VTubers possess various charms at once. Their addictive speaking styles, unique avatars, unexpected singing talents—each aspect contributes to a VTuber’s appeal and serves as their signature weapon. 

But among all these, I believe the greatest appeal of a VTuber lies in empathy. No matter how captivating a VTuber may be, the ability to communicate with the audience is essential. One of the core foundations of communication is the ability to empathize with others.

Thus, if I want people to come to see VTuber Dia, I need to learn to empathize with them. People naturally prefer interacting with someone who resonates with them over someone who doesn’t.

‘Shared interests.’

The most reliable way to empathize with others is to have similar tastes. Thankfully, those who watch VTubers tend to have overlapping interests, so if I can grasp these preferences well, I’ll be able to run the streams smoothly.

Having similar interests to those who would eventually watch my streams was something I could work on even before passing the Fantasia audition. During my middle school years, I spent so much time at a newly opened manga café near my house that I practically became a regular.

I explored a wide range of other interests too. Some things I got so absorbed in that I had to step back a little, lest they take over my life…

“Wow, that’s unexpected! How do you know so much? Don’t most celebrities stay away from subcultures?”

“Hey, Ha-eun has been watching Squirrel’s streams since kindergarten. She’s been unique from the start.”

Seeing their pleased reactions to my answers made me feel that all my efforts to adopt new interests hadn’t been in vain. Honestly, I’d felt a bit nervous just before the interview, but it seemed to have paid off.

“Okay, Ha-eun, from now on, this is no longer an interview. Let’s just chat about the future. Feel free to speak openly.”

The questions that followed were related to streaming—what time I could stream, the best environment setup, and so forth, alternating between the two interviewers.

“Personally, I think it would be best if D.A.—I mean, if you, Ha-eun, streamed during the evening hours when you used to watch my streams.”

“Even if we go with that schedule, figuring out the streaming setup is the real challenge. Do you think your parents would allow you to set up a soundproof booth?”

“Oh, I already have one.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“A soundproof booth.”

At that moment, their eyes blinked in astonishment, as if the word "surprise" had come to life.

“You actually have a soundproof booth at home?”

“Yes, and the microphone setup is all done as well.”

Double Lee, a professional singer, had arranged my microphone setup, so there shouldn’t be any additional adjustments needed. I added that only the VTuber avatar setup was left.

“…Celebrities really do come prepared…”

Ji Hye-min muttered something under her breath, which tickled my ear. I didn’t bother denying it, as I had indeed prepared thoroughly.

However, I was a little bothered by the fact that no other candidates were present. In my past life, I remembered nearly 200 applicants.

No matter how strict they were in reviewing the application emails, it didn’t make sense that I was the only one to make it to the interview stage. Fantasia was supposed to be a VTuber group of four members.

Moreover, I had wanted to meet the other candidates, so I asked about them.

“Um, Squirrel, when will the other candidates arrive?”

“Oh, if you mean the other candidates… they’ll be here in three hours.”

“?”

Hye-min’s response was puzzling. I double-checked the Fantasia interview email, wondering if I had mistaken the time, but it confirmed I was correct.

This meant that the other candidates’ interviews were scheduled for three hours after mine. I looked at the two interviewers, filled with question marks.

“Well, Ha-eun… This lady here has… a lot of interest in you… I mean, in D.A.”

The man beside Ji Hye-min, Lee Dong-jin, explained why I was the only one having a separate interview.

“Typically, personal connections shouldn’t influence auditions. If rumors started, it could get complicated.”

“You saw the videos Ha-eun sent, right? Honestly, no one is as dedicated to Fantasia as she is.”

“You were set on accepting her even before she submitted those videos, saying you’d absolutely pick her if D.A. and Dia were the same person.”

It seemed that my nickname “Dia” had stuck with Squirrel just as I’d intended. But it left a deeper impression than I’d anticipated.

“We decided to call Dia here first. Asking about your connection with D.A. in front of other applicants might look suspicious.”

