I Became a Malicious Streamer

The unintended family reunion of tears has come to an end.

While it must have been a precious time for my father and mother to reconnect with their long-lost daughter, for me, it felt like an odd moment being clutched by a stranger who’s shedding tears, leaving me utterly clueless about how to respond.

My mental strength is wearing thin, and I’m on the verge of losing myself.

Where am I, and who am I?

“Why don’t you try eating this too? It’s your favorite side dish, Ji-eun.”

As she says this, she places a side dish on my spoon.

The red, pickled radishes are making their presence known on top of the white rice.

If last night’s awkward dinner left me unable to eat, today I can’t eat because it feels like too much pressure.

I thought about leaving early in the morning to avoid this, but seeing my mother’s tearful face as she urges me to eat breakfast makes it impossible to leave.

How does she know I’m weak against tears? Man, in moments like this, I can’t help but see the similarity between her and Ji-yeon—there’s no doubt they’re mother and daughter.

“It’s been so long since we all had a meal together. I, the father, have no regrets…”

And down go the glasses as my father wipes his eyes with a swift motion.

Wait, how can you join in too? This whole place is way too juicy. I didn’t expect this kind of atmosphere when I first walked in.

I had imagined a lavish house with dignified, elegant, and cynical rich people, and yet the reality is the complete opposite. Could there be such an emotional household? Sure, it’s great that the daughter, who was nearly estranged, has returned.

“Unnie, don’t worry about anything and just eat. The soup is getting cold.”

“Oh, right.”

Thank goodness Ji-yeon isn’t as emotional as the others.

Ji-yeon is beaming at my face as usual, and today she seems to be smiling more than usual. She hardly touches her own food and just keeps giggling at me, looking happy for some reason.

I guess Ji-yeon is influenced a lot by the warm family atmosphere.

Even after learning yesterday that I’m not her biological sister, her attitude toward me hasn’t really changed.

For me, who was nervous about how our relationship might shift, this is a relief.

“It feels like a holiday now that we’re all together; how wonderful! From now on, let’s often gather together for meals and chats.”

“Yeah, Ji-eun, if you’re not busy, come over often for meals. It’s hard to take care of yourself alone.”

“Okay…”

Knowing that saying I’m fine would only lead to more trouble, I just agreed.

It was a fair suggestion for me anyway. Growing up without family and having never experienced this kind of warmth, the comfort of being surrounded by them is truly heartwarming.

At first, I pondered whether I deserved to enjoy these moments, but now… I’ve decided to stop dwelling on such thoughts.

Why I’ve become a woman, and where the original I Ji-eun has gone, these are questions that won’t have answers anyway.

And it’s funny how, despite thinking of myself as an outsider, I’ve come to realize I want to hold onto every social relationship I’ve built as Ji-eun, including this family that existed before me.

I hadn’t even noticed I’d wrapped myself in self-justification.

What’s wrong with not wanting to be alone? I’m not a thief. I’m not bad; I can do this. Yes.

“Speaking of which, Seollal is the day after tomorrow. Are we going to the big house this time?”

“We decided not to go this time. Ji-eun came after a long time, and your dad is busy, so we can go during Chuseok instead.”

Lunar New Year, holidays, Chuseok, the big house…

All these words feel out of place to me. While my friends bustle off to their relatives’ homes during the holidays, I’ve just been staying in my studio apartment, turning on the electric mat and munching on some oranges.

I suddenly became curious about Ji-eun’s relatives—well, not biological relatives, but what kind of people they might be?

That question was soon answered by Ji-yeon’s words.

“I need to tell Jisoo that we can’t go. They contacted us recently, asking if we were coming.”

“Really? I haven’t seen Jisoo in ages. What’s she been up to?”

“Same old stuff. She keeps saying she misses you a lot.”

“Jisoo? She really misses Ji-eun? It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”

“Well, not just that; she’s a fan of yours.”

Ah, I see.

Mollru is nearby again.

I thought the viewer’s comment saying the whole world is “Molltugi” was exaggerating, but maybe there’s some truth to it.

“Jihoon oppa too… After watching your broadcast, everyone says they miss you. They didn’t used to be this way before.”

“Haha, I guess I must visit during Chuseok now. My daughter has become a famous person.”

My father’s excited voice as he feels the fame of his daughter, and my mother’s proud smile.

I’ve officially reached star status among cousins I’ve never even met.

When I heard “the trend among MZ” recently, I had no idea it would reach this level.

I’m a bit scared about the upcoming Chuseok now.

