Chapter 67

Early August.

Right in the midst of summer vacation.

Regrettably, the team had to postpone the planned Yahu Party. Though everyone might have wanted a bit of a breather, the game’s release was almost upon them, and with bug-fixing already a frantic task, Do Jin Ho strongly opposed any delays due to the lack of spare time.

Choi Arin had already completed her live2D work and was now fully focused on rigging the virtual avatar of Scarlet. Do Jin Ho, no doubt, was also feeling the pressure. Typically, a programmer holds onto their tasks until the very last moment, being fully aware that any delay on their part could delay the game’s release.

Even Ha Yun and Choi Arin, along with Hong Seohyun, understood the magnitude of this burden and collectively agreed to postpone the summer Yahu Party. The champagne could wait until after the game’s successful release. The team decided to postpone their celebratory dinner and instead work individually during the vacation to ensure steady progress.

Given that Jin Ho was practically the only one handling the Cocktailholic side, the team agreed it wouldn’t be ideal to gather in one place as it might create unnecessary additional stress.

They chose to each do their utmost from their respective positions.

And Ha Yun?

“Alright, it’s been a while since our last broadcast. I did mention I’d return during the summer vacation, right?”

She set up the familiar setup and started the broadcast.

-Finally, you’re back…

-I wasn’t satisfied with just the Patreon illustrations…

-After all, creating a proper process to enjoy a full course of drawings is more satisfying…

The response from the audience was intense.

Though the number of viewers had dropped to around 80, this indicated that 80 people had endured a nearly three-month hiatus. And if they had persisted through such a long break, their loyalty was undoubtedly profound.

And so, what they deserved was a proper reward…

“Since it’s been a while, let’s raise the standard a bit, even if it might attract some warnings?”

The perfect reward.

-Cruuuuuude. This is it.

-Winter was worth the wait.

In order to make up for the time they had endured, Ha Yun provided rewards that were nothing short of euphoric. Naturally, the reward was going to be the tease illustrations.

An implicit rule between Ha Yun and her audience.

That rule was simple, Ha Yun would provide tease illustrations, and the audience would respond with patronage. This rule reaffirmed the enduring connection between Ha Yun and her remaining viewers, proving that their relationship was still strong.

“Alright, let’s start with a bunny girl outfit for freshness.”

[1,000 won donation]

-Bunny girl? Perfect.

“Should we go with fishnet stockings or black? I feel black stockings with high leg lines and thigh belts are appropriate. And, of course, the chest should be as big as possible to attract attention…”

-Awwwwww, she’s so luxuriant…

-The desire to pinch them is irresistible…

The viewers’ reactions were naturally explosive. It was obvious, since the chance to witness the process of a popular artist drawing tease illustrations wasn’t something they came by often. Especially after being deprived of such content for months.

“Alright, let’s go with a bikini next. I’ll try drawing her sitting on a surfboard.”

[1,000 won donation]

-Can you draw an A-cup flat half gum surfer instead? Honestly, we see glamourous ones too often…

“Ah, what? Who’s asking to get arrested? If I draw her in a bikini, it’ll be me getting arrested.”

[1,000 won donation]

-Bah.

“Chyeah? You cheeky guy.”

Though occasionally interrupted by some less favorable ideas, she still navigated through such moments with humor, maintaining her connection with the audience.

A week after Ha Yun’s striking return to streaming,

“Do you guys know?”

-???

-What?

“This new utaiter, Scarlet, debuted recently.”

-Scarlet?

-Ah.

-Ooooooh.

Ha Yun mentioned Scarlet, and the audience’s reactions were varied. Initially, she didn’t expect more than a few individuals to be aware, but apparently, out of the viewers who had remained so loyal, at least two out of three seemed to know Scarlet.

“What? Everyone knows?”

-We see her algorithms recommended often.

-And since we’ve seen your art more than a few times, how could we not?

-You even advertised her on the cafe notice. To not know would be treason.

