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Izakaya Sake.

If you’ve heard even a little bit about this industry, it’s impossible not to know the number one star around here.

With nicknames like “Living Legend,” “King God Emperor,” and “God of VTubers,” they truly embody the ultimate VTuber.

“Isn’t the name a bit strange? I like sake, you see.”

“Uh… I’m Korean, so it doesn’t sound that strange to me.”

From a Japanese perspective, it might seem odd to name oneself after an alcoholic beverage, but to me, as a Korean, it just sounds like a Japanese name.

“Ah, then that’s a relief.”

“By the way, your Korean is quite good, isn’t it?”

I’d heard Tenshi-chan could speak some Korean, but I was surprised by how well she did.

“I’m a huge K-pop fan.”

I’m starting to realize how impressive K-pop is.

Should I worship it? It’s thanks to it that I’m chatting with the Goddess of VTubers without any language barriers.

“By the way, did you come for the recording?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

That was the actual purpose of my trip to Japan.

I’m here to record for Tenshi-chan’s live performance that will take place soon.

I even practiced at home beforehand.

“Uh… Sokka.”

“W-what’s the problem?”

It’s a bit strange to see, so I asked, and she chuckled softly before proudly saying.

“Is it okay if I watch?”

**

“Uh- Senpai?”

When Tenshi-chan entered, she looked a bit surprised to see me with Sake.

“Tenshi-chan!”

Without a care, Sake pulled Tenshi-chan onto her lap and began petting her head.

From this angle, Tenshi-chan really does look like a cousin, while Sake has a mature vibe like a working woman.

“Um…”

After that, I just watched as Sake and Tenshi-chan chatted in Japanese.

Well, I have no idea what they’re saying.

Anyhow, while nibbling on the Japanese snacks I had been eyeing earlier, the two eventually stood up, and Tenshi-chan looked at me and said.

“Let’s go!”

“What about Sake?”

“Senpai is invited to watch as well! Let’s show you!”

Wait, really? I’m feeling a bit shy about this.

But I can’t just back out now… I guess I’ll have to just trust them.

Thus, we headed to the studio in the building for the serious recording.

But then…

“Whoa.”

This place is no joke!

It’s spacious with all sorts of shiny equipment.

Didn’t Tenshi-chan express her awe when she visited our studio last time?

That was all lip service, huh?

I felt that from the moment I entered the building; it’s definitely on another level.

We’ve got a long way to go, The Six!

“Okay! You can change into these!”

Since I don’t speak Japanese, Tenshi was the one explaining everything.

We changed into recording equipment and began the actual recording.

This time, the track I would be doing with Tenshi was a Japanese song, not K-pop like last time.

I struggled a bit with memorizing the lyrics.

Fortunately, the song was famous, and I had heard it many times, so I didn’t mess up too badly.

Well, the recording itself went very smoothly.

I’ve gained some experience, right? I was somewhat confident with my movements and dance.

Of course, there were some minor mistakes, but it didn’t take as long as last time.

After finishing the recording…

“You did well!”

Clap clap!

As we emerged from the studio, Sake was there applauding.

…This feels like being in an audience.

More importantly, I’ve been wondering why Sake was at the company in the first place.

Did she have some work or something?

Since I missed the chance to ask her directly, I decided to ask the relatively approachable Tenshi-chan.

“Um… Senpai? Senpai is my guest!”

“Guest?”

“Yes! Last time I went, and this time she came to support me!”

Oh, I see… Thinking about it, they are in the same company and have a senior-junior relationship, so that makes sense.

“When will she record?”

“After Su-hyun!”

“Wait, what?”

“Could you wait just a little?”

Hold on, I’m next?!

Isn’t that gonna create a comparison?

Sake is… wait a second.

Just because the lengths differ doesn’t mean it won’t work, right?

And who am I?

Slim Gold featuring.

To begin with, this is Hyeon-jun’s album, featuring the winner of the contest against Sake.

I did it too, so rough comparisons make me equal, right?

With just a hint of competitive spirit, I watched Sake as she recorded.

And then…

“Whoa.”

I genuinely gasped in admiration.

Is this the Goddess of VTubers?

Even in recording, it feels like her character is on full display.

I’m not a dedicated viewer of Izakaya Sake, yet here I was glued to the screen.

I truly thought watching was beneficial and didn’t take my eyes off until the recording ended.

After the recording…

“Su-hyun!”

After two consecutive recordings, Tenshi-chan, drenched in sweat, approached me, and I had to gently shove her away.

“Eh?”

“Go take a shower.”

“Ex?”

Tenshi, a bit shocked, marched straight to the shower room, and then Sake followed right after her.

“Um… Should I go shower too?”

“Oh, Sake, you’re fine.”

She didn’t seem overly sweaty.

