NOVEL NEXT Chapter 280
After going to the meeting room with the manager, we finally delved into the serious discussions about the concert.
“Actually, I’ve already reported this.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes, you’ve been making songs continuously. It seems positive from above as well.”
Hmm, that’s a relief. The more positive feedback from above, the more proactive the company will be.
Whenever I watch movies or dramas, it seems like things always get stuck at the higher levels, but The Six seems refreshing and straightforward.
Well, I am a bit concerned about how much budget they might be splurging, though.
“If the concert proceeds quickly, when do you think it would be?”
This was actually a question I wanted to ask. How long would it take if I completed five tracks and started preparing for the concert in earnest?
I wanted to hear the insight of the somewhat expert manager.
“…Honestly, I don’t know. Virtual YouTuber concerts are quite different from regular concerts.”
“…That’s true.”
It might be more complicated since it can’t be done live on stage like a real concert.
“First of all, there’s a nice venue near the company, and I’ve already inquired about it. We need to coordinate the schedule, but they said the concert itself is possible.”
“Oh….”
As expected of the meticulous manager, they seemed to have done some preliminary work while I was busy making tracks.
But speaking of the venue…
“How many seats are we looking at?”
Isn’t seating important for a concert?
Even if I don’t expect a huge number, it would still be nice to have some.
“Uh, …we’re looking at around seats.”
“…Is that the number?”
I was a bit surprised by the number of seats the manager provided.
“Isn’t that too many?”
I wondered if there would be memes circulating in the community like “Miro Concert Update.jpg” with images of empty seats, but the manager shook their head as if to say not to worry.
“I calculated generously based on the concerts of other YouTubers. I expect it to sell out in around 10 minutes.”
“Hmm… I don’t think that’s realistic.”
Even with more seats than I expected, they anticipated a sellout in 10 minutes.
Well, as usual, they would manage it just fine… but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the Celestial Realm had me under a spell or something.
“More than that, honestly, Miro is more important.”
“Me?”
“Yes, you need to prepare for concert guests and the filming at the studio; it might be tougher than preparing for the year-end live.”
“…That’s true.”
Honestly, I feel a bit overwhelmed. When am I going to gather everyone and shoot at the studio?
And it is a concert, after all. Shouldn’t I be dancing as well?
It’s been over a year since I had my last lesson… should I relearn?
“Ugh, I have a long way to go.”
“Yes, and this….”
The meeting continued a bit longer after that.
Since it was mainly a format of the manager asking questions and me answering, I gradually felt things becoming clearer.
I’m glad I came.
By talking in advance, I get a sense of how we should proceed.
After wrapping up the meeting, I said, “Let’s take a little break.”
“Ah, sure.”
We took a brief break.
“I’m feeling a bit low on energy.”
Naturally, I reached for a snack on the table.
There are always snacks at The Six when I come by.
Anna says that the snacks here are really delicious, but I don’t quite get it.
“Miro, have you really not done anything?”
While I was casually munching on a snack, the manager curiously asked.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Those people from earlier.”
Those people? Oh, are they referring to the male virtual YouTubers?
“Well… nothing major. I just helped out with the equipment recognition issue while wearing sunglasses.”
Shouldn’t the Celestial Realm reward me for that? It’s overtime work outside my regular duties.
“Honestly… it seems like those people are getting a lot of support from that company over there. We can’t afford to make connections.”
“You don’t have to worry about that.”
Why would I get involved with male virtual YouTubers?
If that day ever came, wouldn’t our viewers collectively pick up torches and rampage?
I’d probably invade the opposing side, as well.
If that day comes, it’d be the day a scandalous line gets added to my wiki.
“I believe you’ll handle it just fine.”
The manager, perhaps just saying that, popped a snack into their mouth.
Within the broadcasts, their trust in me seems somewhat high.
Have I been that well-behaved?
Looking back, I’m not so sure.
“By the way…”
“By the way?”
“I have something to worry about…”
Since the conversation had strayed a bit, now might be a good time to ask.
There’s a workaholic manager alongside me.
I thought we might find some common ground.
“What is it about?”
“Well… I got cast in a drama.”
The manager’s eyes widened at my mention of the casting.
“Cast? How did that happen? You don’t even have an agency.”
