The Morning After the Ultimate Mosquito Tactic
The next morning after the fatal mosquito formation, I dragged my groggy body out of bed sometime past 10 a.m., when the sun was already high in the sky. To shake off the fog in my head, I tore open a packet of instant coffee mix, dumped it into a cup, and poured in hot water from the dispenser.
Yesterday I was out and about all day, so maybe today I'll just chill at home and rest a bit? That was the plan, until my smartphone started vibrating on the nightstand beside the bed. Bzzz-. The caller ID on the screen read [Nana Channel Manager Kim Manho].
Ah... I should update the saved name. He's the president now.
But what's he calling for this early in the morning?
I picked up the phone and hit the call button. His voice came through immediately.
"Areum-ssi, good morning. Are you free to talk?"
Kim Manho's voice over the receiver sounded a bit more fatigued than when we'd met yesterday afternoon. No way he pulled an all-nighter, right?
"Ah, yes. It's fine. What's up?"
"Oh, it's nothing major, but we've revised the contract to reflect all the conditions you mentioned yesterday. We added your other requests as special clauses. If you're free today, how about we finalize it right away?"
For a second, I thought I'd misheard. I rubbed my itchy ear with my finger. ...Revised already? Special clauses?
Hold on... Let's think about this. We wrapped up the meeting yesterday morning, and my conditions weren't exactly simple ones to approve. Finishing revisions overnight? Even if they had a meeting in the afternoon... Logically, a company of their caliber would need corporate legal review after changes, plus all the back-and-forth. Isn't this way too fast? I'd figured it would take days.
"Ah, ahem. Areum-ssi?"
I flinched. Whoops, got lost in thought and forgot to reply.
"Ah, y-yes, I'm listening. I was just a little thrown off since it got done faster than I expected."
"Hahaha, we do pride ourselves on being quick. So, are you free today?"
"Yes, that's fine. How about the afternoon, at that café we met at yesterday?"
"Ah, could you come to our company building this time? We'd love to give you a tour after signing."
"Sure, send me the address. I'll head there."
"Yes, thank you. See you this afternoon."
Click. Click. I tossed the phone back onto the bed. Do these people even sleep? Is this a black company?
Astonishing work speed. Same with how fast they handled my last YouTube video—whether they're grinding their staff or just have real talent... But honestly, I liked it. Beats dragging things out by a mile.
Now I've got an afternoon appointment, so time to prep. ...Starting with buying those links Nana sent last night.
It was pricey. The cosmetics Nana recommended cost way more than I'd imagined. My bank balance got halved in an instant. YouTube revenue comes next week, but since views were lower back then, it won't be a huge amount... Oh, how many subscribers do I have now?
I've been too busy camping and meeting up to check. I opened the YouTube app on a whim and went to my channel.
[Camping, Unchanging]
Subscribers: 90,000
Hmm, 90k. ...Wait.
......?
Hold up—90k? Am I seeing this right? It was around 20k just a week ago! That already felt overwhelming. And now after just two videos...?
Is this the power of big-corp backing?
I hereby withdraw my support for Im Nana as of today. From now on, we are one body, united. Any attacks on Nana are attacks on me. Nana, my light, my darkness...
Some old meme template started playing in my head. Okay, that's too much. But meeting that mouse-like Nana at the campsite that day really must've been fate. I should do pretty much whatever she asks from now on. Even that first makeup tutorial video or whatever—she says the word, I'm in.
You gotta give back if you receive. One-sided parasitism doesn't last. To build a symbiotic relationship that endures, I need to do something beneficial for her too.
Hoo... I let out a deep sigh and got out of bed. Snapping to, I realized it was time to get ready if I didn't want to be late.
...But what to wear? Hoodie and comfy pants had sufficed so far, but yesterday's meeting wasn't really casual wear territory. And today I'm heading to their office. Hoodie and sweats? Even I'd say that's too much.
Dress too formally? Also weird... There was a women's office suit in the closet corner, but I looked away. Something not too casual, not too dressed up...
I settled on a white turtleneck shirt, beige knit sweater, and neat slacks. Clean and decent, right?
Changing and standing before the mirror, my face—now a bit more familiar—looked different again. Clothes make the woman, huh? True. Just swapping outfits made me go from fresh-faced cutie to sleek beauty, even in my eyes.
