I May Be a Virtual Youtuber, but I Still Go to Work - Chapter 141

Nudge.

Originally, it meant a gentle poke or jab with your elbow.

But as it evolved into modern economic terminology, its meaning changed just a tad.

It now refers to a method of subtly guiding choices without coercion.

A prime example of this marketing strategy is placing products in the line of sight of indecisive customers while highlighting their advantages to nudge them toward a decision.

In the realm of public campaigns, you can think of the flies drawn on urinals to encourage cleanliness.

When this really takes off, the effects can be pretty darn good.

Moreover, the game packages provided for free to streamers are also a form of nudge marketing. Sure, the chances are slim, but if a streamer gets hooked on a game they started just because it was free, and then streams hours of engrossed gameplay, what happens?

The viewers who are watching that streamer suddenly feel a strong inclination to buy the game too.

“Wow, why is it so much fun to watch?” they wonder.

Of course, if it’s distributed too broadly, as in the examples given, then the success rate drops; you might get lucky occasionally, but it becomes way harder.

If only one person is the target, then meticulous preparation is needed.

And if you’re trying to woo someone as picky and suspicious as Majia, even more effort goes into it.

Timing and psychological factors can turn mere proposals into triggers for resistance.

In short, it takes some serious psychological and statistical analysis, along with continuous headaches over a long period, to achieve your goals.

Ra Seunghyeon, the team leader, working through the entire weekend was proof of that.

“Hmm… Team Leader. But does it really have to be this tightly scheduled?”

“It’s like this for a reason, isn’t it? You all should head home first. I’m expecting another all-nighter tonight.”

“Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

“When else can I leave work on time if not now? Go while you can.”

“Got it. Heading out then.”

Consequently, the first thing Ra Seunghyeon considered was the time and place.

Specifically, it was well past regular quitting time.

And it was in front of the elevator, where one could finally relate to each other about heading home.

***

6 PM.

While it’s the usual quitting time for everyone, half of the Parallel staff doesn’t leave.

Who stays late varies depending on the day’s workload.

Yet, there’s always one name that tends to pop up: Majia.

These days, as they prepare for the debut of the Second Generation, the usual hours are a solid 8 AM to 6 PM, but every Monday, Majia always stays late.

She spends time chatting with Seungyeon about last week’s and this week’s broadcast summaries for the incoming members and catches up on all the necessary reports.

As the team lead, she piles all her work on Mondays.

What Majia is like during that time can be vaguely understood through Seungyeon.

“She’s so full of enthusiasm. She even decides on how I should phrase things in the report immediately. At those moments, it might be fair to say she looks quite impressive.

Meetings are like lightning-fast popcorn popping, but when it’s all over, everything’s tight and tidy.”

It’s her first job, so maybe she’s overly praising her mentor, but the essence remains.

Work must be done well for the company, but she still wants to clock out as soon as possible.

Why? Because she’s gotta catch up on those VTuber streams!

“Oh. When you get home, make sure to watch the clip collection I made for you first. Then you’ll get to see all four of the new kid’s streams live…”

The fourth generation mentioned here refers to the new recruits of Bachu Bachu KR, debuted in early March.

They’ve been massively promoted even before debuting, and with half of the first to third-gen seniors boasting over 200K subscribers, it can’t be ignored.

It’s been barely three months since their debut, and they’re already nearing 500K subscribers.

Comparing that to the first-gen of Parallel, who struggled for a year and a half to just surpass 500K, that’s phenomenal!

Why is Majia paying so much attention to these newcomers?

It’s partly because they’re new VTubers, but also because she likely wants to keep an eye on the youngest in the reigning top-tier Korean company.

After all, in just a few months, Parallel’s second generation will be debuting too.

So she’s probably been chomping at the bit to dissect that process for benchmarking and to differentiate.

Things can become a hassle if their concepts overlap, so reports related to that keep rising up to the president.

It’s common knowledge that Ra Seunghyeon, as team leader, is aware of this because it’s originally the planning team’s job.

You might wonder why they’re doing separate work like this.

Because their perspectives differ.

The planning team has members who are both fans and non-fans of VTubers.

Ra Seunghyeon is an example, having developed an interest after joining in, and she has a firm taste.

So while she watches the broadcasts she genuinely enjoys, everything else becomes just another job in her eyes…

Majia, however, is an utterly committed viewer who participates actively in every stream.

It might seem trivial, but that minor difference is felt significantly in the reports.

This is why the two-track reporting between the planning team and Majia continues.

Anyway, with such a work-related rapport, Ra Seunghyeon decided to subtly suggest a conversation about this with Majia.

So, keeping an eye on Majia’s movements, as soon as she started getting ready to leave work, Ra Seunghyeon made her move.

She went first to stand by the elevator.

Hearing the office front door unlock, she pressed the elevator button.

Soon, Majia stood next to Ra Seunghyeon and asked the first question.

“Are you leaving?”

“You too! You’re usually out late on Mondays?”

“It’s become a habit to check on Seungyeon every Monday.”

