I May Be a Virtual Youtuber, but I Still Go to Work - Chapter 104

One day earlier.

Serena received a call from Dad after he learned she was graduating.

Since they lived under the same roof, their meeting spot ended up being the living room.

With tea and snacks prepared by Mom between them, an almost ominous atmosphere surrounded the father-daughter duo as they began to talk.

“Let’s just go to college now. Once you complete a business master’s in Seoul, I can make you a spot in the company. You can come learn the ropes. It’s not too late at twenty-three.”

Dad’s proposal was always the same. He believed there were countless ways for her to succeed and that she should skip the idol nonsense that was just going to wear her out.

“Though brief, my experiences in the field have been quite beneficial, haven’t they? I think what’s most rewarding is that you can now understand an artist’s mindset. Our work ultimately requires growth together between the company and the artists.”

Serena chuckled. Had she wanted a normal life, she would have grabbed the lifeline Dad threw her way long ago during her idol trainee days.

“Yeah, I’m not quitting being a VTuber. I appreciate your constant concern, but right now, I want to challenge myself solo.”

“… You’re still going to be a VTuber? Then why bother with graduation? These days, even idol trainees are struggling at your age.”

“Ugh. Who’d hear this and think I was a full-blown grandma?”

“Reality’s like that! Nowadays, there are plenty of thirteen-year-olds training.”

“Ugh.”

Slurp. Nahyeon Gon took a sip of his warm coffee before wiping the mist off his glasses.

“So, you’re going back to being a VTuber? Where do you plan to debut this time? Parallel, that’s up-and-coming, right?”

Peeling a tangerine, Serena replied, “Yeah, but not immediately. I want to gather more experience alone and apply next year. Besides, I recently participated in an event and won a title I can brag about.”

Nahyeon Gon clicked his tongue. “For now, just focus on solo endeavors… but if you happen to release a song, I might arrange for a decent label to pick you up.”

“No thanks, Dad. I don’t need your help. I can handle it myself, so please stop worrying!”

“Don’t you realize how many people would love to have even a teaspoon of the kindness I offer?”

But Serena was stubborn. Even while being pushed down the ranks due to the backstabbing of competitors, she’d stayed quiet because she didn’t want to ride on Dad’s coattails to success.

“Oh, I know! But I don’t want to be the target of all the hate like someone being parachuted into management, okay? That guy is the perfect example of what not to do.”

“Guess you take after me with that independence.”

“Ahem.”

Even while grumbling, Serena handed half the peeled tangerine to Dad first.

“So, why the need to apply to Parallel, then? Unless you’re planning to work for your father, why not try your luck at Bachu Bachu? It’s not like you can’t sing or have no sense for broadcasting.”

“Come on, that makes it sound like Parallel is a bad company.”

“It’s not that the company is bad. From what I see, their growth has been pretty remarkable, but from my position, they still seem like they’ve only taken their first steps. The company is small too.”

“They’ll grow fast.”

“That’s not the point! What makes you so sure? I received lots of data reports, but you’ve experienced being a VTuber yourself, so you should know better.”

Nahyeon Gon had some guesswork going. Parallel’s growth wasn’t too shabby, especially considering its founder was a VTuber with no business experience. But the impact of one person rising lately seemed significant.

“Is it because of that person? Majia?”

“How did you know?”

“I thought my daughter would forget what I do for a living at least once in a while.”

“No, I know Dad is a recognized figure in music. It’s just weird to think you’d know a manager at a small VTuber company…”

“That just shows our company is interested in the VTuber pie.”

People aiming for a faceless artist image have existed across eras. Though standing on stage as a public figure is terrifying, the love for music is so strong they can’t let it go.

In the past, you had to get through mental training to help these people overcome stage fright and put them on stage as stars.

But with the internet and video media development, ways to showcase their musicality increased. Utaite, uploading videos with exceptional vocal talent to platforms like YouTube to attract listeners, is a prime example.

Recently, however, Utaite have increasingly switched to being VTubers. The anonymity and ability to communicate with fans made it attractive.

Is anonymity that alluring? People who once planned to debut as singers are now rolling with being both Utaite and VTubers, and many professionals are flocking into the VTuber industry, which has seen significant growth lately.

Didn’t SB Entertainment manage to leap ahead of CAT Entertainment in market shares over the last two years? They easily gobbled up the Korean VTuber pie by joining forces with the giant Bachu Bachu.

