Chapter 8: Verification of skills (1)

The somewhat horrible day passed, and the next day.

At the CEO’s summons, I visited the company with Jiah.

“Want to sing anything you’re confident in?”

The reason was to test my skills.

You might wonder why I’d sing when I’m going to be streaming, but it’s a strictly necessary process.

If this were the early days of virtual broadcasting, it might be different.

But now, starting from cover songs targeting a similar audience, to even original songs….

The current VTuber has, in effect, inherited the mantle of Utaite, reaching a comparable level.

(TL Note: Utaite are Japanese amateur singers who cover songs and post them online, often on Nico Nico Douga or YouTube.)

Music has become an inseparable part of being a VTuber.

No need to look far….

Even Lunavis itself is equipped with a well-stocked recording studio.

So, even if I’m not at the level of a professional musician… I still have to sing.

…No, well.

It’s not like I don’t want to do it, or I’m trying to pick a fight, but….

“…Usually, don’t you do this earlier?”

“…Keuheum.”

“All the broadcasting equipment and the soundproof booth are already installed in my house, and you’re doing this now?”

‘Shouldn’t this have been done much earlier…?’

‘No, what’s the point of putting in the equipment first?’

‘Even if you decided to pass me, shouldn’t there be at least a minimal verification?’

‘If I turn out to be unqualified after all this… wouldn’t that be the biggest rip-off ever?’

“Um, I was in such a hurry. I wasn’t thinking straight either.”

“No, even so, still…”

“Just listen first. I’m saying this because I’m genuinely frustrated.”

…As I thought this, I looked at the CEO with a frosty gaze.

The CEO began her desperate excuse.

“Since there were 3 members in the 1st generation, I was determined to have 4 in the 2nd generation, you see?”

“Uh… yes.”

“Whether it’s getting investment or anything else, you have to show that you’re developing, right? Huh?”

“…”

“But, there were no suitable people, and if someone seemed okay, they had personality issues… I thought I was going crazy.”

Ah, um. So that’s how it was.

‘But, why is that my problem?’

‘What does that have to do with me?’

“Um, please don’t take out your interview hysteria on me.”

“Hey, you… Hooo.”

At my unchanging stance, the CEO seemed even more annoyed.

I heard recently that the 1st generation…

Meaning, the seniors, had been giving her a hard time in various ways.

‘Well… did she need an outlet? Should I listen to her complaints later or something….’

“…So, what are you going to do?”

“No Ceiling. Is that okay?”

“Huh? Really?”

Deciding to repay today’s rudeness with filial piety in the future.

When I told the CEO the song title as we returned to the main topic….

Suddenly, the CEO’s eyes widened.

“You know it? Quite a lot of people don’t know this one.”

“No, I know it, but… you’re going to do that?”

“It’s okay to do it, right? I’m going in.”

…Somehow, I felt like it would be troublesome if I got caught.

So, I fled into the recording studio as if escaping… and gently warmed up my throat.

“…Ah, ah. Mm-hmm.”

‘…It’s been quite a while since I last sang.’

‘Will it turn out okay?’

Siyeon, after saying her piece, slipped into the recording studio.

Kang Yoora, who had been staring blankly after her, was somewhat bewildered.

‘…She’s really going to do it?’

No Ceiling.

A song that most people who listen to foreign hip-hop would know.

Its characteristics were the heavy beat in the low-to-mid-range opening…

And the mid-section with a tempo so fast it was insane, even spawning a challenge at one point.

Therefore, a question arose.

Even though Kang Yoora herself had discovered a fragment of Siyeon’s talent and snatched her up immediately.

Siyeon, who was just an ordinary person with no music career to speak of….

“Jiah.”

“…Yes?”

“Is Siyeon… a good singer? Or just a rapper?”

Thus, unable to contain her curiosity.

She casually posed the question to the only person who might know….

“…I don’t know?”

“Huh?”

“Siyeon… even when we went to karaoke… she didn’t really sing much.”

…The answer that came back was truly unhelpful.

– I’m ready. Please play the music.

“…Alright.”

‘…Right. What’s the point of worrying here?’

‘The person herself is here. I’ll know when I hear it.’

And so, Kang Yoora….

Half worried, half expectant, carefully pressed the play button….

– Step, in the game─

…And soon after, she was utterly astonished.