Hobbyist VTuber-Chapter 206

"Da-yeon, wanna go camping? Just for a night."

"...?"

Lunchtime at Naerae Arts High School.

As usual, Da-yeon was sitting next to Ha-eun, eating her meal—when suddenly, she was hit with an unexpected proposal.

And when she turned to ask what the heck Ha-eun was talking about, the answer she got was four syllables:

“Friendholic.”

The moment she heard the name of that well-known healing variety show, Da-yeon immediately realized that Ha-eun was trying to recruit her as a guest.

Honestly, there was no reason to turn it down.

Hanging out with Ha-eun had always been fun, both in the past and now.

And it wasn’t like they often got the chance to shoot the same programs together.

Still, just out of curiosity, she asked—

"If I said no, who were you planning to go with?"

After a moment of thought, Ha-eun answered.

"The PD gave me four other options—You, Sung-jae, the Doublely guys, and Leni unnie."

She listed off the names she had heard from the Friendholic PD before.

Then, hesitating slightly, she carefully asked—

"I made sure to schedule it on your day off, Friday. Do you have plans?"

"No, nothing."

"Then... does that mean you’re saying yes?"

"...For now."

"!"

And so, Da-yeon’s participation was practically confirmed.

But even after that, she still had a contemplative look on her face—

Because she couldn’t shake the memory of how Ha-eun had acted on Start Again.

That was why, on the way back to class, she pressed for more details about the shoot.

"Wait, we’re not gonna be running around in bikinis by the river, are we?"

"No! We’re just gonna set up a tent and hang out at the campsite."

"Okay, that’s a relief."

Only then did Da-yeon relax a little.

And then she asked—

"So ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) why the sudden interest in camping?"

For a moment, Ha-eun hesitated.

Then, lowering her voice—

"...Image management."

A slightly embarrassed whisper.

Followed by an explanation of what she wanted to achieve with Friendholic.

"If I just hang out normally with a friend, maybe people will stop calling me the Terminator."

"But you are the Terminator."

"No, I’m not!"

Joking around with Da-yeon.

Throwing a barbecue party together.

Playing with sparklers at night.

Just acting like a normal high school girl.

That was what Ha-eun wanted to show through Friendholic.

She wanted to shed the image of Lee Yeseo, the psychopathic killer, and create one that suited Baeksulhwa, the ordinary girl.

"Wow. You really are addicted to being normal."

"What’s so bad about being normal...?"

"I didn’t say it was bad. It’s just so you."

The Day of the Shoot

A few days later, Da-yeon arrived at the campsite right on time—

And was immediately caught off guard.

"What the heck is all that?"

"Tent, firewood, folding chairs... Oh, and I brought sparklers too."

In front of her was a camping cart, packed to the brim with way too much stuff.

Now, Da-yeon knew Ha-eun was strong enough to haul it by herself—

But then—

"I’ll pull from the front, you push from the back."

"...? Why?"

"It’s too heavy for me to move alone."

And for some reason, Ha-eun was suddenly pretending to be weak.

Da-yeon had to physically hold herself back from blurting out, "Yeah, right."

But in the end, she played along and pushed from behind—

Because there were VJs filming them from all angles.

Besides—if she just let Ha-eun pull it alone, she might end up looking like the bad friend.

And most importantly—

She finally remembered that this whole shoot was for Ha-eun’s image management.

"Unbelievable. She’s really putting on a show..."

Still, Da-yeon went along with it.

Before long, they reached the camping grounds.

There were multiple cameras set up, but no other guests in sight.

"Oh, right. They said the whole place was reserved for us."

As she spaced out, taking in the unexpectedly peaceful atmosphere—

Ha-eun’s voice called out to her again.

"Hold the other side and help me unfold it."

"This? Just grab here?"

"Yeah."

The rest of the scene was just them setting up together.

Which made sense, considering the show was called Friendholic.

But then—

After unfolding the surprisingly large tent,

And just as they were about to drive the stakes into the ground—

"Help!"

Holding a mallet in one hand and a pile of tent stakes in the other, Ha-eun called out again.

