I May Be a Virtual Youtuber, but I Still Go to Work - Chapter 53

… ─ — Parallel (VTuber) Gallery ─ ─ — …

[Momo, can’t we just give Majia that thing we do every quarter?]

If Majia does it, it’ll totally be a laugh riot!

From what I hear today, this guy is ridiculously strong with his looking back content.

He has a good memory, throws in some impressions here and there, and shares stories we don’t even know, so it’s super engaging, right, friends?

(If I stop here, I feel like I’ll get blocked as a Momo Anti, so here’s more↓↓)

Momo’s stuff is decent enough to watch, but I’m saying…

It’ll definitely be more fun if Majia does it, for sure.

Even among the busy Woldung crowd, there must be some who can only watch that, right? So isn’t it better to keep it lively like now?

I genuinely think it’s a good suggestion, so I’m sharing it.

I know you all are lurking, so please consider it!

(Recommended 546 / Not recommended 332)

[Comments]

— Parallel745: What the heck, this guy says Momo’s not fun now?

ㄴ Parallel383 (Author): That’s not what I mean, lol.

ㄴ Parallel383 (Author): Momo’s so busy she hardly streams, so isn’t it better to give it to someone who’s good like Majia, that’s what I’m saying, lol.

ㄴ Parallel745: But isn’t she super busy too?

ㄴ Parallel745: She rarely shows her face on streams because of how busy she is.

ㄴ Parallel383 (Author): That’s not freelancing, I just want to see her, ahahaha!

ㄴ Parallel025: Hey, you too?

ㄴ Parallel222: Crying with laughter over this!

… ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ …

… ─ — Parallel (VTuber) Gallery ─ ─ — …

[What does Majia even mean? I’ve asked about 38,592,121,930 times since earlier.]

So what is it?

Is it a real name?

A stage name?

What does it even mean?

Hurry and tell me, I’m about to get dizzy!

[Comments]

— Parallel200: It’s a name, why can’t you figure that out with three characters?

ㄴ Parallel034 (Author): Oh, thanks.

ㄴ Parallel200: You actually believe that?

ㄴ Parallel034 (Author): d*mn it!

— Parallel557: It’s a stage name, lol. MAGIA.

ㄴ Parallel034 (Author): I don’t know English well, what does it mean?

ㄴ Parallel557: It means magic.

ㄴ Parallel034 (Author): Oh, thanks, got it.

ㄴ Parallel557: You seriously believe that?

ㄴ Parallel034 (Author): d*mn it!

— Parallel347: Why are there so many idiots, lol.

— Parallel722: You guys are the worst, lol.

— Parallel003: Even the people up there calling the rest of us bad aren’t giving the answers! lol.

ㄴ Parallel034 (Author): Then you tell me!

ㄴ Parallel003: I don’t know either!

… ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ …

… ─ — Parallel (VTuber) Gallery ─ ─ — …

[Momo really doesn’t seem fit to be president, haha!]

Majia needs to quickly get on to hiring employees to take over what Momo was doing.

Majia should be the one fronting the show now, right? Like, “This is the face of our Parallel!”

It doesn’t mean Momo can’t play the face-roll, okay?

Momo is busy right now, so just let the employees take that role!

(I’ve already been reported over 50 times because of this. Explaining it to the moderator was a nightmare, so please stop hitting that report button!)

Proper placement of talent in the right position—something a president should obviously do, right?

Why let a lucky charm just sit at your waist?

If you just open it up and set it, it’ll promote our first generation by itself!!!!!

Don’t tell me you’re really just building a stage to go live for today and then rigging it up, right?

You better not be!

It’s been a tight squeeze thus far.

(It’s not like I want to support Majia because of this or anything.)

(Honestly, if the content is handled solo, it’s only fair to give all the donations, right?)

[Comments]

— Parallel834: Doesn’t matter, Momo’s never gonna budge!

— Parallel743: You’d need at least 100 million won to budge Momo’s hard head.

ㄴ Parallel455: Where can you dig up 100 million? I’m in the mood for a slap—ugh, haha.

ㄴ Parallel993: Aha, lol.

ㄴ Parallel701: Murasaki, haha.

… ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ …

* * *

Majia doesn’t see herself as a streamer.

But she didn’t think she lacked the skill to capture people’s attention.

That was obvious after being Momo’s sniper for several years.

Whenever she showed up on a stream, the chat blew up, and once that video hit YouTube, the views spiked about 1.5 times compared to usual.

Plus, she could navigate the lines like a pro.

