Chapter 18: A Performance Just For You.

Ultimately, the gacha was a complete failure.

I could somewhat accept that I hit the ceiling for pulling Asticia, but when I also hit the ceiling for another character that was in the pickup at the same time, I thought I was really losing my mind.

Even now, the reactions in the chat from that time linger in my mind, making my head throb.

Anyway, those bastards—misery for others is happiness for themselves.

【’코끼얏호우’ has donated 50,000 won.】

• Just giving the mission fee because I felt sorry.

“Thank you for the mission fee…!”

However, not all viewers were malicious; most of the people who had bet on the gacha mission acknowledged my effort and even donated the corresponding amount.

It felt a bit like getting beat up for no reason and receiving a payout, but anyway, I decided to take it as a sign that I had at least recouped a little of the money I had spent like water today.

Still, thanks to the chairman, I had almost covered it all, so I could let it slide with a smile.

What was flowing from my eyes now was not tears but sweat. Yeah, that’s right.

“Okay, then, we’ll wrap up today’s broadcast here, and see you tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, we’ll be going for the ‘World Ring’ ending, so please look forward to it.”

After that, I declared the end of the broadcast, letting everyone know about the plans for tomorrow after a brief just chatting and singing session.

【문어숙회] – Pain reservation for tomorrow ᄏᄏᄏᄏᄏ

[tws2425] Seems like the record for the King of Death 67 attempts will be broken, so I’m sending a thumbs up ᄏᄏᄏᄏ I’ll be the first one.

【알파카사냥꾼] – I don’t think I’ll see the ending ᄋᄋᄏᄏ

The World Ring is already a high-difficulty game, but the viewers who had seen me suffer in previous plays were already giggling, imagining what tomorrow would be like.

Just wait and see, you bastards. The results will tell whether I’m the one who’s weak or if you are.

“Well, we’ll find out tomorrow. Anyway, have a good night, everyone, and sweet dreams.”

【코스모절대지켜】 – Koba

[백화요란] – Koba

【국힙원탑코스모】 – Koba Koba

Even though there was no camera, I waved my hand at the viewers as I ended the broadcast.

Phew, it seems I got a bit tense since it was my first ad broadcast, and all my muscles feel tight.

“Gah…!”

Cracking sounds came from my shoulders and neck as I stretched out, twisting my limbs awkwardly as if I were having a seizure. I’m sure most guys are like this.

Ugh, I feel like I can breathe now.

“Hmm….?”

Then, thinking it’d be better to sleep early, I lay down on the bed, but I didn’t feel very sleepy. To be precise, I felt a bit of disappointment about going to sleep like this.

Clang.

So, as I was about to head to the kitchen to boil a bowl of ramen, my phone on the desk started glowing and a gentle song filled the air.

I wondered who would be calling at this late hour, and when I picked up the phone, I saw a familiar name. It was none other than Sister Seo-ha.

“Yes, Sister. Were you watching the broadcast?”

Since the timing was quite right, I assumed she must have been watching the live stream until the end. But on the other side, I heard a voice full of apology.

• I’m sorry for contacting you at such a late hour. Were you about to go to sleep?

“Not at all. I was feeling a bit hungry and was planning to boil some ramen.”

Hmm, by the way, it feels a bit awkward to hear an older sister say, “Were you about to go to sleep?” It seems overly formal; she could be a bit more casual.

“By the way, what’s the matter?”

I wondered if she had more news about the new platform she mentioned yesterday, so I naturally leaned in to listen.

Unless it was something important, there would be no reason for her to call me instead of sending a message this late at night.

• Ah, no. Should I call it an important matter…?

“?”

I turned back from heading to the kitchen and sat on the bed, waiting for the conversation to begin. Yet, I sensed some hesitation from her.

What’s going on? Is it not about the platform?

• I’m sorry. Actually, I always fall asleep listening to your voice, but I couldn’t do that today… So I called out of disappointment.

“…What?”

In the midst of my puzzlement, I blurted out a dumbfounded sound at her unexpected reply.

She had said it indirectly, but I wasn’t foolish enough to not understand the meaning behind her words.

So, what she meant was… she called because she wanted to hear my voice?

I didn’t see her that way, but she’s quite a flirting expert. If it were any other guy, they would have definitely misunderstood that comment.

As for me, I could just take it as lip service from a fan.

• I didn’t mean to contact you for this… I’m sorry for being a nuisance.

