Chapter 12: Pigs being dragged to the slaughterhouse

“Nice to meet you, everyone.”

“I’m vocal trainer Lee Jia.”

“But did I come here to meet idol trainees?”

“Doesn’t anyone want to try being an idol?”

Following the schedule indicating vocal training time, we moved to a recording studio near the headquarters.

Upon arriving at the recording studio near the headquarters, a woman waiting there offered us compliments upon seeing us.

She says she’s a vocal trainer, but suddenly telling us to become idols—the compliments felt excessive, way too excessive.

“…That person is a trainer who teaches girl groups, she’s really the real deal.”

“What?”

Hoshino, who was next to me, whispered softly.

‘No, that compliment wasn’t just empty words?’

‘Me, could I possibly have had potential as an idol…!?’

“Usually, she compliments and lifts you up, but there’s a rumor she turns into a demon once training starts.”

“Gasp.”

‘Then since training hasn’t started yet, she was just lifting us up…’

‘I got my hopes up for nothing.’

‘No, I came here to get closer to Haruka.’

‘I almost forgot my purpose for a moment.’

“The CEO is watching today too, so everyone needs to work hard, right?”

“Hahahaha!”

“Don’t worry about me too much, just relax~ Relax~”

“……”

The expressions of the 8 of us, including me, who visited the studio for the vocal test, soured.

He’s not just some workplace superior, but the CEO who will debut us, coming here himself and saying things like that—who would like it?

Anyway, today, the 8 of us, the trainer, Kim Kanghyun who insisted on coming, Ms. Ari, and the owner of this studio, the general producer H.M, Kim Hyunmin, who is partnered with Belus, were present.

Producer Kim Hyunmin’s first impression was like a corpse; compared to his tall height, he was rail-thin, and the dark circles reaching his cheekbones made him look almost like a zombie.

‘If I ran into him at night, I might just pee myself…’

“Then shall we enter the recording booth one by one and listen?”

“Ah, before that.”

The trainer said so, grinning widely.

Her gaze is scary.

Like a lioness stalking prey, her eyes seem to be searching for game.

Unconsciously gulping, I flinched, and Mao next to me, seeing my reaction, took my hand.

“……”

‘The soft hand feels quite nice, but being treated like a real kid feels strange.’

‘Even though my body is like this, I’m an adult man.’

Regardless of my peculiar feelings, trainer Lee Jia continued speaking with a grin.

“For those who already have a certain level of skill, I don’t plan on training you separately.”

“Well, since you won’t be focusing on group dance songs like girl groups, individual characteristics are more important.”

“If you already know how to sing your own songs, there’s no need to interfere.”

“Though I can still offer some advice.”

Virtual idols are indeed different from regular idols.

Idols undergo training according to the vocal direction pursued by their company and express individuality within that framework, but VTubers, compared to them, are much more individualistic.

If idols are like a well-trained Roman army, shall we say VTubers are like gladiators surviving in the Colosseum?

Of course, idols also have distinct individualities within their groups, making direct comparisons difficult, but relatively speaking, that’s the point.

The reason for this difference is, in fact, that compared to ‘idols,’ ‘virtual idols’ mostly focus their activities on solo songs.

Additionally, most VTubers in Korea known for singing well are often former Utaite or amateur singers, which contributes to their distinct individuality.

‘Probably, apart from Belus here, there are hardly any places that would go so far as to hire a trainer.’

“Conversely, those whose skills are lacking cannot refuse my training.”

“Because my employer has firmly stated that Belus, which claims the title of virtual idols, cannot debut someone who can’t sing.”

“For those who need training, I will take responsibility and make them into proper performers.”

“Kohaku is an example of this case.”

Kohaku, a member of the 1st generation Crystal, isn’t particularly good or bad at singing.

Compared to the average person, she could be considered relatively good, but she definitely lacks a lot to be called an idol.

Still, she has her unique cute singing style, and for a VTuber like her who has strengths elsewhere, that’s enough.

Because the fundamental base for VTubers is streaming.

‘Perhaps the trainer saying she’ll ‘make them into a person’ takes that aspect into consideration.’

“And there was also a vocal already so complete that I couldn’t even touch it.”

“It was Haruka.”

“If you all sing at that level, there will be no interference at all.”

“……”

A bitter smile hung on everyone’s lips.

‘She’s telling us to sing like that vocal monster?’

Although she hasn’t been musically active lately, she was the one who boasted insane vocal prowess, sitting atop all other VTubers in just a short time after her debut.

We’d be lucky to even reach her toes.

‘Anyway, Haruka’s toes, oh…’

“Then please enter the recording booth one by one.”

