Category: Oshi Dream Life

After about 30 minutes of walking, we returned to the apartment.

“Well, exercising at this time is quite nice too. I feel like my body is getting in good shape.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka got off my back and started cheerfully saying that. The burden on my back disappeared, and my body felt as light as a feather.

“Was that supposed to be a joke?” (Souma)

“Nah, clinging onto you is a legitimate form of exercise.” (Shizuka)

“You were sleeping halfway through, though.” (Souma)

While spitting out incomprehensible logic, Shizuka wore a proud expression. For someone who usually lived as a shut-in and never left the room, just riding on someone else’s back might be considered a strenuous exercise. But the reality is that this girl was basically taking a nap outside.

“But it does feel refreshing, doesn’t it?” (Hiyori)

“…Certainly. Maybe we can do this sometimes.” (Mafuyu)

Following Hiyorin’s murmurs, Mafuyu-chan shared the same sentiment. Unlike me, who had been carrying the weight of Shizuka on my back, the two of them were just walking, so they weren’t sweating, but it was a good start to the day.

“For now, let’s just focus on staying fit. Oh, speaking of which, do you have a Ringfit Adventure controller, Shizuka? Hiyorin-san is looking for one, but they’re sold out everywhere.” (Souma)

Ringfit Adventure requires a specialized ring-shaped controller, so downloading just the software won’t work. I did a bit of searching too, but it seems like there’s currently a shortage in supply everywhere.

“Ringfit Adventure controller? Hmm… I think it’s probably somewhere in my room. I remember receiving one when we used it for the stream.” (Shizuka)

“Really!? Um, how much is it…?” (Hiyori)

“I won’t ever use it, so you can have it for free. I’d actually be grateful if you took it, considering I don’t even want to see it.” (Shizuka)

“Really!? Thank you, Shizuka-chan!” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin grabbed Shizuka’s hands tightly. Seeing her this happy made me happy too.

“Was Ringfit Adventure really that tough?” (Souma)

“That thing is like a game or, rather, a hell. Why did I have to go through such torment at my 3D unveiling event…” (Shizuka)

“It was fun to watch, though.” (Souma)

Ette-sama has an elegant image, but strangely, it’s fitting to see her going through such hardships. Looking back, her true self was leaking out quite a bit. I never would have thought that the person behind Ette-sama would be such a klutz.

“Well then, it’s about time to disband for today. Let’s meet at the same time tomorrow.” (Souma)

“Okay~”  (Hiyori)

“Ok, onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

“I’m… I think I’ve had enough…” (Shizuka)

Even though we said we were disbanding, we were all going to the same place. We entered the apartment building one by one and got on the elevator.

◆

“Oh, it’s Hiyorin-san. You really are different from your usual self. You’re, how do I put it… so lively.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka was peeking at my phone while nibbling on some lemon chicken. On the screen, the weekly Zanimasu live broadcast was ongoing, and Hiyorin was energetically introducing everyone. This means that Hiyorin wasn’t with us today.

“She really feels like a popular voice actress, right? But more importantly, I made lemon chicken for the first time. How does it taste to both of you?” (Souma)

“Delicious! The meat is amazing!” (Shizuka)

“It’s very good, onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

“I see… that’s good. I deliberately made the seasoning a bit stronger today, thinking you both might prefer it that way.” (Souma)

Today’s menu was all about Chinese food, including sweet and sour chicken, and Chinese soup. We had been sticking to a healthy menu all week, but Shizuka had finally reached her limit and seemed ready to breathe fire, so we had no choice but to declare today a cheat day. Well, I was also in the mood for some meat, so it was a win-win. Mafuyu-chan seemed to be eating more eagerly than usual, so maybe it was a good call to take a break.

“Well, it’s said that the stronger the flavor, the better. I actually like today’s seasoning.” (Shizuka)

“Even though it’s not great for our health. Well, I agree that there are days when strong flavors are more enjoyable.” (Hiyori)

“I think I’m fine with days like this occasionally too. We just need to be careful not to overeat.” (Souma)

While saying this, Mafuyu-chan unusually asked for seconds. In other words, she was enjoying today’s meal so much, and it made me feel happy. Shizuka also started asking for seconds, but she does this all the time, so it didn’t particularly surprise me. I’m just happy she’s eating a lot.

With Souma-kai having a slightly higher energy level than usual, my smartphone suddenly displayed the words “Major Announcement!” in big letters. I instinctively froze with my chopsticks in the air and became fixated on the screen.

“A major announcement…?” (Souma)

The first thing that came to mind was an anime adaptation. Zanimasu has been gaining popularity recently, and an anime adaptation wouldn’t be surprising. However, something like that would usually be announced during a live event. Something about this felt different.

In that case…

“…Could it be?” (Souma)

A single answer came to my mind. I had already heard this hint from Hiyorin.

“(Zanimasu 3rd LIVE will be happening soon!)” (Hiyori)

Just as I arrived at that answer, Hiyorin’s voice burst out from the screen.

---

Thanks for reading!

And so the true meaning of the leak was revealed, not that it was hard to guess. I thought there would have been more live concerts that happened but looks like it was only 2.

---

1. None

“Ugh… Haa…! I-I can’t do this anymore…” (Shizuka)

Like a puppet with its strings cut, Shizuka collapses onto the concrete pavement. She rolled over onto her back and breathed heavily while her face turned bright red due to the lack of oxygen. The sight of the lightly dressed, sweat-drenched woman repeatedly catching her breath has a certain charm, even for someone like Shizuka with a modest chest. If this were Hiyorin or Mafuyu-chan, it would have definitely been more dangerous.

“Everyone… Haa… Haa… just leave me… behind and go ahead!” (Shizuka)

Her line sounded like something out of a horror movie with a self-sacrificing heroine. I almost felt like saying, “I can’t leave you behind!” However, in reality, she had just collapsed after three minutes of jogging, so it didn’t feel right.

Mafuyu-chan gave her a skeptical look that seemed to say, “Are you okay?” Even Hiyorin was laughing awkwardly, saying, “Ahaha…” For context, we could still see our apartment building from our current location.

…I knew Shizuka was out of shape, but I didn’t expect it to be this bad. Even a newborn fawn¹ could run a little more than that.

“Leave you behind huh…”

I had no idea how much time she would need to recover, but Shizuka lying down in the middle of the sidewalk was blocking the entire sidewalk. Leaving her like this would undoubtedly cause trouble for the nearby residents. Furthermore, I couldn’t help but worry that she might fall asleep in this position. I didn’t think it would come to that, but her laziness had exceeded my expectations multiple times.

…So, with that in mind.

“As expected, I can’t leave you here. Shizuka, how long do you think it’ll take to recover?” (Souma)

“R-Recover…?” (Shizuka)

Shizuka slowly opened her eyes, just managing to make eye contact with me. If this was acting, she could become an actress right away, but unfortunately, she had genuinely collapsed within five minutes.

