Chapter 93 Part 1: Pre-preparation

Cover song.

Since it wasn’t a matter I could decide on alone, I needed expert consultation.

I’m quite involved in this area, aren’t I?

[Cover song, you say?]

“Yeah, I was wondering if it’s okay to sing it now.”

Who is that expert, you ask?

Of course, it’s Sion.

Honestly, I didn’t think revealing my real identity would be a big blow to me.

I just hate the hassle.

However, it’s a different story for them.

Even if they avoided a legal battle and had their contract terminated, who knows what else might happen.

What if public opinion turns bad again?

You might think I’m making a fuss over nothing, but humans are like that.

I didn’t want to take unnecessary risks either.

They’re the ones with the problem right now, aren’t they?

The person who knows the current situation in Japan best is Sion.

[Hmm, honestly, I don’t think it would matter much.]

“Really?”

[Yeah, you’ve sung many cover songs too.]

Thanks to groups pushed by large agencies, people often misunderstand, but originally, idols mostly start with cover songs.

It’s not like they’re a large agency overflowing with money; there’s no way an ordinary agency would have the resources to produce a song for an unproven rookie group, right?

It’s much more profitable to spend that time making a song for a somewhat proven veteran group.

In that respect, even though he was an unknown composer, our company, which gave us a song from our very first debut, was a special case.

‘Come to think of it, that person is famous now too, right?’

I suddenly remembered the composer who wrote our debut song.

Despite being Korean, he was pushed out of the competition in Korea and was active in Japan.

Since we were also aiming for the popular Korean-style idol image, it was a perfect song for us.

Thanks to that, we signed a contract immediately and made it our debut song.

I heard that he’s active in Korea again now.

They said he rose to fame a few years ago after writing a song for a famous K-pop idol.

…Come to think of it, Sehee too, and looking at it this way, everyone I’m connected to is succeeding in the entertainment industry.

What is this, am I a good luck totem?

Am I taking all my luck and giving it to those around me?

[So, you don’t need to worry about us unnecessarily.]

“Really?”

[Yeah, the company has a lot of accumulated issues, you see.]

I heard that the company has so many accumulated issues that even if my real identity is revealed, things won’t turn unfavorable.

In the first place, it’s not something that would cause controversy anyway.

Now that public opinion about me has mostly turned positive, wouldn’t there be more people supporting me even if it did break?

For now, it’s safe to say that worries about official matters have disappeared.

Then, all I need to do is send a message saying I’ll participate.

[And, you like singing, don’t you.]

“·····That’s true.”

They say that even if a person dislikes something at first, they become sincere if they keep doing it.

Well, the entertainment industry is still a bit uncomfortable, but…

[Well, even if you’re a little nervous, don’t worry and just sing.]

“···How did you know?”

[What, it’s obvious what you’re thinking.]

“Ahaha·····.”

At Sion’s words that hit the mark, I unknowingly trailed off my sentence.

Because I actually was a little worried.

Thoughts like, can I sing well now.

[Don’t think strange thoughts.]

No matter how badly it goes, I’ll listen to your song until the end.

“Really now···, don’t make promises you can’t keep, okay?”

Huh?

I don’t even listen to my own songs much.

Well, still, if it’s Sion, he’ll probably really keep that promise.

He’s never lied to me about things like this.

“····I think this every time, but thank you.”

Thanks to that, my burden eased somewhat.

[What’s with this between us?]

Then buy me a meal later or something.

“Yes, yes, just tell me what you want to eat.”

If it’s something I can do, I’ll do anything.

After ending the long call with Sion, I sent a message to the CEO again.

[Can I participate in the content?]

Right, huh?

Come to think of it, this is like a pumpkin rolling in with the vine.

Isn’t it a waste to just let it go like this?

[Yes, then I’ll send you the Discord link.]

Thinking that, I sent the message, and a few hours later.

A reply of acceptance came back.

“·····Should I go to a karaoke room for the first time in a while?”

Come to think of it, I think my song was there too.

It might not be a bad idea to visit to practice my singing in advance.

---

To get straight to the point, participation was, of course, possible.

‘It was, a bit, to the point of being burdensome·····.’

[Thank you for allowing me.]

[Eh?!]

Ah, ah, no!

Um, it’s actually an honor for me!

She was being so overly humble that I was rather flustered.

My goodness, what’s with making people feel so burdened.

…Well, come to think of it, maybe it’s understandable?

No matter how much I’ve transitioned to being a streamer now, my past life was an idol.

And in terms of skill alone, I’m at the peak in Japan.

