Lotion.
Technically, it's classified as a cosmetic product.
People generally consider it a moisturizer, and sometimes round it up to a medical product.
That's why many people apply lotion when their skin cracks or during dry seasons like winter.
My mother always told me to apply lotion before going out.
So I don't deny its necessity.
Unless you're born with iron-like skin, dry skin will crack.
Even I used to diligently apply lotion before going out in winter when my hands would crack.
But that was only when going outside.
After all, the outdoors is a harsher environment than indoors.
Modern civilization isn't that hostile to humans.
It's not like stepping outside throws you into some brutal wilderness.
At most, my outdoor activity time consists of traveling between school and academy.
While they might not be as comfortable as home, both school and academy are still indoor environments that protect from external elements.
So, unless the weather is severe enough to damage the thinnest and most exposed skin—like cheeks, lips, or the back of hands—by freezing and thawing repeatedly during those brief outings, my position has always been that lotion isn't really necessary.
But if Gabi has the completely opposite opinion...?
I'd usually follow Gabi's opinion, but this case is different.
The thing is, lotion makes your skin sticky.
If it was just temporary, I wouldn't mind, but that stickiness torments me when I least expect it.
When I clasp my hands together and fingers touch the back of my hand.
Or when I absentmindedly touch my cheek...
So it's hard to readily agree.
If I concede now, I'll have to keep applying lotion even after Gabi goes home.
So I just stayed quiet, which made Gabi tilt her head.
"What's this? Why isn't Noel saying she'll apply lotion? By now you should be saying, 'I get it, I'll go put some on.'"
"Ah, no. But I've already washed up. The house is warm, and it's not particularly dry. Isn't it fine not to apply any?"
"What are you talking about? You should take care of your skin while it's still healthy. Do you think it'll heal easily if you try to treat it after it's already damaged?"
"Ugh..."
Theoretically, Gabi is right.
But humans also learn through experience.
I've been living just fine like this until now, so why make things more complicated?
But Gabi is saying these things for my benefit.
So it feels awkward to just dismiss it with "I don't like it" or "It's bothersome."
What should I do in this situation?
As I was pondering, a good solution came to mind.
We're in the middle of a livestream, aren't we?
Why not put it to a viewer vote?
If I lose even there, I'll gracefully accept defeat.
Either way, this could be turned into content.
"Gabi, wait. Listen to me. Lotion is great as a moisturizer, but the weather isn't so dry that I absolutely need to apply it right now."
"No, you need to start applying it now so your hands don't crack in fall and winter. I remember how your hands would turn purple and crack every winter, and you'd go 'Black Dragon on my hands!'"
"...Why are you bringing that up here?"
- TearRipSplit: LOLOL Oh, Black Dragon on her hands LOLOL
- SilverPanthea: Well, with the streamer's skill level, she needs to raise at least one Black Dragon on her hands LOL
- InnocentMafia: For real LOL
- TutorialSkipPlease: But if those delicate hands crack that badly... she must have been quite neglected at home...
- Paragon: Ah...
- QueenLexia: But in this weather, a real man doesn't need lotion
- CRCE: A real man doesn't use lotion even in winter, just keeps his hands in his pockets
- OceanView: Speaking from experience, cracked hands in winter are torture LOL But I still never use lotion
- Sistato: You should use some!!!
- Dedica: But Noel is a girl, so shouldn't she use lotion???
As I struggled to deal with Gabi bringing up my past, I glanced at the chat.
Viewers seemed to have mixed opinions.
Some said I should apply lotion because I have delicate, feminine hands that are precious to a pro gamer.
But many also thought it wasn't necessary in this weather.
This seemed worth a try.
"Gabi, let's ask the viewers. I plan to use lotion in winter, but it's only just becoming fall. And I'm not going outside anymore today, so applying lotion seems a bit excessive, don't you think?"
"Hmm. Well, okay. Following the majority opinion is a good approach. But I think viewers will tell you to apply lotion for the sake of your hands and face."
"If that happens, I'll accept defeat and apply it. But viewers, please vote honestly. Don't tell me to apply lotion if you don't use it yourself. If you vote for me to use lotion, you should be using it too. Understood? I'll start a five-minute poll now."
So thinking this was a gamble worth taking, I immediately started a viewer poll.
