NOVEL WEB Chapter 23
After somehow managing to buy coffee for my older sister Seo-ha, we could finally part ways.
She offered to drive me home, but since it was just a short subway ride away, I declined and returned home alone.
On the surface, Seo-ha didn’t seem to mind much, but I could sense a hint of disappointment in her bittersweet smile as she made her way home.
“Woo-yu, Dad’s home.”
“Meow.”
As usual, when I returned home, Woo-yu, who had been sitting perched on the cat tower, greeted me.
It was rare for him to come to the entrance, but I figured he was just in a good mood today as I headed to my room and flopped down on the bed.
Thud.
“Sigh…”
As the tension released, a sigh escaped me almost instinctively.
In a sense, spending time one-on-one with Seo-ha felt even more exhausting than a meeting at the company. She kept glancing at me from across the table, showing those playful eye smiles, which made it so hard for me to hold on.
Is this what it feels like to have a distance from fans? I guess I’ll need some time to adjust.
Whirring.
Anyway, there were things to do, so I immediately turned on my computer and changed into comfortable clothes.
There was about an hour left until the broadcast started.
I just needed to roughly jot down what I wanted to say for today’s broadcast and then I could jump right in. Until then, maybe a bit of web surfing wouldn’t hurt.
“Looking for YouTube editors…”
As I was about to chill my dizzy head by watching a couple of short YouTube videos, I casually read the notice from a channel I had subscribed to.
Now that I think about it, during today’s meeting the deputy manager mentioned opening a YouTube channel too. Should I jump into this as well?
I’m not particularly good at assigning tasks to people, and above all, I’ve thought my broadcasts lack excitement, so I had been putting it off until now.
No, putting it off might not be the right term; I had just firmly decided not to do it.
But now that I think about it, I’m not sure I need to be so scared. It’s not like I won’t eat if I get a little worm in my dish; if it fails, I can just give up early.
Right, whether it turns out to be a flop or a hit, let’s just dive in.
“…Ah.”
Having cleared my thoughts, I was contemplating sending in a call for editors today when something abruptly crossed my mind.
Come to think of it, that guy did say something about this earlier. Should I ask, just for the heck of it?
【Me – Hey】
【Me – Heeeyyyyy】
【Me – What are you up to?】
I entered the chat window with ‘Park Jae-seong’ written on it and banged out a series of messages.
The person on the other end was none other than my only friend and childhood buddy, who had been stuck with me since third grade. He was the one who suggested I start streaming, so in a way, he was like my benefactor.
Anyway, why isn’t this guy checking his messages? It’s already been ten minutes. Is he really asleep at this hour?
【Park Jae-seong – What?】
【Park Jae-seong – I’m busy playing League of Legends, damn it】
It was exactly twelve minutes later that I finally got a reply.
His response sounded as though common decency had been thrown out the window, and I almost felt my blood pressure rising, but hearing a plausible reason quickly calmed me down.
What can you do, League is understandable.
But why is he replying when he’s playing? He usually ignores everyone unless it’s his girlfriend; he doesn’t even budge for his parents.
【Me – Did you die? How are you replying while playing?】
【Park Jae-seong – It’s over, idiot】
【Me – Ah.】
No wonder. I’m such a fool for believing that piece of garbage would take time to respond while playing.
Anyway, now that the game is over, it should be easier to ask.
【Me – Can we have a quick call?】
【Me – I wanna ask about what you mentioned before.】
【Park Jae-seong – Sure】
Both of us are not the type to be too fond of typing, so it didn’t take long before our conversation moved from chat to a call.
As soon as I pressed the call button, within a second I was hearing his voice, deep and heavy.
– What do you want to ask?
Skipping the formalities of greetings, the guy jumped straight into the subject, and I sighed before speaking up.
“Didn’t you say you know a video editor?”
– Oh, I do. Why? Are you looking for an editor? Weren’t you saying you wouldn’t do YouTube?
“Well, actually…”
Although I had turned him down multiple times when he asked, bringing up how I was now thinking of starting YouTube might sound a bit ridiculous, so I started to ramble about the conversation I had today with the deputy manager.
