Tristan adjusted his eyes as he tried to open them from just waking up, his mind booting at the same time. He reached for his phone on the bedside table to check the time.

After adjusting his eyesight from the slightly bright screen of the phone, he noticed he received a message notification.

It was from Fidel.

"Here's the list, let me know which are your favorites^^"

Tristan’s cheeks blushed a little while reading Fidel’s message.

He selected the first video that Fidel linked to and began to watch it. It was a parody of Cocoa telling her other friends about a mood enhancement drug in a form of a drink, air, and syringe that she created, then invited them to try them all out.

While the video began at a slow pace, it immediately went off the rails from how sudden and unpredictable the twist is that Tristan began to laugh, and it continues for a few more minutes until the video ended.

Tristan had a wide smile on his face from how much he laughed at the skit.

He opened the other linked videos as well, all similar to the previous video. Each were very entertaining to watch.

It took an hour before Tristan finished watching all the videos Fidel sent, eyes glued to his phone. His cheeks hurt from laughing too much, but he itched for more video content of Cocoa and other vtubers that were featured in her skits.

The way they naturally produce comical moments, and the fact that a new media Fidel introduced him gave him a rather unique form of entertainment, it solidified Tristan to continue watching more.

So he began to binge watch the recommended video clips of other vtubers on YouTube.

And watched more.

And more.

And more.

Tristan's eyes were practically glued to his phone, so entertained watching vtubers that he didn't realize how much time had passed until a warning notification popped up on his phone, notifying him that his battery has fifteen percent remaining.

"Shoot! My charger!"

He quickly jumped out of his bed, went to his desk, then plugged his phone. After letting out a sigh of relief, that’s when Tristan realized how dark his room was, only illuminated by his neighbor’s lights.

Tristan left his room and headed downstairs, but the videos he just watched still occupied his mind.

He couldn’t wait to watch more vtubers later.

Tristan pushed the cafe doors open. The bell chime caught the attention of Fidel, who was behind the counter filling up coffee hoppers.

He spun around, then waved his hand animatedly. "Good morning!"

"G-good morning." Tristan waved back. He felt a blush form on his cheek from Fidel’s cheerful greeting.

He went straight to the storage room, then changed clothes, heart still pounding from Fidel’s greeting.

Afterwards, Tristan left the room and headed inside the counter. The sound of his footsteps alerted Fidel as he spun towards him, an expression filled with excitement. "So, what do you think of the clips I sent to ya yesterday?"

Tristan kept a short distance from Fidel, he tried not to blush at his presence, especially since he looked at him with such curiosity. "I-I really enjoyed them. I really liked how Cocoa's inventions were getting crazier and crazier, as well as her unhinged screams while playing video games. Not to mention how others react to her shenanigans. Those were the best part."

Fidel jerked backwards as he let out a loud bark of laughter. "Glad to hear that! Sorry not sorry for pushing ya down the rabbit hole!"

"Rabbit hole?"

"Ah, that's just a term us vtuber fans use for introducing someone into the world of vtubers!"

The two talked more about vtubers while preparing for the opening of the cafe. Despite Tristan’s nerves going wild around Fidel’s presence, he was glad that Fidel started off the conversation. Happy that he had something he could always talk about with him that Fidel was passionate about.

Since that fateful day, Tristan was a certified vtuber addict. It was the topic he and Fidel always talked about, from who they liked the most, their favorite moments, sharing and recommending clips to one another, and so forth.

Fidel was pleased to share his more personal favorite video clips, as well as introducing him to other vtubers he really liked aside from Cocoa.

Their everyday conversation helped Tristan control his emotions around Fidel. While he still gets flustered by Fidel’s uplifting smiles, he no longer freeze in place and becomes a blushing mess.

In fact, Tristan felt like their bond as co-worker and friends got stronger, and learned more things about him. Despite the many topics they talk about during work, it always revers back to vtubers.

Tristan didn't complain about it. He was happy to be around Fidel. He welcomed the feeling with open arms as it brings joy to his life.

Tristan was relaxing on his bed, watching clips of Cocoa once again. And after some chuckles, the video ended. He was about to select a new video when a recommended video caught his eye.

Out of curiously, Tristan selected the video. A black shirt, fedora wearing, wolf-eared vtuber appeared on the screen.

"So, you watched your favorite vtuber, saw this video, and got curious about how to become a Vtuber, eh? Don't you worry, I got you covered!"

"Vtubers are individuals who livestreams using an avatar, typically in an anime style. It's a good way to stream while keeping your anonymity! Or to role play a character!"

