How should one live to be truly human? It was a thought that suddenly crossed my mind one day.
Is merely eating and surviving what it means to be human? No, while eating and surviving is important, you can’t just call someone human for scraping by.
Even the cats that yowl around my house every night manage to get by.
What about reproducing and leaving one’s genes for the next generation? Unfortunately, that’s a bit of a stretch to consider a defining human trait.
Giving birth is just one of those instincts that all living beings share, much like survival.
So, having lots of sex and popping out kids isn’t what makes life truly human. If that were the case, not only would I not qualify, but the majority of my viewers would also be disqualified from humanity.
I wasn’t pondering the philosophical question of where I came from or how to define human existence.
This wasn’t some grand existential crisis; it was just my train of thought wandering off into the clouds.
To put it simply…
“Hmm…”
I was lying around in my room, watching VTubers, and this thought popped into my head.
However, no matter how trivial the idea sparked by my wandering thoughts might seem, its roots are always there. There’s a reason behind contemplating something as fundamental as humanity.
What makes humans more human? Well, that would be hobbies.
Activities that don’t necessarily relate to economic activities—though sometimes they do—yet are pursued purely for joy.
This is distinctly different from other life forms that engage only in survival instinct activities; it’s an action uniquely human.
In truth, I didn’t have zero hobbies. I had one, but just one.
What can I say? Playing Abyss, taking on the persona of Camilla who’s shunned by everyone, was my only hobby.
With my tight wallet, it wasn’t feasible to have a hobby that costs money, and since I didn’t go out much, Abyss was a pretty decent pastime. Thanks to it, I made a lot of online friends.
However, now I can’t enjoy Abyss with the pure joy I once did.
It’s partly because I’ve played it for so long that I’ve grown a bit weary, but more importantly, since starting my broadcast, gaming has morphed from a hobby into something akin to a job for me.
When a hobby becomes your main work, you can’t enjoy it the same way as before, and it feels like losing one hobby entirely. How true that statement is.
I can no longer play Abyss, my sole hobby, and genuinely enjoy it or relieve my stress; it’s not my hobby anymore.
I can’t do that. It wasn’t my hobby anymore.
So, I needed a new hobby.
The desire to fan that flame had just ignited a moment ago. Like any other holiday, I was mindlessly watching V-tube videos when I stumbled upon one.
– How to brew hand-drip coffee, skip the café and try it at home!
Somehow, I ended up watching a video about hand-drip, meaning grinding coffee beans by hand to make coffee.
Thanks to the algorithm, I ended up watching all related videos as well.
– Now, pour this hot water over, and you’ll see the beans swell and bubbles escape.
“Oooh…”
It felt just like a science experiment. It wasn’t boiling water but slightly cooled water at about 90 degrees, causing the beans to puff up. It was truly a mysterious sight.
The more I watched, the more confident I became. It didn’t seem too difficult to do, so the entry barrier felt low.
I closed my eyes for a moment and imagined myself waking up early, grinding the beans, and brewing coffee. The rich aroma of coffee wafting through the house as I carried the freshly brewed coffee to the window.
And enjoying the luxury of a cup of coffee while basking in the morning sunlight. Just like a businessman casually skimming through international news.
…How romantic and nice?
Feeling intrigued, I searched for a few more V-tube videos to find out what I needed.
A kettle to pour the boiling water, a filter to brew the beans, and a grinder to turn fresh beans into powder. Just a few pieces of equipment with the beans, and I’d be set.
There would be a bit of an initial investment cost, but it was definitely worth it. Worth it, indeed.
I’m not the impoverished person I used to be. These days, I often eat out and buy pretty clothes without hesitation. And above all, I’m a boss with two employees under me, so I shouldn’t be poor in the first place.
Of course, overspending is a no-go, but this much should be fine. People around me often say they live quite frugally compared to what they earn.
So, yeah. I think this should be okay.
*
‘Kayak is live on broadcast!’
– A moment to enjoy a cup of coffee.
[Wait, why are you streaming so early in the morning?]
[I would’ve missed it if I hadn’t seen the alarm]
[Starting the stream at 7:30, damn;]
[I just came to see what’s up on my way to work]
[So, what’s going on, Teacher?]
[Why is this person so diligent?]
[Somehow stayed up all night, and I’m glad I did]
At 7:30 AM. The sun rises, and some people begin to start their day.
It’s that time when some people start their activities.
However, most of the viewers tuning into the broadcast are active starting from the evening or, at the earliest, late afternoon.
Kayak’s broadcast started around the same time as their activity, but unusually, it was turned on earlier than usual today.
[Why is the tag again “cook”?]
