Chapter 173: Choi Arin is sexy

Hayoon often said she wanted to cosplay at offline events, usually with a phrase like:

“Ugh, I’m craving some self-esteem farming.”

Honestly, it was a bit crude.

Self-esteem farming?

Too blunt.

However, Choi Arin privately agreed with Hayoon.

‘It does work as self-esteem farming… it works a little too well, it’s so addictive, that’s why I can’t quit cosplaying either.’

While Hayoon hurried off to manage the concert stage, Choi Arin, for her part, started interacting with the people around the booth again.

“Excuse me, um… just one picture…”

“Ah, of course. Please give lots of love to Vtuber Haru.”

“Yes, yes…!”

People shyly approached, asking for photos.

Regardless of their appearance, seeing them approach so politely just to take a picture with her made Choi Arin feel a surge of pride.

Choi Arin didn’t show it outwardly, but the admiration in their eyes was a significant reason why she had stuck with cosplay, a hobby that had now become her job.

‘Ah, this feels really good.’

Today was no different.

Choi Arin’s self-esteem soared.

In truth, Choi Arin had been feeling a bit down on her confidence lately.

Firstly, Hayoon, her closest friend, had become… significantly more endowed.

She was sure she used to be bigger, but at some point, Hayoon had caught up, and now her chest was an object of envy every time Choi Arin saw it.

On top of that, Jo A-yeong, the new Vtuber, was also quite… ample.

‘Right, this is normal. The other girls are just outliers, right?’

Since middle school, Choi Arin had been popular among her female peers for her comparatively large chest. It wasn’t that the world was full of women with better figures than her; Hayoon and Jo A-yeong were just exceptions.

‘I’m sexy enough. Look at this. People can’t take their eyes off me.’

Choi Arin’s chin lifted, and an irrepressible smile spread across her face as she took pictures with the visitors at the booth.

When a cosplayer smiles and interacts with guests, the guests’ satisfaction increases.

This, in turn, attracts more onlookers, further boosting Choi Arin’s self-esteem, leading to an even happier demeanor.

It was a virtuous cycle.

‘Haa, I’m so happy.’

While Hayoon was busy with the concert opening, watching the debut stage from backstage, and conducting interviews after the concert ended…

Choi Arin, beaming with excitement, was taking pictures with people, reveling in the attention.

Then, a thought struck her.

‘At this rate, aren’t I getting better treatment than Hayoon? No, isn’t that right?’

She started to wonder if the attention she was receiving surpassed Hayoon’s.

‘Right, right, my chest is smaller, I’m shorter, and my face isn’t quite on Hayoon’s level, but…’

As that thought concluded, Choi Arin sighed, her lips forming a pout.

“Hmph…”

Her revived spirit deflated.

Choi Arin had a smaller chest, was shorter, and her face was slightly less striking than Hayoon’s…

She was that kind of person…

“I guess I’m not good enough to beat Hayoon…”

Excited one moment, dejected the next.

Choi Arin was a fickle one.

Hayoon sent ₩1,000,000 to Hong Seo-hyun’s account, telling her to treat the Vtubers at the motion capture studio to a nice dinner after work.

There was still an official filming schedule, and if Hayoon left abruptly, Choi Arin would have to adjust, which would be difficult for Choi Arin regardless of how she handled it.

The Ilsan team decided to have their own small dinner.

Anyway…

“Alright, shall we start the photoshoot?”

Hayoon, having returned from her interview filming, stood in the photo zone set up for the shoot.

They had already done a session during the first round of filming, so the second round wasn’t particularly challenging.

“Yes, yes, this time we’ll focus on poses we didn’t do in the first shoot.”

The photographer, wielding a DSLR camera, nodded and framed the shot.

It was roughly the same position as the first shoot. Hayoon glanced at Choi Arin.

“Unnie, did you do well while I was gone?”

“Of course, I did well. I…!”

“You?”

“Even if I’m not as pretty as you, I’m still quite pretty, right? So people really liked me.”

No matter how high her self-esteem soared, did comparing herself to Hayoon always make her feel small?

Choi Arin gave a lackluster reply. Hayoon chuckled softly and immediately struck a pose.

“Okay, okay, make a heart. Quickly.”

“Uh, okay…”

The second photoshoot mostly involved joint poses.

