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

Chapter 152: Rinmei

“…Yawn.”

The King’s Game was over. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but it had been so much fun.

Still, now I was so sleepy… Maybe I got too excited.

“Oh my, is it your bedtime already?”

“Well, it can’t be helped. I’m a little tired myself,” Sayaka and Kyoko said, looking at me. How rude! I’m not a kid anymore; I don’t get sleepy just from this… or at least, I shouldn’t…

“Oh dear, she’s about to pass out. Yusuke, take Rinmei to her room.”

“Huh? Me? Well, fine.”

Saying that, Eiji picked me up in his arms. Ugh… Treating me like a child is unacceptable.

“And you! Make dinner tonight like your life depends on it. At least make something edible.”

“W-what, Kyoko!? What do you mean by that? You’re acting like I always make weird stuff!”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

“That’s so mean!”

“A-ahaha… I’ll try my best…”

Oh, right. Dinner today is being made by Kanna… Kanna…

“…Snore… snore…”

“This girl… She fell asleep the moment she realized Kanna’s cooking dinner.”

I could hear Eiji’s voice, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to eat Kanna’s cooking. It might kill me.

Still, pretending to sleep made me really sleepy… and my consciousness started to fade…

“Well, I guess there’s no helping it. Good night, Rinmei.”

With those words from Eiji, I fell into a deep sleep.

“…Huh.”

When I opened my eyes, I wasn’t in bed. Where was I? A pure white space surrounded me.

Looking around, I saw something familiar. It was…

“Oh.”

It was a vision of my past—when I’d been abandoned by my parents and was tormented by my love for music.

Like a scene on TV, the image of my younger self played before me. Back then, I shut myself indoors, refusing to believe in my musical talent. My face during that time was terrible.

“This is what I looked like back then…”

Even though my emotions were supposed to be muted, my younger self’s eyes looked lifeless, like a dead fish. Looking back on it now, I realized how much had happened since then.

“Oh, Haruka.”

Next, I saw an image of Haruka, my friend. She dropped out of high school, but she’s thriving in her current job.

A lot happened during high school—getting into trouble, meeting Haruka, running into weird people. That one year felt like a lifetime.

“…I hear something.”

Ah, it must be my song. Blue Marine—an original song of mine, and the only one he ever praised.

Because of this song, I was able to recover. Afterward, good things kept happening, and life became enjoyable. I felt like I grew stronger in many ways.

“This is all because of…”

—Eiji.

Suddenly, my consciousness began to fade. Was the dream world ending? I wanted to stay and reflect on my memories a little longer…

But my wish didn’t reach anyone, and I lost consciousness again.

“…Ugh… So cold…”

When I came to, an icy chill struck me. Ugh… It’s still winter. I wish it would stop.

Still half-asleep, I got out of bed and shivered.

“…Middle of the night… Fell asleep…”

Looking at the clock, I realized I’d overslept and felt a bit guilty. I left my room and walked down the dim hallway.

It seemed everyone else was asleep… But when I went downstairs to the living room, I saw the lights on.

Opening the door, I found Eiji sitting there, staring at a computer screen.

“…Eiji.”

“Oh, Rinmei. You’re up?”

“…Yeah. Fully awake now. V for victory.”

“For being ‘fully awake,’ you sure slept a lot.”

…I had no comeback for that. Instead of sitting in a chair, I climbed onto Eiji’s lap and sat on his thighs.

“Hey…”

“…It’s fine. This is where I want to be.”

“…Alright, alright. As you wish, my queen.”

He called me “queen.” Hehe, that’s fine by me. Feeling pleased, I looked at his computer screen and noticed something.

“…Blue Marine?”

“Yeah, I wanted to listen to your song again. I’m on a break.”

“…Thanks for all the editing work. My song’s a good choice for a break.”

Though I was secretly happy, I didn’t show it. I just listened to my song with him.

“…It’s a good song.”

“I think so too. It really touches the heart.”

Time passed quietly. We didn’t talk, just listened to the music. But being with Eiji felt so calming.

“…Eiji.”

