Chapter 187: Seo ji woo is sleepy

The reason Hayoon and Seo Ji-woo were invited to the Z Tab showcase in the US was simple.

The company was very positive about virtual mascots and had contacted BGG Company for consultation. The showcase invitation was more of a thank-you gesture.

“Unnie, please finish up the final work. You can do it in a day or two, right?”

“Ah, of course. Leave it to me. I’ll send it directly to the email they provided so it can be unveiled on the day of the showcase.”

“Good, alright.”

As the top IT company in Korea, the developer of Z Tab, had declared they would use a virtual mascot and initiated the collaboration, their treatment was also quite gentle.

Of course, the mascot they were creating this time wouldn’t stream like a typical Vtuber.

If a major corporate mascot streamed regularly and made a slip of the tongue, the stock price would plummet immediately.

The development company didn’t want to take that risk either. Instead, they decided to hire a professional voice actor who had been a long-time user of their Z series.

Hayoon and Choi Arin were also tasked with creating the virtual avatar for the mascot character this voice actor would use.

‘It’ll probably fail. Even if it doesn’t, they’ll use it a few times and then scrap it.’

Hayoon inwardly thought this project would last three years at most.

This was a time when large corporations were eyeing the metaverse and Vtuber scene, but after launching three or four new products and using the mascot, if the reaction became mediocre, they would bury it as if it never existed.

‘Besides, a Live2D avatar can’t even showcase their own technological prowess.’

Since it was the first demonstration and they also wanted to gauge customer reactions, they would initially outsource to BGG Company to test the waters.

If the reaction wasn’t bad, they would seek BGG Company’s consultation to create an original 3D avatar to promote their own technology and use it for the next new product showcase.

And if the fans’ reaction was good, they’d use it a couple more times before it quietly disappeared amidst controversies about sexual objectification or something similar. Similar controversies had actually occurred with other companies.

However…

“We’re rich now!”

“Yahoo!”

That was none of Hayoon and Choi Arin’s concern.

The Live2D avatar for the mascot character they had collaborated on was about 98% complete, and in a few days, tens of millions of won in outsourcing fees would come in.

“They’re also consulting us on 3D character directing, so it’s literally a money-printing event.”

“You’re giving bonuses too, right?”

“Of course!”

Hayoon and Choi Arin giggled with delight. A few days later, Hayoon headed to Incheon Airport for her departure.

On the dawn of the day she was heading to Incheon Airport.

Hayoon headed to Seo Ji-woo’s studio apartment in her father, Min Jungyun’s, car.

She planned to pick her up before going to the airport.

“Is Ji-woo sleeping? Why isn’t she answering?”

“She’s probably showering. She can be a bit clumsy, but she wouldn’t be sleeping in today. I gave her a sleep aid last night and put her to bed early.”

“What? Why would you do that?”

“Sleep aids make you wake up with a jolt after about 6 hours of sleep. It’s like a rebound effect from being forced to sleep.”

“Goodness, you’re so thorough.”

“It’s a big contract. Dad, even your car’s navigation system was upgraded to a Z Tab they gifted us.”

“That’s true. We can’t cancel on a major corporation.”

Min Jungyun, an ordinary middle-manager type businessman, was pleased that his daughter was involved in a joint project with a top-tier company, something he himself hadn’t experienced.

What parent wouldn’t be proud of their child’s success? Min Jungyun was proud of his daughter’s achievements.

“Ji-woo, are you awake?”

“Yeah…”

Hayoon opened the door to Seo Ji-woo’s studio and found her dozing off.

Sleeping pills make you very drowsy the next day.

Even if her body was awake, her mind was fatigued, and she was in such a precarious state that a slight nudge would send her tumbling into bed, fast asleep.

“Sleepy…”

“You worked hard, our Ji-woo.”

Seo Ji-woo, despite her drowsiness, seemed aware that she had to go on a business trip to the US, as she clutched her suitcase tightly.

She looked cute, like an otter clinging to its keeper’s hand, barely able to keep her eyes open while holding her suitcase.

“Let’s go down now. My dad came too.”

“Okay?”

Seo Ji-woo, her eyes half-open, held Hayoon’s hand and trudged down to the first floor.

Hayoon, being tall, loaded the suitcase into the trunk for her.

Hayoon, who had ridden in the passenger seat on the way there, now sat in the back with Seo Ji-woo.

She figured if she didn’t take care of her on the way to the airport, Seo Ji-woo would fall asleep.

“I’ll ride in the back this time.”

“Alright, alright. If you sleep in the car, you won’t be able to sleep on the plane later. Don’t let her sleep, absolutely.”

