NOVEL NEXT Chapter 88
Suddenly, I looked up at the sky while on my way to school.
There’s a saying that “A person who can look at the sky three times a day has leisure in life.”
I wasn’t particularly thinking about that, but as I watched the drifting clouds, the thought popped into my head.
The path to school was still chilly, with the cold wind seeping into me.
And as usual, the sky was slightly dark.
Drrr– the sound of the classroom door opening interrupted my thoughts.
As expected, I was the first to step into the classroom today as well.
I plopped down onto my chair, resting my arms on the desk, and I felt a slight shiver from the cold surface against my back.
“Haah…”
I wriggled slightly as the overwhelming sleepiness hit me.
Having streamed until 1 AM the previous night, I ended up dozing off during the subway ride to school without enough sleep.
And that drowsiness was still clearly lingering, resulting in this.
I should probably nap a little.
It didn’t take long for me to settle on that idea.
Anyway, I usually come early and pretend to be sleeping, so really sleeping shouldn’t be a problem.
I’ll just sleep for 30 minutes…
★
The ruckus around me naturally pulled me out of sleep.
Glancing slightly to the side, I saw the clock pointing to 8:10.
Along with that, there was an oddly sweet smell wafting around.
“Umm…”
Rubbing my eyes quietly, I turned to look around, and I was definitely greeted by a more vibrant atmosphere than usual.
And it didn’t take much deduction to figure out why.
Several classmates were holding chocolates in their hands.
That’s right. Today is February 14th—Valentine’s Day.
The reason I ended up streaming until the early morning yesterday was that I was chatting with Izutomos about today’s broadcast content.
Many Izutomos wanted a special ASMR stream for Valentine’s Day, but I gave up for a very simple reason.
My inner alpha male was vehemently against it.
Flirting with others for the sake of broadcast content? Not happening for someone like me.
Of course, I couldn’t explain this to the Izutomos, but fortunately, they graciously accepted it.
So I gave up on ASMR and even had a suggestion to make homemade chocolates.
I turned it down right away.
For starters, prepping the ingredients is such a hassle.
And even if I make it myself, I won’t have anyone to give it to, so I’d just end up eating it alone, which is too pitiful.
Plus, if I were to stream making homemade chocolates, I’d have to turn on my camcorder in real life, right?
That’s like ignoring the rules that the VTuber inside me holds dear, so no thanks.
Anyway, the conclusion was that I’d do what I usually want to do during my stream.
I’d just buy chocolates myself and watch other people’s ASMR streams…
Regardless, the classroom was already bustling with scenes surrounding Valentine’s Day.
Boys were peeking around, unable to hide their excitement.
There were even classmates with blushes on their faces, perhaps already having an “opponent” to confess to.
And there was Tateyama, already stacked high with chocolates, looking impressive.
Me?
Of course, I had neither a partner to give to nor a partner to receive from.
After all, smart and wise me doesn’t fall for such commercial traps.
I definitely don’t not have friends to give me even obligatory chocolates…!
Anyway, I left the Valentine’s Day scenes, which had nothing to do with me, behind and began preparing for the first period by checking the timetable.
★
“Kayanoh…”
“Uh…?”
Where am I? Who am I?
…No. I’ve learned too many times that such escapism is not good.
Face reality, Kayanoh Mina.
It’s currently lunchtime. And I’m in the back of the schoolyard.
And speaking of the back of the schoolyard, isn’t that the typical place in a slice-of-life youth anime where the protagonist gets confessed to?
Similar spots include under a very old cherry blossom tree, or something.
Of course, I’ve never seen such a cherry blossom tree.
Anyway, I’m currently at the back of the schoolyard, and the person in front of me is the class representative, Miyauchi.
Yes. She’s the class representative, and she’s female, Miyauchi.
“Kayanoh, um….”
Miyauchi had her hands behind her back, looking at me with something hidden.
This feels like a confession atmosphere…
“I brought homemade cookies.”
She’s presenting homemade cookies!!!
Cookies or chocolates made from scratch signify ‘sincerity’ on Valentine’s Day, don’t they?
I can’t believe Miyauchi looks at me with those feelings.
I never expected it at all.
But I’m sorry, Miyauchi.
Of course, if I were to have a lover, I’d naturally prefer a girl, but that doesn’t mean I want one immediately….
So I can’t accept this feeling.
“Let’s make sure to continue having a great year together.”
…Huh?
To sum it up, it was a grand misunderstanding.
Miyauchi’s homemade cookies were actually ‘friendship’ gifts given to everyone except me, and she was just giving this to me separately since she couldn’t give it to me in the morning while I was asleep.
Looking back, it was I who came out to the back of the schoolyard after lunch to get some fresh air, not her calling me out.
Speaking of cookies of friendship, I obviously hadn’t prepared anything at all.
When I revealed this fact, fortunately, Miyauchi smiled and said it was fine.