"Being a vtuber requires a character! Are they a war criminal rabbit? The witch of calamity? The literal devil who is also a gremlin? Anything goes! Go brainstorm ideas for your character!"

"After you finished brainstorming, it's time to create your character reference sheet! Grab any drawing tools you have and start designing right away! You can also use Google Images or other vtubers for inspiration!"

"Now that you have a character design, you need to look for a 'Mama' and 'Papa'. A 'Mama' is your model's artist, while a 'Papa' is your model's rigger. Rigging is the process of adding bones and joints to your two-dee model so it can move. You can be your own Mama, Papa, or both!"

"There are plenty of artists to commission on the internet like Facebook, Fiverr, or Twitter! However, keep in mind that both art and rigging can cost up to hundreds or thousands of dollars each! Do this only if you are really serious about streaming!"

"Cheaper alternatives exist, such as PNGtubing, where you use static images instead of a moving model. Toontuber, a middle-ground from PNGTubers and Vtubers, as it uses animated images. Or use free three-dee model maker softwares such as Live Three-Dee or Vroid Studio!"

"Once you have your two-dee model drawn and rigged, it's time to use a face tracking software! There are a variety of softwares to choose from, such as Vtube Studio or Wakaru!"

"Last but not least, setting up your streaming software! There are plenty to choose from, like OBS and XSplit. Simply import your face tracking software on your streaming software, and you're done!"

"All that's left is to start streaming or make videos with your two-dee model! There are other details, such as the right software and how to use transitions, but that will be on another video! I hope you find my video informative! Buh-bye!"

Tristan stared at his phone as the video ended, registering every information he had just learned.

Tristan turned around to face the other side of his bed, then selected a new video to watch.

He continued to binge watch vtuber clips to pass the day until he drifted to sleep.

Ever since Tristan watched the tutorial video, the idea of being a streamer himself wouldn’t disappear off his mind.

He tried to brush it off first, akin to mild curiosity, what-ifs scenarios, or something fun to think about while daydreaming at home and at work.

Tristan didn't took it seriously. But as days passed by, the idea slowly grew and grew.

He had now considered the idea of being a streamer himself.

His current obsession with binge watching vtubers, as well as discussing it with Fidel almost every day, intensified the idea. It had gotten to the point where it had affected Tristan’s enjoyment of watching vtubers. As every time he watches them, he imagines himself being the one who was streaming instead, talking to the viewers while playing video games, talking to other vtubers, and entertaining people in front of a camera.

Tristan felt conflicted with his indecisiveness. The mixture of both excitement of the unknown and fear of uncertainty was an all out war in his mind.

And it wasn't until a week later when he came to a realization. He laid down on his bed in silence, staring at the ceiling.

Tristan repeated his thoughts to hype himself up, feeling the slow rush of excitement. He bottled it up until it could no longer contain it and exploded.

So he immediately rose on his bed, opened his computer, and began to research how to become a vtuber in more detail. He found several articles and video tutorials that are detailed than the video he watched a week ago. Some are dedicated to hardware requirements, software tutorials, things you needed for regular streaming, how to grow your audience, and so on.

But, further from his research, Tristan remembered something crucial from the tutorial video.

“Keep in mind that both art and rigging can cost up to hundreds or thousands of dollars each! Do this only if you are really serious about streaming!”

Tristan stopped his research, his motivation disappeared as he felt disheartened to continue. He leaned back in his chair with a frown.

Tristan huffed a frustrated sigh before he continued his research despite his drained motivation. After a while, his efforts weren’t in vain, as he saw an article that talked about PNGTubers.

“Cheaper alternatives exist, such as PNGtubing, where you use static images instead of a moving model.”

Tristan wanted to knock his head off.

*Of course! I almost forgot about that!*

Feeling the rush of motivation coming back, he began to research about PNGTubers to learn more about it in detail.

'They use stationary drawings that "react" when a microphone picks a certain level of noise.'

'It typically only requires two to four drawings, one with a closed mouth and one with an open mouth. Eye blink and additional poses are optional.'

Tristan opened Twitter, then searched up PNGtuber commissions. He scrolled around to check a bunch of artists and their commission price. After scrolling around, he was happy that he could afford most of the artists’ price.

Suddenly, a thought crossed his mind that made him pause.

He leaned on his chair to contemplate, thinking of the ups and downs of being a streamer in great detail. And after five minutes of indecisive thinking, He came up with a decision.

Tristan opened his school supplies drawer, grabbed a notebook and a mechanical pencil, then placed them on his desk. He held the mechanical pencil between his fingers and pointed the tip at the blank page, excitement coursing through his whole body.