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Christmas.

To put it simply, it’s the birthday of the protagonist from the most sold book in the world.

During World War I, the British and German troops, having a truce solely because it was Christmas, gathered to share in the festivities, making it a significant day worldwide.

And this is equally true for Korea. It’s commonly known as a red day when students don’t go to school and workers don’t commute.

Moreover, it’s such a meaningful day that people’s spirits seem lifted, and it’s famously known as a hot day for couples to spend together.

It’s no exaggeration to say that the reason many are born in September is due to Christmas.

So…

[If Miro doesn’t start streaming on Christmas, it’ll be really bad!]

That’ll be the absolute end.

-For real lol

-Just try not to stream

-I’ll keep an eye on it

It’s highly ordinary for posts like this to pop up in the community.

[What’s this Celestial Realm Year-End Live?]

(Celestial Realm fan cafe notice)

Is something big happening?

-Live? Are they renting a performance hall for it?

No no, there’s a separate virtual live.

-What’s that?

(Links) There’s one where Japanese VTubers do it.

-WTF lol

-I’m kinda looking forward to this

-Expectations? Sounds too much like a nerd’s wish

-A guy watching VTubers lol

-Is this because of that? That bastard is taking a break because of private lessons

-For real

[Teaser for Miro’s original song released this time]

(Links)

It’s insane, so funny lol

-Is it a song by Miro?

-Yeah, for real, the quality is fire lol

-Seems a bit bland just from the teaser

-You need to hear the whole thing to understand

-Miro’s voice is legit

[Is this discrimination in the Celestial Realm?]

WTF, Miro’s getting an original song because she’s popular.

Why did Haneul give birth to Anna and then Miro?

-The original song isn’t supported

-Huh? Really?

-Yeah, apparently she has to prepare the song and make the music video herself.

-Wait, are you saying Miro did it alone?

-Seriously?

-WTF lol suddenly I feel proud of her.

-How long did it take to have Anna and Miro’s birth? Anna should’ve worked harder.

-For real lol

[Official) Celestial Realm GOAT]

(Miro’s profile picture)

Even with her fidgeting, if all she knows is being a viewer, it’s a lol.

-For real

-Lol, her appreciation is through the roof

-The more you look at Miro, the more she’s a gem

-But Anna is like, “Ugh, my throat hurts,” taking a break every time

-But she does sing lol

-Fact: Anna’s broadcast time is just as much as Miro’s

-Stop being obnoxious

-(Links) Here’s someone who organizes Celestial Realm’s streaming times

-WTF why would I even care lol

[??: Can’t she release an original song instead of a cover?]

(A surprised GIF of Anna)

Are you some kind of genius?

(Celestial Realm official log)

Majesty Mil

-Fuck, does it support voice?

-What does “Mil” mean?

-Miro is the shortened form

-Sounds kinda dumb

-ㅠ

-The quality of this one is legit

[Miro’s original song, who made it?]

Just from the teaser, the melody feels intense and I kinda like it.

-Did you just hear that and know it?

-Yeah, just from listening a bit, you kinda feel it.

-Isn’t it the person who made the Celestial Realm songs?

-Why would they make a personal song? lol

-For real, it’s surprising even that they requested a group song.

[Miro, are you really not streaming on Christmas?]

She’s not giving a definite answer till the end, what a jerk.

-But if she does, that’s typical Miro.

-Yeah, this jerk knows.

-But it’s also true that not streaming is still a Miro thing.

-Damn this jerk knows still.

-Yeah, I already have a one-night staycation booked with my boyfriend~

-That’s Anna lol

-So Anna’s broadcasting on Christmas, damn it.

[Organizing Celestial Realm’s Christmas Schedule]

(Celestial Realm Christmas Schedule)

Everyone except Miro plans to stream on both Christmas and Christmas Eve.

-WTF, Miro’s not included

-Fact: Miro never had a streaming schedule anyway.

-To be honest, you can cancel everything, but Miro must stream.

-For real lol

-Not even Loa?

-If Loa doesn’t stream on Christmas, that’s a riot.

-For real…

-What kind of person is Loa anyway?

-You’ll know when you see…

***

Today is Christmas Eve.

The streets filled with people play carols, and the cold air seeps through the gaps in my clothes.

“…It’s cold.”

Is that couple right in front of me sticking together because of this chill?

Feeling inexplicably annoyed, I checked my phone.

