Hobbyist VTuber

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Kim Jeong-hyeon is a rather clumsy girl.

Having grown up her entire life as a flower in a greenhouse, the absolute lack of “experience” was far too noticeable.

Her willpower and execution are objectively on the higher side, but there were times when her past days spent delicately growing up in a vast tiled house often held Kim Jeong-hyeon back.

“A typical rich girl, maybe.”

In the process of unfamiliarity, what surfaced was Kim Jeong-hyeon’s awkwardness.

Or, perhaps, her immaturity.

This awkwardness and immaturity are what Kim Jeong-hyeon is most embarrassed about.

Well, throughout her life as a “young lady,” she had very firmly misunderstood the meaning of the word Love.

She had never made the mistake of an unintended love confession, which would be a step further.

Perhaps because she had always been in a position where others upheld her, Kim Jeong-hyeon herself is conscious of her image as a young lady.

Thus, whenever she faced outcomes entirely different from her thoughts or intentions due to her clumsiness, she sometimes blushed with embarrassment.

The emotions that Ha-eun, playing Kim Jeong-hyeon, must portray are also this kind of embarrassment.

“Embarrassment, huh…”

However, perhaps it was because she had never acted out the emotion of embarrassment that the process felt peculiar.

Or maybe it was that she had no real resilience against the emotion of embarrassment itself.

Yesterday, only after truly experiencing it could Ha-eun reflect on this new emotion.

Seeing Baek Tae-hoon’s positive reaction, it seems Ha-eun’s performance of embarrassment was not a mistake.

But understanding the feeling of embarrassment is a different story.

In the first place, the very act of feeling and understanding a new emotion is not something Ha-eun is familiar with.

Every time she steps into this gray area she doesn’t know, her thoughts multiply.

Simply put, it was because the echo of the performance lingered a little longer than usual.

The embarrassment of Kim Jeong-hyeon, which had been overlaying Ha-eun until just moments ago, seemed unwilling to leave.

“…Did I get too absorbed?”

For a moment, she tried to shake her head left and right, attempting to rid herself of the heat in her face.

Unbeknownst to her, she wanted to disperse those shameful memories from the previous night that were hovering like soap bubbles.

Yet, the emotional turbulence that had been lingering didn’t settle down for quite some time.

It seemed she had slightly heightened the emotions, given that it was her first time acting embarrassment.

By now, only a minute remained until the next scene began filming.

Thus, after mulling over her thoughts…

– Thud.

She ended up standing in front of the camera, still somewhat emotional.

After the Love ruckus, Kim Jeong-hyeon’s demeanor, which hadn’t calmed down, was played out in a rawer form.

For now, she thought to express embarrassment with as much intensity as she could muster.

After all, Kim Jeong-hyeon’s heart would undoubtedly be filled with embarrassment towards Park Joo-ho.

Therefore, as the character Kim Jeong-hyeon, she aimed to portray the moment when Park Joo-ho first realizes that he is a rational being more clearly.

On a personal level, Ha-eun wanted to ascertain just how far she could explore this feeling of embarrassment.

“Cakes, I might need to ask for them.”

Due to the fatigue that came from the difficulty in controlling such emotions, Ha-eun decided to soothe herself with a sweet piece of cake.

Following this, the scene of Kim Jeong-hyeon after the Love ruckus began shooting at the director Kwon Jae-hyup’s action cue.

“Tsk, why was the old man so furious over a tiny scratch, yet strangely silent about a gunshot?”

“I believe it’s my fault… I hope you won’t divulge the truth you know.”

Currently, Kim Jeong-hyeon’s gunshot wound was known to be the result of an accidental discharge during a hunt, not an assassination by pro-Japanese forces.

Therefore, Kim Jeong-hyeon’s grandfather, Kim Ja-gyeom, had confined her to the inner quarters of the tiled house under the pretext of treatment.

The allowance for Park Joo-ho to enter Kim Jeong-hyeon’s room was also meant to keep her locked indoors.

Reading American literature inside was certainly better than shooting guns outside and risking another accident.

However, as Park Joo-ho’s role as an alphabet teacher continued.

“…Why do you keep rereading the L section?”

“Oh, it’s just that I haven’t fully grasped it yet. It’s definitely not for any other reason!”

The time spent alone in the small room with only Kim Jeong-hyeon and Park Joo-ho continued.

Since the Love situation hadn’t left Kim Jeong-hyeon’s mind, she began to observe Park Joo-ho’s reactions with even more detail over time.

From some day onward, she became more interested in the gaze of Park Joo-ho than the alphabet in the textbooks.

She became more curious about what thoughts Park Joo-ho was having than the various types of English words in the American literature.

