Chapter 147: Saving private Jo A-Young, Part 2

The historic first original group song for BGG Company.

“Omnibus” was a song that emphasized roleplay (RP), the alpha and omega of Vtubers.

While Hayoon wasn’t a strict RP devotee, believing every moment had to be in character, she acknowledged the importance of a solid RP foundation for merchandise and fan engagement.

“Three stories, one world.”

“Omnibus” wasn’t about Seo Ji-woo, Baek-seol, and Jo A-yeong.

It was about their Vtuber personas: Lucy, Shiro Yuki, and Vivian.

While Lucy’s music had already explored Seo Ji-woo’s identity, Shiro Yuki and Vivian hadn’t had that opportunity.

This concert would focus on establishing their RP through their solo songs and the group song, solidifying their presence in the Vtuber community and laying the groundwork for fan-created content.

The timing was perfect.

The end of 2022 and the beginning of 2023 marked the dawn of the AI era.

Establishing a strong RP would facilitate AI-generated fan art.

“Well, most of my online art has watermarks, making it difficult to copy…”

By 2025, game companies would be using AI tools to create Easily Consumable Games (ECGs) and Simple Casual Games (SCGs).

Eventually, even her watermarked art style would be replicated.

“I guess they’ll eventually copy my style and use it for fan art. Whatever.”

Hayoon was no longer just an illustrator.

She was on her way to becoming a prominent figure in the domestic Vtuber industry.

She could tolerate some style copying; it was inevitable.

Having experienced the AI revolution firsthand in her previous life, she knew what was coming.

“Whether they use AI to make music or write fan fiction, as long as it promotes us, I’m happy.”

She hoped people would use her art style for Trinity fan art.

It would be annoying to see her style used for other Vtubers.

All that mattered was promotion.

“CEO, I’m here.”

Hayoon arrived at the familiar basement recording studio, Forest Sound.

Today was a full BGG Company gathering.

“Hello, I’m Hong Seo-hyun. My Vtuber name is Scarlet.”

“Gasp!”

“Scarlet…!”

“Hmm, hmm…”

While Baek-seol and Jo A-yeong might not know Hong Seo-hyun’s real name, they knew Scarlet.

They were clearly starstruck by their senior Vtuber, while Seo Ji-woo puffed up with pride, knowing Hong Seo-hyun personally.

“Ji-woo has recorded with me before, but I thought you two might need some guidance. I’m also here to practice for the concert.”

“Mm-hmm.”

Seo Ji-woo, basking in the attention, nodded smugly. Hayoon, amused by her transparent behavior, chuckled.

“It’s… an honor to meet you”

“Me too…!”

“There’s no need to be so formal.”

Hong Seo-hyun, flustered by their respectful demeanor, waved her hands dismissively.

“Relax. You’re both older than me.”

“Eh…”

“Really…?”

The topic of age naturally shifted their attention to Hayoon, their unspoken question hanging in the air:

“Is she your age too?”

“No, she’s a year older. She’s a year above Hayoon and me in school.”

“Oh… Well, it’s nice to meet you… Seo-hyun…?”

“Just call me Seo-hyun.”

“Okay, Seo-hyun.”

Hong Seo-hyun smoothly clarified the situation.

Baek-seol, perhaps feeling a bit intimidated by Scarlet’s success, remained somewhat formal.

Jo A-yeong, after a moment of silence…

“I get it now. Our company started as a club, didn’t it?”

“Oh.”

“Huh?”

Her astute observation earned a thumbs-up from Hayoon.

“Correct. BGG Company evolved from a gaming club into a Vtuber agency.”

“Wow, really?”

Surprisingly, it was Seo Ji-woo, not Jo A-yeong, who reacted with surprise.

Having attended a small, underfunded high school on Ulleungdo, the idea of a club successfully launching a company seemed incredible.

“That’s possible? I tried starting a J-Pop appreciation club, but everyone ignored me…”

“J-Pop, while popular with our age group, isn’t mainstream. It’s hard to find like-minded people, especially with a smaller student population.”

“Ugh, if only I lived in Seoul.”

Seo Ji-woo grumbled, imagining her classmates back on Ulleungdo.

 They chatted and laughed, losing track of time.

Thirty minutes had passed.

Hayoon, remembering the saying about three women gathering and causing chaos, glanced nervously at the studio owner.

“Oh, are we starting now? I thought I had time for lunch.”

“Haha, no worries. Let’s begin. Who’s first?”

“I’ll go!”

Sensing the owner’s impatience, Hong Seo-hyun volunteered and entered the recording booth.

“I have the guide track, but I thought singing it live might provide some inspiration. I’ll do a demonstration!”

“Thank you, Unnie.”

“Just trust me!”

This was Hong Seo-hyun’s main role today: vocal coaching. While they could have hired a professional trainer, their current trainer was busy with Jo A-yeong.

Hayoon had made this decision to protect Jo A-yeong’s confidence.

Having a senior Vtuber like Hong Seo-hyun as a coach would inspire her, rather than intimidate her.

Everything was ready.

They just needed to record the group song and deliver their best performances at the concert.

It was time to accelerate.

“I love it, you love it, we love it!”

Hong Seo-hyun’s demonstration of the upbeat opening lines of “Omnibus” began.

Hong Seo-hyun’s recording was flawless.

Hayoon had given her the lyrics and MR as soon as the song was finished, asking her to practice for a Scarlet cover version after their debut.

Hayoon had been worried.

Practicing alone and performing a three-part harmony live were different things.

But…

“A new world unfolds!”

My new story begins.

A miracle.

“I can’t wait to meet you!”

Hong Seo-hyun was perfect.

She flawlessly captured the upbeat energy of “Omnibus,” proving her talent as a singer and Vtuber.

“… Bravo…”

“It didn’t sound like that when I practiced. Amazing… was my part supposed to be rougher?”

Baek-seol, awestruck, applauded. Seo Ji-woo, wondering if she had practiced incorrectly, sulked.

“No, you practiced correctly. Your part is supposed to be rougher, but Unnie isn’t doing it right.”

“See? I was right!”

“Yeah, you’re right. You’re the original.”

“Hehe…”

“Speaking of which, Ji-woo, want to go next?”

“Sure!”

Hayoon, a master of managing Seo Ji-woo, praised her and sent her into the booth.

Seo Ji-woo was surprisingly simple to handle.

Hayoon glanced at Jo A-yeong, who had been unusually quiet.

“Unnie?”

“…”

“You okay?”

“…”

“Oh, no. Don’t tell me…”

Jo A-yeong looked like she was about to choke again.

She was sweating, clearly intimidated by Hong Seo-hyun’s performance.

Hayoon thought she heard a ringing in her ears.

“You… you can do this, right…?”

“Can… can I…?”

The ringing wasn’t in Hayoon’s ears.

It was coming from Jo A-yeong.

This was not good.