After swiftly registering at the reception, we entered a private room. There, I could finally catch my breath. My tense body relaxed, and I let out a big sigh.
“Um… why are we suddenly here?” (Nozomi)
Yuki, who had been quietly following me until then, finally asked the question. …She’s really an angel for just letting it go like that for so long. Actually, considering the situation, I feel like I’ve done something really messed up…
“Ah, well… Actually—” (Keitaro)
As I was about to explain the situation, I stopped myself at the last moment.
I didn’t want to burden Yuki with unnecessary worries. Especially since she’s already dealing with the upcoming regional live starting tomorrow, I couldn’t afford to add to her mental stress by telling her that a reporter had been lurking around looking for her.
“Um… well, actually, I just remembered that it’s not a good time to go to my house right now. You see, um… my dad is bedridden!” (Keitaro)
“Really!? Is your dad feeling unwell!? Shouldn’t we go visit him—” (Nozomi)
“Nah, it’s not like that! He just drank too much. My old man’s really something, always causing trouble with his drinking. Hahaha!” (Keitaro)
So, I decided to sacrifice my dad for this. Anyway, I couldn’t possibly bring Yuki home while there’s a photographer lurking around.
…Even though my dad doesn’t drink or smoke. It’s all for the sake of my idol, I’m sorry…
“I just remembered it out of the blue, so I thought we could hang out here instead. …Um, sorry for the sudden change of plans.” (Keitaro)
It was a lame excuse, but desperate times call for desperate measures. When I explained it like that, Yuki accepted it without question, but I still felt really bad about it.
“Then it can’t be helped, right? This is actually my first time in a net cafe.” (Nozomi)
Yuki, who was looking around the private room with curiosity, suddenly seemed to notice something. Her face turned red for some reason, and she started sending glances my way.
“What’s wrong?” (Keitaro)
“Um… it’s just that, being in a net cafe together after school feels kind of like a date…!” (Nozomi)
And with that sudden bombshell statement, I felt like my blood vessels were about to burst from my head.
A-A-A date!? I mean, sure, now that she mentions it, the situation does kind of give off that vibe, but…! Th-there’s no way Yuki and I could be, um, having a date! I mean, that’s just not possible, right!?
“Oh! S-sorry! I just blurted out what I was thinking…! I mean, there’s no way I could go on a date with Kei-kun, right…!?” (Nozomi)
“N-No, it’s the opposite!” (Keitaro)
Wh-what are you saying!? Clearly, the order is supposed to be reversed! It’s me who’s supposed to be incapable of going on a date with Yuki! I mean, first of all, this isn’t even a date, okay!?
We both turned bright red and looked down in embarrassment. The atmosphere around us felt incredibly awkward and, well, my head felt like it was going to boil.
“R-right! I-I have something I want to give you, Kei-kun… Here, take this.” (Nozomi)
In the midst of that, Yuki spoke up with a bright voice, as if she were trying to change the subject, and handed me a paper bag from her bag. Though her face was still a little red, it’s best not to dwell on it too much.
“Um, what’s this?” (Keitaro)
The paper bag she handed me was light, and it made a faint rustling sound. When I asked about its contents, Yuki just chuckled shyly and said, “Open it and see.”
“Are these… cookies?” (Keitaro)
Inside were rounded cookies emitting a delightful aroma. Upon closer look, I noticed they were chocolate chip cookies, with bits of chocolate sprinkled around.
“F-Feel free to eat it.” (Nozomi)
“Y-yeah, thank you. But, why did you give me this?” (Keitaro)
“Well, I actually planned to give it to you when I visited your house… I thought it might cheer you up a bit… ehehe.” (Nozomi)
Huh? S-so, this is… for me…?
Yuki went out of her way to give me cookies to cheer me up…?
…W-W-Wait a minute! Why does my heart feel all fluttery!?