To Kim Jeong-hyeon, Park Joo-ho was a person she couldn’t quite define.

Even though he always showed dissatisfaction each time they met, he never cut or abandoned ties with her.

On a day when Kim Jeong-hyeon’s injury had temporarily worsened, Park Joo-ho even went so far as to bring a skilled doctor himself.

Perhaps that’s why.

“The alphabets are done for now. How about telling me about yourself…?”

As time passed, she decided to confront directly the confusing feelings she had for Park Joo-ho.

She aimed to delve deeper into who Park Joo-ho truly was for Kim Jeong-hyeon.

Soon, what Park Joo-ho faced was the slightly turned head of Kim Jeong-hyeon.

Yet still, their cautious gazes remained directed towards him.

Then, as her eyes drifted downward, she noticed her little fingers fidgeting unconsciously.

Thus began the turbulent emotions of Kim Jeong-hyeon that were finally surfacing.

“Thinking back, I always asked for favors but hardly got to know about you…”

With a hint of tremble in her voice, both apologies and affection for Park Joo-ho emerged simultaneously.

Kim Jeong-hyeon herself had no idea how to handle her tangled emotions.

Like a wave, the chaotic emotions showed through, as if pleading Park Joo-ho to do something.

In response to these emotions, Baek Tae-hoon maintained a chilly calmness.

He firmly established that there were no intentions of shortening the distance with Kim Jeong-hyeon yet.

“…It probably won’t be an interesting story.”

So, dodging those pursuing the young Park Joo-ho, they headed to the distant land known as America.

The dark memories replayed in Kim Jeong-hyeon’s mind after experiencing all kinds of hardships in a foreign land where communication would be impossible.

With that almost simultaneously, her small mouth slowly opened.

“So, you’ve touched a wound that hasn’t healed yet… What should I say?”

This conveyed a slightly different kind of embarrassment than during the Love commotion.

Kim Jeong-hyeon’s heartfelt apology caused Park Joo-ho’s eyes to waver momentarily.

“Ultimately, everything comes down to my refusal of your hand. You’ve managed well until now…”

Once again, it was the same embarrassment that had hovered in front of Park Joo-ho as before.

However, unlike the previous time where excuses followed immediately, this time there were no justifications or explanations.

“…From now on, I’ll do as you wish. You don’t have to come back to this house. I’ll tell grandfather myself.”

Once Kim Jeong-hyeon’s every choice was handed over to Park Joo-ho, something within Park Joo-ho slowly began to shift.

Something he had believed would never change since witnessing his parents beaten to death.

Little by little. Slowly.

Since that day, various changes occurred, and even Henson, the missionary who had been Park Joo-ho’s benefactor and Kim Jeong-hyeon’s conversational companion, began to visit Kim Jeong-hyeon.

This, too, was an unavoidable choice by Kim Ja-gyeom to keep Kim Jeong-hyeon nearby.

“Everyone is proud of the young lady, especially Mr. Kim, who praised you greatly.”

“Kim Dong-ji? Really?”

“Yes.”

As a result, it became a situation where Kim Ja-gyeom personally brought the contacts of the other righteous armies into Kim Jeong-hyeon’s presence.

The missionary, who was sincerely concerned for Joseon, was a tight ally of the righteous armies.

Of course, Park Joo-ho, watching the conversation between Kim Jeong-hyeon and Henson Arnold right next to them, felt discomfort with this situation.

He could not show his discomfort in front of Henson Arnold, the benefactor who had saved the young Park Joo-ho’s life.

“…Why are you so eager to step forward? Wouldn’t it be more comfortable for you to be held in your grandfather’s embrace?”

“Someone has to do what needs to be done.”

“It doesn’t have to be you.”

“No one else needed to be a righteous army. Everyone did what they thought was right.”

I, too, am the same.

With those quietly mumbled words, Park Joo-ho’s expression grew even more complicated.

Despite having been granted all the choices in the past, the selectiveness to seek out Kim Jeong-hyeon was pure Park Joo-ho’s will.

He still hoped that Kim Jeong-hyeon would step away from the path of the righteous.

He worried that if she remained on this path, he would continuously worry about her safety.

However, he was well aware that no words could sway Kim Jeong-hyeon’s determination.

On the day urgent news arrived about Kim Jeong-hyeon’s fellow righteous army members facing danger.

“I don’t care what happens to me, but can I help them at least…?”

Holding her head down with guilt-infused embarrassment.

Still, she couldn’t ignore the trembling voice asking for Park Joo-ho’s assistance once more.

A girl who felt embarrassed about her past was once again embracing embarrassment in pursuit of the noble cause of freedom.

In the end, even Park Joo-ho, who had been skeptical about the nation of Joseon, couldn’t help but shift his gaze toward that very freedom.

