Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Next Door
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“Well, we'll get going then.”
“Father, why not stay a bit longer?”
“Sigh~. Myth, you know old folks like us are supposed to bow out gracefully at times like this. I'll leave Legend in your hands. Call anytime if you need something, and ask if anything comes up.”
“Yes, Mother. Please head inside.”
The conversation flowed naturally, leaving me frozen in place.
With no desk, no TV, no sofa—the place was practically empty save for the lone refrigerator, where Mother had stacked the side dishes she'd brought. Before I knew it, my parents had slipped away without a word to me.
...It's not like they like Myth more than me, right? Nah, just my imagination.
I plopped down anywhere in the empty house.
First things first, I needed to hear the full story from Myth.
“Have a seat.”
“Huh? Something you wanna say? Or finally... the answer to that first reason...!”
“Not yet. Sit.”
“Tch.”
“Hey now. No pouting like that.”
“...I'm not pouting.”
Myth stuck out her lower lip and sat down next to me.
...That was close just now.
But not yet. Not the time.
Way too soon.
“So what's going on here? What's with this empty house?”
“Huh? Didn't your parents explain on the way over?”
“They just said it was my house or some weird crap like that. No way this is your place, right?”
“Nope. It's yours.”
“...Care to elaborate?”
“I mean, this is your house. You're the owner.”
“Ah, why didn't you just say so from the start? This place looks pricey as hell, and it's mine?!?!”
I shot up from my seat.
But Myth just stared up at me blankly, like it was no big deal.
Feeling my common sense shatter in real time, I blurted out my biggest worry first.
“We're not gonna live together or anything, right?”
“N-No, of course not?! I have my own place! Th-Though if you wanted to...!”
“Then why were you here...?”
“You were coming, so I came ahead and cleaned up a bit.”
She gestured, and there they were: vacuum cleaner, mop, all sorts of cleaning tools.
No wonder the place was spotless. She'd beaten me here and tidied up.
“Wait, so this is really my house to live in alone? Why? Where'd it come from?”
“Your avatar fee, obviously.”
Avatar fee.
It took longer than I expected to process those words.
Was she saying this house was the payment for making Myth's avatar?
“Even so, this is too much.”
I knew Myth meant well and was looking out for me.
But this was way over the top.
I didn't know exact real estate prices, but one apartment like this had to be worth way more than a single avatar.
Hell, if that was the case, she could just make a few more like Myth and I'd be loaded.
Yet Myth tilted her head, as if wondering what the problem was.
“Legend, you have no idea what kind of status you hold in the industry, do you?”
“Huh?”
“Hold on. I made a folder for this.”
She pulled out her phone, fiddled with it for a few minutes, then handed it to me.
I took it and scrolled through.
- To Myth-nim. We're preparing a 3D modeling project at 0000 Corp. Could you connect us with QWER-nim?
- Myth unnie, I'm switching from Cambang to VTuber. Could you introduce me to QWER-nim?
- Hello. This is DreamLive, a Japanese VTuber agency. We're preparing an avatar for our new debut 000 0000. Could we get in touch with Myth-nim's avatar creator, QWER-nim?
- Hi. I'm PD 000 from MBS. We'd like to invite QWER, the avatar creator for a 5-million-sub VTuber, to our show. Can you connect us?
QWER.
That was me. A flood of offers, all right there.
As I stared in bewilderment, Myth chuckled.
“Unlike when you collapsed, avatar modeling gigs start at tens of millions these days. And look at these. How much do you think their avatars cost?”
She took her phone back and showed me a VTuber group on Nutube.
Unique art style, insane quality at a glance. I was floored.
This could rival the Myth I'd made. Easily.
Before I could answer, she spoke.
“Hundreds of millions to start.”
“...What?”
“That agency's backed by a major Japanese corp, full launch and all. Pricey makes sense. Feel anything yet?”
“Tech's gotten wild?”
“Heh, sure, but Legend—you made an avatar surpassing that tech seven years ago.”
