Chapter 2 - To Be a Streamer

I flop onto my bed, my breaths ragged and short.

My body feels terrible. My arms feel like they're about to fall off, and the less said about my legs the better. 

An hour after I ate my bento—and what a lovely meal that was—I began to exercise. It wasn't anything harsh. Just a simple set of push-ups, sit-ups, and side-hops. The first few minutes were fine. The minutes after that was hell.

I barely lasted an hour. And now I'm here, with muscles that feel more like jello than anything else.

I'm not giving up, though. Aiko's body is now mine, and I'm not letting it rot.

…but first, I need some sleep. 

...

"Good afternoon everyone."

Machigako: Good afternoon, Aiko-chan!

Kurusu-kun: Hello!

Neko11137: Hello, hello.

I smile. "It's good to be back again." I wince as I roll my shoulders. My limbs still feel terrible, but it won't stop me from streaming. "Didn't plan anything for today, but I'm up for another game of Minecraft. What do you all think?"

Machigako: We're good with Minecraft!

Neko11137: Osu?

My smile becomes a little strained. "Sorry, Neko-san. Osu's cool and all, but I don't feel too good today. I'll probably just mess up a lot."

Machigako: Eh!? Is Aiko-chan sick!?

Kurusu-kun: Sick?

Neko11137: Aiko Sick?

"No, no, it's nothing serious. I just got some delivery, and I strained my arms when I was moving things around. I'll be fine after some rest." Not that I'll get any. I'll be exercising daily until my bodily Stats reach an F. 

The stream starts out in earnest after that. Again, it's more me learning how to play Minecraft while I do my best to talk with my Chat. Some come asking for advice, and if it's appropriate, I'd answer back. 

Though this time I decide to fill in some of the silence with stories. Not Aiko's stories, but mine. I've lived a pretty colorful life, I think. And I narrate it back with some exaggeration here and there. Everyone seems somewhat surprised when they heard I almost got caught in a gang fight, and it takes me a moment to remember that gang fights aren't really all that common here in Japan. At least not ones that happen out in the open.

Today's stream was a little more lively. More active commenters crop up, interested in just what kind life she's lived. I keep most of it under wraps, of course. It's not like I can explain she's been reincarnated or whatever.

And 2 hours later, the stream ends.

[Today's Stream Rating: B!]

[Tallying Stream Points:

+5 (Stream Rating: B)

+2 (Stream Duration: +2 hours)

+4 (Added new 'Lore' to the Streamer's Character)

Total Stream Points: 11]

It's less than what I got yesterday, but not by much. 

I don't use my Stream Points for anything this time. I stretch and stand up, and I begin exercising once more. It's just as grueling as before—my lungs feel like they're being squeezed out with every push-up I do—but I push on.

And once I'm drained of any energy I have left, I drop onto my bed. I fall asleep not long after.

…

The routine repeats for the next week. I wake, I eat, I stream, I train, I sleep. Over and over. 

I don't feel great by the end of it, but the daily streams help. I was never much of a people-person. I did my job and left as soon as I'm done. But just sitting by my desk, playing games as I talk with my small audience—it's a lot more fun than I was first expecting.

But that week had given me enough Stream Points to purchase the Talent I'd eyed from the first shopping session.

[Talent: Natural Streamer]

[You are Naturally gifted at Streaming Online. Decreases Energy Drain by 50% when doing anything on Stream. Increases Charisma by 80% when doing anything on Stream. Reduces mental strain of chatting and performing by 60% when doing anything on Stream. Purchasing this Talent unlocks the Cha Stat.]

[Cost: 100 Streamer Points]

The moment I bought it, I could just feel something in me change. There was this gate that just snapped open in my head, and what little fear I had left about performing to an audience just vanished into thin air.

And when I streamed the day after I got my new Talent-

Machigako: Uuoooh! Aiko-chan is extra beautiful today!

Kurusu-kun: Good afternoon!

Neko11137: Aiko…so pretty…

Lelolelolelo: *kira kira*

"Do I look that different?" I giggle. "I don't think much's changed, really. I just finished something I've been doing for a while now. I guess the stress was really weighing me down." I smile and wink. "Thanks for the compliments, though!"

Machigako: Super duper Moe!

Lelolelolelo: Amazing cute…

I hum. "I'm feeling pretty good today, so why don't we play some Osu today?"

Neko11137: Osu!!!!

I grin. "Neko-san's pumped up, huh? What about everyone else?"

Machigako: Anything Aiko-chan does will be awesome!

Kurusu-kun: Osu's good. It's been a while.

Of course, there's one simple reason why I'm playing Osu instead of minecraft today.

Because, finally, my End and Agi have risen to F! Str's still F-, but I'm sure it won't be long before it rises. I'm eager to see just how big of an improvement this is. After all, even with her weakened body, Aiko had been a pro at playing Osu. How good will I be now?

As it turns out, very good. Like incredibly so.

My mouse glides across the desk as I hit the rapid beats. My finger presses the buttons with no fault. All done while I talk to my Chat. 

And the commenters are awed by my display. People from the Osu community begin coming in, having been notified about my play. The rising Viewer count makes my heart beat a little harder, but I do my best to ignore it as I continue reaping Perfects from song after song.

After the first song, I spent no time jumping onto the next one. Ten songs later, I'm feeling better than ever. Nearly fifty songs later, I can't help but grin as I see the viewers' awe at my apparent Endurance.

And honestly? I feel great. My increased End and the reduced energy drain from Natural Streamer—the lack of exhaustion and the rising adrenaline is making me feel like a chipmunk on drugs.

But I know to hold myself back. Magic…seems to be real in this world? Maybe? But whatever the case, I don't want to out myself or something.

I end the stream after 2 hours of near-constant Osu gaming. And the rewards I received is-, well-

[Today's Stream Rating: A+!]

[Tallying Stream Points:

+7 (Stream Rating: A+)

+2 (Stream Duration: +2 hours)

+4 (Added new 'Lore' to the Streamer's Character)

+1 (New Viewer)

+4 (10 New Viewers)

+5 (Streamer branched into new Community: Osu [Experts])

Total Stream Points: 23]

A+ Rating. Double the Stream Points. Concurrent Viewers that is nearly sevenfold my previous record.

It's insane.

But I'm not stopping here. My Stream Rating can still go up. My concurrent viewer count can still rise. My Stats have yet to reach their max. 

…Well, that's enough dreaming about the future, though. It's time to eat, and then exercise until I fall asleep.

...

Miles away, in the heart of Tokyo, a man watched as Suzuki Aiko ended her stream.

"Amazing." A smile came onto his lips. "To think she could play so effortlessly."

The man slouched back into his chair. The office fell silent as the stream ended. There were a few papers surrounding the monitor—all unfinished contracts he'd postponed to watch Aiko instead. And he was glad he did. Today's stream was leagues beyond what he'd seen just the day before.

He was unsure just what the so-called 'issue' Aiko had dealt with, but he was glad she felt better now.

It would be wonderful if he could secure a collaboration with her. But she was still a new face in the industry, and he didn't want to burden her so quickly into her career. 

It was still an idea worth investing into. He shelved the idea for a future date.

Then, the phone inches from the desk's edge began to ring. He frowned as he reached forward. The phone made a sharp click as he pulled. "Hello? Is something wrong?"

A feminine voice came through. "Sorry, Tanigo-san. But I think we have a problem."

He narrowed his eyes. "I see. Where are you?"

"Sora-chan and I are in the lobby."

"I'm coming." He placed the phone back as he stood. He turned the monitor off as he raced out of the room.