My Favorite Has Started A Live Broadcast!

A few hours had passed since the long and nerve-wracking tournament had ended.

I opened my eyes, feeling a slight weight pressing down on me.

Squish- Squish- Squish-

“Meow.”

Strawberry was kneading me awake.

“Mm… Is it already…?”

The clock was already nearing 11 o’clock.

I figured it was because I couldn’t sleep, filled with excitement about actually meeting Chocoa today, and had only fallen asleep at dawn.

“Haaaam…”

Starting off with the usual routine, I filled Strawberry’s food and water bowls, and cleaned the litter box overflowing with sand.

Watching Strawberry empty the refilled bowl again, I went to wake up my sister and Eunah unnie.

Knock knock knock-

“-…uh…”

“Unnie? Wake up.”

The door opened, and Eunah unnie emerged with slight dark circles under her eyes. Her tousled hair draped down over her shoulders.

“Haaaam… So freakin’ tired…”

“What were you doing yesterday?”

We exchanged a few words while heading downstairs.

“Yesterday… I went to Aro’s place… watched some editing… then came home and did assignments… goddammit…”

“Do you want to rest, then?”

Eunah unnie shook her head and entered the house.

Inside, I saw my sister, looking just as disheveled, with her eyes half-closed. I pushed the two of them into the bathroom and prepared a late breakfast that could also serve as an early lunch.

While eating with Eunah unnie, we opened up a new topic of conversation: YouTube.

“Oh… Is this the editing you mentioned earlier on the stairs…?”

Watching the video on Eunah Unnie’s phone, I realized it was close to a detailed video explaining gameplay by alternating my screen and the opponent’s screen.

The transitions were smooth, and the captions weren’t distracting. Even I could tell it was a well-edited video.

“Wow… Did Aro make this?”

“Yeah, he stayed up almost all night grabbing other people’s screens… And this part is the best…”

Looking again, I saw a screen with my face on camera. I had to watch my own in-game expression in vivid detail, and for some reason, my sister seemed to find it all very amusing.

“Then I’ll upload it~ Send me your account info~”

She went outside, swinging her phone with a grin, holding her coffee in her mouth.

“Haa…”

With a sigh, I started cleaning the house.

Once I sent the account information and finished cleaning, my sister arrived at my place.

“What’s up?”

“Unnie… You’re going today, right?”

She was probably referring to tonight’s team gathering and drinks. I picked up Strawberry and answered briefly.

“Yeah, but why?”

“…Hmm… Do you want to go out for a bit?”

“Why…?”

“Let’s buy some clothes and stuff.”

“But… I already have enough clothes…”

I argued that I didn’t need any since I’d bought a bunch when we last went out shopping in town, but she insisted and started persuading me.

She claimed that I needed more because they were all winter clothes, that women naturally need more outfits, and that a few more cosmetics wouldn’t hurt.

“You don’t have many clothes or cosmetics, either.”

“That’s why! Let’s go shopping.”

“…Fine… Get ready and come.”

“Yay! Love you, unnie!”

“…Yeah, yeah…”

Thunk-

Watching the door close quickly, I petted Strawberry, set her down on the floor, and went to my room to open the wardrobe.

“I’ll be back soon.”

After patting Strawberry’s back, I headed out of the villa with my sister.

The sky was bright, with just a few clouds, and trees along the street were adorned with fresh green leaves, announcing the arrival of spring.

“The weather’s great…”

“Hehe… It’s a date… Let’s go, unnie!”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me forward with excitement.

“Is this… right…?”

My sister showed me clothes that were completely unfamiliar and a bit embarrassing to even look at.

She held up a white off-shoulder top, a frilly, fluttery outfit suited for spring, and a top so short it seemed like my stomach would be exposed.

She was going overboard.

“This one’s… no, too revealing. Then what about this?! Unnie! How about this one? It’s simple, but don’t you think it’ll look amazing on you? Come on, try it on!”

“Okay, okay… Stop pushing…”

I found myself in the fitting room, my arms full of clothes.

“Haa… This is exhausting…”

After a few hours of buying clothes, shoes, and cosmetics, we stopped by a café, feeling like I had used up all my energy on the shopping trip.

“Welcome- oh…”

“…Oh, right…”

Behind the counter was Aro, looking tired, with dark circles under his eyes.

“…Hello… Welcome…”

Aro gave a suspicious smile that anyone could see was forced.

“Uh… I’ll have an iced Americano, and you?”

