The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 49-50

Chapter 49: The Hotel

After a few hours on the plane, we finally arrived in Hokkaido.

The unfamiliar scenery filled me with both confusion and excitement. Even the air seemed to smell different than usual.

With that, we headed to the inn we had reserved in advance, but…

“Wow…this place is huge.”

“Well, it’s a famous spot. Plus, there’s a ski resort nearby, so that might have something to do with it.”

Still, this is…This hotel is so big, it can’t even be compared to a regular house. I couldn’t help but stare in disbelief.

“For now, let’s just go inside. I want to drop off my luggage and rest…everyone else is already ahead of us.”

“Yeah…you’re right.”

Ahead of us, I could see Sayaka and the others walking into the hotel without hesitation. I exchanged glances with the Ashida siblings and followed them inside.

Looking around the lobby, it was just as massive on the inside. The reception area was enormous as well.

I noticed a lot of people with snowboards, and it seemed like the vast space was designed for the skiers staying here.

“By the way, Yusuke, how are the rooms arranged? We split up with Manaka and Yuna into two rooms.”

“Ah…about that.”

I had originally planned to split us into two rooms—three girls and one guy—but for some reason, Kanna and the others requested we divide into two pairs instead.

When I explained this to them, Soji sighed in exasperation, while Manaka rushed off at top speed toward Kanna and the others.

“Huh? What’s going on?”

Sigh “You never change, do you? Just wait, things are going to get chaotic.”

“What? What do you mean?”

Soji pointed toward Kanna and the others. When I looked over, I saw them…playing rock-paper-scissors for some reason.

“Rock, paper, scissors…shoot!”

Their voices echoed throughout the hotel, drawing the attention of other guests.

“Hey, is that okay, even if they’re in disguise?”

“That’s what you’re worried about? Shouldn’t you have some other thoughts about them right now?”

“Other thoughts? Well…they seem really serious about it.”

“…You’re hopeless.”

Soji shook his head in exasperation, but what’s this all about?

As I stood there puzzled, a cheer of victory rang out.

“Yes! Yes, yes, yes! I won!! I’m the winner!”

…It was Manaka, who had been with us just a moment ago. What on earth was she doing?

“Damn…I lost…My plan to be alone with Eiji is ruined…”

“Defeat…is complete.”

“Hmph…I didn’t want to hand over Eiji to anyone else, but I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Wow, everyone was so serious…Though I have no right to criticize them.”

The losers were clearly disappointed.

Watching all this, Manaka happily approached me, practically glowing with excitement.

“Yusuke! I won! I beat them at rock-paper-scissors!”

“Uh, yeah…that’s great, I guess?”

She was beaming…wait, is she blushing a bit?

“Come on, come on! Let’s go in together already!”

“Huh? Where…where are we going?”

“To our room, of course!”

“Uh…what?”

I couldn’t stop the confused words from escaping my mouth. And Soji—why has he been glaring at me like that for a while now? And why are the other three glaring at me too? Please don’t look at me like that…I can practically see an Asura behind them…

“Manaka-san, Yusuke-senpai…good luck.”

For some reason, Yuna muttered something incomprehensible.

And just like that, still unsure of what was happening, I followed Manaka into the room.

—

Chapter 50: Potential

“Come on, let’s head up! We need to drop off our luggage quickly!”

“You seem pretty happy.”

Manaka looked unusually cheerful after that strange rock-paper-scissors tournament. What happened?

“Of course I am. After all…I get to be in the same room with you, Yusuke…”

“Oh…right.”

She fidgeted as she said that; her movements were unusually feminine…No, that’s normal for her.

“You’re not thinking anything weird, are you?”

“Of course not.”

“Hey! Why are you turning your face away? You always think unnecessary things at times like this!”

“Doesn’t matter, let’s just get inside.”

As usual, I brushed her off lightly and opened the door to the room…Wow.

“This place is really luxurious.”

“Yeah…it’s almost intimidating.”

The room was much larger than a regular hotel room.

It had a bit of a Japanese style, with tatami floors and a huge window that offered a view of the expansive landscape.

“Could it be that we’re staying at an incredibly expensive place?”

“Let’s not think about that.”

Come to think of it, we left all the arrangements to Sayaka and the others…I hope they didn’t book some kind of special course.

“Hey, Yusuke…”

“Hm? What’s up?”

“I…dressed up a little today…what do you think?”

She lifted the hem of her long skirt slightly, blushing, clearly embarrassed.

Her appearance…well, usually her hair is tied up, but today it’s down and long. She’s also wearing a white cardigan, giving her a slightly more mature look.

“You look great. Even more polished than usual. You look beautiful.”

“!? I-Is that so…Then, I’m glad…Thank you…”

What a strange girl. I complimented her, but now she’s hanging her head, looking all downcast…I’ll never understand the female heart.

“By the way, you brought your streaming camera too? Are you going to film here?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah. I brought my ski gear too, so I have to film something. I wouldn’t be much of a pro if I didn’t.”

A professional mindset, huh…I thought, looking at the camera in Manaka’s hands. Kanna, Sayaka, and Rinmei also brought cameras and equipment. Seems like they really do have the mindset of streamers.

“Want me to help with anything?”

“Oh, could you film us? I hear you’re good at sports, Yusuke. I bet you could handle filming us while we ski.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s not something a normal person can do.”

“…Normal, huh?”

“What…?”

Manaka narrowed her eyes and stared at me, making me feel uneasy.

“Yusuke…aren’t you going to become a streamer?”

“Streamer? What are you talking about? I don’t have that kind of talent—”

“—That’s a lie.”

“Why do you think that?”

“I heard from Kanna and the others. You used to go by the name Eiji, didn’t you?”

“…And what about it?”

“I watched your videos…to be honest, they were incredible. So good that I was a little jealous. Don’t you want to bring that talent back to life?”

“I’m better suited to what I’m doing now. Streaming isn’t for me.”

“Even though Kanna says you have more potential than her?”

“Yeah. I think I’m better off in the background.”

I stated it clearly. Manaka is overestimating me, isn’t she? But, it doesn’t feel bad to be thought of that way by someone else.

“…I see…what a waste.”

“Don’t call it a waste. Saying that will make me regret quitting.”

“Then keep going. You can still start again. How about doing a collaboration stream with me?”

“I’ll pass. Streaming is rewarding, but I’m happier with what I’m doing now.”

“Ugh, you’re so boring.”

“Yeah, yeah. So, I’ll have to decline.”

“Sigh…fine. But if you ever start streaming again, tell us first, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll think about it.”

As we talked, there was a knock at the door. It was probably Kanna and the others.

“Shall we go?”

“Yeah.”

We dropped off our luggage and headed out of the room.

—

(Yusuke…)

The expression on his face earlier…Yusuke’s face, was deeply etched into her memory.

(What was that…You said you were happier now…but then, why…)

—Why did you look so sad when you smiled?