While I was lost in thought, two people I hadn’t exchanged many words with went in one after another and came out with ambiguous evaluations.

“Both of you are average.”

“It seems like it could change depending on the training, so let’s consult later and make a plan.”

They were vocals on par with Kohaku, who was mentioned as an example, rather than just average, but they didn’t seem to have strong individuality like her.

It seemed Lee Jia intended to provide guidance on that aspect.

“Next, Ms. Miyuki?”

The cheerful girl with the amber bob entered the recording booth looking a bit nervous, and sure enough, her voice cracked on the very first note, making her look crestfallen.

Lee Jia let out a small smirk and said.

“It’s just a test, so it’s okay.”

“Take a deep breath, and let’s go again.”

Perhaps because it’s a test, the demon-like appearance Hoshino mentioned isn’t visible yet.

Still, if you sing like a decent human being, you won’t get cursed out from the start, so I could relax a little.

‘Come to think of it, I wonder about Wooseo Woo’s singing ability.’

‘In my previous body, even though I couldn’t sing well, I went to karaoke alone sometimes, but after becoming Wooseo Woo, I’ve been cooped up in the studio apartment and haven’t sung even once.’

“Yes, you can come out now.”

“Not bad?”

“Looks like you’ve been to karaoke quite a bit.”

“Ehehe…”

She definitely seemed to sing much better than the average person.

Her vocal production felt different from the previous two.

‘Did she attend a vocal academy?’

“Next person~”

The next one was quite a flashy woman.

A woman with long, heavily curled dark hair tinged with red, her face relatively plain compared to others here, but emitting a strange sexiness perhaps due to heavy makeup, piercings, and a beauty mark under her eye.

My assessment after spending a few days together is that she chatters more than the sociable and lively amber-haired Miyuki and is louder than the naturally loud-voiced gyaru Mao.

She was a strange woman whose image didn’t quite seem to match.

‘Was her activity name Azusa?’

“Prrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr~”

‘Something feels a bit different starting from her vocal warm-up…’

‘Anyway, didn’t that woman have a slightly husky voice?’

Her vocal production feels like forcing herself into clothes that don’t fit.

“Hmm… Just a moment.”

The trainer listened to just the first phrase she sang simply after warming up, then signaled through the microphone to stop for a moment.

“Did you learn that singing style yourself?”

“Yes… Why?”

“Hmm… Well, I understand for now.”

“I’ll listen a bit more.”

Her singing was, how should I put it… truly unexpected.

How does she become so delicate only when she sings?

Like the ‘virgin singing style’ VTuber fans talk about, in crude terms.

Her appearance is like Jirai-kei (landmine style), but she’s lively like a high school girl, her speaking voice is husky, but she sings purely.

What kind of imbalance is this?

“You can come out now.”

“You have too many quirks, it’ll take some time to fix them.”

“You seem attached to that singing style, but frankly, it doesn’t suit you.”

“I won’t stop you if you insist on pushing forward with this… but anyway, shall we talk more seriously later?”

“Okay…”

Azusa’s eyebrows formed a triangle as her shoulders slumped.

Her red-tinged black hair swayed pitifully as her head drooped.

‘No, don’t act like a tragic heroine with that kind of mature woman face.’

“Next customer~”

“Y-yes…”

Perhaps completely tense from glimpsing the demon’s face just before, Sumire Mamang entered the recording booth like a pig being led to the slaughterhouse, breaking out in a cold sweat.

Looking at her pitiful back, I could only send her my support.

‘I’m scared too.’

‘So please drain some of the venom that’s starting to creep into that person’s eyes.’

‘Fighting, Mamang…!’

And after warming up briefly and singing, she was beautiful.

No lies or exaggeration, truly beautiful.

I see an illusion, as if a blue sky is unfolding above her head.

“A star emitting a faint light.”

From the introduction, the refreshing scent of a summer sea wafts over.

The song is an OST from a famous Japanese anime.

It clearly wasn’t a calm song, fitting the concept of an opening theme, but she purifies it with her own style and voice.

“Wow… What is this voice…”

Someone’s admiration is heard.

Her voice was that unique and refreshing.

To the extent that she’s practically a human Pocari Sweat.

‘Was she a former Utaite?’

Even underestimating, her singing, which clearly shows she has been active to some extent, gently tickles the ears.

I don’t know if she’s a former Utaite or an amateur singer.

Because the CEO told us not to share personal information.

But having ears, I could tell she was something different.

“Ah~ah-.”

“To heights no one can reach!”

While I was just admiring inwardly, the song raced towards its climax.

Unconsciously, I opened my eyes, which had been closed at some point.

Through the recording booth window, I can see her singing passionately with her eyes shut tight and hands clasped.

