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!START
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伊瑟絲。一名ASMR頻道新手直播主。
只露手，耳部按摩。無人聲。
10、100、200.. 慢慢累積的觀看次數，像是強心劑。
她需要創造一些收入來源。
她在觀摩其他類似頻道，發現有大量的頻道都會以女性嗲聲嗲氣的嗓音、氣音為賣點。
『我做不到...』她對自己的聲音算是有自信，但又害怕被熟人認出。
況且在頻道上對觀眾說著那麼甜蜜的詞，用那麼嬌甜的聲音...像在對戀人耳語一樣。
她嘆了一口氣，繼續觀摩。
直到被一個頻道吸引停了下來。
深色的長直髮。漠視的眼神。
氣音，但很尊。
御姐風格。
氣音內容，低沉有磁性，尋常的哄睡詞，但明顯和那些甜蜜的頻道走不同路線。
艾遲疑了一下，加了追蹤。
那晚，她倒是很好睡
/
她點進那頻道的介紹。
「28歲的女人。喜歡女人。」
她的心臟猛地跳了一下。
為什麼要寫在上面啊，這種事情...
「喜歡更多女觀眾來聆聽。
到社群來看我，偶爾會有更生活閒聊的語音活動。」
她點過去。用自己的私人小帳登入。
「黑色櫻桃的哈欠ASMR」
社群名..有點怪，哈欠？
但...追了。
/
伊這幾天直播了幾場ASMR。
很快的，當黑色櫻桃的社群語音預定時間來到，她也已經在那裡等待。
開始了。
犯規。
太犯規了。
依然是那個御姐輕而氣音的腔調，懶洋洋的，即使只是說著今天新發現的音樂，走過的店家。
為什麼也那麼令人安心？
2000多人正在收聽。
好想要成為唯一的一個。
/
「嗨，我是伊瑟絲。一名新手，我的頻道****，可以向妳請教學習嗎？」
不，爛透了。
伊開啟便條紙工具，打下文字。
「妳好，妳的聲音好好聽，我想向妳請教可以嗎？我的頻道****...」
太蠢了。
「嗨，這是我的頻道****，想跟前輩交流ASMR技術可以嗎？」
嗯？
「嗨♡這是我的頻道****，想跟前輩交流ASMR技術可以嗎？」
好。
這個。
/
她還不忘先把自己的帳號放上一張無害的插圖。上頭只是花瓣之類毫無個資辨識度的東西。
伊深吸了一口氣，複製內容，到黑色櫻桃的社群頁面上傳送私人訊息。
幾乎是當下，對方已讀。
她的呼吸都快停了。
/
「我剛剛去看了。妳的手很漂亮呢？」
「有聊天軟體帳號嗎？」
/
「有，Ethis*-**」那是她已經準備好的，資料與頻道相襯的身份。
/
「好，我加妳。」
伊沒想到一切竟然那麼順利。
「我..我不確定要不要加入人聲的部分，妳願意聽聽看我的聲音適合嗎？」
伊只是在找話題。
/
「來。」
對方的語音通話請求。
/
伊吸了一口氣。
接。
「妳好..」她努力擠出自己這輩子最好聽、嬌柔、輕盈、空靈的女聲。
彷彿正在參加什麼聲優選拔世界大賽一樣。
/
安排黑色櫻桃，堅持要聽伊最自然流露不做作的聲音。
伊卻反而擠出一種聲線，過度犯規的小女友聲線。
那是她認真考慮過要不要走比較甜膩路線時練習出來的。
現在只有黑色櫻桃聽過了。
/
安排黑色櫻桃表示這個聲線，令她今晚就想約伊吃飯。
最後還補上「我只是開玩笑。」
伊「妳不是。」
黑色櫻桃才終於承認「好吧，我不是。那我正式邀約了可以嗎？」
ChatGPT
Ethis had started with almost nothing.
A pair of silicone ears, a decent microphone, and a camera positioned carefully enough to show only her hands.
No face. No voice.
Just the gentle sounds of fingertips brushing against artificial ears, slow circular massages, and the occasional soft scratch of nails against silicone.
Ten views.
Then a hundred.
Two hundred.
They weren't impressive numbers, but every increase gave Ethis a little rush of excitement.
