Basement-Dwelling Loser VTuber

What kind of reactions do normal people show when they realize they can be with someone they admire?

I think back then, I felt it was like a dream.

But that doesn’t mean I applied to Star’s Flow just to be with her.

That’s just the result; it’s not the reason.

That’s why.

“Izumi, why did you decide to become a VTuber?”

Hearing Aki’s question, I found myself swallowing nervously.

“Izumi said she applied because she needed someone to talk to during her debut broadcast. But if she only needed someone to talk to, there were many ways to do that….”

“W, what do you mean?”

“I think Izumi’s broadcasts are really fun, but… I don’t feel that Izumi has a personality suited for broadcasting.”

I know that, too.

I try to wrap it up somehow during broadcasts, but I’ve learned through experience that I can crumble anytime.

No matter how desperately I wish to become stronger and move forward, a person’s essence doesn’t change that easily.

I know better than anyone that I’m more of a viewer than a broadcaster.

“I want to be with Izumi… and all my peers for a long time. And I think it’s important to not forget the reason I debuted as a VTuber to continue doing it for a long time….”

“I… I….”

The reason I joined Star’s Flow and debuted?

It all started because of my mom’s encouragement.

But let’s think it through slowly.

Was my mom’s encouragement something I couldn’t refuse?

“I, um….”

“…I started being a VTuber because I could work from home.”

“Eh?”

As I was so lost in thought that I couldn’t say anything, Aki began speaking up with a slight smile.

“My personality is kind of weird… Yeah. It was a bit embarrassing, but I found it hard to mix with people. Besides my family, everyone else said I was weird… But even hearing that, I never thought I had to change.”

Even though it might be embarrassing to share, Aki spoke without hesitation.

It showed just how much Aki didn’t regret her choice, and I slowly began to admire her for it.

“Plus, I sleep a lot, right? So working like others is really tough for me… I keep getting into conflicts with people around me, and while I’m working, I just want to sleep, which causes problems… That’s why I was looking for work that I could do alone and at home, and I found out about being a VTuber.”

Aki’s previous life was undoubtedly that of a game livestreaming VTuber, just like Akabane.

“And I realized that my personality could be a charm for others, which is how I ended up joining Star’s Flow….”

“….”

“…I guess that’s a bit odd? Normally, people would try to fix the parts they’re pointed out about….”

“No, that’s not….”

I actually thought it was amazing.

Aki, who found a path that suited her without being swayed by others’ words, struck me as genuinely cool.

But what about me?

Thinking it over again, I could have definitely rejected my mom’s suggestion.

It all happened because my mom mistook my dream of being a VTuber.

But behind that, there was my dream of wanting to change my introverted personality, which my mom knew, leading her to encourage me.

Aki confidently found a path that suited her, while I felt ashamed of myself and wanted to change.

I didn’t even find that method myself; I needed my mom’s help.

And here I was, just happy that my debut was confirmed and I could be with Natsune.

The fact that I realized that now filled me with embarrassment.

“…Izumi? Are you sleepy?”

“Ah, no, um… I….”

Feeling embarrassed, I was on the verge of tears from all those emotions.

Aki had only asked about how I started being a VTuber, but crying over such a trivial thing would surely be a lifelong embarrassment.

Knowing that, I did my best to hold back tears.

“I… I’m just embarrassed… to the point of feeling foolish about being so introverted… and, even finding that method, not on my own….”

“Hmm? Embarrassed?”

“…Yes. I feel ashamed that I wanted to change my introverted personality….”

“Why?”

“…Because having confidence in your own personality, like you do, Aki, is a cooler thing… I… I’m so embarrassed that I have no confidence in myself and wanted to change my personality….”

Aki, who must have a high self-esteem, probably wouldn’t understand.

Feeling ashamed of myself lowers my self-esteem, and the fact that I feel ashamed adds even more to that.

She might even look down on me.

I’ve heard before that a person with no confidence is considered the worst from others’ perspectives.

Did I say too much? I thought to myself.

“…That’s cool.”

