Translation of Inui Toko's Interview of Virtual to Live 2019 in Excite News (Later Half) 7-12-2019

Before Virtual to Live Event, there was a long interview for Inui Toko which was separated into two parts: the first part was mostly about herself and her preparation for VtL and the second part was mostly about people close to her mostly Sanbaka (also mentions of Otogibara Era, and Yuzuki Roa). I translated the second half which you can see the original in this link.

"There is nothing but respect for the other two livers of "Sanbaka""

--Lize-san and Ange-san are 10 years long best friend and you have only met them by the time your debut was decided. However, the three of you appear to be really good friend even since the debut. Both Lize-san and Ange-san quite often talk about how they are bad at socializing, so when the three of you met, what kind of atmosphere and who lead the conversation?

Inui: The first one who hooked the three of us up is Ange-han. But the social nervousness time was not more than 5 minutes. Sure, both are shy to strangers but since they are such good-humoured and kind person, the time to open up to them did not take long. Actually I am quite shy myself but the moment I talked with them I right away thought, "It's gonna be okay with these people!". I don't remember what did we talk about that I came to feel that way but perhaps since each of us was like, 'lets try our best together as batch mates', I think that contributes to how fast we get along well with each other.

-- The one to debut first in "Sanbaka" is Lize-san, but when she talked about that episode of how at the time the three of you converse, whenever Inui-san said anything, Lize-san and Ange-san saying "Liking Inui more and more" which turn into a custom and the phrase turned up in the comment section of both your stream and Twitter and even made it into a hashtag. I wonder if you feel a sense of security from these two you just met, from how clearly they express their fondness in those words?

Inui: I definitely feel extremely so! I am the type that say "it's great, it's fine" to anything. During the talk of, say, the relay project for first livestreams when they asked, "can we do this?" or "Is it okay to do this?" and I answered "Sure, sure" like an all approving bot, both of them started to say "You're so kind! I grow to like you more and more" (lol).

-- Please tell us about your first impression of Lize-san and Ange-san, and the part of them as a liver that you respect.

Inui: The first impression of both of them is the same, how they're very reliable and kind hearted. During the time when the three of us have to decide on something such as the order of our streams or the contents of our projects, both of them smoothly make the conversation flow, I was saved. And yet they always be considerate of me, saying "Inui, is this okay?" or "Tokochan, is this fine?", they are extremely kind. For that part, even now that does not change. As a liver, there is nothing but respect I have for them. Both of them are really earnest in their attitude towards their viewers. They think about a lot of things, such as how to make things more enjoyable for everyone, or how to make livestreams more watchable. I think of that part of them as especially amazing and I respect them for it.

-- Both of them have strong characters but which part of them in particular that you feel very fun, or fond of?

Inui: Lize-han's extent of knowledge and vocabulary is so vast that I thought "where do you learn those words". She knows a lot of lexicons from games and anime, and her comeback for anything is so fast it's interesting. I admire her how in extreme times such as during streams she can come up with those lines. Her brain works really fast. Ange-han is the same as her. But her sandbag-like disposition is something no one can replicate (lol).

-- She's the type that listeners and livers alike give loving teases and tsukkomi to, right?

Inui: Exactly. I really love Ange-han's questionable positivity, it's rejuvenating.

-- For you, what kind of presence are your two batch mates? And what kind of presence would you want yourself to be for them?

Inui: "Sanbaka" members are really close with each other but it isn't the "stick all the time" type. Usually we do various things freely by ourselves but when someone wants to talk of somethings unimportant or having a bit of a problem or feeling tired, with just a call we come together; that kind of relationship. It's like keeping a reasonable distance instead of being rigidly close. For me both of them are very comfortable companions. That's why, I'd be happy if I become the same kind of presence to them. How to say it... a presence that is just about right.

"I newly discovered that if it is the three of us, even the game that I am bad at is fun."

-- "Sanbaka 24H" Collaboration stream project on 23rd to 24th of November (2019), is it a project that the three of you have thought about early on?

Inui: No, it isn't. I believe when I was talking with Lize-han the conversation went to "don't you wanna do 24 hours stream?" and just by that, we got on the flow and the project was born (lol). When we told Ange-han about it, she said "Let's do it".

-- Looking back at "Sanbaka24h", please tell me your honest opinion.

Inui: if I shall be extremely frank, I was super drowsy (lol). Also, I'm always grateful of everyone around but, more than ever, I feel strongly of gratitude to the staff and the listeners who go through the whole project with us. The staffs helped us a lot from the preparation. From the moment it began we rested everything on their hand and I think it must be really hard on them. I also think it's hard for those who watched us throughout the 24h. I realized once again just how thankful I am of everyone's presence.

-- within the various part of the project, the one you struggle the most is during the horror game and the Mystery Nabe. Which between them is the worst?

Inui: The horror game was terrifying but in the end, midway I left the gameplay for my two batchmates who tried their best for us. I guess it's the mystery nabe then... but that was my own fault (lol)

-- Certainly, the ingredient you brought was quite destructive. On the other hand, please tell us which was the most fun one.

Inui: It's the New Super Mario Bros U DX all three of us did together. I'm really bad at that kind of action so I can't really progress alone. But with the two of them who's really good at it supporting me, I was able to progress. Watching both of them playing around in the game was really fun. I think if it isn't with both of them, I won't do that kind of game. With all three of us together, I just realized that even the game that I am bad at is fun.

-- During the karaoke stream, even if you want Lize-san and Ange-san to sing but both of them were so moved by your raw singing and just like a fan wants you to sing, that relationship was interesting.