“Ugh… It might be impossible… I’ve used up my energy…” (Shizuka)

“Seriously…” (Souma)

No matter how you look at it, she’s way too frail. Where does all the nutrition she usually absorbs disappears to?

“Souma-kun… I have one last request…” (Shizuka)

Seemingly still capable of joking, Shizuka slowly reached out her trembling arm towards me. In a romantic movie, it would be an emotional scene where we hold hands and make promises of love, but since we were in the middle of the sidewalk, there was no atmosphere at all. The audience (Mafuyu-chan and Hiyorin) watched us with a completely indifferent expression. There was a considerable temperature difference between the performers and the audience.

“A request?” (Souma)

“Yeah… Can you carry me…” (Shizuka)

◆

“Woohoo, it’s so comfy~!” (Shizuka)

A carefree voice could be heard from near the top of my head. Shizuka, who had been on the brink of death just a moment ago, immediately regained her energy as soon as I carried her. She was quite the actress.

“If you have the energy to make noise, you can walk on your own.” (Souma)

“Haa… Haa… Ugh, I’m gonna die…” (Shizuka)

Shizuka exaggeratedly groaned on my back. Every time she did, her chest (or what seemed like it), and her thighs pressed against me. I emptied my mind, gazing up at the pale purple sky where faint stars were shining as if they were cleansing my dirty heart.

“Onii-chan… Can you run like this?” (Mafuyu)

While I was lost in thoughts about the glittering stars, Mafuyu-chan gave me a glare from the ground.

“It’s impossible. My hands are full.” (Souma)

My hands firmly held onto Shizuka’s thighs. Her slightly sweaty skin clung to my wrist, and feeling a little self-conscious, I once again returned my gaze to the sky. Faint stars sparkled in the pale purple sky, seeming to cleanse my impure heart, but in reality, they might not even be doing that at all.

“Well, then we can’t jog, right? Maybe it’s better to leave Shizuka behind.” (Mafuyu)

“That’s cruel!? You make it sound like I’m a burden!” (Shizuka)

Mafuyu-chan didn’t bother hiding her annoyed look and bumped into my back with all her might. Shizuka, though, retorted with her own words, but I can’t imagine her winning this argument. For now, I’d like them to stop fighting on my back.

“Aren’t you a burden? Who are your arms and legs clinging on to?” (Mafuyu)

“Grrrr… Souma-kun! Deal with this cheeky girl!” (Shizuka)

From the corner of my eye, Shizuka’s arm reached out, and her fingers were pointed assertively at Mafuyu-chan.

“It’s impossible. My hands and feet are busy carrying you. Besides, this time, Mafuyu-chan is absolutely right.” (Souma)

In my opinion, Shizuka fits the cheeky girl title even more. Why was she in a position to be carried while fighting with Mafuyu-chan, and giving me orders?

“No way?! You betrayed me?!” (Shizuka)

“I never became your ally, to begin with. I’m just carrying you because you can’t move.” (Souma)

“Well, well. In that case, how about we just walk for today? Souma-kun should be fine with that, right?” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin intervened as if to help Shizuka. It is quite common in Souma-kai for Hiyorin to come and save Shizuka when she is losing an argument. Shizuka should at least thank Hiyorin properly.

“Is that so? Mafuyu-chan, is that okay with you?” (Souma)

“…If onii-chan says so, I don’t mind.” (Mafuyu)

“All right, let’s go!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka’s carefree voice echoed through the early morning streets. The damp air still held the remnants of the night, making it quite a relaxing time for a walk. With each step, there was a refreshing sensation as if toxins were being purged from the body. Hiyorin and Mafuyu-chan remained silent as they enjoyed the cool air that was uncommon in early summer.

…

In the midst of all this, I had been silently wondering, “When is she going to get off?” Since she showed no signs of response, I quickly checked on her, and to my surprise, Shizuka was fast asleep.

What on earth did she come here for?

---

Thanks for reading!

Well that went about as we expected.

It’s just that there’s no way she couldn’t handle 3 minutes of jogging right? Unless it’s a medical condition or something, this girl shouldn’t even be able to go outside.

---

1. Fawn are young deers.

[Shizuka’s PoV]

No, no.

No, no, no, no.

Souma-kun and Hiyori-san were totally wearing matching outfits, weren’t they!?

I mean, no matter how you look at it, they look like a couple!

Wait, hold on… Is this real?

Could this actually be a dream?

Well, probably not.

Even though I might be really tired and my head’s not functioning properly, I wouldn’t mix up dreams and reality. This is definitely real. Not to mention, they were sweating like crazy.

“Welcome~!” (Cashier)

Uwa… What should I do?

I’m starting to feel anxious all of a sudden. There’s no way this could lead to a sudden closeness between the two of them, right?

…

I believe in Sohma-kun.

Certainly, Hiyori-san has a well-endowed chest and a mature charm, but Souma-kun is not one to give in to that. He must know there are more important things than physical attributes, even though I don’t know what those are. Anyways, there are things more important than just appearances in this world. I believe in that.

“Would you like it heated?” (Cashier)

“Oh, please.” (Shizuka)

Um… What should I do?

I wonder if I should join them too.

But I hate waking up in the morning, and I hate running even more. I don’t even want to go to dance lessons if possible. So, there’s no way I can suddenly change to such a healthy lifestyle right now. It’s not that I’m bad for my health; it’s probably that health is bad for me. Health should come to me, not the other way around.

……What am I even saying?

“Thank you very much.” (Cashier)

Well, anyway.

I definitely won’t do any exercise. I am the ally of unhealthiness.

“…I wonder if I can jog in my dance lesson attire.” (Shizuka)

Not that I would do it.

◆

[Souma’s PoV]

“Shizuka…?”

It was the early morning of the second day of their jogging routine. When I stepped outside the apartment, Shizuka was standing there in her workout attire, looking somewhat hesitant.

When Shizuka noticed me, she pressed the toes of her shoes into the ground while pursing her lips.

“…I thought maybe I’d join in on the run for a bit.” (Shizuka)

“Ah, what brought on this change of heart?” (Souma)

She seemed like a completely different person compared to the one who had eaten convenience store food in the early morning and gone back to sleep yesterday. Shizuka gave me a thoughtful look before responding.

“Hmm… Just felt like it. Maybe I should give running a try once in a while.” (Shizuka)

“I see. Well, in any case, I’m glad. I want my oshi to stay healthy, after all.” (Souma)

“Hehe…” (Shizuka)

Needless to say, Shizuka led the most unhealthy lifestyle among us. Just because she didn’t gain weight didn’t mean she was healthy, and I was genuinely pleased that she was finally showing some motivation.

While we were having a casual conversation, Hiyorin and Mafuyu-chan arrived. Hiyorin was wearing her familiar yellow hoodie, and Mafuyu was wearing a sporty, eye-catching outfit with a thin sports T-shirt and black spats that went down to her thighs.

“Eh… matching outfits?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan muttered quietly as she looked at me.

