I am Smart

---

The next day was a part-time job day for Lee Da-ram and Moon Si-hyun. As usual, Da-ram met Si-hyun a bit earlier than usual.

As soon as Si-hyun approached her, Da-ram gleefully exclaimed, “Sister, did you see this?” and shoved her phone forward.

On the screen was a video of a cactus that had been uploaded the previous day, featuring Si-hyun herself.

“Ah, was this person who kept insisting it was ‘physical’… actually famous?”

“Yeah? Yeah! Super famous! This video already has 760,000 views!”

“…… 760,000?”

“Yep! 760,000! It’s not even been a day, and it’s already at 760,000! No Fiore user would not know about the cactus. It’s a bit divisive, as she can be quite emotional sometimes. Anyway, we’ve got plenty of time, so let’s watch it together. … I wish I could get that much attention too…”

Da-ram said with sparkling eyes, covering her lips. She felt envious of Si-hyun.

Although it wasn’t her own broadcast or YouTube channel, she envied the mere fact of such attention. Da-ram had quite a need for recognition.

As she continued to help the still-inexperienced Si-hyun as usual, they reached the end of their shift.

On their usual commute home, at the parting crossroads, Da-ram clenched her fists tightly and looked up at Si-hyun.

“Sister! I’m going to work really hard!”

—

As soon as Da-ram finished her shift, she rushed home to wash up and immediately turned on her stream. After starting the waiting screen with music playing, she tidied up her appearance and hair in the bathroom for a moment.

As a virtual broadcaster, her real face and outfit wouldn’t be seen, but it was just to gather her own mindset.

Just like Si-hyun’s cactus YouTube channel, Da-ram wanted everyone to call her name.

Having a hundred fans who liked her felt really nice and grateful, but five hundred felt even better. And better than that was a thousand.

She was envious of how Si-hyun had become a master in just a month, but what she envied even more was the attention.

Seeing her refined appearance, Da-ram nodded to herself. As soon as she got back, she grabbed the mouse and changed the waiting screen.

The character that only showed the hood suddenly jumped up from below.

“Hiyo! Nice to meet you, Da-ram-!”

As she was about to deliver her usual opening line, she noticed the chat window.

―――

(President ASCII Art)

(Dickman ASCII Art)

Is this the stream of Moon Si-hyun’s girlfriend?

What’s this?

I’m sick and taking a break; our dear girl streamer, the soloist, shouldn’t be sick alone ㅠㅠ – Ah… it hurts… I’m sick and taking a break; our dear girl streamer, the soloist, shouldn’t be sick alone ㅠㅠ – Ah… it hurts…

The scenery that is only allowed for me… ♡ The paying male fans will never see even the XXX of these girls for a lifetime. Just that superiority makes me feel like I could die… ♡ The scenery that is only allowed for me… ♡ The paying male fans will never see even the XXX of these girls for a lifetime. Just that superiority makes me feel like I could die… ♡

(Ahegao ASCII Art)

Why is the chat suddenly like this?

What is this?

―――

“…… Huh?”

Da-ram murmured.

There were 300 viewers in the chat. And it gradually increased.

300, 500, 700.

And soon, it surpassed 1000.

—

Pazzk Minor Gallery, Hako Mini Gallery, Broadcaster Gallery, Hako Virtual Minor Gallery, and more.

As befits the underground culture, there were countless galleries related to broadcasters on DC.

Among them, the Hako VTuber “Squirrel” was the most mentioned.

In just two months, Squirrel secured a steady viewership of 100, making it a trending topic recently.

―――

– But is this Squirrel really a high schooler?

From her voice and way of speaking, she seemed quite young.

―――

– No way?

– Most likely, yeah.

– If you exclude Fiore, her game preferences are a bit old-fashioned, but her speech and viewership are very MZ.

– Could be true or not.

– There’s no definitive evidence.

– Given that she streams every night at midnight, she seems like a high schooler who has thrown away her life.

– Don’t trust the VTuber’s estimated age…

N Why?

N Just believe it, you idiot.