“Um, through an actor I know.”
“An actor you know?”
The manager carefully looked around before speaking cautiously.
“…Is he male by any chance?”
“Uh… yeah?”
The tone was a bit odd, but yes, he is a male actor.
“Uh… oh….”
“…It’s not like that.”
I tried to clarify before any strange misunderstandings happened, but the manager’s gaze showed no signs of returning.
“Who on earth is it? Who is it that Miro wouldn’t run away from a drama casting?”
“Stop saying weird things; I’ll show you a photo.”
Since I happened to have a picture from the last filming, I went into my gallery and showed it.
It was a picture of me and Moon Chang-sik wearing hanbok together.
It looked good, but since I had nowhere to post it, I might as well use it now.
“…?”
The manager examined the photo for a moment before looking back at me.
“It’s not a composite, is it?”
“Of course not.”
Then I realized the manager might not know I filmed a drama last time.
Everyone knows about the movie since it was already released, but I haven’t mentioned the drama.
The manager has been busy with the second generation event and third generation debut issues.
“Is it really Moon Chang-sik? I remember hearing a bit about him during the filming of the movie… I didn’t expect you to maintain a friendship.”
“We’ve become quite friendly.”
In a male-female friendship, how often does one exist…but considering we work in the same industry, I’d say we’re somewhat familiar.
He taught me how to play games, and we’ve spent quite a bit of time together on set.
Upon hearing we’re friends, the manager stared at the photo for a moment before sighing.
“I thought there wouldn’t be anything that would surprise me anymore, but I’m quite shocked.”
“That reaction doesn’t seem so shocking.”
“I’m just tired of being surprised now. So, you received the casting from him, right?”
“That’s right. But I’m worried about the amount of footage.”
“…There’s a substantial amount? What kind of role is it?”
“Well….”
Since the manager is someone I can’t just discuss anything with elsewhere, I started explaining the kind of role I received and the situation more thoroughly.
Since it was a consultation, I figured I should share my circumstances.
In any case, I expressed the things I had been worrying about to the manager a bit.
“Um, but….”
After listening to everything, the manager paused before speaking.
“It sounds like you’re quite friendly with Moon Chang-sik?”
“Is that the first thing you noticed?”
After sharing my worries, the first thing the manager questions me about is that?
Well, it’s true that Moon Chang-sik is famous, though…
“Do you two keep in touch regularly?”
“Uh… not really? Not like that.”
Neither I nor Moon Chang-sik are the type to initiate contact.
Usually, we text about work and have conversations in person.
“Do you two ever go out for meals after work?”
“Well… we have lunch together often, but for dinner, I tend to eat at home.”
I’m diligently answering since it was I who started asking for help, yet it strangely felt like an interrogation.
“Why do you keep asking this?”
“No, um… it’s not that. At your second year mark, I mean….”
“Excuse me?”
“I trust that Miro will handle it all well.”
What strange things are you saying… more importantly, isn’t there anything more to discuss?
“It’s just… I have a lot to say. Like when was the last time you filmed a drama?”
“Haha….”
“You also made a song, and you’ve been busily working without me knowing.”
…I wonder if being interrogated would’ve been better? The manager’s words jab at my chest.
“Anyway, even if you see Kim Soo-hyun and Miro separately, I’d appreciate it if you could drop me a hint here and there.”
“…I’ll make sure to do that next time.”
“No, it’s alright. I actually enjoy surprises too. It’s a pity I missed this one.”
“Is there anything you can tell me about that casting?”
Before I became completely overwhelmed, I hurriedly tried to change the subject.
After all, that was what I had intended to ask about, but the manager frustratingly brought up a different point.
“Oh, the drama?”
The manager casually replied while munching on a snack.
“Why is that even a concern?”
“Huh?”
“This concert can happen at the end of this year or next year without a time limit, but a role is different, right? And it sounds like a pretty sizable role. If you don’t take it, you might regret it. And…”
Pausing for a moment, the manager looked me directly in the eyes.
Their weary eyes sparkled intelligently behind their glasses.
“You want to do it, right?”
If you didn’t want to, you wouldn’t have brought it up to me at all.
The manager’s addition made me momentarily falter.
And then…
“…You’ve got me there.”
I responded with an awkward laugh.