“Hmm?”

“…Thank you.”

For some reason, I felt like saying it. Eiji looked surprised for a moment but then smiled and patted my head.

“I should be the one thanking you.”

“…For what?”

“Who knows? I’m not sure myself.”

“…Weird Eiji.”

“People say that a lot.”

“…Hehe.”

A lot had happened—new encounters, new happiness. My heart felt warm and full.

And I knew it was all because I’d met Eiji.

So, Eiji, let me say it one more time.

“…Thank you.”

—For meeting me.

—

Chapter 153: Sayaka

“I’m home~”

Finally, school is over for the year! Feeling exhausted, I kick off my shoes and rush into the living room.

Once inside, I toss my bag aside and dive straight onto the couch.

“Ahhh, there’s nothing like relaxing on the couch after coming home~”

“Why are you lounging around in your uniform?”

Hearing the voice, I turn to see Eiji holding something in his hand.

“I’m back, Eiji-san. I’ve returned~”

“Welcome back. How was school on the last day before winter break?”

As he speaks, Eiji places whatever he’s holding on the table and sits down beside me.

“It was exhausting! Oh, can I have one of those?”

“Sure, I made them for you. But wash your hands first.”

“Yay♪ I already washed them, so it’s fine!”

That’s a lie, but I grab one of the snacks Eiji made and pop it into my mouth. Delicious! After a tiring day, Eiji’s sweets are the best.

“By the way, Eiji-san, listen to this. I got confessed to today!”

“Confessed to? By who?”

“You know him—Ida! You’ve met him before, right? That playboy.”

“Playboy…?”

Eiji frowns at the word, but it doesn’t matter. That guy is just someone like that to me, nothing more.

“So, Ida confessed to you?”

“Exactly! Do you know how long it took me to get away from him? Listen, I rejected him flat out! But he just wouldn’t take no for an answer!”

Just thinking about it makes me mad. Images of that playboy flash through my mind.

“Just one week! Just one week is all I’m asking—date me!”

“Ughhh!!! I said it’s a hard no! Why does he keep obsessing over me?!”

I jump off the couch, scratching my head with both hands in frustration.

“What do you think, Eiji-san? Isn’t my school life doomed from now on?”

“Well… you don’t feel even a little bit tempted? About dating Ida, I mean.”

“Not at all. Not even a speck. It wouldn’t happen even if the Earth was destroyed.”

Eiji smiles wryly at my words, which makes me pout. To me, this is a serious problem.

“Still, it’s not surprising. Sayaka, you’re pretty, and your personality is good. It’s natural for guys to like you.”

“…Flattering me like that won’t make me happy, you know.”

Even as I mutter this, I instinctively cling to Eiji’s back.

I mean, what else can I do? You don’t just react normally when someone suddenly compliments you.

“Do you think so, Eiji-san? That I’m cute?”

“I do. And Ida probably thinks so too, which is why he’s after you.”

“Huh… I see.”

Am I easy to please? Those typical words you hear in manga or anime… but when Eiji says them, they make me so happy.

But it’s not my fault. It’s Eiji’s. He’s the one who’s always been there for me, reaching out his hand.

(…Falling for someone like him isn’t strange at all, is it?)

Back when I felt inferior to everyone, when I thought I was just an ordinary VTuber with no talents, even scared to go live—he’s the one who helped me overcome my fears.

Compared to that playboy, Eiji is miles ahead. He’s kind, reliable, can cook, and lets me lean on him…

(…Though I do wish he wasn’t so dense.)

But even that’s part of his charm.

“Sayaka, isn’t it about time for your stream? You’re doing a collab with Ren and Miguel today, right?”

“Oh, yeah, I am.”

Streaming with those two will probably be chaotic, but streaming is fun, so it’s fine.

Feeling a little reluctant, I let go of Eiji’s back, grab another sweet to pop into my mouth, and head toward the living room door.

“Sayaka.”

“Huh? Yes?”

I turn back to see Eiji looking at me with a gentle smile.

“Good luck with your stream today. I’m rooting for you.”

“!?”