I Want to Be a VTuber-Chapter 319: The Calm Before the Storm (2)

Honestly speaking, Seoyeon never really thought Arthur Diaz would participate in Seoul Escape.

More importantly, Arthur Diaz was already in the United States.

Just calling him wouldn't make him come.

But.

'How frustrating.'

Seoyeon squinted her eyes and glared at Park Jungwoo.

At that gaze, Park Jungwoo subtly shifted his eyes away.

Sometimes she thought that Park Jungwoo must think of her like some kind of gorilla.

'What did I even do?'

She had some success in variety shows... Well, maybe not just some.

The various scenes that flashed in her mind made Seoyeon a little more serious.

It also reminded her of just how much effort she had put into erasing the image created in variety shows.

"How about buying some new clothes first?"

Park Jungwoo, who was staring at Seoyeon, hastily changed the subject.

He thought to himself that if this continued, she might really drag him into the ring.

So, he subtly shifted the focus to clothes.

Since they were done talking about Seoul Escape, it was also time to buy clothes for the upcoming Biol meeting.

"Sure, I guess."

Seoyeon decided to let it slide this time.

But.

"Buy me the clothes today, senior."

"......"

A person with so much money like him was surprisingly stingy in places like this.

Of course, Park Jungwoo had no choice but to nod obediently.

If a few pieces of clothing could make her anger dissipate, it would be a bargain.

The renowned French luxury brand.

Biol's creative director, Nael Arno, had a tired look on his face.

'I want to go back soon.'

If the Korean luxury market had been a little smaller, he wouldn't have come here in person.

But the Korean market was not small at all, and recently, the momentum of Korean culture had been incredible.

Starting with Child's Game, the recently released Kyungsung Lady also received high praise for its artistic value.

At first, when Biol signed Park Jungwoo as an advertising model, there were many skeptical reactions. But now, it was no longer the case.

To significantly boost Biol's sales in Asia, a Korean actor was the right choice.

It was a realization Nael Arno came to once again.

'Is there really a need to find a new female model?'

The existing Biol advertising model was Park Jungwoo.

Although in his early twenties, with his tall figure and title of 'genius actor,' he seemed to fit the brand's image perfectly.

However, finding a partner to pair him with had been difficult.

Because models had been changed multiple times, rumors had spread that 'Biol had no intention of choosing a 'Korean female model' as their main.'

Of course, that wasn't true.

There just hadn't been a suitable actress.

'But.'

Nael Arno reviewed the advertisement PVs released in Korea, along with the photos displayed in department stores, and the model currently featured on the official Biol Korea homepage.

Ju Seoyeon.

That was probably the name.

The Seoyeon in the video truly looked like a princess, and Nael Arno couldn't help but admire her.

The poster, designed by him, also showcased Korean beauty in a remarkable way.

But.

'Will she live up to expectations?'

It was possible the video or photos had been retouched.

Before coming to Korea, Nael Arno had also watched many broadcasts Seoyeon had appeared on.

Honestly, her image in those variety shows was so different from the one in the Biol advertisement that it was hard to believe she was the same person.

'She might feel different in person. It could be a product of chance.'

Maybe it was the director’s skill.

If that was the case, Nael Arno had even thought about bringing the director to Biol.

The posters and PVs had been that impressive.

'I can't stand loud women.'

The Seoyeon shown in variety shows was exactly the kind of person Nael Arno hated the most.

If she really had that impression, Nael Arno would reconsider the idea of her as the advertising model.

If her personality was truly like that, she could end up damaging Biol’s image.

It would be better to be cautious.

No, since she would be the brand's flagship advertising model, Nael Arno had to be even more careful.

『They have arrived.』

『Yes. I hope they are just like the image from the advertisement.』

Biol’s Korean branch manager, Han Jae-gwang, swallowed nervously at Nael Arno’s words, which had an edge to them.

He wiped the sweat off his forehead with a handkerchief.

'This is bad.'

He couldn't hide his anxious feelings.

He wasn’t worried that Seoyeon would make a mistake.

Quite the opposite.

Han Jae-gwang had already made one mistake.

He hadn’t informed Seoyeon about Nael Arno’s preferences before this meeting.

Nael Arno had a very specific idea of the model and the image he wanted.

If Seoyeon didn’t fit that, she would be rejected immediately.

'But Seoyeon? It would be such a waste.'

If Seoyeon didn’t meet Nael Arno’s standards, she would be dismissed without even a conversation.

But Han Jae-gwang hoped that Seoyeon would become Biol’s model.

If she was rejected again, the modeling contract would likely go to another country.

'Since Jungwoo said he would meet with her in advance, I hope everything works out.'

Being meticulous, if there was a problem, Han Jae-gwang wouldn’t let it slide.

He thought this as he stood up and walked toward the meeting room door.

Normally, managers would have come along, but Nael Arno didn’t like anything too crowded, so only the key people were invited.

So, Han Jae-gwang needed to be extra cautious to avoid any mistakes.

'Please...'

He hoped Seoyeon wouldn’t arrive dressed too casually.

With that thought in mind, he opened the door.

"......!"

When the door opened, Han Jae-gwang’s eyes widened.

At first, he was shocked.

And then the next emotion he felt was joy.

From a distance, Nael Arno, who had noticed the change in Han Jae-gwang, was puzzled.

What had he seen to make him react like that?

In that moment of thought.

"Hello. I am Ju Seoyeon."