“No, there’s no need to apologize. You haven’t done anything wrong…”

As I stumbled through a somewhat awkward reply, Seo-ha seemed to think I was at a loss for words, and she apologized again.

Knowing she couldn’t see me, I waved my hand as I stood up from my seat, pacing around the room as I reassured her.

I was just a bit flustered; I never thought of it as a nuisance.

“By the way, did you find today’s broadcast interesting? I was worried it might feel awkward since it was my first ad.”

Then, to lighten the somewhat awkward atmosphere and to get some feedback, I decided to ask her what she thought of today’s broadcast.

In the end, the gacha failed miserably.

I could somewhat understand spending to reach the limit to pull Asticia, but I truly felt like I was losing my mind when I hit the limit for another character that was also being picked up at the same time.

The reactions in the chat from that time still haunt me, making my head throb involuntarily.

Honestly, those bastards are the worst; it’s like they find happiness in someone else’s misfortune.

【’코끼얏호우’ donated 50,000 won.】

• I’m just giving the mission fee because I feel sorry for you.

“Thank you for the mission fee…!”

Still, not all the viewers were complete jerks. Most of those who had bet on the gacha mission acknowledged my effort and donated the corresponding amount.

I felt a bit like I had been beaten up for no reason and received compensation, but anyway, I decided to take significance in the fact that I had recovered at least a bit of the money I had spent like water today.

Thanks to the chairman, I managed to cover almost all of it, so I could let it slide with a smile.

What was flowing from my eyes was not tears but sweat. Yeah, that’s right.

“Okay, let’s wrap up today’s broadcast here. I’ll see you tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, we’ll be rushing to the ending of ‘World Ring,’ so please look forward to it.”

After that, I ended the ad broadcast and finished a simple Just Chatting and singing stream, declaring the end and letting everyone know what to expect for tomorrow.

【문어숙회] – Pain reserved for tomorrow ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
[tws2425] I feel like the record of the King of Death 67 turns will break, so I’ll upvote ㅋㅋㅋㅋ First of all, me first.
【알파카사냥꾼] – I don’t think I’ll see the ending ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

Given that ‘World Ring’ is a high-difficulty game, viewers who had already seen me suffer in previous plays laughed as if they could picture the scenes for tomorrow.

Just you wait, you bastards. The results will tell whether you’re pathetic or if I am.

“Well, we’ll find out tomorrow. Anyway, have a good night, everyone. Good sleep.”

【코스모절대지켜】 – Koba
[백화요란] – Koba
【국힙원탑코스모】 – Koba Koba

Even though they couldn’t see me since I wasn’t on camera, I waved goodbye to the viewers as I ended the broadcast.

Phew, I felt so tense during the first ad broadcast that my muscles seemed to be all knotted up.

“Ugh…!”

Cracking my shoulders and neck, I stretched like I was having a fit, twisting my arms and legs in odd ways. I’m sure most guys would do the same.

Ugh, I finally feel alive.

“Um…?”

Thinking it would be better to sleep early, I lay down on my bed, but I didn’t feel particularly sleepy. More accurately, I felt something was lacking about just sleeping like this.

Just then, I heard a familiar chime from my phone on the desk, accompanied by a gentle tune.

Who would be calling at this hour? I picked it up to see a familiar name: none other than Sister Seo-ha.

“Yes, noona. Were you watching the broadcast?”

Given the timing, I guessed she had probably been watching the live stream until the end, so I answered the call. On the other end, a voice filled with apology came through.

• I’m sorry for contacting you at this late hour. Were you about to sleep?

“Not at all. I was just feeling a bit hungry, thinking about making some ramen.”

Hearing “Were you about to sleep?” from an older sister felt a bit awkward. Shouldn’t she be a bit more casual?

“So, what’s the matter?”

I wondered if she had some updates regarding the new platform she mentioned yesterday, so I naturally leaned in to listen.

There shouldn’t be a reason to call late at night unless it was something important.

• Ah, no. I don’t know if I should call it an important matter…

“?”.

I turned around and sat on my bed, waiting for the conversation to start, but I sensed a hint of hesitation from her.

What’s this? Is it not about the platform?

• I’m sorry. Actually, I always fall asleep listening to your voice, but I couldn’t do that today… so I called out of longing.

“…Excuse me?”

In confusion, I tilted my head as I blurted out an unexpected response from her.

