A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 92

What on earth happened to lead to this?

I’m basically a hikikomori who stays at home all the time, so there’s really no change in my daily life.

Thanks to that, the hardest part for me while streaming was the chatting segment.

So whenever I needed to say something, I had no choice but to bring up everything that happened that day.

Since I’m not good at talking anyway, if I didn’t do that, the stream would just be silent.

But as a result…

I ended up going out.

It wasn’t a problem to mention that I was invited to ‘you-to-be.’ The real issue was not giving any response and just letting people know.

Depending on the situation, it could even turn into a conflict between fandoms.

When I first brought this topic up, one of the most common questions in the chat was, “Did you officially respond and decline?”

Anyway, in the end, I had to go out.

Of course, regularly taking out the trash didn’t make going out feel particularly special, but…

Meeting someone outside for the first time after truly returning to Earth was something else entirely.

Sure, I went to Bora’s house for her birthday.

But that was different since I ultimately didn’t step outside my apartment.

Going to the convenience store or chicken shop to save on delivery feels different too.

And to sum up my feelings right now… I really didn’t want to go.

Having to meet someone I’ve never actually met or even spoken to…

No matter how much I might be at fault, this seemed way too harsh.

“But that’s what taking responsibility means.”

…Yeah. That’s right.

Even if I didn’t know, in the end, it was my doing.

Didn’t I learn what taking responsibility means from Iya?

“Sigh…”

Still, it was unavoidable to let out a pointless sigh.

Of course, hearing the story isn’t entirely bad.

But if you ask me if I really need the positives… I can’t think of a single reason why I would.

First. The filming location I’m going to is the health club run by the Health Project channel, and the guests invited there get to use it for free.

But after today’s stream, I won’t need to go back, so it doesn’t matter.

Second. The content titled “You can be like this too” simply evaluates the physical condition of female streamer guests and teaches them exercises suitable for their condition.

But thanks to Iya’s blessings still being with me, I maintain optimal health at all times.

So there’s really no need for additional exercise.

Third. Just by appearing in that content, it’s supposed to increase the viewers of that streamer or the YouTube channel.

I think that’s pretty good too, but right now I’m financially stable thanks to Rebongi and my believers.

No, actually, I could say I’m overflowing.

So with the extra money, I can do various things.

In other words, while it would definitely be good if my viewership increased, it’s not so important that I need to go out.

I virtually lack for nothing, so why do I have to step out…

But since pouring out these complaints wouldn’t change a thing, I eventually got dressed and left the house.

The filming location wasn’t too far from home, but it wasn’t close either.

According to my search online, it was about a 30-minute subway ride or 20 minutes by taxi.

And for the Health Project… Harum said they would send someone to pick me up.

If that hadn’t been the case, I would have taken a taxi, so I felt grateful.

[HP – Seohye: I arrived early and am at a nearby cafe]

[HP – Seohye: I think you can head this way]

[HP – Seohye: (map photo.jpg)]

Checking the miscode invited for the content, the staff sent to pick me up had already arrived at the cafe.

I felt a bit guilty, but arriving 20 minutes early isn’t my fault, right?

In any case, after confirming the location of the cafe, I slowly made my way there.

After roughly five minutes, I arrived at the cafe where the staff was waiting.

“So you did achieve it after all.”

“I-I practiced a lot, you know…”

“Was it really necessary to go that far?”

“It was sort of a dream for me… Delicious. Hehe…”

“I’m glad to hear that. You said they’re waiting at the station, right?”

“Yeah. I think they might be a bit late though, should we run…?”

“If someone hadn’t fumbled while ordering, we wouldn’t be late~.”

“T-That’s unfair to say…!”

As the cafe door opened, two Japanese women came out holding drinks.

Were they here as tourists?

I couldn’t see their faces properly, but from just a glance, I could tell they were pretty girls.

The attention would surely be drawn to them for different reasons than it would to me.

…Why did I think that?

It annoyed me.

Swallowing the thought of wanting to go home and throw myself onto my bed, I peeked into the cafe through the open door.

There were quite a few people inside.

So many that there were hardly any empty seats left.

