NOVEL NEXT Chapter 75
[【150,000 Durability Broadcast】I Want to Spend Time Reading My Carrot! #IzumiKainoh #Star’sFlow]
“I want to stand on stage and try live broadcasting…”
At first, I might have started with a light heart.
No, I definitely started off without much thought or worry, just a carefree mind.
Because I knew that Star’s Flow was my mom’s subsidiary.
I started at my mom’s suggestion.
Since I’m still a high school student.
They let me through knowing who I am in the company.
Since it was my first time doing internet broadcasting.
I was making excuses for my inexperience with all sorts of reasons, turning my eyes elsewhere.
But there are people who support me even with my inexperience.
[I think Izumi’s broadcast is super fun.]
[Lately, I’ve been comforting myself with Mei’s broadcasts every time I’m tired lol.]
[Being the queen of Yeo-sang, I think the most important thing is being able to enjoy it.]
I don’t want to turn my back on that support.
“It might be, um, difficult and tough at first, but… I still want to try.”
And more than anything,
“Now, broadcasting has become truly enjoyable. Hehe…”
Some might scoff at it, saying they’re just opponents I met on the internet, people whose faces I don’t know, but they are truly precious connections to me.
Just being able to communicate with them makes me really happy.
– So, does that mean if you’re saying it’s enjoyable now, it wasn’t at all enjoyable until now?
– Are you saying you’ve just been broadcasting out of obligation until now? (¬_¬ )
– What kind of broadcast can maintain an emotional atmosphere for long?
…Though even so, having too many abuse players is a bit much.
★
[Hi Izumi!]
[When are you planning to do a drawing broadcast?]
[I hope you collaborate on a drawing broadcast with Toka Mama!]
“Uh, well. It’s not that I haven’t thought about it… but I still think I need a bit more time.”
– Are you still rebellious?
“Th-that’s not it! I’ve never been rebellious….”
If I set my mind to it, I could start a drawing broadcast right away.
But I’m just postponing it because there are still some hesitations.
It’s not that it’s a particularly problematic reason, and rather, people might actually like it.
However, since the attention itself felt uncomfortable, I decided to postpone it for now.
When I actually asked my Aunt Shia, she said that would probably be the better choice.
“Anyway, if I do it, it’ll probably be around March…?”
– Looks like we have to wait longer than expected ⊂(・﹏・⊂)
“I won’t be doing nothing, so just, please wait a little longer.”
While we were chatting about this and that, the subscriber count indicator was pointing to 146,829.
When I started broadcasting, it was just over 140,000, and now it’s the middle of 140,000s.
And the broadcast has somehow reached its second hour.
No matter how much I try to talk about My Carrot, the reality that I’ve been chatting alone for 2 hours is gnawing at my mind.
Simply put, that means I still need to go for at least another 2 hours.
What am I doing without having dinner…?
“By the way, did everyone eat dinner?”
– I’m eating.
– I plan to eat shortly.
– Mei, haven’t you eaten yet?
“I need to eat too, but…”
If I were alone right now, I would’ve just grabbed some cereal and munched on it while broadcasting.
But right now, since it’s the end of the year and my mom’s home, I wanted to eat together with her.
However, the goal of this durability broadcast is to hit 150,000 subscribers.
For this reason, leaving my spot halfway seems a bit off.
…But if I ask Izutomo for understanding beforehand, wouldn’t it be alright?
Saying I’ll eat with my mom and ask if they could wait.
I think they’d understand since it’s a valid reason.
I’m human too; I need to eat to live.
“U-Um. Can I take a break to have dinner?”
– Can’t you just eat while broadcasting?
“Um. Since it’s the end of the year, and my mom’s home… I want to eat with her as much as I can.”
– Ah.
– If that’s the case, it can’t be helped.
– Good daughter Mei!
Fortunately, the response wasn’t overwhelmingly negative.
Sure, asking to eat with my family shouldn’t be opposed; otherwise, that would be odd.
Plus, I’ve mentioned several times on broadcast that my older sister is living alone and my mom isn’t home much due to her busy schedule.
“So, I’ll be right back…”
What’ll we have for dinner today, I wondered as I ended the broadcast.
★
Today’s dinner was, astonishingly, cheese hamburg steak.
If I were to pick the best side dish in history, this would definitely rank among the top—it’s simply the GOAT.
In fact, our family doesn’t just simply put cheese on top; we create space in the batter and stuff it full of cheese inside.
Sometimes people who enjoy such hamburg steak get teased for having childish tastes, but that’s something only unsophisticated folks would say.
