On a peaceful weekend afternoon, just like a holiday, people were enjoying their time.
In a bustling restaurant located in a busy area where lots of people gather during weekends, it was only natural that patrons flocked to the place.
A family of four, a mom, dad, son, and daughter, happily dining out, couples seemingly enjoying a date, and a group of young women that looked like they were out with friends, among others.
Inside the restaurant, there was a colorful mix of people, both men and women. Although it was peak hours with crowds, it was clear the restaurant was doing quite well overall.
Despite the many reasons people had for visiting, curiously, all eyes were directed to one spot.
Sitting at the center of the restaurant was a delightfully overwhelming presence.
An odd combination at first glance. Someone chatting with an animated character on a tablet? And to top it off, they were stunningly beautiful!
However, that alone wouldn’t explain such a concentrated gaze from everyone. It wasn’t that surprising if someone was using a tablet for company while dining, or if a volleyball named Wilson was their dinner partner; for others, it wouldn’t be significant.
We live in an era dominated by individualism, where the world often seems indifferent to others.
Moreover, in this age of VTubers, TikTok, and Reels, simply attracting attention—what they call “being an attention seeker”—can actually make you money nowadays.
You can encounter more public eccentrics than you’d think, beyond just chatting with a bizarre character on a tablet while eating.
Yet, the reason the crowd’s gaze was fixed on the central seats was straightforward.
A pretty and handsome person, someone causing a scene, and a semi-celebrity of sorts.
In a world full of sights, something incredibly rare was unfolding at the center of the restaurant.
Murmurs filled the air—
“How many has that person eaten already… are they even human?”
“Are they a mukbang-specialized VTuber? They’re eating like a champ.”
“They’ve already munched on over seven pieces of bread, and they even added steak pasta…”
“Are they an otaku? What’s that character beside them?”
Eating like that must cost a fortune—guess they’re loaded.
The unrealistically beautiful person beside the animated character was enthusiastically enjoying their meal. And oh boy, they sure could eat!
She does eat well, indeed.
No matter how diverse the media becomes and how saturated it gets with all kinds of stimulating content, witnessing such a scene is a rarity.
Should I call this a spectacle? People instinctively realized that what was unfolding right before their eyes was a sight seldom seen in reality.
As people’s gazes concentrated, it was natural for all sorts of stories to circulate.
With her superhuman senses, Kayak could eavesdrop on everything, even the whispers about what people were saying as they watched her.
“This place knows how to serve.”
She didn’t react too sensitively. She simply savored her meal slowly. After all, she had anticipated this kind of reaction since the moment the content was planned.
So while Kayak ate with a nonchalant demeanor, the people pretending not to look at her couldn’t tear their eyes away, like watching monkeys at the zoo.
– Ugh…
Each time that happened, it was Lion Meow who couldn’t lift their head, not even present at the scene.
[The host really knows how to eat well…]
[Where did those guys who worried she wouldn’t finish two servings go? LOL, she finished two servings and ordered more!]
[Does it feel like she’s eating more than before, or is it just me?]
[How can she eat like that and not gain weight?]
[They say her basal metabolic rate is super high.]
[Does Kayak look like a joke, hitting 3000 in all three lifts?]
[It’s nice to see her eat well… Pretty girls always nibble, which is annoying to watch.]
For Lion Meow, it was a dizzying situation. There were tens of thousands of viewers flocking in, and the restaurant patrons were staring. Kayak, who they trusted and relied on, was just munching away without saying a word.
What was even more dizzying was that the broadcast continued without any issues. At this point, Yeon Soo had half-given up on her thoughts.
[Looking at the table behind them, LOL.]
[Of all places, sitting in the middle, LOL, they’re drawing attention like crazy!]
[Look at Lion Meow being embarrassed, LOL.]
[How cute, it feels like a typical person’s reaction, LOL.]
[Lion Meow, you’ve hit the jackpot in your broadcasting career, girl, LOL.]
[I might not know much, but you’ve got the attention-drawing thing down pat.]
[Is this some kind of noise marketing or whatever they call it?]
[Seems like this is what a big corporation should be doing….]
[I always thought Taker had the highest surprise attack power, but this broadcast changed my mind.]
I changed my mind after watching the broadcast today.
