Chapter 16
Chapter 16
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: The Contract is Weird!
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After sending the members off to the café, Kang Haneul fell into thought for a moment.
In truth, there wasn't much left for her to do here.
She'd just made up an excuse because she wanted some alone time with the manager to discuss something while the members were away.
"So-eun."
"Yes, President."
"No, since it's just us now, be casual."
Yoon So-eun responded to the voice calling her name, but Kang Haneul shook her head.
The two weren't meeting for the first time this time around.
They'd actually been acquaintances for quite a while, and when Kang Haneul needed a manager for Blue LUV, she'd brought her into the company.
Among the people Kang Haneul had observed, she was one of the few with top-notch responsibility.
At the same time, her character was impeccable, making her the perfect person to care for her treasures.
Her sharp judgment played a role too.
"...Yes, unnie."
Kang Haneul nodded in satisfaction at the familiar form of address and broached the topic.
"Actually, there's something I want to discuss. It's about Da-jeong..."
"Da-jeong?"
Yoon So-eun looked puzzled at Kang Haneul's unusually serious tone.
Did Da-jeong cause some kind of trouble?
She didn't seem like the type.
"You'll be handling manager duties from now on, so you need to know the girls' situations."
"Right."
"That's why I'm telling you this, but Da-jeong's family situation is a bit special."
"Family situation...?"
Yoon So-eun blinked blankly at the sudden heavy word, uncharacteristically for her.
Kang Haneul took a sip of the water glass in front of her and nodded affirmatively.
"Truth is, Da-jeong grew up without parents."
"Oh no..."
"Of course, she's so kind and polite that you wouldn't guess, but her circumstances are still pitiful."
Kang Haneul spun the innocent cup around as she searched for the right words.
There was nothing as delicate or difficult as discussing someone else's situation.
"I heard from the girls recently that cockroaches aside, even rats are coming out in her house."
"Rats...?"
Was she living in some shanty?
Even in a rural village, maybe, but right in the heart of Seoul?
Yoon So-eun failed to keep her expression neutral at the shocking news.
"So, I'm thinking of giving Da-jeong a bit more signing bonus."
"Signing bonus... Oh, right, you said they haven't signed the contracts yet."
"Yeah, their opinions mattered most. I was holding off in case any changed their minds."
In fact, she'd called them today mainly for the contracts, not the practice stream.
The signing bonus wasn't huge, but it would be given nominally.
In this industry, smaller companies without solid foundations often skipped it, but Kang Haneul wasn't one of them.
She wasn't called one of Korea's top three female streamers for nothing.
For her, securing the members' loyalty with a modest signing bonus was key.
However, she had one concern regarding Da-jeong.
Her current life seemed so tough that money was tight, so maybe give her extra under the guise of the bonus.
But that naturally came with issues.
"I don't think Da-jeong would, but if it got out, wouldn't it cause fairness problems?"
Fairness, exactly.
"That's what worries me. That's why I'm asking you. What do you think?"
"If I may ask, how much were you thinking for the signing bonus?"
"Hmm... about this much. For Da-jeong, I'm still deciding, but maybe double it."
"That's tricky..."
It definitely wasn't an enormous amount.
Nor was it lacking.
If anything, it was generous.
Corporate Virtual YouTubers were usually in a much stronger position than independents.
They got better care in many ways.
Plus, the promotional benefits made most choose corporate.
Considering those perks, the members would bow their heads at this amount alone.
But what if Da-jeong got double?
People were sensitive to discrimination.
Especially with money involved.
"Can I give my honest opinion?"
"Yes, go ahead."
"At least if you're doing it this way, I think you should get the members' agreement first. If not, help her another way."
Straightforward advice.
But that's why it appealed to Kang Haneul.
If there was one sticking point...
"That's fine, but if they refuse, it might strain things with Da-jeong. They might think I said that but secretly favored her anyway."
"Making a mountain out of a molehill."
"Exactly."
Yoon So-eun rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought about the oversight.
She was right.
If it hadn't been brought up, no issue.
But once mentioned, the "what if" would linger in the others' minds.
"Any other ways to help Da-jeong?"
"Nothing comes to mind. I even thought of renting her a monthly room... but she sees help as a huge burden. She freaks out over taxi fare."
"Tough."
So that's why she was considering that option.
Yoon So-eun nodded in understanding.
A signing bonus could be passed off as "standard."
Of course, abusing it would make her a shady boss, but Kang Haneul's intent was the opposite.
It was a viable choice.
"Sorry, I can't give a clear answer."
