Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 129

To be honest, I felt confident.

I had experience to back me up. I didn’t expect it to be perfect on the first try, but with Hyunsoo’s feedback, I was sure I’d polish it quickly and finish the recording.

…Though, practicing after the broadcast last night, I did find it quite challenging. If I hadn’t experienced recording Fork in the Road with composer Kang Woo-hyun, it would have been a much tougher task.

Inside the recording booth at Hyunsoo’s studio, I began the process.
How long had it been since I last recorded here? My last session was for Wonderland, so it had been quite a while.

“Did you memorize the song?”
“Of course.”
“Alright, let’s begin.”

With Hyunsoo and Hyunjun observing, I started recording.

“Let’s redo the ending part.”
“Okay.”

Well, I got an NG right off the bat, but I didn’t expect to nail it on the first try.

“Can you bring out a gentler feeling in the beginning?”
“Got it.”

The second take wasn’t flawless either; I knew I’d made some mistakes.

But…

“Can you pick up the tempo more in the middle?”
“You understand the song, right? It’s practically like a musical.”
“Think of it as acting! You’re good at that, aren’t you?”

“You did well, but I think another take could be even better.”
“Put a bit more strength into your voice this time. Let’s go again.”

Ah.
I had forgotten something.

No, I had gotten cocky.

Just as I had grown since recording Wonderland, Hyunsoo’s feedback had also leveled up.

“Again!”
“Argh!”
“Don’t strain your voice!”
“Ahhhh!”
“You’re hurting my ears!”

By the time the session was over, I stumbled out of the recording booth even more drained than after dance lessons.

Plop.

I collapsed onto the sofa just outside the booth. Hyunjun, sitting nearby, was startled and jumped up.

“Whoa.”
“Do I disgust you?”
“No, you scared me… But you sing well.”
“You heard me?”
“Of course. I was impressed. Really.”

Judging by his expression, he wasn’t lying.

While I basked in a little self-satisfaction, Hyunjun seemed to mull something over before asking,

“Have you ever been a trainee?”

He keeps bringing up idols and trainees. Is it because he’s one himself?

“Nope, never.”
“Really? How about scouts?”
“Turned them all down.”

How many business cards had female Kim Suhyun tossed into the trash?

“…So you’ve never considered becoming an idol?”
“Nope. Staying at home is way more comfortable.”

Being an idol trainee… impossible.
Trainees are basically monsters who endure the kind of rigorous training I had just experienced daily, but on steroids.

Strict diets, constant evaluations, and the anxiety of whether they’ll even debut—it’s not for me.

I’d rather stream comfortably from my room.

“Still, I envy you.”
“What about?”
“Getting to sing freely and live comfortably.”

Huh? What does he mean by that?

Leaning against the sofa, I glanced at him.
Hyunjun wore a serious, slightly bitter expression.

A complicated look, to put it simply.

Is being an idol tough? Well, of course it is.
But someone like Hyunjun, who gets greeted by throngs of fans at every concert?

Even balladeer Kang Jun, obsessed with charts, would envy him.

“Don’t overthink it.”

There wasn’t much else I could say.

“Huh?”
“People’s lives are like torches—they burn brightly for a moment. And you’re shining brilliantly right now, aren’t you?”
“What does that even…?”
“You’ve sold a million albums. Why the long face? Enjoy it.”

Hyunjun looked at me with an odd expression.

“A torch? Did you read that in some novel?”

Wait, wasn’t this supposed to be inspiring?

“Oh, it’s something Moon Chang-shik said. I just copied it.”

Not wanting to seem weird, I quickly passed the credit to him.

Come to think of it, even cheesy lines sound different coming from Moon Chang-shik than from me.
Damn you, Moon Chang-shik! You’ve made me seem strange.

“Moon Chang-shik? You mean the actor?”
“Yeah, the same one.”

He squinted as if something clicked, then said,
“I’ve acted in a few small roles, so I’d consider myself his junior in the field.”
“Oh, you’re an idol-turned-actor type?”
“Kind of. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a great actor after retiring from idol life.”

