Such a Waste
"So.. Ito Yui-san..?"
"Y-yes.. Ah, may I sit down..?"
"Ah, yes. Sorry, my greeting was late. I'm Yagami Reiko, the HR section chief who contacted you."
The beauty who'd been sitting there in a daze stood up and bowed to me, so I hurriedly bowed back. She didn't seem to be wearing particularly high heels, but she was a tall woman a full head taller than me. Even accounting for my own extreme shortness, the beauty before my eyes was definitely on the tall side. Probably around 170cm, right?
She handed me a business card, which I accepted—though naturally, I had none to give in return.
"I-I don't have any.. b-business cards."
"Yes, please have a seat."
Following her guidance, I sat on the integrated sofa and stole a glance at the beauty across from me. Sharp, intense eyes with a keen impression; a neat brown bob that didn't quite reach her shoulders. A suit that clung to her curves, emphasizing an utterly mature aura. She was the picture of a stunning OL who looked like she crushed her job. And since she was a section chief.. that had to be a pretty high rank, didn't it?
Doing a one-on-one interview with someone like this made my heart pound.
Not that it was anything to brag about, but my core self was just a total shut-in who'd lavishly wasted my life on otaku hobbies and games. The only interviews I'd ever done were for part-time gigs at local convenience stores or shops—I'd never set foot in a proper company. And this new body of mine found face-to-face talks with strangers excruciating, so the combo was a massive ordeal for me.
"What beverage would you like?"
"W-water's fine.. Th-thank you.."
I bit my tongue on the last word, but at least I'd answered quickly. As if I'd know how to order in a fancy cafe like this. From my limited knowledge—iced Americano, hot Americano, maybe cafe latte—what was I supposed to pick?
As the waiter set down some antique-looking.. whatever elegant pot and teacup, plus something weird that reminded me of science class, and vanished, Reiko-san looked at me and said:
"Ito Yui-san.. 21 years old, resident of Setagaya Ward.."
"Y-yes.."
"You've listed quite a few languages under special skills, but may I verify their authenticity?"
"O-of course!"
The interview apparently kicked off before I could even brace myself, so I desperately tamped down my churning guts and replied. Reiko-san pulled out a laptop from her bag for a simple test: me reading and speaking various languages. It obviously couldn't gauge true fluency, but maybe they weren't too picky as long as the basics were there.
A few minutes of testing later, Reiko-san closed the laptop and eyed what looked like a printed stack of my PPT.. application docs, I guess.
"According to your documents, you have about half a year of streaming experience. And you applied to us right after quitting that."
"Y-yes.."
"The attached data doesn't suggest it was particularly successful. May I ask your intentions in applying here with such results?"
Her sharp gaze dissected me like a knife, leaving me utterly speechless. The subtext was crystal clear: 'You think you can underestimate our company?'
But.. even knowing that, I couldn't help it. That's just how it'd look. Applying to a pro agency right after bombing out as an indie streamer? It screamed ulterior motives.
Suddenly, the sofa—or maybe my whole body—felt like it was floating and spinning in midair, dizziness washing over me. Still.. I had to answer somehow.
"N-not like that. Well.. um.. uh.."
"Take your time answering."
"Haaah.."
I tried ignoring Reiko-san's piercing stare—arms crossed, watching me—as best I could, gulped down the cold water from my cup, and took a deep breath. My foggy, blurred vision and head cleared up a bit. ..Though the tension was still there. Was it this body, or just me getting flustered around a beauty..? Hard to say. I'd never thought I was this tongue-tied. With strangers, my voice just got quieter and my words sped up—a basic nerd thing.
I sorted my thoughts and started speaking slowly.
"St-streaming didn't go as I hoped, true.. but I think my own shortcomings played a role.. Various lacks on my end. So, with your company's efficient.. management and support, it could benefit us both.. Th-that's the idea. I applied thinking that. That's all.."
"I see. Understood."
She listened, closed her eyes, nodded a couple times. Done? I let out a tiny sigh of relief—only for her voice to follow immediately, proving otherwise.
"In that case, if we provided management, do you have a clear vision for the returns? Something uniquely yours that no other applicant could offer?"
