《Language Cheat Reincarnation – Young Girl VTuber Saves the World》 Chapter 1: [The End and The Beginning] Chapter 1: [The End and The Beginning] This is a story about a reincarnated elementary school girl who is a VTuber. Lots of linguistic elements. "Please let me go to a VTuber''s live concert!" I was tied to a chair in an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere. Around me were men with guns in their hands. "Hey, you! +!" "Wah, waht?" "*" "Hup!" I don''t know what it is, but he''s really angry. Why am I in this mess? This morning I crossed the ocean because the firstrge-scale international VTuber event was to be held in the United States. I got lost on the way and ended up in a shady alleyway a while ago. I was hit on the head, passed out, and just came to my senses now. I don''t even know what time it is. Maybe the concert has already started. If so, I am in despair. "Way, English +" "Okay, *񡭡" The men were arguing about something. I couldn''t understand what they were saying at all. Maybe it was because they were talking too fast, or because they were using a lot of ng. I wish I had studied English more if this was the case. I usually watch English-speaking VTubers without understanding what they are saying. Still, it is fun. Even if I don''t understand a word, just watching their reactions, or just a few words at a time is enough to make me enjoy watching them. This is just an excuse. I once tried to study English to enjoy their streams more, but I failed in the end. Ah, how did I end up like this? Today is the day of their big event. It was supposed to be a happy day. "~*!" "*!" The men were giving off a swarthy vibe. I don''t know what it is, but I have a bad feeling about it. I want to hear their beautiful voices. "~* okay." They seem to have reached an agreement. One of the guys walks up to me. No way, they''re going to kill me! "Hey, Guy. You**." "No! Help me! I Am Japanese! Not Kill! Please!" "Okay, okay, *up* " "Stop it! Eh? What? Help me, will you?" He is trying to remove his shackles. It seems that he is going to release me. With relief, all of my strength drained from my body at once. Just as I exhaled a sigh of relief, another man pulled out a gun and pushed me between the eyes. Another man pulled out a gun and pressed it against my brow. It was only a moment. There was a dry roar, and a bullet smashed through my head. My precious parts are scattered in pieces. My vision slowly turned to the ceiling, and the entire chair I was strapped into fell over onto its back. Rapidly, my consciousness, my vision, ckened from the edges. Out of sight, men were arguing with each other. Is this the end of my life? The VTuber industry will continue to develop in the future. I can''t even see them through, and in the middle of the road like this? > > The sound of footsteps moving away from me. Someone had said it before. Someone once told me that in death, the only thing that remains until the very end is the sense of hearing. No, no. I see something. In my pitch-ck vision, I see a white figure. Is that? < I wished. Ah, angels. If ites true, please let me hear their live performance at the end. The bell rang. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "CRohaIroha! Wake up quickly, Iroha!" "Yes!" I jumped out of bed, startled by the voice shouting in my ear. An electronic wake-up rm sounded in the room. I hurriedly operated my smartphone to stop it. "Oh God, you''re finally awake! Mom''s going to work first. Make sure you lock the door properly, okay?" "Yeah, sure. Have a good day." "I''m off." I waved her off with a wave of my hand. The door to the room mmed shut, and I finally came to my senses. "What the heck? What''s going on? I''m supposed to be dead!" Or rather, wait. This voice, this room I mmed down and grabbed onto the fancy-looking mirror in the room. What was reflected there was a girl about the age of an upper elementary school student. "Nah, why am I a girl now?!" I''m a VTuber otaku, male, 30 years old. One life ended. And now, fancy lover, girl, an elementary school student. The curtain has risen on another life. Chapter 2: [First Time School Commuting] Chapter 2: [First Time School Commuting] "Ah, my head hurts." I carry my school bag on my back and dizzyingly make my way to and from school. My head is a mess. I''m sure I''m dead. My ego is a man. But I can''t remember my name or where I came from. My memory is also missing many other things. On the other hand, I can easily recall the memories of my life as a girl. I can''t remember what it feels like to be a girl, but I can remember what it feels like to be a man. "I feel like I''ve been dreaming for a long time. No, it''s more like a dream. I have no idea why I''m in this state. Did I be a ghost after I died and possess this girl? "But, well, that''s a minor problem! Yeah!" I put on my wireless earphones and let the music y. It''s a VTuber''s song feed. "Ah, happiness. I can''t believe I get to see a VTuber''s delivery again. I can''t believe I can listen to it. As long as I have this, I don''t care about the crowded trains every morning,te-night overtime work, or the current iprehensible situation!" I walk around while operating the smartphone in my hand. Can you say "Imadoki"? Even elementary school students seem to have smartphones. And from what I remember, they are allowed to bring them to school under the guise of contacting their parents. "As for me, I''m so thankful for it. Damn it, damn it, damn it. All the videos I''ve already watched are showing up in my rmendations. It''s hard to organize. Aaaaah! Heeeeyyyy!Advertisement? It''s an ad! It''s not premium!" I screamed as I navigated through the smartphone application for the video-sharing service "MyTube". Because I couldn''t remember the name of the ount I used in my previous life, I had to re-register from scratch. It''s a lot of work. I''ll have to register again as a premium user to get my human rights. But I don''t have a credit card! I have it in my wallet. I''m in elementary school, right? I''ll have to ask my mother to withdraw my New Year''s money. "Oh, shit, if I could remember. That would solve everything." Why are my memories of this and that slipping away? I can only vaguely remember when I died. Is this also called dissociative amnesia? While spinning these thoughts around and around, I keep moving my fingers at high speed. I was organizing my MyTube channel subscriptions, favorites, and rmendations (suggestions). At that moment, a voice called out to me from far away. "Hello, Iroha-chan, good morning! You can''t do that! It''s dangerous to walk on your phone~!" An elementary school girl runs up to me, saying. "Um, ? Ah. Good morning, Mai-chan." "Wait a minute, what''s that pause? Did you forget about Mai just now? "I remember, I remember. If I remember correctly, you''re Mai-chan, the one who''s good at two backward somersaults and two twists, right? "No! I can''t do that. I''m your childhood friend, Mai! Don''t forget!" Fluffy brown hair is reminiscent of a poodle. A girl with an air of pity about her. Mai clung to me with a pathetic expression on her face. I was taken aback. I was worried I might be in trouble because I was an adult male. Distance between girls is an eternal problem that adult men face. "Call me Mai as usual~!" "Oh, sorry, Mai." "Let''s go to school early. Everyone is already here." After being told, I peer into my back. There are children even smaller than her, Hinofumi. That is the meeting ce for going to and from school. "Huh? What happened to the crossing gs~? Iroha-chan is on duty today, right?" "gs?" "Why do you have such a nk expression on your face? Mai and the others are already in the sixth grade, right? You''re the oldest, you know? You have to be firm!" "Ahh, the g is that thing" I searched my memory, and I''m convinced. Wow, I miss it. Yeah, there was such a thing. One was where the upperssmen held a yellow g and led the underssmen to school in a group. "It''s not ah~''!" "It can''t be helped if I forgot. Okay, let''s go!" "Huh~! But, Iroha-chan, the teacher will get mad at you if you don''t get out of here! "It''s okay, it''s okay." Mai follows me, looking horrified as if she hadmitted some terrible crime. I smile at her. I understand. When you are a child, even a small mistake bes a terrible mistake. I thought the first step to bing an adult was to draw the line yourself. And you will eventually realize it. Surprisingly, there is no such thing as an irreversible mistake in the world. That''s about the only thing you could undo the life and death of a person. "" "What''s the matter? You seem a little strange today, Iroha-chan. Could it beC" A curious look. My heart jumped, this time in a different way. Children are perceptive in strange ways. An adult would dismiss the idea of a different person with a different mind. Mai put her mouth to my ear and whispered. "Could it beCconstipation? My sister has that look on her face when she can''t get out of the bathroom." "" "If you''re having a hard time, you can always tell me. I''ll help you, too." No, kids are idiots. As expected, elementary school sses were easy. P.E. was the hardest, and lunch was the most fun. Isn''t this almost the same impression as ordinary elementary school students? "What? Aren''t we going home yet?" "We haven''t had the homing party yet, have we? The teacher waste. I wonder what''s going on?" After a while, the homeroom teacher finally appears. "We''ve changed to a group dismissal today. Everyone, please line up in the schoolyard for each club group. There was a suspicious person in the area, so please do not go home alone." That''s what happened. The world has be a dangerous ce. I don''t like it. I''ll bring both of them tomorrow and return the other one. With these words, I headed home with the crossed gs in my hands. "I wonder if it will be all right. No bad people will appear, right? "You worry too much. If they do it, pull the buzzer and scream, and you''ll be fine. You guys don''t worry. Mai will take care of you if ites to that." "Mai is not that strong! Well, the chances of actually encountering a prowler are slim. The police would be patrolling the area, and it would be quicker for them to find me. As I was walking along thinking this, a shadow suddenly fell. I looked up at the person. Wow, big. So huge that I couldn''t see his face in the backlight. A man with an appearance so squidgy that you could tell just by his outline, was standing right in front of me. I was unintentionally rmed but changed my mind when I heard his voice. He seemed to be in real trouble. I timidly called out to him. Even so, when he was about to be caught by the police, I thought it was very easy to mislead people, so I deviated slightly from the school route. At this distance, it''s faster to go directly to the police box than 110. As I was about to start walking, I felt a tug on the hem of my dress. There was Mai, her teeth ttering. "Iroha-chan, are you okay? Isn''t he suspicious?" "Huh? He said it, didn''t he? It''s wrong. He seems to be in trouble, so I''ll take him to the police station." "Yeah, right? Are you sure he''s not a prowler? Iroha-chan, how do you know what he''s talking about?" "Heh? No, I know at least the phone." Is it possible that today''s children can''t get through unless they say "smartphone"? Can''t they get the message with a cell phone? "No, that''s not it. Because this guy C he''s a foreigner, right?" "Huh?" Perhaps from the relief of seeing a solution, the man raised his face, which had been downcast. What was there was an unmistakable Western face. It''s nothiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing! Somehow I hade to understand and speak English as if it were Japanese. Chapter 3: [Onee-chans Request] Chapter 3: [Onee-chans Request] As it was, the man was interpretedby me at the police station and met up with his friend. The problem was resolved without incident. Repeatedly He was sent off, and this time he went home. Mai was repeatedly amazed, saying, "You speak English", "I didn''t understand a word you said in English," and "When did you learn to speak so well?". "No, I wish I knew that!" I hold my head up in my bed at home. Because he died once? A brain anomaly? How did this happen? It''s not umon in otherworldly reincarnations to havenguageprehension cheats as basic give, but this is modern Japan. However, it seems that in my previous life, just before I died, I understood the men''s conversations. What on earth were they talking about when they attacked me? I think. "Ha!" I realized something and jumped out of bed. Oh no, no, no, no, no! No way! I hurried to operate my smartphone. My tapping fingers were too slow, too slow, too slow. "Hurry, hurry, hurry, here ites!" I opened the channel of my favorite English-speaking VTuber. With trembling fingers, I tapped on itstest video. <"Gurururu. Domo Zombie desu". I''m Angu-ogu!> "Here ites! Angu-ogu-chan is so cute! I know what you''re saying, I know what you''re saying!" Oh, thank you, God, Buddha, and angels! It was worth dying for! I can now enjoy the stream, which until now I could only enjoy by the atmosphere, with a proper understanding of the content. What happiness! "Angu-ogu-chan, you''re so much more of a cocky little brat than I imagined! But I like that!" I went crazy watching all the English-speaking VTubers'' videos and clippings. Since I couldn''t subscribe to the premium service due to my allowance, I went to battle the ads that kepting at me one after another. After watching a few or a dozen of them, my smartphone rang with the sound of Tententilo Tententen''. The caller was Mai. I silently hung up and returned to watching the video. Phone. Hang up. Watching. Phone call. Hang up. Appreciation. Phone "Oh my God! What!?" [Iroha-chan, you''re terrible! Why do you hang up so much?] "I''m busy watching videos. Okay, then." ["I (ore)"? Wait a minute! My sister wants Iroha toe over. She wants you to help her.] "Sis?" Mai and I, or rather, Iroha is a childhood friends. I also socialize with her family. Naturally, I know Mai''s sister well, but this is the first time something like this has happened. Help? What is it? [Please, right now, she said.] "Why don''t you just call me directly?" [Somehow, I don''t even seem to be able to afford that?] "Uh~ okay, I''ll go." It''s a hassle, but I have no choice but to go. Mai''s sister gives me allowance often, probably because she''s a little older than me. Instead of getting stuck here, it would be more time-efficient to go, help out, get paid, and sign up for MyTube premiums. With such a calcting mindset, I headed for Mai''s house, a three-minute walk away. I had no idea that this decision would change my destiny drastically. I was so surprised to see her house. I rang the doorbell of the house. With a click, click, click, the front door opens, and Mai appears. "Thank you, Iroha-chan, foring. My sister will be here soonC" Someonees running down the stairs, making a tremendous crashing sound with a drab tter and rumble. Then, "Gyan-fun!" and Mai is blown away, and a lone gal appears. "Kyaaaaaah~! I''ve been waiting for you~, Iroha chuwaa~!" "Goha!" She hugged me with tremendous force. I heard a thumping sound. It''s a wall. I feel like I''m being crushed by a wall. Her tits are small, and the ribs hit my head directly, and it hurts. It felt like I was being held in a vise. "Ah-nee~, that''s terrible!" "Oh, sorry, sorry." Finally, she released me, and her whole body came into view. Was the age just a hoot now? Permed hair, loosely worn LL size T-shirt, slightly gyaru-ish makeup. It''s a riajuu. There''s a riajuu here. "Gohohohoho, gohohoho "Ah-nee, "ohisa". "Long time no see, Iroha-chan. First of all,e in." "Sorry to bother you." "Wait onee-chan, don''t close the door~! I haven''t entered yet, onee-chan!? Onee-chan!?" Hearing her voice behind my back, I enter the house. I went straight up the stairs and led to her room. A pitiful voice had been following me from behind the whole time, but when I closed the door to her room, I suddenly stopped hearing it. "I don''t know what to say, but is it okay? Mai is [Huh, that''s a lie. Can you just let me in!? You''re not pretending!?] I think she was screaming." "Mai is really cute. The more you tease her, the more she shines~." "Are you an oni?" She said it with a big smile, and I couldn''t pick on him anymore. It would have been a different story if Mai was having a hard time with this, but she loves her sister. They are sisters who are closer than normal. "The atmosphere in the room has changed a lot, hasn''t it?" Iroha''s memory tells her that thest time she was in this room was more than a year ago. I think it was a more girly room then, not like this. "Isn''t it amazing? I had a contractore in and remodel it. You see, I also have soundproofed walls and doors. You can''t hear Mai''s voice at all, can you?" "Oh, yes, . Soundproofing? Come to think of it, the equipment around theputer is amazing too. Is it possible that Ah-nee is?" "Yes! I''m a streamer on MyTube right now!" "What? You''re not a NEET? "No, I''m not! I''m making a living on my own!" "That''s what aunt told me." Sheughed and said, "I thought I exined it to our mothers, but they don''t seem to understand". Sheughed and said, "Well, that''s okay.". "More importantly, Iroha-chan, can you speak English!? When did you learn it!? Can you speak now!?" "Well, I can, apparently, or something like that?" "That''s so vague. Mai told me you were fluent. Please! I need your help!" "Help you with what? There''s not much I can do." "Well, I need you to help me on stream!" " Yes? Yes? yes?" * * * * Here''s what Ah-nee''s story was. There was a cob nned with a MyTuber living in the US. The quiz content was to give hints in Japanese and English and to derive the answer bybining the two. The n was to have a streamer who could speak both English and Japanese participate as a questioner. But he said, "He couldn''t participate at a moment''s notice.", so we need a substitute. "Oh yeah! I tried to find a substitute, but it was too urgent, and everyone was too busy, and if I missed today, the next scheduled meeting would be in a month, so I couldn''t even move the date! "But is it okay for a newbie to suddenly join in with the stream? Does your coborator agree to this?" "Well? It''s just the beginning! But I''m sure it''ll work! He gave me a thumbs-up with a confident smile. Communications strength. Scary. "So, will you do it? I have the manuscript with me, but I haven''t read it because it would be a spoiler. How? Is that okay?" "Oh." She hands me the printed text. I flip through the pages and nod. "Yeah. Well, I can read it normally." Why can I read it? I know what it means, but I don''t understand why. "Good! Well then, please do! I''ll check with my coborator! They said okay!" "What?" "There''s only an hour left until the stream starts. I have to prepare a lot of things before then. I''m going to. Ah-nee''s facing the PC turned around in her gaming chair and turned to face me. "Do you have a favorite name?" Chapter 4: [The Elementary School Student Helper] Chapter 4: [The Elementary School Student Helper] Ah-nee has a name as a streamer, so she has nailed me never to call her by her real name. However, she said it was OK to call her "Ah-nee". "I use a name that starts with an A'' too." She said. So she wanted me to think of a name for myself, too, but I can''t think of anything. I have always been bad at this kind of thing. In the end, I decided to go with the same name as it is. I didn''t even give out myst name. Ah-nee asked me, "Are you sure you want to do this?" But it was just for this one time anyway. Besides, it''s not unusual for people to use their real names nowadays, so I guess it''s okay. Finally, five minutes before the stream started. I sat next to her and faced the spare microphone she handed me. "Here we go. Three, two, one, start !" At that moment, I thought, hmmm? What? I realized something ridiculous, but the stream had already started. If I speak up, I will be on the stream. And then, Ah-sis went. "How are you doing, everyone? I''m everyone''s big sister Anegasaki Anegasaki M'' desu" >>I love Anego! >>I love Anego! >>I love Anego! "I''m not Anego, I''m your nee-!" Thement section fills with emojis and identicalments, and Ah-nee puts in a tsukkomi. "And then ?" Two anime-style characters lined up on the stream screen. Ah-nee, you''re a VTuber. You''re friends with a Vtuber streamer, aren''t you? And she was one of the VTubers I''ve been watching. This greeting also unintentionally came out with the habit. It''s the worst, I have crossed the line. I''m disqualified as a fan. I saw the rmended 3D body. VTubers don''t have a person inside. There isn''t, but if I saw something equivalent to it, for better or worse, it would change the way I look at them in the future. I don''t like it. But now is not the time to say that. At any rate, my current coborator is my favorite Angu-ogu-chan! I don''t know what''s going on anymore. My head is all messed up. M Anegasaki and Anguogu are good friends. They belong to the same big firm. The difference is that they work in Japan and the U.S. This is not the first time they have coborated. So, in itself, it is not strange. It''s not strange, but. Why am I in there? "So today I''m going to ask my friend to help me. So please go and introduce yourself!" "Heh, ah! Um, well, you know!" >>Cute! >>Calm down. >>She''s got a loli voice. >>Anego''s reckless behavior as usual. While I was confused, he had finished exining the n and the situation. I, I, I. "Ah-neechan! I didn''t hear, I didn''t hear, I didn''t hear! What do you mean you''re a VTuber? I thought you were a regr streamer! Am I your IRL guest now? Why am I here?" "Ugh! Iroha-chan, calm down, calm down!" "I can''t stay calm like this!" >>Big ident LOL >>I''m sure it''s a real broadcast ident. >>She''s a friend of a VTuber otaku. >>"Ah-nee" Isn''t that cute calling name? >>Aren''t you called Anego? >>I''m not sure if it''s Anego or not. "Let''s introduce ourselves for now, shall we? I''m not Anego, I''m your nee-." >>That''s rare. >This is a rare anego. "Yes. Nice to meet you. Today I found out that I''m her IRL friend guest. I''m Iroha." "No, role, your role! Trantor!" "I''m a trantor trantor girl? desu?" >>She''s nervous LOL (˳֤äƤƲ) >>Trantor girl Iroha, grasp "This girl is a friend of my sister''s, and as you can hear, she speaks English very well, so I asked her toe as a helper this time. I didn''t think she was a fan of me, nee." "Oi, Ogu, don''tugh at me. We''re in trouble!" Thement section was flooded with LOL''. It''s noughing matter for me! ? Chapter 5: Its Buzzin!? Chapter 5: Its Buzzin!? "Fuuuhh" Seeing the two of them interact with each other right in my front, I be a little calmer. Or perhaps it would be more urate to say that I switched from passion to emotion. M Anegasaki is not very good at English. However, even though she doesn''t understand the meaning of the words, she can carry on a conversation with just the right mood and momentum. Angu-ogu, too, understands only a little Japanese. The coboration between these two is fascinating because they canmunicate even though they don''t understand what the other is saying. They even get into an "angsty" scene. That is happening right in front of your eyes now. "Well, I don''t want to drag this out too long, so let''s get on with it. As I said, Iroha-chan is a minor, so we need to get her home before nightfall." >>Are you sure she''s a minor? >>Is she still in elementary school if she is like Anego''s sister? >>It''s amazing she can speak English in elementary school. "So, we''ll be at the respondent''s table, and this standing picture will be at the contestant''s table." >>Cute! >>She even prepared a standing picture for this! >>Is this the one you drew in the drawing session the other day? "What, this is me! What can I say? It''s too cute." A young girl in a pure white academic gown. It has angel motif designs on its edges. I saw this drawing stream, too. Was the subject? I think, Angels who came to learn about humans''? "Ah, yes. I didn''t have time to draw from scratch, so you''ll have to forgive me for using what I had." >>It''s rather fitting, isn''t it? >>Iroha-tan is a real angel. >>Iroha-tan hahaha. "Okay, then, let''s get to work! Can you take over from here?" "Yeah, okay." I coughed once. Finally, we were back to our original routine. Ah-nee will do the Japanese exnation, and I will be in charge of the English side. . However, the main event that had finally begun was also full of ups and downs. As usual for her fans, M Anegasaki''s delivery was often haphazard. Even so, she is a talker with a strong ability to make everyone smile at the end of the show. But when I''m on the receiving end, it''s hard! And, what''s more, this bad friend of mine also had this girl. Angu-ogu is a friend of Ah-nee, and she is quite a prankster. She is a troublemaker just as much as Ah-nee. "Huh? Did you call me just now? I came up with something more interesting than that, would you like to add a question?" "Huh!? Ah-nee''s idea is not going to be a good idea! And no one can stop it!" And so, by the end, I was already being pushed around. But we managed to finish the run, even though we were exhausted. I was exhausted after only an hour or so of the stream. I didn''t realize how much physical effort it takes to deliver a message. "Well then, thank you very much for watching. Se-no!" "Bye- byneee!" <"Last in, piiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!" > "It''s finally over. I''m tired. Otsukare~t arige~t!." The stream was closed as it was. I thought I said something strange at the end because I was so tired. "Good work. I''m d Iroha-chan was able to help me out so much. Thanks a lot." "Whatever it was, it was a great sess. It was trending, and it was outside of the anniversary stream. We may have had the most connections in recent memory." "Well, that''s good to hear." "Well, we''re running out of time. I''m not sure how much more I can do as a member of society if I hold the minors back any longer." Gnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! I''m torn between the joy of talking to Ogu-chan again and my desire to hold the line as her fan! "Yes, yes, I''ll talk to youter. I''ll walk you home, Iroha-chan. I''m sure you''re tired today, and you can thank me for helping youter, slowly." "Thanks for the help, Ah-nee, although I won''t forgive you for cheating on me by hiding that you''re a VTuber." "Still angry? I thought it would confusing if I told you I was a VTuber since we don''t have much time, and they probably don''t know how old are you." "I''ve never seen Ah-nee get better with her scheming." Then the call was cut off. She seemed to like that phrase. As for me, it was already nighttime for Iroha. I opened the door to Ah-nee''s room to go home. There stood the shadow of a woman. "Geeaaaahhh, a sudden horror story! "Oh, onee-chan! Iroha-chan!" It was Mai there. I forgot about it. "Oh my God, I''m tired of waiting for ~! Are you done with your errands? Then what are we three going to do?" "No, I''m going home." "GAAANN!" Mai. What a pitiful child. I thought, "Tomorrow, I''ll be a little gentler with her at school.". * * * The next day, the wheels of fate began to move. First thing in the morning, I received a call from Ah-nee. Is it a thank-you note? I answer the phone. [Iroha-chan is trending.] "Go to ?" She shows me a screencap. It was number one trending on Twitter. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Chapter 6: [VTuber Preparation] Chapter 6: [VTuber Preparation] [Talent is not essential to sess. But luck is essential.] That''s what Ah-nee said. I remember that she recently won the Ig Nobel prize for her research. I remember that kind of knowledge, though. Anyway. In the end, it was a story to cobs again without missing this opportunity. What? So we''re going to cobs with Angu-ogu again? [Well, since Ogu''s schedule doesn''t work out, it''ll be you and I, or with other VTubers.] It seems that inquiries from other VTubers have beening to her. She said that she would be working with one or more of them. Considering the number of subscribers to her channel, her coborators are probably all well-known. In other words, she''s my oshi. Ah, another line of the fan. Besides, an elementary school girl who speaks fluent English would be crazy. I was also worried. The reason I use the past tense was when I checked myself. I found that the most trending was the "Otsukareta-, Arigeta-" clipping at the end of the piece. Najie? I have no idea why this is growing. It''s just an old people''s gag. Maybe this is how the buzz-winning side feels. I''m too good at both Japanese and English is trending. But they are not as good as the "Otsukare-ta" clippings. It''s silly to be concerned about this. However. "Ah-nee like I said, I''m just a fan" [Ogu said she''ll give you her autograph.] "!" [I''m sure my next coborator will too. If I tell them, right?] "!!!?!" I hung my head over the phone. "Ah-neesama, thank you very much!" I''m weak ! I''m a weak fan. But it''s an autograph! How can I win? After that, I started to apany Ah-nee, and cobs with her on several events. She had her schedule, and I had to be flexible with her schedule, so the frequency of my participation varied, but I still averaged about once a week. That''s a pretty fast pace. And she was on trend every time. The number of clippings was also quiterge. Last week, a scene in which I pointed out a spelling mistake to an English-speaking VTuber was a hot topic. Thements section was filled with You''ve got it backward!''. It even led to a ranking of how good I am at English posted on a meme board. Ah-nee wasughing hysterically when she saw it. Oh, you think it''s someone else''s problem. However, I was enjoying afortable life immersed in VTubers because Ah-nee was paying for my premiums, and my collection of colored papers was growing at home, so I was very happy. There are things in this world that money can''t buy. Come to think of it, I haven''t been able to retrieve the collection I collected in my previous life because I can''t remember my previous address. I hope it''s still safe. "Shucks, it''s going too well, I''m afraid." I have almost no worries orints. The only thing that still gives me a bit of an "ouch" is the "otsukareta" gag at the end of every stream, but it''s cute. There is a war going on somewhere in the world today, but it doesn''t bother me as long as I live in Japan. It is a distant country. "I wish these peaceful days wouldst forever." But I guess I shouldn''t have said that. If you whisper it, it''s a g. A ringtone echoes. The caller is Ah-nee. [Hello, Iroha-chan, do you want to make a full-fledged VTuber debut?] I''m weak. I''ve seen a simr scene before. At first, I was adamant about my refusal, but in the end, they pushed me to my house, and then they pushed me away. I thought I was too good to step directly into the VTuber industry, let alone help out. How did this happen? "Ah-nee, no? (Very rare pampered voice)" "Hi, Yorokonday!" I was smitten. I''m too easy , I''m too easy. Ah-nee, y with the hearts of the fans as you see fit. How can I refuse when you ask me to do it in the voice of M Anegasaki, my oshi? Ah-nee seems to have noticed this recently, and I''m being yed along with nicely. Damn, she''s a sadistic woman who doesn''t look like that. Now, regarding the debut, I hear there is a lot of work that needs to be done and decisions that need to be made. The sheer amount of work involved had me rolling my eyes. What? There''s so much to do to debut as a VTuber! What are the details? Chapter 7: [Nice To Meet You] Chapter 7: [Nice To Meet You] I was being briefed by Ah-nee about my debut. First, my Vtuber model. The illustration of a girl in a pure white academic gown that I have been using has already be synonymous with "Trantor Girl," so we decided to keep the same design. She also said that it would be better to hire a professional to do the job. M Anegasaki is now a member of a major agency, but she made her debut as an individual VTuber by creating her 2D models. Although she has such a high level of artistic ability, ording to her, "It''s just a hobby level.". "You don''t have to worry about it that much if it''s a normal individual debut. The materials and stuff are all free, but Iroha-chan''s expectations were different." Her words carried the weight of his experience. She had experienced both the sweet and sour sides of working for an individual and a majorpany, and her words carried the weight of her own experience. "I have connections in that area, so leave it to me." However, I was worried it would cost a lot of money to hire a professional.I was worried. Unfortunately, I don''t have that kind of money in my pocket. "Don''t worry about that. I''ll pay for everything you need for your debut." "What? I''m not going to go that far. I know that it was Ah-nee who asked me to make my debut, but" "Don''t worry. The video has be a hit, and I can expect unexpected earnings. Not only the video ads and donations, but I also get a portion of the profits from the clippings." "Wow, I didn''t know that." "I''ll take it from there, so don''t be shy. It''s like Iroha-chan earned it herself. Rather, I felt sorry that I couldn''t thank you enough until now. Giving cash to elementary school students is a bit bad." For me, there is no reward more valuable than an autograph. I even thought it was too much. I guess it depends on one''s sense of value. "The other thing is, between you and me, tax nning. I''d like to use some more money for expenses." Ah-nee smiled mischievously. ording to her, the VTuber business is a difficult one to tax. In that sense, she said, investing in me is a very "reasonable" investment. "Just so you know, you don''t need models, right?" She turns the monitor toward me. There was a list of things I would need for my debut. "The equipment: desktopputer, monitor, microphone, headphones, webcam, audio interface ." She traced the words with her finger as she read them out loud. "Image editing software, video editing software, motion tracking software, delivery software standby screen, delivery screen, end screen, opening video, screen switching direction, standby BGM, BGM during the stream, BGM after the stream, logo " "Wait, my head can''t keep up." "This is just the beginning, okay? you''ve got to set up the PC, the tracking, and the distribution software, and the hardest part is setting up the audio. You also have to create a Twitter ount and advertise in advance. You also have to prepare promotional images and videos." "Uh-huh." "Of course, you have to open a MyTube channel. You also have to shoot a video introducing yourself. The day after your debut video, you should cobs with my channel, and draw viewers from there. No, it would be anomalous, but it would be better to release your self-introduction video after the cobs video. " "Hee~!" Debuting as a VTuber is so hard! There are more VTubers than stars in the world, but are they all oveing this? "Don''t worry. I''m here as an advisor, so you don''t have to worry. It''s a billion times easier than when I worked on my debut. And I''m guaranteed to get off to a good start. What an easy game. Hmmm." "What?" "I got permission from my manager, too, and it''s all green. You''re going to make your debut in a month at the earliest. Ah, I''ll continue to cobs with you as I have in the past while we prepare. We mustn''t stop providing material." Ah-nee''s eyes were fixed. It''s toote if I think "I might have been premature" now. Ah-nee had a firm grip on my shoulders. It didn''t look like she was going to let me go. From there, it was a flurry of activity. After all, there were so many things to do. Surprisingly, the hardest part was getting permission from my parents. Ah-nee told me it was "Necessary" because it seemed that only minors would be allowed to mize the businesster. They agreed to permit me to if I got a perfect score on all my school tests for a month. I have no idea how it came to this, but I think this kind of exchange condition existed when I was a child. What parents want from their children may be the same at every age. However, this is easier said than done. Even for elementary school tests, I was surprised at how hard it was to get a perfect score on all of them. Thanks to this, I had to devote myself to my studies while preparing for my debut. Did they force me to do that? Huh? Aren''t schoolwork the main job of elementary school students? Putting those questions aside, I took my sses seriously and did my review. And a month and a halfter. "Nice to meet you. I''m Iroha, the trantor girl! I made my full-fledged VTuber debut. Chapter 8: [Debut And Interview] Chapter 8: [Debut And Interview] "So today we have Iroha-chan, who made her debut as a new VTuber! Wow!" "Hello, hello! My words to you!'' I''m Iroha, the trantor girl. Wow, I still can''t say this greeting! I''m so embarrassed " "No, you''re not, you''re cute!" "Ah, yes." >I''m so salty. >She''s always so shy with Anego. >Depressed young girl. Hahaha! "Huh? Iroha-chan, aren''t you more distant than usual? I thought you were sharp! Your avatar said you were here. But you''re physically farther than usual." >No, you''re just the same as usual, aren''t you? >Realistic Anego? >Anego, you''re still too mental. I was sitting in front of the desktopputer Ah-nee had bought me, facing the monitor. Two VTubers were lined up on the screen. At one end of the screen, viewers'' chats were flowing at a rapid pace. One was Anegasaki M. The other is me C Iroha, the Trantor Girl. The design is almost the same as before my debut. I think it looks a little more like Lolita than before. I have mixed feelings because I am an adult male. "I used to have her physicallye to my house, but today, due to problems with the streaming equipment, we''re streaming from our homes, nee. Yay, Iroha-chan, are you watching?" She was the same as usual. I felt like my brain was going to explode. Talking with Ah-nee, chasing chats, and operating the distribution software. I need three brains! "Well, let''s get to the question corner for Iroha-chan! I''ll pick up questions from the marshmallows I received in advance, the Twitter hashtag tweet, and the chats on the feed. >We''ve been waiting for you! >Don''t pick up from the chats! >Pick them up properly, wow! "Well, the first question isC" From there on, the questions and answers continued at a brisk, but not fast, pace. After all, the questioner was Ah-nee. The conversation went on and on and on. "Is Iroha-chan half-Japanese? Or is she an American-Japanese? Or is she Japanese-American? What is something-Kei? What is it?" "I''m pure Japanese." "No, you''re an angel." "Why did you answer me?" And. "Do you speak any othernguages besides English?" "I studied a little French and Chinese (in a college ss in a previous life), but I don''t know. I''ve never tried it." "By the way, I don''t know much Japanese either." "I know." And. "Are elementary school students serious? If so, aren''t they gifted?" "No, I don''t think so. No, I don''t think so. I haven''t been tested. I think I''m rather worse at studying than others." "Iroha-chan, who says this, silenced her parents, who were against her VTuber debut, by getting a perfect score on her elementary school test. >Really? >Wow! >What do you mean you''re not good at it? >I failed social studies and elementary school. >Elementary schools EZ. >Even though it''s elementary school, everything is normal, isn''t it? And. The next one was the hardest question, and it was. "Sing a song in English." "A song in English! Is that a question? Ah-nee, I didn''t hear it! It''s not in the pre-script!" >The script. >Don''t call it a script. >She''s just being honest. "Oh, it sounded fun, so I just asked it. "Heeeh!" >Why would you do that? >Real devil lol >Why don''t you just use English songs from the beginning? >It''s rather hard to do that in your day job, isn''t it? "Iroha-chan, do you know my song?" "Well, you''re my oshi." >Emo. >This is a good sister. >But this is ssic Anego. "Then it''s okay! I can do it!" It''s a bit too much to ask for! But the chats are already very excited by that. There''s no backing down now. "Okay, let''s y it back!" Yeah, go ahead. I''m going to y it! I challenged myself. Oh, my head is about to boil. I gave it my all. The result is. >What is it? Hmm >What a unique song she sings. >Why are youughing? Her English was perfect. The chats were buzzing. Maybe because I sang in English, more chats came from English-speaking countries. Ah-nee broke it up. "Iroha-chan is so on point!" "You~? "Ha ha ha. I can''t grab you today because it''s through the screen, nee. I''m not afraid." "I''ll be at your house after the stream. Remember that." "Oh, " >LOL >This is not a disappointment or a surprise. >I''m sorry about my anego. >Good, keep it up. However, I was on-topic. The trantion was smooth, but the rhythm and pitch were all over the ce. It''s like I plugged the lyrics into speech-reading software. What''s wrong? I wasn''t a good singer, but it wasn''t this bad. "Eh, ah! But everyone says the trantion was perfect. See, I told you you could do it. How about you guys, isn''t our girl amazing!" >That ain''t your credit. >It''s not your kid, either. >Furrubokko Lol "Oooh, sorry to interrupt all the excitement, but it''s time to go! I heard Iroha''s parents are watching too, so I have to cut this off before I''m held ountable as a supervisor." >She ran away. >You ran away, didn''t you? >Hey, don''t run away! "Iroha-chan''s channel is here, and her Twitter is here. You can also find it in the summary section of this video, so please subscribe to the channel and follow her, nee!" "I''m also going to release a self-introduction video at 20:00, so please watch it if you want." "You guys watch it! Thank you very much for watching today. Thank you for watching today. "Otsukare~tta~, arigeta~!" I close the stream with a closing speech I''ve be ustomed to saying. Are you okay? I''m sure I''m getting through this, right? It''s good. I exhale. Around 8 p.m., I posted a self-introduction video and a promotional tweet. Ah-nee, Angu-ogu, and other VTubers retweeted the video and sent congrattory tweets. The number of retweets and likes increased rapidly. The self-introduction videos receivedments one after another. The coboration streams and self-introduction videos were also clipped and posted, and the existence of Iroha, the trantor girl, spread exponentially. The number of channel subscribers exceeded 10,000 in just one day and continued to grow. Chapter 9: [Todays Elementary School Girl] Chapter 9: [Todays Elementary School Girl] It''s nice to have a debut, but what should I do for today''s stream? I''vee this far on the spur of the moment. "All I have to do is talk about what happened at school." "Is that okay?" "Isn''t that good? Just a story about the daily life of a real elementary school girl is extraordinary enough for the viewer. To prevent personal information and identity theft happened to you, it is necessary to withhold and fake various things. You don''t tell what happened immediately, but after a certain period." She convinced me to a great extent. The life of elementary school girls is a real mystery. "What''s important in the individual group is differentiation. Iroha-chan is strong in that respect. You''re an elementary school girl is special, but if you add bilingualism to that, it''s no exaggeration to say that you are one-of-a-kind." Although I was not bilingual, she had a point. So, I decided to stream with the title "The Everyday Life of an Ordinary Elementary School Girl". I want to tell the viewer how hard it was to do physical education, and that I liked curry the best at school lunch. Then. >LOL >Wow! >Anego''s sister is so cute. I feel bad for her. Somehow Mai became aughingstock. Sorry, Mai. But it''s your fault for making a punchline every time. >Do you have any friends other than Anego''s sister? "Oh, I do! I have friends besides Anego''s sister!" >Oh. >You only mentioned Anego''s sister. >You don''t have to be so vain. >Don''t worry, Iroha, we''re here for you. "That''s why I said I have friends! But to be honest, I don''t understand the pastimes of elementary school girls. Why do they collect stickers? What is kawaii?" >Philosophical talk LOL >[Sad news] Self-proimed, normal elementary school girls don''t understand elementary school girls. >I don''t think she''s a normal elementary school girl. >That''s why you can''t make friends, isn''t it? >I heard that if your IQs are too different, you can''tmunicate with each other, isn''t that? "I''ve told you, I''m not that smart, okay? But recently, my parents wanted to make me take the entrance exam for junior high school because of my recent grades and what they''ve seen in my videos. My parents are like, [You''re that good at studying? Then try taking the junior high school entrance exam.]." >Iroha-chan, are you going to take the middle school exam? >I miss taking the entrance exam for junior high school. >If you can study that hard, I think you should take the entrance exam. "Oh, so everyone is rather positive about taking the entrance exam? Surprising. Is it ok if I don''t post as often?" >I don''t want you to take the entrance exam for junior high school. >There is nothing good about taking entrance exams for junior high school! >There are many more important things in the world than studying! "You''re so flip-flopping. But if I were to take the junior high school entrance exam, what should I do?" >Sleep >y >Stream "Don''t try to make me fail the entrance exam!" >LOL >I love you guys! LOL >Seriously, you''ll need to study for special measures for the junior high school entrance exam. "Oh, you need dedicated measures? Is that hard?" >It''s hard. >It depends on the school. >I studied for 3 hours on weekdays and 10 hours on weekends. >Isn''t it tough to take the junior high school entrance exam from 6th grade? "Wow, so that''s how it is. I can''t do it, can I? But my parents seem to think I can do it if I try. >If you want to increase your chances, you should take 5 subjects instead of 4, right? >Some schools have English as well, right? >I had a feeling that Iroha might be able to pass the exam. "Even if I want to give up, I still don''t know what the problem is, or how difficult it is. What should I do?" >Yes, that''s true. >Parents see infinite possibilities in their children. >Are you going to do past exam questions on the web? "Yeah, isn''t that a GOOD idea? I''ve decided! Let''s use the past papers of the junior high school entrance exam and distribute the achievement test! But if it''s just a stream, it''s going to be a bit boring, so I''ll stream the answers." >"Yeah, it''s going to be a long one. >>I want you to stream it. >>I''ll take the test with you. "Okay, then, as for the answer stream, only those who want to see it will be able to see it. If you want to do it alongside me, feel free to do so. I''ll let you know when I decide which specific past exams we''ll do and when we''ll do them." >Yes! >Okay! >You guys, it would be a shame if you lost to elementary school students. Well, that was my first chat stream. I didn''t think that study delivery would meet the demand for VTubers, and I didn''t have high hopes it wouldn''t grow. It was an hourter that something unusual happened. It all started with one tweet. [Academic test is interesting! I''m going to participate too I''m not Anegasaki M-sama who will lose to a real elementary school student! ] The voices of "Me too!" followed, as if in a chain reaction. In the end, nearly 10 members expressed their willingness to take part in the academic achievement test. The "VTuber Achievement Test" was trending on Twitter. It hase this far, and it is now a major event. Ah-nee advised me to make it a full-fledged coboration project. CThe "1st VTuber Schstic Ability Test Summer 2022" was held. Chapter 10: [VTuber Scholastic Achievement Test] Chapter 10: [VTuber Schstic Achievement Test] "So today, I will be the moderator of this event, and I am a current teacher VTuberC" >It''s heree! >I''ve been waiting for this! >The members are too gorgeous! "This stream is the answer-response'' version, so if you want to do it alongside us, we rmend you watch the test'' version of each livers first. Now, let''s have all the test livers say hello to each other! First of allC" The background looks like a school ssroom, with illustrations of desks and chairs. Each desk is decorated with a group of drivers as if they are sitting on the desk. Each of the livers, in turn, gave their usual greeting phrases and enthusiasm. "Next up" "How are you doing, everyone? I''m everyone''s big anego I''m M Anegasaki." >I love Anego! >I love Anego! >I love Anego! "Well, today I''m going to show off my genius brain! I''m going to show my adult dignity by making Iroha-chan cry in a fit of rage." >Why are you so full of confidence? >You''re a genius, in a way. >I wonder which one of you will be the one to cry? "Andst but not least, the current elementary school girl VTuber who nned this project!" "My words to you! I''m Iroha, the trantor girl who trantes. Wow, why are there so many famous livers here? Wow, yikes, my nose is bleeding from excitement." >Eh, a stiff nosebleed? >Are you alright? >You''re still a VTuber otaku. LOL "Well, ah, it looks like Iroha-san got a nosebleed, so please wait a moment. In the meantime, let me exin this project. The project started withC" Oh, no,! I''m bothering everyone! I hurriedly stuffed a tissue up my nose and returned to the delivery with a nasal voice. "C and it looks like Iroha-san is back, too. Now, let''s have Mr. Iroha exin to the English-speaking world, and finally, let''s do the answers! The first subject isC" And so the answer-taking proceeded. The event was unexpectedlyrge-scale. The number of participants and the unique personalities of the VTubers made for a noisy and lively distribution. "Someone is answering a science question with an illustration! "Oh, no! I thought it was an art test. " >Anego. >And it''s all wrong >Only the picture is so good is surreal I''m not sure what to think. "I told you it was an arithmetic problem! Who''s using trigonometric functions!" "Sorry, that''s me. That''s me. " >!?!?!?!?!!? >Hey, you adult livers are losing. >Livers who didn''t even solve it should reflect. And. "Among them is an idiot who made a VTuber appear on a social studies test." "What? Wasn''t it Oyabin who created the Kamakura Shogunate!" >Anego. >I''m not sure why there are VTubers in that period. >We should start over from elementary school. And. "This Kanji question, oh my! Not a single person answered correctly! Do you get it? This is elementary school Japanese! Don''t you ck off because yourputer trantes it for you!" >LOL >A theory that all VTubers are weak in Kanji characters. >My ears hurt too! And. "Um, is this English sentence incorrect?" "This is Iroha-chan''s solution, but I couldn''t determine whether it was correct or incorrect, so I consulted an English teacher I know. As a result, although it is correct as a colloquialism in the real world, it was judged to be incorrect this time because it is a junior high school entrance examination." >I didn''t know there was such a pattern. >The reason for the incorrect answer is too special. >And I know a returnee who only got an 80 on the English exam. And so on. The delivery went on, causing trouble from start to finish. And. "Now the scoring of all subjects has beenpleted. So, here are the results! Let''s start with the runner-up. This time, the second-ce winner wasC" The moderator read the winners one by one, and the livers were happy and sad. What? Huh? The moderator hasn''t called my name? "So, the announcements have finished up to the booby prize, and only two left. That is, one of them is the winner, and one of them is thest ce. The 1st VTuber Schstic Achievement Test winner isCIroha the Trantor Girl! Congrattions!" "Eeeeeeee~! Why meeeee? "And thest ce! The one who got the title of "Idiot" is M Anegasaki~!" "Eeeeeeeeeee~! Why meeeeeee! "In addition, the ranking of each subject" Everyone''s scores are disyed on the screen. What, no way! No, no, no. Everyone is terrible!? I couldn''t solve this test at all. That''s why I didn''t intentionally cut corners. I thought I would lose even if I did this the usual way. However, the other test takers couldn''t solve the test at all. Of course, many members were ying forughs. But the question itself seemed to be harder than that. By the way, even though I won. There was not much difference in points between the second-ce winner and me. I was still the winner, probably because I am still active in the field. I had been studying hard for the past month, and that helped me. >We''re all in shambles. >This is a no-brainer (except for Anego). >I did it too, but it was hard. >I heard some junior high school entrance exams are on the college entrance exam level. >I almost got a perfect score. And so the VTuber Achievement Test was over. Ah-nee, who won the title of "Idiot" kept on and on booing, "I''m not an idiot, I''m sure there was a scoring error because I''m at the bottom of the ss.", but everyone ignored her. On the other hand, I won, but. What? I thought this stream''s purpose was to make my parents give up on the junior high school entrance exam, saying, "I knew it would be tough". "Iroha, you should take the entrance exam after all!" Sure enough, that''s what my parents told me. It wasn''t supposed to be like this. Chapter 11: [Cooperative Message Game] Chapter 11: [Cooperative Message Game] The VTuber Schstic Achievement Test stream has received a tremendous number of views. In no time, it exceeded 500,000 views, and at this pace, it will reach 1,000,000 views. Clippings of the test had been getting a lot of buzz in the past. But this was the first time the stream had received this many views. My channel has now had more than 4,000 hours of total views, fulfilling the requirements for mization. With the help of Ah-nee, Ipleted the procedure. "The approval process takes a few days depending on the time of year," she said. But you''ll probably get the results back in a week." "I see. But wait. I''ve been thinking about it. How can I return the profit from this coboration project to everyone? I have no earnings yet." "Don''t worry about it. This time it''s the channel owner''s C in other words, Iroha-chan''s C total share. Everyone else just got in on the project because it sounded interesting." "Is that how it''s supposed to be?" "That''s the way it is. Well, it''s not like they don''t have an agenda. They were trying to make connections with me, get Iroha-chan on their channel, advertise themselves, and so on. "Really?" "But all of this is just a bonus. The most important thing is whether you want to do it or not. Because MyTube isC" C"a ce where you can live by what you love.". "Right?" Ah-nee winked at me as she said this. Come to think of it, she was the first one to announce her participation this time. "Are you saying you''re going to participate because you thought so too?" "No, I just wanted to feel good about fighting against elementary school students." "Oi." "That''s funny, isn''t it? Why did Ie inst? It''s cheating! It''s rigged! "Why don''t you fix your character rather than your score?" And well, after all that talk, it turned out to be just as Ah-nee had said. This time another channel called me. I couldn''t repay her kindness. I smiled and sent my approval. Immediately after I sent it, I copsed in self-loathing. Before I knew it, interacting with VTubers had be my second nature. The boundary between myself as a fan and a VTuber is bing blurred. Familiarity is a terrible thing. "CSo this time, it''s an international cobs! Yay! Peace Peace." One of the livers shouted. She is the channel''s owner who invited me today and the organizer of this coboration project. "As viewers of our channel know, we often y games together with Korean livers. So we thought it would be fun to make it more multinational!" The host of the event speaks in a unique dialect. Five VTubers, a mix of men and women, were on the screen. One of them was me, of course. On the other hand, A-nee was not there this time. Ah-neemented, "I want to participate, but my schedule is tight!" This is the first time she was not present during my cobs stream. "Well, let''s introduce ourselves in order! We are" Self-introductions proceeded. I introduced myself by adding "I can speak Japanese and English reasonably well" to my usual phrase. The audience gradually understands the project''s purpose. "Thank you all for your self-introductions! I''m sure you all understand by now, don''t you? Yes, we have gathered monolingual and bilingual livers from different countries!" Once again, I confirm the members of this coboration. A liver speaks only Korean. A liver speaks Korean and Japanese and is the organizer of this project. A liver speaks only Japanese. A liver speaks Japanese and English, me. A liver can only speak English. A total of five people. It has an amazing lineup if I say so myself. We have a lot of variety, or rather, we''re all scattered around. "This time we''ll y "Can We Clear the Cooperative Message Game?!" Let''s do it right away!" And so the stream began. It was as messy as I had imagined. Lots ofnguages were being spoken, and the audience and the yers were in turmoil. It was a festival in the best sense of the word. I thought it would be easier if Ah-nee wasn''t there, and I wouldn''t have to be pushed around like I usually do. Damn, I guess I wasn''t looking ahead fast enough. "No, this is not easy, is it? Who came up with this n? Was it me? Is everyone OK? " <> "No!" <"Is everyone okay? I''m asking." I''m at my limit too!"> > That is the state of affairs just by asking one question. But what is it? I''ve been feeling a little ufortable since a while ago. Or rather, I don''t feel any difort. "Ahahaha. Well, now that the game has settled down and we''ve got such a good group of people here, why don''t we have a question corner? Do youmenters have any questions you want to ask me? >How did you learn foreignnguages? >What do you think about each other''s countries? (US Eng) >** <> (Korean) <> <> <> <> "Wa. Wa. Wait a minute!" >!!! > >Who was speaking Korean just now? "Oh! I haven''t tranted it yet! There is a third person here who can speak Korean. >Really? > >What''s going on? (US Eng) "Wait, Iroha-chan can speak Korean too?" >This little girl, does it every time she cobs! >Can she speak Korean too? (US Eng) >She''s not bilingual. She''s trilingual! The livers and thementers were in turmoil. "Oh, no, I mean" But the most confused person is none other than myself. No, no, no, I couldn''t understand a word of Korean until just now! I wasn''t even aware that I was speaking Korean. How did this happen all of a sudden? Chapter 12: [Korea, Japan, and America] Chapter 12: [Korea, Japan, and America] How did you suddenly learn to understand Korean? I''ve never studied Korean. But, the only time I''ve had anything to do with Korean was when an exchange student came to Japan, my mother was addicted to Korean dramas in her previous life, hanging recordings in the living room, and when watching VTuber streams from the Korean-speaking world in my previous life. Huh? That''s more than I thought. >I thought this was a lost project. >I guess you mean you were pretending you didn''t know what you were talking about? >This is a surprise, isn''t it? "No, I didn''t understand at first. But as I listened, I somehow understood." "Somehow? >You can learn to speak Korean somehow? >I don''t think so. >This is indeed a lie. "Oh, wait, can you exin exactly how you learned it? I''m really curious! Honestly, I''d like to use it as a reference!" "Let''s see." Surprisingly, the words came out naturally. "First, I was listening to their conversation and thought many words were pronounced very simr to Japanese. From there, I realized that the grammar was almost the same as in Japanese. If I knew that much, I could roughly analogize the meaning of the sentences, so I matched the particles from the content." >???? >Yeah, I don''t understand. >"Japanese is fine. "To add, I understood the sentence earlier because the nouns were pronounced the same as in Japanese, or were verbs that I already knew. That''s how I got into it, I guess. Then my understanding progressed. And I can speak it now." >Now you can speak? ?? >I don''t understand what you mean by I can speak it now. >In short, I think it means that she remembers all the words she heard once. "Wow, it''s true. If you ask me, once I understand the meaning of a word, I may already be familiar with that word." >Hey, you did that unconsciously! >Gifted people actually make up 2% of the total, so it''s not impossible. >But it is a major gift for gifted people to be able to remember a word once they hear it. >Ah, I think I''m starting to get it. Growth is not a slope but a staircase. Do you know how you suddenly could read long English sentences easily after a certain point? I think what just happened was a great version of that. >Someone, please summarize in 10 words. >Iroha, warp evolution! " Ha~" The organizer of this project livers, exhaled in admiration. "Indeed, there are theories about Korean and Japanese like "Weren''t originally the samenguage?" "And the only difference between the twonguages was their dialects''.". >Is that so? (US Eng) > >I''ve heard that Japanese is a branch of Korean. Hmm? I tilted my head at those theories. My feeling is that the essence of Japanese and Korean are different. How can I know all that? I can''t show the evidence yet, so I''ll have to close my mouth. "Well, whatever the theory, it''s at least true that both contain nouns based on the same kanji word." >So you''re saying you''re serious? >I''ve been saying it as a joke, but I think she''s a gifted one. >It''s impossible. It''s too much. "I was convinced when I heard Iroha''s exnation. And there is one more thing I found out. It''s not something you can use as a reference!" >Of course you can''t >I can''t do it either. >No one can''t do it either. "Wait a minute. If Iroha-chan can speak Korean, then my position is gone!" >LOL >This is terrible! >This is a good time to cry LOL "Gusun gusun. I''ll leave it to Iroha-chan to deal with the viewers. If you have any questions for Iroha-chan, throw them to her while you''re at it. We are the losers. " ** + $*? **+$*? >#*+$**? Various questions flew in, mainly from Korean viewers. I called out, "Um~." "I don''t read Korean." "Eh!" >What? >I didn''t expect that. >I see. In Japan, people learn foreignnguages by writing first, but babies and people overseas learn by listening, speaking, reading, and writing in that order. "Dangerous~! I almost became an unwanted child!" >LOL >񣣣 > The game resumed, despite the irregrities that urred. Then I realized that there are many things I can''t do besides not being able to read Hangul. For example. It is difficult to speak smoothly, or my pronunciation is not correct. Korean, like Japanese, seems to have multiple first-person pronouns. So I couldn''t use them properly, so I called myself [Watakushi] (overly polite "I"). Sometimes when I try to speak in Korean, I cannot trante the words. Sometimes there is no corresponding word in Korean, to begin with, or I don''t know it yet. Of course, I can''t speak a word I don''t know. If I can''t draw an analogy from what was said, I have to tell them the nuance and ask them to tell me. This cheat-like ability to understand a foreignnguage also seems to have various limitations. It seems that not everything can be tranted perfectly. A simr problem urred with English. I kept repeating, asking in English what I didn''t understand and asking in Korean, and before I knew it, everyone had be like my teachers. I asked questions about things I didn''t understand without hesitation. The other livers were also children, so they answered my questions. And since I have an uncanny ability to memorize foreignnguages and absorb 100% of what I''m taught, they gradually began to enjoy teaching me. Oh, boy. Isn''t this the strongest buff in learning? As I listened to the exnations together, the other livers began to understand each other''s words better. ording to one of them, "He exined it in a way that even an elementary school student could understand", and "I thought that if an elementary school student could do it, I could do it, too.". They thought". In the end, the cooperative game went unexpectedly smoothly. The project ended with a bang, as the participants seeded in capturing more than they had anticipated. People made arge number of clippings for this stream. In particr, the "My position is gone!", and "Now we can talk." scenes grew, and the organizer invited me to coborate with them again. That was probably the best reward for me. In the meantime, I sessfully passed the channel mization screening. In this way, my title changed from "elementary school student" to "elementary school VTuber," both in name and in reality. Chapter 13: [At the School Library] Chapter 13: [At the School Library] Sixth grade ssroom. It''s getting troublesome, I sighed. "Iroha-chan, that''s amazing! Another perfect score!" "Ah, yeah. Well." A sixth-grade ssroom. Mai peeks at the returned test and shouts in praise. Following that, the surrounding students'' gazes turned to us. "What''s going on with youtely, Iroha-chan?" "I don''t remember that girl being that good at studying." "She''s changed her character, hasn''t she?" They whisper about me. I yed with my hair with my fingertips to cover up my embarrassment. Like my long hair, I now enjoy the status of an elementary school girl, but inside I am an old man. I feel ufortable ying the fool against a child. [It feels good to beat up a kid one-sidedly!] It would be easy if I thought about it. Unfortunately, I don''t have the nerve to be as bold as Ah-nee. "Iroha-chan, are you still nning to take the junior high school entrance exam?" "Yes, that''s it! That''s the problem!" "Eh, um, yes." Mai takes a step back at my sudden momentum. I let out a loud sigh and shit down on my desk. Lately, the pressure from my parents has been incredible. Every chance I get. [Why don''t you test yourself?] [I heard that this school does interesting things in ss.] [The building is beautiful, and the facilities are excellent.] And other things like that. No, that''s not true. It''s not that I''m not smart. My test scores are good because it''s my second life, and mynguage proficiency is due to some mysterious force I don''t understand. There is no way I can exin it. I can only vaguely misrepresent it. "If I go to a higher education school, I''ll drop out immediately." Above all, and this is the biggest problem, if I spend all my time studying, I have less time to look at my oshi! That was the only thing that mattered to me. So, when I was talking about this in the chat stream. >Parents'' motivation and children''s perseverance are the keys to sess in junior high school. >Are you okay with revealing your identity? >You should keep quiet about which school you''re applying to. "Thanks for your concern. But I just pulled past papers from a well-known junior high school for the achievement test the other day, and my candidate is from another school, so I''ll be fine." >Good. >Iroha, you''re so literate that I can''t believe you''re still in elementary school. >I''d think the average livers are not literate enough to be considered an adult. Oops, looks like someone''s here. "I''m going to take the entrance exam at a school withinmuting distance from my house, has English subjects, and has as high a deviation as possible. Can''t I go to the low one?" >What''s the point of taking a junior high school entrance exam? w >You put the cart before the horse LOL >Whether you take the entrance exam or not, you''d better study. "Ugh, the righteous punch hurts my ears! But if I spend more time studying, I''ll have less time to watch VTuber''s delivery and clippings. Even if it''s just the delivery that''s cutting my time." >Streaming is a hassle LOL >That''s an uncharacteristicment for a VTuber. >You''re a top-notch fan, you know. >It''s not about "I hate studying", but "I don''t like spending time studying". haha "No, is there anything more important in this world than watching your favorite stream? Ah, you mean going to see your oshi live performance!" >LOL >We''re the same, aren''t we? w >Why do you suddenly be idiots when VTubers are involved? w "Whatever it is, I wish there was some way to study efficiently. Any rmendations on how to study?" >sleep study >I became a lover of society after reading history through manga. >If you want to study hard for a difficult junior high school, you should go to an entrance exam cram school. "Cram school! But it''s expensive, right?" > It was quite expensive. >Besides the monthly fee, you''ll need to pay for textbooks and sses. >For a 6th grader, it''s about 1,000,000 yen including everything else. "What? That''s impossible!" >I''m sure you can get by with the earnings from being VTuber. >During this time, survive through mization >5,000 yen school fee "Thank you for the tuition. No, that''s the thing, actually, thanks to everyone, I was able to mize it, but it''s still a long way from bing an ie. It will take about 2 months before it goes into my pocket as money." >I didn''t know that. >Heh~ >That would be tough. >Just buy the materials for now and study on your own. >Or you could take the summer course first. >Let''s get a project from the exam school and have them teach you for free. "What? If I get a project, I don''t have to study?" >???? > >What you''re saying is so messed up. LOL >Do you want to study or not? LOL >You''re speaking your nativenguage (spacenguage). >Why don''t you borrow some textbooks from the library? "It''s Japanese! Ah, but you''re right. I think I''ll go to the library at school or in town and borrow some books for now. I haven''t even decided if I''d take the exam yet, and I don''t want to buy it." >That''s realistic. >I''m sure your parents would pay for as many books as you want. >You''re like an independent member of society, not an elementary school student with a sense of money. The next day after school, my feet were not going downstairs but upstairs. There was no group drop-off today, so as long as my sses were over, I''m free for the rest of my day. "Iroha-chan, the shoe box isn''t that way, okay?" "I know! I just thought I''d drop by the library." "? There''s no shoe box in the library, okay?" "I know!" "I, I''m sorry. I thought it prank, Iroha-chan." "Oh, wait a minute? What does Mai think about me? Do you think I have that kind ofmon sense?" "Yes." "You''d better remember that." I went up the stairs to the library thinking, I''m going to make a story out of this. By the way, I left Mai behind. She said, "Don''t leave me here.", but it was the natural thing to do. "Excuse me." I rattled open the door and went inside. The smell of old books filled the room. It was a smell that made me feel nostalgic in a double sense. Chapter 14: [Language Cheat Ability] Chapter 14: [Language Cheat Ability] The school library. I felt nostalgia for this ce in two ways. One is that they are old books. Another reason is that it has been a long time since I used the library. To be precise, this kind of room is also called a library, but don''t call it a library room. Well, if it can be conveyed, I think that''s fine. Because it is more important whether the words are correct or not. Of course, in most cases, correctness is not the same as ease ofmunication. "Let''s see, what section is it in?" The library was surprisingly well-stocked and authentic. If I had imagined it would be divided into picture books, manga, novels, illustrated books, etc. But I was wrong. Roughly, yes, but they were divided into genres. "Here is natural sciences? And over there is literature?" Was the library so well organized when I was a kid? Or did I not know that at the time? I guess I don''t know how blessed I am until I be an adult. I looked around with the help of the guide, but I couldn''t find anything. Some looked like it, but they were all slightly different from what I was looking for. They all seemed to be reading material. "I''d prefer something more like a collection of problems. Excuse me! "I''m looking for a book like this!" I asked a student who was probably a librarymittee member at the checkout counter. But. "Have you seen it before?" "I don''t know. I don''t think so." "Maybe you should ask the teacher." I had a bad feeling. Finally, the library teacher who came to me said. "I''m sorry. We don''t have that kind of thing. You have to buy the problem books by yourself." Oh no, I didn''t expect this. I guess I should have thought about it. If I lent out the problem books, they would be covered in writing in no time. And the loan period is too short for the student to solve all the problems. I wonder if one of the listeners noticed and pointed this out to me. Well, it was my fault for not checking it out. I thought it would be a shame toe to the library and go home without doing anything, so I looked around the bookshelf. I decided to check out a book or two. "Oops." Among the books, I find an Hangeul book in thenguage section. I casually picked it up. Well, I couldn''t read it in the stream the other day. It doesn''t mean I can read it now. And, as is still the case, I should not read Hangeul. "Well, I guess that''s true." I am a little relieved. There is no way that I could have learned to read a foreignnguage before I knew it. It''s not possible. I''m not sure what I was trying to do. Just forfort, I flipped through the pages of the book. "CWhat?" My hand stopped at a page. There was the so-called "sybary table" of Hangul. "Whoa!" I felt my vision rapidly open up. A voice leaked out unintentionally. My brain begins to spin rapidly, regardless of my intention. "I can read it." I turn the pages of the textbook one after another. Until a few minutes ago, they appeared to me as a string of unintelligible words. But now, I could recognize them as sentences. "So that''s how it is, huh?" It was the result of my cheat-likenguage ability. I have some ideas about this ability. Based on my experience, there are probably three conditions for activating the ability. 1. Arge amount of input. 2. An understanding of thenguage rules 3. Experience. To be precise, I think input and rules are necessary conditions, and experience is the ability''s trigger. Without such a condition, the timing of when I could understand is too mysterious. And as for the rules, it seems that if you have a huge amount of input, you can screw them up. Conversely, if I know the rules, I need less input. It''s a trade-off of sorts. And that''s getting a littleplicated. Take Korean, for example. In my previous life, I listened to Korean dramas under my mom''s influence. I had already gathered enough input through this. However, the subtitles are disyed in Japanese. Therefore, I did not have enough Hangeul input. However, Hangeul is a phic alphabet. Simply put, pronunciation and characters correspond one to one. The rtionship is simr to that between Japanese pronunciation and hiragana. The letters themselves do not have their meanings, nor do their pronunciations change drastically from word to word, as is the case with kanji. Although the definitions of consonants and vowels in Hangeul are different from Japanese. Conversely, once I understand differences (rules), writing is easy for those who can speak. I never studied Korean directly, so I didn''t know the rules. That''s why I could speak Korean but not read Hangeul. "This is not normal, even though it''s." ording to the book, Hangeul is made by abination of consonants and vowels. Therefore, it is so easy to understand that I can memorize it in half a day. In my case, it took me only a moment. And I had no idea what I was supposed to understand in an instant until I looked at this sybary chart. In many ways, I feel an imbnce in my cheat-like linguistic ability. Well, I''ve said a lot of things, but honestly, these things don''t matter! What matters is. "Let''s see. This." I find a Korean vocabry book and open it. I hide the Japanese part and look at it. I still can''t read the words I don''t know. But once I move my hand away and look at the Japanese trantion, I never forget it. Just by flipping through the word book, data is stored in my brain at a tremendous speed. "Wow! This is amazing! This meansCthis means I can understand all the content of the Korean VTubers'' streams!" After dying once, I realized that I had strange abilities. But I never thought it would be this useful! "No, wait?" I picked up a nearby French vocabry book. I flip through the pages. "Ooooohhhhh! Amazing! Now I can understand the banging French streams." I''m knocked over. Aaaaaaah! I scream from the lending desk. My vision was spinning. My head was burning as it had overheated. Chapter 15: [Risk and Demerit] Chapter 15: [Risk and Demerit] Well, it was a tough time. After that, the school nurse rushed to the hospital, an ambnce took me to the hospital, and my parents came rushing in. Then my stream for that day was abruptly canceled. "I''m surprised." I was talking about what happened to me while putting in fakes. Falling and being taken to the hospital was an experience that was not even in my previous life. >Something like that happened? >I was so worried. >Why are you streaming it the next day without a care in the world? "I''m feeling fine now, don''t worry. After I woke up, the doctor gave me a little IV drip, and I came home." >Isn''t it better to rest properly? >Wasn''t he told to rest for a few days? >What was the cause after all? "The doctor said I was overworked?" >Isn''t overwork in an elementary school bad? >Maybe it was the stream? >Maybe studying too hard? "I''m not sure about that" But I couldn''t think of any cause other than the abuse of my cheat-likenguage ability. No wonder they said I was overworking my brain to learn that much in such a short time. From now on, I''ll try to remember it steadily every day. I didn''t have any problems until I got to the halfway point. Hmmm! And eventually, I''ll be able to watch VTubers from all over the world! And if I think about it, this capability is not so scary. It''s like having a super urate, super fast, and analytical trantor. It does seem to have a bit of a waste heat problem, though. >Isn''t it scary to be overworked when you don''t know the cause? >I think you should get a full checkup once. >I''m worried about you. "Don''t worry, VTubers are good for all diseases. How can I not be in good health when I watch them every day?" >LOL >Normal thing, huh? w >Laughing at the gory mentality. "I can understand English and Korean these days! I''m too happy. I have to catch up on the archives. And there are so many things to watch. I watch for over 12 hours every day. And I still don''t have enough time." >That''s the reason you''re so overworked! >Eh, you''ve got school and stream, too, right? >This is a calction that you hardly slept. >Howe you haven''t copsed before? "What are you talking about? In other words, it is no exaggeration to say that I am resting for 36 hours every day." >Don''t proudly announce it! >That''s an exaggeration!!! >Someone stops this girl! At that moment, a knock sounded in the room. I was just chatting while streaming, so I didn''t have my headphones on, and I noticed it immediately. "What, mom? I''m in the middle of a stream. Everyone holds on for a second." >Ok. >Iromama (Irohaha) came. >I am always indebted to your daughter I open the door to my room and respond. It''s the first time shees during the stream. It must have been very urgent. "What''s wrong?" "From now on, you can only watch MyTube for an hour a day." "What? "Nothing and shit! Do you know how many people worried about you when you copsed? You said you didn''t know anything, and then you did that!" "Eeeeeeeee!? It''s not right. There are some circumstances. Watching the stream is rather healing." "I told you." "Wait" The door mmed shut, and my mom left. What an idiot. How could this happen? Well, being a child isn''t just convenient. For the first time, I realized that children can be restricted from the freedoms independent adults have. "This sucks." I muttered as I came back to myputer. The flow ofments is elerating. >LOL >This is self-inflicted. >Iromama, good job! "Oh, I thought you guys could hear me! I forgot to mute it. Well, I don''t care. It sucks. I can only watch MyTube for an hour a day. There are so many archives I haven''t seen yet." It seemed like I should ignore what my mom said, but I had a situation that made it impossible for me to do that. My mom managed the MyTube ount I use. If I offended her, she would delete my ount. No choice, I sighed. "From today on, I''ll start digesting my non-MyTube stream archives." >Not that! >You don''t understand anything. LOL >Don''t be angry about that. This time someone opened the door fully without knocking. I was pissed off. My mental age is an old man. And I have learned that being lectured by an old man can cause tremendous psychological damage. But for me, too, this was a non-negotiable point. After persistent negotiations, we finally settled on two hours on weekdays and five hours on weekends. The exchange was that I would need to consider taking the entrance examination for junior high school. Hey, if you''re worried about overwork, stop me from studying. "Hiks, hiks Only 2 hours is too much." >That''s enough! >That''s a lot of time!!! >You tried to persuade your mom and were preached even more. LOL The unfortunate thing is that it''s almost summer vacation. Then I can watch VTubers for 5 hours every day. But that''s still too little. By the way, the stiff sermon was being streamed as it was. Of course, they cut the elementary school girl''s serious crying. Chapter 16: [A Call From Teacher] Chapter 16: [A Call From Teacher] One day before my summer vacation. As I stood up to go to the library to check out a foreignnguage book and go home, my homeroom teacher stopped me. "Shall we have a little chat?" "What?" "Please follow me." What? Scary!? Did I do something wrong! ? Did I do something wrong? I followed my homeroom teacher with trepidation. Oh no, I have too many ideas! The teacher took me to a room with a namete that read "Reception Room". It was a room derided by the students as the "student advisor''s office". When I opened the door, there was a sofa facing me with a table in front of it. I was made to sit opposite the teacher. "Well, um, uh, ." Which was the cause of the call? I was about to throw the question. The door opens with a bang, and a new persones into the room. "Eh, mom!" It was my mom who came. Even they called my parent! What in the world have I gotten myself? "Sorry to keep you waiting, miss teacher." "Thank you foring, mother." My judgment was quick. "Oh, I just remembered something I have to do. I''m going home first!" "Hey, don''t run away!" "Geez." She had me by the scruff of the neck. I can''t run away from my mom! "I''m sorry for my stupid daughter." "No, no, it''s okay." "Um, mom, what are you doing today?" "Well, I took the day off for someone else." That''s it? I''m screwed. How angry was mom going to get? I gave up and sat down on the couch with my mom. Then the story began. "Your recent test scores have been remarkable, Iroha-san." "Thank you." Oh? I rolled my eyes at the unexpected start of the conversation. Could this possibly work? There''s a chance that I''ve been summoned not for a sermon but for apliment. "But, your attitude towards school life is not very good." Oh, I knew it was bad. Oh, so I was called out because of my attitude. I had a pretty good idea of what it was. "You''ve been reading unrted books in ss." "Ugh! "Watching videos on your smartphone during recess, which is forbidden in school." Ugh! "Your children are, frankly speakingC" Ah, I''m done. Cut into my VTuber viewing time. It was the other day, right? No way they''d allow it. "Frankly speaking C she may be a genius!" "Yeeeeeeeeeessssssss?" "Perhaps Iroha-san is highly intelligent!" How can you be so sure? My brain is filled with question marks, wondering what thisdy is talking about. It''s not connected to what you just said! Mom nodded deeply at the teacher''s words. "That''s right! I was feeling that from mother''s point of view!" "Yeah, yeah~!" Why are they hitting it off with each other? I don''t get it. I can''t keep up. "The regr sses are too easy for Iroha-san. Perhaps she''s attending a cram school and has already learned there?" "No, I don''t send her to cram school." "That''s right. That''s what you said in our previous interview." The teacher was flipping through a binder. Perhaps my grades are listed in the binder. "Iroha-san was self-studying during ss by reading unrted books C foreignnguage materials. Of course, she understood the ss content for that hour and got a perfect score on the test." "Oh, was that so?" My mom nced at me. I shake my head, buzzing. No, I''m not! No, it wasn''t, but it was! It was true that I was reading foreignnguage materials I had borrowed from the library. But it was only because my brain overheats when I input too much at once, so it was convenient for me to read them in small chunks during ss and in my free time. "And even during breaks, she was using her smartphone to study listening to foreignnguages." The teacher said, "Another student told me that." I was in turmoil. No, I didn''t do that! Who told this big lie to the teacher? And then I realized. I had once tried to watch a foreign VTuber stream during recess and identally put it on my speakers. That''s it! "Maybe Iroha-san is what we call gifted. Mother, why don''t you send Iroha-san to middle school!" "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee !" "It would be a waste to let Iroha-san''s excellent talent remain buried! It would be fine if she continues to public junior high school, but we should let her take higher-level sses if possible. Why don''t you let her test her ability?" What are you talking about? Even the teacher too? It waspletely unexpected that there was an ambush even at the school. This flow is bad. I panicked and covered my mouth. "I can''t do it. I can''t take the junior high school entrance exam!" "That''s right. The most important thing is your own will. If it''s too much of a hurdle for you, how about joining a summer course first?" The teacher took a pamphlet from the binder andid it out in a row. My mom looked at him and grinned. "That''s a great idea! Hey, Iroha would love that!" "Eh, it''s just a normal pain!?" The teacher secretly pinched me and I couldn''t see her. Against violence! Whispered in my ear before I shouted. "Promise, right?" Ugh, that was it. I was going to consider taking the junior high school entrance exam. But that doesn''t mean I''m going to attend summer school. "Didn''t you watch VTuber during your break?" My sweat broke out. She knows. "That''s strange. Mom, I''ve confirmed that you watched VTubers at home for exactly two hours every day. Where on earth did you count the time you spent watching VTubers at school?" "Woe~, Iroha, summer school, daisuki." "Yes! I''m d you''re thinking positively! Now, which summer course do you want to go?" The teacherys out pamphlets and exins the price and ss contents differences. The prices are quite different. "Mom, I think I''ll take this one." "You just chose the cheapest one by looking at the price, didn''t you?" "Ugh, but it costs a lot of money." "You don''t have to worry about that!" "Iroha-san, if you care, some cram schools have a special student program. If you get high grades in the summer sses and be the best, you can make your mother''s life easier. Don''t worry. I know you can do it!" No, no, no ! That was just a pretext. I chose the less expensive course because it was shorter and seemed easier! "It''s a cram school and has a special student program?" "Yes, mother. If you want to go for it, you''ll be limited to a reasonablyrge cram school, and since all the kids start studying at an earlier age, it might be tougherC" In the end, the conversation proceeded very quickly. I ended up taking a summer course at a fairlyrge cram school. "Don''t worry, Iroha-san. It''s not toote to decide whether or not you want to take the junior high school entrance exam after taking the summer course." Geez! How did this happen~! Chapter 17: [Classification Test] Chapter 17: [ssification Test] The closing ceremony was over without incident, and I was on my way home. It would be a month before I next went back to school. My report card was pretty good if I do say so myself. Now I can do it without any worries. "It''s summer vacatioioon!" >Summer vacation? >Whatnguage is that? >I didn''t know such a thing existed in the world. "Yeah, you corporate nii-chans don''t have summer vacation!!!" >I want to punch this kusogaki! w >There are all kinds of things that happen to working people. >AAah, the channel subscribers count went down, didn''t it? "I-I''m sorry. Seriously, be careful not to damage your body. I''m rooting for everyone who is working during the summer vacation." In my previous life, I was apany employee. I understand how they feel. I think working people don''t get much time off. I don''t know how many years it has been since I had such a long vacation. That''s why I was so excited. >So, do you want to stream song slots? >Sell work-supporting voices? >More teasing? "You''re an adult, and you can''t even take a break? Even elementary school students can do it! Wow, what a shame~! Lo~ser, lo~ser!" >Hey, idiot stop it! >Why did you pick up thatment? >Mesugaki move. Thank you! "Well, I''m saying this, but I''m also starting summer school tomorrow." >Oh. >Don''t be so calm all of a sudden! >There is no summer vacation for students who are taking exams. "I haven''t decided yet that I''m going to take the exam. I mean, with summer vacation homework, and summer sses. Maybe I''ll be busier than when I was in school? The only thing that will save me is that the time limit for watching MyTube will be rxed." >I guess you''ve noticed. >You''ve got to study. >Oh, so you have summer homework, too? "That''s right. I''m sure there are many troublesome homework assignments for elementary school students during the summer vacation. Anyway, I think I''ll finish my diary today." >Why are you trying to finish your diary on the first day? >You''re just trying to make something up. >What''s the point of a diary if you don''t write every day? "You can just pullst year''s diary and copy it. Oh, good boy don''t copy it!" >Wow! >Isn''t it better than writing all at once on thest day? >You''re going to summer sses this year, so there''s a contradiction lol "Everyone writes a diary every day, okay? This is very important homework to make a habit of and to understand the importance of continuity and the preciousness of time each day. Everyone who is a good adult ???? should also write a daily journal every day." >Her reasoning is weird. ww >I see. I didn''t realize that. >Sorry, I couldn''t speak for others either. "What''s going to take more time? Free research or something?" >I''m curious about Iroha''s free study. >It''s rted to VTuber anyway >"Let''s do some research together-nee" > >Anego? >I love Anegoooo! "Wait, no way. Ah-nee?" >Is this some cobs? >I''ve seen this line of thinking before. w >Don''t force everyone to cobs. "I just received a message behind the scenes as well. So I will do free research on the stream. It will probably be a coborative project. Since Ah-nee can''t stop this from happening." >LOL >As an elementary school student, she seems to be a hard worker. w >Ah-nee, you need to grow up more. w "More details will be announced on Twitter and the streams as soon as the project details are finalized. So please look forward to it~." >I''ll be waiting for it. >I can''t predict what Ah-nee''s going to do. >"I''m looking forward to it-nee" With that, she left the chats. As usual, she is too light on her feet! And too forceful! But I was saved by that part of her. I''m not very good at nning projects, so I tend to deliver more chit-chat. So this kind of invitation is her way of following up with me, as I am still in my infancy as a streamer. I want to think it''s a follow-up. I hope it''s a follow-up! I''m not a typhoon woman who stirs things up and then leaves with great satisfaction, am I? I switched my thoughts to wishful thinking and returned to the main topic. "Oh, by the way, there was one more troublesome homework. Kanji drills." >Wow, that''s nostalgic! >I hated the dictation of kanji characters. >Iroha-chan, are you okay with writing Kanji characters over and over again? "Hmm? What do you mean?" >I heard gifted people are so bad at repetitive learning (not figuratively) that they throw up. >I''ve heard they even copse from stress and are rushed to the hospital. >Really? "Really?" Even I had the same reaction as chats. I heard that "gifted" gives an image of being blessed with talent, but I didn''t know there was such a dark side to it. "I don''t find it that hard to write kanji characters. As I said before, I am not gifted. Besides, I move my hands as I watch the video anyway." >Not gifted (gifted). >Were you the calm type? >I''m d you''re okay. > good for all kinds of diseases. "Well, I hate it soooo much! I mean, I don''t think any kids like that thing." >That''s true. w >I guess you''re right. ww >That''s inefficient, isn''t it? "I don''t think there''s any way around it, though." Junior high school students and high school students will understand how to study. However, it is necessary to teach elementary school students "how to remember" first. >But it''s a shame you were forced to study inefficiently when they are so smart. >Japanese-style school education is designed to "eliminate dropouts", so it''s no wonder. >That''s why we have a junior high school entrance exam. >That''s what the middle school entrance exams are for. "I see?" When you put it that way, it almost makes sense. Except for the one point that I am not gifted, but an ordinary person. That''s the point, after all. I know I am not a genius. But I can''t prove it to the people around me. So the next day I was visiting an exam-cram school with my mother. "Heeahh, it''s big~." "Lelelet''s go." "Ha-ha-ha, your mother is too nervous." Well, I don''t know how she felt. The building was so huge that I wanted to call it an exam-cram school, or rather, an exam building. I was surprised to learn that the entire building was a cram school. Once inside, they have shown me an empty room. She told me that I wouldn''t take a ss today, but to prepare for it. First, I had to take a test to enter the school. I was left alone in the room. While I was taking the test, my mother was probably in a separate room. She''s being briefed on the school''s system and monthly fees. "Wow, it''s really hard! I say that as I solve questions. I don''t have much hope for the results. As someone who had already solved past tests, to some extent, I was prepared. All tests were impossible to solve with only perfect elementary school lessons. I was able to get through English, though. The mothers came back to the room. They told me that the test results would be used to determine my ss cement for each course. I didn''t know this until they exined it to me. But it seems that there are specialized courses for each difficult-to-enter junior high school, courses to acquire the general knowledge necessary to pass the junior high school entrance exam, and courses to review all the content of the elementary school sses. She said some courses were divided into several sses because of therge number of students in each course. "Which one do you prefer?" "Well, I''m going to take a general course." Well, I''m not aiming for a difficult middle school, and I''ve already taken the general course at school! For me, in the second round of elementary school, a regr ss is like a review. So it was a process of elimination. The next day, I received a phone call from the cram school. It seemed to be a notification of the result of my ss cement. My mother had note home from work yet, so I took the call. I knew my talent. So I''m sure I''ll be at the bottom of the ss. [CWould you like to be a special student at our school?] "Yes?????????" Chapter 18: [Tongue Twister] Chapter 18: [Tongue Twister] "Did you get a call from the school? What did your teacher say?" "Oh, it was the bottom of the general course ss." I told my mother when she came home. The mother was shocked when she heard this. Perhaps she imagines that I would suddenly be in the highest ss. "Yeah, but it''s like that at first. Don''t worry about it. If it''s you, I''m sure you''ll be able to go straight to the next ss." Iughed, "Yeah, I guess so.". I thought it wouldn''t go so well. In the back of my mind, I recalled the phone call I had just had. [Would you like to be our special student?] "Yes?????????" No, no, no, no. Something is going on behind my back. I immediately thought so. I knew how well I did on the test. I knew that my score on the test was not good enough to be a special student. If there is a possibility, it would be that my English was outstanding. I don''t think that would be enough to make me a special student. There must be many returnees and bilinguals who can get the same score. As I listened to the story, I understood how it worked. ording to her, the special student status is not immediately granted, but upon fulfillment of certain conditions. There are two conditions. The first is that the student must take a course designated by the school for difficult-to-enter junior high schools. The other is to get a high grade on the test at the end of the summer course. In other words, if I understood the previous statement correctly, it means this. [You had a chance to be a special student at our school.] Ha-han, is this what I think it is? That''s what they''re saying, right? No child would feel bad about being told, "You have talent.". The same goes for parents who are told, "Your child is gifted!". I bet it! The possibility is not zero, right? I was disappointed in my expectations. That was just a lure. Using the word "schrship student" as bait must be the aim of trying to get into the school right now. Mom was already on board with the idea of joining the school. I thought they told every parent and child with even a little talent the same thing. After all, it''s all in their words. If I be a special student and get into a difficult junior high school, it will be a positive result for the school. Even if not, the school will make a profit when the child enrolls in the school. Parents can also enjoy free tuition if they assume their child will be a special student. It is not surprising parents would turn away from the high monthly fees and loosen the purse strings, thinking, "If only for now.". There are two types of special students. "A" students exempted from all fees. "B" students exempted from half of the fees. If someone told me that, I would get one of the two. Whenever anyone buys stocks, they do so with the expectation that the stock will go up. And once you put your money in, it is hard to back out. The money will be salted away until next February when the entrance exam is over. Of course, this teacher did not have any malicious intent. The basis of business is to offer what the customer is looking for. Well, that''s the reality of it. Even I was expecting a little when they said that. She''s a good talker, you know. Today I''m coborating with Korean VTubers. I''ll y a game, which is rare for me. I''ve been ying an FPS game in the Koreannguage. It''s traumatizing to take exams. (Hangeul) >I don''t want to take the exam again even if they''ll give me 10 million won. >I was almostte and got a ride to the venue in a police car. >I had an old man I didn''t know who gave me a ride home on his motorcycle. >I still dream about the time I was almostte. >Sunun, is that you? I can read now. Seriously? Try to pick up somements. >The soy sauce factory manager is Factory Manager Kang, and the miso factory manager is Factory Manager Chang. >You speak Korean better than me??? (Korea) >I was terrified that the tongue twister was better than me. Ganjang gonjang gonjang jang unkang gonjangjangyigo, tenjang gonjang gonjangjang unchan gonjangjangyida Wow, I swear, it''s hard to say! I wasn''t aware I was speaking fast at all earlier. How can I be good at fast speech when my singing is barbed? Chapter 19: [A Visitor From Another Country] Chapter 19: [A Visitor From Another Country] Why I could do that kind of tongue twister? There''s still a lot we don''t know about this ability either. >LOL > I''m out of position ww >I''m out of position I once lurked for a while because I wanted to get matched with a VTuber in my previous life. But in the end, I couldn''t find the time to y due to work conflicts, and I retired without getting much better. The best way for me was to watch the video streaming, which I could do on the train, in the bathroom, or the bathtub. >They fell >This is too EZ ! >She''s cute. That''s what she said. As a fan, I would love to see that happen. I became a fan of hers even more. Even though she said such nice things, the clip that got the most views was the one from the scene when she said, "Our position has be nonexistent.". That''s just as well. In the meantime, the summer course started in earnest. The contents were quite hard. Each one is simple, but the amount of work is massive. It is natural to say that. The junior high school curriculum entrance examinations usually begin in the fourth grade and take three years toplete. It is toote to start studying for junior high school entrance examinations if I started in the summer of the 6th year. The standard will vary depending on the school to which you want to apply. "Haah." To be honest, I was troubled. Many of the people around me, including the listeners, are in favor of taking the junior high school entrance exam. I think it is necessary to study. Is it necessary to take the junior high school entrance exam? I have a question. I don''t need to go that far to live. In my previous life, I was a professional. In extreme cases, if I jump into the same field, I can y a stronger new game+. Although it is a somewhat overtime-intensive job, I can earn enough to survive. I had no desire to buy more VTuber goods if I got a higher-paying job, but even so, I was not dissatisfied with my previous life, even though I had some unfinished business with it. So there is no reason to ask for more C no need to work hard. Besides, wouldn''t this probably be the case even if it wasn''t me? Imagination only takes a moment, but the effort is meaningless if we''re not continuing it. If you start your life over as a child, will you always make it big? The answer is no. Ideal and reality are different. Most people will not work hard if they are ced in an environment where they do not have to work hard. If there is a person who will make it big, they''re already working hard right now. However, I owe my mother a debt of gratitude for raising me, and she provides me with food, clothing, and shelter. Therefore, I would like to follow my mother''s wishes as much as possible. But only to the extent that I can do so. The amount of effort required to get good grades at school, and to pass the junior high school entrance exam is very different. If you ask me if I would cut back on my VTuber viewing time, I would say no. There are things I can only do now. Today is the only time I can watch today''s stream in real-time. I''m currently limited to 5 hours of viewing per day. That was really out of concern for me, so I epted it. However, I wondered if taking the junior high school entrance examination was really for my benefit. The answer to this question came from an unexpected visitor. [Iroha-chan,e to my house now~!] I got a sudden phone call from Ah-nee. Well, as usual. I didn''t have cram school today, so I went to her house as she called me. "I''ming in!" I was in Ah-neer''s room, which I already knew well. I opened the door with a bang, and there was another person I didn''t know. I knew at once if I heard her voice. There was no way I could have made a mistake. She''s my best oshi. <"Gurururu Domo Zombie desu". I''m Angu-ogu! > There she was, the "inside person" of Angu-ogu. Chapter 20: [Whats Weird About Japan] Chapter 20: [Whats Weird About Japan] "Ah-neeee!" I grabbed onto her and shook her head. "Yo, Yooouuu!" "Haha, Iroha-chan, you surprised? I''m so d you''re so pleased. It was worth it to surprise you~!" "Oh, no! I told you that when I found out who M Anegasaki was! [I don''t want to ruin my position as a VTuber fan!] Aaaaahhhh, of all people, I just saw the 3D body of my oshi !" "I forgot, that''s not enough, !" Ah-nee stuck out her tongue andughed. I copsed and plopped down on the floor, tears streaming down my face. I''ll never forgive you, stupid Ah-nee. I had a promise to Ah-nee. Maybe Ah-nee was trying to fulfill her promise. If I interpret it positively. But the promise was to be autographed. Who could have imagined that she would sign it in person? Angu-ogu posed in a sexy pose with her hips thrust out. It looked like a child acting like an adult. Anegoughed when he saw her pose. "That''s right, Ogu is sexy, isn''t she? She''s so mature when shees to Japan, she''s mistaken for a child and stopped at the airport." "Ugh! You promised not to say that!" Angu-ogu could understand a little Japanese, so he was thrusting in Japanese. It was a scene so easily imagined that Iughed too. It is true that in her most recent delivery, she said that she was currently preparing for an appointment. However, there was no way I could have predicted that it would be in Japan, or even at Ah-nee''s house. "Okay, now that we''re all here, let''s go!" "Go where?" "Well, of course." "Sightseeing!" So we got into a cab that Ah-nee had called and went out to the city. Angu-ogu''s eyes were sparkling as she looked from ce to ce. "Where do you want to go, Ogu?" "Yoshinoya, Coco Curry, Mr. Donut and I want to go to the Convenience Store!" "Ha ha ha! All you do is eat! Ogu is a foodie, isn''t she? Well, she''s growing up, I guess." "Don''t treat me like a child!" We paraded through the streets, arguing about such things. Ogu would ask, "What''s that?" and "What''s this?", and reacted to a lot of things. Walking down the street, she went to. She was amazed. When we entered a restaurant. She shows it off with a smug look on her face. When I went to a convenience store. She enjoyed shopping. We returned to Ah-nee''s house with the convenience store bag in our hand. Angu-ogu had just arrived in Japan. Since she was still jetgged, we decided to stay in the neighborhood today and be prepared for tomorrow. Then I thought we were going to take a break. "What are you talking about? We still have work to do, right?" "What?" "Have you forgotten what we do?" And so. "How are you all? I''m everyone''s big sister.''. I''m M Anegasaki" <"Gurururu Domo Zombie desu. I''m Angu-ogu! > "My words for you!'' I''m Iroha, the girl who trantes." >I love Anegooo! >Yaaaah, Ogu! >Iroha-chan kita! The chats flow. I watched it from next to Ah-nee. I can''t do tracking today, so I''m only participating in the stop-motion pictures. Angu-ogu is standing next to me with herptopputer, which she brought from the U.S. "Everyone~. You''re already aware of it,-nee? Today is an offline cob Ogu and Iroha-chan!" "Domo, Minasan of Japan. I''m here in Japan right now. I''m in Anego''s room." The chat quickly bes lively. Questions areing from both Japan and the US all at once. Where did you go? What did you do? What do you think? etc. Angu-ogu answered them in a fast-paced manner. Anego revealed some embarrassing episodes of Angu-ogu''s life, and I tranted andmented on them. When we got the topic of Japanese convenience stores came up. Like that I see. So that''s why she didn''t eat it right away. Both of them were in tune with the stream. Come to think of it, the sweets we bought were also very Japanese. I didn''t notice and just bought what she wanted to eat. I realized how different they were from me as streamers. I realized that popr VTubers have their reasons for being popr. And they are backed up by their efforts. We showed the picture of the items Angu-ogu bought on the delivery. Next, we showed a picture of the products that Ah-nee bought. "This is delicious too. Try it, Ogu." "What is this? Apo?" "Yes, yes, apo-apo!" >Oh, >Anego, you! >Japanese apples are much smaller and red. (Eng) "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Yay, the prank sess! Ogu, that''s crunchy plum." I exined about crunchy plums to the foreigners and Angu-ogu. After struggling for a while and swallowing it, Angu Ogu grabbed onto her sister. >w! (Eng) >Wow, you''re a hyperpolyglot! (Eng) >Wow, you can read or not read conveniently, can''t you? (Eng) And well, the stream was such a great sess. Before we knew it, it was already a good time, and I said my customary greetings, "Otsukareta, arigeta." In the end, Angu-ogu said, . In a bad way. Naturally, that part clipped to pieces. Chapter 21: [Sleepover Party] Chapter 21: [Sleepover Party] Angu-ogu stretches out her body. The stream is safely over, and we''ll finish our activities for today. I heard that Angu-ogu is going to stay at Ah-nee''s house. I''m tired too. Too many things have happened today. I was so nervous because I had my oshi next to me. I tried to stand up with that thought in my mind. "What? Iroha-chan, you''re leaving? You should stay the night!" "Eeeeee, you''re annoying! Don''t cling to me, Ah-nee. It''s too hot!" "Then tell me you''ll stay the night,e on!" Sleeping over with my oshi! Ah-nee aside, being under one roof with a girl your age is a lot of things to deal with as a fan, and an old man. Ah, not to mention Ah-nee (twice, because it''s important). I send a message to my mom. She replies a few momentster. [Okay. Don''t be rude. Mom will be homete starting today.] It was mutual. Why is it that only at times like this do I easily get permission? I gave up. "Mom said I can stay over." "Okay, if we decide to do that, first we need to go to the bathroom! Let''s go to the bathroom, ooh!" "Bbbaa bath!? Wait a minute! As expected that is!" We desperately resisted. As expected, Ah-nee also gave up while being booed, probably because she thought 2 to 1 was inferior. I thought it was , but while I was taking a bath. Boom! The bathroom door was opened suddenly. "Iroha-chan~! I''ll wash your back~!" "Gyaaaaaaaa!" Anego''s done it! In the end, Angu-ogu and I took turns guarding the gate in the dressing room to protect each other from Anego''s intrusion. By the time we got out of the bath. We were shaking hands. Before I knew it, the walls and tension were gone. Hey?Does it seem we''re getting further and further away from my ideal rtionship between VTubers and their fans? Or is A-nee aiming for this? No, no. She''s just doing what she wants to do. In addition, another person tried to break in while I was taking a bath. The one who appeared while Angu-ogu was slightly out of her seat was. "Iroha-chan, you can''t do it with Ah-nee, but it''s okay if it''s Mai, right? Mai will wash your back! It''s already locked?? It can''t be helped, I brought a 10-yen coin properly. Oh. Huh? It won''t open!?" I washed my hair while silently holding the key. Through the bathroom door, and I heard Anguogu''s cries as she returned to the changing room. We spread out the futon, and the three of usy down side by side in the shape of a river. What, you mean you don''t sleep with Mai in a 2-2 split? I felt my chastity was in danger, so I decided not to. Mai was crying, but I didn''t care. She deserved it. I asked Ogu if she wanted to sleep with the four of us. I had been worried that her VTuber career tended to exclude her from the group, but she didn''t seem to mind it. I was taken aback, but I was soon convinced. Angu-ogu loves Japanese anime culture. She is a foodie and got interested in Japan from Japanese food. She then expanded her interest to Japanese music games and anime. She often sings anime songs in her stream. I admonished the tension that was about to rise. I answered while looking up at the ceiling. Come to think of it, the education systems in Japan and the U.S. are different. But it is a very unexpected career path. < I see.> Angu-ogu concluded. I pondered for a while. Angu-ogu waited for me silently while I thought about it. "Gugo-go-go-go-go! Gukah, Supi." <<>> We silently woke up and looked down at Ah-nee''s face, who had decided to have a good night''s sleep. I thought she was awfully quiet, but it seems she fell asleep right away. She was sleeping quitefortably. We cowered our shoulders, thinking it would be bad to wake her up by making too much noise, and crept under the covers. When we closed our eyes, the morning was just around the corner. "Ah-nee you." "S-sorry, I''m sorry ." The next morning, Angu-ogu and I were sitting on the floor looking down at Ah-nee. Our faces were bruised and blue. "No, no ahaha. I didn''t know I was such a bad sleeper. I didn''t know." "Ah-nee~!" "Hiiiiiiii! I''m sorry!" Chapter 22: [Encounter and Farewell] Chapter 22: [Encounter and Farewell] On the second day. The four of us, Angu-ogu, Ah-nee, Mai, and I were at a summer festival. Because it''s been a long time, and everyone is wearing a yukata. Angu-ogu is happily looking around the stalls. Ah-nee is ordering items for her. I was nipping with "Ma~i!" "You know how bad Ah-nee sleeps, don''t you?" "Wha what are you talking about? Does, Doesn''t, Doesn''t know, Mai doesn''t know anything!" "Jiiii~~" "Ugh ahhhh~. Iroha-chan, don''t you want some takoyaki~?" Aaaan, she offers me one of her takoyaki. I bite into the toothpick. It''s so hot, I chew it while writhing in agony. Mmm, it''s good. "Oh well. I''ll forgive you." "Ho-." "Hey, Mai?" There was something that had been bothering me for a long time, but I couldn''t bring myself to ask. I looked away to hide my guilt. In the corner of my eye, I saw Ah-nee and Angu-ogu, "Woah!" , and making a fuss. Ah-nee bought a candy apple and offered it to Angu-ogu, but Angu-ogu was too rmed to ept it, saying, "Another crunchy plum''!" Ah-nee bursts outughing when she sees that. Their merrymaking gave me courage, and I spoke up. "Mai, don''t you think about bing a VTuber yourself? You know what we do, right?" "Yes, I know! I don''t think mom and dad knew much about VTubers, but Mai watched Ah-nee when she first started streaming. That''s why I look up to you so much." "Then why?" "Impossible! Impossible! It''s different for Mai to stream~! Mai isn''t suited for that kind of streaming. I''m not good at talking in front of people like that. onee-chan already invited Mai. But Mai turned it down." "Oh? Was that so?" "Yeah. Mai likes to go to school every day and study hard. Ehehe~ I thought it was cowardly of me not to try like this, but onee-chan told me." Mai looked up and followed her gaze to Ah-nee''s back. It was a look as if she was looking at something dazzling. "[There is no such thing as which life is better than the other]. [Mai can go on with her life if she wants to]. So I''m fine the way I am. I''m fine the way, I am." Mai smiled shyly, "Well, I haven''t decided what I want to do in the future yet." To be honest, I underestimated Mai. No, I underestimated children. They are already thinking about a lot of things in their little bodies. "Come on, Mai, let''s go!" I was pulled along by Angu-ogu, and Mai by her sister. We were taken to a slightly elevated ce. <3, 2, 1> There are colorful flowers painted on the dark canvas. The sound and shock shook me to my core. <"Tamaya!"> Angu-ogu shouted. I felt like shouting too, so I joined in and shouted. I usually write in my diary during the summer vacation, but today I felt like writing it down right away. We hade to the airport to see Angu-ogu off. There was no time left before thest flight to the US. I said and wiped my eyes. The past three days had flown by. And yet, I hade to take it for granted that I was with Ogu. For a while, we both fell silent. Everything that needed to be done has been done. We both feel that this is the time to say goodbye. Angu-ogu spoke in a mumbled voice. Angu-ogu looked out the window. Her voice was faintly trembling. Angu-ogu turned her eyes toward me. Her eyelids were filled with tears. Me in America? I had never thought about it. No, I''ve only been to the US once in my life. The result was disastrous, though. I hear an announcement. It''s time to go. Angu-ogu turns her back and starts to walk away. Her back is getting smaller and smaller. Is this goodbye? Really? I felt like there was still something I needed to tell him. But I didn''t know how to verbalize my feelings. So, at least, I shouted. Ogu looked back at me. She looked back at me as if he had been waiting for me to say something like that. I felt like I got the message. She threw down her bag and ran toward me. She hugged me as if she was going to hit me. I hugged her tightly. Saying this, Angu-ogu moved her face closer to mine. I turned around reflexively. . At the moment , "GuugH" "Aa", "Gyaaaaah~?!" Angu-ogu''s eyes widened in astonishment. I would have the same look on my face. Ah-nee''s mouth dropped open, and Mai screamed. <"Woahhhhhh !"> Angu-ogu and I jumped back. I wiped my mouth with the hem of my dress as if it were a mirror reflection. "Ma, Ma, Mai, Mai''s Iroha-chan aaaaahhhhhhhh!" "Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Where was the emotional atmosphere from earlier? In the end, our parting was quite a noisy one. But I was no longer lonely. We would see each other again. I''m sure. Ah, by the way, I told the news that Angu-ogu kissed me during the stream. She immediately appeared in the chats and desperately tried to exin herself, but it was toote. In no time, it was clipped, and hit a record-high number of views. Chapter 23: [Summer! Pool! Introvert!] Chapter 23: [Summer! Pool! Introvert!] It''s been a few days since Angguogu returned to Japan. He has finally gotten used to his life of homework, summer sses, video distribution, and watching videos, and had a peaceful summer vacation, but not yet. Every day during this summer vacation, including my previous life, has been extremely turbulent. Then one day. [Iroha, don''t you want to go to the pool?] "No." I suddenly get a call like that from Ah-nee. Don''t underestimate indoor activities. Who would go all the way to a ce like that? I''m thinking, "I don''t want to go to the pool.". And then someone opened the room door with a bang. "What?" "I''m here to pick you up! Okay, let''s go!" "NOOOO! Help me, mom! I''m going to get kidnapped!" "Haha, Irohamama, out, isn''t she? Don''t worry, don''t worry. I''ve got her permission. Let''s see, here''s your swimsuit and towel, right? Okay." "Somebody help me!" There was no way I could win by force, so I was dragged away and thrown into a cab. And so Ah-nee took me to arge leisure pool facility. They had a rendezvous, and Ah-nee approached the group, waving her hands. "What, wait? I didn''t hear anything about this. Ah-nee, aren''t we alone?" "What are you talking about? It''s a VTuber''s offline meeting today, right?" "Yeeeeeeeesssssss?" Iy down by the pool and cried. I saw the 3D bodies of several of my oshi. I mean, it''s like it''s normal to see them in real life already. "Damn Ah-nee. It''s not [What? I thought you''d already met your oshi]. How can I already meet them? "Oh, , uh. Iroha-chan. Right ? Heh, heh, uh, what are you doing?" "!" One of the VTubers, whom I met for the first time today, calls out to me. I look around in a panic, spot Ah-nee, and hide behind her back. I can''t break any more boundaries as a fan ! "Oh no, she got away from me." "Haha, I''m sure she''s just embarrassed. Iroha-chan is so cute. She''s so attracted to you. She loves Anego~". "Oh no, I''m so embarrassed!" "No, I''m not!" It was an utterly heartbreaking misunderstanding. But seeing such an exchange, the VTubers gathered around. Ugh, I''m in trouble. Surrounded by girls like this, I don''t know what to look at. But I can''t give an evil eye to my oshi..! I''m in trouble. I looked at Anego. I felt calm. It''s working. That''s the thing, isn''t it? It''s like when you''re in a rage, you think of your mother''s face and admonish yourself. "Cute! She looked at Anego as if I was asking for help. That''s surprising~ because I had an image of her as a firm man when she streamed. I didn''t know she''s such a cutie outside of the stream." It was disappointing. Ah-nee also said, "Oh, you found out? That''s right. Iroha-chan likes me too much!" When did I ever act like that? Even though. To be honest, I was surprised. "I don''t mean to be rude, but you guys also do this cheerful event, don''t you? I thought you guys were not good at outdoor activities like swimming pools." """Ah, , yeah.""" Everyone looked away at once. Only Ah-nee was puffing out her chest. I guessed it. Everyone else was a victim of her, just like me. One of the VTubers, perhaps trying to change the mood, shouted, "Ke, but! I said. "It''s fun toe here, isn''t it? And a pool, too!" "Yes, it is! I thought it was a haven for jokers! It''s the first time in my life that I''ve been to a pool with friends, but it''s so much fun!" """"Ah.""" "I was worried about my swimsuit too since I bought it 10 years ago, but I''m d I got to wear it~! At that time, when I went to the meeting ce, everyone in the ss was gone!" """"Ah""" "Oh no, this is fun! When I used toe to ces like this, I used to y by counting how many people passed through the flowing pool, but when Ie with my friends, there are other fun things to doCmugh!"""" "That''s enough, that''s enough , no more." "?????" One of the VTubers stopped talking after the too-sad shady episodes. She didn''t seem aware that it was ck history and tilted her head strangely. I couldn''t help but say, "Ugh". My tears were about to spill out. I made up my mind, stepped out of Ah-nee''s shadow, and approached her. I had more important things to do than to be proud to be a fan. I take her hand and speak to her. "Let''s y together. See? You are not alone. We are already friends!" All the VTubers who hade along cried. I tilted my head and said, "What? Why are you all crying? I don''t know, but yeah, let''s y!" He seemed happy. A midsummer pool. There is a story of friendship and emotion "Buekkuson!". "Ah, Zorry. I got a runny nose. Okay, everyone, let''s go out for dinner, shall we? I''m getting cold. I want ramen!" "Anego"""""" We stared at her and thenughed. I don''t know if she''s unaware of it or if she''s doing it on purpose. With a smile, as if she wasn''t thinking, she led everyone to the food stand. We ate, swam, and rode the water slides. We continued to enjoy the pool without a break. I came home exhausted from ying. My mom is not home yet. I started the stream and reported to all the viewers what happened. >I''m too jealous! >There''s too much teetee! >Anego is still the same LOL. I''ve gotten used to this life a lot. A month has passed since I started streaming, and. "Ah! I forgot to stream the 1 month anniversary of my debut!" >Wow, you finally realized it. >I didn''t realize it had already been a month. >Rather, it''s only been a month. >I thought I saw the 100,000 subscribersmemorative distribution because you had done it. >Isn''t this a huge number of subscribers in a month? >It''s almost all thanks to Anego. Wow, I did it. Ah-nee said, "Be proactive about thememorative events. Don''t forget the most recent one is the 1 month anniversary!" That is going to piss me off. ! No, wait, I''m talking about Ah-nee. If she was going to point it out, she would have done so by now. In other words, the fact that she didn''t point it out was out of her concern and consideration. Recently, she''s been busy with summer school and the arrival of Angu-ogu and other things. No, she hasn''t. Oh, Ah-nee must have forgotten about this. "Well, I know it''ste, but I''m going to do the 1-month anniversary stream tomorrow!" > 1-month anniversary stream. (Not 1 month) >What are you going to do for the anniversary? >Song stream? Is it finally a song stream? You''re singing a song, right? "I''ll sing a songCsen! No song, but I''ve got something ready that everyone wanted, and I''m going to announce it." A guessing contest was held in the chats. Some of them were correct, but I''ll keep it a secret. Don''t start aedy contest in the chats. Chapter 24: [One Month Anniversary Stream] Chapter 24: [One Month Anniversary Stream] Chapter 24. [One Month Anniversary Stream] "My Words to You!" This is Iroha, the trantion girl. So here we are, celebrating one month since my debut! Wow, p~!" >Congrattions! >It''s been a long month, hasn''t it? >1,680 It''s my first supacha! Congrattions on your 1 month anniversary! I''m always watching Iroha''s videos and learningnguages too! >10,000.00 1 month anniversary >$100.00 Congrattions (US) >?100,000 Congrattions! (Korea) >>Congrattions on 1 month, Iroha-chan! >Congrattions, Iroha-chan! >Congrats, Iroha! "Thanks, everyone! Wow, so many supachas! And even all the VTubers! Thank you! Wow, I''m so happy ! It''s been exactly one month today! Right? Right, guys? It''s exactly, exactly one month today, right?" >Ah, hi >It''s been exactly one month! >There were about 40 daysst month! "Well, this past month has flown by. I just received my silver te, too. Here''s what it looks like." >Wow! >I''m very emotional. >It''s only been a month, but still. "So, to cut to the chase, I have prepared a certain something for the one-month anniversary! I''ve heard you guys say many times, "Why don''t you make it?" Some of you got it right on yesterday''s stream, but from this day, the membership ban will be lifted!" >Wooooooooooooooooooo ! >Seriously, I can get in! >I''ve been waiting >[Wee to membership!] >[Wee to membership!] >[Wee to membership!] "Yes, so thank you very much for your patience~. Thanks to those of you who registered right away. There is a reason for the dy. Or rather, I was not going to implement it." >Eh, seriously? >Wait? Really? >I''m d you implemented it. "My channel''s audience has a somewhat higher percentage of underage viewers than other VTubers. I think there are children like me struggling to make ends meet. Under such circumstances, if I implement membership." I couldn''t help but let out a frustrated, Guh!" I can''t help but put a lot of energy into my words. "I can''t see the members-only streaming! I''ll be in agony! I think there are a lot of viewers.! I haven''t received any earnings yet, and I don''t have enough money in my pocket, so I can''t watch the members-only streaming of my idol!" >Too much reality w >It''s a personal grudge w >Then you just don''t have to stream member only, right? "You think so, don''t you? But if I don''t offer some membership benefit, I can''t lift the ban on memberships. >Was it" >Heh~ >Didn''t know "That''s why I was going to stop implementing memberships, but Ah-nee convinced me to do it." >Ah, no way! >Anego, you did great! >This is a fine y. "So I''ve been secretly preparing a membership benefit behind the scenes! That''s here! Badges and stamps! Oh, some of you are using them right away. Thanks." The names of viewers who have joined the membership turn green. In addition, a small icon C a badge C was disyed next to the name. They would also be able to use a special stamp that they could use only on this channel, called a custom emoji. "The badges will change depending on how long you have been a member. By the way, here is the lineup of stamps. Oi! Don''t y with stamps right away! Not Irohalo! Don''t make up strange greetings!" >So, I''m going to go with "Irohalo" or "Hello! >LOL >Irohalo! "Damn it!" I picked it up, and now the chat is filled with it. "Iroha" and "Otsukareta-" emojis werebined to create a new greeting. In a way, it''s genius. When ites to this kind of thing, there''s no one on the right forizens. Chapter 25: [Im Not Tone-Deaf] Chapter 25: [Im Not Tone-Deaf] I sighs, "Geez", to viewers who have started ying with stamps. "That''s what you guys used as a toy, it was hard to prepare, right? To be specific, Ah-nee gave me money, Ah-nee introduced me to an illustrator, and Ah-nee persuaded me to use my pocket money as bait, so it finally came true. " >I''m sorry, but it''s all Anego. >Anego, you''ve been working so hard behind the scenes. ww >Why are you even asking for an allowance? Well, it''s mostly because of Ah-nee. I had no money, no connections, and was about to give up, but she saved me. She has been a big help to me ever since my debut. "Thanks to the allowance I received from Ah-nee, I was able to sign up for the membership of my favorite idol, and I''m so happy! I''ve been so busy because of her." >Why are you looking down on her when she''s done everything for you? >You still watch VTuber. >Iroha-chan can only be spoiled by Anego straight. ww "I''m not spoiled by her! But well, I''d like to give something back to Ah-nee when I get my first earnings. Oh, off the record to Ah-nee! Promise! Don''t pigeonhole me!" >Okay. >I love surprises like this. Keep theming! >Great little sister, this one. "Also, let me just say this. Just because I don''t do it doesn''t mean I''m denying it. It''s a rarity that you can see the side of VTubers that we usually hide. It''s hard to rece anything! If you have the money, by all means, please be a member and watch the limited stream even if it''s just once!" >[Wee to membership!] >[Wee to membership!] >[Wee to membership!] "Why are you bing my member now? I told you my stream is not limited to members! Oh, well, I don''t appreciate it!" >I appreciate the tsundere of the little girl. >Iroha-chan is my idol, so I can''t help it. >If you want to thank me, you can sing me a song. "Hey, the guy who just asked me to sing! I''ll remember your name! You''re the one who''s always asking me to sing!" >Sing a song! >Sing! >Sing a song stream.? "Geez! There''s more! Eh? Soundtrack? No, well, there is. Oh, gosh, okay, just one song, just one song, okay? Let''s see. The audio file is at " Damn. "I wish I could have said, "I can''t because I don''t have the sound file.", but s, I do. Why do I have it? Because my Ah-nee gave it to me! I refused to give in to her because I don''t stream songs, but she forced me to get it from her. Damn, I didn''t expect this! "As expected, I won''t sing while tranting this time, okay? It''s just a normal Japanese song. Okay then.." The music begins to y. Take a deep breath and correct your posture. The intro ends. I took a deep breath and sent my voice into the microphoneDD. * * * * " let''s see" >Stomach hurts! w >After all, isn''t it a bar reading? >Was this a slow song project? "Oh no! I''m not supposed to be this tone-deaf!" Thest time I sang an English song, I ended up reading it out loud, probably due to my trantion skills. So this time, I chose a Japanese song to prevent that from happening, even though I thought I had. What on earth is this? What is this frustration I feel when I sing? It''s as if I''m tranting from Japanese to Japanese. Or, it''s as if I''m tranting something else into thenguage. No, there is no use thinking about it now. I must first clear up the misunderstanding! "No, no, guys! Believe me! I can sing better than this! There''s no way I can only sing my idol''s song this badly!" >Oh, yeah, right? >I''m relieved you''re not so good at something too, Iroha-chan. w >Well, it''s important to have the courage to admit what you can''t do when you can''t do it. ^^ "No! I amC" From that day on, I added to the "tone-deaf attribute". I''m unwilling! Furthermore, Ah-nee even asked me, "Do you want me to introduce you to a voice training teacher I know?" I could only nod in silence. Damn, that was so frustrating In the meantime, the summer vacation wasing to an end. The schedule adjustments and preparations with the VTubers who were to participate in the event werepleted. Finally, the big summer event was about to begin. I''m not talking about Comiket, okay? Free research during summer vacation. It''s time to unveil the "VTubers Summer Grand Presentation"! Chapter 26: [Research Presentation (After)] Chapter 26: [Research Presentation (After)] "Well, that research was still amazing, ne!" "It was amazing! No way, a dark horse! I never thought that VTuber had such unique ideas and crafting talent hidden away!" "That''s true. I''m going to look back at that part of the show regrly! Unanimous. The unanimous winner. Everyone was satisfied with the result, ne!" So the "VTubers Summer Grand Presentation" was sessfully concluded. The stream was already closed, but the excitement had not died down, and a few people stayed on the call to chat with each other. Well, that was a great stream! If anyone missed this stream, that would be a real shame! I don''t think there''s anyone who did, by any chance! "Iroha''s free research was amazing in a way, ne" This presentation was unexpectedly international. The participants were from Japan, the U.S., and Korea. The differences in their national characteristics were also evident in their research. With a pop, someone posted a message with a URL. I was surprised. I was surprised to see that in the U.S., elementary school students give such presentations and announcements. [But I think Iroha-san''s presentation was wonderful. The number of VTubers by country and their changes, the nationality ratio of viewers, the ratio of multilingual VTubers, etc. For me, it was useful information for future marketing. Thank you] [Oh no, no thanks! I would have done my research without this project in the first ce]. Even with my cheat-like abilities, learning a foreignnguage takes time. Prioritizing was a must. It would be normal to want to learn from thenguage that your guess is using or thenguage with the most VTubers. [It''s sad that there are still so many countries with only zero to one-digit VTubers I''d like to expand the culture of VTubing.] [I see. No, no, I know it too! ? It''s real! ] [You don''t have to do this.] [Oh, no! I''m still the useless child.] [Ha-ha-ha. Oh, by the way, is free research in Korea the same as in Japan?] [Some people do free research during summer vacation. But I have never done it. In Korea, summer vacation assignments are elective.] [Wow! What other assignments are optional?] [Read 50 books, run 3ps around the yground every day, etc.] [Oh, oh ] [Oh, there are easier ones, too. Besides, there is no "homework" during summer vacation in Korea like in Japan. Most of the kids go to cram school instead.] Oh, so that''s how it is. Korean elementary school students seem to be having a hard time. "The free research submitted by the viewers was also good, wasn''t it? I like that thing. Original paper crafts. I downloaded the pattern paper for Ogu." "Wow! That''s so "tee-tee"!" ["Ogu is Iroha''s Bride."] "Not my bride! She''s my idol, though." " Oh, I forgot. I was a girl now. Dangerous, dangerous. I tried to follow up and it almost took an extra weird turn. Is ok, right? It''s in English and people didn''t get it, right? "Well, and then there''s that thing! And that anegomaker was awesome! The one where you can make yourAh-nee speak any line you want. I want her to say "I''m sorry" every morning at ." "I''m sorry, Iroha! Are you stressed out? "Unlike Ah-nee, it only speaks when I wanted it." "Hiiiiiiii! Iroha-chan has turned to the dark side!" Noisy, noisy. Everyone is a good talker. They are all streamers, so the conversation is lively. It felt like a waste to be enjoying the conversation only among friends. "We should have had this conversation on the streaming site, right? "Oh, yeah! We were talking so much fun! You could use this conversation on my stream." "Sure! "Thank you!" Well, if I had streaming, my bombshell would have gone viral. Well, I''m really d it was off-cam. Oh, what''s that? Come to think of it, Ah-nee is quiet. Unlike Anegomaker, she keeps talking even when she doesn''t have to. "Oh, um, I have one thing I want to say to you guys." "What''s wrong, Ah-nee? You''ve been so quiet. That''s unusual." "Oh, no, no" "What are you talking about? Say it clearly." "Then let me tell youI forgot to turn off the stream" "Ah-nee!?", "Anego-saaann!?", [Anego-saaaannnn!?], "I''m sorry!" You, how many years have you been streaming!!! Wait a minute. How far did you forget to turn it off? Was it my statement? UUaaaaaah!!!??? I''m out. Naturally, the conversation was clipped. After this, Ah-nee said at the end of the delivery, "Did you cut the stream? chats began to flow. And I wasbeled "Yuri". After all, I have to make Ah-nee apologize. Summer vacation will soon be over. Thest mock exam of the summer course is over as well. I think my performance was not so bad. I think I did well for a busy month. My mom and I were summoned to the school for a meeting to discuss my future. As expected, the discussion was about my admission to the school. I was about to decline the offer when- Cmy mother copsed. Chapter 27: [Parent-Child Fight In The Hospital Room] Chapter 27: [Parent-Child Fight In The Hospital Room] During the discussion about entering a private school, my mom copsed. I was too confused to do anything. The cram school teacher called an ambnce and took my mom to the hospital. I got into the ambnce with her without any prompting. "You are overworked, aren''t you? "Overwork? Does that mean she has some serious illness? "She''ll be fine as long as she gets good nutrition and sleep." I copsed into a heap. On the hospital bed, my mom was apologetic and said, "I''m sorry I startled you.", Wow. The doctor poked the clipboard with a pen and made a noise. He looked at us sharply. "But what in the world are you people thinking? A mom and daughter being brought in together due to overwork?" ""Ugh!?""" Come to think of it. This doctor happens to be the same one who took care of me. He seemed to have recognized me because I was young and overworked. "Take better care of yourself. Especially your ma''am, you are in a position to set an example for your children, aren''t you?" "Yes, I am." "Children grow up watching their parents. Will you teach your children that working until you copse is good? If you want your children to have a future, you need to stop pushing them because they are still young and rethink your own life." "Excuse me." I thought she was a pretty bold mother, but she was indeed intimidated in front of the doctor. It was a good feeling. I''m not sure how much I worried about my mom. I suddenly thought of my mom when I copsed. I wonder if this is how my mom felt when I copsed. No, maybe more than that. I am her child. "Mom, do you have any rtives or acquaintances you can rely on?" "Um, a friend." "?" Her gaze nced at me. I tilted my head, not knowing what she meant. Am I misrepresenting something? Come to think of it. I don''t know my father or grandparents. "I see. Then please stay the night today. Tomorrow, we will do another examination, and if everything is OK, you can go home." After a couple of exchanges, the doctor left the room. I exhaled a "whew." and slowly looked around. A patient in the same room is also lying on the bed. "I''m worried. Mom, why are you overworked? No way. Lately, You''ve beening homete, but I didn''t expect to work all the timeDD" "Hey, Iroha. Are you serious about not going to school? What about the middle school exams? " I felt my temples twitch. I let out a big sigh, "Haah?" "No, that''s not what we should be talking about right now, is it?" "No. It''s time to talk." My mom stared at me. I thought, "That''s a pain in the ass.", but I answered. "I''m serious. I''m not going to apply to junior high school." "Why not? "Hey, mom, you''re being too loud. There are other patients here." I pulled back the curtains around the bed to shield my eyes from the surrounding area. I straightened my posture and sat back down. "Well I''m sorry that I wasted your money on summer school. But I still don''t think I need to take the junior high school entrance exam." "That''s not true. You should take the middle school entrance exam. Even your cram school teacher said so. [The result of thest mock exam was very good]. [If you enter the academy and keep studying, you''ll be able to enter the special ss this year.] they said." It''s true. The teacher thought I could get into a difficult junior high school. And I learned that she had misunderstood a few things. The teacher said. [Iroha-san had a deviation score of 50 at the time of the entrance test. A deviation of 50 seems average, but it is outrageous] [Unlike the high school entrance examination, a very small percentage of students with high grades take the middle school entrance examination. Therefore, the level of deviation is higher than it should be. A deviation of 50 on the junior high school entrance exam is equivalent to a deviation of 65 on the high school entrance exam.] [There are two patterns of students who can get such high scores when they''re not preparing for the exam. One is the genius type who can solve applied problems that require conceptual thinking. The other is the gifted type who can solve basic problems that test their knowledge.] [Do you know which type of student can start taking the junior high school entrance exam in the summer of 6th grade and still make it in time for the exam? It is the gifted type.] [It takes a lot of time to acquire basic academic skills. On the other hand, solving applied problems can dramatically improve your score in a short time by taking measures and understanding the patterns specific to the middle school entrance exam.] [In particr, Iroha-san''s performance growth in the summer course was very good. What she learned once can be utilized the next time. Herprehension is as good as an adult''s.] [Depending on the questions on the exam, I would say that there is a good chance that she will pass the exam to a difficult middle school.] Something like that. When the teacher first recruited me, she said, "You can be a special student.", and it was not lip service. [Amazingly, you can get into the middle ss from the very beginning without any preparatory study!] I found outter when they told me that. Moreover, I heard considerable foot-dragging based on the deviation score for each course. Most students who enter a school from the 6th grade would have a hard time even getting into the course I chose in the first ce. I was special. Oh, damn. I should have felt a sense of incongruity when I was in the middle of my second life and my cheat''s influence. No, but that''s why. "Is that why you copsed from overwork? Do you earn money for my school and exam fees? Did you do such a stupid thing for that reason!?" "Oh, what do you mean such a stupid thing''? Then why are you the one who is saying such a stupid thing? I''m serious about you going to summer school and studying, and your mother will surely help you. Why are you wasting your talent!" "No, I don''t have any talent. You''re right. I''m stupid." "You are not stupid! Unlike your mother." Realizing that she had gotten too heated, my mom exhaled and let her body fall back onto the bed. She closes her eyes and mumbles a potty mouth. "Hey, Iroha. Are you having fun at school?" "Huh? No, it''s normal." "Really? You think school is boring, don''t you?" My mother opened her eyes and stared at him. Our gazes met. My heart skipped a beat. I felt as if she could see right through me, so I involuntarily looked away. If she asked if I enjoy elementary school,, honestly, it''s not so subtle. I''m just rehashing what I did in my previous life. There is a big difference in mental age between my ssmates, and my sensibilities do not match. In other words, I was have free time'' and bored''." I would be lying if I said I didn''t think I would rather spend my time at home watching VTuber videos if I had time to do such things. "I thought a kite could turn into a hawk. Or maybe your mother is just a kite who couldn''t turn into a hawk. Hey, Iroha. A child''s time is precious, you know?" My mom''s voice was tinged with regret. I huffed. "Your mother did a stupid thing and threw that time away on her own. I made it hard for Iroha to be without a father. I can''t even make your memories with your grandma and grandpa. Even with this, even your mother had good grades when she was in school. She said to herself, "Not as good as Iroha." Well, mom met dad when she was in school. "I guess once you stop trying, you lose everything you''ve built up," she said. I once tried to try again, but I didn''t have enough memory, time, and heart to do it again. Iroha." My mom''s gaze shot through me. "Your mother wants you to get a better education. I want you to take sses at the right level for you. I don''t want you to spend your days just wasting time, letting your talents rot. The time you can focus only on your studies is rare, and it''s only when you''re a child." I honestly thought that taking the junior middle entrance exam was a parent''s ego thing. And I''m still not wrong. But not all of it. My mom saw through my true feelings. I learned that parents watch their children more than their children think. And she cares about my future. " I get it, mom." So IC. "IC" "CI still won''t enter the school.!!!!!" "EEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHH!" My mom zipped away. TN: Author changes things and made some "new" chapters between existing chapters, so my tranted chapters be 27. Chapter 28: [Parents and Children] Chapter 28: [Parents and Children] "Yeah, yeah! No, no, that was a [I''m going to enter the school!] That''s what you were saying!" "Aww, I''m dizzy!" My mom jumps up in surprise and grabs me by the shoulders, shaking me stiffly. I replied while breaking free from her grasp. "I know mom is thinking about me. But that''s that and this is that." "So, is there something you want to do instead of going to cram school?" "What do I want to do? It''s .to spend every day watching VTubers,ughing, and throwingments!" "Idiot!" I get smacked on the head. Terrible. I was only answering because my mom asked. Huh? I thought my mom had a grander goal in mind. Idiot, the most important thing is this, of course. That has not changed and will never change. And then there''s the second thing. I''d like to do something as a bonus to make my stream more enjoyable. "I would like to ask one question, does mom want me to enter a cram school, or do you want me to take the entrance exam for junior high school?" "Of course I want you to take the junior high school entrance exam. That''s why I want you to enter a junior high school." "Okay. Then I won''t go to cram school after all. "Oh, no" "But I can take the junior high school entrance exam." I added, "There are some conditions, though." My mom looked puzzled. "Oh, you don''t mind? I thought you didn''t want to take the middle school entrance exam." "I''ve never said I didn''t want to take the junior high school entrance exam. I just don''t like that studying for the entrance exams cuts into the time I have to watch the video." "Eh. Did you mean that!" "No, I''m serious." "Huh, you stupid girl." Ugh, she said stupid! She just said [I''m not stupid]! Well. Why the sudden change of direction? It has to do with my second goal. Taking the junior high school entrance exam would get me closer to that goal. If that was the case, why had I been so adamant about it? It was because the risk and return were not worth it. If I wanted to pass a difficult junior high school entrance exam, I would have to study too much for my academic ability. It would cut into my viewing time too much. That would be aplete waste of time. But what if I could pass the entrance exam with minimum study? What if there is such an ultra-C? For me, there is such a way. The first time I learned about it was during a summer course. In that sense, it was a good decision. However, I was always hesitant to choose this method. It wasn''t fair, and I didn''t know what would happen afterward. So I was going to take the stable route and go to a public junior high school. "Mom, do you want me to take the entrance exam so badly?" "Of course I do." "Are you sure you want me to take it?" "Yes." "Are you sure, really, really sure?" "What, you scared me you say it''s okay, right?" "Hmm, okay. Then there are my terms for applying to middle school." I made up my mind and showed her the screen of my smartphone. There, the website of a junior high school is disyed. "This is the only school I will take the entrance exam. If I fail, I will not aim for other schools and give up. I will not enter a school and study alone to pass the entrance exam." "It''s meaningless to take an entrance exam just for the sake of it." "I understand. I will do my best to pass the exam. And I will pay for the exam by myself. So please don''t work overtime like this again, mom." "What are you talking about? There is no way you can prepare that kind of money for yourself. You didn''t tell me the reason you were going to take the entrance exam without enrolling in the school!" "No, I didn''t. What? Did you not see that, mom? "What?" "Huh, no wonder we''re having such a delicate conversation." I operate my smartphone to disy the Adsense earnings screen. Their numbers are lined up there. "For your information, this is my confirmed earnings forst month. It will take a few more days for the money to be transferred to my ount. And here is the estimated earnings for this month." "Hmm? Hmm? One, ten, one hundred, ten, ten thousand, ten thousand Oh! Did you make this much money? "Yes." My mom copsed on the bed. "Ha, ha ", I hear a dryugh. "You earn more than your mother. What was your mother working so hard to earn?" "No, no, no, mom knew I was getting money to throw around, didn''t you?" "Well, yeah. Was it Superchat? I knew you were making some money. But I thought it was pennies at most. Especially since I''ve been so busy with worktely that I haven''t been able to watch the feeds. I never would have guessed that my daughter making so much money without me knowing." It was a big shock. The mother let out a big, loud sigh. "What''s your mother doing this for?" She looked as if she had suddenly grown old, and I felt uneasy. Shaking my head, I denied my mother''s words. "It''s just for now. I''m only popr because I''m a real elementary school student''. Next year, that title will be gone, and I won''t be able to make as much money. And the year after that, I will make even less money. In the first ce, I don''t know how long I will continue to stream, or how long I will be able to continue to stream." "Is that so?" "Yeah. So, if mom stops working, I thought we''ll eventually end up on the street. But for now, I will pay for my entrance exams. And as for my earnings, I will only get enough allowance for my needs, and the rest of the money will go into the house." "Don''t be silly. That''s the money you earned. Spend it on yourself." "But" "Also, you can decide whether or not you want to take the entrance exam for junior high school." "What? What''s wrong all of a sudden? "I''m just saying you''re a lot more mature than your mother thought you were. She always thought she had toy down the rails for you so that you could move forward without making mistakes. So you could move forward without making mistakes. I thought that was a grown-up''s job." My raises her gaze to look into the distance. "But you''ve been on your own for a long time, way ahead of me. You''d already found your path and were starting to move on. I''m sorry I''ve been a nuisance to you, mother." I could hear some loneliness in her voice. I was holding her hand naturally. My mom rolls her eyes. "Nah. Like I said, I''m still going to take the test. But there are many things I can''t do alone, so will you help me then?" "Hmmmyes. Of course, I will! Of course, I will! Because I''m your mother!" I felt like I was having a heart-to-heart with my mother. Her eyes filled with tears. She scooped them up with her fingertips and asked, "Speaking of which." my mom said, "What do you think of that?" "What kind of school did you show me? I know it''s close to home and has a high deviation score." "It''s what you call an advanced school, but they have very loose school rules! I know that most schools for higher education tend to have loose school rules, but this school is very loose! As long as you get good grades, they don''t get mad at you if you watch the video feed during ss." I waspletely off guard. This is what I have to say. I stood up. "Well, I just remembered I have something to do, so I think I''ll go home. Well, take care then. Um, mom? So I wonder if you could take your hands off me." "I-ro-ha-?" "Well, um." "Show me more details about that school!" "Heeeeyyyy! After that, we were scolded by the nurse, saying, "You guys, this is a hospital!? Be quiet! Do you know the word rest?!" I''m sorry. And so my turbulent summer vacation came to an end. The new term started, and I went to school for the first time in a while. But what is it? It''s strangely noisy. It seems that it is not just because the summer vacation is over. As I tilted my head, my homeroom teacher, who had arrivedte, drew my attention by clearing her throat. When she quieted down, she opened her mouth and said, "Well," she said. "It''s a new term today, and there''s a girl I''d like to introduce to you all. Come in." Shiing. Nothing happened. The teacher said, "Oh, right." and opened the ssroom door. There was a female student whom I did not know. She enters the ssroom with the teacher''s prompting. "Guys, she is a fellow student who will study with us today. Can you please introduce yourselves?" The student nodded and stepped forward. She gave her name in faltering Japanese and added a few words at the end. "Ai mee furoom, Ukraine." A breeze blew in through the open window, and her silver hair swayed. And the 2nd semester of the 6th grade began. Chapter 29: [Transfer Students and Classmate] Chapter 29: [Transfer Students and ssmate] "Well, do you know what this is?" "I don''t know, desu." "Ah, well, it''s inevitable." An elementary school ssroom. A gap was forming between the Ukrainian transfer and the rest of her ssmates. Or perhaps it would be more urate to call it anguage barrier. Russia currently invades Ukraine. The situation is very unstable. So she evacuated from Ukraine with the help of her rtives. However, because of the sudden change of school, her Japanesenguage study has not caught up with her. "Hey, Iroha-chan. Can''t you do something about it?" "Smartphone." "That''s still not working, the teacher said." It would be easy if I could use a trantion app, but unfortunately, the school rules prohibit its use inside the school. The teacher would like to tell me, "You can use it." "Still negotiating. I guess" Well, if we get permission, there will be students who will use it for fun. There are inevitably a certain number of parents who care. Mai looked at the new student with a twitchy expression as if it were her own. I''m never going to help you, you know! I don''t want to spend any more time on something that has nothing to do with VTubers, and I''m not going to stick my neck out to get into trouble! Because it''s true! Absolutely! "So the new semester has started, and I''ve sessfully received my first earnings. Thanks to all of you, thanks." >Oh yeah, a new semester. >Grats on the earnings! >You can finally watch the member-limited streams on the web. "Really! Weell~ I no longer miss the days when I struggle to even pay for premium. I won, Gahaha! From now, I am invincible!" >Be careful, having so much money suddenly makes you lose your financial sense. >Be careful with taxes. >Don''t forget to file your taxes. "Ah-nee introduced me to a tax ountant, so I''ll be fine." >Anego is good at this? >Let''s disclose your earnings. >What are you going to use the earnings for? "As for how I''m going to spend it, first, I''m going to finalize the membership fee, and I''d like to talk to you guys a bit about the rest of it . I''d like to use some of my earnings to pay for my exams." >That''s good. >You said you decided to take the exam. >It''s Iroha-chan''s money. Iroha-chan can spend it however you want. >It would be bad if Iroha-chan gets sick again. >I want Iroha-chan to get proper rest. >Why is the member''s fee fixed and the exam is a bonus "What? Because you have to give back to the VTubers industry the money you make from your VTubers business, right?" >LOL >Yeah, it''s business as usual! >Iroha-chan, you''re usually so firm, but I''m afraid you have a habit of wasting money. Well, the new semester is off to a good start for VTubers. I''ve been able to watch membership-only videos, and everything is going well. >Iroha-chan, how are you doing? At that time, ament caught my attention. I felt as if I got hit right on the head. Oh, my! I knew the cause. It was Mai''s expression. It was about a new student. After finishing the stream, I put my cursor on the search window. That is not for her. I had nned to learn Ukrainian eventually. So this was just a little bit ahead of schedule. CA few dayster. I was walking to ss with dizzy legs. I was drowsy, tired, and on the edge of my limit. It was extremely hard. I felt as if my brain still had a fever. I had to spend several days on thisnguage. It was the first time I had learned a singlenguage with such concentration and in such a short period. I need arge amount of input to use my cheat-like linguistic abilities. Therefore, it takes a certain amount of time to learn anguage, no matter how quickly you do it. That''s why I had to prioritize. I started withnguages used by as many VTubers as possible. "Good morning~" The ssroom door rattles open with a tired voice. Looking around the room, many students had already arrived at school. However, there was no one around the transfer student from Ukraine. She was sitting alone. It was as if there was a barrier around her. "You owe me one." I said to imaginary Mai. And I willin to my homeroom teacherter. I wanted to watch the VTubers'' videos with a pure heart, unencumbered by anything. I can''t fully enjoy the streaming if I''m worried about it! I approach the new student straight away. The transfer student must have noticed my presence because she lifts his face from its prone position. "Do, do-burobo, ranku!" A loud voice called out to the transfer student as if interrupting me. Her gaze was drawn not to me, but to the person who jumped in front of her. It was a boy, a ssmate. In his hand was a notebook. Behind the boy were several other students. One after another, they said to each other in Ukrainian, albeit poorly. Then, looking at the notebook, they were desperately trying to spin words to say , and so on. I was shocked to see them. I get ovee with a sense of defeat. "Ha, ha, what am I doing?" I was disgusted with myself for unconsciously relying on my ability to trante. I was also dismayed at myself for unconsciously relying on my trantion skills and thinking I was helping her. The first thing to do is not to improve your Ukrainian. First, I need to speak to her in Ukrainian, even if it was not very good, and put myself in her shoes. I had to speak to her as she would speak to me. Oh, my God! What a great idea, an elementary school student. "Arigato!" The transfer student replied with a smile that almost made me cry. It was aplete defeat. I rummaged through my school bag and pulled out a stack of prints. I held them out to the boys. "Here." "What''s this, Iroha?" "Use it if you want. " The printout I handed her had a chart of correspondence between Japanese and Ukrainian printed on it. Among them, I made sentences often used in school life, choosing words that are as easy to understand as possible. "You can speak Ukrainian! "I learned it. If you have trouble speaking Ukrainian, just call me. I''ll teach you." I told the same thing to the new student. The transfer student rolled her eyes, my ssmates looked at me with somewhat puzzled eyes. I wondered if I had alerted them. When I was thinking that. The boy who was talking to the transfer student first said to her. "Ah, well, thank you. And, Wali. You''ve been weirdtely, so I was a little prejudiced." "Eh. Uh, yeah." Soon the rest of my ssmates were like, [You learned Ukrainian!], [Wow!], [Teach me too!]. I get surrounded by my ssmates. Is it possible to switch so quickly? No, I don''t think so. Now I know. In the first ce. CIn the world of children, there are no national borders or age differences. "Thanks, Iroha-chan!" Maies up to me with an expression as if to say, "I know.". I felt somewhat embarrassed, scratched my cheek, and replied, "Shut up.". Then I talked about this incident on my stream. I was inundated withments saying, "I want to learn Ukrainian, too.". Some even told me some people had recently evacuated from Ukraine to their workces or schools. Before I knew it, the country of Ukraine seemed to have be surprisingly familiar to me. Surprised by the unexpected response, I decided to give a lecture on the Ukrainiannguage, saying, "Well, since I''m here, why not?". The response was very positive. Many people who normally don''t watch VTubers came to watch. That was the first time my stream grew so much, and it was neither a coboration nor a clipping. I felt like I had a better idea of what I should be doing as a VTuber. By the way. The next day. My homeroom teacher made a simr printout and brought it to me. The homeroom teacher said, "What? You already have ? And it''s better than the one I made!" I was confused. Toote! Chapter 30: [YOLO!] Chapter 30: [YOLO!] "So, I''m doing well with all my ssmates now." I was chatting about how things were going at school while I''m doing my [2nd Ukrainian Language ss]. Talking too much about studying would be exhausting. It was a bit of a breather. >I''m d you got it all sorted out. >Even adults have a hard time remembering, but elementary school students are amazing! >Iroha-chan is in elementary school too, you know. "Well, I''m special, you know. I wish my teacher, who represents adults, could have handled it a little faster." >She''s more of a teacher than a teacher. >Teachers are working hard. But they don''t have enough time to do their job. >They don''t even get paid overtime. "I see. I can''t say I me the teachers, although I am grateful for that." Just because a new student ising doesn''t mean the teacher''s normal work will be decreased. But she took time out of her work to make me a handmade print. "Huh? Isn''t she a good teacher in general?" >Teachers have it rough. >epting a new student means they have to do many other things, too. >In this case, it seemed to be a very sudden transfer. "I was only looking at things from the child''s point of view. Next time, I should say thank you to the teacher." >That''s not a child''s line! w >I''ve never heard anyone say that except at graduation ceremonies. >I''ve never been told that not even at graduation. "And well, I know I''ve gone a long way off-topic, but there is a huge shortage of people who can use Ukrainian in Japan right now. So I''d be happy if you guys could learn it too. And let''s watch Ukrainian-speaking VTubers together! Let''s increase the number of Ukrainian-speaking VTubers!" There are a few VTubers in Ukraine. I''ve been looking around for VTubers in that area recently, to get my money''s worth, "since I''ve learned so much about them.". >LOL >I''m not sure if that''s the point after all. >I can speak Ukrainian, but this ss will be very useful. "Oh, so I''m looking at people who can already use it! If you''d like, please take on the trantion job. Right now, I''m tranting Japanese teaching materials into Ukrainian. It''s not much, but it pays well." >Wow! >So this will help the new student? >Thank you, Iroha-chan. I didn''t know such a thing existed. Transfer students have to study Japanese in addition to their regr sses. That means that they will inevitably fall behind in their regr sses. That''s where the Ukrainian version of the Japanese teaching materialses in. Byparing the Ukrainian version with the original materials, the students could study Japanese while keeping up with their regr sses as much as possible. I am not sure how effective this will be. However, if it frees up my time and allows me to watch the video during my breaks, all the better. That''s the only reason I advertised it. There is no other reason. It was never for anyone in particr. "So that''s it for today''s lecture. Otsukare-ta-, Arige-ta-." >Otsukare-ta-. >Otsukare-ta-. >Otsukare-ta-. I close the delivery frame and exhale, "Whew.". The pstick of the new semester is over, and life is finally settling down. " Well." There is one thing I need to face soon. I picked up my smartphone and dialed a certain someone. "Hello, Ah-nee? Do you have time tomorrow?" I called Ah-nee and asked her if she had time tomorrow. "Sorry to bother you." I stepped into Ah-nee''s room with familiar steps. She weed me with her usual high-spiritedness. "Oh my, what''s wrong? I thought something was wrong. It''s so unusual to get a phone call from Iroha-chan!" If you ask me. There it is. Or rather, it''s the first time since I became Iroha. My sister was always on the side of pulling, and I was on the side of being pulled. But I couldn''t go on like this forever. "Ah, I want Ah-nee to receive this." "Umm, why a passbook?" The bankbook had my earnings as a VTuber written in it. I had one thing I had decided to do with my earnings that I hadn''t even told my channel''s viewers about. That is to pay back the debt. Ah-nee financed my debut as a VTuber. She told me I didn''t need to worry about the money because it wasing from the earnings I earned from her streaming. However "I found that out when I received my earnings for the first time as a VTuber." It''s true at the time, I was the catalyst for the buzz. However, no matter how I calcte it, the earnings I received from those activities did not reach the amount of money that Ah-nee had invested in me. Or, to begin with. "You said it was for tax purposes, but that''s a lie, right?" "Oh, so you found out." Ah-nee stuck out her tongue as if she had given up. I knew it. "Oh, but it wasn''t an outright lie! I was exaggerating a little. I still don''t think I can ept it. That is money that Iroha-chan earned." I don''t know why my mother, Ah-nee, and the people around me are like this. Why do the people around me not want to ept money like this? "Why?" "What is that a question about?" "Why did you fund me? Why did you decide to debut me as a VTuber?" It''s that simple! Because I thought it would be fun! I thought I''d like to do more videos with you!" It was a very typical sisterly reason. She is always faithful to her desires. "One more thing. Because I was worried about you." "Worried?" So thest reason was unexpected. I was happy enough to be able to watch a VTuber''s stream. "Because, Iroha-chan, you said you weren''t interested in reality. You were like, "I don''t care about my life either. It''s as if it''s someone else''s business."." "!" "You didn''t want to get involved with anyone unless they were willing to get involved with you like Mai, right? I guess it''s more like you don''t feel the need to be involved. You looked at me like I was a stranger. No, no, you looked at me like I was a tool." "Well, that''s" I was indeed trying to take advantage of her. I was trying to earn money for premiums. And I wasn''t interested in reality. Because this is my life. "I haven''t seen my friend in a while, and she looks at me like I''m a different person''? How could I not be worried? I was also genuinely frustrated." "Frustrated?" "Yes!" Ah-nee smiled confidently. She pierced me with a straight gaze, saying, "That''s why I decided." "I''ll tell you C [Life is so interesting!]." Chapter 31: [How To Enjoy Life] Chapter 31: [How To Enjoy Life] "So, to teach you how to enjoy life, I thought it would be faster to drag you into the same industry since she seems to like VTubers. I also thought that Iroha-chan was suited to be a streamer." "Oh, me? Why?" "Because you seem to have a high-stress tolerance." "There?!" "No, it''s serious. Even though skill is essential for streamers. You can acquire it by getting used to it, but it''s better to have the aptitude." It''s true that as long as I can watch a VTuber''s streamer, I don''t care about anything else. If I think back. There have been many maliciousments thrown at me during the streaming. But I didn''t pay any attention to them. "I was still taking bets on whether Iroha-chan would continue to stream. You have school, and there are physical problems. Above all, children are easily bored. I could follow up on the stream, but not on the other things." So that''s why she took good care of the equipment and software. She wanted to reduce the burden as much as possible. "Well, I was originally going to provide more serious support. Because I was going to recruit you into our office." "Yes, yes! No, no, that''s impossible!" Ah-nee belongs to one of the world''srgest VTuber agencies. The VTubers in the agency dominates the rankings of the number of subscribers to their channels. There was no way she could get in that easily. "That''s right. I told Mane-chan about it, but she rejected me." "Oh" "ording to Mane-chan, [He seems to have a lot of topics to talk about, and his character is perfect. Now, the number of overseaspanies is growing, so I want people withnguage skills as much as I can get my hands on them. But she''s underage so I can''t]" "That''s right." "So I said, "At the very least, I''d like to help her debut as an individual VTuber". And they said, Well if that''s the case.". So I ended up directly funding and supporting you." Isn''t that what we call "door-in-the-face"? A negotiating technique that pushes big demands and lets small demands go through. It would be horrible if Ah-nee did it unconsciously. Or perhaps I should say, "Sasuga, Ah-nee." "I was worried I wouldn''t be strong enough to support you, but you''re unexpectedly strong, so I managed." Anxious? That''s unexpected. I mean, does Ah-nee sometimes feel anxious too? "You know how it is from there." She''s the one who''s been trying to get me to meet all these different VTubers and stir things up. Was it for my sake? Of course, she was probably enjoying herself, but still. And then, all of a sudden, she gets a little brusque. "It''s just thatwell, how should I put itI''m too close to people, or too rough, or can''t read the air, or something. I tend to overdo it." "I know." "What? "I''m telling you, I still haven''t forgiven you for bringing me together with VTubers in real life, okay?" "Hiiiiiiii! Iroha-chan''s face is scary!" Ah-nee wept yo yo yo and clutched at me [I''m sorry oh~]. I sighed heavily. "But that''s enough." How I look at my oshi''s stream has changed a little since I met her in person. I can no longer look at them with only a pure fan mind. I feel sad about that. But now I''m not just a fan anymore. I''m a VTuber. In the end, I chose this path for myself. Since I debuted as a VTuber, it was inevitable that we would have to meet. If I wanted to reject it, I should have refused at that time. And the fact that I didn''t refuse means. "I won''t forgive you, but it''s already past, and it''s not just Ah-nee''s fault." And it''s not all about losing. Having experienced being a VTuber, I can now watch the stream from the same standpoint. I''ve been able to enjoy it in a new way. In a way, I''m enjoying streaming now more than ever. "I see. Thank you." "I''m the one who should be thanking you, right?" "Still, you know. It''s not just Iroha-chan that I want to tell, "Life is so interesting.". It''s the same with the other girls." "Is that why you invited all the VTubers to the pool?" "Yes. I think it''s up to people to decide what they want to enjoy. But it''s frustrating that they don''t even know how fun it can be, right? I love you guys. I want the people I love to know more about what I love, don''t you?" Ah-neeughed, "Of course, I love you too, Iroha-chan!" Iughed. Her usual straight gaze. "How can you say such a thing so straight up?" "Hehe." I couldn''t hold back and looked away from his smile. Ah, my face is hot. "That''s why I want you to know, and I want you to know about Iroha-chan. Hey, Iroha-chan. Can we all go out and y together again?" "Ah~" It''s frustrating to admit this because I''m losing to Ah-nee. As I''m being pushed around by Ah-nee, I''m beginning to think such a thing isn''t so bad. Mai, Ah-nee, Ogu, my mother, and all my cobs streamers. I can''t think of them as strangers anymore. Maybe it''s just because I''ve had such good results so far. So I don''t know what will happen in the future. But. "C"Next time" we meet in real life, please tell me in advance." "Eh, that''s okay!" "Yes." I surrendered. I thought I would never win against this person. "I''ll get you a hat then. I''ll wear it like this, deep in my eyes, so I won''t be able to see your face before I join you. Just kidding." "I thought the same thing when you said "Otsuka-reta-" but Iroha-chan doesn''t have a sense of humor." "You''re the one!" "But thank you." " nnnn" "Hey, Iroha-chan C is life fun?" I shrugged and replied. "There." "Haha, that''s about right. Well, you''ll have to work harder." We looked at each other andughed. Ah-nee pped her hands and says, "Okay, this is the end of the dampness." "So, in the end, I''m just doing what I want to do. So, Iroha-chan, why don''t you use that money for what you want to do? Besides, I''m sure you''ll need it sooner orter." "What? What? Oh, I see! "Oh, you get it? It''s not like I can''t do it even if it''s a small amount, but the amount is justice after all. I''ll be involved in a big deal in the future." "Sure! No, but if that happens, this amount is still not enough." "Yeah. That''s why I have to work harder on streaming." "Okay, Ah-nee!" I put the bankbook away in my pocket and nodded. It seems that Ah-nee has finallye to understand me. That means I have to spend this money on superchat! And that also means throwing in a red superchat! All right! To support the future VTuber industry, I will return it firmly! Well, I guess I was wrong. Chapter 32: [Supacha is Life] Chapter 32: [Supacha is Life] >They didn''t check properly. (French) >That''s understandable. (French) >10,000 yen. Don''t mind. (French) >!!?!?!?!?! (French) >I think this is real, isn''t it? (French) >It''s Iroha-chan, isn''t it? (French) >"Fayo" in the middle of the day w (French) > Do You understand French? (French) >I''m a fan! I''ll keep supporting your activities! (French) <> >Seriously? (English) >LOL. (English) >10,000 yen. That means they eat bread with white sauce on it. (English) <> >I see. That''s what you meant. (English) >That''s why the Americannguage is so difficult to understand. (English) >Wait a minute. Are you the real Iroha-chan? (English) <> >Hey, look at how many subscribers you have on your channel (English) > The opponent is a heavenly person (English) > Are you sure? I''m a fan, so I''m happy! Let''s have a detailed meetingter. <> "- Well, that''s how it is. That person''s stream is really interesting. If you don''t mind, please go see it! There are a lot of interesting VTubers overseas!" >I''m sorry, but I have no idea how to speak French. >I''m sorry, but I have no idea how to speak English. (US) >I mean, it was you who was spamming supacha after all! "Yeah, it''s me." I don''t switch channels in private. So it seems the viewers had caught me. And it seems I was the talk of the town on the Inte. Who is this guy who is suddenly throwing red supachas at VTubers all over the ce?'' And so on. The supacha culture is not as strong overseas as it is in Japan, so it seemed to stand out even more. >It''s only been a week or two since you started earning money, right? >However, how much of a topic does it be? >Do you have that much money to spare? "Margin"? Not at all. It''s all gone!" >? >Hey! >How much did you spend? w "How much? What are you talking about? The weekly supacha limit is 200,000 yen. I was using a prepaid card and was surprised when I got a call from someone suspecting fraudulent use." >As a matter of course, the upper limit is too dangerous > After all, it''s no good if this guy gets involved with VTuber >Do at least treat your parents with your earnings w "Ah. I guess supacha had a higher priority. No, no! It is not like that! " > This guy only gives out rags. >Irohaha, she''s crying. ww >She''s going to be angry "Hahaha. It''s okay. My mother said [Use the earnings as you please], and ah, Ah-nee said [You should use the earnings for spacha]." >Is that true? >It''s a fabrication. w >Thanks for the super chat the other day (French). "Ah! " >I''m sure this is a fake. >Wait a minute, whatnguage is this? >I''m just wondering whatnguage this is. >When did this little girl learn to speak French? >I''m going to coborate with you! I''ll coborate with you! (English) >I''d love to coborate with you too! (French) "Wow, maybe I''m irresistible? <> " > Pronunciation and word choice are all great British English (English) >Thank you! (French) >Language is too confusing, and my brain breaks VTubers from all over the world appear one after another in the chats, either to say thank you or because they heard the rumors. I have a feeling that something great is about to happen. Bang! I heard the sound of a door opening. I turned around. There was >Oh, >I wonder if this sound is Irohaha. >Wait a minute. There''s more than one footstep. "What''s wrong, Mom? And even Ah-nee?" "Iroha, can I have a word with you?" "I didn''t say anything like that, Iroha-chan!" "Hey, wait a second. What are you both talking about" ""That''s my line!"" Eeehhhh???? Chapter 33: [How To Use My Saving] Chapter 33: [How To Use My Saving] "Hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!" I screamed at the look on my mom and Ah-nee. >LOL >I love you Anego! >this is real. w "From now on, your mother will check in advance how you use your allowance. Iroha also said you need help with things you can''t do. You''re not good at managing money at all, are you?" "I''ll have Iroha-chan save a fixed amount every month from now on, nee If you intend to pay me back, it''s easy to save money, nee?" "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry!" How did this happen? The video of me getting lectured by my mom and Ah-nee spread on a global scale. It seems viewers from various countries got attracted by VTubers from different countries. They made clippings with subtitles in differentnguages. It became a kind of inte meme. "So, I''m going to buy a cake for my mom with the money I have left. If I get her in a good mood, she might ease the restrictions a little. I can still make supacha if I have a few hundred yen. No, I''ll have to give it up as a necessary expense." "Haha, Iroha-chan is the same as ever~" When I was lying down at my desk at school andining to Mai, I suddenly felt someone staring at me. I raise my head and look around the ssroom. "Hmmm?" A transfer student from Ukraine was staring at me. I tugged at the hem of Mai''s dress. "Hey, hey, Mai. Isn''t she staring at me?" "Yeah? I don''t know. Maybe it''s just your imagination. "Oh? It''s true." The next thing I knew, the transfer student had her face down. Was it my imagination? Her gaze fell to her hand. It seems she is looking at something on her smartphone. Recently, her parents have finally agreed to allow her to use her smartphone at school for trantion and study purposes. The teachers, who had been concerned about the situation, must now be relieved. But what are the new students doing? Is she studying Japanese? I snuck up behind her and peeked at the screen. "!!!?!!!!" It was my stream. I jumped back to my seat and fell on my face. Bah, she knows! No no. That''s not true! ? Because it''s been fine so far! I had faked the story I was talking about in the stream. Besides, plenty of elementary school girls who can speak Ukrainian, around here! And they even share the same name! I nced up. The transfer student was staring at me again. Is this safe? Or is it out? Which is it? A few days have passed since I started to get nervous like that. " Ehh???" It has been a while since I began to feel the eyes of the new student, but contrary to my expectations, nothing has happened. That''s strange. I thought for sure there was going to be some action. "If you''re so worried, why don''t you ask her directly?" "No, that''s not a good idea." I was not sure what to say to her sharp point of view. I wanted to leave it at that rather than digging into it. There is also the fact that it is difficult to talk. In any case, the chances of me and her talking to each other have been decreasing recently. She needed my help tomunicate in the ssroom. I was called upon by new students and our ssmates too. But now, they often solve the problem on their own. The most important factor is that smartphones are now avable in school. Besides, she''s learning Japanese very fast, and our ssmates are getting used to her. It''s amazing how quickly people adapt when they have to. I''m sure she''s a very adaptable animal. "I don''t think you need to worry about that. If you''re worried, why don''t you ask Mai to scout around?" "I see. I''ll do that." "More importantly!" With a shove, Ah-nee came closer to my face. I was frightened by the force of it. It''s toote now, but this is Ah-nee''s room I get summoned here today. The reason for this. "Iroha-chan, you used up all of your earnings, didn''t you? We should talk again about the future." "Ugh, I knew you''d want to talk about that!" "Don''t be so scared. I''ve already given you a lecture, so I won''t get mad at you anymore. It''s my fault for not checking with you." Well then, that''s okay? I returned to my posture. "So, you said I need to save money, but for what?" "That''s 3D models!" "What? Woah, already!" I''ve only been a VTuber for two months. I''m puzzled, wondering if it''s too soon for that. "Sweet! You''re too naive, Iroha-chan! The range of things you can do changespletely with or without a 3D model!" "Well, yes, that''s true." "Besides, 3D models are expensive and time-consuming to produce! And with all the revisions and full-body tracking setups, there''s no way you can afford it! If you don''t start saving money from the beginning, you won''t be able to make it in time!" "Well, I won''t be able to make it in time for what? Yes, it would be useful, but I don''t n to use it, and there''s no need to rush." "I''m nning to use ! It''s because I want to do a 3D coboration!" "Because you want to do a 3D coboration!" "If you don''t get the 3D ready soon, I won''t be able to take it anymore!" "Oh, yes, yes." I pull away from Ah-nee who is hugging me. This girl won''t leave! ? Power, be strong! ? No, I''m weak at school, only my physical education is rated very low. "But seriously, we need to add visual novelty regrly to keep the viewers interested." "I see." "There won''t be an event big enough to mize , let''s face it, there won''t be a "profitable" event for a while. Even if you continue to save money, there will be too much time left before the 3D unveiling. That''s why I''m changing course!" Ah-neeughed with an expression as if she hade up with a prank. I could feel my face scrunching up. I''ve never had a good experience when Ah-nee has this expression on her face. "Iroha-chan, when next month''s earningse in, let''s make new costumes!" Chapter 34: [Evolution Of Ability] Chapter 34: [Evolution Of Ability] "Well, what kind of new clothes do you like?" "What kind of young girls do you like, Iroha-chan?" "Young girls only! I''d rather have a tall, model-shaped onee-san." "No." "Right!" Then we both came up with some ideas. In addition, I also learned how to request a job. For the first 2D model, Ah-nee took care of everything frommissioning to delivery and payment. However, she said, "It''s a good opportunity, let''s do it ourselves this time." She said she would be there, so I don''t have to worry about that much. And when I was thinking about such a thing, Ah-nee opened her mouth, "Speaking of which." "You''re coborating with VTubers from all over the world soon, right?" "I''m not sure if it''s just a coincidence, or it''s thanks to Supacha." "No, I''m not angry. Rather, I''m happy. Iroha-chan has finally voluntarily started interacting with other VTubers." "I don''t know what to say about it. Not only as a fan but as a VTuber, I''vee to understand the joy of being a VTuber. I guess I''vee to understand what I''m doing. Of course, I''ve drawn a line." "Hmmm, I see. I see, I see~!" Nima~, she looks at me with a smile. I pushed her face away and said, "That''s annoying." I get up and put my hand on the doorknob as if to escape. "Where are you going?" "I''m going to ask Mai for my previous request!" I closed the door forcefully behind me. Oh shit, my face is hot. * * * * "Cand that''s what my schedule is." >This international feeling is amazing >There are no other VTubers who have coborated with multiple nationalities so far (US) >I''m not surprised there are so many of them out there. I was revealing my future schedule on my stream. Publicity is half of it. Half of it was to have viewers double-check my work since I was getting worried about leaks due to the frequency of my deliveries. When I thought it was time to end the distribution. Suddenly, one super chat caught my attention. >1,680 How can I learn foreignnguages like Iroha-chan? I''m not very good at foreignnguages, and I can''t even remember English. I always get a red marks on school tests. "English how do you remember English?" >I want to know too. >I''m really bad at foreignnguages. >I''m not good at learning foreignnguages because Japan is an ind country. In my case, due to my cheat-likenguage ability, learning itself is just a nce. That''s why I''m not good at exining how to learnnguages. I can talk about thenguage, its characteristics, and how it differs from othernguages. However, even in such a situation, I was beginning to grasp something through repeated input of a foreignnguage. Theory? To put it more simply. CMy ability is "growing". The time it takes to learn eachnguage is getting shorter. Of course, it depends on thenguage I learn. I became aware of it when I learned Ukrainian in a short time. I learned British English in no time at all. "Okay. Then, "Why are Japanese people so bad at learning English?" If it''s okay with my interpretation, I''ll try to talk about it. Maybe it''s a little off-topic with "How to remember English."." >Yo, I''ve been waiting for this! >Yeaahh >I''ve been watching your streaming to hear you talk about that. "Well, let''s see .Cough. Please listen." I slowly opened my mouth with nervousness. "Why are Japanese people so bad at learning English? I can think of many reasons." I spun my words, gathering my thoughts in my head. It''s just a theory, so I can''t guarantee the uracy, but "I think the first reason is "necessity". As I said in myment earlier, as long as you live in Japan, there are almost no situations where you need to use something other than Japanese. If you don''t use it, there is no need to learn it. But, this is not limited to Japan." >Is that so? >I have the image that all foreigners have a secondnguage. >I think everyone can use English. "Yes, there are many countries where people can speak English as well as native English speakers. But what do you think about English-speaking countries? In the U.S., for example, people are more negative about learning a secondnguage than in Japan. The reason is the same as before C there is no need." I would add, "Of course, that''s not the whole story.". Many Americans believe that English is the universalnguage. And in fact, I don''t think they are wrong. "On the contrary, there are countries where people learn English out of necessity. For example, this is an actual story from India." India is a huge country. With a poption of 1.4 billion, it isparable to China. If you take the center of gravity of the poption on the earth, it would be in the northern part of India. "India has a huge number ofnguages to match its poption. There are more than 200nguages. Even among Indians, it ismon for them not to understand each other." So when they tried to provide education in schools, they ran into trouble. First of all, they can''t understand thenguage. That is a story before education. "Instead of studying thenguage, we needed anguage to study first." It''s like they don''t have clothes to go shopping for clothes. It sounds like a joke, but such a problem happened. Chapter 35: [Why Japanese People Cant Learn English?] Chapter 35: [Why Japanese People Cant Learn English?] A true story in India. C I needed anguage to study anguage. Exactly this is the need. However, there is still no reason to use English with this alone. "The reason they choose English is there was a problem when they wanted to make a textbook in an Indiannguage. It is" I check thements section. People made various predictions. The correct answer isDD. "Because [there was not enough vocabry]. I could say [their vocabry was too different]. They tried to make a textbook ording to international standards, but there were too few corresponding words to trante properly." For example, there are too many words in English that Indiannguages do not. Not that it''s impossible, but it would be too redundant to describe a single word. No one wants to exin an apple every time as a sweet and sour food with red skin, a white inside, and a ck seed in the middle. Of course, this is an exaggeration. "Then they decided to use the English textbook, and conversely, they had to learn English itself first. And so English became the semi-officialnguage of India." Of course, not everyone learns from English textbooks. The above is particrly pronounced in non-Hindi speaking and urban areas, while Hindi-speaking areas are studying as they are. Even in that tribal sense, English is truly neutral. Many Indians now speak English as their firstnguage. "On the other hand, in the case of Japan, to put it bluntly, the Japanesenguage was too good." Probably the best of all naturalnguages. Of course, I don''t mean "in all respects", but "I don''t think there is anynguage better than Japanese when ites to trantion. But that makes it ridiculously difficult to learn." >LOL >I''m Japanese but I don''t understand Japanese. >There are too many types of hiragana, katakana, and kanji. "Japanese has a very wide range of expressions. We can almost express many words in manynguages in Japanese. The number of trantions is thergest in the world. It''s Japanese that has a lot of it it." Books tranted from foreignnguages into Japanese are the most numerous. Literacy, culture, and poption also y a role in this area, but even if you discount these factors, the Japanesenguage is still an anomaly. "I think the main reason for this is, as I mentioned earlier, the use of three types of characters. I think the main reason for this is that they use three kinds of characters together, phonograms and ideograms. That''s why they are so good at creating new words." Hiragana and katakana, letters and pronunciation are equal. Kanji, characters themselves have meanings. Because we use them together, we have a wide range of eptance. We can incoporate newwords into Japanese. "That''s why we didn''t even have to use English as it is. And here are the preliminaries." >Eh!? >That wasn''t the point yet!? >I was asking you in all seriousness. "Originally, we were talking about why Japanese people are not good at learning English, or foreignnguages. So, Wait a minute. Drink some water." >I''m dumb. w >This timing. >Gokuri I let out a sigh. Hydration is important. That was written in the Kojiki. "I''m sorry, I''m sorry to keep you waiting. Let me repeat that. First, I believe that Japanese people have rather highnguage skills." >Is that so? >I think that when you can use anguage like Japanese, a very difficultnguage. >Kanji is very difficult. (Eng) "That''s right! Learning Japanese is difficult! But not all of it is difficult. The difficulty is limited to "written characters". The conversation is in the category of easy learning." >Seriously? >That''s surprising >My English-speaking friends said they can speak Japanese but can''t write it. "For example, in the case of English, learning the pronunciation and the alphabet is the end. But in the case of Japanese, learning the pronunciation and hiragana and katakana is not the end. You need to learn kanji." In other words, kanji is a bonus. Compared to learning thenguage of other countries, it is equivalent to memorizing one additional written character. "Learning your nativenguage already requires as much additional effort as being able to write in a foreignnguage. In other words, our inability to learn English is due to resource allocation''. I think." Learning resources are limited. Giving a bilingual education to a child may result in bing "semi-lingual". The pattern is that we can''t speak bothnguages on their own. "I think Japanese people have enough ability in writing. But I think we have over-allocated to this area. I think a lot of people can do more writing than listening in English, too." >If you say so. >Writing is still better. >But isn''t that a matter of learning order? "Indeed. In other countries, you start with speaking and move to write. Even babies do it. But I honestly doubt that if you did the same in Japan, you would learn to speak the same way." If you learn a foreignnguage as an adult. That thinking makes sense. But if you are trying to get a child to do it "As I said earlier, Japanese people are more capable of writing. I think the idea is to let them learn from the lower hurdles first, to reduce the required resources." However, naturally excellent children are an exception. What I said earlier was only in the context of Japan''s "no dropout" education system. That is a measure to reduce the number of children who drop out due to ack of resources. I''ve said a lot of things, but I''ll summarize them. In Japan, Japanese is the nativenguage, Kanji is the first foreignnguage, and English is almost a second foreignnguage. Isn''t it easy to understand why it''s so hard to learn English?" That''s my opinion. There were many different opinions in the chats. Consent, affirmation, rebuttal, pointing out, etc. I looked at them for a while, and then I told them the most important thing. "However, I am talking about English School'' now. I think the only way to get a good score is to study. But if you want to be able to speak English C you have to take the plunge without fear." I remembered thest days of my previous life. I remembered myst days in America. "The rest is curiosity." If I hadn''t crossed the ocean for an international VTuber event back then, I wouldn''t be where I am today. Looking back, that was the beginning of my being able to talk like this. So, if you have a favorite VTuber, learn a foreignnguage! Or, if you have a guess, learn a foreignnguage and discover more guesses! Because there wille a time when you will need it!" >LOL >That''s the point after all, huh? w >I''m relieved to hear that you''re the usual Iroha-chan. I''m dying without knowing why because I didn''t understand a foreignnguage! I don''t think I''ve ever heard words with such a real sense of reality. Necessity, resources, not being afraid to fail, curiosity. What is important? The discussion in thements section continued to be long and heated. The next day. As soon as I arrived at school, Mai called, "Iroha-chan!" "Hmm, what''s wrong Gohogoho. Ah~, I talked a little too much during yesterday''s stream~. My throat is hurt~." "That''s not the point!" "Oh,e to think of it, that transfer student knew my true identityDD" "Aah, that girl is dangerous~~~~!?" "Eh?" I froze It was the first time I saw Mai with something like greasy sweat floating on her faceDD. Chapter 36: [Transfer Students Confession] Chapter 36: [Transfer Students Confession] "Hmm." I ask Mai about her story, but she doesn''t get the point. She seems to be very upset. "Okay, I get it." I made a decision. I was going to leave it at that, but I had no idea that Mai was in this state. That''s something I have to face up to. "Gud Morniing." I saw the new student just arriving at school and stood up. Mai was standing next to me. I let out a voice. Mai''s hand was scratching in the air. She was probably wondering whether she should keep me there or not. I nodded to reassure her. Immediately, Mai began to shake her head vigorously to the side. Don''t worry so much. It''ll be fine. I gave Mai a thumbs-up and started to walk away. "No! That''s not what I meant!" I heard a voice behind me and took my ce in front of the new student. No problem. If I had to, I could buzz her. "Good morning. " The new student was acting suspiciously. I felt like I was doing something wrong. I was thinking calmly, isn''t it too scary to be summoned to the back of the school building? Yeah, yeah, yeah! You weren''t aware of it? I''m surprised you weren''t aware of it! The transfer student is muttering . Why did she think she doesn''t notice it? No, children''s attention span is not like that. The transfer student was in a panic. It seems that, fortunately, she was not looking at me with malicious intent. When ites to. I took a deep breath and made up my mind. Perhaps my determination gets conveyed to her, and the transfer student swallowed hard and swallowed with bated breath. Time stopped. We look at each other at close range. <> We are both so confused that we gesture at each other. Huh! Maybe I just got a confession! Why? That''s not apliment! What''s with this girl? Was she that popr? It''s only been a few weeks since you transferred here! I mean, hmm? What''s that? Wait a minute? I thought she''s been awkward with her ssmates since she transferred, but was it just because she was too beautiful for people to get close to them? But recently, she has been getting closer to our ssmates because she understands some Japanese. Man, do you understand! If it''s an anime character, it''s fine. But I can''t tell a human face apart! Good or bad, even more so! Mysterious? In addition to her good looks, she probably also has a good personality. Well, no wonder boys are attracted to her. I have no idea. I''m a woman now, right? Am I right? I have recently be a little more interested in reality. But that doesn''t mean I''ve epted reality to the extent that I''m even interested in love. What she took out was a student notebook. When opened, there was a carefully folded printout. It was a chart I had made, a chart of the correspondence between Japanese and Ukrainian. Oh, no. I can''t remember his name. I''m not interested in other people, so I''m not good at remembering people''s names. I can remember the names of VTubers as much as I want. I fell apart. Why couldn''t you just be honest there? I wonder if that was so! I don''t think so! That is not good. I can''t believe this is happening. A transfer student shows me the screen of her smartphone. It seems she knew after all. Chapter 37: [Gachi-Koi Day] Chapter 37: [Gachi-Koi Day] The screen of the smartphone that the transfer student showed. There was a stream of my [Ukrainian Language Course]. The transfer student bursts into tears. Eeeeee! Every man is vulnerable to a girl''s tears. I don''t know how to deal with it. At first, I gently pat her head with my hand as if I were handling a dangerous object. If this were a man and a woman. It would be disgusting, but fortunately, they are girls now. Barely safe, should be. She started crying even louder. The transfer student begins to spit out words mixed with sobs but like an angry wave. No, that''s not the reason at all. If it hadn''t been for the chats. I wouldn''t have given the Ukrainiannguage course. I like, ah, eh, that kind of thing! Is that so? What is that? Is that so? Then the transfer student calms down. I feel so awkward. I took a few steps back. I don''t know. I''m a little afraid that love is too heavy. I wonder if she has learned Japanese based on a special case of a VTuber, and isn''t her cognition distorted in a strange direction? Are you been influenced by Japanese culture in any strange way? My head hurts so much. I feel like I''m losing if I think about it. The transfer student makes a hundred faces. She seems to be in a great deal of conflict. She''s muttering something quickly. That was a quick answer. I see. She''s looked it up. I''m not interested in anything but VTubers! Let''s say that I''m a workaholic. Or I''m too busy watching the videos. That''s a perfect answer for a spur-of-the-moment response, but it''s also very considerate of those who''re in love with VTubers. I''m getting used to being a VTuber. She nodded her head very strongly. W, why.? Chapter 38: [Rivals In Love!] Chapter 38: [Rivals In Love!] I''m not interested in love right now. I''m just a VTuber! I should have answered her, but for some reason, she nodded strongly. Is this ? Is it that I''m relieved that there''s no hint of a serious love interest? Well, I don''t know how I feel about that. I sometimes feel "betrayed" by my oshi, too. I wasn''t a unicorn, so I was able to endure it without bing an anti-reversal, and the most I could do was throw up. But it was only a "minor" injury that I had to go to the hospital for mental health care because I couldn''t handle my work. ? Of course, this was in my previous life. It''s awkward! Please let me get out of this situation where it''s just the two of us! Somebody help me! Did that cry of the heart reach somebody? "Oh ! I finally found you!" "Maaaaaiiiii!!!" Mai appeared at the back of the school building, gasping for air. You''rete, you idiot! I have never been so happy to see Mai in my life. I thanked my savior from the bottom of my heart foring. "Iiiiiiiroooooooohaaaa-chan! I knew you were meeting that girl! I told you no~!" "Did I say that?" "Did I tell you?" "Yes, you did! I tried to keep you from seeing her many times! Mai held her head and said, "I didn''t even know where she went because she was speaking Ukrainian, and when I noticed her after school, she was gone. Ahhhh, if only I could havee earlier." she groaned. Oh, I forgot to tell you. "Sorry, sorry." "Mattakuu!! Iroha-chan, are you okay!? You didn''t get kissed again!? Iroha-chan is mine! I won''t give it to you!" Mai clung to my arm, threatening the transfer student. What do you mean "again"? I''m not going to let you have Angu-ogu''s! It was an ident! But "I won''t give it to you", I see. Mai was so upset because she thought she''ll lose her "friend" when she found out that the transfer student was in serious love with me. Seeing Mai like that, the transfer student said . <.Fuuh.> "Hey! Did you see that Iroha-chan? She just snickered at Mai and said something! Muukie!" The two are ring at each other. What was that? I''m sure Mai''s appearance is making things even moreplicated. "Do whatever you want already." I gave up thinking. Ahhh, I want to watch a VTuber''s stream right away to soothe my soul. I suddenly realized what I had. Oh yeah, this was for this moment. I absentmindedly tugged on the string of my security buzzer. A shrill sound echoed through the back of the school building. A few dayster. I was walking down the hallway at school when I felt eyes on me. I turned around and saw a transfer student staring at me from around a corner. Our gazes met. I wondered if she realized I had caught her, and she hid her face. No, are you hiding or something ? She was hiding her face from the nose down with her smartphone, and her eyes were still ncing at me. Perhaps my video is ying on that screen. Or rather, even the wallpaper on her smartphone was "Iroha the Trantor Girl". And then Mai appeared out of nowhere and wrapped her arms around me. I turned my wary gaze to the new student, who also provoked Mai. After that day, this became my daily routine at school. School life has be noisy, but if it continues every day, it''s just another day. I somehow got used to it. I am amazed at how human beings are. The scheduled coboration stream with overseas VTubers from various countries ended without incident. <> <> <> >Again, Iroha-chan, your wife is jealous of you. (US) >Ogu is Iroha''s wife. (US) >Iroha-chan is a womanizer, so you need to put a cor on her. (US) Today''s schedule just happened to match, so it''s a coboration with Angu-ogu for the stream. In the flow of the chat, I was reporting thetest situation. <> <> <> <> <> >That''s huh. (US) >That''s right. (US) > Long-distance rtionships are tough. (US) <> <> >Iroha, you''reing to visit me in the US! (U.S.) >We''ll take care of your sightseeing in the U.S. (U.S.) >I''m looking forward to it (U.S.) <> <> <> >I can''t take a day off school for a trip? (U.S.) >Japanese people are so serious, even students. (U.S.) >In Japan, taking a vacation for anything other than a near-death illness is considered a bad thing. (U.S.) <> <> <> <> Angu-ogu let out a panicked sound. Chapter 39: [Quiz Variety] Chapter 39: [Quiz Variety] I had been calling Angu-ogu behind the scenes often. So I didn''t feel like a month had passed since ourst coboration. >! ? ! ? ! ? >Too much tete? >Lovey-dovey like a pigeon (U.S.) <> <> <> >Fuuuuuu! I''ve been waiting! (U.S.) >Yeah! (U.S.) >Iroha-chan''s reaction is the same as ours. (U.S.) <> >I leave it to you >I''ll be there for sure! >I''m looking forward to it! <> <> >Seriously? (U.S.) >Eh, what a new costume!? >Today''s advertisement is too gorgeous! (U.S.) <> <> <> <> <> <> >Teteee >Teteee (U.S.) >Okay, do more (U.S.) <> << Yes yes. Well then, everyone, "Otsukare-ta-, arige-ta-!>> >Otsukare-ta-. >Otsukare-ta-. (U.S.) >Otsukare-ta-. (U.S.) I finish the stream and remove my headphones. A sigh of release escapes me. "3D models, huh?" This is what I heard from the manager of Angu-ogu. I heard there was a n to have me participate in Ang-ogu''s 3D live performance. However, I could only send them a congrattory message because I didn''t have a 3D model. As expected, even if I prepare a 3D model now, it won''t be in time. "The range of things I can do is different, huh? I think I understand now why my sister was angry with me." In my case, I have the problem of not being able to sing, anyway. Even if you subtract that, it''s still And it''s not just the cost of new costumes and 3D models. There is still not enough money for singing and dance lessons and equipment. I am amazed at how expensive the VTuber business is. It was a reality that I could not have understood just by listening to the story as a viewer. And most of all, I have to earn money for my memberships! "It''s a fixed monthly expense of 50,000 yen to promote 100 people. It''s a hard world." In recent years, the yen has been depreciating rapidly, and the dor has been strengthening due to political instability. MyTube has been heavily affected by this. Recently, the price of MyTube has been revised. Now it is especially bad when you send a superchat from an AIPhone. Let''s consider the case of throwing a yellow superchat. The minimum yellow super chat from AIPhone is 1,600 yen. Appole tax is 600 yen. MyTube tax is 300 yen. And they need to deduct ie tax from it. After throwing 1,600 yen, the streamer will have only 400 yen left. In other words, the streamer may receive only one-fourth of the amount I threw. Although not included in the calctions, there are other expenses as equipment andposition fees. If they belong to apany. They also have to pay their share. It''s a very difficult world. Don''t get me wrong. It is not necessarily the fault of those who raised the prices. It is not anyone''s fault, but everyone is suffering. Well, in my case, I''m throwing more of that ie as spacha and membership fees. In a way, I''m paying double taxes to MyTube-san! At that moment, I received a message with a pikon. What? What is it? What is this? "CInvitation to a quiz project?" It was an invitation to a certain famous VTuber project. "So, here we go, the VTuber quiz variety show! Here are today''s solvers." """"Yes!"""" "Please introduce yourself from one end to the other!" Hello. [My words will reach you!] I''m Iroha, the Trantor Girl." >Iroharo! >Iroharo! >Iroha-chan,e! "So, the first solver is Iroha-chan, the Trantor Girl. She is a real elementary school student who is very fluent innguages. I would like to ask all the adults to do their best not to lose to her. Do you have any enthusiasm for Iroha-chan?" "I am so happy to be invited to this program! I have watched all the past episodes! I will do my best today!" And so the quiz variety show began! Chapter 40: [First Half Of The Quiz!] Chapter 40: [First Half Of The Quiz!] The other participants then introduced themselves. "Thank you very much. I''m very happy to hear that this project has grown so big. Please do your best to win thepetition. Now, the next participant, please introduce yourself." "How are you doing, everyone? I''m everyone''s big sister'' I''m M Anegasaki" >I love Anegooooo! >I love Anegooooo! >I love Anegooooo! Ah-nee is joining the show with me today. We''ve been participating in many projects separatelytely, so I''m worried!? Are you okay, Ah-nee? I feel like she''s going to do something. My stomach hurts now!? "So this is Anego-san. This is your second time participating in this project, right? Thest time you joined, you became a legend in a sense. How are you feeling this time?" "No, it''s already perfect! Above all, Iroha-chan will be with me this time, so it''s time to avenge the achievement test!" "I''m going to make up for it. Ah-nee" "I''m anxious! ording to our information, Anego-san has a history of losing badly in the schstic achievement test project organized by Iroha-chan. Well, I am looking forward to seeing how this will turn out. The next participant is our regr C" So I jumped in and participated in the quiz project without a second thought. The VTuber moderator urged everyone toplete their self-introductions. "CThat''s why I''m the moderator today. And over here is today''smentator. How are you doing? Do you think you can handle thementary?" "Oh, I think I can handle it!" >Are you sure you''re okay? w >As usual, the glue is light >No one trusts her. "This time, there will be three stages, each consisting of a flip problem, a riddle, and a serious quick-push problem. There is a chance to turn around until the end, so please don''t give up halfway and keep fighting. I would be very happy if you could help me. Everyone, are you ready?" """"Oh!"""" "Let''s get to it. The question!" And so the quiz began. "We''ll start with the flip questions. The first question" Question. Please write "Wednesday" in English. "Oops, there are a few adults in trouble here and there, are you okay? We''re all here now. Let''s check the answer." "[Wednesday]." "I see. Is the reading [Wednesday] correct? The other participant please do that too. Hmm, the answer is [Wednesday]. Anego-san, please." "Woohoo, [Wenseday]! This is the correct answer, nee." "Oops! The answers are divided here. The reading seems to be the same. Let''s look at Iroha-chan''s answer at the end. Go ahead!" "Well, it''s [Wednesday]." "Oh, there seems to be one out of the group. Will she score alone? The correct answer is [Wednesday]! Apuse for the correct answer!" "Why!?" "Ah-nee" >LOL >I knew it! ww >Anego. . "So,mentary, please." "Uyisu. The word "Wenseday" is said to have its origin in the Norse mythology of Odin. Odin, Odin, Odin, Od. It''s like Wenseday." >That''s not natural at all. w >Please change it more properly. w >What''s going on in the middle? w "Was this a little too easy? Except for one person. By the way, I don''t think English is learned in elementary school, but Iroha-chan got it right." "Thank you very much. In French, Wednesday is called Mercredi,'' whiches from the Roman mythology of Mercurius <>, which is sometimes identified with Odin. It''s connected."