Chapter 165: Truth and Holiness (4)
…….
Han Seoyeon leaned against the wall, gazing up at the ceiling.
How did this happen?
If I told this to my past self from a year ago, they probably wouldn't believe it. No, even more so, because a year ago was still before Mary Tepes' debut, they wouldn't have understood what a VTuber even was.
"Um..."
No matter how much I thought about it, it felt strange. It wasn't a formal debut, but rather the official setting of Sister, which had only been depicted in the realm of secondary creations until now.
In other words, Sister, who had been merely a position as Mary's ordinary acquaintance in the Anathema world view, was now integrating into the Anathema universe.
Can I call this a successful otaku?
Han Seoyeon liked it, of course, including Mary, but she didn't dislike the other members either. If it flowed according to Nakabashi Gyokichi's intentions, it would allow for more confident broadcasting participation, which might be a good thing... but...
...On the contrary, it felt like stepping carelessly into the holy realm, so there was a bit of negative feeling.
Nevertheless, the reason Han Seoyeon ultimately decided to accept his proposal was the conversation that followed immediately after.
"However, you say you're conceptualizing a character from now on, but aren't you using the 'Sister' image that already exists as is?"
"It can't be used completely as is."
There are several problems with that.
The fan arts currently circulating on the internet are all secondary creations, so each artist has different designs, or more precisely, the image of Sister that has been built so far is not a 'character' but Han Seoyeon herself, so it needs to be refined to some extent.
"You said you were recommending it because you felt bad about the already-made Sister character, but this way, aren't you basically creating it from scratch?"
"I won't deny that."
"Then, the reason wasn't just that, right?"
"Well, that's correct."
Gyokichi readily affirmed Han Seoye'son's guess.
"To put it bluntly, it's a rather calculating reason. A calculating reason to gain some benefit under the Apostle's radiance."
"Apostle's radiance?"
"Does Han Seoyeon know about the founding of Anathema Production?"
"If you're a fan of Anapro, there aren't many who don't know."
No, even if not a viewer of the VTubers affiliated with Anathema Production, it's a very peculiar case, so it's subtly known on the internet.
"It was by striking it rich with coins and quitting the broadcasting company to start the company."
That's why half of the Gyokichi photos floating around the internet have titles like 'Successful VTuber specimen.jpg'. ...By the way, the other half is circulating as 'Evidence that Cthulhu exists.jpg'.
"...But the speculation that this is really all is subtly circulating."
It is true that striking it rich with coins was successful. However, the story that she really started an MCN because she loved VTubers too much is a contentious debate in the fandom.
"Rokumondera Aki, Natsugahara-san suffers from agoraphobia due to an accident, Tachibana Rin and Kuroyuki-san also got disabilities from the same accident. Half of the first generation we picked are people who became idols but quit work due to accidents."
Komori Sae, the only one in the second generation who was directly scouted, her real name Bansei Marin, was also an idol who ended badly due to conflicts between members.
Because of this, it was inevitable that the topic would come up among netizens. Anathema Production was created not to give a second chance to some entertainment industry workers who met unfortunate ends... or something like that.
"That story isn't entirely wrong."
And Han Seoyeon could affirm her own hypothesis in the realm of her delusions.
"Anathema started as a company to help people who couldn't realize their dreams due to anomalous phenomena. It was also for that reason to some extent that we proclaimed ourselves virtual idols."
Of course, it wasn't a completely commercial-free charity. At least, it targeted only those who had talent but couldn't get the opportunity. Conversely, if they saw a budding talent as a VTuber even if not an accident victim, they recruited them.
"I can't help all anomalous event victims with my own power, and in a way, it's a kind of hypocrisy. But I started it because I wanted to help even a few people. The government prevents and handles incidents and gives some compensation, but... no one repays the lost dreams like this."
She wanted to take on that role. Gyokichi said that was the beginning.
"...However, the Akaba-san who was behind this time suffered a lot from it. Honestly, that was quite unpleasant."
That's why the Apostle's authority was needed.
"If the company affiliated with the Apostle, the residents of the behind-the-scenes world would find it much harder to touch our VTubers. They already have the name value of 'Apostle's acquaintance', but if this happens, they'll be even safer."
That's what 'calculating reason' meant. Even if it's for the company members rather than herself, it's definitely using Han Seoyeon as a flagship.
However, Han Seoyeon decided to accept Gyokichi's proposal because of that. If selling her name to protect the people around her, there's no need to refuse. On the contrary, it was something to welcome.
"── Sion-san!"
Ninomae's voice came to her ear at the exact moment she was finishing that reverie.
