Chapter 17: Vtubers are Otaku’s. Isn’t that common sense?

[Now, finally, it’s Izumi’s turn!]

For some reason, M-chan’s voice seemed a bit shaky.

Hey, hey, do you think I’m going to mess up or something?

Don’t worry, M-chan!

Who am I?

The Izumi Kaino who Akki approved of as mature if she stayed quiet, who Akabane thought of as a mentor, and who Utsumi wanted as a daughter…

Most importantly, the Izumi Kaino that Koga wanted to be friends with from the first impression!

There’s no way I’d make a mistake on something like this, right?

“I-I wrote it down like this.”

「Akki: Cute / Akabane: Cool / Utsumi: Pretty / Koga: Kind」

[Haam….]

[Oh, um.]

[Hmm.]

[Thanks, Izumi!]

Huh? I definitely wrote all nice things, but somehow, except for Utsumi, the reactions don’t seem great? Especially Koga, who seems… upset?

-ㅋㅋ Everyone else used first names, but Mei-chan used last names.

-But for an introvert with communication problems, calling people by name is super hard…

-But isn’t Mei-chan a (self-proclaimed) ultra extrovert atmosphere maker JK (self-proclaimed)?

“Don’t put the word ‘self-proclaimed’ twice!”

I see. I tried to show that everyone was close by using first names, but I messed up by using last names with honorifics alone.

The path to being popular is long and hard.

[Well, there might still be some awkward parts.]

[Like I said earlier, talking Izumi is… cute.]

[Izumi, it’s an honor that you called me pretty!]

It seems like everyone’s somewhat accepting…?

[Hmm.]

Nope. For some reason, Koga still seemed unsatisfied, letting out low sighs.

W-What exactly did I do wrong?

[Haaam….]

[…Shall we go?]

[Izumi, you seem to know quite a bit about me.]

[Izumi, why did you think I was pretty?]

[Stop it, Ayaka.]

I heard it.

Everyone was busy talking over each other, so no one else seemed to notice, but I clearly heard it.

Koga said, ‘Well, let’s just move on for now.’

What exactly was wrong with what I wrote as my first impression?

・No idea.

If I were sharp enough to know things like this, I wouldn’t be an introvert with communication issues.

So, I’ll just move on too!

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my total of 40 years of life, it’s that holding onto unresolved problems is one of the dumbest things you can do.

For example, no matter how hard I try to stop being an introvert, it’s just not happening…

[So? Why did you think I was pretty?]

[You’re not giving up, huh.]

Anyway, I should at least answer Utsumi’s question.

“Well, Utsumi, it’s because, um, your chest is so, so big….”

[・・・ Huh?]

-?

-What was that sudden outburst?

“Huh?”

What? Saying her chest is big is a compliment, right? It means she’s attractive, doesn’t it?

Oh, I didn’t explain that part well.

“Because your chest is big, there’s a s-sexy vibe, so you’re, uh, pretty.”

-She’s pretty because her chest is big and gives off a sexy vibe <<< What kind of logic is that?

-Sounds like a creepy old man.

-Her favorite animes are totally aimed at men anyway.

-Is this Izumi setting things up for Aya?

Stop the $exual harassment!

“Why? Why? B-big boobs are everyone’s dream, aren’t they?”

It’s really unfortunate, but I don’t have big boobs.

Well, to be exact, my chest is quite big, but calling them huge would be a bit of a stretch.

And that was more than enough to leave the man inside me feeling disappointed.

After all, in TS (gender swap) genres, big-breasted beautiful girls are the norm, right?

I’m totally satisfied with becoming a super cute girl, but my chest feels 2% lacking—like, it would be nice if it were just a bit bigger. That’s the kind of thought I end up having.

Of course, having lived as a girl for 16 years, I know.

You know, big boobs?

For women, especially for me, they’re completely useless.

Even without having huge ones, they’re already heavy, sweat accumulates, and it’s hard to exercise.

They’re just a tool to boost self-esteem, and for someone like me, who even has trashy self-esteem, they’re utterly useless.

If it were my past self, I’d say, “Sweat in the cleavage of a beautiful girl? That’s a total reward!”

…But unfortunately, I’m not narcissistic enough to love myself that much.

However!

Even so, as someone who still has a man’s sensibilities, I can’t completely give up the dream that big boobs represent.

Utsumi appeared before me as the savior of my desires.

Hmm. It’s hard to explain.

I’m starting to doubt whether Mei-chan is really a current high schooler.
The logic flow makes no sense, lol.
Could it be that Mei-chan is actually a guy in his 40s?
(0_0)/
Wild speculations started popping up in the chat.

Don’t panic; let’s explain slowly.

“B-Big boobs and being sexy means having high ‘woman power,’ right?”

-?

-I think that’s a bit different from the ‘woman power’ I know.

“So, having high ‘woman power’ means you’re incredibly p-pretty….”

[Okay, let’s stop there! I believe you all get what Izumi wanted to say! Right, Ayaka?]

[Uh, yeah! Thanks, Izumi!]

Why?

