Mandu (2)
That night, I finished editing Aqua's promotional video.
'The video editing I learned while working part-time at the surf shop is coming in handy now.' I'd spent a few days making promo videos with Park Uncle for his shop. Thanks to that self-taught experience, I could handle video editing tools decently.
'It's still just amateur level, but this isn't bad.'
I watched the finished videos with Aqua and Mandu.
[Ooh...! It's fun!]
[Sisssit!]
That was Aqua and Mandu's reaction to the final edit.
We had two videos. One showed us playing around town to promote the guesthouse, and the other featured Aqua's underwater exploration—with her singing as the highlight.
The underwater one was basically unedited; I was just uploading the whole clip as-is.
'Too good to keep to myself.' Half out of pride, I planned to upload this one too.
After watching both, Aqua sparkled with excitement.
[So now comments will start pouring in on NewTube?]
"Haha, not yet. We have to upload first."
[Upload?]
"It's posting the video online so others can watch it."
Aqua looked confused. "Don't worry. This is spirit user stuff."
I logged into the NewTube account I'd set up yesterday: Haynaru Guesthouse.
I went to the upload screen, selected the thumbnail and video as prompted. The thumbnail was a selfie of Aqua standing by the Haynaru Guesthouse sign, her cheeky expression utterly adorable.
Scrolling down, I found the search keywords field.
[What's a search keyword?]
"It's words people might search for to find this video."
[Then use Spirit King!]
"Add low-rank spirits too!"
We laughed as we filled in keywords while the upload processed. Once ready, we hit complete.
[Is that it?]
"Yeah. Wanna check?"
We searched 'Welcome to Haynaru Guesthouse!' on NewTube. Our video popped up at the top.
[Ooooh! The internet is amazing!]
We quickly uploaded the second one too—Aqua singing underwater, thumbnail of her surrounded by fish with Mermaid Princess Aqua overlaid.
"Upload complete!"
[Now the comments will roll in!]
Aqua beamed with anticipation.
An hour passed.
[Why isn't anyone commenting?]
Aqua refreshed sullenly. Zero comments.
Her face fell further until she set the phone down and snuggled into my arms, sniffling.
[Do humans actually hate me? They don't even want to watch? Was 'cute' all a lie?]
Her hurt voice tugged at my heart. I stroked her back gently.
"It's not that. Just not enough views yet."
Views were still under double digits—no traffic, no comments.
[Will no one ever comment? Will it just fade away, lonely and forgotten?]
"No way. It's Aqua's video—people will love it."
She buried her face in my chest, whimpering. Mandu climbed my shoulder to lick her cheek comfortingly.
[Sisis-.]
"Don't worry. Comments will be there when we wake up. Everyone's asleep now."
I soothed her back until she drifted off. Carefully, I tucked her in. Mandu burrowed into her arms; she hugged him tight even in sleep.
I sat at my laptop.
'Was gonna wait for organic views, but gotta speed this up.'
I hated seeing her so sad.
'Boost the traffic first.'
I subscribed to tons of spirit channels, some from their single-digit view days. I knew how NewTubers promoted.
'Post in popular communities—ideally spirit-focused ones.'
One spot stood out: Water Spirit Contractor Community.
I logged in. I'd always just lurked, but posting felt different.
'Title first—what'll work?'
They hated blatant promo, so a disarming title was key. I went with something familiar here.
[Video link]
Hey all, quick hello! Screenshots of the highlights below. Aqua's already a star here from the last meetup, right? :D
Less than a minute later, comments flooded in.
YouTube views started climbing steadily. But still low overall—water contractors weren't that numerous.
'Need more fuel for the views.'
Next: Fire Spirit Contractor Community.
'How to play this...'
Communities matched their elements' vibes. Water was polite family; fire was casual, biting banter among bros.
Mismatch got ignored. I crafted a title to hook them.
Sorry, pulled aggro to show this. Aqua's cuteness real? My cheekbones are bulging...
Comments exploded.
└Isn't this the hot sis from water comm?
└How you know water comm? Spy bastard?
└Hail undine!
└Someone get the ohamma!
Good momentum. Onto Earth Spirit Contractor Community.
'They're gnome-like—stoic.'
Low post rate, but high lurkers.
Views spiked instantly—no comments, but straight to YouTube.
Finally, Wind Spirit Contractor Community.
'This is... hell.'
Sylphs were chatterboxes and troublemakers; their contractors matched.
-Thumbing A-rank guild hunter—green light?
-zZSupremeSpiritKingZz check this.
-No good games lately.
-Our guild's doomed! Anyway doomed!
-(Sweet potato alert) Gate w/ parachute hunter story.txt
-Where's that guy lately?
-Time Rift Storm, 5-man queue — you in? Let’s go for real.
-See my crybaby wind pup before bed!
Refresh = 3+ new posts. Views max 10—self-absorbed ramblers.
I pondered, then titled for aggro.
Next morning, Aqua unusually lazed in bed hugging Mandu.
Normally she'd bounce up; I knew why today.
"Wanna check comments together?"
[Mm...]
She pouted, sulky and deflated. Pitiful yesterday, just cute now.
"If none, I'll slice watermelon as comfort."
Her body twitched at watermelon.
"Plus Choco Pie."
She uncurled. I held the phone out.
She hesitantly opened NewTube, then whipped her head away, eyes squeezed shut.
"Aqua, open your eyes."
She peeked cautiously.
[Eek?!]
Eyes wide, she shrieked. A radiant smile bloomed; I watched fondly.