"Traditional idols aren't suitable for you," Akira continued, sensing their inner thoughts from their expression. "What I want to talk is about are virtual idols — the same kind you've seen tested in recent livestreams."
The girls finally understood.
Their expressions brightened, excitement overflowing.
Virtual idols. It was a new frontier and they have already seen it, and know how it works.
They were very excited about this, since in a traditional idol where they will have to face audience personally — Virtual Idol (V-Tuber) is a place where the voice, personality, and creativity determined success.
They were voice actor, it is the thing they are more adapt at.
And Akira Fujimiya— the boy they have started to admired, trusted, and some secretly loved— was leading them into that future.
And many were eager to try it.
As the voice actors of Hoshiyuu Agency, they were all verified members on the Video platform.
Because of that verification, they had access to all the new tools and beta features the video platform had been testing over the last few months.
Some of the girls had already tried those features on their own livestreams and were doing surprisingly well.
Too well—
Their viewer counts had jumped overnight, and their fan communities had grown rapidly.
That was also why Akira had gathered them here today.
He looked around the conference room. The people sat there nervously, their hands tightly gripping notebooks, pens, water bottles—anything that could reduce their anxiety.
"Some of you have already begun using the livestreaming system," Akira said calmly. "You've done well. Very well, in fact. That's why I called you all here. Today, I want to select candidates who can become virtual idols."
Akira continued, his tone steady.
"You may end up focusing less on voice acting if you choose this path. But I guarantee this— a virtual idol who works hard will never earn less than a voice actor."
The girls exchanged glances—Confusion filled their eyes, but also a spark of hope.
"Moreover," Akira went on, "Once you officially become a virtual idol and stream for a certain number of hours every day, you can start earning income immediately from the company."
Murmurs rippled through the room.
"The idol agency will promote you, arrange your activities, and assign managers to you. You won't be left alone."
Akira spoke each word clearly, firmly—making sure everyone understood the seriousness behind his offer.
Several of the new voice actors looked at one another, unsure of what to think.
Finally, a timid girl raised her hand.
Akira gestured to her to asked.
"Fujimiya-sama," The girl asked weakly, "Is it true… that virtual idols really only need to stream for a few hours every day to be paid?"
"The money won't be much at the start," Akira replied honestly. "But it will never be lower than the normal hourly wage part-time job. The daily streaming limit is five hours."
The girl's eyes widened slightly.
"Then… what do we even stream?" she asked again, raising her second question.
Akira shrugged lightly, smiling, as he said, "That depends on you, your personality and your skills. Some of you like singing, Some of you like roleplay, Some of you can act according to your character design that you can set yourself. You're voice actors—do I really need to teach you how to make it interesting?"
The girl's eyes lit up.
"So as long as the content is fun, it's fine?"
Akira nodded.
But then his expression turned serious.
"I said content can be interesting. But that doesn't mean you can say anything for fun during a livestream. There are lines you must never cross. Once you officially become virtual idols, professionals will teach you what's allowed and what isn't."
The girl who was asking the question quickly said, "O-okay…understood."
As she sat down.
Akira looked around the room again.
"I just talked about the benefits of being a virtual idol...Now, let's talk about the rules. If anyone violates them… I will remove that person from Hoshiyuu Agency."
"!!!"
A wave of tension hit the room instantly, at his words.
Akira picked up a marker and began writing on the whiteboard behind him.
Rule after rule appeared in neat handwriting on the whiteboard.
When he finally finished, the girls exhaled in collective relief as they read the rules.
They weren't unfamiliar rules to them.
In fact—
These were the exact same rules Hayama Riko had enforced since taking over agency management.
Hayama Riko glanced at the board and smiled faintly.
She was right.
Young Master Akira really was like her in that regard.
Even though she worked here now, her heart still remembered the strict, careful standards from her previous place.
And Akira followed the same line of thought.
These were rules that absolutely could never be violated.
{T/N: I forgot if she was the one who was managing the Voice acting agency or someone else}
…
After the meeting ended, Hayama Riko approached Akira and quietly explained the rules that she had implemented previously.
Akira listened and nodded with clear appreciation.
"You've been doing great," he said calmly. "In the future, our market is over there. You're handling everything beautifully."
"Thank you, Fujimiya-sama." Hayama Riko bowed, her eyes shining with happiness.
"Count how many are willing to become virtual idols," Akira instructed. "In a few days, I'll prepare contracts. Those who sign will leave Hoshiyuu Agency and stream in the rooms inside the new idol division."
"Understood. I'll handle it." Hayama Riko nodded, then paused. "Fujimiya-sama… is there a limit to the number of people?"
"Fifty," Akira replied without hesitation.
"Fifty? Isn't that too many?" Hayama Riko asked, surprised.
"When the virtual idol industry matures," Akira said lightly, "they will become our strongest weapon."