“…Vanilla latte…”

“…Order received…”

I could see the manager, grinning widely, behind Aro, who was acting all awkward.

“Here’s your order…”

“Thank you… Is it going well?”

My sister took a sip of her drink, watching us. Aro, who seemed as if he was wearing clothes that didn’t quite fit him, flinched his shoulders and spoke up, still with an awkward smile on his face.

“Well… It’s really challenging… but it feels good, I guess.”

“Mm… Well, good luck. Feel free to ask anytime if you have questions.”

“Thank you…”

In the quiet café with few people around, we heard the manager calling out for Kim Joo-hyun, and he quickly returned to the counter.

For some reason, it felt like the place was getting a bit busier, but Minyoung and I finished our coffee leisurely and returned home.

“Haa… That was tiring…”

“Thanks for coming along today. I’ll handle dinner! Anyway, good luck tonight! If you don’t know how to do your makeup, come by anytime.”

“…Thanks… See you…”

After seeing her off, Strawberry ran up and snuggled into my arms.

“Meow!!”

“Yeah, yeah… I’m back… I guess I’ll have to go out again today… Should I leave it to Minyoung…”

My sister liked cats more than I did, and by now, Strawberry didn’t seem to push her away much, either.

“A drinking party, huh…”

Drinking parties until now had always just felt like an extension of work.

I didn’t mind drinking with friends occasionally, but I had never kept in contact with anyone while switching from job to job.

I’d only had to drink alcohol I couldn’t even stand and force myself to smoke cigarettes I’d thought I’d never have to touch again, just to keep my superiors and seniors happy.

But now it didn’t matter.

Everyone was nice, and Chocoa would be there.

Even though I can’t drink much now, I think just being there with everyone would make me happy.

I lay down the new clothes and some of my old ones on the bed and fell into deep thought with Strawberry by my side.

“Hmm hmm…”

***
Choi Gayoung POV

“Oh.”

I sighed after seeing another failed attempt on a rhythm game on the screen.

When I checked my phone, I noticed it was already past 7 o’clock.

The meeting time was around 8:30.

Considering the time to order and prepare the food, it wouldn’t be too late, but since it was more than just dinner, it was fine.

After logging off the game and turning off my computer, my reflection appeared on the black screen.

My slightly longer black and brown hair hung down to my shoulders.

Though I was too lazy to grow it out, it didn’t look too bad at this length.

“Mom~”

A little later, Mom opened the door and entered.

“I have plans tonight, so you don’t need to include me for dinner. You and Dad can eat whatever you want.”

“Really? What’s with you suddenly going out…? Anyway, don’t stay out too late, and come home at a reasonable hour~”

I nodded, and Mom left the room.

Standing on the warm floor, I stretched, feeling a bit more awake.

When I opened my closet to find an outfit, I saw that almost everything was black.

There were a few lighter clothes, but they hadn’t been worn in a long time.

Thinking, “I’ll just order some online later,” I took out a few items.

“…I’m bored.”

I still had plenty of time.

Since I’d gotten ready quickly, I ended up finishing even earlier.

I went with a comfortable outfit—slightly dark jeans and a slightly loose black shirt, a combo I often wore.

“…”

Lying on the bed and rolling around, I spotted the small vanity I rarely used.

“Should I… give it a try?”

For the first time in ages, I sat in front of the vanity, thinking about how to spend my abundant free time.

***
Lee Suyeon POV

“Haah…! I’m late!”

Though I’d started getting ready at 6, by some miracle, it was already 8:10 when I was done.

Most of the time had been spent deciding on an outfit and makeup, with an hour and a half spent wondering what Chocoa would like the most, only to end up with a simple look.

Blue jeans and a white shirt.

It was slightly oversized, so it was comfortable to move in.

Aro had only told us the gathering spot but hadn’t mentioned the food, so there was a chance my clothes might get stained, but I thought this combination would be fine.

After setting Strawberry on the bed and making a slide with blankets so she could get down, I turned off all the lights, double-checked the gas, and left the house.

For the record, the other 50 minutes were spent with my sister helping me with makeup.

“Driver…!!”

Spotting a bus about to depart, I somehow managed to catch it right before it left.

I could have taken a taxi, but I didn’t know how to call one on my phone like Eunah unnie does.

Barely managing to get on, I caught my breath and fanned myself with my shirt.

“…”

For some reason, I felt like people were staring at me, but I ignored it and looked out the slightly open window, enjoying the cool night breeze and the scenery outside.