Chapter Text
Thousands of fans are screaming her name beneath the blinding lights. Thousands of people are here to watch Rumi. Her body aches, but it was reminiscent of a good workout. It would be one of her last shows for a while, so she went all out with the choreography. She shoots a wink to Bobby, her manager, and descends into the front row of VIP ticket spots.
The crowd still somehow has the energy to get louder as she gets closer. Without missing a beat, Rumi high fives all she can. She takes a few selfies with those that have their phones out and even gives a little girl one of her bracelets.
The little girls smile made every back breaking practice worth it.
As she made her way back up to the stage, Rumi felt a bone deep exhaustion settle in.
“Thank you Seoul!” Rumi yelled out. “You’ve been amazing!”
The cheering followed her off stage.
Immediately she started getting pampered by her backstage crew. One handing her a water bottle while another quickly started fanning her knowing she’s overheated right now.
Bobby meet her at her dressing room door, a kind smile on his face and gimbap in his hands. “You did amazing Rumi! Second to last show of the tour and we hit the roof in ticket AND merch sales!”
Rumi smiled.
“And look!” A phone was thrust into her face. “Everyone is already ranting about the concert. They loved you before but sharing your bracelet with that little girl really kicked it up!”
Rumi blushed reading all the comments, sometimes it amazed her how her fans reacted to anything she did.
“One last show then you’ve got three months hiatus,” Bobby smiled gently at her. “But if you want you can go up to six months. Ah! Don’t even argue. We are keeping it three months and if you want to come back that’s fine I’m just saying you have options.”
Rumi pouted slightly at not being able to get a word in. “Okay, oh am I still allowed to stream? It’s really fun and I don’t really see it as work so?”
Bobby rolled his eyes. “Fine yes stream but no work! See you in a few days!”
Rumi laughed as he walked off and she continued on. Bobby would never understand the love for streaming.
Heading into her dressing room, she took off her concert clothes and placed them in a hamper. She then grabbed a plain black hoodie, sweats, and her life saving face mask. Lifesaving because it hid her identity. Mostly anyway. Then she grabbed her phone and there on the top was a notification.
TurtleZoey1025 is live
She stretched out all her limbs, grunting when her shoulder popped. Heading out to her personal car she noticed that the car next to her was the same mom and child she gave her bracelet to.
“You’re the best mom.” The child said sleepily. “She gave me her bracelet and you gave me the best time.”
The mom smiled at the kid.
And Rumi couldn’t help but want to make this night better for them. She didn’t say anything as she got to her car to open the back door. She only had a few moments before the mom was able to make sure the child was buckled. Reaching in her bag she found some spare merch and a sharpie. Quickly signing a poster and a shirt she made her way to the car.
“Excuse me Miss?”
The mom turned around, tired as can be. “How can I help, Rumi-nim?”
The child’s gasp made Rumi chuckle.
“I couldn’t help but notice my biggest fan was parked next to me.” Rumi gave a gesture to her car. “I had to give her some more merch before she got away.”
Rumi offered the pieces to the mom and asked. “Is it okay if we get a picture?”
The mom was not able to withstand both Rumi and her child’s pleading face. A quick snap with both Rumi and the mom’s phone and it was done.
“What’s your name sweetie?” Rumi asked.
“Eunji.” The sleepy kid said.
“Eunji, it was a pleasure getting to meet you.” Rumi gave her a small hug and passed the mom who mouthed ‘thank you’ to her. She bowed politely and got in her car.
Most people would assume she lives in a penthouse and honestly they weren’t wrong. She was rich enough to afford one and live in one as her main place of operations. But when it gets too much, she returns to her cabin far from civilization. Well that’s a lie, it’s at the edge of civilization. Far enough that those who live in the neighborhood know her but don’t bother her but close enough in case she needs to work.
Parking her car and making sure everything locked correctly, Rumi let out a breath. She was living the dream.
So why did it feel so empty?
The thought sat heavy in her chest, lingering longer than normal. Not dramatic, not painful...just a dull ache she couldn’t name.
“Snap out of it.” She whisper to herself as she let herself in. She collapsed onto the couch. The soft, warm couch that had been her friend since she debuted.
