Gender Reversed Geum Taeyang - Chapter 55

Chapter 55 – Tallulah*¹

Sometimes when I look at Yuhan, I feel a sense of dissonance.

To be precise… I don’t notice it at the time, but when I think about it later, there are such moments.

Though he always has the same fierce face, when Yuhan changes somehow, an inexplicable atmosphere emanates from him.

As if touching deep desires within my heart. As if seeing right through me.

And although it’s embarrassing… at those times, I feel like the femininity inside me is being shaken.

Even now. Yuhan is looking at me with a sticky gaze.

When I received the phone call, various thoughts crossed my mind.

Self-loathing about feeling inexplicably uncomfortable with Junhyuk who was acting normal, and.

Relief that the call somehow lacked warmth.

There was no time to sort out my feelings.

As soon as the call ended, Yuhan took my phone and.

Approached me with a somehow changed atmosphere.

“Ari, let’s go film some NewTube content together next time. To the places from your videos.”

Although I was thinking of helping, seeing that look in his eyes makes it impossible to even consider refusing.

Why did he suddenly say such a thing? Why specifically suggest going to places from my videos?

While I was thinking about this, Yuhan, who had hesitated briefly as if confused, started moving his fingers.

He began scrolling through my video list and choosing options with an expression devoid of any hesitation.

Not all the locations in that video list are related to Junhyuk.

There were quite a few cases where my managers and I selected the locations ourselves.

But Yuhan’s choices were remarkably precise.

Whether it’s because Yuhan has a feminine personality, or if there’s some understanding between men.

The zoo, aquarium, bustling streets, Namsan Tower where I went with Junhyuk, and many others.

And the final video his finger stopped on was at Everworld amusement park.

The monumental first filming location of my already popular travel content.

And.

The place where Junhyuk confessed to me.

Where our relationship began anew.

“Here, I really want to go here.”

Yuhan says with an expression more excited than usual.

My head.

Could only move up and down.

###

No, is an amusement park such a shocking choice?

I just mentioned it because I’ve never been there before… I don’t understand why she’s making such a serious expression by herself.

Maybe I should try changing perspective.

That shocking call between lovers earlier. Maybe she still has that expression because the aftereffects haven’t worn off yet.

Hmm. That’s fantastically nonsensical. I wish I could say something that makes sense.

I chose all those options from the video list to change the mood, but the atmosphere is heading in a strange direction.

While I was racking my brain trying to think of a solution.

A somewhat decent idea came to mind.

“So… did you go here with your boyfriend too?”

With nuances implying I want to hear your story.

If I properly develop the conversation from here…

Please, why are you making that expression again.

“Y-yes…”

Was it my mistake? Could it really have been that phone call earlier that was the problem?

An awkward atmosphere threatens to continue.

I need to slightly change the conversation topic! Naturally!

“That must have been fun! I’ve never been there before.”

Ari’s face seems to brighten a little.

Probably because we’ve moved away from the uncomfortable topic of relationships.

Looks like that was indeed my mistake.

“So this is your first time with a friend…?”

“Huh? It’s just my first time ever?”

“What? You’ve never been with your parents either?”

“My parents…”

Why is Ari suddenly making such a dark joke… oh.

Ah.

Did I not tell Ari about my family situation yet?

Seeing that pure expression… oh no.

No. I thought I had already told her. Since I’m not someone who usually hides it anyway.

It reminds me of the meme ‘Tallulah’ I saw on the internet.

“Since it seemed like everyone goes at least once with their family, I thought you had too… Then going with me would be your first experience… right?”

“That’s…”

“Then what about other places? The zoo or aquarium… places you’ve never been with your parents either…!”

This is bad. Can I handle the aftermath of this?

Ari has somehow gotten excited and I can’t find the timing to speak.

Hah.

I’m sorry, Ari.

“Um… Ari, I don’t have parents…”

“Huh?”

“I’m an orphan… from Yohan Orphanage we went to before?”

“Oh?”

“No, I thought I had told you… sorry… haha…”

Hmm.

Ari died standing. No, died sitting.

###

“Stop making that expression! It’s my fault for not telling you, why are you like this!”

“… Still…”

When watching Ari’s broadcasts or NewTube, there’s always her characteristic serious expression.

Though she does smile sometimes, in videos she doesn’t show much change in expression even to her managers who seem quite close.

I might be in the TOP 10 of people who have drawn out the most expression changes from Ari.

Anyway, observing Ari’s new expressions that I hadn’t seen before was quite pleasant. It made me feel like she had really opened up her heart to me.

But… I didn’t want to see this kind of expression.

Ari continuing to apologize endlessly with a desperate expression.

Though I somehow managed to quiet that down with the logic that continuing to apologize to someone who says it’s okay is more impolite…

Our already shaky tension finally died completely and couldn’t recover.

What should I do. It’s not like I have any skills to make women feel better.

Even if I use being from a reverse world…

I’m not someone who’s had their masculinity stripped away enough to say lines like “want me to touch your chest”… damn. My stomach feels queasy just thinking such strange thoughts.

Awkward silence.

I take a drink of water because my throat feels dry for no reason, and Ari stares blankly at me before starting to make an expression of even deeper self-loathing. I really can’t understand.

What finally broke the long silence was.

The phone notification that rings 10 minutes before broadcast start.

And that…

“Ah.”

