Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 47

Following his request, I wrote “Miro” on the hat, as he had asked to use my name.

“Is that your name…?”

I was about to write the composer’s name next, but I suddenly realized I didn’t remember it, perhaps because I had always referred to him as “composer.”

“It’s Kang Woohyun.”

“Oh, right…”

So, following his request, I signed the hat and handed it over to him.

“Thank you,” he said, carefully placing the hat on the table.

“Do you usually collect things like this?”

His actions seemed so natural that I couldn’t help but ask. He scratched his head a bit awkwardly, nodding.

“Did you notice? Actually, I collect signatures from the singers I work with and display them at home.”

“Then, would you like to get Hyunsoo’s autograph too?”

“From Slim Gold? Haha, there’s no need to trouble yourself.”

“Oh… So Hyunsoo isn’t up to the level yet?”

“What are you saying… If we end up working together someday, I’ll get it myself.”

“Haha… Actually, I’m heading to Hyunsoo’s studio today, so I just thought I’d ask.”

“You’re going today?”

“Yes, I’ve been stuck while practicing guitar.”

It feels like I’ve hit a wall at about 80% of completing the song. Moreover, since I left my guitar at my parent’s house, I figured I’d stop by Hyunsoo’s studio to borrow a guitar and practice.

At the mention of practicing guitar, the composer’s eyes lit up.

“You play the guitar too?”

“Yes, I’m just starting to learn…”

“Would you like to practice with the guitar version of the sheet music? I can give it to you if you have time.”

“Excuse me?”

“A singer-songwriter who can perform their own songs on the guitar always shines.”

With a bit more enthusiasm, he stood up and brought over the guitar sheet music for the new song we had planned to work on together.

“Oh, there’s guitar sheet music?”

“I actually wanted to suggest it earlier, but I hesitated because I thought it might be too much. But, well, it’s quite a coincidence.”

A coincidence… It doesn’t feel like a coincidence to me…

“Um… It looks a bit difficult, though?”

The sheet music, at a glance, seemed quite challenging.

“It’s a bit complicated because I arranged it for the guitar, but practicing it won’t be a waste.”

Right… It’s always good to be good at something, isn’t it? And being able to play your own song on the guitar is quite an impressive skill…

“Well, I’m not asking you to play it right away. Just take your time and practice whenever you can.”

Since he put it that way, it would be difficult to refuse outright.

“Yeah, well… I’ll give it a shot.”

“Good decision.”

I figured I could try it later when I had no other commitments. It wouldn’t hurt to practice, after all. Besides, I had already decided to keep practicing the guitar, and now I didn’t even have to worry about picking a song to play, so I decided to think positively.

After that, we chatted a bit more about the new song before I left the composer’s studio.

I got back on the subway and headed to Hyunsoo’s studio.

It wasn’t too far, so I arrived pretty quickly…

“What’s going on?”

In front of Hyunsoo’s studio, a bunch of people stood around, each carrying different pieces of equipment.

I decided to send a quick text to Ahyoung, asking if something was up, and then approached closer. A young man wearing a cap came toward me.

“Um… What’s your business here?”

He had been walking over with a casual stride, but upon seeing me, his demeanor became a bit more polite as he asked what I was here for.

“I’m visiting a friend’s studio just up ahead. Is something going on?”

“Hmm… one moment, please.”

Since he was being polite, it was easier to ask. The young man glanced around briefly, then walked back to the group of people and brought over a middle-aged man.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ahn Youngwook, a PD.”

Oh… a PD?

Hearing the term “PD” reminded me of the message Hyunsoo had sent before.

‘He said something about filming for a variety show, right?’

So, it wasn’t being filmed at the station but was some kind of observational variety show?

“May I ask your name?”

This PD was strangely polite.

Aren’t PDs supposed to have a bit of charisma and authority?

“Uh… Kim Suhyun.”

Since he asked so courteously, I answered, but the situation felt a bit peculiar.

“You’re a friend of Slim Gold, correct?”

“Yes, that’s right…”

I had just come to learn some guitar, but was my timing off?

If I had known, I would have contacted him in advance.

“Well… if you’re filming, I’ll just leave.”

“Oh, no, no! Feel free to come in. As you can see, this is an observational variety show. If you’re a friend of his, you’re more than welcome!”

As I said I would leave, the PD waved his hands almost excessively, trying to dissuade me.

“Ah, well… I’m not comfortable with my face being shown on camera.”

“Hmm… are you a trainee? If you’re uncomfortable, we can edit you out.”

“No, it’s not that… I’m just an ordinary person. I only stopped by since I was in the area, so I think I’ll just head back.”

I wasn’t planning on learning anything in the middle of filming, after all.

However, the PD kept waving his arms and looked a bit desperate.

“We’re just trying to capture the natural daily life of Slim Gold, who’s become a hot artist lately. We certainly don’t want to block the visit of one of his acquaintances. We shouldn’t, actually. We can edit out your face in the stream or simply mention that a friend stopped by, so it won’t be a problem at all.”

“Is that… so?”

“Yes, please don’t worry. It’s not causing us any trouble at all.”

Hmm… that’s true, but why does he seem so desperate?

If I leave, there wouldn’t be any need for editing, and it would be more convenient, wouldn’t it?

