Basement-Dwelling Loser VTuber

I wanted to honestly say I’m uncomfortable…

But I knew better than anyone that I shouldn’t.

“Senpai Izumi….”

Her warm breath tickled my ear, causing my body to instinctively shrink back.

But she seemed to like that reaction, resting her chin on my shoulder.

“Ugh… I’m really glad…”

She quietly shed tears.

★

Three years ago, when I decided to graduate.

Who could have been the most shocked?

In my personal opinion, it was probably either Suzuha, Natsune, or Senpai Kurokami.

After all, those three members communicated the most privately among the group.

However, shortly after my graduation, I discovered a surprisingly unexpected fact during a conversation with Suzuha.

If we simply count who was shocked, those three were indeed fitting, but if we consider who was shocked as a ‘generation,’ the members of the third generation, Atlas, were said to have been the most affected.

Natsune reportedly held onto our promise and somehow endured, pushing forward.

The first-generation seniors thought it was inevitable and comforted each other.

The second-generation peers nodded in agreement with Suzuha’s idea to cheer for me.

But the third-generation juniors… were reported to have been truly shocked.

The senior’s sudden graduation was far too unexpected.

While the members of Atlas undoubtedly knew that someone could graduate among them, they never imagined it would happen so abruptly… let alone that it would be me.

Not as seniors or peers. But emotions felt only as juniors.

The scenario where the senior standing before them suddenly graduated was an incredibly huge shock for the juniors.

Hearing that made it understandable.

If, while I was active, Natsune suddenly announced her graduation, it would have undoubtedly been an incomprehensibly massive shock for me.

It meant that the person I admired had vanished in an instant.

Of course, no matter how one looks at it, the feelings the members of Atlas had for me couldn’t compare to that level, but it was certain they were deeply shocked.

Even Suzumichi reportedly lacked energy on broadcasts for quite some time.

When we all gathered for my re-debut celebration, those who cried the most, relieved I had returned, were indeed them.

Seeing that made me feel incredibly guilty, so I promised to grant them a wish if they had one… and the result led to this situation now.

“From now on, you shouldn’t do it suddenly…?”

“Yes…”

Tsurusaki buried her face into my shoulder and cried.

My shoulder was damp from her tears, but I didn’t feel even a bit uncomfortable.

On the contrary, I felt sorry again for making everyone go through this kind of hardship.

Especially since Tsurusaki was my supporter Izutomo.

She likely felt as shocked as Natsune, Suzuha, and Senpai Kurokami… or maybe even more.

She must have simultaneously experienced the shock of feeling as a colleague and as a fan.

…Looking at it this way, it kind of makes me feel like I’ve become their older sister.

Despite the fact that I’m the youngest.

Anyway, what the members of Atlas requested from me was simple.

Just as Tsurusaki mentioned, if there’s anything difficult in the future, I should definitely consult them.

It was truly simple, but hence, it came with a weight heavier than anything else for me.

But there was no way for me to refuse. There was no reason to refuse in the first place.

So that day, I nodded obediently.

“If you have any difficulties, please let us know at any time…”

“Got it.”

Somehow, it turned out like this.

This was not just something Tsurusaki was doing.

Since that day, the frequency of me making appointments with members of Atlas inexplicably increased, and each time they clung to me like this.

And they always shed tears while begging, making it impossible for me to push them away.

And it meant they liked me that much, so I felt grateful…

“Is it a promise…?”

“Yes, heh heh…”

At my answer, Tsurusaki tightened her grip on me.

I felt frustrated about it, but… I nevertheless found this warmth to be cozy and genuinely pleasant.

★

The third generation of Star’s Flow, Atlas.

They were a generation with distinctions from the first and second generations.

Even though the first and second generations were peers, their concepts were messy.

However, the third generation, Atlas, was formed to promote the concept of Hakoochi.

But beyond that, Atlas had another distinguishing factor.

All of them had previous lives, plus professional experience as regular citizens.

When recruiting the first and second generations, the most important thing for Star’s Flow was how people perceived them.

No matter how much you wanted to show something, it was pointless if people weren’t paying attention.

Thus, when selecting the first and second generations, the first priority was to see if they had talents that could attract people’s attention.

But by the time they were recruiting the third generation, Star’s Flow had reached a relatively stable point.

