Chapter 31: It’s never too late to make your dreams come true.

Rewind time by a few months.

Riding the wave of success from Cosmo Live’s 2nd generation VTuber group, Astra, they immediately began recruiting for the 3rd generation.

Still, they’re technically an MCN… but isn’t it a bit much that they only have three affiliated streamers, including the president?

“Ugh~ Is this the last applicant?”

Daon, the president of Cosmo Live and its representative streamer, stretched out, leaning back in his chair.

“Jjun~ Every candidate we’ve seen so far has been so-so. Don’t you think?”

“…Please keep in mind that this is a VTuber interview, President,” Youngjun said, clearing his throat as he sat next to Daon.

“I wonder if this last one will be any good~”

“Based on her resume and submitted materials, she’s the best. Let’s hope for the best.”

“Hmph~ Surprisingly, those are the ones who are often the biggest duds.”

Just then, the door opened, and a woman with a cold expression walked in.

Seo-ah.

That was the last interviewee’s name.

Her thick black hair was tied back in a half-updo, giving off an air of elegance.

Her cold expression hinted at the classic ‘ice beauty’ look.

Seeing her in person like this, she’s definitely better than in the photos.

As Seo-ah sat down in the prepared seat, Youngjun said in a businesslike tone, “First, please give us a brief self-introduction.”

Seo-ah slowly lowered her head and opened her mouth.

“Hello. I’m Lee Seo-ah, and I’m applying for Cosmo Live’s 3rd generation.”

“Great mask, good figure, and good education too. Plus… considerable gaming skills?”

AOS game ‘League of Legends’, solo rank Master tier.

FPS game ‘Sudden Watch’, solo rank individual ranking Top 100.

MMORPG game ‘Last Ark’, Kaman Raid 3rd clear party raid leader.

MMORPG game ‘WoW’, Vampire Queen 40-person raid, first Korean clear.

And so on, and so forth.

“That’s really impressive.”

Daon repeatedly expressed his admiration for her resume, which was perfect for a skilled, all-around gaming streamer.

Seo-ah said in an indifferent voice, as if it were nothing, “I just like a lot of games. As I enjoyed them, my skills naturally improved.”

Youngjun, who was watching from the side, turned a page of the document and suddenly frowned.

‘…But, she has a history of getting into a big fight in-game and ending up on the incident report board.’

Seo-ah’s body twitched slightly. It was the first time a small crack appeared on her mask-like face.

“Are you the type to get angry easily while gaming?”

“Ahem. It’s not that… something just came over me that time,” Seo-ah said, her face reddening as she claimed to be reflecting on it a lot now.

“Well, a personality that explodes once in a while can actually be a charming point on broadcasts,” said Daon.

“Just as long as you don’t cross the line.”

After giving a light warning, Youngjun quickly changed the subject.

“Actually, what surprised me more than your gaming skills were your singing and dancing videos. You’ve never been a trainee, and you don’t have any personal broadcasting experience, but… you’re amazing.”

“Actually, my dream was to be a celebrity. But my parents were against it, and I wasn’t sure about myself…” Seo-ah trailed off, a bitter smile on her lips.

“But I couldn’t help but feel lingering regrets, so as soon as I finished my college entrance exam studies, I immediately signed up for academies. One year of vocal training, and one year of dance training too…”

But the doors to becoming a trainee were high, Seo-ah said, trailing off with a wistful expression.

No matter how talented Seo-ah was, there were countless people in the world who were even better.

Talent is a given.

Age, connections, and early education.

Other competitors were already far ahead.

I should have rebelled against my parents properly.

I should have been a little more courageous.

…But I don’t really have those regrets.

After all, I know that even if I went back to the past, I would have made the same choices because I’m timid.

More than that, I know very well that I can’t even go back to the past in the first place.

So I decided to look to the future.

Although it was late, I wanted to show myself to many people.

As a VTuber, I wanted to stand on stage, even if it meant using an avatar that looked just like me.

Daon tapped the interview table with his finger.