“Or maybe you could wear a hat or something like that?”

At that moment, the PD put on his own hat, showing me an example.

“If you wear it low like this, only your mouth or nose will be visible on the stream.”

Hmm… that might be okay.

Just as I was seriously contemplating whether to stay or go, a familiar face appeared from outside.

“You said a friend of mine came by… Oh… noona?”

It had been a while since I last saw Hyunsoo, and he looked a bit different from before.

His hairstyle had more volume and was more flamboyant than the slick, bleached look he used to have, and his face looked as if he had makeup on.

Is this the taste of success?

“What brings you here?”

“Well…”

“Oh! How about continuing your conversation inside?”

As I was about to greet Hyunsoo, the PD quickly intervened and guided him back inside the studio.

So, I ended up entering the studio somewhat unexpectedly, but I didn’t mind. After all, I had planned to come here, and as long as I wasn’t disrupting the filming…

“Feel free to talk inside,” the PD said as he slipped back among the staff after bringing us in. I let out a small chuckle, but he wasn’t too annoying.

Since I was already here, I might as well learn something while I’m at it.

“Do you have a hat?”

“Huh? Oh… I think there’s one over there…”

The place Hyunsoo pointed to had a coat rack where a simple black hat was hanging.

“Although, I did wear it yesterday.”

“Well, it looks clean enough.”

Like that matters.

I had just signed the hat I’d been wearing and given it away.

“You’re not wearing it now, right?”

“No, I just got back from the salon.”

“Salon?”

So, that hair and makeup were courtesy of some money after all…

“The PD told me to look as polished as possible.”

I couldn’t help but let out a laugh at that.

Weren’t they supposed to be capturing his “natural” daily life?

Seeing the PD’s consistently contradictory behavior, I had a good guess about his intentions.

Am I not generally attractive?

He probably wants to capture even a bit of this look on camera to boost the viewership.

I once read in a book that PDs are devils obsessed with ratings.

“Well, I’ll use this then.”

I grabbed the hat from the rack and pulled it down over my head.

Luckily, it was big enough that if I pulled it down low, it would cover half of my face.

“So, what brings you here today?”

By the way, I never noticed when watching variety shows, but the cameras are really out in the open like this.

“I came to learn some guitar from Ahyoung, but the timing seems off.”

“Guitar? Oh, you mentioned before that you were learning.”

“Yeah, I’ve gotten to a decent level, but I’ve hit a bit of a wall.”

“But I don’t see a guitar with you?”

“Guitar? There’s one over there.”

I raised my hand and pointed to the fancy guitar placed neatly on one side of the room.

“Hyuk’s guitar?”

“Yeah, I got permission last time.”

During our last drinking party, I was told I could come by and use it anytime I wanted. Of course, that was under the influence, with Ahyoung’s slight coercion.

“Where are the others?”

“Oh, they went out to buy something and should be back soon.”

I had seen all the band members at the last get-together.

There was Kang Ahyoung on drums, Kang Hyuk on guitar, Minchul on bass, and Youngjun on keyboard, right?

I couldn’t quite remember their last names, but I was pretty sure I had the first names right.

For now, I picked up Kang Hyuk’s guitar. It felt different from the start, especially in terms of weight.

It was much more extravagant-looking, yet lighter. Was it made from some special material?

“But are you really learning guitar from Ahyoung? Her main instrument is drums.”

“Well, she’s still better than me.”

“Wouldn’t it make more sense to learn from Hyuk instead?”

“Hyunsoo, that would be too hard on him.”

“Huh?”

“If a guy has to teach a beautiful woman like me to play guitar, most men end up suffering from heartache.”

Hyunsoo’s expression twisted at my brazen statement, but I continued without a care.

“Hyunsoo, you need to keep your head straight, too. If you fall for this noona, there’s no end to it.”

After all, aren’t there thousands of “Miro” fans out there who have eyes only for me?

“Uh… okay.”

“I’m not looking for romance, so I don’t even give anyone a chance.”

“Is that… so?”

Hyunsoo is safe.

Hyunsoo cares about music too much to care about anything else

Besides, Hyunsoo is a minor, even if we’re only two years apart.

Ignoring Hyunsoo’s furrowed brow, I strummed Kang Hyuk’s guitar lightly.

“Oh…”

The feel was different from my usual one, probably because it was expensive.

“What song are you practicing?”

“Hmm… Want to hear it?”

It’s a famous song from a Japanese band, so he might know it. In a way, it’s quite similar to the style of Hyunsoo’s music.

“Watch carefully, and… don’t tell anyone…!”

“Why?”

“They’ll probably tell me to become a guitar hero~”

“Is that from some manga?”

“Kids these days…”

To think there’s a generation now that doesn’t know that line…

That’s what I get for dealing with these youngsters.

“It’s not like there’s much of an age difference between us…”

“Quiet! Don’t argue with your elders!”

Just as I was about to properly play the guitar in front of this unromantic youngster—

Clunk!

“We’re back!”

The studio door opened, and Ahyoung and the rest of the band members walked in.

“Oh? What brings you here?”

Ahyoung, holding a white plastic bag in one hand, stepped into the studio, her eyes widening as she saw me already sitting there, strumming the guitar.