Chapter 35: Money Is the Best Way to Improve Relationships

As people grow older, there’s a saying that they become cuter.

Or rather, I think it’s more accurate to say that they struggle to reclaim their lost childhood innocence.

Today, I realized that I’m no different.

‘This is fun!’

A new assistant contract. A canceled promise with EN.

With our schedules wrapped up, we headed to the playroom where Jiwoo’s kids were.

The playroom was in the basement of the Märchen office. Since it was originally meant to be used for content, it was filled with various toys and play equipment. There was a ball pit, a slide, and all sorts of playground facilities.

Honestly, this seemed like a place adults would enjoy more than kids. And that included me.

Crash.

Sliding down the short slide, I landed in the ball pit, sending plastic balls flying.

It wasn’t a long slide, but by my standards, it was the best. This is way too fun.

“Nuna!”

“Nunna?!”

Thanks to coming into the playroom, I was able to get closer to the kids. Seeing them giggling in the ball pit made me smile automatically, and in turn, they warmed up to me as well.

“Oh my god… Wol, even you…?”

Tsupi looked at me in shock, completely dumbfounded.

I had a feeling I knew what she was thinking, but you have to try it yourself to understand. This is seriously fun.

“Why are grown adults playing in a kids’ playroom?!”

I could see why Tsupi wouldn’t get it, but I couldn’t help it. How could I resist a ball pit?

Ignoring her frustration, I took a look around the playroom. There were only four people here: me, Tsupi, Jiwoo, and the kids. But judging by Tsupi’s reaction, this place was probably popular. The problem was… it was probably popular among KR VTubers.

Seeing how distressed Tsupi looked, Jiwoo let out an awkward laugh beside her.

“Haha… I think it’s nice, though? If you think about it, isn’t Wol kind of a baby too?”

“…You can only say that because you’re older, Jiwoo.”

A 32-year-old calling a 20-year-old a baby… I guess in some ways, I could see it.

And as long as I was in this ball pit, I planned to fully embrace my inner child.

No one can stop me.

Just floating in the ball pit felt incredibly relaxing. How could anyone ask me to give this up?

“Well… it actually does suit you. You look really young, after all.”

Tsupi spoke bluntly, pulling out her phone and taking a selfie with me in the frame. She posed with a “V” sign while I floated in the background.

After taking the picture, she turned her phone toward me. Looking at it, I suddenly understood.

I really do look young.

I had never thought much about it before, but…

‘I look like a middle schooler.’

It wasn’t just my height. There was something about my appearance that gave off a youthful vibe. I guess I never noticed since I rarely looked in the mirror.

“Can I take a few more?”

“Do whatever you want.”

It wasn’t like she was going to post them anywhere. But in hindsight, I should have said no. Because soon enough, I would become everyone’s beloved plushie.

With my contracts done, it was finally time to return to streaming. Or so I thought.

Something unexpected happened.

Feeling refreshed from the playroom, I left the Märchen office and boarded the bus home.

I was already planning my next stream when… I spotted two very familiar backs of heads. Two of them.

For a moment, I tried to place where I had seen them before. Then it hit me.

‘…My older sister and younger sister.’

What were the odds?

Sure, we lived in the same neighborhood, but still…

I stared at them for a moment before looking away.

They hadn’t noticed me yet, too busy chatting with each other.

“I’m telling you! The new release is—”

“It’s not even that great! Besides, where are we supposed to get the money for that?”

It was a familiar sight.

Back when we all lived together, they argued like this all the time.

Even though they were close with each other, I was never that close with either of them. There had been a slight change after my older sister visited me that one time, but it was still a work in progress.

I ignored them and looked out the window. The passing scenery caught my eye.

‘Maybe I’ll do an art stream today.’

I didn’t have any deadlines, but looking at the outside world always made me want to draw.

‘Oh, right. Akira-senpai…’

I still needed to schedule our collab. It would be my first stream with a senior VTuber, so I had to prepare properly.

Of course, Akira would probably handle most of it, but I still needed to check in.

While I was lost in thought…

“Ugh! Forget it! I’m not buying anything for you.”

My younger sister huffed, dramatically turning away.

It seemed like my older sister was offering to buy her clothes, but my younger sister wasn’t happy with the choices.

I thought for a moment. If I remembered correctly, this bus route would pass by a clothing store soon. And just a bit further down… a department store.

So my younger sister wanted to go to the department store. But my older sister, being practical, was against it.

I guess, after growing up frugally, she still felt uncomfortable spending money.

Of course, for a high school girl, a cheap clothing store just wasn’t appealing.

I understood the situation completely.

As the bus stopped, they got off. I followed them.

Standing at the bus stop, I approached them.

“I mean, I also— Huh?”

My younger sister spotted me first.

At the same time, my older sister, who was about to sigh, also turned and widened her eyes.

“Huh? What are you doing here?”

“We were on the same bus. You didn’t notice?”

“Oh… Really?”

“Yeah.”

I watched them both, observing their dynamic.

Realizing what I was doing, they both let out an awkward cough.

Grown adults…

Well, my younger sister was still a high schooler, so she wasn’t exactly an adult yet. Still, she wasn’t a kid either.

I narrowed my eyes at the two of them before turning away and walking ahead. Then, I glanced back and asked,

“…Aren’t you coming?”

“Huh? Where are you going?”

At my younger sister’s question, I pointed straight ahead.

