NOVEL NEXT Chapter 112
“Um, so I ended up joining the cheerleading squad for the sports festival…”
[Izumi’s personality? Is this really okay? More importantly, if it’s the cheerleading squad, the practice will take time…]
“Oh, it’s f-fine! I was told that I don’t have to participate in practice, and on the day, I can just sit in the back… so actually, it feels like I’m just a ghost member.”
[Haa… then I’m really glad. Izumi has been the busiest among us lately.]
That’s right. Just like Koga said, I’ve been extremely busy recently.
It’s been almost a week since I last spoke with Koga.
So when I heard I could join the cheer squad and go home right after class as usual, I signed up immediately.
[Anyway, like I said before, I’ll contact you halfway through with Miskode, so you just have to pick up the call then.]
“Ah, got it…!”
Before I knew it, the 3D debut broadcast of the second generation of Star’s Flow had ended.
But that didn’t mean our schedule was over.
Especially Koga and I still had a lot to do, and since our last group call, we barely had time to contact each other.
So, even though the manager and Star’s Flow members suggested taking a break from broadcasting, sadly, the Izutomos liked me too much for that to happen.
Do these guys even realize how hard I’m working for them?
Right now, I’m running around for work right after school, and when I get home, I literally wash up, eat dinner, and immediately turn on the broadcast…
Honestly, I sometimes wish I could just split myself in half.
But still, the reason I can hold on is that I learned from the 3D debut broadcast that the effort I put in returns to me.
“I’m so sorry for not being able to join as a guest….”
[Hey. Didn’t we promise not to apologize for that? It would be bad of me to ask you to join when you’re obviously incredibly busy.]
“Thank you….”
Sometimes, I can’t help but think that Koga might also be living a second life like me…
I’m sure my mental age is in my 40s, but when I talk with Koga, I feel way younger.
Wait a minute. If I think about it the other way, does that mean I’m living a really youthful life…?
Am I like some young-at-heart middle-aged uncle keeping up with the new generation?
[I sometimes don’t know what Izumi is thinking….]
“Uhh…!”
Honestly, just the thought of her trying to read my mind is scary enough to keep my mouth shut.
★
[How was my performance just now? Did I deserve any praise?]
On stage, a pure white angel was smiling brightly and waving, and in front of her, the audience was decorated with light green penlights and cheering signs.
And everyone looking at her shouted.
“We will always support you.”
[Thank you all so much! I know I can stand on this stage because of my Soramates!]
The angel’s choked voice echoed in my ears.
I know that’s not just acting.
She really loves the raw excitement that can only be felt when standing on stage.
Didn’t she tell me that directly before?
[Now, before we move on to the next performance… let’s have a chat with a special guest!]
And finally, those words came out of her mouth.
My heart raced, and my stomach churned.
Of course, it was less intense than actually stepping on that stage, but just the fact that I was interjecting into someone else’s special performance already sent nerves running through me.
[The opponent is…!]
As those words were spoken, the broadcast switched to the call connection sound, and naturally, the call sound from Miskode rang out through my computer too.
“Ughhh….”
I took one last deep breath and checked the title of the broadcast currently underway.
[【Suzuha Koga Birthday Party】 Thank you everyone! Birthday Live! #코가스즈하#스타즈플로우2기생]
I absolutely cannot mess this up.
Steeling myself once again, I quietly clicked the accept call button.
[As everyone expected, it’s Izumi!]
“Ko, Koga! I’m Izumi Kainoh from Star’s Flow, aiming for a world where everyone can smile… the atmosphere maker…!”
–Pure white sea has arrived!
–Aren’t you two doing a duet?
[As I mentioned before, it’s been super hectic for Izumi lately, so that was impossible. I’m really sorry if you were looking forward to it!]
Koga’s words were not a lie.
I had just barely gotten home 30 minutes ago and started watching the broadcast.
“Uh, anyways, happy birthday, Koga…”
[Thanks, Izumi! I’m so happy just that you took the time to do this!]
