---

Jeong-hoon’s music video has been completed.

[Did you see it?]

“Ah, yes. I just checked it.”

I replied to Ahn Jung-hwan while watching the video displayed on the screen.

There, the music video of the track created by Jeong-hoon, featuring Tenshi, was playing.

Since the last time I was informed that it was almost done, they really finished it and sent it to me.

[What do you think?]

“…It’s great. Really.”

It wasn’t just empty flattery; it truly was good.

Unlike Lee Kang-jun’s “Loneliness,” I particularly liked the popping visuals that matched the song’s vibe perfectly.

[You provided such excellent designs, so it was easy.]

“Well, I just drew a few for you.”

Seeing how they managed to produce something this good from just a few drawings proves that Ahn Jung-hwan’s team is indeed exceptional.

Though the costs are a bit high… well, since The Six provided a lot of support, I have no burden at all.

Long live The Six!

Well, it seems like the company has been throwing money around since last year, which does make me somewhat anxious, but I trust they’ll handle it well.

“More than that, you must have worked really hard this time, doing two in a row.”

[It was really tough. After finishing this project, we all got some time off.]

“Really?”

[Yeah, everyone was ready to take shots at the team leader and all.]

…True.

Given how exhausted they were when completing Lee Kang-jun’s track, it must be even worse now.

In fact, I wanted to check out the finished product in the studio myself, but I got turned down.

The state of the studio was apparently not something to be discussed.

Even though I could roughly guess what it would look like, I prudently accepted it.

[By the way, is there anything coming up next?]

“Next?”

[Yes, I’ve heard you have several tracks in the works.]

Hmm… as for what’s next…

Honestly, I would like to request a follow-up.

But…

“I do want to, but I don’t have any tracks.”

Even if I wanted to make a request, I had no tracks to work with.

Harbin and Loa are busy with their own projects.

Jeong-hoon is brimming with motivation, but school has already started.

I did chat with Jeong-hoon a few times before, but I was just too busy myself.

We couldn’t even have a proper meeting for new tracks, and Jeong-hoon has now been swept away to school.

Thankfully, Harbin and Loa’s team now includes lyricist Lee Seo-yeon, so hopefully, I can look forward to that.

As for Lee Kang-jun… well, it’s practically like he has left the team.

He’s already started working on new tracks since the last song.

[That’s a pity… Please let me know if a track comes out.]

“If it comes out, will you do it right away?”

[Yes, I’ll do it immediately.]

“Do you not have much work these days…?”

They say they’ll do it right away… so are they really that free?

Their skills are undeniably impressive, but their reputation…

[No, it’s not like that… I’m just trying to take it easy this time.]

“Oh.”

[I worked really hard last year, so I plan to relax at the start of this year.]

So it’s a break then?

Well, since they said they’re giving everyone a break, the team leader, Ahn Jung-hwan, deserves one too.

“I hope you enjoy your vacation.”

[Yes, please refrain from requesting anything too soon for the next order.]

“Haha, I’ll try my best.”

With that, my call with Ahn Jung-hwan ended.

For now, I sent the completed music video to Jeong-hoon and Tenshi separately.

Soon after, both of them replied without delay.

Just as I was about to respond to Jeong-hoon, whose track it was, I received a call from Tenshi.

“Hello?”

[Soo-hyun, I really enjoyed the music video.]

“Ah? Sake?”

Indeed, when I answered the call, it was Sake’s voice I heard.

“Are you together with someone?”

[Yes, we’re doing a collaboration today, and Tenshi is preparing for the broadcast.]

“Ah… By the way, your Korean has improved a lot, hasn’t it?”

They used to have a noticeable Japanese accent, but it’s clear they’ve really improved.

[Thanks to the oppas.]

“…Isn’t Sake older than the leader of Beastz?”

[Oh, that’s not important.]

…Is this what a VTuber goddess is like?

For a moment, I had impure thoughts, but quickly dismissed them.

Yes, so with someone being a fervent fan, they could also turn others into fans.

Seeing Sake like this reminded me of the signed Beastz memorabilia I have neatly stored away at home.

I should probably send those as well. Should I be going to Japan soon? Or should I just ship them internationally?

[By the way, where was the music video made? Did the company help?]

Sake seemed quite interested in the music video.

“It was made through a request with support from the company.”

[Support? Um… that’s enviable.]

“Does Sake’s company not provide any support?”

[No support for individual tracks.]

