The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 81-82

Chapter 81: The New Generation Trio

It’s been a few days since Sayaka, as Tenharu Aoi, did a collaboration stream with Karen. Apparently, that stream gained quite a buzz and surprisingly received lots of positive feedback.

While Sayaka made a disgusted face, Karen was thrilled. “Now we can do another stream together!” she told Sayaka, who promptly refused.

It didn’t seem like such a bad thing, but everyone has their own preferences, I guess.

So, now here I am—standing in front of the three new-generation rookies.

“…Why was I called here?”

“Well, I heard from Karen that you’re the highest authority around here, Mr. Eiji, so we thought we’d invite you,” she said cheerfully.

…Is that really an answer to my question?

“You can just stream as you normally do. I’m not here to enforce anything.”

“Oh, no. That wouldn’t do. We are also part of this organization, after all. If that’s the case, then it’s important for the higher-ups to know who we are, right?”

“…You have a point.”

She’s right; it’s important. I’ve watched them, thinking of them as well-known figures, but I don’t know much about their abilities.

Observing them directly could let me support their streams at an even higher quality…there’s a big benefit to that.

“That’s why we invited you. We look forward to your guidance today.”

“…Are the two in the back okay?”

Unless my eyes deceive me, it seems like they’re arguing…

“Today’s the perfect opportunity for a collaboration stream! This is the best time to show everyone the greatness of muscles!”

“Who’s interested in the greatness of muscles? What viewers want from us is a knowledge-rich experience, maximizing every second of streaming. Starting with, for example, how long a single pencil can write…”

…Muscles could be interesting, and trivia is also appealing, but are they things people really want to hear during a stream?

“This is typical for them, so it’s fine. Rigel and Ren calm down once we’re streaming.”

“Well, if you say so…”

Even as we spoke, their argument was getting more intense.

“But what made you suddenly want to do a collaboration? I was surprised when I got the message out of the blue.”

“Hmm…Karen and Sayaka’s stream was inspiring, but I also wanted to see something for myself.”

“What do you mean?”

I asked Sakurin, whose gentle demeanor seemed to embrace everyone. She suddenly stepped close, pressed a finger to my lips, and whispered alluringly.

“Your…Mr. Eiji’s skills.”

“…Mine?”

“Yes. Karen recognizes your editing abilities…so I’m curious to see how you’ll make our live chaos engaging in a cut-up video. I’m intrigued.”

Sakurin smiled enigmatically. Even though my heart skipped a beat, I kept my composure and responded.

“…I don’t have any particular talent, but I want to make your streams as entertaining as possible.”

“Oh, that makes me happy. Fufu, and you didn’t seem rattled by my approach…Interesting.”

Saying only that, she walked over to the other two. It must be almost time for the stream.

“Well then, Mr. Eiji. Please watch my stream, won’t you?”

With a final smile, she turned and left.

“…Are the other two going to be alright?”

I watched them leave, wondering if the two weren’t feeling a bit left out.

“Come on, you two. No fighting now; we’re about to start.”

“Why can’t you understand the glory of muscles?! The hard work that builds this strong body! Every man dreams of it!”

“I’ve heard enough of your dubious muscle talk. From now on, it’s not strength of body but of mind that counts. So, we should create content that benefits the audience—like educational videos!”

“What did you say?!”

“What was that?!”

“…You two?”

“”!!””

“The stream’s about to start, so let’s keep our voices down now.”

“……”

Watching that, I resolved not to anger Sakurin. Seriously…that’s terrifying.

With a strange, bottomless sense of fear, I braced myself to observe their collaboration stream.

—

Chapter 82: Live-Action and Fan Creation

“…and so, we thought we’d try a collaboration too! A slow-paced live-action one!”

“Sorry, what do you mean?”

Yuna’s sudden words left me completely confused.

No wonder. She had just contacted me, saying, “Please come, senpai!” And when I arrived, both Soji and Manaka were with her, and suddenly this collaboration announcement was made.

“Haha, Manaka says Yuna has been really looking forward to our streams.”

“…Is that so?”

So that’s why she seemed a bit off…

“Yes, she consulted me about it a while back, asking if we could do a collaboration stream.”

“I see…She went all in.”

A slow-paced, live-action collaboration—definitely an unusual combination. But it’s not impossible, and there are people who do it.

“For the first time, we recorded something in advance. I edited it using Yukkuri characters that I created myself.”

“I see…So, why was I called here today?”

“I wanted Yusuke to see the final product. After that, I want to discuss our next steps.”

“We’re ready, but it’s been tough…We’d love your help if possible.”

“I understand. I’ll help.”

This must be about the project I discussed with Yuna. Since she’s here, it would be a good idea to talk things over beforehand.

“Alright, Yuna, can you show me what you made?”

“Yes! You’ll be amazed, senpai! This is one of my best works!”

With that, she brought over her laptop and showed me the edited video.

—

Scene Transition

Re: “Hi, everyone! So, I’m in a bit of a financial pinch.”

Ma: “What on earth are you talking about all of a sudden?”

