Chapter 14

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 14

Chapter Title: 18 Years Old, I Became a Vtuber [06]

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A day arrived that filled me with both joy and worry.

It was Jung Da-hye's broadcast debut, but...

I also had to do a joint stream with her.

She wouldn't suddenly spout something weird like last time, right? If it ended with just words, that might actually be a relief?

The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became.

I considered confiding in Seo-rin, but I held back. Bringing it up might just complicate things unnecessarily.

It's fine. I can handle this on my own. I'll push through this trial with grit.

I clenched my fists tight and dove into virtual reality. Let's do our best today too. With a familiar gesture, I started the live stream.

I steadied my breathing and opened my mouth in a voice pitched a tone higher than usual. The chat exploded with messages in response to my greeting.

"Hello, everyone. Hope you're having a great evening~"

"Everyone saw the teaser, right? The new member you've all been waiting for is here!

From now on, I think we can bring you even more virtual reality streams. Are you all excited? I hope you are~♫"

The energy in the chat ramped up even more.

Should I keep rolling with this momentum?

Just click the invite nickname and hit the button, right?

Once I pressed it, tiny data packets gathered, forming a single figure.

Brown hair, pointed cat ears, a curly tail, and warm-looking brown eyes. Character name: Daisy. The avatar Jung Da-hye would use from now on.

She examined her newly formed body, twisting this way and that.

She flexed her hands, then her legs.

Well, it's gotta be novel.

I was the same at first.

As I watched her from the side, our eyes met.

Huh? That look in her eyes isn't good. No way?

Her body launched straight toward me.

With a loud crash, we both tumbled over. Arms and legs tangled, hair a mess.

It's okay. It's okay. I saw this coming.

I forced myself to stay calm, stood back up, and faced the screen.

"Let me introduce her. This is Daisy, who'll be streaming with you all from now on♪"

I smoothly laughed it off like a pro. Then I glanced at the chat.

Fortunately, the reactions were positive. Comments called her a cozy big-sis type, and lots praised how realistic the cat ears and tail movements were.

"Nice to meet you all. I'm Daisy. Looking forward to streaming together."

A smooth start.

All that was left was heading to the world the staff had prepped.

Chat a bit with viewers, then move ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠over. What should I talk about? I was pondering when—

Suddenly—

Someone's arm wrapped firmly around my waist.

A soft pressure pressed against my back.

I didn't need to turn. I knew her chest was flush against me.

Soft, squishy sensation.

The fragrant scent of her skin.

Every breath made it sharper. I quietly held my breath.

"Too much contact. Back off a bit."

"Senior Lumina's slim, but she's got some nice volume... Feels addictive."

Daisy's hands didn't stay at my waist.

They slowly, boldly slid upward.

"That tickles, so stop touching already?"

I caught the chat going up in flames. This is bad. Gotta clear it up.

"Th-this is just... Daisy's a bit energetic..."

The more I spoke, the more tangled it got.

A chat asking if we knew each other caught my eye. Saying we don't would be accurate, but...

It's not like we just met either.

Daisy looked at me floundering.

Slightly upturned lips. Curved eyes.

She was grinning ear to ear.

I've been completely played.

Seo-rin would flip if she saw this.

The future terrifies me. First, pivot off this topic quick.

"No time, so let's head to the map first. They said a special one's ready. Excited, right? Me too. Promised something surprising. Wonder what?"

I nearly sighed but swallowed it down.

Even now, Daisy stood casually beside me.

That nonchalance irked me most.

How am I gonna explain this to Seo-rin later?

Useless thoughts kept creeping in.

I didn't do anything.

Daisy just moved on her own.

I soothed myself and stepped toward the portal.

I opened my eyes to find myself inside a dilapidated mansion.

The old wooden floors creaked with every step. Something giggled in the darkness.

Sweat slicked my palms, breath caught in my throat. This isn't real. Virtual reality.

I repeated it in my head.

This mansion, the rotten stench...

The ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠dust-covered candelabras...

All fabricated illusions.

No need to be scared.

The giggling laughter.

The dusty rooms.

The shadows chasing me.

...It's fine. It has to be.

But why was my heart pounding like it was real? It wouldn't calm down.

"Senior Lumina, you okay?"

"Y-yeah. Fine. No problem."

Daisy peeked at me.

"You look pale."

"N-no way. Ghosts or whatever don't exi— Kyaaah!"

A shape lunged from the dark. I reflexively threw up my hands to shield my face.

What was that? Still nearby?

I backed up until my back slammed into the wall.

That minor thud made my legs give out from shock. Embarrassing. So embarrassing.

Just wait till I get out of here.

Whoever planned this is in for it.

First, find the exit.

But orienting myself was tough.

Reaching out grabbed only air.

"Senior, I'm scared. Let's go together?"

Daisy silently hooked her arm around mine. Unbelievable, but no time to argue now.

Honestly, having her close was a little reassuring. Side by side, we headed for the exit.

Creak. Creak.

We walked the dark corridor.

Nothing else gonna jump out, right?

Nerves on edge.

Gulp. Dry swallow down my throat.

Daisy's fingers, linked with mine, started moving. Very slowly, subtly.

At first, I thought she was adjusting her grip.

I stared straight ahead silently, but her hand brushed my side.

Is she shaking?

Acting calm but scared inside?

Her hand didn't stop. What?

Why so fixated on my side?

Curious, but I ignored it.

More pressing issues right now...

"...This map's longer than expected."

"Yeah. Where's the exit?"

Daisy's fingers crept higher.

Over my waist, toward my nape.

Like brushing off dust.

Pretending to look ahead, she snuck a glance at chat.

Wonder what's there.

Curious, but couldn't check properly.

Not with—

Whoa!

Stop popping out!

Shadows rippled, something burst from the floor. Tension numbed my other senses.

"Shh, it's a secret. Today I'm monopolizing senior."

I had no clue why chat was losing it. Why the sudden frenzy?

I tilted my head and looked at Daisy.

"What's up with chat?"

"Dunno. No idea."

Daisy smiled innocently.

Her fingers still roamed freely.

Waist, thighs, butt.

Restless wandering.

Shadows kept lunging from the dark. I instinctively clung to Daisy.

Can't help it. No one else to rely on.

Forget her rudeness for now.

"Close your eyes, senior. Ghost ahead."

"Th-thanks..."

I squeezed my eyes shut.

A chill ran through me.

What touched me?

Ghost?

Eyes closed, no idea.

Didn't know if it was a hand or what.

Too scared to open them...

Just hoped it'd pass quick.

After trudging on, light finally appeared. The exit.

Finally escaping this hell.

"We're here, senior."

Daisy stood at the exit, exhaling in satisfaction.

Then beamed at chat.

That smugness annoyed me.

Feels like I took all the Ls.

"Had my fill. You all too, right?"

I skimmed chat, tilting my head.

No idea what they found so fun.

Chest groped, butt stroked...?

What are they on about?

Gotta check later.

Tired today, so wrap up.

"That's it for today's stream. Got pretty scared, but... did you all have fun?"

"See you next time~"

Virtual reality faded slowly, returning me to reality.

Today's stream felt off somehow...

Can't pinpoint what, though.

What time is it?

I blankly picked up my phone.

A message from Seo-rin.

I squinted at the screen.

[...Won't forgive cheating]

My fingers froze.

My heart sank harder than in VR. This moment was way scarier.

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