―――

– Squirrel <<<<<< The reason why I got my head smashed by her is... What can I even say? She doesn't have that uniquely cold vibe typical of Korean VTubers. Be it Hako or a major corporation, they can sometimes become sharp out of nowhere. But she’s always streaming and feels so pure; her laughter is really bright. I bet she’s a virgin... ――― - For real, lol. - I've only had a taste, but I get what you mean. - Her giggle is super cute. N For real, she has that youthful energy. ――― - Honestly, all Hako VTubers should learn from Squirrel. She streams every night at midnight for at least three hours. Sometimes she does surprise broadcasts before that. Her gameplay, commentary, and everything is not excessive—just wholesome gaming without the tired sex jokes. Growing steadily without any provocative elements, she's soon on the rise. She'll definitely soar up soon. I just wish my favorite would emulate her sincerity. Well, that is if they want to be a Hako, anyway. ――― - I acknowledge it. - Lol, for real, if that’s how nice my favorite one becomes, I won’t watch them anymore. N For real, lol. ――― And just like the name of "Hako Virtual Minor Gallery," various Hako-related topics were swirling. A post went up. ――― - Is there anyone watching Squirrel's stream? tlgus123 << Is that not Moon Si-hyun? (serious) (Screenshot of Fiore's Moon Si-hyun's chat) (Screenshot of Manager tlgus123's chat) That uniquely ridiculous polite tone that’s hard to describe... tlgus123 = Si-hyun123 =?= Moon Si-hyun Hmm... ――― - Ah. - What? - But this seems plausible enough, right? N Hmm... N I admit, it's not because I'm Squirrel's fan or anything. - At this point, it feels a bit ambiguous for rumors to spread here. ――― However, with low confidence and evidence plus the high sentiment in Squirrel's gallery, it seemed that that rumor would quietly pass by. But another post went up. ――― - A curious tale A few days ago, she casually mentioned, "I have someone I need to take care of." When asked who, she flustered and said "a 21-year-old female friend." Right after, the manager "tlgus123" entered the next stream. Emphasizing "female," she talked about "that 21-year-old sister." And the "mysterious master fighter expert's" nickname, "Moon Si-hyun." And their chat manners. (Contrasting chat styles screenshot) ...... (Pepe with a bewildered expression) Hmm... could it all be a coincidence? ――― - Huh? - It’s definitely the same person, right? Lol, what kind of person talks like that? N Yeah, that’s confirmed, but let’s just believe she’s a girl. N Lol, seriously, weren't people just torn apart for thinking it was the same person? - Is this for real? - N (What you believe is the truth.) - Aren't you being too malicious with that extra line? Lol. - No way, you idiot. - Please stop, I'm begging you. ――― That post quickly shot up to become a prominent thread, reigniting the rumor even bigger than before. The spark created casually started drawing real attention, pulling in logs for a fire that couldn’t be contained. ――― - Compilation of Squirrel’s statements from yesterday’s stream Doubtful clips of Squirrel + rapid notes (15-second video) - Ah, sorry. Hehe... I’ve been focusing on someone lately. I need to ask her something. (13-second video) - Ah, did she meet her 21-year-old sister at work? Hmm... At my part-time job, I take care of her a lot. Hehe... "Met at a part-time job, puts effort into caring for a cool and talented 21-year-old sister." Hmm... ――― - Changing 'sister' to 'brother' makes it all fit. - I'm about to cry. - Dammit... has Squirrel been tainted too? - She could really be a girl, you jerk. N Yeah, that's still ambiguous. ――― - Squirrel’s statements from yesterday’s stream (20-second video) - Chat: Did you see the fighter who went to diamond, Squirrel? - Ah! Yes! (voice a tad perked up) Uh, Moon Si-hyun... right? I've seen that replay! ...... (briefly turns her gaze to the side) ...... I think she's super cool and amazing... Hehe... "Met at a part-time job, puts effort into caring, and thinks she's super cool and amazing master one-champ fighter, a 21-year-old sister." Ah... lol. ――― - Ah. - This is the killer blow. Lol. - Hehe. - Lol. - I feel like I'm about to break apart. - Damn it, delete this. - (Unicorn emoji sprawled on the floor) - Die, die, die, die, die, die, die. - It’s clear that this is the end now. ――― - A curious tale (Screenshot of manager