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Chapter 15: The Food of God’s

“The game called Reviser is supposed to be famous, but the ending felt like a bland steamed bun.”

“How was it? What did you think of the ending?”

“It sucked.”

Because it wasn’t a happy ending.

Personally, I’m not a fan of endings like that. Whether or not I enjoyed the gameplay, the conclusion left a messy feeling.

It felt like when you eat meat and wash it down with herbal medicine instead of liquor.

“There should be happiness or at least some redemption after hardship, right? Why does the hero turn into a monster?”

“I didn’t see you as someone like that, but I guess your taste is pretty standard?”

“Well, I prefer that, okay? Happy endings are my favorite!”

[That’s actually true.]

[If the ending is trash… I’ll be typing thousands of characters right away.]

[Turns out it’s a dream and the reality is even worse, I’d need to change my pen name, haha.]

Let’s assume that this peaceful moment I’m experiencing is actually a fantasy made just before I get torn apart by demons because I couldn’t save the world as a hero.

How awful would that feel? Being on the brink of dying, losing my grip on reality and falling into escapist hallucinations.

It’s just a thought, a delusion, but still.

Playtime: 3 hours 20 minutes.

It felt like I had sprinted through a breathless marathon course.

I jumped right in as soon as the stream started, so that makes sense. Now that I think about it, I didn’t even take a bathroom break, did I?

“Ugh!”

After sitting in the chair for so long, stretching felt especially good, sending a jolt through my nerves.

Well, no matter how the ending was, I cleared the game. So maybe my streaming will be a bit more relaxed now.

“I’m going to take a short break.”

Just in time, Dayoung sensibly set a break time.

The cam screen turned off and the mic was muted, while a notice of “15 minutes break” floated in the air.

“So, what do you want to do now?”

“Huh? We’ve already been at it for over 3 hours. But since we’re collabing, shouldn’t we at least do one more segment? You’re good with your schedule, right?”

Of course. We had already aligned schedules beforehand.

Nodding blankly, Dayoung smiled brightly and said, “Then how about we do a mukbang? Aren’t you hungry?”

Mukbang, huh?

It was about that time for my stomach to feel empty.

Since the stream started early in the evening, I had only eaten a light dinner. By now, I needed to fill up for a late-night snack.

“Let’s order delivery. There’s this place with amazing gopchang. Or how about chicken and beer or some snacks?”

Ordering delivery sounds like a convenient and rational option.

It saves me from the hassle of cooking, and unless the shop is terrible, the food is probably decent.

But is it just me, or does that feel kind of boring? Has being a streamer gotten to me?

“Dayoung.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have any food at home?”

“Huh?”

*

*

*

“Hey, can you hear me? Can you see me okay?”

[??? A sudden get-together?]

[Whose place is this?]

[Well, it is someone’s place. Obviously, it’s Poming’s place.]

[Is this a home stream?]

[What home stream? This is definitely a housewarming party stream!]

It was bewildering.

When break time ended, the two streamers’ faces seated at the computer were not what was shown on the screen.

A noticeably shaky grip and view.

Such an image is commonly seen with streamers doing casual streams.

However, even though it was slightly dim, it was clearly an indoor scene.

What could they possibly be doing? A flood of hook-marked questions invaded the chat.

Passing through a slightly dark hallway without lighting effects, Poming turned towards the living room with a meaningful smile.

“Okay, everyone. You can look forward to this. Today’s collab highlight with Friede is coming up!”

[???]

[What is she planning to do with my sister? This is crazy!]

[But where are they going now?]

[I can’t see because it’s dark!]

[Did Friede cosplay or something? What’s the surprise?]

[Poming, stop messing around and reveal it already!]

While looking at the chat desperately urging for a reveal, Poming greeted enthusiastically.

“Tada! My sister is going to make us rice!”

[?????]

[Friede… cooking?!]

[No way, this can’t be real! I’m hungry too! Mama Friede, give me food!]

[Help, Mama Friede, I want food!]

[Does Friede know how to cook?]

[Don’t know!]

[Is it going to be some crazy delicacy? LOL!]

In the revealed kitchen, Friede appeared.

Even caught on camera, she looked so unfazed, she could easily be called the embodiment of a poker face.

Opening the fridge and considering her options, Friede soon pulled out various ingredients.

Carrots, chives, eight eggs, leftover button mushrooms…

I had no idea what she was cooking, but Friede’s careful movements in the kitchen were enough to bring a fresh wave of excitement to the viewers.

After all, it’s charming to see a beautiful streamer who usually shines in games showcase such a homely side.

One more thing I learned was that Poming surprisingly had plenty of food and ingredients at home.

In reality, Poming’s house had a surprisingly bountiful stock of ingredients.

Even Friede, who suggested it, had worried late about not having ingredients at home.

‘Didn’t think she’d be so unprepared for living alone.’

Even if it’s at her family home, she still lived alone at this point… it might as well be independent living.

But having fresh ingredients still remaining means she must be cooking regularly.

It’s strange though, because usually at this age of living alone, one would think delivery and ramen are the best friends in life.

With all the ingredients laid out, Friede opened the rice cooker.

There was easily more than enough rice for two servings.

‘This is good.’

*Bam!*

Tugging at her apron, Friede pulled her hair back behind her neck, fixing it as if golden waterfalls were flowing smoothly.

It was a performance that seemed inappropriate for the kitchen. Watching from behind in real-time, Poming approached with a wry smile.

“Oh, sis, do you need help with your hair?”

“Nope.”

Seemingly annoyed by her own hair, Friede plucked a single strand.

Grasping the poor strand of golden hair like a fallen warrior…

“Oh, so you can do this?”

