Became the Mother of Virtual YouTubers - Chapter 33

“The office is like a festival these days, Youngjun-nim.”

A staff member from the marketing team caught Youngjun as he was coming out of the break room.

On the monitor attached to the hallway wall, a video editing only the highlights from the Seasons members’ debut broadcasts was playing.

“Well, it can’t be helped. I didn’t expect them to blow up this quickly either,” Youngjun said with a slight smile.

“Spring-nim, Summer-nim, Fall-nim, and Winter-nim… I was worried that debuting four people at once would scatter the fanbase.”

“But looking at the results, it’s a great success. Don’t you think so, Youngjun-nim?”

“Haha. We definitely got off to a good start. Since their personalities and concepts are different. Thanks to that, it seems that they each took a good share of the viewership pie.”

“In particular, Winter-nim’s concert video is still a hot topic. It seems like some kind of challenge has been created, and the frequency of mentions in the community is overwhelming.”

The marketing team staff member made a fuss, saying that it was a debut broadcast of all time, surpassing even Han Ari.

Then Youngjun laughed and playfully shook his head.

He said that even if the number of views was higher, it should be considered that Winter was pushed by the company, and Han Ari rose up on her own.

Our Seasons aren’t world-class yet.

In fact, Youngjun also wanted to gush if he could.

He wanted to go somewhere and cheer that the 3rd generation hit the jackpot.

But he held back.

It’s still too early to get excited.

We can’t be satisfied with just getting off to a good start.

Seasons must have a long run like Astra, or even more.

‘Honestly, how much time and money did we invest?’

…It has to be.

Then the phone rang.

Youngjun’s expression brightened as he checked his smartphone.

“Hello? Jina-nim!”

This was a call he had to take.

“How is it, are you free this evening? I also mentioned it in the email, but I was hoping that Jina-nim, who worked the hardest, would definitely come… Ah! Of course, you don’t have to come if you feel burdened.”

He could almost hear the lukewarm voice coming from beyond the smartphone.

I guess she’s thinking, ‘Hmm, I don’t want to go out… but I want to have a free drink for once…’

After a short quarrel, Youngjun finally got the answer he wanted.

“Yes, yes! Of course. I’m taking… no, receiving the president’s personal card. Rather, it’ll be difficult if you don’t rip it off. Let’s drink to the point where the president grabs the back of his neck. Haha!”

He vaguely saw a future where Daon grabbed Youngjun’s tie and performed a neck-choking jiu-jitsu move.

But that’s a problem for future Youngjun to take care of. The current Youngjun doesn’t care about that.

“Yes, yes. I’ll send you the location right away. Then, I’ll be waiting.”

As soon as he hung up, the staff member who was watching from the side smiled.

“It seems like Jina-nim is coming to this company dinner too.”

“Jina-nim is the one who led the 3rd generation debut project to success. We have to invite her.”

Under the sign of a small izakaya restaurant located in a downtown alley.

Cosmo Live employees were gathered, chatting.

Today is the Seasons debut celebration company dinner.

Because it was a fairly successful debut, the company was in a festive mood.

To enjoy this atmosphere, they rented the entire store.

Of course, the rental fee was also paid with the Daon card, which is greater than the corporate card.

“Youngjun-nim, we’ve all come in, when is Jina-nim coming?”

“I heard on the phone that she’ll be arriving soon… Ah, she’s coming over there.”

It’s a new feeling, but this is the first time Jina is meeting Cosmo Live people other than Winter in reality.

Of course, Youngjun is the same.

Even so, Youngjun recognized Jina at a glance.

That’s because Jina’s appearance was so similar to the avatar she used in VR Chat.

“Wow-!”

Cosmo Live employees all clapped at Jina’s appearance.

“Welcome!”

“Jina-nim! Our company’s hero!”

“Seasons’ Mama!”

“You’ve worked so hard~”

As if these people had matched some kind of ensemble, they all clapped and greeted Jina at once.

Jina made a flustered expression, but chuckled.

“Well… it was a bit difficult this time.”

It was really hard work to pretend to be cool, saying it was nothing.

“Okay, okay. Let’s go inside. Oh, and it seems like the Seasons members won’t be able to come today.”

Jina looked puzzled at Youngjun’s words.

“It’s a little disappointing that all the main characters are missing. I guess it’s because they’re VTubers, so it’s a bit difficult to show their faces in public?”

“It’s not that…”

Youngjun scratched his head, then quietly sighed and said.

“I think they were properly stimulated after watching Winter-nim’s debut concert… It seems like they’re all planning new content.”

Jina gave a bitter smile at Youngjun’s words that Spring, Summer, and Fall were all squeezing out ideas for their plans outside of broadcast hours.

It seems like my work is really going to explode.

“Is Winter-nim also not coming for the same reason?”

Youngjun coughed awkwardly at Jina’s question.

“Ahem! Well… she said she would come at first, but when she heard that Jina-nim was coming, she suddenly changed her mind and said she couldn’t come.”

“Yes?”

“She said she’s still embarrassed to show her face, did something happen?”

“Haha…”

Jina let out an awkward laugh.

I think I know why Winter didn’t come…

…No, couldn’t come.

‘But she was broadcasting normally.’

