Chapter 118: Going to a Collaboration Cafe with Verdia-chan!

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After finishing our meal, I went to a cafe with Linne-chan.

But it wasn’t just any ordinary cafe.

Actually, Prism Company—the virtual group Linne-chan belongs to—has opened a collaboration cafe in Korea, and I’ve been wanting to visit it at least once.

Somehow, I ended up coming here with Linne-chan.

It feels kind of surreal.

【It’s quieter than I expected. Are we not that popular in Korea?】

Seeing that there weren’t many customers in the cafe, Linne-chan expressed a slight disappointment.

Only a few tables in the corner were occupied.

Otherwise, the cafe was pretty much empty.

But I don’t think that’s the case.

Because I know better than anyone how popular Prism Company is in Korea.

After all, I practically live on Youtube.

【That’s not it. I think it’s because there was a huge rush in the beginning. I saw online that for the first three days, it was so crowded that people couldn’t even get a waiting ticket.】

【Oh, really?】

【Yeah, I even saw a video about it recently. Here, take a look…】

When I showed Linne-chan the video I found on Youtube about the collaboration cafe, her eyes widened in surprise, and she leaned in closer.

The video clearly showed the same cafe, but the line stretched all the way outside, with people bustling around.

【Wow, we have this many fans in Korea too?】

【Of course, you’re the most popular virtual group in the world.】

Although in the world I remember from five years later, Blue LUV was just as famous.

But at least at this point in time, there’s no virtual group that can rival Prism Company.

Just look at the first-generation members.

Even the member with the lowest number of subscribers has over 800,000.

Their popularity is on a whole different level.

【And honestly, having fewer people today might be better. What if someone recognizes Linne-chan’s voice?】

【No way. Do you really think someone would recognize me just by my voice?】

【Well, I think there might be quite a few…】

Linne-chan doesn’t seem to fully grasp her own popularity.

Or maybe she doesn’t realize how unique her voice is.

She seems to think that even her fans wouldn’t recognize her just by her voice.

But from my perspective, that’s not the case at all.

Especially since fans who know that Prism Company members are in Korea might suspect something if they hear someone speaking English in the cafe.

So it’s better to be careful.

【Linne-chan, what would you like to drink?】

【Hmm… I promised Anise, so I’ll try the ‘Anise’s Special Mix Parfait.’】

【Hehe, then I’ll try the ‘Verdia’s Black Magic Cake’ since it’s a rare opportunity.】

【The naming sense is a bit too much, don’t you think? I wouldn’t want to eat that cake if I were you.】

Even though it’s her own collaboration menu, Linne-chan shuddered and shook her head as if to say, “No way.”

Well, it’s based on Verdia-chan’s concept, so there’s no helping it.

Who decided to go with a crow and black magic theme anyway?

If it was the company’s decision, then I feel sorry for her.

Fortunately, we could order through a kiosk, so we each picked a dessert and placed our order.

Since we were already full, I didn’t feel like eating much more.

But maybe I should have ordered a drink too.

Ding-

“…Huh?”

Just as we were about to sit down at a corner table with our order slip, the automatic door opened, and four people walked in.

But they looked familiar.

Wait, weren’t they the people we saw at the restaurant earlier?

My memory is a bit hazy, so I’m not entirely sure.

But I definitely remember the person wearing sunglasses and an outfit similar to Ra-hee unnie.

Wait, were they also eating at that restaurant before coming to the collaboration cafe?

Well, it only takes about 10 minutes to walk from there to here.

So our paths must have crossed. How interesting.

Buzz-

【Ah, I’ll go get it.】

【Okay, thanks.】

When the vibration bell rang, Linne-chan got up to go get our order.

Soon, she returned with a tray carrying a towering parfait and a rather cute-looking slice of cake.

【Wow, the parfait is bigger than I expected. I bet Anise wouldn’t even finish half of it.】

【Hehe, that’s true. Anise is such a light eater.】

I’m not that familiar with the Prism Company members, but I do know a bit about their famous memes, personalities, and preferences.

As I nodded in agreement, Linne-chan’s eyes widened.

【Da-jeong, do you know about Anise too?】

【Not that well, but… I do know a bit about the company members. I looked them up after doing a collab stream with Linne-chan.】

It’s not like I’m trying to stray from my path.

I’m fully committed to Blue LUV!

But watching famous overseas VTubers has taught me a few things.

And sometimes, like when Linne-chan gave me and Yuna a shoutout, unexpected content comes out of it.

So I try to keep up with them when I have time.

【Wow, really? They’d be so happy to hear that. Actually, our members have been watching a lot of Blue LUV videos lately.】

【What?! Prism Company members…?!】

This unexpected news made me freeze mid-bite of my cake.

So it’s not just Linne-chan who’s been watching our streams?

【Yeah, I recommended your clipping channel to the members. The subtitles and video quality are top-notch.】

【Ehehe… It’s not that great…】

It’s nice to receive compliments as VTuber Lulu, but it’s rare to get praised as clipper “BlueOshi.”

So it felt even more special.

It’s not just that I’m happy about the quality of my videos.

It’s more that I feel like the videos I upload don’t embarrass the members.

【Especially Anise, she really likes you. She’s always said she wanted a younger sister. Every time she sees you, she begs me to get her one.】

【I-I’m not a pet, you know…!】

What kind of expression is that?