She freely transitions between falsetto and head voice, controlling her emotions.

Her voice, her emotions, became a sea breeze tickling my ears.

Among singers, there are those whose individuality is so strong that even when they cover a song, they make it sound entirely like their own.

Sumire is exactly that type.

No matter what song she sings, it seems like it would feel as refreshing and pure as watching a girl in a white dress, laughing beautifully while running barefoot on a wet sandy beach.

Honestly, Haruka’s singing suited my taste more, but her voice tone and emotion were also formidable.

‘This… If she debuts, she’s going to cause a stir.’

She’s the type that would make the eyes of the VTuber fans—the ‘unicorns’ obsessed with pure virgins, the rare ‘honmono’ (authentic ones), the unpredictable troublemakers—roll back in their heads.

To think I’m in the same generation as this hidden gem.

Her dazzlingly brilliant presence made me, appearing here as a clumsy peer, feel almost insignificant.

“Let’s move forward-“

“It’s spreading-“

The song ended, and those who had unconsciously closed their eyes to appreciate the music offered small applause.

The trainer, who had maintained a relatively indifferent expression until now, also joined in with a small smile.

As for Kim Kanghyun, he had his eyes shut tight as if trying to hold back tears…

‘What’s wrong with that guy again?’

Anyway, this is the first time today Lee Jia listened to the whole song without interrupting.

It must have been that good.

I’m a VTuber fan among VTuber fans, someone who doesn’t react much unless it’s Haruka’s singing.

It was only natural, as even I found myself completely immersed without realizing it.

“Her singing style is similar to the person just before, but this one seems already complete.”

“There seems to be nothing for me to touch.”

“Actually, she sings much better than me?”

Being a vocal trainer doesn’t necessarily mean you sing better than a singer.

However, her words, coming from someone who has taught idols leading the charts at the forefront of the industry, were definitely not light.

Sumire also seemed satisfied with her song, shyly cupping her slightly flushed cheeks with both hands as she came out of the recording booth.

“Sumire-chan… That was cool.”

“Th-thank you.”

“This is a little embarrassing…”

Mao was the first to praise her, and everyone else added their compliments towards the bashful girl.

Clap-!

“Alright! It’s not over yet, the next person needs to come in too, right?”

“Watashi… I am a pig being led to the slaughterhouse…”

Amidst the unsettled atmosphere, the next in line, Mao, entered the recording booth with slumped shoulders and came out in the shortest time yet.

Yep. Mao can’t sing.

“Ms. Mao, I’ll make you into a proper performer, so don’t worry.”

“Right now, you’re about at the Australopithecus level… but depending on your effort, becoming Homo sapiens sapiens within a few months is possible… Yes, don’t be discouraged.”

‘Is that supposed to be encouraging?’

‘Calling a person Australopithecus.’

However, Mao seemed completely unfazed, whispering softly in my ear, ‘Isn’t Homo gay?’ before sitting down.

‘You sure are carefree.’

“Alright, next.”

“Ms. Hoshino?”

“Yes.”

Hoshino, seemingly not nervous at all, entered with her usual blunt… looking, but actually nonchalant expression, sang the first phrase, and came out.

‘Because she couldn’t sing?’

No.

She was just different.

Her fundamentals were so solid that the producer even said, ‘Huh…? Are you perhaps a KRG trainee?’

It must mean there was nothing more to see.

Of course, Producer Kim Hyunmin got elbowed in the side by Lee Jia, perhaps for saying something he shouldn’t have.

Well, she doesn’t need to hide it like that. Living together, we had already roughly guessed she was a former idol trainee or something similar.

How could we not know when she’s like a different species altogether?

Besides, seeing her recognize Trainer Lee Jia instantly earlier made me somewhat certain.

‘…Still, rules are rules, so it’s probably right to be careful.’

“Finally, the last one.”

“Shall we go in?”

“……”

“…Ms. Kotori?”

“Gasp.”

‘Wait, it’s already the last one?’

The pressure is immense.

Being unnecessarily last draws a lot of attention.

As my anxious gaze darted around with nowhere to rest, Sumire came into view, making a small fist and striking a fighting pose.

‘Does that mean she’ll hit me if I can’t sing?’

“I-I’ll go in.”

Receiving all the gazes, I entered the recording booth, shrinking into myself.

Kim Kanghyun staring at me with that pressuring gaze bothers me.

‘I really don’t know what he expects from me.’

Taking a deep breath in front of the microphone in the center of the booth, I feel the air change.

My mind went blank, as if someone had scooped out my brain.

“Warm up your voice briefly.”

“…Ah! Yes.”