Where else? The department store.

Both of them made reluctant faces.

I motioned for them to follow.

After a brief moment of hesitation, my older sister grabbed my younger sister’s hand and followed.

“W-What? What’s going on?!”

Of course, my younger sister still looked completely confused.

But as we walked toward the department store, I couldn’t help but smile.

As they followed me, I thought for a moment.

It wasn’t that they had no money. I had been consistently sending them money, and I knew they still had plenty left.

But my older sister wouldn’t want to spend it so easily.

She was the type to feel uncomfortable using family money freely.

Even if she didn’t show it, she had always been burdened by receiving things from others.

That was something we had in common.

Even though we had money now, she still lived with the mindset of the past—when we were struggling financially.

She was still stuck in the habit of living frugally.

I was similar in some ways, but… a little different.

Maybe in the past, I would have felt the same way.

But these days, there were so many things I wanted to do.

And for that, I needed money.

As VTuber Yuwol, not illustrator Muil, the money I earned was entirely mine to keep.

And I had a lot of it.

As we stepped into the department store, bright lights and pristine white spaces surrounded us.

The three of us hesitated for a moment, taking in the unfamiliar sight.

It was our first time here.

Even though I was the one who led them inside, I had never actually been to a department store before.

I shook off my dazed expression and looked at my sisters.

They were just as wide-eyed as I was.

I snapped my fingers in front of them to snap them out of it, then held up three fingers.

“Three hundred per person. No arguments.”

“…W-What?”

“Are you insane?!”

The three of us spoke in turn.

Their eyes widened in disbelief.

I gave them a small smile.

“I’m buying. Let’s go.”

I always wanted to try this—FLEX.

“T-Twelve hundred…”

“Do you have this in another color?”

My older sister’s eyes shook as she stared at the price tags. Meanwhile, my younger sister was already browsing, completely unfazed.

I sighed as I watched them.

When are we going home?

Three hours had already passed.

Now I understood why men always wanted to leave as soon as they stepped into a department store.

‘This is exhausting. Way too exhausting.’

While they picked out clothes, I stood off to the side, zoning out.

Why not just take my recommendations?

I was an outfit illustrator, after all.

But they had immediately rejected my suggestions, saying they were too expensive.

Wasn’t it enough to just pick one top and one bottom?

Maybe this was a difference in perspective.

I furrowed my brows and waited for them to finish.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity…

“So, the total is around 570,000 won?”

After hours of waiting, my older sister handed me the receipts.

My arms and hands were trembling slightly.

In contrast, my younger sister looked delighted, hugging her shopping bags tightly.

I glanced at her for a moment before turning to my older sister.

“I get that it feels awkward, but just wear them. It’s not like I can’t afford it.”

“You didn’t have to buy clothes for me too… And Bomi only needed one outfit…”

Even as I reassured her, she still looked hesitant.

But this was something time would have to fix.

Money was meant to be spent.

“You two should start dressing up a little. Once in a while is fine, right?”

I wasn’t exactly rich, but I could afford to splurge every now and then.

Hearing my words, my older sister let out a sigh before giving me a small smile.

Then, for the first time ever, she placed a hand on my head and ruffled my hair.

“Thanks. Really.”

“…As long as you know.”

…That was a first.

She had never patted my head before.

I was sure it felt just as awkward for her as it did for me.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I scratched the back of my neck.

Then, I quickly turned to face them again.

“I’m heading out first.”

“Huh? What? Why so soon?”

“I have to work.”

Hearing my words, Bomi, who had been grinning just moments ago, suddenly frowned.

“You… have a job?”

“How do you think I got the money to buy all this?”

What kind of question was that?

I gave her an incredulous look.

She glanced down at the shopping bags in her hands.

Then, she looked back at me—more specifically, at my outfit.

A hoodie and jeans.

The most basic, ordinary, and inconspicuous outfit.

As an illustrator, I preferred wearing something simple and comfortable.

“…Why didn’t you buy anything for yourself?”

“Hmm? I just don’t see the need.”

It’s not like I was going anywhere or meeting anyone.

And when it came to clothes, I preferred getting something cheap.

It all looked the same to me, anyway.

“Ugh… Give me the receipts. I’m returning everything.”

“Why? Just wear them.”

“I won’t return everything, but at least give me the receipts.”

She reached out toward me.

I stared at her for a moment before shrugging.

Then, with a small smile, I said,

“Just wear them. I’ll take care of my own clothes.”

“…I mean…”

She fidgeted, looking awkward and hesitant—like a small animal.

Which was funny, considering she was taller than me.

Now that I thought about it, Bomi and I had never been particularly close.

If anything, she probably disliked me more than my older sister did.

My older sister had been indifferent, but Bomi… I was pretty sure she actively disliked me.

Maybe she saw me as some useless parasite, living off others with no skills or future.

I couldn’t blame her.

Before I left home, I had been exactly that.

I watched her for a moment, then reached out and took her hand.

“If it bothers you that much, pick something out for me. You too, unni.”

I turned to look at my older sister as well.

I knew what was bothering them, so I chose to address it directly.

‘Guess I’ll have to postpone my art stream.’

I could just do a casual talk stream instead.

As I was thinking this, Bomi tugged on my hand and pulled me forward.

“There was something I saw earlier… I didn’t like it for myself, but it might look good on you.”

“I also saw something. Let’s check it out.”

What am I going to do with these two tsunderes?