The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 108-109

Chapter 108: Study Group

Carrying my work tools and laptop in one hand, I opened the door to the living room.

(…Looks like they’re at it.)

Looking inside, I saw them seated at the desk, each with their study materials out, focused on their work. Rinmei was holding an adorable mechanical pencil, tackling her problems while nibbling on the snacks I had prepared.

“Ah, Rinmei-chan. About this part…”

“…This uses this formula…”

I noticed Rinmei explaining something to Haruka-chan, teaching her with a calm demeanor.

Observing this refreshingly new side of her, I settled into a chair at the dining table, opened my laptop, and began working on my tasks.

(As expected, those five… the new-generation rookies are growing at an incredible rate.)

As I reviewed the videos I had edited so far, I noticed the clips featuring VTubers had racked up overwhelmingly high views. Among them was Sayaka—known as Amabare Aoi—who recently did a workout stream with Rigel-san, which looked pretty entertaining.

Even though her avatar’s expression didn’t show it, I could imagine Sayaka struggling and looking utterly miserable. Smiling wryly at the thought, I began working on editing today’s batch of clips, my fingers clicking away on the keyboard.

“Um… this part…”

“…Eiji… Eiji…”

“…Hm?”

I had been editing for a while when Rinmei’s voice reached me. Checking the clock, I realized how much time had passed.

Rinmei and the others had arrived around 3 PM, and now, two hours later, the clock read 5 PM.

“…Haruka is washing the dishes.”

“What? No way.”

Looking over, I saw Haruka-chan washing the dishes that hadn’t been cleaned yet. Feeling a pang of guilt, I quickly stood up and headed to the kitchen.

“Sorry, Haruka-chan! I’ll take care of the rest.”

“It’s fine. I’m almost done, so I’ll finish it myself.”

“What? No way…”

Looking closely, I saw there were hardly any dishes left. Huh? That’s unusually fast… While I was marveling at her speed, Haruka-chan wiped the last plate, leaving behind a sparklingly clean collection of dishes.

“All done. It’s getting late, so I’ll head home now.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks, Haruka-chan. Sorry for making you do this.”

As I thanked her, she picked up her bag to leave but suddenly stopped walking.

What’s going on? Did something happen?

As I wondered, she took off her glasses, turned toward me, and looked straight at me.

“…Don’t you remember?”

“Eh?”

Her unexpected words threw me into confusion. Just as I tried to process what she meant, she put her glasses back on.

“…Never mind. Goodbye.”

“Oh, okay… see you.”

“Rinmei-chan! See you tomorrow!”

“…Mm.”

After saying goodbye to both of us, Haruka-chan left the living room. Moments later, I heard the front door open and close.

“…Eiji… did something happen? …Eiji?”

“…”

I hadn’t noticed earlier because I was caught off guard, but… I recognized her face. I just couldn’t remember where we had met before. Why does this feel so unsettling?

“…Eiji… Look ahead.”
“Huh? …Ah.”

“…E-Eiji-san… I-I’ve finished writing it… S-so please, have mercy…”

Standing before me, trembling as she handed over around fifty sheets of paper, was Kanna-san.

“I’m back! Huh? Why is the front door open? Wait, what? Kanna-san? Why do you look like you’re about to die?”

I heard Sayaka’s voice—she must have just gotten back from school.

“…Anyway, I don’t have time to dwell on this. Plus, I need to make dinner.”

With everything suddenly getting busier, I set my lingering questions aside. Taking the reflection paper from Kanna-san, I started reviewing it while preparing dinner.

“Oh, by the way, Rinmei. I saw a girl with glasses earlier. Was that Haruka-chan?”

“…I won’t tell Sayaka. Keeping it a secret.”

“What? Why are you being so cold to me?”

And so, Rinmei was about to get teased by Sayaka again, but that’s a story for another time.

—

Chapter 109: Tests and Doubts

It had been a few weeks since Rinmei’s school entered its test period.
Because school ended earlier than usual, she and Haruka studied at my house every day.

“…That girl, I feel like I’ve seen her before…”

However, I couldn’t stop thinking about something—Haruka-chan.

She’d wash dishes soon after arriving, not only cook for Rinmei but even prepare meals for me too.

Though I always thanked her, she often muttered cryptic things or seemed to harbor some kind of hostility toward me.

This bothered me so much that I sat slumped in my chair, lost in thought.

“…According to Rinmei, they had tests at school today, right?”

—I hope nothing happens.

Thinking that, I sank deeper into contemplation.

A few weeks into the test period, today was one of their exam days.
The first day focused on science subjects like math and physics, which Haruka had said she wasn’t good at.

“…Haruka, how was today’s test?”

“Ugh… I think I barely avoided failing. But I feel like I did better than before.”

Despite slumping over the desk, Haruka said she thought she’d improved since last time.
Rinmei had her thoughts about that but said nothing.

“How about you, Rinmei-chan?”

“…Perfect. Managed somehow. Victory!”

Rinmei flashed Haruka a peace sign, celebrating her success. The adorable gesture made me smile, and I couldn’t help but admire her.

“…But tomorrow’s test is my weakest subject… especially history… I’m a little worried.”

“Still, didn’t you score over 80 in history last time, Rinmei-chan?”

“…Did I?”

Seeing how little Rinmei remembered about her past performance made me realize how amazing she was.

In the midterm exams earlier, she had scored high in all subjects, including the history test she just called her weakness.

Good at singing and smart, Rinmei’s talents had always been memorable, even before I got to know her closely.

“…I’ll pack my head full of history knowledge. Haruka, we’ll study at my house today too.”

Rinmei showed unusual determination, and Haruka, smiling at her, seemed amused. As they prepared to leave, though…

“You’re being awfully noisy. Can’t you keep it down a little?”

Standing before them was a girl dressed flashily—a gyaru.

Rinmei ignored her as usual and walked past, with Haruka following. But the gyaru stepped in their way as if to block them deliberately.

“…Move. You’re in the way.”

“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to you, glasses.”

“! …W-What do you want?”

The gyaru’s gaze turned to Haruka, who flinched but managed to respond while looking her in the eye.

“You’ve been acting pretty high and mighty lately. Is it because of the quiet one over there? Huh?”

“…Haruka, let’s go. There’s no time to waste on someone like this.”

Rinmei held back her anger and grabbed Haruka’s hand to leave the classroom. But the gyaru leaned close to Haruka and whispered something in her ear.

“!?”

Haruka turned pale, while the gyaru twisted her lips into a smirk.

“Well, then. I’ll be counting on you~. You know what’ll happen if you refuse, right?”

With that, the gyaru walked away, leaving Haruka and Rinmei behind.

“…What was her problem? Haruka, let’s go. We’re wasting time… Haruka?”

Even as Rinmei called out, Haruka lowered her head and didn’t respond. After some time passed, she gave Rinmei a troubled smile.

“…S-Sorry, Rinmei-chan. I’ve got something to take care of, so I’ll head home today.”

“…Huh? But today—”

“S-Sorry! No time, so I’ll see you tomorrow!”

“…Ah.”

Before Rinmei could reply, Haruka dashed off, leaving her standing there.

“…What’s wrong, Haruka?”

For a moment, thoughts of the gyaru and the words Keisuke had said before floated through Rinmei’s mind.

“…No. Even friends… have a secret or two.”

Shaking her head, Rinmei decided not to doubt Haruka. Assuming she must have her reasons, Rinmei headed home alone that day.