“Seungyeon’s lucky! I’m always too busy, leaving my team to fend for themselves.”

Majia looked up at Ra Seunghyeon and said.

“Considering your comments, it’s surprising there haven’t been any employee departures from the planning team for years. You might say it, but you’re actually doing a great job of managing things, right?”

“Flattering me won’t get you anywhere. What are you trying to achieve by trying to look good? Jump ship to another team?”

“Not at all…”

“There’s nothing to be that averse to.”

Ra Seunghyeon chuckled and got to the point.

“You’ve been heading out early on non-Mondays lately. Is your late stay in the president’s office worrying you after your last collapse?”

Majia nodded.

“Well, just because I’m heading home doesn’t mean I’ll get to rest…”

“Since our job is watching broadcasts, it can’t be helped. But shouldn’t watching broadcasts at home count as working hours too?”

At that, Majia suddenly turned.

Making sure no one was behind her, she muttered.

“Please don’t say anything like that in front of the accounting director or HR manager. At this rate, I might get monitored for what I do at home.”

“Then you should have put in more effort, huh?”

“As someone who’s been pulling late nights like me, such comments don’t resonate at all.”

The atmosphere was flowing nicely.

Both shared a mutual awareness of trying hard to achieve results despite overexerting themselves.

“How about you watch Bachu Bachu’s fourth generation streams at home lately?”

Majia stared blankly at Ra Seunghyeon.

Her unspoken question of “how did you know?” was quite the conversation tactic.

“I do too, you know. All for benchmarking.”

“Oh.”

“Honestly, the team could watch their broadcasts at work, but I don’t have time like that. So, I gotta watch them at home too.”

Ding! The elevator arrived.

It was way past quitting time, and the two entered the sparsely populated elevator.

As the doors closed, Majia opened her mouth again.

“I totally agree. For me, I’m practically glued to YouTube and Baji-Pan all the time. Still, I keep thinking that it would be great if a day lasted around 48 hours.”

“We’ve both gone way too far into workaholic status. But I can’t seem to stop until I reach the top of the industry.”

Majia chuckled at that.

“Right. You can’t relax until you take down Bachu Bachu.”

“What? Surprisingly, we’re on the same wavelength? I totally agree. I won’t be able to sleep comfortably until that giant dinosaur is toppled.”

Majia looked up at Ra Seunghyeon with an earnest expression, concern etched in her eyes.

“I get your ambition, Team Leader, but… you’re getting older, and you have family to take care of…”

“Are you implying I’m a crazy old spinster obsessed with work because I’m not married?”

“Huh? You’re not married?”

“Didn’t know that, huh? Then I’ll forgive you.”

Ra Seunghyeon smirked, continuing her spiel.

“What does age matter regarding work? To put it bluntly, what about that stream where the VTuber you cheer on draws in 500K subscribers?”

“It’s my stream.”

“Exactly. If you’ve started it without meeting the goal and are dragging it out, how would that feel?”

“I wouldn’t sleep. Whether for the streamers or the viewers.”

“Right, that’s the situation.”

Ra Seunghyeon took a deep breath, ready to unload her thoughts.

“From elementary to university, I’ve only attended prestigious institutions. I was always first in class, and I used to fight with this one insufferable kid who was also ranked first in school. Even throughout college, I was praised for my grades despite being told I came from a well-off family. Securing a job at Sangsan was due to that first-place standing. Once employed, I risked everything to be industry No. 1 and revenue No. 1.”

Majia already had a vague familiarity with this background.

However, why she chose Parallel had always been a mystery to her.

It was a little secret known only to the president, her, and the accounting director who handled the HR role before joining.

So, it must have been quite a revelation for Majia when that secret came to light.

“But you know what? After accomplishing all that, it turned mundane. I felt like there wouldn’t be much difference at the higher levels.”

“…?”

“Well, in technical terms, you could say I hit a wall. I enjoy climbing to higher altitudes, but once I landed at a high place and gained stability, I got bored.

Plus, with how huge the company is, even if my achievements are acknowledged, I couldn’t feel like I actually accomplished something. Of course, I know the importance of teamwork, but I still wish my contributions were a bit more noticeable.”

They exited the elevator, but Majia didn’t bow out as usual before heading off.

She seemed still focused on Ra Seunghyeon’s story.

“Do you want to hear more? Should we move to another spot?”

It happened to be drizzling outside.

Even though it was late May, the oddly chilly weather made it just the right time to want a warm drink.

“Yeah. Let’s do that.”

Their conversation continued at a nearby café.

“Anyway, I’ve had a lot on my mind about what to do moving forward while taking it easy. What would make me feel that uplift I experienced before?”

“…So, you decided to partner with Parallel to help you soar again?”

“Bingo! Boredom struck while I was watching streams online, and when I talked to the president, I got lucky enough to chat in the consulting room.

I heard he was going to launch a company one day, and even though I wasn’t familiar with this field, I studied up and applied. To my surprise, I got in.”

“I see now.”

