I Want to Be a VTuber-Chapter 234: Surviving in Japan (1)

“Please take your seat. You wouldn’t want to inconvenience the other guests.”

Rosalyn’s voice was gentle.

Yet, it carried undeniable authority.

The softness had been broken moments ago by Yuina’s entrance.

Hearing Rosalyn’s words, Yuina shifted her gaze away and moved to her assigned seat.

She didn’t bother to respond.

It was as if Rosalyn wasn’t even worth acknowledging.

“Miss, that girl showed up too,” Yeonseonye whispered into Michiko’s ear.

Her hushed voice made her seem small and timid.

“She would. The item I want today is something Yuina considers important too.”

“Really? What could it be?”

“I told you. A necklace.”

With that, the auction began.

Rosalyn introduced the items one by one, presenting them to the crowd.

The audience admired each piece as if the items were real treasures.

‘Yes, as if they were real.’

The actors present couldn’t help but think that.

“This item, for instance, was discovered in 1680 on the ship of a pirate who ruled the seas. As you can see, this large chest is made entirely of gold.”

Eyes sparkled.

Looking into Rosalyn’s blue eyes felt like being pulled into their depths.

The props, prepared for the performance, looked convincing enough, but everyone knew they were fake.

Still, Rosalyn’s words made them unconsciously exclaim in awe, as if they truly believed her.

“Enough talking. Shouldn’t we move on with the auction?”

Yuina finally spoke, her tone laced with sarcasm.

She had remained silent until now, but Rosalyn’s composed explanations seemed to have annoyed her.

Yuina wasn’t interested in anything except the necklace.

At her words, some people drew sharp breaths.

Yet no one dared to speak up against her.

The Kasugayama family held too much power.

They {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} were rulers of the night, even in mainland Japan—people one should never offend.

“Oh my.”

Rosalyn’s lips curled into a smile at Yuina’s remark.

Her blue eyes narrowed as her gaze shifted toward Yuina.

“She’s got such a nasty personality. Doesn’t she know what an auction is for?”

“Yeonseonye, didn’t you say this was your first auction too?”

“But I don’t talk like that.”

Their exchange echoed softly through the otherwise silent auction hall.

Yuina, who had sharp ears, snapped her gaze toward Yeonseonye.

“Oh no.”

Yeonseonye quickly hunched her shoulders and avoided eye contact, feigning innocence.

A lighthearted comedic moment.

And then—

“Miss Kasugayama Yuina.”

Leaning slightly on her cane, Rosalyn continued speaking.

The lighthearted atmosphere instantly cooled.

“Auction houses follow certain rules. Of course, someone used to taking things by force might not be familiar with them.”

Soft yet barbed words.

It wasn’t the attitude an auctioneer should display, but Yuina’s earlier dismissal justified it.

Moreover, Rosalyn wasn’t just a merchant.

She was nobility—a merchant and auctioneer, yes, but never just a commoner.

Her words were fitting, given Yuina’s rudeness.

‘That’s how the script was written.’

Goto Isamu—played by Lee Sangsoo—stood beside Yuina, closely observing the scene.

He realized Rosalyn—no, Stella—had turned up the intensity of her performance.

Her tone was richer and sharper than when she first stepped onto the stage.

She must have felt overwhelmed by Seoyeon’s commanding presence earlier and decided to push back.

‘She knows now not to take her lightly.’

It was obvious.

Stella was a phenomenal actress—a natural genius unmatched by her peers.

Because of her talent, she naturally viewed others as beneath her.

To put it nicely, it was confidence.

Even when stepping over others, she would carefully avoid ruining the overall balance of a scene.

After all, if her performance clashed too much with others, it could harm the production.

So she had tried to adapt.

‘But Seoyeon’s performance turned out to be far stronger than expected.’

Without a single line, just by looking at Rosalyn, Seoyeon had commanded the scene.

That overwhelming presence was something only a “villain” like Yuina could embody.

It was acceptable for Yuina to dominate the atmosphere, even if it overshadowed Rosalyn completely.

But for Stella, it must have been a blow to her pride.

Now, her counterattack was sharp.

“You talk too much.”

“A merchant’s tongue is supposed to be sharp. But it seems the Kasugayama family knows nothing about noble decorum.”

“Isn’t excessive chatter something merchants should avoid?”

“Whether it’s excessive or not isn’t for you to decide, Miss Kasugayama. That’s up to the guests here.”

Yuina’s barbs were relentless, but Rosalyn parried each one with elegance.

“Hmph.”

Yuina fidgeted with the gombangdae in her hand.

The overpowering black aura she exuded momentarily faltered.

Rosalyn’s words, sharp as arrows, had pinned Yuina down.

Yuina’s fiery presence cooled slightly, unable to find the right emotional tone to respond.

The situation and dialogue had locked her in place.

Even with Yuina’s intensity, Rosalyn had treated her like a child—calmly and dismissively.

Yuina’s red eyes narrowed as she glared at Rosalyn.

Neither side had yielded.

It was a perfectly balanced standoff.

