『Author: CravingWarmAmericano(👑)』
『Title: Broadcast Notice』
『Hello,
See you at 7 PM.』
A short notice devoid of any details about what the broadcast would be about.
Nevertheless, it was hard to find anyone expressing dissatisfaction with the notice. Most people were anxious over the fact that such a courteous notice was provided, specifying even the time.
On top of it, the day before, she mentioned that she was considering retirement as her victory speech. It was difficult to see this uncharacteristic action as a good sign.
Speculations were rampant about what the major announcement could be, and many flocked to GetDevoured’s fan cafe.
『Author: ㅇㅇ』
『Title: It’s definitely a pro debut』
『She must have received at least 100 scouting offers.
She toyed with one of the top three pros in a one-on-one match. If they don’t pick her, they’re fucking idiots LOLOLOL.
Even if there are stamina issues, she’ll at least be recruited as a coach.
Although she seems like a purely physical player, her strength lies in her psychological warfare and strategic play.』
– Uh-huh~ It’s a retirement announcement~ She’s going to do prenatal care after getting hitched to Revan~
– ㄴ You’re really going to die, you ass
– But if she debuts as a pro, won’t she stop broadcasting?
– ㄴ I believe in the Teacher…she’ll do Ocarina streams, at least…
– ㄴㄴ I think she doesn’t need to do that
– ㄴㄴ I’ve come to appreciate how precious your assholeness is
– My small GetDevoured becoming a pro… It feels like she’s getting farther away ㅠ
『Author: ReformedDojil』
『Title: Stop speculating about the Teacher’s personal life』
『Warning: First offense, then a ban.
Especially to those writing about pregnancy, childbirth, marriage, or any sexual harassment posts
You’re really going to die, you bastards』
– Here, the manager curses…
– Maybe Revan’s gonna ‘insert’ with a yeong~cha!(mid-sentence) and then she’ll retire?
– ㄴ Is this true?
– ㄴ You both give your addresses
– Cursing is indeed bad for prenatal care
– ㄴ Choose your words wisely while you still can
– ㄴㄴ Moving violently and becoming out of breath aren’t good for the health of the still delicate MiniMini GetDevoured
– ㄴㄴ You give your address too, you fucker
– Dojil, Dojil…
『Author: ㅇㅇ』
『Title: This rascal definitely got a taste for arson』
『It can’t possibly be unintentional.
Enjoying the world burning like this and then turning on the broadcast to say things like ‘I bought another ocarina’, it’s a hundred percent certain.』
– Ah
– Just thinking about that crazy person giggling while watching the chaotic forums makes my stomach turn. Is this normal?
– ‘It’s unfair’
– No, damn it
『Author: Anonymous』
『Title: If she declares it’s the final, I’ll make a big decision』
『There’s no point in a world where GetDevoured isn’t pure anymore.』
– How about you make a big decision right now, sir?
Predictably, there was no follow-up notification or explanation.
The simmering viewers could only wait for the broadcast time, burning everything in their path.
* * * *
A few hours remained until the announced broadcast.
From the match the previous day, to the victory interview, to the announcements – Lee Yena, who had meticulously chosen actions designed to explode the community, was quietly sipping coffee at a small café in front of her house.
Contrary to everyone’s expectations, her expression was tense.
“… Yena.”
In the space filled with soft music and heavy silence, the two sisters barely met each other’s eyes before glancing down again.
“Yes.”
Perhaps because they were the only customers in the quiet place, even continuing the conversation wasn’t easy.
They were unsure how to bridge the gap between the sister who had fled and the sister who now found it difficult to approach her. The fault lay with no one in particular, adding to the complexity.
Wouldn’t it be better to act as if nothing had happened and just nag? If she did, her sister would likely nod cautiously and follow her lead. They could pretend everything was fine and then depart.
But that was impossible. Absolutely impossible.
“First of all… I’m sorry. Your sister was… too harsh.”
The apology seemed to shock Lee Yena considerably.
“No, no. If you apologize… it can’t be. I…”
As Yena stammered painfully, Lee Yeri tightly closed her trembling eyes.
They couldn’t avoid it. They couldn’t keep avoiding it.
“Yena.”
“Yes.”
“You still… don’t remember, right?”
Even while trying to calm her mind, her body had a different will. The slight tremor in her voice persisted.
“… Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Since that day, right?”
Despite Yeri’s efforts to suppress her tears, they finally escaped, trickling down her cheeks and soaking into her chest. Yena remained silent.
However, the silence from her bowed head was a more accurate answer than any spoken words.
She didn’t forget.
How could she not have known?