“It just happened by chance. I’m surprised too.” (Souma)

“Y-yeah! I totally didn’t notice at all!” (Hiyori)

Feeling pressured by Mafuyu’s sharp gaze, I blurted out without thinking. Hiyorin also quickly joined in. Despite not having exercised yet, Hiyorin’s face was as red as if she had just finished jogging.

“…….Well, fine. So, why are you here, Shizuka?” (Mafuyu)

“As you can see. I’ve awakened to the world of health.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka placed her hands on her hips and struck a dignified pose.

“You look like you haven’t slept at all, though.” (Mafuyu)

“I’m nocturnal, so this is actually normal for me.” (Shizuka)

“Huh, I didn’t know there were nocturnal humans.” (Mafuyu)

Even in the early morning, there were sparks flying between these two. I had thought they had become friends, but it seemed like there was a misunderstanding.

“Alright, let’s get going. Everyone can set their own pace, so don’t push yourselves to match each other.” (Souma)

“Yeah!” (Shizuka)

“Looks like it’s gonna be another hot day.” (Hiyori)

“…” (Mafuyu)

Shizuka raised her hands high, Hiyorin did knee stretches, and Mafuyu-chan gazed emotionlessly at the sky. With that, the “Souma-kai Morning Session” began.

---

Thanks for reading!

So Shizuka is kinda like an idol. Since she goes for dancing lessons that means that Virtual Real does concerts and stuff right?

And there definitely are ‘nocturnal’ humans out there.

---

1. None

“Wow, so you were a lively kid back when you were a child?” (Souma)

“That’s right. I used to play in the mud with the boys and got scolded by my parents.” (Hiyori)

“That’s surprising. The Hiyorin-san I know gave me a more feminine impression, you know?” (Souma)

It had already been about thirty minutes since we started. I had checked the path in advance, which was roughly 5km in total, and now we were about halfway through.

Although we had covered more than enough distance for a warm-up, we were still walking at a leisurely pace. Talking with each other was so enjoyable that we didn’t feel like jogging. I think Hiyorin was also probably adjusting her pace to match mine.

“Of course, I don’t do that sort of thing now. Oh, but during live performances, I think I sometimes become a bit more childish. I’ve always been told that my character is different in live performances compared to in live broadcasts.” (Hiyori)

“Oh, I actually thought so too. Even before getting to know the normal Hiyorin-san, I always thought the Hiyorin-san during live performances was really cool.” (Souma)

“Is that so? So, Souma-kun, are you a fan of the me during live performances?” (Hiyori)

“Well, I’m a fan of all versions of you. Regardless of which kind of Hiyorin-san is present, you’re still my oshi.” (Souma)

Maybe the reason we could talk more naturally than usual was due to our matching outfits. It’s like sweating the small stuff before the big stuff, or maybe it’s because I’m too embarrassed to feel anything else. It might not be the best choice of words, given how kindly she chose it for me, but sometimes misfortune can turn into good luck.¹

“So, is… ‘Hasekura Hiyori’ your oshi too?” (Hiyori)

“Huh?” (Souma)

“Oh, never mind! Let’s start running soon, shall we?” (Hiyori)

With that, Hiyorin-san quickly took off running.

I hurriedly chased after her as she grew smaller in the distance. My cushioned running shoes were so light, it felt like I was walking on clouds. I was having so much fun that I completely forgot to ask Hiyori what she was trying to say earlier.

◆

After jogging for about fifteen minutes, we returned to the apartment.

“Hah…” (Souma)

“Fuuu… It’s really hot, isn’t it?” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin unzipped her hoodie and fanned herself around her chest. It must certainly be hot with it being so tightly zipped up like that.

Or rather, that’s way too erotic. I naturally averted my gaze.

“Haa~ Haa~ Well… Hiyorin-san, you don’t seem to be all that tired.” (Souma)

While I was catching my breath, panting with my hands on my knees, Hiyorin, although breathing a bit heavily, didn’t seem particularly distressed. It’s kind of embarrassing that, despite being younger, I’m the one struggling.

“Voice acting is surprisingly physically demanding, you know? Many of us have running as part of our daily routines or go to the gym.” (Hiyori)

“Yeah, I can see that… Not to mention, the live performances do involve a lot of movement.” (Souma)

The cool, early morning air rapidly cooled down my sweat. My lungs, which had only been taking in quick breaths, began to settle down as they took in the clear, fresh air.

“Yeah, I remember how tough the lessons were for Zanimasu’s first live performance. I had never experienced singing and dancing before that.” (Hiyori)

In hindsight, it made perfect sense. The radiance I witnessed at the live venue that day was the result of her relentless effort and hard work. I couldn’t help but feel that imagining how much practice it took to achieve that level of brilliance would be disrespectful.

“What can I say… Thank you.” (Souma)

“Thank you? What for?” (Hiyori)

“Thank you for your hard work, because of that, I became your fan. Of course, I’m still just an ordinary, nameless fan, but… I’m really grateful for getting the chance to meet ‘Yasumi Hiyori’.” (Souma)

When someone meets their ‘oshi’, there is an overwhelming feeling of ‘gratitude’. Hiyorin’s dazzling presence on stage that day still gives me courage.

“Ahaha… When you put it that way, it makes me feel a bit embarrassed. But… thank you. It really makes me happy to hear that from you, Souma-kun.” (Hiyori)

Saying that, Hiyorin smiled at me. Her slightly pinkish cheeks, the glistening sweat, and every strand of hair stuck to her forehead – everything about her was precious.

…It really feels like a dream, having your oshi by your side. It’s a special kind of feeling that can’t be obtained from anything else.

“…n?” (?)

A baffled voice came from the apartment’s entrance. When we turned to look, Shizuka, dressed casually and with dark circles under her eyes, was slowly making her way over to us.

“Wow, you two really wore it… the matching pair outfit.” (Shizuka)

“Urgh… don’t say it.” (Souma)

“Is it weird?” (Hiyori)

“Yeah, it really stands out.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka, rubbing her eyes, approached us.

“Wow, you two are sweating so much. Good work in the morning…” (Shizuka)

Maybe she hasn’t been sleeping, as Shizuka is usually not this low-energy.

“Shizuka, have you been streaming until now?” (Souma)

“Yeah, streaming, and then video editing… *yawn*… I’m tired. Well, I’m going to bed now.” (Shizuka)

With her hand over her mouth, Shizuka walked past us, probably heading to the nearby convenience store. Based on my knowledge of Shizuka’s habits, she’s likely planning to grab some spaghetti or something similar before going to sleep. It seems like an incredibly unhealthy lifestyle, but Shizuka’s metabolism keeps her from gaining weight, so a hearty serving of spaghetti is practically a form of healthy food for her.

“Shizuka! Good night!” (Souma)

“Mmm.” (Shizuka)

While calling out to my other oshi, Hiyorin and I headed back to the apartment.

---

Thanks for reading!

