Chapter 13
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: I Became a Vtuber at 18 [05]
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Ten days had passed since then.
The unfamiliar internet broadcasts had become routine. Now, I could chat and laugh with viewers effortlessly.
Humans really are creatures of adaptation, huh.
I'd worried I might never get used to it... but it feels like ancient history now.
That initial awkwardness even makes me chuckle these days. If I had to pick a downside, it'd be not being able to stream every day?
Between school and modeling, my days are already packed. My body can't keep up.
Why had life gotten so hectic?
The answer was simple: ads.
It was that heart-shaped chocolate commercial where I confessed love, right? Originally shot to promote the branch Seo-rin was handling.
But life doesn't go as planned.
The Japanese ad release blew up way bigger than expected, sparking all this trouble.
A supernova shaking Japan and Korea?
The star set to revolutionize Korean cinema in the future?
Titles like that piled on.
Thanks to the buzz, I joined the ranks of rising stars drawing massive attention, and the new ad rode that wave.
The result? Everyone knows.
Now my face is plastered on every Luminous Group branch.
Sales doubled, they said.
The staff in charge was over the moon.
But now going out is even tougher.
Strangers' stares everywhere...
Naturally, I sigh more often.
Can't be helped, I guess.
Time to accept reality.
No more living as ordinary Sung Yu-na. What can I do? This is life now.
Anyway, fewer streams caused issues. Complaints poured in about too few broadcast days.
Luminous's official site even crashed from the flood of gripes.
So, the hasty fix: a new member to fill my off days.
The company said they'd already scouted someone reliable...
Wonder who it is.
I spent days not knowing face or name.
Ask Seo-rin?
Nah, let's wait a bit more.
And today.
The day I finally meet her.
Calming my pounding heart, I headed to the rendezvous spot.
Stepped into the cafe and scanned the interior.
Where's table 10?
Found it quick. By the window, huh.
Approached without hesitation. A girl sat quietly by the window.
Bright chestnut hair braided loosely, tied with a black ribbon cascading down.
Our uniform, but black ribbon means first-year, right? Sensing me, she slowly looked up.
Warm brown eyes met mine.
A small, shy smile played on her lips.
"Just as I thought, Senior Sung Yu-na."
"...Did you hear something about me?"
I tilted my head.
Did the company tip her off?
"No."
She shook her head with a soft smile.
"I knew from Lumina's voice. The hand gestures, gaze, footsteps, pursed lips, flustered speech when surprised. Everything pointed to you, Senior Yu-na."
Wait. What did she just say?
"Oh? You didn't know? I thought you did."
Her eyes widened round as she looked at me.
"Your fluster is cute too."
I was speechless.
Aren't we meeting for the first time?
How can she say that so casually?
What's this girl's deal?
Suspicious from head to toe.
Something's off about her.
"...What's your name?"
"Jung Da-hye. Nice to meet you, Senior."
A warm smile lit her face.
First impressions scream quiet and reserved... but inside's totally different.
Her earlier words lingered. Hand gestures, gaze, footsteps, pursed lips? Didn't mishear, right?
The cafe noise faded distant.
Coffee scent wafted softly.
People passed indifferently outside.
"Yeah, nice to meet you too. But..."
Before I could continue.
Da-hye leaned forward subtly.
Distance shrank.
Brown eyes neared my nose.
Startled, I instinctively leaned back against the chair.
Whoa. Quit staring already?
Feels ominous.
Just looking chills me to the bone.
Wait, too close!
Cushion pressed my back.
No more room to retreat.
"Actually, I have a confession."
Her voice lowered.
No trace of earlier lightness.
Smile faded.
Only calm, serious eyes remained.
"...Confession?"
"I used to like Senior Han Seo-rin. For quite a while."
An unexpected name dropped.
Seo-rin? Tried masking my face, not sure if it worked.
Fingers tapped the table lightly for no reason.
Da-hye watched my reaction carefully, eyes locked.
Deeper than expected. Didn't match her innocent look.
"When I heard you two got married... honestly, I was shocked. Wondered what I lacked to lose to someone like that."
