Chapter 221: Please Look Forward to Blue LUV’s 2nd Gen!

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I watched all of the 2nd gen’s practice streams from the sidelines, but the only thing that stuck in my memory was Ha-yul’s shocking performance.

But how could I forget?

Someone who’s usually so timid suddenly started shouting out of nowhere—I seriously thought there was another personality inside her.

“So, what did you think of the juniors’ practice streams?”

“H-Honestly, Ha-yul’s left the strongest impression on me.”

“Right?”

“I’m sorry for startling you…!”

At my words, CEO Kang smiled, while Ha-yul immediately bowed her head.

Honestly, seeing her like this, it’s hard to believe the earlier spectacle wasn’t an act.

Well, maybe it was an act—the problem is that it didn’t seem like one at all.

Meanwhile, Da-yun stared at my dumbfounded expression before suddenly bursting into laughter, giggling uncontrollably. It was as if she was satisfied with getting the exact reaction she wanted.

“Kyahaha…! I knew you’d be surprised, Senior! Unnie and I freaked out too when we first saw Ha-yul’s stream. Right?”

“Da-yun, please, your way of speaking…!”

“Eh, what’s the big deal? The CEO said this much is fine.”

“It’s fine on stream, but show some restraint in front of the CEO…!”

Honestly, that kind of speech would be risky even on stream.

Though, since the CEO gave the okay, I can’t really criticize.

Da-yun’s character is something we never had in the 1st gen, so it’s downright bewildering.

The 2nd gen… scary!

Ha-yul was shocking enough, but Da-yun’s no slouch either.

At least Ji-won’s streams had a more normal vibe.

“As you can see, the 2nd gen members have stronger characters than the 1st gen. Since the 1st gen have already established themselves, the new ones need to stand out to avoid being overshadowed.”

“B-But isn’t it a bit too strong, CEO…?”

“Nah, it’s fine. They’re not spouting curses or vulgarities. Plenty of VTubers have concepts like this, right?”

Well, that’s true.

Just look at the Japanese side—there are VTubers who constantly make lewd jokes, for example.

Even Beatrice (Lily-chan) from Prism Company, whom I met before, has a character somewhat similar to Ha-yul’s.

In that sense, this definitely feels more like the VTuber vibe…

But it’s the complete opposite of the Blue LUV I knew, so it’s still shocking.

Still, hearing the CEO’s reasoning, it does make sense.

In any VTuber company, when new generations debut, they often ride the company’s fame to quick popularity but then crash just as fast.

The CEO probably didn’t want to set that kind of precedent.

“So, Da-jeong, what do you think? Did they do well?”

“Well, aside from the shock… they definitely leave a strong first impression, and their streams seem fun.”

They’re definitely not characters who’d fade into the 1st gen’s shadow.

Ji-won’s the most normal, but even then, it feels like she’s deliberately playing the “only sane one” among the crazies.

Think of Jia unnie sandwiched between Yuna and Chae-yoon unnie in the 1st gen.

There’s a reason those three are called the “Babysitter and her charges.”

Jia unnie suffers alone trying to rein in the other two, and watching their chaotic streams is hilarious.

…Wait, does that mean we’re getting a second Babysitter?

Poor Ji-won might have it rough.

Let me offer my condolences in advance, yeah.

“WOOOOOOOOOOO! SENIOR PRAISED MEEEEE!”

“Uh, unnie. Your voice is too loud…”

“Says you! You scream into the mic until it peaks during streams!”

“T-That’s just for streams…!”

“Nope, can’t hear you. You’re louder. Ehehe.”

…Watching them somehow reminds me of Chae-yoon unnie and me, though I probably shouldn’t say that.

At least Chae-yoon unnie listens to me sometimes.

Da-yun? Not a chance. When she covered her ears and stuck out her tongue, I thought they were real sisters fighting.

“Da-jeong, is there anything you think we need to improve?”

While the two were bickering—well, while one was getting bullied—Ji-won, the voice of reason, looked at me with fiery determination and asked.

Come to think of it, when I talked to Ji-won before, I noticed how seriously she takes this industry.

She’s prepared a lot, and the CEO mentioned that was why she stood out during auditions.

“Hmm… I’m not sure right now. It was just a practice stream, and it was pretty short…”

“Yeah, that makes sense.”

I wanted to give good advice, but honestly, one short stream isn’t enough to analyze in detail.

As I tilted my head awkwardly, Ji-won nodded like she’d expected that.

“Still, if you have any questions later—after debut or even before—feel free to ask. I’ll help however I can.”

“Thank you. To get guidance from Lulu, the so-called ‘Number One VTuber in Korea’…”

“Uuu, please stop using that title…”

I know Ji-won wasn’t teasing me, but my face still burned as I whined in protest.

