Broadcast on!
It’s my first broadcast since Natsune’s 3rd anniversary live… after 6 days of silence!
It’s the first time I’ve taken such a long break since the school trip.
But still, since I announced it on Wednesday, there’s been no curious messages in the chat despite this being a long-awaited comeback.
-─(≧▽≦)> “Izumi Izumi!”
– “Long time no see!”
As I started the broadcast, the Izutomo greeted me just like usual.
And then came the feelings flooding in.
“Yeah… everyone, kon, Izumi….”
It was guilt.
I chose to graduate on my own.
Without any unavoidable circumstances, I resolved to leave them behind.
If so, feeling guilty towards the Izutomo would be a deception.
Even knowing this, my heart continued to ache.
I can’t!
This isn’t how it should be!
I can’t comprehend it, and I know it’s harming the company.
Yet, everyone said they would support me…
And now, here I am feeling guilty and struggling.
What a selfish thought this is.
– “I kept the Izutomo waiting, so it’s Yeo-sang.”
“Even though I announced it beforehand, everyone’s so harsh…”
It’s tough.
Having conversations with the Izutomo, which I undoubtedly done hundreds of times, is now hard.
What used to be joyful moments now feels so burdensome.
– “You look tired today.”
– “If you’re not feeling well, how about taking a break?”
And just like that, the Izutomo quickly noticed the reality.
Tears threatened to spill at their genuine concern in the chat.
But knowing this was my choice.
“Yeah… I’m really, really sorry. It’s a long-awaited broadcast, but I can only go for about 30 minutes…”
– “Health comes first for Mei-chan!”
– “Rest well and come back!”
I somehow managed to smile and ended the broadcast.
But after turning it off, a chat popped up.
– “I hope Mei-chan stays healthy and broadcasts for a long time!”
And just like that, tears spilled over.
★
[Izumi Kainoh: I’m really sorry. But it’s so hard.]
[Izumi Kainoh: Can we announce my graduation a bit earlier?]
“Messages like this came to Aozaki-san….”
“Yeah.”
“Haah…”
Renka sighed at the news brought by Noah.
She knew.
Given Izumi’s personality, Renka had already anticipated how difficult this would be for her.
“Asking her to hang on until February must be too harsh for Izumi…”
“No.”
Still, Renka firmly refused Noah’s suggestion.
“I know. I understand how much Noah cares for Izumi.”
When Izumi was first hired as a second-generation member of Star’s Flow, Noah was the one who opposed the most.
Whenever Izumi misstepped, Noah was the one who struggled the most.
But because of that, Noah cared for Izumi even more.
Watching the girl he had internally judged as unqualified slowly change, Noah genuinely supported Izumi.
Renka saw right through this fact.
“So you were trying to say it’s too harsh on Izumi and to let her do as she wishes?”
“…Yes.”
“My answer to that is No. I truly feel sorry for both Noah and Izumi, but that answer will never change.”
So much so that Renka firmly told Noah never to bring it up again.
“Noah, I need to clarify so there’s no misunderstanding, but I care for Izumi even more than you do. I genuinely hope for the best for Izumi… no, for Kayanoh Mina, the daughter of my friend Seona, and I will sincerely support her choice. This isn’t a lie. It’s the truth.”
But then Renka continued.
“We can’t confuse public and personal matters. We’re a company, not a fan club created solely to support one person. And Izumi is undoubtedly an employee of our company. Therefore, even if she’s a student right now… she has to take responsibility for her choice to quit.”
Renka’s words were irrefutable logic.
And Noah, understanding this well, had nothing to say.
“I mentioned before that I will do my best to make Izumi’s graduation ceremony the best it can be. That would be the best way to support Izumi’s choice. And for that best, of course, we need time. I know this might sound unfair to Izumi, but… it’s necessary for the financials. As she graduates from high school and her idol life simultaneously, she embarks on a brand-new chapter. Isn’t that a wonderful story?”
“…Yeah.”
Noah’s expression darkened rapidly.
Hearing that, he was certain Renka’s determination would not waver.
Claiming that it’s too harsh for Izumi, who just became an adult, ultimately comes down to emotional reasoning.
Such emotional reasoning did not shake Renka’s thoughts as she moved as a representative of Star’s Flow.
