24. Déjà Vu in the Trivial Banter
Somehow, the déjà vu-inducing small talk kept dragging on.
"But seriously, you're Muil? Uwar's Muil?"
"Yeah, well... former, but yeah."
"Nah, you're still working right now."
Sara, me, Tsupi—in that order.
But was it really that shocking that I was Muil? It felt like something you could just shrug off and move past.
"...Mommy?"
"She's still only twenty."
"...Baby?"
"Not that young."
"Then what the hell do I even call you?!"
"Just call her Uwar..."
Just like Rumi had said earlier, Sara couldn't wrap her head around the slightly skewed family tree. I got it—no one would blame her—but she was way too fascinated. And it wasn't just Sara; all the 1st gen seniors were staring at me like I was some exotic specimen.
"It's been six years since we debuted, right?"
"Yeah."
"...So our mama was fourteen back then?"
"Y...yeah?"
"Whoa..."
"Whoa my ass!"
In this world, sure. In my memories—or rather, Chogyeoul's— I'd started working as an illustrator for Maerchen at fourteen. My early style didn't get much attention at first, so I ended up shifting to outfits instead of full avatars. Not that I minded. I knew my limits and that I wasn't cut out for avatar design. So when clothing commissions came in, I took them without complaint.
I wasn't exaggerating when I called myself a powerless normie. I was average, plain as day.
Though... even a normie gets better after six years of grinding the same thing.
My only talent was drawing a bit better than most. Still, once KR Maerchen Live started blowing up globally, my rates shot up. Why? Because Muil the outfit illustrator suddenly sprouted wings. Before I knew it, grinding the same tasks had leveled my skills to pro.
Anyway.
"The early 1st gen designs were so stiff. But what could we do?"
"Catching up to JP quality in half a year after debut? That was a miracle."
"Right when Muil really settled into Maerchen. Damn."
Nah, I hadn't "settled" then or now. It was just grind paying off. No point explaining—they wouldn't buy it—so I stayed quiet.
"Seeing our mom for the first time six years after debut... Whew."
"And she's ridiculously young..."
"This feels weird."
Then I noticed the stares boring into me. Why? What? I was just sitting there.
"Lolita-!"
"Hey, hey!"
"Rumi, please!"
Maybe I should just bail. Seemed like the best call. But as I tried to slip out, Tsupi yanked me back down.
*
Okay, fine... Meeting the 1st gen was alright. I got a rundown on outfits they'd need later, and they even said they'd drop by my place in Playground sometime.
But.
"...Why the hell am I here?"
I came to in a massive studio set. Green chroma key screens you see in streams, broadcast gear everywhere. And a dozen cameras pointed right at me? Terrifying.
What was this place? Why was I here?
To explain me in a huge studio with giggly 1st gen seniors around, we rewind thirty minutes.
.
.
"Uh... come again?"
"Just guest once as a special."
"...Me?"
"Yeah. You, Uwar."
Did I hear that wrong? Had to be. I was sipping a blue grape ade when this bombshell dropped.
The 1st gen were at KR Maerchen Live Headquarters for a collab stream. Today marked six years since their first group original song, Re:Maerchen. It flopped at first but reverse-hyped after a year, racking up 60 million views. Today was the anniversary, so a 1st gen group collab—mini concert, Q&A, chit-chat.
But... why drag me in? What's the point?
I had zero ties to them. Our only chat was a brief Playground server greeting.
"What am I supposed to do in a 1st gen collab? No connection."
"That's why it's special guest. The surprise factor's what makes it fun."
"Sure, but won't I mess up the flow? Existing plans or whatever."
"Nah. As long as the 1st gen's cool, it's fine. And you'd probably draw more viewers."
...Don't collabs have scripts? Can I really just crash? For real?
I glanced nervously at the 1st gen. Sparkling eyes everywhere. That's when it hit me.
Oh. No one's on my side.
Brutal corporate life. Workplace harassment report?
.
.
That was thirty minutes ago. Sure, I could've said no, but I'm with Maerchen now. Help once, cash in later.
Not that I'm the type.
Still, I'd probably help if needed later. Staring into space with random thoughts, 1st gen leader Anna patted my shoulder.
"You okay? Skip if it's too much."
"Mm. Nah, it's fine. I'll just watch as a viewer anyway."
Her worried check-in touched me, but no backing out now. And I'd half-expected this since debuting. Not that burdened.
Though I am nervous...
Special guest, right? Probably just chit-chat and done.
"Good. Tell us if it gets tough midway, okay?"
"Yeah, got it."
I was genuinely grateful as Anna walked off. If anyone pushed me, straight to Anna.
But what if she asks...?
The anxious thought flashed, but I shook it off. The 1st gen big sis didn't seem the type.
"Alright—prep time!"
Suddenly, the Maerchen PD's shout had everyone scrambling. I suited up in motion capture gear and headed to the waiting room.
First time in mocap.
I'd tried something similar for Hero's Maerchen—full tracker then, mocap now. Personally? Mocap wins for comfort. Looks dorky, though.
Anyway, mocapped up, I watched the live stream on the big waiting room monitor. Maerchen staff beside me; Tsupi and Eunhye munching popcorn.
Not what I pictured.
Expected serious vibes, but six years in? Zero tension.
Real-time 1st gen chat scrolled as subtitles under the broadcast. Cool—Maerchen tech?
About an hour into the 1st gen collab, Rumi swerved hard.
Out of nowhere, outfits? Why...
Guess it's my cue.
"Knock 'em dead~. Sing a song maybe~."
"No."
Five minutes to guerrilla hero appearance.
*