The Villain is Too Good at Broadcasting

I washed it as neatly as possible, but because of the hot weather, my military uniform is all wet.

It was so hot that I’m on the verge of getting sick.

Despite that, I opened the door with the brightest expression possible.

“I’m home.”

Inside the house was neat.

The living room was sparkling like it was cleaned just now and it smelled nice.

A soft acacia sent. 

I was familiar with it because it was my younger brother’s favorite fragrance.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

It’s definitely a time when my brother is here.

Till a while ago, he had been cleaning, and he’d even contacted me.

I frowned and looked around the house.

The design of the house was very simple.

Two bedrooms, one living room, and one bathroom. 

It was quite an old apartment, but thanks to constant maintenance and care, it seems cozy.

I had bought this apartment before enlisting.

I would rest here whenever I had a leave from duty, and it was also the home of my brother while he is attending college.

It is a small but cozy house.

I opened the door of the larger of the two bedrooms and went inside.

Wuuuung.

A familiar object whirring gently caught my eye.

It was a small capsule that allowed you to play virtual reality games.

It was a modern model, quite different from the old-fashioned capsule I had used two years ago.

……. Wasn’t this usually pretty expensive?

Also, the shape seemed somewhat unusual. 

At the bedside next to the capsule, there was a strange-looking monitor with text speedily scrolling across the screen.

First, I should call my brother.

I pressed the call button at the bottom of the capsule.

This was the only means of communication which could be used externally to contact users within the game. 

About ten seconds after I pressed the button, my brother opened the capsule and came out.

“Ah, what is it, Hyung. You should’ve called ahead when you came!”

“Do I need to call ahead when it’s my home?”

“Just wait a minute.”

My brother said this then entered the capsule again, this time after 30 seconds had passed, he came out.

He smiled as he turned off the capsule.

“Hyung, you really got discharged!”

“Now it’s your turn to go.”

“Eiy! I haven’t received my draft notice yet! Besides, is the army really needed these days? You’re out now. Ugh, you smell like a Gunbari*.”

TL/N : a word used when an active-duty soldier or a former soldier calls himself/herself.

Should I hit him?

Seeing him act so coyly, I felt feverish.

But I should be magnanimous. 

Today was my discharge.

“But what were you doing? Gaming? Without making any money? Did you pay the maintenance fee this month?”

“No- what kind of discharged soldier starts to nag as soon as he gets home?”

“I asked, did you pay for maintenance?”

“Of course I paid! Who do you think I am?”

“What do you think, a jobless man who only plays games at home.”

“……I can’t. I was planning on showing you later, but I can’t deal with Hyung’s nagging.”

After saying that, he led me to the smaller bedroom. 

There was a gaming capsule similar to my brother’s.

I sighed as soon as I saw it, then looked at my brother and said.

“Did game capsules get cheaper while I wasn’t paying attention? Like, was there some kind of bargain discount?”

“No! It’s because there was a new model released last month, so there is no such thing as a bargain.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Listen, Hyung.”

My brother rushed to open his mouth to prevent me from putting him in his place.

“Both capsules are specially designed for this body which the manufacturer gave me, what I’m saying is. Your younger brother prepared it as a gift for his Hyung.”

What?

“What, the manufacturer gave you? Be honest. Whose card did you use…..”

“I’m telling the truth!”

“It hasn't been used, so we can return it.”

“Hyung, listen to me first, then decide.”

“……..Phew.”

After being discharged, I came home feeling pretty good, but instead my brother had just been increasing my blood pressure.

I took a deep breath as I looked at my brother.

If any crap spewed out of his mouth, I would immediately shut it with my fist.

He looked at my clenched fist and said, with a slight trembling voice.

“I broadcast! I’m pretty famous!”

“……… Broadcast?”

“Yeah! The manufacturer sponsored me so that I would promote it while I broadcast. Why can’t you believe me?”

Why can't I believe you?

I’d rather believe a neighborhood dog than believe my brother.

Glossary :

hyung : a term used by males to address someone older who has the same gender