Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber - Chapter 85

I decided to put the offer on hold for now.

I mean, isn’t this something that needs a bit of thought before deciding on the spot? Of course, Moon Changshik said I’d have to answer within a week to fit the filming schedule, so there wasn’t a lot of time, but… I figured I’d need to seriously consider it first.

Besides, if I ended up on TV, Manager Kim would be over the moon. And there’d be nothing my relatives could say then—no excuses or wiggle room.

With these thoughts in mind, I had lunch in the studio, then left. 

Should I just head home?

No, considering this, I realized I had a friend who had already ventured into this field. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to get some advice.

So I headed straight to Hyunsoo’s studio.

It wasn’t too far, so I got there quickly, but I was a little worried. Lunchtime had just ended—would anyone be there? I probably should have sent a text before coming over. 

Well, it hadn’t taken me long to get here, so I figured I’d try the studio door. If it was locked, I could just head home or maybe consult someone else.

The weather was comfortably cool, with a gentle breeze, as I walked along the main street to the building where Hyunsoo’s studio was located.

I entered the building, went downstairs, and tried the studio door, which, thankfully, opened smoothly.

Good, someone’s here.

I stepped inside and saw a blonde head sitting on the couch.

“Hey.”

“Hm? Oh, long time no see!”

It was Slimgold.

Hyunsoo was sitting alone on the couch, jotting things down in a notebook.

“Where is everyone else?”

“No one’s here today. They all had things to do.”

“Oh… so they’ve got work coming in, huh?”

“Are you kidding? They’re pretty well-known people.”

Well… I knew they were skilled, so it made sense people would seek them out. I took off my coat and sat on the couch across from Hyunsoo.

“So you’re here alone? Come to think of it, what about school?”

It was a weekday, after all. A high school senior spending weekday afternoons in the studio—was he even studying?

“I only go to morning classes. The school’s been pretty understanding about it.”

“Oh…”

“Besides, I’m not really cut out for studying, am I?”

That’s true. If Hyunsoo decided to go to college, all the middle-aged band guys currently rooting for him would probably protest.

“Still, you should make some memories at school. Those days don’t come back.”

Looking back, high school really was a precious time when you could live without a care in the world.

But here he was, just letting it slip away… Tsk, he’s going to regret this someday.

“Even if I try, the other kids keep their distance. They only come up to me for autographs.”

“Oh…”

Hmm… so he’s dealing with that kind of issue.

This isn’t something I can solve, and even if I tried, it’s beyond me. So what can I do?

I’ll just gloss over it.

“When do you plan to release your next song?”

“A new song? I’ve started mapping things out, so I think I’ll get into the actual work soon.”

As expected from someone fully committed to music, he already has plans lined up.

“Do you have a concept in mind this time?”

Last time, he had a clear concept, so maybe he does this time too?

“Yeah, I’ve got a few things I’ve been feeling out, so I’ll try to blend them well.”

“Wow… you sound like a real pro.”

It’d be great if he could work on an original song for Miro with that pro energy… Actually, no, I’m in no position to add anything extra right now.

“So, what brings you here today? Doesn’t seem like you’re here to practice guitar.”

“Oh, come on. Do I need a reason to drop by?”

“Usually, yes.”

Sharp. Guess that’s what happens when you enter the entertainment industry early—he doesn’t act like a typical high schooler.

It’s hard to believe he’s only two years older than my cousin, Kim Namseok, who’s 17.

“Well, I actually have something I’ve been thinking about.”

“You? Thinking about something? You actually have concerns?”

When I mentioned I had something on my mind, Hyunsoo widened his eyes in surprise.

This kid… Should I smack him?

“What’s with that look?”

“Oh, nothing. I just thought you lived without a care in the world.”

“Who actually lives like that?”

“I thought you did. At least until now.”

Wow, this kid can talk back.

I remember when he nearly spat out his drink at our first meeting, and now he’s got this attitude.

“So, something happened earlier…”

Since I did come here for advice, I told him about what happened at the studio.

Naturally, I ended up mentioning the new song, and he looked at me in surprise.

“You’re recording a new song?”

“Well, it was just too good to pass up.”

“Weren’t you saying you’d never do it?”

“Well, life’s unpredictable.”

“So… will you feature on one of my songs later?”

Feature? Does he even need me now?

Last time, it was just because he couldn’t find someone, but now he could probably ask major artists for a feature.

“Aren’t you at a point where you could get someone better?”

I said this, thinking he’d have no trouble finding someone, but he looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“What does ‘better’ mean when it comes to singing? Everyone has their own unique color.”

