After I finished talking to my viewers I put away my VR gear and went to the living room, Clara was there, watching her computer, alone.
“Didn't you say you would bring a friend today?”
“She already returned home, but don't worry, I'll make sure you meet her one day, just not today. I look forward to you two meeting each other, she's completely your type, I'm sure she will take your breath away. I'm still not completely sure it's a good idea, but I guess everyone needs some shock therapy from time to time.”
She said in a cheerful tone.
“You really can't help not minding your busyness, can't you?”
“No can't do. Anyway, onii-chan, now you have some free time, right? Come watch this with me.”
I went behind her and watched the computer's screen and saw a cat-eared vtuber dressed like a maid commenting on a video on Youtube. I recognized her right away, she was Haneko, my next opponent in the tournament. She was someone I always respected, she never revealed much about herself, never showed her imperfections, and always stayed in character. The only thing that I didn't like was the fact that she often got into arguments or dramas with other vtubers, that was definitely something she had to change if she wanted to reach perfection.
I was curious about what she was faring since I would face her tomorrow so I agreed and sit down beside Clara.
We watched a part of her stream, she was nice as usual, always giving the people what they wanted, making dreams into reality.
“Hey, onii-chan, what do you think of her?”
“I don't know, I don't have much to say, you know, I'm not familiar with this stuff.”
“Don't worry, I just want to hear your opinion. You see, I don't like this vtuber very much, she always does only what sells well, she doesn't accept criticism, and likes to talk shit about others, but always shifts the blame when she's called out. Still, she gets a lot of viewers every stream and she has a lot of very loyal fans, why do you think she's so popular?”
“Well, it's an interesting case indeed. I think it's bad to criticize others, vtubers shouldn't show the weaknesses of the person behind them, but I don't see the problem with giving people what they want. From what I can understand, vtubers exist to incarnate people's desires and dreams, I don't see the problem with what she does, to me she seems quite interesting, actually.”
“I see, I disagree though. I mean, they kind of do, but if everyone went for only what sells well everyone would be the same, wouldn't they? There's nothing bad with giving the viewers what they want, but doing only that? That's boring, I mean, she's so predictable, I prefer vtubers that put some of themselves into their characters, it gives their characters a soul, they become something in between fiction and reality, but kind of both.”
“I don't know, wouldn't that disrupt the fiction that the character creates, wouldn't that remind you that what you are seeing is just an imperfect human?”
“I see, that's the point.”
“What point?”
“Nothing. You see, Blake, I think that fiction isn't chasing some dream impossible to reach, but taking an abstract concept and dying it in humanity, making it relatable, so that other people can live it too like it's their own. That means that fiction takes both the good and the bad, joy and pain, there's no escaping that, those things have to be faced by everyone, and fiction helps you do it. It makes the creator share their troubles and successes and the viewer goes through their lives by knowing someone else shares their flaws or that if others succeeded in something they can succeed too. But pretending to be some perfect being? That's just a lie, a pathetic excuse to run away from their problems, which, by the way, is impossible, you can't run away from yourself. They should just man the fuck up, watch themselves in the mirror and admit they're not fucking perfect.”
She became more and more upset the more she progressed in her speech, when she got to the end, she was almost screaming.
I too was getting nervous as she talked, and when she finished, I was feeling strange. I felt hot, my breath was fast, I felt in danger like I had to run away, I was feeling my heart beating furiously, it was like it was ramming against my ribs, trying to get away from my chest, to free himself.
“Stop with the bullshit, Clara, she's fine like this, so why don't you just let her do what makes her feel good? She's happy, the viewers are happy, it's better like this for everyone. Just let her and her viewers live their dreams, they would just be unhappy if they did otherwise.”
Silence fell between us for a few seconds.
Then Clara restarted to talk, she regained her calm but now there was a note of sadness in her voice.
“You know, there's this other vtuber called Kokoro-chan, I watched her quite a bit, but I never understood if I liked her or not, still, there's something strange in her that made me turn back in her streams multiple times. She has some similarities to Haneko, she doesn't say much about her, and tends to follow the trends, that's not what I look for, still, she has something that makes me come back. Like, everything about her seems a bit forced, her attire, what she does, her backstory, still, when she streams she has some unique energy like she is really happy being there like she's really having fun and wants to share it with her public. I never got what was the deal with her, but recently I feel like I've understood her better, she has a lot of potential, but she's not using it, if she did she could have reached the top by now.
