Chapter 94 Part 2: Pre-preparation

A combined 3 million subscribers.

Contrary to that status, the atmosphere of the meeting itself was light.

Since it’s a cover song that doesn’t even generate profit, there’s nothing to be too serious about.

“So, this cover song is·····.”

I sat quietly in my chair and listened to the rest of the explanation.

The song we were covering this time was a Japanese Vocaloid song.

As 10 people were participating, the length of the song was also very long.

The tempo was fast, and it was a song that proceeded in the format of a musical.

We were the characters that the protagonist, Sogeumbbang, meets on her journey.

In each act, we would sing with her.

“Then, since there might be people hearing the song for the first time, I’ll play the original song once.”

Sogeumbbang glanced at me as she said that.

Well, she probably thought that since I’m a celebrity, I wouldn’t listen to this kind of thing, right?

‘I watch a few things too, you know.’

Things that people would commonly call ‘inssa-pick’ (popular among insiders/mainstream).

So, famous ones like One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach, I had seen them in my previous life.

…Of course, this one falls into the category of songs I haven’t heard.

[A very long time ago—]

The song began with a melody that would evoke a fantasy world.

‘·····But was this even possible to translate into Korean?’

Now that they say this song will be sung in Korean, I just can’t imagine it.

Indeed, there must be many talented people in the world.

To think there’s someone who can change this so naturally.

Alright, I’ve heard all the explanations about the song.

The next thing to do is one.

“Then, we just need to distribute the parts now, right?”

“Ah, yes!!”

The most fundamental part of a song, and the part that causes the most twists and turns.

It’s part distribution.

---

Famous streamer, Sogeumbbang.

She recalled a memory from the past.

It was a few weeks ago.

To commemorate her 8th streamer debut anniversary, she pushed forward with a cover song project.

Everything was prepared.

The people to make the animation, and even the permission of those involved.

Just one thing was missing: people.

All her acquaintances who sang well were already participating in the project.

And yet, there was still one vocal spot vacant.

‘So, do you happen to know anyone around you who sings well?’

We really just need one more person.

‘Uh··· Come to think of it, there is one person who sings incredibly well.’

Eventually, she asked those around her to introduce her to some talent.

And so, Jisu introduced her to one streamer from Dot.

‘Right, it was good up to that point. But…’

The problem began with the identity of the newly joined member.

‘That b*stard really·····!!’

If by some miracle she could go back to the past, she would stop her past self and immediately smack Jisu on the head.

‘No, the more I think about it, the more absurd it is, isn’t it?’

I thought he’d call a streamer who sings reasonably well, like Baekro, but what kind of b*stard calls a celebrity?

And when I pointed that out, what?

It’s safe because she’s a Vtuber?

What the hell is that, you otaku.

Jisu could clearly picture him snickering in his house even now.

Right, huh?

In his own way, since it was a meaningful anniversary, he probably sent her over with the intention of doing well.

‘….But what am I supposed to do, it’s so f*cking burdensome.’

Since she herself had once been a crazy fan of idols, she knew well about the singing skills of talented celebrities.

Moreover, she wasn’t just an ordinary idol, but undeniably at the pinnacle of Japan in terms of skill alone.

There was no need to doubt that skill.

Look at her even now.

“·········.”

Aren’t the other streamers also strangely nervous?

Huh?

I asked for support troops, and you drop some kind of disruptive element?

‘I’m going to kill Gu Jisu.’

While Sogeumbbang was inwardly sharpening her knives towards Gu Jisu.

“Excuse me·····”

“Ah, yes?”

Cheongha, who was slowly looking over the sheet music.

So, the celebrity spoke to her.

“Um, is the 8th act part available?”

“Ah, the 8th act?”

The 8th act.

The part where the story of the protagonist girl leaving on a journey and meeting the queen of a magical kingdom was turned into music.

As it was a part that showcased the queen’s dignity and the kingdom’s charm, it was no exaggeration to say it was the most vocally demanding part of this song.

“Oh, you picked a good one.”

“···Right?”

At Sogeumbbang’s words, Ren nodded.

There was a separate reason why she chose this part.

‘Here, right before this, the song is cut once by a narration.’

There are many high notes, and many parts that dominate the entire song, so the difficulty is high, but it also means it’s a part that can grab the listener’s attention all at once.

“Alright, anyone who wants to do the 8th act?”

Raise your hand.

Then, since I’ve submitted my application, it’s time to check the competitors.

Ren looked around at the other streamers.

Since it’s a part with high visibility, I thought at least one person would apply.

“··········.”

Surprisingly, no one showed any interest.

‘This makes me feel a bit strange.’

Well, I said this, but I roughly guessed the reason.

This is why I didn’t want to reveal my real identity.

Isn’t there that kind of thing?

Why, people are unnecessarily cautious around celebrities.

