Chapter 22: The Downside of Effortless Style
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 22: The Downside of Effortless Style
The virtual idol group CLOSER's showcase was no different from what you'd see on a major broadcast network with real idols.
Their future plans and the release date for their first album were officially announced. Viewers flooded the chat with enthusiastic cheers.
[Alright~ now, could you please look at the camera and strike a cute pose for us!]
Striking a pose meant the end of their individual interview segment.
Fumurin's avatar stretched out her arms and waved.
[Please give CLOSER lots and lots of love~ I love you, Fumin!]
Fumin was the name of Fumurin's fandom. When asked during the interview why she chose that name, Fumurin explained it was because no matter what she did, her viewers would always react with "Hmm..." in the chat.
I could see the appeal, and it was kind of cute, but she wasn't really my type. My favorite, of course, was...
[Alright! We have just one final member left! Let's have a chat with our philosopher-dol, Luka-nim! Hello!]
[Yes, hello~]
A little over 120,000 people were watching. That was even more than during the final round of auditions.
You've really made it big, Luka-tan.
In fact, the chat was filled with not only Korean viewers but also many international fans, and I could see a lot of messages in English.
[RUKATANNNGGG~~~]
Still, I had a strong suspicion that whoever sent that was a Korean pretending to be a foreigner. I don't know much about international chat culture, but something about the nuance of the English just screamed Korean.
[Wow, you're debuting with so much love and support. Does it feel real to you yet?]
[Ah, of course. I haven't even streamed that much on my personal channel since I passed the audition, but so many viewers have already shown up...]
[So, besides the number of viewers, has anything else changed for you?]
Luka hesitated for a moment.
[My computer got a super high-spec upgrade.]
[Ah, I see~]
The host chuckled, clearly not expecting that answer.
[Equipment is definitely important~ So, what was the very first thing you did after getting your new computer?]
[...I played Legends of League.]
"Pfft."
I burst out laughing.
Seriously, Luka. You were supposed to say something like, "I'm putting it to good use, and now I'll be able to stream high-spec games."
The chat found her answer hilarious and exploded with reactions.
[Ahaha, even with a new computer, you just can't resist~]
[LMAOOOOOO so fucking honest]
[An idol who's serious about gaming...!]
[So what's your rank...]
[It's rude to ask about a lady's private life!]
Luka lowered her head slightly, a blush creeping onto her avatar's face.
This was exactly what I'd been waiting for through all the other members' interviews. The fruits of patience were always sweet.
[Well, let's save the game talk for another time, shall we?]
The host, clearly amused by her reaction, smoothly transitioned to the next question.
[Luka-nim, right before your debut, a certain short clip of yours went viral, didn't it!]
The moment he finished speaking, the word that was forbidden on Luka's personal streams flooded the chat like a waterfall. I guess the official channel didn't have the auto-filter enabled.
[Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol! Fuckdol!]
[Oh fuck. LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO]
[Just karma lol]
Luka nodded with an expression that said, "I knew this was coming."
[Would you like to take this opportunity to say a few words about that clip?]
[Ahem... ahem...!]
The pink-haired avatar cleared her throat, looking nervous.
[To be honest, I never imagined I'd be the last one picked that day...]
[Yes, yes.]
[I was so shocked that my brain-to-mouth filter just stopped working. I wasn't trying to create a viral moment or anything like that; it was just... a primal human reaction, you could say.]
She laughed awkwardly and scratched her head, and the host chuckled as he responded.
[I'm sure everyone could relate to such an honest exclamation! To all the viewers, let's just chalk Luka's little mistake up to her being cute! We'll be looking forward to all your great work in the future~]
The main segment ended there, followed by a casual Q&A session, but I wasn't really paying close attention. I only glanced at the screen when I heard Luka's voice, and most of the questions she got were pretty standard.
She didn't stumble over her words, and her answers were concise. It seemed like she had prepared well.
It was actually Leah and Fumurin who seemed to have a harder time. When asked to sing a verse for her fans, Leah took more than three minutes just to choose a song. And when Fumurin was asked if the amount she received in donos had increased, she answered, "A little," which earned her a chorus of boos.
