TS Vtuber Streaming Life - Chapter 61

“…Is that okay? Of course, it’s legally prohibited.”

“Right?”

“…Just think of it as something like flirting. Why take it seriously?”

“Oh, is that so?”

“I-I didn’t mean to seriously propose marriage!”

It was a joke, wasn’t it? Thank goodness.

Huh? Wait a minute, you understood that, huh?

Then it’s better to communicate in Korean since it’s obvious that I can’t speak Japanese that well.

“Th-then Grochiman is really trying to do that with Roje—”

“Shall we talk about work now?”

Ah, we talked at the same time and ended up overlapping.

“What did Mie say?”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to….”

“Is that so?”

Anyway, the real meeting had begun.

In this meeting, as someone who self-taught my Japanese poorly, I found myself lost in translation, dazing off while occasionally responding to the manager’s questions with suitable thoughts and sometimes sipping the coffee in front of me with a scowl on my face.

What’s interesting is that Mie, who was giving me an almost too bright gaze earlier… let’s call her Mie. That sounds nicer.

Mie, after seeing my scowling face, began to avoid eye contact?

I’m not sensitive enough to be hurt at this level anymore, so I just thought, ‘So even someone who jokingly suggested marriage ends up like this….’

…I genuinely wasn’t hurt. Really.

“Mr. Yeon-woo, you’re going to do a test here, right?”

“Yes? Yes… um….”

“Then, let’s move.”

It seems like the conversation was over, as the team leader from the tech department… I forgot his name….

Anyway, the team leader and Mie left first, and we followed behind.

“Is it over?”

“For now.”

“But we are testing the 3D Avatar, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then, am I using the avatar I last reviewed?”

“Right?”

Are we finally using the avatar I’ve been giving feedback on since right after debut?

As I followed along, we arrived at a place I had only seen in movie filming behind-the-scenes.

Ah, is it more accurate to say it’s a game motion capture location than for movies?

“Oo…!”

The room was densely packed with cameras all around, and there was a motion capture suit they called a bodysuit.

“Wow….”

This is indeed the forefront of being a VTuber….

I thought I only needed to know how to use VR devices, like trackers and sensors, but… wait?

Uh, hold on, do I have to wear that?

“Manager?”

“Yes, Mr. Yeon-woo.”

“So, I have to wear that bodysuit over there?”

“Of course. Why else would we be testing here?”

…That’s just the truth.

…I’m not just putting underwear under it, right?

Please… it better not be…!

Fortunately, there was a layer of clothing to wear inside.

…It’s still a bodysuit, though.

I received the clothing and entered the changing room.

“Roje! I’ll help you— No, I believe you can do it on your own….”

I pushed away Mie, who was trying to help, and hesitantly changed clothes in the changing room.

“Wow…! d*mn…!”

In an unfamiliar sensation, a curse slipped out before I could help it.

Isn’t it too clingy?!

I’ve never worn something like this before…!

As I hesitated and looked in the mirror, my body lines were too revealing.

I should have tried wearing stockings back in Korea… then at least I would have been somewhat prepared.

…No, I still wouldn’t have adjusted.

Honestly, I’d rather get frostbite on my legs than wear stockings; what am I thinking?

Maybe because I’m in a state of emotional distress, I’m imagining things I wouldn’t usually consider. I took a deep breath to collect myself and opened the door.

“Oh….”

“Wow…!”

…d*mn.

I really hope they don’t react….

At least it’s a relief that the only people here are the ones from earlier, right?

Trying to think positively and convince myself it’s okay, the manager approached.

“Mr. Yeon-woo, your body… wow, you-”

“Shut up.”

As I dealt with the manager, now Mie was approaching.

“Roje! Let’s do this!”

“Mie.”

“…I’m sorry.”

…Just leave me alone.

After a moment of reality hitting me, I started to worry about when this technology is introduced to our company beyond this test.

Ha… Please…!

I really hope our company waits as long as possible to introduce motion capture!

In Korea, people are fascinated by just seeing avatars moving in full using just full trackers with VR devices!

Motion capture is way too over-the-top technology for Korea at this current time!

Let’s slowly evolve with a sense of technological progress…!

…But eventually, won’t the time come when I’ll have to wear one before my retirement?

Realizing this sad truth brought my mood down to the depths.

“…Mr. Yeon-woo, um… could you soften your expression—”

“Is that possible?”

“I’ll endure it. Since you’re holding back your embarrassment, I’ll have to endure too.”

Why does the manager seem so annoying today?

It sounded like she was mocking me moments ago.

…I know I feel this way because I’m twisted right now!

After a commotion, silence ensued, which was broken by the team leader.

“Mie?”

