Since I Became a Woman, I’ll Do Cosplay - Chapter 87
Hong Seohyun was performing her role exceptionally well. She had immersed herself in her responsibilities beyond expectations, and her performance was commendable.
Firstly, she had two tasks to accomplish for the upcoming game release:
The first was to ensure a substantial income.
With only a month until her debut, Scarlett’s monthly sponsorship funds amounted to about 2 million won. After deducting 600,000 won as fees, the remaining 1.4 million won divided by two equates to 700,000 won. While this might not be considered a large sum compared to other professional streamers, it was quite impressive given that Hong Seohyun was still a high school student.
Moreover, the month wasn’t even over yet. If she were to release an original song on Halloween and perform it live during her broadcast, it was likely that another flurry of sponsorships would pour in. It was possible that she might even reach 1 million won in her first month.
In any case, the outlook was positive.
Additionally, the second role Hong Seohyun was entrusted with was a significant promotion drive for Cosplayholic.
By orchestrating natural information leaks and viral marketing around Cosplayholic, she aimed to drive more traffic to the platform and increase the number of buyers.
– Do you guys remember this game?
└ Isn’t this the game that a certain viral female high school streamer created last year?
└ Oh, and they draw custom illustrations.
└ Isn’t that the game whose theme song was sung by that VTuber who debuted recently?
└ Ah, if an original song goes viral, I need to check it out. Even if I don’t watch the stream, I’ve already subscribed to their cover songs channel.
Hong Seohyun was excelling at her role. The community was almost certain that Scarlett’s original song would become the ending theme for Cosplayholic.
In the follow-up announcement made right after her collaboration with Scarlett, it was emphasized that the song would be used as the game’s insert track, and given that the game was set to release on October 31st, which was Halloween, everything fit together perfectly in the minds of community sleuths.
Of course, this was due to Hong Seohyun and Hayoon subtly dropping clues here and there. It was only natural for the community to piece it all together.
With the combined effort of the production team and the community, the viral marketing was running smoothly.
“October 31st. That’s the turning point.”
The day that would determine the success or failure of Cosplayholic was awaited with excitement. With Hong Seohyun working hard as Scarlett, the game deserved high expectations, as the entire team had given their all to create it.
*
As October’s end approached, it was already the 30th, the day before Halloween. There were only 63 days left in the year 2020, including today.
“Alright, everyone, listen up.”
And today was the last Friday of the month. Although it was supposed to be club activity day, we were outside during club time, and we hadn’t even eaten lunch yet.
There was a reason for this. Park Geon-su had organized a celebration and was raising a glass of barley tea in a beer mug.
“Tomorrow is the day when your hard work bears fruit. As you know, Hayoon, Arin, and Jin Ho have been working on this project since before the first online classes began this year. Seohyun joined midway and has been active as a promotional ambassador, becoming a rising star with her name on a track set to release on the Watermelon music site. I truly admire students who show such initiative. This celebration is proof of my sincerity, as well as a way to commend your efforts. Think of it however you like. If you want to think it’s just another old man’s rant, go ahead. I don’t care either way. But please, today, eat your fill and enjoy it to your heart’s content. Order whatever you want—beef, pork—it’s all on me. No alcohol, but feel free to order any drinks you like. I’ll take care of it. Ultimately, this is just a small token of my appreciation for all your hard work. There’s no need to feel obligated. Just enjoy a satisfying meal today, and then head home earlier than usual. What do you say?”
“Eh…?”
“Ah, Do Jin Ho, you have something to say?”
“Uh… Well…”
At the moment Jin Ho muttered something, Park Geon-su’s impassioned speech finally halted.
Hayoon and the others exchanged tired glances, as if to say, “Finally, it’s over?” Then, without speaking, their gazes turned toward Jin Ho in unison.
This was up to you now.
Just cut it short and suggest we start cooking the meat.
Their gazes carried that simmering frustration.
Park Geon-su hadn’t done anything particularly wrong, but even so, his speech had gone on for far too long this time.
No one dared to interrupt while he was speaking, partly out of patience but also because by the time they realized how excessive it was, his monologue had already accelerated beyond repair.
Thus, at the first opportunity, Jin Ho had to step up.
“…Hey, guys. There’s one thing the teacher forgot to mention. Let’s just eat beef.”
After a brief silence, Jin Ho calmly broke the ice.
“Even if our project doesn’t succeed and gets bad reviews, we’ve already surpassed 30 million won in revenue at the high school level. We’re the best. If the community doesn’t like it, it doesn’t matter because we dared, and the value of that failure is never insignificant. Remember this, and now let’s eat.”
Certainly, Jin Ho’s pre-dinner speech was a bit long for a high school student’s, but compared to the storm of words that had preceded it from Park Geon-su, the expressions on the girls’ faces were unusually calm.
Except for one.
Park Geon-su’s expression wasn’t pleasant.
(-_-;)
With a dumbfounded look, he sipped his barley tea and started to grill the small slices of beef, which had arrived first.
From Park Geon-su’s perspective, though he didn’t like Jin Ho’s short speech, he couldn’t fault it too much, so he quietly proceeded to cook the meat.
“So, the saying ‘silence is golden’ exists for a reason, doesn’t it, Mr. Park?”
“Hm? Why do you think that?”
“Because the teacher has already delivered the speech, leaving me with nothing to say but that. In my position, as someone who doesn’t like stepping forward, it was golden that the teacher did all the talking. Now I know what my role is.”
“Ah, I see what you’re saying. That’s a good attitude.”
“Yes…?”
“This saying ‘silence is golden’—you know why it exists?”
Meanwhile, Jin Ho was barely suppressing his laughter as he engaged in a conversation with Park Geon-su.
This was something only Ha Yoon could interpret, being one of the longest-standing members of the group, aside from Park Geon-su: ‘That kid is probing him in the middle of all this!’
The words Jin Ho had just spoken were far from respectful admiration. They sounded like a subtle way of mocking the teacher for talking at length while he was idle, and it was a futile jab since their target was Park Geon-su.
Rather, it was counterproductive. Indeed, it only reignited their mentor-mentee dynamic during the dinner party.
“The flavor of the beef is good.”
“Hey, sister, try dipping it in the sauce over here. They only serve this at this restaurant, and it pairs well with the beef.”
“It melts in your mouth.”
“Hey, senior, take it easy on the meat!”
While the guys chatted back and forth, the girls focused on enjoying the perfectly grilled beef. Thus, the cosplay game Cosplayholic’s success launch celebration dinner drew to a close.
*
About an hour later,
“Hooh, that was a great meal. Thank you, teacher.”
“Thank you, teacher!”
“Alright, let’s head home.”
After funding the dinner party with leftover club funds and a little of his own money, Park Geon-su waved goodbye, saying he’d see them the next week, and headed back toward the school.
In appreciation of this feast, Ha Yoon decided she’d find a way to commemorate Teacher’s Day next year.
“I’m going home. I definitely ate beef, but with all the chatter beside me, I feel bloated. I need to rest a bit; I’m feeling overly full.”
Jin Ho shuffled home, defeated, having fallen for the bait. Well, if he took a walk home, his bloated feeling would likely pass, so there was no need to worry too much.
“I have a dentist appointment for a regular check-up.”
Hong Seohyun also left for her dental appointment, leaving behind only Ha Yoon and Arin.
With a natural inclination to go home, Ha Yoon turned her back to say her goodbyes when…
“Will you come over to my place tomorrow?”
Grabbing the sleeve of Ha Yoon’s blouse, Arin made an unexpected invitation: an invitation to her home.