“I love you couch.” Rumi mumbled, it felt silly but she needed the comfort.
Until she remembered the twitch notification from earlier.
TurtleZoey1025 is live
The notification was from hours ago but hopefully one of Rumi’s favorite streamers was still live. Clicking the notification she was thankfully taken to the live.
Two girls were on screen, one red head who looks like she hated everyone except the black haired girl beside her.
“Okay guys! Last time we’ll explain. Sadly we missed the concert tonight.” The black haired girl, Zoey if Rumi remembers right, said. “Funds are tight right now BUT we were able to pay our rent!” Zoey throws in what she calls jazz hands to the chat. A chat of a measly 82 compared to Rumi’s thousands. But it feels less chaotic, no that’s not right Rumi has seen the chaos of this chat before with only 5 viewers here.
It feels more homely she could say. Everyone knows each other like they’re friends.
Wait did Zoey just say they paid their bill? With money they were going to use for the concert.
Rumi could not let this happen. She was a long time viewer (from a burner account) and she refused to let them worry about other bills. So for the first time in her life, she typed in chat how she’d seen others type in chat.
demonhuntrx: Long time viewer. First time chatter. If you don’t mind can you clarify about that?”
Then panic. She threw her phone face down on the couch and buried her face in her hands.
“Why did I do that?” She whispered to her beloved couch. “Why do I care so much?”
But the truth was already there, heavy in her chest.
She wanted to be seen. Not by her fans. Not by the public. Just by someone.
“Hi demonhuntrx! Cool name! You must’ve missed last stream but Mira is currently going to school while I work double shifts at a coffee place!” Zoey smiled but looked a little strained. “It’s just a little tough right now but we’ve got most of our bills paid!”
“And we aren’t starving.” The red head, Mira, said bluntly.
“And we aren’t starving!” Zoey’s eyes flickered to the instant noodles in front of them.
One of Zoey’s mods put in chat !donation.
Before Rumi could triple guess herself, she clicked on the link. Then to her horror and anxious people pleasing self. She made a very generous anonymous donation.
“What the fuck?” Mira said as she literally fell out of her chair while Zoey started to sputter.
New Donation: $$$ – from “Anonymous”
The amount on screen did not reflect the actual number Rumi meant to type. She had meant to put what the internet said was a rent price for some of the apartments near her. She had added a few extra zeroes… well at least they have enough for rent now.
Rumi squints, how much is rent for one person in Seoul? Two people?
Rumi shook her head, honestly she had no idea about rent or utilities, and honestly she probably had enough wealth to last her descendants for generations.
Oh god did she want kids?
“Thank you mysterious benefactor!” Zoey had tears in her eyes as she bowed her head gratefully. “You really helped us out BUT we don’t want your money! Just your presence is a gift. We don’t stream for the money we just want to make connections.”
“Speak for yourself.” Mira scoffed but turned serious. “But no seriously thank you.” Mira bowed her head to the screen.
Make connections? Rumi could understand that. It’s why she made music in the first place. Well it’s why she continued to make music.
“Here look, thanks to you we finished paying of Mira’s student bills for the year.” Zoey shoved her phone to the screen showing a zero balance. “We have some left over for day to day life now. So seriously thanks!”
“We have left overs for the next few months of rent.” Mira muttered.
Rumi watched as the chat flooded with accusations until someone tagged her.
jokingjoke:@demonhuntrx seems sus that you asked that then disappeared just as she got that dough
Rum stared confused.
demonhuntrx: what is dough?
“Dough is slang for money!” Zoey clarified watching as chaos started to unfold.
And Rumi wanted to be seen, she wanted friends. So she kept typing.
demonhuntrx: Well. Maybe?
zoeysleftsock: AYO?
mirasteponme: uh long time viewer how LONG have you been here
mirasteponme: aint no way a newbie would donate that much
mysterymod: if you type /followage it will tell you
demonhuntrx: /followage
streamelements: @demonhuntrx has been following for 6 years, 5days, and 13 hours!
Zoey and Mira paled considerably.
