The Yuri Business Proposal
I suppose it's only natural that the idol industry has a marketing tactic known as Yuri Business. For those who find the term itself unfamiliar, let me explain it kindly. It's when members deliberately act all lovey-dovey with each other to make the fans happy... I guess that about sums it up.
For example, Member A from some group might shyly confess that she's been paying extra attention to Member B lately. Or Member C, who once said her type was "cute girls," would pull Member D—who perfectly fits that image—into a tight hug. If they really want to push it, sometimes they'll sneak a light kiss on the cheek and then act all flustered about it.
The advantage of Yuri Business is simple. It lowers the anxiety fans might feel when male and female idols get involved, while still preserving that heart-fluttering romantic vibe. As long as they don't cross the line too far, it's basically just harmless fan service. Nothing to take too seriously.
This same Yuri Business existed in the world of Virtual Liver—VTubers, the virtual characters who stream online. No, calling it "existing" doesn't do it justice. It would be more accurate to say it was a time-honored tradition with quite a long history.
After all, the industry pioneers who are now considered legends had skyrocketed to fame through some seriously sticky yuri marketing in the past. In a company full of female VTubers, Yuri Business was practically a cheat code. There was no reason to avoid it.
That's why I casually suggested to my fellow VTuber debutant that we try doing some Yuri Business together. Her debut stream hadn't gone well, and because of that, she wasn't showing off her usual charm. Her growth had stalled out.
"W-we don't have to stick together when the stream isn't even on!"
"Sorry. I just really hate doing things half-heartedly. I can only move when I genuinely feel like doing it... It's a troublesome personality, I know. Don't worry, though. I'll make an effort to truly fall in love with you."
Yeah. I think I picked the wrong person for this.