Gender Swap: The Introvert's Broadcast-Chapter 79: Why are you There

So, Mangming.

In other words, I was heading to Seoul with Hyeji by car.

But as everyone knows, such a smooth journey was never going to happen.

After all, the distance was considerable.

Even with a generous estimate, it would take at least four hours.

That’s why it was important to have someone helping out along the way.

"Let’s stop at a rest area on the way. It’d be dangerous if we don’t, and you end up needing a bathroom break in the middle."

The person whose hands my life was in at the moment was her.

It was important that I helped make the journey as comfortable as possible for her.

"Yeah, that’s probably a good idea."

As we drove, I noticed how quiet the car was.

It almost felt like I might fall asleep.

So, I cautiously asked.

"Is it okay if I connect to Bluetooth? It’s a little sleepy without any music."

"Do whatever you want. I don’t mind."

"Alright, then."

I connected my phone to Mangming’s car and started picking some songs.

The first song was one to wake me up.

I thought about choosing some heavy metal, but it might be too loud.

Rock seemed like a good choice—loud enough, but not too intense.

It was a pretty popular pick too.

With that in mind, I played the song, and we sped down the road.

Even though Mangming had driven a lot before, a long drive like this was still something new.

It was important to help out on a long journey.

"Is the song alright? It’s a popular pick, at least."

"I don’t really know much about songs. I usually listen to ballads."

"Guess I’ll have to change your taste in music while we’re at it."

"Ballads have that calm flow to them."

Personally, I’d never listened much to ballads, so I didn’t really relate to her view.

I liked loud music, something that hit your ears hard.

But maybe I could mix in a few popular ballads later.

Thinking about it, I rolled down the window and enjoyed the breeze.

"It’s nice and cool."

It felt refreshing.

I had always wanted to experience this—feeling the wind while driving on the highway.

I was in a good mood and decided to check Red’s Ifrit Gallery.

There was some free time, and I figured it would be awkward to just keep talking with Mangming the whole time.

"I’m going to check my phone for a bit."

"Why do you need my permission for that? Just do whatever."

"Right, I guess."

I didn’t want to make the driver feel neglected, so I let her know before checking my phone.

Once I opened Ifrit Gallery, I saw the usual unnecessary posts.

I couldn’t help but wonder how people could keep writing the same things over and over again.

They were so predictable.

So, I posted something of my own.

[Posted by: London’s Secrets Unveiled]

[Title: Just got to Busan for a direct trade...]

[Content: There really isn’t much good to eat in Busan... There are tons of restaurants, but I didn’t feel like trying any of them.]

After posting, I quickly started seeing responses.

Foll𝑜w current novels on fɾēewebnσveℓ.com.

L: Are you saying all the restaurants in Busan are just overpriced with bad food???

N: That’s a bit of an exaggeration, lol

N: You’ve turned into the worst person suddenly, lol

N: But the scary thing is, this is actually true...

N: What’s true, you crazy bastard?

N: The truth is, that’s definitely not true...

L Kang Hoo-min: Even though you’re getting all these recommendations, you still don’t like any of them, now you’re saying there’s nothing good in Busan... I really want to choke you, lol

N: Kekekek

N: Kang Hoo-min, you’re scary as hell

Am I the only one who thinks this?

I honestly didn’t find much good food in Busan.

I found it pretty strange, so I turned to Mangming sitting next to me.

"Hyeji, don’t you think there’s not much good food in Busan? Or is it just me?"

"Well... the places my guide took me to were all good."

"Well."

I must have not visited the expensive spots.

Hearing this, I realized I probably had a narrow perspective.

Everyone else had said Busan had tons of great food.

But then, something suddenly occurred to me.

"Ah, wait. Yeram asked me to bring something famous from Busan."

It might have seemed like a random request, but Yeram was very thorough about these things.

If I didn’t bring something famous from Busan, she’d likely be pretty upset.

So I turned to Mangming, who was driving.

"If we find a rest area, let’s grab some fish cakes. Busan fish cakes are famous."

"We’re getting close to leaving Busan though."

"The person eating it will feel like they’re eating something from Busan. So it’s still Busan."

"...Is that so?"

"Yeah, don’t think too literally."

That made perfect sense.

It didn’t matter if it had to be bought specifically from Busan.

As long as the person eating it thought it was from Busan, that’s what mattered.

Thinking that, I checked my phone while the car sped along, and before I knew it, we had reached the first rest area.

"Let’s stop here and get something. You’ll be hungry driving for so long."

Of course, I had to buy fish cakes for Yeram as well.

When we stopped at the rest area, Mangming suddenly asked me for a favor.

"Since we’re at the rest area, let’s do a quick stream. It’ll be fun. Just keep my face in the stream."

Hmm.

It seemed fine.

Mangming hadn’t really asked me for things before, so this was the first time.

This kind of favor was something I could easily agree to.

"Well, if it’s just my face showing, I don’t mind."

Personally, I didn’t think my face was that ugly.

I wasn’t afraid to reveal it, but still... my privacy was important.

‘If something goes wrong later, it’ll be troublesome.’

The biggest concern was that I’d feel embarrassed about returning to school.

Even though internet streaming was a niche culture, people still recognize you after a while.

Thinking about this, I took out the mask I always carry with me.

‘Good thing I always carry it with me. It’s coming in handy.’

I always kept it with me just in case I ended up on someone else’s stream, but I never expected it to be useful in this situation.

A moment later, Mangming turned on the stream from the corner of the table.

She was being careful, likely because she didn’t want anyone else accidentally appearing on the stream.

‘This is the right way to avoid any issues.’

It was better not to accidentally violate anyone’s privacy, since that could cause a scandal.

‘...But does it even matter?’

After all, Mangming was a walking scandal.

Would it really make a difference if my face showed up?

I thought about it and decided to stay quiet, letting the viewers enter before announcing my presence.

"Just came down from my hometown and started a quick stream on the way back. Figured you guys might be bored."

[Big props to Mangming, lol]

[Mangming’s hospitality is top-notch, for real]

[Can’t deny Mangming’s good at treating people]

[Mangming, show me some of that hospitality too...]

N Kang Hoo-min has been kicked out!

Every time I watched Mangming’s stream, I couldn’t help but notice how chaotic the chat was.

It felt like people just used the chat to vent their emotions.

Usually, I didn’t want to get involved in Mangming’s streams, but this time I was helping her out.

As I checked the number of viewers, I saw that it had already passed a thousand.

[Viewers: 1,321]

Over a thousand viewers already.

It was about time to reveal myself.

If I waited too long, I’d miss my chance to show up.

"Cough."

I cleared my throat and waved my hand.

[???]

[Who is this?]

[Is it a guy? Is it a guy? Is it a guy?]

[Finally, we got a dude in here... I’m rooting for this guy]

[Who is this idiot]

[These guys could be regular people, and they’re talking shit, lol]

As expected, the chat was full of chaos.

I decided to quickly make my presence known and then leave.

"I’m Dam-a, streaming on Twis. Say hi everyone."

After saying that, I waited a moment.

[Harin: ?????]

[Harin: Why are you with Mangming there?]

[Harin: Since when did you two get so close?]

I was caught off guard by the unexpected appearance of Harin.

She was clearly flustered, even typing with some typos.