Chapter 78: Reignite

As soon as I recall a clear memory, it’s from the time I entered the party venue, dealing with the swarm of people who approached me as if challenging me.

Beyond that, I can’t remember much.

However, the fragmented memories surfacing in my mind made it clear that I had done something.

“I must have drunk alcohol, judging by the nonsense I spouted…”

Why did I drink something I had deliberately avoided?

As I sifted through my scattered thoughts, I turned to my side.

“Mmnya…”

The culprit was sleeping soundly right next to me.

I had no intention of blaming her. It was an accident, after all, and I was the one who drank without checking.

Still, one thing was clear—Ryuah was the only person in my hazy memories who remained sober until the end.

She must have witnessed all my drunken antics.

At least she could give me an account of what had happened.

I reached out and shook Ryuah to wake her up.

“Mm…! Hmph…!”

She didn’t wake up immediately, so I shook her a bit more.

Her face contorted as she let out displeased sounds.

It was unexpectedly amusing, so I kept shaking her like a plush toy that made noises when pressed.

Just as I was about to continue—

“Mmng… sniff.”

Ryuah, who had been wrapped up in a blanket, suddenly uncurled.

Then, without warning, she grabbed my arm.

It wasn’t just a light grip—she pulled me toward her, hugging my arm tightly against her chest.

“Uh.”

I wasn’t strong, to begin with.

A passing elementary school student could probably knock me over.

With my body still weak from the lingering effects of alcohol, I was effortlessly dragged into Ryuah’s embrace.

“So warm…”

Among all my acquaintances, none were shorter than me.

Ryuah was at least five centimeters taller than me, which meant I ended up being completely pulled into her arms.

Now, my face was buried in the crook of her neck.

“Wait, wait.”

How did this happen?

I could just stay like this and go back to sleep, but this was not what I had intended.

When I tried to pull away, Ryuah only hugged me tighter.

She even wrapped her legs around me, completely restraining me.

She must have a habit of hugging something while sleeping—a big plushie or a body pillow.

I really didn’t need to know this level of detail about her sleeping habits.

“Uh, hey…”

“Mm…”

“Wake up…”

I tried calling out to her, but she didn’t budge.

Struggling to break free only made her hold me tighter, as if I were snuggling into her.

What should I do?

I needed a way out.

After some thought, I came up with one idea.

I wasn’t sure if it was the right approach, but I didn’t have the luxury of being picky.

I slowly moved my body.

I positioned my face closer to hers.

As I stared at her peaceful, sleeping face, I hesitated.

It felt too cruel to wake her up like this.

But I had no choice.

I couldn’t spend the whole day trapped like this.

I leaned closer to her ear.

Then, I gently blew a breath of air.

“Mnng…?”

She stirred.

Her face twitched slightly, and she scrunched up her nose.

I did it again.

This time, a little stronger, a little longer.

“Hiiiik…!”

She let out a small squeal and buried her face into the blanket.

Almost there.

I lifted the blanket and did it one more time.

“Hyaaaah!”

Like a startled cat, she let out a strange noise and jolted awake.

Her eyes shot open as she clutched her ear, looking dazed.

Then, she turned to me, blinking in confusion.

The moment she recognized me, her eyes widened in shock.

“W-what are you doing, Jieun?!”

You wouldn’t let me go, so I had no choice but to blow on your ear.

I was too weak to escape on my own.

Explaining that felt too cumbersome, so I just left it out.

Instead, I said something simpler.

“Did you sleep well?”

Ryuah’s face turned red as she stared at me.

“I… did that?”

“Yep! You were super cute, but also a little scary.”

The way she described my drunken behavior made me wish I had never asked.

It was the kind of thing I would never do sober.

Yet, as I listened to her recount the events, unpleasant memories started resurfacing in my mind.

That only made her story sound even more credible.

“Sigh…”

Excessive cuteness, extreme mood swings, forcing drinks onto others like an oblivious office superior, whining and throwing tantrums—

The list went on.

Just from listening, I could tell how much trouble I had caused everyone. That only made me feel worse.

I hated being a burden to others more than anything.

I decided that I would apologize properly to everyone who suffered because of me—especially my team, Jackie Team.

