After the 3D debut broadcast ended, Koga’s birthday special broadcast wrapped up, and the athletic meet was over.
But that didn’t mean I was free, not even a little bit.
…Isn’t something strange?
Even though I’ve been working nonstop every day, I can’t seem to finish any of my tasks?
Of course, it’s something I want to do and need to do.
Still, at the core, I’m just a high school student.
No matter the mental age, I have to be at school until the afternoon after waking up in the morning.
It’s not like it’s vacation now, and Golden Week has already passed.
I even worked through Golden Week… so why can’t I take a break even now?
I might not be wrong in thinking that Star’s Flow is a black company after all.
But… if there’s one good thing to mention.
“Thank you for your hard work!”
“Th-thank you….”
The biggest task that had been on my schedule is finally over today.
…Of course, an equally important task is right before me now.
★
[【Membership Exclusive】I want compliments, so please give me compliments #IzumiKainoh#Star’sFlowSecondGen]
“Oh, today’s membership segment is exactly as the title suggests.”
What I most need in this incredibly busy life is, no matter how much I think about it, boundless compliments.
Of course, whether it’s Mom, Yuyika, Aunt Shia, or the Star’s Flow members.
People who know my situation constantly encourage me by saying I’m working hard, but that’s not what I need right now.
I want compliments from people who know nothing, for no reason at all.
That’s what I want right now.
-Compliments are only given when you work a bit harder
-Mei-chan will get all flustered if she gets compliments, so no go
…But still, it seems like the abuse-loving Izutomos aren’t easily accepting that.
What am I putting in all this effort for right now?!
I wanted to shout that, but first, I took a deep breath and sighed.
“Hah… I’ve really been working hard lately, is it really that hard to give me a single compliment…? You all still call yourselves Izutomos…?”
-The Izutomos are a group of people who just want to torment Mei-chan
-So does that mean you haven’t been working hard until now?
Sometimes when I surf the web in the community, I see Izutomos being called a ‘fandom that only thinks about tormenting their favorites,’ and it seems that it’s all true.
But it feels like there were quite a few kind Izutomos back when the membership broadcasts first started.
For some reason, as I work harder, these guys seem to only want to torment me more….
-Somehow, you look really tired lately
“Well, at least you notice…? I’m not lying when I say I’ve really been super busy lately….”
-Mei-chan has to be really busy anyway, so it can’t be helped
Like the chatroom said, it can’t be helped.
In just a few days, there’s a birthday live, and next month there’s another anniversary live.
It’s an impossible schedule to not be busy.
…But wait a minute.
“Were you all planning not to give me compliments even though you know everything?!”
-LOL
-But Mei-chan gets really proud if you compliment her, so…
No way.
I was so shocked that I could hardly speak.
Instead of being moved by the sight of me streaming despite being super busy, they just want to torment me.
Where did my broadcasts go wrong?
-It’s all because we love Mei-chan, so don’t misunderstand!
“I-I don’t need that kind of affection….”
I’m expecting a much more direct and kind world than that.
“Hah… I-I’m tired, so I’ll stop here for today….”
-We’re sorry, so please don’t go
-You’re doing a great job, Mei-chan!
-I’m always cheering for you sincerely and seriously!
-You guys change your attitude way too quickly, LOL
“…Ugh, really! Don’t you all like me too much?!”
★
It was my first time coming here alone.
Mom and Yuyika were always with me.
And anyway, I’d be coming back with Mom and Yuyika the day after tomorrow, but what should I say?
This time, I just wanted to come here alone and talk.
[Kayanoh Yuzuru]
“Dad. Finally tomorrow, I’m having my birthday live.”
Saying that my birthday was simply a happy day was a tough call.
Saying my birthday was approaching was the same as saying Dad’s memorial date was getting closer.
“…I’ve really been working hard recently, and I hope everyone watching my broadcast will be happy… Dad would think so too, right?”
So I decided to treat my birthday as the same as Izumi Kainoh’s birthday.
After all, my birthday wasn’t just a simple happy day, nor a special day.
It was a day I rather wished wouldn’t come.
I thought of just brushing it off… something like that.
But now, things are different.
I have so many people who support and like me.
My birthday isn’t just mine anymore; it has become a day I need to repay them with all I’ve got.
So I couldn’t just brush it off.
It became a happy day and a special day for everyone who watches my broadcast.
Realizing that fact made the truth that I treated Izumi Kainoh’s birthday the same as my real birthday feel special… almost like fate was starting to unfold.
“You’ve said it before, right? On birthdays, you have to smile. So this time, I’ll definitely smile. Just like you said, Dad, birthdays should be the most enjoyable and happiest days…!”
★
It was undoubtedly a miracle that Yuzuru held on until today.
The doctor’s prognosis said his life should have ended at the beginning of this year.
But despite the tough situation, he always welcomed Seona’s birthday with a smile, celebrated Yuki’s birthday, and finally, he celebrated Mina’s birthday.
