NOVEL NEXT Chapter 81
[Kurokami Hikari: Izumi.]
[Kurokami Hikari: Would you like to go to the shrine together in the next two days?]
[Kainoh Izumi: …Huh?]
[Kurokami Hikari: I thought it might be a bit overwhelming to jump straight into an off-collaboration, so let’s at least meet once first.]
I’m not really the type to go for hatsumode (the first shrine visit of the New Year).
I used to go with my family back in the day, but now, I really feel like “why bother?”
Since Mom kinda replaced it with visiting Dad’s grave after he passed and with my sister living alone, I just don’t see the point of going to hatsumode anymore.
But to think I’d get an invitation from Kurokami-senpai…
“…What should I do?”
If I think about it simply, my instinct says to decline.
After all, it’s obvious that a hatsumode is packed with people.
I really don’t want to waste my energy in the crowd.
But then when I think about it deeper, I feel a bit stuck.
First off, I promised to change.
Turning down my senpai’s offer just because there’ll be a lot of people is kinda weird.
Plus, this could actually be an opportunity.
If I’m gonna keep working with Star’s Flow, I’ll have to build rapport with everyone eventually.
So having Kurokami-senpai be the starting point might actually be a good thing.
“…Alright.”
I’ve made my decision.
Looking back again, it’s just absurd to refuse my senpai’s proposal over the number of people at the shrine.
So…
[Kainoh Izumi: Senpai.]
[Kainoh Izumi: I don’t think I can go since I don’t have anything to wear…]
[Kurokami Hikari: Don’t worry about that.]
[Kurokami Hikari: I can lend you something.]
[Kainoh Izumi: …Okay.]
[Kurokami Hikari: Then I’ll send you the address, so please come by at 1 PM on the 3rd.]
★
“I’ll be going now…”
“Take care.”
As I stepped out, a chilly breeze welcomed me.
Going to a shrine packed with people in this weather is definitely not my kind of thing.
If it were up to me, I’d pretend to feel sick and say I need to stay home…
But lying to my senpai felt wrong, so off I went to the shrine in this weather.
[Kurokami Hikari: Suzuha and Ayaka are coming along.]
And to top it off, even Suzuha and Ayaka are joining too.
Star’s Flow is full of oddballs…
Right before me was a massive gate, flanked by an endless line of fences that seemed to stretch on as far as my eyes could see.
“Is this really the right place…?”
Not to brag, but since my mom is an executive at a well-known company, my family is pretty well off.
But this place… wow, it’s on a completely different level.
Worrying whether I came to the wrong place was pointless.
[Kurokami Hikari: If you come, there’ll be a nameplate that says Shirazaki House.]
[Shirazaki House]
The address and nameplate sent by my senpai confirmed it was indeed the right place.
[Young Lady. Not done yet…]
[Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!]
I remember hearing something like that right before senpai muted her mic the last time during Dotsumachi.
And that sparked a commotion in several communities.
Some claimed it was her family being considerate while she was live, while others argued she might actually be a rich young lady in reality.
Normally, one would trace back to their previous life to find the truth, but that was pointless for Kurokami-senpai.
Like me, she’s a rare case in the current VTuber world where the notion of a previous life doesn’t apply.
Of course, unlike me, she had never put out a Yeo-sang kind of move at all…
Well, it seems the latter theory won.
“Phew…”
Before I knew it, the clock struck 12:55.
Since our appointment was at 1, I figured it was about time.
Letting out a soft sigh, I approached the doorbell attached to the huge gate.
Ding-dong!
Something about the sound of this fancy house’s doorbell felt much better to my ears.
After waiting for about 10 seconds with those thoughts in mind…
[Yes, this is Shirazaki.]
A soft female voice came from inside.
“Um, I’m, uh, Kayanoh. I have a promise to visit today…”
[Ah, you must be the young lady’s friend? I’ll open the door now, please wait.]
“Okay…”
After listening to that, I waited for about 10 more seconds, and then the big gate opened to reveal a burly man in a black suit and sunglasses.
“You’re the young lady’s friend, right?”
“Um, uh… yeah…”
His deep, rugged voice made me flinch without even realizing it.
Where did the dignity of a middle-aged man in his 40s go?
But then again, he had a long scar on his eye and looked intimidating too…
Even a middle-aged man can be scary, it’s totally valid!
