Chapter 221
Chapter 221
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 221
Chapter Title: Please Look Forward to Blue LUV's Second Generation!
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Having watched all of the second-generation members' practice streams from the sidelines...
The only thing that really stuck with me was Hayul's shocking performance.
But how could I forget that?
A person who seemed so timid suddenly belts out a shout like that.
I seriously thought she had another personality buried inside her.
"So, what's your take on the juniors' practice streams?"
"H-Honestly, Hayul left the strongest impression on me."
"Right?"
"Sorry for startling you...!"
The President smiled at my words, while Hayul bowed her head deeply.
Seeing her like this, it was hard to believe that wild scene from earlier wasn't an act.
Or maybe it was an act, in a way.
The problem was, it didn't feel like acting at all.
Meanwhile, Dayun stared at my dumbfounded expression before bursting into laughter out of nowhere.
It was like she was thrilled to get the reaction she'd been hoping for.
"Kyahaha...! I knew even you, Big Sis, would be shocked. Big Sis and I freaked out top to bottom the first time we saw Hayul's stream too. Right?"
"Dayun, please watch your language...!"
"Eh, what's the big deal? The President said this much is fine."
"It's fine on stream, but tone it down in front of the President...!"
No, wouldn't that speech pattern be risky even on stream?
Of course, I couldn't argue since the President had given it the okay.
Dayun was another character type we didn't have in the first generation, and it was throwing me for a loop.
The second gen is scary...!
Hayul was just so shocking, but Dayun was no slouch either.
At least Jiwon put on a sensible, normal stream.
"As you can see, the second gen has stronger personalities than the first. Since the first gen has already established themselves so well, they need this level of presence to keep up."
"Ah, but isn't it a bit too strong? President...?"
"Nah, it's fine. They're not spewing curses or profanity. Plenty of VTubers have concepts like this, right?"
Well, that's true.
Just looking at Japan, there are VTubers who drop sex jokes left and right.
Even Lilichan from Prism Company that I met before—Beatrice, I mean—has a similar vibe to Hayul, in a way.
In that sense, they do feel more like proper VTubers...
But it's the complete opposite of the Blue LUV I knew, so it's still shocking.
That said, the President's explanation made a lot of sense.
Any virtual agency is the same, but when later gens debut...
They ride the company's fame for initial popularity, but plenty flop hard soon after.
The President probably didn't want to repeat that mistake.
"So, Da-jeong, what do you think? Was it okay?"
"Yeah... Putting the shock factor aside, they definitely made a strong first impression, and their streams seem like they'd be fun."
They're definitely not the type to get buried by the first gen.
Jiwon is relatively tame, if anything.
In that case, she's probably meant to be the sensible one sandwiched between the weirdos.
Like Ji-ah unnie between Yuna and Chae-yoon unnie in the first gen.
It's no wonder fans call that trio the "Nannies."
Ji-ah unnie suffers alone covering for the other two.
Watching those two cause chaos is hilarious.
...Does that mean we've got the second coming of the Nannies?
Poor Jiwon might have it rough.
I'll send my condolences in advance.
"Kyaaahou! Big Sis praised ussss!"
"H-Hey, sis. Your voice is too lou—"
"You were screaming your lungs out on stream like your mic was gonna explode!"
"Th-That was for the stream...!"
"Yeah, I can't hear you. Anyway, you're louder. Eh heh heh."
...Watching those two, it's kinda reminding me of Chae-yoon unnie and me, but I won't say it.
At least Chae-yoon unnie listens when you talk to her.
Dayun? Not even a little.
When she plugged her ears and stuck out her tongue, I legit thought they were blood sisters fighting.
"From your perspective, Da-jeong, is there anything we should improve?"
While those two bickered—well, one was just getting one-sidedly roasted...
Jiwon, the sensible one, looked at me with eyes burning with scholarly zeal and asked.
Come to think of it, I felt the same when I talked to Jiwon before.
She was seriously passionate about this industry.
She said she'd prepared a ton of stuff too.
I remember the President picking her because that side stood out.
"Hmm... I'm not sure right now. It's just practice streams, and they're so short..."
"Yeah, fair enough."
I wanted to give good advice if possible.
But honestly, from just today's streams, it was hard to pinpoint specifics.
I tilted my head as I replied, and Jiwon nodded like she'd expected that.
"Still, once you debut—or even before—if you have any personal questions, feel free to ask. I'll help however I can."