It should be around here somewhere…

Looking at my phone’s screen and scanning the surrounding signs.

Kids should make it easier to find things.

After looking around, I finally stepped into the building I found.

Wow, I successfully made a reservation during this peak season.

Entering a somewhat remote building and climbing to the second floor, I saw a door.

Upon opening that door, a rush of warm air melted the cold that had frozen my face.

Mmm, heating’s approved.

“Oh! Welcome!”

“Wow~ It’s been a while, huh?”

Inside were the high school friends of Kim Soo-hyun (Female).

Of course, Hyejeong was also there.

I somewhat recognized the others too.

“Soo-hyun, you look as pretty as ever.”

“When was the last time we met?”

“I think you’re prettier than last time~”

The viewers who had urged me to stream during Christmas Eve had every reason to come because it was a girls’ gathering.

Hyejeong had cheekily invited me to come along.

“It’s nice to see you all.”

“Why’re you talking like that?”

“Just now, you sounded like a senior from our department.”

A senior, huh…

Did I make myself sound a bit older?

“Anyway, come on in! Sit here.”

“Oh right, I brought something.”

“What? Alcohol? We have tons of alcohol.”

“Oh, don’t worry about the side dishes.”

On the way here, I stopped by the convenience store to grab a few things I wanted to eat.

To be honest, I couldn’t finish half of it alone, but these girls would help me.

“You bought a lot, huh?”

“Quick, put it on the table!”

“When’s the chicken coming?”

“I don’t know, they said the order’s delayed.”

Thus began our noisy Christmas party.

Well, it wasn’t anything extravagant.

Just girls gathering, casually drinking alcohol, sharing stories from the past, and discussing what’s happening lately.

Of course, when we get drunk, the level tends to rise.

“So back then, Jaeyun!”

“Wow, that guy’s a trash!”

“Don’t talk bad about my boyfriend!”

“What’s wrong with you, crazy girl.”

That level of banter was just about it.

“Soo-hyun, don’t you have a boyfriend?”

“A boyfriend? Nope.”

“I’ve never seen her with anyone.”

“I haven’t dated yet, so of course you wouldn’t.”

“Eh? Seriously? You’re really single?”

“Yeah.”

As I nodded, my friends aside from Hyejeong looked surprised.

Well, I would be shocked too if a super handsome friend like me had never dated.

“You weren’t interested even in high school, are you planning to not date at all?”

“Soo-hyun, you should date more.”

“Right, you should meet more guys.”

Seeing my friends spouting words that would make my viewers faint made me laugh.

“What’s with you? Why are you laughing?”

“Doesn’t it sound like a joke right now?”

“Oh no, am I gonna get taken advantage of by some bad guy? You!”

“Yeah, I’ll end up meeting someone like Jaeyun.”

“Hey! What’s wrong with Jaeyun?”

A boyfriend…

It feels unimaginable for me who was a guy before, and I wouldn’t want to bother imagining it.

But I couldn’t say that, so I just made a light excuse.

“I can make one anytime, so I’m just being casual.”

“Wow, crazy.”

“Are you allowed to hit me?”

“Here comes the fist!”

“Whoa, just don’t touch my face, that’s national treasure.”

“Wow, she’s really become shameless! Drink this, shameless Kim!”

“Again? I guess I’ll be drinking too much today.”

Anyway, with all sorts of excuses, I quickly downed my glass.

Ah, renting a room and piling up drinks makes it hard to resist.

Eventually, around when our room time was nearly up, everyone was tipsy and their faces were flushed.

Of course, I felt pretty wasted too.

Or maybe not? I’m not sure. My head was spinning, and my face was heating up, but that’s all I knew.

“Alright, let’s clean up now!”

“Right! We need to go for round two!”

Even while tipsy, my old classmates started tidying up, and I began cleaning up too and slyly slipped out to the room’s balcony.

Creak—

Once outside, the heat from my face subsided, and my head cleared a bit.

“Ah…”

Breathing in the cold air felt a bit better.

Since it was winter, it was already dark outside.

“Hah.”

And as it was so cold, when I exhaled, white smoke puffs emerged.

What was the principle behind this? I feel like I saw this while studying but forgot.

Maybe because it’s a balcony, but even in the darkness and cold down below, I could see people busily moving around.

Even in this somewhat remote area, there are still people… how many would there be by the main street in front?

Still, it feels nice to be out, away from work for once, drinking without a care.

Come to think of it, I drank when Tenshi came to Korea, and this is my first time since then.

