Chapter 69 : A better life?

A better life?

It has been a week since I hunted down Sakura in Japan.

For someone who brought down a major VTuber with over a million subscribers, my daily life remains surprisingly unchanged.

Well, I guess that makes sense. I didn’t personally take her down—Flying Cloud handled the aftermath thoroughly.

All I did was ignite a tiny spark, yet she fell so quickly into ruin?

“Sigh.”

Leaning back in my chair, I stared at the ceiling.

After Sakura disappeared and HanaLive officially announced her graduation, the internet was in chaos for a while.

Various communities and social media platforms were flooded with insults and harsh words regarding her removal.

Some VTubers cautiously distanced themselves from her or outright denied any association.

And me?

“I’m just living as if nothing happened.”

I wake up in the morning, think about my stream topic, then start streaming at noon, chatting excitedly.

I draw, play games, and talk with my fans.

Just like nothing ever happened.

Well, Sakura was never related to me anyway.

Yeah, we had nothing to do with each other.

“What should I call this… peaceful? Or just boring?”

Slowly, I sat up and faced my computer.

Another ordinary, unchanged day awaits.

“Alright~ Today’s stream is a drawing session. The theme is limited to LumiLive members. I’ll draw the one who gets the most votes.”

• Why is the theme limited?
• Isn’t it because of LumiLive’s collaboration?
• I’m just voting for Misana for fun lol
• Nah, even if Misana tries, the curvy Emi will win~

“Please, don’t fight over this.”

No matter what I say, these people won’t just listen.

The chat was already a battlefield.

• Misana vs. Emi lolol
• Is this really something to be this divided over?
• Let’s take this chance to get Yui drawn too
• Misana deserves to win, in my opinion

“Hmm… the mood is getting intense already. Alright, everyone. Let’s start the voting now.”

I adjusted the screen to open the live poll.

As the candidates’ names appeared, the chat grew even more heated.

Who will win…?

Well, the result was exactly what I expected.

[Final Results]

1 – Shirahana Yuki
2 – Hanasaki Yui
3 – Yoshida Misa
4 – Yamamoto Emi

“Seriously, you all love me too much.”

Well, I appreciate it.

Though, other members might feel a bit left out.

I sneakily checked Arin and Ahyun’s chat status.

Luckily, they were both offline.

Good. This means I’m safe.

I turned my attention back to the screen.

“Alright, today’s drawing will be Shirahana Yuki—so basically, I’ll be drawing myself.”

• Is this a self-portrait?
• Are you drawing a selfie?
• If you’re looking at the screen while drawing, isn’t that just a mirror?

“No, it’s not like that. Since I’m a concept artist, I’ll make it look even cooler.”

Since it’s come to this, I should put in my best effort.

I haven’t been drawing much lately, and people are starting to forget I’m actually an illustrator.

I need to prove my skills again, so viewers don’t start saying weird things.

I opened a blank canvas and slowly moved my tablet pen.

First, I needed to outline the face and get the overall shape.

Shirahana Yuki.

My VTuber model, the one who stands in front of the camera instead of me.

Well, she does look almost identical to me in real life… but that doesn’t matter.

Long silver hair, blue eyes, a soft expression, and an elegant aura.

And, of course, that signature playful smile.

“Hmm, let’s start with the face shape…”

I began sketching a balanced jawline—round, but slightly sharp.

If it was too pointy, she’d look too cold; if too round, she’d lose her signature vibe.

I carefully adjusted it to get the right balance.

• Wow, I can already tell it’s Yuki just from this
• Your drawing skills are amazing
• Are you an illustrator?
• This must feel kinda weird for you

“I know myself well, so this is actually the most accurate way to draw.”

I chuckled lightly and continued drawing.

Next, I needed to position the eyes.

Yuki’s defining feature was her clear, deep blue eyes.

I refined the sketch lines, shaping the eye with smooth curves.

If I made them too sharp, she’d look too aloof, so I adjusted the curve to keep it natural.

And then…

“Alright, what kind of expression should I give her?”

I pondered, resting my chin on my hand.

A standard smile?

Or a playful grin?

Maybe a charismatic, serious expression?

Or should I go for a Keanu Reeves-style look?

I glanced at the chat again.

• One vote for a mischievous grin!
• A slight smile feels the most Yuki-like
• The CEO has spoken: Yuki it is
• That nickname is kinda forced though…

“If the votes are split like this, does that mean I have to draw all of them?”

• Yep lol
• How’d you guess?
• That is the golden answer~

“Haha. Stop messing around. I’ll just draw what I want.”

• Whoa, don’t curse T_T
• Too harsh TT

I laughed and settled on a compromise.

