LIGHTNOVELSTORY I want to climb the tower.
[Attack Skill] I don’t need one right now, just bring on the Wakamou! I’d love to visit a tower that offers content, saying “Come on in, I’ll roll you up a monster to dine on.”
Today, I’m officially streaming content as a VTuber.
With the platform’s support, I’m doing what other VTubers do with 3D models while streaming.
I wonder how I’ll appear beyond the screen. From the viewer’s perspective, what do I look like?
“This is dangerous. If I had to breathe, I’d be doomed.”
If I had a body that required breathing, I might have already suffocated from the pressure at this point.
I constantly say VTubing is about dreams and romance, but let’s talk about it professionally. Now, I’m at a point where I can confidently call myself a 【Pro】 in the 『VTuber Industry』.
Although the order was reversed, I proved myself and got support from the Climber Association, becoming a leader in the ‘VTuber Industry’ and doing broadcasts.
The legendary first-generation general of Virtual Live.
An incredible story of success started when a friend and manager approached the company’s president, saying they wanted to be VTuber idols.
A myth-like success story of believing in the dreams of girls, never giving up, crying together, laying down the foundation with nothing, and ultimately becoming a top world-class company!
The president of Virtual Live is ranked third in the ‘Japanese Entrepreneur Rankings 2023’ for his attention as a business leader, stating that VTubers showcase their talents and artistry rather than just being characters.
Most VTubers affiliated with Virtual Live Production boast incredibly high skills, with their popularity not only limited to Japan or the internet but extending to reality and the world, including large live events with thousands of people and charting on the Billboard in the USA.
And as their presence grows and fame increases, viewership rises even for VTubers with fewer viewers initially.
Fans watch them grow bit by bit, create original songs, do collaborations with admired VTubers, or even step onto dream-like big stages to sing – a progression that fans enjoy cheering on as they achieve their dreams and goals.
That’s the typical image of the VTubers who race through this era. Success is limited to a very few, though.
There’s a reason why people say to join a big corporation.
“Because it’s a job born in an era when you can watch broadcasts from anywhere. It bloomed on the land of animation and games created in Japan.”
It also helps that this is an age where individuals commonly watch videos they like on smartphones. Once regarded as something for otakus and mocked, as animation became mainstream, access has improved.
“If VTubing succeeds, it’s profitable. It’s the character business of the new era. Something like Disney’s Mickey Mouse.”
A significant strength of VTubing lies in its ability to function as a character IP, unlike real-world celebrities.
There’s a strategy for merchandising akin to animation characters, involving licensing, collaborations, and merchandise launches.
What matters in animation? Fanbase.
The VTuber business, known as B2C (Business to Customer), relies more on viewer sponsorships and memberships on the platform rather than advertisement revenue. Merchandise frequently caters to those fans.
That’s why various efforts are made to attract fans through live events, corporate collaborations, and joint streams – to captivate different fan demographics.
From a corporate perspective, it’s preferable to support VTubers by developing avatars and broadcasting systems, along with live performance planning and operations and B2B (Business to Business) transactions that include license agreements.
Frankly, I should be seeking collaborations with other VTubers on a corporate-level play rather than at the individual level now.
But there are Korean VTuber viewers who get really mad just for collaborating with Japanese VTubers, causing problems.
In that case, should I say I’d rather die than collaborate?
The conclusion drawn from organizing my thoughts is that 【the key to business success lies in ‘fanbase’ building】.
There are people who love animation for 30 years, right? It’s not unusual in this era to discuss and talk while watching the same VTuber.
“The motion capture studio costs about 20 billion, excluding the expenses for staff and PDs.”
“Wow…”
Is this… my company…? Have I finally become a VTuber otaku who achieved their dreams… ha ha…
──But then, a cold thought entered my mind that someone targeting me might terrorize this place. Attacking this building would be a death threat to all VTubers’ dreams, so there’s no need to spare them.
In that case, don’t expect mercy from my fists. You’re the ones who kicked the hornet’s nest…!!
“I’ve listed it as ‘Wakamou Corporation’ in the documents for now.”
