It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

The broadcast began with pouring rain.

For the viewers eagerly waiting for Lee Yena, the weather was far from welcoming. It was common for her to announce a break on rainy days—sometimes even jesting about wanting to spend the day listening to the sounds of rain.

『Leek pancakes? Leek pancakes? Leek pancakes? Leek pancakes? Leek pancakes? Leek pancakes?』

『I can hear the rain, damn it』

『?? Mobile?』

『We’re screwed』

『Please, tell me it’s not a camping broadcast』

『Well, at least it’s not a rain cancellation』

The viewers, upon hearing the sound of rain right as they logged into the broadcast, naturally caused a commotion.

The screen was also somewhat dim. With so many elements reminding them of that infamous asmr rain sound broadcast that ended abruptly, it was only natural they reacted this way.

《I’m sure you can hear me clearly.》

However, perhaps because the chat was always so active, Lee Yena spoke in her usual calm voice, seemingly unfazed by the chaos.

《Well… it’s raining a lot. On such a rainy day, don’t you just have such thoughts? Ah, I don’t want to go to work. Ah, I want to stay cozy in my bed. Ah, I want to start a broadcast, gather people with the promise of making leek pancakes, and then just announce a break while showing them the completed pancakes— those kinds of thoughts.》

-ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won!-

【Teacher, the last part is really weird, damn it】

-ㅇㅇ donated 1,000 won!-

【This surprise build is a complete scam!】

Perhaps, they actually did not mind seeing her in such a lively state. After these few seemingly inappropriate opening words, she fell silent.

In the midst of the quiet atmosphere, only the sound of pouring rain and the faint noise of cars passing could be heard.

The silence that settled in was unnecessarily long. If it were on the radio, it would not be surprising to call it a broadcasting accident. Though whether an intentional pause can be called an accident might be a different story.

So much so that even the viewers, who initially dismissed her words with a laugh, began to heat up the chat as they grew restless.

-Keep in mind-

《I’m just kidding. No way I’ll take a break. I wanted to start the broadcast… I missed you guys.》

Lee Yena, with a soft smile, spoke in a languid—and slightly embarrassed—voice, as if soothing her viewers.

– We missed you tooㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ.

– Let’s at least turn on the cam before we start talking, teacher.

– Fuck, now you’re just openly letting your broth boil over.

– Are you taking a break just because you want us to miss you constantly? Please.

– Ugh, for real.

– We missed you (turning off the broadcast again).

– Why have you become so nice lately? Why don’t you turn off the broadcast and do a fire circle? I can’t get used to this… it’s scaring me…

– The mood in the chatroom changed easily. It was a characteristic of the broadcast. Just as quickly as the fire ignited, it moved in another direction just as swiftly.

《Heh heh.》

Lee Yena, who had been staring idly at the chat window, let out a small chuckle once more.

《Alright. Then, shall we go?》

The sound of an umbrella opening followed, accompanied by the noise of raindrops hitting the spread-out plastic.

The sounds didn’t match the cook-broadcast hinted at by the broadcast’s title. Even though the camera was obscured, it was clear she was walking down the street.

– ‘User’ donated 1,000 KRW! –

『Why are you outside though?』

《Last time, there were many complaints that too much was left out. And now that I think about it, it made sense… So this time, I decided to start with no omissions, from buying the chives.》

– ‘User’ donated 1,000 KRW! –

『Well… at least you’re not starting from farming…』

People said humans were creatures of adaptation. By now, the viewers, who had stuck around, had gotten quite used to Lee Yena.

《… Oh. Hmm… farming. Farming… wait, just a moment. I’ve heard chives grow fairly quickly.》

She often distanced herself with such comments—

– ‘User’ donated 1,000 KRW! –

『Please, teacher, as a favor, let’s just go to the mart without any bullshit.』

Yet even that had become a routine.

It was a peaceful broadcast.

* * * *

It was dark weather for early afternoon. The rain was pouring down so hard that it was questionable if using an umbrella even made any sense—such weather.

