Chapter 54 - Celebration! Monetization!
After that, Nat was, well... and so it was club activity time.
I suppose there was no need to wait for Bell-buchou, but Mion was editing a video, and I was reviewing the comments from the other day’s live stream.
I’d been too busy cleaning up and moving in IRO on Sunday to properly look at them.
But when the comments flow quickly like that, it’s impossible to keep up. How many “Huh?” comments streamed by the moment Majo Bell appeared...?
They covered things like my stats up until I first fished for goblins, and then explained my traps.
Even so, Bell-buchou is late...
“Hello~”
“Oh, hey there.”
Hello.
It was unusual for Yata-sensei to appear first.
“Bell-buchou isn’t here, is she perhaps absent today?”
“No~ Second-year students start their career counseling around this time~”
Ah, so she’s stuck with that.
Bell-buchou is already earning a good amount, but is she planning to make virtual idol activities her main profession?
“I think the reason she’s stuck for so long is because Bell-san hadn’t thought anything through, you know?”
“Please stop seeing right through me...”
But really, I hadn’t thought about my career path at all when I was just starting my second year.
Even I’m only thinking about the escalator path to Mitsumori University, nothing more.
“Alright~ Since Mion-san’s part-time job has been approved~ shall we apply for monetization~?”
Huh, already?
“Yes~ Because she has achievements from last year~”
Apparently, things had progressed on that front without me knowing.
Shou-kun, please think about what you want.
“Uh, no, I’m just playing the game, you know...”
Mion was the one actually doing the video editing and live streaming, after all.
“Still, Mion’s parents agreed so easily. Are they as hands-off as my family?”
I only have my mother, and she runs a company, so she’s generally in favor of working.
“Eh? I-Is that so...?”
Did I just ask something I shouldn’t have?
“The tax discussions went quickly, so that was helpful~”
Sensei, you went to a lot of trouble.
Apparently, a lot happened behind my back, but essentially, it was a matter of “It’s fine, but what kind of part-time job?” and they had a proper discussion with the teacher involved.
Shou-kun, you don’t need to worry about anything. Ah, though my mother did say she wants to meet you once.
“Wait! That makes me really anxious!”
“You should be prepared~ Well~ I suppose it’s something every man experiences at least once in his life~”
Crap, my stomach might be starting to hurt. I want to go to the Uninhabited Island...
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
Bell-buchou, who just entered, looked quite exhausted.
She didn’t even put on her VR HMD, just sank deeply into the gaming chair.
“Did Yasaka-sensei give you quite a scolding?”
“...When I was asked what I wanted to do in the future, I said ‘games’ and got scolded.”
“Even I would get angry at that.”
Bell-buchou averted her eyes from Yata-sensei’s intimidating smile.
I might answer the same way, so I need to think about it more seriously...
Sensei, is this alright?
“I’ll confirm it~”
From that exchange, a gaze demanding, “Explain yourself,” shot my way.
“The school approved her part-time job, so we’re applying for monetization.”
“Really! Then, once monetization is approved, let’s collaborate again!”
Bell-buchou leaned forward, but...
“Live streams with Bell-san and Mion-san are a no-go for a while~ Now, please submit this.”
“Eh? Why?!”
Yes.
Bell-buchou looked unconvinced, while Mion calmly submitted the application.
“If Bell-san appears too much~ it’ll become unclear whose channel it is~ Bell-san, you wouldn’t want people saying you’re neglecting your own channel, would you~?”
“Ugh, you’re right...”
She cooled down and sat back.
Even if it’s the same club activity, outsiders wouldn’t see it that way, and it would be strange for Bell-buchou to be constantly on Mion’s live streams.
“The next live stream should be more relaxed~ Well~ there’s no need to rush~ so once a week for streams should be fine~”
Yes.
“Got it.”
For me too, a more relaxed schedule like that would be helpful.
The goblin fight felt just right, but next is probably that bear—the [Armor Bear].
It’s also unclear if it’s just one, and if I’m going to fight it, I at least want to do it after getting proper weapons and armor.
That’s right! Speaking of weapons and armor, that reminded me...
“By the way, how was Seth (Miki)? Did she say anything rude to the people around the club president?”
“Not at all. That way of speaking, in a game, can just be passed off as characterization.”
Even when I watched her live streams, she spoke that way, but the pickup parties didn’t seem to mind either way.
It’s just a slightly peculiar way of speaking; it’s not really disrespectful.
“Her tanking movements were on par with the top players. Oh, and that longsword, greatshield, and armor don’t look like they’re store-bought...”
“Ah, that’s right. I think if you ask her, she’ll tell you. She’s often wandering solo, so you should invite her.”
“But is that really okay? Your sister is in her third year of junior high, so I don’t think she should be playing games all the time.”
Well, that’s what most people would think. But,
“Ah, that’s fine. Despite how she looks, she’s an idiot who gets perfect scores and ranks first in the National Junior High Mock Exam, so Mitsumori University is well within reach even if she plays.”
“Eh? Perfect score, first place... what?”
Something in Bell-buchou’s mind seemed to have glitched and frozen.
Sensei, it seems it went through.
“That was fast~ I feel like it took about an hour for Bell-san~”
Yata-sensei said, checking Mion’s channel.
After a quick confirmation,
“Well~ let’s put out a notice saying it’s monetized~”
Yes. Shou-kun, please take a look too.
“Okay.”
Apparently, a notice would be posted, reporting, “Thanks to everyone, we’ve been monetized. Thank you.”
It seemed Yata-sensei and Mion had already prepared it, and I was asked to look it over for confirmation. Though, I really had no points to interject.
“Yeah. I think it’s fine.”
“Then~ please send it out~”
Yes.
The announcement went up, and after checking that it was properly displayed, I realized it was already past 5 PM. What should I do for club activities in IRO today...?
Shou-kun, I’m sorry. It’s already past 5, what should we do?
“Hmm, I’ll just log in for a quick check, feed Lupi, and then come back. I’ll stream for now, but I’ll be back soon, so I think checking the archive will be fine.”
Yes.
That’s all well and good, but when will Bell-buchou unfreeze?