Category: Toxic Game Streamer

That night.

“Hey, I’m on a roll right now. I’m doing so well, I feel like I can do something crazy.” (Oni-chan)

Haruto, also known as Oni-chan, was streaming a solo session of ABEX, firing bullets into the sky as he raced through the battlefield.

Comments: [Stop doing that, you’ll give away your position LOL]

Comments: [Did you forget what happened last time smh]

Comments: [That’s why you can’t win idiot]

Comments: [At least heal up all the way first lol]

“Who cares? …Oh, maybe that was a bit much…” (Oni-chan)

As he continued to shoot aimlessly, Oni-chan let out a rather pitiful voice.

As a result of getting too absorbed, the amount of ammo left in his primary weapon had dwindled from 210 rounds to just 30.

With that few bullets left, it would be impossible to take down enemies if he missed even a few shots.

While it was his own actions that led to this situation, honestly, it was quite a nerve-wracking predicament.

In order to regain his composure, he glanced at the steady stream of comments:

Comments: [Nice ammo count lol]

Comments: [How does one even miss that!?]

Comments: [You really are a klutz…]

Comments: [I think I understand imouto-san’s struggles now… especially with moments like these]

They quickly found something to tease him about.

“Hey, who are you calling a klutz? And my imouto has nothing to do with this.” (Oni-chan)

The one topic Oni-chan absolutely didn’t want anyone to mention was anything related to his sister.

“I did this on purpose, you know. Just watch. These bullets are more than enough for what the server can handle.” (Oni-chan)

Comments: [Press X to doubt]

Comments: [Well, good luck!]

Comments: [If you have time to talk, go loot some supplies genius]

Comments: [What kind of top-tier gameplay am I looking at lol]

While picking up more ammo was an option, Oni-chan valued the entertainment aspect of his streams just as much.

Doing that would kill the excitement.

The best way to entertain the viewers is to take down enemies with what he has and immediately loot their supplies.

Since he’s playing in the highest rank, the opponents are naturally strong. There’s no way to win while messing around.

“Alright then…” (Oni-chan)

As if flipping a switch, Oni-chan changed his playful tone to a serious one while healing up.

Comments: [Ah, it’s Oni-chan’s serious mode!]

Comments: [You should just stay like this all the time lol]

Comments: [My clip button is ready!]

Comments: [Show us what you got!]

Sensing that he was about to get serious, the flow of comments suddenly sped up.

“Yeah, watch closely! This is gonna be highlight-worthy!!” (Oni-chan)

Just as he glanced at the comments and raised his voice to pump himself up, a dull thud of a bullet hitting him was heard. Then, the sharp sound of a shot followed, and the words “GAME OVER” appeared on the screen.

“Huh!?” (Oni-chan)

An inexplicable event.

He quickly checked the death log to understand the cause.

A headshot from a Kraber, the sniper rifle with the highest damage in the game.

It was an unreasonable one-shot kill.

“…………” (Oni-chan)

As he stared at the screen in stunned silence, the comments flowed even faster.

Comments: [LOL]

Comments: [F]

Comments: [Seriously, what was that lol]

Comments: [This is what happens when you give away your position… again]

Comments: [Serves you right lol]

Both fans and critics were in high spirits.

While this turn of events was beneficial from a streamer’s perspective, for Oni-chan, who had just switched to serious mode and was ready to fight earnestly, it was frustrating.

He slammed the desk in frustration and was sent to the start screen. 

“Alright… I think I’m done for now, let’s just talk for the rest of the stream…” (Oni-chan)

Comments: [Someone’s in a bad mood]

Comments: [Cute lol]

Comments: [That’s what you get for doing that lmao]

Comments: [Classic Kraber moment lol]

True to the comments, Oni-chan was feeling a bit deflated.

Although it wasn’t part of the plan, he decided to use the rest of his time to keep the conversation going until he regained his momentum.

“Come on, feel free to ask me anything!” (Oni-chan)

He focused on the chat scrolling on the monitor, picking out the comments and tips.

“Let’s see, first one… [I’m rooting for you. Keep up the good work with your streams and your six-days-a-week job.] If you’re willing to pay 5000 yen for that, at least ask me something… I’m waiting. Anyways, I’ve remembered your name, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the regular chat. I’ll respond accordingly.” (Oni-chan)

Comments: [He’s embarrassed lol]

Comments: [Someone’s happy]

Comments: [His private life is totally exposed lol]

Comments: [Seriously, this guy’s living such a busy life]

Oni-chan had already exposed quite a lot during the streaming incident.

But what was truly fortunate was that no personal information that could lead to him being doxxed had leaked.

“Next up… [I’ve been here since the beginning.] So what? Come on, ask me something too… Well, anyway, thanks as always. I remember when I won, you were always spamming ‘8888888’ in the chat, I know that.” (Oni-chan)

Comments: [He knew lol]

Comments: [I don’t know why, but I’m kinda jealous]

Comments: [Surprisingly, Oni-chan remembers the viewers’ names]

Comments: [That’s definitely not in character lmao]

Oni-chan knew the value of money better than anyone else.

He made an effort to remember the names of viewers who sent him donations in the chat.

“And next… [This is for imouto-san.] Huh. Well… I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’ll buy a cream puff with that. I’ll post a photo of it on Twitto, so go ahead and check it out.” (Oni-chan)

Comments: [We don’t need a proof of purchase lol]

Comments: [You’re the only one who goes to the trouble of providing evidence.]

Comments: [He says that but he’s gonna then eat it himself.]

Comments: [Doesn’t seem like something he would do lol]

“…” (Oni-chan)

Ignoring the comments from viewers who seem to see through him, Oni-chan continues this for about six minutes.

“――Ah!” (Oni-chan)

Finally, an actual question arrives.

“[Will you be participating in the Ebe Festival next month?] …Ah, well, I didn’t get anything from the organizers. While everyone’s having a good time, I’ll just grab some food or something.” (Oni-chan)

This is something that must be kept confidential. It’s still something I’m not supposed to reveal to anyone. His response was also written in his script in advance to avoid any slip-ups.

Comments: [Well, that’s to be expected lol]

Comments: [You reap what you sow.]

Comments: [Well… I wish he would participate though…]

Comments: [Even with 200,000 subscribers… I guess invitations aren’t that easy to get huh?]

There’s no need to respond to the first two comments. Oni-chan has always known that he wouldn’t get invited.

But it’s oddly heartening to see comments expressing disappointment.

“Let’s say I decided to participate, would you guys cheer me on?” (Oni-chan)

Comments: [Nope.]

Comments: [Not happening.]

Comments: [No way.]

Comments: [You’re asking for a bit too much.]

“…” (Oni-chan)

Where did those kind comments from earlier disappear to? Instead, there’s a long line of rejections. It’s truly baffling how the viewers can switch gears like this, and it stings to see such a contrast from before.

“Alright, let’s move on. Next question.” (Oni-chan)

It’s already decided behind the scenes that he’ll participate in the festival.

To avoid slipping up, he changes the topic.

“Hmm, [Have you been hanging out with girls irl lately?]—that’s a bit of a different question from usual…” (Oni-chan)

It’s something he doesn’t usually get asked, so he can’t help but wonder if everyone’s interested.

Comments: [Come to think of it, we haven’t asked about you, Oni-chan!]

Comments: [Finally, something I’m interested in lol]

Comments: [You sound like you’ve got that handsome vibe.]

Comments: [Hurry up and answer!]

“…How much interest do you guys have in my real life stuff?” (Oni-chan)

Being interested is definitely better than not being interested.

While hiding this joy, Oni-chan answers honestly.

“Well, about that last question, I haven’t been on any dates or anything lately. Seriously.” (Oni-chan)

He could have easily lied to save face, but considering it’s a question he received after someone generously sent money, he believes it’s important to answer honestly and stick to his principles…

Comments: [Haha!]

Comments: [Not even once!?]

Comments: [Are you serious lol]

Comments: [Not popular in real life huh?]

――As expected, the comments roll in.

“Hey, hold on a sec. You guys are making fun of me, but honestly, how many of you have been in the same boat as me? Come on, be honest.” (Oni-chan)

Comments: [I’ve actually been on a date.]

Comments: [I hung out with someone yesterday.]

Comments: [Went on a double date just the other day.]

Comments: [I hung out with someone a year ago.]

He checks the comments scrolling on the monitor, noticing that many seem to have more experience than he expected.

“Huh? Are you guys serious about this? You’re definitely lying… Hold on, let me do a quick poll.” (Oni-chan)

Using MouTube’s poll feature, he sets up a poll asking viewers if they’ve ever hung out with someone of the opposite sex, with options for “Yes” and “No”.

The result: 80% have hung out with someone, while 20% haven’t. There was an overwhelming difference.

“Wait, I-Is this… real?” (Oni-chan)

He couldn’t help but speak in his natural tone. He rubs his eyes and checks again, but there’s no mistaking it.

Comments: [You’re seriously cute, Oni-chan LOL]

Comments: [Probably just too busy to hang out, right?]

Comments: [So Oni-chan’s on DT?]

Comments: [DT¹ lmao]

Comments: [Doutei lol]

And then, the worst possible flow arises. Comments flood in, mocking him relentlessly, a situation he absolutely didn’t want to find himself in.

“…I’m done with today’s stream…” (Oni-chan)

Their words hit home.

He’s convinced that continuing the stream would only invite further mockery.

With his farewell, Oni-chan swiftly ends the stream.

Comments: [LOL]

Comments: [He ran away lmao]

Comments: [Guess we hit a soft spot?]

Comments: [Oni-chan, you’re a funny guy.]

Even after ending the stream, the number of viewers doesn’t decrease, and the comments section continues to overflow with mockery, beyond what he can keep up with.

“Haa…” (Haruto)

With his face buried in his hands, Haruto exhales a sigh as if trying to escape embarrassment.

…Just a little bit left until his time with Aya.

At this moment, Haruto finds himself oddly conscious.

And soon after—clips of the incident are uploaded all over the internet, and Oni-chan’s Twitto gets flooded with chaos.

---

Thanks for reading!

YES YES YES Date next chapter!! I can’t believe it took 3 whole chapters just to have MC and Aya interact, so I hope at least some progress happens during the date!

On a separate note, I actually just finished translating my other series. I did each chapter in one go, I just haven’t posted them yet. One of the chapters was 42 Google Doc pages long and it crashed WordPress Editor twice cause of how long it was. Although, I’m not sure how much that means cause WordPress also took 45 mins to post a chapter.

Anyways, this means I can get started on the new series soon.

---

1. DT stands for Doutei, which means male virgin.

It had been a little over a week since Haruto and Rina’s encounter on a weekday.

It was just as Aya was about to review a video of her participation in an ABEX scrim at home…

“Ah…” (Aya)

She turned pale as she glanced at the notification that popped up on her smartphone’s schedule app.

With each passing second, Aya broke out in a cold sweat.

At that moment, she remembered something that had completely slipped her mind, and feeling cornered, there was only one thing she could do.

She knew that the best course of action was to consult with someone.

Understanding this, Aya wasted no time in taking action.

Praying for a quick response, she sends the message and stares at the screen, waiting anxiously.

She remained seated on the sofa in a girlish posture, motionless.

“…” (Aya)

Since she would receive a notification when the reply arrived, there was no point in waiting.

It was quite an inefficient use of time, but it just showed how desperate she was for help.

“Ah!” (Aya)

Aya exclaimed with a bright voice, seven minutes later.

Seeing the reply “OK OK! You can call anytime”, she immediately dialed the number.

The person she relied on was none other than…

“R-Rina-san, Rina-san! I’m really sorry to suddenly call you like this!” (Aya)

“Nah, it’s fine. I was just killing time, so it’s no big deal.” (Rina)

She’s none other than her dependable senpai, Rina.

“Oh, yeah. Good job for the scrim the other day. Even though it wasn’t the real thing, thanks to you, we ranked third overall.” (Rina)

“Thank you! That reminds me, it might be premature, but we’re having a victory party, right?” (Aya)

“Nihihi, it’s Chiyo-san’s treat, after all. Let’s eat like there’s no tomorrow, okay?” (Rina)

“Yeah!!” (Aya)

—Celebration for good performance.

That’s the policy of Chiyo, their teammate and the owner of Axcis Crown.

Although it was just a practice match, thanks to the scrim organization committee, it was also a streamed tournament that attracted a lot of viewers.

Taking into account the fact that they were able to further promote the team’s name, they were treated to a feast.

“Ah, well, let’s get back on track… So, what’s up today? You said you wanted to consult me about something.” (Rina)

Seeing an opportunity, Rina smoothly transitioned to the main topic of the call. Aya, feeling timid, hesitantly spoke up.

“Well, umm… It’s embarrassing to ask, but… When you hang out with a guy alone… what kind of places are good?” (Aya)

“…Huh?” (Rina)

“W-Well, um, what kind of places are good when spending time with a guy alone?!” (Aya)

Aya herself knew that it was a sudden and completely random topic.

Despite feeling flustered, she reiterated it loudly.

“Heh~ So, does that mean that Ayacchi is going on a date with someone?” (Rina)

“W-We’re just going to go hang out! To explain briefly, things happened and the other party wanted to ‘thank me’, so I invited him to hang out together…” (Aya)

“That sounds like a date.” (Rina)

“T-The other person doesn’t see it as a date, so it’s not like that!” (Aya)

“Hmm… Is that so?” (Rina)

“T-That’s how it is!” (Aya)

Despite her firm denial, Aya was secretly considering this to be a date.

“By the way, do you have a set date for the date?” (Rina)

“N-No… It’s not officially decided yet, but I have this selfish desire to make it as soon as possible…” (Aya)

“Hihi, that makes sense.” (Rina)

Some might argue, “If it’s not officially decided, there’s no need to rush”, but stalling could lead to a situation where the other party forgets.