"Wait… you mean… there will be other companies doing the same?"
"There definitely will." Akira smiled. "If they want to use our video website, I'm willing to cooperate."
"Won't that hurt the company?" she asked.
"The cooperation will include cross-company collaborations — It's beneficial to both sides," Akira replied. "But if their idols break rules, then I am sorry."
He tapped the whiteboard lightly.
"Put that into the cooperation agreement. If we help them with promotions, but their virtual idol says something inappropriate and causes damages to our platform…"
Hayama Riko was shocked as she understand the underlying meaning behind his word.
Akira chuckled and gently patted her shoulder.
"Very good. You understand it well. Write me a report — Whether you join the idol division or not will depend on how good your plan is."
"Yes, Fujimiya-sama!" Hayama Riko bowed deeply, her voice filled with excitement.
Joining the idol agency would be a huge step up.
Her status under Akira would rise dramatically.
Hoshiyuu Agency would take time to grow into a major powerhouse, meaning Hayama Riko might always remain under Sada Kana's authority.
But with this opportunity—
She could stand equal to Sada Kana someday.
….
After leaving the meeting room,
Akira walked down the hallway.
Immediately, he spotted Hikigaya Komachi sitting on a chair, swinging her legs lightly.
When she saw him, she lit up with a bright smile.
Akira approached her and placed his hand gently atop her head.
"Long time no see, Komachi."
"Akira-nii, the last time we met…" Komachi blinked. "I think it was the last time."
Akira laughed softly.
"Have you earned money from live-streaming yet?"
Komachi nodded proudly.
"Mm-hm!"
"There's still some time before lunch," Akira said. "Want to go to the movies with me?"
Komachi tilted her head. "Can I bring one more person?"
Akira paused, thinking about who might the person be.
Then he noticed someone quietly approaching.
Shimizu Saori walked over, her posture straight, her face unreadable.
As she bowed toward Akira.
Komachi stood immediately and took Saori's arm.
"We all can go to Movie or even lunch, let Komachi treat you! Akira-nii and Shishou helped me so much. I want to repay you both!"
"I was going to make you treat me," Akira replied bluntly.
Saori too spoke quietly. "Next time, I will treat you."
"Ok, now let's go," Komachi said cheerfully, pulling Saori along as they headed toward the exit.
With Akira following behind.
…
The theater was only a short walk from Hoshiyuu.
Komachi quickly purchased three tickets, plus popcorn and a large Coke.
Judging from the poster, today's film was a romance movie.
Akira glanced at the two girls.
Komachi was obvious—full of energy, mischief, and warmth.
But Saori Shimizu…
Well, that was another story entirely.
Akira exhaled quietly.
"Let's just treat it as a simple movie."
He followed them into the theater.
Their seats were in the middle of the back row—good view, not too noisy.
Akira sat between the two girls.
Komachi on his left and Saori on his right.
"Akira-nii, do you want to hold hands?" Komachi asked teasingly, suddenly extending her hand.
Akira looked at her for sometime, before gently taking her hand.
Komachi instantly turned red and faced the screen, she didn't think he would take it.
{T/N: I don't like where this is going}
"What's wrong? Shy?" Akira teased.
"Y-Yeah… a little. I took a job voicing a shy girl, so I have to learn how to act embarrassed but… I don't really know how… s-so…"
"Want to practice kissing?"
"No! H-Holding hands is enough!" Komachi squeaked.
Akira sighed dramatically, "Such a waste."
"Akira-nii… that's dangerous! Komachi trusts you a lot, okay?" she said with a pout.
Akira held her small hand gently as the movie trailers began.
Komachi puffed her cheeks but didn't pull away.
Shimizu Saori glanced at them.
But she didn't say a word.
When the main film finally started, the lights dimmed fully.
At that moment—
Akira suddenly felt someone hold his other hand.
He froze.
Saori Shimizu was gripping his wrist, her fingers trembling slightly.
Akira turned his head.
Saori stared straight ahead at the screen, a faint blush on her cheeks.
Akira hesitated.
Reason told him he needed to pull away.
But Saori's grip…
No girl had ever held him that boldly before.
{T/N: ...😐}
Then—
A thought hit him.
A terrifying possibility.
Akira immediately pulled his hand back, forcefully.
Saori watch him before leaning toward him and whispered something into his ear.
Akira's eyes widened in shock.
This… was impossible.
Saori stood up silently and left the theater.
Akira stayed still for a moment.
Then he turned to Komachi.
"I'm going to the bathroom."
Komachi nodded, then noticed Saori's empty seat.
Her face flushed red, as her imagination run wild.
"S-So this is the world of adults…"
…..
Akira didn't follow Saori.
He went to the bathroom and splashed water onto his face, trying to steady his heartbeat.
He needed to calm down.
Right now—Saori Shimizu's whispered words still echoed in his head.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,830