First Stream – Hakooshi's Momentum

Starting the stream with over 47,000 subscribers and more than 22,000 live viewers. Numbers that didn't feel like a debut at all. Compared to my previous streams, they were utterly ridiculous. And this was the power of a corporate VTuber from an established agency.

There was a term: hakooshi. Like most new slang, it was a bit tricky to translate directly into other languages or pin down precisely, as it encompassed a broad concept. But in most cases, it meant something like "a fan who likes the entire group affiliated with the agency, not just a specific someone." Like someone who loves an idol group as a whole rather than a particular member, or enjoys an anime without a favorite character. It wasn't easy to define sharply, but that was the general vibe. And this was the strength of a corporate agency.

Logically speaking, what could people have seen from my channel, which hadn't even streamed yet, to hit subscribe? Sure, the official Twitter had posted about the newbie ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠debut, with various updates on me and Yukihiro—er, precisely, on Tensai and Shizuri. This VTuber industry was one where just seeing a character design could spark interest, so some probably subscribed off that. But that couldn't be all. It had to be because they were simply Vicone affiliates, fans of the seniors who pressed it out of loyalty. Even if the ratio was small, a little from each of the many seniors added up to these numbers. The viewers likely followed the same logic.

On top of that, even people not usually into Vicone might have heard about the debut on SNS or communities and thought, "Why not check it out?" Some probably clicked out of curiosity, others just because of the algorithm's mysterious whims for boredom relief. Like an massively inflated bubble. It was bound to pop eventually, but the fact that it inflated this much was something a indie VTuber could barely dream of. Maintaining those viewers afterward was up to my efforts.

"Everyone, this body is reading all your chats... but I apologize for not replying properly. It's because this body isn't used to streaming yet. When's the self-intro? You're quite impatient, but you're not wrong, so let's proceed."

The chat flew by in a whirlwind. Amid the mindless spam of kawaii without even romaji conversion, I scanned for anything worth picking up. Nothing too out of left field.

I pulled up the pre-prepared PPT on screen. A stiff, monotonous one with zero cuteness. I'd wondered if this was okay, but Reiko said it fit the image perfectly, so just go with it. A quick glance at chat reactions: kinda cold. Not cute, etc.

"Some of you might know from the official account, and as I said earlier. As you can see, this body is Tensai. Note that the ten in ten is read as 'ten,' so pay attention. Address this body with respect as Doctor or Professor."

I explained with a haughty tone and a smug doya face.

"Sorry, but this body isn't a child. Logically, could a kid be a professor? The fact that this body does the work of one proves I'm a fine adult. This is called a refutation."

Just dumbfounded or mocking reactions, but that was the point, so no issue. I kept flipping through the PPT with the arrogant tone. After the slide with Tensai's name and birthday, it moved to a section about myself—specialties or hobbies, that sort of thing.

"My specialty and hobby... I enjoy studying languages in general. For this body, not born on Earth, the languages here are all fascinating. As listed, from Japanese to English, Korean, Chinese, German... Varying proficiency, but I'm always learning. Doubting it? No reason to lie about this."

Right there, I started simple greetings in various languages. The surprising part for me was the pronunciation. Usually, speaking another language instinctively carries your native accent—hence Konglish or Japanglish. But Yui... had almost no such habits. It felt like she'd practiced with utter sincerity. I could empathize with the shocked chat reactions.

"Also, that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠leads to enjoying various cultures. More fun than just books. Japanese is most fluent for that reason. As below, I like watching anime. Recent ones like Love-Light Flower Clouds... I go for cute girl anime. Why? No ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠real answer... just 'cause they're cute."

"Like girls? The intent feels a bit impure, but yes, this body does. Why dislike cute girls? I see no reason. Doesn't mean I hate men, so no hurt feelings."

The stream went smoothly without issues. Just following the PPT order, picking up chats here and there—no room for drama. Chat teased my low game tiers compared to seniors, but I'd catch up soon enough. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠After slowly covering my info, I introduced the illustrator and rigger (usually called mama and papa), fan name, SNS tags... Fan name settled on "guinea pig." A term used for lab subjects in Japan; nothing else fit well. No good combos with tomo, mei, mate, etc., that matched my name.

PPT done, I enlarged the chat window and started casual talk. No need to fish for topics—chat was dying to ask everything.

First up: relations with seniors. Most viewers from their streams, so natural.

"Of course this body knows the seniors. Haven't met or chatted much, though. Closest are Nanoha-senpai and Saki-senpai; they've helped this deficient body greatly, so I'm grateful. Hope to get close with others too. To be honest... I'm awkward at making friends, so knowing they're all good people reassures me... ahem, yes."

Reiko had mentioned it a few times, but I was unusual. Many train half a year or more for debut; I'd only had a couple months. She deemed me minimally qualified, but it meant scant senior contact. Skipped detailed queries, stared at chat for other topics—then my one fellow newbie came up.

Right, had to mention her.

"Speaking of which, can't skip Shizuri. Won't detail, but she's always a bother, yet I'm just thankful. See her stream for more, but one thing: Shizuri's an amazing cook. Makes every day delightful."

Related chats poured in; I picked some to reply. About her helping with chores, cleaning, cooking... Already cleared with Reiko and Yukihiro, so fine. Brushed off others with "check her stream," and suddenly 50 minutes gone. Time flew; surprised how naturally I kept talking without stutters. Fiddled with the unfamiliar huge mic.

"Time slipped away... That's it for today. Thanks everyone for joining this body's debut. Future schedules on free chat or SNS, so check there... Anyway, thanks to all who came."

Switched to intro for end, muted mic. Usually personalized greetings at start/end, but I had none yet. Like the fan name, nothing felt right.

Staring at the scrolling otsus, it hit how many people had been there—hard to imagine. After 1-2 minutes of intro, ended stream. Checked list to confirm off, stood—whole body soaked in sweat.

"Ugh..."

Only then did I realize my body had no strength left. Hadn't noticed during, but I'd been insanely tense. Now fatigue crashed in. Just over an hour, yet exhausted like never before. Past streams, 5-6 hours felt nothing; even now, no prior sense, but this body couldn't handle it. Constant tension drained stamina; utterly spent.

Wanted to collapse and sleep, but at least shower first...

—Creak.

"Good work on your first stream—"

"Ah, you came...?"

Reiko, waiting downstairs, opened the door and froze mid-step. Seeing me sweat-drenched, probably stunned. She liked things neat, so understandable.

"Too tense, I guess... Sweated buckets. Uh, stream okay?"

"...Yes. No issues."

"Worth the nerves... Urgh... Thanks for waiting, but I need to shower and crash. No strength left..."

"R-right. Rest well."

While tossing sticky wet clothes and undies, heard her leave. Grateful she came, set up, waited—but too exhausted for hospitality. Stumbled to the bathroom.