The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 7-8

Chapter 7: These People…Could it be…

“Phew…Done…”

It’s been a while since I made a meal, but I can’t help but think it turned out pretty well.

Today’s menu is hamburgers. I topped them with a special demi-glace sauce, and now it’s complete.

The already meaty aroma, combined with the smell of the sauce, blends perfectly and makes the food even more appetizing.

“Everyone, dinner is ready…”

Somehow, Kanna and Sayaka are focused on the hamburgers, with Kanna holding her phone up towards me.

“Uh, what’s going on?”

“I wanted to capture Eiji’s cooking moment.”

Kanna, you really don’t have to go that far.

“Th-the meal…It’s not a convenience store bento…It’s real homemade food after three years…and it’s made by Eiji…”

Sayaka is saying odd things because she’s seen homemade food for the first time. Hmm? Three years? Does that mean you haven’t been cooking until now?

“F-for now, I’d like to set the table, so please help me.”

Though I’m having various thoughts, I tell them to help without showing my feelings.

“Got it. Sayaka, stop standing there and go get Rinmei.”

“…Oh, okay! I’ll get her right away.”

Sayaka snaps back to reality and heads out of the living room after Kanna’s prompt.

“Kanna, who is this Rinmei person?”

“She’s one of the people living in our house. She’s a student, but…there are circumstances right now…”

“…I understand. I won’t press further.”

“…Thank you.”

It seems like there’s a complicated situation. I should know, but there’s no need to pry into their secrets.

After this conversation, Kanna and I finished setting the table.

When we’re done arranging the food for four, the living room door opens. I look over to see Sayaka and a girl with silver hair standing there.

(Is that…Rinmei?)

“See? I told you. It’s not a convenience store bento today.”

“…It’s true. Real food…I’m surprised.”

Though she speaks little, her tone clearly conveys astonishment.

After looking over the dishes on the table, she turns her gaze towards me.

“…Sayaka…Who is that person?”

“It’s Eiji! The Eiji I told you about!!”

“…The person Sayaka and Kanna talked about?”

She approaches me while staring intently.

“…Seems unreliable.”

And with just one word, she tells me that.

…Yeah, being told that by a girl of her age really stings…Is it okay to cry?

“R-Rinmei!? That’s rude to Eiji…!! I’m sorry, Eiji. This child speaks her mind…”

“It’s, it’s fine. It’s the truth, after all.”

In fact, I was just fired today…Oh, wait? Why is my vision getting blurry…?

“Eiji…Here, a handkerchief.”

Oh, Kanna. Thank you. My eyes were a bit wet, so this helps…I silently accept it and wipe my eyes.

“…Sorry.”

Though her expression doesn’t change much, she apologizes with a slight frown.

“U-uh, it’s okay. I can understand why you might think that.”

“…You’re not angry?”

“No, I’m not angry. It’s okay.”

“…Sayaka.”

“What?”

“…Eiji…is a good person.”

“Yeah…He’s very kind, right?”

“…Yeah…unreliable, but…kind…good person.”

Oh, she’s not taking back the unreliable part, huh…Sigh…

“…I’m Sumeragi Rinmei. Nice to meet you, Eiji.”

“…Thank you, Rinmei. I’m Yusuke Kojima…But you can call me Eiji like the others. Nice to meet you.”

“…Yeah. Nice to meet you.”

Saying that, Rinmei quietly extends her hand, and I shake it.

“…Kanna.”

“What?”

“…Eiji…is a good person.”

“Yeah…very kind, right?”

“…Yeah.”

Rinmei’s face slightly softens and seems happy.

(…Complicated, huh.)

…Well, I won’t think about it now. I dismiss the fleeting thought and address everyone.

“Let’s start eating. Rinmei, you’ll join us, right?”

“Yeah…I’ll eat.”

She quickly lets go of my hand and walks to her seat.

“Kanna, let’s sit down too.”

“Right, it’s Eiji’s cooking after all. I want to enjoy it soon.”

Following Rinmei’s lead, Kanna and Sayaka also take their seats.

Once I sit in the remaining spot, everyone is ready to eat.

“Let’s eat.”

We bow our heads before eating and take our first bites of the main dish, the hamburgers.

