The Loli VTuber and the Forbidden Requiem
Lol, honestly... I was expecting a somewhat... no, very mature big sis type.
No matter that she's a VTuber, I figured even if it was just 10 percent resemblance, it'd be a feast for the eyes.
Yumeno Ai. Her avatar had top-tier assets that perfectly suited her glamorous character. As the flagship VTuber, there's even a gallery forum named after her, and most Sora Group VTuber discussions happen there.
Truth be told... I popped into the gallery myself and was pretty impressed by all the big sis praise for Yumeno Ai. The night before, I got swept up in the hype from those compliments and downloaded a Korean IP VPN just to join in.
She was the ultimate fantasy for guys like my past self, but standing right in front of me was a pint-sized kid who looked no older than a middle schooler, even giving her the benefit of the doubt.
Hmm... but maybe this is actually better?
It was a pretty rude thought for a business meeting, but I couldn't help blaming my past self.
This must be why they say you shouldn't casually take the red pill on VTubers. Sigh... seeing her like this only solidified my resolve not to head to that one spot in Busan. Her cute appearance was honestly a bit... no, a lot dangerous for my heart.
"Haru... miss? Are you okay?"
"Ah... uh. Yeah? Yep."
That Yumeno Ai... was speaking Korean. Her voice had that signature broadcast maturity despite her kid-like looks, creating this wild dissonance.
But wait—Yumeno Ai speaks Korean? For VTubers, engaging with the Korean scene is like drinking saltwater.
There was that one time a Sora Group EN branch VTuber complimented a local Korean VTuber avatar as cute, and the infamous fandom went off about when the collab was happening, even memeing "brain rot of brain rots." No wonder they avoid the Korean move—it's notorious.
"Y-you speak Korean?"
"Ah... yeah, my parents are Korean and Japanese, so I'm mixed."
News to me. If you'd posted that in the Yumeno Ai gallery saying she had Korean blood, you'd get banned as bait, or hit with "Korean..." con or "purge her" con.
Her publicly known age in her early twenties—the red pill—was legit, so she was older than me. Still, her super cute look was kinda healing.
"N-nice to meet you. I'm Lee Haru."
I shoved aside the ridiculous thoughts like '1. Pick up Yumeno Ai' followed by '100. Put down Yumeno Ai' and kicked off the business talk. Honestly, since everyone here except the president could speak Korean, it was direct—no interpreter needed.
"So, what kind of song concept are you going for, Yumeno Ai?"
"Hmm... concept, huh..."
The contract was basically done, so the real key was my chat with Yumeno Ai. Once it's signed, we both win by making something commercially solid. Knowing that, Dad and the others quietly slipped out once we got talking.
The first meeting was a letdown, but she and I clicked perfectly on tastes. Despite the exact five-year gap, we matched on anime and a ton of other stuff.
"Later tonight, wanna hit up an izakaya here... oh right, you're a minor. Then... sushi place! This one's got great—"
"Ooh, sounds good!"
I held back the urge to squeal 'Yes yes, chatting with a VTuber is the best!' before things veered too far off business, switched topics, and dove in.
"What kind of song do you wanna sing, Yuri-unnie?"
"Honestly... something unique. And Yumeno Ai is RP—call me Yuri casually."
"Got it, Yuri-un... nie. Unique song?"
"Personally... since I've been doing dream-and-hope themes for the virtual idol concept at Sora Group... I wanna try something fresh."
Something fresh... and calling someone who looks way younger than me "unnie" felt super awkward thanks to my guy's memories. In a flash, I started digging through the massive database in my past-life memories: countless VTuber originals and J-pop classics.
Since there was no original, tweaking lyrics a bit would let me craft a killer VTuber original. From our talk, typical idol stuff like pink palettes or fan-service tracks were out.
Hmm... unique concept...
J-pop being J-pop, there were tons of wild concepts, but sifting through the data deluge to find the perfect fit was no joke. Honestly, that's J-pop's strength. Not like "Whoa, Japanese music is sugoi desu ne!" levels, but it has that vibe domestic songs can't touch.
"Something totally opposite my avatar's charm is fine—as long as it's fun on stage... and gets laughs in the NewTube comments. A song full of contradictions like that."
"I... might have one in mind."
Aaah... time to pull out the forbidden track. I wasn't gonna go there, but... not quite 'Bankai!' level, but yeah, it popped up. The total opposite of a mature big sis character? A loli character.
Alcohol style... no, xianxia realm reversal: straight growth. Thought she wanted curvy dan fields, but if long-leg dan fields work too, time for the taboo track.
The song dead opposite her avatar but perfect for real-life Yuri-unnie. A personal fave from my past life's third-gen VTubers... the one that topped charts, left marts confused folks who knew the lyrics, and guaranteed hype.
Legendary demonic art... no, the VTuber's song.
Time to unleash the legendary minor demonic art... er, VTuber's song [☆Maiden God's Requiem☆]. Aaah... yare yare, it's showtime. I wasn't planning to drop a taboo this big, but if she wants it... business is about delivering.
"Heh heh... so, something totally different, unique, and addictive is fine?"
"Huh? Yeah, pretty much."
Wish granted. This Lee Haru will make it happen. Me, Lee Haru—true J-pop master—turning into Sora Group's flagship VTuber Yumeno Ai's monkey paw... nah, cutie girl.
Spilling the full lyrics now would tank it, so I sanitized the pitch. Addictive beat and lyrics that hit different knowing the language or not... she lit up innocently with a huge grin. Foolishly.
Such a pure... cutie... wait, hang on, I'm the younger one here. Anyway, I couldn't wait to see that face change.
"Here's my StarTA ID. Once the MR and lyrics are ready, I'll send 'em over."
"Yep! Make it a banger!"
Felt like my conscience triangle was wearing thin, but heartless me now? Whatever. As we stepped out, the Sora Group president, Dad, and staff were waiting.
"How'd it go, Haru?"
"Mwehehe... we settled on a killer concept, Dad."
He looked a bit creeped by my little-devil vibe, but who cares. We planned a date after check-in, so mood's high. Dad? Probably off doing "Oishiku nare~ moe moe kyun" at a maid cafe or whatever. Yuri, who'd come out with me, chatted in Japanese with the president, brightening his face too.
"Ah. She says she looks forward to a great partnership with you, Haru—here's a gift from the president."
"Whoa, ooh?!"
Thankfully, no cartoonish ripping in half. The kind staffer brought a Sora Group-logo suitcase packed with limited birthday merch and goodies.
Even without being a VTuber stan, the quality wowed me. Tempting for me; for subculture-loving Dad, it was luxury-brand levels of envy.
"Once the MR's done, email it here—we'll prioritize review. Even if late, rough concept in two months..."
"Got it."
Two-month deadline, but I wanted to say "Aaah, wrap it in a week"—face to save, though. More fired up than any past track. A petite girl with a mature voice belting Maiden God's Requiem? Can't resist.