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“Cheers~”

The concert has wrapped up.

The schedule spanning two days—no, with rehearsals, it’s been three days—is finally finished.

And now, we’ve rented out the entire meat restaurant to gather guests and various staff for a company dinner.

I decided to join this time after a long while.

I usually tend to skip, but this one felt too significant to miss.

There are several reasons, but didn’t I come to the waiting room and comfortably take a nap after my part was over on the first day?

Having done something so impolite for a youngest member, it wouldn’t sit right to skip the gathering; my face isn’t that thick-skinned.

“Wow, back then…”

“So, that little Hyeon-su is now…”

Naturally, the center of conversation was revolving around Hyeon-su.

Seeing everyone gathered here, it makes Hyeon-su feel quite remarkable.

Is that the same awkward Hyeon-su who used to work in the underground workshop?

Truly, Slim Gold is a legend…

Of course, I’m just sticking to the corner.

I came, but being in the spotlight feels a bit…

I guess it’s draining.

And even if I stay, I have nothing to contribute.

I’m just there to warm my seat, eat some free meat, take pictures, and head home.

And, I’m not alone.

There’s someone else who, just like me, subtly crawled into the corner the moment the gathering started.

“What’s up? You came to the gathering.”

“Haha… I just couldn’t skip this one.”

Seated right across from me is Lee Hyun-jun, who is roughly my age.

He’s busy looking at his phone all alone.

“But what are you so engrossed in?”

It’s just the two of us at this corner table, and if Hyun-jun’s glued to his phone, then I’m stuck grilling the meat all by myself.

This is expensive beef; I can’t afford to burn it.

“Oh, I’m just looking at the new song lyrics.”

“Didn’t you guys just make a comeback already?”

I heard that BEAST had recently made a comeback, sold an album, and even performed.

In fact, they’re still in the promotional period now.

“There’s still some time before the next comeback, but I’m just preparing in advance.”

“Oh.”

Already gearing up for the next one? How professional.

Well, if that’s the case…

“Then hold the tongs and flip the meat.”

It’s not urgent, right?

For now, the cooking status of the meat is far more crucial than the new song.

“…Got it.”

So, we both grab our tongs and start flipping the meat, but suddenly something I had forgotten pops into my mind.

“Oh, right.”

“What’s the matter?”

“When are you going to use your wish token?”

Now that I think about it, didn’t I lose a bet last time?

He promised to grant me one wish, but there hasn’t been any news.

“Oh.”

From his reaction, it seems Hyun-jun forgot too.

“Hurry and use it before it expires.”

“Is there an expiration on that?”

“I just decided there is.”

After all, I’m not talking about using it ten or twenty years later.

I should mention it quickly before it slips my mind again.

Not to mention, I won back then.

It’s a shame that Hyeon-su made a biased judgment on the bet.

“Well… I’ll think about it soon.”

“How about using it as featuring for your solo track?”

“That wouldn’t be of any benefit to me.”

“…What a bummer.”

“Goodness.”

Anyway, as we enjoyed the grilled meat and casually filled our drinking glasses, something felt off.

“Hm….”

Why is no one coming over?

It’s us who decided to sit in the corner and eat and drink, but at this point, A-young or someone else should have popped by, and yet, no one is coming.

Are we being ostracized?

Have we become so cringy that no one is willing to approach?

“What are you looking around for so much?”

“Oh, I was just wondering if we’re being ostracized.”

“Ah, so no one’s approaching?”

“Yep.”

Of course, having them come over would feel burdensome, but it’s odd that no one is coming at all.

However, Hyun-jun casually emptied his glass and said,

“Well, it’s just the adults being nosy.”

“Nosy?”

“There’s a similar saying in internet broadcasts, isn’t there? Couple variety shows?”

Couple variety shows?

Oh.

Hearing that made me realize why no one is coming over.

“…Oh no.”

I felt an involuntary wave of embarrassment.

These people… are they really trying to associate me with a popular idol?

Do they think I’m that significant?

“Don’t you dislike it too much?”

“My wish is to stay thin and long.”

Isn’t life, which comes just once, precious?

Living long is the best.

“Don’t worry. They won’t say anything unnecessary anywhere.”

“Still….”

“I don’t have any particular thoughts either. Let’s just drink and go.”

Hyun-jun seems so accustomed to this that he genuinely doesn’t find it a big deal.

“Can you keep a distance of about three seats from me, though?”

“I’ll take the meat.”

“Haha, I’m just kidding.”

Thanks to the adults’ nosiness, I was able to eat and drink comfortably until the dinner came to an end.

Thus, after the first round ended, we split into those heading for round two and those going home.

“Well then, I’m off.”

“Hey, drink a bit more before you go.”

“I’m heading to the karaoke room, so you’re not coming?”

“Haha, I can’t handle much alcohol.”

Of course, since I’m heading home, I immediately caught a taxi.

I filled my stomach with expensive beef, and since I’m slightly tipsy, it’s time to go home.

Anyway, after finishing the gathering.

Sitting in the back seat of the returning taxi and staring out the window, I thought.

‘…I need to turn on the broadcast right from tomorrow.’

Hyeon-su’s concert may have ended, but my mind is already filled with thoughts of another concert.