“Hmm.”

I sized him up.
Good-looking, sure. But does he have the face of a versatile actor? Hard to say.

“Why are you staring like that? It’s unsettling.”

I hesitated, wondering if I should share my thoughts.

“Want me to be honest?”
“What do you mean? Go ahead.”

Well, if he’s giving me permission…

“You’ve got a striking face. But I think it might limit your roles.”
“What kind of… Is that a compliment?”
“As an idol, sure.”
“And as an actor?”
“By the way, where’s Hyunsoo? Shouldn’t he be done by now?”
“Ah, it was criticism after all.”
“Not really, haha.”

It wasn’t criticism, per se… A striking face has its perks. Lead roles, for example.

“Anyway, how do you know Moon Chang-shik?”

Hyunjun’s question reminded me of my earlier excuse.

Right, my film work with him was confidential.
Even if I trusted Hyunjun, the contract was clear.

“I took a short acting course with him once.”
“Is that another joke?”

Oops, he doesn’t believe me. Well, I wouldn’t either.
Why would someone like Moon Chang-shik bother teaching a nobody like me?

“Believe what you want.”
“Are you serious?”
“Want me to get you his autograph?”
“What?”
“Moon Chang-shik’s autograph. People seem to like it.”
“You think I don’t have my own fans clamoring for my signature?”
“Then can I have one?”
“No thanks. Stop with the empty flattery.”

…I was serious, though.

Before I could say more, Hyunsoo emerged from the recording booth.

“What are you all doing out here?”

“Finished recording the new song?”

Hyunjun turned to Hyunsoo immediately, ignoring me entirely.

“Yeah, Tranquil Lake is done.”
“Is there more to record?”

“One more track.”

Ah, right. There was still one more feature I needed to record at Hyunsoo’s studio.

“Got time to knock it out today, noona?”
“You prepped the feature track?”
“Yeah, but Hyunjun’s going first.”
“Pass. I’m spent.”

I’d love to finish it today, but my stamina was completely shot.
Dance lessons and a recording session on the same day? Morning Suhyun was out of her mind.

“Want to watch Hyunjun record, then? It could be helpful.”
“Helpful?”
“Yeah, observing others is a great way to learn.”

He had a point.

Hyunjun was a seasoned idol. Watching him record could be an invaluable learning opportunity.

But recordings don’t wrap up in 10 minutes. Could I sit still for hours just watching?

“What’s there to think about?”

Hyunjun cut into my thoughts.

“Huh?”
“I’m pretty good. You should watch.”
“Well…”

Sure, he’s probably good, but still…

“You know what? How about a bet?”

Wait, what? Where’s this coming from?

“A bet?”
“Once our albums drop, let’s see who did better.”

“Who’s judging?”
“The listeners.”
“Are you kidding me?”

Of course, his group’s massive fandom would flood in, making it impossible to compete fairly.

“Alright, not listeners. How about industry professionals?”
“Professionals?”
“People involved in the album production. They can vote.”

That seemed fair enough.

“Deal. What’s at stake?”
“A wish.”
“Unlimited premium beef?”
“Let’s keep it reasonable.”
“One year, then?”
“Alright.”

Wow. Premium beef for a year is “reasonable” to him? Must be nice.

“Deal. Let’s do it.”

With the terms set, Hyunjun strode confidently into the recording booth.

“Sorry about this. He’s super competitive, but it should be fun, right?” Hyunsoo said with a chuckle before following him in.

I entered the booth as well, watching Hyunjun take his place at the mic with a relaxed demeanor.
He really did look the part of an idol.

“Ready to start?”
“Ready.”

As the recording began…

“Whoa.”

I started to understand why Hyunjun had called himself a “tone monster.”

“See? I’m still better, right, Hyunsoo?”
“…”
“Answer me.”
“Hyunjun, let’s take that part again.”
“Hey.”

…Honestly, I think it’ll be a close match.