Inui: Exactly! I want both of their singing. Since it is rare for Lize-han and Ange-han to sing on streams, I am sure the listeners also want to hear them. That is why, for the karaoke project, I have it done on my channel and have a grip on the archive so that both of them can't cut it.

-- The three of you wrote each of your own script and live performing the voice drama, and also revved up by having the listeners vote on Twitter. You have the same voice drama scripts recorded separately sold on Booth, is there anything different such as atmosphere and so with the one you have on the stream?

Inui: I think they are completely different. When we did it on stream, all three of us are together, and we laughed at each other's dialogues and stuff but the one sold on booth was recorded separately by each of us. Also, during the stream the sound effect Lize-han was doing by mouth in the recording it was proper sound effect. Even the Chimera on the script written by Lize-han, in the stream Lize-han did the "Nyaaan" but in the one sold, both me and Ange-han also recorded our "Nyaaan", which I was then combined and turned Chimera-ish. There also those kind of complex SEs in.

"In "Nijimeguri", One can feel like hanging out together"

-- Linked to "Virtual to Live in Ryoukoku Kokugikan 2019" and "Nijisanji Winter Camp 2019-2020" project, "Nijisanji Kawaii Cafe" was held in Tokyo Shinjuku Area-Q. Please tell us your points about the drink and food you produced

Inui: The drinks between the early half (11/22~12/3) and the last half (12/4~12/15) is different but I think it is already the later half's black tea.

-- The "Hottosuru Hot-Toko Tea" (the hot Toko Tea that comfort you), right?

Inui: With winter, it turns cold and since I think many people are eating sweets, a simple warm black tea seems nice. Also, when I said that I want accompanying sweets on a whim, they gladly provide for it.

-- What's the interesting points of "Hot Dog chaumon, Kerberus yamon!" (I am not a Hotdog, I am a Cerberus!)?

Inui: Within the food in the whole universe, I love potatoes the most. When the menu plan was given at the very beginning, the moment I saw that there is potato in it, I made the decision (lol).

-- In 12/1~12/31, there is the "Nijimeguri" service which by downloading the free app, one can enjoy touring around while listening to the members performing in Virtual to Live in Ryoukoku Kokugikan 2019 giving live commentaries. Please tell us the charm points of Nijimeguri.

Inui: Usually us livers are selling voice packs according to months and events. This voice is a bit different. Linking to places around Akihabara and Ryoukoku, it's a voice pack that make one feel like having us together as you walk around. You can listen to conversations that make you feel the liver more intimately, as if hanging out with them , as if seeing a scenery with them together with you.

-- In the Virtual to Live, the senpai you have online collab with and close to, Otogibara Era will also perform. Otogibara-san has said numerous time "Lets do not online, but offline collab" yet no matter how she asked you, with somewhat strong determination there has never been any offline meeting in sight. During the Ryoukoku event, we expect that there will finally be a first offline meeting of you two. If there is any impressions, or countermeasures, of meeting with Otogibara-san, please tell us.

Inui: For questions about Era-san, it's No Comment.

-- I see. By the way, during the October "Nijisanji Music Festival", perhaps because of the venue floor plan or the sheer space, the liver's rooms were separated into three and it seems difficult to go between rooms.

Inui: Is that so? I think I heard something good just now (lol)

"Because we'll give you something you won't regret watching, everyone, please come and see"

-- Please tell us your impression about this one other person you say you're close to from the start just like Otogibara-san and "Sanbaka", Yuzuki Roa-san.

Inui: During the time when I was decided to debut, the first senpai who talked to me was Roa-chan. I think she tried to be like a Senpai would and try her best to talk to me, telling me "if there is anything you don't know, just ask noda". After then we talk to each other time and time again and Roa-chan told me "Talking to Tokochan is calming noda", we're good friends. When I heard of Ryoukoku performers, I thought, "Roa-chan is here!" and we both rejoiced, "We're together!". By having someone I am close with together, I feel calmer and maybe Roa-chan is more nervous than myself. When you have someone whose emotional state is a level worse above you, don't you feel a bit calmer?

-- When you see someone panicking, you get calmer, right.

Inui: Thus, thanks to saying "It's okay, it's okay" to Roa-chan, right now I am surprisingly calm, I think (lol).

--With the ticket for VtL in huge demand, it seems there will also be internet stream. Please say your message to fans got the ticket and plan in joining in Ryoukoku Kokugikan.

Inui: With the senpai and staff, we manage to afford performing in such a big stage such as Ryoukoku Kokugikan, all thanks to the power of the fans who supported Nijisanji. I also think of giving all my power to support it. It appears the ticket ballot was unbelievable, so for those lucky ones who can come to the venue, please bask in the atmosphere of the venue and enjoy.

-- Please leave a message to those who did not manage to get a ticket and still wondering about purchasing the net ticket.

Inui: I have talked about this numerous time in my streams. To be able to hold an event in this kind of place is very exceptional. Also, it is great if it exist, but it is never known whether or not we're able to. Especially for those who hesitate, it is better if you buy it. I will try making it an event that won't regret seeing so everyone, let's watch (lol).

-- Lastly, this is a bit of an early question, but what kind of year was 2019 for you? And what will you want 2020 to be?

Inui: 2019 was like a crashing wave, there are many days I don't really remember. It is a year where the people I feel "This person is important for me" increases a lot. For next year, while keeping those people dear close to me, I want to be able to connect with even more people.