What am I the most confident in?
After thinking it over after the broadcast, I realized it was definitely drawing.
So, what can I do for the Izutomo with my area of confidence, drawing?
There are 7 days left.
That’s enough time to finish at least one proper illustration.
…Alright. Then let’s draw.
I’m going to create the best illustration filled with my gratitude for all the Izutomo.
I’m sure everyone will be happy, right?
Of course, I would like to come up with something grander, but… this is all I can do right now.
I want to express even that regret in the drawing and say thank you to everyone.
Having made that decision, I immediately started up the photo studio on my computer.
It was 11:30 PM.
Normally, it would be time to sleep, but there’s not much time left, so I can’t help it.
I have no choice but to shorten my sleep a bit.
★
“…Kayanoh? Are you feeling sleepy right now?”
“Ah, no, I’m not….”
To be honest, I’m incredibly sleepy.
I’ve been going to bed at 4 AM for five straight days, including today.
If my mom were home, she would be really mad.
But I couldn’t help it since so many ideas kept popping into my head….
Even though I knew this work shouldn’t interfere with my school life, I pushed myself too hard.
“If you’re tired, I think it’s best to go to the infirmary for a bit.”
“I’m fine, really. I just feel a bit off today….”
“I don’t think you look fine at all… You should go to the infirmary, Kayanoh. I’ll tell the teacher.”
“Hey, I’m really okay…”
“No. You need to rest when you’re struggling, okay?”
Miyauchi grabbed my wrist as she said that.
I tried to resist, saying I was fine, but her grip didn’t budge.
I have always been a bit weak, but this is something else.
Could it be the cause is staying up for six nights in a row?
In the end, I couldn’t resist at all and was dragged by Miyauchi to the infirmary, where I was forced onto the bed.
“Your complexion really worries me, Kayanoh. So just rest for now.”
“Is it that bad…?”
I thought I was managing my condition okay, but apparently, that didn’t seem to be the case for Miyauchi.
…I had been told several times during yesterday’s broadcast that I looked incredibly tired.
“Is there something going on, Kayanoh?”
“…Well.”
Regardless of it being Miyauchi, I can’t tell her that.
I knew that, but maybe because I’m really exhausted?
I slowly explained my situation to her.
Of course, leaving out all the VTuber-related stuff.
“I want to give my precious and grateful people the best repay I can… That’s why I haven’t been able to sleep well lately, heh heh….”
“I see….”
The Izutomo always seem happy just by me starting the broadcast.
So, for those guys, sacrificing a few nights of sleep is no big deal.
“But Kayanoh… do those precious and grateful people know how hard you’re working?”
“No…. I want to surprise them, so I’m keeping it a secret.”
“I don’t know the full situation, so I can’t say much, but if I were them… I don’t think they’d be very happy.”
…Huh?
“Receiving a gift would definitely make them happy. But if Kayanoh is staying up all night and struggling like this for it… wouldn’t they feel more sorry for you?”
“But it’s a s-special day! That’s why I worked hard to prepare it…!”
“I think if they’re really important, just being together on a special day would be enough… At least, that’s what I think.”
Miyauchi’s voice had genuine feelings that denied my week’s worth of effort.
Why?
Koga and the Izutomo, and now Miyauchi.
Why do they all say they don’t want anything special?
Why are they okay with being ordinary?
I couldn’t understand.
“Ah, I guess it’s not right for me to say this without knowing the situation exactly. I’m sorry. So, just take a good rest, Kayanoh.”
With that last remark, Miyauchi smiled gently and left the infirmary.
“No, I wasn’t wrong…”
★
Just a bit more.
There’s a way to express it even more beautifully from here.
This level isn’t enough.
I know I can do better.
As I whipped myself internally, my hands kept moving.
How many energy drinks has this been?
Looking at the pile of trash next to the monitor made me want to laugh.
“My mom would be so mad if she saw this…”
So I need to finish up and clean.
It’s nearly done now.
Just here. Just add a little more… and I’m finally wrapping it up….
★
[【Countdown】Birthday Celebration with Everyone! If you’re a friend, celebrate!!! #KainohIzumi#Star’sFlow]
– You look tired, Mei-chan.
– Are you feeling a lot of stress?