“Okay.”

After getting Min Jungyun’s permission, she sat closely next to Seo Ji-woo and started taking care of her.

“Did Ji-woo eat breakfast?”

“No… because of the food waste… I just didn’t.”

“Why?”

“It’ll go bad while I’m in the US… it’ll smell…”

“Ah.”

So, Seo Ji-woo hadn’t eaten breakfast for a very practical reason.

It was common sense for people living alone not to leave food waste when going on a trip.

“Let’s at least eat this, Ji-woo.”

“Okay…”

Feeling sorry for her, Hayoon tore open an orange sausage and put it in Seo Ji-woo’s mouth. Seo Ji-woo mumbled and ate the sausage.

She said she hadn’t eaten breakfast, so she seemed hungry.

“Water.”

“Water…”

When they stopped at a red light, Hayoon gave her water. Even with her eyes barely open, Seo Ji-woo gulped it down.

“Goodness, you’ve become a complete mom, Hayoon.”

“What mom? Maybe an older sister.”

“Looking at what you’re doing, you’re a spitting image of a mom, you brat.”

“What are you talking about.”

Min Jungyun clucked his tongue at Hayoon, but Hayoon retorted coyly.

She wasn’t even old enough to graduate college yet; being called “mom” on stream was enough.

“But is it really okay for just the two of you to go to the US? Goodness, with all the pickpockets and whatnot, the crime over there is no joke.”

“Ah, the company is providing security for us.”

“Goodness, security even?”

“Some former boxing champion? A Korean-American local guide, but that’s basically security, right?”

“This is why old folks used to say to be a servant in a great house. The benefits are, well…”

And after that, she chatted with Min Jungyun, whom she wouldn’t see for a while.

“Ji-woo, don’t fall asleep.”

“Ugh, okay…”

“You packed your passport, right?”

“Uh…?”

“Uh…?”

“Ah, y-yes, I have it. I have it. Oh,
… I’m wide awake now…”

When the topic of the passport came up, Seo Ji-woo’s eyes instantly sparkled.

She had tucked it deep into the inner pocket of her thin cardigan, as if determined never to lose it.

“Okay, take good care of it. Don’t forget. And don’t leave it in the car either, okay?”

“Ah, of course… of course…”

However, after checking her passport, Seo Ji-woo seemed to relax and started feeling drowsy again, her eyelids fluttering.

Hayoon smiled at Seo Ji-woo and lightly patted her shoulder to keep her from falling asleep.

“Well, work hard then. You’ll be living in the US for almost a week this time. Body safety first, waking or sleeping. If pickpockets come at you with knives, just throw your bag and run. Carry a fake bag for pickpockets to take. You know what Dad means, right? Absolutely do not think of Korean safety standards and wander around at night. You girls are pretty, so who knows what kind of trouble you might get into. Always call that guide person and stick together, rely on each other…”

Min Jungyun was anxiously giving Hayoon and Seo Ji-woo last-minute instructions in front of the departure gate.

He was already worried about them going to the US, which had a reputation for being unsafe.

Now that it was time to see them off, words he hadn’t been able to say before came tumbling out, and his speech grew longer and longer.

However.

“Dad, that’s enough. I’ll take care of myself, okay?”

“Phew, okay… You’ll manage fine. Ji-woo, try to do as Hayoon says as much as possible. Always think and act together. You know what I mean, right?”

“Yes, I will.”

When Hayoon said she would take care of it, Min Jungyun seemed relieved and turned his attention to Seo Ji-woo.

In fact, his speech had grown longer because he was more worried about Seo Ji-woo than Hayoon.

To Min Jungyun and Yoon Su-hee, Seo Ji-woo felt like an adopted daughter living away from home.

They sent her side dishes about once a month; at this point, she was practically their foster daughter.

Considering her clumsy nature, it was natural to be as worried about her as Hayoon.

“I just do whatever Hayoon tells me to do anyway.”

“Yes, yes, just listen to Hayoon. If Hayoon isn’t around, just listen to the guide.”

Seo Ji-woo calmly said she would just follow Hayoon’s lead without thinking, but to Min Jungyun, it sounded like an excellent decision.

Even after living in Seoul for over three years, Seo Ji-woo still hadn’t shed her country bumpkin ways.

It was obvious what would happen if she went to the US.

“That’s about enough, I’ll head in now, Dad.”

However, the conversation was dragging on too long.

Hayoon cut it short, waved to Min Jungyun, completed the boarding process, and headed for the plane.

“What do you want to do in America?”

“We have to go to Disneyland.”

Thinking about what to do for fun was more interesting than listening to a lecture.