Chapter 25: Let’s be Friends

Even if she was different from what I expected, it didn’t mean she wasn’t Sarubi.

Was this her true self? If so, maybe I had misunderstood her from the beginning.

They say that the real appearance of a VTuber is a ‘red pill.’

It really is just like that expression. Once you know, you can never see the person in the same way as before.

“Um… Why are you staring at me like that? Did I spill something?”

Sarubi looked down at her chest with a puzzled expression. Seeing that goofy look, I calmly organized my thoughts.

The fact that she was once a part of my life doesn’t change. She gave me a lot of comfort and hope.

So, let’s say a sincere goodbye. To her, who made my past times remain as memories.

I get up from my seat. I look directly into her eyes, which started to shake even more. In that state, I bowed my head politely.

“It was nice to meet you, Sarubi. And thank you so much. Now, I think I can let you go.”

“Yes. Whaaaat!?”

Thud.

Just then, the door opened, and Sera and the president entered.

“What’s wrong? Why are you shouting all of a sudden, Karen-ah.”

Of course, I had already sensed the presence outside the door. I was sitting down, of course, and I was even bringing the cinnamon punch to my lips.

“Oh, it’s… President. Maybe…”

“Karen dropped some meat on the floor and was a little surprised. It’s expensive, you know.”

I should avoid speaking in an ordinary way outside… It wouldn’t be good to be caught breaking the president’s instructions already.

By coming up with a plausible excuse, Sarubi also didn’t have to betray her fellow member.

It’s a good result for both of us.

“Ahaha. Is that something to be so surprised about? If you want to eat, just say so. I’ll buy you more next time.”

“Yes… Thank you.”

I could feel Sarubi staring at me intently. No, I should let go of Sarubi now.

I felt Karen’s gaze, but I focused on tasting the fruit and cinnamon punch.

“Since we’ve finished eating, let’s get going. I’ll give you a ride to the station.”

“Thank y…”

As I was heading towards the passenger seat, Karen clung to my side.

“No, thank you, President. Leah-ssi and I have somewhere else to go.”

“Really? You two have become close already. Then have fun and go home safely.”

After the president and Sera left, I looked down at Karen, who was holding onto my arm.

“Could you please let go of my arm? I’ve decided to bury the affection we built up in my memories.”

She let go of my hand at my request, but she was still very close.

“Let’s go somewhere and talk.”

***

A small cafe nearby.

Karen looked at her fellow member lifting the coffee cup.

Her flowing blonde hair. Her long eyelashes pointing downwards. The way she lightly touched her lips to take a sip.

‘Just looking at this, it’s like a photoshoot…’

The fellow member, who she thought was just full of professionalism, turned out to be a very peculiar person. She wondered if it could be a case study for her psychology major.

But for now, there was something else she needed to confirm first.

“How did you know that I was active as Sarubi?”

At first, she thought she might have heard it from the company, but she thought that was unlikely. She didn’t think Blooming Core would leak personal information so easily.

“So, it’s only right to keep our affection in the past. You don’t even remember me.”

“I’m seeing Leah-ssi for the first time today… Ah!”

Someone flashed through her mind. For some reason, there was a viewer who would be sad if she didn’t recognize him.

“Could it be… Leah-ssi, were you ‘Curious Elf’?”

“When I met Sarubi, that was the name I used.”

Now that she heard it, the way she spoke was exactly like that. She didn’t immediately think of it because of her beautiful voice, which wasn’t captured in chats or donations.

“Then, you recognized me by my voice? It must be very different from back then.”

“There are habits that can’t be hidden, even in the voice. That’s all I felt.”

So you were really my regular viewer. While thinking that, she felt a little bit wronged.

“That’s unfair. I’ve never heard Leah-ssi’s voice, so it’s understandable that I wouldn’t recognize you.”

“That’s a valid point. I won’t hold that against you.”

Curious Elf.

A somewhat burdensome viewer.

Beyond the relationship between a streamer and a viewer, she felt like he treated her like a really close friend.

Observer-participant fantasy. Psychological compensation and emotional dependence. There could be many reasons for that.

But, leaving all those analyses aside.

Every time she broadcasted, the way he greeted her, the way he was sad when she left.

‘He seemed very lonely.’

So, she just couldn’t ignore him.

She also felt grateful. During that time when her self-esteem was falling every day, she was able to gain a little strength thanks to the viewers who constantly visited and cheered her on.

‘But, that ‘Curious Elf’ is talking to Sarubi alone… and he seems so composed.’

She was a psychology major at Hankuk University. The previous chat history. Combining today’s reactions and statements after seeing her… she could deduce the reason.

“Leah-ssi. Are you disappointed because my appearance is very different from the one I showed as ‘Sarubi’?”

Leah, who glanced at her, moved her gaze to the coffee cup.

“I won’t blame you for that. As promised, you did your best.”

Yes, in the last broadcast, she said she would do her best to come back in a different form.

But Leah’s attitude was as good as admitting that the fact that she was disappointed didn’t change.

‘Well, why? Is it my fault that my RP and my real appearance are different? It’s natural. I even gave a hint that I would be reincarnated!’

