Chapter 11

“Ah, hello.”

“Yes, hello….”

Perhaps it was because their eyes happened to meet.

Hayoon and the M4 cosplayer exchanged awkward nods in an uneasy atmosphere.

In truth, at events like these subculture gatherings, it’s almost inevitable to notice a few cosplayers.

Even regular visitors tend to recognize cosplayers they encounter multiple times. So how much more for fellow cosplayers?

What about when they’re dressed as the same character and have even taken photos together before?

There’s naturally a certain level of familiarity built, making it not too difficult to exchange a few words.

“That gun…where did you buy it?”

“I just commissioned a custom paint job at a known airsoft shop. A few parts were modified to make it as similar as possible…”

“Ah, so that’s why it looks so good. By the way, if you put BBs in, will it really shoot?”

“Yes, since it’s only the exterior that’s been modified…”

“Wow… Mine’s just a hollow shell…”

The M4 cosplayer marveled, tilting their head as they looked at Hayoon’s airsoft gun, which appeared heavy at a glance. They mentioned they aren’t very knowledgeable on the subject and bought a cosplaying replica, never considering purchasing an actual airsoft gun.

“…”

“…”

Once again, an awkward silence fell between them.

Seated to watch the stage, Hayoon proudly displayed the modified M4 rifle before wedging it between their legs and fidgeting with their phone. The M4 cosplayer, sitting beside them, nervously chuckled and turned on their phone as well.

For a brief moment, the two spent their time separately.

‘…!’

Who knows how many people used the QR code Hayoon had handed out, but there was a noticeable increase of 67 followers on Pixiv.

In just a few hours, sponsors had increased by seven!

Hayoon’s monthly income had risen by 840,000 won!

‘This is incredible…’

Apparently, offline events like AGC require substantial purchasing power to enjoy fully, so the so-called ‘server masters’ dominate the scene.

Hayoon’s artwork was more than enough to be chosen by these ‘server masters,’ and this was being reflected in the numbers.

There will likely be others who, after returning home, will carefully check the merchandise and further increase the number of sponsors.

‘Geez, this is great.’

Hayoon, hiding their face with one hand, tried to conceal their elation with difficulty.

If one dresses peculiarly, takes photos with people, and hands out QR-coded papers, their monthly income could grow close to a million won.

Is there a reason not to do it?

Hayoon suppressed their trembling lips and returned to Pixiv, contemplating whether to draw a few more illustrations exclusive to this month’s patrons.

“Your water reflection…is it…?”

“Excuse me?”

The M4 cosplayer beside them hesitantly muttered.

“Isn’t the water reflection a bit weak?”

“Ah.”

On their phone was a swimsuit illustration Hayoon had drawn and uploaded to Pixiv.

The comment about “weak water reflection” was an evaluation of Hayoon’s illustration.

“For a swimsuit illustration, wouldn’t water reflections typically need to be a bit stronger? Given that it’s in a completely soaked state…”

However, the M4 cosplayer’s expression wasn’t particularly bright.

Though they had asked out of curiosity, they were well aware of the rudeness of critiquing someone else’s art.

Their melancholy expression, tinged with guilt, was almost pitiable.

“Men tend to like these kinds of pictures.”

“Excuse me?”

Hayoon answered their query with a calm demeanor, unfazed.

Since their pride in their work was so strong, they rarely felt wounded by such critiques.

“With wet shirts clinging to the skin, the slightly translucent hints of undergarments are bound to draw the eye, right? When drawing bikinis, add water droplets flowing towards the navel area—they’ll love it.”

“Ah…”

“It’s sort of a pacing technique. I intentionally keep the base water reflection effect weak to enhance the key water droplets.”

“To make the skin just feel like it’s wet without overdoing it—too wet and you lose the ability to highlight, too dry and the feeling doesn’t carry?”

“Exactly.”

“Wow…”

After Hayoon explained in detail, the M4 cosplayer, upon re-examining the swimsuit illustration, finally seemed to understand and gave a faint exclamation of admiration.

Now, it was Hayoon’s turn to ask a question, since their curiosity had been piqued as well.

“Do you have any interest in this kind of art? Usually, if someone asks about the artwork, they’re either an expert or someone who works in the field.”

“No, I’m not… but I do… modeling? Animation? Is that the right term? Not someone who draws, but someone who processes finished illustrations?”

“Ah, right. Even if you don’t draw directly, you see this type of illustration often, so it’s only natural to be curious.”

Usually, modeling experts also draw, though not to the extent that Hayoon does—skilled enough to live solely off illustrations. It’s almost like a secondary field.

