[【Moving Forward with Star’s Flow】Star’s Flow Festival Pre-Stage]
“Alright, now! It seems our caster for today’s event has arrived! So… please come on in!”
Clap, clap, clap, went the applause as the broadcast screen we were watching switched back again.
The camera focused on the center of the event hall we had seen yesterday.
A huge screen was displaying our broadcast, and on the stage below stood the caster, Ms. Hayama.
“Hello!”
[Hello, everyone! Thank you for inviting me today! I’m Miyako Hayama, and I’ll be hosting the opening ceremony!]
As we greeted with applause, Ms. Hayama introduced herself and waved to us on the screen.
[Now, here comes the Star’s Flow Festival that started amid massive support, but…! Before that, there’s still one more person who should join us, right?]
– Oh!
– Is she coming?!
– Rena!!!
[Yes! It’s time for the last guest to make an entrance! The representative of Star’s Flow Production, Aikawa Lenka… no. The true idol of Star’s Flow, Ms. Rena!]
“Hey, the idol isn’t Rena, it’s us!”
Pfft?!
Despite Natsune’s protest, the enthusiastic cheers in the chatroom didn’t stop at all.
– RENAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
– THE BEST IDOL RENA!
Seriously, it seems everyone is way more hyped for this than when we introduced ourselves…?
As I was having these thoughts, she started walking toward the stage with calm steps.
Golden hair and soft blue eyes that naturally drew attention. Dressed in a formal outfit, Rena, or rather, the Manager, was holding a script in her left hand as she stood in the center of the stage, waving to the crowd.
…She looks just like a real idol.
[Rena! The Star’s Flow Festival has finally begun. How do you feel?]
[Well… I’m really happy to be able to meet so many fans here.]
After saying that, the Manager slightly turned to glance at us on the screen.
[And Natsune. At this rate, I might actually debut!]
Snicker, she teased Natsune with a smile.
Who would have thought we’d get to see such a moment live, something we’d often seen on the official broadcasts?
“Aah?! Did you just say that!? Did you just say it, Rena!!”
– LOL
– A showdown between the representative idol of Star’s Flow and the best idol…
– Hurry and debut!
– Their relationship is always so entertaining to watch.
Then, responding to the Manager’s provocation, Natsune flapped her arms in an angry frenzy.
So cute…
[Hehe… Then, Rena, please say a few words as the representative of Star’s Flow.]
[…Yes.]
At Hayama’s words, the Manager took a breath and began speaking while looking at her script.
[To all the fans in the venue and watching the broadcast, thank you so much for your interest in the Star’s Flow Festival. It’s undoubtedly thanks to your support that we were able to hold this event successfully. On behalf of all our talents and staff, I would like to express my gratitude. I hope that during this long yet short day, everyone can create unforgettable memories. Please enjoy yourselves until the very end. Thank you so much.]
As soon as the Manager finished speaking, a loud round of applause erupted in the venue.
After that, we took some group photos for the reporters’ requests, and thus the opening ceremony ended.
★
Of course, just because the opening ceremony was over doesn’t mean the broadcast was finished.
Caster Hayama went directly to the event hall to relay the current situation, what goods were available, what events were happening, etc., so we needed to discuss it while watching.
[Here, they’re selling your acrylic keychains, everyone?]
In Hayama’s hand was an acrylic keychain of Kaguya.
“Wow, so cute~!”
In a cheerful atmosphere, Natsune and Senior Kurokami continued chatting with Hayama.
Of course, I tried to jump in here and there too, but still, it’s tough to converse naturally with someone I just met for the first time yesterday…
Although I’ve improved a lot, a person’s nature doesn’t change, right?
– Give Mei-chan a chance to talk too!
No, that’s really not necessary.
[Izumi! Here’s your acrylic keychain too!]
“Uh, yeah, hehe….”
Did Hayama just happen to read that in the chat?
She was now waving at me while holding my acrylic keychain.