Myth's eyes sparkled.
At first, she'd been prepping for finals and didn't know the VTuber scene deep enough to gauge its value.
But as she started broadcasting, debuted, she felt it bone-deep: how absurd this avatar was.
Facial capture and 3D tracking tech back then couldn't touch its quality.
While Legend slept for seven years, tech advanced, and Myth evolved naturally with it.
Screens that once showed just faces now tracked arms, fingers.
Pro studios with high-end gear only amplified her charm.
To viewers, it looked like the avatar had evolved over seven years.
Every new tech gen, she'd adapt faster than any VTuber—thanks to that base.
That was Myth. Created by Legend.
“Okay, but even so, not this apartment.”
“Sigh, Legend. You really have zero clue about your worth.”
“But still...”
“You're a genius, Legend. The whole VTuber industry's eyes follow your every move. Might not feel real yet, but you will soon.”
Legend was a genius.
A genius among geniuses at the peak of the industry.
No one would believe a high schooler spent three years on this avatar seven years ago.
Even now, online rumors pinned it on some corp's promo experiment.
But when he made her new outfit last time, she saw he was stingy with his own work.
She'd fill those gaps now. He wasn't getting away ever again.
“And I told you—I'd repay you a hundred, a thousand times over.”
That day after finals.
Myth reminded me of her words.
A month ago for me, seven years for her. She remembered perfectly.
“...You were just saying that.”
“Maybe. But I meant it.”
She stood before me again.
Staring straight into my eyes.
“Every word I've said to you has been real.”
'I'll give you everything I have.'
Her words from January 1st overlapped, flushing my face.
I turned away; she poked my cheek, amused.
“And if it's too much, help me out this time.”
“With what?”
“Big project in the works. Need your power, Legend.”
“Details?”
She hesitated, lips twitching.
Choosing her words.
“It's under discussion with the agency, so embargoed—can't spill everything. But... yeah.”
It's fine, he's cool with it.
Screw it.
Needs his help anyway.
She muttered to herself and spoke.
▶
After dinner with Myth here, she patted her belly and stood.
No cookware today, so delivery it was.
“Whew... That hit the spot. Gotta head out.”
“Stream day today?”
“Myth streams resume normally after a week off starting Jan 1~. Note to Legend viewers.”
“Got it. I'll tune in. But leaving now—won't you be cutting it close?”
“It's fine. And don't post what I said on the forums! Ever!”
“Relax. I'm not an idiot.”
As if I'd sabotage her career.
She nodded, gathered her things to leave.
“Bed and PC in that room, so you're good for tonight. Tomorrow, let's shop for furniture.”
“Furniture?”
“Can't leave it empty. Gotta fill it up.”
“No, really...”
“Legend, I didn't wanna say this 'cause it's embarrassing.”
As I tried refusing the furniture too, she blushed and buried her face in my chest.
My body stiffened at the suddenness.
She pressed closer, hiding her expression.
“What's mine is yours. Don't sweat it.”
Thump.
Heart dropping.
Mine? Hers? Maybe both.
“...Hey, ease up on this stuff. Bad for my heart.”
“Tried to, but you keep dodging. Your fault.”
After clinging a while to calm down, she pulled away.
Looking regretful.
“Alright, I'm off! Too late and no stream.”
“I'll walk you.”
“Ooh, yes please. Don't worry, not far.”
I slipped on hospital slippers.
At least to the entrance. I grabbed a thick coat, but she stopped me.
“Nah, no need to bundle up.”
“It's still January.”
Huh. Something felt off.
Her outfit was way too light for winter.
She flashed a meaningful smile and opened our front door.
Then punched a code into the next door one.
- Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Click.
The neighbor's door opened; she darted inside.
As I stood stunned, she stuck out her tongue and waved.
“See ya after stream for late-night snacks! Bye, Legend!”
Slam.
Door shut.
I stood there, dumbfounded for ages.
Ah, my head.
I clutched my throbbing temples.