Chapter 4
She was about to reply to what Tom said, pero nauna na itong umalis. She clicked his profile through his last comment. Doon niya nakitang finollow siya nito. His message appeared in her notification. Trojan Virus: Follow me back. Dahil mabait naman sa kanya si Tom ay sinunod nito ang sinabi niya. Pagkatapos ng ginawang iyon ay bumalik na ulit siya sa sarili niyang live stream. “Ang babait naman pala ng mga tao rito. Ang dami kung magbigay.” Strawberry Lover contradicted her statement. [Strawberry Lover: Not everyone is as kind as him. Mayaman lang ‘yon at bored kaya kung saan-saan ginagastos ang pera.] “Oh.” Her mouth slightly opened.”Gets.” Chineck niya ang account niya habang naghihintay ng kung anong mangyayari. Dumadami na ang followers niya. What a good start for a beginner, and with people like Tom na namimigay lang ng pera kasi gusto niya, that’s all she needs to search for in the application. She could get close with them, and maybe, after some time, become as popular as them. [Ang ganda ng ngiti. Pakshet, nakaka-in love ka, Clarinet.] Itinawa na lamang ito ng dalaga. “Para po kayong ewan.” She was becoming more confident and familiar in Diamond Hub. Dapat pala ay dati niya pa ito sinubukan. [Nakakalibog ang tawa mo, ganda! Baka gusto mo ng ****?] [Strawberry Lover kicked a user.] “What’s that question?” She placed her chin on her palm. “Bakit censored?” [Strawberry Lover: His private part.] “Ay, bastos!” Her voice went high. Kahit na nababastusan ay idinaan niya na lamang ito sa pagtawa. “Huwag po tayong bastos dito, pwede?” [Sige, baby girl! Para sa iyo.] [Cute mo mag-react HAHAHHAHAHAHA. Parang gusto tuloy kita send-an ng picture.] [Strawberry Lover kicked a user.] “Bakit mo k-in-ick?” [Strawberry Lover: Nambabastos na lang ‘yan.] Saktong tumunog ulit ang notification niya, tanda na may nagmensahe. It was the guy kicked by SL. Pagka-open niya ng message, tumambad sa kanya ang isang picture. It was blurry, and the word “SPOILER” covered it. She tapped the screen, and it displayed another message. Are you sure you want to open this file? This may contain a harmful message or a spoiler. Tumuloy pa rin siya. Muntik na niya maibato ang phone. Mabuti na lang ay paglayo lang sa mukha niya ang ginawa niya rito. “Ew!” She tapped the back button a few times. “Kadiri. Why would he send me that?” Nag-alala ang mga manonood sa kanyang reaction. [Strawberry Lover: Bakit? Ano nangyari?] “He sent me a pic of his private part!” She made a disgusting face again. Ilang segundo ang kinailangan niya bago iproseso ang nangyari saka siya bumalik doon sa mensahe para i-block ang nag-send. “Sa mga nag-iisip po na gumanon ulit sa akin, huwag niyo na po tangkain.” [Strawberry Lover: You can report him to the Customer Service.] Nagliwanag ang mukha ng dalaga. “Really? How?” [Strawberry Lover: There are three dots on the upper right. If you scroll after clicking it, may makikita kang report.] He followed his directions and selected ‘nudity’ for the reason. “Kadiri talaga,” she said, but she chuckled. It was a nervous laugh. It was not a new thing. Ilang beses niya na iyon naranasan nang high school at college pa lamang siya. Kahit nga ang mga nagigin boyfriend niya dati ay hindi niya hinahayaan mag-send ng gano’n. It’s just rude and nasty. “Makapag-PK na nga lang.” She tried sending invites for a PK, but no one was accepting it. [Strawberry Lover: Hindi madali maghanap lalo na at bago ka pa lang.] “I know.” Almost a minute has passed, her screen split into two again, and this time, a cute female can be seen on the right panel. Wearing bunny ears and a white spaghetti top, the face of the competitor was covered in full face makeup. Sa likod nito ay ang nagkikislapan na iba-ibang kulay mula sa LED lights. Tantya ni Mia ay mas bata sa kanya ang babae. “Hi!” Sexy Bunny moved closer to the camera. She was assessing kung wala ba talagang filter na gamit si Clarinet. “Wow, you’re gorg, girl!” “Thanks.” She blushed. She looked up at the top of the screen and