Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: Members Dive Too Deep into RP
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With the members' permission, Gyeon-u wrapped up the track through heated exchanges of ideas with Seon-yul.
And they nailed the recording with top-notch quality.
Seon-yul wanted to drop this masterpiece on the world right then and there, but!
"We still need to shoot the music video, and it'll go public on debut day."
Just as President Kim Mi-myo said, his all-out labor of love wouldn't see the light of day for another three months.
It was like taking a test today only to get your results three months later.
For Seon-yul, who'd poured his soul into it, this was a real buzzkill.
While gearing up for debut, the KEYS members tackled all sorts of tasks.
Practicing the songs they'd perform on streams.
Watching other streamers to sketch out scripts for their own broadcasts.
Studying virtual model expressions, stream effects, and how to use autotune.
People who love looking down on others' jobs might think streaming is just easy money from chit-chat, but anyone who streams that lazily loses viewers fast.
To survive in streaming, nonstop effort was key.
For most people, anyway.
"Isn't studying Japanese jumping the gun a bit?!"
"You've gotta brace yourselves—we're doing English next year!"
I'd never even cracked a book back in school!
Gyeon-u wailed in despair.
Kim Mi-myo's vow to go global wasn't hot air—KEYS members had to learn Japanese too.
Two hectic months flew by, and as the members' music videos started coming together one by one.
The manager announced an early summer vacation plan.
"We're hitting a pool villa hotel."
'Villa if it's a villa, hotel if it's a hotel—what's a pool villa hotel?'
Vacation might not be the right word.
Company trip or team-building retreat fit better.
But calling it a vacation felt nicer.
So they went with summer vacation.
"It's two nights, three days. Pack changes of clothes and swimsuits."
"Wanna shop together?"
"No thanks."
The second swimsuits were mentioned, Evangelion latched onto Gyeon-u.
But Gyeon-u threw up an iron wall.
She was dead certain it'd be exhausting to shop with Evangelion.
"So pouty."
Evangelion voiced her pout aloud and pulled the pitiful act, but Gyeon-u didn't budge.
Months of experience had shown she rarely got genuinely upset despite the whining.
"I'll pick something perfect for you, babe!"
"I got it."
Gyeon-u held out her palm like a stop sign, a firm rejection keeping Evangelion at bay.
Even after, Evangelion kept messaging invites to shop for swimsuits, but they all got shot down.
And on travel day, the six company folks piled into the manager's 9-seater minivan and arrived at the hotel.
"Sleepover with the cuties!"
"Don't yell it!"
Evangelion hopped out hollering excitedly—why was the embarrassment all on Gyeon-u?
'Sharing rooms, huh.'
It'd been nearly half a year since becoming a girl.
She was fully adjusted by now, but crashing together still pricked at her conscience a bit.
'As long as nothing weird happens, no guilt. The weird stuff'll come from Evangelion anyway.'
"This group trip is so fun!"
Wang Rang, who loved people, got swept up in the hype too, while Yun Byeol stayed her usual quiet self.
Gyeon-u eyed Yun Byeol and felt a twinge of fear.
'Her stream persona was terrifying.'
Like flipping a switch in her head, she'd turn little devil in a flash and tease viewers mercilessly.
It clashed hard with her current silence.
How long could that little devil mode hold?
"Pool! Pool! Pool first!"
"Pool! Pool! Pool!"
If it were just her and that shady Evangelion alone, they might've skipped the pool the whole two nights three days.
Gyeon-u figured.
But Wang Rang's pure thirst for water won out, so off to the pool they went.
"Why change in the bathroom when there's a perfectly good changing room?!"
"You've got the changing room."
Gyeon-u fled Evangelion's clutches.
Plus, she wasn't mentally prepped to see the members naked yet.
After swapping to her swimsuit solo in the bathroom, Gyeon-u stashed her stuff in a locker and entered the pool area.
"Whoa! Bold move, Uta-chan! Thought you'd go for something boring like a rash guard!"
"Didn't fit."
Lie.
Might as well look cute since she had to wear one anyway.
Nothing too wild though—she'd settled on a nicely designed bikini.
But her killer figure made even that tame swimsuit devastatingly hot in combo.