*

– The house is pretty close. That’s great! Mom will bring some side dishes.

– No, I don’t eat much, so it’s okay-.

– I heard from Ji-yeon that you collapsed last time.

– …When did she say that? That was just a flu.

– Sigh. Listen to your mom.

My mother’s face turns stern as if trying to soothe a child.

But come on, I’ve lived nearly 30 years in my past life; treating me like a child is a bit much.

My protest about being grown-up didn’t work.

No matter how old I am, my mom sees everyone as a kid, and so she showered me with nagging later.

– I’ll be stopping by often to check on you, okay? To see if you’re eating well.

– How can I eat all this…

– If you eat it evenly, it’ll be gone in no time. Besides, you need to eat more; you’re so skinny as it is.

For now, it resolved that my mom and Ji-yeon would frequently come and go.

Honestly, being cared for like this isn’t a bad feeling at all.

Unlike my original home, where I felt no warmth, coming back to a place with people creates a noticeable gap.

So, what did I do when I came back?

“I went to see my family. It’s been a while since I’ve been home. Does this count as a break?”

What else would I be doing? I was broadcasting. Why would I have anything to do on my own?

Being alone can be quite lonely, so I turned on the broadcast to let my viewers know what I’ve been up to.

There were constant questions wondering about the sudden reason for my break.

[Why didn’t you stream yesterday?]

[Take a break forever~]

[Why are these guys like this?]

Yet there’s a hint of sharpness mixed in.

Lately, more viewers have been getting inexplicably angry in the chat room.

Welcome to the era of hatred. This person is disliked for this reason, and that person for that reason; they resent the world, their families, their society falling apart.

Honestly, those kinds of comments could just be banned and ignored, but for some reason, I feel pity. I know all too well that such anger leads to self-destruction.

Since mentally I’m feeling fine right now, I was replying to their demands.

If my condition falters, I can just exclude them then. I’m also banning the more extreme comments even now.

[This is definitely true, haha]

[If you raise the family shield, there’s nothing to say, right?]

[I bet you’re here just because you’re interested in Mollru’s face, haha]

[I’m watching to see your face.]

[Extreme troublemaker has been eliminated!]

[Yeah~ as long as it doesn’t get incriminating, that’s fine~]

[The unemployed hate holidays.]

[Pretty daughter, huh?]

Yet, my chat room is relatively better.

I once briefly entered a few of those communities highly rated as the “darkest of the dark,” and honestly, I felt a sense of respect to be broadcasting while dealing with such viewers.

Unless it’s an absolutely indefensible controversy, my chat doesn’t criticize me too harshly.

The atmosphere was set that way from the start, and my value has only been rising day by day.

So, let me dangle a carrot here.

“Just so you know, I’ll be streaming normally during the Seollal holidays. I’ll only take a day or two off in between.”

[Mollru! Mollru! Mollru! Mollru! Mollru!]

[Just the icon of diligence… The secret of Mollru’s success.]

[She’s among the top 3 people 1020s want to be like]

[Who are the other two?]

[For real, haha, where did the lazy Mollru go? Why are you so diligent now?]

[This is why people are so captivated—that’s just how it is.]

[Other streamers taking a break over the holidays, startled.]

I’m just casually saying this after intending to broadcast anyway.

It seems like I’m hinting at how I’m doing this for them, and they seem genuinely happy with it.

That’s how you control public sentiment.

[Why are there so many pros in this chat?]

[What’s Max and Word doing in here?]

[It’s suspicious how many EOW pros are watching this broadcast.]

[There’s even a trainee in here!]

[Oh, haha, I can’t resist watching Mollru’s stream.]

“Hmm?”

A few familiar names that I had grown accustomed to while commentating popped up in the chat.

When public figures like pros or streamers watch a broadcast, viewers sometimes get drawn in by others who’ve noticed them in the viewer list.

[XBD Max has donated 50,000 won!]

– I’m always enjoying your streams ^^

Starting with Max, the previously mentioned figures began donating one by one, leaving greetings saying they enjoy the broadcast.

“Thank you all! I’m cheering for you too!”

[From trainees to players and managers, everyone’s watching the broadcast.]

[My family is also gathered during the holidays watching on a 72-inch TV ^^]

[Grandma says these days you’re unusually gentle and pretty, unlike before.]

[The Mollru broadcast achieving generational integration… ]

[The representative of MZ, Mollru ㄷㄷ]

It was just another day where I’m endlessly showered with compliments.

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