Basement-Dwelling Loser VTuber

[I’m really sorry about yesterday, Izumi.]

Suddenly, after waking up, I was watching a clip of Natsune when Aki-chan called me.

And upon answering, Aki-chan suddenly apologized.

“…What? Wh-What do you mean?”

[About yesterday, during the Bloody Night… I thought you might feel bad….]

“Ah….”

Now that I think about it, that did happen.

…Actually, since then, I’ve had three consecutive wins, and considering my victory in the first match, I was doing well enough that one loss didn’t really matter.

To be honest, I wasn’t particularly upset either.

If anything, I played way better than that Izutomo in the first match.

In terms of gameplay, not mentally.

And when you think about it, Aki-chan’s playing style was an issue only because she was using Mikael. If it had been any other character, it would have been a proper response.

The mere fact that both teams faced off was the worst, and under normal circumstances, you’d balance control between the two sides and create a triangular standoff.

It was just a disaster because Mikael had no way to deal with the opponent by himself.

…Well, if you asked me whether I had zero complaints, that would be a lie, but it doesn’t mean I needed to be apologized to.

“I-I’m fine, Aki-chan… It’s just a game anyway….”

Of course, even though I have the mental age of a 40-something Korean man, I didn’t want to create distance between myself and Aki-chan, who was just there for the game.

[But I still have to apologize…. M-chan and Suzuha said it was too much yesterday and were angry…. Aah, it’s not that they made me apologize, I genuinely feel bad. I’m sorry….]

“Umm….”

For sure, after the broadcast ended yesterday, I surfed online as usual, and I noticed quite a few comments saying Aki-chan was way too rough this time.

Some even absurdly suggested that Aki-chan disliked me and was bullying me.

But since I didn’t care about it myself, I thought it would just die down on its own, and receiving an apology is leaving me with nothing to say.

[So as a gesture of my apology, I’ll grant you one wish, whatever you want.]

“…Huh?”

And at that moment, my mind froze.

“Y-Y-You’ll grant me one wish, anything?”

[Yeah. I’ll do my best to make it happen.]

Wait a second, Aki-chan. That’s a seriously dangerous statement, you know?

You can’t say things like that in this situation. No, you shouldn’t say those things at any cost.

Does she not know that my mental age is that of a middle-aged man in his 40s? Well, of course, she wouldn’t know!

Anyway, to say she would grant me any wish at all.

Of course, it would only be natural to refuse since it’s unnecessary.

But when I think about it, I’m the victim, right?

And Aki-chan offered it to genuinely apologize, so wouldn’t accepting it yield a good result for both our relationship?

Then I should think of something I truly want and say it…

[And if I say this, Suzuha mentioned that you might think weird things.]

“Wha—!”

Could it be that Koga knows I’m technically reincarnated and living my second life, that I have the mental age of a middle-aged man?

I couldn’t help but feel a little worried about that.

[So, what do you want me to do for you, Izumi?]

“U-Um, um… Can I think about it later?”

It’s not like I’m scared of Koga or anything.

It’s just that nothing’s coming to my mind right now… right?

[Sure. I’m fine with that.]

“Hehe… Then, um….”

As I was about to say that I would be leaving, Aki-chan opened her mouth again.

[And Izumi. Can we meet up tomorrow?]

“…Huh?”

★

What Aki-chan meant, simply put, was this.

She wanted to dispel the rumors about our deteriorating relationship, that I was being bullied.

It was fine to leave things as is, but isn’t it better to extinguish the flames before the rumors escalate? That’s what her manager suggested.

[…And it’s because I haven’t had any one-on-one time with you.]

Koga already had an offline collaboration with me, and there was the unit called Pure White Ocean.

Yukari had played the same game and came to the high school cultural festival together.

Ayaka went on a date and even had an offline collaboration the same evening.

Among the second generation, Aki was the only one who hadn’t hung out with me separately, and it seems she was subtly unhappy about it.

I had thought she wouldn’t care about such things, but this was quite surprising.

“So, shall we do an offline collaboration…?”

Of course, offline collaborations were immensely risky, but I figured I could handle it in my current state.

