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“Is this really possible?”

Rain was visibly surprised when I brought up the topic of featuring Sake’s goods, being a fan who collects them.

“Well, it all depends on whether the song is good.”

“Then, does that mean it’s possible?”

“Yes, it should work out.”

Since I already had an agreement in place, I expected to be welcomed as long as I brought a good song. Besides, I was confident with my secret surprise package.

“Alright, please wait a moment.”

Seeing my confident demeanor, Rain hurried over to her computer.

“I’ll show you my most confident work right away!”

She said that and immediately turned on her computer.

Her most confident work?

This piqued my interest, so I quietly sat on the floor for now.

“What kind of song is it?”

“It’s a song I planned to submit for my graduation project.”

Oh…

A graduation project song?

My anticipation grew even more.

“Just listen carefully.”

She said that and quietly clicked the mouse.

Soon, sounds began to emit from the high-quality speakers in the room.

“Oh…”

The piano sound at the beginning felt good.

The gentle ringing created an elegant atmosphere.

“Did you play this yourself?”

I asked, noticing the digital piano beside her, and she carefully nodded her head.

“Yes, I learned it when I was young.”

“Wow.”

She actually played this?

If you just listen to the piano, you might think Hyeon-su’s band is nothing compared to it… or is it?

Those guys are professionals, specialists even, so it’s hard to compare them with Rain, who’s still a student.

Anyway, to my ordinary ears, it sounded amazing.

After the piano, other electronic sounds like guitar, bass, and drums gradually layered in, and then Rain’s voice came in.

Healing-sounding notes accompanied by her graceful voice flowed out.

This is good, really good.

I couldn’t hide my smile of satisfaction while listening.

So there was a jewel among the third generation members.

I briefly thought about the songs produced by Miro Family so far.

There was Lee Kang-jun’s slightly dark ballad.

Jeong-hoon’s bright and upbeat track.

And the utterly unpredictable collaboration between Loa and Harbin.

If Rain’s song joins in with this vibe, it seems like we can achieve a good balance.

Lost in my happy thoughts, I enjoyed the song,

“Um, um, how was it?”

When the song ended and silence settled in the room,

I leaped to my feet.

“Perfect score, perfect score!”

So this is what a blessing in a drought feels like.

“Phew… I’m relieved.”

It seemed she was really nervous, as she calmed down immediately after my praise.

By the way, I wonder how old she is?

She looks to be in her mid-twenties, but I heard she’s the youngest among the third-generation members.

“By the way, how old are you…?”

“Oh, I’m twenty-four.”

“Aha.”

I asked wondering if she might be younger than I imagined, but it turned out to be just as I expected.

Hmm, it seems the third generation members are all a bit older.

Considering that I and Seo Eun-ha from the first and second generations debuted at twenty-one, it feels like age standards have been raised.

Well, The Six’s expectations have risen, so it follows that more seasoned individuals are being selected.

“Did you prepare to be a VTuber right after your break from school?”

“Exactly! I applied for the third generation right away.”

I had the question of why this elite, rich student who can play piano and compose would want to become a VTuber.

But then my eyes caught sight of the beautifully arranged Izakaya Sake goods on one wall.

Yeah, she must have been attracted to it.

Like Kim Soo-hyun… Oh, wait, no?

Thinking back, isn’t it true that female Kim Soo-hyun started after watching VTubers earn money while sitting down?

Hmm, in comparison, that might be disrespectful to Rain.

But still, she’s currently doing great with strong professional awareness, so maybe it’s okay?

Anyway, putting all that aside, I had something to do.

“Are you thinking of joining Miro Family?”

“Um… will I be of any help?”

“Of course! If you accept now, you’ll be invited to the Miro Family group chat immediately.”

“R-right now?”

Having found a gem, I have to reel her in.

“Yes, nothing holding you back. You’ll be part of my catch.”

“W-was that a joke?”

“…Please don’t make me explain.”

It was supposed to be a smooth pun, but mentioning it made it awkward.

Regardless, getting invited here meant just getting stamped to become a member.

We’d be together until the fall of Miro Family.

Was Rain caught off guard by my enthusiasm, or did she genuinely want to join?

“I-I’ll do it…”

Rain bashfully accepted… No, stamped it.

“Alright then, I’ll invite you.”

And just like that, I invited Rain to the Miro Family group chat, quickly explaining to the existing members who were surprised by the sudden newcomer.

(Loa) – Why didn’t the junior do the interview?

Loa asked that when she saw Rain joining without an interview, but…

(Me) – It’s the CEO’s decision.

(Loa) – (cat puffing cheeks emoticon)

With a word from the CEO, they immediately surrendered.

I was planning to recruit based on her abilities, and if you had complaints, well, then be the CEO.

“Um… are these the members?”

“There are some you might not know, right? You can introduce yourselves in the chat later.”

But since she’s a student, she might be tied to Lee Seo-yeon, the lyricist, through school connections.

Well, we’ll figure that out gradually.

“Can I listen to other songs too?”

“Ah, yes, of course!”

Since I was here anyway, I should sample the parachute talents of our Miro Family.

**

“Then I’ll be off now.”

After listening to songs for a while and feeling thoroughly satisfied, I stood up.

“Oh, I’ll see you off.”

As I got up, Rain also jumped up, trying to accompany me out.

Her attitude of respecting her senior and CEO is splendid.

I gave her extra points in my mind as I went back to the room where I had tossed my coat earlier to put it on and prepare to leave.

“Then I’ll contact you later…”

As I was about to leave…

Ding-dong- tick- tick- tick- tick- tick-.

I heard the door lock opening from the entrance.

“Oh.”

“Oh?”

And then our gazes met at the same time.

“It seems my parents have come.”