“It’s just unavoidable.”
“Yeah. Sadly, it can’t be helped. …But just to say, I sense you’re too sad about this, Noah, so I want to tell you that my personal feelings are a bit mixed in this decision.”
“…What?”
“If we delay her graduation as much as possible, perhaps it’ll be so hard on Izumi that she’ll reconsider. Is that a cruel thing to say? …Regardless, if possible, Noah, try to persuade her to hold off until before February. I’ve already informed Aozaki-san.”
Of course, if that happens, everything prepared for Izumi’s graduation ceremony would become useless.
But still, Renka genuinely believed that having Izumi stay with Star’s Flow would ultimately be better.
After Renka’s words, Noah quietly nodded and stood up.
“Haah…”
Watching Noah leave, Renka let out a big sigh.
Every word Renka said was sincere.
Her feelings for Izumi, her desire for her to succeed, her support… all genuine.
And her wish that Izumi would reconsider graduation was also sincere.
But.
“She won’t cancel it…”
Renka quietly looked up at the ceiling, knowing the results wouldn’t change.
To Renka, Izumi fundamentally resembled Yuzuru.
But just one thing.
Her cold, mysterious eyes looked shockingly similar to Seona’s.
Though, that’s only when she wasn’t saying anything.
“Seriously… it wouldn’t have bothered me if she didn’t resemble that part.”
And so did Seona.
When she married Yuzuru and had Yuki, parting ways with Renka.
“I’m so sorry…”
Seona apologized until the very end but didn’t give up on her path.
Because she knew what truly mattered to her.
“I know. I understand how extravagant this all sounds. It’s something most people probably wouldn’t even dream of starting… I understand. So… please.”
And when Izumi came to ask for a favor the last time, her eyes were exactly like Seona’s from the past.
“Haah…”
Renka didn’t want to let Izumi go.
There were plenty of ways to keep her.
From the perspective not only of Renka personally but from Star’s Flow, Izumi’s graduation had to be stopped.
Yet, the reason Renka nodded to Izumi’s choice was that she remembered Seona.
“Goodbye, Renka-chan.”
After a long time apart, Seona felt guilty towards Renka.
Even though the one who should feel guilty was undoubtedly Renka.
“I told Noah not to confuse public and personal matters.”
The reason Renka accepted Izumi’s graduation was ultimately tied to her personal feelings, not wanting to repeat past mistakes.
“I shouldn’t say that…”
With such lamentations, Renka forced a wry smile.
But still, she hoped Fujii and Noah would convince Izumi.
★
[Virtual YouTuber Minor Gallery]
[Title: Mei-chan’s only been chatting lately]
[Posted by: Maker]
Even that is cut short to around one hour.
Lately, she seems super tired.
[Recommendation: 1 / Disrecommend: 0]
ㅇㅇ: The last time I checked, she barely had a month of resting days combined over two years, so it’s understandable to be tired.
└Maker: That’s true…
└uwu: When managing high school life alongside Star’s Flow schedules, it’s bound to be exhausting.
└ㅇㅇ: She’s even at a prestigious high school with crazy high standards ㄷㄷ
└ㅇㅇ: Sounds like studying must be incredibly intense.
[Title: I just hope she takes a proper break and comes back]
[Posted by: Izutomo]
Lately, her tension’s been so low that I can’t bear to tease her…
[Recommendation: 0 / Disrecommend: 0]
Mizukiri Mei-chan: Is there no option to just give up on teasing?
└Izutomo: [Izutomo – Oshi Teasing Fanbase (Can you see my evil glare?) kon!]
└Mizukiri Mei-chan: Ah…
└Izutomo: There’s no meaning in a life without teasing Mei-chan…
[Title: Izumi’s feeling a bit concerning]
[Posted by: Oyabun🔸]
Some VTubers who used to act like that ended up taking indefinite breaks.
[Recommendation: 1 / Disrecommend: 0]
Las Vegas, I want to go: Old man
└Oyabun🔸: You bastard!
└ㅇㅇ: Just unblocked me, damn it.
└Oyabun🔸: Take a beating first, then unblocking is allowed.
└Master Spark: Whoa, why is that guy…
└Simkilu: I just witnessed a live forced conscription scene…
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