“Sounds reasonable…”
So it means Wakamou’s company. Since I’m the CEO… yeah, I’m the president… I’m the face of the company… an existence on par with the VTubers I admire…?
This is dangerous… I might really break down mentally at this rate…!!
“The building is three stories high, the top floor is a living area, the second floor is a motion capture studio, and the first floor has soundproof booths set up as VTuber rooms… I guess. It’s built near the Climber Association for safety, and we can confidently say it has the best security equipment in South Korea. There’s also a parking garage underground, and emergency escape routes just in case.”
“I see… In terms of risk management, maybe the living space should be separate.”
“Haha, with the Climber Association backing us?”
Wakamou had some reservations, thinking he might become too conspicuous as people coming out of the studio building would recognize him as a VTuber, but his manager scoffed, saying that would never happen. Why does it seem like there are hardly any people in the streets around the building? The government is more capable than I thought~
“President, you’re quite a professional. You know about merch strategies too.”
“I never knew an Association President wielded so much power… aren’t they on bad terms?”
Well, that’s just needless worry. Should a VTuber concern themselves with government work? It’s ridiculous to think that even the assassins were sent by the President.
Anyway, that’s as much as I’ll talk about the company. Manager Wanda Haye handles the CEO role, so I just need to focus on climbing towers and VTuber broadcasts. I may not be able to switch jobs, but so what? I’m happy enough just having a motion capture studio now!!
“Behold!! I am Wakamou Inarizushi. At last, we have a studio!! It’s time for a full 3D broadcast!!”
“Hello, friends! This is Hajime Ichigo. I’m an ally of Wakamou Corporation!”
-Yamada, welcome back.
-Here comes my addiction…
-The mother-daughter comedy duo begins!!
-So he fought an assassin and seems fine, huh?
-Wow, really! The 3D modeling looks just like real life!!!
-Ichigo, it’s gonna grow… I hate that…
-Manager, please kick the pedos.
-That’s a literal nightmare!!!!
-This place is full of crazies.
-I’d love it if there were broadcasts every day.
A room with a mirror reflecting the character’s back looked like a trainee practice studio where idols worked up a sweat dancing. Viewers poured in as soon as the broadcast started due to the collab. Since it was the first full 3D live studio collab, it was solely on Wakamou’s channel.
Having turned on Ichigo’s broadcast would have possibly disrupted the flow with incoming donations, so it was inevitable.
Before starting, we had some time to promote the model of equipment currently in use, sharing that there are good options available domestically and even discounts for other VTubers.
-The owner with a transparent goal…
-Is this a VTuber equipment ad? Or is it promotion?
-In any case, the leader once had a 7-hour broadcast on VTuber equipment politics ㅇㅇ
-These guys have been following me since when lol
-Oh…could you call me an ancient believer? I struck big on buying at the low.
-Wow! So you bought crypto too?
-I didn’t, I’m an idiot.
-Looking at you here, I figured you might have.
-Ichigo is so cute, it’s making me crazy.
Viewers, who came to watch VTuber broadcasts, not equipment promotion or ads, could have complained. However, knowing how insanely obsessed Wakamou Inarizushi was about VTubers and how he couldn’t live without them, they all just accepted it with a “that’s just him.”
All the while, viewers in the 『Virtual Chat』 laughed whenever they saw comments about turning female avatars on, with Wakamou stammering, “Well, that does happen…” which made the audience burst into laughter.
Watching him hesitate while trying to exclusively highlight the strengths of possibilities, like how males could stream as female characters, was amusing to the viewers, and they teased him for a while.
Meanwhile, there were also viewers delighted by Hajime bouncing around adorably all by herself, wiggling her hips from side to side with an aloof and haughty expression.
With the mom(?) working on the side, Hajime, like a restless kid, running around due to boredom, almost led to Wakamou’s ad flopping halfway.
“These kids… they’re all just looking at Ichigo!!”
You know!!”
-Leader was staring at the chest!!
-I wasn’t counting freckles or anything like that!!
-I wasn’t remotely thinking about how a toe could be appealing.
-Leader, the device is sold out, is this okay?
-Seduced by the fox, the clueless guys leave for the metaverse again today…
-Oh, so this was a broadcast to promote birth rates.
