Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 79

The teenage girl, too embarrassed to lift her head, was first taken to a nearby convenience store.

I had her sit at an outdoor table, picked out two chocolate milks—which are apparently popular with the MZ generation—and came out after paying.

“Here, drink this for now.”

“Yes….”

Kim Yuna (15) still kept her head down, unable to look up.

Was she really that embarrassed?

Sure, her dancing was a bit clumsy, but isn’t she still young? It’s understandable.

And even that awkward dance was probably better than what I could manage.

“Lift your head. What’s so embarrassing?”

“…After you laughed so hard?”

Hey, well… wasn’t the situation funny?

I’m innocent.

“That’s one thing, but the situation only became funny because you were embarrassed.”

If she had acted confidently, would I have laughed?

Hmm… probably not.

Maybe.

“Really…?”

“Yeah. Do you think I’d laugh at you?”

Why would I laugh at this middle school girl?

Honestly, I found it a little cute.

By the way, I heard that TikTok is trending among the younger crowd these days… seeing it in person feels strange.

“But unnie, you’re pretty… Isn’t it ridiculous when someone like me tries to dance?”

Huh? Oh, she could see it that way, I guess.

But Kim Yuna (15) is plenty pretty for her age group, though.

Of course, anyone might feel that way comparing themselves to me, but it’s just because she’s still young and doesn’t understand the world yet.

“Listen carefully, Yuna. I have some advice for you.”

“Yes?”

“I’ve never actually met anyone in real life who’s prettier than me.”

If you count people beyond the screen, it might get a bit ambiguous, but in real life, I’ve yet to meet anyone prettier than Kim Soohyun.

“Huh??”

“So, feeling inferior around me is completely natural.”

Kim Yuna (15) looked at me with an expression that said, “What in the world are you talking about?”

Finally, she raised her head.

“What are you even saying?”

“I’m saying, look at yourself. Don’t compare yourself to me.”

“I know… but what can I do? It seems like there are so many beautiful people in the world.”

Hmm… is this what today’s teenagers think about?

Or maybe it’s a relief that they’re not going for rebellion! Running away! Fighting!

But if she’s feeling inferior, why is she doing TikTok? We just met today anyway.

There seemed to be another reason for her doing TikTok.

“Why do you do TikTok?”

“Well… that…”

Kim Yuna (15) hesitated to answer.

Right, maybe it’s a bit embarrassing to talk about it with a cousin she hasn’t spoken much to?

But that’s no help at all.

Everyone has their own burden.

And if you don’t release it, it festers and festers, eventually surfacing even on the well-maintained exterior.

“Is there something more embarrassing than being caught dancing?”

“Huh? No, it’s not… anything like that….”

“Then tell me, I’ll listen.”

I may not be as good at comforting as our manager, the master of calming down, but after three years of observing, I’ve picked up a thing or two.

“Come on, tell me. I’m actually pretty good at giving advice, you know?”

Though I haven’t really done it before, don’t I work in a field where I deal with people?

I should be able to handle a little advice-giving.

As I urged her, looking at her patiently, Kim Yuna (15), who couldn’t resist the pressure, finally hesitantly opened her mouth.

“I… want to be recognized….”

“Recognition?”

“Yes….”

Hmm… recognition.

That’s a tough one.

There’s no end to recognition.

If you get recognized by one person, you want it from two, then from three, and so on, wanting more and more acknowledgment.

To seek something like that already… and her approach feels a bit ambiguous to me.

“But why TikTok?”

Wanting recognition and posting dance videos on TikTok? If it were me, I’d probably post my test scores instead.

The Kim siblings’ parents aren’t strict people. In fact, they’re a bit affluent and easy-going.

Maybe, because of that comfort, she’s been given too much freedom, leading to some small acts of rebellion?

“Actually… my dream is to be a dancer.”

“Oh….”

But Kim Yuna (15)’s response seemed a bit far from teenage rebellion.

A dancer, huh. From my perspective—counting the days until I can start dance lessons after Chuseok—it seems kind of admirable.

“But my parents are against it… they say it’s a job you starve in, and that I should look for something else.”

Hmm… Even those easy-going parents oppose the idea of a middle schooler wanting to be a dancer.

I mean, what do adults really think of dancers?

They probably think it’s just those people who perform in the background when celebrities dance or sing.

Sure, these days, dancers get some exposure on TV, so the image has improved somewhat, but still…

“So, I thought if I gained some recognition on TikTok, maybe my parents would also give me some approval….”

“Wow.”

Wow, this kid is admirable.

There was such a thoughtful reason behind it?

I thought it was just a reckless teenage move, dancing on TikTok, but no—it was her earnest effort to pursue her dream.

“That’s impressive. You’re taking action.”

What was I doing at that age? Right, just hanging out in comic book stores with older kids, reading endlessly.

And here she is, already working toward her dream. It makes me want to open my wallet for her.

At that moment, I instinctively reached for my wallet again.

Tap.

Kim Yuna (15) reached out her small hand toward my arm holding the open wallet.

“I… I don’t need more allowance now. I already got a lot.”