“Oh, that’s right.”

She realized that she had indeed promoted Scarlet in the cafe. With the hectic pace of the past few months, she had momentarily forgotten.

“I forgot.”

-Ah! Could you even forget that?

-We’re really hurt if you forget what you’ve promised us.

Embarrassed, she laughed it off and returned to her main point.

“In any case, I’ve been assigned as Scarlet’s illustrator. I’ll likely keep illustrating for her along with Patreon, and there’s also going to be a big event, which I wanted to share.”

She informed them about matters related to Scarlet.

“Her artwork will likely appear on your screens in the near future, so try listening to her songs as well and check it out.”

-Are you uploading it to YouTube too?

“Will the level be too high?”

-Uuuuuuugh…

The viewers groaned at the mention that the尺度 (level) wouldn’t be as high as expected. She engaged with their comments for some time.

“So, what about the game?”

-The release date is confirmed which is good, but I kind of want to start getting some merchandise…

A viewer brought up the game Cosplayholic. Though it wasn’t intentional, the timing couldn’t have been better. Generally, advertising-related topics would be better suited for responses to audience questions rather than direct mentions from Ha Yun herself.

“The release will proceed as planned. Our team’s programmer is working hard to fix bugs. The art script is already finished, and the voice actors need only a few more recordings to be done.”

-Muuh.

-That makes sense.

“Merchandise shipping should be mostly wrapped up by the first week of November. We started funding much earlier, so we had enough time for production.”

-Yay!

-Speedy delivery is appreciated.

In this way, she cleared the viewers’ doubts and occasionally touched upon Cosplayholic and Scarlet, viral promotion and interaction happening simultaneously. All while she didn’t forget to continue drawing with her hands.

‘This, I will have to show to Seonbae later.’

It wouldn’t hurt to send today’s recording to Hong Seohyun. Since Hong Seohyun didn’t seem like the type to watch internet streams often, it would be more effective to viral the contents of Cosplayholic and her original song preemptively.

Mid-August.

At this point, with the school term about to start again.

Ha Yun frowned as she opened a certain file filled with illustrations.

And there they were…

A red-haired girl, dressed in such a way that it was unclear whether she was wearing any underwear or lower garments, loosely draped in a large shirt, depicted in various forms.

Among them were versions of the red-haired girl in different outfits: a business suit, a baseball uniform, and a bikini.

A multitude of variations of Hong Seohyun’s personal character, ‘Scarlet,’ were on display.

“A bikini is a no-go.”

Even Ha Yun, as a female artist, shook her head at the sight of Scarlet’s overly revealing bikini illustrations. It was unlikely that Yoo Soo Hee would approve.

Ha Yun didn’t think it was proper to include swimwear or undergarment styles in the portfolio.

“I guess I need to narrow down the options to those with modest exposure…”

Scarlet’s identity, the missing lower attire look, was something that couldn’t be avoided. So while shooting, maybe they could have her wear something like dolphin shorts and then ask Yoo Soo Hee to cut it off at an appropriate belly button line for editing.

Of course, simply asking wouldn’t guarantee cooperation. To avoid being rejected by Yoo Soo Hee, Ha Yun planned to arrange the costumes to be as wholesome as possible.

“But still… we should at least include service outfits like bunny or maid costumes. Since there weren’t any issues with certain outfits during the Cosplayholic shoot, it should serve as an indication of acceptable standards.”

Click.

Tap.

Tap.

Ha Yun started typing, beginning to make a list of the outfits for the Scarlet cosplay photo album, which she would eventually show Yoo Soo Hee. Yoo Soo Hee would most likely secure the cheapest costumes and schedule the photo shoot.

The challenge was how to persuade Yoo Soo Hee…

“Guess I’ll resort to that method once again…”

Ha Yun sighed deeply, then started practicing an adorable, yet piteous expression in front of the mirror. Though reluctant, she knew this was the most effective persuasion technique – employing charm and tantrums to get her way.

---