Basement-Dwelling Loser VTuber

The VTuber market is booming right now, no matter what anyone says.

Of course, if we only consider the number of subscribers, it might not reach the peak levels of the past, but excluding that, the overall quality is definitely much better now.

So, it’s no surprise that fans from the past who know the charm of VTubers are slowly returning, and new fans are getting interested as well.

There are even analyses saying that the market will continue to grow, so it’s fair to say we’re in a VTuber boom.

The proof of that is that the number of individual VTubers and production companies has skyrocketed.

Well, not all of them are promoting themselves as virtual idols like Star’s Flow.

Anyway, the VTuber market is in a boom and is still growing, with Star’s Flow naturally at the center of it all.

And at the center of Star’s Flow, of course, is my favorite, Natsune Nanase—affectionately known as Natsune!

She’s the only VTuber in Star’s Flow with 2 million subscribers and has already held five solo live performances offline, a true virtual idol.

In other words, Natsune is the representative of the current VTuber market.

[So, what do you think, Izumi?]

“Um, hey, uh, that….”

Why am I here right now?

I knew why, of course, but… I didn’t want to know.

★

It was really sudden, but today M-chan called me out of the blue.

The location, of course, was the Star’s Flow headquarters.

They said they wanted to convey something… precisely, that an external matter had come up.

External matters come often, so it’s not particularly burdensome, but why call me to headquarters?

Usually, they’d just say, “We’ve received this proposal; how do you want to proceed?” and I’d simply decide whether to accept or decline.

Come to think of it, it’s strange that the one conveying the message is M-chan. It’s usually the personal manager who does that.

Thinking like that, a sense of unease started creeping up on me.

But having come this far, there was no option to run, so I nervously headed to the reception room.

As I sat alone waiting in the reception room, the door creaked open with a creak.

Entering through the open door were the one who called me, M-chan, and…

“It’s been a while, Izumi.”

It was the Manager.

…Huh?

The anxiety that had been creeping up on me intensified in an instant.

Had I done something wrong? Negative thoughts surged endlessly in my mind.

Wh-what could this be?

Was it because I pointed out the dull parts of a game stream I received as a proposal last time?

Or maybe it was when I jokingly called Star’s Flow a black company during a previous stream?

If not that, was it because I fell asleep during a collab with Nekoto because I was too sleepy?

I seemed to have too many possibilities…

Wait a minute.

Is all that going to be used against me to get me fired?

Of course, those incidents in themselves weren’t bad.

Pointing out the issues during the game proposal was something the company appreciated, and they even sent me a gift for it.

Calling Star’s Flow a black company was at the request of the Izutomos.

And falling asleep during the collab with Nekoto… Yeah, that’s something I can’t really defend.

Anyway, none of those accidents were major problems, but if such things piled up, it would lower trust, and the Star’s Flow side wouldn’t just stand by, right?

So, the source of that—me—could get fired…

“I-I-I’m so sorry!!!”

“Oh my?”

The moment I recognized that possibility, I hit my head against the table with a bang!

It hasn’t even been two months since my re-debut, and I’ve already caused so many accidents; it wouldn’t be weird to say, “That’s it for her.”

I absolutely have to bow my head here!

“Is something the matter, Izumi?”

“…Huh? Are you trying to fire me because of my accumulated misfortunes…?”

“Uh-huh. There’s no way we’d fire you. In fact, we want to keep working with you.”

Huh?

Could it be that I was just imagining things…?

“I always enjoy seeing Izumi like this. Hehe…”

“Th-thank you….”

Fortunately, it seems like I’ve passed the crisis of being fired.

“Then, the reason I called you today is….”

“Ah, would you like to get straight to the point instead of having a little tea time?”

“I-I’m totally fine with that!”

If it’s what the Manager is saying, I’m all for it!

“I’m glad to hear that. Noah, if you would.”

“Understood.”

As I nibbled on the tea and snacks M-chan prepared, I stole glances at the two.

The atmosphere seemed to suggest it wasn’t anything dark…

“…Izumi.”

“Yes, yes, yes…!!!”

Finally, about halfway through my tea, the Manager began to speak.

“What do you think the popularity of Star’s Flow Production is like right now?”

The popularity of Star’s Flow?

“I think it’s at the very top…”

“Yes, exactly. While you might want to be a little modest, Star’s Flow is objectively the best in the VTuber industry right now. So, who would you say is at the center of that?”

“Um, wouldn’t that be Natsune…?”

This question didn’t even require thinking.

