Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 59

Summer is slowly coming to an end.

The sounds of cicadas that used to fill the dawn, and the nights when I couldn’t sleep due to the heat without turning on the air conditioner, have all passed.

The leaves are turning red, and now, as the sun begins to set, a pleasantly cool breeze flows in through the open balcony window.

As the sweltering heat that made everyone suffer gradually dissipates, the refreshing wind heralds the arrival of the season of reading and gourmet food.

[The music video production is still not finished.]

The people involved in the Heavenly Project are feeling the heat.

Weren’t they originally aiming for a refreshing summer release? However, with the schedule delayed more than expected and autumn just around the corner, they haven’t been able to release the song.

This is going to be late.

Personally, I really like the song.

I heard there was friction on the music video production side?

“So when will it come out?”

[I’m not sure either… I’m pushing them as much as I can, but they’re really focused on quality.]

Focused on quality… Well, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? It means they take pride in their work.

Of course, they are the ones being paid but failing to meet deadlines.

“So they have talent but aren’t professionals, huh?”

[Yes, that’s a fair statement. They lack professionalism. Deadlines are so important in this industry!]

The manager said this with a tone of frustration, but I didn’t think much of it. Honestly, our song isn’t going to blow up and become a trend just because it comes out in summer, right?

“Isn’t it actually a relief that it won’t be overshadowed by other summer hits?”

[In situations like this, it seems like Miro can be quite sharp. The higher-ups in our company are looking forward to this song because of you, Miro.]

Oh, that’s information I’d rather not know. Why would the higher-ups be expecting anything from me?

“Why? Can you let them know that such expectations are burdensome?”

[Well, if you say it directly, they might listen better. You know expectations, right?]

“Is it because of Miro 24/7? That number of viewers was something I never anticipated, so it would be very difficult to set it as a benchmark.”

“It’s quite a dilemma. I’m thinking of significantly reducing the viewer count.”

“[Huh?? Why?]”

Hearing that I wanted to downplay the viewer count, the manager’s voice came through the phone, sounding perplexed.

Tsk, this is why I can’t just stick to my desk. They don’t know anything about the situation on site.

“It’s too excessive.”

Whether it’s the viewers or anyone else.

Everyone thinks I’m a master at handling viewers, but that’s not true at all.

Sure, I handle them better than others.

But I don’t have any particular charisma; I just adapt smoothly to the audience’s reactions like a graceful tai chi performer.

There should be limits to this too.

In fact, I felt a bit overwhelmed even with a few thousand viewers, but now that it’s in the tens of thousands, I’m starting to show signs of cracking.

Moreover, in internet broadcasting, it’s not about the massive numbers you gain in a short period.

Isn’t the key to internet broadcasting having a solid concrete audience that will support whatever I do?

“[Well, if you say so, Miro, then that’s that.]”

“Are you not going to argue?”

“[Why would I? You know better than I do.]”

As expected, as an elite manager handling all six members, his adaptability is impressive.

“[By the way, I saw you on a variety show.]”

“Oh, did you?”

“[Of course, I was watching live.]”

It seems the manager, who is one of the few people who knew I featured in Hyunsoo’s song, was paying attention.

Now that I think about it, my vocal academy instructor also contacted me to say they watched it.

It’s a shame I quit when I moved.

“[Sigh, I was really disappointed to see that.]”

“Why?”

“[If only I had gotten approval back then, the upcoming Heavenly Project album would have garnered so much attention!]”

Oh… If that were the case, the pressure would have been insane.

“Then I probably would have closed my eyes to the pressure.”

“[You, feel pressure?]”

“What? I’m human too!”

“[Your mentality is quite abnormal, you know? You’re the only member who hasn’t cried while talking to me so far.]”

“I do cry when I watch sad movies.”

When it comes to broadcasting… should I say the stress I receive is relatively low?

“[Well, I suppose that’s true. But I still want to see it.]”

“Are you crazy? Do you want my affiliated artist to have something sad happen?”

“[What I meant was tears of joy.]”

“Let’s go with that.”

By the way, how’s the process of selecting the second generation trainees going?

From what I’ve seen in the community, it doesn’t seem like people are looking forward to it much. I’m worried they might get hurt by negative reactions after their debut.

But they’re my juniors, so if they do well, it’ll be good for both me and them.

“Is the selection for the second generation going well?”

[The second generation? Ha… it’s a bit tough.]

“It’s tough? That’s unexpected. I thought you’d say it was fine, Manager.”

[It’s because it’s Miro. The other members seem to be quite excited about it.]

Well, those people probably wouldn’t think much about juniors coming in. They’d be happy to have cute younger siblings around.

I guess I’ll have to wait to see if they’re actually younger.

“What’s the problem? You always consult me, so this time let me consult you.”

[What an honor! Miro is consulting me; the Miro fans will be envious.]

“Should we make this into content later? Besides, Manager, you’re plenty a Miro fan yourself.”

Didn’t you say you watch my broadcasts while working? I bet you’ve racked up quite a few viewing hours.

[Content sounds good. Whatever we do, Miro fans will like it.]

“They should. But let’s get that heavy mouth of yours to speak. What’s the problem with the second generation? Aren’t they still in the audition process?”

Didn’t they say they’d come out next year? At this point, they should be going through several rounds of auditions in private.

