LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 82
After receiving a call from the Representative, I sat back in front of my computer desk without even a moment to think.
As I pictured Older Sister Seo-ha, who was alone in the office, looking sad while typing on the keyboard, I bit my lip. Somehow, it felt like it was all my fault.
It was the day I talked with Park Jae-seong.
If I had just finished things up throughout the past few days, she wouldn’t have had that expression on her face.
“Everyone, I’m sorry. I think I’ll have to leave early for the first time today.”
As I lowered my voice, unlike my usual energetic tone during broadcasts, and spoke to the viewers, the chat window was soon flooded with comments.
【Kokkiyaho】- ???????
【Hounyangie】- Does it make sense to say you’re just going to play one game and leave?
【Bera666】- Sounds like a fake illness
【Moscos】- What does that even mean…
【Mongoo3】- Is something going on?
Most viewers were baffled, as it didn’t make sense to take an early leave after just one game, but a few wondered if something unexpected had happened.
Honestly, I could’ve come up with any excuse.
As one viewer said, I could fake illness or use the cliché lie about my parents being sick to step out for a bit.
However, I didn’t want to do that to these people. I didn’t feel that my choice was something to be ashamed of, and I had faith that these viewers would understand.
“Well… actually, remember the person I confessed to during the collaboration with Mr. Exit?”
【Allfreed】- It’s my first time seeing you bring up your dark history like thisㅋㅋㅋㅋ
【BobMokGoJigeunIlByeon】- Didn’t you say not to mention it?
【K-HipHopTopCosmo】- So what’s the deal?
When I stammered and opened my mouth, everyone looked dumbfounded.
I mean, it made sense; I had asked not to mention that topic after the collaboration.
Of course, I felt a bit embarrassed. A public confession always has that double-edged sword quality.
But my request was motivated by a larger reason—I didn’t want the relationship between me and Older Sister Seo-ha to seem trivial outside of the broadcast.
But today was unavoidable. I had to speak up first.
“Um, but actually, we haven’t become a couple yet. We’ve expressed our feelings, but she said she needed some time.”
【HouseGoneFrog】- So you confessed and got rejected?
【AstralChronicle】- It’s not rejection, she just asked for time.
【FallenFlower】- Sounds like there’s a story behind it.
【tws2425】- Even if someone confessed, it doesn’t mean they’re dating right away.
Some viewers looked confused by what I said, but most believed Older Sister Seo-ha’s perspective was understandable. I felt the same way.
“Anyway, lately, she hasn’t seemed happy. From what I can tell, she seems worried that her answer to me is delayed.”
【DaeSangBi】- That’d be worry-worthy, for sure.
【That’sItCosmo】- Well, if that’s the case, the girl must be nice.
【Cro-Magnon】- Honestly, I thought she was just keeping him on the line, but hearing this makes me reconsider.
Right? In truth, I wouldn’t have minded waiting longer.
But the fact that Older Sister Seo-ha, who told me to wait, was struggling because of her own words made my heart ache.
What made it worse was knowing that even if I told her to not worry and just give her answer when the time was right, she wouldn’t fully accept it.
Given Older Sister Seo-ha’s personality, I guessed she’d think I was saying that just to be nice.
So I intentionally avoided bringing it up. I thought that a wrong reassurance might hurt her even more.
“By the way, today she got a call from her boss at work. Someone I know as well… They said she seemed very down and that she’s been staring at her computer, unable to focus on her work.”
【BlueRageGame】- Aw…
【WhiteForest】- That’s unfortunate.
【WhirlwindFlower2】- I’ve been there, seriously. You try to forget it by working, but the more you work, the more you think about it, and everything goes wrong.
There’s someone speaking for Older Sister Seo-ha’s feelings perfectly. It felt just like that.
“So, the boss asked if I could come pick her up. But, you all know, meeting up won’t solve anything, right?”
【SojuFlavoredHandCream】- Right…
【CatfishWithSalmon】- If meeting would solve, it would’ve been solved already.
【MushroomSoup】- Is there no other way?
The viewers seemed to share my sentiment, unable to provide any advice, only expressing their sympathy.