Since the first time she appeared on Momo’s stream, she never fluffed up or ruined it.

So Jia leveraged her fame to make waves outside of Momo’s channel.

While ordinary folks pondered, “Shall I try streaming?” she was busy viral farming all over.

She’d hit up galleries, VTuber watchers, and anyone who was open to it, sharing Momo clips with generous donations of at least 100,000 won at just the right time.

Once she rolled out donations of 500,000 to 1 million won, Momo’s live viewership inevitably grew by noticeable amounts the next day.

From 100 to 130 viewers.

From 200 to 250 viewers.

One day it even jumped from 300 to 500!

Jia still remembers what Momo said the day they hit 500 viewers:

“Yo, Signal Flare, you. I know you’re watching the stream now. I know everything, so can you go easy on the sniping this year? It’s too hard…”

Whether she truly wanted it to stop or it was just a sarcastic invitation sent to the trolls, Jia isn’t quite sure.

But after that day, she improved her sniping but slacked off on the promoting.

Because after all, when told not to, trolls tend to do it more.

Thanks to that, as soon as they hit 1,000 viewers, there were issues, and she ended up being forcibly drafted as a manager.

Even while she took a break from going viral to avoid controversies, she never stopped the sniping.

So does she think she has a share in Momo, who now has 1.66 million subscribers?

“Thanks for getting me here, really.”

Not a chance.

“What are you talking about? It’s because the president is awesome that we got this far.”

When Majia was Momo’s manager, she was still in the shadows.

She was just a fan doing what she wanted.

She never thought Momo became a 1 million subscriber YouTuber because of her.

Majia was always just a sniper for her streams.

Had Momo not cooperated, she could have easily just faded away as a bad luck potion in the audience.

It was Momo who turned such a person into a fan, made her return, and eagerly spread her videos.

Chicken or the egg argument? No way that was on the table.

The tree called Momo stood tall and unwavering through the seasons, allowing Majia to fly and provide nourishment.

So, in the brief break after the main content ended.

Left alone in the studio, Majia felt her heartbeat race for no good reason.

“I didn’t think it’d actually work!”

The response exceeded all expectations.

All she did was beat up the president like usual to gather attention, then dove into viral marketing with that attention.

It was different from the past, where some expressed discomfort when she sent a donation of 100,000 won while watching.

Now, everyone was eager to hear Majia’s story and empathized with her.

They acknowledged how entertaining the first generation’s stream was!

Finally, the folks who used to sing “Employee D! Employee D!” were actually listening and interpreting Majia’s words properly.

That was made clear by a post she just saw in the Employee D gallery.

… ─ — Employee D Mini Gallery ─ ─ — …

[Gathering for Donations]

Let’s collect donation energy!

Timing for donations is right before the stream ends.

Goal is to hear Majo say they’ll start streaming regularly!

I’ll keep updating this in real time, so just drop your amounts in the comments as you go.

** Note**

Never let it slip that you’re an Employee D follower.

Always pretend to be a Parallel fan!

Say the stream was fun today.

Would love to see more like this!

I’m looking forward to the next second generation as well!

Only write stuff like this, got it?

But don’t make it too obvious!

Majo’s pretty perceptive.

[Comments]

— Employee D371: 50,000 won.

— Employee D474: 100,000 won.

— Employee D583: Is 5,000 okay?

ㄴ Employee D003 (Author): It’s alright. Amount isn’t what matters.

— 🟧Employee D1: 1 million won.

ㄴ Employee D003 (Author): Are you for real?

ㄴ Employee D003 (Author): Planning to starve next month?

— Employee D910: Majia is my light and life. If she doesn’t move, my heart stops. I can’t help but worship her.

ㄴ Employee D442: Pino talking nonsense…

ㄴ Employee D311: Pino caught red-handed!

ㄴ 🟧Employee D1: And I posted it in the notice.

ㄴ Employee D003 (Author): Thanks!

— Employee D369: Hehe,,, here’s a donation of 10,000 won and a rose,,,, ^^/~{@

ㄴ Employee D003 (Author): Cute concept, whoa!

ㄴ Employee D003 (Author): Thanks for that anyway!

… ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ …

Since Majia first showed up on streams, she’s been like a machine when it comes to donations.

Fans should never show interest in the shadow.

The shadow is merely a natural phenomenon formed behind something that shines.

What you should be looking at is the VTuber standing there getting all the light, right?

When Rain asked for help and came over, it was donations exceeding 4 million won that really helped Rain grow exponentially.

When she helped Komari, she completely ignored all the advice—though it was her first time doing Narou, she only followed Komari’s advice since it meant donations would stack up that way.