Someone was watching.
More importantly, someone might come back.
She needed another source of income, and although her ASMR channel wasn't paying any bills yet, at least the possibility no longer seemed ridiculous.
So she began studying other creators.
That was when she discovered a problem.
Apparently, everyone was whispering.
Soft, sweet feminine voices. Gentle breathing close to the microphone. Affectionate words delivered as though the listener were someone's beloved girlfriend.
"Good evening, sweetheart~"
Click.
"Come a little closer..."
Click.
"I'll stay with you until you fall asleep."
Ethis stared at her screen.
How do they say these things so naturally?
She liked her own voice. That wasn't the issue.
The problem was the possibility of someone recognizing it.
A colleague, perhaps.
Or an acquaintance who happened to discover her channel.
She could already imagine the conversation.
Hey, isn't that your voice?
Absolutely terrifying.
Besides, whispering sweet things to hundreds of strangers felt rather embarrassing.
She sighed and continued browsing.
Then she stopped.
One thumbnail looked completely different.
A woman with long, straight dark hair stared coolly toward the camera. Her expression was almost indifferent, and the background was simple and subdued.
The channel was called Black Cherry ASMR.
Ethis clicked.
A soft breath entered her headphones.
Then came a woman's voice.
"Still awake?"
Low. Calm. Slightly breathy.
"That's fine."
A pause.
"You don't need to do anything else tonight."
Ethis stopped moving.
The voice was mature and remarkably composed. There was no exaggerated sweetness, no theatrical flirting.
Just quiet authority.
"Relax your shoulders."
Ethis did.
Then immediately realized she'd obeyed a recording.
"...Seriously?"
The woman continued.
"Stop thinking about tomorrow. Get some rest."
Ethis stared at the screen.
Why does that sound so convincing?
She listened for another twenty minutes.
Then followed the channel.
That night, she played the recording beside her pillow.
She intended to listen for ten minutes.
She was asleep before the recording ended.
The following evening, Ethis returned to Black Cherry's channel.
This time, she clicked the profile.
The introduction was brief.
28-year-old woman.
I like women.
Ethis's heart gave one sudden, ridiculous beat.
She stared at the second line.
Why would you put that there so casually?
There was nothing especially suggestive about it.
That somehow made it worse.
The next lines read:
More female listeners are always welcome.
Find me on social media. I occasionally host casual live audio chats.
Ethis hesitated.
Then clicked the link.
She checked which account she was using.
Her private alternative account.
Good.
No real photograph, no workplace information, and nothing that could easily identify her.
The community was called:
Black Cherry's Yawning ASMR.
Ethis blinked.
Yawning?
For someone with such an elegant voice, that was a surprisingly strange name.
She scrolled through the posts.
Recording announcements. Photographs of microphones. A coffee cup. A complaint about a delayed delivery.
One post read:
Bought a new blanket.
No, you can't have it.
Listen to my recording and sleep under your own.
Ethis smiled despite herself.
Even her ordinary posts sounded like someone who expected to be obeyed.
She found an announcement for an upcoming live audio session.
Late-night chat. Music, everyday things, whatever comes up.
Come keep me company.
Ethis stared at the Follow button.
One tap.
That was all.
Black Cherry had thousands of followers. She certainly wouldn't notice one more.
Tap.
Following.
Ethis locked her phone.
Three seconds later, she unlocked it again.
Still following.
"...Fine."
Over the next few days, Ethis streamed several more ASMR sessions.
Her channel slowly gained viewers.
A few familiar usernames began returning. Someone complimented her ear massage technique. Another asked whether she planned to add whispering.
Ethis considered the question.
Then remembered Black Cherry's voice.
Perhaps she should try.
Not yet, though.
She needed more research.
Fortunately, Black Cherry's scheduled live audio session was approaching.
Ethis joined several minutes early.
Strictly for educational purposes.
Of course.
The session began.
"Good evening."
Ethis froze.
Unfair.
Absolutely unfair.
It was the same mature, breathy voice from the recordings.
But now Black Cherry sounded more relaxed.
Less like a professional ASMR performer.
More like someone having a quiet conversation with friends.
She talked about a song she'd discovered that morning, a café she'd passed on her way home, and an amusing disagreement she'd overheard at a bookstore.
