Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 68

“…However, during the process of preparing again after I failed once, I was able to see my strengths and weaknesses once more. Now, I am grateful for the opportunity to show viewers my newly developed self, so I consider it a good chance.”

Sweat trickled down.

Although Harbin is speaking positively now, what must have gone through her mind during that time? How did she feel competing with the other second-gen candidates while the top first-gen members, who went through the auditions alongside her, drew thousands of viewers in broadcasts?

It couldn’t have been easy to have positive thoughts.

Yeah, but this much should be fine.

After all, she’s the one who was eliminated.

But then, to learn that the person who barely made it asked her in an interview what she thought of the first-gen members…

…Honestly, I wouldn’t feel great about it either.

The manager’s gaze beside me is piercing.

No, I honestly didn’t know.

Meanwhile, Harbin is looking at me with bright eyes, waiting for my response, as if she thinks she answered well.

Alright, I suppose I should answer. I have to say something vaguely impressive while maintaining this refined image. Besides, doesn’t she not know who I am yet?

I’ll worry about the aftermath later.

“Ah, that’s right. They say life isn’t about failure but about success and the journey. Your view of that first round elimination as part of the journey instead of a failure has made you who you are now, Harbin.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, while competing against others is important, I personally think it’s more admirable to focus on yourself and build your inner strength.”

I feel the manager’s gaze on me again.

But what can I do? I’ve already stepped on the gas of this out-of-control eight-ton truck.

And look at Harbin.

She’s looking at me with such a moved expression.

I’m not deceiving or mocking her.

I’m helping to heal any wounds she might have.

“Oh, right? Honestly, it was really hard…”

“Yes, whose heart wouldn’t be affected? Yet you fought hard to achieve this in the end, right? That’s no small feat.”

“Yes… Yes… I even thought about giving up, but I realized that this was my only path…”

“I completely understand. I also had a time when things weren’t going well, but ultimately, what matters is…”

Damn… What am I doing right now?

Something… something is going very wrong.

Her eyes are even getting watery.

I’m not a counselor.

I glanced at the seat next to me for help, but the manager only returned a cold look.

Damn. At this point, there’s no choice but to go all the way.

And so, embodying a counselor, I summoned every bit of shallow knowledge I had to keep advising her for what felt like dozens of minutes.

Finally, Harbin left the reception room looking relieved.

And with that, Harbin was gone.

“Please don’t look at me like that…”

I turned slightly.

The manager’s gaze felt sharp enough to pierce through me.

“Sigh… It’s all my fault. I should’ve informed you beforehand.”

Although the manager admitted some responsibility, I wasn’t so sure.

In moments like this, it’s best to change the topic quickly.

“Haha, no, no… I should have figured it out from the nickname. By the way, is the next person also a former first-gen candidate?”

Taking the opportunity to change the subject, I asked just in case. After all, I don’t want to make the same mistake twice.

“No, no. This next candidate seems to be entirely new to broadcasting.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“Yes, they’ve just turned 20. Even younger than you, Miro.”

“20? Really?”

That’s a bit surprising. At 20, does this mean I’m no longer the youngest?

And while I may have essentially 42 years of life experience, here’s a mere 20-year-old who confidently made it to the final selection among fierce competitors… Is this some sort of devilish talent?

“Yes, they’re a promising talent, though I’m a bit concerned as well.”

“Concerned? Ah… well, they’re quite young, after all.”

Broadcasting is, in a sense, a series of responsibilities centered around maintaining trust with the viewers.

Whether someone with only the simple experiences of school life—elementary, middle, and high school—can handle this mentally is uncertain.

And on top of that, they don’t have any broadcasting experience, so in the worst-case scenario, they might quit after being selected.

“It feels a bit strange hearing you call someone young, Miro.”

“Am I your average 21-year-old?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“You’re not thinking, ‘Well, since Miro did well, maybe this younger person will too,’ right?”

I asked, half-jokingly, but the manager couldn’t respond right away.

Wait… is that really what they think?

“Seriously?”

“Well, I don’t actually think that, but…”

“Oh, it’s the upper management again?”

Those people up there.

I’d love to see who they are.

