Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 141

“So, you want to do an interview?”
[Yes, I noticed the journalist specializes in this kind of coverage.]

Hearing this from my manager left me slightly bewildered.

“Well, that’s… quite the offer.”

Apparently, the journalist wanted to write an article and was asking if I’d be open to an interview.
Just me.
I guess achieving success with my original song “Tranquil Lake” opens up these kinds of opportunities.

[What do you think? It’s not a bad idea.]
“An article, huh… hmm.”

It probably wouldn’t hurt, but do I really need to?
I can already get by just fine without it.
And how would I know what this journalist plans to write?

Having read a lot of media content, I admit I’m slightly wary of journalists.

“I don’t think it’s necessary.”
[Alright, I’ll decline then.]
“You’re agreeing pretty quickly.”

My manager isn’t usually one to turn down opportunities like this.
You could even call this a chance. Yet, he seemed oddly unfazed by my decision to pass on it.

[I’d prefer you take it, but if you’re not interested, that’s fine.]
“Oh, so now I’m finally being treated with respect?”
[Respect has always been there, you know? It’s just that you handle things well on your own.]
“Not a bad feeling to be trusted.”
[You’ve proven yourself, after all. By the way, are you planning to continue that thing on your stream?]
“Oh, you mean the Three Kingdoms game?”

There’s nothing else on my stream right now that could be “that thing,” so I could guess what my manager was referring to.

“Isn’t it fine to keep going?”

The year-end live just ended, so I figure I can keep playing it for at least another week.

[Well, it’s not that… It seems there’s been some backlash.]
“Haha, you’ve still got a lot to learn, manager.”
[What do you mean?]

Backlash? Those people complaining are just the “newbies.”
The ones who’ve been with me for a while? They’ve already accepted this as normal.

Besides, it’s not like this is the last time I’ll be doing something unpopular.
If someone’s going to drop out over this, better they leave sooner rather than later.

And most importantly…

“I’ll keep doing it until they stop asking me to turn on the cam.”

Lately, this has been the issue.
I’m a VTuber, but they keep demanding I turn on a camera.
I can’t keep banning people forever.

Even when I block certain words, the creativity of netizens in finding workarounds is impressive.
With all the attention on me right now, this is the perfect time to weed out the stragglers.

[That is a bit of a problem…]

My manager sighed, clearly aware of the situation.

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

Most of the new audience is either here because of the buzz around my “red pill” moment or because they discovered “Tranquil Lake.”
Either way, once the dead weight is shaken off, stabilizing my stream will be easy.

[You always handle it well. Even with the pruning, your audience keeps growing steadily.]
“Exactly. Especially on YouTube, where things are going great.”

While my live streams have their ups and downs, it’s a different story on YouTube.
The channel keeps growing without me having to filter anything.

Most of the new viewers from “Tranquil Lake” end up checking out my YouTube channel first, so my views are climbing steadily.

[At this rate, you might hit a million subscribers soon.]
“A million? That’s still a long way off.”

A million feels like a dream. I haven’t even hit half that yet.
At the current growth rate, I might reach 500k soon, though.

[It’ll happen eventually. I’m looking forward to it.]
“If you expect too much, I might just disappear on you.”
[Please don’t joke about that, even in passing.]
“And if I’m serious?”
[Don’t even make me imagine it.]

Relax, it’s just a joke.
There’s no way I’d go AWOL unless I got hit by a bus or something.

[Anyway, I’ll decline the interview for you. By the way, are you out somewhere right now?]
“Oh, right now? Yeah.”
[Well, enjoy yourself. I’ve got to get back to work.]
“Thanks. Take care.”

After ending the call with my always-working manager, I looked ahead.

Scattered around me were lights and various pieces of equipment.
People bustled about, moving things back and forth.

“Ah, you’ve arrived.”

A familiar voice called out from behind me.
Turning around, I saw an increasingly recognizable face.

“Oh, Moon Changsik.”
“Moon Changsik? Did you see my movie comeback or something?”
“You got that right away?”
“Well, it was a meaningful project for me.”

It was Moon Changsik—an actor who once promised it’d be a one-time shoot, only to shamelessly ask for one last favor: another shoot.

“Thanks for coming today.”
“I had a comfortable trip over.”

Moon Changsik’s manager had personally driven me here, making it a very easy commute.
The guy was a top-notch driver.

