ALL NOVEL Chapter 38
Soo-hyun’s broadcast started quite late, yet the Community was already buzzing with excitement.
[Miro Broadcast ON LOL]
“I trusted you LOL”
– “You’re streaming at this hour?”
“Yeah, I know it’s usually time to wrap up, but here I am.”
– “What? I thought you wouldn’t show up.”
“But I did, right? So nice LOL”
[Miro is tipsy LOL]
“Look at that slurred speech.”
– “Is Miro drunk?”
“Yeah, if you miss this, you’re wasting half your life.”
– “Is it that good?”
“Don’t watch it, you idiot LOL”
– “I’m heading over right now LOL”
[Miro: Had a company dinner with guys.]
“But I didn’t go to the second place for the broadcast.”
Haha LOL
“I’m supporting from today onwards LOL”
– “The Great Hwang Miro.”
– “This girl knows what a broadcast is, for real.”
– “So, she really had dinner with guys?”
“Yeah, there was work-related stuff we celebrated.”
– “So is Miro a virgin?”
“Yep, totally a virgin.”
– “Not going to the second place just means no one wanted to include her, right? LOL”
– “What kind of idiot thinks Miro has a voice like that?”
“Please, live your life. Do you think there’s something wrong with being in a gaming room?”
– “Talking about life while being a nuthead LOL”
[Miro: Can’t I just take the easy way out?]
“What? Not allowed? Then I’ll think of something.”
“Why are you so cute today? LOL”
– “Feels a bit off, yeah…”
– “You look like you’re about to crack your head open.”
[Miro Q&A Entry LOL]
“Shall we dive in?”
– “Don’t mess around, you’ll get sued. Yeah…”
“Why would I get sued?”
“Have you ever been to Miro’s broadcast? Check the screen.”
“What the heck?”
“What’s it to you, you orphan? Just ask questions without being obvious.”
“Why are you saying that…?”
“Shut it.”
[Miro: Boyfriend? Is that even a question?]
“Please don’t ask the obvious. Of course, I don’t have one.”
Haha LOL This is what a VTuber is about!
– “Does she really say that?”
“Yeah, the context is similar.”
– “Miro talks so freely.”
“She was always blunt, but drinking makes it easier for her.”
[Miro <— If I’m the JOAT, give it a thumbs up.] "Wow, celebrating the 100K event spontaneously." "Is the broadcast a joke?" - "But are we getting a Q&A now or later for 100K? LOL" - "It’s satisfying that those YouTube keyboard warriors don’t get a chance to ask her questions! LOL" "I agree LOL" "Giving up life to watch a live broadcast is our victory LOL" - "So Miro." [If you really appreciate these guys, give it a thumbs up LOL] Right now, “The guys who had a first-round dinner with Miro” <— Thank you for sending her home tipsy! Just G.O.A.T - "For real..." - "I won’t forget..." - "Thank you." [Miro: Company is great.] "It's natural to take a fee, but I'm happy with what they provide." "I thought Miro would complain, but surprisingly she's compliant." - "Basically, they don’t interfere, so she's satisfied." - "They take care of everything annoying for Miro, so she doesn’t complain." - "Fact) Miro's YouTube is fully managed by the company, she has no involvement at all." "Really? Other members have to check their videos, right?" "The company handles it well, so I don't care." "It's not the company ripping her off; it's Miro taking the cut! LOL" [What kind of weird question did someone ask?] (Sensitive question gets Miro flustered) "When the sensitive questions come up, she flips out LOL" - "Miro lets it go, so they come at her hard." - "Drinking makes these bits blunt." - "But if it’s meaningful, it's a thumbs up. LOL" "No way, LOL" - "I still have a question left, go ahead." "What did you ask?" "Are you a virgin?" "Were you saved by that jerk? LOL" "Seriously, that guy is a goner." - "Are we seriously ending the broadcast like this?" [Miro Singing Room Entry LOL] "If today’s broadcast is satisfying, give it a thumbs up LOL" - "For real? Singing room?" "Yep, I’m singing now." - "Isn’t this the first time?" "Yep, this is the first time." [The ones who are worst off at this hour...] (A photo of a sleeping guy) Just got home after a long Friday night at work. You’re telling me you missed this? That’s hardcore, hardcore. LOL - "For real LOL" - "Jobless KILL~" "Grab a drink LOL" [But why is she calling me already?] "I expected her to sing a Japanese song, but wow..." - "But she sings really well?" - "For real, the soul is there..." "She just devours it with her voice, it’s incredible." [Miro <— What is this about?] "Why are our karaoke favorites eerily