noticed the timer counting down. “Nagsisimula na pala.” “Yeah, do you want to do something here?” “Is there a punishment?” Bunny reclined on her chair, yakap ang tuhod. Naiipit ng ginawa niya ang kanyang dibdib kung kaya lalo itong umumbok. Pinagpyestahan naman ng mga lalaki ang magandang view at nagpadala ng mga regalo sa kanya. “Punishment? May naka-PK ka na ba kanina kaya alam mo na agad ‘yan?” She agreed to her. “The punishment was that I will remove the filter.” “That’s why!” Bunny pointed out her finger. “Si Tom siguro ang nakatapat mo.” Mia slightly tilted her head. “Tom?” “Trojan Virus,” anito. “Baliw-baliw ‘yon. Gawain niya na talaga. Dati nga ay akala ko, naghahanap lang ng chix, pero siraulo lang pala talaga.” Napahalakhak si Bunny sa naalala. “Kaya siguro ang dami ring s-in-end kanina. Na-trip-an lang.” Sumang-ayon si Bunny. “Oo, madamot ‘yon kahit sa mga ka-guild base sa nasagap kong chismis.” Hindi makapaniwala si Mia sa narinig. Sa halagang natanggap niya kanina ay hindi niya naisip na madamot ang tulad ni Tom. “By the way, we can do a punishment naman dito.” Ngumising tila may kakaibang gagawin si Bunny. Mia felt a different kind of nervousness. Actually, excitement also rush through her veins. “Sexy dance sa kung sinong matatalo.” “Hala!” react ni Mia. “No, no, I don’t dance.” Bunny shrugged. “Unless you can give me a big reward, that’s the only punishment I could think of that I want.” Bunny wasn’t doing it for herself though. Aware siya kung gaano kaganda at ka-sexy ang tulad ni Clarinet, and to make her dance live in their PK, this would attract a lot of people. Not only to gain followers, those viewers would surely send something as it pleases them. Men and their simple mentality. [Gusto kitang suportahan, Clarinet, pero gusto rin kita makita sumayaw.] [Sayang naman kung hindi natin mapapanood. Minsan lang ito.] Nadadagdagan nang nadadagdagan ang mga tao sa stream nila. Nag-eenjoy sa ka-sexy-han at kagandahan ni Bunny at Clarinet. [Kakatapos ko lang kay Dame, pero sige pa.] “What?” [Strawberry Lover kicked a user.] [Strawberry Lover: Don’t mind him.] As much as Strawberry Lover also wanted to see Clarinet dance, hindi niya naman gusto na lalo itong i-sexualize ng mga lalaki… but he’s really interested in seeing her dance. ‘No, must fight evil thoughts.’ [Strawberry Lover sent a Shooting Star x10] [Strawberry Lover sent a Rocket x3] Nauubos na ang pera ni SL, pero kailangan niyang gumastos kung ayaw niya na mangyari ang gusto niya rin naman na mangyari. “Hahayaan niyo bang matalo ako?” Bunny urged her supporters. She also knew how to poke Mia’s fans. “Ako, kahit manalo, pwede niyo ako makitang mag-sexy dance, pero si Clarinet…” Napailing siya. “Mukhang malabo.” That triggered the men to send more for her. Samantalang may iilan pa ring nagbibigay kay Mia. She was starting to lose hope. Ayaw niyang sumayaw, at sinasabi iyon ng mukha niya, pero lamang pa rin kaysa sa kanya si Bunny. Tom entered the live stream… out of curiosity, using another account. Saktong-sakto ang dating niya dahil binanggit muli ni Bunny kung ano ang magiging punishment sa matatalo, and he couldn’t bear the first girl to catch his attention in this app to lose. #Chapter 5 ‘Fuck,’ Tom whispered to himself. ‘Ano ‘tong ginagawa ko?’ His question was not to stop himself, but more likely, to contemplate whether he was still doing the right thing. Why is he willing to spend so much money for this girl? ‘Ayos lang naman siguro, minsan lang naman ako gumastos saka kailangan ko na rin ng magagastusan. Kaya nga ako nagtatrabaho,’ pang-uuto nito sa sarili. He just recharged 500,000 coins for this live stream. Para lamang hindi matalo si Clarinet. SL also did the same. Parehas sila ng rason. Parehas sila ng pinoprotektahan. Magkasunod na nag-appear ang dalawang mamahaling regalo: isang triple cruise ship na nagkakahalaga ng 300k at isang carousel na 50,000 coins. [Tangina, ang yayaman ng mga tao. Hindi ko afford.] Nanlaki ang mga mata ng dalawang magkalaban. Both of them were not expecting this challenge to be this competitive. It was supposed to be a friendly game meant to also increase Mia’s popularity, pero ngayon, it was more than