Well, for someone like Sake, it seems they could whip something up on their own without support.

“I’ll introduce you to the music video team later.”

[Oh, that would be great.]

After chatting for a bit longer, the call ended.

…Ironically, I didn’t get to hear Tenshi’s voice. Are they that busy?

A collaboration between the two… I’m somewhat curious, so I’ll search for it later and put my phone down.

After that, I leaned back in my chair and fell into deep contemplation.

As I think about when to release the completed Jeong-hoon track, I also realize I really need to find more composers.

Since I still need to create two more tracks.

Is there any composer out there?

I already posted a recruitment notice for composers in the fan café last night, and it’s getting a bit awkward to look for someone externally.

Is there any composer among my contacts who could pop up out of nowhere…

While I was thinking, “It would be nice if a composer just fell from the sky,” I suddenly remembered the six people who dropped from the sky.

Of course, they were all related to music.

Once that thought surfaced, I quickly grabbed my phone and made a call.

[Hello?]

The call was directed to the manager.

“Oh, you picked up right away?”

[I happened to be working and took a break.]

“Break?”

[Yes, at the company.]

Reflecting on what the manager said, I thought about what day it was today.

“It’s Sunday, though?”

[…]

They’re at the company on a holiday when everyone else is resting… just what kind of company are they running?

[…] [But doesn’t Miro also broadcast on weekends?]

“That’s different… Never mind.”

It seemed pointless to say more, as it might just cause the manager unnecessary distress, so I cut it short.

[…] [What’s going on, by the way?]

“Oh, it’s just that… do you happen to have a composer in the third batch?”

In the first batch, I had Loa, and in the second, I had Harbin.

Surely there must be someone competent among the third batch.

[…] [A composer?]

“Yes.”

Huh? It doesn’t have to be a top-tier expert.

As long as they have the right feel, I can adjust and use it.

I asked with those expectations, and a reply came quickly.

[Yes, there is someone who can do it.]

“Really?”

[Yes, I’ve heard they’re quite good at it and have done related work a few times.]

“Can you share the contact info?”

I was surprised they even have someone and that this person is skilled.

I can’t help but admire The Six’s eye for talent.

[Then I’ll give you their number, so try contacting them.]

And just like that, a new appointment was made.

***

In the early afternoon of a weekday, when everyone would be at work or school.

I sat alone in a café, not a soul in sight except for a couple of folks in the corner, waiting for the person I was to meet.

The same day I got the call from the manager, I reached out immediately.

I may have barged in, talking about Miro Family without any preamble, but the other person readily agreed, so now I’m here at this meeting spot.

But did I come too early?

Since it was empty, I took off my sunglasses and grabbed my phone.

With some time left before our meeting, I thought I’d browse the community.

Now that all the third batch members have debuted, I should see how they’re faring.

“Hm.”

The reaction seems good.

It’s even better than the second batch.

Is it simply that the celestial realm fandom has grown? There are so many posts on the community.

Well, it is a community, so there are plenty of negative comments as well, but overall, it feels pretty positive.

Among those, the biggest topic was…

[So isn’t the queen of the third batch Rain?]

[I got banned while asking about the voting trends from Rain. Damn.]

It must be Rain.

Rain is the one who answered during the political donation segment in the debut broadcast.

It seems that made quite an impression, leading to early attention.

As I continued to browse through the evaluations of the other third batch members, I heard the bell at the café door ringing as someone walked in.

Turning my head like a meerkat, I spotted a woman entering.

The woman looked around before her eyes widened in surprise when she saw me.

“Since it’s you, come over here.”

With that certainty, I said, and she cautiously approached me.

“Um… y-you’re Miro, right?”

She looked to be in her mid-twenties, with a graceful appearance.

Her attire was neat, almost like she was heading to an interview, and her bangs were neatly pinned back, presenting a tidy image.

“Ah yes, you arrived early.”

I was slightly startled since she looked quite different from her broadcast persona, but I steadied myself and stood up to greet her.

“N-no… did you wait long?”

“I didn’t wait much.”

The junior I’m meeting today is said to be a composer with a prestigious degree, according to the manager.

Furthermore, the manager praised her as a gentle person with excellent singing skills…

“Thank you so much for last time!”

As she bowed with a genuinely apologetic look, I felt a little complicated.

“No need for that. Please, take a seat…”

But really, everything is great, except…

“…Rain.”

It’s a calamity of a different kind.

Especially since it happened on the first day of the operation.

 

---