It was a graceful voice.

He couldn’t quite understand the words, but it was a voice that oddly tickled his heart.

'The one from the PV.'

The voice of the female model from the video.

Hearing it in real life, it was much more shocking than he had imagined.

But the important thing wasn’t just the voice.

It was her appearance.

With dark black hair and striking sunset-colored ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ eyes.

'Is it lenses? No, no.'

At first, he thought they were lenses, but it was different.

Those eyes, which shone like jewels, couldn’t possibly be fake lenses.

Then, could she be mixed-race?

That might be possible.

Her skin was excessively pale, and her beauty was shockingly stunning.

Next to her, Park Jungwoo had a strangely stiff expression, but Seoyeon was quite satisfied as he was just as she had seen him before.

"It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Nael Arno, Creative Director of Biol."

The interpreter quickly translated their greetings.

'Creative Director?'

Seoyeon couldn’t help but be taken aback when she realized who he was.

In other words, he was the head of the creative department for Biol's advertisements. He had also worked as Biol’s designer in the past.

He was the one who had come up with the idea to create limited edition products inspired by the traditional cultures of various countries.

To put it simply, he was one of the most influential people at Biol.

'So that’s why senior was so concerned.'

She had heard he was from Biol’s headquarters, but she didn’t expect it to be to this extent.

Normally, Seoyeon would have just nodded casually, but now, her emotions were clearly visible on her face.

She covered her mouth with one hand and widened her eyes, looking every bit like a surprised young lady.

'Is this really the same person?'

Of course, Park Jungwoo, standing next to her, intentionally avoided Seoyeon’s gaze.

It was something he had requested, but seeing it in person made it a little hard to handle.

Not in a bad way, but in a complicated way.

About two hours ago.

Park Jungwoo had said to Seoyeon.

"Didn’t you get the full details about who was coming today?"

"Yes."

"...How do you manage things?"

So, it made sense that Seoyeon had come in her school uniform.

He had told her separately, but he thought that the headquarters would have sent her the details.

'They must have sent it, but they didn’t give any extra details about who was coming.'

Of course, he understood that Biol Korea was busy. Since they said someone from headquarters was coming, there must have been a lot to arrange.

But for something this important to be overlooked?

'Or maybe... they deliberately waited to tell her later.'

That would help them understand the situation at the Korean branch more clearly.

Well, either way, it didn’t really matter.

"People from Biol headquarters are very particular about 'the brand image.'"

"That makes sense." freewebnoveℓ.com

"It’s more than just advertising and posters. They also pay attention to the person’s behavior. In other words, their personality."

At Park Jungwoo’s serious words, Seoyeon nodded.

If someone caused trouble with their character, it could significantly damage the brand’s image.

There were many brands that suffered when their ad models were found to be using drugs or drinking, causing their image to plummet.

"So... it’s better to show a good image during the advertisement."

"The image during the ad... you mean?"

"Yeah."

Listening to Park Jungwoo, Seoyeon looked at herself in the mirror, considering her chosen outfit.

'Well, this won’t do.'

Should she go for a more casual look to match her age? Or should she go for a more polished impression?

She was debating it, but in the end, the latter seemed to be the better choice.

"Which one looks better?"

"Why are you asking me?"

"Then who should I ask?"

Park Jungwoo lowered his sunglasses slightly and glanced at the clothes Seoyeon had chosen.

One was a black top and skirt, which Seoyeon usually wore. The top was an off-shoulder sweater, with her shoulders slightly exposed.

The other was a dress with a houndstooth pattern.

Comparing the two...

"The dress."

"Hmm... as expected."

"Why?"

"I knew you’d choose that."

"...What do you mean by that?"

"Just as it sounds."

Seoyeon calmly said that and disappeared with the dress in hand.

It meant she was going to change.

'Something feels strange.'

It felt as though her feminine preferences had been laid bare for everyone to see.

The fact that a girl three years younger than her had figured it out only made her feel more awkward.

"You two seem to get along well."

"...It’s not really like that."

As Seoyeon sat, lost in thought, the shop assistant winked and said that.

For reference, the store inside the department store was a place Park Jungwoo frequented, so he had some acquaintances there.

If that wasn’t the case, there would have been a high chance of causing unnecessary scandals, so he wouldn’t have come.

"What’s going on?"

"Ah, it’s nothing. But... did you change?"

As he said that and turned around, Park Jungwoo was suddenly left speechless.

Before she went into the changing room, the girl’s previously carefree vibe had completely changed.

"Heh."

Her sunset-colored eyes.

Under her white hand, which lightly covered her mouth, a faint, soft smile appeared.

'Again...!'

Park Jungwoo squeezed his eyes shut.

She hadn’t said anything, but she was doing this again.

'Of course, this time it was necessary!'

He had asked her to show the advertisement look, so Seoyeon must have understood what he meant.

It wasn’t the usual high school girl Seoyeon, but more like the graceful Yeonhwa Princess she had portrayed as a child.

And Seoyeon was faithfully fulfilling Park Jungwoo’s request.

"Didn’t you tell me something like this last time?"

Her voice, like a gentle spring breeze, tickled Park Jungwoo’s ear.

"You thought you could fool me with this acting... I’m not that easy."

Her voice was playful.

At Seoyeon’s words, Park Jungwoo couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh.

'Looks like this will be dragged out for a while.'

It was all thanks to Tae-Soomdal.

Park Jungwoo felt truly frustrated.