Is a notification that applies to me too, since I have the same broadcast start time as Ari.

Since I was planning to take care of Ari today anyway, it would have been fine to just write a break notice, but.

How could I have time to think about such things in this terrible situation… anyway, it’s not my fault.

No matter how well things are going these days, public opinion can plummet in an instant. Since I’m not yet in an incredibly special position as a streamer.

This means that each of these notices is important for my position.

And it also means that without a notice, it would be awkward to take a break.

This is driving me crazy. How can everything go wrong today.

How should I handle this… ah.

Hmm.

Actually, couldn’t I take care of her while streaming? Am I thinking too weakly right now?

Although various things happened today, Ari doesn’t look well enough to broadcast anyway… then…

“Ari, you’re taking a break from broadcasting today… right?”

“Uh, huh? That’s… th-that’s right! Because! Because I’m not feeling well!”

“Then can I borrow your computer…?”

“… Huh?”

###

-Geumha*²

-Geumha

-GH GH

Maybe I’ve grown a lot now too. Just turning on the broadcast brings in dozens of viewers immediately.

For the first few minutes after starting the broadcast, I put up an appropriate photo on screen and play music while waiting for viewers.

The same calm music as usual.

And…

-Oops wrong room sorry

-? What’s this?

-Didn’t Rete just post a break notice?

On screen… a photo with Ari’s character drawn on it.

Hmm. This is what having a friend means.

I didn’t have much time to prepare for broadcasting either.

I turned on the mic to calm the confused viewers but.

“Ah. Ah. This is Geum Taeyang’s broadcast guys.”

-?

-What is this

-No way lololol so shameless

-Why is the host using this picture lol

-Even the picture is NTR

Looks like I only increased the confusion.

I immediately turned on the webcam at the even more chaotic chat.

-?

-??????

-???

Honestly… I understand their surprise.

The suspiciously improved webcam and mic quality, lighting making my face even brighter, just a different room altogether.

-Wow finally changed broadcast equipment

-Should’ve changed just one day earlier damn

-Fr lol

-Look how clear it is damn too good

-Did you move?

-There wasn’t a soundproof booth until yesterday

Seeing them pounce on this opportunity. Discipline has gotten lax.

In today’s terms, you could call them Geumyeol-stans.

“I’ll ban you if you keep criticizing my broadcast equipment. Show some manners.”

-Yes…^^7

-^^7

-But where is this really?

-Isn’t this Rete’s soundproof booth?

-How did you do this? This is so cool

“What do you mean how. This is Ari… no, Rete’s house.”

-?

-What is this?

-???? Why is the host there

-??? I don’t understand

“I called Ari… no, Rete this morning and she seemed really unwell. So I went to help out and borrowed her computer to turn it on.”

-????????

-Why are you going to take care of her

-Why are you calling her name so sweetly too

-Are you two dating?

-Rete has a boyfriend though

-So jealous of Taeyang’s close care damn

Why are they talking so much about me just helping a friend.

I see some chat messages occasionally crossing the line.

What do they mean I’m dating Ari.

Of course it would be nice… but why would I approach someone who already has someone.

There are so many people who can’t distinguish between concept and reality.

Actually, isn’t this relationship maintained because I haven’t done anything inappropriate like trying to seduce Ari.

I’m really someone who can look up at the sky without any shame but geez…

“No way… friends normally help each other. Dating… you’re banned for 20 minutes. How dare you say such things about someone who has a boyfriend. And to the person who’s jealous of the close care, I sincerely hope you get severely ill.”

-Why did you come instead of leaving it to her boyfriend

-Do opposite genders help each other this much?

-Ha

-Ah lol wasn’t Geum Taeyang just a concept lol

-Myung

-Ha

-Geum Taeyang….I loved you…

Baseless slander!

Their attempt to link any man and woman who are together speaks to their dating experience. Though I shouldn’t be the one to say this…

They’re probably not acting this way because they have romantic feelings for me.

Though my concept has crumbled recently, it was a broadcast where I would always brag about how many people I slept with and what I did.

Anyway, is it because this is the first time the chat has gotten this heated?

Or had stress built up inside me all this time?

After watching the chat for a while, I spoke without filtering.

“No. Earlier I heard her boyfriend couldn’t come because he’s worried about catching her illness, so what’s wrong with me doing this? This is why you’ll stay single forever.”

-?????

-Is the boyfriend story real??

-No slander

-That’s… a boyfriend…?

-Just childhood friends lol just close friends lol

-She’s letting this slide?

-‘That statement’

-Is it okay to just say things like that??

An unexpected situation occurred.

(End of chapter)

T.N. 1. An internet meme derived from a scene from the movie Cool Runnings.

Tallulah is used when someone makes a slip of the tongue unintentionally about something that has to do with other’s parents/family. Then, make a sudden change in their opinion. For example, suppose you say the necklace looks weird to your friend. And she tells you that it was a gift from her mom. Then you immediately change your stance on the subject. And say ‘tallulah tallulah’ to refer to that meme and have a laugh together (and diffuse the situation hopefully). You can see sometimes kpop (especially girl groups) idols use this word {to act cute obviously(¬_¬) }.
And that’s your lesson on Korean meme culture. There’s a whole ass essay on this on namu, if you would like to know more about it.

2. It’s a wordplay, in Korean ‘geumha’ means forbidden/prohibited. They are implying our lord Geum here.