Chapter 2

It's been a while, and for those who are meeting me for the first time, nice to meet you.

Due to my mental state where I can only write when my mind is completely empty, I would be happy if you could read this with an empty mind as well.

"Hey! Everyone, good morning! Thank you so much for watching my stream today as well!"

['Good morning']

['I can't live without this stream anymore, so please take responsibility ♡']

['I've been waiting']

['I'm saved']

['Ah^~ This voice is irresistible^~']

['You just winked at me! I could die happy now!']

['Don't die, bro. If you die, you'll lose out on a lifetime of winks.']

Comments appear on one of the two monitors in front of me, and everyone types their thoughts freely.

Right now, I am a Vtuber.

And I'm quite popular.

Despite being an independent creator, I've been gaining channel subscribers at a rapid pace, and I'm about to reach 1 million.

How did this happen?

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It all started with a small trigger.

A common story, the cause was that my beloved senior in the club I had always loved got a boyfriend.

Heartbroken, I decided to start being a Vtuber out of sheer frustration.

Why a Vtuber?

Because I like it, don't make me say it, it's embarrassing.

If I get famous, I might be able to collaborate with my favorite Vtuber!!!

By the way, to become a Vtuber, you need a certain amount of equipment.

If you're not going all in, you can start with a few thousand dollars, but I decided to go all out since I was frustrated.

I had received my saved New Year's money from my parents when I started living alone to go to high school, so I decided to use that.

The amount was a surprising 1 million yen.

With this amount, I could live for a while without working part-time.

However, I had never touched this money even though I had been working part-time since my first year of high school.

With a full 1 million yen, I, in my heartbreak, used almost all of it to fund my Vtuber career.

Fortunately, I was able to get a high-spec computer, an audio interface, a capture board, two types of microphones, and the necessary equipment for motion tracking.

And the most important thing for a Vtuber, the 3D model.

Yes, the 3D model.

I was able to get it at a lower price than the market rate.

By the way, the cost for the 3D model-related commission was 500,000 yen.

First, I commissioned an artist I had been following on Twitter to draw the original artwork.

This alone cost 300,000 yen.

However, this was still on the cheaper side.

This artist is well-known but still considered an amateur, and if I become famous, they can advertise that they created my original artwork, which is a big plus.

So, they said they would do it for this price if I worked hard as a Vtuber.

Of course, I immediately agreed.

Next, through the artist's introduction, I found someone who would create the model for 200,000 yen if I provided the original artwork.

This person is an amateur 3D modeler with professional-level quality.

However, the artist's condition was that I wouldn't see the original artwork or the 3D model until it was completed.

They said they would use my information to create a 3D model based on my data.

So, I wrote my profile, including my self-introduction.

First, my name is Yuki Himemura, 17 years old, and of course, I'm a boy.

Next, I'm 150 cm tall and weigh 43 kg.

Hey, don't say I'm small! I'm sensitive about it!

I gave this information to the artist and waited.

They said they would make adjustments if I didn't like it, but it wouldn't be immediate.

By the way, some people might think this amount is high.

But the starting line is significantly different between something designed by a well-known person and something that isn't.

Especially with this artist, they would help with the initial promotion, so it felt like a good deal when considering the advertising cost.

During the waiting period, I occasionally communicated via voice chat.

After two months, today was the delivery day.

I was nervous all morning.

I couldn't even sleep the night before due to the tension.

So, during that time, I repeatedly checked the basics of moving the 3D model, recording audio, and video.

Finally, the moment arrived.

At the designated time, I received an email with a URL to download the data from the artist's website.

I entered the artist's website and downloaded the delivered data.

I extracted the data and opened the 3D model in a viewer.

There, a truly beautiful avatar was waiting for me!

A half-up hairstyle with a soft, fluffy atmosphere, with a hint of light pink in the white hair.

The ribbon is black, giving it a slightly mature look.

Plump cheeks and small, cute lips.

The eye color is a light pink, which is right up my alley.

The body looks like a girl around 11 or 12 years old in anime.

The chest is modest but has a presence, suggesting potential for growth.

Though it won't grow since it's a 3D model.

The limbs are slim, and the dress is primarily black, which makes the limbs stand out nicely.

Overall, it's quite good.

Very good.

However, there is one problem.

"I'm a boy!? Why is it a girl avatar!?!?!"

