18. Idol (2): The Trickle-Down Effect
The trickle-down effect. A peculiar phenomenon born from the influence of major streamers. Big streamers have diverse and massive audiences. So, what happens when another streamer—especially an unusual one—appears on a big streamer's broadcast? People check it out, just once, out of curiosity. Of course, this time it was even more special because of the audition.
In any case, Han Seol was feeling the trickle-down effect with every fiber of her being right now.
[...Uh, that is...]
Han Seol felt like something was stuck in her throat, and the words she wanted to say just wouldn't come out. She felt foolish for having psyched herself up just moments ago. Still, she couldn't shake off the fear so easily. Sure, she'd imagined reaching triple-digit, even quadruple-digit viewers someday. But reality and imagination were worlds apart.
The chat window scrolled rapidly upward, and the viewer count kept climbing. She was so tense her stomach churned. The monitor screen seemed to blur, and her hands and feet trembled uncontrollably, refusing to function.
[...Uh, h-hello, everyone...]
Dozens of eyes seemed to bore into her. Curiosity, malice, goodwill—the emotions varied. At least, that's how it felt to Han Seol. She needed to loosen up. If she didn't, all those diverse feelings would converge into one: malice. They'd tear her down, condemn her, question why she even passed the audition.
She quickly checked the viewer list. A conduit to calm her nerves. A reminder that ConvenienceStoreStrawThief wasn't alone.
She grabbed the mic again and opened her mouth.
They didn't know. Even with over a hundred people watching, she was greeting just one viewer. That was Han Seol's routine.
But it was just a greeting. In a stream that would last hours, all she'd managed was buttoning the first button. She had plenty prepared for a proper virtual idol broadcast: karaoke, VR map exploration, chill talk—she'd practiced a ton and watched examples too.
[Um... Shall we start with VR map exploration...?]
[Um... Why is this happening...]
But her focus was already shot; she couldn't run a normal stream. Mistake after mistake. During VR map tours, karaoke, even talk segments. Her tension manifested as low energy, enough to wear out the viewers.
She was terrified. She couldn't even think of the one person who used to watch only her. It was too similar. Everyone pointing fingers at her in reality. It crushed her self-esteem to the ground. In the end, the wings she'd started to spread were torn, and she retreated back into her shell.
The stream exploded in growth anyway. Despite the backlash against her low-energy broadcast, her cute voice and fitting avatar provided some shield. But the real key was something else.
A crudely titled clip: "VTuber Academy Qualifier's First Stream Opening Legend".
Viewers had clipped the highlight, and it went viral.
The out-of-nowhere hiccup amplified her timid side, perfectly maximizing the character she'd shown in the audition.
But rather than celebrating, I was worried. A clip is just a highlight. It doesn't mean the whole hours-long stream connects to that fun. In other words, Rie was now a prime target for people.
Viewers disappointed by the low-energy stream unlike the highlight. Fans of the other qualifiers. And the usual malice-filled trolls. Plenty of people wouldn't let her be.
So she had to grow fast somehow. At this rate, she'd end up worse off than if she'd failed the audition.
But... there was no method. It was a mountain she had to climb alone. No matter what I said, it wouldn't solve it.
I sighed and grabbed the summary notes I'd made all night. In the end, I headed to school with nothing to show for it. My steps felt heavy.
Hate comments were tough even for so-called big streamers. And for timid, mentally fragile Rie? If she faced that...
Thud.
I set down my heavy bag. But my heart stayed heavy.
"Haa..."
A long sigh dragged out. It wasn't me. The culprit was the junior next to me. She was face-down on her desk, kicking her feet, looking seriously uneasy.
Soon, Han Seol lifted her head and bowed slightly. She'd probably heard my bag.
"Something wrong?"
"..."
She shook her head at my question. Off. Something was wrong. Lately, she'd been responding properly every time. But now it felt like we'd gone back to square one. Her prickly self, rejecting everyone.
I didn't get it. Wasn't she fine yesterday? Maybe the counseling didn't pan out. This made it hard to find the right moment for the notes.
...No time to worry about the junior. Yeah, I could give her the notes after class. She was still a shaky junior who needed looking after, but Rie's stream mattered more right now. At this rate, she'd break for sure. Unable to withstand the malice, she'd plummet endlessly.
I didn't want to see my favorite streamer end like that, no matter what. I'd tried donating more, but it was useless. She was buried in chat, seeing nothing.
Then... email it is. I'd straight-up told her about the email just the day before yesterday, so yeah, I'd look like a creep. Still, it was the surest way to reach her.
As I finished thinking, the professor walked in.
"Let's start the lecture."
After class ended, I followed Han Seol as she hurried off.
"...Why?"
I lightly tapped her shoulder, revealing her tired face plainly. Feeling bad for her, I quickly pulled out the summary notes.
"Here, for you."
"...What's this?"
"Told you before. Summary notes."
"...Sunbae, I'm really grateful, but please don't do this anymore. I can't accept your kindness."
That stung a bit. Rejecting a senior's care for his junior?
She bowed 90 degrees.
"Still, thank you so much. I should've refused firmly from the start... I'll repay the debt. Tell me what you want."
"Nah, don't really need anything."
"No. We have to settle this."
"Then I'll tell you later, cool?"
"Got it. See you then."
She bowed again and turned away. No idea why she was so cold. I wasn't expecting tears of gratitude, but not this. Felt like we'd grown further apart.
I could only stare blankly at her back.
"So, what do you think?"
"What the fuck, that crazy bitch."
Back home, I called Jonghyeon. Needed advice on my headache of a junior. I'd told him everything.
The guy raised his voice.
"Dude, you gullible idiot. Why keep helping her? You her babysitter? Doesn't even know gratitude. No respect for seniors. Even if I get her side, why bother with that rude brat?"
"...Just reminded me of old stuff."
"Fuck, always that 'old stuff.' What does that have to do with a rude junior?"
"Ah, dunno. Got a lot on my plate lately anyway."
"Then ignore her. Cut ties completely. Why get close to trash like that..."
"She's pitiful. You know that. Kids like her need someone to guide them."
"...Yeah, but why you? Whatever. Pointless. She said she'd do one favor as thanks, right?"
Yeah, she had. Recalling her cold words, I agreed.
"Make time to hang out properly. Not 'accidentally,' but scheduled. Talk it out, and it'll sort itself."
"...Okay."
"You and your nosiness. Come to my place already, while I'm asking nicely. That guy's coming soon too."
"Handle him yourself. I'll come once I'm free."
"When? Spit it out."
Persistent guy. No dodging this.
"Roughly three weeks. Tell him."
"...Okay. Hanging up. Fix it good."
The call ended, and I let out a long sigh. Three weeks from now. A lot would change.