The recent donation energy gathering from the Employee D gallery is part of that too.

Thanks to Majia’s consistent actions, everyone is now geared up to compliment the first generation, not Majia.

Though it might be a bit twisted in those desires to summon her, at the end of the day, it’s a message naturally wrapped in support for the first generation.

It has to be a great boost for the first generation, who must be nervous preparing for tomorrow’s concert, right?

… What if the first generation finds out? Would they dislike it?

In that case, let’s just erase the proof beforehand.

There’s already plenty of excuses to do that.

A little later, Jia brought up the subject to Dohui, who came back from the bathroom.

“President, do you remember the Employee D gallery?”

“Yeah, I do. Why?”

What Jia showed next was the activity history of Employee D from the gallery.

… ─ ─ — Post List — ─ ─ — …

[Employee D is too cute, I wanna feed snacks and pet her!]

[Employee D is too cute, I wanna give her candy and pet her!]

[Employee D is too cute, I wanna give her jelly and pet her!]

[Employee D is too cute, I wanna give her milk and pet her!]

…

… ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ …

Transparent.

“It seems like this user is probably Pino. I’m not sure right now, but later when I’m more confident, could you contact and ask them to shut down the gallery?”

“Sure. That’s not hard.”

Simultaneously, Jia prepared to wrap up today’s broadcast.

Informing Dohui of the plan was the first step.

She liked plans, and she felt good when things went according to plan.

What’s more, Jia had her spoon in the president’s broadcast.

Since she was living off the broadcast, it was a must to get the owner’s approval.

“President. And this is about wrapping up today’s stream.”

On Majia’s phone popped up a message conversation exchanged about 2 minutes ago with the first generation.

[Parallel Operating Team Majia: You must be busy preparing for the concert.]

[Parallel Operating Team Majia: I’ve prepared a gift, so come check it out for a sec.]

[Maru: What is it?]

[Rain: A gift? Can’t wait to unwrap it.]

[Komari: A gift? Don’t tell me it’s pineapple pizza?]

[Dora: No way…]

“They managed to see it despite being in practice!”

“Guess it was worth the help you’ve given them!”

“Indeed. Your efforts are finally paying off. So, what do you want to do with the kids?”

Jia confidently explained the plan.

It was most likely going to be a massive wave of donations rolling in, and it would smoothly lead to a natural ending.

Upon hearing all of it, Dohui toyed with her lips while muttering.

“Just like with the civil war on Mukgun’s side last time… you really do have a knack for this sort of thing.”

Majia chuckled, “It’s all thanks to you, president.”

And thus, the pre-show approached its conclusion.

“Thank you to all the Woldungs who joined us for today’s pre-show! Now, Jia, it’s your turn to say the closing words.”

“Please enjoy the concert tomorrow as well. Thank you so much for joining us today.”

As soon as Majia wrapped up her speech, the flood of donations that had been announced in the Employee D Gallery began.

:: Anonymous Donor has donated 50,000 clouds! ::

:: Rain Dora Komari Maru, let’s go!!!!!!! ::

:: Anonymous Donor has donated 10,000 clouds! ::

:: Thanks, Momo! I’m really grateful for bringing the four of us together! ::

:: Anonymous Donor has donated 5,000 clouds! ::

:: Thanks! I’ll really enjoy the concert tomorrow! ::

:: Anonymous Donor has donated 1,000 clouds! ::

:: Riding the nostalgia train makes me want to see the concert tomorrow so bad! ::

:: Anonymous Donor has donated 100,000 clouds! ::

:: I love you, Another! Let’s last forever, Another! ::

:: Anonymous Donor has donated 10,000 clouds! ::

:: First-gen concert, fighting!!! ::

Endless thank-yous poured in, and no matter how many times they expressed their gratitude, it seemed never-ending.

In the chat too, people were losing their minds, wondering what was going on.

Some even joined in to send personal donations in that crazy atmosphere.

As it reached about 10 minutes of continuous donations, entering a lull, Pino’s donation came crashing down as if to close it out.

:: PIN0 has donated 1,000,000 clouds! ::

:: Is there really no Woldung left who hasn’t bought tomorrow’s concert tickets? ::

Dohui glanced over with her eyes asking, “Is this it?” and Jia nodded.

Before they knew it, the waiting room for Tok-code’s broadcast was filled with the four first-generation members ready and watching.

[Maru: This is insane!]

[Komari: Wow, wow, wow…]

[Rain: Yoho~ Just gotta let my shoulders break out in dance, I’m feeling that vibe!]

