The beginning of Fall
The Celestial Project's new song was released.
Since there hadn't been any updates for quite a while after the first single, the announcement drew a lot of attention.
[Evaluation of the new Celestial song]
The song might be divisive, but for viewers who've watched Celestial Project members' streams, there's no better track.
The lyricist is someone I've never heard of, but whoever it is, they must've watched the streams.
Especially Miro's part—absolutely top tier.
For real, Miro's part is addictive
? lol it's just trash, only weebs would like it
ㄴ Did you even read the OP's post?
ㄴ Doesn't matter how trash you think it is, it made trending vids lol
[But why is Miro so embarrassed? lol]
Yeah, the lyrics are kinda like that, but she sang it fine in the recording—now she's acting like she's having a meltdown lol.
For real, she looked like she hated it
Her embarrassed look is hot though
She doesn't even watch her own YouTube, so of course she can't stand her own song lol
[Why does this "one-trick trending" song hit so hard if it won't even chart?]
If it's only gonna hit trending vids, how's it any different from a cover track lol.
Take that back…!
This time it might chart
ㄴ Might chart my ass, last time it dropped like a rock lol
ㄴ Why so mad bro? Just enjoy the song
ㄴ Enjoy what? Seeing these VTuber chicks selling cringe and pretending it's music pisses me off lol
ㄴ …Never mind, just good luck to them
For real, this guy's foaming at the mouth lol
ㄴ Like Miro punched him or something lol
Oh look, it charted, dumbass lol
ㄴ What charting? You're full of it lol
ㄴ No really, it just charted, idiot lol
ㄴ Wait, what?
ㄴ lmao
[Celestial Project's new song charts in real-time]
(Famous streaming site's real-time ranking list)
"45th place"
Ohhh, cheers~
Damn, that's impressive;
How'd it suddenly jump to 45th? Fake stats?
ㄴ Dude… rankings update all at once
ㄴ This guy, seriously lol
[Is this really the same awkward Celestial?]
Feels like just yesterday they had a few dozen viewers at auditions, and now they're huge.
Classic: people who only joined during the 1st single lol
Were they ever awkward? They've had The Six backing them from the start
ㄴ For real, they've had a booster rocket since day one
No other streamers have grown this easily
ㄴ Not exactly "easy"…
ㄴ What do you mean not? This is easy mode
ㄴ I'm a Mirodan and yeah, it's easy mode lol
ㄴ Coming from a Mirodan, that says it all
ㄴ She really is on easy mode lol
[Famous celebrity shoutout for Celestial]
(Male idol group member's Instagram story)
"Oh, now it's the insider's pick~"
Is this real?
ㄴ Of course, you think it's fake?
Who even is this? Some no-name idol? Why does it matter
ㄴ Seriously, if you don't know him, you need to go outside more
ㄴ And here are VTuber fans talking about going outside lol
The comments were harsh, but even so, the community was half in celebration at the news of a VTuber group charting.
And amid all that—
[But isn't this Miro?]
A post popped up, but…
Don't cross the line, you weeb fuck. Just keep praising, don't overstep.
It got buried quickly, probably thanks to bad timing.
***
A turbulent summer ended, and autumn began.
Our song charted.
Articles called us a new virtual idol group that successfully entered the charts.
A lot happened.
But to me, none of it really felt like it had much to do with me…
"What do you mean it has nothing to do with you?"
"Huh?"
"It's your achievement. Shouldn't you care a little?"
The manager looked at me like I was crazy, but I answered calmly.
"Is it? But isn't that Miro's song, not Soo-hyun's?"
"Sigh… Give it up already. The only person who cringes at that song is you, Miro-nim."
"My viewers say the same thing too, though…?"
"You know what's really going on. Why are you pretending otherwise?"
Yeah, yeah, I know.
I know full well they keep teasing me about the lyrics on my streams.
That I've gotten all sorts of nicknames.
All because I can't stand it.
But what can I do, if I really can't bear it?
"Besides, why are you acting like this now, when you already recorded it perfectly fine?"
"Doing it and watching it are two different things…"
It's like streaming. While I'm live, I'm fine—but afterward, I feel so embarrassed I can't even watch the VODs.
That's why I barely watch the videos uploaded on my own YouTube channel.
"Sigh. Figures. Anyway, never mind that. How do you feel about today's meeting?"
"I don't really know why I'm the one here, but… I am a little excited."
"What do you mean you don't know? You volunteered yourself."
"I took the fall as the youngest."
The day after the song was released, the manager posted in the group chat asking if any members could come to the office for a light meeting.
The meeting would be with some of the 2nd-gen Celestial Project applicants, the ones almost guaranteed to pass.
The idea was to sit in and ask them questions, pretending to be staff instead of revealing we were members—so we could give them the "senior" experience.
The manager added that it'd also make great future content.
