"I see, I basically understand the situation now."
While munching on pizza, Chika, with her usual sleepy eyes, spoke. After explaining what happened yesterday and today, I told her that I would need her help for what I was planning to do.
I was unsure how she'd react, but it seemed like she managed to understand and accept it.
"For now, considering Snow White is actually here and you showed me this, there's no way to dismiss this as just your imagination, Yuuma."
The "this" that Chika was referring to was the glass she was holding, which had just been filled with iced tea. But due to Snow's power, it had instantly frozen. With no trick or setup, if something like that happens right in front of you, you can't help but believe it.
"Just call me Snow, by the way. I call you Chika, right?"
Snow was surprisingly casual about it. I had expected her to act a bit more high-handed, like she did with me or Nagi, but for now, she was just interacting normally.
"So, Snow, are you okay with Yuuma's plan to put out videos or something?" Chika asked.
"Well... I don't really mind. If that's what's best, then fine."
I didn't fully buy it, though. Snow was probably not thrilled, but she wasn't going to say anything about it.
"I could think of better ways, using loopholes in the law," Chika said nonchalantly.
Chika was not exaggerating. She wasn't just knowledgeable about the internet and computers—she was terrifyingly skilled. From web design and programming to hacking and cracking, she boasted that she could steal even confidential documents from the Dungeon Management Bureau. I wasn't sure if she was bluffing or not, but I didn't feel comfortable testing that.
"Honestly, Snow's looks alone could attract millions of subscribers in a week, if marketed right," Chika said.
"In one week? No way," I responded, skeptical.
"It's not a lie. If we want to target overseas markets, just adding English subtitles could easily triple that number."
That was an astonishing claim. It wasn't something you could just laugh off. Snow was really that beautiful.
"I'll tell you right now, my English is nothing special," I said.
"I know. English is fine for me, though. Don't worry about it."
She said it as if it were nothing. Probably because for her, speaking English was second nature.
"Three times as many, huh? That would be 15 million..."
I murmured the number without thinking. Even hitting 100,000 subscribers was a huge deal, but to think that we could achieve 150 times that number with just a bit of effort... It was mind-blowing.
"Is that even impressive?" Snow tilted her head, clearly confused.
She didn't understand how extraordinary those numbers were, since she wasn't familiar with the video-sharing site business. But even for someone not in the know, gaining 5 million subscribers in a week without being a famous personality is a huge deal. It was practically a media sensation.
"If that's true, you could live off the earnings from the videos alone," Chika commented, "Even if we sell magic stones, you'd make way more from those."
"Huh... You can make that much just by posting videos?" Snow said, half impressed, half incredulous.
"Let me remind you, that doesn't happen for everyone," Chika added.
"Basically, you're saying I'm not 'normal,' right?" Snow smirked.
It was hard to argue with her. After all, she wasn't normal. She was exceptional.
"Can you really conquer dungeons?" Chika asked, still impressed by Snow's abilities.
"I could probably clear a dungeon in a day," Snow said. "If Yuuma were a typical summoner, it would take longer."
"I wouldn't be surprised if Snow did that," I said. "The scene where she froze an entire golem room still gives me chills."
Chika nodded as she listened to us talk.
"If that's true, considering the potential for publicity, you could make a fortune from just video earnings—probably enough to make a hundred million a year, maybe more."
"...If you say so, then it must be true," I said. I had only hoped the videos would get some attention, but it looked like we were aiming higher than I expected.
"Well, if you're okay with it, I'll help," Chika said.
"Really?" I asked.
"I don't mind. There's no reason to refuse," she said casually.
I had prepared myself for the possibility that she might reject the idea, saying she was too busy, but she agreed without hesitation.
"I appreciate it. As for payment... I'll need to wait until we figure out if we're making revenue or if we can sell magic stones."
"Doesn't matter. I'm not really in need of money," Chika said.
"That's not good. Even between friends, you should sort out the payment properly."
Some people say that money isn't everything, but honestly, most things are. Someone wise once said that.
"Just take all of it," Snow chimed in.
"Huh?"
"You know, from the video earnings. You can give everything to Chika," Snow suggested.
"Oh, that could work. The main goal isn't to earn from videos anyway," I said.
The main purpose was to sell the magic stones. Videos were just a means to build recognition and trust. If Chika was going to take charge of everything, then it made sense for her to get the earnings.
"Are you serious?" Chika asked, looking a bit stunned.
"I don't need all of it," Snow shrugged. "Besides, I wouldn't even know what to do with all that money."
"So, what about splitting it?" I suggested.
"Half? Well, if you're okay with it, I'm fine with that," Chika said.
We finally reached an agreement to split it evenly.
"Half it is... as long as it's fine with you, Chika. If you ever want more, just let me know."
Chika seemed slightly uncomfortable with the whole situation, but she accepted it.
"By the way, Yuuma," Chika said suddenly, "If you're going to sell magic stones or make money from videos, you should start a company."
"Start a company?"
What was she talking about? I was a guy who'd been rejected countless times from interviews just trying to find a job. Starting a company was the last thing on my mind.
"I'm serious. You should. You can hire professionals for accounting and legal issues. A company has way more credibility than just an individual. Especially if you're dealing with large sums of money."
"...Is that really how it works?" I asked.
"Yes, it is," Chika replied, with confidence.
I glanced at Snow, but she just waved me off as if to say, "Don't look at me for this kind of thing."
Chika was probably right. Even though I had some basic knowledge, Chika had far more experience in this area.
"So, I think you should start a company. The CEO will be you, Yuuma, and Snow and I will be the employees."
"Wait, what? Me?" I stammered.
"Yeah, you're the CEO," Chika said nonchalantly.
"I'm not doing that," Snow immediately shot down the idea. "If anyone's going to do it, it should be Yuuma."
"Well, then congratulations, CEO Yuuma," Chika said, clapping sarcastically.
...Seriously?