chapter_0134

134 – The Hard Way of Choosing

134 – The Hard Way of Choosing

The highly anticipated evening of May 6th at 8 PM.

Together with the members, a total of 90,000 viewers successfully tuned in for the release broadcast of the new song.

The members’ singing had already proven itself many times, and I was somewhat worried about the dancing of the two members other than Rain and Dora, but that too improved tremendously with the help of CAT’s professional choreographers…

[🥔Nutube]

Finish Line | Parallel Another (feat. Fan_C) – Official MV

Parallel Official | 281,000 subscribers

Views: 620,000 | 3 days ago | #Parallel #CAT #finish_line

442 comments

@Giadan 3 days ago

Nice to meet you…

– @Sonsainai_kioku 3 days ago

Ugh, my head

– @zolzak 2 days ago

What’s wrong with these people?

– @red_drug 2 days ago

Fan_C = Illegal duet participant = Majiya

@MJADISK 3 days ago

“Standing at the starting line again towards the next destination” reminds me of someone trying to make a fresh start…

– @flareflaretantan 2 days ago

No wayyyyyyyyyyyyy

– @dr.hirorok 2 days ago

When do you think a person dies…

In just three days, it hit the trending videos and surpassed 600,000 views.

I could definitely feel that the speed at which views were accumulating was nearly double compared to previous videos.

The official channel’s subscribers also showed a significant change.

As soon as the new song with CAT was released, 30,000 subscribers increased in just three days.

Comparing that to the 120,000 we had gained over six months through various efforts, it was an absurd surge.

Of course, the support from our existing fans was expected, but it seemed that a new fanbase, primarily listening to real idol songs, was definitely coming in.

… However, I felt a bit disappointed.

I thought that with CAT, we would be able to push forward more explosively.

While Batchu Batchu proved that virtual idol groups have global market value comparable to real idols, which is why we were chosen by CAT, at the same time, it felt like our presence was somewhat overshadowed by Batchu Batchu.

Honestly, I thought the kids’ new song should have already hit a million views.

Batchu Batchu is indeed strong.

They didn’t just get to that position for nothing.

I understand well that hitting 100 million views in a year is not something anyone can achieve.

“Of course, catching up to the views immediately is out of the question.”

Moreover, thanks to Ena, who knows the music industry well because of her dad, I felt that it was definitely a situation that couldn’t be taken lightly.

The initial burst is a natural phenomenon since we released a song with CAT.

It’s said that this trend needs to continue to barely break even.

It’s fortunate that the break-even point is about one-third of the expected 10 million views, given that fewer resources were invested compared to ordinary idols.

While most idol income comes from album sales, the consumption of virtual YouTubers is more about downloads and streaming.

If the common idol saying “You need to surpass 30 million” doesn’t include album sales revenue, it feels like there’s still a trump card left, while for us, “You need to surpass 10 million” means that if we don’t exceed that, we’ll be in the red.

So, it’s not as relaxed as it seems.

If I had to put it, it’s more like “We absolutely have to hit 10 million…!”

We need to avoid making any big mistakes moving forward.

We have to actively seek out advertisements.

We need to work harder on cover songs outside of the new song.

The first generation will face more pressure based on music activities.

We have to stay strong.

* * *

Of course, the members were already unable to hide their excitement over the unprecedented and explosive view count that surpassed 600,000 in just three days.

When we worked on the anniversary song , we had released it with perfect singing, choreography, and music video, but this time, the production process was incredibly smooth compared to the struggles we faced back then.

If I had to compare it, it felt like walking on a rocky road and suddenly stepping onto a smooth carpeted path.

So, it was impossible not to feel, “Did we just hit the jackpot?”

However, my role was to make sure they stayed grounded in reality even in such situations.

In front of the four who were excited about the prospect of me treating them to a meal, I had to throw in a damper.

I was used to playing the villain.

“… Everything is great, but we still don’t know. We must not forget that this is a test CAT has given us.”

Naturally, the response I received was not pleasant.

They all paused their busy movements, glaring at me with half-closed eyes.

It was a very familiar reaction.

“Hey. Do you really have to say that on a good day? You little brat.”

“Ugh. How come the manager can’t say anything nice?”

Of course, even in this situation, Dora half-heartedly sided with me.

“Jia isn’t wrong, but wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy the joy for a while?”

While saying that, she naturally took a position behind me.

It felt oddly like she was trying to take on the role of my protector.

“Wow. If Dora unni sides with Jia, what are we supposed to do?”