I wonder if I’ve become a workaholic.

“What are you doing out here?”

Just then, Hyejeong opened the balcony door and stepped outside.

“It’s cold. Why did you come out?”

“Mmm, you must’ve run away because you didn’t want to clean up?”

“Oh please, I’ve been cleaning up hard, alright?”

I’ve thrown away just a few things; how dare she accuse me! Right now, this is a well-deserved rest.

“By the way, judging by the vibe, are you heading home now?”

“…How did you know?”

Is this woman’s intuition or something?

She caught on like a ghost.

“Guess so? We’re heading to karaoke for a round two, wanna join? You sing well.”

At Hyejeong’s suggestion, I shook my head.

“No way, you can’t have Messi in amateur soccer.”

“What are you saying?”

I wouldn’t mind going if I could…

But since it’s Christmas Eve, shouldn’t I be filmed nicely for the broadcast?

With Maho streaming, I’m planning to buy something on the way home and drop by.

“So, how do you feel about meeting everyone after a long time?”

“How do I feel? I’m just indifferent.”

Honestly, I felt a bit energized, but it wasn’t bad at all.

Listening to old stories was pretty interesting.

“Do you know how tired I am?”

“Tired? Why?”

“Hearing how everyone’s screaming to see Soo-hyun.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for being so charming.”

In high school, Kim Soo-hyun just went home after school, so I don’t know why I’m found so pretty.

“Whatever, so is work going well these days?”

“Work?”

“That streaming thing, you know.”

“Streaming? Well, it’s good and fun.”

It’s true.

Everyone has different levels, but basically, there’s almost no one who dislikes being the center of attention.

Just turning on the stream brings thousands of people to see me, plus I can engage with them through the chat.

It can’t be boring.

Sometimes it feels burdensome and tiring, but generally, it’s fun to say the least.

That’s why I work hard to put out new songs and such.

“Well, that’s settled, but do you know?”

“What?”

“You’ve become really bright since you started streaming or whatever.”

“Me?”

“Yeah, sometimes you look like a different person.”

“Hmm.”

…It’s true, I am a different person.

Sorry, but I’m not Kim Soo-hyun (Female) but Kim Soo-hyun (Male)…

“But still, sometimes you look like the old you, which makes me think people really don’t change.”

“Like the old me?”

“Yeah, you still have that drained expression from being surrounded by too many people for a long time.”

“Ah ha.”

“That’s how it’s always been, right? Wanting to go home once you’ve been out for long.”

That’s definitely true; it’s a trait of Kim Soo-hyun (Female).

Even during my male days, compared to Kim Soo-hyun (Female), it was valid to say I was relatively social.

Thinking along those lines, I can’t figure it out anymore.

Whether I truly am Kim Soo-hyun (Male).

Back then? It was when I just began to think of myself as gray paint.

That ambiguous feeling, like being mixed with black and white.

Now that I think back on it, that might have been right.

Not that it’s a bad thing.

Living, I find that black and white are great, but gray has a lot more uses.

Look around, even the color of this building is gray.

“Ugh, it’s cold. How long are you gonna stay here? Let’s go in.”

“Right, it’s time to help clean up and head out.”

“I’m going in first?”

“Let’s go together.”

With that, Hyejeong opened the balcony door, and I was about to follow her inside.

But then—

Tap.

Something fell on my face.

“What was that?” I wondered, looking up at the clear winter night sky.

The clouds seemed thick, and I couldn’t see the moon, making the sky look like the black background of an unlit monitor.

And from that black backdrop, white dots began appearing, dancing gently.

“Oh.”

As one white dot was swaying in the wind, slowly landing towards the ground, it touched my cheek, turning into a drop of water with a brief chill.

“It’s snowing?”

Seeing me like that, Hyejeong also stepped out onto the balcony and looked up at the sky.

“Yeah, it’s snowing.”

Snow on Christmas? Isn’t there a special name for it?

“Wow, it’s gonna be a White Christmas this year; it’s almost Eve!”

Oh right, White Christmas. Now I remember.

“It’s romantic.”

“Right? This is something rare.”

“Yeah…”

Flakes of snow slowly fell from the sky, and couples strolled around outside.

Carols playing faintly from afar wrapped around even this remote place, ringing in my ears.

“It really feels nice.”

This atmosphere.

For some reason, I found it appealing.

And so, the night of Christmas Eve deepened.

 

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