Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 22

The release of the debut song is really just around the corner.

In the meantime, we’ve had a few collaborations and even held a debut showcase with actual journalists.

Although I made a few verbal slip-ups while handling the schedule, fortunately, we got through without major controversies, and the broadcast is gradually growing.

However, a problem has arisen…

“What? You’re quitting vocal lessons?”

“I’m not quitting, I’m just thinking of temporarily stopping.”

“Why…?”

At the vocal teacher’s surprised inquiry about the sudden halt in lessons, I bowed my head in embarrassment.

“Because I don’t have money…”

“Oh…”

A few days ago, my parents found out I had dropped out.

Given that they were covering my university tuition and related expenses, it was inevitable they’d find out.

Honestly, lasting about a month without them knowing could be considered quite a feat.

Since I dropped out without saying anything, my parents were understandably furious, demanded I come home immediately, and cut off my financial support.

I had already spent my saved money on an avatar and broadcasting equipment, and even though I was using the money earned from live broadcasts to pay for my phone and credit card bills, affording vocal lesson fees was a stretch.

The broadcast sponsorship had higher fees than expected.

Moreover, now that I’m part of a company, they also take a cut, so I’m still living quite frugally.

“Well… the lesson fees are a bit burdensome.”

“Right… haha, but I plan to re-register once I earn more money.”

Upon hearing that I’d re-register once I had more income, the vocal teacher thought for a moment before cautiously suggesting an idea.

“Um… would you like to do a part-time job?”

“What kind of part-time job?”

“Oh, please don’t tell anyone else about this?”

After proposing the idea, the vocal teacher hesitated a bit.

“What is it? I won’t tell. I don’t even know the names of the other students.”

“Right… since you only take private lessons… Okay, I’ll tell you.”

What could it be that they’re being so secretive about? Growing more curious, I leaned in as the vocal teacher glanced around before continuing.

“My acquaintance is preparing a song and looking for a featuring artist. Since your voice is so good, I thought I’d ask if you’d be interested. The pay will be good.”

“What?”

I was momentarily stunned.

Featuring in a song? Isn’t that something only singers do?

“They’re a rookie, so they’re looking for someone around them. My voice doesn’t quite match, but they’re looking for a clear female vocal.”

True, I’ve heard the vocal teacher sing a few times and their voice is rather husky.

“Are you worried? If you decide to do it, I’ll help you a lot. I don’t usually make such offers, but I feel it’s a shame for you to stop. And my acquaintance would also benefit from a vocalist like you.”

Listening to the offer, I felt tempted. It was indeed a rare opportunity. Though I didn’t know who the acquaintance was, I trusted the vocal teacher wouldn’t recommend just anyone.

However…

“Ah… it’s a really good offer, but…”

“But…?”

“I actually belong to a company, you see? I think I need to discuss it with them first.”

I am officially affiliated with The Six.

Naturally, for matters like this, I need to consult with the company.

“Ah… I figured.”

The vocal teacher nodded slightly when I mentioned that I had a company.

I thought they’d be surprised, but since they accepted it so naturally, I was taken aback.

“You’re not surprised..? I never mentioned it before.”

“No, if it’s you, Suhyun, it’s obvious you would have a company. I just never brought it up because you didn’t mention it… Where is it? AG? SN? Or is it JYB?”

Hearing the names of the top three entertainment companies being mentioned so naturally made me feel awkward.

“Excuse me? Oh, it’s not an entertainment company.”

“What? Then where..”

“Well, um..”

I had no choice but to explain the situation to the vocal teacher.

That I’m a VTuber, passed an audition, and now even have a debut song coming out.

“A debut song? Can you let me hear it? By the way, what is a VTuber? Is it similar to YouTube?”

I briefly explained, but seeing that they didn’t even know what a VTuber was, I wondered how to explain it and just showed one of my videos.

Watching the video of my song from the fourth audition round, the teacher’s mouth dropped open and they stared at me.

“Is this the recording from back then.. Ah! This is you, Suhyun?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Wow.. The character is really pretty. Is it like animation? Dubbing?”

“No.. um..”

Trying to explain to someone who doesn’t know anything about this field made my face gradually turn red, but being a VTuber is my job. I tried to calmly explain step by step.

“Oh.. So you show this character instead of your face on camera?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Haha.. I see. Technology has really improved a lot these days…”

“Yes, it has. But there are many people who like it.”

