Netkama Punch!!!

"Please scan your code here. And may I see your ID?"
The venue for the user meet-up was far bigger than I’d expected. There were multiple entrances, and each one had a life-size standee of a popular in-game NPC set up beside it.
Silk screens hanging «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» from the ceiling displayed the main illustration from [Arcadia]’s homepage, and the walls were plastered with smaller posters. Dozens of staffers wearing black T-shirts with the [Arcadia] logo moved about the venue—clearly part-timers hired just for this event.

I was momentarily overwhelmed by the scale of it all… until I met Shin Heejae’s eyes. He was already looking at me. I shut my mouth tight and turned away. The quiet chuckle beside me made my annoyance spike.
"Live streaming is prohibited inside the venue, so we ask for your cooperation. Also, please wear your name badge. Invited guests, your seats are on the second floor!"
We walked to one of the entrances, scanned our codes on the machine, and showed our IDs. (Well, Heejae did. I just stood there like a decorative plant.) A moment later, a staffer handed over a name badge with his in-game nickname printed in bold.

Most of the badges worn by others were white, but the one Heejae received had a bright pink background and [Heejae] written in large letters.
'So the invitations really were for streamers only…'
I guess the badge colors were their way of making that distinction.

The problem? Heejae suddenly handed me one too. I took it without thinking, only to see that it had the same pink backing… with [Sesam] written across it in big letters.
"…What the hell?"
"I reserved it ahead of time," he said, tone way too proud—as if he wanted to be praised for it.

I wanted to rip it up on the spot, but when I glanced over at the entrance, I noticed staff were checking name badges as people entered. Without it, there was no way I’d be allowed in.
'Ugh… this is so embarrassing…'
Left with no choice, I hung the badge around my neck, then twisted the lanyard to hide the part with my nickname. Glancing to the side, I noticed Heejae wasn’t even wearing his—he was just holding it lazily in one hand. Great. Now I looked like the loser who cared.

"You’re all set. Your name is printed on your assigned seat, so please check and take a seat."
We followed the usher and finally stepped into the venue after our names were verified.
The real issue? Way more people had already arrived than I’d anticipated. Most of the reserved tables had GoPros and mini-cams set up—probably other streamers.

'…Shit. I’m not gonna end up on camera, right?'
I ducked my head and moved fast, trying to find my seat.
But as we crossed the venue, I couldn’t shake the feeling that people were staring. At first I thought I was just being paranoid—but then I saw it. The stares were sticking to Shin Heejae like glue.
'Knew it. This bastard’s too damn flashy.'

As soon as Heejae sat in the chair labeled [Heejae], a buzz spread among the reserved tables. I awkwardly sat next to him and glanced his way.
'If he’d just keep his mouth shut…'
Maybe then people wouldn’t realize he was an immature idiot.

But of course, while I was thinking that, Heejae suddenly turned toward me. I flinched and cleared my throat.
"Want some water?"
"…No."

Even though I said no, he handed me the bottle from his spot anyway. I reluctantly accepted it and scooted away from him in my seat. Not that it made a huge difference—we were still side by side.
"Heejae!"
Just then, a booming voice called out from behind.

A huge, bear-like man approached and greeted Heejae cheerfully.
"Hey, I told you to get here early so we could eat together."
"Why would I?"

The man clapped Heejae on the shoulder like they were old friends. Heejae responded with his usual bluntness, but he didn’t seem annoyed. Guess they were close.
'They know each other?'
The man took the empty seat nearby and started chatting with Heejae. They talked about streaming and their agency—stuff I couldn’t really follow.

'So they’re under the same agency…'
They both kept calling someone “PD,” so I could piece it together.
"The PD wants to get like six of us together for a show. You in?"

"Nope."
"Why not?"
"I’d have to show my face."

As they chatted, more streamers began approaching Heejae—one group at a time.
"Yo yo, Heejae-kun~ Why didn’t you say hi?"
"Shin Heejae!! When’d you get here?"

Some were clearly old acquaintances. Heejae gave them casual nods in return.
"Heejae-nim, hi! I’ve been a fan forever. I’ve been in your fan club for over a year."
"You’re even better-looking in person…"

Then came the ones who didn’t even know him personally but still barged in with their outgoing energy.
I don’t know what kind of extrovert magic these people had, but I sure as hell wouldn’t be talking to strangers just because I liked their content. Anyway, almost half the streamers in the room swarmed him. I sat there watching the whole thing, mildly pissed off.
'Didn’t you say I was your only friend?'

Just a few days ago, he’d been moping around my house saying he had no one else, making me feel sorry for him. Saying he lived at my place because he had nowhere else to go.
'I didn’t believe it, but still…'
Seeing him like this, surrounded by fans and streamers like some social butterfly, I was… annoyed. And what really grated on me? Heejae was playing it cool, hiding his usual whiny attitude.

'So you can act normal when you want to.'
I kept sneaking glances at him, then decided to quietly slip away while he was distracted chatting with others. I figured I could at least go to the restroom unnoticed.
"Where are you going?"

The second I got out of my chair, Heejae turned and shot the question at me.
The noise and chatter in the area instantly died down. Everyone turned to look at me.
'You were doing just fine without me two seconds ago…'

Annoyed and caught off guard, I stammered out a response.
"J-Just going to the restroom…"
Then Heejae said something absolutely insane.

"Want me to come with you?"
What kind of grown-ass man offers to go to the bathroom together?
I immediately panicked, wondering what everyone must be thinking now. I practically leapt up and shouted:

"What? No way!"
"You don’t know where it is."
"I do, okay? Don’t follow me. If you do, I’ll—"

I barely stopped myself from saying “I’ll kill you.” Instead, I gave him the death glare and mouthed Don’t you dare follow me! just for his eyes.
Thankfully, Heejae didn’t get up. But as I walked away, I could still feel the burning stares on my back.
"You absolute psycho…"

Once I was out of the reserved seating area, I realized I was sweating. I’d told him over and over not to draw attention—and the bastard just had to say something like that.
'When we get home, you're dead.'
Muttering curses under my breath, I made it to the restroom. But while turning a corner, I accidentally slammed into someone exiting the restroom.

Thud! I bounced back and instinctively grabbed my aching nose, glaring ahead.
"Oh—are you okay?"
The guy I’d bumped into looked completely fine. He reached out a hand to help me, but I didn’t take it—I wasn’t that off-balance. I gave him a small nod and was about to slip past him when—

Clack.
He grabbed my wrist.
Startled, I whipped around and saw the same man holding onto me.

"…What do you think you’re doing?"
I shot him a glare, clearly on guard, but he wasn’t looking at my face—he was looking at my name badge. At some point, it had flipped around.
"Sesam?"

He said my name. Like he knew me.
That’s when I actually looked at him properly. He had softly curled black hair and gentle, downturned eyes. His features were warm and handsome—very kind-looking. But I didn’t recognize him.
'Wait… Is he someone from Degeuldegeul?'

Or maybe someone from a past grudge?
"Who… are you?"
I asked cautiously.

The man smiled brightly and replied—
"I’m Urara… Woohyun."