Hobbyist VTuber-Chapter 231

The first day of Illusionary Realm’s group trip to Hokkaido consisted of nothing more than dinner and a brief evening stroll.

After all, their flight had been in the late afternoon.

The real trip would begin tomorrow.

So, after returning to the hotel, everyone was supposed to head to their rooms and get some sleep.

However, after all the members had returned—

"Just until 11! Can’t you share some God and the Goblin stories until 11?"

"We offer milk pudding and strawberry pudding from the convenience store as tribute...!"

Nael, Ocean, and Neon, all second-gen members, had trailed after Ha-eun and Da-yeon to their room.

Ocean even brought her personal laptop.

"Are you okay with this, Da-yeon?"

"I mean, it’s not like I’m against it... But where’s Yoon?"

"Oh, Yoon said she was tired and went to sleep first."

And so, Nael and the second-gen members were granted their exclusive talk session until 11 PM.

On the table sat Ocean’s laptop, playing the teaser for God and the Goblin.

Ha-eun finally had the chance to watch it properly for the first time.

She had heard about the teaser dropping, but before she could check it out, she’d been completely mobbed by the others.

Now, watching Ocean’s laptop screen with fascination, she muttered to herself—

‘The CGI looks better than I expected.’

When Kang Sun-woo’s spectacular battle scene appeared, Ha-eun couldn't help but let out a small "Oh" in admiration.

"Wait, what?! You’re Ha-eun, you’re not supposed to be impressed!"

"Right? Didn’t you see it live on set?"

"Well... I didn’t see the CGI version."

"Ah, makes sense."

Then, at the very end of the teaser, when Kang Sun-woo’s face was finally revealed, everyone except Ha-eun and Da-yeon let out shocked gasps.

Curious voices followed one after another.

"So, have you been in contact with Kang Sun-woo this whole time? Even after The Neighbor Next Door?"

"The articles said you personally cast him. Can you share the casting story?"

"You guys are getting it all wrong. The real question is—what exactly is going on between Ha-eun and Kang Sun-woo?"

All eyes immediately focused on Ha-eun.

Even Da-yeon subtly turned to look at her, clearly intrigued.

Left with no choice, Ha-eun finally spoke.

"Sun-woo ahjussi and I... it’s a connection from a past life. You saw the teaser, right?"

"No way, that can’t be all."

"The vibes were totally romantic! The poster is so heart-wrenchingly beautiful."

"Well... I guess the poster did turn out well."

Of course, giving out spoilers would violate her contract, so she only shared what was already public information.

"From the way he looked at you, it’s basically confirmed that you two are going to be a couple. So when does that happen?"

"That’s..."

"That’s?"

"Revealed in December! Please look forward to it~."

"Ugh."

"S-Senpai... is our friendship really that shallow? I’m so hurt... sob sob..."

"I’ll tell you if you agree to pay my contract violation fee. It’s about ■■■■ won—"

"I will patiently wait in silence!"

After successfully fending off all spoiler requests, they moved on to admiring the official posters.

Excited voices filled the room again.

"Ha-eun, your hanbok is absolutely stunning... The atmosphere is just breathtaking."

"Oh no, I’m already crying. You’re so beautifully dressed—why do you have to die again, Senpai?!"

"Ahaha. I guess the writer really enjoys killing me off."

"Gasp."

As the conversation continued to flow, time passed in the blink of an eye.

Which meant—it was time to end the session.

"See you all tomorrow. Good night."

"Good night, Senpai."

"Wait, why is it already 11? I haven’t finished my pudding yet!"

The discussion could go on forever, but 11 PM was the agreed cut-off time.

There would be plenty more chances to chat later.

"I’m turning off the lights now, Da-yeon."

"Mm."

With a click, the fluorescent lights went out, plunging the room into darkness.

Still, there was something Ha-eun was curious about.

"It’s your first time meeting the first-gen members in person. How was it?"

She turned toward Da-yeon, who lay on the other bed.

The response she got was purely Da-yeon.

"I just thought... ‘Oh, so they’re my seniors.’"

"Not that! I mean—weren’t they so pretty you couldn’t even look at them properly? Didn’t they have a heavenly glow?"