“Of course, I couldn’t miss out on Koga’s birthday, hehe…”
We were trying to keep the conversation going in a friendly atmosphere, but for some reason, the chatroom was all kinds of chaotic.
– I see. Is this how they usually are together? lol
– Seems like Suzuh didn’t notice how natural it was at all
– Suzui’s Tehe (not specified)
“Ah… ”
That’s when I realized.
I hadn’t spoken casually as if I were broadcasting but had talked like I usually do with Koga.
“Uhh, K-Koga! Let’s sing together for the next live…!”
– Did they get caught?
– Mei seems to have caught on quickly
[…Yes! If that’s possible, I’d really love it! I’ll be looking forward to it!]
“So, I’ll see you later! Good luck with the live today!”
[Huh? Out of nowhere? How long have we been talking? Wait, Izumi?!]
That was the last thing I said before abruptly hanging up my call with Koga.
…And the community was flooded with praise, wanting to see more of our natural relationship.
Thank goodness…?
★
[Virtual YouTuber Minor Gallery]
[Title: The Points from Today’s Pure White Sea Call that Made Me Go Nuts.txt]
[Author: Suzui]
Suzuha << During the performance, they were speaking politely the whole time, but the moment Mei appeared, they switched instantly to casual. They always use polite speech with the other members. Izumi << I usually try to speak casually on broadcasts, but today, I naturally spoke formally with Suzuh. Their genuine feelings show when they talk... You can tell how comfortable they are with each other. Ah, it’s so exciting. Suzui is really crazy…! [Recommended: 40 / Not Recommended: 3] ㅇㅇ: Today, more than any other duet stage, their call was the most exciting... Maker: Mei seemed to notice in the middle haha └Suzui: The way they suddenly switched to casual speech and hurriedly ended the call was so obvious haha
└Maker: Suzuh actually looked flustered not realizing until the end
ㅇㅇ: Sometimes Susuh claims Pure White Sea is just business
└ㅇㅇ: No matter how you look at it, it’s not business
└Suzui: Agh, damn it, sometimes business can lead to marriages and stuff, you know?
└Daddy 
: The idea of ‘business’ as a serious matter is a long tradition in the VTuber industry.
Daddy : Suzui’s Tehe (not specified)
…
ㅇㅇ: It was nice to see just how high the yuri density of their usual vibe is.
ㅇㅇ: No, this is way too much, isn’t it?
└ㅇㅇ: The fact that Communication Impairment is usually polite is obvious.
└ㅇㅇ: Suzuh would definitely talk casually behind the scenes.
└Suzui: Why are you losing it when I’m imagining it the way I want to?
└Dudok Online 
: Right? If it’s exciting, then that’s what matters.
★
Before I knew it, it was the day of the sports festival, Saturday.
Just like Hinoshita-senpai said, I didn’t have to stay at school while others were preparing for the festival.
Just one day. A couple of days ago, I had been called into the science room briefly, but that was just to check the cheer outfit I would wear on the day of the festival, and I could go home right after.
The outfit was a stunning blue dress, which was a little uncomfortable for moving around, but since I had mentioned I would just sit in the back, I didn’t dwell on it.
…I was curious how the senpais and everyone else would dance in such outfits.
“Ahhh….”
Passing by the school gate and looking out at the sports field, there were indeed more people than usual, even though it was the weekend and early morning since it was the day of the festival.
And among them, the most eye-catching thing was…
“…a chair?”
It was a huge chair in the corner of the sports field.
Or should I say, a throne?
It boasted a pitch-black base with elaborate decorations, but no matter how you looked at it, it was a prop that didn’t match the sports field at all.
…Did the school prepare something extra?
Well, considering the sports festival only happens once a year, I understand wanting to make it as fun and flashy as possible.
…But I imagine the person who has to sit on that thing would feel incredibly embarrassed.
I might even faint in the middle.
Well, anyway, it’s none of my business.
I walked past the extravagant throne and went into the classroom to change into my gym clothes as instructed on the announcement stuck to the blackboard.
…I hope the sports festival ends quickly, no matter who wins.