Chapter 52: Streamer Girl Mizuki
Amano learned something new shortly after.
In the mid-level district, even Eva's judgment of physical violence was far more lenient than in the lower districts.
The same situation—three students brawling together in a violent altercation—would've triggered Eva system warnings immediately in the lower levels.
But here in the mid-level, nobody showed the slightest overreaction. People nearby were even cheering them on.
Did even Mainframe Eva apply double standards?
Amano felt inexplicably irritated.
It was like saying poor people from the lower districts had worse upbringing, were more prone to committing violent crimes, so surveillance had to be stricter.
"Alright, I got the full scoop."
Kikawayu nimbly slipped out from the crowd.
"Apparently there's some girl up front who can't decide which academy to choose, so the three upperclassmen handling recruitment started beating each other up over her."
"Is the girl cute?" Amano pressed.
"Super cute!"
"Well, that explains it."
Shio and Finesse exchanged glances, both complaining in perfect sync: "Honestly can't stand how guys think."
If academy rules didn't prohibit students from dueling each other privately, the scene would've escalated way beyond just throwing a few punches.
"Guys, we've got a livestream incident here! Three academies fighting over one cute girl! Your streamer's bringing you real-time coverage!"
A girl nearby seemed to be using her Eva terminal's livestream function.
Actually, Amano had noticed this person ages ago.
First, because of that conspicuous pink hair.
Second, because ever since entering the Academy City Service Center, she'd been talking to herself nonstop.
So she was livestreaming?
Even in year 5026, streaming was a thing.
Completely focused on livestreaming the chaos up front, the pink-haired girl apparently didn't notice her steps were bringing her closer to Amano's group.
Until the livestream camera inadvertently swept across Nanki'in Sakuya's face.
The next second, bodyguard Ryoma struck immediately. One swift grappling move with zero chivalry—he twisted the Eva terminal the pink-haired girl was using to stream, along with her arm, behind her back.
"You dare secretly film our young miss? Got some nerve!"
"Ow, ow, ow! Misunderstanding, it's a misunderstanding!" The pink-haired girl's face twisted in pain as she begged for mercy. "I'm just here to register too! I was just, just streaming on the side!"
"Ryoma, it's probably a misunderstanding." Amano stepped forward to explain.
Others might not have noticed, but because Amano was somewhat interested in this era's livestreaming, he'd been observing the pink-haired girl the whole time.
If streaming existed in this era, and he wanted to earn money in the mid-level district, could he give it a shot?
Hearing Amano's intervention, Ryoma glanced back at Nanki'in Sakuya. Seeing Sakuya nod lightly, he finally released the captured pink-haired girl.
"Since the young miss's friend spoke up for you, I'll let you off this time."
Nearly having her arm dislocated, the pink-haired girl finally realized that the stunning face she'd accidentally captured in her livestream footage was none other than the legendary yakuza family's Nanki'in young miss.
The fact she was still unharmed right now was basically a miracle.
Had she just met her savior?
"Real solid, bro!" The pink-haired girl looked at Amano with eyes overflowing with post-disaster gratitude.
"No big deal." Amano extended his hand to help the pink-haired girl up. "I'm Amano Rei. You are?"
"Mizuki." The pink-haired girl introduced herself.
[Targetable Character]
[Mizuki] [Affection: 55]
So you've also come bearing rewards?
55 points initial affection—well, compared to his handsome face, it was probably helping her out just now that boosted it.
Just speaking up for her already surpassed Nanki'in Sakuya's affection level?
Pulled to her feet by Amano, Mizuki rubbed her nose. "You probably haven't heard of me, but I'm actually a streamer on BiliBili. You can search for me!"
As it happened, Amano had just downloaded that app in the elevator.
Might as well search right in front of Mizuki. No results for [Mizuki], but there was a streamer called [Mizuki Mu] currently live whose profile picture selfie looked like her.
Amano clicked into the stream.
The upper right corner clearly displayed the viewer count: [1 person].
That one person was him!
Before Amano clicked in, the stream had been sitting at zero viewers.
Then what were you yelling "guys" for during your stream? Where exactly are these "guys"?
Probably sensing some awkwardness from Amano's speechless expression, Mizuki scratched her head.
"I've been a content creator for a while now, but I never really took off. My popularity is, well, a bit low."
"You've been doing this a while?"
Amano jumped from the livestream to [Mizuki Mu]'s main account page.
This account had genuinely uploaded tons of videos with incredibly high update frequency. Nearly achieving a new video every two or three days.
And all the video content related to Yu-Gi-Oh! cards.
Some were serious card effect analysis videos, some were comedy meme videos, and some were recorded footage of her own duels.
You could tell Mizuki had tried every type of content imaginable.
Unfortunately, the view counts... were just as pitiful as her livestream viewer numbers. Only single digits.
The account's most popular video was an abstract remix she'd edited from one of her own streams, reaching a "terrifying" 53 views.
From [Mizuki Mu]'s account, Amano reached a conclusion.
Looked like earning money through streaming in this era wasn't a viable method. Better find other options.
"Honestly impressed you kept at it."
Before exiting her profile, Amano made sure to like Mizuki Mu's latest uploaded duel video.
"Thanks for the like, Amano-bro!" The girl pressed her palms together in devout gratitude. "You're family now too!"
Had to admit, even though Mizuki's current popularity was terrible, her conviction was rock-solid.
Just one like, and she was this solemn about it?
Then again, for creators, even a casual like or vote from readers or viewers could become the greatest encouragement to keep creating.
Honestly, Amano didn't dislike people like Mizuki who stubbornly worked hard with single-minded determination.
And often, the ones who succeeded in the end were exactly people like her.
"I'm planning to film academy-themed duel videos after enrollment. Amano-bro, interested in collaborating? You're good-looking enough that you might get really popular."
"I'll... think about it..."
If popularity just required being good-looking, Amano felt Mizuki actually wasn't bad herself. Though she couldn't compare to forbidden card-tier beauties like Finesse and Sakuya, among ordinary people she was definitely cute.
"Don't hesitate! Let's make our dreams come true together!"
"Dreams?"
"My dream is to become BiliBili's top Yu-Gi-Oh! content creator!" Mizuki raised her fist energetically. "I'm definitely going to blow up!"
Amano really hadn't misjudged her—Mizuki's every word and action radiated strong conviction.
"Oh, let me see too~" Seeing Mizuki apparently trying to recruit Amano as a partner, the "curious" Kikawayu couldn't help jumping in to chat. He'd already downloaded BiliBili on his Eva terminal too.
Casually clicking on a video, Kikawayu immediately burst out laughing.
"Hahaha, the view count's really that low! And the editing's so terrible—I'm dying!"
You really can't read a room, can you.
The video Kikawayu had randomly clicked was recorded footage of one of Mizuki's own duels.
Honestly, from the duel you couldn't tell what Mizuki's deck archetype was.
Could barely make out that she used various Spellcaster-Type monsters.
Until the video reached the part where Mizuki used a Set Spellcaster monster in Defense Position to block an attack, only to have it easily destroyed.
That instant, Amano's eyes nearly popped out of his head.
[Exodia the Forbidden One] destroyed
So you're the one—that poor sucker with only the head piece.
***
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