“Umm. I’m sorry, Mina….”
But on Mina’s birthday, Yuzuru’s body had already reached a limit where even moving his fingers was impossible.
The doctor had said in the morning that it was really time to prepare for the heart.
“Dad, I… I want to celebrate like for Mom and Yuyika… but it’s a bit hard….”
Yuzuru’s body was overwhelmed with agonizing pain that even narcotic painkillers couldn’t alleviate.
Yet he never lost his smile.
As if he absolutely couldn’t show such a face in front of his daughter celebrating her birthday today.
“Seona….”
“Yeah.”
“I’m sorry, but… please put my hand on Mina’s head.”
“Okay, um….”
Seona gently lifted Yuzuru’s frail hand and placed it on Mina’s head.
Then Yuzuru slowly, but surely, stroked Mina’s head.
“Mina, happy birthday.”
Those words from Yuzuru, filled with sincerest feelings.
But upon hearing those words, Mina instead burst into tears.
“I-I don’t want it! I don’t want a birthday! I like Dad! I don’t need birthdays…! If you want to celebrate, do it standing up! Smile like you did for Mom and Yuyika! If it’s not like that, I-I don’t want a birthday!”
Only 7 years old now.
For a first grader, Mina couldn’t accept or understand her dad’s death.
Thus, Mina began to make unreasonable demands, but no one could stop her.
No, they couldn’t.
No one could understand how Mina felt upon hearing from the doctor that on the day she should be celebrated the most, her beloved dad was dying.
“That you dislike your birthday… that’s a bit… troublesome. Cough!”
At the same time as a sneeze, black blood poured from Yuzuru’s lips.
Seeing this, Seona and Yuki immediately rushed to call a nurse, but Yuzuru shut his eyes and stopped them.
“Mina… Dad… wants you to smile on your birthday….”
“I don’t want to!”
“Mina. Your birthday… is a day you should be the most joyful and happy.”
“I don’t want to! Nooooo! I-I like Dad more than my birthday! So don’t go!”
“Mina saying that makes Dad feel really sorry… But Mina.”
Yuzuru managed to stroke Mina’s head slowly again, smiling.
“I have no choice… but Dad will leave first, but I will always… love you, Mina.”
“….”
“Haha… I worry a bit since you’re shy… I wish I could always be there by your side….”
“Uwaaaah!”
And ultimately, after crying like that, Mina slowly drifted off to sleep.
Watching her, Yuzuru smiled kindly before turning his gaze to Seona and Yuki.
“Yuki, you know… Dad loves you very much, right…?”
“I love you too, Dad.”
“Haha… I’m always sorry for never being a good dad….”
“It’s okay. If I were to speak of what I’ve received from you, it would be endless….”
“I’m glad… Yuki, is it okay if I ask you one last thing…?”
“Yes….”
“Please don’t fight with Mina, okay? You are the older sister. Take good care of Mina… She’s shy… And you and Mina both resemble Mom, so be careful of boys, haha….”
“Yes…!”
At Yuzuru’s words, Yuki smiled through her tears.
“Seona.”
“Yeah.”
“Please take care of Zia and Mina for me….”
“Okay.”
“There were so many things I wanted to do together… I’m sorry. And I love you….”
“Okay. I love you too. Forever. More than anyone….”
And Seona, holding on to Yuzuru’s remaining hand, shed tears.
“Yeah… because everyone really loves….”
June 13th. 12:52 AM.
After Mina’s birthday passed, Yuzuru closed his eyes, leaving those last words behind.
Until the very end, without losing his smile.
★
The foundation day of Shiodome Private High School, which I attend, is the same as my birthday, June 12th.
Thanks to that, the Star’s Flow side kindly scheduled my birthday live broadcast for 6 PM so that I could spend the evening with my family.
[【Izumi Kainoh Birthday Party】Thank you all so much! #IzumiKainoh#Star’sFlowSecondGen]
-─(≧▽≦)>ZumiZumi!
-─(≧▽≦)>ZumiZumi!
=Maker JP¥ 50,000: Happy birthday, and thank you for your future support!
=Judgment JP¥ 30,000: Happy birthday!
Just like the last 3D debut broadcast, the responses from the Izutomos in the chatroom were already heated, and I was putting on my VR HMD, catching my breath just like last time.
However, compared to that time, I was way more nervous now.
“Zero! I’m starting!”
But beyond that, I wonder how you all will react to this?
Dad would also surely be looking forward to it.
“Well, let’s enjoy together today…!”
The dark stage lit up with colorful lights as the accompaniment began to flow.
-?
-What song is this?
-I feel like I’ve never heard this before
Surely, messages like these appeared on the Izutomos’ screens now.
[Everyday Heading Toward Dream!]
“Today, I’ll keep moving forward. Because dreams are definitely out there…!”
-The original song started right from the beginning!
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