I Became a Malicious Streamer

“Wow, they’re pretty sisters!”

“Lee Hee-eun brought pretty sisters along!”

“Oh, welcome. I already received a call from Hee-eun.”

The elderly director bows her head as a crowd of children rushes out.

Some kids come right up to me and stare, while others, confused by the sudden commotion, watch from afar.

… It’s a familiar scene. My old orphanage looked just like this.

Although the building and the children’s clothes have seen better days, they don’t seem to be skimping on feeding and caring for the kids; they look in decent condition.

There’s a spark in their eyes, and the lively vibe unique to children is still alive.

Considering the places that cut funding and abuse kids, this place was nothing short of heaven.

Looking back, it was a rather impulsive decision to visit the orphanage where Hee-eun stays.

My original plan—finish exercising, go home, shower, take a brief rest, then turn on the broadcast—has changed quite a bit, but this might still count as a legitimate reason to take a break.

Visiting an orphanage definitely is a wholesome excuse for not broadcasting.

Of course, technically I could have just said goodbye to Hee-eun, treated Ji-yeon to a meal, and gone home. But for some reason, I ended up here.

Hee-eun guided Ji-yeon and me here, but she has a face that says, “Is this really right?” Ji-yeon looks a bit overwhelmed and hides behind me as a swarm of kids rushes over.

Well, I’m not exactly familiar with kids either. But I’ve gotten used to a few things from my orphanage life.

“Hey, everyone.”

At my words, the gazes of the kids who were sneaking glances or staring at me snap to attention.

I raise both arms to catch their attention. Once they see what I’ve got in my hands, their eyes light up.

I’m not about to show up empty-handed; I’ve come prepared for this.

“How about something tasty?”

Kids just can’t resist food. At that age, they’re always hungry, no matter how much they eat.

Crunch, crunch!

“Thank you, thank you so much…”

In a private meeting in the director’s office at her request, the elderly director holds my hand with her wrinkled hand and bows multiple times.

She must have been quite flustered by the sudden visit from an outsider, but it’s sweet that she’s welcoming me like this.

But of course, it’s only natural to welcome an outsider who arrives with expensive treats like pizza or chicken, making the kids smile.

Yet that’s only the case in a properly functioning facility like this orphanage. Some places either completely ban outsiders or are wary of them.

Those places are probably up to no good, neglecting the children. In that sense, this director deserves respect.

According to Hee-eun, the director has cared for her since she was an infant. So it sounds like she’s been here for nearly 20 years.

Almost like a parent. Hee-eun says as much.

Thinking that, I decided to snitch on Hee-eun’s little misbehaviors to the director like a concerned parent.

“Hee-eun said that…”

“Yes, umm. I think this needs to be addressed.”

“The child is already smoking…”

The director lets out a small sigh. Then, in a lamenting tone, she continues.

“Hee-eun must have a lot on her mind. She needs to start thinking about entering society soon. She’ll have to decide what she wants to do for a living.”

When the children reach a certain age, they can no longer stay in the facility. Hee-eun looks to be the oldest here.

The next oldest appears to be around middle school age. The rest are all little kids.

“She was going to be adopted originally… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be saying this in front of a visitor.”

“It’s okay.”

The director mumbles unconsciously and then apologizes. I ended up hearing more about Hee-eun’s past than I bargained for.

She was adopted once. I wonder if there were any issues there.

“There was a girl a few years older than Hee-eun in the adoptive family. It seems the adopters wanted Hee-eun to get along well with her. But then…”

The frail sister passed away shortly after Hee-eun was adopted.

The grieving parents couldn’t take care of Hee-eun and ended up returning her to the orphanage.

It’s not hard to imagine what Hee-eun felt when she was sent back after being adopted.

“It’s not something I usually talk about, but I can see that Hee-eun follows you quite a bit… She hasn’t been this bright since she was unadopted.”

The director presses her eyelids, looking tired.

Well, it’s clear there are a lot of kids in the orphanage, but not enough people to help them, and I bet there aren’t many who have someone to confide in.

Still, there isn’t much I can do. Just listening to their stories like I am now may be all I can offer.

The director’s expression changes into a refreshing smile, as if to say that was enough.

She suddenly looks rejuvenated, almost impossible to believe she was looking so tired just moments ago. Is this what it means to be an adult?

“I haven’t talked to anyone about these things at my age… and today I feel like the words are just flowing. Maybe it’s because you’re here, Ji-eun.”

“Please don’t flatter me too much…”

“No, no, I’m serious. It feels really comforting, as if my heart is at ease. No wonder Hee-eun follows you.”

Hee-eun just followed because I said I’d buy her a meal…

I didn’t add that part. The director looked like she might really scold Hee-eun for smoking earlier.

If I bring this up too, Hee-eun might get in real trouble. I wonder if someone her age could even be spanked for that… Well, anyway.

