Winter.
When I exhale, ephemeral breath escapes into the season.
But for someone like me, who stays at home most of the time except for going to school, it doesn’t mean much.
November is about to end, and December, the last month of the year, is about to begin.
And the beginning of December meant that the day was finally approaching.
[Are we finally becoming seniors…?]
Although Koga seemed to struggle with that realization, there was undoubtedly a hidden feeling of anticipation within her.
That’s right. December, the last month of the year, was when the third generation members of Star’s Flow, known for my blunder, would debut.
Well, when the juniors come, I’ll probably be able to treasure that incident as a mere memory.
[No. No matter what, that incident wasn’t something to be brushed off as a memory in just a few months….]
“Y-Yeah, right?”
It was just a matter of timing, but I heard from the manager that if the situation had deviated even a little, it could have ended with the contract being terminated.
I’m really glad….
[By the way, I heard that the third generation is unifying their concept this time; did you hear?]
[Ah, yeah. That seems like a good idea for broadcasting, so it definitely makes sense.]
“Surely, that’s true.”
According to Akabane, I had heard recently from our manager that this time the third generation would debut under a single concept.
Our Star’s Flow members have had quite a mixed bag of concepts despite being in the same generation.
I suppose you could overlook Natsune, the only member of the zero generation, but…
In the first generation, Senior Kurokami was a young lady aspiring to be the villainess, Senior Namikawa was a spirit born from the camellia, Senior Amatsuka was a high elf from the deep forest, Senior Yuzuki was a rabbit from the moon, and Senior Minazuki was an empress from another dimension.
In the second generation, I was a water avatar enjoying high school life, Koga was an angel who escaped from heaven, Akabane was a girl who believed herself to be a witch, Utsumi was a teacher from a starry cult of unknown origin, and Aki was a cat-human who ran away from her village.
Finding connections between generations through concepts is pretty difficult.
But this time, it seemed as though the company wanted to create stronger links among the third generation members.
It would be way easier for hakoo-shi (fans who love the whole group equally).
“I hope, I hope everyone is nice…”
Honestly, when I first started as a VTuber, I thought I wouldn’t be able to mix with my classmates or seniors due to my personality.
I even thought I’d be lucky if I wasn’t bullied.
But everyone was genuinely nice, so that never happened.
So please, I hope the incoming third generation members are all nice too….
[Ah, speaking of which, I heard Nekoto might join too.]
[Then everyone can go together.]
“Th-That’s a relief.”
★
These days, my school life has been quite peaceful.
The ridiculous nickname “Ice Princess” that came up during the sports festival has finally died down, and since the cultural festival is over, there aren’t any major events left in the second semester.
The only thing left in the second semester is the final exams.
“Yay~! Kayanoh, hello!”
“Ah, hello…”
In the morning, I listen to Miyauchi, greet Tateyama, who arrived at school before classes started, and occasionally endure Onodera’s pranks.
This is a normal school life I never even dreamed of until last year…
I figured I would spend my time alone and lonely in the classroom until graduation.
“Ah, Kayanoh. We’re planning a get-together after school today; is that okay?”
I’ve also gotten somewhat used to Tateyama’s get-together proposals.
Tateyama really loves hanging out with everyone like this.
Yet she still manages to get good grades—what a total cheat character!
Of course, I might be a cheat-level super cute girl too!
“Umm… Is it okay if I just stop by for a bit?”
“Is that a no…? Huh?”
When I said I would participate in the gathering, Tateyama looked at me with wide eyes as if she couldn’t believe it.
“Ah, yes! Of course! Even just for one second is really okay, so don’t worry!”
With that reaction, I suddenly feel really bad…
After all, I had rejected all such proposals since last Christmas, so I can understand why Tateyama is so surprised.
“Okay, then I’ll stop by for a bit…”
“Yep! Thank you!”
When I nodded, Tateyama smiled brightly as if she were truly happy.
So what made me decide to join this gathering?
It was because I got advice from Senior Kurokami.
“I think the memories from high school really stick with you. Of course, it’s greatly appreciated that Izumi likes us, but… I hope you don’t neglect your school life because of us. You have over a year left in your school life, after all.”
Of course, just because I rejected that get-together proposal doesn’t mean Senior Kurokami would say anything to me.
She wouldn’t even know, and above all, I believe I’m fulfilling my school life in my own way.
But still, what should I say…
To be honest, even though my personality is frustrating and probably hard to deal with, it makes me feel guilty to keep rejecting Tateyama’s offers knowing she’s always smiling and treating me kindly.
It definitely feels wrong to keep rejecting her goodwill and only hang around with Star’s Flow members.
Hearing Senior Kurokami’s words got me thinking along those lines.
Of course, I basically dislike crowded places, so continuing to attend gatherings would obviously be out of the question…
But maybe stopping by occasionally like this wouldn’t be too bad.
★
Even with that resolve, I still found myself overwhelmed by the sheer number of people.
