Chapter 99: YouTuber’s overseas business trip

“Sacho (President), by any chance, does our Cosmo Live have any plans for business trips for new technology analysis?”

Seo-ah is an extremely meticulous person.

Especially in situations like now, where the target is clear.

Bypassing the rational and logical Youngjun, she directly approached Daon, who had a slightly more careless side.

She even timed it perfectly for when Daon finished his broadcast.

[Hmm? N-new technology… what?]

As expected, Daon was out of it.

[Um… Weren’t we a VTuber company? What new technology all of a sudden…?]

“Actually, I heard that next month, Jina will be presenting a paper in Canada containing incredibly innovative technology related to virtual avatars.”

[Ah?]

“Shouldn’t our Cosmo Live, known as the supernova of the industry, adopt Jina’s new technology faster than anyone else?”

[…Aha. I roughly understand the situation now.]

A knowing “Eheheh-” laugh was tinged in Daon’s voice.

She immediately understood why Seo-ah suddenly brought this up.

[Hmm~ Well, if it’s such new technology, we might need to pay some attention to it~ But you, are you just going there to listen to the presentation? Abandoning your broadcast?]

Since the debut concert, Seo-ah and Winter had been riding a wave of peak popularity.

‘Strike while the iron is hot,’ they say. Going overseas when they should be pushing even harder?

No matter how you look at it, this is a bit critical.

“I’ll shoot a lot of vlogs while I’m there. If circumstances allow, I’ll do a live stream too.”

[…Weren’t you a VTuber? Is there anything to film as a video?]

‘What, are you planning to reveal your red pill (real identity) to the whole neighborhood?’ Daon let out a pik- laugh.

But Seo-ah has a plan.

“Sacho, do you know? Jina is very interested in augmented reality content these days.”

[Augmented… what?]

“She newly developed a technology that converts real people into 3D avatars.”

‘With this, I can shoot vlogs without revealing my bare face.’

‘Also, if it goes well, real-time live broadcasting should be no problem either,’ Seo-ah said with conviction.

[Hmm… Hearing it like this, it seems like we can definitely cover the business trip expenses… But you, surely you don’t have personal motives for this, right?]

“…No, it’s nothing like that.”

Seo-ah, momentarily flustered, swallowed lightly.

Although she’s making a clumsy excuse.

Actually, Daon knows, and Seo-ah knows, that this business trip is to follow Jina.

[Alright, alright~ I’ll discuss it with Jjun, set a schedule, and let you know. Oh! And I’ll talk to Jina-ssi too!]

Therefore, Daon didn’t press further and coolly gave the okay.

Moreover, it’s Jina who’s involved, not just anyone.

Honestly, vlogs, overseas live streams, none of that matters.

If they can secure Jina, whom Nise Live has also started seriously eyeing, even a little more firmly, then the cost of an overseas business trip is not a waste.

[Instead, you have to produce good content, okay? I trust you’ll do well on your own?]

Still, what needs to be done, needs to be done.

Telling Daon not to worry and to trust her, Seo-ah confidently ended the call.

“…”

Only then did Seo-ah realize her face was slightly flushed.

Even though no one was watching, her face felt hot for no reason.

But that too was fleeting; a silly smile spread across her lips.

“With this, the pretext is secured…”

Seo-ah calmed herself for a moment, then called Jina.

A few rings, and the soft voice Seo-ah had imagined echoed in her ear.

[Yes, Winter?]

Her barely calmed heart began to flutter again.

Seo-ah managed a deep breath, then carefully opened her mouth.

“Hello, Jina? Actually…”

---

“I’ve always wanted to arrange a meeting like this.”

A high-end restaurant located in the Myeongdong Sehwa Department Store headquarters.

In a room illuminated by dazzling lights, meticulously prepared dishes began to be placed one by one on the table.

The person explaining the food was a famous chef who once participated in a renowned cooking survival program that shook the world.

His schedule was said to be packed for years; it’s unknown how they managed to book him. It must have cost a lot of money.

“I know Jina is a very busy person, so I couldn’t bring myself to contact you first… but hearing that you made an appointment with Soyul this time, I thought I might be able to make time, so I reached out.”

“Haha…”

Naturally, it was a very uncomfortable setting for Jina.

Honestly, she didn’t really know the taste of the food, and table manners, even less so.

It’s not that it doesn’t taste good, but… still, rather than eating a high-end omakase in such an uncomfortable place, isn’t it much better to just slurp down a bowl of cup noodles alone at home?

