Chapter 15
"Alright, everyone. Calm down and let MPG speak, okay?"
"Yeah! I'm waiting."
"… Y-Yeah… that's right."
"Sure, let's do that."
Sia's angelic presence calming the situation was truly something else. But thinking about it, the fact that the entire Another World crew was waiting outside the door and had come all this way was surely thanks to her. She was the only one who knew we'd be talking in the reception room. I didn't know if this was a case of giving poison and then the antidote, but I was grateful for now. At least she'd bought me some breathing room.
"A… cough. Hello. I'm Hayun Kang, MPG, the one who signed the model contract with Another World this time."
"You really made that yourself?"
"Por! What are you saying?!"
"Well, it's suspicious, isn't it? Someone who couldn't make anything suddenly pulls this off."
I shrank a little under Por's suspicious gaze, but I immediately puffed out my chest and met her eyes. There was no reason not to be confident—it was definitely something I'd conceived and created myself. No need to cower. Settling comfortably into my seat, I looked at Por.
"If you can't believe it? What can I do if you won't believe I made it?"
"… Wow. So bold. Guess you really did make it."
"No. She's the one who made avatars for us— is that how you treat her?"
"You never know."
I got a bit annoyed at her shrug, but it wasn't incomprehensible, so I let it slide. A little more prodding and I might not have held back, but as expected, she knew where to draw the line—like the intellectual mage role she played in Another World. Seizing the moment, I took a closer look at the person inside the VTuber. I'd only seen the broadcast side so far, so there might be more to uncover.
"What are you thinking about? You look tired. Those dark circles are heavy."
"Siri, d-don't call her that. She'll feel overwhelmed. People like us get worn out from too many questions."
I'd felt a spark of energy just moments ago, but Siri's machine-gun barrage drained me right away. Still, seeing them like this in real life, not on a broadcast, felt strangely novel. Even without VR, their vibes and speech were so similar that my brain automatically overlaid their virtual models, making it feel like I was watching a stream.
"A-anyway, first I'd like to show you the models. Then we can talk about what you need or any changes."
"MPG!"
"Eek, just call me Hayun."
"Got it, Hayun. For my model, can you make the boobs bigger? The girls tease me every day about how small they are!"
I was startled by Sia's effortless familiarity in using my name, but I couldn't help glancing at her chest. Compared to her avatar… honestly, the avatar was bigger. Maybe the avatar was the one being deceptive.
"That's a bit…"
"Why not?! Models can be super busty!"
"… I think wishing for what isn't there is a little much."
Pfft.
All eyes turned to the source of the laugh. She looked a bit like me—taller, with slightly smaller breasts and a gloomy aura. Just from her appearance, I knew who it was. Rin Gold, Another World's hikikomori dragon.
"Rin! You just mocked me, didn't you?! Mocking me because yours are busty!"
"N-no. Something funny just came to mind."
"Don't lie! You deceitful jerk!"
As Sia latched onto Rin and kneaded her indiscriminately in an undignified frenzy, I squeezed my eyes shut and sighed. Rin had the bustiest figure among Another World members, which seemed to be why Sia was fired up. Surprisingly, they'd modeled reality pretty closely in VR. With a short sigh, I composed myself. If this question barrage continued, it'd never end.
I opened my eyes and looked at the Another World crew, deciding. Better to hand over the avatars quickly. That way, I could head home fast and rest easy.
Ahem.
"Oh? Looks like MPG has something to say. Everyone, pay attention!"
"Go ahead."
"What? Got something to ask?"
"A-uh, is this okay?"
Sia's sudden move to grab everyone's attention made my head spin. No, I could've just sat quietly—why draw focus like this? I couldn't understand.
"Uh, h-heh… gasp."
Hyperventilation hit. That's why I never did presentations in class—this kind of attention was too much for me.
"Hoo… haa, f-first, would you like the avatars?"
I said it. Pushed through the tension. Guess I could grow in this area too.
"Avatars?"
"I, uh, wanted to ask more."
"Can't I just keep using the one I have?"
"G-good. I want mine quick."
I shook my head at Sia's words.
"There are updates. So… yeah, probably best to show you. Let's head to VR now?"
Right now! I wanted to escape to VR. It'd be less draining than reality, and seeing them as VTubers would make it way more comfortable than this.
I shot up from the sofa. If I didn't, I'd be stuck here for minutes more, fielding questions.
"S-so, quickly… someone show me to the capsules?"
I requested guidance with a smile. Please, no more questions—just lead the way.
Luckily, my plea worked, and we accessed VR. And I could feel it. High-end capsules really were the best. Compared to my budget one at home, the difference was night and day. No lag, smooth movements—it refuted the saying that a craftsman blames his tools. With my lighter body in virtual space, I dashed around, decorating before the others arrived. A café vibe might be nice, I thought, focusing on that when I suddenly felt eyes on me.
"Ah."
"What're you doing?"
"Oh, uh… just waiting, I guess."
I scratched my cheek and hesitated at the sight of Momona, who entered first. The Another World members had their own area and were supposed to come later after leaving me in the staff room, but she was here way faster than expected. They said it would take time, that the distance was far! Momona, did you trick me?
"But MP… I mean, Hayun's using the default avatar?"
"Oh, didn't really need my own."
Not broadcasting or anything exposed, so I was using the basic gray mannequin model from VR. After three years, it even looked kinda cute.
I averted my eyes from her dissatisfied stare. Hey, I can use the default too! Why complain about it? As the other Another World members trickled in slowly, I prepped their avatars.
"Everyone's here."
"Yup! We're all here!"
I flinched at the red-haired girl charging over. As energetic and free-spirited as ever. Por Phoenix, Another World's freedom-loving wandering knight. A VTuber with a hot-blooded, impulsive kid-like charm who couldn't hold back if she wanted something.
"I'll give them out one by one."
"Yeah, hurry up."
The blue-haired woman spoke sharply and prickly, just like in her streams. And even saying that, I knew she was internally apologizing profusely, which made me chuckle. Siri Tellius, Another World's tsundere dwarf physical mage. Her angry tone from the start had doomed her debut, but the cuteness of her whining apologies on Mugen or Connect was endearing.
"Yeah, let's get it done quick."
Unlike in reality, her voice didn't tremble; the golden-haired woman spoke casually and playfully. Amazing. She could relax in VR—true internet recluse power. Rin Gold, Another World's gold dragon, who called herself a total loser otaku hikikomori. Her streams didn't show it much, but from stories by members or managers, she was the ultimate online hermit VTuber.
"So, what got updated on mine?"
And finally, Momona as always. The mischievous VTuber who loved discovering new things. I owed this contract entirely to her; gratitude filled me.
"Here… take them."
I swiped my hands, compressing each avatar into data packets and sending them over, giving them time to inspect. Por marveled, Siri alternated between me and the avatar in awe, Rin fiddled to check details, and Momona scanned for changes.
It felt rewarding. Seeing them admire my creations lifted my spirits. Time to explain.
"Alright, now for the rundown. Listen up?"
I clapped sharply to focus them. Their gazes here were way better than in reality. Clearing my throat slowly, I explained. Though not eloquent, I could detail my own work well: each avatar's unique traits, special broadcast features.
Done, I sank into a chair I'd made. Ah, satisfying. Felt like I'd poured my all into it. They looked pleased, so I just smiled back. Now, excited for viewer reactions.
How shocked and thrilled would they be? Just thinking about it was fun. So… could they stop staring and let me go home? Why were they still eyeing me like they had tons of questions? Please… send me home.