Became the Mother of Virtual YouTubers - Chapter 92
Time flew by quickly, and the day of Kamishiro Rei’s solo concert arrived.
The university gymnasium, which NiseLive had booked as the concert venue, was filled with a strange sense of tension.
“How long has it been since I last came to Anam…”
Jin Ha, who attended the final rehearsal, muttered while sitting in the middle of the audience, looking around.
“It’s been nearly seven years since I last came for a college event when I was an undergraduate.”
Recalling a few fleeting memories as a popular student that were now scarcely remembered, she checked the stage setup.
At the end of Jin Ha’s gaze was Rei’s avatar, lightly warming up while being bathed in the spotlight. Unlike a few weeks ago, they now appeared considerably more relaxed.
Since viewing the final stage direction, Rei’s attitude towards Jin Ha had distinctly changed. It was as if a wall that had long been hidden had crumbled, revealing a hint of friendliness and playful demeanor.
For example.
“Jin Ha Mama~ Do I look pretty right now?!”
Suddenly on stage, Rei shouted, calling Jin Ha ‘Mama’ with a bright smile.
As Rei’s cheerful voice echoed through the concert hall, all the nearby staff members were startled and turned to look at Jin Ha.
Jin Ha momentarily frowned in surprise, then smiled wryly as if to say “Really?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I didn’t design Rei’s avatar.”
As Jin Ha spoke with a deadpan expression, Rei pouted their lips exaggeratedly.
“‘Mama’ isn’t a nickname that you can only give to the person who made the avatar, right?”
“…Was I mistaken?”
“If I trust and rely on you like a mother, isn’t that what makes you my Mama?”
“Haha…”
Jin Ha put down the tablet screen and looked back at Rei on stage. Unlike their usual proud and aloof demeanor, Rei was making a face like a spoiled daughter.
Rather than feeling burdened or displeased…
There was a very subtle tingling sensation.
“I don’t mind, but please hold back during the actual performance. I don’t want people to misunderstand.”
As Jin Ha replied in a joking tone, Rei covered their mouth with their hand and chuckled.
In just a few weeks, they had changed so much.
***
The final rehearsal began.
The lights dimmed, and the entire gymnasium sank into deep silence.
Beneath the stage, a soft cloud object began to rise, accompanied by a mirage. At the same time, Rei’s avatar slowly floated into the air. Matching their elegant flying movements, the edges of their wings and hair gently swayed as if dancing underwater.
A magnificent heavenly stage.
The lights transformed as Rei’s beautiful singing filled the air. Soon, bright spotlight beams poured down like a waterfall.
“Position 1, confirmed the designated screen direction.”
“Position 2, no issues with the direction.”
“Position 3, there is a slight delay. I will adjust the resolution of the object.”
“Don’t just lower the resolution arbitrarily; allocate the preset according to the specified LOD value.”
“Yes, Jin Ha!”
Amidst the fantastic stage, Jin Ha focused on checking the technical aspects.
“You’ve worked hard until the very end.”
The head of NiseLive’s Korean branch, Se-yeon, approached Jin Ha. She watched Rei on stage for a moment before smiling and speaking.
“I think Rei has become more cheerful thanks to you, Jin Ha. To be honest, I was a bit worried at first…”
Jin Ha, still focused on the stage, nodding calmly in acknowledgment.
“They’ve been cooperative about the stage from the start. Their proactive feedback has led to much better results.”
Se-yeon gazed at Jin Ha. Indeed, a desirable talent. They brought results of the highest quality faster than anyone else. Additionally, all the VTubers they worked with referred to Jin Ha as ‘Mama’ and followed them faithfully. Where else could one find such a person?
“Um… Jin Ha, would you be interested in working more closely with us at NiseLive?”
Thus, Se-yeon proposed meaningfully to Jin Ha once more.
“I think it would be great to carry out a larger project together. What do you think?”
Jin Ha listened quietly to Se-yeon’s proposal, then smiled gently and shook their head.
“Se-yeon, I think things are just right as they are now. I’m having plenty of fun without being on exclusive contracts.”
“It’s really such a waste. Wouldn’t it be more enjoyable to work with many more ‘daughters’ besides Rei?”
“I feel like being a freelancer allows me to meet more daughters than being part of an organization.”
