《Shitenno-kun!? Th-this is not what it looks like!?》
《S-stay with me, Shitenno! It''s okay, the wound is still shallow!?》
Shitenno was staring intently at my neck.
Panicking, I quickly rewrapped my scarf to hide the hickey while making excuses.
Even I could tell that after a confession, it was clear she had feelings for me.
I thought I should be a bit considerate… But then, he justughed.
《Hey, hey, what are you panicking for? It’s just a prank by that roommate of yours, right? I can tell. You two get along well.》
《Huh? Well, yes, that''s true… but… huh?》
Unexpectedly, Shitenno was calm.A bit anticlimactic, but if that’s how it is…
《Y-yeah, that''s right. It-it''s definitely just that. R-really, it is…》
Shitenno was sweating like a waterfall, his legs were shaking like a newborn deer, and his eyes were looking in different directions.
Not okay at all!?
《Iroha has a guy? A boyfriend? That''s ridiculous. This must be a dream. It''s not real. Yes, my dream was to be a butterfly. To flutter away somewhere far…》
《Shitenno-kun, calm down!?》
《Shitenno, that’s not your dream at all!?》
《Ahh! Copse~》
《Sh-Shitenno-kun!?》《Sh-Shitenno!?》
Shitenno fainted as if his brain had been shattered.
He was taken away by an ambnce and left school early.
…Is it still called "leaving early" if you leave before first period?
Well, putting that aside.
《Uh, anyway… I''m really sorry.》
Somehow, things got out of hand.
I’d react the same way if my favorite VTuber were in that situation, so I understand how he feels.
It''s partly my fault, and American ambnce rides are expensive. I guess I’ll cover the cost.
…But, I could use that money for super chats or gacha rolls.
No, I feel bad for Shitenno…
Next time we meet, I’ll properly “apologize”! Yeah, that’s good!
***
The next day, I was prepared.
I thought he’d be bedridden for a few days, but Shitenno came to school right away.
《Hey, good morning, Iroha! It''s a refreshing morning, isn''t it! Ha ha ha!》
《….G-good morning?》
《Ah, good morning! Morning, everyone!》
For some reason, Shitenno was excessively energetic.
Is he really okay? Did his character change?
The girls gave me questioning looks, but they just shook their heads.
So, I spoke to him myself.
《Um, sorry about yesterday? But it really wasn’t “like that”, okay?》
《…Yesterday? Iroha, you say funny things! Nothing happened yesterday!》
《Oh…》
I realized. Shitenno had lost his memory due to the shock…
Thinking for a moment, I nodded deeply.
《Yeah, nothing happened yesterday!》
《Exactly! Ha ha ha!》
《Oh, by the way, Iroha-chan… no, Master Iroha, I need your advice. If the person you like has another ‘lover’…》
《Gah!? My head is splitting!?》
Upon hearing the girl’s words, Shitenno clutched his head in agony.
Was that question intentional?
《…So, this is what''s happening, Master Iroha. It feels like the difficulty level just went up, don’t you think?》
《W-well, even if you ask me…》
《Yeah, really, what should I do from now on》
The girl seemed to have a hard time.
I don’t know what difficulty she was talking about, but… good luck.
***
That night, after the Halloween chaos settled.
An email arrived at my work address.
“…It’s finally here”
I muttered, looking at the message.
At the same time, multiple messages popped up on LIME.
[Iroha-chan! The time has finallye!]
[Iroha-chan~, I heard from my sister! It’s finally happening!]
[Iroha-sama, did you get the message!? Let’s have a meeting today or tomorrow…]
As I was replying in the living room, Angu Ogu burst out of her room.
She was about to shout… but then stopped and said solemnly.
《It’s finally happening, Iroha…》
《…Yeah…》
***
A few dayster, the information was announced by each agency.
At Angu Ogu’s agency, a live broadcastbeled [Important Announcement] was held.
The VTuber host spoke with a serious expression.
“Everyone, we have an announcement. Please listen carefully. Guess what! Finally…!”
“The ‘VTuber International Event’ will be held again!”
?Whoa!? Seriously!?
?The one that was canceled because of that incident!?
?Amazing! I’ve been waiting for this!!
Thement section exploded.
SNS was filled with surprised reactions, and it instantly trended worldwide.
Yes, therge-scale VTuber event was finally being held again.
Although, as performers, we had known about it for a while in preparation.
And the email yesterday was the notice to release the information.
…We’ve finallye this far.
“So, we’d like to invite a guest today. Ah, ah, can you connect?… Huh?”
A notification pinged on myputer.
To calm my nerves and excitement, I took a deep breath.
VTubers from all over the world would gather for a huge live event.
I went to America to see this, died, and was reincarnated…
It’s been a long journey.
Reflecting on everything that happened, I turned on the mic and greeted with my usual introduction.
“‘May my words reach you!’ Iroha the Trantor Girl here!”