!" "Is that so! From our information, Iroha-chan is also fluent in French." "Hey, staff! You got the cast wrong! The answerer knows more than me who has thementary!?" >LOL >What the w >This Iroha kid is amazing. "Also, we have English sses in elementary school now. I''ve just started taking English sses at my elementary school. I was right in the middle of it. Also, programming is nowpulsory." "Oh? "Yes." "Um, I''m feeling the generation gap right now." "What is programming? Is it a model or a photo job?" >Really? >I didn''t know that. >Anego, wow, That''s not a pro mour. "Well, let''s move on to the next problem. All the flip questions are done, so this will be a riddle question from here on." Question. A certain Smith said. "Bring me tools 1 through 5." The apprentice, however, brought only three tools. Why is this? Chapter 41: [Second Half Of The Quiz!] Chapter 41: [Second Half Of The Quiz!] Question. A smith said. "Bring me tools numbered 1 through 5." Upon hearing this, the apprentice, however, brought only three tools. Why in the world? "Well, it''s time to go. May I have everyone''s attention, please?" "Who the hell is Smith?" >LOL >Anego ww >Okay "Then it is time. Let''s see the answers. All at once, please! Anego, this one is, uh?" "It''s just as it says. Because his apprentice only had two hands!" "Normal people only have two! And, um, there are three tools, right?" "The third one came in his mouth! Isn''t that right? What do you think? What do you think?" >In a way, she''s a genius w >This is anego >I never thought of that idea w "I see. I see? Well, well. We, the other participants, are puzzled by the outrageous answers." "Hey!" "I thought the model answer was that the pupil forgot or dropped it on the way out." "By the way, I thought it was because of Smith-san''s bad eyesight. Is it because of astigmatism? It''s like 5 tools that ovep and look like 3?" "My apologies. There was one idiot here too." "Hey!" "So, finally, Iroha-chan, may I ask you to exin your answer to the question?" "Well, I think the correct answer is [one to five] because he misheard it as [one t(w)o five (one, two, five)]." "Brilliant, you are correct! Apuse~! The first word "Smith" is not a person''s name but means "craftsman" in English. If you had noticed that clue, I think you would have answered correctly." >This is a good question >Interesting >Because Iroha-chan is here this time, there are a lot of foreignnguage problems Thest question is a quick-push question. Question. What is the color of the rainbow? What do you call the formation of another rainbow with colors in reverse order outside the rainbow? "This question is a difficult one. However, you might get the right answer if you y a big game. There is no wrong answer penalty, so keep on going yes, Iroha-chan!" "24:00 minus 2:00 double rainbow (22:00)!" "Correct answer!" >What? >This is good >Wow, that''s fast! "Did you know this one, Iroha?" "Yes. Secondary rainbows are called Fukuniji", and Fukuko", it''s also called a secondary rainbow. In English, they are called double rainbows." "Ah. Well, please be the one in charge ofmentary." "I''m not sure what to say anymore. I''ve just been told everything!" >LOL >Awesome >Ugogo. What is thementary? "Iroha-chan, by the way, do you have any other exnations or puns?" "What, other things? Let''s see, the rainbow itself is called "rainbow" in English, "rainbow in the sky" in Japanese, and "arcs en ciel" in French, "sky bow". The name of the famous Japanese bandes from this article." >Hey >I didn''t know that >I knew that "It came out. Iroha-chan, you''re amazing." "Maybe we''ve got it backward." >LOL >Yeah, right ww >I''llugh if we switch next time "So all the questions are done. Let''s announce the results. The winner of this quiz project isC" So I won the trophy with flying colors. But it was just a show, and there was no actual prize money or merchandise. CLater that day, I was told I had won the trophy. I received a message from the head of the quiz variety show. [Would you like to participate in the quiz project as amentator from the next time onward?] That''s what happened. The VTuber who had been ying thementator role had expressed a desire to y the participant role for some time. My appearance was very convenient for him. That''s how I got my first regr TV show. By the way. Ah-nee was thest one, and she got the prize for the most unusual answer. She was very displeased with herself, but that''s just the way it is! And it has been a while since I became a regrmentator for the quiz project. I''m streaming the unveiling of my new outfit. >This is a fairy >No, you''re ying the part of a tree in a yground >Wait, this must be Iroha-chan wedding dress "WRONG!" Naturally, the silhouette quiz on the new dress began. Well, it''s called a promise. After introducing some hrious illustrations posted on Twitter, it was time to wrap things up. I give them a glimpse of the new costume design. Now, what is [Trantion Girl Iroha]''s new outfit..! Chapter 42: [New Clothes and Growth] Chapter 42: [New Clothes and Growth] <> Eximed Angu-ogu, who hade to the unveiling distribution. Yes, my new costume is a magical girl. >This is a transformer girl. >I see a trantion and transformation trancebination. >So cute! (U.S.) <> <> <> <> <> >Thank you, Mama! (U.S.) >The globe is spinning with the swing of your head. >>Frilled neck is cute. <> <> >Sending a surprise message instead of singing together was a good idea. (U.S.) >Manager did a good job. (U.S.) >Ogu was crying, wasn''t she? <> <> <> <> <> >Ogu barked. >The wife is burning with jealousy (U.S.) >Iroha is good at stirring up ogu w (U.S.) <> <> <> >You''re talking about falling asleep? (U.S.) >Even falling asleep calls!? (U.S.) >10,000 yen wedding gift <> <> <> Angu-ogu said with a pouty attitude, and then, as if she couldn''t stand it any longer, she blew up. I blew up too. I wasn''t really angry. It was just the usual banter. I was distracted. This time, I really should end the call. <> <> "Ah." The call was cut off, and the Japanese-speaking crowd was buzzing in thements section. Angu-ogu must have lost his mind. >She just said I love you!'' >She was confessing! >I mean, doesn''t that mean they''re already together? After thinking about it for a while. I nodded, feeling annoyed. "Ogu confessed to me ?." <> My ears were ringing. Angu-ogu, who had returned to the call in a hurry, was shouting. "Japan, everyone, it''s different masu. That was an aissatsu. It was not a confession. <>" >Always!? >Habit! ? ! ? ! ? >Grave digging. LOL "Watashi, eigo, wakarimasen." <> And so, the unveiling of the new clothes ended without incident. I was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze. Everyone readily epted my new costume design. That was another proof that I had established myself as an international VTuber. Besides, my domestic visibility was also increasing. Not only among viewers but also among my peers. The trigger was getting a regr quiz project. The project was famous, and a different VTuber woulde as a guest each time. My friendships were rapidly expanding. Recently, I''ve been able to invite overseas VTubers to participate in the quiz project by interpreting for them. Everything is going well. And it should be. Even thementary is going very well. No, it''s going too well. It''s going too well. ".. Is my ability growing again, is it?" Somehow my memory of Japanese has also improved. That''s also the reason why I won the quiz project. I no longer forget Japanese words once I see or hear them. I can pull out information rted tonguages, even trivia that I can''t even remember where I learned it from. "I think I could even memorize all the Kojien and English-English dictionaries now." Well, I won''t do it! It is indeed too much effort, and most importantly, it is not beneficial. For example, acquiring knowledge at Eiken Level 1 is meaningless to me. Because all the words that appear there are almost jargon words. In other words, learning thenguage does not increase the number of VTubers I can promote. What I need is shallow and broad knowledge. Deep knowledge is not a priority. "Or no way, am I afraid?" I can''t imagine what would happen if this ability grew faster than now. Or what will happen when I''m not even myself anymore? "That''s ridiculous." I snapped out of my thoughts and turned over. Then I heard a beep and a message ring. I''ve been getting so many invitations to participate in projectstely that I''ve had to decline more often. But this time, I had no choice but to participate. Because it was something important, something that could be a clue to my abilities. What is this project? "Chiki Chiki! A n to have VTubers from all over the world just say [Stupid]!" "Ooooooooooooooooo!" I screamed with my tension maxed out. Chapter 44: [Multilingual VTuber Conference] Chapter 44: [Multilingual VTuber Conference] "[Multilingual VTuber Conference] y~!" """Wow! """" "So today we have four multilingual VTubers here. We would like to hear from you about your problems, certain things only multilinguals have, tips for learning foreignnguages, and so on. Let''s start with the profiles!" Someone''s self-introduction card is disyed on the screen, and the card contains information about thenguages they have learned and episodes rted to the foreignnguage. "Wow! You can speak sevennguages! Some of them get mixed in, but I wonder whose profile is this?" "Hi! It''s me!" The one who raised her voice in high spirits was a VTuber with an owl motif. He can speak severalnguages like English, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. He''s not a fake like me, but a real multilingual. "Your Japanese is soooo fluent too! There is one thing that bothers me. What''s the "tori word" at the end of this?" "I''m an owl! I am trilingual! Hootoo!" She does her best owl-hooting imitation. I replied <>. "I guess that means your nativenguage is English, right?" "Well! It''splicated, but my nativenguage is German. And I am from Austria, not Germany. And I live in the United States now." "Well, this is getting a little confusing! Are you all right C viewers, are you following me?" >I see. I don''t understand. >I get it. >I mean, that''s great! "I guess it''s no good! By the way, how did you learn othernguages?" "I learned Japanese by watching anime with subtitles since I was a little girl, and when I realized it, I learned it. Italian, Chinese, and Korean are close to thenguages I already know. I chose them spontaneously and learned them." "That''s amazing! Have you ever had a hard time learning a foreignnguage?" "Yes, I have! I even failed many times! I tried to learn Latin in particr, but it was so difficult that I gave up. I don''t know what that means!" "Even if you have already mastered so manynguages, you still have a hard time learning a new one! I wonder if differentnguages are suited to different people." And so the interview proceeded. The interview proceeds in such a manner. The tempo of the interview is very good because the host is a good listener. It was very different from when I was with my sister. "The next person is" "I''m from Ennd. After that, I lived abroad for my parents'' work." >Nigiri-zushi shusshin? >Rubber on nigiri sushi forever. LOL >The first bite was out of luck. LOL "I see, the number of people who have lived overseas is by far the most among the participants this time-" And people who have experienced life and culture overseas. "Are you from Japan?" "Hmm? In thement section, people said that your Japanese is also questionable. Is it because you usually use anguage no one can understand?" "Oh my, that guy who said that! Oh, I''m not so fluent!" Such as the joke box where people said it''s a lisp of [speaking a "thirdnguage"]. All the participants were full of individuality. "And finally, this self-introduction card I''ll tell you because there''s only one left, but it belongs to the trantor girl, Iroha-chan! What a great thing to do!" Finally, it''s my turn. The name of thenguage I know get disyed, but it was too big to write down. "Well, how manynguages are there in total?" "If you don''t include the dialects, there are 22nguages. There is one more that is not listed, but I learned another one after submitting this, so now I have 23nguages." "Just to make sure I understand, you''re a real elementary school student, right?" "Um, yes. In case you''re wondering." >It''s so bad, all I can do isugh. >I knew you could speak multiplenguages, but you could use so many! >I guess this kind of thing is called real gifted. I realized once again how extraordinary my ability was when I put it in writingC. "Wow. 23 countries spoken in 23 countries is amazing! I looked it up and found that the current Guinness record is 58nguages, so I guess you''ll surpass it soon." "Wow, that''s amazing!" Ugh, the respect in his voice hurts my ears. When I getpared to real multilinguals like this, I feel like I''m cheating. "Well, now that we''ve all introduced ourselves, let''s ask some questions! Do you all have a favoritenguage or a favorite letter?" "Ugh, favoritenguage? I only know Japanese! I only speak Japanese, but that''s why I''m here! >LOL >A small animal is thrown into a cage of monsters >LOL "Oh, but I''m not good with kanji. So I might prefer hiragana." "Ehh, what is it? What is it, like Hangul? The letters themselves are also abination of vowels and consonants, so it''s very reasonable and easy to remember." "How about Arabic? In Japan, it''s said to be the representative of strange characters. It''s very unique and interesting, with right-to-left reading and a two-tiered structure where vowels are written above consonants." "What do you like, Iroha-chan? "I like Arabic a lot, too. Especially the kufi form. "Square kufi? I like that! Super cool!" "Well, what does it look like?" "Like this ?" "Like this." "Eeeeeeeee! What is this QR code? A maze! Can you read something like this?" "I''m also learning Arabic, so it''s okay. It''s not easy to read." Also, its a typeface simr to the kujouten is also beautiful! It''s a derivative of the Chinese seal script tenshotai! "Oh, is it a cipher? I don''t know these words. What do you mean beautiful? >Calm down! ww >You know that? >It''s just a baby. "Wow, that''s amazing. If you can read all this stuff, I guess you can read QR codes too." "Haha, QR codes are indeed more difficult to read." >Hmm?? >I''m not sure what you mean by that. Ahh! Oh my God, I slipped up! Chapter 45: [Blue Qualia] Chapter 45: [Blue Qualia] "Umm, I can''t read the QR code'', isn''t it?" "Ah. Ah, ah, hahaha, oh no, no! There''s no way you can even read the QR code. No matter how often you see it." >Hou. >I''m surprised. >I thought it might be possible with Iroha-chan. "Um, and better yet, Japanese is good too! The fact that the letters get divided into hiragana, katakana, and kanji makes it easy to read diagonally! Even if you only follow the kanji with dots, you can pick up the keywords and summarize them." "Yes, that''s right! It''s Japanese, after all!" "In somenguages, even if you understand thenguage, it may be difficult to pronounce it because of the difference in how to use the throat. And above all, I think the qualia'' is different." I took a step. One of the participating VTubers tilted his head at the unfamiliar word. "Qualia?" "How to exin this is a matter of opinion, but in this case, it can be described as culture or subjectivity." "Culture? The color of traffic lights is also called differently in different countries. In Japan, there''s a culture of calling green signals blue, right? In my home country, Ennd, they call yellow traffic lights amber." "If you ask me, why do they call it a blue'' signal?" The moderator VTuber said, "Oh, that one?". She seems to know a lot of trivia due to her frequent projects. "Was it because they wrote blue light'' instead of green light'' in the newspaper? I heard there are many other theories." "I see. I think the custom of calling the Japanese cultural green all together as blue also had an impact. To be more precise, there was no concept of green in Japan''." "Oh, wow! There was no green?" "It was a long time ago. Originally, there were only four colors in Japanese: white, ck, red, and blue. That''s why green is also included in blue. That''s what thenguage still has today. [blue apple], [blue juice], [blue leaves], [blue lush], etc." "Wow, they''re all blue!" "I''m getting pretty off track, aren''t I?" "Go on, go on! That''s the kind of story I wanted to hear. That''s why I made this project!" "Thank you very much. Then, please don''t hesitate. I have a question. Is itCDo perceptions make words or do words make perceptions''?" "? What do you mean by that?" "In Japanese, for example, there is only one word for blue''. But in Russian, there are two words for blue. And strangely enough, the Russians could "distinguish" the color blue. "Wow! That''s amazing! Does that mean the ability to perceive changes depending on thenguage?" Chickens first or eggs first? I don''t know, but it''s true. "In the other Guugu Yimithirrnguages used in Australia, there are no words for the front, back, left, right, or right. Instead, everything is expressed with north, south, east, and west. In other words, they have a special ability." "Wow, that''s super amazing! I always get lost, so I want that!" "That''s right. I intuitively judge from the sun''s direction, but I don''t have that ability either. In othernguages, depending on the thing, numbers don''t exist. So if it''s 3 and 4, it''s still good, but when ites to 5 or 6, it seems they can''t distinguish the number of things." "You can''t live like that!?" "In a capitalist society, yes. But in the first ce, babies only recognize numbers up to 3. Me, you, and more." >Babies can count to 3? >Are you smarter than Achishi? >How did you find that out? >Babies have a habit of staring at things they see for the first time, so it seems they investigated that. "In the end, even if I try to use thenguagepletely, I can''t use it if I haven''t mastered the culture. The onlynguage I can essentially use properly is Japanese, after all." "Is that what you mean by qualia?" "That''s how I see it." Is itnguage first or recognition first? In other words, I thinknguage is the "resolution" of things. Suppose there are ck and white. How much of this is white, and how much is ck? Is it right in the middle? No, no, the middle is gray, right? That''s right. Then what is the border between white and gray? What is the border between gray and ck? Don''t you see? I think it''s the qualia formed bynguage. "Yeah. When I change thenguage I use. Sometimes, I get influenced by the culture and values of that country. So what you just said made a lot of sense to me. But then again, Iroha-chan is a very special person." "Huh?" "Iroha-chan still seems to have only the qualia of a Japanese person. If I use a metaphor, yes, it would be C like a monolingual. The sharp question took my breath away. And that''s exactly the kind of point I was looking for. "When we speak thenguage, we do a brain switch,'' how should I say it, but you seem to be very constant." It''s called the English brain. Instead of thinking in Japanese and speaking in English, he thought in English and speaks in English. "Usually, though, people change their characters when they changenguages." When Japanese people use English, their reactions be over the top. They lean toward a cheerful, upbeat character. That''s what he means. I was surprised when he pointed this out to me. Whatnguage am I thinking of right now? Is this Japanese? Or is it ? The answer was still not in my head. And so time passes. Autumn is over, and winter ising. Halloween, Christmas, New Year''s Eve, and New Year''s Day. The months passed in the blink of an eye. Thenes February. The month of the battlees. I am not talking about Valentine''s Day. CThe entrance examinations begin. Chapter 46: [The Day Before The Test] Chapter 46: [The Day Before The Test] "Fukushuunn! I didn''t mute it in time." >Thank you for the sneeze. >Sneeze so hard. LOL >My eardrums are gone. . It''s a winter day, just before the entrance examinations. Today was thest stream before the long vacation. As you can imagine, I will be concentrating on my studies for the next week or so. I''m not worried, but it''s better to be safe than sorry. <> <> Angu-ogu, whoes to the stream to give me a pep talk, said, "Bless you.". I don''t mind it, but as an American, I guess she would be more ufortable if I didn''t say "Bless you" when she sneezed on me. Well, the exam is fine. The exam itself is fine Oh, again. "Fukushuunn!!" <<. Oh, God bless you. You better mute that thing. What, hay fever?>> <> <> <> <> <> She deres so. She''s very conscientious. Come to think of it, I have heard that the reason for "Bless You" was because the initial symptom of the gue was sneezing. Back then, we had no choice but to pray to God. My cheat-like trantion skills now trante it as "Bless you." But in this day and age, "God bless you" would be fine. No, it''s still too heavy. What is the trantion sense in this area? I still don''t understand many things about the cheat ability. <> <> >You mean 3 times? >Do they have the test over 3 days? >I guess taking the junior high school entrance exam is harder than I thought. <> <> <> > I closed the feed with a lighthearted remark. I began to study. I had told her t I would do my best to the best of my ability, so I had to do at least this much. My mom has not directly told me, but she''s been anxiously waiting for me toe home. .Oh, by the way. I took a break from the video streaming. But I didn''t cut down even a second of my video-watching time. That''s my Exams mental sport! I can''t miss the healing power of being a VTuber!!! *** So finally, on the day of the exam. When I opened the front door, my breath was stained white. "Oh my, this is why the season changes." "Iroha, wrap your scarf properly." "Yes." The other day, it was so warm that I thought the winter was short this year. I thought this is the time. "Iroha-chan, good morning!" "Iroha-chan Good morning, " "What, Mai? What''s wrong? What are you doing here so early in the morning?" "I''m here to cheer you up! Hey! Onee-chan, wake up!" "Hmmm, munyamunya I''m sure I''m still sleeping at this time" "Kyaaaah! Sis, you''re heavy! Don''t put your weight on me!" Mai is supporting her sister who is leaning on her, shaking and trembling. How can I say this, looking at these two is so disheartening? "Iroha-chan, aren''t you nervous?" "Thanks to you two." "That''s great." As you can imagine, I was not at all nervous. Even so,pared to other students taking the exam, I might be used ofcking in desperation. "Here, I''ll give you this." "Yeah? Isn''t it a little early for Valentine''s Day? "Hahaha, it''s a good luck charm!" Ah-nee hands me a Kit Katz chocte. On the margin of the wrapping paper. She writes, "It will work out!" There it is. It''s a message just like Ah-nee. "Onee-chan, you''re cheating! If you''re going to give something to Iroha, you should have told me beforehand! It''s like Mai didn''t prepare anything for Iroha alone!" "I see. That''s all I am to you, Mai." "That''s all I am to you, isn''t it?" "Wrong~~? "I''m kidding. I''m kidding." The two saw me off, and I got into the cab with my mother. As we started, I nced to the rear, and through the rear window, I saw Mai crumple under the weight of her sister Ah-nee. *** "Good luck, Iroha!" I separated from my mother at the school gate and stepped into the junior high school. I was led into the ssrooms where the exams were held. I felt the temperature had dropped one or two degrees, even though the heating system was supposed to be working. I took my seat and caught my breath. They handed out the exam questions, and the examiner''s voice rang out. "Begin!" The examiner''s voice echoed through the room. Chapter 47: [The Test, First Half] Chapter 47: [The Test, First Half] The junior high school entrance examination had finally begun. I picked up a pencil and faced the exam questions. The first day of the exam. The first subject C is Japanese. The way to solve the questions was the same as that of high school and university entrance examinations. I check the questions first and then read the longer passages. That is the theory of solving Japanese. If I can solve basic problems calmly, I''ll be fine. The troublesome one is the second half, it''s a problem that asked the imagination. Question. Complete each shiritori using two kanji idioms. 1. Interest A-AB-BC 2. Statement A-AB-BC 3. I can''te up with any! I''m wasting my time if I keep thinking about it! If I can''t think of anything, quickly discard it and put it off forter. Let''s reset my brains by reviewing them first, and then try again. *** The first day of the exam. The second subject C is math. There are many problems. If I don''t solve them efficiently, I won''t have enough time for calction. And the problems involving the current year, which are given every year. I must recognize the numbers hidden in the forms at a nce. And the most troublesome problem is a figure problem. There are several patterns, but you have to be flexible and use your head to find which method to use. If I can think of it, it will take a moment. If I don''t, it''s a lifetime. Problem. The rectangle ABCD in the figure is a trapezoid with angle A = angle B = 90 degrees. Find the area of trapezoid ABCD when AB=AD, BC=5cm, and angle C=30 degrees. Should I draw an auxiliary line or transform the figure? Or should I duplicate andbine the figures? * * * "Iroha, how was the exam!?" "Hmmm. I think it''s probably not bad." As I left the school gate, my mom found me and ran up to me. The nose and fingertips are painfully red. No way. Mom, have you been waiting outside all this time!? "That''s not true! I was in the waiting room during the exam! I heard that she would be called when something happened! hand" Okay. What if you catch a cold?" "I''m sorry. Ah, but here you go! Today''s exam questions were posted in the waiting room! It may be difficult to read." "Thank you, but next time I''ll wait for it properly. But next time, please wait in the waiting room with something warm to drink Fukushun~." "Oh, pollen again? You''re taking medicine, and the temperature is low today, so I thought it would be better." " Oh, Mom. That might not be good. "What?" "It''s so cold." Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! That''s the best time of all. I looked up at the heavens to see how unlucky I was. *** "Fukushun~! Ngaah." On the second day of the exam. The first subject C is science. I was facing the answer sheet with a sniffling sound. It seems my body could not keep up with the rise and fall of the temperature. My body is not strong enough to do well in physical education. Half of this is my fault for not liking exercise. I hope the sound of my snotty nose wasn''t disturbing the students around me. And then, when I raised my eyes slightly. "Oeeee!" One of the students at a seat a little further away from me vomited and copsed. The instructor immediately came over and took care of it in a familiar manner. It seemed that it was more than just a runny nose. These examinations are wars. Is it true what they say? You have to win against yourself and the stress. For the immature body and mind of an elementary school student, it is too much of a battle. I can''t lose either. The problem. Consider a time when the full moon is directly above your head at a point on the earth''s equator. To whattitude in the northern hemisphere is the center of this moon visible? In the previous problems, it is known that the size (angle) of the moon when viewed from the center of the earth is 0.5 degrees. Also, the length of the arc and the oval string with the smallest central angle can be considered equal. Furthermore, the earth is defined to be 4 times the size of the moon. That''s no longer a science or math problem. Oh, no. I can''t think straight anymore. *** On the second day of the exam. The second subject C is social studies. I''ll have to fill in the answer columns in order. As a matter of course, current affairs should be included. Question. Russia and Ukraine were (A) a group of 15 countries until 1991. Russia''s (B) regime was (A) opposed to Ukraine''s membership in the North Antic Treaty Organization (C), a U.S.-led military alliance,??????. This was about as far as I got, and from there, the issue evolved into one involving the climates of the two countries. The questions require not only memorization but alsoprehension and thinking skills. I''m asked if I can think about things by connecting knowledge. "What is ? hah." My vision was shaking. I knew my head was not working properly. Still, I managed to run my pen. Then, I reached my limit before the end of the exam. As soon as I managed to fill in thest question, I let go of my consciousness. Chapter 48: [The Test, Second Half] Chapter 48: [The Test, Second Half] "Iroha Iroha!" "Yes!?" I jump up when I hear my name called. What''s that? Is this my room? "I''m d! Are you all right? You were having a nightmare. Do you remember what happened? Oh, right. You went down during the exam." After the exam, the examiner noticed something was wrong and called my mom. She took me straight to the hospital. I was examined and took some medicine. The morning sun was shining through the window. I had slept well until now. My body was feeling better as if yesterday''s illness was a lie. My mom the other hand, had dark circles under her eyes. I had worried her a lot. "What do you think, Iroha? If you''re not feeling well, you can skip today''s exam" "No, I''ll take the exam." "Yes, mom did want you to take the exam. But it was because I thought it would be good for your future. If you try to do too much now and get physically injured, it will be for nothing. So, if you take the test for mom''s sake, you should not." "No, no, no. I''m okay now. Besides, I have my reasons for taking the exam." "Is that so? I understand. Then mom will take care of the preparations, and you can sleep in until thest minute." "Thanks." Iy back on the bed and closed my eyes. I wasn''t worried. I mean, well, the third day of the exam. * * * The third day of the exam C English. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> We shook hands and left the room. I closed the door and let out a sigh of relief. The response was not bad, I thought. I have a fair amount of experience in interviewing. High school, college, part-time job, employment, job change. In this kind of thing, if the interviewer likes you, you win. The conversation was going well. I''m worried about my motive for applying for the job was aplete fabrication. Thus, all the tests were over. * * * Two dayster, on the day of the announcement of the results. I''m standing in front of a big board with my mom. A cloth covers the board, so I couldn''t see what it said. 14:59 58 seconds, 59 seconds. The instructor looks up from his watch and looks over at us. There are several other pairs of parents and children gathered in front of the board. Someone must have forgotten to turn off the rm. "The results are in!" They peek at the cloth. There was a line of numbers. My test number was, let''s see, "What?" Suddenly, my mom hugged me. Hey, I''m in pain, I''m in pain! I can''t see! When I tried to loosen her arms with a tap, a drop of rain fell. "Iroha! Irohaaaaah! You did it! You did it~, that''s great~~~! You passed! They have your number! Iroha! Iroha!" ".. Mooouu!" I chuckled at the voice that was no longer in the form of a sentence. I guess my mom was more serious and worried than I was. "I told you it''s going to be okay." A little embarrassed, I hugged her back and patted her. She begins to cry even harder. "I''m so proud of you!!" "Hey, you''re embarrassing me! You don''t have to praise me so loudly!" Through the gap in her arm, I could see the board. There is my number on the board. And next to it were the words [Special Student]. I thought to myself, well, that''s just what I expected. I''m a bit nervous only when I got sick in the middle of the course. I was a little nervous. How in the world did I get into a difficult junior high school? And with minimal study. What was the "Ultra C" that made it possible? I will try to exin it. Chapter 49: [The Tests Ultra C] Chapter 49: [The Tests Ultra C] How did I pass the junior high school entrance examination? To exin this, I have to start with the newest educational policy. As I mentioned in the "Quiz Project," the Courses of Study have changed in recent years. As a result, English and programming sses becamepulsory in elementary schools. The purpose is probably to develop human resources in the information field that we can use globally. That''s also get manifested in the "GIGA School Concept". The GIGA School Concept means "individual optimization" and "development of ICT educational environment. Let''s provide each student with aputer to receive a personalized education. Let''s create an environment where students can learn programming and other subjects globally. And I was in the "borderline" year when the Courses of Study changed in such a way. In other words, what does that mean? From this year''s entrance exams, The English entrance examinations have been in full swing. That''s why this year is called "the first year of lifting the ban on English entrance exams". There have been schools that have epted English entrance examinations in the past. However, only a few schools epted the entrance examination in English only. Yes, this is my ultra C. I was the only one who could use this trick. In this case, I should say it was a backdoor. I had taken the entrance exam with only one subject, English. From the beginning, I bet everything on English alone. That''s the reason why I said by any means necessary. That''s why I said I could pass the exam with minimal study. That''s why I could pass the exam even though I was sick and my score on the second day was not good. "It would be hard not to pass the exam with such cheat-like abilities." Well, I was indeed in a hurry when I fell ill. I didn''t expect that I wouldn''t be able to take the exam in the first ce. I checked the printouts I had received from the school. There were scores for five subjects, three subjects, and one subject, as well as rankings for each subject. This time, I had taken abination of subjects. The test I got was based on the subjects with the highest scores''bination. In my case, it made no difference whether I took the test or not, except for one subject, English. Still, I took all five subjects, which was a bad idea. "Well, this is how it''s supposed to be." If I had been another grade higher, it''s doubtful I would have passed. A difficult junior high school that happened to be within walking distance from my house happened to expand its English entrance exam window this year, and I happened to be allowed to take only one English subject. I would not have had such good luck. That''s also why I have narrowed down the number of schools I will be taking the exam. This was the only school that allowed English entrance examinations. "I mean, mom knew I could speak English, right? There''s no way I could fail if I only took one subject." "Well~! Even so, you don''t know if you''ll pass~!" I raised the volume of my voice and spoke to my mom in the kitchen. She was still crying. From the kitchen, I could hear the sounds of something boiling, and getting chopped. My mom was excitedly saying, "I''m going to make a feast for the celebration today". "Well, I guess I''m not so bad after all." I tossed the printout of my grades on the table. Then I turned to the kitchen to help my mother. The printout read. Examination for 5 subjects (Japanese, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, English) C Failed 3 subject tests (Japanese, Mathematics, English) C "Passed" English Exam (Writing, Listening, Interview) C Passed (Special A) Japanese and Math are allocated more for the 3-subject examination. The English score was abination that shouldn''t have been taken into ount. *** "So, Iroha-chan" """Congrattions on passing!""" "Thank you." After that, Mai and Ah-nee came to our house with a cake. The four of us decided to have a party together with my mom''s home-cooked food. "Iroha-chan.. I''m really d~. Congrattions~, congrattions~!" "Mai, it''s okay to cry, but don''t get your snot on my clothes." "Heh heh heh, well, I raised Iroha-chan, didn''t I? It''s only natural that you should pass the test! How''s that Kit Katz working out for you?" "Oh, I forgot to eat it.." "Gah!" "Hmmm . That''s what happens when you try to run away from the game, onee-chan~! . Gyaaaa~~!? I''m sorry I got carried away, so please forgive me~!?" Mai screamed as she was head locked by Ah-nee. It gets so noisy so fast when the two of them are around. I used to find this kind of thing annoying. Now, I don''t hate it. -I wish this kind of daily life could go on forever. I even think like that. And then, Ah-nee whispered as if she could see through the voice in my heart. "But now Iroha-chan has already graduated. Time flies, doesn''t it?" ""C !"" I turned my attention to Mai. Mai was looking at me in the same way. I was so excited that I had decided to take the entrance exam for the school, which meant that Mai and I would get separated in junior high school. When I first decided to take the entrance exam, I didn''t care about that. But now "Hey, everyone, it''s time to eat cake" My mom brings a cake from the refrigerator. The cake was the most bitter cake I had ever eaten. *** Ah, yes, yes. Since it''s a big deal, I''ll write down my self-grading of the question I was particrly impressed with here. . Answers to Examination Questions Japanese Answer 1: Interest (e.g.) Announcement Front and back (e.g.) Presentation front and back (etc.) Answer 2. Predicate nguage academic (etc.) Arithmetic Science Answer 1. 89 degrees northtitude Social Studies Answer A. Soviet Union Answer B. Putin Answer C. NATO Chapter 50: [Fear! Tax Return!] Chapter 50: [Fear! Tax Return!] "My words to you!'' I''m Iroha, the trantor girl. Hello, everyone!" >Irohalo >Good job on the exam! >I''ve been waiting for you! I''m back to VTubering now that I''ve passed my exams. I''m a little nervous because it''s been a while since I''ve streamed. "As for the exam''s results, I passed without a hitch!" >Congrattions! >10,000 Pass celebration >1,680 to cover the entrance fee "Thank you all. I''m d to say I''m exempted from paying the entrance fee and tuition for one year because I got the "A" Special Exemption. I also get uniforms and textbooks even if I don''t buy them. >That''s great, Iroha-chan! >The special treatment is huge. >If it''s Iroha-chan, it wouldn''t be strange for her to get the S special treatment. "No, no, no, no, you''re overreacting. It depends on the school, but in my case, the requirement is to get 80% or more in all subjects." >As expected, it''s hard to run in parallel with streaming >I mean, the line to pass the junior high school entrance exam is to get 60% >80% is too difficult in such a situation "The barrier of a tuition waiver for 3 years is very high. It''s depressing to think about the payments starting next year." >Private junior high schools can easily cost a million dors a year >So, the difficulty level for special treatment is correspondingly high >People in this world have a lot of money "I agree. I heard that the amount of money spent per child is increasing due to the declining birth rate. I heard that one out of every four children in urban areas takes the entrance examination for junior high school. It''s the times we live in." >You said w >The line of a sryman with a family >So all you have to do now is wait for graduation? "You think so, don''t you?" >Ah >Right >The time has finallye The biggest enemy of all is just around the corner: taxes. "So here we are. It''s time to file your tax return!" >Gya~~~~!? >I don''t want to hear it >I have to do it too "Isn''t that weird? I thought I''ll take it easy until graduation after the exams were over!" >Time flies so fast >I thought you just did it the other day >There''s so much to do, and it''s so confusing. I hate it "I guess I''m better off because I have a tax ountant, but it''s still several times moreplicated than I thought." But that doesn''t mean I can''t do it. It would be a crime. If you''re apany employee, you''ll only lose money if you don''t file a tax return. Ie tax has already been deducted from their wages through withholding tax. Therefore, if you file an ie tax return, you will only get back the amount you overpaid. Thepany even does the final tax return for you in a year-end adjustment. However, this isn''t the case for those who are self-employed. This is because they haven''t paid ie tax yet. Therefore, if they do not file an ie tax return. They gain an advantage. Therefore, they''re severely punished for tax evasion. "The tax ountant said, [this is your first time, so let''s do it as soon as possible." Both the tax return and the tax payment are due from mid-February to mid-March. If you''rete, you will be charged overdue tax or lose deductions, and you will be out of luck. >If you have as much ie as Iroha-chan, you should file a blue tax return >What''s that? Don''t you have to file a blue tax return in advance? >I thought they started withholding taxes on MyTube earnings "I heard it again, so maybe there''s a misunderstanding." First, there are two types of tax returns: white and blue. Filing a white return is easy, but deductions are small. Filing a blue return is moreplicated, but you get more deductions. The more deductions you take, the lower your taxes. If you are self-employed and earn more than a certain amount, filing a blue return is more advantageous. The maximum deduction is 550,000 yen x tax rate. To put it bluntly, if you file a blue tax return, you can get 100,000 yen or 200,000 yen. You can understand how important it''s to file a blue tax return. There are certain conditions for filing a blue tax return. One of them is to apply for approval within two months of starting the business. >I''m sure a lot of people don''t know that >I couldn''t file a blue tax return in my first year because of this >This is exactly the kind of thing that should be taught inpulsory education "I agree. I would never have done it if Ah-nee hadn''t told me." As for MyTube''s withholding taxes, it''s true. The terms and conditions have been revised, and it is now so. However, the withholding tax is only collected in the US. So, if they don''t change the rules, you will be taxed both in the U.S. and Japan. Double taxation is a recipe for bankruptcy. Fortunately, however, Japan and the U.S. have a tax treaty. By filing a "tax information report" on MyTube, the tax rate collected by the U.S. can be decreased to 0%. It''s said that Brazil, India, Vietnam, and other countries that don''t have tax treaties with the U.S. are in a difficult situation. I heard that 30% of the revenue from U.S. viewers disappears in taxes. By the way, I filed my tax information as soon as I mized. My number was required for that. "What a convenient thing to have my number card. I can check it right away in a case like this." Especially in my case, I''m a minor and don''t have a driver''s license. There are many situations where I have to submit it as an ID card with my picture. I''m d I made one before I debuted, as Ah-nee told me to do so. >Maybe I should make one too >I think you get 20,000 yen worth of points for everything now, right? >I don''t know how I''ll use it, but I made it just to get the points "I don''t know how much more I can do for tax purposes. I''m still going to need more." I dread to think how much it will cost. In some cases, they even have to pay half of next year''s taxes in advance. I feel like I''m going bankrupt. >Oh? >I don''t think that means anything other than the entrance fee >Is it finally time to unveil that thing!? "What? No, but? The most important thing I''ll do is spoil all my oshi at the Valentine''s Day event! In other words, to buy choctes from all my oshi!" >Why would you do that? Why would you do that? I got a total tsukkomi from the chats. Chapter 51: [Valentines Day Memory] Chapter 51: [Valentines Day Memory] >Why would you do that? "No, it''s important! To get chocte from your oshi! It''s Valentine''s Day! I countered hisment. Valentine''s Day is the day to buy chocte from my oshi. It''s the day to watch my oshi''s Valentine''s Day stream. That''s what it''s supposed to be. But then I said. The prediction that everyone was saying was, "Is it an unveiling?" I''m still a little short of preparations, so I''ll hold off on the announcement. >Then, stream yourself properly! >You''re the one handing them out, aren''t you? >Where is Iroha''s chocte? Where''s the Valentine''s Day event? "Oh, that''s right, I forgot. I''m supposed to have a Valentine''s Day event too. On February 14, I''ll be coborating with Ah-nee! Please look forward to it! >I''ll be there! >Why is your own Valentine''s Day event a bonus? >Thank you for helping fans with salt in the sweet season "So, I''m looking forward to seeing you all!" * * * So on February 14, the day of the event. In a ssroom at school, two girls stood in front of me. "Well, what do you want?" "Iroha-chan!" "Irohasaama!" I know what''s going on. That''s a sign of trouble. It''s Valentine''s Day. Two girls were ring at each other in front of me. "Hmph What will you do with that chocte, Maisan?" "What do you mean, of course, I''m going to give it to Iroha-chan? Because Mai and she are best friends. I''m not saying we''re best friends, but we''re much more than that! It''s only natural that I would do something like that, right? "Ugh! Soudesuka, Soudesuka. But Irohasama is everyone''s Irohasama. I don''t think it''s a good idea to move past that. So you shouldn''t bring choctes to school." "What are you holding in your backhand while saying that? It looks like a present! I mean, it''s chocte. I wonder which one of us was trying to sneak out?" "Pi~Hyororo~? What the hell are you talking about? I don''t understand. I can only speak Ukrainian. Oh, I don''t understand Russian at all." "Hey! You''re the one who said that you''re a thief cat! You''re just a neer who came hereter!" "Speak proper Japanese, please. Do you understand the meaning of just arrived''? I used to live in an urban area in Ukraine." "Mookii~! Iroha, she''s here! She''s going to bully me! No, Irohasama! I was just trying not to be a burden to you!" The surround sound is blurted out. My ears are ringing. "Well, do you think I''m necessary for this story? After the two of you conclude, why don''t youe and tell me?" "Iroha-chan, be quiet for a minute! We''re having an important conversation right now! "I''m disrespectful to give orders to Irohasama! I''m going to show this female fox to be quiet right now, so Irohasama should stay behind!" "What~?" "To begin with, ording to my research, Irohasama is not very fond of sweets. The average number of chews for a school lunch is 20~25, but only sweet foods require less than 10 chews!" !???????? What.s that? Scary? I don''t even know how many times I chew! "I wonder if Maisan''s chocte is made to be bitter with consideration for tastes, desune!" "Mukii! That''s true. But if you eat it, it will be delicious! Iroha-chan will say she loves it! "Yeah, if that''s the case, the chocte I made is my favorite! There''s no mistake!" "If you''re going so far! Iroha-chan, try my chocte and tell me what you think! I know it''s the most delicious chocte in the world!" "Nah, that''s unfair! I was supposed to give Irohasama some chocte that I made myself, but. It''s okay to eat the chocte that Maisan made, but at least you should eat my chocte here! Both of them took their choctes out of the box. Both of them pressed a piece of chocte against my cheek. "Come on! Come on!" "By all means." "Wait a minuteMuguu!?" Just as I open my mouth slightly to speak, I get chocte scooped into my mouth. My mouth fills up with chocte. "Muggghh Hey you guys, can IC?" "What do you think!? My chocte is delicious~!? Eh, you don''t understand~!? Then more!" "Wait! Well then, mine too! Let''s clean up the pte with this!" "Mugu, moga, oh my, don''t you dare!" You''re the ones who need to stop this!" "Hiiiiiiiiiiii?" An angry voice rained down from overhead. We all stood up with a yelp. When we turned around, there stood a teacher with a furious expression on her face. "You guys, the bell is already ringing. How dare you eat chocte in front of a teacher? How dare you bring chocte to school?" "Mgghh! MUGGH!" I shake my head frantically. Wait! I had nothing to do with this! I''m just involved! "Shut up ????!" The teacher shouted, her voice loud enough to echo through the hallway. Chapter 52: [Valentine Commemorative Stream] Chapter 52: [Valentine Commemorative Stream] The teacher yelled at me when I brought chocte, an unnecessary item, to school, and was forced to eat it. No, no, no! It''s a misunderstanding! I am! "Don''t try to talk with something in your mouth! Ah, no more! Yada-yada! I''m so excited here and there. School is where you learn about studying and living together The teacher doesn''t even have anyone to give chocte to." "Did you say something?" Scary!? It was as if 30 years'' worth of grudges were in her eyes. Could it be the teacher? No, let''s not think about it. "It doesn''t matter if you have good grades or you''re a transfer from abroad! Rules are rules! All three of youe to the teacher''s office after school. """Yes""" I cried inside my heart. It''s unreasonable ~~~~! One of my ssmates said sadly with a straight face, "Wasn''t it addressed to me?". But go for it, boy! No, I''m sorry. After all, it might be toote. *** "Happy Valentine''s Day! I''m Anego So today I''d like to make chocte with Iroha." >I''m so d Anego is not alone this year! >Thank you, Iroha-chan, thank you so much! >No direct heat or boiling to us "I wasn''t sure about the ingredients, so I prepared this much! What''s wrong with you, Iroha? What''s wrong with you, Iroha? You don''t look so good." "Not at all, I''m fine. Ugh." >This is not a good idea. >Why is she already wounded >Is it your period? "Yes, I can smell the sweet aroma in your mouth, Iroha, you''ve already eaten a lot of chocte. I think my sister made choctes yesterday. "I ate it, or she made me eat it." I''ll never forgive them! The battle continued after school, and I was forced to eat two whole boxes of choctes. "Ahaha, well, please forgive her. It seems that my little sister was also very enthusiastic. Iroha-chan passed the entrance exam for junior high school, and you''ll go to different schools after graduation, right? She''ll go to make memories as long as she can." " tch." Was that so? Mai is usually proactive, but today she was even more so. It was almost too much. It''s not just Mai. No, it was not only Mai. Even the new student was more aggressive than usual. Maybe she, too, had gathered up her courage knowing the goodbye was near. "Huh. I understand. I have no choice but to forgive her." "Hmph, thank you, ne." >Anego''s being a big sister, huh? >Hey, is this Anego an imposter? >I always like this beautiful Anego. "Ahahaha, what are you talking about? I''m always the sweetest sister, aren''t I? I''m always smart, literate, a good wife, a wise mother, and a good housekeeper aren''t I, sister?" >Oh, she''s back to my usual anego. >Please give me back my beautiful Anego. >Anego is popr with same-sex people, but she doesn''t seem to be popr with the opposite sex w "Hey, Kora! I''ve always been irresistible! I''m always popr with the opposite sex! If you''re here to watch this stream, then you''re really in love with me, aren''t you, ne?" >No, not at all >I''m worried about causing an ident >I''m looking for Iroha-chan "Hey! Oh, it''s okay, you''re going to say that? Hmmm. By the way, how many choctes did you guys get today?" >Ugh! >Aagh! >Stop! Don''t ask that question!!!! "By the way, how many, Iroha?" "Eh?" "Look, I''ll keep this between us! Just whisper into the microphone. "Everyone can hear you! What? Well, okay. I''ll just whisper it into the mic. I mean, how many?" >Seriously?? >I don''t remember Iroha epting gifts. >Iroha is a womanizer. "I don''t ept gifts from viewers. I''m not in an environment where I can check the contents. All giftse from friends and VTubers I know." "Wait. You have more than me." "Oh, there are a lot of VTubers from overseas who want to experience Japanese events. So we send each other choctes." "Is that okay? Oh, aren''t Ogu angry? She''s pretty knowledgeable about events in Japan, so she was enthusiastic about preparing it." "Oh, why?" >This is the furious wife >Iroha, call me when you''re done streaming (US) >She''s here! I don''t know why Angu-ogu got so mad at me after the stream Also, Ah-nee, don''t ever cook again. Don''t make me eat what you cook. *** And so thest event of the elementary school was over. In March, the day finally came. The graduation ceremony had arrived. Chapter 53: [Graduation And Entrance] Chapter 53: [Graduation And Entrance] ""Aogeba, Tootoshi"" Everyone sings in unison. I can hear sobs from all over the gymnasium. Today was the graduation ceremony. It was thest day of elementary school. As I was singing, someone pulled my clothes'' hem down. Mai''s fingertips clenched there. Perhaps it was unconscious. Mai looked straight ahead without a nce at me. Tears were streaming from her eyes. Her singing voice was trembling terribly. But it sounded very beautiful. Looking around, I saw other new students staring at me as if they were trying to burn the image into their eyes, and mothers silently shedding tears at the parents'' table. I was going to graduate. At this point, I realized for the first time that I''ll graduate. * * * "Iroha-jan~!" "Irohasama~!" "Yeah! How long are you going to keep on sticking around? I mean, your nose is runny! You''ve got snot on your nose!" After the graduation ceremony, the ssroom was in an uproar. We could use smartphones, and photo sessions were being held everywhere. In my time, boys used to write on each other''s school bags, and girls used to exchange profile books. I felt a bit nostalgic, thinking that the times changed. "Iroha-san!" "Ah, Sensei." "You''re going to a different junior high school from the others. So you may be anxious about a lot of things. But I''m sure you''ll be fine. Sensei will always support you in your future." "Thank you very much." "Sensei! Let''s take a picture together!" "Sensei! Let''s take a picture together!" "Yes, yes, yes, yes." It''s a little tough to take a selfie with this many people. Just as I thought that a boy walked by. The new student ran up to him. "Ano, I want to take a picture. Good, desuka?" "?!!!? Oh, it''s me? Of, of course, I''m happy to do it! Oh, yes!" ".? Thank you very much. Here''s my smartphone." The transfer student hands her smartphone to the boy and runs back. The remaining boy was left standing there with a nk stare. "Quick! Take a picture of us." "What? What? I thought you were going to take our picture What?" "What are you talking desuka?" The boy said, "Yes cheese," with a sad face. But do your best boy No, I''m sorry. There will be another love! I''m rooting for you! Men get stronger through heartbreak! I can''t tell you how many times I''ve had a crush and lost it. "Sensei~! Is this a good photo too~?" "Yes! Yes, of course. I''m sorry, I was called away." "No, thank you very much." The transfer student checked the photos taken and nodded with satisfaction. Then, as if determined, she approached me one step closer, saying, "Irohasama!" "Well, what?" "Sono, Irohasama. If you don''t like it, you can always ask me to decline. My contact information! The photo, dakara! I need it to send it to you, so here it is!" "Hmm? Uh, okay?" Oh, I see. It would be inconvenient to share photos without knowing their IDs, wouldn''t it? After all, we live in an era where even wars are fought using socialworking services. "~~~~ Arigatoo gozaimasu!" "LIME, Dithcord, or Fakebook? I''m sorry, I don''t do the Tellgram." "LIME is fine! I''m fine with LIME! ! Yay!" I was about to say, "You''re overreacting just because we''re exchanging IDs. When I was about to say so, a strong wind blew in through the ssroom window. "Whaap!?" I unintentionally shielded my arms from the wind. I could see the swaying silver hair through the gaps between my fingers. I couldn''t help but admire the view. Along with the cherry blossom petals, teardrops danced in the air and glittered. "Iroha-sama I''ll do my best!" A notification sounded. When I turned to my smartphone, a new name was added to my friends'' list. " I see, I didn''t know it was a name like this." Suddenly, the girl in front of me seemed to have a sense of reality. Unlike usual, Mai watched quietly. *** And then March ended, and April began. I had be a junior high school student. Biting back a yawn, I rest my cheek on my desk. The entrance ceremony had just finished. Everyone in the ssroom looked restless. It seems that public and private junior high schools are no different in this respect. However, within a few minutes, simr people began to gather here and there. A boy-only group, a girl-only group, a group of riajuu, an otaku group What is unique to private junior high schools in the group of returnee students. What? What about me? I belong to a group of half-hearted. I could study on my own up to elementary school, but when I entered junior high school, it was different. Studying is an information war. In other words, it is a group battle. To do it efficiently, it is a good idea to make friends with others. It''s not that I can''t do that. It''s just that I''m not interested in other people to the extent that I can''t remember their names. It''s not so different from when I used to get tangled up with Mai in elementary school. I''m sure that''s true, but why? I was bored in junior high school. Chapter 54: [Unsatisfactory Day] Chapter 54: [Unsatisfactory Day] After a strangely long first junior high school day, I went home. I fell into bed without changing my clothes. "Huh." I let out a big sigh. In times like this, watching VTubers is the best thing to do. Yes, that''s what I usually do. But for some reason, my arms felt heavy today, and I couldn''t bring myself to take out my smartphone. "What''s wrong with me?" "Is something wrong, Iroha?" "Oh, yeah. What''s wrong, Iroha-chan? I feel like my junior high school life is not enough for me. Mamamam Maiii!!! Why are you in this room?" I jumped back as if I had just discovered that ck thing. I pointed my finger at Mai, who crawled from under the bed. I''m freaked out! My heart is still racing. Oh, hey, I''m leaking No, no, I didn''t! "Fufufufu, were you surprised~? I wanted to surprise Iroha-chan, so I waited for him~!" "If you do it again, I''ll sue you for trespassing! Really! I''ll never forgive you!" "What? I got permission from auntie, too. She asked me to [stay at home for her] while she went shopping." "That''s not permission to scare me!" Ah, I''ve finally calmed down. But I see. I''m sure she''s probably shopping for foodstuffs for the school entrance party. After the entrance ceremony, my mom had already left. That''s the efficient use of time. "Heh heh heh, but I see" "What''s with that face?" "I''m just happy." "What?" "Because, Iroha-chan, you seemed to miss Mai" " Haaaaaaaaaa!?" No no no, no no no no! Not! "You''re wrong!" "Eh~? Is that so~? I don''t think so~?" "I''ll get angry if you say it again." "Okay, okay. But don''t worry. Even if we go to different schools, Mai wille to Iroha-chan''s room, and we''ll always be friends." "Annoying." Oh, shit! Why is my face so hot? And Mai is Mai, too. How can you say such embarrassing things like that? "Oh, wait a minute, I made a mistake! Mai and Iroha are more than friends They''re more than just friends, they''re more than just best friends!" "Don''t get carried away." I poked Mai in the head. "Iroha-chan, your middle school uniform looks good on you." "Mai, well I think it''s a good costume too." "Isn''t it fine if you honestly praise me~!?" We looked at each other and gushed pfft'' as if we couldn''t take it anymore. The mncholy I had been feeling earlier had vanished when I realized it. *** Oh, yes. And I have one more thing to report. I have one more VTuber who has recently be a favorite of mine. Her name is "Ilena". Her name means "Peace" in Ukrainian. She''s a beautiful silver-haired VTuber, but to be honest, she has just made her debut and is not very good in many ways. Her 3D model is just abination of existing parts, freely distributed screen materials, and a microphone with poor sound quality. But still, it is strangely eye-catching. There is something I love, and I''m just going straight for it! Watching her stream, I can feel that kind of feeling. And what''s more! She is bilingual in Ukrainian and Japanese (rumor has it that she also speaks a little Russian?) She is also a junior high school girl. This story makes me feel very close to her. Multilingual and a real junior high school student, just like me! I am not sure if she is a real junior high school student or not. I can''t rule out the possibility that this is role-ying. There are people in the world who call themselves 17 years old but say, There are even VTubers who im to be 17 years old, but say, "There is a demand for 30-year-olds!" No, the world is big. Well, I don''t care about "three dimensions". It''s an undeniable fact that they are junior high school students in the virtual world. . [ Pien!?] Kun? What''s wrong? What''s wrong? "Nothing is wrong desu yo!" [Agh? Ugh! Hi, hi, hi!? I''m sorry, but I can''t help it. My heart can''t take much more of this! I''m so embarrassed. I can''t stand it!] "That''s not right!? That''s not it desu yo!?" [Auauauau ~~~~!?] And so, I told her all about the merits of the new VTuber Ilena-chan. Yeess~, it feels good to do missionary work! Now Ilena has a new viewer, and I''m sure she will help the former transfer student in her Japanese studies. It''s a win-win situation. I thought the new year was "not bad". Chapter 55: [Terrestrial Debut!!!] Chapter 55: [Terrestrial Debut!!!] "So I attended the entrance ceremony. I''m Iroha, the trantor girl" >Iroharo! >Iroha-chan is now a JC. I''m very emotional >I feel like a father who has watched his daughter grow up (U.S.) "I''m not your daughter, but you''re right, she''s in middle school now. Time flies." >I''ll admit, it''s a shame that the elementary school brand is no longer around >??? Iroha-chan is an eternal elementary school student, you know? >A lolicon! Catch him! "Hahaha. It''s true. But in the virtual world, technological advances and version-ups ur with the passing month. VTubers are getting more beautiful voices and prettier looks. Time is on our side." >She said something very nice (U.S.) >In the first ce, it''s a world where there''s an eternal 17-year-old >What kind of 17 year old opens a Showa Song Festival Ugogo. "By the way, how are you guys doing with your new school year?" >I''ve changed my look for my debut in high school, so I''m sure my ssmates will be talking to me soon! >I''m still in training, but I think working people are a little bit scary. >Oh, these guys "I feel like there''s a lot of death gs, but, it''s okay, it''s okay. I''m sure you''ll get over it by watching VTuber videos." >I''m sure that''s just you w >Iroha-chan always heals me! >What''s life like in middle school? "No, listen! That''s so nasty! Today, I was handed my textbooks and told my ss schedule, and it''s so hard!" >I knew it >I''m sure Iroha-chan can handle it >I heard the sses are really fast "That''s right. I heard that in the first year of junior high school, they finish almost all the junior high school''s subjects. And from the second year of junior high school, you start high school sses. I heard that all difficult junior high schools have a curriculum like this. >Seriously? That''s harsh >This is a special feature of integrated junior and senior high schools. >I''m sure they have plenty of time for English. "But that doesn''t seem to be the case. It is not unusual for people to be able to speak English. We have a good number of returnees at our school." >Wow, seriously! >It''s like a whole new world >I wonder if returnees get bored in English ss? "Oh, I don''t think so. English sses are divided ording to grades. Especially in the highest level sses, native English-speaking teachers will train you to a level that will prepare you for the American university entrance exam." >Iroha ising to an American university? (U.S.) >Is this a g for studying abroad? >I mean, why would Iroha-chan be in the top ss of a university? "I wonder, why am I in the top ss-naa? I''m not thinking about going to the US at the moment." >If you can speak English so well, it seems strange that she wouldn''t go abroad for higher education >It''s up to her to decide your career path >I wonder what kind of English is required to pass the entrance exam to an American university? "I don''t know the details yet, but I heard that the final goal is for everyone to score over 100 on the TOEFL iBT.Others include discussion, essay writing, and debate." >How difficult is it to get a score of 100 on the TOEFL iBT? >It''s more than Eiken Level 1 >I heard it''s required if you want to enter a famous American university. "That''s it! That''s what the teacher said." >But I''m sure you can read the exam questions >But there''s a difference between being able to read and being able to understand >You need to have a vocabry that''s half in technical terms "Yeah, you know, it''s easy to read picture books, but it''s hard to read papers, even if they''re written in Japanese. That''s how it is." >I agreed Well, I''m worried if I can keep up from now on. *** I thought I could keep up with them, but it''s been a few days since sses started at junior high school. Surprisingly, my studies were going well. I thought about it. This is the second time I take a junior high school ss. If I consider it as a review, the current pace was even moderate. I was rather bored in elementary school. Some of the things that I didn''t do in my time were included in the sses, and that was the only part where things got a little rough around the edges. Everything else went surprisingly well. In addition, this is on the level of "I can keep up". Overall, I would say that I was a bit of a dropout. I still do very little self-study outside of ss time and keep my level "moderate". If I say this, my ssmates who are also going to cram school and trying hard to catch up with their sses would probably get mad at me. However, English ss is a different story. On the first day of English ss, we had an unexpected reunion. <> <> <> Coincidentally, my English homeroom teacher was the examiner when I took the test. That in itself was fine. A week or two into ss, it happened. *** <> << Yes?>> My English homeroom teacher suddenly said something like that to me. I have no idea what she meant. <> <> <> <> <> Chapter 56: [First Project Stream] Chapter 56: [First Project Stream] Get on TV, and my destiny will change. The English homeroom teacher''s words are spot on. If an ordinary VTuber were approached about this, they would have no choice but to refuse. The risk of being exposed is too great. But in my case, it''s not necessarily a choice. - At some point, I was out of my head. I have two choices now. One is to continue to work as a VTuber. The other is to be a "non-VTuber". Because, for my future, it is far more convenient to work IRL if I fully utilize my cheat-likenguage ability, living IRL is overwhelmingly more convenient. For example, think of a job where I can use this ability. The jobs thate to mind right now would be linguist or interpreter. For example, if I be a linguist and can speak dozens ofnguages. Media exposure is inevitable. Even if I publish a paper, I can''t avoid being in the public eye. The same applies to interpreters. If I work as an interpreter for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There are probably some things I don''t want to divulge in diplomacy. Sooner orter, I''ll have to be there in the flesh. Sooner orter. In that case, it is not a bad option to sell my name on TV. On the contrary, considering my "objective," it is even a shortcut "No, it''s not! So, I''ve been kicked out of the TV show, I''m Iroha the Trantor." >Don''t worry >Terrestrial debut failure? >Well, I''m afraid they''ll find out who you are. "I''m told that I would get paid for my appearance. I still feel like I missed out on something." >The TV crew was very discerning. >The fish that got away is big. >I knew a genius like Iroha-chan would eventually catch on in the public eye. "No, wait, is there a chance to appear on without speaking out?" >It''s impossible >How do you make a show work without speaking English? >Give it up "Damn ." I still think it was a missed opportunity. I just postponed the problem. VTuber or non VTuber. I''ll have to choose between the two again sooner orter. Still, for now, I''m okay with it. I don''t know if I can continue to be a VTuber. But it''s not toote to think about it after I can''t continue. "Ahh, but yeah" >LOL >Wow, how long are you going to keep dragging this out? w >If Iroha-chan is a VTuber or not, I''ll continue to support you when you stream A few dayster, a solution came from an unexpected direction. "Well, what should I do? I got a project from the museum." It''s the third option. As a VTuber, I took on the linguistics side of things. *** "Hyaho! It''s my first project stream!" >Iroha-chan finally got a project >It''s kinda toote for that >But why a museum? "That''s because a hands-on museum called The Museum of World Languages will soon open." >I see. So it''s an advertisement for that. >That''s perfect for you, Iroha-chan. >What kind of things are actually on disy? "It''s a facility that exhibits all sorts of things, from inscriptions like the Rosetta Stone to y tablets to oddities and forgeries like the Voynich Manuscript." While many items are replicas because they are hands-on, you can touch them. For children, or even for many adults, it is more entertaining, and friendly than a regr museum. I didn''t even know it existed until I got the offer! It''s a great marketing tool. "There are also ciphers, the history ofnguages, and more. They have ABC soup and Iroha chocte in the restaurant." >I miss ABC soup! >Iroha-chan''s handmade choctes! >Valentine''s Day was foreshadowed! "I miss ABC soup and Iroha''s choctes. It''s not my handmade. Well, don''t you know? It''s an individually wrapped, bite-sized chocte with sybles written on it. Like aputer keyboard." >I know what you''re talking about >I wanted to dream >Well, it''s impossible to prepare a coborative menu in such a short period. >Can''t you buy those choctes anywhere? "Don''t you think so? But at this restaurant, you can choose your favorite letters and designs instead of the usual random ones." >Sounds interesting. >I''ll make up a name for you, Iroha-chan. >If you put a heart design between your name and ? "You''re a genius! I''ll do it with my name and my oshi too!" >Iroha ? Ogu >Iroha ? Ogu >We are ? Iroha "Not you guys! Nobody said anything about putting Ogu''s name in!" Well, I''m going to put Angu-Ogu''s name in. After all, she is still my first choice. "Well, that''s how I''ll promote the museum today. And since I''m a VTuber who sells mynguage skills, I was told, [f you can do it, try to decipher it.]. I''ll have to do it!" Chapter 57: [The Voynich Manuscript] Chapter 57: [The Voynich Manuscript] >Iroha-chan, you can read ancientnguages? >You can even decode codes? >Iroha-chan can do it "Of course. I can''t! What do you think I am? You know it''s impossible! Who do you think I am!? Well, for example here it is. This is called the Rosetta Stone." It''s a huge stone monument with ancient Egyptianws written on it. It''s divided into three tiers, with the same content written in hieroglyphic, demotic, and Greek letters, in order from top to bottom. "It''s Greek, and I''m learning Greek, but I don''t think I can read it yet, because it''s ancient'' Greek." >Didn''t you just say "yet"? >I think it''s Greek Koinei, right? >The same Greek word "It is an ancestor of Greek and has many etymological roots. But people can understand Japanese, but it''s hard to read ancient Japanese without studying it, right?" Even Japanese is almost unintelligible before the Warring States period. If I get reincarnated in the past instead of the present, I would have had to start by learning the Japanese of that era. Even the Warring States period was only 500 years ago. And the Rosetta Stone created 2,000 years ago. That''s four times as long as the Warring States period. You can see how far away thenguage is. "So it''s impossible to decipher it. But there are so many interesting exhibits. Chinese gold artifacts, a y tablet from ancient Mesopotamia! A question for everyone. What does it say?" >I know this one >What is it, anotherw? >Love letters? "Wroong. The correct answer is, "Bastard! I want my money back!", That was it. The copper ingots they bought were inferior. I guess what humans have been doing hasn''t changed much since 4000 years ago." >LOL >Humans are stupid >Linguistics is interesting "Yes! Linguistics is interesting! I have only recently discovered how interesting it is." I learned thenguage to watch VTubers from abroad. And I was learningnguages for a "secondary purpose". But recently, I''ve been finding thenguage itself a bit more interesting. Well, with some lip service to my sponsors. "When you know thenguage, you know the history. On the other hand, some patterns are interesting precisely because you don''t understand them. For example, the Voynich Manuscript." I disy a page from the Voynich Manuscript. There is an illustration of a woman soaking in a hot spring and the words. >I heard it was just a prank >Wasn''t it in old Turkish? >Can you read all the pages on the Inte? "Yes, yes. The real one donated to the library at Yale University, and they''re making the full text avable online. As for thenguage. It''s still undeciphered! It''s a mixture of the two, but it''s in Latin." The book is 240 pages, albeit with some missing parts. The text is still not deciphered. Even the hieroglyphs, which have now been deciphered, were like that in the past. Despite finding arge number of them, they couldn''t decipher them until they found a correspondence table called the Rosetta Stone. The "key" to decipherment is the text rule, which is so important. I thought to myself. Could this be my cheat-like trantion ability itself? By that logic, could it be? I scrolled through all the pages of the Voynich Manuscript again. ". Ah." Instantly, I felt my brain begin to boil. Oh no, no, no, no, no! I hurriedly closed my eyes and minimized the image with a shortcut key. "Ugh !" But it was toote. My brain had begun to process the image at high speed, ignoring my will. Damn, my head is burning hot. Why don''t humans have cooling fans! We are too imperfect as living organisms! No, I''m just irregr. >What''s wrong, Iroha-chan? >Did something happen? >Are you sick? "I''m fine. It''s my first time streaming a project, so I''m just nervous and thirsty. I''ll get something to drink." >Got it >Do it >500 Yen. Now is the time to throw it I leave my seat, feeling dizzy. I manage to make it to the kitchen and get a cold shower on my head. "Oh no, maybe." Then I take out all the cold packs I have from the freezer and go back to my room. I press it against my head and wrap it in a towel. This should buy me some time. "But What do I do with this?" I''ve read something I shouldn''t have. At the same time, I have a pretty good idea of what this manuscript is all about. Should I publish it? "Something like this"? Who else would believe it but me? Or is it just fate that I got to read it? Chapter 58: [The Price Of Ability] Chapter 58: [The Price Of Ability] "Sorry guys. Sorry for the wait." >Wee back >1,000 yen, while you''re at it >Oh, I didn''t make it in time ww "What? Why are you spamming while I''m away? I''m not sure if you want me to read your chat! I do it all the time." >LOL >That''s what I was trying to say >Simr! I was trying to do what I always do, and I was making my voice heard. My voice echoed in my head, and my temples twitched. "Let''s see. I was talking about the Voynich Manuscript, right? I can''t decipher it, after all. But I guess the author isn''t an expert." >The illustrations are not very urate for botanical illustrations of that period >I think the cement of the text is also a bit clunky >But would you write over 200 pages of drawings and text on an expensive parchment just for the heck of it? "Haha, right. That''s If you want to know the truth, please visit the "World Language Museum"! There is even a replica of the Voynich Manuscript on disy, down to the parchment. See for yourself!" My head was not working properly. I was about to say something unnecessary at any moment. >What a natural lead! >I''m sure it''s not parchment, but you can buy a paper replica at the store. >Iroha-chan, did you notice something? "Well, there is also a section where you can solve simple cipher riddles! I''m not here to decipher them, let me do this! What? Spoiler prevention? Well, that''s all right then. That''s all for the advertisement. How did everyone like it?" >It was a spirited first case >It''s close to my house. I''m going with my wife >What? You''re trying to show off your real life???? >2D wife tho >Sorry about that >LOL "The location and schedule of the event are shown on the screen. The URL is also posted in the summary section, so please check out the official page from there." As I was saying this, I was at my limit. Was I behaving normally now? I was losing consciousness. All the cont had melted away in a matter of seconds. "That''s all for today''s delivery! Thank you for watching! Otsukare-ta-, arige-ta-" >Otsukare-ta- >Thank you for streaming your first project! >You were running very fast at the end. I close the stream with myst ounce of energy. Immediately after, I copsed from the chair like a puppet with broken strings. *** " What''s that? Ah-nee?" "Iroha-chan woke up! I''m so d. I''m so d." I looked around in a daze. This is on the bed in my room. Ah-nee was peering at me from the side. There were tears on Ah-nee''s cheeks. This was the first time. Ah-nee even says, "She doesn''t remember crying except for the moment she was born!" "Do you remember what happened?" "Well, I copsed right after the stream." "That''s right. I got a call from Ogu and came over. [Iroha looks strange. Go check her out right now]. I''ve got to go over there right now and check it out. Angu Ogu? Considering the time difference, it was supposed to be early morning in the US. And yet, she was watching my stream. Moreover, she noticed my unusual behavior. "Then I called, chimed, and called loudly, but there was no response. I had no choice but to go inside the house" "Huh? My mom is still at work, right? How did you get in? Trespassing?" "I wonder whose fault it was! I don''t know who''s to me for that. Fortunately, the key was hidden under a flowerpot, as it has been for years." What a messed up security system. That''s what saved my life. "I was really surprised. When I entered the room, Iroha-chan was lying on the floor, and when I tried to call an ambnce, she said you didn''t need one, and she would get better if you were cooled down. Anyway, your forehead was hot, so I put some ice on it." "Ah-nee, good job. I''m all right now." "Really?" "Look, it''s not hot." "That''s true. You''ve never fallen before, have you? Iroha-chan, you''ve never fallen before, have you? You mustn''t be too hard on yourself. If I hadn''t perfectly taken care of you, I don''t know what would have happened to you." "Sorry. Perfect?" I turned around and looked at the pillow. I was soaked to the skin. Ah-nee, you put ice cubes directly on my head, didn''t you? "You''re still so messy, Ah-nee." "Why!?" "But thank you. You saved my life." "You can thank me more than that, okay? Also, call Ogu and let her know. I''m sure she''s very worried about you. And tomorrow, you have to take a day off. Understood?" "Yes, sir." "Also, I''m going to ask you one more time, are you sure you don''t need to go to the hospital? Even if it''s just now?" "I''ll be fine." Being nursed like this, I felt like I had a sister. The wet pillow was a little ufortable, though. Soon after that, my mom came home. She had gotten a call from Ah-nee and had left work early. "You''re doing that again?" "No, this time it was force majeure" "And she said you didn''t want to go to the hospital. You can''t be so selfish and make her suffer! You need to go to the hospital right now!" "Wait??? You misunderstood!?" In the end, I was scolded by my mom and taken to the hospital. Chapter 59: [The Real And The Fake] Chapter 59: [The Real And The Fake] My mom took me to the hospital, but I didn''t have anything special to do. The doctor was aghast and said, "Not again," so she just gave me an intravenous drip and move on. Finally, I was alone in my room and faced theputer. I scrolled through the image data on the screen. My hand stopped at thest page with only text. I could already read it easily. "Haha.'' I found myself a different person''? My memory is fuzzy''? The world is different from before''? I wrote down as much as I could remember in thenguage of the time''? I hope to be reunited with someone who can read this''? That''s ridiculous." It must be some cognitive impairment or a ck history notebook from a Chuunibyou. That''s it. It must be so. That''s why. "Is this the world I used to live in?" Such a question should be meaningless. I couldn''t stop thinking about the question that should be meaningless. *** [Iroha-chan. Hey, are you okay? If you don''t mind, I was wondering if you could talk to Mai.] "Sorry, I don''t want to talk to anyone right now." Mai''s voice echoed through the door. I pull the covers over my head and try to block it out. I''ve been asleep ever since I read the Voynich Manuscript. Well, that''s not quite the right word. I haven''t slept a wink. This world might be a fake. The fear was tremendous. It couldn''t be. It couldn''t be. Because if that were the case "Ugh !?" I crawled out of bed and clung to the trash can. "Oww." But my stomach''s content has already been vomited. There was only a faint drip of gastric juice. [Iroha-chan! Are you okay? Please, open this door! Is Mai not good enough? I don''t know if Mai can help you, Iroha-chan!] "Hey, Mai." [What, Iroha-chan?] "Mai, do you think I''m real?" [What are you talking about? Of course, you''re real!] "I see. I''m sorry, I can''t talk to Mai after all." [Tsu!Oh, haha. Well, that''s right. Mai sorry too] Her footsteps are leaving. I can hear Ah-nee''s voice when I pass by. [Mai was crying. To be honest, we don''t know why Iroha-chan is so frightened and in pain. If you don''t talk to us and we won''t give you anything, I can''t help you. Hey, if you want, you can talk to me?] "Sorry." [I know, I know. But you should at least eat your dinner. Iroha mama is very worried about you. She''s so tired that it makes me feel sorry for her.] "I know, but even if I eat, I''ll throw up. That makes it even harder." [I see. We''re waiting for you. If you get the courage, just let us know.] "Hey, A-nee." [Hmm?] I felt her trying to leave. I suddenly called out to her. I''m aware that my mind is very unstable right now. I know I''m about to say something I don''t want to say, but I just. "Ah-nee is the real Ah-nee, right? You''re not a stranger, are you?" [What are you talking about? I''m not a fake.] "But! You don''t know that! Where''s the proof that you''re real?" [Iroha, chan?] " I''m sorry. I''m saying crazy things. Please leave me alone for now." The footsteps leave the room, and the room is filled with silence. I wonder how long it''s been since I''ve heard such a long silence. I had always heard VTubers'' voices in my room. Not only when I was awake, but even when I went to bed, I had ASMR on. "Someone ." I clutched at my smartphone as if asking for help. Iunch the app and try to watch the VTuber''s stream. But. "Ugh Oe Why, why oh why" The illusion that my vision was distorted. I couldn''t even look directly at it. Was the world ever this unstable? It was as if everything had changedpletely. "No, no I''m the one who has changed." This world had been like this from the beginning. I didn''t realize it. I was at my limit. At that moment, my smartphone shook and started ying music. It was the ringtone I had set individually. It was my favorite original song. It had been a long time since I had heard this song. <> <> <> I couldn''t get the words out of there. I''m begging you. Please, someone, please, please help me <> Angu Ogu said in a clear tone. I let out a voice, "Huh?" <> The phone went dead. It switched to a busy tone. And the next morning. I opened the door to my room, thinking I should drink water, and there she was. "I''m here to help you, Iroha!" Angu Ogu was standing there. Chapter 60: [The World 5 Minutes Before] Chapter 60: [The World 5 Minutes Before] When I opened the door to my room, there stood Angu Ogu, who was supposed to be in America. "Eh .. What? Why is Ogu here? Confused by the unexpected situation, I stopped thinking. While I was still thinking, Ah-nee gave me amand, "Come on!" I was confused by the unexpected situation and stopped to think. "Sorry! Iroha-chan!" "Oops, Mai!? You, stop ..! Mai pushed me down. The three push me into the room like an avnche. "Wait, wait! Please exin this to me. What''s going on? Mai, Ah-nee, Ogu? I''m sorry, my mind hasn''t caught up with the situation. Don''t you have to stay in the US?" "Yeah, I took a day off." "Why? Why? Because if you do that, you''ll lose your viewers!" "Minna, I told them I''m trying to help people I care about." "Why did you go to all that trouble ..?" This is my problem. It''s my problem alone. It has nothing to do with anyone else. It should be. "Heh heh heh~. I''m sure it''s because Mai herself wants to help Iroha-chan." "No matter what kind of Iroha-chan you are, she''s my precious little sister." "I said I''ll save you, didn''t I?" I stopped resisting. I had always had a weak body, to begin with. Now it was even weaker. I didn''t even have the strength to shake Mai off. So I rationalized that it was a futile resistance. That''s when the tension snapped. ". Ah." A grain of emotion spilled out in the form of a teardrop. From there it was a sh. Emotions began to overflow like a dam. Rags and rags of them ran down my cheeks and fell. Between sobs, a voice escaped. The truth is I''ve been asking for help for a long, long time. "I''m scared, yo." "Yeah!" "It''s hard, yeah." "Yeah." "No. yo." "Ow." "Help me!" "Leave it to me!", "Leave it to me", "Leave it to me" Their voices ovepped. And I told them everything. "My guess All the VTubers I liked might be different people~~~~!!!! Biee????n!!!!" """.. nn!!!?!?????""" Gusu Oh, what? I told you because you asked me to talk, but your reaction is different. "Iroha-chan " "Oh, okay. I''ll leave the rest to you." " Iroha, you! I''ll take care of the rest. I mean, Ogu, your face is so scary!" The three of them looked at me with dismay and anger. Don''t tell me they don''t understand the gravity of the situation. "Can you believe that the world of yesterday and the world of today are the same? Or do you think today and tomorrow are two different worlds?" "What are you talking about?" "I''m talking about, for example." "In Japanese, it''s Well, how should I put it? <>" "No, no, it''s not like that. Suddenly the world is something else. The world looks like what I know, but it''s not real. Everything is fake." "N~~~?" I''m not getting through to you. Then I had no choice. I went one step further. I would have preferred not to reveal this if I could have, but "I was able to decipher the Voynich Manuscript." "!!!?!???" "Yeah." "Voy . What''s that? Is that amazing?" Angu Ogu froze with a look of surprise on his face. Mai and Ah-nee seemed to have no idea what was going on and tilted their heads. "Iiii, Iroha. As expected, I won''t be fooled by such a joke. "By the way, what''s in it?" "Ah, ah! I don''t understand Japaneze!" Angu Ogu shivered and sat down, covering her ears. She was mumbling something in English. <> "Well, it''s all right, but I don''t care." "No matter how you look at it, it''s a big deal!?" Angu Ogu is very excited. Then she fainted in agony, <>. Don''t be in a hurry to make a lot of faces by yourself. I hadn''t even gotten to the point yet. "Well, I won''t go into details, but in a nutshell, the author woke up one day in a different world. The vegetation, culture, location of the stars, and even thenguage were different. He wrote it down before he forgot it." I added, "If what is written in this book is true, that is." But I had a hunch that it was true. "So here''s the thing. CI''ve had a simr, but not quite as bad, experience." ".. What!" Mai was the first to react. She expressed inarticte surprise. I''m sure she had an idea of what I was talking about. I thought so, too. If anyone was going to notice my reincarnation, it would be Mai. Maybe it was finally time to face the truth. Who on earth am I? I slowly opened my mouth. Chapter 61: [Later or Earlier] Chapter 61: [Later or Earlier] As I was about to tell him who I was, she said. "Eh~~~~!? I didn''t notice at all~~~~!?" Mai eximed a momentter. I was so shocked. Eeeehhh? No way, you didn''t notice that reaction! Oh, what''s that? Are you not that interested in me, Mai? No, I don''t miss you at all. "Ah, well, well. Anyway, that''s how the world changed! That''s how you got scared." "I see. That''s the world, but you mean people'', right? If so, you''re scared of Mai and cry. Iroha, she''s a different person. She might not be able to stand it~" "Yeah, that''s right!" "But" Mai approaches me as I''m leaning forward, thinking she can sympathize with me. She looked into my eyes from close range. "I don''t think it''s possible to say which is real and which is fake~?" "What?" "Because, isn''t that right? There is onlyter or earlier. If anything, I think they''re both real." " ! " That''s I had never thought of it that way. "But if that''s the case, what about my feelings until yesterday? If yesterday and today are different, isn''t that a betrayal of the person you had feelings for yesterday? "N~, I''m sorry~. Mai can''t understand all of Iroha-chan''s problems. But if Mai were you, Mai would want to love the whole world and people of yesterday, today, and tomorrow." "All of it?" "Because, instead of hating and being sad, Mai would be happier if you loved and enjoyed them. It was an eye-opener. I had been wondering. What if this world is not the world I came from? I would be "guessing a different person" since I got reincarnated! I was so carefree that I didn''t even notice that I had been switched! Dumbly! It''s a betrayal of all the girls I''ve been promoting! That''s proving how shallow my love is! Never, never! It wasn''t something I could forgive myself for. It was a fact I didn''t want to believe. And above all, my "original oshi" didn''t exist in this world. I am confident that as long as I have my "oshi," I can ovee any hardship. However, if I got told that my "oshis" don''t exist in this world and that they''re fake It was too painful, too painful a reality. I lost the VTubers who were my emotional support, and I became heartbroken. Until a while ago. But. "Is it OK? Really? Because I can''t help but think that when a VTuber''s performer gets reced. I recognize it''s apletely different person, even if they''re using the same model!" " Hmm?" That happens less and less now, but it used to happen. Part of me inevitably feels that the other performer is an imposter at that moment. There is a part of me that feels robbed. "The truth is, I know it in my head. I know that the performer after the changeover is innocent!" ". Hmmm~?????" Even if viewers who are supposed to be fans continue to do their best with words, they will still give up. They should get praised, not med! But is that so? Oh, I see! "Thank you, Mai. I finally understand. There is no such thing as real or fake. There is onlyter or earlier. I could have and should have gone for both VTubers!" It''s still hard to believe they are the same person. But it''s undeniable that their stream and voices have made me feel at home! "Thanks, guys! I finally understand!" Besides, there are many neers I have found since I came to this world. You can''t deny them too. "Well? I wonder if it''s good that it seems to have been resolved. I don''t know why we started talking about VTubers. But I don''t think Iroha-chan would have noticed if her oshi had been switched~." " Eh?" "Because at least Mai would notice if Iroha-chan had switched with someone else." "That''s No, but I see. I''m sure that''s true. Then, I mean, this world." The same world I used to be in? Not just another world that looks just like it? "Huh!" I fell to the ground. Mai was right. There was no way I wouldn''t notice that my oshi had be someone else. In other words, in the end, I was wrong. It was a groundless fear. Hahahaha! How ridiculous! "Oh no, what the hell! My mistake!" Once I knew that, I started to want to watch VTubers'' videos. I mean, I can''t do it anymore. I have withdrawal symptoms. I haven''t watched it for so long. I can''t stand it! I was about to take out my smartphone when GUSH! I get grabbed from three directions. "You didn''t just say what the hell'', did you, Iroha-chan?" "That''s right, Iroha-chan. You''re right, Iroha-chan, after causing so much worry and trouble for everyone." "Don''t think you can get away with this for free!" You''re such a nuisance! I''m sorry! After that, I got a lot of anger from the three. Later, I was told to apologize to my mom for making her worry. That was the end of the matter. Angu Ogu was always asking me, <>, <>, but that was beside the point. But I think. If so, why did the author of the Voynich Manuscript Did I misunderstand that I went to another world? And if this is the same world, does that mean somewhere in the world there is my tomb, too? If so No. That''s something to think about now. "But I''m d you''re back, Iroha-chan. You have an important eventing up soon, right?" "What? What''s going on?" "Iroha-chan, you should at least remember your anniversary! You''re about to have your 3D unveiling and birthday stream!" " Oh" Ipletely forgot. Chapter 62: [3D Unveiling] Chapter 62: [3D Unveiling] A movie ys on the Stream screen. The history of "Iroha, the Trantor Girl" is disyed one after another, then disappears. A logo decorated the end of the movie. It was the adorably decorated words "IROHA 3D Debut & Birthday Festival". After everything disappeared, only a silhouette remained. Poof, the screen brightened, and then. "My words to you!''" I''m Iroha, the Trantor girl! I''m finally in 3D!" >Irohalo! >UUWWOOOOOGGGGHHHH!!!!! >50,000 Happy 3D & Happy Birthday!!!! I spin around and pose for a moment. A beatter, "Iroha" on the stream spins around too. >What''s going on? Too cute! >Gyuute! >$500.00 Happy Birthday! (U.S.) "Thank you! So, to celebrate my birthday, I made my 3D debut. A major office fully backed this stream. I couldn''t have bought all this equipment by myself. I''m very grateful for their support >I think that''s Anego''s office, right? >Thank you, management >I''m sure it would cost tens of millions of dors to do this level of tracking So here I am, visiting Ah-nee''s office. I''m in their studio with cameras and lights pointed at me from all directions. I wear it pleasantly right now. Full-body tights for tracking, gloves, and headgear. Each captures the movements of my entire body, fingers, facial expressions, and mouth. "But I still can''t get used to talking while moving in 3D like this Hah. I''m getting tired already." >Too much energy, LOL >I can see how dull you look in 3D. >Are you feeling okay? Because of its high uracy, even the smallest movements get conveyed to the viewer. This equipment is called optical tracking. If I want to do 3D, I don''t need something this big. Unless you want to track multiple people at the same time. I could borrow this equipment because Ah-nee and Angu Ogu approached their office and said, We want to do a 3D coboration for the memorial distribution. I wanted to say that it was a proposal from the office. That''s how much they bought me, I guess. The number of registered users has increased. It was a long time ago that the number of my subscribers exceeded 500,000. If the 3D version of the site is the catalyst, it is no longer a dream to exceed one million subscribers. This is an extraordinary number for an individual group. That''s how big the overseas demand was. If we were not making this proposal, I would have rented a studio for my personal use. The cost was tens of thousands of yen per hour. Well, it was a realistic price. It would have been difficult to make such arge-scale project and coboration. I also consider other options, such as purchasing VR equipment or an inertial motion capture device. Both are inexpensive and take up less space than optical devices, but has drawbacks such as gradual misalignment, making them difficult to use. "I''m in perfect physical condition! Don''t worry! I''m weak from the start. By the way, here on the screen! Here! That''s the description, so everyone canment in whatevernguage you like." I bounced around, indicating the text disyed diagonally above the delivery screen. Oh, I was a little off. It was right around here. >Can you handle this many differentnguages? (U.S.) >Iughed at the chaos in thement section (France) >PyonPyonPyon Cute (Korea) I have several monitors hanging in front of and beside me. Each disyed a screen of streams, chats, or a written message. I''m streaming the chat while ncing at them. Now, I''m still streaming. The background of the screen is nk. "The screen is a bit lonely. It''s not unusual in virtual space, but there''s nothing around. But then, here it is!" A rattle pulls a cart from off-screen. There was a world map and a dart set on it. >LOL >It''s a darts trip >A famous Japaneseedy show? (U.K.) "I would like to y in the country where this dart won. If it''s virtual, travel is instantaneous. I''ll show everyone in Ennd, the home of darts, how cool it is. Hoi." I pretended I was throwing darts. One of the staff runs with a dart with a tracker and stabs it in a country. >The darts fly so slowly! w >This is a hundred times the same. w >It''s not so easy to get it stuck w "Okay? I''m ready! What? I didn''t throw it? Well, let''s see, where is this country? Wow, Germany! Let''s go there!" I thrust my arm up while reading like a stick. Chapter 63: Trip Around The World Chapter 63: Trip Around The World I jumped with a "Ho!". With that, the background image switched to a cityscape of Gothic architecture. "So this is Germany~. Oh, that''s a castle that looks like it could have appeared in a famous dreand! But it''s a bit far to walk there. I''m not strong enough. Seriously. I don''t. Okay, in this case. Hey, taxi! >Suddenly, we''ve got aedy act on our hand >Do you hear something? (Esp) >Don''t say Karakoro M Anegasaki appears from outside the screen wearing sunsses and an air chair. My eyes catch a glimpse of Ah-nee sitting on a desk chair, being pushed by a staff member. "Buh buh buh buh, squeak! Vienna, Katya. Gutentaku." Ah-nee made a sound effect with her mouth and showed a good face. >I love Anego! >This is so bizzare w >What in the world are we being shown? (Greek) "What can I do for you, youngdy?" "What are you doing Ah-nee? I called a taxi." "Ah-nee? I don''t know her name, nee. Right now, I''m a lonely taxi driver." "No, no, the way you talk is Ah-nee! Or rather, where is the taxi? It looks like you''re sitting in an office chair and ying with a car." "Huh I was told they couldn''t budget for a 3D model of a taxi." "I bet they did! Look, even the background is not 3D, it''s just a single solid image! We''re sending this program on a tight budget!! Oh, no, that''s enough. Well then, taxi driver, can you give me a ride?" "Are you trying to pick a fight with me, oi!" "Yeah!? I just called out to you!?" " Really? "Don''t be so convinced! The script! It''s written right there! You''re going to talk back to me!" >Awesome w >There''s no one better at scriptwriting than Anego. (Hindi) >She''s a terrible actor LOL "Uh, right! Miss, you raised one hand high to hail a taxi, didn''t you?" "Yeah. What about it?" "Well, in Germany, that''s a reference to Hitler, the Nazi. I thought thedy had insulted me. Chuu." "Don''t make it sound like I''m doing something I''m not supposed to do." >This isn''t acting anymore, is it? >Anego is interesting >It''s a gesture that is not so popr in Germany. (Deutsch) "I hope you understand. Next time, make sure you only hold up your index finger." "I''ll be careful. Well, then, where are we going?" "Why don''t you get in the taxi, instead of just standing there?" " Oh, okay. Okay, okay. Okay, I''m in." "Wait, you have to open the door first! In Germany. I mean, most taxis outside of Japan don''t have automatic doors! You have to recreate it faithfully! "That''s a lot of detail all of a sudden! I didn''t ask for that much! Yes, and then bang. I''m having a hard time with the air chair. Excuse me, can I have another one just like this one? >Is this a pub? >Draft beer, please! >Additional skewers and dashi rolls "And where are we going?" {To Neuschwanstein Castle, please.} "?????? Okay, okay!" >I''m pretty sure she doesn''t get it w >What is this, some international travel course? >Hmm? Why are you getting out of the taxi? (Czech) Ah-nee got up from her chair and picked up a dart. She released it into the map of the world on the edge of the screen. "The destination is now the United States of America!" "Hey!" Before I could stop her, Ah-nee ran behind me. She pushed the chair and began to run. With a squealing sound, we disappeared from the screen. The scene changed and we arrived at. "Hey there, Ogu. I''m here to y!" <> It was Angu Ogu''s room. Her room was decorated like a graveyard. "Wow, it''s the real Ogu''s room! Awesome!" Angu Ogu is a zombie. She was questioned by a police officer shortly after she rose from the grave, yet all Angu Ogu could do was moan, "Uuuuunnnngg", "0000AAARRGGHHH", which she said to her. It''s get treated as her name. And now she''s searching for people who knew her before she died. That''s the n. As one would expect from a channel with so many subscribers. You can see how much money was spent on this room. The room is a 3D space, aplete change from the 2D background we saw earlier. "It''s a bit like this" "I see. A taxi is a trip around the world with darts. ? I don''t understand this because my Japanese readingprehension is not good enough. It''s true that when ites to transportation overseas. It''s usually a taxi." >It''s okay, I don''t know too >I don''t know too. By the way, I''m Japanese >Once again verbalizing the situation, it''s so surreal w "Well, that''s okay. It sounds interesting. I''ll go with you!" So the three of us got together and decided to go on a world trip together. To decide where to go, Angu Ogu grabbed a dart. "Wait a minute! What is this weird world map? It''s hard to understand! >I thought that (U.S.) >Japan''s world map is unique (Esp. Mex) >The center of the world is not Japan. (Nepali) "The center of the world is almost an ocean. It''s too inefficient!" "Indeed?" I had never thought about it until you mentioned it. Familiarity is a scary thing." "These darts won''t stick in the sea!" "I''m sure there''s a staff member right there with a dart ready to run That''s what you meant! Oh, well, that''s okay. Urah!" Angu Ogu gave a quick tsk tsk and released the dart. Chapter 64: [Rules Of The World] Chapter 64: [Rules Of The World] Then we traveled to many countries. It suddenly sounds emo, but I just reced the backgrounds. Then we did gestures specific to each country to the main camera. In short, this was a photo session. Gestures differ greatly from country to country, such as hailing a taxi in Germany. For example, the guts pose means "fuck you," the okay sign means "for fucks," the back piece means "fuck you," and so on. The back piece means wait? "fuck you!". "I asked them to make me do some difficult movements, not just the normal finger movements. For example, Good luck!''" I showed them how to cross their index and middle fingers. It''s what we call a finger cross in English. Since it could not be reproduced by ordinary tracking, I had them prepare a special motion for me. Angu Ogu squeezed her hands together and said, saying "I''m going to do my best!" She gave a thumbs-up and said, "Leave it to me." "Next is this. No good." She waved her index finger with a "tch tch tch". Angu Ogu made a "no!" and an X with both hands. In response, Ah-nee rolled over and cried like a baby. "You''re making a lot of money, aren''t you?" I rub my fingers together as if counting money. Angu Ogu made a circle with his fingers and said, "Weh heh heh heh. Ah-nee made a [] mark with both of her eyes. >Iroha and Ogu''s gestures are reversed, aren''t they? ww >I think she and Iroha have too high a resolution for each other''s country >Anego w! And so, at the end of the trip, we came to * * * Japan. Cherry blossoms and temples are in the background. This is the end of the journey. "Thank you foring to my [3D unveiling & Birthday festival] stream today. I''ll give this to you all at the end. Please listen." >I don''t believe she''s going to sing. >It''s a song about Iroha? >This is so rare! My singing has been coveted by viewers for a long time. That''s why I have been practicing secretly since then, going to voice lessons. "Music, start!" The music? I took a deep breath. I took a deep breath. "Kanjizai-bosatsu, gyoujin-hanya-hara-mita-ji, shouken go-unka-ukau, doitsu-saikyaku-aku ???? aaaaah!" Pacone, Angguogu smacked me on the head. The music, or rather the sound of the wooden fish, stopped. >Sutra reading!!! >Return our expectations! >That''s not Japanese-style rap? "Ogu may not know this, but this is traditional Japanese music that has been around for a long time." "It''s sutra." "I was reading it out loud, it''s written in a Chinese style, but I thought it would match my multi-lingual abilities." Sutra. "Oh, and there are othernguages like Magadha and Pali" "Sutra." "It''s sutra." I gave up. Angu Ogu sniffed as if to say, "Told you so.". "Damn, I forgot that Ogu is an expert on Japanese culture. I could have fooled her if she was the only one!" "Too bad! I''m sorry!" "Wait? Wait, aren''t you both assuming I don''t know the sutras? I know that much, nee!" But, aside from Ah-nee, I did my best. I did my best. But no matter how much I went to voice training, my bar reading didn''t improve. I guess it''s just my ability. I decided to let it go and came up with an idea. Then, why not make it something close to sticky reading from the beginning? That worked surprisingly well. Well, some sects have the practice of reading sutras with a song-like rhythm, called Shomyo, and that''s what I tried at first. I tried that at first, but it wasn''t possible. I couldn''t do that. "I can''t sing well. No matter how I try." I cringed in ce. The truth is, I didn''t give up. I just gave up. I knew I couldn''t do it. "It''s true, Iroha is tone deaf. But!" "You''re not alone, Iroha! We''re here!" "Both of us." Angu Ogu and Ah-nee''s hands reach out to me. I grabbed each of their hands and stood up. "Let''s sing! Together!" "Yes!" The music began to y, and the video switched to *** "So you heard our original song" "You guys, it was great,ne!" "It''s a great song!" >It was great! (U.S.) >The skit up to this point was a stepping stone for this? >Iroha-chan''s stick reading was cute The chat was a big hit. I''m d to hear that. This was the part I was most worried about. After all, I haven''t fixed my stick reading. But if I can''t do it myself, I can ask others to help me. I could ask other people to follow what I couldn''t do. Besides, VTubers are not only evaluated on how well they sing. I heardments about "Zuko" every time I sang my part, but that was okay. "Well then, everyone, thank you for watching today. I had a lot of fun today." "Wait a minute!" Just as he was about to close, Ah-nee stopped me. What''s wrong? What happened? I checked the script, but I knew this was the end. "Ogu,e on!" As soon as she gave the signal, the image on the screen went dark. And then the one who appeared on the stage was <> "Happy Birthday to you~?"<> It was a birthday cake. Angu Ogu was standing in the studio with a real cake. The stream screen also showed a tracked cake object. All I could do was stare open-mouthed. This wasn''t in the pre-rehearsal! "It''s not too sweet." "What?" I know that because. Oh, so everyone was in on it. Iughed and said, "You''ve got one over on me." I turned to the birthday cake and took a deep breath. *** A few dayster. I was lying on my desk in my junior high school ssroom. Burnout? My body felt tired. So during recess, I was lounging around with earphones in, unusually, and not watching a stream. " Hmm?" I feel some gaze. They''re whispering to me. I listen carefully and see what it''s about. Iroha is more than a genius. She''s a monster. "Nngh!" Uh-huh? Did I do something .? Chapter 65: [Behind The 3D Scenes And Money Talk] Chapter 65: [Behind The 3D Scenes And Money Talk] "Wow. So the 3D unveiling was a great sess?" Today, Mai came over to my house. While Mai took my uniform off and said, "If you just lie down, you''ll get wrinkled~". I was lying on my bed. "Oh yeah. We were trending at number one, and screenshots of the three of us swept the Twitter timeline. We also started selling merchandise for the first time, and it''s selling well. "That''s great, that''s great!" The only thing I was tired of was the autographs. I worked on it while watching the VTuber''s streaming video, but I still thought I''ll get tendonitis. I had no idea I would prate the healing effect of watching my oshi. How horrible! "By the way, Iroha-chan, how was your birthday cake~?" "Yes, it was delicious! I''m sure Mai was in on the surprise too!" "Heh heh heh, did you find out? Onee-chan''s manager called me at home and asked about Iroha-chan''s preferences and allergies. "Heh. Why did she call Mai? Why don''t Ah-nee ask me directly? "Because Mai''s onee-chan would give me the slip. I heard she found out about the surprise right before she gave it to Mai. I heard that she found out about the surprise right before she gave it to you, during the song." "So that''s how it is! No wonder I didn''t notice it." Everyone, including the manager, know Ah-nee very well. She''s such a bad actor even while watching the script. That''s why I was taken by surprise. And I had my doubts. I had also wondered if Ah-nee could hide things so well. "But in the middle of a song? I see." The truth is, the entire 3D unveiling was not a real-time live streaming. Some of the video, including the singing portion, was prerecorded. During this time, the audience is rehydrating, and checking on the event''s progress. Perhaps that''s how they shared the information. "I was desperate at the time, you know." I waspletely giddy during my first 3D stream. I didn''t have time to pay attention to what was going on around me. I think it was a great decision to pre-shoot the singing part. I''m a terrible singer and dancer. This time there was not a particrly intense choreography, but even so, I had my hands full. Besides, singing and dancing are prone to equipment problems. Once, at a local event organized by a major agency, we almost had to cancel the event and refund the tickets due to an equipment failure just before the event was to start. That''s a reasonable risk hedge. And it is not all disadvantages. It''s possible to specify detailed camera angles, add effects, lyrics, and other production elements, adjust the volume, and modify bone fractures. While the pre-shoots lose the live feel, they can still deliver high quality. It''s a win/win in this area. As for myself, of course, I love them both. I think "both" is a strange expression, to begin with. They are both enjoyable in their ways. I also hear some people singing and dancing in the background while the video is ying. They do this to keep their spirits up. If I were to copy them, I''m sure I wouldn''t have the stamina for it. "But to be honest, Mai was surprised that Iroha-chan agreed to borrow equipment from Ah-nee''s office. "Heeh? "Why?" "Because, if you go to the office, there is a possibility that you might identally run into other VTubers there, right?" "Don''t worry about that. The staff took care of that." When I moved down the hallway, I was surrounded by staff in front and behind me, and I was told, "The performer is on her way.". I was surrounded by staff in front of and behind me as I moved through the hallway, and they told me to wait a little longer. I was so afraid that the VTubers would identally run into each other. It is not unusual for VTubers to do this when coborating with other VTubers. When I was visiting the office for a recording session. I was told that the other performers were on the move, so I had to stand by. Many VTubers do not want to be seen or meet other people. It seems that not wanting to be seen is a rare case, though. "Wow, so that''s how it is. But it was good 3D. Will you do it again?" "No, I don''t have any ns. If I had to say, it would be for My first anniversary''. It''s about two months away, and I''ll have to rent a studio by myself. I wonder if I should get my 3D equipment at home." "Wow, that sounds amazing!" "Yes, it does. I can never have enough money." I just paid for a 3D model the other day. I also bought a new smartphone with thetest model, better tracking uracy, and some new equipments. Then there''s the cost of creating the logo, materials, music, and merchandise for this 3D delivery. It''s strange. I feel like I''m spending more money than I''m making. "I thought I was out of money, but I''m not." This is a great opportunity. Let''s talk a little more deeply about the earnings VTubers get. Chapter 66: [VTubers Income] Chapter 66: [VTubers Ie] I should have earned a profit, but I''m still short of money no matter how long it takes. Of course, it''s much better than when I was struggling to pay for premiums and summer courses. Not to mention the money I threw in at the recent anniversary streams and the membership fee. As an international VTuber, I''m grateful that the number of countries where people can send super chats to me has increased. For example, in Indonesia, untilst year, Super Chat was not possible, and it was necessary to throw donations. Eh? Donations are better for streamers? Because of the zero percentmission? Because there is no upper limit of 50,000 yen? Well, Super Chat takes less time to throw! Is it safer because it''s official? I think it''s because it''s official! I now understand why so many VTubers are selling goods. Depending on the goods they sell, the profit margin may be higher. There are many VTubers out there who make a living by selling goods and voices with little profit from super chat. That''s kind of like Uh, no. Let''s leave this topic at this. Let''s talk about other ie. The biggest one was the project distribution that I started to receive frequently. The market rate is roughly the number of channel subscribers x 2~4 yen. And unlike earnings from MyTube, I get paid instantly. I was grateful for this. In the old days, it was cheaper than this, and the fee was 1.5~3 yen per subscriber. However, I guess it is the times we live in. Nowadays, online ads are bing more effective than TV ads, and the unit price is going up. "Hmmm, I guess I have too much nned for expenses." Soundproofing the room is a top priority. No, I may need to move in the first ce. If I were to do 3D distribution at home, I would need a soundproof andrge space room. Too much stuff in the room would interfere with tracking. "The cost of renovations and tracking equipment. And no doubt scheduled taxes wille" A realistic tracking device for private ownership is It''s infrared and costs $80,000 for the main unit. Additional trackers are 15,000 yen each x 7~8. If this is a higher-grade infrared type, the price will change by one to two orders of magnitude. It''s impossible with my ie. Well, let''s see. If it costs that much, the deductions would berge, right? But there are limits to this. For example, depending on the item, it may be treated as depreciation and recorded in installments. If that is the case, only in the 1st year, the deduction will be less than the actual expenses. "I have to leave some money for the future, and Huh." "Hah~, that''s a lot of work! . By the way, Iroha-chan" "What is it?" "You''ve been dodging the issue for a while now, haven''t you? You''ve been avoiding the subject all this time, haven''t you? I wonder what''s going on?" "Geez! Ah, actually, there was a little incident in junior high school" I gave up. I decided to face the topic I had been looking away from. "Oh, yeah, like what?" "Well, it''s not that there was a problem. It''s just that everyone''s attitude was a little weird. I was an English god? I''m being worshipped as an English god by my ssmates." Mai burst outughing when she heard that. You! I''m seriously worried about this! "How does it feel to be worshiped?" "Yes, specifically" I reyed the conversation I had overheard with my ssmates. * * * It''s been a month since my junior high school life started. The speed of the ss elerated as if the tutorial was over. The level of the sses was very high, as it''s in a preparatory school. But the level of the students was just as high. What was amazing about them was that theirprehension skills were so high. It''s a matter, of course, to understand 1 by listening to 1. Many geniuses can understand 10 by listening to 1. That''s why the teaching speed is many times faster than in a typical school. I wonder if they are all in the second cycle of their lives like me. I guess many studentse to school after studying. Even if that''s the case, it''s still horrifying. My school is free as long as I get test scores. I can do homework, y video games, or do other subjects during ss time and not get in trouble. So, I use the ss time for ancient Japanese and Chinese literature and English to do assignments for other subjects. So, what''s going on with this bunch of freaks? And now I''m being treated like a god by the same people who treated me like a monster. No, no, no, what do you mean? I don''t remember speaking any foreignnguage other than English in junior high school! There are many returnees from abroad at our school. So, just because I could speak English I shouldn''t stand out that much. My level of English proficiency without any overseas experience is indeed a rare case. However, many other students are even stranger than that. To prove this point, let me introduce four of my ssmates who are particrly crazy. They are colloquially known as the "Four Heavenly Kings". Chapter 67: [4 Heavenly Kings] Chapter 67: [4 Heavenly Kings] Let''s talk about the Four Heavenly Kings of our school -. *** The first one. The royal road. He''s a super literary and martial genius. First, they''re the only one who takes their sses seriously. Strangely enough, in this school, the ones who get good grades are the ones who don''t study or are weirdos. They do everything with aloofness and spend most of their time after ss in sports club activities. They''re also extremely rich, tall, good-looking, and even like models. I have heard that they even have fan clubs at other schools. Are you looking at the world the right way ? Did you jump out of a girl''s Manga world? *** The second one. They''re genius who spend all their ss time sleeping and getting perfect scores on their tests. They don''t even go to cram school. No one has ever seen them open a textbook. When I asked them about it, they said, "I remember everything, so it''s a hassle, and I don''t bring it with me.". They never forget what they have seen once, and they remember the time, ce, and minutes of what we have talked about. That''s instant memory! Aren''t they much better than me? I was more than surprised. I was even impressed that such a person exists. ***. The third one. The future mad scientist. They''re always doing weird things in front of the ss. They''re always doing weird things away from the ssroom. Breaking the lock of the staff room, selling fake test answers, bbing in the scienceb, stealing from the money changer, painting boobs in the schoolyard, etc. All this in just one month. When they get an idea, they can''t help but try it out. Where are their ethics? *** And the fourth one. A realnguage genius. Their mother is Chinese, their father is Italian, they took English sses up to elementary school, and they live in Japan. They were born quadrilingual. They''re semi-lingual and speak allnguages daily. They''re semi-lingual, but he is not halfway through any of thenguages and could use all of them at a native level. Perhaps that is why they''re so proficient innguages. In the first year of junior high school, they have already mastered more than 10nguages, making them super prodigies. -They''re a monster ofnguages, and even their teacher, Kurokawa-san, called them "iprehensible"! Iroha!!!! I mean, it was me. * * * I can''t believe there are people in the world who have this ability, not as a cheat, but as a talent. Fact is stranger than fiction I was about to take a distant look at it when I realized I had be a member of the "Four Heavenly Kings" before I knew it! Oh my! The fourth one was that quadrilingual. When did they rece them? I had no idea how this happened. It''s obvious being fluent in English alone was not enough topete with the other four. The school is full of returnees. But I don''t remember using any foreignnguage other than English in school. In other words, I don''t know why. But rumors are flying around that "Ask God Iroha about English." "Ask God Iroha about ancient Japanese literature.", "Ask God Iroha about Chinese literature.", and "Ask God Iroha about French, Italian, German, Chinese, and (abbreviated below).". Seriously, don''t use that terminology. If the school is not cheating, there is only one possibility. They found out from other ces. That is. "Could it be that they know about my VTuber activity?" So I had to do some research to find out the truth of the rumors and where they came from. If I had time for this, I would have been watching the streaming! Fortunately, I could easily identify the source of the rumors. It was a statement made by the previous Four Heavenly Kings, or more precisely, by them. If I reproduce their statement, it sounds something like this. "I''m screwed!" "Oh, hey! Why on earth are you crying? You''re the Fourth Heavenly King, aren''t you? Why is a guy with crazynguage skills like you losing confidence!" "Hmph, hmph. No, I didn''t know how big the world was." "What''s the matter with you? You''re so pessimistic?" "Oh, my God, that woman Iroha, she''s really bad!" "Iroha? Yeah, she is good at English, but that''s all. She doesn''t have four mother tongues or speak 10 or 20nguages like you do, right? "That''s what I thought at first, too. I thought so, too, at first, and I wanted to pick a fight with her to see if I could get her to break her nose a little bit. I told him not to get carried away because she spoke good American English. So I took a jab at him in British English. "How did she react?" "She gave me no reaction, and used British English for everything from word choice to pronunciation." "What? No, no. No, no, no, she can do that." "Oh, she''s pretty good withnguages, too? So I went on to speak to her in German, then Chinese, then Italian, and she kept speaking back in the samenguage as me!" "What?" "Not just two or three! I got mad and tried all thenguages I knew. And then I was wiped out." He tells. "She''s a real monster." Chapter 68: [Language Battle] Chapter 68: [Language Battle] "She''s a real monster." " Ha, ha! Do you mean that woman Iroha is as multilingual as you are? Well, I didn''t think that even though there are many multilinguals in this school, someone can match you!" "No, I told you, didn''t I? She''s a monster. I''m nothingpared to her." "But, but, but!" "I have no idea how manynguages she speaks in total. The way she looks at me It was like looking at a piece of trash! From start to finish, she just looked annoyed. She was telling me she didn''t care about me, not even a footstep away from me." "Oh my I can''t believe she''s more of a genius than you." "She was in a different dimension. It wasn''t even a match. Or the vectors are different. It''s just iprehensible. You should try talking to her. She''s anguage genius. I''m sure you''d notice the discrepancy." "A feeling of discrepancy?" "Yeah. She learns foreignnguages in a different way than we do." "What does that mean?" "It''s just a guess, but she may be monolingual''. Or maybe she''s not even monolingual. Either way, she doesn''t have a foreignnguage brain I''m sure there are others out there who are aware of this." "No, no, no, no! Give me some more concrete evidence!" "Yes, I do. For example, we subconsciously find rules innguage." "Bws, do you mean, for example, grammar or vocabry?" "Yes, of course, but it''s more like being able to pronounce anguage or word that is new to you to a certain extent. For example well, try to read these letters." "Uhm [Songeregurappa]" "Do you know this word?" "No, I don''t. What does it mean?" "I don''t know. I just made it up." "Hey!" "But you pronounced it exactly as I thought it should be pronounced." "Oh, wow, now that you mention it. I''ve never seen the word before, but I pronounced it subconsciously." "This is a natural ability for native speakers of anguage. If you''re multilingual, it''s an ability thates into y even when you''re new to anguage. That''s what I thought. But she doesn''t have it." "Then how does she learn othernguages? Because that''s the first step in learning a newnguage." "Iroha maybe learns all thenguages from scratch. Or maybe she learnsnguages ording to apletely different set of rules, and not in a top-down way as we do. So, in other words, it''s a different dimension." "What''s that?" "What the heck is that? If I hadn''t already been learning a foreignnguage, I would have worshipped Iroha as "Iroha-sama" and begged her to teach me English." "Why not now?" "So, can you forget how to remember''?" "That''s impossible." "I don''t think so." "I see. The world is a big ce. I heard that this school is the best in Japan fornguages, so I enrolled, and I thought I meet a real genius like you, but to think that there is a genius even better than you." "That''s for sure. I was the one who got my nose broken. By the way, I''ve reached my limit." "Hmm?" "AAAaahhhh Mamaaaaaa, I lost! Aah! Aaah! Bieeeeee! Come get me soon! Gee yaaaaah! Breastfeed me!" "Eeehh!" *** Thus, one student died socially and fell from the throne of the Four Heavenly Kings. And that led to my current situation C my appointment as the new Four Heavenly Kings. I was so screwed up. I''m screwed, aren''t I? What did I do? What the heck! But I can''t help it, can I? Because I didn''t even realize that I was getting into a fight until I investigated the rumors like this. Before I knew it, my cheat-like trantion ability had done its job. But, well It was thenguage genius who was talking to me at that time. You know, I don''t look at trash like that! I did think, "This guy keeps jumping from one thing to the next," and "Can''t you let me go home early so I can watch the video stream?" However, I was thinking. That''s all there is to it! "That''s why my ssmates are bothering me right now!" "You''re not very good at teaching English, Iroha-chan! If you can teach English well, Mai should be fluent in English first." "That''s right! The guys at school need to realize that." What are they doing here every recess? Am I some beckoning cat that makes you happy if you pet it? They all beg me to teach them, but as a matter of course, I have no idea what they''re talking about, and then they leave, somehow satisfied, saying, "It''s hard to exin something so obvious." Fortunately, I hadn''t yet been exposed as a VTubers On the contrary, I wonder how they haven''t found out any longer. Also, I had never heard that our junior high school is the best in Japan innguages. Yes, I had thought that there were a lot of multilinguals there! "Oh, no, it''s too much trouble!" "Oh~, okay. There is something I would like to rmend to you, Iroha-chan, who is under such stress." "Hm? What is it? "Iroha-chan, are you interested in animal therapy?" Chapter 69: [Deciphering The Code] Chapter 69: [Deciphering The Code] "Kyaaaahhh, so cute!" ".. Huh~" I sighed as I looked at my mom rubbing her cheek against the cat that hade to our house. I guess I couldn''t win after all. I had told Mai no, but I wondered where she had heard about it. My mom showed up and gave her the OK. As one would expect, I couldn''t disobey thendlord''s decision. The cat looked very nervous. It was as docile as if it were a borrowed cat. Or rather, it was a borrowed cat. "Jii-~~~~" The cat''s eyes met mine. Help me? If you want to flirt with me, you must be a VTuber. "Well, I guess it''s inevitable." The cat''s owner is Ah-nee''s manager. Mane-chan is on a business trip to the U.S. to prepare for a project. Since she''ll be there for a long period, she can''t leave the cat alone. So, Ah-nee said, "I''ll take care of it for you," she readily agreed. Even though she''s allergic to cats. Is she an idiot? She''s allergic to cats, but only mildly. I heard she had forgotten about it until Mai pointed it out to her. However, it''s said that it will be difficult to live together as expected. He was looking for someone who could take his ce. Z? Why didn''t shee to me directly to ask for help? Ah-nee is still mumbling, Yadayada, I''ll take care of him~! So, with the permission of Mane-chan, the cat owner, the cat came to our house. The period of stay was two weeks. "Nya~? Nya nya nya? Meow! He''s so cute! Iroha used to be as cute as this. But she''s in puberty, or maybe it''s because she''s a bit of an adolescent" "Don''t drag me into this!" My mom was getting delirious. The cat had a stern look on. I can see that. I''d have a simr look. Why am I watching my mom''s ugliness? "Hey, hey! Wait!" The cat, perhaps fed up with the situation, stormed out and escaped my mom''s arms. It hid behind my body. Perhaps it instinctively knew that I was not going to mess with it. I felt like we had a little bit of eye-to-eyemunication. Well, let''s be businesslike with each other. I don''t mind if someone doesn''t cross in front of my monitor while I''m watching a VTuber. *** A few days after the cat came to my house. I was doing my usual stream. "My words to you!''" I''m Iroha, the trantor girl. Today I''ll be ying this much-requested novel adventure game. >Iroharo! >Iroharo! >I''ve been waiting for you. "Roughly speaking Hmmm. [The story of the main character who was reincarnated in another world, deciphering thenguage of that world and avoiding the world''s copse one weekter]." >Sounds interesting. >I like this kind of dot-picture game. >By the way, I can only tell you so much about it because the synopsis is a spoiler at "For those who have already yed the game, just be careful not to spoil it. Then let''s start the game." As soon as I started the game, I said, "Whoa?" I said out loud. I couldn''t read any dialogue, character names, or items. "An elf-like girl saved me in the forest. But I have no idea what she was saying." >I''m not sure what she''s saying, but I can''t understand a word she''s saying. >You can open the dictionary with the menu button. >The yer also needs to fill the dictionary by the yer by hand. "Wow. That''s interesting." At any rate, I''d give her a concerned look and say the word [Daijobu(?)]. I''ll make a note of it. It''s only tentative. She may be asking my name, or she may be greeting me. For now, I can only guess. However, as I increase the number of words I understand in this way, I will eventually understand the content of the conversation. "What is this, a calendar?" I explore the room I''m led to. A grid of about 7 x 5 is put in the middle of the room with a cross. And on thest frame is an ominous picture. "So these are days of the week, and these are numbers! I''m starting to get it! That''s pretty interesting! Hmm? I remember that this number has the same number of letters as when I wrote it in English. Ah" Aaaaahhh! I shouted aloud. >h? >What''s wrong? >Here''s a long sentence that seems important, but you can''t read it yet "Ah, ah, right~. I can''t read it." I was in over my head. It''smon practice to put the most important information up front in an obscure way. In the end, you understand what it means, leading to the ending. Or when you y the second round, "I didn''t know they already showed the answer here!". You can see it in apletely different light. So there is nothing wrong with the game. It''s the inflexibility that''s bad. Worst of all! I can read now! I was just in the middle of a great moment! I was super excited, and then I got a spoiler! I was so angry that it get tranted without my permission that I almost screamed! "Well, let''s move on, shall we?" Anyway, I continued with the game. Usually, I have a hard time after activating my ability, but this time I only felt a slight head rush. Thisnguage, or rather, the code was made with a few tweaks so that the yer who had gathered all the information in the game''s final stages could fully decipher it. Therefore, it took very little effort to trante it. Therefore, the trantion was quick and easy. The moment I found a clue in thenguage rules. >Fah, how did you figure it out just now!? >You haven''t taken any notes in the dictionary since a while ago, have you? >Are you sure you can read it? Thements were gradually getting more and more pointed. It was surprisingly difficult to pretend I didn''t know something I already knew. I gave up. " Yes. I can almost read it now." Chapter 70: [Nyanringaru] Chapter 70: [Nyanringaru] ".Yes. I could read most of them." I mean, this ability was also effective for ciphers. Or does it mean that once I understand the rules, cryptography is just anothernguage? Indeed, Morse code and hand signals can also be considered ciphers, depending on your point of view. They''re simr to so-called substitution ciphers. I''ve also put the URL in the video summary section. I''ll probably be too far away from the ordinary y in my stream. I won''t tell people how to decipher it yet, because it would be a spoiler. >Seriously, the linguistic monster LOL >If you can speak English, will it be easy to solve it? >No, no, even if you can speak English, you won''t be able to solve it this fast. (U.S) "Oh no, I''m at a loss. If I don''t do this, the project will copse. And the stream time will be the shortest." >LOL >Wow, that''s what you''re worried about. >This is all good because it''s fun. >Did you drop something? >I heard something too. >Irohaha, here? "Eh?" What did my mom want something? I was wearing headphones today because I wanted to y the game while listening to the audio. Did I miss it? I took off my headphones and turned around. No one was there. However, the door to the room was half open. "What? Don''t give me a horror story, will you?" I stood up fearfully and peeked down the hallway. I checked left and right. No one was there. Wondering, I closed the door. The sound of the door clicking strangely echoed in the room. Then, I turned around to go back to my seat. Meow. The cat was talking into the microphone. "Hey, you idiot!" Before I knew it, it had entered the room and tried to catch the cat meowing into the microphone. However, the cat ducked, as if it could easily slip through my arms. "Wait! Don''t run away! Don''t Gyafun?" It used my face as a springboard! With a trot, she runs across the table, out of reach of my hand. >Oh, Onuko-Sama! >Did you have a cat? >Iroha-chan has be a cat! "Of course not! No!?" No, that would have caused the chats to get excited. I bit at the worst possible moment. "That''s the cat that Ah-nee''s Mane-chan gave me. It''s only been at my house for a few days. When did it learn how to open the door?" The initial nervousness is gone. Now it''s doing whatever it wants with its superior physical abilities. Especially, it doesn''t hesitate to do things with me. Oh, no, that''s strange. I heard that cats have less hierarchical rtionships than dogs. My mom says she envies me. But I''m not so happy about it. "Yeah, hah For now, let''s catch itter and continue the stream!" >Hey, you just gave up, didn''t you? >You''re still so physically inept. ww >What kind of cat is Mane-chan''s cat? "It''s a calico cat. It''s a very naughty boy. Only to me." >She''s being abused LOL >A calico cat? A male calico cat? >Okay, let''s sell it! "No, no, it''s a female." >I think the male is 1/30,000 or so, but in anime, there are a lot of males >Chromosomically, only female calico cats exist "Oh, I think I heard something about that." My mom, who had be infatuated with cats, was doing a lot of research. And she would show them off with a smug look while we were eating. Thanks to her, I gained a lot of useless knowledge. Generally speaking, female animals have XX chromosomes, and male animals have XY chromosomes. Their hair is determined by the X chromosome. . Or rather, the Y chromosome is not used for anything other than determining sex. So females can have brown-ck-white trichomes in [where the brown X chromosome is active], [where the ck X chromosome is active], [where both are inactive]. However, males have only one X chromosome, so they could only have a maximum of two hairs. Hence, male calico cats are rare. Because unless chromosomal abnormalities or mosaics ur, they will not be born. >By the way, even clones don''t have the same pattern >Epigics? >Chromosome activity or inactivity is "acquired." "Yeah. Well, I don''t care what the cat''s pattern is. Wait, wait, wait! Don''t be hasty! Don''t be hasty! You''re a good girl!" >!?!?!? >My eardrums are gone >What the hell? "Listen to me. Slowly, slowly. Slowly back away from the foot on the sign. Oh, no, no, no, no! Don''t use your nails!" >LOL >Wow, that makes my stomach hurt >Iroha''s collection Before I knew it, the cat had stormed into my collection cab and scattered the autographs I had disyed on the floor. It had its paws on the paper and was posing as if to say, "I''m going to sharpen my nails". Chapter 71: [Nonverbal Communication] Chapter 71: [Nonverbal Communication] "Stop!? Don''t use your nails!?" Was such a plea heard, or was the cat startled by the loud voice? The cat had stopped moving just before wing at the signature paper. It was staring at me. I was already desperate. I honestly felt like crying. I''m going to throw up. Oeehhk Please forgive me. Please, I''ll do anything! "Yes, yes! All right, let''s hear what you want. What do you want? Tell me. Money? Status? Fame? I''ll give you everything. Or do you want me to y with you? No, no, no, no, wait, wait, wait, wait You want a treat!" Her ears perked up in response to the word "treat". She knew the word treat. Is that right? I''ll do anything! So release the hostages! I''ll get you some treats after the stream! I appealed to the cat with all my might. Please! It''s really important! I want her to know how I feel about it! After a few moments, the cat quickly retreated. Did I get through to her? She turned her back and slowly walked away. She only nced back before leaving the room. I felt like I was being told, "I''ll give you a break this time.". "Puhah~? Oh, I''m d!" I cried a little in relief. I hugged the autograph paper tightly and hung it higher than before. I closed the door to my room and calmed down there. No, no, no, what am I doing with a cat? "I''m home. . Hmm?" I returned to my seat and resumed the stream. For some reason, the flow ofments is unusually fast. What''s going on? >Wee back-nya >Iroha-chan''s cat voice was great-nya! >Nyaa, nyaa? >This is a definite clipping-nya "Nngh?" >Iroha has mastered the catnguage? (U.S.) >Nyaa, nyaa, nyaa. >The cat''s meow is so realistic >She was our god? (Egyptian Arabic) "Nngh? Wait, wait, wait. What did I do? The chats was filled with "nyanyanya". I quickly opened my browser and brought up my MyTube channel. I unmute the channel and pull back the seek bar a bit. I''m saying "Nyanyanyanya"!??? Oh, no. It''s not my hot face, it''s my head! "Geez, that''s it for today''s stream! I didn''t say that! I didn''t say nyaaaaaaaa!" >Otsuka-reta-nya~ >Otsuka-reta-nya~ >Otsuka-ret-nya~ *** That stream produced a tremendous number of clippings. Many illustrations were also posted, including one of me with a cat ear, one of me as a cat, and one of me talking to a cat. Overseas, a coge video was made by applying my voice to an ordinary cat image, and it became a meme. Furthermore, "catnguage" was added to the "Iroha, the Trantor Girl"nguage of learning on the wiki. "Give me a break!" As expected, although I didn''t think I was talking to a cat, the damage was enormous. I was teased by Angu Ogu, and then by Mai. "Iroha-chan~, nyan nyan. Can you keep Mai too?" "Yeah, that''s annoying! Don''t touch me!" She''s clinging to me. Mai, wearing a cat''s fur, tail, and cor that I don''t know where she got it from, clings to me. I was pushed down on the bed. "Nyandee~! Why is it okay to pet that thieving cat but not Mai? Pet me, touch me!" "Why do you have such a hard-on for cats? "Oh, it''s okay, it''s okay, it''s okay. If Iroha-chan doesn''t keep Mai. I''ll keep Iroha-chan" "Oh, you idiot! Hey, don''t touch anything funny!" "What? Iroha-chan is so selfish. You can''t keep them, and you can''t be kept Oh, I see." "Hey, wait. I''m sure you''re thinking of something bad right now. Ah, hmm? What are you suddenly doing? You idiot. I''m not going to lick it. ." "Nnnn, nnnn, nnnn. Heh heh heh, this is skinship between cats" "You Enough!" I kicked Mai off the bed and banned her for a while. She deserved it! * * * Well, there is one more thing that I''m worried about other than Mai and the others. That''s-"Why was it possible to trante the catnguage?" I have indeed been living with cats for a few days. But the number of times I''ve heard them purr is negligible. Cats don''t purr that often. Despite this, I couldmunicate with the cat in a certain way. I could do so. It had been tranted. So, I was curious and looked it up, but I found out that cats basically "Don''t talk by meowing". In other words, this abilityC is beginning to decipher the "nonverbal." Chapter 72: [Dialect For Cats] Chapter 72: [Dialect For Cats] It has been 10 days since the cat came to my house. I havee to understand the cat''snguage more and more. [I am a cat. I have no name yet] It was fortunate that I didn''t bring such a thing. But. "N~maa, chu~chu~chu~chu. Cat-chan is so cute today, too~." -Oh, you''re so annoying! Don''t touch me!- Awkward! My mom''s favorability was very low, even though she was supposed to be taking care, and feeding her so much. I can tell it''s low. -Hey, Iroha. What are you staring at? Hurry up and save me (atai)!- I decided not to listen. I don''t know. I think the cat was cuter before I understood thenguage. I think cat owners are often ufortable when they understand thenguage, aren''t they? A pet cat sees its master doing all kinds of things. -Hey! Don''t be shy!- It''s unclear whether the cat is saying this. That''s only the result of my ability to trante the cat''snguage unconsciously. In fact, Bless you (Bless you)'' has been tranted as <> instead of <>, and Happy birthday to you~? (Happy birthday to you)'' has been heard as <> because it''s too native. Non-verbalmunication, huh? The signs were there. The gestures in the [3D Unveiling & Birthday Stream] were a case in point. There are many non-written words, such as hand signs and signnguage. "Phew, thanks for breakfast." I put away my breakfast dishes and stand up. It''s almost time to go to school. I need to get dressed. -Iroha, where are you going? I''m going with you!- She says silently and follows behind me. Cats don''t talk to each other by meowing. They do so only when they''re still kittens, and then it''s mainly through bodynguage and smell. "Oh, hey, kitty! Aww, it got away again." My mom''s shoulders slumped. That''s also bodynguage. Even if people see my mom for the first time, they can tell she''s depressed without words. That''s what I mean when I say I understand catnguage. Except that it sounds like anguage. As for the meows, I only know about 5 patterns at most. I learned from my research that cats have roughly that many patterns. There are probably two main types of cat meows. Cats with a strong instinctive element. Cats with a strong acquired element. I have heard many cat meows, especially those of cats on TV. So I understand the former. But thetter is different. Cats don''t have a systematguage as humans do. Therefore, the meaning of each cat''s meow is too different. I guess that each cat has its dialect. There are so many dialects. Especially domesticated cats, each household has its dialect. And since they don''t purr very often, it''s difficult to collect the data. Even with my abilities, it was difficult to analyze the data. With a click, I opened the door to my room. At that moment, the cat entered my room. The cat precedes me and takes up position on my change of clothes. "Ah,e on! Get out of here''!" -If you y with me, I''ll move for you.- -Huh I get it. Give me a snack''.- Immediately, the cat ran toward the living room. What a cash cow. I can''t distinguish the cat''s meow. However, the cat understands human words to a certain extent. However, it does not memorize the words themselves. They understand who said it when it was said, and in what way it was said. These 3 things are the key to distinguishing the words. I don''t have ears or a tail like a cat. My vocal cords are different. My sense of smell is heaven and earth. My bodynguage and "Speech" by smell are not perfect. That''s the reason why cats can understandnguage andmunicate. If this is what we call [Hearing], the cat hears about 200 words. It understands at least Treats''. In other words, for a domesticated cat raised by humans. Humannguage is its mother tongue. That''s true not only for cats but also for humans. The mother tongue of a child raised by a wolf became wolfnguage. The mother tongue of a child raised by a monkey bes a monkeynguage. Such cases do exist. Perhaps it is an innate ability of animals. Conversely, if they didn''t teach them anynguage, they can''t acquire anynguage. In other words, if you don''t learn anguage, you can''t learn anguage. " Well, I only give her treats after I get home from school." I added it in a whisper and changed clothes, saying, "While I''m at it now." Don''t feel bad. Too much food is poison to the body. Most animals have no concept of the past or future. There is only the present. For example, suppose there is one bait in front of you. ce another new bait there. Humans can distinguish between "food that existed from the beginning" and "food that was cedter," but most animals cannot. Three in the morning, and four in the evening were right. It''s strictly forbidden to overfeed our pets because they cannot divide their food into two portions and will eat too much. It will pass. "Past, present, and future? Speaking of which." [Iroha! Hurry up, or you''ll bete!] "Oops. That''s right. Yes!" I hurriedly slung my bag over my shoulder and left the house. I felt like I was just about to notice something, but it was already fizzling. *** I realized this on the way to school. "This sucks. I forgot my earphones." But there was no time to go back and get them. I have no choice but to go straight to school. I''ll spend today watching VTubers on Twitter. Their teetee dialogue exists in the written word as well. Is it because it''s been a long time since I went to school without listening to a VTuber''s stream? Today, the sounds around me are unusually loud. The sound of insects, the sound of the wind, and the onomatopoeia of the leaves are the sounds of false misalignment. Thenguagethe onomatopoeia pops into my head. " Noisy." I felt a pain in the back of my brain. Chapter 73: [At The Vet] Chapter 73: [At The Vet] " Ugh." I get up from the bed with a slump. Looking out the window, it was already dark. "Wow, it''s already midnight. I must have woken up at a weird time." Unbeknownst to me, I had changed from my school uniform to pajamas. My mom had changed my clothes while I slept. I turned around on my way to school after that. My mom was still at home because she had ate shift today. When she saw meing home right after I left, she was surprised, "What''s wrong?" She was surprised. When Iined about my headache. She stopped sucking on the cat''s stomach. She stopped sucking on the cat''s belly and called in sick to middle school. I went straight to bed and went to sleep. So far, so good. "Wait,te at night? Gyaaaaa!? I missed the stream!?" I copsed in shock. Damn, I''ve done it. It''s impossible to watch all of the streaming in real-time. That''s why I was so selective! I''m feeling much better now. Let''s check the archives now and heal this sorrow. "Beforego ho ho ho. I''m a little thirsty." I leave my room and go to the living room. It''s dark because no one is home. I was toozy to turn on the light, so I relied on the light from my phone. I''m used to it. I took a cup of tea out of the fridge and drank it right there. "Phew. Well, I was supposed to stream today. Hmm?" I thought I heard a voice. It wasing from inside the room. "Who''s there?" I moved around, wary of the drownings, and reached the light switch. With a snap, the light came on, and I finally recognized the voice''s owner. "What, a cat?" There is a cat pattern in this line, isn''t there? I joked as I turned on my heel and said, "Well, stream, stream." -I''m in pain. Meow.- "What?" -Help me, nyaa!- I rushed to the cat. There was nothing outwardly strange about it. At first nce, it seemed to be just lying there. -What''s wrong?- -My stomach hurts-nya.- It was not a mishearing. The cat suddenly jerked itself up. It''s peristaltic in its upper body and vomited with a gasp. "-Oh, hey!?- Oh no! Don''t ask me what I should do in this situation! -Wait a minute. I''ll help you!-" I took control of my phone and started looking up vet clinics. *** We then visit a small clinic. It was dark inside. Is this what a vet is like? I could smell the smell of animals and chemicals. "It''s okay, kitty. I''m not scary." My mom''s baby talk was not so babyish now. It was fortuitous that my mom came home soon after that. "Excuse me, doctor, are you ready yet?" "I told you to wait, didn''t I?" My mom asked but was shooed away. It had already been a while since I filled out the medical questionnaire. It seems that there is only one elderly male staff member here now. Would it take this long when no one else waiting to see a doctor? Or is there something else that needs to be done first? When I arrived there, I had to call out loudly several times for him toe out from the back. "Um, are we there yet? I''ve been waiting quite a while already." "Huh Oh, I see. This way please." Finally, the patient is ushered into the examination room. My mom exhaled with "relief." This is the only vet around here that''s opente at night. If she couldn''t be seen here. She would have no ce to go. -I''m scared! I hate it! Help me!- The cat on the examination table gets out of control and tries to run away. A staff member restrains it. "Well then, I''m going to draw blood" The staff member sticks a needle into the cat''s leg. The cat yelps, -Gyaa! gyaa!-. "Oh No good. She has, uh, thin blood vessels. So, let''s do it again. Please hold him down, mother." "Yes, yes." -Oh, no! Aah! -Gee! Two or three times, he inserted the needle, and finally, he took the blood sample. The cat''s legs were covered in blood. "I''m done. Well, please wait while I examine it." The staff member said this and went into the back of the room. My mom hugged the cat as it tried to escape from the examination room. "Okay, okay, I''m sorry, that was painful. It hurts." -Let go of me! I don''t want to do this anymore!- The cat wed and wed, trying to escape from her arms. My mom''s shoulder streak was also bleeding. Still, she didn''t let go. I felt so sick I wanted to throw up. My head was beyond hot. It hurt. "Huh. Ugh." "Iroha, leave this to your mother and wait outside. You''re not feeling well today." She worries that I thought the sight of blood made me feel sick. No, I don''t. My eyes were glued to the door leading to the back. As I opened my mouth to speak to my mother, a staff member returned from the back. "Okay, I''m going to inject you with some medicine." The staff member takes out a syringe. He grabs the cat''s legs, still in my''s arms, and "Wait." I realized I was holding the staff member''s arm. I was throbbing. And painfully, my brain was burning, and the door leading to the back of the examination room was half closed. From the back of the room, I could hear voices, manyyers of voices. -Enemy-. -Enemy- -Enemy da- -Enemy- -Enemy- -This guy is the enemy- Chapter 74: [Second Opinion] Chapter 74: [Second Opinion] "Wha What is it? The vet employee that grabbed shouted in surprise. I acted desperately in my dizzying consciousness with fever. "Hey, sensei. Is she that bad? Is she so bad that she will die if I don''t give her this injection right now? "Eh Ah, no, it''s not that bad" The employee stated vaguely. My mom looked back and forth between the employee and me. "Iroha, I do feel sorry for you. I don''t want her to be in pain. But if we don''t treat her here and she gets worse, it won''t be good for her. "Oh, that. That''s right, daughter. It''s necessary for the child''s sake." The doctor''s opinion is normally correct. My mom''s opinion is also correct. But now isn''t normal. "Mother, please stop it! I feel sorry for her! Ughhhhhhh!" "I, Iroha?" My mom looked at me with a puzzled look. Of course, she was. My character was too different from usual. I couldn''t turn my back on her. I didn''t have time to think of anything else to do. It was a shame, but I pushed on with the selfishness of a child. But still. Oh, shit, shut up! In response to my voice, the voice I heard was louder than before. "Um, sir. Isn''t it a little noisy in the back?" "Ah, yes, indeed. The door didn''t seem to be closed properly. I''m sorry, but the animals in the hospital are making a lot of noise at night. I''d like you to let go of my hand." I let go of the employee at my mom''s urging. The employee left the ce to close the door. Immediately, my mom asked in a whisper, "What the hell is going on?" she whispered to me. What do you mean? I tried to cover it up. "You''re lying, aren''t you?" She was right. She''s indeed my mom. I don''t have much time, so I answer in a simple way. "I don''t trust this person." "That''s ." My mom must have felt it too. She just closed her eyes because she had no other choice. "Here you go! Oh, well, once again. I''m going to give you an injection." The returning employee approached the cat with a syringe in hand. My mom looked lost. Was it what the staff member said or their intuition, or one " Um, I''m sorry. Can I refuse the injection after all?" "Yes?" "Well, my daughter is just like this." "Uhn! Uhn!" Instantly, the employee''s attitude suddenly changed. "What? Huh? No, no, no. Huh ah! What is it? Are you saying I can''t be trusted? Are you saying that the treatment is wrong? How rude you people are! "No, no one said that?" The employee''s faces turned bright red. He started shouting and cursing my mom and me. "You''re putting what the children say before what the experts say! What kind of education are you giving them!? She''s so rude to grab my arm out of the blue, that child! If parents are stupid like you, their children will be stupid too!" At that moment, I could see the emotion disappear from my mom''s eyes. Oh That''s bad. My mom steps forward as if to break her gaze at me. I could tell. She''s smiling now. I can tell. Who said that the origin of a smile is intimidation? "Sensei, I may be an idiot, but I''m not a fool. Yes. I may be an idiot, but this child is very smart. See, even you said that earlier, sensei. [If I don''t give her an injection right now, she won''t die.]." "Well, that''s" My mom''s resolute attitude frightened the employee. My mom folded up and said. "You didn''t tell a lie, did you? Besides, I never said I wouldn''t ept any treatment. I''m just saying that I''d like to see my daughter again after she''s calmed down." "But, but, but, but" "So, do you have the right to force her to undergo treatment even if she refuses?" "" No further words of rebuttal came from the employee. *** After that, we waited for morning toe and headed for the big vet. The examination''s results were, "It''s just a cold." After all, within a few days, the cat was back on her feet and running around again. What was all worrying? And there is one more thing to report. My mom asks me, "Hey, did you hear that?" "I heard that clinic is closed." "I heard." "Maybe it''s because of your desperate pleading." "Stop it." I was at a big vet when I told them what had happened. The veterinarian who heard the story had a grim expression, and nodded strongly, "I understand." "Maybe I''m the one who started it? Maybe it''s already in motion. That vet seems to have caused simr problems in the past." "Yes, it all happened so fast. But I don''t think it''s a miracle. It''s a cure. I can''t believe that the guy who was in charge of the "I''m sorry, I''m sorry, I''m sorry" was not even a vet! "I guess so." The rest of the story is chilling even as I recall it now. Chapter 75: [Invitation To The U.S.] Chapter 75: [Invitation To The U.S.] That''s a horrifying story about an animal hospital. That''s not necessarily all true, as some of the information here is based on second-hand ounts. However, it''s said that the male employee wasn''t a licensed vet. Why was such a man in charge of medical treatment? It''s said that the vet, who was the clinic''s director, told him, "It''s too much trouble, so I''ll take over for him". Of course, it wasn''t like this from the beginning. At first, it was just a trivial chore. But "This much is Ok." gradually escted and . Finally, it became a regr urrence for an unlicensed employee to provide medical care. Of course, this is illegal. The investigation found that they sloppily managed the facilities, and sanitary conditions were at their worst. "I''m d Iroha stopped it. Otherwise, what would have been injected into her?" No, it wasn''t me. It was the animals over there that saved her. I could hear dogs and cats meowing in the back room. All I saw was hostility, fear, and pain. It''s understandable for animals to be a little hostile toward vets. No one wants to be hurt by someone who is trying to hurt them. But that was crazy. It makes me sick to remember it now. When I, only a VTuber, arrived at arge animal hospital, I clung to the veterinarian saying, "Please help those children!" It was that bad. "I hope those hospitalized kids there are doing well by now." ". I guess so." Rumor has it that the animals at that clinic were transferred to a nearby veterinary hospital. I''m sure they are receiving proper care there. But don''t be mistaken. Even if it is a small practice, many vets there are very animal-friendly and good people. Sadly, however, some don''t. Some people in the world are not so good. Not all people are good. Doctors and vets are no different. If you feel even the slightest bit of distrust, you need to ask for a second opinion. Just then, the chime rang. Ah, well. Time to go. "I guess this is goodbye." My mom muttered so sadly. * * * "Nice to meet you in person, Iroha-san." "Hello, it''s me Iroha. I''m here." Standing at the entranceway was the cat''s original owner, Ah-nee''s manager. I guess she guided me this far. There''s Ah-nee next to me. "Hey, how are you?" -Oh, look who it is. It''s master-nya!- "Good, good, good. Are you so happy to see me?" -Give me a snack!- The manager is skin-to-skin with the cat in the cage. The conversation is not at all engaging. "Um, Mane-chan. So, about what I was contacting you about." "It''s about the vet? No, rather, thanks to Iroha-san. Thank you so much for protecting our girl." " No." "And Yes, I''m fine! That''s nothing to worry about. It will heal in no time. My kids are naughty, isn''t she? She gets hurt all the time. No matter how much we try to prevent it, she always gets out of control in the most outrageous ways. No, every time." The manager said with an exhausted look. I can''t help but chuckle. She seems to be giving me a lot of trouble. The manager was rather apologetic when she learned that the cat had tried to w at my autograph. It''s okay. It was safe. If it wasn''t, I would have fallen asleep. But, hey, who''s this? Only for cats? Who said that? "Wow, kitty''s so cute Whew, whew, what a joke!" Ah-nee sneezed loudly while trying to love the cat. She was sniffling and sniffling. I guess she was allergic to cats. How could she even say she''ll take care of the cat with this? "It''s not good to stay too long, so let''s go soon. I''d like to say, but there''s another reason why I came to Iroha-san''s house today." "Excuse me?" Do you know where I have been for the past two weeks? Iroha-san? "Would you like toe to America with us?" The manager said. She said she was also there today to get permission from my mom to do so. "America" "The event is still a ways away, but we don''t have much time to prepare for it. I apologize for the short notice, but it would be great if you could get back to me within a week." After a brief exnation, the manager bowed and said, "Please.". Arge-scale event in the United States, huh? I heard that Ah-nee will also participate in that event. They will be my guardians when I go over there. My mom looked thoughtful. She must be worried about sending her daughter, who is still in the first year of junior high school, abroad on business. I Chapter 76: [Word That Cant Be Conveyed, Feelings That Can Be Conveyed] Chapter 76: [Word That Cant Be Conveyed, Feelings That Can Be Conveyed] Just as I was thinking about it. "Oi. Wait!" -Nyaaaa, I''m free! I''m free-nyaaaa! C The cat escaped and ran down the hallway. No way, Did I forget to close the cage? Oh no, I was careless because it was still in the hallway. As I was panicking, I heard a carefree voice from the side. Ah-nee was smiling at me. "You''re so clever, kitty. I can''t believe you can open it by yourself Buekkushon!" "No, she opened the door herself! If you were watching, you should have stopped it. Ah-nee!" I hadn''t closed the cage properly. She reached through a gap in the cage, which was not closed properly, and opened it herself. What a naughty girl, as usual. "I''m sorry, it''s my child." "It''s okay. I''ll go get her." My mom, with a hand that''s familiar to the cat, quickly captures the cat and returns her home. Wow, that''s amazing. The cat was violently iling in her embraced chest. "I''m sorry C you''re scared. I took you to a bad hospital, didn''t I?" The cat had been like this ever since she was feeling better. I don''t understand thenguage. That''s what I mean. I can''t clear up misunderstandings. There are only so many words I canmunicate to the animals. Just as the words I can hear from the animals are limited. I can understand and convey feelings rooted in instinct, such as the hostility I heard at the veterinary clinic. But it''s very difficult to conveyplex things and, above all, to make them understand. That''s why -Let go of me-nyaa! Let me run more-nyaa! Let me y-nyaa.- You can''t convince a cat to do something like this! It''s not the same as don''t y'', and it''s even harder to get her to understand the why'' of not now''. "Ugh, the cat hates mom." The mother is crying yo yo'', but unfortunately, she isn''t well-liked in the first ce. I think she''ll get even more depressed if I tell her that Oh no. We don''t have the words to tell each other. But apparently, words were not necessary to solve the problem. -What are you doing-nya? Are you in pain-nya? It can''t be helped, so I''ll lick you!- "Oh You''ll forgive me?" Seeing the grieving mom the cat misunderstood that the wound was painful. It then begins to lick the wound. I thought, "That''s a scratch you gave her.". I thought to myself but decided not to be tactful. I heard that cats recognize humans as big cats''. That''s why they''re licking our wounds and trying to heal you. "Ugh, thank you so much. Please forgive me." My mom had a funny look. I''m d she forgave her, but every time she licks her, her rough tongue, like a file, hurts the wound. I see. That''s why they have Elizabethan cors. Licking sterilizes the wound, but too much licking makes it worse. My mom put the cat back in the cage with regret. It was in kind of a good mood. "Thank you for forgiving me, kitty." -Hoo, I did a good job-nya! Thank me-nyaa!- They both misunderstood each other. But whatever! It''s a happy ending! "I look forward to hearing from you. Thank you very much." "I hope we can go to America together!" With that, the manager and Ah-nee left. The cat is very dry and on the verge of leaving. -Master, I''m hungry-nyaa!- "Ugh, cat! See you again! Cats have no sorrow. That''s why they don''t regret saying goodbye to my mom or me. But this kind of goodbye is not so bad. *** I thought. The next day, my mom was opening a catalog. "Oh, good morning Iroha! Hey, what kind of cat do you like?" "Oh, that''s the first thing you said to me this morning? Wait a minute? Could it be that this is why you were looking so difficult yesterday? Not about going to America?" "Heh? It''s up to you to decide. Whichever you choose, I''ll support you as much as I can. It''s a decision you''ve already made. Anyway, I''ll let you know. Calico cat? Do you like calico cats? I don''t know, calico cat!" "Mom.." I swallowed what wasing up. Then I smiled back. "I''m talking on the premise that I''ll keep it! I don''t like it!?" "Eh~~~~!?" No more animals. I went to school with my wireless earphones, remembering to bring them. *** <> I was talking to Angu Ogu in my room, which was quiet for the first time in a long time. It''s been so noisy when the cat was here. <> <<.. >> << What? Don''t tell me you''re not going to join us. I thought you said your mother permitted you!>> <> I hesitated to answer. There was one reason that made me hesitant to participate. Chapter 77: [Nationality Gacha] Chapter 77: [Nationality Gacha] When I was wondering if I should participate in the American event, Angguogu muttered <>. <> <> <> <> <<. I won''t be able to see the event!>> <<.CI don''t care!!!!>> Damn, what the hell am I supposed to do! And please don''t yell at me. I''m worried about this. <> <> <> Angu Ogu let out a sigh as if she had given up. Incidentally, I have attended several local events in Japan. On the fan side, of course. I''m doing it in private. I''m one of the famous VTubers now. I might be able to get a ticket from insider if I ask, but I don''t want to beg for it myself. But My pride as a fan doesn''t allow me to do so, so I participate secretly. Later on, they would ask, "Why didn''t you tell me? or "If you had told us, we would have given you a ticket for the rted parties!" But I couldn''t do it. Because I felt like I''m cheating! The memory of the battle in my previous life gets stuck in my soul. Tickets for local live concerts are only avable after winning the battle of ess concentration and lottery! Of course, this is not the case if I''m offered a ticket in advance. It would be rather rude to refuse. <> <> <> It bothers me, but there are things only I can do. It''s also the role of fans to be the foundation to support VTubers. <> <> <> <> I''ve got a boomerang stuck in me. <> <> <> <> <<. I want to live in Japan! But that''s not possible.>> <> A voice leaked out. I had expected her to refuse, but I had never heard she wanted to move to Japan. <> <> <> The summary of Angu Ogu''s story was this. Americans are taxed even if they leave America. In Japan, if you live there, you are subject to taxation even if you''re a foreigner. Therefore, if an American works in Japan, he is subject to double taxation. However, this is not a problem one would have to worry about since Japan and America have a tax treaty. However, this isn''t the case for high-ie earners. There is a cap on deductions. As a result, in the case of Angu Ogu, nearly 80% of her ie is taken as taxes. That''s indeed not an eptable level. <> <> Angu Ogu''s earnings aren''t hers alone, but also the sries of the staff who support her. <> If you spend more than half of the year abroad. You won''t get taxed by Japan. As long as you can ovee thenguage barrier, there aren''t many races that can work abroad as easily as the Japanese. Aside from the fact it''s said that "There is no other country where it is more difficult for foreigners to work than in Japan." Japan is also the strongest in terms of passports. The Japanese passport has thergest number of countries we can travel to without a visa. It is often said that Japan is a "nationality gacha" (a mess of nationalities). In that sense, Japan is truly the SSR. In the past, treatment changed depending on one''s birth status. Even today. The sad but true fact is that treatment varies greatly depending on the country you were born in. That is why Angu Ogu can''t move to Japan and distribute, at least not with taxes. Until the money problems are solved. <> Angu Ogu muttered in a sulky voice. Chapter 78: [Something Behind The Words] Chapter 78: [Something Behind The Words] <> <> <> The VTuber industry is centered in Japan. <> <> <> <> But still, it''s cheating''. I didn''t realize I had made you think that. <> <> <> Her voice sounded like she was pleading. I can''t reject her right here. So. <> I smiled vaguely and covered it up. But I meant what I said. Since the cat incident, I have been able to hear not only animal noises but also insect noises. It''s so loud that I can''t stand it. Cocktail party effect or selective attention. It''s not I have trouble with everyday conversation because I can pick and choose what information I need. However, there is a limit to how long I can continue to tune out the meaningful words I hear. It''s the difference between cats meeting'' and college students making noise'' in the neighborhood. I can stand it for a while, but if it''s a constant thing, it''s depressing. Well, there is no difference between cats and college students. Thanks to this, I can no longer take off my earphones outside. <> <> <> Angu Ogu called it "noise". *** The next day, on my way to school. I stopped and took off my earphones, which were ying a VTuber''s song ylist. Summer was approaching, and the insects were bing more active. I could hear their voicesing from everywhere. How interesting are they saying? -I want to be popr!- -Let''s have sex with me!- Well, that''s what bugs think! But, I wonder if I, as a Japanese, wouldn''t have been able to hear them if I had not acquired this ability? It seems that Japanese and foreigners have very different ways of hearing sounds. It''s said that only Japanese, Polynesians, and some other ethnic groups can hear the cicadas, while many foreigners can''t or don''t "hear" them at all. How does this difference arise? It''s because the Japanese brain ssifies sounds like the sound of insects and wind as "words". Westerners process insect sounds in their right brain, their sensory brain. Japanese people process insect sounds with their leftnguage brain. Other sounds include waves, wind, rain, babbling brooks, and traditional Japanese musical instruments. Experiments have shown that the Japanese process many of these sounds in the left part of the brain. In addition, the sounds of insects are said to resemble vowels. And Japanese has arge vowelponent, while English has arge consonantponent. Perhaps that is why the Japanese were able to distinguish between them. Maybe that is why the Japanese have more onomatopoeic and mimetic words. Or vice versa. Maybe it''s because there were more onomatopoeic and mimetic words in the Japanesenguage that they were able to hear voices. They say that even Japanese people start to process things in their right brain when their mother tongue is English. "This is also a kind of qualia, huh?" Maybe it''s because I''m Japanese that I can hear the insects. Maybe I''m hearing them. " Ugh." My brain begins to heat up, and I feel lightheaded and dizzy. I put my earphones back on and turn the volume up. I can hear not specific animals, but animals in general, and insects. Maybe I''m decoding not the words, but some "instinct" that lies behind them. For example, there is the "Bouba-Kiki Effect". Let''s say I have a round picture and a spiky picture. When you do this, which is Bouba, and which is Kiki? When shown these pictures, the majority of people, regardless of nationality, agree on the answer. Even babies who have just been born C who have not yet learned thenguage. In other words, this cheat-like ability to trante may not even fit into the realm ofnguage. I exhaled and looked up at the sky. If my instincts could usenguage, I would have said. Turn back. After that day, I had acquired this ability, I stopped inputting a foreignnguage. But it was toote. Already, the growth of my ability had stopped at that level. *** A few dayster. It was in a ssroom at school. [Iroha! I''ll make you my girlfriend! You can go out with me!] I was suddenly get confessed by a male student. Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatttttttt!?!?!? Chapter 79: [Anecdotal Middle School Life] Chapter 79: [Anecdotal Middle School Life] [Iroha! I''ll Make You My Girlfriend! I''ll even go out with you!] Junior high school ssroom. A boy was suddenly confessed to me. What the hell? What happened out of the blue? No, wait, maybe I''m looking at it wrong. Maybe I''m just looking at it the wrong way. [Hey, I said I''ll go out with you!] Oh, I wasn''t mistaken. I mean, I pity this male student too. He didn''t even realize he was confessing his feelings to a guy and said, "No, thank you." [Why? How could I be rejected?] Ah, I had unconsciously turned him down. The other male student, perhaps not expecting to be rejected, rolled his eyes and mouth. I mean, -. "Who are you, to begin with?" Oh, wait a minute. I think I recognize him. I wondered what it was. As I was thinking, a male student started shaking and trembling. "Wait, are you okay?" "Bi?" [Bieeeeeeeeeeee! Mom aaaaaaaaah!?] "Eeeeee?" The boy ran away crying. Hey, I''m sorry about something. But confessing to someone you don''t know well, and in a situation where many around, even the opposite sex would have a hard time. Learning from mistakes like this, men be stronger. [As expected of the Four Heavenly Kings, Iroha is strong.] [I told you, the god Iroha is not interested in love!] [And the other guy is that mothercon Shitennou. Oh, it was the former one.] The surrounding students are whispering about it. Ah~~! I finally remember! It''s the former Four Heavenly Kings! The one who took I took his ce and fell from the throne of the Four Heavenly Kings. I''m even more sorry. I don''t know. Do I, or rather Iroha, have an attribute to be favored by people who take pity on me? Well, I hate that. [She dumped him without even taking off her earphones.] One of my ssmates said. I look away and say, "Oh shit." Suddenly, I forgot to remove my earphones. Lately, I''ve been spending time at school with my earphones in. And even with the earphones in, I could understand what people were saying. Yes, I can even "lip-read" now. Of course, this wasn''t the case from the beginning. When I blocked auditory information with the earphones to suppress the outburst of my ability, I began to learn indiscriminately from visual information this time. The ability was longer ignoring my will, and inputting on its own. And I can''t live with my eyes closed, no matter how much I want to. " Ugh." Damn it, again! My head was getting hot. Iy face down on the desk, trying to lessen the burden as much as possible. * * * The days passed quickly after that. What happened during that time? For example, the ssic ss visits. To my horror, the parents around me were all very well paid. Doctors,wyers, politicians, bureaucrats. And there was the internationality of the ethnic groups. Doctors were avable in surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology. So much so that the parents of this school alone could build a general hospital. Many seemed to be diplomats in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and covered many majors. Because of this situation, my mom is floating. Or rather, she was sinking. She was acting suspicious the whole time. When she returned home, she said, "What are those people? They all had a tremendous aura about them!" She cried to me. Yes, yes, it was scary. But that doesn''t mean you need to get a cat to heal yourself, right? * * * And then, yes, the periodic review. The week after it was finally held. The scores were read out and the test was returned in order from the top to the bottom. As this was a preparatory school, the test scores were equal to the treatment. For example, when returning a test to a student who scored in the 90s. "You did a great job! Keep up the good work!" The teacher encourages with a smile. However, when their score is less than 60. "Remember, everyone. These are the idiots who scored below average this time." And they are made to stand in front of the podium. The student who got a bad score, and the student on the other side of the room who is shown the bad score aren''t happy. What? What about me? Yes, I was made to stand up, but only for one subject. But the teacher was surprisingly kind. The stares from my ssmates weren''t like looking at something tragic. I was the first one to be called by name in English. The difficulty level of the tests was not unusual for a preparatory school, and I was told that I had scored 90 or more in one subject, If you scored 90 or above in even one subject, your ssmates and teachers would give you a second nce. [Well, she has other subjects] They overlook it. It is a meritocracy. Also, the overall grades were posted on the bulletin board. The top 100 students in the grade were listed with their names and scores. If you are one of the top 100, you''ll be epted to the school of your first choice. As for me, I was one of the top 100, though just barely. It was a good result I could not believe I was standing in front of a podium. That was because my Japanese, algebra, and geometry had improved rapidly in the past month. These subjects require the ability to "read and understand" problem texts. It was an effect of my ability to learn on my own. * * * Onest thing. [Irohaaaaaaa! Fight with me!] "Wow, here we go again." I had recently be involved with one of the boys. Chapter 80: [Japanese Linguistics Olympic] Chapter 80: [Japanese Linguistics Olympic] I''ve been getting tangled up with a male student recently. [Irohaaaaa! You have to y with me!] "Oh, let''s see You''re something-kun, right?" [Don''t tell me you still don''t remember?] With a thud, the boy copsed to his knees. How should I put it? His movements are noisy. No, it is strange to be noisy when I''m lip-reading. The boy is a former 4th heavenly king who confessed his love to me some time ago. I''m sorry. I can''t remember your name. Probably because I was too uninterested in him. Hm? I mean, it''s not my fault, right? He shoulde back when he''s a VTuber. I''ll learn it in an instant. If you''re a pretty girl, even better! [And anyway, let''s y! Iroha, you''re going to enter JOL, aren''t you?] "No, I''m not." [Yes, you are. I''m sure you''re right. Why don''t you enter?] JOL stands for Japan Olympic of Linguistics. It''s a contest in which theoretical linguistics,putational linguistics, applied linguistics, and so on are examined. It''s one of the International Science Olympics for junior high and high school students they held every summer. You can think of it as a rtive of the Arithmetic Olympic. JOL, huh? Yes, the school did send me an invitation. But why should I participate in such a troublesome thing? [Hmmm I see. Iroha, you said you''re willing to go out with someone who has betternguage skills than you, right?] "!?!?!? I didn''t say that!" [No, don''t worry about it. I understand how you feel. Loneliness is the result of talent!] "Wait? Don''t go on and on about it by yourself." [Don''t worry. I''m the only one who can understand your loneliness. I know you don''t have enough tits like my mama, but I forgive you. So, let''s get together with me this time! And for that, I''ll give you an entry.] I flicked his outstretched hand. Yeah. It''s annoying. But this guy has a strong mentality even though he''s being treated so poorly. Or rather, he''s stubborn! If hees this far, it''ll be quicker to end it if I deal with him quickly. Ah, whatever. Let''s do my best to watch VTubers for even one second longer, shall I? "You don''t have to make an entry. I''ll beat you to the punch right here." I gave them a challenging look, yes. The boys took out their problem books as if to say, "We''ve been waiting for you!" and pulled out a problem book. A nearby student took it. The randomly selected questions were presented, and the game began. * * * Question 1. Indonesiannguage Jn road Berjn walk Berkeringat sweating Keringatan drenched in sweat Nafas breath duri thorn Q1. Trante keringat into Japanese Q2. Trante "breathe" into Indonesian Q3. Trante "covered with thorns" into Indonesian I answered immediately. "Q1. Sweat, Q2. Bernafas, Q3. Durian." [Damn, you''re good! You can speak Indonesian very well without solving it.] As expected of a genius. Good guess. This question was originally intended to be solved by extracting the same words, identifying the grammar based on their variations, and deriving the answer in reverse. But s, I''m afraid not. There is a branch office of a majorpany in Indonesia, and many of my oshis are there. Naturally, I have already learned Indonesian. * * * Question 2. Swahili Nilipika -> I cooked Anapika -> He''s cooking Ninajenga -> I''m building? He built. Q. What words apply to ???? Again, it was a blink of an eye. "Alijenga." [What the! It''s too fast!?] Is it getting to be a battle of reactions? Well, it''s okay. Since it was held in a ssroom, the gallery gradually gathered. The crowd was surprised to hear the outside world. [I wonder if God Iroha has even mastered Swahili?] I wondered. I rushed to the next question as if to deceive them. *** Question 3. Tongan Valu ono = 86 Tolu tolu tolu hiva hiva Taha tolu fitu noa hiva taha noa Ua nima X fa taha noa noa Q1. Trante 324 into Tongan. Q2. Trante 1228 into Tongan. Q3. Trante fitu ua valu into arithmetic numbers. Thest question was also a moment. "Q1. tolu ua f, Q2. taha ua ua valu, Q3. 728." [Hah! That''s Tongan! I mean, what''s Tongan? I don''t know it either! No way, You''ve already mastered thisnguage. No, no, no, that''s impossible!] That''s impossible. I''ve never even heard of thisnguage. [I can understand the first 2 questions. But this problem is so easy to solve that no matter how hard you try, you can solve it instantly. How on earth did you solve it? No, you didn''t solve it in the first ce? Is there some trick to it? After all, this is.] Well, you''re perceptive, aren''t you? The boy is right. I didn''t solve this problem. And I didn''t know thisnguage until just now. I mean C I just learned it. Chapter 81: [Delicious Red Bean Rice] Chapter 81: [Delicious Red Bean Rice] The problem is in a minornguage called Tongan, which is a very minornguage in Japan. The boys let out a shudder when I answered it correctly. [I didn''t expect this much.] "If you understand this, why don''t you stop starting the match anymore? I''m still busy (watching VTubers, watching videos, checking Twitter, etc.). And as for breasts, I''m just not ready for my secondary sexual characteristics yet!" The boy copsed and nodded on his knees. The surrounding gallery apuded at my triumph. [Amazing! God Iroha, she didn''t even take her earphones until the end!!!] [Iroha is cool, to begin with, but it''s refreshing to see her go this far!] [Isn''t he amazing he still keeps attacking?] [He''s just an idiot, isn''t he? No, he''s an idiot because he has good grades. Yeah.] [She''s just worried about the size of her breasts.] Shut up! That''s not what I meant! I just said it''s a fact that I haven''t grown up yet! Ah, sorry. Anyway. I won the battle and went back to watching VTubers at my leisure. What a waste of time! I only have a limited amount of time to watch VTubers. What? Is it safe to use my ability like this and run amok? Yes, it''s fine. Because it''s pointless to do anything else. Closing my eyes, covering my ears, and closing my mouth did not stop the outburst. My brain was always burning, and it never rested. It was pointless to bother it. There was nothing I could do to stop the learning. All I can do is wait until this cheat-like trantion ability is satisfied with the learning process. I can only hope that time will do the trick. When in the world is that going to be? No, I don''t think so. Is there such a thing as time to solve the problem? Will such a thing be enough to pay for this ability that''s beyond human capacity? We will never know until the timees. And then *** "Ah, what?" I looked down at my body, stunned. The blood was flowing, making a small puddle there. Finally, the time hade. I lost consciousness and "You''re menstruating." "Eeeeehhh! Period!?" I yelled out on the bed in my room. My mom, who was sitting by the bed, was looking at me with a dazed look in her eyes. "So, what happened when you copsed?" "It was just anemia." " I''m not going to die, am I?" "What are you talking about? You''re not going to die from menstruation." I heard that you fainted as soon as you saw the puddle of blood at your feet." Yes, I was anemic. "No, no, no, but there was all that blood!" "It''s period, you know." "And it''s so much!" "It''s period." It''s hard to even wriggle. Not only does my whole body feel dull. But I also have nausea and headaches. All this just because I''m on my period? That''s ridiculous. "You may be surprised that it''s your first time, but that''s just the way it is. All women go through first menstruation, so you don''t have to be so scared." " Um, let''s see, are you sure it''s a period? Is it menstruation?" "That''s what I''m saying. If it''s that bad, do you want to go to the hospital tomorrow and get it checked out? Well, congrattions. You are now a grown woman. Anyway, I''ll buy red bean rice for you today." "Yeah." If you whisper it, it''s a shadow. I was supposed to joke that my secondary sexual characteristics had not yet arrived, but they have. *** "Well, let''s take the pill, shall we?" "Is the pill a contraceptive?" My mom took me to the hospital. I told her about my symptoms, and after examining me, the doctor suggested the "pill". "Yes. The pill isn''t just for birth control, you know. The low-dose pill we''re offering here can help control menstrual symptoms and regte your cycle if you continue to take it." "Really?" At first, she says, I may feel ufortable because of the change in hormonal bnce. But after a few days, it bes a lot easier. I appreciate that! I was in the worst mood because my head was hurting, and my physical condition was terrible. I can still manage to bear it for a few days or so. It''s a relief to see the end in sight. "Thank you, Doctor." "No, it''s fine. It''s just that it''s medicine, so naturally, we have to understand the side effects and risks. I''m just checking, Iroha-chan. Do you have migraines?" "What? Migraines? Why does the pill have anything to do with migraines? I replied, tilting my head. "Well, I get migraines, or headaches, quite often." "I see. By the way, do you have any aura before the headache? "Well, if I were to say Yes?" I wonder why it''s hard to lie in front of a doctor. I answered as honestly as I could. As the doctor pointed out, the headache was preceded by a fever. However, "I''m a reincarnated person!", "I have a fever and headache as a side effect of my cheat ability!" There was no way I could tell them that. I would have my head examined differently. So, I exined while deceptively exining that part. "I see, I understand." "Oh." The doctor put her hand on her chin as if thinking for a moment. Then she raised her head and gave me a probing look. "First of all, let''s talk about the pill. When you take it, it makes your blood thicker. Although the probability is not high, it clogs your blood vessels, and in severe cases, it can lead to a stroke." "Wow." "And if you have migraines with aura, this risk goes way up. That''s why we can''t offer low-dose pills to those people." [ ! ? ! ? ! ?] The doctor described it as a "contraindication". Chapter 82: [Memory And Forgetting] Chapter 82: [Memory And Forgetting] I can''t get low-dose pills! Wait, I can''t do that! Oh, shit! That''s why you asked about migraines! But my migraine isn''t the same thing as a headache. That''s a fantasy story, it has nothing to do with this case! "So" "No, no, doctor. I don''t even think I have a headache!" I said, interrupting the doctor''s words. I have to do something to change this trend! "How about you, mother? Take this opportunity to have your daughter undergo a formal examination. If there is no problem, I could give her the medicine without any worries." "Yes, by all means! She''s been doing that a lottely" It didn''t work. I ended up getting my head examined. *** "Ugh, it''s so hard, it''s so hard!" "You deserve it. Well, you fall all the time, so this is a good opportunity for you." I was given a referral letter and sent to a neurologist for a checkup. Wow, that was a hassle. However, it would just be a quick chat anyway. I''ll get a certificate of no problem and a prescription for a low-dose pill. I wanted to be released from this pain as soon as possible. I''m trying to fool myself by watching VTuber videos, but what is painful is painful. The double punch of my ability going out of control was indeed hard. I feel like my head is barely spinning these days. "Yes, what''s your name? You''re Iroha-chan. Wee. What kind of symptoms did youe to see me for today?" I wanted to answer, "Nothing in particr!". But when I found a letter of introduction beside her, I gave up and told her about my symptoms. I didn''t even want to expend the effort to think of a lie right now. "Hmmmhmmm." I exined my symptoms, interspersing questions from the doctor in between. Gradually, the doctor''s expression turns grim, and finally, he says, "I''m going to have some CT scans." "Would you like me to do a little CT scan?" "A CT scan?" "Yes. I''d like to take some pictures of your brain. Don''t worry, it won''t take long." What? Did I make a mistake!? But before I could say no, my mom said, "Yes, please.". The examination proceeded in the blink of an eye. When the CT scan was over, the doctor again looked at the results with a grim face. " Iroha-chan, let''s have an MRI and MRA scan of your brainter, shall we?" "!!!?!??? Well, why is that?" "MRI is the same as CT, to take pictures of your brain. The difference is that MRA is used to take pictures of blood vessels, not the brain itself. No, no, not "What is that?"! I mean, "Why do you need to do such a detailed examination?". "How about you, mother? It will cost a little more." "Please! Please do a thorough investigation!" "What? I was finally released after being subjected to further blood tests and a sort of oral test that day. *** Then we went back to the hospital for another appointment. I had given up on resisting and just went along with what they were doing to me. After a long time, the examination was finally over. The CT took only a few seconds. After the nurse took care of me for a while, I came to the examination room. Did you find out anything? The doctor asked me. "Iroha-chan, your mother told me you have been feeling a little differenttely. "What? What do you mean? "Yes. For example, you seem to be very forgetful. "? No, nothing in particr?" I searched my memory, but nothing came to mind. Why is she asking me that out of the blue? I had a good grasp of the VTuber''s memorial delivery schedule, which was not a problem. My memory is so good in thenguage area that I am having trouble with it. However, my mom put a "Wait and see." in my response. Her expression was strangely hard. "What are you talking about? It happens all the time." "Oh? Is that so?" "Yes, it is. You couldn''t even remember the name of the cat you lived with for two weeks. "What?" Well, now that you put it that way. It didn''t bother me, so I didn''t notice. It''s not only cats'' names. But people''s names too. I don''t remember the name of the boy who confessed to me, although he seemed to have said it many times. "But that means I can''t remember what you''re not interested in, right? Or perhaps it was my fault that I didn''t want to remember. I remember everything important to me." I remember the VTuber''s name, the anniversary, and the opening lines. By the way, the lyrics to the original song, including the dialogue parts, are all perfect! But sadly. A lot of them aren''t registered for karaoke. I can''t sing it, so it doesn''t matter. "Oh well. Iroha-chan, listen to me carefully." The doctor''s serious expression makes me straighten my back, too. Nodding, the doctor slowly tells me. "We found an abnormality in your brain that appears to be vascr in origin." Chapter 83: [Irohas Resurrection] Chapter 83: [Irohas Resurrection] My doctor showed me a ck-and-white photo. I think this was taken with an MRA. The doctor points at the picture. "You see? Here and here. And here. Blood is not flowing well. We think it''s causing a mildck of oxygen in part of your brain. Your current symptoms are probably the result of the umted damage." I stare at the image. "It looks like the blood vessels are thinning in the middle." "But doctor, did I?" "It''s a bit of a surprise." "Even I couldn''t believe it at first. I thought you were joking when you said [I couldn''t remember the cat''s name.]. You don''t like animals much, do you?" "Well, it''s not that I don''t like them." I don''t want to be interrupted in my VTuber viewing. Also, I don''t want to sound too loud because of my abilities. "Right now. It''s still mild, and the symptoms are mild. It''s not like you suddenly can''t remember everything, so it''s hard to feel threatened. But if it progresses any further." Hearing the doctor''s words, I suddenly felt my blood run cold. No way. I''m going to forget about VTubers. "Yes, that''s right! Losing your memory isn''t all bad. For example, I could enjoy the kamikai times again and again" As I said this, I also thought this was just an escape from reality. The doctor shook her head. "It''s an interesting idea, but it''s not so convenient. It''s just an example, but I''ve had patients who tried to watch TV and forgot what was on just before, so they rewound it, reviewed it, and forgot it again in the middle. they''ve had to repeat the process." "So, you know" "I''m sure you''re not going to enjoy it." "Some parts of your brain that I need to examine more closely, but these cases are irreversible. Once the brain is damaged, it doesn''t recover. And in 50% of cases, the disease will shift within 5 years, and full-blown onset will ur. If that happens 5 to 10 years at most." " Ha ha." I was so shocked that I didn''t have the strength in my body. Too much poweres with a reasonable risk. I understand that. But who could have foreseen that it would be so great? Who would have thought there would be such a price to pay, even physically? No, no. The signs were there. I didn''t want to believe them, so I kept turning away. Again? It''s the same as in my previous life. Am I going to end up like this again, halfway through without seeing where this VTuber is going to end up? "CBut" "Huh?" The doctor''s voice lifts my nodding head. As if to dispel despair, the doctor said. "That''s only if you leave it alone. Iroha-can, you were very lucky this time. Thanks to your early detection, we can still stop the progression of the disease." "Yeah. What?" "The already damaged brain itself never recovers. But there are cases, especially in younger people, where other brain''s parts take over the function." "Eh, er, that means I''ll be cured!?" "Not exactly a cure, but don''t worry. You will be fine if you continue to work with your doctor and take your medications." [Haaahhh~~~~!] I sighed loudly and sat there with a smile on my face. I copsed on the spot with a loud sigh. You scared the hell out of me! You could have told me in a more heart-friendly way! "I''m sorry I scared you. But if I had made a mistake, it would have happened. So, Iroha-chan, you must never be too hard on yourself." The doctor looks at my mom. No way, you''ve conspired against me, mom! No wonder I thought it was strange! She doesn''t even look like she''s crying, even though her daughter has been told she has a few days to live! "Huh Oh, by the way, doctor, you said earlier [You still need to have a thorough examination]." "That''s right. I''ll let your mother know that too. Do you know this part? It''s probably because the blood isn''t flowing well in other parts of the body, but on the contrary, there is more blood than usual concentrated in this area." The doctor points to the MRA image. But to me, the cause and effect seemed the "opposite". If Ipare, yes. It was as if a giant tree was growing by sucking up all the nutrients from its surroundings. "Doctor, what role does this part of the brain y?" "Well, if I had to guess, I''d say thenguage area. I''m just checking, but you haven''t hit this area hard, have you? The doctor pointed to the area between his eyebrows. Between the eyebrows? Instant shback. I remember the pitch-ck muzzle pointed at it. But that was in my previous life. It should have nothing to do with my present. "It''s a result that this part of thenguage center seems to have been affected from front to back, from the frontal lobe to the temporal lobe and then to the ipital lobe." The doctor pointed to my head in turn and said [Motor Language Center (Broca''s area)], [Sensory Language Center (Wernicke''s area)], [Visual Language Center]. I tilted my head, and she continued, "To put it simply.". "It''s where [the functions of speaking], [hearing voices], and [reading text] are located." "What? That''s ." CIt''s the same thing. The same order in which my abilities went haywire. First, I was speaking English without realizing it. Next, foreignnguages and animal noises were parsed on their own. Finally, I could gesture and even lip-read. "If you start taking medication, this will naturally improve, too." "What?!" I was so shocked by the doctor''s words that I couldn''t help but speak out. Don''t tell me you can cure that one with medication. I had always thought my brain gets overloaded by my abilities running amok. But the truth was the opposite. I had always thought that my ability had gone out of control due to an abnormality in my brain, or that my ability had been manifested. Is that a possibility? "Just to be sure, just make sure this isn''t the effect of something else Then, let''s start full-scale treatment." *** And a few dayster, I was back on my feet. Chapter 84: [GoTo America] Chapter 84: [GoTo America] A few days after I''m starting medication. I had been taking my medication properly after every meal, and I was feeling surprisingly well. The medication worked better than expected. The doctor looked at me and rolled his eyes. "Just to make sure, do you know what''s going on?" "What? I don''t know. If I had to say C I was watching a VTuber''s stream!" "?????" "I never thought that watching a VTuber''s video without any worries would be so precious! After all, oshis are a panacea! No~, it''s thanks to you! Thank you very much!" "Oh, yeah? That''s great?" But I never thought I could manage my ability outburst by taking a pill. I always thought it was just fantasy powers at work. That''s why I never thought of a cure''. My mind was always twisting in the direction of how to stop the input. For example, I would wear an eye mask and listen to ASMR all day long with earphones. By the way, I donated so much to mental recovery, so I highly rmend it! "Then, let''s continue with the current medication for a while, shall we?" I nodded at the doctor''s words. Everything is going well. Since I started taking the medication, this time my psychic input has stopped working at all. I had no problem with thenguage I had already learned, but I couldn''t learn anything new. No, it was just that I had been acting strangely up until then, but this is normal. There were still somenguages I wanted to learn. But I guess I was being too greedy. "Iroha-chan, I want to reiterate that even though your symptoms have lessened with this, you mustn''t be overzealous. And be sure to take your medicine, because if the disease progresses any further, there''s a good chance we won''t be able to stop it." "I understand." I wasn''t going to use my abilities again. I had a hunch. If I used my ability again, there would be no next time. I would not be able toe back. "Excuse me, sir. By the way, I have a question." "What is it?" "Well, I''m talking about menstruation." "Hahaha. I''ll give priority to this medicine for the time being. "Of course" I shed tears. I can''t afford to be extravagant, but it''s tough. "But if your progress continues to be stable, we can prescribe a different type of pill. Until then, you''ll have to hang on by yourself." "Yes, yes." I wondered when in the world that would be. I nodded, thinking that it was better to have hope. *** And so the days of turmoil came to an end I realized that a year had passed since my debut as a VTuber. "My words to you! I''m Iroha, the trantor girl!'' Here Ie! [It''s my first-anniversary 3D live performance!]" >Wuoooooo >I''ve been waiting for you toe back! (U.S.) "Oh no, sorry to worry you! Last time it was mental, but this time I made it a little worse physically!" >I''m d you''re feeling better, Iroha-chan. >Iroha-chan, maybe you don''t have a jinx about getting sick right before a 3D live show? >That''s a LOL "Hey, idiot, stop it! Stop saying ominous things! I have to promote other 3D live shows today! What if it affects me?" >Really? >There''s going to be another 3D concert? >The one-millionth anniversary? "Nope, no luck! The clue is that this live concert is being held with the full support of a major office this time. I''ve been asked to participate in arge-scale event organized by thispany~!" >I don''t remember such an event. >I think this is the first time this information has been published. >I see. It''s like they lent you the studio in exchange for advertising. "Well, here''s the details of the event, Don! [VTuber International Event]!" I yed a promotional PV, introducing the contents of the event and the participants. The video is shy, yet stylish. It is arge-scale local event held in the United States. VTubers from all over the world are scheduled to gather and perform 3D live shows. "Yes, that''s why! I will be assisting the MC at this event." That''s the job in America that Aa-Sis''s manager had asked her to do. I''m nervous. >Is this for real? >America is too far away! >Local ticket lottery? Please let me win! >Huuuuuuuuh! It''s too good to be in America! (U.S.) >Iroha is the only VTuber who can interpret for so many differentnguages. >Damn. I''ll buy a ticket to the show and some merchandise to cheer you on from home! It wasn''t long after that. I was doing my regr streaming while preparing for international events, and schoolwork aside. 3 months passed. *** """Here we are! America!""" Ah-nee, the manager, and I shouted at the same time. Chapter 85: [Rehearsal!] Chapter 85: [Rehearsal!] "Iroha! Anego! Wee!" Angu Ogu met us at the airport. We had told her to meet us at the local venue, but she couldn''t wait any longer. We got into a taxi and chatted on the way to the venue. <> <> <> We had to get up at 4:00 am to meet at 5:00 am. And it was a 12-hour journey. I was tired of looking at the scenery in the sky. However, we had no time to waste. I could check the script and the event progress on the ne, and since Wi-Fi was avable, I could rx by watching a VTuber''s streaming video. But the difort was amazing. Because of the time difference, it was still noon even though so much time had passed. <> "No, no, I''m the one who asked you to do the work." Mane-chan worked hard for today. She adjusted my schedule for the day and took advantage of pre-shoots to reduce the burden on me, who is still a minor. "Iroha-chan! What about me? What about me? I''m your guardian now, both in name and reality." "Who are you to talk to me like that?" Minors are not allowed to travel without a guardian. Therefore, if we want to go abroad. We need a "travel consent" form. I thought my mom would be morefortable with a familiar face, so Ah-nee has be my guardian. But in reality. "Mane-chan did all the formalities for me, and Ah-nee almost left her bag behind, overslept, went to the store without permission, and got separated from me." <> <> Angu Ogu looked at Ah-nee in disgust. I sighed and turned my gaze out the window. Suddenly, I became curious. <> <> <> <> She points to a monitor on the street. One female candidate and one male candidate are shown. <> <> Invasion of Ukraine. Before I came to America, there was ament in the stream. Russia may soon be cut off from the international paymentswork. So maybe this will be theirst super chat. One viewer living in Russia threw me a ruble for saying so. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu rxed her body as if she had given up on the idea. And <>. She came closer to my ear. <> <<. What?!!!?>> <> "What''s wrong with you two? I just got this hot dog at a ce called Vendors. It''s super tasty! "When did you eat in-flight meals? Didn''t you eat your fish?" "Separate, belly" I guess she didn''t hear me. But still, Angu Ogu. No, I was right. When I came to Japan and had a sleepover in Ah-nee''s room, she told me that she was born into a good family and her parents were in a professional profession. But, well. That''s the mama who said she didn''t makeup with her. <> What I thought was a story from a distant ce was a story close to me. Maybe that sort of thing ismonce. It''s just that everyone doesn''t notice . *** <> <<~~~~! Mane! I''ve missed you too! Thanks for always helping me with the administrative side of things! >> <> << Oi.>> The two of us intertwined our hands and jumped up and down together. We are backstage at the event venue. I was meeting with Angu Ogu''s manager for the first time. <> <> <> <> <> I was pulled by Angu Ogu and held in her arms with a squeak. She pulled me away from her manager who was holding my hand. <> Angu Ogu stares at us alternately with a pouty face. Oh, no. She''s half crying. She''s about to start crying. << She didn''t seem so happy when I was with her.