[Another cooking show?!]
[Breakfast eating show??]
[Cooking since such early morning…?]
[I feel like they’ll just bring some Corn Frost and eat it…]
[No no, the host cooks well.]
The broadcast screen hasn’t turned on yet. Only the sound of clinking can be heard from the black screen.
The viewers guessed that Kayak was preparing some ingredients again like last time or setting up the utensils needed for cooking.
However, when the completely dark broadcast screen lit up, the scene that appeared before the viewers was far from what they expected.
“Hello, everyone. Good morning. As expected, you’re all diligent like that streamer. You all resemble me, huh?”
[When the broadcast alert comes up, I have to wake up and rush over ㅇㅇ]
[Are the kayakers diligent…?]
[Haha, let’s match the living patterns while we’re at it.]
[What? You’re not cooking?]
Contrary to the viewers’ predictions that Kayak was preparing ingredients, there were only a few unidentifiable tools laid out in front.
A long, thin spouted kettle, a wide-bottomed transparent bowl, etc.
It seems like it’s under the cooking category and they’re broadcasting from the kitchen, so it looks like they are going to cook.
But why didn’t Kayak prepare any food ingredients?
The viewers’ questions were answered by Kayak’s next words.
“The reason I turned on the broadcast early, unlike usual, is to have some tea time with you all.”
[Tea time?]
[Where did this sudden tea time come from?]
[Are you drinking tea in the morning?]
Ignoring the puzzled expressions of the viewers, Kayak pulled something out from behind.
“Actually, I’ve developed a new hobby. That’s right, coffee beans. You recognize it, right? Yes. Today, I’ll be brewing coffee myself.”
[So you know hand-drip~]
[What’s hand-drip, you nerd?]
[I know handjob though ㅎㅎ;]
[Oh ho!]
[Whoa!]
[So fancy, older sister ㅠㅠㅠ]
[Why not just go to a cafe and drink an iced Americano instead of brewing it yourself…]
[Trying it yourself can actually be surprisingly fun.]
[If you mess it up, it’ll come out super bitter.]
[Drinking coffee on an empty stomach in the morning will ruin your stomach!]
“No, while watching VTubers, making coffee seemed surprisingly easy and fun. So I bought this set of tools… It’s not that expensive. Is it a rich person’s hobby? Real rich hobbies are things like golf or that sort. This is totally manageable.”
“Well… it’s not that expensive like that. A rich hobby, you say? The real rich hobbies are things like golf or something. This is totally doable.”
Soon, the broadcast screen changed. The view showing Kayak’s appearance switched to a perspective that seemed to be looking through her eyes.
[How did you do that? ㄷㄷㄷ]
[Kayak’s nailing this setup now]
[Wow, that figure;;]
[Wait, you can see her chest from this angle?]
[Best front-apron Miss Kayak in Dongtan]
“Anyway, I’m going to try it myself. It’s not that hard, so anyone who wants to follow along can do so.”
After that, Kayak started moving busily. She set up the tools, installed the filter to sift the coffee grounds, boiled water, ground the beans, poured the water…
And finally, the result appeared.
“Tada! This is how the concentrate comes out, everyone. Just looking at its color makes it exciting, doesn’t it? The smell is amazing too, but unfortunately, you can’t smell it through the broadcast.”
[Looks really strong]
[If it’s too strong, just add water]
[Looks decent enough]
[Takes too long to make though]
[This makes me wanna buy coffee from a cafe even more ㅇㅇ…]
[Cleaning up afterwards looks tedious too]
[If you think about it, you can’t do anything]
[Making anything usually involves cleaning up and a lot of effort]
“This varies in taste and aroma depending on the beans, you know? The one I brewed now is Ethiopian beans… Anyway, I’ll explain that later, but for now, let me taste it.”
Before long, Kayak had prepared a stylish coffee cup and poured the coffee into it.
She elegantly took a small sip. With her lips on the cup and eyes closed, she savored the coffee.
Just that alone created an impressive atmosphere. Even the viewers who had shown negative reactions till now sighed in admiration.
However, the atmosphere shattered immediately due to Kayak’s subsequent reaction.
“Mmm….”
Her previously smooth forehead slightly furrowed. Holding the coffee cup with a doubtful look, Kayak stared into the cup. Anyone could see that something was wrong.
[Tastes bad, lol]
[I told you it would be bitter if you brew it wrong]
[This person clearly didn’t learn properly]
[This is the despair edition of hand-drip coffee]
[What’s wrong? It seemed like she did well]
[Honestly, just go to a cafe and have an iced Americano]
“Ahem…”
Kayak just smiled awkwardly at the viewers.
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