Grievances
Summer was slowly coming to an end.
The cicadas that used to cry out every dawn, the nights where I couldn't sleep unless the air conditioner was on—those were all behind me now.
The leaves had begun to turn red, and when the sun went down, a cool, pleasant breeze flowed in through the open veranda window.
The sweltering heat that had tormented everyone was fading away little by little, and the season of reading and good food was approaching, carried by the crisp autumn wind.
[The music video production still isn't finished.]
The people involved with the Heavenly Project were now running around with their feet on fire.
Weren't they aiming for a refreshing "summer release" in the first place? But with the schedule dragging on longer than expected, autumn was already at the doorstep, and the song hadn't even been released.
This was going to end up being late to the party.
Personally, the song was really good.
From what I'd heard, there'd been some conflict on the music video production side.
"So when's it coming out?"
[I honestly don't know… We're pressing them as much as we can, but they're very fixated on quality.]
Focused on quality, huh… Well, in a way, that's good. It means they take pride in their work.
Though, technically, they're still people who are failing to meet their deadlines despite getting paid.
"They've got skill, but they're not professionals?"
[Yes, that's exactly it. No professional mindset. Deadlines are everything in this industry!]
The manager spoke in frustration, but I didn't think much of it. To be honest, even if our song came out in summer, it wasn't like it would suddenly become a smash hit and dominate the trends.
"Isn't it better this way? At least it won't get buried under other summer hits."
[You know, Miro, sometimes you're pretty cutting. Our higher-ups are actually placing their hopes on you for this release.]
Oh, that's information I didn't need. Why would the higher-ups pin their hopes on me?
"Could you tell them that kind of expectation is a bit much?"
[Hah, wouldn't they listen better if you said it yourself? You know better than anyone what expectations feel like, don't you?]
Wait—are they basing this off Miro 24/7? If they're using those unexpected viewership numbers as a benchmark, that's going to cause problems.
"That's troubling. I'm actually planning to scale back the viewership numbers."
[Excuse me?? Why?]
The manager's confused voice rang out from the other end of the phone.
Tsk. This is why you can't just sit behind a desk—you end up completely out of touch with the reality on the ground.
"It's too much."
Both the viewers and everyone else.
People think I'm some master craftsman who's perfected handling audiences, but I'm not.
Sure, I'm better at it than most.
But it's not like I have some innate charisma. I just flow with the audience's reactions, soft and flexible, like practicing Tai Chi.
But even that has its limits.
Honestly, even a few thousand viewers already felt like a lot. But when it suddenly jumped into the tens of thousands, cracks started to show everywhere.
And besides, with streaming, what matters isn't a sudden spike in numbers.
It's having a concrete core audience that'll stick with me no matter what I do. That's the true strength of streaming.
[Well, if that's how you see it, then that's how it is.]
"You're not going to argue?"
[Would you listen if I did? Honestly, you know this better than I do.]
As expected of the elite manager who handles all six members—their ability to accept things is impressive.
[By the way… I saw you on that variety show.]
"Ah, you watched it?"
[Of course. I knew in advance, so I made sure to catch it live.]
As one of the few who knew I had featured on Hyunsoo's song, he'd made a point to watch.
Come to think of it, even my vocal academy teacher had contacted me, saying he'd seen it.
I'd quit when I moved, and honestly, that was a bit of a regret.
[Watching you, I couldn't help but think—what a waste.]
"Why?"
[If only the higher-ups had approved it back then… The attention the Heavenly Project's second album would've gotten would be massive.]
Oof… If that had really happened, the pressure would've been unbearable.
"In that case, I probably would've just closed my eyes and given up."
[You? Feeling pressure?]
"What, you think I'm not human?"
[Come on, you've got a freakishly strong mentality. Do you realize you're the only member I've spoken to on the phone who hasn't cried yet?]
"I do cry, you know. Like when I watch sad movies."
When it comes to streaming… maybe I just don't get as stressed as others.
[Maybe so. Still, I'd like to see it someday.]
"What, you want your artist to have something sad happen to them?"
[I meant tears of joy.]
"…I'll take your word for it."
Speaking of which, how's the recruitment for the second generation going?
From what I'd seen in the community, people didn't seem too hyped. I was worried the rookies might get hurt by negative reactions after debut.
Still, they're juniors—if they succeed, it's good for both them and me.
"How's the second-gen recruitment going?"
[The second-gen? Sigh… it's been rough.]
"Rough? That's surprising. I thought you'd say everything was fine."
[I only show that face to others. With you, I can be honest. The other members are all excited, you know.]
Well, of course they are. It's not like they'd worry about juniors joining—they'd just be happy to have some cute younger siblings.
Though, whether they'll actually be younger remains to be seen.
"So what's the issue? You always give us advice, let me return the favor this time."
[What an honor. The great Miro giving me advice—your fans would be jealous.]
"Maybe I should make it a stream content idea. Besides, aren't you already one of my fans? Don't you watch my streams while working?"
[I do. And it'd make great content. Your fans would love it no matter what.]
