Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 146

Izakaya Sake.
If you’ve even glanced at the VTuber industry, there’s no way you haven’t heard of her.
Nicknames like “The Living Legend,” “King-God-Emperor,” “VTuber Deity,” and countless other titles are plastered on her name. She’s the industry’s undisputed number one.

“My name’s kind of weird, right? I just love sake.”
“Uh… Well, I’m Korean, so it doesn’t seem that strange to me.”

For a Japanese person, having a name that literally means “Japanese pub sake” might sound odd. But to me, it just sounded like a Japanese name.

“Phew, that’s a relief.”

“You speak Korean really well,” I remarked, genuinely impressed.

Tenshi-san had mentioned that Sake-san knew some Korean, but this was far beyond “some.”

“Oh, I’m a huge K-pop fan.”

K-pop once again proved its global prowess. I should probably worship it—it’s the reason I can talk to the VTuber deity without a language barrier right now.

“By the way, are you here for the recording?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

That was my main reason for coming to Japan: to record for Tenshi-san’s upcoming live event. I had even practiced in advance back home.

“Oh, I see.”

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment, making me feel a bit self-conscious.

“Is something wrong?”

She chuckled softly and, in a bold tone, asked, “Mind if I watch?”

“S-Sake-senpai?”

When Tenshi-san finally returned, her eyes widened at the sight of me sitting with Sake-san.

“Tenshi-chan!”

Sake-san greeted her with the warmth of an older sister and promptly pulled her onto her lap, ruffling her hair.

In that moment, Tenshi-san truly looked like someone’s adorable younger cousin. While she had a playful vibe, Sake-san exuded a mature, professional air.

“Um…”

Since the two quickly launched into a conversation in Japanese, I could only sit quietly, munching on some of the snacks I had spotted earlier. I couldn’t catch much of what they were saying.

Eventually, their conversation wrapped up, and Tenshi-san turned to me with a bright smile.

“Let’s go!”

“Huh? What about Sake-san?”

“She said she’ll watch too! Let’s show her what we’ve got!”

What? Watch? Now I felt even more pressure.

Still, there was no backing out now. I’d just have to perform my best and let her judge for herself.

Following Tenshi-san, I entered the studio—and froze.

“Wow.”

This place was incredible.

The studio was massive, and the equipment gleamed like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Now I understood why Tenshi-san had praised The Six’s studio in Seoul. That must’ve been pure lip service. Compared to this, ours was on a completely different level.

We’ve got a long way to go, The Six!

“Here, wear this and this!”

Since I couldn’t understand the instructions being given in Japanese, Tenshi-san took over and explained everything to me.

After changing into the appropriate attire for recording, I stepped onto the set.

This time, we weren’t performing a K-pop cover. Instead, the song was in Japanese—a hit I’d listened to plenty of times before. Memorizing the lyrics had been a challenge, but the familiarity helped.

Thankfully, the recording went smoothly.

With experience under my belt, I was more confident with choreography and blocking. There were a few NGs, of course, but nothing like the endless retakes from my earlier days.

When the recording wrapped, I stepped out of the studio to find Sake-san waiting for me with a round of applause.

“Great job!” she said, clapping enthusiastically.

The praise made me feel like I’d been knighted.

Still, I couldn’t help but wonder—what was Sake-san doing here?

Turning to the person I could ask most easily, I leaned toward Tenshi-san.

“Tenshi-san, why is Sake-san here?”

“Oh, Senpai? She’s also my guest!”

“Your guest?”

“Yup! I appeared on her stream before, so now she’s returning the favor!”

That made sense. As a fellow company member and senior, it was natural for them to collaborate.

“So, when’s her recording?”

“Right after yours!”

“…What?”

“Just wait a bit, okay?”

What? Right after mine?

Wasn’t that… risky? I’d just finished recording in front of the VTuber legend. And now she’d be recording right after me? The comparison was inevitable.

Still, I couldn’t back down.

I’m the one who got a SlimGold feature, after all!

Even if Sake-san was at the top, I had my own strengths.

With a slight competitive edge, I settled in to watch her record.

And…

“Wow.”

I couldn’t help but let out a genuine exclamation.

Her performance wasn’t just good—it was mesmerizing.

Even though it was just a recording, it felt like her character came alive. Watching her was like attending a live concert.

I wasn’t even a fan, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

By the time she finished, I was left in awe.

“Phew!”

Tenshi-san, sweaty and exhausted from the recording, approached me with a wide grin. I instinctively took a step back.

“Eh?”

“Go shower.”

“Eek?”

With a dramatic pout, she shuffled off to the showers, leaving me face-to-face with Sake-san.

“Should I shower too?” she asked with a sheepish smile.

“You’re fine.”

She didn’t seem to have broken much of a sweat during her recording.

“So, what did you think?”

“…Of the recording?”

“Yes.”

Honestly, what else could I say but—

“It was amazing.”

I gave her a thumbs up, and her soft smile turned radiant.

She really was a legend.

“Really? Then you should shower too.”

“Huh?”

“You sweated, didn’t you?”

“Ah.”

Right. After a single session, I was drenched. My efficiency was impressive in the worst way.

I sighed, realizing I shouldn’t have been the one shooing Tenshi-san off earlier.

After a refreshing shower, I felt much better.

“Ah, so refreshing!”

“Right?”

As we walked out of the building together, I noticed Sake-san glancing at my luggage.

“Did you not book a hotel?”

“Oh, I didn’t pack much. I figured I’d just manage.”

Honestly, I hadn’t bothered with heavy packing because I knew Tenshi-san would probably drag me shopping.

“Well… if you’d like,” Sake-san began hesitantly, “you can stay at my place with Tenshi-chan.”

“…Really?”

I wasn’t sure if I should accept. A hotel was fine, but crashing at someone’s house felt a bit… personal? I looked at Tenshi-san for her opinion.

Her immediate nod settled it.

“Sure, why not?”

And just like that, I found myself heading to the home of the VTuber legend herself.

Sake-san’s home was more modest than I’d expected.

While it was in a nice building and furnished with quality items, it wasn’t ostentatious.

But what caught my eye were the shelves lined with goods.

There were plushies, figures, mugs, and posters—all featuring a white-haired character.

“These are all yours?”

“Yup!”

Every time she stepped into her living room, she’d be reminded of her success. How motivating.

As I admired the setup, she gestured toward another room.

“Want to see my room?”

“Sure.”

I followed her to her private space—and was stunned.

“What… is all this?”

“Heheh…”

Her room wasn’t filled with her own merchandise. Instead, it was packed with goods of male idols.

“You know I’m a huge K-pop fan, right?”

I spotted a familiar face among the merchandise.

“Wait, is that Beastz?”

“You know them?!”

“…Of course.”

Beastz was legendary in their own right.

“Meeting them is my dream.”

…Should I tell her? Or would that be too much of a flex?