A Hard-Boiled (Self-Proclaimed) Guy Like Me Doesn’t Suit a Romcom-Style Youth

Chapter 26: Promise

During the consecutive holidays, staying at my place? Mirai and Masaki-san?

“I haven’t heard about that?”

“If Grandma-sensei says no, then that’s the end of it. I didn’t say anything because Ayata might be disappointed.”

Far from disappointed, I’d be relieved!

During the holidays, Kuu is scheduled to come to my place, and I was thinking of spending time relaxing comfortably as siblings.

Yes! I had been planning to do this and that, things we couldn’t do until now.

Of course, I intend to introduce Mirai and Masaki-san to Kuu properly. As friends. But Kuu is quite the jealous type, and until now, she wouldn’t speak to me for a while after I was entertained by girls. That’s why, for now, I’m hiding from Kuu that I’m living with the two. If she hears I’m living together with a beautiful childhood friend and a classmate, she’ll definitely get bent out of shape.

“It’s the busy season, right. Why go out of your way to come to my place when you’ll be busy helping out?”

“Ah, reverse, reverse. It’s too busy, so there’s no time to follow up on newcomers. So Nako and I are off from our part-time jobs.”

“Even so, aren’t there plenty of things you can help with?”

Hot spring inns during major consecutive holidays should be so busy they’d want to borrow even a cat’s paw. There’s no way Mirai and Masaki-san are less than a cat’s paw. Rather, they should be valuable combat power.

“You’re naive, Ayata.”

Mirai places her hand on Masaki-san’s shoulder.

“What do you think would happen if this child was in a place crowded with tourists?”

Masaki-san makes a ‘tehe-pero’ face. Yeah, cute. Enough to make me want to sneak a bite.

“It’s like jumping into a herd of guanacos. She’d definitely get entangled.”

“Nn. It’s good that customers increase, but not all customers have good manners, you know.”

“The other day too, someone asked ‘How about 100,000 yen?’ and I was troubled.”

“That’s terrible!? Were you okay?”

“Yeah. When I said I was still 15, he ran away.”

Under Japanese law, sexual acts with someone under 16 are illegal even with consent.

Good grief, there really were outrageous guys. Also, 100,000 yen for Masaki-san is too cheap.

“The hot spring town during holidays is a safari park where you encounter pick-up artists (nanpa) every three steps. We’re minors, so if something happens, our parents would have to come out. But it’s too busy, and my parents don’t have the leeway to handle trouble. That’s why they want Nako and me to evacuate from the hot spring town until the customer flow settles down.”

I see. Come to think of it, Yousuke-san also said troubles were increasing and he was running around in circles.

My place and Mirai’s house are close, but mine is on the outskirts of the residential area, so it’s certainly safe from the eyes of tourists.

“Actually, you know. During summer vacation last year, a drunk customer tried to drag me into a room.”

What did you say?

“Oh my, were you okay, Mirai-san!?”

It seemed to be the first time Grandmother heard it too, and she raised her voice in worry.

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Other waitresses helped me immediately.”

Mirai says it as if it were nothing, but surely she must have been scared at that time.

“He was a customer, so I couldn’t exactly punch him. I was seriously pissed off back then.”

Is that so.

“But wasn’t I still a junior high student back then? Since he tried to do obscene things to a junior high student, that person was arrested. He was released, but it seems he got divorced and lost his job.”

“Whether junior high student or adult, forcing is no good. Isn’t ‘serves him right’ (sukatto zamaa) fine?”

“That’s true, but Mom and Dad absolutely wouldn’t settle out of court, going to the police and court and such, even though they were damn busy, you know?”

“For the safety of the employees too, I think it was necessary.”

“Yeah. But the burden is big after all. So it was decided that until I become an adult and can deal with it myself, I should stay away from the hot spring town as much as possible during busy seasons.”

“I see. I understand the story.”

I understood, but—

Me and Kuu. Mirai and Masaki-san. One man and three girls. This is completely different from the situation where I was taken care of at the Miyazu house.

