I Want to Be a VTuber

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Seo-yeon, just like Stella, was well aware of each other’s information.

For instance, someone had compiled and shared Seo-yeon’s highlights in her fan community.

Among those was a video from <Hyper Action Star>.

What was Stella’s impression after watching it?

“What the heck is this, a variety show?”

Even though it was labeled as an audition for an action movie, honestly, it didn’t feel like an audition at all.

It felt more like a variety show.

In fact, it looked closer to a piece where Seo-yeon was wildly running around in a variety show without proper coordination.

She was swatting away incoming paintballs with her hands or breezing through various missions with astonishing physical capabilities.

And unlike before, her final showdown with Sora seemed to have a stronger sense of coordination.

“Huh, a Japanese actress?”

Stella rested her chin on her laptop as she watched the screen and glanced at Sora briefly.

‘Is she the one you showed me before, Koto Reika?’

She couldn’t quite remember the face.

Even though Seo-yeon’s acting completely overshadowed it, Stella genuinely had trouble remembering people’s faces.

What she could recognize were faces from virtual settings, like in movies or comics; real faces just didn’t stick.

In reality, she had to remember Koto Reika’s appearance, but honestly, it was overshadowed by Seo-yeon’s acting, so it was forgettable. All she recalled was the clumsy acting.

“Aha, that’s quite exaggerated.”

As expected from a variety show, it was mostly about exaggerating the situation.

This applies even to boring American variety shows.

Especially in today’s world, which seeks anything even slightly more stimulating, overseas isn’t much different either.

Now, the competitors for variety shows are numerous internet influencers.

YouTubers and virtual YouTubers.

To chase after the raw fun they present, this side needs to do things they can’t.

So, Stella didn’t think too much about Seo-yeon’s performance.

In the past year, Seo-yeon must have been prominently featured in scenes crafted to elevate her status on broadcast.

But still, there were multiple aspects that made her think this could backfire.

‘Well, that’s none of my business anyway.’

Thinking that, Stella recalled the plane ticket she had booked online.

All she could think about was Seo-yeon’s acting that Asher Baldwin himself had brought to show her.

‘There’s something oddly captivating about her.’

Laughing softly, Stella watched Seo-yeon’s performance, which she had seen multiple times already.

Her acting.

Had a strangely familiar vibe.

To be precise, it was the emotional acting that formed its basis.

There’s no way that could be the case.

That’s why Stella had come to Korea.

Would Seo-yeon really be like she was on that tiny smartphone screen?

Fortunately, when she actually saw Seo-yeon, she was indeed like that.

Even more so than Stella had imagined.

“What the heck was that, a prank video?”

Prank videos refer to hidden camera footage in America.

That’s how shocking the scene Seo-yeon had just shown was.

Rarely, Stella’s smile faded as she glanced around the broken punch machine.

“Hmm.”

Stella surveyed the punch machine.

The section where Seo-yeon had hit it was slightly bent.

She knew logically that hitting it wouldn’t bend a steel frame.

More importantly, the metallic parts fixed to the floor were rattling from the recent impact with screws sticking out everywhere.

No matter how you looked at it, this was odd for a hidden camera.

The equipment wasn’t new; it was clearly old and fixed in place.

Meaning, the punch machine had just been demolished by Seo-yeon’s punch.

Currently, there was a noisy murmuring around them.

The two actresses who had come with Seo-yeon were staring at her in shock, and Seo-yeon?

She was just avoiding eye contact, rolling her eyes away shyly.

Her expression was just like that of a puppy that did something wrong.

“Seo-yeon.”

Crouching down to look at the broken hinges of the punch machine, Stella spoke up.

“Yeah?”

“Can I ask just one thing?”

“Uh, what is it?”

“Which do you prefer, Marvel or DC?”

At Stella’s question, Seo-yeon tilted her head.

She didn’t quite understand what she meant at that moment.

Was she asking which one she liked more?

“I prefer Marvel.”

Seo-yeon replied.

A year ago, the DC Universe’s film of Batman v Superman became a legendary masterpiece, setting off a huge superhero boom in American cinema, but Seo-yeon liked Marvel more.

‘Because they went with the Avengers first before building up the narratives of the other heroes.’

Seo-yeon felt sad.

