The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 124-125

Chapter 124: That’s Why I Hate You

“Y-Yusuke-san?”

Haruka-chan called my name in disbelief. In response, I nodded weakly but firmly, answering her.

“S-Someone, right away—!”

As she tried to press the nurse call button, I stopped her hand with my frail one.

“…N-Not now… Haruka-chan… I want to talk… with you…”

“!?”

Hearing my words, Haruka-chan’s hand slowly moved away from the nurse call button.

Probably, it was because I felt I wouldn’t get another chance to talk with her otherwise.

“…Um… uh…”

“…It’s been a while… Haru-chan.”

“!?”

“You’ve grown so much. It’s been more than ten years, hasn’t it? It feels… so nostalgic.”

“…You remembered.”

With that, Haruka-chan—Haru-chan—took off her glasses. Her face, without the glasses, was unmistakably reminiscent of her younger self, bringing those memories back vividly.

She was a relative’s child who lived nearby when I was in middle school.

There was about a ten-year age gap between us, but we became close like siblings after playing together at the park.

Due to her parents’ circumstances and their move, along with my busy work schedule, my memories of her had gradually faded.

“Do you remember? These glasses are the ones you gave me.”

“…You’ve been using them all this time?”

“Yes. I’ve kept changing the lenses and frames to make them last. They’ve become so battered because of that flashy guy.”

She gave a smile fitting her age, but as time passed, her expression started to change.

“…Why did you protect me?”

Her face now carried a sorrowful look.

“Why did you come to us? If you had gone with the police, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt, Yusuke-san.”

“…I couldn’t just leave it be. When a kid ten years younger is doing her best, it’s not right for an adult like me to do nothing.”

“Again, you’re hurting yourself, aren’t you?”

Her grip on my hand tightened. She trembled slightly as she stared at me with piercing eyes.

“You risk your life to save others? Just like when I was being bullied… Without considering other people’s feelings, you hurt yourself for your own self-satisfaction?”

“…Haru-chan.”

“I just want—!”

Her voice grew louder, and tears began flowing from her eyes.

“I just want you to live happily! I just want the kind-hearted Yusuke-san, who always helps others, to laugh and live! But you keep hurting yourself to help others… That’s why… I hate you…”

“…I’m sorry.”

As I said that, she finally reached her limit and wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly.

Even though I was bedridden and the pain flared through my body, I didn’t let it show.

“…I hate you… hate you… I really hate you… But… thank goodness… Thank goodness…!”

“…I’m glad you’re safe, Haru-chan.”

Summoning all my strength, I placed my hand on her head. She buried her face in my neck and began to cry quietly.

Maybe it was a mix of guilt and relief bursting out of her… I had caused her such pain.

I kept stroking her head until she stopped crying and cherished the time I spent with her.

As for the doctors and nurses who scolded me afterward… well, that’s another story.

—

Chapter 125: Two Completely Opposite People

“Eiji (san)!”

“Ugh…!?”

Sayaka and Rinmei, who must have rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news, threw themselves at me. Haru-chan isn’t here right now since she went back to her own home.

“Seriously! Stop doing things that make us worry so much! Please, I beg you, don’t act recklessly anymore!”

“Eiji, you idiot… idiot… idiot…”

“S-sorry… I made you worry.”

I apologized to the two, who were on the verge of tears, despite the pain in my body.

“Where’s Kanna-san?”

When I asked, Sayaka released me and began explaining the situation.

“Well, she’s not in a state to go out right now… When I went to call her, she was sound asleep…”

“I see.”

I must have worried her too. I’ll have to contact her later… but for now.

“Rinmei, were you hurt after that? Have you been eating properly?”

“…Yes… I’m okay… Manaka and the others made food for me… And Yuna cleaned our house for us…”

Before she could say more, Rinmei’s mouth shut tight. She simply hugged me while saying nothing further.

“…I’m sorry.”

She apologized through sobs. I wondered why, but then it struck me—she probably thought I ended up hospitalized because she was kidnapped.

“Rinmei.”

“Ah! S-sorry!”

“You don’t need to apologize.”

Before she could say it again, I placed my hand on her head to stop her.

“I’m just glad you’re safe, Rinmei.”

“Eiji… ugh… uuuu…”

Rinmei finally broke down and cried, suppressing her sobs as much as she could. I thought to myself how much of a crybaby she is, but continued gently patting her fragile head.

“Are you physically okay? No lingering effects or anything?”

“Yeah. The doctor gave me a detailed explanation, and there don’t seem to be any major issues. It looks like I can be discharged after some rehabilitation.”

“I see… That’s such a relief.”

Sayaka let out a sigh of relief, her tension visibly easing.

Well, for the next few days, I’ll have to rely entirely on Souji and the others for housework. Now that I think about it… since when did Yuna-chan get involved with things at my house?

I’ll have to thank her once I’m discharged… Oh, right, my parents.

Apparently, my parents—especially my mom—weren’t too worried about me being hospitalized. They reportedly said, “Well, Yusuke will be fine,” with a smile. My dad, on the other hand, was worried…

Hey, I was unconscious, you know? Aren’t you concerned about your own son at all?

“I’ll contact Kanna-san on your behalf. Eiji-san, focus on recovering, okay?”

“Yeah, I’ll do that. Sorry for burdening you with everything.”

“Not at all. You’ve always been the one supporting us, so this much is nothing. But… really, I’m so glad.”

Sayaka smiled at me and left the hospital room, probably to contact Kanna-san.

Somehow, Sayaka feels a little more grown-up now. In the past, she might have been more emotionally unstable in moments like this. Seeing her growth feels like watching a daughter mature, and it made me happy.

“Rinmei, you’ve calmed down by now, right? Let go already. It hurts a bit.”

“…Just a little longer…”

“…”

On the other hand, Rinmei… seems to be growing more and more attached. They’re such opposites, I thought to myself as I continued patting her head until she stopped crying.