Became the Mother of Virtual YouTubers - Chapter 86
On a spring day that felt hot instead of warm.
Jin Ha was making the summer music video as promised.
The work was going very smoothly.
Sipping a refreshing ice Americano.
Listening to the refreshing summer song on repeat.
Humming softly while creating a ‘world’ on the monitor brought immense joy.
Inside the world that Jin Ha created.
A dazzling avatar with red hair moved its body gently and cheerfully with a smile.
The brilliant lights and vibrant camera work filling the stage created a dazzling scene that combined with summer’s voice.
“I should have said that I would make both songs myself.”
Jin Ha checked the results with a satisfied expression.
Slowly playing the video at 0.25 speed, she meticulously identified any flaws.
As the final frame of the music video froze on the screen, Jin Ha took a light breath and leaned back deeply in her chair.
“Phew… This isn’t bad at all.”
The completion of the music video took longer than expected.
It was due to the lengthy process of creating a horror game for the spring and winter punishment content.
In the meantime, the song “I Absolutely Dislike That You’re Hurt,” also known as Yu Da-hee’s tribute song, had climbed into the top ten.
The music video, composed based on the highlights of summer’s broadcast, also rose in the rankings, regaining momentum once again.
On the other hand, the other song “Summer’s Time” had not received much promotion after its release, causing its rank to slip, making even chart entry precarious.
However, if the music video made by Jin Ha was uploaded to YouTube, it would naturally rebound in the rankings.
The quality of this video was that impressive.
Jin Ha closed her eyes for a moment to rest when suddenly she remembered the smartphone left abandoned on one side of the desk.
The silent setting default made it hard to pay attention during work.
“What’s this? I got a message.”
Checking the smartphone screen, she noticed a message from Young-Jun.
[Jin Ha, please contact me when you have time.]
It felt typically Young-Jun-like, concise and calm.
She needed to inform him that she had just completed the music video.
Leaning over the desk, Jin Ha leisurely tapped the screen to call Young-Jun.
After a short dialing tone, a familiar voice came through.
[Yes, Jin Ha. I’ve been waiting.]
“I just saw your text late. I was working until a moment ago.”
[Haha. I thought so. Is it okay to talk now?]
“Yes, I just finished working on Summer’s music video.”
Young-Jun let out a short exclamation of “Oh.”
[Actually, Summer has been asking about it continuously.]
“I’ve inconvenienced you, Young-Jun. Summer could have just asked me directly.”
[I’ve tried to say that, but they didn’t want to disturb Mama. They must have wanted to torment me instead.]
“You must have waited quite a bit. I’ll pass it on right away.”
After briefly exchanging pleasantries, it was just as Jin Ha was about to hang up the call.
[Oh, Jin Ha. By the way, have you received any contact from NiseLive?]
Young-Jun cautiously broached the subject.
“No? What’s come up?”
Upon hearing the name NiseLive, Jin Ha raised her eyebrows slightly.
[Actually… a few days ago, I received contact from NiseLive. They expressed a desire to schedule a meeting regarding work with you.]
She would have preferred to keep this information to herself.
But the other party was not the usual persistent folks.
Even if Young-Jun tried to intervene, they would surely find a way to contact Jin Ha.
Moreover, considering that Jin Ha was a freelancer rather than an exclusive designer for CosmoLive, blocking work from coming to her would be counterproductive.
“…Thank you for letting me know. I’ll check my email.”
Leaving behind Young-Jun’s voice filled with caution and regret, Jin Ha hung up and opened her inbox.
The inbox, which was checked only when someone (mostly Young-Jun) pointed it out, was marked with 999+ today.
Searching with the keyword “NiseLive,” she found an email from the regional manager in Korea.
The content expressed a wish for Jin Ha to take on a currently prepared project and that they hoped to arrange a meeting as soon as possible for discussions.
“Wow~ they have really grown. Receiving a love call from NiseLive.”
…But for some reason?
It didn’t feel particularly enticing.
When she first received a proposal from CosmoLive, a much smaller company compared to NiseLive, she was incredibly happy…
“Back then, I was worried about my livelihood.”
At that time, there were no options to choose from.
Now, she could choose work freely.
And to be honest.
The request from NiseLive felt like a task she wasn’t particularly inclined to take on.
“Large corporations generally have a demanding work process.”