Is it okay to be this happy!? Am I unknowingly cashing out all my luck!? Or worse, am I going to drown in debt from the amount of happiness I’m receiving!? And on top of that, these are from my oshi—
“I-I see, why chocolate chip cookies, though?” (Keitaro)
“Because, well, it’s Kei-kun’s favorite— …Huh!? M-Maybe I was wrong!? I’m so sorry…!” (Nozomi)
“N-No, you’re right, it is my favorite! But how did you know?” (Keitaro)
“Of course, I would know. You mentioned it yourself during your stream, didn’t you? There is no way I would forget something from your stream!” (Nozomi)
“Y-You remember everything? Really…?” (Keitaro)
“Of course! By the way, you mentioned liking chocolate chip cookies during the 12th LoF livestream, around 1 hour, 38 minutes, and 23 seconds in. It was right when you were waiting for the border to close, and at that moment, the damage you dealt was—” (Nozomi)
“Too much detail! Even the damage count!?” (Keitaro)
Yuki proudly retorts to my rebuttal, but seriously, that’s way too detailed…!
…But come to think of it, I do vaguely remember saying that. I always try to avoid silence during my streams. As someone who calls themselves a commentator, I decided from the start to keep the commentary going, even if there are zero viewers.
But well, of course, there aren’t always endless topics to talk about. There’s nothing to commentate during waiting times like when the border is closing. So, at such times, I talk about irrelevant things just to keep the conversation going, and I do vaguely remember mentioning my favorite snack.
…And Yuki remembered even such a casual remark.
Not only did she remember, but she also went out of her way to do something so heartwarming…!
“…Thank you for this.” (Keitaro)
I take a cookie from the bag and try it. The crisp texture and the sweet taste of the dough and chocolate spread throughout my mouth. It’s so delicious it makes me want to cry.
“…How is it? Does it suit your taste, Kei-kun…?” (Nozomi)
“It’s really delicious. Seriously, it’s amazing.” (Keitaro)
“I’m glad…! I made it in a hurry, but I’m glad it turned out well.” (Nozomi)
…Huh!? T-This was homemade by Yuki!?
Eating your favorite snack made by your oshi is like a dream come true!
The delicious chocolate chip cookie was the epitome of perfection, and I savored each bite, engraving it into my memory as much as possible. At the same time, a question that has been on my mind for a long time floats to the surface.
It’s something I’ve always wanted to ask. Perhaps now is the opportunity.
“…Um, Yuki, why do you support me so much?” (Nozomi)
It’s quite a silly question. You don’t really need a reason to support your oshi. Just because you ‘like’ them is good enough.
“Huh? Well, of course, it’s because I like you… Ah!? N-No, not in a weird way! I-I’m not thinking of such things!” (Nozomi)
No, I’m the one feeling awkward here, you know? …Anyway, Yuki’s answer was as straightforward as it could be. It’s a question that doesn’t even need to be asked.
Certainly, that’s true. It’s a matter that can be summed up in just one word. …But, while the reason might be that simple, the catalyst behind it is not. Something must have happened for her to start supporting me.
I felt the same way. There was a catalyst for why I started supporting Yuki. So, there should be one for her too. Asking about it was definitely crossing some boundaries, but I couldn’t help but ask. After all, this homemade chocolate chip cookie was so delicious that it temporarily blew away any reservations I had.
“Sorry, but… I wanted to know what made you start supporting me.” (Keitaro)
“How it started?” (Nozomi)
“Yeah. I have a reason why I started supporting you, so, I wondered if you had something similar… Oh, of course, you don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to.” (Keitaro)
“H-How Kei-kun started supporting me!? I-I want to know!” (Nozomi)
“Oh, it’s nothing much, really…” (Keitaro)
“Still, I want to know! I’ll tell you mine, so is it okay if I ask about yours too?” (Nozomi)
When I nodded, Yuki cheered softly and then sat down in her chair.
Come to think of it, I realized I had been standing the whole time, so I took a seat as well.
“My catalyst was… um, it’s a little embarrassing to say. But, I first learned about Kei-kun when I was feeling down.” (Nozomi)
“Feeling down… Is that something you’re okay with sharing? Of course, I won’t tell anyone.” (Keitaro)
“Yeah, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s just that when I first learned about you, I was starting to feel anxious about my idol activities.” (Nozomi)
“Huh?” (Keitaro)
Yuki started speaking in a casual tone, but right from the start, I was surprised.
…Yuki feeling anxious about her idol activities? I’ve never heard such a thing before.
The genius diva feeling anxious…?
