episode_0022

Baek Minji.

For her, reality was like a cold winter.

Because reality was more cold than warm to her. So she built a wall between herself and reality and escaped into the world beyond the screen.

Comics, anime, games, etc. And by sharing them through internet broadcasts, she had gained some fans who liked her in their own way, although not on a large scale.

However, the reality she had ignored was not running away like a slingshot, but pulling the rope further away, and the more she tried to escape, the more painful reality came flying at her.

Her balance was starting to run out.

After dropping out of high school in the first year, she lived on her own as if running away. Despite being fired from part-time jobs repeatedly, she managed to survive thanks to her grateful viewers, but even that had reached its limit. It was then that she discovered the Linne Virtual Project.

So, by the grace of heaven! Perhaps with the help of the even more grateful 100th person, she passed, but there was still a wall remaining.

It’s not all like that, but generally, aren’t YouTubers like me odd people! Why are they all so pretty, tall, and talented like that!

Watching her amazing team members, Baek Minji felt small again. And in that moment, Kwon Seoa reached out her hand.

Honestly, she was quite surprised. Maybe the saying “reality is stranger than fiction” was about this person. Baek Minji thought that her connection with such a beautiful person would only exist beyond the screen. But she reached out and held the hand that was reaching out behind her. Like a back hug?!

“Relax a little.”

She could feel the warmth of the hand. And it even smelled nice! Is this real? Is this what it feels like to have a warm and cozy person by your side, like the earth receiving sunlight from the sun?!

“Don’t be too nervous. I told you before. I won’t bite~ Want to eat something? How about Tabemasho?”

“Uh, okay!”

“And should I stroke your fingers holding the pick more gently than this?”

Jing! Jing!

The sound of an electric guitar filled the music room. Even though it was just a simple chord, for Baek Minji, who was experiencing this for the first time, it was a great stimulus.

“Wow.”

“Got it?”

This situation, this warmth, this scent…

“I won’t forget it even if I die.”

“Right. Good job. Let’s take a break.”

She patted her back as a final gesture of encouragement. Is this empathy?! It’s said that when you become close, you start to have a habit of treating the other person like a child. I wonder if I’ve become a little closer to this person. I hope so. But is it normal for my heart to beat so fast like this?

Maybe the reason I’ve been cold all this time was to meet such a warm sun.

That was too cheesy just now. Let’s just keep it to myself.

***

After teaching her the basic code from the very basics, they took a break. Wasn’t it too difficult for Minji, she worried. But why does she seem to be breathing so heavily?

“Are you in pain somewhere?”

“Ah, no. Maybe it was just too stimulating? I’ll go get some water!”

Not learning the guitar, but. What stimulation?

Ah, I see. She must have felt the taste of her hand.

“Hehe.”

Seeing her quickly realize this, she might easily get sucked into the world of rock. She hurriedly brought me water and even brought my water. After taking a sip and resting for a moment, I asked her.

“What’s your dream, Minji?”

“Huh?”

Maybe that question just now seemed too old-fashioned? But there’s no question that gets to know a person better than this.

“Oh, don’t think too deeply. Just something simple you want to achieve…”

“Um. My dream…”

She hesitated for a moment before answering.

“What. It feels like it happened before. I’m satisfied as long as I can broadcast without struggling with money.”

“Yeah, that’s good too. For me, my dreams have changed a lot. When I was young, my dream was to become a Tyrannosaurus Rex.”

Words I never imagined would come out of my mouth, I ask, spitting out some water.

“Really?!”

“Yeah. When I was in elementary school, I used to think about wanting to be the main character in a comic, movie, novel, or game.”

At that time, children’s dreams were to become doctors, lawyers, etc. It seems like they wrote even more unrealistic dreams with the rebellious spirit of childhood, not their own dreams but their parents’ wishes.

“Oh. I was like that too.”

“Really? Then maybe we had the same dream.”

“…”

Then, a heavy metal song I happened to hear in middle school completely changed my life.

“Until recently, I was the world’s best vocalist.”

“And now?”

“The world’s best vocal YouTuber. And I’m thinking of becoming an emperor as well.”

“Wow! That’s impressive. Such confidence. I always lacked that.”

In my opinion, Minji is undervaluing her talent too much. I should take good care of her talent so it doesn’t go to waste due to lack of confidence. As I take a sip of water during the break, we have various conversations. Suddenly, the topic of social media comes up, and I decide to check it out.

“I haven’t even debuted yet, and I only posted one debut announcement. The response is low… no, there might be none.”

“Is that so?”

[The Sun’s Avatar Laria Teacher is here]

[5 hours ago]

[Likes: 100]

[Comments: 17]

“The response is huge?!”

“Wow?! Really.”

[One Hundred Percent: Looking forward to it! I’ll watch your debut broadcast]

[DeepCheeseDonCass: A disruptor in the YouTuber ecosystem!?]