Chapter 6Once again, Mia has finished another PK with a host, but this time, kitang-kita ang lamang niya sa resulta. Mia won; she killed another host Gaya ng sa mga laro sa video game, their screen displayed an effect. Sa side ni Mia ay nakalagay ang malaking banner na “Winner” with effects. Naglalaglagan ang confetti mula sa itaas ng kanyang screen, mas naging lively ang kulay ng kanyang itsura samantalang sa side naman ni Bunny ay nagkaroon ng kulay pulang banner. Nakalagay ang salitang “Loser” at may mga umiiyak at malulungkot na emojis na naglalabasan. Bunny’s side turned greyscale. It was as if someone died on her side. She didn’t notice this earlier nang natalo laban kay Tom.Nagliwanag ang mga mata ni Mia. “Wow, may paganito pala.”A moment passed at bigla na lamang naging black ang screen ni Mia. She was about to panic when it reverted back to solo live streaming. Marahan siyang natawa sa pagkatarantang naramdaman. [Ang cute talaga ng host, napakainosente kung umasta.][Kay
Chapter 6.2An entrance effect disturbed Mia’s attention to what Tom said. It was Taylor Reed! The guy who helped Trojan Virus won the PK. The leader of their guild.‘What is he doing here?’ Mia asked herself.He has no reason to be here. He only joined earlier because of the PK with her guild mate, so how come he found her live again?“Taylor Reed.” Hindi niya namalayang napalakas ang pagkakasabi niya that even her viewers heard her.[He’s the leader in Tom’s guild.]“Ah.” It’s as if a bulb lit up above her head. “The one who sent an expensive gift to help his friend won.”Tom, in his defense, commented. [I believe they are not friends. They’re just members in guild.]“Really?”Taylor Reed saw Tom’s comment and immediately sent a reply. [Yeah, he’s not my friend. We just met in that guild, and I’ve been helping him win because I don’t want a member of mine to look pathetic in front of others.]Napakunot ng noo si Mia. Hindi niya alam kung jino-joke time lamang ba siya nitong si Taylo
Chapter 7: Tom[Tiny Avenger: Your life is more important than any gifts.]She was just reading what he said when he typed in another. [Tiny Avenger: Don’t think about the amount of what I give you. You should worry less for my gifts and more from what you receive from others. I can assure you that I would not do something dangerous.]Habang ang iba ay kinilig, si Mia ay sinusubukang isipin kung bakit ganito na lamang kabait sa kanya si Tiny Avenger pati na rin si Strawberry Lover. She was lucky to find these two guys who were there to guide her as a beginner. Sigurado siya na ang ibang host ay hindi naman nakaranas ng ganito.“Ang bait talaga ni Tiny Avenger,” sabi niya. “Ayaw mo talaga mag-on ng mic para mas madali tayong makapag-usap?”It’s more convenient to chat with someone directly, without having to wait for them to input their reply and read it.[Hindi na. I prefer it this way.]Of course, Tom couldn’t afford to expose himself after what he did to her earlier.[Will you be p
Chapter 7.2: TomMia’s followers skyrocketed just for a few hours of being online. From having none to having one to almost half a thousand, and 50 of them are subscribed to her as a fan. She’s really off to a good start.“Mag-a-out na muna ako. Bye~” Nagpaalam siya sa kanila. “See y’all tomorrow.”She closed the live streaming and heaved a heavy sigh. It was both from exhaustion of having to chat and entertain them and also fun. Maswerte siya sa mga naka-interact niya ngayon.Naisipan niyang i-check ang income niya sa Diamond Hub. If she wanted to withdraw it now, she could, and with the amount she earned today kahit na ilang oras pa lamang nilaan niya, she thought to herself that she wouldn’t need to work eight hours a day in an office. Ngayon pa lang, ang katumbas na ng makukuha niya ay higit pa sa isang libo. She was relieved. She did not waste her time. Kumita na siya at nag-enjoy pa.“Thank you, Lord!” She brought her hands together, her palm firmly pressed against each other. “
