Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: The Shy Prospect
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“…However, going through the process of failing once and preparing again allowed me to take another look at my shortcomings and strengths. It also let me show the viewers a newly grown version of myself, so now I think it was a good opportunity.”
Sweat was beading up.
She was putting a positive spin on it now, but what had Habin been thinking all this time? While the Heavenly Realm Project 1st Gen members, who had gone through the audition process boiling alongside her, were streaming to thousands of viewers, what must she have felt competing against the 2nd Gen candidates?
No matter how I thought about it, it couldn’t have been pleasant.
Yeah, but this much was fine.
Since she was the one who failed.
But if she found out that the person who barely passed on a razor’s edge was now asking her failed 1st Gen candidate how she felt about them during this interview…
Yeah, even I wouldn’t feel great about that.
The manager next to me was shooting me a sharp glare.
No, I really didn’t know.
On top of that, Habin seemed to think she’d given a great answer, her eyes sparkling as she waited for my reaction.
Yeah, I’d have to respond eventually. I needed to keep up this refined image and toss out some cool-sounding words. And for now, she didn’t know I was Miro, right?
I’d worry about the fallout later.
“Ah, yes. They say life has no failures, only successes and the processes leading to them. Seeing your first-round failure not as a failure but as a process—that mindset seems to have shaped the Habin we see today.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Rivalry with others is important, of course, but I personally think it’s even more admirable to look after yourself and build a strong inner foundation.”
I felt the manager’s gaze again.
But what could I do? The pedal was already floored on this broken-handled 8-ton truck.
And look at Habin.
She was gazing at me, deeply impressed.
I wasn’t deceiving or manipulating her.
I was just healing any wounds she might have.
“Y-Yeah? Honestly, I felt really down at the time…”
“Yes, who wouldn’t? But look at you now—you pushed through the fierce competition and achieved results. That’s no easy feat.”
“Y-Yes… Yes… I even thought about giving up, but I felt like this was the only path for me…”
“I totally get that. I’ve had times when things weren’t going well myself, and in the end, what matters is…”
Shit… What the hell was I doing right now?
Something was seriously off track.
Her eyes were even getting misty.
I wasn’t a counselor.
I glanced at the manager beside me for help, but he just gave me a cold stare.
Damn… No choice but to see this through.
And so, channeling a counselor, I mobilized every shallow bit of knowledge I’d skimmed from self-help books and counseled her for a good thirty minutes or so.
Finally, Habin left the reception room with a relieved expression.
After Habin was gone.
“…”
“Please don’t look at me like that…”
I turned away slightly.
The manager’s glare was piercing right through me.
“Ha… It’s all my fault. I should’ve warned you ahead of time.”
The manager said it was his fault too, but I wasn’t so sure.
Best to change the subject quickly in situations like this.
“Ahaha, no, I should’ve figured it out from the nickname. Anyway, is the next one… another 1st Gen dropout?”
I asked while switching topics, just in case. Couldn’t repeat the same mistake.
“No, not at all. This one seems to have zero broadcasting experience.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, she’s just turned 20. Younger than you, Miro.”
“20? For real?”
That was surprising. 20 years old? So I wasn’t the maknae anymore?
More than that, I had the life experience of 42 years under my belt, yet this 20-year-old kid had climbed through fierce competition to final selection… Was it demonic talent?
“Yes, she’s a promising newcomer I’m personally excited about but a bit worried for.”
“Worried? Ah… Yeah, she is pretty young.”
Broadcasting was, in a way, a continuous chain of responsibility to maintain trust with viewers.
Could someone whose only social experience was easy-mode elementary, middle, and high school handle it mentally?
Plus, no broadcasting experience at all. In the worst case, they might pass her and then she ghosts the streams.
“You calling her young makes it feel off since you’re young yourself, Miro.”
“I’m not your average 21-year-old.”
“Well, true.”
“You’re not thinking, ‘Miro did great despite being young, so this kid will too,’ are you?”
I asked half-jokingly, but the manager didn’t answer right away.
Wait, seriously?
“For real?”
“No, of course I don’t think that, but…”
“Ugh, upper management again?”
That damn upper management.
I wanted to see what kind of people they were.
Sure, their drive was impressive, but desk-jockeys like them didn’t understand fieldwork.
“Still, I believe the one coming now can handle it just fine.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
We’d see about that.
I’d have to meet her first.
“What’s the nickname?”
“Seo Eun-ha.”
“Seo Eun-ha… Like the Milky Way?”
“...?”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, that was a joke? It was so absurd.”
“…”
Was it that bad?
Anyway, Seo Eun-ha.
The nickname alone gave off a fresh, pure vibe.
Well, in the broadcasting world, you couldn’t judge by nicknames.
Take me—Miro and my current appearance had zero in common.
Still, the manager hyping her up like this did spark some curiosity.
How good was she to get him this worked up?
Coming from the manager handling care for me and all the other Heavenly Realm members, it made me even more expectant.
And so, with anticipation, I waited for the next person…
“Why isn’t she here?”
“Beats me… We got word she arrived earlier.”
Lost? The building was big, but not that hard to find.
“You didn’t come down to greet me my first time? Discrimination against 2nd Gen?”
“I’m head manager now. Newbies handle pickups.”
“Oh, congrats on the promotion?”
“Right?”
Insane speed—less than a year.
Well, his workload wasn’t normal either.
“But why isn’t she coming?”
“Yeah. Should I call?”
“No, it’d feel too pushy. I’ll sneak out and look for her.”
“You know what she looks like?”
“I’ll just grab the lost-looking kid wandering around.”
She was new here anyway. Just ask the flustered one searching for directions if she’s Seo Eun-ha.
“Alright, thanks.”
“Sure, be right back.”
With the manager seeing me off, I left the reception room.
“Uh…”
As soon as I opened the door, I bumped into a woman pacing right outside.
She was tiny—up to my chest, even smaller and daintier than Mile. She glanced around, then met my eyes.
And immediately.
Whoosh—
She looked down.
No way…
“Um… Are you Seo Eun-ha?”
“Y-Yes, uh, yes…”
“Um…”
This was Seo Eun-ha? She seemed extremely introverted at first glance.
She couldn’t even make eye contact, all huddled up.
“Well, come on in.”
Since she confirmed it, I brought her inside.
“You’re here…?”
From the manager’s reaction, even he hadn’t expected this level.
He’d mentioned she might be a bit introverted, but this was way beyond.
“H-Hello. I’m Seo Eun-ha…”
This was the promising newcomer? Seriously?
No offense, but I couldn’t help thinking it.
Was Heavenly Realm 2nd Gen okay like this?
I shot the manager a look conveying that, and he seemed flustered too.
Good thing Seo Eun-ha couldn’t see our faces.
With her head bowed so low, she couldn’t see anyone’s expression.
“Have a seat, make yourself comfortable.”
Anyway, introversion aside.
She was an aspiring VTuber, right?
Sitting at a computer desk in her room, avatar up, chatting and laughing with online friends. Being outgoing would be weirder.
A bit more talk would reveal her personality.
So I sat her down and started the interview.
“So, how was the trip here?”
The manager broke the ice first.
I had no idea where to start, so I stayed quiet.
“Uh, um, I-I came by my dad’s car…”
“Oh, I see. Is your father waiting downstairs, then?”
“Yes… At the cafe below.”
“Um… Got it…”
After two exchanges, an awkward silence settled over the reception room.
Even the almighty manager couldn’t break the ice.
Could this huddled, timid girl with her shrinking voice really be promising?
Basic conversation was already struggling.
No matter how different online and offline were, could she stream smoothly?
I was already worried.
Ha…
Could I just go home now?