CH 65

Chapter 65. [Behind The 3D Scenes And Money Talk]

“Wow. So the 3D unveiling was a great success?”

Today, Mai came over to my house.

While Mai took my uniform off and said, “If you just lie down, you’ll get wrinkled~”. I was lying on my bed.

“Oh yeah. We were trending at number one, and screenshots of the three of us swept the Twitter timeline. We also started selling merchandise for the first time, and it’s selling well.

“That’s great, that’s great!”

The only thing I was tired of was the autographs.

I worked on it while watching the VTuber’s streaming video, but I still thought I’ll get tendonitis.

I had no idea I would penetrate the healing effect of watching my oshi.

How horrible!

“By the way, Iroha-chan, how was your birthday cake~?”

“Yes, it was delicious! I’m sure Mai was in on the surprise too!”

“Heh heh heh, did you find out? Onee-chan’s manager called me at home and asked about Iroha-chan’s preferences and allergies.

“Heh. Why did she call Mai? Why don’t Ah-nee ask me directly?

“Because Mai’s onee-chan would give me the slip. I heard she found out about the surprise right before she gave it to Mai. I heard that she found out about the surprise right before she gave it to you, during the song.”

“So that’s how it is! No wonder I didn’t notice it.”

Everyone, including the manager, know Ah-nee very well.

She’s such a bad actor even while watching the script.

That’s why I was taken by surprise.

And I had my doubts. I had also wondered if Ah-nee could hide things so well.

“But in the middle of a song? I see.”

The truth is, the entire 3D unveiling was not a real-time live streaming.

Some of the video, including the singing portion, was prerecorded.

During this time, the audience is rehydrating, and checking on the event’s progress.

Perhaps that’s how they shared the information.

“I was desperate at the time, you know.”

I was completely giddy during my first 3D stream.

I didn’t have time to pay attention to what was going on around me.

I think it was a great decision to pre-shoot the singing part.

I’m a terrible singer and dancer.

This time there was not a particularly intense choreography, but even so, I had my hands full.

Besides, singing and dancing are prone to equipment problems.

Once, at a local event organized by a major agency, we almost had to cancel the event and refund the tickets due to an equipment failure just before the event was to start.

That’s a reasonable risk hedge.

And it is not all disadvantages.

It’s possible to specify detailed camera angles, add effects, lyrics, and other production elements, adjust the volume, and modify bone fractures.

While the pre-shoots lose the live feel, they can still deliver high quality.

It’s a win/win in this area.

As for myself, of course, I love them both.

I think “both” is a strange expression, to begin with.

They are both enjoyable in their ways.

I also hear some people singing and dancing in the background while the video is playing.

They do this to keep their spirits up. If I were to copy them, I’m sure I wouldn’t have the stamina for it.

“But to be honest, Mai was surprised that Iroha-chan agreed to borrow equipment from Ah-nee’s office.

“Heeh? “Why?”

“Because, if you go to the office, there is a possibility that you might accidentally run into other VTubers there, right?”

“Don’t worry about that. The staff took care of that.”

When I moved down the hallway, I was surrounded by staff in front and behind me, and I was told, “The performer is on her way.”.

I was surrounded by staff in front of and behind me as I moved through the hallway, and they told me to wait a little longer.

I was so afraid that the VTubers would accidentally run into each other.

It is not unusual for VTubers to do this when collaborating with other VTubers.

When I was visiting the office for a recording session. I was told that the other performers were on the move, so I had to stand by.

Many VTubers do not want to be seen or meet other people.

It seems that not wanting to be seen is a rare case, though.

“Wow, so that’s how it is. But it was good 3D. Will you do it again?”

“No, I don’t have any plans. If I had to say, it would be for ‘My first anniversary’. It’s about two months away, and I’ll have to rent a studio by myself. I wonder if I should get my 3D equipment at home.”

“Wow, that sounds amazing!”

“Yes, it does. I can never have enough money.”

I just paid for a 3D model the other day.

I also bought a new smartphone with the latest model, better tracking accuracy, and some new equipments.

Then there’s the cost of creating the logo, materials, music, and merchandise for this 3D delivery.

It’s strange. I feel like I’m spending more money than I’m making.

“I thought I was out of money, but I’m not.”

This is a great opportunity.

Let’s talk a little more deeply about the earnings VTubers get.