episode_0015

[Congratulations to Ms. Kwon Seo-ah on passing the final exam. We will inform you of the first day and location of work, as well as the documents and items you need to prepare…]

“Hehe.”

Even though one may know about the ways of the world, I never expected the day I would join a large corporation. It’s regretful to read it just once; I keep seeing it until today, my first day at work, while saving it.

[Position]

[Main Vocal]

Up to that statement. Yes, with these skills, who else but me could take on the role of main vocal.

Lynne’s Virtual Idol Project.

An opportunity like no other. Let’s give it our all without any regrets.

Along with passing the exam, many changes have occurred. The first being a full-length mirror in the room. Even though I could easily check using the bathroom or a hand mirror, I’ve already gotten used to it and it’s not inconvenient. The director gave it to me as a gift for joining the company.

“I could have bought it myself…”

“It wasn’t expensive. I was worried that a gift might seem too small considering you joined a large corporation.”

I spread my hands as wide as the mirror reflecting my full self.

“It’s this big, not small.”

“Haha. Let’s go eat.”

Unlike during the interview, the work hours are more relaxed now, allowing time for everyone to eat together. Perhaps because it’s my first day at work, even the teacher asks multiple questions like a child.

“Did you get your employee ID?!”

“You’ll probably get it if you go today. I sent them my ID photo…”

“Is it really Lynne? Ling or Lim!”

“Hahaha, it’s really Lynne. You saw the photo back then, right?”

“Oh. That photo taken in Lynne District? Show it to me again. Hey.”

I took out my phone and showed them a selfie with the Lynne building in the background.

“Oh my. You look pretty. Wearing a suit really suits you.”

“That’s right. Your face is truly that of a heavenly celebrity.”

But when they see the Lynne building, it seems like everyone is looking at me.

“Come to think of it, Director. Seo-ah said you also checked her fortune. How was it?”

“You checked my fortune…”

Always acting nonchalant, adding a little extra touch. But still, it’s touching that they’re thinking of me.

“How was it?”

“This year, luck is soaring high, like a tiger growing wings. With talent already in hand, now that even the sky is watching over you, who can stop you. That’s what they said.”

“Wow… That’s amazing.”

Of course, fortune-telling should be taken lightly, but it’s acceptable. My music has also upgraded significantly since becoming a woman.

“And~ They also said you’ll have a lot of formal wear.”

At the sudden words, I choked on my food unintentionally.

“Huh? Women have a lot of formal wear? Is that good?”

“It’s a good thing.”

Come to think of it, there were unintentionally many women around me. From cutting hair at the orphanage to band activities, I’ve transitioned beyond formal wear to being a woman. Perhaps that’s also something to consider. A place for the brave.

“You’ll meet many valuable connections, so if you help others a lot, you’ll receive just as much help in return, Seo-ah.”

“Yes, thank you.”

After breakfast, dressed in a suit, I head out from the orphanage. One of the children grabs my leg.

“Seo-ah unnie, it’s not good to be in trouble, right?”

“It’s okay. Director. Just a moment…”

I squat down, aligning our eye levels, patting their back, and say,

“Let’s play together after I come back from work. If you wait until evening, we’ll have even more fun. Got it?”

“Okay. I got it.”

“Oh. And…”

When I glanced at the director, as if telepathically connected, she hands me a gummy bear. Between us, at this point, we understand each other without needing to speak. I unwrap the gummy bear and place it on the palm of my hand. Eating it slowly, feeling relieved, I leave a message wishing her well.

“Alright. I’ll be off.”

“Oh! Gummy bears. Me too.”

Anna appeared. She quickly noticed even the bear jelly antenna and approached. With a muddled pronunciation, she asked as she handed it over.

“But why are you leaving?”

How should I put this? Explaining at eye level seems appropriate. This should do it.

“To become the sunshine that embraces everyone.”

“Oh… that’s hip.”

“When did you learn that term? If we must differentiate, it’s more rock than hip.”

“Ohh… then I want to be sunshine too. Just right. I am sunshine~!”

Anna ran towards the school as if showing off. Other elementary school kids followed behind her.

“Hey, Anna. Wait for me!”

“Then I’ll be back soon.”

“Here.”

The principal handed me bear jelly too.

“This is indispensable when you feel dizzy. Take it just in case.”

