haryeong had already turned on the broadcast in advance. She was chatting away with the viewers when she heard I had arrived and came out to get me.
Walking into the studio, I was greeted by a live broadcast already in progress.
[Hahaha]
[Kayak means hi]
[The broadcast is on fire with a guest!]
[Nice to meet you!! Welcome hehee]
[Top Female Streamer has entered ㄷㄷ]
[I was about to say Kayak is prettier than the host lol]
At first glance, the chat seemed like harmless banter, nothing to be overly concerned about, but knowing the background, I saw it differently.
They were already comparing me and Haryeong, poking at her. Seeing this daily could easily mess with someone’s mental state.
Seeing Haryeong’s not-so-great expression after reading those messages, I squeezed her hand reassuringly and sat down.
“Hello, hi hi. I’m Kayak. Greetings to Haryeong’s viewers, and to those who have been watching me from the start!”
[Mokmalmeogi donated 1,000 won!]
– Thank you for collabing with our Haryeong ㅠㅠ
Along with that came a flurry of donations. I smiled and replied.
“No, I was the one who asked for this collab first. Thank Haryeong for accepting it. I’ve been a fan for a long time, you know!”
[Kayak was a fan of Haryeong?]
[Pretty girls just get along well ㅇㅇ]
[I heard Kayak likes pretty women….]
[Even lip service ㄷㄷ]
[Total success as a fan]
“I originally held back from suggesting a collaboration because I didn’t want to be a nuisance, you know? But I just can’t resist Haryeong, I really like her too much.”
Haryeong next to me turns her head slightly, as if shy. Regardless, I exaggerated my fan love for Haryeong on purpose.
“If you check out VTube, there’s an adorable shorts video from four months ago. It’s legit the real deal-.”
“No, no, what are you talking about? Let’s slowly get into the broadcast, alright?”
[Kayak seems to be a die-hard fan, lol]
[Haryeong… VTube… adorable shorts… taking notes….]
[Did you charm another girl again, Kayak?]
[Look at how flustered you made her by being so direct, lol]
[Streamer who loves women to a suspicious degree]
After that, we slowly proceeded with the content.
Today’s content wasn’t anything special.
Haryeong was playing Abyss while learning Camilla from me, and then I planned to learn female streamer dance reactions from her.
Looking at it this way, it’s clear we overlap in a lot of ways. Both of us are good at Abyss, we’re women, and we can dance.
However, comparisons are a bad thing. Since we’re clearly different people, how sad would it be to tear each other down?
“That wasn’t too bad. Playing it safe with that vibe isn’t a bad idea.”
“Yes!”
[You’re the best among the people I’ve taught so far!]
[Haryeong has a tier, so she’s really good!]
[All-time strongest student ㄷㄷㄷ]
[Hmm… was it that much? – deleted message]
[Would be fun to gather all the students I taught Camilla for content]
[If it were Kayak, she would’ve won everythingㄲㅂㄲㅂ lol – deleted message]
According to Haryeong, she has been without a manager to handle the chat for her broadcast for a long time.
She had purely managed the chat all by herself.
But this time was different. I took advantage of Haryeong playing Abyss to time out the chatters who were getting a bit too cheeky.
By now, a warning was sufficient. Those people had probably figured out I was the one messing with the chat.
From here on out was the real start.
Moving forward with the broadcast, if I saw similar messages just once more, I was ready to ban them permanently.
I was already prepared to dance the sword dance.
‘If you’re confident, come at me.’
No matter how fast or how many of you show up in the chat, I’ll ban every single one of you.
