I'm Not That Amazing (1)
I blinked for a long moment before asking again.
“...Me?”
“Yes. This is an offer for you, Mazia.”
Even after hearing the second answer, Mazia dragged things out again. It was simply too absurd. Was this something that could actually happen to her?
First of all, Yeon Seong-muk’s actions weren’t legally problematic. If Mazia had been a VTuber, it might have sparked an all-out corporate war, but she was just an ordinary office worker. That meant she was fair game for tampering. Still, that didn’t make it morally clean. The other party was simply being brazen about it—this was straight-up employee poaching. And the timing was exquisite. It came right after the Wicker Town closing ceremony, where they had performed together and everyone’s wariness toward the rival company had dropped.
Did he really think this would work?
Of course, Mazia had never once considered accepting such an offer. She had joined Parallel because she wanted to help Cheon Do-hee, and she had started streaming because she wanted the company to do well. She had even finished discussing with the CEO about running the control room during all the big collabs and tournaments for the foreseeable future. Even if she were to debut someday, it would only happen with the CEO’s approval and under Parallel’s name.
Debuting with Rapits? She might waver if they threw in something like ten billion won as a signing bonus, but that was about it.
At the same time, another question rose in her mind.
Why me, of all people?
Birdess, the company behind Rapits, had started as an entertainment agency before expanding into the VTuber business. They already managed a top-charting female idol group, which spoke volumes about their scale, and they were well-respected in the performing arts industry. Even Mazia—who habitually claimed that “Parallel can go toe-to-toe with Vachuvachu when it comes to singing”—had to admit that Parallel was clearly behind in dance and performance.
Just looking at Rapits’ 3D videos, the choreography was nearly indistinguishable from real idol performances. Not only did they maintain intense movement for three to four straight minutes, but their group formations were razor-sharp. It was genuinely impressive. What was even more surprising was that a company like that had specifically singled her out.
Mazia had never shown any physical performance on stream, yet they had basically said, “Just come and we’ll handle everything.” In a way, it was like they were claiming they could turn even the world’s biggest klutz into a star. Unlike Parallel, which was always scrambling to find vocal and choreography instructors, Birdess probably had full-time in-house staff on payroll.
Now that I think about it, their weight class really is on another level…
Very few people are born with perfect singing, dancing, performance skills, and broadcast sense all at once. The real advantage of a large corporation is its ability to take people who are lacking in one area and elevate them to the top tier. In other words, if Parallel couldn’t catch up to Rapits’ solid talent development capabilities, no matter how much the company grew or how famous its members became, they might eventually lose out in the long run.
Mazia asked for more information.
“Why me? I’m not that talented…”
“As I mentioned earlier, you have broadcasting talent. First and foremost, your voice is very pleasant to listen to, and you also have unique skills like voice impersonation. You haven’t properly sung before, but you’ve already proven you can rap, haven’t you?”
During Find Rain, Mazia had imitated Rain’s rap. But that had been only once. She had simply copied exactly what Rain had done. It was hard for Mazia herself to say she had sung it “well.”
Yet Yeon Seong-muk called her a half-polished gem.
“We can provide comprehensive care, including vocal training. As you probably know, our Birdess started as an entertainment agency. Vocals are a given, and if needed, we can help you achieve top-class growth in dance as well.”
In short, they would handle everything cleanly until the finish line. All she had to do was show up ready to be reborn as a jewel and step onto the market. The sheer confidence that they would take care of everything and all she needed to bring was her body was honestly enviable.
If Cheon Do-hee had said the same thing, the members probably wouldn’t have complained behind her back. The reason she maintained a family-like atmosphere with the first generation was because their debut motto had been “Let’s work together and aim high.”
But simply learning this fact was enough to ignite Mazia’s fighting spirit. Now that she knew where the weakness lay, all she had to do was advise the CEO on how to overcome it. Of course, they had probably already discussed it internally and simply lacked a clear solution. Still, remembering it and constantly reminding them would surely have an effect. Do-hee always paid close attention whenever Mazia spoke seriously.
