"It's not over until it's over, so study hard right up until the exam."
"I will. Thank you!"
Click.
The sound of him leaving — I was glad he'd be able to pass this time.
― Me! Me too! I'm also taking an exam this year!
― People who pass will pass and people who fail will fail
― What if you check and he says you'll fail? Would your mental be okay? You'd crack
― Damn, good point — I'll pass on that
"Alright, this one's on the house."
― Me!!!
― It's me!
― What? You just said you wouldn't check!
― I need to know!!!
― Even a reed would sway less than you
I scanned the viewer list, and countless futures flickered past.
Then.
My eyes stopped on a nickname.
"LoveMyJob, come on in. Password is 1004."
― Look at that nickname
― What's there to love? Are you insane?
― Must be out of their mind
― What, they probably love Mondays too?
I didn't expect a single nickname to set the chat on fire like this.
"Easy on the chat, everyone."
That's when LoveMyJob entered — and the voice alone was something else.
"Hello!"
The energy was off the charts. He seemed more suited for broadcasting than me.
"How long have you been at the company?"
"Three years! Haven't missed a single day since I started!"
"Weekends included?"
"Yes! Even on weekends, I can go in and work!"
"......"
― Weekends too?
― By choice?
― He's voluntarily working weekends?
― Hey hey hey, is this okay?
― His voice sounds fine though?
― How can working 365 out of 365 days be fine?
― The phrasing alone is violent
― I can't even fathom how much money he wants to make
Right. There was no way this was okay.
I closed my eyes and saw a young man sitting alone in a dark, late-night office.
The only light came from his computer screen, and his expression was alarming.
Not strained or tired — he was smiling. He seemed to be enjoying the overtime.
On top of that, there were lunch boxes in the corner of his desk — three of them.
Was he eating all three meals at the office?
Beside them, a stack of energy drinks — and from what I could see, that was how many he drank in a day.
......Wasn't this genuinely dangerous?
The instant I looked further into the future, I froze.
He was lying on a hospital emergency room bed. A white sheet covered him all the way up to his head.
"Family of Lee Wooju?"
"My son...... my son......"
"I'm sorry."
By the time the doctor was explaining to his parents, it was already too late.
I opened my eyes.
"LoveMyJob...... Wooju."
"Huh? How do you know my name......"
"Do you get overtime pay?"
"I don't need it! The work is just so much fun!"
― No overtime pay?
― That's a sweatshop
― Sir, you're being exploited
― But he's enjoying it?
"How many energy drinks do you go through a day?"
"Like four or five? Lately maybe more!"
"......"
― Five cans?
― That's terrible for your heart
― Jinwoo, talk some sense into him
How was I supposed to say this?
Being direct would shock him, but beating around the bush would clearly go over his head.
At his current energy level, anything I said would just bounce off.
"Wooju."
"Yes!"
"Want me to tell you what I saw in the future?"
"Really? What did you see? Am I getting promoted?!"
How do I break an obituary when he's asking about a promotion?
"I saw something more important than a promotion."
"What?"
"Before that, let me ask one thing."
"Sure!"
"When was the last time you went home to see your parents?"
"Uh...... three years ago?"
― Three years? Didn't he say he's been there three years?
― He hasn't gone home once since starting?
― Flame-attribute filial son
― What does that mean?
― It means he's an unfilial son, you bastard
"Everyone, please keep the chat civil."
― Sorry
― But really, not once in three years?
― He loves work that much
― No matter how much you love it, you should at least show your face to your parents
"Wooju."
"Yes!"
"Your parents miss you a lot."
For the first time, his energy dropped.
"How do you know that?"
"Because your parents love their son."
So much so that they'd be wailing beside a son whose eyes had closed for good.
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Must be nice — my parents keep telling me to get out]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Maybe be nicer to them on a regular basis]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[If your parents are telling you to get out, maybe actually leave]
"......I've been busy."
"I know."
"I've had overlapping projects recently, it's really hectic."
"I know that too."
"But how am I supposed to go home......"
How was I supposed to say this?
The image of that white sheet covering his entire body wouldn't leave my mind.
"Wooju, if you keep working like this, within a year you'll end up in the emergency room."
"The emergency room?"
"That'll be your last hospital visit."
Nobody could misunderstand what I meant by that.
He finally seemed to grasp it, because he went silent. About a minute passed.
When his voice came back, the energy was completely gone.
"Then what should I do?"
"Go home this weekend."
"The project......"
"Wooju."
"Yes."
"You can always find another job."
"But......"
"I know what you're worried about."
The reason he clung so desperately to this company.
It was because of his long struggle finding work.
After graduating university, he'd spent a full two years trying to get hired.
Interview after interview, rejection after rejection after rejection.
The company he'd barely managed to land was his current one — and that was why he was clinging on like this.
"Those years of job hunting were really rough."
"How did you......"
"You're terrified that after barely getting in, you'll get fired."
"......"
"So you don't rest on weekends, you never refuse overtime."
"......That's right."
"Wooju."
"Yes."
I paused for a beat before continuing.
"I understand how you feel. But what you need right now isn't working harder."
"Then what?"
"It's lasting longer."
At this rate, he wouldn't last.
Our bodies are more fragile than we think.
"If you keep going like this, your body won't hold. So go home this weekend, see your parents' faces, and come back."
"......Won't they be shocked if I just show up?"
"They'll be shocked and delighted."
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Not showing your face for three years VS suddenly showing up]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Which one is more unfilial?]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[The former, obviously]
A brief silence, then a small laugh.