“Of course. Who wouldn’t like you, Suhyun? Still, this way you can protect your privacy.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“Then let me ask the company and if possible, contact me, I’ll ask someone I know.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Great. Oh.. Suhyun’s identity is a secret, right? I’ll make sure we can exchange opinions online.”

“That would be appreciated, thank you.”

“Got it, the person I know has an English name.. I’ll write it down here.”

Saying that, the vocal teacher tore a page from the notebook and wrote in English.

I read the English written in quite a beautiful handwriting.

“Is it Slim Gold?”

“Yes, it is. It’s a bit cheesy, right? The kid is slim and has blonde hair, so they call themselves Slim Gold.”

“Oh…”

Honestly, it was a bit cheesy, so I nodded.

“Even though the name is like that, the kid is really good-looking. What do you think? Would you like to meet them?”

“Oh, no, that’s alright. I’ll mention it to the agency anyway.”

An introduction like that sounded horrible.

I shook my head at my vocal teacher and stood up from my seat.

“Well, I’ll be going now.”

“Okay, talk to them and text me~”

After leaving the vocal academy, I immediately called my manager.

[Hello?]

“Manager.”

[What’s up?]

“I got an offer from outside.”

[What? What do you mean?]

“The vocal academy I attend offered me a featuring opportunity.”

[A featuring opportunity? Could you tell me more?]

“Well…”

I explained everything that had happened.

How I registered at the vocal academy as soon as the auditions started and became close with my vocal teacher.

How I trained with the teacher and submitted my fourth audition video, and how the teacher suggested I do a part-time job and featuring when I said I couldn’t afford it for a while.

[Are you having financial difficulties? Should I talk to the company about support funds?]

“Oh, it’s not that bad.”

[No, the company originally planned to recommend the vocal academy, so we can cover the cost.]

“Really?”

I felt hesitant to accept just a support fund, but if it was for that reason…

[Yes, I’ll talk to the company. By the way, what’s the name of the artist you’re featuring for?]

“Oh… I don’t know their opinion well yet, but for now, I heard Slim Gold.”

[Aha… Slim Gold… I think I’ve heard that name before, hold on.]

She couldn’t have heard it; my vocal teacher said they’re a rookie. Plus, recommending a student like me for a feature means they can’t be a well-known artist.

[Miro? Are you sure it’s Slim Gold? Do you have the English spelling your teacher wrote down?]

“Well? I’m good at reading English… Just a moment… s…”

I read out the English my vocal teacher had given me, and I heard a surprised gasp over the phone.

[Miro!]

“Yes?”

[You must! Make sure this happens!]

“Oh… are they famous?”

I had never heard of them. My manager’s slightly excited voice came through the phone.

[No! They’re not that famous yet, but compared to our group, they’re much more well-known!]

“Oh…”

So, it’s relative fame…

[But they’re a rookie making a name for themselves, so this would be a great opportunity if we join them now.]

“Alright then. Should I tell my vocal teacher that the company approves?”

[Well, I need to report it to the higher-ups first. But chances are, they’ll approve it, so you can tell them in advance.]

“Really?”

It would be quite awkward if permission isn’t granted later on.

[I think it will almost certainly be approved… But if it isn’t, you can participate as Kim Suhyun instead of Miro from the Celestial Project.]

“Really? I can do it under my own name?”

[Of course. We contracted with the VTuber Miro, right? As long as it doesn’t interfere with your activities as Miro, you can do other work.]

“I see…”

I didn’t know that Miro and Kim Suhyun were considered separate.

“Okay, I’ll inform them right away.”

[Yes, thank you for bringing this to us. Please also thank your vocal teacher.]

“Oh, yes. Will do.”

[Take care.]

“You too.”

After finishing the call with the manager, I immediately sent a message to the vocal teacher saying it was possible.

***

The next day.

“Pardon?”

[Sorry… The higher-ups decided that we should focus on internal activities instead of external ones for now…]

“What?”

[I apologize…]

The external featuring opportunity that I thought was a sure thing got rejected by the higher-ups.

“Hello? Teacher, the thing is…”

[Suhyun! This person likes you! Great!]

Unfortunately, the featuring was approved.

In the end…

“Um, I got rejected by the company…”

[What?]

“Um… I can’t do it under my VTuber name, but can I participate under my real name?”

So I ended up participating in the featuring not as the VTuber Miro, but as the real Kim Suhyun.