Beforehand
A certain day in Producer’s room.
hello, anzu-san ♪
i heard there is some “work” for us today. i wonder… what kind of work is it?
there is a veeery “unusual” combination of people here, that is why it is on my “mind”... so excitingggg ♪
all three of us, let us all get along well! alright, mayoi-san and nozomi-san~♪
……
(Uuugh. Hearing that I would be working with Madoka-san…! Umm, since that day I accidentally showed my weakness, things have been awkward between us.)
(What in the world was Anzu-san thinking when she called for us?)
…Hmph, this one did not expect to see any other guests here [1].
I have quite a few things to say. However, hearing your explanation would do nothing but waste my time. If you have something important to say, please do so quickly.
You want us as virtual streamers… a request for a “Vtuber” job…?
Can the two of us talk for a bit?
(Steps away from everyone) This one never heard anything about this project. Why must this one be asked to work with such a strange group of people?
Moreover. The fact this one is affiliated with Rhythm Link does not mean this one has any intentions to befriend other ES idols.
“Vtubers need to separate the role they’re playing from who they are as a performer, so experience is essential to playing the part”?
…Huh. So you’re saying you want to use MELLOW DEAR US as your inspiration because they have perfectly crafted their on-camera personas?
Did Nice give permission for this? This one genuinely cannot fathom the possibility.
…Nice actually proposed this project as a way to stay informed on current trends in the Japanese market?
If that’s the case, this one thinks Nice should see for himself, but… oh well, this one supposes it’s fine.
This one is still considered a “newcomer” at Rhythm Link. Because this one is in that position, there is no choice but to accept this job.
“The pleasure-seeker who will burn everything with passionate flames, “Karetsu Quinn” [2]”...
You would like this one to perform as this character onscreen and interact with fans. Is that correct?
…Ahem. Ayase, Shinkai. This one has heard the entire situation now.
It seems that we are considered qualified for this job as “virtual streamers” due to our uniqueness as idols.
ufufu~. “unique” idols, that is the “feeling” i got as well ♪
that is what we have “in common”, right~?
hmmm. this “information” says that i should go by the name “ocean umimi” [2] and live stream me playing a “game”.
ufufu. maybe our debut will make this unit immensely “popular”... ♪
This one supposes it’s certainly possible. Especially considering this one is a member of the group.
Wah, I will also do my best to meet everyone’s expectations.
…I see. Madoka-san and I will begin by introducing ourselves as our streamer characters. After we set the scene, we’re supposed to communicate with the audience and answer any questions they send us during the stream?
Prior to this conversation, ES made an announcement that there would be a Vtuber idol debut, and they were starting to make arrangements for livestreams. The more I hear about it, the more I realize how large-scale this project is…
do not be worried, mayoi. since i am here with you, you will be alright…♪
S-sorry to trouble you…!
……
since the “settings” are still “temporary”, it should be no problem if we “adjust” them to make them easier to use.
Understood. Only, would it be alright if I meet with Alkaloid to think this over?
I am very detached from the youth culture (is that how you say it?), so my hopes are that having a conversation with Alkaloid will help me prepare for this job.
since it is also my first “attempt” doing a job like this, i want to hear the “opinion” of an “expert”.
nozomi-san, should you not also ask your friends in “mellow dear us” for some help with your “practice” for this role so you are prepared~?
If that is what everyone else is doing, then this one supposes asking Juis would help. Usually, this one works alone, but since this one is playing a role different from usual, it seems it would be beneficial to get some objective feedback.
Until the day of our debut, everyone will practice individually. Does that sound agreeable?
yes. anzu-san also says it is “alright”, so it is “settled”.
let us make sure everyone enjoys the “characters” the “three of us” portray… ♪
Afterwards
A few days later. In the studio, immediately following the end of the livestreams.
thank you so much to everyone who helped out with “kaitei queen labyrinth”~♪
even though it was our “first time” doing a “virtual livestream” like this, it did not seem like that was the case, which made it very exciting…★
Ah, yes. Well…
…Weren’t you way too skilled at the game?
ufufu~. you really think so?
then all my “practice” sessions must have paid off~. i only intended to play the “game” as a background to chatting with the audience, but…
i followed Nacchan’s [6] example for my “training” and “practiced” a lot ♪
As one would expect from someone called one of the “Five Eccentrics”, he is really skilled. To think that he would also show off that skill in a videogame…
compared to wataru and rei, i am totally “clumsy”, right? however, all of this was much easier than “moving” on land ♪
You were so concentrated on the game that, in this one’s opinion, you had a difficult time sticking to your role.