>> <> <> "Ha ha ha ha!" Seeing such an exchange, Ah-nee burst outughing. While tapping each other on the shoulder with other staff members. No, no, that one is too friendly! You''ve never met her before, right? And you don''t speak English at all, do you? I''m sure he''s a greatmunicator. As if to tighten the rxed atmosphere, a p sounded. Ah-nee''s manager took the lead. <> *** "Gyaaaaa! Even my underwear is soaked!?" A few hourster. I was bare-assed and facing my wet underwear. Chapter 86: [The Beginning Of The End] Chapter 86: [The Beginning Of The End] "I''m sorry, I''m sorry." "Maan. Bukhusooonnn!!" This is the waiting room. I threw my soaking wet pants into the basket and picked up a towel to wipe myself instead. The cause of all this was Ah-nee. It happened during rehearsal. I was sipping a sports drink to rehydrate myself. There, Ah-nee hugged her from behind, saying, "Iroha-chan!". Naturally, I sshed the contents of the drink all over. "Oaaahhh, it''s all over here!" "Anego, you need to be more careful with your mouth." "I thought you would say that, so I brought you a change of clothes to apologize!" "What? No, I have my change of clothes." "Don''t say that! Jan!" "What? What''s this?" "Heh heh heh, isn''t it cute? It''s the staff''s item! And here''s one for Ogu and me, too!" What Ah-nee brought with her, hidden behind her back, were the costumes of each of the VTubers. One was a pure white academic gown, the other was a damaged outfit with many holes, and the other was a gyaru-style idol costume. "No, no, wait! The design is too girlish to wear it! Well, I''m already a junior high school student! It''s hard to be like that lolita-ish!?" "There''s no way I can go out wearing this!? Because of the damage, you can''t see everything here and there!?" "Well, I think it''s cute, don''t you?" "That''s because you''re the only one in a decent outfit!", "That''s because Anego''s the only one in a decent costume." "That''s it, that''s it. I won''t let you get away, both of you." ""HIIIIIIII!!!!!"" *** A few minutester. "I''m tired." <> We were walking down the corridor in the costumes we had just been made to wear. Or perhaps it would be more urate to say that we ran away. We were photographed a lot because there was still time before the next rehearsal. Ah-nee. She was so rxed, even though there wasn''t much time until the actual performance. But thanks to that, I feel much more rxed. I wondered if she was trying to ease my nerves. Come to think of it, today was not the first rehearsal. It was my first time there, but I had already checked everything in Japan. And to be frank, the talk part is the only part that is in real-time. So, the only things we do at rehearsals are volume and tracking checks, then confirming standing positions and progression. There is far more work to be done behind the scenes, such as checking the script, than on the spot. I owe a lot to Ah-nee''s manager, who did a lot of coordination in advance. I wish I had a manager too. I''ve been doing it by myself with the help of others, but I think I''m reaching my limit. <> <> <> <> <> I''m so nervous because I''m looking forward to it so much! For some reason, Angu Ogu gave me a puzzled look. <> I felt a strong sense of difort at those words. First time? No, that''s impossible. Because what? What''s that? How could I have forgotten? I died in my previous life at the "first" big international VTuber event. But then, when is it now? When did I die? <> <> <> <> It can''t be. Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible. I thought so, but my feet naturally moved as if my soul was calling out to me. I ran out of the venue through the back door. There was still some time before the doors opened, so the fans around me wouldn''t see me. Even if they did see me, people wouldn''t think it was me. I had no time to worry about it. What''s more. "Hah, hah, hah, hah!" Yes, I "know" this ce. I have "seen" this scene once. That time, I got lost on the way to the venue. It''s not so far from here. I gradually lost all signs of people. I arrived at an abandoned warehouse. I put my hand on the door. My fingertips were cold. Even so, I pulled the door open in a single breath. The door moved with a rattling sound. Slowly, I walked up to it. Shards of ss scattered on the floor crackled as I walked. The light shining through the hole in the ceiling shone on it like an angeldder. There was no one else in sight. I kneeled in front of it. I looked into its head to make sure. "No doubt about it. This is ." It''s me. There I was, in my previous life, with my head stained bright red. My eyes "met" with the eyeballs whose eyelids were still open. "This, this is the sight. I''m seeing this sight!" At the end of myst life, I saw an angel. The pure white academic gown I''m wearing now looks like an angel''s wings spread out. "Oh Aaaaahhhh!" Yes, that''s right. I "I remember." At that moment, a bell rang. It was the "alert" sound of my smartphone. I read the message disyed on the lock screen of my smartphone. It read. [Nuclear weapons have fallen on Ukraine.] Chapter 87: [Rush! For My Oshis Sake] Chapter 87: [Rush! For My Oshis Sake] "Hah, hah, hah " I was running. I regret now that I hadn''t exercised before. The city was in an uproar. <> <> So far, Russia has "invaded" Ukraine. Yes, an invasion, not a war. Not "war". At least that is how it gets treated in Japan. But from this moment on, it is different. Because <> <> People are shouting this and moving to underground stations and other ces. On a street monitor, a newscaster was talking with a pale face. "Well, we are still confirming, but there is a high possibility that a nuclear missile has justnded inside UkraineC" There were mixed informations. At present, they haven''t even found out which country dropped the nuke on Ukraine yet. But we all know that without saying so. CIt was Russia. Russia has been fighting Ukraine while keeping NATO in check, saying, We will use nuclear weapons. And NATO is also willing to use nukes. And NATO is also "willing to use nuclear weapons. So far, both Russia and NATO have conducted nuclear capability exercises. These are drills to "sessfully"unch nuclear missiles. The threat of nuclear war has always existed a thin veneer away from everyday life. The threat of nuclear war has been present time and again. It''s like the Cuban Crisis. When Soviet nuclear submarines were surrounded by American forces. There have been times when the American nuclear surveince system malfunctioned due to hacking. This time, however, it was not such a crisis of idental nuclear war. This was the first time a nuclear weapon dropped in this way. No, of course, it was the first time. First andst. In the history of the world, there have only been two nuclear attacks, on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. I had thought that would be the case before and after. Yes, I believed it without any evidence. The nuclear umbre and mutually assured destruction. Ukraine itself does not possess nuclear weapons. But if the nuclear umbre were to function, retaliation would get directed at Russia, and further counterattacks would get directed from Russia to the entire world. One nuclear weapon will be 10 nuclear weapons, and 10 nuclear weapons will be 1,000 or 10,000 nuclear weapons. Intion. It''s more than a snowball. It''s a game of multiples. It will not stop even if every country gets destroyed. In Russia, for example, it is said that a fully automatic nuclear retaliation system, the "Hand of Death," is in operation. I should evacuate, too. But there was something I had to do first. Damn! How could I have forgotten until now? I ran on, gasping for breath. Time was running out. I remembered everything. I had always felt strange. It had been that way since the first time my "memories of my past life" came back to me. I immediately sorted through my MyTube rmendations <>. Because it was showing only the suggested videos I had already watched. At that time, I let it go, thinking it was because I had a different ount. That was half right. After I became aware of my cheat-likenguage ability, I started watching only foreign VTubers'' videos. Inevitably, I watched Japanese VTubers less often. No, I was reducing it. That''s why I didn''t notice it as much as I should have. I couldn''t shake the feeling of deja vu. No matter how long it took. It was the past, not the future. And, I know, an interesting stream is interesting no matter how many times I watch it! Even if I feel like I have already seen it, I can''t help but enjoy it without worrying about it, right? But still, I know this much. In my memory of my previous life, "Iroha never existed as a VTuber". In other words, the world changed because of my actions. "Or it had already changed." The moment I died, it had already begun to change. In the afterlife, there is no concept of time or space. I think I understand now. I wonder what the author of the Voynich Manuscript experienced. He didn''t fly to another world, nor did he go to another world. He flew into the past. And his actions changed history. He branched off into a world where his originalnguage wasn''t born. "Language is history". So, while he could see simrities with othernguages, they were as disconnected as stepping stones. It was anguage that we couldn''t decipher. The same is true of the vegetation. Could it be that thesenguages were originally made and created in the same way? Or perhaps the culture and civilization were different. For example, they were nt-based. Why? Then did he mistakenly believe he had flown to another world rather than the past? Perhaps it is a question of "time and ce". He didn''t know what year and month it was. It''s only recently that everyone, even the general public, has been able to know the year and month. Or maybe he couldn''t remember in the first ce. If he and I had been in the same situation, his memory would also have been missing. I, too, had forgotten even the year of my death until just now. Moreover, in his case, even the country was probably different. There was no way to check the year and the month, and he could hardly speak thenguage. Thend was different, the vegetation was different. It would not be surprising if he misunderstood it as a "different world". Even modern people feel when they''re in a different world just by traveling abroad. It''s hard to imagine the shock he must have felt. "If only I had realized it sooner!" I finally make it back to the event venue. The venue was also in an uproar. "Please, just in time!" I heard "them" talking at the moment of my death. Now I could understand the content of the conversation as I remembered it. At the time, I thought it was because they were speaking too fast or using ng I couldn''t understand. But no. They were speaking Russian. At first, they were speaking in English, but in the middle, they switched to Russian. And what they were saying about "kidnapping women" is from C. "OhCohgoo -!" I yelled. Angu Ogu, who was walking ahead, looked back with <>. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of you choosing. Chapter 88: [The Getaway Passageway Drama] Chapter 88: [The Getaway Passageway Drama] <> Angu Ogu''s pale face turns into a slightly relieved face. She was nked on both sides by arge man. I''m not sure how I could have mistaken them for her. It''s these guys. The ones who killed me in my previous life. My body trembled with fear. However, I desperately tried to push it away and feigned calmness. "Ogu, where are you going?" <> "Don''t worry, It''s going to be okay." I walked over to Angu Ogu as I spoke. I pretend to hug her and steal a look at her. Therge men were wearing card holders around their necks, indicating that they were [rted parties]. But they couldn''t be the real staff. They knew in advance that the nuke was going to be dropped, and they said they would take advantage of the chaos and kidnap her. A "rted person". I mean, I realize it now. They''re all Russian descent, no matter how I look! It''s not strange that there are Russian staff members here now. And there is no reason to think they''re bad because they are Russians. This is an international event, to begin with. It was inevitable that VTubers and staff would gather from all over the world. But even so, was I that stupid back then? Why didn''t I notice? Perhaps it would be unreasonable to ask me to calmly observe the situation under the fear of death. Or perhaps Japanese people are too blind to recognize foreigners. "But Iroha, what''s wrong? Why have you been speaking Japanese all this time?" "You''re talking to me. It''s all right. I will protect you." I had broken thenguage barrier before. Then I should be able to do it. This time, I''ll use thenguage barrier to my advantage! My heart was beating painfully fast with tension and fear. Don''t act suspicious. Don''t let them know. I told myself. It''s okay. Do you have any idea how much I''ve heard? And in my ability, being able to hear is synonymous with being able to speak. Gestures are bodynguage and gestures. Or maybe it was at this moment that I learned to understand it. "Ogu, follow me!" "Huh? But we have to evacuate. It''s not safe, right?" "I know. I know, but it has to be you. Please!" " I know. "Okay, let''s go!" I rushed the reluctant Angu Ogu and started to walk away. Immediately, one of the guys dressed as a staff member shouted. <> ""Aiamu biji"! Come on, Ogu! Come on!" <> <> Don''t worry, I can see you. I slipped away from another man''s outstretched hand. What''s the reaction? I''m d, they don''t know. Don''t let them know. I''m not even aware of what''s going on. I''m just a stupid kid who doesn''t understand what''s going on and doesn''t speak English. Hurry up! I was only a few feet away from them. And just as we rounded the corner, I pushed Angguogu''s back and started running. "Run as fast as you can!" <> "They''re imposters!" Angu Ogu''s head still hadn''t caught up with me, and she made a puzzled expression However, perhaps pushed by my spirit, she started to run. <> A few beatster, they peeked out from around the corner, and their expressions turned startled. They were chasing after us in a panic. We ran through the gap between them. I shouted. < > All eyes turned to us. Their feet slowed slightly, as if they were trying to escape the stares. But they didn''t stop. And no one helped us. It seemed that everyone was still reeling from the nuclear shock. Damn, if only there were guards! Why can''t we find them at a time like this? <> Angu Ogu looked back in confusion, then looked at me and slowed down. Keep running, you idiot! <> I tried to reassure her, but it was no use. What I was saying was incoherent, and I no longer had the strength to act. <> <> I was pulled by the hand to run in the opposite direction. Even so, there was a limit. They were already close by. They would catch up with us. Just when I was about to give up. "Ta-da! It''s Ah-nee! What''s wrong, you two?" Ah-nee appeared from the direction of travel and waved at us. Chapter 89: [The Attack In The Passageway] Chapter 89: [The Attack In The Passageway] Ah-nee is waving her hand at the end of the aisle. That idiot! I try to tell her. "Ah, nee Nigge, goho !" I was already unable to even said the words properly. While I was doing so, they were closing in on me from behind. Damn, if I don''t do something However, Ah-nee''s expression changed in an instant. She got the message. Somehow, I thought so. And then, she said. "I''ll take care of it." As we passed each other, Ah-nee said in a small but strong voice. No. It''s dangerous. There was no time for me to stop her. She faced them and said. "Kyaaaaa! Hentai -!" She shouted with all her might. My ears went numb. What the hell was that? How in the world can you be so loud? For a moment, I thought my eardrums had been ruptured. Perhaps out of surprise, they stopped in their tracks. We were supposed to be running away, but even we stopped to look around. Backstage rooms everywhere were opening with a ng. People peeked out from every corner of the corridor. And finally, the men in security uniforms appear, saying, "What''s going on!?" We made it! We''re saved! Just as we were about to feel relieved, one of them reached into his pocket, looking annoyed. Oh no! I had a shback to my previous life. They have guns! But this is America, the gun society. The security guard immediately noticed and reached for the gun at his waist. A shpoint. The tense silence was broken by one of them. [Retreat] Another man stopped him as he reached into his pocket. I remembered that in my previous life when I was almost killed, he had tried to let me go. Even after I died, he prayed for me. [We can''t back down aftering this far! What about the mission?] [You''re the one who forgot. If you fail, retreat immediately. That''s the order. You''re the one who''s going to betray our country!] [That''s what But!] [That''s not what you just said. You''re not going to kill us all and keep us quiet, are you? With just a gun?] [] The man fell silent. Then, he spouted out the words, [Damn it!]. [Shit, shit, shit! Don''t get me wrong! This is also for the sake of our country! Also, I''ll report properly that you interfered with the mission!] [ Yeah, whatever.] The man slowly lowered his hand from his pocket. I could see the other man''s chest heave with relief. The two men continued to back away from the guard. At one point, they reversed and started running. <> They turned their backs and left. A security guard chased after them, shouting over the radio, but it didn''t look like he was going to be able to catch them. And I could hear them whispering in Russian on their lips. They were saved. "Haahh, haaah You saved me, Anego. I mean, you''re amazing!?" "Hmm. You''re wee. This is also a result of the power of women. You two should make more use of your girlishness at times like this." "Shut up! Oh, is that supposed to be a double meaning?" I was beyond surprised and was already dumbfounded. Ha, ha, ha You''re just as good as I thought you would be, Ah-nee. She couldn''t evenmunicate with them, but she had sessfully defused the crisis. But I see. I should have screamed instead of just yelling. I may understand foreignnguages, but I''ll never understand this kind of girl''s feelings. Whether it''s girl power or not, let''s put it aside. But, uh More than that. There is one serious problem. "Hmm? What''s wrong? Hey, Iroha?" "Whee I just, uh" Lack of oxygen. Before I could finish, I fell. I thought I heard the panicked voices of Angu Ogu and Ah-nee in the distance. *** " Yeah. . Where? Here." I found myself tucked into a big bed. What is this? I''ve never seen a bed with a canopy. "Iroha! Iroha! You''re awake!" "Oh, Ogu Ogu? I''m d, Ogu? Are you okay? Are you guys okay?" "We''re fine." "Oh, I''m d." "So, this is the ce" <> There was another person in the room. It was an elderly woman. I had seen her once on a street monitor. <> The next presidential candidate was standing there. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of you choosing. Chapter 90: [Who Fired The Nuke?] Chapter 90: [Who Fired The Nuke?] <> <> > <> > <> The rtionship between them is transparent. However, Angu Ogu was frightened, but she dared to confront her mother. Oh yeah, that''s for me. Because I said, "I don''t want to know my Oshis'' real name." <> << Ho>> <> <> <> <> <> <> <<> At that moment, I heard an "ah" sound. I had the illusion that the room temperature had dropped all at once. No, I didn''t mean it that way! I was trying to help a friend, so you don''t have to worry about it! Angu Ogu''s face turned pale, and she was flustered. I would have had a simr look on my face. The other party is a candidate for the next president of the United States! How dare you! <> Just as Angu Ogu''s mother was about to open her mouth, there was a knock at the door. A man in a suit peeked out. Could he be her valet? He was calling for Angguogu''s mother. After a couple of exchanges, she sighed. <> The door mmed shut, it was Angu Ogu and me in the room. At the same moment, we both let out a big breath of <>. <> > <> <> Angu Ogu told me about what happened since I copsed. After the chaos subsided, the medical staff examined me. The medical staff examined me and found I was in stable condition. However, although I was taken to the infirmary, I did not wake up. She tried to take me to the hospital just to be sure. <> It was her mother''s messenger who just showed up. She said, <>. She had heard from somewhere that Angu Ogu had been targeted. And as in exchange for her approval, she asked Ah-nee and me to apany her and to be examined by a private doctor. <> <> <> <> <> <> I looked closely and saw dark circles under Angu Ogu''s eyes. There''s an IV drip extending from my arm, and my clothes have changed. << Ugh, Iroha~!>> <> Angu Ogu leaned forward and jumped on me. She was crying, her face crumpled up. <> <> I was a little embarrassed, and lightly patted Angu Ogu''s head and hugged him back. I''m not sure how to put it, but I''m not sure how to put it. I''m a fan, and as an adult male, I have many problems with this situation. But, oh well. At least when a friend is crying. I can treat her as a friend. <> <> Chapter 91: [Nuclear Umbrella] Chapter 91: [Nuclear Umbre] <> <> As expected. The fact that I''ve been sleeping like this until now is proof. I was sure that the audience wouldn''t be able to fully enjoy the live performance. I know this in my head, but I am still shocked by it because of my immaturity. <> That''s a story I have seen on the news and the inte, so it''s not definite information. But in summary, it is roughly like this. First, a nuke fell on Ukraine. That is an undeniable fact. What fell was a small nuke, generally ssified as a tactical nuke device. Furthermore, it was a ballistic missile with a range of less than 500 kilometers. And the exact location of the fallout, the Ukrainian ins, is not known. <> <> I''m Japanese, so when I hear the words "nuclear fallout," I imagine tens or hundreds of thousands of deaths due to the destruction of urban areas. But that is not the case. <> I let out a relieved breath. Somehow, the face of that transfer student had popped into my mind. Her hometown was not gone. <> <> Angu Ogu is right. And if the attack is over, the next step is to fight back. <> <> <<. Huh?>> <> I opened my mouth to say, "Angu Ogu". After a beat, I came back to myself. <> <> Unknown. Unconfirmed. I was so confused and perplexed. <> <> <> Angu Ogu said. The results of investigations in many countries, including the U.S., indicate that it was [a Russian attack]. She said. Even on the Inte, it''s an open fact that the missile was fired by Russia. I don''t understand more and more. <> <> <> [[We have long warned that Ukraine is nning to use "dirty bombs" right?]] Naturally, Ukraine denied the announcement and was outraged. It was a long time ago Ukraine was the world''s thirdrgest nuclear power. There is no such fact today, she said. And she called for sanctions against Russia for the whole world. But. <> <> <> Angu Ogu shook her head at the question. China C because there is no confirmation that it was Russia that fired the shot C has not retaliated. She said. << So that''s what you''re saying>> China, I recall, said it was on Ukraine''s side at the beginning of the Russian military invasion. However, it has gradually changed its stance toward Russia. Or should I say? It has returned? China has always been pro-Russia. It was probably for this reason. But, when you think about it, it is not surprising. What if China functions as a nuclear umbre and drops nuclear weapons on Russia in retaliation? That would be the start of an all-out nuclear war between Russia and China. <> China. No, not only China. Who would risk the destruction of their own country for the sake of a "stranger", Ukraine? It''s Russia, a superpower, after all. And they have already crossed the line by firing nukes. We must be prepared to stab each other in the back. And no one wants to "trigger" World War III. <> If people establish Russia fired that, people have to impose sanctions on Russia. Or they will have to make their stance clear that they won''t impose sanctions. Every country has to be cautious about making such an announcement. The fate of one''s own country hangs in the bnce. It''s the right thing to do for one''s own country before that of another country. That''s their priority. They want to protect their families more than others. That is also a matter of course. <> The nuclear umbre works "within the range of thinking that peace can be maintained centering on one''s own country.". Conversely, it only works within that range. It was never meant to work from the beginning. It''s something that only makes sense before people fire the nuke. <> It is never a shield, much less a pike. It can only work in a child''s imagination. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of you choosing. Chapter 92: [War Hero] Chapter 92: [War Hero] <> <> <> But if even NATO backs off from this, and Ukraine is isted Well, Russia''s victory is certain. Ukraine is not a small country with a poption of 40 million. Nevertheless, without the support of other countries, it would be impossible to fight the great power of Russia. So the nuclear weapons dropped on Ukraine were a "threat" for that purpose. If you think about it that way, it makes sense that the nukes were small and that they dropped on the ins. Russia doesn''t want to destroy Ukraine. They want to get it back. <> At first nce, it sounded as if the situation would settle down. However, Angu Ogu shook her head. <> <> <> I hear the American people were also fearful that <>, <>. But after a day or two, when they realized it wasn''t going to happen, they changed their minds. <> It''s as if the fear hase back and turned to anger. Or maybe it''s just a matter of time before the fear dies down. I hear Angu Ogu''s mother is now trying to suppress such public sentiment. However, she is not sure how long it willst. <> Even within NATO, there are conflicting opinions. The U.K., for example, has publicly condemned Russia and supports war and retaliation. And if we let it slide here, the rules of the international order will change. It would set a precedent that it is okay to fire a nuclear weapon. <> The choice here will determine the fate of the world. And no one knows which is right. How much punishment is appropriate, and what was the correct response? Only future generations will be able to tell. <> <> <> No, that''s Japanese logic. That is the logic of the non-nuclear powers. Japan, along with its three non-nuclear principles, teaches that [Nukes are evil]. But it allows nuclear power generation. In the end, it is how you use them. And for other countries, even major powers, nuclear weapons are merely a means to an end. In the United States, for example, the "En Gay", the B-29 modified bomber that dropped the atomic bomb on Japan, is treated as a hero. It''s disyed in a museum as if it were a trophy for its role in bringing the war to an early end. And the same is true for Russia this time. << "Nuclear strategy".>> One of Russia''s previously announced strategies. The idea is to lower the bar to use nukes, as an extension of conventional weapons. Using nukes would temporarily escte the war. However, it may result in ending the war earlier and with fewer casualties. In other words, "We used nuclear weapons to end the war early.". What if we consider this case to be one of those? Strangely enough, it sounds as if "nuclear weapons make peace"! Nuclear weapons for justice. Nuclear weapons to save people. It''s too much of a joke, but it''s true. Don''t forget. As long as they control it, wars and nuclear attacks are just political tools for the superpowers. << But that doesn''t mean we can forgive them.>> Perhaps I think this because I''m Japanese. Because of the history of World War II, I have a strong aversion to nuclear weapons. Above all, Japan is a non-nuclear power. If people make no retaliation here, it will prove that [Nuclear Umbre] doesn''t work. Japan will be a country that can fire nuclear weapons. It''s not a matter of personal opinion. Russia is Japan''s "neighbor". <> <> <> Is there such an answer in the world? It''s as if we''re faced with a problem we can''t solve from the start. <> I was furious from the bottom of my heart. *** When my anger finally calmed down, I made a phone call. I remembered that I must have worried him. The phone was connected with one call. "Oh. Hello mother." [Iiiiii, Irohaaaaa! Are you okay?] My ears pierced. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of you choosing. Chapter 93: [We Are Vtuber] Chapter 93: [We Are Vtuber] As soon as I get on the phone with my mom, she asks, "How''s the war going?, "How''s your health?" She''s like, "I knew you should''ve gone over there. I calm her down and say, "Calm down a little." "First of all, I''m sorry. But I''m fine for now." [So you''reing home now?] "No, I''m afraid that''s not possible yet. The airport is closed right now." [ I know. I never thought this would happen. Why, of all times.] "Well, that''s just bad luck, isn''t it?" Even I feel the worst. If it had been a few dayster, we could have held an international event. No, that''s not good enough. It was because I was there, at that moment, in that ce, that I could save Angu Ogu. It was as if I was destined to do so. "Well then, I''ll call you if there''s anything else." [Okay, okay Oh, wait a minute.] Hmm? There was a rustling sound on the other end of the phone. And the voice I heard was . [Iroha-chaaaaaaaaann! I''m so d you''re okay!] "Mai! You were there too?" Mai''s voice lowered in volume. And then, "Actually," she spoke up. [Iroha-chan''s mother is acting fine on the phone, but] "Oh, I see." Immediately after sending her daughter overseas, who is still underage, a nuke fell, and in danger of a world war, and her daughter copsed and was unconscious. She couldn''t visit her daughter, who was unconscious and unable toe home. She was with her all the time, even today. "Thank you, Mai. For my mom." [No, because this was also for Mai. Mai felt the same way as Iroha''s mother. I was worried~?] " Thank you." [Oh, but if you want to thank me, you can give me a hug or something-.] I hung up the call. Aww, I''ve worried a lot of people! I''m so sorry! Hey, what''s going on, Mai? You''ve just wiped out the air! Well, I have to get back on topic somehow. Ah, yes. I wonder what my guardian who came with me is doing now? I ask Angu Ogu to show me the way and visit the room. In the room were Ah-nee and her manager. The manager was sleeping on the bed with a terribleplexion. Ah-nee was holding her hand by the bed. "Iroha-chan! She said, "Shhh~. Aren''t you a very good sleeper, huh?" "Hahaha. I''m sorry, Ah-nee. What''s wrong with your manager?" "I think she''s having a bit of a mental breakdown after all themotion. She''s taking a break." I was momentarily struck by Ah-nee''s kindness. I saw Mai at home, cuddling up to my mom. I should say that they''re indeed sisters. Even though they''re far away from each other, their hearts are the same. They are connected. That''s how I felt. "Iroha and Anego will stay with us for a while. At least until the suspension is lifted. "Thank you, that''s very kind of you." She turned away and was about to leave the room. It''s rare for her to walk away from me. Usually, when I try to pull her away from me, she sticks to me. I was so curious that I asked her. "Where are you going?" "Oh, I''m relieved that Iroha woke up. Now it''s up to me to reassure her." ". What are you talking about?" Angu Ogu wondered and then said as if it was natural. "We''re VTubers, right?" She smiled, "I guess our fans are waiting for us." And so I was reminded again. I''m not sure I canpete with the brilliance of these girls." *** <<> "My words to you''! I''m Iroha, the trantion girl!" >It''s here >Irohalo! >I''m so d you''re okay! (Korean) After a light meal and shower, I was ready for my first stream in a few days. Strangely enough, it felt like it had been a long time. In front of me was myptop. I had brought it to the U.S., just in case I needed to deliver a message. Next to me, Anguo Ogu had herptop open as well. It was the same one she had brought when she stayed at Ah-nee''s house. "So, Iroha is fine now, too!" "I''m sorry for worrying you. I''m at Ogu''s parents'' house now." >I was worried when I found out about his condition on Ogu''s SNS, so I''m really d she''s doing well! (U.S. English) >Oh, does that mean you''re going to start living together!!?? >Iroha, be careful with your chastity in the U.S. private rooms have locks, so be careful when you sleep. "Are you kidding me? Angu Ogu barked. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of you choosing. Chapter 94: [Japan or America] Chapter 94: [Japan or America] "We''re living together now! We''re in a good ce now!" It''s been a long time since we''ve streamed. The viewers were immediately teasing her. And Angu Ogu was barking. >I''m d to hear Ogu is doing well >At the moment, everything is fine (U.S.) >But sorry about the LIVE (U.S.) "Yes, I know. I''m sorry to hear that. As important as the live show is, the safety of the fans is the most important thing. Take care of your life! >So kind. >I don''t care if I die. I wanted to see them live (French) >I wonder if the live show will be postponed instead of canceled. "What''s going to happen in that area? I don''t know yet." >They said they''ll issue a statementter. >Seriously? >Well, we''ll have to wait for further news. As for the management, they are losing money. And it''s frustrating. I''m sure they''d like to do another show. Or maybe they would like to stream it LIVE, even if only on the inte. >What''s the point in this situation? >Isn''t it fine to live in the United States permanently? (U.S.) >It''s no longer a pre-marriage greeting when you''re in one house (German) "Hey, stop it! I''m not like that!" "She''s been taking care of me while I was sleeping." "If you tell that now, you''ll get the wrong idea!" >It''s reassuring not to be alone (U.S.) >I also came to see the LIVE and couldn''t go back to Japan, but my American fan friends helped me >VTubet was so nice! "I seeyou''re right. If we didn''t make it back home, everyone who came to see the concert didn''t make it back home either." The best day of my life became the worst day of my life. I understand that feeling very well. "About that, I hope you''ll check the official Twitter page of the international event to see if they are sending out information." Half of the purpose of this stream was to advertise this event. Although it''s not yet confirmed, the live venue may be able to be opened as a temporary shelter. The VTubers who participated in the event were asked to help their viewers know about this. "We will share more information as we learn more." >Thank you! >I''ll spread the word. (Italian) >How are you feeling now? "The U.S. is still fine. What about you guys? What''s going on in your country right now?" My channel has arge international audience. The reaction to that question was dramatic. Thement section elerated at once. *** I was lying on my bed. The content of yesterday''s broadcast was on my mind. The impact of the nuclear fallout was much greater than I had imagined. ording to thements I received from viewers around the world, the impact has reached countries with no direct ties to Ukraine or Russia. " Huh." For example, countries in the small conflict-ridden Southeast Asian region are reportedly being steered toward strengthening their nuclear programs because of this incident. They must have seen the reaction of the major powers to Ukraine and decided they had no choice but to protect themselves. If the major powers continue to take a lenient attitude toward Russia, a precedent will be set that there will be no repercussions even if they fire nuclear weapons. If this were to happen, it would result in the spreading of new sparks of nuclear war in the world in the future. In other words, a "world in which it is eptable to fire nuclear weapons" wille. If that is the case, it is hard to say whether retaliating against Russia is the right thing to do. They indeed used a nuke. However, because it was fired into the ins, the damage was minimalpared to the damage caused in previous battles. Is that a sufficient number for punishment? Is it worse than the massacres and humiliations that both countries have perpetrated against each other? Wouldn''t that be excessive punishment? Suppose NATO retaliates against Russia here, and hundreds or thousands or even tens of thousands of people are killed. If that happened, who would have pulled the trigger on nuclear war? No, from the Russian point of view, that is consistent. They believe it was NATO that triggered the invasion in the first ce. " Haaaaaaah!" There is hell to pay either way. Everyone thinks they are the victim. That''s why the war will never end. "Aa~~~~ Moooouuu!" I shouted, unable to hold back any longer. The war itself is a trivial matter to me. Or, to put it correctly, it''s toote. War is already happening somewhere in the world. It''s impossible for me to feel the reality of something that doesn''t involve me. The human perspective is not that broad. More importantly, how can this situation be settled quickly so my oshis can stream their messages without any worries? This is the only answer. "Ugh ~~~~!" I writhed on my bed. Of course, if there was a world war, my oshis couldn''t stream their messages. That would be the worst thing that could happen. I would do anything to prevent that. But in reality, there is nothing I can do. I can''t think of anything. Even with these cheat abilities, I''m still just a citizen. After all, if anyone decides the world''s fate, it is the world''s bigwigs "Yeah, there''s nothing I can do. It''s supposed to be that way." Surely people don''t see VTubers! That''s why I''m heartbroken! In other words, if I may put it this way. "What I should be doing is proselytizing VTubers!" If we watch VTuber videos together, our hearts will be healed, and we can be friends! I was about to conclude that I should be a VTuber missionary. "Guuubooooooo!" I received a body press to the abdomen. I was like, "Gobohohohoho, what''s going on?" I hurriedly removed my earphones and sat up. <> <> <> <> <> <> Where is the momentum from earlier? Angu Ogu''s expression lost its energy. She hesitates slightly, then with aplicated expression, she says. <> You can go back to Japan. It was as if she was saying goodbye for the rest of her life. It was as if she had squeezed out her voice. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of you choosing. Chapter 95: [Second Kiss] Chapter 95: [Second Kiss] A few dayster, we were standing in the airport''s lobby. The surroundings were overflowing with foreigners trying to return to their home countries, just like us. <> <> <> <> <> It''s been like this all day. Even when I tried to get up and go somewhere. She kept following me. She even tried to follow me to the bathroom, which made me angry. It was as if she thought I would disappear if she took her eyes off me. "Sorry to keep you waiting. I''ve finished the procedure safely!" "Thanks~, Mane-chan! But I''m d you''re okay! You''re back on your feet!" "Sorry, Anego-san. Everyone. I''m sorry for the trouble I''ve caused you." Manager-san has been much better when she found out she could go to Japan. And above all, Ah-nee''s devoted nursing helped. "Haha, but you two are close. I heard rumors in the office that you were dating. But I didn''t realize it was true." "Because we''re not dating! What? You''re the talk in the office? <>. " <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu looked at me from a close distance. She had a serious look on her face. <> She said this as if she had made up her mind. I thought for a bit as I looked at her serious gaze. <> <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu''s hand loosened as she clutched my arm as if she was clinging to me. I cower my shoulders and said. <> <> She was indeed a very strict person, to the point she forced Angu Ogu so severely that she shrugged her shoulders. But. <> <> Angu Ogu looked away from me with a pout. Oh my, she''s sulking. <> <<. I understand.>> Angu Ogu entrusted her head. When I was at a loss for a reaction, she pulled my hand and put it on her head. She wants me to pet her. She is still a child. When Iughed, an announcement was made at the airport. "It''s time. Anego-san, Iroha-san, it''s time to go." <> << Un.>> I gently remove Angu Ogu''s hand from my arm, as if to wrap it around her. Easily, her hand fell off. The heat from her hand that had been lingering on her fingertips fades away. <> I turn my back on her and walk to the gate, pulling my trunk case along with me. The caster turns with a squeak. One step and then another, and we are moving away from each other. The sound of the bustle of the crowd was very noisy. I feel that there is still something I have left to do. But I don''t know what it is. <<.CIroha!>> I turned around with a start. The scene reminded me of the time when Angguogu came to Japan. <> A voice that shouldn''t reach you in the hustle and bustle. But I could hear it. And I thought I got it. I threw away my trunk case and ran. And I hugged Angu Ogu with such force that I almost hit her with my body. <> <> <> We looked at each other. Angu Oguughed like he couldn''t take it anymore, and I''mughing with her. Then, "DOH!" and another shock hits me. <<<>>> "Mix me in too! I''m not a fan of this! Ah." Angu Ogu and I got together and were hugged by Ah-nee. Ah-nee let out an "I''ve done it!". We slowly pulled our faces apart. It was soft, the second time I felt it. Ah-nee looked ufortable and tried to move away from me quietly. But I grabbed her shoulder and didn''t let go. S I smiled at her and pressed closer. "Ah-nee!" "Oh, no, I mean I''m sorry." She sped her hands together in a gesture, and I sighed loudly, "Oh, no" "Well, it''s not the first time, right? It''s not like it''s the first or second time anyway. I''ll forgive you. You''re going to get me for free today!" "No! Iroha-chan is pissed off!" "Wait! <>" << Poof!>> Angu Ogu''s face turned red, and she looked away. She wriggled her body and put her fingertips to her lips as if to check. <> <> <> I''d say it''s neutral. I think I have to take care of Ah-nee''s carelessness. But the kiss itself, I thought it was a little toote for that. <> <> Angu Ogu smiles happily. Hey, what''s with this atmosphere? I''m getting weird reactions, aren''t I? "Could this be a fine y on my part?" "No way!" And just like that, our parting ended without it getting too wet. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of your choosing. Chapter 96: [Returning To Japan] Chapter 96: [Returning To Japan] More than 10 hours after parting with Angu Ogu I was gazing out the window of the ne. Next to me, Ah-nee was sleeping soundly. I felt like I had unfinished business. That feeling still lingered in my mind. "Things from my previous life?". I muttered quietly. My body was found safe and sound and cremated in the United States. I was buried in no time, but it was on the news. [One Japanese traveler died in the U.S., caught up in the current turmoil. Some citizens panicked and opened fire out of fear of a nuclear attack.] That''s a strange story. How does panic produce bodies with arms and legs tied to chairs? There was no information about that. In my previous life, my parents had already died, and I had only business friends. I was what you might call a lifelong solitary. So I had noints about being cremated there. There was no one to take care of my body, and not only that, airnes were not flying at that time. No, I wanted to retrieve the goods I was carrying around and the key to the house, though! I wanted to get my collection back! Damn! I''m so sorry! Maybe someday I can pretend to be someone I know and go and sort through his stuff! Well, that''s beside the point. It''s not my imagination that I feel something like a conspiracy. "But, hmmm" It just doesn''t feel right. The collection is regrettable, but that''s all there is to it. I don''t care that much about the other parts. It''s just "Well, it can''t be helped," I thought. What in the world am I so worried about?" At that moment, an iing message notification popped up. The sender was Angu Ogu. [I made up with my mom.] The message from Angu Ogu was a report. I see. She must have had the courage to do it. [Thanks. Thanks to Iroha.] [I didn''t do anything.] [That''s not true. Mama said she wanted to talk to Iroha again, just the two of you, if possible.] [Ogu''s mama?] Was she that grateful? In that caseI wonder if it''s a matter of personality, it''s a word with pressure. As Iughed bitterly, a poof echoed through the cabin. [Ladies and gentlemen, we are ready fornding. Fasten your seatbelts.] Before I knew it, the scenery of my hometown spread out before my eyes. It was andscape that even made me feel nostalgic. *** "Nnn~ooooo!" In the lobby of the airport, I stretched out. I took a deep breath to take the stiffness out of my body. It is a mystery that air taste differs from country to country. Yes, this is a familiar taste. In the airport lobby, there were people everywhere hugging each other in joy at being reunited. It looks like I''m going to be one of them. "Iroha!" "Iroha-chan!" "Mom, Mai. I''m home." The two who came to pick me up gave me a painful hug. I''ve been getting a lot of this kind of skinshiptely. "Mai? You have snot on your nose! Don''t wipe it off with my clothes! Get away from me!" "Iroha-chan! I''m so d you''re okay. I''m so d you''re okay!" "Hey, Just for today." I pat her on the back and hug him back. Then, "Hey, hey, hey!" Ah-nee walks up to me from the side. "Hey, Mai! It''s your onee-chan! Come here too!" "No, I''m not worried about you, onee-chan. They could kill you, but you wouldn''t die, would you?" "That''s awful!" Mai, despite her flirtatious words, pulled her body away from me and hugged Ah-nee tightly. Soon, I began to hear sobs. I turned my back and removed myself from the scene. Somehow, I felt like I wasn''t supposed to see it. "Oh~, you were so inconsble. Good job, good job. You did your best." "Yeah ! Yeah !" I heard Mai''s voice from behind me as she was being pampered by her sister Ah-nee. I was being hugged by my mom. "Thanks. I''m so d you''re okay, Iroha." Tears were pouring down like rain. My mom was quite worn out. But she looked much better than I had heard. It was all thanks to Mai''s constant support. I really can''t thank Mai enough. I''ll have to do something to repay her next time. After a while When Mai and my mom finally calmed down, Mai shouted, "Ah!" Mai. "My mom is here! My dad is waiting in the car, but it''s so crowded, there''s no ce to park" "I see. We should get going." We all walked towards the exit. As I walked along, I couldn''t help but look around. "What''s wrong, Iroha?" "No, umm. I wa thinking, "It''s Japan, isn''t it?"." "?" I was feeling a bit of a gap. Strangely, everyone around me is speaking Japanese. I''m too used to America. No, this kind of thing is called a rash. It doesn''t take long for people to be ustomed to other cultures. Is it because I was thinking like that? "So I''m in a hurry to get back to my country. I have to catch a flight today! Does anyone know thisnguage!?" When I turned my gaze, a foreigner was appealing loudly and desperately. In his hand was a smartphone with a broken screen. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of your choosing. Chapter 97: [Airport Hero] Chapter 97: [Airport Hero] A foreigner is desperately appealing to thedy at the reception desk. Is that Punjabi? It''s one of the officialnguages of the Republic of India. Thedy at the reception desk doesn''t understand thenguage and seems to be at a loss. However, she will be able to solve the problem in time. If I show her my passport, she knows my mother tongue. It''s not Hindi or Indian English, but it''s not such a minornguage Well, maybe it is minor? The sense of scale is a bit off due to my cheat-like trantion ability. Anyway, if you meticulously trante it with a smartphone. Eventually. Sooner orter As I thought about it, the line kept getting longer and longer behind me. <<> [I''m in a hurry!] The passengers behind me began to shout in frustration. It seems that the airport is also suffering from a variety of problems. There was no sign of any help. "Ah, damn." "Iroha-chan, where are you going? "Hey, I''m helping someone." "Just helping someone out." I rushed from the side of the line to the receptionist. Let''s solve the problem and go home. [Sir, what''s wrong? Oh? It''s Punjabi, right? Yeah, I understand, I understand. Ah, I see. Miss, this person seems to have lost his interpreter, and his phone is broken''] Then we get some exchange, and the problem is solved. The foreign traveler says [Thank you!],[Thank you!], as he left. I feel like I''ve seen something like this before. Yes, that was the first time. When I helped a lost foreigner in Japan without realizing he was speaking English. I''ve been having a lot of these feelings of dj vutely. Especially since I witnessed my past body. "Oh, I''m so tired. What''s wrong, mom" My mother was staring at me. Is there something strange? No, it''s just that she''s fluent in a foreignnguage, but that''s nothing new. "No, it''s just. It''s just. it''s the first time I''ve seen you speak a foreignnguage like that. I realized once again how amazing you are." "Oh? Is that so?" As it turns out, the only thing my mom knew about me was the stream and the English interview. That was the first time she had seen me directlymunicate with someone in a foreignnguage. Well, that''s all settled. I quickly went home. {Ano, I''m sorry.} ". Ah~" I turned around, and a foreign family was standing there, looking distressed. I scratch my head, wondering what''s going on. "Go ahead." "What?" I let out an involuntary yelp. My mother prefaced it with, "I don''t like this kind of thinking, but" and then added. "I don''t like to think about it this way." "We are all born with some kind of destiny, or in the process of living." What, suddenly? Religion? As I was puzzled, she added, "That''s not it.". "You have something to do. There''s something only you can do. That''s all I''m saying. So don''t hesitate and go." No, that''s not it. It''s bothersome. "We''ll let Mom and Dad know we''ll bete.", or something like that. Oh, okay. That''s the kind of thing you can''t say no to, right? "Okay." I gave up interpreting for the foreign family. From there, as if in a chain of events, I was approached for advice one after another. Many others were havingnguage problems. I was working as an assistant next to the receptionist. The receptionist''s sister looked at me with her mouth open. *** I was exhausted, lying down in the back seat of the car. But I couldn''t fully rest. "Hehehehe~, how do you like it, Iroha-chan? Does Mai''s thigh feel good? "No, actually, this position is ufortable Wait, what? Hey, drool is dripping on me!" "Slurp. Sorry, it just happened." "Ugh, seriously" Thedy at the reception was surprised. Well, it''s not surprising. A child like this can speak one foreignnguage after another. I realized once again that I had mastered morenguages than I had imagined. And yet, there were still somenguages I didn''t understand, reminding me of the vastness of the world. No wonder the world is so hard to organize. The fact that there are so manynguages means that there are so many ways of thinking and feeling. Language is culture. Culture is ideology. Ideology is qualia. That is why the world is divided now. If all human beings could understand each other, if we could understand each other. That would be a story from ancient times, the tale of the Tower of Babel. That''s why "What''s wrong, Iroha-chan?" "Huh?" "You looked like you were smiling or something. That''s how it felt." Me? I wasn''t aware of it. But now that she mentions it, you''re right. Helping people is just a way of spending unnecessary energy and time. But why? I felt a sense of fulfillment. Somehow, I felt that this action was close to the "answer. I had always felt that I had something to do, something I had left undone. Yes, it''s still not rted to VTubers, but it''s still a part of C. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of your choosing. Chapter 98: [Meeting On The Dance Floor] Chapter 98: [Meeting On The Dance Floor] A few dayster. After a long time, I returned to middle school and was bombarded with questions from my ssmates. "Hey, Irohagami, you went to America, right?" "Irohagami, how was it there with the nuclear fallout?" "Irohagami, did you experience it in real time?" Oh, my gosh, that''s right! I hadn''t been talking muchtely, so I had forgotten, but these guys are like that! "Um, well,pared to here, it was quite chaotic." I answered somewhat hesitantly. Or rather, wouldn''t it be strange if there were no riots in Japan in a situation like that? Hmmm! Wait a minute! "How do you guys know that I was in America!?" I''m sure I didn''t tell anyone at school. Could it be!? "Huh? Well" "Oh, yeah! The teacher mentioned it!" The ssroom fell silent. A strange tension filled the room. "Oh, I see! That''s what it is!" """Huh""" Indeed, I had briefly exined to the teacher that I would be absent from school due to work. So that''s it? Someone must have asked the teacher about it amid thismotion. It''s understandable if a ssmate didn''t show up for several days during this turmoil, it would raise suspicions. "Hahaha" Please, let it be that way! I hope everyone averting their gaze is just my imagination! I can''t hear voices like "Phew, d it didn''te out," "That''s manners, right?" or "If you say something careless, you''ll get banned from our ss"! If I can''t hear it, I can''t hear it! Then, my smartphone vibrated. It''s not a message, but a phone call? It''s unusual for this time. I said, "Excuse me for a moment," and stepped out of the group. It''s not like I couldn''t bear the atmosphere and ran away! On the stairs, I tapped on [Answer]. <> As soon as I asked, sobbing could be heard from the other end of the phone. Her voice was trembling. She was crying <> <> I didn''t ask for the reason or the details. I only had a sense that "[the time to act hase].". <> <<~~~~! Thank you, Iroha! Actually, -. >> Angu Ogu told me about what happened in the U.S. after I returned home. It happened immediately after an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council. The discussions attended by ambassadors from various countries ultimately devolved into arguments. Although the U.S. attempted relief activities in the affected areas of Ukraine to gloss over the situation, it didn''t work out as nned. The current president''s intentions probably yed a part in that. He wanted to resolve things peacefully, or so it seemed. However, a male presidential candidate, who conflicted with Angu Ogu''s mother, took advantage of the situation. He said, <>. <>At that moment, the current president was under fire from all over the U.S.. Angu Ogu''s mother, who belongs to the same political party as the current president, waspletely taken advantage of. <> His bullish statement was well received by small and medium-sized countries and those from them, including those in the U.S. The battle between the two major political parties, which should have been close, suddenly tilted. The U.S. has thergest percentage of foreigners in the world. The number of foreigners in the U.S. is as high as 16%. Naturally, this is reflected in therge number of Americans who have friends and acquaintances who are foreign nationals. That''s a difference that could affect the oue of the election. <> The male candidate hinted at the use of nuclear weapons, yes. His party had originally taken an aggressive stance against Russia. While his statement was a step in the right direction, it was an extension of his previous activities. But . <> <> She''s moderate. She couldn''t say anything too strong like <>, and it was ate response. She ended up beingpletely overshadowed. She and the former president were mmed together as <>. <> I was digesting Annguogu''s words in my mind. In other words If Annguogu''s mother loses the election, will it lead to World War III? Can something like that happen? And I asked the question that had been bothering me. <> <> I could tell from the other end of the phone that Angu Ogu was dumbfounded. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of your choosing. Chapter 99: [Beyond The 24-Inch Screen] Chapter 99: [Beyond The 24-Inch Screen] Angu Ogu let out a deep sigh over the phone. Did I ask something so strange? <> <> <> <> ording to what I heard, the electoral systems in Japan and the U.S. are different. In the U.S., elections are held over two years. It''s said that each camp spends around 100 billion yen in expenses. In total, it amounts to 200 billion yen for the two major political parties. <> < > <> I heard that such things have happened in the past as well. Specifically, during World War II, the presidential elections continued as they were in America. Honestly, even in a situation like this, there are still elections. <> <> <> Angu Ogu is probably furrowing her brow right now. I can agree with her on some things and not on others. Is it because I''m Japanese? Maybe it''s just my nationality. <> A pleading voice. Angu Ogu''s mother is in such a tight spot. And Angu Ogu herself is seriously worried. I still find it difficult to imagine a scenario where "losing the election leads to a world war.". Besides, I don''t think I can do anything significant myself. But there is one clear thing. Right now, my oshi is in trouble. Why hesitate to help my oshi? Why would there be any reason not to give it my all? <> That''s what I dered. Well, it''s just a deration with that level of determination. But still, from the beginning <> I have no idea. That''s something Angu Ogu should think about Huh? <> <> I could hear the panic on the other end of the phone. What''s going on all of a sudden? <> <> <> <> <> I shouted with all my might. I involuntarily shouted at the top of my lungs. Other students from the floors above and below started peeking at me from thending. <> <> <<..?>> <> I don''t understand. I was talking about my oshis usual. Otherwise, all human beings would be willing to die for their oshis! But, well, Angu Ogu has a very unusual sensibility. Or rather, all popr VTubers do. That''s why they attract attention. Or maybe it''s the difference between those who push and those who are pushed. Let''s just go along with the story here, shall we? <> Okay, that''s all settled. <> <> I heard rough breathing from the phone, <>. Oh, that''s disgusting! <> <> Myment finally brings Angu Ogu back to her senses. He says in a boo-hoo voice. <> <> <> <> Come to think of it, I remember that transfer student from elementary school being oddly knowledgeable about that sort of thing. What? That kind of thing ismon knowledge among girls? No way! <> <> <> *** "My words to you! I''m Iroha, the trantor girl!" >Irohalo! >Irohalo! >I''m so happy to see Iroha''s streams again today! Only 24 inches. With just a mere 24-inch screen, the operation to save the world begins. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of your choosing. Chapter [NaN] Chapter [NaN] SS 1. [Christmas ~ Mai''s Side] This is a story fromst year''s Christmas. *** It was December, just before the middle school entrance exams. Instead of diligently studying for the exams, I was busy watching VTuber live streams in the early morning in the ssroom. Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side and grabbed my shoulder firmly. I was then vigorously shaken. "Oh, oh, oh, Iroha-chan, what''s this all about~? We can''t go on a date together this year for Christmas Eve!? We''ve spent every Christmas Eve together until now!" "Ah ah ah!? I''m getting dizzy! Stop shaking me!" Reluctantly, I took off my earphones and looked up. There stood Mai, wearing what seemed to be reindeer antlers, probably some party essories. Today was December 24th. In other words, it was Christmas Eve. "Things are different fromst year Oh, right! Iroha-chan, you must be doing a Christmas livestream, right? That''s why we can''t go out together, right?" "Tsk tsk tsk. You''re being too naive! ording to my information, Iroha-zama has scheduled live stream slots, including Christmas Eve!" Interrupting the conversation was a silver-haired beauty. Um Who was she again? "Iroha-sama!? Wait, you''re the transfer student! The one from Ukraine who''s in the same ss as us! Don''t tell me you forgot!?" "Oh" That''s right, that''s right. Lately, it feels like we haven''t beenmunicating much. No, that''s urate. This girl always peeks at me from around the corner of the hallway. But it seems like today is an exception. Why did she choose to talk to me today of all days? As I tilted my head, the transfer student burst into tears, saying, "What''s going on, Iroha-zama!? No live stream, no ns with acquaintances could it be you have ns with viewers!?" "Well, Mai wouldn''t call viewers friend, but rather a best friend or lover, right, guys!? Oh, oh, Iroha-chan! What''s going on!? That''s just a joke, right!?" "Iroha-zama~!", "Iroha-chan~!" "Stop shaking me!" The two of them shook me with twice the force as before. I snapped and shook off both Mai and the transfer student. "Geez. It''s not like it matters how I spend Christmas or Christmas Eve." "That''s right, isn''t it I''m sorry. But I couldn''t help it" Oi oi oi, the transfer student started crying. Mai chimed in, saying, "That''s right~! It''s terrible! Mai against it~!" She alwayspetes with her, but at times like this, she''s quick to cooperate. "Oh, uh wait. I''ve learned about Japanese-style Christmas properly and made preparations. Besides preparing for my live stream, I''ve reserved a cake with my favorite character illustration and KFP chicken." "A cake?" "It''s a Ukrainian Christmas dish called kutia,'' which is simr to okayu'' in Japan." "Oh, I see Wait a minute. Illustrations? That''s not part of Japanese Christmas! You''re misunderstanding! It''s more like a Christmas in otaku culture!" "Oh? But Mama said it''s cute, like Japanese Christmas cakes. She was delighted." "Wait, hold on! Are you going to eat that cake with your family?" "Yes Huh!? Is it a punishment to devour the divine Iroha-zama''s face?" "Nooo! That''s not it. That''s not it!" I held my head in frustration. What''s with this difort? It feels like I''m dragged into creating a dark history. "But, it''s true. Ah, ahaha The dishes have gone cold." "I''m sorry! It''s my fault!?" Although I wasn''t particrly hiding it. I sighed heavily and answered. "Well, think about it. If I do a live stream on Christmas. I won''t be able to watch my oshi''s streamer''s Christmas Livestream!" "I knew it," "I knew it." "Huh?" Hey, what happened to their previous momentum? It seems like they were ying around. No, that''s not it. Their eyes were serious. "Um, Iroha-sama. Are you not going to do a live stream? I''m sure all your fans are waiting for Iroha-sama''s live stream." "" "Even if it''s a sudden decision, it''s fine. I''ve been waiting for your live stream all along. I want to spend Christmas with Iroha-zama. Oh, and Merry Christmas." "Ah, hey, don''t cut in line! Iroha-chan, Merry Christmas from Mai too! Iroha-chan, open it, open it!" They urged me to open the presents in a hurry. From the transfer student, there was a hand-knitted scarf, and from Mai, hand-knitted gloves. "Why do they slightly ovep?" "That''s my line! You''re the one who put it on me, right!?" "What are you doing!?" "What are you doing!?" The two of them red at each other. Perhaps these two get along well? I looked at them with an exasperated gaze. Please use VPN if you''re blocked. Please support me on Ko-fi. Your support is helping me a lot. For every $5 you''ll get one extra chapter of your choosing. Chapter 100: [Nemesis From Previous Life] Chapter 100: [Nemesis From Previous Life] Since I heard the story from Angu Ogu, <>, I''ve increased the frequency of my live streams. Annguogu''s strategy is remarkably simple. It''s about live streaming many times, spreading awareness about the current situation, and making as many people as possible aware of it. What? Can the world be changed by doing something like that? I don''t know either! Angu Ogu probably doesn''t believe from the bottom of her heart that this will change the world. She can''t help but do something. "For her mom, huh?" Showing such a determined figure of support, I can''t remain silent and disappoint the fans. Moreover, unless this issue gets resolved, Angu Ogu won''t be able to live stream peacefully. That, for me, is an uneptable major problem. Honestly, it''s still difficult to imagine something like a "world war." Besides, there''s no guarantee anywhere that Angu Ogu''s mom is right. Due to her position, Angu Ogu stubbornly believes that her mom is just, but who knows? Well, even so, I''ll support her unconditionally! "Because she''s my oshi." That reason alone is enough! That''s what I want to say, but this time it''s different. There''s also personal resentment involved. This time, I vited my taboo and checked a certain website. The name of that site, which I reluctantly viewed while my body had a repulsive reaction and I gritted my teeth so hard it felt like they would break, was "Z Channel.". It''s a bulletin board where behind-the-scenes information about VTubers is shared. It''s a ce where taboo in public, such as controversies, gossip, past lives, and information about the real people behind VTubers, are discussed. I prefer not to know what VTubers haven''t made public. Naturally, I don''t actively search for such information. I also voluntarily block channels that disseminate such information. Fans should only see what VTubers want to show. It''s a win-win. No, it''s a survival tactic as a VTuber otaku to avoid tragedies. That''s what I believe. VTubers have their slip-upsfor example, exposing an outrageous bombshell during a live stream. I think the responsibility lies with the VTuber in such cases. After all, fans can''t avoid that. Don''t suddenly pour cold water on us and wake me from our dreams! "Hmm, cough." Ah, the conversation got off track. Why did I step into that information site that I avoided so much? It''s because there was information that I wanted. That information is. "Oh, there it is." I opened a thread rted to Angu Ogu. As expected, there were some anticipated pieces of information written there. 168: Nameless Zombie ID: 8XbuHUX3s Lately, isn''t there a lot of political talk in Ogu-chan''s streams? And it''s biased reporting too. 169: Nameless Zombie ID: CdrQ9Nakw Well, she''s her mother. It''s natural to want to support her. 170: Zombie without a name ID: dVROP3WLD >>169 Huh? What do you mean??? 171: Nameless ZombieZombie with no name ID: GTMTelQaB >>170 Don''t you know about the female presidential candidate? She''s Angu Ogu''s actual mother. 172: Nameless Zombie ID: GTMTelQaB >>170 Source (check past threads). 173: Nameless Zombie ID: uDb8XNQhW What? She''s a serious pedigree. 174: Nameless Zombie ID: 215F41BYQ Even Iroha, who''s in the yuri business, started talking about politics. 175: Iroha Radical Faction ID: IrohaSUKI Seriously, I don''t want my oshi to be involved. 176: Nameless Zombie ID: aM5E5z2D5 I''m not looking for politics or anything from a VTuber. 177: Nameless Zombie ID:0C72Q1DKK Exactly. VTubers should be VTubers, ying games and having fun. "Ugh" I pressed my hand against my mouth, feeling nauseous. This ce is close to the underground, where raw malice is exposed without a veil. Thorny words pierced through my eyes and stabbed my heart. However, I endured the painful experience and obtained the desired information. I found the targeted information. 291: Nameless Zombie ID: 17S2vm2qq On the day the nuclear bomb fell, there was a kidnapping attempt at the event venue. 292: Nameless Zombie ID: eyI8bbr5Q Was Angu Ogu the target? 293: Nameless Zombie ID: tzsvKPRSJ Angu Ogu gets attacked at this time. It''s rted to politics. The information daughter of the presidential candidate, Angu Ogu gets attacked. That was circting. On the other handC. "As expected" No information about rtives getting attacked, or anything of the sort surfaces rted to Angu Ogu''s mom''s opposition presidential candidate. Afterbining this information with what I heard from Angu Ogu. The answer bes clear. "I see. It''s you guys. You''re the ones who killed me in my past life!" Those guysthe male presidential candidate and the Russians are secretly coborating. They''re the enemies I seek, as they''re the ones aiming to trigger World War III. Initially, the male presidential candidate gets gued by the "Russia scandal.". Rumors were circting that he was in cahoots with Russia. Was he engaged in conspiracies that even undermined national interests, all for the sake of bing president? Eventually, it gets settled as a false usation spread by opposing political parties. However, even that seems suspicious now. "I will exact my debt from the past life. You, you who have rendered my hard-earned collection irrecoverable! I won''t ever forgive you!" It''s not just for Angu Ogu''s sake. Driven by personal grudges, I will relentlessly crush them with all my heart and soul! Chapter 101: [Collaborators From Ukraine] Chapter 101: [Coborators From Ukraine] I''m going to fight together with Angu Ogu! Fired up with determination, I immediately contacted my acquaintance, an overseas VTuber. <> I appealed to them through the microphone. We had coborated a few times before, and I wanted them to be on our side, supporting Angu Ogu and me. But I can''t force them to do so. That is Angu Ogu and my situation. But in reality, it didn''t work out so well. However, reality didn''t work out as well as I had hoped. <> <> The call abruptly ended. The call was disconnected with a pause. The response wasn''t very favorable. It wasn''t the first time I had been turned down. "Come to think of it, that''s how it is?" The world is important, but so are your fans. As Z-chan had beaten me to the punch, VTubers, and politics are not good topics of conversation. As it was being criticized on Z Channel, VTubers and political topics don''t go well together. Since we started talking about politics, Angu Ogu and I noticed a decline in our subscriber growth rate. Not only were we not gaining new subscribers, but existing viewers were also drifting away. "Everyone has their own lives too." There are plenty of VTubers barely making ends meet with just their live streams. In such a situation, we couldn''t easily engage in risky political discussions. Many VTubers also didn''t want to provoke the animosity of the "Japanese" audience. "I didn''t expect this, but to think it woulde to this." It''s only natural that the majority of my viewers are Japanese. My acquaintance VTuber, who coborates with me, naturally has more Japanese listeners too. Of course, the fact that there are more Japanese viewers of VTuber content in the first ce ys a role. And Japan is in a situation of "self-preservation." Being in vulnerable to a nuclear attack from Russia, the public desires thorough retaliation, including a nuclear strike. In such circumstances, I''m saying, "Let''s find another way." That''spletely contrary to public opinion. As a result, I naturally ended up provoking resentment. And what happened? >Traitor >Die >I never thought Iroha would say such things. I used to support you, but it''s impossible now. I''m disappointed. Unsubscribed and reported And so on. Not only did people unsubscribe, but there were also dislikes,ment trolls, and even direct messages filled with insults. Frankly, I''m the type who can ignore it, even if my channel''s subscriber count decreases or I receive abusive messages from viewers. However, not everyone can be like that. But not everyone can be like that. So the truth is, they don''t want to be "dragged into it." Still, a few VTubers were willing to cooperate, but they were scarce. I give up. What should I do from now on? As I was pondering this, my phone rang. "Hmm? A call from Ogu? <>" "<<..Iroha, I''m sorry.>> Uh-oh. A call at this time. I was certain it wouldn''t be good news. <> <> It''s a natural decision for the agency. It''s a rational measure to protect thepany''s interests and the affiliated VTubers. <> Yes, even in such adversity, not everything was aplete failure. Some viewers who listened to the entire conversation be aware of overseas and political matters. >I think I had only heard and seen very biased information until now (Hindi) >After hearing the other side''s opinions, I honestly don''t know which side is right anymore (U.S.) >I guess I don''t agree with Iroha''s opinion Of course, not all viewers necessarily became supporters, but <> <> On the other end of the phone, Anguogu speaks while sobbing. That was the one thing she thought he could do for his mother, yet she may not be rewarded with this oue. <> My oshi says while crying, <>. Should I turn back? Should I give up? -No, I won''t. <> <> <> The truth is, I''ve already reached out to almost everyone I can reach. Right now, I need people who can help me disseminate information and cooperate, but I''m also running out of options. <> <> <> <> After saying that, the call with Anguogu ended. But. "I don''t have any other options!" However, there''s no choice but to do it. The only ones left are. If coboration partners are out of the question, there is only VTuber I''ve never spoken to before. It''s unlikely that such a person would participate in such a topic. But with no other options. I contacted a VTuber I had never talked to. Surprisingly, she epted the call. And that person is. A bilingual middle school VTuber from Ukraine. Upon first meeting, she let out a scream like that. Chapter 102: [The Kid Who Changes The World] Chapter 102: [The Kid Who Changes The World] As soon as the call connected, she shouted those words, supposed to be our first conversation. She is from Ukraine but lives in Japan. A real middle school student? A bilingual VTuber. I got thrown off guard when she suddenly called me with "-sama" attached to my name. I can''t let my oshi (favorite) apologize. I have to express my love! It feels like we''re in a matchmaking meeting. And then, I snapped back to reality with a "Ha!" Oh no, I let my otaku side slip out in my joy of talking to my oshi. I was speaking incredibly fast. Huh? Does she, Ilyena, have the same reaction? If that''s the case, it''s a great honor for a VTuber. Both of us rejoiced together. Ahaha, what a wonderful moment Oops, not a moment, but Ilyena shouted, "It''s not just that!". While talking to Ilyena, I had a thought. I get thrown off when I''m talking to her! For some reason, it''s really hard to gauge the distance between us! Perhaps it''s because she''s a VTuber, with a unique sensibility. However, she''s also one of my favorite VTubers, and I find that endearing, quirks included. And if that''s what she wants, then there''s no choice. I''ll meet her expectations and casually talk to her, even if it''s one-sided. I exined the situation and told her I wanted her help with information dissemination. Her response was I thought she was rejecting me again and was about to give up, but she denied it. So, what is she going to say? Now that she mentioned it, it was entirely true. Even a thousand subscribers, which is one-thousandth of mine, is a considerable number when viewed in istion. But my perspective gets distorted because I usually watch popr corporate VTubers. However, when considering my and Angu Ogu''s goals It seems I had cornered myself quite a bit. Icked sound judgment. However, the negation that came out of my mouth was quite shallow. Silence fell between us. It was Ilyena who broke the silence. As if she had made up her mind, Ilyena said, Chapter 103: [Ja-U Collaboration!] Chapter 103: [Ja-U Coboration!] "My Words To You!'' The Trantor Girl Iroha!" >Irohalo! >Irohalo! >Irohalo! "So, today I have a special guest joining us. Please wee!" "Dobrokho ranko! Hajime mashite. Ilyena desu!" "It means good morning'' in Ukrainian. Come on, everyone say it together. " >Dobrokho ranko >Dobrokho ranko >Ohayou, Ilisha! (Ukrainian) And so, I epted Ilyena''s proposal, and we conducted a coboration on Livestream. That''s because of the incredible agility in our movements. Times like these highlight the advantages of being an independent content creator. If this were a corporate VTuber, there would likely be a need for prior application and review. There have been cases where insufficient investigation of the coboration partner led to trouble. The official announcement of a coboration with a certain individual turned out to be problematic when it was revealed that the person had a history of criticism and abusivenguage. That sparked controversy withments like, "Why would you coborate with someone like that?" As apany, it''s only natural to be more cautious. Well, that''s none of my concern! In any case, in this situation. "Kyaa, Ilyena-chan! I''m so excited to coborate with you today! Maybe not everyone knows, but I''m a huge fan! I''ve watched all your archives and love you so much!" "Eeeeeh!? Iroha-sama? You''ve been watching me that much!?" I know everything about your past statements! After all, you''re my oshi! >Is it that interesting? >As expected, Iroha-chan is a VTuber fanatic >In school too?? I bet you''re spending about 50 hours a day watching, right? Lol (U.S.) "So, I reached out to her this time which led to this coboration. Yay, p, p!" >I can''t believe Iroha is a fan, Ilisha! (Ukrainian) >It''s the result of your hard work so far >Congrattions, Ilisha! (Ukrainian) "Since we have this opportunity, should I ask you various questions? First, could you give us a brief self-introduction?" "Ah, yes! Um, nice to meet you all. I''m Ilyena. I''m originally from Ukraine but currently living in Japan, and I often do bilingual streams utilizing that." >Wow, your Japanese is amazing >And you''re still in middle school? >Really? It''s just like Iroha (U.S.) "Oh, thank you very much. Well, you see, I started as a VTuber because I admired Iroha-sama, and hearing you say that makes me happy!" "Eh?! Really?! That''s amazing. I''m so happy. I can''t stop smiling." I never expected someone would start being a VTuber because they admired me! That''s truly the greatest contribution to the VTuber industry! To think that someone became a fan because of me doing VTuber activities. Ah, I''m really d I became a VTuber! >So that''s why they called you "sama" w >I was so curious about that! >It''s rare to see Iroha-sama blushing "Hey, I haven''t given you permission to call me sama''! By the way, it seems like Ilyena is called Ilisha'' by her fans." "It''s a nickname. Unlike in Japan, they don''t use honorifics, so they express closeness by how we call each other''s names." "So, everyone, feel free to call me Ilyena'' in a Japanese way or Ilisha'' in a Ukrainian way." >Ilisha is so cute. >Nice to meet you, Ilyena-chan. >I often refer to your streams for studying Ukrainian! "Oh, there arerades among the viewers as well. I''ve been learning from Ilyena-chan''s videos and streams. Even though I know thenguage, I don''t know much about the culture there." "Iroha-sama, learning from my streams?! Th-th-that''s too much!" "Once again. By the way, ohayou'' means a morning greeting, right? It''s evening in Japan, but in Ukraine, is there a culture of using ohayou'' all day like in Japan?" "No! That''s purely a Japanese style! And above all, it''s a word I have a sentimental attachment to." "A sentimental attachment to ohayou''? What happened?" She shared a familiar story as if I had heard it somewhere. She had evacuated to Japan from Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. However, she couldn''t fit in at school. And then, the one who called out to me at that moment was. "She was an incredibly cute girl!" Well, it wasn''t me then! Ah, I was surprised. In the case of that transfer student, the first person to speak to her was a boy. "The first words she said to me were Good morning.'' Because she was the first to greet me with Good morning,'' that''s why I am who I am now!" "Oh wow! That''s a wonderful story!" "Yes, it is! And what''s more, that girl made a Japanese-Ukrainiannguage trantion chart for me, offered to be my interpreter, and taught me things I didn''t know. She even helped me when I got bullied by a mean boy!" "Ohhoo!" >Didn''t Iroha talk about doing something simr in her stream? >Could it be that Ilisha is Iroha''s real-life friend? >No, the content seems slightly different from that. "Hahaha, yeah, I''ve had a simr experience too. It''s my first time meeting Ilisha. Well, human memories are easily altered, you know!" It''s easy to make assumptions and rewrite them. They change so easily based on assumptions. I''m quite forgetful myself, so I can''t judge others. It seems like some viewers misunderstood because of that, huh? Yeah! Also, different perspectives can arise from different positions. That transfer student also disliked the boy who was supposed to help her without realizing his goodwill. That boy brought it upon himself pranking on the girl he liked. Even if he''s forgotten about it by now, he can''tin! Chapter 104: [And The World Trembled] Chapter 104: [And The World Trembled] The coboration livestream with Ilyena was about to begin after she did her introductions. Questions starteding in through thements. >But being from Ukraine must be tough >It''s good that you could evacuate to Japan (U.S.) >Are your family and friends okay? "Yes, that''s right. I consider myself truly fortunate. I''m still very worried about my friends who stayed in my hometown. Several of my school friends have already been killed in the bombings." "That must be hard." >Seriously, Russia sucks >They should just burn the Russians with nukes >But even Ukrainians are using cheap drones to kill innocent Russian civilians, so it''s tit for tat "We mustn''t confuse the issue between Russia and Ukraine with the issue between Russians and Ukrainians. Russians are living in Ukraine, and Ukrainians living in Russia." "Oh?" "Yes. Japan is an ind country, and it may be hard to imagine since it''s predominantly Japanese." Ilyena exined. The areas like the Crimean Penins and eastern Ukraine that Russia has upied due to the invasion have a higher proportion of Russians. >Do you hate Russia? (U.S.) >They''re your enemies, after all. >Do you want to retaliate with nukes? "I" "Wait, everyone. That''s a bit too harsh of ament. Ilyena-chan, you don''t have to force yourself to answer just because there are many viewers. I didn''t propose this coboration to make my oshi suffer." "Yes, let me say it. That''s the reason why I came here. I live rtively close to Russia. So I have both Ukrainian friends and Russian friends. That''s why I can''t choose one side." "Oh I see. That makes sense." At thiste stage, I regretted agreeing to coborate with her. I finally realized how cruel it was to pose such a brutal dilemma to Ilyena. What kind of determination did she have when she stood in this position? She must have been prepared for criticism and condemnation. "I don''t know which side is right. But there''s one thing that I''m certain is wrong. It''s when people get hurt and die because of this." Ilyena''s voice was mixed with sobbing. "My Ukrainian friends died in Russian bombings. And Russian friends died in Ukrainian drone attacks. Enough! I don''t want the people I care about to get hurt in this fight!" I was silent, unable to utter a word, as I listened to her words. The chats, too, fell silent as if a calm had settled. "I hate war! I don''t know anything about Ukraine or Russia. I don''t want the people I care about to get hurt anymore! Is it wrong for me to think that way? I just, want tough and have a normal life with everyone!" That was about the only truth that existed in this world. Ah, how shallow my words have been until now. Politics, which party is right. Territory,pensation, retaliation, nuclear. Ego, self-preservation. I have only been able to speak of the surface of such things. That''s not my true feelings, but speaking out of convenience. That''s not what VTubers are about! I was trying to remember why I got hooked on VTubers in the first ce. It was because they were cute and, above all, "real". Anime characters alone weren''t enough. The true hearts of "humans" can only be seen through the filter of characters. Their genuine expressions. I''ve been captivated by them all along. Yes, what I should have spoken about was the more honest part. "I don''t want anyone to get hurt anymore uueeeeen!" Ilyena burst into tears, crying loudly. That was the start, and thements section quickly became active >She''s right (U.S.) >I''m sorry for saying we should haphazardlyunch nukes >This is my firstment. I live in Russia. I had anger toward Ukraine and NATO, and I thought the invasion was justified. But maybe using nukes was too much (Russian) >Anyone can say they don''t want to fight >Then why do we keep fighting? (Ukrainian) >Why are we doing something that even children can understand is wrong? (US) >It''s easy to say that from the safe zone called Japan (Ukrainian) >It became a war because the dialogue wasn''t enough, right? (U.S.) >Nevertheless, I think we need dialogue again >What about the hatred for having our families and friends killed? (Russian) >Ilisha is the one who represents that hatred, isn''t she? > Amid that hatred, sadness, and anger, she''s saying she doesn''t want war (Ukrainian) It was in motion. I felt it. Right on my skin. "I don''t know which side is right. But, because I have oshis in both Russia and Ukraine. I want a future where both of them can smile!" Ilyena was already unable to speak. I spoke my true feelings like that and concluded the stream. And a big wave was about to happen. The world was about to change. Chapter 105: [The Strongest Helpers] Chapter 105: [The Strongest Helpers] "[Talent is not necessary for sess. Luck is what matters.]" That''s what I was reminded of Ah-nee. The coborative stream with Ilyena ignited public opinion. People created clips with subtitles, and it got spread rapidly. It must have reached the eyes of almost everyone who usually watches VTubers and even those who don''t usually watch them. "Now is the chance. It can work." Once again, I approached various VTubers. Not only the overseas VTubers who had initially refused, but even VTubers residing in Japan started cooperating with information dissemination. They must have sensed the shift in trends. Even VTubers who have no connection with me were voluntarily spreading the information. "Ah, damn it! But we don''t have enough time or manpower!" The situation has changed, but many VTubers are still cautious. I want to encourage them, but there are limits to what I can do alone. Amidst the busyness, while contacting here and there. "Ah-nee-chan, here shees!" "Aah-nee!? Entering my room without permission again! You''re not my sister, you know!?" "Don''t worry about the details." Perhaps it''s because I had Ah-nee''s line in my head. The person herself appeared. She was carrying aptop in her arms. "I''ll borrow your cable. And the power source. So, what should I do, nee-chan?" "Huh? Can you help? Aren''t your agency prohibited you from getting involved in political issues?" "What are you talking about? It''s only prohibited to talk about it during the stream. Helping like this is allowed!" No, it isn''t allowed. I don''t care if they get mad at youter, okay? But having more hands on deck is genuinely appreciated! It''s appreciated, but. "Even if Ah-nee is here, there''s not much I can ask for help with." "Eeeeh!? I thought I was theplete savior right now! I timed it perfectly, thinking, [Now] is the moment!''!" "You were waiting outside the door, huh? No wonder the timing was too perfect! Sigh~. But, hey, you know?" Since what I streamed was within my time slot, it has already been widely spread among VTuber watchers in Japan. What''scking is information dissemination overseas. The people I''m currently contacting are mostly overseas VTubers. And nee-chan''s foreignnguage skills are abysmal. "Boo-boo! I came all the way to help, but fine, I get it. I''m good! I''m doing my best!" "Even if you pout like that" Why is it? Though there shouldn''t be a significant change in capabilities, my heart feels much lighter. Ah, I''m getting irritated! Even though she hasn''t done anything, why does her presence make me feel so reassured? Ah, A-nee is amazing! "Hello? Ah, yes, this is Anegasaki, M Anegasaki. Nice to meet you. Oh, really? That''s true! The snacks there are delicious. Have you seen that? By the wayC" [.] Hey, she started casually chatting on a call next to me! Give back my slightly happy heart! I want toin and say something, but I don''t have the time for that now. Besides, it was me who said there was nothing for her to do. Then, I heard a notification sound from my PC. It seemed like another VTuber I had contacted had responded. However, this time it wasn''t good news. It happens sometimes. When I was about to give up and end the call, she tapped my shoulder. "What''s up, Ah-nee, aren''t you done with your chat? I''m on a call right now, so I can''t let go." I signaled that I temporarily muted my microphone. But A-nee mouthed the words. [Giveittome.] She reached out her hand, but I ignored her. I was about to go to the call, thinking she was disturbing me, but "Ah! Hey!" "Hey! Moshimoshi! I''m Anegasaki M. Nice to meet you! Anegasaki Mi! Hello, hello!" She took away my headphones. I tried to retrieve them, but she held me back with one hand. "Nggh I can''t reach!" I couldn''t reach her no matter how hard I tried due to the difference in reach. This small body is so frustrating. And wait, A-nee isn''t speaking any English at all! Moreover, the other person isn''t even from an English-speaking country! Please. Just stop! "Give it give it back, you grrrrrrrr!" I even stood up from my gaming chair for streaming and jumped around, but it was no use. Ah, if it continues like this, it will inconvenience the other person! "Here." After about a minute, she returned the headphones to me. I hurriedly put them back on and apologized. Why did her opinion suddenly change 180 degrees? Chapter 106: [The Worlds Best Little Sister] Chapter 106: [The Worlds Best Little Sister] Wha- What''s going on!? How did their opinion change 180 degrees in just a minute!? The call abruptly ends. What the heck!? "What on earth did you do, Ah-nee!?" "Huh? I just asked for some help, you know? Hey, by the way, I couldn''t ask the other person because it was too awkward, but whatnguage were you speaking earlier?" "You were having a conversation without even knowing thenguage!?" "Well, it was all about the flow and enthusiasm, you know!" "Seriously!?" Why does that work!? And why are you only modest about irrelevant things? "Ha-ha-ha! Well, well. So, what do you think? You''re pretty useful too, aren''t you?" "Hahaha! Well, well. So, how about it? Your big sister is quite helpful, isn''t she?" Ah-nee snickers triumphantly. I let out a sigh of resignation. "Alright, alright! I got it! I''ll send you the list, and you can handle contacting those people!" "Got it!" I leave themunication with other VTubers to my sister. She recruits new members at a faster pace than I did. What''s with thismunication skill? It''s truly amazing! I don''t understand it at all! With Ah-nee joining, we''re nowplete, but there are still areas where weck manpower. The most notable example is trantion. In some countries, VTubers themselves are rtively unknown. Even if they start sharing information, many of them may not be trending. I used to create highlights from their streams. Or I added subtitles to clips made by fans. I would then create public ylists of these videos to promote and guide viewers. To ensure that morenguages reach more countries. "Oh, we''re short-handed here too!" Video editing skills are almost essential for VTubers. Only a few VTubers have never done it before. Therefore, creating highlight videos can be done by the streamers themselves or their VTuber acquaintances. But the subtitles were a different story. I had no connections, and if I were to hire someone for the job, it would take too long until it waspleted. The presidential election in the United States was approaching rapidly. "At this rate, we won''t make it in time!" I relied on automatic trantion to add subtitles and only fixed the incorrect parts. That reduced the workload, but I still couldn''t keep up. At times like this, I keenly feel the low foreignnguage proficiency of Japanese and American people. In Japan, as long as you know Japanese, you won''t have any trouble in daily life. And in America, English is considered the universalnguage. My acquaintance, VTubers, is naturally the most numerous in Japan, followed by the United States. Should I have made acquaintances other than VTubers for times like this? No, that would have been impossible! If I had that time, I would have just watched their streams! And just as I was struggling with these thoughts. The door burst open with a bang! "What now!?" "I-I-Iroha-chan! M-M-Ma-i is here! Haa, haa" "Mai!? Can''t you sisters at least knock before entering!?" As if in dj vu, it was Mai who appeared, breathing heavily and approaching me. "Eek!? D-Don''te any closer!" "W-What are you saying, Iroha-chan? I heard from Onee-chan, haa, haa You want Mai to do th-those naughty things to you! That''s why Mai hurriedly came here Haa, haa!" "Ah-nee!?" When I gave her a fierce re, Ah-nee showed me her smartphone with a sent message andughed gleefully. Damn it, why did she have to bring such a bombshell into this already busy situation!? "Well, well, my little sister, you truly live up to expectations! You came here so quickly! Now, help Iroha-chan, okay?" "Huh?" Mai tilted her head in confusion. Ah-nee announced. "I told you, Iroha-chan that she needs H-E-L-P''!" "Onee-chan, uuuuu!" Mai copsed. And you, Ah-nee, wipe that "I''ve got you" expression off your face, or I''ll punch you. Cut it out! "Well, it''s fine, it''s fine I knew it all along. I knew deep down that Iroha-chan doesn''t like Mai. So, I figured this was probably a lie too, but I couldn''t help but hope" "Ugh, fine! Fine, I get it!" What a chaotic situation! Well, as long as they don''t bother me anymore. I''m fine with it! I tried to get back to my work. However, Ah-nee called out to me, "Iroha-chan" to stop me. "What now?" "I can solve your problem, Mai." "If it''s Iroha-chan''s problem, Mai can solve it." "Huh?" I looked at Mai, and she tilted her head in confusion. Ah-nee confidently dered. "My little sister is amazing. Chapter 107: [Presidential Election, Begins] Chapter 107: [Presidential Election, Begins] "W-What!? There''s nothing Mai can do, right!?" "Of course there is." "Well, well, Iroha-chan. Why don''t we consult with her?" I gave Mai a dubious look. Mai shook her head vigorously. However, Ah-nee insisted, "It''s fine, it''s fine," urging me on. Sigh Well, it won''t hurt to talk, I suppose. "Well, you see, we''re short on manpower for trantions. But telling Mai won''t help. I don''t have any acquaintances who are multilingual speakers or anything." "Huh?" "Huh?" Mai looked at me in confusion. Then, hesitantly, she said, "If that''s the case, Mai can solve that easily." "What? M-Mai, do you have such an acquaintance!?" "I don''t have one! That''s why I can''t do anything, but I think Iroha-chan can solve that problem herself, you know?" "Me?" I tilted my head. Wait, no. I''m the one who doesn''t have anyone to rely on. "Remember? Iroha-chan has someone who might be able to help with trantions." "Someone, I know? No, all the VTubers I know are monolingual." "Your acquaintances aren''t just VTubers, right?" "No? Only VTubers, I guess!" {{}} Huh, did I make a mistake? You don''t have to look at me with such exasperated eyes! "Jeez, even though Mai is a VTuber little sister, she''s not just that, right? Mai''s your childhood friend from your neighborhood, and above all Mai was your ssmate at school, remember?" "Huh!?" "Finally noticed, huh?" Right, middle school! Ipletely forgot about it. It was a blind spot in my consciousness and my memory. "Iroha-chan, do you know someone who has contact information? It would be convenient if it''s someone who has a favorable impression of you and is willing to help you wholeheartedly." "Ahaha, someone that convenient Oh, I know someone!?" I immediately sent a message. Since I didn''t have their direct contact information, I nned to ask my ssmate to pass on the message. But instead, I received an invitation to the LIME group. While tilting my head, I tapped on [Join]. To my surprise, there were already over 100 members in the group. [COOOOMMMEEEEEE!!!!!!!] [Iroha-sama, wee!] [I can''t believe Iroha-sama herself has graced this group!] It seems this group existed before and wasn''t created just now. Wait, could it be [Could it be that this is the grade-level group I haven''t been invited to all this time?] [No, that''s not it! That''s a grade-level fan group dedicated to Iroha-sama!] [ Delete the person who said something unnecessary.] The previous message changed to [Message retracted]. Grade-level fan club. Um, yeah. Alright! Let''s pretend I didn''t see that! But more importantly. [We''ve already shared the situation. Now it''s time for me to prove that I''m superior to you!] [Iroha-sama, I''ll help too!] [I''ll do my best for Iroha-sama!] [It''s time to repay the favor of Iroha-sama teaching me a foreignnguage!] From there, things moved quickly. A former member of the Four Heavenly Kings tookmand, and people started editing video subtitles using a swarm tactic. It seems that with this many people, even for minornguages, there''s likely to be at least one person who knows it. The work was progressing one after another. It''s amazing. When I consulted with Mai, my problem get solved. "Thank you, Mai. I would have never realized it on my own." "That''s right! My Mai is amazing. After all, I trained her! Right?" "Why is onee-chan answering? It was Mai''s turn, right?" "But honestly, I didn''t expect to be helped by Mai." "Iroha-chan, haven''t you forgotten? Back when Onee-chan was still an individual streamer without a manager, who was helping her? It was Mai!" I remembered that. Mai had indeed said something like that before. "Just think about it. Do you think the clumsy onee-chan could have streamed sessfully on alone without a manager?" I looked at Ah-nee and nodded firmly. "Yeah! It''s impossible!" "I know, right?" "That''s harsh!" "Onee-chan, it''s because you only do things that interest you or rather, things you want to do. On the contrary, you do whatever you feel like doing." "Hahaha! Did that happen?" "Sigh And this is it. That''s why troubles never cease. Mai has struggled so much. Now she''s part of an agency and has proper jobs, and she has a manager who scolds her, so those things have decreased." Mai, what a pitiful girl. Her problem-solving skills were essential for survival "But in this case, it was because of Ha-chan. It''s because of the choices you''ve made until now. We managed to resolve it." "Huh?" "All Mai could do was what she was capable of, and she couldn''t have done it if you hadn''t taken the middle school entrance exam. The current oue wouldn''t have been possible." Indeed, that seems to be the case. But I never expected that those choices would lead to this. "Hey, Mai." "Hm? What?" "When you graduate from school, will you be my exclusive manager?" "Huh? Whaaat!?" I''ve always wanted a manager. If I hear that you have such talent, it makes me want it even more. Mai will be with me for the rest of my life. And for that to happen, I will definitely "Stop World War I!" The clock ticks, indicating that the moment has finally arrived. The presidential election and the voting have begun. Chapter 108: [Deliver My Words To You] Chapter 108: [Deliver My Words To You] "It has begun!" The presidential election in the United States. Finally, the time for voting had arrived. We have done everything we can. We have even resorted to secret strategies, though it''s uncertain if they will work. Nevertheless, the oue remains unpredictable. The situation is in utter chaos. "Iroha-chan, look at this! It''s the news!" Mai shows me the screen of theptop I lent her for work. There is a live broadcast of a speech held in America is ying. [She shows mercy to criminals. Isn''t she an enemy of the United States? Isn''t she arade of the enemy? We will protect world peace! We promise to be the world''s order! Let''s defeat the enemy together!] [He is the true enemy of the world! He is nothing more than a warmonger who loves killing. If we entrust the United States to him, as Dr. Einstein said, the Fourth World War will be a future of war with stones and clubs''] The male and female presidential candidates hurl strong criticisms at each other while addressing the public. From a Japanese perspective, it''s nerve-wracking to see them go that far. "Iroha-chan, it''s fine to watch, but keep working too!" "Sorry!" She apologizes and returns to her work. The tense atmosphere fills the room. "Iroha-chan, I''ve finished contacting all the VTubers on the list we received!" "Thank you!" "What should we do next!?" "Well um" "Iroha-chan~! As a substitute for Iroha-chan, I was interacting with our ssmates, but I need the next instructions~!" "Um" It trails off. We can sense that things are not going well. Tick, tock the clock ticking sounds strangely loud in the room. The silence is broken by the ringing of a single iing call. The attention of the three of us converges on that point. We look at the name disyed on the screen. In an instant, the three of us naturally make eye contact and let smiles appear on our faces. "Hello, hello!" <<.-Iroha, sorry to keep you waiting!-.>> <<~~~~! Oh gosh!>> Ah-nee also received a call from the office and was checking her smartphone. And then, unable to contain her excitement, she eximed, "It''s here, it''s here!". <> At the same time as the excited cries, a notification [beep] also appeared on myputer. It kepting in continuously. It was messages from VTubers affiliated with a major agency. [I''m joining the battle too!] [I''ll do my best to support Angu Ogu-san and Iroha-san!] [Yes, let''s do it together!] "Everyone!" There were VTuber friends who used to go to the pool together. And there were others. {We''re going to do it too!} [Please let me help too!] Messages from VTubers I had coborated with before arrived all at once. On the phone, Angu Ogu said, <> I learned that Angu Ogu had been negotiating with the agency all along. However, they constantly turned her down. The tide turned after Ilyena''s clip began to circte. Our actions had started to change the world for sure. <> <> With a light tap on my cheek, I regained my determination. I could feel the momentum building up. "All right! Then, Ah-nee, secure a streaming slot directly, and Mai, please handle the news dissemination! Since many prominent VTubers will start streaming, ask your ssmates to help with subtitles for their streams and clips!" "Understood!" "Got it!" As I tried to return to my work and face myputer, Ah-nee grabbed my shoulder and stopped me. "What are you trying to do? That''s not what you should be doing, Iroha-chan." "But there are still things I have to do" "Here, take this." A smartphone was handed to me by Ah-nee, and I epted it. The call was already connected. [Iroha-san, I apologize for keeping you waiting!] "Huh, Mane-san?" It was Ah-nee''s manager, who also went to America with us. She spoke at the beginning. [Please leave all the behind-the-scenes work to us!] "Huh!?" I was surprised and turned my gaze to Ah-nee. She nodded firmly and said, "Iroha-chan is a VTuber, right? Then your job is to live stream!CIroha-chan''s voice must reach everyone!''" I heard that the managers also received permission to act alongside the VTubers. They had been unable to move due topany orders, but they had negotiated directly with their superiors. "~! Thank you so much!" We each secured a live stream slot. And we broadcasted to the whole world. "My Words to You!'' Trantor Girl Iroha here!" "Is everyone doing well? It''s your big sister'' I''m Anegasaki M" <> Everyone had finally gathered together! Chapter 109: [Legendary VTuber] Chapter 109: [Legendary VTuber] With permission from the agency, Ah-nee, Anguogu, and I started our live streams. At the same time, VTubers affiliated with various agencies also began their streams. As expected of major agencies, their influence was on apletely different level than before. Like a chain reaction, information spread among VTuber fans. "Let my words reach you!'' I''m the trantor girl, Iroha!" >Irohalo! >Irohalo! >Irohalo! (U.S.) Thanks to leaving behind-the-scenes work to Ah-nee''s manager-san and Mai, I could focus on my stream. Those managers are true professionals. Their involvement not only increased the speed of operations. They brought in many techniques and strategies that surpassed an amateur like me. For example, MyTube is restricted in countries like China. To ensure our voices reach people in those countries. They utilized different streaming tforms. With permission from the original streamers, they handled video editing, subtitles, tag settings, uploads, and promotion We could have never achieved all of that on our own. "I have VTubers I support in Russia, Ukraine, Japan All around the world. And fans are supporting them. I want a tomorrow where we can all watch streams together!" As I made this plea, I nced at the monitor to the side. It disyed the "Projection Curve" of election results. It''s from a website called "Real-Time Politics." It provided real-time result predictions using current voting rates, past results, and big data from social media, among other sources. Until now, the power bnce had divided into two. Moreover, the political party to which the male presidential candidate belonged had a significant advantage. Until just a moment ago, that is. [It''s not about who''s right or wrong between Ukraine and Russia! Let''s stop the fighting first! Then, let''s talk again!] The appearance of this third force caused a change in the situation. The gap between the two main parties was gradually closing. "Come on! Come on!" Right here, the Trantor Girl, Iroha, is here! Anegasaki M is here! Angu Ogu is here! When the three of us are together, we''re unbeatable. Invincible. There''s nothing we can''t do! Driven by such a wish, the predicted approval rating continues to rise. 47%, 48%, 49%. "Just a little more!" "Almost there!" >Go! (U.S.) >Rise higher! >Win! Everyone in the chats is united in spirit. The numbers are fluctuating between 49% and 50%. And finally, the deadlock is broken. "No. way.." 48%, 47% Once again, the numbers begin to decline. No way. Could it be that it wasn''t enough? <> "Why!?" On the screen, Angu Ogu''s stream, which was opened in a separate window, lets out a cry. Likewise, Ah-nee beside me wears a face of despair. "Is it hopeless?" Are we unable to change the world? Do VTubers not have that kind of power? I have about 1 million subscribers. Even Angu Ogu, who has the most subscribers among active VTubers, has 4 million subscribers. Inparison, the poption of the United States is -300 million. Ha-ha It''sughable. No, in the first ce, it was an impossible task. And in the American electoral system, minority opinions are easily suppressed. Perhaps this result was inevitable. Besides, it was just a story of "let''s do what we can." It escted along the way. Well, it''s more than enough. We''vee this far, and that''s good. It was an impossible problem, to begin with. So "It can''t be helped." The words slipped from my mouth. And it got picked up by the stream. I thought, "Ah." However, the chats were kind. >You did your best. (U.S.) >Iroha-chan, good job. >It was close. (Korean) I see. Is it okay for me to end it here? Starting to feel that way. <<-Don''t mess around, Iroha!>> "O-ogu!?" Angu Ogu yelled on her stream. Just as I had her stream open in a separate window, she was also listening to my stream. <> Across theg of the live stream, Angu Ogu''s voice pierced through my heart. I shouted back. "Ah, I already know! I don''t want to give up either!" But Damn it, why! Why doesn''t it reach? I wished from the bottom of my heart. Anything will do. Anyone will do. Please, change the course of this flow! >Is this for real? >Here ites. >Are you kidding me? "Huh?" At that moment, the flow of thements suddenly changed. I felt a rustling sound. Based on the iing information, I visited a certain channel. There, I saw the words "[Waiting]" disyed. The video only showed a logo resembling a power button, ced alone. It gently blinked, indicating a "Sleep" state. With a click, a sound resonated. Along with the startup sound, the screen switched. The legendary VTuber, who had been asleep for so long, woke up. Chapter 110: [A Song to Save the World] Chapter 110: [A Song to Save the World] [Um, can you see me? Can you hear me?] In a pure white 3D space, a single VTuber stands alone. Could it be her!? [Hello everyone! Long time no see!] She is the original VTuber. She''s the streamer who coined the term "Virtual MyTuber" in this world. "But why!?" She was affectionately called "Oyabin" by everyone and had entered a sleep-limited "hiatus" while being missed by everyone. Her final live performance is still legendary. Oh, just remembering it now brings tears to my eyes. Her achievements were remarkable, with numerous TV appearances. The "Oyabin Interview", where people enthusiastically called her name with various emotions became a big sensation among the younger generation. However, there may never be another chance to see her moving and speaking like that. That''s what I thought. >Oyabin!!! >No way, seriously Oyabin!? >Is it real!? [Hahaha. Everyone is surprised because I suddenly woke up, right? Yeah, me too!] >Wee back, Oyabin!!! >I''ve missed you so much! >I''m d to hear your voice again! [Well, I was sleeping sofortably but suddenly, the world has be so noisy, right? So I woke up in surprise! I''m super angry because my sleep was disturbed! Grrr!] >Is it the Ama-no-Iwato? >Grrr, that''s so old-fashioned! >Well, Oyabin has been sleeping for a long time, hahaha! [Well, it''s fine! That''s not the point! Anyway, various disturbances are happening in the real world or virtual world So, there''s something I want to say a little.] She smiles at us. With the same expression as back then [There are no borders in the virtual world.] Her voice is converted into electrical signals. [There are no races in the virtual world.] Her voice travels through thework. [The virtual world is free from gender.] Her voice is converted again and bes sound in our hands. [In the virtual world, there is no war.] However, her words were not just a mere sequence of signals. [Like a world where anyone can get along with anyone, like a world where you can be yourself, not someone else] [CI hope our world is peaceful.] She slowly closes her eyes, then opens them. In an instant, the stage changes, and music begins to y. "This!?" And then, she starts to sing. The lyrics of the song seem to embody her earlier statement. "No way!? Could it be that this song is the special one I prepared!?" The secret n I had been working on behind the scenes was about this song. But I didn''t know if it would be ready in time, so all I could do was hope. Once it waspleted, I instructed the cooperated VTubers to perform it immediately. I had also asked the VTubers on the receiving end to sing it if they received it. But why would Oyabin be singing this song!? Oyabin was supposed to be in a sleep state, and I hadn''t even been in contact with her. "Huhuhu! Well, you can thank me for all of this!" "Huh? Could it be that Ah-nee did this!? What on earth!?" I instinctively grab Ah-nee and shake my head vigorously. She calms me down with a "Calm down," and smiles mischievously. "So? Impressed?" "No, but!?" What exactly did she mean by "impressed"? "Huh? I just contacted her normally. I sent her a message, and she replied. We even talked on the phone. Right in front of Iroha-chan." "!?!?!? Wait, the person you were casually chatting with earlier was her!?" "That''s right." "Uwaaaaah!?" "Iroha-chan went crazy!?" I tremble uncontrobly. Seeing me like that, Mai gently strokes my head and says, "Good girl, Iroha-chan Good boy." Hey, wait! "What are you stroking!?" "Muu~" I push Mai''s hand away from my chest. Well, thanks to that weird incident, I was able to recover from the trip in a short time. Anyway! Her actions were deviating from mymon sense to the point that I became like this. From my perspective, it feels like I''ve barged into heaven with my shoes on and directly negotiated with God. It''s an extraordinary feat, where I would be willing to lose my wings or be burned alive. "But Oyabin is amazing after all." Her fans from overseas and even prominent figures have been appearing one after another in herment section. They have started sharing this song on social media and other tforms. <> Angu Ogu on the stream showed a smiling face. Ah, it''s so true! I realize how conceited I have been. I have been using words as I pleased all this time, and now the very word "inevitable" is about to be used on me. That''s right. It''s not the words that decide. It''s me. VTubers from various countries start singing all at once. Even to those who don''t understand thenguage, it might reach them yes, through music. Chapter 111: [Guinness World Records] Chapter 111: [Guinness World Records] The legendary VTuber, Oyabin, with VTubers from various countries, filled the air with their singing voices. It was a simple melody that anyone could immediately sing along. To convey their heartfelt emotions directly. One VTubersposed this song. While another VTuber provided the lyrics in differentnguages. VTubers are often multi-talented individuals. And never before had their strengths been felt so strongly. "Feelings, reaching out." ording to one theory, the origin ofnguage was closely rted to "song." In the past, when there was no systematguage. Before humans became humans and relied on vocalizations formunication. Songs upied the space between vocalizations andnguage itself. "The world is changing." Angu Ogu was also singing during her stream. Perhaps due to her position, her voice carried more emotional resonance as she followed the English lyrics. Ah-nee said, "It''s tough to sing with aptop!" and ended her stream, leaving the room. She prepared to start another singing session separately. Unfortunately, due to my cheat-like trantion ability, my singinges out t. But precisely because of that, I was in a position to understand the situation well. "It''s happening." I witnessed that moment. The real-time political predictions, which had started to decrease, began to rise again. 47%, 48% And then, the final blow. "It''s starting! It''s disyed our advertisements!" Our video advertisements were released, targeting MyTube viewers. It was thest move yed by the managers. Perfectly timed. Within the video, VTubers from various countries appeared one after another, expressing their opinions as if zapping through channels. The content was the same, but the subtitles varied ording to each country. The source of the video is the VTubers'' deliveries and clippings. To lead viewers to various countries and make them aware of different cultures. I created ylists from clipped videos. That was the result of editing. "Hahaha! Go for it! Bet everything without considering profits! Raaah!" I shouted. Angu Ogu, Ah-nee, and I covered the advertisements'' costs. Prioritizing the number of views, we paid instead of earning money. We''re aiming to get as many people to watch as possible. My channel had 1 million subscribers. The poption of the United States was 300 million. The total number of active YouTube users was 2 billion. The inte was now a vast world we couldn''tpare to any single country. Until now, I had only seen things from the perspective of my own country. However, this became an opportunity for people''s perspectives to broaden. There was little time left until the voting ended. >Go for it! 49%. "Go for it!" Then, 50%. In one final resistance, the numbers are closely matched. <> {Go for it} VTubers from all around the world sing with such wishes and emotions. Or theymunicate through words. Among them are Ilyana and Oyabin, who became catalysts for change. And then 51%. "We surpassed it!" I witnessed that scene. The numbers continued to rise relentlessly, 52%, 53%. And then it fell silent. It was the scheduled end of the voting. "What happened!?" There was no voice to answer. At this moment, no one possesses that answer yet. The predictions suggested ast-minute surge that put us ahead. But whether the actual results are in time or not, no one knows. One minute, one second felt unbelievably long. Ping! A notification sound. "Breaking news, it''s here!" I peer into the monitor intently. Mai leans closer, her face approaching mine as if to join me. I''m sure now, Ah-nee, who returned home for her singing stream. Angu Ogu across the sea are also gazing intently at their monitors. And the result is "Angu Ogo''s mama-sanelected!" I repeatedly confirm that it is not a mistake. I even ask Mai next to me, "Does it look right to you?" or "So, that''s what it means, right?" "Yeah~! Iroha-chan and the others won!" Mai couldn''t contain her joy and shouted with excitement. In that instant, all strength left my body, and I copsed. "Iroha-chan!?" Mai hurriedly caught me, supporting me as I almost fell from the chair. Ha Haha I see. We won, didn''t we? "A Ahh" My throat trembled unconsciously. My voice leaked out unintentionally. "We did it!!", "We did it!!", <> I raised my fist and shouted. At the same time, voices rose from Ah-nee and Angu Ogo''s streams, which were open in separate windows. The chats were filled with firework emojis and words of praise. >Iroha-chan, you guys are awesome! >Congrattions! (U.S.) >I''m d. Truly d!! (Korean) Dozens, hundreds, thousands or perhaps even morements flowed by. Moreover, thenguages were all mixed up. "Iroha-chan, this is amazing, isn''t it!? This stream might have the potential to enter the Guinness World Records as the most simultaneous listeners ormented stream from people of various countries!" That''s true. It''s incredible. What a thing this is. How many countries'' people watched my stream? It seems impossible to count. And so, the world was saved. Or so it should have been. Chapter 112: [The Final Call] Chapter 112: [The Final Call] We won. The feeling of victory finally apanied us. One of the live streams we watched showed Oyabin with a gentle smile. Then, she yawns, saying, "Whew!". [I''m getting sleepy again. I''m going to go back to sleep now] >Don''t go (crying) >Aren''t youing back!? >Sing more for us!!!! (U.S.) [Hahaha~ Sorry~. It''s not that I''ming back. Today was just a special asion. But don''t worry. I''m not retiring. I''m just going back to sleep. I don''t know when we''ll meet again. But we will meet again. Everyone, take care until then!] >Thank you for showing us a dream, even if it''s just for one day! >I''m happy to have met Oyabin! >Until we meet again! "Bi-eeeeen! I don''t want it! Oyabiiiiin!" I was crying while watching the stream. My chats were full of reactions. >Hey, Iroha, your makeup is smudged, lol. >You returned to normal too quickly, haha. >Thanks to you, the afterglow of victory disappeared, haha. "Even if you say that, my priorities are bi-eeeeen!" There were troubles, antis, scandals, personal circumstances, and promotions. There may be various reasons, but parting with your favorite alwayses with sadness. I would do anything to meet them again. I would be ecstatic for a month if I could meet her again. That''s the kind of "miracle" it is! Considering the current situation, I was holding back my reactions. I''d have held back my reactions now that I''m in this situation. >You''re leaving your fans behind and focusing on your fan activities LOL >Iroha, you''re not going to make your fans sad? >You''ll keep streaming for a lifetime, right? (U.S.) If you understand how fans feel, it''s only natural, right? "Ugh!? B-but, you know, I have school and there are many streams I have to watch, and my schedule might get messed up, and it''s different from this it''s a change of position, or rather" >That''s called double standards. >You should take responsibility for your statements, right? >Deration to be active for a lifetime. "Anyway!" I, who gets bashed by my chats shouted to interrupt the flow. After Oyabin''s stream ended, other VTubers also started ending their streams. "I guess it''s time to wrap up, huh? Thanks, everyone. By the way, for this time, many VTubers sang songs, and as long as the slogan remains the same, you''re free to arrange them and use them without any royalties. So, keep singing to your heart''s content." >That''s generous! >Thanks to the VTubers who wrote andposed the songs. >Maybe I should try doing a singing cover'' too. "Wait a minute!" Messages started pouring in from the VTubers who had finished their streams. It went through direct messages, social media,ments, and more. [Thanks to Iroha, my perspective of the world has changed. Thank you. Good job.] [To be honest, I had a lot of thoughts as well, but I couldn''t express them. Thanks to your lead, we can now make our voices heard. Thank you.] >Great job, Iroha! This stream even got featured on TV and broadcast to the public! "Oh!? No wonder." I never expected that it would get featured on TV. But hearing that, I could understand why. >I got to know about Iroha by watching TV. >I don''t know about VTubers, but you''re really cute. >I''ve be your fan. And now, the number of viewers was increasing even more. Of course, the dyed effect of the advertisements might have yed a role. "Oh, a phone call? <<..Hello? Hello?>>." <> >Oh, your wife''s calling, huh? >Is she crying? >Good for you, Ogu. Angu Ogu was sobbing while saying something. I could easily imagine his tear-stained face. <> <<..Sorry, Iro uuuh Thank sniff Thank you sob Thank you sob aah, there we go. Yes, yes, good for you.>> <<..Yeah yeah Yeah, I''m crying! Ueeeh!>> >TeeTee >You have an adult''s dignity when you do this, Iroha. >I can feel her bubbliness. Or is it coolness? >Can you believe it? She''s in the first year of middle school. >I mean, you can''t get any more wacky than that. >I can''t go any further. <> <> I hurriedly silenced Angu Ogu. You''re still streaming, you know!? Are you nning to blurt out personal information about your mother and real-life matters!? >Why is your mom here? >Didn''t you have the pre-marriage introduction the other day? >Does that mean the next step is marriage!? Fortunately, the majority of viewers interpreted it favorably. Some viewers who knew what we were talking about went "Aha". <> It''s a relief that it didn''t be a big deal. I got scared, seriously! <> <> I realized I had been busy and hadn''t been living a proper lifetely. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and saw how terrible I looked. <> <> "Iroha-chan?" Mai leaned in close from the side. You don''t have to make such a scary face, seriously. "Iroha-chan, Mom was crying, you know? [The least I can do is prepare a meal so that she can focus on her work without worries.]." "Eh?" "If you neglect that one meal, you know?" "Ipletely forgot. Oh no I''ll get scoldedter." "By the way, I''m already mad, you know? After this, make sure you rest properly!" "Yes" Anyway, that settles it. I ended the call with Angu Ogu, and when I was about to close the live stream CRing, ring, the phone rang. Chapter 113: [VTubers are the Best!] Chapter 113: [VTubers are the Best!] Ring, ring. A calles through on my smartphone. "Hmm? Who could it be?" I tilt my head, not recognizing the number. Getting a call from an unfamiliar person at this time. "Could it be some trouble?" I knew I''d keep my viewers waiting, but I didn''t want them in trouble. I declined the call and muted the streaming audio before answering the phone. "Hello, who is this?" With caution, I respond. After a momentary pause, there was a reply. I heard English. <> <> Come to think of it, the disyed phone number seemed to be from overseas. No wonder it was an unknown number. <> <> <> Is this for real!? Though we haven''t talked much, I''ve heard her voice many times during speeches, and it sounds exactly like her. But wait, during phone calls, isn''t synthesized voice used to reduce data transmission? So relying solely on my memory might not be reliable. In this situation, just to be sure, I confirm with Angu Ogu. I quickly receive a message. [Sorry, Iroha! Mom insisted that she wants to say thank you,'' so I identally gave her your phone number!] [Well, it''s okay. Angu Ogu had already told me she wanted to talk, but isn''t Iroha still streaming? Oh no! I''ll scold Mom for you! She still doesn''t fully understand the manners of VTubers and such.] [Hahaha, it''s alright. It might make for a good story for the viewers.] So it seems that it''s her on the other end of the line. I''m surprised. <> <> <> Yeah, Annguogu''s mother must be busy more than me. That''s why I couldn''t believe it. I never expected her to call me at a time like this. <> <> <> <> <> <> < > <> <> Or Angu Ogu''s mother added mischievously, "Or maybe you VTubers are something like that? I contacted you because I believe you are their representative.". It was somehow just like the prankster Angu-ogu. <> Ah no matter what, it''s clear that these two are indeed mother and child. I couldn''t help but smile openly and confidently respond. <> <> Angu Ogu''s mother said with a hint of regret in her voice. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> "Well" There was a moment of hesitation. Angu''s mother opened her mouth <>. <> I felt tense with the ominous introduction. Did I do something wrong? <> <> Why!? It was so unexpected that a strange voice escaped me. <> <> <> Ah Ahhhhhh!? I messed uppletely!!!! If things continue like this, my past life and I will be connected! Chapter 114: [Past Lives Collection] Chapter 114: [Past Lives Collection] <> I got questioned by Angguogu''s mother on the phone. I was being interrogated over the phone by Angu Ogu''s mother. I felt blood draining from my head. Why would she bring that up? I twisted the words I had used when I left. <> <> Gyaa~! That''s right! At that time, I was made to wear the "Trantor Girl Iroha" costume by Ah-nee! Even though there weren''t many people around, there was no way no one saw me. Ipletely messed up! It was normal to report it at that scene. Various things were happening, and my mind wasn''t working that well. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Now, at thiste hour, I remembered the news I saw on the ne during my return home. It was an article about my past life''s death, but some of the information had been tampered with. The fact that I got restrained had disappeared. They made that I was involved in a riot. In other words, the investigation must have progressed to the point where tampering was deemed necessary. I see, so that''s what it meant by "wanting to talk alone." No wonder it seemed so ominous! I had thought I would be appreciated, but this is the opposite! <> Finally, I ran out of words to say. How am I supposed toe up with an excuse for this? I held my head, looked up at the sky, and wore many different expressions <> Suddenly, Angu Ogu''s motherughed. Then she said mischievously. <> <> <> <> <> I was drenched in cold sweat. It''s too much for my heart! Thank goodness I''m just a kid! <> Phew! That was close. I have almost fully regained my memories from my past life. In other words, I was in a situation where I could have retrieved ounts and collections whenever I wanted. I was about to do so. Huh? Would there be trouble if the deceased person''s ount started moving? Who cares about that? Compared to wasting precious goods and, above all, sumbing to greed, it''s such a trivial issue! I had no hesitation! But it was when I received a help call from Angu Ogu. I put it on hold. I never expected it toe back to haunt me like this. Wait a minute, though. Could it be retrieving my past collections has be incredibly difficult? Gyaaaaaaah! Damn it! Once the world situation settles down, I''ll do whatever it takes to retrieve them! <> <> Angu Ogu''s mother concluded. <> My face must be contorted right now. Could it be getting invited to Angu Ogu''s home also included surveince on me? Wow, this is scary! <> !?!?!? Whew, I hope I haven''t been exposed! Thank goodness decisive words like reincarnation'' or rebirth'' haven''t been mentioned. I want to believe I''m safe! At this moment, I wholeheartedly agreed with Angu Ogu''s fear of his mother. Anyone would want to run away from this! Or perhaps this is the minimum requirement to be a president? Well, at least with this, the matter seems to be settled. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu''s mother said. Finally, I learned the main topic for which she called me. <> Chapter 115: [Escape Or Struggle] Chapter 115: [Escape Or Struggle] <> I couldn''t help but raise my voice. The words Angu Ogu''s mother spoke over the phone were beyond belief. <> <> Angu Ogu''s mother added, "To be precise, it was already progressing secretly.". I felt a slight sense of unease with her statement. <> <> <> She must have sensed that I didn''t fully grasp the situation. Angu Ogu''s mother continued, saying, "Shall I exin it more clearly?". <> <> <> For some reason, I had a gut feeling. If things continued as they were, they would pull the trigger. There were reasons from a strategic standpoint, where they had no choice but to use them, as it would be advantageous. But more than that, vengeance, hatred, anger the transcended reason and logic. Indeed, America is sharing nuclear weapons with other countries. However, there''s no way something like "nuclear sharing" would be so naive. <> <> <> <> <> Those are the words she said when I woke up at Angu Ogu''s parents'' house. I never expected her to remember. At the same time, I understood. Was this confidential information revealed for the sake of this invitation? Of course, there must have been a sense of gratitude toward the person who saved the world, but that''s probably not the main reason. <> Japan is a neighboring country of Russia. Geographically, it''s in a precarious position. In a world where it''s eptable to use nuclear weapons, countries without them will be unterally targeted. And despite its wealth, Japan is a country that doesn''t possess nuclear weapons. If a nuclear war esctes, it wouldn''t be surprising if Japan became a primary target. After all, Japan has incurred resentment from various countries throughout its history. That''s why she''s telling me to abandon Japan ande to America. Because it can be protected within America. <> Come to think of it, when Anngogue was invited with the words, "Why don''t youe to America instead of returning to Japan?" He mentioned that Japan has an unusually low number of nuclear shelters. The nuclear shelter adoption rate per capita in America is 82%. In contrast, Japan is 0.02%. Countries like Switzend and Israel have a 100% rate in the world. <> Angu Ogu''s mother''s words flew over my head. My mind wasn''t functioning properly. I couldn''t fullyprehend what was being said. Instead, thoughts of regret and confusion kept swirling in my head. Why, how did ite to this? Weren''t we the ones who saved the world, 757? <> Angu Ogu''s mother scolded me. <> <> <> I was aghast when I heard those words. "To whom"? <> <> <> When I say everyone,'' I''m referring to VTubers from all over Japan and the world! Ah, yes That''s it! I can never escape. If I choose to run away, I won''t be able to save all of them! <> <> <> <> <> I stared straight ahead, focusing on theputer monitor. There must still be something I can do. And <> <> At least, from what I know, VTubers don''t run away. I''m sure if I were Anngogue, I would make the same choice. But I don''t dare to go that far, so I added a yful tone. <> It was a voice that seemed to have witnessed something brilliant. Chapter 116: [Reawakened Cheat] Chapter 116: [Reawakened Cheat] I told Angu Ogu''s mother I couldn''t leave Japan, leaving behind my favorite VTubers and the merchandise I had collected. There must still be something I can do. With that thought, I raised my gaze to theputer monitor. The live stream screen was filled with scrolling chats. Seriously, even though I''m on mute, you guys. Amidst it all, one particr super chat caught my attention. I gasped. >1,680 Iroha-chan, listen to this. I''ve been receiving some strange messages from a friend overseas. He says he gets forced to prepare forunching what appears to be a nuclear missile. It must be a lie, right? We avoided the war, right? This would be content I wouldn''t even bother responding to with "It''s a lie.". But now just for now, it''s different. >I think spreading such lies is going too far >Iroha-chan, you don''t have to read every message because it''s a super chat. >Don''t dampen the victory (U.S.) That super chat got criticized by otherments. However, this timing It connected to Anguog''s mother''s story. And now, only the involved parties would know about the nuclear issue. "I''ve found a lead. There''s something I can do." I hung up the phone and tossed my smartphone aside. I readjusted my headphones and unmuted myself. I addressed the viewers. This is not over! "It''s been a while, everyone! The person I was on the phone with was Angu Ogu''s mom." >Why did you get a call from Angu Ogu''s mom? (U.S.) >They''re practically a parent-approved couple now! >Angu Ogu''s mother is that'' person, right? Wait, why now!? Some people knew. At this time, some viewers were getting restless due to the call from the next president. "But more importantly, the viewer who sent the super chat earlier! Please, tell me about the person''s situation! Deliver my words to them! Tell them to watch my livestream!" >Why the sudden urgency, Iroha-chan? >Why are you so anxious? (U.S.) >Could it be that the earlier super chat was serious? >Come on. The nukes are a lie, right? >We''ve already learned our lesson about nukes, haven''t we? >And the person you were talking to on the phone. In other words, what does it mean? The audience''s reaction was mixed. The viewers had various reactions. I was waiting for the same person toment again. At no other time had theg between the livestream and thements felt this long. "Please!" >Here''s the reply. My friend is currently living in Afghanistan. I shared the URL of this livestream with them. They say they''re watching it right now. "W~~! Thank you!!! Can you hear me, Afghan soldier? My name is Iroha!" >Wow! We got a reply!? >Afghanistan, that''s a genuine conflict zone, isn''t it? >What''s this? Is this for real? I let out a sigh of relief. I cleared the first checkpoint. I''m a streamer. If my voice doesn''t reach anyone, I can''t do anything. I had been worried about whether there would be an environment where people could view my live stream, but Afghanistan has a surprisingly high inte pration rate. However, in my desperation, I had forgotten something. But I was so desperate that I forgot. >Iroha-san, he doesn''t understand Japanese. He only understands Pashto and a little English "W-What?" >Oh, man, that''s tough. >Iroha-chan, you surely haven''t learned thenguage of Afghanistan, right? >Pashto? I don''t see Pashto on the wiki. The unofficial wiki of "Iroha the Trantor Girl" has a pretty urate list of thenguages I''ve mastered. Pashto is not on that page, which has not been updated for days since I started medicating my cheat-like trantion abilities and their symptoms. And that''s as it should be. Afghanistan is one of the countries where VTubers are not widespread at all. In other words, it''s anguage I don''t know. "Why?" Why Afghanistan, all of a sudden!? The conflict thatsted for about 20 years should have ended with the US withdrawal and the deration of peace. Maybe I can manage with automatic trantion No, that won''t be enough. Perhaps someone could add subtitles Damn it! That won''t make it in time! What should I do? "Iroha-chan!" Mai looked at me anxiously. At that moment, seeing her expression, I made up my mind. If I activate my abilities now, I can''t fix it again. I leaned forward and called for cooperation from the viewers. "Someone, find the website''s URL where I can learn Pashto! And please ask your friend if they can show the livestream to their superiors and colleagues in Afghanistan!" >I can''t believe it, Iroha-chan, are you serious? >I think that might be a bit much (U.S.) >This is a link to an easy-to-understand Pashtonguage website [link] "Thanks." Clicking on an unknown link is dangerous, but I don''t have the time now. I opened that website without hesitation. "This may be thest chance, huh?" "Iroha-chan, wait! What are you nning to do!?" Mai was flustered and trying to stop me. She couldn''t possibly know what I was doing, but was it just a gut feeling? We''ve been together for a long time, after all. So, she sensed it, I suppose. "I missed out on the meals your mother made." I had been so busy that I forgot to eat. And as a result, I had also forgotten to take the medication I was supposed to take after each meal. That''s why the suppression was weakening. As if responding to my will, my abilities were resurging. Or maybe I purposely didn''t take it. Perhaps I had a premonition, an unconscious anticipation of this happening. "Iroha-chan, nooo!" I quickly scrolled through the pages of that website. Instantly, I was engulfed in a torrent of information. My brain began to heat up as if boiling. My restricted cheat-like trantion ability that regained its original specifications Chapter 117: [My Words, Everyones Words] Chapter 117: [My Words, Everyones Words] Extra chapter thanks to Maya I quickly scrolled through a Pashtonguage learning website. My cheat-like trantion abilityes back to life as I reactivated it. "Ughgulp!?" My brain began to heat up as if it were boiling. This is bad, isn''t it!? Come to think of it, when was thest time I voluntarily activated this ability? At least since it started going out of control, I haven''t used it even once. I''ve only been working to suppress it. So is this the first time I''m going all out? I didn''t even know. I never expected my ability to grow this much! "Iroha-chan!?" I lost my bnce and almost fell off my chair. Mai hurriedly supported me. "Thank you for your concern, but I''m okay now." "Huh?" "I''ve already learned Pashto." >Huh??? >This little girl is saying something dangerous again, isn''t she!? >It''s impossible for her to learn a newnguage in such a short time, seriously (U.S.) The chats buzzed with my statement. At this point, I had no intention of hiding this cheat-like trantion ability. I had no room for suchposure anymore. I slowly exhaled and spoke. Do you hear me? "My words, to you.". I''m the trantor girl, Iroha. >!?!?!? >Is she seriously speaking Pashto? >Does that mean she learned a newnguage in an instant!? >If she can do that, she''s beyond a genius (U.S.) >Isn''t this some freak performance? >Even if she learned the characters from that site, it should be impossible to pronounce them, right? As thements suggest, that''s exactly how it is. That''s why I was surprised earlier. I only deciphered the characters. But I''m already capable of having a conversation. The ability had grown no, evolved to such an extent. It''s not like I had zero input for the sound. Back then, I saw the Taliban-rted news almost every day. I probably based it on the Pashtonguage I had seen and heard in those videos. In other words, by digging up such a tiny memory from the past. Ipleted the learning. Until now, it would have taken days or weeks to input a vast amount of information. But now, it has been greatly shortened. "Ugh!" My vision shook, and I held my head. Haha, this is quite tough. >Iroha-chan, are you feeling unwell? (U.S.) >If she can learn a newnguage instantly, it''s clearly beyond human limits. >If it''s true, no matter how much burden it puts on her brain. It wouldn''t be surprising. Concerning voices rose from the chats. Using this ability to this extent couldn''te without a cost. It was a level of output far beyond what I had experienced. Naturally, the price to pay was also iparablyrge. However, I couldn''t simply adjust the intensity of the ability. Also "Iroha-chan, you''re pushing yourself too hard! Come on. It''s okay~. You can give up and take a rest, okay~? Otherwise, Iroha-chan might copse like this~!" Mai clung to me, crying. However, I''m sorry. I can''t stop here. Besides, Mai has misunderstood something. To dispel her anxiety, I formed a sly smile. "Unfortunately, I don''t n on dying here. There are still plenty of VTubers I want to see, including my favorite ones, and there are new VTubers who I''m looking forward to!" Can''t Ie back anymore? Is this the end? There won''t be another chance? Ah, that''s right! In other wordsthis is the crucial moment, the st" stand! And this will be the end of it, just like that! That''s what I mean, you know?! "I beg you. Please respond! Can you hear my words? Let me hear your words!" I threw my words out with a plea. But there was no reply. Is it not working? Can''t my words reach him? Can''t I move his heart? That''s when despair was about to engulf me. Warmth enveloped me. Mai was hugging me. "Iroha-chan!" Mai''s fingertips were directed toward the monitor. There was thement section. However, there were noments in Pashtono, that''s not it! What she was pointing at was! >I want to know about everyone over there! But I also want you to know about us. So let''s chat and be friends with us! Yeah, nee "Ah-nee!" >Since I live in America, I feel closer to the stakeholders than other people. But I''ve never talked to the actual individuals. That''s why I want you to teach us! And I want you to know about us too! (U.S.) "Ogu!" That''s right! I''m not alone! How could I forget the meaning of the word "trantion"!? It''s not just about conveying my own words. I can also transmit everyone''s words to them through me! Listen to me! Please respond to me! I appealed. Thements kept flowing in, conveying the words of Ah-nee, Angu, and other VTubers and viewers. Before I knew it, tears were streaming down my face. Surely, words are vehicles for emotions. Through characters, through voices, they flowed into me. And Chapter 118: [Unkept Promises] Chapter 118: [Unkept Promises] I continued to trante the words of everyone flowing through thement section and ryed them to him in Afghanistan. And then >Iroha, thank you. I heard everyone''s words (Pashto) "~~~~~!" It came! Ament that seemed to be from that person appeared in thement section. >A reply came?!?!? >Is this the real person? Not an imposter? (U.S.) >I can''t tell. "No, it''s him! There''s no mistake!" The cheat-like trantion ability indicates that this is in the native writing style. In other words, it''s most likely that person. Our words finally reached him! >I''ll share this stream with my boss (Pashto) Thank you very much! >Haha. I might get killed for leaking information to the outside or using the inte during operations (Pashto) Well, it''s a natural precaution (U.S.) >I see. If it''s serious, he must be in the middle of an important operation. >Even so, he''s willing to cooperate How powerful is the power of words? I never thought I could change someone''s actions or choices to such an extent. At best, I thought it would buy us some time. If the American troops arrive during that time and stop them. It would be a win. That''s the extent of my wishful thinking when appealing. But now, it''s different. Are you really okay with this? >It doesn''t matter. Everyone''s words resonated with me to the point where I''m willing to risk my life. Besides, I had doubts about this operation myself. I''m sure my superiors will empathize too (Pashto) He''s willing to risk his life to make his case. So I can''t ignore that determination. Oh, that''s right! It''s not someone else. It''s us who will save the world! People of Afghanistan, please listen! I continued to weave my words. Eventually, ament was dropped again by the same person from earlier. The result is >Right now, our entire unit is watching Iroha-san''s stream. We''ve decided to withdraw from this operation (Afghan) >Seriously? >Does that mean we saved the world? >Iroha-chan, you did it! You saved the world! "Iroha-chan! We did it! We did it!" While Mai hugged me, she jumped up and down in excitement. That''s right, we we saved the world. "Haha we did it! We did it~!" At that moment, someone posted a new chat. Was it a coincidence that I noticed it, or was it the "ability" that made it happen? >Iroha-san, please help my country too! "What?" The post was written in somewhat awkward Japanese. Perhaps that''s why my cheat-like trantion ability picked up on something? Many viewers cheered or didn''t notice it in thements. However, I couldn''t believe that the text was a malicious joke. "To the person who justmented. The person who sought help from me. I want a response." >Thank you for noticing. I''m from Pakistan I understand a little Pashto, but not everyone does. My body was trembling unconsciously. Was it nervousness or fear? If that''s the case, let''s speak in Pashto. Please tell me about your situation. As I spoke, I quickly searched for information about Pakistan. It is a neighboring country to Afghanistan and a region with frequent conflicts. There are various ethnic groups, and differentnguages are spoken. At the same time, many people are bilingual, and Urdu is apulsorynguage that almost everyone understands. And VTubers are not mainstream. And I haven''t learned Urdu. >I heard your story about Afghanistan earlier. The same thing is happening near me. Please, I want your voice to reach everyone. I want to stop the fighting "Haa haa" Unconsciously, my breathing became heavy. The sound of my own exhales echoed strangely loudly in my head. Ha Ha Speaking anothernguage from here? The edge of my vision was already blurry, and the heat in my head was trying to take away my consciousness. I''ve long surpassed my limits. Even the previous one was the result of pushing myself beyond what was possible. "A website where I can learn Urdu" "Iroha-chan!" I didn''t know how severe the side effects of activating this ability would be. I might even forget about VTubers. "That''s a little scary, isn''t it?" But even so, I couldn''t stop here. What weighed on the scales were the lives of my favorite VTubers and my memories. There was noparison. Hahaha, it''s a cheap bargain, isn''t it? Hey, can I still do it? Can I do it? However "I''m sorry, Mai. I can''t . keep my promise." "No I don''t want that, Iroha-chan. Stoppp!" I forced a smile and clicked on the website through the URL sent by the viewers Chapter 119: [Last Live!] Chapter 119: [Last Live!] "I''m sorry, Mai. I couldn''t keep my promise." I had promised to make Mai my manager. And it''s a bit disappointing, to be honest. Lately, I''ve thought that being on the streaming side isn''t so bad. If I were with Mai, it would have been even more fun. I''m sure. "No Iroha-chan, stop it!" I clicked on a link sent by a viewer andnded on a website. I scrolled through the page and started learning Urdu. "U Ga Aaaaah!" I held my head and writhed in pain. It was no longer just a fever. It was close to excruciating pain. I couldn''t even have thought about where I had heard Urdu before. But ?I I''ve learned it.? I muttered in Urdu while exhaling rough breaths. With my blurred vision, I somehow managed to follow thements. >Iroha-chan, did you learn it!? >Twonguages in such a short time? >She must have received a blessing from the Goddess of Language (U.S.) My consciousness was hazy. There was no time to spare, and that meant two things. First, I didn''t know how long my body would hold up. And second It was no longer strange for a nuclear strike to getunched at any moment. ?Can you hear my voice? Can our words reach you?? This is truly the end. Because it''s the end, just a little more. As if shattering my wish, people posted more chats one after another. They came in rapid session. >Iroha-san, please help me too." >I received a simr message from my friend earlier (U.S.) >The same thing is happening in my location. Please stop it. >Please help my friend! >Please save us too! (Turkish) >Please make my country''s people stop! (Russian) "Huh?" I stared in disbelief at the flowingments. Voices seeking help wereing from all over the world. >Are all these countries trying tounch nuclear weapons? (German)" >No way, it''s impossible with this many. It''s malicious prankments! (French)" >Iroha-chan, you can ignore them. (Korean)" >But if it''s true, isn''t the worlding to an end? (Hindi)" >Aren''t you all ashamed to seek help from such a child? (U.K.)" Viewer opinions were divided. Voices were questioning the facts and voices acknowledged the facts and criticized them. The discussion became heated, and thement section became chaotic. In a trembling voice, I asked. "Where are all of you from?" The answers that came back were varied. It included Ukraine, which was the incident''s center, Afghanistan from earlier, the Philippines, Turkey, Palestine, and more. "No way" I hadn''t understood at all. Despite having connections with people from so many countries, I always averted my eyes. I had only seen the beautiful parts. In my case, I had only focused on being a VTuber, only the parts that suited me. No, I wasn''t the only one. If I lived in Japan, everyone was the same. I should have known it as knowledge, but I had forgotten. Or perhaps we were pretending not to know. The world was overflowing with hell. It was an ongoing reality, with conflicts and seeds of war still present. The notion of peace, theughing facade of the world behind it all, "killing each other" had been happening. The situation in Ukraine was just the tip of the iceberg. I had mistakenly believed that the information given to us by the media was the entirety of the world. I had convinced that if I couldn''t see it, it didn''t exist. "Give me the URL of a site where I can study! I''ll learn them all!" I clicked on the link the viewers had posted, which could save the world. I would learn a newnguage and convey my thoughts to those people in thenguage they understood the most. And I would repeat that process. I would keep appealing to everyone. If I did that, things would work out. I would do it. Advertisements, news, social mediathis livestream was being spread through all channels. The ce that was now the center of attention in the world was like a microcosm of the entire world. Even as I watched, the voices seeking help increased in the chats. They were countless. "Ah Ugh, aaah" Tears streamed down from my eyes. I couldn''t catch my breath properly. As if turning away from reality, I covered my face with both hands. "This is impossible." How many countries are there in total? And all of them with minornguages. I have already crossed the line. So now, I have no intention of getting scared or hesitating. I don''t want to die either. But if this life is necessary, then I will make it the foundation of VTuber history. I have already prepared myself for that resolution. But that alone won''t be enough. "There''s not enough time." I murmured in despair. For example, even if I start conveying my thoughts and words to one country, will other countries patiently wait their turn? The answer is no. Undoubtedly, before that happens, some countries will press the unch button." So, even if I manage to learn all thenguages, it would be meaningless if my body can''t hold on. In this state, I won''t be able to reach all the countries with my words anyway. "Hahaha." Should I continue avoiding reality like this? Maybe that wouldn''t be so bad. In any case, the world will end. There is nothing more I can do. In that case, who can me me for wishing to have a happy dream end? If I were to dream, what would be good? It''s obvious. Something like a VTuber''s live performance. "A live?" I slowly lifted my face. Chapter 120: [Previousx6 World] Chapter 120: [Previousx6 World] "Oh, right, it''s the live stream!" No matter how cheat-like my trantion ability is, I only have 1 mouth. I can only speak onenguage at a time. However, that won''t be enough time. Even if it reaches 1 country, it won''t reach the others. No matter whichnguage I choose, it won''t work. So, it''s not aboutnguage. I need something else. A means ofmunication that people can understand even without words. Ah, I see. It was the same back then! "I''ll do it. I''ll give it a try." I recall my previous life''s final moments. Yes even if I didn''t understand English, I and many fans were still trying to attend the "VTuber International Live"! I took a deep breath. And I began to sing with a trembling voice. "Iroha-chan, singing?" Beside me, Mai let out a surprised remark. Thements section also had an atmosphere of confusion. >Why sing in this situation?" >Why did this girl named Iroha suddenly start singing? (U.K.) >This is a peace song originating from a popr VTuber. (U.S.) The response was close to zero. Still, I raised my voice. I was desperate. IIroha can''t sing. That''s why I''ve never uploaded a video of me singing or even had a singing session. >But damn, you''re so terrible at it >Iroha-chan is tone-deaf >Why are you speaking in such a monotonous manner? (U.S.) As pointed out in thements, the wooden delivery hadn''t improved at all. It was probably due to the cheat-like trantion ability. Even now, it was a song-like performance with no inflection or rhythm, like a rxing voice. I knew it would turn out like this from the beginning. Still, I continued to sing with my feelings poured into it. Because that''s all I can do now, and I can''t think of any other way. I just have one wish. Peace in this world. -A future for VTubers. I have already experienced death once. I know the fear, despair, and sense of loss as personal experiences. So people should understand it. I should convey it. I don''t want to die. That feeling is the same for everyone. And it has always been VTubers who grant my wish. Twoments from ounts with spanners appeared at the same time. >Mai! >Mai-chan! Ah, it was Ah-nee and Angu Ogu with their nicknames. Their words were for Mai, who would be with me. There were only names there. But that was enough. People understood everything. Mai flinched and immediately reached out from my side. Either to assist me in singing. Or to operate theputer in ce of me, who was doing my best to sing. The livestream and the music were ying in my headphones. The melody supported me. My consciousness became hazy, and I no longer knew whichnguage I was singing in. Still, with the musicposed by the VTuber, I continued to sing. >What is this? It''s a mess, lol. >It was in English earlier. Oh, now it''s Japanese, so is it Korean? >What''s wrong with Iroha-chan''s brain? >But I can understand the English lyrics because I heard them earlier! (U.S.) >There were lyrics in videos uploaded by other VTubers. (Korean) I also have a copy-paste from the description box if it''s in Japanese! The ones who took the lead and started moving were, indeed, those two. A-chan was typing lyrics in Japanese, while Ogu was typing in English in the chats. It must have caught the attention of other viewers. Everyone followed suit. Japanese, English, Korean, German, French, Italian It was impossible to count anymore. Everyone was singing innguages from all over the world. Before I knew it, I could hear voicesing right next to me. Mai was singing while tears streamed down her face. In front of herputer, or perhaps her smartphone, or even in front of the TV Right now, I was singing with everyone across the world, transcendingnguages. Before I realized it, my singing voice had changed. It gradually moved away from monotonous reading and started following the song''s rhythm, with intonation. >Hey, whatnguage is this? >I don''t know (U.S.) >I don''t know either >Even when I put it through a trantor, I still don''t know it >Well, then, why? Why does it make sense?" >I don''t understand either! I don''t understand. But for some reason. I understood it (Urdu) >I can also understand her words (Pashto) >I feel like I''ve heard it somewhere before (Ukrainian) >Where did we hear these words? (Russian) Ah, I see That''s right. I''ve been searching for it all along. I''ve always been curious about why even Japanese sounds monotonous. What exactly is this cheat-like trantion ability "tranting" into Japanese and othernguages? When did I hear Urdu? How long ago was it? I thought I had "learned" numerousnguages up until now. But now, that exnation no longer suffices. If only I could remember, just as if it were something from my past. Maybe I just forgot? It''s like my memories from my past life. I reached out to my past self and remembered my memories. Perhaps it''s the same withnguages. Could it be that by triggering the fundamental grammar and input, I''m simply remembering them? That''s why it was extremes, like turning on and off, rather than gradual. Ah, I see. Why didn''t I realize! If there is a past life, why didn''t I consider the possibility of life even before that? My previous life. My life before my previous life. My life before my life before my previous life. I trace back my memories one after another, along with the song. At the end of that journey, I arrive. Ah, that''s right. I we were. Chapter 121: [Otsukare-ta- and Arige-ta-] Chapter 121: [Otsukare-ta- and Arige-ta-] I traced back my memories apanied by a song. Waves of my past life, numbering in the tens and hundreds, came rushing, like turbulent waters. My consciousness was on the verge of slipping away multiple times. Amidst all that, the lifeline for me was the song. The song alone served as my guiding light. Once, I was an American; once, I was a Korean; once, I was Japanese. Ah, so that''s how it was. I suddenly understood and epted it in my heart. Come to think of it. There was something I had pondered on before. The trantion of "Bless You" seemed oddly outdated. "May God bless you" would be more appropriate than a simple "Take care." in modern times. Sneezing is a major symptom of the ck gue in the past. However, for me who lived in another era, Thetter expression is the norm. And so, out of habit, had I interpreted it that way? Haha, it''s toote for such thoughts now. Iughed, self-mockingly. As I approached the final destination and reached the end, what awaited me wasC. An era of myths. It was a tale from before the copse of the Tower of Babel. Once upon a time, humanity used the same words andnguage across allnds. It finally made sense. I had been using thisnguage all along, Lingua Franca. It''s the one and onlynguage, the lost origin of themon tongue. I''ve been tranting it into English, Korean, and Japanese. Ah, it''s almost over. The final moment drew near. The music reached its climax. I sang thest chorus. In my current state, I felt like I could convey everything. I could hear everything, read everything. The past, the present, and the future too. Where wee from and where we return to. Yes! It was the same back then too. In my previous life, at that moment. I died as a gunshot passed through my head. And I was supposed to return to where I should have been. At that moment, I saw an "angel." Now, I can understand. I couldn''t have been there. In my previous life, I had no memory of a VTuber named Iroha. In other words, my current self didn''t exist at that time. Nevertheless, I witnessed it. Therefore, the true identity of the angel I saw in my previous life. At that moment, I heard a "voice." "You are" It somehow brought to mind the word. "God." The voice seemed somewhat satisfied as if it had said something. I just made a wish. I sing with my heartfelt emotions, trying to convey my words. I love this world. I love VTubers. Please don''t take VTubers away from this world! If you want, I''ll give you my life as much as you want! But even so, there''s one thing I absolutely can''t allow. I can never tolerate VTubers being unable to stream due to international conflicts. I''ll grant your wish and save the world! So, in return, grant my wish too! Save my favorite VTuber! Save all VTubers! I sing, almost screaming and then the song ends. The world gets enveloped in silence. "Iroha-chan." With Mai''s voice, I return to reality. I no longer have the strength to answer. "Iroha-chan!" Mai calls me even more forcefully. Her voice carries a mixture of joy and tearful sobbing. "Look, Iroha-chan the news! The world!" Even if she says that I can''t see anything. But I hear Mai turn up the sound of the news. [Breaking news. Moments ago, Russia proposed a ceasefire to Ukraine, and Ukraine has epted. I repeat Russia and Ukraine have ceased fire! The war has stopped! As a result, experts say that the third world war gets averted!] I''m the announcer''s sound, speaking in an extremely excited tone. I see, so Ukraine, which had been asking for a ceasefire all this time. "And also, this!" Something cold and hard is pressed against my ear. Huh? Where did my headphone go? Did Mai take it off? From the thing pressed against my ear, I hear a voice. [Iroha-san, thank you. The armies that had held nuclear missiles in various locations have started surrendering. Our country''s armies have also arrived at the scene. Thank you truly, thank you. Thanks to you, we made it in time. The world has been saved!] It''s Angu Ogu''s mother''s voice. It seems the thing next to my ear is a smartphone. When did I receive a call? I didn''t notice at all. But I see! We made it in time. That''s a relief. Now, finally, the VTubers I supported can stream without worry. "Iroha-chan hey, Iroha-chan!" Mai shakes my body. "Mai, you''re so noisy. I can hear you even if you don''t shout right next to my ear." "Iroha-chan! Mai, I called an ambnce! Iroha-chan, hold on a little longer! A doctor will see you soon!" Huh? Ah, I hear Ah-nee''s voice. She came back for me. <> I can also hear Angu Ogu''s voice. It seems they are on a call with each other. But I can''t see anything anymore. Ah, here we go again. It''s the same as the end of my previous life. I still wanted to see the future of VTubers, and so much more. But it''s strange. Unlike back then, I don''t feel so bad. Could it be because I''m not hearing a fake voice this time? Is it because I can hear their voices? The voices of the ones I supportedas myst moments? Streaming. That''s right, I forgot. I''m still streaming. I need to give my final greetings to the viewers. My VTuber life began when this went viral, right? At first, I''m embarrassed, but now if I don''t say it. I can''t feel settled. In this situation, it might sound too much like a joke. But surprisingly, it might just be right for me. Here we go. Everyone, together! Otsukare-ta-, Arige-ta-! Chapter 122: [After the Hero] Chapter 122: [After the Hero] The light came in through the window. The sharp scent of disinfectant stung my nose. "Where am I?" I woke up and muttered. My head still felt foggy. "Ugh" Just sitting up in bed was a struggle. I slowly surveyed my surroundings. There is a clean, white space with a unified atmosphere. It looked like a room in some hospital. "Me? Who am I? Um, what was it?" My memories were jumbled, and I couldn''t recall them properly. Why on earth was I sleeping in a ce like this? I struggled to get out of bed while feeling unsteady. As I moved, I noticed the IV needle in my arm. How long had I been asleep? My limbs didn''t respond well,cking strength. I used the IV stand as a makeshift cane to support myself. Making a rattling sound, I made my way toward the exit door. Then, something moved at the edge of my vision. Startled, I realized it was just a mirror. My reflection was visible there. Our eyes met in the mirror. Ah. The moment I saw that reflection, my consciousness finally became clear. "Why, why, why am I a girl now? No, that''s right!" That''s right! I remembered now! I was reincarnated as a young girl named Iroha and saved the world. Huh!? "I''m still alive!?" Wait, why? I should have died! I went beyond my limits to save the world, to the point where my brain was supposed to melt from the feverish heat. But now, I feltpletely fine. But is it possible to have no aftereffects? Isn''t that too good to be true? And since a while ago, something has been off. There''s a constant sense of difort. "Could it be that I''ve already lost some memories? What if I''ve forgotten about VTubers? Alright, let''s try to remember their names in order. The first one, the pioneer of VTubers, was Oyabin, right? And then, the next one who became famous was the Four Heavenly Kings of the Five, uh" Huh? It''s five people, but I said Four Heavenly Kings? My memories got mixed up? No, this is correct! As I make excuses to myself, I double-check by listing names, but then the hospital room door opens from the outside with a rattling sound. And then, something falls to the floor with a soft thud. I turn my gaze and see a girl standing there, her eyes wide as she covers her mouth with both hands. A bouquet rolls to her feet, and some petals float in the air. "Iroha-chan?" A silence as if time had stopped. I was puzzled about how to react. And then "Um, uh, good morningMai." The words slipped out of my mouth, the same greeting I used on our way to school. But now, I can call her by her name. "Iroha-chan~!" "Huh!? Hey, be gentle! I''m a patient, you know! The IV needle is still in my arm!" "Eeeek! It''s Iroha-jan~!" "Oh,e on Okay, there, there. Sorry for worrying you." Mai hugged me tightly with incredible strength. I gently stroked her head. Encouraged by her loud crying, I could hear the footsteps of two people approachingMai''s footsteps. "Mai-chan!" "Mai!" Ah, Ah-nee and Angu Ogu The two of them froze momentarily with a surprised expression when they saw me. "Um, Iroha-roo~.'' Just kidding. Hey, wait!? Both of you too!?" As I greeted them yfully, the two burst into tears and embraced me. The crying turned into a trio of voices. "Ugh, ughhh Hey, it''s hard to handle three people, you know!?" "Iroha-chan, that''s enough You''ve gone too far!" "Iroha You idiot You big idiot! You worried us! This is your punishment! So, you''ll be obediently embraced by us for a while!" It seems I have no choice but to ept this situation for a while. I''ve caused them a lot of worry, so it can''t be helped. "Okay, I understand Oh, but can I watch VTuber streams? I think there''s probably a ton of archives! And many people released singing videos at that time too." "Oh, huh? What''s with the three of you? Your faces look scary. Weren''t you crying just now? It was such an emotional reunion! Hey, let go Someone, help!" "Iroha-chan~!" "Iroha-chan?" "Iroha~!" "Eek!" And so, as I woke up, I was scolded right away. I get lectured endlessly about why I did something so reckless. Um, excuse me. I did save the world, you know? Isn''t it strange? Instead of being praised? I should be praised, right? "That''s a separate matter!" "Ugh" "Um, sorry to interrupt your touching reunion, but can I perform an examination now?" The doctor interrupted the lecture. Thank you, doctor. You''re my savior! "Iroha-chan, I have a lecture for you too." "Huh!?" "Why did you do something so reckless again? And didn''t I tell you to take your medicine properly?" "Oh, yes." This doctor is the same doctor who took care of me before. Well, it''s no wonder they''re angry! I''m sorry! "And there''s still someone who is the most angry waiting over there." "Huh?" I turned around as the doctor pointed. At the entrance to the hospital room stood my mom, out of breath, her shoulders moving up and down. Uh-oh! Chapter 123: [Legal Massage] Chapter 123: [Legal Massage] The moment I saw my mother standing at the entrance of the hospital room, blood drained from my face. Oh no, is something wrong? "Um, hey there. Mom, how are you?" Tentatively, I called out to her. I couldn''t begin to imagine how angry I had made her. I didn''t eat the meals she had made for me, nor did I take my medicine. And now, I had pushed myself too hard and ended up in the hospital. "Iroha, you!" "Ah! Sorry!" Reflexively, I took a defensive stance, expecting yelling or a punch toe my way. But "Huh?" No matter how much time passed. No angry voices or fists were thrown at me. Tentatively, I peeked through the gaps in my raised arm to see what was happening. To my surprise, my mother was quietly shedding tears. And then, she gently embraced me. "Mom?" "I''m relieved you''re safe." Her teardrops fell onto my face, one by one. Somehow, they felt incredibly warm. "Huh? Huh?" Big tears welled up in my own eyes, overflowing uncontrobly. I tried to stop them, but I couldn''t control them at all. "What is this Why won''t the tears stophic, ugh" "It''s alright, Iroha. You were scared, right? You did your best. You''re alive. You''re alive and well. So, everything is going to be okay." "Ugh, uaaah Uaaah!" The tears and sobbing wouldn''t cease. It was only now that I realized. Yes, this person is truly my mother. I''m relieved now. I feel at ease. "I was scared for so long me" "Iroha-chan! Iroha-chan! Iroha!" Mai, Ah-nee, and Angu Ogu were drawn in by my tears too. They both started sobbing and embraced me. "It''s alright now!" My mom repeatedly said. "It''s alright. It''s alright." Finally, it began to sink in. Ah, that''s right. I I survived. *** Afterward, I underwent medical examinations. While wiping my eyes, still red from crying, I listened to the exnation of my current condition. "What!? Was I asleep for a week!?" "Yes. Since your muscle strength has significantly declined, please don''t push yourself too hard. Typically, when someone has been bedridden for a week, people said that their muscles decrease by 10% to 20%." I see, so I was bedridden for a week. Huh? Is that long? Is it short? Honestly, I have no idea. However, there was one thing I was certain about. I had missed the live stream that took ce during that time. Nooo, I regret it so much! "Come on, Iroha. Everyone has been taking care of you all this time, so make sure to express your gratitude." My mom urged me. Especially Angou Ogu. She even came from America for that purpose. "Do they have to go that far!? Besides, it''s only been a week since the ceasefire! The situation hasn''t settled yet!" "You should be worrying about your body before saying things like that. But, at least Mom waspletely supportive, saying things like Go'' and You better repay me for this.''" "Oh, I see." I realized I owed Angu Ogu a great deal. Satisfied, Mai nodded beside me, saying. "Yeah, Angu-san is amazing! I shouldn''t miss any opportunity to legally touch Iroha-chan''s body! Taking care means giving massages to the sleeping Iroha-chan or helping with stretches." "What!? Angu, you! You pervert!" "H-Hey, that''s not true! I didn''t have any impure intentions! Seriously! Hey! Are you trying to keep your distance from me?" I hugged myself, slowly backing away. Seriously, I can''t let my guard down for a second. "Mai!? You!" "Pihyoro. But, you know, Iroha-chan is Mai''s, and yet, Angu-san keeps barging in, saying That''s not how it is'' with the full force of her affection~ Taking care means giving massages to Iroha-chan while she''s asleep and helping with stretches~." "What? Affection? Hey, I never! It''s not like that! Besides, Iroha seems to like me too much, doesn''t she? It''s not a big deal! Besides, Iroha isn''t Mai''s property!" "What are you saying!?" "Hey, you!" Mai and Angu started arguing. Huh? Weren''t they always this hostile toward each other? I don''t remember them having any issues when we went to the summer festival together. Could there be a reason they''ve be hostile to each other? "Well, whatever. But it seems like Mai is always getting into arguments with someone. I don''t know why. But it''s better to stop doing that." "Who do you think is at fault here? It''s because Iroha-chan keeps making new girlfriends here and there!" "Me? No, that''s a nasty rumor!" Just then, a new force joined the battle. Raising her hand and interrupting, it was Ah-nee. "By the way, not only did I give massages, but I also changed Iroha-chan''s diapers as requested by her mom!" "Wha-Whaaat!?" Wait, what does that mean!? No, hold on Come to think of it, I did feel something strange around my lower body I''m wearing a diaper!? "Mom!? Did you ask Ah-nee to change my diapers!?" "Oh? Yes, I did. She''s reliable in times like this." "Mom!" I copsed. I can''t believe a girl my age did something like this to me From the Christmas incident to this, I keep asking the wrong person for help every time! Please, give me a break! "Um, cough. Is it okay to continue now? I''d like to talk more about Iroha-chan''s current condition." The doctor said, veins popping temple, with a forced smile. Eek! I''m so sorry! Chapter 124: [The Identity Of The God] Chapter 124: [The Identity Of The God] "I understand you''re happy that Iroha-chan has woken up, but remember that this is a hospital. There are other patients here, and we''re in the middle of an important discussion. Please try to keep quiet for a little longer, okay?" """"Y-Yes"""" We were scolded with a scary smile, and we fell silent. Then the doctor cleared her throat. Now we''re getting to the main topic. I straightened up reflexively as the doctor looked directly at me. "So, regarding Iroha-san''s current condition, there is nothing wrong with her." "Eh!? Wait, hey! Why are you all looking at my chest right now!?" "Well, well, Iroha-chan~. The doctor is talking right now~." As I red at them, Angu and Ah-nee averted their gazes. Mai calmed me down, and I turned back to face the doctor. "Um, What do you mean by nothing wrong''?" "Can you take a look at this? It''s a monochrome photo I took of her head earlier." After saying that, she showed me a monochrome photo taken with MRA. It was taken at some point, but I still don''t understand how to interpret it. "Um And?" "That''s right, I''m puzzled too." No, I''m puzzled for a different reason. Just as I thought that. She ced another monochrome photo beside it. "This is one I took before. It''s truly surprising. Because all the abnormalities in Iroha-chan''s brain arepletely gone." "Eh, whaaat!?" Ipared the two images intently. I can''t tell, but when he said that, it does seem so. "At first, I heard that you copsed and were brought here, and you weren''t even taking any medicine, so I naturally thought it had worsened. It''s truly strange." "Um, so, does that mean I''m cured!?" "That''s highly likely." "So, I don''t need to take medicine anymore!?" "For now" "So, you can prescribe the pills, and I can escape the monthly pain!?" "Well, to alleviate the pain at least" "Yessss!" """"There!?"""" I received a collective reprimand from Mai, Angu, Ah-nee, and my mother. I know, it was a joke. But, yeah. So, I don''t have to fear my powers going out of control again? "Phew That''s a relief." I felt a wave of relief wash over me. However, soon a question arose in my mind. "But why? How did this happen?" "Perhaps it''s because Iroha-chan was still young. I can''t say for sure. It''s like her brain has always been healthy. Honestly, I feel like I''ve been fooled." Fooled, huh? Surprisingly, that might be the case. "Do you believe in God, sensei?" "Quite sudden, huh? But yeah, I believe in it. Working in this industry, sometimes things happen that make me think, Could it be that God is watching?''" The doctor said with a joking tone, "Just like now.". However, her expression quickly turnedplicated. "On the other hand, I also have moments when I think, There''s no God in this world.''. But I believe that we doctors exist for those people." "I see." In that sense, I must have been "chosen.". As the savior of this world. As the key figure to change the future. And now, that role hase to an end. Hence, I''m liberated. "Could it be that God helped me too?" At that time, I was enveloped in a sense of omnipotence. Perhaps I truly possessed omniscience and omnipotence. After all, I could decipher everynguage. I could hear the voices of all people, birds, fish, and insects. I could understand the whispers of the wind, the pleas of sunlight, and the groans of the Earth. I could read the past, the present, and even the future. I think I could even discuss the truths of the world. But now, that feeling is hazy. My memories of hearing those voices have be dubious. Were they truly the voice of God? Or did I have a conversation with something like the collective unconscious? Or perhaps the Earth or the universe itself spoke to me? Did I inadvertently connect to the so-called Akashic Records? Now, I can no longer hear the answers. However, I didn''t feel regret at all. No, it was rather lucky! No, seriously, it was dangerous! Because if I were still in that state. It would be a parade of spoilers! I would know all the ns, events, and announcements! I refuse it even if it means dying! That leaking is a serious offense. It would go against my principle that fans should be treated as equals. And above all, it would ruin the "live experience"! In other words, this situation is perfectly fine for me. "But even so, why was I saved?" "Huh?" It was Mai who tilted her head. Perhaps because she was the closest to me, she understood. "Isn''t God the one who grants wishes? Then it''s obvious that Iroha-chan''s wish was granted, right?" "My wish?" Ah, I see. What I wished for at that time was one thingC. Chapter 125: [The Fate Of My Cheat Abilities] Chapter 125: [The Fate Of My Cheat Abilities] What did I wish for back then? It was "Save the VTubers!". "Oh, I didn''t realize." Among the people who made wishes, it included me without even noticing. A long time ago, I had also be someone''s "fan" or "supporter". "So, I''m also one of the VTubers, huh?" "Just one, huh? Hehehe~. I wonder about that~?" "What''s up, Ah-nee?" Ah, Ah-neeughed mysteriously. Before I could ask her about it, the doctor spoke up. "Well, since your conversation seems fine and the examination is over, let''s keep you hospitalized until you recover your strength, considering your muscles and stomach are weak. If there are no abnormalities, we''ll discharge you." "Oh, okay. Thank you very much." "No problem at all. Take care." The doctor who finished the examination left the hospital room. After watching him leave the bed, I turned my gaze to A-nee. "So, what was that about earlier?" "It''s nothing special. It''s just that Iroha-chan is no longer someone who is confined to being just one VTuber.'' After all, Iroha-chan has be one of the representatives of VTubers!" She opened herptop and showed it to me. It was filled with articles about me, Iroha, Iroha, Iroha. "W-What!?" And the number of subscribers for [Trantor Girl Iroha] is growing abnormally. My number of followers on Twitter has also skyrocketed. "W-What on earth is happening!?" "Well, you did something like that. It''s only natural as a result!" Anguogu proudly snorted. Why are you smirking? No, that''s not it!? "I didn''t want this! I didn''t ask for any of this!" "Well, you have no choice but to ept it. And look, everyone is grateful to Iroha." She showed me thements from previous live streams and replies on social media. There were various messages written in differentnguages. "Ah." "Iroha, you saved the world." After that, I asked what happened to the world in the week since I lost consciousness. First, about Ukraine and Russia. "Well, it was a draw, I guess." In the end, the source of the nuclearunch remained unknown. It seemed to have settled ambiguously. However, Russia was required to providepensation to Ukraine under a different pretext. Concurrently, the President of Russia announced his resignation. Honestly, that was unexpected. He was even used of waging war to protect his position. Based on what I''ve heard so far, Russia lost, but that''s not the reality. Ukraine also lost some of its territories to Russia. To put it in Russian terms, they "reimed" them. "Ukraine epted it quite well. Even though they continued the war because they didn''t want that." "What are you talking about? It''s your fault. The media is making it into a heartwarming story. It happened because you, a Japanese person, said it, and they achieved a ceasefire." "What are you talking about?" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. Angu Ogu continued, "That''s what happened.". "Japan is in a simr position, right?" Indeed, Japan is also facing illegal upation of the Northern Territories by Russia. In Russian terms, it''s already their "own territory.". And we could say that it is somewhat simr to the situation with the Crimean Penins in the Ukrainian invasion this time. But, despite the impending crisis for Japan, it seems that the priority for the Japanese people is world peace. That''s how they portrayed it, at least. "Wow, this is how history is made." Convenient?? I don''t know how to describe it. They conveniently ignored the fact I got heavily criticized by fellow Japanese in the beginning. "All right! Since Iroha-chan has also awakened Here, take this. Tell everyone, Everything is okay now!'' and put their minds at ease!" "" I received a smartphone from Ah-nee. At the same time, Angu Ogu whispered to me in a low voice. "Can you spare a moment? Mama wants to talk on the phone." I I kept the smartphone I received face down. Then, I slowly shook my head at the two of them. "There''s something important I need to discuss." "What''s wrong, Iroha-chan?", "What is it, Iroha?" I had a vague sense of it. When they told me that my brain abnormality had been cured, I had a feeling like this. And when they showed me theputer screen, I understand it. "I can''t fulfill everyone''s expectations. I can''t even talk to Ogu Mama on the phone." "Why? What''s the matter?" "I''m nning to suspend my VTuber activities." In an instant, Anguogu grabbed the cor of my shirt. She got so excited that she started shouting in her nativenguage, venting her anger up close. "What the !!!!" "Ogu" "Iroha, are you !?" "I''m sorry Ogu, I don''t understand." "Ahh!?" "I no longer understand what Ogu is saying. I can''t understand foreignnguages anymore, and can''t read them either." ".Huh?" The strength left Angu Ogu''s hand. My shirt slipped from her grasp, and my upper body fell t on the bed. Yes, I had lost that cheat-like trantion ability. The difort I had always felt, that was it. The surroundings had been silent for a while. I couldn''t hear the buzzing of insects that used to be so loud. Even without headphones, the world remained in silence. And most importantly, I was now using Japanese without the filter of trantion-. Chapter 126: [Reason For Hiatus] Chapter 126: [Reason For Hiatus] "Iroha, you You''re saying you can''t understand foreignnguages anymore, but could it be your memories are gone!?" My mom''s face turned pale in an instant. Then she quickly sharpened her gaze. "Why didn''t you tell me immediately that something was wrong!? I''ll hurry and call the doctor again!" "Wait, wait, wait!" I hastily held back my mother who was about to rush out of the hospital room. But how should I exin this? "Iroha, I''m sorry. It''s my fault. I must have done something foolish." "No, that''s not it! It''s not about that! Ugh It''s so troublesome!" I couldn''te up with a good excuse. I don''t think I cane up with one, no matter what. That''s why I face it head-on. "It''s fine! It was weird before, and now things are back to normal!" "? What do you mean?" I''ve already lost that cheat-like trantion ability. So even if I were to exin now, it wouldn''t make much of a difference. "The truth is, I awakened a little special ability at some point. With it, I could instantly learn foreignnguages and speak or read them." "Come to think of it" Mai seemed to have an idea about it. This ability first manifested when I guided a foreigner in front of her. "So the rumors were true. During that live stream, you learned foreignnguages instantly." "Well, yeah, something like that. And maybe it was possible because there was something abnormal in my brain. But now, as the doctor said it''spletely gone, along with the ability." "Whaaat!? Iroha-chan, if you could do something so interesting, you should have told us earlier!" "As if I could!" The atmosphere that was about to turn serious lightened up a bit due to Ah-nee''s remark. Well, she didn''t have any such intention. She just said what she thought. "Ahem Because of that ability, or rather because of the abnormality in my brain, I used to copse frequently. But now that it''s gone, I''m healthier than before, you know? So, there''s nothing to worry about." "I see" Everyone breathed a sigh of relief for the time being. However, my mom still seemed anxious and interjected, "Even so". "Because I''m still worried, let''s inform the doctor just to be safe, okay? It''s better to have them check it out." "Ugh!? It''s, it''s fine! It''s already over." "But" "Besides, I don''t want to be a guinea pig." I used a slightly unfair phrase. Nobody seemed able to argue after being told that. "That''s right. I''m sorry." It seemed like I convinced my mom. To change the atmosphere, I pped my hands and eximed, "Alright, let''s end this conversation here!". With that, we reached a stopping point. But just when I thought that Angu Ogu raised her voice. What now!? "However, because you lost your abilities, there''s no need to stop the live streams, right!?" "Y-Yeah, Iroha-chan!" Ah, I see. This issue was still unresolved. However, I shook my head firmly. "I''m sorry, but I had already decided on the hiatus from the beginning." "Aren''t you worried about not being the Trantor Girl'' anymore? That shouldn''t matter! You''re Iroha, right!?" "That''s right! Besides, what about our promise to Mai? You said you would make her the manager, right!?" Upon hearing that, Mai''s face brightened as if she hade up with a brilliant idea. The word trantion'' struck a chord with her. "That''s right! In this day and age, there''s automatic trantion,'' so I''m sure it''ll be fine!" "That''s right, Iroha!" Angu Ogu also agreed with Mai''s statement. However, her expression mixed withplex emotions. I knew the reason for that. How many of Angu Ogu''s live streams had I watched? She knew the difficulties of using a trantion device in real conversations. There would be a dy when recognizing and analyzing the voice, and then further converting it into anothernguage. It was natural. Every time, their timing would be off by a few seconds. In conversations where timing was crucial, it was fatal. That''s why Anguogu studied Japanese as more than just a hobby. And now, they had reached a point where they couldmunicate But! However, that discussion had no relevance now! Because "Oh, no, that''s not it. Even if I had the ability, I still nned on suspending the streams." "Huh?" "Think about it. I was asleep for a whole week, and this incident started, right? And since then, I''ve been busy non-stop, haven''t I? So, what I''m trying to say is" "I have a backlog of streams I want to watch!!!!" "There it is!" "Huh?!" I can''t do any streams until I finish watching them! Sure, I''m a VTuber, but more than that, I''m a fan! I''ve done what I needed to do. I saved the world. That should be enough. So now I want to enjoy my hobbies freelyyyyy! Chapter 127: [The New Era Of VTubers] Chapter 127: [The New Era Of VTubers] "I have a backlog of streams I want to watch, oooooohhhhhhhh!!!!" That''s why I''m taking a break from VTuber activities! Huh? Do you think it''s tough on the fans? Shut up! I''m the one who''s suffering here! Everything has its priorities! For now, I''ll spend my days just consuming archives! "You That''s such a misleading way to put it!" "You don''t have to get so angry. Besides, I never said it''s an indefinite hiatus." "Wha- Who the hell are you!?" I apologize for causing a misunderstanding, but it''s not my fault, right? At that moment, my mom gave me a stern look. "Could it be that you don''t want to tell the doctor that you''ve lost your ability to understand foreignnguages? Because if you undergo extensive testing or a prolonged hospital stay, it will reduce the time you spend watching streams, won''t it?" "What?! Th-that''s not it!" "Iroha!" "Hiiiigh!" My mom sighed deeply, "Haaaaa~~~." Seemingly no longer angry. "But, Iroha, are you okay?" "What do you mean?" "Well, you can''t understand foreignnguages anymore, right? Doesn''t that mean you won''t be able to enjoy overseas streamers as you used to? Isn''t that a problem for you, Iroha?" "Hahaha, yeah. Honestly, it''s almost like a fatal blow." But I continued, saying, "However" I wasn''t worried. "I don''t mind. I''ll learn foreignnguages again, with my strength." "!" I already knew. I understand the joy of watching streams when I know the other person''snguage. And strangely, I had a strong belief that "I can do it.". My abilities may have disappeared, but I still had experiences within me. "Although it''s a bit challenging, you know." There are many things I can''t do anymore, and there are things I wanted to do that remain unfinished. But I can tackle those things again once I relearn foreignnguages. "In a way, that''s why I wanted a hiatus." I have no doubts. This time, I won''t give up. "So, I need time to relearn foreignnguages." "T-then let me teach you English! I''ll be your helping hand, Iroha!" "Really? I''d truly appreciate it!" I had been longing for a native teacher. After all, the low English proficiency among Japanese people is said to be due to a shortage of qualified instructors. In fact, in certain educational cities, the English proficiency of middle school students skyrocketed when they had two native English teachers. Well, it''s physically and financially impossible to do that in Japan. "I''ll teach you B-but let''s take a short break. I''ll resume my activities soon, and from now on, I''ll learn all thenguages of the countries where VTubers are active. Even if it takes a lifetime, I won''t give up, na." "Hmm? What do you mean?" As expected, I don''t n to forcibly learnnguages one by one like I had the cheat-like trantion ability before. In that case, there are limitations to countries where VTuber activities are active, right? "Huh? Oh, Iroha wouldn''t know since she just woke up." "???" Everyone, from Angu Ogu, Mai, and Ah-nee to even my mother, exchanged nces and grinned. "What''s with everyone?" I asked, and my older sister answered on behalf of them. It was the beginning of a new era. "Congrattions, Iroha-chan! Right now" "There''s an unprecedented VTuber boom happening worldwide!" "W-What!?" Well, thinking about it, it''s natural. In a way, VTubers saved the world with this incident. And as shown on theptop. I have be such a hot topic. So, it''s only natural that VTubers as a whole would spread even more globally. "That''s why, Iroha, you can''t keep resting forever!" "Even I, as your future manager, think you should ride this big wave, don''t you think?" "But, if I do that, what about the archives?" I struggled. I think it''s exciting. Or if it''s going to get even more exciting from now. Shouldn''t I hurry up and relearn as many foreignnguages as possible? That''s when Ah-nee intervened with a "Hold on.". Everyone''s attention turned towards her. "Wait a minute, everyone. Streaming shouldn''t be something forced upon someone, right? What''s important is Iroha-chan''s feelings. MyTube is a ce where you can live doing what you love.''" "That''s right. I''m sorry, Iroha." "Sorry, Iroha-chan." "No." However, it''s unexpected. Ah-nee, who invited me to be a VTuber, is the one stepping in to stop it. Despite appearing overbearing, in the end, she always respects my choices. Thanks to that, I could say it proudly. "As for me, I still want to continue streaming" "That''s why, everyone even if Iroha-chan were to start streaming here, I thought it might lead to an explosive increase in people starting VTubing, but it''s no good to force her into streaming, right!?" "I will continue streaming!!!" "Huh?!" I changed my stance abruptly. Wait, wait a minute! If I start streaming, will it increase the number of VTubers? That changes the whole conversation! Chapter 128: [Number Oshi = Number Of Happiness] Chapter 128: [Number Oshi = Number Of Happiness] "I''m doing a livestream!!!!" Suddenly, I changed my mind, and Ah-nee eximed, "Huh!? What''s going on?" Then she started speaking to me as if I was being ridiculous. "Iroha-chan, you don''t have to push yourself like that?" "I''m not pushing myself. I want to do a livestream." "But" "I want to do a livestream! Please let me do it!" "Eh!?" With tears in my eyes, I pleaded with Aih-nee. Seeing my state, Mai and Angu Ogu were taken aback. "I-Iroha-chan" "We tried to persuade her, but" Well, it couldn''t be helped, right? Well, even I hadn''t realized it until Ah-nee pointed it out. Right now, the whole world''s attention is on me or rather, the trantor girl, Iroha. That''s the perfect chance for publicity. And for someone to debut as a rookie VTuber because of me means increasing my oshi for the future! Is there anything more important and blissful in the world? No, there couldn''t be! After all "The number of oshis equals the number of happiness!" That''s what it means! Having heard that deration, Angu Ogu let out a big sigh and then. "Haa. Just like you, Iroha." She said with a slightly mixed expression of amusement. *** The following days passed by in the blink of an eye. I had to stay quiet for a few days because of the doctor''s orders. I wanted to start streaming right away, but there was no helping it. This is a hospital room. Considering the inconvenience to others and privacy concerns, it was best to endure it. However, it was far from peaceful days. For instance "Iroha, you are you kidding me!? Can''t you take a break already? How many hours are you going to keep streaming!?" "Well~? Okay, then I''ll stop in about 5 more hours today." "Eeeh!? I can''t take it anymore! I''m going home!" "Wait, you can''t leave yet. After all, Ogu. You promised to teach me English!" "Help me~!" "Sorry, with my still inexperienced English skills, I have no idea what you just said. That''s why I need you to teach me more! By the way, about this part hereDD" "Someone help~!" And so, I had Angougou teach me the parts I didn''t understand while watching English-speaking streams. Then "Hehehe~! Iroha-chan, shall I help you wipe your body?" "Eek! No, stay away! I''m already awake! I can take a bath by myself, you know!?" "Now, now~ Don''t say that! Oh, or should I change your diaper?" "I''m not wearing one anymore!? Seriously, have some decency! There''s a line you shouldn''t cross!" "There''s no boundary between Mai and Iroha-chan~!" "There''s a thing called even close friends should observe etiquette''! Hey, don''te any closer! Aaahhh~!" After having (maybe) enjoyed taking care of me, Mai suddenly became a "diaper supporter" and tried to approach me. And then [Oh, by the way, Iroha-chan has finally stopped wearing diapers~. Oh, and about the diapers, I was the one who used to change them for her.] >Diapers!?! >Details please! >So, is this not Anego anymore, but Mama Iroha-chan has evolved from a toddler to a child!? >Isn''t it more like a devolution? >Huh? It''s an evolution, right!? >Ah-nee! Shut that mouth of yours right now! And don''t think I''ll let you off the hook when youe to visit next time! [Ah, there she is. Hello~] >The real deal has arrived! >Laughing so hard, she''s getting furious! >Anego, you''re not showing any remorse at all!? In this manner, Ah-nee exposed various things about me during her livestream. And there''s more "Iroha! Do you even understand the meaning of being hospitalized!? You''ve been told to rest, but how long are you going to keep watching streams?" "It''s, it''s not like that, Mom. I''m studying English." "If it''s studying, then there are textbooks, right?" "But yes, that''s right! This is also part of the treatment! VTuber streams are a cure-all medicine! Look, I feel energized and lively from doing this!" "Haaah? That''s impossible! I''ll confiscate your smartphone until tomorrow morning." "Nooo-!?" And my smartphone, which I was secretly watching the stream on, was confiscated by my mom. Hospital life was full of such tumultuous days. And then, before I knew it, the time for discharge came. At the same time, Angu Ogu asked me for a favor. I immediately agreed, and a few minutester, I received a call. The caller was "Long time no see, Angu Ogu Mama-san." [Hello. Iroha, *+%!] It was Angu Ogu''s mother. Apparently, she had been waiting to call me until my health improved C until my discharge was confirmed. She had been informed in advance that I couldn''t speak English. Instead, she had put the call on speaker mode, and Angu Ogu acted as an interpreter for me. "So, what''s the purpose of this call?" The response was as expected. It was about the changing world situation. And I learned The end of the war was not as clean and tidy as in story endings. div> Chapter 129: [Excuse Me] Chapter 129: [Excuse Me] I received a phone call from Angu Ogu''s mom. I wasmunicating with Anguog as the interpreter. [Thank you again, Iroha-san. Thanks to you, we averted the world war.] "Oh, no, it''s not just me. It''s thanks to the VTubers and the fans too." She thanked me again. Then we quickly got to the main topic. [So, Iroha-san, about what happened after you copsed.] She said they safely retrieved the nuclear weapons, or theunches were voluntarily get canceled. We restored world peace. [But, well, it''s not that simple.] "What do you mean?" [We can''t be sure if all the nuclear weapons were recovered. It''s the devil''s proof. And the sparks of war haven''t disappeared either.] "! Right, I see." [The end of war isn''t as neat as an ending in a story.] I hadn''t thought about it. I had thought everything gets resolved. [I''m sorry for saying something scary. Thanks to you, the whole world is in a self-restraint mode now, so I think we''ll be fine for a while.] "For a while?" [Yes, for a while..] I suppose there''s no true end to war, after all. People said peace is a period of preparation between wars. [Take Ukraine, for example, which was at the center of this incident. That country is going to have a tough time from now on.] "Even though the war is over?" [Because the war is over, that''s why. The worsening situation, the destroyednd, and the lost lives won''t being back. Plus, it''ll take time for the evacuees to return.] If I were one of the evacuees, I would want to return only after ensuring safety. But in this situation, it''s uncertain when that will be possible. [With the war over, support from others will get cut off too. They''ve lost Crimea, the warm-water port. Even though there will be reparations from Russia, it''s going to be a very tough time economically.] "I see." [There''s more. For now, things are okay, but Ukraine might be a new source of conflict. For example, it might transform into a nation of arms dealers.] "What do you mean?" [They might start making copies of the weapons that were provided to them and engage in arms trading since the country is struggling. It''s just one possibility, of course.] "Can''t anything be done to prevent that?" [We''ll do what we can. But it''s all under the premise that it''s in our country''s interest and for the sake of our citizens. After this incident, it''s unlikely that Ukraine''s NATO entry will be approved anytime soon.] "But that''s just for now, right? If you be the president" [No. Even if I be the president, I probably won''t approve it either.] "Are you just going to abandon them!?" I couldn''t help but raise my voice. Angu Ogu, who was tranting for me, looked at me worriedly. I know. It''s not her fault. But I couldn''t contain my emotions. In that case, it would mean NATO had used Ukraine as a disposable tool to weaken Russia. [I''m an adult. Of course, if my position changes, my priorities will change, and I''ll use differentnguage. So, I should say what I want to say while I still can. Both I and you.] I see, she''s doing this on purpose I realized that Angu Ogu''s mom deliberately chose cold words. Because if she bes the president, she won''t be able to speak freely like she can now. And honestly, speaking one''s mind is a privilege for children. "Can I confirm something? Was today''s phone call to give a status report?" [Ah, speaking of which I still haven''t thanked you properly, have I? The hero who saved the world?] "Then, can I ask you for one favor?" [Of course. It''s a child''s privilege to be a little selfish, you know.] "Well then" *** "Are you serious, Iroha-chan? Walking home alone?" "Yeah. I feel like taking a little walk." Today is the day I''m discharged from the hospital. After being seen off by the nurses, I stopped in front of a taxi. "Are you okay?" "Yeah, my condition is perfect now." "Not that Ugh! I know that Japan is safe for girls to walk alone, but still, I''m getting all anxious!" "Haha. It''s a main street, and it''s still daytime. You worry too much." I shrugged my shoulders and chuckled at the 2 who seemed worried. Then, I said to my slightly upset mother. "It''s okay, Mom. If anything happens, I''ll call right away." "I''m not worried about you! I''m just exasperated by yourck ofmon sense." "Sorry, sorry. The traffic is getting congested, so I''ll go now." "Sigh Driver, please go." "Iroha-chan,e back soon, okay?" "Iroha, make sure toe back!" The door closed, and the taxi drove away. I waved "bye-bye" to the three as they left. "Mmm!" I stretched tall and then started walking slowly. Come to think of it. It''s been a while since I''ve been alone like this. Before I knew it, winter approached its end. With spring''s arrival, the bird''s sounds and insects chirping, and the rustling of branches and leaves were ying a melody. Now, they sound like just environmental noises to me. However, they''re not bad. I find them soothing to my ears. Come to think of it. It''s been who-knows-how-many years since I enjoyed these sounds like this, even including my past life. It''s simr to war in that sense. It''s always there, but unless I focus my attention. I can''t notice it in the depths of your "unconsciousness". "But in the end, well, that''s different from this! I''ll still listen to VTubers'' songs!" As if making an excuse to someone, I said aloud and took out my smartphone. At that moment, someone spoke from behind. <> The footsteps of a new era hade close by. div> Chapter 130: [One Year Later] Chapter 130: [One Year Later] <> I turned around at the voice that called me from behind. There stood a man who seemed troubled. <> <> Hmm, it''s right over there. I briefly exined to the man. His expression brightened up. <> <> I waved goodbye as the man left, smiling. Come to think of it, in other countries, having a subway might be rare, right? The man earlier spoke English But he didn''t seem like he was American. Speaking of which, something like this happened before. A foreigner was in trouble because they lost their smartphone "Huh? A foreigner?" I suddenly stopped in my tracks. Wait a minute? Did I just!? "I heard English and responded in English!?" No, no, no, that can''t be right! I was supposed to have lost that ability! It was entirely unconscious. I spoke reflexively in English. Is that so? Was it because I was unconscious that I could use English? "Could it be that I just convinced myself I lost the ability?" I never expected to be addressed in English in a ce like this. Especially since I heard there are still limited flights avable. "But, well, maybe" For example, when conversing with people, I start bing conscious of where I usually look or things like that. It can make you feel unnatural. "No, that can''t be! It''s impossible!" Without a doubt, I lost my cheat-like trantion ability. Even earlier, it didn''t feel likenguages were automatically being tranted. I was just having a normal conversation, using English as if "Could it be?" Then, I suddenly realized it. No, but if that''s the case. "Haha, hahahahaha!" I couldn''t help butugh. It''s just as I imagined. "I''m now understandingnguages without relying on trantion." If this is true, this isn''t just some cheat-like trantion ability. This is true "C"Language Cheat"!" I looked up to the sky and gave a wry smile. As if I''m addressing an existence that might or might not be there. "There''s no end to the war, huh?" I hadn''t realized it until Annguogu''s mother told me. And if the war doesn''t end, then there''s no end to my role either. "Well, I''ll do my best, at least." I shrugged my shoulders and started walking again. Whether my ability has returned or I got a newly granted ability. There''s no excuse. There''s so much I have to do. There are things I''ve left undone, all things I wanted to do. "All right! Let''s work even harder to liven up the VTuber industry!" With that determination, I pressed the y button on MyTube . *** "After that, one year has passed. During that time, many things happened. I''d like to talk about themter, but first, listen to this. "My words, to you!" I''m the Trantor Girl, Iroha!" >Irohalo! >Irohalo! >Irohalo! "Oh~ Thank you all around the world for tuning in today. There''s something I want to talk about today, so I''m doing this stream." >I have a hunch >I think I know what it is (U.S.) >Well, you''ve been counting down for a while now. (Korean) "Hey, no spoilers! But yeah, you''re right! The thing is finally! The total number of VTubers has surpassed 100,000!" Wow, apuse! I pped my hands. Yes, this is what I wanted to convey the most! >It''s more than five timespared tost year. It''s crazy! (U.K.) >They''re celebrating hitting milestone numbers more than their channel subscriber count. Hrious! (German) >And it''s all thanks to Iroha-chan''s influence, huh? (French) "My channel''s subscriber count is well, it''s growing so fast that events can''t keep up." >Well, that can''t be helped (U.S.) >Iroha-chan has grown a lot. As for her physical body (Italian) >The development of the VTuber industry is amazing! (U.S.) The VTuber world has seen tremendous growth in this past year. Of course, Trantion Girl Iroha''s activities yed a big part, but it''s not the only factor. "I think it''s great if more and more VTubers debut! We can never have too many VTubers. So for those who haven''t debuted yet. Here are some rmended videos!" >If it''s about that, I already know! (French) >I also used it as a reference for my VTuber debut. (Ukrainian) >That video was really helpful. (Russian) "Oh~ Many of you already know about it. It has been viewed from all around the world and has been called the bible for the new era of VTuber children." >I still just found out about VTubers, so I don''t know. (Canadian) >Whose video is it? Is the creator famous? >In a way, it was one of the factors that made it go viral. (Indian) "The creator of that video is Ilyena. She was one of the first to speak to the world during that incident." >I might have seen a clip of that stream. >She''s the trilingual VTuber, right? Speaking Japanese, Ukrainian, and Russian. (Chilean Spanish) >I''m a big fan of her. (Czech) "I''m a big fan too! The content is a re-edited version of a VTuber''s real experience leading up to her debut" Nobody would have expected it to be this big. In a way, she was the hidden driving force in the new era of VTubers. "The title of that video is-" div> Chapter 130.2 - SS 6 Chapter 130.2 - SS 6 SS 6. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Preparations] "Can I be a VTuber for 0 yen!? But when I looked it up on the inte it costs hundreds of thousands of yen." "It depends on how you do it and the conditions, you know~." "R-Really?" My excitement seeped into my voice upon hearing Maichan''s words. Could it be that there''s such a method!? "Anyway after school today, I''lle to your ce!" "Okay!" I nodded vigorously. Wait, huh??? "Whaaat!? M-Mai-san ising to my house!?" *** "Excuse me~." "Pleasee in." I arrived at the house where I''m currently staying together with Mai-san. Since evacuating to Japan, it''s the first time I''m inviting someone to this house. Honestly, I''m nervous. As we were being led to my assigned room, Mai-san suddenly spoke up, seemingly btedly. "Come to think of it. This is your rtive''s house, right? I wonder if it was a bad idea toe here" "T-That''s not true. Even though it''s my rtive''s house" As I was about to exin, a hoarse voice interjected, "Oh my.", catching our attention. The person looked at us with a wrinkled, gentle smile. Is this what they call "Speak of the devil."? I''ve be quite skilled at using Japanese idioms. "Hello, I''m back." "Yes, wee home. Is this your friend? Nice to meet you. It was cold outside, wasn''t it? Make yourself at home." "Thank you. Sorry to intrude." We were seen off, and we entered my room. Mai-san immediately let out an understanding sound. "I see. Your grandma is Japanese." "Yeah, she''s my great-grandma, but I want you to call her that way." "I see. She seems like a kind person." "Yes." My great-grandma said we could stay here as long as we wanted. Her sons have already moved out, and there are spare rooms, so she said it''s fine. We''re really lucky. Having someone in the family we can rely on, and such a nice person at that. It makes me feel guilty about my friends whom I left behind in my hometown. "Is something the matter?" "N-No, it''s nothing! Anyway, what should we do from now on?" "Well, let''s see Can you show me yourputer? You said you have one, right?" "Yes. Here it is." I said, showing her myptop. In an instant, Mai-san''s expression turned serious. "Wow, this is aputer It''s the one provided by the school, right?" "Huh? Yes, it is, but" One of the things that surprised me when I came to Japan was the "GIGA School n" or something like that, where each student is provided with a tablet or aptop, but they need to purchase it with the assistance of subsidies. Also, having a Wi-Fi environment at home is necessary. They say it''s for doing homework. "This one runs on Chrome OS, right? It''s not bad in itself, but there are software issues, and above all, the specs might not be enough." "So, you''re saying thisputer won''t work?" "Yes, that''s right. To make your VTuber debut, you''ll need a newputer." "?!?!?!" I thought, "This doesn''t make sense!" and confronted Mai about it. "But Mai-san said you can be a VTuber for free!" "Well, of course, whether you can debut for free depends on the method and conditions. But realistically, it''s impossible for someone who doesn''t have a smartphone or aputer to debut for free, right?" "That''s true." "Besides, it depends on whether you already have headphones, a microphone, and other things. The prerequisites can bepletely different for each person." When Mai-san said that, I couldn''t argue back. Indeed, it''s not as straightforward as beingpletely free if you already have everything you need from the start. "There are ways to be a VTuber with just a smartphone, but considering your goals, that might be challenging too." "But" I fell silent, and Mai smiled. I couldn''t resist and looked up at her smiling face. "Surprisingly, there are many people out there who can debut as a VTuber for almost free!" "Really?" "Yes. The hurdle to bing a VTuber is much lower than most people think! Anyway, leave it to me for now." Mai-san said, winking. Was it an illusion? I rubbed my eyes. It felt like a mark flew from her eyes, or was I imagining things? *** One weekter. "Um, Mai-san? Wha-what''s with this? A desktopputer is sitting here!" In my room, a desktopputer had mysteriously appeared. Mai-san smiled cheerfully. "I got it for you!" "You got it? Where did you get it from?" "Well, you see" Mai-san calmly answered my obvious question with a nonchnt expression div> Chapter 130.3 - SS 7 Chapter 130.3 - SS 7 SS 7. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ PC] "I got it! But where did you get it from!?" I eximed, looking at the desktopputer sitting in front of me. Mai-san confidently answered. "Oh, it''s from Mai''s onee-chan!" "What?! Is that okay?" "It''s totally fine. It was just gathering dust in the closet. Onee-chan even said, Please take it if you want!''" "But" Can I be this lucky? And to get it from someone I usually bicker with. "If you feel guilty about it, you can let me have Iroha-chan as a Christmas present this year, Mai." "Oh, no, that won''t do." "Huh?!" That''s a different matter altogether. I can''t give up on Iroha-sama. If I could give up something like that here, I wouldn''t have aspired to be a VTuber. Maybe Mai-san wasn''t expecting that response as she quickly switched topics, saying, "Well, it''s okay then.". "Thisputer was used by my sister when she made her debut, so it''s quite old now." "Is that so? It looks nice and clean though." "The important thing with aputer is what''s inside." Mai-san started talking about theputer. After all, aputer is a consumable item. "Generally, people rece theirputers every 4 to 5 years. Well, it''s toote if it breaks down. Even Appol''s products have support end after about 5 years since release." "Hmm, I can''t tell if that''s a long or short period." "Same for me. And honestly, many people end up using them for much longer." "What''s that called again?" "Self-responsibility, I guess?" I couldn''t even imagine what my life would be like 4 years from now when I couldn''t even predict what happens next year. Will I still be in Japan, or will I return to Ukraine, or? "In terms of performance, it''s like a middle-spec gaming PC from a few years ago, I guess?" As she said that, Mai-san pulled out a tattered "flyer". It had some crude writing with a name and price listed. OS: Windoms 10 CPU: Iutel Core i5-8400 Memory: 8GB 2 Storage: SSD 256GB, HDD 1TB GPU: NVIoIA GeForse GTX 1060 3GB "What does this mean?" "Let''s see Roughly, it says PC gaming and streaming for 100,000 yen! (Just barely)''?" "I see. I understand now." "Right?! If it wasn''t for my allowance being on the line, I wouldn''t have bothered getting this knowledgeable!" Mai-san suddenly got excited and approached me. Tears of hardship were visible in her eyes. She looked at me, urging me to ask, "Listen to me." with her ask. I had no choice but to ask, "Is something wrong?". "Originally, my onee-chan bought thisputer during her student days using her part-time job earnings or rather, she asked me to buy it for her as a favor, saying I''m going to work, so please buy it for me!''." "Isn''t that a bit too demanding? But it''s not that big of a deal, right?" Mai-san murmured something under her breath. I couldn''t catch it and asked, "Huh?". "I didn''t have enough money! It''s not enough!!" "Huh!?" "[You can use the leftover amount as Mai''s allowance!] No! It turned out that I ended up having to chip in!" "Really? What happened?" Mai-san''s sister often coborates with Iroha-sama, so I know she can be extravagant but still. It''s fun to watch her, but having her around in person must be tough. I felt a little sorry for Mai-san. "Oh, sob Besides what''s written here, you also need a motherboard, power supply, and case. Recing aputer is inevitable, so it''s good to have some knowledge about it." "Y-Yes, but honestly, I''m not sure if I understand" "At times like this, there''s a rmended magic spell!" "Magic spell?" "Yeah. It''s [Ask the store clerk for their rmendation!]''." "Whaaat!? Is that okay?" Then what was all the exnation before for!? You don''t need to remember that, huh? "However, as a caution, it''s better to ask at a PC parts store rather than an electronics store. They''ll help you choose something with good cost performance while discussing the prices." Mai-san told me about the benefits of asking a store clerk. They can rmend parts that match the increasing requirements of PC games, check thepatibility of each part, advise on assembling, and so on. "If you have a specific game in mind, it''s easier. Just buy parts that are slightly above the rmended specs for the game, and you''re good to go." "Did you do that too, Mai-san?" "Nope. I didn''t have enough money, so I bought it online." "Whaaat!?" "If you have some curiosity and time to research, buying a BTO (Build To Order) PC online is very cost-effective." "B-T-O?" Another unfamiliar term. New words keeping one after another, and my head is spinning. "It stands for Build To Order. You ce an order, they build it, and they deliver it to you. Professionals assemble it. So you could use it right away and most importantly, it''s cheap!" "I see. Well, is it okay to just go with that?" "Just be aware that it takes time to arrive. The specs ofputers decrease rtively over time so whether it''s better or not depends on the person." "I see." Because it''s custom-made, it takes time, but it''s cheaper It might be better to go with BTO when I decide to rece myputer in the future that seems to be a good idea. "And this. I brought the mouse, keyboard, and cables that I had lying around so yeah." "Thank you very much. But wait, something is missing." Mai-san is looking at everythingid out. It seems like something essential is missing. "Wait, aaah!? There''s no main unit!?" div> Chapter 130.4 - SS 8 Chapter 130.4 - SS 8 SS 8. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Monitor] "I can''t use theputer like this, can I!?" "Sorry~. I don''t have any spare monitors at home~." "Oh, I see! You meant that, right!?" Even without asking, I''ve already received this much. I can''t possibly make more demands. "Just to be clear, the monitor is not theputer itself, you know~? When you work, you look at the monitor, so at first, it can be confusing if you don''t know, but it''s not essential~." "I-I get it! But is it even possible to run aputer without a monitor?" Mai-san made a dismissive gesture with her fingers. Then she asked me a question. "How naive! Hey, maybe you have a spare TV at home?" "Huh? I do, but is that okay!?" Originally, the one who lived in this house was not only my great-grandma but also her children. So unused TVs are lying around the house. "Are TVs and monitors the same thing?" "I can''t say they''re the same, but well~ show me the TV anyway, alright?" We left the room and went to get permission from my great-grandma to borrow the TV. My great-grandma kindly said, "Do as you like.". "Is this TV alright?" "Yes." And so, the two of us faced the TV in another room. I didn''t understand, but Mai-san checked the backside and looked something up on her smartphone. "It can connect with HDMI, and the resolution is good too Alright. By the way, do you y games?" "Um, only a little on my Switches." "Just like that? Or do you connect it to the TV?" "I happened to connect it and yed on that TV." "Then, it should be fine." "???" "Okay, let''s move it. You take that side. On the count of three. One, two" The TV wasn''t too big, so it wasn''t that hard to carry together. But then, I suddenly realized something. "Mai-san, you''ve carried myputer to my house before, right?" "Yeah, I got my mom to help, so it was okay~." "Next time, please let mee to your house too." "Huh? Why~?" "Just because, you know." Someday, I''ll go to Mai-san''s house and properly thank her older sister and mother too. I firmly made that promise to myself. "Phew~. With this, we have all the equipment we need to run theputer, for now~." "By the way, is it okay to use the TV as aputer screen?" "If you haven''t felt any difort while ying games on this TV, it should be fine, I guess~ But if you n to y PC games seriously, the dy would be significant, so it''s still better to get a monitor~." "Is that so?" "This is just how it is~. Besides, many TVs have a refresh rate of 60Hz, which means the screen updates 60 times per second. But nowadays, some people can perceive up to around 70Hz. In the past, humans could only perceive up to 30Hz~." "Humans are incredible, aren''t they?" "Yeah~. And with a higher refresh rate, you see a fraction of a second into the futurepared to your opponent But, I guess I didn''t need to exin all that just yet~." When seeing smokeing out of my head, Mai-san stopped exining and reassured me. "It''s okay~." "Switches or Presta 4 games, for example, are limited to 60Hz, so there won''t be much difference when ying them normally~." "I-I see." "However, if you n to do game streaming, you''ll need at least two monitors or disys." "But I can''t watch two things at the same time." "I can''t either~. But then, you''d only be able to show the game footage or theputer screen separately, right~?" "That''s right!?" "Well, there''s not much you can do about it~ Alright. Since we have the chance, should I exin the other peripherals~?" "Huh!? Are there still more things needed?" We already have the keyboard, mouse, cables, and monitor. With those, theputer should work just fine. "What you want to do is stream, not just surf the, right~? For that, there are some essential peripherals. Specifically, headphones, a camera, and a microphone!" "I see." Of the three things mentioned, Mai-san hasn''t brought them along, just like the monitor. That means I''ll have to get them on my own. "But I don''t know which ones to buy, and I don''t have much allowance left. I can''t cut back on my contributions to the household either." "Well, for now, try to endure it, okay!?" "It''s impossible!" Mai-san sighed. "Well, I understand how you feel~." But she''s also one to pour her allowance into household contributions. "Well then, yeah~. Let''s decide what to buy together after winter break. By then, we''ll solve your allowance problem~." "How will it be solved?" "Huh? Oh, right~. Well, let''s say it''ll be a pleasant surpriseter~." "???" As I tilted my head, Mai-san finally smiled mischievously. *** And so, after winter break. As if foreseeing it, My-san''s words came true. Arge sum of money sat before me! div> Chapter 130.5 - SS 9 Chapter 130.5 - SS 9 SS 9. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Peripheral Devices] "Hey, Mai told you so, right?" "Y-Yes." In front of me sat a 10,000 yen bill. It was the first time in my life that I had experienced something like this. It happened the day after New Year''s, known as "Oshougatsu" in Japan. My great-grandma suddenly took out a small envelope and said. "Happy New Year! Here''s your New Year''s gift." Confused, she exined, that in Japan, children receive a New Year''s allowance when the year begins. I wondered why. So I looked it up just in case. Originally, they used to give mochi, and the children would eat it in a soup called "ozouni". They did that before instead of money. Well, I don''t know if that''s true or not. When I mentioned this to Mai-san, she was also surprised. "Wow, I didn''t know!". "Anyway, now I need a microphone, headphones, and a camera, right?" "That''s right! No matter what kind of streaming you do, those three are essential. Since we assembled thisputer, let''s check out the online shops Oh, wait! I forgot the initial setup is still pending." The two of us sat side by side in front of the desktopputer. I asked curiously. "Oh yeah.". "If there''s data from the previous owner, should we delete it?". The other person is a VTuber who values secrecy. There might be sensitive information that would be bad if we identally knew about it. "It''s okay! I made sure to format'' it before bringing it here." "Format?" "Yeah, well, to put it simply, it means erasing the data so that it''s difficult to recover." "I see." "When disposing of storage media, deleting the data is not enough. You have to be careful, or someone can restore it." I didn''t quite understand, but it seemed true. In other words, if you physically destroy it, it should be all good, right? "You''re quite straightforward in these things, aren''t you?" "Excuse me?" "Well, never mind. Now, for the initial setup, there are only two things to be cautious about." Create an ount with your VTuber name to avoid identity exposure. Use half-width alphanumeric characters for the ount name. "I understand the first one, but why the second?" "Japanese characters can cause bugs." "Oh, I see." "It can be quite troublesome. There are ways to avoid it, but using Roman characters from the beginning is a hundred times easier." As I continued with the setup, I suddenly remembered something. "Oh, I forgot to tell you." "Hmm?" "Since I transferred here, how many months do you think have passed? So, please call me Ilyena'' instead of you'' from now on, okay?" I dered it so. With that, it''spletely decided I am satisfied. "Um, if you like it, I''ll call you that. Huh, in real life? I mean, this girl is like Chuunibyou'' or something, your head is in a fantasy world or something, ahh~." "What do you mean?" "Oh, umm, it''s nothing! Anyway, for now, let''s install the general-purpose software Alright. Let''s take a look at the products, shall we?" Mai-san, as if trying to deceive, opened the browser. It was the famous online shop "AWAZON". "So, which one is good? Is it possible to get all the necessary equipment for 10,000 yen?" "Yeah, it''s fine. As long as you have a gamingputer, you can debut as a VTuber without spending more than 10,000 yen!" Mai-san typed [headphones] into the search bar "First of all~.". The prices varied greatly. "Is there any that you think is good?" "To be honest, that''s a matter of personal preference. Some people preferpletely closed types that block external noise for better concentration during gaming. Others choose semi-open types that allow them to hear their voice, which can be a bit awkward." "I''m not sure which one is better." "Well, for now, I think this one should be good. It''s rtively lightweight, and it costs around 3,000 yen." "I see. If it''s heavy, it''ll be tough for long streaming sessions. So, this one" "Wait a moment. Can I add one plugin?" Plugin? Although I was curious, I couldn''t help but nod. Mai-san opened a new browser and started searching for something. After a while, a puzzle piece-like icon appeared in the top right corner of the browser. When we returned to the product page on AWAZON, something that wasn''t there before was now disyed. What is this, a graph? "This is the [Awazon Price Tracker]. It shows the price trend. It seems like this product goes on sale every month. It might be a better deal to buy it next week." "How do you know all this?" "Yeah, that''s right. Next is the web camera. It''s the camera you put on top of theputer." "There are many options for this too." "That''s right. For ordinary streamers, it can be expensive depending on the resolution, but for a VTuber debut, the minimum is enough! Just use a 720p 30fps camera that costs around 2,000 yen for tracking the avatar''s movements." I was genuinely impressed. I wondered if Mai-san knew everything. "Amazing, amazing! Mai-san is knowledgeable aboutputers! Right! From now on, I''ll call you Computer Master''!" "Please, don''t do that." Mai-san said seriously with an elongated voice. Uh, is it not okay? I thought it sounded cool. div> Chapter 130.6 - SS 10 Chapter 130.6 - SS 10 SS 10. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Microphone] I''ve got the headphones and camera sorted out, now all that''s left is the microphone. However, the search results that came up were "There are so many different shapes and types, I have no idea." "In a nutshell, there are two types: condenser microphones and dynamic microphones. In a pinch, condenser microphones are expensive, high-performance, and delicate, while dynamic microphones are more affordable, simple, and durable." "So, in my case, I should go for a dynamic microphone, right?" "That''s correct! Well, I''d like to say that, but" "Is there something wrong?" I tilted my head in confusion. "Well, you''re right. However, if you want to go super cheap, things can change a bit. Recently, some affordable condenser microphones were designed for streaming, so" "Oh?" "Especially if you don''t have an audio interface, sometimes a condenser microphone with an A/D converter and USB connection can provide better sound quality than just a standalone dynamic microphone." "???" "Uh, in simple terms, an audio interface is a device that makes the sound cleaner." By the way, an A/D converter seems to be a device that converts analog sound into digital. Usually, the audio interface seems to have that built-in "I see. I don''t have one." "That''s right. But be cautious. If you n to continue streaming, you''ll almost certainly need to rece the cheap microphone." "So, I can''t use it forever?" "It''s not that you can''t use it, but microphones are directly rted to price and performance. If you want better sound quality, there''s almost no other choice but to spend money." And thus, Mai-san evaluated my situation like this. "If you can''t spend much money, then it bes a game of how well you can deceive others." "I see Wait, does that mean the reason why Iroha-sama doesn''t do ASMR streams is because of the expensive microphone!" "Oh no, that''s not it." "I see" But now I have one more goal. If I can earn a lot of money, I''ll give Iroha-sama a binaural microphone as a gift! Or perhaps, when I be famous, I''ll n an ASMR coboration stream with her. Hehe Just imagining it makes me drool. "Hehe Drooling a bit there." "Are you picking up on my thoughts and drooling too? But, if it''s about Iroha-chan''s ASMR, I''m more than willing to help." We shook hands firmly. I felt like a little bit of friendship had sprouted between us. "Uh, speaking of which, do I need a pop filter? They rmended buying it together with the microphone." "I don''t think it''s necessary, you know~? Unless you have a habit of spitting or mixing breath when you talk, or unless you''re using a high-end microphone, a pop guard isn''t needed." In the end, afterparing various options. I decided to purchase a condenser microphone with an A/D converter. This microphone costs 3,000 yen. The headphones and webcam were 3,000 yen and 2,000 yen, respectively, so "Wait, is this all? It adds up to 8,000 yen." "That''s right. With just these, you can start streaming." Wow, it''s amazing. It only cost 10,000 yen in total. I have 2,000 yen left I''ll use it as a present for Iroha-sama! There is a culture of giving presents on Valentine''s Day in Japan. I need to prepare materials and everything right now! "All that''s left is to wait for the items to arrive!" "Regarding equipment, that''s right, I think. If you want tofortably stream games, you''ll still need an additional monitor and capture card." "A capture card, you say?" "Yes. For example, if you want to capture the game screen of a Switches and then output it from yourputer, there will be significantg. So, you distribute the output to both the monitor andputer Wait, are you following?" Smoke figurativelyes out of my head. I might consider buying a second monitor for game streamingter. "Well, if you decide to buy themter, I''ll tell you now. It''s best to buy a monitor and capture card that matches the performance of your game console. Whether you need 1080p at 60fps or 4K at 120fps" "Okay, got it!" "You don''t get it, do you?" "A-anyway! Should we take a break for a while?" "Wait a moment. There are still many things to do while waiting for the items to arrive. Once the hardware setup is done, it''s finally time to talk about the software!" "That''s right! Really!?" Finally, it''sing. The problem I was most curious about. "That''s right! Then, let me teach you" [The method to obtain a VTuber model for "0 yen"]! And I was about to learn. Mai-san''s words, [Be a VTuber for 0 yen] were not just empty wordsC. div> Chapter 130.7 - SS 11 Chapter 130.7 - SS 11 SS 11. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Avatar] "I''ll tell you how to get a VTuber model for 0 yen''!" "Hey, wait!" But can such a thing be possible? It''s the kind of information I wanted to hear. But the regr price is tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of yen. "Could it be some shady method?" "There''s no way, right?" Worried, I asked, and Mai-san ced a hand on her hips and got angry. Thank goodness, it seems to be a legitimate method. "There are several ways to obtain a VTuber model for 0 yen, you know? For example, using models that are distributed for free or applying to an agency to debut." "Hmm." "I know what you mean. It''s not the kind of answer you wanted to hear, right? The way to get a model for 0 yen is to make it yourself!" "No way!?" If I could make it easily, I wouldn''t be in such a predicament! Oh, wait a minute! Could it be!? "Mai-san misunderstood! I remember you were helping with your sister''s debut, right? Let me tell you, ordinary people can''t do amazing artwork like that!" "It''s not like that! Even though you mentioned artwork,'' it''s different. Well, nowadays, you can make a single illustration with AI and automatically embed bones into it, or even use AI to generate animations. It''s not impossible, you know?" "???" "Well, you don''t have to worry about that. After all, Ilyena-chan won''t debut with a Life2D or a 2D model." "Not 2D? Then what could it be?" "That''s right. Ilyena-chan will debut in 3D''!" "What?! That''s outrageous!" I eximed. I already researched it once. I know how much money it costs. 3D models are much more expensive than 2D models. They can cost up to a million yen. It''s on apletely different scale. "In the case of aplete amateur, it''s not like that, you know? If you use a certain something, though" I realized it. That must be the key to the story. "And that certain something is a modifiable andmercially usable 3D model''!" "Does that mean you''ll use something that''s already finished?" Just to make sure, I confirmed it. Mai-san nodded emphatically, saying, "That''s right!". "And some of these models can be easily customized even by amateurs!" "So you mean I can create my favorite model!?" "That''s right!" While exining, Mai-san installed several software programs. The first one sheunched was "VLoid Studio?" "That''s right! This is one of the software programs that allows you to easily create and customize 3D models." Several software programs can create these types of 3D models. Does Mai-san know all this stuff!? "Another rmended app is Homunculus,'' and it depends on your preferences. Oh, but be careful because they terminated their Vst year Oops, sorry, I got off track." "Yeah." Mai-san was talkative. There was a slight concern, but I decided to focus on the main topic. "So, with this software, anyone can easily create a cute and fantastic avatar, right?" "Well, umm, I guess you''ll have to try it out yourself?" "Let''s do it!" I clicked on [Create New]. First, I chose "female" from the base model "Ugh, not cute at all!?" A bald woman appeared in the center of the screen. I saw various icons for hair, eyes, mouth, and more lined up around her. "Yes, well, it''s just the base! From here, you can select your favorite parts and create" I mustn''t be discouraged before even trying. I began selecting hair and parts that I liked. In no time, the character''s impression started to change. Adjusting the parts was easy. Just by moving the bars for each item. Yes, it was easy, but When I looked at the finished product, I let out a scream. "It''s not cute at all~~~~!" "Hahaha, I thought so!" Strange, the controls were so simple! For some reason, I couldn''t make it adorably perfect. "Well, you know, character creation in games can turn outpletely different depending on the person." I realized what she meant. Upon closer thought, what I was doing now was pretty much the same. "In the end, you don''t need to be good at drawing, but you need other talents instead, huh?" "In that case, I don''t rmend it. And this is the main point. Here, a sample model''!" Mai-san operated the program and showed me some downloaded models. They were high-quality 3D models. "This is the work of professionals." What I made was entirely different. Especially the clothing parts, which didn''t preset, but seemed to be made from scratch. "Ilyena-chan will choose one from these and create her model by modifying it a bit!" "I-Is it okay to do that?" "That''s what''s great about it! And this is exactly why I rmend VLoid Studio!" It turns out VLoid Studio has "fewer restrictions on the use of sample models, allowing many people to easily utilize and engage in creative activities with 3D characters". So generous! "Of course, it''s essential to review the terms of use and to use it withmon sense and manners." Unlike creating from almost scratch like the base. Thanks to the cute base. I can do this! "Alright then. Next, I''ll give you advice on What design should a VTuber model have?''" Huh, isn''t it enough to make it ording to my preferences? To that doubt, Mai-san responded. div> Chapter 130.8 - SS 12 Chapter 130.8 - SS 12 SS 12. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Modeling] "What design should a VTuber model have? The most important thing is''movement''!" "???" I tilted my head in confusion. If I waspletely creating it from scratch, I could understand. But this time I''m using software to make it. Isn''t it obvious that the 3D model we create would move? That''s what I thought, but that''s not what she meant. "More precisely, it''s about visible movement''. Stand out with head movements, for example. Since VTubers are mostly shown from the upper body, sometimes only the head and hand tracking can be challenging on a low budget." "Oh, I see. So, what should I do specifically?" "Well, specifically, adding ent colors to the hair'' or essories to the head'' aremon." Now that she mentioned it, I remember that the VTubers who coborated with Iroha-sama all had some essories on their heads. Of course, it won''t always be the case, but "In the early days, VTubers were rtively simple, but now, most VTubers have something like that." "I see. In that case, I''m thinking of adding a hair ornament inspired by Ukrainian traditional clothing" "Hold on! The first rule for amateur design is" "Don''t get greedy''!" "!?" Mai-san made a shh'' gesture,plete with sound effects. Was my idea somehow wrong? "Ilyena-chan can''t design by herself, right?" "That''s right." "In that case, you can''t create highly original parts like that, right? You can choose from hairstyles, hair colors, hats, sses, and hairpins. And if you want something unique, you can go with essories like animal ears!" "!" At this point, the downside of not spending money was bing apparent. Price andpromise, are on opposite sides of the scale. "The essory options are Well, there are hardly any choices avable. Ah!? The same goes for the clothing, right!? It''s incredibly difficult to stand out!" "That''s true." "Sigh." I know there''s no helping it. However, I feel a little dejected. In the end, the world revolves around money. Money is everything. Money is justice. Kids like me can''t afford tickets to make our dreamse true. "Hehehe, don''t be so down! Of course, there are limitations in the choices. But you can still choose from so many more items than you think!" "But where can I find such things?" "That''sC BOOSH''!" "What is that?" "In simple terms, it''s a site where individuals can sell their creations. Look! There are so many essories, hairstyles, and eye designs being sold here!" Mai-san opened the website and showed it to me. When I searched for VLoid, there were tens of thousands of products avable. "What is this? But it means I have to pay for them, right?" "You''d think sobut in fact, many items are being sold for free, disguised as if they cost something!" "!?" "For example, some are offered for free as a sample color variation, or they''re considered practice pieces. With such arge selection, chances of someone having the same thing are very low, don''t you think?" "That''s true Ah!" As I scrolled through the items, my eyes were fixed on 1 set. It was a floral crown and a pure white dress outfit. "That''s right~ Do you like it?" "Yes." "I think it looks great. Did you check the terms of use? Yes, it allowsmercial use too." "But, is it okay to use it for free?" "In that case, why don''t you boost'' and add some money to support the creator? It will also motivate them to create new works." "That''s a good idea! I like this person''s creations! I want to support all their work!" "Then, someday when Iryena bes a famous VTuber, it might be nice tomission original outfits from that person, right?" "" That''s right. I''m still using a ready-made'' model, but someday! To be noticed by Iroha-sama. It''s a path I''ll have to take eventually. Another goal has been added. Since meeting Iroha-sama, my life, which was once full of resignation, is now illuminated with light. "Alright, let''s download and import it, then adjust the parameters like this." I followed Mai-san''s instructions and operated the software. In no time, the outfit became a part of me. "It''s cute." "Yes, it looks perfect! Alright, the model isplete!" I couldn''t help but admire my finished appearance. This is Ilyena. "With a bit more effort, you can handle not only VRM files but also FBX models, so you''ll have more options Oh, you''re not listening, are you?" "I''m listening attentively!" I shook my head vigorously to regain myposure. Mai-san seemed to gaze at me gently, which was a bit unusual. "Well, are there other things you need to do before the equipment arrives?" "Right We should work on creating a logo once the model is ready!" "A logo? Is that a name beautifully decorated?" "That''s right!" "Can you create one easily?" "Well, umm Actually" For the first time, Mai-san hesitated in her words. div> Chapter 130.9 - SS 13 Chapter 130.9 - SS 13 SS 13. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Materials] "Well then, about creating the logo honestly, it might be faster to just hire someone for this." "Huh? That came here!" Even the 3D model for the VTuber was achievable at 0 yen. I never expected to stumble over creating a logo. "Well, you know, there are sites and apps that make creating logos easy, but they might be free to create, but you have to pay to download, or they might not be suitable for creating a VTuber logo in the first ce." "That''s true." "Of course, names vary from person to person, so the part that requires personal effort is significant. If you were to create it yourself, using vector images is tricky, so I rmend using free editing software like Mediband Paint" Mai-san mumbles her words. It''s a tough world. I''m not particrly artistic. "While it''s not impossible to make it yourself, even if youmission someone, it would only cost a few thousand yen, and since it''s something you''ll be using for a long time Remember, you still have a bit of New Year''s money left, right? I think it''s okay to splurge a bit here!" "I understand. That makes sense." This New Year''s money was just extra ie. I wouldn''t say I''m not attached to it, but I have separate savings for Iroha-sama''s present money, so it''s not an issue. "So, if you''ll make amission, I rmend sites like coconara or SUKIMA. Hmm, I wonder which person would be good?" I search the site alongside Mai-san. I pick one person from the options based on their achievements and prices and decide tomission them. "Provide your name, the desired image, and attach a reference photo for the model." "Make sure to include the phic reading in Roman letters too. I''m sure Ilyena-chan''s viewers aren''t only Japanese, so" And so, themission isplete. The deadline is still a little ways off. "Anything else we should do while we have time?" "Well, yeah with the remaining time, we should gather materials." When you''re about to start streaming, you realize you need a surprising amount of stuff. Mai-san shows me a page in her notebook where she''s listed them all out. "It''s especially important are the background images and BGM for during the stream. Ideally, you''d like different images and BGM for when people are waiting and when we start streaming." "Do they sell those on BOOSH too?" "Oh, you''re catching on! For BGM, I rmend using free ones from Maou Soul or DIVA-SYNDROME, but" As she speaks, I start looking, but it turns out to be quite difficult. The background image was easy to decide on, but you can''t tell what a BGM sounds like until you y it. "Well, that can''t be helped. If anything, songs you often hear on MyTube are sometimespiled into ylists, so you could just let them y while you work and look for something else simultaneously." "True. Even if you consider the terms of use, it might be safest to choose from there." "Yeah, checking the terms of use is important! And finally, there''s one material you have to create yourself." "W-Why?" When I heard "create yourself," I became cautious. I was just confronted with the harsh reality of creating a logo earlier. "Thest material is your photos!" "? I have things like my student ID." "No, no! It''s your model''s photos! For icons, banners, and thumbnails, you know." "!" "The work from here on out is really fun even if it''s self-made, you know? You make your model strike poses you like and take many pictures of them! It''ll make things easier in the future!" "That was unexpected." "Sure, you can take new photos each time, but this saves time. Besides, we need photos right now." "But I don''t know how to pose the model." "You don''t need to worry about that at all! With VRM Automatic Photography,'' you can do it!" I was exined how to use it, and it was incredibly simple. Just put the VRM filethe model you createdinside, then choose the pose. "Wow, I can take such cute photos like this? Oh, this pose is cute too! And this one!" "Operating the bones ourselves is tough, so let''s borrow poses from those who came before us! There are so many, and you can also download and add more!" "And with this, you can easily change facial expressions?" "Yeah, yeah. This is a benefit of VLoid Studioit''s based on sample models. It hardly breaks, and you can change expressions and apply poses like that." This is quite enjoyable. I might end up ying with it for a while. And before I knew it, it had be quitete. "I think that''s enough for today. It''ll be easier to continue once you have the equipment and logo ready." "Thank you. Well then, I''ll continue after the items arrive." "Okay. Is something wrong?" "Oh, uh well" Because I stared for too long, Mai-san tilted her head. I hesitated but finally made up my mind. At this calm moment, I decided to ask something that bothered me. Because it''s a bit too much, but Mai-san seems to know too much. "Um, I''m sorry if I''m mistaken. But, Mai-san, could it be that you''ve already?" "CHave I already debuted as a VTuber?" div> Chapter 130.10 - SS 14 Chapter 130.10 - SS 14 SS 14. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ SNS] "Mai-san. Is it possible that you''ve debuted as a VTuber, perhaps?" For a moment, Mai-san fell silent. Then slowly, she opened her mouth and asked. "Why do you think that?" "Well, if you had just assisted your older sister with her debut, you wouldn''t need knowledge about 3D models, right?" "I see" Mai-san''s face turned into an expression of realization. Other discrepancies were also present, like the iplete equipment arrangement, creating a sense of inconsistency. "I guess that''s right." "Well, I wonder At the very least, the current me isn''t a VTuber." "Why did you decide to stop?" I felt she would evade the question if I didn''t press further. Mai-san sighed as if giving in. "Well you see, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses." Mai-san mumbled quietly. She shifted her gaze out the window. The iing evening sun was dazzling, causing me to squint. I couldn''t discern anything because her expression was concealed by the light. "Even so, there might have been times when I wanted to be like someone I admired." I didn''t have the right words for Mai-san. Because she and I were very alike, yetplete opposites in a way. "Well, even if I were to be a VTuber, the main reason would probably be that it was a waste to have extra equipment. After all" Unexpectedly, Mai-san turned toward me. She had a surprisingly bright expression. "CBecause trying it out was free." Mai-san said, jokingly. I chuckled along. "I don''t regret it. Being a VTuber allows for second chances without showing your face. Plus, we''re in the era of the 100 Million Total Viewers Society, right? This experience won''t be in vain." "Even in times like now?" "For the future." We exchanged nces. I felt like I understood Mai-san a bit better. "Well then, good work today. Oh, I almost forgot." "Why, what''s up?" "There''s something I want you to do before next time." *** And then, two weekster. Finally, the logo and equipment were all ready. The logo was more affordable than the market price, with the trade-off being no retakes but it was perfect from the start, with noints! The equipment, once connected and tested, posed no problems either. From here on, it was time to dive into the truly virtual work. "So, can I confirm what you mentioned earlier?" "Yes! I''ve created the ounts!" "Let''s see." I showed My-san the newly established MyTube channel and Twitter ount. And the instructions I received from Mai-san the other day. "Did you properly get your parent''s permission?" "It''s all good!" It was a solution to the issue I, being a minor, would face. "Indeed, there''s not much Mai-san can do about this." "Alright then. Let''s finish setting up the ount. What we need is" As Mai-san spoke, she took out that worn-out notebook. Looking back, this notebook might have been for her older sister''s debut, but it was most likely for herself. "We need a header and an icon. They''re slightly different sizes for MyTube and Tmitter, but I think using the same images is fine." "So, we have to make these ourselves?" "That''s right. But it''s not too difficult. Trimming an icon is easy, and the header" I opened a software as Mai-san spoke. I had used simr tools during school lessons. "This is what you''d call painting software. This one''s called Mediband Paint. It''s amazing because most functions are avable for free. You can do pretty much all image editing with this." ording to My-san, "Mastering multiple software tools is tough.". It was a relief for me since trying to learn too many things was overwhelming. "Just use it, specify the canvas size yeah, and then arrange the elements" I prepared a suitable background and ced the logo Mai-san had made. With just that, a nice-looking header wasplete. "I-It''s surprisingly easy." "Well, it''s mostly thanks to the good logo design." After that, I wrote the self-introduction texts for MyTube and Tmitter. I also added a favorite mark next to the name. "Oh, you made it a [peace sign]? Yeah, I think it''s nice. How about tweeting a self-introduction on Tmitter? Honestly, I wish we could have promoted more beforehand, but" I added hashtags and created the text. Mai-san rmended tags like #VTuber, #VTuberʂ, and #VTuberϤޤ. However While attaching a "selfie," I asked. "Um, does this have that much effect?" "To be honest, not really, but it''s better than nothing! It''s more effective than a random MyTube video from an unknown channel." In other words, from here on, it would depend on luck and effort. "But you know, it still feels a bit lonely." "Sharp observation! The most effective promotion on Tmitter is videos!" "What!? Really?" When Iroha-sama debuted, she posted a self-introduction video on MyTube and a shorter version on Twitter for promotion. So, what I had to do next? "That''s right! Since you''re done creating the ount, next up is finally shooting the video!" "!" We had finally reached this point. I could sense that even View-sensei''s lessons had transitioned into the grand finale of Mai-san''s VTuber debut. div> Chapter 130.11 - SS 15 Chapter 130.11 - SS 15 SS 15. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Tracking] "Alright then. Let''s talk about video recording methods. For that, you''ll need two necessary software." As Mai-san spoke, she raised her finger. "First, the tracking software for moving the 3D model VSeeFake, also known as the tracking software." "Come to think of it, I haven''t be a VTuber yet!" I''ve taken photos with poses and expressions specified. But I haven''t moved yet. I downloaded the software Ma-san mentioned. Iunched VSeeFake, selected the model, and allowed ess to the camera. And then, my eyes met with Ilyena. "So cute" As I murmured, her mouth moved, opening and closing. She blinked in sync with me. When she shook her head, her hair swayed. "How about it? What do you think of this virtual body?" "This is me, after all." "That''s right. With a few more settings and adjustments" I was amazed by the expressiveness of the model. She could get angry, smile, look sad, surprised She made the same expressions I did. "It''s amazing, isn''t it? This level of uracy can even track eye movements and eyebrow motions for free. Although, other software options have their pros and cons" This software, VSeeFake, specializes in upper body tracking. On the other hand, 3tere charges for facial tracking, but with the right equipment, you can also track your entire body. "I see. It seems best to use each one ording to the situation." "Exactly. And if your smartphone is a newer model, you might be able to use it as a recement for a webcam with Perfect Sync. In that case, you might not even need to buy a webcam." "What''s Perfect Sync?" "High-precision tracking, I guess. It''s a bit moreplicated to set up, but you can track even cheek and tongue movements. You can replicate actions like puffing up your cheeks or sticking out your tongue to lick something." "Th- That much!?" The possibilities are endless! Eventually, I could do all sorts of things with Iroha-sama, like this and that! I was lost in my fantasies until I was brought back to reality. "But the most important thing is the specs of yourputer." "Ugh, yes." "It''s natural to prioritize that, though. Processing a 3D model is heavierpared to a 2D model. Unless you''re running it alongside a PC game, your current specs should be enough." Constraints due toputer specifications seem to be everywhere. Still, even with some limitations, I had noints. After all, the difference between "zero" and "one" is like night and day. Without Mai-san, and thisputer, I wouldn''t have be a VTuber in the first ce. "Now that tracking is all set. So, the second necessary software for video recording recording software!" "Ah, true. Without that, you can''t record anything." Now that she mentioned it, it was an obvious point. "Do you have any rmended software for recording?" "Of course. It''s called -OVS Studio!" "Huh!?" Even I knew that name. Many streamers probably use this software. However "Is OVS a streaming software?" "You can also use it for video recording. Plus, setting it up is just like streaming so we can handle the settings here, maybe?" "Please guide me." "Setting up OVS is easy! I wish I could say that, but there are so many settings! So, let''s give up on trying to understand everything by ourselves for now!" "What!? I- Is that okay?" "It''s fiiine. Many people havepiled rmended settings on websites, so let''s start by following those." "I- I understand." "Though I must say, I have notes from when I set it up this time." "Mai-san~!" While expressing gratitude for showing me the notes, I proceed with the settings. Integration with MyTube, then resolution, frame rate, registering the microphone to use "Oh, and you might want to remember bitrate. If your stream gets choppy or you''re experiencing frame drops, try adjusting this first. It might help with the issues." "U- Understood." After a while, the settings are finallypleted. I have Mai-san double-check, and get her approval with a "This should be fine.". "Now, let''s set up the screen. The process here is the same as streaming." I follow her instructions. But since this time, I''m creating a simple video. I just have to add the capture from VSeeFake to a section called Source.''. In the center of the OVS screen, I see Ilyena''s figure. When I tilt my head left and right, she on the OVS screen sways a beat behind. The preparations are all set. Finally, the moment hase. "Ilyena-chan, we''re about to start recording the video. Are you ready?" "Yes." I take a deep breath and face the monitor. Then I click the [Start Recording] button. To the other side of the screen to the world, I''ll stream my words. Just like that person I love. "Dobroho Ranko!" With a cheerful greeting, I start. And then *** "W- What is this?! Is this for real!? This video is aplete mess!" I y back the finished video and slump down. The first take ended in a huge failure. div> Chapter 130.12 - SS 16 Chapter 130.12 - SS 16 SS 16. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Thumbnail] "What the heck is this?! Is this video all messed up?" I yed back the finished video and copsed. It was full of problems. "It''s okay if I''m a bit nervous or unsettled. But seriously, the audio quality is terrible! It''s full of static and noise, and despite that, the volume is so low!" "Oh, yeah, I guess it didn''t work out after all." "After all?" "Well, you see, you haven''t set up the microphone properly yet." "The microphone?" What was my enthusiasm from earlier all about? Even Mai-san had given it her approval. However, it seems there was a reason for this failure. You see "The required settings for the microphone vary greatly depending on the type." In other words, they probably wanted to confirm the default audio quality. Come to think of it, when buying the microphone. "The challenge with a cheap microphone is to see how much you can get away with." So, it seems theck of investment is catching up now. "But, I never thought it would be this bad." "Don''t worry so much. It''ll be fine. You can improve it." As Mai-san reassured me, I set filters for the microphone in OBS. There are specific solutions for each issue, it seems. "If the volume is low, increase the gain''. If there''s noise, use noise suppression'' or noise gate.'' For distortion, apply a pressor.'' And then there''s the order of filters." "Hmm, I see" I checked the settings quickly. I checked the audio quality and, for practice, recorded a video. "I''m getting used to talking bit by bit. And the sound is different from before! It''s so much clearer!" "For what you can''t achieve with hardware. You rely on software! Of course, the original sound quality sets a limit no matter what." "Yeah, but it''s still more than enough!" People can notice certain things but often overlook others. Until now, I had taken Ichisama''s streams for granted, with their pleasant and clear voice. But now, I''ve realized ites at a significant cost. "Even viewers say it''s expensive'', but I can understand why someone might spend millions of yen on a soundproof room or a high-end microphone, especially for ASMR." "Wait, millions of yen!?" It was a n to gift Ichisama for an ASMR coboration. But it''s way beyond my imagination. I''ll need to work hard for this! Anyway, for now, the self-introduction video for tweeting is okay with this. What''s left is oh, right. "What else do I need to do before my debut?" "Nothing." "Huh?" "That''s all the preparation needed for the VTuber debut. However, the actual setup for the livestream is still pending. Specifically, we need to secure the streaming time slot, and most importantlycreate a thumbnail!" A thumbnail is the face'' of a video. I''m not afraid of creating something on my own anymore. I''ve learned a lot so far. The software can solve all the problems! "So, what software are we using this time?" "To be honest anything works!" "Wait, anything?!" Being told that anything works makes it harder to decide. But why? "There are a ton of software options for creating thumbnails. To put it bluntly, any graphic software would do, even like paint software." "I see" "For example, the software I had Ilyana-chan use earlier is fine too." "You mean the Mediband Paint?" "Yeah, exactly! It might even be well-suited. It''s an online font tool, and ites with several eye-catching'' fonts right from the start. You don''t have to go through the trouble of collecting fancy fonts." "Collecting materials can be tough." I remember the struggle with BGM and feel a bit bitter. Since I have it on hand, I''ll try Mediband Paint. "Indeed, there are various fonts avable from the start." "See? You could also use software that offers plenty of temtes if not this one. Ultimately, the only requirement for a thumbnail is it has a canvas size of 1280720 pixels." "That sounds like a bold statement." "Haha, well, why not give making one from scratch a try?" "True. Since I''vee this far" I faced the nk canvas, but my hands stopped. I didn''t know where to start. "Maybe you could try mimicking someone else''s thumbnail at first. How about checking out your onee-san''s thumbnails from her debut?" "Oh, I''d love to see them!" "Well, um, just give me a moment, okay?" I handed over the keyboard and mouse to Mai-san. However, it seemed like she was having trouble finding them. "Hmm, can''t seem to find them. Maybe they got caught by the guidelines, or perhaps they were removed based on agency instructions." "Well, that can''t be helped." "Yeah. Instead Oh, how about this one? It seems like a VTuber who debuted justst year, and they seem to have a simr approach to Ilyena-chan''s debut." I checked out the suggested rookie VTuber. Let''s see, their name is "Kawaii Kei''-san, huh?" Chapter 130.13 - SS 17 Chapter 130.13 - SS 17 SS 17. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Conclusion] I look at the thumbnail of the VTuber called Kawaii Kei. It seems that this person has also debuted and is active in a way simr to me. "Rather than overly high-level thumbnails, something like this might be more in line with the theory and easier to understand. Well regardless of the sense, that is. For example, something like this" "Or even something like this" "At the very least, I think I could create something like this pretty quickly." "Is that so?" "Specifically" Mai-san summarizes the key points for me. They go as follows 1. Since VTubers rely on their face, make sure to have a clear close-up of the head. 2. Userge, attention-grabbing text for the headline and add outlines or shadows to improve readability. 3. Avoid cing small text or critical information in the bottom right corner, because that''s where the video duration is disyed. "Something like that?" "Wow, there are quite a few requirements for a thumbnail, aren''t there?" "Regarding thumbnail design, these are just examples." However, as I try to create one while being guided, it''s quite easy to make something like this. Wait, does that mean "Now, all that''s left is to set up the livestream with this thumbnail." "..!" The moment was getting closer. I go to the MyTube Studio page and start setting up the livestream. "Decide on the title, write the description Oh, and" "Ah, for the child-friendly setting, it''s better to choose no. It''s different from age restriction. That way, it won''t be as easily shown to adult viewers." "I see." "And maybe it''s a good idea to enable DVR as well." "DVR?" "It''s about allowing viewers to watch a rey of the livestream. It''s good to have it in case there''s an ident. But in the beginning, it might be better to have it enabled so that new viewers can easily catch up." And finally, thest page. All that''s left is to set the schedule for starting the livestream. "Preparations are all done." "Yeah. Now all that''s left is to start the livestream." My heart was pounding. I asked Mai-san, trying to hide my nervousness. "Um are there any points to be careful of during the livestream?" "Hmm at first, it might be good to dual-monitor your livestream to check if the audio is okay. Also, when you''re ending the livestream, make sure it''s properly ended, and for added safety, you might want to close OVS too." "Any other things to note from what we''ve done so far?" "If there''s a problem, restart. Most issues can be solved that way. Also, make sure to keep your software and OS up to date, especially before working. Ilyana-chan started from scratch this time, so it was fine." "Okay, anything else?" "Well what are you running away from, Ilyana-chan?" "Wha?" "Only you can press the start button. Nobody''s forcing you. And you can never escape from yourself. Besides that time when you can press the start button is drawing near." My thoughts were seen through, and I lowered my head. It was embarrassing to be caught feeling nervous. "And besides at first, you might have zero viewers anyway!" "Even though I''ve prepared so much!?" "Well, you know someone kind enough toe and listen to someone else''s inner monologue'' is a precious thing. So, if even one persones to listen" I''m taken aback. It''s not about the quantity. Viewers aren''t just numbers. Each one is a human being. "It''s the same with videos, and everything else. Having many people watch is important. But even more than that, if you can make even one person say, That was interesting,'' about what you''ve created, that''s when value is born in what you''ve made." "I I see." "Still, I hesitated a little. Mai-san gently nudged me from behind. "On the contrary, if you don''t put your work out into the world, it will remain dead. So, gather your courage. Take a step forward. Breathe life into Ilyana.''" "Yes!" I had made up my mind as well. Mai-san stepped back, no longer providing support. "With this, I''ve taught you the ABCs of being a VTuber. From here on, it''s up to you. So, what kind of livestream do you want? Who do you want to be as a VTuber?" What kind of VTuber do you want to be? I could answer that question without hesitation. It was something I had already decided. "A VTuber like Iroha-sama!" "I see." Mai-san smiled. In my mind, I saw that moment in the ssroom when I helped a struggling foreigner. I wanted to be a VTuber who could reach out to people in need, just like that. I wanted to be a VTuber who could connect people. I set the schedule for the livestream. And a few hourster, I pressed the Start Streaming button in OVS. "Dobroho Ranko!''" At that moment, a VTuber named Ilyena was born into the world. *** Several monthster. I had enrolled in a middle school in Japan. And the subscriber count for the Ilyena channel was gradually increasing. She''s a bilingual VTuber fluent in Ukrainian and Japanese, and an active junior high school student. Those attributes resonated well. It was on a certain day that something happened. My smartphone vibrated. The caller ID was Wh-why the sudden call!? Since we exchanged contact information at the graduation ceremony, this was the first time something like this had happened. With trembling hands, I pressed the Answer button. My voice, naturally, flipped. Little did I know, monthster, I would be told something like, "Could you help save the world?". At that moment, I had no idea. Chapter 131: [Immortality] Chapter 131: [Immortality] The world''s VTuber poption had surpassed 100,000 individuals. And the number of fans was even greater. Now, it was the hottest industry. That''s right [And so, I make my appearance as a VTuber! Please give me a warm wee with your apuse!] Tremendous apuse, resembling the sound of heavy rainfall, echoed through the air. Amidst that, I was led up onto the stage. <> [Now, Iroha-san, please give us your greeting.] <> The voice of the announcer echoed through the venue via the loudspeaker. Whistles sounded from somewhere in the crowd. Is it okay to do something like that!? I felt uneasy, but no one reprimanded me. Perhaps this was because this asion was exceptional. Or maybe arge portion of those present were fans of Iroha. [Ladies and gentlemen, please remain quiet. Furthermore, today''s event is held virtually to show our respect for the awarded Iroha-san.] Why is something like this happening I was half on the verge of tears as I stood exposed to the audience. This was Oslo, the capital of Norway. Many people were in attendance at the venue, including individuals referred to as "Your Highness" or "Your Excellency". They have a screen set up behind this year''s stage, like in previous years. I stood within that screen''s "center." [And now, it''s time for the Nobel Peace Prize presentation certificate and medal to Iroha-san!] The announcer, as if understanding the humor, dered dramatically. In an instant, thunderous apuse erupted, and everyone rose in a standing ovation. One year since that incident. While they hadn''t made the peace deration yet, there hadn''t been any fight between Ukraine and Russia. Global conflicts had temporarily decreased, it seemed. And apparently, I had been chosen as the central figure responsible for all this. But seriously, bing something like this. I never signed up for it! [Iroha-san, please deliver a speech to the world.] <> I opened my mouth on the stage. I''m still harboring resentment toward the person who caused this situation. <> I directed my gaze toward a section of the audience. There sat the President of the United States, Angu Ogu''s mama. She had a mischievous smile as if she found it amusing. I won''t forgive you for this! And so, this year''s Nobel Peace Prize became an exceptional event. Two main reasons contributed to this. First, the recipient wasn''t a real person, but a character. And second, I had set a new record for the youngest recipient in history. On this auspicious day, I found myself alone, regretting the words I had spoken a year ago. Why did I have to ask for something like that, I wondered *** "Yahhoo~. I''vee to hang out. But, Iroha-chan is dead~!?" "Oh, what''s up? It''s just Mai." A few dayster, I copsed on the floor of my room. Mai discovered me like that and let out a surprised voice. Or rather, that Mai, it''s obvious, but she''s casually entering my room now. It''s not a big deal, though. "What on earth happened~!?" "Nothing much. I can''t shake off the fatigue from the awards ceremony the other day." "Hmm~? But it''s unusual for Iroha-chan, isn''t it~? Normally, if you watch a stream, you''d recover right away~." Well, the fatigue from the award ceremony itself wasn''t a big deal the problem is with the folks at school. They''re all fidgety! They want to ask, but they can''t, right? They''ve been having that kind of exchange going on non-stop!" "Ah~ yeah, yeah. Anyway, let''s stand up first and change out of the uniform. It''ll get all wrinkled, you know." Mai slipped her hand under my arm and effortlessly helped me stand up. Afterward, she stared at me intently. "What, uh, what''s going on?" I brushed Mai''s hand away and distanced myself as if hugging my body. I couldn''t stand another instance of harassment. But she''s looking at me so intensely. Why? Both Mai and I are already in our 2nd year of middle school. "Seeing me in my school uniform now shouldn''t be unusual." Mai asked with a serious expression. "Hey, Iroha-chan. Could it be, you''ve gotten smaller~?" "You''ve grown bigger, haven''t you!?" I couldn''t help but retort. Seriously, kids grow up so fast. Mai had shot up in height significantly. And unlike t-chested Ah-nee, her chest seemed to be growing at a steady pace too. As for me, I felt a hint of, Nah, not really! It didn''t matter either way. Redesigning a VTuber''s appearance and getting new outfits was crucial. But humans are always changing. I couldn''t be bothered reacting every time. "Even so, isn''t Iroha-chan not growing a bit too much?" "Hahaha, that''s just silly. It''s probably just my imagination" As I said that, I recalled something. With the recent height measurement, my height hadn''t increased by even a millimeter fromst year. Chapter 132: [Migrants] Chapter 132: [Migrants] "I think you''re not growing too fast." Mai said, and I looked down at my body. It''s true, I have the body of a ttened toddler. "Isn''t it that way? You''re just not ready to grow up yet." "What? Iroha-chan has already eaten her red rice and is now a mogamogah!" "Delicacy!" I covered Mai''s mouth. Maybe it''s because I was a man in a previous life, but I still have a hard time talking about such things. "But, yes" I''ve already had my first menstrual period, so I should already be in the secondary sexual characteristics stage. Does that mean that I''ve already finished my growth spurt? No, no, no, it''s too fast. It has only been a little over a year since my first menstruation. Then, what in the world? I released Mai as I thought about it. "Puhah! Iroha-chan''s hands were so soft and slippery!" "Why do you look so happy with your mouth covered?" But then the rxed atmosphere changed. Mai says to me with a serious expression on her face. "Hey~. To confirm, you''re not sick again, right? Or is it an aftereffect ofst year''s incident?" "No, I don''t. You worry too much." I smiled and waved my hand. My health has been good ever since the incident. Even my brain had healed, ande to think of it, I haven''t had a cold in a while. Perhaps this was a gift from someone at that time. After all, they must still want me to be active in the future. I''m at peace now, but just as there is no end to war, there is no end to my role. " No, no, no, no way." "What''s wrong, Iroha? You''re sweating like crazy. "Ha ha ha, it''s all in your mind." Iughed to cover it up. Because hypothetically Hypothetically? What if I had be "immortal" and stopped growing? If such a thing were a reality, I''d I''ll never be able to participate in my oshi''s dinner stream again, will I? I refuse to ept such a thing! *** <> [Do you have to say that, Iroha!? Are you trying to pick a fight right from the start!?] After being alone in my room, I called Ogu on the phone. Strangely, hearing her voice like this feels nostalgic. <> [You are trying to start a fight, huh? But it''s rare for Iroha to show interest in someone other than herself.] <> <> For some reason, Ogu''s voice sounded somewhat pleased. Women''s sensibilities, just like Mai''s, are truly baffling. <> [Ugh, height? Calcting that is a hassle. Can''t we use inches?] <> [How should I know? You guys use weird units like "jou" too!] <> Having different units can be troublesome. It''s alright for well-known things, but I''ve failed so many times when ordering goods from individual overseas sellers. I used toin about it, but I guess Japan can''t say much about other countries. [And on top of that, the "jou" unit has different sizes depending on the region. Why is that? It''s so confusing!] <> [Huh!? Uh, well, that''s!] <> Ogu seems to be quite a Japan enthusiast as well. I don''t think it''s weird even if she has some unusual Japanese knowledge. [Yeah, yeah! So, about that!] I breathed a sigh of relief as I finally revealed my findings about Japanese temples. <> [Hou.] As expected, it seemed to be what I suspected. It''s not like having that kind of interest is embarrassing or anything. It''s pretty geeky to be interested in temple sizes, though. Before I could ponder on that further, Ogu interrupted with a "More importantly!". [Iroha, I saw the awards ceremony the other day too!] <> I replied with a bitter voice. I only need that kind of news at school. However, there''s something I''m a little curious about. [So, Ogu, you''ve been living with Ogu Mama since then, right?] <> [Hey, did Ogu Mama say anything?] <> [What!?] I leaned forward inquisitively. Angu Ogu was scolding me a bit through the phone. Ever since she became president, we haven''t been able to talk directly. So, I have no choice but to get information through Ogu. <> [Um She said, "There are too many people immigrating, and it''s bing a problem.] <> I slumped down. I was hoping for information about a "request", not in that sense. [Mu, Iroha! Don''t you understand the importance of this!?] <> [It''s a really big issue, you know! Moreover, there might be more VTubers from that specific country in the future.] <> I switched my focus to serious mode. For some reason, Ogu exhaled as if she were exasperated. Chapter 133: The Clean Air Country Chapter 133: The Clean Air Country Immigration might have an impact on the future VTuber industry as well. People can''t just ignore the conversation when someone says something like that. [Hey, remember how we almost had a nuclear war because of the Ukraine situation? And even there''s a ceasefire but people are still thinking that if something like that were to happen, it''s likely to be around Russia.] <> I''ve heard that many people who had evacuated are returning recently. Both in Ukraine and Russia. Visas are rted to that. Of course, it greatly depends on the reasons, but visas often expire within a year at most. Also, the situation has stabilized. As a result, there''s been a sudden increase in the number of people returning home over the past few months. Come to think of it, I recall. How is that kid who transferred to our elementary school doing now? Did she return to Ukraine? Thest time wemunicated was when I rmended that bilingual VTuber. It''s been over a year, at least. [Sure, many people have returned, but that''s just one example. In reality, the rich folks have all fled. Well, if you can buy the lives of your family and loved ones with money, it''s a small price to pay.] <> [New Zend.] Uh, isn''t that an ind nation floating in the southern hemisphere? Am I the only one who finds that destination a bit unusual? [There are several reasons. Firstly, they recently joined the ranks of advanced nations. Geographically being an ind nation, it''s less prone to invasion. Plus, it''s located in the southern hemisphere.] <> ["Because the air is clean".] <<>> [I''m not making fun of it or anything. It''s a true story.] Is there such a difference between the northern and southern hemispheres? Anticipating the sarcasticment, Angu Ogu responds. [Currently, if a nuclear war were to happen, the likelihood is higher in the northern hemisphere. And when the nuclear fallout urs, many "soot" will be released into the air. Due to Earth''s rotation, the soot will circte along the sametitude apparently.] Soot. I hadn''t thought about that. A nuclear attack isn''t just a one-and-done situation. Even modern "clean bombs" are the same. The threat of nuclear weapons goes beyond just radiation. <> [Sunlight wouldn''t reach the surface, causing a cooling effect. Depending on simtions, a significant decrease in food production could lead to millions of deaths from starvation.] <> [Right now, property prices in New Zend have surged to more than 3 times their previous value. Recently, even moderately wealthy individuals are entering the market, so it''s likely to keep rising.] <> [Mama used to get angry at those kinds of people, saying theycked patriotism.] <> She''s the type who could be the President of the United States. Well, with her, patriotism is stronger than most. [And countries like Australia and neutral Switzend seem to be popr destinations too.] <> [I just want to make sure, but you''re not considering immigrating like that, right?] <> [Hey, you there!? sigh Well, that''s just like you, Iroha.] At that point, the tension in the air eased. Angu Ogu said, [On that note], with a slightly resentful tone. [Speaking of which, Iroha, you''re always talking in English as if it''s nothing. <> [Well it''s not a big deal, but I mean, I''ve spent hours and hours, day after day, teaching you English, and in the end, I find out you''ve just figured it out on your own again!] <> [When I thought you had walked back from the hospital by yourself, you show up with a casual face and say, "Oh, I can speak English again.". Wait a minute, what about my effort!?] Uh-oh, I seem to have triggered something strange. I try to calm Angu Ogu down. <> [Yeah, it''s been a year! Can you believe it''s been that long? After thinking about it more, it''s starting to annoy me! Back then, I was all like, "Great job.", but I think about it, isn''t it ridiculous!?] <> Is there any way I can defuse this situation with a single word!? I desperately try to think. <> [Huh?] <> [..Is that so?] I could sense Angu Ogu''s uncertainty. I lock onto this moment and press on. <> [W-Well? If you put it that way I suppose I wouldn''t mind being thanked!] I could hear Angu Ogu making a satisfied sound on the other end of the phone. I won. This one was easy. Alright, let''s get to the point and make a request. [Oh, by the way, would it be okay if I asked for one more favor?] <> [Actually I''ve got some business to attend to in Japan soon, so could you let me stay at your house again when the timees?] Chapter 134: Singing Session After One Year Chapter 134: Singing Session After One Year [Let me stay at your house again!] <> A year ago, Angu Ogu tirelessly taught me English in the hospital room. And now, is this all it takes to show my appreciation, with a simple request for a sleepover? [It''s fine. It''s fine. By the way, Iroha, isn''t it about time?] I realize this after Angu Ogu mentions it. Oh, right, I have a streaming session scheduledter today! <> [See you~] It seems Angu Ogu is more aware of my schedule than I am. I end the call while thinking, "Wow, that turned out to be a lot easier than I expected.". "Anyway, it ended up being pretty cheap~." I thought she''d be asked for something much more daring. I hurriedly start preparing. *** 30 minutester. "Is everyone doing well? It''s your big sister'' Anegasaki M here" "My words to you!'' Trantor Gir,l Iroha here." I''m participating in a coborative livestream. Today, we''re streaming from Anegasaki''s channel. >I love Anego! >Hi there, Iroha! >Congrattions on the award, Iroha! (U.S.) "Thanks~" I had already announced it on my channel, but this is the first time I''m appearing on Ah-nee''s channel after my Nobel award. >Iroha, your music saved me! Thank you! (Mex. Esp) >Your songs are amazing, Iroha! (Braz. Portuguese) "Thank you, everyone~." I can''t be too persistent with Ah-nee''s audience, so I keep it simple. "Hey, Iroha, onee-chan has been watching too! You''re amazing, just like your onee-chan!" "Yeah, hold on a second. Could you stop introducing new elements out of nowhere? Why are you suddenly so obsessed with foreignnguages!?" "Nah, nothing much, yo" "See? And what was that at the end? It sounded like English or maybe rap!" What in the world happened while I was away in Switzend? The award ceremony ended up being much longer than I expected, and I had umted a backlog of archives. >I thought Anego used a lot of unfamiliar Japanese recently. Turns out it''s Japanglish''! (U.S.) >Hard to understand, so spare us, please! (U.K.) >I don''t understand what Anego is saying. But I get the sentiment! (Can. Eng/French) "Are you okay, Ah-nee? People are saying all sorts of things!" "Doublu, doublu, doublu." "That''s not English, you know!?" While this exchange is happening,ments in variousnguages fill the chat. Anego''s recent interest in foreignnguages might be contributing to this. In fact, after the incident a year ago, Ah-nee became explosively popr, second only to me. Wait, why!? This person can''t even speak English! Are you all okay with that!? "Chichichi! Iroha-chan, don''t you know? Language only makes up about 20% ofmunication!" "That''s someone else''s saying." "Anyway! The most important thing is bodynguage! Even if words don''t get through, gestures, expressions, and the tone of your voice can convey most of your thoughts!" "But you''re a VTuber, after all!" And on top of that, you''re in your 2D model! You don''t even have proper bodynguage, do you!? "Huh!? Well then, let''s see! Passion!" "Ah, Ah-nee, you I don''t even know what to say. sigh" In reality, it''s tricky when things are understood like this. Thanks to that, I can''t deny it. "Thenguage barrier may seem thick, but it''s much thinner than everyone thinks." For Ah-nee, it''s like she''s thinking, "No matter how thick thenguage barrier is, I can break it down if I try.". "Well, maybe it''s not a good idea? Okay, fine. I get it. I''ll stop. Iroha-chan, you''re such a spoiled sister~." "This guy!" >Iroha-chan, calm down! >I''m so sorry about my big sister! >Thank you for stopping Ah-nee, Iroha! You''re our savior! (U.S.) I take a deep breath (or something like that) and suppress my anger. Well, if we''re talking about mental age, I''m technically older, right? Let''s handle this like an adult. "So, what''s the n for today?" "Oh, right! Today~ It''s a long-awaited cob singing stream" >Hey, I''ve been waiting! >I appreciate Iroha-chan''s singing streams since there aren''t many >She doesn''t try to sing on her own, huh (U.S.) "Are you being called out, Iroha-chan~?" "Huh!?" Honestly, I was aware of it. However, there''s a reason for that. It''s true. I''ve [gained the ability to sing, free from the curse of a cheat-like trantion ability] since that incident. But, that "normal" state is quite tricky "Alright! Since I shouldn''t keep you waiting too long, let''s start singing! It''s been a year since that incident. Now, if I''m going to sing, it has to be this song, ne" With that, Ah-nee starts ying the track. It''s the song that was created during that incident, sung by many VTubers including me C the song that saved the world. "Come on, Iroha-chan! Let''s sing together!" Encouraged by Ah-nee, I take a deep breath. And the result is *** "Ahahaha! How do I put it, Iroha-chan, you''re just not good at singing, nee~!" >Yeah, that''s true. It''s not like you''re tone-deaf, but you''re just not very good (U.S.) >Our Iroha is back >Iroha-chan doesn''t feel like Iroha-chan unless she''s monotone (Korean) That''s why I didn''t want to sing at all~~~~! Chapter 135: [Natural Language Processing] Chapter 135: [Natural Language Processing] "Iroha-chan''s singing is just bad, sis!" Waiting for me, who had stopped using a monotone voice, was such a reaction. I cried. Isn''t this unfair?! To get criticized for improving my singing!? Well, I''m indeed bad, even though I''ve stopped using a monotone voice. And honestly, I can kind of understand the feeling too. After all, in the world of VTubers, being off-key is also a charm. >Iroha-chan bing slightly better at singing makes me sad >Didn''t she also start voice training? (Korean) >It''s surprising that she''s like this even though she''s been taking lessons. Well, never mind. (U.S.) "Shut up! What''s wrong with being a terrible singer?! Even so, my voice training teacher praises me for [improving little by little every day]!" >That''s just ttery. (U.S.) >They''re just trying to encourage you >Did it have any effect? "Ugh!?" Thements are directly hitting me! Well, my current singing ability is just my natural skill. Honestly, I didn''t know I was this bad at singing. I rarely go to karaoke with others, not even in my past life. And singing alone at home doesn''t give me much perspective. But it''s not like I can use a monotone voice again. It''s impossible. That happened due to the influence of my abilities. So it couldn''t be helped. I tried once to learn [rxed speech] and reproduce it. But it didn''t work out. Well, understanding foreignnguages and being good at impersonations are two different things. Thanks to that, I''m now attending voice training every day. "But it''s surprising-nee. Iroha-chan is taking voice training so seriously." "Well, I can''t cause trouble for my cob partner VTubers." >That''s the honest Iroha-chan for you >Her sensibility is quite mature. (U.S.) >Someone should learn from her. Anego, I''m talking about you. Since that incident a year ago, I''ve been receiving more invitations for coborations with the theme of "singing together". It''s fine if it''s just a singing stream, even if I''m a bit bad, it adds some "vor". But when ites to releasing a cob music video. "Ugh." Just remembering it makes me shiver. Seriously, the amount of money involved is insane. Also, I don''t want to ruin my favorite VTuber''s song with my off-key voice. That''s why I find myself practicing singing even at the cost of reducing the time I watch other streams. "Well, you''ve no choice but to do your best-ne. We will be doing something together soon" "Wo!?" I hurriedly raised my voice to drown out Ah-nee''s words. What is she trying to say now!? "Huh? Oh, I see!? That thing was still a secret!" >Hey!!!! (Korean) >You barely managed to cover it up. It''s hrious. (U.S.) "Sigh, Ah-nee, you''re in the middle of a cob with me, so I managed to stop you. But be careful during your solo streams, okay!?" "Ahhaha! Big sister wouldn''t leak anything like that. Wait, huh? A message from Mane-chan? A lecture after this stream? Whyyyy!?" >Mane-chan is watching too. >Anego''s manager has a tougher job than managing anyone else (U.S.) >How did this person even stream when they were a solo VTuber??? "Ugh!? Um, well, more importantly! This song has be famous too-ne!" "Sigh. Well, I guess so." She''s trying to change the subject. Kindness. I''ll go along with it. Since that incident, many people have sung that song many times. Even now, numerous arrangements are being created for it. I believe it''s because this song is "iplete." At that time, the song was hastilyposed for me. It likely ignited the creative desire to think. "This part would be better like this!" Of course, publicly dering "no usage fee" was a significant factor too. "Oh, right, Iroha-chan! Sing the song with the words from back then! Because of the awards ceremony, some experts were saying something like, That was Rin ga Furanga!''" "Ugh, are they doing that again?" At the time, programs specializing in that kind of thing aired frequently. There were dozens of books published, like analysis volumes and such. There were several variations of that "theory" It''s the theory of Lingua Franca, Proto-World, Telepathy, Group Hypnosis, and more. "For some reason, even though I don''t understand why, I felt like I understood the meaning at that time, as my heart got it-ne." "Even if you say that I don''t remember it well, and no matter how many times you ask, I won''t sing it." I said, trying to divert her. I only can say that it was another form of nguage". Currently, various research institutions seem to be attempting to analyze that song. There are even rumors that they''re using thetest AI for the analysis. "It does seem like that, huh? What was it called? The myth" "The Tower of Babel''?" "Yeah, that''s it!" Indeed, that might be the case. Perhaps humanity is now. Trying to reconstruct the Tower of Babel. As a result, will the world be fragmented like the people of Babel once more? Or perhaps, this time, it might reach a "god". But that''s still unknown. "But still, can''t you sing it? I somehow felt like Iroha-chan could do it-ne." "Hahaha." Why is this person always so perceptive at times like these? Well, I can''t just keep chatting aimlessly. "Come on, Ah-nee. The next song." "Oh, right! Um, the next song we''ll sing is" *** "Phew~" As the stream ended, I took off my headphones and exhaled. Then, I noticed a message notification at the corner of my vision. "Oh." The sender was a certain non-profit organization I had exchanged messages with a few times before. Based in the United States, and They mainly focused on "naturalnguage processing". Chapter 136: [American School] Chapter 136: [American School] <> <> I was talking with the English teacher in the faculty room of the middle school. Her high spirits as sheughed <> were truly fitting and charismatic. <> <> <> <> I declined slightly hesitantly. She''s always a high-energy teacher, but today it seems he''s even more energetic. If I ask, it''s sure to be a long story. <> <> While saying that, the teacher pointed at the paper in front of her. It was a printout of the reason for her high spirits. It was my test result. Not from a regr test within the school, though. It was the score for the TOEFL iBT. <> <> <> I received a scrutinizing gaze. I averted my gaze and evaded the topic. The teacher let out a breath like < > while pointing to the paper. She already knew. But then overlooking it, she didn''t need to confront me. <> <> <> <> It was a painful topic. No matter how excellent mynguage cheating ability is, if the person using it makes mistakes. Then, it''s meaningless. <> <> <> <> I said and left the faculty room. The correspondence with the message I received the other day was going well. "Mm~" I stretched widely, loosening up my body. Preparations were steadily falling into ce. *** "DD And the appropriate time is drawing near. Therefore, I cannot contain my joy at bing a 3rd-year middle school student." Right now, I''m in the middle of a livestream. However, for some reason, the reactions to my statement were slightly dyed and very awkward. "!?!?!? Is that so?" "Ah~ umm! By the way, Iroha-chan, what about the entrance exams?" "Hmm. Regarding high school entrance exams, I''m currently in the stage of considering multiple options." "So, does that mean you might also consider schools outside Japan like in America?" "Out!" "Huh? Oh, right!? It was Bekoku''!?" Everyone let out a sigh of relief. Today, everyone participating in the stream, except for me, was a VTuber from overseas. Since that incident, VTubers had increased not only in Japan but also in other countries, which was a delight. During our coboration stream, we had been ying a game where we avoided using English words. It was a sudden decision. Of course, the obvious thing was that I''m a regr Japanese person "Iroha-chan, that''s cheating! You intentionally use difficult words!" "Absolutely! Moreover, she uses intentionally ambiguous words!" >Iroha-chan is ruthless, lol. (US) >I''m Japanese, but even I can''t understand it properly. This is amazing >She hasn''t said anything significant, but lol "Ugh, I give up!" "Me too. By the way, Iroha-chan, what will you do about school?" "Well, let''s see" "If you want, why note to America?" "I wee Iroha-san toe here too! The VTuber industry is bustling over here recently!" Two VTubers, one still struggling with Japanese and the other who had developed an odd obsession with Japan, were persuading me together. After thinking for a while "Well,e to think of it, does America have high school entrance exams? What are American high schools like?" "America doesn''t have high school entrance exams. We go to nearby schools." "That''s right! Once you submit your application and rmendation letters, you''re done. There are SSAT scores and middle school grades to consider But it seems you''d have to do badly to get rejected." "I see." "Also, in America, high schools are um, credit-based''. What''s that term again?" What''s that term again? "Is it a unit-based system?" "That''s it!" "So, I see. I think it''s well-suited for Iroha-san." >So, there are no high school entrance exams in America >I''m about to take high school entrance exams soon, so I''m envious >Iroha-chan has the choice to go to America either from high school or college "Oh, right. Well, you see" Since it was a good opportunity, I decided to reveal something I had been vague about until now. Actually "I n to study in America starting from high school, but I don''t intend to study there from college." "Whaaat!?" At least for now Comments in the chat were like, "What a waste!". So, what were all the preparations for until now? In other words "Something else". Chapter 137: [Home is Where The Heart Is] Chapter 137: [Home is Where The Heart Is] <> <> I opened the front door with a rattle. There stood Angu Ogu, who hade from America. I invited her into the house. Just as I closed the door of the entrance. <> <> Angu Ogu approached, seeking a hug. I held her back firmly with my palm. She''s getting all excited after that trip, huh? She should calm down a bit. <> <> Since we''re taking care of each other in the hospital a year ago, we''ve be quite close. I''ve been swept up in it myself. So I can''t judge others. I can''t let my fan pride slip away like this! Don''t forget my origins. For this overnight stay, I need to maintain appropriate boundaries. <> <> She hit me where it hurts. Angu Ogu spread her arms wide, appealing to me. <> I sighed and took a step closer to Ongu Ogu. Then I pinched the hem of her clothes and gently rested my head against hers. <> Angu Ogu''s shoulder twitched. I thought, "Well, this should barely be safe." It might not be exactly a hug, but it''s the result of minimizing the contact area, so it can''t be helped. After a few seconds, I pulled away. <> For some reason, Angu Ogu seemed strange. Her face was bright red. <> <> <> <> <> Among my acquaintances, no one else would demand a hug except Angu Ogu. Anyway, we can''t just stand here at the entrance forever. <> <> <> <> <> I was pushed down by Angu Ogu right at the entrance. At the same time, the door rattled open. "Iroha-chan, I''vee to yyy~!" and "Iroha-chaaaan, it''s your big sister~!" <<<>>> "Huh," "Hm?" This must be what they mean when they say the air freezes. I was pushed down and ended up beneath Angu Ogu. As if snapping out of it, Angu Ogu began to sweat profusely. Mai froze in ce while still smiling. "Oh, my~." Mai''s voice rose sharply. "Th-This isn''t yeah! I just tripped, that''s all!" "Do you think that excuse is going to work, you idiot!?" "Yikes!? Mai, you''re making a face that girls shouldn''t make!" "Shut uuup~~~~!" "Oh dear, did big sister and Mai get in the way? Alright, I''lle back in an hour. Oh, and don''t worry, big sister will tweet an update to the fans!" "Hey, wait!? Someone stop that idiotic big sister over there!" It seems like trouble is inevitable whenever this bunch gets together. The long-awaited gathering had started with amotion. *** "So, what were you two doing at the entrance?" In my room, Angu Ogu and I were sitting on the floor, made to kneel by Mai. By the way, Ah-nee was sprawled out on the bed, giggling as she watched us. "But seriously, I''m saying there was a misunderstanding!" "[Haa, haa], even though you were saying something like that?" "!?!?!? I-I didn''t say thaaat!" "No, you did." "Iroha, are you betraying me?" "As expected, I can''t trust Ogu-san! There must be some reason you came to Japan this time, right? I won''t let Iroha-chan be taken away!" "Mmmph!?" With that, Mai, who had been kneeling next to me, hugged me possessively. As if to dere, "She''s mine!". Hey, the height is uh, well, just right. "What!? Mai, when did you get so big Oh, I see now. So that''s why Iroha was worried about her growth''." "Hey, don''t juste up with strange exnations! Uh, anyway, more importantly! What was this thing that Ogu mentioned about [reason foring to Japan]?" "Hehehe! Thanks for asking!" Angu Ogu suddenly regained her momentum and stood up. And with a sound effect that seemed like [Bam!]. She puffed out her nonexistent chest and answered. "The reason I came to Japan this time. It''s to look for a new home''!" "A new home? So, you mean" "Be delighted, Iroha. The truth is" "I''m moving to Japan!" Chapter 138: [Long-Distance Romance (?)] Chapter 138: [Long-Distance Romance (?)] "I''ve decided to move to Japan!" Angu Ogu wore a triumphant expression. "Surprised, huh?" I never expected such a n. "Wait, so you''re telling me the house tour was for Iroha''s house!? No way, I won''t allow cohabitation, you know!?" "That''s not it!? It''s just a regr move!" "Well, well then." "So, what about it? Does Iroha want that?" "Not really Wait a moment! Did you just say you''re moving to Japan!?" "Yeah, I did. This way, coborating with Iroha and the others will be much easier than before!" Angu Ogu smiled broadly as she spoke. Upon hearing this, Ah-nee and Mai both let out. ""Oh!"" "Huh? What''s up? You two could be happier about it, you know?" "Well, it''s just that", "Ahaha! Oh, my stomach hurts!" Mai awkwardly averted her gaze. Ah-nee burst intoughter. "What''s wrong? Is something strange about Mai and Ah-nee Did I say something weird?" Angu Ogu looked puzzled by their reactions. I, on the other hand, understood. "Heh, so Angu is moving to Japan. No wonder you seemed so knowledgeable about jou'' and stuff." "That''s right! And it''s because of that! So, where exactly are you nning to live? I still think around here would be good. Honestly, there are many things I don''t know, so I want to rely on Iroha and Ah-nee when I''m in trouble." "Haha, I see. So, that''s the main purpose of your gratitude''. No wonder it felt too casual." "You figured it out?" Angu Ogu stuck her tongue out yfully, wearing a mischievous smile. Even without a reason, I''m sure Ah-nee and the others would have helped. "But is it alright? Wouldn''t Angu Mama get angry if you said you were moving to Japan? She''s already had some concerns about immigration." It''s because she seemed to express dissatisfaction about immigration. And if it''s her daughter "Oh, Mama said that if it''s near Iroha, she said I should go! Is this what they call parental approval''?" "Hey, stop being a fool. What if more misunderstandings arise?" But recently, there have been more peopleing to Japan. Not just for moves like Angu Ogu''s, either. "It''s amazing how much the VTuber industry has grown. Even people who aren''t immigratinge to Japan for sightseeing. They alle to Akihabara in Tokyo and Nipponbashi in Osaka for VTuber merchandise." "You''re the one behind all that, aren''t you?" It''s a bit embarrassing when someone says that. If I''ve done something for the VTuber industry, that''s the highest form of praise. "Well, from now on, I''ll enjoy life in Japan to the fullest." "That''s right, that''s right. So, shall we go shopping as part of our sightseeing? There are some items I want as well." "Oh, that sounds great! There are so many things I want to buy too. Speaking of which, Iroha, has the number of merchandise in this room increased significantlypared to thest time I visited?" "W-Well, isn''t it just your imagination?" "What!? Could this be Oyabin''s autograph!? Is it an extremely rare item from the early days!? How on earth did you get your hands on it!?" Oh no, I slipped up! Angu Ogu was quite the VTuber enthusiast too! "Uhm, anyway! Let''s go shopping quickly!" "CHold onnnn~!" Mai stopped us with a loud voice. I ceased my effort of pushing Angu Ogu forward by her back. "What''s the suddenmotion about?" "No, no, no! It''s not just [What''s going on?], is it? Iroha-chan, there''s something you need to tell Angu-san, right? If you don''t say it now, things could getplicated. They''re already in a mess!" "Huh? Is something up?" "Hey, what''s this about?" Angu Ogu inquired, but even I don''t know. Mai opened her mouth as if she couldn''t stand it any longer. "Ugh, fine! Then I''ll spill the beans! Angu-san, it''s something really hard to say, and you might be shocked by it, but I want you to brace yourself and listen closely" "What, what is it? You''re making such a fuss. Are you trying to scare me?" "Well, actually, Iroha-chan is" "CGoing to move to America soon." "Huh???" Angu Ogu tilted her head to the side, perplexed. Either she didn''t catch on or she was just taken aback, her eyes seemed to lose their light. "So, in other words probably by the time you move to Japan, Angu-san, Iroha-chan will already be in America. You could say you''repletely swapping ces!" "Whaaat!?" Angu Ogu eximed in disbelief. Oh, right. Come to think of it. I hadn''t told Angu Ogu yet. "Huh? Wait, did I do something? Hey, Iroha! Why did you keep something this important from me?" Angu Ogu grabbed me. She shook my head back and forth, but I didn''t understand why I was being med. "But, you know you''ll still be able to watch your favorite VTubers'' streams even in America, right?" "Is that so? Is Iroha the type to think that way?" Angu Ogu copsed in defeat. Chapter 139: [High Scale] Chapter 139: [High Scale] "Never thought it would be a passing by" Anguogoo copsed, tears streaming down slowly. C-Come on, don''t get so down. "This is all Iroha-chan''s fault~", "Ah-! Iroha-chan, you made her cry!" Even Mai, for once, took Anguogoo''s side. And you, A-nee, remember thister. "It''s kind of, well. It was a sad incident, huh?" "A surprise turning into such a reverse surprise, couldn''t have predicted it, geez!" Even if you say that I also think if you had told me [You n to move to Japan.] earlier. I might have had a chance to say, [I''m moving to America too, you know!]. There must be managers to prevent idents like this. If you''re nning a surprise, you need someone responsible for checking if everything is okay beforehand C that''s the lesson I learned. "Ugh, what am I doing this for?" She started looking pitiable. Even Mai seemed to show an "I''m on your side" attitude. "Um, sorry? My bad?" "You say that while tilting your head!? Sniff. Ah, whatever! That" When I was struggling, Angu Ogu raised her voice as if to dispel the tension herself. Well, her eyes were still resentfully fixed on me, though. "Why is Iroha going to America?" "Oh yeah. Well, you see" "She''s thinking of studying abroad.''." "Whaat!?" I''m doing that not from high school, or college. In middle school 3rd grade, I already intend to go to America. "Hey, wait a second? Could it be that even if Iroha says she''s moving, it doesn''t mean she''s going right away?" "Ah, sharp." Indeed, living in America makes her informed. Unlike Japan, America has a two-semester system. Because of that, the timing for grade progression or higher education is different. Specifically, American schools start around September and end around May. In other words, by the end of middle school''s 2nd year. At this very moment, there''s hardly any school that''s epting study abroad applications. Because they''d have too much vacation. "I''ll start attending the school over there fromte August. However, I n to move even earlier" "Right. I still have some procedures left toplete here, so I can''t just move to Japan immediately. But it''s not like I can cancel now. I won''t be able to be with Iroha much in Japan." "Haha, that''s how it''ll turn out, huh?" "Not haha''!?" Oops, I slipped up. My bad. After a slight internal struggle, Angu Ogu let out a big sigh. It seems like she gave up. Well, there''s no way to fix this problem now anyway. "But, I admit. It''s a bit surprising. Going to America at this time and choosing to study abroad C not entering high school''." "That''s right!" The differences between Japanese and American schools also extend to how grades are organized. Specifically, in America, there are 5 years of elementary school and four years of high school. "So, Iroha won''t be graduating middle school, but will start attending high school'' over there!" "That''s how it''ll be~." "Huh!? Iroha-chan''s skipping grades!?" "No, it''s not like that at all! And besides, I''m sure I exined it to A-nee before!" "???" "O-Older sister" "Yeah! Maybe I got my memories mixed up!?" I gave up on exining to Ah-nee. She''s left behind. It seems she can''t follow this topic. "As of now, I haven''t decided to continue attending an American high school as is. That''s why it''s not entering high school, but studying abroad. After spending about half a year there, I''lle back to Japan and take the high school entrance exams." The one who made that wishe true was my English teacher. She found a program that epted study abroad students and a "well-located" school [I''m well-connected. This kind of situation is really rare, but don''t worry! I finally got Iroha on board, and we can''t miss this opportunity!]. She said that and managed to get permission in no time. She even went as far as scouting the school in America. "It was just along the way during a visit home. The school and teachers over there seemed great too." She said that nonchntly with a smile, but it goes without saying which one was really "along the way." I can''t even sleep with my feet towards that teacher anymore. And I thought I could never match his level of energy. Doing this much for others. I can''t do it. For VTubers, and ultimately for myself. So, in the end, what I took is a few tests and some online interviews. And money. No, seriously. Studying abroad costs a ton of money, doesn''t it!? Well, fortunately, I don''t have to worry about that. I should do something to show my gratitude to the viewers who support me. "I never thought Iroha would go to America. After all, the true home of VTubers is Japan, right? Considering the number of events, I never thought you''d leave Japan." "That''s not true at all!!!" "Huh!? W-What''s going on? Why the sudden reaction?" I leaned forward and refuted Angu Ogu''s words. Could it be she doesn''t know? If that''s the case, this is a time for evangelism! Chapter 140: [White House] Chapter 140: [White House] The American VTuber market is currently hot! Angu Ogu, not realizing this, is probably because she''s directly involved. Being at the center of a storm makes it hard to feel the wind. "To be honest, a ton of massive VTuber events happening over there from around summer'' this year to the end of the year!" "Is that so?" "Yeah, it is! As for the live event happening in America this summer, I''ve already secured tickets and bought early shipment goods in preparation! And there are so many other events after that!" I excitedly tell Angu Ogu, gasping for breath. Evangelizing is so much fun! "Because America is just so huge, it used to be quite challenging for these kinds of things, but the number of VTubers has increased!" "I''ve also noticed an increase in ns for cross-state travel." "Now, the VTubers from the new generation'' that emerged are growing up, and they''ve reached a level where they can hold on-site live events, especially the supermassive event we''re going to be a part of ising up, you know?" "Thinking about it like this, there is a lot!" "Yes! Exactly! This is the time when things will be the most exciting!" Saying that, I lean in closer to Angu Ogu. She seems a little flustered. "I haven''t followed the new generation'' of VTubers closely, and I haven''t recognized them and their colors? It''s a bit, well, their faces are very close" "I understand, Ogu. Can you feel the excitement over there? The timing is simr to Japan, if not even better! Among them, the VTuber I''m particrly looking forward to" "I, I get it. I got it, so calm down. It''s not good to be this close, and our faces, lips, they''re about to touch This, this is too much Seriously, stop it already!" "Iroha-chan, stop~~~!" Angu Ogu pushes me away with her palm. Furthermore, Mai restrains me. Finally, I snap back to my senses. At some point, in my excitement, our faces had gotten so close that our noses almost touched. I quickly move back. "Geez, Angu-san, what are you thinking?! You should know that asking Iroha-chan about VTubers would lead to this situation!" "I, I''m sorry. My bad." I didn''t even get scolded? Somehow, this is also a kind of damage. However, that doesn''t mean I''ll restrain myself in the future! I fake a cough, clearing my throat. "True. By the way, did you know, Iroha? Summers in America are long." "Seems so." "Do you know when summer starts in America?" "Around June, I think." "Lastly, Iroha, when did you say things start picking up for events in America?" I hate kids who catch on quickly! But, I had a bad poker face. "Whistle~ Whistle~" "Don''t think you can distract me with that whistling!" Tch, did it not work? All this is because Ah-nee was being so stupid! "Iroha! Are you moving to America not for studying abroad but for events!?" "Well, uh, studying is important too!?" "Just saying [To-ka]'' already gives it away, you know!?" "Huh? Wait, what do you mean, Iroha-chan!? Mai, I didn''t hear anything~! So, that part about Mai tearfully saying, [Because it''s for Iroha-chan''s future], and deciding to see you off, is that not a thing!?" "Was there something like that?" "There was~!!!!" I don''t remember, but if Mai says so, it must have happened. However, revealing this to others was a mistake. In truth, my study abroad starting in August was nned to coincide with the events. Schools in America often start in September. However, that would mean I''d be attending middle school in Japan until around June. The excitement would already be startingAmerica''s summer vacation begins at the beginning of June, and there was a chance I wouldn''t make it. "Ahh, I underestimated Iroha. I never thought it would be to this extent. Could it be that the choice of moving was also synchronized with the events?" "Is that wrong?" "Guess it''s not, huh?" Well, America is big. If you don''t consider the location carefully, it''s not easy to get to ces even within the same country "Yeah. By the way, will you be staying in a dorm over there?" "No, if I did, I wouldn''t be able to stream, so I''ll be renting a ce." "In that case, let''s live together!" "No, Angu is going toe to Japan, right?" Wait, Angu Ogu is living with her parents now, right? Well, even if she weren''t present, she does have experience living there, and she knows the situation, so it''s reassuring. But well, what about the location? Where was it again? Oops, I forgot. "Where does Angu Ogu live?" "??? Obviously, in Washington D.C." "Why?" "Why? Because, well, my family" "The White House'', right?" I burst outughing inadvertently. Chapter 141: [First Children] Chapter 141: [First Children] "My family home is the White House or something like that." It was an incredibly powerful statement. Even I, who usually remainsposed, felt unsettled by this. "Oh, right! I forgot! Your mama became the president. Is that why you moved?" "Yeah, moving was a huge hassle, you know!? And besides, it''s clear how little Iroha is interested in my life." Well, it''s not exactly like that, though. Rather, precisely because we''re close, I just "Somewhat unexpectedly, it''s as if Ogu-san has be distant." "Hey~ hey~, Ogu! Can Ie to visit next time!?" "No way, right!?" Ogu firmly rejects Ah-nee''s request. Otherwise, she mighte over. "Aw~! Really~? Then, tell me, what''s life like in the White House!?" "It''s incredibly tiring. There are so many rules, or rather, traditions. Like, for example, Don''t open the windows or Don''t drive a car.''" "Haha! But you only look at yourputer anyway, right? And you don''t even have a driver''s license!" "Anego, you''re so annoying!" Ah-nee is annoying,. But honestly, that''s pretty urate. I thought it would be tough. But it seems like there''s no damage done. "Well, there are other things too! Like, you''re not supposed to use social media!" "But you do!" Well, VTubers would have a hard time without Twitter, right? After all, Ah-nee operates an ount with millions of followers. "That''s because it''s the ount of Ah-nee. So, during my activities as a VTuber, I''ve been told that I can''t hint or im to be part of the First Family." "I see! First-something Family, huh!" Social media carries a high risk. If important information leaks from there or if it leads to a scandal. While streaming, I realized that idents are bound to happen, and anyone can slip up. In such cases, having the alibi of being a different person is probably important. "It''s like an open secret, in a way." After that incident, Ah-nee became even more famous than before. Originally, the information that she was the same person online was already circting. "Well, on the flip side, because of that and also, surprisingly, there are certain traditional events I don''t have to attend." "Definitely. Mai hasn''t seen Ogu-san participate in those types of events much." My aunt, who took on the role of First Lady, handles those in ce of me. Still, as the First Child, or the First Family, it''s my responsibility to appear when needed. "First-something, right? I get it, I get it." "Anego, you don''t have to push yourself, okay? Also, you know, it means the president''s child." "O-of course I knew that!? We''re talking about a robot!" "You sure didn''t sound like you knew!?" Sorry, Ogu, but I thought the same thing. However, her family situation is quiteplicated. "Ah, speaking of which, the most troublesome or rather, the thing I''m not used to, is that Secret Service escorts apany me wherever I go. I''m used to being taken care of by servants at home, but having protection is appreciated, though it''s unsettling." "Wow, I want to see! I want to see!" "There you go, ying around." Saying that Angu Ogu pointed outside the window. I looked out. I saw a ck car parked in front of the house. I made eye contact with the woman in a suit sitting in the driver''s seat. She nodded, and I returned the gesture with a "Hello.". "Squeee! So amazing!" "Ugh." Ah-nee''s excitement rose, but I was just holding my head. I''ve experienced various things since being reincarnated, but let me say this on top of all that. "Your existence is more fantastical than anything!" "???" Angu Ogu tilted her head. Then, she suddenly looked a bit angry. "Don''t misunderstand me! I''ve lived on my own. I can manage without servants!" "No, you''re missing the point of the argument!" "Even Secret Service isn''t something I couldn''t refuse, you know? And besides, remember the time you almost got kidnapped? I wouldn''t want Iroha to get involved in something like that." "Ogu No, I appreciate that, but that''s a different issue." "Iroha, you''re so cold-blooded! Robot! VTuber geek!" "Being a VTuber geek isn''t an insult, you know!? But, ugh!" I struggled and suffered. Honestly, my brain felt like it was glitching. "A zombie in ragged clothes that''s how I imagine Angu Ogu! The contrast between the character and reality is destroying my brain!" Well, I should have understood. Angu Ogu is, after all, a genuine princess. Still, it''s a bit unsettling to change the way I see her. That''s precisely the reason why I don''t want to know too much about my oshi VTubers'' real-life appearances. "Tsk tsk tsk! You''re so naive, Iroha-chan!" Interrupting me was Ah-nee. She wagged her finger and had a mischievous smile on her face . Chapter 142: [Double Taxation] Chapter 142: [Double Taxation] "This is a chance, Iroha-chan!" "Ah-nee, even if you say that" The gap between reality and ideals is an emotional issue. Even if you understand it logically, it''s not something you can easily control. "First of all, your premise is wrong! It''s not that your image has crumbled; you''ve just noticed a new charm in your favorite!" "Huh!?" "That''s right, Iroha! And recently, I''ve been using new outfits more often than worn-out clothes!" While Angu Ogu''s slightly off-the-mark exnation is off-kilter. Ah-nee''s words make sense. Certainly, she hasn''t been lying all along. I''ve heard that after leaving her parents'' house, she lived a life as impoverished as her public profile, "Angu Ogu," suggests. Right, that''s how it was. What audacious thoughts I had. Trying to impose my own "interpretation" on my oshi!? "I was the wrong one. Thank you, Ah-nee! Thanks to you, I''vee to love ogu even more! Oh, I love Ogu so much! Ogu, love! I adore ogu, ogu!" "?!?!?! Are you able to say that in front of the person herself!?" "Well, yeah, Iroha-chan! Because saying things like that leads to misunderstandings, you know!?" Angu Ogu''s face turns bright red. Mai also panics and tries to cover my mouth. "What are you saying? When expressing love for oshi'', time and ce don''t matter!" "Sigh," "Sigh" Angug Ou and Mai both heave a sigh simultaneously. They seem somewhat exasperated. "This guy is so straightforward to me as a VTuber. Haah, I feel like I might get jealous of myself. Back when we met, she was so attached to me." "In a way, it''s just the usual Iroha-chan." "No, no, it''s all because of your behavior, you two!" She seems to imply that I''m the one at fault, but it''s quite disheartening. Observing our back-and-forth, Sister wipes her sweat with a "phew". "That settles it! So, Iroha-chan, how about it? Don''t you think I''m learning as a VTuber fan too?" "Indeed. I never thought Ah-nee would teach me about being a VTuber fan. It''s hard to believe this is the same Ah-nee who has far surpassed her fan boundary''." "Hehe, I guess it shows I''m growing too! That''s why I''ve been studying so I cane up with excuses even if I cross that boundary!" "Well, how about putting effort into not crossing the boundary in the first ce? But I guess that works for you, sister." I chuckled wryly. Ah-nee always manages to shatter my conventional wisdom positively. "By the way! The new outfit Ogu was talking about is the one that matches Iroha-chan''s, right? The somewhat Lolita-ish poncho design? They even contacted me about the design!" "Huh? Was that a matching outfit!?" I did think, "They look pretty simr.". It became a topic in thements, with people saying, "They must be intentionally aiming for this.". "Nah, that''s not true!? I-I mean, it just happened to end up looking simr!" "Is that so? Then why did they inform me about it?" "Ugh!? That''s, well, the colors are different!" "Jeez" As I direct my gaze, Angu Ogu avoids my eyes. It''s almost like a confession. "Speaking of which, Mai also saw something about a young couple''. What does that even mean!?" "Ugh, th-that''s something I don''t know! After all, Iroha''s a little girl. I''m a maturedy!" "Hahaha! Your height doesn''t make apelling argument, Ogu!" "Anego, you said it, didn''t you!?" Oops, this could be troublesome. It looks like it''s heading into an awkward topic. I interjected before it could escte. "More importantly, Ogu. If you''re living in the White House, we can''t live together, right?" "No problem at all. I''ll rent another house or something." "Well, what I mean is, Ogu. You personally, in Japan. Wait, huh? You can live somewhere other than the White House?" "It''s not a traditional practice, but if it''s for streaming, it should be fine." "Using being a VTuber as an excuse sounds a bit too convenient, doesn''t it?" "Well, I''m a hero who saved the world. If this were 2 years ago, it probably wouldn''t have been epted." "I see" It''s surprisingly flexible. If I had thought about it, it makes sense. Even Ogu''s mom didn''t have a good impression of VTubing at the time. Times have changed. "So, if I were to move, would you rmend Washington State? Since it would be easier for us to live together when Ogu moves to Japan or during visits?" "Hold on a second! Washington D.C. and Washington State arepletely different ces!" "Huh? Oh, was it like the story with the country of mice?" "Is that analogy even appropriate!? And besides, Washington D.C. is essible by train, but Washington State isn''t something that we can easily manage!" Saying that Ogu shows a map on her smartphone. Oh my, seriously!? Isn''t this like the farthest east and west parts of the U.S.? "W-Wow, they''re that far apart?" "Be careful with your words, idiot. The tax rates differ by state in the U.S., have you understood that aspect?" "I know that. And actually despite this conversation, I''ve already made progress with school and finding a ce to live. I''ve even consulted with a tax ountant." "Why bother asking for my rmendation if you already have everything nned!?" In the U.S., there are mainly two types of taxes. Those are federal and state taxes. Additionally, some states don''t have an ie tax, while others do. For high-ie earners like us, we need to choose carefully, or we''ll face a financial nightmare. "But, Ogu, have you resolved the tax issue for moving to Japan? This isn''t the time for jokes about living together in America,'' you know?" "No, it''s not a joke, I''m serious." "Huh?" "Well, not just Ugh" "To solve the issue of double taxation, living together with Iroha is necessary!" Whaaat!? Chapter 143: [Shinigamis Answer] Chapter 143: [Shinigamis Answer] "Do you think cohabitation is necessary to resolve double taxation?!" "Oh,e on, Ogu-san! Just because you want to be with Iroha-chan doesn''t mean that''s the case!" "Well then, let''s hear my story before youin!" Angu Ogu extended her hand firmly, indicating Wait''. While Mai and I exchanged a meaningful look, we positioned ourselves to listen for the moment. "As a starting point, Japan and America have a tax treaty''. That prevents double taxation. You only need to pay in one of the two countries in theory." "In Ogu''s case, you''re considered a super'' high-ie earner, so you meet the conditions, right?" "It''s not just that. Taxes vary based on where you live, your upation, and your ie. Conditions differ for each person. Well, our line of work is unique, isn''t it?" "That''s true." "Furthermore, in my case, my background and how I debuted are a bit unconventional." Wasn''t it about leaving your family home? And you were already a child of a presidential candidate back then. "To be honest, the causes are influenced by various conditions. So it''s not easy to pinpoint what''s wrong. But to cut to the chase C we couldn''t avoid double taxation." "What?!" What is this guy talking about? And what is she even thinking? "In that case, you can''t just move to Japan, right?! At this rate, taxes will be a huge burden!" "Well, yes, avoiding it was impossible. But tax professionals tried to mitigate'' it as much as possible. In short" "they incorporated Angu Ogu'' in Japan." "Huh?! Wait, you hadn''t incorporated before this!?" "Well, we had in the U.S., of course. This time, we established a subsidiarypany in Japan." "Oh, that''s surprising." I, too, incorporated Trantor Girl Iroha''. Or rather, if I continue as a sole proprietor with our ie, I''ll be crushed by taxes. "Moreover, by doing this, I can get a business visa'' and live in Japan. Also, we can separate the earnings on a corporate level, managing the subsidiary to minimize its size." "It''s like you''re going through a lot of trouble" "What do you think it''s for? It doesn''t matter that much now, but" "Why? Do you want to participate VTuber events in Japan? Then the American side got excited?" "Don''tpare me to that! Weren''t you listening to what I said earlier?!" "Uh, well. I get it, I get it." It was just a little joke. Seriously, it was! "Sigh Anyway, because of that, I need to adjust the earnings. As part of that, for a while, I''ll have to split my time between the U.S. and Japan, half and half." "I see. You mentioned moving, but it''s not about permanent residency, then." "In the future, I''d like to obtain permanent residency or Japanese citizenship. It''s connected to solving the issue. Right now, tax professionals andwyers from Japan and the US are coborating to progress the procedures." "Oh, I see." "But it''s not an immediate thing. It''s a discussion for years ahead. Oh, for my permanent residency, it helps to marry a Japanese person" "I-Iroha-chan is still a minor, so that''s not an option! Besides, same-sex marriage isn''t legal in Japan yet!" Mai interjected into our conversation. Angu Ogu clicked his tongue with a "Tch". "Well, now you get it, Iroha? Both in America and here, I have to provide residences. There''s a need for us to live together." "I see." Dealing with problems isn''t just about eliminating the root cause, huh Making things smaller can also be a part of the solution. The world isn''t just filled with solvable problems. When you encounter such issues, you need to think flexibly rather than head-on. "That''s right. As for where to live, we''ll primarily consider Iroha''s situation, so it''s alright. Besides, having me who''s experienced life in America will be convenient, won''t it?" "Well, um" "If you were caught up in an incident and couldn''t handle it, what would you do about missing VTuber events? Iroha, you can rely on me without hesitation." "Yeah, that makes sense." There''s some truth to that. If it came to that, I might not be able to survive. If it''s a problem unique to being abroad, I might not be able to solve it alone. Besides, Angu Ogu also needs a residence in America. "Is that alright, Ogu?" "Of course. Don''t worry about it. I''m doing this for tax purposes. After all, this is a win-win transaction. And, more importantly, we''re friends!" "Right! Thanks, Angu!" I was moved. I was about to hug Angu Ogu. Mai, who was standing in between us, yelled, "Stop!". "You''re getting cheated! You''re getting cheated, Iroha-chan! Think about it calmly. Ogu-san, while there might be a need for her to live in America, there''s no need for you to live together!" "Huh?!" "Also, why is Iroha-chan so grateful for being coerced into living together?" Now that she mentions it, that''s true. Angu Ogu''s cheeks puffed up with a "Pfft". "It was a mistake negotiating where Mai is present. Just a bit more, and I could have" "Seriously, no room for mistakes or openings!" Avoiding double taxation through cohabitation is almostplete nonsense, isn''t it!? Well, maybe it''s notplete nonsense, but it''s quite a stretch! "Oh, by the way. I know someone, a VTuber from America who moved to Japan and got hit by double taxation. She even withdrew from Japan" "Yeah, I''ve heard that story." "That was just a regr tax treaty application, right?" "?!?!?!" "She was even embarrassed about it. Just a carelessness'', and she ended up paying too much. She went through the procedures and got a refund. So she felt relieved. If any of you run into tax troubles, make sure to consult a tax professional!" "Yes, sir!" We responded in unison. That said "Hey, Ogu. Should we live together?" "?!?!?!" Angu Ogu widened her eyes in surprise. Chapter 144: [Life-Size Panel] Chapter 144: [Life-Size Panel] "I-If we live together Iroha, are you serious!?" "Why is Ogu surprised? You''re the one who invited me." "Well, but it''s Iroha!? Normally, you''d keep your distance from me, or so I thought." "Ah~" If I were to speak my true feelings, living under the same roof as my favorite VTuber would be a step closer to crossing the line. But she''s Ogu, after all. I''ve already had that experience, so it''s not like it''spletely new. And the other half is "Listen, you might have forgotten, but I''m underage." "??? What are you suddenly saying? You knew that, right?" "Yeah, I guess you did. By the way, there''s no way a minor could rent a ce on their own, right?" "R-Really!?" So, what Ogu said about a win-win'' situation is truly urate. So, if she hadn''t proposed this, I was nning to rely on an acquaintance. Like my English teacher''s family. The teacher mentioned, "While I''m visiting home." which had that meaning too. Her family home is near my study-abroad location. However, if I were just to stay with them, the streaming setup wouldn''t be sufficient. "That''s why if Ogu rents a ce and lets me stay there, it would help me out." "Mufoo! If that''s the case, I guess I have no choice! If Iroha is saying it seriously, I''ll live with you!" "Whaaat!? Are you serious, Iroha-chan!?" Mai starts to plead, saying, "Think about it~~" but I''ve already made my mind up. Oh well, I need to give myself some positive reinforcement. "We won''t be living together as fans. Just friends, just friends" "Muttering to yourself is kind of creepy, you know." "All right!" With a thud, Ah-nee ps her hands together. Naturally, everyone''s attention turns to her. "We''ll discuss the moving detailster when you two are alone. Since Ogu is here, how about we all go out together?" She takes the lead on this. Certainly, chatting all the time in my room wouldn''t be great. "For now, is the anime-themed shop you mentioned earlier okay?" "Of course!" And so, we stood up. Now, let''s go hunt for VTuber merchandise! "Wait! The story isn''t over yet! Iroha-chan, Mai still doesn''t approve of you living together Wait, hold on! Don''t leave Mai behind!" *** In this way, we set off for the street lined with anime shops, still apanied by Mai. Being here feels likeing back home in a way. "Iroha, Iroha! Look, look! Your life-size panel is here!" "You don''t have to get so excited, I already know. By the way, over there in that store, there''s a corner with Ogu''s and Ah-nee''s panels from the office." "Yeah, we''ll check that outter. For now, let''s take a photo here!" Ogu dashes over and embraces the life-size panel of Trantor Girl Ir-o-ha" in a pose. I sigh, but I take a photo with my smartphone. "How is it? Did it turn out well?" She rushes over immediately and peers into the screen. It''s quite innocent, and I can''t help but smile. But I understand getting excited over your favorite VTuber''s panel. "Send it to meter too. Then, what should we do next Oh, hey, where did Anego and others go?" "Oh, they''re over there." I point, and I see Ah-nee chatting with a maid from one of the stores. No was that just a casual chat? They''re getting so excited that the maid is holding her belly, andughing heartily. As always, she''s skilled at socializing. "That''s right! So, in the shop, I''m always Oh, right! The shop has spare costumes, so if you''d like, please try them on ande with us! Look, the two of you!" "Huh!? Well, Mai will refrain a bit" "I''m going, Mai! Which way is the shop?" "Oh, no! It''s the other way! Allow me to guide you, youngdies!" "Noo, help me!" Caught up in the conversation, Mai screamed and disappeared into the crowd. She became a sacrifice "Mai has been taken by a maid (meido/hell)." "Hasn''t the meaning of maid changed?" "Ah~ Well, it looks like it might take a while, so let''s go ahead without them. Oh, right." As Ogu starts searching for the shop using her smartphone, at that moment, a loud voice resonates from behind. "-It''s Trantor Girl Iroha''!!" "Wha!" Both Ogu and I flinch simultaneously, our shoulders shaking. Footsteps approach from behind. Oh no!? We tense up, and as it turns out, the person just passes right by us. "Hey,e this way! Iroha-chan''s panel! I wanted to see this!" "Hey, aren''t you getting a bit too excited? Lower your voice." "Yeah, seriously, it''s a bit noisy." A group of three high school girls in uniforms started chatting in front of the panel. Ogu and I exchange nces. "We shouldn''t linger here. Let''s leave." "I agree." We quickly exchange words and start moving away cautiously. However, we''re surrounded! "Um~" O-Okay, is it finally out in the open now!? As ast-ditch effort, I alter my tone and respond. "W-What can I help you with?" "Could you take a photo with us?" Oh no! They''vepletely figured it out, haven''t they!? They wanted to take a photo with me, the panel, besides the person herself, there''s no way "Yes, sure. Here. The shutter button is here. Alright, please go ahead." They handed me a smartphone. Following their instructions, I press the shutter. "Alright, say cheese." The high school girls strike a pose on either side of my panel, captured in the photo. What on earth am I doing right now? "Wow! Thank you so much!" With their excitement, the high school girls leave chattering. I copse on the spot from the emotional exhaustion. "Iroha, it''s okay." Ogu pats my shoulder reassuringly. Chapter 145: [18+ Section] Chapter 145: [18+ Section] I thought I had been recognized by a fan. As I knelt there in exhaustion, Angu Ogu''s smartphone trembled. "Ah~" Angu Ogu wore a troubled smile and waved her hand faintly. Following her gaze, a woman in a suit was discreetly watching us from the shadows. "I see. Secret Service. You saw all of that exchange just now, huh?" "Well, you''ll get used to it eventually, so don''t worry." "Huh? It''s not like I mind being seen or anything." I tilted my head. It''s not like we were doing anything embarrassing. "Haha, you''re one of those, huh?" "Come on, Ogu. Let''s not dwell on this. If we stay here, we might run into fans again." "Hey, don''t pull me like that!" I took Angu Ogu''s hand somewhat forcibly and started walking. Our destination was *** "Hey, Iroha. Doesn''t something feel off about this ce? The atmosphere here, it''s weird, isn''t it?" "Is it just your imagination?" "No, no, something''s off! Everything is pink, and the skin color Is this ce safe even with us here?" "Oh, it''s fine, it''s just an adult doujinshi corner." "It''s not okay!" Angu Ogu''s face turned bright red, and she shook my head vigorously. Hey, you idiot, you''re drawing attention to us. "What are you doing, Iroha?! If the Secret Service finds out about this through you!" "Haha, it''s not like we''re doing anything embarrassing. Besides, Ogu said she''ll get used to it." "Embarrassing?! Aren''t you the one who should be concerned? You''re underage!" "Well So, where''s the item you''re looking for?" "Hey, don''t change the subject!" Angu Ogu grabbed my clothes and wouldn''t let go, pulling me away from the 18+ section. "Hey, my clothes are stretching. And you don''t have to worry so much. I''m just buying VTuber doujinshi." "Is that so? I guess that''s reassuring Wait, why did that work just now? It''s even more embarrassing since we know each other! What if I run into the actual personter?!" "Eh? Ogu, you''re quite demanding. You''re not a middle school boy." "Why am I the one who looks bad in this situation!?" I sighed. Well, if it''se to this "Well then, I''ll look for the merchandise, and you just wait here. I''ll pay for itter." "Is that your n? You''re trying to make me buy it casually!" "Tch, you caught on." Of course, minors can''t purchase adult items. In ces like this anime shop, they even require you to provide identification. They''re more strict about checking this than buying alcohol or cigarettes. Shouldn''t it be the other way around? Well, let''s leave the story here for now. "Sigh, alright, I get it. The n was for me to identally pick up the doujinshi you bought, but fine. I''ll put this back on the shelf." "When did you pick that up?! Put it away quickly!" Angu Ogu answered, trying not to look at the books I had in my hand. Being treated like something "indecent" like that is a bit sad. "Since the fans put in so much effort to create something for my oshis, I just wanted to take a look as much as possible." "Huh? Is that so? Then Iroha, do you have doujinshi that your fans made for you Wait, this isn''t mineeeee!?" "Eh? Yeah, because Angu Ogu'' is my ultimate oshi." "What happened to your excuse from earlier?! You were talking about the feeling of reading fan letters, weren''t you!?" "So, it''s like, fans of the same idol" "Is that what you mean?! So, Iroha, you want to see those kinds of things?" Honestly, what is Angu Ogu even asking? That''s not something "It''s obvious that I want to see it!" "~~~~~!" Angu Ogu''s face turned even redder. For some reason, she started pping her arms and legs excitedly. "So, do you want to do that kind of thing with me!?" "No, not at all." "Why not!? Ugh, reality is losing to fiction again." Angu Ogu copsed, wobbling. She remained silent, her head hanging low. "Well, there''s no need to force yourself to buy it. I don''t intend to push my likes'' onto anyone. That would be a serious vition." It''s normal to want someone to like the things you like. However, there''s a clear distinction between sharing your interests and evangelizing them. "So, Ogu um, Ogu?" "Huh?! Wha-what is it!? Sorry, I wasn''t listening!" "We were having a good conversation just now! Or is there something strange about your behavior?" "I-I think it''s just your imagination!" "What are you hiding behind your back?" "?!?!?! I-I''m not hiding anything! Anyway, I suddenly remembered something I had to do, so I''ll go do that separately from here! I''ll be back in 5 minutes! Bye!" "Hey, wait!? Seriously." Angu Ogu hurriedly walked away, leaving the conversation behind. Chapter 146: [Moe Moe Kyun] Chapter 146: [Moe Moe Kyun] "Wee-nya! Ojou-sama~!" "W-Wee Iroha-chan I can''t take it anymore" "What are you two up to?" After that, we received a message from Ah-nee specifying a location since we had split up earlier. "N-No, Iroha-chan, this isn''t My''s hobby, it''s all thanks to Anego!" "Hehe, isn''t it cute~! So, what have you two been up to?" "Just as we said, we went to buy some merchandise." I said while showing the bag from the anime shop. Of course, it''s all for all ages! Really. "Hey, did Ogu buy something too? Show me, show me~!" "N-No!!!! Absolutely not!" "Don''t get so mad." Grrrrrr! Ongu hugged thepletely ck bag, hiding its contents, and threatened Ah-nee. Really, what did they buy? "Well, Ah-nee and the others are satisfied, right? Let''s have dinner and go home soon." "You just want to go home and watch the stream after you finish your shopping." "N-No, that''s not it. We need to prepare for tonight''s stream, that''s all." "Geez, Iroha-chan! But unfortunately, we can''t go home just yet!" "Huh? Why not?" "Hehehe. It looked interesting, so" Ah-neeughed and winked at the maid, her real profession? The maid took out a panel and had a big smile on her face. "I have a bad feeling about this." "Don''t be so scared; it''s perfectly fine! Earlier, our ojou-sama I mean, our onee-sama signed up for a service experience course for 4'' from here." "Ah-nee!?" "Well, it was just supposed to be fitting, but once we got here, I wanted to try everything-nya?" Ah-nee struck a cat pose. You''re doing something unnecessary again! "Uh-oh, Ogu! Let''s escape! Um, Ogu-san?" I tried to escape with Ogu. But for some reason, Ongu held me tightly from behind. This means I can''t move Could it be!? "Anego, does that mean I can also receive Iroha''s service?" "Of course!" "Sorry, Iroha, I''m siding with Anego." "Ugh, Oguuuuu!" "Hehehe, Iroha-chan~. Mai did it too~" "Nooooo!" It was a lost cause with 3 against 1. I was thoroughly humiliated *** "That''s how it was, sis~" "Ugh, I feel dirty" "Hehehe! Iroha, you looked really cute!" After returning home, we did an off-cob livestream. The topic naturally became our recent outing. But to prevent any identity leaks, we added various fakes to the story. I wanted to see Iroha-chan in her cat ear maid outfit!!!! >Someone make fan art please (Korean) >Maid outfits are all about shyness (U.K.) "Everyone got along and received service from Iroha-chan-nee~. She even drew a heart on the omurice!" "This is strange! Normally, in situations like this, it''s supposed to be two by two taking turns, right!? Why am I serving three people, and three people are serving me? It''s unbnced!" "It''s a matter of supply and demand, so there''s no choice. Just ept it." >I''ll pay $1 million for that omelet rice. (U.S.) >Did you say Moe Moe Kyun'' or something? >Seriously? Oh man, I wanted to hear that! "Look, Iroha-chan, we have some requestsing in!" "Do whatever you want already." In the maid caf, I had been through enough and felt like saying, "Whatever.". After all, I''m a streamer too. So, if it''se to this, I''ll go all out. Whether it''s "Moe Moe Kyun" or "Moe Moe Beam", bring it on. "Alright, let''s do it, Iroha-chan! 3, 2, 1 Cue!" "Be delicious~! Kya-wa-kya-wa, pyua-pyua, mo-e mo-e kyuu~n?" For a moment, thement section went silent. Then suddenly, the chats started pouring in. >The background music is on point LOL >I saved this! (U.S.) >Well done!!! (Korean) "I can''t hear because it''s muted!? Mai, you schemed this, didn''t you!?" "I-I don''t knoow~" Mai, who had been helping with the stream and acting as a moderator in front of theputer, yed innocent. So, Ah-nee, was this what the countdown was for? "Someone requested a clip. We should y it before having a meal each time." >I''ve been entrusted with it. >It''s the famous clip maker! >Made to order w "Alrighty, since Ogu''s moving out, let''s have a feast today! Bring the alcohol and snacks!" "After eating all that omurice and parfait, you still want more?" "Ah, youngdy, alcohol goes to a different stomach! You don''t have to overdo it, Ogu~!" "What!? Mai, bring everything!" "Yes, sir~!" With an exasperated look, Mai left the room to fetch the alcohol. I sensed something was amiss. "Wait, Ogu. This situation is bad. We''re getting carried away by Ah-nee!" "Even Iroha treats me like a child!" "N-No, it''s not like that. Whether you''re good or bad with alcohol is mostly determined by gics! Out of the two genes, if both are strong, you''re a lightweight. If one is strong, you''re normal. If both are weak, you turn into a frog. So, it has nothing to do with being childlike. Uh-oh." "Y-You called me a child again!?" Unfortunately, Mai returned at that moment, holding a tray with alcohol, snacks, and even Packy, And even a Twister game and a bundle of chopsticks with numbers written on them. Why!? We didn''t need any of that! "Well then, let the feast begin~!" I thought it was the beginning of hell. Chapter 147: [The Kings Game] Chapter 147: [The Kings Game] "Uwehehehe~. Iroha~ is my oshi~." "Geez, annoying! Ogu, can''t even speak properly!?" "Don''t be so cold, okay~?" "Wait, what!? I want to be away from Iroha~!" "Hahaha! N-no my stomach hurts!" The party turned into chaos in no time. Empty cans and candy wrappers were scattered all over the table. I was on the Twister game mat, pinned down by Angu Ogu. Mai was trying to peel her off. But she wouldn''t let go. "Hey, Ogu! You lost, so it''s time for a punishment game!" "Tch, can''t be helped. Fine, how about a kiss from Iroha~!" "Kyaaa~~~! Stay away!" >Huh??? What is this, a god-tier episode? >Well done, keep it up (U.S.) >I''ve found heaven (Korean) "Mu-mu-mu? Anego, do youck Tsukarenaosu? I''ll pour it for you. This is how you pour beer in America. Pour it generously without forming too much foam in the ss~." "Hahaha~! Isn''t this great for the viewers? Getting served by a cute girl like this is amazing!" >I''m so jealous I could cry (U.S.) >Anego, take over there! >I also need some Tsukarenaosu~! Tsukarenaosu in Puan means drinking beer. No joke, I talked about it as a casual chat with the viewers, and Angu Ogu loved it. It''s like the otsukaresama phenomenon all over again. "Languages are fascinating because they connect in various ways." I could say this if the situation were different! In the meantime, Angu Ogu was bothering Ah-nee. By the way, in the Republic of Pu (specifically Angaur State), Japanese is the officialnguage. This is the reason why there are many Japanese-derived words in Puan. As I mentioned earlier, the officialnguage in Japan isn''t Japanese because Japan doesn''t have an officially designatednguage. Japanese is truly remarkable, considering it''s mostly unintelligible outside Japan, with almost only Japanese people using it. The exceptions are ces like Guam, parts of South Korea (Busan), and Hawaii. "Puhah~! It''s delicious! One more! And how about ying the King''s Game?" "Ugh!?" "Kings Game?" >Is it like Truth or Dare? >What''s Truth or Dare? >A party game where you have to answer a question or follow an order (U.S.) "Oh? There''s something simr in foreign countries, nee~. The rules of the King''s Game are simple!" "Is that so~?" Saying that Ah-nee handed over a bundle of disposable chopsticks. Damn, if this weren''t a livestream, I''d make a fuss! "Who''s the king?" Tch, it wasn''t me. The one who got chosen was "Hmm? These have red tips. Does that mean I can be the king?" "Oh no~! Ogu is the king~! Come on, give an order!" "Which numbers are those?" Angu Ogu tilted her head, looking at the tips of the disposable chopsticks. I listened anxiously to her words. "S-So, you''re suddenly telling us this Umm, how about 1 and 2 hug each other?" Under Ah-nee''s influence, Angu Ogu answered. You haven''t put any thought just because you''re drunk, have you!? "Is that so~!?" The moment she heard themand, Mai screamed and copsed. The disposable chopstick she dropped had the number 3 on it. "Ugh!? So, does that mean we''re numbers 1 and 2? The one who wants to scream is us!" "Iroha-chan,e here~!" "Okay~" Reluctantly, I approached Ah-nee, who had her arms wide open. As soon as I was within reach, she caught me. "Squueee~~~" "Wha!? Th-that''s not fair, Anego!" "But Ogu-san gave themand, right~!?" "Numbers mean that!? Alright, let''s hurry up to the next one! This time, I''ll go with Iroha!" Angu Ogu was suddenly enthusiastic about it. The next king was "Oh, it''s me! Wahahaha! Everyone, bow down~!" "Of all people, the worst tyrant had to be born." "Meanie, Iroha-chan! So, themand is 1 has to kiss my cheek!" "Again, me!?" Is today just my unlucky day!? I timidly approached Ah-nee. "Huh!? I-Is it even allowed for the king to make someone do something like this!?" "It''s always just the big sister being sneaky!" Angu Ogu and Mai red at Ah-nee with intense expressions. I cautiously approached Ah-nee. She''s my crush and a girl my age. I''m kissing her cheek, even though it''s just her cheek, feels awkward! Well, it''s Ah-nee, so whatever! I lightly kissed her cheek. "Ahhh!?" "Kyaaa~~~!?" Both of them screamed. Hmm? What did I just do!? Did I do something weird because of the atmosphere!? "Did Iroha do that voluntarily!? Is the king''smand that powerful!? Hurry up, next one!" Uh-oh!? I''m being swept along too. We need to end this quickly! "Who''s the king now!? Here ites~!" At times like this, the goddess of fate seems to have a sense of humor. Angu Ogu forcefully exhaled, and she held out the disposable chopstick with a red mark toward us. Chapter 148: [Inappropriate Body Language] Chapter 148: [Inappropriate Body Language] Angu gripped the split chopsticks marked as "Atari" and approached me. However, even if he stared at my hands like that, it''s not like he could see through them. "Alright, I''ve decided! The orders are the same as Anego''s! Number one is a kiss on the king''s cheek chu, chu, chu, chu, chu, kiss it!" "Oh, it''s me!" Ah, Ah-nee held up the number one chopsticks. I breathed a sigh of relief. "W-Why is Anego drawing number one!?" "Come on, Angu! It''s the rules, so you can''t escape! Chu~ slurp, slurp, slurp!" "Gyaaaaa~~~!?" >Is this not turning into a broadcasting ident? w >Japan truly is a country of perverts It''s the best! (U.S.) >Is it true that in Japan, girls are all ying such naughty games with each other!? (U.S.) The chats were buzzing with excitement, and the number of viewers was abnormally increasing. If this continues, Japan might be seriously misunderstood! "Phew, that was delicious! " "Ugh, uuu yeah. It had to be an order with no risk and some profit for me." "Angu-san brought it upon herself~. It''s because she gives in to orders tainted with desire~!" "Hey, everyone, this is thest one, okay? I won''t participate anymore after this!" The 3 of themined. """Ehh~!""" But I had no intention of changing the n. If things kept escting like this. I couldn''t help but feel a bit light-headed. I hoped I hadn''t identally consumed alcohol. I doubted it, though. Maybe because of my young body, I was getting tipsy just from the scent. "This is thest one! Please!" "Please, give Mai a chance too~!" "Who''s the king~~~~?" The one who drew thest straw was "Hehehe. Today, I''m not everyone''s onee-chan. I''m everyone''s king!" "So, I haven''t drawn the winning number once" "Ehh~ So, what should the order be~? I''ve decided! Let''s have everyone tell me who they like the most among the people here~!" W-Wait a minute! That order!? "Come on, everyone, confess to your onee-chan~!" "I like Iroha the most." "Iroha-chan is my favorite~." "What~!?" No way, this was so predictable, wasn''t it!? Ogu and Mai red at me and approached. "Next is Iroha''s turn." "That''s right, Iroha-chan~. It''s the rules, so you have to answer honestly~!" "Nee~, please! There''s only Iroha-chan left~!" I get surrounded by the 3 of them. I really seemed to be the only one at a disadvantage with this question! "Uhm, Iroha likes me the most, right!?" "Hey, Iroha-chan, you like Mai the most, don''t you~?" "Iroha-chan likes me the most, right, nee~?" Oh, no "P-Please spare me~!" I tried to escape, but immediately, Ah-nee shouted. "Catch her~!" "Uwaaah!? Nooo~!" While screaming, I ran away from the 3 wicked hands. It didn''t take long for them to catch me in the small room. I stumbled over something and fell. Just when I thought it was over. "Hmm? What''s this?" Because of my stumbling, Ogu and Mai''s bag''s contents were scattered. Among them, peeking out from apletely ck bag was "Wait a minute!? Iroha, is that!?" "Uh, well, what''s this? [Iroha x Angou: Inappropriate Body Language, I''ll Teach You?] seriously!?" "N-No, it''s not like I was interested in it! It''s just, um, research material!" "What kind of research material!?" "Yuri marketing or something? Since we have it, shall we read it aloud?" "Who''s going to do that?!" A doujinshi with a bright pink cover came out of the bag. Ogu was blushing furiously as she tried to exin. But there was no way he could hide the situation. "Iroha-chan!? You can''t reveal the title of the work, can you!? You''re causing trouble for the author!" "Eh, ah!? S-Sorry! It just slipped out!" >Upon hearing that my work was recognized by my oshi! > I was thrilled! (Korean) >I searched and clicked right away! >When I checked the summary, Ango was being teased. >Is the author asking for a full voice? I was so happy I almost spat blood! >The author must be thrilled (U.S.) "Can the author also not confirm this?! Besides, I''m still a minor! So, this is confiscated!" "Noooo~!?" And so, the [King''s Game] ended in a mess. Huh? If it didn''t end that way, who would I have chosen? Well, that''s a secret for now. The cobs livestream that day continuedte into the night. *** "Cough, cough Ah, good morning, cough Huh?" The next morning, I tilted my head at the difort in my throat. Not only had I been too loud the previous day, but my voice was also gone. Chapter 149: [Throat Troubles] Chapter 149: [Throat Troubles] "Iroha Your voice!?" "D-Did something happen to Iroha-chan''s throat!?" "No, no, I''m fine cough Ah" "That''s right, both of you. Don''t worry too much; it''ll make Iroha-chan more anxious." Angu Ogu and Mai were looking at me with worried eyes. At times like these, Ah-nee was dependable. She might usually do nothing much. But when it mattered, she was like a real onee-chan. "But you know Iroha, it doesn''t feel like a cold or anything." Yesterday, after the stream ended, we all slept together. However, we had the air conditioner and humidifier on. Our health doesn''t seem particrly bad. So, the only thing that makes sense is "I''m so sorry! It''s because Mai and I got too excited!" "I''m sorry, Iroha. It''s our fault." "No, no! It''s not either of your faults! cough Lately, I''ve been doing lessons, preparing for the move, and recording ahead of schedule. Maybe that''s why I caught something." "Indeed, Iroha-chan, you seemed busytely." I was never the type to stream every day. I didn''t have the time between school and wanting to watch my favorite streamers live. As a result, I rarely found myself in situations that strained my throat, and I hadn''t had this kind of trouble before. So, I was more like, "Has it finallye?" Huh? Wait a minute. Could it be that watching my favorite streamer has a miraculous effect on curing all ailments because it forces them into involuntary "rest"? Anyway! Throat issues like this seem like an upational hazard for streamers. It can''t be helped. Yes, it''s just something that I can''t help! Alright! If the diagnosis suggests it, I''ll focus on watching streams for a while "Iroha-chan, you''re not thinking this is an excuse to take a break, are you?" "(Shakes head violently!)" I vehemently denied it with gestures. N-No, it''s not because it hit too close to home! This is strictly for the sake of resting my throat, yeah. Ah-nee looked at me and said with a wry smile. "Well, it''s better than being down in the dumps, I guess." "Anyway! Mai has school, right? And Ogu has a reservation for an apartment viewing. I''ll go with you, so for now, let''s disband! Iroha-chan, tell your mom to take you to the hospital!" Ah-nee gave out instructions briskly. Without giving us a choice, we disbanded. *** "It looks like you''re starting to develop vocal cord nodules." "Oh" I hade to the hospital with my mother. Because of the throat troubles, I hade to the ear, nose, and throat specialist instead of our regr doctor. It was a ce rmended by Ah-nee''s manager, and they were known for their expertise. So, soon after arriving, they stuck a tube through my nose and delivered the diagnosis. "Um, what exactly are vocal cord nodules? Is it something that can''t be cured?" "Oh no, not at all. Please don''t worry, Mom." I already had some knowledge about this illness. After all, it was a condition my favorite streamer had once suffered from. "In simple terms, it''s a condition where bumps develop on the throat due to friction. Since you mentioned it came on suddenly this morning, I thought it might be a polyp." "A polyp?" "It''s something like a blood clot that forms when the blood vessels in the throat rupture. If you had overstrained your throat and that had happened, surgery would have been necessary." "So, what now?" "Fortunately, your symptoms seem mild, so let''s monitor your condition with medication. We''re aware of your situation, but please take a break from streaming for a while. No C stream C ing!" "(Nods repeatedly!)" I nodded repeatedly at the doctor''s stern expression. They didn''t need to threaten me like that. I''ll take a proper break. "Haha, sorry about that. Many of our patients here won''t rest, no matter what we say." "" Whether you''re a streamer or a creator not just me, everyone probably feels the same way. If you don''t keep providing content, will people forget about you? Will they abandon you? It''s that anxiety and fear. I want to tell them. "My love for you isn''t so shallow!" I''d be happiest if you took a good, long rest and then made aeback. But not everyone has the same amount of love. A certain number of fans might drift away. It''s not anyone''s fault. It''s just the harsh reality. "I think you should get better in about two weeks if all goes well. However, if your condition worsens or lingers, we might have to consider surgery. During that time, you should also receive voice care training" I nodded deeply at the doctor''s words of "rest". *** Come to think of it, taking such a long break from streaming is a first for me. I''ve had a few longer breaks before, but nothing like this. In the end, I didn''t even take an extended vacation after that incident. Now that I think about it, maybe this was a good opportunity. "Iroha, you''ve made everyone worry. Please keep them updated." I gave a thumbs-up to acknowledge her. Somehow, my vocabry of gestures seems to be expanding during this period of I can''t speak. "But you, on top of that. Of all times, right before your study abroad." My mom mentioned it, but I felt the opposite. I thought that precisely because of the timing and how busy I had been, it led to this. Any illness or health issue could happen. That''s why it''s crucial not to push yourself too hard, especially in truly critical situations. In that sense, I consider myself lucky. This timing allows me to fully recover before starting my study abroad. It seems like all that extra work I did ahead of time might had a different purpose. With these thoughts in mind, I contacted Mai and the others through my smartphone. "Oh, by the way C I heard you might have other health issues with? Should we also see your regr doctor while we''re at it?" Oh? The conversation just took a different turn, didn''t it? Chapter 150: [Wedding And Vows] Chapter 150: [Wedding And Vows] I couldn''t speak to give my throat some rest. So, all I could do to express my surprise was to open and close my mouth like a fish. "Where on earth did you get that information!?" "Of course, it''s from Mai-chan and the others. I don''t know all the details yet, but I was worried. I was so busy that I missed it again?" Those guys, why did they have to blurt it out? Even though my mother hadn''t noticed that I hadn''t grown any taller, or maybe she just ignored it. I''ve decided to take that secret to the grave. So, no matter who my mother is, I can''t reveal it. If I do, I''ll go back to the doctor''s office as usual. I typed into my smartphone''s notepad, trying to divert the topic. "Mom, it''s not your fault at all. As for that matter, I''ve already had it checked by a doctor, so it''s okay now!" "Huh? You came to the hospital alone?" Gah! I''ve dug my own grave! I sweated profusely under my mother''s gaze. "Alright, I see. Shall we head home today?" My mother looked away from me and nodded. I hope I didn''te up with any unnecessary ideas. *** "Vocal cord nodules!?" When I returned from the hospital, Angu Ogu, and Ah-nee had already finished the home tour and were waiting in front of my house. I had already sent them a message, so they knew the situation. As I invited both of them inside to talk, Angu Ogu suddenly embraced me while crying, making it difficult to move. "Come on, Iroha-chan is in trouble. Ogu has experienced this too, right? You''ll get better, don''t worry. Besides, it''s still in the early stages." "I understand, but Iroha, what will do now? Are you going to cancel or postpone your trip to America?" Despite Ah-nee scolding her, Angu Ogu still seemed worried. But if I did something like that, I wouldn''t be able to participate in the VTuber event in America. I waved my hands and denied it, even though this gesture might not be understood in America. "No, it''s okay. Iroha is stubborn in these situations. I n to take a break from regr streaming for a while. But I might make asional appearances because I have some prerecorded content for events." "That''s a relief." "Wait a minute!" Ah-nee interrupted with great excitement. She had a look on her face as if she had an exciting idea. "Iroha-chan! Taking aplete break from streaming is such a waste! Since you usually excel in multiplenguages, I think there''s a special project you can do right now when you can''t speak!" Oh no, this is leading to something Wait, don''te any closer! I have a mission to focus on watching my favorite streamer! I couldn''t even scream in this situation. *** "My words to you!'' Trantor Girl Iroha, at your service! " >Iroharo~ (U.S.) >Iroharo huh? (German) >The voice seems different from usual, or is it just my imagination? "Today, it''s a cob stream with me, Ogu~! I think everyone has already heard, but I''ve had a little trouble with my throat, and that''s why" "My voice has changed a bit" I frantically shook my head from side to side. The avatar of "Trantor Girl Iroha" on the screen was silently appealing the denial. Behind me, Ah-nee had be semi-transparent and was standing there. It was as if she were a ghostly presence lurking in the background. >Her body is desperately trying to convey something >This is going to be a meme. I know it for sure (Korean) >Huh, that''s weird. Can''t seem to find Anego anywhere." (U.S.) "<> Ah, Anego is taking a day off today." >Hey, Ogu. (US) >I see. If she''s not here, nothing we can do about it. (U.S.) >Maybe I should confess while she''s not around. I love Anego! "I Ah-nee was energetic yesterday too-nee~" "You''re always way too energetic, aren''t you!" >Both of them arepletely letting loose LOL >At least, do a bit more roley, (Peru Esp.) >This is harder for Iroha than her regr streams? (U.S.) "She got too carried awayst night, so Ah-nee can''t even stand up today!" "Don''t say things like that! You''re the one who''s changed a bit! I understand Iroha better than you!" >Ogu''s hardcore fan side is showing, lol >I won''t forgive the inconsistent Wife? Husband? interpretations (Korean) >This is a tricky otaku. (Italian) "I don''t quite get what you mean by changed''. After all, I am the one and only Iroha" >So, does this mean I can say whatever I want to Iroha right now? >, Iroha, you can say anything to Anego. She''ll understand. Oh, I just had an idea. (Korean) "Iroha-chan, can you promise to do an ASMR stream? Okay? (U.S.) "? Alright, okay!" "~~~~!?!?!?" Okay, isn''t that the right word!? You can''t just give random responses because you can''t read English and couldn''t you at least read [ASMR]!? I grabbed Ah-nee in real life. Is she going to make me do an ASMR stream!? "Huh, what''s wrong? Did I say something bad? Hmm, I see. Alright! I''ll do an ASMR stream of course, only when my throat recovers!" With that, Ah-nee gave a thumbs up. Oh no~~~~!? I fell apart. >The main body has lost track, lol. (U.S.) >We can see you falling apart. >Aneiroha, well done!" (U.K.) "Hey, you''re Iroha, so be Iroha. Naturally, you understand English, right?" "Hmm? Of course, it''s a given!" .<>. "?'' A-i-ru''?" Don''t make vows on my behalf! Angu Ogu, you''re starting to conveniently use it too! Chapter 151: [Text-To-Speech] Chapter 151: [Text-To-Speech] I haven''t been able to speak due to a sore throat for a few days. In the end, it''s all thanks to my older sister or rather, because of her, that I''ve been living through these busy days. [Ding Question] I shook both of my wet hands as if drying them once. Answers were being posted one after another in thements section. >The thing I do after going to the bathroom >Is it satisfying? (U.S.) >Are you tired? [PinPon. That''s right! The correct answer: "Are you tired~".] I raised both my thumbs and index fingers, moving them as if in a close-up. It''s signnguage for "correct answer". So, today, I''m doing a signnguage livestream. By the way, I learned it using anguage cheat just for this livestream. >Iroha-chan, you''re amazing for being able to do signnguage >I thought it was difficult, but surprisingly, I can understand it through the nuances >Signnguage in my country is quite different (U.S.) As chats from international viewers suggest, signnguage actually varies from country to country. Today, what I''m doing in the livestream is what''s known as "Japanese Sign Language". [Haven''t you all started to understand it somewhat?] >"It feels like a gesture game, and it''s fun >That was actually a specific signnguage expression called ssifier'' >But the uracy of hand tracking is amazing (U.S.) [Yeah, it''s really amazing. And the fact that this is considered home recording quality] I often use a 2D model in my regr streams, but today I''m using a 3D model just for this asion. I got help from a solo VTuber who''s skilled in handling 3D equipment. Recently, I can even use hand tracking with 2D models in "VTuber Studio", but When ites to signnguage, 3D is the way to go, no doubt. >Especially recently, the development of 3D has been remarkable (Korean) >It might be the influence of the increase in people debuting as VTubers in 3D from the start, possibly because of Ilyena-chan''s videos (U.S.) >So, Iroha-chan, are you wearing something like gloves now? [No, it''s just a camera for me. I bought a rmended module kit from an acquaintance and used that. Isn''t it amazing that even without gloves, you can achieve such high-precision hand tracking like this?] I say "amazing" in signnguage. Even with just a camera, it''s truly impressive that it can replicate not only the opening and closing of the palm but also the partial degrees of openness. Of course, when ites to precision, it can''tpete with glove-based systems. But those have their own significant drawbacks. The main one is the necessity of wearing gloves! It might seem like a given, but it''s quite a big deal. Specifically, it makes tasks like typing on aputer keyboard or using a mouse very cumbersome. These issues also arise with VR equipment. When you wear a head-mounted disy, you might not be able to see your real-world monitor, keyboard, or mouse. >I see, that makes sense (U.S.) >It''s cute to see Iroha-chan making those excited movements >And the voice'' is cute too [Yeah, right? It''s the usual voice, isn''t it?] >That''s right >I used to be quite monotone, so you could say I''ve actually returned to that >How about singing now? (U.S.) [Why would that happen!? My usual self is definitely a better singer than the monotone rxed'' version!] >It''s not like that >My body craves the rxed Iroha (U.S.) >Give us back our Iroha (Korean) [Stop saying I''m like a fake!] That''s right. Actually, the signnguage exnations I''ve been giving aren''t in my natural voice. It''s text-to-speech software that replicates the voice of "Trantor Girl Iroha". I deeply reflected on it when Ah-nee and Angu Ogu arranged for me to do remote-controlled streams or ventriloquism broadcasts. I realized I couldn''t leave things to them like this. I had to create an environment where I could stream even without them. That''s when I came up with the idea of using signnguage and text-to-speech software like I''m doing now. I type the content on the keyboard, and it''s read out in a somewhat monotone manner on my behalf. Then I came up with this n. I intended to use the well-known "rxed voice" for the text-to-speech. However, one of the volunteers used AI voice synthesis technology to replicate my voice. I mean, you''re a wild pro, aren''t you!? [There''s a link in the description for "Monotone Iroha", so as long as it doesn''t go against public decency, everyone can say whatever they like. If you want to hear monotone songs. Feel free to create them yourselves.] >Haha, Ange was the first to use it and uploaded a video. That''s hrious! (U.S.) >I see. She''s already back in America >So is Iroha saying I want to see Ogu soon'' a matter of interpretation? [Ogu, are you ready for punishment next time?] >Oh! >I was just speaking on behalf of the voiceless Iroha (U.S.) >It''s like I''m always in thements section LOL [That''s right, for now, it''s only avable in Japanese, but they''re nning to create international versions, including English, in the future.] >For real!? (U.S.) >Thank you, thank you so much!" (Korean) >The international viewers must be thrilled! >I just had a brilliant idea. Let''s use this for the trantion device''s voice. >Genius, right??? >Will theree a time when every family has an Iroha!? [Of course, let''s keep it reasonable, shall we?] The chats section seemed to be unusually lively for some reason. Could it be that things might get weird in the future? Nah, that won''t happen, right? I had a somewhat forced smile on my face. Chapter 152: [End Of Second Year Of Middle School] Chapter 152: [End Of Second Year Of Middle School] I did RC stream, signnguage stream, and projects using text-to-speech software I also checked out the creations posted on Twitter. And though singing was impossible for me, I could dance, so I practiced choreography for live events. Before I knew it, two weeks had flown by. The promotion to the third year of middle school was looming close. I visited the ear, nose, and throat specialist again for an examination. "Even after all that warning, you were still streaming!?" Huh!? Oh, right!? I was interrogated by the doctor with a terrifying expression. Even after all that warning, I hadpletely forgotten. But wait, didn''t that just mean "don''t speak"? So, as long as I didn''t use my voice, the broadcasts shouldn''t matter. As I sent that thought in the doctor''s direction, she let out a loud sigh. "You see, the human throat is much more active than you think, even unconsciously. Just reading text or listening to music makes it move. I exined this stuff around here, didn''t I?" Oh, really!? Did you? So, does that mean I was doing some pretty risky stuff? "Anyway, it''s toote to worry about it now If you hadn''t fully recovered by now, I''d have to do more than scold you." The doctor''s angry expression turned into a smile. So, in other words. "Congrattions, Iroha-san. It''s about time you started using your voice again." "!(Buzz, buzz, buzz)" I bowed my head repeatedly to express my gratitude. Right, I could talk again now. "Thank you very much, doctor." "You''re wee. But please continue toe for regr check-ups for a while longer. And even though you have permission now, don''t overdo it. Vocal cord nodules are very prone to recurrence." "Understood." Take it slow. I learned the hard way that rushing things only leads to detours. "And to avoid damaging your throat, hydration is important. Please continue with your vocal care. It''s toote to start once it''s already hurt, you know?" "Yes. Well, I''m being monitored, so" At the prompting of Ah-nee, I kept the humidifier running all the time. In addition to that, I now perform throat care 2 a day with a nebulizer filled with saline solution. To be honest, it was a bit of a hassle. But my Mai and Angu Ogu would send me messages every time it was time to do it, asking, Did you do your inhtions properly?''. So, I couldn''t ck off even if I wanted to. "You''ve made some good friends." I brushed off the doctor''s fond gaze by scratching my cheek. Though I wasn''t feeling unwell, my cheeks had warmed up a bit without apparent reason. *** On the way back from the hospital, my mother started talking to me in the taxi. "I''m really d you''re better. If it had dragged on, you might not have been able to study in the US as you wanted." "Yeah, going to the hospital right away was a good idea." "By the way, have you heard?" "Huh, heard what?" My mom had a mischievous grin as she looked at me. Oh no, could it be? "I heard you''ve be immortal?" "Gyaaah!? Wh-why would you even say that!?" My face turned bright red as I lunged at my mom. There was only one possible answer as to how she found out. "Could it be, Mom you went to the doctor''s office by yourself to ask?" "You not being honest is the problem here. [While I was crying and saying I was truly worried about my daughter''s health], the doctor didn''t tell me outright, but she gave me some vague hints, you know?" "What about patient confidentiality!?" "You''re a minor. I''m your mom and your legal guardian." "Oh, right!?" I hadpletely messed up. I should have told her, "Please don''t tell anyone.". But I could also imagine how difficult it must have been for the doctor, torn between patient privacy and my mom''s emotional plea. This was likely apromise solution. "Promise me you''ll keep this a secret from Mai and the others." "Why not tell them? It''s not a big deal." "Absolutely not!" "Oh dear, you''re pouting." I turned away and rested my cheek on the window frame. Looking back now, I could only regret it. Why had I ever believed something like that in the first ce? *** "Oh, Iroha-chan~! They said you weren''t sick after all~! I''m so relieved!" "Mom, seriously!?" I felt like copsing. Naturally, the news had made its way to Mai, who hade to our house to y. Everyone here had such loose lips! Was my personal information public property or something!? "But hehe, Iroha-chan, you''ve got a bit of a childish side, huh~?" "Stop it! I don''t want to hear this!" "You see, Iroha-chan, everyone makes assumptions or misunderstands things sometimes, especially at our age~" Mai had an unusually gentle smile on her face. Don''t look at me like that! "Because, Iroha-chan, you''re still just a 2nd-year middle school student, you know~." Wait a second. Mai, what are you trying to say!? Please, don''t say anything more! However, my plea went unheard, and Mai delivered the decisive blow. "Iroha-chan, what you''re going through is called chuunibyou,'' you know~?" "Noooo!" I covered my ears and huddled down, my face burning with embarrassment. Ugh, seriously! How did ite to this!? I had sworn to take this secret to my grave! Chapter 153: [Signal Of The End] Chapter 153: [Signal Of The End] Let''s go back a little in the story, specifically when Mai pointed to me for not growing in height. "Doctor, is there a possibility I won''t grow any taller like this?" "Since you came alone so suddenly asking for a checkup, I wondered what was going on." I had been visiting the hospital where I always received care. Our rtionship had grown quite frank over time. Huh? What if she finds out about "immortality" during the examination? Well, I wouldn''t usually bother with something this troublesome and risky. But this situation could be a matter of life and death for me. Quite literally. "Can you tell me why you think that?" Well I exined the situation. My physical measurement results were the same asst year, but as the doctor knows, I''ve already had my first period. So, I started to worry if this was abnormal during the growth period''. "Teacher! Could it be that I have some illness?" "I see." Sensei nced briefly at the nurse standing next to them. Were they making eye contact? "In some cases, that is indeed possible. It could also be dyed growth due to medication. Let''s start by measuring your current height." The nurse brought over the height measurement tool. Prompted by this, I stood on the height measurement tool. My weight was measured as well. "Alright, it''s fine. What was the measurement for Iroha-chan''s height?" "Oh, I brought it with me just in case." I handed over a paper with the results of the physical measurements, which would be quicker than exining it verbally. I even included the elementary school section. The doctor looked at it, tilting their head in confusion. Then they stared at the paper for a while before looking at me. "Listen carefully. First, Iroha-chan''s height is actually increasing." "Huh?" "At least ording to the measurements we just took, you''ve grown slightly. Perhaps the results at school were due to measurement error or some variation during the examination. Such things can happen due to equipment, timing, or even your physical condition." "What!? You mean I''ve grown!?" Even if that''s the case, something still doesn''t add up. "But does that mean my height can only increase within the measurement error''s range?" "Compared to other children, your growth is indeed very small. However, from what I''ve seen, it''s not just this year; it has always been like this, hasn''t it? It''s certainly a cause for concern, and it''s advisable to undergo a more detailed examination just to be safe." It''s difficult to argue when they say it''s been like this from the beginning. But still "It''s been less than 2 years since my first period. I should be growing from now on." "Hmm? Ah, I see. Iroha-chan, you''ve got a big misunderstanding there." The doctor looked at me as if they had finally understood something. "Can you exin?" "Actually, Iroha-chan, your first period'' is not the beginning of your puberty; it''s actually the sign that your growth period is ending." "What!?" "So, after your first period, it''s normal for your height growth to slow down." The doctor exined, "Because the first period usually happens at the end'' of the second puberty. By the way, for boys, it''s their voice changing.". "Well, if I wasn''t growing taller, does that mean my growth spurt was already over? Or rather, the period when I thought my growth spurt had not yet arrived'' was my growth spurt?" "It seems you''re slightly confusing the growth period with the second puberty. Well, that''s more or less the case. Furthermore, it''s not just yet'', that''s actually the peak'' of your growth. Your height increases the most just before your first period." "What!?" I was taken aback. So, could it be that everything was just my misunderstanding? "Probably, your friends thought your height hadn''t increased this year because theypared it to that peak period." "So, it''s not like I''ve be immortal or anything?" "Huh? Immortal?" "Uh" I hastily covered my mouth, but it was toote. The doctor and the nurse were giving me a lukewarm look. "Iroha-chan, it might be quite surprising, but in reality'', there''s no such thing as eternal life. At least, I''ve been a doctor for many years, and I''ve never encountered it." Gyaaah! I felt my face burning. Please don''t say it in such a condescending way! Wait a minute, though. Could it be The doctor is right? "But you believe in gods, too, right?" "Just because you believe in one thing doesn''t mean the other thing exists, right? At least, immortality is different from gods; it''s a physical concept and seems like something that could be proven." "Well, that''s true." "At any rate, Iroha-chan, what I''m saying is your peak growth period has already passed." "Ugh." I thought to myself. A ck mark in history is being created right now. Why did I ever believe in the fantasy of immortality? That''s something that, logically speaking, should never have been possible. Experiencing one fantasy led me to think that everything must be fantasy. Maybe this is why people fall for scams and new religious movements. "Your growth period isn''tpletely over yet, so you''ll probably continue to grow slowly each year." "R-right." "Well, I highly doubt that next year or the year after that will fall within the margin of error" "That''s right! It''s definitely not possible!" The doctor and I shared augh. It seemed like my "immortality" was just a misunderstanding. "At least for now, we can''t rule out the possibility of an issue with the growth hormone affecting your original height. I''ll write a referral for a more detailed examination. The results shoulde back within a month" That''s what the doctor said in the end. *** The examination''s result also came back as "no abnormalities" And that brings us to the present. "Iroha-chan''s chuunibyou~" "Shut up." I replied curtly to Mai. Chapter 154: [Moving To Japan] Chapter 154: [Moving To Japan] Several weekster. I had safely advanced to the 3rd year of junior high school. With a new school yeares a new ss. Although it''s considered a prestigious school, ours is no exception. They don''t divide sses based on abilities. Well, not officially, but in terms of academic units, it does happen sometimes. "Well, to begin with, everyone here is incredibly talented, so" I casually mentioned it during my livestream. My voice had improved quite a bit, and I could livestream using my natural voice." >This is a gathering of fierce warriors who have ovee junior high school entrance exams, you know? (Korean) >You''re saying it like it''s someone else''s business, but Iroha, you''re one of them too >So, are all of you starting to study for entrance exams and such soon? (U.S) "Studying itself has always been something everyone has been doing a lot. It feels like we''re kicking it up a notch even more now. There might be more people going straight to cram school after school too." >Dang, I haven''t even started studying for entrance exams yet >I guess it''s about time I start going to cram school or something >But cram schools are crazy expensive, aren''t they? To be honest, since it''s a private junior high school, many of our studentse from well-off families. However, there are still students who go to cram schools even if they''re not from such backgrounds. "Yeah, I get it. Cram schools are expensive, right? But, I can''t say it too loudly, but for our school''s students, cram schools often offer significant discounts, and they can even use the study rooms for free." >What''s that? That''s unfair, isn''t it? It sounds like favoritism >Oh, but I think I understand the reason. >Maybe it''s to boost the number of sessful applicants "Well, that''s how it is. Students with a high chance of getting into prestigious high schools actually contribute to the school''s track record, even if they attend for free. It''s a win-win situation." >Is Iroha-chan also going to cram school? >It seems like you could be on the teaching side fornguages >Are you even studying for entrance exams in the first ce? "I mentioned it to everyone a little while ago, but I''m going to study abroad in the United States soon. So, I think I can start serious exam preparation after Ie back. I''m not really aiming for prestigious high schools or anything like that." >Haha, sounds like an excuse to avoid exam preparation because you hate it! >You''re not going to learn anything special by studying abroad! >Nobody believes you LOL "That''s harsh." Actually, I''m indeed doing it to participate in a VTuber event. However, it''s also true that I haven''t decided on my future path yet. >Not aiming for prestigious high schools Besides, if it''s justnguages, you can get into any school >This >"And in Iroha-chan''s case, honestly, there''s not even a need to go to school oncepulsory education is over Japanese high school, American high school, and everything else. Ultimately, the right answer depends on where you want to end up in the end. In a way, my study abroad is also a postponement of that decision. I wonder if I''ll find some decision-making material during my life in America "I''ll leave that kind of thing to the future me." I''ll have to make a decision eventually. But for now, I''m filled with thoughts about the immediate future. "Oh, it''s about time. Well, that''s it for today. Tomorrow might be a bit hectic, but everyone can look forward to the livestream the day after tomorrow." >It''s finally time for that thing (U.S.) >I can''t wait w >Tomorrow is going to be fun, isn''t it? ^^ "Quit using weird expressions, okay!? In that case, Otsukare-ta- Arige-ta-." >Arige-ta- >Arige-ta- >Arige-ta- (U.S.) >Arige-ta- (Korean) I say that and close the livestream. I let out a sigh, "Phew.". It''s a certain day in April. There''s about one month left until I go to America. Even though I know I''ll get busier from now on, I can''t help but smile a little I wonder why that is. *** And the next day. I was at the airport to wee a certain person. "Wee to Japan. Ogu." "Let''s get along well from now on, okay? Iroha!" "That''s, like, subtly wrong, I feel." Iughed and took one bag from Ogu. Unlike the usual trips, today she had a lot of luggage. I heard she had sent quite a bit by air beforehand, but it was still quite a load. Indeed, it''s a "moving" after all. "Oh, whoa!? It''s heavy!" "Iroha-chan, leave it to me~. There we go! But really, it''s great that Ogu coulde to Japan early." Ah-nee took the bag from me and smiled like that. I was rather "astonished" by that. "It''s only about 2 weeks earlier, right? You didn''t have to go through all the trouble of changing your ns everywhere." "Mmm! It''s fine. I wanted to do it this way!" "But because of that, you left work in America, didn''t you? You''ll be flying back to America in about a month, won''t you?" "T-That, it''s just a coincidence that it happened to ovep with Iroha going to America!" "You say that with such conviction." "But, isn''t it better for me to be here with Iroha than alone?" "Huh? I n to watch your livestream on the ne, so it doesn''t really matter." "Are you kidding me? Pay more attention to me!" "More importantly,e on, let''s hurry. You have a lot to do, right?" I said and urged Angu Ogu. After all, today is a full day of moving. Chapter 155: [Japanese Bath] Chapter 155: [Japanese Bath] <<"Gurururu Hello, I''m a zombie." It''s Angu Ogu!>> >Hey, Ogu (U.S.) >Thanks for your hard work with the moving yesterday! (U.S.) >Wee to Japan!" The day after Angu Ogu moved to Japan. A live stream began from her new home. <> >Wait, you''re finally dating Iroha!? (U.S.) >Congrattions, Ogu! (U.S.) >Be sure to invite us to the wedding! (U.S.)! <> >Spreading rumors, and the spouse arrives, huh? (U.S.) >As expected from living together, she got here quickly (U.S.) >Iroharo~ <> Thements are reacting to the word "still". But can I really keep dating like this? Everyone knows about my study abroad ns in the US. With a sigh, I sat next to Angu Ogu, in front of theptop I brought. Then, I fixed my gaze on her, waiting silently. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu passionately exined the virtues of Japanese baths, leaving me a bit bewildered. It seems there''s quite a difference between Japanese and American bathing customs. Over there, taking a bath is more like going to a spa. Naturally, there aren''t features like one-button temperature and water level adjustment in American homes, nor do they notify you when the water is ready. <> <> <> >What on earth did you mess up? (U.S.) >Confess honestly, Ogu (U.S.) >You still have that if there''s a button, just press it''s mentality, huh? Like a child (U.S.) <> >I-I-I knew that! (U.S.) >Don''t lump me in with Ogu, please! (U.S.) >That''smon sense in our hometown (U.S.) <> <> However, the apartment Angu Ogu moved into is quite a high-end rental. Which is understandable considering her circumstances. It was even lightly reported in the news when the First Family left the White House to live there. Considering security and soundproofing, the options are somewhat limited. <> <> <> After the moving party, we all hadst night, I stayed at Angu Ogu''s house. She said, "Being alone in Japan all of a sudden makes me anxious.". It''s hard to refuse when she says it like that, and everyone would be here today anyway. So I agreed. But this girl! Ah-nee and Mai managed to get themselves out! So, I lost track of the time to leave. In the end, we took turns using the bath, and she identally pressed the emergency button. <> <> <> Actually, I was the one feeling more awkward! Being hugged and getting my clothes all wet those situations are hard to react to! <> Before that, Angu Ogu''s Secret Service would have probably swarmed in. That''s the story, at least, that they were waiting in a room on the same floor. >It seems like you''re having fun right after moving (U.S.) >I asked Iroha to stay with Ogu because I was worried about her being alone (U.S.) >By the way, have you finished unpacking all your stuff yet? (U.S.) <> Angu Ogu boasts, "See? Japanese bathrooms are way too functional!" But from my perspective, it''s noughing matter. There are too many things that are missing. For now, I''ve only set up the inte and streaming equipment. As for the furniture, some critical pieces are missing. <> <> When I gave her a stern look, Angu Ogu looked away. Honestly, I''m not looking forward to this new life. Chapter 156: [The Reason My Oshi Lives Japan] Chapter 156: [The Reason My Oshi Lives Japan] <> <> It had been one week since Angu Ogu moved in. My predictions had been spot on. She could only stay in Japan for a month, so today marked the eagerly awaited 2nd online cobs, at her request When I arrived at her ce, I was left dumbfounded. The time hade, so I reluctantly started the stream. <> <> >I knew this would happen, LOL! (U.S.) >Tell her to be more careful from the get-go! (U.S.) >Is this a wife, or should I say, Mom? (U.S.) Honestly, I''ve been quite reliant on my mom when ites to my health. So, I don''t really want to meddle in other people''s business too much. <> <> <> >Congrattions!?!?!?>> >Huh!? You and Iroha are finally having a child!? (U.S.) >I told you to use contraception so many times! (U.S.) <> <> <> <> <> Oh right. This person came from America. Compared to their meals over there, I guess all Japanese food would seem "healthy". <> <> And whether it''s cheap or not is up for debate. Well, it''s probably cheappared to American prices. <> <> <> >If there was something like that within walking distance, I''d go there every day! (U.S.) >Here, the closest store is basically a 30-minute drive away, you know? (U.S.) >Japan ispact, so everything is close by (U.S.) <> It''s not like I''m saying I''d rather have a house bigger than the White House! That''s not what I mean. <> <> <> <> As I turned my gaze toward her, it seemed like Angu Ogu felt her excuses were weak and started exining. But in reality, it seemed like she had been quite busy. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu ced her hand on her chin and said, "Well" Then she began sharing her personal experiences. <> Rmended for VTubers. Hearing that praise didn''t make me feel bad at all. However, Angu Ogu continued with a <>. <> <> <> Angu Ogu eximed, "Ugh!". It seemed like she had umted quite a bit of stress. Honestly, I think the same way about that aspect. In fact, wouldn''t almost everyone in the younger generation feel the same way? <> <> What Angu Ogu pointed out were the aspects of daily life in Japan that had be "normal" and customs that people had epted as "unavoidable". Chapter 157: [The Origin Of Emojis] Chapter 157: [The Origin Of Emojis] <> <> Even though cashless payments have be moremon recently, there are still many ces like that. Amidst the growing number of restaurants where robots serve meals, it''s hard to argue against the fact that things are a bit chaotic. >Once you live here, you start to see not only the good side but also the bad side, huh? (U.S.) >So, do you feel like you want to go back to America already? (U.S.) >Well, there''s no need to force yourself to stay in Japan, right? (U.S.) <> Suitability, huh? That isn''t limited to just countries. It''s the same with work and rtionships. There''s no such thing as everything being entirely good or entirely bad. There will always be both good and bad aspects. It''s important to figure out what appeals to you in that mix or what kind of hardship you can tolerate''. That assessment of suitability bes a crucial factor when making choices. It''s difficult to change others. But there are surprisingly many situations where you can choose your counterpart. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> It seems that overseas otaku face quite a bit of hardship. If the result is the current Angu Ogu, then their love no, otaku power is incredible. <> >I also watch with subtitles (U.S.) >I can''t stand the lip-sync in dubbing (U.S.) >In Japan, though, many people prefer dubbing <> >The differences between Japan and America are quite interesting, aren''t they? (U.S.) >I''m looking forward to when Irohaes to America (U.S.) >By the way, what kind of food did you have? (U.S). <> <> <> >Is American pudding different from that? (U.S.) >It wobbles >I''ve seen that in anime (U.S.) <> >In terms of appearance, it''s closer to n'', isn''t it? (U.S.) >So, that emoji was a pudding? (U.S.) >Emojis originated in Japan, so it has many Japanese elements in them. (U.S.) <> >I always thought it was a fully roasted kamakura (U.S.) >And with the white ones next to it, it looks even more like that w (U.S.) >If you know a bit about Japan, you''d recognize it as onigiri'' (U.S.) <> I find it fascinating, to listen to discussions in Angu Ogu''s chat''s. There really are significant differences in the interpretation of emojis between Japan and overseas. There are things unique to Japan, as well as Japanese-specific gestures. From what I''ve heard, there seem to be various misunderstandings. Like, making a big circle with both hands can look like a ballerina. Someone might see someone kneeling as doing push-ups. Also, some anime-style expressions don''t seem to trante well for some people. Creating a nosemp while sleeping can look like someone is crying. The anger mark is just too mysterious. I couldn''t help butugh at thement about it being the entrance to hell''. <> <> <> >Hey, what were you about to say!? (U.S.) >Be careful. The other person is a minor! w (U.S.) >???? <> <> <> Angu Ogu waved her hands in a fluster and tried to divert the conversation. Chapter 158: [Magnitude] Chapter 158: [Magnitude] A thick, long eggnt and a sweat-dropping emoji. Is this, like, super dirty stuff!? <> I could already guess, but there''s no need to stir the pot even further. Angu Ogu also decided to change the topic. <> <> <> <> >Oh, Iroha-chan''s jealousy is rare (U.S.) >The wife went out for a meal with another woman, so naturally (U.S.) >I thought she might get a bit upset or something, so Iroha-chan seems a little sulky (U.S.) <> <> <<"Itadakimasu" and all that, right?>> <> >Huh, isn''t it weird to exchange food like that? (U.S.) >In Japan, sharing the same food and sharing your thoughts on it is a way to strengthen bonds (U.S.) >Being able to enjoy a variety of dishes in small portions is quite a deal (U.S.) <> <> <> <> Ah, Shirako. You''ve tried some pretty sophisticated stuff. <> <> <> <> I choked involuntarily at the question, which was too difficult to answer. In the chats, phrases like "Ah", and "Was that earlier emoji a foreshadowing?" were flowing. Ango Ogu seemed puzzled by my reaction. It seemed like she genuinely didn''t know. Why were we discussing such awkward topics today? I had no choice but to carefully choose my words and exin. <> A tense silence followed. It was as if the tension could be felt through the screen, and the flow ofments stopped. <> Angu Ogu looked at me with a curious expression. Was my answer ufortable? Sweat trickled down my forehead Suddenly, her expression brightened. <> <> >Sa-fe! Nice save, Iroha-chan! (U.S.) That was a clevereback! (U.S.) The chats that had been stopped suddenly started pouring in. Phew, that was tiring. I managed toe up with something. <> <> <> I let out a rough sigh, "Geez, huff.". I couldn''t take it anymore! What kind of question was that? <> <> I thought the conversation was getting oddly specific, and now I get it! I''m totally convinced now! I''ll have to question Ah-nee properly next time. For now, the topic of food is not good. <> <> <> <> >This one''s on Ogu LOL (U.S.) >The choice of topic and timing is just too much (U.S.) >By the way, is Iroha staying at Ogu''s house again today? (U.S.) <> <> <> <> <> Just as I was about to say, "You do have an idea, don''t you?" something unexpected happened. <> The ground started shaking. It gradually intensified. Small objects in the room rattled. <> Angu Ogu''s high-pitched scream echoed in the room. Chapter 159: [Super Darling] Chapter 159: [Super Darling] <> The ground was shaking. Angu Ogu let out a high-pitched scream, "Aaaaah!" I chuckled and said, "Come on, you don''t need to scream like it''s the end of the world.". Sure, there was some shaking, but it wasn''t that big of an earthquake. It should calm down soon enough. However, she seemed to be feeling quite scared. <> <> Yeah. If it were just me, I''d be lying in bed without a care. Well, it''s not a good idea to be too careless either. I poked Angu Ogu lightly. <> <> I pulled Angu Ogu, who seemed confused, close to me. We both hid under the desk. <> Angu Ogu clung to me tightly and closed her eyes. As expected, the earthquake subsided quickly. <> I looked at theputer monitor. Japanese chats started appearing immediately. >It wasn''t that big, so I''m fine >It shook a bit, though >But I can''t stop watching the stream! Well, that''s the kind of reaction you''d expect. I checked social media and the news just in case. But it really wasn''t a big deal. <> <> <> <> <> <> >Yeah, it was just a little bit >Honestly, I didn''t even notice it was shaking until you mentioned it >If there''s an earthquake, it''s probably a good idea to temporarily stop the stream, right> (U.S.) <> <> Angu Ogu looked at me with a surprised expression. Huh? Did I say something weird? Usually, it''s her who says things like, "Stream more", or "I''m getting angry because my streamer oshi doesn''t stream enough. >If Japanese people don''t get flustered during earthquakes, when will they ever get flustered? (U.S.) >If you want to make Japanese people panic. You''ll have to bring Godzi or something (U.S.) >When the train is one minutete, that''s when. (U.S.) <> >Are Japanese people not afraid of death? (U.S.) >Is this the country of "Kamikaze"? (U.S.) >Is this the country of "Harakiri"? (U.S.) <> <> >I wonder if Ogu lives in a high-rise apartment. >If she lives on a high floor, it makes sense that she felt it strongly. >She seems to be making good money, so she probably lives in a nice ce. So that''s why, and I understand. In reality, this room is on a pretty high floor. >I watched a video of an earthquake, and the buildings in Japan were all wobbly (U.S.) >Oh, living in a ce like that is dangerous, soe back to America (U.S.) >Japanese buildings are intentionally designed to sway so they don''t copse during earthquakes (U.S.) Well, even if you say that the shaking feels significant, it''s probably just a slight difference. There may be some really good apartments, but it''s impressive how technology has advanced. >Is the infrastructure okay? (Chilean Esp.) >When I used to live in Japan, even for minor earthquakes, the electricity would go out right away, so I''m worried (Chilean Esp.) >What are you talking about? Oh, you were from Chile LOL <> >As expected from the only country in the world to experience a magnitude 9.5 earthquake. It''s a whole different level >Don''tpare everything to your country >Your country''s earthquake resistance technology, which doesn''t even cause power outages, is top-notch. Angu Ogu was holding her head in confusion. It seems she''s bewildered by the differences inmon practices. <> <> <<"Nooo! It''s not about baths! It''s for when the water supply gets cut off! You use it to flush the toilet!>> <> <> >That''s yeah, I have to admit, I''m stumped too. (Chilean Esp.) >Even Chileans have conceded defeat and areughing. (U.S.) >Japanese people are always like that, talking about baths and toilets. (U.S.) Stop your prejudice! I''m thinking about other things too! For example. Like food, work, savings, etc.? I''m sorry. I''m all about VTubers, so I don''t know what other people are interested in. <> As I said this, I sent a hand sign to the Secret Service, who had sneaked over to check on us, saying, "We''re fine over here.". Angu Ogu didn''t notice, She remained hugging me the whole time. << Huh. All right, Ogu. I''ll let stay over tonight.>> <> <> <> The words "This is super darling." appeared in thement section. Who''s the husband? Chapter 160: [The Big Fish That Got Away] Chapter 160: [The Big Fish That Got Away] <> This time is special. I''ve already stayed over once, and the Secret Servicedy was lurking in the shadows by the door, staring at us. Above all, I can''t let any unease linger as my oshi is continuing her activities in Japan. I have to make her feel safe and support her streaming without worries. <> <> >I see. You 2 have already spent a night alone together, huh? (U.S.) >When young girls share the same bed for a whole night, something''s bound to happen, right? (U.S.) >I just had a thought (U.S.) <> I emphasize this to the viewers. It''s amonly misunderstood situation, but Angu Ogu and I have a rtionship more akin to best friends. At least, that''s how I see it. Her affection for me is probably an extension of friendship. Sure, there are asional mischiefs, but I don''t have any intentions like that. <> <> <> I had been thinking along those lines. But if that''s all, well, it''s cute. < > <> <> <> <> <> That''s definitely not a situation that can be exined with a simple, "Just.". Seriously, my chastity was in danger, wasn''t it!? >Hey, what are you doing to underage girls? (U.S.) >Angu Ogu should be arrested at least once LOL (U.S.) >She''s really on the verge of climbing the adulthooddder LOL (U.S.) <> <<~ Ah. I secretly squeezed Iroha''s tits too. They were so soft.>> <> I grabbed Anngou and shook her vigorously. I''m okay, right? My body is still pure, isn''t it!? >Iroha-chan has experienced A and even up to B. >Well, that phrase is outdated >Well, they''re already married, so what''s next right? >So, did she say her breasts were soft? Does Iroha-chan actually have a decent-sized chest? >It''s a matter of interpretation >Is it okay if Iroha-chan has a big bust? It''s not something I think about though <> <> >But, in the end, big breasts always win, right? (U.S.) >Huh? Do you want a war now?? >Right now, you''ve said something you shouldn''t have >Small breasts are the ultimate. They''re a status symbol >Well, because youck confidence that you can''t love big breasts (U.S.) >Even without being so self-deprecating, breasts are nothing to be scared of! The chats are descending into chaos. What is this? Is this really a livestream by a middle school girl, of all things!? I find myself thinking. How on earth can I bring some order to this? It was Angu Ogu''s voice that finally calmed everyone down. <> >Oh! (U.S.) >Sorry, Iroha-chan. We were fighting over something so silly (U.S.) >There''s no such thing as small or big breasts. Peace is what matters the most, right? Yeah! <> Why do I suddenly getforted now? I don''t really care about breast size. But for some reason, it felt humiliating. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu approaches me and says, "Don''t say things like that.". I quickly shuffle back with myptop, identally bumping into a cardboard box behind me. <> <> The box that had been haphazardly stacked falls over, spilling its contents. I quickly apologize, "Sorry.", but then I realize <> <> <> That was the final blow. I began packing my things. Angu Ogu clings to me, trying to hold me back, but who cares! <> <> I now understood why her belongings had increased instead of being sorted. And I resolved never to show any vulnerability to Angu Ogu again. <> <> After the livestream ended, I handed Angu Ogu to my Ah-nee and went home. Knowing how restless Ah-nee sleeps, Angu Ogu was screaming. But I never expected something like this after just one night of sleeping together. I can''t help but wonder what will happen once we start living together in the U.S.. *** And then, for a while. Life in Japan with Angu Ogu is filled with ups and downs. Meanwhile, I was also preparing for my move to the U.S. However, I finally ran into a problem. That is "I can''t possibly take this massive amount of merchandise with me, can I?" I crossed my arms in front of the storage unit. There were so many goods from my oshis that they couldn''t all fit in my room. Chapter 161: [The Will From My Past Life] Chapter 161: [The Will From My Past Life] I crossed my arms and hummed as I gazed at my collection lined up in the rented warehouse. Naturally, a smile crept across my face. "Hehehe! So many goodies from my VTuber oshis. What a happy space this is! Oh, the memories. Is this one right here? It''s the first one I ever bought!" I pinned one of the keychains neatly arranged on the corkboard and picked it up. Ah, those were the days when I was starting to get into VTubers. "I didn''t even think about disying my oshis items back then. I used them so much they got worn out. Well, I did buy them all over again when they were re-released." This warehouse held a treasure trove of memories for me. Especially the precious items from the early days of VTubers, I had already moved most of them to my room. But there was still a lot stored here. "Anyway, I''m really d I could recover these goodies." "Iroha-chan, what are you doing here?" "?!?!?!" I spun around abruptly at the sudden voice from behind. There stood Mai, looking at me with a puzzled expression. "Why are you here!?" "Well, Iroha-chan, your time in Japan is almost up, right? So, I thought I''d visit and spend some time together. And then, just by chance, you showed up." "Well, if that''s the case, you should have just called me!" "Well, you see, you were acting a bit suspicious, looking around nervously. I thought this might be a chance to hold something over Iroha-chan." "That''s a terrible reason!" But of all people, it had to be Mai who found out about this ce. Well, at least it wasn''t Ah-nee. "Anyway, it''s an incredible amount of goodies here. What''s all this?" "Of course. I''ve been collecting them, and" "You said earlier that you recovered'' them. Did you lend them to someone?" Oh no! What an idiot I am! Did I let something slip in my excitement? I have to be careful. Mai is in a position to know my secrets better than anyone else. "Uh, I received them as a gift from a VTuber enthusiast I knew who passed away." "Is that so?" Mai nodded solemnly. I felt a bit embarrassed for making it sound more dramatic than it actually was. But I''m just d all these goodies are safe. I only managed to recover them a few months ago, and it was quite a struggle. First and foremost, right after that incident, there was a period when I couldn''t move. During that time, I was constantly gued by the fear that they had already been disposed of. However, what protected all of this was something unexpected. Thew. In my past life, I didn''t have any immediate family members (you could say heirs, in this case). However, that didn''t mean thendlord could terminate the apartment lease or dispose of my belongings without permission. Instead, they had to file for the appointment of an estate administrator. Then,wyers appointed for this purpose would settle the estate, and thendlord could recover any unpaid rent. Now, here''s the crucial part. If there were still assets left behind, the fact that there were no heirs would be reexamined. If, after 6 months, no heirs appeared, the rights to the property would finally pass to a "special kin". Legally, even a stranger with a special connection could inherit the belongings. "But Mai had no idea you had such close friends in the fanmunity, Iroha-chan. Mai, I had no clue." "Well, hehe" If there were no special kin in this situation, the property would be the state''s. If it had gone that far, recovering my collection would have been hopeless. In other words, I didn''t inherit my past self''s collection as a special kin! I couldn''t inherit it at all! But when I tried to file, they said, "You have no rtion to this person.". I could only reply with, "You''re right." That''s because there was no connection except in the afterlife In that case, the collection would have gone to auction and would be almost impossible to retrieve. I was ready to give up entirely when something unexpected happened. A "will" was found. Not just any will, but one legally valid. Naturally, I have no memory of writing such a thing, so it was undoubtedly a forgery. However, it emerged from somewhere and allowed me to inherit the collection. This kind of miracle doesn''t just happen. There was clearly some pressure or maneuvering from somewhere, and someone who knew about the connection between me and the deceased man. It was undoubtedly the work of "her". Well, it was a calcted move on her part, weighing the risk of being found out against the collection. Still, I never expected her to cooperate willingly. This had to be a down payment for some reward. One reason I couldn''t decline the Nobel Peace Prize was probably due to this. "Haah" Those two are always up to something. I let out a deep sigh. *** And then Finally, the day to go to the U.S. arrives. Chapter 162: [Moving In Together! A New Base] Chapter 162: [Moving In Together! A New Base] "Haa~, it''s already the day to go to America! It''s too soon! There are still so many things I want to do!" "Well, if you eat convenience store meals every day and read doujinshi all the time, it''s bound to feel that way." "Th-that''s not true! I''ve been busy with other things!" Ango and I were chatting at the airport. She still seemed to have some attachment to Japan and was pouting, saying, "I don''t want to go back yet.". "Hey, Iroha. Can''t we postpone the schedule just a little longer? The local event isn''t happening today, right?" "It''s not happening today for sure. But why do you think we''re moving at this time? We want to finish all the paperwork and settle everything so we can enjoy the event without any worries." "Come on, can''t you just say it''s for studying abroad'' if you must?" "Oh, yeah." "Such a weak reaction!? It''s like I recently learned this term, misced priorities''." I snorted and said. "You''re rude." There are no misced priorities here; the VTuber event is the top priority. "In any case, we won''t dy it. If I leave it to you, Ogu, the room will still be full of cardboard boxes even after a month." "W-What!? I admit it took a while to unpack, but I did finish it! But then, I received fan letters and gifts from Japan for boxes and boxes" "Yeah, yeah, I get it." "Is it true!?" What a wolf-boy. If you want me to believe you, improve your behavior. For Angu Ogu, one month seemed like a blink of an eye. Whether one month is long or short depends on the person but in my case. Well, I''ve had enough! Just think about it. It''s already tough enough with Mai and Ah-nee, and now Angu Ogu is added to the mix. Seriously, what''s with all the troublemakers around me!? "Oh, the three of you are back. Thanks for carrying our luggage." "Iroha-chan is weak, so leave it to onee-chan!" "Anego is helpful at times like this." "This guy~!" Angu Oguand Ah-nee were yfully interacting. Since the sisters told us, "It''s going to be tough from now on, so conserve your energy!" we entrusted them with the luggage and took a break. "Nyeee~! Iroha-chan,e back safely and stay healthy!" Mai clung to me and cried loudly. Angu Ogu wouldpete with Mai, but today she seemed willing to yield and didn''t say anything. And the one looking the most worried is our mother. Well, I understand her feelings. "Do you have everything? Passport? Visa?" "I''m fine. I checked just a while ago." What she''s really concerned about isn''t forgotten items but my well-being. Last time, when I was sent off to the U.S., an incident like that happened. I was even involved in an attempted kidnapping. Saying "Don''t worry." would be unreasonable. "It''s okay, Iroha Mama. I''ll take good care of Iroha, and if anything happens, I have a strong knight by my side." Ango nced briefly in the direction of the Secret Service. There couldn''t be a more convincing presence for safety. "That''s right. Besides, it''s not helping your future if mom is taking away her possibilities. You''re going to the U.S. to study, right?" "Huh!? Oh, um of course!" I hesitated for a moment, and my reaction seemed a bit off. Angu Ogu whispered, "Seriously?" under her breath. "You shouldn''t say that! If you mention that reason, there''s no way she''ll permit you!" "You sigh." Angu Ogu sighed as if she was exasperated. As we were talking, it was time for the ne boarding. "Well then, I''m off." "Take care!" "Have a safe trip!" "Make sure to eat properly!" We were sent off like this. And so, we headed to the U.S.. *** On the ne for over half a day, we finally arrived at the airport in the U.S.. Well, it was my second time, so I was used to it. We were going to take a taxi, which ismonly done using the "UVER" app on your smartphone. When you think of the U.S., you might picture yellow cabs, but it seems different here. <> However, in our case, there was another exception. Just when I thought we''d take a taxi, the Secret Service personnel provided us with a ride. Talk about VIP treatment Oh, right, Angu Ogu was indeed a VIP. <> The building was located a bit away from downtown. I stood there with my mouth wide open, staring up at it. <> <> As we entered the lobby, a beautifuldy weed us. I thought there was some special asion, but she seemed to be the hired property manager. No doubt, she was hired for her looks. I was pretty sure her main job was more of a poster girl than a property manager, but I kept quiet. After that, we were given a tour of the facilities. The clubhouse had a gym and a pool. There was also a BBQ area Wait, is this really an apartment? <> <> <> The property manager also informed us about the rules of the apartment. We would receive notifications when our packages arrived, and they would collect the trash from outside our rooms. <> <> Angu Ogu tilted her head, but she had quite a few quirks that deviated from the norm, so it''s hard to say if it''s just a cultural gap. After her exnations were done, the property manager said, "I''ll leave it to you from here.", and left. The Secret Service personnel also went to the adjacent room. Now it was just Ango and me in the room. We stood side by side, gazing at the spacious apartment. <> <> <> I stopped Angu Ogu, who was trying to hug me right away. There was something we needed to do first. <> Angu Ogu''s expression froze, and she eximed, "Huh!?". Chapter 163: [Even Among Close Friends, There Is Etiquette] Chapter 163: [Even Among Close Friends, There Is Etiquette] <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu groaned, but she had brought it upon herself. Perhaps she needed more time for reflection. Well, even if not, people were sharing living space with each other. Some ground rules were necessary. <> <> <> <> I''m in the same boat. Regtions are different in Japan and the U.S., and it could be illegal. I''m underage, so I definitely don''t have any R18 stuff. I don''t have a stash in a storage unit, and I haven''t watched anything confiscated from Angu Ogu! By the way, I''m not a fan of myself, the "Trantion Girl Iroha". So, this is the first time I''ve read something like this. I won''t say any more, but it''s a strange feeling. A little bit of empathy No, it''s nothing. <> <> Fortunately, unlike Japanese homes, each room had a proper lock. It seemed necessary to be cautious and not forget to lock them. This apartment has two private rooms, 1 for me and 1 for Angu Ogu. There''s also a kitchen, a living-dining area, and a bathroom. <> <> That''s good. It''s good that she still had some American sensibilities left in her. Lately, she had been too negatively immersed in Japanese culture. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Oh, look out, look out. There are actually several purposes to this study abroad in America. I was about to let Angu Ogu guess one of them. I continued the conversation before she could ask anything. <> <> <> <> However, I knew well about her eating habits in Japan. That''s why I gave her this evaluation. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> I felt bad for Angu Ogu, but I could manage simple cooking. It was a bit of a cheat, having lived alone in my past life. Well, whether we can cook or not will be apparent quickly. Let''s look forward to each other''s culinary skills orck thereof. <> <> <> <> <> I also didn''t want to touch a young girl''s underwear too much Oh, wait. I realized it and gave Angu Ogu a stern look. <> <> <> Both Angu Ogu and I were busy people. Cooking, cleaning,undry, and other household chores C if someone else could handle them, it was better. Or better yet, leave it to machines. There was even a dishwasher in this apartment. If you could buy time with money, there was nothing better. After all, it meant more time to spend on our favorite things! <> <> As a Japanese person, there was one thing I couldn''tpromise on. That was <<.-No shoes inside the room!>> Angu Oguughed and said, "Is that so?". And so, our shared life began. Chapter 164: [When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do Chapter 164: [When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do <> I had copsed. The trouble urred right after we decided on the rules for our life. The furniture we had ordered was getting delivered, and workers were bringing it into the room one by one. I had left the instructions for cement to Angu Ogu. <> <> <> <> <> <> Ango apologized, but I was bewildered. What other interpretation could there be? However, when I asked, I realized she wasn''t at fault. I had unterally assumed my own mon sense". <> <> <> << I see.>> What''s important isn''t that the room is clean, but the guests feel good. To achieve that, they avoid dirtying the ce by taking their shoes off. When you look at it this way, imposing the "no shoes inside" rule on others bes contradictory. No one feels better getting forced to do something. On the other hand, in Japan, it''s about keeping the house clean or being careful not to dirty someone else''s house. In this way, even though it''s the same "no shoes inside" rule, the philosophies are opposite. Perhaps this is influenced by American home party culturethe idea of entertaining guests at home. <> <> <> <> <> It''s just a difference in culture. And this is America. In that case, it''s not me but them who are right. Actually, I was trying to impose my country''s rules on others. This is a moment of reflection. I should follow its rules once I decide to live in a country. <> That applies not just to countries but also to schools and workces. When I be part of something, rules get established for various reasons and traditions. It''s not a good idea to deny, reject, or try to change them without understanding them. But that doesn''t mean turning a blind eye to wrongdoing Or, even if you realize it''s wrong, not trying to change it is also a problem. <> <> I thought. When Angu Ogu visited Japan, she challenged everything at first. <> Iughed, saying, "Isn''t this the American way?", right? Through this life, I would deepen my understanding of VTubers living in America. <> <> <> Perhaps it''s unique to the culture of wearing shoes indoors. There are still many things I don''t understand. But I''ll get used to them eventually. <> <> In fact, that interpretation felt morefortable for me. With that view, living with shoes on didn''t seem too bothersome. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> It seems there''s still much I don''t know about American culture. I''m constantly got reminded that there are many things I can''t learn just throughnguage alone. *** The sun had reached its zenith. Angu Ogu let out a sudden "Ah!", exmation. <> <> I joined AngU Ogu in distributing coffee and doughnuts to the workers. This was just like a tip, although we also gave actual tips, ording to her, In Japan, it''s not mandatory to serve tea to guests, especially not to service workers, so this was another cultural difference. Well, tipping itself seems to be a form of etiquette. I pondered this while munching on a doughnut. <> <> I quickly took a sip of my coffee. I was quite surprisedit felt like I was being initiated into American culture. While chatting with Angu Ogu like this, one of the workers cheerfully approached us, for some reason using a tone you might use when petting a cat. <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu was gettingpletely underestimated. She''s like a child trying to act like an adult. I chuckled and intervened. <> I said it with a yful tone. The worker looked at me in astonishment and opened his mouth in surprise. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu got angry and made aical face. The workerughed and brushed it off as if calming a child. *** As we continued chatting, the workers finished their work. Our belongings from Japan had also arrived, and the room was filled with cardboard boxes. <> <> I nodded vigorously, signaling my agreement. Chapter 165: [American Dining Etiquette] Chapter 165: [American Dining Etiquette] <> <> I was at a restaurant with Angu Ogu, who was guiding me. In front of us, the food was ced with a bang. <> <> Well, it was getting close to evening. As sweet as the donuts were almost giving me a heart attack. They weren''t enough. I was hungry too. <> <> <> On the te was a ssic American-style burger with French fries. However, the burger was unusuallyrge. <> <> I took a big bite of the massive burger. However, it didn''t fit in my mouth. <> I said, >>I see,>> and imitated Angu Ogu, taking a big bite. Honestly <> <> Between the buns were a patty, of onion slices, crispy bacon, cheese, and sauce. Among them, the juiciness of the patty was on a different level than what I was used to in Japan. <> <> It was probably just a formality. I brushed off Angu Ogu''spliment. She continued eating happily with a big smile on her face. Maybe she had also been longing for the taste of her homnd. Without a doubt, she was enjoying this meal more than I was. <> <> As I said this, I washed down the oil in my mouth with a carbonated drink. Even I could tell this was the best moment. But seriously, this paper cup isn''t it bigger than the burger!? It doesn''t seem to be getting any emptier. Could it have a liter in it or something? <> <> Angu Ogu pointed to a corner that looked like a drink bar, and I retorted. It was nice that it was all you can drink by default, but <> <> <> <> If it''s all-you-can-drink, it shouldn''t make a big difference, but it''s probably a cultural difference. With those thoughts in mind, I nced around the restaurant. That''s when my eyes met with the middle-ageddy who had seated us. She was approaching us. Huh? What''s going on? <> <> <> <> The cheerfuldy struck up a conversation and continued chatting for a while before leaving. <> <> I wondered if this difference in approach was due to cultural tendencies or perhaps influenced by the tipping culture. In any case, it is not umon. The secret service people at the table next to us also continue to eat normally. Or maybe they are just good at not showing caution. By the way, it was thanks to them that I was able toe to this restaurant. I feel bad that I used them as my assistants. In this ce just a little bit far from downtown, a car is necessary to go anywhere. Since Angu Ogu didn''t have a driver''s license. Without them, we would have been in trouble. <> <> I replied with a wry smile. The burger itself wasrge, and there were plenty of French fries. I was getting quite full. <> <> <> <> Well, indeed, my current body doesn''t eat as much as an adult man from my previous life. I sighed and reached out to grab the sauce ced on the side of the table. <> <> Angu Ogu pointed out with a sharp voice. What I did was considered bad manners. What on earth did I do wrong? Chapter 166: [Check, Please] Chapter 166: [Check, Please] When I tried to take some sauce, Angu Ogu scolded me for reaching out. I wonder what I did wrong. The correct answer is. <> <> <> Angu Ogu handed me the sauce that was next to her. I epted it with an apology. It''s easy to forget knowledge you don''t use. During my previous stay, I had been taught some manners. But they hadpletely slipped my mind. <> <> While having such a conversation, we continued to eat and change the vors. However, my hand stoppedpletely midway. The burger itself was delicious, but the portion was toorge! Even Angie was sipping her drink slowly with some French fries left. <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu made brief eye contact, and despite being quite far away, the waitress from earlier came over immediately. <> <> By the way, isn''t it also considered impolite to shout like "Sumimasen!" when calling the waitress? While thinking about such things, the waitress brought something to our table. <> <> <> <> <> <> Saying so, Angu Ogu expertly packed her leftovers into the doggy bag. I followed suit, and she reached for another item. <> <> As she said that, Angu Ogu ced her credit card in the bill holder and ced it by the side of the table. The waitress quickly came to collect it. <> <> <> As we chatted, it seemed the bill had already been settled, and the waitress returned the bill holder. Inside were the credit card and, in addition to the bill, a receipt. <> <> <> <> I responded with a smile. At first, I was overwhelmed, but once I got used to it, the waitress was very nice. American waitstaff were really friendly, unlike in Japan. That is probably due to the significant difference in the perception of "equality between customers and waitstaff.". Japanese people sometimes see that as a "poor work attitude.". However, in America, this is normal. Because it''s equal, it''s okay for them to use their smartphone and chat. After all, aren''t customers doing the same thing? <> <> She said that, and I peered at Angu Ogu''s hand. There was a message with emoticons. It said, "Thank you!" with a handwritten note, and I felt satisfied that it was a good meal. However, I realized that I hadmitted a serious etiquette mistake. <> <> Angu Ogu smiled and said, "You can hand it directly if you want.". But how should I give it? The bill has already been settled, and we paid it by card. Should I give cash now? As I pondered this, she was writing something on the receipt. <> <> Inside the bill holder, there were two receipts: one for us and one for the restaurant. There was a checkbox to choose the tip percentage. Angu Ogu checked the box at the bottom, which said "20%," and signed it. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu got up from her seat. Apparently, it''s okay to leave it there and leave. There''s no need to check the tip amount with the waitress. The credit card charge will be adjustedter to include the tip. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Not giving a tip might be like saying, "You can work for $3 an hour.". I solemnly pledged to always give a tip unless there was a very good reason not to. Chapter 167: [Voltage Rising] Chapter 167: [Voltage Rising] <> <> <> <> <> As Iy on the living room sofa, Angu Ogu leaned on me. I wanted to push her away. But I had neither the will nor the strength to do so. After returning from our meal, we had been working hard on unpacking, which I had underestimated. <> <> <> <> <> <> Well, Angu-Ogu had really just been ying all the time. I thought that, but there was some truth to what she said. Honestly, I had underestimated things quite a bit. Somewhere deep down, it seemed I had been calcting based on the stamina of an adult male from my previous life. <> <> <> I never thought I''d lose to Angu Ogu Could it be because of the difference in moving experience? Also, in my case, I encountered some issues specific to living abroad. I tried plugging myptop into the socket, but <> <> Plugging Japanese appliances directly into American sockets could lead to them catching fire C it''s amon mistake. The plug shapes are mostly the same, which makes it even easier to make such mistakes. I thought I had brought a voltage converter. But I couldn''t remember which box it was in, or perhaps I had left it in Japan. <> <> <> Actually, from Angu Ogu''s perspective, this is the default. Ordering online is the way to go. <> <> Angu Ogu showed me the results of the speed test on her phone. <> <> <> Japan''s inte speed is fast and stable precisely because the country ispact. Or you could say it''s because the poption is so concentrated in small cities. In contrast, even in what Americans call rural areas. There are still plenty of people. Therefore, there''s less emphasis on promoting local specialties and products, unlike Japan. <> <> <> Basically, Japanese SIM cards only work within Japan. Technically, you can use international roaming, but it can cost you a fortune. It''s safer to switch to a local SIM card or a disposable one. <> <> <> Angu-Ogu poked my cheek, and I just went along with it. I didn''t even have the energy to brush her hand away. Myptop still had some battery left. But it was strictly for work and streaming. With no way to charge it, I couldn''t use it now. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> I jumped up, and Angu Ogu was sent flying,nding on the floor. <> <> <> However, it seemed that fate had abandoned me. Just as I was about to plug in the charger, my smartphone died. <> I was a second toote. It would take some time before I could use it again. I trembled while anxiously biting my nails. <> <> <> I grabbed Angu Ogu''s hands and leaned in closer. She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. <> <> <> Angu Ogu muttered under her breath. Chapter 168: [A New Morning Has Come] Chapter 168: [A New Morning Has Come] "Huh!?" I woke up with a start, my body jerking. It was what they call a hypnic jerk. Did I have trouble falling asleep that badly? I rubbed my sleepy eyes and sat up "?" I couldn''t grasp the situation and looked around dazedly. Wait, this isn''t my room? I can''t see any VTuber merchandise here. Upon closer inspection, this was an unusually spacious living room. Not just the room itself, everything from the sofa to the door was oversized. It made me feel like I''d be a dwarf or something. Well, I''ve actually had a simr experience once. I finally remembered. "Oh right, I''m in America now." But there was one thing I still couldn''t figure out. "What''s going on here?" <> I lowered my gaze, and Angu Ogu clung to me while still half asleep. I scratched my head and tried to recall, but I couldn''t remember anything that happenedst night. "Why why are we sleeping together? And on the sofa, no less?" I remembered up until a certain point. I was charging my smartphone during the unpacking process, but it ran out of battery. So, I borrowed Angu Ogu''s smartphone instead After that, I couldn''t remember anything. "I remember the content of the stream I was watching perfectly! <>!" <> <> Angu Ogu giggled with an innocent expression. The strong American sunlight streaming through the window illuminated her as she slowly woke up. She wore very casual clothes, and it was hard to know where to look! I asked, averting my gaze. <> <> <> ording to Angu Ogu, I must have been exhausted from jetg and unpacking, so I fell asleep while watching the stream. So she tried to retrieve her smartphone, but <> <> <> <> <> <> I gave her a sharp chop. Angu Ogu exaggeratedly staggered back and moved away from me. But there was one more thing I needed to confirm. I hoped it wasn''t the case, but <> <> <> <<..The rules allowed it.>> <> <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu hurriedly ran to the bathroom, as if trying to escape. She really thought I''d fall for her "excuse me" excuse? It seems like I need to add some new rules to this situation. That''s how we woke up together for the first time in America C this morning. *** In the U.S., bathrooms are usually unit baths. Our apartment is no exception. <> I quickly got out of the bath and rushed into the living room. I ran into the living room and cried to Angu Ogu. <> <> <> <> It''s not nice to be called that by Angu Ogu. But I''ll put it aside for now. <> <> <> I nodded and gently pulled Angu Ogu''s hand toward my head. After she inexplicably said, "Um, excuse me," she ran her fingers through my still-wet hair. <> <> <> <> <> <> At first, I thought I couldn''t bring liquid items on nes, but after checking, it turned out that as long as they''re in your checked luggage, it''s fine. So I brought shampoo and body soap from Japan, but I didn''t expect it to be a bad choice. It didn''tther well and made my hair feel stiff. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> However, at this time. Even in Japan, many men take basic care of their skin and wear some makeup. America ispletely different in that regard. <> It''s not a good feeling to be putting on shoes barefoot right after taking a shower. I wish I had at least some slippers for indoor use. <> <> <> Chapter 169: [Hypermarket] Chapter 169: [Hypermarket] <> I gazed up at the store in astonishment. No, seriously, it was so huge that I naturally looked up. <> <> <> In a nutshell, Walmarket was a huge supermarket. However, its scale was so different that it looked like apletely different entity. I think it''s thepany with the highest sales in the world. Would it be easier to understand if I said it sells more than AWAZON? <> <> Angu Ogu pushed the shopping cart ahead. I followed her, feeling a bit overwhelmed. <> <> <> <> With this much space, they probably have everything. Just walking around like this, there were so many different products. <> <> <> As I entered the aisle, I saw piles of fruits and vegetables. Now that she mentioned it, all the groceries here seemed to be sold loose. In Japan, many items are often bundled together and packed in bags, but in America, it''s sold separately or by weight. <> <> <> <> Not too long ago, they started charging for stic bags in Japan, among other environmental efforts. Whether it had been effective was another question, but at least it had raised awareness. But I had never thought about individual packaging like this. <> <> The apples Angu Ogu picked up were so small that they fit in her small hand, not princess apples, just small apples. <> <> While saying that, Angu Ogu picked out some good-looking apples. Indeed, in Japan, fruits are more like a special dessert. The apples were ced directly in the cart. Come to think of it, it''s different from Japan in that there are no shopping baskets here. <> <> <> As Angu Ogu said that, she pointed to the bruised apples mixed in and the dirt scattered on the ground. It was certainly a bit messy. <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu made a rattling noise and pushed the shopping cart forward, seemingly offended. Next to the fruits were vegetables, and their prices were simr to those in Japan. <> <> <> Angu Ogu said, You''re sharp'', andughed. I felt like I understood why Americans don''t eat vegetables as much. <> Moreover, there were no sizes that seemed manageable for just the two of us. Also, I didn''t see thinly sliced meat or marbled meat like in Japan. <> <> I wondered why bother with meat when you could find a dish just grilling it anywhere. So this was the reason. And Angu Ogu also enjoyed dishes like shabu-shabu. Having looked around all the ingredients, I suddenly had an idea. <> <> <> <> It''s unusual for me to suggest something like this, but I had my reasons. And so, the spark of our battle was ignited. Chapter 170: [The Price Of Health] Chapter 170: [The Price Of Health] <> <> A cooking showdown with Angu Ogu. The suggestion was made not to spoil the surprise with the ingredients, but we were stopped. <> <> <> <> Regardless of being ady or not, it''s nobody''s fault and unavoidable. But entrusting the Secret Service, Angu Ogu''s bodyguards, with the role of guardians. Oh, I see. <> <> <> It seemed like they were listening to our conversation as we received a signal from the Secret Service personnel. Once decided, we began tossing ingredients into the shopping cart. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> However, because the ingredients were sorge, the cart wasn''t filling up quickly! That''s right, the cart itself was ridiculously huge. <> <> Not a metaphor, but c stretched as far as the eye could see. This sight seemed like something you could only find here. <> <> <> <> Naturally, it was in cases. In fact, they only sold it in cases. As expected of the scale. And Ango Ogu''s description of it as drinking water'' was not just a metaphor, it seemed. I went to look for regr water'' anyway <> <> Of course, it depends on the brand, but the water was ridiculously expensive. Or rather, c is too cheappared to the cost of living. But we can''t just not buy it. I tried to load it into the cart. <> <> Water was only sold in dozens of bottles, so it was heavy. With strained efforts, Ango Ogu and I managed to lift it and load it into the cart. <> <> No doubt about that. Medical bills here are insanely high. Iroha, did you get overseas insurance in Japan?>> <> I think that was the right choice. Even with insurance, medical costs are high, and not all hospitals ept it. Only those in partnership with the contracted insurance. <> When your health is in the worst condition, and you finally make it to the hospital just the thought of it is hell. <> <> <> <> <> After looking around, I noticed that the healthier products were more expensive. Things like vegetables and water. On the other hand, unhealthy foods are surprisingly cheap, like junk food and c. <> <> I already have to see the doctor quite frequently. Emergency services are more expensive than regr visits in Japan, but the difference is significant. <> Slippers, detergent, and a voltage converter were tossed into the cart. Or rather, they actually sold it Walmarkets is amazing. Just when I thought that was everything, I spotted something sold that would never be seen in Japan. <> I tugged at Ango Ogu''s shirt hem and pointed at the showcase. Chapter 171: [BANG! BANG! BANG!] Chapter 171: [BANG! BANG! BANG!] <> <> <> <> <> I approached the showcase with a curious "Wow.". The sight of various "weapons" lined up was quite spectacr. <> <> <> <> <> Moreover, she told me that there were only four written questions to choose. It''s easier than getting a moped license. I thought it took years in Japan to be able to hunt with a gun. And I think you also need a permit to possess a gun, in addition to a hunting license. <> That''s what my Japanese sensibilities would lead me to think. Angu Ogu looked a little bitter, "Ah~." I can''t help but think that way from a Japanese perspective. Angu Ogu seemed a bit bitter, "Ah~.". <> <> <> In some states, not only handguns. But all guns are no longer sold in stores. However, how you use a gun depends on the individual. Whether it''s for sports, self-defense, or offense, in the end, it''s a person. In extreme cases, if someone wants to harm others, they can do it with a knife, a rope, or even words. Ultimately, it''s not the tool but the ill intent that hurts people. <> <> However, Angu Ogu didn''t explicitly say yes'' or no''. She didn''t evade the question, but there seemed to be a good reason for not answering it. <> <> <> <> Just because someone doesn''t own a gun doesn''t mean they can rob others without repercussions. Just because someone owns a gun doesn''t mean they are a dangerous person intending harm. It''s just that both choicese with significant risks. It''s a difficult question to answer. In the end, which choice to make is an individual''s "freedom". That''s what American society is all about. <> <> We pushed the heavy shopping cart together and continued to explore the store. Never did we think that this conversation here would be a turning point. *** "My words to you''! It''s Trantor Girl Iroha~! It''s been a while, everyone~!" >Whoa~! It''s Iroha-chan! >Iroha~! I''ve been waiting for you~ >Thanks for all the hard work with the move!!" I''ve been doing live streams for the first time in a few days because of the preparations for the move and unpacking. Well, I mean, I''m still in the middle of unpacking. "Today, I''ve finally moved to the U.S., and it''s my first stream here. Oh, I might be unusually excited. From now on, there will be various VTuber events here. Hehe." >Isn''t it just like always? ww >Didn''t youe here to study abroad? >I was thinking of telling you to study hard. But Iroha-chan, you definitely don''t need to bother with stuff like studying, right?" "No, no, there are so many things you can only learn by being here on-site. Even the vocabry used here ispletely different." "That''s right. Iroha didn''t even know what a doggy bag'' was, for example." >Whoa~!? >Hey, Ogu! (U.S.) >We really are living together~!! "<> Is everyone in Japan watching? I''m the guardian role for Iroha~! Today or rather, from now on, it''s mostly off-coborations!" >I''m watching~! >A little girl as a little girl''s guardian? My head is spinning >Congrattions on living together!! Turning the previously Trantor Girl Iroha'' stream into one featuring Angu Ogu''. Today, we gathered in my room to do a stream. Well, I did get a transformer, and it''s the first time, so why not? But I couldn''t help but notice how excited she got as soon as I told her, "You cane into the room.". "Hehehe~! Living together with Iroha. It''s great~! We can meet like this anytime!" "Everyone''s been saying [living together] all the time, but it''s not like that, okay!? In reality, I''m just staying over at Ogu''s house!" "Don''t be embarrassed, Iroha. From now on, I''ll guide you step by step through life in America!" >Iroha-chan and Ogu living together, it''s making me cry blood with envy >Trying to picture Ogu teaching anything to Iroha is impossible ww >Isn''t it the other way around? >What''s that doggy bag you were talking about? "Oh, everything here is big, from the meals to everything else. You can get a takeout container at any restaurant." "Did I tell you that?" "Don''t try to one-up me." >Ogu is really taking every chance he gets ww >If you pick a fight with Iroha in terms ofnguage, you''re in for a tough timeter >Maybe you should apologize now while you have the chance? "Well, do you know why they call it doggy bag'', Iroha?" "Huh? I don''t know, but is it because they originally said they were taking it home for the dog? As a polite excuse?" >Oh >That was quicker than I expected w >See, I told you. She''s on top of it! Angu Ogu barked, "Ugaa!". Uh, sorry for that. Chapter 172: [Born With A Language Cheat] Chapter 172: [Born With A Language Cheat] "Why do you know that!? You secretly looked it up because you were so frustrated!" "No, no, I really didn''t know! I just thought it might be because it''s in doggy, that''s all." I easily answered the question posed by Angu Ogu. My knack fornguages may be a bit of a cheat, but it didn''t end there for her. The American audience was collectively makingments and poking fun at her in thements. >Hey, they also call it a doggy bag'' (U.S.) >I haven''t heard that in like 10 years (U.S.) >Oh, Ogu, that''s already outdated (U.S.) "Huh? What are you talking about? I use it regrly." "Ogu?" >I simply call it a box (U.S.) >Or maybe a to-go box" (U.S.) ?Ogi, are you quite old, maybe?" "No, no!? It''s different! My mom used to say it normally!" "So, Ogu, were you proudly using outdated words at the restaurant? You might have done something really embarrassing, you know." "I didn''t say that!" Ango Ogu covered her ears and wriggled. Well, there may be significant regional and generational differences. The other day, the server who attended to us was an olderdy, so it probably went smoothly. But if it had been a younger server, they might have been puzzled. "Ugh, I was embarrassed because of Iroha." "It''s your fault, you know." "No, it''s not! Even though Iroha is usually knowledgeable, it''s bad that she didn''t know such a simple word!" "Ah, I see." Upon Angu Ogu''s words, I realized something. If "doggy bag" wasn''t an outdated term, there''s no way I wouldn''t know that word. I mean, it''s unlikely that I''ve ever seen the same situation in movies, TV, or on the inte. And if I hade across it even once, it would fall within the scope of my "ability". Forgetting or not remembering the culture of taking food home is possible, but there''s no way I could forget the word "doggy bag" specifically. >It was a fleeting dream, Ogu (U.S). >But even Iroha-chan doesn''t know some words, huh? >I felt like she knew everything "Haha. Even I, no matter how much I know, there are words I''ve never heard before. While withnguages I''m familiar with, I can make some educated guesses." "Is that so?" "Yes, that''s right. For example, there''s something called the Gavagai problem". Saying that, I provided an example. A kind of thought experiment. "Let''s say a native speaker of anguage you don''t understand points at a rabbit and says, gavagai.'' What do you think gavagai'' means in that case?" "? Obviously, it means a rabbit, doesn''t it?" "The correct answer is we don''t know''." With just this information, it''s impossible to determine the word''s meaning. It doesn''t automatically mean that gavagai'' equals rabbit''. "Why not! You can figure it out just by looking at it!" "It''s not that simple. Think about it. If I pointed at a rabbit and said animal,'' is that wrong?" "W-Well, not exactly." "Or it might be this,'' or cute,'' or I want to eat it,'' or white,'' or it hops well.''" Once you start listing characteristics, there''s no end to it. Even a single object has a multitude of elements when you try to put it intonguage. "Besides, it might not even be about a rabbit but rather the air or the act of pointing itself." "If you start saying that, then anything goes." "That''s right, anything is possible! The possibilities are almost endless. That''s why it''s impossible to determine. That''s the answer." >Hearing it like this, you really appreciate the importance ofnguage >So, even if aliens were to appear, it seems likemunication would be quite challenging >At the very least, having a basicmonnguage andmon understanding is necessary "That should be the case, but you know" "Huh? Is there something else?" "Actually, there are exceptions. Specifically well, how do babies figure out the meanings of words?" "Seriously!? That''s impressive, aren''t babies amazing!?" Perhaps they unconsciously findmonalities through trial and error. I think we are all born with a nguage cheat''. It''s such a remarkable ability that you might wonder if it''s built into humanity. That''s why, on the other hand, there are stories like this. If a mother exins her frequently traveling father to a child using photos as "this is Daddy" Then the child might start calling all pictures "Daddy". "Well, in any case, it means that there are many words that even I wouldn''t understand after hearing them just once." "I see." >I see, even Iroha-chan doesn''t know some things >I might follow lil baby''s example and start studying foreignnguages >Someday, I''d like to try doing a segment where I search for words Iroha-chan doesn''t know "Alright, let''s put the digressions aside and talk about when I came to America?" "That''s right, I almost forgot!" "Alright then, let''s start with yeah, before the move. Let''s begin with when I was called to the conste''." Chapter 173: [The American Consulate] Chapter 173: [The American Conste] "I haven''t really shared much about that part of the story with everyone." This is the story from before I came to America. The situation was so unique that it presented quite a few challenges. >Summons from the conste!? >That''s clearly VIP treatment >Well, I guess that''s what happens when a Nobel Peace Prizeureate goes abroad "Oh, no! That''s not it! It''s not anything grand like that! When you''re trying to get a visa, you have to go to the conste, that''s all!" >Is that so? >I didn''t know that >I went to get a visa when I had a long business trip "Wow, the conste is something else. I don''t think there''s a ce where you can feel overseas so intimately." First, getting into the conste is incredibly strict. It''s not about conditions; it''s a physical thing. "I had to go through baggage inspection, turn off and hand over all electronic devices, and even go through a metal detector and body check. In a way, I think it''s quite a valuable experience." Literally, that ce''s premises are like a foreignnd. I thought the body check would be just a light pat-down, but they frisk you thoroughly. It''s a bit embarrassing. Especially in my case when it''s done by someone of the same sex. "Just a body check is normal, right?" "Don''tpare your daily life to mine." When I''m with Angu Ogu I get used to body checks, but this is different; she''s a real VIP. Actually, I''ve been through body checks at airports, but it''s a different feeling when it happens in Japan. "So, after submitting documents and rmendation letters and going through an interview at the conste, you can get a visa issued. Just be careful, everyone. Like I said, it''s America''." "Huh? Was there anything else?" "Currency in the building The visa processing fee is paid in dors, right? I forgot to bring them. If you have a card, you can manage, but it''s one of those Oh, I see'' moments." "That''s where Irohaes in handy." "I''d rather not hear that from Ogu, though." >I see. Iroha-chan doesn''t have a credit card because she''s a minor, right? >Going home to get it and then undergoing another strict check is a hassle. >Can''t you do currency exchange or something like that within the conste?" "Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding. What I meant earlier was I had a card, so I managed''. But it''s not a credit card." There are cards other than credit cards that allow dor transactions. There are a few options. These are handy for individuals like me, a middle school student who frequently makes online orders. Like a debit card. While there is a difference in that it deducts the amount directly from your ount, the basic usage is simr to a credit card. Or prepaid cards. There are differences such as being disposable or requiring a recharge, but the usage isrgely the same. When youe to America, card payments are the main method. In fact, it''smon to see ces that ept cards only, not just cards epted'' as you might find in Japan. "So that''s the deal with getting a visa, with many things to be aware of." In my case, there was an even bigger issue. Specifically, with a student visa, you''re not allowed to work in America. While there may be exceptions for on-campus jobs, I couldn''t go that route, so I had to consult awyer and navigate the system. "Other things to consider. Including insurance, vinations, and being able to answer questions during immigration inspection, right?" >I see, sightseeing is the way to go, right? >Iroha-chan doesn''t seem to need to worry about those things >What did you think when you came to America (U.S.) "Everything is so big. I just went to the supermarket here" "Iroha, let''s get everything." "Oh, right. Actually, we''re nning to have a party today to celebrate our move-in together, everyone. >What, a celebration for moving in together!? >That''s an important milestone >In that case, I guess yesterday. No, the real anniversary should be spent together, just the two of us. That''s unavoidable. "Could you please not go off on your own like that? Anyway, that''s why we thought about cooking and treating each other. Anything in particr? It seems Ogu is good at cooking, right?" >Has Ogu ever done cooking streams before? >Her cooking skills are unknown but I can imagine why, haha! >Interpreting Ogu as a good cook might lead to different conclusions "Haha, you guys can say that now, but just wait!" "So, what''s the n? We don''t want to spoil the surprise, but it''s not fun if we cook together. August, which side do you want?" "After eating Iroha''s cooking, I might need something to cleanse my pte, right? So, I''ll be on the second shift!" "You''re talking big, but who knows what will happen, right?" "Haha! Iroha, you better do your best!" >Now, it seems like a g has been raised. >It feels like the oue has been decided before the battle even starts, haha "Ogu is fine I''m more curious about Iroha-chan''s cooking I rolled up my sleeves and stood up. "Shall we do this?". *** cing my hand on my waist, I stood alone in the kitchen. I already decided on the menu. Since it was my first time in this environment, I chose a menu with as little chance of failure as possible. And that was curry and rice! "My mother sent me a bunch of stuff like curry roux, rice, and other things with a message like Keep this forter.''. But I never thought I''d get to use it so soon. I should thank her." With gratitude towards my mother, I immediately started cooking. Considering time efficiency, it made sense to start by cooking the rice. "Huh?" I stumbled right away. I''m not that interested in meals in general, so I tend to overlook things. Even when I got stuck during that incident, I had American meals every day, but I didn''t have any particrints. That''s why I hadn''t noticed until now. Things I took for granted in Japan are simply not there in America. Specifically "Oh no!? I don''t have a rice cooker!?" Huh? Could it be that I''m really going to have a head-to-head battle with Ogu? No, no, no, I can''t let that happen! Chapter 174: [Cant Take My Eyes Off That Kid] Chapter 174: [Cant Take My Eyes Off That Kid] "I used to take it for granted, but rice cookers are unique to Japan, aren''t they?" It''s a cooking showdown with Angu O, but I''ve forgotten about it. It''s not like I haven''t cooked rice without a rice cooker before. If I look online, there should be methods for cooking it in a pot. But I specifically chose curry as a menu that''s hard to mess up, and this feels like I''m doing things backward. "By the way, I think Ogu said something like, I bought a rice cooker too.'' Hey, Ogu!" I called out loudly from the kitchen, but there was no response. It''s the downside of living in an apartment with good soundproofing, all for the sake of streaming. "Well, can''t be helped." It''s an emergency, after all. I rushed back to my room. There, I saw Angu Ogu alone, holding the fort. "Heh heh heh, I rarely get the chance to enter the room when Iroha isn''t here! I''ll enjoy it while I can!" >Don''t sniff someone else''s bed smell! >You''re done if it gets confirmed in the archive >I''ll report it to Iroha-chan "Heh heh, don''t you know? Iroha never checks her own steams. So, don''t do it, okay? Absolutely, don''t report it!? You''ll get banned if it''s exposed! Ahahaha!" Angu Oguy face down on my bed, burying her face in the pillow. I nced at the chats on the stream screen and her back for a moment and nodded deeply. It seems like some punishment is necessary. Even if you have permission to enter, it doesn''t mean you can do whatever you want inside! "Ah, if I get caught by Iroha here" "Oh~?" "Yeah, with such a scary voice, she''ll definitely get mad Oh, Iroha! Why are you here!?" Angu Ogu sprung up as if startled. She clung to my pillow and scooted back. No, you''d better let go of that pillow quickly. "What, what''s wrong, Iroha!? What are you doing in a ce like this? Could it be that you''ve already finished cooking? By the way, your smile is incredibly scary." "Hmm~? Isn''t it strange~? Why do you think that is~? So, what are you doing, Ogu~?" "Th-that''s none of your., I''m soooo sorry!" "Ugh, I''m getting a serious scolding." "You brought it upon yourself, right?" While I was working in the kitchen, I could hear Angu Ogu''s voiceing from the living room. I pulled her out for surveince since I didn''t know what she might do alone in the room. Due to the change in location for the stream, I switched from a desktopputer to aptop. It should be fine, but just to be safe, I used a voltage converter here too. "So, Ogu, do you have a rice cooker? Didn''t you say you bought'' one?" "It''s properly here. But it''s not one of those specialized ones just for cooking rice like they have in Japan. It''s a rice cooker with a built-in steamer." "Huh. Ah, so this is the recement for a rice cooker." >Something like this has a nice homemade feeling to it >Looking forward to Iroha-chan''s cooking >Wondering what kind of bizarre creations wille out I''m a bit worried >But didn''t she make choctes for Valentine''s Day? >The choctes back then were ruined thanks to Anego, so they were a disaster >In other words, her cooking skills are still an unknown "I''m not a child, so it''s okay, everyone." I replied confidently while checking thement section on my smartphone. No need to worry; making bad curry is actually more difficult. "Ogu, where are the cutting board and knife?" "They''re right there." "How about the pot?" "Check the cupboard properly." "Oh, where did I put the seasonings?" "I''m your search engine!?" >Somehow, there''s a pleasant nostalgic feeling >Iroha-chan went to an advanced school, so maybe she didn''t have home economics sses? >Or maybe, it''s been a while since she''s cooked, and she''s acting like a dad?" No offense. I''m just getting used to an unfamiliar kitchen. I''ll repeat it. I can cook. Now it''s time to wash the rice and chop the vegetables. I stretched as much as I could, going, Hmm, hmm,'' and tried to proceed with the work "Ogu, where''s the step stool?" "Oh, American kitchens have high counters, you know. >So cute w >It''s heartwarming, in a way ww >On the contrary, when Americans go to Japan, they end up stooping all the time, and it can be tough (U.S.) This time, everything was ready, and I went, "Dan! Dan!" while chopping the vegetables. Even if the curry ingredients arerge, that adds to the vor. "I-Iroha!? You''re making quite a noise with the knife. Are you okay?" "It''s just that the ingredients are a bit tough." "Is that really true!? Can I trust you!?" "Haah, haah I''m fine, because" "Why are you out of breath just from chopping ingredients!?" >Ogu''s getting nervous w >It sounds more like she''s swinging'' than chopping''! >I''m getting worried she might get hurt." I''ve said it many times, but I can cook like an average person. It''s just that myck of muscle strength makes me a bit extravagant. Well, while I was doing that, I managed to cut the meat and vegetables and saut them. I added water, and now it''s just a matter of simmering for a while. It seems like it would be efficient to switch with Ogu at this point. But before that, I should do some cleaning. "Ogu, where''s the trash can for organic waste? Even a corner for it would be fine." "We don''t have that here." "Oh, right, in America, you don''t do much waste separation, do you?" "That''s one way to put it, but if it''s organic waste, we have a disposer.''" "A disposer?" I tilted my head at the unfamiliar word, notmonly used in Japan. However, I had heard of it, more specifically, in horror movies. Chapter 175: [Iron Chef Of Cooking] Chapter 175: [Iron Chef Of Cooking] "Is that in the sink''s drain?" I was asked, so I peered into it. Inside the drain hole, there was a de like a mixer. "I see, this is a disposer." "In other words, it''s a garbage disposal machine. It grinds up the waste into tiny pieces, and then you can just flush it down the sewer." "Wow, you can really flush food waste down there!?" >American sewage systems can handle food waste (U.S.) >Are there apartments or buildings in Japan that have that too? >I think you might need special equipment for that "In America, most houses have it." "Oh, really? Houses heree withprehensive facilities right from the start. They even haverge ovens and dishwashers built in. And two-tier drum washers and dryers, too." "Of course, it varies from house to house, but it''s generally standard equipment. In Japan, you rarely find houses without a stove, right? It''s like an extension of that." As I listened to this conversation, I threw food waste into the disposer. When I pressed the switch, it started with a tremendous roar. "Whoa!? It''s so loud!?" America always seems to be about high power, right? With this, it seems like it can easily crush bones and anything. "Be sure not to stick your hand in there. For this apartment''s disposer, it won''t run unless the lid is closed. It''s not something that would happen identally." "Wow, I don''t even want to imagine it." Despite saying that, my mental image leaned more towards that. I''m not a baby bird, but the power of conditioning is substantial. However, I''d like to have something like this in Japan. You can quickly dispose of food waste, so it doesn''t umte, and there''s no smell. Convenient and hygienic. Whether it''s environmentally friendly or not I''m not sure about that. "Okay, I''m done. There''s not much left to do here." "It''s finally my time!" "Well, do your best." "I''m done!" "What?!?!?! Isn''t that way too fast!?" Well, it really felt that way. It was faster than starting to tell viewers about my experiences during my visit to America I had prepared during the waiting time. "Toplete a meal in such a short time? Could she really be that efficient? With her experience living alone, could she actually be a seasoned cook?" "That''s a surprise waiting for you! Look, there''s still the finishing touch, right?" "Yeah." I checked the finished rice and added the roux to the pot. While keeping the lid on so Ogu didn''t see, she had already carried her dish to the table. Now, where would the oue of this battle go!? There was a battle that couldn''t be lostright there. *** "So, without further ado, we''re ready to go! Here''s the finished dish!" "To be honest, you could already tell from the smell." "That''s part of the charm!" For the sake of the stream, we sat side by side at the table. It was finally time to reveal the dishes. "All right, I''ll go first. This is my creation, Curry Rice''!" "Wow~!? That looks incredible, it seems super delicious!" We uploaded edited photos to the stream to ensure viewers could see it clearly. It was a hearty curry with chunky pieces of meat and vegetables. >It''s Japanese curry! (U.S.) >In America, when you say curry,'' it''s usually all about Indian curry, right? >I''m d. At least it looks like a proper dish "The only thing I couldn''t get was Fukujinzuke, oh well, they didn''t sell it. Also, since we''re here, I decided to use American ingredients." "Hmm?" "Like these small carrots, especially." "Oh, baby carrots. Come to think of it, they don''t sell them in Japan, do they?" They''re those small, round carrots you get as a side with steak. In Japan, we usually cutrge carrots, but these are their natural shape. "Since we''re at it, I used small onions and potatoes to go with it." It wasn''t so much an adventure but more about not being able to find the same ingredients as in Japan. Nevertheless, it''s curry, so the taste shouldn''t change that much. >Pekoros and baby potatoes, is that what they''re called? >Huh, that''s strange >Where on earth did you use a knife for this??? "I-Iroha?" "Can you stop making that suddenly worried face? Even onions have roots and stems, you know." "R-Right" "Anyway,e on, give it a try!" "I know, I know. I''ll eat it." Ogu turned resolutely and brought the spoon to his mouth. One second, two seconds and a moment of silence. "Well, how is it? It''s pretty delicious, isn''t it?" "Th-this" "[This]?" "This isn''t it!!!" "What kind of feedback is that!?" Is it delicious or not? That''s the usual response! At the very least, it shouldn''t be that poorly made. "No, it''s not exceptionally bad. It''s just what do you call it, mediocre''! The roux is runny, and the vor is weak. The vegetables are still crisp! The rice is hard!" Saying this, Ogu made a waving gesture with his hand. It''s a gesture that means so-so'' or mediocre''. "That''s ridiculous!? Oh, bute to think of it, I haven''t tasted it yet." "Hey!" As she said that, I decided to take a bite. Hmm well, it''s not terrible, but it''s not great either. Even if you cook it the same way as in Japan, it won''t taste the same. There could be the influence of unfamiliar cooking equipment and water quality. Also, the simmering time might have been unexpectedly short. "But it''s not as bad as you''re making it out to be, right!?" It''s perfectly edible. Well, the nutritional value won''t change once it''s in your stomach anyway Oops, I said my inner thoughts out loud. "Don''t you guys think Iroha is doing her best? It''s not all that simple other than when she''s a VTuber!" >Indeed, Ogu''s evaluation seems pretty urate! >It''s like that feeling of Dad asionally making some homemade Chinese cuisine,'' you know?" >Iroha is Ogu''s husband. So it can''t be helped!" "No, no, it''s not like that at all! That''s just because Ogu''s pte is too discerning." As I said this, I suddenly realized something. Could it be that Ogu is such a gourmet because she was born with a refined pte? If that''s the case, is it true that she can cook? No, no, I don''t want that. I don''t want to lose to someone like Ogu! Chapter 176: [Working Couples And Homemade Meals] Chapter 176: [Working Couples And Homemade Meals] "All right, it''s finally my turn! Savor it well!" With these words, Angu Ogu revealed her homemade dish. She had just criticized my curry rice so severely. It was supposed to be one of his masterpieces "Wha What is this?" "Don''t you know? That''s a ssic American home-cooked dish C Mac n'' Cheese!" "Well, I know that, but that''s not what I meant!" Mac n'' Cheese is a dish where macaroni is mixed with cheese sauce, as the name suggests. The preparation is quite simple. But I still asked Angu Ogu for confirmation. "How did you make this?" "Eh? Like this." With that, Angougou showed me an empty box. Inside it, there were instructions on how to make the product. "Wait, you used a pre-packaged product, didn''t you?" "What are you talking about!? It''s not like that!" "Well, Mac n'' Cheese itself isn''t bad, but you criticized my cooking so harshly for this!?" "If you''re going to say that, then try it! The one from this brand is actually pretty good!" "You even called it from a brand''!?" With hesitation, I brought the fork to my mouth and took a bite. Chewing it, I could taste the rich cheese and the unique, somewhat chewy texture. "How is it? Delicious, right? Ah, as expected of me. A masterpiece!" Angu Ogu said this, and her actions were like a chef''s kiss C a gesture American chefs make when they praise their cooking. "Well, it''s certainly tasty, but I can''t ept it! You can''tpare pre-packaged food to homemade cooking!" "What!? This is also a proper homemade dish!" "Proper, huh? I don''t think" As I started to deny it, I was surprised to see that the chats got divided into two very different reactions. The Japanese and American viewers had opposite opinions. >iming that''s homemade is a bit much, isn''t it? >No, it''s definitely homemade (U.S.) >That''s what my "homemade taste" is too (U.S.) "Oh, really?" I heard that in Japan and America, the perspectives on cooking differ significantly. In America, even making something simple is considered "cooking". "We don''t have such a negative impression of takeout, ready-made meals, or frozen food." "Huh? I still think homemade is better." "Why is that?" "Well, when you ask why, it''s hard to exin, but it''s about love and nutritional value." "Do you think taking it easy'' is bad''? Just because it takes less time and effort doesn''t mean itcks love." I learned that in America, there is a much higher prevalence of both partners in a marriage working outside the home. In that context, it does make sense. When both spouses work and then still make homemade meals, it can be quite challenging. Children seem to have a sense that "it''s okay if it reduces the burden on the parents.", whether that burden is earning money or cooking. The vectors are different, but there is no hierarchy to either form of love. Therefore, there''s no strong cultural emphasis like in Japan on "homemade cooking as the default.". Homemade and pre-packaged meals are both considered equally valid choices. "But hey, like Iroha pointed out earlier, you can''t say much about the nutritional value, right?" "It''s still not right!" I understood Angu Ogu''s reasoning. However "Even if that''s the case, how can you criticize my curry rice like that!?" "Then let me ask you, how did Iroha season it?" "I used store-bought curry roux." "That''s the same, right?" "That hits me right where it hurts! But it''s not the same as this!" "It''s the same! What''s different about it?" "I can''t really exin it when you put it that way!" Sharing values can be challenging. Nheless, I can''t help but wonder where this person, who''s perfectly fine with ready-made meals, finds the gourmet aspect in all of this. "Anyway, Iroha''s curry is nothing like it. Even the curry rice from Coco Ichibanya or the convenience store is better" "Huh?" "Oh." >Ah (U.S.) >Comparing someone''s homemade meal to chain restaurants or store-bought products is something you shouldn''t do >Did she make a thoughtless remark? "Oh, I see. I get it now, Ogu." "N-no, Iroha. That''s not what I meant." "Yeah, professional cooking is always delicious, isn''t it?" I finally understood. This person isn''t a gourmet. She''s just fallen into the trap of trying to enforce her ideas on Japanese cuisine. You could even call her the "Japanese Cuisine Police". She seems to have a fixed notion that curry rice has to be a certain way. Well, it''s the kind of thing that asionally happens to returnees or people who''ve juste back from traveling abroad. In Japan, there are probably people whoe back saying. "In America, they do it like this, you know?". Angu Ogu also seemed to have realized that she had fallen into this trap, but it was toote. "I see, I''m sorry. It''s just that it can''tpare to the real thing." "N-no, that''s not what I meant! I I tried it properly, and this curry isn''t bad at all! More than anything, I''m happy that you made it." "Good, good. It seems my curry is delicious, too." "Ugh!?" >Piling one blunder on top of another >This is all Ougu''s fault >Failed homemade and sessful ready-made Well, they both have their merits Upon further reflection, it was clear that Angu Ogu was never really a gourmet. Her pte was more inclined to enjoy things like chain restaurant beef bowls. "Iroha I want to eat your homemade dishes again." "Let''s have all our meals from pre-made options." "Was it my fault, huh?" Angu Ogu cried out and clung to me. It was inevitable I chuckled. "Iroha, maybe I can forgive" "If it''s not pre-made, can Angu Ogu cook? I was worried that Ogu might fail with homemade dishes, but there''s no need to worry with ready-made or frozen food!" "Irohaaa!?" Angu Ogu fell apart. Well, this should be enough for now. Hopefully, she won''tin excessively about my homemade cooking in the future. But I''m just as soft on her, but what can I say? After all, she holds the biggest trump card as my number 1 oshi. Chapter 177: [Young Girls x Young Girls Situation] Chapter 177: [Young Girls x Young Girls Situation] <> <> <> It had been a little over a week since we moved to the United States. We''d finished unpacking, and our lives were starting to settle down. <> <> Angu Ogu rubbed her sleepy eyes and slowly sat up. Her hair was a mess. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu belonged to a major talent agency, and she often appeared in events and live performances, especially during the summer in America. After all, American summerse with nearly three months of summer break, which is the longest school holiday, although there are no spring breaks, winter holidays, or other long breaks like Golden Week or Silver Week. <> It seemed like she was increasing her training and live performance schedule in preparation for the long break. In my case, I received many requests to participate in events, but not so many for live performances. <> <> <> <> <> I couldn''t support Angu Ogu''s weight, and we both tumbled back onto the bed. She turned me into a makeshift pillow and tried to go back to sleep. <> <> < I lightly tapped her and scolded her. <> While she was holding her forehead, I managed to escape from her embrace. Somehow, I heard her chuckle softly. <> <> <> <> <> I felt like Angu Ogu had a mischievous grin. I turned away and cleared my throat to divert the conversation. <> <> Saying that, I pulled Angu Ogu out of bed. <> <> Seriously, how did ite to this? I think the turning point was when we first fell asleep together on the couch. And our actions after the recent livestream in America were not ideal. We were tired from shopping and cooking, things we weren''t used to, so we ended up falling asleep together for several consecutive nights. It became so natural to sleep together, almost by ident. Using the bed is definitely better than falling asleep on the couch, after all. <> <> Wearing an apron, I turned my back to Angu Ogu and stood in the kitchen. I used a step stool toplete breakfast. <> <> I set a one-te breakfast on the table. It consisted of pancakes, eggs, sd, and crispy bacon, a typical Western-style breakfast. <> <> During our cookingpetition, we bought more than just ingredients. One of the things we got was this. The cereal market in America is incredible. Even at Walmarket, there were well over 100 types of cereal lined up. I happened to pick one that caught my eye, thinking it''d be a nice addition. What a coincidence it turned out to be! The one I happened to pick was what we''d call Asopaso Masa Curry'' in Japan. Maybe that''s why it stood out. <> <> We both put our hands together and said, "Bon apptit.". We took a bite of breakfast. The result isn''t bad, although we''re seasoning things ording to our tastes with ketchup, salt, and pepper. It''s quite the sight to see Angu Ogu pour maple syrup over her bacon, but it suits her. I, on the other hand, ate mine as is, not used to it. <> <> I gave a stern look to Angu Ogu, who was enjoying her breakfast carelessly. Honestly, she thinks it''s all someone else''s fault! She''s the one who allowed cooking and sleeping in the same bed to happen. She''s the one who initiated the cookingpetition in the first ce. She''s the reason for it all! She''s the embodiment of what I referred to as the "situation"! Chapter 179: [Depends On You] Chapter 179: [Depends On You] <> <> <> <> Saying that Angu Ogu made a bitter face. I''ve lived in Japan for so long that I can''t really rte to that sentiment. <> <> <> <> ording to the guidelines, making holes for thumbtacks should have been okay. But in practice, it''s better to avoid it. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> I can feel the difference in the approach to homes between Japan and America in that regard. It seems like they assume that people will be invited and seen, or they want to show off. <> <> <> They seem to have a strong preference for choosing and deciding things for themselves, or maybe it''s more urate to say they don''t want others to decide for them. <> <> Well, in Japan, there''s a natural increase in new construction due to issues like earthquake resistance. On the other hand, in America, remodeling extends the life of buildings, so there are many older buildings. There are probably various other reasons as well. Anyway, that''s how it is. <> *** <> A few days after Angu Ogu contacted the contractor, in front of my eyes, there was a deep bathtub and a toilet with a bidet. It''s still a unit bath, but it happened so quickly. <> <> <> <> I intended to make a wittyment, But Angu Ogu nodded vigorously. Hey, that was supposed to be a joke <> <> <> Angu Ogu''s expression turned slightly serious. I straightened up and prompted him to continue. <> <> <> <> Going by Japanese standards, it might feel expensive, but In reality, I don''t know the market rate. <> <> <> <> Indeed, it''s quite severe. The freedom''es with the self-responsibility'' as its price. America might be the best country for those who have money or talent. But in other cases Well, that''s probably about suitability in the end. <> <> <> <> I had a bad feeling and took a step back. Something''s strange. Angu Ogu is breathing heavily. What''s going on!? <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Yes, I admit that I was still stuck in the mindset of living at my parents'' house. I can''t believe it; endure'' meant that!? <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu pouted, saying, "Muu~." Why are you the one who seems dissatisfied? <> <> <> <> <> <> Wait, that''s for the event I didn''t win the lottery for, right? I thought I''d have to endure just watching the live stream! <> <> <> I instinctively covered my mouth, but it was toote. My words had slipped out. Angu Ogu was grinning. Oh no! I''m such an idiot! Chapter 180: [Amber Alert] Chapter 180: [Amber Alert] [Hello, Iroha-chan~! How''s life over there?] "Uh, it''s just the same as always." I responded calmly to the call that Mai made. It''s not like it''s been a long time since west talked. In fact, it''s been over half a month since I moved to America, but we''ve been in touch almost every day through messages and calls. So, the cause of my unease is somewhere else. [Iroha-chan, there must be something going on! Tell me honestly, Iroha~!] "I told you there''s nothing, didn''t I!?" [You can''t fool me with that, you know!] Oh no, is it really that obvious!? Mai is incredibly perceptive at times, pinpointing my weak points with precision. [Is it because of Ogu? Did you 2 kiss again?] "I mean, we haven''t gone that far! Besides, all that stuff in the past was just idents!" I argued loudly. Angu Ogu and I aren''t like that. At most, we go shopping together, eat together, watch streams together, stream together, take baths together, brush our teeth together, and sleep together. We''re just really close friends. Safe we should still be safe. Please let it be! [So, when you say haven''t gone that far,'' does that mean you did other things?] "Uh!? No, I really haven''t done anything!" [Oh, I knew it~!] Why does she know!? Darn it, I need toe up with an excuse. Why am I the one who''s made to look like the guilty one here? Am I a husband getting used of cheating while on a business trip or something? If ites to this, I might as well bepletely honest "B-but Ogu is more like a business partner, you know?" [Really~?] "Yes, really! Can''t you trust what I''m saying?" [W-well] Before I knew it, I was trying to deceive her like this. No, that''s not it! I just thought, you know, avoiding trouble is the best course of action. Mai would be happier not knowing, and it''s for both of our sakes. [Ugh, I get it, Iroha-chan~. I can confirm that with my own eyes soon.] "Huh?" [But if I find out you were lying then, Iroha-chan, you''ll have to make it up to me plenty~!] "Wait, hold on, what does that mean?" [Well then, see you~!] "Mai~!?" She ended the call just like that. What does she mean by thatst part? "Oops, is it about time!?" Well, I''ll think about Mai''s wordster. More importantly, today is the long-awaited day. In fact, I could say that I came to America for this very reason In other words, it''s the day of the local VTuber event! *** <> <> With this exchange, Angu Ogu and I parted ways at the venue. She''s also a part of today''s event as a performer. "Geez, am I a child?" I mumbled to myself as I made my way to my seat. Thanks to Angu Ogu, I have tickets to this event, so I''m in the reserved seats. And "tempted by merchandise"? How naive. My entire body is already decked out in event merchandise! "So, there''s nothing to worry about" <> Again, I found myself in a conversation I''ve had who knows how many times. This person isn''t bad. I get that. But please, don''t start a conversation with me now! I might miss the VTuber''s pre-show announcement! "Oh, hehe. I''m not that much of a child, you know." I replied with tears in my eyes. Technically, I may not look it, but I''m of legal age. However, in America, it''s probablymon sense to approach children if they''re walking alone. In Japan, it''s the opposite C approaching children might lead to suspicions of being a suspicious person. Frankly, I didn''t expect it to go this far. They have a strong awareness of protecting children. Or perhaps it''s a sad story, but many dangers for children here. "Sorry, I thought" "N-no, it''s fine. I''m actually grateful for your concern." In reality, there are many cases of child abductions in America. Of course, they''re not sitting idly by. They use verbalmunication and something called an "Amber Alert". When an incident urs, it''s instantly broadcast to everyone in the state through smartphones, electronic signs, and more. The mortality rate of abducted children rises drastically as time goes on. To prevent it beforehand or find them as soon as possible, everyone is doing their best. "But, this is a problem." I have to go out alone soon. I need toe up with some n. Oh no! "Here it is!" <> The event live has started, and my thoughts are cut off. Chapter 181: [Flushed Cheeks And Tangled Hair] Chapter 181: [Flushed Cheeks And Tangled Hair] <> <> As we sat side by side on therge couch at home, I couldn''t contain my excitement. <> <> Angu Ogu reached for my shoulder and tried to get her face closer to mine. What''s she up to? <> <> <> <> Those were some serious usations. I was just stating the obvious. <> <> Angu Ogutched onto my stomach as if she was about to tackle me if my shoulder wasn''t working. She pushed me down by force. <> <> <> But I have to admit, it was an amazing live performance. Although my oshi favorite is still "Angu Ogu", her effort is what makes it all possible. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Lately, I''ve been so used to being with Angu Ogu that I''ve almost forgotten her stance hasn''t changed. <> <> <> <> <> <> I struggled desperately, trying to escape Angu Ogu''s relentless tickling. But even with her as my opponent, I couldn''t overpower her. <> <> <> Finally freed, I gave Angu Ogu a weary look, exhaling with "phew" and "haa". We were both sweating from the intense tickling, and our hair was sticking to our faces. Her flushed cheeks were unexpectedly close, and our gazes met briefly. Her warm breath brushed against my lips. Only the rustling of clothes and the sounds of our hearts could be heard in the room. <<>> <<>> <> <> At Angu Ogu''s suggestion, I stood up, as if she were pulling me up by the hand. Our fingers intertwined as we made our way to the bathroom, stealing nces at each other as if we were measuring each other''s reactions, creating a peculiar atmosphere. <> I couldn''t help butment. The atmosphere was just too strange. <> <> <> <> <> I puffed out my chest and signaled for her to undress. Angu Ogu reached out with trembling hands. <> <> Soon, my clothes fell to the floor with a thud. Angu Ogu, who had remained silent, froze in ce. <> <> <> I said, as I stripped off my clothes and went ahead. This wasted time could have been spent watching her livestream. <> Angu Ogu eximed with a voice that sounded like a scream. Before filling the bathtub, I asked while taking a shower. <> <> <> <> <> <> The bathroom door mmed shut with a "kapoon". Chapter 182: [Development Cooperation] Chapter 182: [Development Cooperation] <> <> I was hugging a certain woman in a convenience store parking lot. Of course, it was just a friendly hug and not in a romantic sense. <> A cry of anguish came from behind. Oh, I told her to "wait in the car". <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu was making a dramatic appeal, crying out loudly. Ignoring the fuss, I continued talking to the woman. <> <> <> <> Although this was our first time meeting in person. We had been friends online for a long time. Angu Ogu, watching our friendly interaction, had wide eyes. <> <> <> <> <> The woman had a mischievous smile on her face. She was clearly teasing Angu Ogu. <> <> <> <> To think someone would call the mighty GoGol "boring". That''s a statement only a true genius could make. <> <> Angu Ogu muttered quietly. Thank goodness she understood that we were just business partners. <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu was grabbing onto me and shaking me. I tried to calm her down and exin. <> <> <> I lived in an apartment, and we had some distance to cover to get here. I rode in Angu Ogu''s car as she headed to her lesson, and we arrived at this meeting ce. While it might have been possible for the woman to pick me up directly at my apartment, it''s not just me there. It''s Angu Ogu''s home as well. I didn''t want to spread the address unnecessarily. It''s a matter of VIP consideration. <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu was making a joke. But she seemed genuinely concerned. I thought for a moment and gave a serious response. <> <> The head of the Secret Service is not Angu Ogu but her mom. It would be more appropriate to get permission from her. Neglecting their actual duties and failing to protect Angu Ogu wouldn''t be a joke. Besides, it would be disrespectful to give them non-work-rted tasks. <> <> <> I pushed Angu Ogu into the car and urged her on. Otherwise, she might keep whining. The secret service personnel started the car and drove away. As we moved further away, Angu Ogu was still shouting. <> She continued waving her hand from the back seat window until she was no longer visible. Oh, she can be quite a handful. <> <> I also got into the woman''s truly American-style car. While starting the engine, she started a conversation. <> <> <> <> <> I looked out the window and recalled the day when I first met Angu Ogu, which now felt like a long time ago. The night we stayed over, we talked, and I found what I really wanted to do. That led me to the nonprofit organization that deals with "naturalnguage processing". Chapter 183: [Scout From The Lab] Chapter 183: [Scout From The Lab] <> <> I was chatting with a female engineer while being driven in a car. I was on my way back from a non-profit research institute. <> <> The excited woman kept talking to me. She was all high-energy, but I was already exhausted. <> <> <> <> During my time at the research institute, I was bombarded with questions. They did release me before it got dark, but it seemed they were far from done with their inquiries. Honestly, the people at the institute were really straightforward. In a way, it meant that they saw me as an equal. <> <> As we had this exchange, I saw a gas station up ahead. I''ve realized that Americans are too ustomed to long hours of driving. <> <> This time, the institute I was called to was quite far away. It took a two-hour drive one way. In Japan, that''s practically a trip. Well, American roads are straight and have few traffic lights, so in terms of distance, it''s even more. I feel a bit guilty for making theme to pick me up. <> <> <> While parking the car, the woman said this. It certainly felt like an extension of a club activity. Everyone was doing what they wanted, and they were having so much fun. It seemed like a veryfortable ce. Moreover, everyone working there was top-notch, including former GoGol employees, and they chose to work here over higher-paying jobs. There must be something appealing about this workce. But in my case, I felt like a rabbit thrown into a lion''s den! <> <> <> <> <> <> She persisted even after I had refused multiple times. That kind of persistence is very American. <> <> I hastily got out of the car, thinking, "I can''t let them talk me into this!". Ah, the feeling of freedom. Why do Americans seem so unfazed by spending so much time in cars, anyway? Anyway, I should be able to buy some time until I finish refueling. I entered the convenience store attached to the gas station. In America, this type ofbined store ismon. It''s probably because of the strong car culture here. <> I greeted her casually and went inside. In America, going into a store without saying anything is considered suspicious. However, I couldn''t spot any store employees. This was the first time I encountered this situation. Or is itmon in America? Are they busy with other tasks, or are they cking off? <> Despite the security cameras, this setup seemed like an invitation for shoplifting, and it was quite careless. While thinking this, I browsed the store. American convenience stores are quite different from those in Japan. They''re not open 24/7, and their product lineup is distinct. It''s faster to look for simrities than differences. <> It''s one of the few unsweetened teas avable in America. I decided to grab one from the reach-in cooler. There wasn''t much in the bento section, or maybe Japan''s bento culture is unique. On the other hand, they had a wide selection of hot snacks. Plus, they had several drink machines. Pizza, donuts and, of course, hot dogs. Thick sausages were rolling around inside a machine, getting heated. My stomach growled. <> I still had some time until dinner, so I''d eat in the car. I ced the sausage in a bun and added toppings. Pickles, onions, ketchup, mustard, and cheese sauce C they were all self-serve. Besides hot dogs, there were other options like nachos, but everything was so cheap. <> Next to the hot dogs, there were partially frozen slushy carbonated drinks. Maybe I should give them a try when it gets a bit warmer. While thinking about this, I headed to the cashier. Wait a minute, there''s no cashier? <> I called out, but there was no response. Oh no, what do I do now? I''ve already made the hot dog, and I can''t just leave without paying. I stood there, unsure of what to do, when I heard a voice from the entrance. <> I heard a voiceing from the doorway. Chapter 184: [Voiceless SOS] Chapter 184: [Voiceless SOS] <> A voice called out from the entrance of the convenience store, and I turned to look. "Finally, a store clerk is back!" I thought. But I was mistaken. The woman, just like when I entered the store, had her head tilted. It seemed that she was also a customer. <> <> Our eyes met as I had been staring for a moment, and we exchanged a brief nod of greeting. <> <> <> The female customer started shouting loudly as if she was taking my ce in this situation. Surprisingly, I was the one who got flustered. <> I mean, even if she said she had been waiting, it had only been a few minutes. Besides, honestly, I was nning to leave some cash on the counter and walk out if they didn''t show up soon. I was keeping a female engineer waiting, and my hotdog was getting cold. Above all, with such a waste of time, I''d rather hurry home and watch my stream! <> But it seemed the female customer wouldn''t be appeased by that. I think Americans have a much stronger sense of justice'' than Japanese people. <> I was at a loss in the face of the woman''s powerful assertiveness. It''s very American for the word "sue" to be the first toe up in this situation. After all, it''s a country known for its litigious nature. They''re really quick to filewsuits. In fact, one of the reasons they say Americans never apologize'' is because as soon as they say sorry'', they admit faultand it''s almost a guaranteed loss when you get sued. With that kind of risk, it''s hard to apologize. Come to think of it, I always used different phrases to apologize instead. <> <> <> The door to the back room opened from the inside, and the male store clerk finally appeared. It seemed like he was either regretting what he had done or just terrified, as his face was pale. <> <> <> I tried to calm down the customer who was more heated up than me. Honestly, I felt like I would have been less tired if I had just continued to wait for my order. <> <> <> After that, the female customer left to pick up her product. I watched her go and finally let out a sigh of relief. Once again, I ced the product on the counter and asked for the register. The clerk tried to scan the barcode with a handheld scanner <> His hands were trembling, and he seemed unable to do it properly. No, there was no need to be so frightened. The intimidating female customer had left, after all And just as I thought that I noticed something strange. <> The clerk''s face remained as pale as when he get shouted at by the female customer. Why is this person still so scared? I hate to say it, but my appearance is equivalent to that of a young girl, and I''m not angry. Is an adult male really so afraid of such a person? <<~>> I wanted to look up at the sky. I had a bad feeling about this. But this would undoubtedly involve me in a lot of trouble, wouldn''t it? On the other hand, ignoring it might not be the right choice either. Alright, I''ve made up my mind. Let''s check for now, and then we''ll think about it. <> I eximed dramatically and put my smartphone to my ear. Then, I started a conversation in a certainnguage. {Excuse me, do you have a problem, sir?} The clerk reacted with a start and raised his head. There was a look of astonishment in his eyes. But he didn''t open his mouth. No, that''s not it. Perhaps {If yes, please say, "Is cash okay for payment?"} <> Wow, seriously? I continued to pretend to be on the phone, but my face almost twitched at my terrible luck. But maybe it was just a coincidence that the timing of the question matched. I''ll confirm one more time just to be sure. {Is there a situation where you can''t talk right now? Are you being threatened by someone? Maybe} {A robbery, is it?} <> The clerk repeated in a voice that sounded like he was about to cry and affirmed. This time, I really looked up at the sky. Thenguage I used to talk on the phone was his nativenguage. I tried calling out to him with thatnguage because I''m not of American descent and use ented English, but for better or worse, it worked perfectly. I can''t just overlook this now sigh. It seems I''ve been caught up in quite a troublesome situation. Chapter 185: [Robbery And Hostages] Chapter 185: [Robbery And Hostages] Everyone has some degree of ent in a foreignnguage, more or less depending on their proficiency. Of course, this also depends on how well one has mastered thenguage. Even the English spoken by Japanese people is referred to as "Japanglish" because they often struggle with distinguishing between sounds like "L" and "R," "B" and "V," and so on. Well, to be precise, it''s not that they can''t distinguish them, but rather that they "be unable" to do so. In reality, when babies are born, they can distinguish allnguages and pronunciations. However, babies are highly rational, and efficiently discard unnecessary abilities to reduce effort. They shift from a high-cost universal approach to a low-cost specialized one. Well, pondering such escapism won''t help now. <> It would be ufortable if I kept silent forever. That''s what I replied to the clerk. However, seriously? I never thought I was in the middle of a real robbery. The clerk''s pale face wasn''t due to fear of an angry female customer. It was likely because they were getting threatened behind the scenes, exining their hesitance toe out. <> While taking out my wallet, I continued pretending to speak a foreignnguage on the phone. I used my willpower to resist the urge to look towards the door leading to the back. <> Seems like it''s necessary. The clerk affirmed in ented English. There''s no choice; once I leave the store, I''ll immediately contact the police. But to be involved in something like this It''s beyond belief. <> <<>> A slight atmosphere of relief emanated from the clerk. However, I couldn''t leave alone. The female customer who happened to be there probably hadn''t noticed anything. If possible, I wanted to take her with me. Just as I was thinking about it, someone timely appeared. <> <> <> <> While having such a conversation, we finished the payment. All that was left was for the two of us to leave the store and report it. That was the moment of relief. <> The voice of the robber echoed. The door leading to the back was forcefully opened from the inside, revealing a man wearing a ski mask. He held a gun in his hand, and the pitch-ck hole that seemed to lead to hell got pointed in our direction. Huh? Why!? <> Damn, I remembered something unpleasant. It was like thest scene from my past life. I don''t want to die here and miss watching VTubers! There are streams I want to see today, tomorrow, and the day after! < > The quickest reaction came from the female customer. While raising both hands, she stood in front of me, as if protecting me, unable to move quickly. The clerk also appealed for non-resistance, screaming, < >. I, a bitte, raised my hands following their lead. In times like these, being reflexively able to raise both hands is probably due to cultural differences. That''s what I think. For this American-looking female customer, it shouldn''t have been an ordinary fear to willingly step in front of the gun barrel. Yet, she acted to protect me How brave. <> Following the gun''s instructions, we got separated from the entrance door. Then, with our hands still raised, we were made to kneel. With hands raised like this, it would be impossible to attempt a daring escape. Well, even if it seemed possible, I wouldn''t want to do it. The eyes behind the ski mask were darting around restlessly. It didn''t seem normal even if provoked. I had no idea what he might do. <> < > <> <> Saying that I slowly approached the robber. When I was within his reach, he took the smartphone from my hand. After ncing at the screen, he mmed it onto the floor. Crash! <<>> A crushing sound echoed. My body involuntarily trembled. Fortunately, or unfortunately, that was all. I was worried he might realize the phone call was a ruse and react angrily. Did he not notice, judging by his reaction? <> The robber said so and handed us cable ties that were on the shelves. When I hesitated, he raised his voice. <> <> <> Reluctantly, I tied the thumbs of the female customer and the clerk behind their backs. <> <> I tried to make it as loose as possible, but the robber was sharp. He must be highly on edge. Once he confirmed that everyone was properly restrained, he searched the female customer''s body. She frowned in difort but endured it. Eventually, he found her smartphone and, like mine, smashed it on the floor. The robber had probably already confiscated his. <> Again, the robber found and took the handgun the female customer had for self-defense. He holstered it at his waist. <> The female customer muttered as if whispering. The robber either didn''t intend to use me as a pawn or just didn''t bother restraining me. And so, we were confined. Or rather, we became hostages. Right now, among us, the only one rtively free to move was me. Chapter 186: [Twenty-Four] Chapter 186: [Twenty-Four] <> We were huddled near the convenience store wall, forced to kneel. In hushed tones, we exchanged words, trying not to attract the robber''s attention. <> As I spoke, I directed my gaze toward the cash register where the robber was seated. He had put me to work serving, and he had started a drinking spree with beer and snacks from the store. Currently, I was the only one not restrained and able to move freely. He was off guard but if I made any exaggerated moves, he might turn his gun towards me again. <> <> I stood up, reached in, and took out a bottle of beer. Then, I circled the counter to the hot snack corner and grabbed a pizza. <> Approaching within the robber''s reach was undoubtedly nerve-wracking. With my currentck of strength, resistance would be impossible no matter what he did. I carefully ced them on the counter and stepped back. Fortunately, he seemed engrossed in his drinking, and there was no violent outburst. He lifted the brim of his eye-catching hat and merrily consumed the pizza and beer. I returned to my original position and finally breathed a sigh of relief. <> The female customer directed a worried look my way. But, it''s okay. Perhaps due to my appearance, the robber didn''t seem particrly focused on me. There was certainly danger, but there was also an opportunity. <> Unfortunately, from the nce earlier, it wasn''t clear. But if there was one, taking it out shouldn''t be too difficult. <> <> <> Although I''ve seen news from foreign countries where store clerks retaliate with shotguns against robbers, it seems that was a misconception. <> <> <> Honestly, it''s surprising. The response in such situations seemspletely different from Japan. And then, the female customer tilted her head and said, "Huh?". <> <> <> <> Certainly, if I were the culprit, once I got the money, I''d want to escape quickly. The store clerk spoke with a half-scream, recounting what happened just before we arrived. <> <> <> Presumably, that was the car that the engineer woman and I arrived in. Quite a timely or untimely coincidence, depending on how you look at it. Did we save the clerk''s life? Or <> The female customer tilted her head. I had the same thought. It seems that this situation has be quiteplicated. Perhaps our appearance made things moreplicated. <> <> It''s bing even more unclear But some aspects made sense. If money was the goal, there were plenty of chances for the robber to escape. For example, as soon as a car was visible outside, he could have jumped out. Or when the store clerk called for help, he could get out through the back door. Or even now. <> Tension was evident in the expression of the female customer more than before. Upon hearing that, I realized. If the goal isn''t money, it also means "personal safety is not guaranteed." If the motive is just venting frustration or seeking an outlet for stress, we might be killed in the heat of the moment. <> At times like this, I regret not having separate smartphones for work and personal use. If that were the case, I would have reported it long ago. The robber didn''t frisk me, probably assuming he already took my smartphone, and he likely didn''t even consider that I might have a gun. Well, it''s pointless to think about such "what ifs". Even if I had separated them, I probably left the other phone in the car with other belongings. <> <> <> <> The store clerk and I had the same reaction. The woman looked troubled. <> In other words, the moment the engineer woman appeared, is there a possibility she might get shot to keep her quiet? It seems I have to resolve this incident before that "time limit" is reached. Chapter 187: [Three Steps To Victory] Chapter 187: [Three Steps To Victory] I had only been thinking about how I could be helped. So I didn''te up with any ideas. I never imagined that there might be a possibility of involving even more people. There was no more time to spare. <> However, the solution has not been found yet. It was now a matter of taking a leap of faith. <> <> <> I couldn''t be sure if what the female customer was saying was true or just a means to reassure me. However, one thing was certainthese words were undoubtedly true. <> <> At that moment, the robber sighed and turned towards us, shouting. <> <> The female customer said with a yful tone, perhaps to reassure me. However, tension was evident beneath that expression. <> <> < > <> Satisfied with the employee''s response, the female customer, wobbling awkwardly, stood up. Then, she slowly walked towards the robber. <> <> <> The robber jumped down from the cash counter and approached the woman. What would happen next? I could imagine plenty of unpleasant scenarios. <> <> Annoyed by the slow pace of the woman resembling a turtle, the robber reached out. He grabbed her hair and was trying to drag her along. <> <> <> <> <> Perhaps to buy some time, the female customer was attempting to engage in conversation with the robber. However, whether it touched a nerve or not, he pointed his gun at her. Enough, this is really the limit! I burst out. < > <> I clung tightly, shielding the female customer. Apparently, the weight of both of us was too much for the robber to drag us. <> <<.>> The muzzle pressed against my forehead. It was a strangely familiar sensation. <> The female customer desperately provoked the robber. But he continued to look down at me. Fear caused my throat to tighten. My body stiffened, refusing to move. If I got shot here, would another life be waiting for me? If that happened <> <> My voice unconsciously escaped. Through the robber''s shoulder, I caught a glimpse of a wall clock. By now, Angu Ogu should have finished her lessons and arrived home. The image of her waiting for my return shed in my mind. Wait, hold on a second. More importantly, isn''t the start time for the live broadcast approaching!? <> In an instant, my body started moving. No, that''s not it I had a sense of duty that I must move. Any fear could be ovee for the sake of a VTuber. I would spare no effort to make it in time for the livestream. And above all, the situation now was different from back then. I would make the most of these differences. <> I, in my current state (at least in appearance), was a little girl. So, I cried with all my might. Even the tough robber seemed taken aback. His attention waspletely focused on me. Of course, crying alone wouldn''t improve the situation. So, while continuing to fake tears, I spoke as if my nativenguage had identally slipped out. {Waaaaah! Mister Clerk, now''s your chance to sneak around from behind the shelves!} The situation was different from back then. I had the appearance of a crying little girl, thenguage cheat, and most importantly, I wasn''t alone. Chapter 188: [The End, The Beginning of Hell] Chapter 188: [The End, The Beginning of Hell] {Waaah! Clerk, quickly hide behind the shelves now!} I shouted while pretending to cry. The attention of the robber waspletely focused on me. The fate of the situation would now rest with the clerk. But I wasn''t worried. Because at that moment, when he entrusted me to the female customer, his face was "real". <> The robber said as he pointed his gun at me. However, my ears caught a different sound, a small set of footsteps that would be drowned out by the crying if I didn''t know about it. They were running behind the shelves. I was more certain of sess than worried. But for some reason, I was struck by an intense sense of difort. The eyes visible beneath the cap''s rim, were they twisted into the shape of a smile? <> <> Suddenly, the robber''s gaze shifted. Simultaneously, the gun pointed sideways, and gunshots rang out continuously. The clerk''s screams echoed. Several bullets pierced through the store''s ss window, producing a shattering sound. <> Footsteps, as if tumbling, approached from behind us. Whether the desperate plea of the clerk reached him or not. The robber finally stopped shooting. An eerie silence dominated the surroundings. Perhaps my ears were malfunctioning. But due to the gunshots at close range, a harsh ringing sound filled my ears. In that silence, the robber slowly spoke. <> <> <> The clerk, who failed to go around, appeared with a resigned look, raising both hands. Fortunately, my warning seemed to have just reached him in time. The bullets didn''t hit directly, but there were small wounds on his body. He had escaped by the skin of his teeth. Then, from outside the window, screams mixed with voices. <> The female engineer finally seemed to notice the broken ss. In a way, she avoided the situation of approaching unknowingly and getting shot. But unfortunately, I''m not Ah-nee. I couldn''t think that positively. The situation was almost at its worst. <> The robber muttered curses. I asked with a trembling voice. <> <> <> The surprised voice was mine, or was it the clerk''s? The robber put his hand on the brim of the cap. <> The face that appeared from beneath thepletely ck cap was clearly a middle-aged man with racial features simr to those of the convenience store clerk. Unfortunately, I can''t really tell the difference, so it''s like wherever Japanese people go, they''re asked, "Chinese?". However, the story is different when ites to them. If we look at ourselves, there is an obvious difference between Japanese and Chinese. <> <> The robber affirmed. Haha What are the odds of that!? It''s not something you can consider! But there was a part of me that understood. Why did the robber appear at the timing that seemed to detain me from leaving? Looking back, there was a sense of difort in that action. However, if the content of our conversation while pretending to be on the phone was overheard, the answer is simple. <> To prevent us from reporting, the robber had no choice but to show up there. In a sense, it was inevitable that we got restrained. Without bothering to confirm, if we had reported from the beginning, it wouldn''t havee to this. But seriously, who could have predicted this!? <> I could also understand the female customer''s perspective. However, the fact remains that I got her involved in this incident due to my unnecessary actions. And the fact that the n details got leaked was all my fault. It was none other than me babbling and exposing everything, putting the clerk''s life at risk. <> <> The clerk attempted to persuade, but it seemed to have the opposite effect. <> <> <> I looked at the faces of the robber and the clerk in shock. And I came to know. On that day, when I thought the war had ended and the world was heading towards peace. It was the opposite From that day, there were people who started living in hell. Chapter 189: [Crime And Consistency] Chapter 189: [Crime And Consistency] <> The robber began to speak of his struggles. In reality, his English was remarkably fluent. If he hadn''t been in America for very long, I might have noticed. There was a subtle hint in his pronunciation, simr to the ent of the store clerks. <> The robberughed self-deprecatingly. It was a story that made the listener feel uneasy. <> Bullying and harassment in America are not as insidious as in Japan. But they are more direct and, above all, aggressive. <> <> <> <> <> <> The robber, who seemed to be confessing, nced briefly in my direction. His gaze seemed to be pleading for something. <> <> <> The robber countered the words of the female customer with a shout. Perhaps he had heard simr remarks many times before. <> <> <> At times like these, it bes unclear which side is morally right. Is it America where employees can be easily fired, or Japan where it''s difficult to dismiss someone indefinitely? <> Visa-rted matters were something I had to research beforeing here, so I have some knowledge. In the case of a work visa, working part-time during job hunting is generally not allowed. <> <> There''s no way to confirm if it was truly due to nationality. But being a non-American makes job hunting difficult. Adding a criminal record to the mix <> <> <> The robber directed a resentful gaze at the battered store clerk. It made sense now. The fact that both the attacker and the victim hailed from the same country wasn''t a coincidence. In a sense, the failure of the n was inevitable. <> <> The clerk muttered softly. For him, it was like being in a traffic ident. But for the robber, it was different. He red at the clerk with a terrifying expression. <> Clearly, the robber''s motive wasn''t just about money. He had been using his nationality as an excuse or perhaps genuinely believing that his inability to find a job was due to it. However, upon seeing apatriot working a regr job, a contradiction arose within him. So, to maintain consistency, he tried to bring misfortune to the clerk or maybe sought apanion in misery. << Mister Robber,>> I couldn''t solely me this robber. I had some involvement in the situation he found himself in. People are most prone tomitting crimes when they have nothing to lose. If that incident hadn''t urred, he might have still been a hardworking ordinary person. Nevertheless, even so Perhaps that''s why I made up my mind. I had to fight and defeat him. Because someone "important" was waiting for me! Chapter 190: [Like A Picture] Chapter 190: [Like A Picture] The store clerk was furious at the robber''s reasoning. Of course, they were. He was clearly the victim. <> <> The robber''s arguments seemed logical but were absurd at the same time. Because the root of the problem is not logical, that''s only natural. First, there''s anger and resentment, and then there are reasons addedter. That''s why it inevitably turns into a heated argument. <> I intervened in their argument. Then, I faced the robber head-on. <> Whether peoplemit crimes or whether they turn to evil is a tale akin to the debate between the inherent goodness and badness of human nature, and the truth is elusive. That''s precisely why it has to be stopped now. He had alreadymitted an irreparable robbery on the other hand, he hadn''tmitted a fatal murder yet. <> The robber looked displeased, snorting as if mocking me. <> <> <> <> <> The robber said dismissively. But it seemed more like a leak of his desires. <> <> I slowly shook my head at the robber''s words. Tragedies exist in Japan too no, anywhere in the world. <> << Is that so?>> <> Of course, not everyone experiences such things. But there is a tendency for such issues to arise. There are no borders in the world of children and in the virtual world only. Many of my viewers are foreigners living in Japan. I often receive such concerns. Impressions of returnees also tend to shift from "amazing" in America to "unfair" in Japan. <> <> <> My name was called, and my heart skipped a beat. At that time, I was facing the world through a screen. And now, with time, I found myself confronting that incident again. This time, face to face, dealing with it on a personal level. <> <> <> <> Certainly, that''s true. Moreover, I hadn''t even saved them. I just wanted a future that would be most beneficial for VTubers and myself. I didn''t care much about anything else. In that sense, it''s not wrong for me to be med. So <> <> <> In an instant, some meter within me went off the charts. Change of ns. Swaying my body slightly, I walked towards the robber. Now, he had crossed the "line". <> <> <> A sound resonated, "Gochin!". The muzzle that the robber had aimed in my direction as if on guard, received a headbutt from me. <> <> Not only the female customer, the clerk, but even the robber was flustered. Certainly, with this impact, the trigger might have been identally pulled, and it could have misfired. But I was so heated up that I couldn''t make such a calm judgment. "Like a picture"!? This guy doesn''t understand anything about VTubers! < > <> It didn''t matter to me how I, as an individual, was being perceived. However, it was out of line for the entire VTubermunity to be insulted by my actions! And above all! I shouted while my fist trembled. <> <<<<<< Huh?>>>>>> He still doesn''t know the goodness of VTubers! The fact that he can discover that goodness from now on! What a fortunate thing it is! Chapter 191: [Potential VTuber Fans] Chapter 191: [Potential VTuber Fans] <> <> The robber, seemingly drawn into myment, retorts in such a way. I made the foolish move of headbutting the muzzle of the gun, but ultimately, it managed to unsettle the opponent, pulling them into our pace. <> <> <> As I speak, the robber distances himselff a bit. Why back off? Let''s discuss VTubers together. <> The robber looks at the female customers as if seeking help. They avert their gaze. What''s with that reaction? It''s like I''m some dangerous person. Anyway, I continued my enthusiastic speech. <> <> <> Due to the nature of streaming, a good inte connection is necessary. I thought that was a given. However <> I see. That''s how it is. It feels like scales have fallen from my eyes. <> <<..CI understand.>> <> I hadn''t realized until now. There are more "potential fan recruits" in the world than I had imagined. <> <> <> The robber tilts their head but quickly turns their attention outside. The sound of sirens is approaching. <> <> The proselytizing I was doing until a moment ago was just a stall tactic. No, I was seriously intending to immerse the robber in the world of VTubers, but for that, some things needed to be done first. Perhaps upon hearing the sirens, the robber got scared and showed signs of wanting to escape. <> <> Is he nning to use me as a hostage? My arm is forcefully pulled. In the grip of an adult man, the grabbed area felt like it creaked. Just a little more time needs to be bought! I resist by biting the robber''s hand. <> The robber swung the arm holding the gun. It collided with my cheek with a "thud". I got thrown back. Ugh, damn it my cheek hurts like crazy! However, once again, the robber reached out to me, who fell to the ground. <> But before that, a female customer intervenes and knocks the robber away. Wait, wasn''t she restrained? There''s no time to find the answer to that question. The robber''s gun, which he had, tters to the floor. He''s trying to retrieve the other gun he snatched from the female customer. That''s when it happened. The door leading to the backyard suddenly opens, and several men and women burst in. <> <> The female customer pushes me and the store clerk down, diving into the shadows of the shelves. In the next moment, gunshots echo continuously. <> The roar was the robber''s scream. Following that, multiple footsteps and a voice saying, "Secured!". Then, a bit dyed, the sound of sirens outside the store stops. < > The female customer covering us exhales. As she stands up, I also raise my body. The concern remains, especially about the robber. I cautiously peek from behind the shelves to see the situation. Is it the police? Several men and women in in clothes stand around the fallen robber. <> The robber''s body was soaked in red. The vivid color sends a strange chill through me. <> The robber writhes on the ground, still lying there. Seems like he''s more energetic than I thought. I also heave a sigh of relief. <> Ignoring the warning from the female customer, I approached the robber. There are still things he has to do. Chapter 192: [Changing The World] Chapter 192: [Changing The World] I address the robber thrashing about on the floor. Though he''s being restrained, he''s receiving first aid for his wounds. <> <> Perhaps he got lucky; he seemed more energetic than expected. Or maybe the pain is just numbed by dopamine. <> <> A female customer eyes me nervously as I approach the robber. I don''t n to get close enough for her to worry. I really don''t want to take another hit. <> <> << I''m sorry.>> Well, I don''t really care, but she must have a strong sense of responsibility. The exchange catches the attention of the robber, who startsining. <> <> <> In my past life, I was also alone in the world. So, setting aside the crime, I understand the robber''s feelings a bit. <> << You too?>> However, there''s a decisive difference between the robber and me. That is the existence of VTubers. <> <> <> That was what I wanted to say to the robber the most. I confidently dere to him, <> <> The robber looks at me as if I''m a fool. He doesn''t believe a word. <> <> <> <> <> <> I asserted with a snort, "Hmph.". And a forceful deration. It might be a blunt statement. But if you want to achieve something, you need resources. <> <> I say this, shing a defiant smile. Finally, it seems the robber understands that I''m serious. <> << You''re really annoying, kid. You''re talking like that VTuber from earlier. Wait a minute. I recognize your voice. Could it be!?>> <> Oh no, it feels like I''ve beenpletely exposed. The news repeated the stories so much that even those who hated VTubers might have gotten tired of hearing about them. <> <> <> <> At that moment, feeling a change in the atmosphere, the store clerk approaches. Hesitantly, the clerk addresses the robber. <> <> <> <> <> <> The robber shook his head, unable toprehend. In his eyes, we appear as if we were unknown creatures. <> Even so, the "former" robber said. <> Chapter 193: [Questioning] Chapter 193: [Questioning] After the robbery suspects finally stopped their rampage and things settled down, new people entered the convenience store. <> A voice echoed inside the store. When I turned around, there was a policewoman in uniform with the female engineer standing at the entrance. <> <> <> The engineer woman who rushed over kept checking the condition of my injuries. It seemed like I''ve been apologizing a lot since earlier. <> <> Everyone in theb was surprisingly meritocratic. They seemed topletely overlook appearances, race, age, and gender. In fact, they were so absorbed in their research that, at first, I was treated like a mascot or idol. However, once we got into the real topic, things changed in no time. For them, VTubers were like what research was to me. It feltfortable, and besides <> <> <> The assant had a gun, and it was good that even the engineer woman didn''t get any unnecessary injuries. Everything turned out fine. <> <> While saying this, the engineer woman directed her gaze toward a man in casual clothes. He was talking to female customers and the casually dressed police officer(?). They all seemed to know each other. They exined the situation to the uniformed police officer and handed over the arrested robber. <> Apparently, they were the ones who noticed the incident and called the police. Come to think of it, they arrived really quickly, didn''t they? I assumed the engineer woman had reported it upon hearing the gunshot. Moreover, they had quietly approached from the back entrance, ready to step in and help if things got really dangerous. <> <> I expressed my gratitude, but for some reason, they seemed rather reluctant. The uniformed police officer approached me, tilting his head. <> <> <> Certainly, in the United States, ambnces and medical expenses are expensive, but that''s not the point. After all, I need to hurry my favorite stream is about to start! <> <> <> <> The police officer nodded in understanding. Finally, he got it. But can he understand from this that I want to go home? <> <> The conversation was slightly out of sync, and I tilted my head. It sounded like I had to go to the police station now, didn''t it? <> I didn''t mishear at all! Naturally, I have to undergo questioning. <> <> <> And so, I was led away by the police officer. Beingte for the live broadcast was now certain. I retracted my earlier statement; I truly resented this. I won''t forgive the perpetrator of this incident and the police! I''ll never forgive them! *** << Iroha, you>> <> I greeted Angu Ogu, who had arrived at the police station, with a flutter of my hand. Seeing my condition, her face turned pale. <> I had received bandages on my arm and cheek. But it seemed to have be a bit exaggerated. I could easily forget about these wounds while watching the stream. <> Angu Ogu approached me silently and hesitantly reached out to touch the injured area. It was precisely the touch one uses when dealing with a swollen part. <> <> Angu Ogu pulled her hand back with a start. And then <> For some reason, Angu Ogu started crying. Chapter 194: [Exclusive Guard] Chapter 194: [Exclusive Guard] Angu Ogu arrived at the police station where I was undergoing questioning. Everything seemed fine until <> <> Angu Ogu clung to my chest, wailing loudly. Her face was a mess, wet with tears and a runny nose. <> <> <> <> Tofort a crying child (at least in appearance), patting the head seemed to be the best approach. At this point, it wouldn''t be wise to discuss physical contact. <> I chuckled. Was she angry, worried, or relieved? <> <> As we exchanged these words, female customers or perhaps her friends appeared. Had they also undergone questioning? <> <> Angu Ogu''s movements stopped there. The female customers also looked uneasy. <> For some reason, Angu Ogu''s expression turned stern. Then she asked, <>. <> <> <> I involuntarily stared nkly. Angu Ogu sighed. <> <> I stared at the faces of the female customers, but I had no idea. Where could I have met them? <> <> <> I hadn''t noticed at all. But now that she mentioned it, there seemed to be a faint recognition. <> <> Angu Ogu red at the female customersor rather, the members of the Secret Service. She seemed angry with them. <> <> I recalled Angu Ogu''s mother''s face. She seemed like the type who would casually do something like that. <> <> <> Ah, so that''s why they were upset. Indeed, if my mother had been investigating my friends without permission, I might not feel great about it either. However, Ipletely understand in my case. I was quite suspicious, to be honest. And although Angu Ogu wouldn''t know, I had been under suspicion from the start. So <> <> <> I unintentionally ended up responding like aedy duo. Is it normal to be concerned about this? <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu urged me on, pushing my back. I vented my dissatisfaction. <> <> Because, if there had been a guardian role at the event I attended with Angu Ogu''s invitation I wouldn''t have missed the pre-show announcement because someone next to me struck up a conversation! If she had been my escort, she must have been discreetly following me even back then. I had thought she couldn''t stray far from Angu Ogu''s surroundings. <> <> Unconsciously, I directed my gaze toward the Secret Service woman who had been pretending to be a female customer. However, she had a somewhat troubled smile. <> Chapter 195: [Ambassador Of Goodwill] Chapter 195: [Ambassador Of Goodwill] <> <> The Secret Service woman reflects on it this way. But that''s not the case. It''s because I did various unnecessary things. If I had just stayed quiet, things would have been resolved more smoothly. However, because it''s about a VTuber, things got heated. <> Maybe she is being held ountable and will be removed from her position. That would be troublesome. <> <> <> <> She nced briefly at the other members of the Secret Service as if seeking their judgment. <> <> <> Angu Ogu nodded after thinking for a while. I''m curious about why he looks so serious. That''s right; actually, I <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu pressed the Secret Service members like that. The conversation continued without me. I wanted to say, "Wait a minute!" but I missed the timingpletely. After some hesitation, they agreed. <> <<~~~~!>> The Secret Service woman let out an indescribable sound. Then, with a determined expression, she took my hand and looked at me. <> <> <> No, that''s not it! But it was toote to say that now. I only said "her" because Well, the others don''t remember faces, and she''s the only one who left an impression on me, thanks to being involved in the incident. <> <> And somehow, I ended up with a personal guard. And as if the situation had settled, Angu Ogu started crying again. <> <> <> <> <<>> <> For some reason, Angu Ogu was so intense that you could almost hear a rumble. And then, she dropped a bomb. <<"That''s not important" is my line~~~~!>> And so, for some reason, I got scolded like crazy. Even so, she lent me her smartphone, so it''s fine No, it''s nothing. *** << So, um, Ogu?>> <> <> <> It''s been a few days since the robbery incident. Angu Ogu has been sticking to me like glue. She follows me everywhere. Certainly, I feel bad for causing her worry, but <> <> <> Well, that''s how it has been excessively, constantly. Even before, I thought there was too much physical contact <> <> <> <> <> <> <> I waved my hand as Angu Ogu was being dragged away. Perhaps the biggest impact of the robbery incident is this. By the way, I kept it a secret. So my mom and the others shouldn''t know about the incident yet. Considering what happened before if she finds out about this, she might really copse this time. <> While thinking about that, the smartphone I bought again signaled a message. The moment I checked the content, I felt my face twitch. <> In summary, the message said something like this. [Trantion Girl Iroha], we want you to take on the role of Ambassador of Goodwill. Chapter 196: [GeoGuessar] Chapter 196: [GeoGuessar] After my wounds from the robbery incident had healed. While savoring the relief I could talk without the pain in my cheeks, I was live streaming. "[My words to you!] I am the trantor girl, Iroha!" >Iroharo~! >Iroharo~! >Congrattions, Iroha-chan, on your appointment as Goodwill Ambassador! It should have been just officially announced a little while ago. However, numerous congrattory messages were already flowing in thements section. "Everyone''s quick with information~. Today''s livestream was actually intended as a promotion for that. So, I, [Trantor Girl Iroha], now [Goodwill Ambassador Iroha]!" Saying that I disyed an image for promotion. I never expected things to turn out like this >Do Goodwill Ambassadors promote Japanese tourism? >That''s the role of Tourism Ambassadors >So, are they going to establish friendship with some country? (U.S.) "In my case, it''s not a specific country but rather the United Nations." >By the way, it seems you''re the world''s first VTuber to be a Goodwill Ambassador (U.S.) >The title of a Nobel Prize winner is truly not just for show >Being virtual allows you to do various things without having to go to the actual location "Yeah, it''s like that. However, there seem to be various circumstances likemunication and appearances. It looks like I might end up visiting various countries. Not right away, thoughit''s more of a future thing." By the way, being a goodwill ambassador is purely about cooperation''. It''s not a job, so naturally, it''s unpaid. Well, I don''t really mind not getting paid. But this would reduce the time I spend watching streams! Due to scheduling, I might even miss VTuber events! Honestly, despite it being an honor, I considered declining. But there''s also the matter of the robber, and above all, the face of Angu Ogu''s mother, who would likely be behind it, shed in my mind. "So, after being chosen as a goodwill ambassador, I thought about it. Regardless of thenguage, I don''t know much about the countries themselves." Sinceing to America, I''ve been reminded of that. Visiting countries in the current state wouldn''t be great. For that reason, I ended up tasked with a project by Ah-nee. No, it''s not like I reported being chosen as a tourism ambassador for that reason!? >Indeed, Iroha-chan seems to have some knowledge bias >If you''re going to visit various countries, it might be good to grasp the atmosphere at least in advance >But, won''t you only truly understand it once you actually go there? (U.S.) "Does everyone remember? Even if it''s virtual, you can experience it without actually going! So, with that in mind," I switch to the streaming screen with a triumphant Ta-da!''. Then, andscape from somewhere that seemed foreign was being shown. "Today, I want to y GeoGuessar here!" It''s a map game using Googlo Maps. The rules are quite simple: just guess where the location disyed in Street View is. "Although the famous rule is to measure time and score based on the distance between your current location and the pinned point on the map, there are several other ways to y." While saying this, I manipted the game screen. There, the words "Country Streaks" are disyed. "This time, we''ll y by these rules. Identify the country shown it''s a so-called [Guess the Country] game. Well, I don''t have much confidence in it either." Well, it''s probably faster to show than exin. I immediately press the y button. "So, let the game begin!" Where on earth is this? What appeared was a road that seemed to cut through nature and a few cars running here and there. That''s it. >Isn''t this unclear? >Probably, I got it >Really??? "Wow, someone already figured it out? That''s amazing!" >How on earth did you identify it? >Well, there are patterns to some extent >Is it by looking at things like car license tes or the color of the soil? "I can''t imitate that. Indeed, I need a bit more information. Oh, I got it!" >!?!?!? >Eh, Iroha-chan, you already got it!? >I don''t know how you figured it out. As I looked around on Street View, a sign came into view. Naturally, there were characters written on it. "Um, let''s see. This is d, right? Because these are dic characters." While saying this, I make my guess. The result was correct. >Finding the characters and identifying them was too quick! >Could it be that once you find the characters, you can instantly figure it out? >The judgment of the signs is faster than even I, who prides myself on being a programming expert. "Heh, really! So this is what d looks like! Wow, it''s incredibly rich in nature!" I shouted to divert the conversation. Uh-oh, I waspletely off guard. Could it be that in this project mynguage-cheating abilities are working more than I imagined!? Chapter 197: [Wild Speed] Chapter 197: [Wild Speed] Things progressed quickly from there. I piled up the correct answers one after another. "This one is in Danish, right? And this is Swedish. And then, this is Norwegian." >Everything looks the same to me >Isn''t this English? >What''s the difference between alphabets and this? It was like anguage cheat, to be honest. I didn''t feel like I could make a mistake anymore. "Haha, because they all belong to the same Germanguage family. They all have alphabets. For example, this one. Do you see the letter with a circle on top of A''?" >Oh, now that you mention it >Even though the threenguages I''m using right now are quite simr, why can you distinguish them so easily? >Even for me, it''s difficult to tell those characters apart, you know? "Even though they may look simr, each one is a differentnguage." Street View photography is basically done by car. In other words, it follows the road. And if it follows the road, there are usually signs. If there are signs, there are letters. Right after boasting about it like that, an unexpected situation urs. Or Ah-nee intuitively anticipated this oue. "All right, then the next question. Oh, I found a sign already. Well, I''ve already figured out thenguage. Oh, I can''t guess this one!?" >Huh? If you''ve identified thenguage, isn''t the rest easy? >I see, thisnguage is (U.S.) >Finally, Iroha-chan stumbled, and I''m relieved "No, you know, I understand thenguage. This is Spanish. It''s just that there are too many countries where they use Spanish. Wasn''t it like 20 countries in total?" It''s difficult to narrow it down with this. I''ll explore more clues. And then, I found a decisive hint. But, I still can''t answer! I genuinely don''t know the answer!? "Um, where is this g from!? I have a strong sense of familiarity, but" >As soon as I can''t distinguish it by text, I be weak, lol >If it''s this, even I can understand! I''ve won against Iroha! >Why could I understand the ones until now, but not this one? (Korean) "Ugh!?" I couldn''t argue against that. Huh!? I thought I had it in the bag. This is pure forgetfulness. And there are only a few gs I need to remember for junior high entrance exams. "It looks so much like the g of France, but I''m sure it''s not France. It''s not French! Ah, I don''t know! Anyway, let''s go with [Guess]!" Giving up, I randomly choose a Spanish-speaking country and click. The correct answer is "Wow, it''s Mexico! I totally messed up. Despite having eaten tacos and nachos countless times with Ogu since starting life in the U.S. Sorry, everyone in Mexico!" >This is a disqualification for a goodwill ambassador, lol >Study up properly next time >It''s fine. It''s fine. I forgive you (Mex. Spanish) In the U.S., Mexican cuisine is cheap, delicious, and surprisingly includes a variety of vegetables. Well, to be precise, it''s Tex-MexMexican-style American cuisine, it seems. "I can''t believe the correct answer was our neighbor." Mexico shares a border with the United States, and Mexicans are by far thergest group of foreigners in the U.S. However, the high number of immigrants can lead to various issues. Every year, tens of thousands to millions of people are "apprehended" for illegally crossing the border. While this might sound terrifying, it doesn''t necessarily mean they end up in jail. Many hope for asylum in the U.S. and receive some degree of protection. However, crossing the border doesn''t guarantee finding a job and stable living conditions, leading to challenges and potential security issues. " " The thought of a robber crosses my mind for just a moment. I wonder if he''s now in prison watching VTuber streams? The reasons for immigration vary, including ack of trust in one''s country or financial constraints. The future where everyone can watch VTuber streams without worries is still distant. I''ve taken on the role of goodwill ambassador. I intend to do my best. Yes, as much as possible to spread VTuber culture! "All right, let''s move on to the next question!" I gathered my determination and faced the challenges one by one. The uracy of my answers honestly depends on whether I can find the characters in the text. Even if I find the characters, it''s often difficult to discern because of various reasons. "For English!? There are too many countries that use thisnguage. Oh, but they drive on the left side! So it must be the UK! [Guess] Wait, what!? Australia also drives on the left side!?" If it were a sentence instead of a word, I might have a better chance of distinguishing. For example, even I can''t easily differentiate between British and American English with just the word "apple". "Uh, um, let''s go to the next one! Again in English!? And only one sign." There, I see the characters [SPEED LIMIT 60]. Is this a 60 km/h speed limit? It seems strict for such a wide road "Where could this be?" Once again, faced with a challenging problem, I groan. Chapter 198: [Guinness World Records] Chapter 198: [Guinness World Records] "[SPEEDLIMIT60] I mean, there''s no way we can understand with just this information!" That''s what I thought, but the viewers seem to think otherwise. Chats like "I get it" were scattered here and there. "Are you serious about this?" >I''m d to see Iroha-chan struggling >It''s actually more informative and educational about the country than I expected lol >You can tell whether it''s the Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, or near the equator based on the sun''s direction (U.S.) "Oh, I see? Um, the sun is in the south, right? Even if that''s the case, it doesn''t really help much!? Wait a minute?" At that moment, I suddenly realized. Maybe I can narrow it down. "The English-speaking countries in the Northern Hemisphere are the United Kingdom or Canada, right? But this is right-hand traffic. So, it''s not the United Kingdom! Therefore, the answer must be Canada, right!?" >Oh, that''s a pretty good deduction. >That''s not a bad perspective (USA) >The earlier information about Australia came in handy for a good review lol Getting praise in the chats feels good. I must say, that was a nice insight. Maybe I''m getting used to this game. "I''m confident about this. So, [Guess]! Come on! The correct answer is whaaat!? Oh, it''s America!? I''m literally living there right now!?" It was so obvious that it became a blind spot. But thinking about it, this ce is indeed in the Northern Hemisphere. >This is seriously hrious. >The idea wasn''t bad. Well, it''s wrong (Korean) >It''s not the usual scenery you see, huh? lol "Well~, you see. It''s just that America is sooo vast, you know? And each state is totally different?" There are cases where just one state isrger than the entire area of Japan. So, this mistake is understandable. Yeah. >You can really tell how Iroha-chan isn''t paying attention to the outside scenery while moving lol >I can imagine her just watching VTuber streams on her phone the whole time >[Breaking News] Iroha doesn''t even know the country she''s living in "Grrr. But, even so, telling the difference between America and Canada is still impossible, huh?" >No, I get it >Iroha-chan mentioned it in a stream before >Hint: [Mile] (U.S.) "Ah~!" Upon hearing that, it clicked. So that''s where the hint was! "I see. This is the Imperial system! No wonder I thought the speed limit was too strict when I was calcting in kilometers!" >That''s right. Canada uses kilometers >Only three countries in the world, including the United States, use the Imperial system >Moreover, in Geo Guesser, the questions are only about the United States among those 3 "Wow~. Thinking about it that way, this was a problem I could have gotten right." I missed an opportunity there. But, more than I thought, this game is a good way to learn about foreign cultures. "All right, I''ll get it right this time. Next question!" I continued advancing in the game. For countries where I immediately knew the answer based on the text, I would try speaking in thatnguage. Sometimes, viewers from that country would join in and express their joy. It''s not bad to have this kind of interaction. "So I also watch VTubers from thisnguagemunity! I''m a fan!" >I thought it was fan service for international viewers, but it''s different lol >Are you running your fan campaign, huh? lol >Iroha can speak thisnguage too? (U.S.) And at that moment, I heard a voice right next to me. The chats section started buzzing. >Was that voice just now Ogu!? >I feel like I heard "gohan" (U.S.) >Lately, they''ve been saying "bettari" on Twitter But, could it be, Ogu, you''ve been right here with me during the stream!? "Ah~. Ogu, your voice got picked up on the stream, didn''t it?" "Eh!? S-sorry. It''s just, that Iroha was unusually focused and kept ying the game even though it was past mealtime. I''ve been waiting for food here the whole time." >That''s seriously hrious. >It''s like a real coboration stream. >Actually, it would have been even better if you had just done an off-coboration "While, you know, there have been too many coboration streamstely. Besides, Ogu had some work to do on his own." As I spoke, I nced at the clock in the corner of the monitor. Before I knew it, it was already dinner time. Well, I thought, the overseas creators I support are living in situations like this. Imagining that they lead this kind of life is surprisingly interesting. "But, yeah, it''s a good time to wrap up with the next question. For thest one, here!" >This one is a snap, lol. >I''m absolutely confident I got it right too, haha. >GeoGuessar is too easy! What was disyed was clearly the streetscape of Japan. Familiar shop signs were visible here and there. "So, for the grand finale, my hometown decided to make an appearance. Okay, [Guess]!" I quickly opened the map and clicked on Japan on the world map. Feeling satisfied, I correctly answered thest question and concluded the game. "Well then, that''s it for today''s stream! Otsuka-reta-, arigeta-!" >Otsuka-reta-! >Ogu, good job too (U.S.) >It ended with a nice touch lol And so, he ended the stream. And just one hourter *** Angu Ogu, who was having dinner with me, said <> What? I involuntarily froze. Chapter 199: [Guinness Certifier] Chapter 199: [Guinness Certifier] While going to watch VTuber live streams, between the gaps, streaming, cooperating in research, orpleting various procedures and recordings And finally, the day had arrived. <> >Iroharo~ (U.S.) >I''ve been looking forward to this day for so long! (U.S.) >Oh no, I''m getting excited too <> When I turn around to show you, the 3D model in the livestream also turns around with a slight dy. We''ve done tests beforehand, but issues can still ur. >No problem (U.S.) >Guest, huh? I wonder who it is >The streaming title makes it pretty obvious (U.S.) <> <> When I directed my gaze to the side, there was a woman in a suit and tie sitting there. A woman of a suitable age also appeared on the streaming screen. >No way, it''s live-action, lol (U.S.) >It''s incredibly beautiful 3D >Certifier-san, nice to meet you! (U.S.) <> <> <> >LOL >Don''t you also say "green screen" (U.S.) >Certifier-san, you''ve got a bit of a natural charm. It''s funny Furthermore, on the livestream, it seems like I''m standing right next to you, but in reality, there''s quite a distance. This livestream is made possible by adding variables to the location data. <> <> >The voice just now. It sounded like Ogu!? >It''s kinda echoing, lol. >If Iroha''s around, this guy is anywhere, huh? (U.S.) Outside the shooting area, Ango Ogu waves her hand. She''s sticking around today, too Well, this time, it seems she came more to tease. <> I was trying to recall. The trigger was indeedactions during the GeoGuessar livestream. Since I could, I spoke in discerniblenguages, but just then, it seemed the number ofnguages I used on the livestream exceeded the current Guinness World Record. <> >The person herself is the least interested w >It should be an amazing achievement, but Iroha''s standards are based on VTubers (U.S.) >If there wasn''t someone summarizing this into an article, would this livestream even exist? <> That''s what Angu Ogu said to me during dinner. I had never seen it, but apparently, people talked about it on the wiki. <> >>Thanks for Anego''s nning ability >I wonder if there have been more projects from Anego to Iroha since you came to America? (U.S.) >You''ve been coborating more rarely since you moved, but I guess she''s still worried about her younger sister <> Guinness records are not necessarily something that you can apply for and get measured. Entries will get rejected if they have a record that makes it impossible to standardize the guidelines, or if they cannot demonstrate the likelihood of achieving the guidelines. In other words, the reason why I am able to challenge the Guinness Book of Records is because of wikis, clippings and money! No, I''m not kidding. This time, I used [Priority Service] when applying for the Guinness Book of Records. Thanks to this, it only takes about 10 days instead of half a year. Instead, it cost an additional 10,000 yen. Speaking of cash, I''m already used to this type of pay-to-service. Although it was a painful expense, I think it was a cheap purchase. After all, with this I can avoid a situation where the certification day and my oshi''s stream ovep! Well, if it were to happen, I''d have no hesitation in canceling the stream! I don''t care if Ah-nee will kick my buttter! <> <> And so my challenge for a Guinness record began. Chapter 200: [Where Is That Person Now] Chapter 200: [Where Is That Person Now] The Guinness World Records certifier exins the rules for this round. In front of me, a monitor and a headset were prepared. <> >If it''s 5 minutes pernguage, it seems like it will progress smoothly >Wait, wasn''t the current record something like 50 or 60? >What!? So, 60nguages 5 minutes each. At least 6 hours!? (U.S.) <> Honestly, when I first heard this, I seriously thought about declining. Well, I had alreadye too far to turn back. <> >Phew, relieved, right? (U.S.) >I had reserved streaming slots for two consecutive days, and I expected it lol >Thinking about the time for making calls, it wouldn''t be surprising if it takes up to 6 hours just today (U.S.) Honestly, it''s almost like an endurance stream. If I say that, I might get criticized because there are VTubers who do ordinary streams ying games continuously for more than 24 hours, not even endurance streams. For me, though, this is already a significantly long stream, so it can''t be helped. It might be the first time since that incident, streaming continuously like this. <> >They''re probably double-checking, even though it already got discussed during the stream. >There have been cases where they certified a record without noticing cheating just by judging based on footage (U.S.) >Wow, if they have such a painful past, I guess it can''t be helped. >Is it Jihad "Matia" Fazah? >There was talk about him speaking 59nguages, but it got exposed on a TV show (U.S.) >He was still an impressive polyglot who could speak 15nguages as long as he didn''t exaggerate (U.S.) There seem to be quite a few unusually knowledgeable people. The viewership was already high, and it seems that even more people who don''t usually watch have joined in, likely attracted by the stream title. <> >Just being able tomunicate isn''t enough; that''s quite strict >No, that''s just the nature of the Guinness challenge Iroha-chan is attempting (U.S.) >Wasn''t it just a Guinness record for speaking multiplenguages? I got it. The Guinness record I''m attempting this time is "How manynguages can you speak fluently?" But for me, they''re the same thing. <> <> <> And so, my challenge has finally begun. The ringtone sounds, and the call connects. The first person on the line is. *** [Nice to meet you, Iroha. My name is] It started with Korean. Looking back, when I first became aware of my ability, this was the firstnguage I learned. The 5 minutes passed in the blink of an eye. The judgment is <<"If you had said we were from the same hometown, I would have believed itpletely." Korean, passed.>> >Great! (Korean) >As expected of Iroha-chan! (Korean) >Even though I knew she could speak, I still got excited lol (US) *** Next is French. It''s nostalgic, remember when I copsed in the elementary school library and was taken to the hospital. Since I use it rtively frequently, this should be a breeze. And the judgment is, of course <<"Your French pronunciation is cleaner than mine?" French also passed. Great. Next is>> *** I hear Ukrainian. Suddenly, I remember. I wonder how the transfer student who came to my elementary school is doing now? I hope she''s still a fan of VTubers even now. >Wait, isn''t this the order Iroha-chan used in her stream? >Really? That''s emotional (US) >I''m a long-time follower of Iroha-sama, checking out all the archives, and I can confirm it''s urate (Ukrainian) Oh, really? Now that the chats mention it, it might be. It could be influenced by referring to my wiki. Of course, it may not always strictly adhere to the order due to the schedules of the conversation partners. By the way, the judgment is, of course <<"It was an honor to talk to the protagonist of that time. Your words reached me clearly". Ukrainian, passed. If this could be considered a failure, that would be devilish.>> >I thought the certifiers would be strict, but they seem like really nice people >The person from Ukraine who got to coborate with Iroha-sama in the stream is really lucky (Ukrainian) >Isn''t it technically not a coboration though? (Ukrainian) And so, my assessment continued. But I''mpletely unaware of the unexpected troubles that awaitter on. Chapter 201: [Interlude] Chapter 201: [Interlude] <> I copsed onto the sofa at home with a thud. Angu Ogu sat beside me, patting my head. <> <> The first day of the Guinness World Record evaluation concluded safely. The proceedings were very smooth, and there were no particr issues And yet, I felt like this. <> <> <> <> <> If an Indonesian speaks, it bes Indonesian, and if a Mysian speaks, it bes Mythey''re that simr. They canmunicate seamlessly without any problem. <> <> <> By this logic, Indonesian and My would get treated as dialects. However, that''s not the reality. On the other hand, the Tsugaru dialect in Japanese is not understood by most Japanese people. It''s often mistaken for speaking French. Still, it''s considered a dialect, not a separatenguage. Maybe that''s why UNESCO doesn''t distinguish betweennguages and dialects. There are various theories like if anguage has many speakers, it''s anguage; if few, it''s a dialect. <> Even Japanese dialects are listed in various dictionaries. It''s not just dialects; many minoritynguages are also facing the threat of extinction. Whether to celebrate the ease ofmunication orment the loss of culture, I don''t know. But it''s a fact that dialects are naturally or artificially being eliminated. In Japan, there was a time when dialects were strictly regted. They used something called "Dialect Tags". If you used a dialect at school, you had to wear it around your neck. And if you found someone else using a dialect, you could tag them with it. That''s how they regted dialects. Well, it must have led to bullying. When I first heard about this, I thought that, but leaving that aside. I felt it. The numerousnguages that branched off in ancient times are now converging again. <> <> <> I was just talking about romance. I wonder how future VTubers will be, or if there are VTubers among aliens. <> <> <> <> <> When I studied abroad in an American high school, I acquired some knowledge about this. Originally, all academic disciplines fell under the umbre of "science". <> <> <> There was an urgent need to cultivate talents in engineering andw. So, they divided academic disciplines into two, discarding one to speed up the process. Thinking about it that way, the division makes sense. Well, it''s mostly be obsolete in modern times, though. <> Saying you''re bad at something because you''re a science major or a humanities major is meaningless. Originally, there was no distinction, just unfounded beliefs. Well, there are theorists and empiricists, though. You can also call it bottom-up thinking and top-down thinking. In any case, all disciplines are a kind of science, andnguage is no exception. In other words The first science that humanity learns when born into this world isnguage. <> <> <> <> <> <> As I said that, memories of that time came to mind. The view from the Tower of Babel, the appearance of angels, the voice of God. Whether I actually saw it in reality or if it was an illusion shown by my brain in an extreme state, I don''t know. I have no idea. *** And the 2nd day of judging begins! Chapter 202: [Second Day Of Evaluation] Chapter 202: [Second Day Of Evaluation] The second day of the Guinness World Record evaluation had begun. I was waving my hands in the 3D shooting studio. <> >Iroharo! >Iroha-chan, is your voice feeling tired or something? (U.S.) >Well, it''s understandable since it''s still fresh from yesterday, huh? (U.S.) Fans are amazing, aren''t they? They''re much more sensitive to the changes in Trantor Girl Iroha'' than I am. "Thanks for worrying. But it''s okay. Remember that one time I hurt my throat? Maybe that''s why. I can sense whether it''s safe is based on how it feels now." With this, I''ll be able to hold on until the end just fine. Yesterday was unexpectedly tough. But it was a good decision to hold back. Thanks to that, I won''t have to endure hell. >Iroha-chan, don''t push yourself too hard, okay? >I wonder, how manynguages are you doing in total? (U.S.) >I did 30nguages yesterday, so I''m expecting double, which is 60nguages today (U.S.) Oh, sharp. That''s right on the mark. My goal is to slightly surpass the current Guinness World Record of 60nguages. It''s what you''d call necessary and sufficient. Honestly, if I wanted to, I could extend the record much further. But going beyond this is a hassle, cough cough, and physically exhausting! Above all I mentioned cheating yesterday, but if we talk about cheating, this cheat ability is the cheat itself. Obtaining the Guinness World Record, and with a nice round number. Both Ah-nee and the viewers should be satisfied enough. <> <> The Guinness certification officer asks at the right time. I returned a nod to that. Challenging the limits is important, but it''s not my true calling. I''ll wrap it up at the right point and, if it finishes early, spend that time watching streams! <> <> I approached the certification officer to drown out the anguished voice. That girl is saying unnecessary things. Today, just like any other day, there''s an anguished voice. And as expected, everyone in thements reacts. >Quick Summary >Huh? Did you just say, Last night, exhausted Iroha-chan leaned on Angu Ogu, gradually dozed off while cuddling, and eventually fell asleep with a knee pillow''? (U.S.) >Nice. You write a doujinshi with that storyline. (U.S.) <> By the way, Angu Ogu is apanied by the manager today. Or you could say being monitored. Attempting to ck off 2 days in a row wasn''t a good idea. She got caught and scolded. So today, while overseeing my challenge. She''s also required to work. <> <> <> Due to thements taking a strange turn, it seemed to have confused the certification officer. Derailing is usual, so I urged them to proceed without minding it. *** The evaluation continued smoothly on the second day. And now, it''s finally time for the 58thnguage. If I pass this, I''ll tie it with the current record. The remaining 2nguages are already decided, so thisnguage is thest one. It''s been a really long journey. <> <> I stretched, and the 3D model extended its body in sync. Today, with some familiarity, the progress was faster than yesterday, and it had taken about 5 hours up to this point. Nevertheless, I''m already exhausted. <> >Well, thanks to the trantion experts, you know? (U.S.) >In anynguage, having at least one local person is reassuring >It''s no wonder. It''s Iroha-chan''s stream (U.S.) If you ask around, it seems like this stream has be quite a hot topic, dominating the trends for today and yesterday. Well, it''s turning into a bigger deal than expected, but oh well! By the way, there''s no need to worry about Isn''t this cheating?'' while looking at thements. As a measure during the evaluation, a proper dy is set for the stream. Well, even without intentionally causing a dy, there''s already ag in thements, and it''s clear that having a smooth'' conversation while getting trantions isn''t feasible. It''s a kind of insurance or an appeal to sincerity. Humans aren''t just about reasoning. Sometimes, such emotionally understandable performances be necessary as a survival skill. <> <> <> Well then, let''s smoothly pass thest one too. The call notification sounded, and the call connected. And the voice I heard was. [O,AXo????)o, Iroha] I involuntarily froze. Because things were going so smoothly, I let my guard down. That was C anguage I didn''t know. Chapter 203: Beyond The Cheat Chapter 203: Beyond The Cheat [x?] Challenging the Guinness World Record, reaching the 58thnguage. The person on the other end of the call seemed perplexed by myck of response and was asking something. However, I couldn''t respond. Viewers also seemed to notice the anomaly, and thements section began to stir. >Iroha-chan, why did you suddenly go silent? >Is it a microphone issue? (U.S.) >No, her 3D model''s mouth isn''t moving either, so I think she''s really silent (U.S.) >Is it because the other person''s pronunciation is bad, and you can''t understand? >Whatnguage is this in the first ce? >Is this isn''t it Afrikaans? (Arabic) What, Afrikaans!? I could feel my cheeks twitching as I read the chats. It''s not a mistake for Afrikaans, right? Well, thatnguage doesn''t even exist. Embarrassingly enough, I, being less knowledgeable, didn''t even know the name of thisnguage. However, in a stroke of luck, thementer from earlier kept posting and providing information. >It''s one of the officialnguages of the Republic of South Africa (Arabic) >I''m working here in Saudi Arabia as aborer, but I''m originally from there (Arabic) >Strictly in terms of the number of speakers, it''s actually the newestnguage derived from Europeannguages (Arabic) Currently, there are nearly 7,000nguages in the world. Well, the count can vary depending on how you categorize them, but leave that aside. Despite the decline innguages and dialects, a newnguage is stillborn at a rate of approximately 1 in 100. In this case, when we say "new", it means that it has be an officialnguage, so we''re talking on a scale of centuries This is bad. Ipletely messed up. I''m familiar with the Republic of South Africa. As the name suggests, it''s a country in the southern part of the African continent. It upholds multilingualism, and I recall it having 10 or more officialnguages. It''s the opposite of Japan and the United States, which don''t designate officialnguages. However, education is conducted in English I had been putting off learning it, thinking, "Well, for now, English should do.". <> It must be because things were progressing so smoothly up to this point. The staff member approached me with a concerned expression. <> Even now, a native Afrikaans speaker has approached me and said something. It''s easy to say "I don''t understand" at this point, but while acting, I quietly informed the staff member of the situation. She widened her eyes and then nodded approvingly. <> >What, is she okay? >Is that why she suddenly went silent? (U.S.) >Just when she tied for the world record <> [x Okay] With this, I managed to buy a little time. However, learning "grammar" and acquiring proficiency in thenguage during this break isn''t possible. For security reasons, I can only see the streaming screen, and exceptions are made only for things like thements section where operational necessity exists. Even for me, mastering anguage without a substantial amount of input and understanding of the rules'' remains challenging. Even during the peak of my abilities, during that incident (when my powers were said to have gone out of control), it was impossible. If it were possible, it would only have been in that fleeting moment when I threw everything away, even my own life. It was a moment when I was close to being omniscient and omnipotent, hearing the voice of God(?). <> <> The doctor who had been on standby to examine me off-screen asked for this as a precaution. I feel a bit guilty for deceiving, but <> Angu Ogu rushes over with a worried expression. I return a smile as if to say, "Don''t worry.". In this case, the certification officer has done wellafter all, there are 60nguages. Rather, there hasn''t been a single mistake so far is a miracle. To confirm, they had sent me the list ofnguages I would be challenged with in advance. Well, I didn''t really read it thoroughly before giving the okay! << Ugh>> <> Angu Ogu embraces my shoulders, and I am holding my head in my hands. No, seriously, why didn''t I check properly at that time? It can''t be helped, right? The number has increased so much that I can no longer keep track of whichnguages I can use and which I can''t. And it said something like "referenced from the wiki" so I thought, "They must know more than I do, and it should be correct!". <> Maybe the certification officer didn''t make a mistake, and there was an error in the wiki. After all, if there werenguages not listed on the wiki, the viewers would have noticed and reacted immediately. I never thought that not checking my wiki could be a disadvantage. If I had been looking, there might have been an opportunity to notice a mistake somewhere. <> I shook my head in refusal. Ending it halfway here is simply not an option. Because if that happens undoubtedly, Ah-nee will bring an even more troublesome n! For example, a rematch under more challenging conditions! If that happens, I don''t know how much my precious rmendation time will get taken away. So, I absolutely have to do something here! <> I have no choice. I took a deep breath, focusing. At this point, it has finally begun, the true Guinness World Record challenge for me. No, it''s not just a record; it''s a challenge to surpass the "past"! Chapter 204: [Language Learning Starting From Minus 1] Chapter 204: [Language Learning Starting From Minus 1] When ites to this, limiting the number ofnguages to the bare minimum was a failure. If they had allowed more flexibility and prepared 61nguages, onenguage would have been within the margin of error. However, having exactly 59 or 60nguages makes a significant difference. Moreover, the timing, approaching the world record tie, adds to the unfavorable situation. If the substantial final part is a failure, everyone will be left feeling iplete. Viewers, and above all, Ah-nee won''t be satisfied! <> Whether I''m talented or not, Ipletely agree about not overdoing it. I can''t afford to suffer a wound here that would prevent me from watching streams for the rest of my life. It''s not about the world; it''s about the world record. So, I''ll do it as much as possible. I bow silently to the certifiers. I informed Angu Ogu and asked her to leave me alone. The time limit is only 5 minutes. I must learn Afrikaans before the restart. "I don''t have the luxury of thinking leisurely, so let''s take action for now." Taking advantage of the absence of people around, I mutter softly. Verbalizing them is the best way to organize my thoughts. Now, even during this time, a native speaker was connecting alone. Their voice is reaching my ears, but merely inputting isn''t enoughrelying solely onnguage cheats won''t get me there. I need toe up with an active approach. Understanding grammar alone should make a significant difference, but I need to follow several stages. The first thing to do is. "To listen'' to a single sound." It might seem likemon sense, but it''s challenging. I have to determine which sounds are necessary for thenguage and which ones are unnecessary. The difference in the pronunciation of L'' and R'' is a good example. In Japanese, there''s no need to distinguish, but in English, there is. If I can''t discern such sounds. No, if I can''t hear them, it bes a matter preceding grammar. "It''s impossible to acquire something nonexistent''." This kind of thing happens in foreignnguage learning. Especially, the pattern of being able to read but unable to listen. Still, when I transcribe, suddenly, I can hear it. If I try to resolve that, I need to listen until I understand and repeat speaking until I get it. "Ah, I''m starting to feel like a baby again!" The ability to hear all sounds is something everyone had as a baby. Even though I discarded it as unnecessary'' at that time, now I''m trying to regain it It seems that learning doesn''t necessarily start from 0 or 1. In the case ofnguage, it seems appropriate to start from minus 1''. Those who find foreignnguage acquisition difficult might misjudge their abilities and set the bar too high. First of all, if I be aware that I''m less than a baby'', I might be able to praise myself. "But, things aren''t going well. In this case, it''s all about the location, isn''t it?" In such aplex aspect of listening,'' there are cases where implosive sounds, or clicks,'' are incorporated into pronunciation. Manynguages with such characteristics happen to be in the southern part of Africa. Fortunately, I know about the existence of such pronunciations. If I didn''t know, it could have been a practically inaudiblenguage. "No, wait a minute?" Come to think of it, I got a hint from thements that it''s derived from the Europeannguage. If that''s the case, it should be okay to exclude implosive sounds. I can hear asional sounds simr to clicks. However, it might get dismissed as mere speaker habits. So, at this point, let''s call it one stage. Then next is. "Separation into words''." I heard the sound. So now. It''s the process of dividing sentences into the smallest units with meaningnamely, words. "For that, I need to identify the boundaries of words." That''s a task close to morphological analysis'' in naturalnguage processing. The knowledge gained during research cooperation ising in handy here. By observing and listening carefully, I can notice repetitions in pronunciation and word endings. Whether it''s a subject like I'', a predicate like is'', or a particle-like on'' is still unclear. Now, it''s about identifying specific patterns. In Japanese, for example, after gohan'' (meal), n'' often follows. From there, judge how far one word goes. By the way, even babies have this ability from the beginning "No, babies are amazing. In fact, what I''m doing now seems like I''m following the footsteps of speech recognition and infantnguage acquisition." But, despite being so talented. No, because they''re too talented, babies have a weakness. That''s one-syble words. In Japanese, words like te'' (hand) or me'' (eye) can''t be recognized as words. Babies know that the probability of a one-syble bing a word is low. That''s why in baby talk, words like otete'' or omeme'' are used. There''s a theory about that, but the credibility is unclear. Because if I''m following this rule, it would turn chi'' (blood) into oninu'' (milk). "However, now I can separate the words." So far so good. However, from here it gets difficult. Relying on speech recognition and the method of imitating infants will not be enough, no matter how much time I have. Therefore, there needs to be a change in perspective. Wait!? I pped my hand to my mouth, realizing something. The certifier tapped my shoulder just as I was engrossed in thought. <> <> Five minutes really flew by. But, at this point, I have no choice. Haha, fine. Let''s do it! From here on, I''ll somehow manage to pull it off on the spot! Chapter 205: [Time For Judgment] Chapter 205: [Time For Judgment] <> <> <> I responded to the inspector who came to announce the time limit, and Anu Ogu. Finally, the challenge for the Guinness World Record was about to resume. >Wee back, Iroha-chan~ >Is your throat okay now? (U.S.) >Also, gratitude to the native speaker who bridged the gap (U.S.) <> [x] I stepped into the shooting area. On the streaming screen, the 3D avatar of Trantor Girl Iroha appeared, walking in from the side. Next to her (though it''s on the streaming screen), the inspector also stood. Then, they came over here for the final confirmation. <> <> <> [, . Iroha] A native speaker spoke to me again. In response, I replied in a certainnguage. ((Nice to meet you. I''m Iroha.)) [[]] The other person seemed to smile wryly, but they continued the conversation. In other words, it got through'' to some extent. My intuition was not wrong. The likelihood of belonging to the Germanguage family, especially the West Germanic branch, was high. Among them, there was anguage that felt particrly close. That''s Dutch. >Huh? Is thismunication going well? >I feel like the pronunciation is slightly different between the native speaker and Iroha-chan (U.S.) >It''s a rare mistake for Iroha-chan, but are you sure you''re not speaking Dutch incorrectly? (Dutch) That''s right. What I said earlier was not Afrikaans but Dutch. Unfortunately, I haven''t learned Afrikaans yet. However, Dutch or something derived from it was a hypothesis''. I assumed the grammar from there and tentatively proceeded with the trantion. And it was spot on. [[((But)) ((So))]] It was as if my field of vision had opened up, and I began to understand the meaning. It was precisely the weakness of AI and a method that humans excel at. AI cannot create 1 from 0, and there is no such thing as 0.5. Leaps of thought and inspiration, the ability to advance thinking in an ambiguous'' state, are human privileges. [[((Of course)). ((So))]] [[I see]] In response to Afrikaans, I guessed fragments of Dutch trantion. Since I haven''t grasped the intonation and pronunciation yet, my responses are awkward, but I manage. While grammar predictions were correct, it''s not exactly perfect Dutch. Some errors need correction in the conversation. [[Iroha ((is))(about)]] [[That''s right, I]] Gradual improvement is happening, but it''s still far from fluent. It was necessary to identify more differences between Dutch and Afrikaans. While paying attention and listening, I noticed. There are scattered terms that are only in Afrikaans. And what is this!? These words aren''t at all derived from the Germanguage family! ((So I)) Um, what is thisnguage!? But I feel like I heard it very recently. <> At that moment, the muttered voice of Angu Ogu reached my ears. I turned my gaze to her and realized. Yes, this is like Indonesian or My! Anguage identical to the doppelg?ngernguage that appeared on the first day of the Guinness record review. Last night''s lecture to me was now connecting. And as soon as I realized, the fill-in-the-nks progressed further with a leap. [[((But)) [in most cases] ((both))]] [[That''s right, I also think so. But]] [[!? ((Um))]] >Wait, I thought Iroha-chan was speaking Dutch (Dutch) >Oh, really? It sounds like proper Afrikaans to me (Arabic) >Just to be sure, I''ll transcribe it for everyone (Arabic) That was the final blow. A viewer from South Africa chimed in with ament. Words and pronunciations wereing together like a cross-check. Of course, there''s a dy inments, making real-time correspondence difficult for such interactions. Normally. Unfortunately for me, I have anguage cheat ability. [[So, I would be happy if everyone could know even a little about the issues in South Africa. I apologize for using your big moment in this way.]] [[Don''t worry about it. Just, what you see and your perspective can change depending on where you live. Unfortunately, we Japanese people have few opportunities to look beyond the seas.]] [[!?!?!?]] [[Is something wrong?]] [No, nothing.] <<..That''s enough!>> A sharp voice came from the inspector when we were progressing in the conversation. Before I knew it, not just 5 minutes but almost 10 minutes had passed since the review resumed. <> <> I did everything I could. Now, all that remained was to await the judgment. Chapter 206: [The Worlds Best Multilingual] Chapter 206: [The Worlds Best Multilingual] <> <> If I remember correctly, the native speaker on the call had other ns. This seems like a good time to wrap things up. Even so, I stretched the conversation to thest minute to improve the uracy of Afrikaans. I wonder if I was able to speak quite fluently towards the end. Relying solely onnguage cheat abilities wouldn''t have led to such a good match. Of course, the rapid mastery was likely assisted by the augmentation of my abilities. >What''s going to happen with this? Thest part was almost on par with a native speaker, but from the beginning to the middle (Arabic) It wouldn''t be strange to be judged either way, right? (U.S.) The certifier is having an exchange with a native speaker. All I can do now is hope. <> After a while, the certification personnel''s voice is heard. My throat tightens with tension. <> >Uh-oh, now I''m getting nervous too >Please, let''s hope you passed! (U.S.) >I believe in Iroha-chan. I''m sure she''ll be fine! (U.S.) <> <> Well, it''s unfortunate, but that''s the reality, and there''s nothing I can do about it. Even so, I couldn''t have done any better. But thinking about whates next is depressing. I hope I can somehow deceive Ah-nee, but <> <> Just as I was about to give uppletely, the certifier''s words stopped me. When I lift my head, I meet eyes with those who have been looking at me. <> <> <> <<~~~~!>> <> >It''s hereeee! >Now tied for the world record!!!! (U.S.) >Amazing, Iroha-chan is truly incredible!! (U.S.) < > I exhaled deeply, relieved. Passing this time was thanks to abination of various fortunate circumstances. If I hadn''t had previous exposure to Afrikaans from othernguages I''ve learned, it would have been tough. If there were no viewers familiar with thisnguage, I would have given up. If the rule wasn''t to allow chats with a dy, I would have been in trouble. And if Angu Pgu wasn''t present, the "realization" wouldn''t have urred. <> <> Fluttering my hands in appreciation to Angu Ogu, who had been watching over the challenge instead of focusing on my work. Oh, I''m getting scolded by the manager for "stopping my hands". <> <> <> <> Thisnguage acquisition was indeed more challenging than before, and I''m not lying! Perhaps this is the difference between using the cheat or being used by the cheat. Thanks to it, I could guess words from simrnguages and learn without extensive input. Such applications were not possible with the previous cheat-like trantion ability''. It was only possible with the current nguage cheat ability" that understands thenguage itself. <> <> <> At this point, the certification officer''s face froze. Wondering what happened, I realized their gaze was fixed on thements section. >Iroha-chan, have you ever spoken Afrikaans before? (U.S.) > Are you seriously saying that? (U.S.) >No, she has spoken it before. Check the wiki properly. <> I also noticed thosements, and my face twitched. Uh, this turn of events!? >Actually, I''ve never seen Iroha use Afrikaans (U.S.) >Huh, everyone else too? I thought I just forgot because Iroha-chan is too multilingual >Could this be a mistake on the wiki after all? (U.S.) <> The certifier was now looking at me with an expression close to horror. Chapter 207: [The Last Caller] Chapter 207: [The Last Caller] <> The certifier was staring at me intently. I vaguely smiled, trying to dodge the situation. <> Oh no, this won''t work. There''s not a hint of them letting me off the hook. <> I resigned myself and decided to exin to the certifier. Ideally, I wanted to smoothly go through the process, and get certified by the Guinness World Records in a normal way. <> <> >I knew it! >I thought so too! (U.S.) > Well, why didn''t you point it out sooner? lol (U.S.) The certifier''s face turned pale. Immediately, they began contacting someone. <> <> >??? >What is this little girl saying? (U.S.) >The cause of the trouble is so outrageous, I can onlyugh lol (U.S.) <> <> The certifier, seemingly unable to ept the reality, pressed their forehead as if to say, "I can''t believe this" and looked up at the ceiling. The silence is unbearable! What should I do!? <> After a while, the certifier let out a deep breath. Then, they mumbled. <> <> <> <> >Well, rapidnguage acquisition is Iroha-chan''s specialty, after all (U.S.) >It feels like it''s been a while since Ist saw her do it >Since that incident, right? (U.S.) I didn''t realize it until it was pointed out, but I see. The real-timenguage acquisition itself wasn''t a first for the certifier. Regardless, the fact that the content was entirely different is another story. <> >So, does this mean the certifier has given their approval? (U.S.) >Honestly, I hadn''tpletely ruled out the possibility of a trick yet but did she really do it for real? (U.S.) >At the very beginning, when she said, "I just learned Korean.", I also had my doubts, like, is this for real? <> >Who? (U.S.) >He was a linguistics professor at MIT (U.S.) >Apparently, he was a hyperpolyglot who could speak over 50nguages (U.S.) <> <> Could it be that there are geniuses in the world who can do this on their own? I had always assumed it was anguage cheat ability. The world is truly vast. Huh? Wait a minute. <> <> <> I got scolded by the certifier for speaking my mind. I thought there was no need to worry too much about being a cheat,'' but apparently, that''s not the case. <> <> With the trouble and everything, it had already taken close to 30 minutes for the currentnguage. I needed to hurry and finish the remaining twonguages! Although I should be in a hurry, unfortunately, it''s the Winning Run from here on out. The certifier smiled and announced, <> And so, I stepped into uncharted territory. The voice that came through was <> <> I quickly turned my gaze. Right there, Angu Ogu, wearing a headset, was waving towards me. She had a triumphant smile, like a mischievous child who had sessfully pulled off a prank. Chapter 208: [World Record Holder] Chapter 208: [World Record Holder] <> <> So, does that mean you weren''t asked because you happened to be there? From the beginning, Angu Ogu was already determined to be the 59th English speaker!? Looking at the certifier Whoa!? She also has an expression like "I did it." <> <> <> Ipletely got set up. No wonder he seemed so unusually cheerful! <> <> >Ogu, you did well, haha (U.S.) >Feels like showing off your mischievous side (U.S.) >This is a good surprise <> <> <> <> <> I ignored him and pressed the end-call button. Even after the call ended, I pretended not to hear whatever Ango Ogu was shouting. >Iroha-chan, no mercy lol >This is all Ogu''s fault (U.S.) >I can totally hear Ogu protesting from the sidelines (U.S.) <> <> With this, I''ve passednguages for 59 countries. Now, there''s only onenguage left. <> The familiar ringing sound again. I connected the call with thest native speaker. [DDHahaha~! If you want to proceed beyond this point, you''ll have to defeat me!] Thenguage for the 60thnguage turned out to be Japanese. I had a vague expectation when Ango Ogu was the 59thnguage, but the person on the call was [Everyone, how''s it going~? I''m your big sister, Anegasaki leading the way!'' It''s Anegasaki M] >I love Ane-go! >I was absolutely convinced she was the only one for thest one! (U.S.) >Is Ane-go sure her lines aren''t messed up? w (U.S.) "Wow, so it really is Ah-nee, huh?" ]Huh, what''s with that reaction!? That''s so mean! It would be nice if you could be more delighted with your whole body and soul, you know .] "So, that was Ah-nee. Thank you very much." [That was quick, wasn''t it!?] >As usual, Iroha-chan is still sharp-tongued with Anego (U.S.) >Maybe it''s because there''s no offline coboration, but this kind of exchange feels rare >It seems like they talk quite a bit behind the scenes, including nning for this project But, in the end, it was Ah-nee, huh? It was the right decision to clear the 58thnguage, even if it took some effort. [I watched the broadcast! Oh, as an older sister, I''m so proud!] "I''m not your sister, though. But, thank you." [Right, right! As expected of me, it was a perfect n!] "Wasn''t that just self-praise earlier!? You weren''t praising me, you know!?" >LOL >But, thanks Anego >If it weren''t for Anego, Iroha-chan wouldn''t have attempted the Guinness Challenge (U.S.) [Iroha-chan, how was this project? Was it fun?] "Realllly tiring." [Hahaha, typical Iroha-chan! But, seriously, it''s amazing60nguages-ne! Iroha-chan''s voice has reached so many people, even those far away, big sister~] [!] [Iroha-chan, congrattions on reaching 60nguages! Big sister sincerely prays that your voice reaches everyone around the world even more from now on, big sister] "Thanks." Ah, my face is so hot. I turned away and, while being a bit blunt, expressed my gratitude. At times like these, I think Anego is really unfair. Even the Guinness record attempt wasn''t that bad, making me feel that way. Well, I won''t do it again if I''m asked a second time!? Anyway, with this, it''s a closed case or so I thought. [So, thank you, thank you! Everything, thank you! Okay! Goodbye!] "Why are you suddenly speaking in English there!? Do you understand the purpose of the n you created? Ah-nee is currently ying the role of a Japanese native speaker, you know!?" [? Okay! Please, good luck!] "Yeah, you don''t understand at all, huh!?" With that, the call with Anego ended. I feel like all the lingering feelings got blown away at the very end. But finally, all the evaluations for the 60nguages are done. Chapter 209: [Savior In A Six-Tatami Room] Chapter 209: [Savior In A Six-Tatami Room] <> < > As soon as the call with Ah-nee ended, the certifier turned to me with a warm smile. This is definitely not going to be a heartwarming story, right!? >The certifier casually throws shade, lol (U.S.) >Well, Iroha-chan is definitely more entric than our older sister. >There''s no normal person among VTubers in the first ce (U.S.) <> The probability of an entirely average person existing is practically 0. Everyone deviates from the norm in some way. So, even those who think of themselves as normal'' would show unique traits once they be a VTuber. All VTubers are unique, and you can be a VTuber like yourself. <> <> <> No follow-up!? I feel like I''ve been stabbed in the back! Sure, I have thenguage cheat. But, other than that, I''m an ordinary person! After all, sacrificing your life for the sake of being a VTuber is a universal human trait, right? Well, there are only two types of people in the world: those who have already realized the charm of VTubers and those who will. Yeah! I don''t really have any standout features other than the cheat! <> The certifier slowly looked around. Thements section fell silent as if holding its breath. <> I''m confident about the results. Still, for some reason, I''m nervous. The certifier spoke carefully as if savoring each word. <> <> Fanfare yed, and confetti burst from party poppers into the air. The chats section was filled with congrattory words. >Wo! >Congrats, Iroha-chan! (U.S.) >Truly, Iroha-sama is amazing! (Ukrainian) <> <> Angu Ogu ran towards me and jumped. I sumbed to the momentum and fell. And so, my long challenge for the Guinness World Record ended. And, a few dayster. Angu Ogu and I were having breakfast together as usual. It''s been almost two months sinceing to America. I''m already used to this scene. The only difference is. I direct my gaze to the edge of the living room. There, the Guinness Record certificate was disyed. And then, she pokes my arm. Uh-oh, a bad feeling. <> <> <> Angu Ogu pointed excitedly at the TV. I already feel like saying, "Spare me.". The update of the Guinness World Record became more popr than expected. Requests for appearances on news and variety shows kept pouring into my work contacts. [Trantor Girl Iroha is currently serving as a goodwill ambassador.] <> <> As a goodwill ambassador, I asionally conduct charity streams. A significant amount of donations has been collected. <> <> <> Angu Ogu snorted happily. No, what I said was directed at Angu Ogu, so exining would be too long, and I gave up. <> Actually, MyTube has a feature called Giving''. It''s not well-known, but you can set up your videos or streams to receive donations. Apparently, this function gained much more poprity after this incident. Many VTubers, including Angu Ogu, had started doing charity streams with Giving enabled. <> <> In the first ce, contributing to the world is easy. After all, you can donate from as low as 0 yen. It''s a simple method: just y videos of nonprofit organizations. The channel''s revenue is directed towards donations. So, for example, when you have nothing else to watch. By simply ying a video that interests you, you can easily do a little "good thing." The world is much more essible for everyone to save than they think. Even from the room you''re in right now. <> At that moment, a beep sound echoed, Beep!'' Who could it be? This early in the morning? <> <> <> I stopped Angu Ogu, who was about to get up, and checked the video on the inte, saying, "Okay." In an instant, I was shocked and choked on my surprise. Standing there was [Iroha-chan~! Hello~!], [Iroha-chan~! I came to y~!] "Ah-nee!? And, even Mai!?" Hearing my shout, Angu Ogu surprised, tumbled off the chair. Chapter 210: [Morning! Everyone, Gather!] Chapter 210: [Morning! Everyone, Gather!] Why the heck are you guys here!? Huh? Why? Because I wanted to be here. Oh, whats this! Were not talking philosophy! Dont just touch things without permission! Hehehe~! Iroha-chan, I missed you~! I love you~! Mai!? Youre too close to Iroha! Back off a bit! Unable to leave them outside, I invited A-Onee and Mai into the room. But it quickly became noisy. A-Onee was rummaging through things on her own, Mai was clinging to me, and Angoogoo was trying to pull Mai away. Hey, calm down, all of you! Hii!? I couldnt hold back and shouted. Ive had enough! Iroha-chan is angry!? Its Mais fault! Iroha will forgive us if we talk normally. Besides, its just the time for Japanese streamers now. Oh, I see. Because of the time difference. Everyone, sit there! Yes! Uuh Alright! I made the three sit on the floor and silenced them. Then, while Im enjoying breakfast and the stream until the end *** Phew, todays livestream was so much fun~. So, why did you alle? Hahaha~ got scolded, huh~, Ugh, my legs~!? Ugh~, its been a while since we met~ Three different reactions came back. Leaving Angu Ogu, who was down due to numb legs, the gaze of Ah-nee turned towards me. Why? We said we came to y, didnt we ~? I just wanted a bit of advance notice. I have ns too. Huh? But when I checked with your manager, they said okay? Ah-nee turned her gaze to the side. Mai, next to her, grinned, saying, Ehehe~. Is the manager Mai!? Could it be that the reason my schedule got fixed in June is because of this!? I cleared Iroha-chans schedule perfectly so we could have lots of fun~! Well be relying on you for a while~! What!? Saying that, Mai pointed to arge amount of luggage she brought with a serious look. I-Is she serious!? But its not just me; Angu Ogu has her circumstances. I-Iroha. My manager also got a message saying, Has she arrived now? It seems like they made the arrangements long ago. Seriously, what a mess. Haa~. But we came well. Mais middle school seems to have started summer vacation. Oh, is it already that time? Time had flown by with various VTuber events and getting involved in troubles. Before we knew it, it was already July, but Even though its still early in the month, Mais middle school starts summer vacation quite early, huh? Well, um, thats, you know~ Wait, Mai? You brought Ah-nee here because I heard she was okay!? The final exams are already over. Mai~!? Then, as if timed perfectly, Ah-nees smartphone rang. The disy showed Mom. Uh, h-hello Ahhhh!? N-no, this is not me, its Mai who I-Im sorry~! O-oh I witnessed an adult woman being scolded by her parents, crying heavily. Somehow, I still felt a bit sorry for Ah-nee. After a while, Ah-nee finished the call and gave us a thumbs-up. T-this is nothing! Ill just get a scolding when I get home, and thats it! Her voice was trembling, and tears were still in the corners of her eyes. She looked like she was putting on a brave front. Unable to endure any longer, she clung to me and began to cry out loud. Waaaah,fort me, Iroha-chan~! Alright, there there. Serves you right. Iroha-chan!? Oops, sorry. I usually get messed with all the time, so I couldnt help but feel resentful. Its unfair that only onee-chan gets petted! Mai has no right to say that!? I gave Mai a stern look. Usually, its mostly Ah-nees fault, but this time its all Mais fault. Angu Ogu seemed to want to say something like, I skipped school too, but the sense of such things is different between America and Japan. She should properly get scolded. Mai, really Ah, Iroha-chan, stop. Onee-chan is fine, so dont me Mai too much~ Huh? Surprisingly, Ah-nee herself defended Mai. This child seemed really lonely every day since Iroha-chan went to America. Thats why she couldnt endure it. Ugh When she said that, I felt a sense of responsibility as well. I couldnt scold her anymore. But Mai, from now on, everyone worries about you, so be sure to tell us. And Ah-nee? Can help too Oh, and, Mom said, Come back before summer vacation ends. Onee-chan Even Mai, who seemed to feel guilty, looked apologetic. Ah, well! Alright! Ouch! I lightly chopped Mai. She looked at me with her eyes swirling, holding her head. That settles it. Everyone gathered, and it was a waste to be gloomy. Alls well that ends well! So, lets explore Iroha-chans room right away~! Hey, dont enter without permission wait, huh!? Werent you crying just a moment ago!? Huh? Did I? As if the tears from a moment ago were a lie, Ah-nee was nonchnt. Wait, when I think about it, Mais Travel Consent Form Could it be that she noticed Mais lie from the beginning? No. Thats probably not it. Chapter 211: [Central Cleaning] Chapter 211: [Central Cleaning] Oh, really~. Onee-chan, will you show it to Mai too~? Mai stood up with an expressionless face, attempting to invade my room. Angu Ogu and I tried to stop her somehow. Wow, Mai! Stop, stop! Its my room, so its not okay for you to enter without permission!? Why not? You used to let me in when we were in Japan, right~? Huh!? Oh, that! Iroha is also a secret lover, right? Well, this is a peaceful ce. Wow, Angu-san, you know a lot about Iroha-chan, huh~? Eh!? Ill intrude then. Despite our desperate resistance, Mai broke through. With fear, we cautiously followed her into the room. Really, two pillows. And sniff this smell, one of them isnt Iroha-chans, huh~? Mai turned around with a creaking, almost robot-like movement. The moment we saw her face, Angu Ogu and I embraced each other in fear. On the same bed, what were you two doing every night? And why are you so naturally close? Its like youre used to physical contact, huh~? Wait, this is not I mean, um! D-Dont kill me! Iroha-chan? Ogu-san!? Hiiiiii!? And so, with Mai and Ah-nees arrival in the United States, we experienced a terrible ordeal. *** But its a really lovely room, isnt it~? In the future, it wouldnt be bad for Mai and Iroha-chan to live together. No, thats not it. This is my and Irohas room. Its called sticking together too much. Did you say something? Ogu-san? N-No, its nothing! I guided Mai through the room, who had hooked her arm around mine. Angu Ogu followed behind. Why is this happening? In the end, my life with Angu Ogupletely got exposed. Especially when Mai knew that we bathe together. I felt like my life was in danger. Really, it was much more terrifying than a robbery. Angu Ogu, too, had ingrained the fear, trembling every time Mai red at her. Ango-san is really sly. To think you had such a life with Iroha-chan. Well, while Im here, Iroha-chan belongs to Mai, okay~? In the end, for the time being, Mai and I slept in the same bed and took baths together to reach apromise. Originally, there were only two beds, and dividing into two pairs was fine, but H-Help me, Iroha! Sleeping in the same bed as Anego every day, Im going to die! Ogu. Iroha! Do your best. Iroha!? From my knowledge of Anegos sleeping habits, this proposal might be fortunate. However, the bath Why? I wasnt gaining anything from the beginning, so why was I subjected to such a punishment? But, at that moment, I didnt dare to argue with Mai. Wow, this is the bath~? Iroha-chan and I can fit in here perfectly~. But its strange~. Its not just the living room; even the bathroom feels cool~ Its called central heating. Heating~? By the way, even though its an air conditioner, I also call it heating. Conditioning is more urate. Well, it depends on the person. Isnt that right? I sometimes call the air conditioner a cooler. I see~ Answering Mais question, Angu Ogu and I. As summer approached and it got hotter, we used air conditioning in the room. The heating and cooling system in the United States ispletely different from Japan, where each room has its air conditioner. All rooms, including the toilet, are connected by ducts. And one heating and cooling unit manages the temperature of the entire house. As expected, the living room alone isnt enough, so we also run the ceiling fan. Its a fan-like object hanging from the ceiling, integrated with the lighting. Its often used in cafes in Japan. It looks fashionable at first nce, but it seems to be more mainstream in the United States. Even this kind of air conditioning is different between Japan and the United States. Iroha-chan! Can I change the temperature of all the rooms with the machine on this wall? From the living room, Ah-nee asked loudly. What, was she listening? She was exploring the rooms on her own. I didnt n to stop her until she got tired of it. Because its a bit hot, can I lower it~? Sure. She must have gotten excited and lowered the temperature. Well, its better than her saying, Its hot, lets wear swimsuits! or something. Actually, I was a little hot too, and it was convenient since Mai had her arms around me all the time! So, about this room I nodded in agreement and continued the tour. But. *** A-nee, you idiot~!? Ah-choo!? If you catch a cold after this, I wont forgive you, stupid Anego! Onee-chan, youre such a fool~! Sniffing, I wiped my nose. We ended up huddling together, shivering under the nket. Uh, um huh~!? Ah-nee tilted her head in confusion. Chapter 212: [Freedom Lady] Chapter 212: [Freedom Lady] Mai, Angu Ogu and I were wrapped together in a single nket. The room was as cold as midwinter. Ah-nee, do you have any idea what temperature you set the air conditioning to!? Well, let me think what was it again? But it was so hot, like boiling water, so I thought everyone must be feeling hot, and I lowered it properly. Didnt you find that strange!? America uses Fahrenheit, not Celsius! By the time the introductions were over, we realized that the room had be unusually cold. Hurriedly checking the control panel confirmed our suspicions. Sorry, sorry. I see, got it. Its because of the snacks, right? You fool! Dont you understand anything!? Ah-nee, never touch that thing again! Eh~!? She raised a dissatisfied voice, but it was the expected response. It concerned our lives. By the way, Ah-nee, youre cold too. Ah-nee looked at us with envy. Mai and Angu Ogu pressed closer to me as if to unt. Normally, I would push them away, but this was an emergency. It was better than freezing to death. Onee-chan, join us~! Ah-nee, dont cling to us. You wrap yourself in the nket alone. Ah-nee, no, reflect a bit~ Isnt this too much, everyone!? Its their fault. However, Ah-nee doesnt get discouraged by such refusals. Dont say that. Come on! Oops! In the end, she hugged us, and we all became a cozy (?) group. Thanks to that, I couldnt move at all. Ugh, its heavy Indeed, this position was getting ufortable. Just when I started thinking about that, Ah-nee eximed. Alright! Lets wait like this until the room warms up, and then lets go sightseeing together! Eh~? I want to stay close to Iroha-chan forever~ Dont say that. We came all the way to America. We should make some memories, right? Well, thats true, but My nced at me. Her eyes spoke, I hate to be apart.. If you want to be lovey-dovey, you can do it at night when youre alone. [!!!!Exactly!] Ah-nee!? Are you putting strange ideas into Mais head!? Then Iroha-chan, where have you sightseen so far? Any ces you liked or rmend? Huh? I searched my memory. But I couldnt recall anything. Sightseeing Sightseeing? Dont tell me, Iroha-chan, you havent gone anywhere!? Its been dozens of days since you came to America! Even if youre an indoor person, its not okay~! W-Well, even if I go to tourist spots, there are no VTubers there. Oh,e on! Oops! Ah-nee grabbed the nket we were wrapped in, and with a swoosh, she swept it away. Cold air swept over us. Its cold, cold, cold! Ah-nee, give the nket back! If youre cold, go outside! From now on, lets all go sightseeing in America together! Eh~!? Eh~!? It would be more meaningful to watch a stream at a time like this! Even Angu Ogu, the indoor type, tried to argue. Iroha-chan, look at this! This is New York! Ah-nee took my arm and pointed to the view below. Lets all explore America together! Eh~!? Eh~!? It would have been more worthwhile to watch the stream at that time! *** Ah-nee, did you really just arrive in America? What kind of vitality are you feeling? I muttered as I stumbled off the ne. Angu Ogu followed behind, looking tired. I decided its better now that Mais destination isnt the White House You were so enthusiastic about going there in the beginning. Why the sad face? I have to tour my hometown. Though, it feels like Angu Ogus case is just too unique. Shes the only one who considers visiting the White House a homing trip. Maybe Mai had a little fun. Its so easy to take a ne like this. Here, its just one of the major means of transportation. I often use it to attend events of VTubers in various ces. Oh, really? This time, were traveling on a domestic flight. Flying may seem like a grand affair, but in America, its not so. The nes themselves are not like what Japanese people might imagine. Many are small, amodating around 50 passengers. Its as casual as taking the Shinkansen in Japan. So, where in New York do you want to go? If were talking about well-known ces, theres Times Square, the Empire State Building, Ground Zero, and so on. However, more famous than all of those is, of course. You already know, right? When youe to New York, it has to be the Statue of Liberty! *** And she was all excited. However, I forgot. Ah-nee, with all her enthusiasm, there was no way trouble wouldnt follow. Hey, Ah-nee. Are you sure were going the right way? Haha, dont you know, Iroha-chan? The Earth is round, you know? Well definitely get there eventually, so its fine! That doesnt mean its fine! Looking around, there were towering buildings. My view got obstructed, and I couldnt find the Statue of Liberty, our destination. Wait a second. Im going to check the map Hey, where are you going, Ah-nee!? Leave it to onee-chan! Im going to ask that person over there for directions! What!? Wait!? A bad feeling. I tried to stop Ah-nee in a hurry, but I couldnt make it in time. Hey hey hey! Freedom Lady! Please, yeah! Aaah! Talking loudly wont help, you fool! Chapter 213: [Cheese!] Chapter 213: [Cheese!] Yesss! Im watching! Freedom Lady! <> The person asked for directions, tilting their head in confusion. Well, of course or rather, Freedom Lady, thats you, Ah-nee! Really, what a terrible forced English. It doesnt make any sense, but she doesnt stop. You, Freedom Lady, dont you understand? Then, Freeman! Search! <> Hmm? Yes? Not at all! Its not yes at all!? I couldnt help but interrupt the conversation. At this rate, the conversation will never end, let alone start the sightseeing. I want to go home and watch the stream! Iroha-chan. Not yes? Why the fake English for me? But well, its not yes. Hey! Freeman is no! Its not that Free America! What!? I was frozen by Ah-nees outrageous statement. The locals were also astonished, then became solemn. <> Oh! Thank you, very much! <> Yes! Free America! Together! Ah-nee and the locals bonded, tightly linking arms. If I hadnt intervened in the conversation, it would have gotten even worse. <> Ah, yes? <> Thank you! Lets go! With that, they began to walk,ughing heartily. And then. *** <> Okay! Goodbye! The local guide who helped us left with a beaming smile. Im sure I have a very bitter expression right now. Oh, geez. Iroha, I feel the same way too. Even though I dont understand much English, I can tell that your sister was acting crazy. The three of us shared a distant look. In our line of sightor right in front of ussomehow, the destination, the Statue of Liberty, was standing. How did ite to this!? A-ne looks at us with a triumphant expression. How about that? I told you, Iroha-chan. Leave it to onee-chan. Even asking for directions, I can handle it easily. Im also a somewhat global streamer~. No, no, no!? Im telling you, nothing got through! Hahaha, what are you saying? If nothing got through, that person wouldnt have guided us this far. Ugh!? That was just a coincidence! Heh, Iroha-chan the world isnt sweet enough for things to be achieved by coincidence alone, you know? At Ah-nees logical statement at a time like this, tension crept into my temples. This guy. Hold on, Iroha! I understand your feelings! Since its onee-chan, after all~! Right~? Angu Ogu and Maiforted me with a soothing Dont worry.. Thats right. I had forgotten because weve been apart for so long, but A-onee-san is like this. She canmunicate through passion alone, even if it doesnt make sense. When I was living in Japan, I somehow endured it. But anyway, this is the Statue of Liberty, huh? Yeah~! Somehow its smaller than I thought! Ane-go, you should be a bit more reserved. Thats right! Since were here, lets take a photo together~! Uh, excuse me! Ah-nee said, trying to talk to the nearby people. I hastily stopped her. Wait, Ah-nee. Ill handle that kind of negotiation. I dont want any more trouble. With that in mind, I intervened, but Iroha, stop. This isnt Japan, okay? You cant just hand your smartphone to someone who doesnt know about it. If it gets stolen, you cantin. Eh. I didnt think about that. Mai has a selfie stick~. Its not that it will definitely be stolen, but self-defense is important. Especially since our smartphones contain a lot of work-rted confidential information. Okay, lets take the picture. Say cheese. Cheese! In response to Angu Ogus call, we made peace signs or heart signs. The shutter sound echoed. Come to think of it, the photo call in America is the same as in Japan~. I think that was originally from there, wasnt it? While saying that, we all peered into the screen to check the quality of the photo. The photo showed the four of us huddled together and the Statue of Liberty firmly in the background. Now, heres the question. The Statue of Liberty, at her feet are chains and shackles, in her right hand is a torch, and in her left hand is a book. Do you know whats written in that book? Angu Ogu suddenly threw a quiz at us. Why now? I tilted my head, thinking about the answer. Oh!? I realized and checked todays date on my smartphone. Chapter 214: Chapter 214: Extra chapter thanks to Kodenir
