Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 182

The vocal academy I arrived at with Haeun hadn’t changed much compared to before.

Well, it hasn’t been that long since I last came, so it would be more surprising if it had changed.

“Suhyun and Yaeun came together?”

When Haeun and I entered the lobby, the receptionist, who was always there, looked surprised and asked.

…From the receptionist’s perspective, this must be an unexpected duo, right?

“Ah, we recently became close…”

“Oh… that’s unexpected? Ah, by the way.”

I couldn’t exactly explain everything about streaming, so I gave a vague answer, but the receptionist seemed to remember something and bent down behind the counter, pulling out a piece of paper and a pen.

“Suhyun, I really enjoyed your song this time! Can I get your autograph?”

“Ah.”

This is the second autograph request today.

Well, it’s not strange that the receptionist knows me since I attended the academy, but… thinking about the guy who recognized me at the cafe earlier, I feel a bit weird again.

“Sure… I’ll do it.”

I don’t have a pre-made signature, so I quickly scribbled my name, and I could feel Haeun’s gaze on me.

“…What?”

“Ah, nothing, you just seem amazing.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, you seem different from when we played games together.”

“…”

Well, I am different.

Miro the VTuber and Miro the singer are two different things, after all.

After giving the receptionist my autograph, we headed to the practice room I always used.

Come to think of it, is this the first time I’ve come this year?

I owe a lot to the vocal teacher, so I feel a bit bad for not keeping in touch.

“How long has it been since you last came, junior?”

“I stopped after the 2nd gen debuted, so it’s been a while.”

Since it’s her first time after the 2nd gen debuted… wait, hasn’t it been a while?

No, come to think of it, quite a bit of time has passed since the 2nd gen debuted.

Time really flies.

It feels like just yesterday that I watched the debut stream at Maho’s house.

As we walked down the familiar hallway and entered the practice room, I noticed the vocal teacher wasn’t there yet.

I sat down, and Haeun sat next to me.

“By the way, why did you suddenly decide to practice singing?”

“There’s no end to learning.”

Since Hyunsoo said the concert is still confidential, I should keep it to myself.

Haeun doesn’t seem like the type to go around talking about it, but there’s no need to mention it unnecessarily.

“Hmm, really? Well, that’s true.”

Fortunately, Haeun didn’t press further.

As we sat there chatting, the door opened, and the vocal teacher walked in.

“You both came early?”

Since I had already told the vocal teacher that we were coming, she didn’t seem surprised like the receptionist.

“Teacher, it’s been a while.”

“Yes, for me too…”

After exchanging greetings with the vocal teacher, we got to the main point.

“So, you want to practice today?”

“Ah, yes, as I mentioned earlier…”

Today, I came to catch up, but I also came to pay for a short-term lesson.

Haeun tagged along since we were meeting anyway.

“Then, shall we practice the songs we talked about?”

“Ah, yes.”

For today’s practice, we have Crossroads and Tranquil Lake.

Well, the vocal teacher has known for a while that I’m Miro the VTuber, so there’s no need to feel awkward.

With those two songs and the two feature parts for Hyunsoo’s concert, which is the main reason I’m here, time isn’t exactly on our side.

“But is it right for you to learn this from me?”

“Huh?”

The vocal teacher looked at the songs I brought and laughed as if it was absurd.

“Well, they’re your own songs, right?”

“Ah…”

Come to think of it, that’s true.

From the vocal teacher’s perspective, a singer came to her for coaching with their own songs.

And they’re already released, too.

“Hmm… Could you check my basics, like breathing? Honestly, I haven’t practiced much, so I’m here to polish my rusty skills.”

“Alright, I understand.”

And so, proper practice began for the first time in a while.

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a lesson like this.

Usually, I learned through real-time feedback.

“Now, breathe a bit slower.”

“L-Like this?”

“Yes, but when you exhale, more…”

“Got it…”

“…This time, you inhaled too much.”

“Ah.”

Well… I’m still getting corrected, though.

I focused on practicing until it was time for a break.

“Shall we take a break? I’ll go get some coffee.”

“Ah, sure.”

The vocal teacher went to refill her iced Americano, leaving just Haeun and me in the practice room.

By the way, is Haeun okay with this?

She said she’d tag along, but isn’t it boring to just watch someone else take a lesson?

“Junior.”

“Yes?”

“Aren’t you bored?”

“Ah… no.”

Hmm… really?

Maybe she’s just being polite because I’m her senior, so I asked again.

“If you’re bored, you can go somewhere else.”

“No, it’s really interesting. It’s kind of fascinating.”

“Really?”

“Yes, ah! It’s also really helpful…”

If she’s saying that much, then…

I don’t really care whether Haeun is here or not, so I just nodded and took a sip of water when Haeun suddenly spoke up.

