The First Album
VTubers are streamers who broadcast using virtual avatars. And one of their defining traits is, obviously, songs. Whether it's because the pioneer VTuber was a virtual idol, or because major VTuber groups started with an idol concept, it's undeniable that VTubers—especially corporate ones—always release music. Bigger groups produce full albums, while smaller ones stick to covers. Sweet Mare naturally falls into this category. But they're a bit unique. The company isn't that big to begin with. Even the CEO has this ultimate fanboy vibe. Sweet Mare blew up purely thanks to the members' streaming skills, not their music.
That's why, even half a year after debuting, there's been zero talk of digital singles or anything. Not even covers. The only one dipping into that is May, whose main content is just chatting, singing, and ASMR—she uploads the occasional cover. And judging by the MV quality on those, a ton of money's going into them. At this rate, you'd think an album's gotta drop eventually... Personally, if Sweet Mare's first album comes out, I'd snag the most expensive package no matter what. It's like my duty as Lulu's dedicated clipper. Without Sweet Mare and Lulu, I never would've gotten famous enough as a clipper to keep going like this.
So with a bit of hope for some music news, I tuned into the stream... but nope, today's broadcast was the usual. Lulu gaming, viewers beating her up in chat, Lulu sniffling like always. It's still hilarious, but from my perspective—hoping for more—it's a little disappointing. Still, because it's fun, because Lulu's streams are so precious, I kept clipping while watching. And so the next day...
"Hey, Jinwoo."
"Hey."
Im Lua showed up at our house again today.
"Here to study again?"
"Why else would I come?"
She said it casually, went inside to wash her hands, greeted Mom and Oppa, then headed to my room. Ever since our first joint study session, she'd been coming over almost every day. Her work ethic was off the charts—I couldn't even fathom it. Thanks to her, I was studying hard too. The sessions weren't short, but having her there made it click better somehow.
Is this my real focus level? I'd think smugly, but then I'd see her grinding away and all that confidence evaporated. Realizing she was right there—studying harder and smarter than me—that's what pushed me to keep at it.
We were deep into it when...
"...Jinwoo."
"Yeah, what."
"...I probably won't be able to come over for a while."
She dropped that out of nowhere.
"...Why?"
"Got stuff to do starting in the morning."
"How late?"
"Won't wrap till after lunch, into the evening. And once evening hits..."
"More stuff, huh."
She nodded slowly. Why did that hurt so much to watch? I played it cool, like it was no big deal.
"...Yeah, life happens. We can't study together every day."
"Sorry."
"No need. Everyone's got their own stuff."
"Our own stuff... yeah... you're right..."
She nodded again and dove back into studying, then asked me a question.
"...You won't ask more?"
"Ask what?"
"Like... what I'm doing, or where I'm going."
I answered without hesitation.
"Nah, not really."
"Why...?"
"...You wouldn't do anything sketchy, and it's your personal business. Prying feels weirder."
Truth be told, I was a little bummed. I'd gone from zero studying to grinding hard, mostly because of her. She'd come over every day, and in just a week, I'd built the habit. Now, right when it was sticking, she says she can't anymore. Of course I'm disappointed. But I wouldn't say it out loud. It'd feel self-indulgent, especially since she already looked guilty about it.
"Just handle it well, whatever it is."
"Yeah... should be done before school starts, at least."
"Good."
"Yeah..."
She refocused on studying. I knew she felt bad but couldn't change it, so I zipped it and got back to work. Not long after, it was past 3, heading to 4, and she stood up.
"...Guess I'll head out."
"Yeah, take care."
"See you after school starts."
"Sure..."
I walked her to the door, waved as she waved back with a small smile, and she left. And after that day, she really didn't come over once.
About two weeks passed, just like she said, and I was studying like we used to—alone, but still harder than my old slacker self. Not as intensely without her, but progress.
And that wasn't all.
We were texting a bit. Only 20-30 minutes a day max, but it kept things from feeling lonely. Then Oppa came out of his room and poked right where it hurt.
"Hey, what're you doing?"
"What does it look like, checking my phone."
"Gotcha. But where's Lua?"
"Lua outta nowhere?"
"She was here every day for that first week of break, now poof."
I paused my chat with her and filled him in.
"She's got stuff for two weeks."
"Two weeks... School starts next Monday for you, right? She won't make it till then?"
"Pretty much."
"Ah, got it."
He nodded, patted my head, then said something weird.
"If you like her, just confess or whatever already."
"What the hell outta nowhere."
"It's not nonsense. Lua's super popular type for our age, right? Smart, sweet, pretty—no flaws."
"No way she'd like someone like me."
Yeah, no chance. It'd be weirder if she did. She deserves someone better. Oppa gave me a dumbfounded look and shot back.
"Would a girl with no feelings barge into a guy's house to study for hours?"
"...Friends do that."
"Pfft, what friends between guys and girls."
"They exist."
"Maybe at your age, but not you two."
He kept shaking his head with more nonsense. I couldn't take it anymore, stood up, and headed to my room.
"I'm out."
"You were studying in the living room."
"Can't with you bugging me."
"Fine, fine, go rest."
He waved me off toward the kitchen. I glared, then shut myself in my room. To calm my annoyingly pounding heart—and erase his bullshit—I dove into studying.
But that night, news hit that wiped his words in a whole other way.
"Major announcement~ Three~ Two~ One~!"
"Sweet Mare's first album is coming~ Woo-hoo~!"
...Sweet Mare's first album, Good Night. Dropped on fans right as summer wound down. Christmas? Nah, months away. Doesn't matter. What hits is the dopamine rush strong enough to obliterate Oppa's dumb talk earlier.
...How much is the album?