I Want to Be a VTuber

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“Are we filming in Hakone?”

Seo-yeon looked cheerful.

Japan for the first time.

Overseas for the first time!

It was clear she felt happier than ever before.

‘Well, Seo-yeon, you’ve already been abroad before.’

Of course, Manager Park Eun-ha didn’t want to ruin Seo-yeon’s mood.

But was she perhaps forgetting about [Survival Without People]?

Or did she not consider Papua New Guinea to be overseas?

Or maybe this was her first real trip?

It was practically her first time blending shooting with leisure.

“It looks like we’re staying for a day in the accommodation provided by the production team.”

“Oh, yes. I think it’s a mix of filming and resting.”

Narumi Sora murmured as she checked the schedule.

Manager Park Eun-ha responded with a slightly uneasy expression.

Seo-yeon seemed unaware, but Sora definitely picked up on it.

In any case, while rolling around down there, you learn to read the room.

‘Something’s up!’

Sora knew a lot about Japanese variety shows!

Well, of course she would, being Japanese!

In the past, many of Japan’s extreme storylines were frequently used in Korea, but recently, they have been less followed.

But Japan had preserved its old variety shows almost intact.

A bit extreme.

No, not a bit—quite a lot.

‘It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a late-night show, so it shouldn’t be that extreme.’

Late-night shows could be risky and intense.

They needed to be careful when filming in the hot springs.

However, judging by Manager Seo-yeon’s reaction, it likely won’t go that far.

As Sora had anticipated, Manager Park Eun-ha confirmed that filming would take place at the designated inn.

“Is it a hidden camera?”

“Yes! How about it?”

Hearing the enthusiastic voice on the phone, Park Eun-ha hesitated for a moment.

Actually, hidden cameras in Japanese variety shows are quite sizable, and even Korean celebrities often find themselves victims of them.

Not just actors like Seo-yeon, but also idols who shook the world have gone through such shows.

The advantage is that there’s no separate preparation needed.

“We’ll just insert it as a little preview before the main broadcast?”

“Yes, I think it will be specially arranged for that time.”

Manager Park Eun-ha replied at Nanjou Katsuo PD’s words.

It wouldn’t be good if she declined too many things on her first overseas shoot.

The only concern was not being able to tell Seo-yeon about the hidden camera.

‘Considering we were playing a horror game…’

To be honest, there were parts I was worried about.

Not Seo-yeon, but other complicated factors.

“Ah, but I have one request…”

Given that it could possibly be unexpected, Park Eun-ha warned Nanjou Katsuo.

Upon hearing Manager Park’s request, Nanjou Katsuo PD made a somewhat strange face.

“Huh! Did you perhaps get turned down?”

Seeing Nanjou’s face, a coworker said, and Nanjou shook his head.

Of course, that wasn’t the case.

In fact, he had granted permission rather gladly.

However.

“Uh, they said to be careful with people as much as possible.”

“People?”

“Yes, they didn’t provide details, but they said to use tools or devices instead…”

Isn’t that a bit strange?

It’s a horror hidden camera, but saying not to use people is essentially impossible.

“They did say to keep a certain distance if using people.”

Park Eun-ha had her reasons for being somewhat vague.

If it sounded like she was reaching too far, it might give Seo-yeon an undeserved violent impression, a misconception.

So, she had no choice but to speak indirectly.

“Oh, it might be for image management.”

“Ah~. That makes sense. Didn’t she say she had never felt fear?”

Ah, is that the concept?

Nanjou Katsuo thought.

There are so many stars who catch on to such strange 4D concepts.

Reality confirmed to Nanjou that “I’ve never felt fear in real life.”

At first, Nanjou hadn’t thought much about it, but after hearing what the manager said, it began to feel like a concept.

“Hmm, but…”

“Then I say I want to do more~.”

“Right?”

Anyway, various preparations started in the onsen inn in Hakone, where Seo-yeon would be coming, with the determination to truly surprise the Korean actress.

