I am Smart

---

“I’m just joking! But seriously, sis, you’re not messing around. You should try doing a broadcast.”

…… A broadcast?

I couldn’t shake off the seriousness in Lee Da-ram’s eyes for something that seemed like a joke.

Broadcast. It was an option I had never even considered before. A broadcast…

As I envisioned it, I shook my head.

“I don’t think I can.”

“Huh? Why not?”

“I may not mind tutoring or giving lectures, but I don’t have the talent to make people laugh.”

“Come on.”

“……?”

Lee Da-ram made a strange sound, suddenly bowing her head deeply. Then she covered her mouth with both hands and slowly raised her head.

“Oh, no… I just sneezed.”

It’s still cold out, after all.

“Oh, sneezing. Dress a bit warmer. A mask is surprisingly good for keeping warm too.”

“Y-yeah. Anyway, sis, you really should trust me. How many followers does your account have right now? Let’s see… tlgus123…”

Lee Da-ram muttered while tapping on her phone screen. Her typing speed was astonishingly fast.

“Wow. 653 followers.”

“Is that high?”

“…… Before that incident, my follower count was in the low 500s.”

“…… Oh.”

Lee Da-ram changed her posture and spoke again.

“Sis, this is a real opportunity. There might be some weird people, but this many new viewers isn’t something anyone can just get. I’ve been doing a little better for the past two months, but I barely had even ten viewers until a month ago. Sometimes it took minutes for someone to even chat…”

“Hmm…”

Right now, I should grasp at any straw within reach.

Pazzk seemed like a decent place, better than the prejudiced notions I had about it. Honestly, compared to Fiore, the chat here was much healthier on average.

“But even if I do it, will I have time to broadcast?”

“…… Sis, you play Fiore for at least ten hours a day. You’d just need to turn on the broadcast there.”

Lee Da-ram looked at me with a face full of disbelief.

“……”

I mentioned that I could quit the game anytime, but sharing that thought seemed like it would lead to more lecturing, so I stayed quiet.

After that, Lee Da-ram explained why I should broadcast.

“You have plenty of time—oh, and you have a ton of points, don’t you?”

“Points?”

Lee Da-ram spread her fingers.

“You’re good at games, and your voice is amazing… and you have this cute airhead charm as a trait too.”

“Huh? What was that last part?”

“Oh, nothing. Also, your biggest strength is…”

As she said that, Lee Da-ram suddenly scrutinized me from head to toe, left and right.

“……”

As the moment dragged on, an odd, ticklish feeling crept over me, and I wrapped my arms around my body. I could almost feel her gaze as it brushed over me.

Lee Da-ram, undeterred, circled around me and looked me over again.

She rested her fingers on her chin and, with a serious expression, said, “No. Sis, don’t show your face or figure if you can help it.”

—

Hako Virtual Minor Gallery

―――

– Did you kill Hako again, Haver Gallery?

(A screenshot showing Squirrel’s last broadcast was eight days ago)

―――

– Damn

– She’s really dead.

– Come back.

– It’s not just a break, right?

– A person who used to stream every day for two months goes ghost after a killing? That’s just dead, come on.

– Those bastards really did it again…

– Sigh

– They end up killing a rising comet.

– I thought she’d definitely take off the moment I saw her, but then this variable…

– Give us back our Squirrel!

– The person next door is the one who killed her.

– You guys ignited the fire and then you’re complaining? LOL.

– It’s like the justification is all squared away, but she still hasn’t shown up.

– I’d feel the same if it were me.

– Moon Si-hyun isn’t streaming either… it’s a bit sad.

– But she was just a regular person anyway.

―――

Pazzk Minor Gallery

―――

– Who’s tlgus123?

I think I have that account in my follow list, but who is it?

―――

– Moon Si-hyun.

– Moon Si-hyun.

– That’s the gallery manager, right?

– The deputy manager.

– The vice-premier.

– Squirrel’s manager, idiot.

– That master one-champ fighter, right?

– I searched this idiot’s ID, and the last time they posted, there were a ton of comments, but what does this person even do?

– Check how many comments are on that post; I bet they didn’t even remember what they wrote yesterday.

– Goldfish memo.

– But for real, isn’t she going to stream? She has so much talent.

– For real.

―――

Pist Over Legend Minor Gallery

―――

– Moon Si-hyun’s broadcast day 8.

(A capture showing the Emerald Fighter One-Champ)

―――

– How persistent.

– She keeps playing the game.

– Filtering out the trash, and honestly, if she turns it on, it’ll be a blast.

– Who is this?

– “Just a beast.”

– Is that beast the girl from that post? LOL.

– She’s turned on the broadcast, idiot.

Wait, really?

For real?

[Wait, what?]

“Isn’t she actually doing it?”

– “Indigenous ritual.”

“The rain ceremony succeeded.”

“Is Squirrel alive? T_T”

―――

Seconds after turning on the broadcast, the chat started to flood in. It was still amazing to realize that every one of those chats were from actual people.

