The Protagonist's Party is Too Diligent

Today’s stream ended early. Even though we finished moving by around two in the afternoon, moving was still moving — and Mia hadn’t fully recovered her strength yet. Honestly, even though I felt fine for now, I had a bad feeling I’d be sore all over by tomorrow.

Still, since everyone understood how exhausting moving was, there weren’t many complaints about ending the stream early.

When I came out of my room after finishing up, I realized just how cramped our old place really was. Even though my old one-room in Seoul was considered fairly spacious, the living room of this three-bedroom apartment felt way bigger. The kitchen wasn’t stuck to the living room either — it was in its own separate space.

Having a bigger house wasn’t just about alleviating the pressure of so many people living together.

We could store our stuff more efficiently, and the overall look was neater. Most importantly, there was finally a huge, unobstructed wall.

Enough to mount a huge TV.

I wasn’t the type to watch TV much. Normally, I used online streaming services for movies, and it was the same for anime or dramas. I was never someone who felt awed by a big screen, and I rarely felt the need to go to a movie theater.

But even so, having a giant TV had one undeniable advantage.

It was perfect for gathering everyone together to watch something.

Back in the one-room, it was awkward trying to gather and look at the same screen. We had to crowd around the computer monitor — and while it felt big enough when used alone, it was tiny when all of us tried to watch together.

Usually, we’d end up each looking at our own phones instead. But not anymore.

Now we could gather ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) in the living room, throw on a movie on the giant TV, and just relax together. It was like a scene out of a movie itself.

"Why are you sitting on the floor even though we have a sofa?"

As I was laying out a blanket in front of the sofa and sitting down, Charlotte asked, sounding genuinely curious.

For the record, Charlotte herself was sitting properly on the sofa.

"Because I lived sitting on the floor for a long time."

"I get that... but then why bother buying the sofa at all?"

"...Because sometimes I do want to sit on the sofa."

I had no choice but to answer that way.

Normally I preferred sprawling out on the floor, but if I needed to sit for a bit, it was more comfortable on the sofa.

The others, who weren’t used to floor living — especially Charlotte and Mia, who were still adjusting — looked so grateful to have a sofa in the house.

Alice had claimed a spot on the sofa, while Claire sat with me on the floor.

Since we laid out blankets and had extra throws nearby, it didn’t feel cold at all.

"Well, every country has its own way of doing things."

"That’s true, but still..."

Tracing back through history, our country originally had a floor-sitting culture, but furniture like sofas and dining tables had been introduced and settled in over time. Not that it mattered much now.

Sitting like this made me feel really at ease.

I thought about why that was, and realized — it was probably because this was my house. When you’re renting, no matter how nice the landlord is, there’s always that pressure that you’ll eventually have to leave. Maybe that’s why so many people, even at great cost, strive to buy their own homes.

Now, though... I had the house. And no real reason to worry about money anymore.

"......"

After a moment of thought, I spoke up.

"Everyone, would you be interested in getting a driver’s license?"

"A driver’s license?"

Claire’s eyes lit up immediately.

"We’ve already confirmed your resident IDs are real. If you want, you can get a driver’s license anytime. Until recently, I thought about the cost and whether it would even be useful, but now... we have enough money to get licenses and even buy cars."

When I explained, Charlotte and Alice’s eyes also brightened with interest.

Though their intentions were probably a little different from Claire’s pure curiosity about driving.

In the Empire, strict aerial vehicle regulations still existed, and Belvur hadn’t fully embraced automobiles yet. To develop, they’d need to create and revise laws one by one.

Learning it firsthand would be an invaluable experience.

"Um, I..."

"If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. We usually move together anyway, and there’ll be someone who can drive you."

"Yeah! I’ll drive you anywhere you want!"

Claire, who didn’t even have a license yet, declared confidently. Mia’s eyes wavered anxiously at that.

It would be fine, though. Claire seemed energetic and wild, but she was a model student who followed rules carefully.

Even if she sometimes walked right up to the edge.

"What about you? Are you going to get one?"

"My old license is gone, so I’ll have to get a new one. Honestly, even back then, I barely ever drove. And after spending years in Azerna without driving, it’s probably better to relearn from scratch anyway."

"Then let’s think about it later."

"Yeah. We gathered here to watch a movie, didn’t we?"

Ah, right.

The TV screen was still frozen on the streaming service's movie selection menu.

"Wait! Just a sec!"

As I reached for the remote, Mia suddenly shouted and jumped up.

She dashed to the kitchen and came back carrying an armful of something.

With her tiny body barely managing to hold it all, she dumped it on the empty seat of the sofa.

Popcorn. All kinds of popcorn.

"I heard it’s good to eat while watching movies..."

Mia said shyly, her cheeks a little pink.

"It’s the classic choice."

I answered with a laugh.

*

"......Everyone. Are you not going back to your rooms?"

After the movie ended, I figured I’d hang out a little longer in the living room before heading in.

Watching not just movies, but other videos on the big TV was nice too. Especially being able to lie half-reclined and still see the screen perfectly.

Just like my dad used to do — lying around, watching TV until he dozed off. I thought I’d do the same.

But none of the others were moving.

Even though we had set up proper beds. All single beds too, carefully arranged to fit.

Claire, Alice, and I shared a room that was packed to the brim, but it was still livable.

"Huh? What about you, Sis?"

"I don't mind just falling asleep here."

"Really? Then I’ll stay here too!"

Claire tilted her head, copying my words almost exactly.

"I’m not sleepy yet either. I was planning to watch whatever you wanted to watch before sleeping."

"..."

With Alice saying that too, I had no counterargument.

All the money was in my bank account, and the house was under my name — But I had no intention of acting like some tyrannical landlord.

This was our shared home. While we were here, we were like five sisters.

"If you three are staying, it feels a little weird for just Mia and me to go to our rooms..."

Hmm...

If only two people were left, it might be fine for three to go to their rooms. But if it was me and Alice, or me and Claire, then only one would leave — and if it was me and Mia or Charlotte, again, only one person would go.

Basically, if I stayed, the dynamic got weird no matter what.

"I’m fine sleeping right here on the sofa."

Mia, now boldly resting her head on Charlotte’s lap, chimed in.

"... At least come down to the floor. You might fall off."

"Then should we just bring blankets out here? If we’re all going to sleep here anyway?"

"..."

Claire’s suggestion left me utterly speechless.