"Sigh... No, I'll figure it out. I have to play president now too."
Kang Haneul sighed, scratched her head vigorously, and slumped back in her chair.
She had to decide before the members returned.
If not, find another way to help Da-jeong.
The time at the first café we visited was truly the best.
We drank sweet drinks and chatted endlessly with the members.
I tried to stay quiet to not interrupt.
Still, they talked to me occasionally, so I had a pretty satisfying conversation.
Back at the company, a staff member gave me a quick tour.
I hadn't explored much on the first and second visits.
The others weren't interested, so I ended up going alone.
"...Huh?"
Returning to the meeting room where the five of us had gathered, an empty room greeted me.
Where did everyone go?
Should I look for them?
Click-
As I pondered, the meeting room door opened and someone entered.
It was the manager.
"Ah, Da-jeong. Enjoy the tour?"
"Yes. But Manager, do you know where the others went?"
"The president is doing one-on-ones and contract talks. You're next, so I came to get you."
"Aha..."
Right.
We hadn't signed the contracts yet.
I almost forgot completely.
"This way. Yuna should be out soon."
"Okay."
Following the manager, we stopped in front of a door labeled "President's Office."
Waiting for Yuna, the door opened right on cue, as if summoned.
"Ah, Da-jeong! You must've just gone in."
"Yeah. Everything go well with the president?"
"Yep. She said to send you in when you're out here."
"Got it, I'll..."
As I cautiously entered the president's office, Yuna held out her hand for some reason.
What did she want?
I tilted my head and stared blankly at Yuna's hand.
I must've looked clueless, because Yuna grinned wide, grabbed my hand firmly, raised it up...
"Before you go, here!"
Clap-
We did a high-five, slapping our palms together crisply.
It felt random, but Yuna was always high-energy, so I let it slide.
It actually felt nice.
"Hehe, I'll be back."
"Yeah."
Feeling empowered, I strode confidently into the president's office.
The president, leaning back in her black chair, gestured for me to come in.
"So, Da-jeong. Good time at the café?"
Her warm welcome, like a big sister or mom, brought a smile to my face.
I rushed to the sofa like a kid back from school and started recounting the café adventures.
"Yes! Ji-ah unnie bought me something called a Frappu-something?"
"Ah, Frappuccino? Delicious, right? What flavor?"
"Caramel one. Whipped cream on top, and chocolate chips too..."
"Ooh, the good stuff. Try the chocolate next time. You'd love it."
"Whoa, really?"
The one I had was already amazing.
An even tastier drink existed?
Cafés were incredible.
No wonder they charged such ridiculous prices.
While I nodded to myself, the president came over, sat on the sofa, and offered me a seat.
She usually seemed like a kind unnie, but in her office, her presidential aura shone.
"You heard from the manager, right? We're signing contracts today."
"Yes."
I'd never signed one even for part-time jobs, so I was a bit tense.
My old bosses always said, "We go on trust, no need for that."
"First, let's talk signing bonus. Do you know what that is...?"
"Come on, I'm not an idiot."
"R-right. Of course not."
Exactly.
She underestimated me.
I wasn't a kid.
"Ahem. Anyway, once we sign, you'll get the signing bonus."
"Huh? So I get paid before debuting? I haven't done anything yet..."
I thought she'd say there was none.
I was shocked she'd pay someone like me, who just ate and did nothing.
Were Virtual YouTuber agencies this good?
"Y-yeah. Not a ton, but it'll help your life a lot, I'm glad."
"Totally. Even ten thousand won lasts a week, no, ten days."
I'd planned part-time work pre-debut, so this was huge.
And it was legit debut contract money—no burden on her.
"Uh, um... yeah. So, bonus incoming. Let's review the contract together?"
"Yes!"
I must be materialistic.
My voice perked up at money talk.
Ugh, she definitely noticed.
Thinks I'm a money-grubber...
Embarrassed, I reviewed the contract with her.
Following her finger down, I saw the signing bonus clause.
Ignoring the long text, just the amount... Huh?
Wait, how many zeros?
One, two, three, four, five, s-six?
"P-President. Am I seeing this wrong?"
Maybe I misread, so I asked.
Can't have errors on the contract.
"Huh? What?"
"The amount... seems off."
"No, it's correct. Too low?"
"N-no way. Not low—way too high."
Yeah, high.
Insanely high.
The contract said 5 million won.
More than the inheritance from my parents.
An astronomical sum to me—my mouth and eyes gaped wide.
Am I dreaming?