Wait, both of them?

Can’t one of them just stay away?

My heart raced, but my body wouldn’t move.

The door opened, and Rain’s parents came into the house.

“We’re back… Oh my.”

The woman, who seemed to be the mother, led the way, and our eyes met.

“Who are you?”

“Um….”

Who am I?

A colleague of Rain? A senior? The CEO?

While I pondered which title would be natural, Rain beside me spoke first.

“Uh, uh… she’s a friend, a friend.”

…A friend?

We’re not friends though… I thought but stopped myself when our eyes met.

Now that I think about it, the soundproofing in that workspace seems pretty thorough.

Could it be that her parents don’t even know she’s doing broadcasts while living under the same roof?

“Oh, is she Danbi’s friend?”

“Ah, yes, yes.”

I accidentally learned my junior’s real name but answered smoothly.

By the way, her name is Danbi… so that’s why Rain is named Rain?

I laughed inwardly at how simply she must have come up with that nickname when I saw a figure coming behind what was presumably her father.

A middle-aged man in formal attire with a robust stature.

He definitely looked like someone who could hold a significant position in any organization.

“So, you’re her friend?”

And just then, our eyes met.

“Oh, yes… I’m Kim Soo-hyun, Danbi’s friend.”

I greeted him while immediately utilizing the lesson I had learned from the filming set.

If you want to appear respectful, start by bowing.

“Hah, you’re quite polite.”

Thankfully, he seemed to like my manner and said with a smile.

“By the way, are you leaving now?”

“Yes, I’m about to go home…”

I said that, wanting to get away from my current position, but Rain’s mother, who had been taking off her bag at the front, spoke with regret.

“Oh my, why don’t you eat before going? It’s been years since Danbi brought a friend home.”

…Years since she brought a friend home?

I glanced at Rain.

She avoided my gaze.

Seriously? Does she not have friends?

“…Alright.”

Not wanting to reject the atmosphere, I accepted.

So, I unexpectedly ended up having dinner with them.

I imagined a political lady in my mind wearing luxury brands and commanding housemaids, but here, her mother personally cooked for us.

“Hoho, eat well.”

She said that while placing a bowl of rice in front of me.

“Please feel free to sit.”

After that, Rain’s father, the first politician I had ever seen with my own eyes, placed a spoon for me.

…This is terrifying.

I wanted to get up and help as soon as possible.

However, earlier that customer told me to relax, so I had long since been stuck to my chair.

As I fidgeted uncomfortably, it seemed like my anxiety amused Rain’s mother, who chuckled softly.

“Why are you so nervous? Just relax~”

“Yes…”

Even if you say that, I don’t know how to relax…

Honestly, I just met Rain today, and now I’m being treated to a meal in her house.

As I sat there in a daze, the meal preparation came to an end, and at some point, I noticed myself holding a spoon and eating.

…And it’s delicious.

They cook well, unlike how political ladies usually can’t cook in dramas.

Thinking that this galbi-jjim was truly exceptional, I grabbed a piece to eat just when…

“By the way, how did you meet Danbi?”

“Gack, urrk.”

“Oh my! Are you okay?”

“I-I’m fine.”

I was startled by her unexpected question and almost choked.

H-how did I see her?

Is it okay to be honest?

I thought while glancing sideways at Rain, who had visibly shaky eyes.

Seeing that, I was completely certain.

…She hasn’t told them, huh?

Given the soundproofing, it could be possible she may have been broadcasting secretly.

If it got noisy, she could simply say she was singing or playing an instrument.

“…We met through a friend introduction.”

“Oh, I see? Are you both the same age?”

“Oh no, she’s a year younger…”

“So she’s in college? Which university does Soo-hyun attend?”

…University?

I’m a high school graduate who dropped out of design school…

But I felt the pressure of needing to say something substantial.

It felt like I needed to uphold the atmosphere at the dinner table.

And this is also for Rain.

After a moment of resolve, I opened my mouth.

“I’m on a break from S University.”

The moment I said that, I felt Rain’s gaze on me.

“Oh really? So you were a junior.”

Rain’s father said, who had been eating quietly.

…Oh no, this is a disaster; is he an alumnus of S University?

“…Oh, you must be a senior.”

“Right. What’s your major?”

“Oh, I’m in computer science.”

When I mentioned computer science, I felt Rain’s parents viewing me differently.

“You must be studying hard.”

“Haha… I hit the jackpot on the college entrance exam.”

I could feel Rain’s gaze shifting to something strange, but I tried to ignore it.

She probably thinks I’m showing off.

…Honestly, she wouldn’t be wrong.

But I stand with pride!

Huh? I genuinely managed to get in through hard work.

Though now it’s as ephemeral as sand slipping through my fingers.

“How’s it nowadays? Back when I was….”

He appeared delighted to see a junior and opened up about school.

A normal braggart would have faltered here, but…

“Oh, that’s been fixed, and nowadays…”

I naturally continued the conversation as I had a year of experience there.

“Professors in elective classes…”

With memories and experiences fresh in mind, I spoke freely.

In the end, we talked throughout the meal and…

“Ahh, Danbi has made a really good friend.”

When the meal was wrapping up, I received acknowledgments from her father.

“Come visit anytime.”

“Haha… sure.”

When the meal ended,

I stepped outside with Rain, who offered to see me off.

“Senior…? What on earth…”

The moment we stepped out of the apartment and into the fresh air, Rain looked at me with a puzzled expression,

“…Everything was for you, so please don’t ask anything.”

Having no shame in my actions today, I confidently met her gaze and looked up at the dimming sky.

…It’s so dark.

With night falling, I thought about wanting to quickly go home and promised myself deep inside.

Never to visit Rain’s house again.

 

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