“Hey, what’s wrong, Kei-kun?” (Nozomi)
“…N-nothing. Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up such a heavy topic…” (Keitaro)
“Oh, it’s not like that! It’s not as heavy as it sounds, really! It’s just that I started feeling a bit overwhelmed by the responsibilities of being an idol.” (Nozomi)
“That’s a really heavy topic, though!?” (Keitaro)
Yuki was smiling, but her words were undeniably heavy.
Yet, she didn’t seem to feel that way herself, continuing in a genuinely light tone.
“I really, really love singing. It’ll sound weird coming from me, but I feel like I was born to sing. Another thing I happen to love is dancing.” (Nozomi)
In a quiet tone, with a hint of her usual coolness returning, Yuki looked up at the sky as if recalling the past.
“When I was asked if I wanted to become an idol and I expressed my desire to sing, the producer said they could make it happen for me, so I trusted them and joined [Angel]. True to their word, I’ve been given ample opportunities to sing, and I’ve genuinely felt grateful for becoming an idol. I owe a lot to the producer.” (Nozomi)
As if reminiscing about that time, Yuki’s expression softened into a faint smile.
“At first, I was just thrilled to sing and have everyone listen to me, so I threw myself into idol activities without thinking about the details. It was incredibly fulfilling. …Of course, I still feel that way now.” (Nozomi)
“…But?” (Keitaro)
“But things changed. Not because of how others reacted, but because of myself.” (Nozomi)
For the first time, Yuki’s expression clouded slightly.
“The activities were going smoothly, and [Angel] was gaining popularity. …But one day, I started to notice the increasing popularity and was becoming gradually uneasy.” (Nozomi)
“Uneasy…” (Keitaro)
“Before live performances and such, I started feeling more and more nervous. It wasn’t the kind of nervousness I felt at the beginning, like ‘Can I do well?’… It was more like… How can I put it… I started wondering if things were really okay the way they were.” (Nozomi)
The moment I heard those words, my body reacted with a twitch.
“That’s… what do you mean by that…?” (Keitaro)
“Well, I can’t explain it well myself. But even though I started this because I loved it, I started wondering if it’s okay to have so many fans supporting me. I mean, I’m just doing what I love. But to receive so much praise and admiration for my singing, it makes me happy, but I started questioning if it’s okay.” (Nozomi)
“But you know,” Yuki continued, a gentle smile returning to her face.
“That’s when I discovered you, Kei-kun. Watching your streams made that nervousness and unease disappear… And before I knew it, I like you. That was the beginning of me becoming your fan.” (Nozomi)
Yuki finished speaking with a bashful smile.
However, I was unusually unable to admire that cuteness because of what Yuki just said…
“…It’s the same thing I’m feeling right now…” (Keitaro)
“Huh, what do you mean?” (Nozomi)
When Yuki heard the whisper that slipped out unintentionally, she leaned forward eagerly. I hurriedly shut my mouth, but it was too late. Yuki looked straight at me, her gaze unwavering.
“Kei-kun, there’s something bothering you, isn’t there? Is that why you seemed down recently?” (Nozomi)
“It’s not really a big deal…” (Keitaro)
“It might not be a big deal… but there’s still something bothering you, right? If so, I want to know. Just like how you’ve helped me, I want to be there for you, too.” (Nozomi)
I tried to deflect, but I couldn’t help but fall silent at her words.
Yuki was serious. Her genuine desire to help me came through loud and clear, and it shook me to the core. This was typical of her. She had a way of effortlessly breaking through people’s defenses. At this point, I couldn’t resist anymore. Was this the weakness of being a fan?
“…Don’t expect too much.” (Keitaro)
I found myself saying this before I even realized it.
Knowing that Yuki had similar worries certainly played a part, but honestly, I was just genuinely happy about Yuki’s feelings. In front of such an angel, a human can’t help but confess the truth.
So I spoke. But to be honest, it wasn’t some earth-shattering dilemma.
I was a small-time game streamer with single-digit subscribers, and suddenly I went viral, gaining popularity. I started feeling a vague anxiety about whether I could continue to live up to that popularity… That’s all.
However, there is also the situation of becoming popular through the support of a certain popular idol, VTuber, and cosplayer, who I also happen to be a fan of. It adds weight to even the smallest concerns. Now, even minor worries feel heavier when you feel like you have to meet the expectations of your oshis.
…Of course, I wouldn’t say that part in front of her, though.
