NOVEL WEB Chapter 31 - Please, I Beg You
[Could you introduce yourself if it’s alright?]
[I’d like to get to know you all.]
Laura’s voice flowed out from the Discord call.
Sora, who had been momentarily lost in thought, shook her head to snap out of it.
‘No, it’s not decided yet that I’m just a secondary figure.
It was undeniable that Aurora was an incredible person. But haven’t they always said, ‘Crisis is an opportunity’?
Aurora’s debut stream would surely have a massive impact.
Let’s think positively. Becoming one of Aurora’s peers meant that I could share in that impact.’
“I’ll introduce myself first. My name is Sora. Ayanokouji Sora.”
[That’s a bit of a difficult name. Can I call you Sora?]
“That’s too formal~. We’re peers now, so let’s speak more casually!”
Sora tried to speak in the most laid-back tone she could.
Though she wasn’t thrilled with Aurora’s presence, she decided to welcome her, since they had ended up as peers. There was no need to start off in a hostile relationship.
[Then, I’ll accept your kindness. So, what’s your VTuber setting?]
“Haha… That’s a bit blunt. You shouldn’t just ask that outright.”
[Oh, is that so?]
[Ah, that’s because… if you use the word ‘setting,’ it could break the immersion for the viewers…]
[Oh, I’m Inagika. Pleased to meet you…]
[Ah, I see. I’m not very familiar with VTubers. I’ll be more careful from now on.]
‘She’s a total parachute.’
Sora frowned unconsciously as she listened to the conversation. How could someone about to become a VTuber not know even these basics?
There was no doubt that she had been brought in through some other method, not an audition.
They probably scouted her just for the attention she could bring. Being Rion’s cousin, her appearance on Anna’s stream, and her exceptional gaming skills.
The ‘higher-ups’ probably thought she’d be fine. And, to be fair, Anna’s stream was somewhat entertaining.
But being a guest is one thing.
Becoming a VTuber and leading your own streams was a completely different story.
“I’m a wandering bard.”
[I’m an elf… who has lived in the forest of elves.]
[Fortune teller.]
“I am the villainous noblewoman who was exiled from the Ducal family.”
[It seems like we all have similar vibes.]
“Well, we are the 6th generation. Having a similar atmosphere was intentional.”
It was to give a sense of unity and also to foster solidarity among peers.
On top of that, peers often participated in various events together. There were also times when they performed on stage together, and in those cases, it was easier to coordinate outfits if the settings were similar.
‘She really doesn’t know much about VTubers, huh?’
It wasn’t a pleasant feeling. They had gone through the arduous process of auditions to get here, so seeing someone who lacked preparation wasn’t exactly welcome.
But on the other hand, it was an opportunity.
Inagika was timid. Chel lacked presence. Aurora didn’t know much about VTubers.
That meant there was no one but herself who could lead the 6th generation, Sora thought.
No matter how flashy a character might be, it would only give them a momentary burst of popularity.
Steadfastness was what truly mattered.
If she showed herself leading Laura and the others as the 6th generation’s leader, in time, she’d become more popular than Aurora.
Definitely.
***
They say that a fellow peer cannot prevent a VTuber from retiring.
No matter how close you are, a VTuber who intends to retire will retire—whether it’s due to health reasons or something else.
However, they say that having peers can give you a reason to keep going.
A VTuber with a million subscribers once got asked by another streamer, “What kind of experience would make you retire?”
That million-subscriber VTuber replied, “If all my peers retire, I might just quit too.”
Apparently, this VTuber was particularly close to their peers. They would spend time on Discord calls with their friends when not streaming.
There’s another story too. One day, a group of four VTubers debuted together.
But one of them got expelled for falsifying information on their contract, and another got fired for smoking on stream.
That left only two, A and B. Then, one day, B retired due to health issues.
Seeing B retire, A was so shocked that they also quit soon after, or so Inagika said.
Whether or not these stories are true, I don’t really know.
But I do understand that peers can act as a kind of support.