“Traitor. Traitors are the ones who destroy the clan!”

In the midst of this, Komari threw a fact bomb at Rain and Maru, who were shouting at me to stop.

She was more of a pessimist than an optimist and had a strong sense of reality.

“Honestly, Jia unni isn’t wrong. In a way, CAT is taking a gamble, and if our song doesn’t perform well, I wouldn’t want to work on the next one either.”

Because of that, it seemed like the sides were divided into Komari/Dora and Rain/Maru, bickering with each other.

“Our song is really good, you know? Looking at the views rising now, huh? We’ll hit 10 million in no time!”

“Yes. Shut up, you little brat. We’re already soaring!”

“Right! We still have the main event left!”

“If expectations are high, disappointments are also big~.”

“Exactly. Now is the time to be humble.”

Was this an internal division before an important step?

Not at all.

This is the usual state of Parallel Another.

Maru, who maxes out empathy.

Rain, who likes anything that burns and just goes along with Maru’s words.

Dora, who calmly acts according to her beliefs.

Komari, who sneaks a glance and starts a conversation with an objective fact by hitting Maru.

It’s heartwarming.

This is it.

Maybe it’s because I know that they’re not genuinely fighting, but it just looks cute, like they’re playfully hitting each other with soft cat paws.

Of course, since I was the root cause of this quarrel, the conflict was quickly resolved, and all eight of their eyes turned to me simultaneously.

Maru, acting as the representative, asked me.

“So, what’s with the sudden generosity of treating us to a meal? Are you feeling guilty for being distant from us all this time? Want to apologize?”

It was quite a funny picture to say that after already having eaten half of it.

If Maru hadn’t been puffed up after that comment, she would have just expressed her honest feelings.

Oh dear, that comment felt like a provocation, and my rebellious spirit flared up.

“No. I’m giving you a heads-up for the collaboration this weekend, so consider this a preemptive warning.”

“… A warning? A heads-up?”

The four of them looked puzzled, and Komari was the first to realize the truth and asked me.

“Wait, are you saying that you’re hosting the weekend collaboration instead of the boss?”

Nodding silently, I saw Maru’s complexion turn pale.

“No way. Did the boss really allow that?”

The reactions that followed clearly revealed each of their personalities.

“Wow! Fucking surprise! This is going to be fun!”

“Someone might end up crying buckets this weekend~.”

“Ugh… I’m already worried about what she’s going to say out of the blue…”

.

As the title suggests, it’s a program showcasing the members’ friendships.

However, contrary to the purpose of showcasing friendships, it often ends up showing “the bickering side” instead.

It’s more effective to show how eager they are to bite each other than to pretend to be close.

Just like I laughed at the members bickering just now, as long as they don’t throw genuine punches that could break teeth, fans see it as “They get along well,” “This is fun.”

If they weren’t genuinely close, such trivial quarrels wouldn’t happen at all.

Let’s take a few examples of the content from .

One. . Trying to unify thoughts with just one keyword.

Since the four of them have different personalities, it’s obvious that they won’t unify, and stories about each other’s habits come out, leading to chaos as they argue about how to say it, and it’s confirmed to be a mess.

Two. . Guessing which broadcast it was based on just a few hints.

For example, “What broadcast did Maru cry for an hour?”

Getting it right is a miracle, and even if they don’t, it’s good for laughs.

Surprisingly, there are cases where they fight even after getting it right, as arguments can arise about why they remember the day Maru cried but not other good anniversaries, so this too is confirmed to be a mess.

The boss entrusted me with the role of the host because he had seen through the first anniversary trip how I and the members bickered.

If I get involved in this mess, it naturally leads to reactions like “They all get along well.”

Usually, in such chaos, it’s common to tackle issues that have become controversial in the community as conversation topics.

My kids often bicker even when just the two of them are together, so I used that frequently.

Was it when rumors circulated that Komari and Maru had really fallen out?

They had shown it while playing a Naore duo together.

Why can’t you do it any better?

Why can’t you speak any better?

You should say it before you go in.

I did say it? … Oh, you turned off the mic because you were mad.

They bickered back and forth like that throughout the game.

By the time the broadcast was ending, Komari suggested going to eat cake with Maru, immediately reconciling, and it left a strong impression that “Oh, this is how they normally fight.”

I guess it’s currently quite noisy.

The controversy about me debuting as a singer and leaving Parallel, or having conflicts with the members, will likely be resolved similarly.

