Now That I Have Become a Woman, I Am a Vtuber

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“…However, through the process of having fallen and then preparing again, I was able to see my strengths and weaknesses once more, and I think it’s a good opportunity to show the viewers my newly grown self.”

Sweat is dripping down.

I can speak positively now, but what has Harbin been thinking all this time? While the first generation of Celestial Realm Project members struggled through the audition process and led thousands of viewers on the broadcast, what must she have felt competing against the second generation candidates?

No matter how I think about it, I doubt any good thoughts crossed her mind.

Yeah, but this much is acceptable.

She failed, after all.

But knowing that someone who barely scraped through is now asking me what I think of the first generation…

Well, I think I’d feel pretty bad too?

The manager next to me is shooting me a sharp glare.

No, I really had no idea.

In the meantime, Harbin seems to think she answered well, her eyes sparkling as she waits for my reaction.

Yeah, in the end, I have to respond. I should maintain this classy image and toss out some fancy words. Besides, it’s not like she doesn’t know I’m Miro!

I’ll just think about what comes later, later.

“Ah, yes. People say that life consists of successes and the processes, not failures. I think that the mindset of considering your first-round failure as part of the process is what created the current Harbin.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, while competitiveness towards others is also important, I personally think that caring for yourself and strengthening your inner self is even more admirable.”

I feel the manager’s gaze on me again.

But what can I do? I’ve already pressed the pedal of an 8-ton truck with a broken steering wheel.

And look at Harbin.

Isn’t she gazing at me with such admiration?

I’m not deceiving her.

I’m merely healing any possible emotional scars.

“Y-yeah? To be honest, I felt pretty bad….”

“Yes, well, who would feel good? But despite that, you competed fiercely and achieved results, right? That’s not an easy thing to do.”

“Y-yeah… I… I even thought about giving up, but I felt like this was the only path for me….”

“I completely understand that feeling. I once had a time when things weren’t going well, but ultimately, what’s important is….”

Damn… what am I even doing right now?

Something feels really off.

Even her eyes are getting misty.

I’m not a counselor.

I sneak a glance to my side, but the manager only gives me a cold stare.

Damn… at this point, there’s no turning back.

And so, channeling my inner counselor, I used all my superficial, shallow knowledge to counsel her for several minutes.

Finally, Harbin exited the reception room, looking relieved.

After she left.

“…”

“Please don’t look at me like that….”

I turned my body slightly.

The manager’s gaze feels like it’s piercing through me.

“Sigh… it’s all my fault. I should have said something in advance.”

The manager admits he has some blame, but I’m not so sure about that.

In times like these, it’s best to quickly change the subject.

“Hahaha, no, it’s not your fault… I should have known just from the nickname. By the way, is the next person another first-generation dropout?”

While shifting topics, I asked just in case. I shouldn’t repeat the same mistake.

“No, she’s not. It seems this will be her very first broadcast experience.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, she’s just turned 20. Younger than Miro.”

“20 years old? Really?”

That’s surprising. I’m not the youngest anymore?

What’s more, I have a whopping 42 years of life experience, and this 20-year-old kid stands confidently among strong competitors to make it to the final round… is that some kind of devil’s talent?

“Yes, personally, I’m a little excited but also worried about this promising candidate.”

“Worried? Ah… I guess she’s too young.”

Broadcasting, in a sense, requires a continuous responsibility to maintain trust with the viewers.

Can a 20-year-old with only middle-school social experience handle it well?

Plus, with no broadcast experience, the worst-case scenario could be that we accept her but end up with her ditching the broadcast.

“It feels a little surreal to hear you say that since you said she was young.”

“Am I an ordinary 21-year-old?”

“Well, that’s true.”

“You don’t think that just because Miro did well, it means other younger friends will do well too, right?”

I hesitantly ask, but the manager hesitates to respond immediately.

Is that really true?

“Really?”

“No, I don’t naturally think that, but….”

“Oh, are we back up to those higher-ups?”