If it were me, I’d probably have the same reaction if Japan’s top singer asked to sing with me, so it’s actually stranger not to be nervous.

Personally, I’d prefer to be seen as a streamer, not a celebrity.

Well, anyway.

“Wow.”

For that reason, I headed to Seoul again after a long time for a meeting related to the cover song.

A large MCN, Morae Company.

It was an agency located in the huge building I saw before my eyes.

I did wonder if it was okay for me, who belongs to Dot, to come to a place like this.

But, well, MCNs aren’t competitors with each other anyway.

It’s not like there’s an underlying power struggle between agencies like in the entertainment industry, and in most cases, people don’t feel a strong sense of belonging to an MCN anyway.

In the first place, even if they have an agency, each streamer is classified as an individual business owner, right?

It has to be different from celebrities who are in the freelance category.

Anyway, enough rambling.

I quickly moved my steps into the building.

They said the 4th and 5th floors of this building are entirely Morae Company, right?

Seeing the scale, which was on a different level from our company building, I felt somewhat strange.

Rather than jealousy, it’s more like, curiosity?

It seems closer to that.

Perhaps it’s because, unlike us, who are practically a social club classroom, this side is a real, bona fide agency.

“So····· this is the meeting room, right?”

After going up one more floor, I finally succeeded in finding the meeting room.

A room surrounded by glass, like you often see in dramas.

Oh, this looks exactly like our company.

The difference, perhaps, is the size.

Naturally, this place was much bigger.

“·····Now, if I just get past here, it’s real.”

It was the same when I sent the Discord message, but it was unavoidable that I felt nervous again.

I heard that the leader of this cover song expedition is the Switch streamer, Sogeumbbang (Salt Bread).

They said it’s a cover song being uploaded to commemorate her 8th debut anniversary.

It was the moment I steeled my resolve and was about to open the door and enter.

“—Oh, by any chance···· um, aren’t you a celebrity?”

“Yes?”

At the voice coming from behind her, Ren quickly turned her head.

Then, what came into view was the owner of a height so short that she had to look down.

“Uh····· Hello?”

This time too, since it was a voice I felt I had heard somewhere, I bowed my head first.

Hmm, this one I heard quite recently.

Who was it.

While I was deep in thought like that, she kindly told me the answer.

“Ah, I’m Jangbiso!”

“Ah···!”

Jangbiso.

The person I first met in the Mafia game as a terrorist and mayor.

“Ah, hello, Mayor-nim.”

“Yes?”

Ah···.

Hey, it’s not a game right now, what are you doing?

Come to think of it, has she started selling her merchandise yet?

I can’t not offer a word of blessing for this, can I?

“Um, your merchandise is pretty.”

I have one at home too.

“Ahaha····· I haven’t released it yet.”

“Ah.”

A moment of silence.

Ren quickly changed the subject.

“Um, are you participating in the cover song?”

“Ah, yes!”

I also received an offer·····.

Fortunately, the breakthrough I desperately found worked properly.

Certainly, seeing what she does, she seemed to have a talent for voice acting.

Listening to the few cover songs uploaded on YourTube, I could also tell that she sings well.

“Um, shall we go in?”

“Ah, yes!”

Soon, the two of them opened the door and entered together.

“Wow, it’s been a while, Unnie!”

“What were you talking about outside that you’re only coming in now?”

Then, the silhouettes visible beyond the glass window greeted us.

A voice I had heard beforehand through Discord.

It was Sogeumbbang, the organizer of this cover song project.

“Wow··· You’re even prettier in person.”

“Ahaha····· Thank you.”

Since it was a pure compliment on her appearance, she accepted it happily.

It’s been a while since I met people, so I put on proper makeup, and it’s definitely rewarding to have dressed up.

“Then, almost everyone is here now, right?”

“Ah, Roa isn’t here yet.”

“I’m going crazy.”

This b*stard.

“Hey hey, there’s someone we’re meeting for the first time, what are you doing swearing!”

“Ah ah, right!!”

I’m sorry!

Then, the streamer quickly apologized to me.

Her way of speaking is a bit rough.

“Ah, it’s okay.”

Still, well, it’s not like I live without swearing either.

Since I use words like ‘b*stard’ sufficiently, there wasn’t much to worry about.

“I’m here!”

“Do you want to die, really—!!”

“I’m sorry!!”

Anyway, after the last member arrived like that.

“Then, before we start the meeting, I’ll explain the plan once more.”

Sogeumbbang stood up from her seat and walked towards the end of the table.

Deureureuk-! (Sound of something sliding)

“So, this project is·····”

Soon after, with a whiteboard that appeared from somewhere, the full-scale project briefing began.