First, Hayoon pulled Choi Arin by the waist, their two half-hearts merging into one complete heart.

They were so close their chests touched, prompting an “Ooh…” of admiration from a fan who was mindlessly taking pictures.

Who wouldn’t enjoy seeing two beautiful people together?

That was precisely the point Hayoon was aiming for in the second photoshoot.

“Alright, next. Next.”

“Aww, hey!”

She continued the shoot, hugging Choi Arin from behind as Arin feigned reluctance.

Even if Choi Arin complained verbally, the camera wouldn’t capture it.

All the camera would capture was two beautiful cosplayers, embracing and being embraced…!

“Close your eyes. Don’t frown.”

“Alright…”

Hayoon expertly guided Choi Arin into the final pose.

This time, they faced each other, eyes closed, hands clasped, foreheads touching.

It was a pose meant to evoke the feeling of a romance movie, right before a kiss, smiling with foreheads pressed together.

Considering the close relationship between Hong Seo-hyun and Hayoon, Scarlet and Haru, this pose was fitting.

“Aren’t you embarrassed?”

In the middle of the shoot, Hayoon asked, her eyes still closed.

“Umm…”

Choi Arin hesitated, unsure how to respond, then said…

“Not particularly, when it’s with you?”

And that was it.

“Alright, we’re done!”

The photographer announced cheerfully.

The BGG Company fans who had been taking pictures nearby cheered quietly, thanking Hayoon and Choi Arin for the mesmerizing display.

“I sent money to the people in Seoul for their own dinner. Unnie, let’s have dinner together after work. Okay?”

“Of course, we should. Heehee…”

The two chatted affectionately as they briefly returned to the break room, then came back out to create more unforgettable memories for their fans.

Cosplay wasn’t just about boosting the cosplayer’s self-esteem; it was also about creating cherished memories for those who took pictures with them.

They both did their best to make it a precious memory for everyone.

By around 4 PM, the flow of visitors had dwindled to a trickle.

Most of those remaining were lingering, hoping for something more.

As a result, hardly anyone was asking Hayoon and Choi Arin for photos anymore.

Ultimately, Hayoon decided to call it a day around 4:30 PM.

“Min-gi, please take care of the wrap-up.”

“Yes, head on out, CEO!”

She quickly changed and entrusted the on-site manager, chat moderator Min-gi, with the remaining tasks.

She had promised him a bonus, so he accepted the extra work without complaint.

“Alright, unnie. Let’s head home.”

“Yeah, today was exhausting.”

Hayoon and Choi Arin left KINTEX and walked for a while.

“What should we do now?”

“Well, we could have dinner… but wouldn’t it be tiring to go all the way to Seoul to eat?”

“Exactly… I feel like I’d fall asleep in a taxi if we did that.”

They had been so busy that although they had talked about dinner, they hadn’t decided on any specific plans.

And so, in the chilly winter air, the two of them stared blankly at each other, then…

“Meat?”

“Meat…!”

They exclaimed in unison.

It’s often said that women have small appetites, but that doesn’t mean they dislike meat.

On a tiring day like today, crispy grilled pork belly or sweet soy-marinated pork ribs were exactly what they craved.

Hayoon looked up highly-rated meat restaurants in Ilsan, while Choi Arin called a taxi, quickly dividing the tasks.

“Driver, to this address, please!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

And finally, at the meat restaurant…

“Mmm, this looks delicious.”

Hayoon grilled the meat.

“Uh, umm… hmm…”

Choi Arin hesitated for a moment, then brought over a bottle of soju.

“Unnie…?”

“Heh, hehe…”

She seemed to be craving alcohol after a hard day’s work.

“Didn’t you say you don’t drink much? You only drank when you were actively trying to flirt with me back then…”

“Fl-flirt?”

“If not?”

“That’s not important. The thing about alcohol is, Hayoon…”

It’s said that a child who eats unseasoned baby food perfectly fine will refuse it once they’ve tasted a drop of soy sauce.

Choi Arin was exactly like that.

“After becoming an adult, and having drinks offered by relatives at family gatherings… it’s just… at times like this, you kind of need a drink…”

She mumbled excuses, but before Hayoon could reply, she had already uncapped the soju bottle.

‘Why do I feel like I’ve experienced something similar before?’

Hayoon felt a sense of déjà vu.