"Thank you. Getting advice from Lulu, the top domestic VTuber..."
"Ugh, please stop using that title...!"
I knew Jiwon wasn't teasing, but...
She hid her face and whined in protest anyway, too embarrassed.
For reference, that "top domestic VTuber" thing is a meme from a recent Mityube video.
It showed subscriber trends for domestic and international VTubers.
Among domestics, I had the highest Mityube subs and Twitch followers, so somehow the "top domestic VTuber" meme stuck.
I was so embarrassed when that video first dropped.
Of course, I was proud too, but now the Cherries try to pick fights with it whenever they can.
Why do you all do that...!
"Anyway, it's getting late. How about we all grab lunch together?"
"Sounds good. I was just about to suggest it."
As she flailed around hiding her flushed face...
The President and So-eun unnie spoke up.
A quick check of the clock showed it was almost 2 p.m.
Alright...!
Time to show off as a cool senior!
I came to have lunch with the President anyway.
"Um, President..."
"Yeah?"
"C-Could you maybe use this for lunch?"
I hurriedly pulled a card from my wallet and timidly offered it to the President.
She blinked at it, then burst out laughing.
Her gaze seemed to say, "What a cute kid."
"...Pfft, is this your card, Da-jeong?"
"Y-Yeah."
"You're buying lunch for the juniors with this?"
"Y-Yes."
"Aigoo, no need to push yourself."
The President patted my head fondly, but...
Getting treated like a kid in front of the juniors was a little embarrassing.
I-It's not pushing myself.
I've got plenty of money now...!
I can totally cover a meal for the juniors, President!
"Alright, then for once, shall we mooch off Da-jeong's treat? We can go fancy, right?"
"Y-Yes...! Th-There's lots of money on it."
"Heh...! Really? Guess I should check how much."
The President took my card gratefully, held it up high, and suddenly shouted to the juniors.
"Girls, your seniors are treating you to a big meal! Say thanks quick!"
"Wooooah! So cool, Big Sis!"
"W-We don't mind paying for ourselves..."
"Dayun, at least pretend to decline...!"
Only Dayun cheered like it was the best news ever.
The other two looked a bit guilty about freeloading off me.
Still, after some convincing from the President and me, they both agreed to join.
We headed to a restaurant not far from the company.
The next day, I turned on my stream as usual.
I didn't have any special content prepared today.
I planned to do some cafe hopping with the Cherries like they wanted, or maybe a chill sit-down chat for old times' sake.
Before that, there was a bit of low-chat time.
That's when I dropped what might've been a huge teaser the Cherries were waiting for.
"Oh yeah, Cherries. I met the second gen yesterday. Hehe."
The President had told me yesterday what was okay to share on stream.
So I smiled and stuck to exactly that.
To be honest, I didn't know much more anyway, so it was hard to say more.
"No, the debut date isn't set yet. I just happened to run into them while visiting the President, so I was pretty surprised too."
Tell me about it.
The timing was so perfect, it was uncanny.
"They all seemed pretty shocked. Especially one junior—I ran into her in the hallway first and thought she was just some staff member I'd never met. When I said I was looking for the President, she kindly pointed me the way."
H-Huh, now that you mention it.
Hayul didn't get in trouble with the President later, did she?
Nah, no way.
"One's super bubbly like Lilith unnie or Yukichan—maybe even more high-energy. Another's a bit calm like Ellin unnie, with a fresh, pure vibe."
Oh, right.
I forgot to mention Hayul.
Maybe I unconsciously skipped her because I wasn't sure how to describe her.
As I pondered how to talk about Hayul...
I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with the President at the company yesterday.
When I gave my impressions of Hayul back then, the President might've felt something like this.
"The last one's a lot like me! A bit timid, but cute... Ah, not that I'm cute! And she seems really kind-hearted. So pure and gentle, it was surprising."
Uh, y-yeah... Pretty much.
They'll see when they meet her.
Anyway, I didn't lie.
Hayul really did give off that vibe.
Of course, it might be a bit different when the Pistaz meet her compared to me...
But that's not my fault.
I'm just sharing my honest impressions, right?
"Y-You can all look forward to them. They're really charming juniors."
No, nothing suspicious.
I'd never deceive my Pistaz.
So please, everyone, look forward to them.
I'm super excited to see how my Pistaz react to the second gen too.