Since I Became a Woman, I’ll Do Cosplay - Chapter 79

Thursday morning.

“Phew….”

Hayoon sighed, waking from sleep. She ran a hand through her messy hair and gathered some clothes before heading to the bathroom.

Early risers weren’t necessarily morning people. Even Hayoon longed to sleep in. But she couldn’t. While others could be lazy, Hayoon’s life was different. She forced herself awake every morning, determined to work harder than others.

-creak

The faucet turned, releasing a stream of warm water from the showerhead.

Hayoon stood under the spray, the water plastering her long hair to her skin. It was a sight that could be considered suggestive.

The water traced her curves, mingling with soap before being rinsed away.

“I’m awake…”

Hayoon, still drowsy, dried herself and changed into the clothes she’d brought from her room.

“I’m hungry…”

Today was different. It was a weekday, but not a school day.

“Hmm…”

She opened the refrigerator, scanning its contents.

She spotted the roll cake Min Jung-yun had bought. Perfect for a quick breakfast. She grabbed the cake and ate it with a fork.

“A classic.”

A simple roll cake, fluffy sponge and sweet cream. Despite being chilled, it was moist and melted in her mouth.

One slice.

Two slices.

Three slices.

“Enough.”

Satisfied, she put it away. Three slices used to be too much, but now, it was just right.

With breakfast done, she went back to her room to change.

-One, Two, Three!

A familiar JPOP melody played from her phone as she dressed. Wide, plain sweatpants, a short, tight shirt, and a thin cardigan – a typical autumn outfit.

She lowered the sweatpants slightly to reveal her navel.

“Perfect.”

A satisfied smile appeared.

Hayoon saw herself as a sort of doll, one that looked good in anything, attracting envious gazes. It was an odd thought, but it explained her wearing clothes usually seen on popular girls.

“Navel… oh…”

touch, touch

She caressed her slightly toned lower abdomen and nodded. She’d button the cardigan if it got cold.

“I have a killer figure.”

Hayoon checked herself in the mirror and grinned. She had been spending a lot on women’s clothes lately. It felt like choosing outfits for an RPG character.

“The appointment’s at 9, so…”

Instead of going out, she sat at her computer and opened YouTube. She wasn’t in her school uniform, and she had already notified Park Geun-soo of her absence.

She was using her “period leave.”

Korean high school girls got three period leave days per month, and using all three at once counted as an excused absence. A perfect loophole for important days like today.

Hayoon passed the time watching YouTube videos about Vtuber trends.

Due to the pandemic, Vtuber culture was becoming more known in Korea. She estimated Scarlet’s success rate at 50/50 – either a huge hit with Vtuber fans craving Korean content or a flop due to haters.

“8:50. Almost time.”

Scarlet’s fate would soon be decided.

Hayoon grabbed her tablet and left.

She took the elevator, not to school, but to the adjacent building.

She entered Hong Seo-hyun’s apartment number into the intercom.

“Perfect timing! Come in.”

Hong Seo-hyun’s voice answered. Today was Hong Seo-hyun’s, or rather, Vtuber Scarlet’s, debut. Hayoon wouldn’t miss it. Since Hong Seo-hyun was streaming from home, it was only natural for Hayoon to be there.

Hayoon rarely visited friends’ homes.

She considered home a private, family space. She didn’t invite friends over and, in return, rarely went to theirs. She disliked double standards.

With few friends, she rarely visited anyone’s home except for relatives. And today.

Standing at Hong Seo-hyun’s door felt strange. It had been years since she’d been inside someone else’s home.

“Is this… considered going to work?”

It wasn’t a social visit. It was work. So, there was no need to reciprocate the invitation.

“Right. Of course.”

Home was for family; her room, her sanctuary. She wouldn’t let others invade her personal space. She pressed the doorbell.

-ding dong. ding dong.

Footsteps approached.

-click

The door opened.

“W-Welcome…!”

Hong Seo-hyun greeted her, a little awkwardly. Her cheeks were flushed, lips slightly red. She had styled her hair and was dressed up.

“Are we doing a facecam stream today?”

“Huh? A facecam stream?”

“Why are you so dressed up? The whole point of being a Vtuber is not having to dress up.”

“Well, I have a guest.”

Hayoon, who’d been wondering if she’d overdressed, realized she had also made an effort and nodded. It was proper to dress up when meeting someone.

“Excuse me.”

She took off her shoes and stepped inside.

“Don’t worry about it. My parents are both at work.”

Hayoon simply nodded and followed Hong Seo-hyun, focusing on her back.

Their apartments had the same layout, and it felt weird to look around. They reached Hong Seo-hyun’s room.

‘Sweet…’

The sweet scent of a teenage girl’s room filled the air. Both her and Hong Seo-hyun’s rooms had a similar scent.

So, Choi Arin’s room probably smelled like this too. Hayoon shook off the random thought and assessed Hong Seo-hyun’s setup.

“The phone for facial tracking is connected, and… you’ve installed all the programs?”

“Of course. I don’t forget things like that.”

She was well-prepared. She’d even upgraded her computer with Hayoon’s financial assistance.

The streaming setup was perfect. Now for the important part.

“I’ll show you how to configure everything. Pay attention. Ask if you don’t understand.”

Hayoon began teaching Hong Seo-hyun the intricacies of Vtuber streaming.

The debut stream was at noon, three hours from now.

Plenty of time.