I Want to Be a VTuber

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It all happened in an instant.

The line that Ji-yeon shouted after hitting Seo-yeon on the head was—

“Was there a line like that?”

“No, the script definitely doesn’t include anything like that.”

“So it was all ad-lib?”

The staff exchanged those glances and murmured quietly among themselves. It was no wonder. The moment Ji-yeon tumbled and hit Seo-yeon on the head was already a NG.

It wasn’t a scene that was set up to account for something like that in the first place. But suddenly, Ji-yeon’s line lightened the previously tense atmosphere. There was no better way to diffuse their fight.

After all, Yeon Seon-ye had been rather invisible until now, and her actions straddled both sides.

Moreover, the staff were confused about whether Ji-yeon’s line was an ad-lib or not because it didn’t end with just one sentence.

“I’ve disliked you for a long time, you bad girl. Young lady, are you there? I’ll teach you a lesson.”

Saying so, she grabbed Yuina’s hair, who was hit in the face with a headbutt, and rolled her on the ground.

While rolling, she whispered to Yuina.

The whole exchange felt so natural that it seemed as if it had been part of the original script. Even Director Baek Min, who knew the script by heart, glanced at it again for a moment.

It was such a fitting line and performance for the scene.

“Good judgment in the moment.”

Director Baek Min lowered his hand that he had lifted to call for a NG and looked at Ji-yeon with renewed eyes. To be honest, Baek Min did not highly praise Ji-yeon’s acting like he did for Seo-yeon or Jo Seo-hee.

Her acting wasn’t bad.

Compared to other actors of similar age, it was quite acceptable.

However, from Baek Min’s perspective, being better than peers was absolutely not a passing mark.

“But the color she showed during the audition was just right for Yeon Seon-ye.”

Relatively simple acting.

That’s why it suited Yeon Seon-ye.

Additionally, her unique fluttering atmosphere greatly appealed to Director Baek Min.

“Should I call it reaction speed? She knows how to cope when a crisis arises.”

Of course, even if she knew, executing it immediately is usually a difficult task. In fact, even Seo-hee and Seo-yeon seemed flustered by the sudden happening.

The only reason they could continue acting in that situation was that Lee Ji-yeon immediately shouted the ‘line’ that fit perfectly with the scene.

From the moment she hit her head, all of Yeon Seon-ye’s lines were Lee Ji-yeon’s ad-lib.

From now on, it was all.

“No, are you crazy? You want to see me die? What is this in broad daylight? Are you trying to say that I hid this just to chop your neck?”

At this point, Yeon Seon-ye had not yet revealed to Michiko that Yuina was the character she hid.

While Michiko had some vague idea, Yeon Seon-ye hadn’t disclosed it yet.

However, Yuina’s recently spoken line, combined with the emotional interpretation by Seo-yeon, became very significant.

When she said that she had everything, her gaze swept over Yeon Seon-ye.

It was definitely a part that wasn’t in the script.

Perhaps Seo-yeon interpreted it as “If it were Yuina, she would have done that.”

Yuina’s hand, which was about to retort in response, halted as she looked at Yeon Seon-ye.

In her gaze, Yeon Seon-ye, thinking it had come to this anyway, once again headbutted Yuina, and they both rolled away from each other.

“Look at our young lady, her pretty clothes are all ruined.”

“Seo, Seon-ye, you’re bleeding from your head.”

“Ah, I know. Ow, that really hurts. How can a young lady’s head be that hard? Just a moment.”

Yeon Seon-ye roughly wiped her head with her sleeve and reached out her hand towards Michiko.

“Young lady, grab on.”

“Uh, huh?”

“Are you going to stay like this? There are so many spectators; are you going to keep fighting? Ah, she’s glaring. Why aren’t you grabbing on quickly?”

In a hurry, Yeon Seon-ye spoke. Michiko glanced back and forth between the hand extended towards her and Yuina’s panicked face.

And then—

“Hmph, serves you right. Alright, let’s go, Seon-ye.”

They each took hands and stood up, and like that, they ran away, led by Yeon Seon-ye’s hand through the crowd.

Holding hands, they unknowingly burst into laughter.

Thus, they dashed through the crowd.

Cameras instinctively followed the two of them.

And a few cameras caught Yuina looking at them with a complicated expression from behind.

But that was only for a moment.

As she watched the two completely disappear, Yuina chuckled.

“Well, this turned out to be quite funny.”

The surrounding crowd looked at her with puzzled eyes. The extras were staring at her in confusion. Perhaps their gazes were definitely not acting.