“Haha, okay.”

Even after walking quite a distance, when I looked back, the principal and other teachers were still watching me in front of the orphanage entrance. Were they wanting to capture my first day in formal attire?

“Kwon Seo-ah, fighting! Unleash your talents in Linnu to the fullest! Wasting your talent would be a national loss!”

The phrase “national loss” always makes me squirm whenever I hear it. It’s like the epitome of embarrassment. Finally waving goodbye, I headed towards Linnu Street.

***

Linnu Street. In front of Building B. A male employee I had seen during the interview approaches me, waving his hand.

“Welcome, Kwon Seo-ah. Come here.”

“Nice to meet you.”

He hands me a necklace with my picture from before and the inscription:

[Linnu Virtual Metaverse Department/Staff]

[Kwon Seo-ah]

“This is your ID card. Unlike during the interview, from now on, you won’t even be able to enter the company without it. Make sure to bring it when you come to the office.”

“Got it.”

As I wear it around my neck and see the entrance door of Linnu building open with my ID card, I realize it once again. I really passed a major corporation entrance exam, all thanks to one song. Upon arriving at the 2nd floor of Building B, a familiar face greets me.

[Linnu Virtual Metaverse Department/Manager]

[Lee Ye-seul]

“You’re here already? You came early!”

Seemingly working through the night and coming to the office in the morning, or maybe he just slept at the office, he smiles brightly at me. After greetings, he immediately asks about my well-being.

“Did you get enough sleep?”

“Oh, well. I’m quite busy these days. I sleep when I have the luxury to… but more importantly…”

Seeing my ID card, he nods as if moved.

“It’s impressive. The ID card. It feels like one step closer to realizing the dream I’ve been longing for. Let’s do well together! Follow me this way.”

Inside the Virtual Metaverse Department. Neatly organized documents, desks, etc. Nothing special about the company… or is there something different? Various goods like pillows and dolls with cute characters catch my eye.

“What’s this? Goods for YouTubers. If you don’t like such things, you can’t help it. It’s all part of being a fan.”

I really like this department that freely expresses what they love.

“That’s great.”

“Thank you.”

We enter the meeting room and take our seats. The first work hours are at 10 a.m., but I arrived at 9:20 a.m., and there’s no one else inside except me.

“Would you like some coffee?”

“No, thank you.”

“Alright. Please wait a moment. Every time new employees arrive, we will bring them here…”

“Including me, there are a total of five people, right?”

“Yes.”

Who will come? I secretly hope for applicants 96 and 99. Especially 96, with whom I exchanged various conversations and received a lot of help even after the interview.

Knock knock!

Not long after, the meeting room door opens, and a familiar face enters. It’s applicant 96, Hyobin. As our eyes meet, she smiles brightly, perhaps sharing the same feelings as me.

“As expected! I knew you’d be here.”

“Welcome.”

“Huh? We’re acquainted?”

“We got to know each other during the interview.”

“Oh, I see. That’s great. Seo-ah, your singing speaks for itself. Your personality and your unmatched natural charm have impressed us, so we’ve decided to hire you. Hyobin, your dancing skills, clear broadcasting abilities, and expertise in the virtual industry have also led us to choose you.”

“Thank you. You won’t regret it!”

Hyobin grabbed the manager’s hand, vigorously shaking it with a firm handshake before taking a seat. What on earth is ‘natural charm’? Well, it sounds like a compliment, so let’s move on.

“Coffee or water…”

“It’s okay! I brought a separate protein drink for myself. I’ll have that.”

“Alright then. I’ll go check if the other candidate has arrived.”

Meanwhile, Hyobin, upon seeing me, flashed a smile and proudly waved her employee ID hanging around her neck.

[Lynne Virtual Metaverse Department/Staff]

[Cha Hyobin]

“A big corporation, huh.”

“Do you really like it that much? I mean, I kept looking at it because I couldn’t believe it.”

We chatted for a while as we waited.

“Have you had breakfast?”

“Yeah, just something light with the kids.”

“Taking care of kids at the daycare must be tough work. Doing that every day…”

“It is, but it’s also rewarding in its own way.”

“That’s some serious ‘natural charm’ you’ve got there.”

“Haha. Did you bring something to eat?”