Wow Shizuka spent the entire night doing VTubing. I guess being a VTuber is more demanding than I thought.

---

1. I’m not even going to try and understand what this is saying.

“…Okay, let’s go.” (Souma)

Waking up earlier than usual, I put on the running attire Hiyorin had bought for me. It was lightweight and had excellent breathability and moisture-absorption properties, so it felt comfortable when worn over the inner layer. It gave off the illusion of feeling lighter, and my steps naturally became more lively.

However, there was just one thing that bothered me.

“…It really doesn’t suit me.” (Souma)

I stretched my arms in front of the mirror. There, I saw myself in a bright yellow hoodie that I would never have bought normally. Looking at it closely, the discomfort didn’t fade away, and I couldn’t help but feel like I wasn’t myself. It was surprising how a change of clothes could make my self-perception so vague.

As I absentmindedly stared at this altered version of myself in the dimly lit living room, my phone chimed. Checking the screen, I saw that Hiyorin had sent me a message.

“(Are you awake?)” (Hiyori)

“(I’m awake. I’ll be down in a moment.)” (Souma)

Interacting with Hiyorin still felt somewhat dreamlike. Sometimes, I still can’t believe that I can have such casual personal exchanges with my oshi.

…

Even the fact that I was now wearing a yellow hoodie and about to go jogging with my oshi felt surreal. Everything still feels like a dream.

◆

Hiyorin was already waiting in front of the apartment building. It seemed like Mafuyu-chan still didn’t have her running attire ready, so it would just be the two of us today.

“Good morning, Souma-kun.” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin noticed me and waved at me with a modest smile. I jogged over to where Hiyorin was, and the remnant of the crisp and slightly chilly air from last night entered my lungs smoothly.

“Good morning, Hiyorin-san.” (Souma)

The refreshing, slightly damp air moistened my skin. When I looked up slightly, I could see faint stars shining in the pale purple sky. It was amazing how waking up a little earlier than usual could grant me such a magical view.

Hiyorin followed my gaze and looked up at the sky.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it… I was surprised. To think that the world was this beautiful while I was asleep.” (Hiyori)

“Yeah, I was thinking of the same thing.” (Souma)

Apart from us, there was no sign of anyone else, and only the distant sound of cars on the elevated highway could be faintly heard. It was as if only Hiyorin and I were in this world. And, to be honest, I almost wished it were true.

“…I know it’s kind of strange to say this, but we look like siblings, don’t we?” (Hiyori)

I turned my gaze to Hiyorin, who was wearing the same yellow hoodie as me. It was the same brand, so it was pretty much the exact same hoodie. The only difference, perhaps, was that… I didn’t look good in it, but Hiyorin did.

“Ahaha… Sorry about making you wear that. It’s embarrassing isn’t it? It’s just that I thought it would be nice if we matched. ” (Hiyori)

It wasn’t “just” matching; we looked like a complete pair. Well, I had already known that this was gonna happen, but when we stood side by side like this, the embarrassment exceeded my expectations.

“Well, yes… But it does give a sense of unity. It’s almost like we’re in a club or something.” (Souma)

“A club, huh? It would have been fun if we were in the same club, Souma-kun… But I guess it’s impossible since our schools don’t overlap…” (Hiyori)

I was twenty, and Hiyorin was twenty-six. It was just far apart such that our schools wouldn’t overlap.

I lent my shoulder to Hiyorin, who seemed like she was about to collapse from the thought, and managed to support her. When it came to age-related matters, she really had zero defense. I personally didn’t think age was a big deal. While she was a bit older than me, Hiyorin was still a young person.

“Did you participate in any club activities, Hiyorin-san?” (Souma)

“…I was in the volleyball club… It doesn’t really look like it, right…?” (Hiyori)

“Well, I can’t really imagine it, to be honest.” (Souma)

Is she thinking that I’m saying she’s overweight? No matter how many times I tell her she isn’t overweight, Hiyorin seems to interpret them as flattery and doesn’t believe it. Lately, I’ve come to understand that Hiyorin is quite negative about things. Especially when it comes to her age or body shape.

But still… Volleyball club, huh. I immediately imagined Hiyorin in her uniform. Hiyorin received a sharp serve with her wrist. Hiyorin gently set the ball that the libero¹ received. Hiyorin jumped and spiked² the ball with all her might. In each scenario, a certain part of her body swayed quite noticeably.

I won’t say it out loud… but I can’t help but wonder if Hiyorin’s male classmates from her grade had a tough time during gym class. 

I somehow managed to get Hiyorin, who was as limp as konjac jelly, to stand up, and we started walking slowly.

“Well then… shall we get going soon? Let’s start with some warm-up walking.” (Souma)

I did some research on jogging just in case. It seems that starting with running or jogging right away can lead to joint and muscle injuries. Hiyorin seems to have an announced live performance coming up (It would be amazing if it were Zanimasu), so it’s better to be safe.

“Yes, let’s do that. Please take care of me.” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin lined up beside me and gave me a smile. Just by closing the distance, I could smell a sweet and flower-like scent from her.

---

Thanks for reading!

Btw, I think a few days have passed since last chapter. Or at least I’m assuming that based on how Souma said he hasn’t confirmed the run last chapter. I don’t play volleyball, so I could be wrong about some of the terms for that.

---

1. Libero is a back-row defensive specialist in volleyball.
2. Spiking is the offensive play where a player swings the ball with their palm sharply downwards over the net and into the opposing court. Basically it shoots the ball downwards.

When I returned to the living room, Mafuyu-chan was sitting on the sofa with an innocent expression that made it impossible to believe she had forcibly tried to enter the bath just a while ago. Unable to leave her alone and go to sleep, I waited as she disappeared into the bathroom as if passing the baton to me. About an hour later, Mafuyu-chan returned.

“…I see. So, you wanted me to check if you need to go on a diet?” (Souma)

“Yeah. You can’t really tell this kind of thing on your own, right? So, how is it?” (Mafuyu)

“How is it, you say…?” (Souma)

I noticed Mafuyu-chan striking a pose at the corner of my field of vision. Most of her body was exposed to the cold air, making it impossible to look directly at her. I wanted her to put on her clothes quickly before she caught a cold, but it seemed she had no intention of doing so.

“Personally, I’m a bit concerned about this area… See, could you take a look?” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan gently pinched around her belly while moving closer to me.

After her bath, Mafuyu-chan came out wearing my shirt, which she had forcefully confiscated, and her underwear. Furthermore, she was even trying to take off that shirt just now. I feel like my body will freeze up before she does.

I turn myself away from Mafuyu-chan, trying to exclude her from my field of vision as much as possible. However, she danced gracefully like a cast member in a fashion show while keeping herself in the center of my vision. To the outside world, she looked like a slut trying to seduce me.

…This battle of endurance was a complete defeat for me.

“I understand. I’ll look. Just make sure you put on some clothes, okay?” (Souma)

“Actually, shouldn’t I be taking it off instead?” (Mafuyu)

“You’re not going to actually do that right?” (Souma)

While processing Mafuyu-chan’s bombshell statement, I mustered up the courage to raise my face.

