Became the Mother of Virtual YouTubers - Chapter 99

“Sachyo, do we not have any plans for a business trip to analyze new technologies for our CosmoLive?”

Seo Ah is a very meticulous person.

Especially when the target is clear, like now.

She bypassed the rational and logical Young-Jun and went straight to the somewhat careless Daon.

She even timed it for when Daon would finish her broadcast.

[Huh? N-New technology… what?]

As expected, Daon was still not fully aware.

[Wasn’t that our VTuber company? Suddenly what new technology…?]

“Actually, I heard that Jin Ha will be presenting a paper in Canada next month, containing some extremely innovative technology related to virtual avatars.”

[Ah?]

“Our CosmoLive, known as the supernova of the industry, should introduce Jin Ha’s new technology faster than anyone else, don’t you think?”

[…Ah, I roughly understand the situation.]

Daon’s voice carried a mischievous laugh.

She quickly grasped why Seo Ah suddenly brought up this topic.

[Hmm~ Well, if it’s such new technology, we should show some interest~ But are you planning to just listen to the presentation over there? What about our broadcasts?]

Since their debut concert, Seo Ah and Winter had been riding high on their success.

Now was a time to row harder while the tide was high, and going overseas seemed risky.

No matter how you looked at it, this felt a bit fatal.

“I’ll take lots of vlogs while I’m there. If possible, I’ll even go live.”

[…Weren’t you a VTuber? Do you even have anything to film?]

Well, Daon chuckled, asking if she planned to reveal some potion causing gossip in the neighborhood.

But Seo Ah had a plan.

“Sachyo, did you know? Jin Ha has been very interested in augmented reality content lately.”

[Augmented… what?]

“They’ve developed a new technology for converting real people into 3D avatars.”

With this, she could sh**t vlogs without revealing her real face. Also, she was confident that live broadcasting would pose no problems if all went well.

[Hmm… hearing this makes it seem like the business trip expenses would be justifiable… But you don’t have any personal motives for this, do you?]

“…No, not at all.”

Seo Ah momentarily panicked and swallowed her breath.

Even though she was making a clumsy excuse, both she and Daon knew the truth: this business trip was really about following Jin Ha.

[Got it, got it~ I’ll discuss it with Jun and set up a schedule. By the way! Make sure to talk to Jin Ha too!]

Hence, Daon didn’t pursue further questioning and casually agreed.

Especially since it involved someone like Jin Ha.

Honestly, whether it was vlogs or overseas live broadcasts didn’t matter much.

If it meant securing Jin Ha, who was starting to show interest in NiseLive, a business trip expense was more than worth it.

[But you have to produce good content, okay? I trust you to manage that well!]

Still, responsibility must be taken.

She confidently told Daon to not worry and to trust her before hanging up the call.

“…”

Only then did Seo Ah realize that her face was slightly flushed.

Even though no one was watching, her face felt hot for some reason.

But that was momentary; a smile soon spread across her lips.

“With this, I’ve secured my justification…”

After calming her heart momentarily, Seo Ah called Jin Ha.

After a few beeps, a smooth voice she had envisioned resonated in her ear.

[Yes, Winter?]

Her heart, which had just been calmed, began to race again.

Seo Ah took a deep breath and carefully opened her mouth.

“Hello, Jin Ha? Actually…”

*

“I’ve always wanted to arrange such a meeting.”

In a high-end restaurant located in Sehwa Department Store’s headquarters in Myeongdong,

the beautifully lit room began to fill with elegantly presented dishes.

The person explaining the food was a famous chef who had once participated in a globally popular cooking survival program.

His schedule was reportedly packed for years; Seo Ah wondered how they managed to secure him. It must have cost a significant amount.

“I know Jin Ha is a busy person, and I couldn’t bring myself to reach out first… but when I heard you had an appointment with So-yul, I thought I could find time to reach out as well.”

“Haha…”

As expected, it was an extremely uncomfortable setting for Jin Ha.

Honestly, she couldn’t even taste the food well and had no table manners.

It wasn’t that it tasted bad, but she thought it was far better to enjoy a cup of instant noodles at home than eating a high-end omakase in such an uncomfortable place.

Jin Ha genuinely thought that way.