*

“….”

Seo-yeon was looking around silently.

Since getting into the van from the airport, she had been acting this way.

Anyway, Seo-yeon was really, really looking forward to her trip to Japan.

“Hey, isn’t it tense since it’s your first time doing a Japanese variety show?”

Seeing Seo-yeon’s demeanor, Sora casually asked.

Even more so as it was just the two of them, Sora found this situation quite burdensome.

To be honest, she thought there might be other celebrities around.

She didn’t expect to be going alone with Seo-yeon without any other team members except the manager.

Of course, Seo-yeon was completely unbothered.

‘We’ll be filming Mine together soon, so I should get close now.’

And it just so happened that Narumi Sora spoke Japanese the best among them.

Jo Seo-hee was good too, but unfortunately, she had some obligation that made it impossible for her to come.

Thus, Seo-yeon was planning to become closer with Narumi Sora this time.

‘Maybe I could make a hundred friends?’

She felt that way.

Recently, Seo-yeon’s confidence had soared.

Am I not a complete socialite?

She was on the brink of fully adapting to society, something she couldn’t do in her previous life.

Indeed, Seo-yeon’s confidence was at an unprecedented peak.

“It’s okay. I’ve had great reactions on variety shows so far.”

Filled with confidence, Seo-yeon’s words made Sora even more anxious.

“Have you ever seen Japanese variety shows?”

“Uh? Hmm, not really…”

She watched a ton of Japanese anime.

But it didn’t seem like she had ever seen Japanese movies or dramas.

So naturally, she had never seen variety shows either.

‘Can she even speak Japanese?’

Sora was seriously curious.

It seemed like Seo-yeon was very much looking forward to the trip, but it was hard to guess why.

It didn’t seem like she watched Japanese movies or dramas, and didn’t appear to know any celebrities.

‘Should I ask? Can you speak Japanese?’

No, if she were fluent, she wouldn’t have needed to bring me along.

But still, there was a chance.

“….By the way, do you know what people say when referring to someone in Japan?”

She first asked a basic question.

Words for this and that, or what you say when buying something.

She answered somewhat adequately.

Her tone was oddly like a gyaru high school girl.

“Kisama.”

“No, no! You must never say that!”

“Really?”

In anime, they all say it like that.

Seo-yeon nodded her head in response.

Anyway, after finishing that conversation with Sora,

Seo-yeon looked outside the moving car, taking in the Japanese scenery.

‘Feels like something I’ve seen in an anime.’

With that thought in mind, they arrived at a hot spring inn in Hakone, where filming would take place today.

Since the distance was quite far, and it was winter, the sun had set quickly, leaving the sky dark.

“Welcome.”

Upon arrival at the hot spring inn, an old grandmother welcomed Seo-yeon and her group.

Her expression was emotionless, and she had an oddly pale complexion.

The peculiar appearance sent chills down Sora’s spine.

‘This, this must be!’

Could it be a hidden camera?

Since it was stated they would be filming at this inn today, it was practically guaranteed.

Moreover, not even a single member of the Japanese crew could be seen.

At this level, it was almost certain.

But should I say something?

With that thought, she looked at Seo-yeon.

“Do we just stay here tonight?”

“Yes. I’ll show you inside.”

“Okay.”

Seo-yeon replied politely without reacting at all to the oddly chilling appearance of the old woman.

Rather, her manager Park Eun-ha and Narumi Sora reacted more strongly.

“….Doesn’t she have a strangely scary impression?”

“We shouldn’t say that. Imagine how hard it must be to live with such an expression.”

Isn’t that remark even worse?

Narumi Sora thought but Seo-yeon truly seemed unfazed.

However, after saying that, she seemed to realize something.

“Speaking of which, she speaks Korean pretty well. I guess Korean tourists visit here often.”

Seo-yeon looked up at the inn they had arrived at.

It was a three-story building.

Quite large, built of wood, and gave off an oddly aged and eerie feel.