“As I mentioned earlier, it’s just to say let’s continue having a great year.”
But I, the alpha male, Kayanoh Mina, never forgets a favor.
Now that this has happened, I’ll repay her on White Day.
White Day is literally a day for the alpha male to repay favors received.
★
[“Baking Simulator” Anyone Wanting Chocolate? #KainohIzumi#StarsFlow#ValentinesDay]
“So, I received two friendship chocolates.”
One was naturally the homemade cookie I got from Miyauchi during lunchtime.
And the other was a chocolate I suddenly received from Tateyama before heading home.
When I realized it was quite expensive chocolate, I was shocked.
– As expected, Mei-chan, the ultimate in-crowd and atmosphere maker!
– Mei-chan gave it to someone too?
“Of course not… Until now, I’ve had no Valentine’s Day…”
– As expected, Mei-chan, the ultimate loser in communication!
“…Anyway, originally, as I mentioned yesterday, I didn’t have any special plans for Valentine’s Day…”
But since I received gifts from Miyauchi and Tateyama today, I decided to share some goodwill with my Izutomos.
Of course, it won’t be ASMR or homemade chocolates, but rather a game called Baking Simulator, where we can challenge baking and confectionery.
If I make chocolates in this game? It’ll feel like I’m celebrating Valentine’s Day for them, right?
I bet my Izutomos who wanted chocolates will be satisfied.
Of course, it’s chocolate that can’t be eaten in reality, but that’s what makes it even better in the virtual world.
“I’ll especially take care of you all for this holiday.”
– No need, really.
– Not particularly interested.
“Why not?!”
You guys were asking me for ASMR or homemade chocolates just yesterday!
I’m trying to do something for you guys, and that’s your reaction?
– But Mei-chan has a ridiculously low level of girly qualities.
– If you put in something, I’m sure it’ll go wrong, lol.
…These guys are truly underestimating me, aren’t they?
Of course, while my inner self is definitely an alpha male, my 16 years as a girl can’t just vanish.
What’s more, considering my mom is rarely home, there’s no way I can’t do something related to cooking.
Who do they think is the one who cooks for themselves every day at home?
So should I show them my sincerity?
“…This is a freaking disaster.”
How many times have I tried this now?
I gave up counting after about the sixth attempt.
– No matter how I look at it, there’s no problem with the game.
“Argh….”
I never thought making chocolates would be this difficult.
Of course, I could easily make them by following a recipe, but due to the Izutomos in the chat mockingly, I ended up attempting it without the recipe.
– This guy’s girly points are unbelievably low, lol.
– We were such fools to expect anything.
Let’s not get swayed by such comments.
Those guys will always try to find fault with me, even if I make something properly.
“Haah…”
Taking a deep breath, I started manipulating the keys again.
I’ve got a handle on this.
Now, all that’s left is to create the perfect chocolate that no one can dispute.
★
[Virtual VTuber Minor Gallery]
[Title: Today’s Mei-chan Valentine’s Day Chocolate Final Result]
[Posted by: ㅇㅇ]
From the Baking Simulator results, total score: 23.
Just to let you know, the highest score is 100.
The detailed evaluation shows a complete failure overall, with a preceding 13 failures.
Finally, the score measured at the end showed up as a mere 23.
[Recommended: 31 / Not Recommended: 2]
ㅇㅇ: I’ve tried this too; the judging is ridiculously lenient,
└ㅇㅇ: Is 23 even a possible score?
구십십일: Did anyone expect anything from this guy?
└ㅇㅇ: Seriously, how dumb to expect girl points from Mei-chan, lol.
Mei-chan love: Don’t slander our Mei-chan, you bastards.
…
구라치지마라: Would you really be happy to receive such chocolate on Valentine’s Day?
Maker: Does flavor even matter in the chocolate?
└Maker: If it’s from a girl like Mei-chan, isn’t that enough?
└ㅇㅇ: If that’s the case, then it’s not important, you psycho?!
구루구루메구루: Still, we should gratefully eat chocolate from an actual high school girl.
└ㅇㅇ: Seriously, what do these basement dwellers know? Lol.
[Title: ???: You guys are just otaku who won’t get any chocolate on Valentine’s Day anyway.]
[Posted by: Maker]
You should be grateful to get anything from me like this.
(Said after seeing the chocolate that was rated 23 points)
https://ontu.be/XXXXXXX
[Recommended: 41 / Not Recommended: 1]
ㅇㅇ: What the hell?
ㅇㅇ: How is this even real?
오야붕
: I want to give her a piece of my mind.
우타와꾸: After this statement, I decided to become an Izutomo.
ㅇㅇ: That hit me deep, you bastard.
…
ㅇㅇ: Do the Izutomos always hear things like this while watching the stream?
└Maker: Doesn’t this suck?
└ㅇㅇ: Seems like it, lol.
두덕리온라인
: This is a serious Yeo-sang moment.
Mei-chan love: I’ll treasure this forever.