Although Fujikawa Shunpei's intentions might not have been entirely pure—the man was clearly looking out for his own interests first and foremost—he did open Shiratori Seiya's mind to possibilities he hadn't considered before. Like a mentor figure dropping a hint that changes the protagonist's entire worldview, Fujikawa's words had planted a seed that was already beginning to sprout.
Once people get used to a comfortable environment, they become reluctant to take risks. It's a universal truth—like a character settling into their daily routine arc, afraid to step into the unknown. Shiratori Seiya admitted he was the same. After getting the system, he had wanted to earn money by following its functions, playing it safe, taking the path of least resistance.
He had considered starting a company, but his plan was to do so only after earning enough money and stabilizing his finances, choosing a relatively stable industry where he could be a hands-off boss—a classic slow-and-steady strategy.
The first time he cultivated Hasegawa Saori, he didn't earn much, so that's beside the point. Later, cultivating Hojo Shione earned him a large sum, but it ended prematurely, leading him to still want to cultivate a stable source of income first. That's why he chose Takahashi Mio—a safe bet with predictable returns. Following the path of cultivating Takahashi Mio wasn't slow, but it would still take at least two or three years to see significant results. However, there were clearly faster and more efficient ways to make money…
Shiratori Seiya sat in his car, leaning back and closing his eyes, letting his thoughts drift like clouds across a summer sky. Although it was a parallel world, the overall pace and development of the era were quite similar. This current time node was roughly equivalent to before 2018 in his previous life; to be more precise, it was around 2014—a pivotal moment in entertainment history.
Television dramas were undoubtedly on the decline, and the focus of entertainment had largely shifted to the internet.
Whose money was easiest to earn online?
Future online entertainment included live streaming, short videos, and short dramas… The people around him now—Shione, Saori, Mio, Suzune, entertainment companies… A series of blurry images flashed through his mind like a montage of potential paths.
In a certain instant, Shiratori Seiya suddenly opened his eyes, struck by a bolt of inspiration. He quickly pulled out his phone to search for the current drama-watching apps online, and then opened a few video platforms. The situation on the video platforms was no different from what he usually saw, basically consisting of re-uploaded TV dramas and some… He casually opened a few live streams; besides games, the content was mostly suggestive, or live streams from a few roadside underground idols performing in cramped studios.
Suddenly, Shiratori Seiya clicked into a live stream, and his sliding finger paused. The live content was still suggestive, but this streamer was much smarter. She was cosplaying the female character from the latest hentai anime, calling out 'Onii-chan' and 'Master' with practiced sweetness. The audience in the live stream was also sending clearly sexually repressed comments, the chat scrolling at a frantic pace.
Shiratori Seiya's eyes lit up, and a word flashed through his mind like a neon sign in a dark room: Anime.
His heart began to beat rapidly. He repeatedly scrolled through the live stream section a few more times, but he couldn't find the type of live stream he was looking for—the one where virtual characters interacted with real audiences in real-time. He switched to the video section and saw an animated virtual character displayed. He clicked on it.
It was called a video, but it was actually an anime electronic music song with an anime character. Shiratori Seiya had some impression of this, because this virtual character was very popular among the anime community—a rising star in the otaku world. If he were to make a comparison, her image was probably similar to Hatsune Miku from his previous life, but she wasn't nearly as popular yet. The technology was there, but the application was still in its infancy.
Shiratori Seiya didn't have the patience to watch the entire video and directly scrolled to the comment section, his gaze fixed on one particular comment that stood out from the rest:
"I wish I had a girlfriend like Shizi-chan to accompany me in life."
Looking at this comment, Shiratori Seiya fell into deep thought. The loneliness of modern society was palpable, and people were desperate for connection.
At this time, the concentration of anime culture in Japan was still at its peak. The entire society had just experienced the baptism of the bubble economy's collapse, and the pressures of life drove people to seek the so-called 'most sincere' emotional solace in the comforting arms of 2D. After all, anime characters were artistically enhanced, and their settings didn't have as many complex thoughts as real-life partners. Loving you means loving you, without any other impurities. It was simple, pure, and predictable.
However, the concept of virtual idols hadn't emerged yet, and the live streaming industry was still focused on game streaming. So-called female streamers didn't have a mature business system yet—everything was still raw and unpolished. After a moment of serious thought, Shiratori Seiya already had a general idea forming in his mind like a blueprint taking shape.
