Chapter 21 : I’m much more nervous than I thought

It’s much more nerve-wracking than I thought.

It’s hard to debut with just one sentence that touches the heart, because reality makes it tough, so after finishing my meal, I talked with Ahyun for quite a long time.

Becoming a VTuber isn’t an easy task. Even though the avatar and equipment are all ready, I, in fact, am not ready.

“Sigh… I’m really worried.”

I grabbed my head and collapsed onto the table. I guess it’s because this is the most important decision of my life.

Even with the best advisor possible at this point, it’s still difficult.

Ahyun stared at me for a while as I lay there.

She looked like she was thinking about something.

Then she opened her mouth.

“If you’re that worried, would you like to see it live? There’s a broadcast tonight, you know.”

“Huh? A live broadcast…”

A live broadcast, huh…

“What?!”

I suddenly shot up.

Without realizing it, my body trembled.

I can actually watch Yui’s broadcast live…

“Is that okay?! Isn’t a VTuber’s broadcast supposed to be something confidential, something not to be seen by others?”

Arin, who was sipping on plum tea as a dessert, frowned slightly as if asking what I was talking about.

“It’s Mama, not someone else.”

What?

It’s such an awkward sentence when I write it.

Ignoring my reaction, Misa twirled her chopsticks around.

“People who see collaborations will always wonder what they do. If you appear this time, the fan cafe will probably go crazy.”

Arin nodded, as if saying something obvious.

Ahyun, too, didn’t seem to disagree, taking a sip of her plum tea.

Indeed.

Is that kind of shift in perspective even possible?

But isn’t that a bit too optimistic to think about?

In the rare opportunity where all the group members would be together for a collaboration, I ended up taking all the spotlight that should have gone to them.

The LumiLive staff probably thought it was a fresh plan, but considering the hate I received on the community last time, it’s clear it wasn’t a great idea.

“Arin is right. Mama gets mentioned regularly on my broadcasts, too.”

“Huh…”

“So I was thinking we should meet up sometime.”

Ahyun placed her teacup down and smiled.

Wait. Regularly mentioned?

If that’s the case, wouldn’t Ahyun’s broadcasts get tough?

I nervously asked in a quieter voice.

“So… how are you mentioning me?”

“Well, something like asking if I could play a game with you later…”

That’s at least manageable…

“Also, they want to discuss how I designed my chest…”

Ugh.

“Yeah. Big boobs are the truth.”

Arin nodded with her eyes closed.

Such a pervy little kid.

I should probably give her a smack soon.

“Punishment.”

Smack!

I don’t know if it’s because my fingers have gotten thinner, but the sound was definitely sharper.

“Ugh. Stop hitting me! It hurts!”

I glared at Arin with half-open eyes.

This kid. She flinched when I gave her a look of contempt.

…Gross.

“Perverted little kid.”

“What! Money and boobs go hand in hand, don’t they?”

“…?”

“Money and boobs go hand in hand…”

I’ve never heard a phrase like that in my life.

Could it be a mix of ‘more is better’ and ‘harmony’… or is it… not?

No way.

This is the kind of ridiculous statement that would make Admiral Yi Sun-sin and King Sejong weep together…

“What? You’ve never heard that?”

“Ugh…”

I watched Arin proudly spout words I couldn’t even tell where they came from.

I’m sure the other LumiLive members will take care of her, though.

Especially the pure and kind Yui and Ahyun…!

I looked at Ahyun, full of hope.

If it’s my Oshira, if it’s Yui who is so pure and gentle…!

“Shall we go then? My house is a bit far.”

Her mouth smiled, but her eyes were empty.

A hollow smile of someone who failed despite trying.

Ah.

“Yeah…”

Ah. She’s already given up.

Ahyyn, without even glancing at Arin, who had spouted those weird words, stood up. I could roughly guess what happened earlier.

It hasn’t been a long time since we met, but with Ju Arin’s personality, I don’t think she would have said much less.

Surely, I must have made countless verbal blunders that I couldn’t even imagine until now.

“Yaho! Let’s go!”

Arin, who even drank my share of plum tea, jumped up excitedly.

A perverted, hyperactive, cheerful girl… Is there such a draining combination?

For some reason, I sympathized deeply with the other members, whom I’ve never even met, and I smiled bitterly.

“Alright. Let’s go…”

If you’re happy, that’s enough…

I hope you grow up healthy…

Ding ding.

A cute, tidy bell, as if from a souvenir shop, jingled at the door. There was a seashell decoration on it, so it must’ve been from the beach.

“Heh. Excuse me!”

“Excuse me…”

It seems like they immediately organize the shoes when they arrive. Even though the visit was unexpected, they were neatly arranged in pairs.

“Hehe. It’s a bit embarrassing.”

Ahyun blushed and scratched her cheek. This is embarrassing? I was surprised at how clean everything was… If I had met the flight conditions earlier…

I stood there absentmindedly, and Arin kept chattering beside me, so there wasn’t a moment of silence.

“It’s exactly as I expected! Ahyun feels like a super clean and neat mom!”