Aki whispered those words.

“…Huh?”

“Izumi, I said you’re cool, but I actually think you’re the one who’s amazing… Acknowledging your own flaws and trying to change them is no easy feat. …Yeah. Izumi is incredible.”

“W-well….”

“And you said you didn’t find that method on your own? But Izumi, you’re still a student… It’s totally not embarrassing to rely on those around you.”

I remember Koga also said that before.

To rely more on the adults around me.

Of course, my actual mental age is that of a supremely cool middle-aged man in his forties, but…

“Hehe….”

Still, I’m just a 16-year-old high school girl at the moment, so thinking like this doesn’t seem too bad.

“…T-thank you, Aki.”

“Huh? For what?”

“Um, just because….”

After that, we started facing each other and chatting about random things.

“I think all our members are kind people, and I’m glad.”

“Yeah….”

“Sometimes, Suzuha can be a bit scary, though….”

“I, I think so too….”

Even though it was nothing much, those were definitely pleasant conversations.

“When we meet outside, you must call me Ruka Onee-chan.”

“D-do I have to….”

“Yes. There can’t be any favoritism among peers.”

And before I knew it, my eyes started to slowly close.

“Goodnight, Izumi.”

“Sleep well….”

While I looked at Aki, I quietly tried to sleep.

The tears I had been holding back disappeared, allowing me to smile.

★

Nekoto gazed at the sleeping face of Izumi.

With quiet breathing, Izumi’s chest moved rhythmically, indicating she had fallen into a deep sleep.

“…So cute.”

Nekoto cherished all her second-year peers.

Since they were the ones who casually accepted her personality, which she could never say was good in human relationships.

But among them, her attention was especially drawn to the youngest, currently active high school girl, Izumi.

At first, she honestly thought Izumi would graduate quickly.

Her personality was totally at odds with broadcasting.

But Izumi didn’t give up until the end, and eventually achieved the highest subscriber count among second-year students.

Even though the VTuber industry might not find any meaningful difference after a collapse, it didn’t mean it had no impact at all.

Yet, the fact that Izumi, without a previous life, was sprinting ahead was a big shock to Nekoto.

Certainly, there was jealousy at first, but as she watched Izumi’s broadcasts, those dark emotions vanished, leaving nothing but genuine admiration.

Izumi’s dedication to not giving up, even when hurt, made the fact that she was much younger than herself seem insignificant.

Still, there was an underlying sense of precariousness.

During today’s broadcast, she had shown clear signs of panic when viewers mentioned how her speech sometimes changed.

While the viewers likely found it entertaining, Nekoto, sitting next to her, could see Izumi’s expression clearly.

She saw Izumi sincerely flustered, darting her gaze around.

That’s why she had asked about how Izumi started being a VTuber.

Even if her personality didn’t fit broadcasting, it meant there had to be her own reasons for stepping into this industry.

So, she wanted to tell her not to be swayed too much by the viewers in the chatroom. No, even a lot of people like her, who is notably quirky, means it’s more than okay to uphold her reasons confidently.

Nekoto genuinely wanted to be with Izumi for a long time.

However, she had no idea whether that intention reached Izumi.

In fact, she had been panicking internally when she saw her almost crying in between.

But at the end, when Izumi showed that usual silly smile, she thought, “Well, this is good….”

Even if Izumi wavered, she believed she could help as the older sister, and with how kind everyone else was too, they could support Izumi together.

“Hehe….”

Nekoto quietly chuckled, careful not to wake Izumi, while gently stroking her hair.

In that moment, she felt that looking at such a cute being was a blessing.

“…It should be okay.”

Seeing such a cute face alone felt incredibly wrong.

So, Nekoto took out her phone, muted the sound and flash, and took a photo of Izumi’s sleeping face.

[Aki Nekoto: (Photo)]

[Koga Suzuha: ?! What is this?]

[Utsumi Ayaka: So cute!!!]

[Akabane Yukari: …Did you get permission?]

After posting it in the second-year Miscode server, she fell into a satisfying sleep.

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