The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 126-127

Chapter 126: Childhood Memories ~Haruka~

When I was little, there was someone like an older brother to me. He was a neighbor who lived in the house next door.

Because of my parents’ circumstances, we moved frequently, hopping from place to place. As a result, I never had any friends. I thought, what’s the point if we’ll part anyway? That thought stopped me from even trying to make friends.

But my connection with him—Yusuke-san—started when I was playing alone at the park.

Even as a child, I was bullied. Honestly, I felt pathetic and wondered why I was always the target.

That was when he stepped in to help me. While I was grateful, his method of helping wasn’t exactly heroic—he got kicked and hit with sticks by the other kids. To be honest, it wasn’t a cool sight at all.

At the time, I had trust issues with people, so I found Yusuke-san suspicious.

Yet, what made me open my heart to him was something incredibly simple:

“Do you like making mud dumplings?”

Such an ordinary, unremarkable question. I can’t say why it made me open up, but maybe it was because, for the first time, someone showed an interest in me. Looking back, that might have made me happy.

Being with Yusuke-san brought new excitement to my everyday life. We cooked meals together and even competed to see who could make the hardest mud dumpling.

Back then, he was also a content creator, and I eagerly looked forward to every video he uploaded. Watching them became the highlight of my days.

But those fun memories vanished in an instant.

It was because of my parents’ job transfer. Although they weren’t in debt at the time, our financial situation was far from stable.

We had to move again. Just when I had finally formed a meaningful connection with someone. I hated it so much that I impulsively ran away from home.

Why does this always happen to me? With that frustration in my heart, I found myself at the park, where I saw a familiar figure.

“Yusuke-san…”

It was him. But something about him seemed off, like he was struggling with inner conflict. I started walking toward him.

“…Guess I’ll have to quit… streaming.”

I froze at his words. “Streaming” was what he called making videos. And now, he said he was quitting.

“…Why?”

The words slipped out. He noticed me and turned around.

“H-Haruka?”

“Why are you quitting? Why?”

At the time, I didn’t fully understand it, but maybe I realized that his videos were the only way I could see him anymore. I think that’s why I panicked and begged him not to stop.

But the guilt in his expression only deepened, and that unsettled me even more.

“…I hate you, Yusuke-san!”

I ran away from him, leaving the park. Ironically, it was because of him that I eventually returned home safely.

And just like that, I moved away without ever speaking to Yusuke-san again.

Now, I work as a full-time employee at the bar where I used to work part-time during school.

Thanks to Rinmei-chan, I was able to pay off my debts. She’s amazing—just a high schooler, yet she managed to help me repay everything.

“…Don’t worry, I still have money left. It’s fine.”

Her calm, confident smile is etched in my memory. She’s my first and only female friend. The previous her never even came to school. Maybe the reason she could finally attend was…

“…Probably thanks to him.”

That mysterious, captivating person—Yusuke-san.

Even now, my feelings toward him remain complicated. But when I finally told him how I felt during our first meeting at the hospital, it lightened my heart just a little.

“…Maybe I’ll meet up with Rinmei-chan and him again.”

As I thought about this, my phone buzzed with a notification. When I checked, the message was simple.

“Let’s hang out sometime if you’re free.”

“…Hehe.”

A smile formed on my face as I replied to her message.

My once-dim life changed into something brighter, thanks to a friend and a neighbor who felt like an older brother.

That’s why I hope… someday, I can repay them.

I believe in the day when the three of us can laugh together again.

—

Chapter 127: I’m Home

Several days have passed since I was hospitalized. A lot has happened since then.

First, let’s talk about Rinmei and Haru-chan.

Apparently, they decided to quit school. Though they are still attending for now, they say today will be their last day of school life.

Honestly, I can understand Haru-chan, but I’m surprised Rinmei managed to convince the two of them. They seemed like they’d oppose it.

When I asked about it, she simply replied, “…Hmm. I found lots of weaknesses in the school… Also, Haruka helped me… Good job.”

Well, even if they don’t graduate high school, Rinmei has income from her streaming, and Haru-chan seems to have secured a formal workplace.

Now about Rinmei’s recent kidnapping incident.

After what happened, the girl who kidnapped Rinmei—some party girl—was safely arrested.

It seems that since she’s a minor, she won’t face charges under juvenile law. However, as a key figure in a yakuza conflict, things have become quite messy.

Additionally, her arrest exposed several issues, especially related to the school.

Apparently, there were instances of misconduct, inappropriate relationships with students, bullying, and attempts to cover up these problems.

As a result, the school Rinmei and the others attended is now embroiled in a massive scandal. It’s causing a lot of trouble for them as well.

During this process, Rinmei’s identity as Scarlet was also revealed to the public. But she doesn’t seem to care much about it, saying, “…Hmm. Doesn’t matter.”

No, it does matter! What if someone finds out where you live? I pointed this out, but she calmly replied, “…Hmm. If that happens, I’ll just move. Problem solved.”

…It seems she doesn’t care much about public attention.

While I was in the hospital, many people came to visit me, mostly members from Able.

I still clearly remember Yuna-chan crying as she pleaded, “Senpai, please don’t die! You haven’t worked on my project yet!”

Then there was Karen-san, making snide remarks like, “Did your legs stop working too?” which earned her Sayaka’s right hook to the face.

That caused quite the commotion at the hospital, and for some reason, I got labeled a troublesome patient who caused disturbances. Unfair.

And today… I’m finally getting discharged.

“It still hurts a little…”

Walking outside after so long felt refreshing, but rehabilitation was tougher than expected, and honestly, walking was painful.

But I didn’t have a car, and I’d already told Sayaka and the others to wait at home.

“…Now that I think about it, Kanna-san never visited me even once.”

She never showed up to see me in the hospital. Was she not worried at all? No way… right?

“Anyway, I just want to go home.”

With that thought, I started heading home.

“I’m finally here… I made it home.”

Regretting not asking Soji to drive me home, I stared at my house with a strange sense of accomplishment.

“I never thought walking could be this tough.”

…Next time, I’ll avoid getting injured. With that resolution in mind, I rang the doorbell.

I assumed it would take a while for someone to answer, but suddenly, I heard loud footsteps from inside, loud enough to be heard even outside.

Huh? What’s going on?

As I panicked internally, the door swung open, and someone hugged me tightly.

Though I couldn’t see their face, a familiar scent wafted to my nose. The person’s body trembled as they spoke.

“Eiji-san…! Eiji-san…!! Thank goodness… you’re really alive… sniffle…”

“K-Kanna-san…”

“Welcome home… welcome home!”

I wanted to say something to her, but her grip was so strong I couldn’t utter a word. I… I can’t breathe…

As I struggled, I saw two figures appear at the door: Sayaka and Rinmei.

“Eiji-san, congratulations on your discharge. We’ve been waiting for you,” Sayaka said.

“…Welcome back. We prepared a lot for you. Come in,” added Rinmei with a gentle smile.

Hearing their kind words, I mustered all my strength to express my gratitude to Kanna, who was still crying, and to the two standing behind her.

“Yeah… I’m home.”