Vol 1 Chapter 43 – First-Magnitude Star【Vol 1 – Turning Point】

After the stream ended, I checked my video and saw the view count skyrocketing. Overall, it had gained about a million more views, but MalumDiva alone had jumped by thirty million.

My subscriber count also exploded, soaring past ten million in one go.

“Wh-what is…?”

As I stood there in confusion, Michiru-san stepped into the soundproof room.

“Rin-kun! That Simon is sharing your video all over!”

I figured that must be why my views had exploded. But still…

“Um, excuse me… Simon?”

I didn’t recognize the name, but from Michiru-san’s reaction, I knew he was someone huge.

“See, he’s the head judge on that super-famous talent show! Michi Mama didn’t even think he was the real deal—but he is!”

It made sense—if someone like that spread my video, it would blow up worldwide.

But if that were the case, most of my subscribers must be from overseas. What kind of VTuber has more foreign subscribers than Japanese?

More importantly, isn’t this really crazy…? My followers spiked way too fast.

Even as part of the Akiba household, I’m technically an independent creator. What does it mean for an indie to hit ten million subscribers…?

Everything was beyond my wildest expectations.

“Huh? These are your subscribers, Rin-kun?”

I had my YouTube channel open.

“Oh, y-yes!”

That must be what Michiru-san was referring to.

“It’s been updated… to the world’s number-one VTuber subscriber count!”

Yes—on that day, I became number one globally. I think it’s thanks to the song. After all, MalumDiva’s views surpassed my subscriber count.

So, it’s all thanks to Ryu-san.

Just as I was thinking that, I received an incoming call from Ryu-san on ThisCode.

“Ah!? Uh—!?”

For a moment I froze, and Michiru-san tapped the call button.

“Yo, Rin! You’re crazy good! You just took the world’s number-one VTuber spot! Ten million! Ten million! Hell, this is wild! My name’s gonna sell worldwide too!”

Ryu-san said this in high spirits.

“It’s all thanks to you, Ryu-san! Since it’s a song in Latin, people overseas can still enjoy it! That’s how this happened!”

Yes—in my eyes, it’s all thanks to Ryu-san, and to Michiru-san who discovered me. None of this was solely my doing.

Originally, I’d been drowning in a gray everyday life—days so stifling they felt dead. It was Michiru-san and Ryu-san who blew that ash away.

“Rin-kun had talent. I just made it visible.”

“Yeah, like Mom said! I thought your talent was the best in the world! That’s why songs kept popping into my head all on their own! It’s your fault that I’m having this much fun!”

And yet, they said it was my talent. I’d thought I had nothing—couldn’t handle a proper job, my hopes and dreams had faded. That period went on and on.

“It was Michiru-san who found me… And wasn’t it the two of you who made me shine!?”

I didn’t know I had any talent. But now I can’t deny it—because I’m number one in the world. I became the top VTuber globally. There’s no way I can doubt my talent now.

“I felt it was a first-magnitude star… When I heard your ‘COSMOS,’ man—I felt the world shift. Among the galaxy, the star that shines the brightest, that’s you. And it’s right here on Earth. There’s no way you can just let that go! Be proud! Your song is the galaxy’s best! Let’s swallow the world in a whirlwind of emotion!”

Ryu-san said this with overwhelming confidence in his voice. But to me, even the songs he makes are first-magnitude stars too.

Michiru-san is like a telescope. She finds countless talents and makes them shine as members of the Akiba family. A telescope that discovers anything.

“All right! If the two of you are working with me, I can do anything!”

Yes, I really felt I could do anything—even send Ryu-san’s songs echoing around the world.

“Damn right! You’re the top star! No, you’re the sun!”

With that, Ryu-san gave me a rough shove on the back.

“Of course! Mama’s kids are all brimming with talent, after all.”

Michiru-san’s words were soft and gentle, as if wrapping me in support.

“Aaaah aah aah aah! I wanna write another song for you. Will you sing it?”

Answering that was easier for me than taking a breath.

“Of course!”

Because I’m a huge fan of Ryu-san. So if he gives me a song, I’ll sing with more than my all.

“All right, I’ll go compose again. See ya!”

Saying that, Ryu-san ended the call. Even I understood that this meant the song for the summer market and much more beyond that.

“Well then, let’s have dinner!”

With that, Michiru-san clapped her hands once. Seeing her like that gave me a sense of security, like a perch.