Chapter 8: Host is a SingerMia did as she planned nang matapos niyang kausapin si Tom, but she added more on her agenda that would help her grow more in the Diamond Hub.She delved into the world of live streaming like the application she was using. There were a lot that she could have logged into instead of Diamond Hub, but this was the one recommended by her friend before. Saglit siyang napaisip, paano kaya kung hindi ito ang pinili niya o hindi niya man lang sinubukan, would she experience that kind of fun like earlier? Would she have met people who would be willing to help her gain more gifts?She was deep into the thoughts. Kahit ilan pa ang makita niyang halos kaparehas na app, she was happy she chose the current one although she was just now discovering that other than the dangerous thing her viewers were telling her earlier, mayroon din pala ang mga bastos gaya na lamang ng mga tao na ginagamit ang platform upang doon ipakita ang mga kink nila. There were men and women who tr
Chapter 8.2: Host is a Singer “Hindi siya sayaw,” saad ni Mia nang bahagya ng kumakalma mula sa kahihiyan. “I’ll be singing.” Binanggit niya iyon nang diretso ang titig sa camera. That’s when the viewers that their host is serious about it. [This woman is full of surprises.] [Shh, guys, ‘wag kayo maingay. Kakantahan ako ng labidabs ko.] [Nai-imagine ko pa lang na haharanahin niya ako, kinikilig na ako.] [Naka-on na screen record ko, Ganda.] [Strawberry Lover: Go, DC! Galingan mo!] Seeing the viewers eagerly urging her to start, she felt the familiar wave of nervousness creeping back in. Napalunok siya habang unti-unting namumula ulit ang mukha niya, lalo na’t ramdam niyang nakatutok lahat ng atensyon sa kanya. They kept encouraging her, completely unaware of how her embarrassment was growing by the second. Pero kahit na gusto niyang umatras at magtago na lang, wala na siyang choice—dahil siya rin naman ang nagdala sa sarili niya sa sitwasyong 'to, kailangan niyang panindigan ka
Chapter 8.3: 4-person PK Pagkatapos mawala ng connection nilang dalawa, Mia followed Bunny and found her on the live she was talking about. The 4-person PK was still being conducted. Sikat na sikat ang mga gano’n lalo ngayon lalo na madali itong makita sa homepage ng platform kahit na hindi na i-search. There are four female hosts in the live stream. All of them were pretty, all of them have different styles. One had a clean girl look, the other has a tita outfit. The other one on the lower left has a goth style samantalang nakapantulog pa ang isa nilang kasama. The Lavender that Bunny was referring to was the one in a clean girl make up. Wearing a black haltertop that’s obviously backless, it almost seemed to the audience, too, that it was a piece of handkerchief. She looked pretty, probably because of the amount of filter covering her face that you can’t easily identify which are her real face features. Curled in big waves, she tied the upper part of her hair behind and neatly pla
Chapter 36.2: Sore to their EyesWhile the two of them were busy dancing, Strawberry Lover volunteered to give them compensation for losing.[Strawberry Lovee gifted Marjorie Vermouth a Castle x1.][Strawberry Lover gifted Sky Cruiser a Castle x1.][Strawberry Lover gifted Notorious Potato a Castle x1.][Strawberry Lovee gifted Lavender Grace a Castle x1.][Strawberry Lovee gifted Councillor Jinbai a Castle x1.]Hinahabol ng dalawa ang hininga nang matapos na ang sayaw. Habang nagpupunas ng pawis, nakita ni Lavender ang paglutang ng kastilyo sa kanyang screen at pinilit na magpasalamat. "Thank you, Dragon Clarinet, for the compensation!"Councillor Jinbai scrolled through his phone and saw the gifts. He nodded, amused. "Swerte mo kay Strawberry Lover, Dragon Clarinet. He is your number 1 fan indeed. I envy you."Mia noticed it late that Strawberry Lover was the one who sent gifts to her competitors. As she was fixated on seeing them enjoy the punishment that she thought it was Tiny Av
