Ever since Sony made its move, all the media outlets have been waiting for Gamenova's response.
Whether it's a strong counterattack or a rare setback, it generates an enormous amount of traffic.
For this matter, various media outlets have been working tirelessly for almost half a month, waiting for news.
Even media outlets as far away as the United States sent reporters to the area in order to obtain firsthand information.
Even with such a group of professional players, they were completely baffled by the situation today.
"Kuku--"
Just as everyone was trying to figure out what was going on, it seemed that the sound systems set up in the venue had been turned on.
Someone somewhere took a few breaths into the Mike to test the sound.
A few seconds later.
A piece of music with a gentle melody and melodious, relaxing sound began to play.
Joe Hisaishi's arranging skills and Hans Zimmer's top-notch music industry work together to create a piece that almost drags you back to the graduation season with falling cherry blossoms.
The youthful energy and the refreshing tranquility of life are the complete opposite of Gamenova's usual rock and punk aesthetic.
It's a background music track with a distinctly Japan theme.
"Nice to meet you--"
A girl's voice rang out.
Everyone present was taken aback and looked in unison at the standee sitting... I mean, standing in the very center.
Thanks to the technical expertise of Hans Zimmer's top-tier Hollywood acoustic studio, a team built what is perhaps the most advanced stereo surround sound system in the industry right there in the venue.
Even though the voice was coming from the speakers, for some reason, everyone present could immediately tell that it was the anime standee speaking.
The reporters surveyed the entire venue.
Apart from the row of signs on the stage and the staff standing on the edge, there wasn't a single person in sight.
What the hell is this supposed to do??
"Um... can everyone hear me?"
"Sorry, this is my first time speaking in front of so many people, I'm a little nervous..." The girl's voice was tinged with shyness, carrying the youthful awkwardness unique to school days.
Just hearing it makes your whole body tingle and gives you goosebumps.
It was as if she were whispering in his ear.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Shiori Fujisaki, currently a student at the Private Kirameki High School..."
"From now on, whether on or off campus, please continue to look after me!"
Listening to her girlish self-introduction, the group of reporters looked at each other in bewilderment.
After a while, it turned out that the Gamenova team members were the most reliable. The two reporters, wearing the "electronicgames" logo on their chests, were the first to react and applauded enthusiastically.
The applause finally brought everyone back to their senses, and they all joined in the applause.
Applause erupted throughout the venue.
As the applause gradually subsided, " Shiori Fujisaki's" voice rang out again:
Thank you! Thank you everyone!
"Where are the other students? Aren't you going to introduce yourselves?" "..."
After a brief silence, the sound field shifted slightly to one side, clearly indicating that a different person was speaking.
She was a girl with green hair and glasses; she seemed like a very quiet and gentle person.
When she speaks, just like her character design, she speaks softly and gently, yet with a peculiar sense of indifference, as if she deliberately maintains a distance from the world around her.
"H-Hello everyone, I'm Mio Kisaragi, my birthday is February 3rd, I'm an Aquarius, and I enjoy reading and classical music... Thank you..."
Compared to Yui Asaka's voice, which sounds more like she's playing herself, Mio Kisaragi's voice actress is Megumi Hayashibara, known as the queen of voice actresses, and also the voice actress for Rei Ayanami in the future.
His opening remarks were at a professional level.
With just a few words, this two-dimensional waifu, which is clearly only a flat surface, was created.
Then, a host of characters, including Mira Kagami Ijuin, took turns appearing.
Each person has a completely different persona and voice.
If you disregard the fact that these people are just a row of standees, this would be a top-tier girl group audition.
After everyone had finished introducing themselves and the applause had subsided, Shiori Fujisaki's voice rang out again. "Thank you again, everyone!"
"Well then, as requested by the chairman of the college's board of directors, everyone is welcome to ask us questions today, but please be orderly and come one at a time."
After he finished speaking, the entire venue fell silent.
Is this... the beginning?
According to the press conference procedure, there should be a Q&A session.
But... how are they supposed to bring this up?
"Ahem, since everyone is being so polite, we at electronicgames will accept this favor."
A white reporter sitting in the nearest row stood up, smiled at the people next to him, and took the Mike from the staff.
"Shiori-chan... right? What are your thoughts on Gamenova's new title, Tokimeki Memorial?"
A perfectly standard question.
This is usually how it's done according to the rules.
Let's start with a simple question to introduce the topic. But this time, Gamenova is clearly planning to try something new.