"They'd better. Anyway, come on—spill it. What's the problem with second-gen? Aren't they still in auditions?"
Didn't they say they wouldn't debut until next year? Around now, they'd probably be quietly running a few rounds of auditions.
[The competition's fierce… too fierce, actually. It's overheating.]
"Overheating?"
[Since the announcement about recruiting second-gen, the growth trend has been steadily climbing.]
"True enough."
The Heavenly Project was solid, even in my eyes.
The auditions drew attention, the company knew how to handle streamers, they had good direction, and above all, they had the sense to scout me, Miro.
They skimmed a cut of our revenue, sure, but in exchange, they actually provided solid support. And the biggest advantage? There wasn't really a credible competitor.
Originally, VTubing was mainly a Japanese or overseas thing, but with The Six's Heavenly Project, the culture had started spreading in Korea, and they'd successfully absorbed new fans just getting into it.
[And wasn't it proven during Miro 24/7?]
"Proven?"
[Yes—that Korean VTubers can pull in tens of thousands of viewers, just like the big-name streamers.]
Was it really that significant? Sure, the numbers had been high, but wasn't the company over-interpreting things?
"Isn't that an exaggeration?"
[You could also call it hopeful thinking.]
Ah.
"So the company and the second-gen candidates are seeing it that way?"
[Exactly. You catch on fast. Actually, I'm in that group too.]
Even the manager was that optimistic? Maybe it really was something big, then.
"Still, I don't know…."
[The problem is, with everyone thinking like that, the competition's become excessive. Even people who should be calming things down are pushing harder, saying they want to recruit the very best.]
"Isn't that a good thing? Overheated competition has downsides, sure, but it's effective."
The Heavenly Project was still in its growth phase.
It needed the momentum of talented recruits, even if there was some pain along the way.
[True. But finding your own identity isn't easy.]
"Right? It's tough to find and polish your individuality."
I, too, had found my own identity and made it my strength.
[So with competition this fierce, there's no time to develop individuality. Instead, they'll just copy the most successful case, won't they?]
No way…
Who would be considered the most successful case in the Heavenly Project?
Anna, who built a stable and successful channel?
Roa, whose fundraising power is overwhelming?
No—if you look from the perspective of others, it would be me, Miro, the one who pulled explosive viewership numbers.
"They'd try to copy me? Is that even possible?"
My first thought at hearing that was doubt.
Miro is just… me, after all.
[That's exactly the problem—because it isn't possible.]
"True, you can't just create a 'Miro.'"
How could anyone copy me? My life experience is something nobody else could ever replicate.
[Then what are Miro's defining traits?]
Traits?
If it were Kim Soo-hyun, I'd know for sure. But as the VTuber Miro….
"Sharp wit and situational awareness, quick decisiveness born of self-confidence."
[Unbelievable. Is that really how you've been evaluating yourself all this time?]
"…Then what is it?"
[A tightrope master with the heart of a beast.]
Wait—so that's how he saw me?
[It might be your concept now, but back in the early days, weren't you really walking the tightrope?]
"Well, it was risky, sure. But I never crossed the line."
[That's why you've managed to keep streaming without major problems. But the second-gen auditionees aren't like you.]
Ah, so what he meant was: there's a danger of producing a horde of uncontrollable, ultra-unlucky "pseudo-Miros."
[What's worse, even the ones who already have strong individuality are starting to get influenced.]
"That's full-on Miro-ism. Sounds like an ideology."
Not bad, actually. Everyone becoming my followers, forming the Miro Legion….
[Seriously… I'm terrified that the second-gen candidates might actually try to learn even that.]
"Don't worry. Someone like me, a Übermensch, isn't made—it's born."
[God, can I record this and play it to the audition candidates?]
"That might be… a bit much. Still, I'd like to show some senior dignity."
[Can I hang up now?]
"Haha, I hope you feel a little lighter now."
[Yes, all that's left in my troubled heart is rage.]
"Good luck."
Click—I ended the call first.
Yeah… managers really do have their own burdens.
And from the way he spoke, it seemed like he held responsibilities beyond just being a manager, which meant he had plenty to think about.
I should never become a manager.
A life being managed is far more comfortable than a life of managing.
Anyway, a manager's a manager—and now I had to get to my own work.
Since my parents weren't back yet, I played with Bokshil for a bit, then stepped into the soundproof booth.
I set up my stream gear with practiced ease and launched the game I'd prepared.
I'd played the earlier entries back when I was a guy, but I wasn't sure what the new one would be like.
Once everything was ready, I went live.
[Miro's Civilization First Look]
Since my last stream had been Miro 24/7, the moment I went live, the viewer count climbed even faster than before.
hi hi
What's on the schedule today?
I became a fan after watching yesterday's stream!
First time catching a live show.
The eager viewers, curious about today's content, were greeted with the slightly retro start screen of a strategy game.
???
What game is this?
lmao
oh no lol
pls no
It must've been famous—quite a few people recognized it right away.
"This is today's content."
Alright then—time to go for it.
Let's see how many can keep up.