But in terms of framing, Rosalyn’s performance had drawn more attention.

If judged as a competition, Rosalyn had won this round.

“Besides, Miss Kasugayama, it doesn’t seem like your interest lies in the items themselves...”

Rosalyn’s gaze shifted briefly toward Yeonseonye sitting beside Michiko.

Her words carried a double meaning.

First, they hinted at Yuina’s true motive—revenge against Michiko, not the necklace itself.

Second, they pointed out how Yuina’s gaze had first landed on Yeonseonye when she entered.

As a merchant, Rosalyn had instinctively recognized what Yuina truly valued.

Her twisted smile made that clear.

It was a performance that revealed Rosalyn had seen through Yuina.

“Let’s continue. The auction must go on.”

Yuina—no, Seoyeon—stared coldly at Rosalyn.

She felt like her insides were boiling.

It wasn’t because Stella’s acting had caught her off guard.

It was because Yuina’s emotions had bled into her own.

It annoyed her.

Stella’s portrayal of Rosalyn was exactly how Seoyeon had imagined the character.

And that infuriated her even more.

That smug attitude.

That teasing smile.

And the way Rosalyn had looked at Yeonseonye.

At that moment, Yuina realized something.

Rosalyn’s nature mirrored her own.

A twisted soul that enjoyed breaking what others cherished.

But Seoyeon also knew this—

Yuina wasn’t a beast.

She wasn’t the kind of predator to tear her prey apart on impulse.

Yuina’s hunting style was cold and calculated.

She laid traps and waited for her prey to step into them, just as she had done with Michiko.

And now, looking at Rosalyn, she curled her lips into a faint, predatory smile.

Yuina had seen through Rosalyn’s nature.

And that made it all too easy to predict her next move.

*****

There is a saying—acting can sometimes feel like a circus act.

Perhaps everyone present felt that way today.

A series of scenes.

The performance unfolding between the young actresses was far from what anyone had expected.

Normally, filming involved multiple NGs, lighthearted moments, and a relaxed atmosphere.

But today, the set was razor-sharp.

It felt as if a single mistake could cut like a blade.

Even the staff watching must have sensed it, so how must the actors have felt?

Or perhaps, they were too absorbed to feel anything at all.

Performing in Japan, on an unfamiliar set, felt like being transported back to old Gyeongseong for real.

It wasn’t acting anymore—they had become the characters, overwhelmed by the atmosphere of Rosalyn and Yuina.

Even the extras were reacting with uncanny authenticity, fully embodying their roles.

『This... is acting, right?』

『It feels strangely surreal.』

Today’s shoot wasn’t staffed by Koreans alone.

Unlike the previous documentary crews, this time there were also professional film staff.

They were part of the production committee gathered for Asher Baldwin’s upcoming movie.

Of course, Stella wasn’t actually starring in their film.

She had only followed Asher to Japan.

The staff’s presence here was mostly to monitor Asher Baldwin’s reactions.

And to ensure his daughter Stella was well taken care of.

Nothing more than that.

『The tone feels a little different, but...』

『I think I’m starting to understand why Korean dramas and films are dominating these days. Especially...』

The actress acting opposite Stella—Seoyeon—wasn’t backing down an inch.

She was the same actress who had made a cameo in a drama starring Goto Reika.

Her performance had been memorable even then.

But no one had expected this level of skill.

The cameo had only scratched the surface of what she was capable of.

『Ju Seoyeon is impressive, but what really stands out is how distinct their styles are.』

『You mean the two of them?』

Jo Seohui and Lee Jiyeon.

Both were also delivering solid performances in their respective roles.

Their presence wasn’t as intense, but that wasn’t due to any lack of skill.

It was simply a matter of the scene’s focus.

『Hmm.』

『What is it?』

『I was just thinking... wouldn’t it be fun to put these four on a variety show?』

『Oh, seriously? Actually, you’re right. They all have such different vibes that seeing them together would be hilarious.』

『Maybe we should pitch the idea. It could be good for promoting <Kyungsung Lady>.』

Hearing this, one of the staff members from <Kyungsung Lady> shuddered.

『Uh, but I doubt Director Baldwin would ever approve.』

『You never know. I’ve seen Stella act several times, but she seems to be enjoying herself the most today. Maybe it’s because she hasn’t had many opportunities to work with actors her age.』

『Hmm.』

As the documentary crew chatted, the idea of featuring the four actresses in a show started to feel surprisingly plausible.

Four distinct colors.

If they all appeared in a variety program, it could be something special.

While those conversations continued, the “auction hall” scene was nearing its end.

The final moment of Rosalyn’s role.

The scene where Rosalyn laid her hands on Yeonseonye.

*****

It was true that with Stella’s addition, the character “Rosalyn” had been newly created, but the overall framework of the story hadn’t changed much.

The mother’s necklace appeared, and Yuina and Michiko competed over it in an auction. In the end, Michiko won it with an astronomical bid.

That much followed the original storyline.

The changes began immediately afterward.

That’s where the newly revised script started.

