episode_0035

“Now that we have subscribers and ads coming in! We’ve also outsourced the emoticons, so they should be ready by tomorrow.”

Partner streamers.

Referring to streamers who have signed contracts with platforms and receive various benefits. Just like good benefits, not just anyone can sign a contract. There are certain criteria that need to be met, such as a certain scale.

“So, all five of us passed the criteria?”

“That’s right, Laria. How can we not clap for that?”

Clap clap clap~!

“Let’s clap even louder!”

The growing applause mixed with laughter. It’s truly fortunate that the results have followed our hard work in preparing for our debut. There have been many cases where things didn’t go as smoothly.

“Let us worship Lassen. Hail to the sun!”

“Why are you suddenly worshipping me?”

“But we have no choice but to worship you. You’ve been giving us constant support. Your influence is probably the greatest.”

“Just because I give support doesn’t mean you all succeed. I know I’m repeating myself, but your hard work is what’s paying off.”

“Ah, Sku is right. Laria is right too. I must say, I’ve done a great job in cultivating such a talented palette, don’t you think?”

In line with the self-promotion era, the manager appeals to himself.

“That’s right. The manager is the most amazing.”

It’s not just empty words, he really has worked incredibly hard, to the point where he could easily be the 6th member. He has watched over our broadcasts, giving us feedback on every little detail.

“Worship. Yesri… Manager.”

“The manager is a god~!”

“Thank you all. It may seem like flattery, but praise is always welcome. Now, let’s move on to the next topic…”

Flipping the screen, the manager reveals two large headings.

[Two Biggest Changes After Becoming Partner Streamers]

[Subscriptions]

[Rubies]

Subscriptions are well-known, but what about rubies? It sounds familiar, but not quite. Let’s start with subscriptions.

“Have you ever experienced a subscription, Goeun? I was a partner streamer in my past life.”

“Yes. Subscriptions are really important for viewers and broadcasters. It shows how many months you’ve subscribed for. Sometimes viewers even give subscription gifts…”

I remember watching another YouTuber’s broadcast as part of my research, and someone said the opposite of pickpocketing is putting money in your pocket, and I received a subscription as a gift. That’s how I ended up watching that broadcast regularly.

“If you react well to subscriptions, you can attract more people to subscribe even if they weren’t planning to.”

“That’s true. But don’t feel too pressured about reactions. Don’t let the tail wag the dog. Take your time to think about it.”

Subscription reactions? Like kisses or hugs? No. But since you’re getting paid, let’s think of something different from the usual reactions.

“Next, rubies! When you become a partner streamer, you gain a new currency called rubies. It doesn’t have cash value, but it accumulates based on the time viewers watch your broadcast. If they subscribe, the accumulation speed increases.”

I see.

So that’s what the red gems and numbers at the bottom of the chat window mean when watching partner streamers. People would bet on whether rubies could be used for gambling or not.

“Is that what you’re talking about?”

“Yes, Laria has already experienced it once. So the story should progress quickly.”

Through rubies, you can’t convert them into cash or equivalent currency, but they can be used for reactions like blowing kisses or greetings, among other things.

“Let’s think together about what we can create using rubies. Usually, there are options like handwritten letters or throwing items… and so on.”

“That’s great. We were already grateful for your support, but we were wondering how those viewers could participate. Rubies seem to be the answer.”

“Anyway, we need to understand Laria’s feelings.”

“Worship…”

“It’s okay. You don’t have to do it anymore. It’s embarrassing.”

“Hmm…”

So, she was doing it because she wanted to.

“Relax.”

“Haha. Worship.”

“Let’s stop talking about being partner streamers here. Let’s talk about future broadcasts…”

Flipping one more page, a familiar topic somehow appeared.

[Radio broadcasts.]

If it was just an ordinary radio broadcast, they wouldn’t have included this topic, right? What’s different about it?

“But, out of the blue, how many of you have tried using a radio here? Not the radio function on your phone. I mean really putting in a tape and… turning it with a pencil in the tape hole…”

Everyone tilted their heads. No one? I have. This makes it awkward to raise my hand.

“Am I the only one?! Laria, you believed in me.”

“I have…”

“As expected. We’ll go together for a lifetime.”

But listening to them, it seems like the boss has a different taste, right? I’ve only tried it once. Oh well. Let’s just keep quiet.

“I haven’t used a radio, but I have used an LP! Back in college.”

“Oh, LPs are great. Oh, get a grip on yourself. What kind of nonsense are you saying to make the kids feel worse…”

The topic shifted back to radio broadcasts.

“Exactly. I mean just the voice coming out. We haven’t been able to do it due to the revolving door, but from now on, we can.”

But as a rookie broadcaster, it feels like this to me. Just the voice being outputted, why do it and why listen to it? There are famous songs associated with video and radio.

“Well… it seems like there’s no merit in it at first glance.”

“Isn’t that so? But YouTubers are a bit different, only the voice comes out. That’s why you can broadcast more widely.”

“Yes, unnie. For example, in my case, I do exercise radio broadcasts or shower radio broadcasts~ Hehe.”

She emphasized her point with wide eyes.

“After the broadcast, you can get feedback in a more informal way… and you can communicate more closely. For example, I once couldn’t adapt to living alone in the basement and was scared, so I turned on the radio and tried to sleep.”

