Debut Jitters: The Concept That Won't Quit

VTubers have two kinds of recordings. No, not just VTubers—streamers in general only have these two. Cover songs and original songs.

Covers are just what they sound like: existing songs that you cover and upload. Japanese songs are the most popular for that. They generate revenue, after all.

Then there are originals, where streamers turn into artists and create their own songs from scratch.

And the song I was recording? Obviously a cover. I haven't even debuted yet—what kind of original could I make?

Though with Maerchen Live, it might be possible.

A massive corporation with plenty of manpower could probably pull it off, but no VTuber had ever debuted with an original. I didn't want to be the precedent, so I'd stick to covers like a good girl.

Anyway. As I sang along to the lyrics scribbled on the paper with my headset on, I caught Tsupi's OK sign.

Finally, a break after three whole hours. My throat felt like it was dying.

"Great job! Just the last part left, but you should rest a bit first, right?"

"Yeah..."

"You look wiped. I'll grab some coffee—hang tight!"

"See you..."

I was a total puddle of exhaustion, flopping onto the sofa in the recording booth and waving limply. Tsupi gave a little smile and left the room.

Scary lady.

I buried my face in the cushions, thinking back to the manager who'd wrung me out for three hours straight. Not just anyone could do that job.

I stretched my aching body this way and that, chugging some water.

Oh yeah, they'd set my debut date. Probably the week after next for the debut stream. A little sooner than I'd expected, but no issues there.

I hadn't known, but they'd already started production on the music video for my debut song. If they pushed the pace, it could wrap up next week.

Scary company...

Did they grind people into powder or what? I screwed the cap back on my water bottle with a grimace, glancing around the booth.

Rows of unfamiliar gear lined the walls. Better not touch anything. Curiosity tugged at me, but I shut it down.

One wrong move, and three hours of recording could go poof. The thought made me shudder.

"Whew! It's brutal out there. Thank god for the AC in here."

Tsupi returned, fanning herself dramatically and handing me a coffee. The rich espresso aroma hit me, snapping my weary body back to life. Caffeine was king when you were beat.

"Thanks. How hot is it out there?"

"Don't even ask. Hit 38 degrees just now. Insane!"

"That's worrying. It's only August. I bet it'll stay hot till October."

"Scary thought... Anyway, feeling rested?"

"Nope, haven't even started."

"You look lively enough. Back in the booth!"

Ah, damn this espresso. Gotta cut back.

And with that, the final part of my debut song wrapped after another two hours. Long live Muil.

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A week after recording wrapped. A ton happened in that time.

First off, mixing on the cover was done. The MV was in its final stages too. Oh, and it's animated—no input from me or Jiu. Maerchen handled it all.

Second, my avatar was complete. Not just the art—rigging and everything else too.

Honestly, I hadn't expected results this fast. Maybe I'd underestimated Maerchen.

My assistant Park Jiu was steadily stepping up, following in my footsteps. At this growth rate, she might not even need me anymore. Or maybe not? I'd mention it sometime.

"Just a week left," I murmured.

Till my debut. MV nearly done, stream setup finished, gear provided by Maerchen. All I had to do was wait.

"Never dreamed I'd be a VTuber. And the eternal maknae, no less."

My future of getting dragged around by seniors already looked pitiful.

I played it cool in my replies, but I was tense. My debut kicked off with the song—a premiere on NewTube.

No way... 30k subscribers already?

Before the MV even dropped. Maerchen's power, huh? I'd watched all the previous gens' debuts. Even the biggest hype topped out at 20k.

30k. Whoa. Dizzy.

Lucky break? Or because I'm the last gen? Either way, good for Maerchen and me.

30 seconds left. I was half out of it by now.

It was the path I'd chosen. Pushed into VTubing or not, I was here now—no turning back.

I took a deep breath, and the MV began.

Gentle music swelled as it opened on a black forest. A small silver-haired girl dragged her wounded body, slashing monsters with a wooden sword.

Endless hordes battered her this way and that, day after grueling day.

Finally reaching the forest's heart, she found a sword. A beautiful white blade, the holy sword that banished worldly darkness with radiant light.

But cruelly, she couldn't wield it. She wasn't the hero.

She could at least carry it on her back. She'd find a hero someday.

Even if it took forever—as long as she could drive out evil, she'd rip out her own heart if needed. She vowed it.

Ten years passed. No hero came.

Only the white-haired girl remained in the black forest.

Exhausted but unbowed. Someday. Someday a hero would come and end this hell—

Until the demon blade pierced her heart, and she breathed her last.

She smiled. Endlessly, ignoring the tears streaming down.

As death loomed, pure white light bloomed in her heart.

The hero isn't chosen by the sword.

Just someone who never gives up. That was the girl.

She gripped the glowing blade and leaped up.

Meteor showers rained down, reshaping the battlefield.

The black forest became a blood-soaked graveyard of corpses, and she fought alone.

Always alone. On and on.

At war's end, she smiled again.

She couldn't return alive.

But thinking of the lives she'd protected living happily brought the smile.

She just smiled. Until her eyes closed.

....

"Whew."

Yeah. A company that spins tales from nothing. That's Maerchen.

They'd arbitrarily set my RP as "hero." No reason to refuse, so I'd gone with it.

What now. Hero acting.

Everything went dark.