Chapter 116: [【Kaino Izumi Birthday Party】Thank you all so much!]

[Kaino Izumi’s Birthday Party] Thank you so much, everyone! #KainoIzumi #StarsFlow2ndGeneration

“Today, I will keep moving forward. Because the dream will definitely be there…”

• Mei-chan’s original song finally came out!

An original song.

It’s not a cover of another artist’s song, nor a remake of an existing song, but a song that’s uniquely one’s own.

For a singer, and especially for a VTuber, having an original song is significant.

It carries all sorts of things: the character’s personality, the emotions felt during broadcasts, the connection to the fans, and the goals for the future.

Everything is wrapped up in an original song.

“Do you even know how much I hated myself for always sitting down, always crying with my head bowed?”

When the decision was made to create my first original song, the company asked me what kind of song I wanted.

And I thought about it for over a week.

“What kind of song would suit me? Should I go for something bright and cheerful? Or maybe I should request a chaotic, energetic song?”

But none of those seemed right.

“I’ve wanted to say this for so long, the words I’ve swallowed all this time. Now, I’ll say them to you.”

As I kept thinking, I suddenly had an epiphany.

During the 150,000 subscribers special broadcast, I had expressed my desire to do a live broadcast. But why did I want that so much?

Once I recalled that thought, the outline of the song I wanted started to come into focus.

“I’ll move forward. Even if the world points fingers at me, I will chase my dream.”

Some might think it’s arrogant, but I didn’t want to sing the kind of song that the fans were expecting, the cheerful, lighthearted ones.

Of course, I was always thankful for their support, and it was always uplifting.

But for my first original song, I wanted to write the words I truly wanted to say, not what they wanted to hear.

And I knew my fans would appreciate that.

Because they really loved me, sometimes to the point of exhaustion.

“Just like a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, I too will become myself.”

So, I asked if I could pour all the fear and anxiety I felt into the song.

At first, M-chan seemed a bit uncomfortable with the idea, but eventually nodded, agreeing to give it a try.

“Even if I’m inexperienced, I know I can move forward as long as I’m with everyone.”

It would be a lie to say that it wasn’t difficult or frightening.

But even so, because you all liked me, supported me, I am here today.

So, please continue supporting me.

That’s the message I wanted to convey through the song.

I asked for a soft and slow start, with a bright, powerful ending.

“Even though I hesitate, I will overcome my reflection in the mirror…”

And that’s how my first original song, “Everyday Heading Towards My Dream!” came to be.

“That’s exactly the message I wanted to send.”

Despite being out of breath, I didn’t feel tired.

• “I’m crying because I’m so moved.”
• “This is the best stage of my life.”

=BrotherHood JP¥ 5,000: Happy Birthday, Mei-chan! Wishing you happiness forever!

=Lastmoment KRW₩ 50,000: I’m always cheering you on!

I already know I’m not alone.

“Therefore, I will keep moving forward. Because the dream will definitely be there!”

[Virtual On-Tuber Minor Gallery]

[Title: Mei-chan’s Original Song Released!]

[Written by: Maker]

Why are the lyrics of this song so beautiful?

[Recommended: 51 / Not Recommended: 3]

Oyayub: “Even if the world points fingers at me, I will chase my dream.”

ᄂOyayub: As soon as I heard this part, I couldn’t help but applaud.

LMaker: “Just like a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, I too will become myself” << This part was amazing!

Mei-chanLove: Mei-chanLoveMei-chanLoveMei-chanLoveMei-chanLoveMei-chanLove

ᄋᄋ: But why couldn’t she match the beat in the live broadcast of her own original song? ᄏᄏ

Maker: Isn’t that part cute?

LMaker: (Mei-chan brainwashing)

Hwasin’s Opposite is Reception: “I will overcome the reflection in the mirror that hesitates due to my anxiety.”

└Hwasin’s Opposite is Reception: Personally, I really liked this part.

Hwasin’s Opposite is Reception: Something about it is so emo (craftUV).

[Title: Suzui-Zu Joins the Gallery Tonight]

[Written by: Suzui-Zu]

Are you seriously saying there’s no Suzui-Zu here???

[Recommended: 43 / Not Recommended: 5]

ᄋᄋ: But Izumi didn’t participate in Suzuka’s birthday live…

Suzui: Damn it, Izumi was busy, and Suzuka explained that, you bastard. What the hell do you know to make assumptions?

