The Many Sides of Voice Actor Radio Episode 3: Sleepover Radio

It’s almost always the third episode.

The intro featured what looked like a Radio Rivals fanboy who appeared to gloat because he was close to making a huge discovery about them. Let’s just finish this part and focus on the good stuff. He eventually discovered they’re both his classmates. Best we can hope is he’s a good fanboy and not a creeper.

On to what we’re here for. Like in the last episode Chika wanted Yumiko and her to partake in an activity because they talked about it on the radio show. Last time it was visiting a butcher shop to check out the croquettes. This time it’s a sleepover at Chika’s place. First up Chika’s excited to eat Yumiko’s omelet rice. The big babe was flattered but hid it behind “It’s to thank you and your mom for having me over”.

Now we get to the REAL good stuff.

For some reason Chika wanted the two to bathe together. Yumiko made a remark saying “even Yuri fans would think this feels forced!”. I don’t know how accurate the translation is but if you are such a fan, there’s the exit. Anyway Chika felt like teasing Yumiko more by getting closer. To her it wasn’t unusual for idols to be chatting naked in the bath because she heard it on another radio show. Yumiko’s like “Because they’re usually at a public bathhouse!” Yumiko tried to keep her on a leash but then Chika was mesmerized by a heavenly sight…

Chika: I apologize for staring, but they are most impressive.

Yumiko: T-they’re no big deal but I guess they are big to you.

Chika: Yes. Mine cannot compare.

Yumiko: Heh. I bet you wanna touch them, huh?

Chika: YES PLEASE! I am eternally grateful for your benevolence.

Yumiko: (Wait. She’s serious!? I guess I can’t really back down now…).

Chika: Please rise from the water. I wish to partake in this once in a lifetime opportunity.

Yumiko: Ummm, okay…

Again it’s just “coworkers” on the outside but we all know better.

After praising Yumiko’s gorgeous body and our main gyaru misinterpreting it as Chika saying she’s just a pretty face and nothing more we got to another important scene.

Chika briefly turned into “Yuhi” and asked “Yasumi” why she became a voice actor. She’s asked the question during an interview but couldn’t answer so she wanted to see how Yumiko would respond in the same position. As a kid she’s a huge Pretty Cure fan and when she learned about voice acting she wanted to one day voice/become one.

It’s Chika’s turn. Her dad worked in animation and she’s a big fan of his work. She wanted to become part of one of his anime, hence voice acting. Mama however, didn’t get the appeal of anime. Chika thought Mama disliked her getting involved in the same field as her ex-husband. After Yumiko showed her support Chika admitted to slowly kinda enjoying the idol side of her job.

That night after an evening potty she saw the living room light on and met the famous Chika Mama who was a fetching lawyer indeed. Their chat began with Mama asking how Yumiko’s own parents reacted to her decision to become a seiyu. “If that’s what you want to do then go for it”, basically. Mama’s thoughts?

Voice acting was an unstable job because you never knew when an opportunity would come nor if the pay would be worthwhile. At first she was fine with Chika joining a theatre troupe but as soon as she got offers to become a seiyu her stomach turned. This feeling worsened when she saw her doing more idol stuff than voice acting. She felt her daughter was being treated like eye candy and little else. Instead of making a fuss she waited for Chika to be disgraced then come crawling back home.

This explains Chika’s initial disdain toward idol stuff.

“You’re right about it being an unstable career. Sometimes I feel my efforts are in vain and I get depressed. But let me tell you something. Your daughter is one of the most talented people I have ever met. She has the power to become one of the best in the business. Being her partner is exhausting. It’s tough not being anywhere near as good as her. That being said, I’ll be damned if I let myself become the Marty Jannetty to her Shawn Michaels! My goal is to become as great of a seiyu as she already is!”

Like many of us hoped/expected Chika heard the whole thing.

“Hey. Sato. You listen and listen well because I will only tell you this once. I envy you. I am envious of your charisma and charm. I envy how much everyone enjoys being around you. Even my mother likes you! I wish I could express myself as easily as you! Not only that but I see the potential in you. All you need is an opportunity to shine and you will become a truly formidable rival. That is why the person who occupies Yuhi Yugure’s mind the most is you, Yasumi Utatane. Never forget that.”

Translation: I acknowledge you as my #1 raivaru and I am always thinking about you.

Despite her day starting off with another failed audition Yumiko’s heart still fluttered thanks to Chika’s acknowledgement. However, it turned back into despair when she saw Chika’s chosen to voice the main protagonist in a major upcoming mecha anime.

At the radio studio she was hit with yet another painful blow. The Radio Rivals Show was about to end due to not being popular enough. As the cast felt down the final straw that broke Yumiko was Chika’s “Oh” after she revealed the sad news.

Things were said that Yumiko instantly regretted after Chika stormed off. The worse one was accusing her of flirting with the anime director to get the main role. Mirei, showing us why she’s a pro, noticed Chika’s just as upset as Yumiko was by the news. She just didn’t show it as openly as her. All they had to do was look at the script. Chika would never leave it behind nor would the pages ever be blank. Clear signs she too was affected.

Unfortunately as Yumiko practiced her apology she got a call from Otome to Google Yuhi Yugure. The top search result was not pleasant. One of the banes of every idol reared its ugly head.

Excellent episode. The wait to see what happens next will be exhausting.