Come on me, stay strong.

…But my determination was extinguished like a candle in front of a typhoon in an instant.

“…*gulp*” (Souma)

What met my eyes was a pristine expanse of untouched snow. Her flawless abdomen boasted smooth, graceful curves like a work of art from the Middle Ages. The pale, porcelain-like skin, illuminated by the living room’s light, had a surreal quality, devoid of any imperfections. It is the ultimate representation of a beauty where no details were spared.

As I stared intently, I marveled at how a human body could become so beautiful. It was clear to me that her healthy, well-toned body was not merely the result of being slim, but rather the result of her effort.

“Hehe… Onii-chan, what’s wrong? Why are you staring so intently?” (Mafuyu)

“…!? S-Sorry, I… I must have stared too long.” (Souma)

I snapped back to reality and hastily averted my gaze.

I… I definitely went too far just now, didn’t I? If she hadn’t said anything, I might have kept staring indefinitely.

“It’s not just about… looking, you know? If it’s you, onii-chan…” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan closed the distance between us, taking my stiff hand and pressing it against her abdomen.

…I was speechless. Mafuyu-chan’s belly was as smooth as silk, and it clung to my fingertips as if it were alive. The sensation was so intense, it almost felt like my hand had been taken away from me. Before I knew it, I found myself quickly retracting my hand.

“…Mafuyu-chan. I’m getting seriously angry now.” (Souma)

With my emotions thrown into such disarray, what on earth should I be angry about? This was probably more like me throwing a tantrum. I couldn’t think of anything else to say. Mafuyu-chan, on the other hand, smiled confidently as if she could read my thoughts.

“All right. I’m sorry, Onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

Mafuyu-chan slowly began buttoning up her shirt. Her attire, still consisting of only her underwear and a shirt, remained provocative, but it was somewhat better than before. At the very least, there was less exposed skin.

“So, how was it? Should I go on a diet?” (Mafuyu)

“No… I don’t think you need to at all. Honestly, you looked incredibly beautiful.” (Souma)

My cheeks grew warm with embarrassment. But Mafuyu-chan was undeniably beautiful to the point where I couldn’t help but speak the truth. In front of such a perfect work of art, one cannot simply tell lies.

“Hehe, that makes me happy. But I’ll still join you for jogging.” (Mafuyu)

“Yeah. I’ll let you know once things are finalized.” (Souma)

Mafuyu-chan seemed satisfied with my response, and she happily turned around with a pleased expression. The hem of her shirt swayed gently, and her healthy thighs left a lasting impression on my mind.

“Well then… I’m going home. See you tomorrow, onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

“Yeah… Goodnight, Mafuyu-chan.” (Souma)

---

Thanks for reading!

Well, at least MC was spared the night. My man needs some rest after all the shit that happened on that day. Actually, how many chapters have we even spent on this one day?

---

1. None

“…I’m seriously exhausted…” (Souma)

As I soak in the bathtub, complaints spill out naturally. Not so much complaints, more like expressions of weakness. Anyways, today has been a day filled with various mental burdens.

“Hiyorin and Shizuka, neither of them seem to understand their own charm. They really should try to see things from my perspective as well.” (Souma)

Even now, the softness of Hiyorin and the sensation of Shizuka’s lips are vividly etched into my mind. No matter how hard I try to forget, they won’t fade away. In fact, I’m not even sure if I want to forget it.

“…I might go crazy one of these days.” (Souma)

Their unintentional body touches were slowly chipping away at my life points. If my life points were to run out… I wonder what would happen. In the end, I felt like I couldn’t do anything but be scared, but every day, bizarre incidents caused by people controlled by their instincts were making the headlines on talk shows. There was no guarantee that I wouldn’t become like that.

The two unconsciously attacking my body with their touches were undoubtedly and steadily chipping away at my life points. If my life points were to run out… What would actually happen? I had a feeling I’d end up chickening out and not being able to do anything, but humans driven by instinct tend to cause bizarre incidents on the news every day. There was no guarantee that I wouldn’t become one of them.

“Haaa…” (Souma)

I rested my chin on the bath’s edge and stared at the ceiling absentmindedly.

The plain white ceiling wasn’t interesting to look at, but strangely, it felt comforting to me right now. My eyes, which had taken in an excessive amount of flesh-colored images, were gradually being soothed. 

“…I’ve probably caused trouble for Mafuyu-chan too, haven’t I?” (Souma)

I was usually the one being dragged around, but today, Mafuyu-chan’s presence had been a considerable help. Taking care of the two drunken women on my own would have been impossible.

I knew very well how dull it could be for her to join a drinking session. She said it was fun, but I don’t really know the truth. Mafuyu-chan was a kind girl, so it felt like she might have said that out of consideration.

“I should probably make it up to her somehow.” (Souma)

When Mafuyu-chan first moved in, she seemed like quite the problematic girl, but now she seemed to be the most normal one in Souma-kai. She occasionally climbed into my bed, but she had more self-awareness than the other two, so things weren’t as tough.

◆

Or so I would like to say.

Conscious physical contact and unconscious physical contact. When it came to which one was more troublesome, it was undoubtedly the former.

“Well, then, how about making up for it now?” (Mafuyu)

“Huh!?” (Souma)

An unsettling presence disrupted the peaceful atmosphere.

A catchphrase reminiscent of a villain from a superhero show floated in my head. I hurriedly leaped out of the bath and firmly held down the bathroom door.

“Mafuyu-chan! Why are you here!?” (Souma)

There was a literal unsettling presence right in front of the bathroom door. As far as I knew, it bore a striking resemblance to Mafuyu-chan’s silhouette. Since Mafuyu-chan sometimes crawled into bed in her underwear, I couldn’t help but remember the outlines of her body.

“I used the spare key, of course.” (Mafuyu)

“I didn’t ask ‘HOW‘! I asked ‘WHY‘!¹” (Souma)

“Is there a reason needed for your little sister (imouto) to be with you?” (Mafuyu)

The door is suddenly pushed from the other side with great force, and I desperately resist.

…I have no idea what’s going on. Why on earth is Mafuyu-chan resorting to such actions!?

“Gah, I need a reason! SAY!” (Souma)

I panicked and somehow mixed English into my speech. But that was the least of my concerns. Right now, I had to stop Mafuyu-chan’s invasion at all costs.

“Will you let me in if I have a reason?” (Mafuyu)

“I won’t let you in, but I’ll at least hear the reason.” (Souma)

“What’s up with that? I don’t care, I’ll just force my way in.” (Mafuyu)

The pressure on the door increased, and for a moment, I thought I was going to be pushed inside. I pressed my heels against the outside of the bathtub and resisted with all my strength.

“W-Wait, wait! I seriously don’t understand! Why are you trying to come into the bath!?” (Souma)

On the other side of the door, Mafuyu-chan was pushing with all her might. She was in a forward-leaning position, like a prisoner carrying a big rock, with only the palms of her hands firmly pressed against the door.