“By the way, you’re really working hard.”

“Me?”

“Yes, you seem more passionate than when I saw you last time.”

Well… when I first met Haeun, I was just here to casually learn about K-pop.

It’s different from now, when I’m practicing hard for the concert.

“I have my moments.”

“I thought you were just a genius who could do everything effortlessly.”

“Where do you find people like that?”

Well, they do exist.

Someone comes to mind right now.

But I… can’t really say I’m one of them, right?

Sure, I’ll admit that my vocal tone is natural.

But when it comes to skill, I’m not so sure.

My hardware is top-notch, but there are too many geniuses in the world to call my software genius-level.

“So, I was thinking I should work harder too—it’s motivating.”

Motivation, huh…

Come to think of it, did the vocal teacher say Haeun has an indecisive personality?

She doesn’t seem like that at all.

“You said it earlier, there’s no end to learning. Work hard.”

“Got it. Then can I become like you, Senior?”

“Like me?”

“Yes.”

Like me, huh…

“Set a different goal, not me.”

“Huh, why?”

“I’m a special case.”

Honestly, I’m just a rookie with only a year of experience.

Miro isn’t a piece of pottery crafted through steady effort.

She’s more like some mysterious creation born from a mix of luck, talent, and special circumstances.

She’s not exactly a suitable role model.

Anyway, after the vocal teacher returned, we practiced for a few more hours, and the lesson ended.

After the lesson.

While Haeun went to the restroom, the vocal teacher spoke to me.

“Are you doing both feature songs?”

“Huh?”

“Right? Or are you doing your own songs too?”

“…Did you figure it out?”

“Of course, it’s obvious.”

I didn’t mention the concert, but… she’s sharp.

Well, the vocal teacher is well-versed in this industry, so it would be more surprising if she hadn’t noticed.

“So, you’re doing both feature parts?”

“…Yes.”

Since I’ve already been caught, there’s no point in denying it.

It’s not like the vocal teacher would go around talking about it, right?

“Hmm… Good luck. You’ll do well.”

“…Got it.”

“You don’t seem like the type, but don’t get too nervous.”

I don’t seem like the type? Of course, I’m fine now, but won’t I be insanely nervous on the day?

That’s why I came all the way here to practice.

Preparation and practice are great ways to ease the tension on the day.

“Even if it’s not often, come by occasionally.”

“Yes, I will.”

“And can I brag? That you were my student.”

Brag? Well, I guess, but the vocal teacher’s best student is someone else.

“Isn’t Hyunsoo enough?”

“He studied too briefly, so it’s a bit embarrassing to brag about him.”

“Well, in that case… sure.”

“You won’t pretend not to know me later, will you?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Oh, come on…”

Anyway, after chatting with the vocal teacher, Haeun returned, and we left the academy together.

“Come to think of it, it ended pretty late.”

I actually wanted to hang out with Haeun a bit, but the lesson took longer than expected.

Is there even enough time to grab dinner?

“Then, do you want to come to my place and eat?”

“Your place?”

“Yeah, and we can do a collab stream too?”

A collab too?

We didn’t even announce it.

I glanced at Haeun and saw her face filled with anticipation.

…Was this her plan all along?

To lure her innocent senior to her place and plan a collab stream.

“…Sure, let’s go.”

I’m a bit tired, but for the junior who stayed by my side throughout the lesson, I’ll do it.

Besides, I need to eat dinner anyway.

So, that day, we went to Haeun’s place, had dinner, and did a collab stream.

I finally escaped Haeun’s tireless energy late at night.

“It’s late, do you want to stay over?”

After the stream ended, Haeun’s offer was tempting.

Should I really stay over…? Since Haeun lives alone, it wouldn’t be a big deal…

“…No, I’ll head home. I have things to do tomorrow.”

Normally, I would’ve stayed, but I remembered I have plans tomorrow, so I reluctantly shook my head and declined.

…I’ll have to take a taxi home.

“Ah, by the way, tomorrow’s the day, right?”

“Hey, as a junior, you shouldn’t forget.”

“Ahaha… I won’t be there, so…”

…We’ve gotten closer today, so she’s being honest.

Well, it’s not exactly Haeun’s day since she’s part of the 2nd gen.

“But it’s not completely unrelated to you, right? You should watch the live stream.”

“I’ll make sure to watch it.”

Come to think of it, tomorrow’s already here.

“Then, I’ll head out now.”

“Okay, good luck tomorrow!”

With that, I left Haeun’s place, caught a taxi, and went home, collapsing onto my bed.

“Phew.”

I’m clearly tired, but I can’t fall asleep.

Tomorrow is the Celestial Realm 1st Anniversary Special Stream.

The manager said to look forward to it, but I’m so anxious…

Hoping it goes smoothly, I finally fell asleep.