After all, it’s quite disappointing when a beloved comic adaptation fails.

Maybe it flopped because it tread too lightly instead of embracing the serious struggles of a superhero like DC.

“Okay. But at least if you like Marvel, that’s a bit better.”

With that, Stella raised both hands as if to say she was harmless.

It strangely felt like she was a bit more subdued than before.

In any case, when people see violence that surpasses imagination, they tend to be cautious.

“Just to say, don’t hit me, okay?”

“I won’t.”

“Oh, by the way, can you really deflect bullets?”

Stella suddenly remembered how Seo-yeon had swatted away paintballs in <Hyper Action Star>.

Of course, real bullets are significantly faster than paintballs, so it was only half a joke.

“I’m not sure.”

Stella thought Seo-yeon would say it was impossible, but she answered with a rather serious expression.

Honestly, Seo-yeon was curious too.

Could her skin really have bulletproof capabilities?

‘I’m not sure if I could dodge them.’

But truthfully, she just had a vague sense that she wouldn’t get hurt.

“Speaking of which, guns are legal in America, right?”

“…Huh? Why?”

“Do you have a gun, Stella?”

“Well, if we’re being specific, I don’t have one. My bodyguards do.”

Of course, she left everything behind when coming overseas.

“You’re American, but you don’t own a gun?”

“Aha, do you know how much that sounds like a racial stereotype?”

Huh? Is that so?

Seo-yeon genuinely thought so.

Isn’t it normal for Americans to carry guns just like they do cell phones?

“But why?”

“I just want to see it fired from the side next time.”

“But you can see that kind of thing in Korea too.”

“If you see it from the shooting position, you can’t see the trajectory.”

What on earth was she trying to say?

Was she implying she wanted to watch from the side when aiming at the target?

Stella was slowly starting to wonder if Seo-yeon’s words were playful or serious.

“Joo Seo-yeon.”

As they were chatting, Lee Ji-yeon called Seo-yeon with a fed-up expression.

Curious about what was up, Seo-yeon turned her head to find a crowd surrounding them.

Everyone was clutching smartphone devices.

And right at the front was a guy who looked awkwardly like a game center staff member.

“……”

Seo-yeon looked at Stella.

“Can’t we just skip the omakase and take that instead?”

“Aha, what? Were you planning to eat something that expensive?”

Stella laughed at Seo-yeon’s honest remark.

Well, what could they do about it?

“Yeah, right. It’s a bet, after all.”

Even if it was beyond Seo-yeon’s power, a promise is a promise.

It was a bit pricey, but it wasn’t anything problematic.

***

“What on earth were you doing in Japan?”

When they returned to their accommodation after having fun, Park Eun-ha greeted Seo-yeon with that.

And it was understandable.

==

Post: Saw Joo Seo-yeon at the game center

I never thought I’d see that face in Japan, not even Korea;;;

I thought there was an earthquake while I was trying to grab a figure at the game center.

Everyone panicked and rushed out, but she just stood there in front of the punch machine as if it was completely normal.

I was dumbfounded and only snapped a picture.

(Joo Seo-yeon in front of the punch machine photo)

Comments

– You could at least say something

└ Do you really think I could talk to her like that?

└ Why not?

└ What if she punches me because of my face?

– But what the heck is that? Did she break the punch machine?

– There’s someone who recorded it, and they said she hit it with her bare hand, which is why it got like that.

└ What the… What if she actually hits people with that?

└ What do you think would happen?

==

The first thing Park Eun-ha showed was a post that had appeared on Korean internet sites.

Since Akihabara was a tourist spot, it wasn’t just filled with Japanese people.

There were quite a few Koreans as well, so it spread quickly on the internet.

Plus.

“There’s a post on Twitter too. It hasn’t quite trended just yet, but the video is circulating around.”

“……A video?”

“The scene where Seo-yeon hits the punch machine.”

Wait, that was actually recorded on video?

Seo-yeon quickly checked the video and felt a bit relieved.

‘The quality isn’t great.’

Seo-yeon’s face wasn’t well-defined.

However, Stella’s face was very clearly visible as she was watching beside her.

The current topic of discussion was likely the mysterious punch machine girl and Stella watching it.

Stella seemed to be quite popular in Japan unbeknownst to her.