So, Hayoon’s curiosity was understandable, and they were about to extend the conversation on this topic when…

“Ah, it’s starting.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you for your response.”

The MC for this stage was entering, and the audience began to stir.

It seemed it wasn’t the time to chat casually anymore.

“Wowww! Writer!”

Having concluded the conversation with the M4 cosplayer, Hayoon sprang out of their seat to greet Nam Seung-joon, the overall PD of Memory Store, as well as the main MC of this Talk Show, with open arms.

“Welcome, welcome!”

Of course, Nam Seung-joon, the chief PD of Korea’s top visual novel company, is beloved by many.

Most people watching this stage are undoubtedly fans of Nam Seung-joon, with the majority standing up to welcome him. Among those many fans, the most eye-catching one was Hayoon.

Clad in cosplay, it was impossible not to draw attention, but Hayoon seemed completely unconcerned and enthusiastically waved.

Is Hayoon not a hardcore fan?

Having the opportunity to welcome the creator of the games they enjoy at such close quarters, it was simply a situation where restraint was impossible.

“Haha, thank you for the warm welcome. Let me first introduce myself…”

Continuing,

“Long time. This is my second time here…”

“Hello! This is my first time meeting you at an offline event…”

As the two voice actors who participated in Nam Seung-joon’s works also appeared one after another, Hayoon’s pulse began to soar uncontrollably.

“Wowwwww!”

With all the yelling, eyes began turning to Hayoon.

“Excuse me, cosplayers in the middle. We need to start the talk show, so could you calm down a little? There are other attendees, too.”

“Ah, yes…”

Realizing she had overdone it, Hayoon blushed and buried her face in her hands.

“The same goes for other attendees. Let’s relax a bit and respond only during the appropriate times. Let’s have a practice round—shall we give a round of applause and cheers?”

“Wowwwwwww!”

As soon as the opportunity arose, Hayoon shouted and clapped enthusiastically.

There’s no other term for it—she’s the epitome of a hardcore fan.

“Wowwwww!”

“Welcome, welcome!”

“I’ve been waiting for a year!!!”

However, this is AGC.

This stage.

A space created exclusively for fans gathering here today.

“Let’s enjoy it to the fullest…”

Hayoon had no intention of letting this stage pass quietly.

#

“Cough… cough…”

Had she overprepared to enjoy it excessively?

The delicate body of Hayoon couldn’t handle the mere hour of yelling, completely losing its voice.

Perhaps from inhaling too much dust at the event site, her throat felt scratchy, and her mood wasn’t great.

“Oof, this is the taste.”

After entering a franchise chicken porridge shop located inside KINTEX, Hayoon indulged in a bowl of samgyetang to soothe her weary body from today’s event.

The warm sensation made her feel a bit better as Hayoon blew on the piping hot soup before slurping it down while reminiscing about the stages of the day.

“Jealous…”

Honestly, she was envious.

Hayoon had been a fan of Nam Seung-ju’s works for a long time and was also a fan of the voice actresses who portray the heroines in the games produced under his supervision.

So, she envied everyone who took the stage today.

The voice actresses who were on the same stage as Nam Seung-ju.

Nam Seung-ju, who was on stage with the voice actors.

She envied them all…

“Should I try making a romance game?”

She found herself thinking such thoughts.

Why not create my own romance game, exhibit it at AGC, and host a stage event with the voice actors, having lighthearted talk shows?

“Will it work?”

Of course, considering the production costs, it’s a pipe dream.

What are the three main elements of visual novels or romance games?

High-quality hero illustrations.

Vibrant performances from the voice actors that bring them to life.

Finally, the coding that ties them all together.

While the art part might be within Hayoon’s reach, hiring voice actors requires money…

Money…

“I do have some money… If I save up for a few months, the voice recording costs should be manageable…”

However, does a game get made simply by having money?

Skilled manpower is needed to tie the art and sound together through coding, a realm that Hayoon cannot replace.

But…

“If I go to a Meister High School, won’t there be plenty of coding slaves? Since Meister High students often have no worries about university entrance, they might work for free if promised practical experience…”

This is dangerous…

The more she thought about it, the less impossible it seemed.

It seemed she would need to analyze it in more detail when she got home.

“Sister, the bill, please!”

“Yes, coming!”

Since her stomach was full, it was time to head home.

That’s how Hayoon concluded her journey at her first doujin event after becoming a woman—AGC—and returned home.

“Why are you coming home so late?”

Had it grown too late?

Mother…

Yusoohee’s anger descended.

---