The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 83-84

Chapter 83: After a Long Time

Ever since then, we’ve been making a lot of collaboration videos, and I’ve hardly had any time to rest.

In the process, I neglected things around the house…and left a certain someone feeling ignored. Because of that…

“………”

“Um, Kanna? Please don’t sulk like that.”

I was struggling with how to handle her, arms crossed and cheeks puffed like a child, refusing to look my way.

“Eiji’s been off with other girls lately…”

“No, no, I haven’t gone anywhere…”

Does she think I’ve been off fooling around with other women?

“Recently, haven’t you been treating me like I don’t matter?”

“Well…I don’t remember doing anything like that, but I admit I’ve been too busy to pay you enough attention…Sorry.”

“Hmph, that’s fine! I’ll just play video games all by myself, then!”

With that, she ignored me and turned on the TV, launching a game. I had to hold back a laugh; her sulking was childish, in a cute way.

“Wait, is that…that game from before…?”

It was the same Nintendo game we bought on our first date. She flinched at my reaction and glanced back at me.

“You…remembered?”

“How could I forget? I was right there with you, wasn’t I?”

“Hmph.”

She continued booting up the game, and the grand BGM filled the room. Oddly, it brought back some boyish sense of excitement.

“…Want to watch with me?”

“Huh?”

Focused on the screen, she mumbled, still sulking. How long was she planning to hold onto this grudge…?

“It’s just, sitting there feels kind of distracting…and I can’t concentrate when you’re there…so if you want to…sit next to me…”

“In that case, gladly.”

I took her invitation and sat down on the empty spot beside her. She glanced at me, looking a bit startled.

“W-what is it?”

“N-nothing…I just didn’t think you’d actually watch with me…”

“Do you not want me here?”

“I-I never said that!!”

She turned back to the screen, but I couldn’t help noticing the subtle smile on her lips.

“We made a promise, remember? That we’d talk about games together.”

“…You…remembered that too?”

A slight, somehow happy feeling seemed to radiate from her, and Kanna started her game.

Now that I think about it, it’s been quite a while since I’ve played games with her like this…

With that thought, I watched her play.

◇

“…Let’s call it here for today.”

Kanna looked at the time and turned off the TV. Had it really been two hours? Time really flies.

“Eiji, thank you for today. For putting up with my sulking.”

“Haha…I was at fault too. But the game was fun. I nearly forgot about the time.”

“Ah…I’m glad you felt that way.”

Seeing her bright smile made me realize I was smiling myself.

“Kanna, seeing you smile is really the best.”

“…Huh?”

“Eh?”

…Oh no, I said that out loud.

“S-sorry, Kanna, forget I said…why are you blushing so much?”

“T-t-that’s just…you don’t just say things like that, Eiji! I don’t even know how to react…ugh.”

With her hand to her cheek, her face was bright red, giving her a very sweet and girlish look. Watching her like that, I couldn’t help but think,

(Kanna…she’s surprisingly innocent, isn’t she…)

With that thought to myself, I continued to enjoy the time I had with her.

◇

“Alright. I think I’ll call it here. Good work, Rinmei.”

A few hours after playing games with Kanna, Rinmei came over to join me. She wanted to rehearse a new song, and I ended up singing along.

“So…how was my singing?”

“Well…”

Anyone else would probably say it was good…

“I think it was fine, but it felt like you weren’t quite at your best.”

“I knew it.”

She let out a sigh, unlike her usual self. Is something on her mind?

“Is something wrong? You seem a bit down lately.”

“You can tell?”

I nodded in response to her question. She’d been lowering her gaze by about 0.3mm more than usual…Am I finally going mad, noticing details like this?

“…I can’t hide anything from you, can I, Eiji?”

Then, with a look of determination in her eyes, Rinmei turned to face me fully.

“Eiji.”

“Y-yes?”

“I think…it’s about time for me to go.”

Then, the words that came next left me stunned.

“…Back to school.”

—

Chapter 84: Decision

“…School?”

“Yeah…I thought it was time I should go.”

There’s no trace of fear in her expression. Rather…is she a little excited?

“I can’t hide it from you, Eiji…I’m actually looking forward to it.”

“And why is that?”