“Anyway, my goal is to keep climbing and snag that No. 1 spot in the industry. It’s just how I’ve always lived—if I’m not No. 1, I’m not satisfied.”

Majia shrugged her shoulders.

“You must be feeling pretty satisfied lately, given the company’s growth trend.”

“It’s a great time to be in it. When the metrics take off, there’s no better feeling. It’s like the scallions I grow at home, just thriving off a little water.”

“Uh-huh.”

The mood deepened.

A rapport began to form as they related to each other.

Now was the time.

Ra Seunghyeon took the plunge.

“But I realized something recently.”

“What is it?”

“There was a time when our metrics skyrocketed, and there was a recurring law at that moment. Naturally, I had to analyze it to reflect in our planning so that our company could leap forward, hence why I had to scrutinize it more closely.”

“Right?”

“That law was you.”

“?”

“Now don’t give me that look. This isn’t a joke; it’s true. Once might be a coincidence, but when it happens three or four times, it turns from a fluke into certainty.”

Although she tilted her head, Majia couldn’t fully dismiss it like before.

In her heart, a flicker of doubt, “what am I to matter?” lingered, but with various people — like Cheon Dohui — frequently attributing some of the successes to her, she felt her heart wavering slightly.

Especially since Ra Seunghyeon recognized her as a marketing genius.

Her record at Sangsan wasn’t wiped clean, and she was demonstrating solid performance in an entirely different field at Parallel.

“So, about that. Can I include you in the collaborative planning for group streams with members whenever the opportunity arises?”

Coming from someone like her, this carried substantial weight.

Besides, as long as what she’s doing helps the company grow, Majia was all in.

While she had devised ways to spotlight members at all times, her various participations in broadcasts surely weren’t for show either.

So instead of saying, “Why me?”, she responded this way.

“How often?”

“At least twice a month, at most four.”

“I’m fine with anything as long as it’s not me being the focal point. As you know, I’m an ‘Another’ and not part of our idol lineup.”

“I wholeheartedly agree with your take on that. The focus will always remain on the first generation. But in scenarios like before, when we had to participate in content with members during Wicker Town, it can’t really be helped, right? It’d feel awkward to exclude you.”

“That’s true.”

“In such cases, let’s brainstorm ways to shine a light on the members more than you. You’ve got the freedom to offer suggestions like you’ve done thus far. I’ll take responsibility for it.”

“Hmm.”

That wasn’t a rejection but a long, contemplative hum.

With half-confidence of having succeeded in the persuasion, Ra Seunghyeon delivered the final blow.

“I’m confident. I believe if we, who have been busy with our duties thus far, join forces, the day we topple Bachu Bachu will come even sooner. What do you think?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Majia nodded and extended her hand.

It was a handshake proposal signifying her consent.

“All sounds good, but I’d like to get the president’s approval before we proceed.”

***

That night.

Cheon Dohui received a proposal from Movgun.

“Are you suggesting we join the upcoming summer MCN competition?”

[Not forced, but hey if you’re interested, why not? The event is officially held by the developers of Beacol, and pretty much all the big MCNs in Korea will participate. Apparently, Bachu Bachu and Rapitsu are taking part too?]

“I get that, but we’d need two teams with our VTubers.”

[But there are six of you! You, first-gen, and Majia. That makes six, right?]

“Fine for the rest of us, but Jia isn’t a part of our VTuber lineup.”

[I see. I mistakenly counted her as a VTuber. Sorry about that. But it’s still a great opportunity.]

“….”

[But from what I’ve heard, the rules don’t require all members to be debuted VTubers. Just proving they belong to the company is enough. But I doubt sending out a letter of employment for her will fly. That’d just give the organizers Majia’s personal details without reason.]

“True.”

Movgun then threw out a proposal.

It was surprisingly exactly what Cheon Dohui was itching for.

[How about adding Majia to your official website’s talent page? You could throw her in as a staff member at the bottom. Am I suggesting something silly because I don’t know enough about VTubers?]

By putting Majia on the official page, they’d clarify her as part of the company while simultaneously distinguishing her from the other idol members.

In the past, they couldn’t do this due to various potential conspiracy theories arising.

But with Majia having been entangled in so much controversy recently, it was ultimately safer to do so than to refrain.

“Honestly, that’s surprisingly good for something from your head.”

[It didn’t really come off as a compliment either…. Anyway, yeah, I’ve been hearing all sorts of noise about Majia graduating or transferring. Wouldn’t this put that matter to rest?]

“Just know the conversation we’re having assuming Jia is all in for the competition is a bit wishful thinking.”

Cheon Dohui held this concern as she was sure Majia was not keen on participating in anything on equal footing with the members.

She had barely managed to convince her for the Wicker Town event.

The combat tournaments were a one-person show and fine, but…

A contest with everyone?

Especially suggesting it was Movgun?

She anticipated that persuading her wouldn’t be easy.

However, the next morning, when Cheon Dohui shared the news with Majia, she returned with an unexpectedly cheerful answer.

“Sure! Count me in!”