similar?" "Song selection is top-tier LOL" - "For real, ballads are amazing LOL" "How about she just sings Japanese songs instead?" "No way, LOL" "Looks like even VTuber fans are split. LOL" "Oh gosh." - "We're similar LOL" [Miro <— As long as she’s the queen of the Celestial Realm, give it a thumbs up LOL] Anna from musicals. Maho from J-POP. Loa from K-POP. And above them, there’s Miro, the ballad queen. - "True, I agree..." - "I’m a Maho fan, I agree..." - "I’m a Loa fan, I agree..." "Her fandom name is Loa's Dog LOL" - "I’m a Haru fan, but I can’t bring myself to agree." "Your agreement isn’t needed, you idiot! LOL" [But is it really okay to be singing at this hour?] "Does Miro have a soundproof booth at home?" - "Nope, but apparently, it’s soundproof." "Can she really sing that loud without a soundproof booth?" - "With Miro, it’s more like a symphony than noise." - "If Miro sings, we just have to stay quiet up top." [Real-time update: Miro’s downstairs neighbor came up LOL] Oh snap, LOL - "She actually came up, LOL" - "If she’s this loud at dawn and doesn’t come up, she’s a saint." - "Knocking on the door means she was really mad. LOL" [??? What’s happening?] "Why is she apologizing right away?" "Why did she say she enjoyed the singing?" "Why is she just leaving, damn it LOL" - "Wait, why does Miro go from singing to anger management mode right away?" "Why is she able to control her rage now?" - "Goodness, this is hilarious! LOL" [Just caught a clip of the downstairs noise guy.] (A guy knocking and shouting) (Surprised Miro stops singing and heads to the door) (Conversation between the guy and Miro) Is this how it’s supposed to go? Why is Miro in trouble but the guy is bowing down? - "Damn, I’m super curious about what he looks like." - "Isn’t he supposed to be really good-looking??" "No way! Even if you’re pretty, it’s not cool yelling at dawn." - "Isn't it just some 120 kg dude too scared to say anything?" "If that kind of girl makes noise, a punch would usually come first before an apology, right?" [At this moment, I’m laughing my ass off.] Just "the floor noise guy." This idiot comes up to apologize and then goes back down. He got her to end the broadcast, damn it. - "Seriously, what a jerk." - "That was so good..." [This guy bugs me, give a thumbs up LOL] "Floor noise guy" <— We all know that because of this guy, Miro is now blue-pilled. I’m supporting Miro from now on. - "For real, I'm supporting you." - "Don’t fall for the bribery.” "No bribery; that’s not cool." - "I genuinely don’t care." *** When I opened my eyes, the sun was already high in the sky outside the window. "Ugh..." Holding my splitting headache and painful stomach, I finally got out of bed. Thank goodness I washed my face properly, at least that’s a relief. I grabbed my phone, typical of a modern person, but it was dead, so I plugged it back in. After that, I headed to the kitchen for a drink and saw a pile of beer cans next to the sink. And then, memories of last night surfaced naturally... "Ahh!" What on earth did I do...? I can let the broadcast slide, but to sing so much at dawn? I can’t even defend myself if I get reported. Especially since someone came up to me directly. That means... I should apologize properly, right? I guess I’ll head over in the afternoon with something to say sorry. But first, I need to cure this hangover. I have to deal with this upset stomach before I can do anything else. So, I quickly made a steaming bowl of egg drop ramen and turned on my phone. "Phew..." Then I checked the notifications popping up as soon as I powered it on. Starting with texts from Ah-young and Hyeon-su checking if I got home safe, to messages from my manager during the drinking broadcast, and even contacts from other members after hearing about my broadcast once I woke up. I answered each one as I finished my hangover cure. After tossing the pot and dishes in the sink, I flopped onto my bed and thought about what to do next. 