Chapter 115: Don’t you guys like me too much?!

The 3D debut broadcast ended, followed by the birthday broadcast for Ko Yang, and then the sports day was over.

But that didn’t mean I had suddenly become free.

…Doesn’t something feel off?

Even though I haven’t rested at all, why do I still feel like my work is never ending?

Of course, it’s something I want to do and have to do.

Still, I’m technically a high school student.

Ignoring my mental age, I have to be at school until the afternoon when I wake up in the morning.

It’s not even vacation time, and Golden Week is already over.

I even worked through Golden Week… so why can’t I rest yet?

Maybe my suspicion that StarsFlow is a black company is right.

Still… if there’s one thing I can be thankful for, it’s this.

“Thank you for your hard work!”

“Th-thank you….”

The biggest task in my schedule finally ended today.

…Though, there’s another task just as important coming up right in front of me.

[[Membership exclusive] I want compliments, so please compliment me #KaiNoizumi #StarsFlow2ndGeneration]

“Oh, today’s content is exactly as the title suggests.”

What I needed the most after living such a busy life was undoubtedly unlimited compliments.

Of course, my mom, sister, Aunt Shia, and StarsFlow members have all been encouraging me, saying that I’m working hard, but that’s not what I needed right now.

What I really wanted was compliments from people who knew nothing about me and had no reason to give them.

This is exactly what I was after.

-If you want compliments, try harder

-If Meichan gets compliments, she’ll get too smug, so no

…But of course, the ‘Izutomo’ group full of abusers didn’t seem to let things like that slide.

What am I working so hard for right now?!

I wanted to shout it out, but I took a deep breath to calm myself.

“Hah… I’m really working so hard recently, but can’t I even get a compliment? Are you all really Izutomo…?”

-Izutomo is a group of people who want to bully Meichan

-Does that mean you weren’t working hard before?

When I occasionally surf the community, I see people calling Izutomo ‘a fandom that only thinks about bullying their favorite’, and it seems to be true.

Still, I remember there were quite a few kind Izutomo back when the membership streams first started.

For some reason, the harder I worked, the more these guys just wanted to torment me…

-You do look a bit more tired recently

“Well, at least you’re recognizing that..? It’s not a lie, I’ve been really busy lately…”

-Meichan is in a very busy period, so it’s inevitable

As the chat pointed out, it’s understandable.

There’s a birthday live stream in a few days, and next month there will be a 1st anniversary live stream too.

It’s an unavoidable schedule.

Wait a minute.

“So you guys knew all that and still didn’t want to compliment me?!”

-ᄏᄏᄏᄏ

-But if you compliment Meichan, she’ll get really smug…

I can’t believe it.

I was so shocked I couldn’t even speak.

Instead of being moved by the fact that I’m still streaming despite being incredibly busy, they just wanted to torment me.

Where did my stream go wrong?

-They just like Meichan, so don’t misunderstand!

“That… kind of affection is unnecessary….”

What I’m expecting is a world that’s far more direct and kind.

“Hah… I’m so tired, I’ll stop here for today….”

• We’re sorry, so please don’t leave!
• Meichan, who’s working so hard, is amazing!
• We’re always cheering for you with all our hearts, seriously!
• You guys change your attitude way too fast ᄏᄏ

“…Ugh, really! Don’t you all like me too much?!”

This was the first time I came here alone.

My mom and sister were always with me.

And even though I would come here again in a couple of days with my mom and sister, what should I say?

This time, I wanted to come alone and talk.

[Kayano Yuzuru]

“Dad. Tomorrow, I’ll finally do my birthday live.”

For me, saying that my birthday was a happy day was hard.

The fact that my birthday was coming up was the same as saying that my dad’s memorial day was approaching.

“…I’ve really worked hard recently, and I hope everyone who watches my streams will be happy… Dad, you think so too, right?”

So, I decided to make my birthday as KaiNo Izumi the same as my own.

After all, my birthday wasn’t just a happy day for me, nor was it a special day.

It was a day I wished wouldn’t come.

Let’s just get through it. That was my thought.

But now, things are different.

There are many people who cheer for me and like me.

My birthday became no longer just mine, and it became a day I had to repay them with all my strength.

So, I couldn’t just let it pass by.

It became a day for everyone who watches my streams, a joyful and special day.

Realizing that made the fact that I set my birthday as KaiNo Izumi to be exactly the same as my real birthday feel special… almost like destiny.

“You said it, didn’t you, Dad? On birthdays, we should always smile. So, I’ll smile this time. Like you said, birthdays should be the happiest and most joyful day…!”

Yuzuru’s holding on until today was truly a miracle.

According to the doctor’s prognosis, his life should’ve ended at the start of this year.

But despite the tough situation, he always greeted Seuna’s birthday with a smile, celebrated Yuki’s birthday, and finally reached Mina’s birthday.