“Well, anyway, compared to Yuki, my worries are completely insignificant in scale and seriousness, and it’s really not something to worry about.” (Keitaro)
I said it as Yuki was persistent, but as I heard myself saying it, I couldn’t help but feel astonished at how small it really was. I felt truly sorry for making Yuki worry over something like this.
However,
“That’s not true!” (Nozomi)
Yuki denied my thoughts with such force that I couldn’t help but fall silent, cut off mid-sentence by her overwhelming conviction.
“That’s not true! That’s a really serious concern! …Because, it means that your style of streaming might change in the future, right?” (Nozomi)
“Huh? Oh, yeah, well, that might happen, I guess? Depending on the number of subscribers.” (Keitaro)
“That’s not okay!” (Nozomi)
With tears welling up in her eyes, Yuki stared at me firmly and declared.
“That’s not okay! Changing your style means Kei-kun’s stream wouldn’t be Kei-kun’s stream anymore, right? Kei-kun, you’re precious just the way you are! There’s no need to change!” (Nozomi)
“W-Well, I mean…” (Keitaro)
“Moreover, Kei-kun shouldn’t worry about such things! Kei-kun is always smiling happily, full of confidence, encouraging others and that’s enough…! So worrying about something like that, that’s not like my Kei-kun!” (Nozomi)
“What’s with this imaginary Kei-kun!?” (Keitaro)
Facing Yuki’s sudden and extreme statement, I couldn’t help but genuinely retort.
…But really, can you blame me? What she’s saying is just too ridiculous!
Yet, despite my objections, Yuki kept insisting, repeating her point like a stubborn child. I couldn’t help but feel shocked in various ways, realizing that my oshi idol had such a troublesome side.
“Well, even if you say that, there are still people who wouldn’t think the same way…” (Keitaro)
“Those people don’t even like Kei-kun’s commentary to begin with!” (Nozomi)
Though I timidly attempted to argue back, Yuki firmly asserted her position.
“…I love Kei-kun’s commentary, I really do. Not just the commentary itself, but everything about it—the stories, the voice, just the whole style of the stream…! Kei-kun’s channel has given me so much of my strength. The words you said during the streams, they’ve really saved me from the bottom of my heart.” (Nozomi)
“…My words?” (Keitaro)
I had heard about how my commentary had supported Yuki before, but hearing that my words had saved her was news to me, so I instinctively asked for more details. In response, Yuki exclaimed, “I’ll show you the proof!” and started operating her PC, pulling up my archives.
“The words I’m talking about are from Kei-kun’s LoF live stream, around the forty-ninth minute and twelve seconds mark—” (Nozomi)
“But seriously, remembering that level of detail is just too much!” (Keitaro)
“Look, right here!” (Nozomi)
After locating the specific moment, Yuki clicked play. Suddenly, the lively tone of my voice filled the room.
“(—…So, that’s what I think. Doing what you love in your own way, that alone is something precious.)” (Keitaro)
…Oh, this is…!
I remembered. I vividly remember this moment. I definitely said those words. And it was something I truly believed.
The reason I came to feel that way was because of something that happened at that time.
“(So I’ll continue with game commentary as it is. After all, I love doing it. I’ll do what I like the way I like, so please continue to support me.)” (Keitaro)
“This!” (Nozomi)
Yuki stopped the playback there and pointed at the monitor with excitement.
“Did you hear that?! Those were Kei-kun’s words just now! They really encouraged me! ‘Do what you love in your own way’—I realized that singing is that for me, and it really helped me get back on my feet!” (Nozomi)
“No way…” (Keitaro)
I muttered in astonishment at Yuki’s words.
…What the heck? Can something like this even happen? Is it a coincidence? Fate? Either way, it feels like a divine pank. Because—
“…Hey, earlier, we talked about what prompted us to become fans of each other, right? I don’t think I mentioned my trigger for becoming a fan of you yet.” (Keitaro)
“Oh, right! I haven’t heard it yet! I want to know!” (Nozomi)
“It’s simple. The catalyst was one song. The song was called ‘BELIEVE’, the first song Yuki ever wrote lyrics for.” (Keitaro)
“…Huh?” (Nozomi)
As Yuki’s eyes widened in surprise, I continued.
