Volume 1 - CH 3

[Itsuki POV]

“…Ah, you can’t send it because I haven’t met the revenue conditions.”

▼Itsuki_hata: It seems like it’s not possible due to the system. I’m sorry.

“Ah… so you can send tips. It’s fine. It’s the thought that counts.”

So, he’s been doing this without even knowing that.

Looking back, I had exceeded 10,000 subscribers within half a month since my debut, and because I’m part of an agency, I wasn’t really concerned about money.

“I’ve been playing games so much that I don’t even understand it myself.”

But it wasn’t just games. I also participated in events and did many things unrelated to games.

“But I really don’t remember the details. I just remember being busy.”

With that in mind, I open the screen of my Buetube channel.

Itada Itsuki, with a subscriber count of 430,000.

Two months had passed since my last stream.

“Two months fly by when you’re just sleeping and lazing around without playing games.”

Really, if I keep this up, I might end up retiring.

Well, that would be interesting, but it’s not as simple as that.

“I should at least touch Starper…”

But I can’t take that step.

So, to lift my spirits a little, I started watching them, who happened to catch my eye.

“Ah, it’s over, I couldn’t deactivate it in time, hurry back, sister.”

“…I don’t think I want to do that anymore.”

I don’t even know why I’m playing games anymore.

Besides…

Looking at him, I think people like me might be better off just making noise in the corner.

◯

***

[Main POV]

“Brother, is this true?”

“Huh? What is?”

The next day.

As I’m sitting at my desk watching Starper tournament videos alone, Mizusaki, who barged into my room, held out her smartphone and started saying something strange.

“She’s asking if this Itsuki_hata is the real thing.”

“Real or not, the only thing that matters is that they’re the only viewer.”

“…You don’t know about Itada Itsuki, brother?”

“What, is she a celebrity?”

Then Mizusaki switches the screen of her smartphone to show me Itada Itsuki’s Buetube channel.

The avatar on the screen has a cool vibe and distinctive bob-like white hair.

“She’s a Vtuber who’s gained rapid popularity over the last six months. She’s a pro-level Starper player and she never neglects interacting with her viewers, so she’s been very well-received.”

“Huh. She did seem to know a lot.”

“Brother…”

Mizusaki looks half-exasperated at my indifferent response. But while I do stream, I’m quite unfamiliar with the scene.

I used to watch Mocomoco videos and Buetube, but Vtubers and Space streamers have only been in the spotlight for the last three to four years.

By that time, I was fully part of the societal machine, so I had almost completely lost touch with that kind of entertainment.

“But if she was popular, does that mean she’s not anymore?”

“…Yes. She, Itsuki, caused a scandal in Starper.”

Mizusaki talks hesitantly, as if to spare not me, but Itada Itsuki.

“She is the only Emperor holder among Vtubers.”

“Wow, that’s incredibly impressive.”

“And she achieved that mainly through viewer participation, so Itsuki was suddenly in the spotlight and gained 300,000 subscribers in just a few months…”

That would be akin to aiming for Emperor solo.

In other words, it’s a herculean task, and if she managed to achieve it, it’s only natural that she became popular…

“But then there were suspicions that she might have boosted… At first, Itsuki didn’t respond.”

“That makes sense.”

“But after a while, another streamer exposed evidence of boosting, and so…”

Boosting is, simply put, a high-ranking player using a different account to increase someone else’s rating or rank.

However, boosting is primarily a term used for low-rank players. In this case, the term “carry” might be more appropriate…

(If they wanted to burn her, “boosting” would be more convenient.)

Either way, it’s the notion of “you didn’t achieve this with your own skill.”

“So in essence, she had skilled players hidden among the viewers to help her.”

“But… Itsuki’s skill is real.”

“I guess so. So the real question is whether she lied or not, right?”

“That’s… true.”

Mizusaki is a highly regarded prodigy, but she tends to lose her cool when it comes to things she likes.

So I coughed to interrupt her and then said…

“If it’s a lie, the backlash was unavoidable. As a result, she apologized and suspended her activities.”

“Yes. However, while the original suspension period was supposed to be one month, there has been no news from her even after two months — that’s why I was surprised that you were watching her stream.”

“I see. Well, there’s no guarantee that it’s the real deal.”

It wouldn’t be surprising if someone posed as a Vtuber to tease unknown streamers. It would be pathetic if, after causing a fuss, it turned out to be a fake.

That said, it seems like a poor choice to impersonate the real thing…

“Sigh… I wonder if Itsuki-san isn’t going to play games anymore.”

“Who knows. She might be playing in private.”

“I was truly saved thanks to games. I believe they have the power to provide such happiness. So, I just hope that Itsuki-san doesn’t come to hate them…”

“Mizusaki–”

“Oh, of course, the most important thing was having you by my side.”

While saying this, I look at Mizusaki, who seems somewhat absent-minded, and ponder.

(At first glance, it seems like a self-inflicted situation, but is it really?)

Mizusaki is a kind-hearted girl, but she rarely defends someone with obvious faults.

In other words, she doesn’t think this backlash was entirely Itsuki’s fault.

(And moreover…)

If Itsuki_hata is the real Itsuki Hatada, she likely hasn’t lost her desire to play games.

With the right trigger, that could change…

“Okay… I understand. Although I might refuse again, I’ll try.”

After ending the call with my manager, I turn on my computer and open Space.

“Everyone is amazing…”

There, lined up in rows, are the streams of famous streamers.

Among them, it’s natural to see the figures of my colleagues from the same agency.

“I didn’t feel like watching before, but if they’re people I don’t interact with…”

Thinking this, I move my cursor to click on a random streamer.

But then…

“Gissy has started streaming.”

“Ah.”

Noticing a pop-up at the last second, I naturally move my mouse and click on the notification.

Before I know it, I’m watching Gissy’s stream, waiting for the game to start, feeling somewhat relieved.

“If the team is good… maybe I could aim for gold.”

“Ah, um, Misaku, can you hear me?”

“Yes, brother, I have no problems.”

“Oh, your sister is here today too. Maybe then–”

“Alright, let’s get started with a viewer participation Starpe.”

“Go… Eh!?”