With lively background music, a red-ribboned Yukkuri shrine maiden and a yellow-capped Yukkuri witch appeared, familiar to anyone who’s seen fan-made Yukkuri videos.

Re: “Well, I recently got hooked on something…A gambling game called a video game.”

Ma: “You don’t need to say that; just don’t get me involved.”

Re: “What!? Don’t say that, Mari-chan! I just need to borrow a bit of money!”

Ma: “Don’t call me Mari-chan! And I’m serious, I’ll smack you.”

The banter typical of Re: and Ma: characters continued for several seconds, as they seamlessly transitioned to the main topic.

Re: “So, Mari-chan, I need money.”

Ma: “Don’t call me Mari-chan. What does this have to do with me?”

Re: “I went to see a certain duo. I want you to watch this.”

Ma: “Oh…And what did you do?”

Re: “I’ll make a fortune with this.”

Ma: “You’re being reckless, and you should really tone down that overconfidence.”

Re: “Heh heh heh. Can you still say that after seeing this?”

The shrine maiden character pulled out a laptop, and a bright light filled the screen. After it faded, a video, presumably filmed by the shrine maiden, appeared.

Re: “Hello, everyone! Recently, I’ve hit rock bottom financially…So, today’s special video is a collaboration with some special guests!”

As she spoke, two familiar figures, non-Yukkuri characters, appeared sitting on a couch.

Re: “Today’s special guests! Please introduce yourselves.”

“Hello, everyone! I’m the older brother, Soji!”

“And I’m his sister, Manaka! Together, we’re…”

“‘The Ashida Siblings!’”

The familiar self-introduction by the Ashida siblings was followed by a grand background music flourish.

Re: “Today, I’m here with the Ashida siblings! Do you know them? They have 4 million subscribers in under five years—total superstars!”

“No way! Your channel, Re:’s, is famous too!”

“Yes! I’ve seen all your videos, Re:! I’m thrilled to collaborate with you!”

Re: “I should be thrilled too, but somehow…it doesn’t feel real.”

The odd contrast between live-action and Yukkuri characters seemed irrelevant, as the dialogue kept flowing seamlessly.

Yuna had done an impressive job, and the two siblings were also remarkable. They were talking naturally, despite nobody else being there.

Re: “Today, I want the Ashida siblings to help me make some money. I’m counting on you two!”

“Sure thing. I do gaming and projects as hobbies, so having some money would be great.”

“You’re always so greedy, big brother…”

“You’re one to talk, Manaka.”

“Well…So, Re:, what are we doing today?”

Re: “I’m glad you asked, Manaka! Today, we’re doing…this!”

“This…?”

“…If I’m not mistaken, that looks like a slot machine.”

Re: “Of course, money-making means this! But I have no money…So I’m borrowing yours to try it!”

“Aren’t you being a bit cruel?”

“And I feel like we’re not benefiting at all…”

Re: “What are you talking about!? If we win, we’ll make a fortune! Plus, this machine was approved by the vendor, so if we keep hitting the jackpot, we’ll really become rich!”

“That’s only if we hit the jackpot.”

“Exactly!”

“…Manaka?”

“If we keep winning, we’ll hit it eventually! I’m pretty lucky, so I’ll keep going until I win! Big brother! Lend me money! Let’s get started!”

“Ugh…my dear sister.”

Re: “…Heh, just as planned.”

With that, the Ashida siblings and Re: started playing the real slot machine, repeatedly putting coins in and trying their luck.

But reality isn’t that forgiving, and, as expected, they ended up losing all their money.

—

“So, that’s what I’ve put together so far.”

“I see.”

After watching, I had to say something.

“Manaka, you’re…really something, aren’t you?”

“Excuse me!!”

Her face reddened as she shouted her objection, while Soji chuckled.

“I’m not that silly! But I couldn’t help it! Manaka’s charm lies in her silly, cute side!”

“…So that’s what you mean by ‘silly-cute.’”

While the interpretation differed, that’s how she, and probably the viewers, saw it.

“…But the story was interesting, and the pacing was great. Yuna, have you improved your editing skills?”

“Really? Well…but compared to senpai, I’m nowhere close.”

“Was that an insult?”

Her words startled me. She dared to compare her editing to mine.

Seriously…Is she ever going to stop with the snark? Just as I thought that, I noticed her looking at me, with an exasperated stare.

“…You’re surprisingly negative, senpai.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I don’t know. Senpai, you’re such a fool. Why don’t you let an albatross peck that broken head of yours to fix it?”

“What?”

Her insult was even harsher, and it almost made me cry.

Both of them just laughed, though it seemed directed at me.

W-why…?

“I understand it’s interesting, so let’s discuss the project as soon as this is done.”

“Yes, let’s…Soji, can you handle the prep?”

“Haha. Leave it to me, oblivious Yusuke. Just wait a bit.”

“Hey, hold on a second.”

What’s with “oblivious Yusuke”? I didn’t deserve that.

“No, it was actually oblivious Eiji. Poor Yuna…She rarely compliments anyone.”

With that, Soji and Manaka left the room, leaving me alone.

“…Why?”

I sat there, completely bewildered, and pondered it for a while.