I just wanted to say that having big and sexy boobs is a special charm only a real woman can have, and that’s why Utsumi is incredibly attractive in that aspect.

They say compliments can even make whales dance—turns out that’s a complete lie.

I think I understand today why Mei-chan is a social outcast with communication issues.
Never seen someone so talentless at giving compliments.
Who knew you needed talent to give compliments…?
Ah, maybe I should’ve just said directly that I wanted to touch them?

No, no matter what, that’s definitely not it.

Or maybe…

[Alright, let’s move on to the next topic!]

While I was agonizing, Mei-chan naturally moved on to the next subject.

Are you scared of my sincerity, StarsFlow…!

After that, the collaboration continued with me leaving behind many firestorm-worthy comments.

For instance, when ‘StarsFlow’ came up as a topic, I wrote ‘Demon?’ and the chat exploded.

Mei-chan and the others just gave awkward laughs without saying anything.

It was my ultimate killer joke, but the world still couldn’t keep up with my level.

[Looks like it’s time to wrap up.]

[Hmm. It’s already been over an hour.]

[I was having so much fun, I didn’t even notice time passing!]

[I’m sleepy…]

[I hope we can do something like this again.]

“I-I think so too.”

-Lol, it’s so obvious you’re lying.

-Mei-chan, it’s okay not to push yourself.

-It’s funny hearing that from someone who asked if it was okay to skip the collab, lol.

-I think so too (Please don’t ever set up something like this again.)

“S-Shut up!”

If we could end this nicely, that’d be the best, but why do you guys keep trying to make my life difficult?

There seem to be a lot of sadists among my Izutomo fans…

Still, I’m grateful they’re paying attention to me.

[Okay, before we end the broadcast, let’s call in the final special guest!]

[What?]

[This is the first I’m hearing about this.]

[I’m sleepy…]

“At the last moment, suddenly?”

Everyone, including me, showed confusion at Mei-chan’s sudden announcement.

No wonder, since we hadn’t heard anything about inviting someone else.

[C-Could it be Rena?]

[Hoho.]

[That does seem possible.]

-Wow.

-Is it really happening?

And everyone nodded in agreement at Utsumi’s suggestion.

Rena.

Not the ‘real’ founding member before Natchan, but…

The nickname of Aikawa Renka, the CEO and general producer of StarsFlow.

As a beautiful female CEO, she boasts quite a bit of popularity and often makes appearances during StarsFlow’s official activities.

Even her personality, close to a natural airhead, means she always creates memorable moments whenever she’s on air, making her one of the most anticipated appearances on StarsFlow’s official broadcasts.

And today’s broadcast is a collaboration celebrating the monetization of all second-generation members.

Just like Utsumi said, there was a high chance that Rena would show up.

[Hehehe. Then, please welcome today’s special guest for the group collab!]

[Yay~!]

Oh.

This voice…

[Hello, this is Natsune Nanase, coming from the stars of your shining dreams!]

Is it really her?

[Everyone, Konhoshi!]

-Nacchan!
-Konhoshi~

When I looked at the broadcast screen, her avatar was there.

Her platinum blonde hair, tied back, stood out even more in this hot weather, giving off a refreshing vibe.

Her slightly deeper amber-colored eyes exuded a dreamy atmosphere, drawing attention.

Contrasting with that atmosphere, her bright, sun-like smile radiated energy, making anyone smile just by looking at her.

She was wearing the ‘Starlit Night’ outfit, released at her birthday live on June 30 at 9:30 PM—a black-based costume with platinum blonde accents around the shoulders, matching her iconic hair.

[Today’s a special day because all my juniors, the second-gen members, have passed monetization, so I was asked to make a special appearance!]

[Thank you, Natsune-senpai!]

[Ah, just call me Nanase!]

[Th-then, please call me S-Suzuha…]

[Alright. Nice to meet you, Suzuha!]

My favorite. My idol. My inspiration. My hero.

Natsune Nanase was right there.

[Izumi!]

“Y-Yes? Uh, y-yeah?”

And the fact that Nacchan was talking directly to me made me so happy.

[I’m so glad you tell everyone you’re the eighth star every time you stream. Thank you so much!]

-Mei-chan is about to have a heart attack right now.
-You can tell just from the sound of her breathing, lol.

“A-Ah, um, t-that… uh…”

Are you crying, Mei-chan?

-…
-Her voice sounds kind of emotional…
-Tearful Mei-chan is cute (⊃_C).

[Izumi, you’re going to be an amazing VTuber loved by everyone. You and I are similar, after all.]

-?
-(Self-proclaimed) social butterfly Mei-chan, similar to Nacchan…?
-This doesn’t seem accurate.

[It’s true! You’ll all be surprised later!]

Nacchan acknowledging me made me so happy.

“W-Wait a moment. Um, I’m, uh… having a nosebleed…”

Tears weren’t the only thing that flowed; I had a nosebleed too…

[Eh?]

-?
-lolololololol
-No way lolol
-How odd. It was definitely a good atmosphere…

A VTuber who gets a nosebleed mid-broadcast.

The world just keeps picking on me…