Again, I have nothing special I can do for this orphanage. I am not a dedicated person, nor can I come here every day like a social worker to take care of the kids.

I’m just trying to take care of myself; even jogging on weekends feels challenging, so I can’t help so many orphans.

But why does it keep bothering me so much? I can’t shake off the memory of the kids I just met.

Is it because I was an orphan in the past? Am I still tied to that time?

It’s not incomprehensible. My time as I Ji-eun has been longer than my previous life. Like a nightmare of my past life I can’t shake off, it’s an inseparable connection.

Even though I now live as I Ji-eun in the warmth of a family, I can’t ignore a starving Hee-eun in an alley.

I’m a mixed being. A male orphan in late twenties and now, a woman born in 2000, I Ji-eun.

Being such a mixed existence, my feelings are quite complicated. Sometimes I make decisions with the mindset of my past self, and sometimes I handle things based on my perspective as Ji-eun.

In this case, my past self reached out to me. It was a bit impulsive to visit here, and it was also an impulse to treat Hee-eun to a meal.

And I still can’t escape that influence.

I’ve decided to do the only thing I can do for them.

It’s neither lofty purpose nor altruistic act; it’s merely about easing my own mind.

Yeah, if I were to define it, I’d say it’s a reasoned kindness. Like dropping a 100-won coin in a donation box, calling myself a good person and feeling better about it.

“Director.”

I approach the director, who’s been smiling kindly, to share my thoughts.

Her wrinkled eyes widen in surprise.

*

Why did my sister want to come here?

While waiting for my sister to finish her conversation with the director, Ji-yeon thought to herself.

Out of nowhere, my sister had introduced me to a girl at the cafeteria, and now we ended up at the orphanage where she lives.

And she did so, carrying lots of food.

The kids are currently devouring what’s in front of them.

“Aren’t you going to eat, big sister?”

“Ah, I already ate.”

“Oh…”

Turning her head back, she resumes chowing down on the pizza. The little hands and mouth manage to eat a lot. She eats so quickly, as if someone might snatch it away.

Watching the orphans like that doesn’t feel too bad. After all, this might be a sort of kindness.

And it’s kindness initiated by my sister. Though I can’t gauge her intentions, I do appreciate receiving the kids’ smiles and friendly gazes.

‘Is she buying food for someone she just met? Bringing food to an orphanage?’

Did the image of orphans suddenly catch her attention? Why?

‘Did she discover some secret about her birth? Does she see herself as an orphan?’

Could that be why she felt a sense of kinship? It’s all very puzzling.

Ji-yeon lost herself in thoughts and deduction.

“Ah… hello.”

A girl with pigtails suddenly approaches and gives me a deep bow. What a sudden greeting! Kids can be so unpredictable.

“Hey, hello.”

As I greet her with a vague smile, her timid face lights up, and she inches closer.

“Um, where did that pretty big sister go…?”

“Pretty big sister?”

“The one who came with you and brought all the food.”

Kids have an uncanny ability to be precise. They never lie and are brutally honest in their innocence.

If they’re calling my sister pretty, Ji-yeon couldn’t help but remember her sister’s striking appearance once again.

“Pretty big sister went to see the director.”

“Oh, really…”

“Why?”

“I’m going to thank her. For bringing us delicious food… That’s what we learned at school.”

Ji-yeon doesn’t particularly like kids. She’s not the most open-hearted person and can be quite picky.

She’s the kind of person who is in stark contrast to immature children who are self-centered and throw tantrums.

Yet, for some reason, she likes these kids. Especially this one, who feels the need to thank for a free meal. That’s much better than the shameless adults she often encounters.

Her heart warms up. It seems her sister didn’t do something pointless after all.

Feeling good, Ji-yeon playfully asks the child.

“Hey, between you and that pretty big sister, who’s prettier?”

“Um…”

The little girl looks embarrassed, pondering the question. I was about to tell her it was just a joke, as it made her seem cute and awkward.

“Both, are pretty… I can’t say who’s prettier.”

Wow, the little one is quite perceptive. In a situation where there’s no definitive answer, she avoids making a judgement. That’s a response that isn’t typical for a child’s simplistic thinking.

However, Ji-yeon couldn’t help but be intrigued by the girl’s next answer.

“Then can’t both of you just hang out together? You both are pretty, so you match well… If you hang out together, that would be amazing.”

Seeing her come to her own conclusion and nodding was so adorable that Ji-yeon couldn’t resist patting her head.

“They do look good together,” she thought. What a beautiful child.

“What’s your name?”

“Hee-ji. Lee Hee-ji.”

“Alright, Hee-ji. I’ll remember you.”

I definitely have to come back. For the sake of this clever little girl, I have to.

Ji-yeon started to feel that kids weren’t so annoying after all.

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