episode_0018

Broadcast duration approximately one month.

During this time, quite a lot has been achieved. Around 500 average viewers. Channel subscribers are roughly around 50,000 as of today. The scale of the broadcast is also on the rise. Just like Camomile, it’s understandable why people question why I would abandon this to become a YouTuber.

However, I’ve set my mind on being a YouTuber enough to let this go, especially since Linne offered radical support. I know all too well how much money is needed to make music. Even though I made a decent amount from personal broadcasts, it’s far from enough.

I always enjoy high risk, high return.

One thing, I’m sorry to the newly emerged fans.

[Broadcast Title: This is Kwon Seo-ah… Major Announcement.]

“Phew…”

Truth be told, ever since receiving the final acceptance message, I expected a day like this and roughly decided on the broadcast title, but I can’t seem to press the start button.

Subjectively, it seems that the final broadcast is more challenging than the first one. No, if I find it difficult, viewers will find it even more challenging. If I try to seek comfort in needing to be consoled, it won’t do. Let’s be strong-minded and decisively tie up loose ends.

As the broadcast begins, viewers flocked in almost instantly, drawn by the title. My broadcast, which usually maintained around 500 viewers, now had over 1,000 viewers today.

-Seoha

-Seoha

-SH

-Hello

“Yes, hello everyone. Il-Dang-Baek-nim, welcome. Deep Cheese Cutlet-nim, welcome…”

Now that the audience has grown, although they said not to greet each one individually to avoid straining their throats, these kind people deserve gratitude that cannot be easily given up. Even though my throat was sturdy when I was a man, it seems to have turned into steel level when I’m a woman, taking care of babies in the morning and broadcasting in the evening without a hitch. It’s quite astonishing.

-Major Announcement ㅠㅠ

-Seoa, you’ve worked hard

Even though no one has mentioned it yet, chats speculating about it are popping up. Probably because I mentioned going to the Linne audition before and the recent news of passing the final round just came out.

“I mentioned going to the audition before. I passed the final round.”

I asked the manager in advance if I should keep this fact a secret, but he said that talking about it would attract attention and create hype, so I was encouraged to speak openly.

-Wow

-As expected

-Great, Seoa

“So… yes. From now on, I will be a Linne virtual streamer for my broadcasts.”

-Wow

-Haha, Linne has grown a lot haha Seoa, you’ve been scouted

-They say being a YouTuber is trending these days

-The rookie monster is coming

-A disruptor in the YouTuber ecosystem

[Il-Dang-Baek donated 10,000 won!]

[I’ll miss the cam broadcasts ㅠㅠ]

“Il-Dang-Baek-nim and others have donated a lot. I apologize for transitioning from cam to YouTuber…”

-Why apologize for that haha

-Actually, it’s great

-I’ll definitely watch your YouTuber broadcasts

-It’s not sudden; you announced it a month ago

[Il-Dang-Baek donated 100,000 won!]

“I’m… overwhelmed. Donating 100,000 won consecutively… No, it’s okay, you don’t have to! I should be giving instead.”

I’ve reminded myself many times. I shouldn’t falter.

“Let’s stay strong and make this last broadcast worthwhile.”

-Let’s go

-Yes!!!

The main sequence of the final broadcast went like this. To remember each viewer’s nickname, I read them out, and viewers left notes on what they enjoyed about my broadcasts on a rolling paper.

“Thank you. My heart is full. Have I ever received this much attention from so many people before… It’s probably the first time. This feeling. I will always cherish it and not lose my original intentions.”

-ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

-Don’t cry, Seoa.

-Sob

-It’s sad…

“Hey, why aren’t you crying?!”

-Hahaha

-Oh, what? You’re not crying?

-You should cry here haha

-Indeed, Kwon Seoa, a former heavy metal vocalist.

“My personality prefers laughter over tears…”

Still, as the broadcast nears its end and I prepare to sing a farewell song, tears seem to well up slightly.

-ㅠㅠ

-It’s really so sad

-Seoa, you must be happy even after leaving Rinnu.

“She sings so well… At this rate, she’ll succeed wherever she goes for real.”

“For some reason, this song sounds even sadder today.”

And thus, I concluded this final broadcast. My slightly tear-stained reflection on the monitor, eyes reddened. Has my sensitivity increased a bit since becoming a woman? It’s a bit embarrassing.

[@Scarlet]

While I’ve tidied up most channels, there’s still one left.

The band’s official SNS account that I failed to clean up before disbanding.

Various memories intertwined with it come flooding back.

[Would you like to deactivate your account?]

“…”

[Account deactivated.]

Why do my eyes feel itchy like this? I should go to the bathroom for a moment.

“Seoa, you’ve worked hard.”

“Director? Up so late and not sleeping…”

“I watched your broadcast.”

The director approached me and gently wiped the corners of my eyes.

“I’ll continue to support your new broadcasts in the future.”

“Thank you.”

I thought I’d come back splendidly after a cool breakup, but it seems that parting never gets easier no matter how many times you do it.

***

The next morning, inside the department meeting room.

As I arrive at work, the department head checks on my condition.

“I watched the broadcast yesterday. How are you feeling? Are you okay?”

“Yes.”

It’s clear that I was a bit teary. But why does the department head’s eyes also seem slightly bloodshot? When our eyes meet, they seem to understand my feelings and respond.

“I watched Seoa’s late-night broadcast yesterday, tried to hold back tears, but ended up crying during the last song.”

“Haha…”

Soon after, Hyobin also arrived at the meeting room. Like the department head, her eyes were bloodshot.

“Hello, everyone.”