Boys and girls of seven years should not sit together.

I don’t think Grandmother will approve of life with four teenagers, boys and girls.

Grandmother uses a computer and is flexible enough to advise on young people’s love lives, but as expected—

“Very well.”

Fua!?

“Yaay! Thank you, Grandma-sensei! Ah, Nako and I are fine with the same room.”

“Thank you, Sensei. I think I will return to my parents’ home for a few days, but please treat me well during my stay, Ayataka-kun.”

“Please treat us well—!”

They bow their heads together with a pyokor.

“Um, is it really okay?”

Just in case I misheard, I confirmed, and Grandmother nodded firmly.

“Ayataka-san, you were taken care of by everyone in the Miyazu family for the past few days, were you not? To repay that favor, look after the two of them properly.”

“No, rather I’m the one being looked after…”

“Ayataka-san.”

“Yes! I will offer hospitality with sincerity and integrity!”

“Very good.”

Grandmother nodded, then returned to a severe look and stared at me.

“Kunia-san is coming here during the holidays, correct?”

“Yes.”

I reply nervously. There, I understood the reason Grandmother agreed to let the two stay.

“Speak honestly. Ayataka-san. What do you think of Kunia-san?”

As I thought, it’s that.

Grandmother realized that I love Kunia.

Then, there’s no point in hiding it.

“As you guessed, Kuu and I have pledged our futures to each other.”

Grandmother’s eyes narrow.

Mirai and Masaki-san’s eyes open wide in surprise.

The air freezing must be an atmosphere like this.

Grandmother stares fixedly, and Mirai and Masaki-san are frozen as if they forgot to breathe.

Eventually, Grandmother let out a small sigh.

“I thought so… is that it?”

“Sorry. But it’s something already decided.”

“Since when?”

“Formally, last month. While running away from the mafia…”

“Is that so…”

Grandmother nods with downcast eyes.

“Should we leave?”

It’s a family matter. Grandmother shakes her head at Masaki-san who was being considerate.

“No. Mirai-san and Nadeshiko-san, please listen. The reason I permitted you to stay at the house is because I did not want to let Ayataka-san and Kunia-san be alone together.”

I figured.

“I haven’t met her directly yet, but I think very fondly of Kunia-san. Also, hearing the story just now, it is not unreasonable for you to be attracted to each other. I won’t tell you to break up. However, just because of that, you are a high school student and a junior high student, and socially siblings. While I am still alive (me no kuroi uchi), I cannot permit you to live a dissolute (tadareta) life in the Asou house!”

“Dissolute…”

“…Life.”

Mirai and Masaki-san direct a jito- (staring/reproachful) gaze at me.

“Doing that kind of thing with someone under 16 is a crime. You understand, right?”

I was sweating buckets internally. My scheme to do that and this at home during the holidays seems to have been completely seen through by Grandmother.

“Um… I swear, I am having a wholesome relationship with Kuu…”

“No matter how much you are not related by blood, the moment you make a move on your junior high school sister, it cannot be called wholesome!”

Grandmother’s sound argument exploded on my excuse. While I was unable to say a word (guu no ne mo denai), Mirai peered into my face at close range.

“Hey—, Ayata? How far did you go with your stepsister-chan?”

Her face is smiling brightly (nikkoniko), but I can see the face of a jaguar behind her. Why is that?

When I looked toward Masaki-san seeking salvation, there was an Andean wolf.

“Um… up to holding hands…”

“Liar!”

“Liar.”

“That’s a lie.”

Why do they know? Is it that thing called a woman’s intuition? Seriously scary…

“…We kissed.”

Realizing I couldn’t hide things, I resigned myself and decided to tell the situation of that time.

About that night I can absolutely never forget—

“Kuu and I, having left the village and gone down the mountain, shook off the mafia once and were camping out aiming for the port town Uronnado which has a naval port. It was chilly that day, but it was a night where the moon was beautiful. Kuu illuminated by the bonfire was very beautiful, but she looked fleeting as if she would disappear at any moment… I became inevitably scared of losing her… terribly scared… I absolutely didn’t want to let her go, so I confessed. Kuu accepted that. At that time. We haven’t gone further than that. It was dangerous, but in a situation where mafia pursuers were approaching, doing something burdensome to the inexperienced Kuu would be…”

“Enough.”