ᄋᄋ: Suzuiizu, teete.

Maker: It’s funny how Mei-chan kept missing the beat, and Suzuka had to cover for her. ᄌᄂ haha

Suzui: So cute…

O-yabung: Khuuu~

naega: So, are these two really dating?

Suzui: In my heart, we’ve already had the meeting with the parents.

[Title: It’s a bit surprising that Nat-chan didn’t come out as a guest]

[Written by: Eighth Star]

When they didn’t have any guests at the 3D debut, I understood that, but I thought they’d call her for the birthday live.

I didn’t expect it to end with just the second-generation members.

[Upvotes: 0 / Downvotes: 0]

Maker: Yeah, that was a bit surprising for me too. I thought for sure she’d be there.

Eighth Star: It’s really disappointing.

seu-ju-i-jeu: Maybe they’ll call her for the 1st-anniversary live.

Eighth Star: I hope so.

[Title: But Izumi doesn’t stutter when she sings]

[Written by: 00]

Is the stuttering part of her concept? Why does she have such a weird concept that doesn’t match her RP?

[Upvotes: 0 / Downvotes: 0]

Maker: She mentioned in the last broadcast that it’s the result of practicing with Suzuka.

Loo: What kind of practice?

LMaker: She said she doesn’t stutter when talking to her mom, she recalls those emotions.

Loo: Seriously, what a loser-ish practice method…

ᄂMei-chan, I love you. Don’t slander Mei-chan, you piece of sh*t.

“See you next time, Kayano. Happy birthday.”

“Rest well, Mitch! Have a fun day with your mom!”

Thank you… Oh, goodbye, Yuika-nee, Ren-nee.” Grateful,

“Yeah!”

After the birthday live ended, I got in Koga’s car and headed home.

Today was not only Izumi Kaino’s birthday but also Mina Kayano’s.

The members knew this, so initially, after the live

“Hee, hee-hee…”

As I quietly nestled into my sister’s arms, feeling the warmth, I heard my mother’s voice from the kitchen.

“Minah, hurry up and wash up. Ji-ah, how could you just leave after helping?!”

“Yes….”

“Okay.”

“Happy birthday, Minah.”

“Phew…!”

Receiving birthday wishes from my mom and sister, I blew out the candles on the cake.

At the same time, the living room darkened, and with a pop, fireworks went off.

“Hmm… Well, Mom and I will talk, so do you want to go inside, Minah?”

Mom smiled as she always did and said this.

Until now, after I blew out the candles, I would always quietly go to my room, so it was expected.

But I quietly shook my head at my mom’s words.

“Mom. I’m really thankful that you gave birth to me.”

“…Huh?”

“And, sister, I’m really thankful that you’ve always taken care of me…”

“…Okay.”

For some reason, just saying thank you made me feel like I was going to cry.

“You know? I’ve really hated my birthdays until now. Everyone else is celebrated on their birthday, but my dad passed away, so… I didn’t want to smile or be congratulated on my birthday…”

But at the same time, there was a feeling of regret.

Dad must have wanted to see me smile, so why couldn’t I smile?

Why did I only show him my tears and tantrums?

No matter how young I was and how I didn’t have memories from my past life, why was I so stupid I couldn’t even realize that…

“I always thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if I could fall asleep for two days without waking up, from my birthday to the anniversary of my dad’s death…’”

Even now, when my birthday comes, I dream of my dad coming out and stroking my head.

His hand, so frail it felt like a twig, didn’t have any strength.

And, at some point in those dreams, I could smile.

“After all, birthdays are only special days for me, right? But I never thought of it as special… So I always wanted it to pass quickly…”

I hated the version of myself in that dream.

While I couldn’t smile in reality, I hated the me in the dream who could smile.

“But… but…! Now, my birthday is a special day for so many people. My friends, my seniors, my viewers… Everyone celebrates and rejoices in my birthday. Of course, I know that my mom and sister are the happiest of all.”

But, at the same time, I knew.

That it was the path I had to walk forward on.

I’ll smile too… Just like Dad said, birthdays are the happiest, most joyful, and special days, so…!”

“Minah…”

“Happy birthday, Minah…”

Mom, sister. Since today is my birthday, my special day, please smile.”

Don’t cry.

My sister too.

She already congratulated me earlier. How can she cry after congratulating me?

…But since I was congratulated, I guess I should answer, right?

Just like Dad wanted, smiling brightly.

“…Yes!”