Interview
Sitting quietly and watching the conversation between Seo Eunha and the manager, I felt like I could roughly tell what kind of person Seo Eunha was.
"So, I think the choice I made back then was the right one and, um… yes, actually, the whole concept of VTubers started in Japan, right? At the beginning, when a woman called herself a virtual idol, that defined everything…."
Could you believe that this talkative girl was the same person who had been mumbling so timidly just a moment ago?
Yeah, she was just a shy otaku.
With no experience in social life, she usually shrank away, but the moment a topic she knew came up, she spewed her knowledge like a broken faucet.
An otaku you could find anywhere.
I sighed inwardly and just nibbled at the snacks on the table.
There were a lot of things I wanted to ask too—in fact, I felt like I'd get along better in conversation with her—but…
I'd already caused trouble earlier in my interview with Ha-bin, so I kept quiet.
Still, there was one question I really wanted to ask, so I was biding my time.
"I see… your passion is clear. Then, after you pass, what kind of streams do you hope to do?"
"…Actually, I've always been so timid that I couldn't express myself well."
Yeah, that much I could tell without her saying it.
But then, what kind of stream was she planning that needed this kind of preamble?
"That's why, if I stream, I want to be completely honest and show my true self."
That mindset wasn't bad. After all, even if you try to hide it, the truth always comes out in the end.
Better to show everything from the start and build a solid audience who likes you for who you are. That benefits both sides.
Agreeing with her for once, I nodded. After hesitating for a moment, Seo Eunha added,
"…Like Miro-nim."
Hm? Like who?
"Ah, like Miro-nim…."
"Yes, she's my idol. In fact, I applied as a second-gen because of her. Seeing how she showed her confidence and honesty and was loved for it… it was just…."
Wait.
I suddenly wanted to shut my ears.
Because the very same Miro-nim she was talking about was sitting right here.
Do you mind keeping it down?
Hearing my own praises so bluntly like this was unbearably embarrassing.
"Well… Miro-nim is honest."
Even the manager beside me seemed a little flustered by her words.
But from what I'd observed, once Seo Eunha got going on a subject, she stopped noticing her surroundings.
"Really, that honesty that comes from confidence is the best… and her voice is so nice too. She sings well, handles her viewers well… while working toward becoming a VTuber myself, I researched a lot, and I think Miro-nim is truly amazing at handling her audience. I didn't realize it at first, but from a broadcaster's perspective… she's incredible."
Okay. I get it.
But now would you please stop?
My face might've turned red by now.
"Ah! Head Manager, do you also manage Miro-nim?"
At that moment, Seo Eunha asked the manager in the brightest voice I'd ever heard from her.
"Well… I do oversee all the first-gen members."
"Then… what is Miro-nim like off-stream? Is she the same as on broadcast?"
Uh—did you really just ask that right next to the person herself?
My eyes met the manager's for a brief moment.
We both glanced at each other, then locked eyes.
And in that instant—
I sent my thoughts through my gaze.
Choose your words carefully.
That girl clearly admires me—shouldn't you speak properly?
But the manager had known me too long.
This sort of look didn't work on him anymore.
"Hmm… well, yeah, she's pretty much the same."
"I thought so!"
"Shameless and always spouting nonsense."
"…Huh?"
Wait—what the hell are you saying?!
Look at Seo Eunha's startled eyes. We couldn't just crush this 20-year-old girl's innocent admiration like that.
"Head Manager, that was a little much."
I had no choice but to cut in.
Not for my sake—but for the sake of her innocent heart.
"By the way, who might you be…?"
Come to think of it, while she knew the manager, she probably had no idea who I was.
Then I had to explain.
"Oh, I'm Miro-nim's personal manager."
"…What?"
"He's the general manager, so he oversees everything broadly, but I handle Miro-nim's schedule one-on-one."
"R-really?!"
"Yes, I know everything about her schedule."
There was a bit of exaggeration there, but close enough to the truth.
"Oooh…."
"The general manager was joking earlier. Off-stream, Miro-nim is actually a little different."
"Oh, she is?"
"Yes, she's a bit more composed and considerate."
"Wow… really?"