‘Not that it has anything to do with me.’
I, who am a perfect noblewoman, have a perfect mentality as well.
My peers might lean on me, but I wouldn’t need to lean on them. After all, I’m perfect.
‘It doesn’t resonate with me at all.’
I now had three peers, but I couldn’t be sure just yet. Their presence didn’t seem like it would mean anything to me.
Still, having colleagues wasn’t entirely bad.
Even a villainous noblewoman like me once had companions.
Since I was a villainous noblewoman, I clashed with the hero’s party a few times, and through those conflicts, I met people who shared my goals.
Since we both had to check the hero’s party anyway, we might as well cooperate. It was more efficient that way.
I had a few comrades who entered dungeons with me like that. None of them stayed with me till the end, though.
Even if they were just passing companions, as long as it was fun, that was enough.
Maybe that’s why I found the conversation with my peers surprisingly enjoyable.
“Unnie, let’s go out together.”
But there was no time to get lost in sentiment.
From the day after our meeting, I suddenly became busy.
“What’s the matter all of a sudden? Did you feel like going out to eat?”
“That’s not it… Come with me to meet an illustrator.”
“An illustrator?”
“Yeah. If we don’t find one soon, we won’t make it in time for the debut next month.”
That made sense.
“I don’t understand. Why do I need to go with you?”
“Normally, the staff would handle outsourcing, but… Laura, you’re a bit special. They’ll be designing the model based on your appearance.”
“So, I need to be the model, huh.”
But wouldn’t sending some photo data suffice?
That’s what I thought, but Rion shook her head.
“It’s just a feeling, but I think things will go more smoothly if you go in person. After all… you’re stunning if you just keep your mouth shut, aren’t you? You’ve got charisma too.”
“And if I open my mouth, everyone falls in love with me.”
“Ugh, there you go with that concept again… Anyway, I think it’ll help negotiations if you come along.”
“If that’s the case, I have no choice.”
The world really needs me too much.
But unfortunately, I’m not an immortal being who lives for a thousand years. Though I’m a noblewoman of the ducal family, I was born with a human body and a limited lifespan.
Someday, far in the future, I too will disappear. When that day comes, I wonder if this world will manage without me.
So, the world needs to practice living without me in advance. So that when I’m gone, there will be no regrets.
“There you go with your narcissism again… Sometimes I wonder what shape your brain takes. What do you eat that makes you think this way?”
Seeing Rion’s exasperated expression, I stood up from my seat.
After that, I got in the car Rion was driving, and we went somewhere a bit far.
At a café, we met the illustrator.
“Wow, you’re so beautiful…! How does someone like you even exist…?”
The illustrator was a woman. She looked to be in her 30s. She had a plain appearance, with round glasses being her most distinctive feature.
“I was going to decline, but… you’re just so striking that I really want to draw you. Do you ever do cosplay by any chance?”
“I’ve never done cosplay before. Though I’ve worn plenty of dresses.”
“Dresses! You’d look amazing in them… Do you have any pictures?”
I showed her a few I had saved, and the illustrator gasped, “Wow… Woooow…”
“Please, someday you have to cosplay! Please, I beg you…!”
She was practically bowing as she pleaded.
What exactly does cosplay mean to this person? To be honest, it was a little scary.
“I’ll think about it. So, will you take the commission?”
“The schedule is pretty tight… but I’ll give it a try!”
Whether it was my appearance or something else, the illustrator’s enthusiasm surged.
It couldn’t be helped. I am the jewel of the ducal family, the flower everyone admires, and the sun of all.
After exchanging contact information with the illustrator, I met with her again whenever I had free time in VR.
Mostly to act as a model for her drawings.
“Please smile for me! Yes, just like that! You look beautiful no matter what expression you make!”
And a few times, we met in person too. She wanted to reference my real appearance rather than just the VR avatar.
So, I went out to meet her occasionally, for this or that reason.
As time passed, my debut day gradually approached.
“Unnie. The Boss said he’d like to have a chat with you before the debut.”
Rion told me this.