Chapter 97: Utaite Lucy, Part 3

“It’s unsettling.”

Hayoon didn’t usually pay attention to news about Millennials and Gen Z.

She had no corporate experience, and her social circle hadn’t expanded beyond high school.

She hadn’t encountered the stereotypical irresponsible youth often portrayed in the media – the ones who’d skip work to travel and get fired, or the ones who’d hook up in the movie theater where they worked and get caught.

So, she dismissed such news as typical generational griping. But.

[I’ll go. Send me the location.]

“Isn’t it rude to send an email with no body?”

Lucy’s email baffled her.

They weren’t close, and Hayoon had sent a polite, lengthy email proposing a contract.

Formal emails, regardless of their content, usually included pleasantries.

She was taken aback by the curt reply.

“Ha, ha.”

She was honestly a bit offended.

“But her lack of… social awareness could be an advantage for a Vtuber.”

As CEO, she assessed Lucy’s potential.

Sometimes, being clueless could be an asset in the Vtuber world.

A certain level of immaturity could be a refreshing change in the increasingly older online streaming landscape.

“If she’s naive, she’s less likely to be influenced by strange ideologies…”

Or was it the opposite? Would she be easily swayed, requiring constant monitoring? It was hard to tell, but Hayoon doubted Lucy held any problematic views that could negatively impact her Vtuber career.

“I’ll create a ‘failing student’ RP for her. It suits her.”

Lucy, in Hayoon’s mind, became a somewhat pathetic figure. Perhaps hurt by the curt email, or perhaps baffled by its unprofessionalism, Hayoon decided on a persona for Lucy.

“I’m in Yongsan District, Seoul…”

Sighing, she replied to Lucy.

[I’ll come to you. What day works for you?]

-Any day is fine, but not weekdays. It takes a while to get to Seoul.

A quick reply, as if Lucy had been waiting.

“Seriously? So only weekends? That’s not ‘any day’…!”

Hayoon, already annoyed with Lucy, nitpicked her reply. She took a deep breath, composing herself, and typed a response.

“Then let’s meet at a cafe near Seodaemun Station on the last weekend of November.

This is a potential contract meeting, so if you’re a minor, it would be best to bring a parent.”

tap, tap, tap

She sent the email. Two minutes later.

[I’ll handle that. I’ll contact you.]

“Haaaa!”

Hayoon received another infuriatingly short reply.

“Another curt response!”

Lately, Hayoon had been exchanging emails with sound engineers, sound booth companies, and merchandise manufacturers.

“Ugh… why am I so stressed? I’m not an old lady.”

Lucy’s impersonal emails were giving her a headache. She massaged her temples, feeling both annoyed and confused by her own reaction.

She decided to send Lucy her Bluebird handle, hoping direct messages would be less frustrating.

Hayoon and Do Jin-ho would handle the meeting with Lucy.

Hong Seo-hyun didn’t know Lucy’s real identity, Choi Arin disliked these kinds of meetings, and Do Jin-ho, as an adult, was the perfect representative for the company.

“Senior, am I an old lady?”

Hayoon asked Do Jin-ho as they waited at the agreed-upon cafe.

“Huh? You? Why?”

“Just look at how she talks to me. It’s infuriating.”

“Hmm…”

Do Jin-ho, after seeing the emails and DMs exchanged with Lucy, hesitated, then said,

“Those emails are annoying. Why use email if you’re not going to write anything?”

“Exactly!”

Hayoon was glad he agreed. Do Jin-ho was twenty now, and she was his CEO, not just a high school junior. He was being professional, validating her frustration.

“But don’t be too hard on her. In the Vtuber world, being a bit… different… can be an asset. Being ordinary is a curse.”

“That’s true. That’s why I decided to meet her. She has potential.”

“Yeah, she might be a bit frustrating, but she’ll be a cash cow for the company, so we can deal with it.”

He wasn’t just agreeing blindly.

If Hayoon became too hostile towards Lucy, it might affect the negotiations. He offered measured agreement, subtly restraining Hayoon’s annoyance. Hayoon, realizing this, changed the subject.

“Have you contacted the writer I recommended?”

“They said they’re busy and need the character designs by February.”

“February… we might have to hold auditions in December.”

They moved on to discussing business, planning for 2022 and the second generation’s debut in December.

“If we sign Lucy, that’s two members. We can probably find the rest through auditions. I was thinking about ‘headhunting,’ but…”

“Too much risk of backlash?”

“Yeah…”

They had decided against headhunting other agencies’ Vtubers. It was too risky and better suited for a larger, more established company.

‘It’s too risky with just Hong Seo-hyun senior…’

It was a gamble, relying solely on Hong Seo-hyun and the Scarlet channel, and the potential backlash if it failed… It was better to hold auditions, generate buzz, and establish BGG Company’s presence.

“What should the criteria be?”

Hayoon continued the discussion while waiting for Lucy.

“We need something unique. Hong Seo-hyun has Japanese and music. Lucy’s character is a tomboy, her voice is boyish, and she also speaks Japanese.”

“Chinese… doesn’t seem promising… should we just find someone busty and train them for half-cam streams?”

“That could work. Someone who’s comfortable with that kind of content.”

While Vtubers rarely used facecams, being attractive and busty was always a plus. A pretty face generated buzz even if their real identity was revealed, and a large chest was perfect for occasional “half-cam” content.

“Let’s also check their background, and if we sign Lucy, avoid tomboyish concepts.”

“That’s better. We don’t want overlapping personalities or voices.”

They continued discussing the audition criteria for the second generation.

-ding-a-ling-

A girl with short, brown hair and tanned skin entered the cafe.