Lee Da-ram waited for the viewers to settle, as she always did.

She took a deep breath. This felt a bit different from when she had streamed before. This time, she felt somewhat more relaxed.

The number of viewers was at 192.

“Hello.”

―――

“Hello.”

“Wow.”

“Moon-hwa.”

“Hi.”

“Wow, your voice.”

“But why did you turn on the broadcast? I’m good with it, but when will you play Fiore?”

“Are you really debuting?”

―――

“Um.”

“The reason I turned on the broadcast is…”

……

“The thing is, a lawsuit…”

“?”

“What??”

“Is that real?”

“For real??”

“Oh.”

“I told you I apologized, I told you I apologized, I told you I apologized, I told you I apologized, I told you I apologized…”

Oh?

“Sorry, please just give me another chance…”

“We were fine eventually, you jerk!”

“Please let me live… I’m still a student.”

“As long as it’s not me, lol. As long as it’s not me, lol. As long as it’s not me, lol. As long as it’s not me, lol…”

What kind of brains have you got to mix swearing into pleading for mercy?

―――

The chat, which had been relatively quiet, suddenly got loud. The reactions were funny. It was a bit of a petty revenge.

The lingering tension melted away, and now I felt completely cheery.

“It’s not because of that.”

―――

“?”

“You crazy girl, LOL.”

“Phew.”

“You’re just the right amount of cheeky for my ideal bride.”

I smiled.

“I wanted to see those idiots getting wrecked.”

“Phew.”

“Thank you… I appreciate the leniency.”

―――

Instantly, the chat filled with relief.

As if the mood had unexpectedly lightened, the chat content became a little more relaxed.

―――

ㅇㅇ donated 1000 won.

“But why did you turn on the broadcast? Are you really starting it?”

―――

“The reason is…”

“I’m doing it to earn money because I’m broke.”

To speak honestly felt a bit embarrassing. I had been assertive about not wanting donations, saying I would return them.

I twirled a strand of hair and opened my mouth.

“I just thought it would be fun to broadcast while playing Fiore.”

―――

“Ah.”

Squirrel: “What do you mean by that?”

Squirrel: “You should be honest with the viewers.”

Squirrel: “I wasted my salary on cakes and muffins, lol.”

HAHAHAHAHA!

LOL!

“Is that real?”

“This is for real?”

“Squirrel, you were alive!”

“LOL?”

“She was really a greedy pig…”

“Really wasting her pay on snacks? Don’t lie.”

―――

“……”

The viewers laughed at that.

What if I actually said that? I only offered to manage the chat.

“…… I’m not only munching on snacks. And if I go back, I might not do it again… well, anyway, I’ll be playing some Fiore for now.”

Flushing despite what I said, I fanned my face with my hand.

– I’ve been attacked by the enemy.

If you’ve gained from it, you should withdraw.

This fatigue isn’t gonna let me win this.

“Damn.”

The fact that I almost won is legendary.

―――

– Double kill!

―――

“Woo.”

“Wow.”

“$%^”

“How did you react to that?”

“She made it through again, twisting her whole body.”

“Give me graphics work, please.”

“This is so fun to watch… I’m jealous.”

“Let’s earn some money and then buy a graphics card first.”

―――

“…… When you turn on the broadcast, the graphics can’t be helped.”

The game went on smoothly. Contrary to my worries, I didn’t feel nervous at all. After all, I had played in tougher environments before.

I won three consecutive rounds effortlessly.

―――

“This is so fun.”

“Please turn it on every day.”

“The vicarious satisfaction is insane.”

“If it continues like this, it’ll really be enjoyable…”

―――

Most of the reactions were favorable. The viewers increased slightly compared to before.

Is this enough? I turned off Fiore.

―――

“Wait, that’s it?”

“Let’s play more Fiore.”

“Don’t go. T_T”

“I was having fun.”

―――

“No. It’s my first broadcast, so I’ll stop Fiore here and try to communicate now.”

The first broadcast is usually about communication. That was one of the tips Lee Da-ram gave me.

―――

“Ah.”

“The first broadcast is like that, for sure.”

“That’s right. I know vtubing well, and for first broadcasts, it’s better to communicate rather than just play. Those who start with a basic audience should definitely do that. Ms. Moon Si-hyun should take advantage of her base audience to explain her characteristics and appeal her RP and character traits.”

“?”

“Let’s get out of here.”

“How many lines is this?”

“Damn it, stop the feedback.”

“Get out of here, you jerk.”

“Where did I put the lock…”

―――

Suddenly, the chat turned hostile.

I didn’t mind them squabbling with me, but I felt a bit bad to see them fighting among themselves.

“…… Don’t fight. It’ll be more fun if we all watch together and laugh.”

“Got it.”

“Yes, sis.”

“Okay.”

“Sure.”

“I’m sorry…”

―――

In an instant, the chat was filled with “Got it,” “Yes,” and “Okay.” Seeing that made me feel at ease again.

After that, I read through various chats.