[Do you guys still not know the meaning of Kayak? Kayak is currently sacrificing herself to give some blessings to Lion Meow.]
[Ah… Ahhh….]
[Kayamoni, how have you lived like this….]
[She’s making herself a laughingstock to turn Lion Meow into a big-name VTuber ÷÷]
[We, the Lion Squad, vow to elevate Kayak as our matriarch ㅠㅠ]
Despite all this, the broadcast continues without any problems, which is even more confusing. Yeon Soo at this point has given up on thinking.
*
Yeon Soo had prepared a virtual date as content. Given that it was supposed to unfold like a real date, the course was crafted just as carefully as any actual date.
– Strike a pose, please. 10, 9, 8….
Taking pictures at a photo booth couple commonly go to.
“Mom, why is that older sister talking to herself when there’s no one there?”
“Shh, Yerim. It’s rude to say that.”
Walking along the riverside park in the sunlight.
“Now, dear guests. Repeat after me, let’s make it delicious! Let it be delicious, let it be delicious. Moe Moe Kyung!”
“Let it be delicious, let it be delicious… Lion Meow, why aren’t you doing it?”
– I’m really struggling, why is Kayak so fine while I’m having a hard time…?
[Well… Kayak is a pro, after all.]
[Hang in there, Lion Meow! If you pass this test, you can truly rise to a big corporation!]
[The host really is a heavenly streamer, lol.]
[Why isn’t Maid Unni flustered…? I’m scared.]
[Maid Unni is a pro too, ㅇㅇ….]
[Opposites attract; Maid Unni has a vibe similar to Kayak.]
Finally agreeing to Yeon Soo’s request to visit a themed café, they went to a maid café.
Since Yeon Soo only existed on the screen, there were many restrictions compared to an actual date. Courses like watching a movie or experiencing something had to be completely excluded.
I focused on activities that offered a lot to see while ensuring that Yeon Soo could still throw in some lines and participate in the broadcast.
This was the first date with a VTuber. Still, I thought it wasn’t a bad date at all.
Now that I have a certain amount of broadcast experience, I can generally predict the content’s success or downfall without even watching.
First of all, the content was a success. Maybe it was because the idea of going on a date with a VTuber was so fresh that the viewers kept increasing from the middle onward.
And regardless of the rise and fall of the content, I also felt a sense of personal satisfaction.
Back when I was dating Yeon Soo, we never really had a proper date like this. We were both students, and I was just too clumsy and dull for that.
My feelings for her were already sorted out long ago, but sometimes I still feel a twinge of regret, thinking about how we should have had a proper date back then.
But now, that regret was completely resolved. The disappointment had vanished, replaced by relief filling a corner of my heart. I’m just glad I could finally go on this date with her, even if it was late.
“How was your day, Lion Meow?”
I wondered if Yeon Soo felt the same way. Did she share my sentiments? I asked with subtle anticipation.
– Um, um… I want to go home.
[Ah haha, Lion Meow is starting to want to clock out]
[The avatar looking haggard is ridiculously funny, haha]
[Why do they look so tired despite no effects?]
[It was Kayak running around, but Lion Meow at home took all the damage…]
[That maid café was too much; I’m still nursing the wounds from that time]
Yeon Soo’s avatar made a slightly pouty face. Through the character’s graphics, I could somewhat see her expression. It seemed that this whole broadcast thing was mentally exhausting for her since it was her first time.
However, despite that, I couldn’t help but poke fun. I just had to say it.
“…Lion Meow, you’re not good at giving empty compliments, huh?”
– Ah, ah…! The date was really great. Let’s hang out again next time…! This is an after-date request-.
“It’s too late for that, this person. Plus, you’re already at home. What do you mean by wanting to go home?”
[For real, haha, what’s with wanting to go home when you’re at home]
[Sometimes I feel that way too, you know that feeling?]
[Homebodies are like that, always]
[Basically means they’re tired and worn out]
[We did a lot today, yeah, Lion Meow and Kayak, you both worked hard]
– Wanting to go home when I’m already at home… Kayak, don’t you know this feeling?
“What are you talking about…?”
It was a rather abstract statement, but it was just so Yeon Soo-like that
I found myself laughing aimlessly as we headed home.
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