"Someone like that" furrowed my brow slightly. Calm down. Stay cool here. I told myself.
"She's mine. I'd staked my claim, so losing her to a thief cat pissed me off."
Tone flat, but reeked of long-buried emotion. Hard to pin down.
That vibe from dredging old wounds...
"But after seeing the ad, I changed my mind."
"...Ad?"
"Yes. The chocolate one you starred in."
Then, Da-hye's hand moved quick on the table.
No warning. Sudden.
Perfectly natural.
Her fingertips overlapped my hand's back lightly.
Neither cold nor hot—just human warmth.
Why? That ordinary temp felt vividly sharp.
"That's when I realized. What I felt for Seo-rin Senior wasn't love."
I tried pulling away.
But her hand tightened slightly.
Not clinging—just not letting go.
...Stronger than she looks.
Yanked hard, no budge.
"I genuinely like you now, Senior Yu-na."
Quiet, clear voice.
No waver. Like she'd rehearsed it forever.
"What do you say? Want to have an affair with me?"
W-what? Affair?!
Misheard, right?
Surrounding noise blurred away.
Is this a dream or reality?
How'd it come to this?
Blinked at Da-hye a few times.
She still smiled.
Composed, unflappable.
"...No."
Cut it off firmly.
Voice didn't shake—thank goodness.
"Too bad."
Da-hye sighed lightly, releasing my hand.
Only then realized I'd held my breath.
What's with this girl?
Teasing or serious...
Impossible to tell.
But her gaze never wavered. Fixed on me. Precise, calm.
"That's okay. Love isn't necessary for me."
"..."
"We have time on our side."
Her lips curved up slowly.
Smiling, yet no room to back off.
Why?
Staring longer felt scary. Like a mouse trembling before a snake.
"I'll seduce you slowly, Senior."
With that, Da-hye casually gripped her coffee cup like nothing happened.
Sipping lips looked utterly serene.
I was totally at a loss for words.
What the hell is this situation?
No clue what to say.
Then Da-hye set down her cup and leaned forward again.
"Oh, one more thing."
"...What now."
"I'm confident in my body."
Said it casually.
Like chatting about coffee beans or weather.
That nonchalance unnerved me more.
"So if you're curious, Senior, check anytime."
"..."
"I'm serious."
Da-hye lowered her hand slowly.
Casually tracing her waistline. Felt deliberate.
"Confident here too."
Hand rose higher.
As if lightly tapping below her collarbone.
"And here."
No idea where to look.
Glanced out the window, then down at the table.
Couldn't fix anywhere properly.
Da-hye watched me, placing her hand on her thigh.
Fingers clenched lightly, tugging her skirt hem up. Just that far. No more, no less.
Lace edge teasingly visible, then not.
D-does this girl have no shame?
What if someone sees?
"Don't know your type, Senior."
Her face mixed inexplicable emotions as she eyed me.
"But I'm confident everywhere."
No words came immediately.
Thoughts tangled.
"...Don't flash like that carelessly."
"Aw, you're adorably flustered."
Hand lightly over mouth, laughing...
Matched her initial prim impression.
But now that smile felt entirely different. Never guessed this hid behind that face.
I cleared my throat and straightened up. Can't crumble now—senior dignity on the line. Play tough.
"...Let's talk streaming."
"Sure."
Da-hye nodded, opening her notebook. Expression settled calmly, like nothing happened.
"Getting in here wasn't easy either. Barely convinced my dad."
"Your dad?"
Atmosphere shifted.
No more playful vibe.
Solid, dry air.
Straightened unconsciously.
"Yeah. He's had ties with Luminous Group for years. That's how I got the shot."
Flat tone, but "barely" stuck out. Tough sell?
Or that desperate for this spot?
Looked at Da-hye differently now.
"...So you got in on daddy's connections?"
"Connections came with strings."
Da-hye glanced down briefly, then up. Not pulling weird stuff again, right? Better stay wary.
"Said if I don't perform, I'm out immediately. So I'm serious. Seduction included."
"...Didn't need that last part."
"Aw, but it's true."
Hah. Sigh escaped.
This girl's no ordinary one.
Days working together already give me a headache.