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“So you came because you wanted to do an interview?”

[Yes, I noticed you’re someone who writes articles in this area.]

What I heard from my Manager was a bit absurd.

“Wow, I never expected to receive such an offer in my life.”

They want to write an article right away and are asking if they could interview me. Solo, no less.

It seems that once you succeed with an original track, offers like this start rolling in.

[What do you think? I don’t see anything wrong with it.]

“An article? Hmm….”

I guess it wouldn’t be bad.

But still, I wonder if it’s really necessary?

I’m already doing well without it, and who knows what kind of article that journalist might write?

Having seen a lot of media outlets, I have to admit I’m a bit skeptical about journalists.

“I think it’s fine if I pass on this.”

[Well then, I’ll decline it on your behalf.]

“You’re agreeing rather quickly, aren’t you?”

Isn’t my Manager usually more supportive of these things? I mean, I’m turning down what could be an opportunity, and their reaction is so calm.

[It would be nice if you did it, but if Miro doesn’t want to…]

“Oh, does that mean I’m finally getting some treatment?”

[We’ve always given you treatment, but you do really well on your own, so we trust you.]

“Being trusted isn’t too bad.”

[Well, you’ve shown us some results. By the way, are you going to keep doing that during your broadcasts?]

“Oh, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?”

These days, the only thing relevant in my broadcasts is the Romance of the Three Kingdoms game, so I figured my Manager would bring that up.

“Isn’t it fine if I do more?”

It’s only been a short while since the end-of-year live show, so I think a week or so more wouldn’t hurt.

[No, it’s not that. I just feel like the complaints are piling up.]

“Haha, looks like my Manager still has a long way to go.”

[What do you mean?]

Complaints? Those guys… aren’t they just ‘newbies’ anyway?

People who are already familiar with me just shrug it off.

I mean, I probably won’t be doing this “ant-farming” thing just a couple of times.

If someone is going to leave, they should be the first to go.

And, above all…

“I’ll keep going until there are no more requests to turn on the cam.”

This has been the issue lately.

I’m a VTuber, yet people keep asking me to turn on the cam!

Banning it can only go so far.

Besides, even if I ban certain words, our country’s netizens will always find a way to twist their words.

Since there’s a sudden spike in interest, it makes sense to keep up the “ant-farming” for now.

[That’s definitely a problem…]

My Manager sighed as if they were already thinking about that issue.

“Well, you don’t need to worry too much about it.”

To begin with, the crowd that’s coming in doesn’t know I’m a VTuber. They’re just here because of my red pill, right? Or perhaps they came from seeing a calm lake.

If I keep this up, my broadcast will stabilize in no time.

[I’ve always believed you’d do well, just like before. Even with the “ant-farming,” you’re steadily growing.]

“Right? Especially with YouTube doing so well.”

In reality, I’m doing “ant-farming” during my live streams, but YouTube is a different story.

There, I don’t need to “ant-farm,” and my status keeps growing.

Also, most of those calm lake followers are checking my Miro YouTube Channel before anything else, so it seems like my views are rapidly increasing.

[I wouldn’t be surprised if you hit a million subscribers soon.]

“A million? Oh wow, I’m still far from that.”

Seriously, a million? I haven’t even reached half of that yet, so dreaming big!

Though with the current growth rate, I feel like I might reach 500,000 soon enough.

[It will happen eventually. I’m really looking forward to it.]

“If expectations are too high, will I go into hiding?”

[…Please don’t even joke about that.]

“Ahaha, what if it weren’t a joke?”

[Oh gosh, I wouldn’t want to imagine that.]

It’s a joke, of course.

Why would I ever go into hiding?

Unless I got into a traffic accident or something, that’s not happening.

[Anyway, I’ll handle the interview rejection myself. By the way, are you still outside right now?]

“Oh, am I? Yeah, that’s right.”

[I don’t know what it is, but have fun, and I’ll get back to work.]

“Yeah, take care.”

After ending the call with my busy Manager, I looked ahead.

Lights and various equipment were scattered everywhere.

People were hurriedly moving things around, creating quite a chaotic scene.

“Oh, you’re here.”

At that moment, a familiar voice rang out from behind.

When I turned around, I saw a face I was starting to recognize.

“Oh, it’s Moon Kang-jun.”

“Yeah? What about Moon Kang-jun… Oh, did you see the movie comeback?”

“You remembered right away?”

“It was a pretty significant movie for me, too.”

It was Moon Chang-sik, the legendary actor who had been so shameless as to ask to film just once more after saying one shot would be enough.

“Thank you so much for coming today.”

“Well, I did come comfortably, to be fair.”

Chang-sik’s Manager drove here and dropped me off, which made the journey incredibly easy.

Their driving skills were top-notch, I must say.