"...Honestly? No."

"They totally did!"

"Why are you getting worked up?"

To be fair, Ha-eun’s awe at seeing the first-gen members was something Da-yeon could never fully understand.

After all, Ha-eun had been a huge fan of Illusionary Realm in her past life, while Da-yeon had only ever cared about Diah.

That was the difference.

Of course, some might say Ha-eun was just biased—

"Maria unnie looks like a literal Greek statue."

"...Are you serious?"

"You just don’t get it, Da-yeon! Our Cream unnie is—"

But Ha-eun absolutely refused to admit it.

To dismiss the first-gen members’ overwhelming charm like this?

Even if it was Da-yeon, Ha-eun couldn’t forgive it.

"You’re a lost cause."

"It’s called devotion."

"No, it’s called delusion."

"Are you picking a fight right now?"

"Oh god..."

Eventually, Da-yeon gave up and turned her back to Ha-eun.

She had known this about her for a while—Ha-eun could be stubborn in the weirdest ways.

When Ha-eun was like this, there was no point in arguing.

Sure, sure. You’re right. Everything you say is right.

With that thought, Da-yeon closed her eyes, surrendering to sleep.

***

Morning of the second day of the trip.

"Let’s go get breakfast, Da-yeon."

"...It’s not even seven yet, you crazy lunatic... Go by yourself...."

Or rather, dawn.

"If you get hungry later, don’t blame me."

"...Cool...."

"Geez, why do you sleep so much?"

Shaking her head at the sight of Da-yeon drifting back into dreamland, Ha-eun sighed.

After changing into casual clothes, she made her way to the hotel buffet alone.

She ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) didn’t intend to eat alone—

It was just that, for some reason, she was the only one awake.

‘There’s so much good food... What a waste.’

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Considering they were staying at such a fancy hotel, it was a shame that no one else was taking advantage of the breakfast.

She glanced toward the entrance, half-hoping to see someone else arrive.

But in the meantime, she took out her phone and snapped a few pictures of the food.

After double-checking that her face wasn’t reflected in any of the plates, she uploaded them to Diah’s Twitter account.

[ A perfectly balanced breakfast! But I’m eating alone since I’m the only one awake. Everyone else is such a sleepyhead. ]

The post immediately started getting responses.

Some fans commented on how delicious the food looked.

Others defended the sleeping members with things like, "Beautiful people need their rest!"

A flood of replies filled the thread.

‘See? It’s not that I’m weird for being up early.’

Ha-eun, amused by the growing number of likes and comments, failed to consider the real possibility—

That her fans hadn’t even slept yet.

After finishing her delicious breakfast, she went for a morning jog around the hotel.

It had become a routine for her since last year’s trip.

When she was done—

-Knock knock knock knock.

-Knock knock knock knock.

"Gatekeeper, gatekeeper, open the gate~."

"Ha-eun, you’re way too energetic in the morning."

"Ah... youth is wasted on the young...."

She went around greeting the other members, waking them up one by one.

By the time she reached Ji Hye-min’s room, they were already chatting about today’s first event—

The zoo.

Three hours later, the entire group of eleven arrived at their destination.

Since there were so many of them, they decided to split up.

"Raise your hand if you want to see the penguins!"

"If you’re here for the red pandas, come with me~."

Despite the division, Nael and Da-yeon stuck to Ha-eun like glue, regardless of which group she joined.

Not that Ha-eun minded.

They’d been like this for ages.

"Oh, a polar bear!"

"Hey, it’s looking right at you, Ha-eun. Go say hi."

"Polar bears rip people apart."

"Yeah, but you’ll be fine."

"......."

They spent half the day wandering through the zoo, admiring the different animals.

By late afternoon, they regrouped for a late lunch (or an early dinner).

Then came the photo-sharing session.

Pictures of the Illusionary Realm members posing with the animals flooded their group chat.

Not long after, they boarded the bus Ji Hye-min had arranged in advance.

And soon enough, they arrived at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant for their meal.

Everything was going great—until their next destination.

"Alright, folks! Right over there is the long-awaited Beer Museum~."

