LOVE IS NOT ENOUGH

Chapter 5: Wiyan's comments

As the stream rolled on, the chat buzzed with a mix of playful banter and flirtation. Kevin continued to dote on his girlfriend, teasing her about how lucky he was to have her by his side. The energy was contagious, and for once, Alex found himself fully absorbed in the moment, laughing along with Kevin's antics.

"Come on, babe, you know I'm the luckiest guy alive," Kevin grinned, shooting a charming glance at his girlfriend, who rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile.

"Lucky? You mean you're just incredibly smooth," she replied, her tone teasing. The chat erupted with hearts and praises for the couple, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere.

Alex, usually the one with a cool demeanor, surprised himself by leaning into the fun. He tossed in a few playful comments, making the viewers laugh, which felt surprisingly good. He felt the buzz of attention, and his confidence swelled. "You two are the definition of couple goals. Seriously, how do you even put up with him?" he joked, glancing at the screen with a smirk.

"I have my ways," Kevin's girlfriend replied, a playful glint in her eye.

As the chat continued, Alex noticed Wiyan had joined, but he felt a sense of detachment from the usual tension that accompanied his presence. He typed a casual "Hey, Wiyan," without a hint of irritation. It felt... refreshing.

"Hey, Alex! Glad to see you're in a good mood tonight!" Wiyan's message popped up, and Alex couldn't help but feel a strange thrill at the comment.

"Yeah, just trying to keep up with these two lovebirds," Alex replied, his tone light. He found himself genuinely engaging with Wiyan, a stark contrast to his previous annoyance.

Wiyan's response came quickly. "Well, you're holding your own. You look great tonight, by the way! Handsome as always but more pretty."

Alex's fingers paused over the keyboard. He didn't want to let Wiyan's compliment get to him, but the unexpected twist of being called "pretty" lingered in his mind. What does he mean by that? He felt a rush of heat to his cheeks, the warmth surprising him. "Thanks," he typed back, trying to play it off coolly. "Huh, I guess the lighting is just right tonight."

"Right lighting or not, you look good. Just saying!" Wiyan shot back, and Alex could feel the teasing energy radiating from the screen.

Kevin, blissfully oblivious to the subtle exchange, was still wrapped up in his own world. "Alright, guys! What's the most ridiculous thing you've ever done for love? Let's hear those stories!" he shouted, clearly hoping to keep the mood lively.

The chat exploded with responses, each more outrageous than the last, but Alex's mind was still stuck on Wiyan. Prettier? Seriously? He glanced at the camera, a teasing smile almost betraying the swirling uncertainty within him. He decided to lean into it. "I'll tell you what—if I ever do something ridiculous for love, you'll all be the first to know. But until then, I'll keep it cool."

The chat responded with a mix of laughter and playful accusations of being a "heartbreaker," and Alex found himself laughing along. Yet, Wiyan's words lingered in the back of his mind, a curious weight that didn't quite fit.

Wiyan's username lit up again. "Alex, since you're taking questions, what's something that always makes you smile? Come on, share a little!"

Alex hesitated, considering the honesty of the question. What does make me smile? He thought about his gaming sessions, the laughs shared with friends, and the feeling of connection he had been missing lately. Finally, he decided to share. "Honestly? Just good company and some solid banter. Nothing beats laughing with friends, right?" He glanced at Kevin and his girlfriend, their easy chemistry evident. "But a little compliment here and there never hurts."