Chapter 8: It’s been a month since the broadcast-8

The very next day, at 11:40 AM, several boxes arrived by courier.

From Dragon, Aram, Garam, and NemoMi.

A total of four boxes.

I couldn’t believe they actually sent them.

With trembling hands, I hugged the boxes, brought them to my room, and opened them with a kitchen knife.

Graphics card, RAM, cooler, CPU.

And a microphone…?

The other things were surprising too, but I hadn’t expected such an expensive-looking microphone from Garam.

“Did they send it by mistake?”

I tilted my head, lost in thought for a moment, then rummage, rummage. I laid everything out on the floor.

I should at least send them a picture to show that I received them.

Click

I took a picture with my phone and sighed softly.

But why were they being so kind to me?

There was nothing special about me.

I was far from ordinary, a little bit of an airhead.

It might sound like I was complaining when I had it good, but honestly, this much kindness was a bit overwhelming.

And I felt sorry.

Why me….

I scratched the back of my head and looked down at the parts.

Now what?

I habitually bit my nails and shifted my gaze to my old computer.

“I have to assemble it myself, right…?”

I knew nothing about computers except the basics. Would it be okay?

I didn’t know how much assembly would cost, but wouldn’t it be safer and faster to call a technician?

“Hmm…”

No.

I strengthened my weakening resolve.

I saw a post before that said it was similar to assembling Legos.

Was I just being scared for no reason?

“Yeah.”

Right, don’t be afraid before even starting!

I crawled to the computer and pulled the case out from the old, worn-out computer desk.

Dust flew up, making me cough. I held it in, and tears welled up, but this was nothing compared to the gifts I received.

“I can’t be weak!”

I mumbled loudly and wiped my tears with my sleeve.

People had done so much for me, I couldn’t give up just because of a little dust and fear.

That would be rude.

I looked at my dust-stained hands for a moment, then unscrewed all the screws on the case and observed the inside.

“Uh… So…!”

It was hard to tell what was what because of the dust that had piled up like snow. I wiped it off with my hand, but I still couldn’t figure it out.

“Ah!”

I grabbed one of the graphics cards on the floor and came back, looking for the most similar one in the case.

“This one… No… This one… No, is it this one?”

I scratched my cheek, getting dust on it, but I didn’t have time to worry about that.

“Ugh… I want to assemble it quickly and show it off…”

I wanted to say thank you, I’m sorry for making you spend money, and…

I had so much I wanted to say.

But I could only say those things after assembling the computer.

“Internet to the rescue…!”

I brought my phone, but the neighbor’s Wi-Fi was password protected.

“Oh…”

They must have found out.

“Whatever… Let’s just try things…!”

I took out what I thought was the graphics card from the case.

Dust flew everywhere.

“I just cleaned recently…”

I felt a little wronged.

If I had known this would happen, I would have cleaned later.

I clenched and unclenched my fists a few times, then tried to insert the graphics card Dragon sent me, only to realize something was wrong.

“Oh, it doesn’t fit?”

Why!

This should be the right place…!

I turned on my phone’s flashlight and checked the case again. The slot where I pulled out the graphics card was broken.

I heard a creaking sound when I pulled it out, but I didn’t think it would break!

“Oh, no…!”

I hurriedly tried to put the old graphics card back in, but it wouldn’t fit.

It was the result of pulling it out with brute force.

“Now what…?”

If I don’t contact them or turn on the stream after receiving the parts, wouldn’t they think I took them and ran?

Would they hate me?

With trembling hands, I opened Discord to explain the situation, but it wouldn’t work since my data was off.

Cold sweat ran down my back.

“Ugh…”

I put on my coat and ran to a nearby shopping district.

“Case……! Case……!”

If I could just get a new computer case, I thought it would be okay.

And even if it cost a bit, I would leave it to a technician…!

“Oh, right…!”

I had to use the public Wi-Fi on the street to announce that my stream would be late today.

Without causing misunderstandings!