For most of the group, this was an exciting part of the itinerary.

For Ha-eun and Da-yeon?

Not so much.

Because legally, they weren’t allowed to drink.

"Ahh, this is good~."

"Freshly brewed beer just hits different."

As the other members sampled various brews, Ha-eun and Da-yeon could only watch.

There was a soft drink option for underage guests, but—

Compared to the wide selection of beers, the choices were limited and unimpressive.

"Everyone looks like they’re having fun."

"What, are you jealous?"

"Not jealous... just curious about the taste."

"Hmm...."

Still, the museum had plenty to see aside from the beer tasting, so it wasn’t a total waste of time.

By the time they returned to the hotel—

"Alright, everyone, great job this year~."

"Cheers!"

The group kicked off a year-end party in one of the rooms.

It was only November, but a full gathering of Illusionary Realm’s members was a rare occasion.

That said—

"Keep an eye on Ha-eun. If she drinks again, we’re doomed."

"Yeah, no scandals before the drama airs. Can’t have the leading actress caught up in controversy."

Cream and Yuna, seated on either side of Ha-eun, monitored her every move.

Not that she intended to drink.

She obediently stuck to non-alcoholic beverages.

But then—

-♪

-♪

-♪

-♪

Her phone started ringing.

[ Ju Jung-yoon ]

A mischievous thought crossed Ha-eun’s mind.

She cleared her throat and hushed the group.

"Shh. Let me prank my manager real quick."

"Ooooh, okay."

"Everyone, quiet~."

Then—click.

She answered the call in the most sluggish voice she could muster.

[ Hello? Ha-eun, it’s unnie. Do you have a second— ]

"Neeee.... Unnie, go ahead...."

[ ...? Wait. Why do you sound like that? ]

"Oh, you see... hiccup..."

[ ...D-Did you drink alcohol?! ]

"...Hehehe...."

[ Have you lost your mind?! You’re still nineteen, Ha-eun!!" ]

Ju Jung-yoon’s panicked yelling was so loud that everyone in the room could hear it.

An avalanche of scolding followed.

And just when her manager’s mental state was about to completely shatter—

[ ...I’m telling your mother. ]

-Beep.

"...Wait, unnie, hold on—!"

The moment **the prank threatened to turn into a real crisis—

A very alarmed Ha-eun dropped the act and frantically redialed her manager.

Thus began a desperate explanation.

[ ...So, it was just a joke. ]

"Yes, yes! I didn’t drink a single drop! You can even ask Da-yeon!"

[ I swear... I almost had a heart attack! ]

"S-Sorry...."

After barely surviving a brutal lecture, Ha-eun sheepishly nodded along to Jung-yoon’s voice.

Then came the real reason for the call—

[ Can you talk to Kang Sun-woo about attending the drama screening? ]

"I’ll ask him."

[ Alright. Enjoy your trip. And for the love of god—NO DRINKING. ]

"Of course~. I’ll behave and only drink—"

-Sip.

"Strawberry milk! Japanese milk is so weird. The carton has a screw cap."

[ Drink all the milk you want. Just no alcohol. ]

"Yes, yes~."

Beep.

And then—slurp.

"Oh, this is good! But it’s kinda thick? Weird texture."

As Ha-eun set her phone down, she noticed the room had gone completely still.

Everyone was staring.

"...Huh? What?"

Their expressions were unreadable.

Just as Cream hesitantly opened her mouth—

"That’s not strawberry milk. That’s... sake. It’s alcohol, Ha-eun!!"

"...What?"

-Hiccup.

A very real hiccup slipped out.

The warmth in her vision spread.

"...Oh, crap."

The last thing Ha-eun understood before her mind faded out—

Was Yuna’s resigned sigh.

***

"Our Da-yeon... she’s just a little shy at first... but she’s so sweet, hehe... She acts like it’s a hassle, but she listens to all my worries... There’s no tsundere like this tsundere... I’m telling you...."

"Don’t be afraid to get close... Be friendly, be friends... Da-yeon, you too, don’t be so distant... You know what I mean, right...?"

"...I’m gonna lose my mind."