Chapter 132
Chapter 132
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 132
Chapter Title: Mika (3)
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With Maki's shout, the VTubers' hour-long battle came to an end.
"I'm never joining an outside collab again... Just streaming games and singing solo is way more relaxing..."
"Aw, come on, Shiro-senpai. Wasn't it fun? I thought it was a blast—the attention to detail was insane. That's why everyone's all 'QWER~ QWER~' vibes, right?"
"You do you. I'm never doing it again."
"Sara-senpai was the first one out, surprisingly."
"Figured watching would be more fun?"
"Don't front. Heh heh. I heard all those screams."
"Oh no... Play dumb for me, sis."
The VTubers gathered in the lobby, laughing and chatting about their experiences. Standing a step back from the center of it all, Mika stared blankly into space.
Myth approached her with a smile.
"That was a fun match, Mika. You're way better at horror games than I thought. Who knew?"
"..."
"Oh, and I know it's none of my business, but... aren't the requests getting a bit too spicy? I haven't even gotten one yet. Ahaha, just kidding. Huh?"
"..."
"Mika? You okay? Her connection drop or something?"
In the center of the lobby floated a massive screen.
All the scores were displayed there.
1st: Mika - 13pt
2nd: Myth - 10pt
...
1st place. Her name was etched there at the top. With this, she could claim QWER's avatar. It would surely be a huge boost to her future activities.
Good was good. If she just buried that one lingering doubt—not 100% certainty—the whole world would feel easier. No need to clash with the label needlessly, no reason to pick a fight with DreamLive.
But somehow, a corner of her heart felt unbearably heavy.
Is this really right? That simple question filled her mind.
Mika looked at Myth. Even now, she was breathtakingly beautiful and refined—the stars in her new avatar's eyes gazed back at Mika.
Were those stars twinkling too brightly?
For a moment, Mika's thoughts drifted into memory.
Seven years ago, the VTuber industry wasn't the giant it was today.
Excluding the first VTuber—which was more a single project than a true VTuber—the scene was niche among niches. Hardly anyone sought it out deliberately.
"Whoa."
Back when Mika wasn't yet "Mika," but a college student dreaming of streaming, she saw Ai for the first time and was stunned. She knew instantly.
This was broadcasting's new frontier.
After that, things moved fast. She'd come to Tokyo from her rural hometown for university anyway, so she dropped out on the spot to prepare her VTuber debut.
Everyone around her was shocked.
Are you insane?
Tokyo University was a guaranteed elite path post-graduation—why ditch it for something so uncertain?
To Mika, those people seemed like idiots.
Did you need a reason to chase something? When something captivated your heart, did you really need a pile of justifications to pursue it?
"Because I want to."
Wasn't that enough to dedicate your life to it?
Still a rough gem, Mika threw herself into researching the VTuber profession.
At the time, aside from Ai, most VTubers were so-called netkama—guys posing as girls.
With cheap voice changers and 5,000-yen avatars from the internet, anyone could "be a girl" on stream.
Every week brought netkama scandals, the community in uproar—it ended up helping Mika more than she'd expected.
"Guys are surprisingly good at VTuber streams."
Men knew what men wanted, and they had talent. They just kept failing to hide that they were men, sparking scandals.
As Mika hopped between streams daily, studied rigging, built connections with industry folks, and absorbed avatar knowledge...
"Ever thought about debuting with our company?"
She received a business card from a CEO. Word was, she was already famous in the scene. She hadn't streamed once, but nearly half a year of prep work touring the industry made her stand out.
"I've never seen anyone so passionate and genuine about VTubing."
DreamLive. She'd heard of them—a new company pushing "corporate VTubers" with their first two debuts.
It was surprising they'd scout her. Those two were veterans with prior careers; she was a total newbie.
Mika accepted.
"Sounds good. So, what about my VTuber name—"
"Mika."
"Huh? Using your real name?"
"I like Mika."
This was decided long ago. She was herself. Even as a VTuber, she wouldn't forget who she was.
Right before her debut, a new VTuber burst onto the scene.
Like a comet, with beauty and an avatar that seemed straight from space.
"...Is this for real? Some big corp sponsoring her? That's Ai-level at least."
"...Gotta be. No way this tiny industry could produce an avatar like that normally."
In an era where even Ai barely had a proper avatar, this superstar rookie dropped from the sky.
Myth.
Even today, Ai and Myth stood unrivaled at the top of the active VTubers.
The two who claimed the peak through sheer capital and scale in a sea of small agencies.
They were Mika's idols—and walls she had to surpass someday.
"I want to beat them."
"Tough road ahead. In this little market, beating avatars backed by hundreds of millions? You'll need insane effort."
"Still... someday, I will."
Since then, Mika felt she'd given her all.
Cranking out ideas day and night, planning collabs. She bonded with juniors for chemistry, managed their scandals meticulously—DreamLive lacked Myth and Ai's capital, so growing the agency itself was key to fighting those giants.
