Chapter 6 - Majo Bell
“Ise-kun…”
Her truly small wave of a hand brought me a sense of immense relief, but…
“First-year B-class, [Ise Shouta-kun]. So you’re Izumo-san’s classmate.”
While I was dumbfounded, the hime cut senior seemed to have snatched my [application form].
“Ah, yes. Uhm…”
“I’m [Katori Suzuya] from second-year A-class. I’m the club president. Nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too.”
I couldn't refuse when a senior asked for a handshake, so I complied.
Looks like I can’t escape now…
“Now, once again, behold the club room.”
I remembered her words and looked around the club room properly again, and…
Eh, are these top-tier [PC (Personal Core)]s and [VR HMD]s!? Does that mean I can play [IRO]?
No, no, before that, this equipment shouldn't be obtainable with normal club fees, right? It's the same as the latest [PC (Personal Core)] and [VR HMD] I got as a high school entrance gift.
“Uhm, well, since the club fees seem to be quite high, I think I’d like to decline…”
“What are you talking about? We don’t collect club fees or equipment from students. This was all acquired with club fees from the school and money earned through club activities.”
Through club activities? Earned? Huh??
Perhaps noticing my mind going completely blank, [Katori Suzuya], the club president, continued.
“Well, since you’re joining, I have to tell you this, but keep it a secret.”
She paused for a breath, then said,
“My online name is ‘[Bell]’. I am the game-streaming virtual idol, ‘[Majo Bell]’.”
“Huh, I see… Wait, WHAAAT?!”
There are many game-streaming virtual idols, but [Majo Bell], who rapidly gained fans over the past year and became one of the top streamers, is this [Katori Suzuya], the club president… No way…
Of course, I can’t tell anyone else about this. Not mentioning the person inside is only natural…
My head, which had slumped in shock, was stroked by someone’s hand. It was [Izumo-san].
Did [Izumo-san] know this before coming here? No, I can’t imagine how [Izumo-san] would express surprise…
However, if that’s the case, it makes sense that the [PC (Personal Core)]s and [VR HMD]s in the club room are all the latest models.
She must be reinvesting the funds she earned from her activities—such as super chats and ad revenue—as club fees.
Got it… There’s no one inside…
“Good.”
There were tons of detailed questions I wanted to ask, but I understood the main point.
I slowly stood up and thanked [Izumo-san].
“Okay…”
“It’s good that you two already know each other. Izumo-san, you seem to have trouble socializing.”
Yeah, I think so too, but do you really say that out loud in front of her? Well, [Izumo-san] is nodding along, though.
“Now, Ise-kun, find a suitable seat. No need to stand around talking; I’ll even serve some tea.”
President [Katori Suzuya]’s seat already showed signs of various customizations, and [Izumo-san] was sitting opposite her.
There were two empty seats left, so I chose the one next to [Izumo-san]. Sitting next to the president feels a bit scary…
“Here, please.”
They even have a refrigerator as part of the equipment? I thought, as a can of… Don’t call an energy drink 'tea'! was placed on my and Izumo-san’s desks.
“Th-thanks.”
I replied with a slightly forced smile, but President [Katori Suzuya] didn't seem to get it at all. She's tough.
Also, is [Izumo-san] really okay drinking an energy drink? I'm worried her mood might suddenly change…
“Now, regarding the main activities of the club, before I explain… you two both have wear IDs, right?”
A wear ID is a unique ID number for the wearer of a [PC (Personal Core)] and [VR HMD].
The standards that proliferated in the early days of full-dive VR were unified under the leadership of the [Rokujo Group] and integrated into a common standard. The wear ID is assigned to link personal data based on this common standard to the individual.
If you’ve ever used a game or software with a [PC (Personal Core)] and [VR HMD], you must have created a wear ID beforehand, so…
“I have one.”
“Yes…”
Izumo-san has one too… well, she would if she’s planning to join this club.
“That’s good. The initial setup for those is troublesome. Now, let’s have a wear ID exchange among club members.”
Ah, shoot. If I exchange wear IDs, won’t they find out I’m playing [IRO] solo?
No, no, I just won’t stream starting today! I never intended to gather people with my stream anyway, so it’ll be fine, totally fine!
President [Katori Suzuya] put on her [VR HMD] and started it in real view mode. This mode allows the system window to be displayed holographically so that one can still perceive the real world.
She then prompted me and [Izumo-san] with an expression that said, 'Hurry up and do it', so I braced myself and put on my [VR HMD].
After a short startup sound, iris authentication ran, and I successfully logged in with my wear ID. My display name 'Shou' is common worldwide, so it should be fine, right?
“Alright, I’m sending a friend request, so please accept it.”
President [Katori Suzuya] extended her right hand towards me and her left hand towards [Izumo-san]. When sending a friend request to someone nearby, the procedure is to face your palm towards their equipped [VR HMD].
Come to think of it, if President [Katori Suzuya] is [Majo Bell], then a very rare person is about to be added to my friends list. If her fervent fans find out, I’ll be stabbed…
Pilon! went a sound, and a [friend request dialog] appeared before my eyes.
[Accept friend request from nearby user “Bell”?]
I pressed “Yes” without hesitation. Pressing “No” here would lead to troublesome things like being blacklisted temporarily. It’s a trap for those who try to be funny and get hurt.
“Bell” appeared at the top of my online friends list on the right. While it’s possible to customize this display if there are friends with the same name, there’s no need for that right now.
“Now, Ise-kun, send one to Izumo-san.”
“Roger.”
I extended my right hand towards [Izumo-san] and sent a [friend request]. But [Izumo-san] was frozen.
“Oh? Did it not send?”
“Ah, no…”
Pilon! I heard the sound of a friend request being accepted, so I checked my friends list.
And then I froze. Because of the name ‘[Mion]’ displayed there…