Chapter 28: Public Reaction and Debut Preparations
The office was now enveloped in a bustling atmosphere, gearing up for Hayato and the others’ debut. Staff members hurried through the hallways carrying documents, and technicians were busy with the final checks of the streaming equipment. It was different from the battlefields of the other world, yet Hayato felt a somewhat similar tension blanketing the entire office.
Hayato looked around the spacious office area. Riri was engrossed in the final adjustments of her programming, her delicate fingers tapping the keyboard as she gazed at the numbers and code on the monitor.
Tsuyoshi was on the phone for meetings or diligently reviewing proposals and other documents with the staff.
Seika had another important project with an overseas pharmaceutical company, so she was prioritizing that. When important meetings were held, they planned to contact her so she could participate via video call.
Amidst all this, Josuke was the one working with exceptional quietness. He was seated deeply in a custom-made luxury chair, checking multiple monitors while silently continuing to type on his keyboard.
Hayato approached the seat next to him. Wondering if there was anything he could help with, he spoke to him.
“Josuke, what are you doing?”
Josuke glanced away from the monitor for a moment, looked up at Hayato, then quickly returned his gaze and answered.
“Hm? Oh, I’m checking this.”
On the screen he pointed to, numerous lines of text were displayed. Hayato sat down next to Josuke and peered at the screen with him.
“An internet forum, is it?”
“That’s right. I’m checking public reaction with this.”
Josuke explained.
“It’s a thread about IVE’s announcement. Various people are posting about the announcement.”
“What kind of things are being written?”
Josuke smiled faintly and clicked the mouse to highlight a few comments.
“Look. Like this. Broadly speaking, there are considerable expectations. The fact that ‘the Tetsumura Group is launching a VTuber production agency’ is apparently causing a stir within the industry. It seems a conglomerate famous in manufacturing suddenly entering the field is being viewed with curiosity.”
Josuke moved to another thread and continued his explanation.
“Then, there’s also high anticipation regarding ‘Sawa’s character designs.’ The fact that ‘Sawa is drawing the VTubers’ is also a hot topic on social media. It feels like it’s gathering quite a bit of attention.”
“I see. So there’s that much anticipation.”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Hayato, understanding the situation after listening to Josuke’s explanation, placed a hand on his chin and furrowed his brow slightly.
“But, is it going to be okay?”
“Hm? What is?”
Hayato voiced his concern frankly.
“If we’ve gathered this much anticipation, if we can’t meet it, the disappointment will also be huge. I’m worried we might end up betraying those expectations.”
Josuke leaned back deeply into his chair and smiled confidently.
“Well, it’ll probably be fine.”
“Why?”
“We have an absolute strength.”
Josuke explained the basis for his confidence, raising his fingers one by one.
“First, these character designs. The illustrations born from our memories possess a unique vitality, and that alone sets them apart from other VTubers.”
Josuke switched the monitor screen, displaying footage of the completed Avatars.
“Look, see the level of completion of these Avatars.”
From design to 3D model. Our Avatars, completed by Riri.
“Moreover, the processing power of the software Riri developed is astounding. There’s the smoothness of movement, the subtlety of expressions, and then the ‘presence’ it generates.”
Indeed, their quality was something to behold. The minute changes in expression and natural gestures were so realistic it felt as if they were actually right in front of you.
“Yeah. This is amazing, isn’t it?”
Comparing them to other VTubers I’d watched to study before our debut, I felt they weren’t just a cut above, but several tiers higher.
“They don’t look like mere 3D models. There’s a sense of realism so profound it’s like there’s a truly living being within the screen.”
Josuke activated the motion capture system, and the Avatars on screen moved in kind. It captured even the most minute gestures, with perfectly synchronized movements.
To think she made this, it’s incredible. I was once again reminded of Riri’s high level of skill.
“All the staff members were amazed when they saw that software too. A technician said, ‘It far surpasses the precision of cutting-edge motion capture systems.’ And also, ‘This will overturn industry conventions.'”
“That’s right.”
Recalling the scene, Hayato smiled.
“To achieve Riri’s original goal of sharing her memories from the other world as stories, attracting the attention of many people will be essential,” Josuke said with an insightful gaze.
“That’s true.”
Hayato agreed. He hoped Riri’s wish would come true, thinking just that.
Having finished his explanation, Josuke lightly patted Hayato’s shoulder.
“Well, it means you don’t need to worry so much. Just prepare yourself mentally for the debut.”
“Yeah, I understand.”