Though she expressed it in a roundabout way, I wasn’t so foolish that I couldn’t interpret the meaning behind her words.

Wait, so… you called because you wanted to hear my voice?

I hadn’t thought much of her before, but she turned out to be quite the flirting master. Any other guy would have misunderstood that comment 100%.

For me, I could just take it as a fan’s lip service.

• I didn’t mean to contact you for this… I’m sorry for imposing.

“Not at all, you don’t need to apologize. You haven’t done anything wrong…”

As I struggled to respond to her somewhat awkward reply, Sister Seo-ha seemed to think I was at a loss for words and offered another apology.

I knew she couldn’t see me, but I waved my hand as if to soothe her, standing up and pacing the room, trying to reassure her.

I was just a bit flustered, not that I thought it was an imposition.

“By the way, did you enjoy the broadcast today? I was worried it might be awkward since it was my first ad.”

Trying to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere and gather some feedback, I decided to ask her for her thoughts on today’s show.

Suddenly, Sister Seo-ha’s voice came back, sounding quite excited.

• Of course, there hasn’t been a single day when your broadcast has been boring, Cosmo-nim!

“Wow, with compliments like that, I feel embarrassed for even asking.”

I’m not particularly great with my words, and I don’t churn out various contents like other big-name streamers, so hearing this made me feel more like I was being served rather than complimented.

To this, Sister Seo-ha replied with the loudest voice I had ever heard her use, insisting, “I mean it!”

I felt overwhelmed, thinking this was the connection of a fan’s loyalty, and I couldn’t help but feel deeply touched.

I really am a lucky guy.

• By the way, Cosmo-nim, you mentioned earlier that you like characters with black hair and a mature vibe, right?

As the atmosphere loosened up, Sister Seo-ha led the conversation forward with a somewhat shy question.

“Yes, that’s right. I like the slightly adult-like charm.”

Even though it was more about shouting “noona!” at those characters, the meaning was still the same, so I nodded.

Then I caught bits of her mumbling as if she were hiding her face with embarrassment.

• I see… heh, heh…

“…?!”

I couldn’t hear it clearly, but it sounded like she was laughing.

Does she like those kinds of characters too? Though she didn’t seem to know much about subculture…

“By the way, I really appreciated your help yesterday, noona. I wish I could do something to repay you…”

Recalling yesterday’s memories, I belatedly expressed my gratitude.

After the announcement of the Twin Service’s closure, I had been feeling down all day, and Sister Seo-ha’s suggestion had eased my worries, allowing me to sleep better.

So, as I casually inquired whether she wanted something in return, I asked her with a hint of curiosity.

• Something in return…?

“Yes, is there anything you want?”

Sister Seo-ha’s voice seemed to brighten up quite a bit, revealing a hint of excitement.

Only then did I remember that she was the one who had asked for my phone number as a means of gratitude a while back, and I briefly worried about what ridiculous request she might make.

However, knowing Sister Seo-ha, I believed she wouldn’t ask for anything too outrageous, so I affirmed with positivity, and a voice filled with caution came back.

• Um, then… would you be able to sing a song for me?

“A song?”

• Yes, I’d love to hear a lullaby…

Now that was a rather unexpected request.

Of course, I sang songs daily on my stream, so it wouldn’t be difficult, but that’s exactly why I hadn’t anticipated her to ask for this. Normally, people would ask for something fresh and different that I didn’t do often.

“Well, I can do that. Is there a specific song you’d like to hear?”

• Since it’s nighttime, I’d like something calming. I’ll leave the selection up to you, Cosmo-nim.

“Hmm, well…”

I pondered for a moment and recalled a song that would suit the situation perfectly, so I slyly grabbed the guitar next to me.

It would be better to strum along rather than play a recording, as the noise might disrupt the atmosphere.

Ding!

• Oh…!

As soon as the intro played, a soft gasp escaped from her lips, suggesting she recognized the song.

Well, it’s a pretty famous tune.

“Just for you, a private concert…”

When I sang for many people during my broadcast, I hadn’t thought much of it, but singing just for one person felt strangely exhilarating.

However, fearing I might make a mistake and disrupt her sleep, I focused and pushed through until the very end.

• Sigh… sigh…

It wasn’t until the third song reached its climax that I began to hear her quiet, sleepy breaths coming from the other end.

“Good night, noona.”

After saying goodnight to the sleeping noona, I hung up.

I might feel a bit regretful that I couldn’t say “sleep well.”