The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 138-139

Chapter 138: Everyone’s Thoughts

“Good work today. I’m sorry for leaving everything about Kanna to you.”

“It’s fine. Thank you for the coffee.”

Kyoko-san handed me a cup of coffee after she got home from work.

Even at night, Kanna-san hadn’t come out of her room. It seemed she really wore herself out playing.

It was unusual; she hadn’t even eaten dinner. Compared to Sayaka and Rinmei, her appetite wasn’t as big, but she still ate quite a lot.

“…How’s Kanna doing? Has anything unusual happened?”

“Well… I don’t think there were any major changes. She did seem really happy talking about her parents—Haruto-san and Aoi-san.”

“I see. As expected, nothing changes in just one day. Well, let’s keep experimenting without rushing things.”

Saying this, Kyoko-san sat down in a chair, exhaled to relax, and sipped her coffee.

“What kind of work do you do?”

“Right now, I’m in an office job. It’s all paperwork and preparing materials—just endlessly busy. I’ve been stuck in front of a computer so much lately that my shoulders are starting to get stiff.”

“…Should I give you a massage?”

“Would you? Then, I might just take you up on that offer.”

When I suggested it, Kyoko-san, who had been rubbing and rotating her stiff shoulders with a frown, immediately accepted.

I stood up from my seat and walked behind her. When I touched her shoulders to start massaging… Wow, they were incredibly tense.

“Ahh… There, there. That’s good. Could you press a bit harder?”

“Ah, sure.”

…She’s still young, isn’t she? Her shoulder muscles were so tight that I couldn’t help but be surprised. Even so, I applied a bit more pressure as I massaged her.

“Mm, yes, that’s it. You’re surprisingly good at this. How about becoming my personal masseur? I’ll pay you.”

“Ahaha. I’m happy you think so, but I’ll have to decline.”

“Oh my, you’re quite stubborn despite your appearance. I’d really hire you, you know… Ahh, this feels so good. I can feel all the usual fatigue melting away.”

Her voice, so relaxed, was a stark contrast to the strong aura she usually gave off.

Was this Kyoko-san’s true self? I wasn’t sure yet since I hadn’t known her for long.

As I pondered this while massaging her shoulders, Kyoko-san suddenly spoke.

“…Tomorrow, I’m going to have Kanna meet Sayaka-chan and Rinmei-chan.”

Her words made me pause.

“…Are you sure that’s okay? I mean, considering everything, Sayaka and Rinmei might still be shaken…”

“It’s better for Kanna to play with her friends. Besides, I’ve already gotten their agreement.”

If that’s the case… But are they really okay? I couldn’t help but wonder if they’d had enough time to process everything.

As I was thinking, Kyoko-san turned to face me.

“Can I ask you something?”

“S-Sure, what is it?”

“Do you think Kanna’s memory should be restored?”

“…That’s…”

“I want to restore her memory. But if that causes her pain, I also think it might be better to leave things as they are. However, that’s just my opinion as someone who doesn’t fully understand her current state. What do you think?”

…She had a point. Leaving things as they were was one option.

If Kanna-san’s memory returned, she would likely suffer—that seemed unavoidable.

“…I want her memory to come back. I’ve grown even more certain after spending time with her now.”

Interacting with the younger Kanna-san… Honestly, it was enjoyable in some ways. But at the same time, there was a sense of loss.

It felt as if the Kanna-san I had known before had been erased… and that was hard to accept.

“…Yeah, I feel the same. And after all, I’m the one who caused this to happen to Kanna. I’ll see it through to the end.”

“Kyoko-san…”

“…Thank you. I feel much better now. I think I’ll take a bath.”

As she stood up from her chair and headed toward the bathroom, her back seemed burdened by something heavy.

She must feel it too—the weight of what she had done.

“…I have to do my best, too.”

Looking toward the room where Kanna-san was sleeping, I resolved myself once again.

—

Chapter 139: Coming Home After a Few Days

“Hey, Mom. Where are we going today? Shopping?”

