Surviving as the Youngest Among Giant Vtubers - Chapter 59

EN Märchen Live.

A company created by the mainland JP Märchen Live Production, aiming to advance into the English-speaking market.

It’s fully called Märchen Live English, or shortened to MerEN.

EN, the starting point of JP’s first global expansion, achieved 3rd place in Märchen’s popularity rankings. Initially, JP was 1st, EN was 2nd, and KR was 3rd, but the relationship was reversed because of an illustrator named Muil.

Of course, it’s not just because my contribution to the rankings is high, but there are other reasons as well. For example, the classes’ content planning skills, events, or the benefits of overwhelming merchandise and constant pop-up stores.

EN was pushed down in the rankings because of our KR Märchen. Nevertheless, the fandom was more popular than idols belonging to general entertainment companies.

Even though the ranking is 3rd, 2D defeats 3D. I thought that someday, VTubers might stand shoulder to shoulder with idols at the top.

If KR grows a little more now, maybe.

‘Is that impossible? Still, there’s a generational gap, and the awareness of VTubers is still not that good.’

Anyway, it’s good if popularity increases. Since last year, we’ve been on music shows (MAMU), and we’ve also ranked first in trending videos on YouTube.

Looking at it this way, it seems to be more popular than ordinary idol groups.

“But Chogyeoul. I’m curious about something, can I ask you?”

When the EN representative took us to EN Märchen Live and disappeared somewhere for a while, Tsupi leaned against the wall and asked me.

Tsupi said in a slightly hesitant voice.

“Um… I don’t mean anything by this, but didn’t some places offer you better conditions than KR?”

It was a very abbreviated statement, but I understood perfectly and briefly bit the straw of the coffee I was drinking.

Then I thought for a moment.

What Tsupi was asking was why I, or rather Muil, stayed in KR.

In fact, I was a non-regular worker and could leave for another place at any time.

Tsupi was wondering because I was just receiving commissions. Why bother… she must have thought.

But that was a wrong thought.

As I said before, the commission fee in KR was high. The treatment was better than other places.

‘As Tsupi said, there were places that offered higher amounts than KR.’

But I didn’t accept those requests.

The reason is just… I didn’t want to receive them.

More money? It would be nice to receive it. But that’s all there is to it. KR also gives a pretty generous amount of money. There was no need to go to another place just for the money. In the past.

And this reason was the biggest reason of all.

‘I felt like I was raising them. That’s still the case.’

I said this before too. In the early days, KR also used very clumsy and disappointing avatars. Now, the quality, as well as the facial expressions and smoothness, have all grown overwhelmingly.

At that time… it didn’t seem like a good virtual idol group, even as a compliment. The reason why it was popular even then was.

Corporate power.

Brand value ​​backed by the name Märchen, people cheered simply because it was Märchen.

It’s okay if the avatar is a little ugly. It will develop someday. Clothing? Just use a better illustrator.

Motion or facial expressions? Call the developers and grind them.

Everyone thought so, and that’s what actually happened.

And the person who raised KR in the middle of that is Muil. That’s what people say.

“Um. As you said, I’ve received exclusive contracts and better conditions.”

I paused slightly. What should I say?

“Just. KR was the only one who used my clumsy illustrations from the beginning. And when I see the quality of the costumes getting better every year, I feel proud. I was there for the fun of raising the classes.”

“Wow… that’s a bit touching.”

“I saved up a certain amount of money in a year. I didn’t think it was right to cheat on them just to get a higher amount.”

“Ch, cheat…?”

“I thought I’d rather make one more KR costume than do other work.”

The five people, including the four people listening beside me and Tsupi, looked at me with touching eyes.

Honestly, I didn’t know my illustrations would get this good. Maybe I have a lot of potential.

As I was thinking that.

“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting! Please follow me for now.”

The EN representative who had disappeared earlier returned.

So our group followed the representative somewhere.

I saw the EN headquarters for the first time, but it didn’t feel awkward. It was focused on modern… that’s all. It had a more sophisticated feel than the KR headquarters, but that was it.

“The Märchen illustrators from each country are inside. I’ll come back later to explain about the lecture. Please rest until then.”

