Chapter 107: This is totally virtual

The 3D model debut broadcast will, of course, be conducted live.

While there are times when pre-recorded broadcasts are done to ensure quality, the default is always a live

broadcast.

For a VTuber, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It’s only natural that such an important occasion be done live.

And, of course, a broadcast like this couldn’t be held from my usual setup at home. A professional studio was the

only appropriate choice.

“Haahh…”

My heart began pounding wildly with nervousness.

Since I was alone in the waiting room, there was no one around to calm my nerves.

Earlier, I’d tried to relieve my tension by wandering around the studio for a bit. However, seeing more people

bustling about than I’d expected, I quickly returned to the waiting room.

I didn’t come back because I was scared.

I just thought I might be a distraction to those busy staff members. That’s all.

[Kaino Izumi: Save me. I think I’m going to die.]

[Koga Suzuha: It’s understandable that you’re nervous, but there’s nothing you can do about it.]

[Utsumi Ayaka: Stay calm, Izumi! You’ve got this!]

[Akabane Yukari: Don’t put unnecessary pressure on me. My turn is tomorrow.]

I sent a desperate message to the second-generation members’ private chat server, seeking some emotional support.

Out of everyone, only Utsumi offered comforting words.

Koga was cold, Akabane was pragmatic, and Aki hadn’t even responded—probably asleep.

[Natsune Nanase: Good luck on your 3D debut today! I’ll be watching!]

[Kurokami Hikari: I’m sure Izumi will do great!]

[Namikawa Tsubaki: Cheering for you!]

[Amatsuka Hina: Wishing you the best day ever!]

[Yuzuki Linze: Give it your all and have fun. You’ve got this!]

[Minazuki Ichika: Embrace the nerves—they’ll make it more enjoyable!]

It was actually the senior members who were showering me with words of encouragement.

Is this what they call the bond of the second generation…?

No. The second-generation bond is dead…

“Ughhh…”

When my manager suggested inviting a guest to join the broadcast, I declined, thinking it would make me even more nervous.

Now, I regret that decision.

Then again, had I invited someone, I’d probably regret that too.

Yep, I’m really good at evaluating myself objectively.

“Huuuhhh…”

“Excuse me. Izumi, are you inside?”

While I was trying my best to calm myself with deep breaths, someone knocked on the door and called my name.

It was a woman’s voice, one that felt both unfamiliar and oddly familiar at the same time.

“Uh… w-who is it?”

“It’s me, Lenka. Or perhaps, you might recognize me better as Rena?”

“…What?”

If it’s the Lenka I know, that’s the name of StarsFlow’s CEO and general producer.

And if she mentioned the name Rena…

“May I come in, Izumi?”

“Y-yes! P-please, come in!”

As soon as I responded, the door slowly opened, revealing a face that any StarsFlow fan would instantly recognize.

The blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman who entered the room was unmistakably Rena, the half-British CEO of StarsFlow.

“You seemed to bite your tongue just now. Are you alright?”

“Ahh, y-yes! I’m f-fine!”

The moment she entered, Rena tilted her head slightly and looked at me with a gentle concern in her eyes.

Of course, her guess was spot on—I had bitten my tongue. It hurt, but I wasn’t about to admit it.

“There’s no need to be so nervous… Though I suppose saying that won’t help much, will it?”

“Haaa… I-I’m o-okay…”

I tried to form other words, but my brain had completely short-circuited.

All that came out of my mouth was the phrase, “I’m okay.”

But can you blame me?

Even if viewers know her as Rena, to me, she’s still my superior.

She’s the CEO.

Maintaining my composure in front of her? That’s far beyond my current capabilities.

“Uhm… as expected, Izumi, you look more like your father than your mother.”

“…Eh?”

And then, while I was sitting with my head lowered due to nerves, the president casually dropped that bombshell.

“U-um… do you know my parents?”

“Huh? You didn’t know? I thought Sun-Ah would’ve told you…”

My mother had mentioned the president before, but not in this context…

“Ah…”

‘In the first place, if you just read the documents, Mina, you’d barely know that you’re my daughter. Only the

representative would know.’

I clearly remember my mother saying something like that when she encouraged me to apply to Starsflow, but I never

thought it would be an indicator of familiarity.

So, could it be that the president and I have some past connection, like Aunt Shia?

I briefly entertained the thought, but it was quickly dismissed by the president’s next words.

“After Sun-Ah got married, we had a big fight and parted ways. I never thought we’d be working together again,

especially with you, Izumi, being Sun-Ah’s daughter… Fate really is strange.”