It hadn’t been even three minutes since I started walking, and the hem of my pants was already drenched.

Days like this were really, really meant to be spent indoors. If I were asked why I was going against my instincts and common sense… Well, even I couldn’t precisely pinpoint the reason.

But, the truth was, I wanted to see it.

How should I put it?

The past few days, being so focused on the tournament, it was hard to feel like I was even broadcasting. As I progressed to the later rounds, the opponents’ skills became noticeably significant, making it difficult to check the chat in real time.

Most importantly, there were so many prank donations constantly coming in, asking who my opponent was, that I had no choice but to turn off donations.

If they knew who the opponent was…well, it would constrict my movements too much.

In battlefields, it’s always best not to know your opponent’s personal details.

Anyway—though I had turned on the broadcast, it was practically like an empty broadcast. While engaging in the tournament matches, I found myself missing the lively chat and the curious donations, much like how drinking zero-calorie soda eventually makes you crave sugar.

So—that’s it.

In summary, I wanted to broadcast.

Maybe, just maybe, I had finally started to want to be a broadcaster. Considering it had already been over nine months since I began broadcasting…well, it seemed a bit late.

You know, they say the moment you think it’s late is when it’s truly too late. It was just a point where everything got complicated.

I had vaguely thought that I’d quit broadcasting if the Rogue Revival Movement succeeded. Deciding to enter this tournament was partly to wrap things up. I wanted to do at least one thing that my viewers wished for.

And, for those viewers who had helped me so much… I wanted to show them how far ‘GetDevoured’ could go. That’s why I participated in the tournament…yes. Now, I felt a strange certainty.

It seemed I couldn’t give up so easily. Surely, just like this morning, I’d suddenly start missing them. I would miss my viewers. Unfinished business would come to mind.

Like that green onion pancake.

-User OO has donated 1,000 won!-

【Why is there suddenly another critical update… Let’s just go play】

“Um… A while ago, I tried to make leek pancakes but had to give up halfway due to a barrage of complaints. I thought I should give it another go and finish it this time.”

– DevouredCCTV just donated 1,000 won! –

【Teacher, you are so frustrating. Please, just let me out.】

“Sorry. I didn’t get a permit to film here. Think of it as a pocket view.”

– ㅇㅇ just donated 1,000 won! –

【Which pocket is it stuck in? It’s urgent.】

“…Why is that urgent? It’s in my pants pocket.”

Answering to the various donations with appropriate responses, they soon arrived at the mart.

‘First, let’s do the grocery shopping. Thoughts… I can spill them out later when I have time alone.’

It should be fine to delay it at least until I get eliminated from the tournament. I’ve resolved to do my best in this tournament. I think I can give myself a bit of leniency.

That had to be the plan.

Pushing aside the tangled thoughts whirling in the back of my mind, I delved into the proper shopping. About three minutes later…

Walking with my basket full of various ingredients… the gaze of the lady sitting at the checkout counter felt a bit piercing. It must have been because I’ve been talking to myself since I got here. It would be great if she assumed I was on a phone call due to my earphones.

“Fifty-four thousand won. Please insert your card here.”

“Okay.”

An awkward silence lasted while I waited for the payment to process. The lady, who kept twitching her lips, finally spoke up as if she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“So, um, kids these days, is that a trend? Back in my day, stuff like that was only seen in organized groups. Why did a young lady like you get it?”

Ah.

The arm sleeve. My sleeves got slightly rolled up and… they can be seen.

…I had worn them thinking of reenacting those old times. But yes, they’re somewhat… somewhat conspicuous.

“…It has a story.”

I averted my eyes and fumbled with my basket. When things get weird no matter how you explain them, sometimes the best answer is to run.

– ㅇㅇ just donated 1,000 won! –

【Wherever you go, our tattering disgrace, please take care of our dear.】

– ㅇㅇ just donated 1,000 won! –

【Hey, who is giving our firm guy trouble? Wanna close up shop or what?】

…How did I end up with viewers like this? It was such a relief that I had my earphones on.