Chapter 55: Starlight (4)

On a sunny afternoon, the air at the Xelnaga Entertainment office building was buzzing with a subtle excitement.

Yoon Sol’s successful debut wasn’t just a home run.

It was closer to a game-changing grand slam.

Solar’s cover song music video easily surpassed 5 million views on YouTube within a month of its release.

Spreading through Shorts, adorned with titles like ‘Heavenly Voice’ and ‘Idol with a Narrative,’ she was already quite famous, but she began to gain recognition even among people unfamiliar with VTubers.

Now, the ‘Starlight Project’ was no longer a name spoken of only within specific communities or VTuber fandoms.

Even among other corporate VTuber agencies, and even on competing platforms, their name, overwhelming quality, and fearsome growth rate were subjects of attention.

The newly opened official fan community, ‘Star Cluster Galaxy,’ bustled day and night.

Memes and fan art created by fans themselves, along with broadcast clips of the members, were constantly uploaded, and new and existing fans mingled, rapidly creating their own culture.

“Wow, unni! Look at this! A new Shorts video of Solar’s cover song just got uploaded!”

Ajung, having finished her personal broadcast, plopped down on the break room sofa and thrust her tablet screen at Jungyeon.

On the screen was a video that had added subtitles to Solar’s cover song music video and edited in clips from her broadcasts, made so that even those who didn’t know her could understand her story.

“Oh my, it’s real? The quality is no joke either, huh?”

Jungyeon also looked at the screen with a surprised expression.

She was newly realizing just how far Yoon Sol’s song was spreading.

“Lately, my song has been appearing a lot in Shorts of somewhat moving movies or dramas…”

Yoon Sol, who was quietly sipping tea beside them, added shyly.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, as if she was still bewildered by her own popularity.

“That’s because our Sol-ssi is the trend!”

Ajung puffed out her chest triumphantly, as if it were her own accomplishment.

“Anyone would think it was Ajung’s cover song!”

Jungyeon said with a laugh, ruffling Ajung’s hair.

Pleasant laughter filled the break room.

But amidst the laughter, Jungyeon’s mind was racing with complex thoughts.

Because as Starlight’s ‘stock’ hit its upper limit day after day, attempts at contact from the outside had also noticeably increased.

“Jungyeon-ssi, do you have a moment?”

Just then, Yoon Taesoo opened the break room door and entered.

In his hand was a thick file of documents.

“Yes, Director Yoon. What is it?”

“These are the recent proposals for joint broadcasts and collaborations. I’ve organized them and brought them.”

Yoon Taesoo placed the file on the table.

The cover read ‘List of External Collaboration Proposals.’

Ajung’s and Yoon Sol’s eyes also sparkled with curiosity.

“Already this many?”

Jungyeon exclaimed in a surprised voice as she opened the file.

The list contained far more names than expected.

Famous streamers on Ggizzik were there, of course, as well as big-name VTubers from other platforms, and even the names of game companies.

“As your recognition has grown, it seems various fields are showing interest. The types also vary, from simple networking joint broadcast offers to advertising proposals.”

Yoon Taesoo explained calmly.

“Wow, amazing! Are we getting advertisements too?”

Ajung asked, her eyes sparkling.

“Nothing is confirmed yet. We are now at the stage where we need to review them carefully.”

Yoon Taesoo gently drew a line.

Jungyeon carefully examined the list.

There were certainly many tempting proposals.

A joint broadcast with a streamer recognizable just by name could be a great opportunity to elevate Starlight’s image even further.

However, at the same time, she knew very well that a hasty choice could instead be detrimental.

“Hmm… There are certainly many good proposals, but…”

Jungyeon was lost in thought for a moment.

Some proposals had intentions that were too transparent.

A feeling that they were trying to ride on Starlight’s popularity.

Other proposals were in a direction that didn’t fit Starlight’s image at all.

“I think we need to report this to the CEO. It doesn’t seem like a matter we can decide amongst ourselves.”

Jungyeon concluded.

No matter how much they had grown, the final decision-maker was ultimately Hajun.

“Yes, I think so too. I have already requested some time with Mr. Seo. It would be good if you could join us, Jungyeon-ssi.”

“Understood, Director Yoon.”

---

The sofa in my penthouse private office still enveloped my body comfortably.

Leaning back against the plush cushion, I was casually flipping through the bundle of documents Yoon Taesoo had handed me.

A list of collaboration proposals, or so he said.

Beside me, Jungyeon sat with a slightly stiff expression.

“So, why are there so many of these?”

“As the achievements of the Starlight Project have recently become visible, collaboration offers are coming in from various places. The details are summarized in the list.”

Yoon Taesoo’s voice was as flat as ever.

‘I can never tell what that man is thinking.’

‘Still, he handles his work impeccably, so I have no complaints.’

