Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 67

A new song from the “Celestial Realm Project” has been released.

After the first single was announced, there hadn’t been any news for quite a long time, so this release caught the attention of many people.

[Evaluation of the new Celestial Realm song]

Even if opinions are divided on the song, for viewers who have watched the Celestial Realm Project members’ streams, there probably won’t be a song that beats this one.

Looking at the lyricist, it seems to be someone I’ve never heard of, but whoever they are, they seem to have watched the streams closely.

Especially Miro’s part was just *chef’s kiss*.

– Miro’s part is so addictive.

– ?: It was just trash, lol. Feels like only the most hardcore fans would like it.

-: Did you even read the original post?

-: No matter how trash you say it is, it still ranked in the trending videos, lol.

[Miro, but why does he look so embarrassed? Lol]

The lyrics are a bit… questionable, but he recorded it well, then suddenly started freaking out, lol.

– He seemed to hate it.

– The fact that he’s embarrassed is so appealing.

– He doesn’t even watch his own YouTube, so why would the song be any different? Lol.

[Why is this song that can’t even chart in trending videos getting so much buzz?]

If it’s only going to rank in the trending videos, how’s it different from a cover song? Lol.

– Take that back…!

– This time, it deserves it.

= Deserves it, my foot, lol. Last time it flopped hard.

– Why are you so mad, though? A song release is just a good thing.

-What’s good about it? They’re acting all hyped up just because some anime fans are releasing a song, and it’s annoying as hell, lol.

-You know what… never mind, just hang in there.

– L: This guy really seems determined to bash it, lol.

– It’s like Miro beat him up or something, lol.

– Oh, it charted, you idiot, lol.

-What do you mean it charted, my foot, lol.

-It literally just did, you idiot, lol.

-Wow, how did this happen?

-Damn, lol.

[Celestial Realm’s new song is charting in real-time]

(Famous music streaming site’s real-time ranking chart)

“45th place.”

Oh, time to have a drink~

– This is kind of impressive.

– How did it suddenly jump to 45th place? Isn’t this fake?

– Dude… it gets tallied all at once.

– This guy, really, lol.

[Is this really that dorky Celestial Realm?]

It feels like just yesterday when only a few dozen people were watching during their auditions, and now they’re huge.

– Typical of this guy) He only started following with Celestial Realm’s first album, lol.

– Did they ever seem dorky? They got support from The Six and just kept growing, lol.

– They got a massive booster from the start.

– There’s no other streamer who has grown as easily as them.

– It’s not easy, lol.

– What do you mean, lol? It definitely was.

– As a current Miro fan, I can confirm it was easy.

– Of course you’d say it’s easy since you’re a Miro fan, damn.

– Yeah, it was easy, lol.

[Celestial Realm Shoutout by a Popular Celebrity in Real-Time]

(Male idol group member’s Instagram)

“Oh, now it’s a trendy pick!”

– Is this L?

– Of course, do you think it’s fake?

– Who even is this? Bringing some no-name idol and calling it a trendy pick, lol.

– Seriously, if you don’t know who this is, go outside more.

– And yet you’re talking about going outside while watching virtual streamers, lol.

Even though the comments were rough, the community was half in a festive mood because the virtual streamer’s song charted.

And in the midst of it all:

[But isn’t this Miro?]

A post went up in the community, but…

– Don’t cross the line, you weeb, lol. You’re getting praised so much, and now you’re going overboard.

It didn’t get much attention, perhaps because the timing wasn’t right.

The tumultuous summer ended, and fall began.

During that time, our song charted.

Or we were mentioned in articles as a new virtual idol group that succeeded in charting.

Many things happened, but none of it really had anything to do with me…

“How can it have nothing to do with you?”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s your achievement, so pay attention to it.”

My manager responded in disbelief after hearing my words, but I calmly replied.

“Is that so? But isn’t this Miro’s song and not Suhyun’s?”

“Ugh, why do you keep saying that? The only person who finds it cringe-worthy is Miro.”

“My viewers also said the same thing…”

“Come on, you know the truth. Why are you acting like this?”

Yeah, yeah, I know everything.

That people endlessly tease the lyrics on my stream.

That I’ve earned a bunch of nicknames because of it, all because I hate it.

But what can I do when I can’t stand it?

“More importantly, why are you acting like this now after recording it so well?”

“Well, doing it and then watching it are two different things…”

It’s the same with streaming—when I’m talking, it’s fine, but afterwards, I feel so embarrassed that I can’t even watch the replay.

I don’t even watch most of the videos on my own YouTube channel.

“Ugh, well, of course. Anyway, forget that. You’re about to meet them. How are you feeling?”

“I’m not sure why I’m here, but I guess I’m a little excited.”

“What do you mean, you’re not sure? You’re the one who agreed to come.”

“I’m just taking responsibility as the youngest.”

The day after the song was released, the manager asked in the group chat if any of the members could come to the company for an interview.

