It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

“We’re about to take the last order soon. If you’d like to add any more dishes, please let us know.”

“Hmm… Right. Jinhee, would you like anything else?”

“… No, I’m fine, really.”

“… You don’t seem to eat much. For me… I always crave ramen when I drink, but it doesn’t seem like they have any here.”

“We have Nagasaki champon as a soup-based noodle dish.”

“Ah, um. It seems a bit different. Umm… Just add one more bottle of sake, please.”

“Yes, understood.”

.

.

.

Time passed beyond what could even be described as the peak of the drinking session. Yet another empty bottle, who knows how many it had been, was cleared away, and a new bottle, chill to the touch, arrived at the table.

Normally, Jinhee would have ended the drinking session long ago. She wasn’t one to particularly enjoy alcohol, and it was already past 11 PM. Concerned about Yena before her, she would have suggested calling it a night.

Jinhee, trying her best to steady her spinning mind, glanced at the woman sitting across from her, who was opening the new bottle.

Since when had it been? Yena had been perking up subtly every time a new bottle arrived. Her expression remained neutral, but her ears would twitch slightly, like a cat hearing the pop of a can.

Wanting to continue watching that sight, Jinhee found herself unable to stop the endless flow of new bottles.

But with that came a bit of guilt.

“… Are you okay?”

Again, she found herself asking a meaningless question.

Seeing that somewhat strained expression on Yena’s face made Jinhee wonder if she should have sent her home already. Even though she hadn’t been the one pushing Yena to drink.

“Here, only the kitchen is closing… They’ll stay open late. You don’t need to worry. We won’t be kicked out like last time. This time I chose based on their closing hours.”

Of course, the person in question seemed entirely unbothered.

“Cheers.”

Yena reached out with a small hand holding a delicate glass, her hand covered by a pale flesh-colored sleeve that drew Jinhee’s attention more than usual today.

Should she ask?

“… Cheers.”

Even as their glasses clinked together, Jinhee’s eyes remained fixed on the sleeve. Unless Yena brought it up herself, it was probably best not to ask. Wearing such a sleeve so insistently suggested she had something to hide—and what people usually hid there was fairly obvious.

Nevertheless, she worried it might be happening in the present, not just the past.

As she watched Yena, whose face flushed red while emptying her glass, Jinhee kept swallowing the questions that threatened to escape her mouth.

She feared Yena might run away if she prodded too carelessly.

So, in the silence, who knew how much time had passed? It was impossible to tell. That ethereal, unreal appearance seemed to have the effect of making one lose track of time.

“… I’m going to the convenience store for a bit. Do you want me to get you something? Ice cream, maybe?”

It was only after Yena suddenly said this while fiddling with her glass that Jinhee snapped back to reality.

‘Was I staring too intently? No, she wouldn’t be uncomfortable—right?’

“Huh? Oh, sure, let’s go together! I want to get some fresh air too. It’s fine to step out for a bit.”

Saying this, Jinhee stood up first, harboring a slight anxiety. If Yena didn’t want to, she would’ve said she was going home, not to the store, Jinhee convinced herself.

Why she felt so worried, she wasn’t sure—though Jinhee’s alcohol-soaked brain kept coming up with strange answers. Answers she was determined to reject as wrong.

“Yes.”

Was it because she hid her thoughts and pretended everything was normal? Yena slowly nodded and got up as well, her movements as graceful as always.

Feeling that she might end up staring blankly again, Jinhee hurriedly took the lead and headed toward the door.

.

.

.

“Why does this taste good? I still don’t get it.”

On the way back from the convenience store, under the streetlights scattered here and there, Yena, who had mint and chocolate mixed ice cream in her mouth, mumbled the first words. She had a slight frown, as if dissatisfied with something.

‘… Is she really drunk?’

It was hard to understand the ramblings of a seemingly drunk person. Though she didn’t seem much different from when she wasn’t drunk—with alcohol, it felt like some sort of limiter was unlocked. The frequency of incomprehensible words tended to increase drastically.

“… It’s great if you like it! Chocolate is a bit rich, so they say it pairs well with the refreshing mint.”

Despite that, keeping up the conversation wasn’t difficult at all. She had become familiar enough that she could now proudly call herself an ‘expert on Lee Yena.’

“Do you like it too, Jinhee?”

“Yeah! I have it now and then.”

“You should’ve said so. I could’ve gotten it for you. I always receive so much, I want to reciprocate.”