Because Mazia was thinking so hard, her response was delayed…
Yeon Seong-muk smiled faintly.
The moment their thoughts crossed in completely opposite directions.
Having seen many people who didn’t refuse at this stage end up signing contracts, Yeon Seong-muk mistakenly thought Mazia was seriously considering a debut.
“Well, you’ll need time to think it over.”
Given the situation, there was no need for him to press harder. He was already taking a risk by offering a debut to a rival company’s employee. Creating more witnesses wouldn’t be wise.
“Let’s stop here for today. Take your time and let me know.”
“Ah. That—”
“Have a great end of the year, and I wish you a happy new year. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the number on my business card anytime.”
Without waiting for Mazia’s reply, Yeon Seong-muk simply walked away.
Mazia stared blankly at his retreating figure for a while, then fiddled with the business card he had left behind and muttered,
“I didn’t manage to turn him down properly.”
Well, she could just think of it as gaining contact information from someone in the industry. After all, Mazia had been stuck in the office all the time and rarely had chances to network with people from the same field. If anything, this was a stroke of luck. And since the other party seemed to view her favorably, he would probably answer any questions she had.
The employee poaching attempt was a bit annoying, but if she could squeeze useful information out of him in return, it would be worth it. Yeon Seong-muk didn’t know it yet, but he had picked a fight with the wrong person.
A little later, Iona, who had been watching from afar, returned with the sharp click of her heels.
“What took the team leader so long with his thanks?”
“Thanks?”
“Yes. I told him I wanted to thank you, and he said he wanted to do the same, so he set this up.”
“I see.”
“But… didn’t he give you a gift or anything? He said he had prepared one.”
Mazia decided to believe that Iona hadn’t been involved in this. Their stories didn’t match, which suggested Iona had most likely been used by Team Leader Yeon Seong-muk. When they first met in Wicker Town, Iona had given off a rather sharp impression and seemed wary of Mazia, so she had wondered. But in the end, Iona was still just a VTuber kid. There was no need for someone who should still be dreaming to get mixed up in the dirty dealings of jaded adults.
Just as Mazia was about to speak after reaching that conclusion, Iona beat her to it.
“Don’t tell me… the team leader offered you a debut?”
She was quick on the uptake. Mazia responded sharply.
“No way. Of course not. No sane person would tell a rival company’s employee to debut with them.”
Yeon Seong-muk, who had shamelessly made that debut offer with a straight face—he really was something else in more ways than one. Well, he probably had his own circumstances too.
But Iona didn’t want to be rude to Mazia either, so she didn’t back down easily.
“You have to tell me properly. That way I can report it accurately to the company. I’ll make sure they never pull something like this again.”
Mazia let out a short sigh to set the mood, then said,
“It’s not like that. We just talked a bit about VTuber life.”
“VTuber life…?”
“Yes. I brought up how cute you were during your debut stream, Iona.”
Iona’s face instantly turned bright red.
“Hiiik. Are you crazy?!”
After sending Iona back into the banquet hall, it wasn’t long before the CEO arrived with the members in tow. Even among the huge crowd, the CEO and the members stood out. Some of the streamers outside already knew the CEO and the members’ real faces—probably because of the “red pill”—and immediately came over to greet them.
I had to pay the full price for running away instead of getting in the car.
“Can we make a new outfit for Pino with you looking like this, Mazia?”
“Who is this? Is this really Mazia?”
“This is Mazia unnie? No way.”
“You always dress like this. Nice.”
They were treating her like a damn doll. Pinching her cheeks, stroking her hair, hugging her. If the CEO hadn’t stopped them, the nice outfit she had worn might have been completely ruined.
Anyway, after sending the members into the banquet hall first, I stood at the very back with the CEO. It was because the CEO’s confirmation was needed to acknowledge that I was the Mazia who had streamed on the official channel.
