Nuance is not merely a subtle difference felt in language alone.
We simply call what we feel during conversation "tone," and what we perceive in written sentences "context."
Moreover, in internet chat culture, where communication isn't bound by formalized structures designed for information transfer, nuance becomes even more palpable.
People change their speech patterns hoping to be understood, or they outright use emoticons.
Of course, these emoticons aren't always used with the same meaning.
The Korean letter 'ㅋ' varies tremendously depending on where and how it's used.
There's even a usage guide for foreigners on how to use 'ㅋ' properly.
- TearRipper: But Jaemin's crossdressing really suits her haha
- SilverPanthea: For real haha anyone would think she's a woman haha
- ArchaneArrow: She obviously looks like a woman; wait, is she actually a man?
- TotalPotato: Yep, that's why it's even better
- ArchaneArrow: You guys are gay;
- SLLV: Hahaha but seriously, Jaemin is pretty hahaha
So.
Despite the chatroom full of compliments, Jaemin wasn't entirely pleased.
It all started when people teased her for her previous crossdressing attempt, calling it amateurish.
Even though she introduced herself as male.
Being a real woman but being called an "unconvincing woman" somehow hurt her pride.
So today, she deliberately put on makeup before meeting Noel.
Yet somehow everyone's laughter still carried the nuance of mockery.
Well, Jaemin's actions were somewhat calculated.
She couldn't live her entire life pretending to be a man.
She might get exposed someday, so she was laying groundwork in advance.
If discovered, her excuse was reasonable.
Female gamers often get entangled in troublesome situations, so she just pretended to be male.
At first, she claimed to be male for that reason, but it became a habit to casually maintain that identity.
But seriously, what man looks like this?
After revealing her face and dressing up nicely, if someone still doesn't think she's a woman, there must be something wrong with them.
That's how she planned to brush it off.
Some might call it viral marketing.
After all, skilled female gamers receive advances from all directions.
Whether from men obsessed with women or viewers approaching with nicely packaged intentions,
the nuances suggested they still saw her as male.
Actually, judging by their laughter, they might have already noticed she was female.
But the nuance felt like they were gritting their teeth, refusing to acknowledge her as a woman.
That's why Jaemin felt even more determined.
Half wanting to continue living trouble-free as a male gamer, half wondering if she wasn't pretty enough.
She also wanted to hear Noel's opinion.
While she didn't mind viewers who joked around like friends,
Noel, whom she wasn't close enough with for jokes yet, might give an objective assessment.
"Hehe, Noel. How do I look today? Does my crossdressing suit me?"
"Ah, yes. Well. You've dressed up nicely, like someone going on a date. Anyone would think you look like a woman."
Naturally, Noel answered Jaemin's question very honestly.
Perhaps a bit too honestly, but Jaemin didn't catch the nuance.
Noel's expression clearly said, "Are you even trying to hide that you're a woman dressed like that?"
But to Jaemin, it just looked like Noel's usual expression.
To an outsider, it might seem like Noel was just shy since she wasn't making eye contact.
So Jaemin took it casually and proudly declared to the phone attached to her selfie stick:
"Did you hear that? Unlike you slanderers, Noel acknowledged my crossdressing."
- TearRipper: But we've been saying you look like a woman all along hahaha
- LoChamEvil: What's this? No League of Champions today? Why is Jaemin crossdressing outside?
- SilverPanthea: She's helping buy a wheelchair for the person who helped explain the cheating accusation last time
- NationalToolAssociation: ?? Is Spoon allowed to be this kind-hearted?
- Stevia: Why shouldn't Spoon be kind-hearted? haha
- ADCQuitIfIOpen: ADCs naturally become selfish due to their playstyle, they need to deal damage even if teammates die
- SpicyJjamppong: True haha even if teammates are fighting, keeping distance from assassins is more important
- JackpotMoonwalk: That's the skill of walking the tightrope; an ADC who just backs off and doesn't auto-attack isn't a real ADC
But the viewers had moved on from whether Jaemin's crossdressing suited her or not, latching onto another topic entirely.
Jaemin didn't mind.
She was used to such dismissal.
Originally being a game streamer, she actually welcomed game-related discussions.
Besides, mischievous viewers would have been more vocal if her crossdressing hadn't suited her.
Their quietness suggested her efforts had paid off.
Just like shy guys who can't speak when seeing a truly beautiful woman.
That's why she loved her viewers.
Feeling satisfied, Jaemin skillfully continued the broadcast.
"Now, the wheelchair store isn't far. Noel, I've looked at some options already. Let's check them out on the way!"
"Ah, yes."
The bus had just arrived.
After boarding and finding seats, Jaemin took out a tablet from her handbag and handed it to Noel.
At this moment, the broadcast's focus was on Noel's slender, pale fingers.
Jaemin provided narration:
"So, I originally looked at manual wheelchairs, but viewers donated a lot to buy Noel a wheelchair. I made a list and thanked everyone last time, but I want to express my gratitude again. Thanks to you, we can look at electric wheelchairs."
"People donated this much just to buy me a wheelchair...?"
Perhaps due to the prices of electric wheelchairs displayed on the tablet,
Noel's voice trembled slightly.
"When it all added up, it came to this amount. Hehe. I'm planning to donate the remaining money in the viewers' names."
- TearRipper: She could pocket the leftover money and no one would know, but she's donating it
- IndependenceHighKick: For real, Celesti is good because she's not greedy
- CannonIs52Gold: She's so ungreedy she even gives up cannon minions to supports
"No, that's not me giving them up! The support just takes them! They don't even feed me Targon stacks, they just use skills to steal them!"
