Omg its actually real

As the day came to a close, I walked out with Charlotte and Lilly toward a bright fall’s evening. Ever since the camping trip cooler air had become a mainstay. Typical for these parts.

Despite my best guesses, It’d been relatively quiet in the last few days. The drama came and went. And Charlotte’s vtuber leaks was much the same. People forgot as the next new shiny thing came about–grabbing their attention more than some niche internet microcelebrity could ever hope to. What were the odds the majority of the student body had even heard of Astella before the leak anyway?

The breeze whipped around, a bit stronger than normal. Maybe a sign of things to come?

Hell, even the leaker had gone completely quiet. Granted that seemed to be their style. They dropped a bombshell, then boom–nothing for a few weeks straight.

Well, you couldn't say they weren’t concise.

“Hey Kaiden, you seen the new shop that opened off on Oakin Way?”

“Oakin way? Haven’t been around that place in ages.”

“Weird. Considering you all over those Vtubers that you somehow find a way to insert into every conversion imaginable, I’d thought you would have heard by now.”

“I obviously have heard! Just, I don’t think Charlotte has, so if you could explain it to her…”

Lilly just rolled her eyes. “It’s some sort of internet cafe geared toward streamers who don’t have the space or budget for the setup needed for that kind of crap.”

“Eh, I wouldn't call myself the biggest streamer fan in the world. I may be a vtuber obsessed freak, but even I’m not that down bad.”

Charlotte butted in. “So, watching an anime girl play video games is fine, yet watching a real person do it is somehow exponentially worse?”

“Exactly! Vtubers are simply superior in every way.”

“You need therapy Kaiden.” Charlotte joked. Well… It was probably a joke. Probability.

“Anyway, can’t say I’m really invested in that sphere. Even with Vtubers, I barely watch anyone but Astella. Why would I take a mere second away from watching my Oshi? All the other girls are so boring in comparison.”

Charlotte blushed at my words. “W-well she’s just playing a character.”

“True true, but I’m willing to bet the girl behind the screen is even more wonderful.”

Charlotte's hands covered her face, peaks of red coming from the gaps.

Lilly sighed. “Ok lovebirds, settle down. If I wanted some pda I’d go watch a romcom.”

Does she know???????

“A-anyway.” I cleared my throat. “I’ve not really had much to draw me here anyway, so why not go check it out? Maybe my vtuber future is upon us!”

Charlotte chuckled, face still red. “You would get banned off the platform in five seconds.”

“With my perfect voice? Please! I’d get partnered before my first stream ended. First partnered, then I’d rise to the top–every agency known to man trying to sign me to their largest contract.”

“And oooobviously you’d get a max streaming contract as well?”

“Of course! Who wouldn't give that to someone like me? After all my natural talent is just so obvious.”

Charlotte leaned over, whispering in Lilly’s ear. “Obvious to Kaiden, and Kaiden only.”

“Oy! You’ll see!”

“Pfffff.” Lilly cluckehed her knees, laughing. “Having fun up there in fantasy land?”

“The time of my life! Hope on the train Lilly! Live up to your vtubing potential with me and reach the sky!”

“I’d faceplant before my first attempt.” Who was I to expect anything but sheer optimism. “Saying that, I’d still be farther than you’d ever go.”

“Daaaaang, have a bit more faith in me.” The nerves. I couldn't help my shake my head. They’d see my true vtubing potential for real!”

“You said I’d get banned within five seconds Charlotte? I’ve never seen someone underestimate me so much! The first second of my stream, BOOM! Instant lifetime ban for being simply too perfect.”

As we turned the corner, Oakin Way came into view. It was a quaint street deep down, one plastered with neon signs far as the eye could see. Even in the dead of night, one could never lose their way in the darkness on a street like this, famous for its drinks and clubs out of a fairy tale.

We made our way towards the joint. While its signage would have stood out on any other road, here the bright pink neon sign felt right at home.

It featured a white exterior, with smooth black doors leading into the reception room. Books lined the walls, with several hallways lined with identical pale white doors. Each door was affixed with a simple number, surrounded by an impressively thick exterior. Privacy was important after all.

“Excuse me?”

“Ah hello!” The cashier said: a young woman no older than twenty. “Is it possible to just take a look around?”

“Of course. We offer thirty minute sessions for a small fee.”

Thirty seconds later, after paying the, in reality, not so small fee, we trotted down towards our room, number twelve.

“Here goes nothing,” Lilly muttered, opening the door. Was my streaming future just behind the thick frames of the clearly soundproof walls? We shall see.

Inside, the white walls continued on, with a red couch on the opposite wall. Tuckecked into the opposite corner sat a well sized desk–two monitors placed upon the smooth wood.

What really caught my eye however was the computer. The thick desktop case sat against the cold floor, bright rgb fans blaring purple around the room.

In other words, it was the perfect setup by every metric.

Yet none of this mattered. Upon the computer screens was a white background, plain and ordinary by modern standards. It was the words upon said screens that made Charlotte gasp, falling to the floor.

“Hello Astella! I’m onto you”