NOVEL NEXT Chapter 326
“Please… let me go back to that time…”
“Haha… just hang in there for today, Izumi.”
Finally, today has come.
The day I appear on N○K’s broadcast for an interview.
Why on earth did the world not end yesterday?
I couldn’t understand.
At least, is it a relief that I didn’t have to go to N○K directly?
In fact, they initially requested me to come to the station, but knowing my personality, the manager, M-chan, and the other staff somehow blocked that.
Yeah. If I had to go to the station directly, I would have been 100% sick today.
Anyway, where I am right now is the Star’s Flow studio, which I usually go to when there are business matters.
There were way more staff around than usual, so it was clear how important this matter was.
“Please use this HMD when we start filming.”
“Ah, yes…”
“This HMD is connected to a camera at the station, so it will feel like you’re filming in a real studio. Also, holograms will be streamed from there, so keep in mind that everything you do will be visible.”
“Yes…”
The glasses-shaped HMD handed to me by M-chan.
I used it during the last live as well, but it really just feels like wearing regular glasses.
But the fact that just by inputting my physical and 3D model information, full tracking can be achieved is terrifying technology…
“I heard the filming will take about 2 hours.”
…Huh? 2 hours?
“R-really?”
“Yes.”
According to the information I researched, the program I was appearing on is one where the MC interviews someone involved in a recent trending issue.
The broadcasting time should be 30 minutes…
So, I need to invest 2 hours for a 30-minute segment?
“Um… can I go back home?”
“There’s no way that’s happening! Enough with the jokes, let’s start preparing.”
“Okay…”
Did M-chan just take my words as a joke?
I was serious.
I want to go home right now and pretend nothing happened and just stream with the Izutomo…
“Then I’ll connect you!”
As those words were spoken, my view shifted dramatically.
The studio scenery and staff that I had just seen vanished in an instant, replaced by an entirely unfamiliar setting.
It looked like a studio for broadcast filming, even though it was my first time seeing it.
And on either side of me were the manager and Shiori, the MC of the show I would be appearing on.
[Ah, it’s nice to meet you for the first time!]
Shiori, who is the MC of the program I’m in, stood up and approached me, and I almost instinctively ran away.
Is it because she’s a real “active idol” and not a virtual idol like me? The popularity aura around her is just overwhelming…!
As a born introvert, it’s just too much for me…!
[Currently active in ‘Try X,’ I’m Shiori! I look forward to working with you today!]
“Uh, yes… Nice to meet you…”
Calm down. Let’s breathe.
Today is not my personal stream. This is a matter brought in by the company.
And this is a stepping stone for Star’s Flow to grow even further… as M-chan said, right?
If I mess up here, it’ll be the end.
…Thinking like that only makes me more anxious?!
“Ugh. Um…”
As I flustered around on my own, Shiori suddenly burst into giggles.
[I can’t believe I’m seeing Mei-chan like this! It’s such an honor!]
“…Huh?”
Did she just call me Mei-chan…?
[Hehe… You don’t need to be too nervous, Izumi. I had a little chat with Shiori earlier, and she’s a fan of Star’s Flow.]
[Yes! I’m a fan of Hinami! This special has actually been arranged because I asked for it! I wanted to bring all three of Hinami, but… it just wasn’t possible, so I could only bring Mei-chan.]
“Ah, I see…”
[Do you know about our Try X?]
“Um, um, I’m so sorry…”
She’s a fan of Hinami, but I don’t even know who Shiori is at all.
Yeah. Let’s apologize with death. I’m sorry for being such a loser. From now on, I’ll stay in my room until I memorize everyone’s names in the world. That’s probably the least I can do to atone…
[N-no! You don’t need to apologize at all?! Our group has only recently started to gain recognition, and if I must say, Mei-chan and Natsune are way more famous than me right now! …Well, someday our Try X will win, though.]
“Ah. Okay. But don’t you think that virtual idols like me are a bit… unusual in your eyes, Shiori?”
[Huh?]
It’s not that VTubers are inferior when compared to idols.
We’re also definitely active as idols.
But still, I can’t help but wonder.
As a competitor, how does someone like Shiori see us, who are hard to consider competitors?
[I don’t think so at all? I don’t see any reason to consider us unusual. Without fans, it means nothing. Standing on stage is the same. Dance training, vocal lessons are all the same too, right? There are differences, but I see Hinami… No, all of Star’s Flow as competitors. So I’ll truly support and do my best to win.]
…Ah.
Shiori is similar to Natsune.
Someone who always gives their all for their dreams.
That’s why they can shine so brightly in front…
Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m going to feel small.
No matter how much Shiori shines, Natsune is still way cooler.
And just like she said, a lot of Izutomo love me.