But rather than any response, I was met with silence on the other end until finally, the guy just muttered a “Hmm.”
– You idiot, you should’ve listened to me when I told you to do it. Your streaming style is perfect for YouTube, you know?
“How can I trust the words of someone who isn’t even a pro? Back then, the average viewers were lower than now.”
– No, not just me… Ugh, forget about it, I shouldn’t have even brought it up.
Hearing him mumble in frustration made me feel a bit guilty, but I quickly steered the conversation back to the editor.
“Anyway, I wanted to ask if the editor you mentioned is still looking for a job.”
– Not yet. To be precise, they were fired about two months ago.
“Why?”
– The boss there didn’t even pay them properly. They worked for three months and then quit recently because they were busy reporting to the labor office.
“What a scumbag.”
Seriously, if you’re going to exploit someone, at least give them the basic respect. Even I, who has never exploited anyone, know that. Why are there so many heartless people in the world… tch.
“So is that person good at their job? I’m a bit worried because it’s my first time hiring an editor.”
– Shouldn’t be bad! They handled some outsourced work from a company recently.
“Is that so?”
Outsourcing work from a company is no easy feat. I’ve heard that jobs working directly with businesses pay way better than YouTube editing, meaning the competition is fierce.
So if they’re capable enough for a company to outsource to them, they should have some decent skills.
And to think, this capable person is currently unemployed? Now that’s enticing.
“Then please introduce me to that person. But you gotta buy me lunch.”
– Whoa, will you treat me to beef?
“If you confirm the introduction, it won’t be a problem.”
The moment an opportunity to get a free meal arose, he jumped at it like a hyena.
Though my recent finances are decent, and I don’t have too many expenses, I could afford a beef meal and nodded without hesitation.
I heard some typing on the other end, then Park Jae-seong’s voice came through.
– Just asked, and they said they’re free anytime this week. When do you want to meet?
“You already asked? You’re really quick with your work.”
– If I’m getting a free beef meal, I’d better be quick with it.
He answered in a teasing tone, but I could tell he was hurrying to set this up since I was on edge. It was appreciated.
Alright, let’s get a schedule set up. I took a moment to check my phone calendar.
Hmm, since my schedule is pretty open, it’d be best to meet up and talk as soon as possible.
“How about we meet up soon as a trio? You can buy lunch then.”
– Wow, seems like your wallet is feeling pretty full lately, wanting to treat two people at once?
Realizing I had offered to cover two meals surprised him.
I’m not one to brag about money, but in this case, I decided to lean into the humor and casually shrugged, speaking a little more arrogantly.
“It’s all thanks to the chairman.”
– Chairman?
“There’s someone like that.”
It’s not technically a chairman but a viewer; however, I thought it wouldn’t sound as fun if I said it that way, so I spoke before quickly fixing my words.
“Anyway, let’s aim for lunch soon, and I’ll send you the exact location and schedule once it’s fixed.”
– Sure, I’ll let them know.
“Them?”
Just when I was about to end the call, I felt a strange closeness in how Park Jae-seong referred to that editor, piquing my curiosity.
Who on earth is it? A family member?
“Hey, just to be sure, what’s the relationship like between you and that editor?”
– What kind of relationship? It’s Yoo Na-yeon, didn’t I mention that?
“…What? Na-yeon?”
Did I mishear the name?
Na-yeon, is that the Yoo Na-yeon I know? The same Yoo Na-yeon who had been constantly teasing me since middle school while dating Park Jae-seong?
It suddenly clicked, and I slapped my forehead in realization.
Oh damn, that jerk wasn’t helping me out but was just finding a job for his girlfriend. My enthusiasm to treat them to a nice meal evaporated in an instant.
So that’s why he contacted them immediately and seemed well-versed in their personal life. It had to be the Yoo Na-yeon I’d seen all too much.
And now it hit me; I’d have to watch this couple flaunting their love in front of me.
What a miserable life.
I should just call it quits on YouTube right now.