The book is held in the left hand of the Statue of Liberty. What is written there? Independence Day, huh I see. July 4th is tomorrow. It might have been good timing for Mai to rush over here with her reckless actions. Oh, is that so~? Is there some festival? Its not like theres nothing like that. There are things you can only do on Independence Day. I knew about Independence Day itself from studying society. But what exactly are the things that can only be done on that day? Well then, shall we buy something on the way backter? Even if I dont understand, of course! Ah-nee wouldnt miss events like this. Naturally, she agrees. We left the Statue of Liberty behind, not as the Freedom Lady. But as the Statue of Liberty. *** Wow~. Before we knew it, it was already a good time, huh? Mai looked up at the darkening sky and said. While Angu Ogu was busy buying something. We were casually checking out various shops. Time had melted away in the blink of an eye. And it was all because of Ah-nee reacting to everything one by one. But even more than that. The first time, getting lost and wasting time was a big deal, right? You dont get it, Iroha-chan! Tourism is about enjoying everything, including those detours! Thats a meaningful line only when someone other than Ah-nee says it, right? More importantly, lets eat~! Onee-chan is hungry~! Hey! Ignoring our conversationpletely, Ah-nee was saying whatever she pleased. Freedom! No, that was exactly right. But Im hungry too. Come to think of it, we havent had lunch. I did have a light snack on the ne, but being a domestic flight, it was more like a snack. Oh!? That shop over there looks interesting! Alright, lets go in! Eh~!? Onee-chan, are you serious~!? Wevee all the way to America~!? Wait, Anego! If were going to eat, lets go to another ce! Hello! Well, toote now. Ah-nee opened the door of the restaurant and barged in. We had no choice but to follow her. Before she could start talking enthusiastically, I informed the staff. <> <> The response from the staff was a Japanese greeting. Moreover, everyone was dressed in uniforms resembling white happi coats. Furthermore, as we moved deeper into the restaurant, the scent of seafood and vinegar wafted through the air. Yes, this ce was. Why is the first meal we have in America sushi? I honestly dont like American sushi. Well, its fine, its fine! Of all things, it had to be a sushi restaurant. Well, to be urate, there are hardly any specialty stores in America, so its more like a [Japanese restaurant]. Eh~, what should I get~! Ah-nee began to happily choose from the menu. Since we were already here, there was no helping it. We tried to choose sushi as well. I, I have no idea about any of these dishes. Hey, Ogu, I know California Roll is inside out, but what about Dynamite Roll here? Its the one with shrimp tempura rolled up. O-Ogu-san! Th-this one here! Spider roll, does that mean!? Dont jump to conclusions. Its called Spider Roll, but its not rolled with spiders. And the Caterpir Roll over there doesnt have caterpirs rolled in, okay? In this lively manner, we made our choices from the menu. Since we were in America, we focused on American-style sushi rolls. We ced our orders with the staff and after a while. As we looked at the sushi that arrived. American sushi looks visually extravagant, huh~. Seaweed was rolled inside, salmon wasyered on the outside, or there were toppings like tobiko. Sometimes, the sauce was drizzled from the top. It was a colorful array of dishes. Alright then, lets dig in! Bon apptit~ Itadakimasu Itadakimasu. After joining our hands, each of us reached for the sushi. I also bit into a sushi roll. Its taste was. Mmm, delicious~! The only one who raised her voice was Ah-nee. Angu Ogu let out a sigh and said. Thats why I didnt want to. I wonder why. Is there something different? Even though the ingredients seem to be not that different, apart from the shape. Theres vinegared rice, theres seaweed, theres seafood. Soy sauce is also on the table. But something feels off. Thats probably because of thew. ? Why are we talking about thew here? The seafood served in these restaurants has to be frozen once. Is that so? I dont know why, but tuna is an exception. It might be a bit better. Here, aaah. Angu Ogu offered a roll of sushi with a reddish sauce on it. In the flow, I also bite with an aaah.. What!? Ogu-san, thats not fair~!? Whats the name of this one? Its the Spicy Tuna Roll. Oh~ mgh!? How is it, Iroha-chan? Is Mais sushi delicious~? Dont shove things into my mouth while Im talking. Mai stuffed sushi with soft-shell crab into my mouth. I chewed on it, and Angu Ogu screamed as if she couldnt endure it. Aah, seriously! Why is American sushi so f*cked up? Anego aside, isnt it uneptable for Iroha and the others as Japanese!? This is sphemy against sushi Well, not really? Mai probably doesnt mind? Eehhh!? As Angu Ogu began to criticize American sushi harshly, we tilted our heads. For some reason, she, being an American, was the only one rejecting the sushi rolls, creating a strange reversal. Chapter 215: [Etymology Quiz] Chapter 215: [Etymology Quiz] W-What are you saying!? What do you mean different from what Iroha said earlier!? Yeah, I did say that. But I dont think its bad; I find this quite delicious. Well, yeah~ In response to my statement, Mai nodded in agreement. Meanwhile, Ah-nee was happily devouring the rolled sushi beside us. Could it be, Ogu, youre getting influenced by Japan again? Huh!? N-No way. Well, maybe a bit. Indeed, its a different dish from traditional Japanese sushi. If you eat it considering it as something else, its actually delicious. Here, ahh. I picked up a piece of rolled sushi with chopsticks and offered it to Ogu. It wasnt until afterward that I realized what I had done. Since the same thing had been done to me earlier, I unconsciously reciprocated. But its toote to worry about it now. Whether doing it or having it done to me, it doesnt make much difference. I-Iroha-chans ahh from me too!? W-Well, its my first time doing this! Ah-nee, looking a bit bewildered, swallowed nervously. Then she said, Thank you and opened her mouth. Nom munch munch. Strangely, it feels delicious when youre told. Im nervous, so I cant really taste it properly! If Iroha-chan eats it, anything will taste delicious for sure! Iroha-chan, let me try too~! Im not your parent bird. Eat it yourself. I picked up a piece of rolled sushi with chopsticks and put it in my mouth. Mai screamed, Ahh! in surprise. Iroha-chan! Me too, ahh! Aah~! Haa~, fine. There, ahh. Mai happily opened her mouth, and right after that, Ah-nee appeared from the side, swiftly snatching the rolled sushi from my chopsticks. Mmm~! Iroha-chans sushi is so tasty~! Oh,e on, big sister! Spit it out~! Ahaha! Hey, wait!? Ugh, its choking!? Mai grabbed Ah-nee and started strangling her, but everyone seemed to be doing well. Quietly, Ogu and I retreated to the side so as not to get involved. As a bonus, I took another Spicy Tuna Roll from her te. Iroha, do you like this? Not particrly. But I prefer things made with unusual ingredients like avocado, smoked cheese, chili sauce things I dont usually see. If its too close to regr sushi, it might feel different from Japanese sushi. I see. Hey, Iroha! Heres a question after the Statue of Liberty; Ogus quiz! Following the Statue of Liberty incident, Ogu presented another quiz. I wonder if quizzes are a trend for her. The negitoro used in this Spicy Tuna Roll is visiblycking green onions. Still, do you know why its called negitoro? It was a surprisingly difficult question, and I pondered over it. Negitoro? Not only does itck green onions, but its not even toro. I thought for a while, but the answer didnte. I surrendered honestly, Hmm, I give up. I dont know. FFuFuhaha! Ive finally defeated Iroha! Oguughed triumphantly. Well, theres no need to celebrate just because I couldnt answer. In reality, Ive been preparing for this moment since the incident with the doggy bag. I wanted to make you say Gah someday! Oh, is that so? What a waste of effort. What are you saying!? Its not a waste now! Iroha, do you want to know the answer? Well, if you know it, sure. Do you know the answer, Ah-nee? Mocking me, are you? I wouldnt ask a question without knowing the answer! By the way, Iroha, do you even know what negitoro is made of? Its made from the belly part of the tuna, right? Exactly! And the answer is. In the past, in Japan, removing the belly part from the bones was called ne-gi-toru! So, even without green onions, just the tuna alone is called negitoro! Ah-nee proudly exined, puffing her chest. I nodded understandingly, I see, and then told her, Uh, Ogu. Sorry to interrupt your triumphant moment, but that might be misinformation? Huh!? In general, every word has its origin or etymology, but as far as I know, theres no connection between negitoru and the act of removing the belly part. In fact, the etymology of negitoru might be more likely to be the other way around. [!?!?!? So, I am now Revealing a proud misunderstanding, maybe? Thats why I also answered I dont know. If you know the answer, Id like to know too. W-What!? Is it my fault now!? Well, if anything, its more like the other persons fault. Ah-nee doesnt know about thenguage cheat, so its understandable. Waah If thats the case, Iroha, I Your misunderstanding would be quite the spectacle. So, I also answered I dont know. If you know the answer, Id like to know too. Ugh I-I might not know either! Oh, Ah-nee, that idea is interesting! Lets go with that! Soon, well do a segment to discover Iroha-chans first-time experiences! Well ask various VTubers to share episodes and questions! Whaaat!? Once again, Ah-nee brought up something troublesome. Sensing trouble, I grimaced. Chapter 216: [Clearly Sweet] Chapter 216: [Clearly Sweet] Why does Ah-nee always decide on my ns, even though its a routine? Well, well, dont worry about it! Sigh Theres a troublesome side to Ah-nee, which I cant outright call a favor. I have no choice but to give up and ept it. Of course, I could resist, but I know from experience that I cant win! Its just a waste of energy. So, to avoid spoilers, onee-chan will reach out to various people and spread the word! Its the perfect chance for Ogu to get revenge! Lets fight together! Hey, winning in the linguistic field against Iroha is tough, though. Why are you being so pessimistic? By the way, the prize for the winner is the right to hear Iroha-chan say their favorite line! All right, Im in! Wait, sister! Do you have my confirmation for that? I cant allow that much! In the past, I came up with a n just saying fool in variousnguages I had a terrible experience. I wont let history repeat itself! But if I ask Iroha-chan, shell say no, right? Of course! So, we have to force it, right? Why not give up there, or at least consider changing it? Oh, oh, onee-chan~! How about soliciting ideas from the general listeners as well? Mai Thats hiring! Mai too!? The conversation is gradually getting more intense. The 3 of them were enthusiastically refining the details of the n. Sigh I sigh deeply and gaze at the ceiling. Naturally, there was no room for my opinion to be inserted. *** It was on the way back. Walking through the city after sunset with the 4 of us, raindrops started to fall gently. Ugh, looks like its starting to rain. Huh!? Im more worried about tomorrow. Look, the weather forecast says it will clear up soon, right? Well, if thats the case, then were fine. Is Angu Ogu worrying about things that can only be done on Independence Day? Showing the smartphone screen, he sighed with relief. Haha! It might be just right since it was hot! Well, after such an intense meeting, its understandable. Skipping through the rain, Ah-nee danced as the car headlights and city lights illuminated the raindrops, giving her a fantastical aura. Ah-nee, calm down a bit. People passing by are giggling at you. I look like the Rain-bringer, dont I? Its fine! Thats exactly what I am! Even if you catch a cold, I wont care! But now that I think about it, Ive never seen Ah-nee unwell. Hahaha! Im invincible! I couldnt imagine Ah-nee being bedridden. If such a thing happened, it might be a sign of impending disaster. Really Mai, looking exasperated, took out a folding umbre. Angu Ogu curiously looked at Mais hands. Speaking of which, in Japan, people use umbres when it rains, you know? Huh? Isnt that obvious? No, look around. Huh? Now that you mention it, no one else seems to be using umbres. I dont bother carrying an umbre unless its a heavy downpour. Almost no one carries a foldable umbre unless its pouring. This is how it is during sudden rain in New York. I see. That exins the situation where no one uses an umbre even in the rain. Why is that? Is it because of the climate? America is rtively hot and dry throughout the year. Even if your clothes get wet, they would quickly dry. Besides, its part of theid-back national character. People here quite like rain. Also, in the case of New York Oh!? While Angou Ogu was exining, Mai opened her folding umbre. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew through, turning the umbre into a broken Teru Teru Bozu. In New York, the building wind is quite strong. I was going to say that. If only you had said that 10 seconds earlier! Sorry, sorry. Angu Ogu went to help Mai, who was dealing with the broken umbre. Left alone, Ah-nee called out to me. Iroha-chan, over here! Everyones walking so slowly! Hah,e on. Ah-nee is just advancing ahead on her own. While saying that, I quickened my pace and caught up with Ah-nee. She was walking backward,ughing. Make sure to look ahead properly. I know~. Checked the signal, okay? Move on! Confirming the green signal, Ah-nee stepped onto the crosswalk. In an instant, I pulled her arm. Ah-nee, be careful!! Immediately, with a loud roar, a truck passed right in front of us. Ah-nee hugged my chest and unbnced herself. Whoa, hold on! Unable to support her, I fell backward with Ah-nee. Ugh, my bottomnded right in a puddle!? Somehow, it looked like I wet myself. But more importantly What are you doing? I told you its dangerous! In our traffic rules Without thinking, I shouted at Ah-nee in a scolding tone. Ah-nee looked up at me with a puzzled expression. Ah-nee? Huh!? Uh, um Im sorry. Something seemed off. Whats going on? Why is that Ah-nee acting so submissive!? Chapter 217: [Crossroads Of Love] Chapter 217: [Crossroads Of Love] Whats wrong, Ah-nee? Why are you acting so meek? Somethings off. Huh!? W-well, its, um, nothing strange! More like, its heavy. I push away Ah-nee, whos been hanging over me forever. She springs up, somehow ending up sitting seiza on the ground. Anego, are you okay!? Onee-chan, are you safe~!? Is Iroha-chan okay too~!? Angu Ogu and Mai rush over, realizing the situation. Then, they both tilt their heads seeing Ah-nee acting strangely. What happened to Ah-nee? I dont know. Maybe she got surprised by almost getting into an ident? Well, Ah-nee is not like that normally, I think. Hey, everyone, whats going on!? Im just normal, okay!? We exchange nces and nod. Something is definitely off. No, for now, lets focus on that car from earlier! I cant forgive that! I agree. It was clearly reckless driving. But Ah-nee, youre like Ah-nee! Be sure to check before crossing! I continue the scolding from earlier. Indeed, I had confirmed that the pedestrian signal was green before crossing. But that alone was not enough. You didnt check the road, right? Did you forget? In America Even with a red signal, you can turn right! But in New York, where we are now, right turns on red signals are prohibited. Eh, really!? Hmm. I can easily win in matters like this. That isnt rted tonguage or VTubers. Angu Ogu sighs and says so. Its inevitable. Everyone cant remember things that dont interest them. But, that means Thats right. The car just now ignored the signal. Hahaha, dont think you can get away with angering me for free. Wow. I see a glimpse of the president in Angu Ogus smile. Like father, like daughter. I definitely dont want to make enemies out of this pair. But, right now Angu Ogu goes to instruct the Secret Service. Judging by the decreasing number, some are probably chasing the car from earlier. Despite the drivers fault, the other party was clearly in the wrong. My condolences. Sorry. Ah-nee doesnt seem to be at fault. N-no. If you hadnt scolded me just now, I might have made the same mistake elsewhere. So, thank you. Um, hehe Eek!? Onee-chan is too honest. Its creepy! Mai shouts in terror. I feel the same uneasiness, but then I notice. Wait, isnt it actually convenient if Ah-nee stays quiet? Or rather, isnt it better without any trouble? Alright! Come on, Ah-nee. How long are you going to sit on the ground in the rain? I reach out my hand to Ah-nee. She nods, but she doesnt reach for my hand. Oh,e on, itste! I grab Ah-nees hand rather forcibly and pull her up. A manly move even though, in reality, its just a pose due to ack of strength. However, that action seems to have struck a chord with her. Y-yes Ah-nee blushes and lowers her gaze. I dont understand. I dont really understand, but this might work! I dont know why she suddenly became like this, but could this maintain my peace during the rest of my American life? We have a ne to catch, so lets go home soon. Come on, Ah-nee. Y-yeah. I pull Ah-nees hand and start walking. Ah-nee timidly follows. Could it be? But, especially from onee-chan hmm~ Mai observes Ah-nees behavior, seemingly lost in thought. *** And then, the next day. The morning of Independence Day had arrived. Mmm its so bright. The sunlight wakes me up as it shines on my face. Looking outside the window, its a clear sky as forecasted. Wait, whats with this chaotic situation!? I sit up and look around, realizing that everyone is sprawled out on my rooms bed. Oh, right. Yesterday aftering back Even though its domestic, the United States is vast. I got homete at night, or rather, it was already dawn. I tried to sleep on the ne, but that didnt fully relieve the fatigue. Even Ah-nee, who usually handles Japan to the U.S. and back on domestic flights well, seemed to struggle. We all copsed on the bed as if falling apart, sleeping together. Seriously, whats the point of assigning rooms huh? Wait, are you all getting along!? I direct a surprised look at Ah-nee. Her sleeping posture is the worst no, its disaster-level, yet shes peacefully snoring away. Chapter 218: [Perfect Barbecue Weather] Chapter 218: [Perfect Barbecue Weather] Good morning~~~~! With a bang, the door swung open energetically, and there she was, Ah-nee. We, who were chatting in the living room, turned our attention to her. Well, isnt it a fabulous American morning! But seriously, everyones already awake! So early! Its good morning, not good night.'' Honestly, is it just my big sister who oversleeps? Huh!? I dont think so! Look, its still just barely morning! Safe! Im great for waking up early! Ah-nee was high-spirited from the moment she woke up. Somehow just as usual. Mai and Angu Ogu were observing her while exchanging whispers in hushed tones. They seemed quite serious. The topic seemed to be about Ah-nee. I inadvertently overheard. Doesnt Sister look the same as always? Well, it might be too early to judge, right? Certainly, yesterday seemed surprisingly normal. While eating humble pie, I greeted Ah-nee. Ah-nee, good morning. It might be due to jetg, but its better to get up properly. You need to get used to it here; otherwise, itll be toughter on. Huh, Iroha-chan!? Oh, good morning. Um yeah. I got it. Ah-nee mumbled the end of her sentence and looked down. An awkward silence filled the living room. She hasnt changed at all, has she!? Mai, that big sister of ours Especially when ites to her, right!? Sigh, seriously. This is bing troublesome. And to think As if assigning me to each other, they argued in hushed tones. I suddenly realized that I could hear their conversation. Did I mention to them that I could read lips? It might be a good idea to warn them just in case. Um, you two. If its a secret conversation, make sure its out of my line of sight But really, our big sister falling in love with Iroha-chan!? Huh!?! I turned abruptly to Ah-nee. When our eyes met, her cheeks turned bright red. Hmm? Iroha, were you trying to say something? N-nothing at all!? Is that so? No, no, no, thats impossible! After all, the other party is Ah-nee! But that moist, feverish gaze of hers The more I thought about it, the more it seemed like the only exnation. I started sweating profusely, feeling like I was in a tight spot. This is no time to be saying its easier to be modest! Well, maybe we should observe a bit longer for now Yeah, thats right. We should start soon, or we might run out of time. Hmm? Do you have ns for something? Angu Ogu had a mischievous grin. Then, she stood in front of the giant refrigerator. Listen up, you guys! Since its an event day, Im putting extra effort into cooking! Everyones gathered, so today, Ill teach you all a genuine American barbecue! The open refrigerator was packed with plenty of meat. Mai and Ah-nee eximed, Ohh~! I made up my mind. Alright! Lets just pretend I didnt hear what I heard earlier! But Ogu, where are we going to have the barbecue? Did you forget, Iroha? This apartment has a shared barbecue area, you know? Oh, right. There were grills and tables already set up. There was also a gym and a pool, but we had forgotten about them because we rarely used them. It takes time to prepare, so lets start right away! Ohh~! Although Angu Ogu is usually an indoor person, she was unusually enthusiastic this time. Perhaps she had been craving a barbecue for a long time. Even she sumbed to the allure of American barbecue lovers. So, lunch will be barbecue, huh? What are you talking about? Its obviously for dinner! Huh? No, no, it must be a misunderstanding. Angu Ogu, who usually only makeszy meals, couldnt possibly Um, Ogu? By the way, how many hours do you expect it to take to make that barbecue? Well, itll take a bit About 5 hours!'' I fled. However, I was cornered. With momentum, I identally collided with Angu Ogus chest. She embraced me tightly as if not letting go. Iroha~, its going to be so much fun from now on! E-eeek Out of fear, a strange sound escaped my throat. This was the first time in my life that I had received such an unpleasant hug. *** We each left the room, carrying ingredients and cooking utensils in both hands. In the end, we were persuaded by Angu Ogu. Whats going on with the passion for American barbecue..? <> And right there, we bumped into other residents of the apartment. Since our directions were the same, we exchanged greetings as we walked. <> <> Iroha-chan, do you know him~? Yeah, hes our neighbor, Papa-san. Facing the towering man, Mai asked, somewhat hiding behind my back. Its understandable to feel a bit intimidated during a first meeting with people who are all big like this. It might be a bit surprising. Iroha-chan is also involved in this neighborhood interaction, huh~? Well, not exactly. You see, in America, it bes unnatural not to greet people when passing by. Moreover, what we call greetings here is more like casual small talk. Naturally, you be somewhat friendly. <> Wow! Great big man! Hello! Hey, Anego!? Ah-nee was expressing her thoughts straightforwardly. Seems like shes back to her usual self. It appears she wont return to normal unless I initiate a conversation. <> <> <> I see, today is July 4th after all Today, Angu Ogu and others were exchanging a special greeting as Americans. <> <> <> <> We passed through the entrance of the apartment and went outside. When the barbecue area came into view, I noticed. <> Smoke was already rising from the barbecue grill. His wife and children seemed to be having fun preparing in the midst of it. <> Suddenly, it seemed like a cross-cultural exchange meeting was about to begin. Chapter 219: [Make-Believe] Chapter 219: [Make-Believe] Under the blue sky, on the green grass, I watched as Mai and Ah-nee yfully interacted with Papa-sans daughter. <> <> The delicious smell of grilling meat wafted from the grill. Sitting alongside Papa-san, who lives in the same apartment, I sipped on juice. Although our timing coincided, we decided to barbecue together since we had the chance. Come to think of it, this kind of interaction might be the first sinceing to America. <> <> <> <> <> At that moment, Angu Ogu joined us. In her hands, she carried a massive chunk of meat. <> <> <> While they arrange our meat, they ask, <> <> <> Upon seeing the colossal chunk of meat on the grill, Angu Ogu was shocked. After trembling for a moment, he faced Papa-san. <> <> <> <> <> They argued vehemently. It doesnt matter to me if I say that, Ill surely get involved, so Ill stay silent. In Japan, they say No politics and baseball talk, but in America, it seems to be about barbecues. And they arent really fighting; its more like yful banter. Its like the mushroom and bamboo shoot war in Japan. While smiling wryly, I was suddenly pulled by the arm. <> <> Papa-sans daughter seemed to be inviting me. Hmm, I dont really understand how to interact with kids. <> <> Reluctantly, I was led away, arm in arm. While spreading toys on the grass, the girl said, <> <> <> <> <> What is this embarrassing y!? Forced into a baby move by a little girl, my head was being petted. Mai and Ah-nee, dont look at me! Stop with the affectionate gaze! <> <> < > <> <> I sneak a nce at Ah-nee. Usually, I wouldnt mind, but after hearing that story <> <> <> <> I see. Okay it is! Ai-onee-chan gives a lively thumbs up. No way, you absolutely dont understand anything! Um, Ah-nee? Im supposed to be Papa, and Ah-nee is supposed to be Mama, right? Unable to help it, I trante the girls English and convey it to them. In an instant, Ah-nees face turns bright red, and she freezes. Y-you want me to marry Iroha-chan!? N-no, its just a role! Its just pretend! Oh, right, yeah! I totally get it! Again, it bes an awkward atmosphere. Seeing us like that, Mai was shivering. U-uh this its really going to be like this!? Little girl, I want a role for Mai too! <> The girl points at Mai and says. It was an innocent, sparkling gaze without malice. W-what? A dog? Um, not that, Iroha-chans <> Repeatedly, the girl dered. This time, with a different meaning, the surroundings fell into silence. Uwahhh! <> K-kids can be cruel, huh? I quietly averted my eyes from Mai. Chapter 220: [Goodbye Kiss] Chapter 220: [Goodbye Kiss] Iroha-chan, help me~! Mai. Iroha-chan! Dont dogs using humannguage bother you? Whaaat!? ying along with kids is also our job as adults. Well, in my case, I can understand whether its a dog or not. Kuun! Kuun! .Ah. Good boy, good boy. !?!?!? I pat Mais head as he whines. Im just treating him like a dog as nned, but for some reason, Maigets is excited. Kyuuun, purr purr~. Ehehe~. Mai maybe could be Iroha-chans dog. Mai says quietly, and Im astonished, Is that okay with you? Then, embarrassed Ah-nee pinches the hem of my clothes and shyly speaks. Da-Darling Uh, um Yes, Honey. Unconsciously, we stare at each other. <> <> I also feel embarrassed and quickly avert my gaze. Damn it. What is this? Even though shes that rough Ah-nee! <> Um, is this okay? With toy cooking utensils in hand, Ah-nee pretends to cook. Its good acting, really. I once tasted Ah-nees handmade chocte on Valentines Day, and it was hell. If I be her husband, it will surely be tough every day. N-no, no. Since a while ago, my thoughts have clearly been drifting in a strange direction. Thanks to Ah-nees weirdness, Im losing myposure too. Dinners ready~. Here, Darling. Aah~ A-ah~ W-wan~!? Woof~! Desperately barking, Mai tries to disturb us. But its our daughters request, so I cant help it. Moreover, this is just acting. Just acting, thats all. <> <> Finally, I can be released. Just when I thought so, our daughter dropped a bombshell. <> <> W-whats wrong, Iroha-chan Darling? I heard something about a kiss. Eh, ah, y-you see W-wan~~~!? Hearing kiss, even Mai panics. Why is this happening!? <> Pushed by our daughter, I face my Ah-nee, feeling her encouragement on my back. Ah-nees face is also beet red, and shes flustered. What should I do ugh, seriously! I scratch my head vigorously and confront Ah-nee head-on. Im getting irritated in a full circle. Why do I have to allocate so much brainpower to something other than being a VTuber? This is just ying house; its odd to be troubled by it. Ah-nee, dont move. Hyahyainggh!? I grabbed Ah-nee by the cor and pulled her down. Perhaps because it was a surprise attack on her, she easily Her face approaches Chutsu. Gyawaaah~!? Mais scream resonates in the American sky. After finishing my business with Ah-nee, I push her away with a thud. W-wait!? Stepping on the te, she copses from her knees, holding her face with a deep red blush. Wiping my mouth, I say to my daughter, <> <> With my daughters approval, I leave the scene. Exiting the yhouse, I return to the table where the parents are. <> <> <> <> Saying that, I make a kissing sound with my lips. Come to think of it, since its just yacting, there was no need to seriously kiss. So, what I did earlier was just mimicking a kiss near Ah-nees face. Well, from the perspective of those around usespecially Mine, who was crouching and pretending to be a dogI dont know how it looked. <> <> Angu Ogu starts talking about the barbecue. This girl,pletely unaware of our struggles, is immersed in the meat. <> I send her a resentful look and take a sip of the juice I was drinking. By the way,e to think of it, Papa-san was drinking the same thing. < > <> <> Drinking alcohol while enjoying cherry blossoms or on the beach is unique to Japan. Or so I thought, but Papa-san denied it with a no. <> <> <> <> <> <> The wife, who was preparing side dishes at another table, appears with arge te. Ignoring our gazes, they reconcile with a kiss. <> <> Watching this, their daughter must have grown up. No wonder. I nodded in understanding. Chapter 221: [Don’t Fall Down The Rabbit Hole] Chapter 221: [Dont Fall Down The Rabbit Hole] Watching the affectionate American couple, I ponder. Is this a cultural gap? <> <> <> <> Ango seems a bit embarrassed as he says this. Is, is that okay? <> <> <> Thinking about it, when do families with children find the time for baby-making activities? Probably earlier than when work ends, maybe on weekends <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Dont talk about that in front of the kids! I want to interject, but since only adults are present, well its fine. But really, they dont seem to find discussions about baby-making or rted topics sensitive. Im not sure if sensitive is the right term, but somehow, I feel like I understand why Japan is experiencing a declining birthrates. <> <> <> <> <> Thats another cultural gap. In Japan, its considered good for parents and children to sleep side by side. <> Independence or attachment, both have their pros and cons. Maybe the high rate of homelessness in America and the high rate of social withdrawal in Japan perhaps, these differences areing from here. <> <> <> I see, its legal here. As a Japanese person, just the name drugs makes me feel terribly frightened. <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> Indeed, if taken to the extreme, it could be harmful. Yeah, everything is best in moderation! <> <> <> <> <> America is really big. Hearing that, indeed, Papa-san and Mama-san seem like rare cases. <> <> <> <> <> <> Hearing such a conversation, I had an epiphany. I see. Obviously, not every American is adept at handling guns. <> I thought of the shooting range as part of my hobbies, but apparently, its not just that. It seems to be a kind of rehearsal for self-defense. In Japan, we prepare anti-crime goods and conduct evacuation drills in preparation for earthquakes. Simrly, in America, they prepare guns and conduct shooting practices to resist robbery. <> I realize Ive been invited. Come to think of it, Ive never tried shooting in America. Chapter 222: [Fire -Fear and Foaming-] Chapter 222: [Fire -Fear and Foaming-] A shooting range, huh? Honestly, if someone were to ask if Im interested, it would be a bit ambiguous. <> I have many crushes who y FPS, but its different from real guns. Besides, in my case, I cant own a gun anyway. So it wouldnt be any training for me. Above all, I dont have many good memories with guns. Just as I was about to decline, thinking Id rather spend that time watching a live stream Okay! Lets go! Huh, Anego!? Where did youe from!? Ah-nee, who was supposed to be engrossed in ying house, suddenly interrupted the conversation. Really, she never misses anything that seems fun. However, it seems the disturbance from earlier is still lingering. Her face is a bit red, and she keeps ncing in my direction. How did you understand the content when it was in English? Well, you know? Even I work globally. Im familiar with wordsmonly used in jobs. So, where are we going? Didnt you hear the conversation!? Oh, work? Shooting. Yeah. So, were going to a shooting ce, right? Huh~ Ha~ Whats wrong with you two? Ah, my sister tilted her head in confusion. Its not about shooting, its different. <> <> Thank you very much! Ah-nee~!? As expected, the conversation settled on going in that direction. Well, even if she had understood shooting, my sister might have been excited in that case too. We chat like that, and get dragged into our daughters pretend y again. And amidst all that, time continues to pass. *** <> Ohh~! <> < > It looks so delicious! We cheered in front of the various meats spread across the table. After five hours without lunch and using energy in pretend y, hunger had reached its limit. <> <> First, I touched the thinly sliced red meat. It was so tender that it seemed like it might crumble on the way to my mouth. <> <> Even if its said so naturally. Its undeniably delicious. Next to me, Ah-nee was also savoring it with a satisfied Mmm! These spare ribs are delicious too! The bones came off so smoothly! <> Woah~!? The daughter offered the bone removed from the spare ribs to our dog. Or rather, was Mai still imitating a dog? Mai seemed to be quite fond of it. <> Papa-san took a bite of the pulled pork sandwiched between buns and widened his eyes in surprise. Then, he smiled at Angu Ogu. <> <> Angu Ogu also grinned while chewing on her meat. It seemed like a battle was happening there alone. What are they doing? As I sighed in disbelief, a pitiful voice came from the side, Iroha-chan.. I want to eat meat too~! Okay, okay. Ill feed you. We did something simr at a sushi restaurant yesterday. No, at that time, was it just Mai who missed out on eating? While thinking about such things, I fed her a piece of meat. Theres also an aspect of pushing off the daughterspanionship a bit and apologizing for that. Ugh~! Iroha-chans kindness makes it delicious~! I-Iroha-chan Darling. Give some to me too ahh. Hey, you guys!? While I was seriously into barbecue, what on earth are you doing!? Ah-nee and Angu Ogu also joined the fray. In no time, the situation turned chaotic. <> <> While being thoroughly messed up by the three, I made a bitter face. And so, we enjoyed the meat until we were full. *** Before I knew it, the surroundings had bepletely dark. The earlier excitement had cooled down, and the atmosphere now felt exactly like the aftermath of a festival. Dividing the tasks, we were cleaning up. I was about to carry the cooking utensils I had used when Uh, its heavy!? Careful! The unexpectedly heavy load was about to slip from my hands, but Ah-nee helped me. I breathed out a sigh and expressed my gratitude. Thanks, Ah-nee. Uh, yeah! We continued carrying the items together. Somehow, it felt strangely ufortable, making me fidget. Oh, right. By the way, what was that thing Ogu mentioned, something that can only be done on Independence Day? T-Thats right! Um I tried to bring up a topic, but we quickly fell into silence again. However, in that quietness that enveloped us, I distinctly heard a sound. Bang! The dry sound echoed in the night air. My body moved faster than my will, instinctively shielding my precious crush. Ah-nee! Huh? Dropping the items, I covered Ah-nee. Seriously, after the discussion about the shooting range, now this? I wiped off cold sweat, staring intently into the darkness. Chapter 224: [Caught In The Heat] Chapter 224: [Caught In The Heat] The fireworks illuminated the two of us. Closing my eyes, I was captivated by Ah-nee, waiting patiently for her response. Gulp. Unintentionally, my throat made a sound. No! What am I thinking? My affection is solely for the VTuber Anegasaki M. Even now, I believe in maintaining the boundary between fan and subject. Nevertheless, when I watch Ah-nee, I feel an intense tightness in my chest. It seems Im bing drawn not only to her as a VTuber but also as a person. Iroha-chan Ah-nee Gradually, our faces drew closer. I couldnt understand my own feelings. My mind wasnt functioning properly. It was as if I were caught in a fever, feeling dazed. Ha, A Ah-nees breath touched my lips. Intensely hot. Iroha-chan, about you Ah-nee, I also I slowly closed my eyes. In the silence, the sound of fireworks echoed louder than ever. -Achoo!!! Ah-nee sneezed loudly. Her nose was running. At a time like this!? I was about toin that she ruined the atmosphere, but then I noticed. A sneeze? Ah-nee, let me borrow your forehead for a moment. Huh? I brushed Ah-nees bangs aside and lightly bumped foreheads with her. This wouldnt precisely measure her body temperature. But even so. Its hot!? Ah-nee, youre really hot! Her face was red, and she didnt seem to be in her usual condition. Come to think of it, these are all symptoms of a cold!? Ah-nee, didnt you feel tired or your body ache!? ? Ah-nee tilted her head,pletely clueless. This idiot is too oblivious to notice her own illness!? So this is the true identity of Fools dont catch colds. Im no different. People often say love is a sickness, but mistaking love for an actual illness is something else. Hahaha, Iroha-chan, you have a lot of them~. And American summers are really hot, you know~. Is that conscious or just a hazy state of mind!? Besides, the heat is due to the cold. If anything, the perceived temperature in America is Hey, Ah-nee!? Kyuuun. Seemingly reaching her limit, Ah-nee copsed with her eyes rolling back. Supporting her with a strained Gigigi., I shouted. Help me! *** Huh, whats this? Big sis, youve gone crazy with a cold! I knew it! I always thought it was strange for that big sister to act like that! The next day, Mai and Angu Ogu were shamelessly saying this. Beside them, Ah-nee was groaning on the bed. We had just been to the hospital. As expected, it was a cold. In other words. Both of you were saying until just now, Hahaha! Onee-chan catching a cold? No way~! and Youre a fool, Iroha! Dont you know the proverb? Fools dont catch colds! Both of them averted their gaze. Really? Because of your misunderstanding, Ive been tossed around quite a bit too. Come to think of it, could it be that Ah-nee started relying on me alone, and thats why she acted that way? Maybe she was looking for support? Ugh!? But Iroha-chan~! Thats right, Iroha!? We were Iroha-chan, cough cough. Water, please~ Sure, here you go, Ah-nee. Ignoring their attempts to make excuses, I took care of Ah-nee. I brought the straw close to her pleading mouth, and her throat made a clicking sound as she drank. Phew~. Thanks~. Youre wee. Unlikest night, there was no difort in our exchange. Ah-nee seemed perfectly fine. I thought things might take a turn for the worse, but with this, its a bit of a relief. She murmured softly. Id like to scold the two who caused this absurd misunderstanding. But identally reading their lips and knowing the content, Ill refrain from questioning them. Ugh~. What about the nned live stream~, and the filming~? You can do those once youre feeling better. Also, thats not filming, its achoo! I sniffled and tilted my head. Somehow, I feel a bit under the weather too. I took out the thermometer and checked. Ah, I see. I seem to have caught Ah-nees infection. I sighed in relief. It wasnt just Ah-nee who was acting strangely at that time. But, in a different sense, I was also caught in the heat. Not falling in love, but just babbling due to a fever. It must be that. Otherwise, I might have really started to feel something for Ah-nee. No, no, no. Absolutely not. Wait, what!? Are you okay with the cold, Iroha-chan~!? Lie down right away~! Rest, Iroha! Well take care of you! Mai and Angu Ogu approached me with tremendous force. Th-these guys Mai and Angu Ogu, your reactions are too simr to when Ah-nee was sick, arent they? Well~ Its like We still cant believe that big sis caught a cold. Could it be that if its Anego, shell be fine in no time, right? Ah, this is more about deeds than likability. Show more concern for onee-chan~! Ah-nee half-cried and shouted. I gave a wry smile. It happened that night. Iroha, chan. Ah-nees breath tickled my ear. The bed creaked. My heart was pounding loudly. Chapter 225: [Secret Relationship] Chapter 225: [Secret Rtionship] The day when Ah-nee and I caught a cold, on that night. Increasing the number of patients would be counterproductive. So, the decision was made that Ah-nee and I would use separate beds. By now, Mai and Angu Ogu must be sleeping together on the living room sofa. In other words, Im alone in my room now. Ugh, cant sleep. Since waking up in the middle of the night, I found it hard to fall asleep. The room is so silent that even my own breathing seems to echo. Sigh. Ive been affected quite a bit too. Until the day before yesterday, Angu Ogu would always be by my side when I slept. Since Ah-nee and Mai arrived, every day has been quite chaotic. So, this unusually quiet environment felt unsettling rather than calming. Even though I used to wish for quiet when everyone was around. Checking the clock in the faint moonlight, I sighed. Everyone must be asleep by this time. I never thought there woulde a time when Id feel like this. Im yearning for someone to be by my side. No, no, it must be just a momentary weakness. Probably because I caught a cold and became a bit pessimistic. At such times, one tends to long for human presence. Huh!? Wait, is this what they call ASMR streaming for situations like this!? I felt a sudden revtion, as if struck by lightning. After all, theres no other streaming that makes me feel so close to my favorite. And with my favorite around, theres no time to feel sad. Indeed, VTubers always guide me to the answers! Since Im here, lets enjoy the hidden situation voices were avable for download. With newfound determination, I reached for my smartphone. Click. The sound of the door opening echoed. I quickly withdrew my hand and pretended to be asleep. That was close, dangerously close. If I had been a bit slower, I might have been scolded for not resting properly. After all, my favorite has a healing effect! Ive been saying that for a long time, but still, no one believes me. Footsteps approached. Theyre probablying to check on my condition. In that case, they should leave soon. Its better to pretend to be asleep and enjoy ASMR once theyre gone. That was the n, but !?! The sound of the bed creaking. Someone was getting into the bed. They pressed their body against mine from behind. Haa Huuh! A warm breath brushed against my neck. Not only that, but our bodies were rubbing against each other. Wait, could this be a crisis of chastity!? Iroha-chan A whisper tickled my ear. My heart skipped a beat. Huhhuhhh! I had been desperately suppressing my voice, but they didnt leave even after a few minutes. Its too much! Why are you attacking a defenseless sleeper like me! Hyaa!? I quickly sat up and pushed down the person who had been hugging me. In the darkness, I looked down at her. The moonlight revealed a flushed faceit was Ah-nee. What on earth are you doing, Ah-nee? Uh, wait!? No, this is not what it looks like!? Also, when did Iroha-chan wake up!? From the beginning. Y-you tricked me!? Whats with the misleading usation? How unbing. Honestly, even Mai and Angu Ogu never went so far as to attack me while I slept. Very disappointing. I never expected a criminal to emerge from my own family. She needs to reflect on this properly. Tell me what you were trying to do, honestly. I-Iroha-chan your face is so close. Just tell me. Well, um I was just looking for afortable sleeping position. I stared at her response It really doesnt seem like thats the case. Sorry, Ah-nee. It seems my mind was corrupted by Mai and Angu Ogu! Or maybe its all their fault. Because of them, I misunderstood and thought it was going in that direction. But wait. Ah-nee is the same as me, huh? Alright. Huh? Everyone has days when they feel that way asionally. Maybe its because Ah-nee, who is usually carefree, experiences a strong reaction in the opposite direction. So Its fine if you lean on me. However Only when were alone, okay? ?!?!?! I whispered to Ah-nee. Obviously, I didnt want a repeat of yesterdays incident in front of Mai and Angu Ogu. It could lead to misunderstandings, and its troublesome for everyone including me. So, only when were alone. Thats what I meant, but Al-alone?! A-ah, a-awawawa Kyuuun. Ah-nee? Ah-neeee~!? Ah-nee fainted, her eyes rolling back. Why all of a sudden!? Maybe shes still not feeling well!? Thanks to the door being left open, my scream reached them. The hurried footsteps of two people approached. Iroha-chan~!? W-w-what happened!? Iroha, what on earth is going on!? Mai and Angu Ogu appeared and then froze. I hurriedly sought their help. Mai, Ogu! Im d you came! Actually, Ah-nee suddenly fainted! Why is onee-chan in Iroha-chans room? And why are you pinning down Anego? Ah. Iroha-chan~? Iroha~? Calm down. Im sick Gyaaaah!? That day, we were severely scolded by thendy for being a nuisance to the neighborhood. Chapter 226: [Strategic Point] Chapter 226: [Strategic Point] Iroha-chan, Im feeling better, lets do a livestream, a livestream! Oh, whoa, Ah-nee!? Dont stick to me like that! A few dayster, Ah-nee,pletely recovered and was messing with me in the living room. My and Angu Ogus eyes were filled with disbelief as we watched her. Well, it seems like everything is back to normal. Yeah, in the end, our worries were needless. Yes, the cold was cured, and Ah-nees rtionship with me had returned to normalexternally. Internally, I was sweating over this situation. Iroha-chan, whats wrong? Oh, ahaha. Ah-nee asked with a sly smile, and I awkwardlyughed it off. Hidden from Mai and Angu Ogus view, Ah-nee had intertwined her fingers with mine. It was what they called the lovers handhold. Hehe, Iroha-chan. Its a bit embarrassing, but this is fun, isnt it? Ah-nee whispered to me with a grin, blushing and looking shy. They were secretly dating! What is this!? It was totally different from what I had in mindIf were alone, its okay to be affectionate, I thought! Hey, onee-chan! Youre too close to Iroha-chan! Okay, okay. Mai, youre strict, huh~? Ah-neeughed and moved away from me. The hand that had been interlocked with mine loosened. Ah-nees warmth escaped from my hand. Ah. Somehow, a sound slipped out. No, its not like Im sentimental or anything! If I were, then Im not!? Ah-nee slyly winked at me, as if saying, See youter.. By the way, Anego, even if Iroha gets mad, I dont know. I mean, I said earlier, this time is when Japanese streamers are active. Its noisy. Well, whatever. Its okay. If its just a little noisy, its fine. ?!?!?!? Mai and Angu Ogu looked at me with surprised expressions, then approached me. Whats wrong? Are you still sick?! No!? I-Im not! Well, but Nah~ Mai and Angu Ogu exchanged nces, giggling and squabbling. What is this? I havent been dere enough for them to say that! If anything, Ive been extremely lenient. Yeah, its all because of these two and their usual behavior. Hey, you two, isnt that rude!? Besides, I just thought in the shared space called the living room, it might be weird to quietly force someone to be quiet. I just thought so! If its too noisy, go to your own rooms. Its quiet and solitary there. Well, someone will probably follow me anyway. Oh, Iroha, Papa and Mama asked when would be a good time to go to the shooting range now that theyve recovered. Ah, right. Shooting range? Ah-nee tilted her head. Did she still not get it? Its all because of her that I ended up going. Anego, a shooting range is Angu Ogu started exining. At that moment, I had a really bad feeling. W-Wait, An-oog! That story is!? Shooting means that kind of shooting, right!? That sounds incredibly interesting! Alright, decided! Since were all here, lets make it into a video! Ah-nees eyes sparkled with excitement. Angu Ogu btedly eximed, Ah. Sorry, Iroha. No, its not your fault, Angu Ogu. It probably would havee to this sooner orter. After that, a simple nning session for the project began. Mai was checking my schedule, too. By the way, is it okay for Mai to help with this? I mean, isnt it summer in the 3rd year of middle school? They say Summer is the Strategic Point of exams, and He who conquers summer conquers exams. Even though spending summer in America is fine, dont you need to study? Ugh!? Mai made gestures as if she was hit, crumbling down. Uh-oh, this looks bad. But, but, Iroha-chan hasnt been studying at all! No, dont use me as a reference. Well~? Even so Mai and Angu Ogu looked at each other, silentlymunicating and nodding. I havent been acting all dere to be called that! If anything, Ive been very considerate. Yeah~! Iroha-chan, youre like a teacher! Oh, thats right! Oh no, Ah-nees thats right came out! Usually, things go downhill when she says that. Now that the cold is gone, every night, Mai and Iroha-chan will be alone in the room, right? In that case, why not have Iroha-chan help with Mais studies!? Huh? Lets call her Trantion Girl Iroha no, Private Tutor Iroha! Dont treat me like a teacher so casually! I shouted, but I had a debt to Mai for helping with my schedule. And above all, the originator of this idea was Ah-nee. In the end, unable to refuse, I became Mais tutor every night. Meanwhile, the project steadily progressed. *** A few dayster. I was tormented by intense vibrations and noise. How did ite to this seriously? How. Did. It. Come. To. This~!? For some reason, I was dressed in camouge, wearing a helmet with ear protection. And shaking in a tank. Chapter 227: [Recoil Recoil] Chapter 227: [Recoil Recoil] Let my words reach you! Im the trantor girl, Iroha. So, today, as the title suggests, Im going to talk about my experience with shooting sigh~ >Iroharo~ >Iroharo~! >Is Iroha-chan not feeling super tired? No, really Ha, haha I began the broadcast from my room. But I felt terribly drained and exhausted. Just as that lethargy was about to take over, a lively voice echoed. No~! Shooting was so much fun-nee~! Yay! Is everyone doing well~? Im everyones onee-chan, YO Im Anegasaki M Im here too. <> Greetings! Im Angu Ogu! >I love Anego! >Hey, Angu Ogu! (U.S.) >Lately, there have been a lot of off-cobs, and Im happy about i Until the end of this summer, Ah-nee will be staying in America. So we can continue off-cobs for a while. But sigh~ Ah~!? Iroha-chan, youre sighing again! If you keep doing that, happiness will run away, you know haaa~~~~tsu With Ah-nees infectious energy, I let out an even deeper sigh. Seeing me like that, Angu Ogu gave a wry smile. Well, Iroha was really not cut out for the shooting range. I went through a really tough time! I never want that experience again, okay!? Eh~!? It was so much fun~!? Considering that, wouldnt it be better to talk about it while ying the video we shot? >Looks like it! >Im worried about reflections and stuff >I bet theyve taken proper measures for that, havent they? The staff has already checked, so its okay. However, if you happen to find anything, please dontment publicly; quietly let us know through DM. So, about the shooting range, we went to-nee~ Ah-nee began to narrate. Initially, we nned to be taken to the shooting range by Papa-san and Mama-san. However, when it came to going together and filming, we had to reveal our identities. There were also issues with obtaining permission, leading to various changes. As a result, we ended up enjoying a full-course meal at one of thergest stores in the state. Why!? Without much thought, the culprit was obvious. No~ thanks to my negotiation skills-nee~ Always, you do unnecessary things. The appetizer started with a pistol. In the video, a pedestal and a pistol with bullets ced on it were visible. A hand reached out, lifting the pistol. The camera pulled back, revealing. >Oh~! Iroha-chan in real space!? >Looks like AR! > some VTubers do camping videos using this kind of technology, right? Its amazing, right~!? This video took quite a bit of effort-nee~ Oh, by the way, with this filming method, there are other VTubers who do DIY stuff, and also Iroha, stop! Your stories always end up being super long, dont they!? In the live-action footage, the 3D model of Trantor Girl Iroha appeared, moving around. To briefly exin how its created: Edit the footage to remove everything except the person. Ovey the edited footage with the 3D model tracked to it. Make detailed adjustments like shadows and lights. Of course, it takes time and money. So, for this video, we had the cooperation of engineers from Ah-nees agency. In the first ce, for live-action content, Ah-nee, I, and Angu Ogu, cant stream without the agencys supportor rather, without their permission. >Is it because of tracking uracy? It seems to be wobbling a lot >Watching it makes me worried, lol >Wearing that loose hat is cute, haha On the 3D model of Trantor Girl Iroha, a camouge-patterned helmet was ced. Although the costumes were as usual. Actually, at that time, all of us were wearing camouge outfits with helmets. Forced to wear them, you know. Ah-nee really loves this kind of thing. Come to think of it, we were also made to cosy in the dressing room that time. This is about the appearance, you know! Come on, everyone, open your minds! You should be able to see uspletely wrapped in military gear! >To my pure-hearted self, I could see Iroha-chan in camouge attire from the beginning. >Can I see Ah-nees tactical boots, goggles, and face mask too? >I cant see her face at all, lol. Scary!? Theres really someone who can see it!? Indeed, when Ah-nee first changed, she was fully covered, even her face, which startled everyone because no one could tell who she was. She immediately took it off, saying, Its too hot! <> In the video, I was receiving instructions from the instructor. After the exnations, I held the pistol, slowly squeezing the trigger with my index finger. Bang! The sound of gunfire echoed. For a moment, Trantor Girl Iroha disappeared from the screen. Chapter 228: [Chronicle Of The Young Girl’s Battle (Vehicle Experience)] Chapter 228: [Chronicle Of The Young Girls Battle (Vehicle Experience)] The moment the trigger of the gun was pulled, Trantor Girl Iroha disappeared from the screen. >?!?!?! >Iroha-chan was blown out of the screen!? >Truly, thats hrious Hahahaha! Ah~ thats hrious! Pfufu~! Th-this Iroha at that moment. Kukuku. Dontugh, you guys! It cant be helped, right!? I didnt expect the recoil to be this strong! No, the gun you had. It was quite a small recoil, though. The camera, in a surprised state, followed Trantor Girl Iroha. I, lying on the ground, appeared on the screen. In a flustered manner, the instructor rushed over, picking up the handgun. Angry voices echoed. <> <> >Shes getting scolded so much. Its hrious! Iroha-chan, just how carefree are you? >Iroha-chan with teary eyes is so cute >Hey, staff!? Did you have to exaggerate the expression without my permission!? Im sure even I didnt cry. At most, I was surprised and dumbfounded like a dove eating a pellet. Also And I leaked my dissatisfaction while recalling the incident. I wasnt really joking around either. Thats right. Iroha was seriously doing it, and thats what happened. Honestly, her motor skills are terrible. Poor thing. What do you mean by poor thing!? Whats poor thing!? My muttered words were picked up by Angus, and he echoed them. Just so you know, its not my fault, okay!? The fault lies with this body! Unable to counter that, I had no choice but to stay silent, muttering, Gnununu. Ah-nee, watching our exchange, was once againughing uncontrobly. Ah, my stomach hurts! By the way, Anego also said something like, Its easy to beat Iroha-chan in grades. Just challenge her in physical education. I see~. I thought maybe Iroha had perfect scores in all subjects. >Oh? Wasnt there supposed to be an achievement goal set individually for each person? > Whats that? >Instead ofparing students with each other, the evaluation is based on how much each child has been able to grow So, Iroha, you havent really grown at all, huh? N-No, thats not true. Im always giving it my 100%. Thats even worse. You cant me me for that. Its not like Im cking off. Yet, despite that, I consistently get perfect scores in written exams and the lowest scores in practical tests. Most of my records make me the ss loser. The only opponent Ive ever defeated is someone who was absent. Well, technically, a win is still a win, right? . At that moment, I heard murmurs. When I turned around, Mai was whispering something to Ah-nee. Its kind of lonely to exclude just one person, so I let her study in the same room as me. Wait, Mai, what exactly are you telling her? I just got a report from my imouto. During gym ss, the teacher told everyone else to seriously do it, but it seems like he begged Iroha-chan not to push herself too hard.'' Huh? I didnt know anything about that!? Everyone in the ss is like, Were nervous that she might identally die.'' Seriously, am I that fragile!? Back in elementary school, was that the impression I gave!? Sure, due to my abilities, there were times when I copsed and had to be taken to the hospital By the way, I always got perfect scores in gym ss, Onee-chan ! Only in gym ss, right? Buzz~! Wrong~. I got perfect scores in art too~! Ah-nee, youre Ah, her knowledge is really biased, huh? Well, I cant say much about others either. If she were in normal society, Ah-nee would probably not face much hardship. Thinking about it, in any environment, she would probably manage somehow. Push your favorites when you can push them, huh? When I think about it, her being my fan right now is almost a miracle. People who turn their likes into their jobs can be broadly divided into two types. One is those who can only do that. The other is those who can do anything but deliberately choose that path. Its not a matter of good or bad, just that Ah-nee is probably thetter, and if it werent for her, I wouldnt be a VTuber. In a series of miracles, there is this moment in time. When I consider it, miracles seem quitemon. Math andnguage, of course, are a breeze for me, but Ah-nee? 7 times 7 equals 47! Melt for Iroha, Chirinuru wo! >Is this the defeat ofpulsory education? >W-Well, technically? It seems like my experiences in physical education and art areing in handy, right? >See, like right now! Lured by thements, I shift my gaze back to the video. Ah-nee is holding a pistol in each hand, enthusiastically firing away. Hahaha~! Let the bullets fly~! <> Praised by the instructor. The targets arent too far away, but the ng, ng, ng! of the bullets hitting the metal tes is a satisfying rhythm. Indeed, things you learn with your body stick fast. So, after this~ The videos continue to y one after another. The experiences that followed kept me constantly on my toes. Well, Ah-nee and Angu Ogu were having a st. Hyahhaa! with the machine gun, Fire the cannon! and Disinfect the filth! with the methrower, causing a ruckus. And finally, the main dish. Ah-nee in the video urges, Hurry up! Angu Ogus eyes sparkle with excitement. I sigh and then shout, Panzer Four!'' With a powerful roar, our tank takes off. Chapter 229: [Lolita & Panzer] Chapter 229: [Lolita & Panzer] Extra chapter thanks to Kodenir [Panzer Four!] Tanks, advance. In the video, "Trantion Girl Iroha" leaned out of the hatch, and pointed forward with a determined look. The tanks roared into action with that rallying cry. Immediately after, I lost my bnce and tumbled inside the vehicle. [Iroha!?] [Iroha-chan~!?] With a clunk, my head banged against the interior as I copsed. Phew, wearing a helmet was a good idea. Maybe I should thank cosy for the first time? [Ugh. Why me? Why am I the only one!? [That''s my line! What''s wrong with your core stability!?] Is it possible for someone to be so ill-suited for this, even with a pistol?! Even the instructor gave me a scolding, <>. <> <> I reluctantly sat down in themander''s seat. Once again, the tank started moving. Incredible vibrations and noise. It felt like you could hear a marching band or something. [Oryaaaah! Move, move, move~!] Ah-nee was shouting from the driver''s seat. Right now, she''s the one driving this tank. [Ah-nee, please drive safely, okay!?] [Leave it to me, Captain Iroha~!] [C-Captain!] >Captain Iroha! >Commander Iroha!! >Commander Iroha!!! >Sir Iroha Sir!!!! Hah, hah I also want orders from Iroha-chan! >I''d love to undergo ridiculously tough training while being scolded >Well, Iroha-chan would probably be the first one to get exhausted though "Don''t go adding names for me on your own!? And what''s with these weird people popping up!?" "By the way, for those who want to draw fan art, the one Iroha-chan was wearing was Ah-nee~" "Don''t enthusiastically offer information, okay!?" A change urred in the video. Something appeared in front of the tank that was running straight ahead. [Captain Iroha! There''s an obstacle ahead!] Upon getting closer, it turned out to be a car. Alright, let''s go around this. But that wasn''t the n. [Anego, charging through!] The tank roared with a particrly loud engine sound and charged forward. Without colliding directly with the car, it rode over it. Creak, crunch, snap! And, it crushed it. After passing by, the tank stopped and looked back. It got ttened andpressed. The once car had turned into scrap. >Wow! >Huh!? Is it okay to destroy the car!? >Maybe that''s also part of the course? Viewers seemed excited by the powerful imagery as well. Since the car was already ted for disposal, it was fine to break it without any reservations. [Alright, one more time!] Ah-nee was having fun as she made a U-turn and ttened the car again. >Amazing! It''s as t as Iroha-chan''s chest! >If you''re going to say that, shouldn''t it be "Like Ogu"? >You can''tpare something that doesn''t exist in the first ce "Ogu, block these people." "Roger that." >I''m sorry! I''ll do anything, so please forgive me!! >That''s not it! I just let slip a little truth! >No intention of apologizing. This is hrious "These guys sigh." I won''t actually block them over something like this; it''s just yful banter. Meanwhile, the tank continued moving forward. [Captain Iroha, spotted enemy presence ahead!] "You too Ogu!?" "What should we do? Give us propermands!" We were following the instructor''s instructions, but it was all about the atmosphere. All the detailed preparations were handled by that person [Alright, ready for firing!] It felt like the surroundings had quieted down a bit. Tension hung in the air. The barrel of the cannon was aimed into the distance. It was just an empty sandy terrain, but that was the setup. [Hehehe I''ve been looking forward to this moment.] Angu Oguughed confidently. For the finer details, the instructor took care of everything, so all she had to do was press the fire button. But for this moment, she chose to be the gunner. This time, there was a clear split in opinions on who wanted to be the driver or gunner. By the way, I didn''t like either, so I opted to be themander. I thought it was the safest. [Alright then fire away!] [Firing one!] With a resounding vibration through the air, the projectile gotunched. As if exploding on the distant ground, dust billowed up. -Boom! The vibration transmitted through the seat was a sensation akin to fireworks beneath the belly. Yet, it was a distinct and different feeling. "Ahh~. Even remembering it now, it was amazing. Seriously, it felt so exhrating!" Angu Ogu eximed in excitement while watching the video. After the shot, white smoke rose from the barrel. "So, that''s how the first shooting experience went." >Shooting ranges are kind of intimidating >But it looked like so much fun. I might give it a try >It''s quite pricey, but I''d like to experience it at least once After finishing ying all the videos, there was a pause. Just as they were about to wrap up the livestream, Ah-nee eximed. "Oh, right, Iroha-chan! Everything is set up, so we should promote that thing too!" "Huh, are you really going to do it?" "Of course!" >What is it, what is it? >Oh, is it that thing where they were collecting ideas from the viewers? >I''m really looking forward to it. "Entitled Iroha-chan''s First-Ever Learning''!" Ah-nee proudly announced the livestream title with a triumphant expression. Chapter 230: [VTubers First Time Hearing Lesson] Chapter 230: [VTubers First Time Hearing Lesson] "So, here we are with a new project! It''s Iroha-chan''s First Time Hearing Lesson~!" Ah-nee energetically calls out the title next to me. On the stream, cheerful sound effects like [Don Don Pafu Pafu] were ying. "So, everyone feeling good~? As your onee-chan and today''s MC, I''m Anegasaki M! Here is today''s star~!" "My words to you, delivered by the trantion girl Iroha. Ugh, I got caught up in another strange n." I love Anego! Iroha, hello! (U.S.) Iroha-chan, being tossed around by Ah-nee again "This time''s stream is as the title suggests. We''ll presentnguage-rted quizzes, and if Iroha-chan says First Time Hearing'' to any of them, she wins! That''s the idea-nee~!" "Huh, it was a quiz!?" "We''re collecting questions from viewers and other VTubers! And for the victor, the right to make Iroha-chan say their favorite line as a present!" "Isn''t this match only causing me disadvantages?" "Well then, let''s start with me!" Ignoring my protest, Ah-nee smoothly proceeds with the n. A tense sound effect ys, and the quiz question appears on the screen. "Question: Trench Coat" "Trench." Ahh Too quick We haven''t even finished reading the question yet (Korean) By the way, the disyed question on the screen was "What is the origin of the name Trench Coat''?". The answer is a coat made for cold weather in trenches, just as the name suggests. Certainly, mypatibility with military matters is not great, and my knowledge is limited. So, it wasn''t a bad move as an attack but. "Hehehehe Iroha-chan is quite something-nee." "Well, because when we went to the shooting range, the instructor told us about it." "Why would Iroha-chan know that!?" "It''s not a big deal; I was there. Besides, I tranted it and told Ah-nee." "Is that so?" This is hrious Hey, starting with a punchline is a broadcast ident w In Anego''s stream, this is just a light jab! (U.S.) "Alright! Now that the practice question is over!" "Don''t just brush it off so casually!" "The 2nd no, the 1st question is from a viewer! It seems this person also experienced. No, watched the shooting range the other day-nee~!" Ah-nee immediately spills the beans. As expected, the viewers caught on immediately. Isn''t that your sister rather than this person''? w Yo, watching little sister~!? Since little sister seems to be a genuine Iroha fan, she''s probably aiming for a serious reward (Korean) ncing back, in the same room, Mai, who was self-studying, was snorting excitedly. Clearly, it''s a family hire. "Now then Question: Why is a tank called a tank''?" "Um, let me think?" I ponder a bit. Tick-tock, a BGM with a time limit feel yed on the stream. Military-rted again, troublesome. It''s hitting my weak point urately. I don''t know the answer to this one, and I''ve never thought about it. Probably, Mai asked the instructor in English and brought this information, even though it was awkward. "A tank water tank'' is also called a tank, right? Oh, maybe. Initially, it wasn''t abat vehicle but a vehicle for carrying water'' perhaps?" "Final Iroha?" "Why that embarrassing phrase!? Are you nning to say that every time from now on!?" "Final Iroha?" "No need to repeat it! And wait. Is this not going to progress until I say Final Iroha'' too? F-Final Iroha''" It feels like I''m already receiving a penalty! Ah-nee puts on a serious expression, creating plenty of suspense and teasing. "Iroha-chan" "Too bad!!!!" Ding-ding-ding! The sound effect signals a wrong answer. Oh no~, on the 2nd question!? I was nning to get all of them right! "Well, I didn''t expect Iroha-chan to make a mistake so early. Even I''m surprised-nee~." "Wha- really a mistake? It was indeed First Time Hearing'', but there''s no other reason I can think of!?" "It was close-nee~. The correct answer was, it was developed to keep it secret'' that it''s a vehicle for carrying drinking water" "Isn''t that correct!?" "But it was developed to conceal'' it!" "Understand? Isn''t that practically perfect!? Although, it''s not a quiz about origins, right?" "Ugh, unfair!?" ncing at Mai, she was giving a triumphant pose. Exactly as nned. I''ve beenpletely yed. "Now, the winner''s request Hmm hmm. Lately, you''ve been receiving study lessons from someone you like? And eventually, you got hooked on the home tutor situation!" "Hey." "And the line you want her to say is." Chapter 231: [Sensational Sense] Chapter 231: [Sensational Sense] "The line I want Iroha to say is" Wow!? Ah-nee whispers in her ear, and she can''t help but let out a voice. Mai, who I know in real life, can ask me to give him lines full of desire. No. That''s why it''s now a punishment game. The reason why they don''tmunicate directly is probably to maintain the stance that it is an open call for viewers. "Then, I''ll take on the situation specified by the viewer on your behalf-nee~" !?!?!? Mai looks shocked. She grabbed onto me and shook me, silently protesting. This is probably to prevent voices from being heard in the broadcast. There''s no way she''ll stop at that level. "Okay, please don''t disturb the general viewers-nee~?" [~~~~~~] "Hahaha, this is a good thing-nee~! So, Iroha-chan, it''s okay to prepare" Ah-nee dragged Mai, who looked shocked, and took a seat with her pen and notebook. She turns her bright eyes towards me. Hey, Anego (US) Don''t abuse your authority lol Today is a 2D model. So we couldn''t see it!? "It''s okay! I''ll give everyone a goodmentary-nee~" I mean, I havent heard of you specifying the situation. Arent the prizes increasing on their own? "What are you talking about, Iroha-chan?" Ah,-nee was facing me with a serious face. Is there really any need to say that much? "The situation is definitely necessary! So, it''s definitely necessary!" Can you stop with your tautological theories!? But you see, we all need it too. No one said that? Don''t read airedy lol But I feel like it''s necessary somehow, Kitana (Korean) "Look!" "I didn''t say it, you made me say it! Sigh, I understand now. Just say it, right?" I got up from my seat and went behind Ah-nee. The tracking was lost, and the trantor girl Iroha stood still on the streaming screen. "Ah! Iroha-chan is covering me!? No, Iroha-chan! That''s!" "I haven''t even touched you yet!? I just stood behind Ah-nee!" Ah-nee, you can''t say whatever you want just because the viewers can''t see it. In order to finish this quickly, I lean into her as I sigh. Hyaun!? A scream like I''ve never heard before came from Ah-nee''s mouth. W-what!? !?!?!? What on earth happened!? (US) Is it true, Iroha-chan? "What!? Iroha didn''t do anything!?" "I-I can feel Iroha-chan''s breath hitting my ear." Dont make that weird sound!? I heard the sound of gnashing of teeth and turned around. Mai was standing close to me, her eyes threatening to shed blood at any moment. "Huh!?" a voice leaked out, and I swallowed. Do I have to act in this situation? It''s too difficult to do!? Ah, already! This is going to get harder the longer it goes on!? I grabbed the pen and said, Okay, stay there. I put my hand on Ah-nee''s hand and said. Eh~? You dont even know that~? Baa~ka. I said that sweetly towards Ah-nee''s ear and the microphone. As if whispering. She nods as she chews. "Hmm! That''s not enough!!" "Eh!? W-where!?" "That''s not true, sister. Look, it''s more like this!" "Y-yes." I remade the sound of my voice, "Hmm.". I violently made her onee-chan turn her head towards me. "Are you worried about this level of problem? Hah, idiots like you should just think about me.''" Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa~~~~!!! Ah-nee was screaming in excitement, her body was throbbing and writhing. Hmm!? She lost the momentum and retook it, but what on earth should I do now? No way, Anego has a fetish like this!? Iroha''s handsome voice!? (US) Was it possible to create a character like this? I don''t think I''ll understand No, in fact, since the early days of Iroha-sama, she sometimes used "ore" in the first person in her streams. In other words, people thought she had a masculine side as well. And the new side she has shown this time is close to her true nature. That''s about the upper limit on the number of characters. This guy seem to be saying it really fast lol I''m so nervous that I can''t do it anymore. Maybe he turned into a female. Why didn''t you make it a 3D she!!!! Please someone make hand-drawn cutouts or reproduce them on MMD! Thement section was chaotic. What, I have to do something to fool you!? Ah-nee move on to the next problem as soon as possible! Ah-nee? Ah-nee! "Haaaaaaaaa~n" "Hey, you, don''t trip forever." "Yes, Iroha-chan. Eh, hehe. I''ll do whatever Iroha-chan says." Um, Ah-nee? ".Ah" Ah-nee''s expression hardened. Wait!? Its not just the two of us now!? Chapter 232: [How To Defeat The Great Demon King] Chapter 232: [How To Defeat The Great Demon King] Is that Anego being obedient!? What on earth is happening, seriously? (Korean) Ugh, Anego being cute!? Despite her quirks!? "Well, um just kidding" She stuck her tongue out as if trying to y it off. As if that could deceive anyone. Oh, is this the usual stuff again? Anego is doing something weird again Well, it''s Anego, after all (U.S.) Oh, this girl. The audiencepletely doesn''t trust her!? Always messing up, so they think anything I do is weird!? "No, in a way, I''m quite trusted, you know." As I''m holding my head like that, Mai pushes me into my seat, saying, "Enough already!" The tracking is back, and the trantion girl, Iroha, starts moving. "Alright! So, let''s refocus, and the next question is from our guest. Hey,e on!" Bing bong, the call connects. Simultaneously, Ah-nee adds an illustration to the streaming screen. "When ites to coboration, this girl is a must-nee~! So!" ''Gurururu Hello, I''m Zombie.'' I''m Angu Ogu! We hear the voice of Angogue. Today, she''s participating through a call from a distant ce. "Ugh, unfair that it''s just Anego! I wanted to do an offline coboration with Iroha too!" "Haha, it can''t be helped-nee I''ve been packed with recordings and lessons, so our schedules just didn''t match." Originally, Angu Ogu was also very busy. On top of that, the consequences of her doing whatever she wanted for a while are catching up to her. "I haven''t watched today''s stream yet, so I''ll check the archiveter!" Oh no. Could this be a problemter? She managed to fool the viewers, but Mai has been making a scary face since earlier. Well, let''s not think about it for now. "So, without further ado, let''s go to the next question!" "Question? It''s a bit different from the n I heard, but oh well. Here''s the question! What is the origin of the name used in English notation for the [Alphabet]?" The question text appears on the streaming screen along with sound effects. Tick-tock, and the background music starts ying again. "How about it, Iroha-chan? What do you think of this question?" "Yeah, I know the answer to this one!" "Ugh!?" Angu Ogu groaned. The question seemed easier than expected, maybe she didn''t have enough time to prepare because she was busy. If it''s your first time hearing it, you''ll be surprised. This is quite well-known Is that so? I use it all the time, but I didn''t know (U.S.) "Alright, give us the answer!" "The origin of [Alphabet] is, as the name suggests, from the Greek letters [Alpha] and [Beta]!" "S-so, correct!" Ping pong ping pong! The sound rings out. Alpha beta. That''s why it''s called the alphabet. I already knew it, but I could guess the answer even if I didn''t. "So, the loser should go home already." "W-wait! Just one more chance. H-hey, Manager-chan!? The recording is waiting for me! P-please! I still have a mission to fulfill!" I could imagine Angu Ogu at the scene being urged. Manager-san has it tough too. "Too bad-nee~. If it was your [first time hearing], Iroha-chan could have made you say lines in your favorite situation~. I was going to do it too Fufufu." "Hey, what''s that!? Don''t ask me! Aaaah!?" With a scream, Angu Ogu disappears from the call. Hey, Ah-nee, why did you tease her!? "Now, let''s move on to the next question." And so, the n continues to progress. Starting with Angu Ogu, there are more questions rted to English. *** "I-Iroha-chan is too strong!?" Strange, what was that early defeat all about? I thought we could hear more embarrassing lines from Iroha-chan since she made a mistake at the beginning You can only win with tricky questions, huh? Thements section is also in an uproar. Well, what can I say? Sorry. "Alright. Let''s refocus on the next question! In English, apany employee is called a [sryman]. [Sry] refers to the sry, but what is the origin of that word?" This time, the n naturally included many questions rted to word origins. I figured out that my ability'' seems exceptionally suited for such questions. Perhaps Mai intuited that from the start. Honestly, how serious was she about trying to defeat me? Or maybe, how well does she understand me? "Sry, huh? I know this one too. The answer is salt''!" "Ugh, correct! Darn it, it was a viewer question, so if I got it wrong, it would have been mine~!" Wasn''t it salt (srium) in ancient Romans? I see. In the past, they received sries in the form of salt instead of money, is that it? (U.S.) No, it was just that there was physical provision of salt, but it was misunderstood "Well then, this n is almost over with thisst assassin-nee~." "Do you have to call the guest an assassin?" "Now, is thest hero capable of defeating the Great Demon King Iroha!?" "It''s not like I wanted to get treated differently!" "Alright, please!" But who will be the one to wrap it up? The usual members are all done, and perhaps, it''s because the questions are particrly good? Bing bong, the call connects, and what we hear is. "Dobrokhlopko!" It was a greeting in Ukrainian. Chapter 233: [Newlywed Salad] Chapter 233: [Newlywed Sd] "Doburoho Ranko!'' Everyone, good day. Ilyena, it is I!" What I heard was a greeting in Ukrainian. Ilyena, like me, is a VTuber who is active as a multilingual. She was one of those who appealed for a ceasefire during that incident, but that''s all in the past now. And she is also one of the pioneers of the new era of VTubers and one of my favorites! "Kyaaah! Ilyenaaa-chan!" Doburoho Ranko! Good morning, Ilyesha! (Ukrainian) Iroha-chan seems the most excited lol "I, I, Iroha-sama, thank you very much for inviting me today. I have been looking forward to the day I could meet you like this" "I, I, I, it is I who must thank you foring today. Although we haven''t had many opportunities to coborate, I have watched all your streams" "Thank you so much! Ilyoha-sama is my favorite VTuber too" "No, no" "No, no, no" What''s with this modesty battle lol It''s like what Japanese srymen asionally do at client meetings lol Ilyesha ispletely ustomed to Japanese culture. It''s funny "Hey, Ah-nee, join the conversation~!" "Whoa, sorry! For this n. Anego-san is a genius! Thank you for your proposal! I''ve watched your stream until just now." "No way~, you think so too~? I thought so too" Anego is a genius (skin) indeed Well, in a sense, she''s a genius ughs) Maybe you should use your head a bit more in life? "When I see Anego-san''s listeners, they''re so sharp, aren''t they?" "Huh? Well, I''m their older sister after all." "So, what problem did you bring, Ilyena-chan? Please, the final question!" "Well, I dare to ask a question!" If Ilyena is the one posing the question, would it be about Ukrainian after all? That was my prediction, but it was way off. "Ilyoha-sama, did you correctly answer the origin of the word sry''? Actually, it''s also sd''." "Simrly, salt'' is the origin, right?" "Yeah, ites from putting salt on vegetables and eating them." I thought it''d be an instant win, but I was wrong Let''s start with a light jab! Is this like an English question? "Well, about that sd. There is a dish called Honeymoon Sd'' made using only one type of vegetable. So, what is the ingredient used for that? Please give your answer along with the reason!" The problem of salt'' that Anego had chosen just before was a setup for this. However "Why this question out of all questions!?" "Well, you see, recently I''ve been learning English too and I found something interesting among them!" In addition to Ukrainian, Russian, and Japanese, English too!? She''s multilingual. Thanks to Iroha-chan, my sense is messed up, but she''s really amazing (U) And she''s still in middle school like Iroha-chan, right? I think she''s still in Japan? (US) She''s learning English at Japanese schools, so maybe that''s how she knows it No, it''s because Iroha-sama went to America "No! I''m not asking for the reason!" "Huh? Iroha-chan, maybe you don''t know the answer~?" "T-This girl!" No, it''s the opposite. I''ve figured out the answer. And that''s why I don''t want to answer! "Anyway, isn''t this more of a riddle than a problem!?'' "Well~? What do you think~?" "Iroha-sama! Please, give your answer! Anego-san, mute the BGM and BGS, please!" "All right, leave it to me~!" "Huh!?" A dead silence enveloped the room. In thements, it seems some people know the answer. Their anticipation is palpable through their words. Me, I "Heh" "Heh?" "Heh?" "The two of you are such idiots~! Could you really say such ''embarrassing lines''!?" "Eeeh!? Eeeeh!?" LOL Iroha barked lol Well, this problem It''s like diving into hell lol I thought Ilyena was pure and a very kind girl who adored Trantor Girl Iroha''! I never expected her to bring such a tricky problem! The answer this time is lettuce,'' which is used in Honeymoon Sd. Why? Because Let us alone, that''s why. Let us alone Lettuce alone Just lettuce. Why do I have to say such a punishment-like line, not only when the answer is incorrect but even when it''s correct!? I firmly refuse! "So, does that mean, Iroha-chan, you don''t know the answer, sister~?" "Huh, well That''s true, but not in that sense!?" "So, Ilyena-chan, congrattions~! As a prize, you could make Iroha-chan say any line you like~!" "Yay~! I did it~!" "Wait a minute!?" "Well then, please tell me the situation you want~!" "There''s something I''ve always wanted Iroha-sama to say. Half of the reason I debuted is because of that. Specifically, I want Iroha-sama to whisper it in ASMR''!" "Huh~!?" Oh no, what have I done? My pride got in the way, but maybe, just maybe, it would have been much cheaper to get this right!? Chapter 234: [Promise And Class Reunion] Chapter 234: [Promise And ss Reunion] "What, ASMR~!?" Is it true that Iroha-chan will finally do ASMR in her 4th year debut? Well done, way to go Ilyesha! (Korean) As expected of one of the Iroha-skis, she understands her viewers'' feelings! I can''t believe I''ve been asked for something like that. I''m puzzled by the situation designated by Ilyena. Huh? Wait? "Oh, what a shame. I also want to do it, but when I think about it, I don''t have a binaural microphone. So, I can''t do ASMR. It can''t be helped. So, in that case, for another situation" "If it''s Iroha-sama, I thought you might say that!" "Huh?" "So, I''ll buy a dummy head microphone and give it to Iroha-sama as a gift! Yes, please let me give it to you! Please!" "!?!?!?" Wasn''t that supposed to cost over a million yen!? I''m an old-timer fan of Ilyesha, but I''ve been dreaming of giving Iroha-chan a binaural microphone and having her do ASMR once I start earning through streaming. Is this what they call a physical super chat with banknotes? As expected, the serious Iroha-sama fans have a different caliber. (U.S.) "No, no, no, I don''t need it! Absolutely not! Or rather, I can''t ept such an expensive thing!?" "Don''t be so modest!" "Uh, um, you see, also! If I receive something too expensive, there''s also gift tax and" "I understand. Then, I''ll purchase a new dummy head microphone for myself and give the old one to Iroha-sama!" Ilyena is really persistent! She won''t back down at all! At that moment, Ah-nee spoke up. "Ilyena-chan, don''t force things too much~" "Huh!? I-I''m sorry I got excited" "Ah-nee!" I never thought that my nee-san would take my side! Yes, I direct my gaze with gratitude "Even if you don''t receive a gift, you can just use it together, right? In an off-cob'' with nee-san" "Wha-what!? Ah-nee, what are you saying!?" Could it be that she forgot about Ah-nee? I''ve been repeating so many times that I don''t want to meet my favorite in real life! "I see. Perhaps the time for that has finallye. It''s a good timing as well." "Even Ilyena-chan!?" Ilyena murmured as if she had made up her mind about something. See!? Because of Ah-nee, even she''s getting ideas! "Isn''t that a bit too much? Ilyena-chan is still in Japan, right? I''m in America now, and I n to stay here for another six months or so" "Eh!?" "Eh''?" "Um, uh, Iroha-sama? Do you have ns to temporarily return to Japan soon?" "? No, why?" "Eh!?" Did she have such ns? No, I didn''t know either. I checked the official announcements and Twitter, but there was no such announcement. "That, that''s not supposed to be that''s right!" Ilyena eximed as if she hade up with a brilliant idea. Then there was silence for a while. What are they doing? And why such a misunderstanding? As I tilted my head in confusion, my smartphone notified me of a new message from LIME. [Iroha-sama, long time no see! Do you remember me? I''m the transfer student you helped back in elementary school!] "?" [I haven''t heard from Iroha-sama since you rmended that Ukrainian VTuber!] Oh, that time! I was going to ignore it since I was in the middle of a stream, but I couldn''t help but reply immediately, feeling happy. [Long time no see! How was it!? That girl Ilyesha, she was really good, right~? I''ll tell you. Since you''re the former transfer student, but I''m actually streaming with her right now!] [Uh, yeah. Um, actually, I wanted to ask. Will Iroha-sama not be attending the elementary school reunion that will be held soon?] [What''s that about?] [Eh!? You didn''t know!?] No, I really didn''t know. I beckoned Mai with a wait a moment'' and whispered softly. "Hey, Mai. Is there going to be a reunion for our elementary school soon?" "Yeah~? There is, it''s at the end of summer vacation~" "Eh. I didn''t hear about it. Mom must have forgotten to tell me." "Or maybe, Iroha-chan, were you nning to attend? Since you''re in America now, I thought Mama-san didn''t tell you because you couldn''t go. And since Iroha-chan isn''t there, I was nning to skip it too~" If I think about it, I would have chosen to skip it even if I were in Japan. I pondered for a moment. Yeah! I''ll tell Ilyena my decision. "I didn''t have any ns to return after all!" "Eh? Really!? But, um, well, in that case" Ilyena seemed to have something urgent to say. Uh, it''s tough when your favorite sounds like that. But still, I don''t have a reason to go back. And then. "Sigh~" Mai let out a sigh, just like that. Chapter 235: [Sisters Counterattack] Chapter 235: [Sisters Counterattack] I tried to refuse Ilyena''s suggestion, but unexpectedly, it was Mai who offered help. "Iroha-chan~. Come to think of it, there might be some work you can only do in Japan~." "Huh? Is that so?" "And towards the end of summer vacation, the VTuber events in America will calm down Also, I think the coboration caf in Japan is about to end its run." "Alright! Let''s go back to Japan!" "Eh!?" Ilyena rejoiced at my change of heart? Viewersmented, "Is she doing a palm drill LOL.". But I couldn''t care less. "Well, it was a promise, after all." Mai muttered quietly. I don''t know who she made the promise with or what it was about. "Then, then, Iroha-sama! Will you please do an offline coboration with me!?" "Well, that''s a separate issue. I''d rather avoid seeing my favorite''s face." "It''s okay, I assumed Iroha-sama would say that! So during the offline coboration, I''ll be fully geared up with a mask and sunsses!" "Uh!? Fine, I got it." I sumbed to Ilyena''s desperation. Refusing a request from a favorite is already difficult. And the atmosphere in thements. But if she hides her face, it might not be a big deal even during the 3D live recording. At that time, I''ll pretend I didn''t see anything and tell myself. It''s just a possibility until it''s confirmed. "Well Let''s postpone the prize exchange for another day! This concludes [Iroha-chan''s First Time Hearing] broadcast." "It felt like it drifted quite far from the original purpose." Matta-nee~. "Otsukare-ta- Arige-ta-." Poo Vai. Thanksnego Otsukareta! Bye for now! (Ukrainian) And so, the project to explore my "First Time Hearing?" ended. Ah, an ASMR stream. Depressing. Speaking of depressing. I timidly turned around. There stood Mai with a frightening grin . *** At night, I was alone with Mai in my room. It''s my nightly routine of studying for exams. Or so it was supposed to be. "Um, Mai?" " What!" Mai was sulking. Even though I was trying to teach her, she wouldn''t listen, turning away. "Ah, well then, let''s call it a day for today''s study session. Good night~." "That''s not it!" "Huh?" As I thought I wouldn''t need to tutor her today, I sat on the bed. But got scolded. Does she want me to do it or not? "Iroha-chan, Mai mentioned First Time Hearing'' right? But Mai hasn''t received the prize yet, has she?" "Huh? Didn''t I give it to you?" "It was big sis'' who received it!" "Well, forget it. I''m tired today. Let''s sleep early. Can I turn off the lights?" "~~~~!" Mai stood up abruptly from her chair. Then, she approached me with big steps. "What''s wrong?" "Be calm," I tried to calm her down, but she grabbed my wrist tightly And pushed me down onto the bed. "Wait, Mai, stop that!" I tried to struggle, but it was futile. Huh? When did the bnce of power shift like this? Mai looked down at me in silence. The ceiling light created backlighting, making her expression unreadable. "Um, Mai?" Oh no, Mai seems strange. And I realized, this room has high soundproofing, and it''s just the 2 of us. Unlike when Anego barged in, I closed the door properly. If something happens here, I might not be able to resist. "Iroha chan." "Mai, wait. This is!" Mai leaned closer to me. Huh, no way. Am I going to!? My body stiffened naturally. I tightly closed my eyes, tears streaming down. A voice escaped from my throat. "No, no! Because I have a lot of waifus. I''ve decided in my heart~! Doing this would be cheating~!?" " Huh?" But Mai didn''t do anything even after a while. I cautiously opened one eye to check the situation. "Waaah! Iroha-chan said nooo~! I got rejected~!?'' Mai sobbed uncontrobly, shedding tears. No! That''s not what I meant. "Onee-chan always cheats~! She even kissed you at the barbecuest time~!" "No, we didn''t kiss!?" "Even though Mai always helps Iroha-chan! Sometimes, I want to get pampered too~!" Well, she has a point. Maybe I''ve been too rxed with her because she''s Mai. "Um, okay, I understand." "Then, can we kiss~?" "..???" "But you haven''t kissed Mai yet~! You''ve kissed Ogu-san twice already~! What a pain~!" "No, that was an ident Wait, don''te closer~!?" I couldn''t escape as I was held down. Help! Someone!? I''m getting attacked for real!? Chapter 236: [Disheveled Clothes, Kiss Mark] Chapter 236: [Disheveled Clothes, Kiss Mark] The morning after my First Time Hearing'' livestream. I staggered out of my room and went to the living room. "Good morning, Iroha. Wait, huh!? W-What happened to you!?" "O Ogu, help me~!" At the sight of Angu Ogu''s distressed face, relief washed over me, and tears involuntarily streamed down. Before I knew it, I found myself clinging to her. "What happened, Iroha!?" "Uwaaah!" "Your, your appearance. What on earth happened!?" Somehow, I managed to protect my lips and chastity from Mai''s advances all night. But the toll was significant. "I-it was terrifying!" "O-oh? Y-you, there, there" Angu Ogu, bewildered, stroked my head tofort me. Then, there was a series of clicks as the door behind us opened. "G-good morning, Ah-nee. And Mai too." "Good morning! Oh my, isn''t it a lovely morning? Why is Iroha crying!?" "Good morning, Iroha-chan. What on earth happened!?" "Eeek!" I hid behind Angu Ogu as if seeking refuge from Mai. Yet, strangely, despite what she did yesterday, Mai remained unperturbed. "Ogu-san, what did you do to make Iroha-chan cry!?" "I-I didn''t make her cry!" "Mai, don''t you remember?" "Huh? But somehow, I feel fulfilled, you know?" My clothes were disheveled, and my exposed skin bore countless kiss marks. All of it was Mai''s doing. After that, she went on a rampage, bing a kissing fiend. It''s terrifying to think about even now! "From today onwards, I''m sleeping with Ogu! I can''t sleep without Ogu!" Sleeping with Mai jeopardizes my chastity, and sleeping with Ah-nee puts my life at risk due to her terrible sleeping habits. By process of elimination, only Angu Ogu remains. "W-why!?" "Heh. Sorry, Mai. Looks like Iroha chose me as her spouse." "N-no, that''s not it." "Eh!? Not it!?" "Which means Ta-da! I''m the chosen one!" "That''s not it." "That''s not true!" As I watched their exchange, I gradually calmed down and regained my usualposure. However, there was one thing I had decided. From now on, I''ll asionally be kind to Mai. Because if she keeps it all pent up, she might go on another rampage. "Sigh" Despite such turmoil, the summer vacation in America passed by in the blink of an eye. Yet, the turmoil continued, for example. *** At Anee''s suggestion, we all swam in the pool provided by the apartmentplex wearing swimsuits. The physical contact was more intense than usual. "H-Hey, don''t cling to me like that in those clothes!" "Why~? It''s fine, Iroha-chan~! Hug~!" "Oh, no, Ah-nee, you can''t! Iroha-chan belongs to Mai!" "I''m not anyone''s property!" Being embraced by Mai, I was taken aback by her growth. Is this girl really my ssmate!? "You guys, Iroha can''t swim like this! Knock it off!" "Even you, Ogu, are clinging to her!" "T-that''s different! I''m just making sure Iroha doesn''t drown!" And so, amidst giggles andughter under the scorching sun, we swayed in the water. *** We were also made to exercise at the gym provided by the apartmentplex. However, the exercise at the gym was too intense for me. "Huff, huff!? I-I''m gonna die~!?" "Iroha-chan, fight on~! You can do it~!" "I-I can''t anymore copse" I copsed, feeling dizzy. And then "Kyaaa~!? Iroha-chan copsed~!? Hold on, Ah-nee, don''t push her too hard! Are you okay~, Iroha-chan~? Let me give you artificial respiration. Chuuu!" "Then, Onee-chan too Chuuur!" "What are you guys doing!?" "For now, someone gets me some water" So, in the name of improving our health, we nearly died. *** We also went to the American manga market, and the manga convention together. While we split up to browse through the goods, when we reunited, Angu Ogu seemed oddly down. In stark contrast to my delighted face after buying merchandise from the official booth of the VTuber agency. Ogu, what''s wrong? Couldn''t you get what you wanted? No, I got it all safely. It''s just that I overheard the author''s conversation. Despite all the IrohaxOgu is the best!'' we''ve been saying, they''re talking about next time it might be Ah-neexIroha''? You guys indeed seem unusually closetely! N-no, it''s not like that! Wait, IrohaxOgu''? Wait a second, Ogu. Could you let me see what kind of book you bought? Now then, after this, shall we go see the cosy booth together?" Later, arge number of IrohaxOgu'' doujinshi were unearthed from Angu Ogu''s room. Among them was the English version of the items I had confiscated earlier. *** The summer spent with everyone was full of turmoil. Yet, even such days were drawing to a close. Chapter 237: [Mobile Amusement Park] Chapter 237: [Mobile Amusement Park] Cheerful music fills the night air. The surroundings are enveloped in a dazzling parade of lights. "Ugh! I can''t believe I have to go back to Japan by tomorrow!" "Time really flew by, huh~" "After returning to Japan, Mai''ll make sure to study hard and not ck off." "Ugh, why does Iroha-sensei have to be so strict! I want to forget about reality while we''re at the amusement park." Mai covers her ears and protests. Yes, today, we were visiting an amusement park. More urately, it''s that the amusement park came to us''. Because today, the ce we visited for fun is. "Anego, you spotted this ce well! I had no idea a mobile amusement park'' was nearby!" "As expected, you''re sharp when ites to these things." "Hehe, well~!" Ah-nee proudly puffs her chest. The nearbyrge parking lot had been transformed with the arrival of mobile attractions. From carousels to wave swingers, vikings, roller coasters. The lineup was so extensive that it didn''t seem mobile at all. The scale was unimaginable in terms of how they transported everything. Though, I feel like there''s a bit of an overemphasis on thrill rides. "Alright, let''s go on that next! That one!" "Huh!? Ah-nee, let''s not!? That thrill ride is definitely going to have an ident someday! It''s so rickety!" "Heh~! Iroha-chan, are you not good with thrill rides~?" It''s not that I''m not good with thrill rides! It''s just that you can only enjoy them when safety is ensured! "Geez, you''re so selfish~. Fine, let''s settle for the Ferris wheel!" "Oh, but it looks small, so we can only ride two at a time! Hmm~" The eyes of the three sparkled, and they assumed a stance. They simultaneously thrust out their arms. "Rock, paper, scissors!" Ah-nee and Ogu chose rock, while Mai triumphantly revealed paper. Mai celebrated her victory with a victory pose. "Oh, wait. I forgot to do mine, let''s redo it." "Alright, Iroha-chan, let''s go!" "W-Why me?" There seemed to be some telepathy among them. It appeared that teams had already been decided. Mai linked arms with me, dragging me towards the Ferris wheel. Ah-nee and Ogu followed behind us, sighing. "Ferris wheel, just the two of us, against the glittering night view At the top of that, Mai and Iroha-chan will be like, hehehe~!" Huh, wait, really!? Just the two of us!? This is bad, another crisis of chastity!? Please get on. We were pushed into the gond by the attendant. It was small and open, just as expected. "It''s just the two of us, Iroha-chan~" "Haha Y-Yeah" Okay, let''s start moving. With a rough signal from the attendant, the Ferris wheel began to turn. The wind brushed against our cheeks, and we leisurely enjoyed the night view. Huh? "Wait, isn''t it going a bit fast?" "I-It does seem so~?" In no time, the Ferris wheel elerated. With a booming sound, it began to rotate at a tremendous speed. "S-Stop it! It''s too fast!" Mai and I held onto each other desperately to avoid getting thrown off. Wait, this isn''t the Ferris wheel that I know! After about ten rotations, the Ferris wheel stopped abruptly. We stumbled out of the gond, feeling shaken. "I thought I was going to die! This wasn''t a Ferris wheel, it was a full-blown thrill ride!" "Mai was supposed to have a romantic atmosphere with Iroha-chan" "No, hahaha! That was so much fun~! I wouldn''t mind riding it again!" "You guys, scared of a mere Ferris wheel?" Ah-nee and Ogu, who got offter,ughed nonchntly. Don''tpare us, who are terrified, with those who are fearless or used to it! "Oh, look! They''re selling delicious-looking stuff! Shall we buy and share?" "Right after that ride!?" "Oh well, I can''t read the menu at all! Let''s just get this and that" "Hey, let me exin a bit! These are empanadas, stuffed bread. These are fried Snickers, fried Twinkies, and Dippin'' Dots ice cream." Before we knew it, a high-calorie menu wasid out on the table. Things like churros, which aremon in Japan, were of a different size here. And no matter where you go, they always sell French fries. "Mmm, delicious!" "Can''t believe we can eat this after that" I wish I had a stomach as strong as Ah-nee''s and a mental toughness of steel. And so, time passed in the blink of an eye. *** "Well then, Ogu. We''lle visit again!" "Thank you for everything, Ogu-san!" "Alright, take care now! Let''s meet up again when Ie to Japan!" We bid farewell at the airport. Although it was a long stay this time, we''ve grown ustomed to it. Farewells were now swift. It''s nostalgic to think back to the first time when Ogu cried andmented the parting at the Japanese airport. Back then, because of that, an ident happened. No, let''s not dwell on that. "Well then, I''ll also return temporarily. I''ll be back by next week." "Iroha,e back soon! I''ll be waiting, okay? Definitely!" "No I said I''ll be back soon." Why is shementing our separation more than worrying about when she''ll see Mai and me again? Well, it''s about time. "Well then, off to Japan after a long time!" And so, I set foot on Japanese soil after a long while. *** I was meeting one of my favorites. Ilyena for the first time. Chapter 241: [Class Reunion] Chapter 241: [ss Reunion] "Hey, Iroha-chan~. We''ll bete soon. Shall we go?" "Ugh, such a hassle." "Oh,e on! Stopining and let''s go~" I''m pulled along by Mai''s arm, heading outside. I wanted to skip if possible, but there''s no way she''ll let me off. "It''s hot." "Yeah yeah. It''ll be cooler once we''re inside the shop~" It''s already the end of August, and well into the evening. Yet, the oppressive heat still lingers. Maybe I''ve gotten too used to the dry summers in America. There are pros and cons, like now I can''t go without a humidifier. "Everyone''s looking forward to seeing Iroha-chan, you know~?" "Even if you say that" I don''t particrly want to see anyone. Watching streams would be more meaningful. In fact "What''s wrong, Iroha-chan~?" "Oh, it''s nothing." I shake my head, cutting off my thoughts. The shop is nearby, and we soon arrive. *** "So, to celebrate the reunion Cheers!" """"Cheers!"""" The smell of grilled meat and the sweet scent of sauce fill therge room. The venue for the ss reunion is a yakiniku restaurant. "Iroha-chan, it''s been a while~! You''re still as cute and tiny as ever~!" "Yeah, it''s been a while. You haven''t changed a bit." People greeted me. But I have no idea who anyone is. I didn''t remember many of them, but everyone seems to have changed drastically. Children grow up so fast. After two years, everyone looks like different people. "Hey everyone, if we all talk to Iroha-chan at once, she''ll be overwhelmed~" "Oops, sorry~" "My bad. Oh yeah, Iroha. I still have that Ukrainian printout you gave me" Mai and the others are exchanging words above my head. It feels oddly intimate for a reunion. Then, I catch snippets of a conversation from a distant table. "Come to think of it, we haven''t really talked since middle school, have we?" "Well, we were in different sses." Ah, I see. Now I realized. Most of us must have gone to the same middle school. That''s why there''s so much attention on those of us who took the entrance exam. "Iroha, what are you up to these days?" "Well, right now I''m" "Hey, slowpoke!" Just as I was about to answer, a voice echoed near the entrance. Someone is entering the room. Instantly, everyone''s gaze is fixed there. Or rather, they seem captivated by her beauty. It''s particrly evident with the boys sitting nearby. As she removes her hat, her silver hair flows smoothly, and then. "Sorry, I''mte. Huh!?" "Huh!?" Our eyes meet with a snap. We both freeze. Sweat starts dripping from all over my body. Then, a joke about beingte flies to her from the side. "Hey~? Did you transfer again today?" "Wha, what''re you talking about? That was years ago." She No, the former transfer student is back in action. I quickly avert my gaze, but. "Hey, there''s a seat near Mai-chan. Hurry and sit down." "Huh!?? "EH!? Oh, th-thank you very much."." The former transfer student sits down right next to me. I ponder for a moment, then force a smile and greet her. "Lo Long time no see! It''s been 2 years, right!?" "Y-Yep! Long time no see!" "Both of you, isn''t that a bit too much~?" "N-No! Who''sdoing that Mai-san!?" No, aren''t they perfectly in sync? I see. Come to think of it, if she hadn''t gone back to Ukraine. "Ilye cough. So, did the former transfer student go to the same middle school as Mai?" "Not just the school. They''ve been in the same ss all along. They''re like best buddies~" "So, it''s not true!? Totally not true~!" "But after school, they often went to each other''s houses" Wait, they did that!? I had no idea at all. What''s going on? I feel a slight sense of alienation. No no, that can''t be. I watch Mai and Ilyena, who are being teased by those around them. Chapter 43: Chapter 43: "Let me exin, what is the project to ask VTubers to say [Baka]! It''s just a project to get VTubers to say [Baka]. " >Wooooooooooooooooooooooo! >Wooooooooooooooooooooooo! (U.S.) >Wooooooooooooooooooooooo! (South Korea) >Wooooooooooooooooooooooo! (France) >Wooooooooooooooooooooooo! (U.K.) "Well, Iroha-chan and all thementers need to calm down once and for all. As the title says, this project is to invite VTubers from various countries and have them abuse each other. You can say it lovingly, mischievously, or with disdain. We leave the expression up to the VTuber." "Hmph! Hmph!" "Yes, yes, Iroha-chan. I know you''re excited! And so, as an interpreter, I wee Iroha-chan, the girl trantor, as my guest. Her new outfit was announced the other day, and today she is here in her magical girl outfit. She is very cute!" >Cute! >Magical girl cute. >Omakawa "Also, we''ll have her fill in for us if we don''t have a VTuber from the appropriate country." "Eh." "By the way, dialects are also possible. If you have any wishes, please throw them to Mashmallow even now." "Wait a minute. I didn''t hear that." >Got it. >LOL >Is it possible for Iroha-chan to curse me with whatever words she likes now? ?? "All right, boys, here we go! Our first guest is from America! "So listen to me" Damn, I didn''t see that oneing. What? What part of this project will help me figure out my cheat? Well, it could be useful! At least I''m making progress A high school boy falls asleep after school. When he wakes up, there is a smiling ssmate girl. The girl who had been waiting for me to wake up in Korean. {Bakkaa!} A girl I met in a foreign country where I was traveling. They are having fun together at the seaside. As if to tell him that he has to go back home now in English. <> A vampire girl. She develops an attachment to the man she should have brought as food. She says to a man who tries his best, even to the point of physical harm in French. <> A boy is always ying naughty tricks on her. A girl who has known him since childhood likes him. Today, he does something stupid again in the Kansai dialect. "Kono Aho" Next time" "Eeeeiiiiii!" >LOL >Irohara raging rush. LOL >Thank you for your Kansai dialect! "Zee, haaaa! That''s not the n I had in mind!" "Well, the mashmallow arrived unexpectedly, you know. I didn''t expect Iroha-chan to be so ad-libbed, so I ended up overdoing it." "Ah, she''s been trained by Ah-nee, right!" "Ahaha, I see. It''s almost time to go, so I''d like to end the stream. Everyone was excited about Iroha, but let me tell you, she is a real elementary school student, okay? You should be aware that you''re a lolicon." >Iroha-chan was cute. (South Korea) >I''m a lolicon. (U.S.) >I loved it. (France) >I was relieved that even Iroha-chan doesn''t know somenguages. "Well, I can''t read it, but it was probably well received. Iroha-chan was satisfied to have quite a few VTubers say [Baka], wasn''t she?" "Well, yeah. The damage was more than that, though." "So thank you very much for watching today. I''m going to use that greeting since there are a lot of people from overseas here today. Se-no! ""Otsukare-ta-, Arige-ta-""" >Otsukare-ta- >Otsukare-ta- >Otsukare-ta- I end the stream, exhausted. How did this happen? "There are too manynguages in the world, to begin with!" I want it to go back to the time of Babel. How manynguages did I end up having to say my lines in? Why are there ninenguages in Japan alone? If you include dialects, the list is endless. "It was a really smart and useful project, though." What? What did it end up being useful for? Let''s put that aside and make a thumbnail for the next video. Just as I was getting back into the swing of things, I heard the ringtone of a message. The caller is the coborator from earlier. [Thank you very much for today. If you don''t mind, could youe to our show again? I''m thinking of a project to gather only multilingual VTubers.] It was a project that could help us figure out their abilities. I thought she was joking, but the lie turned out to be true. Because all the words that appear there are almost jargon words. In other words, learning thenguage does not increase the number of VTubers I can promote. What I need is shallow and broad knowledge. Deep knowledge is not a priority. "Or no way, am I afraid?" I can''t imagine what would happen if this ability grew faster than now. Or what will happen when I''m not even myself anymore? "That''s ridiculous." I snapped out of my thoughts and turned over. Then I heard a beep and a message ring. I''ve been getting so many invitations to participate in projectstely that I''ve had to decline more often. But this time, I had no choice but to participate. Because it was something important, something that could be a clue to my abilities. What is this project? "Chiki Chiki! A n to have VTubers from all over the world just say [Stupid]!" "Ooooooooooooooooo!" I screamed with my tension maxed out. Chapter 99.1 - SS 1 Chapter 99.1 - SS 1 SS 1. [Christmas ~ Mai''s Side] This is a story fromst year''s Christmas. *** It was December, just before the middle school entrance exams. Instead of diligently studying for the exams, I was busy watching VTuber live streams in the early morning in the ssroom. Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side and grabbed my shoulder firmly. I was then vigorously shaken. "Oh, oh, oh, Iroha-chan, what''s this all about~? We can''t go on a date together this year for Christmas Eve!? We''ve spent every Christmas Eve together until now!" "Ah ah ah!? I''m getting dizzy! Stop shaking me!" Reluctantly, I took off my earphones and looked up. There stood Mai, wearing what seemed to be reindeer antlers, probably some party essories. Today was December 24th. In other words, it was Christmas Eve. "Things are different fromst year Oh, right! Iroha-chan, you must be doing a Christmas livestream, right? That''s why we can''t go out together, right?" "Tsk tsk tsk. You''re being too naive! ording to my information, Iroha-zama has scheduled live stream slots, including Christmas Eve!" Interrupting the conversation was a silver-haired beauty. Um Who was she again? "Iroha-sama!? Wait, you''re the transfer student! The one from Ukraine who''s in the same ss as us! Don''t tell me you forgot!?" "Oh" That''s right, that''s right. Lately, it feels like we haven''t beenmunicating much. No, that''s urate. This girl always peeks at me from around the corner of the hallway. But it seems like today is an exception. Why did she choose to talk to me today of all days? As I tilted my head, the transfer student burst into tears, saying, "What''s going on, Iroha-zama!? No live stream, no ns with acquaintances could it be you have ns with viewers!?" "Well, Mai wouldn''t call viewers friend, but rather a best friend or lover, right, guys!? Oh, oh, Iroha-chan! What''s going on!? That''s just a joke, right!?" "Iroha-zama~!", "Iroha-chan~!" "Stop shaking me!" The two of them shook me with twice the force as before. I snapped and shook off both Mai and the transfer student. "Geez. It''s not like it matters how I spend Christmas or Christmas Eve." "That''s right, isn''t it I''m sorry. But I couldn''t help it" Oi oi oi, the transfer student started crying. Mai chimed in, saying, "That''s right~! It''s terrible! Mai against it~!" She alwayspetes with her, but at times like this, she''s quick to cooperate. "Oh, uh wait. I''ve learned about Japanese-style Christmas properly and made preparations. Besides preparing for my live stream, I''ve reserved a cake with my favorite character illustration and KFP chicken." "A cake?" "It''s a Ukrainian Christmas dish called kutia,'' which is simr to okayu'' in Japan." "Oh, I see Wait a minute. Illustrations? That''s not part of Japanese Christmas! You''re misunderstanding! It''s more like a Christmas in otaku culture!" "Oh? But Mama said it''s cute, like Japanese Christmas cakes. She was delighted." "Wait, hold on! Are you going to eat that cake with your family?" "Yes Huh!? Is it a punishment to devour the divine Iroha-zama''s face?" "Nooo! That''s not it. That''s not it!" I held my head in frustration. What''s with this difort? It feels like I''m dragged into creating a dark history. "But, it''s true. Ah, ahaha The dishes have gone cold." "I''m sorry! It''s my fault!?" Although I wasn''t particrly hiding it. I sighed heavily and answered. "Well, think about it. If I do a live stream on Christmas. I won''t be able to watch my oshi''s streamer''s Christmas Livestream!" "I knew it," "I knew it." "Huh?" Hey, what happened to their previous momentum? It seems like they were ying around. No, that''s not it. Their eyes were serious. "Um, Iroha-sama. Are you not going to do a live stream? I''m sure all your fans are waiting for Iroha-sama''s live stream." "" "Even if it''s a sudden decision, it''s fine. I''ve been waiting for your live stream all along. I want to spend Christmas with Iroha-zama. Oh, and Merry Christmas." "Ah, hey, don''t cut in line! Iroha-chan, Merry Christmas from Mai too! Iroha-chan, open it, open it!" They urged me to open the presents in a hurry. From the transfer student, there was a hand-knitted scarf, and from Mai, hand-knitted gloves. "Why do they slightly ovep?" "That''s my line! You''re the one who put it on me, right!?" "What are you doing!?" "What are you doing!?" The two of them red at each other. Perhaps these two get along well? I looked at them with an exasperated gaze. Chapter 99.2 - SS 2 Chapter 99.2 - SS 2 SS 2. [Christmas ~ Angu Ogu''s Side] Mai and the transfer student. Theypare the Christmas presents they received from each other. As usual, when ites to this kind of meticulous work, Mai is good at it. The transfer student truly understands my preferences. The colors are simple and subdued, and they seem easy to use. I can''t believe that both were made by elementary school students. The quality is impressive. Receiving such borate gifts makes me feel genuinely grateful. "Thank you. But I''m sorry, I didn''t prepare a gift for you." "Yeah, I just wanted to give you a gift!" "Huh? Well then, Mai wants a voucher for one thing you want me to do''?" "You should hold back." Still, it feels ufortable when I don''t give anything in return. But I can''te up with anything fancy. "Oh, is there something you want? If it''s something I can give you, I''ll give it as a present." "Huh, is that okay? In that case, um" The transfer student musters up the courage and points at my neck with trembling hands. There, was a worn-out scarf I used since my first day of school. "Oh, is this okay? I''ll buy a new one and give it to youter." "Yes! Th-That''s perfect!" "I see. Well, here you go." I take it off right there and hand it over. The transfer student jumps up in joy instantly. She''s so happy that it puzzles me, who gave the presentation. Overwhelmed with gratitude, they repeatedly say, while shedding tears. Unconsciously, their nativenguage slips out. "You''re you''re wee." I understand what it''s like to be the one supporting someone. But I still don''t know how to react when I''m the one being supported. It feels a bit embarrassing. I''m getting shy. "Iroha-chan, me too! Um, um" Watching such an exchange, Mai raised her hand. But then she froze, looking at my hands. The transfer student received a scarf as thanks for the scarf they gave. She probably thought, "I should get gloves too," unfortunately, I wasn''t wearing gloves. They would get in the way of using my smartphone. "Oh well, in that case, I''ll give you huh!?" I smacked Mai''s face with a balled-up sock. That''s enough for you! "That''s mean, Iroha-cha Huuufft, haa~ Iroha-chan''s freshly taken-off socks Hehehe~" "Hey, wait! Give it back!" "Mai already got it, no~! Yippee~!" "Hey, don''t run away!" "Iroha-sama, please wait here! I will retrieve it! Please wait for me, Mai-san! Those socks belong to me!" "They''re not yours either, right!?" Maybe I made the wrong choice of options. I meant to give her only the "socks" as a gift, implying that I have no other gift for her. "Sigh" One of my legs feels chilly. As I rub my feet together, my smartphone vibrates. [Iroha, sorry for asking so suddenly, but can you make a guest appearance on the Christmas broadcast?] The sender of the message was Anguogu. If I had received this message 10 minutes ago. I would have declined. But after hearing the conversation between the transfer student and Mai earlier Understanding the emotions of being pushed is difficult. But I do understand the feelings of being the one doing the pushing. [Okay] That''s what I typed. *** <> >Merry Christmas!" (US) >Thanks for the Christmas Livestream!" (US) >Technically, it''s still Christmas Eve though!" (US) <> As a viewer myself, I was watching that highly rmended Christmas Livestream. There was cake and chicken lined up in front of my monitor. <> >Are you going to reveal them yourself?" (US) >At this time, Japanese content creators are busy with Christmas live performances and such." (US) >I prepared a feast for Ogu!" (US) <> >Hmm, isn''t it subtle? (US) >That''s nice! >It looks so simple and funny." (US) <> >By the way, in Japan, don''t they eat fried chicken instead of turkey?" (US) >What''s the connection between Christmas and cake?" (US) >Is that wine on the side?" (US) <> I raised my ss and said, "Cheers!" through the monitor. Chapter 99.3 - SS 3 Chapter 99.3 - SS 3 SS 3. [Christmas ~ Anego''s Side] <> Angu Ogu was enjoying the dishes and drinks she had prepared herself. Sheughed and said, <> I joined in by eating chicken and washing it down with a carbonated drink. That''s just perfect. That''s how it should be! <> Angu-Ogu must have operated the screen, as a character portrait appeared. Immediately, people could hear a lively voice. "Nice to meet you all! I''m Anegasaki M, everyone''s big sister!" >I love you, Ane-go! (U.S.) >I love you, Ane-gaaaah! (U.S.) >Were you in the middle of a singing ry!? (U.S.) <> "Okay, okay! That''s great! Merry Christmas-nee!" <> "Mm-hm-hm!" Ah-nee nodded in satisfaction. And then, immediately. "Well, I''ll leave now-nee. It''s my turn for the singing ry after this. Oh, and if the English-speaking folks are interested,e and watch-nee!" <> >Hrious! (U.S.) >It''s like a storm passing through. (U.S.) >At this pace, you could invite 100 guests, lol. (U.S.) <> >?!?!?! (U.S.) >Oh! (U.S.) >Could it be that she h a lot of connections with people? (U.S.) <> "Huh?! Cough, cough!" I choked unexpectedly. Angu Ogu sent a message saying, <> I had been careless thinking there was still time. I hurriedly chewed and swallowed the chicken. I put on my headphones and turned on the microphone. I entered the channel for receiving calls. <> "Iroha~~~~!" Angu Ogu shouted as if she had found a savior. Well, there''s no helping it. I wasn''t even ready yet. While typing on the keyboard behind the scenes, I greeted them familiarly. <> >Iroharo! (U.S.) >Iroharo! (U.S.) >The husband rushing to his wife''s rescue (U.S.) <> >Darn it, Iroha knows English! (U.S.) >Ogu is Iroha''s wife (French) >Iroha is Ogu''s wife (Deutsch) <> >Merry Christmas (U.S.) >Merry Christmas! (U.S.) >I came from a tweet. <> > I briefly imagined the silver-haired transfer student. I wonder if she''s somewhere in the chats. <> <> <> <> <> I can''t miss the Christmas stream, but I understand the demand. In other words, this is the perfect solution! Maybe I''m a genius! <> <> Angu Ogu burst intoughter. <> <> Therefore, most VTubers residing in America don''t live stream on Christmas Day. >Ah (U.S.) >Actually, I''m having dinner with my family. (U.S.) >I''m watching this stream while eating dinner too. (U.S.) <> Angu Ogu snapped. Through my headphones <>, I hear the sound of her drinking heavily and biting into a piece of chicken. <> <> Come to think of it, when she stayed in Japan during summer vacation, she mentioned something like that. Something about not getting along well with her family or something. <> <> My mother is very busy at work this time of year, so I''ll be alone on the day. So I''ll be alone on the day. <> >I see. Iroha, don''t cry (U.S). >We''re here for you! >Alright, let''s make some noise tonight! (U.S.) <> Well, at my home, we just shift the schedule, but we still have a Christmas party, you know? That''s why today, we can enjoy the Christmas livestream without any worries in real time. It''s a perfect win-win situation, but wait a minute. Is there some kind of misunderstanding!? <> <> Our conversation was derailed. Well, whatever. She must be feeling lonely. I''ll apany her for a little while. *** It turns out that my initial thought was a mistake. Chapter 99.4 - SS 4 Chapter 99.4 - SS 4 SS 4. [Merry Christmas] I was invited as a guest for the Angu Ogu Christmas Livestream, but <> <> <> <> <> <> What''s with this American joke? Don''t involve me in weird things! And besides <> <> <> <> She can''t even speak properly. Oh well, she''s drunk. She shouldn''t have overdone it since she''s not used to drinking. <> <> Now she''s crying her eyes out! Angu Ogu cries out in a sobbing voice. <> <> >Hmmm! >Oh, so Champagne is that kind of alcohol. (U.S.) >Ogu, don''t cry! (U.S.) <> <> <> <> I let out a sigh at that moment. <> I let out a sigh. It was grand. <> <> <> <> >OMG >Wow, that''s embarrassing! (U.S.) >I didn''t realize it while she was drunk, but some people pointed it out in the chats. LOL (U.S.) <> <> <> <> <> <> <> >Stop it! LOL (U.S.) >Ogu''s life gauge has been at zero for a while now! >Confirmed clip material LOL (U.S.) <> >Your excuses are getting desperate LOL (U.S.) >Isn''t eggnog a drink made with eggs, milk, and cinnamon? I heard people drink it during Christmas in America. <> <> >Rest in peace (U.S.) >Can you rest in peace after this? (U.S.) >She ran away LOL Angu Ogu''s Christmas became filled with embarrassment. But, I think. It''s much better than sadness. *** Late at night on that day, As the date changed and Christmas Day arrived, I was enveloped in drowsiness, gazing at the snow falling outside the window when suddenly, "Bam! Crash!". What a noisy sound! I jolted awake, hastily pulling the nket over me. "Phew, thank goodness Iroha-chan isn''t awake!" But I was wide awake!? However, I couldn''t just act like I wasn''t awake. After all, the noise source had somehow infiltrated the room, and it was none other than Ah-nee, who was now dressed up as Santa us. "Phew, that was close. Even though Iroha Mama asked me to y Santa today because I couldn''t go home, I almost messed up." Mom, seriously! It''s a casting mistake! Ah-nee is unsuited for covert operations! ".Iroha-chan." Suddenly, she spoke to me gently, and my heart skipped a beat. Did she somehow realize that I was awake? But no, it was different. "I know deep down, Iroha-chan is a kind child." Ah-nee gently stroked my head. Why is that? Without thinking, I almost said, "" "Maybe there will be difficult times ahead. Iroha-chan has a special power, so you might be expected to act ordingly. But don''t forget," [] "Just remember what you truly like.'' As long as you don''t forget that, everything will be alright. With your abilities, Iroha-chan, you can ovee any challenge." Perhaps she noticed that I was awake? Hey, Ah-nee. I am "Wait a minute! Wasn''t I super cool just now?! I was saying something that sounded right, but it felt like I knew everything!" You''ve ruined it! I cried in a different sense. Return the emotion! *** The next morning, I sat absentmindedly on the bed. After that, Ah-nee enjoyed ying make-believe and continued saying those lines. It was so noisy that I couldn''t sleep at all! And I was waiting for when she would finally leave after leaving the presents. I stared down at the floor,pletely absorbed. There, I saw "Snoring Zzz" "Hey!" Ah-nee in Santa costume was sprawled on her back, belly exposed, and fast asleep. That''s aplete disaster! This is a story from before Iroha entered middle school. Just an ordinary moment from Iroha''s everyday life. Chapter 130.1 - SS 1 Chapter 130.1 - SS 1 SS 5. [Bing A Vtuber For 0 Yen ~ Beginner''s Guide] "No way, you can''t be a VTuber for real with 0 yen, can you~?" "Eeeee!?" I was in shock, my mouth hanging open. Mai-san looked at me with a disappointed expression. At this rate, it''ll turn into a title scam, won''t it!? Well, I don''t know what a title means, though! Now, let''s go back to exining how this situation came about. It all began when I was still in elementary school. And it was the day I aspired to be a VTuber. *** Because I''m only interested in a VTuber! That was the response from Iroha-sama to my confession. In other words That''s how I ended up with dreams and goals. Huh? Why do I do that extent with a ssmate of the same gender? Well, anyone would feel the same. "Aah, Iroha-samaa!" Iroha-sama appeared before me like a savior. An angel that descended upon me during the difficult times when I evacuated from Ukraine to Japan and struggled tomunicate at school. She even went out of her way to learn Ukrainian for my sake. Moreover, she created a chart ofmon phrases in Ukrainian to "makemunication easier.". It''s hard not to fall in love with her. Since then, my heart has been colored in Iroha-sama''s hues. "All right, I''ll be a VTuber loved by Iroha-sama for sure!" With determination, I started to consider my setting. At home, I diligently wrote down ideas in my notebook. "As for the debut name alright! Let''s go with Ilyena''!" From now on, I''ll be Ilyena. By the way, I received the initial from Iroha-sama in utmost secrecy. Then, I chose a name that sounded Ukrainian based on that initial. When I researched it, I found out it means "peace". I thought it wasn''t bad. For me, who had evacuated, there could be no better-suited name. "The design will be like this, and then the greetings will be" After a while, my fantasies-filled notebook waspleted. Heheh, I was satisfied with the result. Now, everything is ready! All that''s left is to make my debut. But just as I was thinking that I came to a halt. Come to think of it. I hardly know anything about what it takes to be a VTuber. "Actually, how can I be a VTuber?" And so, it began. The tale of my hardships in bing a VTuber! *** "No, this is impossible!" I copsed in front of theputer. On the screen were articles rted to VTuber debut that I had searched for. Automatically tranted into Ukrainian, the approximate costs were written there. It''s around 200,000 to 300,000 yen Or was it more? "Um, in Hryvnia, it''s 60,000 to 80,000!" It''s not an amount an elementary school student can afford. Just a 2D model alone costs around 100,000 yen. Naturally, working at my age is prohibited in Japan If this goes on, I won''t be able to win Iroha-sama''s favor! I felt overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness. At that moment, an unexpected person brought a solution. *** "So, what''s going on~?" "Mai-san?" In an elementary school ssroom, someone unexpectedly called out, and I blinked my eyes in surprise. "It seems like you''ve been troubledtely~." My Sun is worried about me!? I felt perplexed as if it were a prelude to a natural disaster. Usually, Mai-san interrupts and bothers me whenever I''m with Iroha-sama. As I gave her a puzzled look, Mai-san muttered under her breath. "Before Iroha-chan starts worrying, we better shut down the conversation pretext~." Ah, I see. I understood her point. But right now, it''s quite convenient. I didn''t want Irohasama to find out about this matter. "Well, the thing is" I conveyed my troubles regarding my VTuber debut. Mai-san''s reaction seemed somewhat strange. "Y-Yeah Uguu~, Nunu~, Aah~, Eeh~" "?" She seemed to be in deep conflict. However, eventually, Mai-san eximed. "Oh, I got it! I''ll help you with your debut as a VTuber! I''ll teach you how to do it~!" "No, I don''t think Mai-san can do something for me." "How rude~!? I''ve helped my older sister with her VTuber debut, you know~?" "Really? Wow, you mean Mai-san''s older sister is that famous VTuber who often coborates with Iroha-sama?" "That''s right~!" I was surprised by her unexpected background. However, it was still puzzling. "Why did you decide to help me? I''m your rival, aren''t I?" "It''s not for your sake! It''s for Iroha-chan''s sake~!" Mai-san exined that Iroha-sama''s ultimate happinesses from having more VTubers more oshis. As someone who loves her, she couldn''t ignore someone who wants to debut as a VTuber but is struggling. If she were to abandon me, she''d never be able to face Iroha-sama again. "So, Mai will help you! I''ll tell you how to be a VTuber for 0 yen!" Chapter 242: [Random Coaster] Chapter 242: [Random Coaster] Oh, I see. Come to think of it, it''s natural for her'' to have interactions with someone other than me. In fact, it would be strange if she didn''t. We go to different schools. We even live in different countries now. So, I should be relieved to hear she has other close friends "Iroha-chan~?" "Huh? W-what is it?" "Could it be, were you pouting just now?" "Huh!?" My face flushed with heat. What''s with this sudden usation!? There''s no way that''s true!? This is just Yes, that''s it! "Just felt a bit lonely, like when a rtive''s child you''ve been looking after suddenly stands on their own, that kind of loneliness." "Oh~? " For some reason, Mai starts grinning mischievously. W-what''s with that expression? "Iroha-chan, were you lonely~?" "T-that''s not true!?" Mai stares at my face intently and approaches. I can''t stand it anymore, so I avert my gaze. "Hey, Iroha-chan. It''s not a rtive''s child, right?" "I-I know that already." But then why do I feel this way? Could it be that I''m actually jealous? No, no. Why should I feel like I''ve been "stolen" from? She wasn''t anyone''s to begin with? "Mai-san, please!? Getting too close to Iroha-sama I-Iroha-sama!?" I can''t take it anymore and finally move away from Mai, leaning towards Ilyena. I grab her dress hem tightly. Damn it, I''m only half-hearted as a fan! I know I shouldn''t have these feelings but I can''t stop them! "I I''m a bigger fan of Ilyena-chan!" " ??? Huh? Uh, why''s that? Iroha-chan~?" "Eek!? Ilyena-sama!" I can''t believe Mai made me feel like she "stole" my favorite! No, I know in my head. There''s no right to monopolize someone as a fan. Ever since I found out we knew each other, there''s been this strange possessiveness. "I won! My life''s been this long! But, it was a really close match! Victory is mine!" "W-wait a minute!? Did Iroha-chan get jealous thinking Mai stole'' her?" "Huh? Why?" "Iroha-chan''s an idiot! Cheater~!" Mai runs off with a "Waah!" Cheater, huh? "Jeez." And me being jealous because Mai got stolen? That''s absurd. Mai isn''t even a VTuber or anything. So by process of elimination, it''s obvious this feeling is "jealousy towards Mai". Yeah, there''s no other exnation. "Umm, Iroha-sama? Your face is really red, you know?" "Huh!? Oh, I wonder why!?" "Could it be, Iroha-sama?" At that moment, a hesitant boy enters the space left by Mai''s departure. He nervously speaks to Ilyena. "Hey, uh, remember me? We ended up in different sses, but when you transferred here, I helped you" "Iroha-sama!" "Eek!?" I push the boy away, and Ilyena takes my hand. She looks at me with a serious gaze. "Tell me more about yourself, Iroha-sama!" Oh, I suddenly remembered. That boy just now Oh, I see, that time. Even if there''s no chance, he''s still holding onto his first love, huh? Well, I can understand that. I''m still not over the first VTuber I got into, even though she''s retired! Huh? Wasn''t that the topic? "Umm, so why all of a sudden?" "Well, if I want to get closer to Iroha-sama, now''s my only chance!" "But even if you ask me to tell you" "At least for now! And when will Iroha-sama be returning to Japan? I also went back to Ukraine once, and I started missing Japanese food then." "Oh~! You''re more Japanese than I am!" Come to think of it, except for my mom''s cooking, I haven''t really eaten anything else. I remember the menus. "What I''ve eaten since I returned to Japan: parfaits, pancakes, omurice, juice" "W-why does it seem so biased!?" "Well, since I got back to Japan, I''ve been going to VTuber coboration cafes every day. You know, those boxes. But it''s hard to collect the original coasters." "Iroha-sama, you eat so little." Ilyena says, looking at my table. At times like this, I miss having the body of a guy. "It''s one per item, and they''re random." "Well then, maybe?" Ilyena continues to ask questions, somewhat desperately, as if she''s searching for something inmon with me. Chapter 243: [When Three Women Gather] Chapter 243: [When Three Women Gather] "Oh, isn''t it too early for high school entrance exams?" "Are you studying for the exams?" "No, not at all." As I was getting bombarded with questions by Ilyena, a conversation like that naturally reached me from a nearby table. "Iroha-sama, will you start attending an American high school next month? Will you not progress at the school over there?" "Um, for now, I''m staying local" I was about to answer when former ssmates, who seemed to be eavesdropping, eximed in surprise. "Eh!? Iroha-chan skipped a grade!?" "No way! I knew it. She''s been outstanding since elementary school with her grades and all." "Nuh-uh, that''s not true. Iroha-chan is just studying abroad." "Oh, she''s back." It was Mai who corrected the words of our former ssmates. She seemed surprisingly nonchnt. Maybe she just went to the bathroom? "Has Iroha-sama decided which high school to take the entrance exams for?" "Not at all." "I see. If you decide, could you let me know? If possible, I''d like to attend the same high school. Even though Iroha-sama is incredibly smart. I''m not sure if my academic abilities would measure up." "" Mai''s eyes widened at Ilyena''s words, and then she began to think seriously about something. As if she had never thought of it before. "The same school, huh?" I tried to imagine it. It didn''t seem so bad, actually. "Well, okay. But if I ended up staying local for further studies, I''ll choose a school based on its proximity to my home. I don''t think it necessarily has to have a high entrance exam score." "I-Is that so?" Ilyena''s voice mixed with delight. But then Mai interrupted with a "Wait.". "Um, Ilyena-chan. Isn''t the high school closest to Iroha-chan''s house?" Mai whispered into Ilyena''s ear. Upon hearing that, Ilyena seemed shocked and copsed as if hit by a blow. "The entrance exam score here is ridiculously high, isn''t it!?" "Huh? Really?" Honestly, I wasn''t interested and didn''t know the level of the school. In that case "But it''s not impossible." Just as I was about to speak, Ilyena raised her head. There was determination in her eyes. "If I study desperately, even I can barely make it. It''s not like it''s a super'' prestigious school!" "Alright! I''ll aim for the same school too!" The two of them dered their determination. So I withdrew the words I was about to say. I want to go to the same school as them, even if it''s a bit far away. Not that I''m thinking that, or even if I were, it would be a momentarypse of judgment. Above all, those words seemed rude, as if I had already decided the two couldn''t do it. "Got it. Well then, do your best. I''m looking forward to it." "~~~~~!" So, instead, I replied with those words. A surprisingly gentle voice came out of me. "I''ll do my best!" "Of course! Iroha-chan, you must have been studying abroad in America so that you could tutor us for this moment!" "Huh!? Is that true, Mai-san, you''re cheating!" "It''s fine, right? Well, it''s the privilege of childhood friends, isn''t it?" "Huh!?" The two of them started arguing again. I sighed and rested my chin on my hand, watching them. "Iroha-chan, why are youughing?" "That''s right, Iroha-sama! That''s noughing matter!" "I''m notughing at anything." After that, we spent most of the time until we disbanded together. Most of it, except for when our homeroom teacher, who rmended me to take the junior high school entrance exam, joined the conversation at some point That doesn''t matter. "Then, let''s p our hands together. Ready, set, go!" With the shout from the teacher who was also the organizer, we all pped our hands. And so, the alumni reunion came to an end. *** On the way home. As we walked, feeling the night breeze, Mai eximed, "Oh!" "Look, Iroha-chan! This is it, the high school we talked about!" "Is this it?" It wasn''t clear because it was dark. Still, the three of us lined up in front of the school gate, looking at it. "I see, this is it. Maybe I should study a little seriously too." I muttered quietly. I can''t just keep worrying about Mai and Ilyena. Because if I''m the only one who fails, it wouldn''t be funny. That was a statement born out of such thoughts. "Eh!? I-Iroha-chan is showing interest in studying on her own!? What school are you aiming for, nning to raise your entrance exam score even higher!?" "S-So that''s it, Iroha-sama! Would it be okay to go a little easy on me!?" Huh!? Could they think I''m aiming for a higher school than this!? "Um, is this school known for beingpetitive?" "It''s just from our perspective, okay!?" "Iroha-chan, you''re surrounded by smart people all the time, so your sense might be a bit off, you know!?" They both plead, "Don''t leave us!" I smiled wryly and ended up reflexively patting their heads. Maybe I''m also affected by the atmosphere of this special day called the alumni reunion. Doing things I don''t usually do, saying things I wouldn''t normally say. "-I''m not going anywhere." "You say that, but you''re going back to America soon, right?" "Iroha-sama, that''s mean! During that time, you''ll coborate with us a lot, won''t you!?" "Hey." I''m returning the favor for them getting too carried away. The three of us looked at each other andughed. *** And then, a few dayster. As promised, I was doing an offline coboration stream with Ilyena. And the content was "I''m asking Ilyena-chan! Moments when you think, Ah, I''ve be so Japanese!''" With the streaming SE sound effects of "Boom boom puff puff". Chapter 244: [Birth Of A VTuber] Chapter 244: [Birth Of A VTuber] "My words to you! I''m the trantor girl, Iroha!" "Doburohoranko! Ilyena, desu!" Iroharo~! Doburohoranko! Yay! It''s the second coboration off the record! (Ukrainian) And so, the Foreigners Familiar with Japan'' stream with Ilyena began. Just likest time''s ASMR, it''s being broadcast from her ce. "I really wanted to intrude into Iroha-sama''s room." "Well Most of my equipment is taken to America." Technically, I can still stream since I left backup equipment at my parents'' house. Butpared to Ilyena''s ce, it''s definitelycking. And above all, Mai isn''t here. I recalled her words from back then. [You absolutely can''t enter Iroha-chan''s sanctuary, okay!?] Yeah, I was vehemently opposed. But if it''s at Ilyena''s ce. [Alone together again!? What if something happens to Iroha-chan this time!?] It was noisy, as usual. Either way, someone''s going toin! "Hehehe Iroha-sama, you don''t have to worry about interruptions today!" "O-Okay, be gentle, alright?" Today, Mai couldn''te with us. Or rather, thest off-the-record coboration and alumni reunion were special. Because she''s currently facing the consequences of her selfish trip to America''. She''s banned from going out and forced to do summer homework under her parents'' supervision. "Ahem, so then, I''ll be the host for today''s proceedings." Hm? That''s odd, Iroha-chan''s initiative seems too ambitious for a guest idea (Ukrainian) But it''s not from the viewers either Come to think of it. Where''s Anego, who was supposed to return to Japan with us? "Scary, isn''t it!? Hey, are you all detectives!? Isn''t that too sharp!?" Indeed, today''s n is brought to you by Ah-nee. It''s something she entrusted to me. As she''s got swamped with work from her trip to America. "Yes. You''d understand this much if you had a level 2 Iroha Certification''. By the way, I have a level 1, so I''m confident." "Wait, what''s that? I don''t know about that." "Question: What was Iroha-sama''s first cry'' on the stream? 1. He. Auu!? 2. Uh, um!? 3. Gyaaaaaah!?" 4. Ogyaaaaah! 4. Ogyaaaaah! Why are there oveppingments there, haha "Yeah. That''s a mistake. It should be the first words uttered on the stream'', right!?" Generally, a VTuber''s first cry'' refers to their first tweet on Twitter. But in my case, my debut was quite unique. "Anyway That''s not important!? I don''t remember that either! Today is about Ilyena-chan, right!?" "Mmm I wanted to talk more about Iroha-sama, but I guess it would be false advertising if we didn''t. Sorry." "Today''s stream will also include stories from other overseas VTubers living in Japan." With that preamble, we get to the main point. Ilyena opens her mouth, saying, "Come to think of it" "I recently had an experience that made me realize I''ve be ustomed to Japan." "Oh, really? When was that?" "It was when I went back to Ukraine." Come to think of it, she mentioned something like that at the alumni reunion. But why talk about her hometown instead of Japan? "It turns out that Japanese habits stuck with me, even there." "Oh, really?" "For example, when I arrived at the airport, it was really crowded" Ilyena stands up and makes gestures as if she''s weaving through a crowd of people. I see, I get it now. "I tried to navigate through the crowd with a karate chop'' style. Got some weird looks." Yeah, only Japanese people do that, haha I did the exact same thing when I returned home from Ukraine (Ukrainian) Japanese people always carry the spirit of karate, huh (U.S.) "After that, I took a taxi, and when getting in and out, I forgot to close the door and got scolded. I had been studying for Iroha-sama''s 3D debut & birthday celebration'' stream, and I ended up doing it perfectly." "It''s not just different''. It''s the exact opposite'', which makes it even more confusing." "After that, I reunited with some old friends." I know there were friends who passed away, but I''m really d so many are okay It was thanks to Ilysha speaking up at that time (Ukrainian) By the way, do your friends know that Ilyena-chan is a VTuber? "No, I haven''t told them directly. But I feel like they already know somehow." "Well, Ilyena-chan was quite active back then." "I''m saying that, Iroha-sama!?" Whoa!? That was a boomerang. I also became too famous, so I try to be careful when I go out. By wearing a hat. By lowering my voice. But still, I feel like they know but just don''t approach me, or maybe Secret Service people are dealing with it behind the scenes. It seems likely. Chapter 245: [Foreigners Becoming Japanese] Chapter 245: [Foreigners Bing Japanese] Off-coboration stream with Ilyena. Despite being too ustomed to Japan, there are still some idents'' when she returns home. "So, I went to eat with a friend I met up with after a long time, but there was a line at the restaurant. When I lined up like it was normal, they were like huh!?'' and surprised." "Huh? Was there something weird?" "They said, [Wouldn''t it be faster to find another restaurant?]'' and I was like, Oops.''." "Yeah?" Resistance to lines lol Indeed, Japanese people really like lining up, huh (Ukrainian) Isn''t it that in foreign countries, lines are more of something to avoid, rather than to join? "In the end, my friend found it funny, and we ended up lining up together to enter that restaurant." In Japan, it''s considered manners to line up when you see a line (Ukrainian) Also, even during disasters, people line up orderly because of their polite nature (Ukrainian) That''s true, but also slightly wrong lol "We ordered borscht and varenyky" "I know borscht, but what are varenyky?" "In Japan, it''s closest to water dumplings. And then I identally dropped my cutlery. They brought me recements, and I ended up apologizing to the staff like I''m sorry.''" It''s not sorry'' there, right? It''s thank you'' Why do Japanese people apologize even when they are not at fault? (Ukrainian) Ah! That''s so rtable lol "Apologizing has be a reflex, huh." "Yeah! And then my friend''s ss was empty, so I tried to pour mine into theirs, and they were like What are you doing?'' all confused." "That happens." "When I showed off my Japanese, I got praised like Wow!'' but I humbly said No, no.''." "Totally!" "Also, during conversations, I nodded or gave affirmations, and they told me, Your reactions are annoying!'' or Don''t rush the conversation!''. It wasn''t my intention." "It happens a lot!" "Wow, it seems like everyone here can really rte, huh?" "Well, I''ve had simr experiences in America too." The story from earlier with Ilyena applies to Japanese people going abroad too. In my case, though, since I look Japanese, things often get resolved with "Oh, it''s because our cultures are different.". "Oh, and I got a work call during dinner and stepped away to take it and started bowing by myself like, What are you doing?'', and gotughed at." "Haha." "And when I left our belongings unattended, I got scolded." Indeed, sinceing back to Japan, I''ve been surprised by how carefree everyone is. To name a few: Kids going out alone. Women riding elevators alone. Walking on the streets at night. Falling asleep on trains. And so on. "I heard from an acquaintance VTuber that they now easily put bills in vending machines. They said it''s because, at their home, vending machines often eat money or don''t give change. Well, this might be specific to certain areas in the U.S.." In areas with poor security, vending machines can lose products, or money quickly. That might lead to poor maintenance or construction because they can''t afford the costs anymore. "Also, that person was surprised when the waiter refused the tips after things like returning a lost wallet in Japan, or getting a wet towel at a restaurant, or having their table wiped." "In that sense, Ukraine also doesn''t have a tipping culture. So, when Japanese people travel there, they might find it friendly." "I might have a chance to go there too" "You''re a goodwill ambassador! Please take me with you!" "Then should I rely on you for navigation?" Aren''t we still in a ceasefire'' technically? Even though there are hardly any entry restrictions now (U) It''s been a long ceasefire, so it''s more like a truce,'' right? "So, if you''re interested, please visit my hometown!" "That''s it for today''s stream!" Well, that ended quite neatly. I''m usually just tossed around by Ah-nee, so finishing a stream without any issues is rare. It''s almost worrying in a way. And of course, that bad feeling woulde true. "By the way, are you okay?" "Okay? About what?" "Well, about the feedback from the ASMR stream the other day." "Ah, right. Since then, there have beenments asking for more ASMR." "No, not from viewers. From parents and such." "!?!?!?" I suddenly realized. A and B were very excited and even called me to express their thoughts. I got prepared for that from the beginning, so it''s fine. But parents? I never even considered that. If my actual mom were to ask about that, I''d die of embarrassment!? "Umm, are you okay?" "Haha I''m sure it''s fine. After all, nothing has been said. She probably hasn''t seen it." It seems like my mother doesn''t watch all of the streams. I closed the stream, telling myself "Otsuka-reta-." while feeling uneasy and then. *** "Mom thinks being too naughty might not sit well." "Ahhhhh!?" Those words from my mother made me crumble. Chapter 246: [Expanding The Family!] Chapter 246: [Expanding The Family!] "Did, did you see that livestream, Mom!?" "No, I was busy with work, and it''s called ESMR,'' right? I don''t really understand those things, so I didn''t watch it, but a clip came up." "I see!? Is that so!? I''m grateful!?" There''s nothing to do but cry and thank Cutout-san! Goodness, what an unnecessary fuss! "By the way, have you always been uninterested in men and liked girls?" "Cough cough!? W-where did thate from!?" "Well, it was on the livestream." "That''s not it!? That, yes! It''s just a performance! It''s for the viewers!" "Oh, acting, huh?" Being stared at so intensely, I averted my gaze. Why do mothers asionally have eyes that seem to see through everything? No, there''s nothing to see through! Wait, who am I even trying to justify myself to? "Anyway, Mom umm." Trying to change the subject to divert attention. What came to mind was "Are you busy with work againtely?" "Mm, well, kinda~" Mom brought work documents home from the office and was working at home. I proposed to her with a "Hmm." "If work is tough, you can quit anytime. I''ll support you." The situation has changed since we had a simr conversation before. With the promise to Ogu Mama and my determination to continue as a VTuber for a while longer. Not for free, though; she''ll help with some behind-the-scenes work. But Mom returned my proposal with a bewildered look. "Sure, maybepared to you, it''s not a huge sum, but what I''m doing is also important work, you know? Besides, you''vee this far partly because of thispany''s paycheck." "Um, I didn''t mean to belittle that." "I know. But it''s okay. Being busy isn''t for negative reasons; it''s because thepany''s performance is improving." "Is that so?" "Yes. Besides, quitting during such a busy time would inconvenience everyone." "Ugh!?" Realizing I''ve been selfish, I''m at a loss for words. Mom continued, "However." "If it were a job you hated, I''d say quit. Besides, I have no intention of taking on extra work." She said andughed casually. Her smile was confident, charming, and oddly feminine. "Surprisingly, one can find fulfillment'' or purpose'' at any age." Surely. Mom also has dreams from her student days that couldn''t be fulfilled. What they are? I don''t intend to ask such a delicate question. It''s a closed chapter. But perhaps her prime is now. Or maybe it''s in the future, tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or from today. "Hey, Mom, do you have any ns to remarry?" "My boss mentioned that too. Even though I have no such intention, colleagues invite me out for meals, or proposals from thepany director''s son. Oh, thinking about it makes me angry." As expected, she seems to captivate men quite a bit. However, those men seem to have no luck. Unfortunately, Mom has already "Mom, you already have a new family'', you know~!" Yes. Surprisingly, our family grew while I was in America. That might be Mom''s newfound purpose in life.'' "Actually, now that I think about it, the main reason I work is probably to earn this one''s'' food money, right~?" Mom said in a yful tone. From somewhere, a "Meow~?" response is heard. Approaching with a jingle of a cor bell was a small kitten. There was something familiar about its fur. [[What''s up? Food? Is it dinner time? Are you giving me food?]] "Aww~! You''re being so affectionate! How cute~! Let me pet you~!" "I think it''s the child of Mana-nee''s cat that we looked after before, right?" "That''s right~! We ended up adopting it. The manager and I are cat buddies now!" I can tell how Mom feels about the kitten. Words are a mirror to the heart. Anyway, I thought she''d be lonely in America. Turns out, not at all. Honestly, I was quite worried, so this is a relief. [[Hey, kitten. Remember, I''m your boss here, okay? Remember that well!]] "You''re really good at mimicking cat sounds." I poke the kitten''s forehead while Mom holds it. "Don''t grow up to be as mischievous as your father.", I say. The next time Ie back will probably be in six months. By then, this kitten will have grown a lot. "Hey, Iroha." "What?" "Mom has enough savings to support you. So, if anything happens, feel free toe back." "! Thank you." Maybe Mom isn''t quitting her job just for herself. It might be to keep a ce where I can always return ast resort. If that timees, I won''t hesitate to ask for help. And so, thest week of summer vacation passed by *** Thest day of summer vacation. At the airport, I was about to be seen off by Irena and others. Chapter 247: [Complete!] Chapter 247: [Complete!] "Iroha-sama~! Saying goodbye already is just not eptable! No way!" "Y-yeah. It''s nice that you''re sad to see me go, but we''re in the airport lobby, you know? People are watching." I give a wry smile as I hold Ilyena''s hand while she sobs loudly. Today is finally the day I return to America. Ah-nee and Mai were supposed toe to see me off, but they seemed to be runningte. And my mom is watching from a distance literally. "Ilyena-chan, she''s that girl, right? Jeez, you really" "No, no, it''s not like that at all!" "Iroha-samaaa~!" "Hey, wait a minute!? Don''t cling to me even more!? You''re just making things more confusing!" I push Ilyena away, sighing deeply. There are a few things I resent her for. "Because of the ASMR stream incident, Mom said some embarrassing things to me It was really embarrassing, you know!?" "Iroha-sama, it''ll be okay." "What do you mean, okay? Nothing is okay!" "It''ll be fine soon enough." "No, it''s not okay! I don''t have a heart of steel like you!" However, Ilyena tilts her head in confusion at my words. What''s with that puzzled look? "Iroha-sama, I thought you had a broader and more tolerant heart towards such matters." "You''re not fooling anyone. I''ve practically spilled everything already. Besides, I do feel embarrassed to some extent, you know?" "Hmm. Isn''t it a bitte for that now?" "What are you talking about?" "Well, we already attended the ss reunion in that state." "What did you say?" I grimaced, my face contorting in disbelief. Could it be that the ssmates we met recently? "Yes. Almost everyone watched that ASMR stream or the clipped videos." "Whaaat!?" Wait, hold on! And yet, despite that, I chatted amicably with them? "How did they see us then!? Could it be that they took it seriously?" "There was a lot of discussion in the ss group chat. It''s interesting." Ilyena shows me her smartphone screen. The LIME message history disyed these lines: [That ASMR was intense, huh!?] [Ilyesha was even better than usual!] [I hope Iroha coborates with her again!] [It was kinda lewd. Is that okay? Especially Iroha.] [I can''t see Iroha-chan with innocent eyes anymore, she''s too sexy!] [Are those two dating for real?] "Nooo!?" I held my head in my hands, squatting down. My life as Iroha, my highest priority, now faced its greatest embarrassment. And what''s with the for real'' in there? I may be a VTuber, but I''m not doing any Yuri business! "I-I can''t I can never face my ssmates again." "You say that, but you wouldn''t have wanted to attend the reunion anyway, right?" Well, that''s true. I probably won''t have any more opportunities to interact with them in the future I thought. "Speaking of which, Iroha-sama. Everyone entrusted me with this for you.''" "Huh? What''s this about? What, huh!?" Ilyena hands me a bag she took out of her purse. When I checked inside, it was filled with coaster sets. Ohat you can only get at a VTuber coboration cafe, and we had theplete set. "W-What''s this!?" "They talked about collecting'' them at the reunion. So, everyone in the ss went, and got them for you." "Wow! Can I really have these!?" "Of course. And if you don''t, it''d be a problem for me." "Thank you! Thank you so much!" "I''m d you''re happy." "Tell everyone thank you'' for me!" "If you can, directly from Iroha-sama maybe during a livestream or something, mention how happy you were about this. They''d appreciate that more." "Got it! I understand!" I gleefully examine the random coasters. Who would have thought they''d all beplete like this!? This was my biggest regret on this return trip. As I bounce around happily, Ilyena looks at me with a mix of amusement and bewilderment. "Irohasama is truly Irohasama, huh? Ideally, I''d like you to be less of a bother But including that, I like" "I-RO-HA-CHAAAAN!" Interrupting whatever Ilyena was saying, Mai appears. She grabs me tightly, and I let out a surprised "Gehh.". "Sorry foring at thest minute! I came to see you off! But I don''t want you to go!" "Haha! Mai, you''re full of energy! Hey there, onee-chan also came to see you off!" "Mai-san, why do you always have to be so intrusive!?" Even though it was already noisy a moment ago, now it was even more chaotic. And yet, amidst this chaos, our parting was imminent. The boarding time was less than 5 minutes away. Chapter 248: [Lets Start A New Office!] Chapter 248: [Lets Start A New Office!] "I''m d both Mai and Ah-nee made it on time!" Seeing Mai and the others who came to see me off at the airport, a smile almost escaped me. I cleared my throat with an "ahem" and tried to y it off. It''s not like I wanted to see them, you know? But if we parted without meeting here, Mai would definitely be a painter on. "Well~, we barely made it on time because Mai''s summer homework wasn''t finished until just now." "Eek~!? B-but Mai did my best to meet Iroha-chan!" "Mai-san, please stop making excuses and clinging to Iroha-sama!" Ilyena forcefully pulled Mai away from me with a "Mugigigi." Wait, Mai''s progress was that bad? That was a bad move on my part. "Sorry, I didn''t think we were cutting it so close. I was handling normal schedule stuff." "It''s because I want to do it~. Besides, Mai doesn''t want to hand over important parts to others~" Even though I have a few other managers, Mai is still the most reliable one. When ites to decisions beyond business tasks, she''s always the best person to consult with. "So, Mai will continue to help Iroha-chan from now on!" "Got it, thanks. Oh, speaking of which, Ilyena-chan is also an individual artist, right? How''s that going?" "Eh!? W-well, h-how is it!?" "Huh? You don''t know?" Isn''t that a bit awkward? Given Ilyena''s scale, the amount involved must not be small. I couldn''t help but frown as I looked at her. "W-wait!? It''s not like that!" "Uh, I guess I shouldn''t have said that?" Oh, she''s apologizing. Or is she? I highly doubt she''s regretting anything. "But then it seems like you two are visiting each other''s homes?" "That''s right~. Mai was helping with the work~" "Yeah. Actually, when I debuted, I was helped by Ilyena" I totally missed that. But now that I think about it, it makes sense that Ilyena had an advisor. If you reverse-engineer the timing, Ilyena debuted as a VTuber in elementary school. It would have been impossible without someone''s guidancelike Mai helping Ah-nee''s debut. Did even Iroha, the trantion girl, debut in elementary school? I''m the exception here. "So, you two weren''t dating after all?" "Noooo! Iroha-sama, do you still believe that!?" "Hmm, I see." I must have let my guard down then. A word slipped out unintentionally. "Phew, that''s a relief." "Huh? What?!" "N-no! That''s not what I meant!" I was just wondering if we were dating, would it be better to be reserved? That''s all I meant by it! "Anyway, Mai, send me your schedule after you return to America." "Got it~" "But both of us were helped by Mai. If that''s the case, why don''t we just start a new office together? Well, just a thought" "Whaaat!!!" It''s a sh idea, that was just something that popped into my head. But Ilyena unexpectedlytched onto it, leaning in. "That sounds amazing! If that happens, we''ll have even more time together than now. Oh, maybe it should just be us without Mai!" "I won''t let you two be alone!" "Yeah~. I want Mai to always be with me." "Iroha-chan, is that a proposal!?" "No, it''s not like that! Remember, you promised to be my exclusive manager. Wait?!" After saying that, I tilted my head. Now that I think about it if Ilyena is also involved, it''s not exclusive,'' right? In fact, it seems like Ilyena was first in the timeline. "Is that so?" "What does that is that so'' mean, Iroha-chan!?" "Iroha-sama, let''s not keep a cheater like her around. Let''s start the office just for us right now" "No, I''m devoted to Iroha-chan only! Besides, it''s your fault!" "What are you talking about?" "Iroha-chan, don''t abandon Mai!" "Ahaha" It started as a joke, but at this rate, we might really end up with an office. But you know, that might not be so bad after all. Chapter 249: [A Mountain Of Happiness] Chapter 249: [A Mountain Of Happiness] "Alright! Then, how about onee-chan joins that agency too?" "Why drag me into this? You already have your own agency, don''t you?" "But onee-chan, it''s lonely being the only one without teammates! It''s unfair for everyone else to have both! Can''t we have both?" "Huh!? I wonder if that''s possible?" Indeed, such a thought hadn''t crossed my mind. As always, Ah-nee had apletely outrageous idea. There are plenty of contractual issues, such as model usage rights and trademarks. But has anyone actually tried what seems impossible? Except for transfers, that is. "L-let''s put this discussion on hold! Besides, I n to start the agency after I graduate!" "What!?" "Eh!?" "Huh!?" You can start a business even as a minor. Otherwise, I wouldn''t have been able to incorporate Trantor Girl Iroha''. However, starting an agency would undoubtedly increase Mai''s workload even more. And then "Mai, you''ll get scolded again by Auntie [Studiese first], you know?" "Ugh! Th-that''s" "So, let''s continue this discussion another time. Besides, we''re short on time right now." While Mai hesitated, I ended the conversation. Just then, an announcement echoed through the airport. "Oh, that''s my flight. I should go now." We won''t see each other for a while. Next time will probably be muchter. "Eeeek! Iroha-chan!" "I don''t want to be apart, Iroha-sama!" "Goodbye, Iroha-chan! Stay well!" Mai and Ilyena clung to me, trying to hold me back. In contrast, Aane was surprisingly light!? It''s fine, though "Can you two let go already? I''m really going to miss the ne at this rate! It''s not like it''s our final goodbye, so be more casual like Ah-nee" "Well, unlike these two, I n to go to America frequently." "!?" Mai and Ilyena were both surprised. Even I didn''t know about this. "You know, there are a lot of events happening in America now, right? So, there are more opportunities for recordings over there." "Onee-chan, that''s cheating!? Isn''t that unfair!?" "Iroha-sama, please wait for me! I''ll also get work in America soon!" "Um, can you two calm down Ahh!" They each grabbed my arms, shaking me vigorously. I shot a resentful nce at Aane and protested, "It''s all because of Aane! Do something about these two!" "Well, it can''t be helped. Here, let go of Iroha-chan already!" "Ah!?" "Eek!?" Ah-nee let go of both of them abruptly. Then, in a brief moment they were apart, she whispered in my ear. "Since Mai and the others can''te, and Ogu seems busytely I''ll have plenty of alone time with Iroha-chan." "Huh?" Ah-nee quickly distanced herself and giggled coyly. That smile made me feel a bit uneasy. Wait, what does that mean!? "Now, Iroha-chan! Hurry while I''m holding them back!" "Move, onee-chan! Mai''s Iroha-chan is getting away!" "No, she''s mine! Please wait, Iroha-sama!" "Ugh!" I wanted to retort, but I swallowed my words due tock of time. I started walking quickly towards the gate. "Iroha-chan! Let''s definitely go to the same high school! We''ll always be together!" "Yes, Iroha-sama, it''s a promise! Oh, but it''s okay if Mai-san doesn''t make it." "What!?" I overheard their conversation from behind. I couldn''t help but chuckle softly. It''s really chaotic until the very end. Maybe we''ll still be like this even ten years from now. "Well, take care." I waved without looking back and walked away During this temporary return, we made two promises. One was to attend the same high school. The other was to start an agency. One of those would be fulfilled much more easily than imagined. And as for the other one. I didn''t know at that time that it would nevere true. *** Seriously, that Oogu I walked alone down the apartment hallway. Technically, I was apanied by the exclusive Secret Service who escorted me from the airport. But the crucial Oogu wasn''t here. A few hours ago, she seemed adamant about picking me up no matter what Could she really be asleep? Oh my. Should I have woken her up? Feeling lonely without her? No, I''m fine without her! But I''ll probably hearints from herter! Shall we go with that? Ugh, forget it! Ironically, I was the one who said she could sleep. She must have been exhausted from her busy schedule. I didn''t have the heart to wake her up. Well then, thank you for escorting me. Please rest well; I know it must have been tiring toe all the way to Japan with me. We enjoyed the trip too, so don''t worry. We''re looking forward to the next one. See you! I bid farewell to the Secret Service at my door and opened it with a click. Then I groped for the light switch in the living room and turned it on. W-what are you doing here!? As soon as I returned home, I found myself shouting. There she was, Anngugu, peacefully asleep. She buried herself under a pile of myundry. Mmm, Iroha, you smell nice.. Anngugu drooled slightly, murmuring in her sleep pletely unaware. Chapter 250: [Lazy Girlfriend] Chapter 250: [Lazy Girlfriend] Hey, Ogu. Wake up. Wake up now. Get up immediately! Just leaving home for about a week, how did things end up like this!? I shook Angu Ogu, buried in my underwear, vigorously. Being tired from recording or whatever excuses there might be, none matters now. I need to exin this situation. Ugh, just 5 more minutes, please Can''t you wait a little longer! Hehehe~. I know, I know. Today, too, Iroha loves me too much Hey, idiot, what are you half-asleep about And then, as if the rm function kicked in, the smartphone started vibrating. It seems like there was some determination toe to wake me up, or so I thought. Wait, huh!? [It''s morning~, Ogu] [Come on. Hurry up and get up] [If you don''t wake up, I''ll y a prank on you, okay?] [Does this feel good?] [N-No, stop it. Not anymore!] [Ogu, I love you chuu] What I heard wasn''t the sound of my rm clock. It was edited and cut, embarrassing lines I was made to say during the livestream. W-Wake up already! What the heck!? Angu Ogu jerked as if startled, her body trembling. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she looked around, finally focusing on me. Huh? Ah, huh? Iroha? Really!? That''s right. It''s really me Huh!? Angu Ogu snatched the smartphone and tapped the screen. The voice I had been hearing all this time? It''s finally stopped. Silence enveloped the room like the calm before a storm. She sweated profusely, her eyes wandering, then she forced a smile. Umm, there''s pizza. Want some? You''re terrible at hiding it! It''s not what you think, Iroha! I didn''t make this rm sound. It was a fan! It''s not just about the voice! Why are you buried in my underwear? Oh no!? I-I mean, this is um, yeah. It''s from when I was doingundry Hmm. Only my underwear? I wasn''t even home? Th-That''s because. That''s right! I ran out of mine while doingundry, so I borrowed yours, Iroha! Borrowed? Did you borrow someone else''s underwear? Umm, well!? And in just a week, there''s this many? Only underwear? W-Well, you see And above all else I''ll put an end to Anngu Ogu''s pathetic excuses. I wanted to point this out for a long time, but Ogu, wrapping yourself "naked" in my underwear, is that your fetish? Huh? I pointed it out somewhat discreetly. Angu Ogu, who had risen from the pile of underwear with a groan, was inexplicably naked. Eeeeek!? Iroha, you pervert! Who''s the one saying perverted things!? Angu Ogu screamed and hid behind the giant Trantor Girl Iroha'' plushie. Apparently, she fell asleep hugging it. Is that for real, I wonder? Well, I also have a plushie of my oshi. It''splicated, but I''ll let it slide. We''re always naked together in the bath, so what''s the big deal now? That''s different! Youck sensitivity! Who''scking sensitivity? Look up the meaning of sensitivity again! By the way, "sensitivity" originally meant delicacy'', you know. That''s just a linguistic cheat, due to trantion constraints. Geez, why all this fuss? Were you feeling lonely or something? N-N-No way! Th-That''s not it at all Anngu Ogu blushed and buried her face in the plushie. Hmm, hit the nail on the head, maybe? It was just a week, right? Until now, you''ve been living alone all this time, right? Shut up, shut up! It''s all Iroha''s fault! It became natural for me to be with you Hmm? I felt a bit embarrassed myself and looked away. Ugh, does she realize it? I''m going back to Japan in six months. Naturally, I''ll return to my parents'' house, and we won''t live together anymore. Ah~. I''mte, but I''m back, Ogu Yeah. Wee back We looked at each other and smiled. Well, anyway Even if it sounds like a good story, whether I forgive you or not is a different matter, you know? Iroha, you demon! Devil! Gremlin! Thest one is actually apliment? Generally speaking, in VTuber terms, it''s almost like a synonym for cute''. Rather than being called a tomboy or a brat, it''s more fitting for Angu Ogu than for me. Put on some clothes for now. Let''s clean up the room Looking around the room, it was quite messy. Or rather, it''s more urate to say it''sziness. I''ve been relying on my mom''s help at home, so doing chores feels strange. Oh well, I was reminded of the blessing of being home. Ogu, were you just eating pizza all this time!? Wait, how old is this? It''s all dried up!? Uh, maybe two days ago? Did you eat pizza in the bath!? It feels slimy, and there''s a pizza smell!? I-I identally dipped it in the bathtub Consider this an additional scolding Ughh!? I made Anngu Ogu clean up what she messed up herself And then. *** Well then, Ogu, I''m off! My high school life in America has finally begun! Chapter 251: [Going To School By School Bus] Chapter 251: [Going To School By School Bus] "Off I go~" I announce to Angu Ogu and leave the house. It''s been arranged for the Secret Service to drive me to the school bus pickup location. Would you like me to take you all the way to school? Hmm, I might consider it for a while since I''ve already applied. But let''s try using it for a bit. I exchange words with the Secret Service woman driving the car. There are three main ways tomute to high school. 1. Drive yourself. Not just using bicycles or scooters. But also cars. In America, in many states, you can get a driver''s license at 16. Especially the so-called learner''s permit'' is just a paper test, and it seems pretty easy to get. "No, isn''t driving at that age too early?" I think from a Japanese perspective, but you can''t go anywhere without a car in America. There''s a sense of necessity driving it, too. 2. Get a ride from parents or others in a private car. There are various reasons for choosing this option. Because it''s too early in the morning to get up due to having to pick up a lot of people on the school bus, or because the school bus isn''t cool. "No, it''s not like I think that way!" I should be exining private cars, but the conversation keeps turning to the drawbacks of the school bus. That part is due to my middle school English teacher who exined themuting methods. By the way, just before sses start, all these cars line up at the school gate. It''s a sight people wouldn''t see in Japan, where walking to school is the norm. 3. And finally, the much-criticized school bus from earlier. Its distinctive feature is the bright yellow body, and it''s themuting method I chose. Well, to be precise, there weren''t any other options. Who could have expected to have a personal escort and chauffeur? Um, but is it difficult to provide security on a school bus? It''s okay, don''t worry. By the way, we also discreetly watch over inside the school. So rx and enjoy your high school life. Understood. Oh, we''ve arrived while talking. Oh, the school bus just arrived too. Yes, thank you for the ride. Off I go. Yes, have a good day. The yellow bus stood out even from a distance. I get out of the car driven by the Secret Service and head towards the school bus. "It looks even bigger up close." Naturally, I end up staring wide-eyed upwards. After all, its height is more than twice my current height. I heard that seats get ced high up to prevent children from directly experiencing impact in case of idents. Also, the body of the bus gets reinforced with ck metal bars on the sides. "Huh?" As I gaze, a yellow bar extends in front of the bus with a whirr. It''s like a railroad crossing gate. A crossing arm''. Is it because the front is hard to see due to the high height? They must be doing it to prevent children from passing through there. "It''s like they really take care of children a lot, or rather, it''s excessive." Looking around, I saw not just the school bus. But all the cars including those on the oppositene were stopped. Everyone was waiting for me to board. "I feel uneasy. But I guess in America, this is just right''." Feeling bad for keeping everyone waiting, I quicken my pace. I run to the school bus and get on. Thank you, driver. I look forward to riding with you from today. Ah, yes, nice to meet you. Uh, hey, are you sure you''re on the right bus? Do you know where this bus is headed? Huh? It''s going to high school, right? Oh, uh, yeah, it is Well, as long as you know, it''s fine. Please sit wherever you like. ? I was oddly surprised by the driver. I tilt my head and shift my gaze towards the seats. "Oh." I finally figured out the reason, albeitte. Other students, as well as passengers, all look at me with surprise or curiosity. And, they had grown unbelievably well. Are you guys really high schoolers like me, with that appearance''!? "Um, nice to meet you" I manage to greet despite feeling overwhelmed. Greetings are important. It says so in the American guidebooks. Suddenly, the bus became lively with a "Wow!" spreading inside it. Words started flying. "Hey, hey! Isn''t that a tiny girl getting on!?" "So cute! What grade are you!?" "Are you skipping grades?" "The kindergarten bus isn''t here, you know?" I''m not that small, am I!? Even though we''re in the same age group!? I want to argue, but the difference in physique is so apparent that I can''t me them for thinking that way. The boys all look like football yers, and all the girls are curvy. No, not everyone is like that, of course. But there was enough pressure to make it seem that way. "Oh, right." America is like this. Everything is big. Including people''s bodies. Hey,e over here~. Let''s chat together~! "Um, well" "Kyaa! You''re getting cuter and cuter, so tiny~!" I got surrounded by the curvy girls. H-Help me, Angu Ogu~! At this moment, I longed for Angu Ogu''s slender body like never before. Chapter 252: [Lets Go To School] Chapter 252: [Lets Go To School] Inside the departing school bus, it was surprisingly noisy. It wasn''t just because the engine was loud enough that people had to shout to be heard If you don''t understand something, I''ll teach you, okay? Stupid, this kid is definitely smarter than you. We should actually get her to tutor us instead. Hahaha, no doubt about that! Ah, ahaha Conversations revolved around me like this. My seat, adorned with a wry smile, was surrounded by girls from all directions. Because it''s America, they don''t suddenly ask your age to avoid manners vitions. But because of that, there seems to be a misconception that I skipped a grade rather than being the same age. Ah, what luck! Seems like I''ve found my angel! An angel! An angel has descended upon me! Hey, pinch my cheek a bit! I somehow saw an angelic hallucination. It''s happening! Wait, what if it''s not an angel but a fairy!? I could hear voices like that from the far end of the seats. Huh, in America, do they pinch their cheeks to confirm reality? Now is not the time for such thoughts. Who could be a fairy!? In VR socialworks (VRSNS), often called Fairies by the Japanese, you can wander around VR space as your favorite avatar. Preferring small avatars, being few, and withdrawing to private areas, they tend to flee when spoken to. But unfortunately, this is reality. Um, well, I Yeah, yeah! What, what!? Never mind, forget it Sigh. The only sce is that if I sit down, I can block out most of the gazes. The seats were unusually tall, with no seat belts, making me keenly aware of my small stature. In case of an ident, these cushioned seats would serve as airbags. Your outfit looks so cute, just like a doll''s! Um, well. Ah-nee picked it out for me Wow! You have a sister! Ah, no. I say sister, but she''s just a friend from the neighborhood. As I speak, I nce down at my attire. Unlike in Japan, I''m wearing my clothes to school. I''ve opted for a casual look to fit in with America, but I still feel like I''m overdressed. Here, being natural is considered "cool" Even sneakers, deliberately dirtied from being too clean. Come to think of it, what AngOug said. I recall the conversation when she saw me off. One thing particrly saddens me abouting to America. It''s not being able to see Iroha in her school uniform anymore! Does it really matter? How could you say that!? When I was in Japan, I''d always see her at just the right time whenever I went out to y. Why don''t American schools have uniforms!? They''re so cute! Hmm? Wait a minute. Angu Ogu and Mai often came over to y before I got home, waiting in my room. Could it be No, I think your current outfit is not bad! But with such a simple attire, it makes you look even more childish. Oh! Hey, look at yourself before saying that I clutch my bag tightly against my stomach. I-I''m not feeling insecure under this barrage of questions. I just wanna take out my earphones from my bag and watch some streams already! I wanna escape reality for a bit! Wow! Your name''s Iroha-chan, huh~ Where are you from? You''re Asian, right? Um, from Japan Really! By the way, wasn''t there another Japanese person on this bus? Huh, meeting a Japanese person here is quite unusual. As I ponder this, one of the girls loudly calls out to that person. Hey, Shitenno''! Come say hi to Iroha-chan too! "Haha, never thought I''d end up on the same bus as you Iroha! It''s been a hundred years since we met here!" From one of the seats, a head pops out. Confirming the face of the person addressed with a strange nickname. Who??? "Um, who?" "Huh?" Who is this guy, seriously? Why does he know me? It''s creepy. "Hey, remember? We were in the same middle school. Well, not the same ss though. You took my spot as one of the Four Heavenly Kings'' from when we first enrolled, and I''ve been plotting to reim it." "?" "Hey, didn''t I help trante for the whole world back then!?" "Oh! That time!" "You really don''t remember anything except VTubers, huh!? Show some interest in me! I came to study at the same school just to beat you!" "Eek, creepy are you still a stalker?" "N-no way!? What do you mean still''!? And why creepy''!? Though, I did confess to you in the past." "Did you? Confess what?" "Aaaahh! Mooooom!" Shitenno-kun? Was that it? Ah, no good. I''m really sorry, but I genuinely can''t remember. Not even his real name. But I''m deeply impressed by his determination and spirit. After all, even faced with anguage cheat, he continues to challenge himself. Perhaps he''ll be a truly remarkable linguist in the future. Not through cheat like me. But through hard work and talent. Hey, what were you guys talking about? Um, well, actually Eeek! Is that romance!? Hey, Shitenno! Sit closer to her! No, no. He''s a guy, and besides, he seems to have mommy issues. Above all, it has nothing to do with VTubers. If it were them, I''d be more. Wait, what am I thinking!? I shake my head and hastily cut off my thoughts. Alright. Hey, Iroha-chan, we''re almost there! After a barrage of questions, the school bus finally arrives at its destination. Finally, the first day of high school begins! Chapter 253: [Unicorn Issue] Chapter 253: [Unicorn Issue] "Ughhh, I''m so tired!" What''s wrong, Iroha-chan? (U.S.) Wasn''t today your first day of high school? What happened to your usual greetings? "Oh, yeah. Here it goes, I''m Iroha''." Don''t cut corners!!!! LOL Is that okay, though? LOL Did something happen at school? (US) "Can I tell you about it?" I was slumped in front of my streamingputer, feeling drained. American high schools are quite different from Japanese high schools. "I thought it would just be the first day and then the entrance ceremony would be it, but America doesn''t have such ceremonies." Isn''t that a problem!? That''s a bit sad. At most, there''s a simple orientation (U.S.) If it''s a problem, there are no cultural festivals or school trips like in Japan (U.S.) It''s a problem because I always cried from envy while watching Japanese anime (U.S.) Well, technically, America has proms and penny carnivals (US) Proms aside, penny carnivals are just fundraising events (U.S.) Now that I think about it, they don''t have many events on the annual schedule. Whether one finds it easy and good orcking depends on the person. "Also, we have to move ssrooms for each subject, seats aren''t fixed Plus, there are many elective courses, so we must register for sses ourselves." Even ssmates may take different sses, which are separated by levels, so you might sometimes be in different rooms. You have to manage the sses you take by yourself. "It''s kinda freedom'', on the flip side, you know?" From what I''m hearing, it''s somewhat simr to Japanese universities? (U.S.) True. Weren''t you confused, Iroha-chan? (U.S.) "Um, I was okay, I think." In my case, I''ve already experienced college life in a past life. Maybe people who suddenly study abroad might be confused. "In fact, this system here might suit me better." Because I can cut subjects that are not essential. And if I use the extra time to watch streams. Wow, it''s so efficient! Is there no concept of ssmates? Seems like no time for self-introductions; if I studied abroad in America, I''d struggle to make friends (US) Have you made friends already, Iroha? (U.S.) "Ugh!?!?!?" Yeah, that''s the problem! That''s actually the reason why I''m so exhausted right now. "Well, um I''m kinda popr, I guess?" Ah Yeah, you''re popr, Iroha-chan It''s kinda touching. It''s okay, Iroha-chan. Don''t lie to us (U.S.) Instead, you have lots of online friends? (U.S.) Sorry for asking. "Don''t apologize! It''s different! I really am popr! Well, in a way" Saying that, I buried my head in my hands with a sigh. Actually, there was a brief self-introduction time set up at the American high school I studied at. And that only drew more attention to me. Just walking around the school, I would constantly be approached "I feel like I''m being treated more as a rare creature or mascot than a friend." Having a few friends is enough, I think. Most of my heart is already devoted to my favorite, and I have very few resources left. Having more people around means less time to watch streams. How am I supposed to find healing from VTubers if I''m constantly caught up in conversations at school!? I see, haha But hearing that you haven''t made friends yet, I feel relieved (U.S.) Honestly, I don''t want you making friends of the opposite sex. "Ah." Comments debating whether to pick up or not start scrolling in. Actually, I''ve been receiving such opinions since elementary school. And as I approach adolescence, it seems to be increasing even more. But unfortunately, I still haven''t found the answer. "That''s a really difficult issue." Half of humanity is of the opposite sex. Even managers, due to staffing needs, can be of the opposite sex. My school is co-ed, and naturally, there are boys too. Oh, what was his nickname again? Something like "Shitennou"? "Just, I totally understand those feelings." Because if there were opposite-sex friends around my favorite. I''d be super curious! Maybe even about coborations with the opposite sex. No, I''m not a unicorn! But reason and emotion are separate! "Fans should trust their oshis, right?" Shut up, damn it! "I hope we can find the answer someday." In my head, I know. I have no right to restrict her (or his) friendships as a fan. But sometimes, we just can''t findmon ground. If only I could be with Angu Ogu, Ah-ne, and Ilyena. "" Maybe I''ll find that answer sooner than expected. And maybe from an unexpected source. *** Hey, hey!? Is it true that a middle school ssmate is chasing after Iroha!? Could it be, a stalker!? Alright, let''s eliminate all men approaching Iroha and turn it into a secret service operation Stop it Ahh!? B-but! I lightly chop Angu Ogu and stop her. Yeah, even I can see, that solution is definitely wrong! Come on. It''s time to sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow. Ughhh~! We both crawl into bed. It seems like full-fledged sses and tests will start tomorrow. What on earth will happen? Chapter 254: [Easy Win] Chapter 254: [Easy Win] "Iroha, how was the test earlier? I got a perfect score, of course!" "I got a perfect score too." "Tch, tied again. It seems like there''s no difference between us at this rate." High school life had begun, and it''s already been a week. While moving to the next ssroom, Shitenno walked beside him and started talking. I still haven''t memorized his real name, which I apologize for. Please cut me some ck. I''m bad at remembering names in the first ce, and everyone around just calls him by a nickname anyway. "But seriously, I never expected high school tests to be this easy." "To be honest, I thought the same thing." Our middle school was an advanced school. However, even considering that, high school tests were easy. Well, there are various difficult things outside of tests, like subjects that weren''t in Japan. But basic subjects like math and chemistry were quite easy. "But it can''t be helped, right? High school ispulsory education here. Or is it a moratorium?" "I get it. It''s a mix of good and bad. My friends made here are all locals, after all." The school system is closer to Japanese universities, but in terms of position, it''s closer to middle school. It''s normal to go to a high school near your home, and there''s no entrance exam. "Also, unlike Japan, there doesn''t seem to be a strategy of choosing schools in reverse to get into a good university to get into a goodpany, right?" "Yeah. But some parents want their kids to go to safe schools for security." Maybe, even the choice of studying or not is free''. Of course, with corresponding self-responsibility. "But, if sses are easy, it''s okay, right? It''s easy." "That''s just an excuse! Your brain will get rusty in no time like this!" "You''re serious, huh?" "On the contrary, why aren''t you motivated? Didn''t youe here hoping to study abroad?" "Even if you say that, my study abroad is just a side gig for being a VTuber." "Your priorities are still messed up!" "Huh? Isn''t there anything more important than being a VTuber?" "Sigh." Why sigh there? I didn''t say anything wrong, did I? "Well, that''s why there''s eleration and repeating grades, I guess." Those who are not satisfied quickly move up. And those who arecking stay there forever. That''s the idea of sses tailored to each level. I can''t judge which is better, a Japanese school education or an American. "Hmph, well, I don''t hate that evaluation system. Thanks to that, even foreigners don''t get looked down on." "It sounds better to call it meritocracy." "If you say so, isn''t it more like winner takes all''? You seem quite popr." "Ugh, spare me" He''s been poking at me since earlier, but I pretended not to notice. It''s been a week, so I wish they''d get bored soon. "Alright, we''ve arrived. Anyway, I think you should study on your own too.Hey" Been waiting for you, Shitenno. About this problem Arriving at the ssroom, Shitenno reunited with his friends. I tried to sneak into the back seat, but the girls spotted me. Iroha-chan, you''re here~! Come sit in the middle of us~ Umm, okay Here, have some snacks~! Aaahn No, um Aaahn They offered me snacks, and I couldn''t refuse. It felt like being fed. Well, that''s exactly what it was. In high school, many students eat snacks indoors. It''s not prohibited; in fact, they sell various snacks inside. Kyaa, so cute! Want some too? Mmm, ~~~~!? So sweeeeet?!?!?!? Haha, it''s normal~! American snacks are like this! I hurriedly took out my water bottle. ncing around the ssroom, I saw many students chewing on something. Especially popr are gums and chewable tobo. Come to think of it, isn''t the age for tobo in America 18? N-no, it must be my imagination! Surely, everyone is chewing gum. But why do they all stick their chewed gum under the desks? The only thing not sold inside the school is gum that must be the reason. Phew. Th-that scared me Iroha-chan, so dramatic~! Here, try this as an apology! I-is this sweet too? Hmm, just average? It''s still sweet, isn''t it!? And while that was going on Ring, ring, ring! The bell rang, and ss began. Our breaks are only five minutes. They end as soon as we move. Okay, let''s start with this problem It was a math ss. To be precise, it was algebra. As I was solving problems, a girl looked at me with a shocked expression. Huh? Did something strange happen? I-Iroha-chan, aren''t you using a calctor? Huh? And I tilted my head. Chapter 255: [Social Games] Chapter 255: [Social Games] Um, I guess it''s faster to do calctions like this in my head. Wow!? Iroha-chan, you''re a genius! No, no, no!? It''s not that I''m amazing. It''s just something all Japanese students can do, right!? Really? Japanese people are all rich and geniuses, the strongest!? Well, the prejudice is getting worse! Honestly, it''s embarrassing to be praised for something like this! There''s nothing impressive about doing mental math. In the first ce, in America, calctors are allowed to be used in math sses. So, it''s not that everyone can''t do it. But there''s no culture of mental calction. Maybe that''s why we don''t calcte fractions at the checkout, among other things, due to these influences. *** The next ss was National History. In other words, it''s about the history of America. High school textbooks are generally thick. But this ss had a surprisingly thin textbook. Well, that''s because America was founded just 200 years ago. Following the previous ss, the girl sitting next to me continued to exin. Is it about Ennd and France? During that time, right? When you think about colonial times. It''s only been about 400 years. Or rather, it might be more unusual for a country like Japan, which has existed for thousands of years without changing. At this rate, it looks like we''ll finish quickly. But after national history, we have to learn state history'', you know? There''s something like that? When Japanese people are asked, "Where are you from?" they answer with the country name, Japan, and Americans answer with the state name. Such differences might surprisingly stem from such things. I felt like I could see the background of America little by little with each ss, whether education shapes ideology or not. *** Thest ss today was Finance. In short, it''s about pensions and investments. Everyone, the essence of money is trust. I thought while listening to the teacher''s words. I wish I had taken this ss in my past life. When you hear how people use money, whates to mind? Living, saving, hobbies, and investing. The students who were chosen answered. What came to my mind was also around those areas. That''s a very good answer. Now, let''s delve deeper. What specifically is investment? Stocks and bonds came to mind first. And then, currency, andtely, even digital currencies. Is that really all? If digital currencies like Bitcoin are okay, what about NFTs Digital artworks that cannot be counterfeited? I agreed with what was said. Nowadays, they are treated much like stocks. What about things like paintings and other artworks? Or even something as simple as trading cards? When mentioned, those are investments too. Or rather. Buyingputer parts to mine digital currencies? Buying exercise equipment for your health? All of them are investments. Listening to the discussion, I realized for the first time that investments are a much more casual presence than I had thought. Everyone Start by investing in what you know well or are familiar with something you can trust. Something I can trust? For me, that''s already decided. Of course, it''s VTubers! And, everyone. Learning about investments is the most low-risk, high-return investment you can make. Not just about money, but make sure to learn it well at this school. That''s how the teacher wrapped up the discussion. After that, the conversation turned to the pension problems happening in America. This was the most interesting ss I''ve had in Americapared to any other. Investment. Investment, huh? I''m not unfamiliar with it. I allocate money for materials for the next event and equipment costs. I also donate to create future VTuber fans (well, it''s also for tax purposes). I own shares in a VTuber agency. I also use super chats for my favorite. But somehow, I felt like there was something more I should be doing, something to contribute to the VTuber industry. *** That''s about it~ I spread my ss notebook on the living room table while sharing today''s events with Angu Ogu. On the monitor is the finance assignment. Until the next ss, we were told toe up with a new investment n and present it. But I wonder what to do. Angu Ogu, do you have any good ideas? Ugh~! I want to go to high school and experience school life with Iroha! Were you even listening to me? And don''t cling to me like that. I pushed Angu Ogu away firmly. Maybe because we can only spend time together at nighttely, our interactions have be more intense. Muu~, so cold. Well, why not write about the investments you''re already making? Well, that''s true. Oh, by the way Did somethinge to mind? Well, it''s not about investments. Have you heard, Iroha? Soon, our agency and another major one will coborate on a VTuber game release. Huh? What game coboration? No, not like that. It''s VTuber-only, an original one. Fan-made? Official. Ah, they released a novel game before, right? It''s a social game. Wha-wha-whaaat!? I grabbed Angu Ogu in excitement. Ah! Is that so? Is that where I should be investing!? Chapter 256: [Beloved Wife Bento] Chapter 256: [Beloved Wife Bento] "Hum hum hum, hum hum" Iroha-chan seems exceptionally cheerful today Did something good happen? (U.S.) Did you finally make friends at high school, Iroha-chan? "Th-th-there''re plenty of friends! It''s none of your business! Besides, w-well It''s not like th-there''s anything!" I deflected, feeling uneasy about the viewer''s observation. Ever since I heard about the VTuber social game from Angu Ogu, I couldn''t help but get excited. But it''s still in the off-the-record stage. If an outsider like me identally leaked such information, it would be a disaster. But then, shouldn''t I, as an outsider, not be told? Well, it seems they want to inform me because they want to release Trantor Girl Iroha'' in future coboration gachas. "So, My words reach you!'' I''m Trantor Girl Iroha~" Ah, back to the greetings lol Iroha-lol~ It''s been a while since sses started, how are you doing? (U.S.) "Yeah, well, there are some things that catch me off guard, but overall, it''s going okay." That''s good (U.S.) I''d like to know more about what high school is like Besides ss content, anything surprising? "Um" Thinking for a moment outside of ss. Not that I''m at a loss, but quite the opposite. There are too many differences. "For example, every morning, we have a pledge before ss starts? Facing the g and cing our hands on our chests." Unlike in Japan, there''s no homeroom before ss starts in America. There''s a custom of listening to announcements for about 30 seconds, though it''s not exactly a recement. Wow~ That''s what they call the Pledge of Allegiance'', right? (U.S.) I guess Japan doesn''t have that, huh? (U.S.) "Also, each student is given a locker with a key? Honestly, it''s a huge help. The textbooks here are all so big and thick, and heavy." Starting with a load of homework lol Well, there''s more digital stufftely. So it''s better (U.S.) Probably because you have to return the textbookster. So don''t write in them (Rice) "And we can pretty much customize our lockers as we please. Everyone sticks stickers on them however they like. I''ve covered mine with stickers from my oshis." This often leads to questions like "Who''s that character?" and bes a good opportunity for proselytizing. However, the difficult part is that ss often starts in the middle of proselytizing. If only the break time were a bit longer. One hour. No, 100 hours. Damn it, no matter how much time there is, it never feels enough to talk about everything! "So I noticed that there aren''t many goods with stickers. It''s troubling. There are so many varieties of pin badges, but" Come to think of it, there aren''t many official stickers, huh? If it''s stickers, you can get them as a bonus with potato snacks Huh? Pin badges''??? "Eh? Isn''t covering your bag with pin badges basic for being a fan?" Unexpectedly an ita-bag!?!?!? Come to think of it, I remember you worrying about attracting too much attention, Iroha-chan? I thought it was because of your height, but maybe that''s the real reason. "N-No, I''m just decorating with them, not actually taking them with me." Phew That''s a relief. Considering it''s you, I could totally picture it lol "Hahaha, oh no" I had actually nned to go to school like that, but Angu Ogu seriously stopped me. "Spare some thought for revealing your identity!?" they said. So, I only wear a few carefully selected ones for "usage". But that doesn''t cover all my favorites. "So for my oshis without stickers. I''ve lined up goods inside the locker. But the other day, a student passing by while I was taking out my belongings called it an altar''." I''m also making an altar for Iroha inside my locker (U.S.) I think I saw that on Twitter lol Please be careful not to reveal your identity I understand the viewers'' feelings, but this is a matter of life and death. After all, without doing this, there''s no joy in going to high school! "And, speaking of odd things like lunchtime? Over there, eating in the cafeteria ismon, right?" Huh? But Iroha-chan, aren''t you bringing your own lunch? Ogu''s been posting pictures on Twitter every day. Boasting about it, right? (U.S.) Lucky you~! Iroha-chan''s Beloved Wife Bento''! "~~~~!? Cogh cogh!?" Witnessing such ament, I identally choked. Chapter 257: [Bentou] Chapter 257: [Bentou] "Oh, it''s not a loving wife bento!? It''s really different, okay!?" What''s with all the misunderstanding because of this!? But I already knew she was posting photos on Twitter. Checking my oshi''s tweets is a duty. However,tely, with browsing restrictions, it''s been disrupting my daily routine. Anyway, forget about that. "Um, right, let''s get back to the topic!" What were we talking about again? Wasn''t it about Iroha-chan liking Ogu too much? Right, it was about how the reason for the American stay was a "honeymoon" (U.S.) "No one was talking about that!? It was about the cafeteria!" Why does thement section always unite at times like this!? I make simrments when I''m on the viewer''s side! However, Ogu and I definitely aren''t in that kind of rtionship not yet anyway. But the cafeteria seems quite fancy. They must drink tea and stuff. If Japanese school cafeterias were this fancy "No, it''s not like a tea time vibe. It''s more like a big food court. However, there''s one clear difference from Japanese school cafeterias. It''s insanely spacious." That''s the American quality for you. Of course, it varies by school. At least in the high school I attend, there''s no need for a "seat-grabbing game". I remember in my past life as a student, I was wandering around with a tray because I couldn''t find a seat. On the contrary, there are enough seats for everyone, so it''s be almost like assigned seating. While sses may be scattered, gathering at the same table for lunch is the norm. "The menu had burgers, fries, nachos, and tacos. But I haven''t eaten any because I bring my bento." If it were just for myself, I wouldn''t bother with the hassle of homemade. But since I have to make lunch for Ogu too. There''s no choice. You don''t have to eat cafeteria food. It''s terrible (U.S.) Why don''t they make it a bit more delicious? (U.S.) I envy Ogu who gets to eat Iroha''s homemade bento every day (US) In America, are people who bring their bento like Iroha-chan a minority? There are people who bring their own, but it''s totally different from bento'' in Japan (US) Mine is free, but it''s so bad I have to bring my bento (US) "This isn''t like Japanese bento no wonder. Even though I just made it simple, it attracts so much attention." It''s just a typical obento packed with whatever''s avable,mon in Japan. "But when I bring it here, girls who eat together always bombard me with exaggerated questions like What''s that!''" or A jewelry box!?''" Is that what you call "simple"!? (U.S.) I thought Iroha put tremendous love and effort into making it for her beloved wife (US) Isn''t it that with love, you don''t feel the effort is "that much"? "No, really! I didn''t put that much effort into it!" Obento I thought it was just a fantasy in anime, but it''s actually real! (U.S.) Every time bento'' appears in anime, I shed tears of envy (U.S.) My obento is just crackers and sandwiches in a Tupperware (U.S.) "Come to think of it, maybe everyone was using Tupperware." It''s better than my Lunchables every day! (U.S.) What''s that? They''re sold in packs bento-like thing? (U.S.) I used to eat those with small pizza crusts, pizza sauce, smi, and cheese (U.S.) Are they that good? Maybe slightly better than middle school cafeteria food, I guess (US) It seems everyone had some kind of grudge about their lunch. Thinking about it, Japanese school lunches might have been really high-level. I don''t have any particr likes or allergies, so I never had trouble. "Oh. Also, lunch breaks weren''t really lunch breaks. Sometimes I eat in the ssroom during ss." During ss!? I usually just ate apples during ss (U.S.) That''s amon sight in America, right? (U.S.) It''s not just students; even teachers do it. They''d nibble on apples during ss, or sometimes students eat lunch while others are taking tests. "It''s quite interestingparing meal situations in different countries." But Iroha-chan, you mustn''t eat food given by others too much (U.S.) Also, don''t take your eyes off your drinks (U.S.) There are incidents of people getting drugged every year (U.S.) "Eh. Ogu told me to bring a water bottle, but I never thought there''d be such reasons." Good job, Ogu (U.S.) Especially cute girls like Iroha-chan are more likely targets (US) Be careful enough (U.S.) Even if I got targeted, I have excellent bodyguards. In fact, the other party might end up worse off! *** It was right after that stream. I received a call from Mai. "Ogu-san is so unfair~! Mai has never received a handmade bento from Iroha-chan!?" "Well, you had school lunch until we entered high school." "Ugh! I can''t wait until we enter the same high school!" "Why am I assumed to be the one making it!? I''m not Mai''s mom, you know!?" "Then, even if it''s Papa~!" "That''s no good either!?" Angu Ogu, it seems like things have gotten troublesome again! Anyway, for tomorrow''s lunch, even if it''s tampered with, you don''t have the right toin, okay? Chapter 258: [Compressed Language And Everyday Conversation] Chapter 258: [Compressed Language And Everyday Conversation] When I mischievously wrote "Baka" on Angu Ogu''s bento, it somehow made everyone happy, saying. "It''s a character bento!" Finally, the release of the social game was officially announced It had been one month since I started high school. I had gotten used to the recording, lessons, streaming, research cooperation, and various other aspects of the life cycle. "By the way, haa, haa Did everyone pre-register? You did, right?" Iroha-chan is getting too excited. It''s hrious. This is why VTuber otaku are Haa, Haa Look at yourself in the mirror, lol. "Well, I''m looking forward to it. Once it''s released, I''ll inevitably be immersed in the game every day!" Iroha-chan, do you have time to y games? You have school, it''s tough Or rather, how do you manage to watch so many streams all the time, lol. "It''s fine, it''s fine. I just y during ss." That''s definitely not fine, you know!? You should study properly If you keep doing that, your smartphone will be confiscated lol "Mmm, well, I don''t think so." The good thing about high school is its freedom. At the same time, the bad thing is it''s too free. At least, I can''t imagine getting scolded just for messing with my smartphone during ss. Honestly, even now, I secretly listen to streams during ss. Are you really okay with your studiestely? It''ll be tough when you have to return to Japan for exams Iroha Mama, are you watching!? Your daughter is trying to do this kind of thing!? "Whaa!? T-that''s not it, Mom!? I''m getting good grades on tests, you know!? Hurry up and correct it! If Mom gets mad, it''ll be really tough!" Lol She''s still quite childish in some ways But Iroha-chan, what''s your daily life like in high school? Honestly, I''m getting really worried Come to think of it, I''ve heard various things about high school itself, but I don''t know how Iroha-chan is spending her time. What kind of conversations do you have with your friends ah, nevermind "That''s why I''m telling you! Friends! Basically, in America, when you pass by someone, you exchange a few words lightly. There are more opportunities to talk than you think, you know!?" School ssmates, huh, lol. She has friends (not admitting it) Well, I''m curious about what American students talk about. "Ah, okay, got it. Then let me recreate how we usually talk. That way, the misunderstanding'' will be cleared up, right?" And, it''s not that I haven''t explicitly mentioned having friends it''s more like, you know. I''m not sure how close you have to be to call someone a friend, kind of thing? "Anyway," I cleared my throat and switched the background to the school. Since we''re at it, let''s just extract the sound of the conversation. It would be something like this roughly. "Yo." "Yo?" "Whaddup?" "Yap. Home." "See ya." "Peace." ??? This is even shorter than I imagined, lol. Sorry, I have no idea what they''re saying, lol. "That''s right. And well, I didn''t start with this kind of conversation from the beginning either." However, as I said, in America, you exchange a few words every time you pass by. That''s part of the greeting, including that conversation. So, naturally, if you do that every time, you''ll have even less time for short breaks. Conversations naturally get shorter and shorter. "If we trante this now, it would roughly be like this, right?" "Yo (Hey)." "Wa? (What''s up?)" "No (Just okay). Du? (And you?)" "Yap (Yeah). Home (Going home now)." "Seeya (Bye)." "Peace (See you)." Moreover, there are often subtle misunderstandings in the conversation. Nevertheless, since we''re just going with the flow, we don''t mind Can you understand this kind of conversation? Lol It''s so different from the English I learned, isn''t it??? I feel like I''ve seen the essence of being able to speak English and being able to have a conversation are different Let me exin within my understanding. Sorry if I''m wrong YoYello (a casual way to say "hello") WaWap (shortened form of "what''s up") DuWado (shortened form of "what are you doing") YapYes, in a casual way SeeyaSee you, informal PeaceShort for "peace out" Thanks to the English expert for this! I''m surprised that Iroha-chan is so casual at school Isn''t it possible that Iroha-chan is just listening to other people''s conversations? "That''s, that''s not true!? I''m having real conversations, you know!?" When multiple people talk to you at once. You be flustered. You try to interject, but someone starts talking before the previous person finishes. And before that person finishes, another person starts talking. In the end, you miss the timing to exit the conversation. If you didn''t, you didn''t! "But, conversations are difficult, aren''t they?" Ah I can almost hear Iroha-chan''s exhausted voice, lol Especially in America where the pace of conversation is fast English has important words at the beginning. So, for some reason, they listen to the end of the other person''s speech less. They tend to jump in. Conversely, from the perspective of Americans, Japanese seems difficult to understand because itcks ents. It''s hard to know what''s important. "Well, but I''m managing somehow." With that, I concluded the discussion about school life. At least for now, but. *** As time passed, I counted down with everyone in thements. "3 2 1 Game start~!" Finally, the release day of the social game had arrived. Chapter 259: [Gacha Hell Live Stream] Chapter 259: [Gacha Hell Live Stream] "My words to you!'' I''m Trantor Girl Iroha! Finally the release of the VTuber social game~!" So, the day has finallye! It feels like it came so quickly. Indeed, from the start of pre-registration to the release, it was quite fast. The title screen appeared, and the theme song sung by Ah-nee and Angu Ogu was yed. The title of the game was Let''s Make the Ideal Box!'' "Hmm, hmm. yers be managers, scout their oshi VTubers, train them, and solve troubles. And ultimately, seed in live performances." Well, that is already known from the pre-release information. While receiving the tutorial, exnations were also provided for first-time viewers. Yeah. It seems to be a standard setup for a social game. Gacha, called scouting Training, called lessons Solving troubles, called daily quests Seeding in live performances, called rhythm games "Is it necessary to repeat everything? Anyway, finally setting the yer name and. The game is finally starting~!" It''s time for the main (gacha) event~! Isn''t it a bitte to ask, but is this a sponsored stream? Iroha-chan is an independent creator, so it''s probably not, right? "Yeah, it''spletely private. So, all the money spent here is from my own pocket money. So, let''s start by buying all the discounted gacha tickets for the first time." No hesitation in spending money, huh? Well, this part is stable at least. Do you have any specific characters you''re aiming for? "Of course It''s gotta be Ogu, my number one oshi!!" Huh? It''s not all of them, just Ogu? Is this basically a confession of love? When did they get that close..? Iroha-chan!? Don''t you like me~!? "Ane is watching No, that''s not it!? It''s not in that sense!?" It''s simply because Angu Ogu is present in the game as the highest rarity. Unfortunately, Hanegasaki Mone seems to only have been implemented as a normal rarity for now. Of course, I want them all and n to collect them, but that goes without saying Yet, this makes it seem like I''m saying "I love Ogu"! "I, I mean, it''s just a game" At that moment, bang! The door to my room suddenly opened. Turning around, Angu Ogu was standing at the entrance. Iroha! If you want me that badly, I can''t help bute! I, I also have feelings for you. Go back now! Can''t you disturb me while I''m streaming!? Why not!? It''s a guaranteed gacha in real life! I don''t want it! With that, I kicked Angu Ogu out of the room. Perhaps because I was streaming, they didn''t resist much and withdrew. "Phew Before any more interruptions, let''s quickly do the gacha. Let''s go meet my oshi." Iroha, seeking digital over real life. This is all so chaotic, lol. Iroha-chan really has a difficult personality, huh~ By the way, is Iroha-chan lucky? I don''t have a good impression, maybe Since it''s 100% if you keep pulling until you get it "Alright. Let''s start with a 10-pull! And what did I get Huh!? So many of my oshis! This one (ellipsis), and this one (ellipsis), and then this one (ellipsis)!" Seriously, are you going to exin each one individually!? She''s really good at presenting her oshi! But doesn''t she know when to stop!? The gacha isn''t progressing at all, lol. "Ah, can I check the status of the kids I scouted just now? Oh, it seems like I can hear their lines. It''s so precious. Plus, if you set them on the home screen and touch them, they react!?" Um, at this pace, we''ll never finish. Please, just pull the next one already! Wasn''t that gacha just the minimum guarantee, lol? "Hey, wait a minute, everyone!? Even the background here and the buttons have little jokes and mascot characters!" Enough already!!!! We get it, Iroha-chan loves VTubers! Can someone stop her!? " Geez, thesements are so noisy." Iroha-chan!? This is a stream, right!? Iroha-chan''s scolding voice is saving us. "Sigh, oh well. I''ll enjoy this quietly on my own from now on. Even though I wanted to show everyone more about my oshis." Saying that, I reluctantly returned to the gacha screen. It''s not just about my oshis; it''s also my duty to convey the goodness of this game. A game can''t exist without yers. If the yer base decreases, what awaits is service termination Even though not all the top rarity of my oshis have been collected yet, if that happens, I''ll regret it endlessly. "Alright, let''s go for the next 10-pull!" At that moment, I couldn''t have imagined it. That this would be the beginning of a hell. Chapter 260: [Aka Supa Festival] Chapter 260: [Aka Supa Festival] I spun the gacha. Tickets ran out, so I spent more. Still not enough, I spent even more. Finally "Yay~! Look, everyone! I got the highest rarity! Aww, so cute~!" I was ecstatic seeing one of my oshis I finally got. Man, it felt like it took forever, but it was worth it Iroha-chan, that''s the pity counter What was the drop rate again? "Huh? No way. I love my favorite so much, it should''vee out more." Calcte the current spending Considering duplicates, how much will it take to get Ogu? I''m getting a bad feeling "No-no-no, it''s okay! I have multiple credit cards, I''m fine" I kept sweating, spinning the gacha to get Angu Ogu this time. But the highest rarity never showed up. By the way, pulling the same character enhances its performance In no time, all the normal rarities were maxed out. And before I knew it Welp, pity counter again These pulls are ridiculous lol I used to think I wasn''t unlucky until I met Iroha-chan. "Ugh, enough! It''s just two pity counters! It could happen due to probability fluctuation, right!?" Your voice is trembling lol Also, it''s insane how many duplicates you''re getting. By the way, I got three highest rarities on the first 10-pull. Including Ogu, of course. "The one whomented now is definitely unforgivable Wait, what!?" Uh-oh, feeling nauseous. Honestly, I didn''t expect to get this deep into it. But unlike my past self, I have the power of money now. So, yeah, I want to believe this is just a scratch. "I-I''ll pull again. It''s okay, me. I''ll definitely get it someday" So, I kept spinning the gacha. But the wave of luck never came *** "Ah-ah-ah" I was groggy in front of my streaming PC. I''ve spent too much, things are getting confusing. Iroha-chan''s breaking, lol Well, can''t help it with this oue How many times did you hit the pity counter? And you still haven''t got Ogu Too many duplicates, huh? If it was the highest rarity for other characters, they''d all be maxed out Some streamers might find this situation "rather lucrative." But I had reasons why I couldn''t. "Oh no, oh no What should I do!? Mom''s calling again!?" My phone had been vibrating non-stop. The disy was filled with missed calls from my mother. Iroha-mom''s too scary, lol Someone calcte the probability of not pulling this much and make a meme Expected value-wise, you should get it after spending 80,000, but This isn''t right, it shouldn''t be like this. I''ve already spent who knows how many tens of thousands of yen. I don''t want to imagine what kind of scolding awaits me from my mom if I keep gacha-ing. But I still haven''t pulled the Angu Ogu I''m aiming for. Isn''t this getting too risky? But still, no Ogu Aren''t you umting exchange items by now? "Huh? Whoa! I-is that true!?" When you pull a character you''ve already maxed out, it converts into special items. And before I knew it, I had enough of those. Did I really spend this much on gacha already? Only Iroha-chan could umte this many exchange items on release day lol It''s never-ending, but is it time to exchange for Ogu? Took forever, lol "Guys Right, I guess I can call it quits now." I muttered to myself. It''s been a long and tough battle. But now, the calls from my mom might stop. Yeah. I guess I''ve developed some affection for this. Now, I''ll slowly nurture this highest rarity Angu Ogu. But, won''t that prevent you from maxing out Ogu''? "Huh?" That chat was the trigger. The flow ofments in the chat changed instantly. Certainly, it''s half-hearted like this. Is it just about quitting because Iroha-mom got mad, or is it about love for Iroha''s Ogu!? ''Rather than retreat, spin the gacha''. "No-no-no!? I did n to aim for maxing out at first, you know? I never thought it''de to this! But, anymore" 10,000 for gacha. 10,000 First Spa Chat. Spinning for Iroha-chan 20,000, double down "Just wait, is Red Spa'' okay for the first chat!? Guys, calm down! 10,000 is a lot of money!? And also, I''m already!?" 16,800. 10,000, noment 10,000 Won''t stop Red Spa until Iroha spins the gacha! "Not even ament for throwing Aka Supa!? Don''t you want yourments read!? And why specifically write noment'' for Aka Supa!? There must be something else to write, right!? Also" While reacting, more and more Red Spas wereing in. I realized. There''s no escaping from this flow!!!! Chapter 261: [‘Luck’ Is A Bias In Probability] Chapter 261: [Luck Is A Bias In Probability] Fans urge me to spin the gacha. Unstoppable bright red super chats push me forward. "I get it, I get it already! I just have to pull, right!? Hehehe If it''se to this, I''ll go all out! Mom''s lectures are nothing to me!" Well said! That''s our Iroha-chan! 10,000 Gacha prayer That''s right. What''s the point of giving up here? I''m bound to get a lecture from my mother anyway. So, why not> Everyone, calm down! I''m all in! I''ll go all out until I max out my beloved Angougu! "I-I''m going. Seriously, I''ll even spend more money!?" There was a jingling sound as the money melted away. I spin the gacha again. Argh, still nothing!? It''s 100% if you keep pulling until ites out!! Leave the 16,800 war chest to us! While I spin the gacha, the red super chat keeps pouring in endlessly. The excitement was reaching unprecedented heights. "Hey!? We''ve resumed the gacha, so you don''t need to send more red supers, okay!? And I''m just spinning because I want to!?" Ah, I see now! Got it! "You still don''t get it!? Just regrments are fine!" 10,000 Regrment "That''s a super chat, right!?" 10,000 Firstment in my life "I may have achieved my first super chats before my first chats in life, you know!?" 50,000 I see, is that how it goes? "Max limit super chats aren''t something you do just like that!" $100.00 Okay! (U.S.) "Hey, overseas friend!? My feelings aren''t getting through!?" 10,000 It''s okay. If you pay 10,000, you can send red super chats for free! "That still costs 10,000, you know!?" 10,000 How about paying with revolving credit? I heard you can throw unlimited red super chats that way! "That''s for those that cost over 10,000! It''s really bad, you know!?" 9,999 Couldn''t send red super chats because of insufficient funds "That''s essentially 10,000, though!?" 10,001 I''ll make up for the shortfall here! "Wow! Thank you, I''m so happy!" 20,000 Huh? I reached the ceiling just like Iroha-chan "It''s really good that there''s a daily limit on super chats! Let''s just watch quietly beyond this point!" 10,000 So I made a sub-ount "A limitless ceiling!?" My head spun because the exchange of high-priced super chats flying around so casually I''m the type who doesn''t hesitate to spend money on my hobbies. But that doesn''t mean I have an unusual sense of money beyond that. Of course, 10,000 is by no means a small amount of money. "Everyone, calm down! It''s a red super chat, okay!? It''s really hard to earn 10,000! Don''t you have something you want to tell me!? Value money more!?" 10,000 Iroha-chan "You say that and then send a half-heartedment!? That misclick costs 2,000 per character!? Even though you can send longer messages with red super chats than regrments! Be more careful when typing!" 10,000 Sent midway "Oh, I see. But couldn''t you just say that in a regrment!? Iroha-chan'' What about the continuation!? Shouldn''t that take priority!?" 10,000 Iroha-chan, I''ve only slept for 5 hours today "Does it matter!? It waspletely irrelevant content!" 16,800 1 bottle of milk, 2 packs of eggs "Red super chats aren''t for shopping lists!? Okay, I''ll buy them tomorrow!" 10,000 Also buy some bean sprouts on the way. We''ll manage that until the end of the month. "Don''t spend on super chats at the expense of groceries!?" 10,000 It''s for the children''s school lunches. Please pay up. "That''s thest money you should use! Even if it''s a joke, it''s disturbing!?" 30,000 I heard blood goes for 30,000 per liter "You''re not trying to sell it for that price, are you!? And guys? If you''re going to throw money, at least use it for donations rather than super chatting me Hey!" After such exchanges, the moment finally arrived. The gacha screengs. The screen is adorned with splendid effects, and data is being loaded. And then, a voice ys. ''Gurururu Hello, it''s Zombie. It''s Angougu!'' Ohhhhh!!!! It''s finally here!!!! Hey, Angu Ogu! (U.S.) "Ugh, ugh, whoaaa! I''ve missed youuuu! I love you, Angu Ogu! You''re so cute, the best! I love youuuu!" It''s been a really long journey to get here. Overwhelmed, I cried out while tears flowed. This is essentially a love confession $500.00 I-Iroha!? If you say that much, even I get embarrassed! (U.S.) The person appearing, lol "Why are you super chatting, Angu Ogu!? And with the limit!?" What!? Hey, is this another top-tier rare performance!? What is this!? "Wh-wh-what''s going on!?" I stared at the screen, mouth agape. Chapter 262: [Dream With 100% Probability] Chapter 262: [Dream With 100% Probability] The shy gacha animation won''t stop. The screen flickers. "Huh, huh Huhhh!? Oh, oh- Two more Ogus!?" I pulled two highest rarity oogus at once in a 10-pull. But then, just when I thought. Wait, it''s not over yet!? Here ites, the unlucky turnabout is here!!!! Could it be, the super chat from Ogu herself was a guaranteed animation!? The screen sparkles and the final result is disyed. An unbelievable sight was there. "I, I pulled three Ogus in one go." Without knowing what to do, I just took a screenshot. Misfortune alwayses all at once. But, could it be luck alsoes in a streak? Or rather Could it be "Huh? With the exchange items I already had. It''s enough, right?" Yeah, it looks like it. It fits perfectly in terms of the number of items. In the end, love wins, huh? "Everyone, can we finally reach our goal this time? Complete Ogu, achieved!" Does this mean all characters are maxed out lol 16,800 Wow, congrattions!! 10,000 You can still make it in time for a super chat now! "N-No, you don''t need to throw anymore!? We got what we wanted! It''s okay!" I hastily stop everyone. Seriously, my heart can''t take any more. "I received too much super chat, so I''ll use it for this game or future activities, or donations, or something to give back." It turned out like this this time, but Streaming doesn''t necessarily require super chats to be enjoyable. Just watching. Just giving normalments. Just subscribing. Just click the like button. Your support will surely make your favorites happy enough. On the contrary, those things that don''t cost money If you feel like it, even a little, I hope you''ll do it. Because it bes a big motivation for them. Please support them. While you can. We threw it because we liked it, so you don''t have to worry about it It was fun 10,000 Damn, did I miss out!? "Haha. Well, if everyone had fun, then that''s fine. Well then, everyone, Otsu-kareta- Arige-ta-!" Good job, well done! Good job, well done! (U.S.) Looking forward to the next gacha stream! So I finished the gacha stream of "Hakotsuku". Then, I took a deep breath slowly. "R-Right" I take the smartphone with determination. It was shaking violently. Oh, wait. It''s not shaking, it''s my body. "A-byabya" I have to face the biggest problem from now on. With trembling fingers filled with fear, I pressed the answer button. "H-Hello Mom?" The voice I uttered was too frail. From the other end of the phone, I hear a voice reminiscent of the calm before the storm. [Oh, that''s good. Seems like you''re aware of getting scolded this time too.] "N-No, Mom, that''s not it! Th-This is, right! It''s a culture unique to VTubers, or something? Mom might not be familiar with that! Spending this much money is normal, normal!" [Hmm. Is that so?] With a glimmer of hope, I tried to deceive. However, my throat tightened, and it felt like I might choke up at any moment. W-Why is fear dominating my body so much!? I''m supposed to be a full-fledged adult mentally! [By the way, Mom''s been getting along well with Mane-chan recently.] "Ah" That''s right!? Could it be that my cat friend ising into y here!? No, this won''t do. [You''re trying to deceive your mom to avoid being scolded. Is there anything else you want to say?] "I-I''m sorry!" [Iroooooohaaaaa~!] "Eeeeeek!" After that, I was made to kneel over the phone, and I was finally taught the importance of money. Even if I cried, I was never forgiven *** Higg uggh Ogu h-help me higg th-thank you uggh thank you Oh, ooh!? There, there. The lecture finally stopped when Ango-Ogo intervened. As for me, I was clinging to her stomach, sniffing my runny nose Huh??? I felt like I messed up somehow, but I didn''t have the brainpower to think about it anymore. She stroked my head,forting me. After getting scolded for overspending, I can''t gacha anymore! Ahh, well, that makes sense. Sorry about that. I threw a super chat. But it can''t be helped! I really wanted Ogu! I love him so much! Ogu is sooo amazing! !?!?!? Hey, Iroha. You''re really into me. Aren''t you!? Huh, no. That''s totally different. Why!? This is definitely not my fault, it''s yours, Iroha! Anyone would misunderstand this! And why don''t you like me for this! It''s weird! Even if you say so, I''m at a loss. How Angu Ogu feels about that. I still don''t know. *** It was a few days after such a gacha stream. The incident that would lead to trouble urred. I bumped into someone at high school and fell t on my butt. And there, I looked up. Huh? Clearly, a rough-looking male student was standing there. Chapter 178. [I Want Your Miso Soup Every Day]

Chapter 178. [I Want Your Miso Soup Every Day]

<> <> I swallowed my words. Who does he think Ive gotten better for? <> <> <> <> <> Angu Ogu sulked, still holding a fork in his mouth. I casually brushed off her gaze. <> <> <> Specifically, Im watching cooking lessons by VTubers while working. Honestly, I used to be pretty rough with my cooking, and I thought that was good enough. It might be an excuse for people who rarely cook. <> <> <> <> Angu Ogus cooking is hearty and simple. Or rather yeah. If I list the menus she has made in the past week, its just steak, or rather, just grilled meat. Then, instant mashed potatoes, are made by mixing water with powder. There are also green peas. Its more like an ingredients than a meal. The rest is all retort food, junk food, and snacks. <> < > <> Angu Ogu protests, saying its an imposition of values. But who cares? Nutritional value is more important than personal preferences. Well, in a way, thats what the cooking showdown was all about. To check her skills and make the judgment of I cant leave it to her!. Think about it, if my oshi streamer bes unhealthy and has to take a break from streaming the one who will suffer the most is me! <> <> <> This apartmentes with a dryer. On the other hand, depending on the area, you cant hang clothes on the balcony because it spoils the scenery. Well, even in America, it seems like dryers are moremon than natural drying. And as we talked about that, Angu Ogu had finished eating. < > <> Im not sure if its for dessert, but Angu Ogu was gnawing on a small American apple, which they couldnt eat in Japan. Maybe they had pent-up cravings. <> <> <> <> Its often heard that Americans who live in Japan be very thin. In Angu Ogus case, there hadnt been any significant change in their body shape, so I didnt notice. Also, isnt Japans idea of healthy eating mostly about convenience store food? When they say thats healthy, well <> <> In any case, this is pretty normal in America. American stomachs are huge so anything gets bigger. ording to them, they could have devoured a hamburger on the first day, before moving to Japan. Thats probably something they realized after Angu Ogu started cooking. <> <> <> That was one of the things that surprised me when I started living here. In America, most restaurants and supermarkets are closed on Sundays. In Japan, its the opposite; Sundays are a busy time. But I can understand their reasoning. <> So, if you inadvertently run out of groceries, youll have nothing to eat. We just went shopping for the second time yesterday. But it looks like going shopping together once a week is bing a habit. On the flip side, we hardly go out otherwise! Sightseeing? Id only go if there were VTubers there! <> <> <> I swallowed nervously. Angu Ogu was furious. I thought we were getting along quite well with our shared living arrangements. What could have gone wrong? <> <> Well, I can understand the sentiment. I do asionally wish I could rx in a bath. Back home, I had waterproof speakers, and I used to watch streams while taking a long bath. I turned the bathroom into a theater. Also, a washlet would be nice. VTubers dont need to use the toilet (various opinions on this)! <> <> Honestly, I didnt expect them to suggest something that drastic. Besides, this is a rental apartment! Chapter 223. [Independence Day]

Chapter 223. [Independence Day]

In the darkness of the night, I got huddled over Ah-nee. Um, is something wrong? Idiot! Dont raise your head! She still seemed unaware that her life was in danger. I firmly pressed her unprotected body back to the ground, preventing her from getting up. Her reaction got dulled, seemingly not fully grasping the imminent danger. I couldnt me her. When I first encountered gunfire in Japan, my reaction was just as muted. Living in Japan makes the fear of guns normal for us. Ah-nee, do as I say. Got it? Y-yes. I stared straight at Ah-nee from close range and spoke. No matter what happens to me, I will protect my crush. Even if the situation is unclear, such a sincere feeling seems to get through to her. She nodded reluctantly. Relieved, I let out a small smile. Thank you. Ill make sure to protect you, Ah-nee. ! For some reason, my sisters body jolted nervously. But more importantly, think. From which direction did the gunshote? No, I cant remember. I let my guard downpletely. What happened to the idea that this area is supposed to be safe? Whats the shooters objective? Is the assant still nearby? We need to buy some time. We only need a few minutes. Once we ovee this, the Secret Service waiting nearby should handle it. So, the crucial thing is what to do now. I listen carefully. No more gunshots, and no footsteps around. I made a decision. Ah-nee, when I give the signal, move. O-Okay. 3 2 1 Now! This way! I pulled Ah-nee up, and we ran together, slipping into the shadows of the building. Hah, hah Breathing heavily, I pushed Ah-nee against the wall and crouched, keeping our bodies close together. I wanted to shield her, ensuring that, if there were more gunshots, they wouldnt hit her. But the difference in our sizes was evident. At times like this, I cursed my small stature. Um, about that Iroha-chan. Be quiet. Stay still and keep quiet. Hehe Suppressing our breath, I tensed my nerves. And then. -Bang! The second sound came from behind us. Simultaneously, a sh of light, probably a muzzle sh, flickered. Oh no!? It seemed I intended to escape from the perpetrator, but I ended up getting closer. I turned around, looking at the source of the noise. In the night sky, a single flower was blooming. Or rather, it was a firework. I realized that I had been staring at it, dumbfounded. Huh? Hnnn!? All the way to here Wait, could it be? I misunderstood!? No, but Ive never seen fireworks in America before!? Everyone would mistake this for gunfire, for sure. At this point, even the Secret Service should be in a panic However, no one wasing, no matter how long I waited. Could it be, really? Ah! No way, is that it? Was Angu Ogu saying something about doing something only today? Could it be that today, on Independence Day, fireworks are allowed just for this asion!? Listening carefully, I heard the daughters giggles. <> <> <> I heard the conversation between the parents. Meanwhile, small fireworks intermittently bloomed in the night sky. Come to think of it, are handheld fireworks unique to Japan? I heard that even when individuals set off fireworks abroad, aerial fireworks are the norm. Haa, what the heck! Sorry, Ah-nee. It seems I misunderstood I only realized it when I turned to face her. My sister was looking at me with teary eyes. She was holding onto the hem of my clothes tightly, her shoulders trembling. Take a moment and assess the situation. I was pinning Ah-nee against the wall, covering her. So she couldnt escape. It looked like I was forcing a kiss on her. W-Wait! I didnt mean it like that, Ah-nee!? I hurriedly tried to distance myself, but Ah-nees hand tightly grasped the hem of my clothes. She looked up at me while I was in a half-crouch. Its okay. If its Iroha-chan Huh? Saying that, my sister slowly closed her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed, and her pouting lips seemed to be begging. The hand not holding onto the hem of my clothes gently rested on my chest. Its warm. Her body warmth was transmitted through that touch. A firework went off with a pop. The bright light illuminated my sisters blushing face. Ah-nee. Ah-nee was surprisingly beautiful and endearing. My own breathing and the sound of my heartbeat became annoyingly loud. Chapter 238. [ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)]

Chapter 238. [ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response)]

Upon returning to Japan, I arranged to meet with Ilyena. More urately, I returned to Japan to coincide with our meeting schedule. Surprisingly, the meeting ce was quite close to my house. Ilyena seemed extremely nervous, but the feeling was mutual. I returned the greeting with a trembling voice. Oh no, Im meeting my crush face-to-face again. But, since weve met. Theres no turning back. For now, lets see. After shaking hands, I got quite a reaction. Wait, what!? Seems like Ive unconsciously picked up American customs too. Over there, its normal to shake hands with someone youre meeting for the first time, so I did it reflexively. On the other hand, Iryeena might have had fewer opportunities for physical contact due to being immersed in Japanese culture. Suddenly, I noticed someone staring at us through dark lenses. I could interact better thanks to Ilyena hiding her face with sunsses and a mask. But still Ilyena let out a breath that seemed neither relieved nor disappointed. As she did so, her silver hair spilled from her hat, gently brushing her cheek. Her beautiful hair seemed familiar to me. No, it couldnt be! Its our first meeting with Iryeena, of course! So, following Ilyenas lead, we arrived at. *** Stepping inside the house, it was unexpectedly simple and clean, contrasting with its exterior. Apparently, they refurbished it with the money earned from VTuber activities as a thank-you gesture to our rtives. They are elderly now, so they made it barrier-free. Ilyenas house was within walking distance, practically in the same school district. Opening the door with a solid sound unique to soundproof rooms, I was surprised to find a surprisingly simple room. Except for the extravagant setup around the PC, typical of streamers. Turning around, Ilyena was standing in front of the closet as if blocking it. It seemed like she was implying there was something hidden. Although tantly being diverted, I had no hobby of prying into others secrets. Except for maybe an ARG! Seems like theres no escaping. As we prepared, time flew by, and then the moment arrived. *** My words reach you~. Its trantion girl Iroha. Dobroho Ranko~. Hello, everyone its Ilyena. ?Hello~! ?Doburoho Ranko! ?Wow, its Iroha-chans ASMR stream! I greeted in a whispering voice, unlike my usual self. I didnt dare to speak in my normal voice in this situation. The expensive mic was that sensitive. I had heard the pointers from Iryeena beforehand, and I didnt want to break it. Phew I never expected this to happen. ?!?!?!? ?Iroha-chans breath got me shook ?I-Iroha are you always this seductive!? (US) Oh, I forgot!? This is ASMR already!? Wait, I just sighed!? Hey, I think the wrench is visible now. I didnt want acquaintances to see this stream! Chapter 239. [Relaxation?]

Chapter 239. [Rxation?]

