NOVEL NEXT Chapter 284
September is now well into the middle.
And if I were to put it differently, it means that day is just around the corner.
[This time, I really can’t mess up, okay? It’s definitely not going to end as a regular Yeo-sang.]
“Ah, I know…”
[Hmm, well then, should we go with that for now?]
Koga’s voice held absolutely no trust in me.
…Even if I wanted to protest, it’s a fact that my past misdeeds are a burden, so I couldn’t say anything.
If someone searches my name in the community, one of the top results would be [This time, I wonder what Mei-chan will mess up?].
And one of the responses to that would be [If that happens again, it’ll be an incident of “Absolutely should not say” level for the eighth star…].
That’s right.
Three days later, on Tuesday, September 24th.
The day that has come right before my eyes.
That day is one of the most important events in my life: ‘Natsune’s 3rd Anniversary.’
[I bet I’m not the only one worried about this….]
Not just a guess, as even M-chan sent me a DM asking to please not cause any trouble this time. Hehe…
[It’s not a laughing matter, okay?]
“Um, it’s really scary how naturally you read my thoughts….”
[Izumi, your thoughts are just too obvious.]
No. No matter how I look at it, that was nothing less than an invasion of my inner workings…
Anyway, Natsune is celebrating her 3rd Anniversary this year.
And let’s recite the flashy career of the VTuber who claims to be the eighth star watching from the beginning of Natsune’s first broadcast, Kainoh Izumi.
[Hey, you shouldn’t talk about others like that…!]
On Natsune’s 1st anniversary, after my first collaboration with Kurokami Senpai, I broke down while reading the anti-thread alone.
And during the 2nd anniversary, I accidentally leaked the debut news of the 3rd generation students and got suspended by the company.
In short, there was no broadcasting during Natsune’s 1st and 2nd anniversaries.
I always claim to be Natsune’s greatest fan, and I’m technically her company-controlled junior.
…Huh?
“Hey, um, do I, do I really not qualify as the eighth star?”
[That’s exactly why I’m telling you to be careful.]
If I mess up again and get suspended after this…
[Izumi, the fact that you’re my greatest fan, it was all a lie, wasn’t it?]
If I were to hear something like that from Natsune seriously…
Ah, just thinking about it makes me want to die.
“Haaa….”
If it were a normal situation, I would say, “I’ve grown now, so there’s no way anything could happen…!” But maybe because I’ve built up a flashy track record over the last two years?
I just don’t trust myself.
“Is there, is there any way to absolutely avoid Yeo-sang…?”
[Well, there’s no way except to be as careful as possible.]
That means the moment I make even the slightest mistake, Yeo-sang will explode and I’ll get suspended…?
No way.
Such a thing must never happen, even if it’s just a possibility.
Think. Think. Please think!
“Ah….”
I thought.
“Koga-chan, um, Yeo-sang is, you know, something that happens because of broadcasts or narrations…?”
That’s right.
It’s the same as being betrayed for having expectations in the first place.
If I didn’t expect anything from the start, there wouldn’t be a chance to be betrayed, right?
In other words.
“If I don’t do any broadcasts from the start, then Yeo-sang won’t happen…?”
Huh? Wait, am I a genius?
[…So are you saying that our collaboration broadcast tomorrow will be canceled?]
“W-Wouldn’t that be better…? It’s much better than, um, Yeo-sang exploding….”
[Hmm… So you’re saying you want to cancel it?]
“Um, Koga…?”
[So we’re thinking of canceling it, right…?]
“Ju-just kidding! Hehe….”
[Hmm. You’re just kidding, huh? Okay, I’ll trust you since you said that, right?]
Koga seemed strangely delighted? She was giggling.
So, so scary….
★
This may go without saying, but we will indeed have a live broadcast for Natsune’s 3rd anniversary.
And this time, I will be participating as a guest in Natsune’s 3rd Anniversary Live!
In such a situation, if I were to get suspended due to Yeo-sang, it would truly be the end… But fortunately, nothing like that happened.
Naturally, our usual collab with Pure White Sea went smoothly.
However, it seemed like most of the Izutomo were waiting for me to mess something up; isn’t that a bit much, that bunch?
“Nothing happened this time, right, Izumi?”
Well, as soon as I arrived at the studio after school, Natsune said something like that for some reason…
Well, it’s fine; Natsune is cute!
Yes. The important thing is that we can officially celebrate this 3rd anniversary.
By the way, is this the first live since Star Fest…?
Of course, it’s not like we prepared a venue where fans can gather separately like last time; it’ll just be like our regular live broadcast, streaming from the studio.
“Haa….”
For some reason, my heart was racing.
Nervous? Or excited? Or maybe anxious?
It was the same swirling mix of emotions I felt before Star Fest, a feeling that was impossible to express in words.