…I think feel like the situation is normally the other way around. Well, it’s not normal to forcibly intrude into the bath in the first place.

Furthermore…

“Mafuyu-chan… are you naked, by any chance…?” (Souma)

Come to think of it, there was no clothing in that silhouette. Her familiar body lines were clearly visible.

“Onii-chan, you ask some strange things. Of course I’m naked because I’m going to take a bath.” (Mafuyu)

“Well, that’s true… but, no! If you want to use the bath, you should do it in your own home! …Oh, maybe it’s broken…?” (Souma)

“? I don’t think it’s broken… Why?” (Mafuyu)

“Hm?” (Souma)

Our conversation didn’t make any sense at all, and I found myself at a loss for words.

Wait, am I saying something weird…?

Is it normal for siblings to take a bath together…?

“…No no no.” (Souma)

To begin with, Mafuyu-chan isn’t even my real sister.

Certainly, in the past, there were times when we took a bath together, but now we’re both adults. There’s no way it’s okay for us to take a bath together.

“Anyway, no matter what, we’re not taking a bath together! If you want to use the bath, you can do it after I’m done, so please stop trying to get in for now!” (Souma)

“No matter what?” (Mafuyu)

“No matter what.” (Souma)

“Even if I told you I won’t move from here forever?” (Mafuyu)

“Then I’ll just have to stay here forever too.” (Souma)

“…Fine. I don’t want you to catch a cold, so I’ll stay in the living room for now.” (Mafuyu)

“Make sure to wear clothes!” (Souma)

“…Okay.” (Mafuyu)

It seems that Mafuyu-chan has given up, and the door suddenly feels lighter. After a slight sound of clothing rustling, Mafuyu-chan’s silhouette disappears from behind the door.

“…Today is probably the most tiring it has ever been.” (Souma)

I collapse weakly in the bathroom. My body had long gone cold.

---

Thanks for reading!

I thought it was weird that she just quietly left MC to do his thing with the other two girls, but alas that was not the case. Mafuyu being forced to take care of Shizuka probably didn’t help matters.

In other news I managed to get Topaz and Numby within first 30 pulls without guarentee earlier today yay!

P.S. Progress for my other series will slow down a bit, cause I need to catch up on my VTubers xd

---

1. The HOW and WHY are said in English. From now on, I’ll just bold the english text.

I was walking along the completely dark night road with Mafuyu-chan. Or more accurately, there were 2 other people with us; one was sound asleep on my back and the other was walking hand in hand with Mafuyu-chan like a zombie.

“Sorry, Mafuyu-chan, even though you can’t drink alcohol.” (Souma)

“No, I’m the one who insisted on joining. Besides… I had fun too.” (Mafuyu) 

“In that case, once you can drink, let’s have another drinking party.” (Souma)

“Yeah, I’m looking forward to it.” (Mafuyu)

The lukewarm air of early summer and the relaxing passage of time enveloped us.

Without much to talk about, we continued our journey back home in silence. Since Mafuyu-chan and I commute together every day, we’ve already discussed most of what we want to talk about, and our relationship has reached a point where even silence in comfortable. It was in times like this that I realized once again that we’re childhood friends.

After walking for about ten minutes, we safely arrived at the apartment.

“I’ll go and put Hiyorin to bed. Thanks for your hard work today.” (Souma)

“…Ugh…” (Shizuka)

“Goodnight, onii-chan.” (Mafuyu)

Using the spare key, I entered Hiyorin’s house and made my way to the bedroom as usual. When I laid Hiyorin down on the bed, all the accumulated fatigue I had inside of me rushed out at once.

“Ah, I’m so tired… There are no dishes to wash, so I think I’ll just go to sleep early today.” (Souma)

Leaving Hiyorin’s house, I couldn’t help but be concerned about something on the edge of my sight.

“I hope she’s okay… she was pretty wobbly.” (Souma)

Unlike Hiyorin, who was accustomed to alcohol, Shizuka was a complete novice when it came to drinking. I doubt she’s ever been as drunk as she was today. Hiyorin seems to have a high tolerance for alcohol, but I wasn’t sure about Shizuka.

“…Maybe I should go buy some water.” (Souma)

To break down alcohol, water, and glucose are essential. Right now, this is the most important thing to avoid a hangover¹.

◆

Having purchased some water and ramune candy² at the convenience store, I decided to use the spare key to enter Shizuka’s house. Even though I was initially against exchanging spare keys, it really came in handy at times like this.

“Shizuka, I’m coming in.” (Souma)

As I opened the door, I called out in the direction of the living room. It was so dark, that I couldn’t tell if she was already asleep. I’d prefer not to wake her, so I wanted to move without turning on the lights, but Shizuka’s house was different from Hiyorin’s. I didn’t know where Shizuka’s natural clumsiness might have left obstacles.

When I turned on the lights with the switch near the entrance, I was greeted by an unexpected sight.

“?!” (Souma)

Shizuka was lying on the floor near the entrance. It was evident that she had collapsed as soon as she entered her house since she hadn’t even taken off her shoes.

“Shizuka!? Are you okay!?” (Souma)

“…Nnyon… I’m okaaay (Daijobi)…” (Shizuka)

“People who say that aren’t usually okay. Let’s get you to bed for now.” (Souma)

“Noo… Don’t wanna…” (Shizuka)

“You noisy drunkard.” (Souma)

Ignoring what she said for the time being, I was relieved that she could respond. After taking off her shoes, I picked up Shizuka, and made my way through the living room toward the bedroom. The living room was, as usual, a mess. Even though I cleaned it regularly, it always got dirty so quickly. Maybe Shizuka thought of the living room as a big trash can.

“Let’s get you in bed.” (Souma)

“Mmm…” (Shizuka)

I sat her on the bed, and she immediately tried to lie down. I hurriedly grabbed her by the shoulder.

“Shizuka, have some ramune candy and water before you sleep. With the way you are, you might still end up with a hangover, but it should help.” (Souma)

“Mmm…” (Shizuka)

Saying that, I handed Shizuka the bag of ramune candy and water, but she showed no sign of moving.

Her eyes are closed, but I hope she’s not asleep…

“Hey, Shizuka…” (Souma)

“Feed me…” (Shizuka)

“Huh…?” (Souma)

“Feed me…” (Shizuka)

Shizuka swayed gently, like a baby bird receiving food from its parent, as she puckered her lips upward. Her pale pink lips unfolded like petals, facing me.

“…Seriously?” (Souma)

Do you really want me to feed you…?

“Hurry up…” (Shizuka)

“Alright, alright. Don’t complain about it later!” (Souma)

I snatched the bag of ramune candy from Shizuka and roughly tore it open, taking out a single piece of candy. The candy was only about the size of a pinky fingernail, and no matter how I tried to feed it to her, it seemed like my fingers would have to make contact with her lips.

