It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

『StarPork: Really? A Real VR room?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Yes』

『StarPork: Yesyesyesyesyes, I love it!!! ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ』

『StarPork: Oh』

『StarPork: By any chance, are we going to separate VR rooms, or something?』

『StarPork: Like, I go to the VR room and GetDevoured watches it streamed or something?』

『StarPork: It’s not like that, right???』

『StarPork: It’s really not, right???』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Oh』

『CravingWarmAmericano: That’s a good idea』

『StarPork: What……?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: It is indeed』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Truly creative…… I wouldn’t have thought of it. I guess I am quite ordinary and boring.』

『StarPork: …… I’ve watched all of GetDevoured’s broadcasts』

『CravingWarmAmericano: 😅』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I don’t know what you’re talking about』

『StarPork: Right……』

『StarPork: Oh, will you be broadcasting too?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Umm…… I’ve already announced today’s broadcast is starting from 8 PM』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Turning it on early might be……』

『CravingWarmAmericano: It’s a promise with my viewers』

『StarPork: …… Right, I also prefer non-streaming』

『StarPork: But as a viewer, can I give one candid opinion?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Ah, are you worried we might feel uncomfortable seeing each other?』

『StarPork: This is the usual way you divert topics』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I’ve sent a message to someone else too』

『StarPork: What?』

『StarPork: Who else?』

* * * *

The sun had risen to its peak.

In other words, this was definitely not my usual active time.

Yet, here I sat with a clear mind, all thanks to VR. I never thought I’d say something like that in my life.

After moving around for nearly two hours late at night, I had collapsed into bed the moment I got home. Thanks to that, I fell asleep earlier than usual, and thus, managed to wake up in the morning.

Exercise and a lifestyle similar to that of a regular person.

Lee Yeri would have liked it if she knew.

The condition was better than expected. He thought there might be aftereffects from over-exercising, but the recent frequent walks seemed to have paid off.

It wasn’t just because he hadn’t drunk alcohol and had fallen asleep that his condition was good.

… It couldn’t be. There was no way their alcohol would do that.

Alcohol had various effects. It brought a sense of closeness to awkward relationships, and gave courage to the timid. It provided peace to those with many thoughts and rest to the restless.

Indeed, these effects were more scientific and persuasive than the ‘effects of duck meat’ written on the walls of the rural duck meat restaurant. He rotated his neck and lightly stretched his shoulders. Everything else was fine, but… the Cooper’s ligament really hurt. Truly.

It was more painful because a part I didn’t even know could hurt actually did. It was okay when I took it easy. But after getting accustomed to VR, trying to replicate the movements I used to perform with a keyboard and mouse… was quite burdensome.

If only the part-time student wasn’t watching. He must have felt the urge to give advice to a novice after seeing her awkward movements a few times. The moment he witnessed a student’s eager but anxious gaze… He could no longer hold it in.

Seeing his eyes widen was somewhat amusing.

… I probably wouldn’t be able to tolerate this in the future either. I could bear anything but the misunderstanding that I couldn’t play games.

From now on, whenever I engaged in VR, I definitely needed to wear a sports bra no matter how uncomfortable it might be. I should put up a post-it on the front door. While searching for a pen to jot down my thoughts, a Discourse message notification appeared in the corner of the monitor.

『Arc: How about 2 PM today??』

『Arc: I think I can make it……』

Ah, a relief. I considered calling Revan if Arc found it difficult, but… it was still too early for that. He was once a disciple who had strayed. Before being certain of his rehabilitation, it wouldn’t be wise to let him meet the blonde, tanned Warrior.

『Arc: Is it an outdoor broadcast by any chance?』

As expected from a professional broadcaster. Both StarPork and Arc checked whether they would broadcast whenever meeting people.

It made him reflect a bit. His viewers probably wouldn’t be interested in outdoor streams, so it should be fine.