NemoMi told me to end the stream, but I checked the community after ending it yesterday.

The quick-witted viewers already knew that I was involved in Aram, Dragon, and NemoMi’s sudden purchase of used parts.

If I didn’t stream without notice in this situation, what kind of criticism would I get?

I was even afraid.

“……”

How long had I been running? I was already out of breath.

I bent over, panting heavily, then staggered and started running again.

Then, an alarm sounded from my pocket.

The server I created last night.

Messages and notifications that had been delayed due to the data being cut off all rang at once when the Wi-Fi connected.

– I got a text saying it arrived!
– Me too
– Assembling?
– Oh

In order, NemoMi, Dragon, Garam, Aram.

Should I tell them the truth about what happened..?

I probably won’t but what if they say they gave it to me for nothing and curse at me?

Of course I deserve it…!

I stopped running.

If I went any further, the public Wi-Fi would disconnect.

I thought I should be honest on the Discord server and swallowed dryly.

Please don’t hate me…!

– I broke the graphics card slot while assembling, so I’m out to buy a case. I’m sorry! I’ll assemble it soon!
– And the packages arrived safely! Thank you so, so, so, so much!
[Photo]

Even though the read receipts appeared, there was no reply for four minutes.

Should I beg more? Say I’m sorry? Was my apology not enough?

All sorts of thoughts ran through my head during those four eternal minutes.

The first to break the silence was Dragon.

– Liera-nim

Dragon called me.

“Y-yes!”
– Yes!

I replied both verbally and in chat, bouncing on the balls of my feet.

– Can you do an IRL collab?
“Huh?”
– Huh?

I thought for a moment at the sudden suggestion, then nodded.

An IRL collab.

Suddenly?

Meeting in real life wasn’t a problem.

Although we had only met a few days ago, I trusted Dragon, Aram, Garam, and NemoMi.

– I can!

But regardless of that, why? Why?

Oh, maybe…!

– Just to let you know, I’m not pretty……!
– That’s not it!

What wasn’t it?

Anyway, it wasn’t an atmosphere of being scolded.

The tension eased, and I smiled. People on the street looked at me strangely.

Noticing this, I lightly slapped my cheeks and pretended to be expressionless, but it seemed to attract even more attention.

“Is there something on my face…?”

I wiped my face with my sleeve and saw black dust on it.

“Oh!”

That was it!

I quickly wiped my face with both sleeves like a cat washing itself and looked at my phone again.

– The collab location is your house. I’m not coming alone, Aram is coming too. Of course, we need permission from your parents.
– …?

I felt a little downcast at the mention of parents and typed in the chat.

– I don’t have parents!
– ? You’re living alone at 17?
– They both passed away.

The read receipts disappeared.

And that silence lasted for ten minutes, then Dragon spoke.

– Sorry.
– Trash
– Trash
– Trash

The others quickly ganged up on Dragon.

Seeing that, my gloomy mood lifted a little.

– But why the IRL collab?
– The title is “Visiting a High School Girl’s House.”
– Huh?
– Trash
– You shut up!
– Anyway, the content is just assembling your computer and chatting.

Garam scolded him, but he also explained that the purpose of the collab was to assemble my computer.

‘Why go this far?’ I thought again.

But it was no use thinking about it.

This was not a normal situation.

But whether it was normal or not, what I had to say here was clear.

– You’re an angel……
Is this really human kindness?

Honestly, wasn’t this what people call a pushover?

– No, I’m doing it because I think it’ll get good views. Of course, I’ll be careful not to reveal your face or address.
– Trash
– I’m blocking you
– And don’t buy a case. I’ll bring one.

I was going to refuse, but I realized it was an apology for the earlier question about my parents and shut my mouth.

“You don’t have to…”

I didn’t think badly of it. In fact, I was the one who should be sorry.

But I didn’t say anything.

In this situation, what I had to say was clear.

– Thank you!
– I’ll be there around 1 PM tomorrow.
– Okay!!

Suddenly, an IRL collab was scheduled.