Chapter 70
Chapter 70
Translator: Penny
Chapter 70
I don't dislike singing.
No, I should say I like it.
It's already been 12 years since I started learning to sing from Deobeulli.
I don't think I've been forced to learn something I didn't even like for 12 long years.
Honestly, debuting as a rookie singer named Pinokio was a bit unexpected.
But as a result, everything worked out well, so I think it's a relief.
The sound source scores of the songs with the tag 'feat. Pinokio' were also good.
Debuting as a singer was definitely a good experience.
I also clearly felt a sense of accomplishment as a singer.
However, apart from the successful debut of the rookie singer Pinokio.
I kept trying to hide Pinokio's real identity.
If it turns out that the singer Pinokio and the actress Lee Ha-eun are the same person.
If people who finally find out Pinokio's real identity start focusing on my voice.
The possibility of VTuber Dia's real identity being revealed will inevitably increase.
'I'll definitely get caught someday... but it's still too early.'
Strictly speaking, my voice itself has already been exposed for a long time.
That's why I tried to make my voice as different as possible when acting as an actress and when broadcasting as a VTuber.
One way or another, it's better for a VTuber's real identity not to be revealed than to be revealed.
There may be VTubers who have done better after their real identity was revealed, but I thought the situation itself where the real identity is revealed is not good for VTubers.
Fortunately, no one has yet seen through Dia's identity.
So, from now on, I tried to do both acting and VTuber work while separating the voices of 'actress Lee Ha-eun' and 'VTuber Dia'.
I didn't want to provide any more clues that Lee Ha-eun and Dia are the same person.
Therefore, when I first heard that a casting request came to the singer Pinokio, not the actress Lee Ha-eun, I tried to refuse it outright.
But.
"Time is running out. You're the only one Ha-eun that we can cast right now."
Because I heard a little bit about how desperate Hwang Jihyuk, an unknown rapper, was for this final.
And because I realized that I was the only one who could help such a desperate person right now.
"...Let's go meet the uncles first. I think I need to talk about this in person."
"Okay."
In the end, I headed to Deobeulli's studio instead of home.
The reason why I've been passive in my singing career so far is only because of my personal reasons.
Of course, that's not wrong or bad, but I didn't think it was a great reason to coldly ignore someone else's desperate situation.
Just as I'm serious about my VTuber activities as Dia, Hwang Jihyuk must also be serious about this final.
Of course, it would be foolish to argue about which side's sincerity is greater.
'...I'm worried.'
I could compare what I would gain by helping Hwang Jihyuk with what I could gain by not helping him.
Come to think of it, just because Pinokio's identity is revealed doesn't necessarily mean that Dia's real identity will be revealed.
One way or another, I'll have to separate the voice of VTuber Dia, the voice of actress Lee Ha-eun, and the voice of singer Pinokio more thoroughly.
I didn't think I should give up before I even tried.
So, after weighing so many things over and over again.
'Originally, helping others is bound to feel good. So, Ha-eun, be sure to help those you can help.'
'...Yes.'
Only then, after belatedly recalling the promise I made with Jang Seongho, I pulled myself together.
-Knock knock.
"I'm here."
It was right after that that I faced Lee Jun and Lee Gun-yeol, who seemed a little nervous.
'I think this has happened before.'
It was a somewhat awkward feeling, with none of the usual familiarity.
The air in the studio was also a bit heavy.
To put it bluntly, it was frustrating.
If that's the case, why did they ask for a casting request?
"Hey, uncles. Are you scared of me?"
"Ah, that's... I was worried you might be angry."
"I thought I was forcing someone who doesn't like singing to do it."
"I'm not angry. I didn't think your request was that forced."
From my point of view, it was easier for them to just tell me everything from A to Z honestly than to be so difficult with me now.
But I couldn't tell them why I was reluctant to sing.
"I wouldn't have come to the studio if I was going to refuse outright. So, please tell me exactly what the situation is."
Then followed the story of when Hwang Jihyuk and Deobeulli first met.
After that, the story was added from when Hwang Jihyuk was scouted into Deobeulli's team to when he finally advanced to the final of .
"He's a very diligent kid. He's also full of passion."
"He has a charm that makes you want to help him."
'...He's completely fallen for him.'
After continuing to hear only praise or favorable comments about Hwang Jihyuk, the moment the story about this final was finally brought up.
To be exact, the moment I heard at least a brief explanation about the unavoidable circumstances that happened to the female singer who was originally scheduled to feature.
"So, what happens if I feature instead of her?"
"What happens? Jihyuk will win."
"...Is it that much?"
"When have the uncles ever lied about singing?"
