Chapter 41: Are you not thinking of going back to the lab?

“I’ve seen the materials… no, the product, that Jina prepared, and it was really good.”

“It’s not really a product yet, let’s call it a prototype for now.”

“…Yes, a prototype. Haha. Anyway, thanks to Jina, we have confidence in the new project we are preparing.”

Hyun, the sales department manager of Free Rose Lingerie, pulled her chair closer and her eyes lit up.

On the monitor on the wall of the meeting room, the ‘variable 3D breast model’ program that Jina demonstrated was still displayed.

The lab director, who still couldn’t take her eyes off the screen, couldn’t hide her excited expression.

“I don’t know if it makes sense to talk about this now… but since it’s a kickoff meeting. Let me tell you about the new business we are preparing…”

Hyun added, placing the tablet on the table.

“Simply put, it’s simplifying the process of making custom-made underwear. Of course, the quality should be almost equal to that of the premium line.”

“I heard a brief explanation from Youngjun.”

Jina muttered in a languid voice, saying that it was easy to approach because it was something she had been researching for a long time.

“Did you use the model published by the Max Planck Institute as the template model?”

“To be precise, I got an idea from there and created a new female template avatar model.”

At the lab director’s question, Jina nodded lightly and answered.

“Did you separately train the model for commercial use?”

“There’s also that issue, but the existing model doesn’t properly express the unique curves of a female avatar.”

“Then the ‘HANA’ in the thesis, and the other VTubers that Jina worked on…”

“Yes. My own template avatar’s idea is applied.”

Of course, HANA is a bit more special, but she didn’t bother to add an explanation.

After all, the idea itself is the same.

“In that respect, if our Cosmo Live’s avatar, which Jina’s technology is applied to, becomes an advertising model, there will be synergy.”

Youngjun subtly intervened in the professional conversation between the lab director and Jina.

Youngjun’s words are sharp.

It’s not that Free Rose Lingerie is using Summer and Winter as main advertising models.

It’s that they have to use Summer and Winter as main advertising models to more effectively promote their new business.

Youngjun subtly matched the weight of Free Rose Lingerie and Cosmo Live.

“Certainly, in terms of being able to naturally promote technology, it’s positive. Let’s discuss the advertising plan separately.”

Hyun nodded with a smiling face.

Her eyes and mouth are clearly smiling… but her forehead is deeply wrinkled, which seems quite uncomfortable.

“Anyway… If you document the detailed specifications of the project, I will complete it accordingly.”

Jina said with a short, clearing cough.

“Personally, my goal is… to output more than 5 model candidates while maintaining the generation time within 1 minute, and to automatically generate the underwear pattern as well.”

“What Jina said is exactly what we want.”

The lab director said with a moved expression.

“Technically, and based on what you just said, it already almost matches what we want… Honestly, the prototype alone is close to perfection.”

The corners of Hyun’s mouth slightly raised.

The lab director even says that?

Jina is definitely a talent that must be secured.

“So, why don’t you officially join our project team? On this occasion, why don’t you join our company-“

“I’m sorry. Commuting is a bit difficult.”

Jina immediately shook her head. She added a sigh as if it was annoying, closing the program and unplugging the USB from the monitor.

“If, if you wish to work from home…”

“The best thing about becoming a freelancer was that I could choose the work I wanted to do.”

Of course, most freelancers are not in a position to be picky about their work.

But Jina is a freelancer who can afford to be picky.

She has the ability.

“Anyway, I have no intention of becoming a company employee.”

At Jina’s firm attitude, Hyun bit her lip slightly.

“Ah… I understand. Then, the usage rights of this model, and the future project schedule…”

“Let’s discuss that issue with me.”

“…Yes?”

Hyun’s head turned sharply towards Youngjun.

“Wasn’t Jina a freelancer?!”

At Hyun’s unintentional question, Youngjun smiled leisurely.

“Of course, Jina is not affiliated with Cosmo Live… but actually, my side job is Jina’s personal manager. Well, it’s a kind of personal agency.”

Youngjun lied without batting an eye, saying that he is in charge of negotiating the cost of outsourcing that comes to Jina.

Hyun’s gaze turned to Jina this time.

Jina slowly nodded with a languid expression, as if she didn’t particularly deny it.

“Anyway, you had to talk to me about the main advertising model contract for Summer and Winter. Wouldn’t it be better to finish both at once?”

Hyun nodded as if she understood.

Certainly, it’s better to deal with Youngjun than to deal with Jina.

Youngjun may be a difficult person, but he is open to negotiation.

But Jina is a soft person, but she is the type to overturn the table immediately if there is something she doesn’t like even a little.

