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

Chapter 89: Rinmei’s Day ~Home~

“…Mmm.”

The morning sunlight streamed in through the window and reached my body.

I was usually a morning person, but yesterday I overdid it a bit. I ended up practicing singing late into the night, so I went to bed late.

I didn’t think I’d get used to days that were different from usual anytime soon.

“…I have to get up.”

But I wasn’t like Sayaka, who was weak in the mornings. I lifted my body off the bed and stretched my arms to wake myself up.

“…It’s cold…Let’s get dressed quickly and go downstairs.”

The moment I got out from under the blankets, goosebumps rose on my skin from the cold. Was winter approaching…? I wasn’t good with the cold. I needed to get dressed quickly.

I took off the old tracksuit I wore during my middle school days and put on the new underwear Kanna and the others had bought for me.

Then, just as I was about to put on my school uniform…I heard a knock at the door.

“Rinmei? You up?”

“Huh!?”

Eiji…! W-wait, I wasn’t fully dressed yet!?

“I-I’m awake. I’ll be down soon, so please wait.”

I managed to hide my panic, quickly calling out to him through the door.

“All right, got it. Breakfast is ready, so come down soon.”

“Y-yeah…”

I heard his footsteps fading away as he headed downstairs. That was close.

“…No way I’d want him to see me in my underwear.”

If he saw me like that, I’d be too embarrassed to look him in the eye.

Thinking of that, I remembered the time he accidentally saw me naked in the bathroom…I needed to forget that. That was a painful memory.

I shook my head to avoid lingering on the past and finished putting on my high school uniform. Then, I moved to the mirror in my room and straightened myself up a bit.

“…There. Perfect.”

It was the usual me. Satisfied, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs. On the way, I heard Sayaka’s soft breathing…she was still asleep.

Thinking that, I arrived at the living room. I opened the door, and a rich, delicious aroma filled the room.

“Oh, good morning, Rinmei. You’re always up early.”

At the table, holding a cup of coffee, was Kanna.

“…Good morning, Kanna…Sayaka’s still sleeping. Is that okay?”

“Still asleep? Oh, that girl…Sayaka! Wake up! You’re going to be late!”

Setting down her cup, Kanna headed upstairs to wake Sayaka. Yesterday, she had been up earlier than me…Why was she late today?

“Good morning, Rinmei.”

I heard a man’s voice that hadn’t been around a few months ago.

Turning, I saw Eiji in the kitchen, doing something.

“Good morning, Eiji.”

“Yeah. Sayaka’s not up yet, so feel free to start breakfast if you want.”

“…Thanks. That helps.”

Thanking him, I looked at the breakfast on the table—grilled mackerel caught my eye. That must have been the source of the aroma. Well, that was a pleasant surprise.

“You like fish, don’t you, Rinmei?”

“…Yes. I like sushi even more…I’d like to go again sometime.”

Chatting with him, I took a piece of the mackerel, placed it on my rice, and took a bite.

The salt perfectly complemented the flavor of the fish, and as I chewed, the rice’s sweetness blended in. Mm, it was delicious.

“Fwaa…Good morniiiiing…”

A sleepy voice came from behind me. I didn’t even have to turn around to know who it was.

“Good morning, Sayaka. I heard Kanna had to wake you up again.”

“T-that’s not true…I was wide awake…”

“Don’t lie. You were definitely sound asleep, weren’t you?”

“Ugh…”

Sayaka, still in her pajamas, averted her face from Eiji, looking embarrassed.

“Ah, Rinmei! You just made fun of me, didn’t you?!”

“…Caught me?”

Strange. I hadn’t said it out loud, so how did she know…Telepathy?

Kanna sighed and Eiji gave a wry smile at our antics.

“Stop fooling around and eat. Your food’s going to get cold.”

“Fine, I got it…”

Pouting for some reason, Sayaka sat across from me. She gave me a pouty look, but I ignored her and took a sip of the warm miso soup. Ah, drinking this in the winter really warmed my heart.

“Here, drink this to wake yourself up.”

“Oh, thanks, Eiji.”

Eiji handed Sayaka a glass of something red…tomato juice. She gulped it down in one go.

“Ahh! Drinking this in the morning really wakes me up!”

“…Like an old man.”

I didn’t get it. Why would tomato juice wake her up? I kept eating the breakfast Eiji prepared, puzzled by it all.

◇

“Sayaka, hurry up. We’re going to be late.”

“W-wait! Um, this and this…Ah, Kanna! Can you bring my gym clothes from my room?”

“All right, all right. I thought you might forget, so I have them right here.”

Watching Sayaka scrambling to get ready at the last minute, I sighed.

Shouldn’t this be prepared the night before? Why was my sister so careless? Oh, right.

“…Eiji, I’m singing a new song today. Could you help me record it?”

“Sure, but…are you singing that one? You said it was hard; are you okay?”

“Yes. I practiced hard yesterday, so it’s perfect.”

I’d practice a little more at school today, but I’d nailed the notes and rhythm.

I wanted him to hear my singing live. And, if possible, to praise me a little.

Sensing that, Eiji patted my head.

“Got it. I’m looking forward to hearing your song, Rinmei.”

“…Yes. Please do.”