…

…

Moreover, I see many familiar nicknames of our viewers. Unbelievable. They somehow figured out who I am, what I do, and left comments. I’m so grateful. I should give hearts to all those who left comments.

“Oh? Someone left a comment on my SNS too. Is this the Larceny effect? It’s reassuring. Are they trying to support me as a fan… I’m already receiving the corporate effect.”

“Larceny?”

“Yes. ‘Hako’ means box in Japanese. It means to like something as a whole, as a group.”

“I see…”

The more I listen, the more interesting terms there seem to be. After a short break, we finish the brief guitar lesson.

“It’s hard to remember everything if you learn too much in one day, so let’s stop here today.”

“Yes. This experience that money can’t buy. I’m truly grateful. By the way…”

She takes out her phone and opens Rose Fantasia.

“Hey, want to play a game together… I’ll teach you this time.”

“Should we? Sure. I needed more practice in imitating Rose anyway.”

I sit next to her and open Rose Fantasia.

“But, there’s a character called the Human Rights Character that must be there… It’s been simplified a bit, but the character of the Goddess Rose must be there. Oh, or not? Maybe it’s not necessary for the story. No, but still…”

She seemed hesitant, as if she was unsure whether to include it or not.

“For now, let’s just give it a try.”

“Okay.”

I’ve downloaded everything up to several gigabytes. The tutorial starts with the lines of the Goddess Rose.

“It’s a bit, how should I put it, different from other game goddesses. Rose’s eyes are a bit sexy…”

“That’s true.”

Listening carefully, there’s a hint of a scratchy feeling in her voice.

“Open your eyes. Hero. Wake up quickly! How is it?”

“Oh. Even the scratchy voice! You’re quick to imitate.”

“I mainly use that scratchy voice in heavy metal.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

After the tutorial, you are given 10 free draws.

“I hope Rose comes out here, but the probability is very low. If she doesn’t come out, I have to keep trying until she does. Resemara… But for now, it’s just a practice run.”

Without any pressure, use the 10 summon tickets. With a flash of golden light and a red lightning bolt, five stars appeared.

[(5-star) Goddess – Rose]

-You have successfully summoned me. Good. Let’s get along well.

With crimson wavy hair and a dress-like attire. Even the familiar voice you were practicing until just now.

“She’s here.”

“She actually came out!”

Thanks to that, practicing Rose’s impersonation became much easier. Later, when you returned to the meeting room, Hyobin showed a bit of beatboxing she had been practicing. It was quite good, enough to make your shoulders jump naturally.

“Oh… You’re good at this?”

“Haha. I’ve seen people beatbox while dancing before. I must have unknowingly learned it from there. Minji, how about you? Can you play the guitar?”

She says, clasping her hands together in prayer as if worshiping me.

“Thanks to Rase-sensei’s teachings, I was able to be reborn.”

“Rase-sensei? Well, that’s good.”

She approaches me and briefly exchanges words.

“I envy you. I also want to receive lessons from Seoa.”

“First, Minji’s debut broadcast. Let’s put out the urgent fires first, and I’ll teach you later when I have time.”

“Really?! Yes!”

“But Minji, can you handle one or two musical instruments as well?”

They say you learn a few musical instruments while attending a music school. Of course, I didn’t say that with that in mind, but because I’ve seen videos of her playing the piano on her channel.

“Well, actually. Yes. Hehe. I’m good at playing the piano. I can also play the guitar to some extent.”

“As expected. You’re amazing. Show me later.”

“Okay!”

Then, I quietly approached Goeun, who was standing alone.

“What did you do today, Goeun?”

“I prepared some drawings.”

She shows me various cute characters and serious characters she drew on her tablet.

“Wow! Did you draw all of this in just one day?”

“Yes. I plan to introduce my RP in a short webtoon format during my debut broadcast.”

“You’re not an ordinary person.”

Indeed, experienced people are different. Meanwhile, the manager came over and smiled, encouraging Goeun even more.

“Not only that, Goeun is also good at ASMR. There hasn’t been an ASMR video for boosting YouTubers in the early stages, so it’s reliable already.”

“Oh.”

ASMR. If I were to explain as a shallow knowledge person, it’s making pleasant sounds that are good for the ears and for sleeping, right? I should practice it when I get the chance.

On the way home on the bus after work, I thought. It’s time to post something other than just the debut announcement on SNS. What would be good?

[Laria]

[Preparing a cover song]

This photo looks good.

[Looking forward to the day I meet you all at the Hae-nim Ban, I am preparing a cover song. Please look forward to it!]

But why does posting on SNS feel embarrassing like this? It feels exciting. It’s like replying to children’s letters.

***

A few days later, with the opening of the Laria channel, the cover song was released.

[New Start (original singer: Tier) Cover by. Laria (Raria)]

[1 minute ago]

– I’ve heard this voice a lot before, right?

– Wow, she’s amazing at singing!

– Haha lol

– Isn’t this Kwon Seo-ah?

And within a minute, her identity was revealed.