I think she shares a lot of problems with Haneko, but she at least believes in what she does, she may not realize it herself, but the people can feel it, that's the only difference between the two and that's why Kokoro-chan have a more popular fanbase than Haneko.
Still, none of the two will truly express their potential if they don't put their heart and soul in their characters, lies are easier to see than it seems, people can feel when someone pours their heart in something, and they will award it.
Everyone can only give the public what it wants, but if everyone did it, only one vtuber would be famous, and none else than her would have a shot, instead, people that create their character around themselves, people that create fiction, will surprise their public every time they open a stream.”
I didn't say anything, I didn't know what to say. My mind was empty at the moment, it was like I couldn't think anything.
And an awkward silence fell between us.
Clara was watching the floor, she didn't have her usual carefree expression.
“Anyway, now I don't want to argue anymore, do you mind if we keep watching the anime from yesterday.”
I said.
She looked at me, with her eyes bright again.
“So you liked it uh, onii-chan.”
“It wasn't half bad.”
“Well, then let's continue.”
We watched a few episodes, then I went to bed, I needed to rest well since I had a match the day after.
When I woke up, my mind felt heavy, I didn't rest well this night.
I ate breakfast with Clara, we talked a bit about last night's show, I didn't see the reason why I should hide I liked it, it wasn't like she would mock me if she knew, I wondered if I shouldn't hide I liked anime anymore.
No, just to be safe, it was better to continue lying for now.
After that, I spent some time relaxing while watching the tv. I took a whole week off of work so that I could attend the tournament, I never used my vacations, so I had no problem using them now.
Later, I said to Clara not to disturb me and started a stream to talk a bit with my fans.
Today I felt nervous, but also very excited, it was a strange feeling.
I felt like being more cheerful than usual, I never stopped talking and also sang some karaoke, the viewers got more excited as well.
When the time for the match started to get closer I opened the game and trained a bit with a dummy, I did combos after combos, using only the ones with the most damage, ignoring the hunger.
After a while I heard a noise, I checked my messages, there were three messages from the tournament staff, it seems I didn't hear the first two.
I hurriedly joined the tournament's lobby.
“Here she is, ah I also feared we would be late.”
Ao-chan said before sighing in relief. Beside her, Haneko was looking at me with her arms crossed, with her normal expression, she didn't say anything.
“Sorry for not hearing the messages right away, I was too engrossed in the training.”
This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.
“Ah don't worry, you're still on time, well then, we begin in five minutes, please get in position before then.”
I approached Haneko.
“Well then Haneko, good luck and have fun, I look forward to fighting you.”
She smiled at me.
“Thanks, me too.”
We then took position and waited for the beginning.
“Welcome to everyone, this is Ao-chan. Another day, another match in this fantastic tournament and today too will be a day packed with action, now on with the contestants.
In the right corner, we have the girl that bewitched everyone's heart with her passion and positivity, the goddess of love, the harbinger of good mood, Kokoro-chan!”
Loud cheers exploded from the public.
“And in the left corner, we have everyone's favorite cat-girl, she's a cat spirit that gains her power by people believing in her, so everyone raise your hands to the air and give your power to our second contestant, Haneko!”
Again the audience started to cheer, but the cheers weren't as many as the ones I got, it was quite strange since she always had more viewers than me.
The surrounding changed and we passed from a ring-like stage to a musical stage, with musical instruments visible in the background and an audience to my right, it was Haneko's weapon's stage. She used a flute called Hamelin, it was a very special weapon, with a unique mechanic. It had weak normal moves, but most of its specials hit all the arena, it was a weapon made to keep the enemy at distance and wear it down slowly. Its peculiarity was the way the special moves were used, you had to keep pressing a button with your thumb on the right controller, entering in a stance that didn't let you move or block and then move your hands while pressing buttons and moving your hands along the flute, like you were playing it. Doing so summoned spirits that attacked the enemy at a distance, but if the enemy find the way to close in on you, you had little chance to win.
Thanks to my Shadow leap I had some advantage against her, but since there was a moment before the teleportation happened where I could be hit, I had to be careful, if I were hit at that moment I would suffer more damage for the counter-attack while still consuming hunger.
3
2
1
Fight!
I used Shadow Feint right away, I teleported behind Haneko, she didn't get into Piper's Pose, the stance that let her do long-distance attacks, and blocked. That was what I wanted, blocking would have protected her from Shadow Leap, but now she didn't know if I would grab her, ignoring her block, or struck her, which would have required her to block, and now she was forced to guess. I struck her with a slash, an attack that would have caught her back-dash, but she did the unexpected, she used her high kick and hit me before I could hit her. She attacked me again with a heavy slash and sent me on the floor, then she dashed back three times and used Piper Pose.