It was strange how happy it made me, feeling his support and the warmth of his hand on my head.

But that moment faded as Sayaka finally finished getting ready.

“Sorry, Rinmei—Wait, why is Eiji patting your head? That’s not fair!”

“…Grr…Sayaka, stop. Go away.”

I was enjoying being close to Eiji, and now it was over…Ah, he’d stopped patting my head. I wished it had lasted a bit longer.

“Come on, you two. Hurry, or you’ll be late.”

“Be safe, both of you.”

Feeling a little reluctant to leave, I put on my shoes and pulled Sayaka along.

“…Come on, Sayaka. Let’s go to school.”

“W-wait! Bye, everyone! We’re off!”

With Eiji and Kanna watching us, Sayaka and I headed out together toward our respective schools.

—

Chapter 90: Rinmei’s Day ~School~

“Alright, I’m heading this way. Don’t get into any trouble, Rinmei, okay? Be careful.”

“…Yeah. Even without you saying it…Sayaka, you too…stay safe…avoid any accidents.”

“Hey! You’re as ominous as ever, aren’t you!? Ugh, I have to see that guy again…just great.”

Sayaka, who’s like a sister to me, sighed reluctantly as she walked off in a different direction. That guy…is it the person she talked about yesterday?

“…No time to waste. Let’s go.”

Though I said that, my school was already in view. It seemed Sayaka had walked with me all the way here. She’s kind, even if she doesn’t say it out loud…but I’d rather not admit that, so I keep it to myself.

Thinking about that, I walked towards the school. Along the way, I noticed some people whispering while looking at me.

When I listened closely…it seemed like they were talking about Scarlet. Hmm…it’s nice being popular, but I don’t want to stand out in a place like this.

After glaring at the whispering crowd to make them stop, I continued on my way into the school.

I went to the shoe locker, switched my shoes for school slippers, and made my way inside. It’s frustrating that, as first-years, our classrooms are on the third floor. It’s okay during winter, but in summer, this humid heat makes me want to get to the classroom as soon as possible.

Thinking that, I finally reached my homeroom, Class 1-C. I opened the door…most people were already inside.

As soon as I walked in, they all averted their gazes as if trying not to look at me.

Ignoring them, I sat down in my seat and started listening to music.

Today…I’ll listen to what Eiji recommended to me for practice…Did I listen to it yesterday too? That’s the kind of thing you can listen to over and over, folks.

Without realizing who I was justifying myself to, I was about to put on my earphones…

“Ah, ah~ Hey, Rinmei. G-good morning~.”

…A girl had approached me. When I looked, she had a slightly flashy look.

“……”

“Hey, aren’t you a streamer? And that Scarlet persona of yours is super famous, right? So cool~.”

“……”

“So, if you’re that famous, you must make a ton of money, right? Maybe you could lend me a bit—”

I immediately put in my earphones. I didn’t care about what this girl had to say. She seemed irritated at being ignored, shouting all sorts of things, but…honestly, I didn’t understand any of it.

Didn’t she hear what I said yesterday? Don’t come near me.

There’s no need to listen to someone who ignores my warnings.

Besides, this girl used to make fun of me…Am I maybe a bit petty?

As I pondered my feelings and listened to music for a while, I saw the clock hit the 30-minute mark.

Then, the teacher walked in, as usual, with the box to collect our phones. Sigh…Not having music makes it boring, so it’s honestly annoying.

“Hey! Are you even listening to me!?”

“Move.”

Ignoring the still-complaining girl, I walked over and put my phone in the box the teacher brought.

“Oh, Rinmei. Here again today? The teacher’s pleased.”

“………”

This guy…used to make fun of me too.

Seeing his refreshingly cheerful smile, acting as if none of that ever happened, somehow made me feel irritated.

(…Maybe I’m surprisingly the type to hold a grudge.)

After nodding slightly at the teacher, I returned to my desk.

Now that I think about it, today, my seatmate…uh, that blond guy whose name I’ve forgotten isn’t here.

When I listened to the chatter around me, I heard he was absent…Well, it’s none of my business.

Shutting it out from my mind, I half-heartedly listened to the homeroom teacher’s pointless talk while watching the morning sunlight through the school window.

◇

It’s finally lunchtime.

I felt it yesterday too, but the time until the fourth period feels long.

As for the lesson content…honestly, since I’d already done most of it at home, there wasn’t much worth listening to. When I’m practicing singing, lunchtime feels short, but…today it feels like I’m missing out.

“…Maybe I’ll skip school again.”

…No, I can’t do that.

I don’t want Eiji or Kanna to worry any more.

Besides, if I skip just because it’s a hassle, Kanna would probably get mad at me, and I don’t want that.

“…But even at a school like this, there are things I look forward to.”

I took a cute little bag out of my backpack. Inside was a lunchbox…yes, my lunch.

“…It’s my first school lunch, so I’m looking forward to it.”

Yesterday, I was so nervous I forgot the lunch Eiji had made for me, which was a huge letdown.

But today, I didn’t forget.

Hehe…what could be inside, I wonder? Feeling a bit excited, I opened the lid.

“Whoa…!”

Inside was a variety of colorful ingredients, like meat and vegetables, perfectly balanced.