For Aya, who really wants to go on this date, that’s something she absolutely wants to avoid.

“Well, there are two things I want to say. First, it’s better to plan important events sooner. It’s really unlike Ayacchi to make such a big mistake.” (Rina)

“Y-Yeah… Lately, I’ve been so busy with work that it slipped my mind…” (Aya)

Aya had a lot on her plate, juggling university, collaborations for projects, scrim sessions, and more.

If she continued to neglect her “date plans”, it would only add to her future workload and inconvenience those around her.

As both a streamer and a pro, Aya was aware of this and tried to avoid thinking about it as much as possible.

However, this was the result of her efforts.

“And the second thing I want to say, especially since it’s more of my concern, but… Ayacchi, are you sure you’re consulting the right person? I mean, I seriously have no experience with dating, so when I give advice, it’s like picking up stuff from the internet, just like when I’m streaming…” (Rina)

“It’s totally fine! I’ve seen viewers tweet, ‘Thanks to getting advice from Rina-san, the date was a success!'” (Aya)

“W-Well, if you think it’s okay, then sure…” (Rina)

Viewers somewhat blindly trust Rina’s words, thinking, ‘She’s someone with a lot of dating experience’ but Aya knows Rina’s secret.

So, they’re essentially taking advice from someone who “hasn’t been in a relationship.”

It’s natural for Rina to worry about giving advice.

“Then, shall we brainstorm date plans together? I’ll bring my laptop, so just wait a moment.” (Rina)

“Thank you…!!” (Aya)

“Consider this as a thank you for sharing your thoughts on the date.” (Rina)

“Got it! I’ll bring my laptop too!” (Aya)

“Sure thing.” (Rina)

After this exchange, they both placed their laptops on their knees and began discussing date plans.

As expected, they hit a roadblock when it came to the destination.

Where should they go as the main attraction?

After exchanging various opinions for about 10 minutes, it was Rina’s words that broke through.

“Oh, come to think of it, wouldn’t the aquarium be the best choice by far? According to online sources, it naturally brings people closer, it’s easy to invite someone for lunch or dinner afterward, and it’s easy to have conversations about the surroundings… It seems like a safe bet.” (Rina)

“Wow! That’s true, an aquarium sounds really nice! I want to go to the aquarium!!” (Aya)

“Hehe, then ask your date if they’re interested in fish, and if they say yes—¹” (Rina)

“—We’ll go to the aquarium!” (Aya)

While there were suggestions like theme parks or amusement parks, they were put on hold due to worries about what to do if conversations stopped flowing.

Just the absence of this worry alone naturally raised the priority of the aquarium.

“They say for a first date, it’s best to keep it to about half a day to not make it too tiring, so you two could meet around noon, do some quick shopping, head to the aquarium, have lunch, and then part ways. That flow seems like the best, don’t you think?” (Rina)

“R-Rina-san, to get all those suggestions from you…” (Aya)

“Hmm, what should we do? Honestly, it feels unfair that I have to help you plan your date~” (Rina)

“D-Don’t tease me like that…” (Aya)

“Hehe, just kidding! You’re free to do as you please.” (Rina)

With a mocking laugh, Rina responded to Aya, who let out a feeble voice.

After all, if she didn’t want to help, she wouldn’t have agreed to this in the first place.

“I hope you have fun on your date with Oni-chan.” (Rina)

“Yeah! If it goes wrong, I’ll come over to your place and have you comfort me, Rina-san!” (Aya)

“Well, if it’s Haruto-san, I think you’ll be just fine.” (Rina)

“…” (Aya)

“…” (Rina)

“…………” (Aya)

“…………” (Rina)

After a moment of silence to gather her thoughts, Aya finally realizes something.

“Huh!?” (Aya)

Her surprised voice breaks the silence.

“R-R-R-R-Rina-san?! W-W-Why do you know Oni-chan’s name?!” (Aya)

“It’s actually a crazy coincidence, but I had the chance to visit Oni-chan’s place. I met his cute imouto-san too.” (Rina)

“W-Why are things progressing so much!? I haven’t even met imouto-san yet!!” (Aya)

“Just ask Oni-chan for the details. It’s good that you have another topic to talk about, right?” (Rina)

“W-Well, yeah, but…!” (Aya)

Certainly, having more topics to discuss is a good thing, but what Aya feels more strongly than that is anxiety.

Aya has undoubtedly known Haruto for a longer period of time. Yet here’s Rina, who has visited his house and met his cherished little sister already.

“Pfft, there’s no need to feel so uneasy. Ayacchi, you’re the one going on a date.” (Rina)

“R-Rina-san, you’re not… aiming for him or anything, right?” (Aya)

“If I were, I wouldn’t be willing to help give you advice. Besides, I’m the type who’s too scared to even think about romance, let alone do anything physical.” (Rina)

“You’re really not aiming for him, right!?” (Aya)

“I’m not, I’m not.” (Rina)

After confirming twice and hearing the response twice, Aya finally feels relieved.

She knows just how wonderful Rina is.

To become a rival to such a person is indeed a daunting prospect.

“Hey, what did you think of Haruto-san when you met him, Rina-san…?” (Aya)

“Well, he’s a really wonderful person, I could tell why Ayacchi would be interested in him.” (Rina)

“I-I see…” (Aya)

To have someone you’re interested in praised like that tickles her heart.

And it’s even more meaningful when it comes from someone as wonderful as Rina.

While Aya basks in the happy atmosphere, her mind quickly returns to rational thinking.

“T-Then, if that’s your impression, you’re definitely aiming for him, right!?” (Aya)

“Hehe, if you think I’m aiming for him, then you better make sure the date goes well, Ayacchi.” (Rina)

“!” (Aya)

“I’m praying for your success, you know.” (Rina)

Hearing that somewhat smug voice, Aya imagines the day of the actual date and nervously responds, “Y-Yes!”

“Well, well, if you’re that tense, you won’t last until the actual day.” (Rina)

Naturally, Aya gets teased by Rina, as usual.

---

Thanks for reading!

Oh right, I’ve completely forgotten that MC and Aya were supposed to go on a date. So much time has passed that it just slipped my mind. I guess that explains the aquarium in the colored illustration. Now, I have something to actually look forward to, but I hope the date lasts a full day at least.

Everyone here heard it from Rina, she isn’t aiming for MC. Tbh, I’m still skeptical, but let’s see how long that holds.

P.S. This is kinda random, but this might be my next series:
When I Appeared on My Childhood Friend’s VTuber Stream, My Life Changed Dramatically

Reviews I read said that it was a laid-back read, so that’s what I’m hoping it is. Well, I need to first complete one of my current two series before starting, so that’ll take a while.

---

1. I am going to make a blind guess and say that she was about to make a kiss joke. I remember reading everywhere that kiss can also mean a certain type of fish in japanese.

How many hours had they spent in this house?

“Thank you so much for today. I was planning to just say a quick hello and leave, but ended up staying really late.” (Rina)

“Oh no, not at all. Instead, thank you for visiting us. It was fun. Right, Yuu?” (Haruto)

“Yeah! Please come visit us anytime, Rina-oneesan.” (Yuno)

“Hehe, thank you!” (Rina)

As she was being politely seen off to the entrance by Haruto and Yuno, Rina exchanged her final farewells with them.

“Oh, right. Since we exchanged contacts, feel free to send me a message anytime. That goes for you too, onii-san.” (Rina)

“Haha, got it.” (Haruto)

“If you ever have any trouble or concerns about streaming, you can rely on me. Despite how I look, I’m good at keeping secrets, so don’t worry.” (Rina)

“That’s reassuring, Rina-san. If the time comes, I’ll be counting on you.” (Haruto)

“Okay!” (Rina)

With that, Rina had conveyed everything she wanted to say.

(I really wanted to chat more, though…)

Since she had already stayed far beyond expected, she felt it was best not to impose any further.

Despite the reluctance to leave, she decided it was best to wrap things up quickly.

“It’s getting quite late, I should get going soon.” (Rina)

“Before you go, take this as a thank you for today.” (Haruto)

“Ah! Mochi (rice cake)!” (Rina)

“Um… Rina-onee-san, if you don’t mind, could you send us a message when you get home? It’s quite dark outside, so we’re a bit worried.” (Yuno)

“Wow, you two really say the nicest things. I’ll make sure to message you as soon as I get home. …Well then, bye-bye~” (Rina)

After responding to Yuno’s words, she waved her hand and said goodbye, slowly making her way home.

Just before turning the corner of the walkway, she waved once more to the siblings who were still seeing her off and murmured softly as she entered their blind spot.

“That was fun… I can’t believe it’s already this late.” (Rina)

When she glanced at the watch on her left wrist, she saw that it had turned 10 PM.

It was already too late to start a stream.

Time really flies when you’re enjoying yourself.

“Even so, to think that Yuno-chan’s onii-chan is the staff I met at the cafe and that he’s actually Oni-chan… Even if we live in the same area, it’s quite a coincidence.” (Rina)

Furthermore, she thought—

(Being able to meet Yuno-chan and Oni-chan… I’m glad I stopped by.)

She made a new cooking friend.

She was able to meet the streamer she was curious about.

She had such a fun time that she lost track of time.

In addition to that――

“I could really feel that he’s the same person Ayacchi talked about. It’s clear as day. His ‘toxic’ persona just doesn’t suit him at all.” (Rina)

It was difficult to defend someone who used trash-talking as a weapon in their streams, but Rina’s impression of Haruto, aka Oni-chan, was still “a genuinely good person”.

Even though his sister is going through a rebellious phase, she still holds him in such high regard.

After hearing the whole story, Rina could see how Yuno ended up like this.

(…Hehe, if only onii-san could help Yuno-chan let off some steam a bit more, she might still be more open.)

That’s what Rina thought after today’s conversation.

Yuno, who was grateful for her brother, found herself unable to repay his kindness. For every favor she tried to return, he seemed to pile on more at a pace she couldn’t match.

This made it hard for her to keep up, to stick to her plans, and ultimately made her unable to be straightforward.

“It’s enough already, I can’t keep repaying your kindness at this rate, so please stop…”—probably something like that.

Rina also went through a rebellious phase, one of which she wasn’t proud of.

Exchanging contact information with the siblings was not only to fulfill her own desire to cook together with Yuno in the future but also to create opportunities to help her release her pent-up feelings instead of Haruto.

Even though she had just met Yuno today, she found her so likable that she almost wanted to meddle in her affairs.

(I guess this is how onii-san feels watching her grow up.)

Coming to this conclusion felt as satisfying as fitting the final piece of a puzzle.

“…I can understand why Ayacchi would fall for him.” (Rina)

As she held the paper bag containing the thank-you gift in one hand, in the other hand―the one that Haruto had clasped with both of his hands―she repeatedly clenched and unclenched her fist, recalling the sensation from that moment.

(Just like Yuno-chan, Ayacchi probably experienced unexpected kindness from him… or something.)

Being “experienced” was just a facade created to establish her persona.

In reality, Rina, who attended an all-girls school, had a level of experience that was just as comparable to Yuno’s, to the point where even holding hands could have an impact.

“I hope someday I can talk to onii-san naturally… I want to interact with him without any barriers…” (Rina)

Ideally… she wanted to become even closer.

To become closer and get to know him better.

(If only I had discovered the cafe sooner, I could have gotten to know him earlier…)

Thinking about this was pointless and only made her feel a sense of regret.

“…I wonder if I’ll be able to sleep tonight. Seriously…” (Rina)

Unconsciously, she found herself thinking only about Haruto.

The more she tried to focus, the more she couldn’t help but be aware of his rough and large hands.

“Is it possible for a 22-year-old woman to be so susceptible…?” (Rina)

She twirled her hair with her index finger, wearing an indescribable expression as she voiced her anxiety.

At this moment, Rina, who was usually seen as “experienced”, was momentarily neglecting the crisis where her facade could easily crumble.

---

Thanks for reading!

Looks like the author is heading in that direction after all… Tbh, the reason why I’m translating so slowly is that I’m not really all that interested in the gyaru on the outside type, it’s more of a personal thing. And well, Rina appears a lot in these chapters.

For those of you who are as anxious as me about Rina’s relationship with MC, I’ll post the next chapter too where it was addressed.

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1. None

After enjoying a delightful dinner together…

“Ah! You’ve got a pretty nice computer and mouse. Oh, and that mic, it’s from a famous brand, isn’t it?” (Rina)

“With how popular streaming is nowadays, I figured that a higher quality setup would help me get an edge, no matter how little.” (Haruto)

“Heh~” (Rina)

Haruto, who had hidden his top-secret script inside his closet, kept his promise and guided Rina to his streaming room.

“I also think that these kind of things matter. Many viewers are accustomed to the good microphones of famous streamers, having a bad microphone can immediately put people off. Some viewers can get turned off just by the computer freezing” (Rina)

“It’s reassuring to hear you say that. I feel like the money spent was worth it. Since I do voice-only streams, I’m particularly picky about my mic.” (Haruto)

Haruto and Rina were both among those who analyzed the streaming market to find opporthnities to grow their subscriber count.

You could say they shared a similar sense of these things.

“But, even though you put so much thought into it, it’s so like you not to care about things unrelated to streaming like the desk and chair. Feels like the few tens of thousands of yen here went into Yuno-chan’s future, right?” (Rina)

“…Ahaha, I’ll leave that to your imagination.” (Haruto)

“I see, I see.” (Rina)

Haruto gave a wry smile and glossed over the words, so Rina quickly caught on.

