“Umm. How about stopping by a karaoke place before going home?”
“Ah, yes…!”
At that suggestion, I nodded without hesitation.
To hear Natsune’s singing right in front of me. As the eighth star, this is an opportunity I can’t miss. No, I absolutely cannot miss this chance.
Is it alright for someone like me to indulge in such luxury?
While being led by Natsune and thinking about that, we quickly arrived at the karaoke place.
After that, we grabbed our drinks—cola and cider—and entered the assigned room.
“Shall we get something simple to eat?”
“I’m, I’m fine.”
Anyway, I’ll be having cake and chicken for dinner, so ordering something here would definitely fill me up.
Living as a girl is great, but it’s a pity that my food intake has decreased so much.
In my previous life, that guy often claimed, “Girls have a separate stomach for meals and snacks,” but that was all a lie.
“Alright, what song should we start with? Any songs you want to hear?”
“I’m fine with anything! …If possible, could we do ‘Milky Way’…?”
“Of course, that’s fine!”
Natsune’s first album, the title track “Milky Way” from ‘The Great Triangle of Summer,’ is my absolute favorite among her songs.
The lyrics, promising to become a shining star among the sparkling ones, truly showcase her admirable strength.
“Okay, then let’s sing ‘Milky Way’ requested by Kayanoh!”
With Natsune’s announcement, the instrumental began to play.
“In a night sky full of falling stars, you were standing there.”
And what unfolded before me was heaven…
“Wow, you sang a lot!”
“Hehe… hehe…”
The hour spent at karaoke was the best experience, with not a single moment wasted.
Well, Natsune did sing alone for about 50 minutes out of that hour.
But we still managed to sing an old man’s opening theme together, so there was no problem at all.
“I’m so excited because it’s my first time visiting Kayanoh’s home among the Star’s Flow members.”
Natsune’s eyes sparkled as she said this, definitely filled with anticipation.
…W-wait, I’m starting to feel nervous about this.
Did I prepare the house properly?
…And I’m certain that Koga and Akabane, along with Aki, mentioned that displaying DMs in a frame isn’t normal.
Did I remember to clean that up…?
What if Natsune looks at it with disdain?
…Hmm. I think it might be okay.
“By the way, now Kayanoh has become a proper senpai, huh?”
“I, I don’t think I qualify…”
To be honest, just managing my own stream is already overwhelming.
Being a reliable senpai to look after my juniors seems completely impossible.
“Hey, you’re already doing really well! You don’t have to worry. After all, there are people who already love Kayanoh, right?”
“Haha…”
Why on earth does Tsurusaki like me so much?
I can’t figure it out no matter how much I think about it, but I’m truly grateful that she likes me.
Though it’s a bit scary…
Anyway, we had that conversation while grabbing cake and chicken before heading home.
The TV was on in the living room.
I remembered Mom saying she would finish work a bit earlier today.
“I-I’m home…”
“Welcome back.”
Thinking of Natsune next to me, I greeted in Japanese as if we were outside, and thankfully, Mom responded in Japanese as well.
Of course, the Star’s Flow members know that I’m half Japanese, but there’s no need to use Korean while we’re all together.
After we took off our shoes and tidied up, Mom came out to the entrance.
And then…
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m the senpai of Kayanoh in Star’s Flow…”
“Oops? Hatsu Yuki?”
…Huh?
★
“Anyway, now that you’re here, make yourself comfortable.”
“Thank you…”
After saying that, Mom entered the room, and Natsune let out a deep sigh before speaking to me.
“I was really surprised, Izumi…”
“…I-I was surprised too.”
Thinking back, it was Mom who recommended Natsune to Star’s Flow.
So, it was natural they would have known each other, but I had completely spaced out on it until now.
Am I such an idiot?
“If your mom is A-chan, does that mean Izumi came into Star’s Flow as a special recruit?”
“Ah, no. I applied normally with…with my paperwork. I probably don’t know anyone…”
Huh? A-chan?
If it’s A-chan, it must be Mom’s…
“U-um, Natsune… are you a fan of my mom?”