“Yup, my hair is pretty strong.”

Without any hair ties or accessories, Friede secured the plucked hair into a ponytail and with a bright smile, she made a victory sign.

[Wow, did you just see that?]

[I’m already recording, haha.]

[Share it later!]

[Wow, watching my sister tie her hair up with a ponytail live!]

[Sis! You’re so beautiful! You’re stunning! I love you! > <]
[That guy is getting dizzy from his wording.]

No matter how lively the chat got, Friede began moving gradually.

She turned on the flame and placed a wok on the stove, preparing the vegetables as they heated.

Surrounding the floor with oil, she stir-fried the prepared veggies, then added eggs and scrambled it all together.

Finally, she took out two bowls of rice.

At this point, even those who didn't notice couldn't miss the very obvious cooking presence as Poming approached discreetly.

"Are you seriously making…?"

"Yep, fried rice. I’ve made it countless times when living alone, so I’m pretty confident. Even so, I’ve got three years of living-alone experience."

Seeing Friede smile, Poming couldn’t help but flinch slightly.

Ah, that’s a story from before being summoned to this world.

In an unexpected awkwardness, the well-thought-out statement in her head tangled up.

Poming stared blankly at Friede’s slightly serious yet joyful expression and couldn’t help but mutter absentmindedly.

"You're really beautiful."

[For real LOL.]
[Sis... you seem like the perfect wife.]
[Wow, having a sister like you cooking this for breakfast would be something I’d cherish!]
[She’s sure cooking with ease!]
[Gimme a bite!!!!]

Unaware her slip of speech was broadcasted live, Poming focused on capturing Friede cooking through the camera.

*
*
*

*Clang!*

"Here we have Friede’s fried rice."

"Ooh."

The dish turned out to be quite the success.

The fluffy rice was coated in eggs, shining a subtle golden hue, while the bits of carrots, chives, and mushroom pieces enhanced its appeal.

[Isn’t this the cooking of a twisted hell?]
[Wow... those cooking skills are so delicate. I’m impressed.]
[If I show this to my mom, she’ll praise the foreign girl for cooking so well.]
[You should’ve introduced her as my future wife!]
[Was talking like that and ended up being told to study instead. I got a smack on the back!]
[LOL, does our teacher look like a loser?]

The chat’s reaction wasn’t that different from Poming’s feelings.

Isn’t it usually like this?

For female streamers, especially those focused on gaming, it’s rare to find one who can make food normally.

However, Friede broke that bias and smacked the audience on the back of their heads in a good way with a fantastic outcome.

"Oh, wait! Let’s drink this while we’re at it."

Coming back to her senses, Poming pulled out the wine bottle Friede had gifted her.

*Gulp.*

Pouring the rich red liquid into two empty glasses was a soft sight.

Although a post-game drinking party can seem goofy, looking at it another way, it created quite a charming atmosphere.

After clearing the game quickly, shouldn’t a gamer propose a toast?

Declaring proudly, Poming exclaimed, "Everyone, look at this! This is Pepé the Frog’s wine! My sister bought it for me!"

What we were about to eat, a result of the cooking stream, was the vegetable-laden fried rice.

But alongside it came the remarkably luxurious wine considering its side dish status.

[What’s that, you nerd?]
[I know that! It’s a famous wine brand from Austria, haha, I even have it at home!]
[But wait, it’s French, you loser!]
[That’s insanely expensive... Friede bragging about her spending in style!]
[My sister's a rich kid.]
[Is she a rich kid with digital assets that are gold-colored, huh?]

"Yup, you still don't get it. For the final one, I’ll give you Jong's hammer of punishment."

*You have been forcibly removed by the administrator.*

[Wow, they’re sharp and quick these days, haha.]
[W... holy sh*t!]
[Tiananmen Square! Tiananmen Square!]
[Free speech is guaranteed!]

Watching the lively chat, Poming took a spoonful of fried rice and brought it to her mouth.

"It’s delicious. Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations, haha…"

"Fried rice is hard to screw up. It was my first cooking attempt when living alone."

"When I made it, it wasn’t that good."

Is it the difference in experience?

Munching on the fried rice, Poming looked quite cute.

For sure, this fried rice might’ve been made a lot better compared to before.

It gave a comforting feeling to my slightly heavy heart.

'Before?'

Suddenly, Friede felt a strange discomfort through that word.

Before...

Even if it’s only ten years, the memories of the hellish time I’ve felt already crept back in my mind, and I shook my head absentmindedly to cast them out.

Turning back to reality, I saw Poming’s bowl had already been emptied, and I smiled as I asked, "Is this enough for you? Should I make more?"

"I'm getting a bit full now."

Right, okay then.

Feeling a slight burn in my mouth, I downed what was in my glass.

A spicy yet aromatic taste with a slightly tangy and smooth aftertaste felt melodic like an ensemble of various instruments as it slid down my throat, making me involuntarily shrink my shoulders.

* * *

The next morning,

Poming’s channel uploaded the collab with Friede divided into three videos.

As a streamer currently on a roll, views were rising fast, but this newly uploaded video was showing a different aspect entirely.

A vanilla state upload with zero editing effects.

Of which, the last third video was spreading all over the internet thanks to the algorithm.

[Title: The Fried Rice Made by My Sister Who Opened Her Heart… I Kept It in My Heart.]

Views: 1,387,651 · 18 hours ago

In less than 24 hours, a warm and hefty view count for a brand-new upload.

It was a legendary day for streamer Poming, Park Dayoung’s life history.

And….

“Wh… what does it mean by kept it in my heart…? What a horrible title…”

There was an editor, gnawing at his nails in rage at that видео soaring high in real time.

* * *

 

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