chapter_0133

133 – Hmm, Is That Really It?

133 – Hmm, Is That Really It?

Every time the morning and evening change, my sleep pattern gets weird.

For instance, I might not be able to sleep for a full eight hours and end up sleeping in four-hour chunks, or I might take a nap not for one hour but for four hours, leading to unfortunate incidents.

“Hmm.”

So, even if I fall asleep at four in the morning, it’s not strange to suddenly wake up at seven in the morning like now.

I fumbled around to find my phone, which was either under the blanket or somewhere outside of it.

Even if I buried myself back under the covers, I hadn’t done anything to wake my drowsy mind other than read through the community posts.

More than anything, since the Boss has given up on community opinions regarding industry insights, there are definitely parts I would miss if I don’t check.

In a way, it’s like I’m starting work as soon as I wake up, but if I count this as work time, the accounting director would pretend not to know.

First, I scrolled through the news that had decorated the threads overnight, and there were surprisingly many mentions of Bajubi.

It seemed that not only the Parallel gallery but also the Ppajijik gallery had three threads about it overnight.

It’s not something to be disappointed about since this isn’t news about our members.

It’s a harsh thing to say, but the fact that Bajubi’s recognition has skyrocketed from being stuck in the abyss is thanks to yesterday’s broadcast, and I can think of what our members should do based on that reference.

Looking around, most reactions treated Bajubi as a hidden gem, expressing their surprise.

Even now, after the broadcast has ended, Bajubi’s follower count is still increasing.

There wasn’t much noise either. Bajubi had managed to capture attention with their presence.

However, since yesterday’s broadcast was so exciting, there were some side effects that couldn’t be ignored.

We had simply conducted a broadcast for Bajubi without any promotional intent for our first-generation members after a long time, but of all days, the next day was the release date for the first-generation members and CAT’s new song, so conspiracy theories were already circulating.

… ─ — Parallel (Virtual Youtuber) Gallery / Concept Post ─ ─ — …

(Announcement) [Majiya, F participant, please refrain from discussing Fan_C related topics]

★ [Feels suspicious]

★ [■■■=■■■■=■■]

★ [It was suspicious from the start that they suddenly decided to collaborate]

★ [??? : Wow, that’s intense]

★ [If you think the timing of Bajubi’s collaboration is strange, look here]

★ [But isn’t it a bit odd?]

… ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ …

When I clicked on the most recent concept post, some people had thoughts that were a bit too far-fetched.

… ─ — Parallel (Virtual Youtuber) Gallery ─ ─ — …

[Feels suspicious]

(Proof that it’s not a troll_Partial 4-person 1-year subscription.jpg)

I was anxious from the moment I pressured them to debut.

Honestly, if I could sing well, I’d want to be a singer under a major agency rather than a Virtual Youtuber.

There’s already so much to do as a Virtual Youtuber.

Why pressure someone who’s busy with work at the company to debut?

If it were me, I’d be so frustrated that I’d quit the company and become a singer.

The fact that collaborations with the first-generation members have been scarce lately might be related to that, right?

I’m really anxious.

(Recommended 775 / Not Recommended 527)

[Comments]

— Parallel189: So you’re saying Majiya was pretending to be ‘we’re friends’ in front of them while calculating an escape route behind their back?

–
Parallel771: No way!!

–
Parallel251: Please stop the baby talk.

— Parallel834: Why would someone who’s hesitating about debuting as a second-generation member abandon Parallel? LOL

–
Parallel581: I don’t think there’s been any definitive statement about that, right?

–
Parallel581: In the end, what was shown that day was mainly about releasing a new song with CAT, but there are still so many clueless idiots. LOL

… ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ ─ …

I didn’t want to add unnecessary garnishes to the perfect four-member composition, and I just wanted people to focus on the first-generation members rather than me, so I created a separate activity name.

How did it come to this?

The problem is that this post, which seems to have been written by a true fan, isn’t entirely illogical.

First of all, if you take on being a Virtual Youtuber as a profession, the workload is naturally more than double that of a singer.

As a singer, you only need to focus on preparing songs, concerts, and managing fans, while most of the advertising schedules are handled by the agency.