Even if I tell them in advance to treat me comfortably as a fellow broadcaster, human psychology doesn’t work that easily.

Huh?

We all swear and are ordinary people too.

Sometimes when I see that, I feel lonely.

Perhaps that’s one of the reasons why celebrities are always seeing psychiatrists.

Especially for me, my appearance probably played a part.

I don’t want to admit it, but even among acquaintances, many say my usual expression is scary.

How much more so for people I’m meeting for the first time today.

“But what if our desired parts overlap?”

If there’s no need to compete, that’s great for me, but aren’t there many other good parts besides this one?

Even during my idol days, part distribution was a sensitive issue.

Depending on whether you got a part, your contribution to the song or the frequency of being caught on camera varied astronomically.

Even if it’s a cover song with no profit, I think it would be the same.

“Well···· In that case, we’d have to have a singing battle or something.”

“···Yes?”

I thought something like rock-paper-scissors would come up, but a surprisingly serious solution emerged.

“We just come to an agreement like that.”

Everyone wants the final product to turn out well, it’s the same.

“Ah···.”

“Of course, if it’s bothersome, we usually settle it with rock-paper-scissors or a game bet after streaming.”

“Ah, that sounds fun in its own way.”

Deciding parts with a game.

This, as a gamer, I can’t resist, can I?

If we proceed, the viewership might also be unexpectedly high.

“Um, Cheongha?”

“Ah, yes?”

While lost in such slightly materialistic thoughts, I turned my head at the voice coming from right beside me.

“Um, this might be rude to ask on our first meeting, but····.”

“Yes?”

Rude content, what on earth could it be for her to say this?

As I looked at her with a slightly anxious face, the female streamer opened her mouth with a trembling voice.

“Um···· How much Korean can you speak?”

“····Ha?”

What is this all of a sudden?

Then what, was what I’ve been speaking until now an alien language?

As I looked at the other person with a slightly dumbfounded feeling, an answer immediately came back from her.

“Ah, it’s not that···· It’s just that being good at Korean and singing in Korean are two different things····.”

“Ah, really?”

At that one word, Ren’s face lit up.

Well, that’s true.

If a foreigner were to sing a high-note part that even Koreans find difficult, it would be natural to worry first.

Besides, look at that expression!

Isn’t she strangely hoping to verify my skills!

‘Right, huh?’

I’m not that scary of a person, you know?

Feeling like she was being seen as just a person, not a celebrity, Ren’s mood instantly brightened.

“Then, I’m in the mood.”

Shall we sing a song together?

“···Eueh?”

Undeterred by the flustered streamer’s expression, Ren continued the conversation.

‘The people here, they all sing well, don’t they?’

Just because someone is a streamer doesn’t mean they have to sing well, but at least those participating in a large project like this are proven in terms of skill.

Personally, I think they wouldn’t necessarily fall behind even when compared to most singers.

Isn’t this an opportunity to hear it directly!

Honestly, from the perspective of a former internet broadcasting fan, I wanted to hear these people’s songs more than the songs of famous singers who come and go.

I’ve already encountered singers to the point of being sick of them in my current life, so my expectations for that side have relatively dropped, which also played a part.

Huh?

Even if we follow the same route, I sing better, so what is there to expect from that side?

Rather than the songs of so-so colleagues, listening to the songs of people I like, even if they’re a little worse, is a hundred, a thousand times better.

“How about it?”

I’d like to hear your song once.

And it was the same for them.

“Oh, sounds good.”

“Let’s try it once.”

“Waaah!”

Fight~!

At Ren’s words, cheers immediately erupted from those around.

If a singing battle began, it meant they could hear a real idol’s song directly.

Although their countries were different, the fact that they could hear a celebrity’s song directly made them feel expectant as well.

“Is there a microphone here by any chance?”

Strike while the iron is hot.

Honestly, this company is big too, so isn’t it reasonable to have at least one microphone?

Thinking that, I casually looked for a microphone, and Sogeumbbang’s quick reply came back immediately.

“Ah, it’s probably in the party room on the 5th floor.”

“Oho.”

There’s even a party room here?

I could feel anew that this place was on a different level from our company.

“Eh, eh?!”

And so, upon moving to the 5th floor, the place Sogeumbbang had mentioned came into view.

To be precise, it’s more similar to the karaoke room I went to last time than a party room.

As long as we just sing, the room didn’t matter much.

“Then, shall we try singing once?”

“····Eh?”

“Here, grab a mic.”

There are two here.

“···Yes?!”

Alright, let’s give it a try.

“Then, what song should we do?”

“Ah, how about Moth Fly?”

“Oh, that’s good.”

And so, the chosen song was an anime opening.

I listened to this a lot in my previous life.

This will be fun.

“Then, let’s start.”

Simultaneously, the karaoke room’s unique MR began.

“Eh?”

O-oh!

The streamer, still dazed and dragged along, let out a final scream.