[New Recruit Joined Today]

"I even prepared an intro line for my entrance."

"Oh really? What is it?"

The CEO played along with interest, and Elodie struck a cool pose before declaring:

"The streamer who appeared like a comet at Singgeul Bunggeul Internet Broadcasting Management! That's right, it's me, Elodie!"

I'm losing it. Where the hell did she learn to talk like that?

"Anyway, welcome, Elodie."

"Thank you for welcoming me, Seojun oppa."

That word oppa made my heart skip again.

Just then, Seoyeon and Yejin walked into the office.

"Whoa whoa whoa!"

"Our Seoyeon~ You're even louder with your greetings today."

"Ugh, ahjumma, this person..."

"The streamer who appeared like a comet at Singgeul Bunggeul Internet Broadcasting Management!"

Apparently she plans to say that to everyone she meets.

"That's right, it's—"

"Lee Seoyeon."

"Aaaagh! You stole my line! That's so mean!"

"Ignore that bratty Seoyeon. If I'd known Elodie was coming, I would've brought some chocolate candies."

The three of them exchanged greetings, their different-colored hair swaying.

"Oh! I just thought of something fun!"

The CEO suddenly got an idea and pulled out a few chairs, setting up a little area.

"Alright, everyone! The first-ever Singgeul Bunggeul Internet Broadcasting Management streamer interview will now commence! Please take your seats!"

There were three chairs total. Since there weren't enough seats, Elodie plopped down on my lap.

"Hey, hey, you're supposed to stand up front and introduce yourself."

"Oh, right!"

She got up from my lap and started her self-introduction in front of us.

"A comet..."

"We've heard that part enough, so let's skip it."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Oh my, you're already calling me ma'am? Hehe."

Elodie was full of energy. Every time she moved, the hem of her bright dress and her silver hair swayed gently.

"First, please present your ID."

The CEO took her alien registration card and began reading.

"Nationality: USA. Korean age: twenty. Name: Elodie. Is this correct?"

"Yes, ma'am."

Up to this point, it actually felt like a real interview...

"First interview question! What do you think of me?"

"CEO-nim, you're so pretty and beautiful! You're overflowing with charm!"

"You're hired!"

"Oh yeah!"

This reminded me of when I went for my manager interview way back. It felt just like that.

"Who conducts an interview like that? This is such a small company vibe..."

"Then it's time for our pressure interview specialist, Seoyeon!"

"Dad interview? My dad's in America, though."

Elodie tilted her head, not understanding the word.

"P-pressure interview... what's that in English?"

"I think it's 'pressure interview'?"

"Why's it so long?"

Is this interview even going anywhere? Though honestly, it was already decided — the CEO probably set this up just to help Elodie get along with everyone.

"Anyway, listen up."

Seoyeon adjusted her posture, crossing her arms and legs.

"Do you really think you can adapt to our company? This industry is brutal, you know."

"I agree with Seoyeon on this. As you can see, it's not easy."

Yejin spoke calmly, as if recalling her own first broadcast.

"I know that! I didn't come here on a whim. I spent days and nights thinking about it after I got that business card. I came fully prepared."

Her eyes burned with determination.

"Of course, since I'm new, I'll probably be clumsy at first. But if you help me out a little each time, I'll grow quickly."

Elodie scurried over to Seoyeon and Yejin, extending both hands.

"So please take care of me, Seoyeon eonni! Yejin eonni!"

"Eonni... I'm eonni..."

"Yes, Seoyeon eonni!"

Seoyeon turned her head away but firmly grasped Elodie's hand.

"Well... I guess I have no choice. Don't you dare run away when things get scary."

"Our Seoyeon is such a classic tsundere."

"Shut up, you old hag."

Yejin took ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Elodie's other hand and smiled at her.

"If you're that determined, then welcome, Elodie. If there's anything you don't know, just ask me."

"Yes! Thank you, Yejin eonni."

Seoyeon shot Yejin a funny look.

"You don't have to ask her. Only ask this eonni here."

"What? Honestly, I'm better than Seoyeon."

"Don't talk crap!"

Elodie slipped out of their little standoff and came to stand beside me.

"I really like this cheerful atmosphere. You're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠called the manager, right? So should I call you Manager oppa instead of Seojun oppa?"

"As long as you add oppa, it's fine. Call me whatever's comfortable."