Jina shook her head at Youngjun’s question of whether she had fought with Winter or if they didn’t get along.

Rather… it’s a problem because we get along too well.

“Okay, okay! Everyone, sit down in a comfortable spot.”

The inside of the store was already set up.

The most noticeable thing was the high-end sake bottles that were on each table.

‘Ooh… that’s usually not cheap.’

It’s a famous liquor that even Jina, who only knows soju and beer, knows well.

I don’t know the exact price, but I remember being surprised when I saw quite a few zeros on the price tag.

There are six bottles of that liquor just in sight.

Youngjun’s words that he would make Daon grab the back of his neck weren’t just bluffing.

As each person found their seat, small glasses were moved along the table.

Some were already joking about betting on who would get drunk first.

As it was a gathering for a good reason, the company dinner atmosphere was much more excited than usual.

“Has everyone filled their glasses?”

When Youngjun shouted softly, everyone raised their glasses high.

“I won’t say much. Everyone, eat and drink as much as you want, and leave when you want to leave.”

“Oooo- that’s already too long!”

“Haha, then let’s toast right away. For the long run of Seasons-“

“Cheers!”

Glasses lightly collided, and a drinking party that was too free to be called a company dinner began.

‘The atmosphere is definitely different from the lab company dinner.’

I was secretly worried.

For Jina, a company dinner was a place to watch the professor’s mood.

Of course, I thought that a company dinner at an MCN would be less formal, but… anyway, it’s an official company event.

But looking at the atmosphere of the pub, it’s just like people with similar hobbies came to a regular meeting.

“Youngjun-ssi! Have a drink!”

“Our general manager-nim! You have to take my glass too!”

The top target of this place is Youngjun, who is sitting across from Jina.

The glass is quickly filled without even having a chance to pick up the tuna sashimi on the table.

“Youngjun-nim, you’re very popular.”

“A lot of people got scolded by Youngjun-nim while this project was in progress. We have to take revenge, even if it’s in a small way.”

Ah, I see.

“Jina-ssi, weren’t you very tired while working with Youngjun-nim too?”

“Yes?”

“The feedback must have been very intense. Youngjun-nim is very picky.”

“…???”

“?”

The only feedback Jina received from Youngjun was awesome, crazy, perfect, and stuff like that.

For such a person to be picky, there was a temporary cognitive dissonance.

At that time, the pub door burst open and a loud voice echoed.

“Jjuuuun!! Where are you?! Come out right now!!”

A woman in a baggy hoodie, who looked to be in her mid-170s in height, was yelling, and it was more cute than scary.

“P, president?!”

Jina’s eyes widened in an instant.

If it’s the president… Daon?

So that person is… that Daon who uses the cute middle school girl avatar?!

“You, youuuuu!! I told you to rent the store, not buy the whole store?! What’s this credit card bill!!”

Daon snatched Youngjun by the collar and shook him back and forth.

“Are you crazy? Have you finally gone crazyyyy!!”

“P, president, calm down for a second… O, Jina-nim came today… I was a little too much… Uuup!”

Youngjun barely managed to speak with an expression as if he was about to throw up right away.

“What? Jina-ssi?”

Daon and Jina’s eyes met.

Daon threw Youngjun to the floor and stood in front of Jina.

“Hoo- you’re the Seasons’ Mama? We’re seeing each other for the first time in reality, other than in VR Chat, right?”

“Hello, I’m Jina.”

Jina got up from her seat and bowed to Daon, who was grinning.

“Wow, you look exactly like your avatar. You don’t need a separate cosplay.”

“Daon-nim is very different from her avatar.”

“I hear that a lot. Why, are you disappointed?”

“No. I like it even more.”

Daon laughed out loud at Jina’s words that this is a twist charm.

Daon naturally pushed Youngjun away with her foot and sat across from Jina.

Then, she poured a drink and lightly clinked glasses.

“Kkuu- this tastes good. It’s worth the expensive price.”

Jina burst into laughter without realizing it.

I can’t help but laugh because the cute middle school girl’s voice is exclaiming with a thick construction site vibe.

Is this… broadcasting talent?

“I really wanted to see you at least once. I’m so grateful. You’ve worked really hard.”

“I did have a hard time making four avatars.”

When Jina said nonchalantly, Daon smiled and slowly shook her head.

“That was hard work too, of course… but more than that, I’m grateful for giving ‘memories’ to Cosmo Live’s kids.”

Daon slowly turned her glass and lowered her gaze.

The tone of her voice was still playful, but there was a deep resonance somewhere.

“The fact that you renewed Mary’s 1st anniversary video and planted it on her old fan page… and Winter’s debut concert.”

The VTubers remembering their old memories and finding their original intentions.

Also, creating their own stage and freely unfolding their dreams on it.

Daon raised her thumb, saying that it’s all thanks to Jina-ssi.

VTubers are beings that make people dream.

Mama is a being that makes VTubers dream.

At the message Daon conveyed, Jina fiddled with her glass with an awkward expression.

“Well… I just made what I liked. That’s all I did.”

Daon smiled, saying that the streamers ultimately made the broadcast a success.

“The ‘that’s all’ that Jina-ssi said, is really difficult.”