Chapter 14

The pre-meeting with 732 viewers was scheduled for that evening. When I clicked the shared link, there were already four people in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the room. Kanju, Harubi, Chobi, Mion—names I recognized instantly from their icons. All of them streamers who'd topped the charts at least once. I slipped in quietly at the bottom of the list, muting my mic automatically.

"Oh, you're here?"

Kanju's voice was lower and calmer than on stream.

"You're Eunha, right?"

"Uh... yeah."

My voice came out smaller than expected from the hastily unmuted mic. Before there was even a breath of silence, the other female streamers burst into giggles and greeted me.

"Whoa, I saw your clip from yesterday~"

"You're the hottest thing right now, huh?"

Since I'd blown up from all that lewd stuff, I wasn't sure whether to laugh or not, so I just nodded—but it didn't pick up on audio. Kanju took charge, wrapping up the chatter.

"Today we're just casually discussing direction. Nothing's set in stone; it's about seeing if ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠we vibe."

'We'. That word eased my nerves a bit.

"You've all done collabs like this before, right?"

The three women naturally shared their experiences—how many times, what concepts, viewer reactions. I just nodded along diligently the whole time.

"...And you, Eunha?"

It was my turn.

"Um, I've only been streaming for... not that long."

The room went quiet for a beat, but Kanju let out a big laugh.

"Nice one. So this collab is your first?"

All eyes turned to me. Even without my camera on, I could feel their gazes.

"No prep means it's even better for us. From your stream yesterday, Eunha... you get reactions without even trying."

Was that praise or judgment? His tone was ambiguous.

"That could be a strength in a collab."

"My first collab, I thought the camera was off and spilled water everywhere."

"That was just you being clumsy."

Chobi shot back bluntly. Laughter rippled through the room. Meanwhile, I was staring at my own face on screen—the dimly lit room, peeling wallpaper, faint shadows under my eyes from fatigue. Unconsciously, I rested my hands on my lap.

"Of course, if it's too much, no pressure. But keeping options open might be good."

Options. In the warm atmosphere, Kanju added,

"If after hearing this you think 'nah,' just say no, no hard feelings."

It was thoughtful consideration aimed right at me, the one biting my tongue to avoid saying something dumb.

The pre-meeting didn't drag on. Content rundown, rough flow, a few caveats.

"It'll feel more relaxed on-site."

"Don't dress up too fancy or we'll feel bad. Kidding~!"

After the awkward goodbyes, the connection cut and the room emptied. Only then could I breathe. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling.

The old me, always slinking away. Even after becoming someone else, I had zero resolve to work with others. And now I was someone's option.

"Still a total wimp, though."

A needless mutter slipped out with a chuckle.

Hard to believe, but the collab actually happened three days later on the weekend. Prime time, when viewership peaks, live broadcast. I'd gotten outfit approval in the group chat with the streamers and PD ahead of time, then headed straight to the address in that getup.

"Gulp..."

The elevator doors opened, and I swallowed hard without thinking. My palms were sweaty. The officetel hallway was quiet, but two staffers were already at the door.

"Ah, Eunha?"

The unfamiliar man's voice made my shoulders snap back.

"Y-Yes...!"

My voice pitched higher than expected. Surprised at myself, I clamped my lips shut.

"Come on in. Everyone's already here."

'Th-they're all so early... I thought I was punctual.' I'd arrived fifteen minutes ahead, but apparently that was nothing.

The door opened with a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠short echo down the hall. Inside was bigger than expected—not a sterile studio, more like a tidy living room. Pro-level lights were half-on, cameras lined up against the wall.

And there... were the people oozing insider camaraderie.

First to catch my eye: Harubi, lounging on the sofa in front of the camera like she owned it.

"Oh? Eunha!"

Bright voice. Before I could bow, she was waving with a grin.

"Whoa~ You're killer in person!"

"H-Hi..."

I fiddled with my bag strap in front of her double peace signs.