They pulled off a preemptive move, attracting relevant artists like a magnet with the name Bachu Bachu.

CAT Entertainment finally deciding to select a partner and nurture them only made sense due to this context…

But now, with Rapitsu recently under fire for lack of artist management, the opportunity had almost naturally slipped away to Parallel.

Amidst this, Majia emerged prominently, and as Nahyeon Gon was digging into her, he couldn’t help but be intrigued with all the vagueness surrounding her experience and details.

“Still, I’m kind of curious about this Majia person. You’ve got an eye for talent just like me, don’t you?”

“Isn’t that a bit self-serving?”

“It means I trust you that much.”

Serena, with a puzzled look, asked, “Hmm… well, let me try to arrange a meeting. How about I talk to Jia directly?”

“Can you manage that?”

“Don’t underestimate me. Jia and I are close friends. Well, it’s thanks to my friend I found out her schedule, so I doubt she’ll think it’s weird if I suddenly show up.”

In reality, if someone like Nahyeon Gon wanted to verify a specific person’s capabilities, he could just wiggle his fingers from his seat.

However, if his daughter made the arrangements, there’s really no reason to decline.

Even with data secured, there are some things you only learn face-to-face.

… Plus, it’s a rare opportunity to go out with his daughter.

“Okay. Let’s schedule a meeting.”

“Before that, though. I’ll show you a photo first. It wouldn’t do to have you be shocked when you finally see her in person.”

“You know your dad doesn’t usually get startled, right?”

“That’s true, but still, look!”

Nahyeon Gon furrowed his brows as he examined the picture of Serena and Majia taken at a café.

It was probably the fact that a girl looking like a grade-schooler was there that confused him quite a bit.

“I thought she’d at least look like a university student. This… is way off from what I expected.”

“The surface appearance isn’t that important, is it?”

“That’s a fair point. Seems like I was narrow-minded.”

As he stroked his chin while gazing at Majia’s photo, Serena dropped another bomb.

“By the way, she’s older than me. Twenty-four years old.”

* * *

Back in the present, inside the UTU Records conference room.

[Nahyeon Gon]

[CAT Ent. / Chief A&R Producer]

Majia fiddled with the business card that Serena’s dad handed her, hesitating to speak up.

In the domestic entertainment industry, there are two suns, both named CAT and SB.

And “Chief” refers to a position as high as CEO or COO.

It means the top dog in one specific area of the company.

While she expected to meet record company reps someday, who would’ve thought the final boss would just pop up like this?

However, if the other person introduced themselves, she had to do the same.

Having remembered to bring her business cards after attending a year-end party, Majia took one out and handed it over while bowing.

[Majia]

[PARALLEL / Streaming Part Leader]

“Hello, I’m Majia. Is my recording schedule pushed forward because of Producer Nahyeon Gon’s request?”

“Correct. My daughter told me about her recording today, so I made a request on the UTU side. Since I know the representative here, I pulled a little favor. Sorry about that.”

“Oh, no, please! It’s perfectly fine! I’m actually embarrassed to have you come all this way. I could have just gone to the company if you had sent me an email.”

She scored a point for being relaxed and saying what she needed to say.

Point for not bowing too low to appear humble, but also not being overbearing.

Without much conversation, Majia was already quickly building up Nahyeon Gon’s favor.

Smirking slightly, Nahyeon Gon said, “I have something I’d like to discuss with Parallel. As I said, I needed to create some grounds to persuade the CFO, which, as a result, meant pulling a little diversion, so I appreciate your understanding.”

“I’m grateful for just you extending a hand. If I may ask, what proposal do you have in mind?”

“Of course—it’s about music work. I’d like to work on songs for Parallel’s VTubers on our end.”

“Ah.”

As soon as the topic of the members’ activities arose, Majia’s blue eyes sparkled with interest.

“Are you suggesting we work on all the songs…?”

“That’s not quite it.”

“Ah. Right. My apologies. I got ahead of myself. But even just one song would be great! What can I do?”

Nahyeon Gon deemed Majia’s practical sense already validated.

The growth markers for Parallel had soared since she stepped into the limelight.

She displayed minimal mistakes in managing broadcasts, her response to incidents was clean and quick.

However, her macro perspective on projects, businesses, and the company seemed to still be lacking.

He felt she needed to learn more about business if she was to be given a higher post.

