A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 261

[Konomi Eri: There’s really nothing that needs much explanation.]

[Konomi Eri: For me, it feels like I just turn on the Space while I’m washing up…you know?]

[Konomi Eri: You might think calling it a bathing space makes it sound special, but fundamentally, I think it’s just a way to chat with fans about various things.]

Still, I thought there would be a lot to prepare, but it turns out it’s just normal chit-chat.

I tried to muster up my energy, but it felt like my enthusiasm just tanked.

[Rene: Then why bother taking a bath at all?]

[Rene: If it’s not that different from just chatting, it must be uncomfortable to do that while bathing.]

What if I splatter water on the screen or drop my phone because my hands are slippery?

Aren’t those just major downsides?

No matter how hard I think about it, I can’t come up with any advantages.

[Konomi Eri: Um… honestly, if you ask me about the advantages, it’s not easy to say.]

[Konomi Eri: I’ve dropped my phone in the past during a mistake too.]

[Konomi Eri: Plus, after finishing a bathing space, when I search my name in the community, there are quite a few fans talking about lewd stuff, which can be a bit awkward to see.]

What’s up with that? So it really only has downsides…

[Rene: Then why do you do this regularly?]

[Konomi Eri: Well, still, those reactions are proof that people like me, so I do it.]

[Konomi Eri: And how should I put it…?

[Konomi Eri: It feels like you would need to be really close friends to bathe together, right?]

[Konomi Eri: So when I do a bathing space, it feels like I’m psychologically getting closer to my fans, you know?]

[Konomi Eri: I think that’s why I keep it up.]

[Konomi Eri: Besides, I can maintain this lifestyle thanks to my fans, so I’m really trying to do what they like.]

So to sum it up, the bathing space has a lot of inconveniences.

But it’s because the fans like it that you want to keep going, huh?

…I honestly still don’t get it.

This bathing space thing might be a little too early for me.

I don’t even have the confidence that the fans would like it if I did that.

[Rene: Don’t you ever think it’s annoying or embarrassing?]

[Konomi Eri: Of course I do! I feel it a ton! Every time I think it’s annoying and embarrassing!]

[Konomi Eri: How could I not think that?]

[Konomi Eri: But personally, I believe this.]

[Konomi Eri: The harder and more annoying or embarrassing it is for a VTuber, the more the fans like it!]

“…Ah.”

Tuni definitely said something similar to me once.

Preparing content is a hassle, but the more of a hassle it is for me, the more the fans enjoy it.

I felt like I had a realization.

[Rene: Thanks for your help, I know it must’ve been sudden.]

[Konomi Eri: If you’re interested in bathing spaces, I recommend checking out the Space clips of the VTuber Utsumi Aya!]

[Konomi Eri: Especially in Aya-sen’s case, the ASMR vibe during her bathing space is really great.]

I left a thank you to Eri and got up to head towards the bed where Bora was lying.

“Done with work, Onee-chan?”

“Yes… I think it’s more or less wrapped up…”

As I said that and sat on the bed, Bora immediately sat up from the bed as if it were expected and plopped down on my lap.

“I didn’t bother you, did I?”

“Of course not… How could I possibly think of you as a bother, Bora-chan?”

I’ve thought a lot about being tired, but I never thought of her as a bother.

…Probably almost never, really.

“Hehe.”

Bora smiled brightly, seeming happy with my words.

I asked her a question.

“Bora-chan… have you ever talked to someone while washing up?”

“Um… no! Mom says not to bring my phone when I wash up.”

Well, that makes sense for young Bora.

“Then have you ever thought about wanting to talk to someone while washing up?”

“Huh? Why would you talk to someone while washing up? You should focus on washing! If you don’t wash properly, you’ll get sick later, the teacher said!”

…An absolutely flawless argument from a child, with no rebuttal at all.

But pressed to not back down easily, I desperately tried to think of an excuse to keep the conversation going with Bora.

I don’t even know why I can’t just back down, or what I’m even fighting against.

“It’s just… Well, it might be that when you wash up, it kind of relaxes you, you know? So in that situation, talking might feel more comfortable and nice? You could say it’s something that would be impossible unless it’s with someone close…”

“Ummm… So you mean Onee-chan wants to talk to someone while washing up…?”

“N-No, that’s absolutely not what I mean…!”

Bora tilted her head thoughtfully, looking down a bit at my fervent denial.

But after a moment, she looked back at me, slightly cocking her head and spoke again.

“I honestly don’t really get what you’re talking about!”

“I had a feeling…”

“But it sounds kinda pervy!”

Bora said that with a bright smile.

“Right…?”

To be honest, I couldn’t help but relate to that thought.

I’m sorry, Eri-chan…

But even I don’t really know why I would like something like this….

★

[Rene @LeneVtuber · 1 hour]

“I’m planning to turn on the Space at 7 o’clock in an hour, please look forward to it!”