Despite it being such a sudden gathering suggestion, so many people showed up.
How popular must Tateyama be in our class?
…Well, I suppose. Even though Tateyama looks like an extravagant gal, she doesn’t bully anyone in our grade or engage in any kind of delinquency.
Instead, she always takes the initiative when things happen in our class, tackling the hard work head-on and trying to get along with everyone—a real social butterfly and mood-maker.
Moreover, being a top student who performs well, who wouldn’t like her?
“♩♪♫♬~!”
At some point, Onodera’s song reached its conclusion.
Shall we stand up soon? We’ve already been sitting for almost an hour, so it’s fine.
I quietly packed up my things, stood up, and walked over to Tateyama, who was pondering what song to sing next.
“Um, um… Tateyama.”
“Ah, yes? Kayanoh, is there something wrong?”
“I-I think I need to head back soon….”
“Ah, okay. I-I’m sorry… I called for you…”
“It’s alright. Rather, I feel worse since I came here and didn’t do anything…”
As we exchanged those words, Onodera, who had just finished singing, approached us.
“Huh? Kayanoh, are you going back already?”
“Yes… um, I have something to do in the evening…”
“Still, Ka…”
“Whaaat?! Kayanoh! Then let me walk you out!”
And with that sudden shout from Tateyama, I expressed my confusion, but she forcibly grabbed my hand and pulled me out, leaving me without a chance to say anything.
“Huh? Kayanoh, are you leaving now? Later, Ka…”
“Waaaah! Miyauchi, uh, just wait! I’ll go see Kayanoh off!”
“Ah, yeah…”
What on earth is happening?
While I’m filled with such questions, Tateyama says nothing to me.
“Let’s meet tomorrow, Kayanoh.”
“Ah, yes. See you tomorrow, Tateyama.”
With that final exchange with Tateyama, I turned away to catch the subway.
After getting on the subway, I took out my phone to check the time, and a LINE notification popped up on my screen.
Naturally thinking it was my sister, I opened LINE, only to find…
“…Huh?”
It was Miyauchi who sent me a private LINE message.
[Miyauchi Sara: Kayanoh. Today….]
★
As soon as I arrived back at the karaoke place, I burst into the room where Tateyama had been earlier.
In the center of the room was a pure white cake, with numerous packages around Tateyama.
“…Huh? K-Kayanoh?!”
Tateyama was startled by my sudden entrance.
I grabbed her wrist and pulled her outside.
Fortunately, there was no one trying to stop me.
“Um, Kayanoh, weren’t you leaving?”
“….”
I didn’t answer her question and left the karaoke room, entering the arcade next door.
And the destination I headed toward was the sticker photo booth in the corner of the arcade.
“…Huh?”
With Tateyama’s strength, she could have easily shaken me off, yet she let me drag her into the sticker photo booth.
“…S-Smile.”
“Ah, okay…”
After taking all the sticker photos with Tateyama, we exited the arcade.
“What’s up, Kayanoh? Your smile looks totally awkward! You dragged me here, and now you’re like this!”
Tateyama seemed to really enjoy the sticker photos we took together and giggled.
…Was it that awkward?
I’ve never taken such photos before, so I wouldn’t know.
“F-For next time, if something like this happens, please let me know in advance…”
“Haha… It was really fine though…”
That’s right. Today was Tateyama’s birthday.
Despite the sudden get-together, it was not just any gathering; it was a party because it was Tateyama’s birthday that attracted so many people.
What could be my way of being faithful to my school life?
Without someone teaching me, I can’t make such gestures.
…Still, had it been my past self, even if I knew it was Tateyama’s birthday, I would have just sent a LINE message wishing her well.
But now I’m Kayanoh Mina, the one who has grown enough to invite four people to the cultural festival, so this kind of birthday wish is nothing.
“By the way, Kayanoh. Why sticker photos?”
“B-Because last time, you said you wanted to take them together…”
On my birthday this year, Tateyama gifted me homemade cookies.
They were of far superior quality than the macarons she made for White Day.
I had asked her if there was anything she wanted for her birthday.
“Hmm. It’d be nice if I could take sticker photos with Kayanoh! It’s a memory for life.”
That’s what Tateyama had said.
“…You remembered?”
“Yes.”
“Haah, really…”
At my answer, Tateyama’s face turned red as she looked down.
Is it that much of a joy?
Honestly, I don’t think it’s anything compared to the homemade cookies, but I’m relieved if Tateyama is happy.
“Then I’ll head back now. See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah. Thank you so much, Kayanoh. See you tomorrow.”
With that final statement, I walked away from Tateyama to return home.
“So, if I take sticker photos with my classmate… doesn’t that make me a socialite?”
I fancied about sharing this embellished story in the chat for some bragging rights.
– That doesn’t match Mei’s interpretation.
– Anyway, Mei can’t do any of that…
– You must have had a nice dream.
None of my Izutomo reacted in support.
These guys, are they for real…?
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