“Well, if you ever plan to do longer streams, you should pay more attention to the chair. If you want, I can even gift you one.” (Rina)

“Nonono! If I were to accept such kindness, Yuu would get mad at me.” (Haruto)

“Hihi, then I guess it can’t be helped.” (Rina)

“Yes. I’ll just accept the sentiment.” (Haruto)

To be honest, he did want to take her up on the offer, but Rina was Yuno’s benefactor.

This was a time to politely decline.

Moreover, for Haruto, the priority of a chair wasn’t that high. He had no regrets for turning it down.

“Besides, I’m still relatively young in the streaming world, so I haven’t had any issues with back pain yet.” (Haruto)

“By the way, how old are you, onii-san? You look like you’re in your early twenties.” (Rina)

“I’m 20.” (Haruto)

“Huh? You’re two years younger than me!? You’re really young!” (Rina)

“I’m not that different from you, Rina-san. I mean, having 700,000 subscribers at 22 is just incredible.” (Haruto)

By analyzing the market and creating the best persona he believed in, it took him a year to reach 100,000 subscribers. It was only because of a certain incident that he could even reach 200,000.

That’s where Haruto stands now.

To catch up, he would have to more than triple his number within two years.

“Hmm, it’s still a number to be proud of at this age. But recently, there’s an ABEX streamer who has been growing with intense momentum. There’s no time to relax.” (Rina)

“Eh?” (Haruto)

“If you stream ABEX, you must know, right? The toxic streamer who goes by the name ‘Oni-chan the siscon’.” (Rina)

“Ah! That person…” (Haruto)

Hearing this name from Rina’s mouth, Haruto wanted to correct her. ‘Oni-chan the siscon’ was a separate name born from the streaming incident, but he was originally known ‘Oni-chan the toxic streamer’. However, Haruto let it slide.

Some might argue that as a fellow streamer, he could reveal his identity. However, since his livelihood depends on his channel, and considering the controversial nature of his streaming style, he has to be cautious.

“Well, I do know about him, but… he’s growth is not as impressive as yours.” (Haruto)

“Oh, really?” (Rina)

“Yeh, definitely. His reputation is too bad, and besides, he’s just a really awful person.” (Haruto)

“Even though you’re a kind onii-san, you’re really hard on Oni-chan.” (Rina)

“W-Well, um… That’s because his growth was a result of a streaming incident! There’s no doubt that people will eventually get tired of talking about it and the current momentum will eventually stagnate… or at least that is what I predict.” (Haruto)

He spoke the truth.

Everything he said made sense to him based on his understanding of the streaming market.

As someone who also studies the streaming market, he was sure that she would agree with him.

With these thoughts in mind, Haruto confidently expressed himself, feeling relieved. However, he soon realized he had jumped to conclusions too quickly.

“Heheh. Just as Yuno-chan said, you do have some blind spots, huh, Onii-san?” (Rina)

“W-What do you mean…?” (Haruto)

“If you’re tidying up this room, you should probably hide that thing, shouldn’t you?” (Rina)

With a grin, Rina points to a certain object displayed on the shelf.

――It’s a precious silver play button awarded for reaching over 100,000 subscribers, with the channel name engraved on it.

In a panic, Haruto begins to clumsily hide the silver shield, but it’s already too late.

“With this, I can totally see you being involved in a streaming incident. Right, ‘Oni-chan’?” (Rina)

“W-What are you talking about!? That’s not me…!” (Haruto)

“Then can you show me the name on that award again?” (Rina)

“…N-No!” (Haruto)

He shakes his head with all his strength, determined to prevent her from seeing it.

“Then how about you start up that PC and let me check the ABEX account?” (Rina)

“No, I can’t…” (Haruto)

“I know that Ayacchi and Oni-chan are in contact with each other, so there are other ways to check.” (Rina)

“…” (Haruto)

“Hehe, you might as well give in since you’re already caught, Oni-chan.” (Rina)

With a smile, Rina takes a step closer, then another, continuing in a cheerful tone.

“—Well, it’s an honor to meet the man himself. Seriously.” (Rina)

And she extends her hand for a handshake.

“…” (Haruto)

“…” (Rina)

He lowers his gaze to her delicate hand, then lifts it back up to her face.

Haruto desperately tries to come up with some excuse in his mind, but it’s futile. Nothing comes to mind.

He knows better than anyone that there’s no way to escape the situation.

“Uh, well… Yes. I’m really happy to hear that from you, Rina-san…” (Haruto)

He surrenders sincerely.

He takes her outstretched hand, feeling embarrassed as he returns her words.

“To be honest, before I learned about the streaming incident, I was like ‘What’s up with this Oni-chan guy I keep hearing about?’” (Rina)

“W-Well, I think that’s only natural… Yes…” (Haruto)

“Well, when you consider that 80% to 90% of players in the game are male, and if same-gender streamers want to make numbers, they need to have a strong presence… Especially if you’re not a VTuber or doing facecam streams.” (Rina)

“I started streaming normally at first, but as expected…” (Haruto)

“Yeah, I get it.” (Rina)

If streaming blindly and gaining subscribers worked, Rina wouldn’t bother with trying to analyze the market.

She wouldn’t bother creating a persona either.

“S-Sorry about that, I’ve been holding your hand for quite a while… Man, guys’ hands really are bony and big, huh?” (Rina)

“Um, does it feel uncomfortable compared to other men’s?” (Haruto)

“Hmm!? Uh, no, it’s about the same!” (Rina)

“Ah, that’s a relief. I was worried it might feel weird if it was unusually rough or something…” (Haruto)

“Haha, don’t worry, it’s just a normal hand!” (Rina)

“Ah, thank you.” (Haruto)

Rina’s persona was so convincing that Haruto naturally assumed that she had plenty of romantic experience to answer such a question.

“Hmm… Ah! Give me a moment. I remembered that I wanted to tell you something important but forgot what it was.” (Rina)

“It’s okay, you can tell me when you remember.” (Haruto)

“—Ah! I remembered, I remembered now! There’s something I absolutely wanted to ask Oni-chan about today.” (Rina)

Having decided that she wanted to talk about it before, Rina quickly steered the conversation towards the main topic.

“Are you aware of the tournament happening next month for streamers? It’s called the Ebe Festival.” (Rina)

“Ah, yes! Of course, I’m aware of that.” (Haruto)

“If I asked you to participate in that tournament, would you consider it?” (Rina)

“Huh!?” (Haruto)

“It’s not confirmed yet, but as a team with me and Ayacchi.” (Rina)

At that moment, Haruto’s mind goes blank.

Being labeled as a toxic streamer, he had never been invited to such a tournament before.

No, it was only natural that he wasn’t invited.

Such an unreachable event—where fellow streamers gather, have fun, and engage with viewers—was naturally something he admired.

Furthermore, he could also fight alongside two players belonging to the prestigious pro team, [Axcis Crown].

It’s understandable to need some time to process everything.

“I-I’m sorry. This is not a joke… Is it? I’ve never had such an opportunity before, so it’s hard to believe that I’m actually being invited…” (Haruto)

“Of course, I’m serious, so don’t worry. And having Oni-chan there would definitely make the tournament more exciting, no doubt about that.” (Rina)

“T-thank you so much! If it’s not too much trouble for you and the others, I’d love to participate…” (Haruto)

“Nihihi, great! In that case, you should be getting a message from the organizers soon. I look forward to working with you… Ah! We’ll also need to discuss Oni-chan’s behavior during the tournament too.” (Rina)

“G-Got it!” (Haruto)

Seeing Haruto’s eyes sparkle with joy, Rina feels genuinely happy.

She’s glad she invited him.

“Thank you so much, Rina-san!!” (Haruto)

“Y-Yeah…” (Rina)

And with that, Rina extends her hand once again, seeking another handshake.

In response, Rina’s hand was enveloped by both of Haruto’s large hands.

“Um, it’s really amazing… the amount of influence you have…” (Haruto)

“I wish I could say that… but I was just being selfish. This was also the reason I wanted to see you… I think…?” (Rina)

――Her consciousness drifts toward the sensation of her hand.

“Really!?” (Haruto)

“W-Well, with Oni-chan’s momentum and good impression lately… it would be a shame if he didn’t participate… probably…?” (Rina)

――Her attention is now entirely focused on the sensation of her hand.

Rina hears an imaginary sound of her carefully crafted “experienced person” persona cracking.

“Um, so, that’s that…” (Rina)

As she nervously tries to pull her hand away as if seeking help, she hears a surprised ‘Ah!’ from the person in front of her, then her right hand, which was engulfed in his strong grip, is released…

Normally, Rina would continue with a fist bump, according to her character.

But because she’s not used to having her hand held like this, she feels like her heart might leap out of her mouth.

---

Thanks for reading!

Even though Rina already knows before entering the room, this one is on you, MC. I thought he went into the room to put that away, but I guess not. This chapter just proves that it’s a miracle that Yuno hasn’t found out about his channel.

We are finally done with this chapter.

---

1. None

After finishing their cheerful greetings at the entrance, they gathered in the living room around an extravagant spread of meals that they definitely wouldn’t be able to finish in one sitting.

“…Y-Yuu, you really invited an incredible person over… You even cooked with her…” (Haruto)

“S-She really does have 700,000 subscribers…” (Yuno)

Haruto, who was informed beforehand, and Yuno, who had quickly looked Rina up on her phone, faced Rina with awe.

“Nihihi, I only reached 700,000 subscribers just yesterday. But outside of streaming, I’m just a regular girl, so I’d be happy if you could treat me normally. Especially you, Yuno-chan, you were doing great just a while ago.” (Rina)

“I-I understand!” (Yuno)

Thanks to Rina’s easygoing demeanor and friendly personality, the atmosphere lightened up.

However, one must wonder how her popularity affects her daily life.

Haruto, who knew the extent of Rina’s influence and achievements, could only tremble as he held his chopsticks.

“But I still can’t believe that the person who helped Yuu was Rina-san… It’s unbelievable.” (Haruto)

“I was surprised too. To think that Yuno-chan’s onii-san was the kind cafe staff who helped me a while ago.” (Rina)

“I’m also shocked that onii-chan knew about Rina-oneesan…” (Yuno)

At first, none of them could grasp the situation immediately.

Only now had the conversation begun to unfold.

“Um, it seems you fixed my imouto’s bike chain… Rina-san, are your hands okay? You didn’t get hurt, did you?” (Haruto)

“Not at all. After I washed my hands, they were as clean as they were before.” (Rina)

“That’s a relief…” (Haruto)

Haruto could only feel relieved at her response.

For a game streamer, especially a professional gamer, injuring their hands would be troublesome for their activities.

As a game streamer on a similar level himself, this was something Haruto couldn’t help but worry about.

“Onii-chan, Rina-oneesan came to help me and didn’t mind getting her hands dirty at all.” (Yuno)

“R-Really!? Hearing that… it feels like our thank-you gifts aren’t enough…” (Haruto)

“No, no, no, no! They’re more than enough, seriously.” (Rina)

Haruto had bought two thank-you gifts: a box of assorted chocolates and a box of assorted cookies. Generally, that would be considered a lot, but expressions of gratitude vary from person to person.

“Besides, just cooking together with Yuno-chan felt like a thank-you gift already. I rarely get the chance to cook with someone else.” (Rina)

“I feel the same way… So, um, I’d be happy if I could cook together with Rina-oneesan again…” (Yuno)

“Really!? I’m glad to hear you say that.” (Rina)

Rina clasped her hands together, her cheeks softening into an expression that matched her words.

“Then why don’t we cook at my place next time? I’ll give you my contact information too.” (Rina)

“Really!?” (Yuno)

“I’d actually like to ask that of you.” (Rina)

“Thank you so much, Rina-san. My imouto isn’t the type to cause any trouble, so if you could, please take care of her.” (Haruto)

Haruto was banned from the kitchen because he might cause a fire due to his carelessness, so he couldn’t replace Rina in this regard. He bowed deeply, showing his gratitude.

“Wait, you’re not coming along, Onii-san? I’d be happy if you could try the food we make.” (Rina)

“I’m glad to hear you say that, but wouldn’t it be a huge problem if it got out that a guy visited Rina-san’s home? Not to mention, wouldn’t it be troublesome for you to reveal your home location to me?” (Haruto)

“Well, if I invited you over one-on-one and it got leaked, no explanation would hold up. But if Yuno-chan is with you, it’s no problem at all.” (Rina)

The professional gaming team Rina belonged to, Axcis Crown, didn’t prohibit relationships.

Even if there were misunderstandings, it wouldn’t affect the team, or rather, any impact would primarily be on her channel.

Since she could deal with the consequences of her own actions, she was able to make this decision.

“Besides, even if you know where I live, I don’t think Onii-san would cause any trouble.” (Rina)

“Huh?” (Haruto)

Haruto’s eyes widen at this statement.

Seeing his surprised expression, Rina quickly adds an explanation.

“Ah, I might look flashy, but it’s not like I’m usually this lax with people. I judged that it was okay based on the kind service I received from you at that time, and also because I heard various things from others.” (Rina)

Both Yuno and Haruto are trustworthy individuals. If she didn’t feel that way, she wouldn’t have invited them to her home.

Despite Rina appearing carefree, she’s meticulously aware of the risks involved when working in the industry, having heard about them in detail from her agency.

“Rina-oneesan, keep what we talked about today is a secret, okay?” (Yuno)

“Hehe, got it.” (Rina)

“Um, did Yuu really praise me that much?” (Haruto)

“Onii-chan, I said it’s a secret, so it’s uncool of you to keep pressing.” (Yuno)

“W-Well, can’t you cut me some slack…!? It sounds like something to be happy about, you know.” (Haruto)

“If I cut you some slack, I feel like I’ll lose.” (Yuno)

“Heh.” (Rina)

Considering she’s in her high school years, it’s understandable that she’s not very straightforward with her feelings. 