A Virtual Youtuber has to handle similar tasks to a singer as a base, but on top of that, they have daily broadcasting schedules, collaborations, and even though the agency manages the advertising, they still need to come up with ideas for execution themselves.

Additionally, managing their own YouTube channel is their responsibility.

They lead their own content production teams like Modongbu, Dodongbu, and Ledongbu, but the head is supposed to be the Virtual Youtuber themselves.

It’s a strange thing to say at this point, but I believe you can understand why I say that being a Virtual Youtuber leaves no time for watching broadcasts.

There’s genuinely no time, and if you don’t enjoy interacting with viewers, you’ll quickly burn out and graduate, which is the reality of corporate-affiliated and individual-affiliated Virtual Youtubers who run their broadcasts tightly.

However, the theory that “I’m too busy with company work to keep being pressured to debut, so I’m thinking of becoming a singer” sounds plausible.

But to fit that into the narrative of discord among the members is a stretch.

Well, ultimately, it’s something that arises from information gaps, so I understand.

I’ve only said I’m busy preparing for the second-generation debut, but I’ve never shown it directly.

Some anxious fans might think like that, sure.

The only good thing is that rumors of discord can happen at any time, and they’re easy to resolve.

Direct confrontation is very effective; all it takes is to have a collaboration that feels as lively as Kizuna Ai.

However, it didn’t feel urgent enough for me to contact the Boss after my vacation, so I opened DingTalk to send a message saying I’d reach out tomorrow…

[Boss: Call me when you wake up.]

It was unusual for the Boss to have received the news first, and there was an atmosphere suggesting we would discuss related matters.

Leaving the sleeping Bajubi behind, I quietly stepped out of the room and headed to the balcony.

Perhaps because it was commuting time, the cars in the parking lot were leaving in order.

“Boss, it’s me.”

[… Why are you up so early? Go back to sleep.]

“Speaking of which, you didn’t sleep until three last night either, did you?”

[I’m sorry, but unlike someone who took the day off today, I’m here because of the new song release.]

“I know. I said that on purpose.”

[Do you want to die? You looked so excited playing with Bajubi, like you were enjoying a princess game.]

“I’m here to sort things out…”

I said to the Boss with a chuckle.

“Anyway, you saw the community reactions, right? I think we need to have a collaboration with the first-generation members. What do you think?”

[I thought it was a reasonable backlash that could happen. It’s not particularly difficult to resolve, so don’t feel too burdened.]

“When have I ever felt burdened by such things? I’ve already stared into the abyss too much for this to bother me.”

[That may be true. But still, if you ever feel overwhelmed, just let me know. Who else will care about your feelings if not me?]

“Team Leader Kang?”

[Yeah, besides me and Team Leader Kang, who else would care?]

“Seungyeon?”

[… Just stop it, okay?]

“Anyway, so we need to have a collaboration. When would be good? I hear the kids’ schedules are packed with advertisements and external collaborations after the new song release.”

After a moment of contemplation, the Boss said this.

[Do you want to take my place and lead the collaboration next week?]

Corporate-affiliated new Virtual Youtubers need to go through a process of getting close to their fans, so they tend to refrain from collaborations for a few months after debut.

Our kids also ran individual broadcasts for the first three months, and then, in the third month, they did their first group collaboration.

The content we did then was called .

When a topic is thrown out, the first-generation members share stories about each other. The awkwardness from the first time has completely disappeared now, and they can share things they couldn’t say last time or various off-the-records that fans are curious about.

However, since it’s more about digging into each other’s flaws and playfully biting at each other rather than a comforting scene, someone is definitely needed to manage things so that lines aren’t crossed or feelings aren’t hurt.

The viewers were laughing and enjoying it like WWE, but if it suddenly turned into UFC, they would be confused and uncomfortable.

So, whether it was the first time we did it last year or now, with the new song release, the Boss naturally took charge of the proceedings…

“Is it okay if I do it?”

[Since you’ve proven yourself so far, you can take charge. And if you’re there, won’t the members also feel free to bite at you? I think that’s the best way to show that you’re close.]

“If they bite at me, I won’t necessarily react in a fun way.”

[It’ll be fun.]

“?”