"Of course, that doesn't mean her on-stream personality is fake. But I'd say she's actually calmer in real life."
I added a smile, and she turned red and looked away.
Yeah, yeah. This face really was dangerously persuasive.
And for a sheltered girl like her, that persuasion would hit twice as hard.
"If you have any more questions about Miro-nim, I'd be glad to answer them."
Originally, I was planning to ask her who her favorite among the first-gen was. But that question was unnecessary.
It was obvious this girl's oshi was me.
Go ahead and ask anything. I'd give her some fanservice.
"R-really?"
"Of course. Ask anything."
"Anything at all?"
I was willing to answer anything, but hearing her emphasize it like that suddenly made me nervous.
What on earth was she about to ask?
"Well, go ahead. If it's within my bounds, I'll answer."
"Then… um…."
Um?
"M-Miro-nim doesn't have a boyfriend, right?"
The moment I heard that question, alarm bells went off inside.
Ah.
This girl—no, this woman—was dangerous.
"…As far as I know, no."
I forced a poker face as I answered, and Seo Eunha's face brightened.
"Right? Really?"
"Yes, and I suppose you don't have any experience either."
"Haa… I see…."
Why does that sound like relief? Now it's really starting to feel scary.
Can't I just leave now? The rest of the interview can be handled by the manager, right?
As a first-gen senior in Celestia, it's not like I had any meaningful questions to ask anyway.
All I did was sit here, sweating buckets.
The second-gen already terrified me.
One because of the guilt I carry.
The other simply because they're frightening.
Did the manager sitting beside me notice the unease on my face?
He turned his head slightly, our eyes met, and he gave a nod.
Right, that must be the signal that I can leave now.
"Oh, look at the time already…."
And so, averting the gaze of the scary but promising junior who looked at me regretfully, I left the reception room.
It was exhausting. I should never get roped into something like this again.
More importantly, I definitely shouldn't mention what happened today on stream, right?
The manager said it could make for good content later, but honestly…
No way.
I'll never use this as material.
It's something best forgotten….
With those tangled thoughts in mind, I left the company and headed to Hyun-soo's studio for the first time in a while.
Come to think of it, ever since releasing that last album, he's been appearing on streams often, but hasn't started on a new album yet.
Of course, if he asked me to feature again, I wouldn't be confident about it.
He has a name for himself now—he'd probably use another professional singer instead of me.
Still, now that I can play full songs on guitar, won't he try busking somewhere?
I still can't forget the experience of performing back then.
Someday, I'd love to try it again.
If nothing else, maybe I could rope in the Celestia project members.
If we did a live band performance as a collab stream… wouldn't that actually be pretty good?
There's no way the audience wouldn't enjoy it.
Someday, I'll have to suggest it.
Thinking like a professional streamer about future content, I suddenly found myself right in front of Hyun-soo's studio.
Perfect—no one's around today.
If they'd been filming another variety show like last time, I would've turned right back around. Lucky me.
Holding the gift I'd bought in advance, I walked into the building, ready to surprise him.
Even in the hallway leading down to the basement, I could hear noise.
Sounded lively—something fun must be going on.
What's happening?
Now I was curious.
And where there's excitement, how could Miro possibly stay out of it?
Opening the door, I saw familiar faces.
Both Hyun-soo and Ah-young were there, along with Kang-hyuk and the other band members.
What's this, everyone's here?
And in the middle of them, a man I didn't know was smiling.
Who's that?
He didn't look ordinary.
And judging by the fact that he wasn't being outshone by Hyun-soo, he had to be someone in the entertainment industry.
From the flashy styling, maybe an idol.
Anyway, I'd opened the door.
And just like that, all eyes turned toward me.
Mm… being stared at like this felt a little overwhelming. What should I even say first?
"Uh… are you a friend of Hyun-soo's?"
The unfamiliar man asked me that as soon as he saw me. I thought for a moment, then opened my mouth.
"I'm Hyun-soo's sister."
"…Ah."
The stranger's mouth fell slightly open.
"Don't believe her."
Of course, thanks to Kang-hyuk immediately cutting in, his mouth snapped shut again.
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