Chapter 29
Chapter 29
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Christmas Special Broadcast Recording (1)
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“...I don't want to.”
Before I could even bring it up, Yerin shot me down.
Her deeply furrowed brow brought back memories of the Tokyo Game Show.
“Can't we just do it one more time? Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Senior, don't you remember? You still have that wish coupon from last time at the Tokyo Game Show.”
“...That's why I'm asking just this one time.”
At my repeated pleading, a sly grin crossed Yerin's face as an idea struck her.
“If you grant me one wish too, Senior, I'll do the cosplay. Deal?”
“Fine. What's your wish?”
Yerin beamed triumphantly.
“You cosplay with me, Senior.”
“Sure.”
“Even if you refuse... Huh?”
“I said let's do it. Cosplay.”
Did she think I'd hesitate or say no?
Her eyes widened in obvious surprise as she asked again.
“Y-you're really okay with that?”
“Of course. What's the problem?”
“Okay, great. So what cosplay are we doing?”
“What else would it be for December cosplay? This, obviously.”
I showed her a photo of the Christmas Eline skin draft she'd approved.
“This is the draft I sent you...?”
“Yeah. The cosplay's Santa outfits.”
“...What kind of schedule is this that you and I have to dress as Santa?”
“Well, here's how it happened...”
I explained why the cosplay had come up, and her face twisted in dismay.
“So... we got invited as special guests for a Christmas special broadcast recording, but the condition is Santa cosplay?”
“Spot on.”
“You could've just said from the start it wasn't solo. Why beat around the bush...?”
“Because it's fun?”
Her fists clenched tight, and her expression turned downright fierce.
“...Y-Yerin?”
“Senior...”
“......”
“No more pranks like this. Got it?”
“Yeah...”
With my apology, the little commotion died down.
Yerin looked at me pitifully and asked,
“So when's the shoot?”
“Next Monday. It's at SFLAG's studio, so we head to Japan this weekend.”
“Anything I need to prepare?”
“Nah, nothing special. We're just popping in for the guest segment in part two to chat a bit.”
“That sounds... doable.”
“Right?”
She nodded and stood up.
“Can I head out then?”
“Oh, Yerin, wait.”
I'd almost forgotten, sidetracked by the detour.
I handed her the stack of papers by my monitor.
“What's this?”
“Script for the video. Our lines are all blank, as you'll see.”
“Really?”
She checked it over after hearing that.
“They really are.”
“They want skin production stories. Prep along those lines, and it'll be easy.”
She nodded quietly.
No worries—she was the reliable junior who'd handle it fine without hints.
“Then I'll really go now.”
“Okay.”
*
A week flew by, and the business trip day arrived.
I picked up Yerin in front of the office and headed to the airport.
Check-in was a breeze, and before we knew it, we were landing at Narita.
Coming to Japan so often for work had me at the level where I could clear immigration blindfolded.
Tokyo felt more familiar than Seoul these days.
We grabbed Yerin after her delayed immigration and headed to Shinjuku.
A ten-minute walk later, we reached the studio shoot location.
“Senior, you're a pro at navigating now. Weren't you totally lost at the Game Show?”
“Anyone shuttling back and forth to Tokyo for work trips would get like this.”
I shrugged and stepped inside, where a staffer greeted us right away—clearly pre-arranged.
“Welcome. You're Director Ji Hojin and Director Yi Yerin, right?”
“Yes.”
“That's us.”
“Please wear these visitor badges and head to the third floor.”
We hung the badges around our necks and went up. Tanaka Seijou was waiting.
“Director Ji, long time no see.”
“Tanaka, you too. Doing well?”
“Can't complain. Director Yi, good to see you again.”
“Hello.”
After greetings, he led us to the green room.
“You've both checked the script?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Then I'll skip explanations and introduce the broadcast cast.”
In the green room, a decent crowd welcomed us.
I'd expected tension in a broadcast waiting area, but since it wasn't live, everyone was relaxed and cheerful.
A cheerful guy in his thirties with horn-rimmed glasses approached first, offering handshakes.
“Hello. I'm MC Kenzo Nagaoka, hosting today's special. You're Girls Memorial's Director Ji Hojin, right?”
“Ah, yes. That's me.”
“And you're Director Yi Yerin?”
“Hello.”
“You both speak great Japanese.”
After shaking hands all around, Kenzo laughed heartily and bowed.
“I've been loving Girls Memorial lately. That Karin in the Halloween event was just—”
He went on praising the game sincerely until Tanaka intervened.
“Once he latches on, he's all in... Sorry about that.”
“No problem. We're grateful for the genuine love for our game.”
“Haha... Anyway, shall we meet the voice actresses?”
Deeper in the room, two voice actresses were finishing makeup.
“First, Lina here. You know the director, right?”
It was Takahashi Lisa from last month's meeting.
Surprised to see me as a guest mid-makeup, Lina bowed anyway.
“You're on the shoot today too, Director?”
“Ah, yeah. Kinda happened.”
“No one mentioned special guests...”
“I had no clue who the guests were either.”
Lina chuckled incredulously and shook her head.
“Guess it's a surprise event. Anyway, thanks for last time, Director.”
“Uh, for what...?”
“The shoot.”
“Oh...”
“I'd lost all motivation for voice work and considered quitting... But that new experience fired me up. Thanks to you.”
She did seem more proactive than at the meeting.
“Oh, I've talked too much about myself. If you don't mind, can I introduce the next guest?”
Tanaka nodded agreeably.
“This is Karin's voice actress and our agency's youngest, Shiromi Kouno. Shiromi?”
The woman behind her bounded forward, grabbing my hand.
“Nice to meet ya! I'm Shiromi Kouno, voicing Karin! Happy to meetcha!”
Shiromi made a hell of a first impression.
Unlike the composed office-lady vibe of Lina, Shiromi screamed gal fashion head to toe.
Maybe it was the black bob with red streaks down to mid-neck.
“Heard lots from big sis Lina. They said you're super nice, and yep, checks out!”
“Sh-Shiromi!”
Lina panicked at the outburst and clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Mmph, mmph...!”
“This girl... When did I say that? Right, Shiromi?”
Nod, nod.
Only after vigorous nodding did Shiromi escape, gasping.
“Al-most died there. Director, forget what I said, pretty please...?”
I could only nod at her desperate plea.
“Got it.”
The room fell awkwardly silent.
Shiromi, who should liven things up, peeked at Lina and stayed mum.
Lina kept gauging my reaction to Shiromi's slip.
Kenzo's arrival broke the ice after wrapping prep.
“Whoa, what happened? Mood's off...”
I shook my head at his question.
“Nothing. Something up?”
“Ah, Lina and Shiromi—the director's calling for you. Hurry.”
“Yes, sir!”
They lit up and bolted.
Kenzo tilted his head at them, then handed us Santa costumes.
“Change into these, please.”
“Thanks.”
“Free size, so no fit issues, but tell studio staff if there's any problem.”
“Got it.”
“I'll head out then. Change and wait here.”
As Kenzo left, I turned to Yerin.
“Shall we change too?”
“Yeah.”