So, there was no need to stubbornly insist on talents that could grab the crowd’s attention.

Rather, what mattered most at that time was stability, and because of that, they evaluated various aspects when selecting Atlas.

Those who were chosen became the third generation, Atlas.

With a past life as a VTuber and experiences living as employees.

Even if they were virtual idols, the members of Star’s Flow were undeniably employees.

The five members of Atlas were people who had no shortcomings in living as employees.

…Of course, things were a bit different when it came to personal life.

In conclusion, it meant that every member of Atlas had experience and self-awareness as employees.

“Ugh… I’m really glad…”

And that’s why the members of Atlas were the ones who received the biggest shock when Izumi declared her graduation.

Of course, initially, they didn’t think they would be this shocked.

No matter how much they tell the fans they’re precious to each other, there was always a thought in their hearts that, after all, they were coworkers.

But after Izumi’s graduation live ended, they realized it.

How beautiful it is for someone running powerfully towards their dreams.

Seeing Izumi admire Natsune, they too came to admire Natsune… and Izumi as well.

But now, Izumi was gone.

Shy yet quietly brimming with confidence, fragile yet resolute, loved by her peers, seniors, fans, and juniors— she graduated.

They could keep in touch but couldn’t take the stage together.

Just realizing that fact made the hearts of Atlas members feel greatly empty.

Even Suzuya was affected to the degree that it disrupted her broadcasts.

…And then, three years passed, and Izumi returned to Star’s Flow.

When the members of Atlas, Izumi’s first juniors, heard that story for the first time, they shed tears at that fact.

They were genuinely grateful that they could broadcast and take the stage with her again.

And that thought… created the current situation among the Atlas members.

“How was today, Tsukasa?”

“It felt like I hugged her stronger than usual, but thankfully she didn’t say anything.”

“That’s a relief… Though I feel a little sorry using Izumi’s apology against us…”

“Still, I hope Izumi-chan won’t leave us again…”

They all gathered at Sakuya’s house, which could be seen as the hideout of the Atlas members.

The reason was simple.

They wanted to hear the story from Tsukasa, who met Izumi today.

“I’ve been feeling lately… Izumi-senpai is getting cuter and cuter, don’t you think?”

Everyone nodded quietly at Sakuya’s sudden statement.

“In the past, because she was shy, there was a slight distance, but these days, she tries to accommodate any requests we make… It feels like we’re dealing with a puppy.”

“Well, she still flinches and awkwardly reacts when we get touchy.”

“I actually like that part~.”

Even though it was for role-playing, the Atlas that once set a goal to conquer the earth no longer existed.

What remained was simply the fan club of Izumi.

“…It feels like my goal has been achieved.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“…I don’t know.”

[Alright. It’s decided! My goal is a coup starting today!]

[And through this coup, I’ll dedicate Atlas to Izumi-senpai!]

[Eh? But Atlantis is a city of water, right? Then it makes sense for the water avatar, Izumi-senpai, to take control, doesn’t it?]

In the first meeting of Atlas, Tsukasa had claimed, “Atlantis, the water city, should be ruled by the water avatar, Izumi.”

Somehow, that had come to fruition.

Of course, neither Izumi nor the Atlas members were aware of it.

In any case, Tsukasa’s coup was a success.

“Oh, then how do we decide the time and the person to meet Izumi-senpai next?”

“Hmm… If we keep alternating our appointments regularly, even Izumi would notice if something seems off.”

“I think we should decide with Rock-Paper-Scissors here.”

“Sounds good. By the command of the leader, we’ll decide this round with Rock-Paper-Scissors!”

“…You’re still the leader here?”

“Shut it! Here we go! First is Rock! Scissors! Paper! Go!”

Thus, the member of Atlas who would meet Izumi next was decided once again.

“Victory…!”

It was again Tsukasa.

“I don’t think you can win two times in a row!”

“That’s something you should have said from the start.”

Truthfully, despite Aoba and Sakuya’s protests, Tsukasa did not waver in declaring her victory.

“Fufu, Izumi-senpai…”

“Hehe… J-just a little suffocating, Tsurusaki…”

“Ah, I’m so sorry.”

And of course, Tsukasa spoiled Izumi to her heart’s content.

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