He stared at Seo-ah, who was inwardly resolving herself, and then smiled brightly, saying, “So, Seo-ah-ssi, you thought being a VTuber would be easier than being a trainee?”

“…!”

“As the president of Cosmo Live, but also as a streamer and VTuber, I’m a little uncomfortable with that.”

Are you ultimately trying to become a VTuber, an internet broadcasting streamer, in order to run away?

Daon gave Seo-ah a sharp look.

“…I know that too. That being a VTuber isn’t easy.”

The bewildered look was only temporary.

Seo-ah slowly shook her head and opened her mouth.

“Then? What’s your reason for wanting to become a VTuber?”

“I want to throw everything away and start over from the beginning.”

Seo-ah’s life had been one where she was constantly swayed by others.

I wanted to throw away my education and appearance, and challenge myself as a completely new being, from the beginning.

Seo-ah answered without hesitation.

Daon quietly watched Seo-ah’s expression.

Then, out of nowhere, he burst into laughter.

“Ahahaha! Interesting~ Jjun-jjun! Put Seo-ah in a spot, no matter what.”

That’s how Seo-ah became…

Winter.

This happened just a few weeks ago.

“I want to do my debut broadcast as a concert.”

At a meeting to discuss individual debut broadcasts.

Winter, who rarely offered opinions at meetings, suddenly made a shocking statement.

“Whoa… Winter-ssi, you’ve really been sharpening your blade.”

Summer clicked her tongue, wondering if this was really the Winter she knew.

“Unnie, unnie! Are you really okay with that? It’s still your first broadcast… I think you’ll be super nervous…!”

Fall was fidgeting as if it were her own business.

Spring just blinked her eyes, wide open.

“A debut concert… you mean?”

Of course, the most surprised was none other than Youngjun.

“Of course, I know that Winter-nim is excellent at both singing and dancing. But a live concert from your first broadcast… wouldn’t that be risky?”

Even Mary, who was said to be on par with a decent professional singer, had a normal debut broadcast.

She even ended up creating a dark history with her first singing broadcast.

Youngjun was right there at that moment.

He didn’t want Winter to be hurt for nothing.

“In the first place, it’s impossible to plan that now. The sound system and stage setup, and everything…”

“Speaking of planning, I’ve prepared to some extent.”

As if she had been waiting for it, Winter displayed a PPT file on the screen.

From the song list to the stage background composition, choreography, and special effects.

The 50-minute stage was very well organized.

Youngjun, who was skeptical at first, began to think that Winter’s proposal wasn’t bad as he listened to her presentation.

As a fan of Cosmo Live, Youngjun wanted to grant Winter’s proposal right away.

Honestly, he wanted to see Winter’s stage more than anyone else.

But the reason why he couldn’t easily speak was because Youngjun was the general manager in charge of the actual operation of Cosmo Live.

Debut live? Great! But there are so many things to consider in order to prepare for that.

As if she knew Youngjun’s concerns well, Winter smiled brightly and said, “For reference, I prepared this proposal with Jina-nim. From the effects to the stage transitions, and even the costume changes. She’s agreed to help with everything.”

What? Jina is helping directly?

Then… that’s settled!

Only then did the anxiety disappear from Youngjun’s and the other three members’ faces.

What filled that void was anticipation and jealousy.

“If Jina-nim is helping, then… a good stage will be made.”

“Wow… Winter-ssi, I take back what I said. I thought you were a quiet person, but you were secretly plotting behind the scenes?”

“Honestly, I’m a little jealous. Winter-unnie is monopolizing Jina Mama all by herself, right?”

“This is a violation of the Mama joint distribution agreement, Winter-ssi!”

“Yeah!”

“…I’m going to contact Mama. I want to do a debut broadcast content too!!”

Winter only gave a victor’s smile to her younger sisters.

Originally, the VTuber who moves early is the one who catches the talented Mama.

And so, we arrive at the present.

Winter’s debut concert has begun.

The deep blue broadcast preparation screen flashed for a moment.