-Since you can’t date anyway, wouldn’t it be better to become a girl?
-Don’t do it, believers…don’t cross that river….
-Oops, too late! I’m already a girl!
-This is a real end-of-times scenario, damn it LOL
“Well, I didn’t expect much, but since we have a Studio now. For a VTuber, isn’t it all about singing and dancing!!”
-Oh, stop.
-No, don’t.
-Guys, cover your ears, the leader’s singing is horrendous, it’s urgent.
-Seriously, how bad can it be LOL
-It can’t be that terrible.
-I suddenly remembered I’m super busy, I gotta run, damn it!!!
-S.O.S!! S.O.S!!!!
-Buh-byyeeeeeee!!!!
Five minutes later.
-Save me, damn it.
-Stopstopstopstopstop.
-It’s daytime, but it feels like ghosts might appear!!!!
-Is this some kind of curse? Am I falling victim to the leader’s curse???
-Did the pitch, rhythm, and melody all get wrecked, damn it???
-The beef bowl knight from the neighboring town sounds like a heavenly diva.
-Even Fatty could sing better than that….
-Wow, this is a massacre.
-Why does this give me school retreat PTSD.
-It feels like being dragged on stage and trying desperately to sing but failing hard….
-It got so cold, I had to turn off the air conditioner….
-Honestly, damn it, this doesn’t even deserve applause.
-The wail from the mountains is the leader’s wailing, damn it.
Manager Wanda Haye was trembling and half-fainted at the sight, and the staff was shivering in shock. The PD’s face went pale, and he couldn’t hide his twisted expression. Was it really that horrific despite putting in my best effort?
Turning my head, I saw Liu Ying covering her ears, shaking, and taking deep breaths. It seemed like a horrifying torture to her sensitive ears.
-Why does Ichigo trembling feel so pitiful…
-“I have good ears!” Ah…I can’t watch this anymore….
-This is crossing beyond the sorrows of a working adult to child abuse….
-What are we going to do about the owner’s risk!!!
-The kid can’t breathe….
I lifted her up, cuddled, and patted her back, trying to calm her down. I’ll never sing again….
“Uh…but I did my best…”
-This can’t even be called a funeral song.
-We shouldn’t be the only ones suffering. Let’s clip this and spread it.
-The relentless spirit of the Clipper…!!
-The dawn of an unstoppable era of video donations begins…!
-Won’t this get us sued, though…?
-….Kind of seems like it.
-The leader is on the verge of tears, but I feel no sympathy.
-No, damn it. There are limits. It’s like parents walking in on me watching porn.
-It’s something so horrendous that porn would be better.
-It’d be mistaken for summoning demons in the room.
“No, I know it’s harsh…then, how about our Ichigo sings!”
“Sure! What should I sing, friends?”
Looking at her sparkling eyes, approaching the screen, and checking viewer comments, her eyes move busily up and down. Viewers, finding this adorable, flood the chat. Her poor eyesight brought her close to the camera, completely immersed in her 3D model live stream.
Though it was nearly a broadcast accident, everyone watched with a satisfying smile, finding it cute nonetheless. Ichigo grasped the microphone and started swaying side to side, singing.
-Oh…? Why am I tearing up…?
-My ears are being healed…
-I control the music. The melody echoing in your ears captures your heart..
-Is this…Ichigo’s Bankai…?
-Why is her pronunciation fine when singing? Why is she so good? Why is she a diva?
-The leader sure picked up someone with real talent!!!
-She looks like an angel in hindsight!!!!
-Are the contrasts that extreme, making her seem even better? LOL
-This is the leader’s broadcasting skill…? Completely tricked us.
-Oh LOL if you say it like that LOL
“Whoo-hoo”
Wakamou wept because Ichigo sang so beautifully. Even though his body couldn’t cry real tears, he was profoundly moved.
“Our Ichigo sings well, doesn’t she?”
-Yes, Ma’am.
-Your daughter has qualities of a divine singer.
-It’s wonderful you didn’t pass down the genes.
-If you passed them down, she’d hit 180 cm LOL
-How can a person be just 156 cm LOL
-Thinking about it, she’s an amazing singer??