However, thinking back to how Yuno said she tends to be harsh on her brother, Rina couldn’t help but suppress a laugh seeing the contrast between her behavior now and how openly she was sharing her feelings earlier.

Yuno might have her tsundere moments, but she only adopts this attitude towards her one and only family member, Haruto.

“…Ah, Rina-oneesan, this sesame sauce you made is quite good.” (Yuno)

“Right? The simmered food is also pretty good, so try it! Oh, but onii-san, you should eat more. You’ve just finished work, so you should eat plenty to regain your energy.” (Rina)

“Ahaha. Well then, don’t mind me, itadakimasu.” (Haruto)

Thanks to the gentle encouragement, Haruto finds it easier to pick up his chopsticks.

At this moment, Yuno reaches out her hand.

“Here, Onii-chan, let me serve you.” (Yuno)

“Thank you.” (Haruto)

“It’s nothing…” (Yuno)

“Hehe.” (Rina)

—(I sometimes feel like I’m being too harsh on onii-chan… It’s really shameful.)

That’s the true feeling Yuno expressed earlier.

It seemed that she reflected on her earlier attitude and wanted to show genuine kindness where she could.

“I was curious about this—does onii-san and Yuno-chan ever fight? I can’t really picture it.” (Rina)

“Ah… Now that you mention it, we haven’t had any real fights for a long time. Yuu always hits me with solid logic, so we don’t really argue.” (Haruto)

“Pfft, do you mess up that much, onii-san?” (Rina)

“That’s right, Rina-oneesan. He’s really awful.” (Yuno)

With a strong voice, Yuno entered the conversation smoothly.

“He often forgets to let me know where he is, which worries me, and when left to his own devices, he always overworks himself. Lately, he’s been staying up late and even lying about it.” (Yuno)

“Oh my.” (Rina)

After hearing this, it was clear how peaceful their relationship was, leaving no room for any other response.

“Yuu… couldn’t you cut your brother some slack just this once?” (Haruto)

“You’d get carried away if I did.” (Yuno)

“—And that’s generally how it goes. By the way, Rina-san, your cooking is also really good.” (Haruto)

“Hihi, thank you.” (Rina)

On top of how just receiving this kind of feedback made her happy, Rina appreciated Haruto’s way of adding “also” when complimenting her cooking.

As proof, there was another person subtly showing a satisfied expression.

“So the power balance between Yuno-chan and Onii-san is 100 to 0?” (Rina)

“Usually, you could say that, but when I’ve done something wrong, like hiding a cold or an injury, he comes back at me ten times harder.” (Yuno)

“Oh, I see.” (Rina)

“Just between us, it even feels like he wants to hit me for it.” (Yuno)

“I see. After dinner, let’s go to the police, onii-san.” (Rina)

“Oh, come on… You’re saying things that aren’t true…” (Haruto)

Muttering to himself, Haruto wore an exasperated yet amused smile. Of course, Rina understood that Yuno was just joking.

“Since he’s usually gentle when onii-chan gets angry, he’s really scary, so please be careful, Rina-oneesan.” (Yuno)

“I don’t think I’ll find him as scary as Yuno-chan does.” (Rina)

“Huh?” (Yuno)

“I’m sure he’s that way because he cares about you, right, onii-san?” (Rina)

“Hahaha, I can say this here… but I don’t want Yuu to have a hard time. I’ve already been relying on her too much and burdening her with chores and part-time jobs.” (Haruto)

Even though Haruto hasn’t had any alcohol, he feels comfortable expressing himself to Rina, who listens without teasing him.

“Y-You’re such an idiot… Even though you’re the one who’s been through more.” (Yuno)

“I’m a healthy young man, so I’ll be fine. I have way more stamina than Yuno, after all.” (Haruto)

“I really hate that theory that people make.” (Yuno)

“Don’t be like that~” (Haruto)

“Hehe.” (Rina)

Haruto and Rina laughed together as they watched Yuno effortlessly speak her mind.

How many times has this happened already?

Listening to this heartwarming exchange where they support each other, Rina decides to take one step further.

“…Um, sorry for changing the subject completely, but onii-san, you do streaming just like me, right? When I talked with Yuno-chan about games, she mentioned it, so could you tell me more?” (Rina)

“Well, I do stream, but it’s nothing to brag about…” (Haruto)

Haruto remains unfazed by this topic, as Yuno is unaware of the workings of his “Oni-chan” channel.

If he ever needs to tell her, he always provides only the bare minimum information. And when he says it’s “nothing to brag about”, it’s because he adopts a streaming style that has mixed reviews and isn’t something he’s proud of.

“Oh, don’t worry. I’m not prying or anything.” (Rina)

“Haha, that’s a relief.” (Haruto)

“The reason I asked is because I’m interested in other people’s streaming setups. I thought it would be nice if you could show me yours if it’s okay.” (Rina)

“Oh, sure, that’s no problem at all. It’s not anything special, but you’re welcome to see it.” (Haruto)

“Really, thank you! How about after we finish eating?” (Rina)

“Of course. Could I have a little time then? I want to tidy up the room a bit.” (Haruto)

“Sure, that’s totally fine.” (Rina)

With a pleasant smile, Rina smoothly negotiates her request.

While Rina’s interest in other people’s streaming setups is genuine, this serves as an excuse—one that Yuno seems to have caught on and acted accordingly.

“In that case, I’ll just relax in the living room for a bit. There are a few shows I’d like to watch.” (Yuno)

Since they had been talking about an invitation to an event earlier, she wanted to create an opportunity for them to be alone.

But Haruto was as perceptive as ever.

He immediately noticed the strangeness in prioritizing the TV over the guest she was supposed to be grateful for and recognized that it wasn’t like Yuno to act this way.

“You don’t need to worry so much. Want to join us, Yuu?” (Haruto)

“It’s not like that. Oh, and just because the two of you are alone doesn’t mean you can do anything weird to Rina-oneesan. If I hear any screams, I’ll report it immediately.” (Yuno)

“I obviously wouldn’t do anything like that, right!?” (Haruto)

“Hmm~ Onii-san ecchi.” (Rina)

“St-stop it! Yuu, don’t say weird things!!” (Haruto)

Rina is exceptionally skilled in this kind of banter.

With a smirk on her face and a hand covering her mouth, Haruto involuntarily blushes.

The lively atmosphere of the meal becomes even more lively than before.

---

Thanks for reading!

Something tells me that this isn’t just going to be about the event. Since Rina already knows, she could totally just pursue the topic freely since Yuno wouldn’t be there.

---

1. None

“Wow, what a nice house!” (Rina)

Upon arriving at Yuno’s home, Rina immediately raised her voice in admiration.

“Thank you. This house was left by my parents.” (Yuno)

“I’m sure your parents are proud of you. You’re only a second-year high school student, yet you can manage yourself and guests coming over.” (Rina)

“Ah, I’d be happy if that’s the case.” (Yuno)

“As a working adult, I definitely think so!” (Rina)

Rina’s personality shone through as she chose uplifting words to prevent any dark atmosphere.

Feeling genuinely warmed by these words, Yuno inserted the key into the lock. Opening the door, she began showing Rina around the house.

“Rina-oneesan, the restroom is this way.” (Yuno)

“Thank you~! Sorry for the trouble, Yuno-chan.” (Rina)

“Not at all. It’s my fault for getting your hands dirty. Feel free to use the towel that’s hanging there. Once you’re done, I’ll be waiting in the living room.” (Yuno)

“Okay!” (Rina)

After this exchange, they temporarily went their separate ways.

Rina, with a cheerful reply, used the sink to wash off the stubborn chain grease with hand soap. Afterwards, she made her way to the neatly organized living room.

There, she found Yuno already preparing food in the kitchen with the TV turned on in the background.

“Yuno-chan, sorry. I might have used a bit too much hand soap.” (Rina)

“Please don’t worry about it! Chain grease is hard to get off, so it’s normal to use that much.” (Yuno)

“Thank you.” (Rina)

Even though she had just met Yuno and understood the challenging circumstances of her household, Rina felt a growing sense of guilt the more soap she used. 

Because of this, she felt relieved by Yuno’s reassuring words.

“Um, Rina-oneesan, do you have any allergies or foods you dislike? I’ll make sure to avoid them.” (Yuno)

“Honestly, I can eat anything~” (Rina)

“Got it! Then I’ll start cooking. Please make yourself comfortable and watch TV if you’d like.” (Yuno)

Yuno smiled warmly as she opened the refrigerator, carefully selecting ingredients. The abundance of food already laid out on the kitchen counter made it clear she intended to offer her utmost hospitality.

Rina, who also enjoyed cooking, understood the effort involved in preparing a meal with so many ingredients.

“Hey, Yuno-chan, why don’t we cook together? I actually love cooking.” (Rina)

“Eh!? But, wouldn’t that be…” (Yuno)

“Letting someone do what they love isn’t a burden at all! You could even say it’s another way to show gratitude.” (Rina)

When Rina added “Let’s enjoy this together”, Yuno found herself unable to refuse.

“If you put it that way, then I hope that you don’t mind…?” (Yuno)

“Nihihi, it’s not often I get the chance to cook with someone else, so I’d actually like to help.” (Rina)

“Understood. In that case, let’s do it together!” (Yuno)

“Sure!” (Rina)

Using her communication skills honed from streaming, Rina convinced Yuno, and she stepped into the kitchen.

“Well then, Rina-oneesan, could I ask you to handle the side dish first? Feel free to use any ingredients or utensils. You’re also welcome to use whatever’s on the shelves and fridge.” (Yuno)

“Got it! I’ll start by seeing what you have.” (Rina)

“Go ahead.” (Yuno)

One of the important things in cooking is organization.

To proceed smoothly, Rina begins to familiarize herself with the location of seasonings and small cooking utensils.

In the midst of this, Rina changes the subject.

“You know, Yuno-chan, you’re really amazing. When I was a second-year in high school, I mostly just played around and only did chores when I felt like it.” (Rina)

“In my case, I think my family environment has a big influence… It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’m filled with a desire to make things easier for my brother (ani) as much as possible.” (Yuno)

“—Oh!?” (Rina)

This was new information to Rina. It’s the first time she’s learned about Yuno’s brother.

It was the moment when Rina realized that she misunderstood that Yuno was living alone, but she skillfully hid her surprise by reacting appropriately to the situation.

“By the way, what about your onii-chan? Is he kind?” (Rina)

“Well… yes. Honestly, I’m proud of him. Onii-chan’s really amazing, you know?” (Yuno)

“Heh~ What’s he like?” (Rina)

“Well, this might be a bit heavy, but…” (Yuno)

With that preamble, Yuno begins her explanation.

“Onii-chan originally planned to go to university, but after our family situation came to be, he changed his plans to help me attend university in the future instead. Despite being in high school, he adjusted his schedule to meet the minimum attendance and credit requirements for graduation and spent the rest of his time working multiple jobs to earn money.” (Yuno)

“I see.” (Rina)

At that moment, Rina stopped cooking and focused intently on listening to Yuno’s story, nodding along as she spoke.

“Because of that… well, I shouldn’t phrase things that way, but onii-chan, despite being one of the top students in his grade, ended up at the bottom…” (Yuno)

“…” (Rina)

“I’m sure he must have gone through a lot… Even when he was exhausted, even when he was sick, he never showed any signs of weakness to me… But, um, that only makes me more worried!” (Yuno)

As she voiced thoughts she rarely shared, she immediately felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. To cool her heated cheeks, she fanned her face with her hand.

“Well, um, onii-chan has some quirks, like mistaking sugar for salt, but he’s someone I deeply respect… Yeah, that’s about it.” (Yuno)

“…” (Rina)

“Rina-oneesan, are you okay?” (Yuno)

“Ah, sorry! I got a bit emotional there.” (Rina)

“After hearing all this, I think if you actually met onii-chan, you’d be like, ‘Huh?’ It’s quite different from what I heard… He’s really unique in his own way.” (Yuno)

“Well, being too perfect isn’t always ideal. Having a few quirks makes someone more special, right?” (Rina)

Humans are said to be more charming when they have flaws.

It seems like this description fits Yuno’s brother perfectly.

“Listening to your story makes me want to meet your brother sometime…” (Rina)

“Just hearing you say that makes me happy. My brother loves gaming, so if you’re into games, you might get along.” (Yuno)

“He’s got a good hobby. So, what kind of games does he play?” (Rina)

“Um… Sorry, it’s not the kind of game women usually play, but he’s into shooter games… In particular, he’s hooked on this game called ABEX.” (Yuno)

“Oh, I see. That’s interesting.” (Rina)

The name of the game, ever so familiar to Rina, strikes a chord, causing her to unconsciously raise an eyebrow.

“ABEX is pretty famous, even among my classmates. Do you know about it, Rina-oneesan?” (Yuno)

“Hmm, well… I don’t usually say this, but I’m actually part of a pro team for ABEX.” (Rina)

“—Huh?” (Yuno)

Upon hearing this response, Yuno’s eyes widen in astonishment. 

Not only was she taken aback by the shocking revelation, but also by her own insensitive comment stating that “I think it’s not the type of game most women play”.

“I-I-I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to say something rude!” (Yuno)

“It’s totally fine~ There are a ton of male players in the game, after all.” (Rina)

It’s clear that Yuno did not mean anything malicious, and in such a situation, it’s better to just brush it off.

“…U-Um, changing the subject, Rina-oneesan, you’re really amazing to be part of such a team… Onii-chan mentioned to me before how difficult it is to join one…” (Yuno)

“Well, there’s definitely an element of luck involved in these things.” (Rina)

Some might say it’s not good to downplay one’s achievements, especially when representing a professional team. However, there are aspects that Rina just can’t easily accept.

