#011. Are You On My Side?

After getting my steering wheel confiscated, we decided to cover the broadcast screen and spin the queue on a whim.

Just flashing the queue waiting screen for a split second sent the viewers into a frenzy. Teasing them like this is kinda fun, isn't it? Of course, they immediately chewed me out to cover it back up quick.

I feel like I'm gradually turning into the troublemaker position. Nah, probably not.

Anyway, thanks to Ren's insane queue control, we managed to avoid most of the sniping viewers. Completely dodging them was pretty much impossible from the start. With four streams combined, we've got at least 20,000 viewers right now.

But as the matches dragged on, I started realizing something—I suck at shooting more than I thought.

"Don't show off, just use the shotgun or something..."

I grab an AK47, can't control the recoil, and suddenly I'm staring at the house roof. Talk about a sense of deprivation.

Luna and Yuzha seem to be getting the hang of it, each snagging a kill or two with assault rifles.

"That's 'cause Neru keeps picking guns with heavy recoil..."

"How about trying a DMR instead?"

"Can't lead my shots. It's harder than real guns..."

For the record, back in my military days, I never missed out on marksman qualification. I lived so diligently that I even got offered to become a specialist sergeant. Luckily, I got discharged safely. Good times.

Wait, did I just blurt that out?

"Neru, have you been in the military or something...?"

"No way... I've just been to the shooting range a lot."

Anyway, the conclusion is that shooting in games is harder than in real life. Maybe it's because my body's different, but my memories are still fresh, so that can't be it entirely.

Sigh, if only someone would make a proper VR FPS game. I could shut down all the mockery in the chat window with that.

⋯

We wrapped up the ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠stream successfully that day, and when I checked my Humanity Points, I'd earned about 1.5%.

"Still... less than I expected."

Even with several fun clips pulled, it was lower than anticipated. Extending stream time doesn't seem like the fix. Better to buy a question ticket from the point shop and ask Neru.

"Neru, Humanity Points aren't accumulating well. What's the reason?"

Is she talking about those occasional joy, excitement, cuteness pops from before? What a annoyingly finicky system.

Most emotions from watching internet streams have already been detected, so I need to figure out how to induce new ones. It's not urgent since I can still stack the common ones, but still.

And it seems the Neru in my head is trying to help, so I need to clear this up first.

"Are you on my side?"

It took an anxious moment, then ding—the answer arrived.

"...Yeah, I'll trust you."

I still don't fully get what I've created, but I decided to believe in the AI I made, just this once.

Anyway, today's scheduled stream is Just Chatting—a communication broadcast.

So, here's how the streaming schedule works. For the first few weeks, the company sets the start times. New streamers don't come up with content on the fly easily, so they pair us with other Universe members for collabs.

Once you're used to it, you set your own times and content later.

'Collab yesterday, so Just Chatting solo today.'

I'm not great with words, so I'm a bit worried.

I DM'd Yuseol about my concerns.

What a reliable person. Taking her tip, I fired up the stream, set it to waiting screen, and waited for people to gather.

I played some Neha music and waited a bit, then switched to the Just Chatting screen—virtual avatar with chat window visible beside it.

Usually, streamers take the lead here, spilling stories or whatever. Of course, I wasn't totally unprepared.

"Good evening, everyone. Have you all eaten?"

Current viewers: about 6,000. 2nd gen popularity is bigger than I thought—each member already has clip YouTube channels popping up.

Mine is called 'Neru Neural Network' for some reason. The AI concept, I guess? Ren's is 'Ren's 101st Shortcut'. Yuzha's 'Yuzha Highlights'. Luna's 'Luna Foot Mat'.

"Oh right, did you see ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my clips on YouTube?"

"No, I come off like such a prankster in them, but that's not really me."

"...Anyway, these kirinuki clips are always welcome."

Looks like I need to reclaim my honor a bit. I envisioned an intellectual AI concept, but it's veering weirder by the day. Being called cute is good for a VTuber, but I still can't accept being seen that way.

"By the way, I heard Universe fan cafe now has a 2nd gen tab. Let's check it out."

Following Yuseol's advice, as topics ran thin, I opened the fan cafe. It was neatly organized, with a dedicated 2nd gen tab ready. Mostly for my stream announcements, while general chatter went to the unified free board and fanart board.

Peeking into fanart, there were surprisingly many 2nd gen pieces! Maybe because we're new, but super positive.

I clicked one of me in cyberpunk clothes. Downward angle emphasizing bare legs, not super revealing but kinda provocative. The character matched my features so perfectly, it felt like my portrait.

"Whoa... this is so pretty?"

"Wh-what can't you handle? Hold it together."

I knew this level of back-and-forth was daily in streams, but getting it over my fanart felt strangely embarrassing. Thankfully, the rest were purely cute Neru fanarts, no lewd vibes.

Yeah, that's better.

"Please post tons of fanart. Lots for other members too..."

Next was me in military uniform.

Tense expression made me look pretty sloppy. My Log impression must've been huge—feels like my image is solidifying that way. Still, the art was gorgeous.

"Aigoo, off to the army? Oh man."

Someone this talented heading to the army—what a pity. As a former vet myself pre-body swap, I felt like I should cheer him on at least.

"Take care of yourself as much as possible... In training camp, just aim for mid-tier? These days, after dinner around 7 ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠PM, you can use your phone..."

Whoops, meant to just cheer, but gave advice instead.

"Ahem... anyway, hope you come back safe."

I smoothly moved to the next fanart, changing the subject.