She was in comfortable attire: training pants and a half-sleeve t-shirt. It was different from when she came to work, and the faint smell of sweat suggested she had just come from dance practice.
But Han Seoyeon felt a slight unease at the sight. Normally, after practice, she would have changed and come to find Seoyeon.
But instead, in the exact same outfit after practice, with what seemed like a very surprised expression... did something big happen?
"Sion-san, it's true that you're debuting as a VTuber?!"
"Eh... wait, where did you hear that story?"
But upon hearing it, she thought it was a story worth being surprised about. She would definitely react like this.
However, the next question was where she heard that information. At a time when it hadn't even been an hour since she had talked with Gyokichi about this topic.
"Chiyo-san told me. The president asked Professor Senjoji how Sion-san is doing at university, and asked her to provide anomalous research for the concept..."
"Um... Chiyo-san... Indeed, the fastest way for information to leak is from that side."
Chiyo is close to the president among the members both as the little sister of a childhood friend and as the little sister of the anomalous consultant.
"Wait a minute. Information leaking? Does that mean it's real? Are you debuting as the third generation as Chiyo-san said?"
"No. That's a bit of a misunderstanding."
Han Seoyeon told the conversation she had with Gyokichi in case she misunderstood.
"Um, it's not a debut, just making a character... Is that the story?"
"Honestly, I still don't quite know what it feels like."
"Is that so? I roughly get it."
It might have been an insufficient explanation, but from Ninomae's reaction, she seemed to understand the situation well.
"In other companies, there are cases where employees who are not VTubers are also picked as models and participate in broadcasting."
"...In this industry, it seems faster to find what's not there."
Han Seoyeon said with a wry smile at Ninomae's words.
"Anyway, then from now on, we can talk about Sion-san without worry in the broadcast, right?"
"For now, as long as it's just mentioning other members, it should be fine. Of course, not immediately, but after this fact is officially announced."
"Yes, I know that."
And then she smiled brightly.
"Really, I'm happy. Actually, I had talked to the company about how to handle this before."
"About Sion-san?"
"Do you know how hard it was to adjust so that there wouldn't be too much talk about Sion-san even though we're cohabiting?"
Regardless of how close they are, they couldn't mention it often on air. That was a big complaint for Ninomae.
"You were that concerned."
"Because it's 'Mary' who is doing the broadcasting. As Mary, I was dissatisfied that I couldn't get along well with Sion-san!"
"Then, as much as we've been lacking so far, do we have to make up for it diligently from now on?"
"Aigoo, really Sion-san also..."
Ninomae poked her with her elbow, saying what kind of talk is that. But since she's laughing hehesi, it seems she liked the previous words a lot.
"But if you get too attached only to 'Mary', you shouldn't, right?"
"Of course not."
Whether it's the one doing the broadcast or not, we need to pay attention. At that, Han Seoyeon lightly hugged her shoulder and kissed her forehead.
She had intended to do so anyway, even without saying it.
After all, the one Seoyeon really had feelings for was the one right in front of her.
"...U, the company will be a bit troubled."
"It's okay. There are no people around."
Looking at Ninomae's flushed face up close, Han Seoyeon lifted the corners of her mouth again.
"...Really?"
"Yes. That's right."
Only then did Ninomae, who had been glancing around, show a relieved expression.
It wasn't anyone else; it was Han Seoye'son's sense of smell that was saying that, so there was no mistake. With her guarantee, it's not just that there are no other people around, but even that there are no living beings.
Because of that, Ninomae, who had been reading the atmosphere, gathered courage a bit and stood on tiptoes.
Their lips met briefly, then separated. As their lips moved apart, Ninomae looked up at Han Seoyeon with moist, glistening eyes.
"Ah, I said there was no one around."
Then, suddenly feeling shy, she turned her head away.
"...Eh?"
And, she met eyes with the woman looking at her.
An impression that strangely exuded a wild feel. The hair tied and hanging down was black, but the facial skeleton was that of a foreigner.
That woman was staring fixedly at this side with golden eyes.
"Was I interrupting? Sorry. I'll finish what I was doing."
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa?!!??"
Ninomae's face turned bright red like a beet at the unexpected appearance of a spectator.
"M, Ma, Ma Marbas-san?! Why here?! No, more than that, Sion-san said there was no one around..."
"Um... Sorry. When a demon is in a state close to a spiritual body, even I can't smell it no matter what..."
"...So, are you going to continue? Then, to retrieve the flowing faith, I'll call a friend or something."
"No! There's no way in this situation?!"
"Is that so? Philotanuss would be disappointed."
"I don't know about that!"
Ninomae, whose eyes were teary, took a long time to fully calm down.