I am Smart

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[We’re totally screwed.]

After Sansu’s words, shallow laughter echoed.

[[……]]

And then, silence.

It’s hard to believe that seven internet streamers who survive by their words are gathered in one place, yet here we are in complete silence.

…… That’s just how much Sansu’s remark was enough to shatter the once lively atmosphere of the team.

―――

??
?
What a crazy guy this is.
It’s definitely Sansu.
Social skills are zero, lol.
Are you the director, Sansu?
Legendary awkward moment, lmao.
I feel like I need a “firework” now.
Did he really say that right off the bat?
What a total downer;
You lunatic.
―――
[…… No, director. If the one supposed to lead us says something like that right off the bat…… You’re joking, right!?]

The first to regain her senses was Satori, who spoke in a playful tone, yet there was a hint of seriousness behind her words.

[U-umm. Sansu! You see, I’m not a fake diamond, okay? I mean, I got a top rank with 400 points. If I bought it for 50 points, that’s like total robbery.]
[Right? In-chan does well, top rank 400 points. But wasn’t there a duo back then? Who was it? I can’t remember.]
[…… What?]
[Hehe! Apologies……]
[……]

With half-intentional banter between San-deng and Squirrel, along with the youthful voice of the latter, they began to refresh the now-cloudy atmosphere in their own way.

―――
The laugh from earlier was cute.
Who was the one who laughed? Lol.
Hahaha.
Squirrel guy…
―――
Whether their efforts were in vain or not, laughter gradually filled the once grim chat windows.

[Ah, I’m sorry. Heh…… I kind of spoke impulsively. I’m really sorry. That was a joke, just a joke. It’s not that bad.]

Finally, Sansu opened his mouth.

[Um, things didn’t really go as planned, but it’ll all be okay. Really, it hasn’t deviated from the main outline of the plan. We have secured Moon Si-hyun and San-deng…… Ah, and Cactus as well.]
[Right!? That’s a relief.]
[Yes, yes.]
[But what are we supposed to do now? Are we just going to do some six-person rank games or something? I’m new to this kind of thing.]

Cactus asked.

[Ah, yes, yes. But you’ll have to wait a bit. From what I know, after I finish the director interview, we can only practice after the official Demons broadcast ends—… Oh, wait a second.]

After saying that, Sansu crossed his arms and closed his eyes in silence for a moment.

[…… Okay. First of all, we’ve outlined the basic tactics, so let’s go ahead and invite each other and prepare for some six-person rank games. Since I’ve checked the players’ skill and tendencies since the contract for the tournament, we need to mix those tendencies to really know how we mesh together.]
[Got it.]
[Yes~]
[Okay.]

And then Sansu started listing various professional talk.

The chaotic atmosphere caused by Sansu’s earlier comment began to gradually return to seriousness like other teams.

―――
Oh.
Wow.
The acting director is something else.
No matter how I look at it, this is definitely awkward.
Phew, so this is really awkward.
―――
[And – …… Yes? Oh, understood. I’ve been called. I’ll be right back. Um…… What I’d like from you all is to break the ice. I mean, let’s talk a bit and get familiar with each other since we’ll be living under the same roof for the next two weeks.]

Following Sansu’s orders, six goodbyes were exchanged alongside the sound of Sansu leaving Discord.

[[……]]

A natural silence followed as the situation shifted.

[Um, Si-hyun? I’ve been curious for a while.]

The first to speak up was San-deng.

[Yes.]
[Did you really graduate from a Korean university?]
―――
Gasp.
RP?
Haha.
Gasp.
What?
―――

―――
Pazzk Minor Gallery
―――
– Sansu screwed up comment… Six people’s reactions

(Capture of streamers from Sansu’s team showing their Virtual Models and real camera expressions)

‘ㅇ0ㅇ’
– That was a real legend, lol.
– Aside from the Dullahan San-deng and Doll called Moon Si-hyun, they all have that kind of expression.
– Seriously, isn’t Sansu’s social skill just totally screwed?
No, that’s just his nature—can’t change it.
No, he’s been like this even as a pro director; there’s no fixing that…
No, but he kept winning trophies, so we couldn’t say anything.
No, there are too many Sansu fans to roast him now. Just need to wait until rankings get screwed up to roast him then.
Yes, yes, just waiting for that time, lol.
I don’t know if we’ll win, but if tanking gets screwed, it’ll be lit.
– I’m just glad it’s being handled well for now, for real.
No, what’s well-handled? Can’t you see we’re totally screwed?
– My aunt can make that face too…
No, who’s your aunt?
No, that’s No-gwi.
No, that’s Satori.
No, how old is Satori?
No, she’s 3000 years old.
No, she’s 27 years old.
No, 27 isn’t aunt age, come on.
No, isn’t that just the right age?
No, if a woman is over 25, she’s an aunt, right?
No, VTubers age at 1.5 times faster…
No, the world of VTubers is dizzying.
―――
– Sansu’s interview aftermath stories

