Virtual TRPG Game Master: "It's an Idol Story."
"Virtual TRPG game master. 'It's an idol story.' TRPG... and idols."
Those two words left me with a bewildered expression.
"What."
TS idol... no, a TRPG idol story? This feels like something I've seen before... ugh... my head's suddenly...
Hit out of nowhere by that blow, I was stunned and clutching my head in pain. Meanwhile, Noa took one look at my flustered face and started frantically explaining herself.
"Oh, don't get the wrong idea... It's not like we picked it targeting you specifically, Yume. It was already decided as the session theme from the start..."
"This isn't targeting me?"
"W-well... we've done a lot of fantasy already... so when looking for other genres, idol stories got the most recommendations..."
"Aha."
So basically, they chose an idol story to ride the wave of my recent sudden fame. And then I barged in asking to join their TRPG.
What the hell. So they were targeting me after all.
With that thought, I subtly probed her with a question.
"You had a whole week. You could've changed it..."
"Th-the timeline was tight...! We make all our own rulebooks... Changing genres in just a week would've been impossible..."
"B-boss is right... If we rush to meet the deadline, we'll get chewed out..."
Ali chimed in desperately, agreeing with Noa's excuses. I eyed them both with narrowed eyes and let out a thoughtful hum.
"Hmmm..."
I was just testing the waters—no intention of grilling them. They weren't even trying to hide it, and at this point, it wasn't an issue anyway.
Though it does feel like my Red Pill moment has turned into public property...
Since it was serving as RP fuel itself, no need to change now.
Anyway, I nodded and continued.
"Just kidding. Honestly, I don't care what the genre is."
"Really...?"
"Yeah. An idol story? That's perfect for me."
Better yet, an idol genre played to my strengths. Unlike fantasy or martial arts, I had unmatched confidence in idols. I'd clawed my way from the bottom to the top in three years as a pro. Even in a game, my genre knowledge was on another level.
Plus, I was curious.
"But can you handle it?"
"H-handle what...?"
Noa looked anxious as she asked back. Smiling, I pressed on.
"Mind if I go full historical accuracy demon mode?"
How authentic would this TRPG idol story be? As a three-year veteran idol, I was dying to tear it apart.
"...Pardon?"
Noa's eyes shook violently. Sadly, no one here to comfort her.
A few days later, the TRPG collab stream began.
"Hello. I'm Yume, the VTuber high school girl who dreams of becoming an idol."
[● 8,965 viewers]
The stream hit nearly 9,000 viewers right away. More growth since the UMO stream—even split across channels, the numbers held strong.
Next, Noa introduced herself and the hero party members as the rep.
"Hello! I'm Noa, party leader of the Hero-less Hero Party."
"And the rest in order: Baldhead, Foreigner, Baldie."
"Not baldy!! I'm a Green Wolf suin!!"
"Not illegal visa... I have citizenship..."
"...Even so, straight-up 'bald' is too much, isn't it?"
Everyone bristled at their intros, clearly unhappy. But Noa ignored them cleanly and pushed on with the TRPG.
"Anyway! Today's TRPG scenario is 'Idol Story'."
"You'll overcome all the corruption and irregularities in the entertainment industry and ultimately become the strongest hero... no, the top idol."
"......"
As expected, the chat was already exploding before we even started properly. I watched the manager-culling scroll by while listening to Noa's explanation.
"Let's start with character creation. Pick one of the prepared character cards."
"Eh? No dice this time?"
To Baechu's question, Noa gave an awkward smile.
"Yeah... it takes too long, so cards instead."
Traditional TRPG char gen rolls dice for stats, but they'd skipped it for stream speed.
Good for me.
Not some 0n-year-old leaf-story random gen. Cards were way more familiar.
Then Noa turned to me.
"Yume, you first? You're the guest today..."
"Ah, sure."
I clicked the card pile on screen and drew one. Passed it to Noa, who read the backstory aloud.
You are the child of a once-famous top idol. Wealth, looks, talent—everything needed to become an idol, inherited from your mother.
"But alas! Ahead of her concert at the world's greatest stage, 'Jamsil Olympic Stadium', your mother was killed in an anti-fan attack."
The chat flooded with question marks. Noa continued.
"With no time to grieve her death, you're thrown into the entertainment battlefield. To fulfill your mother's dream of a Stadium concert in her stead, and to get revenge on her killer, you resolve to become an idol..."
"......"
"That's the backstory."
I sat there stunned for a bit. But snapping back, I couldn't hide my shock.
"...Isn't this a rip-off of my fave idol packuri?"
What's this, Hoshino Yume?
"......"
And just like that, I became Hoshino Yume.
No... is this even okay...?