- HeartTrackerDreymo: Pro players don't save skills and eat minions~
- SeaLevelEvilSeed: Just last hit faster, money increases
As viewers suggested, she could have kept the remaining money.
But Jaemin's principle was to live cautiously for the long term.
It wasn't about doing good deeds, and might seem fake.
But Jaemin wasn't living in poverty enough to risk trouble by being greedy over money.
This donation wasn't because she was kind-hearted, but for survival.
She could give the remaining donations to Noel.
But Noel already seemed uncomfortable with just the wheelchair purchase.
So Jaemin quietly set that option aside.
She'd leave direct donations to Noel up to the viewers themselves.
Instead, to prevent Noel from feeling more burdened, Jaemin began reciting the explanation she had practiced in front of viewers.
"This T company's electric wheelchair moves slightly faster than walking pace. It has a high body for good visibility and is heavy for stability. The downside might be its large size."
"Hmm, my entrance isn't that wide. This might be difficult to get in."
"That's a problem... We can't leave it in the hallway either. How about this one? B company's electric wheelchair. It's smaller and relatively light, with a reputation for reliability and few malfunctions. The downside is that being light with a high body might make it unstable. But since you're light, that shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"Hmm..."
"Or how about this? From A company, it has a lower body but that gives it a lower center of gravity for stability. It has partitions so you don't have to worry about rain. Plus, it's off-road."
"Oh."
Does Noel realize?
That her eyes sparkle when looking at a wheelchair that interests her.
Finding it cute, Jaemin laughed quietly.
- SilverPanthea: Isn't that just a cart? haha
- TearRipper: Noel is a baby... likes vroom-vroom things at her age...
- PrehistoricBubble: Huh? Isn't she an adult?
- WantToQuit: I'm a 35-year-old office worker who wants to ride a cart
- Vlad: Hahaha it's not just men who remain childlike hahaha
The viewers also enjoyed Noel's cute behavior.
But Jaemin didn't show it and continued explaining other wheelchairs.
"This wheelchair... That wheelchair... Ah, I'm not being sponsored by these wheelchair companies. Definitely not hidden advertising."
- TearRipper: What company would hire a healthy person to advertise wheelchairs? haha They'd hire Noel if anyone
- Wonka: Or they'd hire that 200kg streamer... who struggles to walk on his own...
- Reablo: The obesity in that country is truly beyond imagination... No wonder there's a meme about obese people on electric wheelchairs
- FlameRecommend: Why are there so few obese people in our country?
- QueenLexia: Because they die from pancreatic failure before reaching that point
- TearRipper: Golden answer
Despite the explanations, Noel's enthusiasm had waned after that initial spark.
Apparently, Noel preferred the cute, game-like wheelchair.
Thanks to that, as soon as they arrived at the wheelchair store, they could immediately order the wheelchair Noel had set her heart on.
"We'll prepare it so you can ride it out. There are two batteries, and I recommend keeping both charged with one in the storage compartment. Battery life is about a year and a half, but without replacement, the duration will gradually decrease. In winter, they drain a bit faster..."
After the employee's long explanation, Noel was finally able to get on the wheelchair.
Whirr. With a soft operational sound, the wheelchair moved smoothly.
Noel made a touched expression and bowed her head to Jaemin.
"Thank you so much. Thanks to everyone, I get to ride a wheelchair like this... I'll use it well."
A greeting also meant for viewers who weren't present but watching.
Jaemin also felt proud and moved, but
hoping Noel wouldn't feel more burdened, she deliberately showed off.
"Well, if you're grateful, you should treat me to a nice meal today. I know a good restaurant. Oh, your friend is coming too, right? Let me mark it on the map for you."
"Ah, yes. I'm not sure if one meal is enough..."
"I'll eat a lot, so be prepared. Heh."
- TearRipper: Woo, only Celesti gets to date Noel... evil streamer...
- TableMushroom: Wooo let me date Noel too...
- RedHole: But Jaemin is a man, eating alone with Noel...? Isn't this a real date?
- AngelSmile: Hang him!!
- PaidTestUser: It's fine since Noel's friend is coming too, right?
- SpicyTunaMayo: Is Noel's friend a woman? Then Jaemin has a harem?
- Chromi: Right? That's infuriating? Hang him!!!
Suddenly, the chat erupted.
Jaemin was surprised by the unexpected commotion.
But she knew if they were truly angry, they would have cursed.
Knowing these messages were jokes, Jaemin deliberately teased the viewers back.
"Jealous? If you want to date Noel too, dress up prettily in women's clothes like me."
- TearRipper: Wait, I'll go to Thailand first
- 8BitGaming: So if I transition, I can date a frail beauty? That's worth considering
- Drillhair: If you transition, isn't looking in the mirror while eating already a date?
- 8BitGaming: You're right?
- CrunchCrackle: You can do that now
- TearRipper: That's not dating a beauty!! Hang this guy!!
- AngelSmile: Hang him!!
Since ancient times, the best way to calm public sentiment has been to divide people or offer up a scapegoat for a rock-throwing festival.
The viewers found their sacrificial lamb and carried out collective lynching.
But since it was just joking around rather than actual insults, Jaemin didn't intervene.
Seemingly oblivious to the chaotic chat, Noel was focused on operating the wheelchair.
Those tiny hands fidgeting with the controls couldn't be more adorable.