“That’s literally the day after we started streaming seriously.” Zoey said weakly.
zoeysleftsock: AYO A FOUNDER?! Where’s the lore
mirasforgottentherapy: psh everyone knows watch time is where it’s at. /watchtime @demonhuntrx
streamelements: @demonhuntrx has watched for 45,173 hours!
Zoey and Mira looked ready to faint.
“That’s like literally almost every stream.” Mira said. “Gotta give you props for commitment.” She raised her noodles in a salute before downing the spicy broth like it was a shot.
“Why have you never spoken till now?” Zoey asked softly.
Rumi hesitated but pressed on.
demonhuntrx: sorry I’m just a little shy
mysterymod: ngl I almost banned you at first cuz I thought you were a bot :/
demonhuntrx: oh uh sorry?
“Well, I’d like to officially welcome you to chat.” Zoey clapped. “We hope to see you more if it’s not too much for you. Do you also follow Mira or just me?”
demonhuntrx: both
“Nice!” Zoey smiled softly at the screen and Rumi felt her breath catch. “It’s nice to officially meet you demonhuntrx!”
Rumi kept the stream open while she relaxed on the couch, then because she had an excellent idea. She opened Mira’s and Zoey’s wish list.
Then because she was overwhelmed she opened google.
‘How much stuff should you buy from a person’s wish list twitch?’
The answers didn’t help her because all they said was what she could afford. She could afford to give them anything.
“Is demonhuntrx still in the chat? The chat seems to be needing you?” Zoey suddenly cut through her wondering it.
Rumi stared confused at her phone.
demonhuntrx: hello
RyuRumismic: GUYS SHES HEREEEE
Was someone’s name her microphone? God Rumi would never understand the internet.
demonhuntrx: why is your name that?
RyuRumismic: cuz I want Ryu Rumi to hold me by the throat
“Who doesn’t?” Zoey said dreamily causing Rumi to choke on air.
RyuRumismic: anyway we were wanting to know if you were a spy
demonhuntrx: no?
“That’s good, I was hoping I wasn’t being spied on.” Zoey said. “Mira would have to take names and kick butt.”
demonhuntrx: right...
Rumi ignored chat as the sleepiness started to settle in. She was on hiatus now and she could sleep however long she wanted. She slowly surrendered herself to the sleepiness that crept on her and fell asleep to Zoey and Mira’s voice echoing around her.
~~
RyuRumiOfficial is live!
As soon as Rumi hit ‘Go live’ there were thousands of viewers in her chat. Even with the slow chat on, chat was going quickly. Rumi smiled, she loved her fans even when they were a little crazy. She also loved the mod team that Bobby had hired for her, they were already instantly at work and doling out punishments. Even if she was on just the starting screen.
Rumi looked at her game options and winced, due to a vote in chat, she now had to play Elden Ring. She’d seen others play this game and she knew it was hard but well, she was intrigued so here they were.
Rumi switched screens and smiled, genuinely at her camera.
“Good afternoon everyone!” Rumi moved her mouse and hovered it over her viewer count. There under the team of mods was her VIP list.
A list that now had two names.
She had texted Bobby to let him know what she had done this morning.
“Due to popular demand.” Rumi clapped her hands together nervously. “I will be playing Elden Ring. I’ve already created my character so let’s get into this!”
Then she started.
~
“It’s just the first enemy right? It’s not like....I died instantly.”
~
“So I follow the grace?” Rumi pulls up her map and does a double take. “Wait but this one is pointing up and this is pointing right?”
kangisqueen: i suggest going right.
“Okay guess we’ll go right.”
~
“I’m never taking any of your guy’s advice ever again!” Rumi screamed out as another bug creature shot spines at her. “This is bullshit! How do they have such good aim?”
~
Death counter: 23
The chat was exploding with laughing emoji’s and gifs. A few of her regulars were trying to coach her through it, bless their souls.
“I haven’t even found the first story boss.” Rumi cried out. “Okay we are going back to that weeping place because, you know... mood.”
But as the loading screen flickered by, her smile slipped for a second.
Would anyone notice if she just stopped talking?