‘…Makes sense.’

To avoid any potential noise in the audition process, they’d moved my interview earlier. Right after, the discussion shifted to my VTuber avatar setup.

“All the avatars need to share a common world. I think we’ll need to work out specific details and imagery with the other members. Are you okay with that?”

“Yes, that’s fine.”

“Great! We’ll coordinate the schedule and contact you separately!”

The Fantasia interview concluded with a handshake from Ji Hye-min. It was a bit different than I had anticipated, but the fact that I’d succeeded in getting accepted felt gratifying.

“Oh, Ha-eun. I guess there’s no need to ask about the audition results…”

Even in Joo Jung-yoon’s van, my heart was still racing with excitement. I couldn’t help but smile.

However, there was still more on my schedule. I’d have to postpone celebrating my acceptance to Fantasia a bit longer.

Fortunately, today’s last schedule was action school, something I was looking forward to almost as much as the Fantasia interview.

“Ah, welcome, Ha-eun. We’ve been expecting you.”

Standing before me was Kim Kyu-tae, my trainer for action scenes, or rather, my teacher for historical swordplay.

True to his reputation as the head of a famous action school, his physique was formidable. Muscles bulged from head to toe, making him look nothing short of dependable.

***

“Even if Director Jin’s expectations are high, I doubt he’ll expect a flawless sword scene right away. Expecting perfection without any practice is asking for the impossible.”

Kim Kyu-tae continued to discuss Ha-eun’s upcoming training while examining the *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* script. Like with many actors before, he explained each step, from basic fitness to choreography with stunt actors.

Since Ha-eun needed to change into more comfortable attire for the assessment, one of the female instructors led her to the dressing room.

It was after this that Kim Kyu-tae discovered an unexpected fact.

“Professor, is Ha-eun really eighteen?”

“Yes, is there a problem?”

“Not exactly… but she has more muscle than most high school girls.”

The instructor’s cautious voice mentioned Ha-eun’s pronounced abs. At first, he thought she was joking.

After a quick body assessment and stretching, they began the basic endurance and stamina exercises actors usually struggled with.

‘…Why isn’t she tired?’

Despite being told to rest whenever needed, she showed no sign of stopping. She seemed almost like the Energizer Bunny in a battery ad.

The more she sweated, the happier she seemed, her usual calm expression giving way to a slight smile, making her look genuinely pleased.

If I exaggerated, she seemed possessed by the spirit of someone who’d died from lack of exercise. Among stunt actors with years of experience, she stood out with her bright expression.

Still, better this than showing weakness. They decided to start the sword training immediately, something they’d planned to do only after building her basic stamina.

“Okay, we’ll demonstrate the moves. Try to learn each step.”

A choreographed group sword fight, led by Kim Kyu-tae, unfolded before Ha-eun. Plastic swords clashed, weapons flew, and the action scenes from *Moonlight Drawn by Clouds* came to life before her.

‘It’s flashier than I imagined.’

Compared to the novel’s descriptions, it felt more extravagant. But considering that dramas aim to enhance visual appeal, it was understandable.

After the demonstration, Ha-eun took hold of her own plastic sword.

“We’ll go full speed on the first try and slow down for the second practice!”

Kim Kyu-tae’s voice resonated as they began with the highest level of difficulty, allowing Ha-eun to gauge how much she’d need to improve her swordsmanship.

Moments later, plastic swords flew toward her. The sight of the burly stunt actors advancing with swords aimed only at her filled Ha-eun’s vision.

She held her sword in the same stance as Kim Kyu-tae had demonstrated, sweeping the sword through the air in an arc.

- Thud.

The sword of the leading stunt actor fell to the ground. She took a step forward and sliced horizontally.

Her sword’s end traced a tight spiral, forcing the stunt actors back.

Then, moving swiftly, she aimed a fierce blow that stopped just short of piercing through the shoulder of the nearest stunt actor.

The bright, innocent expression she’d shown earlier had shifted into an intense hostility toward her opponent.