Chapter 191. [Potential VTuber Fans]

<<You’re missing out if you don’t know the charm of VTubers… Criminal, you’re losing 99.9999999% of your life!>>

<<Isn’t that a bit too much!?>>

The robber, seemingly drawn into my comment, retorts in such a way.

I made the foolish move of headbutting the muzzle of the gun, but ultimately, it managed to unsettle the opponent, pulling them into our pace.

<<No, I actually thought I underestimated it.>>

<<What’s happening in your life?>>

<<Oh, I’m really envious. If I could, I’d erase my memories and enjoy it again. Well, in reality, forgetting is impossible. Those broadcasts are too memorable!>>

As I speak, the robber distances himselff a bit.

Why back off? Let’s discuss VTubers together.

<<Hey, what’s she talking about?>>

The robber looks at the female customers as if seeking help.

They avert their gaze.

What’s with that reaction? It’s like I’m some dangerous person.

Anyway, I continued my enthusiastic speech.

<<VTuber content is virtually infinite. And in the world of VTubers… at least, you don’t need to care about the ‘nationality’ you’ve been mentioning>>

<<Hah, that kind of entertainment is possible because there’s both mental and financial comfort. At least in my hometown, even infrastructure wasn’t properly developed. Limited internet access. Can VTubers be enjoyed in such conditions?>>

<<That is…>>

Due to the nature of streaming, a good internet connection is necessary.

I thought that was a given. However…

<<Look. In the end, it’s all something you can say because you were born in a wealthy country. Have you ever struggled for food for the day? In such circumstances, can you afford the luxury of VTubers?>>

I see. That’s how it is.

It feels like scales have fallen from my eyes.

<<What exactly are VTubers? What can they do? They don’t even show their faces, letting characters speak for them… and then what? What can these intangible entities do for us!?>>

<<..–I understand.>>

<<What do you understand?>>

I hadn’t realized until now.

There are… more “potential fan recruits” in the world than I had imagined.

<<Alright, I’ll prove it to you. VTubers can save you and your hometown.>>

<<Huh? What do you mean…?>>

<<Looks like they’ve arrived.>>

The robber tilts their head but quickly turns their attention outside.

The sound of sirens is approaching.

<<What!? Since when!?>>

<<Sorry. I just kept you engaged in conversation for a bit.>>

The proselytizing I was doing until a moment ago was just a stall tactic. No, I was seriously intending to immerse the robber in the world of VTubers, but for that, some things needed to be done first.

Perhaps upon hearing the sirens, the robber got scared and showed signs of wanting to escape.

<<Damn it…! You come too!>>

<<Kyaa!?>>

Is he planning to use me as a hostage? My arm is forcefully pulled.

In the grip of an adult man, the grabbed area felt like it creaked.

Just a little more time needs to be bought!

I resist by biting the robber’s hand.

<<Ouch…! You brat!>>

The robber swung the arm holding the gun.

It collided with my cheek with a “thud”. I got thrown back.

Ugh, damn it… my cheek hurts like crazy!

However, once again, the robber reached out to me, who fell to the ground.

<<Nice job, miss!>>

But before that, a female customer intervenes and knocks the robber away.

Wait, wasn’t she restrained?

There’s no time to find the answer to that question.

The robber’s gun, which he had, clatters to the floor.

He’s trying to retrieve the other gun he snatched from the female customer.

That’s when it happened.

The door leading to the backyard suddenly opens, and several men and women burst in.

<<Are you stupid!? The police aren’t… Damn it!>>

<<Get down!>>

The female customer pushes me and the store clerk down, diving into the shadows of the shelves.

In the next moment, gunshots echo continuously.

<<Gyaaaah!?>>

The roar was the robber’s scream.

Following that, multiple footsteps and a voice saying, “Secured!”.

Then, a bit delayed, the sound of sirens outside the store stops.

<<Phew. Finally, it seems to be over.>>

The female customer covering us exhales.

As she stands up, I also raise my body.

The concern remains, especially about the robber.

I cautiously peek from behind the shelves to see the situation.

Is it the police?

Several men and women in plain clothes stand around the fallen robber.

<<Is he dead?>>

The robber’s body was soaked in red.

The vivid color sends a strange chill through me.

<<It hurts! It hurts! I’ve been shot! Gyaaahhhh!>>

The robber writhes on the ground, still lying there.

Seems like he’s more energetic than I thought. I also heave a sigh of relief.

<<Hey, wait! It’s still dangerous!>>

Ignoring the warning from the female customer, I approached the robber.

There are still things he has to do—.