The Story About How I Was Fired From My Company and Then Picked up by a Possessive Streamer With Over 5 Million Subscribers - Chapter 94-95

Chapter 94: A Morning Scene

One morning, as usual, I head to the front door to see Rinmei off.

By the way, Sayaka had already rushed off to school today. She seemed both happy and a bit sad as she left; apparently, she’s on a school trip, which she had looked forward to.

“I won’t get to see Eiji for a while…” she’d muttered, looking downcast. She seemed quite down, so I told her, “You can call me anytime,” which cheered her up a bit.

So, life without Sayaka will begin for a while… I still remember the mischievous look Rinmei gave when she heard this.

She’d threatened, “I’ll trash her room to get back at her,” but I let it slide since it was typical of her. But really, Sayaka, what on earth did you do to Rinmei? She seemed quite angry.

“…Eiji?”

“Oh, right, sorry. Here’s your lunch.”

I must have been overthinking things. I hand her the lunch I prepared. Rinmei takes it with a look of determination on her face.

“Today… today, I’ll definitely eat it… Eiji’s lunch…”

“I-I appreciate the enthusiasm, but you don’t need to feel so pressured…”

Her intensity makes me laugh a bit, and I try to reassure her. But my words don’t seem to reach her; she’s still looking resolute.

“Hey, you’ll be late if you keep thinking like that. Hurry and go.”

“…Mmm. You’re right… Eiji, I want the usual.”

“Alright, alright.”

We share a familiar exchange, and I place my hand on her carefully styled silver hair, gently ruffling it. Rinmei closes her eyes, looking content. It seems she enjoys the head pat.

“…Alright, I’m good now. Tell Kanna I said hi.”

“Got it. I’ll pass it along.”

Kanna’s staying home today. She got a bit too into the new game she streamed last night after dinner and ended up feeling unwell. I couldn’t help but realize that even she sometimes overdoes it.

“Well, I’m off.”

“Take care. Be safe.”

Rinmei, in her sharp school uniform, gives me one last wave before slowly opening the front door. There, a girl with black hair and glasses, not Sayaka, stands waiting.

“Rinmei-chan! Good morning!”

“…Haruka. Morning. You came all the way here?”

“Yep! I live close by, so I thought I’d come meet you!”

“…I see. Thanks… Let’s go.”

Their conversation reaches my ears. Both of their voices sound genuinely happy.

(…Is that Haruka-chan, the friend Rinmei mentioned?)

She has a slightly mysterious vibe, a typical girl-next-door feel. I end up staring at her since she’s Rinmei’s friend.

For some reason, she glances back at me…

“…Huh?”

…I think I heard her whisper something faintly, almost breathlessly. Her gaze locks onto me, filled with an intense, startled expression.

“…Haruka?”

“Ah! S-sorry, Rinmei-chan. Let’s go!”

Haruka quickly collects herself at Rinmei’s voice, acting as if nothing happened. Then, the two head off to school together, leaving the house behind.

“…What was that about?”

Left in a slight daze from Haruka’s sudden stare, I stand there with the door still open, tilting my head.

Maybe she’s a family acquaintance? But then again, she didn’t seem to resemble anyone I know…

“…No point in overthinking it. Anyway, I should take care of Kanna.”

Still puzzled, I decide that helping Kanna is more important. I close the door and head back inside.

—

It’s a school day. I haven’t been attending school for long, but today, I have a friend walking with me.

Before, I didn’t care much about making friends… but having one isn’t so bad.

I’m feeling pretty good, but Haruka, next to me, seems a little off.

“…Haruka?”

“Huh? What is it?”

“…Are you okay? You seem a bit spaced out.”

“N-no! I’m fine! Don’t worry! Actually… there’s something I want to ask.”

Her dazed expression suddenly shifts to a serious one. Startled, I feel the intensity coming from her.

“Rinmei-chan, about that guy earlier…”

“…You mean Eiji?”

“…Is that man your father?”

Hearing that name, her expression seemed to change slightly but quickly returned to her usual demeanor as she looked at me curiously.

“My father? No… Eiji isn’t like that. He does help me out, but he only came here a few months ago. Now, he’s part of my family.”

“I… I see. That’s… interesting…”

“…?”

Noticing Haruka’s slightly strange behavior, I continued walking with her toward our school.