[How do you feel seeing your goods come out so cute?]
“Um, well… the price?”
I do feel good. It’s proof that they’ve worked hard.
“Hmm?”
“Isn’t that right, Izumi?!”
[…Huh?]
– Oh no!
– The price is definitely important…
– LOLOLOL
– Hayama is mean for talking to a nervous Mei-chan!
– Mei-chan still seems to be in a panic during the Star Fest…
“Aah?! That’s not it… um…?!”
I messed up. I messed up. I messed up!!!
Of course, usually when I see goods like that, the price is the first thing on my mind, right?!
But I didn’t mean it in a bad way, really!
I need to explain fast…
“T-That is, since I’m quite an otaku, I tend to think of my wallet situation first when I see goods. I might have to skip a meal just so I can help my favorite idol… right?! So I can’t help but worry about the price?!”
“Calm down, Izumi! We all understand what you meant!”
“Could Natsune have had delicious meals thanks to my collected goods?!!!”
“Yep! You did! You could eat lots of tasty food, so don’t worry!!!”
[Right, right! It’s only natural to care about spending money on someone you love!]
As I babbled frantically, Natsune, Senior Kurokami, and Hayama all seemed flustered yet agreed with me.
Is this… professionalism?
– LOL
– Mei-chan’s fan spirit is too heavy!
– She was too flustered, LOL.
And while the chatroom was overflowing with reactions, thankfully it didn’t escalate into a big uproar.
But this will definitely become a topic in an anti-thread…
“I heard Izumi argued that the price of goods should be higher?”
“I’ve heard it’s said that if you want to be a fan, you need to spend money.”
There will surely be tons of discussions like that.
If I had to choose, I would rather lower the prices of goods.
Well, honestly, I don’t really care about the talk in anti-threads, but I can’t help but dread being scolded by the Manager again…
[You brought this upon yourself.]
I had a feeling Koga was saying that somewhere.
…It wouldn’t be, right?
★
Afterward, Natsune shared a story about eating “Atlantis Ramen Lv5” at one of the event booths, and Hayama tried it too but found it so spicy that she couldn’t finish even half…
Seeing the mascot costumes of some members at the venue, Senior Kurokami got super excited and tripped over like Ponko…
In any case, the first event broadcast ended on a relatively cheerful note.
“Uwaaaa… I really shouldn’t have been here…”
But after that slip-up, my mental state was already completely shattered.
“It’s okay. I’m sure the fans had fun because you were here, Izumi.”
As I crouched alone in a corner, Senior Kurokami came up behind and hugged me.
Is this… maternal affection?
Maybe Senior Kurokami is not just Ponko but also Mama-Ponko…
No, let’s just combine both and call her Mama-Ponko.
“Isn’t it about time for your fan meeting in an hour, Izumi?”
“Yeah… but I just want to skip the fan meeting and stay like this…”
“Oh dear.”
I don’t want to lose this soft and warm sensation I’m feeling on my back…
Naturally, being in Senior Kurokami’s embrace is far more valuable than meeting other fans…
“I can’t let that happen!”
Natsune with the nice tsukkomi.
I smiled at Natsune as I gave her a thumbs up, feeling the meaning behind it.
Well, to be honest, half of it was sincere, but still, I can’t skip the fan meeting.
Those Izutomo guys typically tease me a lot, but deep down, they’re all really fond of me.
If I say I’m taking a break, they’ll surely cry their eyes out.
I don’t want to see that ugly sight, so I guess I should move, even if it’s a hassle.
“Sigh…”
Where else could you find a VTuber who cares about fans like this?
I wish those Izutomo guys would also realize that and be a bit kinder normally…
“By the way… Izumi, you’re really warm? Aren’t you feeling hot?”
“I’m fine…”
“Let me hug you too, Hikari!”
…Seriously, aren’t the Izutomo guys unnecessary?
Well, just kidding.
…But for now, since it’s still break time, I should savor this paradise a little longer.
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