I wasnt making any sexy noises or anything. ?But that line itself sounds kinda sexy, doesnt it? ?I dont get the appeal of ASMR at all, even though Im using pretty good speakers. ?Its pointless if youre not using earphones or headphones. Just sighing led to this reaction. Seriously. Its unbearable. And to make matters worse, I cant even get angry because I cant raise my voice. So Im left feeling sulky. Eek!? Suddenly, Ilyena grabbed my hand. I couldnt help but let out a sound. Please, Iroha-sama. If you speak too loudly, everyones ears will be crushed. Uh, sorry Wait, did Ilyena just Im giving her a resentful look, but Ilyena acts as if nothing happened. She was flustered when our hands touched earlier, but nowpletely different. Iroha-sama, sexy is apliment. You should be happy about that. I-is that so? She seemed to havepletely flipped a switch. Before I knew it, Ilyena seemed to have be professional. Just 2 years ago, she was a total amateur. How time flies. Its cute when Iroha-sama gets embarrassed, but please have confidence. It means your voice is charming. M-my voice is charming? Even if you say that. I still dont get it. Especially since Ive never streamed in that style before. As Im bewildered, Ilyena whispers. Its okay. For some reason, her breathy voice sounded very seductive. What should I do to make everyone happy? Ill guide you every step of the way. Uh, okay. My head feels fuzzy. Im almost drawn to Ilyenas exposed mouth as she removes her mask. Now, Iroha-sama. Follow my lead and gently stroke their ears. Uh, like this? Is this okay? Im not sure what the right answer is. I timidly touch the ears of the dummy head microphone. ?Whoa, my ears are tingling. ?Its fun how different it feels between left and right. ?Iroha-chans lingering awkwardness is kind of alluring. Apparently, this is good enough. But Im usually on the receiving end of ASMR, not the giving end It feels strange. Iroha-sama. Thats great. Please read thements. Everyone is feeling so rxed because of your touch. I-I wonder if thats true? Can I y with you more? Uh, sure I try rubbing earlobes and inserting fingers into the ears. Hmm? I hum and nibble on their ears. ?!!! ?Whoa! That breath-blowing is amazing. ?Is ASMR always this amazing for beginners like me? Just my slight movements elicit exaggerated reactions from the viewers. Its like Im ying with everyones hearts and bodies. How do you feel, Iroha-sama? Feels good, doesnt it? Huh!? Th-thats Iroha-sama, you can be honest. Right now, you look really sexy. N-no way. I-Im not like that No need to pretend. You were so absorbed earlier. Its toote now. I turn my face away, but Ilyena gently touches my cheek and makes me look up. My face feels like its on fire. My body feels unusually hot. H-ha Even my breath feels feverish. Whats going on? What have I done!? Could it be that the viewers are praising me, and Im enjoying it? My mind is still that of a man. So theres no way that could be!? Iroha-sama, youre so cute. N-no Dont look at me Somehow, theres even a sweet scent lingering in the air. My head is spinning. Hehehe, lets try using some tools. First, lets use lotion like this. Ilyena drips lotion onto her hands and rubs them together. With a squelch, a soundes out.? Ah. I forgot. Ilyena exims. She shows her hands wet with lotion, looking apologetic. Sorry, Iroha-sama. Can you get the tools instead? O-of course. I snap out of it and stand up. What was I doing just now!? Ive been too carried away by Ilyenas atmosphere. Lets cool my head a bit and stay calm. Please open that closet and get the tools. Its in the lower right As she speaks, I open the closet. Huh? Come to think of it, was it okay for me to see inside this? Ah! It seems Ilyena has noticed it too. She rolls over to me and leaps at me. With a crash, she pushes me down But its toote. Whats this? Inside the closet was an altar. Numerous Trantor Girl Iroha posters and acrylic stands were lined up. Even some goods with my autograph got mixed in. And then. Flutter. With the impact of our collision, Ilyenas maskes off and falls. With a tter, Her sunsses roll across the floor. Ah. Ah. Ilyena and I find ourselves face to face. Chapter 240. [Aroma, Oil, And Massage]

Chapter 240. [Aroma, Oil, And Massage]

I looked up at Ilyena, who was covering herself. Her silver hair was hanging down and hanging over me. Ilyena, chan? Ah Ahh Ilyena huffed and tried to hide her face, but it was toote. I had just witnessed the true face of my guess. No way, no way, Ilyena-chan It cant be helped. Yes. Thats right. I am Iroha-samas ssmate. I cant believe that Ilyena-chan is really a real junior high school student! ?????? Ilyenas true face was much younger than I had imagined. I had heard rumors that she was the same age as me. But, I had been trying to avoid information about the so-called, inside people as much as possible. But she really did it! If only I had paid more attention! Ugh, I cant believe Im seeing the face of my oshi. Ano, Iroha-sama? Do you have any other thoughts? Do you recognize me? ? Ilyena stares at me. I stare back at her again. Whats that? I think Ive seen something like this before. What? My voice escapes my mouth and my thoughts are interrupted. I turned my face away from her and asked her to help me. Ilyena, dont stare at me like that. Its embarrassing, and your hands, in your clothes. What? What? Im sorry. Oh, no Oh, no, no, no. Dont move. Ilyenas lotion-soaked hand slipped through the hem of my dress and touched my bare skin. I got struck by a slippery sensation that was almost ticklish. Ilyena, chan Huh, huh. Guuu Iroha-sama Our heated gazes were intertwined. Something was wrong. But there was no time to think about what was wrong. Nngh Oh, no, there. Touch it, touch it, touch it. Iroha-sama, you are so cute. Ilyenas hands caress my body. Gradually, the distance between the two of us is getting closer and closer. Our faces are so close that our breaths touch. She says sadly. Promise, right? The prize of First Time Hearing. Iroha-sama, please tell me? Yes Im sure you will. Id like to meet Ilyena Just as I was about to open my mouth to that point Bang! The door suddenly got opened. -I didnt give you permission to go that far!!!! What? What? Ilyena and I turned our gazes toward the doorway. Mai was standing there. Why is she here? Or rather, how does she know where Ilyena lives? Iroha-chan, calm down~! Were in the middle of a delivery! What am I doing? What am I doing? Fresh aires in through the opened door. The heat from a moment ago is gone. And Ilyena, too? What on earth were you trying to do? Wrong! Im just going with the flow. Im not going this far. What are you nning on doing?! This smell makes you feel naughty, right? What are you talking about? I dont know what youre talking about! Because I have the same one! !!!?!??? Wait, what do you mean? What the hell were you 2 trying to do to me? Nah! Why do you have that? What were you going to do to Iroha-sama by burning that aphrodisiac incense? Thats what Im talking about! No, no, no! Im nervous when Im alone with her, so Im using it to calm me! Youre right, Ive been checking the feeds. And thements are getting crazy right now. Im sure youre right to check the chats. Ah! Ah! Mai said, and we both rushed to check the monitor. It seemed that the binaural microphone had picked up all the sounds. ?Iroha-chan has finally likes a female body! ?The 2 real JCs get so excited during ASMR that they go on the set! ?Is this okay? Will this stream get banned? ?I thought MyTube didnt allow underage users to stream ASMR ?What are you talking about, you idiot? ?This is going to be a legendary stream w I panicked and tried to cover it up. The words that came out were I I Im a grown-up now! ?I had seen this line in a fanzine ww ?It was even more criminal than before LOL ?I could see that they were still slightly dragging out the exchange they had just had. I fell to the ground. What do you mean by now now? And so, the ASMR delivery ended, leaving behind a huge disaster and aftereffects. But I nced at the closet. What was it that Ileana was trying to hide? I remembered that in addition to the altar, there was a school bag, an old desktopputer, and? Was there a picture of a girl who looked just like me and Ilyena, side by side? No. Im sure Im looking at the wrong thing. I dismissed the thought, and then. *** The day of the reuniones. Chapter 263: [Signal Of Danger] Chapter 263: [Signal Of Danger] I stumbled and looked up at the student. A giant with tattoos, and ring eyes. S-Sorry They hurriedly apologized. That was my fault. Since the gacha livestream, I''ve been hooked on social games and was still ying while walking. So, I wasn''t paying attention to where I was going. Well then Hey, wait up! I tried to leave, but they blocked my way. Getting closer with a cking sound. Chewing gum no, probably chewing tobo. The breath they exhaled was terribly smoky. Why''s there a yellow monkey like you here? When did this school turn into a zoo, huh? They must have noticed I was in trouble. Other students around started to look, but just watching didn''t mean someone woulde to help. That part wasn''t any different from Japan, I thought until W-Wait! A trembling voice interrupted. It was um. Hey hey, isn''t bullying the weak shameful! Ah, right! Shitenno. No, I hadn''t forgotten their name just now. When the delinquent was about to say something, more backup arrived. Next to appear was Y-Yeah! It''s not cool for a big guy to bother a girl alone like that! Y-Yeah, it''s not like that at all! They were the girls who always bothered me on the bus. But even they seemed scared, their voices trembling. You guys think you can mess with me? I felt a bad vibe. The delinquent raised their fist. !? Their tattooed, log-like arm was about to reach the girls. An angry voice came from afar. What are you guys doing! The delinquent opened their clenched fist. With a smirk, they waved at the approaching teacher. As you can see, we''re not doing anything! Shut up! Come over here for a moment! Alright alright. Huh? You guys? Oh, I see The delinquent was forcefully taken away by the teacher. As they left, they nced meaningfully at us. Don''t think it''s over Once the delinquent disappeared from view, the girls copsed in the hallway, looking relieved. Even tough and powerful American girls seemed scared just now. T-Thank goodness for your help Um, are you okay? Ah, haha. I''m fine. But what about Iroha-chan? Were you scared? No, I Honestly, I waspletely fine. Compared to a robber with a gun, delinquents were nothing, and I had bodyguards anyway. It''s annoying to be bothered like this. I was in the middle of ying my mobile game, but can I resume it now? "Are you okay, Iroha? What are you doing!? These delinquents here are different from Japanese delinquents! Don''t give them any excuse to bother you" "Um sorry?" I got scolded by Shitenno. Certainly, I was surprised. I never thought they would try to start a fight so quickly. But hey, you did well, Shitenno. Facing him in that situation. The power of love, huh? W-Well!? Yes, I did something for Iroha. But, that''s different! Yeah, yeah. But, Iroha-chan, be careful. He''s the type who''s been suspended multiple times for violence. If you''re about to be found, it''s better to hide. And never be alone with him. Even though he''s being watched, if there''s no one around Got it. I''ll be careful. But I''ll never truly be alone. Rather, I''m more worried about the girls I dragged into this. And also, don''t get close to people who have tattoos in general. Usually, you can''t get them if you''re under 18 without parental consent, so if they have them Now that I think about it, there aren''t many students with tattoos in America. There are asionally people who have had piercings since they were babies for religious reasons, though. They say a person''s inner self shows on the outside It seems dangerous people have signs'' no matter what country you''re in. *** Back home, I was ying my mobile game on the living room couch. Then, Angouge hugged me from behind and peeked at the screen. Hey, your gacha livestream the other day. Iroha, you topped the charts with the highest super chats per hour." ..Huh? There had been variousmemorative live streams and major coborations before. Even saved the world once, but this stream ranked first. Honestly, it''splicated, but well, that''s how it goes. It''s entertainment. And there are lots ofments asking for more, and tons of fan art too. N-No more, please. In a sense, it seems to have be a legend. Sigh. Hey, you seem down. Something wrong? "Huh? How''d you know?" Well, Iroha, you''re ying your favorite VTuber''s game, but you''re not smiling. ! Actually, yeah. I exined the situation to Angouge. As she said, I couldn''t enjoy VTubers without peace of mind. If things could just end like this However, that delinquent''sst words. It didn''t feel like it would end that easily. And as expected, bad predictions tend toe true. *** What a coincidence, huh? I decided to take the school bus starting today. The next morning, that delinquent boarded our school bus. Chapter 264: [WRATH] Chapter 264: [WRATH] Delinquents board the school bus. Not just one, but several. Hey, what''s your deal!? Oh,e on, we''re students too, you know? What''s wrong with us riding the school bus? Who do you think you are!? What''s the problem? Can''t we all get along as neighbors? You wouldn''t want anything to happen to your family on the streets or at home, right? So, we should help each other out, just in case. Hey, what are you thinking? Hey, why are you getting all tense? It''s like I''m threatening you or something! Laughter echoes inside the bus from the delinquents. The usually noisy bus is now eerily silent. Sorry, Iroha-chan. It''s our fault. He went to the same middle school as us. That''s how he found out we ride the same bus. It''s not everyone''s fault. As they exchange words, a delinquent leans forward. His tobo-smelling breath hits us. What are you whispering about? Let me in on it too. Hey, what are you doing!? Switch seats with me. I want to get friendly with that monkey over there. Animal welfare, you know? It''s important, right? Stop it Ouch!? Ah!? He forcefully grabs a girl''s arm and throws her into the aisle. Then, he loudly sits down next to her. Iroha-chan! Hey, don''t touch her! I''ll Ugh!? Shitenno! As Shitenno tries to intervene, he''s punched in the stomach by one of the delinquents and copses. One of the girls rushes to him in panic. The driver''s bitter expression is reflected in the rearview mirror as he tries to speak but restrains himself. It''s the right move. If harm were toe to the driver especially while the bus is in motion, the consequences would be unthinkable. So, let''s be friends from now on, okay? Iro ha! Ugh!? The delinquent wraps his arm around my shoulder. As if to stop him, Shitenno stands up and receives further violence. Stop it already! One of the girls shields Shitenno. Seeing this, the delinquentsugh. Don''t worry, I''ll be fine. Damn, there''s no way you''re fine! Iroha-chan We Hey, even he says so. Sit down already. Otherwise, the bus can''t leave. The engine roars and the high school bus starts moving. The delinquent pulls me closer with the arm around my shoulder. We''re friends now. Right? Let''s get along. He whispers in my ear with a malicious grin. *** Since I started attracting trouble from delinquents both on the bus and in school, people have started keeping their distance from me. Well, it''s understandable. Nobody wants to make an enemy out of a dangerous person. Iroha-chan I''m sorry, I''m sorry! I couldn''t do anything for you! During ss, while the delinquents are away, the girl cries and hugs me. Shitenno, perhaps out of frustration, mutters with tears in his eyes. Why am I so weak? Why Even after I started attracting trouble from delinquents, I continued taking the bus to school. That''s because if I stopped, the girls might be targets. They seem to notice that consideration, hence their apologetic or regretful expressions, maybe. But Um, excuse me? I''m really okay, so please don''t worry? Hmm, what a hassle. Honestly, I''m not really in much trouble. If anything, it''s kind of convenient not to be approached by everyone. With more time alone, I could enjoy my social games. Iroha-chan, this isn''t the time for that! Right now, they might just be ying around, but it''ll escte for sure. And when that happens And Iroha-chan, messing with them, ying games antagonizing them like that, you shouldn''t do that now! Who knows what consequences Y-Yeah If ites to that, the Secret Service guys will probably beat up the delinquents unterally. They''re kinda picking on the wrong targets, too. Being hassled and ridiculed by delinquents every time is definitely unpleasant. But honestly dealing with antis is a thousand times more persistent and troublesome than delinquents. Iroha-chan! It''s okay to cry if it''s tough. To depend on others. They''re not watching now. It''s just us! Um, well Thanks? Maybe being so careless like that was my mistake. The attack came from an unexpected direction. *** "What is this?" My locker had been ransacked. The merchandise of the idols that should have been there had been reduced to a pitiful state. Chapter 265: [Nerd Vs. Bad Boys] Chapter 265: [Nerd Vs. Bad Boys] I stopped ying the social game and stared nkly at the locker. During break time, when I came to pick up my textbooks, this was the situation. "What huh? Huh?" There was a sense of unease as I tried to open the door. The lock was already undone. It was clear that it wasn''t just forgotten. The locker door was partially warped, with scratches that seemed forcibly opened. "Why is it like this?" The merchandise pushed in was now in a state beyond recognition. Torn apart, and even sttered with what seemed like paint The shock was so overwhelming that my mind couldn''t function properly. I still couldn''t believe this was reality. You''re underestimating us too much. I heard a voice from behind. I turned around abruptly to find the delinquents standing there, smirking. What''s the matter? Trying to use us falsely? Cut it out! Exactly! We have no idea what you''re talking about! Gyahaha! The delinquents burst intoughter. Furthermore, they peered into my locker and said, Oh look, your precious plushies'' are all torn up, aren''t they? How could they recognize these unrecognizable items as plushies at a nce? If they could, then no, even without that, these guys were obviously the culprits from the beginning. Seriously, something around here stinks! What''s that smell? Paint? No, it''s the stench of this nerdy otaku! Yeah, Asians are all such nerds! The delinquents''ughter echoed. I trembled there. But hey, it''s not a big deal. Since there was nothing but trash in there anyway. What did you say? Huh? What''s up with you guys? Did I say something wrong? You guys don''t get it, huh? Yeah, right? Well, if you learn your lesson from this, be careful with your behavior from now on, okay? Saying that, the delinquents turned and left almost. "Oh, by the way," deliberately opening their mouths. Come to think of it, we picked up some trash too. Gotta make sure to dispose of it properly, right? ! They showed something quickly. I couldn''t make it out in an instant, but it was probably part of the merchandise. There were still intact items!? Looking around, there seemed to be surprisingly few remnants in the locker. G give that back! Nope, Iroha-chan! Before I could charge, someone grabbed me from behind, restraining me. My head felt like it was boiling. It must be anger. Let go! Stop interfering! Calm down, Iroha-chan! It''s us! If you chase after them now, that''s exactly what they want! "Iroha." With that voice, I finally realized it was the girls who were holding me back. Shitenno also stood nearby, gritting her teeth. But my anger didn''t subside. I still struggled to chase after the delinquents, thrashing around Flutter, flutter, flutter. Hey, just wondering, Iroha-chan, why are you resisting now? Shut up! But you understand, right? Iroha-chan is so fragile. You can''t beat them. Yet I continued to thrash my arms and legs desperately, only to il in the air. The difference in physique was too much, and I ended up floating in the air Pant pant Unable to break free, I soon exhausted my strength. The delinquents were already out of sight. Ugh Tears welled up with frustration. The girls cautiously lowered me to the floor, now quiet. I copsed there, t. Did they think I''d start running again? The girls seemed worried now. Iroha-chan, about that As the girls were about to say something, murmurs from the surrounding crowd caught their attention. People had gathered without us noticing. What''s going on? This is bad! Look, it''s them. As usual. It''s better not to get involved. Theirrge group took out smartphones, photographing us and the locker. The girls raised their eyebrows sharply. You guys, this isn''t a show! It''s okay, Iroha-chan. Just call for a pickup and go home for today, okay? We''ll clean up the locker by tomorrow. Thank you. I''ll do that. Nodding, I staggered to my feet. Alone, I headed towards my "destination." "Sorry." I muttered quietly. I lied to the girls. I had no intention of going home like this. "I can never forgive those guys!" There was no n. But still, the burning anger continued to drive me. But maybe, in the end, it was for the best. At least I didn''t drag the girls into this. "I''ll make them regret this!" At that moment, consumed by anger, I didn''t even notice someone running away in the corner of my eye. *** And then, I arrived at their hangout behind the school building. "!?!?!" I was enveloped in confusion. Give me back what you took from Iroha! The voice that echoed was trembling with fear. There, amidst the group of delinquents, stood Shitenno, facing them alone. Chapter 266: [Hero, Awakening] Chapter 266: [Hero, Awakening] Behind the school building. There were scattered empty cans, cigarette butts, and used condoms. "What''s he thinking!?" I peeked from the shadow of the building, observing Shitenno confronting the delinquents. The tense atmosphere could be felt even from here. The girls had told me about this hangout spot before. But it was always a warning to stay away because it''s dangerous. "I can''t believe he''s diving into that kind of ce!?" I said, feeling a pang of guilt. Come to think of it, I came here to do exactly the same thing. The delinquents looked at Shitenno, their mouths agape. But soon burst intoughter. You mean to tell me, instead of that brat, you got hooked? And what about you,ing here alone? Are you stupid or what? ! Are you guys still after Iroha!? You''re pretty rxed in this situation, huh? Do you think you can walk away for free? The delinquents began to stand up one by one. Shitenno hesitated. But as if encouraging himself, he stepped forward. R-return what you took from Iroha! Took it? Didn''t I tell you, we just picked up trash? Are you suspecting people without evidence? You do realize that, right? It might not matter to you, but it''s important to her! It''s a treasure! So, give it back! Can you get through to them? Nerd''s really out of it or not Suddenly, the delinquent seemed to have an idea, a smile crept on his face. He rummaged through his belongings and pulled something out. It was hard to see behind Shitenno''s back, but it was probably a stuffed animal. He extended it towards him. Here Will you give it back? What? Don''t you want it? Shitenno cautiously approached. Then, the delinquent deliberately let go with a loud voice. Oops, slipped out of my hands The stuffed animal bounced at the delinquent''s feet. It rolled right into the midst of the delinquent group. It''s dirty now, but it was trash from the start, so it doesn''t matter, right? What''s wrong, not gonna pick it up? Shitenno made up his mind and started walking again. Approaching the delinquents, he reached them. He squatted, reaching out his hand and touched the stuffed animal, at that moment. Thud! There was a dull sound. "Gahh!?" The delinquent''s toe was embedded in Shitenno''s side. He held his abdomen, crashing to the ground. "Ah!?!? It hurts, aahh!?" What are you doing, trying to steal people''s stuff? You thief! Huh!? Y-you guys give it back Remember well. Did I ever agree? I didn''t, right? Besides, this was ours from the start, so there''s no giving it back Coward, you! Huh? Oh, what was it again? This is your precious thing, right? As he spoke, the delinquent stomped on the stuffed animal. He kept grinding it. In no time, the stuffed animal was covered in mud. What!? Gahaha! What I do with my stuff is my business! Laughing, the delinquent lifted his foot. And again, he attempted to stomp on the stuffed animal. Huh? What was heard was a dull sound. Shitenno covered the stuffed animal as if to shield it. Th-this is. Iroha''s precious What''s with you? Risking yourself to protect a stuffed animal. Seriouslyme! Whileughing, the delinquent repeatedly stomped his foot. Other delinquents joined in, kicking Shitenno. I felt my blood run cold. This was nothing short of a lynching. It was not just bullying, but a step away from murder. "Please, stop someone, stop them!" Before I knew it, I was shouting. If this continued, Shitenno would really die. What is the Secret Service doing? Or is it that everyone else doesn''t matter except me!? "Don''t screw around!" I couldn''t be the only one witnessing this scene. Some students must be aware, yet no one stepped in to help. Snap. Something snapped in my head. Before I knew it, I was charging out. You bastaaards! The delinquents turned their gaze towards me, pausing their assault. Their cold, malicious eyes were terrifying, and grotesque. Was Shitenno facing this alone? He groaned, trying to get up. "Iro ha? Why are you here? Didn''t you go home?" Shitenno''s face was covered in bruises, swollen. I clenched my teeth and yelled. "What are you doing!? Picking fights with delinquents alone, are you stupid!? Do you want to die!? If you die, you won''t be able to promote VTubers anymore!" "What!? You''re the stupid one! Why did youe out!? I''ll be fine, so get out of here!" "It''s not something to boast about, but with my legs, I can''t escape anyway." "Are you really an idiot, huh!?" The delinquentughed and approached. I stood straight in ce. Oh, been waiting for you? The delinquent spoke with a smoky breath. I red back at him. I was scared. But there was a rage within me that surpassed the fear. Damn it! My head''s been burning hot since earlier! The sound of the wind and the chirping of insects seemed unusually loud. Chapter 267: [Achieving Dreams Together] Chapter 267: [Achieving Dreams Together] You said you needed evidence, right? Well, I''ve recorded our entire conversation on video. If you push further, I''ll report you to the police. That''s what I told the delinquent. Of course, it was a lie. I didn''t have the mental capacity to film anything like that. But it wasn''t just an empty threat either. There might be someone filming among the spectators watching us from inside the school building. So? Huh? However, the delinquent remainedpletely unfazed. If anything, they seemed to be mocking us. Um, so, to the police. Go ahead and try it. Just remember, when you get out of prison, that''s when I''ll I''ll show you and your family, your friends, hell. What!? No matter how many years pass, no matter where you go, I''ll never forgive you. I''ll find you and make sure topletely destroy you. Come to think of it, didn''t the girls say this delinquent has been arrested multiple times? They were clearly unhinged. I realized now that negotiating with them was futile. The delinquentughed, saying, "Gahaha!" So, tomorrow, let''s say 10,000 dors will do. Bring it. Wha!? Even as a threat, demanding over a million yen all of a sudden was outrageous. It was beyond the pale. I''m not going to give you any money! Besides, that''s a huge sum. Can''t do it? You can. Or do you want me toe to your house to collect it? !)) Could it be that the demand just now, where they seemed to have messed up the digits? Perhaps they''ve already tracked down our addresses. No, wait how much do they actually know? Do they know I''m a VTuber? Do they know about Angu Ogu? Th-This! Angu Ogu''s safety shouldn''t bepromised. She''s protected by far more Secret Service agents than I am. But if our address got exposed as harassment. We''d have to move, for sure. You Fuck! It''s the first time I''ve used the F-word sinceing to America. I couldn''t contain my anger. This person has been targeting everything important to me since earlier! Moving would undoubtedly be a hassle and time-consuming. And that would undoubtedly affect Angu Ogu''s life and, above all, our streaming and recording schedules. I absolutely won''t let that happen! Would I allow my precious oshis'' streams to disappear because of this asshole? There''s no way I could ept that! That ce isn''t somewhere to be trampled by outsiders! Above all, that house is already. That''s impossible, this is impossible. Then how about this? Let''s have you earn it with your body. There are plenty of pedos out there in the world who love guys like you! Ow!? Let go of me! "Iroha!" My arm is grabbed and pulled up. Just that made me feel like I was floating, standing on tiptoes. Shitennou tries to rush over to us but is held down to the ground by the other delinquents. Even in such a situation, I re back at the delinquent. I won''t bend to your will, and I won''t forgive you! Are you stupid? Don''t you get the situation yet? Or what, do you still believe some brave hero wille and rescue you? A hero exists. If needed, or if we can stall, the Secret Service will surely help. "They''ll save us." That''s why nerds like you are so. Get real already. Oh, that''s right. Idols and anime, you know? What are you talking about? That''s what I''m saying. They''re all doing shady stuff behind the scenes anyway. That MyTuber or whatever you guys are obsessed with What''s it called? Well, it doesn''t matter. They''re just the same. What? Don''t get it? That''s whyI''m telling you to stop dreaming already. Reality and fantasy are different. So, such things don''t matter. If only I could say that decisively, how easy would it be? But in reality, reality and fantasy are two sides of the same coin No response, huh? VTubers are humans too. So, such things can happen. I understand that At the same time, fans are also human. They want their oshis to be happy! They''ll ept it even if they have a boyfriend! But that doesn''t mean they can always ept it. Still It''s wrong Huh? What''s wrong with dreaming!? I shouted. My head was getting hotter and hotter. What''s wrong with believing in what you want to believe in!? "Because I''m a VTuber and I''m myself, I can do whatever I want," some would say, acting freely. But many VTubers want to be honest and sincere with their fans, even a little bit. We! Some get mad when they coborate with the opposite sex openly, calling it inappropriate, but then use them of betrayal if they hang out with the opposite sex in private. Some be overly sensitive. But even more, fans just want to enjoy their streams sincerely. Supporting our oshis doesn''t work if it''s only one-sided! Because I''m everyone''s oshi. I want to be everyone''s number one. Of course, that might change depending on how they sell themselves. But some things won''t change. Our dreams are something we can''t achieve alone! What''s up with this guy? I don''t get it. I can''t understand guys like you. Those crazy guys. I oveid my voice like that. In an instant, the delinquent''s face twitched. "Maybe you don''t understand. But I do. What you''re thinking," I said, staring directly at the delinquent. The heat in my head had finally reached its peak. Chapter 268: [The 0th Character Of Words] Chapter 268: [The 0th Character Of Words] Huh? You understand what I''m thinking, huh? The delinquent momentarily widened his eyes. But soon his expression turned mocking. Heughed while gripping my arm. "Gyahahaha!" What are you saying? Are you seriously messed up in the head? Just a coincidence that our words ovepped. So then. Try guessing what I''m thinking!? As I oveid words again, the delinquent froze. He looked as if he had seen something eerie. I could sense a simr unease spreading among the surrounding delinquents. I kept my gaze fixed on the delinquent. Haha. Making a big deal out of guessing someone''s words a few times! Quit it! Don''t mimic my words! Can''t you hear me saying stop, stop!? You! I continuedyering words onto the delinquent. Soon, he seemed to reach his limit and raised his fist. With my arm held, I couldn''t escape. I braced myself for the impact. ! You''re annoying the hell out of me! Back off, or I''ll kill you! "Iro, ha!" Shitenno grabbed onto the delinquent. Seizing the opportunity while the delinquents were flustered, he broke free from the restraint and tackled the delinquent. Damn it! "Eek!?" Apparently realizing it would be tough to shake off Shitenno with just one hand, I was released as if thrown away. I rolled on the ground, dull pain enveloping my whole body. But I quickly got up and directed my gaze towards the delinquent. And I resumed anticipating his words. Damn it, stop clinging to me forever! How long are you gonna keep echoing my words? Damn it, stop irritating me! "Ugh!? Ha ha!? Guh!? Let go!" Shitenno groaned as he took elbow strikes and knee kicks, but he didn''t let go of the delinquent. I kept observing the delinquent intently. What''s with that look? Stop staring, you brat! I said stop echoing my words! So, cut it out! The air dominated by the delinquents began to tremble. They seemed confused by this unusual situation, whispering among themselves. What''s going on here? Hey, that''s dangerous, that guy Hey, could it be true that he can really read minds? As I turned my gaze towards them, the delinquents averted their eyes as if trying to shield their thoughts from being read. The enemy was now reduced to just one delinquent. Stop it, stop it! Don''t cling to me forever! Don''t you dare repeat my words anymore! Shut up already! My Stop reading my mind! The delinquent shouted as if going insane. Then, abruptly, he stopped as if he had just realized something. His recent words acknowledged "it" in some way. Yes, to me right now, the opponent''s mind. -There''s no way I can read it, you idiot! If such superpower existed, I''d be using it more effectively! Now, how did I achieve something so supernatural? That''s! Damn it! Is this some trick!? Confess already! As the delinquent said, this was indeed a trick with seeds and setups. Or rather, it was just a kind of technique. What? Howe you can understand what I''m about to say!? Answer me! I didn''t intend to teach the delinquent. But I''ll give him a hint. For instance, in Japanese, let''s say someone says "an." Are they going to say "anko" or "anma"? It''s actually easy to distinguish. Are you somehow figuring out my habits? No, but that''s not it "Habit" isn''t urate. Because it''s a necessity'' that happens to everyone. Specifically, with "anko" and "anma" When ites to the second character "n," the mouth shape always differs. For "anko," the mouth opens at "n," while for "anma," it closes. If you try it yourself, you''ll quickly notice the difference. Words aren''t just one type. Even when broadly ssified, there are three types of "n" sounds: [m], [n], [n]. Though they''re the same character, they can be clearly distinguished phically. No, not just that even at the first character "a," the sound is already different. For "anko," the pitch is high, while for "anma," it''s low. There''s no way I can read people''s minds, what a ridiculous idea! That''s right. You can''t read minds. But you can predict words. Since the hint for the third character lies in the second, and the hint for the second lies in the first. Or rather, words have countless derivations just by the number of words that follow. Answer me! How are you doing this!? Oh, I see. If you confess right now, I''ll let this boyfriend-kun off the hook. How about that? Are you listening, huh!? I ignored the delinquent''s negotiation. I already knew he wouldn''t keep his promise. Besides, Shitenno, who was looking at me despite the assault, said it all with his eyes. "You don''t need to listen to the words of such a guy!" And You guys, don''t underestimate us! Let''s continue. So, how do I predict the zeroth'' character without a focus? It''s predetermined. Even before the first character. Just listen to the zeroth character'' of words. Chapter 269: [One In Ten Thousand Sounds] Chapter 269: [One In Ten Thousand Sounds] Listen to the 0th character'' of words. If we give an easy example, it might be the Hyakunin Isshu. There is a concept of "set characters" in it. Among them, 7 cards can be identified by the 1st character, the so-called "Musume Fusaho Se". Damn it! Stop copying my words forever! That''s considered the fastest, but it''s not actually. In Hyakunin Isshu, there''s a 0th character even faster than that. It''s the sound of breath before the words are formed into characters''the sound of breath. In other words, consonants. Shut up! Seriously, enough already! Especially famous is the S sound. The cards "su," "sa," and "se" of the 1-card set. At first nce, they might seem indistinguishable, but in reality, each has its own difference''. Especially "se" is distinctive, and there are quite a fewpetitive karuta yers who can actually distinguish it by sound. What the heck, man! What are you talking about? And now, I felt like I could distinguish not only the S sound but all sounds. The sensitivity of my sensors tonguage has increased abnormally. So much so that I could probably even distinguish the sound of the wind. Otherwise, even with anguage cheat, I wouldn''t have been able to trace with such high uracy. Damn it! Shut up! Enough of this! Do you remember the story I once told about babies being able to distinguish between L and R? From there, reducing unnecessary discrimination'' and lightening the brain''s processing. What I''m doing now is somewhat the opposite of what babies do when they acquire their nativenguage. The 26 sounds of the alphabet, breaking them down into 100, 1000, or 10,000 sounds again. Ughhh! That''s it! Of course, it requires considerable effort. I didn''t respond at all to the delinquent''s words anymore. I concentrated, continuing to distinguish words. With my ears andmy "eyes." This The shape of the mouth before speaking. When people speak, there is always a preparatory action. For example, when you want to pronounce "a," your mouth is already open and your tongue is in position before you make a sound. Furthermore, the phrases used in conversation are limited. Especially those at the beginning of a sentence. As soon as we try to weave words, the words are already spoken. Of course, I could do this because I had already mastered lip reading or rather, it''s all thanks to the "super" technique ofnguage cheat ability. Ah Gradually, the voice of the delinquent, who initially spoke aggressively, weakened At the stage where the first character of the words was covered, he finally stopped speaking. Perhaps he had lost the energy to try to resist, or perhaps he had stopped resisting altogether. He directed a mixture of fear and confusion towards me. Demon The delinquent''s words were muttered quietly. I stopped oveying words on him. I didn''t think it was necessary anymore. I responded normally. Demon? That''s the first time I''ve been called that. I''m often called an angel though. An gel Huh, what''s with that reaction, like you''re scared? You don''t actually believe it? It was a joke, but if you look at me with such serious eyes. It''s a bit embarrassing. The delinquent copsed to the ground unsteadily. Shitenno released him from his restraint and let out a sigh. "It''s over." "Um, are you okay?" "To be honest, at my limit. The pain after the adrenaline wears off, I''m scared." "Haha, what''s that?" "I''m really d Iroha is safe." "You too, Shitenno-kun." "I told you phew. Well, whatever." Shitenno smiled, and I couldn''t help but smile too. Really, he was in bad shape to the point where I couldn''t help butugh. "By the way, Iroha. About what just happened" "Probably" Shitenno asked me in Japanese, and I shrugged. Honestly, I didn''t think things would go this smoothly. Certainly, religion is thriving in America. But having strong faith and believing in such absurdity'' arepletely different things. "I guess so. I don''t really believe I can read minds." In America, investigations using psychometry aremonce. So, supernatural abilities are rtively easy to believe in. Or so one might think. In Japan, there are asionally people who misunderstand. I want them to think rationally. In America, they wouldn''t allocate personnel to pseudoscience. "Superpower investigators" only exist in Japanese TV shows, not in reality. So, I was doing this with the mindset of "as long as I can buy time." "You probably did it Either way, you''re still a monster, though." Shitenno had aplicated expression. Perhaps he now understood the seed of my current mind-reading''? It''s truly amazing. Even without relying on cheats. That''s what being a genius is all about. "Well then. Anyway, let''s call the security guards" The Secret Service didn''t show up until the end. While thinking about that, I turned my gaze elsewhere, and that''s when it happened. "Kyah!?" Something hit my face. I covered my face with my hand in pain. I realized that I had been hit by gravel as I tasted the gravel in my mouth. Some even got into my eyes, and tears blurred my vision so I couldn''t see my surroundings. Now''s your chance, guys! Get them all! Don''t let them get away with opposing us for free! The delinquent''s voice echoed. It seems he was squatting for this purpose. "What!? How far will you go! You coward!" The delinquent had nothing to lose. Therefore, he didn''t even choose the means. I could hear footsteps approaching. There was no way out now. At this rate. "Iroha-chan, I''vee to help!" Oh,e on, you''re toote! I wanted to scream at the voice of the helper that I finally heard. Chapter 270: [How To Stop Bullying] Chapter 270: [How To Stop Bullying] The Secret Service finally arrived! Yes, squinting in the blurry vision. I-I won''t forgive you if you do anything else terrible to Iroha-chan! "Huh!?" Something''s wrong, I realized. Or rather, this voice. It''s not from the female Secret Service agent. W-Why are you guys here too!? Wait, aren''t you Shitenno? What about Iroha-chan!? It was a female ssmate who came to help. No, no, no, why!? That means they''re getting involved!? So, you''re gonna go against us too. How dare you. You''re all gonna pay for this! I-If you think you can, then go ahead and try! Don''t get cocky! What can you all do when gathered together!? The threatening words of the delinquent stopped midway. My vision finally returned, and I noticed. At some point, I had been hearing footsteps around, almost like the ground was trembling. I turned toward the direction of the girls'' voices. Do you even understand? Who do you mean by you guys'' There were dozens, maybe hundreds of students lined up there. They each started speaking to me. Iroha-chan! We came to help! We''re all Iroha-chan''s allies''! We''ll protect Iroha-chan! This is a gathering ce for delinquents. Naturally, their numbers are considerable. But the number of self-proimed "allies" was iparable. Hey. Where did all these peoplee from!? W-What!? Did something happen? No idea. But definitely, something interesting is happening here! Amid such chaos, I held my head. What is this? What on earth is happening!? What''s going on? What on earth is happening!? The delinquents were saying the same thing. I can''t really read his mind, right? As I thought that, the delinquent sharply looked at me. Then he screamed as if going insane. What the hell are you guys!? What the hell are you all doing!?!? No, no, I wanna know too!? And please, don''t say it as if I''mmanding this group! However, the girls responded to my inner voice. We''re all fans of Iroha-chan, the VTuber! Hey. Didn''t you say "my fan" now? Did she realize she was being filmed and quickly corrected herself, or was that just my imagination? In other words, are all these people lined up here really all my fans who''ve been hiding in the school? No, no, no, it can''t be. Please tell me it''s not true! Next time you mock VTubers or attack our allies, try it! We''ll all beat you down together! You! The girls dered war. However, the delinquents seemed unable to respond. Do you know how to avoid being bullied? The method is very simple. It''s being "stronger" than your opponent. Iroha-chan, you''re safe now! The girls said that, reassuring me. Strengththere are two types'' of it. One is simple individual violence. And the other is the power of numbers''. Iroha-sama! Iroha-chan! Iroha! Everyone was shouting my name. The power of numbers is overwhelmingly stronger than violence. In other words, can you imagine delinquents targeting the captain of a club with 100 members? No, they wouldn''t. Because there''s no chance of winning against that many members, even for delinquents. Acquaintances, friends, allies. Their number directly corrtes to strength. Damn, it All the delinquents could do was curse like that. Or that''s why they gather in groups. Because even they understand unconsciously that "numbers mean strength". They need allies to protect themselves. Perhaps the reason why delinquent groups tend to growrge in America is because there are so many dangers. Don''t think you can hurt Iroha-chan and get away with it! Don''t let the delinquents escape! If we all fight together, we''re not afraid of these guys! The delinquents hesitated in the face of the barrage of insults. Now, the roles of strong and weak hadpletely reversed. Hey This time, the match was settled. Thinking that, just as I was about to speak to the delinquents. Thunk. Something hit the delinquent''s head. He staggered. Blood flowed from his forehead, forming red spots on the ground. A pebbley at his feet. Ow, that hurt Someone''s voice pierced through the momentary silence. Chapter 271: [Sin And Punishment Retirement And Rebirth] Chapter 271: [Sin And Punishment Retirement And Rebirth] Extra chapter thanks to Kodenir A stone thrown by someone hit the delinquent''s head, blood streaming down. The girls shouted in rm. Hey, everyone! We promised not to resort to violence, right!? Th-That''s not us! It''s other students who came along and did it on their own! The one who threw the stone was one of the hecklers. However, that single stone seemed to have caused a ripple effect. Empty cans and trash were hurled one after another at the delinquents. Perhaps there were just many resentful people, or Throw more, throw more! Ouch!? H-Help! What are you guys doing!? Stop it! Get lost! It''s their own fault! They''re all scum of society anyway! Agh!? P-Please stop! I beg you! Everyone, calm down! We came here to help Iroha-chan, not to do this! It was turning into almost a riot. Gradually, it became hard to discern what was right and what was wrong. What even is bullying? I murmured to myself. Is it okay to hit someone if there''s a reason? Is it okay to beat up a viin as much as you want? Is that different from bullying? Ugh, seriouslyhow pointless! I yelled and dashed into the area where projectiles were concentrated. Amidst the attacks. I stood in front of the delinquents, arms wide open, blocking their way. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the flying objects and pain. But "Huh?" With the expected impact noting, I peeked open my eyes. Finally, the security guard who had been just watching stepped in and restrained the students. Please, everyone, stop! You might hit Iroha-chan and the others! A girl''s voice resounded. The students noticed me and evidently hesitated to throw things at a small girl. Previously, they had been disgusted by the weak physique of this little girl, but in this situation, it worked in her favor. They slowly lowered their raised arms, exchanging nces. "You idiot, Iroha!? What are you thinking!?" You, why Shitenno rushed over. The delinquents, with a puzzled expression, looked at me. That was my line! Why do I have to do this!? I yelled back at them, feeling somewhat indignant. Ugh, it was just terrifyingly normal! It''s literally visible that someone will get hurt if they get hit. If the security guard hadn''t stopped them, by now You don''t deserve to be protected by him I didn''t protect you or anything. I don''t forgive you, and I hate you. But I once had a favorite VTuber. However, she got med by everyone for "cheating" and got forced to retire. If you do something wrong, you should get punished. That''s natural, and it''s inevitable. But. This kind of group attacks on one person. It''s like lynching. It''s not punishment, it''s just vignte justice Suddenly, people who had previously shown no interest, like strangers'', joined in with faces like "I am justice" and spat out verbal violence'' towards her Was that really a just punishment? Was retirement really the appropriate fate for her? No, retirement'' is too lukewarm a word. After all, it''s. So. It certainly meant the death'' of a VTuber. She must have done something wrong. But still, I loved her. I still do. Wasn''t there any other choice? Apologize, ept punishment, and then start over There might be opinions suggesting that she should just be reborn as a VTuber. But damn it! A VTuber''s life isn''t that cheap! Of course, I think reincarnation has its strength unique to the virtual world. I wish for a reunion no matter how much her appearance changes. But even so, you can''t just lightly say words that are almost like "die"! Because deathes with excruciating pain. And because I believe that only the parties involved or thew have the right to judge At the time, as just a fan, I didn''t know what punishment would be appropriate for her. But just because I''m a fan doesn''t mean I don''t have the right to say this. -Please, don''t take our idols away from us. And once they''re lost, we can only wait endlessly. Hoping that one day our idol wille back. You must properly atone for what you''ve done so far. In the right way You The delinquent stared at me intently. It was a gaze withplex colors. What feelings were loaded in those eyes? I don''t know. Because I can''t read other people''s hearts. Alright, disperse, disperse! Oh, but you guys, we''re gonna have a little talk. Come over here The security guards were dispersing the crowd. Simultaneously, they began to lead away the delinquents and the malicious hecklers. It seems it finally came to an end for real. Shitenno probably sensed that atmosphere. "This Sorry, for not protecting you to the end, Iroha." With a look of apology, he handed me a stuffed animal. It was terribly dirty, so worn out that it was unrecognizable. "Ah" The moment I saw it, tears poured from both of my eyes. I copsed on the spot. "H-Hey! Iroha!?" "Ugh, ugh Uwaaaah, uwaaaah!" I couldn''t stop sobbing. I started crying aloud. I was truly frustrated. Truly sad. With this, it seems repair is impossible. Once lost, things nevere back again. Chapter 274: [The More We Fight, The Closer We Get] Chapter 274: [The More We Fight, The Closer We Get] Hey, Ogu, how was breakfast this morning? Was it good? Hmph! munch munch Um Ogu wouldn''t respond, so I sighed, thinking, "This isn''t good.". It''s been like this sincest night. Yesterday, things got crazy with that incident at high school. Honestly, today might be even more of a hassle. Hey, Ogu. It''s my fault, you know Hmph! She wouldn''t even look at me properly as I awkwardly tried to apologize. Normally, she''d be the one initiating conversations without me saying anything. I really messed up I remembered the scolding Ogu gave me yesterday. When I got home, she was either angry or crying It was really tough. -"Why have you been attacked twice already sinceing to America for just a few months!?" -"You''re too defenseless! Be aware that you stand out!" And finally, "You always mess with my heart. I''ve had enough of you!" And then, she just wouldn''t listen to me anymore. At that moment, I thought, "She''ll probably be fine in the morning.". I can''t believe she''s still mad even after a whole night. This argument(?) with Ogu is a first for me. I have no idea how to handle it. But there''s something odd about this argument. Even though she won''t talk, isn''t she closer to me than usual? Ugh, stop it! Oh, Ogu finally reacted. She was sitting so close to me that our bodies were almost touching, eating breakfast. It''s hard to eat like this. And we slept in the same bed yesterday. I don''t get it. Is this how girls fight? Ogu, can you please cheer up soon? How can I make it up to you? Hmph. Figure it out yourself. Even if you say that. Hmm? Those Secret Service folks are really something. They should''ve just kept quiet. Now they''re making unnecessaryments. Ogu muttered, shifting the me. "It''s all Iroha''s fault." I don''t want to keep worrying and crying when something happens to you, Iroha. I''m tired of the cycle of worrying, crying, and then finding out you''re safe and crying again. I''m really sorry about that I nced at Ogu''s profile, noticing traces of tears still in her eyes. I know I did something wrong. But we have Secret Service protection, so you don''t need to worry that much. That''spletely separate! Just because of that, doesn''t mean I won''t worry! Ugh, you''re right. Last time, after the convenience store robbery, I told you not to do anything dangerous anymore! Huh? You did? I did! That''s the kind of person I am! That''s why I don''t want to know anything about Iroha anymore! Hmph! Despite saying that, she won''t leave me alone. I guess this is also one of those pletely separate" things. Hey, Ogu. Don''t say that. It was when I was trying to calm Ogu down. Bing, a notification popped up on my smartphone, and I couldn''t help but react. Huh!? HakoTsuku'' gacha has a new character implemented!? Yes, yes, yes! Iroha~? You really haven''t reflected at all, have you? W-wait! What was that just now!? Because of yesterday''s incident, I learned the hard way to check messages properly. So, I''ve been consciously checking them immediately. Talk about bad timing. You''re such a big idiot, Iroha~~~! *** I messed up. Oh, maybe we did something bad. But if that unlikely event were to happen. I think it''d be a bigger shock if we weren''t informed about anything. I understand. I exchanged words with the Secret Service woman in the car. As we arrived at the school bus stop, the car stopped. What should we do? After what happened, should we start directly driving you to school from now on? Thank you. But I think I''ll continue taking the bus. I see. Alright then. It seems like you''ve made some good friends too. Well, it''s not exactly like that. But, I should repay the favor for helping me. Hehehe, let''s go with that. Well then, take care I was seeing off and then got on the school bus. No delinquents were waiting for me today. No, there won''t be anymore. Yay! Iroha-chan, we''ve been waiting for you! We heard about yesterday''s incident! You beat those guys up, right? That''s awesome! Wow!? I was weed with cheers. The incident from yesterday seemed to be well-known already, as the topic dominated the conversation inside the bus. With this, peace has returned to this bus! Yeah, I''m d everyone''s safe! Oh, Iroha-chan, over here! I was directed to my usual seat. But the usual girls didn''t sit next to me. Instead, the one who brought me over was. Hey. Yesterday was tough for both of us, huh? Wait, who are you? It''s me, it''s me! Shitenno! Well, not exactly Shitenno!? Oh! You scared me. I thought you were a mummy. Isn''t that treatment a bit harsh!? I''ll cry!? Moooooommmmyyyyy! Standing there was Shitenno, covered in bandages from head to toe. Chapter 275: [Confession] Chapter 275: [Confession] You''ve be quite the handsome guy, huh! Hey, hero! Hey, cut it out! That''s not it! Shitenno wrapped in bandages inside the school bus was being teased by those around him. As I watched as if it were someone else''s business. How long are you going to stand? Sit down already! H-Hey! What are you doing!? Shitenno was grabbed by a girl and forcibly made to sit next to me. Um, what''s this about? As I tilted my head, the girl whispered softly in my ear. Iroha-chan, the school bus is a ce for encounters. It''s where many loves are born Huh? Because it''s one of the few chances where you can legally get close to someone you like What''s that supposed to mean? Oh,e to think of it, Americans have a wider personal space than Japanese people. It''s as if it''s proportional to the size of thend. Although Japanese people are often considered affectionate, it''s the opposite. Even lining up at the register in Japan can feel like you''re being cut in line if you''re not standing close enough. See, the engine noise here is loud. So, even if we have a special conversation, no one else can hear Uh, umm? And precisely because of the wide personal space, physical contact is used to show closeness to friends or people you want to get close to. So, hugs are only for close rtionships. If you were to suddenly hug someone else. That''s the litigious country of America. You''d likely be sued for harassment right away. Good luck. I''m rooting for you. For Iroha-chan and for Shitenno too Um, there''s some misunderstanding. Ah, wait a minute! Without listening to the end of the conversation, the girl went to an empty seat. Left behind, Shitenno and I exchanged words to fill the awkward silence. Were you okay not resting despite your serious injury? Y-Yeah. Well, fortunately, I didn''t break any bones or anything. But more importantly. If I take my eyes off you, you''re likely to get into trouble again. It''s better to have a guy''s help at that time, right Huh. Am I really that ident-prone? What are you saying now? I was even told that by Angu Ogu. Certainly, I''m not having good luck. No, is it really because of my luck? Come to think of it, there''s a regr ss today even though it''s just yesterday. They don''t have school closures, do they Ah, that''s right. The friends I made aftering here said, When a student brings a gun into the school and shoots another student, then they have school closures'' Wow~ The idea of school closures I had in mind was on a different level. Rtively speaking. This incident seemed better. Wait a minute. Did the seat next to me be Shitenno''s? Can I y games or watch streams without any problem? Yeah, sure! I answered myself and took out my smartphone. Suddenly, Shitenno started talking in a somewhat serious tone. Do you remember, Iroha? It''s almost Nine Weeks'' What about 9 weeks? It''s not that. I''m saying the regr exams areing up Ugh. Come to think of it, it''s that time already. I have to start studying soon. Ah, but I can''t stop ying mobile games! Let''s have a serious match, just you and me! But, the loser has to listen to whatever the winner says No way Come on, think about it!? Alright. You have to listen to what I say Hmm. Well, if it''s just that I owed him for helping me as a fellow VTuber fan, so I reluctantly agreed. And then, I felt a strong gaze and turned around. The girl who always sat next to me was staring at us intently. When our eyes met, she quickly looked away in a fluster. [?] I tilted my head, wondering what was wrong. But soon, I stopped caring. I had other things to think about. "Hah, Angu Ogu''s an idiot." Not just the exams. But his face kept popping up in my mind. Because of that, I couldn''t fully focus on gaming or watching streams. *** The day of the exam came in no time. Testing methods are different between Japan and America. Firstly, it''s often allowed to bring materials. For math tests, you can bring calctors. Besides that, it could be an open notebook or an open textbook. Exams begin! The questions were indeed more challengingpared to regr sses. Even though American high schools are closer topulsory education with a moratorium, yeah. Also, depending on the test, you could leave the ssroom during the exam. If you finished early, you could leave early. That''s it! And the papers were graded not in red but in blue pen. Correct answers were checked, while incorrect ones were circled and pointed out. And the results were. *** IrohaI win I gotpletely defeated by Shitenno. No, it''s not just about me. In this test, no student could beat him. Because he had achieved the top grades in the grade. It''s a promise. So, make time after school today That''s what Shitenno told me. Chapter 272: [Substitute] Chapter 272: [Substitute] I was crying in front of the worn-out stuffed animal. Seeing that, Shitenno directed his anger towards the delinquent. It''s because of what you did! Stop it! I stopped Shitenno, who raised his fist toward the delinquent. Certainly, I couldn''t forgive him. But If you intend to speak for my anger, stop it. I gritted my teeth and endured. I spoke to the worn-out stuffed animal. I''m sorry. If only I had been more careful. I felt sorry for the VTuber who made this merchandise. Someone''s voice saying, "Please take care of it," was ying in my mind. The delinquent looked at me with a bewildered expression. It seemed like he wanted to say, "I didn''t think you''d cry so much." Shitenno slowly lowered his fist. Then, as if to rece him, he lectured the delinquent. Do you understand how important this stuffed animal was to Iroha? Yet, despite that, it tried to protect you. Even though you broke its treasure. At least remember that Tch The delinquent averted his gaze at Shitenno''s words. I received the stuffed animal from Shitenno, "for now". I checked the texture of the worn-out one. In an instant, my tears stopped. "Huh?" "What''s wrong, Iroha?" "Huh!? N-nothing, it''s nothing at all!" Sweat started dripping down. I averted my eyes from Shitenno. "Hey, what''s wrong!? Something definitely happened, right!? Did something else happen to you!?" "N-no, that''s not it, uh actually, nothing happened." "Be clear!" I resigned myself to Shitenno''s relentless questioning. To retrieve this, I fought until it was worn out And now, having just lectured the delinquent, I told him. "Um, wasn''t this, like, not my stuffed animal?" Shitenno''s expression stiffened. I exined fearfully. "No, so, um I''m sorry for trying so hard to protect it, but when I checked it, it wasn''t VTuber merchandise. It was apletely unrted stuffed animal" "Huh Haaaahhhhhh!?" Shitenno''s scream echoed behind the school building. He seemed so shocked that he copsed. "W-what was I even doing for?" Every time, from a distance, or covered in dirt, or losing my cool in anger. And above all, it''s all assumption. Various factors ovepped, and I couldn''t notice. No, there''s no excuse. "Ugh! Mistaking VTuber merchandise is totally uneptable as a fan!" "It''s not uneptable''!? Then, what about the real stuffed animal!?" I confirmed with the delinquent. But he just frowned suspiciously. Huh? I don''t know. We only took that one It can''t be What''s going on? Something''s not right. The lockers were missing a lot of stuffed animals. Where did they go? Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, the ones left in Locker 1. And then, a security guard interrupted. Sorry to interrupt Ah, security guard. Huh!? The female security guard who interrupted winked at me. In other words, she was one of the Secret Service agents who had been protecting me. I thought she was missing, but was she disguising herself like that? Or rather, it''s toote toe now! Um, what''s up! Huh? What''s wrong? What''s going on? I dragged the Secret Service away. Alone, I vented my anger in a whisper. What have you been doing all this time!? I''ve been through so much! What do you mean? I''ve been protecting you all along, Iroha-chan N-no, no, no!? Then why didn''t you help me sooner? As I was about to reproach her, at that moment. I never thought you''d be so desperate against a dummy stuffed animal. I thought it was some strategy, but to actually reform the delinquent, well done, Iroha-chan! "Huh?" "Ah, that''s not enough exnation, is it? Actually, we were told to support you even if you did something unexpected" "N-no, not that Dummy''?" "What are you saying? Iroha-chan knew, right? When the message came, you checked your smartphone screen" "" "Huh!? You checked it, right?" I took out my smartphone, and reread the message. It said to rece it with a dummy and take evidence of the crime scene.'' "Ah!?" I finally remembered. Indeed, when this message arrived, I thought I was looking at my smartphone. But I was in the middle of a mobile game. But notifications bother me while ying, so I just. "E-even so! Shouldn''t you have intervened before that boy got beaten up!?" "Well, that''s my judgment." Another security guard joined the conversation. I don''t remember his face, but judging from the woman''s behavior, he seemed to be another member of the Secret Service. "The guy was risking his body for the girl he fell for''. Adults shouldn''t interfere unnecessarily" He replied like that. Chapter 273: [Trouble-Making Girlfriend] Chapter 273: [Trouble-Making Girlfriend] Ahahaha, no way! Absolutely not! Iughed at the words of the male Secret Service agent. He and the female E'' specialist were frozen together for some reason. Oh, I see. You both aren''t VTuber fans. So you wouldn''t understand I decided to exin. I could understand why Shitenno was so determined. He''sactually a deep undercover VTuber fan! Huh??? I get it as arade! He couldn''t stand VTubers being mocked, so he was that angry! Wow~ My evangelism efforts weren''t in vain! I never imagined I''d create such fervent fans! Sigh Why are they both looking so dumbfounded? The woman grabbed my shoulder and spoke. Listen, Iroha-chan. He indeed likes VTubers. However, it''s limited to a specific individual Hey, stop. Just like men''s fights, adults shouldn''t butt in there. But that kid must be having a tough time Iroha-chan, let''s at least learn about romance properly, okay? Haven''t you watched any romantic dramas? Hahaha, VTubers don''t appear in dramas, you know? Oh, but there was a VTuber-led series drama called Yotsugi-san''s Family'' that was broadcast on terrestrial TV in the past This kid The atmosphere started to feel strange. Just as I thought that the male Secret Service agent coughed to bring the conversation back. Anyway, I was observing Well, I was really worried when Iroha-chan charged those delinquents alone. It could have ended up with serious injuries, and intervening was necessary to prevent that I checked their backgrounds, but they weren''t even affiliated with gangs. They didn''t have guns, knives, or stun guns during the search. Well, it seems they did some drugs, though I see It seems they were doing their job properly. Since my negligence was part of the cause, I couldn''t me them further. Giving up, I returned to the delinquents and Shitenno. The two Secret Service agents provided first aid for them Then, a chubby security guard arrived. He roughly grabbed the delinquent and stood him up. It''s you again! You caused trouble again! You''re getting expelled from our school for sure this time! Don''t think it''ll end easily. You''ll get what you deserve, fitting for scum like you! The chubby security guard grabbed the delinquent''s hair and tried to take him away. It seemed to resonate with the head wound. Blood oozed through the bandage, and the delinquent frowned. Hey, you! He did something wrong, but he''s just a kid! Be more gentle "You''re going too far." "Oh? You rookies. It''s fine, treat this scum like this. Come on, hurry up ande!" The security guard forcibly dragged the delinquent away. I called out to them, "Wait a minute." Their footsteps stopped. Huh. Listen here, missy Releasing the delinquent''s hand, the security guard turned towards us. but I ignored him, facing the delinquent. Due to our height difference, I was ring down at him intensely. Just one more thing. Listen carefully Huh? What is it? The delinquent seemed annoyed. But he nced around. After confirming the current situation of being watched, he reluctantly bent forward. -p. At that moment, I pped his cheek. A strangely cute sound echoed, but the purpose was achieved. "Boo! Serves you right!" Sticking my tongue out, I quickly distanced myself. The delinquent stood there with his mouth open, holding his cheek. "That''s unfair." For some reason, Shitenno muttered quietly. "What?" Turning back, he hastily tried to cover it up. "Not that!? Uh, well! What are you doing? It''s dangerous! If you get hit back And you stopped me, but now you''re doing it yourself!" "Well, I was annoyed, okay? Besides, this isn''t a lynching. It''s a one-on-one fight." "A fight really, you sigh" "Heheh" Finally feeling relieved, I snorted. I gave him one hit, and for now, I was satisfied. That''s enough I wanted to give him about a hundred hits, but the stuffed animal was safe. I''ll let it go now, I told the delinquent. Also, I can read minds, so I know. You''ll gradually start to like VTubers. You''ll gradually start to like VTubers "Hey." Seeing me trying to brainwash him with nonsense, Shitenno looked at me bewildered. As for the delinquent. Hmm? What? Why are you staring at me like that? "No reason." He averted his gaze. What''s up with him? I never really understood what girls were thinking, buttely, I don''t even understand when it''s boys. That''s enough! Let''s go, walk faster! This time, the chubby security guard escorted him away. However, the delinquent stopped suddenly along the way. What are you stopping for on your own!? Hurry up and walk! Are you nning to resist!? "Hey, you brat." "Eek!" Even though the delinquent was hit by the security guard, he remained still. Could it be that he''s still angry about the p earlier!? As I trembled with fear, he muttered softly. "Sorry." "Huh?" With those words, the delinquents walked away, his feet carrying him. The security guard hurriedly followed him. He didn''t look back once. "Looks like Iroha-chan is a troublemaker~. Well, this guy will surely reform. Or it''s the other way around. Even so, past misdeeds won''t be forgiven." That''s what the Secret Service woman next to me said. Thus, the series of disturbances at school ended, and then. *** Iroha, you big idiot~~~! As soon as I got home, Angu Ogu''s angry voice echoed. Apparently, there was still one problem left. Chapter 276: [Marriage, Childbirth, Child-rearing] Chapter 276: [Marriage, Childbirth, Child-rearing] After losing the test, I was summoned to the vacant ssroom as promised. Shitenno had some of his bandages removed and no longer looked like a mummy. Was this the recovery power of youth? But still. "Shitenno, I heard you got first ce in the test this time. Amazing!" I brought up the story I heard from the girls. Honestly, I was truly surprised. After all, I even lost in thenguage section. Although this test had many essays and wasn''t necessarily determined solely bynguage abilities. Just how much effort did Shitenno put into this test?"So, what were we talking about? Oh, could it be you want to discuss yesterday''s event livestream!? Oh, I get it! The 3D live was awesome, right!? But, today there''s an after-talk session for that girl so I have to leave early." "Totally off track!?" "Then, how about this! The new Hakotsuku'' gacha that''s about to be implemented soon." "Can''t you think about something other than VTubers!?" "Well, that''s a tough one." As weughed, Shitenno suddenly took my hand. With this sudden action, all I could do was widen my eyes. "Listen well. Iroha, I" "I want to be with you." That''s what Shitenno said. I pondered for a bit and then responded, "Hmm." "Which live is that?" "No way!? That''s not it! I''m saying I want you to be my significant other''! I I like you!" "Huh, whaaat!? I thought it was just a misunderstanding by the Secret Service agents!? I thought for sure you didn''t really like me! "Oh, haha no, no. Because I don''t want to reduce the time I spend on my oshi." I chuckled and tried to brush it off, attempting to leave. But Shitenno firmly held onto my hand. "Iroha, I''m serious. I want to know your genuine answer." "Well, um, that is" "As a man, I love you, Iroha." I was left speechless by his gaze. To receive such feelings from someone of the opposite or same sex? It was the first time for me. "I once confessed to you in the past. At that time, I was full of myself, and it was a one-sided confession. I challenged fate and got beaten up, and I realized" "Oh." Finally, it dawned on me. Yes, Shitenno had confessed to me back then. How could I forget until now? "But now things are different. Didn''t you set a condition that you want someone smarter than yourself if you were to date them?" "Huh!? I didn''t know anything about that." "I know. If it''s now, Iroha wouldn''t set such a condition. It must have been some misunderstanding that turned into a rumor. But still, I''ve been studying with that in mind." "!" "I genuinely like you, Iroha. Even if danger were to approach again, I will definitely protect you and everything important to you. I will make you happy without fail. So, please be with me." "Um, well I" I I stumbled with my answer. I''ve never seriously considered being with someone before. Shitenno is brilliant. And he dares to put his body on the line to protect loved ones. Moreover, I''m currently in a female body, so it''s natural for me to date a man. "Iroha, I want you to think carefully." I imagined. Being with Shitenno, getting married, having children. Such a future. Having a family is more important than VTubers, prioritizing them without realizing it. Being busy with unfamiliar childcare, gradually watching fewer streams. But not worrying about that, with endless smiles, no financial struggles, with cute and talented children. Utterly happy. And in that life, there was no ce for Angu Ogu or Mai, Ah-nee, or Ilyena. They became like rarely-seen friends. "Iroha!? Wh-what''s wrong!?" "Huh?" Shitenno suddenly sounded panicked. "Wonder what''s wrong?" I wondered, touching my own cheeks and realizing. "Huh, huh?" They were wet. Tears were streaming down my cheeks. For some reason, imagining a future with Shitenno and a family made me feel so lonely despite its happiness. A gust of wind rushed in through the open window. Summer had ended imperceptibly, and the season had shifted to autumn. The wind was slightly chilly. "Oh." Suddenly, fear enveloped me. My mind was filled with thoughts of Angu Ogu. What if we keep fighting like this forever? Right now, he''s just not speaking to me. But gradually, physically and emotionally, he''ll drift away, and then. "Y-yeah." "Iroha, do you do you hate me that much?" "N-no, it''s not like that! If I were to date someone, I''d want someone like Shitenno-kun!" Even if I had 300 more years of life, I wouldn''t encounter a man as charming as Shitenno. But still. "Oh, I see. I I''m haha." It felt like a weight had been lifted off me. Being jealous of Mai, entering into a secret rtionship with Ah-nee, and being admired by Ilyena. And then, fighting with Angu Ogu. Amidst all these recent events, I felt like I had concluded within myself. Chapter 277: [My Lover Is A VTuber] Chapter 277: [My Lover Is A VTuber] "Iroha, I want to hear your answer." Taking a deep breath at that question, I smiled and replied. "Sorry. My lover is a VTuber, so I can''t spend even a second with anyone else but my oshi." "Hey! I''m serious, not joking. Give me a real answer!" Despite Shitenno''s anger, I kept my smile and silently met his gaze. He stared at me for a moment, then stopped moving. "Is that really the case?" "Yeah." Shitenno seemed to understand something and scratched his head vigorously.Then he squatted down. "Ugh, damn it! Damn it all!" His hand slipped away from mine as he sighed heavily, then muttered softly. "That''s just cheating. Because that means you can''t win." I said nothing. Or rather, I had no words to say. "I-Iroha, you idiot! Fool! VTuber geek! Just go wherever you want! Get lost!" "Haha, that''s harsh. You don''t have to go that far." "Just go! Leave already!" Shitenno''s voice trembled. He never lifted his face. "Sorry." "Don''t apologize! I haven''t done anything to deserve an apology from you!" "That''s right." "But I''ll say one thing. You''ll regret this. Because you''ve made the most regrettable choice in your life right now. I''m a genius! I''ll be a schr who leaves a name'' in history!" "Yeah. I know." "Ugh!" Shitenno lifted his face as if pushed. That face no. There was something I had to tell him. "Thank you for helping me protect what was important to me back then." "Yeah." "And thank you for fighting to help me get back what was important to me." "Yeah!" Shitenno had helped me twice before. I had forgotten to thank him until now. And this was the closure. "Well then, Shitenno-kun. I''m leaving now." "Idiot, my name isn''t Shitenno. Remember. Someday, my name will reach your ears whether you like it or not." "Yeah. Looking forward to it." I left the ssroom as it was. A female student was standing in the hallway. She ran into the ssroom as I passed by. Shitenno! You were you were so cool! Incredibly cool! Why are you crying? Because, because~! I-I''m, I''m sorry! Voices from the ssroom echoed. Then, a muffled sob from a boy leaked out. To avoid hearing more, I walked away. To not waste the reason why he held back his tears. "Goodbye." Sheitnno was much cooler than me from a previous life, needless to say. There are various conditions for being popr. Like being good-looking. Or being kind. But the most important thing is "trying hard." People who give their all in their efforts are the coolest and most attractive. And surely, at least one person will notice and appreciate their efforts. At least one person will realize. Thisw applies to both men and women. Surely, many VTubers are charming because they perform with all their might and enjoy it to the fullest "Oof." Before I knew it, I was walking briskly. Soon, it turned into a jog, and before I knew it, I was running at full speed. "Oof, oof!" And then, My, Ah-nee, Ilyena. For some reason, I just really wanted to see them right now. *** I-I''m back! W-Wee back! Hmph! Angu Ogu, who had been working on hisputer in the living room, started to greet me normally but stopped mid-sentence. As if remembering, he hurriedly set aside the Trantion Girl Iroha'' plushie he had been hugging. She turned away, striking a pose that seemed to say, "I''m still not forgiving you." Breathing heavily from running from the apartment''s parking lot, I approached her. Angu Ogu, listen! I! Hmph! I tried to tell Angu Ogu something important, but she didn''t even look at me. My chest throbbed with pain. It''s scary to get hurt. But it''s even scarier to lose. I sat down next to her on the sofa her side. Iroha!? It was unusual for me to approach Angu Ogu. She looked at me with slightly widened eyes, stealing a nce at me. I timidly pinched the hem of her clothes. That was the best I could do right now. Because, you know, I''d be lonely if you kept ignoring me like this, right? !? For some reason, I felt like I was about to burst into tears. I couldn''t control my emotions well. Uhm, that''s well, it''s, um, you know!? Angu Ogu was startled by my state. Summoning up courage, I asked her desperately. Hey, Ogu. Have you Have youe to hate me already? The voice that finally came out was thinner and more trembling than I had imagined. Chapter 278: [Making Up With A Chu] Chapter 278: [Making Up With A Chu] Has Ogu already started hating me? !?!?!? Trembling, I asked Ogu. She wore a hundred expressions before saying, O-Ogu? With a thud, she grabbed my arm and pushed me onto the couch. There''s no way I''d hate you! Then, Ogu continued, looking apologetic. I''m sorry. I was mean. At first, it was just to tease you. But I started enjoying how concerned Iroha was about me and went overboard. I see. So, um, do you still like me? Huh!? Are you really asking me that!? As I stared, Ogu blushed and muttered, W-Well, obviously I do! ! S-So that''s how it is hehe ~~~~What''s with you? Are you teasing me!? If you make me say more, I''ll seriously attack you!? Are you demanding a chu'' kiss to make up!? Geez. Ogu, trying to cover her embarrassment, was angrily flustered. To her, I said, -It''s okay Ha, it''s okay for once, right? Even I, huh? It''s okay, if it''s Ogu Huh, huh? Whaaat!? Okay'' What''s this, a surprise!? I felt embarrassed and turned my face away. Seeing me like that, Ogu seemed to realize I was serious. U-Um, Iroha. Are you really okay with this? I nodded silently. Ogu''s hand rested on my cheek, directing me to face her. Ah Her hand on my cheek trembled, perhaps with nervousness. Gulp, Ogu''s throat made a sound. Iro, ha Her hair fell, brushing against my cheek. Our gazes intertwined. Ogu looked down at me with a face as red as a tomato. But surely, my face was even redder now. Haa, Phew Atsu, Haa Breathing became difficult. How did I usually breathe? In the living room, only our breaths echoed. Ogu''s breath on my lips was ridiculously warm. So, Iroha let''s do it Yeah Ogu and I had kissed twice before. But both times were idents, not our intentions. Surely, what we were about to do crossed the line as fans. So, I justified it as an act of mine. That''s what I told myself. Iroha Ogu Ogu''s face slowly approached. I closed my eyelids slightly. My heart was pounding painfully fast. Before I knew it, I was clutching the hem of her clothes tightly, as if to crumple them. And finally. Just before our lips touched. N-No, I can''t do this~~~! I couldn''t bear it anymore and pushed Ogu away. She tumbled off the couch with a tter! Haa, haa Sa-Safe! W-Wait, what!? Not safe at all! How could you, aftering this far, push me away like that!? Uh, sorry No, I just wasn''t mentally prepared yet! So, um how about a cheek kiss instead! Y-You''re such a coward, Iroha~~~! Ugh, shut up! It''s not my fault, it''s Ogu''s fault! And if you had been more casual about it, it would''ve been better! You made such a serious face, so I got nervous too! What are you talking about!? Hey, stop getting closer with your lips! Shut up! Just give me a proper kiss! Gyaaah!? After that, Ogu and I continued making noisete into the night. It was as if we were reiming the time we hadn''t spent together recently Oh, by the way. In the end, we really did exchange cheek kisses. *** The next day, I boarded the school bus. Regardless of what happened yesterday, life goes on, and there''s still ss the next day. G-Good morning G-Good morning Shitenno and I remained silent. Ugh! It''s super awkward! Um, what should I do? Just as we were trying to figure it out, a voice interrupted. Why are you two frozen like that? Why don''t you sit down? C''mon! So, a girl sitting next to Iroha joined in the conversation. She made me sit by the window and sat next to me. And Shitenno, youe here! In the flow of things, she made Shitenno sit across the aisle. Literally, the girls intervened. Right, Iroha-chan. I started ying that mobile game you rmended. The girl started a conversation. Shitennou and I nced at each other. What about you, Shitenno-kun? It''s really fun. The VTuber girls are so cute Don''t drag me into this. Hey, Iroha, you didn''t lose because of that test, did you? Even if I did, I have no regrets! You better regret it properly! After that, before we knew it, we were engrossed in talking about VTubers. Somehow, I felt like in this moment. I had be friends with Shitenno. *** Time passed, and before we knew it, "Everyone, it''s finally here! New gacha implementation!" I shouted while watching the stream. Chapter 279: [2nd Gacha Stream] Chapter 279: [2nd Gacha Stream] "My words to you!'' Trantor Girl Iroha here. So, it''s the second gacha stream!" ?Iroharo~! ?It''s here-! (U.S.) ?I''ve been waiting!!!! (Korea) "This time, it''s the long-awaited highest rarity release for Ah-nee! Of course, I''m aiming for a full breakthrough!" Since that incident, I''ve been in frequent contact with Mai, Ilyena, and Ah-nee. This has only increased my motivation. "Well,st time was a bit too unlucky, so I don''t think it''ll be that bad this time! Besides, unlikest time, there''s a rate-up I only need to pull the featured character!" ?Oh?I just heard the sound of a g being raised lol. Looks like another long battle (Korea) "Hey, stop assuming I won''t get it! And I really need to get it quickly this time! Becausest time, I was given a spending limit on gacha." ?LOL ?So, Iroha''s mom got mad at you? lolol (U.S.) ?I''d do the same if my daughter spent money like this. Too scary lolol "So, this time, if I don''t get it, the stream ends there." If I don''t get it by the end, I''ll have to wait until next month. By then, the rate-up will have changed. "Basically, this is my only chance. I need to be super focused. Mufuu!" ?Don''t worry, Iroha-chan, we''ve got your back! ?We won''t stop sending red superchats until Iroha-chan gets Ah-nee! ?Wait, can''t we send superchats? (U.S.) ?Huh? ?Whoa, for real? (Korea) ?Why, Iroha-chan? (U.S.) "Seems like you all noticed. So, superchats are turned off for this stream!" ?What!? How could you!? Where''s the party!? ?No party today? (KR) ?Why!? I sold my organs to save money for this! "People like you are the reason! And if I get superchats, I feel forced to pull No, I might bepelled to pull." That''s the lesson fromst time. The superchats went beyond what I anticipated. I can''t say I wasn''t grateful but there must be moderation. "Actually, I was nning to do this gacha off-stream." But when I mentioned this during a call with Ah-nee, she threw a fit. Her voice reyed in my head. [Eh~? Iroha-chan, you''re not streaming my gacha~!? No, no, no! Onee-chan is lonely~! You''re just giving special treatment to Ogu~?] No, that''s definitely not my intention!? And to me, Ah-nee is also I-I mean, aside from that! "So, this is apromise." A lot of people asked for another gacha stream. Many of them said, "I''ll join in real-time next time and throw superchats," but that''s beside the point. And doing it all off-stream felt a bit too much. If I were a fan, I''d want to see everything on stream. "Everyone, think carefully about how you spend your money, okay? There''s more to do than throwing superchats at me. Specifically throw superchats at your other favorites instead!" ?In the end, it''s still about superchats! lol ?Our favorite is Iroha! ?Fine, I''ll buy Iroha''s voice packs instead (Korea) ?Iroha-chan, won''t you release an ASMR voice? ?Please cob with Ilyesha again! ?A cob with her means an erotic voice, right? Name your price (U.S.) "No, no, I''m definitely not doing ASMR anymore!" The other day, Ilyena kept urging me to do it during our call. We finally settled on a regr cob, so give me a break. "Okay, that''s enough! I''m going to start pulling gacha now! First, with free stones, the first 10-pull! This rate-up isn''t just for Ah-nee" So, I tapped the screen of my smartphoneDD *** "Hic, sob why won''t ite out!?" ?LOL ?Knew it lol (US) ?As expected, you didn''t get it at all ?[Wee to the members!] ?[Wee to the members!] ?[Wee to the members!] "Why is everyone joining the membership now!? Isn''t it weird!?" ?Cute but sad, it can''t be helped lol ?Still, it feels lonely without superchats. ?Iroha-chan, I''m sorry I can''t superchat or join the membership because I can''t work yet. "Hmm?" Thatstment caught my eye. That''s definitely not the case. It''s wrong. "Hey, you. It''s okay, there''s nothing to apologize for! It''s just these guys throwing too much money, but you don''t have to pay to enjoy the stream!" ?Called us guys'' lol (Korean) ?Well, we are, though lolol ?[IrohaCh. gifted a membership to mochamochasan] "Sure, sometimes we y around with memberships, stamps, or superchats, but take your time. Enjoy it when you''re older. I''m not going anywhere suddenly." ?Iroha-chan says good things (U.S.) ?[Autumn Branch gifted a membership to mochamochasan] ?Thank you. I''ll wait until then! "Yes, yes, take your time cough, cough!? Huh, you just got hit with a membership gift''!?" The name of thementer earlier likely a young boy. It had turned green, indicating membership. Chapter 280: [Membership Gift Bombardment] Chapter 280: [Membership Gift Bombardment] ?Huh? Why is my text green? ?Membership gift snipe is real!? ?What are the odds!? Membership gifts allow you to purchase memberships and gift them to others on MyTube. The recipient is chosen randomly from the stream viewers or at least, that''s how it should work. ?Calcting based on the viewer count what are the odds of this happening!? ?This has to be less likely than pulling the highest rarity in a gacha game lol ?Iroha-chan, why dont you share some of your luck? "Mind your own business! But wow, this really happens sometimes, huh?" A fortune that onlyes to those watching the stream live. Besides the fun of the live experience and the sense ofmunity throughments, there are these kinds of perks in live streams. Brand ounts, or sub-ounts, cant receive gifts, and you need to allow gift reception, among other details. Still, anyone has a chance to experience membership. ?Wait, so even if superchats are off, you can still send membership gifts? ?You can only be a member once, but with membership gifts, you can send them as many times as you want (U.S.) ?Ive got an idea!!!! "Ah" ?If there are no superchats, just send membership gifts! ?[Sent 20 IrohaCh. Trantion Girl Iroha membership gifts] ?[Ashen-san and Eyeball-san sent a membership gift] "Wait!? 20 is equivalent to a red superchat!?" You can send multiple membership gifts at once. And the maximum number is ?[Sent 50 IrohaCh. Trantor Girl Iroha membership gifts] ?50!? That''s insane lol ?[Penguin^^ sent a membership gift to Ponpon Tanuki] "Yikes~~~!? Everyone, wait!? Stop, stop!" ?The membership gift train doesn''t stop! ?[Sent 10 IrohaCh. Trantion Girl Iroha membership gifts] ?[WhiteCat sent a membership gift to Skier-san] ?Its festival time~! ?Woohoo! This is what I was waiting for! (U.S.) ?[Merto sent a membership gift to Raimon] "Please, stop~~~!?" Membership gifts, unlike superchats, can''t be easily turned off in the heat of the moment. Their numbers quickly increase. "Eek!? You know, I can check how many people became members during this stream, and the number is insane!? Enough! Enough already!?" ? Hm? So that means, pulling the gacha is okay? ? Now that we have the ammo ? [Dada Manjuu sent a membership gift to Unabara Vige Chief] "Eh!? Well, um but my mom." ? [Sent 50 IrohaCh. Trantion Girl Iroha membership gifts] ? [Sent 50 IrohaCh. Trantion Girl Iroha membership gifts] ? [Neko-sui sent a membership gift to Mm-san] "Alright! Alright! Stop sending max membership gifts!? I''ll pull! Ill pull until I get aplete set of Ah-nee!" ?Shes fallen lol (Korean) ?Weve got her now ?You cant escape now, can you? "Itll be fine. If I can quickly pull Ah-nee before my mom notices, I can end the stream without any problems. Eek!?" ?Oh? Is that a call from Iroha-mom? ?Iroha-chans mom, please be assured, we''ll send more membership gifts than she spends! ?You cant back out now, can you? "You''ve got to be kidding me! Fine, I''ll do it! But you have no idea whatll happen to me afterward~!" ?Well said! ?Thats the spirit, Iroha-chan! (U.S.) ?Now! Send the gifts, send them all! ?[Sent a membership gift to Fu~~~san from Yamata Orochi] Half-crying, I kept pulling the gacha while ignoring the incessant notifications on my smartphone. But Ah-nee still wouldnte out. Meanwhile, the membership gifts kept pouring in at an unbelievable pace. ?Your luck is as bad as ever lol ?[Sent a membership gift to Rainwind ckCat from Okano-shita] ?Ill sell a kidney to send a gift for Iroha! (U.S.) "You don''t need to sell a kidney! Just your heart is enough!" ?She wants a heart instead of one of her two kidneys!? ?What a greedy girl, Iroha-chan! ?If she demands it, I have no choice, Ill go sell my heart (U.S.) "No, thats not what I meant!" While we were bantering, thement section started to buzz. At the same time, the number of [new members] stopped increasing. ?Huh? I sent a membership gift, but it doesnt seem to reach anyone (Korean) ?Yeah, me too. Why? ?I get it there are too many gifts and not enough recipients!? "Wha-whaaat!? How can that be!?" ?Even with this huge viewership, there are leftover gifts? How many did you guys send lol ?So basically, almost everyone watching this stream is a member? ?Thement section is a sea of green, hrious ?Someone please count the total number of gifts sent (U.S.) ?Damn! Why can you only join a membership once!? ?Hey, everyone! Get more fans in here, quick! "I-I mean if there aren''t enough people, there''s no need to push yourselves to send more gifts, right?" ?[Sent a membership gift to Kurosis from Indo Taro] ?Oh, new people joining? ?I advertised everywhere! Told all my friends and followers! ?Everyone, advertise more on Ekiss and other tforms! ?Isnt that Tmitter!? ?I dont care what you call it! Twitter forever! "Pleasee quickly, Ah-nee~~!" It took quite some time before I finally got aplete set of A-nee. By then, the [new members] count well, I stopped counting. The stream not only trended at number one but also made numerous news headlines. It went down in VTuber history as [The Legendary Membership Stream]. *** [So, umm, Id like to coborate with you, since we''re both superchat stars] "I''m not a superchat star!?" A VTuber approached me for a cob the day after. When I asked what kind of stream they had in mind [I want to do a Learning Foreign Languages Through Dirty Jokes stream with you] What the heck!? Chapter 281: [Learn Foreign Languages With Dirty Jokes] Chapter 281: [Learn Foreign Languages With Dirty Jokes] "Warning: This stream contains a lot of dirty jokes. Please be cautious while viewing." With this thorough disimer out of the way, I cleared my throat and introduced myself. My words to you! Trantor Girl Iroha here. As the stream title suggests, today were all going to learn foreignnguages through dirty jokes! ?This sounds like it''s going to be terribly educational ?I can only foresee chaos ?Is this okay with Iroha-chan being a minor? No matter what the n was, the cob partner was my favorite. And there was no way I could refuse a cob invitation from my favorite! "Alright then Bancho! Please introduce yourself. The stream showed a whiteboard, a podium, and two VTubers. When I gestured, she, affectionately known as Bancho, introduced herself in a mix of English and Japanese. Yo, fuckin'' people! My name is Bancho is a VTuber from the same agency as Ah-nee and Angu Ogu. As you can tell from her English-mixed speech, she''s from America. However, she belongs to a Japanese agency. When she debuted, there wasnt an American agency yet. Okay. So, lets get along today. Of course, and by the way, Iroha-chan is so cute! My viewers are all saying so too! Ah, thank you. So, I think lolicon scumbags should be arrested right away. Bancho!? Watch yournguage!? From the get-go, Bancho was throwing sharp lines. I used tough hard when watching as a viewer, but standing on the same side, its nerve-wracking! I hadn''t had many chances to cob with her, except forrge events. So this is almost the first time were talking one-on-one and shes at full throttle from the start. ?Hey, shes a minor! Watch your words! ?Sorry, sorry, our Bancho is too much!!!! ?A bit worried about Iroha-chan (U.S.) Shut up! I make my living like this! Even if the other person is the President, I treat them the same way! Ahaha, everyone, dont worry. Actually, I asked her to be [her usual self]. I mean, seeing our usual interactions live its super exciting! ?She''s happy about it lol (U.S.) ?Oh right, Iroha-chan''s here w ?Bancho is extreme, but so is Iroha-chan Bancho~! Im a huge fan~! Even in Hakotsuku, I rely on your fully upgraded character~! Bancho appears in social games like Angog. Recently, she was implemented as a new top-tier rarity character along with Ah-nee. Yo, yo, yo! You scumbags, this is our valued customer, bow down and lick her boots! Iroha-neki! Should I lick your feet? Just say the word! Bancho moved her avatar to Trantion Girl Irohas feet and made a small bobbing motion. Wait, you dont have to actually lick them!? And whats Iroha-neki!? ?So much for treating everyone the same??? ?Contradiction within a minute lol ?Treating everyone the same (except for money) Phew, it tasted good! I can taste the membership gift! Stop it!? Please, just stop! By the way, Iroha-neki, are you okay? Youre sticking with that name. What do you mean, okay? After that stream, wasn''t your mother super angry? Gyaaahhh! Dont remind meeeee! The fear resurfaced, making me shiver. That day was really tough. Being a repeat offender, there was no leniency. It was such a severe scolding that I could barely bring myself to talk about it. Im sorry, Im sorry, Im sorry. Oh It was really painful. Specifically, it was the first time I asked Angog to pet my head until I stop crying. I needed someone to support me to maintain my sanity. Actually, since that incident, Ive been gradually relying on her more. A kiss is still a high hurdle. But someday Haa~. My mother also found out I was cking off on studying for social games. If I dont score really well on the next test, my social games might be taken away. Thats so hard Alright! For Iroha-nekis sake, Ill help you out by teaching English with dirty jokes. ?What a natural segue (U.S.) ?No need to learn English, Iroha-chans already fine ?Whiteboard: Finally, its my turn So, to let Iroha-nekis viewers know about me, Ill teach based on my introduction. The cursor moved like a pencil on the whiteboard material. Bancho wrote [Self-Introduction] at the top of the whiteboard. First, what I [like] is this. ?Shrimping? What does that mean? ?Hey!!!! (U.S.) ?Huh? Is it shrimp? Or maybe catching shrimp since it looks like a gerund? No, its English ng for [sucking toes] in a sexual way. Cough, cough!? Bancho-san!? I choked. She did it right away!? Was her foot-licking a foreshadowing!? Chapter 282: [Sensitive Girl] Chapter 282: [Sensitive Girl] The broadcast continued with an NSFW'' warning. I hurried to change the topic after Bancho came in hot. "How about something other than shrimp''! What else do you like?" "Well, let''s see." Bancho wrote two phrases on the whiteboard. [Tossmysd] and [Tossmycookies]. "Uh? I don''t really get it. Bancho, do you cook? I didn''t know." ?Sd and cookies? ?Both use "Toss", but mixing sd makes sense, mixing cookies not so much. ?More like "throwing cookies," I''d say. (U.S.) "Oh, by the way, [Tossmysd] means licking the anus, and [Tossmycookies] means vomiting." "You!?" I couldn''t help but speak harshly. I was beingpletely led around by Bancho. "Um, then let''s limit it to your favorite food'' instead of just things you like!" "Hmm? Got it." Following my suggestion, Bancho rewrote the word on the whiteboard to Food.'' Then she dered. "Fuckin''." "!?!?!? Oh, you mean fast food!?" Abbreviations are a unique part of Japanese culture. Famima, Sebun, Makudo They sometimes cause confusion. "No, I meant the F-bomb." "That''s not food!" ?Literally made meugh ?F-bomb means the F-word, right? ?Yeah. The F-word isnt really a euphemism anymore. (U.S.) "Please, answer with actual food! I''m begging you!" "I can''t help it. I like cookies." "Ah, that''s surprisingly normal." I sighed with relief. But then I quickly stiffened again. "Wait, you don''t mean [vomit] again, do you?" "Of course not. By the way, Iroha, could you say, I like big cookies'' for me?" "I like big cookies''?" "By the way, cookie'' is a euphemism for genitals." "You idiot! What did you make me say!?" ?Well yed, Bancho (U.S.) ?Iroha keeps falling for it (U.S.) ?Maybe Iroha isn''t familiar with dirty ng? "How would I know!? I never have a chance to hear that stuff! Its not in textbooks!" If I read the dictionary thoroughly, Id know these ng. But I''d rather spend my time watching streams. So I only knew the textbook and test vocabry. Plus, with my childish appearance, People tend to avoid using such extreme words around me. "Well, jokes aside for now." "It was a joke!?" "Japan has amazing food. Especially donburi." It seemed we were finally back on track. Donburi is popr with foreigners. Its not surprising Bancho from America liked it. "Tendon is funny, and oyakodon is delicious." "Wow, unexpected. No mention of gyudon." Personally, I wish katsudon was more known. Kaisendon well, raw fish is hit or miss. "Ah, gyudon isn''t anything special." "Not special? Um, just to confirm, we''re talking about food, right?" "Actually, my favorite is [sibling don]." "That''s not food!" "Even though it''s donburi, it''s quite a meal hehe." "Just shut your mouth!" ?To exin to overseas viewers, in Japanese, "tendon" also means repeating jokes forughs. ?"Oyakodon" means mother and daughter together. "Sibling don" means ?How on earth do I order food in Japan now? (U.S.) "No, it''s okay! Everyone will understand its just food! Order without hesitation!" "But the most delicious is TKB." Cough cough "Bancho, youre mistaken! It''s TK''G'', for tamago kake gohan!" "No, I meant nipples." "Enough already!" I underestimated Bancho. Usually, dealing with my sister toughens me, but I gotcent. Handling dirty jokes is tougher than I thought! Especially since both Bancho and I are girls. "I''m sorry, Bancho! Could you please go easier on me! I''m" "I''m sensitive!" I immediately realized I had chosen the wrong word, but it was toote. The chats exploded instantly. Chapter 283: [The Alphabet Song] Chapter 283: [The Alphabet Song] "Hey everyone, did you hear? Iroha called herself sensitive''!" "N-no! I meant it in the original English sense, like delicate''! I was just copying Banchos way of mixing English!" ?Iroha is a sensitive girl ?Iroha, when did you be such a naughty girl? (USA) ?Bancho''s influence is showing Oh no, how did ite to this!? They say theres a close rtionship between appetite and sexual desirethis topic is off-limits. Apparently, dirty jokes rted to food exist everywhere. I need to change the subject!"Lets talk about something else for our introductions! Theres more than just what we like, right!?" "Exactly! Ive been in Japan for a long time but theres a ce Ive always wanted to visit!" "Tourism! Great, thats what I was hoping for!" "The ce name is a bit difficult. Iroha, do you know it?" "Please, tell us!" Compared to the previous topics, this was much better. I encouraged Bancho to continue. Bancho wrote ce on the whiteboard. Underneath it, she wrote a Japanese ce name in kanji. The ce''s name was Oman Lake. I spat out my drink. "What kind of name is that!?" "Iroha, please tell me how to read this!" "I absolutely refuse! Im not reading it! And we dont need the O at the beginning!" ?Too straightforward ?There''s no way there''s ake with that name! LOL ?Both Oman Lake and Manko Lake actually exist "Please tell me whates after the O? Owhat? O-nani?" "Ahhh! Whether I read it or not, it''s no good!" ?Crossing the line without hesitation ?Is this stream gonna get banned? LOL ?Iroha''s ears are getting seriously corrupted! "By the way, I havent introduced the most important thing yet!" "W-what is it? What else are you nning!?" I asked, on high alert. Bancho erged her character illustration. She drew an arrow on the whiteboard. The arrow pointed to her ample chest. "I have much bigger boobs than Iroha!" "Whypare them with mine!? What''s wrong with being small!?" ?Laughing at the tant provocation ?We love Iroha just the way she is! ?t chests are a status! "By the way, my exact size is" She wrote [ICUP] next to the arrow. "Wait. [I]? Like A, B, C, D, E, F, G, HI!? I''m an A" ?Iroha''s alphabet song starts and ends immediately LOL ?In Iroha''s case, it''s [AAA] so it doesnt even make a song! ?Iroha''s boob mouse pad would be really handy if it existed (USA) "Shut up!" I meanI dont care about my chest size, really! But when people keep pointing it out, it starts to bother me a bit! As I thought this, Bancho said, "By the way," and slid her illustration upwards. The arrow moved to her waist. "This makes it say [I see you pee.]" "Stop it!" I see you pee. It was a terrible pun. The double entendre, like theke name earlier, was wless. "Talking about pee makes me want to go." "Just using English there makes it seem more suspicious." "Okay, I''m going to pee and poop!" "Cant you be a little more subtle!?" Their agency markets them as idols "Bancho, please! Say its an idol meeting!" "Eeh~?" "In Japan, we say [picking flowers] for that! For men, its [hunting pheasants]." ?Iroha knows her Japanese well ?Im a guy but I say picking flowers ?At my office, we say recording for it "Okay, I''ve decided! I''ll say [holy water and gold]!" "Dont! At least say pee and poop!" I use [No.1] and [No.2] to refer to the bathroom in English. I was exhausted and said, resignedly, "Okay, just go to the bathroom. Ill keep the stream going. And please, let me take a break." "Ha ha! Rest room! Iroha, youre quite something!" "No! Just go already!" "Okay!" Banchos character froze as her spirit left. I breathed heavily, relieved. Just when I rxed, "Oh no!" ?100 ?100 ?100 ?120 ?120 ?100 ?100 ?100 Blue superchats began flooding thement section at an incredible pace. Chapter 284: [Rainbow Super Chat] Chapter 284: [Rainbow Super Chat] As soon as Bancho went to the bathroom, a flood of blue super chats poured in. I had forgotten. Bancho is known as a super chatedian. "Wait, wait! Everyone, stop!? This isn''t Bancho''s channel, it''s mine!?" This super chat prank ismonly called [Flushing]. Blue super chats are likened to flowing water, symbolizing a toilet. "Please, send those super chats on Bancho''s channel!?" But they didn''t stop. Mixed with the blue were asional yellow and red chats. These represent pee and bloody urine, butFrankly, they''re just high-value super chats. "Please, Bancho! Come back soon~!?" Earlier, I was hoping she''d leave quickly, but now my feelings were in turmoil. Luckily, Bancho is known for her speed, almost like a toilet RTA. He''ll be back soon. No, wait~!? Oh right, this time she went for both big and small!? "Everyone, stop!? It''s pointless if Bancho isn''t here to see it!?" ?Indeed? ?I see ?Makes sense "Ah, good. Seems like everyone understands." If she can''t see them, it means now''s the time to send more! ?10,000 ?5,000 ?2,000 ?1,000 ?500 ?200 ?100 "Are you kidding!? Wait, a rainbow super chat!?" A perfect lineup of super chats from red to blue. This is the pinnacle of super chat artistry. By the way, its difficult to achieve this without interruptions from otherments, even under normal circumstances. To increase the sess rate, you''d need multiple devices to send them simultaneously truly an entertainment only oil barons can afford. "Bancho~! Help me~!?" "I felt like Iroha was calling, so I came back quickly!" ?So fast!? ?Did you wash your hands properly? ?Damn, she came back before I could send my chat "Bancho! I''m so d to see you!" I was relieved to be saved from the super chat attack. But Bancho immediately said, "Man, it was like a charge rifle stream!" "Cough, cough!? What a way to put it!?" "And, I left my kids in the pool too~!" "?!?!?!" ?Wha!? ?That''s ng for taking a dump in English (U.S.) ? I was shocked, thought she had kids "I''m sorry! Actually, you can leave again!" With Bancho, it''s chaos whether he''s here or not!? But she didn''t stop there. "Speaking of which~, I got a Poseidon''s Kiss'' when I took a dump~" ?Poseidon''s Kiss? ?Is that the bidet? ?What a wonderful expression "No, it''s when the water sshes your butt after a dump." "I''m done with this!? I give up!?" At this point, its impressive!? Infinite bathroom jokes kepting!? And they were incredibly open about these bathroom talks. But maybe its not just Bancho. "Americans dont seem to have much shame about bathroom stuff, do they?" "What are you saying? Everyone eats, sleeps, and goes to the bathroom, there''s nothing to be ashamed of!" "True." That mindset is very logical and good. In high school sses, everyone just says, "I''m going to the bathroom." without hesitation. However, that might be because the breaks are too short. But it''s healthier than holding it in, like some kids do in Japan. "When I use the bathroom'' in high school." ?Did Iroha say she pees in the bath!? ?ssic joke ?Restroom, not bathroom? "Do you call a toilet without a bath a bathroom''?" "Oh, sorry. It''s a habit. Even in high school, we call the school toilets bath'' or bathroom'' like at home. Also, remember who made that joke about peeing!" ?Uh-oh ?RIP ?Iroha, you''ve outgrown wetting the bed and pants! "Does everyone think I''m a baby!?" "Iroha, let''s do an Oshigama'' stream together next time!" "Absolutely not!? Back to the topic, American toilets are so open. The doors are so high up, you can see in. Even without peeking, you can see feet." ?Ugh, that''s awful ?Makes you too nervous to go ?For security, it''s necessary. Over there, what''s unseen is scarier than what''s seen "And there''s no Otohime''. They dont feel embarrassed about the sound of peeing." "Oh~, when I first heard it in Japan, I thought the Japanese took toilet obsession too far, adding a music room!" Interesting howcking the concept of noise embarrassment leads to such views. That''s quite amusing. "There''s no right or wrong about silencing sounds or not caring about them. But there''s one thing I''d really like people to care about." "What is it?" "Please, stop putting toilet paper directly on the floor!" "Ah~" There are also toilets with locks to prevent crime, and you need to ask to borrow the key. But that''s easily resolved by asking. However, the toilet paper on the floor is a real pain. "Well, that''s enough toilet talk." "Ah~, by the way, there''s something I''ve always wondered~" "What is it?" "What do men do when they need to pee and they''re hard~?" "Pfft!" I couldn''t help but burst outughing. I didn''t expect such a silly topic. *** "I~, Iroha, am curious about your dick~" "?!?!?!" I was almost outed about my past life. Chapter 285: [Engagement Ring] Chapter 285: [Engagement Ring] "Hey, what do guys do when they need to pee and get hard?" "Why are you asking that on stream!? Couldnt you wait untilter!?" I half-yelled as I retorted to Bancho. Even though it''s difficult, it stilles out. "By the way, do you know the origin of the word pencil''?" "Youre clearly asking that with ill intentions, arent you!?" "By the way, the correct answer is little penis in Latin." "Dont announce the correct answer on your own! But, you see, pen actuallyes from the word for feather! Back then, pens were feather quills!" ?Iroha is trying so hard, lol?Wow, I didn''t know pen and pencil had different origins. ?Male and female sound simr but have different origins too (U.S.) ?Words that originally were different can start resembling each other over time. ?Isn''t that called word symmetry? ?By the way, youre using a pencil on a whiteboard (U.S.) "Huh? Whoa, you''re right!?" "Yeeeep." Bancho had been handwriting on a whiteboard. But for some reason, the cursor was designed like a pencil. "Could it be, that you anticipated this from the start? No, Ive been guided all along!?" I shuddered. What a terrifying woman, Bancho! This means, she had nned this topic from the preparation stage. No, even if they say "Don''t hold back," wouldn''t you normally go easy on someone underage!? She''s definitely out there. She''s high. "Do you know that some animals have bones in their penises?" "Wow, I didnt know that." "By the way, human males also have bones in their penises." "Huh!? No way!?" I instinctively searched my past life memories. No, no, no, that can''t be! "Oh, wait! I get it. Youre trying to trick me! Its an idiom meaning someone with backbone'', right!?" That was close. I almost got fooled. There are times when new research reveals strange truths. "Iroha, nono, thats not it." "Then, do humans really have bones?" "Yes, because there''s a boner in the penis." "You idiot!" ?Almost got tricked again, lol ?Iroha is so pure, w ?In the end, its just a dirty joke! "By the way" Bancho said. The next moment, I froze. "Does everyone know the size of Iroha''s penis?" "Huh?" The shock rendered me speechless for a moment. My size? Why suddenly bring that up? "Well, um, I dont know about that." I stuttered in confusion. Now, Im a woman. Naturally, there''s nothing down there. Does that mean Bancho suspects my past life? ?Iroha is actually a boy!? ?There''s no way such a cute girl could be a boy! ?No way, lol ?But sometimes Iroha refers to herself as ore''. ?Honestly, Iroha is so smart, she might be on her second life. ?So, she was a man in her past life and remembers it? Lol "Iroha, you really dont know? Everyone wants to know." "Actually, I" "Oh, by the way" "Cincin means ring in Indonesian." "Thats confusing!" Phew, that was close! Safe! Just barely! I almost let something slip in my fluster. "I dabble in Indonesian, so I identally mixed it up with English." "Thats definitely on purpose! Who mixes up Indonesian at such a precise moment!?" "But Iroha, you were flustered, so maybe" "Huh?" ?Did Iroha get a ring from someone? (U.S.) ?No, shes probably preparing a ring to give to someone. ?She just got flustered by the word chinchin''. ?No reason to get flustered now, shes heard it enough today. ?I also want to know Iroha''s size. Personally, I want to make an engagement ring. ?Everyone is saying chinchin too much, lol "Well, actually! I was preparing a ring as a present! It was supposed to be a secret though. You all made me reveal it." ?Who is it for? ?It has to be for Ogu, right! (U.S.) ?No, its gotta be Anego, the original and best. ?If it''s Anego, it should be her younger sister. ?Recently, there''s also the devoted Ilyesha. (Ukrainian) ?Seriously, whos she going to propose to? Im so curious! "Well, who knows?" Iughed vaguely. I felt like trying to cover it up only dragged me into more trouble. Chapter 286: [A Thrilling Girl] Chapter 286: [A Thrilling Girl] "No way, could it be that Iroha-chan was preparing her dick''?" "That''s not it!" I was already fed up with the dick'' talk. Bancho, who was pointed out, corrected herself. "Excuse me. I meant preparing her ring''. This is already cute''!" "No, no! That''s not it!" "By the way, cute'' (MAUTETE) means I want boobs'' in Indonesian." "Why would you mix in such specific Indonesian!?" ?Random dirty jokes, lol?But saying cute'' (boobs) to Iroha-chan ?Isn''t it because cute'' (want boobs) is wishful thinking? "That''s none of your business!" "By the way, Irohanegi, do you know the 10 times quiz?" "That''s sudden! I know it, but you''re nning a trick, right?" "Then say babu'' ten times." "That''s not a trick, it''s straightforward! I''m not that young, you know!?" "Rx, rx just a quiz for babies." "No, no, no! I absolutely refuse!" "Hmm, seems like you''re in a rebellious phase. Parenting is tough." "No, it''s not! Fine, I''ll say it, okay?" I reluctantly agreed, feeling like I was being yed. "Alright, here we go!" "Okay. Babu babu babu, babu babu babu babu babu." Counting on my fingers, I said it ten times. "By the way, booba'' means boobs'' in English ng." "I knew it, I was tricked!?" I was wary of Indonesian, but it was another English dirty joke. But let me say one thing! There are thousands ofnguages in the world. Including dialects, even more. So, most words are dirty jokes somewhere. "You bastards, praise me! I got Irohanegi to say boobs'' a lot!" ?Wow! Well done!!!! ?Babies love boobs, can''t help it, lol ?Recently, looking at Iroha-chan stimtes my maternal instincts hey, you okay? Need a boob rub? ?Damn, if boobs are demanded, I don''t stand a chance! ?Lol ?But even Ogu has small boobs, right!? Well, the fact remains that I was made to say a dirty joke. And you guys, I don''t rub boobs, and I won''t save you when Ogu gets madter. "Wait, time! Bancho-san, it''s about time!" "Oh, is it already the end of the stream? I still have so much to say!" "Plenty! I''m already way past full and feeling sick!" I retorted, gasping for breath. Really, thank goodness time is limited! Finally, I''m freed from this hellish stream! "Sorry for throwing so much at you, Irohanegi." "What?" Surprisingly, Bancho showed concern for me in her final words. Maybe she was worried she went too far. "Really, it was tough! But well" I answered, feeling a bit embarrassed. As Bancho''s fan. "Despite everything, I love Bancho for who she is. Hehe." "Wha-!?" "Ba-Bancho?" For some reason, Bancho let out a voiceless cry. Then exaggeratedly started panting. "Wait a minute, Irohanegi, you''re too cute! I''ve decided, from today I''m a lolicon!" "I''m naturally being treated like a loli." "By the way, want to watch Netflix and chill'' with me?" "Uh? Sure, that sounds fine." "No, it''s not fine!" "What!?" At that moment, my room''s door burst open. Ogu''s scream echoed into the stream. ?Ogu is here! (U.S.) ?Main wife is here!! ?This is a mad wife, lol "Ogu!? I''m streaming! It''s bad manners to burst in!" "Shut up! You''re the one making a cheating promise!" "C-Cheating!?" "You were being asked to do something outrageous!" "? What do you mean?" "Netflix and chill'' means to have sex''!" "Wh-what!? Bancho-san!?" Y-you!? Just when I thought we had reconciled, give me back my feelings!? Chapter 287: [Netflix And Chill] Chapter 287: [Netflix And Chill] "Oh, Ive been caught" "B-Banchou" Banchou, who was secretly trying to make a naughty promise using ng, says this nonchntly. I copse in front of myputer. "Iroha, you need to learn to doubt people a bit!? Youre always too defenseless!" "Ugh" "Also, the guy whomented on my boobs earlier. Remember this." ?Ah, crap ?Oh man, I''m dead lol?I wanted to marry Iroha (U.S.) "You wont!? By the way, Ogu. You had a full day of recording today, right? Is it over?" "I worked super hard and finished super fast!" "Heh. Was there a stream you wanted to watch?" "Don''t base things on you!? As if Id Sigh." ?Dont mind, Ogu lol ?She worked so hard just to be with Iroha for even a second ?Iroha wont get it unless you say it clearly "Is that so? You rushed back because you wanted to see me?" "Wha!? Who asks so straightforwardly!? You expect me to say that!?" "Ogu Could you please prioritize recording properly? Its presumptuous for just a fan to say this, but" "Youuuuuuuu!?" ?Its funny how she understands but rejects her ?Iroha prioritizes Ogu''s stream > Ogu herself ?Thats Iroha for you (U.S.) "But, thank you." "Ungh!? Cough, cough!?" ?Huh!? (U.S.) ?Did Iroha just get all shy!? ?Is this a sign of the apocalypse? "Oh my~" "Iroha, in public!? Uh, Senpai! Im still not forgiving you!" "By the way, Senpai in America means older person you like Its so funny I have a promise with Irohaneki too, but Ogu thinks her way" "Ogu, you''re cheating too." "No!? I only love Iroha the most!" "What?" "Ah, no!? Thats not Ogu nces at me. Her cheeks are red. I also feel a bit embarrassed. My face is hot. "Am I maybe intruding?" "Shut up, Banchou!" "Oh no longer Senpai" "And the Netflix promise with Iroha is invalid! I wont give Iroha to anyone!" ?Ogus love for Iroha is spilling out lol ?It feels like their rtionship is really getting closertely (U.S.) ?Is the ring a real deal? Invite me to the wedding. Ill definitely attend. "Thats not what this is about!?" It''s getting moreplicated!? Theres no backing out now. And now, its really time to wrap up. "Well, today I got to make Irohaneki say lots of embarrassing things, so Im very satisfied This is my Big Win" "Im done with this!?" "So, thank you for watching everyone Sabiyo Onara" "Wait, even at the very end!?" And so, the [NSFW] stream with Banchou came to an end. After confirming the connection was properly cut, I spoke. "Thank you for your hard work, Banchou." "Likewise, good job Thanks for the cob today" "No, no. It was ten times harder than I imagined!" "Ahaha Sorry about that Uh, By the way, Irohaneki You mentioned during the stream that your tests are in trouble, right?" "Eh? Well, if I dont get good scores on the next tests, I might be banned from gaming." "Then, how about I tutor you?" "Really!? Is that okay!?" Banchou is an elite. Well, she aimed for a high level of education because she didnt want to work! Her career is impressive in many ways. She went to a normal university. But she didnt want to job hunt, so she started apany. She told her parents she got a job offer from thatpany. In reality, she lived off part-time jobs and started a NEET life. But it became harder to keep up the pretense. Desperate not to get a job, she started studying intensely. She entered a super elite university. Shes a super elite or a super NEET. "Leave it to me Im confident in enjoying the moratorium to the fullest" "Wow, thank you! Please, teach me!" I didnt expect the study problem to be solved from such an unexpected source. Truly, having a VTuber friend is the best! "Then, Ill be Irohanekis study advisor Though it doesnt mean asshole doctor" "I know that!" "Ill send you the scheduleter" "Okay. See youter." Finally, a joke about how English speakers dont understand Japanese elongation ends the call. Then, I felt a piercing gaze from next to me. What is it, Ogu? Youre not actually nning to cheat with Banchou, right? Of course not!? What even is cheating, whats cheating! Ogu and I arent even dating! ..At least not yet. "Seriously. Huh?" I looked away from Ogus exasperated face and noticed. A huge number of messages had arrived. "Ugh!?" The senders were Mai, Ah-nee, and Ilyena. I felt a strong sense of impending trouble. Chapter 289: [Genius Scientist Of The Future] Chapter 289: [Genius Scientist Of The Future] So, you two weren''t ying social games after all? What do we look like we''re ying games? I taught her how to study. I see I see. I taught her how to study. I''ve been trying to help her. You''ll make it look like I did something wrong! I clutched my smartphone with both hands and slumped my shoulders. I wish I could have yed Hakkotsuku multiyer. Well, I''ve been doing some streaming with viewer participation. Shitenno shifted the subject as if to cover up his mistake. She has been insistenttely that she wants me to watch her study. A little while ago, she was always on her phone during ss.Really? Could it be that this girl''s scores on the recent regr test were not good? I can''t think of any other reason why she would suddenly start studying so hard. Damn it. I wish you had studied harder regrly. Then you wouldn''t have to go through all this trouble. Shitenno is pretty spartan, isn''t he? I''m so proud of you that I want to praise you just for trying to study hard. It''s natural to study. Besides, knowledge is cumtive. It''s meaningless to work hard temporarily. Ugh A stray bullet hit me too. After Shitenno nces at me, he reminds the girl. No matter what kind of genius you are, you''ll fall if you ck off. And once you fall behind, it takes many times the effort to catch up. Am I a role model? Damn. Iroha is really a great guy too. I don''t know anyone else who is as great as she is. What exactly is great about her? Shitenno begins to talk about me. He was excitedly repeating, Amazing, amazing." The one with the delinquent was especially great! That was a shock to me, too. That was amazing. Oh, stop it! It''s too embarrassing! Mine was only thanks to my linguistic cheat ability. And now I gotpletely defeated by shitenno, despite having such an ability. It''s a bad way of praising him. Muu~Iroha-chan What''s wrong? What''s wrong? I noticed that the girl was staring at me. Or rather, was she staring at me? Did I do something to offend you? I didn''t mean it like that. I mean, you know I was envious of Iroha-chan who was praised a lot. I should study harder too! That''s right, Iroha. You should study hard too. Ugh! Well, it''s reasonable to think you should learn from the best in your grade anyway. Could be the girl is trying to learn from Shitenno of all people? That''s smart! Well Yes, I know! Yes, I''m sure you are. I can watch you study with me if you like! It doesn''t make much difference whether I teach one person or two? I''m the number one student in my grade. Oh, that''s okay. I''ve already found someone else to y the teacher. Eh? Is that so? No, no, listen! The person who''s going to teach me is very special to me. What? Ha-ha-ha. I see. Good for you. Yeah, yeah Is something wrong? No, no. It''s nothing. Ha-ha-ha For some reason, Shitenno was nodding his head. As if she couldn''t see it, a girl intentionally made a cheerful voice and spoke to him. I''ll do my best, shitenno! I''ll do my best! So, please teach me more about studying! Aaah? Ah, that''s okay. Teaching others is a good output for me too. Output, huh? Shitenno, if you want, you can give me one more output. What do you mean? Actually I exined the situation. I exined to him I had been asked by an acquaintance to introduce him to someone. Let''s see. Do you mean like a short-term job? That''s right, if you put it that way. Normally, you can''t have a part-time job with a college student visa, but with this No, I''m sorry, but I don''t think I can do it. I don''t have so much money that I have to work. I don''t have time for unnecessary things. If I had that kind of time, I''d study more. Eh? Ah~, that''s right. I was surprised because I thought he would ept the job. But I had forgotten. I had forgotten that Shitenno is quite a bonbon. I mean, almost all of the students at the private junior high school we are enrolled ine from wealthy families. It costs a lot of money to study abroad, and they will be happy was what themon people thought. I guess that was themon people''s idea. I see. But even though he got first ce in his grade, he still wanted to study and improve. That''s amazing. No, that''s why you were able to get the first ce in your grade, isn''t it? In thest test, he had a clear sense of purpose and emotion. No wonder I can''t win. But, I''m in trouble. Huh? What? Shitenno was holding his chest and moaning. I can hear him talking to himself. Oh, calm down, I know, I know. I know, I know. I don''t have time for such side trips. There are so many people in the world who are smarter than me, who study more than me. I have a finite amount of time, and I won''t let them beat me. Well, if you can''t, there''s nothing I can do. I can''t force you to do it. Huh~ Ugggghh! Endure, me! If you don''t study the most in the world, you can''t be the smartest in the world! And most of all, if Iroh catches up with you again anytime soon. I''m working with anguage processingb. I''ll have to look elsewhere. Wait a minute. Let''s talk about this. What? Shitenno''s reaction suddenly changed. What did I say that was so annoying? Chapter 288. [Girl Off The Ring] Chapter 288. [Girl Off The Ring] Haaah You sound really tired. Sorry, Iroha. You must be busy with work and school, and here I am, making youe along in your spare time. Oh, no! Helping out at theb is partly for my own benefit, too. I was chatting with the female engineer in the drivers seat. I was on my way back from assisting at the researchb. Since high school started, Ive reduced the frequency, but I still continue to assist with research. By the way, a nce in the rearview mirror showed a Secret Service car following us. Well, actually Im tired because of my personal life. Ever since the coboration with Bancho, Mai and the others have been aggressively courting me. Their words echo in my mind. Iroha-chan~ Mai is eagerly waiting for you~! Ahh, finally engaged to Iroha-chan~! Iroha-chan! Im so happy! Ehehe Ill prepare a present too! But why do Mai, Ah-nee, and Ilyena all assume theyre the ones who will get it!? Even when I deny having a ring, they just say, I know. Its still a secret, right? Haaah I sighed and held my head in my hands. Its not just Mai and the others; even Angu Ogu, who lives with me, thinks the same. Iroha, when you propose to me, I want to be prepared so when the timees, please give me a sign. But secretly preparing something like that, youre quite the romantic! Why are you fooled too!? You should know I havent prepared anything, youre always nearby! Ugh~! Does this mean I really have to prepare a ring? And do I have to give it to someone? Why has ite to this!? Well, partly, its my own fault. Have you ever been proposed to, by the way? Me? Oh, plenty of elite men have tried! But Ive turned them all down! I always say, Ill consider it when you be more interesting than my research. Hahaha! I see This isnt helpful at all. I wish I could be as straightforward, but I cant. By the way, Iroha-chan, can you introduce me to someone nice? Huh!? That contradicts what you just said!? Well, I dont want a boyfriend, I need someone to help with work. Oh, I see! You scared me. I was about to report you for asking a minor to introduce someone. Youre quite harsh, Iroha-chan. Are you short-staffed? Yes, Im offeringpensation, so can you ask your friends? Unlike you, its just simple tasks, so I cant pay much. I dont have many friends. Oh. Uh, look! Were here! Thanks for today! You dont have to change the subject so obviously, it hurts. Ahaha. Dont worry about what I said earlier! Really! Only if you know someone! Your follow-up is more painful!? Someone nice someone nice? Do I know anyone like that? Actually, I do. *** Oh, there you are What, is it a problem if Im here? No, its nothing I arrived early at the next ssroom, where Shitenno was. And another girl, who usually sits next to me on the school bus, was also there. Ive been seeing you two together a lottely. Huh!? No, its not like that, Iroha-chan! Its not what you think! For some reason, the girl was flustered. Her face said she was hiding something. What exactly was not like that? There was no one else in the ssroom. Could it be!? You two were ying Hako-Tsuku multiyer without me!? No fair! Let me join! Dont lump me in with you!? Shitenno immediately retorted. For some reason, the girl stumbled. Whats wrong? Ah, nothing. I was just sumo wrestling alone. I see I was convinced. Then, I leaned closer to the girl and whispered. You shouldnt do that in public. In Japan, we call it Chuunibyou and its embarrassing. Yeah, I get it. I used to shadowbox for no reason. ~~!? Y-Yeah, youre right~ After making a series of faces, the girl swallowed her words and agreed with me. She must have realized the embarrassment, judging by her strained expression. Ah, it feels good to do something nice! I just prevented a new ck history from being born in this world! I felt a gaze of dissatisfaction from the girl, but it must be my imagination. Chapter 290: [An Eternal Second] Chapter 290: [An Eternal Second] Shitennou-kun, were you interested innguage processing? Why would you think I wasn''t? I''ve lived in an environment where manynguages have been spoken since I was a child. I''ve mastered manynguages and challenged you tonguage battles many times. Ah~ Now that you mention it, I do recall something like that. As I was digging through my memory This is for future study. So, it''s not like I bent my principles because Iroha asked Shitennou was mumbling to himself as if trying to convince himself. Ah, so it''s for studying! Then I can ask for help without hesitation! Hehe. Thanks, Shitennou-kun. You''re a great help.The problem was solved, and I felt relieved. A natural smile spread across my face. ~~~~~!? For some reason, Shitennou''s face turned bright red. He started banging his forehead against the desk. Shi, Shitennou-kun!? Uwoooo!? Why am I so happy!? I didn''t take this on for that reason at all! Uh, I don''t really get it, but it seems serious. Well, adolescence can make people act in ways that don''t make sense, so I''ll leave him be. As I was quietly distancing myself from Shitennou, a girl called out. "Iroha-chan!" Her gaze was full of determination. Introduce that part-time job to me too! I want to work with Shitennou! Huh? You were interested innguage processing too? Guh!? Ah, no, well, that''s not it The girl hesitated with her words. At that moment, Shitennou straightened up. Hey, you should focus on your studies first. Say that after you manage the school tests. It seemed he had recovered. I''ll pretend I didn''t see his forehead being bright red. Ugh!? But Iroha-chan! Is that help limited to just one person? How should I know? We''d have to ask. But I''m sure they''d be happy with as many people as they can get. Considering they even came to me, they must be really short-handed. Well then! Studying is important, but so is helping a friend in need! Right, Shitennou? Why are you asking me? Well, if Iroha''s fine with it, then I don''t mind. Alright! If your grades drop, it''s not my problem. It''s your life, after all. What!? It is your problem! Because You need to help me study even more than before! What!? Why!? N-nothing! It''s fine, isn''t it!? Hah~. Do whatever you want. Shitennou waspletely overpowered by the girl. She''s impressive. To be so motivated about helping and studying. I don''t hate studying, but I''m not particrly fond of it either. So, unless I feel it''s necessary, I struggle to get started. Or unless someone I like is teaching me. Hehehe! I''m looking forward to studying with Bancho! Ah~. So, Iroha. What exactly are you researching innguage processing? Come to think of it, I haven''t told you yet, have I? The term naturalnguage processing'' covers a wide range of topics. Chatbots, text correction, social media analysis, etc. Among them, the research institute I''m coborating with is working on A next-generation "trantion" system. ..! I see Upon hearing that, Shitennou nodded in understanding. He seemed to realize why someone like me, who always says, "I can''t reduce my time watching my favorite VTubers!", would go out of my way to help with the research. Yes, of courseit''s all for VTubers! Current "automatic trantion" systems still have a lot of shorings, I think. In recent years, with the advancement of AI, the uracy of machine trantion'' has significantly improved. But even so, thenguage barrier remains high. Just the other day, there was a peculiar incident. Bancho, who I had refused to watch "Netflix" with, tweeted this as a substitute: Iroha-neki, let''s go for a "walk" together next time? It was supposed to mean "If indoor activities are no good, then how about outdoor ones." However, when automatically tranted into English, it turned into Irohaneki, let''s "have sex" together next time? Naturally, overseas fans who saw it were incredibly confused or rather, extremely excited. This shows that modern machine trantion still has significant uracy issues. Such mistrantions are unavoidable given the nature of the current mainstream statistical'' machine trantion, but still, it''s far from perfect. And then, there''s the trantion speed. It''s not just about tranting but also about analyzing speech, tranting, and then outputting it. Real-time, nog trantion is still a long way off. I''ve mentioned this before. Even a one-secondg can be fatal in a live stream where timing is everything. If the reaction iste, the conversation moves on. With current trantion devices, one side will always be left behind in an international coboration. A second in conversation is an eternity. Of course, other factors like microphone quality, ambient noise, processing power, andmunication speed also y a role, so it''s not just about having good software. That''s why we''re trying to create a new system'' for trantion that epasses everything. Well, I don''t know how much I''m actually contributing to the research despite saying all this Sigh~. If only there were a way to achieve nog trantion somewhere. Eh!? For some reason, Shitennou was looking at me with a mix of confusion and astonishment. Chapter 291: [A World Where Language Cheats Aren’t Needed] Chapter 291: [A World Where Language Cheats Arent Needed] What? The astonished expression on Shitenno made me tilt my head in confusion. Did I say something strange? You, the instant trantor, back then? Back then? Never mind, its nothing. Really? Well, okay then. Shitenno dodged the question. What exactly was he trying to say?But still Ah, if only all of humanity could be given anguage cheat, itd be so much easier. Well, thats impossible. But someday Someday, it will surelye. A time when everyone can casually use powers equivalent to anguage cheat. TV, inte, cell phones. Humanity has always turned cheat-like abilities into reality through science. A world wherenguage cheats are meaningless. Thats my ideal. My first life goal is watching streams. My second goal is this. Eliminatenguage barriers for all VTubers. And when thats achieved, itll also be time for Trantor Girl to retire. Though, I dont know how many years or decades thatll take. Even if the technology is realized, itll take an enormous amount of time to support allnguages. Shitenno was silently pondering something. I couldnt tell what he was thinking. But, sometimes solutions and idease from casual conversations and everyday ces. After all, even scotch tape and pencils can lead to a Nobel Prize in Physics *** So! I had Bancho teach me, and her exnations were super clear! Hmm? And maybe its because its my oshis'' voice? It felt like I memorized every single word! Hmmm? During a meal, I was talking to Ogu about the study session with Bancho. Ah, what a blissful time it was! But unfortunately, Bancho is also very busy, so our schedules rarely match up. Next time might be quite far off Ah, if only Bancho could teach me every day, my grades would improve so quickly Wait, Ogu, is something wrong? Not really~~? Did something bad happen? Yeah!? Maybe it did!? Um? What kind of reaction is this? Wait, could it be this pattern is Are you angry with me? Haha, you noticed pretty quickly today, Iroha. Really? Have I finally be able to understand Ogus feelings? Im notplimenting you!? That was sarcasm! Huh? Really!? But I dont remember doing anything to make her angry. There shouldn''t have been any touchy topics. I was just talking about Bancho the whole time. And its not like youd be angry about Bancho. I am angry! What else could it be but Bancho!? What!? But I always talk about my oshi, dont I? Thats different! This is hard. I dont understand whats different. Why is Bancho not okay? Its not like Im treating her specially. For me, special only applies to Angu Ogu and the others Well, all my favorites are unique and special!? Not in that way. Anyway! If you just want to be taught by your oshis'' voice, it doesnt have to be Bancho!? There are educational VTubers too Ive watched them all. Uh!? Then, what if I teach you Can you? Ugh!? But I can at least read the textbook aloud! Honestly, that would make me very happy. In fact, if she did that, Im confident I could memorize the entire textbook. But Where would Ogu find the time? Youre already super busy. Ugh!? You always have aeback! Even if she says that, I was just stating the facts. Did my dissatisfaction show on my face? Ogu shouted. Ugh!? I dont care anymore! Then, Iroha should Have the rxed voice read the textbook to you! Huh? W-What? Ogu was puzzled by my sudden freeze. I grabbed her hands firmly. Huh!? Iroha!? Ogu, thats genius! Really, its the best idea! I stood up, still holding Ogus hands, and spun around. Why didnt I think of this sooner? Silly me! Right, theres text-to-speech software that can mimic VTubers voices! Solutions and ideas oftene from unexpected ces! Ogu, youre the best! I love you, Ogu! Thank you! I was so excited that I shouted such things. But it seemed to have a positive effect. R-Really? Hehe! Right? But wait, Iroha. Did you just say you love me!? Ogus mood improved. With that settled, there was a lot to do. I turned to theputer *** The next week, my grades hadpletely changed. Perfect scores. Perfect scores. An array of perfect scores. Even on tough quizzes, I was acing them one after another. Chapter 292: [Halloween Night] Chapter 292: [Halloween Night] Staaaare Huh? Wh-What? In the high school ssroom. I was being eyed suspiciously by Shitenno. Iroha, you didn''t deceive me, did you? About what? Well, when I agreed to help you with your research, your grades started to improve. A secret study strategy no, it couldn''t be that. It''s you, after all. Hey Shitenno doubted me but quickly resolved it on his own.It''s a mystery whether his assessment was apliment or an insult. Uh By the way, how was theb? Did it help with your studies? Ah, yes. To be honest I was overwhelmed What? I realized I''m still not there yet. The people working there are all geniuses, like monsters. They''re insanely smart. That much? Come to think of it, didn''t that female engineer say she was from MIT or used to work for Gogooru? Still, its surprising. Even from your perspective, they''re that amazing Of course. Also, Iroha. You''re amazing too. I felt the gap. Huh? Creating your own role in an environment full of geniuses is incredibly difficult. In that ce, most people are just negligible. I''m not that impressive Thanks to mynguage cheat, anyway. I denied it out of difort. No. If someone our age like you could do it, I thought I could too but I couldn''tpete. Not yet No, no, Shitenno is the impressive one. Facing such geniuses and not breaking, even saying "not yet". Thanks for introducing me to that ce. It was a great stimulus. And I have a new goal now. Oh? I will be a schr. That hasn''t changed. But now, there''s something else I want to do I''ll keep it a secret for now Is that so? Good luck At least pretend to be more interested. Well, that''s just like you Ugh!? Did it show on my face that much? But it wasn''t a topic rted to VTubers. Then, a voice echoed, "Ah~~~~!" The girl, as usual, came straight towards us as she entered the ssroom. Iroha-chaaaaaan! Listen to me! Uh, what? She clung to me and started talking. Ah, this is going to be troublesome. What do you think about workce romance? And age gaps? It''s better to date friends or people your age, right!? Hmm. I don''t think I can help with that topic. I really don''t think so. Sorry You can''t escape! This idiot he was flirting with a woman at theb! Huh!? I wasnt doing that!? And what do you mean by flirting!? Well, I don''t really care either way. Could you let go of my shoulder? Please don''t drag me into this. At first, both Shitenno and I were assigned the same tasks. But then he was alone with the woman from theb. Wow~. Shitenno, skipping work, huh? So, when you said you had a "new goal", you meant No, that''s not it!? Believe me, Iroha! I''m devoted to you!? Iroha-chan, scold him more! He got all cocky just because she said "You''re interesting"! She was just teasing him! No, that''s not it!? She said my idea'' was interesting! And she gave me more tasks because of that! Oh, I see. You were given other tasks, huh? She said things like "I like it", "I look forward to your future", and "I want you". She wanted me as her exclusive assistant! It''s an abuse of power! Uh Isnt it just that the woman recognized Shitennos talent? And I think I might know who she is. But Shitenno, you''re amazing. As I was thinking, I heard "still" from earlier. Iroha-chan! This is unforgivable, right!? Iroha, you understand, right!? Believe me! Hmm I pondered for a moment and gave my verdict. Guilty! Shitenno''s at fault! Why!? I knew Iroha-chan would understand! And I copse, saying, Im innocent!? The girl looked down at Nno with a smug look, saying, See?! Hahaha, you still dont understand, Shitenno. Basically, when you get into an argument with a girl, youve already lost. And I dont want to go out of my way to be the loser either. Iroha!? So, I decided to abandon Shitenno to avoid getting dragged in. Sorry, Shitenno good luck. *** One evening, while I was spending my days like this. Angu Ogu approached me with a grin. Trick or Treat! Angu Ogu, with arms wide open, attacked me with a "Gao~!" The Halloween night curtain rose. Chapter 293: [Trick Or Treat] Chapter 293: [Trick Or Treat] Trick or Treat! Eek!? I was suddenly pushed onto the sofa by Angu Ogu. She straddled me. W-wait!? Dont just attack me out of nowhere! Oh? So its okay if its not sudden? ~~~~! Thats not what I meant!? I didnt even say I wouldnt give you candy yet! Now that you mention it. Give me candy! If not, Ill y a trick on you! Grr! I had the candy all prepared.Honestly, I thought it was a hassle to prepare, but it was necessary for self-defense. Its a necessary expense. Seeing Angougue normally, I had predicted this would happen. So, I went to get the candy. Um, Angu Ogu? Could you move? What~? I cant hear you. Wheres my candy? If you dont give it, Ill have to trick you. No, I cant get it because youre in the way Wait, are you not going to let me get it!? Thats unfair!? Move! Move! Come on, Iroha. You have to try harder. Ugh, grr~! I tried to escape with all my might. I iled my arms and legs Nugh! Hnn~! My arms and legs. Huff, puff W-wait a sec Iroha, you Huh, what!? Uh, I cant move at all. Apparently, Angu Ogu didnt expect me to be this weak either. She looked at me with pitying eyes. Youve gotten weaker since you came to America, havent you? Ugh!? You should exercise more. Youre still going to dance lessons, right? Its none of your business! Well, its true that since moving to America, the dance studio is farther away, so I go less often. Sigh~. Then lets go to a lesson together next time. Eh!? Im fine! I remember all the choreography! No, at this rate, youll get exhausted before finishing a song. No way!? Damn! At this rate No choice. Time for drastic measures. I slowly reached for Angougues side. Take this Hya!? Hey, Iroha!? D-dont tickle me! Thats cheating because you cant beat me by force! Whos talking!? Youre the one who pinned me down first! Hahaha!? Stop it! Eek!? Dont pin my arms too!? You started the tickling! Now, its time since you wont give me candy, prepare for my trick! W-why!? Wait a second? Actually, Iroha, you smell really good Sniff, sniff. Maybe youre the sweet treat. No, stop smelling me! Well then, Ill just eat you! W-wait kyaaaaa!? Angougue brought her face closer. I couldnt resist. I shut my eyes tightly and braced myself, slightly puckering my lips. My heart pounded loudly, and then. Ding-dong The doorbell echoed in the living room. When I opened my eyes, Angu Ogus face was right in front of me. We stared at each other. Then, as if on cue, we both closed our eyes again Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Iroha -Ding-dong ding-dong, ding-dong! Iro who is it!? Angu Ogu! Answer it, so they dont wait! Grr! It was just getting good! Angu Ogu shouted and got up reluctantly. Her face moved away. Phew, close call. I almost crossed a line. She stood up, removing her warmth and weight from my stomach Oh For some reason, a sad sound escaped my mouth. Angu Ogu whispered in my ear. Ill be right back, dont worry ~~~~! No, its not that! I denied it, trying to cover my embarrassment. I watched as Angougue went to the entrance, took a package, and came back. What was that? A delivery? Yeah. The Secret Service checked the package and delivered it. It seems it had to be now. This is from Anego, right? From Ah-nee? Whats inside? Hold on, Im opening it now I got up and moved to the table. I peeked into the box from behind Angu Ogu. Inside was Whats this, clothes? No, its cosy items!? Then, as if on cue No, it was nned. My smartphone buzzed with an iing call. Chapter 294: [Translator Girl (Beast)] Chapter 294: [Trantor Girl (Beast)] [Hellooo~! Iroha-chan, Ogu~! How are you~!?] As soon as I answered the phone, I heard Ah-nee''s cheerful voice. Halloween it''s a festival, so she''s more energetic than usual. "Yeah, I''m good." [Kyaaa~!? Onee-chan, wait Whoa!?] "Not as good as you, Ah-nee." [Haha~! Well, being energetic is a good thing, right~!?] [Hii~!? Onee-chan, help, nooo~!?] "Uh, yeah."There have been constant screams in the background while I''ve been talking to Ah-nee. I nervously asked. "Uh, is that Mai''s voice I keep hearing?" [It''s just your imagination!] [This voice is Iroha-chan~! Help me~! Hiii~!?] "" Yeah, its definitely not my imagination!? I could easily imagine Mai currently facing some misfortune. But when Ah-nee is involved, things get noisy quickly. But, this kind of thing isnt so bad right now. [More importantly, Iroha-chan! Did you get the costume? I left a note for the Secret Service to deliver it on Halloween day!] "Oh, so that''s why. Yeah, it arrived." No wonder it came at such a perfect time. Ah-nee really loves this kind of thing. I remembered past events. She made me cosy during rehearsals and even when we were in the tank. [It''s Halloween! You must wear a costume!] "Ugh!" I knew Ane would be cosying. But I didn''t expect it to spread to us in America too!? [By the way, Ogu has been quiet. Is something wrong?] "..Mmm~" "Ogu?" I saw Angu Ogu with her cheeks puffed out, looking away. Wondering why, I tilted my head, and she mumbled. "It''s Ane''s fault. I was so close to Iroha, and then" "Oh." So thats why she was sulking. Come on, we have plenty of time for thatter. Wait, no!? Its not like I''m looking forward to it!? Not at all!? [What, is Ogu in a bad mood~? Alright, Iroha-chan! You have to do something for her!] "Huh!? Why me!?" [Well seeing cute Iroha-chan in costume will cheer her up!] "Don''t make assumptions that Im going to cosy!" ".She has a point. Only Iroha''s cosy can cheer me up!" "Wait, Ogu!? Youre already in a good mood, arent you!?" Angu Ogu was smiling and daydreaming. Why do I have to suffer!? [Come on, Iroha-chan. There''s nothing to be embarrassed about! Besides, you''re not alone!] [Kyaa!? Hii~!?] "Wait, the voice Ive been hearing is" The audio call switched to a video call. The scene in the other room was disyed on the smartphone screen [Help me~! No more~!] Mai, wrapped in bandages, was hanging from the ceiling. The bandages stretched and contracted, making it look like she was bungee jumping. "Ah-nee, what is this?" [Yep! It''s a mummy costume!] "Why is she like that!?" [Well because her name sounds like mummy''?] "Thats not what I meant!?" A mummy costume is fine. It''s Halloween. But why hang her!? [What!? Aren''t mummies supposed to be like this!?] "Of course not!? And why did Mai let herself be hung!?" [Well because she said shed get to see Iroha-chan in costume!?] "Don''t make me the exchange condition!? Wait, what?" [Iroha-chan~!][Iroha-chan~] "Iroha~!" "I feel a lot of pressure from everyone." Angu Ogu approached slowly. I tried to escape. I was caught in one second. "Eek!?" "Iroha sorry. Brace yourself!" "Ahh!? Don''t forcibly strip my clothes!? No, stop~!" My clothes were stripped off, and my bare skin was exposed to Mai and Ane. Then, I was forcefully dressed in the costume. "No, Im embarrassed, dont look!" I hugged my shoulders and curled up in shame. Ugh, what is this outfit!? If it wasnt indoors, I''d look like a total exhibitionist! My shoulders, stomach, and legs were exposed. Yet the important parts and limbs were fluffy. And the iconic ears on my head and the bushy tail from my back. [Guhuhu~! Iroha-chan is so cute~!] [Iroha-chan, you look great! So good! I want to be attacked] "Iroha what a sexy" "Dont say anything more, idiot!" I was forced to cosy a very revealing werewolf''. This outfit is absolutely not suitable for autumn!? Chapter 295: [There’s No Way My Oshi Could Be This Cute] Chapter 295: [Theres No Way My Oshi Could Be This Cute] "Ugh Ive been defiled. Ogu forced my clothes off, and then" "Hey! That makes me sound terrible!" "But its true, isnt it?" Dressed in a werewolf cosy, I pretended to cry oh, some real tears came out. Also, since earlier. [Huff huff, Iroha-chan huff!] [If Iroha-chan, turned into a wolf, attacked me] Mais eyes were bloodshot, and Ah-nees lines were unsettling! Alright, Ive decided. Ill definitely expose this during the stream. And besides that"Heh heh you know what this means, Ogu?" "W-What are you nning, Iroha?" "You didnt think youd get away with just making me cosy, did you?" "Wait a minute! Lets talk this out!" "No talking! Youre going to suffer just like I did!" "Aaahhhh!" Half-crying, I lunged at Angu Ogu. Being forcibly undressed and made to wear this was so embarrassing! I pushed her onto the sofa and looked down at her. Take that, this is payback! "Ogu, if you give up, say I''m sorry'', Ogu?" Anyway, Angu Ogu is stronger and will escape soon. At least, thats what I thought. "Iroha, if you''re going to do it, be gentle." "Huh!?" Angu Ogu turned her face away from me. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were moist. [Hey, Iroha-chan!? What are you doing with Mai around!? Cheating is bad! And Ogu, what are you saying!?] Mais voice sounded distant. I couldnt take my eyes off Angu Ogus sultry appearance. My face was hot. My mind was foggy. Was she always this cute? No, what am I thinking!? "Iroha, please" "Okay" Prompted, I reached for Angu Ogus clothes. My fingers trembled with nervousness. "gulp" I began to open her clothes. Her bare skin gradually came into view. My hand moved frustratingly slowly. She let out a soft sigh, "Ah" "Wait, how can I do this with people watching!?" I snapped back to reality and threw the cosy outfit at Angu Ogu. That was close! Almost "Come on, Iroha, continue!" "Change yourself! Why do I have to undress you!?" "Ehh?" Angu Ogu pouted nonchntly. She was definitely acting earlier! "Mmm. We undress each other every day in the bath anyway." "What did you say!?" "Nothing~" Angu Ogu whistled to avoid the question. Bath time and this are different! I cant say how exactly, but they are! [Iroha-chan, I believed in you! Only I can undress you, and you can only undress me!] [Iroha-chan, forcing yourself on me ahh] "Mai, no! And Ah-nee,e back!" "Geez, fine. Ill change. But this outfit" Angu Ogu reluctantly changed into the costume. A ck cape, ck wings, and long fangs. She looked like "Oh, a vampire!" I was a werewolf, and Angu Ogu was a vampire. A kind of contrasting cosy. "And isnt mine too revealing? Mmm. Im not a vampire, Im a zombie." "Oh, you care about that?" "Wait bite!" "Yikes!? Hey, Ogu, that tickles!?" "Nom nom now youre my servant! Follow mymands!" "Youre such an idiot!" [No way!? Iroha-chan and Ogu are flirting again!? Even though Ive never done a bite''!? Unforgivable!] [Hey, Mai!? If you struggle that much] [Ah kyaaaa!?] A ripping sound echoed. The bandages unraveled, and Mai spun around rapidly "Ah!?" "Hey!?" Mai fell to the floor. Most of her skin was now exposed. [Nooooo!?] Mai sat down, her face bright red, trying to cover herself with the bandages. But it was too big to coverpletely. "Wh-When did Mai shes so different from me" [Dont look, everyone!?] "S-Sorry!" I quickly looked away. Angu Ogu, while looking at Mai, patted her own chest. "So, Ah-nee, youre not going to make everyone cosy without doing it yourself, right?" [Heh heh heh, d you asked! Of course, Im] Saying that, Ah-nee turned the camera towards herself. What she was wearing was Chapter 296: [My Naked Oshi] Chapter 296: [My Naked Oshi] When Ah-nee aimed the camera at herself, Angu Ogu and I both shouted "Bwoo!?" simultaneously. "What are you thinking!?" "Ah-Ah-nee!? Put on some clothes right now!" [Eh~? But if I wear clothes, I''ll be obvious. I''m supposed to be invisible'' right now.] "It''s visible now, you idiot!" That''s definitely not a costume! That''s just beingpletely naked! How can there be a cosy with no costume at all!? [Kyaa~!? W-What are you doing, onee-chan!? You promised you wouldn''t show up on camera! That''s the only reason I reluctantly agreed! Don''t show weird things to Iroha-chan!] Somehow, I understand why our three cosys have so much exposure.Are we matching Ah-nee''s cosy? [Oh, is it no good? I thought it was the best idea with 100% uracy.] "There are things you should consider before uracy!" Halloween isn''t just about high uracy, nor is it aedy contest!? Well, sometimes it does turn into that! [I''m really sorry that my sister is such an idiot~!] "Seriously!" Just then, I got a notification. It seems a message and image have arrived from Irina. At this time? I have a bad feeling about this. I cautiously checked LIME. [To my beloved Iroha-sama. Anego said I could get a naughty picture of Iroha-sama like this! Eat me, from your loving Irisha] "Ah-Ah-nee~!? What did you make her do!?" Irina sent a picture of herself nearly naked, tied with a ribbon. That''s neither Halloween nor cosy anymore! I hurriedly deleted the image. Although it didn''t show anything critical, keeping something like that could get me arrested! [Oh? Did it arrive from Irisha-chan? Then, I need to reciprocate. I''ll capture a scene from this video callIroha-chan''s cosy.] "Don''t distribute embarrassing photos of me without permission!" "Hey, Anego. Send that to meter." [Sis~! That photo belongs to me, right~?] [Hmm. I''ll trade it for a sexy shot of you two!] "Deal!" [I''m in!] "Nothing is okay about this! Don''t trade stolen photos right in front of me!" Seriously!? If this is how it is, I shouldn''t have cosyed. Not that I had to cosy. I was made to change just because it''s Halloween. Wait? Hold on a second. "Come to think of it, why are Mai and Ah-nee cosying too? It''s already November 1st in Japan, so Halloween''s over." [Well, yeah. But that goes for you guys too, right? You already did the Halloween stream yesterday in Japan time.] "We just did it for the stream. Well, that''s true." [Besides, even if we''re not in the same ceI wanted to spend the event with Iroha-chan.] "" [Ah, it''s almost time. I have a stream after this, so I have to go. It was short, but I''m d we could enjoy Halloween together.] "Well, I guess I didn''tpletely hate it." [Eh?] [Oh~!? Iroha-chan is a bit flustered.] "Shut up! Ah-nee, put on some clothes before your stream!" [I see!? It might be fun to prank by saying I''ve been naked the whole time!'' after the stream ends!] "That''s not what I meant! You''ll catch a cold, so put on some clothes! Now!" [Alright, it''s decided! Iroha-chan, Angu Ogu, see you~!] "Ah-nee, I told you! It wasn''t a joke!" "Later, Anego. And don''t forget the photo." [Wait!? I still have time to talk with Iroha-chan!? Sis~! Don''t hang up] Click. The call was mercilessly cut off. Ah-nee''sstment was suspicious, and Mai seemed to say something, butwhatever. Hey, Iroha. We''re finally alone. Ogu Angu Ogu snuggled up to me. Because of the revealing outfit, our bare skin touched closely. Oh, I can''t. I have to watch the stream now. What!? What about earlier!? Nope. Earlier was earlier, now is now. Ah-nee said, "I have a stream now." What!? Damn you, Anego! Soon, Ah-nee''s international coboration stream "Learning Halloween from the Best!" will start! So, there''s no time for anything else. Ignoring Angu Ogu, I hummed and faced theputer. Now, let''s watch the stream. Ding-dong. The doorbell rang. "Huh?" Angu Ogu and I exchanged nces, confused. A visitor at this time? No way it''s Anego No one we know should be visiting now. We cautiously checked the visitor. Standing there was someone we didn''t expect at all. Chapter 297: [Parade Of The Little Girl] Chapter 297: [Parade Of The Little Girl] We opened the front door. Standing there was "Trick or Treat!" Huh, is that you, sweetie!? And your dad!? It was the father and daughter we had a barbecue with around summer. The little girl was wearing a big ck hat and a robe, holding a wand "Happy Halloween," sweetie. You look adorable! Yes, yes! You see, this, this is a witch costume! I''m sorry. My daughter insisted oning to see you, Iroha, and she wouldn''t take no for an answer. But I saw the lights on, soOh! Angu Ogu seemed to notice something and raised her voice. However, I still didn''t quite get it. Hey, Ogu, what do you mean? I see, in Japanese Halloween, there''s no such thing. Over here, having the lights on at night on Halloween has a special meaning Huh? You see, some people don''t want visitors on Halloween, right? So, they signal if it''s okay to visit with the lights. I see. Now that she mentioned it, some people might not like kids or be prepared for them, so it would be a problem if they came. So those people spend Halloween night with the lights off. We left the porch light on. That''s what it meant. Wow, Iroha, are you dressed up too? Cute! Huh, oh!? This!? I forgot! Come to think of it, this outfit is quite well. Now that I think about it, Angu Ogu and I, embarrassed, hugged each other to hide our bodies. Um, haha As expected of Japan. Your cosy is very anime-like or something. Gah!? Dad''s awkward smile and follow-up hurt my ears!? No!? This outfit is not my hobby at all!? Also, I''m sorry for interrupting your alone private time. Come on, let''s go now. Dad gently urged the little girl. Wait!? He''s got the wrong idea! It''s not like Angu Ogu and I were trying to do anything weird together!? But, anyway, it''s not like that~!? No! Trick or Treat! Oh. Right Now that I think about it, I haven''t given out any candy yet. I just bought some for Angu Ogu, so I decided to give them that. Wait a minute. I''ll get some candy now. No, that''s not it. I want you toe with me to get candy~! Huh? Don''t you know, Iroha? "Kids" get candy, not give it away~ What!? No, sweetie!? We''re not kids anymore, we''re already adults Huh!? As I was saying that, I remembered. At that barbecue Mai and Ah-nee were called "Mai-neechan" and "Ah-neechan" by the little girl, but for some reason, I was called "Iroha-chan"? And she made me y the younger role in the pretend y Am I really being misunderstood!? Mai and I are the same age!? Yes, theres a difference in development that was just highlighted, but! Haha. Hey, Iroha "chan". Go with them. You''re a kid, after all! What!? I''m already in high school!? I''m not a kid anymore!? Barely safe, probably! You look tiny anyway! Then, Angu Ogu is the same, right!? What!? I am a properdy!? Also, sweetie asked for you! Both of you are wrong! I want both Iroha and Angu Ogu toe with me~! W-wait, sweetie. That way of calling us outside is a bit troubling!? Angu Ogu bumped her forehead against mine and began negotiating in whispers. She looked desperate, but I was in the same boat. Iroha, please go! I really can''t go out like this!? Me too!? Besides that''s right! I have to watch a livestream now! You''re trying to escape!? No, no! It''s a fan''s duty or rather fate Seeing our situation, Dad came to our rescue. He gently spoke to the little girl. Hey. Don''t be too selfish. Iroha and Angu Ogu are in trouble, right? Dad! But the little girl had a trump card no, a special spell. She let out a "hic" and started sobbing. No~! I''m not being selfish~! I just thought it would be fun if Iroha and Angu Ogu came too~! Crying won''t work. Come on, let''s go We''ll go with you. Please let us go. Angu Ogu and I gave in. We cried a little too. For different reasons. Meanwhile, the little girl quickly smiled. Yay! Let''s go, let''s go! I''m sorry for my daughter No, it''s fine I thought. Girls might be enchanting from the moment they''re born. And then *** T-trick or Treat! I stood at someone''s front door in my cosy, my face bright red. S-so embarrassing~~~~!? Chapter 298: [Spooky Baby] Chapter 298: [Spooky Baby] Iroha-chan, look! Look at this! Isn''t it amazing!? Oh~ it really is. Time goes back a bit. After leaving the apartment, we got into Papa-sans car and came to a nearby residential area. There seem to be many houses with their lights on around here. Also, many houses have borate Halloween decorations in their yards. Wow~. It really sets the mood wait, huh!? Kyaaahhhhh!? The moment I saw it, I couldn''t help but scream. Right next to the path we were walking on, in a houses yard.Therey a half-dposed corpse. Suddenly, the dense smell of blood wafted huh? It''s noting? "Hyah!?" C-Calm down, Iroha. Thats just a prop! Huh? A fake? Wow, it really is!? It was so realistic that I mistook it for the real thing. The Halloween decorations here are way too convincing! Phew, that''s a relief! Seriously, I was really scared! Haha. It''s your first Halloween here, Iroha. By the way, in times like this, you say "spooky". "Spooky", got it. Seriously, give me a break. Im usually fine with anything unrted to ghosts or rather, VTubers, but I really cant handle corpses. Especially since Ive seen my own corpse. Id like to know if theres anyone who wouldnt be traumatized by that. Phew. But, good thing it was fake. I mean, wow!? S-Sorry, Ogu! When did I cling to you!? Uh, oh, um!? Dont worry about it! Unconsciously, I had clung tightly to Angu Ogu. Now that I think about it, she did let out a strange noise because of me. I tried to quickly pull away I-Its fine. I mean, if youre scared, you can stay like that. Uh, well. Oh, no!? If you dont want to, thats fine too!? Then, um Ill take you up on your offer Ahhhh! Iroha-chan and Ogu-chan are flirting! We both jumped and quickly separated. When I nced sideways, Angu Ogu''s face was bright red. Im sure mine was too. Its not what it looks like, Daughter-chan!? That wasnt like that at all! Yeah! Were not like that!? I want to be friends too! Daughter-chan grabbed both of our hands. Sorry. Our minds were in the gutter. Well, how about we walk together then? Yeah! With Daughter-chan in the middle, the three of us walked hand in hand. More precisely, it felt like Daughter-chan was pulling me and Angu Ogu along. Iroha-chan, Ogu-chan, hurry up or the candies will be gone! Haha Angu Ogu and I looked at each other andughed. Papa-san watched us with a mix of amusement and affection. And the Secret Service, quietly trailing us, were also watching. What ayered setup. And, Secret Service. I can read your lips. I can see youughing and saying, "Aww, cute!" Phew. But, I wanted to watch my favorite stream live. Still saying that? Give it up. Or are you going to leave Daughter-chan and go back? Ugh!? N-No, I can''t do that bu It''s better to watch the archiveter without guilt than to watch live while feeling bad. Experience has taught me that this way, I can enjoy the stream more. But still Well, just enjoy Halloween as much as you can. Come on. Iroha-chan, Ogu-chan! Were here! We arrived at the front door of a house. Pumpkinmps and other decorations were set up, all ready to wee us. Alright, since Im the big sister, Iroha-chan and Ogu-chan can go first! Huh!? Come on, hurry up! Daughter-chan let go of our hands. In that instant, a battle broke out between me and Angu Ogu. We red at each other, trying to outmaneuver the other. Ogu, you go first! No! You go first, Iroha! Angu Ogu slipped around to my back. When she touched my exposed skin, I involuntarily let out a "Hyah!" Hey, dont touch weird ces! Also mmph~ I said you go first, Ogu! Im the older one here, so Ill let you go first! Besides, childhood embarrassing moments are cute! But, adult embarrassing moments stay forever! So you go first! We pushed against each other but in the end, I was the one who stepped forward. Damn it. The moment it became a physical struggle, my defeat was sealed. Alright, just ept it. Ugh. Fine. Suppressing my embarrassment, I rang the doorbell. The door opened with a creak Trick or Treat! Give me candy, or Ill y a trick on you! I shouted with my hands up, feeling my face burning. Peeking with one eye open, I saw the person who came out. Oh my, what a cute little monster we have here An Americandy looked at me with a sweet smile. So embarrassing~~~~!? Here you go, sweetie. Happy Halloween. Take as much as you want Uh, th-thank you. Ha, haha I actually got some candy. Even though Im already an adult. I felt like I had lost something precious. Hahaha! Iroha, you were so cute! You jerk! Alright, next is Ogu-chans turn! Ah I turned a mocking gaze toward Angu Ogu. Youughed at me, so get ready. Ill watch closely! Chapter 303: [Little Girl Gives Lots Of Kisses To Another Little Girl] Chapter 303: [Little Girl Gives Lots Of Kisses To Another Little Girl] W-wait, Ogu! I''m supposed to be treated, not tricked! That''s right. Then I''ll treat you more. Ah, s-stop, Ogu! This is definitely not a treat Aah!? Toote now. Hyaaan!? I got pushed down onto the sofa. A strange voice escaped me from the ticklish feeling. Angu Ogu looked down at me, breathing heavily. Her eyes gleamed with a suspicious light, like a vampire enchanted by blood.I couldn''t resist. Realizing this, I gave in and pleaded, "At least". N-not too naughty, okay? Snap. I heard the sound of something breaking from Angu Ogu. W-wait? She''s breathing even heavier now!? It''s your fault, Iroha. Why!? Chomp, kiss~~~~! Wait, Ogu!? Hyauuuun!? I tried to escape, but I was pinned down and kissed all over my body That night, I was teased by Angu Ogu all night longDD. *** The next morning, the living room was filled with a strange tension. Only the clinking of cutlery used for breakfast echoed. Um, Iroha. Are you mad? Of course, I am, you idiot Ogu! After what happened yesterday!? Well, you didn''t resist either, Iroha! Pointed out, my face turned hot. I-it''s not like she hit a nerve or anything!? I-I did resist! But Ogu is stronger, so I couldn''t win! If you really didn''t like it, you would''ve resisted more. Besides, even this morning, you hugged me and didn''t let go. T-that''s not it!? I told you!? I was just sleepy!? Oh really? How about being honest, Iroha? You actually liked all those tricks I mean, treats, and now you love me, right? S-shut up! And even if you kiss, there''s a proper way to do it! Just so you know, I have school today!? What am I supposed to do with this!? I pulled down the cor of my shirt. There were many "vampire" marks left. On my arms and legs too Ugh!? Th-that is~ I can''t go out like this!? I once had something simr done by Mai, but this was worse. The outfit with lots of exposure made it even worse. What will people think at school? I''d have to dress up like a mummy to hide it all. Hmph! Just show them. Let them see that Iroha belongs to me. Underage misconduct/ I used my trump card. Angu Ogu choked and coughed. H-hey!? That''s not fair! And I didn''t go that far!? But you kissed all over. T-that''s true! Hmph, fine then. If you y that card, I''ll just kiss you even more! ! Angu Ogu scooted her chair closer. Our shoulders touched. Her breath hit my lips DDN-no lip kisses yet! I hastily pushed Angu Ogu away. If it''s an ident, fine, but we have to do it properly. So, um I-it''s okay on the cheek. ~~~~~! I looked up at Angu Ogu. This was my maximumpromise Iroha, you should be grateful for my restraint. Huh? Why? You''re so clueless!? Hmphchuu As I tilted my head, Angu Ogu suddenly kissed my cheek. I didn''t expect her to actually do it, so I was stunned and then blushed. When the timees, you''ll remember this. Jeezmunch, munch Angu Ogu resumed eating, exaggeratedly chewing. Her face was red too. My eyes were naturally drawn to her mouth For a different reason, the dining table was filled with strange tension. I distracted myself by raising my voice. Oh no. I have to watch Ah-nee''s stream archive. Yes, this is a fan''s duty. Not running away from the awkwardness. Not at all. ["How''s everyone~? It''s your big sister Anegasaki M"] So I yed the stream, Learning Halloween from the Experts! But as expected from Ah-nee, she had technical troubles from the start. Normally, I''d sigh and say, "What are you doing, Ah-nee.", but Kya~! Anego~! Haha, the usual mess-up, I love it! Hmph. I always think, Iroha changes when watching streams. Angu Ogu muttered, a bit grumpy. But she can''t help it. When I''m watching streams, I''m not Iroha, her friend I''m a huge fan of "Anego"! Chapter 299 Chapter 299. [Halloween Monsters Awakening] Iroha-chan, Ogu-chan! Im d you got some candy~! Just kill me! Daughter-chan peeked into the basket full of candy with a big smile. Next to her, Angu Ogu was covering her face. Haha, Ogu? If youre going to do it, you need to go all out. Thats why you need a retake Its your fault for butting in from the side! Oh really~? By the way, I recorded that. Should I show it to A-nee? P-Please, anything but that! I was teasing Angu Ogu. It was payback for what she did earlier. ying pranks on her might be kind of fun. It seems that I, too, am getting caught up in the Halloween spirit. Iroha-chan, Ogu-chan, lets go! Next house! With Daughter-chan pulling our hands, we went door to door. Our baskets were quickly filled with candy. At first, Angu Ogu and I argued about who would go first, but we soon got used to taking turns. And then, we arrived at the next house. Hmm? The yard here looks a bit neglected. But Daughter-chan, already in high spirits, eagerly went ahead. Iroha-chan, Ogu-chan, hurry up! O-Okay Uh, its my turn next. Well, theres a pumpkin-colored light at the door. If its no good, we can just leave. Thinking that, I rang the doorbell. In the next instant, the door burst open with a bang Trick or You damn brats are so annoying! Do you want to get killed!? Huh!? !? The man who came out yelled at me from close range, and I froze. But I wasnt scared not at all! I waspletely fine. I guess Im used to it by now. Though its probably not a good thing to be used to. Oh,e on But suddenly shouting is really something I wish hed stop. Its surprising and hurts my ears. While I was thinking leisurely like that, I saw the Secret Service moving in my peripheral vision. Ah. Were fine here I sent them that message. Judging the situation is second nature to me. This guy isnt even a real viin. Truly dangerous people have a different aura. But still, I didnt want any more trouble. As I tried to quickly leave with Angu Ogu, she stepped in between me and the man. What is she doing!? O-Ogu!? Its dangerous, get back quickly I was about to say. Angu Ogu turned around and gripped my hand tightly. I-Iroha. Its okay, dont worry. I will definitely protect you She gave a shaky smile. Her hand was trembling. Is Ogu scared? No, of course, she is. Shes just a normal girl. Unlike me, she hasnt been caught up in numerous incidents and gotten used to it. She doesnt have the luxury of being indifferent, thinking there are bodyguards if things get bad. Ogu It might be more intense for her. Precisely because shes heavily guarded, she has fewer experiences like this. Even though she must be scared. She was desperately trying to protect me. ? Huh? I put my hand on my chest. My heart was pounding. Why did it suddenly start racing now, when it was fine before? Was I really scared and just didnt realize it? Or maybe I squeezed Angu Ogus hand back. Our palms were sweaty. Whether from her nervousness or my rising body temperature, I wasnt sure. Seeing this, Papa-san stepped in to intervene. He hugged the surprised and frozen Daughter-chan and said Its Halloween today. No matter what bad things happened to you, thats no way to treat little kids S-Shut up! Seeing Papa-sans build, the man hesitated a bit. But hearing Papa-sans next words, he grinned wickedly. And isnt it unreasonable to tell people to stay away while having a Jack-onternmp at your door? Hahaha! Hey, take a good look. Wheres the Jack-ontern? Tell me, huh!? Well, there, see Papa-san pointed. It was just an orangemp that looked simr. Wheres the Jack-ontern, huh? This guy must have done it on purpose. He intended to lure kids over and take out his frustrations on them. Truly despicable. Papa-san frowned. If you dont want visitors, why not turn off your porch light? Oh,e on. After your mistake, youre lecturing me? Why should I cater to damn kids!? But Annoying! Just get lost! Donte back again! Ill let you off this time! Hahaha! The manughed crudely. Guys like him are everywhere. Theres no real harm. Best to avoid and forget him. Ouch!? Angu Ogu let out a short scream. The man had mmed the door shut with great force. The door grazed her. ? Sorry, I take back what I said. This guy needs to be taught a lesson. Chapter 300 [The Great Prank Operation] Chapter 300. [The Great Prank Operation] Kya!? Angu Ogu is startled, loses bnce, and falls backward. I try to catch her but Im not strong enough, and we both fall. O-Ogu, are you okay!? Are you hurt!? I quickly help Angu Ogu up and check her body for injuries. She giggles, Ahaha! Wait, Iroha!? That tickles!? No, not there!? Im fine, really!? Its just a scratch! Phew Are you both okay!? What a jerk! No, Im fine. But what about you, Iroha? Im sorry for Iroha? Hehehe I was furious. That jerk! I wont forgive him! No matter how much I get hurt, yelled at, or threatened, I dont care. But this time is different. My Angu Ogu was almost hurt. Even a single hair on her head is an enemy. Ill make sure he gets his punishment Eek!? Ive never seen Iroha this mad!? Look, I didnt get hurt, okay? Destroy him!!!! No, he cant hear me Then, a cry echoes, Bwaah! I turn around to see the little girl crying loudly. Papa! That man was scary! Yeah, he was scary. But its okay now Her dadforts her. If this continues, Halloween will be a terrible memory for her. What should I do to punish him? While I was thinking, Angu Ogu looked elsewhere and tilted her head. Huh? Who are they? I follow her gaze and see a group of kids in ghost, skeleton, and spider costumes. They look like a procession of monsters. They are holding spray cans. Noticing the crying girl, they approach us. Here, take this! Huh? A girl at the front tosses something to us. I catch it hurriedlyits a spray can. Umm? You were attacked by that guy, right? Well, yes Then you know what to do! If theres no treat, theres a trick Dont hold back. Its a childs right Hearing that, I grin. I forgottoday is Halloween. Of course, revenge should be a prank. Thats right, Im a kid H-Hey? Iroha? Everyone, attack! The girl gives the order, and the kids charge at the house. Haha! Okay, Ogu! Lets go! O-Okay!? The sound of spraying and the shouts of the mischievous spirits echo. Toilet paper flies, entangling roofs and trees. I write all kinds of curses with mynguage cheat. So, this ability was for this moment! Noticing themotion, the door opens with a click. The man steps out, mouth agape. What are you doing!? You brats!? Go, go! Use all the spray! Throw all the toilet paper! Stop!? Please, stop!? The man chases the kids no, the Halloween spirits. But theyre too quick and he cant catch them. Okay, thats enough! Run! Yeah!Woo! The kids scatter like spiders. We turn away from the house. Lets run! Papa, hurry! Haha! Yes, lets escape! Yay, yay! The little girl is delighted. I nce back and shout curses as we leave. Haha! Serves you right! Regret this forever, you piece of Wah!? Iroha, calm down!? The girl is listening! And Im fine, really!? Huh!? I snap back and close my mouth quickly. The momentum from writing all those F-words lingers. But hey, Iroha! This is so fun! ! Hahaha! Yes, its so much fun! Even without a VTuber involved, I felt this from the bottom of my heart. Because I was with Angu Ogu. Huh? Whats wrong, Iroha? Nothing! I shout back to Angu Ogu running ahead. Thanks to that man, Halloween felt more special. It was my first trick, not just treats. Doing both made it feel like I really enjoyed Halloween. Though forgiving him is another story! Anyway. Uh, Ogu Everyone, dont stop! Keep running! Iroha!? Youre so slow!? Huff, puff Im out of energy wait! Idiot! Youre getting caught!? The man is chasing us!? Eek!? Ogu, help! Ill pull you, so run! We ran through the night,ughing loudly. I thought, I wish this couldst forever. But everything muste to an end. Chapter 301. [It’s Understandable To Wet Yourself When You’re A Little Girl] Chapter 301. [Its Understandable To Wet Yourself When Youre A Little Girl] I-Iroha~! Im sorry, okay!? Hmph. I turned away from Angu Ogu in the living room with my arms crossed. After that, we went to a few more houses and filled our baskets with candy before returning home. However, another incident urred during that time. And what exactly happened was *** Whoa, this houses yard is amazing! Indeed Angu Ogu and I stood side by side, mouths agape. The house was decorated as if it were part of a theme park. Of course, it attracted attention, and a line of children had formed. We joined the line, admiring the illuminated scenery. The house itself is a mansion. But its not as big as yours, Angu Ogu. Thats not a fairparison. True. But its impressive how many people are here. Yeah. Depending on the neighborhood, even houses without decorations get kids every few minutes. I see, thats why theres a line. But it seems tough. It is, especially for those living alone in a big house. They should consider whether to leave their lights on or off. Yeah. Ive heard stories of houses getting pranked because the lights were left on. Thats something. While chatting, it was our turn. I confidently said, Trick or treat! Here you go, treat. Take whichever you like. The candy we received looked expensive. No wonder its popr. *** Everything was fine up to that point. But thest house we visited, despite being just as borately decorated, didnt give out any candy. Trick or treat! Hehe~ No. I cant give candy that easily. Huh!? Despite the polite greeting, they didnt say treat. It was the first time I encountered this, and I was puzzled. Unlike the man who teased us earlier, this time it was a very refined olddy. Even though it was for a trick, I felt hesitant. Iroha! Lets prank them! Is it okay? But I nced at the olddy, worried. But she just smiled. Iroha, its the rule, so we have to prank! Wrap that area with toilet paper and turn it into a TPd house! What is that? Angoogu pushed me forward. Neither her dad nor her daughter tried to stop us, and conveniently, there was toilet paper lying around. How do I do this? And why toilet paper? Toilet paper sticks when wet and is hard to clean up! I see. That sounds annoying. But is it really okay? Hurry up! Its fine, its fine! Okay Following orders, I picked up the toilet paper and approached the spot. Thud! Something fell from above. It was a corpse. V Huh? Eek! O-Ogu! Th-there! That! I rolled away and clung to Angu Ogu. But while distancing myself from the corpse W-what? If I move away Huh? Something hit my foot. Looking down, I saw a skeleton decoration. Phew Just a decoration!? -Cackle cackle cackle cackle! The skeletons teeth chattered,ughing. Then something ck started falling from the trees. Whoa, ew! One of them stuck to my face. I hastily brushed it off and realized what it was. It was a spider the size of my palm. The continuous shocks from my trauma switch My dam broke. Ah, ahhh!? No, no, no Ah!? A warm sensation spread in my lower abdomen. Angu Ogu, unaware,ughed and said. Haha, surprised? Some houses do this to trick and scare you for fun Huh? Iroha? O-Ogu. You should have told me sooner! I got so scared that I I wet myself! What? No way!? Looking closely, the corpse, skeleton, and spiders were all fake. Just mechanical tricks but it was toote. Waaah! I cried from embarrassment. Wetting myself at this age!? My body, or rather, this girls body, had loose tear ducts and sphincters. Wait!? Hold on!? Excuse me, um!? Angu Ogu rushed to consult the house owner. But it was her fault in the first ce Angu Ogu, you idiot! I cried and shouted. *** I-Iroha~! Im sorry, okay!? And thus, back to the beginning. I crossed my arms and turned away from Angu Ogu in the living room. Ch??ng 301 Chapter 302. [The Wolf Girl’s Finger Incident] Chapter 302. [The Wolf Girls Finger Incident] Iroha, forgive me! I had no idea you were that scared of ghosts! I sat in my living room, sulking and looking away. Technically, Im not actually afraid of ghosts but anyway. After that, the olddy washed and dried my clothes. She even looked genuinely sorry and gave us a bunch of sweets when we left. Im really sorry. I didnt expect someone to be this startled. She said. But, the olddy did nothing wrong. If I hadnt freaked out at the first sight of a corpse, I would haveughed it off. What hurt more was Iroha-chan, its okay. Its not scary. When I was a baby, my mom said I wet myself a lot too. So, Iroha-chan, dont be embarrassed. what her daughter said. So now, Im pretending to be mad at Angu Ogu. Hmph. I hate you now, Angu Ogu. GAAAAAH!? That one line seemed to shock Angu Ogu more than expected. She held her head in despair. Waaah!? Iroha hates me~!? My life is over~!? Yes, as Angu Ogu crumbled beside me I too, who had said it, crumbled, feeling the damage myself. Its like I told my favorite idol that I hate them, hurting my own heart as a fan!? Even though it was meant only for Angu Ogu right in front of me. ugh. Lets eat the sweets we got to feel better. I said, rummaging through the basket of sweets. Since its a rare treat, should I pick the most delicious one? Or maybe Which one should I pick~? Ah! Iroha, wait. Dont eat that one yet. Angu Ogu warned me sharply. I tilted my head, confused. Why? Is it like, an offering for a shrine or something? Like how Halloween candy needs to be checked before eating? No, its not that. Its just that we got it from strangers. Check for any holes in the packaging before eating. Ah, I see. Looking closely, all the candies were individually wrapped and clearly unopened. They were puffed up with nitrogen gas I thought it was just to prevent oxidation, but it had another purpose. There have been cases of poisoning in the past. So in some areas, people only visit houses they know. That makes sense, its safer. Its rare, but just in case. Got it. I picked a promising one and nibbled on it. After confirming it seemed safe, I took the same kind to Angu Ogu. Here, say ah. Nom. Angu Ogus cheeks puffed up as she chewed. I sat next to her but the atmosphere was still awkward. I lightly hooked my pinky finger around Angu Ogus. Her spine stiffened. Angu Ogu, do you understand? Im angry, so I leaned in and whispered in her ear. Trick or treat. If you make me feel really good, Ill forgive you. Maybe Ill even like you again. ~~~~~! I thought this would make things right. I wasnt really that mad anyway. I just wanted an excuse to be pampered. I wasnt ready to be honest without a reason, because its embarrassing. Thats why I said it. Suddenly, Angu Ogu grabbed my shoulders and faced me directly. Ha, ha Iroha, youre adorable. Huh!? W-what!? Your eyes are scary! Heh, heh heh By the way, what kind of trick will you do if I dont treat you? Eh!? Uh Come on, quickly! Uh, um Now, now! In a rush, I grabbed Angu Ogus hand and gently bit her index finger. See? This should teach you. Im a wolf, so if you dont treat me well, Ill eat you Iroha. What? Thats cheating. I cant hold back anymore Huh? Eeeek!? What are you doing? Ahh!? Angu Ogu loomed over me. Then, she kissed my neck. W-why a sudden kiss!? No, Im a vampire now. Im sucking blood. Continuing from before we left. !?!?!? Ah, this might be bad. It looks like I triggered Angu Ogus weird switchDD. Chapter 304: [Trying To See The Invisible] Chapter 304: [Trying To See The Invisible] So, regarding the trouble in Ah-nee''s stream, it seems her character image isn''t showing up. And when I wondered what she''d do, she just said, [Well, it''s fine~!] and kept going. Left alone on screen, her cob partner the Irish girl cried out, "Fyeeeen!" Poor thing. I totally get how hard that must be. But, that''s the fate of anyone who cobs with Ah-nee. You just have to ept it! Anego never changes, huh. Haha, definitely. Angu Ogu, having finished eating, peeked at the screen.We still had some time before school, so we tidied up the dishes and moved to the sofa. As usual, we snuggled up and continued watching the stream. While Ah-nee was dragging her international cob partner along, she was exining Halloween traditions. Wow. Theres a lot about Halloween I didnt know. Me too. There might be some things I don''t know. From the ssic fact that Jack-o''nterns were originally turnips in Irnd, to the surprising poprity of fireworks there. [Okay, okay! Phew~ Boom! Beautiful, yeah~] Anego, shes using simple English, so she should know what fireworks means. Haha, well, it seems to be getting across anyway. Apparently, fireworks are illegal there, so they buy them in Northern Irnd and bring them in. On the day, the sound of police sirens and fireworks causes quite a ruckus. And, its about time for school. The archive was almost over too. But of course, Ah-nee couldn''t just end it cleanly. She had to pull something at thest moment. [By the way, did everyone notice? Actually, the equipment trouble was a lie! I was perfectly visible in the stream, right~?] No way!? I had a bad feeling. I remembered her saying on the phone, "It might be fun to y a prank." Please, let it be wrong! But, these predictions tend to be right at such times. [Actually, right now, I''m cosying as an invisible person! That''s why I didn''t show up on screen~!] She got us, what a genius idea (love). ?Or, is she just covering up real equipment trouble? ?If its Anego, its possible. [Hey!? How rude! To prove it was nned, I''m streaming naked right now, right~? See, it looks like only the clothes are floating, doesn''t it?] Gyaa~!? I knew it! I told you to wear clothes, didnt I!? ?Even if shes naked, we cant tell from our side lol. ?Naked!? I just took my pants off. ?Is Anego really streaming naked? (U.S.) As expected, thement section was filled with talk about naked. As expected of Ah-nee, shes great at nning. The invisible person idea itself was funny. But everything got overshadowed by naked! Does she have to cause trouble every single time!? [Before the stream, I showed this look to Iroha-chan and Ogu, and they got really mad and said, What are you doing!? So mean, right~? Oh, by the way, their costumes were] Don''t drag us into this!? Both of us retorted at the screen where Ah-nee was. We have to give Ah-nee a good scoldingter. Really, what a person. But Iroha, you like Anego''s quirks, right? No, thats different! Seriously, its a problem when your favorite bes your real-life friend! You end up involved instead of just being a fan. [Well, everyones used to invisible people, right~? She should have chosen another costume!] ?There arent invisible people that often! lol ?asionally? lol ?Invisible people are 90% fake! [Come on, everyones girlfriend cosys as an invisible person every year! Oh, I meant every day!] ?Hey!? lol (love) ?Oh no, that''s crossing the line lol ?Thats a deration of war! [Whys everyone angry?] It''s your fault!? Again, Angu Ogu and I shouted in unison. With Ah-nee, it''s not like shes doing it on purpose, thats just how she is, which makes it worse. Then the chime rang. Panicking, I looked at the clock Oh no!? Well bete for school! Its because Ah-nee started saying weird stuff! I quickly grabbed my bag and headed to the entrance. The secret service who was supposed to escort us must havee because we were taking too long. Wait, Iroha! You cant go like that! Here, use this! My scarf! Oh, right!? That was close! Thanks, Ogu! Though its your fault to begin with!? Anyway, Ill use this to cover up as much as I can. Sure. Take care. Im off. I ran out of the house and down the apartment hallway. Angu Ogu''s scent lingered in the scarf I buried my face in. Chapter 305: [Aftermath RTA] Chapter 305: [Aftermath RTA] I was swaying in a car driven by the Secret Service. In the window, I could faintly see my reflection with a scarf wrapped around my neck Isn''t it a bit early for this~? Cough, cough!? N-no, it''s not! I''m that''s right! I''m sensitive to the cold! The Secret Service woman said with a smirk. Ugh, she definitely knows. She''s teasing me, knowing full well that I''m hiding a hickey under my scarf. I don''t know how much she saw or heardst night. By the way, Iroha-chan, have you seen that article yet?That article? Oh, you mean about my sister''s "nude livestream"? What, nude!? I don''t want to judge people''s hobbies, but you''re underage, Iroha-chan, and it''s not good for you to watch that kind of thing. N-no, it''s not my hobby!? Just kidding. I meant the prank from yesterday. Prank? No, no good. When I hear "prank", I can only think about the kiss we shared. But that''s probably not what the Secret Service woman is talking about. Here, look at this As I tilted my head, she handed me a tablet. When I took it, a page from some online news site was disyed on the screen. Um It showed a house that had been heavily pranked on Halloween. Wow, thats rough. The owner must not have given out treats to the kids. There were insults written in dozens ofnguages, turning it into something that looked like modern art. The article even described it as "like a museum of global insults". Oh, so other houses besides ours got pranked too. There''s no other house like this! This is the house you pranked, Iroha-chan! R-right!? Um, do you think our fans might have found out about this? Nah, we just stumbled upon it by chance. Its a small article. Don''t worry. I let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it didnt be a big topic. If ites to it, we can cover it up Oh, that''s what you meant by "don''t worry". But that doesnt mean you can do whatever you want. Covering things up isnt free either. By the way, why did you choose such distinctive graffiti? I-Im sorry. I thought having a variety of insults would convey our anger better. And using foreignnguages wouldnt ovep with other kids'' pranks. If they can''t read it, it won''t convey anything. Ah!? No, but unreadable characters are spookier! Well, lets go with that. Actually look here. The homeowner''s interview is included, and it seems your prank really scared him. He said he felt "cursed". I didn''t write any curses, though. Well, Latin does look curse-like, I guess. He said, "It must have been a devil in the shape of a dwarf who wrote this!" Thats just because I couldnt reach higher! But reading the article, it seemed the man had deeply reflected on his actions. Halloween is for kids, but he was single and alone. He got jealous seeing happy people and wanted to hurt them. Or maybe he was just being mean to get attention from the kids. In the interview, he said he ns to properly host kids from now on. Thats how the interview concluded. Has he reflected? Or hasn''t he? Theres no way Ill forgive this jerk. To my oshi Iroha-chan, Iroha-chan!? Its over now, okay? Calm down-! S-sorry. I lost my cool. Wow, you really change when VTubers are involved. You need to stay calm. No! Its the people who dont change for VTubers that are strange! I see. The Secret Service woman nodded with a distant look. Hey, what''s with that "this is too troublesome, so Ill pretend I didnt hear it" reaction? But really, be careful. What you did is technically illegal. Ugh!? R-right. Graffiti is vandalism in both Japan and the US. No, not that. Dressing up and getting candy on Halloween has age restrictions. Huh!? 12 or 14 years old, fines, imprisonmentit varies by region. Imprisonment!? Why didnt you tell me beforehand!? Both I and the other one are overage. And I didnt know there were such severe penalties!? This couldnd us in jail!? Just kidding! Huh? Haha, surprised? Some states indeed have suchws, but no ones actually been imprisoned for it. S-stop scaring me! But be careful. Aboutst night, we didn''t see anything. Thank you. Oh, and we also didn''t see or hear anything about the other thing. Thatstment was definitely unnecessary!? So she did see! I need to be more cautious. Whats normal for me might not be normal here. One day, that difference could be fatal or understanding it could save a life. Were here. The bus is just arriving too. Good luck~ I-Ill do my best. The Secret Service woman pointed at her neck and saw me off. Now, how much can I keep hidden? That''s the question. *** !?!?!? C-could this mark be!? Gah!? Why!? Time from sitting down in the school bus seat: 5 seconds. Chapter 306: [Please Or Freeze] Chapter 306: [Please Or Freeze] It happened as soon as I sat in my usual seat on the school bus. The girl who always sat next to me reached for my scarf with augh. Come on, Iroha-chan. Its too hot for this inside the bus. Ill take it off for you. Ah, wait!? I tried to stop her, but it was toote. The scarf was loosened, exposing my neck. Seeing this, the girl seemed to realize something instantly. Her face turned bright red, and she mouthed wordlessly ~~~~!? W-what is this mark!? Iroha-chan, did you on Halloween night!?Ah, no, this is!? Hey. Whats going on with you two? Gah! Our shoulders jumped in unison. Shitennou sitting across the aisle was eyeing us suspiciously. Ah, wah!? The girl nced nervously between me and Shitennou. Growing impatient, he leaned closer N-nothing!? Here! Guh!? In a panic, the girl rewrapped my scarf around my neck wait, hold on!? Youre choking me!? Hmm? Well, if thats all, then fine. The Four Heavenly Kings member tilted his head but returned to his seat. My secret was safe for now. But still I tapped the girls arm desperately. ~~~~! I give help. Im dying~! Eh? Ah! Iroha-chans turning white! The girl quickly released me, loosening the scarf. Finally, she noticed. Cough cough!? Im so sorry!? I got surprised and! Ah~ that was close I saw both the Sanzu River and the Styx. Im really sorry!? Seriously, Id rather not die over something this dumb. Its ridiculous to risk my life over a few kisses For a moment, Mais face shed in my mind, but lets forget that. And anyway Stare The girl was staring at me intensely. When I hesitated, she muttered quietly. But wow Iroha-chan, even though youre so small, youve already experienced it. I havent done anything yet. No, no!? This isnt like that Its just a prank from a girl friend! Im not lying, right!? We stared at each other for a moment and she smiled. Geez, dont scare me like that~! S-sorry, Im d you believeC Gotcha! Hyah!? Suddenly, she lifted the hem of my shirt. For a moment, my bare skin around my waist and belly was exposed I hurriedly pulled my shirt down. Shivering with embarrassment, I asked. Did did you see it? It was a hundred times more intense than I expected. How should I say this, eroticDD Dont say it!? But yeah! There were way too many marks on your neck for it to be just a prank! And even down there! I never raised you to be this kind of child! You didnt raise me at all! But wow. Iroha-chan no, Iroha-sensei! Sensei!? So, Sensei! How do I win over my crush!? Eh!? Please teach me as a romance master! Even if you ask me that!? In her mind, I already had a lover. But I havent even mustered the courage to confess yet! Hey, you two. What are you whispering about? Crush and Sensei? No, its just!? Now truly suspicious, Shitennou asked. I racked my brain Y-you misheard! We were just talking about ss and teacher. Silence filled the air. The engine of the school bus and the surrounding chatter seemed distant. Seconds felt like an eternity Oh, thats it. Sorry, I thought you were skipping studying and talking about weird stuff again. N-no way, haha Really, we need to be careful about misunderstandings. Speaking of which, that tragic incident happened on Halloween night. A Japanese exchange student went to a Halloween party in costume. Unfamiliar with the area, they went to the wrong house. The homeowner, thinking they were intruders, pulled out a gun and said. Freeze. But the student misheard. In the worst possible way And. They approached the armed homeowner I dont know the truth of the story. Some say the homeowner had murderous intent from the start. But if the word had been stop, the oue might have been different. Thats what I think. I need to be careful too. Not just as a listener, but as a speaker. Though its different from the above story, I once had a terrible misunderstanding myself. This is a true story In a certain diner, you can never order a "small portion". Chapter 307: [A Restaurant Where I Cant Order A Small Portion] Chapter 307: [A Restaurant Where I Cant Order A Small Portion] Misunderstanding is terrifying. This happened at a certain diner. In this restaurant, you can freely choose the amount of rice. Small, regr,rge, extrarge. I eagerly ordered the extrarge and devoured it. However, I was left with an awkward amount of leftover side dishes. But no worries. At this ce, refills are free. I gauged my stomach''s condition and ced my order with the waiter. "More rice, please. Komori!" "Aye!"With a lively response, the waiter took my bowl. Thirty secondster, Thud! A cartoonishly huge bowl was ced on my table. "?!?!?!" "Here you go! Tokumo!" I immediately realized. I was misunderstood!? An extrarge portion when I was only 80% full. It was an undeniable hell. But if I left it, this rice would be thrown away. Despite the misunderstanding, I ordered it "Ugh, sob" The little bit of side dish disappeared quickly. By the end, I was literally crying a little as I ate the extrarge portion of in white rice. It was really tough. And I swore to myself. Next time I order, I will make sure there is no misunderstanding. *** Then, another day. I was at the same diner, about to order a refill. I remembered my previous mistake clearly and had a perfect n in ce. To avoid any misunderstanding this time, I said, "Refill. Shomori!" "Aye!" With this, there was no way Id be misunderstood as ordering an "extrarge". And maybe in this restaurant, a small portion was called "shomori". That''s why they didn''t understand when I said "komori". Yes, it was a very usible theory. Satisfied with my own brilliant deduction "Here you go! Oomori!" Why, why was I misunderstood again!? It''s better than extrarge, but it''s still too much!? Once again, I ate it all while crying. Eating only in white rice, I began to wonder, "Maybe it''s my fault? Maybe my artiction or pronunciation was bad?" and started doubting myself. *** This would be thest time. I visited that diner for the third time. Why do I keep going back to the same ce despite being misunderstood so much? The reason is clear. The restaurants name was the same as my favorite VTuber! By the way, a certain VTuber created an original Geo-Guessr map featuring ces rted to VTubers from their agency as a summer project. You can actually y it, so feel free to try it. Back to the story well, half the reason I kept going there was because of the name. I was also determined, and it was such a delicious diner that I wanted to go back even considering the misunderstandings. "Alright" This time, I was confident. I had practiced vocal exercises so much that I memorized the "Uirou Uri" and improved my artiction. I also had a secret weapon. "Waiter, refill. Mini-mori!" This was myst resort. Mini-mori wasnt on the menu. That''s why, if they understood it, it would definitely mean small portion. And if they didnt, they would just ask me again avoiding the worst-case scenario. "Aye!" It worked! I closed my eyes and waited anxiously for the result. Sure enough "Here you go! Namimori!" I hit my head on the table. How could this also be misunderstood!? So close! Just one step away from being right! Extrarge Large Regr, I was getting closer. But I could never reach the small portion. Is this infinite? It sounds like aedy sketch, but it actually happened. Thus, Ipletely lost the refill war. *** And then,ter. There I was, as usual, ordering a refill at that diner. "Waiter, refill please." "Aye." I handed my bowl to the waiter without specifying the size. Thirty secondster, there it was "Here you go." A bowl with regr-sized rice was ced. I ate it deliciously and was exactly 80% full. Yes. I know what you want to say. Actually, after eating a regr portion as a refill, I realized my stomach had grown bigger, probably because I was made to eat beyond my limit every time. So, in the end, I never ordered a "small portion" at that diner, and to this day *** Hey, Iroha. What''s wrong? You seem distant. Rice Rice? Oh, no! It''s nothing. My current body is small and I have a small appetite. If I get misunderstood, I won''t be able to finish it this time. No, I probably won''t even ask for a refill. What''s the matter? Homesick? I have some leftover packed rice from someone returning to Japan after their study period ended. Want some? Oh? Japanese rice!? Shitenno, could you share some with me!? Huh? Well, I don''t mind. As we talked, the bus arrived at the high school. Everyone started getting off. I stood up to follow them and stumbled. I tripped and fell. "Ouch" It seemed I had stepped on the scarf a girl had loosened. As always, this body is clumsy. I slowly got up. Shitenno looked at me. Hey, are you alright? Seriously, be careful In the middle of his sentence, the scarf fell to the ground. Time stopped. Oh Me, the girl, and Shitennou gasped. Our voices ovepped. His gaze was fixed on my neck. Chapter 308: [Re:VTuber International Event] 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? Its 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 thats 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, thats 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. Id 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 Ill 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, Ill properly apologize! Yeah, thats good! *** The next day, I was prepared. I thought hed 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 wasnt 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 girls 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, dont 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 dont know what difficulty she was talking about, but good luck. *** That night, after the Halloween chaos settled. An email arrived at my work address. Its 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! Its finally happening!] [Iroha-sama, did you get the message!? Lets 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. Its finally happening, Iroha Yeah *** A few dayster, the information was announced by each agency. At Angu Ogus 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! Ive 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. Weve finallye this far. So, wed 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 Its 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! Chapter 309: [After 100 Days] "Iroha-chan, wee!" I was invited to a live broadcast from Angu Ogu''s agency to promote the VTuber international event. On the screen were the white cat VTuber, the trantion girl Iroha, and the event promotion image. ?Whoaaa~! ?Irohalo! ?Calling Iroha-chan here means "Oh, everyone is sharp! Continuing from thest time that was canceled, Iroha-chan is hosting this event! Wow, apuse!" "I might have many shorings, but I''ll do my best, so please support me~" "No, no, Iroha-chan no, Iroha-san! What are you saying!? This super international event gathers VTubers from all over the world, right?""Yes, this time, even more thanst time the total number of VTubers participating exceeds 100! The number of countries is also amazing, right?" "That''s right! Be confident, because there''s no one but Iroha-san who canmunicate with everyone!" "Eh ehehe~. When you put it like that" The white cat VTuber thinks quickly and speaks quickly. It''s understandable why she is the poster girl of A-nee''s Japanese agency. And she''s good at getting into the spirit, making me feel good even if it''s not my ability, just borrowed skills. "We''ve been preparing behind the scenes too." "Right!" ?Right, so cute w ?I''m worried about Iroha-chan''s stamina ?It seems like the event days have increased? "That''s right! This event will be from DAY1 to DAY3. The participants for each day are as follows! This is tentative, and may change, so please note that~" "I won''t be responsible for all three days. For Japanese and English VTubers, I''ll be sharing the responsibility with other VTubers. Otherwise, I wouldn''t be able to watch my favorite live shows" "Alright, leaving that aside. Please look forward to the detailed breakdown on the day of the event! The reservation start date is Japan time the event location is the pre-sale ofmemorative goods is" We announce the event details one by one. The white cat VTuber proceeds smoothly, while I asionally add exnations in foreignnguages. After providing a lot of information about the international event, I change the topic with "Now then." Disyed is the social game I''m obsessed with. "Actually, there''s another big announcement in line with this international event?" "Yes, that''s right! This game, which I''ve been hooked on and ying privately" "Oh no, unfortunately, the time for this live broadcast hase to an end!" ?What!? ?Hey, withholding information at this point is cruel ?Please, tell us the rest! "Everyone seems curious. Iroha-chan, where can we find out more information?" "Tomorrow, I''m nning a coboration broadcast with Iliena-chan on my channel. The rest will be announced there so please look forward to it" ?Iroha-chan and Iliena? ?The duo that almost crossed the line in ASMR? ?What kind of announcement will thisbo bring? "And that''s it for today''s broadcast! Thank you for watching!" "Otsukare-ta, arige-ta! Please make reservations for on-site tickets and live viewing tickets!" ?Otsukaresama! ?Otsukare-ta ?Otsuotsu. I''ll definitely make a reservation! Also, I''ll watch tomorrow''s broadcast! "Phew~" Confirming the broadcast was over, I let out a breath. I was nervous since it was my first time being invited to an official broadcast. Iroha, can Ie in now? Oh, Ogu. Yeah, it''s okay After a knock, Angu Ogues in. She hugs me tightly from behind as I sit in my gaming chair. Good job, Iroha. Let me share my energy with you Thank you. But doesn''t Ogu need more energy than me? It''s going to get busy now Yeah We both gazed at the promotional image of the international event on the screen. With only 3-4 months left, time flies. Ogu, you have a recording tomorrow too, right? Yes. And you have a coboration with Iliena-chan, right? Yes! I''m so excited! Muuu~ Guh!? Hey, Ogu! You''re squeezing me! Just kidding If you''re joking, loosen up!? It''s still tight!? Don''t get too carried away tomorrow. I haven''t met Iliena-chan, but Iroha, don''t get too close to her What''s that about? It''ll be fine, it''s not an off-cob and nothing inappropriate will happen like during the ASMR. Don''t worry Ogu? You''re squeezing tighter!? You have no sense of danger, you''re too defenseless. I''m teaching you to be careful That''s absurd!? And stop sniffing me!? Suuhaa, suuhah. Recharging Iroha energy Geez! *** The next day, after such a live broadcast and interaction with Angu Ogu. I was again facing myputer. "My words to you! It''s trantion girl Iroha! and?" "Good Morning! It''s Iliena!" A long-awaited Iroha Ilyena coboration broadcast begins! Chapter 310: [Lets Create The Ideal Harem] My long-awaited coboration stream with Ilyena had begun. ?Iroharo~ ?Good Morning! ?Aren''t you doing ASMR today? "We''re not!? Why would you think that!? Did you even look at the stream title!? Today is about a social game announcement!" "Haaau~! A cob with Iroha-sama Ah, I''m so happy!" "Ilyena-chan,e back soon, okay~? So, here''s the announcement Everyone thought it, right? Why are we promoting this game?" This game is run with investments from the two major agencies and their parentpanies. Yet, we, as independent VTubers, were chosen to promote it. The reason is"Ilyena-chan, ready? One, two" "This time our characters will be implemented in the game~!" We said "Dondonpafpaf~" while recing the silhouette image. There were the figures of Iroha and Ilyena, drawn as game characters. ?Whoa, it''s finally here! ?I need to save up my stones! ?Honestly, I expected this "The first cob gacha in Create the Ideal Box'' a.k.a. Hakotsuku'' is here! Besides us, many independent VTubers participating in the international event will appear in this gacha." "And since Iroha-sama and I are set to the highest rarity, we have been entrusted with the promotional role! Iroha-sama is too cute!" "No, no, Ilyena-chan and everyone else are cuter!" "Iroha-sama said I''m cute! This means we should marry!" "No, that''s not it. Please don''t get too close." "Iroha-sama!?" As Ilyena brought her character closer, I moved mine further away. Even though it''s virtual and nothing like ASMR happens, it''s instinctive ?Rejected lol ?Well, there''s a history there w ?Did the off-cob make the distance wider instead? "Today, we have been entrusted with a device from the management, allowing us to y in advance." "I also received one, so we will form units and challenge the uing limited-time event." "So, let''s start with me drawing the gacha!" ?Oh, this is going to be long ?But it''s a demo device, right? ?If you can''t draw it, won''t it be negative promotion? Is it okay? "Isn''t that rude!? I admit my luck isn''t great but" "For Iroha-sama, it''s possible Shall I draw the gacha?" "No way! No, no, no, I will draw it! I want to draw it!" "Well, since it''s a demo device, you can draw as many times as you want, and it won''t consume any items." So, I reflected the demo device image on the stream screen. The gacha selection screen was disyed. "Alright, let''s do a 10-draw. Come on, Ilyena-chan!" "For promotional purposes, shouldn''t you aim for yourself, Iroha-sama!?" "Well, that''s that. This is this." The gacha movie started. Apparently, since it''s a cob gacha, it has a special animation. Surprisingly, the screen immediately sparkled in rainbow colors. "What!?" "Eh!?" ? Isn''t this a guaranteed animation!? ? Iroha-chan came on the first try!? ? Because it''s a demo device, there might be probability maniption "Who did I draw?" [DD''My words to you'' Trantor Girl Iroha!] ?It''s Iroha! ?The illustration is amazing!? ?So cute!! In the game, Trantor Girl Iroha struck a pose and greeted as usual. Seeing that, I "Oh, it''s me" ?Her mood dropped visibly lol ?Iroha-chan isn''t interested in herself ?As a promotional stream, is that reaction okay? "Yay. Yeah, it''s the highest rarity I''m happy hap oh,e on!? I can''t be my own oshi!?" ?Don''t act all resigned! ?Couldn''t fool yourself, huh w ?It''s not maniption, it''s because the desire sensor didn''t activate Whenever I receive samples of merch or cob items I''ve created, I mostly give them to Mai or other VTubers who want them. Simrly, even if I draw my own character in a gacha While thinking about that, onement caught my eye. ?But Iroha-chan, by including yourself in the unit, you could create the ideal VTuber harem, right? Chapter 311: [Two Polar Opposite Fans] By incorporating yourself into the unit, you can create the ideal VTuber harem. Seeing thatment, I What!? What are you talking about? There''s no way there''s any room for me in my ultimate unit! Don''t belittle my oshis! ?Sorry ?Huh? ?Irohas losing it lol ?Hardcore fans are scary lol ?Iroha-chan is super strict as a fan, huh ?He''s probably new, forgive him As I started to get angry, thements section was shocked or amused. I quickly apologized. "Oh, no!? Im sorry too! But its like you suggested ruining a fine dish with honey! I dont want to interact with VTubers. If anything, I want to be a wallflower watching VTubers interact. Yeah! So creating my ideal harem no way! ?Hey, you just imagined it, didnt you? ?Admit it, it wasnt a bad thought lol ?Youre wavering lol Im not wavering! No way, absolutely not! But more importantly! I feel like Ilyenas been really quiet, what''s up with that? Aaaah, Iroha-sama is too cute, I''m swooning! Huh? No way! Im yelling so loudly that thepressors kicking in!? Iroha-samas character is too cute, too precious. What is this!? Ha, ha I could die happy now! Dont say that! ?Unlike Iroha, shes so happy shes breaking character lol ?Maybe thats why these two were chosen for promotion ?They bnce each other out well Uh, Ilyena? Can we move on? Ha, ha Big almond eyes, innocent smile, tiny fairy-like body, delicate limbs. Everything is perfectly portrayed, the artist must be a god! Ilyena, your expressions are more Japanese than mine let''s move on, okay? Ah!? Iroha-sama, wait!? You can look at it all you wantter. But I want Ilyena now! Ugh!? So, I continued the gacha. I was thrilled to get lots of independent VTubers, even without the highest rarity. Once released, Im definitely maxing out all the characters! I decided, and then [Dobro Khnko! Ilyena, here!] Yes! Ilyena is finally here! This time was quick! She came without too much trouble! ?Yeah! You didnt quite hit the ceiling! ?If only this luck was on the main ount ?Uh you guys act like you won, but it''s still a loss What are you talking about!? Not hitting the ceiling is a win! And hey! I got the highest rarity right away! So it''s a win! ?Yeah, its way better than usual! ?Well, its just a demo No rigging here Ugh!? It''s fine! Ill get her quicker when its official! ?No way ?Definitely no way ?Impossible Do you have to be so negative!? Oh no, the time!? For streams like this, the schedule is set in advance. I was worried about the time spent getting Ilyena. Dont worry, Iroha-sama! Since you were struggling I wasnt struggling? I started pulling gacha on the side andpleted my unit! But I wasnt struggling!? Please, Iroha-sama! Behold my ultimate unit! Ilyenas screen disyed her unit: [Iroha][Iroha][Ilyena][Iroha][Iroha]. There are so many of me!? It''s scary! Insane! Fuhihi! So many Iroha-sama! My Iroha-sama harem ah, this is heaven! This is a divine game! Nooooo!? I let out a scream filled with mixed emotions. Chapter 312: [Dreams Of True Love Fans] [Iroha] [Iroha] [Ilyena] [Iroha] [Iroha] Isn''t the love towards me too overwhelming!? ?I hadnt yed this game before, but it looks like you can include the same character. ?Of course. In a virtual world, even a doppelg?nger is no problem. ?So, you can gather up to 5 at max level. Lots of opportunities to spend money! "Ilyena-chan, how many pulls did you do in the background!? Even if you skipped all the scenes I can''t believe you gathered this many in such a short time!?" "This is the power of love, Death!" ?Well, since Iroha-chan was really into it, I guess she had quite a bit of time. ?Even so, its theplete opposite setup from the Iroha-chan who doesnt want herself included ?These two are surprisingly pr opposites even as fans. ?Indeed. Iroha-chan who doesnt want to meet her favorite, and Ilyena who became a VTuber to marry Iroha-chan. ? Marriage!?!?!? Wait, is that right!? ?It makes sense why this unit formation would happen. "Iroha-sama Was it not good?" "N-No. Since its Ilyena-chans unit, you can do whatever you want." She doesnt want to impose her own fan stance on others. She doesnt think theres a right or wrong way to be a fan. "Thank you very much! So, everyone, lets pull a lot of gachas and gather Iroha-sama! And lets color our units with our favorites!" "J-Just dont go overboard, okay?" It seems Ilyena and I have very different approaches to pulling gacha. Im the type who fully maxes out every character, but she seems to be the type who pours everything into specific characters. "Even so Haa, haa! Iroha-sama is just too cute! Of course, I set my home screen to Iroha-sama as well." "O-Of course" "And by doing this, touching Iroha-chans revered face" Ilyena touches the standing illustration of the trantion girl Iroha on the games home screen. As she does, the illustrations expression changes, and a speech bubble appears [Hello, I am Trantion Girl Iroha!] [Thenguages I can speak? Hmm, Ive lost count!] [Ah, uh, oh? Eh? Am I reading this too tly? I-Im not!] ?Huh? Isnt this too cute??? ?Maybe because shes acting or reading lines, Iroha-sama seems a bit more overtly cute than usual. ?Even so, this side of Iroha-sama is good in its own way. "Everyone doesnt have to call me sama'' too, okay!?" "" "Umm, Ilyena-chan? Whats wrong, going silent? What are you thinking Could it be!?" The touch pointer on the screen moves slowly downward. Then, Ilyena taps Irohas chest area gently [W-What! Im underage, so doing that is not allowed~!] The Iroha on the screen blushes and gets a bit angry. Ilyena lets out an excited scream. "Y-Yes! I touched Iroha-samas Tairano Masamune! Such a cute reaction, isnt it!?" "Hey, what are you doing!? Where are you touching!?" "Y-Yes, Iroha-sama! Since the lines are prepared, the management must have anticipated this! Its to promote, so we have to convey the goodness without missing any!" "B-But!? You dont need to touch in front of the person herself!? Its embarrassing." "" "Why are you trying to repeatedly tap silently!?" "Well, its double the fun now, right?" "Double the fun? What do you mean!?" "Besides, Iroha-sama should have been prepared for the lines being recorded!" "Ugh!? But thats not the same thing." "So, everyone must also understand this cuteness! Thats my mission!" ?Good job, Ilyena! ?Go for it, our Ilyena! ?Do it more! Deliver Iroha-chans embarrassing lines to the world! "Whoooaahhh!" [Kya! Touched again! This perverted old man! Stupid, stupid!] "Yes! Im a perverted old man!" "No, thats not it!? Ilyena-chan, what are you saying!?" [Hey! If you touch again, Ill curse you in 100nguages!] "Thank you very much! Id like to request it in my nativenguage, Ukrainian!" "Im not taking requests!?" [DDDHey! Stupid!Stupid! If you touch any further] "Hehe, hehehe! Ohh! Iroha-sama is the best! If I touch any more, what will happen!? Ill listen to it now!" "Y-Stop it````! No more! Absolutely no more!" "Eh? Eeeh!?" ?Iroha-chans malice! ?From past implementations, there should be the most lewd lines at the end! ?Please! Just one more time! Even just with fingertips! "Absolutely not! Check the lines yourself! I wont say anything about enjoying it personally!" "Enjoying personally?" ?Could this be Iroha love permission!? ?I think there were also changes after awakening, right? ?I have to get this for sure! "Wait!? Enjoying doesnt mean that!? And whats Iroha love!?" ?? What does that meaning mean? ?I dont understand because Im an old man! ?I wonder what Iroha-chan thought it meant? Iroha love is just about true love fans of Iroha-chan, right? "Wh-What!? Ugh y-you guys~" "By the way, Iroha-sama, have you noticed?" "Huh? Noticed what?" "With this, one of our dreams hase true!" "Ah" Remembering the promise made with Ilyena and the others. One was to advance to the same high school. And the other was to start an agency. Chapter 313: [First Solo Song] Chapter 313: [First Solo Song] I never thought it woulde true this quickly, though. Ilyena chuckles, jokingly. Hmm, I see? Now that you mention it, if this gets officially implemented, everyone will be together. Ilyena and I, then Angu Ogu, and even Ah-nee. Also, other independent VTubers appearing in this gacha too. Yeah, I remember we talked about starting an agency, but in a way, it''s already kind of happening? ?Wait, Iroha and Ilyena are starting an agency!? ?Was this nned!? This is the first I''ve heard of it!? ?Are you epting applications for new talents?No, nothing''s decided yet! It just came up as a possibility for the future! As I hurriedly deny it, my smartphone starts vibrating loudly. A nce at the screen shows a barrage of messages and missed calls from Mai. [Iroha-chan~!? Dont forget about me~!?] [Thats so mean, Iroha-chan~! Leaving me out again~!?] [Iroha-chan Iroha-chan Iroha-chan Iroha-chan Iroha-chan Iroha-chan Iroha-chan] [Yeah, bad kids need to be punished~. I should reduce Iroha-chans allowance~] Gyaah!? Ilyena-chan! Lets forget about what we talked about earlier! I mean, you were joking, right!? No, Im serious. What!? Actually, Iroha-sama, whats gotten into you all of a sudden? Ugh!? Well, the truth is right now, shes controlling my wallet, so Why did ite to that? Id like to know too! The other day, my mother decreed: [Your repeated spending is too much, and you never listen! So Im assigning someone to oversee you! From now on, Mai will manage your allowance!] Seriously, why!? True, Mai and my mom got closer after she supported her during that incident, but to leave it to her!? Ugh, mom! Youve been totally taken in! I want to ask if she can''t trust her own daughter! Im careful to save enough for living expenses while spending on gacha and superchats! Besides, Im not just spending on gacha, Im stimting the economy! Or, Im just buying time with money! Also, its not good luck to draw gacha without fresh paid stones! Because My oshis >>> My home is practically emotional real estate! Iroha-sama, are you thinking strange things? No, no way. But still, this feeling Isnt Mai tightening her grip while Im away in America? Recently, she even sent me screenshots of messages with my mom. [Mai-chan is such a good girl. I wish she were my daughter~!] [Thank you! Then, Mai will be your daughter!] [Oh, really? Id be so happy!] Is she really just joking about being a daughter? Its not in an adoptive sense, right? Not in a marrying-in sense!? ?For some reason, I feel like Iroha-chan would be the type to be henpecked by a spouse. ?Yeah, I can see that, lol. ?Someone needs to keep her in check, or shell go wild. Damn her obstructing me again! I thought Id finally have my ideal agency without a third wheel! Calling her a pest Arent you two supposed to bemitted to each other for the future? Feeding Iroha-sama unnecessary ideas! I will crush her one day! And then, I will im Iroha-sama! I belong to no one! ?Conflict between die-hard fans runs deep. ?Iroha-chan, stay safe. ?Watch out, or you might get stabbed someday. Why is everyone worried about me!? This is a problem between them. Right!? . Everyone, when forming a unit, please pair me with Iroha-sama~? Dont ignore me! Please! Iroha-sama, lets move on to the limited-time event introduction. My original song will be included in the game! Really!? Have you all heard it? Its a very Ilyena-like song with ASMR-style whispers and Ukrainian call-outs! If not, go check Ilyena-chans channel now! Creating an ideal box means things like this happen in rhythm games. Hmm? What was I worried about earlier? Oh well! Lets start ying! I shouted enthusiastically. *** Ahh, Ilyena-chan was amazing! Hehe, Im ttered~. But Iroha-sama, youre good at this. Despite having no athletic skills. Well, its because of love!? Did you just say something unnecessary? No, nothing? So, I yed the song and managed a fullbo on my first try. Though, it wasnt on the highest difficulty. Keep ying Ilyena-chans song to gather awakening items! By the way, Iroha-sama? I heard your original song will be added too? ?!?!?!? First Ive heard of it! ?Come to think of it, she only had the peace song and cob songs before. ?She rarely sings, let alone takes song requests Is this real!? Well, its true! Chapter 314: [The Purpose Of Game Streaming] Chapter 314: [The Purpose Of Game Streaming] YAHOOO! WOOHOOO! YAY!!!! ?Ilyesha, calm down ?Shes freaking out, so funny ?Well, I totally get how she feels! Well, I actually wanted to decline, but if I didnt, it looked like I would have to face the international VTuber event without a solo song. That would have been problematic, or so the management said. ?Of course, the management would be in trouble ?So, you finally couldnt avoid singing anymore w ?Until now, we only had a few singing streams and fan-made Boyiroid songs to console us, so Im happy Exactly! Ive checked all the Boyiroid songs that were released so far, but nothingpares to having an original solo songWait, is that what theyre called? Its the first time Ive heard that! Actually, for thisposition, we asked the producer who made those Boyiroid songs. To be precise, he reached out to us, saying, Let mepose it. Really!? Well done, Producer-san! And because of that connection, there are some surprises in the song? The PV will be released soon, so please look forward to it~ HAAAIIII!!! Thats a very enthusiastic response. And finally! In the demo version, its not implemented yet or rather, it doesnt appear, but in the official release, there will be a secret character in the gacha? We havent been informed of the details either. Its very exciting! ?Seriously! How much effort is being put into this coboration? ?Who could the secret character be? ?Im so jealous I can only y the Japanese and English versions (Ukrainian) Oh Ament in Ukrainian catches my eye. I see, many of Ilenas fans are from Ukrainian or Russian-speaking regions, but this game is not avable there yet But this isnt a problem that can be solved overnight. As I hesitate, Ilena deres confidently, Its okay! She says with a voice full of confidence andpassion. Thats why my streams exist, for people like that! ! I had never thought of it that way. Game streaming isnt just about enjoying someones reactions. Its about sharing the fun with people who cant y the game for various reasons. Ilena said she became a VTuber because she admired me, but she was already paving her own path, far ahead or perhaps in a different direction from mine. But as for me I still want people to learn thenguage and y the game themselves! So, Iroha-sama, if you dont mind could we do anguage-learning stream together!? Of course! I would be delighted to coborate on something like that. In fact, I wanted to ask her myself. ?Seriously? A promise for the next coboration? ?So happy! Looking forward to it! (Ukrainian) ?By the way, could you also do another ASMR coboration? I see! Iroha-sama, lets do an ASMR coboration too! Stop with the bundling! It was a good story up until now! And no, Im absolutely against it because Ilena does naughty things! No, no, I dont? Staaare. But idents might happen. See!? Just kidding! Its a joke! Well do normal ASMR! Really? Okay, fine. Without saying that Huh? ?!?!?!? ?Did she just say fine??? ?Iroha-chan agreed!? Shes been so softtely! Rea-Really!? Are you sure? Youre not misunderstanding, right? Were talking about an ASMR coboration, you know!? No need to confirm so much. But just once okay? ? YAY! Well, its a reward and a thank you. For Ilenas activities. So, when should we do it!? Stop, stop, calm down! First, we have thenguage-learning stream, right? Oh, right. And Im in America now An offline cob is difficult. But Im nning to return to Japan in about 1-2 months. If possible, Id like to meet Ilena then. Of course! Ill definitely keep my schedule open! ?Ugh, the anticipation! ?1-2 monthster means around the end of the year? ?Wait a minute, does that mean Christmas!? Um, Ilena-chan! So, think about the ASMR scenario by then, okay? Understood! Should it be the first night or the morning after the wedding? Why that choice!? Anyway, lets focus on thenguage stream first Whens your next free time? Please wait a moment. Ill send my schedule. Got it. Once we align our schedules and are ready, well announce it to everyone. So, thats it for todays stream! Iroha-sama, Iroha-sama! Hmm? ?I love you!? Cough, cough!? And thats a wrap! See you~! See otsuka-re-ta arige-ta-! ?A satisfying stream with many announcements for the big event ?Iroha-chan got flustered ?See youter & goodbye! (Ukrainian) Ah, Ilena, you got me at the end. I muttered after the stream ended. Caught off guard, I choked a bit. After checking the schedule Ilena sent, I conveyed my avable days. She immediately replied, Understood! Ive said it countless times, but being an independent VTuber has its strengths. With corporate VTubers, especially recently with Angauge, there are many tentative ns like [Well record on one of these days!], making it hard to coborate. Language stream, huh I noticed myself smiling unconsciously. Apparently, I was really looking forward to coborating with Ilena. *** The next day after such a game promotion stream. ?Iroha I love you? ?No Ogu, not there stop, ah!?? As I was being teased by Angu Ogu in the living room, which had be a daily routine BAM! The front door suddenly opened. ?!?!?!?? What!? Did I forget to lock it!? But who would open the door so dramatically oh, I know one person who might. Iroha-chan, Ogu! Im here to visit~~~~! Chapter 315: [Recording Studio] Chapter 315: [Recording Studio] "Ah-ne, why are you here!?" "I told you before, right? Mai can''te because she has school, but I came here for the recording." Beep, a message alert on the smartphone. Looking at it, there was a message from Mai saying, "It''s not fair that only Sis gets to go!" along with a crying face emoji. "No, that''s not what I meant." "Hmm?" Ah-nee tilted her head, and we exchanged nces. I asked her on behalf of us all. "Ah-nee, wasn''t that scheduled for tomorrow?""Huh?" This time, Ah-nee came all the way to America for the recording of an international VTuber event. More precisely, for the recording of our original coboration song. Since the time we sang it during my 3D reveal, that song hadn''t seen much light of day, but putting that aside. Of course, Angu Ogu and I also had the same recording schedule "Hmm?" Ah-nee fiddled with her smartphone. After understanding the situation, she snorted and shrugged her shoulders. "Well! These things happen!" "She totally messed up her schedule, didn''t she?" "Yeah~ No wonder no one came to pick me up at the airport! I felt so lonely!" "What an idiot There''s a fool here, Iroha." "Calm down, Ogu. Ah-nee is always an idiot, right?" "That''s right." "Don''t sweat the small stuff! Since I arrived early, let''s do something fun! By the way what have you two been doing on the sofa this whole time?" "~~~~~!" We hurriedly straightened up and created some distance. Fixing our disheveled clothes, I spoke to Ah-nee. "N-nothing at all!" "Yeah, really! We weren''t doing anything inappropriate!" "Hey, Iroha!?" "Oh!?" Ah-nee suspiciously eyed us with a long "Jiiii~". Ugh, we''re totally busted "Oh, so you really weren''t doing anything! I totally thought Ogu was attacking Iroha-chan and kissing or groping her boobs or something!" "Cough, cough!?" "But if you weren''t doing anything, that means you''re free now, right? Alright!" Ah-nee started dialing a number on her phone. What is she nning now!? "Hey, hello! It''s me! Yes! Today! Okay? Dance and~? Hey hey, let''s go!" "Ah-nee!? Please stop with that embarrassing English!?" Angu Ogu cringed at Ah-nee''s ridiculous English Ane-glish''. She quickly ended the call with a "Thank you!" "Iroha-chan, Ogu! We''re going to the studio now!" "What!? Why?" "Well, I''m already in the mood to [Sing and dance!]