The end of Summer
"How is it? Nice, right?"
Yeah yeah
Pretty slick? lol
Wow, how much did you spend?
"I don't know how much it cost. The company paid for everything."
Damn lol
The Six
The Six is the real deal lol
"Right? I was a little surprised myself."
I didn't expect it to be this good—it's way better than during the first album.
The Six really is a solid company.
So what if they take a bigger cut in commission, when they provide this much?
If I were broadcasting alone, wouldn't I still just be chatting with a handful of viewers instead of even dreaming of releasing an album?
…Well, that doesn't sound too bad either. Of course, I'd never have achieved results like this.
"This song is really good, so everyone look forward to it."
It was composed by a very talented composer, and the members worked hard recording it. Of course it'll be good.
Look forward to it? Not sure…
Hm… is it that good?
Sounds kinda plain tho?
"People from the future will be deported back to the future~"
gasp
Should I just bury my head?
Teacher, I raised my hand
"Keep it raised."
With that, I booted up Civilization.
The announcements were all done, so now I could just do what I wanted.
???
Hey, teacher, I said I raised my hand
What's with Civilization?
If you don't turn that off, I'm not watching tomorrow's MV
"…Well, I have to finish the war, don't I?"
So that day, ignoring the viewers' protests, I played Civilization until ending the stream.
***
The next day.
I woke up in the early afternoon and got ready to head out.
"Going out again?"
As I busied myself, Mrs. Jang, vacuuming in the living room, tossed me a line.
I usually don't go out much, so maybe she found it odd I've been going out often lately.
"A friend's place."
"What? Who? You actually have friends?"
"Of course I do."
"I thought you only had Hye-jung."
What does she even think of her daughter?
That Hye-jung is my only friend?
That's ridiculous—
"…Okay, that one's actually true."
"What kind of tone is that?"
Come to think of it, she's right.
Sure, before I became a woman I had a decent number of friends, but after that, the only close friend I regularly met and contacted was Hye-jung. But—
"Things are different since I started working."
Since I began streaming, how much has my network grown?
The Celestial Project members, manager Il-da.
Then Hyunsoo, the band people at Hyunsoo's studio… the composer… hmm.
That's about it?
Still, that makes over ten people—so I'd say I've gained plenty.
"Well, good for you."
"Yep. Anyway, I'm heading out. Might not be home tonight."
I hinted I'd probably stay over, and Mrs. Jang just nodded.
"Staying out overnight?"
"Yeah."
"Okay."
Isn't she being way too casual? She's still my mom! I even prepared a photo to prove who I was meeting, just in case she opposed.
"You're giving permission too easily, aren't you?"
"It's just gonna be a girl anyway, right? One of those other streaming friends?"
"…Sharp as always."
"Of course. I know you well."
Impressed by her intuition, I left the house.
I peeled off Boksil, who clung to me skillfully as always, and stepped out the gate, checking the location info I'd been sent.
At least summer had passed and autumn was here, so the breeze was cool.
Just a few months ago, even walking a little left me drenched in sweat. Now, even after walking a long while, it was nothing but a refreshing breeze.
Eventually, a new villa came into view.
"This must be it?"
The map matched. I sent a message that I'd arrived and waited downstairs.
After about a minute, the villa's door opened and a woman came out.
"Mi—no, Soo-hyun!"
"Yes, I'm here."
She was still just as striking.
Not that it had been even a week since I last saw her.
"Welcome!"
"Yeah, please show me in quickly."
"Got it."
Following Maho inside, I looked around.
"Oh."
Maho's place wasn't very big, but it felt cozy.
Character dolls and neat decor everywhere. If Soo-hyun's room was "Otaku Despair Edition," this was more like the "Hope Edition."
"Did you close the door?"
"Huh? Of course I did?"
Why ask that?
And before I could finish the thought, Maho pounced on me.
"Ahh!"
"You! How did you get that photo!"
Photo? …Ah!
Right, yesterday I'd posted the picture I took with actor Moon Chang-sik in the group chat.
"You didn't even explain how you met him! Just dropped the photo and left us hanging!"
"W-wait a sec!"
"Why? I'll give you a last chance to defend yourself."
"Then how about I give you this to calm down first?"
I was going to give it later, but better to use it now.
From my bag, I pulled out the autograph Moon Chang-sik gave me yesterday.
"What's that…?"
"His autograph. See, he even wrote your name on it."
Under Moon Chang-sik's signature, it said: 'Maho-hyun, be happy.'
I could visibly see her anger gauge dropping.
"You like it that much?"
"Of course, you know how much I love Chang-sik?"
"Really?"
Wait, wasn't Maho an otaku like me? But here she was, fangirling over a real-world actor like a social butterfly…
"Why are you looking at me like that? I like dramas and movies too, you know."