Considering Aki-chan was worried about this, I could manage comfortably.

[…Huh? If Izumi wants to do an offline collaboration, I don’t mind at all.]

“…R-Really? But you first said you wanted to dispel the rumors….”

[The rumors can be handled later once we’re done having fun. Honestly, I was okay just leaving things be… So I just thought that I wanted to chat with you, just the two of us….]

Hearing that answer, I realized something.

Aki-chan was naturally charming without even being aware of it.

The words she casually tossed around with pure intentions made her surround herself with allure without knowing, creating a harem around her.

I had thought such a thing couldn’t happen outside of manga or novels.

Once again, reality exceeded my imagination.

Thanks to my training with subculture, I could pick up on this and prepare.

Other people would have never noticed this.

No, the members of Star’s Flow might have already become Aki-chan’s captives….

“W-Well, let’s think about that for now.”

[Great. Where shall we meet tomorrow?]

“Um, well….”

Let’s think. Where would be a good place to meet Aki-chan?

I typically felt more comfortable being at home rather than going out.

And it seemed Aki-chan felt the same way.

So it wouldn’t be necessary to go out wandering around like during my date with Ayaka.

Actually, wouldn’t it be best if one of us visited the other’s home?

“A-Aki-chan, how about….”

As I was about to propose that, Aki-chan made her suggestion first.

[Izumi, want to come over to my house?]

Aki-chan threw out that proposal.

★

[Kainoh Izumi☆Star’s Flow @KainoIzumi · 13 mins ago]

Tomorrow, I suddenly have an offline collaboration with Aki-chan!

https://ontu.be/XXXXXXX

#Star’sFlowSecondGeneration #KainoIzumi #AkiNekoto

[Aki Nekoto☆Star’s Flow @AkiNekoto · 3 mins ago]

Tomorrow’s me and Izumi’s offline collaboration.

What we’ll do is a secret.

https://ontu.be/XXXXXXX

#Star’sFlowSecondGeneration #AkiNekoto #KainoIzumi

★

…Recently.

Actually, since I joined Star’s Flow and started my activities as a VTuber, haven’t I been going out more?

While heading toward Aki-chan’s house, that thought crossed my mind suddenly.

Just during summer vacation, the times I went out could be counted on one hand.

Aside from going to Akihabara to reserve Natsune’s goods, all I did was go to a convenience store to buy cola; I hadn’t gone out much at all.

Of course, while Koga had visited my house for an offline collaboration, I hadn’t gone outside myself.

But somehow, I’ve been getting more invitations to go out lately.

Like with Hatsumode, having an offline collaboration with Ayaka, and now this promise with Aki-chan….

To think I’d have such plans at least once a month.

I began to feel like I might actually be a decent socializer now.

“Fehe….”

That being said, I didn’t expect Aki-chan to suddenly set up a plan like this.

I couldn’t help but smile at the fact that she thought so highly of me.

Though the awkwardness with Aki-chan hadn’t completely vanished, I still wanted us to get closer as fellow members.

So what exactly would we do at Aki-chan’s house today?

Since we would meet at her home, I concluded that we would also do some offline collaboration broadcasting.

Aki-chan said she would prepare the content, so all I had to do was go over and enjoy myself.

…Are we just going to sit and read My Carrot or something?

As those thoughts were running through my mind, I finally arrived in front of Aki-chan’s house.

Aki-chan lived in a single-family home, just like me.

And it was quite a spacious house as well.

Now that I think about it, Aki-chan mentioned she lived with her family.

So would I be meeting Aki-chan’s family today?

Once that thought crossed my mind, a wave of tension passed over me.

W-Would it be alright to turn back if my stomach starts churning…?

★

Well, obviously, that was impossible.

“Hmm? Are you feeling pressured about meeting my family? They’re all nice….”

I wanted to say that’s not the issue, but once I saw Aki-chan’s innocent eyes, I gave up on that objection.

“And today, everyone will probably be home late, so it’ll be fine.”

“Th-That’s a relief… But um, what are we doing today?”

“…Hehehe. I’ve prepared something fun….”

…W-What exactly has she prepared?

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