It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

As Lee Yena kept up light conversation with “Don’t Raise Your Axe In Front Of Me”, almost three minutes had passed since they started the STS broadcast to share the content with viewers.

『Please Stop』

A request from a customer to stop the broadcast had come in. It seemed they were on the verge of filing a complaint.

“Ah… if it was inadequate, please understand. I don’t have experience as a voice actor.”

『Isn’t this just a loop…?』

『Just say ‘sex’ once and see if they imitate it』

『Why are they stuttering like LOL LOL LOL』

『Of all things, it had to be such a cringe one』

『You’re wasting the opportunity to say all sorts of lines』

『Why does it sound like it’s there but not there』

『Can’t I use chat instead ㅠㅠ』

“… Um, really?”

They had fiercely competed to win this free donation event. Did they suddenly lose interest?

Well, she had to cater to their wish. Yena enlarged the chat window and displayed it on the broadcast screen, falling into deep contemplation.

Why?

Maybe they didn’t like her voice acting… possible. It’s true her performance was lacking compared to the variety of charming TTS. Or maybe…

“Was the voice… not good enough? Even so, it’s a rare opportunity, beating the odds of 1 in 10,000… Should I find someone else for you? Your ID is quite remarkable, so I want to do well.”

Ultimately, the winner was chosen by spinning a roulette wheel among all viewers. Strictly speaking, the odds were even lower than 1 in 10,000 since more than half seemed to use multiple accounts.

Ending it this way felt too disappointing.

She looked through her friend list on Discourse to find someone who could substitute for STS.

There were only a few listed friends—ah, a suitable candidate…

“Ah, StarPork’s voice is really nice. I’ll ask if she’s available.”

『No』

『Please Stop』

『Please, no more…』

Maybe they just hated STS. Perhaps they were uncomfortable speaking in front of many people… but they were happy with the free donation.

“Um… then, what should I do? Anything else I can offer…?”

They didn’t want cash. If they rejected cash, they probably wouldn’t want any item bought with money either.

Lost in thought, Yena’s gaze lingered on a cup on her desk.

… How about this? It felt more like a cherished item.

“I have this cup that I treasure. How about this?”

-Click

She switched the browser to the streaming screen and accessed “GetDevoured’s FanTube.”

Now that I thought about it, I needed to get back in touch here too. I added “Appointing a FanTube manager” at the top of my to-do list and played an old drinking session video.

Ah, here it was—cheers on camera.

The screen filled with a red espresso cup. It rarely held espresso, but it was the perfect size for soju, making it my favorite cup.

“This is slightly larger than a typical soju glass… You get a greater sense of satisfaction when you take a sip. It doesn’t overwhelm, and the satisfaction is about 50% higher… You’ll understand once you try it. It’s really great.”

『What??』

“Ah, but… I don’t know where you can buy this. I’d have to send you one I already have, but would that be okay? I’ll clean it thoroughly before sending it to you.”

The chat began to buzz with activity.

“Why clean it?”, “I’ll buy it right now”, “Buying that means essentially getting linked to GetDevoured…”

Have these people never done second-hand trading before?

They were overly sentimental about a used item.

『Wow』

『Nice』

『Just send it, and I’ll clean it and keep it as a treasure』

『Wow… A cup GetDevoured used every day…』

『I’d die for that』

『Let’s auction it』

『Saying to just send it, that’s so transparent, you jerk』

『Why even argue』

『Look at them pouncing in a second, damn』

『Would anyone really use it for soju?』

『Absolutely opposed』

Fortunately, NoAxe agreed… but the backlash in the chat only intensified. Perhaps some viewers felt left out in today’s broadcast. It seemed a bit more aggressive than usual.

Even the muted donation notifications were filled with dissenting voices.

And then-

『StarPork: I also oppose』

… When did she even send a Discourse message?

Things were getting a bit dizzying.

“Alright, everyone, calm down. As I always say, I don’t listen to opinions coming from those weaker than me. If anyone wants to prove themselves in a duel, feel free. Otherwise, please calm down… NoAxe?”

『Yes』

『I’m sorry for causing trouble』

Had NoAxe seen the rampant insults filling the chat? It wouldn’t be strange if he felt shaken.

His voice had already sounded a bit dejected earlier.

“No, no. Don’t worry about it. Later, send me your address through KoK. I’ll send you the cup. If you have any other requests, let me know.”

『Ah』

『Then, could you maybe…』

『Send it with your signature on it?』

“I’m really a fan, and it’s my first time receiving a treasured item.”