…I’d prefer if she could eat on her own, but I guess there’s no choice. In the meantime, Shizuka’s liver is probably screaming in protest.

“…Here, take it.” (Souma)

I tried to pinch the edge of the lemonade candy and gently pressed it against Shizuka’s lips. It reminded me of when I fed a giraffe at the zoo when I was a kid. Feeding that creature was a terrifying experience, but this was definitely more nerve-wracking.

“Mmm…” (Shizuka)

Shizuka slowly rolled her lips inward, taking the candy inside her mouth. My fingers were naturally at the edge of the candy, and as a result, they briefly touched Shizuka’s lips.

“Ugh…” (Souma)

I quickly recited a mantra in my mind. I started to imagine all sorts of insects in my head. By picturing the grotesque underside of a beetle, I managed to regain control of my instincts.

“Alright, let’s have about five more.” (Souma)

“Yes…” (Shizuka)

I fed her absentmindedly and gave her some water. After laying Shizuka down in bed, I soon heard her quiet breathing.

“For now, she seems to be okay.” (Souma)

I picked up some noticeable pieces of trash and then left Shizuka’s house.

---

Without much to talk about, we continued our journey back home in silence.

---

Thanks for reading!

The landmine MC could have accidentally stepped on was Shizuka herself lol. Also, I can’t imagine what a drunk Mafuyu would do at all.

Edit: Completely forgot to add illustration again. I’ll do it when I get back.

---

1. Hangover means a set of symptoms that occur as a consequence of drinking too much. For example, fatigue, nausea, and stomach pain.
2. Ramune is a carbonated drink. Ramune candy is the Japanese soda-flavored candy version of that drink.

With the power of alcohol and the slight sense of freedom that comes with being in an izakaya, Souma-kai’s first dining-out experience went surprisingly smoothly. I had already lost count of how many drinks HIyorin had, but she managed to endure without succumbing to her usual drunk self. She definitely had more drinks than usual… Maybe Hiyorin put up a good fight with the beast lurking within herself.

“Ugh…*hiccup*… Where’s Shouma?” (Hiyori)

…Or maybe not. She might be reaching her limit after all.

Hiyorin poked her head out from behind the curtain covering our private room and began calling out into the aisle for me.

I’m right here, Hiyorin-san.

“Yeah, yeah, what is it, Hiyorin-san?” (Souma)

Based on experience, I knew that just using my voice might not get her attention. So, I gently tapped her on the shoulder, and Hiyorin noticed me, her face lighting up with a smile.

“Shouma, where did you go?” (Hiyori)

“I’ve been right here the whole time.” (Souma)

“Oh, I see. Hehehe.” (Hiyori)

It seemed like Hiyorin didn’t have any specific reason to talk to me. She just held onto my clothes and gazed at me with a smile. Her head swayed back and forth like a metronome. She’s kinda like one of those solar-powered figurines that sway back and forth.

“Huh… Isn’t that woman a bit too close? She’s getting carried away just because her chest is a little bigger than mine.” (Shizuka)

“I think it’s more than just a little. Well, I agree with the rest.” (Mafuyu)

Across from us, Shizuka and Mafuyu-chan are secretly whispering to each other while watching us. Can’t they lend a hand instead of just watching?

“I see… If I get drunk, I can legally cling to Souma-kun. Mafuyu… I’m sorry. I’m going over there too.” (Shizuka)

“Argh… I hate the underage drinking prohibition law!” (Mafuyu)

“See ya, Mafuyu — Haaaaa!” (Shizuka)

“!?” (Souma)

Suddenly, Shizuka let out a loud yell and started downing her highball with great vigor. The large glass emptied in no time.

“S-Shizuka!? What happened!?” (Souma)

“Alright, let’s have another round!” (Shizuka)

Shizuka ordered a Mega Highball and, as soon as it arrived, she drank from it as if she were being pressured by something. What on earth is she doing?

“*gulp* *gulp*” (Shizuka)

“Hey, Shizuka, you—” (Souma)

“Shouma, where are you looking?” (Shizuka)

I wanted to stop Shizuka from downing her drink in one go, but I had something I needed to do as well.

“Hiyorin-san, you’re too close!” (Souma)

Hiyorin grabbed my cheeks with both hands and gently turned my face toward her. Her warm breath tickled my nose, and the sweet scent of flowers mixed with the smell of alcohol hit me. Hiyorin’s clear, marbled eyes appeared in front of me, and I could feel myself being drawn in.

…No, I can’t let myself be drawn in here. I feel like I’ll lose something precious.

For example… Mafuyu-chan’s trust.

“Mafuyu-chan, can I ask you to handle Shizuka? I’ll take care of Hiyorin.” (Souma)

“…Alright.” (Mafuyu)

I gave instructions to Mafuyu-chan, who had been watching me with a cold gaze, and our drunken care duties began.

◆

“Mmm…” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin was now peacefully asleep on my lap. I had worried about what might happen if she tried to hug me or kiss me, but I managed to calm her down, which was a relief. I had come close to losing a lot of things.

“Mafuyu-chan, should we head back soon? Is everything okay on your end?” (Souma)

Looking across to the other side, it seemed that Shizuka wasn’t doing too well. She had slumped against the back of the seat, putting all her weight on it, and had a pained expression.

“It might be bad. She won’t even drink water.” (Mafuyu)

“Ugh… I’m gonna…die…” (Shizuka)

“If you’re going to die, do it outside. Come on, can you stand?” (Mafuyu)

“Ugh… It’s… impossible…” (Shizuka)

“It’s not. Which is better, being left behind or walking on your own?” (Mafuyu)

“…I’ll walk…” (Shizuka)

Despite her discomfort, Shizuka slowly started to pull her slumped body up. Mafuyu-chan, despite giving harsh words, was still helping her.

…Mafuyu-chan… she’s a kind-hearted girl after all. People often misunderstand her based on their first impression.

“Ugh… I feel so dizzy…” (Shizuka)

“You can do it if you try. Come on, we’re going.” (Mafuyu)

With slow, tortoise-like movements, Shizuka managed to stand up, her eyes tightly closed in discomfort. Mafuyu-chan held Shizuka’s hand and they made their way outside.

…I wonder if Shizuka and Mafuyu-chan have grown a bit closer. It somehow feels that way.

“All right, let’s go. Hiyorin-san, can you get up?” (Souma)

“…” (Hiyori)

“I guess not. Oh well.” (Souma)

I tried shaking her body, but Hiyorin showed no signs of waking up at all. When she drinks and falls asleep, it’s almost impossible to wake her up…

“…I guess I have no choice but to carry her.” (Souma)

To carry her, I had to touch various parts of her body.

“…” (Souma)

…I wish I could be spared from doing this too, you know?

W-Well, to be clear, it’s not that I want to be excused from the situation altogether, but I’d prefer not to have to do it in this manner. However, touching Hiyorin’s soft body in various places was really testing my self-control. To ensure my rationality didn’t succumb to instinct, I needed to coat my heart with steel.

