The Genius Developer's New Avatar
I didn't think so. "Haa, ugh... I'm so tired." It had already been three days since I helped with the broadcast, but my body still felt exhausted and sore, as if the aftereffects were lingering. To be honest, I suspected it was just inevitable fatigue from pulling all-nighters to work on my new project. But since I found the development process so fun and exciting, there was no way I could just stop.
"Ugh, I'll just rest for a little bit and then get back to coding." My head was overflowing with ideas and things I wanted to build, making it impossible to hold back. Furthermore, I no longer felt the pressure of money or time like I used to, which allowed me to immerse myself in development even more deeply.
"Lunch today... a burger is the easiest choice, right?" I lay on my bed, staring at my phone to order a burger. I needed a hearty meal to keep the creative juices flowing!
I had turned off all my phone notifications and ignored everything for three days because I wanted to focus on my work without any interruptions. I was stunned to see how many alerts and messages had piled up in the meantime. Since I rarely get contacted, seeing this many notifications was a first for me.
Checking my messages had to take priority over ordering a burger. Looking at that "+99" on my message app, which I had never seen before, I couldn't help but feel a little afraid. Who on earth sent all these messages? Honestly, I hoped it was just spam or advertisements. If it wasn't, I’d feel guilty, and I was terrified of the fallout.
"Let's see... ugh. Oh..." I swallowed hard as I checked the pile of messages. I broke into a cold sweat as I read through messages from Minji, the Another World members, and NeoVerse.
The messages from the Another World members weren't anything particularly special. They were mostly formal pleasantries, thanking me for helping with the broadcast or asking me to let them know when I was working on new content. Yura had sent a flurry of incredibly mundane things, but that was just her usual self.
NeoVerse, on the other hand, was inquiring about the contract for creating avatars for the Another World trainees, which I had heard about at the company dinner. They must have sent it right after hearing about the trouble Yura caused the day after the dinner. Even though it was a bit late, I sent a reply saying it was possible.
And then, there was the long-awaited chat from Minji... that wasn't going to be easy. It didn't start with anything important, but as I scrolled, it escalated from her getting angry at me for not replying to her worrying that something had gone wrong. I quickly typed out a reply, sighing as I explained that nothing was wrong and I had just been too focused on development to check my messages.
"Phew. If I had been even a little later, she probably would have come over in person or called the police. Thank goodness." The thought that I might have been reported to the police for not checking my messages—only for them to find me perfectly fine—was honestly embarrassing. I realized I couldn't just ignore my messages anymore... it was a bittersweet realization. At least she would be relieved now that I'd replied. Now, I could finally order my burger and get back to—
"Ah." I flinched as my phone buzzed immediately, and I checked the notification. Seriously? It had only been a few seconds since I sent my reply! Honestly, it was a little scary. She wouldn't scold me for not checking my messages, right? No way. We’re friends, there’s no way she would... oh, wait. Yes, there was a way.
She told me that if I was going to be like that, I should have let her know in advance or updated my status message. I read the message with a sullen expression, and then my phone started ringing. I picked it up.
"H-hello?"
"Hey! You had me worried sick!"
"Ugh, no... I, uh, sorry."
"Ha, you... I know you love developing, but this is a bit much, don't you think?"
"Nooo. It's just that I've been working on some other things lately, and I really wanted to focus on my development."
"Well, I get that, but... ugh, seriously. Anyway, don't do that again, okay?"
"Ah, yeah. Okay."
I couldn't even give a proper answer as I was scolded by Minji, who sounded just like my mother. Honestly, I did think it was a bit much. A day might have been one thing, but I had ignored her for three days without a word. I couldn't say I was entirely blameless.
"But do you really have to go this far?"
"Huh? Of course I do! You realize you've turned into a woman, right? Do you have any idea how worried I am because of that?"
"Oh... is that so?"
"Yes! If you were just a little bit pretty, I wouldn't be this worried, but do you even know what you look like right now?"
"Oh..."
As Minji said, I was, honestly, pretty. I didn't know why I was so beautiful, but I was pretty enough to fall in love with myself. Aside from looking a bit gloomy, my appearance and figure were practically top-tier. But still, I thought she was overreacting by being this worried. What could possibly happen in this day and age? Plus, I didn't even leave the house, so there was no way the things Minji was imagining would happen.
"Th-that might be a bit of an exaggeration, don't you think?"
"...Well, maybe, but that just shows how worried I was. So, don't make me worry again."
"Yeah, okay. I'll be careful from now on."
"Sigh. So, what were you making this time that kept you so busy?"
"The thing I'm developing? Hmm. This time, I'm trying to create something that feels like a place to rest."
Maybe it was because I was exhausted from meeting people, but I wanted to create content that felt quiet and empty. That was why I had started working on this...
"Do you want to check it out? It's almost finished."
"Almost finished? Hmm. Sure, I'll take a look."