Out of guilt, I had thrown out a suggestion with the intention of accommodating as much as possible… I was only expecting requests like careful packaging or adding an extra item.

… Signing…it’s not about signing, is it?

“You might mean those autographs that celebrities do. I’ve never had to do one, so I haven’t thought of one… It won’t be much to look at. Is that okay?”

“I like that even more.”

It wasn’t an easy sentiment to understand, but well… since they said they’re a fan.

Fan, huh.

I suppressed a difficult-to-describe emotion.

“Alright then… I’ll do that.”

Maybe I should engage with viewers like this more often.

It was chaotic, but…it was fun.

– Hmph.

A chuckle slipped through my lips, unable to be contained.

If I said it felt like comfortably playing with friends after so long, these people would definitely be stunned.

『StarPork: Please sign for me too.』

I swept StarPork’s message off the screen and closed my eyes for a moment.

Times like these remind me that not turning on the webcam is truly convenient.

“Alright. Today’s broadcast wraps up here. I’ll see you all on the day of the Worlds finals. I’m not sure whose broadcast I’ll be on, but I’ll leave an announcement.”

* * * *

– Ding Dong

“Yes!”

How long had it been since the familiar sound of the doorbell felt this thrilling? Ark, with a bright smile spread across her face, headed for the entrance.

Filled with anticipation, she gently opened the door-

“… Why the disappointed look?”

“Huh? Oh, no, oppa! Come on in! You’re early!”

She faced Revan, who had a sour expression.

‘It must have…shown.’

“Here are some slippers. Go ahead! I’m so excited about the collaboration today. A Korean team in the Worlds finals!”

As she exaggeratedly welcomed him out of a mix of guilt and embarrassment, Revan casually offered a small shopping bag.

“Since you’re lending the studio, I thought I shouldn’t come empty-handed. It’s tea that’s good for your throat. Drink a cup every day.”

“Oh, thanks! I’ve really been worrying about my throat lately. I’ll enjoy it!”

Guiding the lightly nodding Revan inside, Ark’s gaze, filled with slight anxiety, shifted to her phone.

‘There’s no way they wouldn’t come…right? No, that can’t be. I even posted an announcement. In the first place, it’s still far from the promised time. Revan oppa is just particularly diligent for arriving so early…’

.

– Ding Dong!

“Yes-! Coming!”

“Hello! Wow, unni, your outfit today is just amazing! Please give me a fashion lesson sometime.”

“Ahri, you look so radiant in that blouse! Why are you so pretty?”

“Hehe, thank you. Here, I brought cheer sticks! I thought it would be great to use them while cheering for the match today.”

“Oh… as expected from Ahri. You have great sense!”

“So… where is Yena?”

“Oh, she said she would be here soon. Come on in!”

.

.

.

Thus, 15 minutes before their joint broadcast for the World Series finals.

Ark, Revan, and StarPork sat together, engaged in idle chat (with no one really focused)—

– Ding Dong!

The doorbell rang again, and all three pairs of eyes simultaneously turned toward the door.

“I’ll get it.”

With a voice of decisive ownership, Ark exercised her privilege as the host and briskly moved to the entrance.

It was just a joint broadcast after all. It just happened to be scheduled at her studio, which doubled as her home. It wasn’t their first broadcast together, not even the first time they had visited Lee Yena’s house… So, it shouldn’t have been that special.

Even so, as she tried to quell the bubbling excitement, Ark slowly opened the front door and—

“Hello the—wait, what?”

Standing at the door was a figure wearing a ski mask.

The balaclava, with two openings for the eyes and one for the mouth—commonly referred to as a ski mask or robber mask—concealed most of the stranger’s face.

However, the three small openings revealed so much.

From the slightly opened eyes with long lashes, to the softly curved red lips, and the starkly pale skin contrasting against the black mask material.

Despite the bizarre appearance out of a movie, Ark momentarily lost her words at the sight of the stranger’s beauty.

“Relax, it’s just me, a robber.”

Somehow interpreting Ark’s stunned hesitation, Lee Yena nodded and spoke in a low voice.

“… Seriously, did you come like that?”

“I wanted to, but it’s actually quite warm because of its excellent insulation.”

“… Are you really planning to wear that on the broadcast today?”

“Yes. Is the studio too warm by any chance?”

It must have been a joke. A joke prepared ever since she posted those photos in the group chat. But her tone was so calm that it made Ark unsure.

‘It’s a joke… right?’