NOVEL NEXT Chapter 107
The 3D model debut broadcast, of course, takes place live.
Of course, sometimes it’s conducted as a recorded broadcast to ensure the quality, but fundamentally, it’s a live broadcast.
It’s only a one-time event in a VTuber’s life, so it’s a completely reasonable thing.
And it’s only natural that I couldn’t do such a broadcast in my usual home setting, so going to a professional studio is truly to be expected.
Hooaaah…
The tension made my heart race like crazy.
Since I was obviously alone in the waiting room, there was no one to help calm my mind and body.
In fact, just a little while ago, I wanted to ease my tension and walked around outside to check out the studio, but there were more busy people than I thought, so I quickly returned to the waiting room.
I definitely didn’t run away out of fear.
I just returned because I didn’t want to disturb them by wandering around.
[Izumi Kainoh: Please save me. I feel like I’m going to die.]
[Suzuha Koga: I understand that you’re nervous, but there’s nothing we can do.]
[Ayaka Utsumi: Let’s stay calm, Izumi! You can do it!]
[Yukari Akabane: Tomorrow is my turn, so don’t put pressure on me like that.]
I first asked for help on the second generation group Miscode server, but only Ayaka was really providing comfort.
Suzuha was cold, Yukari was composed, and Aki didn’t even respond—was she sleeping?
[Natsune Nanase: Good luck with today’s 3D debut! I’ll be watching for sure!]
[Hikari Kurokami: I think Izumi-chan will do just fine.]
[Namikawa Tsubaki: I’ll be cheering for you.]
[Amatsuka Hina: I hope today becomes your best day!]
[Rinze Yuzuki: Just do your best and enjoy it! You got this!]
[Ichika Minazuki: If you enjoy the tension, it’ll definitely be more fun.]
Rather, the seniors were cheering me on like crazy.
Is this what it means to have connections as a second-generation member…?
The connection of the second generation is dead…
Uuuu…
When the manager suggested calling a guest, I regretted rejecting it because I thought it would only make me more nervous.
Of course, if I had called a guest, I’d probably regret that too.
After all, I’m a truly amazing person who can view myself objectively.
Huuuuu…
“Is anyone inside, Izumi-chan?”
While I was desperately taking deep breaths to alleviate my tension, someone knocked from outside and called my name.
It was the voice of a woman that felt both unfamiliar and familiar.
“Um, who is it…?”
“Oh, it’s me. Renka. Or maybe you’re more familiar with the name Rena?”
“…Eh?”
If it’s the Renka I know, she’s definitely the representative and chief producer of Star’s Flow.
Especially since she mentioned the name Rena…
“Can I come in, Izumi-chan?”
“Ah, yes…! I-it’s fine…!”
At my answer, the door slowly opened, revealing the very face familiar to Star’s Flow fans.
With her British-Japanese heritage, blonde hair and blue eyes, Rena entered the waiting room.
“Did you just bite your tongue? Are you okay?”
“Ah, th-that’s okay…!”
As soon as she walked into the waiting room, she asked about my well-being with a slightly worried expression.
Of course, it did hurt a bit since I nibbled my tongue, but I couldn’t show it.
“You don’t have to be nervous… but I guess that’s a bit hard to say, right?”
Haaa…. I’m fine…
With her smiling gaze on me, I wanted to say something else, but it seemed my brain short-circuited—only the words “I’m fine” came out of my mouth.
But what can I do?
No matter how familiar she is as Rena, she is still my superior and not just anyone.
Maintaining composure in front of someone like that was impossible at my level right now.
“Well… It seems Izumi-chan resembles your father more than your mother.”
“…Uh?”
And then, with my head bowed in tension, she dropped that bombshell.
“Um, do you know my parents?”
“Oh really? Didn’t you know? I thought Seona would definitely have told you…”
Mom never mentioned anything about the manager…
“Ah…”
‘From the beginning, if she only reads that document, she’ll barely know you’re my daughter. The most she would know is the representative.’
I vaguely recalled her saying that when she encouraged me to apply to Star’s Flow for the first time, but I never thought it was proof of a connection.
Does this mean the manager has some history with me like Aunt Shia does?
I thought about it for a moment, but the next words from the manager made it obvious that it was not the case.
“Years ago, after Seona got married, we had a bad fight and parted ways, so it’s quite odd to be working together again, especially with you, Izumi-chan… Life is indeed strange.”