Next to her, Chobi stood with arms crossed. Camera off, but her gaze was sharp. The ice queen type who made you want to avert your eyes just looking at her—the kind that shrank me most. I felt her eyes scan me top to bottom. Made me bow deeper on reflex.

Then a soft voice cut in from the side.

"You seem really tense."

Mion. She stood from her chair, approaching with a smile. Her gentle tone felt like a warm blanket on my jitters.

"Everyone's like that at first. Even me."

"...Uh, yeah."

"Just relax. It'll get crazier once we go live."

Was this what a goddess felt like? Her senior-streamer kindness had me bowing repeatedly, mumbling "Th-thank you..."

Harubi's laughter from the sofa, Chobi's crossed-arm stare at her, Mion's laid-back ease lingering in her words.

'Whoa... oh man...'

I stood dazed amid beauties from a world beyond mine. That's when—

"Hey, you made it?"

The voice from behind had me whipping around. Kanju. Closer than I'd thought.

"Thanks for coming all the way."

No handshake, but his eyes locked right on me.

Whoa, wow.

"N-No problem."

My words trailed off.

"Make yourself comfy. Rehearsal's not till later."

That loosened the tension in my shoulders a bit.

"Okay..."

But my gaze kept drifting to his face. Up close, the cheeky vibe from streams gave way to a natural pull, effortless charisma. Noticing, maybe, Kanju glanced at the staff.

"Eunha, your seat's here later."

He pointed to the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠sofa end—lined up with the other women, next to main MC Kanju. Not center, but not sidelined either.

"Good camera angle, catches reactions well."

...Reactions. Right, work. I shook off the daze, nodding vigorously.

"Got it."

Chobi watched the exchange and tossed out,

"Nice spot."

Short, but it sounded probing.

Harubi laughed to diffuse.

"Aww~ Don't scare her. It's her first real collab. Look at that face!"

"N-No, it's fine."

I waved it off instinctively.

"D-Do you... want to sit here?"

Worried she might claim it, I hunched submissively, but Chobi barely cared.

Mion leaned in with a soft chuckle.

"She's just talking."

"Oh... okay."

Oh, my savior. As I inwardly clung to sunshine Mion, a staffer spoke up.

"Rehearsal in five. Mic checks, everyone."

The air shifted instantly. The bustling space tidied up, transforming into "pre-broadcast mode."

They adjusted mics, pulled chairs, fixed hair. I lagged a beat behind.

'This is real now.'

My face popped small on the camera test monitor. Under the lights, I looked different from home.

'Pro setup, huh...' Staring at myself felt awkward; I swallowed.

Glance—broadcast start in 00:01:12. The platform countdown hovered before me. The system window wouldn't vanish from my overlaid vision, even if viewers couldn't see it.

Viewers had piled in early from Kanju's "prepping collab" thumbnail. Over 700 already. My heart pounded. Just laughing casually moments ago, but "collab" hit my body first. Cool sweat trickled inner left thigh; my chest grew heavy the more I ignored it.

"Your expression's good right now."

Kanju.

"Pretty. Keep that energy, fighting!"

"Hey, hey?"

Harubi shot up from the sofa.

"Why just pamper Eunha~?"

Pouting with arms crossed, head tilt.

"Not fair. We're here too~?"

Kanju reached past me, patting her.

"Hehe! Everyone—"

His gestures amplified.

"All fighting! Fighting~!"

Mion chuckled softly, clapping.

"So cute. Fighting~"

Chobi nodded reluctantly.

"Whatever... we sink or swim together."

"That's bad luck!"

Harubi pounced. Laughter filled the room; I smiled along without thinking. The tension in my shoulders eased bit by bit.

"Five seconds to start. Voice check first—say something when we roll."

The camera lens adjusted slowly toward us. Our five faces lined up on monitor.

Broadcast start 00:00:05.

"Hoo—"

I exhaled deep, facing the camera.

Here we go... the major leaguers are watching.