Chapter 16: New Platform.

Transfer to a New Platform

Seoha nuna, presenting a third option that I had never considered, continued speaking with the confidence of a skilled business leader at a company briefing. Her calm but authoritative voice exuded trustworthiness.

• Actually, Aiver is launching a new platform soon.

“The Aiver I’m thinking of?”

• Yes, that one.

Aiver is the largest portal site in Korea. It started with webtoons and web novels and expanded its business scope by targeting the content people enjoy these days. Recently, it’s been targeting overseas markets as well. Hearing that such a company was creating a streaming platform was news to me, and I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“How do you know about this, nuna?”

• It’s not something to brag about, but I have a connection in that industry. I happened to hear about it. You’ll probably see articles about it soon.

“I see…”

In other words, the company would officially announce it soon. This also meant that the launch of the new platform that nuna mentioned wasn’t far off.

• It seems they’ve already started developing the platform.

“Talk about good timing.”

In a way, it was. Although it was unfortunate news for Cosmo, it was the truth. In this world, whenever someone suffers a loss, someone else profits from it. In that sense, Aiver’s new platform launch preparation was practically a heaven-sent opportunity.

• From what I’ve heard, they’re setting up a system similar to Twip. They’re planning to integrate subscribers from Twip and contact streamers with large audiences on that platform.

“…Isn’t that company confidential information? Are you sure it’s okay to tell me?”

I cautiously asked, sensing that this information was a bit too detailed for someone like me, an outsider. At that moment, I heard a soft chuckle from the other side of the call.

• It’s all information that’ll be released tomorrow anyway. That’s why I can share it with you, Cosmo.

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Nuna didn’t seem like the type to carelessly reveal another company’s secrets. Even though she was a fan of mine, she knew better than to cross that line. This must have been more of a personal inquiry before the official announcement. If she had watched my stream today, she’d have seen that I was grappling with a decision.

I felt a bit guilty for worrying her.

• Anyway, that’s why I wanted to ask you. There’s still some time, but it wouldn’t hurt to decide early, right? If you can secure a spot before others, that’s a good thing.

“That’s true. As long as my viewers can follow…”

If the platform were brand new, there would be fewer streamers compared to Twip, at least initially. If I secured a spot early, it might make it easier for people to notice me.

But my main concern, as I mentioned before, was about my viewers. It wasn’t just about whether my income would decrease if the number of viewers dropped. It was more about my desire to continue with the people who cherished and supported my modest stream.

• Like I said earlier, they’ll support a system that carries over Twip’s subscribers. So, I don’t think you need to worry about that.

“That’s definitely reassuring. Though, I’ll have to look into the details later…”

Based on the information so far, it was a pretty tempting offer. Above all, since it was a platform supported by Aiver, it wouldn’t end up like some other minor platforms that became known for inappropriate content, affecting the overall platform’s reputation.

Additionally, if Aiver’s portal system were integrated, that would also be a good thing.

The only thing that bothered me was that, being a new platform, it would take time to establish a foothold. If the so-called major streamers all moved to a different platform, the market could shrink. But that didn’t concern me too much. After all, I wasn’t in this for the big money.

As long as I could transfer my small achievements over, I’d be satisfied.

“I think I’ll consider moving to that platform. Given how much you’ve told me, it doesn’t seem like a bad choice…”

• Really? That’s a relief…!

As I showed signs of making a decision, I heard a faint sigh of relief from nuna.

Is “relief” the right word here? Usually, someone would say something like “I’m glad to hear that.” But from the way Seoha nuna was speaking, it seemed like she had been hoping all along that I would choose this option.

• By the way, Cosmo, I know this is a bit late, but…

“What is it?”

Why do you trust what I say so much? It’s not often that someone just believes everything without any doubt…

Huh? Was there something suspicious I should be questioning?

Nuna wasn’t making any shady proposals or offering to connect me to someone in the industry. All she did was give me a heads-up about news that would soon be publicly announced.