I was screaming in my room.

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"Teacher!? Why is it a girl!?"

I immediately connected a voice chat with the artist, Yuruzu Kizaki.

"Huh? Aren't you a girl? What's wrong with a girl using a girl avatar? By the way, this is my masterpiece. Did you like the appearance? By the way, you can adjust the hair color and dress color to your liking."

Yuruzu Kizaki, who usually gives off a cool impression through her tweets, told me this in a cool voice.

"No, it's great, but I'm a boy! It's written in my profile, right!?"

"No, no, you can't joke around. Where do you find a boy who can make such a cute voice? Also, I connected the voice chat to confirm your gender since it wasn't written in your profile."

"Ugh, then how can I make you believe me?"

"Why don't you send a photo? You should be able to tell from the appearance, right?"

"Ugh... Is this okay!!!"

I said and sent a selfie.

"!? You're dressed like a boy, but you're so cute. Your chest is a bit disappointing, though."

"No, no, no!!! How can you not see I'm a boy!? Look at my shoulder width!?"

"No, to be honest, you look like a girl..."

"Wh-what..."

"By the way, that hairstyle, I don't think boys usually do that, do they?"

Hmm? I felt like she lost her cool for a moment, but maybe it was just my imagination?

But when she said that, I remembered that I've been called cute before.

I've been growing my hair because my mom said it looked good, but maybe she meant it looked cute?

That can't be right, can it?

"Um, anyway, with your voice, you can definitely make it as a Vtuber."

"R-really?"

"Of course, I've watched a lot of Vtubers, and I'm sure you can do it."

"I'll try my best..."

"Hehe, work hard and spread my name too. I'll promote your debut on Twitter, so let me know when you set up your channel and make your introduction video!"

"Okay..."

And so, I ended up being a "bimyaku" (a male Vtuber using a female avatar) unintentionally.

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I am Yuruzu Kizaki, a pen name.

One of the jobs I took on this time was to draw the original artwork for a character for someone starting as a Vtuber independently.

Since they had been following me even when I was unknown, I decided to at least hear them out.

Although my name has become more well-known, I'm still an amateur.

Compared to professionals, my fame is still lacking.

So, I decided to take a risk.

I decided to do everything from the 3D model to the original artwork within the client's budget.

By the way, I'm not familiar with 3D models, so I decided to involve my sister, who is also an amateur 3D modeler.

By the way, artists of my level usually charge 500,000 yen for character design and original artwork alone.

Some charge even more.

And my sister, who would create the 3D model, would charge at least 300,000 yen.

It doesn't take that long, but we need to live, so the total of 500,000 yen is our bottom line.

Since I would draw the original artwork at a slightly lower price, I needed the client to work hard as well.

When I presented these conditions, they agreed readily.

I received the client's information and decided to talk via voice chat to design a character that matched their voice.

Since the client's data didn't include gender, it was perfect.

The voice that came out was that of a cute girl.

With this voice, they might become famous.

I thought so.

From then on, I continued to think about the design and worked with my sister to create a 3D model that matched their voice.

Two months after taking the job, the delivery day finally arrived.

"My masterpiece is complete, Yura, thank you so much for your help."

"Sis, I know it's not my place to say, but this model is amazing. It's definitely going to be a hit."

My sister Yura seemed to feel the same way.

"Let's deliver it then."

"I'm looking forward to their reaction, sis!"

"Me too!"

I set up the 3D model and 2D illustration data on the delivery page.

About 10 minutes later, the voice chat notification started ringing.

"Sis, is it already a reaction?"

"Hehe, I'm a bit excited."

I answered the call and was shocked by the news.

I maintained my character and responded calmly.

I wanted to be praised for not overreacting.

After the call, I told my sister:

"The client has a boy's voice and appearance, but..."

I showed Yura the selfie the client sent.

"Huh?"

"Plus, he's my type... It's so hard... Help me, Yura..."

"Legal shota...? What is this kid, he's amazing. My heart just skipped a beat, sis..."

And the two of us fell in love at first sight with the male Vtuber.

If you enjoyed this, I might continue writing. If you're interested in the continuation, please bookmark it!

* I've included an illustration, but this is the beginning of the first chapter of the ongoing comic adaptation!

Please enjoy the beautifully drawn Yuki and Yura!