“Hi!”

He called Mie and explained something to her, then Mie approached me.

“Roje! Now let’s try moving!”

“Okay.”

Realizing that we were starting the actual test, I began to move my body around.

“Wow… d*mn….”

This feels very strange…?

Still, I held on for the sake of finishing the test in one go.

While doing so, Mie approached and handed me something that looked like a combination of a fishing rod and a long apparatus.

“…What is this?”

“It’s for facial expression!”

“Ah.”

I discovered a phone mounted at the end of the long, stick-like device.

Facial—this means the method chosen to sync my facial expressions with the avatar’s is to attach a phone to this apparatus to recognize my face with its camera, right?

…Thank goodness they don’t put dots on my face like in movie shoots.

It may look heavy, but this should be better.

I believe this must be a method developed after many trials and errors.

Anyway, I managed to attach the apparatus in some way.

“Oh….”

It’s lighter than I thought?

Or maybe it just feels that way because I’m receiving a little boost from TS?

…Now that I think about it, I’ve never confirmed my physical abilities.

I’ve only checked my reflexes and hand-eye coordination while gaming; I don’t actually know about my strength or stamina.

I suppose it’s because I tend to be mentally exhausted often; I haven’t really felt physically worn out…

Well, even if I have a physical ability boost, it’s not like I’ll be exercising, so what does it matter?

The only merit would be being healthy and strong.

Ah, in that case, it does hold some significance.

Anyway, I’ll think about this later and continue with the test for now.

“Make a facial expression.”

“Yes.”

Hmm… what expression should I make?

I usually don’t have much expression, and trying to force it makes my facial muscles feel tighter.

“Mr. Yeon-woo, why not smile first?”

“Um….”

Is this how it should be?

I consciously forced my mouth corners upward.

“Wow, d*mn… please stop.”

“Excuse me?”

What’s the issue?

“That just now looked exactly like the smirking expression of a villainess from a romance fantasy novel.”

“Hm….”

“Of course, I’m talking about your real face, not the avatar.”

“…I know.”

This is hard…

“Ah, do it again.”

“Ah.”

“Stick out your tongue.”

“Eh.”

“Do you want to puff up your cheeks?”

“I’d rather not.”

“…If you want to check the avatar’s facial muscle, you have to do it even if you don’t want to.”

…d*mn.

As I followed the facial expressions and gestures directed by the manager, the test finally came to an end.

“How was the test?”

“…Do you really want me to say it?”

“…I’m sorry.”

“…I’m going to go have some fun now, so don’t stop me.”

“Okay, you did well….”

If I had my way, I’d just go back to my accommodation and sleep, but since I don’t know when I’ll be back in Japan, I held back.

“Hey! Roje!”

“Yes, Mie.”

“I-I’ll be your guide!”

“Really?”

“Hi! I mean it!”

Having a local guide who can speak Korean is great for me.

Since I confirmed that I can subdue the same impulsivity I showed when we first met, I had no worries.

“Let’s go.”

“Alright!”

After stepping outside the company, I checked the time and realized it was lunchtime, so I decided to eat first.

“Hey! I know a good skiyaki place!”

“Oh, skiyaki.”

Is it something similar to shabu-shabu?

While moving following Mie’s guidance, we conversed.

“But can I call you Mie outside?”

“Eh! Well… that’s fine! I’m already red yak!”

As soon as I heard the answer, I distanced myself from about one step to five steps.

“Just kidding! I was joking!”

“Is that so?”

“If you call me Mie, it wouldn’t be me; you can just call me Mie— no! Cocoa-chan—”

“Mie, isn’t this the place?”

Ah, I talked over her again.

I heard that I could call her Mie, but I didn’t catch what she said afterward.

“Eh… that’s right….”

Well, if it was something that needed to be said, she would have repeated it.

Considering it was no big deal, we entered the shop.

“Oh….”

It looks very luxurious….

As I sat down and looked at the menu, it was written in Japanese only, so I went with Mie’s recommendation.

After waiting like this, the skiyaki came out.

“Wow…!”

The delicious-looking presentation drew an automatic exclamation from me.

While waiting for the broth to boil, I picked up my chopsticks.

I took a piece of meat and swished it in the boiling broth like in shabu-shabu, cooking it before dipping it in the egg yolk and taking a bite.

“Yum…!”

The first bite was genuinely delicious by my standards.

It was tastier than I had expected, and I immediately inhaled the vegetables and meat.

As I kept eating, I began to feel full….

…It’s too sweet. It feels rich.

“Hmm! Delicious!”

…It seems Mie is handling it well.

Sigh… don’t they have kimchi?

I realized why I crave kimchi so much when I go to Japan.