But this strange, horror-like reality was still not over.

Apparently, Ryuah had carried me into the hotel after I had completely passed out.

It seemed I had drained all my energy at the party and fallen asleep as if I had fainted.

Hearing that, I immediately felt guilty and lowered my head toward Ryuah.

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s fine. You weren’t even that heavy.”

“I’m really sorry… This won’t happen again.”

“Really, Jieun. You’re so light. You should eat more.”

She was unnecessarily kind.

I knew she was saying all this just so I wouldn’t feel too guilty.

Maybe my emotions were showing on my face because Ryuah mumbled something under her breath.

“…I actually kind of liked it.”

“Hm? What did you say?”

“Nothing, forget it.”

It sounded like she said something, but I didn’t catch it.

I didn’t have the courage to press her for an answer.

Even if she had been badmouthing me just now, what could I say?

After all, I had been an absolute nuisance the entire night.

She could have left me on the street, and no one would have blamed her.

She had already done more than enough for me.

Expecting anything more from her would be the equivalent of demanding extra favors from the person who saved me.

It was fine.

I should just take it easy.

I was lucky to be surrounded by good people.

If I apologized to them for last night, they would surely accept it with a smile.

As for the embarrassment I felt over my drunken behavior?

That was fine too.

I could just shamelessly power through it.

Even if people teased me about what I did, I could laugh it off and act like a bigger person.

There was no problem.

Except for one.

I turned on my phone.

The moment I opened the internet, the fan café I frequently visited greeted me.

I already had a bad feeling about what kind of posts I would find there.

I had expected this outcome ever since I first heard about last night from Ryuah.

I quickly browsed through the café.

It was already a burning inferno.

The café was supposed to be a community where fans followed the rules I had set—where they maintained at least a basic level of decorum.

For it to be in flames like this meant that the rest of the community was probably in an even worse state.

Feeling dizzy already, I quietly closed my eyes.

There was the EoWar Gallery, a self-proclaimed haven for pure fans of Molru—fans who only watched my streams, for me, by me.

Then there was the Internet Broadcast Gallery, where people frequently discussed streamers and their latest activities.

From last night until this morning, these two massive forums had been tirelessly talking about one person.

<So why won’t she do a face reveal?>

The streamers who met our “gal lord” today all said she was unbelievably beautiful, like a celebrity.

If she just showed her face, her channel would blow up even more, and all those idiots who claim she’s ugly would disappear.

It would only be beneficial.

ᄋᄋ: You literally answered your own question. Her channel will blow up even more.

ᄂᄋᄋ: And?

ᄂᄋᄋ: You think someone who already hates too much attention would enjoy an even bigger audience?

roo: Ah.

ᄂᄋᄋ: (A deep realization)

<Is Molru pulling a calculated “feminine charm” move on purpose?>

Is she doing this just to drive me insane?

Stretching out her words, acting cute, waving her hand, shaking her chest, and saying “ne-ne” like a little kid—is this real?!

ᄋᄋ: Isn’t she just drunk?

Loo: Yeah, she was wasted. She only had one cocktail.

ᄂᄋᄋ: Even her weak alcohol tolerance is a charm point…

ᄋᄋ: Gotta admit, her drunken habits were kinda cute.

<Molru, if you’re reading this, listen up.>

If you don’t turn on your camera during tomorrow’s stream, I will hack this café and launch a DDoS attack.

I mean it.

I always follow through.

oo: A man of action. ᄃᄃ;

ᄋᄋ: What if she doesn’t even stream tomorrow?

ᄋᄋ: Uh… wouldn’t launching a DDoS attack on a Naver café land you in serious trouble?

ᄂᄋᄋ: Let him be. He’s having fun.

ᄂᄋᄋ: A DDoS attack on Molru’s café in exchange for some prison food? Not a bad deal.

<Realistically speaking, she should turn on her camera at least once.>

What did those people see?

Whatever it was, show it to me too!

ᄋᄋ: At the very least, a headless torso cam would be fine.

ᄂᄋᄋ: Man, I miss the tournament days…

ᄂᄋᄋ: Those tournament rules were a blessing…

Every community was filled with non-stop discussions about Molru’s face.