'Damn.'
I was in a pickle now, I still had two Shadow Leaps before triggering Umbra's Hunger, but I had to find the right time.
She started using a long attack, a spiritual dragon launched a wave of flames with multiple hits, forcing me to block as I got up, then she waited, she had an attack that hit almost instantly, but had a long recovery afterward, using that on reaction she could hit me before I teleported, but if I blocked it, I could get much closer even without teleport.
I advanced a little, if I walked I could block instantly, so I wasn't in danger for now, but the closer I got, the more it would be difficult to block her faster attack.
When I got a bit closer, I used Shadow Projection, she summoned a spiritual hawk that launched itself towards me, I used the first dash and dodged, then delayed the second dash, making me more unpredictable, Haneko was ready though and caught me with the second shot.
I plummeted from the ground, and Haneko hit me another time while I was in mid-air with the fire breath, sending me back on the other side of the map.
I got up again while blocking another breath and then restarted slowly advancing, but in the middle of the road, I used shadow Leap, Haneko wasn't fast enough to react and didn't use the attack, but she had the presence of spirit to use her ultimate.
Before I even came out of the ground, a spiritual pegasus appeared and carried her to the other side of the map.
I now was on the other side of the map, with my gauge almost full and not enough meter to use my ultimate.
I tried to advance slowly, but I was sent back two times by a spiritual ram, her fastest shot and I used another time Shadow Leap, in a desperate attempt, triggering the hunger, but this time she hit me before I could teleport and then finished me.
I lost the first round.
Back on the ring, Haneko was smiling gladly, I was happy for her, but I cared more about myself, I had to win this.
I took a deep breath and prepared myself for the second round.
3
2
1
Fight!
This time I opened with Shadow Projection, Haneko blocked behind her, but this time I came from the front.
I hit her with a slash from above, then continued with a low kick, a slash, Shadow Morph, high heavy slash, sending her on the ground and then heavy slash, hitting her on the ground, before the invincibility getting up gave you activated, and then I started pressuring her again.
In the middle of pressuring her I Used Shadow Feint, she blocked, but I hit her with a low kick and did another combo.
She then managed to hit me once and after sending me on the floor, she took a good distance, but this time, I had my ultimate.
I used Shadow Embrace and gained unlimited access to the specials for seven seconds.
The match was over before the effect had the chance to expire though.
I won the second round.
Before the third match we took a little breather while Ao-chan talked to the public, I observed Haneko's expression on the ring and she was using her standard expression.
“Damn, that shadow teleport is soooo strong.”
Haneko said, interrupting Ao-chan. Her voice was trembling a little, probably the loss hurt her.
I remained in silence and concentrated before the next round.
3
2
1
Fight!
Another round started, and I opened up by using Shadow spirit, she blocked it, but I got the chance to get closer.
But instead of trying to grab her or apply pressure, I used Shadow Projection, and after dashing over her, I dashed again returning to the original side, but she, after blocking on the other side, didn't block in the original position in time.
I got a combo off of it and emptied some of the hunger, I then continued to apply pressure, she tried to hit me, but I successfully read her and her attempts resulted only in a counter hit. The round was quite one-sided, she took a while to fall, but eventually, she failed to handle the continued pressure.
Before the fourth round we took a longer breather, Ao-chan talked to us and asked how we were doing.
I replied energetically while smiling, giving my shining love to the public.
But Haneko seemed to be sulking a little and said:
“Ahaha, Umbra's Maws counter my Hamelin really well, it's a very hard match-up I'm sure I would fare better if it wasn't for that.”
To us vtubers, that always showed only our brightest side no matter what, this reaction seemed a bit too much. She probably didn't take the two losses in a row too well.
After a bit, we began the fourth round.
3
2
1
Fight!
I opened with Shadow Leap, Haneko blocked, I did a few strikes, but she blocked them, then I went for a risky move, I used Shadow Feint, Haneko blocked, then I got near and grabbed her.
I did a good amount of damage and then restarted to pressure her.
I managed to hit her with a combo once, but then she managed to hit me and gain distance, I then started my slow walk towards her.
I used Shadow Projection, but this time, she hit me with her first shot and did some damage with the fire breath, I then began my slow march again.
She used her faster attack from middle range, I blocked, I then dashed ahead and did her a combo, my meter went up, I used two special moves.