"Okay, Manager oppa!"

Just as Elodie reached out her hand, my phone buzzed.

It's counting her as a streamer even though she's never broadcast before? That's generous. Recommended content is national pride — well, that kind of content does well these days. With Elodie's personality, she'd probably do it on her own without any recommendation.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, just got a text. Sorry, was that awkward?"

I gently took Elodie's hand, which was still hanging in the air. Warm and soft.

My third affection grind target is Elodie... I'm really looking forward to this.

"Manager oppa's hand... it feels warm somehow."

"Yours too."

Another interesting reward. But Elodie has no broadcasting experience — she doesn't even have an account to stream on yet. Promotion and building experience before her first broadcast should be the priority.

"Elodie. Before you start your own broadcast, let's do a collab with Seoyeon first."

"That'd be better. Jumping in cold would be tough."

Seoyeon readily agreed.

"Can't be helped. I, Lee Seoyeon — shining with 100,000 subscribers and 2,000 average viewers — will have to step up."

"Listen to that tone. I swear she speaks worse Korean than Elodie."

"Shut your mouth, Kim Yejin!"

Yejin chuckled and looked at Elodie.

"How about doing a collab with me instead? Seoyeon must've eaten something bad this morning, acting like that."

"I told you to shut up. And for your information, I had a hearty breakfast of my sister's doenjang stew!"

Seoyeon grabbed Elodie by the wrist and dragged her toward the studio before she could argue further.

"She's really happy about being called eonni."

"Yeah."

Having grown up alone with her older sister, the title eonni probably means more to her than to most people. Seoyeon's sister — I'd like to meet her someday.

Before the broadcast started, I went to the studio to check on them. Since they'd need an extra chair, I brought a gaming chair.

"Wow... this is the studio! There are lights, and a cam... and a microphone too!"

"The CEO always says equipment should be good quality and doesn't skimp on investment."

"Manager oppa! When did you get here?"

Elodie came over and firmly grasped my hand.

"Came to deliver a chair. And to check the vibe while I'm at it."

"Oh! A chair."

She sat in the gaming chair I brought and bounced up and down on it.

I felt Seoyeon's sharp gaze and looked over at her.

"What's with you two? Are you already a couple or something?"

"Haha. Jealous?"

"No I'm not..."

To boost Elodie's already excited mood even more, I decided to share some good news.

"The CEO said she'll set up your own studio soon."

"My own studio?"

"Yeah. Elodie's studio. Your very own space."

Her own studio. What streamer wouldn't be tempted by that?

"If there's anything you want, let the CEO know."

"Kimchi!"

I was so surprised by that completely unexpected word.

"K-kimchi is in the company fridge, so you don't need to ask for that."

"Seaweed!"

"We have that too."

"Kyaa~ I made the right choice joining this company."

Around then, Seoyeon finished setting up the broadcast. Elodie seemed so attached to the chair that she wouldn't get up, so I kindly wheeled her over to the monitor.

I stepped out of the studio and pulled out my phone.

The black "Waiting for broadcast..." screen faded, and Elodie stared intently at the chat window.

"Heh... there really are a lot of messages."

"Elodie. Look at the cam and say hi."

"Hello! I'm twenty in Korean age. The streamer who appeared like a comet at Singgeul Bunggeul Internet Broadcasting Management — Elodie!"

"Holy crap. Look at that chat speed."

"Wow... I can't even read all the messages. Seoyeon eonni, can you read them all?"

"Of course."

"Anyway, just chat comfortably and practice reading the comments."

"Got it!"

As the chat scrolled up like a waterfall, Elodie's eyes locked onto one phrase.

"Lee Seoyeon is so damn hot?"

"W-why would you read that out loud?!"

"Why? What does 'so damn hot' mean?"

"No, um... what 'so damn hot' means is..."

Seoyeon struggled to find the words, her face gradually turning red.

"...It's a secret."

"Huh? Tell me, please."

"Smash?"

"You crazy bastard. Get out!"

"'So damn hot' is kind of... a stronger way of saying someone's sexy."

"So it's a compliment?"

"Um... yeah, something like that?"

Hearing that, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Elodie clenched both fists and declared:

"Seoyeon eonni is so damn hot!"

"..."

"Elodie, are you sure you don't already know what that means?"

"I don't know! I really don't! Mol?ru!"