NOVEL WEB Chapter 12
[Blue Art Studio, Who Are They?]
[Unbelievable aim, but not an aimbot?]
Choi Seon-ha, Jin Se-yeon, and Hanam Mi were staring blankly at an article that had surfaced on the internet.
Just as Karin had said, it really was a genuine article.
“Is… is this real?”
“Wow! Boss! Isn’t this huge!?”
“Relax.”
Seon-ha let out a small laugh and spoke to Se-yeon.
“Definitely huge. I never thought our company’s name would make it into an article.”
“Uh… but you don’t seem as thrilled as I thought you’d be?”
“No, I really am happy.”
It’s true.
In reality, Seon-ha was internally screaming and flailing around far more than Se-yeon.
She was just pretending to be calm by crossing her arms and acting mature.
“Hey, our Han Mi, you’re already a star before even making your debut.”
“Uh… uh…”
And Hanam Mi had gone into a state of shock.
She had never imagined her story would make it into the news.
‘Really? Me?’
Just before her mind overloaded with a jumble of thoughts, Seon-ha spoke.
“Well, how about we ride this wave and get things rolling quickly?”
“Yes, yes?”
“Of course, from now on, you’ll be an active VTuber. But we’ll need a name and an avatar, right?”
“Ah.”
Indeed… She hadn’t thought about the important aspects of an activity name and avatar despite thinking it would be simple.
“If you have any ideas for the name, let me know. As for the avatar…”
Seon-ha and Se-yeon stared intently at Hanam Mi.
Seon-ha and Se-yeon prioritized avatars that closely resembled their owner’s image.
Thus, while gazing at Hanam Mi, ideas came to mind which they expressed directly.
“Pretty cute.”
“She’s cute.”
“Isn’t it perfect just with her face 2D-ified?”
She would need an appearance that was just right.
Both of them were speaking their first thoughts after looking at Hanam Mi’s face.
“Hold on, this is the third member of Blue Art 1st phase. We can’t rush it.”
“Hmm… what about changing the hair color and species? Oh, a mermaid might not be bad?”
“We already have two mermaids.”
A rabbit mermaid Inaring and a dog mermaid Karin.
Their respective signature colors are blue and red.
Adding one more mermaid would feel a bit…
“What do you think, Han Mi?”
“Uh…?”
Hanam Mi then spoke.
“I’d like something bright and cheerful.”
This was also a resolution for Hanam Mi to start fresh.
Accidentally becoming a woman and even signing up as a VTuber with her favorite Oshi in the same agency.
Since things turned out like this, it was time to fix her introverted nature.
Hanam Mi desired to be like Inaring and become brighter.
Then suddenly, Se-yeon jumped up!
“I’ve got it!”
“Ah!”
“Just a moment.”
Se-yeon quickly grabbed an A4 sheet and started drawing furiously with a ballpoint pen.
“Se-yeon made the avatar prototypes for Inaring and Karin.”
“Aha.”
No wonder her drawing skills were extraordinary. It makes sense that one needs such ability to be a manager.
And after about five minutes…
“I’m finished.”
“Ah.”
“Wow…”
The adorable avatar was complete.
A girl with long hair, wearing a headset.
Her eyes are emblazoned with a computer power icon.
Her attire has a slightly futuristic vibe.
“The concept is an Android! The symbolic color is still to be painted, but it’s light purple! What do you think?”
Seon-ha immediately extended a thumb in approval, and Hanam Mi nodded repeatedly.
It was satisfying in every way.
—
After all the discussions, they returned home.
Incidentally, the boss had given her a ride.
“Since avatar production will take some time, think about the activity name till then.”
“Yes.”
Listening to this again made her realize she had truly become a VTuber.
No, she was about to start activities as a VTuber.
‘To think I’m in the same agency as Inaring…’
Upon actual reflection, it was hard to believe.
Who would’ve thought I’d end up working as a VTuber?
I had assumed I would just keep watching Inaring forever.
‘Even exchanged contacts…’
My contact list, which previously held only family members, now had four more additions.
The boss, manager, Inaring, and Karin.
A grand total of eight!
Hanam Mi had set an unprecedented record in her history.
She couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.
But where there’s a good thing, there’s often a less-than-ideal situation.
-Gulp.
Hanam Mi stood nervously at the door of her house.
It was currently 7 PM.
Based on the time, there was a high probability that her father would be in the living room watching TV.
Slightly nervous.
Though he hadn’t been overly strict with me after the incident, I always felt uneasy around him.
Perhaps my conscience was pricking me quite harshly.
She quietly opened the door.
Click.
Upon opening the door, all she could hear was the sound of the TV.
And what she saw first was her father seated solemnly, watching the TV.
He’s here, as expected…
“Uh… uh?”
And then, in the next moment, her father’s eyes met hers.
At that moment, her father’s eyes began to widen slowly as he stared at me.
I involuntarily opened my mouth in a trembling voice.
“I… I’m home.”
“…”
And in that moment, her father began rubbing his eyes as if realizing he was seeing something incorrectly.
As if questioning whether what he saw was real.
Feeling curious at this, her father questioned.
“Han Mi?”
“Yes, yes.”
“Did you go out?”
