Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Members Over-Immerse in RP
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The president said,
"You'll meet the remaining two members soon."
KEYS had a total of four members. The other three were already gathered, and I was the last to join.
But could a company with such a tiny office—hell, it looked like they were eating and sleeping right there in that closet of a room—really afford to pay four salaries while preparing for debut?
"If this pathetic setup is some ploy to make us voluntarily give up our salaries, it's not gonna work on me."
"We have money for salaries! No! We're investing in things way more important than an office!"
New grads fresh out of school could be pretty naive, but not me. As a street rat who'd seen it all, I was different.
The moment that first paycheck doesn't hit, I'm out like a bolt, President.
Play it smart.
"For now, our top priorities are three things: virtual models, original songs, and promotion. We'll handle promo ourselves, so don't worry about it."
But skipping salaries wouldn't benefit her anyway.
So maybe she'd get us attached first, then hit us with some crisis about the business collapsing and needing emergency cash—borrow money from me, that sort of scam.
A naive fool would cave, feeling like their fate was tied to the company, take out loans to help, and end up ruining their life...
"I'm not a scammer!"
Whoops, my thoughts must've shown on my face.
"I wasn't trying to show you this closet. Come here."
The bunny girl kid had made such a strong impression that I hadn't noticed, but there was another door in one corner of the closet room.
Another room?
Following the president inside, I found a studio.
Soundproof walls, two computers, and all sorts of equipment I didn't recognize.
So this was a virtual company's studio.
"Now do you believe me? That we're investing heavily elsewhere."
"Hmm, somewhat."
"What was that?"
"Just kidding."
I caught a glimpse of desperation on the president's face as she mustered every ounce of patience.
Maybe constantly suspecting her wasn't the best approach.
But I was a street kid—or more elegantly, a child of the streets.
Not doubting felt... wrong, like I wouldn't be me.
"We're aiming for debut on July 6th and 7th, two members each day."
July 7th.
Not a date with any real meaning.
"Time's tighter than it seems. We've got models, original songs, and broadcast concepts to prepare."
The reason I'd come to the office today was for the concept meeting.
The virtual model—which took up a huge part of being a virtual idol—and the original song, which might be my first and last.
And the broadcast concept too.
"Virtual streamers have all sorts of concepts, but KEYS's is simple: idol, idol group. Fantasy's fine, though. Super popular Vtuber concepts include shark, death god, pirate, alchemist, stuff like that. For reference, the other KEYS members' concepts are alien, wolf god, and nun."
"That kid from earlier is the alien?"
"Yep."
This was what they called RP.
Role-Playing.
In RPGs, RP was exactly this—role-playing, in Korean terms.
Like, I'm no thief in real life, but I play one in the game.
Anyway, immersing yourself in a concept and role, acting it out.
Pioneering virtual streamers overseas had all succeeded big with RP, so latecomers copied it a lot.
The perks? It gave early fans a reason to tune in before they even existed, sparked interest as a hook, spawned content from the role itself for appeal.
Easy for merch, collabs with games, or just plain fun...
"Do I have to do something weird too? Can't I just be an idol aspirant?"
But that stuff felt cringy to me. I'd hate it.
"I see it as creating a mask of sorts."
"A mask?"
"Know what a persona is?"
"A game title?"
"Not that—the psychology term. The fake behaviors, personality, or persona you create to show others."
"It's that deep?"
"If we succeed and KEYS blows up, tons of people will praise us, cheer us on, idolize us, envy us... and hate us. Nobody's perfect, but they'll trash us even if we do nothing wrong."
Anyone with eyes open knew this.
Celebs and streamers drowned in hate, incidents from malicious comments, even extreme choices.
Why did haters go that far?
Jealousy. Success triggered inferiority complexes.
Sure, some did wrong, but judging them wasn't witch hunts—it was courts. That's the foundation of a rule-of-law state.
"So, a mask—or armor, maybe? If a broadcaster doesn't show their full self but a fabricated version, the sting of hate aimed at the fake hurts less than at the real you. Like, a small-chested girl playing a flat character gets wrecked by boob jokes, massive trauma. But play a busty one? No issue."
"That's your example?"
For the record, President Kim Mi-myo's chest was nearly flat.
Her small frame made it look natural anyway.
"But this setup had issues too. A streamer with a big-boobed 3D model accidentally clips her hand through her chest during a 3D live! It spreads online, and she goes viral as the tragic broadcaster who just wanted big model boobs!"
Not you, right?
Yeah.
Sorry for your loss.
"Or reverse: hand on big 3D boobs stops midway 'cause the real ones underneath are even bigger, snags on the hidden goods!"
Is this worth such a rant?
"Gyeon-u, if you go slender model, you'll have to be extra careful with 3D. But if big chests are your complex, go small. With enough caution, accidents are avoidable."
Right. This was my concept meeting.
I'd zoned into otaku talk.
"Matching my real size sounds good."
"Behold! The arrival of the mega-busty character!"
Well, they are pretty big.
Sometimes big enough I wished someone else could handle them.
But bigger's better, right?
Like a university signboard.
Pride to have, useful in practice, but ugly if swung around carelessly.
Wait, was that about boobs or dicks?
"Most viewers prefer something close to the real you, though. Internet streamers especially love authenticity over fabrication. So if you're acting, commit fully—even fool yourself. You know virtual's split into video and live streams?"
How far would this otaku talk from the president go?
At least now I got why she started this company.
She just loved it.
Hard to call someone this passionate a scammer.
'If even this is an act, I'd be helpless.'
"Video side uploads finished products. Live side does real-time streams and chats. Video's basically dead—only game or anime companies for promo. Live's booming, everyone jumping in. Wearing a mask that long? Tough. Get caught lying nonstop, and you lose all trust and popularity."
You need the mask.
To avoid getting hurt.
Can't let it slip.
People hate fakeness.
"RP concepts can be absurd, though. Nobody thinks a Vtuber is really a monk or cat. It's entertainment. Mix in a bit of truth, and what you show on stream completes the broadcaster."
"Keep mine simple: aspiring singer."
Hate comments, criticism, malice?
I've tasted plenty. Bored of it.
Even direct hits on the real me? Whatever.
"Concept: aspiring singer. Got it."
The president jotted my requests on her tablet.
"Any specific looks you want?"
"Just make it pretty."
I was clueless about design.
"Usually, we pack in memorable features at first glance. But with the other three so unique, a simple design for one could work. Pure and fresh vibe."
"Pure and fresh?"
Sounds least like me on earth.
"If you have no prefs, I'll pour my personal tastes in, whip up samples, and send 'em. Pick then."
A bit scared what'll come.
But I already said anything, so specifying now's like ordering after saying surprise me but hating kimchi stew. Rude.
"Now, original songs."
And here it was.
The part I cared about most.