Grandmother cut the story short. Mirai and Masaki-san were making “Eh—” faces looking like they wanted to hear more.

Actually, there was absolutely no opportunity after that, and since arriving in Japan we interacted normally as siblings, so there’s no progress and nothing to talk about.

We kissed only three times: that time, when we were safely protected, and the other day when I parted with Kuu who entered the dorms.

“Ayataka-san.”

Grandmother’s eyes and tone suddenly become gentle.

“I probably cannot tie you down, as you are already independent mentally and economically. However, never forget that there are people who are always worrying about you.”

“…Yes.”

“Mirai-san and Nadeshiko-san. I am sorry for involving you in our family circumstances. But please, could you watch over Ayataka-san so he doesn’t go too far?”

“Sensei, please raise your head!”

“Hey Ayata! I won’t forgive you if you make Grandma-sensei worry or sad any more than this!”

Grandmother bowed her head to the two.

Because of me…

For my sake…

“Grandma, sorry. I will become happy with Kuu in a form that everyone accepts. I promise.”

“I have certainly received those words. Please introduce me to Kunia-san next time too.”

“Of course. I’ll come again.”

Thus, the meeting with Grandmother for the first time in 5 years ended.

And, days where my patience would be tested were decided.

Chapter 27: Young Master (Bocchan)

After that, we headed to the shopping district in front of the station to buy clothes.

In Toto City, there’s not even a Shimamura, let alone an Aeon. Daily shopping is mostly done in the shopping district, and where we’re going is an individually owned clothing store that has taken care of us since long ago.

“Oh my, Mirai-chan! And the Masaki young lady (Ojou-sama)! Welcome!”

Entering the nostalgic store, a well-dressed lady greets us amiably. She’s familiar with almost all the locals, commonly known as the “Clothing Store Auntie” (Fukuya no Obachan). It’s just as it is, but names in the shopping district are like that, such as “Greengrocer Dad” (Yaoya no Oyaji), “Butcher Uncle” (Nikuya no Occhan), or “Barber Sister” (Tokoya no Neesan).

Even so, ‘Masaki Young Lady’? It’s accurate, but somehow funny.

Perhaps sensing I was suppressing laughter, Masaki-san poked me in the side with her elbow.

“Oh my? And who is that person with the splendid outfit?”

Contrary to her words, the Clothing Store Auntie makes a dubious face. I’m used to this reaction too.

“It’s been a while.”

When I took off my ten-gallon hat and bowed, she completely changed to a broad smile.

“Oh my, oh my, oh my! Asou’s Young Master (Bocchan)!? My, my, my, you’ve become splendid!”

Stop with ‘Young Master’! It’s super embarrassing!

Although he passed away before I could remember, my grandfather used to be the mayor a long time ago. Because of that, people in the town called me “Young Master”, and even now elderly acquaintances use that name.

Realizing Masaki-san was suppressing laughter, I poked her lightly with my elbow.

“Since Ayata said he has no clothes just after returning to the country, I thought I’d choose some for him together with Nako.”

“Oh my, oh my, oh my. That’s nice, Young Master. Flowers in both hands.”

“Ahaha… Please stop with ‘Young Master’. I’m already a high school student.”

“Ufufu. In another few years, will I come to call you Young Master (Wakadanna – implying head of household/married)?”

That is…

Before I could open my mouth, Mirai denied it.

“Neither Nako nor I are called by Ayata or anything like that (implying no romantic relationship). Besides, this guy will leave town after graduating high school anyway.”

“Oh dear. It’s a pity since you and Mirai-chan have looked good together since long ago.”

“Haa? This guy is just a henchman!”

At Mirai puffing out her cheeks in a huff, I show a vague smile.

The Clothing Store Auntie laughs with an “Oh my, oh my.”

