— So you're saying, 'Enough internet for today!' and then disappearing for 2 days?
— Thank god you're fine. I thought BloodSucker already sucked your blood dry. His reply in the forum indicates that he knew about your condition, but he stayed silent because he's the culprit!
— I am glad you're alive.
— A bar again, huh? You really frequent one lately, both in Midnight Heist and this.
— Private room in Roast Planet. Rich Breeze, for real, for real
— So you're now playing Roach Planet, right? Sounds fun. I will keep the filter on, lol. Can't handle insects stuff
[dondododon has donated 500 diamonds!]
[Welcome back. What could we expect for today? And what does OrangeSquashTeam mean?]
"Ah, let me tell you what I did yesterday that led me to this situation."
Following that, Max explained why he needed to babysit Flexy yesterday. It was a simplified and dramatic version that made him look kinder and his friend looked less pathetic.
"So, that's why I and two other friends helped him. We might have no experience with Roach Planet, save for Flexy. But I am confident we can have a shot at winning the competition at the end of May." He grinned.
— What a good guy.
— This guy deserves a reward for best friend
— For real, Flexy needs to give him another lesson fee. The last lesson fee is spent!
— Ask moni! MONEY!!!
"Hehe, that's already on the to-do list."
Quite some time was spent talking to his viewers. It wasn't boring or even tiring. No, it was surprisingly fun for Max. Sometimes, talking with your fans would make them know you better and vice versa.
After talking for a while, he heard a sound from the elevator's direction. Raising his head, he noticed the door was open, and two people were walking out while holding hands.
— Huh?
— T-They are... CRAZY COUPLE!
— Isn't that Atlas and Ferin from Horizon Online? Why are they with Breeze?
— That beautiful platinum hair, no doubt about it. Isn't that Ferin?! Kyaaa, I am a fan of her online magazine!
— Damn, the teammates are the crazy couple from Horizon Online? Can they play the FPS game, though?
— ^^ The fact they are here means they can play, no? Flexy isn't someone who will throw a competition for reputation.
Looking at the chat, Max smiled wryly. Atlas and Ferin's popularity was bigger than he thought. Their easy-going and energetic personality didn't really reflect that.
'I heard that they had a shoot yesterday. And from what I remember, Ferin is a model. I didn't think much before, but to think they are so famous.' He thought, standing up from his sofa.
Upon seeing them, Max decided to greet and warn them because some of his viewers apparently recognized the couple from other games.
"Good morning." He said, smiling brightly, "I am streaming right now. Do you mind if you appear in it? If you do mind, I will try my best to keep the camera pointed at myself alone."
Sighing once again, Max looked a bit troubled. On the one hand, he was slightly angry because Ferin got involved in his private matters. On the other hand, he didn't want to make it a bigger problem than it was right now. It could have ended with an apology and a bit of talk.
He also didn't want to trouble Flexy with this. His friend had a hard time gathering this team, and he didn't want to destroy it just because of a misunderstanding or a bit of miscommunication.
'I know I am a bit slow, but she doesn't need to say that on stream.' He thought, letting out another sigh. 'She probably thinks we've been together since that date. I know where she came from too. I would be mad if Lisa somehow said Flexy isn't her lover in a stream.'
It was so tiring.
'I prefer getting hit by a sudden drama from a guy like BearGuy0G rather than getting people nagging about my relationship with others.'
"It's okay." He finally quenched out words from his throat. "Please, don't get involved in that again unless I ask for it. I want to take it at my own pace."
"Ee–"
"We understand. Once again, we're truly sorry for the slip of the tongue. Fer honestly thought you and Lily are now together. So she was surprised when you said those things."
Before Ferin could say anything more, Atlas gagged her mouth with his hand. The blond-haired man smiled wryly.
'It's just as I thought.' Max smiled back. 'That doesn't justify her action, though. It's not me who will get affected if this misunderstanding spreads.'
"Yeah, it's fine. But please... Do tell my viewers that Ferin is only joking. I don't want a drama about my relationship with Lily to spread." He said, "And please also apologize to Lily about what happened earlier. Even if you're her friend, you probably should do that."
"Yes, that's what we planned to do," Atlas said, turning to look at Ferin. "Right, Fer?"
The platinum-haired girl only nodded, facing his cold gaze.
After that, Max continued his stream and jokingly said it was only a misunderstanding. Ferin also laughed while scratching the back of her head, saying that she only reacted that way because she also watched Breeze a lot.
While that reason wasn't a good one, the viewers took that for now. The reason was simple: a beautiful girl was the one who corrected her own sentence. It must be correct!
— Well, Breeze is maidenless. It's his fate. I know he has no GF.
— Yeah, there is no way he got a girlfriend already
— Spineless streamer! Get your act together, and just confess!
— Eh, you guys aren't together yet? I thought you already lived together since judging that video contest!
Max didn't know whether that was a blessing or a curse, but the chat didn't really think much about it. Some only teased him about it without making it a big deal. It was as if everyone reached an understanding to keep it inside the circle.
'Am I overreacting for something so simple?' He thought, slightly confused.
His parting with Nina probably affected his reaction earlier. It wasn't just a simple parting, after all. Indirectly, he rejected her feeling and put an end to that hope.
'I probably am overreacting... It seems I am also not fine after making that decision. I should also apologize to them after the livestream ended for scaring Ferin. They are unaware of what I felt, after all.'
Even if he wanted to do that, the atmosphere between the three of them became a bit awkward. Thankfully, it didn't last long.
A few minutes latter, the elevator's door was opened once more and Flexy stepped into the bar with a hearty laugh.
"Wahaha, sorry, guys. I am a bit late!"
When he entered, his smile immediately froze, and he looked around in confusion, sensing that the atmosphere wasn't what he had expected.
"Did I miss something fun?"