Those higher-ups…

I’d really like to see what kind of people they are.

Sure, I can acknowledge their drive, but do they not understand the field at all?

“But I believe that the upcoming person will definitely do well.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Is it really going to be that good?

I’ll just have to wait and see.

“What’s her nickname?”

“Seo Eun-ha.”

“Seo Eun-ha… is there a Dong Eun-ha too?”

“…?”

“Sorry.”

“Oh, was that a joke? It was so nonsensical.”

“….”

Did I say something that ridiculous?

Anyway, Seo Eun-ha.

The name sounds very pristine just from hearing it.

But in the broadcasting industry, one can’t judge based on mere nicknames.

Isn’t my name Miro? What does my current image have to do with that?

Still, the manager’s words make me a little hopeful.

How promising could she be for the manager to say that?

As I waited for the next person with anticipation, I wondered…

“Why hasn’t she come?”

“Right? I heard she arrived earlier.”

Did she get lost? The company is big, but it shouldn’t be that hard to find her.

“By the way, didn’t someone come to greet you when I first arrived? Are you discriminating against second-generation candidates?”

“I’m now the overall manager, right? The rookie should go down and meet her.”

“Oh, you’ve been promoted!”

“Yes.”

That’s quite a rapid rise in less than a year.

Though it seems like the workload is anything but light.

“Still, why hasn’t she come?”

“Indeed. Should we try calling?”

“No, it feels too pushy. I’ll sneak out and find her.”

“Do you know what she looks like?”

“I’ll just grab the first person I see who looks lost and clueless.”

After all, it’s her first time here. I’ll just ask anyone looking around frantically if they’re Seo Eun-ha.

“Well then, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Sure, I’ll be back soon.”

With that, I left the reception room, seeing the manager off.

“Um….”

As soon as I opened the door, I came face to face with a girl who was wandering in front of the door.

She was smaller than Mile, barely up to my chest, looking around before meeting my gaze.

And just like that…

Swish—

She immediately dropped her gaze.

No way…

“Um… are you Seo Eun-ha?”

“Uh, um, y-yes….”

“Um….”

Is this really Seo Eun-ha? She seems really introverted at first glance.

She can’t even hold my gaze and is all curled up right now.

“Um, let’s come inside for now.”

Since she confirmed she was Seo Eun-ha, I brought her inside.

“Ah, you’ve arrived…?”

Based on the manager’s reaction, it seems he wasn’t expecting this level of introversion.

Now that I think about it, he did say she might be a little introverted, but this is beyond that, isn’t it?

“Ah, hello. My name is Seo Eun-ha….”

Is this really a promising candidate?

I can’t help but think of that, even if it might be rude.

Is this really okay for the second generation of the Celestial Realm Project?

I sent a glance filled with that worry to the manager, but he too seems a bit flabbergasted.

Good thing Seo Eun-ha doesn’t see that expression.

This introverted candidate probably can’t see any expressions given her head is down like that.

“First, please sit comfortably.”

Well, being introverted is one thing.

Now that I think about it, isn’t she aiming to be a virtual YouTuber?

It’s a profession where one sits in front of a computer desk at home, setting up a board, chatting cheerfully with online friends, so being outgoing would rather be strange.

Maybe if I talk to her a bit more, I’ll understand what kind of person she is.

With that thought, I settled her into a chair and started the interview.

“Um, how was your journey here?”

The manager kicked things off.

I was at a loss for words, having no idea what to say.

“Uh, um, I came in my dad’s car….”

“Oh, I see. Is your father waiting downstairs then?”

“Yes… he’s waiting in the café downstairs.”

“Oh, I see….”

After exchanging a couple of questions, a rare silence hung over the reception area.

Even that well-spoken manager can’t break the ice.

Is this timid, curled-up girl really a promising candidate?

She seems like she can’t even hold a basic conversation.

No matter how much they say the internet and reality are different, can she really host a broadcast smoothly?

I’m already worried.

Sigh…

Can’t I just go home now?