Nothing extraordinary.
Yet Ethis couldn't stop listening.
"So I bought the album," Black Cherry said lazily. "Turns out I already owned it."
A few listeners laughed through the chat.
"Yes, very impressive. Please respect my financial decisions."
Ethis smiled.
The listener count had already passed two thousand.
Two thousand people.
All listening to the same voice.
All receiving the same quiet laughter and occasional good-night wishes.
Black Cherry read another message.
"Do I remember my regular listeners? Some of them, yes."
A pause.
"You're surprisingly difficult to forget when you keep showing up."
Ethis glanced at her own anonymous account.
She had never commented.
Never spoken.
Never even reacted.
She was completely invisible.
Until recently, that had been exactly what she wanted.
Now...
Wouldn't it be nice if she remembered me?
Ethis frowned.
That was a dangerous thought.
An even worse one followed.
I'd rather be the only person listening.
She stared at the listener count.
2,184.
"...Ridiculous."
Black Cherry laughed softly at another comment.
Ethis pulled her blanket a little higher.
And kept listening.
"Hi, I'm Ethis. I'm new to ASMR. My channel is ****. Would it be possible to ask you for some advice?"
Ethis read the draft.
No.
Terrible.
She opened her notes app and started again.
"Hello! Your voice is really beautiful, and I was wondering if you could help me with my channel..."
She deleted it.
That sounds like a confession.
Another attempt.
"Hi! This is my channel: ****. Would you be interested in exchanging some ASMR tips?"
Better.
Perhaps a little too formal.
She added a heart.
"Hi♡ This is my channel: ****. Would you be interested in exchanging some ASMR tips?"
She stared at the heart.
Removed it.
Put it back.
"...Fine."
Before sending anything, she changed her profile picture to a harmless illustration of pale flower petals.
Pretty.
Anonymous.
No identifying details whatsoever.
Then she copied the message and opened Black Cherry's private messages.
Deep breath.
Send.
Ethis immediately put her phone down.
Then picked it back up.
Read.
"...What?"
She hadn't even had time to regret sending it.
Three little dots appeared.
Black Cherry was typing.
I just checked your channel.
Ethis sat straighter.
Another message.
Your hands are beautiful.
"..."
Ethis looked down at her hands.
The very same hands she'd spent the afternoon using to wrestle open a stubborn package.
Beautiful?
Another notification.
Do you have a chat account?
Ethis blinked.
That was it?
No awkward introductions?
No professional networking ritual?
Fortunately, she had prepared an account specifically for her channel.
Not because she expected Black Cherry to ask.
Obviously.
Yes. Ethis-*.
The reply came almost immediately.
Okay. I'll add you.
A new contact request appeared.
Black Cherry.
Ethis accepted.
She stared at the screen.
This had gone far more smoothly than expected.
Then another message appeared.
What kind of help did you need?
Ethis hurriedly returned to her original excuse.
I'm not sure whether I should add voice content. Would you be willing to listen and tell me if my voice suits ASMR?
The answer was short.
Come.
Ethis frowned.
Come?
An incoming voice call appeared.
Black Cherry.
Her heart nearly stopped.
"...Right now?!"
Apparently.
She checked her microphone.
Adjusted her chair.
Touched her hair for absolutely no reason.
There wasn't even a camera involved.
Then she accepted.
For a moment, neither woman spoke.
Ethis inhaled.
She only had to say hello.
One word.
Unfortunately, her brain treated this as the final round of an international voice-acting competition.
She relaxed her throat, softened her breath, and raised her pitch slightly.
Then she produced the sweetest, lightest, most delicate voice she could possibly manage.
"Hello~"
Silence.
Ethis stared at the microphone.
Had she overdone it?
Probably.
Then Black Cherry spoke.
"...Oh."
That single syllable nearly made Ethis forget how to breathe.
"Is that your normal voice?"
"...Mostly."
A soft laugh came through her headphones.
"Mostly?"
"I made it a little softer."
"A little?"
"...Maybe more than a little."
Black Cherry chuckled.
"Can I hear your natural voice?"
Ethis blinked.
"My natural voice?"
"Mm."
"But I'm trying to find a suitable ASMR voice."
"I know."
