Chapter 42: I want to go home.

As soon as I spoke, the house fell silent for a brief moment.

“Goodness. What kind of work do you do to make that much money?”

“Wow. Gyeoul, you really earned all that?”

“Are you running a business or something? I heard young people these days start businesses early.”

The adults bombarded me with curious questions.

I was momentarily taken aback but quickly closed the bank book and handed it back to my mom.

Watching her take it back, I finally responded.

“I just sell illustrations I draw.”

The adults exchanged glances.

Illustrations can make that much money?

Of course, they can.

As I felt my confidence swell, making it hard to keep a straight face—

“Ahem. But still, don’t you think you should finish college?”

…Well, I tried.

I did my best.

At this point, I had done all I could.

Now, I just needed to let their words go in one ear and out the other.

“I’m not exactly academically inclined. It’d just be a waste of tuition.”

“But you still need a degree, don’t you? Since you have a talent for art, you could easily apply it to your major.”

“I’m a computer science major…”

“You can switch majors.”

Is there some law that says you can’t function in society without a college degree?

Is a diploma really that crucial?

A diploma, huh.

These days, plenty of people take online courses to earn degrees.

I could do the same—just take online classes up to my senior year, earn my credits, and get my diploma.

But that’s just wishful thinking.

From what I’ve seen, most content creators barely even have high school diplomas, let alone college degrees.

So, I’m just part of the average.

In a world of one-eyed people, why would I gouge out one of my own eyes just to fit in?

“I’m fine. I’d rather spend that time drawing one more illustration and making money.”

“Gyeoul, as someone older than you, let me give you some advice—”

I really just want to leave this house.

I know I’m not the only one.

The proof was right there on my phone screen.

[Tsupi: Aaaaahhhhhhhhh this is so annoying!!!!!!!!!]

[Yuwol: (Sympathetic Yuwol emote)]

[Yuwol: Tsupi, did it happen to you too…?]

[Tsupi: (Despairing Tsupi emote)]

[Tsupi: At least if they were giving me money while nagging… ugh.]

[Tsupi: I hate holidays so much!]

[Yuwol: Pat pat]

[Tsupi: This is actually kind of cute.]

[Yuwol: ?]

[Akira: Huhhh… My relatives keep asking me how streaming is going, if I’m making enough money…]

[Yuwol: Yikes.]

[Akira: They’re literally watching my streams on the living room TV right now!!! I’m going to die from embarrassment!!!!!!!]

[Yuwol: Yikes…]

[Imari: Save me.]

[Yuwol: ?]

Messages from Tsupi and the seniors.

Judging by their texts, it looks like things weren’t going well on their end either.

I sent back some words of encouragement before turning my head.

Right now, I was in what used to be my old room. Now, it was Bomi’s room.

It was the biggest room in the house, making it the perfect hideout for all the cousins who wanted to escape the relentless questioning of the adults.

Excluding my sisters and me, there were eight cousins.

A total of eleven of us crammed into Bomi’s room, using it as a refuge from our inquisitive relatives.

“Ugh. I can’t take this anymore.”

Now there were ten.

Bomi spoke in an irritated voice as she got up and started packing her bag.

“Where are you going?”

“To the academy.”

She absentmindedly responded to my sister while throwing things into her bag and heading to the living room.

Sensing that the atmosphere in the room was becoming unbearable, my sister also stood up, preparing to leave as well.

‘…Why are you leaving without me?’

I looked at them with a pitiful expression, but both averted their eyes.

Traitors.

I even bought them clothes, and this is how they repay me?

I felt the flames of betrayal ignite in my chest, but the thought of stepping outside in this weather…

I glanced at the window.

Sunlight was pouring in through the curtains, making me recoil.

No way. Absolutely not.

It was already so hot in the morning. Going outside now? Not happening.

I shook my head and flopped onto the bed.

Bomi had been lying there just moments ago, so it was still warm.

Good thing we installed an air conditioner in this room.

“Have a nice trip.”

I waved them off with a shooing motion.

Their awkward expressions were amusing to watch.

With that, the two of them disappeared, leaving the room in silence.

‘Should I play with the kids? …Never mind, they’re all on their phones.’

For a moment, I considered entertaining the younger kids.

But when I saw how engrossed they were in their screens, I nodded to myself.

Yeah. These days, kids play alone.

No need for me to interfere.

I felt a slight pang of unease but brushed it aside.

Right now, I just wanted to sleep.

When I wake up, it’ll be dinner time.

I’ll eat and then make my escape.

Well… yeah. Life rarely goes the way I want it to.