—

Chapter 95: Caring for a Sick Game Streamer

“Ugh… my head hurts…”

“Hey, don’t try to talk too much. I made some rice porridge, so please eat a little.”

After Rinmei went to school, I stayed in Kanna’s room to take care of her since she had fallen sick unexpectedly today. Now, having finished my usual tasks, mainly chores and video editing, I was here feeding her the porridge I’d made.

“…I don’t feel hungry… but I still want to eat Eiji’s cooking…”

“I’m glad to hear that. Now, open your mouth. Say ‘ahh.’”

I spooned a bit of the porridge and gently fed it to her weakened mouth. Her complexion looked a little better than before, but her fever hadn’t gone down yet… How did she end up getting this sick?

After feeding her for a while and finishing the bowl, I got out the medicine I had prepared and tried to give it to her.

“Here you go, Kanna. It’s a little bitter, but it should help you feel better, so please drink it, okay?”

“Medicine… ugh, I hate it… I don’t want to take it…”

“Are you… regressing to a toddler or something?”

Honestly, I’d noticed this for a bit, but was Kanna’s language getting a bit childish? And please, stop looking at me with those teary eyes. It’s so adorable that I might just die from the cuteness.

Despite my thoughts, I steeled myself and tried to convince the regressed Kanna—who I might as well call “Toddler Kanna”—to take her medicine.

“Kanna, if you don’t take this, you won’t get better. Are you okay with that?”

“…I don’t like that… but I hate taking medicine even more…”

Hmm… this isn’t getting us anywhere. It’s a bit underhanded, but I don’t have a choice. I’ll feel a little guilty, but it’s for the sake of getting her to take it.

“Oh, is that how it is? Fine, then. If you won’t take the medicine, I’ll have to cancel your streaming sessions for a while and take away that game you were looking forward to playing.”

“Wha…? No, please don’t do that!”

“Then please take your medicine.”

“Ugh… I hate medicine… but… the game…”

Even lying in bed with a raging headache, she was seriously torn. Just one more push… but what else could I say? Ah, I thought of something.

I’m not sure if this will make her happy, but it’s worth a try. I shared my idea with Kanna.

“If you take this medicine, I’ll grant you one request—anything you want.”

Let’s see if it works…

“Really?!”

…Looks like it was a huge success.

Even though she still looked pale, her face lit up like a child’s.

“Yes. So please, take the medicine, okay?”

“…Eiji’s request… promise…”

After a moment, she reluctantly nodded her head.

“…Alright… I’ll take it…”

“Thank you, you’re being very brave. It’s a bit bitter, so try to bear with it, okay?”

As she opened her mouth wide, I placed the medicine in. Her face contorted as if she’d bitten into something sour, but it was only for a moment. I handed her a cup of water, and she drank it in small sips.

“…I took it…”

“Well done, Kanna. You did a great job.”

“…Hehe…”

She’s so cute. Seeing her smile, as pleased as a child receiving praise, I couldn’t help but feel my cheeks soften. Her usual demeanor made this moment feel even sweeter.

“…Oh… I’m getting… sleepy…”

“That’s the medicine working. Rest well and recover. You’re always working so hard.”

After helping her lie down comfortably in bed, I tucked her in and turned to leave her room.

“…Wait…”

“Huh? Kanna?”

She reached out with her slender, graceful hand, holding onto my arm to stop me.

Looking at her, I saw a faint expression of worry on her face.

“…Don’t go… Stay with me…”

“I… still have things to do…”

“…Can’t you?”

…With that look, I couldn’t refuse.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, I sat back down beside her bed and gently patted her head.

“…Alright. I’ll stay with you until you feel safe.”

“…Thank you… Eiji…”

With that, her drowsiness overcame her, and her eyelids began to droop. Within seconds, she was fast asleep, her breathing becoming soft and rhythmic.

Even in sleep, as if to ensure I wouldn’t leave, her hand clung tightly to mine.

“Looks like I won’t be able to get anything done…”

Resigned, I continued patting her head and stayed by her side, keeping a close watch.

Later, I dozed off myself, and by the time I woke up, Kanna was back to her usual self.

That I wished I’d had a bit more time with “Toddler Kanna” is a secret I’ll keep to myself.