“Y-yes…”
Then from the kitchen, mother came out while preparing dinner and said.
“Oh, our Han Mi, did you enjoy yourself with your friend?”
“Yes.”
As I answered—
Right at that moment,
“Hoo!”
Her father’s eyes widened even more.
The wrinkles on his face made him appear almost angry.
However, mother chuckled, waving her hands and said,
“My goodness, dear, are you really that surprised Han Mi made friends?”
I was shocked by this statement.
Ah, he wasn’t angry but shocked…
Honestly, I thought he was angry. But to be surprised at me making a friend?
It’s the first time I’ve ever seen such a reaction.
The father I knew was always calm, solemn, serious, and never easily surprised by trivial matters.
But that father being shocked about me making a friend was…
“Han Mi.”
“Yes?”
“So, where did you go with your friend?”
“Um… I just had some food.”
“Ah, I see.”
And the father who had earlier shown such a shocked expression, instantly shifted back to his usual calm demeanor.
There was a hint of a smile on his mouth, as if satisfied.
‘He seems in a good mood.’
Then, shall I take advantage of this good atmosphere and bring it up now?
It’s better to inform my parents in advance, since I’ll be broadcasting soon.
I opened my mouth again toward father.
“Father.”
“Hmm…?”
“I’ve found a job.”
“Hoo!?”
“Mother…”
My statement caused my father to freeze with the same shocked expression as before, while my mother dropped the spatula she had in her hand.
The situation became silent.
Only the sound of the TV played quietly in the background.
Father, with a shocked expression, questioned.
“Is it true?”
“Yes? Yes, yes.”
“How did that happen?”
“While meeting a friend… they offered me a job… something related to internet broadcasting…”
“Internet broadcasting?”
Father stared at me curiously.
I continued.
“Yes. It’s a broadcasting job through a company…”
“Hmm…”
Father reverted to his calm expression.
After some thought, he signalled me to sit on the sofa by tapping it.
I sat beside the sofa as instructed.
Father spoke.
“Han Mi.”
“Yes.”
“Did you sign a contract?”
“Yes? Yes…”
I involuntarily stuttered with tension.
Father looked straight at me and continued,
“Do you have the contract with you?”
“Yes.”
I handed over the contract neatly folded in my pocket.
Father took it silently and began reviewing it.
After some time, he nodded with apparent satisfaction and spoke to me.
“Broadcasting… broadcasting… alright, do your best.”
“Yes?”
I looked blankly at my father.
Does that mean he is allowing it?
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
“Alright, rest well as you must be tired.”
“Yes…”
Father’s words ended there.
I expected further instructions, but…
Curiously sneaking glances at father, I entered my room.
It’s different from what I anticipated.
He allowed it rather unexpectedly.
Hum…
No need to overthink it. Good is good.
…
…
…
…
…
Han Mi gone, the living room.
With a satisfied smile, Hanam Mi’s mother, Mrs. Yoon, spoke.
“Who would’ve thought our daughter would find a job.”
“Yup.”
A smile also crept on Mr. Ha Jincheol’s face.
After two years of his daughter doing nothing but stay in her room, it was heartening to witness her newfound determination.
Whether it’s about internet broadcasting or anything else, there was no way for him to feel anything but positive.
The mere fact that his daughter was showing some will to work was enough.
‘Who would’ve thought she’d find a job on her own?’
Two years ago, after being bullied at school, she refused to attend and secluded herself in her room.
But now, she not only made friends on her own but also found employment, surprising even her parents.
Moreover, broadcasting… Even Mr. Jincheol himself didn’t know much about internet broadcasting, but he was aware that being a broadcaster required a lot of talking.
How could any parent not support the courage her shy, reserved daughter displayed in wanting to do this?
This was also the reason Mr. Jincheol readily approved of his daughter’s broadcasting.
…
“Let’s hope our daughter succeeds.”
“Yup.”
…
* * *
Grobod is a small to medium-sized company selling computer peripherals.
From mice and keyboards to microphones and headsets, they offer competitive pricing as an overseas startup.
It so happened that an event occurred within this company.
“Boss.”
“Hmm?”
“There’s something you need to look at.”
Lotten Mild reviewed the report presented by an employee.
Upon seeing the report, Lotten’s eyes widened.
“What? What is this? What’s going on suddenly?”
The reason was simple: there was an explosive demand for Grobod’s mouse model 382x.
Especially in none other than South Korea.
Lotten questioned.
“What happened to cause such a dramatic increase in Korean demand?”
The employee explained,
“Apparently, a user suspected to be using the Time Click Hack was explaining that they weren’t using a hack. During this, they revealed the mouse they were using: the Grobod 382x.”
Upon hearing this news, a spontaneous broad grin spread across Lotten’s face.
“Wow! What luck!”
Of course, it’s only natural to grin.
The Grobod 382x wasn’t very popular among the company’s mouse lineup.
Now, it’s gaining momentum with strong sales?
As a company owner, one can’t help but feel deeply grateful.
“Can we get contact details for the user?”
“Well, we don’t have specifics yet… the user’s name is ‘Do Jin’ or ‘Rush Night,’ according to a Korean article.”
“Hmm… have our official account search for them. I want to express our gratitude and offer a small gift.”
“Understood.”