Vol 1 Chapter 17 – Diva【Vol 1 – Turning Point】

MalumDiva — that was the title of the song that would become my theme song. They said its difficulty beats even the Queen of the Night’s aria. The highest note is one tone higher than that aria, and that part actually has lyrics. But the overall tempo’s slower, so it feels calmer.

However, by the time we finished the song, there was no practice time left for the day. Honestly, cramming overnight wouldn’t work anyway. Everything’s in Latin with impossible pronunciation. Ryu-san sang it an octave lower for me, but even then? This song’s brutal.

After dinner, I started streaming with Mitsu-san.
“Gooood evening! Everyone did great today! You’re all amazing, so amazing~!”
From this moment, Mitsu-san turns into Micchi-Mama, and I’m Akiba Rin.
“Onii-chan, Onee-chan, you worked hard today too! I know you’re all doing your best out there, okay?”
I’d practiced that line over and over while cooking dinner. That’s why I nailed it smoothly. But everything after this? Improv. I’m sweating bullets.

Looking at the screen, I see Micchi-Mama and Rin moving. Since Mama’s 3D and I’m 2D, there’s a tiny mismatch. But hey, it’s awesome we’re even moving at all today.

Comments flood in instantly:
Rina＠Gal: FIRST COMMENT YASSSS! BTW SO EMOOOO! Being called ‘big sis’ by Rin-kun is killing meee!
Gin: Rina-san, breathe… But ‘big bro’ huh… Low-key feel motivated for tomorrow now…
Ryu: Yo, comin’ through!
Dedede: If you’re interruptin’, bring it oooon!
Dan-Gan: I… have become a brother!
BadCook: He’s MY little bro!
Kenzaki: Nuh-uh, he’s MY bro!
Ryu: Seriously, you idiots!? Welp, I’m out for a bit…
FirstBread: Rin-kun’s voice is angeliccc~
ChaiLover: Let’s start a band! You’re vocals!
Bach: I’ll shred violin!
Betobento: Wait, I’ll DIY a harmonica!

I’m shook — even Ryu-san’s viewers came to watch. Is this… my doing?

“Wonder what Ryu-kun’s up to…”
At Micchi-Mama’s casual remark, Ryu-san’s fans all spammed in sync:
Betobento: Sent accompaniment data
FirstBread: Sent accompaniment data
ChaiLover: Sent accompaniment data
Bach: Sent accompaniment data
All timed perfectly to the millisecond.

“Uh… COSMOS related?”
That’s the only thing I could think of. Maybe I sounded full of myself?

But everyone instantly confirmed it in unison.
“Got it — mixing work, then~”
Mama fired up modeling software and started tweaking polygons. I tried replying to comments where I could, even though it wasn’t needed.

Rina＠Gal: DETAILS PLZZZ!
Gin: What’s COSMOS!?
FirstBread: Secret ’til Ryu-san’s back!

After that, the chat became viewers chatting among themselves. Micchi-Mama’s fans begged for info while Ryu’s crew stayed tight-lipped. The vibe stayed chill — Ryu’s fans were polite, Mama’s fans mirrored her soft energy.

Then a notification popped up on Mama’s app.
“Ooh, it’s here…”
Her voice slipped back into Mitsu-san mode instead of Mama. Happens so often fans don’t even blink now.

Ryu: Had no choice but to sync everything…
ChaiLover: Base track was fire tho~
Bach: Our parts weren’t trash either, right?
FirstBread: Pianist here, hi~

As comments rolled in, Mama downloaded and played the audio file instantly — mic muted.

Full orchestral accompaniment with piano, violin, even ghostly choir vocals… which was just Ryu-san’s voice.

Comments froze dead while my COSMOS played.

When it ended, the chat exploded:
Ryu: Did good work here…
Rina＠Gal: Wait, why am I crying!?
Gin: Same Rina-san
Kenzaki: Me too???

The chat drowned in sob emojis. After that, the nukes dropped:
FirstBread: Pan here. Did piano.
Bach: Violin part! Sebas-chan here!
ChaiLover: Band when? PS Indian tea dude here — slapped contrabass (｀・ω・´)
Betobento: Sent cello & viola tracks just ’cause! Call me Monica for clout?

Chat went berserk — these were all LEGIT pros. Pan-san?! From 『Conquering Pitch-Black Sheet Music!』?!

“EH!? Wait! Someone like me doesn’t deserve… This is too much!”
My singing’s basic. Totally average.

RyuFans: Don’t whine when we couldn’t hold back our PASSION!
I got roasted into oblivion by Ryu-san’s entire fanbase.

“Rin-kun, your singing’s pro-tier! BTW can you sing anything besides soprano?”
“Uhh… Alto at best… Can’t go lower.”
Truth is, I’m stuck with soprano. My vocal cords just can’t hit deeper notes.

And that’s how I got labeled a singing VTuber. I had to turn down J-POP requests ’cause I don’t know any — I’ll try after mastering MalumDiva. This song deserves everything I’ve got.