Soon, a vast snowfield unfolded on the broadcast screen.

Quiet snowflakes slowly fluttered over the white hill.

A landscape as if a winter kingdom were unfolding before our eyes.

“Hello, I’m Winter.”

At the same time as her calm first greeting, a spotlight shone on Winter’s avatar.

Her long, black hair fell elegantly.

Below the red shawl draped over her shoulders, a white dress that emphasized her figure caught the eye.

“I tend to get nervous a lot. I didn’t think I could show you everything about me with words, so I prepared a stage.”

Winter pursed her lips and took a deep breath for a moment.

When she turned her gaze slightly to the side, she could see the real-time chat window exploding.

Thump, thump.

Dubun, dubun.

The thought that at least thousands of people were watching her at this moment made her heart feel like it was going to burst.

So this is why Manager Youngjun was so worried. I now know why Mary, a senior streamer, ruined her first song broadcast.

So this is why Jina Mama put so much effort into preparing for this. I’m sorry. I didn’t know anything, and I only insisted on having a flashy debut.

If I hadn’t hidden behind the avatar, my legs would have given out right away.

To be honest, I wanted to cancel the concert even now.

My throat is hoarse, and I keep clearing my throat…

But I don’t want to miss this opportunity.

“Then I’ll start with the first song right away. Will everyone listen?”

As soon as she finished speaking briefly, a soft accompaniment flowed out.

The first song started with a cheerful rhythm.

Winter lightly rode the rhythm, clapping twice.

As the accompaniment, which was subtly laid out on the snowfield, gradually grew louder, her voice rang out clearly.

The chat window was filled with blue and white glow stick emoticons.

Among the emoticons, chats rarely appeared.

‘The avatar is pretty’, ‘The background is crazy’, ‘She sings well’.

Every single one of them was praising the stage.

As the song entered the hook, snowflake effects lightly burst from Winter’s fingertips.

Whenever Winter moved her hands, small snowflakes scattered along her fingertips.

In the latter half of the song, the entire screen was dyed in soft pastel tones.

‘My condition isn’t bad today.’

The nervous feeling melted away like snow, along with the lingering regrets she had held in her heart for a long time.

Winter naturally entrusted herself to the song.

By the time the first song was over, half of the anxiety in her heart had disappeared.

Instead, that void was filled with overwhelming emotion.

“I’ll go straight to the second song without a break.”

A song that mixed a refreshing ballad and dance beats followed immediately.

It was a theme song from a famous animation that many people were familiar with.

-Heok! Could it be that song…?

-Copyright… is it okay?!

-That song has super difficult high notes, I wonder if she can handle it? More than that…

Leaving behind the chat filled with worry, Seo-ah lightly swayed her body, her avatar.

Winter perfectly reproduced Seo-ah’s movements. It was thanks to Jina, who painstakingly engraved the bone structure stitch by stitch.

At the same time as she started singing, Winter flicked her fingers.

With a clear, light sound, a subtle wave spread out.

The red shawl draped over Winter’s shoulders disappeared with a flame effect.

Her black hair was dyed platinum blonde.

Flames were wrapped around the ends of her neatly braided hair. A cute, bright red ribbon adorned the ends of her hair.

Next, layers of lace were stacked on the hem of the dress.

The appearance of the dress flowing down long as if sweeping away the piled-up snow was elegant.

At the same time, the stage changed.

As if it had never been a snowfield, an ice palace with a blue glow was revealed on the screen.

At this moment, when thousands of viewers were watching with bated breath, only one person came to Winter’s mind.

The person who had stayed up all night for Winter’s avatar, for this stage, and had used their strength to help.

The person who listened to Winter’s dreams, affirmed them, and even helped her to achieve them.

Thinking of that person, who had already taken a large place in one side of her heart.

“Ah-!!”

Winter let out a high note filled with overwhelming emotion.

It was the moment when a legendary clip that would become the origin of the ‘Dolphin Challenge’, which would be popular on all kinds of broadcasting platforms throughout this winter, was born.