Wasn’t she afraid of going to school? But from what she’s saying, there seems to be something else on her mind, so I listen.

“I’ve…been waiting for this moment. The moment…I get to show them.”

“Oh…”

Could it be…that’s what this is about?

“Ever since Eiji recognized my singing, I haven’t felt scared of school anymore…but at the same time, something else rose up in me…anger.”

Watching her small hand clench into a fist, I couldn’t help but catch my breath. The intensity she radiates now is stronger than ever.

“When I become popular, I want to see how they’ll react to me…the people who scorned my songs as ugly, calling them beautiful now…I can’t wait to see that.”

She gives an uncharacteristic, defiant smile, and for some reason, I even find a certain elegance in her expression.

“…That’s…half of the reason I’m going back to school.”

“…Half?”

“Yeah. That’s something to look forward to, but the bigger reason is…I don’t want to be a burden on Kanna and the others anymore.”

But with that last statement, the powerful atmosphere around her diffuses, and now she looks a bit awkward, maybe feeling slightly apologetic.

“They were worried about me when I stopped going…They won’t say it, but they’re still worried about me now.”

“…I see.”

Now that she mentions it, they did consult me a little about her and school. I guess both of them have been concerned about her.

“So…I don’t want to trouble those two…or Eiji, anymore. That’s why I’ll go back to school.”

…This girl thought this through in her own way. Feeling that way, I gently put my hand on her head.

“Uh…Eiji?”

“Then first, you should talk to those two about it. I’m sure they’ll be happy and feel relieved.”

“…That’s my plan…Ah, um…Eiji.”

“Yeah? What is it?”

“W-Well…I feel embarrassed saying it to them alone…Can you be with me when I do it? Is that okay?”

“Haha. What’s that all about?”

Surprised by her random request, I couldn’t help but laugh. But maybe she didn’t like that because Rinmei starts poking me repeatedly.

“Ouch! Stop it!”

“…No laughing…It’s forbidden.”

“I-I’m sorry! I won’t laugh anymore, so please stop!”

Afterward, it took hours for her anger to finally settle. We were both exhausted by the end, and we laughed, looking at each other.

Her smile at that moment…shone with an incredible radiance. But that’s a little secret.

◇

“…Is it true, Rinmei?!”

At dinner, Saya’s voice echoed through the house. In response, Rinmei gave a firm nod, more confidently than usual.

“Yeah…I think it’s about time I go back to school…So I wanted to tell you both.”

“Good for you! Good for you, Rinmei! That’s my little sister!”

Saya jumped up from her chair and hugged Rinmei tightly. She was beaming with joy, but Rinmei looked a bit uncomfortable, trying to pull away.

“…So, you’ve made up your mind?”

“…Sorry, Kanna…for all the trouble I’ve caused you.”

“You don’t need to apologize…I’m just happy to hear it from you.”

Kanna’s face relaxed naturally, relieved. Rinmei, on the other hand, looked away, a bit embarrassed.

“Now we can finally walk to school together! I’ve been so bored!”

“…Ugh, I hate sweaty things…Saya, you’re too much.”

“Wait a minute! Why do you have to treat me like that? I didn’t do anything wrong!”

“…Just your very existence is too much…So stay away.”

“Oh, that’s how it is? In that case, I’m not letting go! C’mere!”

“Ugh…stop…let go…too hot…”

Rinmei looked miserable as Saya clung to her, treating her like a little doll, but there was no stopping Saya.

“…Thank you, Eiji.”

As she watched those two, Kanna thanked me.

“I didn’t do anything. This was Rinmei’s decision.”

“But if it weren’t for you, she probably wouldn’t have said she wanted to go back to school. This is all thanks to you, Eiji.”

“…I don’t think that’s quite right.”

Watching their lively scene, I responded.

“Rinmei decided to go back because she didn’t want to trouble you both. I only gave her a small push.”

“…I see…That’s just like Rinmei…But still.”

Now she looked over at me, her face peaceful…with a beautiful smile.

“Even so, because you were here, she made the decision to go back. Thank you so much, Eiji.”

“…Yes, you’re very welcome.”

Exchanging these words, Kanna and I continued to watch the scene unfold.