Unlike Korea, when Stella roamed Japan, she attracted a lot more attention than back home.

But since Seo-yeon was there with Jo Seo-hee and Lee Ji-yeon, no one dared approach them casually.

“Thanks to that, we had a comfortable time. Seo-yeon, you were much more reliable than our bodyguards, you know?”

Before they parted ways, Stella said that to Park Eun-ha.

She covered her mouth with her hand, holding herself like a young lady.

When she wasn’t with Seo-yeon, that was the general vibe she gave off.

Like a pure young lady, much like what people imagine fairies to be.

Thanks to that, Park Eun-ha didn’t reprimand Seo-yeon too much.

“Just don’t cause too much trouble. This is abroad, and it’s different from Korea.”

“Yes.”

“Okay, that’s good. Of course, I know Seo-yeon isn’t the type to cause trouble, but just saying it out of caution.”

It wasn’t necessarily bad to become a hot topic on Twitter.

Korean internet echoed similar sentiments.

Since the photos or the quality of the video weren’t great, there was no way it would spread widely.

And unless someone sees it with their own eyes, it’s not something you can fully believe.

“Oh.”

At Park Eun-ha’s words, Lee Ji-yeon exclaimed as if something had come to mind.

Park Eun-ha didn’t seem to notice, but Jo Seo-hee, who was right beside them, did hear it.

“What’s up?”

“I recorded everything of Joo Seo-yeon hitting the punch machine earlier.”

“Really?”

“I think it was given to the Japanese staff just as it was.”

Ji-yeon had been asked by the staff to film them having fun like a vlog.

So, not only did it include her hanging out with Stella, but it also captured Seo-yeon hitting the punch machine.

“Did they say that was going to be included in the documentary?”

“Probably.”

“……Huh.”

Seo-hee pondered for a moment.

“Well, I don’t think it’s a big deal.”

“Really?”

“As long as it creates a buzz, it can’t be that bad.”

And if that video appears in the documentary, it would surely become a hot topic in Japan again.

That’s because the trait of ‘strong beautiful girls’ was quite adored in Japan.

‘Above all, Stella.’

Seo-hee crossed her arms, observing Seo-yeon chatting with Park Eun-ha.

When they were together, it seemed like they forgot about everyone else.

Only Seo-yeon mattered to them as they spoke.

That was different from intentionally ignoring them.

An odd sense of discomfort.

Seo-yeon and Ji-yeon probably remained oblivious to it, but Seo-hee faintly sensed it.

More than anything, she was relatively aware of Stella’s circumstances, unlike others.

Given her position, it was relatively easy to gather information about famous people overseas.

Especially since the Newlike Group, the leading force in South Korea’s cultural industry, was at the forefront.

Although being pursued by GH Group recently, it hadn’t changed the fact that Newlike Group was at the center of South Korea’s cultural industry.

Jo Seo-hee knew about Stella’s early years when she did an interview with a small newspaper.

The reason she acted.

Now, she couldn’t access that article, buried under the ‘fairy’ image.

But Jo Seo-hee knew.

She knew the reason why Stella acted.

***

And the next day.

“We have a special guest today for the shoot.”

As they arrived at the new filming location, marveling at the beautiful mansion, Director Baek Min said that.

It was such a sudden remark that some were a bit flustered.

Among them, Lee Sang-soo remained quietly still, though.

“Don’t worry, it’s someone you’re familiar with already.”

At his words, Seo-yeon could vaguely guess who he was referring to.

No, at this point, not knowing would be foolish.

After all, she had just seen the person while having fun with Jo Seo-hee and Ji-yeon yesterday.

The staff wasn’t foolish either, and there’s no way they’d easily disclose where they were hanging out.

Stella had claimed she came on her own, but it was clear that discussions had already taken place beforehand.

‘Probably, when Stella came to Korea, her visit to Seo-yeon’s house triggered some discussions.’

So, to put it simply.

“Wait, that can’t be…”

The murmurs among the actors grew.

Seo-yeon slowly turned her gaze.

There stood a girl in a Western-style dress, holding a white parasol.

Just like a painting.

She walked slowly, very slowly, until she stopped in front of Seo-yeon.

All eyes were glued to her back.

Such a presence, she had.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a simple cameo.”

And.

“Just like you.”

Stella said that with a smile.