[Well, competition is good, but… it’s getting overheated.]

“Overheated?”

[Since the announcement about selecting the second generation, it’s been on a steady growth trajectory, hasn’t it?]

“That’s true.”

The Heavenly Project was, in my opinion, a worthwhile project.

They attracted attention through auditions, and since the company itself cared for streaming broadcasters, they set a good direction.

Most importantly, don’t they have good judgment for picking someone like me, Miro?

Additionally, they provide a decent amount of support for the commission they take, and the biggest advantage is that there aren’t any credible competitors.

Originally, VTubers were a culture primarily found in Japan and other countries, but through the recent Heavenly Project of The Six, that culture is slowly being introduced in Korea, successfully absorbing those who are just starting to get into VTubing.

[And didn’t this get proven during Miro 24/7?]

“Proven?”

[Yes, that Korean VTubers can gather tens of thousands of people like large broadcasters.]

Can it be interpreted to that extent?

While it’s true that an unusually large number of people gathered, I’m slightly worried that the company might be overinterpreting things.

“Isn’t that an overinterpretation?”

[It’s also referred to as a ‘happy circuit,’ you know?]

Ah.

“Are the people in the company and the second-generation candidates really thinking that way?”

[As expected, you have good insight. But actually, I’m also one of those people.]

If even the manager is so optimistically assessing things, then maybe it’s true?

“Still, I don’t know.”

[What’s important is that those who think that way are competing excessively. Some people, who should be held back, are just slacking off while trying to pick better candidates.]

“Well, isn’t that a good thing? Sure, there are many issues with heated competition, but the effectiveness is clear, right?”

Right now, the Heavenly Project is in a growth phase.

It’s the time to endure some pain and select talented individuals to drive growth.

[That’s true. But creating one’s own personality isn’t an easy task.]

“Exactly. Finding and refining one’s individuality is difficult.”

Aren’t I also trying to find and showcase my own unique self?

[First, they need to win in competition, and since they don’t have time to develop their own individuality, they’ll probably imitate the best cases.]

No way…….

Who would be the best case in the Heavenly Project?

Anna, who successfully established a stable broadcast?

Roah, who is overwhelming in terms of charisma?

No, from the perspective of others, it would be me, Miro, who drew explosive viewership.

“You’re saying they’ll imitate me? Is that even possible?”

The first thought that came to mind upon hearing they’d imitate me was doubt.

After all, Miro is just me, right?

[That’s the problem; it doesn’t work that way.]

“Indeed, Miro isn’t something that can be manufactured.”

Can they really become Miro by imitating? This life experience is something no one else has gone through.

[Moreover, what is Miro’s characteristic?]

Characteristic?

It’s clear what Kim Soo-hyun’s characteristics are, but what about VTuber Miro’s characteristics…?

“Exceptional eloquence, situational judgment, and quick action stemming from self-confidence.”

[That’s absurd. Have you really assessed yourself that way up until now?]

“What do you mean?”

[A tightrope artist with the heart of a beast.]

Wait, are you saying you see me like that?

[It’s a concept now, but wasn’t it truly tightrope walking in the beginning?]

“Well, it was a bit precarious, but I didn’t cross any lines.”

[That’s why you’re still broadcasting without any issues. However, the prospective second-generation trainees auditioning now are not the same.]

Ah, so there’s a risk of uncontrollable, extremely unlucky Miro being produced.

[Moreover, existing individuals with exceptional personalities are gradually being influenced as well.]

“That’s totally Miroism. It sounds like an ideology.”

That’s not bad! Everyone becomes my followers, forming the Miro faction.

[Honestly… I’m scared that the future second-generation trainees will learn this kind of stuff.]

“Don’t worry. A Übermensch like me is not made; I’m born.”

[Oh, can I record that and play it for the audition participants?]

“Hmm… that’s a bit… But since they will be seniors, I want to show some dignity.”

[Can I hang up now?]

“Haha, I hope you feel a bit more relaxed now.”

[Yes, all that’s left in my troubled heart is anger.]

“Good work.”

I hung up the call first.

As expected… managers have their own struggles.

Moreover, from what I’ve heard, it seems the manager holds a position beyond just a typical manager, so they probably have a lot on their mind.

I should definitely avoid being a manager.

After all, living a managed life is more comfortable and pleasant.

But more importantly, the manager is the manager, and I should now focus on my own tasks.

Since my parents still haven’t returned, I played with Bokshil for a bit in the empty house before heading into the soundproof booth.

I skillfully set up the broadcast and launched the prepared game.

I played the previous series when I was a guy, but I’m not sure how the newly released series will be.

With preparations complete, I immediately turned on the broadcast.

[Miro’s Civilization Tasting]

ᄋᄒᄋᄒᄋ

-What are we doing today?

-I became a fan after watching the live stream yesterday!

-It’s my first time catching the live broadcast.

And today, the viewers, filled with anticipation about what to do, are greeted by the start screen of a somewhat retro game.

-???

-What game is this?

-Shit

-Don’t mess with me, lol.

-Please.

Is it because it’s a famous game? Quite a few people seem to recognize it.

“Here’s the content we’ve prepared for today.”
Shall we give it a go?
Let’s see how many will follow along.