Of course, their enthusiasm is commendable, but these desk-bound folks don’t seem to understand the field at all.

“Still, I believe the person who’s coming will do a great job.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Is that really the case?

Well, I guess I’ll have to see for myself.

“What’s their nickname?”

“Seo Eunha.”

“Seo Eunha… Is there a Dong Eunha, too?”

“…?”

“Sorry.”

“Wait, was that a joke? It was so absurd I couldn’t even process it.”

Was it really worth saying all that?

Anyway, Seo Eunha, huh.

Just from the nickname, she gives off this really pure and delicate vibe.

Well, in the broadcasting industry, you can’t judge anything based on nicknames alone. I mean, look at me—what does “Miro” even have to do with my current image?

Still, the fact that the manager spoke so highly of her makes me a bit curious.

How impressive is she to warrant that kind of praise?

Considering this is the manager in charge of handling all the top-tier members, including me, I can’t help but have some expectations.

So, I waited with growing anticipation for the next person to arrive…

“Why isn’t she here yet?”

“I know… I just got word she arrived a while ago.”

Did she get lost? The building’s big, but it’s not that hard to navigate.

“Didn’t you come out to meet me the first time I came here? Are you discriminating against the second-gen now?”

“I’m the head manager now, you know? A junior should be coming to escort her.”

“Oh, moving up in the world, huh?”

“Exactly.”

It’s been less than a year, and she’s risen quickly.

I guess she’s got her hands full with work.

“But why isn’t she here yet?”

“Good question. Should I give her a call?”

“No, I don’t want to rush her. I’ll just casually go look for her.”

“Do you know what she looks like?”

“I’ll just grab anyone who looks lost and is wandering around aimlessly.”

Since it’s her first time here, I’ll just ask whoever looks confused if they’re Seo Eunha.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you then.”

“Yes, I’ll be right back.”

With the manager seeing me off, I left the reception room.

“Oh…”

As soon as I opened the door, I found myself face-to-face with a girl pacing nervously in front of me.

She was petite, barely reaching up to my chest, even smaller and more delicate than Mile. She looked around briefly and then made eye contact with me.

And then…

Whoosh—

She quickly averted her gaze.

No way…

“Um… Are you by chance, Ms. Seo Eunha?”

“O-Oh, y-yes… yes, I am…”

“Hm…”

So this is Seo Eunha? She seems incredibly introverted at first glance. She can’t even make eye contact and looks all hunched over.

“Well, let’s go inside for now.”

Since she confirmed her identity, I led her back inside.

“Oh, you’re here…?”

Judging by the manager’s reaction, she didn’t expect her to be this shy either.

Now that I think about it, the manager did mention she might be a bit introverted, but this is more than “a bit,” isn’t it?

“Ah, hello. I’m Seo Eunha…”

This is the promising talent? Really?

I couldn’t help but think, despite knowing it was rude.

Is the second generation of the Celestial Project really going to be okay like this?

I glanced at the manager, hoping they might share the same concerns. The manager looked slightly taken aback as well.

Thankfully, Seo Eunha didn’t see that expression. Not that she could, with her head practically buried down.

“For now, just make yourself comfortable.”

Being introverted is one thing, I suppose. When I think about it, isn’t she an aspiring virtual YouTuber? It’s a job where you sit alone at your desk, chatting with online friends through a screen. It’d be strange if she were more extroverted.

Maybe after a bit of conversation, I’ll get a better sense of who she is.

Once she was seated, the interview began.

“So, how was the trip here?” 

The manager started off with an easy question. I kept quiet, unsure where to even begin.

“Oh, uh, well, I came here in my dad’s car…”

“Oh, I see. Is your father waiting downstairs, then?”

“Yes… he’s waiting at the café below.”

“Oh… alright…”

After just two rounds of dialogue, an unusual silence settled over the room.

Even the ever-resourceful manager seemed unable to break the ice.

Is this timid, soft-spoken girl, mumbling in such a tiny voice, really a promising talent?

It seems like even basic conversation is a challenge right now. I’m starting to worry. Even if there’s a difference between the internet and real life, will she be able to handle broadcasting smoothly?

I already feel concerned.

Can I just go home now?