The chat had momentum, they could carry on without her. Rumi took a sip of water to force her to do something other than dwell.
The screen flickered back to life, the Castle Morne Lift a welcome sight compared to the red tint of Caelid.
“Okay guys! Back to our Weeping Peninsula.”
~
Rumi sat banging her head into the desk.
kangisqueen: lol gurl’s going through it
errxrcde4o4: evry1 goes thr it in dark souls
~
“Okay guys.” Rumi ignored the ‘You Died’ screen. “It’s been hours...actually it’s the next day already. So I’m going to crash for the day and let you guys go. Don’t forget I have one last show on Friday, get your tickets before we sell out! So good night and good luck! Rumi out!”
Rumi signed off with a smile and a kiss. Then placed her head back on the desk. She had finally made it to level 10 and made it to the castle after clearing most of the stuff at the bottom of the map. But now she was tired and hungry.
She was never doing a 24 hour stream again.
Mira or Zoey should be on though.
Rumi perked up and went to her other twitch windows with her burner account. It was Zoey live again with Mira with her.
“Okay guys, we are once again asking for you to choose our seats for Rumi’s concert on Friday that we get to go to.” Zoey said smiling. “Due to that generous donation, we paid off all our bills for three months! Thank you mysterious benefactor.”
“Now we have a chance to order tickets for the concert.” Mira said clicking through their computer. “There are a few VIP tickets left which would give us the chance to meet her, little pricey though.”
“Well let’s look elsewhere.” Zoey said with a small frown. “I think that would knock the rest of our money out and we do need to eat.”
Rumi perked up, she could change that. Clicking into Zoey’s bio links and navigated to the donation links. She knew the exact price of those tickets, she had set the price herself. It was lower than what the board members wanted.
“Okay,” Zoey exhaled, tossing her phone onto the floor beside the beanbag. “So we can either get one VIP ticket and alternate crying backstage, or we can get two nosebleeds and scream together from the sky seats.”
Mira snorted. “Rumi wouldn’t even be able to hear us from there.”
“She’d feel us in her soul,” Zoey replied dramatically. “Through the power of parasocial delusion.”
zoeysleftsock: if u dont get VIP how will u propose?
kangisqueen: i think if they met rumi theyd pass out
mirasforgottentherapy: I think Zoey would melt into a puddle
Zoey waved it off with a laugh, but her cheeks turned pink.
Mira raised an eyebrow.
“...Well,” Zoey mumbled, “If some mysterious benefactor wanted to drop from the sky again, we wouldn’t complain.”
The words echoed in the silence of Rumi’s cabin.
Mysterious benefactor.
She pulled the hoodie tighter around herself and stared at the donation link again. She didn’t owe them anything. But she wanted to give it, not for recognition, not even to meet them.
Just to see them happy.
She tapped the link. Entered the number and added a note.
Her thumb hovered over “Send” for a long moment.
She whispered, more to herself than anything:
“Don’t freak out this time.”
Then she pressed it.
The alert dinged like a slot machine jackpot.
Zoey’s eyes shot open. Mira leaned in.
On screen:
New Donation: $$$ – from “Anonymous”
Message: “From someone who’s been in your chat since the ‘no mic ramen’ days. You deserve good things. Go to the concert.”
The chat went feral.
Zoey shrieked. Mira actually dropped her mug.
“Oh my god,” Zoey gasped. “Are you serious?”
“That’s... literally the cost of two VIP tickets, and extra for transit and food,” Mira muttered, staring at the number like it would decode itself.
kangisqueen: waitwaitwait the phrasing
zoeysRIGHTkidney: THE RAMEN STREAMS?
mirasforgottentherapy: there were only like 5 people then...
mysterymod: im pretty sure that was demonhuntrx
Rumi pulled the blanket tighter over herself and let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.
Rumi stared at the screen, stunned.
They knew.
Not who she was. Not really. But they knew her. The way she watched. The way she listened. The quiet, loyal presence. They knew the parts of her that weren’t famous. The ones that were just... Rumi.
She covered her face with her sleeve, smiling. And maybe crying. Just a little.
Rumi smiled, she couldn’t wait to meet them.