Not too serious, not too exaggerated—just the perfect ‘Shirahana Yuki’ expression.

Once the sketch was done, it was time for line art.

I lowered the sketch layer’s opacity, created a new layer, and began outlining.

The hair had to flow naturally, not too stiff.

“Hair needs to follow the right flow.”

I carefully adjusted the curves to make the strands fall naturally.

I refined the eyebrows carefully.

To emphasize the depth of the blue eyes, I adjusted the eyelashes and eye lines.

Finally, the mouth.

I slightly lifted the corners, completing Yuki’s signature expression.

Doyagao.

This was the perfect face for this avatar.

“Hmm, I think… it’s done.”

I made a few final touches to the background.

A simple sky-blue background was set, further emphasizing Yuki’s atmosphere.

And then…

Finally.

“Done!”

I looked at the screen and smirked.

As expected, my skills have skyrocketed since my body changed.

• Wow, are you really a VTuber? You’re insanely good at drawing. LOL
• You could be an illustrator.
• It feels similar to Yui’s style… Is this traced?

Huh.

Tsk.

These people always run their mouths when given the chance.

Do I need to put them in their place?

“Alright. Wow, today’s stream was really packed, right?”

Yeah, haha.

・The art is delicious, and the host is pretty.

• Isn’t that the other way around?

Huh.

• This feels a bit unsettling…

“Okay, that’s it for now~”

Click.

As soon as I pressed the end-stream button, the reaction I had anticipated and expected exploded in the chat.

• ?????
• Hey, you b***h.
• Come here while I’m still being nice.

F*** LOL
Yuki, you’re lying, right? You’re lying, right?

• What the hell is this…
• Ah, shut up already.

“Ka.”

This is what keeps me going.

Maybe Nanoka couldn’t quit because she was addicted to these reactions too?

“Just kidding~.”

Or maybe not.

Sigh. Even if I’m lacking dopamine these days, this isn’t it.

Rattle…

My reflection appeared on the darkened computer screen.

A dopamine addict, unable to find anything to immerse in, stared back at me.

“Maybe it’s because I had too many thrilling experiences recently…”

The incident in Japan.

Everything with Sakura and what FlyingCloud wrapped up.

Even though life has returned to normal since then, I feel a strange emptiness, perhaps due to a lack of dopamine.

Not just a simple dopamine addiction, but a deep-seated void.

This body craves a grand stage.

Streaming, drawing, and chatting with people like before…

It’s just not enough anymore.

“But, it’s not like I can just go around causing incidents again.”

I raised my hand and tousled my hair.

For some reason, I felt empty.

Just then.

Ding-

My smartphone suddenly buzzed.

‘A mail?’

I picked up my phone and checked the screen.

“…FlyingCloud?”

I narrowed my eyes and tapped on the email.

Sender: FlyingCloud
Recipient: Kang Suhyun

Subject: A New Proposal Has Arrived. Please Check.

Content:

Suhyun, hello.

Sorry for contacting you out of the blue.

But I had to tell you this.

A few hours ago, I received an official offer.

It’s from the drama “A Better Life.”

The role is still undecided, but Byeol-ha personally recommended you.

They said they were impressed by your acting in Busker.

They mentioned how your emotional expression was delicate and your acting felt natural.

If Byeol-ha personally chose you, there’s a high chance this isn’t just a minor cameo.

This might not be just an opportunity—it could be something more.

Please reply quickly.

– FlyingCloud.

“…What?”

I stared at the screen after reading the email.

Faster than I thought…

An opportunity has arrived.

‘Director Yoon Byeol-ha…’

A director hailed as a genius.

His directing skills are already well-known among the public.

The direction in his last work, Black Box, was downright chilling…

I rested my chin on my hand and pondered.

A chance to firmly step into the acting world.

And an opportunity to truly showcase my acting skills.

Lately, I’ve been streaming less… And there aren’t many illustration jobs coming in either…

“…Should I go for it?”

I mumbled to myself.

My first acting challenge in Busker was successful,

But it was just a small role—I hadn’t fully left a lasting impression on the audience.

But this time?

If Director Yoon Byeol-ha personally recommended me,

That means he sees real potential in me.

This time, the role might even have actual lines…

“Can I do it well?”

Maybe the praise about my talent was just lip service.

I hesitated for a long time,

Then slowly lifted my hand and typed a reply to FlyingCloud.

[Sounds good. Please arrange a meeting.]

Click.

As I pressed the send button, my reflection in the screen seemed to regain its spark.

A new challenge, a new thrill.

“Hehe.”

It seems like I really need to live on impulse.