“But if Yuno-chan’s onii-chan is into ABEX, there’s a chance he might know about me, right?” (Rina)

“I-I’m sure he does! This is just between us, but… my onii-chan also does streaming.” (Yuno)

“Whoa, seriously!?” (Rina)

“Yes! I don’t know his channel name or anything, but he has a silver play button, which you get when you have a lot of subscribers.” (Yuno)

“No way! That’s actually pretty impressive!” (Rina)

“It really is! He’s amazing.” (Yuno)

Haruto’s streaming activities were something Yuno had never mentioned to anyone before. 

This time, she broke that barrier with someone she felt could understand and appreciate it, especially considering her involvement in the ABEX pro scene.

Because of that, Yuno felt like boasting about Haruto, but in a “low-key” kind of way such that it wouldn’t reveal his identity. That’s how proud she was of him.

“You know, Yuno-chan, your onii-san is seriously amazing… Viewers are human too, right? So, it’s pretty hard to attract the same gender when streaming, but despite that, in an environment where the target audience is male for a game like ABEX, he’s pulling in numbers big enough to get a play button. It’s just… indescribably impressive.” (Rina)

Being someone who also streamed, Rina couldn’t help but comment. 

With her own research in the streaming market, she found that it was easier to attract attention when streaming games played by the opposite sex which is why she was surprised by the fact that Yuno’s brother was able to get a play button which required at least 100,000 subscribers.

“If Rina-oneesan is saying that, then maybe… he’s even more… than I thought.” (Yuno)

“There aren’t that many male streamers who can grow their audience that much with ABEX, you know. He’s undoubtedly an irreplaceable figure in this industry.” (Rina)

“E-Ehhh…” (Yuno)

The person saying this is someone from the same industry. There’s no room to doubt their words.

However, the feeling of surprise is overshadowed by a sense of unexpectedness… Especially considering she had never heard him brag about his streaming career before.

“I have a question… Is Yuno-chan’s onii-san streaming right now?” (Rina)

“No! He’s currently out for work. He’s so busy that he only has one day off a week.” (Yuno)

“Wait a second. With that many subscribers, he’s not focusing on his streams?!” (Rina)

“Well, yeah…” (Yuno)

Even without knowing the details of the channel, having over 100,000 subscribers guarantees enough income to make ends meet. Riding the wave, it would be more advantageous to focus on channel management. Describing it as a ‘wasted opportunity’ wouldn’t be entirely inaccurate.

“I’ve actually told onii-chan that I want him to pursue what he loves, even if it means reducing his work hours or becoming a full-time streamer…” (Yuno)

“I see. So, it’s about ensuring stable income, right?” (Rina)

“Exactly. He believes that having a stable income will allow me to focus more on my studies without worrying about him…” (Yuno)

“I see. He’s a really good onii-san, isn’t he?” (Rina)

—He could become even more famous.

—He could earn even more income.

Despite knowing that such high probabilities exist, prioritizing family comes first. It’s the safest and most stable option, without risks or uncertainties.

“I sometimes feel like I’m being too harsh on onii-chan… It’s really shameful.” (Yuno)

“When the time comes, make sure to express your gratitude sincerely.” (Rina)

“Yes. If I can’t convey my gratitude to him, I don’t think I’ll ever make it to heaven.” (Yuno)

“Haha, that might be true.” (Rina)

Although it’s a harsh response that should be denied, but in order to encourage, Rina chooses to agree to some extent.

“Um… What should we do then? Would you like to meet onii-chan? He’ll be back by 7 PM since he’s on shift until the evening.” (Yuno)

“Well then, I guess it’s better to meet. If we can get to know each other once, it’ll be easier to invite him to future gaming events¹.” (Rina)

“Really!?” (Yuno)

“Of course. I wouldn’t want to miss the chance to have someone as nice as him to join in. Plus, it’d be nice to have dinner together with the three of us later.” (Rina)

“Thank you so much for everything!” (Yuno)

The prospect of Haruto having more opportunities to shine is more than anything to be happy about.

With both hands clenched into fists, Yuno expresses her emotions openly, but then immediately catches herself with an “Ah”, as if snapping back to reality.

“R-Rina-oneesan, I’m sorry… Maybe it might be difficult for onii-chan to attend events after all.” (Yuno)

“Huh? Why’s that?” (Rina)

“I can’t really explain it in detail, but… onii-chan, well, he’s sort of… not really well-liked…” (Yuno)

“Huh?! Is that so?! But he sounds like a great person!?” (Rina)

“Even so… that’s how it is…” (Yuno)

Yuno felt even more apologetic, having received such an opportunity from Rina.

This is because she knows what kind of stream Haruto does.

It’s precisely because his style doesn’t cater to everyone that she felt the need to inform Rina beforehand.

As the evening sky darkens and stars and the moon begin to appear, they finish cooking and were happily spending the rest of the time chatting.

*Teteteteten* 

A rhythmic tune begins to play from Yuno’s phone.

“Oh! It’s a call from onii-chan.” (Yuno)

“Based on the timing, It seems like he’s finished his work. Feel free to answer!” (Rina)

“Should I put it on speakerphone? Hearing his voice might give you an idea of what he’s like.” (Yuno)

“I’ll leave it to you, Yuno-chan.” (Rina)

“In that case, I’ll put it on speaker. There shouldn’t be any conversation that we wouldn’t want you to hear.” (Yuno)

It might seem like a dishonest move towards Haruto, but prioritizing the indebted Rina in this situation is crucial.²

After initiating the call, Yuno pressed the ‘answer’ button and then the speaker button to start the conversation.

“(Hello? Yuu?)” (Haruto)

“Hello. Onii-chan, did you just finish work?” (Yuno)

“(Yeah, just finished. Did something happen? I got a message saying to contact you as soon as I finished my shift.)” (Haruto)

“It’s about that. My bike chain came off while I was coming back from school today.” (Yuno)

“(What!? Are you okay? Did you get hurt!?)” (Haruto)

“Hey, your voice is too loud… I wasn’t on a dangerous path so I’m not injured or anything…” (Yuno)

Glancing at Rina, she notices her chuckling softly.

There’s nothing to worry about in the conversation, but Yuno still feels embarrassed about it.

“(Well, that’s a relief… Oh, so I should pick up your bike on the way home, right? Where did you leave it?)” (Haruto)

“No, actually, I was stuck because my bike wouldn’t move, but an onee-san helped me out. She fixed the chain for me, so it’s at home now.” (Yuno)

“(She fixed the chain… Her hands must have gotten dirty, right? Did you ask where she lives? We should go thank her!)” (Haruto)

Being taught by their parents to always show gratitude when someone does something for them, Haruto’s response mirrors Yuno’s response.

“Yeah, that’s why I wanted to let you know in advance that I thought it’d be nice to invite her over for a meal as a thank-you.” (Yuno)

“(Yuu! That’s really thoughtful! I’ll buy a thank-you gift, so please keep her there until I get home!)” (Haruto)

Naturally, Rina can hear this conversation as well.

Upon hearing the mention of a “thank-you gift”, Yuno looks back at Rina, who was waving her hands left and right.

Despite understanding that she didn’t need the gift, Yuno continued the call at her own pace.

“Thank you, onii-chan. I’m sorry to bother you after work.” (Yuno)

“(No problem! It’s not a burden at all. Oh, could you ask her what she likes? I get her something she likes!)” (Haruto)

“She mentioned she likes sweets. Since she seems to be into gaming, something easy to snack on would probably be appreciated.” (Yuno)

“(Got it! Well, I’m heading into the store now, so I’ll talk to you later! Let onee-san know that your brother will be back soon.)” (Haruto)

“Understood. Take care and come back safely.” (Yuno)

“(Haha, thanks. Yuu, good job on finishing school today.)” (Haruto)

“Yeah, see you later.” (Yuno)

“(Alright.)” (Haruto)

After responding to Haruto’s final words and ending the call, Yuno turns to Rina.

“So, that was onii-chan.” (Yuno)

“He seems really easygoing, but…  You didn’t have to worry about me so much, you know.” (Rina)

“Well, that’s just how our parents raised us.”  (Yuno)

“Mou.” (Rina)

Upon hearing that, anyone would find it hard to argue back.

Despite showing a slight resistance, Rina raises her hands in surrender.

“Well, even so, it’s really surprising to hear that the onii-chan I heard over the phone isn’t well-liked. It just doesn’t seem like you were talking about the same person.” (Rina)

“He’s really the same person as you heard over the phone, and I agree that it doesn’t suit him. When he does his streams, he always needs a kind of script…” (Yuno)

“A script?” (Rina)

“It’s not as formal as one used in theater, but it’s like lines he can use, like aggressive remarks, depending on the situation.” (Yuno)

“Wow… I see… That makes sense.” (Rina)

At that moment, Rina unconsciously places a hand over her mouth, as if to chew on the surprise and agitation she felt.

“But… I understand now why onii-chan chose something that doesn’t match his personality. After hearing about the tough environment from Rina-oneesan, I realized that he must have thought long and hard about how to survive as a streamer in his own way… It just makes me respect him even more.” (Yuno)

“Heh, with that kind of personality, I bet your onii-chan is thinking of using the money he earns from streaming for your education.” (Rina)

“Ahaha, I’ll make sure to remind him not to push himself too hard.” (Yuno)

“Yeah… You two are a wonderful siblings.” (Rina)

Words escaped from Rina before she could process them. 

Just listening to their stories and observing their interactions made her smile.

And now, knowing the person whom Yuno respects so much—Rina, who was about 80% sure of Yuno’s brother’s identity—could hardly wait to meet him.

She had been checking the clock repeatedly, anxiously waiting for what felt like dozens of minutes.

And then, after what felt like an eternity of waiting…

As soon as the front door opened…

“Oh! Thank you so much for taking care of Yu…no…?” (Haruto)

“Wha–!! You’re the guy from the cafe!?” (Rina)

They met face-to-face, revealing that this wasn’t their first encounter after all.

---

Thanks for reading!

Very subtle Yuno. Also, I find it crazy that she hasn’t told Suzuha about MC streaming. Maybe she has and I am an amnesiac but I’m pretty sure she hasn’t. 

And WTF? I didn’t recognize Yuno in the illustration at all?? Did she just get prettier or am I just imagining things?? Honestly, I thought she was Chiyo cause I don’t recognize her. And yes, I couldn’t tell that she was wearing a school uniform.

Is it actually easier to get into the game streaming industry as the opposite sex? I mean, I guess if you’re just starting out it might be easier, but the majority of the big streamer names I heard are male.

---

1. I think she plans to invite him to the streamer event thing if he wasn’t already inside.
2. Yeh, this is the actual translation. Doesn’t make sense I know.

Time passed, and two days later…

The holiday was over, and it was Monday, the day when school started again.

“Ah, good morning, Yuno-chan.” (Suzuha)

“Good morning. You’re as early as ever, Suzuha-chan. And it’s admirable that you’re studying on your own so early.” (Yuno)

“Well, the final exams are coming up, so I feel like I have to do my best…” (Suzuha)

“I see. It would be nice to be praised again by a certain onii-chan.” (Yuno)

“M-Mouu, Yuno-chan…” (Suzuha)

“Hehe.” (Yuno)

As soon as their eyes met, Yuno’s best friend, Suzuha, blushed and let out an embarrassed sigh, her cheeks turning crimson as she clasped her hands together and looked down.

Yuno knew.

She knew the reason why Suzuha wanted to study hard―aside from the desire to go to her university of choice.

“Then maybe I’ll try to come to school a little earlier too. I think I can concentrate better that way.” (Yuno)

“…You’re going to come earlier?” (Suzuha)

“I’d like to say ‘maybe tomorrow’, but lately, I’ve been dragged into playing picture shiritori with my baka aniki since morning. Well, I guess it’s more accurate to say I’m being forced to join in.” (Yuno)

“Eh, picture Shiritori?” (Suzuha)

It was an unexpected game to hear.

Suzuha widened her blue eyes and blinked rapidly.

Realizing that she probably wanted to know ‘why picture Shiritori?’, Yuno quickly added an explanation.

“He said he wants to improve his illustrations for work and he even started to reduce his sleep time for it. He was trying to perfect his drawing skills, but I managed to convince him to focus on expanding his repertoire of illustrations instead.” (Yuno)

“Hehe, that’s really like Haruto-oniisan… Serious and hardworking.” (Suzuha)

“Well, it’s one of the good things about my baka aniki, I guess.” (Yuno)

“But it’s good that he’s focusing on expanding his repertoire… I don’t want Haruto-oniisan to push himself too hard with perfecting his skills…” (Suzuha)

“I know right? He’s already busy every day, and he’s really bad at managing his time. Plus, he tries to act normal even when he’s sick, which is annoying. And his acting is strangely good in that department for some reason.” (Yuno)

Yuno complains bitterly, but like Suzuha, it comes from a place of concern.

They’ve started playing picture shiritori in the morning instead of at night, considering Haruto’s tiredness after work.

“He tries to act normal even when he catches a cold because he doesn’t want to worry you, Yuno-chan. I’m sure you can tell.” (Suzuha)

“…Huh. I’m not particularly worried, though. Really.” (Yuno)

“Liar.” (Suzuha)

“I-It’s not a lie…” (Yuno)

At that moment, Yuno’s gaze wandered, and her speech hastened. Her cheeks turned red as if it was right on the mark.

Being bad at such lies must be a trait inherited from her brother.

And――there was something that led up to this behavior between the two.

“On the day Haruto-oniisan had a high fever, Yuno-chan looked like she wanted to rush home immediately.” (Suzuha)

“!!” (Yuno)

“You kept saying you wanted to leave early.” (Suzuha)

“…” (Yuno)

On that day, Haruto had a fever close to 40 degrees.

Throughout the day, Yuno was restless, showing no signs of concentration during classes. The moment the last period ended, she hurriedly made her way to the bike parking area.