The purpose of this project is to play your role seriously. How is that achieved if you’re simply doing the livestream as “Shinkai Kanata” himself?
But– it seems like the way he streamed was popular with the audience…
how about you, anzu-san? did you enjoy our “livestreams”?
“It was an interesting attempt and I’m impressed with you all”? That’s good then…?
Now that I also think about it, I honestly enjoyed playing my role more than I expected.
The format of Vtubing… Because I wasn’t exposing my real face at any point, it made me feel like I was somewhat protected.
Through me acting as him, I feel like I’m able to form a more concrete image of who “Meiro Mayou”-san is.
fufu. playing a “role” of a character helps you “know” more about them. that is the “true charm” of acting, is it not?
i have also become completely captivated by “ocean umimi”.
thank you, anzu-san, for the fun “job”.
it is a little unfortunate that I have to part with “umimi”. however, it was a good “experience” ♪
huh? you have something to “say” about that…?
Anzu-san, thank you. Allow me to explain the rest!
…Nice?
Fufufu. My friends, I was also tuning in to your livestreams, albeit from a different job site.
“Kaitei Queen Labyrinth” truly was a NICE performance!
My friends, since the livestreams were received incredibly well, I would like you all to stay a part of this “unit” just long enough to record a song as your characters.
What sort of request is that, Nice? This one only heard about one livestream—
That is what I told you, Nozomi-kun.
However, business circles saw the livestreams, and let’s just say I got a huge offer just a short while ago. “It would be such a shame to make this a one-time “unit”, so we would like to invest in the idea and have them record a song” is how the talk with them went.
Currently MELLOW DEAR US is fresh in the minds of the Japanese market; everyone is talking about the four of them. Since this is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of job and their schedule is empty right now, there is no possible grounds for you to refuse this offer.
Besides, I already confirmed you would accept!
Shinkai-kun, Ayase-kun, Nozomi-kun… No, rather “Ocean Umimi”, “Meiro Mayou”, “Karetsu Quinn”. There’s no mistaking it, these three people will certainly weave a NICE harmony!
Anzu-san and I will put all of our energy into producing this song! I’m almost certain it won’t turn out poorly, alright…★
Why must you talk utter nonsense like this…
Wah, I was honored for the chance to work with you two, especially Madoka-san! H-however, we should just end this here, right…?
Anzu-san, don’t make an ‘X’ [7] please! “It’s already been decided”, so does that mean I don’t have any way to refuse!?
Wah, doing this is too heavy of a burden for meeeeee…!
this has turned into a very interesting “development”, has it not?
i think it is good. that is why it is also “fate” ♪
this was a coincidence for a “world” so vast. let us all dance and sing “together” one last time. right~, “umimi”… ♪
Translation Notes
[1] – Nozomi uses archaic pronouns to refer to himself and others. When he refers to himself, he uses "ore" (己) which has been localized as “this one”.
[2] – Nozomi’s Vtuber name translates to “Fierce/Harsh Queen”, but I chose to leave his and everyone else’s Vtuber names in their Japanese pronunciation since that’s how everyone has been referring to them.
[3] – Kanata’s Vtuber name translates to “Ocean Ocean” essentially. The character for “umi” (海) means ocean, and it is also one of the characters in Shinkai, Kanata’s last name.
[4] – Mayoi’s Vtuber name translates to something along the lines of “Lost in the Labyrinth".
[5] – And then if you couldn’t tell already, the unit name is a combination of all three of the Vtubers’ names: seafloor (海底), queen (クイーン), and labyrinth (ラビリンス).
[6] – This is Kanata’s nickname for Natsume.
[7] – This can either be interpreted as Anzu verbally telling Mayoi he is wrong, or Anzu making an ‘X’ with her arms to communicate the same thing. I like to think the latter happens, so that’s what I translated it as.