Jina genuinely thought so.

‘How did it end up like this…’

Actually, a private meeting with Jung Ki-hoon, the chairman of Sehwa Department Store Group, was not in Jina’s schedule.

She just needed a ‘voice’ to use for Mina and contacted Soyul after a long time.

But then suddenly, Ki-hoon suggested having dinner together if she was free that day.

She didn’t have a particular reason to refuse, so she sat down, but… it’s still an uncomfortable seat.

After all, he’s a person of social standing. She doesn’t quite know how to treat him.

“We’ve seen each other non-face-to-face once or twice, but this is the first time we’re meeting face-to-face, isn’t it?”

Ki-hoon lightly swirled the glass containing red wine and smiled gently.

Jina just nodded vaguely, saying it seemed so, and smiled awkwardly.

In reality, Jina was considerably nervous.

Still, when they met non-face-to-face, Soyul was beside her, so she wasn’t that nervous.

But meeting one-on-one in reality, she definitely felt the weight.

Unlike Jina, who was completely stiff, Ki-hoon leisurely took a sip of wine and spoke.

“And yet, you look familiar, as if I’ve seen you many times.”

It couldn’t be helped.

The avatar Jina uses is directly modeled after Jina herself.

And Mina, the avatar Soyul uses, looks like Jina in her mid-teens.

For Ki-hoon, who saw Soyul’s avatar every day, it was natural that Jina’s appearance felt familiar.

“It’s a bit late, but let me express my gratitude once again. Thanks to the avatar Jina made, our Soyul has brightened up a lot. She even started rehabilitation therapy again.”

Saying he was also grateful she became an older sister Soyul could trust and follow, Ki-hoon conveyed his sincere thanks.

At this, Jina waved her hand with an awkward expression.

“Not at all, Chairman-nim. Rather, I’m more grateful. I gained a lot of research insights while making Soyul’s avatar.”

“Oh, is that so?”

When Ki-hoon asked with an interested expression, Jina nodded with a gentle smile.

“Yes, actually, a paper related to the Mina avatar I made for Soyul is scheduled to be presented at a conference this time.”

“That’s amazing. Congratulations, really. Just like Soyul’s older sister.”

Jina smiled faintly, looking embarrassed.

Rather than pride in her own achievement, the other person’s overly effusive praise actually made her shy.

“Words alone won’t suffice. By any chance, is there anything I can help you with?”

Ki-hoon seemed lost in thought for a moment, then asked with a serious face.

“Thanks to you, our granddaughter was able to spread her wings and fly, so if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to tell me.”

“It’s alright. I’ve already received more than enough for the avatar.”

“Still. If there’s anything else you want, tell me. It’s only natural to give incentives to those who achieve outstanding results.”

Jina hesitated for a moment, then spoke lightly, as if joking.

“Hmm… If you insist, I’m going to present a paper at a conference next month, so providing round-trip plane tickets and hotel accommodation costs would be sufficient.”

At the modest wish, Ki-hoon let out a short laugh.

“Where is the conference being held?”

“It’s in Vancouver, Canada…”

“Would first-class tickets and a hotel suite be alright?”

“Ah, no, Chairman! Just economy class and a decent business hotel standard room are more than enough.”

Feeling burdened by the excessive goodwill, Jina immediately shook her head.

Accepting things like this one by one will eventually lead to indigestion.

Didn’t she end up in the lab like that and suffer under the professor for several years?

Of course, comparing Ki-hoon to that professor is extremely rude, but anyway.

“…Ah, by any chance, would it be okay if I also asked for something for the person going with me?”

Jina suddenly remembered the phone call she received a few days ago and asked cautiously.

Of course, the answer that came back was as expected.

“Do as you please. I’ll give you my secretary’s contact information, so book appropriately and bill the expenses.”

“Thank you, Chairman.”

Ki-hoon raised his wine glass again with a faint smile.

“Ah, right. Soyul has shown a lot of interest in VTubers lately.”

“If it’s VTuber broadcasts, she always used to watch them often…”

“To be precise, I mean she’s very interested in debuting as a VTuber.”

Hoping Jina would help a lot in the future, Ki-hoon smiled gently.

“If Soyul wants it, I’ll help with anything, of course.”

Since sitting in this seat, for the first time, a natural smile appeared on Jina’s face.

The birth of a new VTuber was always a welcome event.