"Okay, I'll send you the invite code. See you in virtual reality."
I ended the call with Minji, stood up, and headed toward my capsule. I should show her right away... wait, no. I remembered I had to eat, so I sent her another message. I told her I’d log in after I ate. I ignored the barrage of messages that started pinging my phone and ordered my burger. Honestly, I couldn't resist a burger. Wait for me, burger!
After enjoying my burger, I quickly logged into virtual reality to show her the content. Since it took some time for the delivery to arrive, I had to get in as fast as possible so Minji would be less angry.
"Whew! This shouldn't count as being late, right?"
"It's not late? You said you'd show me, and you made me wait 30 minutes!"
"Wait! Aaaah!"
Minji lunged at me, ruffling my hair, and I was tossed around before collapsing to the floor. Ugh, the world is spinning~ Ugh, should I have logged in faster? Maybe it was a bit much to take my time and finish my cola.
As the dizziness faded, I stood up and smoothed out my messy hair. Still, I thought it was better than when I was a man. Back then, I would have just been smacked hard on the back, so I thought her touch had become quite gentle.
"Ugh... anyway, let me show you the content."
"Wait, before that, isn't there something you should say?"
"Oh... uh, hi?"
"You should start with an apology!"
As her hand reached for my hair again, I covered my head with both hands. I thought I had apologized while she was tossing me around, but I guess not. I kept my head protected and backed away from Minji.
"Ugh, s-sorry."
"Sigh. Well, I'll let it slide since you won't do it again. But tell me."
"Yeah? What is it?"
She was still looking me up and down, as if she still had questions. I was using my default avatar, so there shouldn't have been any problems, right? I didn't understand why she was staring at me like that. The look she gave me, as if to say "I knew it," wasn't very pleasant. It was the kind of look that suggested I was being even more of an idiot than usual.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Seriously? You've become a woman, and you haven't changed your avatar?"
"Huh? I'm comfortable with the default avatar, so I like this one."
At my words, Minji grabbed my shoulders firmly, as if to say that wasn't allowed, and stared into my face. Even though we were childhood friends, this felt a bit too overwhelming...
"U-uh, hey."
"That won't do! Back then, you were just a guy with poor skills who didn't need to worry about his avatar, but that's not the case anymore, is it?"
I groaned at the facts that hit me deep in my heart. It was fine to give me advice, but did it have to be so painful? Calling my work "poor"... I had done my best to create and share it. Still, since it was coming from Minji, who had used my content the most, I couldn't really argue. How could I deny the truth?
"U-uh, wouldn't it not really matter? I'm not the one broadcasting, so I don't think I really need an avatar."
"No, that's wrong. Once you get famous, you might end up appearing on broadcasts, so you should at least have one."
"...Me? Appearing on a broadcast?"
"Exactly. Honestly, you're an attractive person, aren't you? You're a good developer, you're a woman, and you have a nice voice? Wouldn't it be strange if people *didn't* look for you?"
Listening to Minji, it sounded plausible. Even if it were me, if I thought about the buzz, I'd want to have myself appear on a broadcast. Honestly, appearing on a broadcast? I had thought about it once or twice. Introducing the content I made... it sounded like it could be fun. But I had never once wished to appear on them often.
However...
"Y-yeah. I guess VTubers often get called onto broadcasts when they become someone's 'Mama,' right?"
"Exactly. You don't seem to remember, but you've appeared on my broadcast before, you know? You only communicated through chat without speaking, but still."
"Ah."
Minji's words brought back memories of the past. Even back then, it was hard for me to talk on air, so I communicated through chat, but now... at the very least, there were four people. No, judging by the way Minji said that, it meant she would call me too. At least five people would call me onto their broadcasts and introduce me as the "Mama" who made their avatars. It wasn't going to be easy. I could refuse if I really wanted to, but my personality wouldn't let me—I’d feel too guilty. If this was the case, my future... it was practically already decided.
"Ah... ugh, fine. I'll make one."
"Good. Don't worry about the appearance. I'll pick one that suits you."
"Yeah... yeah?"
Seeing Minji's "hehehe" smile made me very anxious. Was it really okay to leave the avatar concept to Minji? But it was hard to refuse because she looked so excited. If it was too weird, I'd just refuse... for now, I'd better pretend to accept.
"Then, I'll show you the content now. Let's think about the avatar later."
"Sure. Look forward to your avatar."
"Y-yeah."
With a sense of unease, I showed Minji the content. It was a theme you could see anywhere, but still, at this level...
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
"Let's make that avatar quickly. This has potential."
"...Eh?"
"I'll handle the support. You just finish your avatar and the content."
I looked up at her, dumbfounded by her pressure—which wasn't really a request—but the determination I saw in her eyes was so strong that I nodded. If she was going this far, it must mean it really had potential. Then... I could just get back to development. Aha! So her plan was to give me time to develop! As expected of my friend! I'm so glad I made such a good friend!