Chapter 71: Red pill (2)

[Your account has been permanently suspended.]

[Reason: Depicting a minor as a s*xual object.]

My broadcast career was ruined.

Due to a single wrong judgment, I lost my job.

Even the meager income I had, eventually dried up.

Life became increasingly destitute.

The dining table, where I could at least afford spam with every meal, gradually began to be replaced with cheaper vegetables.

I also cut off the heating.

The new body I’d acquired was surprisingly resilient, and I figured I could just wear more clothes if it got cold, so I cut off the heating.

While I was enduring such harsh living conditions, a single hope found its way to me…

[Lunaverse, 2nd Generation Recruitment Announcement]

It was none other than ‘VTubing.’

I don’t know how I came across it, but I read the VTuber recruitment notice.

And the moment I saw it, I had no other options left.

I could utilize my past broadcasting experience.

I could hide behind an avatar that moved like me, showing only my bright side to the viewers.

I applied without hesitation, and thankfully, I passed the document screening.

A few more days passed like that, and then came the interview.

And in that interview, I was asked this question.

“Um… You had a controversy related to ideology in the past… You’re aware this could have a negative impact, right?”

I protested that the controversy was false.

But the response I received was cold.

“We know, we investigated it too. However, the very fact that there was a controversy is important. To people… sensational news comes before the truth.”

It was true.

I already knew that.

It was a cold, cruel reality, and a part that could no longer be undone.

From the company’s perspective, they wouldn’t want to hire someone with a controversy.

Among the applicants, there were many more impressive people than me, and at the same time, people without any controversies.

Even famous former streamers had applied in large numbers.

There was no benefit for the company to debut me, someone with a flaw.

“This concludes the interview. You may leave now…”

The opportunity began to slip away.

The last chance I had been given.

And I, terrified of losing everything again.

Committed an act that even I couldn’t understand.

“…What are you doing right now?”

I prostrated myself on the floor.

I couldn’t help it.

This last remaining chance was just too precious to me.

“Please get up. You can’t do this here.”

“……”

“Ms. Seoeun?”

“…What if.”

What if.

“If another controversy arises, you can discard me just like that.”

“……”

It was fine if I was discarded.

Even if I was just a character used briefly like an extra and then thrown away, I didn’t care.

“I don’t need advertising fees or donations. As long as I can receive enough to cover living expenses, I don’t mind.”

This wasn’t a job I chose to become rich.

All I needed was to be able to struggle on, to survive for another month.

“I’m begging you. This is the only chance I have left.”

I had already blown all my opportunities.

If I missed this one too, there would be no more chances to grasp.

“Please… Please, just one more chance……”

My voice began to tremble, and tears welled up in my tightly shut eyes.

But no answer came.

The interview room remained shrouded in silence.

‘Was my sincerity lacking?’

‘Or did my old personality emerge again, causing a problem?’

‘Or perhaps, did I overstep by saying too much?’

My emotions welled up, preventing normal thought.

Swept away by those emotions, just as I lifted both feet, about to slam down a Grand Bow.

(TL Note: Grand Bow (그랜절 – Geuraenjeol) is an exaggerated bow of apology or supplication, often involving prostrating oneself with hands and feet in the air.)

“Now, now~ Calm down. No matter what, a handstand isn’t really it, is it?”

The man with a warm impression, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

“T-Team Leader…?”

“Isn’t she good? She seems quite skilled, and as long as she minds the content rating, there shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

The man called Team Leader nodded.

The man next to him grumbled in an uneasy tone.

“Still, someone with a controversy…”

“Controversy is a problem for us to solve, not for that child to solve, is it?”

“……”

The man looked at the Team Leader with a dissatisfied expression.

But the Team Leader, with his characteristic warm smile, said to me.

“Broadcast preparations… we can probably start them next week.”

It was the moment I was given my second chance.

---

“How is the controversy?”

“It’s progressing reasonably well. We’re avoiding all the worst aspects.”

“I see… That’s a real relief.”

Inside an office at Lunaverse headquarters.

The balding man let out a sigh of relief and sipped the coffee in his mug.

[So Yuki isn’t really a feminist?]

[(Yuki pinching hand pic.jpg)]

[Then what is this?]

[Recommended 2] [Not Recommended 6]

[ㄴAll VTuber btches are feminists anyway.]

[ㄴDmn right.]

[ㄴ<Full Video Link>]

[ㄴIs this unfair criticism?]

[ㄴIt’s unfair criticism from a mission, yeah.]

[ㄴShe’s getting unfairly criticized for something like this lol.]

In truth, ignoring these kinds of red pill controversies was the best answer.

Trying to respond would only tarnish the VTuber’s image, and there was nothing to gain.

But this time, it couldn’t be helped.

Yuki, the person involved, hadn’t been able to stream for days, likely due to trauma.

Moreover, it was a controversy related to ‘that ideology,’ one of the most malicious types.

It was impossible to not react at all.

“Anyway, Team Leader. When will the official statement be released?”

“We’ll proceed after somehow handling the ideology controversy part.”

“…Understood.”

Hearing the Team Leader’s reply, the Manager silently nodded.

She also knew.

It was common for a past life to be revealed, but officially acknowledging it was impossible.

Presenting data about ‘Streamer Seoeun’ in an official statement would be tantamount to revealing the ‘person inside’ the VTuber.