I see. Listening to Minji’s words, I get the idea.

“After playing with the kids at the playground, it’s like whispering at bedtime, right?”

“Yes. If used well, it can be a powerful weapon. Unlike the three of us who have some experience, Laria and Yuu have no experience. Let’s try it a few times under my lead.”

[Future broadcasts]

[No revolving door]

[No time limit for broadcasts]

[Free topic (but no face cam yet)]

“Try various things. You’ll get caught up in one thing after another. Of course, within the limits that don’t cause social issues. I don’t need to say this, right? Any questions so far?”

I raised my hand.

“I’m thinking of doing a cooking broadcast around lunchtime tomorrow. Is that okay? Just filming hands…”

“Yes, it’s too early for a face cam, but a hand cam is fine. How about the studio inside the company?”

“That’s fine. There’s a cooking room at the daycare center.”

“Great.”

“Wait. Laria, raise both hands.”

“Huh? Why?”

I raised both hands, showing the backs and palms alternately, sparkling.

Since I’m with the kids, hygiene is always a top priority.

Even when I was a man, I didn’t do nail care even when the situation called for it. Besides the hygiene issue, the main reason was that when the kids saw me doing it, they all wanted to do it too, causing chaos.

“Your hands are so pretty that it’s hard to believe you handle instruments. Girl power. You pass.”

“… I didn’t just want to show my hands, you know?”

Hyobin chuckled as if she had hit the nail on the head. And the conversation moved on to a joint broadcast.

[Internal team joint broadcasts are freely allowed. External team joint broadcasts are to be decided after discussion]

“Only Sku and Geummi have experience with external collaborations, as mentioned earlier, let’s gradually familiarize ourselves with internal collaborations as well.”

Sku, who had met several VTubers as the VR dance team leader. Geummi, who had done several collaborations as a former corporate leader. But our Hamtchi also has past experiences, although judging by the fact that they don’t talk about it, they might not have any. Let’s not ask. Anyway, the person I will collaborate with first is pure.

“Pure. Nowadays, with the comfort of the metaroom, we don’t have to meet up for collaborations, right?”

“Yes, you know it well.”

“We shouldn’t neglect learning.”

“But metaroom collaborations… sometimes uncontrollable situations arise, so I hope you can just come to my studio… Is that possible?”

You had a personal studio? That’s amazing. As a musician, I can’t miss out on that.

“Then when can I come visit your studio?”

“Yay! My fangirl heart is successful.”

Apart from collaborating with Pure on singing and learning Japanese, everyone else will finish their own schedules and then collaborate with Minji and Guitar, and Hyobin is still undecided. I also want to collaborate with Goeun.

“Goeun. Can we collaborate together and you can teach me a bit about ASMR? It looked interesting when I watched it. I want to try.”

The expressionless Goeun.

It’s always difficult to read her emotions. Is she feeling bad?

“Is it difficult because it’s a trade secret? Then I’ll teach you my trade secret of composing music.”

“No, it’s okay. Let’s collaborate. But I find real-life collaborations difficult… so let’s do it through metaroom.”

“Okay.”

And so, the first regular meeting came to an end. So, is it internal collaborations with Cookbang and the team members that await us? We’ll also try doing radio broadcasts in between. We have to move quickly.

“Is work over for today, Chief?”

“Yes. You all worked hard. I saw you all planning to go shopping for clothes after this? Let’s all go together.”

“But Goeun hasn’t given an answer yet…”

Four out of five of us will go, leaving one behind. This situation could be misunderstood by anyone. So, I approached Goeun, smiling warmly like taking care of a child.

“Let’s go together. It’s embarrassing for me to say this, but seeing me try on different clothes might help you when drawing.”

“Wow! Seoa unnie, what’s this? It’s not a wrong statement…! That statement. You should use it in the broadcast.”

“…Hmm. Anyway, Goeun, would you like to come with us too?”

“Yes. I’ll go with you.”

Thank goodness. Now, as we prepare to go to the clothing store, the Chief points at me with his finger.

“Would you like to come with us?”

“No. It would be uncomfortable if you joined us while we’re having fun.”

“Then, thank you for your hard work today…”

“Ask me one more time.”

“…Would you like to come with us?”

“I can’t help it. Well, okay, haha.”

“But we’re done with the meeting and work for today, Chief. Are you sure it’s okay for you to leave in the middle of work?”

“It’s lunchtime, so it’s okay.”

Already? If you planned this from the beginning… you must have been thinking about leaving from the start.

***

On the way to the clothing store.

Thanks to the Chief joining us, we were able to go more comfortably in the Chief’s car.

“Unnie, did you shave your armpits?”

Hyobin always asks questions out of the blue. Since I’m wearing a sleeveless top today, it’s a reasonable question to ask. But why does it feel like there’s a hidden agenda behind her question?

“Yeah.”

To be exact, I hadn’t checked since becoming a woman. It was slightly pinkish and smooth. Right now, it’s hot so I’ve taken off my suit and am wearing just a white short-sleeved t-shirt underneath. Suddenly, I raised my arm to check, and for some reason, it felt like I had fallen for Hyobin’s trap.

“Wow. Laria unnie’s armpits are crazy.”

“I-I just wanted to show you my armpits!?”