“Ah, sorry. I know my looks can be a bit rough…”
“No, um, that’s… it’s fine. My bad…”
“Haha, I’m used to it, so it’s all good. Usually, I’d have the youngest guide you, but everyone else on the security team is on leave, so please bear with me.”
Even though it’s a situation where one could easily feel offended, he chuckled it off.
…Oh.
What a genuinely nice guy!
Guess I shouldn’t judge people by their looks.
I should apologize properly later…
“The young lady is waiting inside for you.”
“Okay…”
The inside of senpai’s house was much more spacious than I expected from the outside.
The beautiful garden with a small pond was stunning and matched perfectly with the elegant wooden house.
It felt like I was standing in front of a residence fit for an anime young lady character.
“Wow…”
Following the man’s lead while walking on the floorboards, I couldn’t help but let out exclamations of awe.
It’s amazing how a house this size can be kept so tidy…
Everything around me was just so fascinating.
“Young lady. Your friend has arrived.”
“Thank you, Yuto.”
“Just doing my job.”
As I was distracted by this far-off world, I soon found myself in front of the room where Kurokami-senpai was.
“You can go in now.”
“Ah, um, thank you. And I’m sorry for earlier…”
“Haha, it’s really fine. I’ll take my leave now.”
…So cool.
I wanna become a man like that someday.
With those thoughts pushed aside, I lightly knocked on the closed door.
“Um, senpai. Is it okay if I come in…?”
“Yes. Please come in.”
“Phew…”
After taking one last deep breath, I slowly opened the sliding door.
“Welcome… or rather, it might be more accurate to say, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
Kurokami-senpai looked ethereal.
“I’m Shirazaki Shiro, the eldest daughter of the Shirazaki family. I look forward to working with you.”
“Um, I’m Kayanoh Mina. I hope we can get along…”
Not just in a typical VTuber ethereal manner, but in the true essence of the word, she was truly otherworldly.
Her long, straight black hair with a hint of blue and her reddish-brown eyes exuded a mysterious aura.
Her soft gaze naturally eased my nerves, and her slightly upturned lips seemed to convey her kindness.
And there she sat on a cushion, dressed in a mix of black and pink kimono, naturally posing with her hands over her knees.
She looked both noble and stunningly elegant.
Yes. It felt just like encountering the perfect Yamato Nadeshiko.
“I’m truly glad to meet you, Kayanoh-san.”
“Ah, um, yes… By the way, what about Suzuha and Ayaka…?”
“They are scheduled to meet at the shrine at 2:30.”
“Oh, I see…”
Wait a second.
So that means right now, it’s just me and Kurokami-senpai in this room.
Being alone with someone I just met is a bit frightening for me.
“Um, then what are we supposed to do now…?”
“Hmm. Well then, Kayanoh-san. First…”
Swallowing my fear to ask her, she flashed a smile as she replied.
“Could you take off your clothes?”
…Huh?
★
“Haha. It feels like I’ve gained a little sister.”
What senpai meant by asking me to strip was nothing inappropriate; she wanted me to change into a kimono.
Of course, when I was down to my underwear and senpai gasped ‘Whoa…’ I felt utterly embarrassed.
“Ah, make sure the right side of your collar goes inside, Kayanoh-san.”
“Th-thank you…”
With her help, I ended up in a crimson-colored kimono.
As I dressed, I couldn’t help but think about how it resembled the kimono worn by Kainoh Izumi during yesterday’s stream, which felt strangely nostalgic.
“I’ll help you tie the obi since it might be hard to do it by yourself.”
As she said that, she moved behind me and began arranging the obi as if she was quite practiced at it.
In an instant, a butterfly knot was completed, and I couldn’t help but admire her skill.
“Wow, that was incredibly fast…”
“I’ve just been doing it for ages. By the way, do you feel constricted or uncomfortable at all?”
“Hmm…”
After hearing her question, I gently moved side to side and realized that there wasn’t anything uncomfortable about it.
“It feels fine, I think.”
“Fortunately! This is actually an outfit I wore when I was in the first year of middle school, so I was a bit worried.”
…I’m in high school right now.
Hearing that makes me feel just how small I must still be.
…But hey, at least I’m taller than Suzuha!
★
Achoo!
“Hmm? Yuyika? Are you catching a cold?”
“…Not really. Hmm.”