Chapter 161: Concert ends, daily life continues, Part 3

Naturally, Hong Seo-hyun knew her words would stir up the chat.

Even though her audience knew the CEO was a woman and a fellow Vtuber, using the word “slept” was a bit provocative for a pure-hearted Vtuber persona.

However, she had planned her follow-up.

“I was a mess after all that somaek, remember? The CEO took such good care of me. I passed out after the first glass, and she brought me home, tucked me into bed, ordered me hangover soup, basically acted like my mom.”

– Heehee.

– She’s like a mom.

– CEO, mama, and collab partner.

– Always grateful. GOAT.

The audience loved her edited, slightly embellished story.

Hayoon had occasionally appeared on Scarlet’s streams as Haru, and it was Hayoon’s planning that had made Scarlet’s surprise concert appearance possible.

The viewers who knew about the debut concert had unwavering faith in Hayoon.

“I guess I have a really low tolerance. I didn’t think I’d black out after just one glass of somaek.”

– Mixed drinks hit you hard.

– For some reason, they do hit differently.

– But even at a company dinner, shouldn’t you pace yourself?

After a brief flurry of comments, the viewers started engaging in lighthearted banter with Hong Seo-hyun.

Since they were on the topic of alcohol, they discussed how mixed drinks could be deceiving and how she should be more careful with her low tolerance.

“If it were a normal company, I would have been more careful, but I’ve already embarrassed myself in front of the CEO. She even knows my door code now. There’s no dignity left to protect.”

Hayoon had indeed contacted Hong Seo-hyun’s parents to get the door code.

However, to the viewers, unaware that the two were high school classmates living nearby…

– Ohhh…

– She knows your door code, and you slept together…

– Polar bears are dying.

It was enough gossip to fuel their imaginations.

Yuri appeal in the Vtuber industry worked this way.

Unlike female streamers who faced boyfriend scandals, Vtubers could openly display affection for each other, freeing both the company and the streamers from relationship drama.

And the difference between this strategy and the usual fan service employed by other companies was…

‘The reaction is pretty good.’

…that this was driven by genuine affection.

Hayoon’s position made it difficult for her to stream regularly.

Preparing for Trinity’s debut concert had kept her off-air for over two weeks.

Naturally, she hadn’t had much opportunity to collaborate with Hong Seo-hyun.

Honestly, Hong Seo-hyun felt a bit neglected.

She enjoyed their collaborations, and she felt like her time with Hayoon had been stolen by the juniors.

“If I pass out drunk again, I’m sure the CEO will somehow drag me home, right?”

– How bad were you that the CEO had to drag you home? Do you turn into a wild animal when you drink?

“Hey, I don’t have any embarrassing drunken habits. The problem is that I just pass out and sleep wherever I am.”

– That is an embarrassing habit.

– I bet the CEO has a different story. It’s not easy dragging a passed-out drunk person around.

Hong Seo-hyun subtly provoked the viewers, creating an atmosphere where Hayoon would inevitably be drawn into a collaboration.

As a four-year streaming veteran, Hong Seo-hyun was adept at manipulating the flow of conversation.

“Seriously, it wasn’t a big deal. Maybe I should bring the CEO on for an interrogation session? We can get her side of the story.”

– Yes!

– A somaek interrogation? This I gotta see.

– Passing out drunk is totally an embarrassing habit…

Showing a hint of vulnerability doubled the effect.

The chat exploded, demanding that Hong Seo-hyun bring Hayoon on stream.

This was how yuri appeal in the Vtuber world worked.

Create a pretext for a collaboration, subtly tease the viewers, and let the chemistry develop naturally.

As both parties played along, the initially playful interactions could evolve into something more.

“I’ll schedule a collaboration soon, but for now, let’s talk more about the concert. Honestly, I blacked out, so I don’t really remember what I was like.”

– That’s normal.

– It’s rare for someone to remember every detail after blacking out.

– Is there any way to rewatch the concert? T_T

“We can discuss that with the CEO when she joins us. I don’t have the final say on these things. It’s up to her.”

– Then please do it soon…

– I’m born in ’09, so I couldn’t go to Ilsan alone. I missed the concert…

“’09? People were born in ’09?”

Hong Seo-hyun expertly steered the conversation, frequently mentioning Hayoon to keep her in the viewers’ minds. Her ulterior motive, to bring Hayoon onto a collaboration and indulge in some playful affection, was transparent, but the audience was still oblivious.

Hayoon was actually considering retiring from streaming.

It made sense.

Trinity had a successful debut, and unlike with Hong Seo-hyun, there wasn’t much need for Hayoon’s direct intervention.

With three members, Hayoon’s help wouldn’t make a significant difference.

It was better for them to develop their own synergy.

Hayoon planned to focus on her illustrations, but…

“A collaboration? Seriously…”

Hong Seo-hyun had caused a stir.

She had casually mentioned sleeping with the CEO and then argued with her viewers about the harmless nature of her drinking habits.

The usually well-behaved Hong Seo-hyun had suddenly changed her approach.

So, Hayoon was summoned for a collaboration.

“You haven’t been streaming much either. Let’s have some fun. Just play along with my antics.”

Lately, Hong Seo-hyun seemed eager for some yuri-themed interactions.

Why did it have to be with Hayoon?

She was seriously considering retiring, but…

“Hello, everyone! Long time no see!”

Could she, the all-purpose collaborator and collab s*ave known as Haru, refuse?

A small business owner couldn’t afford to be picky.

Especially when it came to their star performer, Scarlet.

Hayoon usually agreed to Hong Seo-hyun’s requests.

As soon as they connected their virtual avatars, making them visible on both streams, she started the broadcast with an energetic greeting.

– Why now? Why now? Why now?

– Die. Die. Die. Die. Die.

– Hate you, hate you, hate you, hate you, hate you.

Hayoon’s viewers were not pleased.

It was understandable.

Streaming sporadically, disappearing for two weeks, returning briefly, and then vanishing again felt more like neglect than teasing.

The remaining viewers were hardcore Haru fans, accustomed to her erratic schedule.

Now that she had finally appeared, after a long absence, the chat was understandably chaotic.

– Welcome.

– Long time no see.

– Are you going to release the concert footage?

In contrast, Scarlet’s chat was calm and polite, typical of a pure-hearted Vtuber’s audience.

They cautiously welcomed Hayoon.

– Is the CEO a handful when she’s drunk? Dragging a snoring drunk person around is the worst.

“Oh, it is tough. I experienced it last Saturday. Who am I talking about? Oh, I have no idea.”

Hayoon chuckled, engaging in playful banter with Scarlet’s viewers.

Of course…

– Die. Die… Die.

– Hate you, hate you…

– Jealous… jealous… jealous…

– Why aren’t you talking to us? Why aren’t you talking to us?

There was a reason why Hayoon was interacting with Scarlet’s audience instead of her own.

Her own chat, filled with resentment from her long absence, was out of control.

“Okay, let’s start our story time with the CEO! I’ve been saving up so many stories.”

Oblivious to the state of Hayoon’s chat, Hong Seo-hyun cheerfully launched into the collaboration.

– Hate you, hate you, hate you.

– Mean, mean, mean.

Sandwiched between the viewers mindlessly repeating their complaints and Hong Seo-hyun’s cheerful chatter, Hayoon felt a headache coming on.

She tried to focus on the stream.

‘I really need to quit streaming soon.’

She desperately wanted to escape this hell, but…

‘Yes, this is it. Time for some playful banter.’

Hong Seo-hyun wasn’t going to let her off so easily.