From the start of Star’s Flow to now, she has always been the “idol.”

Hehe…

And upon my answer, for some reason, the Manager smiled as if delighted.

“Well, it’s not entirely wrong. Natsune has always been the backbone of Star’s Flow. …But what I’m asking about is ‘right now.’ Who is at the center of Star’s Flow right now?”

…I don’t understand what that means.

If Natsune has always been the backbone of Star’s Flow, isn’t that the same now?

As I struggled to find the answer, the Manager spoke with a gentle smile.

“That would be you, Izumi!”

“…Huh?”

I was momentarily left speechless by the Manager’s unexpected declaration.

“I’m not joking. The person who is currently garnering the most attention in Star’s Flow Production is you, Izumi. Just looking at recent events, you’ve been attracting more interest than Natsune.”

The Manager said this while handing me a phone.

On the screen was some kind of material.

Just from a quick glance, it appeared to be search statistics regarding Star’s Flow.

And the compiled results showed:

[1. Star’s Flow 15%]

[2. Izumi Kainoh 11%]

[3. Natsune Nanase 9%]

For some reason, I seemed to be garnering more interest than Natsune.

“Ugh, wh-what? Huh? W-what’s happening? Aghhh…!”

“You’re struggling with your words, aren’t you?!”

“Oh my… Do we need to find a new second-generation member after all?”

“NO, THAT CAN’T HAPPEN!”

“Ah, you’re back with us.”

★

“Well, to be honest, we didn’t expect it to go this far.”

“Ah, yes….”

Apparently, my re-debut live was making more of a splash than expected on the internet.

Additionally, it quickly made headlines that I gained 400,000 subscribers in just eight hours.

But it’s already been nearly two months since my re-debut—how can it still attract that much attention?

That was a question on my mind.

“They say it spread abroad recently.”

M-chan’s very simple response made it clear.

“Actually, your situation is unprecedented. There have been examples of returning after graduating, but to do so three years later and with some adjustments for re-debuting is a first, right? It seems that’s why the interest is still sticking around.”

I see.

It’s not that I’m attracting attention for a bad reason… what a relief.

“Because of that attention, this proposal has come in.”

“Wh-what kind of proposal…?”

“Surprisingly… N○K wants to interview you!”

“…Huh?”

N○K?

Is that the same N○K I know?

The… Japanese broadcasting network…?

No way.

That can’t be true.

Yeah, I must have misheard.

“The desire to escape reality is understandable, but we have a genuine interview request from N○K for you.”

And with that, my desire to escape reality was shattered right in front of the Manager.

★

“So, what will you do regarding this matter, Izumi?”

“Ahhh…! N-no way…! No way!”

With a serious tone, Izumi shook her head vigorously as if it was absolutely impossible.

“Well, of course….”

“Of course….”

It was like they expected it; Renka and Noah both chuckled wryly.

Even if TV ratings have decreased compared to the past, appearing on a terrestrial broadcast grabs people’s attention on a whole different level.

Would Izumi’s character accept an offer like that?

Renka and Noah both already knew the answer was a firm no.

However, that didn’t mean they would give up.

Technically, when a proposal comes in, it’s up to the concerned party to make the decision, but this time was different.

This was a golden opportunity for company growth.

“Izumi.”

“Yes?”

“I know it’s not great to put pressure on you, but would you please make an appearance for the sake of the company… and for the other Star’s Flow members?”

“…Huh?”

Izumi has a weak character when it comes to pressure.

And since she genuinely loves the other Star’s Flow members, using them as a reason would make her even weaker.

Having kept in touch with her since her graduation, the two knew this well.

“We’re all counting on you, Izumi.”

“C-counting…?”

“Yes. We believe this is something only you can do. You truly are the hope of Star’s Flow right now…!”

In addition, Izumi has a strong desire for recognition, so it was common sense for Star’s Flow managers to use the word “counting on you” when trying to persuade her.

“Ehehe….”

“Surely if they hear you’re appearing on N○K, Natsune and Suzuha will be thrilled and praise you!”

“W-what? Natsune and Suzuha’s praise? Hehehe…. Hahaha….”

With that last push, Izumi was finally persuaded.

“What will you decide?”

Even knowing the conclusion was already reached, Renka said it with a quiet smile.

And Izumi nodded her head, saying,

“I-I’ll do it…! Hehe….”

I couldn’t believe I just agreed to that?! Am I an idiot? Am I just such a fool?!”

Of course, I went home, filled with regret.

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