The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 142-143

Chapter 142: Self-Centered Actions

Over the next few weeks, we tried various things to help Kanna regain her memories.

Sayaka and Rinmei helped, and we went to many different places together. Sometimes, we talked about old memories or showed her past videos.

However, despite these efforts, Kanna didn’t fully recover. While she showed brief signs of improvement, she ultimately remained the same.

“…This isn’t working. We’re getting nowhere.”

Kyoko sighed heavily, resting her forehead against her hand on the desk.

I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of anxiety. Things weren’t improving; if anything, the situation was worsening.

More and more people were becoming concerned about KANNA’s absence. Though we had announced it as a temporary hiatus, it couldn’t last forever.

“…Maybe there’s nothing else we can do,” Kyoko muttered, sounding defeated.

She quickly corrected herself, as if realizing she had spoken out of turn. But she couldn’t continue; instead, she silently sipped the coffee I had made to calm herself.

“Kanna’s condition… it’s safe to say it’s deteriorating. Lately, she’s started depending on us more and more,” Kyoko said quietly.

She was right. In recent days, whenever Kyoko and I weren’t near her, Kanna’s mental state became unstable.

She was resting peacefully now, but it was undeniable that her emotional state was fragile.

“At this rate, who knows what might happen… She might even go so far as to keep us confined…”

“…I can’t completely deny that possibility,” I admitted.

“…I’m sorry. This is all my fault,” Kyoko said, her voice weak as she apologized.

I shook my head in response.

“This isn’t your fault, Kyoko. It was only a matter of time before her parents’ situation came to light. Besides, we just need to bring Kanna back to herself.”

“And how exactly do you plan to do that? Do you really think you can bring her back?” Kyoko snapped, almost as if venting her frustration on me.

There was a way to bring Kanna back, but…

“…We’ll tell her the entire truth.”

“What?!”

Kyoko froze in shock at my words but quickly regained her composure.

She slammed her hand on the desk with a loud bang.

“No way! If you tell her now, it might destroy her!”

“But it’s better than doing nothing and wasting time. Besides, I don’t think hiding the truth is really for her benefit.”

“I know that! But can’t you see how fragile she is right now?!”

Kyoko was right. Kanna, as a child, had loved her parents deeply, to the point of developing a possessive attachment to them.

If we told her now that her parents were gone… It might break her, just as Kyoko feared.

But even so…

“…Is avoiding the truth really what’s best for her?”

Letting her live a life free from pain by erasing her memories and ignoring reality—it might seem like the kind thing to do.

But what would happen to all of her experiences and memories up to now? Would they simply vanish?

“I’m scared too. But we can’t keep letting her turn away from reality. We have to tell her the truth.”

“There’s a time and place for everything!”

Kyoko’s voice echoed through the room. Her breathing was heavy, but she continued her argument.

“What if Kanna falls apart? Don’t just say reckless things like this!”

“…I’m not being reckless,” I said firmly, unwavering in my resolve.

“I belong to Kanna. If her mind breaks… I’ll dedicate my life to taking care of her.”

“Even so, I can’t allow this,” Kyoko said, standing firmly in front of the door, blocking my way.

She wasn’t going to let me go.

I sighed internally. I knew she wouldn’t agree.

But I had already made up my mind. This was my selfish decision.

“…Ugh. Wh-What? Dizzy…”

Kyoko wavered, her balance faltering.

It had taken effect—the sleeping pill I’d slipped into her coffee.

I walked past her as she collapsed to the floor and headed toward Kanna’s room.

…I’m sorry, Kyoko. I’m sorry, Kanna.

—

Chapter 143: Escaping the Truth

“…Dad, where’s Mom? Is she sleeping?”

“…Yeah. Maybe she’s tired? I tried waking her, but she wouldn’t get up.”

“I see… It would’ve been nice if Mom came with us too.”

Holding my hand, Kanna looks around as she speaks.

The surroundings are already pitch-dark, with only faint lights from buildings illuminating the night cityscape.

This is the place where I went on a date with Kanna before.

(…I guess she really doesn’t remember.)

Judging from her behavior, there’s no sign of recognition. It seems her memory is completely gone. Though I had anticipated this, I still felt a slight pang in my heart.

“There’s no one around, huh…”

“Well, it’s this late, after all. It can’t be helped.”

Fortunately, there are barely any people in the streets. I stop walking, thinking this is the perfect chance.

“? Dad??”

“…Kanna. There’s something I need to tell you.”

I turn to face Kanna, who tilts her head curiously at me.

The moment her pure, innocent eyes meet mine, a thought flashes through my mind.

—Maybe I don’t have to tell her.

That lingering doubt resurfaces in my heart. It’s true she has moments of instability, but I can manage it as long as I stay by her side.

If I tell her, it might shatter Kanna’s heart.

In that case… But I shake my head internally.

(…You’ve already decided. Get a grip, Yusuke. Don’t run from reality.)

—No matter what the outcome may be.

I take a deep breath, reaffirm my resolve, and then speak the truth to Kanna.

“…Kanna, your mom and dad… aren’t here anymore.”

The moment I say it, Kanna freezes. The pure black eyes that once held a glimmer of light turn into dark, lifeless voids.

“W-What are you saying?”

A few seconds later, Kanna stammers, clearly unable to conceal her confusion.

“B-But Mom and Dad are here! I don’t understand…!”

“…Kyoko and I aren’t your real parents.”

“…I don’t believe it.”

“Kanna…”

“I don’t believe it!!!!!”

Her anguished scream echoes throughout the streets. Kanna turns her back on me, as if rejecting reality.

“Dad is here! Mom is here! They’re not dead!!!”

Clenching her fists tightly, she continues to shout as if convincing herself, her voice tinged with tears. Her figure, swallowed by the darkness, looks so tormented that my face involuntarily contorts.

But I steel myself, knowing what I must do, and call out to her again.

“…Kanna. No, Miss Kanna.”

I say her name, and her shoulders tremble slightly.

“Deep down… haven’t you already known? That your parents are no longer…”

But I don’t get to finish my sentence.

Kanna runs off, leaving me behind, disappearing into the city streets.

“Miss Kanna!”

Damn it, her memory still hasn’t…!

I run after her, trying not to lose sight of her.

(This isn’t right, Miss Kanna…! If you keep running from reality…!!)

…Because someone is waiting for you!!!