He planned to go home immediately to start researching the current live streaming market, then check if motion capture equipment supporting virtual idols had been developed, and plan his future development route. The market's rewards for those who are prescient are the most generous, and he had always been a man of action—a protagonist who strikes while the iron is hot. Opportunity knocks but once; how much money could writing scripts and songs earn? Relying solely on the system's rewards, it would be hard to say if he could become the richest man in this lifetime.
Shiratori Seiya's emotions were stirred up for the first time in a long while, and even his nose, which had been stuffy all day, cleared up as if by magic. Speaking of which, the last time he was this excited was when Shione's first song made money—that same rush of potential and possibility.
As if to respond to his thoughts, the phone he had just put in his pocket suddenly vibrated with a 'buzzing' sound. He took it out and saw it was a call from Shione. Shiratori Seiya didn't hesitate to answer it.
"Hello? Shione, what made you call?" His voice was lighter than he expected, still carrying the residual excitement from his epiphany.
There was silence on the other end of the line. Shiratori Seiya faintly heard street sounds—cars passing, distant chatter.
Was she outside right now?
Just as he was thinking, the girl's pleasant chuckle rang in his ears, warm and melodic: "Hehe, from Seiya's tone, you seem very happy today? Did something good happen?"
Even through the phone, one could feel the refreshing gentleness in the girl's voice, like a spring breeze caressing one's face, making one feel inexplicably comfortable. Even without seeing her, he could feel as if she was smiling at him—a warmth that could melt the coldest heart.
Shiratori Seiya was stunned for a moment, then realized he hadn't yet emerged from the excited reverie he had just had. He took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and explained in a deep voice: "Ah, I figured some things out, and got a little carried away. Just thinking about the future."
"Hmm?" Hojo Shione on the other end of the phone seemed to have thought of something; her eyes darkened, and her lips pressed slightly downwards as she softly asked: "Is it about Miss Takahashi?"
"No."
"Then it's about Hasegawa?" Her voice carried a hint of something sharper beneath the sweetness.
As her words fell, a long sigh came from the girl on the phone, her tone resentful: "Sigh, Seiya, don't you ever think of Shione? Even thinking of Suzune would be fine…"
"…No, it has nothing to do with them, but it's hard to explain in a few words over the phone…" Even through the phone, Shiratori Seiya could smell the strong scent of jealousy wafting through the connection. He quickly changed the subject: "By the way, Shione, did you call me for something specific?"
"Can't I call you, Seiya, even if there's nothing wrong?" Hojo Shione originally wanted to ask this question playfully, like she used to, but as soon as she opened her mouth, the words were already on the tip of her tongue, and she swallowed them back. She no longer had the right to act spoiled. Her hand clenched the phone, her fingertips turning slightly white. She forced a smile and said: "No, I just wanted to ask if Seiya is coming home for dinner tonight? Or are you eating out?"
After a pause, she added, her voice growing softer: "Because the company contract isn't going smoothly, I have to resume my schedule tomorrow. Suzune should be moving in tomorrow, but I haven't finished dealing with her art exam training, so I wanted to discuss it with Seiya tonight… So, will Seiya be home for dinner tonight?"
Hearing her say the company contract wasn't going smoothly, Shiratori Seiya unconsciously frowned, wanting to ask what the specific situation was, but he felt it would be hard to explain in a few words over the phone, so he simply said: "I'll be back. I'm heading home now and should be there in about half an hour."
Hearing the answer that satisfied her, Hojo Shione's face revealed a relieved smile as she said: "Okay, I'll wait for you at home."
"Mm."
Hanging up the phone, Shiratori Seiya rushed home. It was rush hour, and the traffic took longer than he expected, nearly thirty minutes to reach downstairs. However, as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, before he even rounded the corner, he heard two familiar voices. Shiratori Seiya's heart skipped a beat—a classic protagonist premonition of incoming chaos.
"Why are you here?" Without even seeing the speaker's face, Shiratori Seiya could imagine she was surely cold-faced, trying to pierce the other person with her gaze like a tsundere whose territory had been invaded.
"Seiya's home is Saori's home." The response was calm, unwavering, almost childlike in its logic.
"…"
"What are you making tonight? Saori's hungry…" The voice was innocent, completely oblivious to the tension.
Shiratori Seiya sighed, knowing that whatever awaited him around that corner would require careful handling—like a delicate negotiation between rival factions. He straightened his shoulders and stepped forward into the fray.