“It seems like the conversation will be long, so how about sending Jina first and finishing the meeting separately with me?”

“That’s right. We can’t keep a busy person tied up.”

Hyun stood up from her seat and sighed quietly.

All kinds of emotions are contained in the deep sigh.

“Youngjun, shall we go outside and have a cup of coffee? You bought it last time, so I’ll buy it this time.”

“I’ll enjoy it. Haha.”

Usually, Youngjun always orders iced Americano, but today he’s thinking of having an Einspänner.

Lots of whipped cream. And sprinkled with plenty of cinnamon powder.

That should be enough to enjoy the sweetness.

“Jina, anyway, thank you so much for coming today.”

Hyun gave Jina a customary greeting with a bitter smile.

“Please go back with peace of mind. I will bring good news.”

Jina winked and felt reassured by Youngjun, who was going outside.

It wasn’t for nothing that celebrities and famous athletes hired agencies.

After Hyun and Youngjun went out one step ahead.

The lab director quietly escorted Jina along the building’s hallway.

“I really enjoyed reading your thesis.”

When they came to the middle, the lab director spoke first.

“Not only the content of the thesis, but the fact that you applied the theory of the 3D human model to the ‘virtual avatar’ with high perfection… All of our team members were greatly shocked.”

“Thank you for your kind words.”

Jina replied in a dull voice, but to the lab director’s eyes, those words didn’t sound arrogant at all.

If anything, it was a self-deprecating, plain voice.

“I heard that you were originally in a graduate school lab…”

“But I left now.”

“I guess you didn’t get along well with your professor.”

“”

“Um, well… in many ways… yes.”

Jina gave a vague smile.

Didn’t get along well, huh…

If it could be expressed like that, lab life wouldn’t have been too bad.

“Have you ever thought about moving to another lab and continuing your degree?”

The lab director suggested with a sad look.

“If it’s Jina’s skills, every professor in the computer graphics field will covet you. If you’re okay with it, we can separately write a letter of recommendation…”

“There was a very brief time when I considered going back to the lab.”

Jina stopped walking and glanced out the window at the front door.

The pleasant afternoon sunlight was spreading all over.

“But, living like this now is much more fun. I think this suits my personality better.”

The lab director hesitated for a moment, then playfully said, “Haha. That’s right. Geniuses also have their own paths.” and laughed.

“Then, I’ll guide you here. Thank you so much today, Jina.”

“Yes. I also had fun. Then I’ll go first.”

Jina, standing in front of the main gate, bowed her head slightly and said goodbye, and walked out of the building.

“Lab, huh…”

She was curious about the recent news for the first time in a while.

Of course, she has no intention of going. Where would she go in this appearance.

Jina took out her smartphone and sent a message to someone.

Today, for some reason, she feels like having a drink with Hyoin.

“Ah, that person is not in the lab anymore. It would be good to contact her by personal email.”

A male student quickly poured out words on the lab’s landline phone, then hung up with an embarrassed expression.

Byeongjae, who was looking at the monitor next to him, turned his head and looked at him.

“Another call looking for Jina?”

“Yeah. It’s already the third time today. I don’t know what this hyung is doing outside.”

The lab’s landline phone, which used to ring once a day at most, had been ringing constantly recently.

All of them were calls looking for Jina, who couldn’t be reached.

“That’s right. When he was in the lab, I didn’t even know if he was there or not.”

“Rather, his presence is crazy since he left the lab.”

The male student shook his head with a sigh.

“Byeongjae, you were a little close with Jina, weren’t you? I think you talked to him on the day he left the lab.”

“And I haven’t contacted him since. I don’t know what that hyung is doing now either.”

Of course, Byeongjae also tried to contact Jina a few times.

Asking if he was alive. Asking to meet up soon.

Each time, Jina repeated that it was difficult to meet because of circumstances.

At first, he was quite sad, but now he could understand Jina.

She must have been living so diligently that she became a person that all kinds of companies and research institutes are desperately looking for. She wouldn’t have had time to meet anyone.

“Oh right. Didn’t Hyoin say that she’s been contacting Jina occasionally these days? Hyoin! What’s Jina doing these days?”

At Byeongjae’s words, Hyoin, who was tapping on the keyboard at the opposite seat, peeked her head up and said with hollow eyes.

“Don’t talk to me. I’m running important experimental data right now.”

“Ah, uh… so, sorry.”

Byeongjae apologized awkwardly and scratched his head.

When Jina left the lab, a new female Jina, Hyoin, appeared, Byeongjae whispered with his junior.

After that, the sound of tapping on the keyboard continued for a while.

Hyoin suddenly raised both arms and stood up from her seat.

“It, it’s done…!!”