But she couldn’t deny that a corner of her heart felt stuffy. That attitude of drawing a line somewhere made her heart sink deep down.

Embarrassed, her words came out chaotic.

“Haha… That’s right. I worked really hard to get in here. But to meet Leah-ssi as a fellow member like this, isn’t it amazing? We even had a meal together… The lunch the president bought us was really delicious, wasn’t it?”

“It wasn’t very tasty.”

In a different sense, those words made her snap out of it.

“Huh? It wasn’t tasty? But earlier when the president asked, you said you could feel the flavor…”

“I was imitating the expressions used for excellent food. Please keep it a secret from the president.”

“Ah, yes! But why wasn’t it tasty? Do you not like meat normally?”

Leah stared at her silently for a while. Karen swallowed nervously for no reason.

“It’s like that these days. I don’t really get any excitement from the taste of any food.”

“What… do you mean by that?”

Karen’s expression immediately turned serious.

“There’s nothing to see in that. Food is just something you eat to survive. It was like that in the past too.”

“That’s not right…”

Not being able to taste food well. Considering food as merely a calorie supply for survival.

This was a state of not being able to experience positive emotions and pleasure. It could be the result of trauma or emotional isolation.

“Leah-ssi. Then what do you like besides food? Something fun. Something enjoyable.”

“I like Ori.”

“I know. It’s a VR game, right? I’ve played it a few times too. Then what else? What else do you enjoy doing?”

“…Nothing in particular.”

“Nothing? Are you saying that there’s nothing fun other than Ori right now?”

“Yes.”

How could such an answer come from the mouth of a young lady who seemed like she would be showing off all sorts of flexes and travel destinations on Linsta…

In an instant, the ‘Curious Elf’ who seemed very lonely and Leah overlapped perfectly. She looked even more pitiful because of her beautiful appearance.

‘Yeah. I can’t just leave her alone.’

Karen, with a bright expression, held out her hand.

“Leah-ssi. Let’s be friends from now on.”

A look of bewilderment crossed Leah’s face.

“Forget about being fellow members or whatever. Let’s be real friends. We’re the same age, so let’s drop the formalities too. How about it?”

“That’s…”

She pulled her chair closer to Leah, who was hesitating.

“Why? You said earlier that you buried Sarubi in your memories. Then you have to make new memories. Start over with me. I’ll show you a lot of fun things besides Ori. How about it?”

“That’s a very sudden proposal…”

“Drop the formalities! My arm hurts. Just accept the handshake already.”

She lightly pulled her arm and shook their clasped hands. She could feel her slender, long fingers.

‘Hehe… she can make that kind of expression too.’

The ice-cold poker face was broken, and her eyes widened like a surprised rabbit.

Karen thought that look was a little cute.

***

[Blooming Core Minor Gallery]

Title: Summary of today’s Baek Rani broadcast…txt

Content: The 3rd generation selection is complete. There were so many talented and charming applicants. We chose carefully among them. It will exceed your expectations

We are preparing for the debut as soon as possible. (On a donation that asked if it was a week away) It won’t be that fast. But the illustrations and rigging work has begun, and when the debut date is set, we will continuously release countdown content

One thing is certain, the growth of Blooming Core will be sufficiently demonstrated through this 3rd generation

The big one is coming!

Comments:

– Wow, finally!

-CEO Baek rarely minces words.. If she says this, it must be really amazing

– Ah… how long do we have to wait

ᄂJust wait one more day and the Blooming Core 3rd generation will be out! Because I’m going to smash my head until I’m on the verge of death!

ᄂThis guy is going to watch the debut broadcast from a hospital bed

– When did the 2nd generation debut? Isn’t the cycle a bit fast

└Considering the preparation period, it seems appropriate. It’s 9-11 months after the 2nd generation debut

– Ayame, I’m sorry! I’m going to switch to the fresh 3rd generation!

ᄂThis guy is definitely not an Arumi. He’s a Miyabi pretending to be an Arumi.

L

100: Look at the gallery rules. No factionalism

– Who do you think will be the gallery leader for the 3rd generation? Vote ᄀᄀ(link)

ᄂThere’s no information about the 3rd generation, where is he seeing hallucinations

[Pajijik Gallery]

Title: Rani revealed the 3rd generation competition rate on today’s broadcast

Content: 317:1

It’s at a level that crushes most large company recruitment ᄃᄃ;;

Comments:

-The competition rate is really crazy;;

– Even for Blooming Core, is it normal to have this many applicants?

ᄂIt means being a VTuber is that much of a sweet job

– 250:1

The 2nd generation who were making a fuss about being the highest ever are now nobodies;; lol

ᄂᄏᄏᄏ I didn’t think that record would be broken

ᄂThe 1st generation is really free real estate.. The CEO directly recruited some of them. Was the competition rate even 10:1?

-I thought I was in the wrong gallery, you VTuber freaks, stop making the gallery dirty and get lost

ᄂWhat are you talking about, Blooming Core is often a trending topic here

ᄂRight, Blooming Core is Agreedᄏᄏ