She used her own ultimate and went to the other side of the map.
I second before the gauge reached the max and triggered the hunger when Haneko was still in the air, I used Umbra's Embrace.
Now I had to defeat her before the effect run out, or I would lose half my life and remain at 1 life point.
I used Shadow Projection and chased her through the air, I landed right next to her, followed with Shadow Morph, Shadow Projection, and used the two dashes to trick her into blocking in the wrong direction, cracking her defense.
I defeated her with one combo, mixing in special moves freely allowed me to do a lot of damage.
After the match Haneko was using her angry expression, it seemed she didn't care about hiding her displeasure anymore, I recalled what Clara said the last evening.
“Hey, Kokoro-chan, you may have the advantage thanks to those knives, but I can still climb back, look forward to that.”
“yes, do your best, Haneko.”
She said she was just a liar fleeing from her weaknesses, and that running from your weaknesses was impossible too.
They seemed absurd words when she said them, but now I was seeing this with my eyes, and they didn't seem so absurd anymore, they seemed to have a point, maybe, but what were we supposed to do if they were true? Wouldn't we be doomed to only suffer, that was all that imperfection brought, after all, I learned this on my skin. What was Haneko supposed to do? Say she's an asshole? Destroy everything she has created in her vtuber career and disappoint all of her fans? And to gain what? Some empty words of praise from herself telling them they were genuine? Still, would she remain like this forever if she didn't do that? was the choice between happiness and growth? What should she do?.
The fifth round began soon after.
3
2
1
Fight!
I began very aggressively, I used Shadow Feint, and then Shadow Leap right after, I hit her and did a combo, I brought her on the combo, and then, after breaking her defense, I did a high damage combo that made her bounce on the wall so that I could hit her again, I filled the hunger gauge to prolong the combo and then used Umbra's Bite. I risked a lot right there, but she remained only a third of life.
I then restarted the pressure, using my special moves, I defeated her in less than ten seconds.
It was completely one-sided.
We returned to the ring, Haneko was still, with her normal expression, Ao-chan took the word.
“Wow that was a huge combo, my compliments Kokoro-chan, you passed the round of 32. Any wor-”
“Don't get carried away.”
Haneko interrupted her.
“You might have defeated me but it was only thanks to that weapon, my fans nows this, it was only for that reason, I'll choose another weapon, and the next time I'll surely win.”
She blurted.
I looked at her, right now I wanted to punch her model, to say to go fuck herself, that she was just bad at the game and that she was just coping badly with her loss.
I really wanted that, but what would have it accomplished?
It would have hurt both, damaged my image, and did nothing else, it would have made everyone unhappy.
I smiled.
“I look forward to seeing you in the final then, good luck.”
I made the right choice, I must have, but, for some reason, I felt disgusted by myself.
--Helen's point of view--
Today I surpassed the round of 32. I destroyed my opponent without losing a match, I was very aggressive, I just wanted to end it and return home, to watch Kokoro-chan.
I watched her beat that meanie of Haneko. Kokoro-chan was the best, she was always cheerful, always positive, and she never ever lied.
She was the perfect human being, humans were disgusting, but not her, she was pure, always positive, untainted, perfect; she was an idol.
I watched her win and was very happy, so happy that tears continuously streamed down my cheeks, and I was smiling so much that my cheeks hurt.
Wait there was something important I was forgetting, wasn't there?
I looked Haneko getting angry at her, and Kokoro-chan elegantly replying to her.
Yes, she was really perfect, there is no way she is any different from how she seems, right?
I received a message from Clara, asking me how I was.
I suddenly remembered something, yesterday I saw something, right?
Something eery, something terrible.
I cleared my mind and try to remember what it was, various bad thoughts came to my mind but I cast them away, they couldn't be true.
Something was threatening Kokoro-chan, right, she was in danger, someone was trying to defile her, to taint her, she was in danger of not being an idol anymore.
A visage came to my mind, it was Blake, the cause of all my problems, it was all his fault, as always.
He was trying to ruin everything by tainting Kokoro-chan, I needed to stop him, I didn't know what his plan was, but I needed something to defeat him.
I needed a plan too.
I started thinking, how could I contrast him, how could I demonstrate he was planning to ruin Kokoro-chan.
I needed evidence, evidence to separate him from Kokoro-chan and snatch her away from him.
And how could I separate the two?
I started thinking desperately about how I could separate their existences, and possibly, hurt him as much as possible.