Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 134

Christmas.
To put it simply, it’s the birthday of the protagonist of the world’s best-selling book.

A day so significant that, during World War I, British and German soldiers declared a temporary truce and celebrated together on Christmas Eve. It’s a day steeped in history and warmth, celebrated globally.

And Korea is no exception.
Christmas is a public holiday—a “red day.” Students get a day off, and many workplaces shut down.

It’s also famously a day for lovers, with couples spending passionate evenings together. They say the reason there are so many September babies is because of Christmas.

So naturally…

[“Miro, if you don’t stream on Christmas, you’re doomed.”]

• “For real.”
• “She better stream.”
• “We’re watching you.”

Posts like this are par for the course in the community.

[“Celestials’ Year-End Live?”]
(Attached: Celestials fan café announcement)
“Something big is coming?”

• “A live concert? Like a venue?”
  ㄴ “Nah, it’s a virtual live.”
  ㄴ “What’s that?”
  ㄴ (link) “Like the stuff Japanese VTubers do.”
  ㄴ “Lmao.”
• “Sounds promising.”
  ㄴ “You sound like a total weeb.”
  ㄴ “Says the guy watching VTubers.”
• “So this is why they’ve been skipping streams for lessons?”
  ㄴ “Exactly.”

[“Miro’s new original song teaser!”]
(link)
“This looks amazing, lol.”

• “Miro’s releasing a song?”
  ㄴ “Yeah, it looks sick!”
• “The teaser feels kinda plain.”
  ㄴ “We’ll have to hear the full thing.”
• “Miro’s voice is just on another level.”

[“Celestials favoritism?”]
“Why does Miro get an original song just because she’s popular? Why did Heaven create Anna and then decide to create Miro, too?”

• “Original songs aren’t funded for anyone.”
  ㄴ “Wait, they aren’t?”
  ㄴ “Nope. I heard they have to make and produce it on their own.”
  ㄴ “Wait, Miro did this solo?”
  ㄴ “For real?”
  ㄴ “Damn, that’s suddenly impressive.”

[“Miro streams on Christmas or riots.”]
“She won’t confirm it until the last second, lol.”

• “That’s typical Miro behavior.”
  ㄴ “She’ll stream last minute, watch.”
  ㄴ “Or she’ll actually skip, which is also typical Miro.”

Christmas Eve

The streets were packed with people, Christmas carols playing in the background. Cold air bit through the seams of my coat, making me pull it tighter around myself.

“…It’s freezing.”

I glanced at a couple walking hand-in-hand, huddled close against the cold. Was it the chill that made them cling to each other? Somehow, it annoyed me.

Checking my phone, I scanned the surrounding signs.
“They said it was around here…”

After a bit of searching, I found the building and stepped inside.
How did they even manage to book a place during peak season?

I climbed the stairs to the second floor, where a door awaited.
The warm air hit me as soon as I opened it, thawing my chilled face.

“Ah, perfect heating.”

“Hey! You’re here!”
“Wow, how long has it been?”

Inside were high school friends of the female Kim Suhyun, including Hyejung.

“Suhyun, you’re as pretty as ever.”
“When was the last time we saw you?”
“You look even prettier now.”

This was why I’d skipped streaming on Christmas Eve.
Hyejung had roped me into this reunion—a gathering of old high school friends.

“Good to see you, everyone.”
“What’s with the formal tone?”
“Wow, you sounded like a senior from university just now.”

Did I sound too mature?
Whatever.

“Come on, have a seat!”
“Oh, I brought something.”
“What’s that? Alcohol? We’ve already got plenty.”
“Don’t worry, it’s snacks.”

I had swung by a convenience store on the way and grabbed a bunch of things. I wasn’t going to eat all this alone, but with a group, it’d get devoured.

“You bought a lot!”
“Set it on the table!”
“When’s the chicken arriving?”
“They said deliveries are backed up.”

Thus began our Christmas Eve party.
It wasn’t anything elaborate—just girls drinking, reminiscing, and chatting about life.

“And then Jaeyoon said—!”
“What a jerk!”
“Don’t badmouth my boyfriend!”
“What’s wrong with you?”

“Suhyun, do you have a boyfriend?”
“Boyfriend? Nope.”
“You’ve never had one, right?”
“Wow, really? You’ve never dated?”
“Yeah.”

I nodded, and the room froze.

“Not even in high school? Aren’t you planning to date at all?”
“You should at least experience it!”
“Right, you need to meet lots of guys!”

If my viewers heard this conversation, they’d probably faint.

“Why are you laughing?”
“Do you think this is a joke?”
“You’ll regret it if you don’t, mark my words!”

A boyfriend…?
As someone who used to be a guy, the idea felt ridiculous.

“I could get one anytime if I wanted to. I’m just taking my time.”
“Oh my god.”
“Can I punch you?”
“I’m swinging!”
“Wait, not the face—it’s national treasure material.”

Despite my protests, I ended up drinking quite a bit.
Having a private room and endless alcohol made it hard to hold back.

By the time our session was nearly over, the room was full of red-faced, tipsy friends. I wasn’t sure if I was drunk—my head spun, and my face felt warm, so probably.

“Alright, let’s clean up!”
“Time for round two!”

As the others started tidying up, I stepped out onto the attached balcony for some fresh air.

The cold night air hit me immediately, cooling my flushed face.

“Haa…”

The winter sky was dark, the moon hidden behind thick clouds.
And then, something cold and soft landed on my cheek.

Looking up, I saw white specks falling gently from the sky.

“Snow?”

Hyejung joined me on the balcony, tilting her head to watch the snow.
“Yeah, it’s snowing.”

“Wow, a white Christmas Eve.”
“Pretty rare, huh?”
“Yeah… it’s beautiful.”

The snowy streets, distant carols, and cozy lights made for a magical scene.

For the first time in a while, I felt completely at peace.

As the snow fell quietly, the night deepened.