Chapter 103: Being a hidden talent is a man’s dream.

I had only ever drawn for my own satisfaction.

The only person I used to show my drawings to was my mom.

It wasn’t until the past year that I started sharing my work with others — my sister, Aunt Shia, and the Starple

members. But even then, my drawings were purely for self-satisfaction.

The drawings I did for the cultural festival? I only did those because I had to. They were nothing like my usual style.

So how did someone like me end up becoming 『 』, an illustrator with a cult following?

The answer was absurdly simple.

It happened three years ago, when I was in my first year of middle school.

My sister had already moved out to live on her own, and Mom, who used to travel often for work, was still home

more frequently at the time.

After school, I would always come straight home to enjoy my hobbies alone.

I’d watch anime or read light novels, browse Ontube to find new indie VTubers I might like, have dinner, play games,

and then draw.

It was my routine, a familiar way of spending my days.

Then, one day, out of the blue, Mom called me.

“Min-a, can we talk for a moment?”

“Yes, Mom.”

I was in the middle of drawing fan art of a character from a show I’d been enjoying lately. But, being the obedient

daughter I was, I immediately put my tablet pen down and headed to the living room to sit beside her.

“You called for me?”

“Yes, Min-a. Do you remember when I mentioned that my company is working on a new game? The one you helped

with during the CBT?”

“…Oh. Wasn’t it called Rhapsody of the Shining Sky or something like that?”

“That’s right. You remembered well.”

Mom gave me a small smile before continuing.

“The game is about to be released soon. Since it’s a subculture game, we’re preparing a commemorative illustration

for the launch.”

At her words, I couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of unease.

It’s common practice for subculture games to release special illustrations to mark their launch.

But why was she telling me this?

“Unfortunately, the illustrator who was supposed to handle the release-day artwork got into an accident, so we won’t

be able to receive the piece.”

“Oh no… That’s really bad, isn’t it?”

It might not affect the game’s release itself, but commemorative illustrations are important in subculture circles.

They attract attention from users who’ve already decided to buy the game and can generate significant promotional

effects.

“Yes, it’s quite a big problem. We don’t have time to rearrange schedules with other illustrators, nor do we have

enough time to find someone new.”

Mom’s gaze met mine.

“That’s why, Min-a… could you draw it for us?”

“…Huh?”

My mind went completely blank.

Wait — my drawing? As the launch illustration for Mom’s company’s game?

“You… want to use my art?”

“Yes. It would be much easier and faster to ask you than to scramble for another artist. Of course, we’ll pay you the

standard rate.”

“But I’m not that skilled… And I’m not well-known…”

Launch illustrations are usually done by established artists with some recognition, as they’re used for promotional

purposes.

Wasn’t it strange to entrust something like that to someone like me, who had no presence on social media or in

online communities?

Hearing those words, Mom smiled gently.

“I think Min-a’s drawings are better than those of most professional illustrators. Well, it’s true that you don’t post

your work online, but even considering that, the illustrations you create wouldn’t cause any issues.”

“Hmm, but still…”

“If you really don’t want to, I won’t push you….”

Honestly, I knew that my skills surpassed those of many professionals. But accepting Mom’s request was a different

matter entirely.

My art was purely for my own satisfaction.

I never intended to make a living from it, nor did I want to become famous.

Mom knew that very well, too.

…But for her to ask me this now, even if she said it lightly, it must mean things were quite urgent.

“…Okay.”

“Really?”

“Yes. When do you need it by?”

“Well, next Saturday should be fine…”

“Got it.”

To be fair, the game was fun when I tried the CBT version, and it was the first time Mom had ever asked me for a

favor like this.

No matter how much I avoided fame as an artist, I wasn’t heartless enough to refuse my mother’s request.

Besides, even if I had exceptional skills, an unknown illustrator in the subculture scene would be forgotten quickly,

so there wouldn’t be any problems.

At least, that’s what I believed at the time.

“Min-a, what about your pen name?”

After I finished and submitted the illustration, Mom asked me about the name I wanted to use.

I thought about it for a moment before answering.

“Just leave it blank. It’s fine.”

“Really? I could list you as an employee of the company.”

“No, it’s better not to put anything.”

If I had a pen name or an official affiliation, it could cause complications later.

That’s why I made that choice.

…And besides, it sounded kind of cool.

A hidden master with incredible talent, whose identity remained unknown — that was every guy’s dream.

“Hehehe…”

Then, one day —

“Min-a, remember how your illustration got so popular?”

“…Yeah.”