[It’s genuinely fun, that’s why I’m saying it. I can’t say my perspective is the same as the fans’, but it’s amusing to see the kids desperately trying to outdo you. Do you understand what I mean?]

Is that so?

As I seemed to not understand, the Boss said this.

[When you targeted me, the way you struggled to escape from your torment was amusing. Wasn’t it fun?]

“Ah.”

[It’s a similar feeling. You get what I’m saying, right?]

“I understand right away. You’re the best, Boss.”

[… You don’t need to flatter me when we’re talking about this?!]

“You’re the best, Boss.”

[I’m going crazy.]

However, I wasn’t viewing the Boss handing over the broadcast proceedings to me entirely positively.

The reason was because of what would happen after I took on the role of the host.

[But once you take on the role of the host for a collaboration, everyone will want you to continue being the host.]

“Why would they want me when you’re right there?”

[I’ve been doing it for over a year now. It’s about time for it to get boring.

And as I just said, what I do and what you do feels completely different. I create a nurturing atmosphere, while you’re more about hitting and biting with the kids. That’s much more entertaining to watch.]

More than anything, the Boss said.

Since I had bluffingly suggested on April Fool’s Day that I might become a second-generation member, even if I, as a company person, intervened in the broadcast, it would create an atmosphere that felt like a conversation between Virtual Youtubers, completely different from the Boss.

[To be honest, I think it’s not a great picture for the company to intervene in the kids’ collaborations. It breaks immersion.]

“That’s true, but you’re both the Boss and a Virtual Youtuber, so it shouldn’t matter, right?”

[It does matter because the way the kids treat you is completely different. The moment they treat you with respect as the Boss, they can’t help but think about reality.

But you’re different. You’ve already dropped the formalities with the kids. Plus, the Avatar is the same model as the first-generation members, and the similar concept was already revealed on April Fool’s Day.]

To summarize, the Boss’s point was that if the viewers are satisfied with that kind of broadcast atmosphere, it’s only natural that all future collaborations would fall under my responsibility.

“I guess I’ll be busier.”

[If you ever feel like you can’t handle it all by yourself, just let me know. We can always hire someone.]

“Okay. I’ll think about it.”

[Anyway. Alright. I think we’ve sorted out the traffic control enough…]

The Boss groaned for a moment and then casually asked.

[Since we’re collaborating anyway, how about having a meal together with the kids? Of course, we’ll rehearse the day before, but it’s been a while since you’ve seen their faces, so I think it would be good to create some conversation topics.]

“I’ve been keeping up with their broadcasts even if it’s just in summary. Is it really necessary?”

If it’s just a simple meal, that’s fine, but for me, it’s an extension of work.

As I tried to slip away, the Boss held me back, saying it wasn’t allowed.

[Everyone knows you’re working hard to support the kids, but what you need to show this time is a friend-like feeling. Not just broadcast-related talk, but a bit more casual conversation topics.]

To put it simply, it’s like this.

It’s natural to talk about work with company people every day.

If you want to show a solid friendship and closeness to quell the rumors, you need to have personal conversations that are separate from work.

[You know the kids are deliberately not using the free passes you gave them, right?]

Moreover, according to the Boss, the free passes given to all first-generation members during the one-year anniversary trip.

Those are still intact among the members, but no one has called me to their broadcasts for several months now.

Everyone might still find me a bit intimidating, or there might be another reason.

“And now that I think about it, no one has called me at all, have they?”

[It seems like the kids agreed not to bother you too much, and it’s already been two months. They all know you’re busy, so they’re holding back. So, go and loosen up a bit. That way, the collaboration will yield a better result.]

“Why aren’t they using what I gave them to use….”

The Boss clicked their tongue.

[You don’t realize how chaotic your life seems to others, do you?]

“I’m not chaotic at all.”

[That’s because you’re superhuman. To the kids, you’re just a crazy person, a workaholic. No matter how much you have free passes, they won’t use them unless you look less busy. They’re not clueless.]

I scratched the back of my neck and muttered.

“It’s not that bad….”

A word from the author (Author’s Note)

Is it already Thursday?!

Just one more day until the weekend, everyone!! Let’s go!!