“Mm. I’m sorry, Mina, hey….”

But on Mina’s birthday, Yuzuru’s body had already reached its limits, unable to even move a finger.

The doctor said in the morning that it was time to prepare for the inevitable.

“Dad, I… want to celebrate like I did with Mom and my sister… but it’s a little hard.”

Yuzuru’s body was overwhelmed with excruciating pain that even narcotic painkillers couldn’t suppress.

But he never lost his smile.

He couldn’t show such a painful expression in front of his daughter, who was celebrating her birthday.

“Seuna…”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry, but… could you put my hand on Mina’s head?”

“Okay, um….”

Seuna gently lifted Yuzuru’s emaciated hand and placed it on Mina’s head.

Then, Yuzuru slowly, but surely, stroked Mina’s head.

“Mina, happy birthday.”

A word from Yuzuru filled with sincerity more than anyone else.

But upon hearing those words, Mina began crying uncontrollably.

“I… I don’t want a birthday! I want Dad! I don’t need a birthday anymore…! If you’re going to celebrate, do it like you did with Mom and my sister! Get up! Smile while doing it! If not… I don’t want a birthday!”

She was only seven years old.

For Mina, a first-grader, her father’s death was something she could not accept or understand.

So, Mina began to throw nonsensical tantrums, but no one tried to stop her.

No, they couldn’t stop her.

The feelings Mina had when she had to hear from the doctor that her father, the person she loved most, was going to die on the day she should have been celebrating her birthday… no one could understand.

“It’s hard to hear that you don’t like your birthday… cough!”

With a sneeze, black blood spilled from Yuzuru’s mouth.

Seeing this, Seona and Yuki immediately tried to call a nurse, but Yuzuru shook his head and stopped them with a glance.

“Mina… I want you to smile on your birthday…”

“I don’t want to!”

“Mina, your birthday… is the day you should be the happiest and most joyful.”

“I don’t want to! I don’t want to! I like dad more than my birthday! So don’t go!”

“Mina, hearing you say that makes me feel really sorry… But, Mina.”

Yuzuru slowly patted Mina’s head and smiled once more.

“Unfortunately… I have to leave first, but I will always… love you, Mina.”

“…”

“Haha… Our Mina is so shy that I’m a little worried… I wanted to stay by your side forever, Mina…”

“Waaaah!”

And eventually, after crying uncontrollably, Mina slowly fell asleep from exhaustion.

Yuzuru looked at her with a kind smile, then turned his gaze to Seona and Yuki.

“Yuki, you know that daddy loves you very much, right?”

“I love you too, dad.”

“Haha. I’m always sorry… I’ve never been able to do anything properly for you…”

“That’s not true. What I’ve received from you, dad, is endless…”

“I’m relieved… Yuki, would it be okay if I asked you for just one thing, as my last request?”

“Yes…”

“Don’t fight with Mina. You’re the older sister, so take good care of her. Mina is very shy. And both you and Mina look like your mom, so be careful around boys, haha.”

“Yes!”

At Yuzuru’s words, Yuki smiled faintly and shed a tear.

“Seona.”

“Yeah.”

“Please take care of Jia and Mina…”

“Okay.”

“There were so many things I wanted to do with you… I’m sorry. And I love you…”

“Yeah. I love you too. More than anyone, I love you the most…”

Seona took Yuzuru’s remaining hand and cried.

“Yeah… I really love you all…”

June 13th, 12:52 AM.

After Mina’s birthday passed, Yuzuru closed his eyes with those words, never losing his smile until the very end.

The school anniversary of my current high school, Shiodome Private High School, was the same as my birthday, June 12th.

Thanks to that, with the consideration of StarsFlow, I was able to schedule my birthday live broadcast at 6 PM to spend the evening with my family.

[Kaido Izumi Birthday Party] Thank you so much, everyone! #KaidoIzumi #StarsFlow2ndGeneration

-(≥▽≦)> IzumiIzumi!

-(≥▽≦)> IzumiIzumi!

=Maker JP¥ 50,000: Happy Birthday! I look forward to more from you!

=Judgment JP¥ 30,000: Happy Birthday!

Just like during the 3D debut broadcast, the reactions from my Izutomo were already heated in the chat, and I, just like last time, was adjusting my breathing while wearing the VR HMD.

But compared to that time, I was much more nervous now.

“Zero! Let’s start!”

More than that, I was excited to see what kind of reaction you all would have when you see this.

Dad would definitely be watching, too, and I know he’s excited.

“Okay, let’s have fun together today…!”

The dark stage was illuminated by dazzling lights, and the instrumental started to play.

-?

-What song is this?

-I think I’ve never heard this before.

On the screens of my Izutomo, this message must have appeared.

[Everyday! Heading towards the Dream!]

“Today, I’ll keep moving forward. Because my dream will surely be there…!”

-Starting with an original song!