“By the way, what did you think?”

“Huh… the recording?”

“Yes.”

What else is there to say…

“It was really great.”

As I said this, I gave a thumbs-up, and she smiled softly.

I thought she looked quite ordinary, but she appeared different when she smiled.

“Really? Then Miro should also go shower.”

“Huh?”

“You were sweating, right?”

“Oh.”

Thinking back, I shouldn’t have shoved Tenshi away.

My stamina is such that I can sweat a lot even from just one recording.

So I followed along after the now-distant Tenshi who was heading to the shower room, showered, and changed my clothes.

**

“Ah, that’s refreshing!”

“Right?”

After having a shower, the now-excited Tenshi-chan and I stepped outside to find Sake waiting for us.

“Eh? Senpai?”

“Did you both finish bathing?”

“Yes!”

“Shall we go out then? Have both of you eaten?”

“We had lunch!”

As we chatted, a strange feeling washed over me.

This conversation was happening because I was here, right?

Two Japanese and one Korean, conversing in Korean.

…Do I really need to learn Japanese?

I’m confident with learning, but speaking is another story.

“Didn’t you book a hotel?”

Sake looked at my suitcase as we left the office and remarked.

“Oh, this is light, so it’s okay. I didn’t bring much.”

Doesn’t Tenshi also dislike shopping? She hadn’t packed much either, thinking she would buy clothes.

“Hm… is that so?”

Upon hearing that I hadn’t booked a hotel, Sake glanced back and forth between Tenshi and me, then subtly suggested.

“Then how about you and Tenshi-chan come to my house?”

“Wait? Is that okay?”

Can we really do that?

I personally prefer a home over a hotel, but still, it feels awkward going to someone’s house on the first meeting. I looked at Tenshi, and she was already nodding.

“Sounds good.”

…Well, what could go wrong?

I’d save money, and I wouldn’t have to look for a hotel, gaining double benefits.

Not to mention, I’d get to visit Izakaya Sake’s house, which is even better.

So, we headed to her house at Sake’s invitation.

Upon arriving, the place was surprisingly normal.

It was a nice building, but it didn’t feel overly flashy or large.

Of course, the furniture and other things looked expensive, but still.

“Make yourself at home.”

“Yes!”

Well, thinking back, it is a woman living alone, so there’s no need for it to be huge, huh?

As long as the broadcasts go well, that’s all that matters.

What caught my attention more was the merchandise scattered around the living room.

There were dolls and figures of characters with white hair, drinking glasses, and various posters.

All of this being her merchandise? Every time I walk into the living room, I’d get pumped up, right?

As I admired the living room, Sake, now out of her coat, casually suggested.

“Would you like to see my room?”

Her room?

With all these goods in the living room, does she have even more in her room?

“Sure!”

I followed her to the room, and honestly, I was a bit shocked.

“W-What’s all this?”

“Haha.”

The room was filled to the brim with merchandise.

Not her merchandise, but some guy’s merchandise.

“I told you I’m a huge K-pop fan, right?”

Well, I heard that, but I didn’t expect it to be to this extent.

And surprisingly, I recognized a familiar face.

“Um… Do you know BeastZ since you’re Korean?”

“…Of course, I know them.”

“Really? I love them so much! Meeting them is my lifelong dream.”

I can tell she really knows her stuff.

Unlike Tenshi, who mainly likes girl groups, she’s a fan of boy groups.

I mean, they did well overseas.

But still…

“Meeting them is your dream, you say?”

“I regretted not being able to go to the last fan signing event.”

Well, I guess meeting them isn’t entirely impossible, right?

After all, they do have a competitive history in the music industry.

Oh, is it because she’s a VTuber that she couldn’t go?

“Still, since we know each other, wouldn’t we get a chance to meet?”

“Eh… Do you think BeastZ knows me?”

…?

“They… would, right?”

“Really hope so.”

Why suddenly so insecure?

She’s the Goddess of VTubers, after all. Why should she… oh…

Is BeastZ more popular?

Suddenly, VTuber rankings seem a little smaller…

But I can’t let our industry’s representative feel that way, so I decided to bolster her confidence.

“Have some faith! BeastZ knows you! You even beat them in streaming rankings before, right?”

“R-really?”

“Yes, I heard it, so don’t worry.”

“W-wait! Where did they mention it? I didn’t hear anything.”

Is she a fan enough to even follow their live broadcasts?

Still, this is solid information.

I mean…

“I heard it at the last meeting, so it must be true.”

“…Eh?”

“Ex?”

Both Sake and Tenshi looked at me in surprise.

For a moment, I thought, “Uh-oh,” but their attention was already on me.

But… what can’t I reveal?

I thought we had a decent relationship.

I mean, I can be open about it.

 

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