‘How did it come to this…’

In fact, having a face-to-face meeting with the chairman of the Sehwa Department Store Group, Jung Gi-hoon, was not something Jin Ha had planned.

She just reached out to So-yul after needing a “voice” for Mina.

Suddenly, Gi-hoon suggested having dinner together.

Since there was really no reason to refuse, she sat down, but it was indeed awkward.

After all, he was a person with social status. She didn’t know how to interact with him.

“I’ve seen you once or twice through a video call, but this is the first time we’re face to face, isn’t it?”

Gi-hoon lightly swirled his glass of red wine and smiled softly.

Jin Ha just awkwardly smiled and nodded in agreement.

In fact, she was quite nervous.

When they communicated virtually, So-yul was by her side, and she didn’t feel as jittery.

Sitting face to face in reality certainly brought a different weight to the meeting.

Unlike Jin Ha, who was tight-lipped, Gi-hoon comfortably took a sip of wine as he spoke.

“Yet, it feels familiar as if we’ve met many times.”

Which was understandable.

Jin Ha’s avatar already closely resembled her real self.

Moreover, the avatar that So-yul uses, Mina, looked like a teenage version of Jin Ha.

Since Gi-hoon constantly saw So-yul’s avatar, it was only natural that Jin Ha appeared familiar to him.

“Although it feels a bit late, I want to express my gratitude once again. Thanks to the avatar you created, So-yul has really brightened up. She has also started her rehabilitation therapy again.”

Additionally, he expressed his thanks, saying that Jin Ha had become an older sister whom So-yul could trust and follow.

Jin Ha waved her hands with an embarrassed expression.

“No, Chairman. Rather, I’m more thankful. I gained a lot of research insights while creating So-yul’s avatar.”

“Oh, really?”

When Gi-hoon asked with interest, Jin Ha nodded with a gentle smile.

“Yes, actually, a paper related to the Mina avatar I made for So-yul is scheduled to be presented at the forthcoming conference.”

“Impressive. Congratulations. Truly, that’s like an older sister of So-yul.”

Jin Ha smiled shyly.

Her pride in her achievement was overshadowed by the embarrassing compliment from the other.

“I can’t just leave it at that. Is there anything I can help with?”

Gi-hoon appeared to ponder for a moment before asking with a serious face.

“Thanks to you, our granddaughter has been able to spread her wings and fly. So, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“It’s alright. I’ve received more than enough for the avatar already.”

“Still. If there’s anything you want, do let me know. It’s only natural to give incentives to someone who has achieved distinguished results.”

Jin Ha hesitated for a moment and then lightly suggested as a joke.

“Hmm… if you really insist, I’ll be presenting my paper at the conference next month, so a round-trip airfare and hotel accommodation costs would be sufficient.”

At her modest request, Gi-hoon let out a short laugh.

“Where’s the conference being held?”

“It’s in Canada, Vancouver…”

“First-class tickets and a hotel suite will be fine, right?”

“No, no, Chairman! Just economy class and a standard room at a decent business hotel will be enough.”

Feeling burdened by excessive kindness, Jin Ha quickly shook her head.

If she kept accepting everything, she would end up feeling overwhelmed.

After all, she had faced several years of pressure under professors in her research lab.

Of course, comparing Gi-hoon to those professors was quite rude, but still…

“…Oh, I hope it’s okay to ask for another person to accompany me?”

Suddenly recalling a phone call she had received a few days ago, Jin Ha cautiously asked.

Of course, the answer was as expected.

“Do as you see fit. I’ll provide you with my secretary’s contact information so you can make reservations, and have the expenses billed to me.”

“Thank you, Chairman.”

With a faint smile, Gi-hoon lifted his wine glass once again.

“Oh, by the way. So-yul has been very interested in VTubers lately.”

“If it’s about VTuber broadcasts, she has always been…”

“To be precise, she’s quite interested in debuting as a VTuber.”

Gi-hoon smiled gently, saying he hoped Jin Ha would continue to help in the future.

“If So-yul wants it, I’ll do anything to support her.”

For the first time since sitting at this table, a natural smile appeared on Jin Ha’s face.

The birth of a new VTuber was always a delightful event.