『CravingWarmAmericano: No, we decided not to broadcast』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Arc, you can broadcast if you want』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I’ve already announced starting from 8』

(Written by Arc…)

『Arc: Okay, no need to go into detail』

『Arc: So, is it just the three of us along with StarPork?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Yes』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I’ll handle the Rogue gameplay』

『CravingWarmAmericano: It would be good if you could check the basic movements, Arc』

『CravingWarmAmericano: I think I got the gist of it from watching the broadcast』

『CravingWarmAmericano: You might need to correct your posture a bit, too.』

『Arc: ?? Yena-nim could probably teach her much better than me.』

『Arc: Ah.』

『Arc: Yena-nim, are you still using a keyboard and mouse…?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Yes, I am.』

『CravingWarmAmericano: But more importantly… wouldn’t posture correction require some physical touch?』

『Arc: Yes, it’s easier to teach by physically adjusting the posture, right…?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Exactly. But you know, since you’re a woman. It might be a bit awkward for me.』

『Arc: ???』

『Arc: Okay, I won’t dig deeper.』

… It felt like there was a hint of resignation in the chat. Was it just my imagination?

Just as I was about to ask more, feeling a bit annoyed, Arc continued the conversation.

『Arc: Then, do we all log in for the 6-player queue at 8:00?』

『Arc: My studio setup isn’t really suitable for more than two players… StarPork-nim might have the same issue.』

Ah.

『CravingWarmAmericano: Should we try a VR room together?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: Or we could each head home and join from there, in sync…』

『Arc: You didn’t think this through, did you?』

『CravingWarmAmericano: 😅』

I felt a bit guilty. I hadn’t really thought it through and just assumed everything would work out somehow.

I had assumed that since we lived relatively close by, we could wrap up and leave about an hour before showtime.

Upon reconsidering, perhaps it’s the advantage of being a no-cam broadcaster like me to start broadcasting without much preparation time.

Additionally, since Arc and StarPork were female broadcasters, makeup might take them longer. Though I’m not sure it’d differ much from their usual going-out makeup…

(Arc was typing a message… deleted, and typed again…)

『SYSTEM: (Arc) has invited (StarPork) and (CravingWarmAmericano) to a group chat! Enjoy the group conversation 😊』

While I was pondering over this, Arc was repeatedly typing and deleting something, and then created a new group chat.

『Arc: Hello, StarPork-nim!』

『StarPork: Oh, hello, Arc-nim!』

『Arc: You must be going through a lot…』

『StarPork: No, it’s nothing!! What’s going on?』

『Arc: I heard you were training with GetDevoured-nim today.』

『Arc: I was thinking maybe I could join and help too.』

『Arc: How about we meet briefly before the 8 o’clock broadcast, if that’s okay?』

『StarPork: Oh, yes, yes!! I’d really appreciate that!!』

『StarPork: For the lowly student, two esteemed guestsㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ』

『StarPork: Thank youㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ』

『StarPork: Actually, the place I was thinking of was this (link)… but it might be too far for Arc-nim, so I’m looking for a different one now』

『Arc: Such a kind person…』

『Arc: How about we meet at the cafe at 2 PM, say our hellos, spend about two hours in a VR room, then head home to prepare and start our collaboration?』

『StarPork: Yeah, sounds good!!』

Ah.

I had a place already scoped out.

Taking advantage of a lull in the chat, I squeezed in my message with some difficulty.

『CravingWarmAmericano: Ah, then』

『CravingWarmAmericano: How about we meet here (link)』

『CravingWarmAmericano: There’s a VR room nearby, and the place is conveniently located for all three of us』

『Arc: Looks great! Sounds good』

『Arc: Then let’s meet there at 2 PM! I’ll go prep now』

『StarPork: Yes, see you soon!!!』

Thankfully, there were no objections. With that, Arc, who had rapidly resolved the situation like a storm, left the chat. Silence settled in the newly created group chat.

Arc… is capable. To finalize such a vague plan within five minutes—something unimaginable for me. She is diligent and meticulous in real life, even if I don’t know for sure about KoK.

Feeling somewhat drained, I slumped deeply into my chair.

Preparation…

I should prepare. In the spur of the moment, I had impulsively made this plan because I wanted to take care of my new student after such a long time.

Come to think of it, wasn’t this the first appointment I had made as Lee Yena to meet someone?

I always thought I’d have to go out someday. And if I ever did, I thought Arc would be the first person I’d meet.

Still…

No.

I pushed the cluttered thoughts aside and moved to the bed, wrapping myself in a blanket as I lay down. The sight of the firmly shut front door caught my eye. Thanks to the fingerprint lock, I could open it—my grateful front door.

Just a little.

Just a bit of time for mental preparation first… and then I’ll prepare physically.

Slowly, I forced my leaden body to get up and fetched a pint of mint chocolate ice cream from the refrigerator before collapsing onto the bed with it.

Yeah.

For today, I’d muster up the strength.