[In weather like this, I]
1. Use lotion
2. Don't use lotion
It's a bit embarrassing that the first poll on my stream is about something like this.
But the viewers seem to enjoy it, and Gabi is watching with interest.
That makes it worthwhile.
I'm prepared to gracefully accept defeat if I lose.
- SilverPanthea: *sob* She's worried about our hands when she should be worried about her own...
- TearRipSplit: From what I see, Noel is just throwing a tantrum because she doesn't want to use lotion LOL
- AutoBanana: Who cares if it's a tantrum, this is my chance to start using lotion too LOL
- QueenLexia: If I can make Noel put lotion on her face and hands by enduring some discomfort myself... I'll sacrifice myself
- NonranPage: What happened to the touching moment? Now it's kill or be killed LOL
- Only4Drones: If you can make someone else suffer, you can endure your own discomfort
- ImNotAPedoBut: Prepare yourself, Noel! Kneel before the sticky, slimy lotion
- CRCE: We are talking about lotion, right?
- KTC014: Hey, watch the angle there
"Ah, Noel, I think we need to ban this one."
"Yeah. Jokes are fine, but please refrain from crossing the line in an all-ages stream."
After muting the chat for people making inappropriate comments about lotion, the poll began.
Maybe because there were so many viewers, or because everyone cared about my skin health and their own, the numbers on both sides started climbing quickly.
The vote was neck and neck.
While I wasn't exactly on the edge of my seat, I was watching anxiously alongside Gabi.
Meanwhile, viewers were chatting about their reasons for using or not using lotion.
I trusted everyone to vote based on their rational judgment, and I joined in the viewers' conversations.
I wasn't dismissing the effectiveness of lotion—just saying that applying it now seemed excessive.
This didn't generate as much heat as the soft peach versus firm peach debate.
It just warmed my heart to see everyone concerned about my health.
Some viewers were being mischievous, saying they wanted to bother me or make me experience the sticky discomfort.
But I knew it was all a form of tough love, so I was just grateful.
Thanks to this, the five minutes passed quickly.
We were finally able to reveal the poll results.
"Alright, thanks for waiting. It was close, wasn't it? The lead kept changing hands, so it was hard to predict the winner."
"I'm surprised. I thought everyone would use lotion in this weather."
"That's because you're a girl, Gabi. Most people who are dedicated enough to gaming to watch pro gamer streams are guys."
"What are you saying? You're a girl too."
"...Well, you know what I mean."
I almost dropped the hint that I was originally a man, but thankfully Gabi gave me a look and I was able to smooth it over.
The viewers probably understood I meant that I grew up as a boy.
When we checked the completed poll, fortunately, the majority of viewers said they don't use lotion in this weather.
Considering how many viewers were willing to endure discomfort just to make me apply lotion, it seems most people genuinely don't use lotion in this weather.
Conversely, it warmed my heart that so many people said they would use lotion because of me.
Of course, I would have complained a lot if I had lost.
"See, Gabi? Other people say they don't bother with it either. So let's just apply it when going out. Let's stay comfortable at home."
"Hah, no. Everyone, you should take care of your skin before problems develop! Prevention is more important than treatment after something goes wrong."
But now it was Gabi's turn to grumble.
However, the viewers were committed to teasing even Gabi.
- TransformingCleaningRobot: LOL Men don't recognize the need for safety until they get hurt
- Paragon: But it does seem a bit excessive right now LOL Just make sure to use lotion when going out
- CRCE: Nonsense! I don't need lotion until my hands start cracking
- TearRipSplit: Honestly, Noel's hands are precious but... she'll learn her lesson once she experiences the hassle LOL
Harmless jokes were exchanged.
There were also some self-deprecating humor and messages trying to console Gabi.
While enjoying this, I heard my phone notification sound.
I checked and saw it was a message from my coach.
"Oh, wait. I got a message from Coach."
"At this hour when scrims are over? What could it be...?"
Apparently, the coach was watching my stream and was interfering with the broadcast by citing a specific clause in my contract.
Professional players have an obligation to maintain their health.
Therefore, I should apply lotion.
"Coach says I need to apply lotion. Sigh, that's right. Hands are a pro gamer's life and weapon..."
A coach who outranks the poll results.
This isn't democracy!