Who Is She?
These days, I was spending most of my time watching Rie's streams, enjoying these laid-back vacation days. Her recent content focused on karaoke, VR, and viewer participation events, but I had to wonder when the real idol activities would kick off. A few days later, though, Alfa made a major announcement on her stream about the VTuber Academy: their official first album release. Of course, album promotions are the core of any idol group, so it felt like things were finally getting started.
Nari, Suryeon, Miho, Rie, Rena. They were all unique talents with real potential. With this lineup of five, they could easily produce something solid. Alfa built up the hype step by step, getting everyone excited.
With that, she successfully shared all the details about the first album, and interest in the VTuber Academy kept growing. To boost promotion and take the next step, they each launched their own Newtube channels. Thanks to Alfa, the mega-streamer kickstarting the project, viewers flooded in naturally, and every member grew steadily without anyone falling behind. Which meant Rie could now pour all her focus into the album. First impressions were everything. The public tends to get a lasting image from a debut, and it rarely changes.
If this were the old Rie from her hakko days, I'd have worried and brainstormed ways to help. But now? Not so much. Like everyone else, I was just excited. What would she show us? How far would she go? She'd handle it herself. Rie had grown so much that her early small-time struggles felt like ancient history. Sure, she was still the least popular in the Academy, but her streams would keep going. I hoped she'd become a VTuber no one in Korea could touch someday. Even if not that big, at least the top idol group in the VTuber scene. Dreams should be grand, right? That much was fine.
I watched her stream casually, then headed out. It was about time to meet my junior—probably in twenty minutes. Who'd have thought we'd be meeting like this even on a holiday? People really are unpredictable. When I first saw her, I thought we'd never cross paths.
I trudged through slushy, half-melted snow toward the meeting spot.
Han Seol stretched with a big yawn and checked the time. She'd streamed for hours without realizing. That must mean she'd grown, right? Proud of her progress, she stepped outside into the crisp wind fluttering her clothes. She was off to meet her senior. It had been a week since vacation started—which meant a week without seeing him. Sure, they "met" during streams, but knowing each other and meeting face-to-face were worlds apart. She stepped lightly through the unmelted snow toward their spot: a casual cafe they'd been to plenty of times. Come to think of it, they'd met there by chance before, and for group projects too. Did he even like coffee that much? She remembered him drinking it often at school. Giggling at learning this little detail, she pushed open the cafe door.
The window seat bathed in sunlight looked perfect. 'I'll grab a seat if I'm there first.''Sounds good, I'll be there soon.' She sat, swinging her feet and propping her chin on her hand, gazing outside. Lots of couples around. Do we look like that too? She slapped her hands over her face—her go-to for embarrassment.
Ding-a-ling! The door opened. Peeking through her fingers: her long-awaited senior.
"What're you doing?"
She dropped her hands fast, but too late—he'd seen. He pulled out a chair and asked.
"Oh, just... something on my face."
"Yeah?"
He glanced at the menu. Even that looked cool. She was probably losing it. Staring intently, she didn't want to miss a second.
"What do you want? Iced tea?"
"Ah, yeah."
She always got iced tea here. Touched by his memory of such a small thing, she watched as he ordered and brought the drinks, brushing back his hair.
"Time to make plans, right?"
"Huh?"
"How to spend vacation. You asked for help."
Oh yeah. She'd said that in a panic. Sorry, senior. I've already got my vacation all planned out. As a college student and streamer, school mattered, but this was prime time for streaming focus. The album had just been announced too. As an insider, she'd been prepping forever, but going public changed everything. Plus, she needed to bond with the members. Alfa had said: 'Not sure how long we'll be together, but we need some interaction, right? Especially since I don't mind—get as close as you can with the group.' They'd all agreed, but it was still awkward. As Alfa said, member dynamics were key. Idol stories thrived on personal arcs and group bonds. So Han Seol vowed to prep thoroughly for the album and somehow get closer to the others this break. Easier said than done. The album she could handle solo, but bonding? Socially awkward her dreaded it. At least Rena was a start. Dry off-stream unlike her energetic persona, but super approachable. It helped her thaw a bit. Sipping her iced tea, Han Seol sighed in relief. 'Thank goodness for Rena...'
"Feeling stuck already?"
Suhyeon misinterpreted her sigh. She shook her head.
"No. With you here, I'm good."
Because of you, I made it this far.
He wouldn't get the full meaning—just that she was leaning on him. They spent a while mapping out career paths and plans. Guilt crept up on Han Seol as time passed. Am I deceiving him? He's helping so much, and I'm distracted elsewhere. She'd repay his kindness someday.
"...Wanna take a break?"
"Yeah, we've been at it a while. An hour already."
The problem was her senior, who liked her but never pushed. He loves me and wants to date, but holds back. Han Seol shocked herself. Am I this selfish? Am I ready to accept his feelings? What about mine...? Rationalizing without knowing her own heart. She switched topics—couldn't keep making pointless plans.
"What're you doing for break, senior?"
"Job hunting, obviously."
Lie. She checked viewer lists every stream. Always there—day, night, even dawn.
She snorted quietly so he wouldn't hear.
"Where at?"
"Dunno. Wherever."
"Any dreams? Goals?"
"Nah... Just live normally?"
"What's that mean..."
"Get a decent job, keep living like this. That's my goal."
Like this? Watching my streams forever? Flowers bloomed in her head. Together forever... even taking care of me...! Positive thoughts flooded, unrealistic as they were. She decided to enjoy it, sucking happily on her straw—until
BAM!
"Hic!"
Startled, she hiccuped. The bang came from right outside—the window. So loud, everyone stared. Even Suhyeon gawked at it. Was some scary person out there? Han Seol turned slowly... very slowly. A woman pressed against the glass. Screeech... nails scraping, sending chills. But her face was cute. Wide blue eyes shimmering like ocean waves, blonde hair sparkling under the sun from under her beret. The girl sighed, turned, and headed for the door. Petite but walking with regal purpose—like steps full of resolve.
Ding-a-ling! She flung the door open wide and strode to their window seat. Right to them.
"You'd better explain yourself, oppa."
She stopped in front of Han Seol's revered senior.
"W-Wait... when did you get here...?"
"Don't change the subject. Who's this girl?"
Han Seol clamped her hands over her mouth, barely stifling hiccups. Instinct screamed: Don't underestimate her now.