And Da-yeon, who had just sat down in a folding chair, frowned.

"What now?"

"I can’t do this on my own."

"?"

When Ha-eun asked her to help hammer in the stakes,

Da-yeon could not stop the laugh that escaped her lips.

This was just too much.

So, she leaned in close to Ha-eun’s ear and whispered—

"You know you could just punch them straight into the ground, right?"

She was a Terminator.

But the moment she finished whispering—

Ha-eun murmured something back—so quiet, so serious—

That it immediately sent a shiver down Da-yeon’s spine.

"...Say one more word and I’ll hammer you in instead."

"...!...!!"

Even though she knew it was a joke—

It did not feel like one.

And so, without another word, Da-yeon obediently helped hammer in the stakes.

And only after securing the tent completely did Ha-eun make another suggestion.

"Now we need to go grocery shopping. Wanna come?"

They needed ingredients for their barbecue.

And for some reason, Da-yeon found herself nodding along.

Maybe because this was actually her first time going to a supermarket with Ha-eun.

Of course, technically, this was still part of the Friendholic shoot.

And yeah, there were two or three VJs tagging along.

But it was fun.

"Da-yeon, do you like mini sausages, or the long ones?"

"Let’s get the long ones. Mini sausages are annoying to grill."

"Okay. Now for the meat... Beef?"

"Beef. Tenderloin."

Pushing a shopping cart with Ha-eun, filling it up with ingredients—

It was just a genuinely fun experience.

They didn’t have to force any conversation; it all just flowed naturally.

So this is what camping with a friend feels like...

Even carrying grocery bags back to the campsite was enjoyable.

When they returned, they stored their food in a cooler,

Then lit the grill and the campfire with a torch.

"Ooh, I love the smell of charcoal."

"Right?"

They grilled beef, sausages, and more.

They made marshmallow and fruit skewers for dessert.

They exchanged conversations that were nothing more, nothing less than idle chatter.

"Aren’t you glad we came camping?"

"Can you finish eating first? You look like a squirrel right now."

That was when they truly realized why Friendholic was called a healing variety show.

Especially since, for this segment, the VJs had left, keeping only the cameras rolling.

And the best part?

After dinner—playing with sparklers in front of the crackling campfire.

"Da-yeon, you can draw with these! Want to try?"

"Oh, I know what you mean. Let’s do it."

And when they set the camera settings just right—

In the photo, a giant star shone in front of Ha-eun,

And in front of Da-yeon—

A glowing letter "D."

"How’s that? Pretty, right?"

"Yeah. It looks amazing."

It felt... strangely romantic.

More than ever, Da-yeon was certain—

She and Ha-eun were truly friends.

But when the Friendholic shoot reached its final segment—

The heart-to-heart by the campfire—

Da-yeon couldn’t stop thinking about the secret she had been hiding for so long.

"People usually play truth games at times like this. Hmm... what should we do?"

Ha-eun was right there—close enough to touch.

That familiar face, that voice she knew better than anyone else in the world.

Ha-eun was precious to her.

She had never actually said it aloud before—

Because saying things like that felt embarrassing.

But it was a fact she couldn't deny.

Maybe that was why.

Or maybe it was the quiet summer night, wrapping around her like a spell.

‘She’s going to find out eventually. Or... maybe she already knows.’

The conclusion she had been running from—

Finally began to take the shape of a decision.

One she might regret for the rest of her life.

But—

If she kept this secret locked inside forever—

She wouldn’t be able to face Ha-eun normally anymore.

If, every time they met, she had to worry more about hiding than about being happy to see her—

What kind of friendship would that be?

And most of all—

She was terrified.

Terrified of the betrayal Ha-eun might feel in the future.

Terrified of losing this moment, this chance to tell her—before it became too late.

"...Ha-eun. Take off your mic for a second."

At last, she spoke.

Asking, for once, to talk off the record.

Her face naturally settling into something more serious.

Ha-eun, still unaware of what was coming,

Just laughed, saying—

"What, are you about to curse me out or something?"