(…Yeah. It’s been a while since I made this, but it’s delicious.)

With each bite, the meat juices mix perfectly with the homemade sauce, enhancing the burger’s flavor.

As I enjoy the aftertaste, the white rice gently wraps around the juicy flavor…Yeah, making it myself isn’t so bad.

While I’m thinking this, someone nudges my clothes.

I look and see Rinmei holding out an empty bowl towards me.

“…Refill.”

That was fast, you finished already?

“Ah, Eiji. Can I get a refill too?”

What, Sayaka too…? Wow, her bowl is really clean.

“Ahaha, it’s been a while since we had homemade food, so they’re especially eager to eat.”

Even though she says that…Kanna, you can’t talk either, right? If my eyes aren’t mistaken, there might be less food left?

(These people…They must be huge eaters.)

…Well, it makes me happy that they’re enjoying the meal.

And so, we enjoyed our dinner for a while.

—

Chapter 8: Popular Music YouTubers

“Thank you for the meal.”

“Yes, it was just a simple meal.”

The food that I had prepared in abundance had completely vanished, thanks to the three strong stomachs.

…Next time, I’ll make a bit more.

Thinking this, I start to clean up the dishes on the table.

“Kanna-san. Is there anything else to do after this?”

I asked her, who was sitting on the sofa and drinking coffee. After all, I’m employed here.

“Well…We haven’t talked in detail about video editing yet, so it’s fine for today.”

“Got it. Then I’ll take care of the dishes and start running the bath.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry for making you work on your first day.”

“Oh, it’s no trouble at all.”

Alright then, let’s quickly finish the dishes.

“Oh, I’ll help, Eiji-san.”

Saying this, Sayaka-chan, wearing an apron, appeared. It seems she’s going to help with the dishes.

“Thank you, Sayaka-chan. Let’s finish this quickly.”

“Yes. Oh, wait a moment.”

“Hmm?”

Sayaka-chan took out her smartphone. Seeing this, Rinmei-chan made an extremely displeased face.

“…Sayaka…It’s not okay to do that with Eiji here.”

“Oh, come on. It’s fine. I can’t concentrate without listening to this lately. Besides, I’m sure Eiji-san will be fine.”

Sayaka-chan said this, but Rinmei-chan still looked uncomfortable, or rather a bit anxious.

Also, Kanna-san, who had been drinking coffee, looked a bit worried. Hmm? What is she planning to do?

“Kanna-san. If it’s Eiji-san, it’ll be fine…You know him best, right?”

“…Yes. I’m sure Eiji-san will…”

“Uh…What is it?”

I asked, but Sayaka-chan let out a unique, mischievous laugh.

“What do you think Eiji-san is?”

“Even if you suddenly ask me that, I don’t know, Sayaka-chan…”

“Hehe. The answer is…an incredibly wonderful song.”

Saying this, Sayaka-chan tapped a video on YouTube and started washing the dishes.

As I was about to join her, a clear and elegant singing voice drifted from Sayaka-chan’s smartphone.

The voice had a vivid beauty that was absent in the big-name singers, and it almost felt like a songstress from some foreign country was singing. I was so captivated that I stopped moving for a few seconds.

(…Wait, this song is…)

“…Blue Marine.”

The name of the music created by the trending YouTuber.

This song caught the attention of some viewers, and it went viral when a prominent YouTuber posted a cover.

I had listened to it recently, but it was the version sung by the famous YouTuber at that time.

However, the version playing now was not sung by that YouTuber. The voice now was full of a poignant and melancholic charm that made the song even more attractive…

“…It’s so…beautiful.”

Just one word. It was so amazing that I could only say that.

Even though I’ve been too busy lately, I didn’t expect someone to make Blue Marine this incredible…

…Hmm? What is it? Why do I feel a strong gaze?

“…Eiji.”

Suddenly, Rinmei-chan, who had come close without me noticing, was staring intently at me.

“Uh, um…What is it, Rinmei-chan?”

“…Was what you just said…true?”

“Huh…? What I just said?”

“…Beautiful?”

“Oh, are you talking about the song that’s playing now?” I respond to Rinmei-chan’s words.