Skimming through the documents, indeed.

Quite a few names caught my eye.

From companies recognizable by name alone to other broadcasters who are currently popular.

‘Hmm. Were my girls this big?’

It wasn’t bad.

The fact that the ‘masterpieces’ I had painstakingly created were receiving the world’s attention was quite satisfying.

Ajung, Rinne, and Solar.

It was proof that the sweat those girls shed hadn’t been in vain.

But that satisfaction was very brief.

As I turned the pages, my brow furrowed involuntarily.

‘They are my stars.’

An emotion different from simple satisfaction, something sharper, reared its head within me.

Ajung, Rinne, Solar.

At first, I had started simply because I was drawn to their dazzling looks or unique stories.

But somewhere along the line, those girls had become more than just a ‘collection.’

They were raw gems that only I had recognized.

Girls who had been hurt, frustrated, yet struggled to get back on their feet.

They were my precious stars who had finally begun to shine in the optimal environment I had provided.

I couldn’t carelessly put such girls on just any stage.

Besides, if it wasn’t the ‘best,’ it was meaningless.

Xelnaga Entertainment, the Starlight Project—everything was set to be the best from the very beginning.

It didn’t matter how much money it cost.

But now, to join hands with mediocre places?

That was ridiculous.

A clumsy collaboration would only diminish the value of Starlight that we had painstakingly built.

Most of those on that list seemed like mere mayflies trying to ride on fleeting popularity.

“Hmm.”

I casually tossed the documents I was holding onto the table.

A soft thud echoed lowly in the quiet office.

“It’s not bad. It means our girls are popular.”

For now, I outwardly spoke as if acknowledging it.

Regardless of my inner feelings, I had to maintain the image of a cool-headed president in front of those two.

I briefly glanced out the window before speaking again.

“However, there’s no need to mix with just anyone.”

My voice probably came out a little lower and firmer than usual.

“Starlight has its own path. Filter out all those places that are just trying to ride on popularity, those that don’t match our caliber.”

Yoon Taesoo nodded, still wearing that inscrutable smile, while Jungyeon seemed a bit tense, visibly swallowing.

“Sort out only the proper ones. Places that truly recognize Starlight’s value and can create a definite synergistic effect for both sides.”

I paused there to catch my breath.

The most important part remained.

“And most importantly.”

I sat up a little straighter on the sofa and looked directly into their eyes.

“We must be able to take the lead. There’s no reason to be dragged along just to show something like that. We need to set the stage, and find partners who can play with us on that stage.”

This wasn’t simple power-tripping or stubbornness.

It was a firm philosophy and a natural sense of responsibility for the world I had created, for the stars I had chosen.

They had to shine perfectly in the best environment, under my control.

I couldn’t tolerate any external impurities mixing in.

“Understood, CEO I will review them again meticulously according to the criteria you’ve mentioned and report back after shortlisting.”

That answer contained the assurance that he had accurately understood my intentions.

“What do you think, Jungyeon-ssi?”

I suddenly turned my gaze to Jungyeon.

I was curious what that bold young lady was thinking.

“Yes? I, I also agree with what you said, CEO! I believe we need to carefully find collaborations that are truly mutually beneficial while protecting Starlight’s unique color.”

Although she was clearly a bit flustered, her way of articulately stating her thoughts remained the same.

It seemed she had grasped my intentions quite quickly.

‘She’s useful.’

“Good. Then proceed that way. There’s no rush. Approach it carefully until you find a proper partner.”

There was nothing more to say.

I signaled the end of the conversation by turning my gaze back to the window.

The sunlight was still dazzling, and the city landscape looked peaceful.

Somewhere down there, my stars would be shining in their respective places.

How to make that light even more intense and beautiful.

The thought occurred to me that rather than hasty external collaborations, perhaps prioritizing the maximization of our internal capabilities in our own way should come first.

But at the same time, the concern of whether it was right to completely block those girls’ opportunities to grow by encountering the wider world also crossed my mind.

I heard the sound of the two people quietly leaving the office.

With a thud, the door closed, and perfect silence returned.

I sank deep into the sofa.

Jungyeon’s expression from a moment ago bothered me.

She would surely want Starlight to advance to a bigger stage.

‘Are my standards too high, causing us to miss opportunities?’

‘…I don’t know.’

Perhaps a partner capable of satisfying my demanding eyes and creating true synergy with Starlight might appear.

If that time comes? I imagined it for a moment.

The sight of my stars harmonizing with other lights to create a new picture.

‘It might not be so bad, after all.’

‘Of course, I’d have to be the one setting that stage too.’

I smiled faintly.

There was no need to be impatient.

There was enough time, and preparations had to be perfect.

The important thing was to ensure my stars could shine brightest on any stage.

That responsibility rested solely with me.

Because I was the beginning of this ‘Zelnaga World.’