Chapter 1
Chapter 1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: Can I See My Favorites?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A week had already passed since I'd become a woman and arrived in the past.
That didn't mean I'd adapted to this reality, though.
Every morning when I woke up and felt the emptiness below, my hackles still rose.
"Ugh..."
After finishing my shower, I picked up a simple pair of women's underwear, and my face scrunched up involuntarily.
Carefully threading my legs through the empty space and fastening the bra brought on a suffocating tightness.
I'd heard somewhere that women often went without underwear at home.
Somehow, I was starting to understand why.
Honestly, if it weren't for that incident a few days ago, I wouldn't have bothered wearing any either.
I'd gone to the convenience store down the street in thin clothes without a stitch underneath, and when the clerk jumped in shock at the sight of me, I was baffled at first.
At least it was a female clerk—that was a small mercy.
If it'd been a guy, it probably would've scarred me for life, still haunting my mind to this day.
Not that it wasn't embarrassing even with a woman there.
Anyway, whether this world's version of me had always been a woman or not, my place was stocked with all sorts of underwear.
If not, I'd have been in even more trouble, huh.
Squeak—
I shook the water from my hair and sat down on the rickety old chair.
The familiar screech made my conscience twinge for no reason.
I know, just hang in there a bit longer.
I'll get a new one soon.
Like consoling an employee dying to quit, I silently apologized and grabbed the mouse.
"Still nothing..."
Mityube, which I checked every day, had no news on Blue LUV today either.
Not that it was a surprise.
Even if things followed the storyline from my original world, Blue LUV's debut was still a ways off.
"Aaaah!"
But no amount of rationalizing could stop the frustration.
What am I supposed to do when I want to see them so bad!
Hand over our Blues already!
It's been a week without any fanning—I'm on the verge of withdrawal!
Can't someone fast-forward time for me? I'll work part-time and pay whatever it costs!
"...Huh?"
In the middle of screaming and force-scrolling, one video caught my eye.
The title: 'Blue Project: Let Your Story Bloom.'
Wait, Blue Project?
Isn't that the project our Blues debuted from?
A closer look showed the channel name was Haneul Bom.
For reference, Haneul Bom was none other than the creator of Blue LUV, the president—and one of Korea's top female streamers.
Wait, does that mean this is the official recruitment video for Blue LUV members?
I wasn't fanning back then, so I'm not sure if today was the recruitment date.
I remembered the debut date, of course.
With bated breath, I clicked the video.
A fancy pastel-toned video played with smooth narration overlaid.
Ooh, so the recruitment video was like this.
I started fanning after the Blues debuted, so I hadn't seen this.
Curious about reactions, I scrolled down to the comments.
Everyone must be hyped, right?
My pounding heart sank at the exact opposite of what I'd expected.
Most people didn't seem thrilled about the Blue Project itself.
The timing made sense—Korea's VTuber scene hadn't blown up yet.
I got it logically, but the comments still made me grimace.
'We'll see if you haters say the same after the Blues debut.'
Grumbling inwardly, I scrolled back up and watched the video.
Stupid waste of time—ruined my mood.
Whatever, these loud haters will quiet down eventually.
Just wait five more years.
When they top broadcast TV and music charts, even you'll have to admit it.
This is all just building momentum.
"A song and self-introduction... So that's how it works."
I nodded, struck by a fresh sense of novelty at the recruitment details.
Send a self-intro and your own sung song via email for round one.
If you pass, then offline interviews for round two.
Obviously aimed at women only.
"...Huh?"
Wait, women? That means...?
Glance—
I instinctively looked down at my body.
Come to think of it, I'm a full-fledged woman now.
So if I pass round one, I could meet the Blues at the interview?
'No, that's crazy.'
The temptation hit hard, but I shook my head to clear it.
Get a grip, Jeong Da-jeong.
Does it make sense for a Pista like me to swallow the red pill on purpose?
It's the biggest taboo in this industry.
To stay a VTuber fan, you don't get close to the insiders.
So ignore it and just wait quietly for the Blues' debut.
"Ahem, ahem..."
I scolded myself inwardly, but my eyes stayed glued to the recruitment notice.
Y-yeah. No way someone like me passes round one anyway.
I can't sing great, no standout talents.
I'll flop, so trying it out as a test shot can't hurt.
Click—
Rationalizing it away, I moved the mouse to find a suitable song.
This one's too hard, that one's too girly...
"Ah."
After meticulously sifting through tracks, I cleared my throat carefully.
A song I'd never sung in this woman's body.
Every syllable felt foreign, but I built it step by step, steady and slow.
"...This email, right?"
After sending the finished recording and self-intro to the listed address, I flopped face-first onto the bed.
No way I pass, so no stress.
Nearly two weeks passed, but no acceptance notice came—as expected.
I hadn't hoped much, so I shrugged it off and went about my routine.
"Urgh..."
Today, on a whim for a mood boost, I decided on a deep clean.
But I hit a massive snag I hadn't anticipated.
I couldn't move the stuff in the house, so I couldn't clean the dust underneath.
Ugh, so heavy.
As a guy, I could've shoved furniture like this with sheer strength.
Frustrated, I stomped and glared at the innocent dining table.
Actually, it wasn't innocent.
If it'd been born a bit lighter, I could've managed with this body. Why so heavy?
"Hah, hah..."
And this uselessly weak body tired out after barely any effort.
Not even 20 minutes into cleaning, and I was gasping already?
I'd been a total shut-in as a guy too, but not this bad.
At least I could move stuff around and do push-ups back then.
"Nngh... Hoo!"
Testing a push-up, even going down and up was grueling.
I'm basically a walking chopstick at this point.
One kick, and snap—I'd break.
Should I start exercising tomorrow?
What a hassle.
Riiiing—
I gave up on cleaning and lay flat on the floor when the doorbell rang.
Groaning, I reached for my smartphone.
An unfamiliar number popped up.
Probably a survey or loan scam.
I could already hear the robotic voice droning in my ear.
Answer or not?
After a moment's debate, I picked up to check before hanging up.
"Hello?"
- Ah, is this Jeong Da-jeong's phone?
"Yes, it is..."
Unlike expected, a clear woman's voice surprised me.
Didn't sound like those loan pushers.
Felt kinda familiar too.
- Thank you for applying to the Blue Project. I'm calling to inform you that you've passed the first round.
"Pardon? First round?"
Had I applied for some part-time gig?
I was about to cautiously ask if it was a wrong number when—
'Ah.'
The forgotten memory flashed back vividly.
No way I'd passed, so I'd erased it from my mind—hence the delay.
- Yes! Your voice was so good, we really want to see you at the offline interview. Can you make time? The date is...
"Uh? Oh, um, wait..."
Stammering through the sudden praise and question, I checked my schedule.
As a total NEET shut-in, I had none anyway.
But in the chaos, the key point hit me...
'I can see the Blues?'
I'd really passed round one and made the offline interview.
And this could make my long-awaited first meeting with the Blues real.
Realizing that, exhilaration surged in my chest.
Blues, wait for me!