“Y-yeah. It’s a really beautiful voice. I was moved.”

“…Really?”

“Yes…?”

“…Really, really?”

“Yes, really.”

What’s going on? I thought Rinmei-chan was quiet until just now, but suddenly she’s pressing me to talk.

“So…which do you like better? This person’s Blue Marine or the Blue Marine by the person singing now?”

On Rinmei-chan’s phone was the “singing cover” stream by the famous YouTuber I mentioned earlier.

Actually, I learned about this song from this person’s stream…but.

“Personally, I like the Blue Marine by the person singing now on Sayaka-chan’s phone better.”

I feel that the current singer brings out the most charm of this song, and simply, I like this version better.

As I answer while thinking about this…huh?

“R-Rinmei-chan!?”

Even though her expression hadn’t changed much, Rinmei-chan was crying.

“Eh, eh!? S-Sorry, Rinmei-chan!? Did I say something that upset you!?”

I’m suddenly panicking. Not knowing what’s happening, Kanna-san approaches and hugs Rinmei-chan.

“S-Sorry, Kanna-san! I didn’t mean to hurt Rinmei-chan…!”

“Age-san.”

“Y-yes…”

…Did I disappoint her? I think this as I look ahead, and see Kanna-san looking at me with a very happy expression, and then…

“…Thank you.”

I’m dumbfounded, not expecting to be thanked.

“Sayaka. I will take Rinmei to her room, so please help Age-san.”

“Yes, understood…Is it a success?”

“Honestly, it’s the first day Age-san arrived. You’re a bit too early.”

“Hehe.”

The two of them talk happily, and Kanna-san takes the still-crying Rinmei-chan and leaves the living room.

“Um…what’s going on…?”

“Age-san.”

“Y-yes?”

“Please let me thank you too. Thank you very much.”

Uh…I’m in shock and can’t process it.

Seeing my reaction, Sayaka-chan smiles wryly.

“Now, let me tell you a bit about Rinmei.”

“About Rinmei-chan?”

“Actually, she’s like this…”

Sayaka-chan shows me her smartphone. I look at it…and am stunned.

“…Is this…?”

“Yes. She’s a YouTuber who recently became a hot topic for creating Blue Marine. Scarlett.”

On the screen was the icon of Scarlett, a hot-topic YouTuber.

Scarlett.

As mentioned earlier, Scarlett is a music-related YouTuber currently popular for creating Blue Marine.

Her songs are all wonderful, and often performed by big-name music YouTubers.

“Scarlett…she’s the famous YouTuber who’s trending now…!”

Ah, I see. I thought Rinmei-chan’s voice sounded familiar, but…it was Scarlett.

“…But why was Rinmei-chan crying?”

Curious, I ask Sayaka-chan, who speaks while looking down a bit.

“Rinmei prefers singing over composing. She said her dream is to sing her own songs someday and become popular…but…”

“But…?”

“Composing is fine, but Rinmei’s singing always ends up being less popular compared to big-name streamers…and this happened repeatedly…she lost her confidence.”

It’s common to see that the person who sings a song might become more popular than the original composer on video sites.

“…Do you know that Rinmei hasn’t been going to school?”

“I’ve heard the general idea from Kanna-san. I haven’t heard the details.”

“One reason she’s not going to school is that she was bullied a bit because of that video…they told her she’s not amazing, that only the other person is amazing…”

“…I see.”

“Yes…So, Rinmei was probably very happy to hear that you liked it.”

“…What if I had given a different answer?”

It seems Sayaka-chan acted with this in mind.

Thinking it might have been too risky, I get a chilling feeling from Sayaka-chan’s eerily beautiful smile.

“I thought Age-san would be fine. After all, Age-san is…the hero who saved me.”

“!”

I sense a similar aura from Sayaka-chan as I did with Kanna-san, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

“…Well! I want to do a live stream too, so let’s quickly finish the dishes!”

But this feeling quickly fades as she starts washing the dishes as if to resume.

(…Both Kanna-san and Sayaka-chan, and now Rinmei-chan…Maybe these people are carrying a lot of things with them.)

Thinking this, I continue washing the dishes with Sayaka-chan.