Even after experiencing several live broadcasts, the unknown emotion I felt that day began to awaken once more.
What exactly is this feeling?
I don’t know.
So what was the trigger for first feeling this emotion?
Let’s think back to that.
‘Really… Yes. I’m really looking forward to it.’
‘But more than that, I want to have tons of fun with Izumi and… all the members of Star’s Flow.’
‘Let’s enjoy ourselves to the fullest tomorrow, okay?’
And the first thing that came to mind was her eyes.
Those crimson eyes that reflected pure adoration for idols, so beautiful they could mesmerize me.
What was I thinking when I saw that…?
“Izumi.”
“Huh?!”
And at Akabane’s call, my consciousness snapped back.
“Izumi?!”
As I regained my senses, my whole body suddenly began to tremble, and my heart raced like crazy.
“Haa, haa, haa….”
As I shrank back, my breathing grew ragged, and Akabane looked at me in surprise.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay? If your condition is bad…”
“Ah, I’m fine. I’m okay, Akabane…”
I was not lying.
In fact, I could say I was in the best condition I have been in a while.
“But Izumi.”
“I’m really fine…”
“You look like you’re about to cry….”
At her words, I looked up and turned my gaze.
What I saw was the full-length mirror in the corner of the waiting room.
Reflected in that mirror was me.
“Really, I’m okay…”
Just as Akabane had said, I was wearing an expression that looked like I was about to burst into tears.
★
[【Natsune Nanase 3rd Anniversary】 Three years spent with everyone! Looking forward to more! Third Anniversary 3D LIVE! #NatsuneNanase#StarsFlow#3rdAnniversary
]‘It’s just Natsune’s 3rd anniversary… I’m feeling a bit emotional. Hehe….’
With that excuse, Akabane wore an expression of disbelief, but as I managed to smile, she nodded in understanding.
And before I knew it, the time for Natsune and me really drew near.
Just to be sure, I glanced back at the full-length mirror, and thankfully, the same usual expression of the universe’s strongest super cute girl stood there.
My body wasn’t trembling. My breathing was steady.
My heart was beating lightly, but that was just the excitement I always felt before a live performance.
It was nothing like before.
“Izumi! Please start getting ready!”
“Yes…!”
At the staff member’s call, I took a final breath and quietly rose from my seat, moving toward the studio.
Then, after Natsune’s solo stage ended, I took my place next to her, and the signal for the MC part was given.
“Wow~! Izumi!”
“Hehe….”
-Mei-chan has arrived! ۹(ÒہÓ)۶
-So you finally made it this year!
“Yes! I’m really thankful that nothing happened this time, so I could come as a guest!”
“Puff?!”
“Wow~. If something had happened this year and you couldn’t come as a guest… I wouldn’t be able to believe you’re the eighth star.”
“Hyaa? Haa, haa, haa, hyaa….”
As soon as I heard that, the reason I had been taking deep breaths before coming here disappeared.
-You were super flustered! ㅋㅋ
-Were you really thinking of bailing out?
-Your breathing was so ragged! ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
“I-I’m going to leave since I felt like I wanted to die….”
“What?! You can’t do that?! Everyone is looking forward to the stage with me and Izumi!”
“But… I’m worthless since I couldn’t make it to Natsune’s 1st and 2nd anniversary… I’m a disgrace of the eighth star….”
“That’s impossible! Calm down, Izumi? Huh? That was just a joke, right? You know how much you like me?”
As she said this, Natsune hugged me, and suddenly, warm energy and a sweet scent enveloped me.
“Ah, I’ve become so happy…”
“Eh?”
I could stay like this forever…
-So noble
-This kid’s emotions change too quickly
-How much does she really like Natsune? ㅋㅋ
-Nanai’s teehee…
-Seeing these two just makes me smile naturally
“Alright! If you’re calmed down, shall we start, Izumi?”
“…Yes!”
“Finally, the stage with Izumi, who’s coming as a guest for the first time on her 3rd anniversary! Everyone is looking forward to it!”
“Ah. I feel like I want to die again….”
“Really?!”
-ㅋ ㅋㅋㅋ
★
♪♫♬~!
The interlude was gradually coming to an end.
Fortunately, the stage with Natsune had finished without any mistakes.
“Hyaa….”
With a sense of accomplishment, I let out a long sigh as I took off the HMD and handed it to the staff member.
Now my turn was over… So I should just wait in the waiting room since we planned to have dinner together after today’s live broadcast.
Just as I was about to head to the waiting room.
“Thank you so much today, Izumi!”
Natsune called me, smiling brightly.
“Ah…?”
…Got it all.
The feeling I first felt during the Star Fest.
And now, the feeling that was wildly stirring within me once again.
I realized it.