Ch.37 Virtual Connect
The concert was scheduled to take place one month later.
We're fine doing it anytime, but that's not the case for our listeners.
This was the result of taking their schedules into consideration.
After all, at this concert, listeners will be able to fully dive into the venue.
In other words, if you download a VR machine and an app I created called "Virtual Connect," you can watch concerts in person.
That's right - Vtubers' concerts.
Until now, Vtuber's concert could only be watched through a monitor, even at the venue, but with this they can be watched in the same space.
I did my best.
The listeners were delighted by this.
It became such a hot topic that it trended at number one.
Well, it's only natural that other live streamers' concerts would go the same way from here on.
In fact, after we announced this, there were several voices at Discord saying, 'We'd like to use it too.'
When I opened the DM, I found similar comments from other companies and indie people.
Yes, it's good to see that Vtubers in general are getting more and more popular.
After all, I want to see the contents I participate in yo be full of activities.
I'm considering these opinions positively.
I understand very well that having a monopoly would bring more profit both from a company and in terms of numbers, but it just doesn't seem right to give the opportunity only to Prisma Ark's Vtubers.
If it becomes a monopoly, there is a risk that our group will become a closed community and momentum will stagnate.
External stimulation is necessary, and it is also important to show open-mindedness.
Otherwise, you risk incurring hate from fans of other companies and indie Vtubers.
Hate management is important. It's not specifically mentioned in the history books.
Will my fans be stolen?
I'm the strongest you know?
In fact, I would be very happy if there was a Vtuber out there who have the power to steal fans from me.
Now that'd be exciting.
And with a month to spare, Sakura, or rather Ouka, showed remarkable enthusiasm.
First, she reduced the frequency of her streams and completely refused to play games outside of them.
Our daily early morning runs always left her with a wrinkled face, but from that day on, she gritted her teeth and voluntarily increased the distance she ran.
She also showed enthusiasm for voice training and began to refer to videos made by various people.
She comes to me almost every day to play her recordings and ask me what she did wrong.
To be honest, I was surprised to see her showing such a strong desire to improve.
I thought that this girl, like me in my previous life, was the type to sneer at passion-based things like friendship, hard work, and victory.
When I asked Sakura the questions that were on my mind, she was also surprised at how enthusiastic she was herself.
She tilts her head in confusion, then shakes her head, saying she doesn't know the answer.
ーJust, somehow.
She felt like she had to try harder, and the motivation just welled up inside her.
Although confused by this new sensation, she continued.
I see.
So Sakura was this type of person.
That's something very idol-worthy. It's genuinely a good thing.
So I decided to leave the majority of my tasks to Mitsuki and spend all my time with Sakura instructing her.
In a VR space, you can really strain your throat.
You can't train your vocal volume, but being able to work on your technique is a big advantage.
The most efficient training method today is to develop specs in the real world, hone skills in VR space, and gain experience.
As this happened, the days passed by in the blink of an eye.
One week, two weeks, three weeks...
And today is the day before the live show.
At a live concert venue with only me and Sakura.
"Hmm, that's good. Shall we call it a day?"
"Eh, already...?"
Ouka was able to take a breather after the entire rehearsal was over, but her reaction was one of imperfection.
"But there's still plenty of time, right?"
It's just after five in the afternoon.
Certainly, if we really wanted to, we could still work on it for hours.
But I made a cross with the index fingers of both hands.
"No. You should use the rest of the time to recharge your batteries. In a VR world, you can use your throat as much as you want, but the same can't be said for your brain."
"O- one more hour... Hmm, no, two more hours!"
It's increasing.
"Rejected. Whether it's a battle manga or a sports manga, the master character always says that taking a rest is also a part of training."
"But, but"
"There's no buts. It's not uncommon for people to cram too much into something, end up being too tired, and not be able to perform to their satisfaction during the actual event."
They'd feel a sense of crisis and practice a lot on their own.
After overdoing it, they end up bringing their own downfall.
And then they become mentally ill. What an idiot.
"Listen, Ouka. You should understand that it's almost impossible to perform the movements exactly as rehearsed during the actual performance. Only 70% of the moves can be done at best. Do you know the reason why?"
"Eh? Reason...?"
"Yeah. If you imagine the real thing, you'll get the idea."
After a few seconds, Ouka spoke timidly.
"Umm, well... Getting nervous, or something?"
I laughed heartily.
"That's right. You only get one-shot with a large audience watching. It's only natural that your body would tense up."
If she has as much experience as I have, she'll be able to synchronize with the audience and perform at more than 100%, but that's still a long way off.
"If you put too much energy into rehearsals, you might end up feeling frustrated and thinking, 'I could have done better then,' and that could lead to a vicious cycle."
It should be obvious that your body can't keep up with the sensations you get during rehearsals.
There's a pattern that they try desperately to get that sensation back, only to fail.
It's important to work hard, but you have to think about how to use your energy.
"So the most important thing for the actual performance is to be in perfect condition. Whether you can do this or not will make a huge difference in your performance. So that's it for today. OK?"
"O-okay."
That said, Ouka didn't seem entirely satisfied so I gave a wry smile and sat down at the edge of the stage.
After a moment, Ouka also sat next to me.
The two of us stare blankly at the empty auditorium.
Tomorrow night, a large audience will gather here and Sakura will sing while being bathed in a sea of stares.
First concert.
Memories of a previous life flash through my mind.
That first concert was a mess, a dark history.
I sincerely hope that Sakura won't end up like that.
"Hey, Aria."
Suddenly, Ouka spoke up.
"Um, is it really okay? Will so many people gather in such a large venue? Won't it be completely empty when we open it?"
"Kufu" (The person whose first concert was completely empty)
Just now, I felt something sharp pierce my chest!
I'm not okay. I'm mortally wounded. I've got an arrow in my heart right now.
If I hadn't had the coffee milk, I would have died instantly.
"...There's no need to worry about that."
I opened a window and it showed me the number of Virtual Connect downloads.
By the way, there are two types, one for performers and one for audience members; the latter type that is generally available can only be used to log in during concert and has movement restrictions.
I think it should be fine, but just in case.
"O- one mill...?!"
Ouka's eyes widen in shock.
"That just shows how much attention you're getting. Isn't that great?"
As I said that, Ouka's face turned completely pale, just like in an anime.
Umu. I'm glad that the emotions and the system's expression seem to be properly linked.
"This is not great at all!"
Target achieved. This reaction is what comes to mind when you think of Ouka.
"You were worried earlier that there might be no one here."
"Y-yes, that's true, but. Having too many is also a problem...!"
She became all squishy.
She doesn't want it too empty, but she also doesn't want too much of them.
You selfish person.
"I think there are probably quite a few people who only downloaded it just for the sake of having it, so the actual number is probably even less."
"R-Really?!"
"It's free to download, afterall"
Ouka breathes a sigh of relief.
Even so, the venue, which has a capacity of 500,000 and is incredibly large both horizontally and vertically, will likely be filled to capacity.
After all, this is a VR space.
With no need to even bother to go to a real venue, of course it's gonna be easier to attend.
I'll keep my mouth closed because I'm sure she'll be chasing me.
"Do your best tomorrow, Ouka."
"ーYeah"