Fanfare Ignition

Only two hours after waking up could I finally get out of bed.

I posted on SNS that I’d start the live earlier than usual and headed to the bathroom.

Even showering with cold water, I was still dazed.

A total outsider like me felt like I’d met the ultimate insider.

Setting up the mic and headphones as always, I was nervous.

With about a minute left until the promised time, I let out a deep sigh.

Then right on the hour, I pressed the heavy button.

[▶ Jangha!!! Exploded big]

[▶ Going to big company now?]

[▶ Jangha Jangha thanks to you I became Seo Injun fan yesterday]

As soon as the stream started, viewers surged fast.

Early time, yet quickly hit a thousand.

Small donations poured in nonstop.

Most from Seo Injun fans thanking for yesterday’s video.

So after opening YouTube, I asked outright.

“Recommend some famous Tran videos please.”

[▶ Jangma also became fan?]

[▶ Welcome to fandom fast sales waiting]

[▶ Ended up male fan lololol]

“No, not a fan yet. But listened to the album yesterday—all songs good.”

[▶ Next denial phase]

Deep sigh, dry face wash.

To be precise, interested in Seo Injun more than Tran.

Waited a bit—links trickled into chat.

Started with the first ones.

Recent ended reality show.

In video, Seo Injun silently farming in countryside.

Full rural fashion, but on him looked like department store display.

Not just me—subtitles praised similarly.

“Really handsome. Tran debuted 2 years ago right?”

[▶ Yes yes Seo Injun trainee 5 years]

[▶ Survived alone from sh*tty agency case]

Recommendations kept coming.

Watching one by one, broadcast took backseat.

Should praise or ask questions, but only gasps came out.

Some viewers started asking if no game today.

Said watch last dance video then start game.

Clicked link—new song dance practice.

Black tee, black pants, even cap—stood out most.

Long limbs—dance lines big and pretty.

No cam, so mouth openly agape watching.

4-minute video ended quick.

Whined in regret—donation popped right then.

Closed browser, turned head.

“Ah, Jangma nim 50,000 won! Big donation thank you!”

Usually big amounts come with long messages.

Payday today, or always watch well.

So read messages sincerely, react.

But this donation—completely blank, calm.

Even nickname “Jangma nim.”

Maybe old fan—checked hidden ID window not visible on broadcast.

“Uh…”

Recent donation list showed ID.

“IJ970728.”

It’s him.

“Huh?”

Lost words seeing ID.

Could be fan copying ID for prank.

Has to be.

Otherwise, means he heard all my praises while watching his videos.

Handsome this, god-sculpted that, whined voice too good—all of it.

Face burned replaying.

Grateful he found and entered my stream, but embarrassed too.

Grabbed head, internal scream—viewers asked what’s wrong.

Hurriedly hid surprise, started game.

Same as yesterday, but focus gone.

Shots missed, sometimes ran into walls.

Every donation startled—maybe him?

Sadder—repeated mistakes all stream, but fans didn’t notice abnormal.

Apparently always look this dumb playing this game.

Relief or cry—unsure.

“Game ends here today. Shots not landing too much.”

[▶ They never landed anyway]

[▶ lololol quit Battle Playground]

“No! Tomorrow real first place.”

Deep sigh, closed game.

Stay bit more then end stream.

Centered chat, casual talk.

Some kept asking Seo Injun—busy ignoring.

Insanely curious if donor really Seo Injun—no one to ask.

Not king’s donkey ears—no bamboo forest for me.

Then one chat caught eye.

Tran doing new song interview live on YouTube now.

Like possessed, searched, clicked live.

Many viewers—constant loading.

Stared black screen, checked chat briefly.

[▶ Not fan but action lololol]

[▶ That level just become fan]

“Ah, told you no. Stop teasing.”

[▶ Huh? Talking about yesterday broadcast]

“What?”

Calm act shattered instantly.

Interview suddenly mentioning broadcast.

Spam play—black screen gone, them appeared.

All black suits from MV shoot.

Ties on all, but center Seo Injun no tie, top two buttons open.

Eyes drawn to him automatically.

Precisely the open part.

Aware of gaze, embarrassed—turned to chat.

[▶ Bet 1,000 won Jangma only watching Seo Injun]

[▶ Seo Injun malicious individual fan Jangma]

Mid-chaos asked what malicious individual fan—malicious solo stan.

Not malicious—tried defend, meaning lost, lips sealed.

Better quietly watch Seo Injun.

Chin propped, full viewer mode watching broadcast.

Interviewer checked script, raised mic.

–Ah, Injun-ssi! You said watched that video yesterday? Then admitting it’s you in game video?

Okay ask straight like that.

Screen big on Seo Injun.

Didn’t notice far—small earring one side.

Fan videos always polished image, but styled like this different.

Internally admired—suddenly “Seo Injun malicious fan” recalled, snapped back.

Not fan.

Absolutely not.

When did I see enough to fan.

–Yes, it’s me. Schedule ended early yesterday, played quick game—didn’t expect that.

Fan… no…

–Many comments how even good at games. Feelings when video up?

No…

–Think well edited. Watched that person’s streams few times before, surprised too.

“Aah!”

Fan yes.

Become fan, just.

Trembling hand wiped face.

Calm expression yet that handsome impossible.

Regret not knowing this idol till now.

Plus he said—even empty words—watched my streams before, no reason dislike.

Scream leaked involuntarily.

[▶ Successful fan insane ㅠㅠㅠㅠ]

[▶ Jangma nim buy album first]

[▶ This real collab potential?]

“What’s successful fan? Grown otaku? Where buy album?”

[▶ Successful otaku lololol boarded]

[▶ Buy online! Two versions]

After, viewers gave all info.

Album has random photocard, Seo Injun ones amazing.

That suit selca just now.

Snapped back—found self paying two same albums.

Chat laughter flood, but didn’t care anymore.

Lifelong only games—who’d think sudden idol stan.

Unexpected situation—ended stream later than usual.

Post-stream SNS notifications nonstop.

Some suddenly send Seo Injun pics, or video links.

Amid, I saved them manually.

Old guild hyung said once fall in, lose mind.

So when loved game shut down, clung pathetically.

Been searching something to like since—perfect timing.

Sat there, watched all fan-mentioned videos.

Finished, checked clock—past midnight already.

No wonder tired.

Shut noisy computer, grabbed phone.

Spread neatly folded blanket corner, lay floor.

Still just smaller phone version of computer screen.

One fan clipped my joyful screams today, uploaded.

Seeing again, embarrassed anew.

Too obvious liking.

Hopefully Seo Injun sees reaction clip too, probably does.

“Ah, really should pretend not.”

Never met people real, emotions honest weird places.

Caressed burning cheek one hand, finally exited SNS.

Set alarm before sleep—long spam-only mail, new 1 appeared.

“…What?”

Maybe university nagging return—opened mail immediately.

Saw title, kicked blanket, shot up.

「Cheonhwa Entertainment here.」

Seo Injun’s agency.