Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 11

After receiving the message, I thought about it for a while.

This audition is supposed to be a fair one. But the fact that one of the contestants is meeting with an official in any capacity could be considered unfair.

The message mentioned that if it was difficult to come in person, an online meeting was also fine, and that there would be no disadvantages if I refused to talk, but honestly, I was curious.

What do they want to talk about?

Advice on the show? Or could it be something more sinister, like bribery?

After pondering all day, I decided to go.

I thought I might as well hear them out.

So, the next day at lunchtime, after receiving the message, I was standing in front of a building.

“Looks like they’re doing well.”

Seeing the shiny building, I thought the company must be making a decent profit.

Of course, the entire building wasn’t owned by the company; they seemed to only occupy one floor on top, but still, that’s something.

While I was absentmindedly looking at the building, a woman came out.

She wore horn-rimmed glasses, her hair loosely tied back, and a checkered shirt. She looked around and then sent a message on her phone.

Bzzzt—

When my phone started vibrating, I instinctively knew that she was the person I was supposed to meet today.

“Hello?”

[Ah, this is manager Hayeon. Where are you now?]

“I’m right in front of you.”

[What? Oh… Ah…]

Looking around after hearing I was right in front, the manager saw me, widened her eyes, and hurried over.

“Are you Miro?”

“Yes, I’m Miro.”

“Oh, haha… I see. Please follow me inside.”

The manager, awkwardly smiling at confirming I was Miro, led me inside the building.

“How did you get here?”

“I took the subway. It took about 30 minutes.”

“It’s really fortunate that you live in the metropolitan area.”

Engaging in light conversation, we entered the elevator, and within seconds, we arrived at the company’s office on the 6th floor.

“Please come this way.”

The place she guided me to was obviously a space meant for one-on-one meetings. This was probably where their creators consulted with their managers.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Oh, just water for me, please.”

“Understood.”

The manager had seated me in the consultation room, left and returned shortly. They were carrying water and some snacks.

‘…Is the consultation going to be so long that snacks are needed?’

Well, they wouldn’t have called me out just for a light conversation.

“Feel free to have some snacks.”

The manager poured the snacks onto the table in the middle of the facing chairs and handed me a bottle of water before sitting down across from me.

“You must be curious about why you were called here today.”

“Yes, I am. Have any other participants been called in as well?”

This was out of pure curiosity.

If they had called me, it meant they could call other participants too.

“Oh, no. Calling everyone would cause a big problem unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“What? Then why was I…?”

Fortunately, the manager was aware of this issue. But why was I called?

“Before we get straight to the point, could you please keep this conversation confidential?”

“What kind of conversation is this…?”

“It’s nothing that would disadvantage you, Miro. However, others might see it as unfair.”

“Alright, I’ll keep it a secret. Should I sign a confidentiality agreement?”

“Haha… That’s not necessary. You would only sign a company confidentiality agreement after you pass and start your contract.”

Mentioning the contract already…

By the sound of it, isn’t it as if they’re certain I’ll be selected?

The special treatment made me feel good.

If it’s an unfair advantage that benefits me… is there really a need to resist?

“Understood. I’m curious about what you have to say.”

When I nodded and looked at them intently, the manager, slightly startled, cleared their throat and began to speak.

“We highly value your potential, Miro.”

“My potential?”

What? They know how to judge people?

To recognize my potential already, the company must have some talent.

“First of all, your broadcasts are entertaining. You have a natural talent for hosting. Plus, you have a good voice.”

The manager started to praise me.

Most audition participants would have inwardly laughed at this point.

“The tone and sound of the song are also very good, so it is unique.”

However, I know that those compliments are not empty words.

Those compliments contain the strengths that the third-party man Kim Suhyun feels every time he sees the female Kim Suhyun.

After finishing the compliments, the manager paused for a moment and then got to the main point.

“However, the current direction of the broadcast feels too different from what we had in mind. To be honest, we want a virtual idol who receives unconditional support and love from fans.”

I nodded slightly at the manager’s words.

I understand what the problem is.

Indeed, my broadcast has a different atmosphere from the other participants’ broadcasts.

When I nodded even slightly, the manager, who was watching me carefully, continued speaking.