But then—

She noticed the look in Da-yeon’s eyes.

More serious, more nervous than ever before.

So she reached up and removed her mic.

And then, Da-yeon started talking.

Bringing up Start Again, Episode 1.

Specifically—the VTuber stream Ha-eun had shown to Song Hyeon-min.

Then, she took a deep breath.

And quietly, carefully, reached out—

Grasping Ha-eun’s hand in her own.

And then, she said it.

"That was... me."

"W-what... was?"

"The stream you saw in Europe. That was mine. I’m... Hida."

Da-yeon finally said it.

And Ha-eun’s mind promptly crashed into chaos.

"W-wait, hold on, Da-yeon. I have no idea what you’re talking about—"

Why was she saying this now?

Why reveal this at all?

Ha-eun couldn’t even begin to process it.

It was so far beyond anything she had ever imagined.

And then—

Before she could even collect her thoughts—

"You really... didn’t know? Diah-sunbae?"

A title she had never once heard in reality.

A voice so serious, so solemn—

It made her brain stutter to a halt.

For a second, she even wondered if she had misheard.

But no.

Da-yeon’s face—her expression—

Held not a single trace of a joke.

"W-when...?"

Ha-eun clung desperately to the last thread of rational thought she had left.

And then—she heard it.

The truth that shattered everything.

"...Around this time last year."

And then—

All at once—

The memories came rushing in.

Like a tidal wave, knocking her consciousness out of its depth.

And before she could even think—

A scream tore out of her throat.

Her heartbeat pounded in her ears—

Faster, louder, overwhelming.

Every second—her body burned with embarrassment, humiliation, complete and utter disbelief.

And yet.

Before she could even fully process her emotions—

Something warm fell against the back of her hand.

A single drop.

A tear.

Shocked, Ha-eun quickly looked up.

And found herself meeting Da-yeon’s eyes.

"I’m... sorry for hiding it."

Her voice trembled.

Her head bowed slightly.

Her brown hair falling forward.

Her lips quivering, trying not to break.

"I was scared. That if I acted like I knew... it would just make things harder for you."

"I was afraid... you’d start seeing me differently. That you wouldn’t be my friend anymore."

Da-yeon’s hands were still holding onto Ha-eun’s.

And now, they were shaking.

The drops of warmth dripping onto Ha-eun’s lap showed no sign of stopping.

"Just this once... can you forgive me?"

"I... I need you, Ha-eun. I can’t... I can’t do this without you. Please."

Her shoulders trembled violently.

Whether from fear or guilt, Ha-eun couldn’t tell.

But what she did understand—

Was that Da-yeon was terrified of being abandoned.

That—she could understand.

So, without another word—

Ha-eun leaned forward.

And wrapped her arms around Da-yeon.

Softly.

Gently.

"...Our dear little witch sure cries a lot, huh."

For a long while, she simply rubbed her back.

Let her cry.

And only when the worst of it had passed—

Did she finally confess.

"...I already knew."

And just like that—

Da-yeon froze.

Pulled back slightly—staring at her in complete shock.

"H-ha... what...?"

"I figured it out... a while ago. I was just pretending I didn’t know."

Silence.

Utter, absolute silence.

And then—

"Ha. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHA!"

Da-yeon laughed.

Hysterically.

Collapsing forward—burying her face into Ha-eun’s shoulder.

And crying even harder.

"God, we’re both such idiots."

"...Yeah."

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

"Let’s just go to sleep. I’m exhausted."

"Mmm. Yeah. Let’s sleep."

They crawled into the tent.

Curled up on the sleeping pads they had set up earlier.

And just as Ha-eun was getting comfortable—

A hand slipped around her waist.

Da-yeon’s.

"...You don’t hate me, right?"

A whisper, barely audible.

Ha-eun nodded slightly.

And answered, just as softly.

"Not even once."

Not even for a second.

Not a single word of it was a lie.

And as her back slowly grew damp—

Da-yeon clung onto her tighter.

Her breath warm against her shoulder.

"...I didn’t bring any spare clothes, you know."

"Ah.... ...Sorry...."