It wasn’t just any interview; it was to meet with some of the nearly confirmed members of the Celestial Realm Project’s second generation. The goal was to conduct a light interview without revealing that you are a member and pretend to be a company representative. They needed someone who could ask questions as a senior.

The manager even added that this could later become good material for their stream.

But, what kind of people are the Celestial Realm Project members?

For the most part, they’re homebodies who stream from the comfort of their own homes. So when asked if anyone would be willing to come to the company and conduct an interview with their potential juniors… no one was willing to step up.

Which meant that, as always, the youngest member of the team had to subtly raise their hand.

“Well, it’s not that difficult. Since I’ll be doing most of the talking, you just need to chime in from time to time.”

“Yeah, I was thinking of bailing if you made me do too much.”

“…Seriously?”

“Oh, come on, it was a joke. If you take it so seriously, how am I supposed to react?”

“It’s kind of hard to take Miro’s words as just a joke.”

…Why? Half of what I say is a joke, yet they find it hard to take it that way. How have they been communicating with me all this time?

“By the way, isn’t your outfit a bit too fancy for this?”

The manager looked at my well-dressed appearance, furrowing his brow slightly, as if it was causing him some trouble. 

It’s not easy to get someone to frown after seeing my current self.

“Well, since it’s the first time meeting future juniors…”

Isn’t this basically the first meeting?

Of course, they won’t know that I’m Miro right away, but they’ll find out eventually, so this meeting will shape their first impression of me.

As a senior, shouldn’t I make a sophisticated and dignified first impression?

Besides, the weather had gotten nice, and it had been a while since I’d pulled out my nice clothes.

“You always seem so aware of your appearance, but what if you get all timid and can’t even speak properly?”

“Well, that’ll make for a great story on stream later.”

“Hah… I’m starting to think we should’ve called Anna instead.”

“Anna unni’s face is all over the internet, so she’d be recognized immediately.”

“That’s true…”

“Plus, the other members’ voices are pretty similar on stream and off. In this case, I’m the perfect fit.”

As the youngest, I was the one who had to take the responsibility, and honestly, I was the best suited for this.

Only I, Miro, could mess with the future juniors face-to-face.

“You’re right about that. Anyway, it’s almost time. Please do your best.”

“Yep, don’t worry.”

I sat alongside the manager, waiting for the second-generation candidates to come in.

We were set to meet with two people.

They wouldn’t come in together but one at a time, according to the schedule.

Who would come in first?

From what the manager told me, one of them was a bit introverted…

Knock-knock.

Then, someone knocked on the door, and a voice came from the other side.

“May I come in?”

Surprisingly, the voice was husky.

“Come in!”

At the manager’s response, the door opened, and a woman entered the meeting room. Upon seeing me sitting next to the manager, she was momentarily startled, but quickly composed herself and bowed.

“Hello! I’m Harbin!”

“Yes, yes, please straighten up and have a seat here.”

“…?”

As I casually offered Harbin the seat, I could feel the manager’s gaze on me. 

Hey, science major. In moments like this, it’s a sophisticated and elegant woman like me who should take the lead. 

Although it was different from what we had planned, seeing how the junior Harbin was startled by me made me realize that this was the right approach. I was playing the role of the face, while the manager could take on the expert position.

“…How was your journey here, Harbin?”

The manager, who had briefly glanced at me, quickly regained his composure and attempted some ice-breaking conversation with Harbin.

“Oh, there weren’t many people on the subway, so I came comfortably.”

“That’s good to hear. So, you know why you’re here today, right?”

“Uh, yes, I was told we’d have a meeting before the final confirmation.”

“That’s right.”

Harbin, our junior, was clearly nervous. 

Wait… Is Harbin a nickname? It sounds familiar, like I’ve heard it somewhere before.

“We’re not trying to pressure you, we just wanted to have a light Q&A session before finalizing the decision, so we’ve brought you in for that.”

“If you have any questions for us, feel free to ask anything.”

Harbin nodded. Despite being nervous, she seemed highly motivated. 

Is this what second-generation candidates are like?

Well, given the rapid growth recently, it’s only natural that she’d feel some pressure.

Shall I ask a question now?

There was a question I’d been wanting to ask ever since coming here.

“So, what do you think about the first-generation members of the Celestial Realm Project?”

But then…

As soon as I asked the question, the atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

What?

What’s going on? Why did the mood suddenly shift?

Poke poke—

It seemed I had asked the wrong question, as the manager nudged me with his elbow.

Just as I was about to retract my question, realizing my mistake, Harbin, who had been silent, finally spoke up.

“I feel… that if I hadn’t failed back then, I would be receiving a lot of love right now…”

Huh… Was Harbin a participant in the first-generation auditions?

Now that I think about it, something does come to mind…

Harbin… Harbin…

Ah.

Yes, there was someone by that name among the final candidates.

I remember some viewers back then complaining in the community about why she wasn’t selected.

I was probably the last one chosen among the final candidates.

Ah…

I suddenly wanted to go home.