Episode 29: The Day of the First Stream
Sunlight streamed in through the window, and I woke up. I sat up and looked at the calendar; today’s date was circled in red. It was the scheduled date for my first stream as a VTuber.
“It’s finally here,” I thought.
After getting ready for the morning and having a light breakfast, I headed to the office.
When I opened the office door, the inside was already enveloped in a bustling atmosphere. Staff members were setting up equipment and performing final checks.
Amidst them, I spotted a familiar figure. The back of a woman standing by the window. Her greenish hair shone, illuminated by the morning sun.
“It’s been a while, Hayato.”
The one who turned around and spoke was Seika. She had just returned from an overseas business trip and was already at the office. Although exhaustion from the long flight was visible on her face, her gaze held a strong will.
“You’re early, Seika,” I said.
“I couldn’t possibly be late on such an important day.”
Seika smiled, brushing her hair back, in response to my question.
“How are the preparations for the stream coming along?” I asked.
“Smoothly. Everyone’s already here. Josuke seems to be in the conference room doing a final check with the promotion staff, and Tsuyoshi is giving instructions to the technical staff.”
I looked around the room and could indeed hear Tsuyoshi’s authoritative voice.
“Riri is over there, too,” Seika said.
Where Seika pointed, Riri was sitting in front of a computer, focused. She was typing quickly on the keyboard.
“Riri, how’s it going?” I asked.
“Ah, Hayato!”
When I spoke to Riri, she stopped her hands and looked up happily.
“I’m doing the final checks. I’m fine-tuning the motion data correction. I’ll make it even more perfect before the stream starts.”
“I see, thank you. Don’t push yourself too hard.”
“It’s fine. I’m doing this because I want to.”
She spoke faster than usual, and a faint tension tinged her voice. While we were having such a conversation, Josuke came out of the conference room. I called out to him.
“Josuke, how’s it looking?”
“Oh, Hayato. It’s not even time for the stream yet, but a considerable number are already waiting. It’s far exceeding our expectations.”
Josuke operated a nearby computer and displayed the stream waiting screen. The number of viewers waiting there was displayed.
“Um, 1,000 people? That’s amazing. To think so many would gather,” I exclaimed.
Seeing my surprised expression, Josuke chuckled softly.
“The viral effect on social media is just as calculated. You’ll be surprised, it’ll probably increase even more from now on.”
“That’s something to look forward to,” I replied.
How many viewers would come to watch the stream? I couldn’t imagine.
“Check the timing for the sound effects one more time. And are the backup systems all set? Right.”
Tsuyoshi was giving instructions to the staff. Noticing me, he gave a light wave.
“Morning, Hayato. Preparations are going smoothly. No problems with the equipment, and staff deployment is complete.”
While explaining this, Tsuyoshi leaned in close to me, lowered his voice slightly, and added.
“I want to avoid putting too much burden on Seika. She just got back, after all. We had to ask her to push herself a bit to match everyone’s schedule.”
“Ah, yeah. Understood,” I said.
And so, the five of us gathered and moved to the studio area. Special cameras designed to enhance the precision of motion capture were set up there, and a streaming space for five people had also been prepared.
“The live broadcast is in a few hours. Let’s begin the final rehearsal,” a staff member announced.
Following the staff’s announcement, we reviewed the stream’s flow. We planned to start with self-introductions and then talk about the initial episodes of our adventures in the other world. We were a bit stiff at first, but gradually the conversation livened up, and a nostalgic sense of teamwork emerged among the five of us. We’re quickly returning to our old atmosphere. That’s what all five of us felt in that moment.
When the clock showed thirty minutes to go, a report came from the staff.
“The number of people waiting has exceeded 4,500! That’s more than four times our target!”
“It’s increased again since then,” I murmured.
“To think so many would gather,” Josuke said, amazed.
Hearing my remark and Josuke’s surprised voice, Riri’s expression tensed up a little.
“I wonder if it’ll be okay… So many people are watching.”
Hearing the concrete number of waiting viewers, the reality began to sink in for her. Riri was trembling slightly.
“It’s alright,” I said.
I placed a hand on the worried Riri’s shoulder. We’ve prepared so thoroughly for this, so it’ll surely be fine, I thought, reassuring myself as much as her.
Feeling the warmth of my hand on her shoulder, Riri took a deep breath, and her expression gradually calmed.
“Thank you, Hayato. You’re right, we started this because we wanted people to hear our story.”
We finished our final adjustments and activated the motion capture system. On the monitor, our Avatars were waiting. Our alter egos, revived by modern technology, just as we once were.
“Ten seconds left.”
The staff’s countdown began.
“Five, four, three, two, one…”
I took a deep breath and pressed the stream start button. A moment of silence.
“With this, have we started?” I wondered aloud.
Displayed on the monitor were the figures of the companions I had once fought alongside in the other world. We were unveiling to the world the forms we had prepared for today.
“Everyone, nice to meet you! Uh, good day, good evening. I’m Hayato. Is this okay?” I began.
In sync with my voice, my Avatar’s mouth moved naturally. It wasn’t just a virtual existence; its movements were full of life.
“Yes, it’s okay, Hayato. Hello, I am Lilia.”
Riri’s Avatar, Lilia the Female Sage, smiled gracefully.
“I’m John.”
Josuke’s Avatar, who as an informant had various expressions, gave a light nod.
“I’m Celestia.”
Seika’s Avatar waved gently.
“I am Garret. A pleasure to meet ya.”
Tsuyoshi’s Avatar powerfully thumped his chest. Comments streamed one after another across the screen.
- Amazing! The movements are so natural!
- Sawa’s designs are on another level, as expected.
- Lilia-chan is cute!
- Garret-san’s deep voice is cool!
- Debuting with all five right away, huh? They’re really going for it.
A flood of comments scrolled across the monitor dedicated to displaying them.
“Hayato, look. It seems like everyone is happy,” Riri said, her voice bright.
Riri was also delighted. My other companions expressed their joy in their own ways. Josuke wore a satisfied smile, Seika was quietly filled with emotion, and Tsuyoshi had a proud expression.
Riri’s wish to convey our memories as a story was thus taking shape.
“Well then,” I said.
I addressed the viewers through the screen.
“First, please listen to our story up until now. The tale of a real adventure that happened in another world.”