Chapter 23: Mama’s first daughter

“So how did you get started making VTuber models, Jina?”

Winter asked naturally, pouring sugar into her coffee.

“It’s not a very grand reason. When I was young, I liked 3D games, and I became interested in 3D modeling… Then, by chance, I came across a VTuber broadcast and fell in love with it.”

“Even if the reason isn’t grand, the avatars you’ve created are amazing, aren’t they?”

Both Han Ari’s avatar and the avatar Jina herself used.

Seo-ah knew that Jina created avatars that were more realistic and attractive than real people.

“It’s fascinating, though. There are many broadcasts with real people. What made you more attracted to VTuber broadcasts?”

“I wonder…”

Jina fell into thought, poking the ice in her cup with a straw.

Come to think of it, why did she become a fan of VTubers?

It just happened at some point, and before she knew it, she was deeply into it.

Still, if she had to find a reason.

“I guess, I feel more like I want to support them…?”

At Jina’s words, Seo-ah blinked.

It was a statement that was both understandable and confusing.

Jina continued with a slight smile.

“There are people in the world who can easily show themselves, but there are more people who can’t.”

Jina herself was one of those shy people who didn’t go out much, she laughed wryly.

“Because they’re shy. Because they can’t show their faces. Because of family circumstances. There could be many other reasons.”

Seo-ah nodded in agreement.

Seo-ah, too, had finished preparing to become Winter.

“Those shy people, taking a really big leap of courage, somehow reaching out to the world, you know?”

“Ah…”

“When I see that, it’s like they’re cheering me on. It gives me strength without even realizing it.”

The reason Jina chose to make VTuber models among many options was not out of pity.

It was give and take.

Because she received encouragement to live each day from VTubers.

This was her way of giving back.

“I’d love to donate a lot, but I’m busy making a living myself.”

“The only thing I can do is make models… I want them to broadcast with a better face, better clothes, even if it’s just a little. Haha.”

Seo-ah slightly lowered her head and fiddled with the innocent straw.

Her face was burning.

She couldn’t meet Jina’s eyes.

If she met her eyes now.

‘I don’t know what I might say to Jina…’

Seo-ah flapped her legs without realizing it.

She couldn’t control her excitement.

Her liking for Jina was skyrocketing with each passing moment.

Her looks, her vibe, her voice, her ability.

Even her understanding of VTubers.

Everything was perfect.

If there was one thing that was disappointing, it was the fact that she was a woman.

…No, maybe it was better because she was a woman?

Hmm.

She didn’t know.

“…No one will believe you’re shy with that face and that voice.”

Seo-ah said in a deliberately sulky voice.

She knew it too.

That being pretty and having a nice voice had nothing to do with being introverted.

But if she didn’t grumble like this, if she didn’t hold her heart and role-play.

She felt like she would scream happily without realizing it.

“I don’t understand you, Winter.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Why are you preparing to debut as a VTuber? You seem quite outgoing since you wanted to meet outside.”

“Th, that’s just because I was curious about what kind of person you are…”

“More than that, I think you could do well with just a regular cam broadcast. You’re pretty, and you have a good style.”

“!!!!”

Pushiii- Bang!

Seo-ah’s head finally exploded.

Even in the cool autumn weather, she felt hot.

For some reason, the global warming issue was serious.

It wasn’t just a saying.

She tried to cool her head by placing the ice cup on her forehead, but the ice in the cup melted quickly with a hissing sound.

She was thirsty and sipped her coffee, but she couldn’t taste the sweetness or the bitterness.

…Her body seemed to be broken.

“I had to be a VTuber to achieve my dream.”

Seo-ah took a deep breath and spoke what was on her mind.

“Actually, the reason I decided to do this wasn’t a big deal either. My family is a bit strict. If I said I was going to broadcast, they would look it up right away. I wanted to hide behind an avatar. So I prepared to debut as a VTuber.”

She had hidden it.

But somehow, they found out that she was preparing for internet broadcasting.

Seo-ah laughed bitterly, saying that her parents were nagging her these days.

“But when I looked into it to prepare, I realized that this is a promising future industry.”

What she was saying now was something Seo-ah had never told anyone.

Not even to her closest people, not even to the president and general manager of her agency.

But in front of Jina, whom she had just met for the first time today, she was revealing it as if it were nothing.

It was all because she was so hot that she felt like she was on fire.

No, more than that.

She felt like she could tell Jina ‘Mama’.

“You know Daon, right? Our president.”

“How could I not know Sachyo-? She’s a VTuber herself. Cosmo Live’s honorary 0th gen member.”