The CEO pulled out the tickets assigned to her and me and asked,
“You know, on the way here, I suddenly had this thought.”
“What thought?”
“If I let you loose in a place like this… I got worried that someone might suddenly try to tempt you into debuting.”
The CEO’s intuition was still sharp in the strangest places.
...Even if it was one beat too late.
“No way.”
“No? Look, this event is technically only for partner streamers, but even I’m both a VTuber group CEO and an MCN representative. There are quite a few people here who run MCNs like me, you know?”
The CEO looked me up and down, then suddenly slapped her forehead.
“I shouldn’t have let you dress up like this today…”
“Why all of a sudden?”
“The moment I saw you, I got this uneasy feeling that some cam-streaming-focused MCN might want to debut you.”
“As if.”
The CEO narrowed her eyes and said,
“...You’re not even denying it? Before, you kept saying people like me had no right to debut and refused every time. What changed?”
“I just didn’t bother saying it out loud. I still think the same.”
“......”
The CEO crossed her arms and declared,
“You’re not leaving my side today.”
“But then my networking efficiency will drop. It’s like turning a dual-core into a single-core.”
“No. You’re staying by my side no matter what. I suddenly feel anxious.”
I sighed and rolled my eyes. It seemed she wouldn’t feel at ease until she saw with her own eyes how people inside reacted to me. As if I would suddenly accept a debut offer just because someone made one. I had already turned down a VTuber debut. Cam streaming? That was even less likely.
But the moment we entered the banquet hall, something happened that only amplified the CEO’s worries.
It started with the four-man group I had deliberately avoided earlier.
The appearance of MoovGun, Ronze, Roofkr, and Kamik.
“Oh. Momo.”
“What the hell. It really is Mazia. I told you, hyung!”
“So it was real.”
The CEO had been streaming for six years, so most streamers already knew the “red pill”—VTubers’ real appearances. Naturally, MoovGun and Roofkr recognized the CEO immediately. Roofkr, however, had been suspicious that I was Mazia from the start. That was probably why he approached so quickly.
“Perfect timing. Come with me.”
He came right over and suggested—well, more like demanded—that we go somewhere together. The CEO asked in surprise,
“What? Why all of a sudden?”
“Lend her to me for a bit, noona. I’ve got somewhere to take her.”
Seeing a chance to expand my network, I tried to follow Roofkr, but the CEO’s hand grabbed the back of my neck and stopped me.
“Where are you taking her? Tell me first.”
“Anyone would think she’s your daughter or something. Or are you just gonna be her manager for life?”
“Hey!”
“Ow, ow.”
Even while getting smacked by the CEO, Roofkr laughed and said,
“No, it’s just— I was with the Makgeolli hyungnims earlier, and they said they wanted to see Jia. Since the topic already came up, it’s better to go now, right?”
The CEO and I made eye contact and had a silent conversation.
Why would the sunbaes call for her first?
Right?
But who had been my number one target for this event? None other than Keugaemang and the Makgeolli Crew. This was a networking opportunity, and they had come looking for me first? This was no ordinary chance.
“I’ll be back. You go meet the people you were supposed to see, CEO.”
However, the CEO still seemed anxious about letting me go alone, just as she had said earlier. I had no choice but to add one more thing to reassure her.
“It’s not like it’ll happen, but if anyone makes me an offer, I’ll discuss everything with you first.”
Of course, the offer from the Rapits side would remain a secret for now. The relationship between the two groups’ members was currently very good. If that story broke, it wouldn’t just spark a corporate war—it would blow up the gallery too. Managing the resulting chaos in chat would fall on me, and I wanted to avoid that at all costs. I also wanted to handle it quietly so it wouldn’t affect the CEO.
The CEO pouted for a moment, then sighed and released the back of my neck.
“Fine. Be careful.”