"I guess you're right."
"And there's something you're forgetting — you're not a rookie anymore, Wooju."
"What?"
"You have three years of experience now. Even if you had to find another job, you'd be going as an experienced hire, not a fresh graduate."
The difference between a new hire and an experienced one was night and day.
They say companies won't hire fresh grads but will snatch up experienced rookies in a heartbeat.
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[They say companies won't hire fresh grads but will hire experienced people]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[If they only hire experienced people, where do fresh grads get experience?]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Figure it out yourself — you think companies are schools?]
― Was that guy a hiring manager?
― From the way he talks, probably
― Just let me catch you on the street
― What would you even do?
― I'll curse you out to your face, and I mean the really bad stuff
"Quit the energy drinks starting today."
"Then how do I keep going?"
"If you can't keep going, go home."
Go home as in quit, even better.
"I love the work......"
"It's not love."
"......"
"I won't force you to exercise. But please eat better than you do now. And take your supplements every day."
― Wooju, you're going to end up in real trouble
― Please go home when work is done, or just quit
― Collect unemployment and take a break
― Go on a trip or something
"Also, not getting overtime pay is actually illegal."
"......It is?"
"Yes. If you like the company, ask for it fair and square. It's your right."
"Alright."
"Go home this weekend. That's a promise."
"Yes. I promise."
"You've got this."
"Thank you."
His energy never came back before he left Daincode — but honestly, the way he sounded now seemed more genuine.
Click.
The chat quietly came alive after he left.
― So he clung to the job because his job-hunting days were that brutal
― I get it, honestly
― Anyone who's been through it knows — it's actual hell
― Every single day is agonizing
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Right, Jinwoo?]
"......Why is the fire suddenly jumping to me?"
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Because you were whining about the same thing not long ago]
"That version of me is dead. I've been reborn. As superstar Kim Jinwoo."
― This kid's self-esteem has gotten way too big
― Is this the same pathetic Jinwoo from before?
― My heart is feeling petty
― Why? What was he like?
― He was whining about getting fired from the convenience store
"Alright, that's it for today's stream."
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[W-wait, that's not right!!!]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[The tide is in — ROW THE BOAT!!!!!]
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Look at all these viewers!!!]
[Viewers: 311]
"Oh?"
When did we break 300?
It was in the 200s just a moment ago, and already past 300.
"Welcome, everyone. This is cosmic superstar Kim Jinwoo."
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Look at how full of himself he's gotten]
"Ah, but my eyes are getting kind of stiff. If I push it, I might be able to do one more."
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Then do one more]
"I might not come tomorrow though."
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[Jinwoo, great work today]
― Yeah, today was fun
― See you tomorrow
― Coming in the morning?
― It's evening already? Time flies
― I seriously didn't notice time passing
They flip-flop faster than I do.
"Thank you for watching. See you all tomorrow."
With that, I pressed [End Stream].
"Nngh......"
My whole body was stiff. I stood up from the chair and stretched — wait, I'm fine?
"Huh?"
The moment I turned off the stream, my body felt better. Was the stream the root of all ailments?
Right at that moment.
Grrrumble.
My stomach was demanding food.
But no need to worry.
My convenience store wages had come in, and the platform payout would hit at the end of the month.
"Maybe I'll order a steak on payday."
I opened the delivery app to debate what to eat today, then suddenly remembered something I'd forgotten.
"How much has the payout added up to?"
I opened the streaming platform app and checked the donation history — my jaw dropped.
1,900,000 won had accumulated in just four days.
Even after platform fees, that was two months of convenience store wages.
"......Maybe I'll buy a bottle of wine to go with the steak."
***
The next morning.
After a quick shower, I made my usual pasta, ate it, then turned on the computer and set up the stream.
Before starting, I should probably...... pay respects to the deity helping me?
To the Mother — should I say I'm counting on her today?
Better to say it than not.
"Mother, I'm in your care again today."
Having no parents of my own, the word "Mother" felt deeply awkward on my tongue.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat and pressed [Start Stream].
"Welcome, everyone."
― Hi hi
― Early again today
― He got fired from the convenience store so he's unemployed now
― He's a full-time streamer now
― Oh right lol
[Viewers: 287]
A bit lower than yesterday, but still a lot of people had come.
Though it seemed like most of them were roasting me?
"Have you ever heard the saying 'manners maketh man'?"
― Anonymous donated 1,000 won! ―
[I'm suddenly nervous]
"I'm excluding anyone who just sent those messages."
― Anonymous donated 10,000 won! ―
[Sorry, my cat walked on the keyboard]
― Anonymous donated 10,000 won! ―
[If it were a dog I'd donate more]
"I'll let it slide this once. Let's get started — three spots, first come first served."
― ApgujeongIronFist donated 10,000 won! ―
[Me]
― BackInMyDay donated 10,000 won! ―
[I want one too]
― ForValhalla donated 10,000 won! ―
[I'd like one as well!!!!!]
......Today's nicknames are something else too.
"ApgujeongIronFist, come on in. Password is 1004."
Click — a viewer entered Daincode.
"Hello."
A young woman's voice — wasn't it a little too different from the nickname?
"What's troubling you?"
"My boyfriend proposed to me."
"I see."
"But I don't know if I should marry him."
― Don't do it
― Why?
― Just don't, you bastard
― Why are you suddenly cursing?
― Aren't you forgetting the reason?
― You can't just curse without explaining lol