I wish I could explain just how perfect hamburg steaks are to those people, but unfortunately, I can’t write it all out due to space constraints.
“It’s delicious. Hehe.”
“Mom really made an effort this time.”
While my mom showed confidence with a snort, I gave her a thumbs up.
“…My daughter. You’ve worked hard.”
With that, my mom suddenly ruffled my hair.
“Eh? What’s that about?”
“Wasn’t today the 150,000 subscribers durability broadcast? You were doing that.”
“…Um, yes.”
“Of course, it’s a bit strange to say this since you started because I recommended it, but… I’ve honestly had a lot of regrets.”
“Eh…? Regrets?”
It’s true my mom suggested that I support me, but ultimately, it was my choice.
And I’m satisfied with my current life.
Isn’t there really no part my mom needs to regret?
“When our Mina was facing difficulties with the broadcast, mom was too busy to stay by your side. Thinking about how you had to bear that burden alone made me think I should have never encouraged you from the start… I should have researched the industry more and made a solid foundation before suggesting…”
As she spoke, my mom’s eyes began to moisten.
…The part about facing difficulties during the broadcast must refer to the Yeo-sang incident that happened about three months ago after collaborating with Kurokami Senpai.
“Honestly, as soon as I came home that day, I wanted to tell you to quit. But Mina, after hearing the stories about Koha and bumping into Akasaki that day, I thought let’s just watch a bit longer… then suddenly, you became a VTuber with 150,000 subs…”
That day, when mom came home and immediately suggested going shopping, was she intending to propose quitting being a VTuber?
If that’s the case, that’s a bit shocking…
Well, I did think mom was super mean since I was incredibly stressed at that time.
If she’d asked me to quit before I’d seen Natsune’s live, I would have nodded yes.
But now, I really think I’m glad she didn’t.
“Mina, are you truly enjoying broadcasting right now?”
My mom’s eyes, as always, looked stern yet felt warm.
“Um, Mom. Did you watch my broadcast today?”
“…I’m sorry.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I know you can’t really relax just because you’re home.”
Thinking about it, I should have told her this first.
That it was thanks to her that I could become Izumi Kainoh.
No, even before that, I got to meet my ultimate favorite, Natsune.
“All thanks to you, Mom. I’ve set a goal. Right now, it’s definitely going to be tough and difficult, but this is a goal I want to achieve.”
“A goal…?”
“Yes. I definitely want to try doing a live performance someday.”
Mom was right; there were definitely tough times.
There were certainly moments I wanted to give everything up and run away.
“Koha might be scary but is kind, and Akabane is mischievous yet friendly. Aki and Utsumi… I still haven’t chatted much with them, but I want to get closer in the future. My senpais care for me, and the Izutomo often tease me… But kids naturally tease those they like, right? Well, Natsune always shines!”
However, upon realizing that many people were on my side, that pain became the seed of my growth.
“So I want to do a live performance in front of those people. I want to sing happily. That’s my goal right now.”
“I see…”
“Mom, I truly enjoy broadcasting right now. So you don’t have to worry!”
Tears flowed from Mom’s eyes as they quietly kept soaking her cheeks.
And looking at my mom’s kind eyes,
“Hehe!”
I could smile brightly.
★
I collapsed onto my bed and stared at the ceiling.
“I didn’t expect Mom to think that way…”
Thinking back, it was an obvious matter, but I always assumed she would support my VTuber activities.
I couldn’t even imagine she could think that way.
“Ha.”
Still, it feels refreshing somehow.
Just being able to convey my sincerity to Mom gives me a sense of courage.
“From now on, I need to try even harder…”
Starting from fixing my stuttering habit, taking part in lessons supported by the company.
There was a lot to do.
So what I need to do right now is…
“I should sleep…”
Since it was after having a long talk with Mom for the first time in a while, I felt tired.
Recharging my energy is also an important task.
“Hmm…”
…Oh.
But I feel like I forgot something.
Well, it should be fine.
★
[It’s past midnight.]
[Is this how my durability fails?]
[I hope there aren’t any issues, right?]
[I hit 150,000, Mei lol.]
[The future of VTubers is bright…]
[Did she fall asleep?]
[At least she should give a notice.]
[Even hitting 150,000 doesn’t change this part, huh.]
[The VTuber who hasn’t lost their original intention in several ways.]
[Is this what a 150,000 subscribers VTuber is like?]
[Izumi Kainoh☆Star’s Flow @KainoIzumi · 2m]
Sorry everyone. I fell asleep after having dinner and talking to mom…