"Th-that's.. Well, as I noted in special skills.. I handle multiple languages at a decent level.. So for the world's most accessible market, YouTube.. I could be the most.. suitable fit. That's my thought. Also.. teach languages to members, target overseas fans.."
"Hmm.. Good. However, that all hinges on you having baseline streamer competency. Do you believe you meet the bar as a broadcaster?"
"Hic!"
I clapped a hand over my mouth at the weird squeak. Scary.. Was this the infamous pressure interview? Did all normies endure this to get jobs, with only the victors making it in?
Every time I opened my mouth, it was like: 'Not really? Nah, that's not it? I don't buy it? You sure you're all that?' Reiko-san's words terrified me. Worse, they weren't nitpicky or unfair—they hit on doubts I'd harbored myself, so they felt totally valid. No rebuttals or excuses came to mind.
Typical streamer skills.. what did that even include? One thing sprang up first. I glanced down at my tiny hand covering my mouth.
"I suppose I don't need to hear your answer."
".."
"You admit your shortcomings caused the failure, which shows good attitude. But we have to question if that competency would grow under our support. First, forgive my rudeness, but streaming demands considerable stamina—and you don't appear to have it."
"Th-that's.. Y-yes.."
No need to investigate; anyone could tell from this petite frame and fragile build that'd crumple at a poke. Couldn't argue if I had two mouths.
"Moreover, given our business direction and members' styles, a baseline game skill is prerequisite—but your data suggests you're below par there too."
"Hic."
Infuriating.. I'd never been called bad at games my whole life.. to face this humiliation. I'd taken a beating from Reiko-san already, but 'You're bad at games' hurt worse than all of it combined. My nose stung, eyes prickled like tears might spill, so I clenched my fists tight. This body's tear threshold seemed low.. but crying mid-interview after some scolding? Pathetic had limits.
"Weighing these issues comprehensively.. my judgment is you're not quite ready for debut here. Do you agree?"
"Y-yes.."
"Very well. That concludes the interview. Congratulations on passing the second round, and thank you for making time in your busy schedule."
"Y-yes. This was a good experi—"
I started to stand and bow back at Reiko-san, who rose gracefully—then froze mid-motion.
..What?
"Um.. what did you just say..?"
"Thank you for coming on short no—"
"N-no, before that.."
"You passed the interview screening?"
Her eyes—still sharply gleaming like before—met my blank stare, but for some reason, they seemed laced with the faintest hint of amusement.
. . .
"R-really? I.. passed?"
"Yes."
"S-so quick..? Usually it's.. wait for reply later or.. something.."
"It's fine—I'm the final decision-maker."
Reiko didn't add that she was the only one assigned to HR. Solo act meant she was naturally the chief and final say. There were other circumstances too.. but no need to spell them out.
"Hweee.."
The girl before her—Yui—made a dopey.. no, utterly adorable noise as she melted back into the sofa. Her eyes drifted vacantly, strength utterly drained. Reiko had flung razor-sharp questions, tempted to torment that vibe—but Yui's unexpectedly solid answers had mildly surprised her.
In truth, the two filters—document screening and this interview—weren't that crucial for recruiting members. They were just sieves; assessing true VTuber potential, talent, and any risky baggage came later. Even a wildly successful indie wouldn't get in if they had bad industry rep.. setting aside whether such a person would apply.
On that front, Yui was surely a safe raw gem. Her streaming experience was negligible in scale, and her personality didn't scream troublemaker. The only question: radiant jewel or worthless lump?
'Figuring that out is my job.. or hobby, maybe..'
She drew a strict line between work and personal, but Reiko's gut screamed not to let this Yui slip away. Whether it was scout instinct for pre-star talent or simply liking her.. she hadn't pinned it down yet.
"But there's something I've wanted to mention since earlier."
"Y-yes..?"
"Is that your natural voice?"
"Ah..!"
A sweet, brain-melting voice. It evoked Maria from Reiko's current anime obsession, Love Light Flower Clouds—something fragile, like it'd snap at a touch, yet gentle. The voice of a seiyuu who owned it.
Yui had started with a normal, slightly husky tone.. but at some point switched. Awkward timing mid-interview; she'd missed her chance to ask till now.
"Uh.. y-yes. I have a bit of a complex about it.. so I usually alter my voice.."
"Such a waste!"
Yui's eyes went wide at Reiko's blurted words.