“Yeah, I guess she could handle an original song or cover song.”
There truly seemed to be a talent fit for success. Although her pronunciation was still awkward, during a song, she clearly enunciated with power matching the rhythm, and that distinctness added another layer of charm.
The staff, PD, and managers sighed in relief, witnessing Ichigo’s singing talent, showing expressions that seemed they had seen a savior. It was somewhat bittersweet.
Anyone can be bad at singing, right…
-Need to oil her joints…
-Haven’t you fed her enough…
-Is it just me, or is there too much slacking?
-Correct! Modern dance!
-As long as it’s cute, all’s well.
Unfortunately, Ichigo wasn’t much of a dancer. Although flexible and nimble, her movement was nonsensical, as if lazing around without wanting to work.
On the other hand, as her combat skills indicated, Wakamou could unfurl a fan with just a wrist snap, performing a dance with flowing golden lines. Her expression unmoved, believers mistook it as genuine sincerity.
Though merely mimicking a fan dance she saw before coming, the wide, sweeping movements combined with the fan’s flair created an unexpectedly synergistic effect.
-Does this mean rain tomorrow?
-“Dance of Ritual”
-Is this the forgotten traditional dance…?
-It’s not flashy but feels like the dance becomes the subject.
-Now I get what dance not just for show is~
-Leader, give us an instrument performance!
“Shall I?”
As the dance entertained viewers, they began enjoying themselves more. Yes, yes!! This was the reaction I was hoping for.
Since I had asked the manager for an instrument in advance, I called her to bring it over, and she delivered a gayageum with a confident expression.
I did ask for a string instrument, but….why a gayageum of all things…. I felt confident about playing a violin or guitar. As I accepted it with a somewhat doubtful expression, the manager looked at Wakamou anxiously, as if wondering if she had made a mistake.
I couldn’t bear disappointing a hard-working manager….
‘Well, I’m glad I tried this in the club. I’ve even performed on stage during school festivals. Let’s give it a shot.’
Honestly, who keeps a gayageum at home? Reviving old skills, I sat cross-legged and placed it in front of me. Amazed at the level of readiness to even model a gayageum, I gathered my concentration lest I mess this up badly.
Ding ding─♪
The serene yet poignant sound flowed through the strings. The tune was so beautiful that viewers were lost in appreciation, forgetting to even chat.
Although the emotions she poured into the performance were unknown, Wakamou’s skill in playing a quite famous historical drama OST was impressive.
Having displayed her proficiency in various instruments before, her skills were evidently fine.
-It transcends the era, genuinely feeling it.
-How come she can’t keep rhythm while singing, but aces the instrument…?
-Effort can’t overcome one’s roots….
-Ah, what a sorrowful fate….
-Oh, this drama is nice…
-What’s the title then?
-It’s about a slave hunter called ‘Chuno.’
-That sounds awfully unfitting…
-How can you not know? Geez…kids these days…
-Oh Grandpa, hush. Don’t you know theater etiquette?
-Ichigo is sleeping LOL
-Look at her tail wrapping LOL
-Please hire me, I beg you…
-Wow, just the scene itself heals.
-Wow I’m so sleepy…my eyes are shutting…
Ichigo naturally curled into Wakamou’s tail during the soothing music and fell asleep. She worked hard daily for her broadcasts, so she would understandably be tired.
Since it was a reasonably lengthy performance, I smiled and thought it should suffice for today, gently pulling her into my embrace as the sound of her gentle breathing harmonized with the song of the gayageum.
Somehow, the manager appeared with a haegeum and danso at the ready, her face blooming with a smile. Admittedly, this live stream from Studio, albeit unexpectedly, turned into a traditional Korean music broadcast.
‘Really glad I joined that club’
Though Wakamou mused that people should experience various things, viewers and the manager were merely awestruck by their contemporary prowess….! While it could not be said to be extraordinarily good, the charm of a thousand-year-old Fox Deity’s performance decidedly compensated for its shortcomings.
Cradling Ichigo like a daughter in her tail to let her sleep comfortably, the scene of a motherly figure soothing the child with music unexpectedly increased viewership….
Wakamou pondered if this was indeed appropriate.