The next day, we were heading to the house where Sayaka and Rinmei lived, with Kanna in tow, using Kyoko-san’s car.

“Shopping will have to wait for another time. Today, I want you to meet some friends.”

“Friends?”

“Don’t you remember? Sayaka-chan and Rinmei-chan.”

“Sayaka-chan… Rinmei-chan… the two from the hospital?”

“That’s right! You remember well.”

“Yeah! Both of them were so cute! Like dolls!”

Watching Kanna, eyes sparkling as she chattered excitedly, I thought to myself that she must have really liked dolls when she was younger.

“We’re here. Kanna, remember to be polite, even with close friends. Don’t forget your manners.”

“Okay!”

Outside the window, the house we used to live in—the place I once called home—came into view. However, Kanna showed no particular reaction, stepping out of the car with shining eyes as she looked at the house.

“…It’s no good, is it?” Kyoko-san sighed.

“Yes, but it can’t be helped,” I replied quietly.

After a brief exchange with Kyoko-san, we also got out of the car. I couldn’t help but think that recovering Kanna’s memories wouldn’t be so easy. With that thought lingering in my mind, I rang the doorbell.

A short while later, the door opened, and Sayaka appeared.

“…Eiji-san… and Kyoko-san, too…”

“It’s been a few days, hasn’t it? Is it just you and Rinmei here now?” I asked.

“Yes. Soji-san and Manaka-san were here earlier, but they left after I explained the situation. Also—”

Sayaka’s gaze shifted to Kanna, who smiled brightly and bowed to her in greeting.

“Hello, Sayaka-chan!”

“…H-Hello, Kanna-san.”

Although her expression clouded slightly, Sayaka returned Kanna’s greeting.

“For now, let’s go inside. Sayaka, could you call Rinmei for us?” I suggested.

“Y-Yes!” Sayaka replied before heading upstairs to get Rinmei.

In the meantime, the three of us entered the house.

“…It feels a bit nostalgic,” Kyoko-san remarked.

“It does, just a little,” I agreed.

It had only been a few days since we left this house, but it felt like time had sped up. With that thought, I opened the door to the living room. Kanna, seemingly more excited than nervous, lit up as she looked around the room.

“Wow…! This is such a big house!”

…This is actually your house, you know? But I couldn’t say that to her, so I just nodded along.

“…Eiji,” came a voice from behind me.

Turning around, I saw Sayaka and Rinmei, the latter with a towel draped around her neck.

“Sorry, were we interrupting a stream?” I asked Rinmei.

“…No, it’s fine. I was just practicing… More importantly—”

Rinmei’s gaze shifted to Kanna. She didn’t seem to notice them at first, still marveling at the house, until Kyoko-san called out.

“Kanna, your friends are here. Say hello.”

“Huh? …Oh, Rinmei-chan! Hello!”

“…Hello, Kanna,” Rinmei replied.

Her face was as calm as ever, but I noticed a slight movement in her brows. She seemed unsettled, after all.

“Sorry to ask this of you two, but could you play with Kanna today?” Kyoko-san said.

“We can do that, but… what should we play? We’ll have to think carefully, right?” Sayaka asked hesitantly.

“…I prepared a lot of options for today, but I’m still a bit worried,” Rinmei admitted.

“Just do what you usually do with Kanna. Don’t overthink it,” Kyoko-san reassured them.

“Well, if that’s the case…” Sayaka agreed.

“…Alright. Let’s play right away. Kanna, come with us. We’ll show you our room,” Rinmei added.

“Really? Yay, I can’t wait!” Kanna exclaimed.

The two girls held Kanna’s hands and led her out of the living room, heading upstairs.

“Well, shall we take it easy, too?” Kyoko-san suggested.

“Yes… I hope Kanna gets her memories back,” I replied.

“…For now, let’s trust those two. Everything will be fine,” she said.

Despite the lingering unease, I decided to relax in this house for the first time in a while.