Finally, at the very last moment.

“…Haah.”

– Click.

Instead of Kim Jeong-hyeon, who couldn’t go outside, she embarked on a journey to save the righteous armies.

The long-empty threatening pistol was finally loaded after a long time.

*

“Today, your acting was sharp. Good job.”

Baek Tae-hoon’s voice sounded pleased after a one-take wrap without any NGs.

After taking a moment to steady her irregular breathing, Ha-eun briefly returned the sentiment with a “Thank you for your hard work today.”

It was after that when Joo Jung-yoon appeared, having brought her the small piece of cake she had requested.

Finally biting into the soft cake, letting it slowly melt in her mouth, she felt her inner frustration begin to dissolve.

However, since it had been a long time since she had asked for a sweet cake, it was only natural that Joo Jung-yoon would be curious about the emotional performance Ha-eun displayed despite the stress she put herself through.

Thus, the question surfaced.

“Did you confess your love to Baek Tae-hoon or something?”

Knowing roughly about the couple dynamics in [The Sunshine] as Ha-eun’s manager, it was merely a natural inquiry.

Yet, the reply that came back was closer to a negative than a positive.

“Though I was shy throughout the shoot, I haven’t confessed my love yet.”

“So?”

“Um… I guess I should say I sent love calls until they were accepted?”

Perhaps it seemed a bit overly emotional.

Understanding Ha-eun’s feedback toward herself was a priority for Joo Jung-yoon, who quickly interrupted, urging Ha-eun to finish her cake.

Understanding that when Ha-eun sought sweetness, she needed to calm her emotions, they shifted the topic to matters related not to [The Sunshine] but to the [Infinite Challenge Song Festival].

This conversation continued until they boarded Joo Jung-yoon’s van, allowing Ha-eun’s gaze to drift away from [The Sunshine].

“For this recording, since it’s all about moving around in mini-games, you should dress comfortably.”

“So, can I wear workout clothes?”

“…Even so, that might be a bit too casual.”

Shortly thereafter, Joo Jung-yoon elaborated on the clothing requirements for the [Infinite Challenge Song Festival] recording day.

The outfit should allow a degree of freedom of movement while also showcasing elegance and beauty for a female singer.

However, since Joo Jung-yoon was someone who knew Ha-eun’s physical capabilities better than anyone, he added a note of caution.

“If your clothes get torn, it’ll be a disaster. Don’t move around too much, okay?”

“…………Yes.”

“Hmm, why isn’t your response immediate? If you keep this up, I’ll just put you in a dress!”

“Okay. I got it. I’ll be moderate….”

Ha-eun continued to assure carefully as Joo Jung-yoon ensured that her outfit wouldn’t suffer any damage due to her high enthusiasm.

Regardless, Joo Jung-yoon’s nagging continued right up until the recording day of [Infinite Challenge Song Festival].

This was due to the fact that all the competition would be against immensely popular idols or solo male singers.

While the regular cast of [Infinite Challenge] could be excused, the guest singers like Ha-eun must not fall victim to Ha-eun’s excessive enthusiasm.

“When I was in my time, if a male idol slightly touched a female guest, they’d show up at the house from the main gate to yell and throw a fit.”

“No way, right…?”

“It’s true.”

About an hour later, the recording for the [Infinite Challenge Song Festival] began.

As Seong Yoo-seok, who had just picked up the microphone, briefly summarized the various episodes that had occurred while preparing for the festival.

Yet, even at that moment, Joo Jung-yoon’s desperate pleas to “please take it easy” played on repeat in Ha-eun’s ears.

“Alright, if you don’t throw it, you lose to rock-paper-scissors—!”

As the hammer game developed to determine the performance order at Gocheok Sky Dome commenced, Ha-eun’s concentration began to wane.

In stark contrast, one male singer competing against her realized he’d lost rock-paper-scissors at once.

– Thud!

He quickly managed to flip the protective basin over his head.

The moment the male singer recognized that something was off was when the stainless steel basin clashed with Ha-eun’s hammer.

– Crash!!

The sound of something solid denting resonated throughout the [Infinite Challenge Song Festival] filming location.

The stainless-steel bowl that was supposed to block Ha-eun’s attack was slightly caved in at the center.

Yet, surprisingly, what came from Ha-eun, who felt slightly disappointed, was.

“Hmm, I’ll need to increase the speed a bit next time…”

There was no sign of questioning whether something had gone wrong—only a fierce mindset radiated.

“Time out! Can we swap players?!”

The male singer, intent on survival, sought to sacrifice his fellow singer.

He had been momentarily blinded by the stars from Ha-eun’s hammer hit just moments before.