But let's be real—what kind of people are the Celestial Project members?
Mostly homebodies who stream from their rooms.
So when asked if anyone wanted to come to the office for a face-to-face with potential juniors… of course no one volunteered.
Which meant, as always, the team's adorable youngest had to quietly raise her hand.
"Don't worry, it won't be difficult. It's just a light meeting, so I'll do most of the talking. You just chime in occasionally."
"Good, because if you dumped everything on me, I was planning to no-show."
"…Are you serious?"
"Oops, kidding! If you take it that seriously, what does that make me?"
"Miro-nim, your jokes are kind of hard to take as jokes."
…Why? Half the things I say are jokes. If it's hard to take them as jokes, then how have they been talking with me all this time?
"By the way, aren't you dressed a little too well for this?"
The manager frowned slightly at my stylish outfit, looking almost troubled.
To frown at me when I look this good—it's not something you see every day.
"Well, since it's the first time meeting the people who might become our juniors…"
This was basically a first meeting.
Sure, they wouldn't know I was Miro right away, but they'd find out later. Which meant that today's meeting would decide their very first impression of me.
And as a senior, shouldn't I leave a refined, dignified first impression?
Besides, the weather had cooled down, so I had an excuse to bring out some nice clothes I hadn't worn in a while.
"You're someone who knows your own looks better than anyone—so what if you clam up from nerves and can't even talk properly?"
"Well, that'll make for a good story to share on stream later."
"…Ha. I'm starting to think maybe we should've called Anna instead."
"Anna unni's face is all over the internet. If she came, they'd recognize her instantly."
"…Fair point."
"Besides, the other members? Their broadcast tone and their normal tone aren't that different. For something like this, I'm the perfect fit."
I'd come as the youngest, taking one for the team, but honestly, looking at it now—I really was the most suited for the job.
Only I, Miro, could tease the juniors face-to-face like this.
"…You're not wrong. Anyway, it's about time. I'll leave it to you."
"Yep, don't worry."
And so, the manager and I sat side by side, waiting for the 2nd-gen candidate to come in.
We were seeing two people today.
Not at the same time—one at a time, scheduled separately.
Who would come first?
According to the manager, one of them was supposed to be a bit introverted, and…
Knock knock—
Just then, someone knocked on the door, and a voice came from the other side.
"May I come in?"
Surprisingly husky voice.
"Come in!"
At the manager's response, the door opened, and a young woman stepped into the meeting room.
She saw me sitting beside the manager and flinched, but quickly composed herself and bowed politely.
"Hello! I'm Ha-bin!"
"Yes, yes, straighten your back and have a seat here."
"…?"
As I naturally gestured for Ha-bin to sit across from us, I could feel the manager's eyes on me.
Hey, you science-brain.
In times like this, it's best if a stylish, dignified woman like me takes the lead.
It wasn't what I'd said earlier, but seeing how nervous Ha-bin looked after spotting me, I knew this was the right call.
I'd be the face, the "hostess," while the manager took on the more professional role beside me.
"…How was your trip here, Ha-bin-ssi?"
After briefly glancing at me, the manager smoothly shifted back into composure and tried breaking the ice.
"Ah, the subway wasn't crowded, so I came comfortably."
"That's good to hear. Then, do you know why you've been invited today?"
"Um… I heard it was for a short meeting before final acceptance."
"That's correct."
Ha-bin's nervousness was obvious, written all over her face.
Wait—Ha-bin. That name sounds familiar. Where have I heard it before?
"Don't think of this as pressure. We just wanted a light Q&A before the final decision, so we invited you."
"I see… If there's anything you want to ask me, I'll answer everything I can."
Ooh. Nervous, but very eager.
So this is what a 2nd-gen candidate is like.
Well, given how fast Celestial's been growing, it's only natural she'd feel some pressure.
Now then… maybe I should ask a question.
Actually, I'd been wanting to try this one since before coming here.
"Then, what do you think of the 1st-gen members of Celestial Project?"
"…"
But the moment I asked, the air froze.
Huh?
What's this? Why did the mood suddenly shift?
Poke poke—
The manager nudged me in the side with his elbow. I must've asked the wrong kind of question.
I realized and was about to withdraw my words, when—
Ha-bin, who'd kept her mouth shut, finally spoke.
"…I feel a lot of things. Like, if I hadn't been rejected back then, I could be the one receiving so much love right now, and at the same time…"
Oh. She was an applicant in the 1st-gen auditions?
Now that she said it, something clicked.
Ha-bin… Ha-bin…
Ah. Right.
There was a name like that among the finalists back then.
I even remembered some viewers on the community boards complaining, asking why she hadn't been chosen.
Hmm…
And who was the last person chosen as a finalist back then?
…Yeah. That was me.
Ahh.
I wanted to go home.
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