But I was an exception. I already had a solution in mind. I just needed to ask these people for permission to carry it out.
“No, there is a way.”
【BlueBungieWooRuh】- ?
【HolicShit】- Are you serious?
【ThatOneDude】- What is it????
The viewers responded as if they were not expecting that at all.
I turned toward the camera and, unusually for me, flashed a confident smile as I spoke.
“Today, I’m going to confess again. I don’t know what she’s worried about, but I’m ready to accept her answer. I plan to meet her right away and express my feelings. I just wanted to get your permission first.”
‘Is it okay if I go?’ I asked with a serious look into the camera,
【NextDoorHani】- So that’s why you’re leaving early?
【PassingAppDungi】- Wow, that’s so cool…
【PotatoRing】- Heehee, big bro, I feel funny…
【29ana】- Why didn’t you just say that earlier?
【UlaririHirari】- What are you doing? Why aren’t you running? Is the broadcast that important right now?
【‘HungryElli’ has donated 10,000 Cheese!】
– Leave it to us and go quickly!
【‘AdiosDao’ has donated 100,000 Cheese!】
– Here’s money for gas, just hurry back!
【‘LemonTanghuru’ has donated 5,000 Cheese!】
– You’re so manly, I knew you could do it!
With the flood of donations and chat messages of support pouring in, I thanked them.
“Thank you. I’ll let you know what happened when I return.”
【That’sYourFace】- If you come back without her, you better be ready!
【ParkChobo】- Come back as a couple…
【Today’sDinnerisChicken】- I never thought I’d see the day I support someone’s love life, damn…
After checking the last chat, I moved the mouse and ended the broadcast.
Having received enough encouragement, I felt like I had nothing to fear now.
*
Arriving at the office, I opened the door and stepped inside, where Older Sister Seo-ha looked at me with a surprised expression.
I still didn’t know where the Representative had gone, but it seemed he intentionally avoided the room.
“Uju… Why are you here…?”
“I missed you. Thought I’d come for a little date.”
Older Sister Seo-ha seemed slightly taken aback by my flirtatious comment but quickly realized why I was there and tried to maintain her composure. I must say, she’s very perceptive.
“I’m sorry, but I still have work to do…”
Yeah, I anticipated that reaction. But it didn’t matter.
“The Representative said he’d just let me take you.”
“The Representative?”
“Yeah, he said the remaining work can be done anytime.”
“That guy…!”
Even if he wasn’t there, was it okay to say that about someone like the company representative? I thought that was unlike Older Sister Seo-ha, but I guessed she was just frustrated.
“…But you can’t. Plus, you were live streaming, right? How did you even come here?”
“Of course, I logged off and came.”
“Like it’s that obvious…”
Well, I suppose she’d be surprised since she knew how dedicated I was to my broadcasts.
Even if I’m not the best person, I wouldn’t irresponsibly leave a broadcast for a personal reason like this.
“The viewers told me to go. I got their permission.”
“Of course the viewers would say that. But you…”
“Even if they hadn’t given me permission, I was planning to come anyway.”
“You’re prioritizing me over your broadcast?”
Looking up at me with fierce eyes, Older Sister Seo-ha seemed a bit angry.
Isn’t she supposed to ask if I think the broadcast is more important than her? I guess that makes her quite an unusual person. I shouldn’t even be talking.
“Yeah.”
“W-what…?”
I boldly answered and turned the tables, surprising her.
Just moments prior, she’d been forcefully pretending to be angry but quickly returned to her usual soft gaze, staring at me in surprise.
“Broadcasting is less important to me than you. But that doesn’t mean I don’t value my viewers or broadcasting. It’s just a matter of priority.”
“……”
“So please let me drag you along just this once. If you really hate it, I’ll take you back.”
For the first time, I held Older Sister Seo-ha’s hand firmly and said that.
After a while of glancing between my face and our joined hands, her face flushed, and with a voice just above a whisper, she finally revealed her true feelings.
“…I can’t say I don’t want to.”
Hearing those words finally made me take her hand and exit the company building.
She couldn’t meet my eyes until the end, but her easily led demeanor suggested she’d been waiting for this very moment.