Poring over financials with the CEO was routine; she'd even pitch to investors herself when needed.
Not an original DreamLive member, but those who knew her from seven years ago remembered her as...
The "Mother of DreamLive."
"Aren't you overdoing it, senpai? You'll collapse."
"...I'll handle myself. Thanks, Maki-junior."
"Nah, humans suck at self-managing. That's why you manage us, right? And sadly, I can't ignore someone on the brink. Let's grab a drink first."
"...As long as it doesn't mess with streams."
"Ahaha! Deal!"
Meeting Maki midway was a godsend, even now. That cocky junior who dragged her to drinks on first meet—now her closest friend, saving her from burnout.
"So, senpai, what's driving all this hustle?"
"...I want to win."
"Against who?"
"Myth. Ai. I want to stand at the top of all VTubers."
"...Ahahahahaha!!! For real?! Stone-faced and blunt, but you're burning hot inside?!"
"Shut it. Don't get too cheeky with your senpai."
"Cheeky? This is respect. Senpai, I just genuinely started liking you."
"...Hic! I'm straight. Idiot."
"Me too?"
As DreamLive steadily scaled up to challenge the top, tragic news hit.
"This is our last story. Goodbye, everyone. Hope we all meet again."
Ai, backed by massive funds but in a tiny market, self-destructed without recouping.
Only Myth left as the mountain to climb. Cry or laugh? Mika hadn't known back then.
She'd half-thought Ai might crumble before she could topple it, but Myth was indie.
An absurd avatar, yet solo? Unbelievable—but true. Heiress blowing pocket change on streams? Nothing else explained it.
"Yay~ Today, we were all Myth too!!!!!!!"
Myth kept soaring. Mika didn't sweat it.
This was a fight against a space idol looking down from the heavens. Not winnable overnight.
The DreamLive tower she'd built was her path to that star. Eventually, DreamLive's growth outpaced Myth's dramatically.
The gap was wide, but closing soon—victory felt near.
Then, in just half a year.
Half a year away from that moment, a man like a miracle hoisted the star higher.
QWER. Legend.
In that absurd era, a high schooler crafting billion-yen avatars. Miraculously unscathed from a brutal crash, rising like a cheat.
Days later, churning out thousands casually, billions with effort—like a factory.
Unbeatable. Uncatchable.
The tower built over seven years to reach the star—now the star rocketed beyond reach, distance growing still.
And now, an opportunity dangled before her.
Grab it, narrow the gap a bit. Tens of millions in cash value, more with prestige—an outfit beyond measure.
It wasn't her fault.
Maybe she'd misread things entirely.
This could be normal; her paranoia twisting DreamLive's intentions.
"So high."
Mika looked up at the sky. At Myth, still proudly hovering, gazing down.
Yes, hadn't the past years drilled it in?
There was only one way to reach the star.
So surely, this choice wasn't wrong.
A Tokyo izakaya.
The dingy spot where Mika and Maki first shared drinks. They rarely visited now with money flowing, but tonight it called to them—both sat at the counter.
"So, you really okay with it?"
"With what."
"Saying in your victory speech, 'I don't need that avatar! I'll beat Myth with my own strength!' You sure?"
"Already said it. Too late now."
Maki cackled, chugging straight from the bottle of strong liquor.
"You see the CEO and board's faces? Priceless."
"Hmph. They forced it despite my no—gotta eat that. It protected the company and dodged scandals. Only way."
"You're catching all kinds of hate for it. Check X—your name's trending real-time for once. Total chaos. 'Always losing, but ego makes her ditch the prize?'"
"Whatever."
"Heh. So, ditching that bold vow to beat Myth?"
Mika downed a whole glass at that, incredulous. Near-30% proof shochu in one go. Maki couldn't stop her.
"Whoa, you suck at drinking—are you good?"
"Hic...! Whatever. Nights like this, I wanna get buzzed."
"Old Mika would've never."
"Yeah."
A sigh laced with sweet alcohol.
"Not giving up. Never. Till I die."
"But you ditched the avatar?"
"Don't need it."
Borrowing the buzz.
Tonight, she felt like being honest.
Mika looked at Maki.
"I've got you all."
"...Eh?"
Maki's face flushed at the blunt honesty. Already half-drunk, Mika poked her cheek.
"Thought about it tons, but the answer's one."
She knew how to reach the star.
These seven years proved it.
"I'll build the tower. To the star. Until I overlook everything. Together... hic... wanna?"
With that, Mika slumped over the counter.
Always pushing with no tolerance. Maki, sober despite drinking multiples, stroked her hair.
"I'll follow forever, senpai."
I joined DreamLive because I respect you—the you who won't quit even gazing at Myth, who truly wants to win.
Maki whispered softly.
In Tokyo's old izakaya, at their origin with just the two, they reaffirmed their dream.
The most beautiful one—priceless in money.
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