For reference, that “Number One VTuber” thing came from a recent YouTube video comparing subscriber stats for VTubers worldwide.

Turns out, I have the highest YouTube subs and Twitch followers among Korean VTubers, so the meme stuck.

I was so embarrassed when that video dropped.

Sure, it was flattering, but the Cherries won’t let me live it down.

Why are you all like this…?!

“Anyway, it’s getting late. Should we all grab lunch?”

“Sounds good. I was about to suggest that.”

While I was flustered and fidgeting, the CEO and So-eun unnie chimed in.

Checking the time, it was already close to 2 PM.

Alright…!

Time to show my cool senior side!

Plus, the CEO’s here too—perfect chance to impress.

“U-Um… CEO.”

“Hmm?”

“C-Could we use this for lunch? My treat.”

I hurriedly pulled out a card from my wallet and timidly offered it to the CEO.

She blinked, then burst out laughing. The look in her eyes practically screamed, “You adorable brat.”

“…Pfft, is this your card, Da-jeong?”

“Yes.”

“You’re treating the juniors?”

“Y-Yeah.”

“Awww, you don’t have to push yourself.”

The CEO patted my head fondly, but being babied in front of the juniors was a little embarrassing.

I-I’m not pushing myself!

“I have money now too, you know…!

I can totally afford to treat my juniors to a meal, CEO!”

“Alright, since it’s a rare occasion, let’s take Da-jeong up on her offer. Can we go for something expensive?”

“Y-Yes…! Th-There’s plenty on here.”

“Oho…! Really? Let’s see how much ‘plenty’ is.”

The CEO, thanking me, took my card—then suddenly raised it high and announced to the juniors:

“Kids, your senior is treating you to a feast! Hurry up and thank her!”

“WOOOOOAH! Senior, you’re the COOLEST!”

“W-We’re fine, really…”

“Da-yun, stop pretending to decline…”

Only Da-yun cheered like it was a festival. The other two looked guilty about mooching off me.

But after some coaxing from the CEO and me, they agreed, and we headed to a restaurant near the office.

***************

Next Day

I turned on my stream as usual. No special content today—just café-hopping with the Cherries, followed by a long-overdue viewer participation segment.

During pre-stream chat, I casually dropped a bombshell the Cherries were probably waiting for:

“Oh yeah, Cherries—I met the 2nd gen yesterday. Hehe.”

• NO WAY
• FOR REAL?
• They’re already meeting?
• Debut date confirmed?

The CEO had briefed me on what I could share, so I smirked and kept it vague. Honestly, I don’t know much more anyway.

“Nope, no debut date yet. I just ran into them while visiting the CEO. Total surprise.”

• LMAOOOO
• Juniors must’ve freaked too
• Mutual ‘Why are YOU here?’ moment
• Perfect timing

Right? The coincidence was unreal.

[‘Yeahhi’ donated 1,000 won!]

• How’d the juniors react?

“They seemed shocked. One junior even thought I was a new employee at first! She kindly directed me to the CEO’s office when I asked.”

• LOL THEY DIDN’T RECOGNIZE YOU?
• Wholesome junior
• Wait, she just revealed the CEO’s location to a stranger?

…Now that you mention it, yikes.

Hope Ha-yul didn’t get scolded later.

[‘Sorayuhan’ donated 1,000 won!]

• What are their personalities like?

“One’s super bright, like Lilith unnie or Yukiko-chan—maybe even more hyper. Another’s calm, kinda like Erin unnie, with an elegant vibe.”

• BLUE LUV FINALLY GOT AN ELEGANT CHARACTER!!!
• Flashbacks to ‘elegant’ VTubers who reveal their chaos later…
• MORE HYPER THAN THOSE TWO?!
• Wait, you said 3 members? Where’s the third?

Ah, right. I’d skipped Ha-yul. Maybe subconsciously because I couldn’t figure out how to describe her.

While agonizing over it, I recalled the CEO’s expression when she had to explain Ha-yul yesterday. Now I get it.

“The last one’s just like me! A bit shy, cute… N-Not that I’m calling myself cute! And super kind—like a fluffy puppy.”

• A Lulu clone…?
• This cannot be allowed!!
• The panicked backtracking SENT ME
• A healing-type character?
• An expansion in the Lulu-type line!!

W-Well… you’ll see. I’m not lying! Ha-yul is like that… mostly.

Though the Star Pieces might see a different side later.

Not my fault. I’m just reporting what I witnessed.

“Y-You can look forward to them! They’re really charming juniors.”

• ?
• Why the stammer?
• Sus…

Not sus at all!

Would I lie to our Star Pieces? So get hyped!

I’m hyped to see your reactions to them.