No matter what anyone says, I’ll never fall behind as an ‘idol’…
[So, can we meet later? I really wanted to get closer to Mei-chan! I cried so much watching your comeback live… Please! Let’s go on a date!]
“I-I’m so sorry for being foolish…!”
[Huh?]
It’s impossible for someone with such a popularity aura!
★
[“Shiori’s Challenge! N○K X!” Today’s guest is virtual idol Izumi Kainoh and her production representative, Aikawa Lenka from Star’s Flow. We appreciate your help!]
[Yes, I look forward to it.]
“Okay, let’s proceed…”
The filming has finally started.
First, we introduced ourselves briefly, and Shiori began to explain my recent situation simply.
[You’ve been a hot topic on YouTube lately, right? The re-debut of virtual idol Izumi Kainoh, who graduated from Star’s Flow three years ago!]
As soon as the broadcast started, Shiori referred to me as Izumi rather than Mei-chan, showing her professionalism.
But perhaps because she knows I’m a fan of Hinami, I wish she’d just call me Mei-chan…
[Especially recently, there’s been a lot of chatter from overseas. The view count of translated YouTube clips overseas is a whopping 4.25 million!]
“…Huh?”
Really? 4.25 million?
You’re kidding, right?
Looking at the other monitor through the HMD felt a bit different, but that’s not the important part.
The view count clearly stated 4.25 million on the screen.
[No one probably expected it would become this big of a deal.]
[That’s right. To be honest, this was something of a gamble for the company.]
“I-I’m so sorry…”
[No, even if the gamble fails, our Star’s Flow has always wished to be able to work with Izumi again.]
The manager said that with a smile.
…I want to bury my bones with Star’s Flow.
[And even after the live ended, within just a day, the subscriber count increased by 400,000! Izumi, you’ve set a new legend on YouTube! According to the data we’ve collected, what do the Izutomo think is your charm?]
“…Huh?”
As those words were spoken, another data screen popped up.
[What Izutomo think is the charm of Izumi]
[1st: Incredibly cute! 59%]
[2nd: A personality that makes you want to tease 25%]
[3rd: Unpredictable broadcast flow 10%]
[4th: Gaming skills 5%]
[5th: Other 1%]
“W-wait a minute?!”
With those praises laid bare, my face grew hot, and I immediately covered it with my hands.
At that moment, for some reason, the manager and Shiori began to giggle joyfully.
[Anyone who doesn’t know Izumi could tell right away what this means upon seeing this.]
[Right? I watch Izumi’s broadcasts often because of that.]
[The reaction is so good that it makes me want to tease her, I get it.]
Stop!
Please stop with the comments adding fuel to this public humiliation!
[Anyway, Izumi, who receives so much love from her Izutomo. The subscriber count has already surpassed 1.3 million! But even Izumi, with 1.3 million subscribers, wasn’t skilled at broadcasting from the beginning, right?]
[…Well, you can’t really say I’m skilled at broadcasting even now.]
“Manager?!”
[Especially during her debut…]
With my scream, the manager and Shiori continued the broadcast naturally.
And what appeared on the screen was…
[H-Hello everyone. M-my name is Izumi Kainoh.]
[That’s not what I meant! You probably figured out the nonsense roleplay from the start, but I’ve never had a single friend in my entire life! I-I mean, when talking, I can’t make eye contact, I stutter, and I have no social skills… so of course…]
[Yeah, right! Especially during the last episode’s battle scene, you could really feel Satoru uncle’s desperate sincerity—it was so moving. Not to mention the emotional dialogue with the heroine that outshone the manga… I watch it at least once a week. If anyone hasn’t seen this…]
[…Aaaahhh! This bastard was using a different character!!!]
It was footage from right after my debut.
“AAAHHHH?! Stop! Just stop!!!”
Despite my desperate cries, the footage didn’t halt.
Instead, it showcased various recordings of my early broadcast atmosphere as if it was entertainment.
I mean, how is any of this related to being an idol… seriously…
Looking in the mirror, my face was probably already beet red.
“H-Haa…”
No matter how you look at this, it’s not an interview; it’s a history of humiliation…
[Izumi, who was clumsy back then, is now certainly one of the proud idols of Star’s Flow!]
[That’s right. I’m always proud, thankful.]
[It’s good to hear the manager say that, Izumi.]
“…”
[Oh? Izumi? Why aren’t you responding?]
[Hmm. I think she might have died inside.]
[Huh?]
[Don’t worry. Sometimes if Izumi gets too shy, she completely checks out…]
[Ah, I guess the manager is familiar with that?]
[Yes. She should recover in about 10 minutes.]
Yep. I’m done here…
It’s been really fun, everyone…