!" "???" "I asked if we could reschedule and record now, and they said [Come on!]!" "What!?" "What!?" If this were a game and we could see her stats, Ah-nee''s [Action] and [Communication] parameters would definitely be maxed out. That''s what I thought. *** ?I''m sorry, I''m sorry! My Ah-nee is so sorry! For suddenly making you clear your schedule!?? ?Hahaha, don''t worry about it. We were just here for another recording anyway.? We followed our guide down the hallway. This time, the singing and dancing were nned to be recorded separately. We were guided to the studio for the singing first. ?By the way, the group that was recording earlier heard you wereing and wanted to say hello. They''re also VTubers? ?Eeeek!? I ran away. Huddling in a corner at the end of the hallway, I shut my eyes tightly. ?Well. We''ll greet them for you, Iroha. You go ahead.? ?Sorry. Please apologize to them for me.? ?Don''t worry about it. You were always considered a rare character anyway.? ?Huh? That''s news to me? Anyway, I''ll head into the booth.? "Alright, Ogu! Let''s go hit on some cute girls!" "Don''t say it like that!" Watching them leave, I stepped into the recording booth alone. The first thing I noticed were the three impressive microphones lined up inside. The booth had a unique atmosphere. Every time, I felt this sensation. There was the nervousness, of course, but was it because of the soundproofing? It felt like the air was packed tightly''. [Iroha-chan, that''s your mic. Let''s not waste time, start with some warm-up exercises.] ?Got it!? Standing where I was directed, I could see the control room through the ss. The producer who greeted us and guided us here was there too. "Ah~ Oo~ Oh~?" And so, I gave it my all. I sang with all my might. And my evaluation was ?Iroha-chan, are you here for practice?? ?Guh!?? Ouch! Words stabbed me like knives, and I metaphorically bled out. This is my best! Please, at least cushion it a bit!? Chapter 316: [Tracking Studio] Chapter 316: [Tracking Studio] "Uh, uuh hic" "Oh, Oh well, you''re doing okay?" "Yeah" Angu Oguforts me with kind words as I hang my head. I grumble while taking off my clothes. "They said I seemed unmotivated, but it''s not like I skipped practice or anything." "That person is quite strict, you know. But I was surprised. After we greeted the other VTubers and came to the booth, a Spartan lesson started for some reason, and Iroha was half in tears." "D-don''t say that!" A scolding as an adult really hit hard.Especially since I never heard such things when I was monotonously reading lines due to the cheat! It''s unfair! "I think what Iroha-chancks is~ that! Atmosphere!" "No, even I can read the room better than Ah-nee?" "Probably, Ah-nee means lung capacity." "Yes, that''s it!" "Even if you say that" Say it to this body, not me. "Not growing at all" is more what I want to say! "By the way just to confirm who were the VTubers that came?" "Oh, it was a VTuber group from anotherpany. They were recording for an international event too." "Oh, I see~?" "It was our first time meeting directly, but they were really nice kids. We had coborated with them before" "Ah, you don''t need to say more!" "Geez. Do you want to know or not?" "I want to know, but I don''t want to know!" "So, both? What a troublesome personality, as usual." "By the way~" Ah-nee opened her mouth. "Why are you two changing at the corner~?" Angu Ogu and I both jumped in surprise. We hadn''t even danced yet, but sweat was dripping from our foreheads. We were in the middle of changing in the dressing room. We finished the song recording, so now it''s time for dance recording. "W-w-what do you mean!?" "N-n-nothing! Ah-nee, you''re imagining things!" "Really~?" Angu Oou stood in front of me, blocking Ah-nee''s view of my bare skin. I hurriedly tried to cover it up. "Y-yeah! We don''t want to keep you waiting, so let''s hurry up and change!" I quickly put on the motion capture suit, hiding behind Angu Ogu. Later, markers for tracking would be ced on various joints, but for now, it was just a full-body ck tights suit. So, unless you''re into [full-body tights], please imagine beautiful girls sweating in T-shirts and shorts. Actually, lessons are like that, so it''s not entirely fiction! "Hmm. I still feel like you two are hiding something~" Avoiding Ah-nee''s gaze, we quickly headed to the tracking studio. *** "Wow, it''s my first time here, but this studio is impressive~. Studio, big! Amazing!" As soon as we entered the tracking studio, Ah-nee eximed. Seeing that, the dance instructorughed, "Haha!" ?Anego-san is energetic! But your agency''s studio is even better. I heard a new building was built recently?? ?Oh, that. I''ve been there a few times for recording, but it''s too big to feelfortable.? ?You guys even signed the walls of the building, right? So, it''s really amazing?? ?Oh? Iroha hasn''t been there yet?? ?No. I avoid it because I might run into my favorite VTuber.? ?Yeah, that could happen.? ?Right? The new studio has 200 cameras, each costing 9 million yen, right? So that''s 2 billion yen just for the cameras! As expected of the top agency.? Thanks to that, they can 3D-track many people at once with high precision and move around in arge space. Expanding the possibilities of VTubers they can take all our superchats for that! ?Okay, Anego-san, stand there. Don''t move.? "Ah-nee, if you don''t stay still, the position alignment will never finish. We still have our turn." The staff attached markers and other equipment to Ah-nee''s suit and guided her to the center of the shooting area surrounded by cameras. She was taking a T-pose but was restless. ?Okay, you''re good. Next, we''ll align the joints? Ah-nee followed the instructed movements in order, adjusting the range of motion for the joints. It looked almost like she was doing exercises. Next was Angu Ogu, and finally me each of us did the same thing in turn. Finally, we were ready. "I''m not good at this. It''s always so troublesome! I wish we could do it without this." "I kind of understand that feeling." However, a few VTubers are said to have people inside them''. For those, such work bes even more crucial due to height differences between the avatar and the person. Of course VTubers usually don''t have anyone inside! They''re just being filmed by cameras! Anyway, this field and technology are still developing. It will grow more and more from here. ?Okay, everyone, line up. Let''s confirm the positions and choreography. One-two, one-two!? So, the dance recording began. Chapter 317: [Detective Sister] Chapter 317: [Detective Sister] Huff, huff ohhh Lets take a little break Said the dancer sympathetically. I used thest of my strength to stumble out of the filming area and immediately copsed. Iroha is dead!? I-I''m alive somehow I answered while lying face down on the floor. I was beyond exhausted andpletely groggy. Well, motion capture consumes more energy than regr dancingThe dance instructor offered support. Indeed, our dance required movements a bit different from usual. We had to dance while being conscious of how to make the avatars movements look good. Specifically, we needed to move our bodiesrger than usual to prevent the model''s parts from interfering with each other. Plus, wearing the motion capture suit made it difficult to move. And it was hot and stuffy. Here, Iroha. Some water I cant move. Ogu, feed it to me Sheesh, youre helpless Haha, you two really get along well No, we dont!? Perfect sync The dance instructor teased us. By the way, the dance instructor wasnt just a dancer but also a motion actor. But Iroha, you should exercise a bit more regrly Ugh!? Youre being called out, Iroha Thats not true. Its not that I cant dance; its just that everyone else is too good Ah-nee had always had good athletic ability, so her dance was sharp. Her movements were also dynamic. Angu Ogu also had more stamina than me and was quite used to 3D recordings. Sadly, I was the only one who was terribly clumsy. Well, I dont dislike Irohas awkward dance though! Thanks. But this time is a big stage. We need to focus on qualitypared to personal streams All the other VTubers were putting a lot of effort into the event. So I didnt want to be a drag on them I didnt want to let them down. Besides, unlike usual where my fans know me, this time there were many other fans as well. So I couldnt rely only on my fans'' understanding. By the way, why is Ah-nee still able to move so much Look, look, staff! Here I go! One, two, three, ta-da! Isnt it amazing!? I am the Great Super Hyper Girl! Ah-nee, despite the break time, was showing off backflips in the middle of the filming area. Wow, incredible!? What an athletic ability, what a stamina monster. Later, data, please! Short video, upload! Okay, okay The staffughed and went along with Ah-nee. Satisfied, she said Im thirsty and came over to us. Whats up? Everyones mood is so low~ Yeah! Speak normally, its hard to understand!? Haha really, I wish I could share Ah-nees energy Then Ill share it with you~! Hug~~~! Yikes!? Gah!? Anego, let go!? Its too hot!? Ah-nee hugged both Angu Ogu and me tightly. We tried to push her away to create some distance. Let go~! Let go~! I wont let go! In fact tighter, hug~~~! Ugh!? Whats with this grip strength, 50 kilograms!? Im getting crushed! Also, its really hot! Please let go!? Oh well, if youre this energetic, you wont catch a cold this time. You were naked the whole time during Halloween, but you seemed fine No problem at all! In fact, Ive never caught a cold in my life! Huh!? Huh!? We exchanged looks and then nodded in agreement. Its not just that idiots dont realize they have a cold, they forget they ever had one. If it passes, its forgotten. While we were astonished, Ah-nee suddenly eximed. Naked thats it! I have a great idea! Thats definitely a bad idea, Ah-nee! Please reconsider!? Yeah, Anego! Calm down! Iroha-chan if youre hot, you should just take off the suit for now! Ill help you! Here! Eeeek!? The tights were pulled, exposing my bare skin from the shoulder. Im almost naked under this!? No, stop~!? Huh? Whats this? Ah-nees movement stopped as she stared at my exposed skin and tilted her head. Iroha-chan whats with all these bug bites? Huh? Nooooo~~~~!? I hastily pulled up the tights, but it was toote. Themotion had attracted the staffs attention Ah Everyone but Ah-nee seemed to realize something and averted their gazes, blushing. Then they nced at me and Angu Ogu alternately. I can hear their thoughts!? Hehe, I knew it, those two have that kind of rtionship! their eyes seemed to say! No, think positively. As long as Ah-nee doesnt find out, were safe! Or so I thought but she suddenly pulled down Angu Ogus tights too. Gyaa!? I see! As a detective, Ive noticed something about this [bug bite case]! Theres a mystery! Ah-nee pointed her finger at us sharply. W-what!? What is it!? The mystery is, why only Iroha-chan got bitten by bugs even though it should have been the same for everyone! Oh no!? Why is Ah-nees intuition sharp only at times like this!? Chapter 318: [No Escape From ‘Princess Carry’!] Chapter 318: [No Escape From Princess Carry!] Its strange that only Iroha-chan has mosquito bites! Ah-nee pointed out. Ever since that Halloween, Angu Ogu has be a kissing demon Oh no! Thanks to Ah-nee suddenlying to America, fresh kiss marks are still vividly visible. Moreover, she said, Ill make up for tomorrow by doing lots today! and did even more than usual. T-t-t-thats not true, Anego!? B-b-because we have separate rooms!? Huh? But you use the same bed when you sleep, right? Gyaaaaa!?!?!? What!? How does she know that!?We were supposed to keep that a secret from Ah-nee! Angu Ogu, you fool! If you had at least said, Iroha is going to school, we might have had a chance to cover it up! By the way, Ah-nee, how did you find out? Ah-nee is a real detective today. At the very least, we need to figure out the cause so that rumors dont spread and Mai doesnt find out. Huh? Because if it were me, Id want to sleep together every day! Thats not a deduction; its just your opinion! Hmm? Well, but in reality, the two of you were sleeping together! D-darn it!? Instead of filling the hole, we dug our own graves. Angu Ogu protested with her eyes saying, What are you doing!? Sorry! Peek-a-boo~! Peek-a-boo~! I want to sleep with Iroha-chan every day too~! Stop it! That would kill Iroha! Eh~? Even Mai used to cling to me saying Onee-chan, Onee-chan, but now if I just get into bed, she gets angry and tries to kick me out of the room. Is this what puberty is like~? Onee-chan is so lonely. Its the way you sleep! Well, anyway, because of that strangely, Angu Ogu doesnt have mosquito bites like Iroha-chan. In other words Angu Ogu and I swallowed nervously. Finally, our secret might be discovered by Ah-nee!? In other words! Iroha-chans blood is really tasty! We both staggered and almost fell over. Thats right. Ah-nee is an idiot. But is she entirely wrong? It seems vampires like my blood. No way, she doesnt know it started on Halloween, right? Uh, can we resume now? As the conversation wrapped up, the dance instructor called out. After that, I managed to finish recording the coboration song, barely alive *** Were home Were home~ Home~! By the time we returned home, it was already night. I headed straight for the sofa and copsed. I cant move another step. Then, Angu Ogu copsed onto me as if it were the most natural thing. A muffled sound escaped from my mouth. Im tired too. Oogu, youre heavy. And hot. Aah!? You two are cheating! I want in too! Wait!? Idiot!? Dive! Gyaaaaaaa!? "Gwaaah!? Ah-nees jumping body press! The attack hit both of us! It was super effective! Ow ow ow Ouch wait, what!? Iroha is squished! Well, she was t to begin with. No time for jokes Ah-nee, get off. Hahaha! Alright. Recording was fun~. I wanted to dance more! We shot a horrified look at Ah-nee. Is she a monster!? Even though she was the one moving the most, where does all that energye from? Ah-nee? We ate dinner on the way back, so can we go to bed now? Im at my limit I feel the same way. What!? The night has just begun! Please, lets do it tomorrow!? Look, you came a day early, so we have tomorrow free! Well, okay then. Shall we sleep together, all three of us? Ah-nee, sleep alone! Anego, sleep alone! Eh~, dont say that~! Fine. Then, at least let Iroha-chan sleep with me~? Eh? No? But you two always sleep together, right? Ugh!? Im weak to that argument. Besides, are you going to leave your sister who came all the way to America alone? So lonely~ Ugh!? Angu Ogu! I looked at Angu Ogu for help. Usually, she would jump in and say, I wont give Iroha to you! However, Angu Ogu was silent and seemed conflicted. Huh? Angu Ogu? Finally, she averted her eyes and said. Its fine, isnt it? Iroha, Anego rarely visits, so you should indulge her. What are you saying!? She betrayed me. Thats different from what you usually say! Cant help it! Anego''s argument makes sense. Thats true, but And Im tired too (mumbling). I heard that! Dont try to push Ah-nee onto me! Shut up! I dont want to get involved in Ah-nees sleeping habits! You said it! I dont want to either! I want to sleep peacefully tonight eek!? While arguing with Angu Ogu, suddenly my body was lifted. Before I knew it, Ah-nee was carrying me princess-style. Reflexively, I clung tightly. Alright, lets go to Iroha-chans room! What about my opinion!? Iroha, we wont forget your sacrifice. Ill never forgive you, Angu Ogu! With that, the door closed with a bang. In the dark room, Ah-nees voice echoed, Iroha-chan now its just the two of us. Gyaaaaaaa!? I screamed. Chapter 319: [The Continuation Of That Summer] Chapter 319: [The Continuation Of That Summer] Princess carry. A dark room. Just the two of us. Nothing should happen Eeeeeek! HelpDDDD!? Okay, okay. Let''s stay still since you''re such a good child. I squirmed and resisted like a cat suddenly picked up. But no, I was squeezed tighter and ended up being nuzzled. Our cheeks rubbed together, soft and warm. Ah, ah, Ah-nee''s skin is so smooth and nice Wait, no!? Put me down! And stop spinning around, Im getting dizzy!? Eh~? No, no, lets y some more! Spin, spin OhHey!? While carrying me like a princess, Ah-nee stumbled. We both dived onto the bed with a soft thud Wha!? Thats dangerous! It was lucky we fell here, but we might get hurt In the middle of my words, I noticed. Ah-nees face was very close to mine. I was in a position as if pushed down onto the bed Our gazes locked in ce. Iroha-chan, I Eek ah!? Ah-nee''s hand reached out and gently brushed my hair. Her fingers grazed my ear, sending a shiver through my body. Her fingers then traced my cheek and slid down to my neck. A barely-there touch, strangely tickling my skin. Ah! Ah-nee mmm! Ah-nees fingers yed with my body. From my neck to my shoulders, arms, and then the back of my hands. Her fingers intertwined, rubbing together. Or, her fingertips gently stroked as if checking the texture. Iroha-chans hands are so small and cute. Nice. Ah, Ah-nee ah, mmm haah stop mmm, nnhhh~! My breaths naturally grew hotter. I tried to bite my other hand to hold back my sounds. But Nope. Ah-nees other hand grabbed me and pressed me down onto the bed. A silver bridge of saliva connected between my wet fingers and my mouth. Her fingers, intertwined with mine, repeatedly sped and released like practicing holding hands with a lover. The moist spot made a slight squishing sound. Ahaha, that sounded a bit naughty. Now I couldnt hide my face, escape, or stifle my voice. Ah-nee slowly brought her body closer, ovepping with mine. Iroha-chan Ah-nee Even though I was so embarrassed I wanted to run away, for some reason, I couldnt move. It was as if I was expecting something more In my mind, I recalled that night the day we watched fireworks together, drifting in heat. It ended halfway back then. But here, nothing was stopping it. Is it okay? Iroha-chan? Its embarrassing, so dont ask. Ahaha Okay, I understand. I didnt mind if it was Ah-nee. That feeling was in my heart. I surrendered myself to her Pofun, my hand was ced on Ah-nees head. ?????? Eh, ehehe Yaaay! Iroha-chan isstroking my head! Ah-nee, who took my hand and ced it on her head, was shyly smiling. Oh ah!? So thats what it was!? Whats wrong, Iroha-chan? Why are you so flustered? Eh, no!? Its nothing!? I was so embarrassed I felt like I might die. Since Im usually subjected to extreme things, I unconsciously imagined that. But thinking about it, Ah-nee was pretty pure in that aspect I should have known!? No, but its not my fault! Shes the one making me misunderstand with her touches! Iroha-chan wont you stroke me? Its okay to be affectionate when its just the two of us, right? Ah, ah~! Yes, yes! Of course! Hehehe. She rubbed her head against my chest, pressing hard. I see~. It wasnt that she wanted to be close, but that she wanted this. Okay, okay. Wafu~ Eh, thats kind of cute What am I thinking!? But while Mai is like a small dog, Ah-nee is like a big dog when shes affectionate. Hehe. Wapp!? Ah, ah, ah~! Somehow, while stroking her, I really felt like I was petting a dog. Before I knew it, I was roughly messing with her I-Iroha-chan!? Thats wapp, um!? Eh? Sorry! Ah, I got carried away!? Ah Returning to my senses with Ah-nees voice, I quickly pulled my hands away. However, she made a sad sound and watched my fingers with her eyes. Iroha-chan dont stop stroking me. Eh? Somehow, Iroha-chans way of stroking is a bit rough and manly, and I like it. Eh!? Hey, Iroha-chan. If possible, not just my head, Id like you to touch more ces Maybe Im saying something weird? Iroha-chan Is that not okay? ~~~~~! Kyaa!? I-Iroha-chan!? I abruptly sat up, pinning Ah-nee underneath me. Even though I thought I couldnt move another step, I had somehow found that much stamina left. No, wait. This isvitality! Ah-nee, sorry. I cant hold back any longer. I had never felt this way before. I moved towards Ah-nees body Huh? Whats that? Goon, snoring. Zzz, grrr~! Hey, shes sleepingDDD!? Eeeeeh!? No way!? No, no, just a moment ago, she was at full throttle!? Um, Ah-nee? Please wake up! The continuation..!? Grrr, gaaa~~~~! This is bad!?! I shook her vigorously, but there was no sign of waking up. I knew that once she fell asleep, she wouldnt wake up easily. So, this Kids sleep like a switch is turned off, and apparently, Ah-nee is the same. It seems there are only two states: 0 or 100. But, well now that I think about it, she must have been exhausted from flying to America and recording. Still, thats beside the point. What about my feelings that are left!? Ah-nee, please wake up!? In the end, Ah-nee didnt wake up until morning. I spent the whole night in frustrationDD. Chapter 320: [On A Melancholic Night] Chapter 320: [On A Mncholic Night] "Hey, you guys! Good morning, its morning! Wake up GYAAAAAA!!?" Early in the morning, Angu Ogu''s scream echoed through the room. What she saw in front of her was "Gu cant breathe bu-bu-bu" "Iroha is foaming at the mouth and dying!?" It was me, being put in a choke sleeper by a half-asleep Ah-nee. Panicked, Angu Ogu rushed over and started pulling at Ah-nee''s arm. "Shes not budging!? Hey, you idiot sister! Wake up already!" "Snore Iroha-chan love you mumble mumble""Oh, mom Iming to you now" "Calm down, Iroha!? Also, your mom is still alive, right!? Wake up, Ah-nee!" Angu Ogu pped Ah-nees cheeks back and forth. Finally, she woke up with a "mumble?" and groggily looked around. "Yawn Oh, is it morning already? I feel like I had a good dream." "Ah-nee, never mind that, let go of your arm!" "I cant hold on any longer thud" "Iroha~~~!?" "Uh did I do something?" As I lost consciousness, I made a vow. Ah-nee, I will never forgive you! And Angu Ogu, who offered me as a sacrifice, youre equally guilty! *** "Hey, Iroha, cheer up!" "I-Im sorry, Iroha-chan." The three of us were having breakfast in the living room. Well, it was technically morning or rather, close to noon after everything that happened. " Hmph." I turned away and silently ate my food. Usually, Id sit next to Angu Ogu, but today I ced my chair a bit further away. Last night and this morning had been a mess. I couldnt sleep due to frustration, and just as I was finally dozing off, Ah-nee did that. Thanks to her, I didnt get any sleep. Well, I did pass out, though!? "Its all your fault, both of you!" "Dont say that. Thanks for the meal, Iroha. Todays breakfast was delicious!" "Right! When did Iroha-chan be such a good cook? Its unfair that Angu Ogu gets to eat this every day! I want seconds!" "If you think ttery will get you anywhere, youre wrong." But, hearing that made me happy wait, no! Compliments wont get you anything! Seriously! "Really? Then how about this, a hug~!" After finishing her meal, Angu Ogu came around and hugged me from behind. Instantly, I let out a "Pigi!?" scream. "Whats wrong, Iroha?" "Agagaga! The muscle pain from yesterday!" "Oh, sorry about that." Chapter 321: [The Charm Of Home 3D] Chapter 321: [The Charm Of Home 3D] "Wow, it''s started! It''s been a while since ourst offline cob stream! Is everyone doing well? It''s your big sister  I''m Anegasaki M My words to you'', I''m Trantor Girl Iroha sigh Grrrr I''m a zombie. It''s Angu Ogu! ?I love you, Anegooo! ?Iroharo! ?Hey, Ogu! (U.S.) By the way, today we''re using mocobi for a 3D stream, so everyone can see cute Iroha-chan! ?Whoa! Home 3D! ?Ah, Anego youre as lively as ever, lol.?Ogus movements are adorable, lolol. Ah-nee and Angu Ogu jumped and waved, making the 3D models on the stream screen bounce around energetically. This movement was made possible by small, round sensors attached to the back of the head, waist, wrists, and ankles. Thats mocobia type of motion capture system. Its lightweight and convenient for full-body tracking at home or on the go. I cant believe it''s so easy to move my whole body at home now. Times have changedne~ Previous systems were heavy, and for someone like me, it was exhausting, so this is a blessing. At around 50,000 yen, its a very affordable tracking device. Well, with conveniencees some drawbacks or limitations, though. For example Whoa, Anego!? Youre moving so wildly, your arm is bending in a weird direction!? I have to cover you up!? Haha, sorry, sorry. Quick, stand up straight! Reset! Phew~. Seriously, be more careful! As you move, the position tends to drift slightly. This is the downside of using elerometers and gyroscopes instead of optical sensors. Also, it cant track facial expressions or fingertips. There are solutions for that, but we couldnt arrange them in time, so well skip those for now. But I was really surprised, Ane~. I didnt know that person was so knowledgeable about streaming equipment. They really saved us. By the way, VTubers are truly multi-talented. Incidentally, the same VTuber who helped me set up hand tracking for the signnguage stream when I injured my throat also gave us advice for this Home 3D stream. Apparently, you can now do full-body tracking just with a smartphone camera. However, its not suitable for situations with multiple people in the same space, so it wasnt an option for this stream Yeah, they taught me a lot, but Im sorry! It was tooplicated for me to understand!? So, for the details it seems like theyll be releasing a video soon, so look forward to that. Anyway, Iroha, youve been awfully quiet, havent you? Uh, you noticed! Sigh Why did ite to this? I just want to go home. Your home is right here, though. ?Iroha-chans energy is visibly low just because shes not good at exercise, lol. ?In 3D, you can clearly see how slumped she is, lolol. ?Hang in there! Geez~! Come on, get fired up~! This is a project just for you, Iroha-chan! What a troublesome kindness. But if you dont build up your stamina, itll be tough during international events, right? Your songs are so wonderful! Ugh. ?Iroha-chans solo song PV is amazing! ?I dont know if Ill get a ticket, but Im looking forward to hearing it live! ?I listen to it 10 times a day! It makes me smile every time! We recently released the PV, and everyones reaction has been pretty positive. Well, its my first solo song, so theres no real standard topare it to! See, see, Iroha~! Everyones talking about it~ Th-thank you, everyone By the way, I listen to it 20 times a day! I win! ?Why is this personpeting with the fans, lolol. ?Well, I listen to it 30 times a day. ?I listen to it 50 times. ?By the way, I listen to Iroha-samas solo song 100 times a day! (U.S.) ?Whoa, Illisha is here!? ?Of course, Illishas in thements, lol What!? I I actually l-listen to it 1,000 times! ?Thats impossible, lol. ?When kids try to exaggerate a big number, they somehow always say 1,000, right? ?Im honestly more scared that Illishas number might not be a lie I-I''m not lying either! Ugh, Iroha~! Im supposed to be the number one!? Hey!? Dont cling to me! ?Aww~. This is a treat for the eyes. Thanks, Home 3D. ?Gyaa!? Ogu-san, what are you doing to Iroha-sama!? Please step away immediately! (Ukrainian) ?This is probably a draw, one win, one loss. Angu Ogu put her index finger to her eye and stuck out her tongue at the camera. That movement cant be captured by mocobiI thought to myself, not wanting to get involved. Chapter 324: [Skipping The Tutorial] Chapter 324: [Skipping The Tutorial] "Hey, Iroha. You okay? The games just started though." "No, I might be done for." ?Heart rate is off the charts, lol ?Getting Iroha-chans heart rate to max seems easier by making her sprint 50 meters than by ying a horror game. ?Dude, what are you talking about! Theres no way Iroha-chan could run 50 meters! "I can at least run that much! You''re underestimating me way too much! Hey, you two, back me up!" "Um, you guys?" "50 meters, huh? Thats questionable." "Yeah, it might be tough-nee.""Wait, is my reputation that low!?" "At the very least, saying that in your current state has no credibility." "Just give me one more minute to rest, then I''ll get up for real." "This is gonna be a long journey." Angu Ogu sighed, exasperated, as I spoke while lying down without even a twitch. Please. Dont look at me like that. "I could really run 50 meters, you know. We even measure it in P.E. at school. Although, Ive never ced abovest, and for some reason, the teacher always yells, Iroha-san, please dont walk, run!" "That means youre not running." I want to believe that cant be true. Finally regaining my strength and calming my breathing, I slowly sat up. "Yeah. Its gotta be that the enemy earlier was just too strong! Maybe it was the boss!" "No way!" "But didnt it have at least the strength of a mid-boss?" "No matter how you look at it, that guy wasnt even one of the Four Heavenly Kings; he was literally the weakest!" "Yeah, youre right." "Iroha-chan, at this rate, well never finish! Come on, do some squats to move forward!" "Why do I need to work out just to move the character? Huff, puff" "Hands off your knees! Thats not how you do it!" "Thats just knee bends." "Ugh" My legs started trembling again almost immediately. This is too tough! "No, no, Iroha-chan. A squat goes like this!" Ah-nee couldnt bear to watch any longer, so she came over and started demonstrating the proper form. Schwabababam! Her squats were so fast it almost made sound effects. "I cant do that! My thighs are already at their limit" "Hey Iroha, you wont make any progress sitting there." "But I am doing as told! Im squatting, as you said!" "Always with the backtalk." "What are you talking about, Iroha-chan? Squatting isnt just sitting down?" "No, I mean, in English, squat can mean to sit down. It was a joke." "Stop saying nonsense and get up! Lets train!" ?Anego is too strong in so many ways lol ?If you cantmunicate, you cant even stall for time lol ?Hang in there, Iroha-chan! "Ugh Huff, puff. Just standing up is all I can manage Whoa!?" My legs gave out, and I stumbled into Ah-nee, who was standing nearby. Seizing the opportunity, I leaned on her and clung tightly. Im done. I need a break. "I cant stand anymore. Ah-nee, support me." ?Oh my~! ?Is this the rare clingy Iroha-chan!? ?Anego, please let me take your ce in supporting her! "Anego, no fair! Iroha, if youre gonna cling, do it to me!" "Dont get spoiled!" "Whoa!?" "Whoa!?" For some reason, Ah-nee yelled with unexpected force. "Cadet Iroha, attention! Private First ss Angu Ogu, too!" "Y-Yes! Wait, cadet?" "Why am I included!?" "From now on, address me as Sergeant! Got it!?" "Whats your response!?" "Got it." "Why me" "Wrong! You need to add Sir'' at the start and end!" ""Sir, yes sir!"" Apparently, Ah-nee got influenced by something weird again. Or maybe its the American atmosphere affecting her? Thest time she visited here, she was the one who enjoyed the shooting range the most. After that, Ah-nee drilled me hard while we continued the game. Angu Ogu had to do the same exercises right next to me. ""Pant, pant!? "" "Good job, you two! Youre really getting there!" Even though I could barely manage one push-up or sit-up, I think I did well. At one point, I almost passed out, and Angu Ogu worriedly eximed, "Irohas dead!?" *** "Y-Y YESSSSSS! We cleared it~~~!" ?Ohhh! Congrattions, Iroha-chan! ?Even with the weakest setup, I cant believe you made it this far! ?Iroha-chans gotten pretty tough, hasnt she? "Well done, Iroha, youre the champ!" "Great job-nee~!" "You guys Yeah, yeah! I really did my best!" Ah-nee hugged us tightly. I felt a strong sense of aplishment. Thement section was also caught up in the emotional moment. Well, it took us hours to get here the viewers mustve had it rough too! "Ah-nee, Ive learned my lesson. From now on, Ill work out every day!" "No way, the Iroha actually said that!?" "Iroha-chan! Youve finallye around, sis~! Im so happy! But first" "Huh?" For some reason, Ah-nee took a step back. Then she pressed the confirm button on the controller instead of me. "Weve only just finished the tutorial, so lets go take down the actual boss!" "What?" "Huh?" ?What ?Oh no ?Yeah, thats right "No, I never want to do a workout stream again!?" I take it back. I think exercise can go to hell. Chapter 325: [Bath And Massage] Chapter 325: [Bath And Massage] "Kahyu Kahyu" "Awaaah! Iroha, are you okay!?" "Whew~! That was a good workout!" When the exercise stream ended, I was lying on the floor, barely able to breathe. Honestly, I was so exhausted that I didnt even realize when the stream ended. Panicking, Angu Ogu ced an oxygen spray to my mouth. Of course, I couldnt defeat the boss in the fitness game, and it ended with me giving up. "I''m sorry, Iroha. I was wrong. Everyone has things they can and can''t do." "Wheeze Wheeze Exercise is scary. Fitness is scary.""The light''s gone out in Iroha''s eyes!? It''s okay, it was tough, wasn''t it? You can rest now, alright?" "Yeah I''ll rest." With a gentle touch, like handling something fragile, Angu Ogu helped me up. I waspletely at her mercy. I couldnt move my body on my own anymore. "Ahaha, Iroha-chan, you''re all sticky with sweat too! Even your underwear is see-through!" Thestment was unnecessary, Ah-nee. But she was right; my clothes were clinging to my skin, and it felt gross. "Okay, let''s take a bath together! Big sis will wash your body for you!" "Wait, no! Illah!?" Ah-nee easily lifted me up and started carrying me. No, this is bad! I can''t resist because I have no strength left! "W-Wait!? Stop, Anego! Damn it Nngh! Damn it, I cant stop Anego on my own!?" "Do you want to join us too, Angu Ogu? Well, okay, lets all get in together!" "Whaaa!?" Angu Ogu, who had been clinging to Ah-nee trying to stop her, got grabbed and dragged along with us. In no time, we were all brought to the bathroom. "Alright, Iroha-chan, lets get those clothes off~" Ah-nee''s hand moved to my cor. In the mirror, I saw myself being undressed. My eyes were moist, and my cheeks were flushed from the recent exercise. As my clothes were removed, beads of sweat glistened on my chest, which rose and fell with my heavy breathing. "N-No Stop Help me, Angu Ogu!" "Gulp." Angu Ogu, whom I had begged for help, audibly swallowed. No, not gulp''!? You''re going to help me, right? "Ah-nee, Angu Ogu If you go any further I really" "Iroha-chan" "Iroha" I pleaded with the two of them. But Ah-nee was merciless. "What are you saying? If you don''t properly wash off that sweat, you''ll catch a cold. Come on, hands up! All the way off!" "Yaaaaaahhh!!!" In the end, I was strippedpletely and ended up taking a bath with Ah-nee and Angu Ogu. The concept of a bathroom being a ce to rx was utterly destroyed. Unlike Japanese baths, there was no washing area, so we showered before filling the tub. Then we washed our hair and bodies, but "Ah! W-Wait!? Where are you touching Nngh!? Hey, stop! Youre not washing, youre groping!? Wait, I can wash there myself!" "What are you saying, Iroha-chan! Your body isnt moving! You cant wash properly on your own! Leave it to us!" "That''s right, Iroha. Your resistance is weak, and you have no strength. Let us handle it." "Traitor, Angu Ogu! Idiot! Fool! Nngh!?" iming to wash my body, they touched me in all sorts of ces, making me let out strange noises. Ah-nee''s soapy hands slid all over my body. Ah-nee was seriously washing me, but Angu Ogu was definitely touching me with some other intention! But soon, even Ah-nee became a threat. "Groping? Oh, right! I''ll give you a massage too~! You worked so hard today, Iroha-chan! This is your reward from Big Sis! You said you had muscle pain too!" "Wha!? Ah-nee, I dont need that kind of service! Wait please! Actually, if you massage muscles after theyve been hurt, it can Nnghhh!?" "Knead, knead! Knead, knead! Youve got some tough spots, dont you! Its nostalgic, giving Iroha-chan a massage like this. Should I change your diaper too while Im at it?" "No need for that!? Not the diaper, not the massage either Nngh!? Ah, no! Not there! Stop touching!?" "Whoa!? Iroha-chan, careful!?" Ah-nee hugged me to keep me from copsing as my legs gave out. My legs were already shaky and weak, but this time, it wasnt from fatigue "Hah Hah No, stop!? Thats Ah-nee, there Nngh!? Youre still touching Let go My corbone Please dont touch it Its sensitive" "Hm? You like it here?" "Nnghhh!?" My body tensed up, then trembled violently. Ah-nees hand, which was massaging my shoulders, brushed against my corbone. She rubbed it like she was testing something. "Nngh Ah! Hah Hah! Ah-nee really stop, its too much Please, no more!" "Stop saying such nonsense! I haven''t finished massaging you yet, so I''m going to do it all the way!" "Eeeeeek!?" "Oh, Anego You''re a demon. Even I wouldn''t go that far." "Huh? A demon? Well, I''m thoughtful'' and kind!" "You''re not getting it at all!? Someone help me~!?" Maybe being unaware is the scariest thing of all. I continued to be relentlessly attacked by the invincible Anego and teased by Angu Ogu. Afterward, the three of us got into the bathtub together. But with this many people, it was cramped, and our bodies were pressed together, touching here and there. As this went on, I finally reached my limit "Faint~~" "Oh no!? Iroha has passed out!?" "Iroha-chan? Iroha-chan!?" And that''s where my memory cuts off. Chapter 326: [World Is Mine] "Mmm Exercise is scary Huh!?" I suddenly wake up to find myself in my bed. I realize someone is stroking my hair and turn to look. Oh, you''re finally awake. Good morning, Iroha. Mm, good morning. Wait, is it already morning? You seemed really tired. I see. Morning sunlight was streaming in through the window. It seems I have been asleep the whole time since I passed out yesterday. Wait a minute. Now that I think about it, that wasnt just because of exhaustion!I couldnt sleep at all the night before because of Ah-nee!? By the way, I cant see Ah-nee anywhere. Where is she? The living room? Thanks to her, I missed a bunch of live streams from my favorites yesterday. Damn it, what a blunder! I need to demand an apology for that over-the-top exercise stream and the aftermath.'' Anego has already returned to Japan. What? Well, she was only nning on staying for a short time anyway. The flight time came before you woke up. I see. She couldve at least woken me up. Seriously, Ah-nee. Leaving quietly without saying anything? When she''s around, shes noisy, but when shes gone, I kind of miss her Sigh. She really is like a storm. She stirs everything up and then disappears as if nothing happened. Anego said, Let Iroha sleep. Oh, really. Don''t sulk. You''re just lonely. Wha!? I-Im not thinking that at all! Ive got a message for you. While insisting, Im not sulking, I urge her to continue. The message I was slightly hoping for was Iroha-chan, make sure to keep exercising even after Im gone! she said. Guh!? She also said, I didn''t think the tutorial would be all you could handle and When I yed, it was so easy that I thought it would end quickly. Guh-foo!? Don''tpare me to a stamina monster like you! There are VTubers out there who cant even skip properly! And she said, Try to talk to or visit Mai as much as possible. Seems like Anego was pretty envious that only she got to meet Iroha this time. Yeah. Im serious. She was even joking, After I get back to Japan, is Mai going to kill me? Ive been feeling her gaze while I sleeptely. Y-yeah!? I could easily imagine Mai in a dark room, staring at Ah-nee with sick eyes as she slept. I mean, we talk on the phone often. And Im nning to visit her soon. Ive got something important to do with her. Something very, very important Well, Anego did bring back a souvenir, so I think itll be okay. A souvenir? Oh, what did she buy? Well, a picture of your sleeping face. What!? Why''d she take that without permission!? And why would that be enough to appease Mai!? Well, Mai might forgive that. She probably would. And if Ah-nee took a picture, that means You definitely took a picture too, didnt you!? Pi-hyoro~ I knew it! Hand over your phone! Im deleting it right now! N-no way! Besides, what''s one or two pictures now Wait. Have you been secretly taking photos of me all along!? Uh Wh-what are you talking about? You sneaky little! When did Ah-nee and you even take those pictures? I guess it mustve been after I passed out in the bathroom. Wait, hang on. Just to confirm You took those pictures after dressing me, right? You mustve, right? Why are you silent!? Im reporting both of you under the child pornographyws! W-wait!? I-I made sure to cover the important parts! So I was naked!? You pervert! Waaah!? Huh? What? Irohas usual whack isnting? Angu Ogu, who was bracing herself for a hit, peeked through her closed eyelids, tilting her head. I was lying in bed the whole time. Help me up. Huh? I said, help me! Im too sore to move! So help me up so I can be mad at you! Youre making no sense!? And youre making dinner today! And carry me! And bring my phone, open MyTube, and y it! Youre just being demanding! Jeez, what a spoiled princess you are! Im not a princess! Yeah, yeah. After realizing I couldnt move, I just gave up. Usually, Im the one taking care of Angu Ogu. Its okay to be taken care of once in a while. Well, its fine. Its rare for Iroha to be this clingy. Its not a bad feeling. Im not being clingy Hmm Poke. Ouch!? Dont poke me! It hurts because of the muscle soreness Wait, what are you thinking? I just realized Iroha cant move right now. Um How about we calm down and talk this over? Alright, Iroha. Leave everything to me today! Ill take good care of you! Sorry, I take it back. You dont have to do anything Nooo!? Angu Ogus idea of taking care'' was harsh in many ways. Until I could move again, I was stuck being her ything *** I finally escaped that muscle soreness hell. The day for the stream I had nned a while ago had arrived. The content was So today, well be doing anguage stream with Ilyena-chan~! Chapter 327: [Language Acquisition And Coverage Rate] Chapter 327: [Language Acquisition And Coverage Rate] ?Hello, Iroha! ?Good morning, Ilyena! (Ukrainian) ?Ilyena, since its a cob with Iroha-chan, youre starting off at MAX excitement (Ukrainian) So, the nned coboration stream with Ilyena had begun. And for our purpose, well be using a lot of Ukrainian. We have talked aboutnguage proficiency on streams before. However, at that time, the focus was on [school English], and [practical English] wasnt explored deeply. In that sense, this stream might be just right for me. ?Damn, this kid w provoking us (Ukrainian) ?This cheating child! (Ukrainian) ?This is what genius is like (Ukrainian) So, Ilyena will provide personal experiences, and Ill offer knowledge. Well, its the flow we discussed beforehand! ?LOL (Ukrainian) ?Well, Iroha-chan picks upnguages in an instant w (Ukrainian) ?Excluding the clear outliers (Ukrainian) ?Oh, is that it (Ukrainian) ?Sorry I was totally ready to say I didnt ask you! w (Ukrainian) ?Indeed, Iroha-chan isnt the type to enjoy studying (Ukrainian) ?True (Ukrainian) ?And with English, you can learn it in schools here too (Ukrainian) ?Grammar-wise, English is closer to Japanese (Ukrainian) ?Is this about the office? (Ukrainian) ?I know, I know w (Ukrainian) ?d to hear it makes sense! (Ukrainian) ?This teacher role is easy (Ukrainian) ?I wish Iroha-sensei taught me (Ukrainian) ?If Iroha-chan became a school teacher, she might give full marks if you drew fan art on the back of the test paper ?I see, that exins it ?I went on an American trip thinking English was easy, and it was a painful experience ?Do Japan and Ukraine have simr problems with English education? (Ukrainian) It measures how many of the most frequently used words you need to learn to cover a conversation in thatnguage> I posed a quiz to Ilyena and the viewers. She thought for a moment and answered. Yes, thats all it takes. Chapter 328: [Words Are Like Needles] Chapter 328: [Words Are Like Needles] Ilyena, realizing she was being teased, was cutely angry. Maybe its a bit of an infection from the mischievous habits of Angu Ogu. ?1000 words, huh. Isnt that about how many words you learn by middle school? ?Indeed, it seems like the number of words listed in vocabry books was around that. ?So, if you can manage middle school English, does that mean you can actually speak English pretty well? ?Twice as many as before, so 2000! ?It seems like it would be more. Maybe 3000? ?Or is it actually the same as before, just 1000? (Ukrainian) Theres also talk that you can handle anynguage fully by learning 100,000 to 200,000 words. Well, the truth of this is debatable. After all, its said that the average Japanese person uses about 50,000 words in their lifetime. So if thats the case for the vocabry-rich Japanese, it seems a lot. Well, I dont know which data is correct. After all, Ive never counted the number of words I know or even the number ofnguages I know, so its impossible to track the exact number of words. ?Ah, Iroha-chan looked away. (Ukrainian) ?Iroha-chan was embarrassed just now, wasnt she? (Ukrainian) ?So cute. (Ukrainian) Also, the Ukrainian.S. Department of State estimates the difficulty of Japanese for diplomats in five levels, and Japanese is the only one designated as Category 5+, the highest difficulty level. Its estimated that 88 weeksC2200 hours of learning are required. Well, this is likely influenced by the distance of thenguage. In contrast,nguages closer to English, like French, Spanish, and Italian, are expected to be learned in 24 weeks. ?This is youre the one to talk level (Ukrainian) ?When Iroha-chan says it, it sounds like sarcasm. w (Ukrainian) ?So, in the end, its better to learn English than Japanese? QED? (Ukrainian) Surprisingly, it was Ilyena herself who denied thatment. She had been rmending English all along until now. I pulled back my earlier words and focused on her continuation. For some reason, I felt Ilyenas gaze through the screen. Her words made my heart naturally tremble. ?When Illysha says it, it has a different weight. (Ukrainian) ?Ive decided. After all, Ill study Japanese because I love Iroha-chan. (Ukrainian) ?Maybe I should try studying English one more time. ?Iroha-chan is crying!? (Ukrainian) ?Whats with this sudden turn!? It was a good story, but that much!? (Ukrainian) ?Could it be that Illyshas feelings have finally reached Iroha-chan!? (Ukrainian) ?This is Illyshas defeat w Its not getting through (Ukrainian) ?Its strange. Why does it sound like a different meaning when Iroha-chan says it? (Ukrainian) ?This kind of reaction only happens when VTubers are involved I expected it. (Ukrainian) In the case of Trantion Girl Iroha, she can speak English and othernguages and does foreignnguage broadcasts. However, the mostmon is still Japanese broadcasts. Chapter 329: [The Difficulties Of The Japanese Language] Chapter 329: [The Difficulties Of The Japanese Language] However, thisnguage discussion might end up being pretty lengthy. Well, that''s understandable, given that it''s three years of Ilyena''s life. ?When I first studied Japanese, I was confused (Ukrainian) ?Same here. Plus, the word order keeps changing with inversion and all (US)?And there''s so much omission of the subject, too (US) ?So, Illysha can switch between polite and casualnguage? Impressive (Ukrainian) ?She''s a Japanesenguage master (Ukrainian) ?I''m not at that level yet I''ll study by watching Illysha''s stream! (Ukrainian) ?Why did you chicken out there!? (Ukrainian) ?Illysha, that was a big chance! (Ukrainian) ?A rare invitation from Iroha-chan! (Ukrainian) She turned me down when I suggested casualnguage before, too. Just like I have lines I don''t cross as a fan, Ilyena probably has her own standards I can''t understand. ?I get the politenguage, but how do I know which honorifics and pronouns to use? (Character) ?Just stick with "~san" for honorifics and "watashi" and "anata" for pronouns (Ukrainian) ?But isn''t "watashi" a pronoun women use? (Ukrainian) ?That''s just how it is (Ukrainian) ?Japanese is delicate and difficult, with all the politenguage, honorifics, and pronouns (Ukrainian) ?I heard that tranting Japanese anime and manga into othernguages can be a headache because of this? (Ukrainian) ?In contrast, English barely has any onomatopoeia (Ukrainian) ?Inics, they just write "SMAAAASH" or "COOOOL" (Ukrainian) ?There''s "BANG" and "BOOM," so not none at all (U.S.) It seems the stories about the Japanesenguage are far from over. Chapter 330: [High-Context Language] Chapter 330: [High-Context Language] Iriena provides specific examples in response to the question. Ournguage streaming sessions never run out of topics, thanks to our respective areas of expertise. ?When I was traveling, I saw Japanese people having conversations with just sumimasen on the station tform (Ukrainian). ?It sometimes happens when people bump into each other, haha.?I thought it was a joke, but is it for real? (Ukrainian) ?It seems like there''s a lot of frustration building up, haha. (Ukrainian) ?It feels more like a Japanese problem than a Japanesenguage issue. (Ukrainian) ?We actually prefer to clear things up by being direct with words. (Ukrainian) This is just my personal impression, but Ukrainians seem to have abative approach to conversation. They want to debate at the slightest opportunity. Or rather, daily conversations seem like debates. That''s why I think Iriena, despite being young, must have felt a lot of stressing to Japan, where thenguage was so different. Imagining losing the ability tomunicate in daily life its chilling. The same goes for zotto suru and zotto shinai. Recently, these words are increasingly used with meanings different from their original ones. However, with recent recording schedules being packed, its uncertain when it will be. Or perhaps there might not be an opportunity to discuss it at all No, surely that wont happen? ?Even Japanese people find this topic difficult, haha. ?Iroha-chan, pleasee back, Irysha~! (Ukrainian) ?If we leave these two alone, it seems like the lecture level will keep increasing endlessly. (Ukrainian) The conversation has veered a bit fromnguage acquisition. Let''s return to more basic topics. I ride on Irienas helpful prompt. Nice follow-up. ?Now that you mention it, thats true. ?Huh? How did we read sentences with only hiragana in first grade? ? In my daughters textbook, there were spaces between words like in English. For some reason, thements section was flooded with posts saying, Hmm, both are correct! What? Why the captain? Theres no deep meaning! Chapter 331: [Misunderstanding Or Alternative Explanation] Chapter 331: [Misunderstanding Or Alternative Exnation] Chapter 331. [Misunderstanding Or Alternative Exnation] There are many puns based on pronunciation in the world. Besides the ones mentioned now ?Whats that? What kind is it? (Ukrainian) ?Kansai dialect is one of the Japanese dialects, right? (Ukrainian) ?Iroha-chan, try saying it (Ukrainian) I typed the text and disyed it on the streaming screen. I read it aloud. A: "Chau chau chau?" B: "Chau chau? Chau chau chau n chau?" C: "Chau chau chau chau chau" ?What is this? I cant understand at all (Ukrainian) ?Even though Im Japanese, I only understand that Iroha-chan is cute (Ukrainian) ? Same here A: "Chau chau?" B: "Chau chau? Isnt it not chau chau?" C: "No, no, its not chau chau" ?How can anyone read this (Ukrainian) Dont worry, even Japanese people dont get it ?If its a pun with homophones, there are simr ones in English too (US) <"BuffalobuffaloBuffalobuffalobuffalobuffaloBuffalobuffalo."> ?Buffalo buffalo what??? (Ukrainian) ?I dont even know how many times "buffalo" was said (Ukrainian) ?Exin it (Ukrainian) ?Well, just hearing the exnation, I feel like Ilyesha understood it right away (Ukrainian) ?I still dont get it even after hearing the exnation (Ukrainian) ?Didnt Chinese have something like that? Like a tongue twister ?Iroha-chan saying "mama" is cute w (Ukrainian) ?Say more! (Ji) ?As expected, Iroha-chan is like a young girl (Ukrainian) If there were more, it would be a problem. I even have past-life parents its already too much! ?Huh? Wait a minute? Thinking about it, Iroha-chans character design (Ukrainian) ?The current illustrator is different, but the initial standing illustration was drawn by Anego, right? (Ukrainian) ?So Anego isnt a sister, but actually a mother? (Ukrainian) ?No need to reject it so strongly (Ukrainian) ?Complete denial Iroha-chan w (Ukrainian) ?You can call me mama whenever you want. Kiss And its clearly conveyed!? At times like this, I curse the automatic trantion and subtitle function of MyTube! Ugh!? N-no, its not that> ?Ah, Iroha-chan ran away (Ukrainian) ?I feel like we were close to the breakthrough (Ji) ?Iroha-chan seems to be in a dere phase recently (Ukrainian) ?Oh!? Ilyesha is taking the lead!? (Ukrainian) ?Was it effective that I was called a "coward" earlier? (Ukrainian) ?There might be a chance! (Ukrainian) W-what is this flow!? Do I have to answer here!? The answer I came up with was to defer it. I thought Illyena might be disappointed by such a response, but The reply came back with a voice full of determination for some reason. Hmm? Huh!? ?Thats right. Even Iroha-chan, being a girl, would want a confession in person (Ukrainian) ?I think you mentioned doing an off-cob ASMR soon (Ukrainian) So, that time (Ukrainian) W-what? Its being interpreted in another way!? No, thats a misunderstanding!? I ended up nodding under the pressure of her spirit!? I truly thought. Words are really difficult Chapter 332: The Day After Tomorrow Is Sunday And A Holiday Chapter 332: The Day After Tomorrow Is Sunday And A Holiday It feels like there was a simr misunderstanding before Oh, right, I remember. It was when I was confessed to by Ilyena behind the school building. I found out about itter from Ilyena''s stream. She apparently misunderstood what I said and ended up debuting as a VTuber. Well, at the time, I never imagined she was talking about me. It seems that our connection is based on this kind of "misunderstanding." Oh, no, that''s not what I meant.This misunderstanding is leading to even more misunderstandings. Well, I''m d the topic is changing, though. ?The meaning changes with context, huh (space) ?I''ve got it! ?Iroha-chan is tiny today, too! ?Iroha-chan, this is also context effect (space) ?Misunderstandings are scary ?No one even said that Iroha-chan''s height or chest size is small, though (text) With a sigh, I removed the wordy text that had been left on the streaming screen. Perhaps noticing this, Ilyena says, ?Ive heard that even Japanese people find counters difficult (text) ?Just for counting cakes, there are "dai", "hall", "tsu", "piece", "kire", "ko", and so many (space) ?Im Japanese, but I didnt know "dai" was a thing <"Hai", "hon", "bun" and also "kai", right?> I type up another text and disy it on the streaming screen. The content is "Today is January 1st, a holiday. In Japanese, the day before yesterday of tomorrow is called yesterday, and that day was New Year''s Eve and a Sunday." ?I can read it, but looking at it calmly, it''s pretty insane ?How many readings for "day" are in there? And theyre all different, too ?And there are even more readings beyond this [A flower-arranging pure girl, whose livelihood was working with raw silk, made a living. Her upbringing was not easy. Unfortunately, from the moment she was born until now, she has been pure through and through.] ?Th-thanks Ilyena, nice save! (space) ?Well, it was totally fine? No problem? Phew~ ?Theres smokeing out of your head Ilyena says jokingly. Is English easy, or is Japanese hard? Thats something that might be open to interpretation. I shrugged and smiled wryly in front of the monitor, thinking about thatDD. *** Reading answers: [The flower-arranging pure girl, whose livelihood was working with raw silk, made a living. Her upbringing was not easy. Unfortunately, from the moment she was born until now, she has been pure through and through.] Chapter 333: Vtuber Collection -VCollect- Chapter 333: Vtuber Collection -VCollect- Language is fascinating; the more you learn, the more interesting it gets. There are actually hundreds of ways to count animals in English, so if you look into it, you might discover even more. Iryena jumped in with great enthusiasm. It seems she has quite a story to tell. ?Its a word that expresses gratitude to the ingredients, the farmers, and the person who made the meal (Ukrainian). ?Theres no equivalent in Ukraine (Ukrainian). ?Though we do have some phrases before meals here, too (Ukrainian). ?Yeah, I cant really argue with that LOL (Ukrainian). If you suddenly started eating without saying anything in Japan, itd probably be considered rude (Ukrainian). ?Its kind of like how we give a toast before drinking (Ukrainian). That sounds like something the average Japanese person would struggle with. Maybe only the principal at school would be good at it. Although, to be honest, even then, we''d prefer if they kept it short. I see It seems that even for Iryena, who has adapted to Japanese culture, the Ukrainian way still sticks with her. In American high schools, there are lots of opportunities for presentations, speeches, and public speaking. Because of that, you kind of get used to it, whether you like it or not ?Hey, no, stop! (Ukrainian) ?If you let Iroha talk about VTubers, well never start eating (Ukrainian). ?Even Ukrainians would get tired of Iroha LOL. ?LMAO (Ukrainian) ?This is ssic Illyusha (Ukrainian). ?Ill spread the word at my next dinner with friends too (Ukrainian). ?Iroha-chan is on the defensive LOL. ?She''s both on the defensive and being admired LOL. ?Despite everything, Irohas weak when ites to direct expressions of feelings (Ukrainian). ?Countries, battleships, swords, animals it''s harder to find things the Japanese havent personified (Ukrainian). ?In Japan, theres a belief that gods reside in all things, so maybe its a form of idol worship (Ukrainian). ?Sorry, Im only thinking about whats "moe" LOL (Ukrainian). Iryena corrected herself, looking a bit embarrassed. But honestly, I love personification. In fact Its something thats verymon with VTubers too! Chapter 334: [There Is No Such Thing As An Average Language] Chapter 334: [There Is No Such Thing As An Average Language] ?Watch out if you make the Japanese mad. They''ll turn you into a beautiful girl (Ukrainian) ? What kind of torture is this (Ukrainian)? ? What a reward! (Ukrainian) Being teased in thements, Ilyena hurriedly corrected herself again. Iughed and urged her to continue. ?Eating gods!? Japan is crazy, as expected (Ukrainian) ?Iroha-chan devours even gods? Big girl energy (Ukrainian) ?Today''s Iroha-chan is huge (Ukrainian) ?I thought the seven gods referred to the "Seven Lucky Gods," but I guess not. ?Still, its true that Japan doesnt seem to worship gods as fervently as other countries. ?We tend to use the word "god" pretty casually, dont we? ?Iroha-chan is a god (Korean) ?Iroha-chan is a god, no doubt. ? No, Iroha-chan is an angel, right? ?In ce of "God," people say "gosh" or "goodness" (U.S.) ?And sometimes "Gees" instead of "Jesus" (U.S.) ?Japanese doesn''t distinguish between singr "God" and plural "gods" like English does (U.S.) The singr "God" with a capital letter and the lowercase "god" for general use don''t have an equivalent distinction in Japanese. By the way, as a side note the reason "I" is capitalized in English has nothing to do with any deep significance; it was just easier to read that way when printing started. ?Yeah, right? Even though I speak it myself, I feel that way too. ?Ugh, Im about to start learning Japanese, and it sounds like it''ll be tough! (U.S.) ?Japanese really is strange (Ukrainian) ?Seriously??? ?I thought those were all Japanese-only things. ?I was thinking they sounded kinda simr (Korean) For example, there''s an artificialnguage called Esperanto that was designed to have no exceptions but even that has the "exception of having no exceptions." That said, eachnguage has strengths and weaknesses. As I mentioned before, with Japanese, its things like "trantion." Its a lot like programmingnguages in that way. At Ilyenas words, I nodded vigorously in agreement. Chapter 335: [Does Speed Learning Really Work?] Chapter 335: [Does Speed Learning Really Work?] Well, I was thinking its about time to wrap up this stream. Just as I had that thought, something happened. ?Allnguages are special, huh? (Ukrainian) ?I get it now. And yeah, learning a foreignnguage is really tough. (Ukrainian) ?Foreignnguages have a lot of features that our ownnguage doesnt. (Ukrainian) ?On the other hand, Ilesha mastering it is amazing. (Ukrainian) ?We need to work hard to catch up too. (Ukrainian) ?But didnt Ilesha learn it because she was still a "child"? (Ukrainian) Thatstment caught my eye.Apparently, Illyena noticed it too. She tilted her head as she read it aloud. ?What do they mean??? (Ukrainian) ?Like, Ilesha said she evacuated to Japan with her mom, right? So how does thatpare? (Ukrainian) ?Between you and your mom, who speaks Japanese better? (Ukrainian) ?But thats just because you studied a lot, right? (Ukrainian) ?You worked hard to get close to Iroha-sama! (Ukrainian) ?Plus, with school, its only natural Ilesha would learn faster, right? (Ukrainian) Of course, starting early means you can spend more time practicing, but thats not all For example, there was a case where someone thought to be intellectually disabled turned out to have a hearing impairment. The woman was over 30 years old at the time, but she couldnt learnnguage after that. Meanwhile, theres a child who was raised in istion until the age of six without knowing anynguage. After just two years of learning, they could speak normally. Honestly, the situations are too different, and we stillck enough scientific data for this theory. So, its just a hypothesis. But I think it matches our intuition that "kids learn faster." ?When did Ileshae to Japan again? ?It was when she was in 6th grade, right? (Ukrainian) ?So, that would be within the critical period, huh? (Ukrainian) Wait? Now that I think about it, wasnt it around that time I started remembering my past life? And also when my physical growth started to stagnate. Could it be that Ive been in my critical period this whole time? Yeah, right! No way! ?But that means we should start teaching kids English as early as possible, huh? ?I thought it was too early to teach English from elementary school, but from a critical period perspective, it makes sense. ?Maybe I should start ying "Speed Learning" CDs at home for my baby too. ?If even thenguage prodigy Akasama cant do it, no one can! (Ukrainian) ?I thought itd be great if you could learn English just by listening! But of course, theres no easy way. ?In the end, practical use is the best way to learn a foreignnguage. (Ukrainian) ?Whaaat? Impossible??? (Ukrainian) ?Wait a second, but didnt Iroha-chan? (Ukrainian) ?Hold on, isnt there already a living counterexample?! (Ukrainian) ?Hard (but not impossible) ?Almost (but not for Iroha-chan) impossible ?Stooop! Youre breaking modern linguistics!! Chapter 336: [Linguistic Irregularities] Chapter 336: [Linguistic Irregrities] Oh, this is strange. How did this happen? I was just talking about the effectiveness of passive English learning materials. ?Could this seriously overturn modern linguistics theory? (Ukrainian) ?Iroha-chan might be living proof of Krashens "Input Hypothesis." (Ukrainian) ?Whats that? (Ukrainian) ?Dont you mean it "was" disproven? (Ukrainian) ?So far, Swains "Output Hypothesis" has been the mainstream. (Ukrainian) ?Then there''s Longs "Interaction Hypothesis." (Ukrainian)?Right, the one that says conversation with others is necessary was the mainstream. (Ukrainian) ?Could we be witnessing the moment a hypothesis stops being just a hypothesis? (J) ?Is this one of those moments when history moves? (J) ?Finding that exception is proof in itself. (Ukrainian) ?An exception is still a valid example. (Ukrainian) ?Lets give Iroha-chan a big round of apuse! ?Thats a bow, not apuse. ?I can already see Iroha-chans name popping up in linguistics papers. (J) ? Its already in a ton of papers! (Ukrainian) ? Seriously??? (Ukrainian) ?Come to think of it, the concept of lingua franca must be a dream theme for linguists. (Ukrainian) ? Wasn''t it still undecided whether that was a lingua franca? (Ukrainian) Iroha-chan has remained silent about that. (J) Even if you ask me that, I cant answer right now. I dodged Iryenas question. Actually, Ive heard that "Iroha the Trantion Girl" appears in papers unrted to linguistics too. Like VTubers, streamers, the inte, and even war and crowd psychology. I feel a bit like ab rat. ?Still, it seems likely that there will be papers with Iroha-chan listed as a coborator someday. (Ukrainian) ? Thats possible, lol. (Ukrainian) ?Isnt she already coborating with some research institution? ?Whoa, Iroha-chan is seriously amazing. (Ukrainian) ?Will theree a time when everyone can learn foreignnguages as easily as Iroha-chan? (Ukrainian) ?Or a time when all of humanity speaks amonnguage? (J) ?But for now, we cant rely on Iroha-chan. Weve got to study on our own, lol. (Ukrainian) ?We just have to keep building experience, one step at a time. (Ukrainian) ?Experience, huh. My daughters school teaches entirely in English, and shes already speaking better than me! Immersion. In fact, some top universities in South Korea conduct all their sses in English. Theres even a suggestion that Japan should do the same. For example, even if you dont understand any English at first, youd pick up that people say "Hi" when they meet. Some people even argue that this is the most effective way to learn a foreignnguage. No ones going to throw around technical terms or idioms when talking to a child. Youd exin things using simpler words. Its like challenging appropriate-level enemies, starting with slimes instead of facing the demon king right away. Of course, you could jump into a high-level dungeon, trial and error your way through, and try to clear it. For example, when talking to a child, you might say, "Whats wrong?" from their perspective. Or call your husband "Daddy" when speaking from the childs point of view. There are many interesting topics here But since we''ve already talked a lot about linguistics today, Ill stop here. ?But people have different ess to study environments. ?Even if we wanted to start immersion education right now, itd be difficult. ?At most, we could attend an English conversation school, right? ?Huh??? Thats a higher hurdle!!! ?I cant even date someone who speaks mynguage, and now you''re being cruel! Iroha-chan, you demon! Demon! Angel! Thement section exploded into chaos and outrage. Its a very delicate topic for otaku! Chapter 337: [Effort Is The Foundation Of Courage] Chapter 337: [Effort Is The Foundation Of Courage] <"Yet"!?> Oh no, more and more slip-ups!? And both Ilyena and everyone in thements never miss such words. ?Hey! Isn''t there something to this??? (Ukrainian) ?Ugh, what am I feeling!? Am I jealous of Ilyasha or Iroha-chan!? (Ukrainian) ?But as long as my oshi is happy, it''s okay! ?But in reality, talking to foreigners requires courage, doesn''t it? ? I understand. I get super nervous when I approach or am approached by tourists who seem lost. ?Ick confidence in conveying my message, and with cultural differences as mentioned earlier, I worry about being rude. Honestly, this is surprising. Shes been making outrageous statements from the start, so she didnt seem like someone who would be easily intimidated. Ilyena reveals her feelings from that time. I never imagined what kind of thoughts she had while learning Japanese. When you think about it, even when confessing to someone you canmunicate with, it makes you nervous. Ilyasha still
Ilyenas voice carried a strong determination. Her feelings came through the words. ? I understand a lot now. Thats why Ilyashas Japanese has improved (Ukrainian) ?The idea that "having a partner improves your foreignnguage skills" means more than just frequency; its also about this! (Ukrainian) ?Hearing this makes me want to study harder too (Ukrainian) Now, I understand what Ilyasha felt when she confessed to me. Only now do I learn it. <> I was at a loss for words in the face of Ilyashas earnest feelings. I had been avoiding the truth until now. I didnt fully understand it myself. But now I make a decision. When I next meet her directly, Ill clearly answer those feelings. I want to respond. And, that day will surely not be far off. ?This guys hopeless w Better fix this quickly (Ukrainian) ?Well, I get that it can be hard toment, though ?Once you get past the firstment, it bes easier ?Ilyasha is a bit shocked, lol (Ukrainian) ?That must be the closest feeling to Iroha-chans (Ukrainian) ?It might be the highest praise for Iroha-chan, but theparison is just awful (Ukrainian) ?Its a good thing youre saying, but because of the previous context, its funny (Ukrainian) ?Well, my oshi understands allnguages, so theres almost no point inmenting in a foreignnguage! For Iroha-chan, its even harder toment in anguage she doesnt understand w (Ukrainian) ?Its you whos weird!!!! (Ukrainian) ?Firstment. I was too shy toment before, but I always watch the streams. Im a big fan! ?Firstment, firstment, firstment, firstment, firstment, firstment, firstment, firstment How manyments now? ? 8th! ?Theedic skits have started, and where did the emotional flow go? ?Firstment. Amazingly, Iroha-chan can readments in both English and Japanese (Ukrainian) ?Lol ?Iroha-chan, your Japanese is really good (Ukrainian) ?Iroha-chan is from the UK, after all! (Ukrainian) And so, thenguage exchange stream with Ilyenaes to a close. Her talk gave me a lot of realizations and new discoveries. When youre inside, growing up with Japanese, its hard to recognize its uniqueness. You start to take things for granted. But thanks to this stream, I feel like I can see Japanese a bit more objectively. <"Otsukareta-, arigeta!"> ?See you again! (Ukrainian) ?Otsukareta~! ?Ilyasha, Im cheering for you! Chapter 338: [Who Will Get the Engagement Ring?] Chapter 338: [Who Will Get the Engagement Ring?] "Lets dig in!" The day after mynguage stream with Ilyena. Angu Ogu and I sat together, putting our hands together. A more luxurious meal than usual was spread on the table. Yes, today was a special day I never imagined I''d spend Thanksgiving with Iroha. It''s an event we dont have in Japan, so it''s my first time experiencing it. Mmm, delicious! Is this "stuffing"? I didn''t know how to make it, so I just bought it. Thanksgiving wouldn''t start without it! It was a roast turkey stuffed with various ingredients.I was rmended to eat it with cranberry sauce, which was quite something. We also had mashed potatoes with gravy. The only problem was the sheer amount of food! It would be great if Mai or Ah-nee were here for this. Ilyena too, right? Hmph. Huh? What''s up, Angu Ogu? You seem upset. Its nothing. Im not thinking about how youre only talking about other girls when its just the two of us. Oh, is that so? Alright, then. Grrrr! Wait, what? What''s going on!? Angu Ogu, who was sitting next to me, suddenly headbutted my shoulder. She rubbed her face against me, almost like a pet marking its territory. I watched yesterday''s stream archive. You seem to be getting quite close to Ilyena. Ah, yeah. I guess so. Maybe. Are you nning to go out with her? Ugh!? Cough, cough! Gulp, phew!? I almost choked at the unexpected question. I hurriedly drank water and swallowed the food in my throat. Wow, that surprised me! Why are you asking that out of the blue!? Th-that doesnt concern you, Angu Ogu! Hmph! A-Angu Ogu? Why are you hugging my neck all of a sudden Ow, ow, ow!? Youre choking me!? This is the punishment for being a womanizer. Squeeze~~~! Gwaaah!? I tapped her arm to signal my surrender. After a while, she seemed satisfied and let go. Why am I going through this? I havent done anything wrong. As I was thinking that, something came to mind. By the way, isnt there something happening tomorrow too? Huh? Oh, its so-called "ck Friday." The day after Thanksgiving, theres a huge year-end sale Every American goes shopping on that day. Apparently, its like a Christmas sale in Japan. Unlike Thanksgiving, its not a holiday, but many people treat it like one. As for why its called "ck," its because businesses go "in the ck," or turn a profit. Hmm, capitalism. But apparently, it used to have a worse meaning Compared to that, this is way better. Actually, speaking of the year-end, theres something I need to ask you, Angu Ogu. Why so serious? Do you already have ns for Christmas? !?!?!? Iroha, what does that mean!? Wait, dont get the wrong idea! In America, Christmas is spent with family, right!? So I figured youd go home to the White House at least for that day! Whew, you scared me. But yeah, I guess I should head back for Christmas, or Ill get in trouble too. I thought so. But, Christmas Eve is probably free. Really? I see. I took a deep breath. Sometimes, you need a running start to build up the courage to clear a hurdle. Then I made up my mind and asked her. Then, will you spend Christmas Eve with me? !?!?!? Thats a misleading way to say it! Im not falling for it a second time! I have something important to tell you. I ced my hand on Angu Ogu''s arm, which was wrapped around my neck, and said that. My voice was probably trembling. My face must have been bright red. Luckily, she couldnt see me from that angle. Seriously? I said it! I told you! O-okay. Atst, I had made up my mind. I knew exactly what I had to do, and to whom I had to respond. Seriously? Angu Ogu muttered to herself as she returned to her seat and resumed eating. We both fell silent. asionally, we would sneak nces at each other. Her expression was a mix of nervousness, anticipation, and a bit of anxiety. There was just over a month left until the end of the year. And that meant the end of "this story" was also approaching. *** The next day, ck Friday. I was walking through the city alone. Well, not entirely alone, as I had bodyguards. Wow, look at all the people. Is everyone here for shopping? Well, Im no different, so I cant say much. I had split up with Angu Ogu to buy something. That something was You absolutely can''t spill the beans to Angu Ogu or anyone else, okay? I got it, I got it. Im not that rude. Im serious, okay? I warned the grinning Secret Service agent, then entered the store. It was a jewelry shop. In other words A store that sold rings. Chapter 339: The Last Training Chapter 339: The Last Training [Iroha-chan, I miss you sooo much! It''s not fair that only Onee-chan gets to go to America!] "Yeah, yeah, okay." [Ugh! Iroha-chan, you dont care at all, do you!? Think about meee more!] "Even if you say that" I listened to Mai''sints over the phone, smiling wryly. Well, its true, its been about three months since west met. [You just coborated with Ilyena-chan! And you live with Ogu! Why is it only me who has nothing!?] "For someone saying that, youve gotten pretty close to my mom, havent you? Youre always hanging out in my room now, arent you? I dont know what you''re doing, though." Ugh!? Th-th-th-thatspletely unrted!"Youre not doing anything shady, right?" [I-Im not!] "There was a pause just now! Are you actually doing something!?" [Th-that was just because of the long-distance dy!] "It''s not a satellite broadcast, you know." We were just using the call function on a social media app. I guess some people imagine the inte is all about signals flying around the world, but its actually mostly connected by undersea cables. "Although,tely, theyre building satellite inte using low-orbit satellites, arent they?" Apparently, there are already 3,000 small satellites orbiting Earth. Since theyunch a bunch at once, if the timings right, you can even see dozens of satellites flying together. It looks like something out of Gxy Express If they use that, soon you''ll be able to connect to the inte from anywhere with a clear sky. For example, if you set up an antenna, you could even stream from deep in the Amazon. [Iroha-chan, why do you know stuff like that~?] Well, it would be a huge leap forward for my "VTuberization of all humanity" n! After all, bing a VTuber without the inte is tough, and there are still lots of areas where setting up a connection is hard. Or, thats what Id like to say. But I didnt actually look into it myself. "I just heard about it from someone." I knew because Angu Ogu mentioned it to me once. Back then, satellite inte was being used for drone strikes during wartime. Like I mentioned with guns before, it alles down to how you use things. The same AI tech used to control drones can also be used for AI VTubers. Though its still in its early stages, they often end up getting banned for crossing the line with outrageousments but somehow, theyre still endearing. "Eventually, even the way wemunicate will change, I think. The distance between countries is shrinking every day. Maybe, one day, the distance between me and Mai between America and Japan, will feel like nothing." [Iroha-chan!] "And maybe when it happens, itll be a hot topic!" [Iroha-chan! Please dont make me think about studying while were on the phone!] "Sorry, sorry." Sounds like she''s having a hard time with her entrance exams. But hey, if she''s groaning like that, she must be working hard. [Still, even though the inte is important, I really just want to see you in person, Iroha-chan!] "Yeah, I want to see you too." [Wha!? W-wait, Iroha-chan, what did you just say!?] "I said I want to see you again, Mai." "~~~~!?" I could hear a soundless scream from the other side of the phone. Recently, Ive been missing Mai more than usual. At this point, I''d probably forgive her for just about anything uh, ahem. Thats not it. I have a real reason for needing to see her. I cleared my throat awkwardly and said, "Hey, Mai. Im thinking of spending New Years in Japan." [That makes me happy, but what about Ogu?] "Ogus going home for Christmas." Over here, Christmas is more like New Years in Japanits a family holiday. Recently, though, people have been calling it "Happy Holidays" to be more inclusive. "So I was thinking ofing back home from the 25th to around January 1st." [Really!? Yaaay! I get to spend time with Iroha-chan!] "Haha. But I need to check your schedule, too." [I''ll clear my schedule for you, Iroha-chan! We can celebrate Christmas together with everyone~] "Thats not what I meant." [Huh?] "I want to spend Christmas just the two of us." [Whaaa!? Iroha-chan, what does that mean!?] "You know what I mean. Dont make me say it, you idiot." "~~~~!" "So, can you make time or not? Which is it?" [A-ah, um, I-I-I, of course, can, but, um, aaah!?] "Were set then. Dont forget, or Ill be mad. Alright, bye-bye." [Iroha-chan!? W-wait, exin] I hung up the phone, escaping the embarrassment. Now everyone was taken care of. I had my promise with Angu Ogu for Christmas Eve, a n with Mai for Christmas, an offline cob with Ilyena during the break, and an important thing with A-nee "Okay." I psyched myself up for the end of the year, when my phone started buzzing again. "Huh? Who''s calling?" At the time, I had no idea. That one phone call wouldpletely change my fate. Chapter 340: [The Job Of A Goodwill Ambassador!] Chapter 340: [The Job Of A Goodwill Ambassador!] A sudden call. The voice I heard after pressing the answer button was [It''s been a while, Iroha-san. Thank you for always taking care of my daughter.] E-e-e-eh!? Ogu-Mom No, Madam President!? The person on the other end of the line was none other than the leader of this country or rather, the world. Stammering with surprise and nervousness, I asked Wh-whats going on!? I mean, is it even okay!? For you to call me directly like this!? Surely, someone in her position shouldnt be casually reaching out to a mere citizen. In fact, ever since she became president, this was the first time we''d exchanged words like this.[Oh, there''s no need to worry. This is simply work-rted.] Work-rted, you say? I had a bad feeling about this. If it were just a simple request, surely someone else could have handled it, instead of the president herself. So, um, what exactly is it? [You will soon be visiting a certain country, Iroha-san.] It sounded like a request, but in reality, it was more of a notice. Wait, uh where? After hearing the name of the country, I tilted my head and typed it into the search bar to check the location. To put it simply, it was a small, unfamiliar country. Th-this ce is pretty far, isnt it!? Um, is there any chance I could decline? My schedule is already packed with lessons and recordings. If possible, I''d like to pass on this one [Well, if you really must, it can''t be helped.] Surprisingly, she backed down quite easily. As I was about to hang up, thinking "Well then," [By the way, I heard your collection has grown quite a bit, Iroha-san.] ~~~~! cough cough! Ah, no!? That is!? [But what a shame. Oh well, I suppose.] Eek~!? The meaning of "Oh well" had taken aplete 180. Panicked, I hurriedly tried to stop Ogus mother from hanging up. I-Im sorry! Ill do it! Ill do it, okay!? [Oh, but if you dont want to, feel free to decline.] N-no! Id love to! I want to do it! [Very well.] Scary!? Ogus mother is as terrifying as ever! The only reason I was able to recover my past-life collection was thanks to her pulling some strings behind the scenes. Bringing that up now feels like nothing short of a threat!? How could I refuse after that!? [Besides, this matter is important not just to me, but to you as well. As a goodwill ambassador.] Ugh I had heard that, as part of my duties as a goodwill ambassador, I would have to visit foreign countries. But of all times, why now? So, when am I supposed to go to this country? [Somewhere between mid tote December.] Eh? [Don''t worry. You''ll be back in time for Christmas Eve.] Phew [I wouldnt want my daughter to hate me, after all.] Guh!? Ah, no!? Thats not what I meant!? [Oh? Isnt it?] Its not. How does she know everything!? Ah, of courseits the Secret Service! When I went to buy the ring, I made sure to ask Ogu and the others to keep quiet, but I forgot about anyone else. Well, its their job, so expecting them not to report it was probably a lost cause anyway. Still, I wish youd given me a bit more notice. I have to check the route, figure out how many days itll take, and adjust my schedule. [There''s no need for that. Depending on the situation, it''ll likely be a day trip.] What? No, no. The fewer major airports a country has, the moreyovers you have to deal with. Its not the kind of ce you can just pop over to [We''ll be using my private jet.] Ah, I see. So thats how it is. Her perspective, or rather, her sense of scale is just too different from mine But she is the president, after all. I guess that makes sense. Still, it feels like every escape route has been cut off. Theres no choice but to do it. Well, to be honest, I wasnt really nning to refuse in the first ce. [Ill send more detailster. On the day, just follow my peoples lead. See you on site.] Youll be there too, Madam? Got it. [Yes. And lets take that time to thoroughly discuss your rtionship with my daughter, and your future. Until then.] OXX~~~~~?!? I let out a scream that didnt even sound like words. After the call ended, I sat there in a daze. Maybe no, definitely, the real purpose of this job is thatst part. She only called because of that, didnt she? Fii~ I''m back~! Just got home from recording. What''s wrong, Iroha!? O-o-ohgu! O-oh!? There, there. I dont know what happened, but did something scare you? I nodded furiously and spilled everything to Ogu. Her cheeks puffed up angrily. Mom didnt even consider your schedule again! And now well have even less time to spend together Seriously, this year-end is going to be chaotic. If thats the case, then the only time Ill have left to do anything freely is About a week, I guess. If theres anything I havent done yet, this might really be myst chance. For some reason, thats how it feelsDD. Chapter 341: [Her Pacifier Compromise] Chapter 341: [Her Pacifier Compromise] Ogu, a Christmas card just came in from the office! Ohh, just leave it there. Now that December had begun, the air really felt like Christmas was just around the corner. Along with that, the small cultural differences with Japan started to peek through. So, over here, they have this whole thing of sending Christmas cards, huh? I said, while showing him the card wed received. It felt more and more like Japans New Year season, like receiving a New Years greeting card. Alright, that should do it. Iroha, its all set up now. Wow~ So this is an Advent calendar, huh. It was a box with little drawers numbered 1 to 24. Every day, you open the drawer for that date and receive a small gift or treat hidden inside. There were two in total. While you can buy pre-filled Advent calendars thate with gifts, the ones we bought this time were just empty boxes. This ones yours, Iroha, and this ones mine. Just to confirm, you did remember to buy the presents for Thanksgiving, right?Of course I did! We were together in the car right up until then, remember? After that, we split up so we wouldnt spoil each others surprises. You tend to forget anything that isnt rted to VTubers, so I had to ask. Mmmph! I will never forget something thats for you, Ogu! ! I puffed out my cheeks in protest at his remark. Sure, maybe I had been forgetful in the past, buttely, Ive been putting more thought into things for everyone. So, this criticism feltpletely unfair. Iroha, Im sorry. That was uncalled for Ah!? Ah? N-no! Its nothing, really! Wait, dont tell me you actually forgot to buy it. N-no way! Haha! Thats impossible! Really, its nothing, nothing at all! Theres no way I couldve forgotten to buy the other presents because I spent too much time picking out the ring Right? Please, someone tell me that didnt happen! Well, if you say so. Alright, lets start packing the gifts into the calendars. No peeking, got it? I know, I know! But Ogu, no peeking from your side either, okay? I mean it! O-okay? I nced at Ogu and made up my mind. I had no choice now but to make do with what I had on hand. We went to our rooms, gathered the presents, and began filling the Advent calendars. But when it came to the final drawer, I left it empty. The reason was, that I hadnt yet prepared the most important gift that was supposed to go in there. Still I didnt realize until now You cant just walk out of the store with a ring on the same day!? Now that I think about it, its obviousgetting the right size, the engraving, and if its custom-made, even more so. Thankfully, by throwing money at the problem, it should arrive in time, but ugh, it was an unexpectedly costly mistake. Ill have to sneak the final gift into the Advent calendarter. Wait a second Does this mean I havent actually prepared any presents yet? No, no, lets not go there. Hey, Iroha! Youre not done packing yet? S-sorry! Im almost finished too! Then lets exchange our Day 1 presents! Yeah, lets! Ready, setopen! *** Hey, Ogu.Iroha. A few dayster, we sat facing each other, our Advent calendar presents lined up. We both took a deep breath and What were you thinking!? We shouted at the same time. Ogu pointed at the gifts Id given him. You! All of this its just your own merch! You just grabbed stuff lying around your room, didnt you? You totally forgot to buy actual presents, didnt you!? Ugh!? I couldnt deny it. I had grabbed the Trantion Girl Iroha merchandise samples that had just arrived in a box. How did you figure it out so fast!? Of course I figured it out! And this! This is all from a prize draw, isnt it!? Its been can badge, can badge, can badge Youre not about to give me acrylic keychains or something next, are you!? Ugh!? N-no, no way! They werent acrylic keychains, they were rubber straps! And Id only used the ones that fit in the Advent calendar, the rest Id switched up! At least mix it up a bit! Dont just follow the prize ordershuffle them like a real draw! Wait, no! And can you let go of it!? Hold on, I never said I didnt want them. So, you do like them after all, huh!? See, my presents were right on the mark! I mean, I do like them, but you give me all your merch for free anyway! If this is how its going to be, Im not giving you any more of my Ogu samples either! Noooo! To be honest, wed been creating a cycle of supply and demand with each others merch for a while now. So in a way, my gifts were worth practically nothing But still! At least its better than your useless gift! Its not useless! Its funny, and besides it suits you, Iroha! The gift Ogu had put in the Advent calendar was a pacifier. Come on, who even uses those at our age? Though, I guess VTubers use them a lot I am NOT a baby!! Thats a whole different story. And I shouted that denial from the bottom of my heart. Chapter 342: [I Want To Baby Out To A Vtuber] Chapter 342: [I Want To Baby Out To A Vtuber] What is this lineup!? I said as I pointed at the items that came out of the advent calendar. Starting from day one: a bottle cap, a bib, and then a pacifier this is just awful! What does Ogu think I am!? Baby stuff!? Tsk tsk tsk, Iroha! You''re wrong about this! How am I wrong about it!? Well, sure, it''s baby stuff for now, but the target age will go up little by little from here on out. ??? Day one is for ages one and under, and day two is for age two and under so the items are meant to be useful up to the number of days! That means thest one should be useful up to age 24! So, on day nine, there would be something for a nine-year-old like a safety buzzer or something?Oh, sharp guess! Yeah, remember when Anego came over and you fell asleep by yourself? We came up with this idea while talking then. It''s genius, isnt it!? Ugh, it''s you again, isn''t it, Ah-neee!? But really, isnt it weird? Why doesnt everyone else do this kind of thing? Honestly, right!? I have an advent calendar with about a 95% chance of containing stuff I don''t need. I think the idea itself is funny, but actually getting it is just a hassle!? I can''t use any of this And thats exactly why I''ve got a n ready for you! No no no!? Sorry, my bad!? Im fine with not using any of it! Besides, both Ogu and I are super busy right nowtheres no time for such a silly n Huh? But I already reached out to other VTubers, and everyone else besides you already said yes. What are you doing!? Im telling you Im absolutely not doing it! Absolutely not! Absolutely no way! I firmly told Angu Ogu no *** "So, today''s baby project is here! Gruuu hello, I''m the zombie~! Its Angu Ogu here!" "Ugh, I''m definitely not a baby! May my words reach you It''s Iroha, the trantor girl." ?Hey, Ogu! (U.S.) ?Iroharo~ ?No way, Iroha-chan is definitely not a maybe, she''s a baby! LOL I was being forced into participating in this "baby project." It was happening the very next day. Instant downfall, huh? But what could I do!? Apparently, it had already been set into my schedule without me knowing, and most importantly Anegasaki was there. " Hows everyone doing~? It''s your Onee-chan Im Anegasaki M! I''ve got a feeling this is going to be a legendary episode!" "I''ve got nothing but bad feelings about this!?" ?Anegoooo, I love you!!! ?Wasn''t this idea by Ogu and Anego? ?Iroha-chan, good luck LOL If Ah-neee had a hand in it, there was no escaping it. My fate was sealed. Honestly, I had my suspicions from the moment I saw that advent calendar. And another person whose fate was entangled was "Dobroho-ranko! Everyone, hello it''s Ilyena! I heard I get to see Iroha-sama''s baby y, so I came to join! Thank you for having me!" ?Dobro-ho ranko! ?I came to get babied by Iroha-mama too ?Wait, is this the first time the four of you are cobing? "Yes! Thats why I called her! Its my first time cobing with Ilysha-chan, Ah-neee~. Of course, we''ve talked plenty behind the scenes, exchanging secret photos of Iroha-chan and all." "Thanks for your help back then! Anyway, I''m so happy to cob with my beloved Iroha-sama!" "Hmph, if it''s about Iroha, then I won''t lose either!" "Onee-chan loves Iroha-chan too, you know~?" ?Secret photos!? Spill the tea! ?Show us already! ?This looks like its actually an Iroha harem disguised as a baby episode LOL "I''ll take that! Everyone, make sure to promote it with a hashtag, Ah-neee~!" "Don''t adopt such a weird unit name!? Can we please drop this already!?" "Well, as Iroha''s official first wife~" "No, I am the first wife!" "What are you even talking about? Its obviously me!" "Stop starting a war over who''s the real wife! Lets get back to the topic! What exactly is this project about?" "d you asked! The content is super simple! Well switch between ying baby and mommy roles, and the goal is to decide who makes the best baby!" "This is a hellish project!" "So, whos going to be the first baby~?" "Well, it''s already decided that Iroha will be the baby, and naturally, Im an adultdy, so Ill be the mommy!" "So, its settled! Iroha-chan and Ogu will be the first babies~! And Ill be the mommy along with Ilyena-chan, Ah-neee~." "Why meee!?" "I-I get to be Iroha-samas mama!? YAHOOO! Leave it to me!" "Somebody help me" And thus, the baby project from hell began Our first-ever cob as a group of fourit felt like a momentous asion, but is this really the right kind of content for that!? Chapter 343: [Wings Of Words] Chapter 343: [Wings Of Words] "Okay then, Iroha-chan and Ogu will be babies in 3, 2, 1 start!" Ah-nees signal marked the beginning of the act. Theres no other choice. Angu Ogu and I, with our faces bright red, let out our voices. Ba-babuu~ Babuu~ ?Ahh, Im ascending. ?This is too cute. I feel purified. ?What is this feeling is this maternal instinct!? Gyaaaooon! Iroha-sama is so cute! Iroha-sama!Ugh!? Ogu, you''re doing great too~! Cuddle up to mommy, or should I say Ah-nee~? N-no! Anego as mommy!? At least let me switch, pleease!? While the two ying mommy were totally into it, Angu Ogu and I, ying the babies, were in hell. Actually, Angu Ogu, wasnt half of this your idea!? Th-this wasnt supposed to happen Angu Ogu muttered, hanging her head. Apparently, she hadnt anticipated being forced into the baby role himself. Hey, Ogu-chan. No talking so fluently, babies don''t talk like that~? Gahh, a-aguaaa~! Iroha-sama! Please call me Ilyena-mama! T-thats a bit much!? Calling a middle school girl mama, what kind of shame y is this!? I may be an old guy inside No, even for girls the same age, that''s gotta be a no-go, right!? B-babies cant pronounce such difficult words anyway. Are you trying to escape, Iroha-sama!? N-no, its true! Babies really cant say that! They dont have teeth yet, and their mouths havent developed their mouths are too small, so there are physically impossible sounds to make! ?No one told you to be that strict with the baby act, lol ?Stop using your knowledge of linguistics as an excuse! ?Dont run, coward! Fight! Be a baby too! I-Im a baby right now, so my vision is so bad I cant even read thements! A babys vision is about 0.02. In other words, they can barely see anything. And they cant keep their eyes open for long, either. So, immediately realizing, Its a medieval-level culture or This is another world or Wow, a beautiful mom! and being able to speak fluently right after being reborn only happens in fantasy. You shouldnt assume that people from another world would have the same body structure as people on Earth. Theres even a theory that its not the eyes but the brain thats underdeveloped. Yeah, theyre probably going with that! Yet, you seem to understand my voice quite clearly, Ilyena said. Ugh!? W-well, babies can hear sounds clearly. By the way, Iroha-sama, when you were still in my womb, whenever I spoke to you, you always kicked back Dont make up crazy memories like that! Think before you speak! Thats way over the line! ?Ilyena isnt the type who wants to be born from her favorite character, she wants to give birth to them, huh? ?Both are insane. Rtable though, lol. ?Rtable, really? LOL Well, it''s true that babies can hear voices from inside the womb. Though the way they hear is different from how they hear in the air. In a way, you could saynguage learning starts from that time. Isnt that a bit of an exaggeration? But actually, studies show that even at the time of their first cry, babies intonation differs based on their nativenguage, depending on the country. Eh!? Really!? Ive heard that its good to talk to babies in the womb but I didnt know it meant that! Language acquisition must be instinctual. The mouth wasnt originally made for speaking. Its primary function is to eat and breathe. Its a case of preadaptationsomething originally made for one purpose being used for another. Therefore, you cant say thatnguage isnt instinctual. Our words are probably like wings to birds. Feathers that originally regted body temperature eventually became used for flight. And yet, birds are born knowing how to fly, without anyone teaching them. That must be instinct, no doubt. So, maybe words are the same. But where does instincte from, anyway? That, I dont know. I see. By the way, Iroha-sama, you mentioned there are sounds babies cant physically make. But how would you pronounce [Ilyena-mama] as a baby? Um I converted it in my head, then spoke the words. iiwee-a mamaaa~? Ohhhohoooo! A-ahem, excuse me, just a little nosebleed. Huh!? Damn, I was tricked!? I thought I could distract them with the linguistics talk! Iroha-chan, youve been thinking aboutplicated things this whole time! At this rate, youll never be a proper baby! Cmon, lower your IQ a bit more! Anego, please raise your IQ!? I dont want a mama this dumb! The stream, which had been somewhat rational up to this point, finally crossed the line. Ah-nee sighed as if to say, "It can''t be helped." Geez, it looks like neither of you are really getting into the baby mindset yet. I guess its time to bring out the secret weapon. No way, are they really going to use that? From here, the baby roley spiraled into pure chaosDD. Chapter 344: [Baby Regression] Chapter 344: [Baby Regression] Are you really going to use this pacifier? Thats the whole point of this segment, right? Come on, Iroha, hurry, hurry! ?Why does Iroha even have a pacifier, lol ?Lmao, ssic ?Well, Iroha is a baby, so it makes sense shed have one Its not like that, okay!? Actually I begin to exin the advent calendar situation to the viewers. This was all forced on me, its not like its my hobby or anything! ?Oh, so thats whats going on, lol ?This is just too genius?Without a doubt, therell be more Baby Iroha fan art Besides, you have to start with the right look, or it wont feel right, sis! Ah, Sis really loves this kind of cosy, doesnt she? Just like at the shooting range, or for Halloween. Come on, Iroha-chan, put it on already! Ugh, dont stare at me so much, its embarrassing. Angu Ogu moves closer, pressing her shoulder against mine, and shing a mischievous grin as she looks my way. I re back at her with a resentful look. Like this is none of her concern! Well then, Iroha. If you cant do it yourself, should I help you put it in? I-I can do it myself! Ugh, Im so embarrassed I could die. Tears welling up in the corners of my eyes, I grab the pacifier. Theres no backing out now. I resolve myself and bite down on it. In that instant, a jolt of electricity surges through my entire body. Chu-pah, chu-pah. ?Gyaaahhh!! Too cute!!!! ?What is this overwhelming power!? ?The usual reliable Iroha-chan makes the contrast even more striking! Iroha, dont forget this part too. Angu Ogu ties a bib around my neck. At the same time, the pacifier and bib illustrations are oveid onto the Trantor Iroha character in the stream, thanks to Sis preparations. How does it feel, Iroha-sama? Chu-pah, chu-pah Huh~? What, mamaaa? """!?!?!?""" ?Iroha-chan!? ?Whats with that soft, fluffy voice!? ?Irohas actually turning into a baby!? Wh-what!? Iroha-sama is too cute!! And she called me mama!? I-Irohas really turned into a baby!? Whats going on with you!? The pacifier slips from my mouth as I nk out. At that moment, I snap back to reality. Wh-what did I just!? The moment I put the pacifier in my mouth, a strange sense offort overwhelmed me, robbing me of my thoughts. The mysterious fit made my mind regress to that of a baby. Iroha, open wide. W-wait Mmph!? Chu-pah, chu-pah Hehe~, I love you, Angu~ ~~~~!! Huh!? Again!? Angu Ogu shoves the pacifier back into my mouth, turning me into a baby once more. I even said things Id never normally say out loud What is happening to me!? ?Maybe Iroha-chans been under a lot of stress? ?Her body and soul were yearning to return to babyhood, lol ?Is the pacifier a transformation item? Did your unconscious desires surface? Iroha, is this how you really feel? N-n-no!! This is Ahhh~!! I grab my head in agony, on the verge of losing it. Why is this happening to me!? ?Iroha-chans broken, lol ?Shespletely losing it ?I was always into older girls, but now I get the appeal of infantilization, thanks to Iroha Dont develop a weird fetish over this! Besides, why am I the only one doing this!? Angu Ogus supposed to y the baby role with me! Trying to escape, I shift the attention toward Angu Ogu. Its not just meanyone who puts a pacifier in their mouth would end up like this! Hahaha, what are you talking about, Iroha? Im not doing Huh? Ah-nee chimes in, sounding confused. Then, she continues where Angu Ogu left off. "I have no choice, so instead C I''ll forgive you with Iroha-chan''s baby bottle!" Chapter 345: [Baby Bottles Are Way Harder To Suck From Than I Thought] Chapter 345: [Baby Bottles Are Way Harder To Suck From Than I Thought] I-I dont wanna, I dont wanna! A baby bottle? Thats way too embarrassing! Hey, Ogu. You shoved a pacifier into my mouth, and now youre saying that? I tightly wrapped my arms around Angu Ogu, who was trying to pull away. If we were on a video call, maybe she couldve hidden her embarrassment, but unfortunately for her, I was right next to her. Ogu, youre not getting away. Nnngh!? Im happy you''re holding me but not happy!? Iroha, could you bring a bottle of milk for Ogu? On it! Iroha, no need to prepare that! Here you go~!So fast!? Youre always so slow, but why are you quick only at times like this!? Since she went through all the trouble, I decided to warm the milk in the microwave until it was body temperature. To make it even more realistic, I pressed the bottle into Angu Ogus hands. Here you go, Ogu! Ogu, its feeding time~! Ogu-san, you look so good with that! Before I knew it, Angu Ogu was holding a bottle even on the stream screen. Was Ah-nee already predicting this would happen? Fine, Ill drink it, okay? Ill drink ah slurp, slurp. Angu Ogu sucked on the bottle and tilted her head. Then, furrowing her brow, she desperately puckered her lips. Hmm? Mmm!? Apparently, the milk wasnting out as easily as shed expected. After sucking multiple times, she finally managed to swallow with a loud gulp. The way she was struggling made her look like a baby eagerly sucking at a breast and it was kind of cute. I started feeling like I wanted to help her drink Wait, what am I even thinking!? Whats this feeling could this be maternal instinct? How was it, Ogu-chan? Did Mamas milk taste good~? Phew! Hey, Ah-nee, this things way too hard to drink from! My cheeks are cramping up! ?Ogu says Ah-nees milk is hard to drink? ?Oh, right. Its because Ah-nees t-chested ?This isnt Ogus fault, its clearly Ah-nees! Ogu, your bottle-sucking skills are worse than a babys! Minus one baby point, Ah-nee! Hey! That was totally biased! And stop making up weird point systems! Oh, geez. Ogu, let me try. Ill help you drink. Wait, what!? What are you nning, Iroha!? Oh? Is Iroha-chan the mommy now? Come here, sit on myp. Whoa!? I snatched the bottle from Angu Ogus hand and pulled her close to me. Just like soothing a baby, I cradled her head andid her across myp There, there. Sip, sip its yummy, isnt it? Eep! Slurp, slurp gulp, gulp. ?This is angelic. ?Weve discovered a new concept: Saint Iroha. ?A little girl feeding another little girl milk Mmm Phew! Iroha, I cant drink anymore Angu Ogu spat out the bottles nipple from her mouth. A drop of milk hung from her chin, ready to fall. Whoops. I wiped the milk from her chin with my finger to prevent her clothes from getting dirty. Then, without thinking, I licked the milk from my finger. Mmm, sweet. W-WHAA!? W-What are you doing!? Huh? Whats wrong? I just licked the milk that dripped from your mouth. Angu Ogus face turned beet red. She always calls herself a grown-updy, so I guess being treated like a baby is her weak spot. But I take care of her meals all the time, so this didnt feel all that different to me. Well done, you drank so well~. Good girl, my sweet baby. I said this while patting her head. She looked surprised, her mouth opening and closing in shock. How was it? The taste of my milk? O-Okay, whats gotten into you!? Angu Ogu finally snapped out of her daze and shouted. Huh? Did I do something weird? I thought I was acting like a normal mom. ?Iroha-chans milk!? ?That sounded so suggestive, lol. ?Did anyone else feel like this was less baby and more romantic? I-Iroha-sama! I want to be your baby too! Hmm~, but its hard to give milk online oh, I know. I came up with another motherly activity we could do, even in this situation. To make it happen, I turned to Ah-nee and softly whispered in a gentle tone. Mone-chan, how about we study together, just you and Mommy? ?Education Mom mode activated, lol. ?If Iroha-chan were my mom, Id definitely grow up smart. ?At least youd be able to speak foreignnguages, which fits Ah-nee perfectly! Uh, no thanks. Im not really into that kind of thing. Id rather do something more fun Heyyy! Moneeeet! Eep!? Ah-nee, startled by the sudden yelling, let out a cute scream. I quickly followed up with more words. Why are you saying that!? Dont you understand!? Im doing all of this for you! Its for your future, dont you see!? Wahhh! Wait, is this a toxic mom move!? Chapter 346: [VTuber Genius Education] Chapter 346: [VTuber Genius Education] A motherly action. The first thing that came to my mind when I heard that was this. ?The toxic parent move was hrious. Plus, it feels so genuine. ?Speaking of which, I feel like I remember Iroha-chan had a conflict with her mother over entrance exams back in the day. ?Could it be that experience gave it this much realism? Mone-chan, do you understand? Youll understand, right? I dont want you to be unhappy. For that, you need to study properly from a young age! Ugh!? ?Its rare, but Anego is flustered, haha. ?The only VTuber who can scare Anego like this might be Iroha-chan, right??Now that I think about it, Iroha-chan has been tossing Anego around since her debut(?). Well then, Mone-chan. First, lets study English until you reach the same level as your mother, okay? W-Wait, the same level as Iroha-chan!? Thats way too much No, I mean, Im already fluent in English, so I dont really need to. Dont talk back!!!! P-Peh!? Iroha-chan is scary!? Help me, Ogu, Ilyena-chan! Anego Youve been attracting Irohas ire regrly, havent you? Isnt this what you get? Anego-san how nice. I want to be educated by Iroha-sama too. Can someone please help me!? And can you worry about me a little!? ?Absolutely no poprity, haha. ?It made me realize how important daily behavior is. Thats all. ?Ilyesha, lol. Ugh but Ane, Iroha-chan. It''s not Iroha-chan,'' it''s Mama'', got it? Mama~, I want to y with my friends~! Huh??? Friends? Thats ridiculous! You dont need something like that! ?The darkness is deep, too deep. ?Irohas mom put her through this kind of Spartan education? ? No way thats true! lol ?Irohas mom is actually really nice, I think. ?If it were me, Id never allow watching MyTube for more than two hours a day, haha. ?If Irohas mom were really strict, then Iroha-chan wouldnt even be able to be a VTuber. Mone-chan, there are things you must prioritize over friends. Do you understand? E-Even if you say that I think studying is just a means to an end. Thats obvious! Huh!? Ipletely cut off Ane''s words. Studying itself is not the goal; thats obvious. However, studying is incredibly versatile. Aside from being way too versatile, its no different from any other means. Anyway, everyone has been rude since earlier. Toxic parent, toxic parent Im not acting like that! Huh!? Then why are you saying scary things like Study!''? No, studying isn''t scary, is it? Or is this a scary manju kind of joke? Actually wanting me to teach her a lot No, thats not it. Why do you think I''m trying to make you study so much? Theres only one answer. Its all for your sake, so you wont have trouble When watching overseas streams! Ah, Ah, Iroha-sama? ?Oh, so thats what it is, lol. ?I thought she was a toxic parent, but it was actually genius education for VTuber fans. ? Though in a way, this is also toxic,'' I guess, lol. Iroha-chan''s kids are going to have a tough time. ?Personally, I want to learn English and love VTubers, so this might be the ideal environment. Being able to drink milk from Iroha-chan and get scoldedthere''s nothing like it! Got it, Mone-chan? If you dont study properly, itll be toote to regret it! Itll be toote to be in agony not fully understanding your oshis words! Do you understand!? U-Uh, Iroha, calm down a bit. And, uh, yeah, I think you suit the baby role more than the mama role. Huh!? But this is the ideal mom image Im imagining! Your ideal is way too warped, isnt it!? By the way, the household rules are VTuber watching is more than two hours a day,'' Super chats are not included in pocket money,'' and Family must watchmemorative streams together'' I can easily watch Iroha-sama''s streams for two hours every day! Ilyena, you be quiet! I think Iroha-chan is more suited to being a baby, too~. Here, Iroha. Do this, and go back to the baby mindset. Did you still have baby items left!? What I was handed was a single diaper. Now that I think about it, there was one rolled-up diaper in the fourth drawer of the advent calendar. Ill change your diaper for you. I dont want it! I mean, can you give it a rest already!? After that incident, its famous in themunity that Ane changed my diaper while I was sleeping in the hospital Wait, why has this story be so famous!? Well, setting that aside. Ogu still asionally tries to seize that chance even after two years. Alright! Then, lets all be babies together for the finale! Ew!? I-I still want to be the mama role a little longer Gotcha! Mmm!? Suck, suck. Bub~! Mama~! Hehe~! I couldnt escape. I was forced to suck a pacifier, losing my ability to think And I realized something. The absence of a mama means that theres no stopper either. The streams from there on out were nothing short of a dark history. Chapter 347: [Dai-shuki~ Dai-shuki] Chapter 347: [Dai-shuki~ Dai-shuki] Chapter 347. [Dai-shuki~ Dai-shuki] "Huh!?" I snapped back to reality and looked around. Uh what was I doing again? Oh, right. We''re in the middle of a baby-themed stream "Aaah~! Iroha-sama has snapped back to reality!" "Well, after ying that much, of course." "Iroha, that was so good! Mufufu!" What are they talking about? Wait, how much time has passed!?"W-What happened? I barely remember anything!" Was it because the pacifier made my brain stop working? Or maybe my survival instincts locked away the memory because it was so awful. The only thing I vaguely remember is being forced to say "I love you" to everyone. "Iroha, you love me so much, don''t you~?" "Auu~! I love Ogu~!" "No, no! Iroha-sama loves me the most, right~?" "Kyakya! Iliena-chan is my most'' favorite~!" "No, no~! Iroha-chan loves me the most, right~" "Ah, umm Big Sis is fine" "Why am I the only one~!?" ?Anego''s baby act is sooo awkward, lol ?Why though? Anyone else would be called "cute" ?Even baby Iroha treating Anego coldly is hrious Wait, did I really not say anything to Aa-ne~? It seems even under extreme conditions, my instincts refused to sweet-talk her in public. Huh? What about everyone else, you ask? No way. I didnt secretly confess to everyone using this baby act as an excuse. Nope. Not at all. "Anyway, thats a wrap! Now, let''s move on to the results! Although, I think everyone already knows, right~?" "Yup." "Indeed." "Huh?" "Then, Ogu, please announce the 1st ce winner!" "Leave it to me. The winner of the first-ever Baby Contest, and the one who earned the title of Best of Baby is" "IROHA~~~~!" After a drumroll, the stream screen lit up with a spotlight effect. A deliberately cheesy fanfare yed, and a standing image of Trantor Girl Iroha'' was highlighted. "Eh, whaaat!? Why me!? We havent even voted yet!" "There''s no need for that!" "After seeing and hearing that no one could pick anyone but Iroha-chan. It''s frustrating, but I''ll give up the win this time." "I don''t want it at all! Why is Aa-ne holding back at a time like this!?" ?Yeah~ That was seriously next-level powerful. ?Iroha-chan is a real baby. We can vouch for it. ?Honestly, that was just wow. "Wait, what exactly did I say? I don''t want any more embarrassing moments to pile up!" I held my head in my hands. Ugh, I need to watch my oshis stream right now. I need healing. Urgently. "Ugh, thats it! The event is over! You all enjoyed it enough, right!? SoMama, hurry up and end this stream already!" "Hm?" "Huh?" "Ooooh!" "Eh? Nooo!? That was a mistake!?" I identally said "Mama" naturally. Wh-why did I make the worst mistake at the worst possible time!? "Oh? What do you mean by mistake''?" "As expected of Iroha-sama, that was such a natural baby phrase. The winner really was Iroha-sama." "Who exactly were you calling Mama'' just now? C''mon, tell your big sis~!" "I-I wasn''t calling anyone that! Oh my gosh, shut up, shut up! That was just a slip from the acting! It''s not like that at all!" "Heheh~ That was the perfect end!" "Yep, it sure was. Well then, everyone, Otsukareta!''" "Otsukareta!''" "Otsukareta!''" "Wait, dont end it here! My viewers are still misunderstanding" But my words were cut off mercilessly. And so, the baby-themed stream came to an end *** Ugh, it really wasnt like that at all~ Hey, Iroha. Stop sulking already. As I slumped over my desk, Angu Ogu, who had already finished cleaning up, spoke to me from the side. I know I know its all over already. "Sigh~" But yeah, Angu Ogu is right. Its pointless to keep moping. Ill just watch a stream and lift my mood. When my oshi smiles, most of my worries disappear. Unnn~~~~ Angu Ogu usually clings to me with excessive enthusiasm, but its rare for her to just stare like this. Uh, is something wrong? Its making me ufortable since Im not used to it. I finally couldnt stand it and asked. If you need something, itd help if you just said it Ah, no!? I-I guess so ? For some reason, she was really hesitant. But after a moment, she seemed to gather her courage and spoke. Iroha, earlier you said you didnt get enough of being the mom, right? Huh? No, that was just in the moment Hey, Iroha. Could you just once, totally spoil me like a baby? Wha!? What kind of request is that? Even Angu Ogu, embarrassed by her own words, blushed and fidgeted awkwardly. Well I mean, sure, I guess. I think I was just as red as she was. We both nced at each other nervously. It was Angu Ogu who made the first move. S-So should we go to the bed? Y-Yeah. I nodded, tightly gripping the hand she held outDD. Chapter 348: [Great! Great! Great!] Chapter 348: [Great! Great! Great!] Angu Ogu held my hand and walked me to the bed. We sat down on the bed side by side, still holding hands. The bed springs creaked softly. The sounds of our breathing and the warmth from our shoulders touching felt remarkably striking. W-well, Mama What is it? Angu Ogu called me "Mama" in a sweet voice. I tried to respond in as gentle a tone as possible hiding my face slightly to cover the unbearable embarrassment. Ah, ahaha. Its kind of embarrassing, after all.Y-yeah. It seemed Angu Ogu felt the same way, shrinking back shyly. Seeing her like that, I steeled myself and took action. Ogu. What? Hug~! W-whaaa!? Angu Ogu''s body was very small and delicate. Well, I cant say much about others, though. I pulled her closer, letting her lean against me. I guided her into a position that felt like I was holding'' her. W-w-w-whats gotten into you, Iroha!? Youre being so forward!? Its kind of''different'' from usual!? N-no, its nothing! I just thought, you know! Maybe Ill reward you for once~. Ogu always works really hard. I know that. Hearing that, I dont feel bad about it. Ogu is great, great. Good job~. Hawaawa~!? While I was patting her head, Angu Ogus expression gradually melted away. Before long, shepletely turned into a baby Mama????! Angu Ogu hadpletely attached herself to me and was clinging on. Then she started expressing her desires openly. Um, Mama. I feel thirsty. I want something to drink. Saying that, she pointed her gaze toward the baby items she had slyly brought to the bed. I chuckled and replied to Angu Ogu. Oh, so you want me to give you something to drink again? Ogu is such a clingy little one, huh? I-Im a baby right now, so its fine! Ahaha, thats right. Ogu is my baby~. But is it really okay with the baby items? You can choose whatever you like, you know? Which one? It seemed she didnt quite get it, tilting her head as I leaned closer to her ear. Then, I whispered sweetly. Milk from a bottle, orMamas breast? !?!?!? Huh, wait, what huh!? Come on, if you dont answer quickly, Ill decide for you, you know? Three, two, one Awawawa!? I-I want Mamas, Irohas breast! Oh, really? Hearing that response, I grinned at Angu Ogu. It seemed she realized what she had said a moment toote, her face turning red for a different reason. N-no! That was!? Was it not? I-its not, but! Its not? So you really do want mine Ogu is so naughty. N-no!? B-but you said I could choose! Just kidding, just kidding. Right now, Ogu is a baby, after all. Okay. Huh? I casually lifted my shirt, exposing my bare skin up to my stomach. Angu Ogu''s gaze was glued to it, and I heard a gulp. E-excuse me, not joking? R-really? I didnt answer, pulling my shirt up further. Until it reached the borderline where you could just barely see my chest. Hah Hah It seemed the excitement was getting to Angu Ogu, her breathing bing ragged. Her face drew closer to my chest as if drawn in. Iroha, its okay, right? Im already! Before long, she seemed unable to hold back and clung to me. In that moment, I Gotcha~~~~! Just in time, I yanked my shirt down. Angu Ogu''s face mmed into my chest. !?!?!?!? It seemed her head hadnt caught up yet. Angu Ogu pressed her nose, still in shock, alternating her gaze between my face and chest. Ha! Ogu, you fell for it~! Theres no way Id go that far! This is just a payback for making me create a ck history of baby streams! Other presents in the advent calendar were pacifiers And also for all the times during streams when I had no memory of her doing whatever she liked. Well, this much is my rightful im. Wow, I got to see Ogus embarrassing side a lot! When I was told it was different from usual'', I panicked, thinking I had been caught, stuttered in surprise, and I couldnt help but smile at the thought of the reveal. However, I felt satisfied that I managed to pull it off! As Iughed Hey. Huh? What is it Hyah!? The bed creaked! For some reason, I found myself pushed down by Angu Ogu. W-wait? Ogu? Let me suck! Huh? Let me suck~~~~! Gyaaaaa~~~!? For some reason, Angu Ogu hadpletely gone wildDD. Chapter 349: [So Much Going On! I’m Totally Fine!] Chapter 349: [So Much Going On! Im Totally Fine!] Uh, um Ogu? Youre scaring me!? W-wait, stop!? I tried to resist, but I was easily overpowered. Angu Ogu came down on top of me. Mff mff! Gyaaah!? Stop it! Knock it off!? Angu Ogu buried her face into my chest, rubbing against me. Then, she opened her mouth wide Chomp! Nom nom! Hyaah, ngh!? W-wait Stop nibbling weird ces!?She bit through the fabric of my clothes, gnawing at my chest. And as if that wasnt enough, her hand slid beneath the hem of my shirt Wh-what are you doing!? No! You seriously cant do that!? Panicking, I grabbed Angu Ogu''s hand to stop her from going further. But she persisted anyway Ahya!? Ngh, ah No, it tickles! Stop that! Her small, soft hand was now touching my bare skin. With delicate, gentle fingers, she stroked and squeezed different areas. Hah Hahh Nnngh!? No, stop! I said stop! My breathing grew heavier, and for some reason, tears started welling up in my eyes. I couldnt control my emotions. But then I noticed my own hand had reached for the hem of her clothes, and I snapped back to my senses. Th-this is really bad!? Why are you trying to undress me!? Ogu, calm down! Look, its winter already, right? Its cold, so! Iroha Sorry. But Angu Ogu didnt listen. With one swift motion, she yanked my shirt up to my neck. Now my bare skin was exposed entirely, and my face burned with embarrassment. Sure, weve bathed together before, and weve seen each other naked But this feels totally different!? Nnghhey, stop that Ah!? I tried to cover my chest with my hands, but she grabbed my arms. She pinned them above my head like I was giving up, making it impossible to resist. Haa, haa Iroha, youre so cute. N-no! Its embarrassingdont stare! Aah!? Your breathit tickles!? Ogu, uh Youre not actually going to, right? I mean, you wouldnt go that far, right? I told you, Its your fault, Iroha. You showed me your bare skin in that pose and tempted me! Ive been holding back this whole time! But I cant anymore. Wha!? Thats what you meant by its my fault!?!? W-wait! Chu~~~! ~~~~!?!?!? For a whole hour after that, Angu Ogu indulged herself with my chest. I made a firm resolution. Id never tease or provoke anyone again. And if I did, Id be a lot more careful about how. *** For the record, nothing indecent happened. That was breastfeeding. Yes, it was a perfectly wholesome, healthy act! At least, thats how I tried to justify it in my head Then, over the phone, I heard a sinister giggle. [Could it beee~? Iroha-chan~ Are you thinking about another girl while chatting with me?] "Hiii!? W-what!?" [What? So you really were thinking about her, huh~?] "N-no, thats not!? I mean, um!" I was on the phone with Mai from my room. Apparently, watching that baby-themed stream earlier made her restless, and she couldnt hold back from calling me. Wait, hold on So that stream was public for everyone to see? Ugh! If even my mom saw it, itd be another ASMR fiasco all over again!? [It looked like everyone was having so much fun~ Right? Really~?] "Eek!? N-no, it wasnt like I left you out on purpose!?" [I knooow~ Mai isnt a VTuber, after all~. But still Its so unfair, so unfairrr! Im so jealouuus~! Sooo unfairrrr!!] "A-are you a baby!? Stop whining, please! Calm down, okay!?" Why do I have to deal with so many giant babies in one day!? Ive seriously had enough of ying the mom role [So, Iroha-chan~? How about you grab a pacifier right now and act like a baby for me, too~?] Wait, what? Im the baby now? This is still a nightmare. If I use a pacifier, things will get even worse [Youre not going to do it~? Thats sooo unfairrrrr!] "O-okay! Ill do it, all right!?" [Really~? Yayyy~!] "Th-this girl" Overwhelmed by the pressure, I gave in. Luckily, I was alone in my roomno one else could hear. Though I did have to kick Angu Ogu out earlier. What the heck was she thinking, going that far!? Theres no way Ill be able to look her in the eye for a while. [Iroha-chan~? Are you readyyy~?] "Y-yeah, Im ready! Here I go!" Trying to change the subject, I grabbed the pacifier and bit down on it. Well, here goes nothing! I thought as I deliberately made loud sucking noises. "Chu-pah, chu-pah." [Kyaaa~! Iroha-chan, youre such a good little baby~! Ill pamper you as much as you want, okay~?] Hearing those sounds, Mai squealed with delight. And so, the madness continued. Chapter 350: [The Two Of Us Are Mom Friends] Chapter 350: [The Two Of Us Are Mom Friends] Auu! Kyakkyak! Mamaaa~! Maaamaaa~! With wet sounds of chupa-chupa, I babbled in a cutesy voice over the phone to Mai. She was absolutely thrilled by my act. [Haaah~! I-Iroha-chan, you''re usually so cold, but now youre acting so cute~! You must really, really love me!] Hehe~! Yup! I loooove Mama sooo much~! [Oooohhh~! I-I cant believe you said it so honestly! Come here, Iroha-chan~! You can drink Mamas milk as much as you want~!] Yayyy! Chupa, chupa [Wehihi~! See? Youre doing so well~? So good at drinking~?] Cough, cough!?[Huh? Whats wrong, Iroha-chan~?] N-nothing~! Mamas milk is soooo tasty~! We continued ying our little game for a while, and eventually Mai seemed satisfied. Or maybe Id just overdone it. Uh, Mai~? [Abyabyabyah Heehee~ Iroha-chan~. Im always so unlucky, but today, Im so happy~!] This is hopeless. Mai hadpletely tripped into her own world, and no matter what I said, she didnt respond. Geez, I just wanted to spoil her a bit, but I guess it was too much. Okay, Im hanging up now, alright? Im really going to hang up, okay? [Ohhhoho~ Iroha-chan~] [] Yeah, I think I can hang up now. She wont being back to reality anytime soon. Okay, bye-bye! I tapped the smartphone screen to end the call. In the quiet of my room, I let out a small sigh, enjoying the lingering aftereffects. I might have overdone it, but this should keep Mais Iroha cravings at bay for a while. As I thought about that Chupa, chupa Huh!? Why am I sucking again!? Realizing I was unconsciously sucking my thumb, I spat it out in a panic. If this became a habit, Id be in serious trouble! If someone catches me sucking my thumb, my life is over!? Actually, even during that call earlier, it wasnt a pacifier I had in my mouthit was my thumb. All the baby gear I used for my stream had already been washed and put away. Besides, if I tried getting the pacifier now, Angu Ogu would see me from the living room. That would be way too hard to exin. Well, at least Mai didnt notice. Since I wasnt sucking on a pacifier, I must have been perfectly sober. This means everything I told Mai just now was my real feelings Just kidding, or something like that. Telling Ilyena shes my favorite. Being my true self only around Ah-nee. Doing that with Angu Ogu And what I said to Maithat was my genuine self too. Seriously When did Iwhen did I Thinking about everyone brought a warm smile to my face. Not just being a VTuber, butnguages, and themwithout realizing it, I had gained so many precious things in my life. I just wanted these days tost forever. Thats how fulfilled my everyday life had be. *** Oh, hi, Mom? Yeah, yeah, just checking in. Im leaving today, as nned Uh-huh, uh-huh. Time had flown by, and it was now just before Christmas. The day I was set to leave for America had arrived. Though Id informed her earlier, I gave my mom one more call to ease her worries. I didnt want to stress her out too much, after all. So, youre going to some country Ive never even heard ofand they have VTuber events there too? No way! I mean, I wish, but VTubers arent that global yet Wait, Mom, do you think Im just going there for fun!? [Youre not?] Nope! Im going as a goodwill ambassador, for work! What do you even think Im doing with my life!? [Being a VTuber addict?] Yay, apliment! Im ttered! But seriously, this time its for work! Why would you think otherwise? [Well, considering you used study abroad as an excuse to attend events in America] Wha!? H-how do you know about that!? If my mom found out that VTubers were my real focus, she would never have let me study abroad! I was certain Id hidden it so well! [Why did you think I wouldnt notice? Im your mother. Of course, Id figure it out.] Then why didnt you tell me sooner!? If youd said something, I wouldnt have stressed myself out trying to keep it a secret! [Because it made you study harder, didnt it?] Ugh! Fine, I guess Damn it! She yed me perfectly. Moms are unbeatable. Real moms are on another level. So, is that country safe? [Huh? Didnt I mention it? Ill be traveling with the President of the United States.] Cough, cough!? Wh-wh-wh-WHAT!? The President!? Yeah, my host over there is, um, the President. Why? What the heck was that reaction? And the way she said it so casually Could it be that theyd already met without me knowing? If that were the case, it would make senseshes pretty intimidating, after all Anyway, Ill be with lots of bodyguards, so Ill probably be safer than anywhere else in the world. [O-oh, well, thats reassuring!] Mom took a breath, and then, in a more serious tone, she gave me one final push. Her voice was warm and strong, like it was lifting me up. [Take care, okay? And do what you need to do, the way you want to do it.] Yeah. Im off. Chapter 351: [Departure, A Promise To Meet Again] Iroha, done with the call? Yeah, sorry for the wait. I ended the call with my mom and turned to answer Angu Ogu. She handed over the neatly packed luggage shed prepared. Thanks. But why are you leaving so early? I thought your flight wasnt for a while? Ah, sorry. Theres a ce I need to stop by on the way. Huh? Where? I want to see you off, so Ille with you. U-uh, that might be a bit of a problem! After all, I was going to pick up a finished ring. If I waited until after I came back, itd be tootetoday was the only chance.Besides, didnt we agree there wouldnt be a send-off? They said ess would be restricted, right? Muuu~! Mamas so mean! Angu Ogu pouted and clung to me tightly, almost as if she were throwing a tantrum. Hyaa!? W-wait, dont tell me youre nning to suck again!? No, Im not!? Not this early in the morning! So you would do it if it wasnt morning!? N-no! Thats not what I meant!? After what happenedst time, Id kicked her out of my room. She seemed to have reflected on it since then. So, something like that shouldnt happen again. Probably. Hopefully. At least not unless I say its okay or invite it myself Sigh. Honestly, if she pounced on me again, I wouldnt exactly mind Wait, no! What am I even thinking!? It didnt feel that good! And Im not hoping for it or anything! Nope, definitely not! I need to recharge for when youll be gone for a while, Iroha. Uh, a while? Im basicallying back the same day, you know. See? Well be apart for almost a whole day! Y-yeah By the way, you didnt leave any marks, right? No hickeys or anything? I-I think its fine. Probably. Probably isnt good enough! If Ogu-Mama sees it!? I-I know! Thats why I held back yesterday! Yeah, but still Even if she held back, I was still worried. Maybe thats why she seemed even more clingy than usual today. Sigh Do what you want, then. Okay! Ill take you up on that! Huggg~~~~! I quietly returned her embrace, squeezing her back. She whispered softly. Dont cheat on me with Mama, okay? I wont! But being alone with Mama knowing you Were not alone at all!? What kind of unfaithful person do you think I am!? Hmm? Should I start counting? One, two, three, four N-no thanks! Even as I was getting ready to leave, Angu Ogu kept mutteringints like, Its not fair if its just Mama, and Thats an abuse of power! Before I knew it, it was time to go. Well, Im off. I tried to pull away from Angu Ogu and turn around, but she grabbed me from behind and yanked me back. Uh, Ogu? If you dont let go, I cant leave. Huh? Oh I didnt even realize She tilted her head, looking genuinely puzzled at her own actions, but her hand remained clenched around the hem of my shirt. Um, were running out of time Y-yeah but, I dunno I cant exin it. ? N-no, never mind. Her hand finally slid away from my shirt. If I didnt hurry, Id miss the chance to pick up the ring. Okay, this time for realI''m off. Iroha! Be careful! Make sure youe back, okay!? Haha, silly Ogu. Of course, Ille backthis is my home, after all. I left the room, her gaze lingering on me longer than usual but I quickly shook off the uneasy feeling. After all, I had my mind full of things like the ring and my duties as a goodwill ambassador. But in hindsight, I would regret not trusting her intuitionor my own. *** After picking up the ring from the jewelry shop, I sat in the car as it sped along. The ring yeah. I was thrilled with how it turned out. Iroha, youve got quite the grin on your face, huh? S-shut up! Keep your eyes on the road! Yeah, yeah. The female agent from the Secret Service chuckled, ignoring my protest as she nced at me through the rearview mirror. Still, I was d everything had gone smoothly with the ring. Hehe, the person receiving that ring will be so happy. You think so? Of course. You chose it so carefully, after all. Will she really like it? I hope she does That would make me happy. Just confirmingyou want me to head straight to the airport, right? Yes, please. We dont have time to go back home, right? Probably not. Even though its a private jet, we cant be tooxits still work. Besides, keeping that person waiting would be bad. Yikes! Lets hurry! The thought of wasting even a second of the presidents time was terrifyingon so many levels. I had no choice but to stash the ring in my bag and take it with me. At least this way, I didnt have to worry about identally leaving it at home for Angu Ogu to find. Weirdly, maybe this was for the best. A few hourster, the agent spoke up. Iroha, were almost there. Through the windshield, the airport finally came into viewour destination atst. Chapter 352: [The Wind Blowing Over The Gulf Of Mexico] A car driven by the Secret Service stops in front of the airport only to pass by as if its just a show. Apparently, with a private jet, theres no need to even use the airport lobby. It heads directly to the runway. When treated this specially, it makes me a bit uneasy. Oh,e on, its great. After all, its special. Enjoying this kind of experience is the real win, right? Is that how it is? Alongside the runway, dozens of small to medium-sized jets were lined up. After a quick check, we drove into the premises.And then, we stopped in front of a certain jet. The door opened from the outside by arge man in a military uniform not the airport uniform!? Miss Iroha, weve been waiting for you. Ah, um thank you. I grabbed the offered hand and, supported, got out of the back seat. W-what is this VIP treatment!? No, I really am a VIP right now. Anguog said, Home is ufortable, but I can kind of understand that now. If this is how Im treated, how does the usual First Family get treated? I mean, this is quite a wee. If youre this happy, I should have arranged for a more extravagant reception. Please, no!? The military man said it jokingly, perhaps trying to ease the tension. I appreciate it, but thats actually counterproductive! There were more than ten soldiers in total. Each one took their positions, keeping watch around us. Are they all working just for me? No, to say that, this jet is also flying solely for me. This is my first time on a private jet, but is it usually like this? Not even a chartered ne, but a government-owned aircraft. The one I was about to board was even smaller than the ne I took for sightseeing in New York. Haha, is it not enough for you? But this is quite a good aircraft. It may not be as luxurious as Air Force One, but I promise you afortable flight. Ah, no!? I didnt mean to disparage it!? Wait, Air Force One? Yes, thats the president''s aircraft. Ive heard youll be boarding that on your return trip? !?!?!? Wait!? I didnt hear about that! So, for the return trip, Ill be stuck in the sky for hours alone with Anguogs mom!? Hiiiii!? Nooooo~!? Help me, Ogu!? Oh, I havent introduced myself yet. Im the pilot for this flightDD The military man the pilot greeted me. He mentioned that there would also be a co-pilot and flight attendants on board. Moreover, it seems none of them are just ordinary crew members. Theyre military personnel with special training. A-as expected of a government aircraft. Now then, Miss Iroha. Please proceed to the cabin. I climbed the air stair and stepped inside. Despite its small exterior, the interior was surprisingly spacious. And it was incredibly luxurious. It felt more like a high-end hotel room than an airne cabin. Ahaha, you dont need to be so stiff. Ill be going with you. Saying that, the female Secret Service agent gently nudged my back. Despite the spaciousness, the only passengers were her and me. I was shown to my seat by a flight attendant, who briefly exined some instructions. Then, after fastening my seatbelt, within five minutes [We will be taking off shortly.] Huh, already!? The pilot''s voice announced through the cabin. I see, since there are no other passengers, theres no wait time. The sound of the engines roared, and the ne began to move. However, it suddenly stopped once we reached the runway for some reason. Whats going on? The surroundings became frantic. As I tilted my head in confusion, the announcement echoed through the cabin again. [Theres an intruder on the runway. We will temporarily halt takeoff.] Drawn by the voice, I looked out the window. I could see soldiers restraining someone. No wonder there was tension among everyone. However, with such tight security, I felt a different kind of reassurance! Iroha-chan, you dont need to worry well, yes. Yes, there are plenty of reliable soldiers here. At first, I thought there were too many, but once a problem arose, I understood. The ease in handling situations was different. The suspicious person was escorted away by the soldiers. As I watched that, I was nudged gently by the female Secret Service agent, prompting me to turn. Iroha-chan, its good news. We can take off as soon as the check is done. It seems she confirmed the situation with the flight attendant while I was looking out the window. Oh, right. This could have been the reason for a dy! Really, I was right to arrive on time. Its said that troubles are part of travel, but Id prefer to avoid them. [Thank you for waiting.] I heard the pilot''s voice again, and the ne started moving once more. But what was that all about earlier? I felt a sense of foreboding. The anxious expression of Angu Ogu, who had seen me off, floated in my mindDD. Chapter 353: [Crash] Iroha-chan. Look, out the window. When I followed the gaze of the female Secret Service agent, I saw all the soldiers saluting us as we departed. I waspelled to return the salute. The ne took off, rapidly gaining speed. Since it''s a light aircraft, it seems it picks up speed quickly. The aircraft pushed off the ground and lifted into the sky. And so, we left America behind, slightly behind schedule. *** Miss Iroha A flight attendant approached and informed us that we had reached cruising altitude.I unfastened my seatbelt and stretched my arms wide. I''ll bring you a drink. Do you have a preference? Umm I always struggle with these situations since I dont have a favorite drink. Answering with water feels too boring Ah! Then I''ll have Dedecamin. Right now, theyre doing a VTuber coboration, and if I collect the stickers, I can get some exclusive merchandise. Though, after I said it, I realizedtheres no way theyd have that Understood. They do!? We researched your preferences beforehand. The attendant showed me thebel, as if it were a fine wine, and poured the drink into a ss. Then, the bottleplete with the sticker I neededwas ced on the table. It felt embarrassingly out of ce. But the flight attendant seemed unfazed as she asked, We also have a meal prepared. Shall I bring it now? Just then, my stomach growled. I guess it''s about time for lunch. Ah, yes, please. Understood. Do you have any allergies? Such impable service. The table was quickly set with dishes. This feels more like a high-end restaurant than a flight. Do they have a kitchen onboard or something? I-Itadakimasu. I took a biteand it was shockingly delicious. How did they manage to prepare something this good? Did they pre-make it all and just te it now? But if thats the case, why did they ask about allergies just now? Munch, munch Oh, rightthey said they looked into my preferences beforehand. Maybe they prepared most of it in advance and just made small adjustments onboard? Hmm, no idea. Are they using magic or something? All I know is that the food is amazing. I''m d it suits your taste. I cant believe I get to enjoy this too. Perks of the job, perks of the job. Next to me, the female Secret Service agent savored her meal as well. Normally, bodyguards dont get such high-ss treatment, but since were close, they made arrangements for her to have the same meal. Honestly, Id have felt awkward eating something fancy alone. This level of service is almost unsettlingits like theyre going above and beyond to make sure I enjoy myself. Miss Iroha, would you like to watch a movie on the way to our destination? Ah, no, I''m good! I brought my own entertainment. To avoid getting bored on the flight, Id downloaded plenty of videos and streams in advance. Even though I heard thered be Wi-Fi onboard, I couldnt take the risk of being unable to watch something, just in case. I thought you might say that. Huh. I see. Compared to the earlier over-the-top service, this offer felt unexpectedly ordinary. Maybe they worded it that way on purpose, to make it easy for me to decline. I also need to practice some songs for the international live eventing up. Theres not much time left before recording. Haha, Iroha-chan, it''s fine to watch VTubers, but try to get some rest during the flight. Things will get busy once we arrive. Uh, were doing a site inspection or something over there, right? Thats right. The reason for the visit is that they want us to see the current state of their country and share it with the world. There are also some infrastructure issues involved But thats probably just the official reason. If the president is involved, it must carry significant diplomatic weight. Well, I have my own reasons for going too, so I dont mind. It just so happens that the country were visiting is the hometown of the person involved in the recent convenience store robbery. I made a promise, after all. How much longer until we arrive? Lets see. Around this time well be flying over the Amazon. After confirming the flight details, I started watching my favorite VTuber''s videos. Time flew by as I watched. Ah, the theory of rtivity in action. On the other hand, if I watched videos while keeping my hand on a hot stove, would time feel infinite? These thoughts ran through my mind as drowsiness began to take over. Following the Secret Service agents advice, I didnt resist and let my eyelids close *** DDBOOOOM! I woke up to a loud noise and violent shaking. My body was floating. Gravity had vanished. Defying thew of universal gravitation, cups and people were spinning through the cabin. W-What!? My mind couldnt process what was happening. I couldnt tell which way was up or down. [Mayday! Mayday!] I heard the pilot''s voice. I caught a glimpse of the view outside the window. Smoke was trailing from the wing of the ne. And the front part was gone. Iroha-chan! The female Secret Service agent threw herself over me. That was thest thing I remembered. A sharp thud to my head. A ringing noise filled my ears, and my consciousness faded to ck. Chapter 354: [Lessons From A Medical Vtuber] "Ugh" I regained consciousness to the sound of animals and the pain in my body. Slowly, I opened my eyes "Where am I?" All I could see were shades of brown and green. It was unusually dim and humid. Through a small gap, I could just barely see the sky. "Right the ne I heard an explosion, the wing was gone Did we crash?" The soft feeling of the seat against my back confirmed it.That tactile sensation reminded me: being on the ne, the crashthis wasnt a dream but reality. The luxurious walls and ceilings, once reminiscent of a high-ss hotel, were gone. Now, it was more like an open terrace. My head felt foggy. Even just grasping the situation drained a great deal of energy. "Ugh!?" A sharp pain shot through my forehead, making me groan. When I touched it, my fingertips came away wet with red. "Ah, right Thats when I cked out." Did I hit my head, or did something hit me? Either way, its no wonder it hurts. "Good thing it looks like the bleeding isnt too bad. But if Aug and the others see this wound, Ill be in trouble again." The head injury was the worst, but my entire body throbbed with a dull pain, likely from bruises. Honestly, I was in rough shape or maybe not. "Actually, its a miracle I got off this easy." Surviving at all felt like a stroke of luck. Thank goodness I can still watch VTubers. "Its thanks to the Secret Service agents protecting me." Remembering what Id seen just before losing consciousness, I tried to sit up Something slid off me and fell to the nted floor, tumbling to the ground with a thud. A cold sweat ran down my back as a dreadful premonition hit me. "What?" It was one of the Secret Service agentsa woman. Staggering, I rushed over to her. "A-Are you okay!? Stay with me!" "Ugh Uhh" "Phew." Thank God. Id feared the worst, but she was alive. However, her injuries were far worse than mine. "She shielded me!" Thats the job of a Secret Service agent. She had carried out her duty, protecting me from the impact and flying debris. Because of her, someone like me, fragile and weak, escaped with only minor injuries. But at this rate "Somebody! Anyone! Pilot! Flight attendant!" I shouted with a hoarse voice, but no response came. Thinking they might still be on the ne, I turned around and froze. "No way." The cockpit was gone. In fact, most of the aircraft had been destroyed; only small fragments remained. "Cough, cough" "Huff, huff" It was hard not to imagine what might have happened to the once-polite pilots. Memories came flooding back. "Ugh!?" I vomited onto the ground, my stomach rejecting its contents. What a waste That in-flight meal had been delicious. "Engine failure? A collision? Maybe a missile? Or a bomb?" I had no way of knowing what caused this. "Aug, Mai, Ane, Iryena" Their names slipped from my lips without thinking. For some reason, I felt a little calmer. "Huff Huff Stay calm." If I gave in to despair now, itd be over. There was no point in specting about the cause right now. "And I havent even seen their bodies Its not certain theyre dead." I was unconscious, so I had no idea what happened after the crash. The pilots were trained military personnel, after all. So, maybe I clung to that faint hope, forcing myself to think positively. All I could do was what was in front of mesurvive and get back home. "I need to treat her injuries." The Secret Service agent was bleeding heavily, especially from her leg. But I had no tools to stop the bleeding. I recalled the advice of a medical VTuber, step by step. Its always VTubers whoe to my rescue. "Itll be fine. Stay calm, and I can do this probably." My hands shook under the weight of her life. But there was no one else here. I had to do it. "First, elevate the wound above the heart" I took off my jacket and pressed it against her wound. If I kept applying pressure, the bleeding should stop "No Im not strong enough. What should I Ah!" I spotted a branch lying on the ground and grabbed it. I tied it around her leg, closer to her heart than the wound, and twisted it tight using the branch. It was a makeshift tourniquet. This way, even someone as weak as me could manage "Phew." It seemed to be working. But this temporary measure wouldntst long. "I need to buy some time somehow." The agent had told me about the flight route. If she was right, we were likely in the Amazon rainforest. "Someone shoulde to rescue us They must be looking for us. But when?" At this rate, I wasnt sure how long her body would hold out. Dragging my heavy limbs, I headed toward the wreckage, searching for anything that could help. Chapter 355: [A Long Night In The Rainforest] Is there anything I can use for first aid? I climbed into the wreckage of the ne, searching. Ouch On the way in, a piece of debris lightly cut my hand, and blood began to well up. But I didnt have the time to stop for an injury like this. Hah Hah Even just moving was tough on the nted floor. Looking around, the interior of the ne was in terrible shape. There was hardly anything left intact.I was close to giving up when No way I cant believe Im this lucky! I had been watching my favorite streamers content, downloaded to my smartphone, rather than an in-flight movie. A flight attendant had even rmended I connect it to the monitor for a bigger screen A cable was dangling loosely. At the end of it, my smartphone swayed, still connected to the cracked monitor. Oh! With trembling hands, I gently pulled it toward me. The screen lit up, glowing like a beacon of hope. As I continued searching, I found my bag in one of the storagepartments. My luck hadnt run out just yet. But Her bag isnt here. If the Secret Service agents bag had been here, it might have contained a medical kit. But since this was supposed to be a quick trip, I didnt bring much myself. All I had in my bag were a few band-aids and some motion sickness pills Just as I was digging through my bag, I stopped. Hm? Whats this? I tilted my head at an unfamiliar package. It was a gift-wrapped box with a number written on it Oh, this must be Augs doing. Judging by the number, it looked like tomorrows slot from an advent calendar. It seemed Aug had secretly slipped it in when helping me pack. Unfortunately, it wasnt going to be useful right now. Continuing my search, I found an unfinished bottle of Dedecamin, the drink Id asked for during the flight. Gulp. I swallowed hard. My throat was parched, and my mouth tasted awful from vomiting earlier. I twisted the cap slightly but stopped just in time. This was the only consumable I had found. I resisted the temptation, put the drink back in my bag, and returned to the secret service woman. With the towel and band-aids from my bag, I did my best to tend to her injuries. *** No signal, huh. I sighed as I stared at my smartphone. Unsurprisingly, the screen read No Service. And on top of that Satellite connection isnt working either. Id heard about Starlink before, but Modern smartphones are supposed to be capable of satellitemunication on their own. When neither Wi-Fi nor mobile data works, an Emergency SOS icon appears. Through that, the phone can send location data via satellite and call for help. At least, thats how its supposed to work. But no matter how many times I tried, it wouldnt connect. Please aim your phone toward the satellite. it kept saying. Are we outside the satellites range? Or are the trees just blocking the signal? Looking up, the canopy was so dense I could barely see the sky. Which meant anyone looking from above wouldnt see us, either Tch. A grim thought crossed my mind. What if we never get found like this? But there was nothing more I could do now. All I could do was wait. In the dim forest, night fell much faster than I expected. *** ! The cry of a wild animal startled me, making me jolt upright. I quickly checked on the Secret Service womans condition and let out a sigh of relief. Id been doing this over and over since the sun had set. Out here in the wilderness, the night was nothing but our enemy. Oh yeah, I need to loosen the tourniquet. I stopped the rm I had set and used my phones shlight to tend to her. Apparently, the tourniquet needed to be loosened every 30 minutes to let blood flow back to the limbs, or else they could suffer tissue death. I didnt know much about first aid, but I did have a good memory for things VTubers had said. Though I never thought Id use that knowledge like this. Ugh Can you drink a little? I lifted her head onto myp and let a few drops of Dedecamin touch her lips. She was sweating profusely, likely from her injuries. If she didnt get some fluids soon, dehydration could set in at any moment. But still When will this night finally end? When I watch streams, the day seems to fly by. I often think, If only the night were longer Now, I could barely stay conscious. I hadnt had a proper rest, as Id been tending to the secret service woman the entire time. Not that I couldve slept well anyway. Bugs constantly swarmed our bodies, and the rustling of nts was maddening. But worst of all, I could sense the presence of wild animals close by. It felt like they were watching us, waiting. Maybe they were drawn by the scent of blood. Im so tired I want to sleep I need rest At this point, I felt like I could sleep soundly even in the same bed as Ah-nee. Chapter 356: [Day 2 Of Being Stranded] "Sunlight. So its morning finally." I saw a faint ray of light filtering through the trees, and I nearly burst into tears. The night had been that terrifying, always brushing against death. I think it was the first time in my life I truly experienced total darkness. No artificial lights, no moonlightonly the glow of my smartphone. "I was scared, in pain, and exhausted" I couldn''t help but voice my weakness. Hugging my knees, I curled up, shivering.An unfamiliar environment, forced to stay constantly alert. I couldn''t get any proper rest, and in just one day, I was already drained. "Any moment I couldve been killed." The fear clinging to my body refused to go away. Thankfully, the wild animals had disappeared with the night. But once night falls again I don''t know how long they''ll keep "waiting." "Humans are so weak, aren''t we?" Survival of the fittestthat was the one absolute rule in this vast wilderness. And without a doubt, we were the weak ones. I tightened my grip, hearing the faint click of metal in my hand. A handgun was in my grasp. "If only it were me, not her, who got hurt so badly." I had borrowed the gun from the female Secret Service agent as a good luck charm. But from experience, I knew I couldnt handle it properly. If it were humans I was dealing with, just holding it might have been enough to intimidate them. But that logic doesnt apply in the wild. They say the most dangerous creature is manwhat a joke. In this situation, there were things far more terrifying than humans. Ide to realize that painfully. *** "So hot." The midday tropical rainforest was like a sauna. The unforgiving heat was steadily sapping our strength. When we crashed yesterday, it must have already been past its peak. But todays heat was beyondparisonit was like a living hell. "Cough cough Im so thirsty." My head throbbed. Not from the gash on my foreheadit was deeper, inside. This might be the early signs of dehydration. Then I noticed the bottle of Dedecamin in my field of vision. "!?" Before I knew it, I grabbed it desperately. With trembling hands, I tried to twist the cap, but my gripcked strength. "Damn it, why won''t it open!? Come on!" Just then, I heard the female agent groan, and I froze. Startled, I let go of the bottle like it was on fire. "What the hell am I doing!? Get it together!" I was losing not only my thoughts but my sense of reason. If it was this bad for me, it had to be worse for her. I couldnt afford to drink the precious fluids. Besides, the bottle was nearly empty anyway "This cant go on. Well waste away at this rate." I forced my exhausted body to stand, staggering on my feet. I had to find some source of hydration. That was the only conclusion my hazy mind could reach. Leaning against trees, I began wandering through the forest. "At least it was good that I stuck with those workout sessions, huh?" I had kept up with fitness games Or rather, I had been under such close watch that skipping wasnt an option. Thanks to that, I might have built just a bit of endurance. Otherwise, Id have given up long ago. It felt like my life was barely hanging on by a thread, thanks to them. "Everyone was so pushy back then" Random thoughts like that drifted through my mind. But sadly, none of those thoughts offered any real solution. Looking back, Id realize hourster that my mind had just been muddled from exhaustion. *** In the end, I found myself back where I started. I no longer had the strength to speak. Sure, talking out loud helps organize thoughts. Normally, its an effective method. But now, I couldnt afford to lose even the water vapor that escaped from my mouth. (Not that I can think straight in this situation anyway.) I searched around, but I couldnt find any fruits or vines that might provide water. Maybe I just didnt know what to look for. And I couldnt stay away from the agent for too long. I needed to tend to her regrly. And more than anything (That was close.) Wandering through the forest in my state was reckless. Not only had I almost injured myself further from a fall, but I had also nearly gotten lost and failed to make it back. My ability to make rational decisions was slipping away. (All I found was this useless rock?) Leaning against the trunk of a tree, I gazed absentmindedly at the stone Id picked up. I couldnt remember where Id heard it, but someone had once said: "Suck on a rock, and itll make you salivate, tricking you into feeling less thirsty." It was just a cebo, though. (Im done.) I let myself copse onto the ground. Wandering had only wasted more energy. I couldnt even stay upright anymore. As my face neared the earth, the overwhelming smell of grass and soil filled my lungs. It was a stifling, nauseating scent. (When will theye to save us?) The rescue was taking far too long. I fumbled for my smartphone and checked the time. It had already been over 24 hours since I woke up in this forest. Chapter 357: [The Strongest Day Of Life] It had already been over a full day since the ident. However, there was still no sign of rescueing. "Could it be?!" I shot up, my body jerking. My willpower and physical strength were fading, but the fear and anxiety were overwhelming. (Could it be that theyve really lost track of us!? Do they not realize Im here!?) No, that was the only conclusion I could reach. And if no help came today and night fell [!Hah, hah, huh!"]If I stayed still like this, I would die. I shoved my smartphone into my pocket and clung to the tree I had been leaning against. Breathless, I tried to climb a little higher. If only I could send an emergency SOS "Ugh!?" A sharp pain surged as blood oozed from my cut hand while exploring the wreckage. I lost strength and fell back onto the ground with a thud. My arms and legs scraped against the tree trunk, covered in small wounds. Iy on the ground in a star position, unable to rise. "Why is this happening" I covered my eyes with my arm. I felt like tears were about to spill out. I realized just how safe a world I usually lived in. The wreckage, natureeverything here was sharp and prickly, and just touching it hurt us. "Someone please" That voice didnt reach anyone. My heart hadpletely broken. Without someone to converse with, mynguage skills were useless. I felt utterly powerless. Andonce again, a terrifying night was approaching. *** (How many hours have passed since the sun went down?) Iy on the ground and touched my smartphone, bringing up the clock. It had only been 5 minutes since Ist checked. My sense of time was warped. I had an rm set for every 30 minutes, so I shouldnt have needed to check constantly. (And the smartphone battery isnt infinite.) My bag contained a portable charger. However, using the light at night drained the battery faster than expected. There was no buffer at all. (Ah, but at least its not the Arctic or Antarctic.) The heat doesnt drain the battery faster. But Ive heard that cold temperatures can. Well, in such an environment, I wouldnt even have time to worry about the battery; wed be freezing to death ourselves. Even if its not the extreme cold (Thats right, if Im going to die anyway) Suddenly, that thought crossed my mind. A sweet temptation echoed in my brain. Either way, at this rate, wouldnt our lives run out before the battery? If so, then I didnt need to conserve it anymore, right? (I want to watch VTubers. I want to be healed by my oshis stream and videos.) Before I knew it, I was using my weak arm to operate my smartphone. I opened the MyTube app and started ying a downloaded video. "Ah, haha its still so funny." In the dark, the scenery on the screen was truly dazzling. I finally couldnt hold back any longer, and precious moisture spilled from my eyes as tears. I could bear my throat''s dryness. But I couldnt endure the dryness in my heart. "Ah ha, haha" I knew I shouldnt be draining the battery unnecessarily. But if I didnt, I felt like my sanity would crack. I needed something to cling to. That night, fortunately, I wasnt attacked by any wild animals. But their footsteps were definitely closer than yesterday "" *** Morning came on the third day of the ident. Yet, Iy there on the ground. I couldn''t muster any strength. I couldnt even rise. I should have been treating the female Secret Service agent every 30 minutes, but I had no memories of thest few rounds. (Im so sleepy, exhausted, tired) I had only survived two nights. Yet, just staying conscious was a struggle. (Moms in the world are amazing.) Mothers wake up every hour or two to their babies night cries. Of course, this situation was quite different. Even so, how could anyone withstand this for months? Yet, that was how my mother raised me to this point gratitude and respect welled up inside me. (Why didnt I express this until now?) I often said, "Support your favorites when you can," with great emphasis. So why hadnt I thought simrly about expressing my gratitude to my mother? It was entirely possible that a day woulde when I could never repeat it. I had taken for granted that I could see her anytime. "Mom I want to see you." No, I shouldnt be feeling weak. I must be tired of thinking like this. If I had words to convey, I could say them as much as I wanted when I got home. Yet, my body wouldnt listen to me. (I''m so thirsty) The symptoms of dehydration had progressed beyond just a headache. My head felt like it was splitting, and I was gued by severe nausea. Isnt it said that a person can only survive three days without water? If nothing happens today could be thest day of my life. When I die, I want to hear my oshis voice. I start the VTuber video. If I die, it would be such a waste to leave behind unviewed archives But it was already too much to keep my eyes open. "I''m sorry, everyone I couldn''t make it to the international live." Slowly, my eyelids lowered. As I was enveloped by my oshi''s voice, I fell into a deep sleep [Iroha!] [Iroha-chan!] [Iroha-sama!] "Huh?" I turned around at the voices I heard. Chapter 357.1 - SS 18 SS 18. [Bet'' Game ~Trial] "Iroha!" "Iroha-chan!" "Iroha-sama!" "Huh?" "Hey, what''s wrong, Iroha? You''re spacing out." "No, I um, huh? What happened?" I looked around frantically. The Trantor Girl Iroha'' on-screen also shifted her expression restlessly along with my movements. This is my room in America. For some reason, I felt incredibly dreamy."You''ve got to pull yourself together, Iroha-chan~ We''re live-streaming right now, sis~!" "Live-streaming Oh, right. Yeah. Sorry, why is that? I feel like I was just thinking really hard about how I don''t want to die'' or something." "Iroha-sama, you''re saying funny things!" "That''s right, Iroha. Nobody wants to die, you know?" "Y-yeah, you''re right. Something''s off with me" "That''s right, Iroha-chan~ After all, today''s stream is" "A Death Game'' episode-nee~!" "Huhhh!?!?!?" "What, you forgot? To be specific" Apparently, my confusion was clear through the screen, and Ah-nee was about to exin. But before she could, loudughter echoed from nowhere. "Fuhahaha! Wee, everyone!" ?What are you doing, Princess!? lol ?Wearing a weird mask and cape too ?You need to outgrow that edgy phase "Silence! I''m not in an edgy phase!" The VTuber, referred to as Princess, cleared her throat to regain control. Oh, right. We were invited to her event today. "The reason Ive gathered you all here is simple. Youre going to participate in a battle royale!" "I don''t wanna die~ No way~" "What!? Princess, are we really gonna die!?" The Orthrus-type and Alchemist-type VTubers reacted to Princess''s deration. The three of them were known as the VTuber unit Sanboke''. I had coborated with them a few times before. Especially with PrincessI was even dragged to the pool with her and Ah-nee. "Ah, no! No one will actually die, don''t worry! But, if you lose, you''ll have to say something really embarrassing Its like a social death''!" ?So kind lol ?This management seems pretty easygoing ?What a wholesome death game lol "And today, Im not Princess. Im the Game Master!" "Oh, okay, Princess." "By the way, Princess~" "Youre not getting it!" Sanboke''s usualedy routine was in full swing. Including me, Angu Ogu, Ah-nee, and Ilyena, we made up seven participants. The coboration was quiterge-scale. As a fan, I could listen to Sanboke banter forever, but this wasn''t going anywhere. Ilyena timidly spoke up, "Princess, could we get the rules exnation soon?" "Ah, sorry! Alright, let me announce the rules for the Liar''s Game'' you''ll all be ying today!" ?The name''s still on the edge lol ?They really should be sued already lol ?lmao "The game well y today is [Bet'' Game]!" "Bet Game?" We tilted our heads in unison For some reason, Ah-nee excitedly turned to me. "B-b-b-bed game!? That sounds way too indecent~!" "What the hell did you think you heard!?" "But if I have to share a bed I''d want it to be with Iroha-chan~" "Id rather die than share a bed with you, Ah-nee!!" "Oh? Was I wrong? Then maybe a pet" "Hey, Ah-nee, could you quiet down a bit? You''re messing with the flow here." "Ahem. Now then, let''s go over the rules. But to make it easier, lets try a practice round. Iroha-chan, Angu Ogu, could you two help?" "Understood." "Of course." "Each yer will be given 30 chips." Princess seemed to operate the OVS. Next to our avatars, illustrations of stacks of chips appeared, along with the number ''30''. "The only thing yers will do isbet their chips." "Wait, so were not betting on anything?" "Correct. In this game, you only bet." "Thats quite simple, or maybe too simple." "Exactly! But theres a limit on how many chips you can bet. Each round, you must bet between 1 and 5 chips." "Still not sure I get it." "Well, lets just give it a try." "Right." "Please send the number of chips you wish to bet via private chat." I sent 3'' to Princess via Dithcord. Angu Ogu sent his bet as well, but I couldn''t see how many chips he chose. "Alright, weve received all bets. Now, lets reveal the results!" Bet amounts: 1 chip: 2 chips: 3 chips: Iroha 4 chips: 5 chips: Ogu Whats going to happen? We held our breath "Since no bets ovepped, all chips will be returned." Chips in possession: Iroha 30 chips Ogu 30 chips Huh? Nothing happened? Our chip count remained the same as at the start30 each. "So, because no one ovepped" "Yes. If any yers bet the same amount, their chips are forfeited." [! I see now.] You can bet between 1 and 5 chips. This practice round had only two yers, but the real game will have six. In other words, someone is bound to ovep with another yer''s bet! Chapter 357.2 - SS 19 SS 19. [Bet'' Game C Round 1] Bet a number of chips that dont ovep with others Surprisingly, this [Bet'' Game] seems simple yet profound. Ah, I get it! Completely understood! Ah-nee was nodding as she listened to the exnation. Um, are you okay? Do you really understand the rules? Round 1sts a maximum of 10 minutes. If a yer fails to ce their bet in time, they are immediately out! The game master, Her Highness, announced this ominously. Thats quite a strict rule. But then againId like to say that, but, um, it would be a problem if someone really dropped out. It would help if everyone could ce their bets with some time to spare. Please, I beg you! ?The game master is being super humble, its funny ?Its sad, but this is a broadcast. If theres no content, its a problem, so it cant be helped, w ?If the game ends in Round 1, it would be a disaster Also, once everyone has ced their bets, that will end the round, so if you want to move along quickly, you might want to bet right away. Hmm? I felt a hitch in that phrasing. In other words, if I dont vote, I can drag out the time until thest minute. Or maybe in this game, whats important isnt the number of chips but the time. Thats the feeling I had. The game ends when someone runs out of chips. Are there any questions? Um, can I ask a question? Alchemist-type liver raised their voice. Her Highness prompted, Yes, go ahead, like a school teacher. Is it possible to transfer chips? Im sorry, but not this time. Its just that I cant manage it by myself! ?Well, that cant be helped, ?The reason is quite serious, lol ?If a death game actually existed, the management would be in trouble, lol. Is there anything else? If not, Id like to start the game. Im fine, Only, okay, Yes, please. The four of us replied like that. As usual, Ah-nee looked a bit anxious, though. Well then, onest thing. Ive prepared a separate voice channel for private conversations in addition to the main chat. Here, you can designate someone and have a private conversation. Oh, that sounds doable. Well, I dont have anything in mind right now. Well, since I wont specify how to use it, I hope you can use it freely. Fuh, Or-chan. How about we have a private chat in a closed room? Leave the pervert Alchemist out of this and lets move on. Alchemist, okay!? The atmosphere finally changed as theedy act came to a close. It seemed it was finally about to begin. Also, during the game, thement section will only be visible to me, the game master, so please be aware. Okay! Everyone, are you ready? Then[Bet'' Game] starts~! And so, the timer began. 10:00-09:5909:58. Simultaneously, everyone''s current chip count was disyed. Chip Count Anego 30 chips Ilyena 30 chips Iroha 30 chips Ogu 30 chips Orthros 30 chips Alchemist 30 chips Of course, everyone starts with the same number. What should we do from here? Hmm, maybe we should try betting for now? Isnt that fine? Its all about luck, right? Ill go ahead and bet first okay, Im good! That was quick. So, what number did you choose? Tell me! If I tell you, it wont be a game anymore!? 1? 2? 3? Oh, that reaction means its 3. Stop trying to y mind games with me!? Betting first seems to have put me at a disadvantage!? Ahahaha! Hmm. Theedy continued as if nothing had changed, even with just the two remaining after Her Highness left. Hearing that exchange, Ogu looked like they were deep in thought. Ogu, whats wrong Iroha-chan! Iroha-chan! But just as I was about to ask, Ah-nee jumped in to speak. Reluctantly, I asked back. Um, what is it, Ah-nee? Um-nee~ I want some secret advice on what I should do. I was taken aback. Even if you whispered, everyone could hear it, right!? Ah, well, you can bet on any number you like, right? Actually, everyone seems to have a vibe of randomly choosing their bet at first. I tossed that back casually. Got it-nee~! Understood! Im worried. In the end, Round 1 waspleted with just chit-chat, with over half the time remaining before everyone ced their bets. Now, I will announce the results of Round 1. Bet Counts 1 chip: Ilyena, Orthros 2 chips: Iroha, Ogu 3 chips: Alchemist 4 chips: 5 chips: Anego Ah, did we ovep? Hehe, Iroha, we match! Eh!? I wanted to match with Iroha-sama too!? Stop it!? Thats changing the purpose of the game!? Well, its a reasonable result. Betting 4 or 5 chips all of a sudden is too risky. But it seems 3 chips were bet by Alchemist. Naturally, people seemed to have clustered around 1 or 2 chips. Wow, Ah-nee really went for it. Betting 5 chips right from the start! No~! Its thanks to Iroha-chan! Huh? Hmm? Because Iroha-chan said, You can bet any number you like. Right now, 5 is my favorite number, you see! This is how this game works-nee You dont understand the rules at all!? Ah, um, Anego!? Can I ask you something!? My worries were confirmed. Her Highness hurriedly intervened, starting to give additional exnations to Ah-nee. Im sorry, Im sorry! My foolishness is sorry~!? A game filled with anxiety was beginningDD! Chapter 357.3 - SS 20 SS 20. [Bet'' Game C Round 2] "Anego, you''re good now, right? You ready!?" "I''m totally perfect,nee Leave it to your big sis!" "Im counting on you, seriously!?" Princess, the game master, was screaming as the game neared copse. I I guess I should step in and help as best as I can "Ahem, thank you all for waiting. Lets reflect on the results of Round 1. Currently, everyones chip counts are as follows:" Chip Counts Anego 30 chips Alchemist 30 chipsIlyena 29 chips Orthros 29 chips Iroha 8 chips Ogu 28 chips "Now, please begin Round 2." The timer reset, and the countdown began again. From here on, the game proceeded rtively smoothly. Well, with a few small issues here and there, of course. For instance "Iroha-sama, may I have a word in private?" "Huh? Sure." Invited by Illyena, I switched our call to a private voice channel. This way, the others wouldnt hear what we were discussing. At the same time, all outside voices faded, leaving a quiet atmosphere. It felt just like a secret conversation. "So, why did you pick me out?" "Actually, I have something I wanted to discuss with you alone." "Okay, specifically?" "? Well, the main goal is to talk alone?" "!?!?!?" "Hehe~ Just the two of us, Iroha-sama! Now, for the rest of the limited time, youre all mine! Such an idea the members of Sanboke are geniuses!" "Eek!? Somebody help me!!" The princess did say, "Use it however you want," but surely she didnt mean it like this!? Anyway, I ran back to the main voice channel, screaming "Aaah, Ah-nee! You bet another 5 chips!? You listened to the princesss instructions, right!?" "Of course,nee But Im a genius big sis, so I figured it out, nee~" "And, what exactly did you figure out?" "Basically, the bigger the number, the stronger it is!" "Thats not it at all!" She still hadnt understood the rules!? Wait, maybe she sort of did? Betting 5 chips is high-risk but high reward. You could call that strong, right? "Ahh, Ah-nee, I can trust you on this, right?" "Totally! Besides, I knew the rules from the start? Its all part of the n, you know!" "Well, if you say so" But in the next round, Ah-nee only bet 3 chips. Everyone screamed, Why!? She had no consistency!? When I asked her reason "My mood!" "Oh, right." "Hey, Iroha. Did you give up on understanding?" "No, I didnt." Well, that was fine. Its a fun event, and everyones in the same boat anyway. Its not just Ah-nee; everyones betting amounts are unpredictable. But after a few rounds of this, the game''s mood wouldpletely shift "You all! Whats with this half-hearted ying!? Stop fooling around! I want a real deception battle! This is supposed to be a Liars Game!" "Ehh~?" The princess was angry. But her attempt at intimidation had the opposite effect "Oi! Comments, that goes for you too! Cute'' isnt right! Youre supposed to say its scary'' or terrifying!''" We couldnt see thement section, but it was clearly teasing her as expected. Watching the princess being dragged along made me chuckle "See, thats the problem! If thats how its going to be Behold!" Chip Counts Anego 27 chips Ogu 25 chips Iroha 25 chips Ilyena 24 chips Alchemist 23 chips Orthros 23 chips "This is the result after Round 4! Especially you two at the bottom youre not trying hard enough!" "But its not like were cking off" "Were doing our best too" "Oh, still talking back, are we!? Then let me show you exactly what it means to face a losers punishment I mean, a social death!" Through DithCord, some data was shared. Its contents were !?!?!? The atmosphere changed in an instant. The two from Sanboke both gasped, "Gah!?" "This is way too embarrassing!" "No, I absolutely cant do this!" "I Im the same!" "Haha! This is hrious, Ah-nee~!" Our casual mood vanished. Except for Ah-nee. We couldnt afford to lose, not to each other. Everyones fierce resolve was palpable. "Ooh, things are getting tense! But no real fighting, okay? Hey,ments, why are youughing!? This is serious!" The princess couldnt fully embrace her evil role But our focus was razor-sharp. "Now that the airs been set Lets begin Round 5!" At the princesssmand, Ogu made a bold deration to everyone. "Listen up! From now on, Im betting the max 5 chips every round!" "What!?" And so, the true Liars Game began. The real game of deception had started! The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!