"Then shouldn't I make it sound nicer?"
"Your voice doesn't need to sound like someone else's."
Ethis hesitated.
Black Cherry continued.
"Besides, if you have to maintain that pitch for an hour, you'll exhaust yourself."
That was sensible advice.
Professional advice.
Exactly what Ethis had requested.
So why did hearing it from this particular woman make her so nervous?
She cleared her throat.
"So... like this?"
Her ordinary voice emerged.
Natural. Comfortable.
A little uncertain.
Black Cherry went quiet.
Ethis immediately regretted everything.
Then—
"There."
"...There what?"
"Much better."
Ethis smiled.
"Better for ASMR?"
"I didn't say that."
"...Huh?"
A quiet laugh.
"Better for talking to me."
Ethis froze.
Wait.
That wasn't technical feedback.
Not even slightly.
"Still there?"
"Y-Yes!"
Black Cherry sounded amused.
"Good. Tell me what kind of content you're considering."
Ethis tried to concentrate.
"Well... I've been watching different channels. Some creators use very sweet, girlfriend-like voices."
"Mm."
"I practiced something like that."
"Did you?"
"...Yes."
"Let's hear it."
Ethis hesitated.
This was embarrassing.
But she'd already come this far.
And she'd spent far too many evenings secretly practicing to waste the effort now.
She took another breath.
This time, she didn't simply soften her voice.
She let it become warmer, sweeter, more affectionate.
Almost like someone speaking privately to her girlfriend.
"Hey~"
A pause.
"I was wondering..."
She smiled slightly into the microphone.
"Would you keep me company for a little while? ♡"
Silence.
Complete silence.
Ethis glanced at the call indicator.
Still connected.
"...Hello?"
Black Cherry didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"Say something else."
Ethis's heart jumped.
That didn't sound like ordinary technical feedback.
Still, she continued.
"Or..."
Her voice grew even softer.
"...would you rather I talked to you like this?"
Another silence.
Longer this time.
Ethis bit her lip.
I've gone too far.
Finally, Black Cherry exhaled.
"...Right."
Ethis straightened.
"Is it bad?"
"No."
"Too artificial?"
"Not exactly."
"Then what?"
Black Cherry gave a quiet laugh.
"I was trying to evaluate your ASMR technique."
"...And?"
"I seem to have lost track of the assignment."
Ethis stared at her monitor.
Black Cherry continued.
"That voice could work. But I'd be curious whether you can maintain it naturally."
Ethis sighed.
"So more practice?"
"Probably."
"And you wouldn't mind listening?"
A pause.
"...I wouldn't mind."
Ethis smiled.
Black Cherry apparently heard it.
"Don't sound so pleased with yourself."
"I'm not!"
"Mm."
Their first consultation ended with surprisingly little actual whispering advice.
Nevertheless, Ethis had learned something important.
Black Cherry was much more dangerous in a private conversation.
Over the next few evenings, they exchanged messages.
Sometimes about microphones.
Sometimes about recording software.
Occasionally about absolutely nothing related to ASMR.
Ethis discovered that Black Cherry's favorite café had terrible chairs, that she frequently forgot where she'd left her glasses, and that she considered rainy afternoons an excellent excuse to cancel unnecessary appointments.
Black Cherry learned that Ethis hated recording multiple takes, had a fondness for strawberry desserts, and occasionally spent half an hour deciding whether a single emoji belonged in a message.
One evening, Black Cherry asked:
How's the girlfriend voice coming along?
Ethis stared at her screen.
Still practicing.
Good.
A few seconds passed.
Do I get another demonstration?
Ethis narrowed her eyes.
Is this professional advice?
Naturally.
She laughed.
Then remembered something.
An abandoned channel.
Months earlier, she'd considered creating an entirely separate ASMR project.
Something much sweeter and more openly romantic than her ordinary ear-massage videos.
She had even made the account.
Your Bedtime Girlfriend Ethis.
Ethis stared at the name.
"...Oh, that's embarrassing."
The channel had never gone public.
There was only one private test video, recorded during an experiment with face-camera lighting.
She'd worn a comfortable cardigan, adjusted the microphone, and practiced a short bedtime greeting while looking directly into the lens.
The result had actually been rather lovely.