“It was around the time when I had just started doing game commentary, but things weren’t going well. Despite my efforts, my views and subscriber count weren’t increasing at all. It was mentally tough, and I was starting to think about giving up. That’s when I came across ‘BELIEVE’ and listening to it… gave me the necessary strength.” (Keitaro)
I still vividly remember the emotions from that time. It was the first time I had ever experienced my body trembling from listening to music.
“That song, you know, it’s all about believing in hope for the future, right? Well, those lyrics really resonated with me at that time. They made me feel like I couldn’t give up like I had to keep doing commentary. That’s what sparked me to start supporting you, Yuki.” (Keitaro)
“….N-No way. That’s…!” (Nozomi)
It felt like a lie, yet it was the truth. Even I couldn’t believe it.
“And the live stream right after listening to that song? Well, that’s the one you just played. My voice sounded unusually lively that day for that reason. Yuki said earlier that my words gave her courage, but those words were like what I received from you, Yuki.” (Keitaro)
It’s really beyond just a twist of fate. It’s like a tangled web of connections. It’s kind of funny in a way.
I played that part once more. My voice sounded genuinely excited, and coupled with my attempts at sounding cool, I couldn’t help but feel like I was overdoing it a bit.
…But I really was alive back then, wasn’t I?
Remembering how I felt at that time, I felt a sudden warmth spreading through me, as if something had just settled comfortably in my stomach.
The anxiety that had been in my heart had disappeared without me realizing it. I felt strangely relieved, realizing that despite saying it wasn’t a big deal, I had actually been quite bothered by it. And to think that the answer to my worries was in my archive… It’s just ridiculous, I couldn’t help but laugh.
…It’s thanks to Yuki that I found this. Once again, she saved me. I guess I have no choice but to support her even more than before.
“But seriously, it’s amazing how you can remember such tiny details. Just how much do you support Kei?” (Keitaro)
I muttered to myself as I looked through the archive.
Even I, the one who uploaded it, don’t remember something like that.
“…Eh? Well, it’s only natural. After all, I remember everything. My feelings for supporting Kei-kun are just that strong.” (Nozomi)
Yuki, who had been absent-minded until then, seemed to snap back to reality with those words. She puffed out her chest a bit proudly.
“I see, that’s quite an honor. But when it comes to supporting someone, my feelings to support Yuki are quite unbeatable.” (Keitaro)
I couldn’t help but make such a competitive remark, having just decided to support her even more than before. Then, Yuki, showing an unusually determined expression, retorted,
“Sorry, but when it comes to being a ‘fan’, I won’t lose to anyone. No matter how much Kei-kun supports me, my feelings for supporting him are definitely stronger.” (Nozomi)
She seemed to get a bit worked up for some reason as she countered like that.
…Hey, hey, if we’re going down this route, even if it’s Yuki, I can’t just stay quiet and accept your statement. I won’t stand for anyone underestimating my support for Yuki, you know?
“That’s something I can’t just let slide. Sorry, but I’d like you to reconsider the notion that I’m losing when it comes to supporting my oshi.” (Keitaro)
“Oh, so you’re challenging my Kei-kun passion, huh?” (Nozomi)
Sparks flew between Yuki and me as we exchanged banter.
While enjoying Yuki’s rare defiant expression, I had no intention of backing down.
“I remember every single detail of Kei’s streams and social media posts. Think you can match up to that?” (Nozomi)
“I check out every show and video you appear in, and of course, I’ve memorized all your songs.” (Keitaro)
“Heh, that’s nothing compared to the amount of information I’ve gathered.” (Nozomi)
“And I’ve been buying up your merchandise like crazy. I’m pretty sure I’ve spent more money on you than any other high schooler out there!” (Keitaro)
“Hey, that’s not fair! Every time I try to send you money, you refuse to accept it!” (Nozomi)
“Well, I’m buying official merchandise, so it’s different. I’m not just handing over cash.” (Keitaro)
“Ugh…! That’s still unfair! Kei-kun, you should release your own merchandise too!” (Nozomi)
“Merchandise? I’m just a gaming YouTuber, you know!?” (Keitaro)
“There are lots of possibilities. A photo book of Kei-kun, a Kei-kun plushie… Oh, I’m confident I’d buy an infinite amount if those existed! For storage, for display, for spreading the word, for bathing, for curry…” (Nozomi)
“What’s with the curry one!?” (Keitaro)
“It’s for eating curry! I’d have a dedicated one just in case curry stains it!” (Nozomi)
“That’s too specific!” (Keitaro)
“——Anyway, that’s how much I support Kei!” (Nozomi)
“——That’s why I support Yuki even more!” (Keitaro)
And so, we continued our noisy argument about who supports whom more.