When I woke up, it was just before dinner.

Perfect timing. I felt good about waking up at just the right moment.

I had dinner with my family and relatives.

Afterward, as my cousins were getting ready to leave, I handed them some spending money and said goodbye to the adults.

Everything was going smoothly up to that point.

Now, only my immediate family remained, and I was preparing to head back home.

“Eh? You’re leaving now? It’s too late! Why don’t you just stay the night?”

First pause—Mom.

“Yeah, the sun’s already set. It’s too dangerous at night, honey.”

Second pause—Dad.

“You can sleep in my room. It used to be yours anyway.”

“My bed is too small, so just stay in mine.”

Third pause—my sisters.

My resolve started to crumble with each word urging me to stay.

As I’ve realized many times before, I’m weak against pushy arguments.

I’m the type who hesitates, then nods along before I know it.

‘Well… since I’m staying anyway, I might as well tell them about being a VTuber before I leave.’

With that decision made, I gathered my family and made an important announcement.

I told them that I was a VTuber.

That I also work as an illustrator.

That I do both at the same time, and it’s not as hard as they might think—in fact, it’s actually fun.

I also mentioned that they could see me on YouTube and Twitch.

My parents immediately pulled out their phones.

‘…I finally understand what people mean when they say, “Just give up and it’ll be easier.”‘

I forced a serene expression, pressing my trembling lips together as my parents’ faces shifted into amused smiles.

“We’ll have to check it out. When do you usually stream?”

“I usually go live in the evening, after I finish my work.”

“You can get donations for this too, right? How do I send you one?”

“Dad, please.”

Who donates to their own kid?

Especially when they don’t even have much money to spare.

Still, I appreciated the thought.

Even though VTubing isn’t exactly a mainstream career choice, my parents didn’t seem particularly fazed by it.

However—

“But isn’t your avatar a little too identical to you…?”

“People think it’s just cosplay.”

“Ohhh.”

Sure, let’s go with that.

Like anyone would actually believe that.

But I had to convince myself too, for the sake of anyone who recognized me on the street.

“But why do people keep calling you ‘baby’ and ‘goo-goo’?”

“…I have no idea.”

Please don’t look at those comments, Mom.

And if you do, please don’t say them out loud…

The next morning, I woke up in my parents’ bed.

Since I had slept with my sisters last time, my parents insisted that I sleep with them this time.

The mess of bed hair at the back of my neck itched slightly.

At the same time, I let out a yawn.

I caught sight of myself in the window reflection.

‘My hair’s gotten long.’

I should probably get a trim soon.

I had no plans to grow it out, but if I just kept trimming it little by little, wouldn’t it eventually reach my waist?

I turned away from the window and glanced around.

No one was there.

“Haahhh…”

Yawning once more, I rolled out of bed and left the master bedroom.

When I stepped into the living room, I saw my dad watching TV and my mom cooking in the kitchen.

Dad noticed me first, grinning and waving.

I waved back.

Then I made my way to the kitchen, deciding to have breakfast before heading home.

“You’re up, Gyeoul?”

“Good morning.”

“Good morning, Gyeoul~.”

This conversation confirmed it—Mom still saw me as a little kid.

There was no other explanation for that tone of voice.

I pouted slightly, but she just kept smiling at me.

Had she always been this affectionate?

I sighed internally and pulled a new frying pan from the cupboard.

Mom blinked, tilting her head in surprise.

I might not look it, but I’ve been living on my own for quite a while now.

I’ve cooked a lot of different things.

Although… judging by the sheer amount of food she had already prepared, there wasn’t really a need for me to cook.

Still, I wanted to add a couple of extra dishes.

Egg rolls and grilled beef patties.

I saw some in the fridge earlier.

‘Can this really be considered cooking…?’

Well, frying counts, right?

Beef patties are simple enough—just throw them on the pan.

Egg rolls, on the other hand, actually require some skill.

There’s this adorable little rectangular pan at home.

I used it often to make egg rolls for myself.

“Oh my, Gyeoul is cooking…?”

“That hurts, Mom.”

It’s really not that hard, you know.

I ignored her shocked expression and focused on my task, prioritizing my hunger over my mom’s unnecessary reaction.

Before long, my sisters emerged from their rooms, and the five of us enjoyed breakfast together.

“Gyeoul made this. Look how pretty the shape is!”

As Mom proudly showed off my cooking, I felt my shoulders straighten a bit.

Right at that moment—

“What should we have for lunch? Should we eat out?”

“I want to go home.”

“But this is home?”

“……”

The words stabbed through my heart.

I just want to go home.