Of course, with Jin Ha’s words that collaboration opportunities remained open, Se-yeon nodded with a sense of disappointment.
It seemed it would be quicker to convince the higher-ups at the headquarters who kept pushing for security rather than persuading Jin Ha.
***
“I’ll come again at the same time tomorrow. Sweet dreams, everyone.”
– Hangba~
– Good job, Han A-ri!
– Bye bye~
As soon as she pressed the broadcast end button, the usual calm silence filled the room. After turning off the microphone and taking off the headset, fatigue tinged A-ri’s fingertips as she removed the tracking equipment one by one.
The chatroom that had been bustling with ten thousand viewers just a moment ago was now quiet as if nothing had happened.
Every day was the same. Today was no different.
Having adapted to this routine that had been repeated for nearly a year now.
“Whew…”
A-ri leaned back in her chair and exhaled deeply.
At that moment, a mail notification sound rang out from the monitor. Upon hearing a long-missed notification sound, A-ri’s expression brightened.
“…Jin Ha Mama?!”
She had set the alert to sound whenever an email came from Jin Ha’s address, so she immediately noticed. A-ri quickly leaned forward and checked her inbox.
[Congratulations in advance on your 1st anniversary, Han A-ri.]
A-ri slowly blinked and reread the subject line.
“Already… has it been that long?”
Honestly, it was hard to believe. It felt like just yesterday she started streaming again under the nickname Han A-ri. To think it was already the 1st anniversary…
Upon clicking the email, Jin Ha’s characteristic short and polite sentences unfolded on the screen. The calm yet warm words made A-ri’s nose tingle.
“If it weren’t for Mama… how would I be living right now?”
Reflecting back, it felt distant. Not only did she not achieve success as a VTuber, but her future also seemed grim.
She had failed properly as Minari.
She felt anxious about whether she could do well as Han A-ri.
But the reason she was able to overcome all those anxieties was, undoubtedly, thanks to Jin Ha. Thanks to the avatar that Jin Ha gifted her.
Under another monitor screen, A-ri’s avatar ‘HANA’ was beaming brightly at her.
It was still amazing every time she saw it. Even though they had been together for almost a year now, she wasn’t used to having such a high-quality avatar mimic her expressions and movements.
“No matter how many times I thank you, it’s not enough…”
However, aside from her grateful feelings, she also felt a slight hint of disappointment.
“Everyone says they contact Mama on their phones and sometimes even meet in real life… and I’m still emailing…”
It was true that her heart ached a little every time she heard that Jin Ha was in frequent contact with others, especially the Seasons.
With a subtle rise of jealousy, A-ri found herself chuckling without realizing it. She found it amusing that she was feeling upset over such things now.
“I really feel childish for thinking this way.”
While saying that, she couldn’t completely hide her true feelings.
…But after all, her 1st anniversary was approaching.
[Oh, and one more thing. Is there any content you’re preparing for the 1st anniversary?]
[Feel free to let me know anything. I’ll do my best to accommodate if it’s something I can help with.]
Again, Jin Ha had mentioned at the end of the email to tell her whatever she wanted.
“Is it alright to be a little greedy?”
A-ri let out a small sigh, solidified her resolve, and slowly began writing her reply.
[I want to do a talk show looking back over the year with Jin Ha.]
As if enchanted, after sending the email, a mix of worry and nervousness surged over her. Was it too much to ask? What if she made Jin Ha uncomfortable?
As time passed, her mind went blank. Her heart raced, and her fingertips felt cold.
How long did she wait amidst those feelings of anxiety and impatience?
Her inbox suddenly lit up again with Jin Ha’s name.
[Sounds good, Han A-ri. Could you set a date?]
“…Really?”
As A-ri confirmed the email from Jin Ha, a smile slowly spread across her face.
“Really really really?? Jin Ha is really going to appear on my stream?!”
Kyaaah-!!
Without realizing it, A-ri sprang upright from her chair, clenched her fists tightly, and let out a joyous cheer. She bounced around her spot, jumped onto her bed, and fluffed her covers.
“First stream with Jin Ha… Mama!”
Then suddenly feeling silly about her own actions, A-ri blushed and sat right down on the bed. Nonetheless, she couldn’t help but smile widely.
“I hope the day of the stream comes soon…!”