Chapter 162: Concert ends, daily life continues, Part 4

Hong Seo-hyun and Hayoon’s collaboration was… a calming, radio-style talk stream.

Hayoon’s strength was her drawing.

When it came to talking, she inevitably took a backseat to Hong Seo-hyun, who preferred a relaxed streaming style.

“There might be some of you here who took photos with me, but for those who missed out, let’s do it again next time.”

– When’s next time?

– Is there another AGC next year?

“AGC will definitely happen next year. The organizers told us that since the pandemic seems to be subsiding, they’re confident about holding it again.”

– Will you have another concert next year?

– Will you have a booth?

“We’ll definitely have a booth. This time, it was kind of a guerrilla, semi-surprise event, so next time, we’ll find a good spot and accommodate as many fans as possible.”

Hayoon didn’t mind this relaxed atmosphere. It was something she only experienced on Scarlet’s streams.

– Why isn’t there a Haru solo concert?

– Please hold a Haru solo concert.

– *, sing for us too!*

– If you can’t sing, at least do something embarrassing.

– You abandon your stream for weeks and only show up once in a blue moon. Shouldn’t you be practicing singing during that time?

– It’s okay if you can’t sing,!

Hayoon’s own channel was a chaotic mess, devoid of any semblance of normalcy.

Visiting Scarlet’s channel and reading the chat was one of her few pleasures.

In a way, Scarlet’s channel was her refuge.

‘Ever since my channel became a chaotic ward, my viewers have become increasingly… unhinged.’

Her core audience was already a niche group, and her infrequent streams had driven away even the casual viewers, leaving only the most hardcore, difficult-to-manage fans.

It was a grave she had dug herself, but knowing this, she found solace in the calm, supportive chat of Scarlet’s fans.

“We might rent a suitable venue as early as Q3 next year, or we might use the AGC stage again. However, the AGC stage is quite small, so it might be a bit cramped for our fans…”

– Small? Doesn’t matter.

– Only the weak fail at ticketing.

– We’ll definitely get tickets, so just hold a mini-concert, please.

– CEO, fighting!

Even Scarlet’s viewers were, at their core, streaming viewers.

No matter how polite they seemed, they still possessed the characteristic competitiveness of online audiences.

“So, you’re saying you want us to hold events even if the space is limited, as long as we have the opportunity?”

– Of course.

– If I fail to get a ticket, I’ll just end it all.

– I got in yesterday, so I’m confident I can do it again.

– Those who missed out, what were you doing when we were all talking about AGC tickets on stream?

Interacting with the viewers, whose true intentions were barely concealed behind their polite words, Hayoon used her business acumen to steer the conversation toward her desired outcome.

“It seems quite a few of you missed the concert. Would you be interested in BGG Company debut concert merchandise? A personalized USB with the concert footage, nicely packaged?”

– Sounds amazing!

– Some merchandise was sold out at AGC. Please make enough this time! T_T

– Can you make it available for online purchase for a longer period?

It was all marketing.

Merchandise released after even a superficial consultation with fans sold better and avoided accusations of greed.

Hayoon skillfully guided the conversation, ensuring future sales.

“I’ll start planning the merchandise release as soon as possible. We might use a crowdfunding system to maximize availability.”

– Yesss!

– This is what we want!

Even if the actual sales weren’t impressive, it didn’t matter.

By mentioning merchandise on Scarlet’s stream, where everyone was agreeable, she created a justification for using the potentially controversial crowdfunding system.

This way, any future backlash would be directed at the viewers who had seemingly agreed to it during the stream, not at BGG Company.

It was a classic divide-and-conquer marketing tactic, shifting the risk from the seller to the core fanbase, but from Hayoon’s business perspective, it was a necessary strategy.

‘We spent a lot on merchandise production and stage rental at AGC. I deserve to make some profit without worrying.’

Driven by this sense of entitlement, Hayoon continued to promote the crowdfunded merchandise, despite feeling a twinge of guilt.

‘But the solo concert will have to wait.’

It wasn’t the right time to discuss concerts. They needed to wait for Trinity to gain more traction.

Instead…

“Okay, enough shop talk. It’s getting boring. This was supposed to be a fun story time, not a company presentation.”

“Scarlet isn’t involved in our company presentations.”

“Huh? We have presentations?”

“Yes. Did you think we were a real small-time operation just because I joke about it?”

“Ahaha…”

They engaged in some lighthearted banter. So far, the stream was going as Hayoon had expected. But then…

“Speaking of off-stream conversations, why don’t you call me ‘unnie’ on stream?”

“What?”

“We call each other ‘unnie’ off-stream. Don’t you think it feels distant when we collaborate?”

Hong Seo-hyun’s sudden request caught Hayoon off guard.

Being asked to use the informal “unnie” was akin to being asked to drop the formal speech altogether.

It meant discarding the professional distance they maintained as Haru and Scarlet on stream.

And Hong Seo-hyun had made this request unilaterally, without prior discussion.

– Heeheehee.

– Is the CEO younger?

– I knew it.

The viewers, taking the bait, filled the chat with excited whispers.

‘
… I was thinking about retiring…’

If she switched to informal speech now, she’d be dragged into collaborations for at least a month, addressing Hong Seo-hyun as “unnie” and fulfilling the expectations she had just created.

This would delay her retirement plans…

– Heeheehee…

– How old is Haru?

– Is she younger than Scarlet? I thought Scarlet was in her early twenties.

– Spill the tea!

The young, enthusiastic viewers were making her head spin.

But…

“Fine, fine, I’ll call you ‘unnie.’ Happy now?”

“Heehee…”

Her own viewers weren’t the priority right now.

Hong Seo-hyun had her own plans for the stream, and Hayoon decided to cooperate.

“Since you’re calling me ‘unnie’ now, will you grant me a wish?”

“Sure, what is it?”

Hayoon adopted a playful, tsundere persona to make it easier for Hong Seo-hyun to set the mood.

“I want to play a horror game with Haru.”

“…”

“Let’s play a horror game.”

“…What?”

“I found a two-player interactive movie, or something like that.”

Hayoon instantly regretted agreeing. Hong Seo-hyun was more serious than she had anticipated.

She hadn’t expected her to come prepared with a specific game…

“The new Vtubers can team up and create content together, but I have no one. My partner is Haru, right?”

“Well…”

I specifically chose three members for Trinity so you could do two-player content.

Why are you dragging me into this? Hayoon wanted to argue.

“Think about League. We can do five-player collaborations now, so shouldn’t the CEO take care of her solo employee?”

“But… you usually do things on your own…”

[₩10,000 donation]

– It’s not the same anymore. Now that Trinity is here, Scarlet would feel left out if she always streamed alone.

“Right? Right? The CEO has to take responsibility and support me. Respect your elders. When else will you have the chance?”

“You little…”

Encouraged by the young and supportive donation message, Hong Seo-hyun pressed her advantage.

Whether intentionally or not, both she and the viewers were expertly manipulating the situation to prevent Hayoon from retiring.

“Haa, fine. Fine. I’ll play a horror game with you.”

“Just a horror game?”

“I’ll play League with you, be your punching bag in fighting games, play background music for your rhythm games. I’ll do anything.”

“Yay!”

Hayoon knew her retirement plans were doomed.

Retirement? What retirement? If Hong Seo-hyun wanted her to play along, she would do it and earn some extra cash.