Volume 1 Chapter 44 C, Part class Clan 'Valkyrie' (II)
"E-even if you say that... And besides, I don't really like being a D-Streamer that much..."
"Don't like it? Kotono, are you getting a bit full of yourself just because the viewers are fawning over you?"
"T-that's not it! That's not what I meant..."
"N-Nagisa, that's a bit too harsh..."
"And you keep saying you want to prioritize dungeon exploration, but what's the point of you, a healer, prioritizing that? Why don't you use that loli body of yours to work on increasing your channel subscribers instead!"
"Nagisa, that's enough!"
"! ...Ah, Ayumi..."
"Ayumi...chan..."
Lately, our clan has been acting a bit strange.
Before we started D-Streaming, we used to get along really well, but ever since we became D-Streamers, we've been obsessing over subscriber counts and viewer reactions.
Well, mainly Yuki and Nagisa, that is...
Yuki and Nagisa have bright personalities, are great at talking, and love being in the spotlight, so they're perfect for D-Streaming.
On the other hand, Kotono and I aren't good at talking, and we struggle with being friendly to viewers.
Originally, we started D-Streaming as a way to secure income because Seeker activities like weapons, armor, and items always come with unavoidable expenses.
Honestly, I thought, "It's not going to be that easy," but before I knew it, our subscriber count kept growing, and we ended up becoming a popular channel with over 200,000 subscribers.
Thanks to that popularity, we started getting attention as D-Streamers, even appearing on TV beyond just the internet.
And before we realized it, the ad revenue from D-Streaming and the fees from TV and magazine appearances far surpassed the income we earned from dungeon exploration.
Since then, especially Yuki and Nagisa, with their cute charm and great communication skills, started getting more solo TV appearances.
As a result, our dungeon exploration as 'Valkyrie'... in other words, our D-Streaming activities, often got neglected.
However, I thought, "This isn't good," and somehow decided to continue as a D-Streamer with just Kotono and me.
But with only the two of us, it was difficult to operate near our original activity hub around the 40th floor of Shinjuku Gyoen. We barely managed to stay active in the early Lower Floors, from the 30th to the 35th floors.
As expected, such "lukewarm exploration activities" didn't get a good reaction from viewers. Comments in the chat included things like "It's not the same without Yuki and Nagisa" or "It's dangerous for just Ayumi-chan and Kotono-chan to explore dungeons."
I felt a little frustrated being a subject of concern for the viewers, but they weren't wrong. I genuinely wanted to gain more strength and advance in dungeon exploration, but it was challenging for Kotono and me to grow as quickly as we did when we were a team of four.
Still, things were better back then.
Even though Yuki and Nagisa participated less frequently, they were still properly involved in D-Streamer activities.
Recently, however, the viewers' comments have become harsher: "What are Yuki and Nagisa even doing?" "They're supposed to be Seekers, but now they're acting like idols and forgetting their real job." "D-Streamers are only worth it if they're skilled — they're getting way too cocky, lol."
At the same time, there were also supportive comments: "Leader Ayumi-chan and Kotono are amazing. They're still working hard as D-Streamers." "But with just the two of them, it's a bit dangerous. Watching them makes me nervous."
The comments were a mix of praise for our dedication and concern about our lack of strength.
That's why we clans have been getting stiff lately. That was the time.
"Okay, I've decided!"
When Yuki suddenly shouted something like that, everyone turned to look at her, saying, "What? What's going on?".
"Ayumi said earlier, "Let's do the Floor boss strategy for Lower Floors' ⋯⋯!!!!
"""Huh? Whaaaat?!"""
* * *
"Hey, wait a second, Yuki! What are you talking about? Are you crazy?!"
Nagisa hysterically makes Yuki's comments.
"Of course! Lately, we've been on TV and stuff so much... we got carried away, didn't we?"
"Huh?! Y-Yuki?!"
Nagi froze at Yuki's blunt statement.
Kotono and I froze too.
"Sorry... Ayumi, Kotono. I got too happy being pampered by the viewers on our channel. And Nagi's just like me──she loves the spotlight, so we both got carried away! I'm really sorry!"
With that, Yuki bowed deeply to Ayumi and Kotono.
"Yuki..."
"Yuki-chan..."
"And Nagi too! I'm sorry, it's my fault for pushing you into it!"
"Y-Yuki?!"
"Nagi warned me at first, saying, 'Isn't going on TV going too far?' But I insisted, 'It'll be fine!' and dragged you into it... So, I'm sorry!"
With that, Yuki bowed deeply to Nagi this time.
Yuki's always been like this.
Well, always... though it's only been about 3 years.
But thanks to Yuki, the unpleasant tension in the group was completely cleared away.
"I-I'm sorry too... for earlier."
"...Nagi."
"Especially to Kotono... I said something terrible. I wanted to be the most popular with the viewers... But when I heard Kotono, who's already the most popular, say something like 'D-Streamers are...' I just snapped..."
"Nagi-chan..."
"I'm sorry, Kotono! I shouldn't have said that!"
"No, it's okay... Nagi-chan. I know you've been working hard to grow the channel's subscribers... I'm the one who should apologize! I said something that dismissed all your efforts..."
"Kotono... I'm sorry, really... I'm so sorry..."
And just like that, Kotono and Nagi made up.
"Phew~, that settles it."
"""What do you mean 'settles it'?!!!!"""
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