Chapter 121: I met the members of Prism Company!

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How did it end up like this?

Well, being kidnapped by Linne-chan and dragged to the hotel was fine.

I was even okay with being overwhelmed by the grandeur of the hotel.

But what on earth is this situation now…

【Is it really Lulu-chan?! How can you be this cute in real life too? That’s cheating! Cheating!】

【Yeah, I can see why Linne is so obsessed. She’s the type that triggers a protective instinct.】

Surrounded by two mysterious women.

No, to be precise, three women including Linne-chan.

Sitting in the hotel lounge, I’m left bewildered. What on earth is this situation?

【I told you guys not to bother Da-jeong too much.】

【I didn’t mean to bother her!】

【Right, I was just curious and observing her.】

Linne-chan, who had been watching these strangers get too close to my face, eventually forced a smile and pulled the two of them outside.

The pressure that had been tightening my chest felt like it was easing a bit.

Phew.

I almost suffocated to death.

A mental suffocation, you could say.

【Da-jeong, sorry. I’m late with the introductions, right? These are our Prism Company members, Anise and Kyo. You know them, right?】

【Huh? Ah, Anise and Kyo…】

Handing me a drink from who knows where.

I was wide-eyed at Linne-chan’s words.

No wonder their voices sounded familiar.

I can’t believe they’re actually members of Prism Company.

【Hi hi, I’m Charlotte Allen, active as Anise. You can call me Charlotte.】

【I’m Kato Shuriya, active under the name Kusakabe Kyo.】

I’m not sure if I should say this, but…

It feels like a massive dose of something I shouldn’t know…

The real-life members of Prism Company, whom I’ve only seen on streams, are right in front of me.

【Well, nice to meet you. I’m Jung Da-jeong, active under the name Lulu. You can call me Da-jeong.】

“Da-jeong? That’s a pretty name. It suits you.”

…Huh?

I blinked at the sudden Korean that came out of nowhere.

That wasn’t Linne-chan’s voice, was it?

It must have been Kyo, no, Shuri-chan’s voice…

“Shu, Shuri-chan. Can you speak Korean?”

“Yeah, a bit. I like Korean dramas and movies.”

“Wow…”

So that’s why.

Although her speech is a bit awkward.

She’s much more fluent than Linne-chan, who can only manage simple greetings.

It’s true that learning a foreign language through dramas and movies is effective.

When I first wanted to learn English and other things, I also learned by watching news, movies, and various other things.

【But sorry, I don’t really like being called by my first name… I’d appreciate it if you called me by my last name.】

【Oh, sorry. Now that I think about it, in Japan, it’s rude to call someone by their first name casually, right?】

In the middle of our conversation, Shuri, no, Kato-san, with a somewhat uncomfortable expression, threw out those words.

I hurriedly apologized and bowed my head.

I hope I didn’t come off as too rude from the start.

【No, it’s not that. It’s just that I don’t really like my name…】

【Huh, why? It’s a cute name.】

But when I found out the reason why Kato-san didn’t like being called by her first name, it was completely unexpected.

I tilted my head and expressed my confusion.

Shuri.

I think it’s a really nice name.

Why does she dislike it?

【I’m a bit blunt in personality… but my name has a cute feel to it, so I got teased a lot when I was a kid.】

【Ah, I see…】

【Yeah, so it’s a bit awkward. That’s also why I gave my avatar a more masculine name.】

Ah, I see.

Kusakabe Kyo.

When I first heard it, I thought it sounded a bit masculine.

Of course, the name Kyo is also used as a female name in Japan.

But it’s still closer to a male name.

I had no idea there was such a backstory behind the name.

【If Kato-san is uncomfortable, I’ll call you that… but I think the name Shuri suits you very well.】

【Oh…? R-really?】

I don’t intend to argue with her own thoughts.

But I wanted to say this much, so I honestly shared my feelings.

Kato-san’s face turned a bit redder.

【Yeah, Kato-san. When you’re called by your name, your face turns red, and it’s really cute. You might not realize it, but I think Kato-san is plenty cute.】

【Th-thank you. Not many people say that to me…】

【Huh, really?】

I glanced at the other two as if asking if it was true.

Linne-chan and Charlotte-chan both nodded with a wry smile.

It seems that since she’s the one saying this.

They didn’t want to casually say things like “you’re cute” or “don’t think that way.”

So they probably refrained from saying it.

【Hehe, don’t worry. In my eyes, Kato-san is a very cute person. I don’t think you need to worry about such things.】

【Okay. I’ll keep that in mind. And sorry for changing the subject, but you can just call me Shuri.】

【Huh? Is that okay?】

【Yeah, I think it’s fine if it’s you.】

Wow.

The fact that she’s saying this much means Kato-san, no, Shuri-chan, has opened up to me, right?

I’m really happy.

【Okay! Then I’ll call you Shuri-chan. Nice to meet you again, Shuri-chan.】

【Nice to meet you too.】

As I shook hands with Shuri-chan.

The awkward first greeting finally felt properly concluded.

Wah-

【Wow! Amazing, Da-jeong! You managed to open up the cool Kato’s heart!】

Charlotte-chan hugged me from behind.