“Are you going to turn on a cam? VTuber? I’m not really sure yet… What games will I be playing? Hmm, I think mainly Fiore. But I like other games too. Did Squirrel stop streaming? No, she mentioned she’d do it soon. How often will I be streaming? Well… I haven’t set it, but I think I’ll be able to do it often.”

I read them all, but with only one mouth, it took some time. It really wasn’t easy.

Taking a stretch to ease my accumulated fatigue.

“…… Hmm.”

Then things like “Huh,” “Phew,” and so on, floated by. I had forgotten about that. I should really ask Lee Da-ram later.

―――

ㅇㅇ donated 1000 won.

“My side hurts….”

“?”

“??”

“Get out.”

“So does mine…”

Those jerks nearly had a panic but now they’re joking around again, LOL.

“…… Oh? Where does it hurt?”

“Ah.”

“There’s… it’s painful…”

“?”

A bit of worry crept in. Especially since the voice of the boy who donated was soft and small.

“That’s not my major, so I can’t really help you… um… What can I do? Ah.”

I rested my fingers on the microphone part of the VR headset. And gently stroked it.

– Swoosh swoosh

“Can you hear me well? Is it okay? Sometimes just calming down can make real pain feel better. Still, it’s best for you to visit a hospital for that area.”

“?”

“WTF?”

“Woo.”

“Huh?”

“Hooligans.”

“Get out.”

―――

“…… No, why? And I’m smart, by the way.”

The words slipped out reflexively.

“That’s not true…”

“Hmmm…”

“I doubt anyone thinks that.”

“Stop it, or we’ll argue for dozens of minutes.”

―――

Why don’t they believe me?

I could have just ignored it, but it kept bothering me this time.

… I didn’t want to mention this.

“Honestly, I’m smart. And it’s not just that I got into a Korean university; I got first place when I enrolled.”

―――

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

“Seriously?”

“They should just let me know how smart they are.”

“Wait; you really got first place?”

“Wow, I’m really starting to lose it.”

“LOL.”

―――

ㅇㅇ donated 1000 won.

“Ms. Moon Si-hyun, are you setting your course as a VTuber? You’re already creating an RP?”

“Ah, RP?”

“I didn’t know that; if I did, I’d understand.”

“You should cater to the vtuber fans as well, lol.”

“Wow, I’ve never seen someone RP as a top student from a Korean university before.”

“Wow, you’re smart; you thought of that too.”

“……”

These guys, their sarcasm is no joke. If it weren’t me, I probably would genuinely be angry.

―――

Korean University Preparation donated 1000 won.

“Korean university, LOL. I really doubt you know when Liberation Day is.”

“Umm… It’s August 15th.”

“?”

“Is that correct?”

“How did you guess that?”

“Whew.”

“Dead-locked.”

“LOL.”

“They’re so harsh on me.”

“And they’re questioning how I knew?”

“But I didn’t mean to.”

“Tell the year.”

“Year? 1945, August 15th.”

“!”

“Woo.”

“Wow.”

“Yo.”

“Yikes.”

“OMG!”

“….”

The reactions were more bothersome.

―――

Korean University Preparation donated 1000 won.

“What is the date of the Ganghwa Treaty? When did the Imjin War break out? When did the Imo Incident occur?”

“February 27, 1876. May 23, 1592. July 23, 1882.”

“?”

“Whaaat?”

“Whoa.”

“Whaaat?!”

“WTF?”

“……”

“How did you know that?”

“……”

“Please don’t joke. I mean…”

“No, seriously, I swear.”

“How do you know that?”

But, how did I know all that?

…… I should have just stayed quiet.

“Eep! My brain’s tricking me.”

“Anyways, I’m smart; I told you that. My memory today is great.”

―――

Korean University Preparation donated 1000 won.

“If a man travels 5km at a speed of 4km/h and returns at a speed of 6 km/h, how long does it take for him to go back and forth?”

“……”

“I’m not gonna work it out.”

“?”

“Why?”

“All of a sudden?”

“LOL.”

“Uh-oh.”

“Why are you giving me hard questions, smart first student?”

“Honestly, I can solve it. I just don’t want to. I’m just not in the mood. Anyway, my smarts are already proven, right?”

“Just try to solve it. It’s not that hard of a question.”

“Hard questions don’t even seem that hard to solve.”

“Silly smart university student. You got the first degree, right?”

“Just give it a go.”

“Just not in the mood.”

After a few moments of back and forth arguing, the crowd urged me to solve it, while I insisted that I wouldn’t until I made a point.

As time passed a little more.

―――

ㅇㅇ donated 1000 won.

“Wow… You really are smart. I’ll recognize that; you really are smart.”

“…… Smart? What’s that?”

―――

“HAHAHA!”

“Smart guy, lol.”

“You’re really intelligent!”

“Let’s call you that from now on. You are ‘Gongneung-a’ (High-Ability Person) now.”

―――

“Ah.”

Are the words meaning ‘high’ and ‘ability’ combined?

“Well, yes, you can call me ‘Gongneung-a’ from now on.”