It looks like it has that kind of vibe.

The old woman might have felt a bit strange, but that didn’t concern her.

‘Hmm.’

Thinking something feels eerie, perhaps it’s just that.

‘Did they deliberately book such an inn?’

She didn’t have any particular thoughts about the old lady.

Just that her complexion looked somewhat unhealthy, that was all.

But with the reactions of those around her, Seo-yeon easily adapted to it.

The emotional conveyance Seo-yeon had could also easily apply in reverse.

‘No, but still, it’s different in reality.’

In a game, you could only scream since you couldn’t do anything, but reality is different!

With that confidence, Seo-yeon stepped inside the inn.

*

“Meal time.”

The interior was quite nice despite the shabby exterior.

The food was really good.

Was it called Kaiseki cuisine? The dishes were served like a course meal, and Seo-yeon was very satisfied.

“I have a few things to ask you to be cautious about.”

While enjoying the food, the inn owner, the old lady, spoke.

“Don’t be surprised if there’s a sudden blackout after ten o’clock.”

“And even if there are some loud noises coming from the room at the end of the hallway, please do not come out into the hallway.”

“If you want to go to the hot springs, please do so in the morning. After ten, please try not to use them.”

“If you come out into the hallway, please go straight to the room at the opposite end.”

Chewing through her meal, Seo-yeon tilted her head.

She didn’t fully grasp what the inn’s owner was saying as she spoke nonstop.

Although she thought she spoke Korean, it wasn’t very fluent, making it a bit confusing.

Plus, her awkward way of speaking felt oddly creepy, leaving Park Eun-ha and Sora looking uneasy.

‘It seems an old inn has many problems.’

Seo-yeon thought so casually.

Having neither played a lot of horror games nor enjoyed horror movies, she couldn’t feel the thick scent of fear emanating from those words.

‘But then when will we shoot? Tomorrow maybe?’

That was the part she was more curious about.

But since it didn’t seem like any staff were around, she just went with that thought.

“Let’s be cautious moving around at night. It looks like we’re the only ones in the inn.”

Sora, scared by the inn owner’s words, said to Seo-yeon.

“What? There are plenty of people in the inn other than us.”

Seo-yeon replied as she glanced around for a moment.

There seemed to be quite a lot of presence.

‘Are they ninjas?’

The location felt quite ambiguous, which was odd, but of course, Sora couldn’t help but feel afraid at Seo-yeon’s response.

“What’s that? That’s even scarier.”

No, what is she looking at?

Narumi Sora could only be frightened.

Anyway, after finishing their meal and while they were done washing up in the shower room inside,

“Seo-yeon.”

Park Eun-ha called out to Seo-yeon.

While Seo-yeon was rolling around playing with the game console she brought, she looked up at Manager Park’s voice.

“Do you want to go to the hot spring?”

“The hot spring?”

At Manager Park’s words, Seo-yeon tilted her head.

“Didn’t you say we shouldn’t go before?”

“It’s not yet ten o’clock.”

“That’s true. Let’s go.”

Seo-yeon stood up coolly.

Wait, she got up that easily?

Seeing Seo-yeon’s response, Park Eun-ha awkwardly smiled and sighed internally.

This was all for the broadcast.

“Sora, you can come along too.”

Park Eun-ha gave a hint.

Sora, who was about to put on a face mask, looked like she was about to cry at her words.

‘The inevitable has come.’

But this couldn’t show, right?

Sora could only nod and follow obediently.

“But where is the hot spring?”

“I think it’s in the central area on the third floor.”

“The hot spring is on the third floor?”

“Maybe it’s an artificial onsen?”

Is that it? Seo-yeon didn’t think too deeply.

Anyway, while thinking about this, as they stepped into the hallway, the brightly lit hallway was still in their view.

“Nothing special, huh?”

As she said that, it was at the moment she walked through the middle of the hallway that

all the lights in the hallway went out.