From there, we choose clothes as originally intended.

“Ayata. How about something like this?”

Mirai recommends a pop shirt that an ikemen idol might wear.

“A bit flashy, maybe. Something a little simpler would be better.”

“It’s far more normal than that, though.”

By that, she means the poncho currently in Auntie’s hands. Perhaps due to her profession, she was curious. I handed it over because Auntie said she definitely wanted to see it.

“Ayataka-kun has a calm atmosphere, so casual wear might suit him better, right.”

“Then how about this? It’s a sale item and cheap?”

“The pattern is nice, but for the season from now on, short sleeves would be good.”

“For an Ayata, you have a lot of orders.”

“Even if you say that.”

In the meantime, the Clothing Store Auntie was examining the poncho and ten-gallon hat I entrusted to her.

“Hand-woven, isn’t it. Is the wool alpaca? It has warmth and is wonderful. The pattern has taste too, it might become popular.”

As expected. It’s the poncho that gets criticized a lot, but those with an eye for it understand its quality.

“Oh my? It’s frayed here. Is this shape the mark of a grazing bullet? Here too… and traces of blood? Why such things… what on earth has the Young Master experienced? And is this silver hair? Surely he pressed his face against it and wiped his tears. Is the height about the same as Mirai-chan? Ah, good heavens!?”

“Wait, Auntie!? What’s wrong!?”

Seeing the Clothing Store Auntie suddenly start shedding tears, Mirai rushes over.

“I’m sorry. This poncho speaks to me of the drama of hardships and toil the Young Master has experienced. Then unintentionally… I’ll go fix my makeup. Please take your time looking.”

Auntie disappears into the back while wiping her eyes with a handkerchief.

“What on earth happened?”

“The Clothing Store Auntie is famous in the shopping district for seeing through a person’s profession or last night’s actions from the traces on their clothes. From the frays and hair on the poncho, she saw your hardships and seemed to get emotional.”

That skill seems viable for a detective.

“Shouldn’t we choose quickly and take our leave?”

“Yeah. We have to buy various other things too. Shall we have dinner at Ayata’s house tonight? I want to see how usable the kitchen is too.”

“Sounds good. But if we do that, it’ll likely get late, so how about a sleepover instead? Hey, Ayataka-kun?”

“It’s okay, right? Ayata?”

“It’s fine, but get your parents’ consent, okay?”

“I know, I know.”

Mirai and Masaki-san contact them immediately. Both seem to have gotten permission easily, and the sleepover party is decided.

I didn’t miss Auntie, who had returned, watching the situation and muttering, “A scene of carnage (shuraba), a scene of carnage… surely a storm is coming.”

Stop it. Don’t jinx it.

After that, I bought two pairs of jeans usable for daily wear, summer shirts, sweats for loungewear, underwear, and socks.

Gratefully, this shop seems to do hemming for jeans on the spot, and for free.

However, there was a small problem with payment. Debit cards couldn’t be used.

“It’s over 30,000 yen, are you okay for money, Ayata?”

“I have about that much on me.”

I tried to take out a thick bundle of 10,000 yen bills from my bag and—

“Wait a second.”

I was stopped by Mirai.

“Why are you carrying around such a large amount of money. You idiot!”

“I’d be in trouble without funds for the time being, right? There are cases like this too.”

“Even so, think about common sense.”

What Mirai says is reasonable, but I can’t open an account alone, and I can’t have a credit card. Minors are inconvenienced.

“Earlier, I received a passbook and card in my name from Grandma along with the house key, so I’ll go to the bank later.”

“Good grief…”

When finishing the payment, Auntie promised to make debit cards usable in the near future.

While getting the hemming done, we decided to do grocery shopping, so we split into two groups.

Mirai and Masaki-san went shopping in the shopping district. I’ll go to the bank, then return and clean the house.

However, when I went to the bank, I screwed up there too.

Thinking normally, a high school student holding a large amount of money is suspicious. Being asked to call a guardian for explanation, I contacted Yousuke-san, but Nagisa-san came flying.