“Well, I always have my usual tough chicken breast and this protein drink…”

Through our conversation, I learned that she puts in tremendous effort to maintain her toned physique. It seems managing broadcasting and physical fitness isn’t easy, but she’s incredibly diligent and someone to look up to. That probably played a role in her being selected.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

A little later, footsteps were heard outside the meeting room.

“Who could that be now?”

“What? I can’t hear anything.”

Upon listening more closely, it seemed like we could hear voices from outside.

“Is that… a limited edition merchandise? How did you get it? It was chaos worldwide, and I couldn’t even grab a 1-second cut…”

“I got it within that 1 second.”

It was the YouTuber merchandise we saw earlier. Seems like it held significant value. The meeting room door opened, and along with the manager, Baek Minji, the 99th applicant, arrived.

[Lynne Virtual Metaverse Department/Staff]

[Baek Minji]

“Uh… Hello?”

She greeted us with closed eyes, then looked at us after a moment and relaxed into a more comfortable expression.

“Oh? It’s everyone we met during the interview…”

“Yes, by chance, three of us were selected—numbers 96, 99, and 100.”

“Well, having selected all of us, it does seem quite interesting. Isn’t it?”

“Indeed, both of you had exceptional talents… I secretly thought so. I didn’t expect to be chosen myself. It’s all thanks to Applicant 100 for helping me. Thank you.”

“Your abilities, Minji, are what got you selected.”

Not just empty words; to have such talent at twenty. What was I doing at twenty? Probably just busking with unwavering confidence. The manager seemed to acknowledge this and nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. It’s your broadcasting skills… and your general behavior that got you hired. You read well the message about respecting tastes on social media.”

“Oh! Even that embarrassing midnight mood post… Thank you! I will be a loyal jester for Lynne for the rest of my life.”

“Don’t feel too burdened. It’s not that big of a deal.”

With that, the manager left to fetch others.

96, 99, 100.

Meeting on the same battlefield as if reuniting with comrades-in-arms brought a sense of joy. But more importantly, this person’s hair looks messy again today.

“Shall I tidy up your hair for you?”

“Ah, thank you for agreeing… I tried my best, but it didn’t turn out well.”

“That could happen.”

***

Currently with 30,000 subscribers on Kakabi, Shin Soonsu, a 24-year-old who recently graduated from college, runs a Utaite channel. Upon receiving her final acceptance letter, she felt both happy and puzzled.

[Position]

[Sub Vocal]

Being assigned as a sub vocal was a somewhat strange experience for her, who had always been the main vocalist.

Still, I think of myself as someone who won’t kneel anywhere, including as a YouTuber and Utaite. There have been many offers for me to be a main vocalist in the past corporate events.

Who could have surpassed me, Kakabi, and become the main vocalist? Wait. This feels like being trapped in an inferiority complex, like the rival second-in-command position. Just pure curiosity.

If there’s something to learn, then learn it. If there’s something I can teach, then teach it. They say music reflects one’s life. What kind of life will that main vocalist reveal?

Just before leaving the studio, she plugged in her wireless earphones and picked up her phone. What song would be fitting for her first day at work? Alright, let’s go with this one.

[New Start (Original Singer: Tier)]

[Around 11 million views.]

Kwon Seoa, I’ve been a huge fan since your Scarlett days. It feels great to see you shine now. First day at work, a new start. Couldn’t be more perfect. Let’s go while listening to this.

After receiving her ID card and arriving on the 2nd floor of Building B, she was greeted by Lee Yesul, whom she had seen during the last interview, with a bright smile.

“Welcome~.”

“Hello! Excuse me, has the main vocalist arrived?”

“Oh. Yes!”

“Oh… I wonder who that might be.”

“But even a sub vocal is still a sub vocal…”

Her words seemed to comfort herself. Does she think I’m upset about being a sub vocal? Not at all.

“There were so many talented people. Being a sub vocal is also amazing. I sincerely thank you for giving me this opportunity. I’ll make sure to repay it with good performance.”

“Yes. Do your best from now on.”

And they entered the meeting room.

A woman with orange hair caught her eye. Am I seeing things? She blinked several times, continuously looking at Kwon Seoa. Yet, she couldn’t believe it.

It’s understandable, considering her favorite singer is now doing YouTube with her.

“Is this real?”