Jinhee could now understand why Yena expressed her regret in such a casual voice.

From what Jinhee knew, Yena was someone who quite often felt a strong sense of obligation. Towards Jinhee herself. Towards Ahri. And…

“Come to think of it, that…cosplay? Are you really going to do it?”

“Well, I’m starting to change my mind. It’s a bit scary now that he’s become SkullCanaryamon. It’s a total role reversal if we can’t even tease him to our heart’s content after making him do it. Still… I regret it, but I think we should go ahead. Who knows when we’ll get another chance like this.”

“… You really wanted to see Shihoon oppa in cosplay that much, huh? I didn’t know.”

Was it because of the alcohol Jinhee had poured down her throat to keep pace? Her words were sharper than even she had expected. Despite starting to regret them as soon as she uttered them, her uneasy heart didn’t calm down easily.

For a moment, there was silence.

The voices of passersby, the sound of motorcycles in the distance, and the music coming from the open doors of bars were all that filled the air.

Before they knew it, they had arrived back in front of the bar. Walking was manageable, but if this awkward atmosphere continued even inside…

‘… I’m being so immature. I should apologize.’

Even with that thought, for some reason, the words of apology just wouldn’t leave her lips, and she hesitated for a moment.

“I’m good at offering relationship advice.”

An unexpected appeal came her way.

With slightly cautious eyes — who would think this was the same brazen GetDevoured, who insisted she was engaging the ‘viewers’ participation’ and turning the cue ball at every word? Now, she looked as timid as a cat, shifting her eyes and eagerly awaiting a response—

Suddenly, Jinhee found it all didn’t matter.

“Really? Then give me some advice! I’ve been a bit confused lately if I… like someone or not.”

“Yes. I, um, know quite a bit about men’s psychology. Really. You can trust me.”

“Even though you’ve never had a boyfriend?”

“… I have my reasons. Anyway… shall we go up?”

Though she was clearly misunderstanding something grandly, Jinhee neither felt like correcting her nor saying the words needed to clarify.

Following Yena, who was walking resolutely ahead, Jinhee thought it was a blessing that her expression wasn’t visible to the other girl right now.

* * * *

『Author: Ark (👑)』

『Title: Today’s broadcast will be short 😢』

『Hello, arkies!!

I’m really sorry, but ㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m not feeling well today, so today’s broadcast will be brief 😭

I need to rest a bit because I’m going to cheer at the showdown tournament tomorrow!! Instead, I’ll broadcast briefly from there if I can.

Today’s first part will be short.

The first part will be chat & mukbang! Please make sure to bring your meal 🥰』

– No way !!!!

– It’s okay if it’s just the first part. Let’s have KoK for the first part, Ark.

– What did you do this time to ruin your condition?

– Damn it! My evening escapade!!!

– It’s hard to handle KoK when you’re not feeling well.

– Instead, let’s do another cosplay. This time, can you do a Grand Sword Knight cosplay?

– Agreed.

– Sure thing~

– Take care of yourself, Ark. Don’t get sick!

– If you’re unwell, take a break from broadcasting. You need to rest when you need to.

『Author: CravingWarmAmericano(👑)』

『Title: See You at the Tournament』

『Hello.

Did everyone watch the official broadcast of the Clash Tournament? The observing was phenomenal. It made me feel like watching an amateur broadcaster’s first-person view was a waste.

I don’t know how far I can go in the tournament. Still, I’m doing my best. From now, it’s offline, so I’ll try even harder.

Oh, and I bought a new ocarina.

(picture)

Isn’t it pretty? Thanks to your support on the broadcast, I was able to purchase it.

Thank you.』

– Are you freaking serious?

– If you’re grateful, turn on the damn broadcast!

– How are we supposed to watch if you don’t broadcast?

– Can someone please explain to her what announcements are?

– Just share some tournament updates already!!!!!!

– Even those who were eliminated early are enjoying their streams and reviews, but the one who made it to the semifinals doesn’t even broadcast. LOL.

– It’s because we had high expectations that we are so disappointed.

– Yeah… as long as you’re happy…

– Didn’t she say she would take broadcasting seriously a week ago? I really want to give her a good smack.

– It’s even scarier if this is her idea of serious broadcasting.

– So what can we do? Just wait… there’s no substitute for her level of skill and first-tier appearance in all-around classes like Sword Knight and Rogue, not to mention she’s a top-notch female broadcaster…