“A~ E~ I~ O~ U~”

Hearing Lee Jia’s voice, my slightly hazy vision cleared up again.

I feel the tension settling back into my body.

Wow, this is more nerve-wracking than I thought.

“Let’s test your vocal range.”

“Go up matching the piano.”

Next to me, Zombie Producer Kim Hyunmin, operating some machine, presses a key.

‘Ah, I’m not ready yet.’

“Ahem… Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~”

“……”

‘What, why is everyone looking at me with such anxious eyes, like watching a kid left on the roadside?’

“Good.”

“Let’s raise the octave bit by bit.”

“Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~”

“Okay.”

“One more time!”

My voice comes through clearly in the earphones plugged into my ears.

‘But this is totally a kid’s voice.’

“Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~ Ah~”

“Ah~ It went flat.”

“Go higher!”

“Ah~! Ah~! Ah~! Ah~! Ah~!”

I tried going higher like when I was male, but I can’t quite get the feel for it.

Even when I was male, I wasn’t a good singer, so I guess this is my limit.

Still, matching the trainer’s request, I shut my eyes tight and somehow pushed it out.

“Ah~! Ah~! Ah~! Ah~! Ah~!”

“Hmm… One more time?”

“Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!”

“Uh… One more time…?”

‘Seriously, how high are we going?’

Despite my silent screams, the trainer kept forcing me to raise the pitch.

“Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!”

“Ooh, let’s try a bit more!”

“Ah-! Ah-! Ah-! Ah-! Ah-!”

Going higher wasn’t as much of a problem as I thought, but I was so out of breath I felt like dying.

My face is so hot.

‘From the outside, wouldn’t I look like a kid screeching with a bright red, flushed face?’

“…Shall we stop for now?”

“Phew…”

I paused for a moment to catch my breath.

My throat doesn’t hurt, but I couldn’t breathe properly, so I felt like I was dying from breathlessness.

Well, it’s not like I’ve ever done something like this before.

As I was panting like that, I could see Lee Jia and Mr. Kim Hyunmin conspiring about something outside the window.

“…That last one was the 4th octave, right?”

“Seems like she reached D at least… Right?”

“Wow, she did that and her throat doesn’t even seem sore.”

“But the pitch seems a bit messy?”

‘I can’t tell if that’s criticism or praise.’

‘What on earth are they saying?’

“…Ahem.”

“Ms. Kotori?”

“Yees.”

“Shall we listen to a song first?”

“If you have something prepared, please tell me.”

“Um… I…”

Actually, on my way here today, I contemplated what to sing.

Since I don’t know my vocal range or what kind of voice I have.

I don’t even know what songs suit me, so it was hard to decide readily.

But after warming up my voice, those worries disappeared.

Anyway, the reactions seem strange, and even if I mess up spectacularly, the trainer will make me into a proper performer.

Right. As long as I don’t become Australopithecus, it should be fine.

“I’ll do this one.”

“Huh?”

“Ah, could you give me the Korean pronunciation subtitles?”

“I, uh, can’t speak Japanese…”

“Huh?”

Producer Kim Hyunmin looked at me as if wondering what kind of weird person he was dealing with, then without complaint, printed out the lyrics of the song shown on his phone and gave it to me.

Yep. With this, I can somehow manage to sing it.

Reading Japanese lyrics transcribed into Korean is quite unfamiliar, but in the past, I used to find and sing along to Korean pronunciation lyrics at karaoke, so it’s not that difficult.

Once I made up my mind like that, it felt like I wouldn’t care what happened anymore.

‘Is this mind control?’

Surprised myself for a moment at this reaction, uncharacteristic of my usual self, a severely socially awkward person, Mr. Kim Hyunmin’s voice came through the earphones.

“This is a synthesized vocal song, right?”

“Original key?”

“Or should I lower it a few keys for you?”

“Uh… If you change the key, I don’t think I can find the notes.”

“Huh?”

People like me who can’t sing can’t even match the pitch unless it’s set to the male or female key at karaoke.

At that, the producer kept tilting his head curiously, then played the song.

“Th-this is really difficult…”

“Anyway, I’ll start it.”

“I’ll just play the intro, so come in whenever you’re comfortable.”

A bewildered-sounding voice came through the earphones, and over it, the intro began to play.

With the characteristic fast beat of a synthesized song and its demanding distribution of high-note parts, one could easily lose the rhythm, fail to sing properly, and ruin it.

However, the reason I chose this isn’t focused on whether I sing it well or poorly.

It’s simply because I wanted to try singing this song.

This song.

It’s also a song that symbolizes my oshi, Haruka.

…Somehow, I feel like listening to Haruka’s singing.

When the schedule is finished, I should go back and fall asleep listening to her songs again today.