She rested her head on my shoulder and started rubbing her face against me.

The level of intimacy is unbelievable for a first meeting.

By the way, Kato.

So even the members have been calling Shuri-chan by her last name all this time.

Even Charlotte-chan, who seems so sociable.

Anyway, I successfully greeted all the members of Prism Company…

…Huh? Wait, all of them?

Something’s off.

I’m pretty sure there are four members in Prism Company, right?

That’s right.

Suddenly realizing, I looked around and noticed that one person was missing.

Beatrice Trimenia.

Affectionately known as Bea-chan.

Beatrice is a member with nearly 2 million subscribers on YouTube.

She’s called the world’s top VTuber.

At the same time, she’s also known as the VTuber most dedicated to RP.

Her character is basically a middle school chuunibyou.

She maintains that speech and behavior throughout her streams.

Usually, those who are this dedicated to RP tend to burn out quickly, so most of them have shorter streaming hours.

But Beatrice maintains her RP perfectly for an average of 7 hours.

To the point where fans speculate that she might actually be like that in real life.

Anyway, Beatrice is the only one not here right now.

【Hey, Linne-chan. Where’s the other member?】

【Ah, Lily’s probably sleeping.】

【S-sleeping?】

Thanks to Charlotte-chan answering instead of Linne-chan, my eyes widened.

I guess Lily is Beatrice’s real name.

But it’s not even 9 PM yet, and she’s already sleeping?

Well, it’s not strange to sleep at this time, but…

It’s just a bit awkward for a VTuber, who usually lives a nocturnal life, to be in dreamland at this hour.

Is it maybe due to jet lag or something?

【Lily is full of energy during streams, but in real life, she’s a sleepyhead. It’s often a problem for the staff too. There are frequent times when they can’t get her approval for things.】

【I, I see…】

With a tone that could make stars pop out.

Charlotte-chan’s sharp criticism of Beatrice made me break out in a cold sweat.

Isn’t that a bit dangerous, no matter how you look at it?

If they can’t even get proper approval, it must cause a lot of issues with work.

But despite that, she’s undeniably the most pushed member in Prism Company.

It must be thanks to her overwhelming streaming skills, right?

【I’ll introduce her to you when I get the chance! But she probably won’t wake up until tomorrow morning.】

【What time did she fall asleep…?】

【Hmm, it was a bit after Linne left… so around 3 PM?】

So she’s already slept for at least 6 hours?

If she sleeps until 8 AM tomorrow…

Yikes, that’s 17 hours.

That’s impressive to be able to handle streams properly with that much sleep.

【Lily is usually pretty lazy, but she’s definitely reliable during streams. We joke that she can stream so well because she sleeps so much normally.】

【I, I guess that makes sense…】

As if reading my expression, Linne-chan joked.

I nodded my head, thinking it made sense.

Well, to maintain RP for that long, maybe this much rest is necessary.

【Anyway, Da-jeong and I will head to our room first. It’s a bit uncomfortable to stay in a crowded place for too long.】

After all the miscellaneous conversations.

Linne-chan grabbed my hand and pulled me up from the chair.

It’s already close to 10 PM after all the talking.

【That’s too mean, Linne. You could share a bit!】

Charlotte-chan immediately showed her disappointment.

Of course, I also enjoyed talking with the two of them, so I was reluctant to part ways.

But it’s also getting late.

Honestly, after running around all day, I’m pretty sleepy.

I really want to lie down on the bed right now.

【Or how about we all have a girls’ talk in Linne’s room all night… Ouch?!】

【Cut it out, Charlotte. Da-jeong must be tired from being dragged around by Linne all day, so let her rest properly.】

Even though Charlotte-chan suggested a compromise.

She was shut down by Shuri-chan’s flick on the forehead.

But I could feel that even Shuri-chan was a bit reluctant to part ways as she looked at me.

Squeeze-

Without realizing it, I approached the two of them.

And hugged them tightly with both arms.

【Huh…?!】

【D-Da-jeong?】

Wait, wait!

Even if we’ve gotten closer, we just met!

What am I doing all of a sudden!

Everyone’s flustered!

Feeling my face heat up, I quickly pulled away.

Fidgeting with my hands, I looked up at the two of them with wide eyes.

【I, I also want to talk more with you two… but we can meet again before I leave tomorrow. Okay? Have a good night, everyone.】

Looking down at me, the two of them…

【Maybe Da-jeong has high attack power to make up for her low defense?】

【This might be a bit hard to handle.】

Muttering something I didn’t understand, they nodded.

Then they bent down to my eye level and gently hugged me.

【Good night, Da-jeong! Have a good night.】

【If Linne does anything weird, just run out.】

【O-okay…】

I don’t think Linne-chan would do anything to me, but…

Anyway, I nodded and pulled away, waving at the two of them.

Then I went up to the room with Linne-chan.

Swish- swish-

While riding the elevator up.

Linne-chan was busy absentmindedly stroking my hair.

With a look as if she was staring at some incredibly cute creature.

Why does everyone want to stroke my hair when they see it?

I’m not a pet.

Although… it does feel nice…