But the moment she imagined strangers recognizing her face, she'd abandoned the entire idea.
Now...
A new message arrived.
Ethis? Still there?
She smiled.
Give me ten minutes.
Why?
I have an idea.
That sounds dangerous.
Trust me. ♡
Before Black Cherry could reply, Ethis opened the abandoned channel.
The ridiculous name was still there.
The old test video was still private.
She checked the video.
Then checked the thumbnail.
Then watched the opening again.
Her face appeared on screen, framed by soft lighting. She looked a little nervous at first, but relaxed as the recording continued.
"Good evening~"
Her recorded self smiled.
"Did you have a nice day?"
Ethis covered her face.
"...I really made this?"
She considered deleting the entire channel.
Instead, she opened the sharing settings.
Private access.
One invited account.
Black Cherry.
She checked the recipient three times.
Then a fourth.
Then sent the invitation.
Here. I made this a while ago. It's a private test channel.
The reply arrived quickly.
Your Bedtime Girlfriend Ethis?
Ethis nearly threw her phone.
DON'T READ THE NAME OUT LOUD.
So this is your secret girlfriend channel.
It's an abandoned concept!
Mm.
There aren't even any public videos!
I noticed.
Another message appeared.
And apparently I'm the only subscriber.
Ethis stared at the screen.
Then typed:
Congratulations. You have exclusive access to my most embarrassing professional experiment.
Black Cherry replied:
An honor.
Ethis waited.
One minute.
Two.
Then—
Oh.
Ethis sat upright.
Oh WHAT?
Black Cherry didn't respond immediately.
Instead, another message appeared.
So that's what you look like.
Ethis's heart began racing.
Is something wrong?
No.
A pause.
You're lovely.
Ethis stopped breathing for a moment.
Then came another message.
You have a very pretty smile.
She looked at her own frozen face in the video preview.
You're supposed to evaluate the recording.
I am.
Then?
Good lighting. Clear sound. Natural expression.
Ethis relaxed slightly.
Finally.
Actual technical feedback.
Then—
I particularly recommend keeping the smile.
Ethis buried her face in both hands.
"...This woman."
Another message.
And now I understand why you didn't want to publish it.
Because I look ridiculous?
Because showing your face feels different from showing your hands.
Ethis blinked.
Black Cherry continued.
You don't have to make it public. It's fine to keep some things to yourself.
For a moment, Ethis simply looked at the message.
Then she smiled.
Thank you.
The reply came almost immediately.
Although I have to admit, being your only viewer is rather nice.
Ethis laughed.
Don't get used to it.
Too late.
Their next voice call lasted almost two hours.
This time, Ethis used her natural voice from the beginning.
Black Cherry noticed.
"No audition today?"
"No. My consultant told me to stop forcing it."
"Sounds like excellent advice."
"She's quite full of herself."
"Probably."
They laughed.
The conversation drifted toward recording schedules, favorite music, and the difficulty of finding a quiet place to work.
Black Cherry mentioned a small café near the city's old central station.
Ethis paused.
"...Wait."
"Hm?"
"That café with the green sign?"
"Yes."
"And the tiny bookstore next door?"
A pause.
"...Yes?"
Ethis sat up.
"That's five stops from my place!"
Black Cherry went silent.
Then laughed softly.
"You're kidding."
"No! I went there last week!"
"...Well."
Another pause.
"Apparently we're in the same city."
Ethis stared at her monitor.
All this time, she'd imagined Black Cherry as someone distant.
A voice from somewhere beyond her screen.
Someone who belonged to the internet rather than the ordinary world.
And now she was talking about a café Ethis knew.
Possibly even a street she'd walked down.
"...That's a strange coincidence."
"Mm."
Black Cherry sounded amused.
"Although I suppose it explains why we both complain about the same weather."
Ethis laughed.
"Wait. Do you mean that terrible rainstorm on Tuesday?"
"The one that ruined my afternoon."
"That ruined my recording!"
"There you go."
For a while, neither spoke.
Then Black Cherry said something unexpected.
"You know, I watched your video again."
Ethis's smile disappeared.
"...Again?"
"Mm."
"Why?"
"I wanted to check something."
"About the audio?"
"Not exactly."
Ethis waited.
Black Cherry continued.