“…Ah…”

Instead of a pleasant revelation, I ended up learning an uncomfortable truth — that my mom and the president had

fought in the past.

“Heh… Anyway, I came to check on you for a moment, just in case you’re really tense. It’s perfectly normal to feel

nervous, but they say if you can’t avoid something, you should enjoy it. Since it’s a once-in-a-lifetime moment for a

virtual YouTuber, I hope you enjoy it.”

“Ugh… y-yes…”

“Fighting!”

“Th-thank you…”

With that, the president extended her hand for a handshake and left the waiting room, smiling brightly.

Right. As the president said, I can’t avoid this, and I’ve known that from the start.

So, let’s enjoy it.

All the effort I’ve put in until now will never be in vain.

“Ugh…”

But, um, I really need to use the bathroom…

[【Kaeno Izumi 3D】 Now I can move my whole body! #KaenoIzumi #Starsflow2ndGeneration #KaenoIzumi3D]

=Anima JP¥ 5,000: Our Mei-chan has finally made it this far!

=Maker JP¥ 50,000: Congratulations on your 3D debut!

=Lum JP¥ 3,000: This might be small, but I’m sending my congratulatory gift.

=Blaze KRW₩ 10,000: I’ve been waiting so long for this!

=Lovelzumi US$5.00: I love you, Izumi!!!

Even before the broadcast began, the chat window was already filled with various colored hyperchats.

The tension that I thought I had managed to calm down started creeping back up, but the fact that there were people

out there supporting me made me feel good.

“Would you like to try it on?”

“Ah, yes…”

One of the female staff members approached me and handed me the VR HMD (Head Mounted Display).

“Hoo…”

I took a deep breath, put the HMD on, and my vision changed dramatically.

I was standing on a stage.

Of course, since my avatar model wasn’t up yet, it felt like I was floating in the air, but there was no discomfort while

checking my surroundings.

Bright lights illuminated the place I was standing, and a large display behind me read, “Kaeno Izumi 3D Debut!”

On the side, a flood of chat and hyperchats passed by, and in front of me, blue glow sticks and various fan-made

banners were swaying with cheers.

“Can you see everything clearly? If there’s any dizziness or discomfort, please let me know.”

“Ah, yes. I can see it well. No dizziness… I think… but, uh, is that…?”

“Yes! All of those are people watching Izumi’s broadcast in VR. The glow sticks are models we distributed, but the fan

banners were all prepared by the viewers themselves.”

It’s a well-known fact that internet broadcasts are usually watched on computers.

But for this time, on Starsflow, they said they were going to try out new technology for my 3D debut broadcast, and

this is it.

By using the VR HMD to watch the broadcast, the Starsflow broadcast server connects the viewers’ IPs, and so on…

To put it simply, by using the VR HMD, Izutomos can feel like they’re actually sitting in the audience, watching the

broadcast live.

“A little later, when you put on the earphones, you’ll be able to hear applause as well.”

This is seriously next-level virtual…

“First, you’ll sing the song you’ve prepared, and after that…”

While listening to the staff’s explanation, I kept looking around at the surroundings.

The chat messages continuously scrolling by.

Even though the broadcast hadn’t started yet, there were glow sticks and cheering banners swaying in support for me.

I wondered if Natchan always saw this kind of scene.

Had she always dreamed of such a thing?

Standing in the same place as someone I admire, a wave of tension surged, but more than that, my heart began to

swell with emotion.

[[Kaeno Izumi 3D] Now I can move my whole body! #KaenoIzumi #Starsflow2ndGeneration #KaenoIzumi3D]

Before I knew it, it was just before 8:00 PM.

I had all the equipment on and was just waiting for the broadcast to begin.

“Please get ready, Izumi. Five!”

Only five seconds left.

“Four!”

I can do this.

I’ve really worked hard until today.

“Three!”

And today is, as the president said, the only amazing day in my virtual YouTuber life.

“Two!”

This place is where my idol paved the way ahead of me.

“One!”

So let’s enjoy it. Let’s enjoy it fully, so we don’t regret it.

“Zero! Let’s start!”

I closed my eyes for a moment, calming my breath, replaying those feelings in my mind.

“Hah…”

Then, when I opened my eyes again, the stage, which had been dark for a moment, brightened once more, and the

dazzling lights began to shine on ‘Kaeno Izumi,’ another version of me.

And the intro started playing.

I shouted with all my might, in time with the intro.

“Let’s enjoy today together…!”

The same words Natchan always shouts at the beginning of her live performances.