Sansu
(Clip)
{Yes, any last words? …… Um. Hehe. I will do my best. Yes. I’ll see you tomorrow. Yes, yes.
(Sound of leaving Discord)
Phew…… It’s not practice time yet, right? Is only Umman left? Yeah, I need to jump into Discord after he’s done.
(Chat windows going crazy)
Ah, chill, chill. It’s not that screwed up.
What was I thinking throwing 700 points on Moon Si-hyun?
Um……
Now that I think of it, that was utterly crazy, but at that time, I thought it was unavoidable. No, honestly, I don’t regret it yet.
What surprised me was that Umman was in fierce competition with me. I didn’t expect him to catch up this fast.
The 200-point puff-up was all a psychological battle. Umman had 20 points more than me. I didn’t know how far he’d go, so I blurted it all out in one second.
That sneaky Umman was pretending not to care. I got fooled. Hehe.
No, when I checked before, none of the directors were interested in Si-hyun. So I preemptively spent some points on San-deng and Cactus, who I wanted to choose.
Was it three refusals? I didn’t think I’d get rejected like this…… Um. I’ll do my best.
(What the hell, why did I dump it all on Moon Si-hyun, damn it?)

Ooh.
The sponsor’s nickname is…… San-deng Love Dog?
Wow, this tournament seems serious. Okay, I’m sorry.
Why did I dump points on him? It’s not like Si-hyun was that outstanding. Um……
Honestly, I might have been able to be more rational. But, well…… Can I say this? Oh, I guess I can.
I really wanted to try working with Si-hyun.
If Si-hyun had gone elsewhere, I don’t think I’d have felt motivated.}

Umman
(Clip)
{Yes, I look forward to working well together. Um, last thoughts? Let’s go for the win!
(Sound of Discord cutting off, quietly watching the rising chat next to him)
…… Wow…… That was fun, right? The auction was fun. This is my second time appearing on Demons, but I’ve watched several other seasons, and this tournament is the most thrilling.
Things didn’t go as planned, but looking at it in the end, I don’t think this is bad. Aren’t we likely to be seen as champions?
(Sponsor: Why did you aim for Moon Si-hyun, but no one else but Sansu aimed?)
Um……
I’ve watched a lot of Moon Si-hyun’s broadcasts.
I was determined to choose Moon Si-hyun no matter what.
But I didn’t expect Sansu to rush in like that. Hehe……
But Unsan suddenly threw 700 points after having only 500 points earlier, and I just froze and lost focus.
I knew Sansu would participate in the competition, but I didn’t expect him to go that far. Seriously. He must be insane. I knew he was always like that, but……
No, but isn’t that a bit excessive? Like really?
…… But Sansu has a gut sense. So, I’m like, what if it is?
No, but still 700 points is just too much. It might be rude, but if there are three refusals in this team, it’s really hopeless.
But for now, okay. Please take Si-hyun. That’s how it feels. I’m a bit disappointed, but I think it turned out better.}

– It was really just for personal feelings, Sansu.
– That guy is insane, haha.
– Isn’t Sansu a crazy guy?
– He’s definitely not normal.
– He was already famous for that firework thing, you know?
No, what’s that?
No, back in high school, he put firecrackers in the shirts of kids who bullied him and set them off, got suspended.
No???
No, it’s true?
No, he was genuinely a crazy guy, lmao.
No, he actually said that himself…
– I didn’t expect to see him aim so much at Moon Si-hyun.
No, Sansu knew, but he didn’t.
No, at least these two are pro team directors, right?
No, is it that their eyes for talent are different?
―――

―――
[So, you’re saying you’re 3000 years old? Was it RP?]
[……]
[No, San-deng! You can’t just ask that directly! Hehe……]

Two voices, the harmony of yin and yang, from young men and women in their prime.

After everyone was invited to the lobby, the six of them were chatting quietly in virtual reality.

―――
Overall, the atmosphere is nice.
Looks like Sansu’s team has the most women, right?
This scent is nice…
San-deng is really popular…
I don’t know, but the laughter share is pretty high.
Cactus is currently unable to breathe…
Honestly, I don’t care about winning or whatever; I just think we are candidates for laughter.
―――
Hahaha.
Hahaha.
Wait, why am I laughing?
Why does this make me laugh too…
Was this guy’s avatar also a cactus? Hahaha.
It’s kind of warm and cozy.
Hahaha.
Talk a bit, In-chan.
Why are you sitting alone?
Still a virgin?
―――
“……”

But only Cactus remained quietly curled up.

“Ah, please don’t roast me. I just saw an ant.”

Cactus muted the game’s microphone and said.

Of course, no one believed him.

At that moment, in Cactus’s peripheral vision, two soft paws appeared.

A cute white bear doll.

The bear doll paused, then…

– Pounce.

It sat next to Cactus.

“……!”

Cactus covered his mouth.

[What are you doing here?]

Moon Si-hyun’s voice rang out.

“I… was just watching the ants.”
[Let me take a look too.]

―――
Wow, lol.
You’re actually giving him that, haha.
Da-Si-hyun, ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

Thereafter, a few minutes passed.

[Ah, hello. Practice is now allowed.]

Sansu entered and spoke.

[I have several things I’d like to assign you now, but since we’re in a synchronization phase, we’ll play a few rounds without requests for now.]
[Got it.]
[Just consider I’m not here and pass it around. I’ll step out so as not to interfere. Let’s go, team!]

Moon Si-hyun’s team began their first game play.

That game was caught shortly after.