Oh… that sounded like something a musical genius would say.

Is Hyunsoo a genius musician? Either way, it sounded great. I’ll have to use that line on a broadcast sometime.

“Really? Well… if you ever need my color, I can feature for you a couple of times.”

He’s helped me a lot, after all.

If he wants a feature, I can definitely help him out.

Unlike before, I’d grown through recording the new song with the composer.

“Anyway, enough about the new song. So, you’re saying this Moon Changshik guy offered you a bit part?”

Hyunsoo seemed a bit puzzled even though I’d mentioned Moon Changshik. Wait… could it be…

“You don’t know who Moon Changshik is?”

“Huh? No, I don’t know him. Should I?”

Ha. See? It’s not just me who’s out of the loop! So he doesn’t watch TV either?

Feeling a sense of camaraderie, I quickly searched for Moon Changshik on my phone and showed it to him.

“Here, this is him.”

“Oh… I’ve heard of this movie! So he’s famous, huh?”

It was only after scrolling through a list of movies starring Moon Changshik that Hyunsoo realized how big of a deal he was and reacted in awe.

“Right? But you’ve been on variety shows, and you don’t know Moon Changshik?”

“Well… I just show up when I’m told, shoot, and then leave. Plus, it doesn’t seem like he’s done much variety himself.”

That’s surprising. Don’t actors usually do the rounds on variety shows to promote each project? Then again, with Moon Changshik’s personality, he’d probably prefer acting in one more piece than appearing on a variety show.

“Really? I thought if someone has a lot of works, they’d come on shows to promote them.”

“Oh, looks like he does a few here and there.”

So even someone like Moon Changshik has to hit variety shows for promotion.

“Anyway, so you’re considering whether to take the bit part or not?”

“Yeah, I feel like maybe I’m just being a bit lazy about it.”

“Well, I don’t think it’s about being lazy or not. It’s your choice.”

“Is it?”

Now that I think about it, I might be overreacting a bit. It’s not like anyone would even recognize me just from a bit part. Even if it does get attention, it’d only circulate online, not to the point where people would spot me on the street.

“What about you, Hyunsoo? Would you have taken it?”

“If it promoted my music? Honestly, I’d have no reason to say no. Plus, if the lead actor recommended me, the treatment probably wouldn’t be too bad.”

Promotion… promotion, huh.

Now that I think of it, I remember the new song. The composer is so dedicated to marketing; maybe I should do some promoting too? After all, it’s my own song, and it feels like I’ve dumped all the responsibility on the composer.

“Well, just think it over. After all, there’s no choice without some regret, right? Whatever you do, you’ll miss out on the other option, so you’re just picking the one you’ll regret the least.”

… Is this kid really only 19?

He’s speaking like he’s spouting poetry. He didn’t used to be like this, but his few appearances on variety shows must have sharpened his speaking skills.

“Got it. I’ll think about it some more and let you know once I decide.”

In the end, I didn’t get much of a clear answer from Hyunsoo’s studio either.

So… am I just going to have to figure this out myself?

As I returned to the neighborhood with these unresolved thoughts, one more person came to mind.

Come to think of it, what’s Maho up to?

The house is nearby, so maybe I’ll drop by?

The members of the Celestial Project are all nice, but if I start talking about these somewhat “privileged” concerns, someone might feel uncomfortable. I hadn’t mentioned anything until now for that reason. But with Maho… well, she’s different. 

She’s the type who just loves being at home… Honestly, she seems like someone without a lot of ambition. It’s like she’s satisfied with how things are now, similar to how I am, but just a bit more mellow.

With that thought, I turned my steps toward Maho’s place.

She did say I could come over anytime… Maybe she was just being polite, but hey, she still said it, right?

I headed to the building where Maho lived alone and called her once I was in front of her door.

“Hey, I’m in front of your place. Could you open the door?”

[Huh? What?]

She sounded understandably surprised when I said I was at her door.

Oh, come on, we’re both girls—there’s nothing to prep for. She could just let me in without fuss.

“I came because I need some advice.”

[You need advice? Wait, hang on, I’m… I’m streaming right now.]

Wait, is she streaming? I should’ve checked. 

“Oh… is it something important?”

[Not really. Just a casual chat stream, maybe catching up on some café news.]

Ah, so it’s just a relaxed chat… Casual chat is Miro’s specialty, isn’t it?

This might work out perfectly.

“Then let’s stream together! But afterward, you have to give me some advice.”

I’ll make this stream pop today. But she’ll have to help me with my dilemma in return.