“By the way, you can mention me as much as you want in this broadcast.”

As soon as Maru, who had been half panicking throughout the broadcast, heard that, she snapped back to reality.

“Really? You’re not supposed to focus too much on the host.”

“The boss allowed it. There’s no need for you to force yourselves to talk only among yourselves.”

I didn’t mention the rumors of discord between us.

The kids are so honest and kind that if they worry about the rumors, they might end up showing overly exaggerated acting tones that aren’t necessary.

The atmosphere we’re having this conversation in is just right.

I tease the members with mischievous jokes.

The members respond, showing their individual reactions.

More than anything, I want to subtly ride on this content for promoting the first generation.

I didn’t want to push the resolution of the discord as the main focus.

In any case, the members should be the protagonists of the broadcast.

“Feel free to be comfortable. The boss seems to want to inject some change into the content by bringing me in.”

Soon, the members exchanged glances, and Dora said.

“How about we add a special episode with Jia as well? Since it’s Jia’s first time hosting, I think it would be a shame if we just moved on without her being involved… Hehe.”

As soon as that was said, everyone pretended to be indifferent.

Honestly, it’s obvious what the members want at this point.

They probably want to play a prank on me.

Since I’ve always been the one falling for their malicious pranks, maybe this time they want to get back at me now that I’ve come to their home ground.

Since the content planning is up to the boss and the members, I had no intention of getting deeply involved in it.

Even if they try to hide it, they’ll find out during rehearsal, so I’m not worried about being surprised on the day of the broadcast.

If there’s anything more I can do with the members, it’s good for calming the controversies.

“Discuss it with the boss and prepare it. It’s better for me to be in the dark.”

* * *

The next day, the four first-generation members gathered at a café near the company and seriously proposed additional content to Cheon Do-hee.

Maru, dressed in a suit as if she were the representative, handed over a well-prepared file like a project proposal, and Dohee reacted with surprise.

“So… you’re suggesting we add a few exclusive questions for Jia in ?”

“Yes!”

“What’s the intent behind this?”

“We’ll each come up with a difficult question for each member, and every time someone gets it wrong, we’ll schedule a collaboration with that member to get to know each other better.”

In a way, it feels like a quiz where you’re bound to get it wrong and face a penalty.

Even amidst their busy schedules, if Majiya willingly collaborates with the four of them, it would serve as proof that Majiya cares for the first generation.

Cheon Do-hee stroked her chin and asked Maru.

“Is this because of the comments on YouTube? People are making a fuss about Jia quitting the company and reincarnating as Fan_C?”

“Uh… Yes. It’s a secret that Jia is Fan_C, and she doesn’t want to reveal it. If it gets out of hand, we might make mistakes on the broadcast later.”

“Right, if people who are interested in this get a chance to ask leading questions, it would be easy to bring Maru down.”

“Y-Yeah, but… it’s better than before?! …But I’m sorry.”

The members truly dislike Majiya being embroiled in unnecessary controversies.

They’ve relied on her a lot, and if this accumulates and leads to Majiya’s resignation, it would be the worst-case scenario.

So this time, it wasn’t about getting back at Jia, but purely about throwing her a lifeline to escape the controversy.

Understanding their intentions, Dohee sincerely offered her advice.

“Okay. I understand your feelings. However, there are some points I’m a bit disappointed about.”

“Oh. What points?”

This plan only works if Majiya gets the difficult questions wrong.

The problem is that Majiya is someone who can easily answer those difficult questions.

“Raise the difficulty of the questions, and provide hints for only one second. If she gets even one of your questions wrong, she’ll have to collaborate with all four of you. If you give her easy ones, she’ll get them all right.”

“Uh… That’s true, but isn’t one second too difficult? I think some people might find it unreasonable…”

“You can take a severe penalty if that’s the case. Ultimately, the goal is to create opportunities for you and Jia to collaborate naturally, so it’s fine.”

If they do it this way, if Majiya gets the answers right, it could create a significant shock for the viewers along with the sentiment of “Did you suspect someone like this?”

Even if she doesn’t get them right, the absurdity of the difficulty would make it amusing, and it would align with the existing goal of collaborating with the members.

Soon, Maru, who had decided what penalties they would face if they lost, spoke up.

“How about a Black Warning? That popular horror game where you collect trash. We haven’t done it even once yet.”

A word from the author (Author’s Note)

There are no reasons for an employee’s resignation…

I really didn’t expect it to come to this, though. ㅠ