For a while, the room was filled with bickering, but eventually, it all came to a sudden stop.
“…Haha, what are we even doing?” (Keitaro)
“Hehe, you’re right.” (Nozomi)
Before long, we both started laughing without any particular reason.
“Haah… I never thought I’d exchange words like this with Kei-kun. Hehe…” (Nozomi)
After a good laugh, Yuki smiled happily and said so. I felt the same way. Having this kind of friendly argument with Yuki made me momentarily forget that she was my idol. That was a close one…
“Shall we head out soon?” (Keitaro)
Since it was time, we decided to leave the internet cafe.
As we were about to part ways outside the shop, I was suddenly called out from behind. When I turned around, to my surprise, it was the man with the camera strap from earlier. I felt like I was going to shout out loud. Could he be from a weekly magazine!? Was he… waiting for us!?
“Excuse me, I’d like to ask you something. Do you happen to know if there used to be a small shrine around here?” (Man)
“Huh? A shrine?” (Keitaro)
However, the man asked me with a friendly smile, not even glancing at Yuki.
“Yes, you see, I’m collecting local historical materials around this area.” (Man)
With that explanation, I could only respond with a bewildered apology, saying that I didn’t know.
“Hey, Kei-kun, what’s wrong? Was there something wrong with that man earlier?” (Nozomi)
After the man left, Yuki asked me such a question while I was gazing at his retreating figure.
I explained that I had mistakenly thought the man was a reporter interested in Yuki, but Yuki responded with:
“People like that don’t dress so obviously.” (Nozomi)
She said it with a chuckle after realizing that I was overthinking things.
“Yeah… you’re right. It was just a misunderstanding.” (Keitaro)
I laughed too. It was a laughter that felt like releasing pent-up tension from within.
…Yeah, it was just a misunderstanding. Everything was just my own assumptions.
Because my channel became popular, I thought I had to adjust my live commentaries accordingly, or I had to make better streams to meet the expectations of my fans, but all of that was just my assumption. As proof, no one actually told me to do any of those things.
In fact, it was quite the opposite. Yuki had said it herself. There’s no need to change.
Yeah, I just needed to be myself and continue doing what I love – game commentary.
“Hahaha” (Keitaro)
“Huh, what’s so funny? Did something happen?” (Nozomi)
Yuki tilted her head in confusion as I burst into laughter out of the blue.
Truly, Yuki was an angel of sorts. She guided even the lost sheep, like me, without me even realizing it. And she was adorable doing it.
Come to think of it, this was the second time Yuki had come to my rescue. How could I ever repay my angelic friend, who had helped me in so many ways?
“I have a question. Can you tell me what time the local live starts from tomorrow?” (Keitaro)
“Oh, sure… But why do you ask?” (Nozomi)
“Well, you know… Oh, and one more question. Has the anxiety you had before your live concerts completely disappeared now?” (Keitaro)
“Um… Well, I still get a little nervous, I guess. But, when that happens, I watch your videos, so I’ll be fine! Your streams are my source of energy!” (Nozomi)
Yuki answers, squeezing her fist tightly.
While that response itself is very appreciated, what caught my attention was the first part.
“But seriously, why are you asking me that?” (Nozomi)
As I was thinking about various things, Yuki asked me again.
…Well, isn’t it obvious?
“Because I’m a fan of yours, Yuki. I want to do what I can to help you.” (Keitaro)
I replied with just that, and then I engraved the live event start time she told me to my memory.
TL Notes:
Thanks for reading!
Honestly, my brain kinda melted when reading this. The word ‘support’ was used so many times that my brain got confused. Well, at least MC finally told Yuki about his problem.
If some things don’t make sense, it’s because I don’t understand them either.
Alright, 1 more part and epilogue left before I’m finally done with this LN.
Also, Sparkle is being released today or at least in Asia it is. Good luck to everyone for their pulls. My friend told me getting Sparkle was a waste, and yes I don’t really need her, but I want her xd
Footnote:
- None