I wondered just how much she must have been making for them to react like that. Then again, the amount Luka received in donos after passing the audition was insane. The total just from the times I was watching her live was already staggering.
[That's all for today's showcase! CLOSER's group collab streams are scheduled for every Saturday at 8 PM, so please give them lots of love and support! CLOSER, one last greeting!]
Jennifer gave a one-two count with her fingers, and all the members bowed in unison.
[We are The Idols Next Door, CLOSER! Thank you!]
The broadcast ended with their group greeting.
I lay back down on my bed, a satisfied smile on my face.
"The Idols Next Door." It was a good catchphrase. After all, CLOSER had said they wanted to be an idol group that felt like the friends sitting right next to you. Words like 'restraint' and 'refinement' seemed to have nothing to do with them.
Still basking in the afterglow of the showcase, I was about to crawl under the covers and play some gacha games when...
[New message from: Kim Doah]
It was Luka. Maybe it was because the excitement from the stream hadn't faded yet, but a wave of nervousness washed over me, as if I were actually messaging a celebrity.
I tapped the screen with my thumb to open the message.
[Oppa. What time are we meeting tomorrow?]
Right... we were supposed to go to the arcade tomorrow. I didn't have anything planned, so I figured I'd just work around Doah's schedule.
[Let's go whenever works for you. I'm free tomorrow.]
[How about around 3 PM, then? In the evening, I have to do that VR thing Junseok oppa asked me to send him.]
...Does that mean she doesn't want to hang out with me for long? All she had to do for that was send a quick text saying it worked.
[Alright. See you at 3. Should I bring anything?]
[Ah. Just bring a 10,000 or 5,000 won bill if you have one.]
[Got it. I'll see you at 3 in front of your building.]
[Okay!]
She messaged me almost as soon as the broadcast ended. She wouldn't do that for someone she dislikes, right? The thought put me in an even better mood.
Anyway, rhythm games... Not wanting to look like a complete fool in front of Doah, I looked up a tutorial video for the basic controls of the game we were playing tomorrow.
*
The first time I ever went to an arcade was in the second year of middle school. I still remember it vividly.
It was a bitterly cold winter day, right after my second-semester finals. We were blowing on our hands to keep them warm after a trip to a karaoke bar when one of my friends suggested we go to the arcade.
Looking back, I wonder if following him that day was the right choice. On one hand, it led me to discover rhythm games, a hobby I came to love. On the other, I got smacked on the head by my mom more than a few times for sneaking out to play them.
I had a lot of fun memories, but I wouldn't go so far as to say getting smacked around was one of them.
In any case, even after becoming an adult, I still went to the arcade often. It felt like a second home to me. The cacophony of game sounds and the clatter of coins pouring from the change machine were all comforting noises now.
I could just throw on a pair of sweats, drag my feet in slippers, and go have a blast mashing buttons...
"...Is this really it, Kim Doah?" I muttered, staring at my reflection in the mirror.
Come to think of it, had I ever worn a skirt to an arcade before? Other than my school uniform, I didn't think so.
With only fifteen minutes left before I had to meet him, I still hadn't picked out an outfit.
Taemin Oppa was the one who'd asked me out, so I couldn't just show up looking like a mess. But getting all dressed up would be weird, too.
We were just going to the arcade. Who wears a full face of makeup just for that? It would be like broadcasting to the world that I still had a crush on him...
Still, after all the effort I'd put into my makeup, I wasn't about to wipe it all off and go bare-faced. I decided to compromise by just picking a more casual outfit.
Jeans and a gray hoodie. That was the winner. I carefully folded the skirt and put it back in my drawer.
The time was...
[3:03 PM]
Ah, shit. Is time bugged? Why is it going so fast?
Feeling rushed, I grabbed my phone and wallet, jammed my feet into my sneakers, and hurried downstairs. The moment I saw him standing in front of the entrance, a giant question mark popped into my head.
"...Huh?"
Taemin Oppa had a similar reaction when he saw me.
"...Ah?"
I could feel my face flush. I mean... I was just trying not to look like I'd put in too much effort... But seeing him standing there in a gray hoodie and jeans, I suddenly thought maybe I should have just worn the skirt after all.