"This guy's ascending right here—no regrets."
"Ascend already, you demon!"
"Demon's a bit much!"
"That's with max language filter, okay?"
Gyeon-u scanned the pool while saying that.
The decently sized pool was fully booked by World Live Entertainment for the next two hours.
Right in front, Evangelion rocked a monokini.
A monokini was like a one-piece bikini.
One piece? Isn't that a swimsuit?
Nope—cutouts everywhere so it looks bikini-ish at a glance.
In other words, insanely sexy.
Her back really looked topless.
'That much was expected.'
The issue was the other members' suits weren't normal either.
Wang Rang already splashing around solo.
Wait, was that even human swimming?
Looked like doggy paddle.
Wang Rang's suit was a school mizugi.
You know, those Japanese school swimsuits.
'Bet she had a hand in picking it.'
What'd they do to the members?
Gyeon-u glared at Evangelion.
Evangelion straightened up, arched her back, clasped her hands to push up her chest.
Gyeon-u averted her eyes, embarrassed.
'She's got the confidence, but too brazen!'
Evangelion's stream persona flashed in Gyeon-u's mind.
Otherworld nun.
That mocked nuns.
She picked it deliberately for "A nun? That thing?" reactions.
'No normal store sells that.'
Korea's Confucian land.
The offline shop Gyeon-u hit was mostly wholesome suits.
Hers was already pretty daring.
So where'd the fetish school mizugi and monokini come from?
But the clincher—Yun Byeol in a micro bikini.
Never seen that IRL!
Even rare in otaku anime!
Seen it in a few illustrations, but...
'Crime, legal, but crime!'
Yun Byeol was a full adult. (Probably.)
Her choice, her freedom.
But that look? No matter how you slice it!
"You bought the rest of the swimsuits, right, Eva?"
"Yup!"
"You're such a hopeless perv."
"Yes! Insult me more! Hit me harder!"
Crap.
She was enjoying it—no damage dealt.
Gyeon-u realized her reactions might be exactly what Evangelion wanted.
Thankfully, the president and manager had sensible suits—pretty and easy on the eyes.
'Eye candy central.'
Didn't wanna join that league, but pool events ruled, Gyeon-u thought.
"That glare! Love it! Make it trashier!"
"President, shouldn't we fire her?"
"No way!"
What a chaotic crew.
After about an hour and a half of swimming, splashing, and drinks.
A commotion stirred at the pool entrance.
"You can't come in yet!"
"It's fine, it's fine. We'll pay for it."
Young guy's voice.
Arrogant even from afar.
Villain vibes incoming.
"Wow!"
A young dude strolled in wearing just swim trunks.
Two more thug-like guys trailed him.
Three anxious staff unable to stop them.
"What shoot is this? No cameras?"
With all these stunning girls, who'd think otherwise?
Beauties that could slap idols silly—normal assumption.
"We rented out this pool. Time's still left."
Company head Kim Mi-myo stepped up to the guy.
But head or not, no authority vibe.
To the clueless, she just looked like a cute girl.
Especially in a swimsuit.
Naturally, the guy's reaction was...
"All girls? What a waste. Put on swimsuits to show guys."
"Please leave."
While Kim Mi-myo clashed with the guy, staff flailed helplessly.
"I'm a chaebol fourth-gen. Hang with me, you'll eat well. Real good!"
Grinning sleazily, emphasizing that word.
Gyeon-u gritted her teeth.
'Gotta protect the members.'
She thought.
I'm the only guy (formerly), so I'll guard them!
Gyeon-u climbed out, stood tall—the guys whistled.
"Whew—killer body."
"You Korean?"
Gyeon-u marched over, face fierce.
Then Evangelion grabbed her wrist.
Patted her head, shoved her back in the pool.
"?"
So smooth, Gyeon-u had no time to resist.
Like being crane-lifted. Heavy machinery vibes.
'What was that?'
"Nice to meet you!"
Meanwhile, Evangelion beamed and greeted the guys.
"Ooh! Foreign big sis!"
"Handshake! Handshake!"
Evangelion snatched the chaebol fourth-gen's hand.
And then,
"Gaaaaaaaah!"
A massive scream echoed.
The pool amplified it huge.