– If you’re tired, it’s okay to take a good rest now.
“Ah, no… I’m really fine.”
My head is throbbing, but I can handle it. This is enough to endure.
I can’t sleep yet anyway.
I haven’t finished the illustration.
I keep wanting to add things, which is taking longer than expected.
But I should be able to finish it before today’s live starts, and when they see it, all the Izutomo will be happy….
That was enough for me.
“It’s the second birthday I’m celebrating with you guys…. It feels kind of surreal.”
– I’m happy to be able to celebrate together.
– I’m worried because your voice sounds so low energy.
“I’m really fine, okay~? Don’t worry too much. Ugh, really! We have the live tonight, so no energy-draining comments allowed…!”
★
[Kainoh Izumi: Can you show the illustration I just sent at the end of the live broadcast?]
[Manager: Understood. Will the original be uploaded separately to the channel?]
[Kainoh Izumi: Yes, I think so.]
[Manager: Understood.]
[Manager: But Izumi, are you okay?]
[Kainoh Izumi: I’m perfectly fine! ヾ(‘▽’)]
★
[【3D LIVE】Kainoh Izumi’s Birthday Party is starting!!! I’ve invited lots of guests, so stay tuned! #KainohIzumi#Star’sFlow]
-─(≧▽≦)>ZumiZumi!
-─(≧▽≦)>ZumiZumi!
“Are you really okay, Izumi?”
“Hehe… I’m really fine. As long as I’m with Natsune-chan, I’m invincible…!”
My body feels a bit sluggish, but it’s not a problem at all.
The proof is that I’ve perfectly finished the rehearsal.
Even if I’m the youngest among the members, everyone treats me like I’m so much younger than I actually am.
But now that I’m an adult, having just turned eighteen after my birthday, I guess I can’t help it.
I have to perfectly wrap up today’s stage to earn everyone’s acknowledgment!
★
““Even if it’s not a miracle, our meeting is surely fate…!””
With those lyrics, the band that had been echoing on stage finally came to an end.
The screen darkened for a moment.
Natsune-chan and I used that brief moment to take off our VR HMDs and face each other, getting into position.
As I averted my gaze slightly, the dark screen started to brighten slowly, and our avatars replicated our current poses.
I always feel that this is the most embarrassing part during live performances.
When I wear the VR HMD, I forget everything and feel like I’m really on stage, but once I take it off and get into position, the sudden reality hits me….
Though I’ve gotten somewhat used to it now.
In any case, from now on, it can be seen as a break during the MC part.
Today, the first MC part with me is none other than Natsune-chan.
Hehe…. I’m going to get to mess around a bit during the MC part, so be prepared, Natsune…?
Just as the staff gave the go-ahead signal, we both relaxed our stances and jumped.
And the first to speak was Natsune-chan.
“Happy birthday, Izumi!!!”
“Th-Thank you very much, Natsune….”
Just as I was about to walk toward Natsune-chan, I felt my head… suddenly getting dizzy.
“Izumi? Izumi?!”
“Ah…. Huh?”
My eyes suddenly closed.
Did I just faint? No, I can’t… If I collapse here, that’s 100% exhaustion, right….
★
[Virtual VTuber Minor Gallery]
[Title: Izumi Natsune Jump]
[Author: ㅇㅇ]
(Izumi Natsune Jump.webp)
Both are… pure, huh…
[Upvotes: 31 / Downvotes: 2]
EighthStar🔹: Both really jump so well!
[Title: ?? What’s this?]
[Author: Mizukiri Mei-chan]
(Izumi Fainting.webp)
What is this, what kind of production is this?
[Upvotes: 1 / Downvotes: 2]
ㅇㅇ: What on earth is this?
Oya-bung🔸: Seeing Natsune-chan in real panic doesn’t seem like an act to me…
[Title: It’s been weird for a while now during the broadcasts too.]
[Author: Suzui]
What is going on, seriously?
[Upvotes: 1 / Downvotes: 0]
LoveMei-chan: Did she overdo it preparing that “special” thing mentioned in the last members-only broadcast?
└Suzui: Hearing that makes me feel like it might really be about that…
└LoveMei-chan: Don’t prepare anything on the side, just focus on being healthy and broadcasting!!!
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