ALL NOVEL Chapter 2 - The Incoming Second Generation of "Arutema"
And the seasons go by.
Today marks the beginning of my second year.
This past year, not much has happened… really.
Yes, as you might imagine. I, just like every year, spent my first year of high school doing nothing, even though I thought about doing something, anything, and trying to make a change.
Friends? I don’t have any.
A lover? Haha.
On the day of the entrance ceremony, most of the class had already formed groups at the karaoke event they participated in. The moment I couldn’t attend that event, I couldn’t find the group I should belong to, and yet I couldn’t muster the courage to join the introverted group at the edge of the class. So, I ended up spending my time alone, drifting aimlessly.
But, that ends today.
With the advancement to the next grade, class reorganization will reset friendships to some extent. I have two more years to make amends, and it’s certain that the prime zone for youth will be dyed in gray.
“Congratulations on advancing safely. It brings tears to my eyes to think that I have to see your faces for another two years,” said the tired middle-aged bearded teacher who was my homeroom teacher in the first year, as he entered the classroom.
“Well, I think everyone already knows, but our school doesn’t have class reorganization for three years.”
Huh.
I didn’t hear about this.
◆
“Hello there~. It’s Kirin Kominami, a member of Arutema, your virtual YouTuber.”
On the other side of the screen is a beautiful girl.
It’s not a real human figure; it’s an animation of an illustration called Live2D.
As of 2018, otaku culture had elevated to a new stage through virtual YouTubers.
“Today, I’m doing a congratulations-for-monetization stream~!”
Bara022: ¥500 – Ua~ Kirin-san, congratulations on the monetization!
Kirinfanno1: ¥10,000 – Yay! Here’s some tipping for you!
Ourceid: ¥250 – Kirin-san~ This is my first super chat!
“Thank you so much for the super chats! I was planning to read all the names, but it’s so fast I can’t keep up!”
TreX_dragon: ¥1,000 – Speed it up even more!
ClipKirin: ¥500 – Don’t push yourself too hard.
diva8717: ¥2,525 – I’ve been following since the start of the stream. I think Kirin-chan will continue to grow, so do your best!
AkaiLukman: ¥50,000
“Thank you, thank you! Wait, wait! Donating 50,000 yen without a word!? Is that alright!?”
Super chats flow in within seconds.
The momentum is unstoppable, and it’s not hard to imagine that the comments section will remain colorful with super chats for at least another 10 minutes.
Even though so much money is being thrown, the streamer only receives about 20% to 30% of it, at best. It’s an indescribable feeling to think about. Life is tough.
As I listen to Kirin-chan’s stream while diligently working on numerous assignments, occasionally I get too absorbed in her voice coming through my earphones, causing me to pause my typing.
But still, I never expected that our school wouldn’t have class reorganization.
Certainly, there were no notices with names posted, which did feel strange, but I thought maybe we’d gather in our previous classes and announce it from there.
But to think there would be no class reorganization…
The classmates were happy about no class reorganization, as it meant they wouldn’t be separated from their friends. But for someone like me, who’s been alone, I’m actually thinking, “Get away from me!” to them.
Separate and reset your friendships, guys! And be friends with me!
Well, the past is the past, and there’s no changing it.
What’s important is what I do from here.
Even I, at this point, feel like my gray youth is getting dangerous.
You see, I used to have smooth conversations, but over the past few years, due to not having any meaningful conversations, I’ve started to stumble over my words when I talk.
Even starting a conversation, I tend to pause for a breath, saying things like, “Uh,” “Well,” or “Um.” In simple terms, my vocal cords have deteriorated, and I’ve become socially awkward.
This is bad.
This new Life of mine isn’t in easy mode; now, it’s become more miserable than my previous life.
I wonder when was the last time I looked into someone’s eyes and spoke to them…
For now, I should try polishing my conversation skills with Kobayashi-kun.
But he’s always surrounded by girls and boys, the popular ones in the class. It might be better to blend in with the otaku crowd at the back of the classroom than to approach him now and possibly incur the jealousy of his entourage.
But still, I am a girl.
I’m proud to say I’m really beautiful on the outside.
A quiet beauty with big breasts and long black hair, a huge fan of otaku culture, If i go join the otaku club or something, I would be super popular right?
If I go that route, I’ll become like a circle crusher or something.
Ugh, this is troublesome! I don’t want to destroy the community!
“And, I have one more major announcement! It’s, it’s, it’s… The second generation of Arutema is recruiting new members! The only requirement is wanting to become a virtual YouTuber! I’m looking forward to all of your applications!”
SuperFanatic123: It’s here!! (゜∀゜)!!
GoldGiver88: Seriously? You mean we can meet Kirin-chan in real life?
ClipKirin: Calm down, guys. Even if you join Arutema, it doesn’t mean you’ll meet Kirin-chan.
SparklingSpectra: Does that mean Kirin would be a senpai…?
CashSplasherX: Kirin-chan senpai, that sounds so good…
Ahar222: The official website is down, though?
“Oh, um, sorry for the server crash! I think there will be a detailed explanation on the official Twitter later, so please wait a bit! So, with that, bye-bye!”
Suryastara: ¥500 – Bye-bye!
Minty: ¥250 – Bye-bye!
Mobilelegendplayer: ¥280 – Bye-bye!!