After all, the series of events included lines and scenes that weren’t in the script at all.

No, they were included, but not in this manner.

“What are you looking at?”

Yuina glared at the crowd staring at her.

The crowd flinched at her gaze and dispersed.

She then picked up her bear pipe that had fallen among the crowd.

“… me too.”

After casting a glance in the direction Yeon Seon-ye and Michiko had vanished, she turned slowly.

Her lonely back contrasted sharply with the two who were bright and running hand in hand.

The camera captured such images as the scene came to an end.

***

When it all wrapped up, it was undoubtedly the contents of the script.

Yeon Seon-ye took Michiko away, and Yuina watched them with a complicated expression as it ended.

But that playful laughter felt so genuine while they held hands and ran.

Plus, Yuina’s last poignant line added meaning.

These elements were not on the script but were newly interpreted.

Most importantly.

“All of Yeon Seon-ye’s lines were ad-libs, right?”

“Really? No way, I thought it was so natural that it had to be in there. The fall wasn’t acting but a real fall, right?”

“I thought so too, but… hmm…”

To think she could so smoothly throw out lines right after that.

Seo-yeon and Jo Seo-hee.

Their acting raised the immersion level to such an extent that it became difficult for other actors to intervene.

Had Yeon Seon-ye simply barged in as originally intended, it would have looked very odd.

Although it was a correct scene, it would have completely failed to deliver an impact as a protagonist.

But this simple accident became an action of the ‘protagonist.’

“Even if all of Yeon Seon-ye’s lines were ad-libs, the way the two responded was impressive.”

“They even slightly altered the nuance of the original lines.”

Thus, the scene flowed naturally.

The altered elements were promptly corrected by Yeon Seon-ye’s quick line delivery.

“Wow, we really captured this well. Look at this.”

The cameraman grinned, showing the shot of Michiko and Yeon Seon-ye running together.

“This turned out really good!”

“There’s no music, but why do I hear it?”

“I thought that too; this is genuinely romantic. Exactly.”

The crew was highly praising it.

Actors who had watched the footage were astonished at how well the scene turned out.

However, apart from that.

“I’m, I’m so sorry. We strayed too far from the script…”

Ji-yeon slowly approached Director Baek Min, apologizing in a small voice.

By the way, she was bandaged on her head.

It seemed that the actual hit from Seo-yeon was genuine.

It was puzzling why Seo-yeon, who got hit once on the face and head, was completely fine, while Ji-yeon, who got headbutted twice, had her head hurt.

‘What a sturdy girl.’

Of course, Ji-yeon wasn’t too concerned about that level of injury.

The important thing was whether Director Baek Min would overlook the series of acts or not.

‘What if he asks us to reshoot?’

Whatever the reason, Ji-yeon had deviated from the content of the script and the emotion Baek Min wanted to capture.

This was a mistake beyond the excellent ad-libs.

If she thought it was better and acted on her own, why would there be a need for a director?

Seeing Ji-yeon bow her head, Director Baek Min appeared to be lost in thought for a moment.

Naturally, the scene that had been filled with laughter would then turn stiff.

‘He’s not going to ask us to reshoot, is he?’

‘If Director Baek Min were to do so, it wouldn’t be unusual.’

‘Oh no, that would be too regrettable for the scene.’

Tensed, everyone looked at Baek Min, who seemingly sensed the atmosphere and let out a dry laugh.

“What on earth do you think of me? I won’t film again; we’re not reshooting. It’s a wonderful scene. Yes, honestly, I silently called for a NG a hundred times, but this works. Of course, aside from that…”

Baek Min patted Ji-yeon’s shoulder as he spoke.

“What just happened was an acting born out of an accident, so I’m willing to overlook it. Also, the lines were such that they aimed to return to the original script. It’s just that they carry a different feeling from the one intended in the scene.”

Originally, it had a heavier tone.

Excessive emotion.

A section to draw that element to its extreme.

Yet, although that aspect had slightly dulled, the completeness of the scene had increased.

On the contrary, the emotions of Yuina were indirectly expressed without being overt, which Baek Min really appreciated.

While thinking this, someone approached Baek Min.

“Young actors are truly intimidating these days. It’s quite surprising considering how I was when I was young.”

It was none other than actor Lee Sang-soo.

Now that things seemed sorted out, he had brought up this topic to lighten the mood.

Perhaps he wanted to see if Baek Min’s mind would change.

“… Indeed. It’s fascinating that each has their own color.”

Seo-yeon’s standout performance was glaringly evident.

Even her last line.

“Yeah, if it were Yuina, she would definitely say that.”