“This Young Master is really, honestly!”

I was scolded insanely.

Chapter 28: True Identity

“I had a terrible time.”

Released from the bank, I inhale the outside air deeply.

Even though I just stopped by to deposit…

When I tried to deposit the cash I had on hand, about 3 million yen, at the bank, the bank clerk lady guided me to the reception room with a smiling face.

Waiting there were the branch manager and a security guard, whose eyes were not smiling.

This was careless of me too, but if a minor brings in a large amount of cash, they suspect involvement in a crime. Surrounded by the branch manager and the security guard, I ended up being interrogated about the source of the money.

“What, are you saying that with a face like you’re the victim?”

The one who grabbed my head firmly was Nagisa-san.

Because the branch manager said he wanted to speak to a guardian, I called Yousuke-san, and within 10 minutes, Nagisa-san arrived in her beloved Prius.

The moment Nagisa-san, dressed in a pale blue-green (asagi-iro) kimono, entered, the air in the bank changed.

As expected, the name of the proprietress (Okami) of the most long-established inn in the area is not just for show. The branch manager’s attitude softened, and they even served tea. Pretty good tea at that.

With Nagisa-san mediating, I explained that I left my parents to return to Japan for high school, showed the customs records and the account in Cicymel, and had them confirm it wasn’t money obtained through crime.

The deposit was successfully approved, and I even got an apology from the branch manager, but—

“It’s natural to be suspicious if a minor dressed like a cowboy like that has a large amount of money!”

“It’s formal attire in South America though?”

Honestly, I think it’s more normal than Nagisa-san in a kimono, though?

“This is Japan!”

My grabbed head is shaken roughly.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

“Besides, to think there was still a secret you hadn’t told us.”

To explain the source of the money, I revealed that I was active as a V-Tuber in Cicymel.

Seeing the “Olala” channel with 5 million subscribers, both Nagisa-san and the branch manager widened their eyes.

The reason I kept it secret was simply because it was embarrassing to have the character I play be seen. I don’t have a particularly cool voice (ikebo), and my acting is amateur. Olala’s popularity lies in the artist’s power and the explanations by the doctors.

Of course, Kunyan played by Kuu is supremely cute, though.

“…I didn’t have a chance to say it.”

“No excuses.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Good grief. Neither Mirai nor Nako-chan should take their eyes off this child, really.”

Even saying that, it’s doubtful whether this situation could have been prevented even if two high school girls were there.

Just in case, I informed Mirai and Masaki-san via messaging app that there was trouble at the bank, but because I spent over an hour at the bank, it’s already past noon.

Checking my smartphone, messages from the two were left.

Mi: Roger.

Nako: I’m hungry—

Mi: Details later.

Nako: I’m hungry—

Mi: Ingredients will spoil so we’re going ahead. Jeans collected.

Nako: I’m hungry—

Mi: Nako is noisy.

Since she seems to have been in and out often, Mirai knows Grandmother’s house better than I do. She seems to have a spare key too.

The incoming messages were 20 minutes ago, so she must have dragged Masaki-san, who had become an “I’m hungry—” bot, and arrived at the house by now.

When I conveyed that my business here was done, a reply of “Roger” came back with a bear stamp.

Since Masaki-san is quiet, I wonder if she managed to get some food?

I get a ride to Grandmother’s house in the Prius driven by Nagisa-san.

“Thank you very much despite your busy schedule.”

“It’s fine. More importantly, tell my daughters about your YouTube activities. Okay?”

“Yes.”

Seeing off the leaving Prius, I open the entrance of Grandmother’s house for the first time in 5 years.

From the kitchen, there’s a sizzling sound (jyuu-jyuu) and a savory smell.

Oh? Is this yakisoba?

Going to the kitchen, Mirai is wearing Grandmother’s kappogi (traditional apron) and wielding a frying pan. What was making the sound was yaki-udon.

Masaki-san was fiddling with her smartphone on the sofa in the living room. Rolled-up daifuku wrappers were lying near her hand.

