“Regarding the rejection, it has been duly noted.”
He was in love with a certain woman. It was back when he was still a university student. After graduating from high school, he had gone abroad to study, but during his time there, he suffered from physical and mental health issues. Ultimately, he was forced to drop out due to a lack of credits. After returning home and spending several years in recovery, he transferred into another university. By the time he enrolled, he was in his late twenties. While he was supposed to be dedicated to his studies, he was haunted by an uncertain future, and the ailments he had developed abroad had not fully healed. His recovery did not progress as hoped.
With no clear graduation date in sight, he sought refuge in a particular game, becoming deeply immersed in it. The woman he loved was a streamer for that game. She was a professional gamer and a popular figure within the industry. His life changed completely after discovering her streams. He recovered enough to graduate from university, start a part-time job, and even obtain his driver’s license. For him, she was not merely an object of admiration; she was his emotional pillar.
She was highly skilled at the game and worked tirelessly to promote it through her broadcasts. While popular, she also attracted many “antis.” She was strikingly beautiful with a flamboyant appearance, but she also possessed a strong-willed, assertive personality. Perhaps because of this, her promotional activities were met with both praise and criticism. He had little interest in her detractors. Based on his own observations and reflections, he felt her assertiveness was a manifestation of her perfectionism, and perhaps also a mask for her lack of self-confidence. At her core, she was fundamentally earnest—even serious. However, the combination of her flashy looks and strong ego led to many misunderstandings regarding her work. Of course, he couldn’t have known the objective truth of her character, but to him, it didn’t matter.
She was beautiful. Beyond her physical appearance, he was deeply captivated by her approach to things—her earnestness and even her slight whimsy. Watching her skillfully handle formidable opponents in-game while providing clear, fun, and engaging commentary gave him immense strength.
One day, on a whim, he wrote her a love letter and sent it. More than three years had passed since then. Naturally, he never expected a reply. As he re-watched one of her videos, he found himself whispering aloud, almost unconsciously:
“Regarding the rejection, it has been duly noted.”
Surprised by his own formal tone, he drifted off to sleep.