Suzuha had undeniable evidence, enough to refute Yuno’s claim of “not being worried”.

“Well, um, I mean… if you think about it, it’s common to worry about your family in such a situation…” (Yuno)

“Hehehe.” (Suzuha)

“…I didn’t really have to refute that now, did I?” (Yuno)

The active Yuno and the quiet Suzuha teased each other all the time. That’s how their relationship has always been.

“When I get home, I’ll take it out on my baka aniki. After all, this happened because he caught a cold.” (Yuno)

“Really?” (Suzuha)

“Really.” (Yuno)

“Really, really?” (Suzuha)

“Yeah, really…” (Yuno)

This indeed started with Haruto catching a cold, but catching a cold is inevitable.

Her response is a bit of a pity-driven outburst.

Still, Suzuha can smile because she knows that Yuno won’t vent her frustrations in a way that Haruto dislikes.

She might poke him in the side a bit, take him shopping, or even cook more than usual to vent her frustration.

That’s just how they are.

“Then maybe I’ll send Haruto-oniisan a message later and ask [Did Yuno-chan do anything unpleasant to you?]” (Suzuha)

“Y-You don’t have to do that…” (Yuno)

Knowing each other’s personalities well, once they start poking at each other, there’s no stopping.

“If you do that, I won’t invite you to stay over anymore. I was planning to invite you over for the next weekend.” (Yuno)

“T-That’s not fair…” (Suzuha)

“Then let’s not bring up what we talked about today, okay?” (Yuno)

“Hehe, okay, got it.” (Suzuha)

“Anyways, let’s talk about the sleepover I mentioned earlier!” (Yuno)

“Mmn! I’m looking forward to it!” (Suzuha)

“Me too!” (Yuno)

When in a tough spot, changing the subject is often the best move.

But this was something they had wanted to discuss from the start.

Thanks to Yuno’s words, they spent the time until the first period planning the sleepover.

And then, it was during lunch break, after morning classes, and after the final period that they talked about it again.

“…Maybe this is karma.” (Yuno)

Yuno spoke these words while on her way home.

She looked at her bike which was stuck because the chain had tangled up.

“I guess it’s not right to vent at someone who’s working hard for my sake, after all…” (Yuno)

It happened on a busy street.

The pedals wouldn’t turn.

“…Haa.” (Yuno)

There was nothing to do but sigh at the unfortunate situation.

Yuno’s only option is to endure the embarrassment of being seen by others and push her bike home.

“Well, there’s no point in staying here forever…” (Yuno)

As she resolved to change her mindset, it happened.

“Oh, is something wrong, miss?” (?)

“!” (Yuno)

A clear, transparent voice came from behind.

Yuno turned around abruptly to see a blonde woman wearing a hat pulled down low and a black mask, slowly approaching.

“Um, well…” (Yuno)

“Sorry for startling you. I’m not a suspicious person or anything… Oh, saying that might make me seem suspicious instead. Then what should I say… Ah, maybe this?” (Rina)

The woman, who had a clear and beautiful voice, started talking to herself. Then, she adjusted her mask under her chin.

Revealing her stunningly beautiful face like a model, she gave a reassuring wink.

“Oh… I’m sorry, uh, thank you…?” (Yuno)

“Don’t worry about it. So, um, did your bike chain come off by any chance?” (Rina)

Yuno, shaken by the sudden approach and the rapid-fire of words, was feeling flustered by the woman’s communication skills, which she had never encountered before. But she also felt a sense of familiarity with this approachable woman of the same gender.

Her guard naturally lowered, and she calmly explained the situation.

“Y-Yes, it just happened out of nowhere…” (Yuno)

“Hmm, hmm. Can I take a look at your bike for a moment?” (Rina)

“Oh, sure…” (Yuno)

The way she closed the distance between them felt as if they had spoken several times before.

Yuno, still unable to keep up with her pace, stepped from the bike.

The woman then placed her handbag on the ground and began inspecting the bike.

“Ah, I see. The chain got tangled here. That’s why the pedals won’t turn, right?” (Rina)

“Y-Yes, exactly…!” (Yuno)

“This is the most troublesome type where it won’t move unless you lift the rear wheel… Give me a moment. I’ll help you fix it.” (Rina)

“Huh…” (Yuno)

“Even though I’m wearing a mask, back in my student days, they used to call me ‘Rina-nee the bike fixer’, so rest assured!” (Rina)

Her mouth was hidden behind the mask, but even so, the woman called Rina smiled with her eyes as she confidently grabbed the chain with her bare hands.

“Alright… If I remember correctly I had to do this… and this…” (Rina)

With these words, she removed the tightly caught chain and moved it to fit into the ring with her congested fingers.

And―― two minutes later.

“Alright, it’s fixed! Look, the pedal’s turning smoothly now~” (Rina)

“!” (Yuno)

“Isn’t that great? Now you can go home just like usual!” (Rina)

To avoid getting her dirty hands from touching the chain, Rina spins the pedals to show that it has been fixed.

Afterwards, Rina puts her arm through the handle of her handbag and stands up, showing no change in demeanor.

“Well, it’s fixed for now, but it seems like the chain came off due to deterioration, so I think it’d be better to have it checked by a bike shop. It could be troublesome if it breaks again, so this is just a temporary fix, okay?” (Rina)

Rina adjusts her hat with her clean wrists and flashes another smile.

“A-Alright. I’ll get it checked at the bike shop soon! Thank you so much…!” (Yuno)

“Don’t mention it~. From what I remember, it shouldn’t cost too much! Well then, take care on your way home!” (Rina)

“Ah――” (Yuno)

It’s clear that she wasn’t looking for any repayment, as she’s already about to leave as soon as the matter is settled.

Rina even hides her dirty hands behind her back as she bids farewell to avoid avoid making Yuno feel indebted.

At that moment, any trace of “caution” vanished from Yuno’s mind.

Being helped but not being able to express gratitude was something she couldn’t tolerate.

She had been repeatedly reminded by her now-deceased parents to always say thank you when someone does something for you.

But a mere “thank you” wasn’t enough.

“U-Um!” (Yuno)

“Hm?”  (Rina)

Summoning her courage, Yuno spoke up.

“P-Please, let me thank you properly for this!” (Yuno)

“Um, you really don’t have to worry about it. I wasn’t inconvenienced by it or anything.” (Rina)

“But still, it doesn’t sit right with me…” (Yuno)

“Well…” (Rina)

Rina could only smile wryly at Yuno’s words.

It was as if she would definitely say the same thing if their positions were reversed.

“But, you know, it wouldn’t be right for an adult like me to let a high school student treat me, right?” (Rina)

Yuno wanted to repay the favour, but Rina’s adult pride doesn’t let her accept it. 

Even if it’s just a 100 yen juice, she can’t let a high school girl she just met spend her hard-earned money on her.

“…” (Rina)

“…” (Yuno)

With both of them unable to yield, they lapse into silence.

Their inability to compromise stems from their kind-heartedness.

“Um… I’m sorry to ask you this, but… are you hungry by any chance?” (Yuno)

“Oh, yeah, I am! That reminds me!” (Rina)

Upon hearing Yuno’s question, Rina comes up with a brilliant idea and speaks in a particularly cheerful voice.

“How about we go grab a meal together right now? I’ll cover the bill, so you can pick the place! Maybe somewhere with a counter would be good (since we’re meeting for the first time and it’s less intimidating with other people around).” (Rina)

While she frames it as if she was about to eat alone and suggests eating together, Yuno also had a clever idea of her own.

“W-Well, in that case, it would be your treat… So, if it’s not too much trouble, would you consider letting me treat you at my place? It’s not too far from here.” (Yuno)

“Huh!? No no, that’s a bit too much… you know…” (Rina)

“By the way, um… my parents aren’t around anymore, so there’s no need to worry about imposing on them.” (Yuno)

“!?” (Rina)

Thanks to Haruto’s presence, Yuno has managed to overcome the loss of her parents. That’s why she can calmly mention this without darkening her expression. However, Rina interprets it differently.

“S-So, shall we head over then?!” (Rina)

Worried about the idea of a high school girl living alone, Rina quickly agrees.

With both of them having kind hearts, their compatibility is evident as they walk together, chatting and getting to know each other over the course of 15 minutes.

---

Thanks for reading!

Yuno, you know, you really shouldn’t be… nvm I’m sure you know what I’m going to say. 

I can only think of one reason why the author would want to bring Rina to MC’s house, but isn’t this like too soon? Prepare yourself mentally for the next 2 parts as she figures it out.

I don’t know much about bicycles so don’t take my translation at face value. And yes, I don’t know how to ride a bike. 

My only memory of bikes was seeing rental bicycles suddenly pop up everywhere in my country like 7 years ago and then people started doing shit like yeeting them off the top of 20-floor apartment buildings. Well, nowadays they’re mostly gone since I rarely see them.

---

1. None

The day after Rina’s stream. It was a holiday morning.

“Hey, Yuu! Want to play shiritori¹? I’ve got some pencils and paper ready.” (Haruto)

“What…? Why all of a sudden? This is kinda random…” (Yuno)

The sound of footsteps rushing down the stairs.

The sound of the door to the living room opening and closing.

In the living room, where the TV was on, the voices of a pair of siblings echoed.

“Don’t think too much about it. It’s just to kill time.” (Haruto)

“But I’m busy relaxing…” (Yuno)

“C-Come on, it’s the holidays! I’ll go back to my room after one or two rounds!” (Haruto)

“…You definitely won’t let it end after one round. Not to mention, shiritori takes a while to finish.” (Yuno)

“If it’s fun, let’s do a second round! Okay?” (Haruto)

“…Haa. Alright, fine. You won’t be satisfied until we play anyways.” (Yuno)

“Yes! Thank you!” (Haruto)

Seeing Haruto’s desperate look, Yuno had no choice but to agree. It doesn’t look like it was just a way to kill time.

Yuno stood up from the sofa and sat at the dining table with a sullen look. Haruto, looking pleased, sat down opposite her.

“Just so you know, I’m only going to play until I get tired of it.” (Yuno)

“Of course. Can I start?” (Haruto)

“Go ahead.” (Yuno)

“Alright, let’s start—” (Haruto)

The difference in enthusiasm between Haruto, who was excited, and Yuno, who was not interested at all, was like night and day.

Still, the younger sister didn’t outright show her displeasure.

Resting her cheek on her hand, she watched intently as her brother moved the pencil across the paper, waiting for him to finish.

“—How about this?” (Haruto)

“Hmm. That’s a pretty good apple (Ringo). With just this, you could probably get a 4.0 in art.” (Yuno)

“Right? Having this skill is also useful for my part-time job sometimes.” (Haruto)

Even though it was an apple that anyone could draw well, praising it without pointing that out was a form of kindness.

Yuno took the paper and pencil and began to draw something starting with “go“.

At that moment, she didn’t notice Haruto looking at her with a gentle expression.

“Come to think of it, isn’t this weird? I don’t have school today, but onii-chan woke up early.” (Yuno)

“Well, sometimes you have days like that… Yeah.” (Haruto)

“…Well, that’s true. Alright, your turn.” (Yuno)

She looked up and passed the paper and pencil back.

“Ah, this is pretty good… A gorilla (Gorira), huh?” (Haruto)

“I can’t draw it realistically, though.” (Yuno)

“Well, it looks really cute. You’re pretty good at drawing it this way.” (Haruto)

Haruto, impressed once again, started drawing something that started with “ra“. (Yuno)

“Hey, Onii-chan.” (Yuno)

“Hmm?” (Haruto)

“Why did you suddenly want to play shiritori so desperately?” (Yuno)

“…Huh?” (Haruto)

“I mean, there must be a reason, right? You wouldn’t do that for no reason. There must have been something that led to this. Since I’m playing along, I think I have the right to know.” (Yuno)

“Ahahaha…” (Haruto)

With a wry smile as if to say “You’ve seen through everything”, Haruto slows down the speed of his pencil and gives a simple explanation.

“Just so you know, it’s not like something bad happened. I just have a sudden desire to draw better!” (Haruto)

“Oh…?” (Yuno)

“Hey, Yuu, what do you think of this?” (Haruto)

He quickly shows what he drew next after finishing the “ra“.

“I think you captured the features well. It’s a rought yet cute camel (rakuda).” (Yuno)

“Y-yeah… So, what do you think would happen if you posted this on my stream?” (Haruto)

“You’d probably get teased or laughed at.” (Yuno)

“Exactly!! That’s why I want to get better!” (Haruto)

Haruto couldn’t contain his excitement after encountering a celebrity who was one of the faces of ABEX. After finishing his part-time job, he decided to peek into Rina’s archived stream for about an hour.

What he saw was her expressing her thoughts on the new Frappuccino, and then, the reaction from viewers upon seeing the illustration on the cup…

Comment: [LOL]

Comment: [What’s with that drawing lol]

Comment: [It’s certainly unique.]

Comments like these were plentiful.

As someone in the streaming business, it was heartwarming to see his own illustrations spark excitement among viewers.

While being laughed at wouldn’t hurt, seeing such reactions made him want to draw something that would make people go, “Wow! You can draw something this good!?”

The likelihood of Rina becoming a regular customer was low, but she had promised to come again next time.

Haruto also felt that if she were to feature his illustration on stream again, it would be easier if the drawing was better.

“In other words, onii-chan, if you’re going to spend more time drawing, might as well play shiritori at the same time, is that right?” (Yuno)

“Of course, there’s also the reason that I wanted to play with Yuu.” (Haruto)

“…You don’t have to say things like that.” (Yuno)

Yuno could tell that Haruto was in a good mood.