The vacation is over now.

It’s time for Vtuber Miro to run again.

**

[Miro’s Comeback Broadcast]

The next day.

After the vacation, I officially started my comeback broadcast.

“Ah, everyone, it’s been a while.”

– Did you do well at the concert??

– I enjoyed it, Miro-nim!

“Well, what are you saying? I had a good rest.”

– Sure did, haha!

– Ah, yes.

“Oh right, everyone, there’s something we need to do today.”

– What are you doing as soon as you come back?

– Stop it!

– Let’s go, let’s go, haha!

“Oh, that’s not it.”

I don’t need to play Romance of the Three Kingdoms now.

From what I’ve seen, it seems there won’t be any coordinates to mark either.

Since there are no ants to catch, do I really need to?

Well, the game is fun, and I want to play it separately, but today I have something to do.

I recalled my last call with the manager.

Of course, the manager didn’t immediately accept my concert invite.

He put forth several conditions, one of which was this.

“Miro-nim, your songs are lacking.”

Right, I was supposed to fill the gaps in the number of original songs.

Of course, I could get help from the composers and Hyeon-su, but this time I want to directly source and try creating some myself.

Since I’ve accumulated some experience, of course, and I should also work with other composers.

I can’t keep relying on friends forever.

And isn’t this a song for Vtuber Miro’s concert, after all?

There are methods I could seek out.

Right….

“Okay, this pertains to Miro original songs.”

– Oh!

– Is something coming out??

– Super special Miro!

– Wow, haha!

– The GOAT of Vtubers!

“I want to release a song, so please make a track for me.”

– ??

– Are we making it??

– ?

It’s technically about making a track, isn’t it?

“There are a few viewers here, so don’t you think there’s at least one composer?”

– ?

– Hey Kim, go out and dance the challenge more.

– Haha!

– Your audacity seems to be rising by the day…

– You’re a singer; just compose it yourself.

“I can’t compose! I only know how to take things!”

– That’s a brag.

– No doubt about it, haha!

If I could compose, I bet I would.

But you know, at this point, using the money that’s just piling up in my account is a better move than learning to compose.

“The conditions are pretty generous….”

The concert is, of course, a secret, so I can’t talk about it.

Thus, to the viewers, it might just seem like I’m randomly recruiting composers.

But when have I ever done any differently? It feels like everyone just plays along with it.

– There really are composers??

– Why not just hold a competition in the café like always?

“Oh, should I do that?”

Let’s see what it’s like.

To be honest, half of what I say during the broadcast isn’t serious.

Why would I try to taken advantage of it? I should look for composers in private instead.

Still, I decided to post an announcement in the café with a hint of expectation.

“Well then, shall we just play a game or something while we wait?”

– Nooo!

– Please don’t do that…

“Ah, I said I won’t do it today.”

These people think I’m torturing viewers by always checking on the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

– Haha.

– So, what are we doing?

“I’m thinking of playing on the Minecraft server after a long while.”

– Oh.

– Is it basically the same place?

“It’s pretty convenient, don’t you think?”

Unlike other games, Minecraft allows me to start and stop exactly when I want, making it perfect for putting up an announcement and waiting.

It’s practically the GOAT game for killing time.

As I spent time mining and chit-chatting, I felt enough posts had gone up, so I headed back to the café.

And right on the popular posts list was a new entry.

[Currently a Composer] (61)

“Whoa.”

– Wow!

– Wait, is this legit??

– Wow, haha!

I didn’t have high expectations, but this is a fantastic start!

At this rate, I might even recruit a whole lineup of composers.

“Wow, a current composer is already applying.”

I clicked to open the cheerful post.

And there pops up a video and content.

[Currently a Composer]

(Miro’s video from the Slim Gold Challenge)

Give Miro some thumbs up, haha!

“Ah, seriously.”

– Hahahahahaha!

– I got tricked, haha!

“Let’s just watch the video, huh? haha!”

“Ugh.”

I set myself up for disappointment.

Of course, that was too much to expect, huh? To get something out like that already.

“Oops, I slipped with my hand.”

Feeling a bit irritated, I gave a one-week suspension in the café.

…With the red pill spreading so openly, this is troubling.

Thinking about the possibility of such videos consistently being posted in the fan café made my head hurt, but I tried to ignore it.

Well, it’s time to work now.

Still, aside from that trolling post, a few people who actually compose started to pop up.

“Wait, there are really some….”

– No joke…

– Why are there composers??

“Let’s jot them down for now.”

As I organized potential candidates in a notes app, another post caught my eye.

[Not a Composer, but I’m applying as a Lyricist! (Wrote lyrics for Celestial Realm songs)]

“Eh, I’m not falling for that anymore.”

What? A lyricist for the Celestial Realm songs?

Do they even realize how close I am with Kang Woo-hyeon, the composer of those songs?

To pull something like this is ridiculous.

I temporarily banned them for two weeks and read the post on a whim…

“Hm… uh….”

Hmm…?

– ???

– What’s this?

– Is it for real? haha!

“Whoa.”

– Is it for real??

Like, seriously, it’s true?

This person, who wrote the lyrics for the Celestial Realm group song, just posted an application in the fan café.

 

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