She had only been deceiving herself. With one excuse or another. Work was incredibly busy, she had to give her allowance money, and Yena seemed reluctant to bring it up… Now that Yena was an adult, she thought things might change.
But when things looked a bit dangerous, she lost her composure.
She upended the quiet progress of her broadcast and tried to control everything. At a meeting Yena had worked so hard to arrange with the CEO, she had prevented her from even saying a proper word—
Eventually, unable to hold back, Yena had confessed her amnesia.
“…I’m sorry. I know we decided not to see each other. But I saw the card statement. Last year, the emergency… emergency room…”
It wasn’t until much later that she learned the true reason.
From Yeri’s chest, where she had buried her face in her hands, came a sob she couldn’t contain.
It was something she should have said a long time ago. A long time ago.
“Sorry…”
Yena, with her head bowed, still couldn’t respond.
The volume of the music quietly echoing in the small café increased a little. Perhaps it was a considerate gesture from the owner who heard their sobbing.
And so, for a moment, a silent and heavy time passed.
Yena, with a bitter smile, slowly reached out her hand. Slowly and cautiously.
As if she had found courage in a stranger’s tentative kindness.
“… Nuna.”
“Yes, huff—yes. Yes, Yena.”
She handed a handkerchief to wipe Yeri’s tear-streaked face and, hesitating again, fidgeted—
“Thank you for telling me that the ship of Theseus is still the same ship…”
She slowly and gently placed her hand in front of Yeri. Palm up, as if inviting her to hold it anytime.
“For worrying about me, scolding me, and helping me with the broadcast and the meeting with Faraday… thank you.”
Those words, muttered as if to herself, had been wandering in Yena’s heart for a long time.
“I felt shameless and sorry… so I couldn’t say it properly. I’m sorry.”
While she kept refining and refining the words she wanted to say, she never had the heart to let them out.
Though Yeri might never fully understand the genuine reasons behind Yena’s carefulness—
“Thank you. And… would it be okay if I continued to be thankful?”
Nevertheless, from her cautious tone, her bowed head, and her trembling voice, her feelings were conveyed.
Yeri silently held Yena’s hand tightly.
It was the moment when an anchor desperately thrown into the vast unfamiliar sea touched the ground.
Determined to take responsibility for the anchor she had dropped, the castaway let out a fragile smile.
* * * *
7 PM.
《Ah. Can you hear me?》
『Ah, check』
『Ah, King and Devoured』
『Congratulations on your win!』
『Eh』
『Wow, why does the timely broadcast make me so anxious』
『This girl finally got her act together』
The broadcast of GetDevoured that had started right on time was already bustling with viewers. From those who had logged in early just in case, to those who hurriedly tuned in after confirming the broadcast was indeed live.
The audience who had rushed over found themselves face-to-face with Yena’s visage filling up the entire screen. Was it a change of heart, perhaps? Unlike her usual stubborn self, she had zoomed the camera to full screen.
『Wow』
『So pretty』
『This is what good content looks like』
『Important Announcement: Beauty』
『This is insane, really』
『Please do more facecam streams』
『With a face like that doing those things』
– GetDevoured has donated 10,000 won! –
【Yay, thank you for the facecam, teacher ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ】
– ??? has donated 1,000 won! –
【So, what’s the big announcement?】
– ??? has donated 1,000 won! –
【???: I’ve been practicing a ridiculously bad-taste new song.】
After briefly scanning her desk as if searching for something, Yena’s eyes returned to the chat screen. She began to interact with her audience by slowly dragging through the chat, keeping an unruffled demeanor despite the flood of compliments and donations.
《It’s not that big of an announcement… But there are a few things I’d like to say. Why didn’t I say this during the victory speech… Hmm. True. But I’d prefer to talk about it… when it’s just us.》
There was a soft smile forming on Yena’s lips as she spoke those words.
『Oh my, the legacy viewer brings habitual broadcasting tears』
『”Just us”』
『Why is she suddenly like this』
『Tears are overflowing』
『Spring’s GetDevoured is really different』
『The gap is insane, really』
The excitement over her gentle voice and expression was brief.
《I’d love to tell you right away, but a tradition is a tradition.》
Yena’s face vanished, replaced by the customized game lobby of KoK displayed on the screen.
Along with the phrase ‘Dam12/Dam12’ appearing at the top.
《Here we go. It’s first come, first served. I’ll talk once a winner emerges. For fairness… I’ll be using a keyboard and mouse and give a three-game concession, because I also want to chat. Plus… I’m planning to give the winner a prize.》
– ??? has donated 1,000 won! –
【Are you crazy? You said you’d make an announcement, you said you want to talk!!!】
《There can be no exceptions to the rules.》
– Heh heh
A hint of anticipation was evident in her barely contained laughter.