“Well, onii-chan, I get why you’re doing this, but you don’t really have to try to get better, right? I’m not saying this because I don’t want to play shiritori.” (Yuno)

“What do you mean…?” (Haruto)

“Well, if you get too good at it, your individuality might just disappear. It wouldn’t be fun if your drawings became ordinary.” (Yuno)

“That’s… true.” (Haruto)

Rather than drawing conventional illustrations that anyone can do, those who do it with unique characteristics tend to be more captivating.

Such things can also make people happy or uplifted.

That was Yuno’s point of view.

“Unless customers complain or feel uncomfortable seeing your illustrations, it should be fine, right? Unless that happens, then I think it’s best to continue doing things with your current style. That’s what I believe, anyways.” (Yuno)

“D-Do you really think so…?” (Haruto)

“Yes. That’s why I say that instead of worrying about such complicated things, just spending more time drawing and enjoying would be the best.” (Yuno)

“I see. If you say so, then I’ll do that.” (Haruto)

Though he initially had doubts, quickly adopting her suggestion blindly was a testament to how much Haruto trusted Yuno’s words.

“Besides, there are other things to worry about because somebody somewhere is clumsy at everything except for games.” (Yuno)

“Huh…?” (Haruto)

At the moment when Haruto let out a bewildered voice, Yuno finished drawing the illustration of a pill bug (Dangomushi), furrowing her brows as she handed him the paper.

“Hey, onii-chan. You haven’t slept yet, have you? You’ve been studying how to draw better all night, right?” (Yuno)

“O-Of course not.” (Haruto)

“You’ve got dark circles under your eyes, don’t deny it.” (Yuno)

“Huh?! That’s a lie! I didn’t have any when I washed my face—” (Haruto)

“—Yeah. I was just kidding. But from that reaction, you can’t hide it anymore.” (Yuno)

“…” (Haruto)

“…” (Yuno)

With words overlapping, they continued to gaze silently at each other.

“I don’t think it’s good to deceive your family.” (Haruto)

“It’s also not good to lie to your family, right?” (Yuno)

“…” (Haruto)

Although Haruto attempted some sort of comeback, this was Yuno’s arena. There was nothing the older brother could do.

“Haa. Well, I’ll keep playing shiritori with you until you get bored, so make sure you go to bed properly after that. You’re streaming tonight, right?” (Yuno)

“I-I’m planning to, but… you know how sometimes after the peak of drowsiness, you suddenly don’t feel sleepy anymore?” (Haruto)

“Then let’s just end it once we reach ‘n‘.” (Yuno)

“O-Okay! I’ll make sure to sleep no matter what!” (Haruto)

“It’s a promise. I’ll go check if there are any strange noises in your room at some point.” (Yuno)

“Got it…” (Haruto)

For Haruto, who still wanted to prolong this time, the better choice was to go with his sister’s suggestion. 

And while Yuno is clearly manipulating Haruto, the best course of action, for now, would be to quickly end the shiritori game and usher him back to his room.

Not doing so would imply… well, you know.

“Oh, onii-chan. Later, could you bring the sweet container from the shelf above the kitchen before you go to bed?” (Yuno)

“T-The sweet container?” (Haruto)

“I turned the Frappuccino cup you bought yesterday on your way back from work into a sweet container. I didn’t expect it to be used like this.”  (Yuno)

“Ah… haha.” (Haruto)

As Yuno pointed in that direction, Haruto’s gaze fell directly upon the words written on the cup.

—[Take care of yourself!]

—[Make sure to get some rest!]

Now, like a boomerang, it feels as if the words were redirected back at him.

All Haruto could do now was to smile wryly at the situation.

---

Thanks for reading!

Yay, we’re back to MC PoV, and yeh the illustration was on the cup. It’s like one volume too late so I’m not gonna go back and change accordingly.

I guess the fact that Yuno didn’t send him back immediately implied that she wanted to play with him a little longer.

Hopefully, you understood the shiritori thing.

---

1. Shiritori is a Japanese word game in which the players are required to say a word which begins with the final kana of the previous word

“Well, the Peach Frappuccino doesn’t come with syrup, so if you prefer it sweeter, I recommend adding some White Mocha syrup! It’ll cost slightly more, but this is the most popular add-on right now.” (Haruto)

“Wow~ Do any customers also add citrus pulp to the drink?” (Rina)

“Yes, we have two customers doing that today. We use orange and yuzu peels, so you can enjoy a variety of flavors.” (Haruto)

“I see.” (Rina)

(He explained it so politely… If you’re a first-time customer here, you’d definitely feel like you want to come back.)

He kindly explained to me without showing any signs of annoyance.

Though it was my first meeting with him, my first impressions were quite favorable.

(I should probably take note of this in my streams…)

Because she uses facecam when streaming, first impressions are all the more important. In that aspect, there’s something similar to maintaining retention rates and repeat visitors.

Rina’s goal is to reach 1 million subscribers.

To achieve such a milestone, attention to details like this is necessary.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking… but you seem really knowledgeable despite the product coming out today.” (Rina)

“Oh, thank you! Well, you see… I’ve actually tested about four different cups today to confirm their taste.” (Haruto)

“Four cups!? Are you okay?” (Rina)

“I-I’m… managing.” (Haruto)

“Fuu, that’s definitely tough.” (Rina)

For a brief moment, the staff, Haruto, showed a face of discomfort before reverting back to his friendly expression.

Caught off guard by the unexpected revelation, Rina couldn’t help but laugh while holding back her mask.

(This might be the first time I’ve seen such a hard-working staff.)

He’s not drinking those cups because they were his favorite, but to accurately answer questions related to customizations based on his own experience.

(So, he was smiling so much because he saw me looking at the posters and thought there might be a chance I’d order a Frappuccino?)

He endured the discomfort from excessive drinking just to be able to answer such questions. It’s normal for him to hope that he will have the opportunity to make use of his knowledge.

(Fufu~ That explains why there was a pause during his greeting; he must have been nervous about whether I’d order it or not.)

Thinking about it that way, the cool staff member starts to seem cute. You can even imagine how everyone around him adores him.

“Then, this time I’ll add the White Mocha syrup. Next time, I’ll try it with the citrus pulp.” (Rina)

“We’ll be eagerly awaiting your return. That’ll be 755 yen, including the customization.” (Haruto)

“I’ll pay with card.” (Rina)

“Thank you very much. Please insert your card here.” (Haruto)

“Mm, here you go.” (Rina)

After being politely guided to the card reader, she lightly nodded and inserted the card inside.

(I want to treat him to something for all his hard work but…)

If his stomach hurts, being treated might end up being more of a hassle than a favor. That can’t be helped.

It was just bad timing… Feeling slightly disappointed, Rina finished the payment and moved to the waiting area.

After a short while, the same staff returned with the drink in hand.

“Thank you for waiting. Here’s your Peach Frappuccino.” (Haruto)

“Wow! It looks good! Thank you so much~!” (Rina)

Rina took the Frappuccino from the staff and prepared to head out.

“Well then, bye-bye, onii-san! Good luck with your work!” (Rina)

“Yes! Thank you very much! We look forward to your next visit!” (Haruto)

She waved goodbye to the polite staff and as she was leaving the store, she quickly checked her phone to check something she was curious about.

(Positive word-of-mouth really does make a difference…)

Looking up the store she just visited, there was a total of 123 reviews. With a surprising average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Checking the reviews, as expected—there are many high ratings that seem to be referring to the staff member she just encountered.

There are also reviews stating ‘I’ll definitely be coming back!’ and ‘I’ll be a regular!’

Indeed, customer service and streaming are quite similar.

“Hmm. If that guy went streaming with that kind of skill, I could see him becoming popular.” (Rina)

Rina unintentionally let out her thoughts while bringing the straw to her lips.

“…Huh?” (Rina)

Then, she noticed something written on the container.

When she turned the cup around to read it…

[Have a wonderful day ahead! I’m rooting for you!]

There was such a message accompanied by a cute illustration.

“Hm… Hmm!? ‘Rooting for you’… Me… He knew!? Seriously!? Also, this is delicious!” (Rina)

The shock of the revelation and the deliciousness of the Frappuccino caused her mind to blank out.

(…And this illustration… A cute alien? Jellyfish?)

The quirky and incomprehensible illustration further clogged up her thoughts.

“…” (Rina)

As she tried to clear her mind, she took another sip of the Frappuccino, blinking repeatedly.

(…If he knew about me, that means he probably also plays ABEX. I wonder what rank he is… It would be great if I could play with him…)

While she wished that he could send her a message on Twitto, someone who writes down messages in such a roundabout way and respects her privacy wouldn’t do such a thing.

The only thing way she could make progress was to go back to the store next time.

(…Hihi, oh well. I can talk about this when streaming. Maybe I should name it ‘The Jellyfish Experience’ or something like that.)

With that, she quickly switched gears and shook off any lingering thoughts.

Not only was the customer service exceptional, but the fact that the staff considered her privacy made her happy.

(I’ll tell Ayacchi about the nice staff I met today!)

With a cheerful mood, Rina headed home with those thoughts in mind.

∮

As time passed, it was now 8 p.m., with the moonlight illuminating the streets.

“Now then, let’s see…” (Rina)

In her stylish and clean soundproof room filled with Axcis Crown merchandise and sponsored products, Rina, whose voice resonated like musical notes, reported on Twitto that she had set up a waiting room¹ and was preparing for her stream.

First, a quick tidying of her room. Then, a light touch of makeup.

Rina was one of the rare few in the industry who had grown her channel through the inclusion of facecams.

Since she constantly showed her appearance against the backdrop of her room, she had to pay attention to her appearance and her surroundings.

And then—

“Oh, right, I almost forgot.” (Rina)

She tested the camera she would use for the livestream. After checking the angle, she hurriedly adjusted it such that the sponsored products were facing forward.

“Alright, this should be fine.” (Rina)

Once she finished preparing her surroundings, she sat in her gaming chair and opened a drawer.

“Hmm… Today, I’ll need these.” (Rina)

She took out two items: a notepad and a five-color ballpoint pen.

The notepad contained a list of topics to discuss during the stream. As she thought about new topics, she added them to the list to remind her to talk about them that day.

The most important thing for Rina during her streams is her motto to deliver as many topics as possible to her viewers.

To avoid awkward moments, she made sure to minimize periods of silence.

This was something she had been conscious of since the day she started streaming—so it was surprising when…

(Who would have thought there would be someone else doing the same thing as me…)

Even the troublemaker of the ABEX community, known as “Oni-chan”, had been creating scripts and doing similar things.

While Oni-chan’s streaming style was completely different from hers, the fact that they shared the same mindset naturally evoked a sense of respect.

Thinking about him brought forth more and more thoughts.

(Actually, I don’t think someone who can do this needed to rely on acting toxic as their selling point…)

[Continuous effort to entertain viewers will eventually be rewarded.]

If someone were to call this “idealistic”, there wouldn’t be much she could argue against, but Rina still believes in it.

“…For Aya to get involved to that extent, he must really be a good person. His streaming style really doesn’t match up.” (Rina)

As she sticks a notepad onto the wall, she unconsciously smiles.

She can say this because of the actions she’s observed from Aya so far.

This is especially evident during streamer gatherings or pro-gaming team gatherings she’s attended.

In stark contrast to her friendly demeanor during collaborative streams, Aya was known to cling to female acquaintances, including Rina.

Even if circumstances led to a one-on-one interaction with males, she quickly showed a knack for escaping, like playing tag, and immediately returned to her female friends.

Even if invited to hang out by popular colleagues of the opposite sex in the industry, she would always decline without hesitation.

Her overly cautious nature, which was influenced by her all-girls school background, became apparent only when meeting her face-to-face, but she seemed to have no issue getting along with Oni-chan.

From this, it was clear that Oni-chan was a person who was not the “toxic” person he made out to be outside of streaming.

“Fufu, well, I really resonate with Oni-chan’s approach.” (Rina)

For streamers, it’s crucial to have their own unique strengths, to solidify their character.

To stand out among many others. To leave a lasting impression.

Oni-chan must have thought about these two things when he chose to go down the path he did.

And—Rina, too, has carefully considered her impactful strengths and created her character accordingly.

With a flashy appearance, plenty of romantic and adult experiences. Any such consultations were no big deal to her.

…At least, that’s the fabricated persona she created.

“…Alright, maybe it’s time to get to work.” (Rina)

Glancing at the clock, there are five minutes left before the start of the stream.

Normally, she would wait until the remaining time passed, but Rina decided to start her stream earlier to help establish her character.

“Ahem. Alrighty, everyone, sorry to keep you waiting!” (Rina)

As soon as her voice and face appear—

Comment: [She’s hereee!]

Comment: [Hoorayyyyy!]

Comment: [Nice early stream!]

Comment: [She’s starting early again lol]

Comment: [You’re cute today too!]

A flood of viewer comments streams in, and she continues to speak while reading them.

“Well, I just couldn’t wait until the reserved time~ Oh yeah, that’s right. For everyone who waited early, I’ll show you something special.” (Rina)

From now until the start of the main stream, she always created this kind of private time.

Standing up from her gaming chair and showing her whole body to the camera, Rina displayed the mini-bottom² attire she wore for this stream.

“Wasn’t it been a while since I showed off my legs? And, isn’t this super cute? I’m confident enough that I could wear it for a fashion contest.” (Rina)

As she extended both hands lightly to her viewers, there were immediate reactions.

Comment: [Oh, legs!]

Comment: [Your legs were too beautiful.]

Comment: [Thighs… that’s nice.]

Comment: [Ecchi.]

Comments flooded in, touching only on her body and not mentioning the fashion.

From past experiences, this reaction was expected—and it was something she had intentionally aimed for.

“Heh. It’s because you guys make such naughty comments so quickly that you can’t graduate.” (Rina)

As she lightly dismissed it, she returned to her gaming chair and received passionate comments like “Let us graduate with Rina-chan!”