“Ah…”
Instead, I learned the horrible fact about my mother’s past feud with the manager that I didn’t want to know.
“Anyway… I stopped by to see if you were feeling really nervous. It’s only natural to be nervous, but if you can’t escape it, you might as well enjoy it, right? Since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime wonderful day as a VTuber, I hope you can enjoy it.”
“Uuuuu… Yes…”
“Good luck!”
“Th-thank you…”
With that, the manager extended her hand, shook mine, and left the waiting room with a smile.
…Yeah. Just like the manager said.
I already knew I couldn’t escape this unavoidable situation, right?
So let’s enjoy it.
The effort I’ve put in until today will definitely not be in vain.
Ugggh…
But first, I need to hit the restroom…
★
[【Izumi Kainoh 3D】 Now I can move my whole body! #IzumiKainoh#Star’sFlow2ndGeneration#IzumiKainoh3D]
=Anima JP¥ 5,000: Our Mei-chan has finally made it here!
=Maker JP¥ 50,000: Congratulations on your 3D debut!
=Lum JP¥ 3,000: I might be an enemy, but I’m leaving a congratulatory gift.
=Fireworks KRW₩ 10,000: I’ve been waiting hard until now!
=LoveIzumi US$5.00: I love you, Izumi!!!
Even before the broadcast started, the chatroom was already filled with hyper chats in various colors, as if it were a matter of course.
The tension that I thought had settled was beginning to resurface little by little, but still, it felt good to think that so many people liked me this much.
“Would you like to try it out?”
“Ah, yes…”
One of the female staff approached me and handed me a VR HMD (Head Mounted Display).
Hoo…
Exhaling heavily, I placed the HMD on my head, and my view shifted dramatically.
I was standing on a stage.
Of course, my avatar model wasn’t standing there yet, so it felt like I was floating in mid-air, but checking the surroundings wasn’t uncomfortable at all.
Bright lights illuminated the place I was standing, and on the back LED screen, the message [Izumi Kainoh 3D Debut!] was displayed.
And on the sides, countless chats and hyper chats were scrolling by, and in front of me, blue pen lights and various cheering signs were waving.
“Can you see well? If you feel dizzy or have any issues, please let me know.”
“Ah, yes. I can see well. I don’t feel dizzy or like I’m… oh, but is that…?”
“Yes! They are all viewers watching Izumi-chan’s broadcast in VR. The pen lights are models we distributed, but the cheering signs were all prepared directly by the viewers.”
It’s natural to say, but usually, internet broadcasts are viewed on computers.
However, Star’s Flow announced that they would use new technology for my 3D debut broadcast, and this is what it was.
By using the VR HMD, the Star’s Flow broadcast server links to the viewers’ IPs, and so on…
Simply put, by using the VR HMD, Izutomo can feel as if they are actually sitting in the audience watching the broadcast on stage.
“In a bit, when you put on the earphones, you’ll hear applause, too.”
This is totally sappu virtual!
“Now, the sequence will be: first sing the prepared song as soon as we start, and then…”
As I listened to the staff’s explanation, I kept looking around at the scenery.
The chats that keep scrolling by.
Even before the broadcast had started, the pen lights and cheering signs swaying for me.
Natsune-chan must have always seen such scenery.
Did she always dream of this kind of scene?
Standing in the same place as someone I admire made my tension rise, but more than that, my heart began to swell with emotion.
★
[【Izumi Kainoh 3D】 Now I can move my whole body! #IzumiKainoh#Star’sFlow2ndGeneration#IzumiKainoh3D]
Before I knew it, the time was just before 8 PM.
I wore all the equipment and was waiting for the broadcast to start.
“Please get ready, Izumi-chan. Five!”
And now the remaining time is five seconds.
“Four!”
I can do this.
I’ve been working hard up until today.
“Three!”
And today, as the manager said, it is a wonderful day that will happen only once in my VTuber life.
“Two!”
This path was paved by my idol.
“One!”
So let’s enjoy it. I’ll enjoy it to the fullest without regrets.
“Zero! Here we go!”
Recalling those feelings, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment.
Haaa…
And when I opened my eyes again, the stage that had been dim turned bright again, and the dazzling lights began to shine down on another me, ‘Izumi Kainoh.’
And the interlude began to flow.
I shouted out as loudly as I could to match the interlude.
“Oh, let’s have fun together today…!”
The line that Natsune usually shouts at the start of her live shows.