Beyond the Imaginary — 2 || Phantom Airship

[loveswan]

Beyond the Imaginary 2

Story is recommended to be read with the chapters open in-game for maximum enjoyment ♪

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Tatsumi: The stage setting room… Are we really in the right place?

Tatsumi: At first glance, neither Mayoi-san nor the members of Switch can be seen. But this indeed should be the place that Sora-san pointed us to.

Aira: Yeah~ I really wonder what’s going on…

Aira: Switch helped us back during the Bon Festival and I know they’re good guys, but there’s too little information and I can’t help being on guard.

Hiiro: Umu. Even if they wish for us to repay the favour many times over… We have not built our position to the extent that they can insist that of us.

Hiiro: Then what kind of work could Switch possibly entrust to us?

Tsumugi: Ah, you have already arrived.

Tsumugi: My apologies, it seems like we missed you while we were operating the hologram.

Hiiro: I do not understand the situation well but… Mayoi-senpai is safe, right?

Tsumugi: Ah, I apologise for the worry we caused you. Ayase-kun is right here ♪

Mayoi: E-Everyone… Happy new year…

Tatsumi: Mayoi-san, we were worried about you. It is great to know that you are safe.

Tatsumi: It seems like you were suddenly brought here by Switch. I can assume that nothing violent happened?

Mayoi: N-No! Of course, nothing dangerous like that happened!

Mayoi: In fact, you can say that this incident is due to my ineptitude. My shortcoming was being discovered in the hidden room while I was having my fill of enjoying the photo of Branco I had captured…mumble mumble…

Hiiro: …? I couldn’t quite hear what you just said. Could you repeat it once again?

Mayoi: Eek…! I-I-I apologise! I was the one at fault…!

Tatsumi: Hmm… From the extent of what I could hear, I do not think Mayoi-san was at fault—

Mayoi: I-It’s fine not to delve deeper into this matter! More importantly, everyone from Switch, please let’s have the explanation of the job now!

Natsume: It seems like the actors have all assemBLED.

Natsume: I’m glad you’ve arriVED, ALKALOID.

Natsume: Like Sora said earLIER, Switch has a job request for yOU. We’d be glad you could take it oN.

Natsume: I’ll hand it over to our hoST, Sora, to explain the details.

Sora: Yes. Leave it to Sora, Shisho~♪

Sora: This time, we want to let ALKALOID try out the new SSVRS stage—the Phantom Airship.

Sora: Phantom Airship is a stage made with the purpose of training rookie units.

Sora: And the game company has decided to request ALKALOID to act as test players ♪

Tatsumi: Hmm… I feel honoured that we were nominated but… What is this “SSVRS” in the first place?

Tatsumi: I am familiar with the name alone, but it is difficult to undertake the work without being aware of the specifics beyond it.

Tsumugi: Come to think of it, wasn’t ALKALOID in Hokkaido during the preliminaries? I thought you knew all about it since Trickstar appeared in every corner of the country.

Tsumugi: Natsume-kun, could you please explain about the nature of SSVRS?

Natsume: Why am I the one you’re turning to, SenpAI?

Tsumugi: Is it not fine~? Since Natsume-kun was involved in its development, should it not be easy to explain?

Tsumugi: Or do we leave the explanation to our host—Sora-kun?

Tsumugi: Since we left the management of Switch to Sora-kun, he should have everything about SSVRS memorised as well, right?

Sora: Yes, Sora has learnt it by heart! You can leave it to him with no problems~♪

Natsume: Ugh… Don’t try to get Sora to side with you like thAT.

Natsume: It can’t be helPED. Since I’m the most well-informed about SSVRS, I might as well explain about iT.

Natsume: SSRVS is a VR game that was made with last year’s SS prelims in miND—a game made using the so-called virtual reaLITY.

Tatsumi: Virtual reality…?

Natsume: YeS. You might be familiar wiTH IT?

Natsume: The game’s screen appears before your eyes when you put on the goggles associated wiTH IT—an illusion as if you’re inside the game itsELF… That’s how it woRKS.

Natsume: And inside thAT, various AI and players can interact with imaginary idOLS who operate within it—by which you can experience special concerts and lessons in an artificial environmENT.

Natsume: And simultaneoUSLY, the video footage of SSVRS will be broadcasted by TV stations and the liKE. If the idol satisfies the view count, then they can get rewardED.

Natsume: Earn money by playing a fun gaME—That’s the wonderful feature of SSVRS…♪

Aira: Ooh, I see~ Yeah, stuff like Let’s Plays and earning money by doing what you like are indeed increasing these days. This feels like a part of it.

Aira: As an idol otaku, just watching my fave idols play games is fun. So I’m up for it if it’s a game that would delight both fans and idols ♪

Tatsumi: Hmm… So playing turns into work? Very interesting.

Tatsumi: However, if we are talking about novice units, I think there are new faces in NewDi as well. Are you certain about choosing us?

Tsumugi: Ahaha. It’s as you say, but we feel that ALKALOID is most suitable for this job.

Tsumugi: Among new units, the degree of attention on ALKALOID is rising, since it is known as the novice unit that appeared in the SS finals.

Tsumugi: It seems that you have gathered their envy and they wish to be like you.

Tsumugi: I don’t think anyone would be more suitable than that to act as test players of the Phantom Airship.

Mayoi: We are being admired…?

Mayoi: I-It is kind of embarrassing to be told that face to face. You can say that the reality still has not really sunk in yet!

Hiiro: Umu. Even if you say that about us, it has not really sunk in for me as well.

Hiiro: Is it really fine for us to be admired? It is bewildering.

Natsume: Fufu. Baru-kun and his friends also said something similar back when they won SS.

Natsume: One truly feeling their worth and the actual recognition of worth by the world—They needn’t always happen at the same tiME.

Natsume: By going through the idol festival known as SS, I feel like ALKALOID’s efforts were finally recognISED.