"That little smile you make right before saying good night."
"...What about it?"
"It's nice."
Ethis felt her face warming.
"That's not technical feedback."
"No."
The answer was immediate.
Then a quiet laugh.
"I suppose it isn't."
A few days later, Ethis received a message while preparing another recording.
Are you free tonight?
She smiled.
For another consultation?
Possibly.
What are we evaluating this time?
Your girlfriend channel.
Ethis laughed.
You're already my only viewer.
True.
Another message appeared.
But I haven't met its creator.
Ethis stopped typing.
Before she could respond, her phone rang.
Black Cherry.
She accepted.
"Hello?"
"Hi."
That familiar voice.
Low, composed, and entirely too comfortable in her headphones.
Black Cherry paused.
"Can I ask you something?"
"...Sure."
"Would you like to have dinner with me?"
Ethis stared at the screen.
For a moment, she couldn't speak.
Black Cherry continued, sounding almost too casual.
"We already know we're in the same city. And I thought it might be nice to talk without microphones for once."
Ethis smiled slowly.
"...Is this part of the ASMR consultation?"
"Of course."
"Really?"
"We can discuss your content strategy."
"And my recording technique?"
"Certainly."
"And the lighting in my private video?"
A pause.
"...If you'd like."
Ethis started laughing.
Black Cherry sighed.
"All right. Maybe not entirely professional."
Ethis leaned back in her chair.
"Then what is it?"
Silence.
For once, Black Cherry seemed to consider her answer carefully.
Finally, she said:
"I watched your video, Ethis."
"...I know."
"And I'd like to see that smile across a table instead of through a screen."
Ethis's heart gave a ridiculous leap.
Black Cherry added, more quietly:
"I suppose that means I'd like to take you on a date."
A pause.
"I'm joking."
Ethis smiled.
"You're not."
Silence.
"...Hm?"
"You're not joking."
Black Cherry didn't answer.
Ethis continued, growing bolder.
"You've been listening to my recordings, watching my private video, and making excuses to call me all week."
"..."
"And now you're asking me to dinner."
Another silence.
"So I don't think you're joking."
For a moment, there was only the faint sound of Black Cherry breathing.
Then she laughed.
Not the elegant little chuckle from her recordings.
A real laugh.
Low, warm, and unexpectedly delighted.
"...All right."
Ethis held her breath.
"I'm not."
A brief pause.
"Then may I formally invite you on a date?"
Ethis smiled so broadly that she was grateful the call had no camera.
"...Tonight?"
"If you're available."
She glanced at her recording schedule.
One unfinished ear massage video.
A microphone waiting on her desk.
And an empty evening.
"I am."
"Good."
Black Cherry sounded pleased.
Then she added:
"And Ethis?"
"...Yes?"
"Use your normal voice when we meet."
Ethis laughed.
"Why?"
"Because I'd like to get to know you."
Her smile softened.
"...Okay."
A brief silence settled between them.
Then Ethis remembered something.
"Wait. You still haven't finished evaluating my girlfriend voice."
Black Cherry sighed.
"Right. Your extremely serious ASMR project."
"Yes."
"The one with a single subscriber."
"...Don't say it like that."
"Mm."
Ethis could hear the smile in her voice.
Then Black Cherry continued.
"I think we'll need further testing."
Ethis laughed.
"In person?"
"Preferably."
"How convenient."
"Very."
Another pause.
Then Black Cherry said, in that familiar deep, breathy voice:
"See you tonight, Ethis."
The call ended.
Ethis sat motionless for several seconds.
Then looked at her microphone.
Her ASMR research had produced some useful results.
Her natural voice was perfectly suitable for recording.
Her girlfriend voice apparently required more testing.
And her abandoned private channel had somehow acquired one extraordinarily dedicated subscriber.
She opened her notes app.
ASMR Research — Voice Content
Natural voice: recommended.
Girlfriend voice: under private evaluation.
Face-camera test: positive feedback.
She stared at the final line.
Then added:
Evaluator requests an in-person appointment.
Ethis laughed softly.
For once, she didn't mind how her real voice sounded.
And somewhere in the same city, Black Cherry was probably discovering that inviting one woman to dinner was considerably more difficult than putting two thousand strangers to sleep.