That line was undoubtedly the emotion Baek Min desired.

More complex and heavier.

Unlike the other two, only Yuina was Baek Min’s.

That’s why he let that one pass.

The most essential central emotion was something he intended.

‘She must have been cognizant and acted accordingly.’

The lightened mood.

Yeon Seon-ye and Michiko’s loosened performance.

In contrast, a different color was mixed in.

Seo-yeon likely understood that.

For Yuina, it was appropriate to perform the original set acting rather than match theirs.

‘Lee Ji-yeon’s quick thinking was totally beyond my expectations, but what to say about Seo-yeon…’

This side was also quick, regardless.

Naturally, if she had just been hit on the face, she would be quite disoriented, yet she seemed to observe Ji-yeon as she acted.

As if she had anticipated that Ji-yeon would throw out an ad-lib.

Having contemplated to that extent, Baek Min smiled at Ji-yeon, who was scanning him.

“You said Ji-yeon and Seo-yeon are both long-time friends, right?”

“Yes? Ah, yes. We’ve known each other since kindergarten.”

“Indeed.”

“… Huh?”

“Ha ha, it’s nothing much.”

Since Seo-yeon expected Ji-yeon to throw an ad-lib, Ji-yeon might have unconsciously thought that Seo-yeon would respond to her ad-lib too.

Their chemistry was very pleasing.

Moreover.

‘Therefore, when Michiko and the two held hands and ran, it carried more emotion.’

The complex gaze.

However, the most pronounced emotion on the surface of that complexity was a slight pang of jealousy.

Director Baek Min found that particularly appealing.

***

“Totally Ramiel.”

Seeing Ji-yeon sprinting alongside Jo Seo-hee at the end, Seo-yeon inadvertently superimposed a 3D avatar in her mind.

No, it sounds so much deeper than it is, but it can’t be helped.

After all, Yeon Seon-ye’s acting was based on Ramiel’s performance.

‘Ji-yeon’s quick reflexes are impressive as always.’

That was something she had been aware of since her previous life.

Whether a virtual YouTuber or just a regular one, one of the essential skills for them was absolutely quick reflexes.

Since they broadcast live every time, there are many surprising events that can happen.

Naturally, Ramiel, who was at the peak among the virtual YouTuber groups ‘Seven Live,’ was often embroiled in various incidents due to her outstanding popularity.

During those times, she always managed to navigate the situations cleverly.

‘So that skill shines through when ad-libbing?’

Seo-yeon glanced at Ji-yeon, who was seated beside her.

The day after shooting concluded.

Ji-yeon seemed unusually excited.

Typically, Seo-yeon would go looking for Ji-yeon on her way home from school, but today Ji-yeon was the one who came to find her first.

“Seo-yeon, why do you keep staring?”

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s nothing, huh? Your expression reveals everything!”

Ji-yeon, feeling puzzled by Seo-yeon’s strangely pouty face, was merely wondering about it.

She would never have imagined that this reaction had anything to do with Ramiel.

Of course, Seo-yeon wasn’t genuinely pouty.

She had just shown a little of it.

Initially, what was crucial wasn’t that.

After erasing the pouting expression, Seo-yeon asked in a somewhat awkward voice.

“But what kind of flowers do you usually bring when visiting someone in the hospital? Lilies?”

“How very rude.”

Ji-yeon laughed lightly.

By the way, the place they were heading was Jo Seo-hee’s house, whom they had visited a few days prior.

They were going to her because—

“You really hit her hard.”

“… I didn’t hit her particularly hard.”

It was just acting.

Moreover, Jo Seo-hee was quite tough, so she had been just fine even after being thrown a bit.

Though Ji-yeon had indeed thrown a bit more vigorously than usual yesterday.

Anyway, while Jo Seo-hee seemed perfectly fine until the shoot finished with adrenaline pumping, she had collapsed right after.

Thus, Seo-yeon, the ‘attacker,’ had no choice but to visit Jo Seo-hee in the hospital.

“But this house is huge… so who’s going to answer if I ring the doorbell?”

Ji-yeon pressed the doorbell at Jo Seo-hee’s house with a nonchalant look.

Would it be the housekeeper lady they saw last time?

As they waited with that thought—

“Who is it?”

A middle-aged man opened the door.

At the sight of him, Ji-yeon’s face suddenly turned contemplative, while Seo-yeon froze in place.

It was no surprise.

Many people in the industry would certainly recall the face of the man standing before them.

‘The chairman of Newlike Group.’

In other words, he was Jo Seo-hee’s father.