“Hmm? You want to graduate with me? Well, if I feel like it, maybe it’s not a bad idea. Clumsy people are cute in their own way.” (Rina)

She smirked as she responded, causing a surge of excitement in the comments.

“Well, I don’t have time to entertain everyone individually.” (Rina)

And so, just as planned, Rina spent her time leading up to the main stream establishing her character firmly as she intended.

Then, two hours into the stream, she took a break.

“Ah, right, right. By the way, did everyone try the new Peach Frappuccino at the café? I tried it, and it was seriously good. By the way, I got them to draw something for me. Take a look at this… Isn’t it cool?” (Rina)

Bringing up this topic, Rina shows the cup she finished drinking from on the stream.

Comment: [LOL]

Comment: [What’s with that drawing lol]

Comment: [It’s certainly unique.]

Comment: [The barista who drew that is cute HAHA]

Comment: [Wait, isn’t Rina-san just showing off lol]

At that moment, comments started flooding in.

“Hey, hold on everyone. Isn’t this cute? You don’t need to laugh so much.” (Rina)

She continues to enjoy bantering with her viewers.

Little did Rina know, one of her teammates who happened to stumble upon the stream was staring in shock at the unique illustration.

---

Thanks for reading!

That didn’t last long, Aya found out within the same day lol.

I’ve never heard of the anology that streaming and customer service are similar before. Well, customer service and streaming are definitely similar in that you get bullied by strangers.

I said before that this illustration was latte art, but I’m obviously wrong since the cup is empty. I have no idea what it is anymore.

I was also going to make a comment about Rina’s streaming style, but you know what, I won’t.

---

1. Waiting room is where viewers are directed to before the stream starts.
2. No idea what’s a mini-bottom, but it was in the raw. I think it’s just one of those short pants or something.

The setting remained unchanged, within the same living room.

“Mattaku, you should have told me that you haven’t eaten before coming, Ayacchi. I’ll go whip up something for you right away.” (Rina)

Standing in the neat and tidy open kitchen was Rina, who was rhythmically handling a knife.

And peeking out from the back of the sofa was Aya, who responded with a pleasant smile.

“I appreciate you trying to help clear all my baked food, but filling your stomach with just those is tough, isn’t it?” (Rina)

“Um, well… I just wanted to respond to Rina-san’s SOS as much as possible…” (Aya)

“It’s nice of you to say that.” (Rina)

Rina continued to skillfully move her hands while brightening her voice.

“Well, we’re teammates so feel free to rely on me more, okay? That way, I can talk about it during my stream.” (Rina)

“By the way, every time Rina-san does that, I get messages like ‘It’s unfair that you get homemade food!’ or ‘I wish I was in that position!’!” (Aya)

“Hehe, well, it’s a kind of trade-off, but feel free to also bring up my topics during your streams anytime.” (Rina)

“Thank you!” (Aya)

With a four-year age gap between them, as both a teammate and senpai, Rina plays a big-sister-like role to Aya.

“I’ve been wondering for a while now, but Rina-san is really talented. You can stream and cook by yourself. Meanwhile, I just buy ready-to-eat food from the supermarket or use Uber Eats for my meals.” (Aya)

“Actually, I think that’s the most reasonable lifestyle for you, Ayacchi. You’re attending university and streaming at the same time, so you don’t really have time to cook, right?” (Rina)

“Yeah… but…” (Aya)

“Well, I understand that you want to be able to treat someone to your homemade meals, especially when you’re interested in him.” (Rina)

“…!” (Aya)

The moment these words were thrown at her, Aya’s eyes widened and she withdrew her face from the sofa.

“Oh, right. Putting that aside…” (Rina)

“Y-Yeah?” (Aya)

Feeling like the conversation had returned to a safe topic, Aya once again popped her neatly arranged face back into view.

“When you first interacted with Oni-chan, didn’t you get a message from Chiyo-san? Our team has sponsors, so there’s this concern about public perception, right?” (Rina)

Given that Aya was still interacting with Oni-chan, it goes without saying that their interaction wasn’t really seen as a problem. However, for Rina, who wanted Oni-chan to participate in the streamer tournament, she wanted to know the owner’s intentions and how to handle the situation.

“Well, actually, right after I matched with Oni-chan for the first time, I immediately contacted the owner. Even though it was just a coincidence, some people might misunderstand and think otherwise.” (Aya)

“Oh, that’s smart risk management. What did she say?” (Rina)

“I got a reassuring reply. ‘No matter what happens, I’ll protect you, so feel free to keep doing what you’re doing.’ She also said ‘I’m expecting great things from you, just like from Rina-san.'” (Aya)

“Eh, seriously!?” (Rina)

“Yeah!” (Aya)

At this moment, Rina’s hands stopped while cooking.

Even if she never heard it herself, being complimented by the owner, whom she’s indebted to, made her happy.

Moreover, this reminded her of the owner’s consistent stance on protecting the members while letting them grow. This made her feel grateful to be part of the team.

“By the way, I’ve been exchanging emails with Oni-chan for a while now, and we’ve even become mutual followers on social media. After every match we played, I would also receive a very polite message saying, ‘I was just playing my character!’ It reminded me of how nice of a person he was.” (Aya)

“I see.” (Rina)

With a smirk, Rina resumed moving her hands.

Aya is being Aya, while Chiya, the owner, is responding in a way that’s typical of herself.

It’s probably because they trust each other that they’re able to handle things this way.

Also, thanks to Chiya not restricting contact with Oni-chan, Aya was able to maintain her relationship with him, which in turn, helped to grow both of their channels.

This also has the side effect of spreading awareness of their team as a whole.

Currently, Aya, who belongs to Axcis Crown, is the only one deeply involved with Oni-chan, who’s growing at an extremely fast pace.

“If that’s Chiyo-san’s stance, it might come down to the management’s decision… Perhaps the management is curious about how far Oni-chan will push the boundaries, so if we understand that, it might really work out.” (Rina)

“Rina-san is really serious about getting Oni-chan to participate in the tournament…” (Aya)

“Of course. And, since it’ll be Oni-chan’s first tournament, he’ll get a lot of attention from viewers and other streamers, right? His inexperience might be on full display.” (Rina)

“… ” (Aya)

At this question, Aya, with a puffy thought bubble floating above her head, seems to have no trouble imagining the situation, especially since she knows Oni-chan’s real identity as Haruto.

She can easily picture his high-pitched voice, his nervous fidgeting with the mouse cursor, and even his tendency to drink a lot from nervousness and make frequent trips to the bathroom.

“Hehe, that could be a bit of a problem…” (Aya)

“A problem?” (Rina)

She utters these words with a hint of agreement.

“Well, if Oni-chan becomes even more popular, it might be really hard to schedule collaborations with him in the future…” (Aya)

“Oh, don’t worry about that! It’ll be fine!” (Rina)

“Huh?” (Aya)

Seeing Aya let out a dumbfounded sound, Rina responded in her usual excitement.

“If it comes down to that, I’ll collaborate in your place!” (Rina)

“Why?!” (Aya)

“Nihihi.” (Rina)

Naturally, Aya exploded with an outburst of retort.

After finishing Rina’s homemade food and chatting for about two hours, and…

“Rina-san, thank you so much for today! Thanks for sending me off!” (Aya)

“Oh, don’t worry about it! You can come over anytime. Even if it’s just to eat, you’re always welcome here.” (Rina)

“Yeah! Then, I’ll continue to rely on you!” (Aya)

“Sure!” (Rina)

This exchange takes place in front of Aya’s apartment building entrance, where she lives alone.

“Ayacchi, are you going to stream now?” (Rina)

“Yeah! I’m gonna stream like crazy!” (Aya)

“You seem unusually fired up.” (Rina)

The reason for glossing over the word ‘streaming’ is primarily to prevent any risk of revealing personal information.¹

The risks of such exposure have been extensively explained by the agency.

“That’s right! After eating Rina-san’s cooking, I feel even more empowered!” (Aya)

“Got it. Well, in that case, let’s not waste energy here—” (Rina)

“—Huh? I’m not that weak!” (Aya)

“Nihihi, well, in that case, I won’t forgive you if you throw the game later. Just kidding~” (Rina)

With a smirk and a wink, Rina skillfully deflects the conversation, acknowledging Aya’s response while gently redirecting it.

“Well then, Ayacchi. Good luck with your work.” (Rina)

She probably wanted to stream as soon as possible.

Without waiting for a response, she waves goodbye.

“—Oh, bye! Take care on your way back, Rina-san!” (Aya)

“Yep! Thanks!” (Rina)

Responding firmly to Aya’s last words, Rina continues to wave as they part ways.

She lifts her black mask and adjusts her cap, then heads home.

“Fuu. This is still inconvenient, huh… Celebrities must have it even worse.” (Rina)

She murmurs to herself with a wry smile, walking alone.

A professional gamer whose name is known to anyone who’s played ABEX, and whose prowess with support characters is frequently discussed among players of the game.

Affiliated with the major gaming team Axcis Crown, is “Ac_RiNa.”

Not only is she talented at the game, but her streaming style, usually with a face cam, consistently draws an average viewer count of five digits.

Because of her large fanbase, Rina hides her appearance when she goes out.

(…Well, my current lifestyle happened because I showed my face, so I can’t really regret it.)

After graduating high school, Rina entered the world of streaming while working a job.

At first, nobody watched, but ever so gradually, Rina started gaining viewers and was able to build momentum after switching her streaming style to include a face cam.

As a result, she was eventually able to focus on streaming full-time.

(If I showed my past self the current number of subscribers I have, she’d be so surprised… Hehe.)

Feeling somewhat nostalgic about those days, Rina continued walking, but then, she suddenly stopped.

“…” (Rina)

At that moment, what she remembered was an advertisement she had seen on Twitto this morning.

It was a promotion for the limited-time release of the “GOROGORO Peach Frappuccino” starting today at the café.

As a peach lover, this advertisement caught her eye, so she immediately pressed the like button and checked out the details of the product. It was something she wanted to try.

“Wow… I should have remembered this sooner. If I had, I could have gone with Ayacchi…” (Rina)

She mumbled, raising one eyebrow while scratching her head under her cap.

Aya had already declared that she was going to go streaming and with her genuinely straightforward nature, she was probably in the middle of her preparations.

Inviting her now would undoubtedly be rude.

(Well… on the bright side, the café is nearby, and there shouldn’t be many people at this time.)

Rina didn’t often go to cafés, so going alone made her feel a bit uneasy, but she had already set her eyes on the Peach Frappuccino.

“Alright, let’s go.” (Rina)

Without further ado, she spun halfway around and started walking towards a book café.

(This might be a little indulgent, but… I’ll work hard on tonight’s stream to make up for it.)

Rina, who usually enjoyed pleasing acquaintances, friends, and viewers more than indulging herself, often spent her money on the former.

For this reason, her first thought was, “I’ll make sure to share my thoughts on the drink during the stream.”

This was a mindset she always had and such awareness has helped her build a large fanbase.

About ten minutes of walking later, Rina arrives at the café she was looking for.

As expected for the time of day, the interior of the café was empty, just as she had predicted.

(Alright, this works out.)

Adjusting her hat once again, Rina enters the café, eyeing the poster advertising the Peach Frappuccino.

“Welc…come…!” (?)

(Hmm?)

She immediately hears a friendly greeting from the staff behind the counter.

(That was… a weirdly long greeting… Did something happen? I don’t think I’ve been recognized, but…)

For a moment, a bad feeling creeps in, but she’s confident in her disguise. There must be another reason for the hesitation.

After all, Rina has only been recognized once before, and that was at the ABEX LEGENDS Pop-up Store, a shop related to ABEX.

With her own experiences and her disguise, she can’t afford to be overly self-conscious all the time.

(Now that I think about it, stylish places like this always seem to have good-looking staff… They practically scream ‘taken’ or something.)

With these thoughts in mind, Rina straightens up and approaches the staff at the counter with a friendly smile.

“Good afternoon!” (?)

“Uh, um, good afternoon~” (Rina)

(He’s so friendly… and he’s smiling like crazy. Aya would totally be into this type, huh? Well, he must be a popular staff member.)

The staff, who wearing a name tag that reads “Haruto”, is beaming with such a sparkling smile that it seems like something good must have happened to him. The manager definitely put him at the register to attract more customers.

“Will you be dining in or taking out?” (Haruto)

“Oh, takeout.” (Rina)

“Got it! When you’re ready to order, please let me know.” (Haruto)

“Um… I’ll have the GOROGORO Peach Frappuccino in regular size.” (Rina)

“The regular size Peach Frappuccino, got it! Would you like any specific customizations?” (Haruto)

“Ah… uhh… I’m not really familiar with that kind of stuff. Do you have any recommendations, onii-san?” (Rina)

(If I’m going to buy it, I want to enjoy it to the fullest. It costs 700 yen, after all.)

Even when indulging, Rina doesn’t want to waste a single yen.

Despite earning a significant income from her streaming career, Rina’s mindset hasn’t changed from her past when it comes to things like this.

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Thanks for reading!

Yep, she’s a regular face-cam streamer and not a VTuber. I think this is the first time they confirmed it.

I’m not entirely sure of the structure of a competitive team, but I guess Chiyo is the leader, and there’s another management entity somewhere above her…?

I was busy playing Star Rails v2.2 and I can safely say that I have no idea what is happening in the story. Like 3 people supposedly died, but no one actually died? Maybe I should stop skipping through the text.

On the bright side I got Robin so yay!

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1. Lost in translation. They said it in some vague way, but idk how to translate that over. Tbh, I’m pretty sure Aya and MC has talk about streaming in public before, so this kinda doesn’t hold up…?