“Sorry. I’m late.”

“Oh, welcome home, Ayata.”

“Welcome home.”

In this case, being told “Welcome home” feels somewhat wrong.

But since it didn’t feel bad—

“I’m home.”

—I replied.

“Mom drove you?”

“Yeah. I caused trouble during her busy time.”

When I told them what happened at the bank, I was laughed at loudly.

“It’s natural to get caught for that. You’re an idiot—”

Mirai heaps yaki-udon onto three plates.

The smell of burnt soy sauce stimulates my appetite.

Steaming yaki-udon. After sprinkling plenty of bonito flakes, it’s complete.

“Then, hands together (gassho), itadakimasu.”

“””Itadakimasu.”””

…

“””Gochisousama!”””

Even the heaping yaki-udon took less than 10 minutes to disappear when faced with the hungry trio.

“So, there’s something I want to tell you two.”

Mirai finishes washing dishes and takes off the kappogi. Masaki-san is looking at her smartphone as usual. Hidden by her long hair, I hadn’t realized, but it seems she’s been wearing earphones the whole time.

“What is it? So formally.”

“Actually, I…”

“Olala’s Souta?”

Eh?

“What’s that?”

Mirai looks puzzled at Masaki-san’s words, but I was dumbfounded.

Masaki-san shows her smartphone screen. What was displayed there was an Olala video. By disconnecting the earphones, folklore music played by zampona starts flowing. It’s the episode introducing the village festival, one of the particularly popular ones on the channel.

“Isn’t that the one Nako’s been watching lately? Huh? Ayata’s voice? I don’t understand the language though.”

“Masaki-san realized?”

“Yeah. I got interested in Cicymel where Ayataka-kun was, and when I looked it up, I found it.”

I’m beaten. To think it was already found out.

“What does this mean?”

“Ayataka-kun is a famous V-Tuber overseas. Look, the subscriber count is over 5 million!”

“Oh—! 5 million!? Is that amazing?”

Stumble. It seems Mirai doesn’t watch videos much.

“Isn’t that top level even in Japan?”

“How much is that?”

“The YouTuber who put out the collaboration rice balls with the convenience store that Mi-chan was eating the other day had 3 million, I think?”

“Ooh! Then, is Ayata rich? Is that why you had such a large amount of money?”

“Ah, most of the revenue was used for the village, so I’m not that rich. Besides, we’re on hiatus now, and I’m only receiving 1% of the revenue as living expenses.”

Even so, it’s plenty for a high school student’s allowance.

“I see, thank goodness—!”

Raising her voice as if relieved about something, Mirai sits down heavily on the sofa.

“I was worried Ayata might be doing bad work overseas.”

“Sorry. For making you worry.”

“If a bundle of bills comes out of a bag, anyone would get anxious. There isn’t a handgun in there or anything, right?”

“There isn’t.”

I properly left the Colt Defender in Cicymel.

Chapter 29: Hero

“But, why a V-Tuber? Why did you start that? Did you like that kind of thing, Ayata?”

“If I had to say, I was bad at it.”

Originally being a gloomy character (inkya), I’m bad with high-tension people. I didn’t even watch videos of popular YouTubers that were trending at school.

“I told you before, but in the Andes Mountains, there are still many mountain villages that aren’t on the map. The people living there have been continuously exploited by human traffickers. It was commonplace for children to disappear one day. But the government wouldn’t move. They had no means to defend themselves against opponents with guns. Even if they went down the mountain to seek help, they had no money.”

“Ayata. You sure went to such a place.”

“I didn’t know it was like that at first either. The village I lived in was still better off. But, my stepsister is super cute, right? It was when she was targeted and almost kidnapped that I learned the reality. That was about 3 years ago.”

“Don’t casually brag about your love.”

“Can’t be helped, right? Because she’s cute.”

When I said that, for a moment, Mirai’s cheeks seemed to puff out puku.

Could it be she’s jealous of Kuu?

No, surely not.

Thinking Mirai is conscious of me is being too self-conscious.

Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, Mirai listens to my story. Her arms are crossed like a prison boss (rounanushi), but her chest is pushed up, and I can see deep into her thighs through the gap in the hem of her short pants.

“What?”

“No, nothing.”

At her displeased voice, I look away.

“If it was 3 years ago, that means it’s different from the mafia that targeted Kuu-chan’s heart?”

I nod at Masaki-san’s question.

“There might have been a connection with the mafia, but they’re different. They were, so to speak, bandits, guys who kidnapped residents of mountain villages not under government protection and turned them into money. That’s why they were called human traffickers (hitokai).”

“Bandits… it’s the 21st century, you know.”

“Just as pirates on motorboats appear in Somalia, in the Andes Mountains, bandits wearing climbing gear and carrying AKs appear.”

“I see…”

“The reason the human traffickers did whatever they pleased was because the existence of the mountain villages wasn’t known. That’s why I became a V-Tuber and started streaming to introduce their culture and life. I wanted to do something I could.”

“For your stepsister-chan?”

“Well, yeah.”

Yes. For Kuu, I couldn’t afford to say I liked or disliked it, or that I wasn’t suited for it.

Even so, Mirai’s tone has thorns.

Is it jealousy after all?

It’s somewhat hard to deal with.

“I see. If you spread the existence of people living in mountain villages on the net, it becomes harder for bad people to move too.”

It seems Masaki-san also noticed Mirai’s bad mood. She speaks as if to fill the gap in conversation.

Reading the air and following up perfectly, as expected of the incarnation of Yamato Nadeshiko.

“That’s how it is. The reason I used an avatar was because I’m bad at speaking in front of people and to prevent identity leaks (mibare). Since I’m making enemies of antisocial forces, after all.”

“Hmm. So Ayata thought about it too.”

“Well, yeah.”

“The avatar is cute too, right. Did you ask a pro?”

“Yeah. She was unknown back then, but now she’s someone who draws light novel illustrations and such. When I lived in Tokyo, she lived in the neighborhood and often played with me. When I consulted her about wanting to start V-Tubing, she said she’d draw the character art herself and drew the first Souta for free. For safety, we’re hiding the information that she’s Olala’s artist, so she complains that she can’t make her biggest job public.”

She was a high school girl 5 years ago, but now she’s a 22-year-old unpopular woman (mojo)… a freelance illustrator.

I went to greet her with a box of sweets as soon as I arrived in Japan, but she got excited seeing the real brown-skinned silver-haired beautiful girl Kunia and was dangerous.

“It’s amazing you know someone like that.”

“I was really lucky. The channel got a response soon after starting, and funds and collaborators gathered. This wasn’t so much my power, but because the culture of the Inca civilization era remained in the mountain villages originally, and it had enough charm to attract public interest. Actually, my acting was bashed terribly.”

The flow of the video is that the interaction between me (pixelated/blurred) and the people of the mountain village is depicted, and the explanation is done by Souta as an avatar.

Mountain villages are scattered here and there in the Andes Mountains in places difficult to visit. In such places, I joined the survey team of my father’s colleagues and filmed. At first, due to the human traffickers, they were wary of us outsiders, but there, the fact that I was Japanese and Kuu’s language skills were useful.

The people living in Cicymel have pride that they fought against invasion from Europe until the end in the past. For such people, Japan, which fought against Western powers and maintained independence, is special. They hold yearning and awe for Japan.

That’s also the reason my father serves as the leader of the international research team, and the people of the mountain villages were kind to me, his son.

Though I was troubled by various things in their hospitality.

And Kuu, who bears the name of Cuniraya and understands the old language now obsolete, a beautiful girl, was treated like a goddess by them.

Thanks to obtaining the cooperation of the mountain village people, filming proceeded smoothly. As I expected, with the existence of the mountain villages becoming widely known, the human traffickers were exposed to criticism and could no longer meddle carelessly.

That said, not everything went smoothly. There were threats from the human traffickers, and among the young people living in the mountain villages, there were fellows who said, “Japanese? So what! Hand over that beautiful girl!”