★

[Neiter Space]

[Rene]

[Hello, it’s been a while]

[Number of listeners: 347]

[This is what we call] [Ramping] [The followers are crying…] [Just kill all the polar bears] [This place is hell] …

It wasn’t long after turning on the Space that people started gathering surprisingly quickly.

It’s probably because just a little earlier, I did some promotional stuff as the streamer Rene.

As a streamer, I had barely spent 10 minutes in the Space.

If I stayed in the Space too long, I’d run out of things to talk about.

It’s already hard for me to lead the conversation, so if I used up all the topics, I’d really be at a loss…

Fortunately, the Rebungees understood my choice, and the Remagal didn’t catch fire either.

Instead, a mood of anticipation formed in the Remagal for the VTuber Rene’s Space.

I felt my heart racing as I sensed the eyes on me.

Eri said there wouldn’t be any preparations needed, just to proceed like a usual chat with the fans, but… for me, this is still a new type of content.

So I had some preparations done too, you know?

Honestly, I’m not sure if the followers will like it or not.

“Um… c-can everyone hear me…?”

It was only after saying that one line that I realized my mistake.

Even if I ask like this, the followers can’t respond.

Realizing this, I quickly changed the title of the Space room.

[Neiter Space]

[Rene]

[Hello, it’s been a while #ReneSpace ←Please respond here]

I thought this would help to activate the followers’ Neiter, but I had completely forgotten one of the most important things.

That was a close call.

“Since I changed the room title, please check it and respond…”

After saying that, I searched ‘#ReneSpace’ in the Neiter.

Compared to the Remagal, it was incredibly inconvenient, but I was hoping that once I got used to it, something might change?

…Honestly, I was starting to feel like nothing would change.

But what can I do?

I just have to go along with it.

[Latest]

[What’s this? So inconvenient #ReneSpace]

[Stop learning weird things lol #ReneSpace]

[Can’t we just use the Remagal…? #ReneSpace]

[My voice is clear, but this Neiter is so inconvenient lol #ReneSpace]

The followers were complaining about the inconvenience, but they were writing quite adeptly.

Well.

Or maybe it’s just a feeling that they seem to be much more skilled than I am…

“I’m glad to hear my voice clearly… Anyway, today marks nearly 5 days since I’ve talked to you all like this… Have you all been doing well…?”

[Latest]

[Listening to Rene (talking about VTuber Rene lol), life was boring without broadcasts… #ReneSpace]

[Thanks to you, I think I did relatively well hehe; #ReneSpace]

“I saw the senpai do this Space thing too… I’m glad to hear that you all received help from senpai as well…”

[Latest]

[At this point, shouldn’t we hand this Neiter account to senpai? lol #ReneSpace]

“I’ve actually been thinking, ‘Why does it feel like senpai uses my account better than I do?’ So that’s why I decided to turn on the Space today…”

[Latest]

[So what are we doing today? Just casual chit-chat? #ReneSpace]

“Casual chit-chat, but it’s not just that…. Considering it’s been 4 whole days without any news, I’ve prepared something special…”

After saying that, I didn’t check the newly posted reactions and immediately began my preparations.

I moved to the area in front of the bathroom in the room, put my phone in a waterproof bag, and slowly started to take off my clothes.

The embarrassment made my head feel hot, and I couldn’t utter a single word.

Anyway, after tying my hair up as high as I could with a hair tie and wrapping it in a hair towel to prevent any loose strands from falling, I entered the bathroom and quietly sank into the bathtub filled with hot water that I prepared earlier.

Floating in the tub was a yellow duck plushie I had ordered yesterday, which arrived today at lunch.

I grabbed it and pressed down on its belly gently, and its loud quacking echoed throughout.

“Everyone, you there…?”

[Latest]

[Why does your voice echo like that? #ReneSpace]

[What was that noise just now lol #ReneSpace]

[Send help, is there someone who can explain what’s going on… #ReneSpace]

[I can’t believe I’m thinking this, but is this a bathing space??? #ReneSpace]

[If you’re not saying anything, why did you even turn this on? Ask senpai to do it again, would ya? #ReneSpace]

[Was that sound just now the water noise? What’s going on? #ReneSpace]

[Is anyone here? If you’re going to turn on the Space, please say something… #ReneSpace]

Of course, since I proceeded without saying a word, it felt like many of my followers were confused about the situation.

But some followers understood perfectly.

Anyway, I decided not to drag it out and just spoke up.

“I’m currently in the bathtub…. I found out there’s something called a bathing space where you can carry it out while bathing… I thought I’d try it today…. That’s why I bought the duck plushie, isn’t the sound cute…?”

Quack!

[Latest]

[What a crazy girl… crazy girl… crazy girl… crazy girl… crazy girl… crazy girl… crazy girl… crazy girl… #ReneSpace]

[Hey female! #ReneSpace]

[Wow, I really want to say bad words right now… #ReneSpace]

[Calm down, stop with those bad thoughts… calm down, stop… calm down, stop… #ReneSpace]

[Wait, does that mean that sound earlier was the sound of clothes coming off???? #ReneSpace]

Ah, I’m so embarrassed….