“…Phew… Alright.” (Souma)

After taking a deep breath, I began the task at hand. It’s best to get this kind of thing done all at once.

First, I grabbed Hiyorin’s shoulders and made her sit up against the back of the seat. Then, I had to get her out of the gap between the table and my thighs – this was where the real challenge began.

First, I had to get Hiyorin to stand up.

“If I touch any weird places, I’m really sorry.” (Souma)

I put my hands under her armpits and held her body firmly. Then, I shifted her to the side, pulling her out from under the table and pressing her against my body.

A sensation similar to a squishing pudding washed over my chest, and I shook my head to clear my mind.

I lifted Hiyorin’s body as high as I could and held her in my arms… the posture looked more like I was embracing her rather than carrying.

“Hiyorin-san, please stand up just for a moment.” (Souma)

“Mmm…?” (Mafuyu)

I skillfully trapped Hiyorin against the wall, transferring her weight to me, and swiftly turned my body around. The pudding sensation moved from my chest to my arms, then from my arms to my back. With Hiyorin wedged between the wall and my back, all that was left was to carry her on my back.

…The only good thing was that Hiyorin was wearing a long skirt. If she had been wearing something that exposed her bare legs, I probably couldn’t have done this.

“Thank you! Please come again!” (Cashier)

After settling the bill, I stepped outside of the restaurant.

“Ugh… Are we back…?” (Mafuyu)

“No, we haven’t even moved.” (Souma)

Outside the restaurant, Shizuka, while holding Mafuyu-chan’s hand, was swaying and stumbling around as if she were a wild animal chained up.

…I wonder what on earth she was trying to do.

---

Thanks for reading!

Shizuka got drunk for nothing lol.

I’ll save the illustration for the next chapter.

And also, honestly, I got kinda lost at the carrying Hiyorin description part.

---

1. None

“Poshu~” (Shizuka)

Shizuka, who had just been squeezed by the two of them, stood there weakly. She looked just like a certain boxer who had turned completely pale after a match. With Shizuka as their companion, Hiyorin and Mafuyu raised their glasses with satisfied expressions.

“Well then… Cheers.” (Hiyori)

“Thank you for your hard work.” (Mafuyu)

The glasses *clinked* with a satisfying sound, signifying the glorious victory of the “naturally weight gain” faction.

“Well, um, what should we do then? Neither of you have running gear, right?” (Souma)

“I don’t have any. What about Shizuka?” (Mafuyu)

“I… I don’t want to go.” (Shizuka)

Shizuka muttered, her shoulders slumping as if she were a robot with a dead battery.

…After some discussion, things somehow ended up with Shizuka and Mafuyu-chan joining us for the morning run. Shizuka, who was a shut-in, night owl, and already naturally thin, resisted until the end. However, pressured by the two girls around her, she eventually gave in, nodding her head with an air of resignation.

“I don’t want to move… I became a VTuber so I wouldn’t have to move…” (Shizuka)

The origin story of my oshi VTuber has been revealed. While It might sound quite cliché and could be written off as a joke, looking at her daily life, this statement is probably true.

…I never would have guessed that Ette-sama was born for such a reason. On the one hand, I was happy to know about this, on the other hand, I would rather not know.

“Well, well, it’s fine. It’ll be fun if we all run together, right?” (Hiyori)

Hiyorin, who was in a slightly better mood than usual, gently patted Shizuka’s head, as if soothing a child. I wondered if I’d get a pat too if I complained, but, of course, I didn’t say that out loud.

Shizuka seemed genuinely reluctant to participate and looked dejected without even glancing at Hiyorin. Seeing her in this state, it made me feel sorry for her, and I unintentionally extended an offer of help.

“Shizuka, do you really dislike it that much?” (Souma)

“Yeah…” (Shizuka)

“I see… I think it’ll be fine if you don’t come. You have late-night streams and stuff, right? I think it would be bad if we let this affect your job.” (Souma)

With that said, I looked around at the two, and unsurprisingly, there were no strong objections once work was brought up. Judging from her usual laziness, I was pretty sure it wouldn’t affect her work, and going running might even improve her health, but I decided to keep that to myself.

“Isn’t that great, Shizuka? You don’t have to join. Come on, stop sulking, and let’s just have a drink, okay?” (Souma)

“Y-yeah… Thanks.” (Shizuka)

I pushed the menu on her a bit forcefully, and Shizuka shyly offered a smile. How cute.

“Aww, that’s too bad. I wanted to run with Shizuka-chan.” (Hiyori)

“I hope Shizuka’s metabolism suddenly changes and she gains weight… I hope Shizuka’s metabolism suddenly changes and she gains weight…” (Mafuyu)

“Pfff!” (Souma)

Mafuyu-chan clasped her hands together in prayer, and I couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight which was so different from her usual character. It seems that having a high metabolism is quite enviable.

“Well… By the way, Shizuka, I remember you played Ringfit Adventure¹ in one of your streams, right? Was it really that bad?” (Souma)

I recalled how Ette-sama had done squats in a livestream while looking like she was about to collapse. She had given up at such an early level that was impossible to not clear for an average person and had gained a reputation for being frail due to that incident. At the time, I thought that having such low stamina was weird, and now that I had gotten to know Shizuka, I couldn’t help but think that it made sense. Her lack of exercise was already deeply ingrained into her.

Shizuka’s shoulders twitched, and she hunched her shoulders like a turtle when she heard the word “Ringfit Adventure”.

“I absolutely won’t do it, okay?! I don’t want to remember doing that stream anymore!” (Shizuka)

“Is it really that bad?” (Souma)

“It was hell! I even had thoughts about throwing away my 3D model if it meant going through something that painful.” (Shizuka)

“Oh, right, that was the 3D model unveiling event.” (Souma)

In the world of VTubers, there are mainly 2D and 3D models, with 3D models usually being created later. While 2D models can generally only handle simple movements of the upper body, 3D models can precisely reflect full-body movements, allowing for various unique streams.

When a 3D model is created, it’s customary to hold a livestream event dedicated to “3D model unveiling” where the VTuber sings, dances, and shows off movement which they normally couldn’t have done without them. However, for some reason, Ette-sama’s theme was centered around Ringfit Adventure. I wonder if she did something to upset the management team.

“The comments got a bit naughty… it was really embarrassing.” (Shizuka)

“I-Is that so… It must have been tough.” (Souma)

I vividly recall the moment when Ette-sama did the splits during the warm-up exercises, and comments like “erotic” appeared.

……Well, there’s no helping it, it really was a bit on the naughty side.

---

Thanks for reading!

“I became a VTuber so I don’t have to move” LOL. I wonder if that’s how streamers and youtubers feel in general.

Also apparently footnotes have been broken for a while and I only just noticed it. Anyways I fixed it so now it actually redirects you below.

---

1. If you don’t rmb, this is a nintendo switch game that has a giant ring which you exercise with… I think.