And finally, the BB cream and sparkly red-tinted lip balm samples Nana gave me yesterday to try. I awkwardly smeared on the BB cream. The slightly sticky texture differed from lotion and felt weird, but oh well. After the BB and a rough swipe of balm for color, I checked the mirror again.
Hmm. Not bad.
"......"
Uh... sunglasses again?
In the end, no sunglasses. I headed out. Felt more stares than usual, but if I can't handle this, I can't survive with this face.
I climbed into my rugged old SUV—age matching this body's. Sturdy, no breakdowns, but glancing in the rearview at myself, the mismatch felt off.
"Doesn't suit me..."
With the car in videos a lot from now on... whatever, later. Time to go. I drove out of the parking lot.
Weekday morning, no traffic. Smooth ride to the company building.
"...."
Is this right? This looks less like an office and more like... a broadcast station?Isn't that a famous variety PD over there?
I stood dazed in the lobby, taking it all in. Then a familiar voice.
"Areum-ssi! Still over 30 minutes till our appointment—you're early!"
Kim Manho, with his kindly face, approached holding two coffees.
"Ah, P-President? What's going..."
"Hahaha, embarrassing, but we haven't fully split off yet. We got an office inside the station, though—let's head there."
"...Figures for a big corp."
"Business is still early days. Plus, Nana-ssi was our first creator."
"Oh, so I'm...?"
"Yes, you're second."
Second... Just the order hits different.
I followed Kim Manho up to the office. En route, celebs and familiar faces passed by.
In the tidy meeting room, I skimmed the documents he handed over.
"Everything you mentioned yesterday is reflected. Take a look."
Solo Camping Principle: Content centered on individual camping experiences. Emergency contact network and work radio use required for safety.
Collaboration Restrictions: Avoid indiscriminate celebrity collabs. Limited to individuals with genuine camping passion. Final decision with Creator.
Revenue Share: Highest tier rates applied.
Kim Manho pointed out each clause I'd requested.
"First, solo camping as principle—we respect your content identity. But for safety, agree to emergency contacts and radios."
"Yes, obvious."
"No reckless celeb collabs—specified as 'genuine camping enthusiasts.' Final say yours. Revenue split kept at top rates, no adjustments."
The numbers were better than expected. Felt overly generous.
"We judged respecting your philosophy benefits us too. We trust you—our team unanimously approved scouting you."
His words warmed my chest. I stared at the contract. Just weeks ago, sighing over my 300-sub channel. Now stepping into this world officially? Unreal.
Trembling hand, pen to the last page. I wrote my name in block letters.
[Signature]
Signing done, Kim Manho stood with a satisfied smile, extending his hand.
"Looking forward to working with you, Creator Han Areum."
"Me too, President."
'Creator'—new title. But it'll stick.
"Ah, President. Unrelated, but... curiosity."
"Hm? What is it?"
"You said Nana was first. Reason for choosing her?"
"Ah, why her as our first step? Spot on?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... Many reasons, but have you seen Nana's channel videos?"
Nana's videos? Seen some, maybe 10.
"Not tons, but not none."
"Recommend from first to 27th—pre-contract uploads."
"Really?"
"In short: talent."
"Talent?"
"Yes, overwhelming YouTuber talent. Ordinary college student hits 500k subs in under 3 months from first video."
"....?"
Zero base, just makeup tutorials, solo to 500k in 3 months?
I was stuck at 300 for years!
"She started last year around now, FYI."
"Holy... 1.8 million in a year...?"
"Top of our scout list from video one. First-time filming, yet smooth flow, easy-to-follow lessons, stunning looks. Felt like: 'Raw gem for real.'"
"Sh-She seems athletic too..."
"Yes! Good eye. Half year ago, ceremonial pitch at baseball—90km/h. 'Pitch Girl' buzz spiked subs."
"Stamina too..."
"Yep, Hallasan round-trip in 7 hours. Thought she'd quit midway—till summit proof."
"...Why beauty YouTuber then?"
"...Let's skip that."
This is 'talent'? But yesterday's fashion mags and books at her place popped up. No—sweat on talent made her. President knows talent alone doesn't cut it. Full support for her effort too.
"Nana called you superhuman once, but now she seems the super one."
"Haha, she said that? Honored."
"Sigh... Just curious, but... gotta hustle hard."
"Grateful you think so. Here's to the future."
Curiosity killed the cat, huh? Nailed it.
....Gonna stick to Nana like a mosquito from here on.Calling her 'unnie' might make her like me more?