A cheerful greeting, almost as if trying to hide something. Then, she looks at the department head and chuckles.

“Why are you crying, Director?”

“I got emotional listening to Seoa’s song.”

“Me too. I said I wouldn’t cry during my broadcast, but I did. Embarrassing.”

Though time has passed, we can all empathize as people who shared the final broadcast together. Holding back tears is not easy.

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Seoa, you too!”

Continuing on, Sunsoo and Goeun also arrive for work.

“Seoa, your song was so touching… I was sadder than when I closed my channel…”

“That shouldn’t happen, right?”

“Hehehe. The channel, well, we’ll meet again under a new name.”

“Well, that makes sense.”

And Goeun, more than us, experienced this final broadcast earlier. The company went bankrupt.

“You must have had a tough time too.”

“It’s okay. I’ve gotten used to it now.”

“Really? They say you never get used to goodbyes. You seem more mature than me.”

“…”

Finally, just one minute before 9 o’clock, Minji entered the meeting room. Just as she was yesterday, wearing the same clothes, hair unstyled, strands sticking out here and there, and puffy eyes.

“Oh…”

“Are you okay?!”

Without saying a word, everyone understood it was because of yesterday’s final broadcast.

“You broadcasted until four in the morning, right? You’ve worked hard.”

“I kept saying I needed to finish it… But did the director see everything?”

“Yes. He cherished every moment.”

“That’s quite touching. What shall we do today…?”

Minji, perhaps feeling embarrassed about her swollen eyes or simply unaccustomed to receiving attention in real life, desperately changed the subject. But she felt like she needed to wash up before doing anything else. As if reading her mind, the team leader informed her of the shower facilities.

“Eh, eh?”

“Have you had breakfast?”

Minji nervously shook her head, wondering if she was being overly cautious.

“Then you should grab something to eat from the break room. Hurry up and wash. You can use the supplies there as you please.”

“R-Really, wash up?”

“Yes. Since everyone will be busy with finalizing this morning’s broadcast, I thought we could take it easy.”

Minji nodded slightly. Her hair, so to speak, resembled a dog’s fur. It would be good to manage it right after cutting it.

“Team leader, may I go with her?”

“Yes. Others too… um, let’s reconvene in 20 minutes.”

“Oh. If it’s because of me…”

“No, hurry back.”

Certainly, a good company is different. There’s a shower room next to the restroom, equipped with a hairdryer and mirror. After a while, Minji, who had finished showering, came out to join them.

“All done? Have a seat here.”

“May I dry my hair myself?”

Minji sat down, and the team leader turned on the hairdryer. Hair like hers requires careful attention when drying. After a while, she combed through Minji’s neatly dried hair.

“Thank you. I always feel like I’m only receiving help.”

“It’s because I enjoy helping.”

“You’re really… like a mom.”

People usually say that, right? She chuckled at the word that suited her.

Upon returning to the meeting room, the smell of ramen filled the air.

It seemed Sunsoo had been waiting for breakfast to arrive.

“Welcome back. I can smell shampoo. Care for a bite?”

“I had breakfast already. Minji, what would you like to eat?”

“I’ll have the cola-flavored ramen.”

“Alright. Sit down.”

“I-I can make it myself!”

“Oh, right. My bad. At the orphanage, hot meals were always handled by others… I’ve gotten used to it. Sorry if I upset you.”

“No, it was fine!”

“Oh. I should have eaten a bit later. Then Seoa would have made it.”

“Shall I pour you a canned drink from here?”

“Oh, sure.”

The team leader, observing us, spoke approvingly.

“You two seem to be getting along well. Looks nice.”

“There’s something about Seoa that makes people feel comfortable.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

And so, at 9:20 AM,

our second day of debut preparations began.

“Alright, let’s start by logging into our SNS accounts. I’ll guide you.”

[@Raria]

Is this the account I’ll be managing from now on? I’ve always used SNS for promotional purposes, but what should I post in the future?

“Are you wondering what to post? We won’t restrict you much. As long as you don’t use harsh language or say mean things, feel free to share your daily life in line with RP. If you’re unsure about something, feel free to ask me anytime. For now, let’s start with an introduction and silhouette picture. Please announce your debut!”

Debut announcement. This too must be done in line with RP.

[Linu Virtual Idol Project – Palette]

“The Sun Goddess, Raria, will soon be visiting.”

I posted the silhouette illustration and introduction text.

“Is this okay?”

“You’re doing great. Good job. Did the others do the same?”

After carefully checking each one, the team leader returned to the center.

“Great. Please handle the SNS accounts well from now on. If any issues arise during management, let me know immediately. Don’t hesitate to ask about anything confusing! Got it. Don’t be shy.”

She continued to outline the tasks ahead.

“I’m going to make a cover song. All five of us. They said we’ll receive remarkable support. To do that, starting today, you will also receive vocal training.”

“Oh…”

“It’s my first time focusing on learning to sing in my life. I’m excited! If I take vocal training, is it possible for me to become like Seoa unnie?”

“That might be difficult, right?”

“Even if I resemble her just a third, it would be great.”

“Geniuses put in effort too, but there are also many cases where they are born that way. Right, my idol, my sun, my light, Seoa-nim?”

Sunsu calls out awkwardly. But if that leads to developing defeatist thoughts already, it could be troublesome.

“Well, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try hard. Let’s all work diligently together.”

“Okay.”

“And I’d like to recommend a cover song. First, Seoa-nim…”

My cover song? I wonder what it is?

“Let’s go with a fresh start for Tier Band, the Kwon Seoa version!”