“That person is my second goal. To start a VTuber MCN company and to stream myself.”

Seo-ah’s voice became clearer.

Her slightly hunched shoulders straightened, and her lowered head gradually rose.

Her gaze was now meeting Jina’s.

“After achieving that dream, I want to establish a VR entertainment company that rivals entertainment companies with actors and other celebrities.”

The VTuber trainee, Winter, who was too shy to even make eye contact.

“That’s my third goal.”

Had become Seo-ah, a Sachyo trainee who was now drawing her own dream.

“If I’m lucky enough to achieve that too… I’d like to aim for the Billboard charts.”

Seeing Seo-ah’s sparkling eyes, Jina almost burst into applause without realizing it.

No wonder she wanted to meet in real life.

If she was going to talk about something this important, virtual space would have been a bit less impactful.

“I’ll have to make a good impression in advance. If there’s anything I can help with, I’ll gladly help.”

“Haha, thank you.”

Seo-ah’s heart fluttered.

This was what she wanted to hear.

A nonchalant, offhand remark.

That trustworthy voice.

“So, I understand the second, third, and fourth goals, but what’s the first goal?”

“The first goal? Of course, it’s…”

To catch up with the monstrous rookie, Han Ari, who was one step ahead.

She was about to answer that, but then she changed her words because a better answer came to mind.

“To become Jina Mama’s first daughter.”

After leaving the cafe and having a simple meal, Seo-ah suggested to Jina.

“Shall we take a light walk? It’s a little disappointing to end it here.”

“Sure. My back hurts from sitting for so long. My shoulders are also stiff.”

Her shoulders seemed to be stiff for a different reason, but Seo-ah didn’t point it out.

If she brought it up… she would only feel sad herself.

It was time for the sun to start setting.

Students who finished their day early came out in droves, and the streets were filled with the unique youthful energy of a college town.

The cool autumn breeze mixed with the lights of passing cars, creating a strange sense of leisure.

“Oh? This pub is still here.”

While turning the corner, Jina found a familiar pub and muttered to herself without thinking.

“Of course it wouldn’t be gone. Whenever the group decides to drink, this is the first place we go.”

Hearing Jina’s muttering, Seo-ah also answered naturally without thinking.

“…?”

“…!”

An awkward silence fell between Jina and Seo-ah for a moment.

It was a belated realization, but these two had just met for the first time today.

They hadn’t known each other for long.

Were they school seniors and juniors?

Absolutely not.

“…Winter, did you by any chance graduate from the university in front of us?”

Seo-ah’s mind raced.

The first page of the paper Jina wrote, which she occasionally looked at whenever she thought about it, came to mind.

…Why hadn’t she looked closely?

The name of the university written under the name was her alma mater.

It was all because she was distracted by Han Ari’s avatar photo.

“…Ahem! Actually, I knew from reading your paper. That you were my senior.”

“I don’t think you knew until just now, junior.”

“…I really did.”

The two people facing each other burst into laughter at the same time.

“Korea is so small. Don’t you think?”

“I agree. We might have even passed each other on the street.”

“Well, when you were in college, I was almost always locked up in the lab…”

“Who knows? You might have taught me as a TA in a liberal arts class.”

“No way. Haha.”

Even if that had happened, the Jina of that time was a completely different person from the current Jina.

Seo-ah had no way of knowing that Jina was actually a man.

“Haaa…”

After being seen off by Jina, Seo-ah returned to her studio apartment and sat down at the entrance as soon as she entered.

It wasn’t like she had a hard time, but her body was heavy like a wet sponge.

It was because she had been tense all day.

But her heart was rather light.

Seo-ah took out her smartphone and looked through her contacts.

[Jina Mama]

The phone number she had finally obtained by begging before parting ways was shining in front of her.

She wanted to send a message right away.

Should she ask if she got home safely?

But she was cautious for some reason.

She was worried that she might seem too pushy.

After 고민 for a moment, she put down her smartphone.

She couldn’t forget the blank expression on Jina’s face at the end, as if she had been inspired by something.

She was probably working hard right now.

Let’s not disturb her, Seo-ah got up and slowly entered the room.

She flopped down on the bed, hugged her pillow, and smiled bashfully.

She had a feeling she wouldn’t be able to fall asleep early tonight.

[Project Name: Seasons Avatar Modeling – Type Winter]

Vtuber_WINTER.fbx

(Ugh… I worked so hard…)

(Ah… I don’t know…)

(I’ll write the proposal after I wake up… Let’s send the model first…)