CH 102

Chapter 102. [The Kid Who Changes The World]

<IIIIROH-SAMAaaaaaa!?>

As soon as the call connected, she shouted those words, supposed to be our first conversation.

She is from Ukraine but lives in Japan. A real middle school student? A bilingual VTuber.

<Wow?! I was surprised!>

<Eh, ahh… I’m sorry!>

I got thrown off guard when she suddenly called me with “-sama” attached to my name.

I can’t let my oshi (favorite) apologize. I have to express my love!

<No, no, don’t worry about it. I’m a huge fan of yours, Ilyena-san. Your broadcasts that make Ukraine and Japan easy to understand are always helpful and informative.>

<No, no, no, it’s me who is your huge fan of, Iroha-san. I watch your broadcasts without fail, and other people always get relied on you. Your linguistic skills are amazing, and, above all, you’re adorable.>

<No, no, no…>

<Likewise, likewise…>

It feels like we’re in a matchmaking meeting.

And then, I snapped back to reality with a “Ha!”

Oh no, I let my otaku side slip out in my joy of talking to my oshi.

I was speaking incredibly fast.

Huh? Does she, Ilyena, have the same reaction?

If that’s the case, it’s a great honor for a VTuber.

<Um, by the way, Iroha-sama. I wanted to ask, now that you reached out like this, does that mean you finally realized?>

<N?>

<There’s no point in hiding it. Yes, it’s me!>

<Ah, nice to meet you. I’m the Translator Girl Iroha.>

<EEEEhhhhhh?!?!? No wayyy!? You didn’t realize it at alllll!>

<Huh?>

<N-no, I mean… Umm, Iroha-sama, did you notice anything?>

<…? Come to think of it, it’s a little embarrassing to be called ‘-sama’ from the first meeting. I would appreciate it if you could use my name without honorifics.>

<Not that!? L-look, my voice, and stuff! Do you have any thoughts about it?>

<Um…>

<Is that so?! Uuuhh, I thought my efforts had finally paid off since you previously said VTubers were your type. I thought it was finally happening.>

<Ah, but… I think your voice is incredibly lovely and cute! I love it!>

<I love you—I love you—I love you too! Kyaaahhhh~! U-um… I also really, really love you, Iroha-sama!>

<Really?! Yaaay! I’m so happy too!>

Both of us rejoiced together.

Ahaha, what a wonderful moment… Oops, not a moment, but Ilyena shouted, “It’s not just that!”.

<I-I’m sorry…>

<Ah, no! Please don’t worry about it! It’s my problem, so please don’t mind it! Yes, I know, I know. That’s fine. It’s alright. Because I adore you, Iroha-sama!>

<Sigh…>

<Also, I would be happy if you could speak casually with me and drop the formal language. I’m more accustomed to that.>

<Is that so? Okay. Then I’ll use casual language with you, Ilyena-chan.>

<No, that’s not it.>

<Eh!?>

<I have my pride that I can’t give up!>

<I-Is that so?>

While talking to Ilyena, I had a thought.

I get thrown off when I’m talking to her!

For some reason, it’s really hard to gauge the distance between us!

Perhaps it’s because she’s a VTuber, with a unique sensibility.

However, she’s also one of my favorite VTubers, and I find that endearing, quirks included.

And if that’s what she wants, then there’s no choice.

I’ll meet her expectations and casually talk to her, even if it’s one-sided.

<But, Iroha-sama, if that’s the case. Why did you contact me? Your channel has over a thousand times more subscribers than mine. Honestly, it feels completely imbalanced.>

<Ah, well…>

I explained the situation and told her I wanted her help with information dissemination.

Her response was…

<Of course, I’d be happy to! That’s what I want to say, but…>

<Guess it’s a no after all, huh?>

<N-No! It’s not like that!>

<N?>

I thought she was rejecting me again and was about to give up, but she denied it.

So, what is she going to say?

<On the one hand, I don’t object to cooperating. However, my subscriber count is much smaller compared to yours, Irohasama, and I don’t think my content will have a significant impact. It won’t achieve the kind of effect you’re hoping for.>

<That’s…>

Now that she mentioned it, it was entirely true.

Even a thousand subscribers, which is one-thousandth of mine, is a considerable number when viewed in isolation.

But my perspective gets distorted because I usually watch popular corporate VTubers.

However, when considering my and Angu Ogu’s goals…

It seems I had cornered myself quite a bit.

I lacked sound judgment.

<Yeah, you’re right. No, it’s okay. But just having you collaborate with me is reassuring.>

<Is that so? I’m sorry for not being capable enough.>

<That’s not…>

However, the negation that came out of my mouth was quite shallow.

Silence fell between us.

It was Ilyena who broke the silence.

<Um, um! Can I make a suggestion?>

<A suggestion?>

<Yes. My channel doesn’t have a large number of viewers. However, I have firsthand experience in Ukraine. So instead of individually disseminating information…>

As if she had made up her mind, Ilyena said,

<C-Can we collabs?!>