The representative took us to a place similar to a private room and disappeared again.

Now that I see it, they seem to be able to speak all the languages ​​of each country. They were talented.

Tsupi entered the room first, followed by the deputy managers, me, and the assistants.

In the room we entered, about 20 people were gathered.

The room was quite large. About the size of a university lecture hall? It seemed a little bigger than that.

“But. How are we going to talk?”

When I asked Tsupi while looking at her, Tsupi shrugged.

“I heard in advance that we would only use English.”

“…I can’t speak English?”

“Me, the uncle, and the older sister are good at it, so don’t worry.”

I can speak Japanese to some extent, but English is no good. I can’t even ask if they ate breakfast.

‘Do you have breakfast? Is that right?’

No. Is eating right? I don’t know.

There’s a reason why I went to the College of Engineering? The language area is not for me.

…Except for Japanese.

Me and my assistants stayed in the corner for a while. People’s eyes turned to my hair, but soon Tsupi’s greeting made them turn their heads.

Last time it was a VTuber exchange meeting, but this time it’s an illustrator exchange meeting. I feel strange.

Let’s leave dealing with people to them.

“You two should also rest for a while. You must be tired from moving around for a long time.”

Jiwoo and Yuri nodded at my words.

While the two were taking a break in the surrounding chairs, someone approached me.

A familiar person.

“Auka-ssi.”

“Muil-nim. Or should I call you Yuwol-nim now?”

A JP costume illustrator I met a while ago when I first met Tsupi. Starting with her visit to KR, Tsupi and I got involved, and eventually I even made my VTuber debut.

It was a short relationship, but I was so happy to see her again like this.

“You can call me whatever you want. Muil or Yuwol. Anyway, it’s been a long time, Auka-ssi.”

“I know. I first saw you half a year ago, haha Muil-nim, you’re still the same.”

“My growth plates have stopped a long time ago.”

Half a year has passed, but unlike me, who is still young, Auka was middle-aged. Her wrinkles seem to be a little deeper than before.

There are rumors that JP is benefiting from the new costumes these days. It was a good thing that Auka changed to my style.

Still, it’s still a long way to go to capture the feeling of KR. At least as long as I don’t draw it myself, they probably won’t be able to follow it when it comes to costumes.

Of course, my illustrations have their pros and cons, but the ratio is about 98:2. So there’s no need to change my drawing style.

“Have you been well, Auka-ssi?”

“Of course. I barely survived thanks to Muil-nim.”

Along with the words that it has now entered a stable period, Auka showed me a picture on her smartphone.

“What do you think? From Muil-nim’s point of view.”

“Oh…”

They imitated it better than I thought. There’s still an awkward feeling with the avatar, but this is something Auka has to match somehow, and the rest was pretty good.

Several years ago, avatars in KR were made to match my costumes, while in JP, costumes were still made to match the avatars.

My style didn’t suit the JP avatars.

But that’s.

“That’s right. It’s a little, no, it’s a lot awkward, but I have to match it. With my style.”

“Yes. I hope avatar production will be tailored to Auka-ssi someday.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

One year from now. Within that time, Auka will perfectly achieve the harmony between the avatar and the costume.

Märchen employees are people who make the impossible possible.

Anyway.

While I was having small talk with Auka, the EN representative came in and announced the lecture schedule.

I didn’t understand what they were saying because they were explaining it in English, but I nodded roughly.

‘I wish we could eat first.’

Of course, I was just nodding, and my mind was somewhere else.

After the representative who finished explaining the lecture schedule left, the Märchen employees from each country got up from their seats.

It seems like this is the end of the schedule for today. Judging by the way they disappeared in groups.

“Ah. My group is calling me.”

“It seems they’re just explaining the schedule and ending it today.”

“I guess so. It’s a shame, but I’ll have to see you again tomorrow.”

Auka said goodbye with a disappointed face. Then she joined the JP group and left the room.

Only our KR was left.

“Chogyeoul. Let’s go now.”

“What about our meal?”

“We’re going to eat now.”

For reference, the KR lecture, that is, my lecture, was two days later.

How can you tell me that while eating?