NOVEL NEXT Chapter 351
“Ren.”
“Yeah?”
“…What should I do now?”
After graduation, an overwhelming emptiness washed over me.
Still, thanks to being in a moderately popular idol group, I wasn’t immediately struggling for money.
With this much money, I could probably last at least six months without doing anything.
“Don’t you have any plans?”
“…No. I never thought it would end so suddenly.”
The graduation announcement for Eden didn’t generate as much buzz as I thought… Naturally, it couldn’t.
Our Eden was at best a mid-level idol group with a fixed fan base.
So, while there were talks here and there, it was impossible for it to escalate into a huge uproar.
“I just can’t find the motivation….”
“…I’ve never seen you say something like that, Yuyika.”
“I really worked hard for over two years. Isn’t it okay to feel a bit like this?”
“Well, maybe you’re right.”
Even though nearly a week has passed, that scene still lingers in my mind.
I want to see the penlights on stage again.
I want to hear the cheers from the audience once more.
I want to feel that rush from head to toe again.
But I know I can’t anymore.
Momoko. Lisa. Chloe.
A stage without these three means nothing to me.
Even if I went up there by myself, I definitely wouldn’t see the scene I long to see.
“…Should I take a part-time job?”
Believing that this emptiness will gradually fade with time…
“Still, isn’t it better to take a little break, Yuyika?”
“I’m not sure… …By the way, step back a little! It’s hot!”
“You’re too much~!”
★
“Hah…”
I sigh and gaze at the ceiling.
Today, I’m unemployed again.
Now I need to search for the next job, but what should I do?
…To be honest, after graduating from Eden, the internet broadcasting I did for a bit.
To be precise, I think being a VTuber was the most fun.
Talking to fans who listened to my stories was enjoyable.
Plus, there were quite a few subscribers who became fans of Eden, so income wasn’t an issue.
But given that the market has somewhat collapsed, I felt limited due to working alone, and I quit after about six months.
So, thinking about trying VTubing again now feels a bit off…
As these thoughts race through my mind, I browse various sites on the internet.
[Star’s Flow 2nd Generation Recruitment!]
That ad caught my eye.
“…Huh?”
Star’s Flow?
I feel like I’ve heard that name somewhere recently…
Intrigued, I clicked the ad, and a site unfolded before me.
[Seeking virtual idols to shine on stage together!]
At those words… I suddenly looked at a photo sitting on one side of my desk.
Momoko. Lisa. Chloe. And me too.
A final memory photo from Momoko Production with the four of us.
Of course, we still keep in touch regularly.
“A virtual… idol.”
Muttering that to myself made my heart race.
But it feels like it’s too late now.
I felt like I could hear a voice saying that in my ear.
But feeling that way, I found myself opening the LINE app on my phone.
[Momoko Production!]
[Yuika: Do you all know about VTubers?]
The first to respond to that was Chloe.
[Chloe: I know!]
[Yuika: There’s a company recruiting VTubers, and they say it’s for virtual idols.]
[Lisa: …Yuyika, do you still want to be an idol?]
[Yuika: Not exactly.]
[Yuika: I just mentioned it because I happened to see the ad.]
[Yuika: It’s not like I would think of trying out, right?]
[Yuika: I wanted to be a top idol, but I graduated from Eden.]
[Chloe: Yuyika….]
Chloe and Lisa both jumped to strange conclusions.
As I was thinking about that, my phone rang.
A call.
The caller was… Momoko.
“Hello?”
[Oh, Yuyika. I just saw your LINE message.]
“Can’t you just text me? You idiot.”
[Well, that’s true, but… I wanted to tell you directly.]
“Yeah?”
[You said that company is looking for virtual idols? I hope you give it a shot.]
“…What does that mean?”
[It’s okay to be honest, Yuyika. We all know. You can’t forget the lights on stage like the rest of us.]
“Don’t say strange things, Momoko. Our dreams ended there, didn’t they?”
[Yeah. But there’s no rule saying you can’t start again. Dreaming is always a personal freedom.]