"Give me wood... a brat? Sorry... I don't understand. Is it something popular lately?"
Even the well-trained "insiders" of electronicgames felt a little overwhelmed at this moment.
What does that mean?
Is this an attempt to create a sense of immersion?
The reporter quickly composed himself and changed his question, continuing:
"Um... Shiori-chan, could you please tell us who your voice actor is?"
"Voice acting? Uncle, that's a really strange question... I am who I am! I'm Shiori Fujisaki."
After a few sentences, not a single useful piece of information was obtained.
But some of the reporters on site had already noticed the problem. A scene director from Fuji Television frowned as he looked at the interaction between the two... well, it should be 1.5 people. After a while, he called out to the production assistant beside him.
"Take a photographer to the back door."
"Good."
The assistant understood immediately, nodded, and hurriedly left the venue with one of the photographers from the team.
Is Shiori Fujisaki really Shiori Fujisaki?
Are you kidding me? There must be a voice actor behind her.
The reporters who remained at the scene clearly thought the same thing.
" Fujisaki- san, may I ask how you got to the venue today?"
"Of course we came by car!"
Where did you get here by bus?
"From home." Facing the reporter's persistent questioning, " Shiori Fujisaki " answered fluently.
However, as if the reporter had seized upon a flaw in her words, his eyes lit up, and he quickly followed up with a question:
"So... where do you live, Fujisaki- san?"
"Sir, that's incredibly rude of you! A girl's place is a secret, you know~"
"Well..."
The reporter looked embarrassed and sat down dejectedly.
His humiliation immediately drew laughter from many people.
By now, everyone has figured it out.
Clearly, they're planning to deny it to the death; they're aiming to create a group of real virtual idols.
Having clarified this point, the reporters present dispelled their previous doubts and became much more open, seizing the opportunity to ask questions.
Whether it's well-intentioned guidance or sharp questioning, everyone is wondering whether these "virtual idols" on stage can maintain their performance.
For a moment, the entire press conference turned into a grand battle of wits. " Fujisaki- san, do you think you really exist? Or... are you just a bunch of pre-programmed data?"
Upon hearing this, the venue fell silent for a moment.
"Hmm..."
Shiori Fujisaki seemed to have given it serious thought.
Is that important?
"I have my own dreams, my own hobbies, and my favorite... classmates."
"I will have my own joys and sorrows, and I will want to be remembered by everyone forever."
"If I can be remembered by everyone, then that's probably what it means to exist, right?"
"Humans are creatures of the moment, living in the ordinary daily life composed of countless moments of miracle."
So... why worry about all that? Just enjoy your life!
But... please don't forget me!
Even after it's over... forever...
The press conference didn't generate much buzz.
At least in terms of the scene itself, it was utterly bland.
Compared to Sony's extravagant shows that book the entire Nippon Budokan, this is like a project that a poor, small workshop would produce.
I heard that Project Aurora is going to be performed at the Tokyo Dome soon.
In such a simple comparison, it has already lost by a large margin just in terms of momentum.
However, not many people actually hold such frivolous views.
Many more people are still waiting for Gamenova's next move.
Everyone could sense it from the depths of their being.
Gamenova is definitely brewing something big again.
However, this press conference was not entirely fruitless.
The following day, various magazines and media outlets began publishing related news, including... photos of the voice actors.
Judging from the photo, the person at the front is clearly Yui Asaka, the top star of Roppongi Agency.
A simple side-by-side comparison of their voices revealed that her voice, which hadn't changed much, was completely exposed.
And so... another grand interview event immediately commenced.
"Ms. Fujisaki? What are you talking about?"
Yui Asaka wore a puzzled expression, tilting her head slightly as if in thought.
"I've been busy with releasing a record lately, so I'm not too clear about the press conference, but Fujisaki and I are indeed very good friends."
" Fuji TV reporters have captured photos of you leaving the press conference through the back door. After comparing your voice, we are certain that you are the one who voiced Ms. Shiori Fujisaki."
"You all said you didn't know. Fujisaki -san is a very capable person. If you're really interested, why don't you ask her?"
Ask her?
Damn it, why should I ask her? If I really want to ask her, wouldn't that just mean asking Yui Asaka?
No matter how much the reporters tried to intercept her or dig a hole for her, she insisted on cutting ties with Shiori Fujisaki.
They insisted it wasn't the same person, even claiming they had a good relationship with them.
But why... the more things seem to go on like this, the more people want to find out who's behind Shiori Fujisaki?