Ch. 121 MtF – Chapter 121
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 121
**Guerilla Stream. (1)**
“Uh, h-hello, Director.”
[…Yeoreum?]
“Yes, I-I mean, yes.”
A call that used to come so naturally now felt so awkward.
Maybe it was because it had been too long… or maybe just because I’d changed phones.
But the director’s voice sounded _different_—not how I remembered it.
It had only been a year. Just one year.
And yet the voice of someone I’d once lived and worked so closely with now felt distant and unfamiliar.
“Um, I hope you’ve been doing well. I’m really sorry I didn’t call sooner.”
[Of course you should be sorry.]
“…”
There was no harshness in the director’s voice.
But it wasn’t kind, either. It was just… neutral. Flat.
That lack of emotion made my heart skip—but deep down, I knew what that dryness _meant_.
[Do you know how worried I was? I even sent someone to check on you. They said you’d already moved out. Your phone number had changed…]
“…I’m sorry.”
[Well, I’m just glad to hear you’re doing okay.]
“…Yeah.”
That one line—_“I’m glad you’re okay”_—hit harder than anything else.
Maybe I’d been overthinking things all along.
The director was still the same as always.
That dry tone? It wasn’t coldness. It was _carefully measured warmth._
Not too hot, so it wouldn’t scare me. Not too cold, so it wouldn’t freeze the conversation.
They were always like this. I just… forgot.
Why had I waited so long? What exactly was I afraid of?
[When I heard you were in Japan, I was half-worried you’d forgotten all your Korean.]
“Hehe… come on, like I’d ever forget Korean.”
[Right. You’d better not.]
“Thank you… for being kind.”
[Kind? I’m not being kind. Don’t flatter yourself.]
They clicked their tongue, but there was a gentle warmth in their voice.
Not hot. Not cold. Just right.
[Anyway, don’t worry about the song. Do whatever you want with it.]
“But… the rights, I—”
[It’s your song. Do what you want. I’ve said my piece, so don’t call me later asking again.]
“…Okay.”
The director clearly already knew why I’d called.
Of course they did. I’m sure V-Spe’s CEO already filled them in.
Still, it felt… wrong.
Like I only reached out because I needed something.
I hated that I couldn’t even talk to people unless there was some kind of reason like this.
[Next time, _I’ll_ call you.]
“…Director?”
[You were always like this. Never once called first. Tsk.]
“…Yeah…”
[Take care of yourself. And be good to that friend of yours who took you in.]
“…You too. Stay healthy.”
And with that, the call ended.
I stared blankly at the silent phone in my hand—
But somehow, my heart felt lighter.
Like a knot had finally come undone.
Yeah.
I can always call again next time.
—
**“Hmm-hmm, hmm-hmm~♪”**
“Isn’t that one of your songs?”
“How’d you know?”
“Of course I’d know. I’m a Yeoreum fan, too~”
As I hummed my original song for the first time in ages, Toya approached with a sly smile.
I didn’t think she’d recognize it that easily.
Whenever she said she was a fan of mine, it made me flustered—but this time it actually felt real.
I mean, how many people can name a song just from a hum?
“Should I sing it during my next stream?”
“It might feel fresh hearing you sing it.”
Honestly, even I thought Toya’s voice suited it better than my old, male voice ever did.
It wasn’t that I hated the song—it’s just, the sweet, fluffy lyrics didn’t really match _me._
Anyway, as Toya hummed, I clapped my hands in rhythm.
For some reason, watching her felt like playing along with a kid—like a teacher keeping their student entertained.
I vaguely remembered my old orphanage caretakers doing that, too.
“By the way, haven’t you already finalized your playlist?”
“Well… more or less, yeah. But a few songs still need approval.”
“…Don’t tell me one of them is my original song.”
“Ding ding ding~ You’re right!”
I figured as much.
Recalling the phone call with the director just earlier, I gave her a little hint.
“It should be approved soon.”
“Really?! Waaah~ Yeoreum, you’re the best~!”