As soon as Arin took off her shoes, she rushed inside and lay down on the couch. She immediately sprawled out and hummed a tune, seeming happy.

The more I watched, the more she looked like a cat, though she was so mysterious. Is a fox part of the dog family?

Tsk.

She’s cute though.

“Please wait a moment…”

Tap. Tap.

In the room filled with broadcast equipment and decorations, Ahyun was tapping away at the keyboard.

She didn’t have her usual smiling face but a serious expression, which made her look kind of cool.

Capturing another side of my Oshira!

This is delicious to the soul!

“Hmm…”

After fiddling with some settings for a while, Ahyun finally smiled.

“Ah. It’s done now.”

“Okay, should I bring Arin?”

“Yes. It’s better to have her here. She’s talented at broadcasts. Although she’s a bit stupid and perverted…”

Even while saying that, she was smiling, so it seemed completely unconvincing. But from the way she spoke firmly, I guess she’s really worried about it.

It’s nice that we care for each other.

I feel warm inside.

Arin and I sat on two small chairs.

Ahyun, who was lying in a high-end gaming chair adjusting the mic, looked even more serious than before.

Is this her professional moment? She’s so cool…!

Hoo.

Ahyyn set up the mic, took a deep breath, and then her eyes sparkled.

I’m calling it the “Yui” gaze, the kind that captivates people.

“Ah~ Can you hear me~?”

• Yes, we can hear you~
  ᅨᅨ
  ᄋᄋ It’s clear

“Hehe. Then shall we begin?”

She smiled brightly, as if she had become a completely different person.

It was like an animation character had come to life, overflowing with emotion.

It felt like living someone else’s life.

Thump.

…What’s this? Why am I feeling nervous and… freaked out?

Hmm… I’m feeling a little nervous…

But it also looks kind of fun.

“Well then, everyone. Hello! The leader of LumiLive 1st generation, HanaSaki~ Yui! Ta-da! Surprise broadcast!”

• Waaah
• A surprise broadcast… Wow… Really a god
• The neighbor’s mom does a bell jump and has a fight with the viewers, but thankfully, our kid doesn’t do that. 😢
• Currently, I’m a retired librarian. That girl is going to die someday

“Hehe. It’s not just a surprise broadcast. There’s a special guest!”

Ahyun proudly pushed out her chest and laughed. On the screen, Yui also showed a smug face, trying to be cute.

• Really?
  I don’t know who it is.
• Yui saying she’s special is actually so boring 😆😆
• 😅😅

“…Do you want to die?! I’m not kidding! After watching, if you faint, it’s not my problem?”

Ahyun’s face turned bright red, as if she had been scratched. Is this why they call it red medicine? I thought about making a silly joke but…

“Hehe… Red medicine… Hehe…”

That’s on the same level, if not worse, as the giggling Arin next to me.

I really don’t want to be seen on the same level as that kid.

Tap tap.

Arin nudged my arm and signaled.

She was holding back laughter with a weird, meaningful smile.

What kind of bizarre plan does she have?

Ahyun was still too busy fighting with the viewers to notice us.

“Mom. Shall we do something fun without Yui knowing?”

Once the broadcast started, the real names were gone. Even though she looked like a kid, she was so professional.

By the way…

“If it’s something fun…?”

“It’s going to be really fun.”

Arin whispered softly in my ear. I finally understood why foxes are known to charm people.

If Yui’s charm is to capture people’s attention and gain love…

“Right away. ‘Nine-Tailed Fox Operation!’”

“…What operation?”

Misa was so captivated that she almost lost her mind.

If I hadn’t experienced the flight conditions earlier, I might have already fallen for it. Arin grinned, happy that I was listening.

“Let’s pretend to be someone else! Mom, your voice. It’s so different from last time’s collab!”

“…Definitely.”

Last time, I was so flustered and couldn’t speak well. Yeah, this time, let’s get into character and do it properly.

I don’t even know my voice’s limits, so testing it out wouldn’t be bad.

“So, what’s the concept?”

Arin’s eyes shone, as if she had been waiting for this moment. I had a feeling what it would be.

“For pure fun, it has to be…!”

Arin gasped, clearly excited.

“Sexy older sister voice!”

Ugh. This kid…

This is why she needs a little punishment.

Bang!

“Ugh!”

Ah. I didn’t think I’d be this unable to hold it in…!

I didn’t expect it.

I hit her lightly, but…

It was so clear.

My damn mistake.

-?😆😆😆😆😆😆
-😆😆😆 It’s Misa

• It was Misa
• Okay, now the special guest is revealed!!!

“Ah.”

Ahyeon looked at us, as if in despair. She tried to smile, but her lips trembled.

“Y-Yes, that’s right! The guest this time is Yoshida Misa! Waaah…”

• Look at the dropped tension 😆
• She’s so cute for being deflated after getting caught
• Ha… This is quite… [Message blocked by the manager.]

I wrote on my phone to show Ahyun through notes, so it wouldn’t appear on the broadcast.

[…I’m sorry.]
[It’s okay…]

Ugh. It’s tough to see my Oshira looking disappointed after building up so much excitement.

This broadcast…

I’ll do whatever it takes to make it work.