Thinking back to the collaboration with Free Rose Lingerie still gives her a headache.
She had attended the first meeting with a prototype already completed, thinking she could make easy money.
“Too many trivial demands.”
As expected from a well-known company, they nitpicked every little thing.
For Jin Ha, the process had been rather tedious and challenging.
“CosmoLive is definitely the easiest to work with.”
However, apart from that tiredness, collaborating with NiseLive was surely an opportunity that should not be missed.
The origin of VTubers.
The empire of VTubers.
For Jin Ha, who is both a VTuber and a version of Bermi, NiseLive was a company she truly wanted to work with at least once.
“Should I consider meeting with them…”
Jin Ha muttered as she clicked the reply button.
*
“NiseLive, huh…”
She had expected such a day would come.
Given Jin Ha’s skills, even renowned companies and research labs abroad would drool over them.
Yet, Jin Ha was someone who was deeply immersed in VTubers. She felt a certainty that she wouldn’t easily waver in the face of most love calls…
But suddenly, NiseLive, the strongest player in the same industry, began to seriously target Jin Ha.
“They must be trying to tie Jin Ha to an exclusive contract.”
They desperately wanted to keep her, but they had no means.
Honestly, what CosmoLive could offer Jin Ha was limited.
When it came to monetary compensation or contract conditions, CosmoLive could never compete with NiseLive.
Of course, that didn’t mean they could just stand by and let Jin Ha go.
Young-Jun let out a short breath, stood up, and headed to the president’s office.
Upon reaching the door, he lightly knocked, and Daon’s bright voice came back.
“Come in, Jun.”
As Young-Jun entered the office, Daon shifted her gaze from the monitor and looked at him through her blue light-blocking glasses.
“What’s up? You look serious.”
Young-Jun closed the door and slowly sat down in the chair.
“President, it seems like NiseLive is trying to contact Jin Ha.”
“NiseLive?”
Daon’s expression hardened slightly.
She understood the weight and meaning behind that name better than anyone.
“Sure, I did think it was about time for them to reach out to Jin Ha. It might even be a bit late.”
“They are a large corporation. Their size probably made it difficult for them to act hastily.”
“In any case… what’s the plan?”
“It seems the branch manager wants to propose a meeting. They will likely seek to expand collaboration with Jin Ha starting from this project.”
Daon removed her glasses and placed them on the desk, pressing her brows together.
A brief silence passed, and she quietly sighed before asking.
“So, what do you want to do?”
“Of course, I want Jin Ha to continue working with us just as she has been. But…”
“Strictly speaking, Jin Ha is a freelancer. She’s been working with us as if she were exclusive, which we are very grateful for.”
“I understand it’s difficult to retain her. Realistically, we cannot offer more than what NiseLive presents. But…”
“But?”
Young-Jun took a moment to choose his words before speaking again.
“…We have to do something, regardless.”
“So, you’re going to appeal on an emotional level?”
There was no sarcasm in Daon’s tone.
In a crisis, one could feel her usual calmness, completely devoid of playfulness, as she recognized the reality of the problem more than anyone.
“I think it’s not completely hopeless. Jin Ha doesn’t prioritize money when choosing work.”
“Of course, we can guarantee Jin Ha’s freedom. But NiseLive might offer her more ‘fun work,’ don’t you think?”
“…”
Daon’s gaze drifted off for a moment.
At the end of her line of sight, tall buildings were visible beyond the glass window.
“Do you remember our first batch of trainees?”
“…How could I forget? I graduated them myself.”
The splendid debut of the third batch.
The solid popularity of the second batch.
Prior to that, there had been the tragic struggles of the first batch’s ‘Nova.’
“They were both incredibly talented kids…”
As Daon said, their potential was evident.
One debuted late as an actress and won Rookie of the Year that year.
The other… was reborn as the ace of NiseLive’s third batch.
“I was severely lacking. CosmoLive was also far from being able to care for those kids. In the end, we had no choice but to let them go…”
At that time, both Daon and CosmoLive were solely focused on surviving day by day.
There was no room to look forward to tomorrow.
But now.
“Now we can offer Jin Ha ‘more fun work.’”
They could finally see tomorrow, next year, and even a further future.
They could talk about ‘dreams’ in front of Jin Ha.
“If I have to take it, I’ll grab it and hold on tight. Right, Jun?”