Chapter 36: Starlink, the Naughty HopperOnce again, for winning the game, she took the time to say her words of thanks to the people who made it possible. "Thank you, Baby Strawberry Lover. Thank you, Baby Tiny Avenger. Thank you, Baby Ice Ice Baby, Fayde, Hater ni Trojan Virus, and Starlink..."Inisa-isa niya talaga ang nasa listahan pati na rin ang mga naalala niya pang pangalan upang pasalamatan sila. Her mouth dried from talking, she had to drink water. She was careful this time, remembering the choking that happened earlier.Marjorie cursed at the wind. "Can't believe that I would lose in the end."The other hosts also expressed their gratefulness to their own supporters, but Marjorie, after that, was frustrated at the result of the PK. Compared to her competitors, siya itong may pinakamaraming pwedeng magbigay ng regalo. She was expected to win as she had the highest points until the last minutes, not when Dragon Clarinet overthrew her with the help of Fayde. That guy! Why did
Chapter 35: How can She Win?[Hey, Dragon Clarient, titig na titig?][That's why many viewers like Lavender. She's really sexy. Sinong lalaki ang hindi maaakit d'yan?][Host, dapat gayahin mo siya.]Lavender has rose to the ladder. She danced like the gifts were following her movements. Mia felt her disappointment. She aimed her attention at somewhere else only to realize that she's now at the bottom of the ranking. Si Sky Cruiser kasi, iba man ang kasikatan kumpara sa dalawang babaeng kasama nila, pero ang mga fan niya naman ay maaasahan talaga.Her sadness was obvious. "Mukhang talaga na ako, pero sino kaya ang mananalo? Aasa na lang ako sa compensation niya."[Dragon Clarinet, no giving up yet.][Kaya mo 'yan, host!][Excello gifted you a Red Apple x10.][Excello: I'll give you everything I have, Dragon Clarinet. Huwag ka panghinaan ng loob. Hindi tayo matatalo.][Tiny Avenger: I'll be right back, baby. Maghahanap ako ng mga tutulong sa iyo.]Her fans were really taking this small
Chapter 34: A Multiplayer PK with the Queen Sky Cruiser's delight couldn't be hidden when he heard Marjorie's idea. He rubbed his palms together and smirked like a devil. "Never thought that a day would come na puro magagandang hosts na ang makakasama ko. Ma, sikat na 'ko!" [Amats talaga 'tong si Sky Cruiser e. Manalamin ka nga para makita mong hindi ka bagay d'yan.] [Baka nag-a-assume ka na na pogi ka kaya ka nila kasama, ha? Huwag. Masama ang nananaginip nang gising. Kung hindi ka pa rin magising, halika rito sa amin, untog kita.] [Saludo talaga ako sa confidence nitong lalaking 'to.] Because they were not reading the comments, they couldn't care less. Lavender aimed to look good at the camera. She brushed her hair to the sides and put on a small smile. "Queen, please put up a fair fight. We know how the PK would end, but at least, be gentle with us, or else, I would be hurt." Umiling-iling si Marjorie sa sinaad nito, natatawa. "Hey, I'm not that bad. Also, come on, Lavender. W
Chapter 33.2: Guild Picking[If I may ask, what is the point system that the Queen just mentioned?][Strawberry Lover: The pojts earned by the hosts through live streaming does not entirely go to their account. They contribute half of it to the platform. Thus, the remaining points were the only withdrawable, but if you have a guild, depending on their rank or wealth in the Diamond Hub, this can change. For example, like what Marjorie said, their condition is 50 plus 10 which means that the original fifty percent that is received by the host will have an additional ten percent from the original fifty percent that should've been given to the platform. In short, it becomes 60-40.][Ooh, so mas maganda pala talaga kapag may guild ka kaysa na magsolo ka. Ten percent din 'yon na dagdag.][Maganda talaga benefits lalo na kung isa ka sa mga bigating host dito, pero kung halimbawang maliit ka lang, parang ikaw pa lugi kasi walang gano'n kondisyon na additional percent mapupunta sa iyo. Sa hali