And since I had no courage to enter, I quietly pulled out my phone.

[Inquisition Officer: I’ve arrived]

[Inquisition Officer: Is it okay if I wait by the parking lot?]

[HP – Seohye: Ah, yes. I’ll wrap things up and be out shortly]

★

“It’s about time for them to arrive, right?”

“Yeah. Since the miscode said they left about 20 minutes ago… they should be here within five minutes.”

Harm, having heard Seong-hyun’s words, started lightly stretching.

Of course, while filming today’s guest, Rene, they would stretch again, but warming up ahead of time was part of Harm’s routine.

[5th floor.]

Then came the notification sound from the elevator beyond the door.

Normally, that would mean a member has arrived to work out, but when filming content, even the presence of members is prohibited, just in case.

In other words, the person who just arrived was Rene, today’s guest.

“Boss, I’m here.”

As the elevator doors opened, it was Seohye who came in to pick up Rene.

And following her, there was a woman.

She was taller than Seohye, about the same height as Harm.

With her hat pulled down low and her sunglasses on, I couldn’t see her face properly.

But it was impossible to hide the silver-white hair that reached down to her waist, even with the hat pulled down.

Wearing a plain yet nice combination of a button-up shirt and jeans…

But Rene was anything but plain.

‘Whoa.’

In fact, Harm had worried a lot about inviting Rene this time.

There was absolutely no way to deduce what kind of person she was in real life.

At least it seemed like she had a connection with the streamer Tuni, so he tried to contact her.

[Ah… I’m sorry. Of course, I’ve met Rene a few times. But no matter how much you say you’ll meet in person, it’s a bit hard to disclose what she might not want to reveal….]

So he couldn’t find out anything.

In the world of online broadcasting, appearance is like a weapon.

And it’s an even bigger weapon for female broadcasters.

Thus, if a female streamer hides her appearance, it’s hard not to think that something might be wrong.

However, at least in terms of figure, there was absolutely no problem with Rene.

On the contrary, it could be seen as perfect.

Even though she wore a tight button-up shirt and jeans, there was not a hint of excess fat to be seen.

Yet her feminine charm overflowed to the point where it made me slightly envious.

‘…Why would someone like that…?’

That made Harm even more unable to understand the situation.

Maintaining a figure like Rene’s would require consistent effort.

In other words, she must have worked hard to keep it.

So why hide it?

What on earth is she afraid of, trembling slightly?

Any normal girl would naturally have confidence in such looks.

‘She mentioned she lived abroad before… Did something happen there?’

“Please wait here for a moment, Rene.”

“…Okay.”

Then Seohye, approaching Harm who was gulping down those questions, whispered with a voice barely loud enough for another to hear.

“Boss, she’s really stunning.”

She gave a thumbs up while saying that.

“I messed up a little when I was driving earlier so Rene’s hat and sunglasses fell on the floor.”

“…What? What happened?”

“Oh, just a sudden stop. Some crazy jerk cut in front of me and there was a red light…”

“What? Are you okay? You’re not hurt?”

“Of course. You know me, Pro Driver Kang Seohye. Naturally, I’m fine. Thanks to the seatbelt, Rene didn’t have a problem either.”

“Good to hear… So? What’s so stunning about it?”

“Rene… is absolutely gorgeous.”

Seohye said that, giving a thumbs up.

“It’s a shame she agreed not to have her face in the video, she’s really pretty.”

Why on earth is she hiding?

Muttering that last thought, Seohye turned back to Rene.

“Rene, you brought clothes to change into, right?”

“…Yes. Is a button-up shirt alright?”

“Oh, yes. If you don’t feel uncomfortable, that’s fine. Then please change in that women’s changing room over there. And since today’s purpose is exercise, you’ll have to take off your hat and sunglasses…”

“…Okay.”

After that, Rene left for the changing room per Seohye’s instructions.

“Wow…”

When she exited the changing room after changing clothes, Harm instantly realized what Seohye had meant.

★

[Rene]

[I’m filming with the Health Project YouTube channel]

[Talk | 1891 viewers watching | 00:01:20]