list) When that talk happened, tlgus123 was present, hearing everything. ――― - Ah. - Lol. - I didn’t want to know this kind of thing. - Delete it, damn it. - Ugh. - Suddenly feeling down. - Those damn bastards must have been flirting around talking about this episode right when the broadcast ended, didn't they? - I can understand if dating is fine to a hundred times, but don't show it, you idiots. - N No way, that’s absolutely not okay, you bastard. - N Nicely done, good bye. - But I thought Moon Si-hyun’s way of speaking was totally a concept; now it seems more real. N Although Si-hyun's chat feels conceptual, tlgus123 talking about the proper internet culture feels not conceptual... N Really, like a total internet noob... - They met at their part-time job, got close, and started dating, and then Squirrel had been teaching her for a month (Si-hyun's account was created a month ago), then informed her about her broadcasting, and even gave her a manager account. N Wow, damn it, lol. N Ah, so that's what's going on. N Really fits in perfectly, lol. N I genuinely... didn’t want to know that... N I want to die. N Ah, lol. N Puzzle solved 'completed.' ――― - So, to summarize the current gallery rumors......txt Squirrel met the 21-year-old male "Moon Si-hyun" at work. They got along and started dating. Squirrel taught her games and informed her about her broadcasting, even giving her a manager role. In less than a month, she became a master, proving her insane talent, showing impeccable manners in both Fiore content and Squirrel’s streams. They keep sending signals during the streams that only they would understand. Is this right? ――― - Damn it. - You got it exactly. - How much of an alpha male do you have to be to date a high schooler? N How can you even tell if she’s a high schooler? Lol, oh. N Honestly, if she keeps that personality even in Fiore ranked matches, that's just perfect character... - For real, dating a VTuber would feel quite exhilarating. - But isn't this a bit too far-fetched? N If this is far-fetched, then what’s real? Should there be a Dispatch report or something? N The guy upstairs is exaggerating; these days, with 'that VTuber' dating rumors flying around, everyone’s super sensitive. - Why don’t these bastards think she might just be a girl? N Last time some fools tried to argue about it and got completely wrecked, lol. N Damn, 'that VTuber,' is it you again? ――― Moon Si-hyun, the master fighter who starred in the 1.2 million subscriber cactus video that stirred up the Fiore broadcasting scene. And the recent big VTuber dating rumor. The very suspicious relationship between Squirrel and Moon Si-hyun. Besides one very big misunderstanding, all predictions matched reality perfectly. And the "Pazzk Minor Gallery" which had been waiting for VTubers to crash, was not about to let this rumor slide. ――― - Current... summary of the Hako VTuber boyfriend rumor exploding over in that other gallery......txt - So, does this summarize the rumors? Lol. - So why do we even watch VTubers, you dumb fans? Lol. ――― Numerous screenshots, summaries, and clips started spreading like wildfire through Pazzk Minor Gallery. ――― - Why don’t the VTaku kids understand this point......really? (Pepe looking baffled) Just replace 'Moon Si-hyun,' 'tlgus123' with a guy, and everything makes sense. Why do they keep twisting it and creating contradictions by treating it as a girl? ――― - Just let them be, lol; they just want to believe it's a girl. - These idiots, now trying to twist the rumors from 100 viewership VTubers. N Caught a fanboy, lol. N What the viewers matter, lol, this is such fun and juicy gossip. N Since 'that VTuber' blew up, everyone here just wanted it to pop one more time, and it finally did, lol. ――― Malicious posts began to flood. Given the site's nature, it was uncontrollable. More and more people came to cause chaos in her stream, as well as to spectate, and they followed Squirrel. Early for her usual stream, Squirrel turned it on. Everyone swarmed in eagerly. The chat was already in complete disarray. "...... Um, um...... well......" Da-ram kept opening and closing her mouth. She couldn’t respond at all. For young Da-ram, who had only just started streaming, this situation was way too sudden and overwhelming. And, watching all of this was Moon Si-hyun. Si-hyun grabbed the mouse. Her eyes scanned over the rapidly rising chat.