“…I didn’t even do anything special, though.”
Toya immediately started fawning over me like I was a hero, and I had to avert my gaze.
She was laying it on so thick I couldn’t even lift my head from embarrassment.
Wait, didn’t she spend all day practicing? Shouldn’t she be exhausted?
But here she was, lifting me up and walking around like it was nothing.
What even _is_ your stamina?
If I had even half her energy, life would be way easier…
“To celebrate, maybe I should do a stream?”
“Right now?”
“Well, think of it like a rehearsal stream.”
“Whatever works for you.”
I didn’t plan on encouraging her—or stopping her.
I just liked watching her do what she loved.
As I spoke, Toya gently set me down and started prepping her gear.
Now that I think about it… the equipment here is top-notch.
Probably the CEO’s doing—so she could stream anywhere, even in a lesson room.
Or maybe lesson rooms just _come_ with this stuff?
“Oh, let me help you with the trackers.”
“Thanks!”
It looked like she was going full 3D, so I stepped in to help attach the trackers around her body.
I probably wasn’t much help, but at least I wasn’t just standing around.
After a bit of prep time, Toya stood ready in her training outfit, smiling brightly as she struck a few poses.
It’s true—3D streams aren’t something you can do often.
Sure, you can come to the lesson room, but all that motion tracking eats up stamina.
“You ready?”
“Yep.”
And just like that, the stream started.
The chat exploded almost instantly.
Even for a surprise stream, this was fast.
—
**[Toya’s doing a guerilla stream??]**
**[(Toya’s Guerilla Stream – LIVE)]
Of course she is, it’s live lol**
> [I thought Toya only did scheduled streams. What’s up with the guerilla one?]
> ↳ [She said she was practicing anyway and wanted to dust off her 3D avatar.]
> ↳ [Like a 3D model can get dusty lmao.]
> ↳ [It’s just an excuse. Toya always pulls that kinda thing lol.]
> ↳ [She _is_ the queen of V-Spe.]
> [It’s been a while since her last 3D stream, huh?]
> ↳ [She said to treat it like a rehearsal, but I’m hyped anyway.]
> [I thought V-Spe was a small agency, but they’ve got decent gear?]
> ↳ [Gotta stream hard if you’re a small company lol.]
> ↳ [Toya, Nagisa, Inari are carrying V-Spe on their backs…]
> ↳ [Where’s Natsu, tho?]
> ↳ [She _is_ V-Spe. It’s up to Toinari to carry her around now lol.]
> [Haven’t seen Toya in 3D for a while.]
> **[(3D Toya Winking Screenshot.JPG)**
> This model is GOATed…]
> [Praise be to Ragu-sensei.]
> [The gear in the lesson room tracks winks??]
> ↳ [Isn’t that just a shortcut key?]
> ↳ [If so, that’s kinda lame…]
> ↳ [You think wink trackers are common? lmao]
> [Honestly, I know it’s bad to say this, but… kinda glad Ragu-sensei finished Toya’s 3D model before her injury.]
> [Hope she does more 3D streams…]
> [She’s moving so naturally for a random stream.]
> ↳ [Seriously, V-Spe might be small, but their tech is on point…]
> [(Toya: “I mean, I’m cute, right?” _wink_)]
> [Pretty sure the manager’s right next to her.]
> **[(Toya glancing to the side repeatedly.MVI)**
> She’s _totally_ got someone beside her lol]
> [How did these two even get so close anyway?]
> ↳ [They’ve always been close.]
> ↳ [They were tight even when Toya had less than 100k subs.]
> ↳ [Yeoreum’s been a real one since Day 1.]
> [When’s Natsu gonna get her 3D model?]
> ↳ [Didn’t Ragu-sensei’s injury delay that?]
> ↳ [Someone else’ll probably make it.]
> ↳ [But it won’t have the same _vibe_ if it’s not Ragu’s artstyle…]
> ↳ [True. Ragu-sensei really _is_ the GOAT.]
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