“….”
Talking to Momoko is always like this.
[I want to see you on stage again, Yuyika. I want to support you. But you always say you don’t want to unless it’s with us, right? So let’s use a little trick; since you’ll be a virtual one! As a VTuber, you’ll be idol-ing under another name instead of Komachi Yuyika!]
Even though it isn’t a proper argument, I find myself getting persuaded by her words.
But I don’t feel bad at all.
I can tell she’s genuinely saying this for me.
“…Is it really okay? Alone, without you all, starting again…?”
[It’s fine. Didn’t I say that when we first met? Yuyika is meant to be an idol. So show me. That my eyes weren’t wrong!]
I felt like I might burst out laughing from Momoko’s words.
Remembering that scenery made my heart race like crazy once again.
“…Alright. But if anything goes wrong this time, I will absolutely get back at you.”
[…Anytime!]
After hanging up with Momoko, I started filling out the application form, writing down my name and gradually filling out various details.
Then I paused for a moment at the reason for applying, thought it over, and wrote down my sincere feelings.
[I want to stand on stage again.]
I love talking to fans.
There was a time I disliked my personality for being observant and good at reading the room, but now I enjoy analyzing the other person’s personality and having various conversations.
It’s enjoyable to adapt my talking style to fit the fan’s personality and see them happy.
And more than anything… I loved dancing and singing on stage.
I still can’t forget that memory and sensation.
[I want to be an idol.]
So I want to be an idol again.
Even if it’s in this broken virtual world, it doesn’t matter.
I want to stand on stage… Because, just as Momoko said, I’m still dreaming.
★
[Momoko Production!]
[Yuika: I’ll be heading out.]
[Chloe: Do your best, Yuyika!!!]
[Lisa: I’ll be cheering for you.]
[Momoko: (photo)]
[Momoko: We’re all watching together.]
“Suzuha-chan, is something going on?”
“Huh? Why?”
“You’re smiling as if you’re enjoying yourself…”
While looking at the picture Momoko posted on LINE.
The one where the three of them are here waiting for my stage, Izumi tilted her head and asked.
“…It’s because my old colleagues are cheering for me.”
“Oh, the ones you showed me in a photo back then…?”
“Yeah, friends I worked with as idols.”
They showed me this scene and have been consistently cheering for the current me.
“…They’re incredibly precious people.”
Just as much as the members of Star’s Flow.
“Uuuuu….”
Thinking that, I smiled, and Izumi leaned slightly on my shoulder, letting out a soft sigh.
Then she filled her cheeks with air and half-closed her eyes, giving me a side glance.
…She’s sulking.
Well, it’s clear to tell why, and it’s just adorable.
She’s probably thinking, ‘Are they more precious than the Star’s Flow members?’
Izumi often mentions that our members are the most important to her except for her family.
But there are times she seems to prioritize her high school friends over us, making me wonder if it’s real…?
…Seeing this, it seems Izumi also has a surprisingly strong possessiveness.
So she tends to lead people to misunderstandings.
At least the members of the first generation and Atlas have gotten used to it, and we know Izumi acts without thinking, but the members of the fourth and fifth generation are said to be quite flustered.
I feel sorry for the fourth and fifth generation members…
“Izumi, all the Star’s Flow members are incredibly precious to me too.”
“…Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Hehe….”
When I said that and pet her head, Izumi smiled as if she were happy and rubbed her cheek against my shoulder.
Even though we’ve known each other for a long time, every time this happens, my face heats up and I feel embarrassed. Izumi truly is a charming and enchanting woman.
“Suzuha-chan! Please get ready!”
“…Well, I’ll be heading out slowly.”
“Okay…!”
At M-chan’s words, I stood up and headed towards the stage.
For the fans who are waiting for me, for the Soramates.
Because I’m an idol.
“…I’m, I’m cheering harder than those people!”
“Ugh…! That’s… that kind of talk is prohibited, Izumi!”
“Eh…?”