[Dora: Aaaah, this is crazy!!!]

Dohui displayed the pre-prepared concert illustration for the first generation.

Majia, having paused reacting to the donations, spoke into the mic.

“Thank you so much for all the donations! So many of you showed support for Another’s concert happening tomorrow. But in this situation, it doesn’t seem quite right for both of us to do a 1 million won reaction.”

Beep, beep.

The four people waiting entered the voice chat room.

The group illustration of the first generation their expression changed, showcasing their surprise.

— Oh!

— Whoa, what is this?

— Ahh!

— Wow, haha!

— I wasn’t even expecting this, lol!

— Another! Another! Another! Another! Another!

— They’re actually calling out for us? Wow, haha!

— That’s so hype!!!

“So, here are the Another members who have been watching the stream for a while now!”

Dohui smoothly tied up the concluding remarks.

“Then Jia and I will take our leave here. Thank you so much, everyone!”

“Thank you! Alright, Another members! Please thank the fans for their outpouring of support!”

[Thank you! Thank you! Yeah! Thank you! Thank you, babies!]

[Really, thank you, everyone.]

[Thanks so much, guys! Yay!]

[Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!]

While for the true fans sending donations, it was a joyful moment, but for those in Majia’s fan squad who hoped for Majia’s reaction and next broadcast, it was the worst flow possible.

Some still didn’t realize.

They thought they should wait a little longer and held onto strands of hope.

— Wait, have they left already?

— What the heck; they’re fast!

— That’s crazy how fast they left, haha!

Majia’s presence had already vanished.

The search for Majia faded as the chat quickly shifted to congratulations and anticipation for the first generation.

Before long, Dohui, who had followed suit, turned off the mic while sticking out her tongue.

“You spent the whole broadcast thinking about how to wrap things up, didn’t you?”

“That was basically the main goal for my appearance today. I believed that if I messed up, you’d swoop in and fix it.”

“Even then, while we’re still talking, that’s what’s on your mind?”

Majia giggled with the kids.

“Watching four streams simultaneously; there’s no way I wouldn’t have it on my mind.”

“It’s truly impressive multitasking…”

The pre-show wrapped up successfully, and the energetic first generation would handle the ending flawlessly.

Since it was a nice clean wrap-up, it seemed there’d be no more to address from Jia here.

However, Jia wasn’t stepping aside just yet.

There was something she realized from today’s stream through the avalanche of donations.

Being a fellow streamer, she understood well.

Donations that come with expectations are often close to a trap set by trolls.

And it’s also true that streamers must understand and overlook when they don’t react.

However, she knows that when rewards return when one is resigned, it can feel like the top of your head is breaking.

And that broken head doesn’t heal easily.

Why keep the lid closed on a pot full of gold just sitting around?

For the VTuber empire, Bachu Bachu, to flourish, Parallel needs to earn more money.

For that, Majia was willing to do anything.

Even if the president didn’t ask her to.

“I’ve got something I want to try after today’s stream.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“You know that monthly broadcast monitoring report I submit to you, right?”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Can I base it to create a monthly ‘Best Contents Top 10’ list? Since Seungyeon is here and it lightens the work load. I think this would help the planning team to craft the next content too.”

As soon as the president heard this, she clapped her hands.

“Sounds great! It would be nice to post it as ‘Parallel of the Month’ or something.”

“Sure, I’ll be the one to host it.”

“Oh, you’re going to host it…”

While the applause continued for a while, the president raised a question while still clapping.

“You’re going to host it? A live stream?”

“Yep. Just like you supported me today, I think I can handle it. I’ll prepare the materials.”

“No. It’s live, you know?”

“Wasn’t today a live stream? I had a script ready, but more than half of it was ad-libbed.”

“Hmm. That’s true… but you. Broadcasting, um, you said it was a waste of time, right? You said you had to watch the broadcasts during it?”

The thought of watching the stream during the time print for streaming didn’t occur to her while babbling about past broadcasts.

“Isn’t this going to be like summarizing scenes from the stream, or maybe that’s not quite right? Anyway, I’m just chatting while rewatching, I thought it was no different from watching the broadcast.”

“Oh yeah? Is there no burden? Nothing mentally challenging? Are you not tired from talking too much—getting a sore throat?”

Like back in the day when she was working with Momo.

Majia found joy in lifting up the Parallel-affiliated VTubers.

In those moments, she felt that even cutting back her streaming time slightly was worth it.

“Not at all! I had so much fun just chatting away today!”