The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 30

“What… are you saying?”

Kanna’s eyes clouded over as she spoke, while Sayaka stared blankly, and Rinmei watched me without blinking.

“Please, Kanna. Just for a short time… let me work outside!”

I pressed my forehead to the ground, pleading. But…

“No. I won’t allow it.”

Her voice was flat, emotionless.

“Why do I have to give you such permission? Eiji, you can live with us forever.”

“P-please, somehow! Just a little while! There’s something I have to do!”

“Does it have to be you? Can’t someone else take care of it?”

Damn… Kanna’s usually gentle words were sharp, piercing my heart.

“Eiji…”

This time, it was Sayaka who spoke up.

“Is that true? I find it hard to believe… what was her name again? Yuna? Your junior at the company… Can you really trust her?”

“She may be a bit unique… but she’s determined and straightforward, chasing her dreams! She’s not the type to lie. I guarantee it!”

“Words and actions can change at any moment. Can you really see that clearly after just a few years?”

“Ugh…”

“Also… aren’t you just planning to leave us, Eiji?”

“W-what!? No, I would never—!”

“Then stop this nonsense. Why do you feel the need to do this? She’ll survive without you, won’t she? So there’s no need for you to get involved. Once again, you’ll just end up suffering. Why do you always… Ah, I don’t even want to say this to you…”

Seeing Sayaka’s tears start to fall made my conscience ache.

“…Eiji.”

“R-Rinmei…”

“No.”

“But—”

“No. Absolutely… no.”

“…Eiji will live here, with Sayaka, Kanna… and me. Eiji, you’re an irreplaceable part of our lives now.”

Rinmei’s words, though few, carried weight. They were enough to make me hesitate.

“…Eiji.”

Kanna crouched down beside me and rested her hand on my head.

“…You don’t need to get hurt anymore. You don’t need to push yourself.”

“N-no! I’m not…!”

“You’ve been pushing yourself for so long, haven’t you? Ever since that channel was created… constantly. So, take a break. Eiji, you deserve happiness.”

Her gentle voice echoed in my heart.

I understand. Kanna and the others just don’t want me to strain myself anymore, to get hurt… That’s why they’re saying this.

‘I don’t even know what to do anymore…’

But at that time, Yuna looked like she needed help.

Even now, she’s still hurting. For months after I left, she’s been suffering.

Who would be foolish enough to ignore that?

“Please, everyone. Just give me… one chance.”

I can’t back down. How could I retreat now? I promised I’d do something.

Even if it’s for someone who once helped me… I have to face it head-on!

“Are you still saying that? Eiji, listen. You are—”

“That’s right.”

“Huh?”

“I am… Kanna, I belong to you.”

“Huh?”

At that moment, the expressions on all three of their faces shifted from confused to stunned.

“Kanna.”

“H-huh?”

“When this is over, I will truly belong to you. You can have me do whatever you want. No matter what it is… I’ll follow your orders.”

“W-what!?”

Kanna’s face flushed bright red, and her voice rose in surprise.

“Sayaka.”

“Huh? Y-yes…?”

“You said it, right? That I was going to abandon all of you.”

“Y-yes! Eiji, you’re going to—”

“I won’t.”

“…What?”

“I won’t abandon you. As long as you don’t cast me aside, I’ll always be by your side. No matter what… forever.”

“W-w-what are you saying, Eiji!?”

Sayaka’s cheeks, as red as Kanna’s, made her stutter uncontrollably.

“…Rinmei.”

“…What?”

“Remember what I promised? That I’d always listen to your songs.”

“…Yeah.”

“So as your number one fan, I’ll always be there to listen.”

“…”

Rinmei didn’t say a word, but her face was bright red, almost as if steam was coming out of her head. Her eyes seemed to swirl in confusion.

“This is for all of you, too.”

“For… us?”

“Yes. I can’t explain the details yet, but I will make Kanna, Sayaka, and Rinmei… famous, known all over the world.”

“Eiji…”

“Please. Help me make that happen!”

With all my resolve, I pressed my forehead to the floor again. I can’t lose.

For Yuna’s sake… and for these three.

“I… understand.”

“R-really!?”

Kanna, still looking down, gave a small nod.

“Your determination… it came through clearly… I’ll allow it.”

“Thank you!!”

Yes! I got her permission! Now I can move forward!

“E-Eiji.”

“Hm? What is it, Sayaka?”

“Well, I’m fine with this, but… we haven’t gone on a date yet…”

“Oh, right. We still haven’t done that. How about tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow!?”

“Is that bad?”

“N-no… that’s fine…”

She seems a little off, but this is okay, right?

“Rinmei, would it be alright if we went out the day after tomorrow?”

“…Yeah… I’ll clear my schedule.”

There was a long pause, but she agreed.

Alright, I’ve gotten permission from all three. Now it’s time to move quickly.

“Thank you so much, all of you! I have some preparations to make, so I’ll excuse myself for now!”

With that, I headed to my room.

It’s been a while since I’ve had work to do. I’ve got a lot to prepare… but I’ll do my best!

◇

“Hey, you two.”

“Y-yes, Kanna?”

“…Yeah?”

“My heart… it won’t stop pounding. What should I do?”

“I-I feel the same! After hearing that…!”

“…It was intense.”

“There’s one thing I’ve realized.”

—Eiji’s determination is way too intense.

That thought ran through all three of their minds as they continued their live streams, their hearts still racing.