Sudden Words of Trust

I wasn’t sure why she suddenly asked that, but if I had to give a reason for my trust…

“Well, I’m not really sure myself.”

• …?

“I just… I wanted to believe. Not because you said you’re my fan, but because you’re Seoha nuna. I just wanted to trust you.”

It might sound like something only a naïve fool, unaware of how harsh the world can be, would say. But at least, that’s what I thought.

We’ve only met twice, but unlike anyone I’ve met before, there was a strange comfort and warmth I felt from her. A feeling that she truly cared about me.

Perhaps it was similar to the emotions I used to feel from my real sister.

That’s why I decided to trust her. It’s really that simple.

• Thank you. I’ll do my best!

“Excuse me? Do your best for what?”

Her words puzzled me. Why was she saying something like that? I tilted my head, confused, and heard her flustered voice from the other end of the line.

• Oh, no! I misspoke! I meant to tell you to keep going strong!

“Oh, that happens. I get tongue-tied during my streams too.”

Her cute little mistake didn’t match the usually reliable and mature aura she gave off, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

After that, we put the heavy conversation aside for a while and talked about our day. We laughed and chatted long into the night before finally calling it a day.

As I hung up the call with Cosmo and lay down in bed, all the laughter that had built up until now escaped in a single burst.

• “I just wanted to trust you, Seoha nuna, not because you’re my fan, but just because you’re you.”

“Hehehe, hehe…”

Even though it was over the phone, I couldn’t stop thinking about the sweet words Cosmo had said, and the giggles kept slipping out.

Where did he learn to say such adorable things?

Tack, tack.

I wanted to fall asleep with Cosmo’s voice still in my mind, but I had work to do. I opened my laptop and pulled up the document I had checked earlier.

The title at the top of the page read:
[New Internet Broadcasting Platform, Tentatively Named ‘Cheeze,’ Launch Project Plan]

Although I had told Cosmo I’d heard this information from someone, the truth was that discussions about Aiver’s new internet broadcasting platform had been going on for quite some time. In fact, no one knew more about it than me.

That’s because, apart from Aiver’s chairman, Han Jongryul, I am the largest shareholder in the company.

To be precise, the company I represent, Changseong Corporation, owns 8.9%, and I personally hold 3.8%, making me nearly the largest shareholder both as a company and as an individual.

However, I never intended to interfere with Aiver’s management, so after selling some shares to Chairman Han and stepping down as CEO, I had only remained on the board in name.

Around last summer, the business proposal for Aiver’s new broadcasting platform began circulating, but I was initially skeptical.

Back then, the two dominant platforms, Safari TV and Twip, already had a stronghold on the market, so I didn’t see a realistic way to compete.

But as soon as Twip’s announcement of its service termination in Korea went up today, I knew this was our opportunity. I immediately called an emergency staff meeting and, even through a video conference, delivered my message clearly:

Move fast.

It probably felt like a fire had been lit under the employees’ feet, but I didn’t care.

All I wanted was to get news that Cosmo would be excited to hear as quickly as possible.

‘As expected, I knew he’d like it.’

From what I’ve seen of Cosmo, he tends to place more value on intangible things rather than money.

Just look at today’s stream—he seemed more concerned about being separated from the viewers who had been with him all this time than about losing his streaming platform.

So, during the meeting, I emphasized the importance of integrating Twip’s existing viewers and reaching out to successful streamers on that platform to capture as much of the market as possible.

The executives seemed to think it was a reasonable plan, and I was pleased because it meant I had the perfect bait to entice Cosmo.

This is probably what they mean by “mutually beneficial.”

‘I’ll make sure we carry over his subscriber emotes too. Cosmo’s subscriber emotes are too cute to lose.’

Hugging my pillow, I imagined Cosmo streaming on the new platform, and a smile crept onto my face.

It would be best for Cosmo to secure his spot before Twip’s service ended, so I’d keep pushing the employees to move up the launch.

If worse comes to worst, I could always drop by the company as the largest shareholder.