“We have decided to make a proposal to you, Miro.”

“A proposal?”

“Are you willing to completely overhaul the atmosphere of your broadcast? Uproot it entirely and rebuild it from the ground up.”

Hearing those words, I frowned slightly.

I intentionally showed my displeasure with my expression.

When I frowned, the manager flinched again, took a sip of water, and continued speaking.

“Of course, it will be difficult at first. But once you pass the audition and release songs, you will attract a larger audience, and then the current atmosphere might actually become a hindrance.”

They didn’t say it directly, but the atmosphere conveyed it.

If I promise to change the broadcast atmosphere here, gradually rooting out the current audience and changing the atmosphere, I will pass the audition.

I closed my eyes and thought.

From the perspective of wanting long-term benefits, it makes sense to just do a complete overhaul.

But aside from growth, I don’t think the current atmosphere is that bad.

Of course, it’s a bit excessive, but is it something that needs to be uprooted completely?

I could probably mitigate it by cutting a few people as an example.

It’s nice to have all the viewers like me, but isn’t it more fun to have some friction?

If I only have people who unconditionally agree with me, what’s the fun? My broadcast becomes more interesting when there are some dissenting voices.

Especially since my broadcast, without any content, is just me talking.

Should I just say no?

Then I might fail the audition.

But even if I fail here, I have the confidence to gradually grow and become a proper broadcaster, even if my growth is slower than that of the successful auditionees.

But do I have to?

Can’t I have both?

Just like how I have the memories of both the male Kim Suhyun and the female Kim Suhyun.

Is there no way to greedily have both passing the audition and my current viewers?

No, there is.

I opened my eyes again and looked straight at the manager.

The manager, wearing a checkered shirt and horn-rimmed glasses, slightly lowered her gaze when I looked her straight in the eyes.

‘I’ve unintentionally overpowered her.’

Does she have any bad memories from school?

I don’t know, but it’s good that I’ve gained the upper hand.

“Could you tell me roughly how many total candidates you expect to pass? Even just as a personal opinion.”

I asked with a slight smile.

The manager pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and spread out their hand.

“I’m thinking about five.”

“Five… Then wouldn’t it be okay to have at least one troublemaker?”

“Excuse me? A troublemaker?”

What I’m about to propose isn’t something that can be decided by the manager, but still, they might pass my opinion up the chain.

“It’s viral marketing.”

Viral marketing.

In short, it’s marketing that makes the viewers promote it themselves.

“Wouldn’t it draw more attention if one person occasionally caused a bit of trouble? Not intentionally causing trouble, but when you’re around playful viewers, there are times when you can’t avoid saying something wrong.”

Even though this person is responsible for the audition participants, was my tone a bit arrogant? But I can’t help it. I didn’t prepare a speech, I’m just saying it on the spot like when I’m broadcasting.

“Hmm… But wouldn’t that affect the other successful candidates? In the end, it’s one group, and if one person’s fandom is too… extreme, you know?”

The manager cautiously argued back. Despite the cautious attitude, it was a sound argument.

“Wouldn’t there be a benefit of some of those extreme fans settling in my channel…?”

I felt like I was forcing the argument as I spoke.

My viewers behaving the same way in other successful candidates’ channels as they do in mine?

Imagining it made my head spin.

Though I was losing confidence midway, I still made my point clear.

“…Would it be really difficult?”

“Yes… Making the broadcast atmosphere a bit more relaxed is possible, but completely changing it from the root seems difficult. That way, it keeps the broadcast interesting too.”

“Understood. I’ll mention it to the higher-ups.”

I see…

“Yes, thank you.”

Thus, the meeting with the manager ended rather briefly and uncomfortably.

“Ha… Did I mess up?”

I habitually tapped the cigarette in my pocket as I left the building, debating whether to smoke or not. The conversation was good, but it was definitely a bit forced.

Although I spoke sincerely, in summary, wasn’t I just saying I don’t want to change the broadcast atmosphere and please let me pass the audition?

It’s utterly childish.

Do my viewers know how much effort I’m putting in?

Of course, the content of today’s conversation is confidential, so I can’t talk about it on the broadcast, but still, I wish they would know.

…Although I don’t have any prepared content today either.