Chapter 101. [Collaborators From Ukraine]
I’m going to fight together with Angu Ogu!
Fired up with determination, I immediately contacted my acquaintance, an overseas VTuber.
<<That’s the situation. Of course, you don’t have to forcibly support any specific faction. I want you to share your thoughts about your country with the world.>>
I appealed to them through the microphone.
We had collaborated a few times before, and I wanted them to be on our side, supporting Angu Ogu and me.
But I can’t force them to do so.
That is Angu Ogu and my situation.
But in reality, it didn’t work out so well.
However, reality didn’t work out as well as I had hoped.
<<Um, let me think about it.>>
<<Yes, I understand. No, I’m sorry for calling you out of the blue. If you change your mind, please let me know… Okay then.>>
The call abruptly ended.
The call was disconnected with a pause.
The response wasn’t very favorable. It wasn’t the first time I had been turned down.
“Come to think of it, that’s how it is?”
The world is important, but so are your fans.
As Z-chan had beaten me to the punch, VTubers, and politics are not good topics of conversation.
As it was being criticized on Z Channel, VTubers and political topics don’t go well together.
Since we started talking about politics, Angu Ogu and I noticed a decline in our subscriber growth rate.
Not only were we not gaining new subscribers, but existing viewers were also drifting away.
“Everyone has their own lives too.”
There are plenty of VTubers barely making ends meet with just their live streams.
In such a situation, we couldn’t easily engage in risky political discussions.
Many VTubers also didn’t want to provoke the animosity of the “Japanese” audience.
“I didn’t expect this, but to think it would come to this.”
It’s only natural that the majority of my viewers are Japanese.
My acquaintance VTuber, who collaborates with me, naturally has more Japanese listeners too.
Of course, the fact that there are more Japanese viewers of VTuber content in the first place plays a role.
And Japan is in a situation of “self-preservation.”
Being in vulnerable to a nuclear attack from Russia, the public desires thorough retaliation, including a nuclear strike.
In such circumstances, I’m saying, “Let’s find another way.”
That’s completely contrary to public opinion.
As a result, I naturally ended up provoking resentment.
And what happened?
>Traitor
>Die
>I never thought Iroha would say such things. I used to support you, but it’s impossible now. I’m disappointed. Unsubscribed and reported
And so on.
Not only did people unsubscribe, but there were also dislikes, comment trolls, and even direct messages filled with insults.
Frankly, I’m the type who can ignore it, even if my channel’s subscriber count decreases or I receive abusive messages from viewers.
However, not everyone can be like that.
But not everyone can be like that.
So the truth is, they don’t want to be “dragged into it.”
Still, a few VTubers were willing to cooperate, but they were scarce.
I give up. What should I do from now on?
As I was pondering this, my phone rang.
“Hmm? A call from Ogu? <<Hello?>>”
“<<..Iroha, I’m sorry.>>
Uh-oh. A call at this time.
I was certain it wouldn’t be good news.
<<Our agency issued a ban on discussing political topics during our streams. It’s not just me; I think it applies to Ah-nee and others who were cooperating with us in the same agency.>>
<<Ah, there’s no helping it.>>
It’s a natural decision for the agency.
It’s a rational measure to protect the company’s interests and the affiliated VTubers.
<<Indeed, there has been a lot of defamation and harassment. But some of the viewers have started to shift their attention toward overseas and politics.>>
Yes, even in such adversity, not everything was a complete failure.
Some viewers who listened to the entire conversation become aware of overseas and political matters.
>I think I had only heard and seen very biased information until now (Hindi)
>After hearing the other side’s opinions, I honestly don’t know which side is right anymore (U.S.)
>I guess I don’t agree with Iroha’s opinion
Of course, not all viewers necessarily became supporters, but…
<<Then, from here on, I’ll do my best for Ogu’s share as well.>>
<<…I’m sorry, Iroha. I’m sorry.>>
On the other end of the phone, Anguogu speaks while sobbing.
That was the one thing she thought he could do for his mother, yet she may not be rewarded with this outcome.
<<Iroha, that’s enough. Thank you. That’s why.>>
My oshi says while crying, <<That’s enough.>>.
Should I turn back? Should I give up?
-No, I won’t.
<<Don’t joke! It’s not over yet, right?>>
<<But do you have any plans?>>
<<Uhh…?>>
The truth is, I’ve already reached out to almost everyone I can reach.
Right now, I need people who can help me disseminate information and cooperate, but I’m also running out of options.
<<I-It’s okay!>>
<<Really? There’s still one more option!>>
<<Ah? So Ogu doesn’t have to worry, right? Don’t worry!>>
<<I see. Then, I’ll ask for a little more. But please, don’t do anything reckless, okay?>>
After saying that, the call with Anguogu ended.
But.
“I don’t have any other options!”
However, there’s no choice but to do it.
The only ones left are. If collaboration partners are out of the question, there is only VTuber I’ve never spoken to before.
It’s unlikely that such a person would participate in such a topic.
But with no other options. I contacted a VTuber I had never talked to.
Surprisingly, she accepted the call.
And that person is.
<I-Iroha-samaaaaaaaa!?>
A bilingual middle school VTuber from Ukraine.
Upon first meeting, she let out a scream like that.