“So now, they’re asking if you could draw an end card for the upcoming animation. People are really eager for it…”

“Okay…”

By the time Mom asked me for two more favors, I had become an illustrator known by the pen name 『 』.

…012?

Well, to be honest, I didn’t feel bad about it.

Knowing that so many people appreciated my artwork made me happy.

So even when the name 『 』 began circulating online, I agreed to help Mom a couple more times.

Of course, I still had no intention of starting an SNS account or participating in any online communities.

That was a boundary I set for myself — a promise not to pursue anything through my art.

So I was content with being the mysterious illustrator 『 』, occasionally fulfilling requests for Mom.

But when I reached the third year of middle school —

“Kayano, your personality is all wrong.”

I met the worst person in my life.

“Instead of drawing alone every day, wouldn’t it be better to spend time with friends?”

At some point, even drawing stopped being fun.

“Mom, I think the name 『 』 has gotten too famous. I want to stop now.”

[…I’m sorry. I think I put too much pressure on you, Min-a.]

“It’s okay. I’ll see you next week.”

[Alright. Get some rest, and if anything comes up, call me right away.]

“…Okay.”

After that, I stopped drawing entirely until Nat-chan’s debut.

And that was the end of 『 』.

[Drawing Stream] Casual Chatting as Always! #Kainoisumi #StarsFlowy

– So, is Mei-chan really 『 』?

Of course, the day after rumors started swirling that I might be 『 』, my stream was flooded with these kinds of

questions.

Usually, it was taboo for viewers to bring up the streamer’s real identity during a broadcast.

Even though the lines between real and virtual personas had blurred, roleplay was still the core of a VTuber’s

identity.

But given the circumstances, it wasn’t surprising that people were ignoring that taboo.

After all, 『—』

The name “Blank” was associated with an illustrator who had only created a few celebratory illustrations. Since no

private information about them was ever revealed, many agreed that it would be hard to consider this a matter of

“past life” or “real identity.”

More importantly, the fact that I was “Blank” actually fit well with my current RP (roleplay).

“Hmm…”

After discussing it thoroughly with my manager, reporting the situation, and consulting for advice, I decided to use

this to my advantage.

“You know… the thing everyone’s been curious about.”

– Is one of Japan’s seven mysteries finally being solved here…?

“No, no, it’s not that dramatic… Anyway, yeah, I… I’m the famous Blank. The illustrations I made were a way to

repay someone who helped me back when I was in middle school.”

My current RP is that I’m a high schooler enjoying everyday life as the Avatar of Water.

And if I’m currently enjoying high school life, it naturally implies I had a middle school life too.

In other words, this means adding the “setting” that Kaino Izumi was actually a famous illustrator before debuting as a VTuber!

Not that it’s a setting. It’s all true.

In reality, I’m just a socially awkward, introverted girl. But online? I’m a former famous illustrator turned VTuber

with 193,000 subscribers?

It sounds like something straight out of a web novel.

“Well, since it’s out there now, feel free to ask if you’re curious about anything. I’ll answer as best as I can.”

– Why didn’t you ever use the name “Blank” on SNS or in online communities?

“Hmm… I never wanted to be famous for my art or make money from it.”

Though, ironically, I’m making money now through art streams. Life really is unpredictable.

“And besides… doesn’t it sound cool? Someone with immense talent, but no one knows anything else about them — a

hidden master.”

– Yeah, the hidden master part is clearly the main reason.

– This girl may be a high schooler, but she really gets what guys dream about. LOL.

– Suspiciously good at understanding guys’ fantasies for a JK…

“And honestly… I wanted to keep the fact that I’m Blank a secret. That’s why I held off on doing art streams last year.

I figured people would figure it out quickly… but I didn’t expect it to take just two days.”

– Well, you are famous as Blank.

“Hehe… I’d barely finished sketching the outlines, but you all figured it out immediately. Are you too obsessed with

me? Why are you so interested in my info?”

= Maker JP¥10,000: Because we like you! That’s why we’re here watching you.

“Ugh…?”

– She’s embarrassed! So cute!

– Delicious reactions, thank you for the meal!

“…Sh-shut up. And isn’t the name Blank really cool? Doesn’t it sound like someone who’ll never lose, no matter what?”

– What are you, the world’s strongest gamer? LOL.

– More like the world’s strongest illustrator. LOL.

Thankfully, the stream where I revealed I was “Blank” ended successfully.

[Koga Suzuha: I was a huge fan of Blank! Can I get an autograph?]

[Kaino Izumi: I don’t do autographs…]

And that’s how I learned something new again.