Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 48

“Hey! Why did you come without any notice?”

Ahyoung looked quite surprised by my unexpected visit.

“Well, I did send a message just before I arrived.”

Although it was really just asking if she had any plans for today.

“Really? Oh, you did?”

Ahyoung checked her phone and saw the message, then looked back at me.

“But that was 10 minutes ago?”

“Haha, what does that matter? By the way, what did you bring?”

My skill at changing the subject was now at a level where ordinary people couldn’t keep up.

“Oh, this? Just some snacks and a few cans of beer.”

Unaware of my trick, Ahyoung fell for it completely.

“Oh… you’re drinking beer with Hyunsoo?”

“Hyunsoo can just drink soda.”

Ahyoung said this as she pulled a can of cola from the bag and tossed it lightly to Hyunsoo.

“Hey, you shouldn’t throw it like that. It might explode.”

“It’s fine, just leave it for a bit and it’ll settle.”

Hyunsoo caught the cola can mid-flight with a sigh and placed it on the desk.

“Do you want anything to drink?”

“Um, not right now.”

I had already drunk about 2-3 liters of water while recording just a few hours earlier, so I wasn’t particularly thirsty.

“Okay, I’ll put it in the fridge, so feel free to take some later.”

Ah-young said this as she set the bag down in the kitchen, where the other band members were organizing the fridge, and then returned.

“You said you’d put it in the fridge?”

“They’ll handle it. I bought this with my card.”

“Got it.”

Since it was her purchase, she definitely had the right to take a break.

“So, what were you up to?”

“Oh, since I was nearby…”

“Wasn’t Hyunsoo the one who called you?”

“Huh?”

“You didn’t come here because you couldn’t resist the PD’s insistence, and now you’re appearing on a variety show for ratings, did you?”

Ahyoung’s playful comment made Hyunsoo look horrified.

“Wait, what? Is that what you mean?”

“Hyunsoo, you got tricked by the PD who promised to promote your song properly, so now you’re even on variety shows.”

“Well, yes, that’s true…”

I was quite surprised by that conversation.

Even someone like Hyunsoo, who’s pretty successful, wouldn’t hesitate to appear on variety shows just to promote his song.

“Hey, did you see how this guy has changed? Look at all the makeup he’s put on. He doesn’t even use sunscreen properly…”

“Ah, no wonder Hyunsoo kept insisting that you come today.”

“Huh? Didn’t you say you came to learn guitar?”

“Huh? You came here to learn guitar?”

Only then did Ahyoung’s attention shift to the guitar I was holding.

“Is that Hyuk’s guitar?”

“Yeah, I got permission to use it last time.”

“Oh right, I remember now. But why are you wearing that hat? You’ve got such a nice face.”

“Well…”

I gave Ahyoung a brief explanation.

I didn’t know we were going to be filmed, so I was trying to cover my face a bit.

“Really? The PD is going to be disappointed.”

I wanted to ask why she kept referring to the PD as “that guy,” but knowing that the PD would hear it through Ahyoung or Hyunsoo’s microphones, I decided against it.

“Is there anything to be disappointed about? Even covered up, you’re still pretty.”

“Can I hit you?”

“If you’re going to hit me, please avoid the face…”

Smack!

“Ouch!”

In the end, Ahyoung slapped me on the back. Maybe it’s because she’s a drummer, but her hand is surprisingly sharp.

“Consider it a sweet revenge for making me come here. Take it like a champ.”

“Ouch…”

“So, what exactly are you learning? Is it the song you were practicing before?”

“Yes, that’s right. I can play most of it, but I’ve hit a wall.”

“I get that. It happens.”

Ahyoung nodded in understanding and adjusted her seating.

“Then go ahead and play. I’ll listen.”

“Well, that’s great for me.”

Since Hyunsoo was also going to listen, I picked up the guitar and got ready to play. As soon as I started, the camera turned towards us, and the attention of the other band members, who were tidying up the things I had brought, shifted to me.

“What’s that? Is that my guitar?”

Amidst the murmurs, I began playing my clumsy rendition, and it didn’t take long for Hyunsoo to nod in approval.

“Do you know this song?”

“Yeah, it’s by a band I like.”

I wasn’t too surprised, as I had expected that reaction. But she knew this song, huh?

Being the only one playing guitar awkwardly in a room full of silence was pretty embarrassing, so this worked out well.

“Well, you must know how to sing this song too, right?”

“Uh, yes, I guess?”

“Then go ahead and sing along with the guitar.”

If there’s a chance to do this, it’s now or never.

“Now? Right now?”

“Music should be spontaneous.”

I stopped playing and readjusted my grip on the guitar, signaling that I was starting over.

“Oh! I’ll play the drums for you!”

Seeing this, Ahyoung seemed excited and quickly dashed over to the drums.

With Ahyoung getting ready, Hyunsoo looked a bit uncomfortable, but as soon as I began playing the guitar, he managed to compose himself.

