Anyway, both Sora and I need to build a solid relationship with Hanabane Rui. After all, Rui is clearly the team leader for Leviathan.
To get closer, I figured we needed to understand each other’s personalities well. If we’re overly formal, it risks creating a superficial relationship. I dislike hiding behind masks, pretending to be polite while burying genuine feelings. That type of thing—common in the social circles of noblewomen—is all too familiar to me. They might seem friendly and charming, but behind closed doors, they’re quick to tear each other apart. If they have issues, they should just say it openly.
Especially since we’ll be working as a team, trust and a solid understanding of each other’s thoughts are paramount.
That’s why the “Donate 1,000 Yen if Annoyed” stream is the perfect opportunity.
I’d get to understand Rui’s personality much better.
"...You probably didn’t know this, but I have a lot of industry contacts. Occasionally, I even get requests to plan broadcasts."
“It must mean your planning skills are excellent. That’s impressive.”
“I’ve received quite a few requests, but...this is the first time anyone’s asked for a stream like this.”
Rui spoke with a tone of amused disbelief.
"And it’s also the first time I’ve been tied up by a junior who debuted barely four months ago."
Rui twisted around in her seat.
We were in Rui’s VR “My Room.” Since Rui is a VTuber who specializes in large-scale collaborations and broadcasts, she often invites guests into her virtual space. Apparently, she has several “My Room” presets set up, all gifts from loyal fans. Her viewers are known for their particularly high devotion.
At the moment, Rui was tied to a chair.
I’d secured her to the chair back with ropes myself.
【るいちゃんテンサイ donated 1,000 yen】
【What is this, a hostage situation? lol】
【AuroraFanFootmat donated 10,000 won】
【Apologies on behalf of my lady】
“I watched some of your recent broadcasts and figured this setup was fitting.”
“What kind of streams have you been watching...? Alright, fine.”
Rui nodded in acceptance.
When it comes to Korea's “national MCs,” most people think of a few familiar faces. There aren’t many entertainers who can host shows, and for new variety programs, the MC role almost always goes to someone well-known.
It makes sense. You can fill guest spots with new faces, but a show would tank if an untested host couldn’t control the program.
Above all, a host needs the “ability to manage the guests.” Without that, the broadcast becomes a mess.
Naturally, Rui has specialized in the MC role. In an industry less than ten years old, she’s been active for seven years.
“Tied up like this is a first, but welcome to the Leviathan collab.”
She tilted her head and looked at me.
“Sora-san. What is Leviathan?”
“What?”
“Tell me what Leviathan is.”
“Oh... Leviathan represents envy among the Seven Deadly Sins. It’s a sea monster mentioned in the Book of Psalms...”
“Who asked for that level of detail! And how do you know all that?”
Rui pretended to be exasperated.
Every MC has their style, and Rui’s is generally assertive.
“Well, I have a Christian family member...so I ended up learning about it.”
“Fair enough, but that’s not what I meant. Sora-san, you’ve graduated, so you must have some reading comprehension, right? Or did you skip school?”
“...No, I graduated properly. Sorry.”
“A bard with a college degree, huh... Does education matter for bards these days? Anyway, what is Leviathan, Sora-san?”
“It’s one of the four teams in the Fantasy League...?”
“Yes, exactly! The Fantasy League!”
Clap!
Though tied to the chair, Rui managed to clap. The ropes restricted her upper body and back, but she could still move a little.
"Now then, Laura-san, what’s the Fantasy League?"
“Oh dear, must I, a noble’s daughter, explain that?”
“Of course, I’m the fool for asking. The Fantasy League, my dear viewers, is a private Labyrinthos league organized by Kaiser...”
Rui explained.
Seven years of MC experience made explanations second nature.
Rui had been doing this long before she debuted as a VTuber. She’d been a company employee, done tutoring, and worked event gigs.
Unlike most VTubers, who prefer to be guests rather than hosts due to the stress involved, Rui has no aversion to the role.
Before officially starting, she carefully planned how to introduce Laura, Sora, and the overall team setup.
Rui’s quick thinking stood out.
“That’s why we’re doing this broadcast to get closer... But will this really help us bond?”
“What are you talking about? We’re already close friends.”
Laura quipped, though it was clearly a joke.
Rui’s definition of “friend” was demanding. In her view, friends needed to call at least once a week, meet monthly in real life, and maintain this connection for at least a year.
By those standards, Rui didn’t have any friends. She considered herself “a person with many acquaintances but no close friends.”
And this was only her second encounter with Laura.
‘...Well, it might be fair to call it the second.’
Their first “meeting” wasn’t even memorable—just a fleeting encounter in a viewer-participation event before Laura debuted as a VTuber.
She never imagined she’d end up on the same team as that dark knight.
“Well, let’s get started. Sora, read the first story.”
“Uh, okay...”
At Laura’s prompt, Sora nodded nervously.
“One day, I caught a cold. It just so happened to be the day I was supposed to meet my boyfriend! Thinking it couldn’t be helped, I called him. ‘Sorry... I think I have to cancel today. I’m too sick to go out.’”
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
“‘Are you very sick? I could bring you something like porridge if you’d like.’”
Laura’s voice dropped to a low tone.
Rui couldn’t help but gulp. Could she really do a guy’s voice?
Rui occasionally watched Laura’s streams. She was first surprised to see a former viewer join the VTuber ranks, and even more so when Laura skyrocketed in popularity.
Laura had a distinct feminine quality to her character, even though her gaming style could be intense. She often played up an elegant, noble lady persona.
With her naturally high-pitched voice, Rui hadn’t expected her to manage a deep “guy’s” tone... Yet here she was, full of unexpected talents.
“‘Oh, no... It must be a hassle to come all the way here. You don’t have to...!’”
“‘What are you talking about?’”
Laura smirked.
It was a more masculine smile, different from her usual gentle expression.
“‘You need to get better so we can go on a date, right?’”
“......”
Rui’s mouth fell shut.
That deep, confident voice. It almost made her wonder if Laura had ever been a man. She’d heard that Laura had released voice clips, and this kind of range made her curious.
But regardless of acting skill...just hearing this story was annoying.
“Phew... I made it through that one.”
Though Rui felt her blood boil, it was still within tolerable bounds.
Annoying, but manageable.
All couples should just...
“The other day, I was traveling with my girlfriend...”
The second story began. Unlike the first, which was from the girlfriend’s perspective, this one was from the boyfriend’s. Naturally, Laura continued as the narrator.
That low, smooth voice began again.
“With hours to go before reaching our destination, we were bored, stuck on the train for ages.”
“‘Oppa, want to play a guessing game while we’re bored?’”
“‘A guessing game?’”
“‘Guess what my favorite food in the world is!’”
Sora spoke in a cutesy voice.
Though not as skilled an actor as Laura, Sora had that “young woman” charm.
“‘Doesn’t sound like much of a riddle. Your favorite food is mala tang.’”
“‘Wrong! It’s you, oppaaa~♡’”
...Huh?
Rui’s eyebrow twitched.
Meanwhile, Laura chuckled and continued.
“‘Well, I’ll make sure you get plenty when we reach the hotel.’”
“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”
-POP!-
Without realizing it, Rui had jumped up.
The ropes binding her had snapped entirely.
Fueled by pure irritation, Rui had broken free with an unexpected show of strength.
She shouted, “Plenty? Of WHAT?! Cannibalism is illegal! Ever heard of laws against mutilation?!”
Panting, Rui took a few deep breaths to calm herself.
Watching her, Laura chuckled and said,
“Time to pay up—1,000 yen, please.”