“…Huh? Did I just say A-chan?”
Nodding without any thought, Natsune covered her face with both hands and bowed her head.
Her bright red face showed how embarrassed she was.
“I-I’m sorry…!”
“No, I’m fine with it….”
“Because I got into Star’s Flow thanks to ‘Seona’… I got curious about who she was after searching for information and thought she was really amazing…”
There are two of my mom’s fans around me, and one of them is Natsune.
It feels oddly complicated…
But I definitely agree that Mom is an amazing person.
“It’s a little embarrassing to say this in front of her daughter…”
“You really don’t have to say that…”
“Yeah…”
Until we finished all the chicken and cake, Natsune kept her head down because of her embarrassment.
This shy side of Natsune is cute too…
There was still about an hour left before the stream began.
So I planned to enter my room and have a light conversation, but Natsune caught me doing that.
[Natsune Nanase: Are you okay? If you have a hard time, just tell me! I’m your senpai, so I’ll do my best to help you!]
The framed DM I received from Natsune, one of my treasures.
“Wow… this is a bit shocking…”
Then, Natsune awkwardly smiled and said that.
“…I’m sorry.”
I’m such an idiot.
And those who like to be insulted by the one they have feelings for are idiots too.
There was Izutomo, who wanted me to say, “You’re an idiot, a pervert, noisy, I don’t care anymore,” back then.
At that point, I thought maybe being looked down on by Natsune wouldn’t be so bad… but it was an absurd misunderstanding.
What on earth is good about this? What could possibly be okay?
All this does is leave emotional scars.
“I-I’ll just sit quietly in the corner… thanks for today’s stream…”
“Whaaat?! Was that my fault?!”
I went to the corner of the bed, curled up, and leaned against the wall.
The cold breeze seeping through the wall was really fitting my current situation.
If only I could freeze completely right now, that would be great.
“I’m sorry for being alive… I’m really sorry for being a weirdo otaku…”
“Even so, it’s not to that extent, right?!”
My heart crumbled.
Why didn’t I clean that up? Regret flooded in.
Yeah. I should apologize by graduating. The only act of atonement a senpai who made Natsune feel bad could do is that.
I should call the manager right away…
“Ugh, seriously!”
“…Huh?”
As I snapped back to reality feeling my whole body sway, Natsune was smiling awkwardly in front of me.
“Ah, let’s really do our best in today’s stream…”
“Hold on, I already said that earlier! Besides, I came here today because of the off-collab with Izumi! What am I supposed to do if Izumi isn’t here?!”
“You can do it, Natsune, for sure…”
“Ugh, really! Enough with the jokes, let’s get ready. I’m just shocked that you like me this much; I never thought that would be a bad thing.”
“Y-You really mean that…?”
“I do.”
As Natsune said that, she wore a smile that needed no explanation, a heavenly smile.
So that’s how it is. The world isn’t that bad after all…
There’s still hope left in this world…
★
[【Chat】Merry Christmas! We’ll be having a gift exchange too! #NatsuneNanase #KainohIzumi #StarsFlow]
-─(≧▽≦)>ZumiZumi!
-(☆≧▽^))☆☆
-─(≧▽≦)>ZumiZumi!
-(☆≧▽^))☆☆
Even before the stream started, the chatroom was buzzing with activity.
Could it be that everyone is looking forward to today’s collab between me and Natsune?
…Hehe, the eighth stars must be envious of me, right?
Because I get to spend Christmas with Natsune!
“Izumi…. your expression is incredibly sinister.”
“Eh?!”
Koga once said that my thoughts are quite easy to read, and it seems she was right.
No, even so, Koga’s level is abnormal.
“So shall we start soon?”
“Ah, yes…!”
As the clock struck nine, I switched the screen and unmuted the microphone.
“C-Come in…! The mood maker, Kainoh Izumi…!”
“Izumi?!”
-Hi Izumi!
-Did you bite your tongue again?
-I guess it’s expected by now.
-Azumi just interprets normally next to Natsune.
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