Well, he is a singer after all. And this is what a live performance is all about.

Come to think of it, I’ve never actually seen Hyunsoo perform live. This was a chance to experience it firsthand.

So, my clumsy guitar playing and Ahyoung’s powerful drumming came together as we began.

“Ah-”

And then, the voice of Slim Gold, a prodigy who dominated the charts at just 19, filled the room with a clarity that was impressive under the watchful eyes of many cameras.

“Wow….”

How does his voice change so dramatically?

I was in awe of Hyunsoo’s flawless pitch and powerful vocals, and noticed the PD grinning widely from the corner of my eye.

Is he really that pleased?

As I pondered the PD’s emotions for a moment, I refocused on the performance.

If I’m not careful, my amateur guitar playing might get completely overshadowed by Ahyoung’s drumming and Hyunsoo’s singing.

I concentrated intensely, pouring my effort into my guitar while listening carefully to Hyunsoo’s singing.

Hyunsoo sang the lyrics in Korean, not Japanese, and his unique voice made the song feel like an original Slim Gold track rather than a cover of a Japanese band’s song.

Is this what talent looks like? Turning someone else’s song into your own?

Watching Hyunsoo perform with his signature style and catching glimpses of Ahyoung’s drumming, I realized how professional she was. Seeing her play the drums like that, I felt a newfound respect.

Despite my clumsy guitar playing, these two professionals transformed our spontaneous little jam session into a performance that was all their own.

Listening to live music in person, rather than through speakers or headphones, gave me a fresh perspective. Their skill was leagues beyond mine. Every part of the song was a delight to my ears.

Was this song always so good? It was a favorite of the female Kim Suhyun, and now I could understand why she liked it so much.

As the song reached its climax, I approached the part where I usually hit a wall. The second highlight was coming up soon.

What should I do? I don’t want this performance to end yet…

I decided to give it my all and, if I couldn’t manage, I’d just smile and apologize.

Just then, as I continued playing, Hyunsoo came over to my side.

“Ah-!”

He let out a single syllable, then handed me the microphone and grabbed the guitar from my hands.

“You made me do this, so you can sing, right?”

With that, he passed the microphone to me and took over the guitar. Hyunsoo started playing with much more skill than I could.

I couldn’t help but laugh at his audacity.

Singing this song? I hadn’t practiced it, but I’d heard it dozens of times, and Hyunsoo had just performed it in front of me.

Given how brightly he had sung, it was only right that I reciprocate.

Clearing my throat quietly, I prepared myself. The second highlight was approaching.

With Ahyoung on the drums and Hyunsoo playing the guitar with greater proficiency than I could, it was time to step up.

The other band members and the ten or so staff who had been watching were now all looking at me.

For an ordinary person, this would be a lot of pressure, but not for me.

I was used to talking to thousands of people every day.

With a light smile, I straightened up and began to sing.

My vocal skills and technique might not match Hyunsoo’s, but…

My tone, or rather, ‘my voice,’ should be enough to captivate everyone here.

“Ah–!”

That’s what it is.

“Wow, that was great!”

After the song ended, Ahyoung wiped her sweat and exclaimed.

It really was great. How long had it been since I had such a fun experience?

Broadcasting, watching comics or anime, they’re all enjoyable, but this was a different kind of joy.

It felt like I was truly alive.

“Yeah, I had a lot of fun too.”

Hyunsoo, as expected from a singer, was in high spirits.

“Wow, we’re feeling an itch now too.”

The band members, who had been idly watching the performance, had now picked up their instruments and approached.

“Ahh… I really want to go busking.”

“Should we just go out today?”

“No, more importantly, my guitar.”

“Haha, you used it well.”

I handed the guitar back to the only band member without an instrument, Kang Hyuk, who had come forward.

“Yes, you played well.”

“Yeah, but Hyunsoo played even better.”

I was honestly surprised. I had heard he had some basics, but he was beyond that level.

Does genius have different standards? That part was a bit frustrating.

“And I play better than Hyunsoo.”

The comment seemed a bit ambiguous.

Seeing Kang Hyuk look at me as if asking what I meant, he exchanged glances with the other band members and continued.

“Feeling the heat after a long time, how about doing another performance?” Kang Hyuk suggested.

“Another performance?”

“Yeah, the stage is right here, and the audience… is over there.”

He pointed towards where the staff had gathered, and more specifically, where the cameras were set up.

“What do you think?”

“Uh…”

But I don’t have an instrument to play.

I gave Kang Hyuk a questioning look, and Hyunsoo jumped in with a suggestion.

“How about a duet?”

“Should we?”

Man, am I offering too much of a free show today?

I glanced at the staff filming us, and when I made eye contact with the PD, who was grinning from ear to ear, he gave me a double thumbs-up.

I understood his reaction, but it still felt a bit absurd.

“Of course.”

PDs are indeed obsessed with ratings.