“Oh, really?”

I had given her quite a bit, but enough for her to refuse?

She probably got some from other relatives, but at her age, can there ever be “too much” money?

“But this is my way of showing support. Can’t you accept it?”

“Oh, no… it’s fine…”

“Don’t you have plenty of things to spend it on?”

Come on, when an adult offers this much, it’s polite to accept.

As I was about to slip some money into the pocket of the shy teenage girl, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Is money the only way I can help?

I’m not some retired grandfather; isn’t there another way I could support her?

Not a big help, just a little nudge… hmm, there’s actually something I could do.

“Well, how about I help you in another way?”

“Huh?”

“That TikTok—you just need your parents’ approval, right?”

“Yeah, that’s true, but…”

What do her parents’ generation know about TikTok?

If enough people watch it, maybe they’ll see it as a form of recognition?

And I think there’s something more eye-catching than a middle school girl’s awkward dance video.

“How about I join you? Let’s draw some attention together.”

The setting couldn’t be more perfect.

Imagine a moonlit alleyway, with a teenage girl entering adolescence and her very pretty cousin side by side, captured on camera.

Isn’t that totally romantic?

Besides, it’s not like we’re broadcasting on national TV—just one TikTok appearance should be fine.

I barely have any makeup on, and I just rolled out of bed, so I probably look far prettier than average, but nobody would recognize me outside.

“Really?”

Kim Yuna (15)’s eyes widened, and she seemed thrilled at the idea of me appearing in her video.

Is she that happy? I guess it’s practically a cheat code.

Honestly, it might not go viral, but if it gains momentum, it could definitely attract some attention.

Of course, it’s up to Kim Yuna (15) to keep those viewers hooked once I bring them in.

People might end up commenting, “Where’s that cousin?” over and over until it fades out.

But still, it’s better than missing the chance altogether.

“Alright, I’ll help you out.”

“Really? Do you know any dance moves?”

Uh…

“I… can’t dance, actually.”

“What?”

“To be honest, I’m pretty uncoordinated.”

I’m not sure if I’m completely clumsy, but I’m definitely not good at controlling my body.

You need muscles to have control, don’t you?

“Then… what should we do?”

Hmm… can’t dance, so what should I do…

It doesn’t seem like I’d be able to learn it quickly enough to pull it off right away.

Then…

“How about this?”

Do we really need to dance?

And so, late at night, under the moonlight and headlights, I had an impromptu shoot with my cousin.

The next morning.

When I woke up, there was a message from an unexpected person.

**(Lee Hyunjun):** Happy holidays

**(Lee Hyunjun):** (Gift)

**(Lee Hyunjun):** I’m sending this so you don’t starve from not making money because of me, no misunderstanding~ lol

A holiday gift from none other than Lee Hyunjun.

And it was a premium Hanwoo beef set that looked quite expensive at first glance.

Wow, I get to receive things like this?

Somehow, getting this kind of gift on a holiday makes me feel pretty good.

Being an idol, he sure knows how to build goodwill. I should learn from this, too—after all, I’m a (virtual) idol myself, aren’t I?

After sending him a thank-you message, I decided to buy the same Hanwoo set he had given me.

What’s the point of earning money if not to spend it like this?

Then I sent it to all the acquaintances who’ve helped me so far.

I even sent one to Hyejeong as a bonus, along with other members from the Heavenly Realm, Hyunsu, Ayoung, Kanghyuk, the band members, and the composer.

The amount of money went out in no time, especially when I included the manager, who has quietly helped me a lot, but I felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.

Yes, this is what generosity feels like.

If you earn, you have to know how to spend.

And then there’s Lee Hyunjun… wasn’t he from that famous group, The Beast or Beasts or something?

If this counts as a connection, maybe it could help my cousin in some way… Never mind.

We’re not that close anyway, and it would be too hasty.

Right now, Kim Yuna (15) needs just a bit of help but should achieve things on her own.

If she grows on this path, great; if not, then maybe it’s just not her path.

After yesterday’s shoot, she should have plenty of momentum.

After receiving quick thank-you messages from the people who got my gifts, I headed out to the living room.

“I’m telling you, my daughter, who usually just causes me stress, actually brought this back for me.”

In the living room, Mr. Kim was proudly showing off Moon Changshik’s autograph to a group of relatives.

Normally, he’s a bit curt, but around his siblings, he seemed more animated.

“Wow, I’m impressed. Suhyun managed to get an autograph like that?”

“What did she say again? That she met him somewhere for work?”

“Work?? What kind of work does Suhyun do?”

“I don’t really know either, but apparently, she and my wife got that autograph somehow….”

Wait, wait, what?

Oh no, Mr. Kim, how much are you planning to say?

It’s true, but what are the relatives going to think if you put it like that?

Just as I stepped out of my room, all the adults’ gazes shifted to me.

Today’s the day the relatives are supposed to leave… Why this trial now?

There’s no relaxing during Chuseok, it seems.

Forget about damage control; I squeezed my eyes shut as a dizzy spell hit me.