The words that winning was a sure thing if I helped came out of Lee Jun's mouth.
And Lee Gun-yeol, who was sitting next to Lee Jun, also.
"It will be the most perfect final stage of any final stage of ."
He told me something similar to what Lee Jun had said.
What I faced next were eyes full of expectation.
In the end, I couldn't bring myself to say that I wouldn't do it.
However, according to the rules of .
Since all members, including the featured singer, must come on stage and perform live.
'...Why did I use a pseudonym if this was going to happen?'
Pinokio's identity was bound to be revealed as me.
Therefore.
"Please call Hwang Jihyuk."
I contacted Hwang Jihyuk to make sure one last time whether this final was worth revealing Pinokio's identity.
One way or another, this featuring required a lot of courage for me too, so I tried to weigh it carefully until the very end.
The call was connected in less than 5 seconds.
First, Lee Gun-yeol opened his mouth and started a rough explanation.
"Hey, Jihyuk. I talked to Pinokio..."
[ ...Is it still difficult for her? ]
"No. It's not that difficult."
[ Huh? Is she, is she going to feature?! ]
"That's, well, Jihyuk. You have to speak well. Depending on how you speak, she may or may not feature."
Then, swish.
The speakerphone was handed to me.
"...Hello, Hwang Jihyuk. This is Pinokio."
[ Ah, hello! This is Hwang Jihyuk!! ]
A voice full of spirit.
Come to think of it, he didn't know what to do even though he hadn't said anything yet.
Anyway, I had to check what I had to check.
I asked him about his determination to face this final.
"Can you win?"
[ Ah, winning...? Of course I want to, but to do that─ ]
"Please answer yes or no."
[ ...Yes. I can win. ]
An unwavering voice.
I closed my mouth for a while and pondered for the very last time, then finally opened my mouth.
"Keep your promise."
I finally accepted the featuring offer.
Not long after that, the speakerphone was returned to its original owner, Lee Gun-yeol.
The problem is.
[ I'll be there in 5 minutes, so please wait a little longer!! ]
A voice was heard that meant that the recording of the final song, which had been temporarily suspended due to the unavoidable departure of the female singer, would be restarted today.
The bigger problem was that the call was cut off before I could even answer.
-Thump!
"Huff, huff..."
Rough breathing, as if he had run at full speed, finally revealed itself in front of me.
Hwang Jihyuk's gaze began to scan the people gathered in the studio one by one.
Then, after quickly passing Lee Gun-yeol and Lee Jun, who were familiar faces to Hwang Jihyuk.
The moment he made eye contact with me, the only unfamiliar face.
"...Hey, hyungs. What's Pinokio's name?"
"Lee Ha-eun."
"Same name?"
"No way."
"So, is that really her?"
"Yeah. That's her."
A sitcom-like conversation took place in an instant.
Hwang Jihyuk's mouth, which had slowly started to open at some point, didn't seem to close for a long time.
\\
｢──────♪｣**
A clear tone.
Breathing that never faltered even once.
A skillful figure that freely moved between true voice and falsetto.
"How is it? Ha-eun sings well, right?"
"...I think I'm going to fall in love."
"Uh-huh, but don't really fall in love. Ha-eun is still a high school student."
It was a sight that was unbelievable from A to Z.
There was not even a speck of realism.
I wondered if I was dreaming, so without realizing it, smack.
Hwang Jihyuk's cheek, which was hit without resistance by his own palm, swelled up slightly red.
That meant that everything that was unfolding in front of Hwang Jihyuk's eyes was reality.
He repeatedly washed his face countless times and barely suppressed the elation that covered his whole body.
"The world is so unfair. How can she even sing well?"
"Hey, she's been practicing singing for over 10 years, even though she looks like that. She's been coming in and out of our studio since kindergarten."
"Our Ha-eun received proper gifted education."
Voices that clearly showed pride and admiration for Ha-eun.
In response, Hwang Jihyuk also let out a hollow laugh.
It was a funny situation.
It was a situation where I couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey, Jun. I think Jihyuk really fell in love with Ha-eun?"
"His lips are hooked on his ears, hooked on his ears."
"...I fell in love with her voice. With her voice."
📝 Translator’s Note:
You may notice that certain lines or phrases in this novel appear both in their original Korean (or Hanja) form and in English translation.
This is intentional — these phrases are classical idioms, divine titles, or poetic expressions that carry layered meanings.
To preserve their original tone and authenticity, the raw text has been kept for reference, while the English interpretation is provided right before or after it. This helps convey both the literal and cultural nuance of the original work.
but if you guys dont want tha raw for future chapters or my future other novels u can just text me on discord and say so discord name Mr.Penny