'Need to go grocery shopping... and apologize to the downstairs neighbor...' I really have to go out. I didn't want to step outside into this heat, but I dragged myself out anyway. I went shopping at the mart and bought some ingredients, then got a small cake from a nearby bakery and headed back home. It was so hot outside that I was sweating profusely within moments, so I sat down in front of the air conditioner for a bit to cool off, holding the cake while making my way to the neighbor's place. I knocked carefully on the door. I thought they might not be home since it was still the afternoon, but luckily, the door opened. "Who... oh." "I'm really sorry about last night... I had been drinking." "Ah, um... it's fine. It wasn't that noisy. Haha..." I handed the cake over to the startled man who had unexpectedly opened the door, apologized once more, and headed back home. "...Is that everything done now?" Grocery shopping, apologizing to the downstairs guy. And all that’s left is... just a little housework, but that can wait! I dove back onto my bed. If I could just relax and read the alternate history novel I started recently... Vroom— Just as I was thinking that, my phone rang. Checking who it was, of course it was the manager. What’s this? They didn’t have much to say in the earlier messages... Feeling a bit on edge, thinking if I said something wrong while drunk yesterday, I picked up the call. "...Hello?" [Ah, yes, Miro.] ...At least the voice seems calm? "Yes." [I watched your broadcast yesterday.] "Ah, really?" [Honestly, I was a bit nervous, but I’m glad it ended without issues.] The mention of being nervous struck a chord in my heart, but if nothing went wrong, isn’t that what matters? "Haha... You caught the late-night broadcast, did you?" [Of course.. once I started watching, I just couldn’t sleep.] "Was it because it was fun?" [I won’t deny that point.] Well... I won’t dig into other reasons because that would only embarrass me. "So, what’s this about?" [Ah, it's about the new song.] New song? I’ve been periodically asked for opinions, so maybe this is another instance of that? "Um... I don't have any thoughts at the moment." [Just let me know if anything comes to mind, but this is the composer’s request.] "The composer?" The composer is the one who created Celestial Realm Project's first album. A renowned and talented figure, so famous I shouldn't even wonder why a VTuber song is being made. [They want to meet each member to discuss the songs, and you were selected as the first one, Miro.] "...Huh?" [They asked for a time that works for you, and since I mentioned you'd be around, they hope you can come by tomorrow or the day after in the afternoon.] What does that make me look like? Someone with no schedule. "Tomorrow or the day after in the afternoon?" [Is that not possible for you?] "Oh, no... that's fine." However, surprisingly, I did have a free schedule. The very next day, I headed to the workshop. * "It's hot, so hot." I arrived at the workshop I had previously visited with Maho. Once I stepped inside the building, the composer was already waiting. "Hello." "Long time no see. Please, come in." It must have been several months since our first meeting. He still looked lean, his hair long, and his chin was stubbly. "Here, have a seat." This time, we weren’t in a recording studio like before. While it was a recording studio, it had everything from sofas to tables. I followed the composer's lead and sat on the sofa. He pulled out a notebook from his prepared materials and set it on the table across from me. "The reason I called you, Miro, is that I have a few questions regarding the process of composing." With his characteristic dry expression, the composer began firing off questions. What kind of songs I like, what vocal range I believe I excel in, and what types of songs I wish to sing. He seemed to pause, deep in thought while looking through his notes, before asking again. "What do you mean by saying your individuality is lacking?" Individuality? What is that supposed to mean? As I pondered over this, I remembered when the manager first asked for my opinion. I had made the comments based on what Hyeon-su had said, perhaps that was bothering him. "Huh? Oh, actually, a singer I know said that after listening to my singing..." I was getting uneasy since it felt like I was complaining about receiving a good song. I prepared to throw Hyeon-su under the bus. Wait, is it really throwing him under? It was what he said! "Slim Gold?" But surprisingly, before I could blame Hyeon-su, the composer already placed him on the frying pan. "Yes?" "Isn't he the one?" "How did you know?" "Well... you know, he was featuring on your song." "Oh." I was shocked someone I never expected knew about it. True professionals are different after all.