It’s not like I’m a kid begging their mom for a toy.

Well, it’s good that they like me, but…

…Wait, that’s strange.

My videos are rarely uploaded on the clipping channel.

So how did Anise come to like me?

【Linne-chan, did Anise look up my videos separately? There aren’t many of my videos on the clipping channel…】

【Yeah, I think she watches your streams on a side account. Like this…】

Linne-chan opened the Discord app on her phone and showed me a conversation with Anise.

[Anise] – (Picture of Lulu in a Santa outfit)

[Anise] – She’s so cuteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Anise] – Verdi, did you watch Lulu’s streaming?

[Anise] – If you didn’t watch it, hurry up and watch it! Not watching is like losing half of your life’s worth!!!

[Anise] – How can a creature this cute possibly exist?!

【Actually, it was Anise who told me to watch your Christmas stream, not our fans.】

【Ah, okay… Please thank her for me.】

It feels like I’m seeing a version 2 of Linne-chan, but it’s still nice to know she likes me.

After Linne-chan put her phone down, we finally started eating our desserts.

The “Verdia’s Black Magic Cake” was exactly what I expected.

It tasted like the classic chocolate and cream flavor.

But for someone like me who loves sweet things, it was a satisfying dessert.

【Da-jeong, how’s the cake?】

【Hmm… Want to try it? It’s pretty good.】

【Really? Then hold on, I’ll ask for another fork.】

Linne-chan was about to get up to go to the counter, but I stopped her and offered her a bite of my cake with my fork.

【Linne-chan, say ‘ah~.’】

【Huh? Are you sure?】

【Huh?】

What does she mean by “are you sure?”

Oh, does she mean if it’s okay for her to eat from my fork?

I don’t really mind that kind of thing.

【Ah, yeah. It’s fine. I don’t mind sharing.】

【That’s not what I meant… But thanks, I’ll have a bite.】

Linne-chan made a strange expression and glanced toward the window seat.

Then, with a faint smile, she opened her mouth, and I fed her a bite of the cake.

She chewed it thoughtfully for a while, then made a subtle expression.

【Hmm, I think the cake I make is better. This is too sweet.】

【Linne-chan, you can make cakes too?】

【Yeah, I learned some baking from my mom before. I can make most things.】

Wow, that’s impressive.

I can cook basic meals, but I’ve never tried baking.

【Da-jeong, want to try a bite of the parfait? I think it’s better.】

【Hehe, thanks. ah~】

【…This feels like I’m doing something bad.】

Since I wanted to try it, I opened my mouth without hesitation.

Linne-chan looked like she had a lot to say but scooped up a bite of the parfait and fed it to me.

Mmm, this is definitely better.

The fruit chunks are a nice touch.

Maybe I should have ordered the parfait instead.

【Linne-chan, should we buy some goods to take home?】

【Sure. But are you okay with that? Isn’t this like cheating?】

Huh? Cheating?

Oh, because I always call myself a “Star Piece,” does that mean buying goods from another group is like cheating?

Well, if it’s for fan purposes, maybe it could be considered cheating.

But I’m not buying them for fan purposes.

I just want to keep them as a memory of my time with Linne-chan.

But explaining all that feels a bit awkward.

And right now, I’m feeling a bit playful.

So I picked up Verdia’s acrylic stand and replied with a witty remark.

【Hehe, then let’s just cheat for today, Linne-chan.】

【…Oh, Lord.】

Linne-chan suddenly placed her hand on her forehead and looked up at the ceiling, as if holding something back.

Huh? Did I say something wrong?

＊＊＊＊＊

Da-jeong said she was cheating, but unfortunately, there’s no such thing as a secret that lasts forever.

And in Da-jeong’s case, that secret was being broadcast live.

“Unnie…! Da-jeong is leaving us behind and buying another c-company’s goods…!”

“Da-jeong is cheating…!”

“I think we need to arrest her on the spot. What do you think, eldest unnie?”

As they watched Da-jeong happily holding Verdia’s goods, the younger members were making a fuss.

Jia, the eldest, smiled wryly.

Why are they making such a big deal over buying some goods?

“Calm down, everyone. Do you really think Da-jeong would abandon us? She’s probably just buying them as a keepsake since she met Verdia.”

“Unnie….”

With a calm demeanor, Jia placed her hand on her chin and spoke with sharp insight.

The younger members looked at her with awe…

“Unnie, could you at least stop trembling when you talk?”

“Wow, look at the table shaking.”

“Her mouth is smiling, but her eyes aren’t…”

…Far from feeling anything, they even felt a pang of pity seeing her trying so hard to act composed.

Was it the sense of crisis, the fear of losing her place as the favorite, that made her like this?

Han Jia, who always calmly led her younger sisters as the eldest, was no longer there.

Seeing this, the younger sisters, despite being quite hurt themselves, began pouring out all kinds of encouragement toward their eldest unnie.

“H-Hang in there, unnie! If she’s a silver-haired beauty, you’re a golden-haired beauty! You can win!”

“That’s right! From what I’ve seen, your chest is bigger!”

“What kind of comfort is that…!”

But even though their words were meant to encourage, the content didn’t really resonate.

Jia slumped back onto the table in frustration.

Could she really lose her place as the youngest’s favorite like this?

Feeling like a wife who had just witnessed her husband’s infidelity, Jia was gradually losing the will to live.