"So you just enjoy everything?"
"Yep. Creative works are great, whatever the medium."
Well, I could respect that…
"Anyway, you're not gonna threaten me anymore, right?"
"I never threatened you… but seriously, how did you meet him?"
If I told her everything from the start, I'd have to mention going to the composer's studio and the new song too…
What should I say?
"Um, you know the composer, right?"
"Our Celestial Project one?"
"Yeah, remember how I did the guide vocals for the new song?"
"Right, you did well."
Well, I could mix in a little lie.
"So this time too, they asked me to come over…"
"Went there…?"
Oh, come to think of it, was Moon Chang-sik filming a movie supposed to be a secret? Or was it that him being the lead actor was a secret?
He asked me to keep something secret, but what was it again?
I couldn't remember well, so I decided to just gloss over it.
"The composer and he are close. He happened to be there, and I ran right into him."
"No way, really?"
"Yeah. So I got his autograph and took a picture together."
"Oh… how was it seeing him in person?"
How was it?
Now that I think about it, since I didn't know anything about him, maybe I'm the most objective person to judge Moon Chang-sik.
And from my perspective, Moon Chang-sik was…
"Honestly?"
"Yeah. I'm ready for anything, so tell me."
Maho nodded like she was prepared, and I gave her my full assessment.
"Kind of… a weird person?"
"Are you done talking?"
"You told me to be honest."
Well, he is kind of weird.
A person who, in the middle of a conversation, pulls out his phone to jot down notes and zones out because inspiration struck—he's not exactly normal, is he?
"And he's professional."
Though that part is strange, I had to admit he's a pro.
"In what way?"
"Well, lots of things, but the biggest is this."
I showed her the photo we took then.
"Ha… a handsome guy and a pretty girl… so what about it?"
Maho muttered, sounding a little deflated, but that wasn't the point right now.
"See his expression here?"
"Yeah, I see it."
"He was frowning before."
"What? For real?"
"But the way his expression instantly changed for the photo—that's kind of amazing, don't you think?"
"Wait, but why was he frowning in the first place?"
Uh, how do I explain this?
I'd have to talk about how I didn't recognize him at first, and then the conversation we had over the meal—that's why he frowned. But that explanation would be way too long.
"I think he wasn't feeling well."
"Oh, I see… did he look really sick?"
"I don't think so."
Sorry, Moon Chang-sik…! At least I didn't say anything bad!
"Anyway, let's get ready for the stream, shall we?"
"Ah! Right."
We moved to Maho's computer. The premiere time was still a little ways off, but since I was here anyway, we planned to do a stream together first.
"Still, this is kind of unexpected."
Maho said that as she sat at her desk and booted up the computer.
"What is?"
"That you came."
"Why? It's close by."
Last night.
Maho had posted in the group chat, asking if anyone wanted to come watch the premiere together.
The other members couldn't make it due to distance or other issues… but for me, it was close and I had no problem.
"Aren't you a homebody?"
"I am, but I came to stream together."
And besides, weren't the members the ones who came right away for me during Maze 24 Hours?
I would've gone if any other member had asked too.
"Okay, computer's on. Log in."
"Huh? Me?"
"Yeah. Since you came all this way, we should use your account."
"But this is your house, so use yours."
Maho sounded like she was being considerate… but honestly, that worked for me. Actually, I came hoping she'd be the one to stream.
"Why? Isn't it better if we stream under your account?"
"My viewers are kind of unstable right now. If we use your channel, maybe they'll calm down a bit."
Either way, people would come as long as I announced I'd appear as a guest on Maho's stream, even if I didn't open my own. I had already said so when I ended yesterday's stream, so most would show up.
"Unstable? Is it serious?"
Hearing that, Maho looked worried. But honestly, it was mostly my own doing, so I didn't have much to say.
"Not that serious, just… it'll take some time."
"Got it. Then I'll use mine."
Maho smoothly set up the stream.
Her PC, her monitor, even the tower—everything looked stylish.
Mine's just dull black. Guess real women are different.
Come to think of it, this was my first time entering a woman's apartment when she lived alone.
It didn't stir any feelings. Just curiosity.
If it had been back when I was still a guy, would I have felt nervous?
Maho's pretty, so maybe I would've been a little excited.
I watched her back as she set up the stream.
She was more skilled than me—quickly launching programs and getting everything ready.
"What should the stream title be?"
"The title?"
"Yeah. Something Maze-style."
Hmm.
What should it be? Nothing came to mind.
Then I thought of a good one.
Summer was basically over now, wasn't it?
Since we were releasing a song at just this timing…
"The End of Summer."
"That works?"
"Yeah. Let's wrap up summer with our song."
"Ooh, that's poetic."
And so the stream title was set.
The long, hot summer was finally over.
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