The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 146-147

Chapter 146: A Sad But Precious Memory ~Kanna~

As I watched the ring slip through my fingers, something began to flood into my mind.

Yes, this is a story from when I was working after my parents went missing.

At that time, I was so focused on supporting Sayaka and Rinmei that I threw myself into it completely.

There was no time to feel sad. Life was so hectic and challenging that I couldn’t afford it.

But when I stopped doing anything, my thoughts would always drift back to my parents.

And each time I remembered them, I would cry in secret, making sure not to let the two notice.

I truly wanted to see them again. I wanted to lean on them more. But even that wasn’t allowed for me.

Then, during one of those moments, I happened to glance at a streaming screen open on my phone.

Was it unconscious? I tapped on the streamer’s screen.

What appeared was… a streamer who could hardly be called popular, with fewer than ten simultaneous viewers.

His name was… Eiji.

(…Why can he smile like that?)

I couldn’t understand it. Why would he keep chatting in a stream where hardly anyone watched?

Out of mere curiosity, I decided to keep watching this streamer named Eiji.

Whether I was feeling down or sad, I kept watching his streams.

Before I knew it, his streams had become a part of my daily life.

More and more people started watching him, and before long, he became well-known in the streaming world.

I was amazed. At the same time, I felt happy, as if it was happening to me. But… the sadness didn’t disappear.

So, I sent him a chat. A long one.

I poured my heart out, asking what to do when I was struggling, how to find the strength to keep going when overwhelmed by sadness… it was a heavy message.

By chance, he noticed it. And when he read it, he just smiled and said this:

“Just forget about all that while watching my stream!”

Simple and straightforward words, slightly playful compared to how he speaks now. But those words sank into my heart, and I collapsed to the ground as if something had been released.

I cried. I let out all my pain. But… when it was over, I felt like I could smile from the bottom of my heart for the first time.

I thought, I want to work hard for his streams. I want to keep living.

That was… how I came to love him.

When he stopped streaming, I was devastated. It felt like I had lost my anchor, and it was so painful… but when I finally met him, I was truly happy.

My heart danced with joy, and I cried again. Together with the others, I’ve been able to share happy days.

There were times when I got annoyed seeing him interact with other women, but seeing his true self up close made me fall for him even more.

“…Eiji-san.”

Ah… why did I forget for so long? I shouldn’t have forgotten. I need to respond to the person who gave his all for me.

“…Ah.”

I felt a push on my back. Even though no one should have been behind me… I understood. It must have been you two who gave me that push, right?

“…I know, Mom. Dad.”

Without turning around, I picked up the ring he once bought for me. My steps were unsteady, but little by little, I walked toward him—toward Eiji, who was staring at me.

“…Kanna-san?”

“…Yes, it’s me, Kanna. Geez, what’s with that sloppy face?”

I took the handkerchief from my pocket and wiped his eyes.

“…I’m back, Eiji-san. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

And though I felt a slight pang of guilt, I smiled at him to reassure him.

—

Chapter 147: The First Star

“…Are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’ve said it many times already, haven’t I?”

Having regained our composure, we now sat on a bench overlooking the city scenery.

When I glanced to the side, there was Kanna-san, gazing at the city with a smile.

She was unmistakably the same person I had always known.

Noticing my gaze, Kanna-san turned toward me and let out a soft laugh.

“If you keep staring at me like that, I won’t know what to do. It’s a little embarrassing.”

“S-Sorry… I just felt relieved to see the usual Kanna-san back again.”

Talking to her properly for the first time in a while, it still didn’t feel quite real to me.

Seeing me lost in thought, Kanna-san smiled and turned her gaze back to the city.

“…I heard a voice.”

“A voice?”

“Yes. When I looked at the ring Eiji-san gave me, I felt like I could hear my mom and dad’s voices in my head… like they were pushing me forward, telling me I still had to keep living.”

Then, Kanna-san let out a faint, wry smile.

“They’re such selfish people, aren’t they? Leaving me behind and telling me to keep going. But even though they were so selfish… I couldn’t hate them. If anything, I loved them.”

“…I’m sure they cherished you deeply, Kanna-san. Please don’t blame them.”

“Did I look angry?”

“Yes, just a little.”

“Goodness… Maybe I am angry… but I’m also grateful.”

“Grateful?”

“Yes. If I hadn’t been left on my own, I don’t think I would have met Sayaka or Rinmei. I wouldn’t have discovered game streaming, and I wouldn’t have become a fan of yours, Eiji-san.”

With those words, she paused and looked up at the starry sky shining brightly in the night.

“I’ve realized I’m happy. I’ve gone through painful experiences and even wanted to die at times, but happiness was closer than I ever imagined.”

“…You’re strong.”

Even when she was on the verge of breaking, she ultimately chose to face forward. To me, Kanna-san was truly a strong person.

“…It’s thanks to you, Eiji-san.”

“…Thanks to me?”

Why? I hadn’t done anything for her this time…

As if reading my thoughts, Kanna-san began to speak.

“Because you taught me the truth, Eiji-san. Because you didn’t give up and kept reaching out to me. Because you showed me a path to keep living that day… I, Miyamoto Kanna, was able to face my past.”

“So… thank you.”

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she smiled at me as they fell.

“Thank you for finding me. For saving me.”

“…I wasn’t the only one.”

It was because Kyoko-san never gave up on saving her friend. It was because Sayaka and Rinmei had the resolve to reach out to their family. That’s why I was able to extend my hand to you.

If anything, I’m the one who should be thanking you.

“Thank you, Kanna-san. For facing your painful past and coming back to us.”

“…Yes.”

At that moment, Kanna-san looked stronger and more radiant than I had ever seen her, like the brightest star in the night sky.

Seeing her like that, I finally understood—this was the face of someone who had overcome a tragic past. The realization brought a natural smile to my face.

…Oh, but what should I say to Kyoko-san? It felt like I had barely escaped from her earlier, thanks to Haru-chan’s “sleeping strategy” from before. But when I get home, she’s probably going to be furious…

“Hehe, you look like a mischievous child who’s been caught doing something bad.”

“…It’s your imagination.”

…It seemed Kanna-san saw right through me.

“Eiji-san.”

She stood up and extended her hand to me.

“Let’s go home. To our house.”

“…Yeah, let’s go.”

I took her hand, and together, we headed home.