Chapter 33: Guild Picking[Marjorie Vermouth: We can talk later, or we could connect right now, my dear. Tell us kung anong guild ang mapipili mo, so we would not expect.]Mia took the opportunity to agree with them. As she was alsoplanning to pick a guild to join nowz ghis was a great fhance especially that the guilds offered to her are all good. This was also her time to know them better.Sky Cruiser opened a panel for six people. Unang napunta ang mga tingin ng dalaga kay Marjorie Vermouth. Her features explained why she is known as the Queen of Diamond Hub. The parts of her face were very defined. Her almond eyes are even more highlighted by a black eyeliner brushed by red eyeshadow and glitters. Her nose, although pointed, were at the right size, and her cupid bow shape lips were tinted in the shade of rose pink. Nakabagsak sa balikat niya ang naka-wave curls na blonde na buhok na nakahati sa isang gilid. Sporting a blue square neck top and gold clover leaf necklace, it suited he
Chapter 32: The Bad Host[Sky Cruiser: Miss Clarinet, check DM, may sasabihin lang ako sa iyo.][Marjorie Vermouth gifted you a Crown x10.]8[Marjorie Vermouth: There, a crown, 'cause you are a queen.][Marjorie Vermouth: I also need to talk to you. Mine is more important than him.][Councillor Jinbai: Me, too, host. Baka pwede kang makausap after my live mo. Sa iba d'yan, baka gusto ninyong pumila?][Lavender Grace: Miss Dragon Clarinet, free ka ba mamaya?][Pagdasal niyo na lang na mapili kayo ng host.]Bukod pa sa mga nauna ay marami pang nagsulputan sa comment section na kakilala ng dalaga. Mayroon sa mga ito ay hindi niya kilala at ang iba ay talagang sikat pa.Her wondering eyes looked questionably at their chats. "Bakit lahat kayo, biglang gusto akong kausapin?"[Tiny Avenger: Because you are now a good attraction to them.][Ito kasi 'yon, Miss. Sikat ka na kasi tapos wala ka pang guild kaya naman marami talagang maghahanap sa iyo para ma-recruit nila ang gintomh tulad mo.][A
Chapter 31: Rich Strawberry Lover[Sobrang saya ni host. Paano ba naman, ang daming kinita kagabi.][Finally, nag-live ka rin. Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay. Nagtataka kami kung ano bang mayroon sa iyo bakit ka pinagkakaguluhan.][Ganitong mukha na ba tipo ng mga mayayaman ngayon? Ang simple lang naman. Makikita mo nga 'to araw-araw e.][Was asking the same question. She looks plain. Bakit naisipan ni Taylor gastusan 'to ng malaki?][Ordinary faces slay now. Ewan ko ba sa nanay ko bakit hindi ako binigyan ng ganitong mukha.]It's common sense to know that the more people you interact with, the more you learn that not everyone will like you. There will be your supporters, but some will also be too jealous of you. Sa halaga ng kinita ni Mia kagabi, alam ng marami na may mga darating talaga para lang ipahayag ang inggit nila sa tao.Although she understood where they're coming from, Mia's face couldn't hide the dislike for their sour comments. [Where the Wildflower Blooms: Ang aga pa ng
Chapter 30.2: The Hater who CaresMia did not check the messages from her group chat after that. Wala siyang ideya na pagkatapos ng huli niyang message ay si Tiny Avenger naman ang naging topic. He must be wondering why, but she couldn't face him properly without feeling awkward from what he said yesterday.[Tiny Avenger: It’s not winning or losing that I care about, baby. It’s you.]She could hear his voice which makes it harder for her to forget and not make it a big deal. If only he was like Fayde or Taylor... but Ting Avenger was built different. He was straightforward and sweet to him. However, Mia had her intentions clear in this platform. Her main goal was to earn money and not interact with others outside of Diamond Hub. Her interaction with Tiny Avenger before ended with that. Now, she planned to be strict on keeping distance from him to not create any confusion.Before afternoon hits, the parcels containing the equipments and clothes she ordered were delivered on her buildi