…Well, this case was a bit special since the person inside looked exactly like the character.

Still, from the company’s standpoint, it was an impossible act.

So, they were focusing their efforts on creating positive public opinion by posting articles similar to corrections on communities and such.

She knew it wasn’t a good thing, but it would be better than letting false rumors spread rampantly.

‘Realistically, there won’t be that much damage… but since she’s struggling, we have to try our best.’

With that thought, the Manager finished her report to the Team Leader and resumed her work.

It seemed a little more time would be needed for the situation to be resolved.

---

I feel depressed.

Is it because I recalled past events?

Is it because the self-suggestion I’d maintained until now has unraveled?

“Y-Yukigenyo! From the moon… the lady… Amano Yuki……”

My voice, which usually came out so easily, sounded forced.

After practicing the greeting a few more times, I eventually clamped my mouth shut and collapsed onto the bed.

“……”

I’m scared.

Scared of people’s reactions, and of what’s to come.

But it was bound to happen someday.

The bomb I had been carrying all along had simply exploded.

It could have exploded a little sooner, or later.

It just so happened that the timing was now.

“…Should I… turn on the stream?”

I did receive a message from the Manager saying they were resolving the situation.

And I was also told that I could do a clarification broadcast, as long as it didn’t worsen the situation.

But I couldn’t muster the courage to turn on the stream.

Because I felt like people wouldn’t believe me even if I streamed now.

Because I felt like everyone would tear me apart.

I just couldn’t bring myself to walk to the computer.

Rustle.

I pulled the blanket around me again and burrowed into the bed.

Like a frightened animal, I was about to hide in bed once more.

It was then.

Ding-dong~!

The sound of the doorbell.

Then, from outside the door, I heard a familiar voice.

“Unnie? Are you in there?”

(TL Note: Unnie is what a younger female calls an older female friend or sister.)

It was Rin.

I slowly got out of bed and, with heavy steps, walked to the front door.

When I opened the door with my head hung low, Rin greeted me, holding a familiar box.

“I heard from Akari sunbae. That you like macarons.”

(TL Note: Sunbae is a term for a senior colleague or student.)

“……”

“Don’t be so down. Oh, and can I come in?”

“…Yeah.”

As I answered in a small voice, Rin passed through the entrance and came inside.

Then, as if it were her own house, Rin settled onto the sofa.

“……”

With a complicated heart, I watched her for a while.

‘Was it an instinctive action?’

‘Or was it actually what I wanted?’

My body moved without me realizing it, and I draped myself over Rin, burying my face in her chest as I hugged her.

“Uh, Unnie?”

“……”

“I can’t move if you do this…”

“……”

Warm.

It’s so heart-wrenchingly warm.

“Sob…”

That warmth caused the emotions I had suppressed until now to pour out again.

I started sobbing in Rin’s embrace.

And Rin began to pat my back, comforting me.

“It’s okay, Unnie.”

“…Hic.”

“Nothing bad will happen…”

Afterward, I cried for a while longer.

In Rin’s arms, like a child.

I truly cried endlessly.

---

“Are you a bit calmer now?”

“Sniff… Yeah.”

After a good cry, my heart calmed down a bit.

My hands, which had been trembling with anxiety just moments ago, were no longer shaking.

“Public opinion isn’t that bad. No, should I say it’s actually good…?”

“…Really?”

“Yes. Actually, no one seems to care that much.”

Rin said so, showing me her phone screen.

[Damn, so all that controversy was unfair criticism?]

[This is the Boss trying to inherit the throne.]

[☆Don’t know about that, just upvote if you want her to stream.]

[(Red Pill) Yuki]

[Unicorn fans, stop bringing up your f*cking mind-body-virginity theory.]

[(Info) ☆Lunaverse official statement is up.]

[Yuki, turn on your stream!!!!!]

[(Schedule) Don’t know about that, just watch Akari’s stream.]

[When is Yuki streaming?]

[It’s cold…]

[Time is passing!!!]

There wasn’t much content that seemed to be tearing me apart, contrary to my fears.

Most of it was people wanting me to stream again, or teasingly trying to get me to change my oshi to Akari.

What I had feared didn’t happen.

Instead, they believed in me and were waiting.

“…That’s a relief.”

That it wasn’t like last time.

That people didn’t leave like they did back then.

It was truly a relief.

“Ah… R-right…”

Rin replied with an awkward laugh.

Since I had told Rin about my past broadcasts, she probably remembered that.

It wasn’t a good memory for me either, so I shook my head to clear away the stale thoughts.

“Huh?”

“Because I need to start streaming soon too.”

The viewers, no, Yukidan, are waiting.

They were waiting for me to tell them the truth, to turn on the stream like usual again.

“…Will you really be okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Still…”

“I said I’m fine. I’ve already let it all go.”

Truthfully, there’s still a bit of anxiety lingering…

But there was something that surpassed it.

I can’t keep taking breaks for days on end, can I?

I can’t keep showing people this cowardly side of me.

And the company went through the trouble of resolving things, so as a VTuber, there’s only one thing I need to do, right?

Above all.

“Because Yukidan is waiting.”

The people. The viewers. My fans.

Because Yukidan, they were waiting.

With my usual light smile, I said that to Rin.

The girl who had fallen stood up again.

All that remained was to start running.