What hit hardest among them was the verbal violence from antis.

After all, I’m an amateur. Even though the art and content were good, Souta’s talking was dissed terribly. Since it was around the time I finally got used to the language, I think there was also difficulty in hearing.

“Fufu. But you’re quite loved, aren’t you? The childhood Souta art is cute too.”

“Have you been watching from the beginning?”

Souta’s art changes to a grown-up appearance matching my voice change.

“Yeah. Maybe because I don’t understand Spanish, I can’t tell if it’s good or bad, but your hard work comes through, so I like it.”

“Thank you. I was really saved by fans who say that. When Kuu participated as Kunyan, popularity was taken away in an instant though.”

Inspired by my activities, Kuu said she would do it too.

With native pronunciation, and moreover, the appearance of the super cute brown-skinned silver-haired cat-ear avatar Kunyan, the channel’s popularity exploded. After that, Liana, who came from graduate school at Oxford, participated as Rhiannon, and the group name Olala was decided. Rhiannon Onee-san’s more specialized explanations also became a topic, and subscribers grew further.

Thanks to that, we achieved 1 million subscribers in just one year.

With revenue and donations as capital, we also started a business selling crops and folk crafts from the mountain villages. Olala became the advertising tower, and business performance grew.

“So, what happened to the human trafficker guys?”

“They met the counterattack of the mountain village people and became condor feed.”

“…I see.”

It was several months after that that Angelica Ferrero did the stream saying to bring Kuu’s heart.

If I hadn’t become a V-Tuber, I couldn’t have protected her. We would have been killed helplessly.

“The reason I became a V-Tuber. Did you understand?”

“Amazing, Ayataka-kun! You’re really a hero! Right! Mi-chan!”

“Ah, yeah. You worked hard, Ayata.”

In contrast to Masaki-san, Mirai is still displeased.

That said, I couldn’t ask the reason why she was pursing her lips.

Five years ago, I ran away from Mirai. The guilt of having made her sad remains like a lump in my heart.

Chapter 30: The Grim Reaper ~Mirai’s Perspective~

Ayata and I were neighbors, and we spent all our time together when we were little.

I was the older sister and Ayata was the younger brother. It was a relationship like siblings.

After all, Ayata was a handful.

He was slow at running, and weak at sumo. If he climbed a tree, he’d get stuck and cry, and he was the type of guy whose legs would turn to jelly just seeing an earwig. But, since he’d follow me one way or another, playing together was fun.

When we were in the second grade of elementary school, he transferred to Tokyo, but since he came back during breaks, our relationship didn’t change that much.

Five years ago, even when I heard he suddenly went overseas, I thought I’d be able to see him again soon.

But, when Ayata didn’t come back for the next winter break, or spring break, even I was pretty bummed out.

When I asked Dad, it seems he went deep into the mountains of a distant country called the Republic of Cicymel or something, so he couldn’t come back easily.

The one who filled the void in my heart after Ayata was gone was my best friend, Nako.

Unlike Ayata, Nako is fast, and strong at sumo. She’s good at climbing trees too, the kind of girl who catches a stag beetle and jumps down from the tree without a care.

Our schools were different, but thanks to Nako coming to play every holiday, I wasn’t lonely even without Ayata.

Several years passed after that, and I advanced to Toto High School.

When Dad told me “Ayataka-kun is coming back,” I was a little excited, but Ayata didn’t show up on the scheduled day, or even the entrance ceremony.

Him not being there became the norm, and I had completely forgotten about Ayata.

Then one day, suddenly Ayata came back.

He had grown taller, his pale face was tanned, and he looked like a completely different person.

Honestly, he’s cooler than any boy I’ve met so far.

Even his thin arms have solid muscle on them now. I probably can’t beat him in a footrace or sumo now.

Damn it! Even though he’s just Ayata!

It’s not just his looks that changed.

He got a medal in a foreign country? Fought the mafia? A V-Tuber with 5 million subscribers?

Who the hell are you?