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“I’ll hand over the auction item, so you can send your maid in to collect it.”

Rosalyn said this to Michiko.

Michiko then waited outside while sending Yeonseonye in to meet Rosalyn.

And—

“I’m sorry, but I can’t give you this necklace.”

That was what Rosalyn said, smiling as she faced Yeonseonye.

“Don’t worry. The necklace will reach her safely. I already sent someone to your lady waiting outside.”

Rosalyn spoke gently.

From the beginning, her interest had been in Yeonseonye, the one by Michiko’s side.

“To be honest, I’ve been curious from the start. Who exactly is the maid that such a cautious lady keeps so close to her?”

Rosalyn’s wide blue eyes focused entirely on Yeonseonye.

The warmth she had shown earlier vanished, replaced by twisted emotions that left Yeonseonye overwhelmed.

No—

It wasn’t Yeonseonye who was overwhelmed.

It was Jiyeon, the actress playing her, who found herself crushed by Stella’s intense performance.

And yet—

“I have a question of my own.”

With her arms pinned against the wall and completely overpowered, Yeonseonye opened her mouth and spoke in a small voice.

“Why did you have that necklace in the first place? My lady said it was something her mother wore to a party. After that, it was never seen again.”

The necklace had vanished one day.

The last time it was seen was at the party.

“Were you there back then—”

“What if I was?”

Before Yeonseonye could finish, Rosalyn moved closer, bringing her face inches away from Yeonseonye’s.

“You see, I can’t stand it unless I take what she has. The lady of the Amanabi family—I’ve hated her since we were kids.”

“But you didn’t even meet her that often, did you?”

“That doesn’t matter. What matters is that I don’t like her.”

Yeonseonye was completely crushed under Rosalyn’s presence—

both in atmosphere and performance.

Her words.

Her acting.

Yeonseonye—

no, Jiyeon—realized something.

She couldn’t match Stella head-on in this scene.

But was that a bad thing?

‘No.’

Not yet.

This was a scene meant to establish Rosalyn as a villain.

Such intensity was acceptable.

For an ordinary person like Yeonseonye, it made sense to be overwhelmed here.

And Stella knew that.

She knew it, which was why she pushed the scene this far without holding back.

At the same time, her blue eyes seemed to ask Jiyeon—

“So, what will you do now?”

But Jiyeon had no answers.

There was a massive gap between her and Stella in terms of acting skill.

So—

‘I’ll just pass it to someone who can handle it.’

Jiyeon shifted her approach.

She couldn’t match Stella’s performance.

“I-I don’t know why you’re doing this to me! I’m just a plain, ordinary maid!”

Then the only option was to run.

“What?”

Stella stared at her in disbelief.

For a moment, it wasn’t Rosalyn’s emotions showing—it was Stella’s.

In this scene, Yeonseonye was supposed to confront Rosalyn.

The lines were the same, but there was a huge difference between confronting someone and retreating in panic.

It worked in context, but for the protagonist?

Thanks to Jiyeon’s reaction, Rosalyn had completely dominated Yeonseonye.

‘Ah.’

Stella suddenly realized—

this might actually work, considering the next scene.

‘Yuina enters after this.’

That meant the confrontation could be passed off to Yuina.

Stella understood that and looked toward Jiyeon.

The scene was already hers.

Jiyeon didn’t even meet her eyes.

She had completely fled.

But honestly, it suited Yeonseonye’s character perfectly.

Was it improvisation?

If so, it was quite clever.

‘...But where is Yuina?’

Just as Stella was thinking that—

“NG! NG!”

“What?”

Stella looked at Director Baek Min in confusion.

She also noticed the strange looks on everyone’s faces.

“Ah, it’s just that Yuina was supposed to push past Rosalyn’s guards at the door and enter.”

Stella turned to look behind her.

Two guards lay sprawled on the floor.

And standing beside them, Seoyeon quietly averted her gaze.

‘She got too immersed.’

It was because Rosalyn had pushed Lamiel (Jiyeon) too hard earlier.

For a moment, Seoyeon had slipped out of character as Yuina and reverted to herself.

She was supposed to lightly push the guards aside, but she had ended up throwing them instead.

“...Hmm.”

However, Director Baek Min stroked his chin as he reviewed the scene.

“Actually, this works.”

“What?”

“Let’s go with it. We’ll change it so Yuina fights her way down the hall instead of just pushing through at the door.”

In other words, Yuina would now be shown overpowering the guards before entering.

“Well, since Yuina’s background was changed to a yakuza family, it’s not too far-fetched. It even makes the scene more dynamic. What do you think, Seoyeon?”

“Well...”

It wasn’t a problem, per se.

But still—

‘Yuina just got way too strong.’

Even Seoyeon, who liked strong characters, was slightly bewildered.

Changing the setting and scene so suddenly—was that really okay?

But the most flustered person was—

‘...Wait. Do I have to fight Seoyeon later too?’

Lee Sangsoo, who played Goto Isamu, Yuina’s opponent in a later fight scene.