Yet her genuine hope for the success of her associated artists was more than enough to sway Nahyeon Gon.

Rarely does a superior dislike subordinates who are both talented and passionate.

And her eloquence? Oh, it was endearing.

“I need to provide a basis to persuade the other C-level executives.”

“Basis? Ah, money issues, is it? I must confess I’m not knowledgeable in that area, but I’ve heard from our boss that budget approval is critical when devising a business plan.”

“It’s nice to be able to communicate well. Then it seems clear we need tangible data to gain a large budget approval.”

Majia’s face lit up as she clasped her hands together.

“So this means we start with a small contract, and gradually show results, which means for this song, a good outcome is necessary, right?”

“Exactly. You’re understanding well.”

“Um… but why not go to the boss directly instead of talking to me?”

“I wanted to ascertain how involved Jia is with the music aspects of Parallel. I thought being close with CEO Cheon Dohui might help her have some influence over the overall business, but it seems that’s not the case.”

“Ah. Right. As I mentioned on my business card, I’m more involved with broadcasting. For anything related to music, it would be easier for you to talk directly to the boss. I’ll check and arrange a meeting for you.”

“That’s perfectly fine. As I mentioned, I’m not here officially.”

“Oh, great.”

“Then I’ll speak to you like I would an artist for now.”

An artist?

While Majia tilted her head in confusion, Nahyeon Gon laid a tablet on the floor.

What played next was the anniversary song “One Other” of the first generation released months ago.

But instead of the original version, it was the version Majia had sung recently in an illegal duet.

Today, Majia had come to the recording studio because of this song.

“I learned that the participant F is you from my daughter. She told me your animated performance and singing were spot on.”

Since she wasn’t a VTuber, Majia often forgot she was indeed connected to the broader stage.

Oh no, anonymity was not so anonymous after all.

No wonder the community was increasingly filling up with claims of F being Majia.

“Even so, I’m not an artist.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions just yet, just hear me out.”

“Ah, right.”

“There’s a group chat with the producers of our sub-labels. I’m in there too, and someone posted that video asking if anyone thought it would be good for the five of us to release a song together.”

“Sure.”

“Just for your awareness, if the decision to produce music is made, this producer will be in charge. I’ve learned a lot thanks to my daughter, but I haven’t reached the same understanding as this person.

Anyway, those in that chat group have a very discerning eye regarding music. How do you think it would conclude?”

Majia’s optimistic prediction would give a ‘passable’ rating at best.

She’d performed while making sure not to drown out the members’ individual colors to the best of her abilities.

However, Nahyeon Gon shared a very different narrative.

“I’ve heard most responses are quite favorable. Your voice blends naturally between the four, whether we readjust particular segments of the same song or record a completely new one. They believe it could turn out well.”

Majia was already dancing with glee inside her heart since earlier.

CAT Entertainment wanting to form a collaborative working relationship with Parallel to support the production of songs—if that wasn’t a celebration, then what on earth was?

However, deciding to include herself in those first steps that would determine whether they’d expand their partnership moving forward felt like a collision with her own beliefs about not wanting to stand in line with the members.

‘But saying no to this…’

Say no to this?

That’s absolutely crazy.

It’s like throwing away a winning lottery ticket into the fire.

‘Think it through… wait, can I buy some time with this?’

Declining was out of the question.

Taking too long could jeopardize the opportunity as well.

But she also disliked stepping in thoughtlessly alongside the members.

After a brief moment of fifteen seconds filled with contemplation—short and long at the same time—Majia finally spoke up.

“I’ll talk it over with the boss. Would it be possible to ask for just one day to decide?”

Nahyeon Gon smiled broadly.

Majia’s reply was worth +10 points.

‘She likely wanted to hastily make a verbal contract and notify the company, yet she’s staying patient.’

There are plenty of employees who will stick out like a sore thumb no matter where you put them.

However, what the company truly desires is an employee who knows how to stand out without overstepping their bounds.

Just like Majia.

No matter how much she holds the spotlight as the company’s linchpin and ace, such pivotal decisions should never be made unilaterally.

Now is the time to suppress any rush and gather both the boss and staff for a meeting.

… But a day feels too short, and that urgency nudged his thoughts.

Taking away 5 points and compromising to +5 points.

In a jovial tone, Nahyeon Gon said, “I’ll give you a week. Take your time discussing it with the boss.”