“By the way, how’s your younger sibling doing?”

“My sibling?”

“Ji-yoon. Did you forget?”

“…Am I too immersed in the movie industry?”

“Haha, just teasing you.”

Do they really think I can’t differentiate between the movie and reality?

“I was just asking.”

“Well, if you want an answer, Ji-yoon is doing quite well. She even contacts me.”

“Oh… does Ji-yoon have a phone?”

“Of course, she’s in the upper grades of elementary school now.”

“Wait, Ji-yoon is in upper grades?”

“Right?”

What!?

In my memory, Ji-yoon is way younger…

It feels like I’ve just taken the red pill.

“If Ji-yoon saw that expression, she’d be hurt, you know?”

“Oh no, what kind of expression did I make?”

“Denying Ji-yoon’s very existence as a higher grader?”

“That’s not true. By the way, where’s the filming location?”

“Nice try changing the subject… Follow me.”

“Alright, lead the way.”

Following Moon Chang-sik led us to a performance hall that looked appropriate for an actual show.

There was a wide audience area flanked to the side of the stage, where several staff members were busy setting things up.

I heard this was for filming almost the last scene of the movie, so it seems they were preparing thoroughly.

“Just go over there and get your makeup done.”

While I admired the stage, Chang-sik pointed to a tent set up to the side.

I’d heard about it, but now I wondered if that was the case.

“By the way, I’m just a minor role, right?”

“Well… technically, yes. Since I’ve guided you here, I’ll be taking my leave now.”

No matter how I looked at it, the scene seemed a bit excessive… I don’t know.

For now, I entered the tent to get makeup done, and all eyes turned to me.

…Are the others getting makeup too?

And looking around, everyone seemed significant.

Well, who else would be getting makeup in here if not for the actresses?

“Hello!”

With that in mind, following Moon Chang-sik’s example, I greeted loudly at the entrance.

After all, people are naturally fond of those who smile and show good manners.

So, it makes sense that a smiling and polite person is hard to dislike.

“Oh, oh, really?”

“Haha, you can greet us casually, you know.”

Sure enough, I could see the actresses’ expressions relaxing.

Relieved by the lightened atmosphere, I found an empty seat, and a nearby actress smiled slyly while throwing a question my way.

“And who are you?”

“Oh, I’m Kim Soo-hyun. I’m here for the final shoot today.”

“Oh… wait? Ah- are you Han Hye-jin?”

“If you’re asking about my role, then yes.”

At that, everyone’s eyes turned towards me.

W-what is happening?

“I knew you looked pretty!”

“It’s you, right?”

“Wow, I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“Are you not working on another project?”

A barrage of questions flooded in, and I was momentarily flustered.

…You really don’t have to pay so much attention to me.

“Um, seniors! It seems like Soo-hyun is getting a bit uncomfortable?”

And just as I was about to sink in the unexpected spotlight, it was Kang Ha-na, whom I had met previously, who swooped in to rescue me.

I hadn’t noticed her when I entered, but here she was.

“What, Ha-na? Do you know Soo-hyun?”

“Yeah, we exchanged a few greetings last time…”

“Oh, look at the pretty girls knowing each other!”

“Does that mean we can retire now?”

“You’re still active; what are you talking about?”

For a moment, I escaped their attention, but now I found myself head-deep in the chatter of actresses in their 30s.

Is this what it’s like to be an actress?

It’s so far removed from the type of conversations I had in mind regarding actors.

It’s like eavesdropping on a conversation among neighborhood beauty salon ladies.

“Um, Soo-hyun? Let me do your hair.”

“Oh yes, please go ahead.”

No matter how disorganized I felt, the person who had come to do my makeup started touching my hair.

But is this kind of setup typically available on a filming set? It’s more like a salon.

“Wow, your hair is nice.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Well, I’ve never dyed or bleached it, so it makes sense for it to be good.

“Your skin… wow… how do you manage it?”

“Ah, about my skincare?”

Just as I was about to say that I basically stay home and only apply some skin or lotion…

“Hey, Soo-hyun, how do you take care of yourself?”

“I thought your skin looked great from the start—”

Once again, actresses around me started bubbling with curiosity.

It seems they’re intrigued by this newcomer.

…Can’t I just be left alone for a bit?

I actually began to miss Moon Chang-sik’s presence.

Thus, I struggled through an onslaught of questions while getting my makeup done.

…An experience I do not wish to repeat.

Instead…

“Wow, this is insane.”

“Right? You look absolutely stunning!”

I opened my eyes, which I had kept closed for makeup, to glance at the mirror.

“Wow.”

Is this… me?

This feeling is somewhat nostalgic.

Yes, it feels akin to how I felt the first time I saw myself as female Kim Soo-hyun in the mirror.

 

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