“How’s your sister doing?”
“My sister?”
“Jiyoon. Don’t tell me you forgot.”
“Are you still stuck in character from the movie?”
“Haha, just kidding.”

As if I’d confuse a movie with real life.

“Just making small talk.”
“Well, if you must know, Jiyoon’s doing great. She even texts me.”
“Oh… Jiyoon has a phone?”
“She’s in her final years of elementary school—of course, she does.”
“What? She’s in upper elementary now?”
“Yes?”

What the…?
In my memory, Jiyoon was much younger.
It feels like I just took a metaphorical “red pill.”

“That expression would really hurt Jiyoon if she saw it.”
“What expression?”
“You look like you’re denying her entire existence as an older kid.”
“I am not. Anyway, where’s the shoot happening again?”
“Changing the subject, huh? Follow me.”
“Lead the way.”

Following Moon Changsik, we arrived at a venue that looked like it could host an actual performance.
The stage was front and center, with wide rows of audience seating stretching out. A few staff members were busy setting up equipment in the audience area.

I’d heard this was the final scene of the movie, and it looked like they were taking their preparations seriously.

“Over there is where you’ll get your makeup done.”

While I admired the stage, Moon Changsik gestured toward a tent set up on one side.
This seems… a bit much for a minor role, doesn’t it?

“Wait, this is a minor role, right?”
“Well… yeah, technically. Anyway, I’ve shown you where to go, so I’ll leave you to it.”

Despite my doubts about the scale, I headed into the tent.
The moment I stepped in, everyone’s eyes were on me.

…Others were getting their makeup done too?
Judging by their looks, these people were no amateurs.
It figures—who else but actresses would be here?

“Hello!”

Following Moon Changsik’s advice, I gave a big, cheerful greeting as I entered.

After all, people generally can’t dislike someone who’s polite and friendly.
If you’re both, it’s hard to leave a bad impression.

“Oh, uh, hi.”
“Haha, you can relax—I’m not that formal.”

Sure enough, the actresses seemed to loosen up, their expressions softening.
Relieved, I found an empty seat and sat down.
Soon, one of the actresses beside me sneaked a curious glance and asked, “So, who are you?”

“Oh, I’m Kim Suhyun. I was asked to help out for today’s final shoot.”
“Oh… wait, are you playing Han Hyejin?”
“If you mean the character, then yes.”

As soon as I said that, everyone’s attention turned to me.
What’s… going on?

“No wonder you’re so pretty!”
“So it’s you?”
“Wow, didn’t recognize you at first.”
“Are you working on any other projects?”

The flood of questions overwhelmed me.
…I’d really rather not get this much attention.

“Everyone, Suhyun seems uncomfortable with all the questions.”

The one who rescued me was Kang Hana, whom I’d met briefly before.
I hadn’t noticed her earlier, but she was here.

“Wait, Hana, you know Suhyun?”
“Yeah, we talked a bit before.”
“Ah, pretty people stick together, huh?”
“Guess we can retire now!”
“You’re still active, though!”

Although I escaped the spotlight, the chatter among the 30-something actresses left me with a headache.

Are these supposed to be professionals?
They sounded more like neighborhood hair salon gossipers.

“Miss Suhyun? I’ll start on your hair now.”
“Oh, sure. Please take care of me.”

As chaotic as it was, a stylist approached and began working on my hair.
Does every shoot have facilities this nice? It feels like a high-end salon.

“Wow, your hair’s in amazing condition.”
“Oh, thank you.”

Well, I’ve never dyed or bleached it, so it’s no surprise.

“And your skin—wow. What’s your secret?”
“My skin? Um…”

Before I could say I just stay indoors and use basic skincare products…

“So, Suhyun, how do you maintain your skin?”
“I was thinking the same thing—your complexion is incredible.”

The nearby actresses were at it again, sneaking in questions.
It seems they were naturally curious about the new face on set.

…Could they just leave me alone?
At this rate, I almost miss Moon Changsik.

After surviving the barrage of questions, I finally finished getting my makeup done.
…This is not an experience I’d want to repeat.

But then…

“Wow, that’s incredible.”
“Right? She looks stunning.”

When I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror, I saw…

“Wow.”

Is this… me?

The feeling was eerily similar to the first time I looked in the mirror after becoming the female Kim Suhyun.