“Then, see you all next month.” “Waaaaaa!”
With the homeroom teacher’s words, cheers erupted in the classroom.
It was only natural.
Today marked the start of the summer vacation, something every student eagerly anticipates.
Of course, that includes me.
“Everyone who’s coming today!”
When the class’s top socialite, Tateyama, proposed a get-together, everyone began to gather around her, smiling.
Me?
I’m planning to head straight home.
Since that day, no one has invited me to these gatherings.
Of course, since it’s a class event, it wouldn’t be a problem if I went.
But being an uninvited guest at a gathering meant for everyone to attend is never a good thing.
I know this better than anyone.
In my past life, I quietly attended a similar gathering in middle school where everyone went together, and it ended up being filled with unpleasant memories….
I’m a smart introvert who learns from past mistakes.
Most importantly, I have a prior engagement today.
So, I should get back as soon as possible!
“Um, um, Kaya-no-san.”
As I resolved this, it was the class representative, Miyauchi, who spoke to me.
Miyauchi is kind.
She sometimes talks to me even though it’s usually about things related to class.
“…Yes?”
“I was wondering if you, Kaya-no-san, would be coming to the get-together today. O-of course, I understand you must be busy with your prior engagement…”
Huh?
That I must be busy with a prior engagement?
Saying it like that makes me sound like a social butterfly with a lot of commitments, Miyauchi.
Considering you’re one of the few people who talk to me frequently in this class, shouldn’t you know?
I’m an ultra-high-level introvert who doesn’t have any plans.
Kaya-no Miko with prior engagements? What world line are you imagining I’m from…
“I-I’m sorry. Today, um, I have an important prior engagement…”
Of course, I do have a prior engagement today!
“Ah, I see. Haha…”
Miyauchi smiled and stepped back after my reply.
Even though it’s an important class gathering for the first vacation, she gave up so easily with just one refusal.
And she didn’t seem to be upset at all with that smile.
She must have been just checking to see if I might join the gathering.
If someone like me, who has no connection with other classmates, were to attend, it would turn the intended gathering into an awkward event.
It’s okay, Miyauchi.
I’m a professional-level introvert who knows my place!
You won’t have to worry about that happening!
The noisy karaoke room.
While everyone was enjoying the atmosphere with laughter, only Miyauchi, the class representative of 1-A, was sighing with a slightly downcast expression.
“Miyauchi.”
“Hmm? Tateyama-san?”
The one who approached her was Tateyama, who often leads the class with a lively atmosphere.
“Is something wrong? You’ve seemed down for a while now.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Although her golden hair might have given off some prejudice to some, Miyauchi, who had spent a semester together, knew.
Tateyama is a kind and reliable friend to everyone.
If she shared her worries, Tateyama would surely provide serious advice.
However, there was one thing I couldn’t tell anyone.
- It wasn’t just Miyauchi’s problem.
- “It’s okay. I’m just a little tired…”
- “Eh? Summer vacation has just started. You shouldn’t be tired already!”
- “Fufu, that’s true.”
Miyauchi felt a little of her frustration easing with Tateyama’s bright smile, which seemed to say she would chase away any worries.
But.
“By the way, Miyauchi, it seemed like you were talking to Kaya-no-san earlier. What’s going on?”
At Tateyama’s question, Miyauchi’s frustration returned to its previous level. No, it actually got worse.
“I just asked if Kaya-no-san was planning to join today’s gathering.”
“I see. Since she didn’t come…”
“Yes. She said it would be difficult because she has a prior engagement.”
“That’s a shame. It would have been great if Kaya-no-san had come too.”
Tateyama thought about how Kaya-no had also been unable to join the first class gathering right after entering school due to a prior engagement. She genuinely felt regretful.
After all, she was incredibly pretty and cute, unlike herself.
It was odd that she wasn’t popular.
That’s why Tateyama felt even more like spending time with her.
“I hope we can definitely hang out together in the second semester.”
“…I hope so too.”
-Tateyama said, unable to see Miyauchi’s downcast expression.
-A look that seemed like she was on the verge of tears.
-This was from a few months ago.
Immediately after being elected class representative, Miyauchi was called to the teacher’s office.
There was no particular problem; it was to learn the responsibilities of being a class representative.
Once the explanations were done, Kaname, who was taking on the homeroom role for the first time this year, lowered her voice and spoke.
“Miyauchi-san.”
“Yes, Kaname-sensei.”
“Have you ever had a conversation with Kaya-no-san from our class?”
At that question, Miyauchi recalled Kaya-no, who had been quietly sitting alone in class today.
“No. It might be a bit difficult to say I’ve had a conversation with her.”
“…I thought so.”
Kaname nodded quietly, as if it was expected.
“So, what kind of person do you think Kaya-no-san is?”
“Hmm.”
Miyauchi thought again about Kaya-no.
Kaya-no-san…
She rarely, if ever, spoke, and Miyauchi couldn’t even recall hearing her voice except for on the first day when she introduced herself.
‘…I’m Kaya-no Mina. …My hobbies are listening to music and playing games. …I look forward to working with you.’
Her voice was even cold, like she was declaring her intention to keep a distance from others.
“To be honest, she seemed like someone who doesn’t trust people.”
“…Is that so?”
Kaname nodded, agreeing that the description was accurate.
“Miyauchi-san, it might be a burden, but please take good care of Kaya-no-san.”
Kaname then held Miyauchi’s hand and made this request.
Returning to the classroom, Miyauchi looked at Kaya-no, who was naturally sitting alone.
Her glossy brown hair that reached below her waist and her rare blue eyes in Japan.
Although short, her well-maintained body, without excess fat, was perfect compared to her own, which was frail and out of shape.
And her skin, smooth and blemish-free, looked so youthful it was almost unusual.
Sitting there was a cute high school girl who looked like a doll.
‘…I’m Kaya-no Mina. …My hobbies are listening to music and playing games. …I look forward to working with you.’
But when she spoke, her appearance contrasted sharply with the cold atmosphere she exuded, like ice.
It seemed as though she was saying not to come close.
“…Sigh.”
Miyauchi quietly sighed and gathered her thoughts.
‘Kaya-no-san must have various circumstances. Perhaps that’s why she deliberately keeps her distance from people. But school isn’t just a place for studying, is it? Of course, it would be great if I could oversee everything as the homeroom teacher, but realistically, that’s difficult.’
So Kaname asked Miyauchi to pay some attention to Kaya-no while she was in class.
“…Various circumstances.”
After all, Kaya-no-san is incredibly cute, so she must have suffered a lot since childhood.
Jealousy from other girls over her appearance.
And being surrounded by wolf-like boys at times.
Even just the day after our high school entrance ceremony, she couldn’t join the gathering due to a prior engagement, and everyone talked about it extensively.
Fortunately, our class is full of nice people, so no one said anything bad, but it’s unsettling to hear your own story being talked about in places you don’t know.
Miyauchi could barely imagine such things, but for Kaya-no-san, it might have been a daily occurrence.
How frightening it must have been.
How tough it must have been.
That’s probably why she keeps her distance from people.
But surely, there must be a friend she made who overcame those adversities.
A true friendship that Kaya-no-san could trust, aside from her family.
Even though they couldn’t attend the same high school due to academic issues, nothing could sever the true friendship Kaya-no-san had.
Every day after school, sharing stories of what they did around each other’s homes.
Those times must be invaluable, irreplaceable memories for Kaya-no-san.
“Kaya-no-san…”
If those times are truly precious, I will help.
Let’s make sure that Kaya-no-san doesn’t have to stay at school unnecessarily.
No matter what happens, I’ll be on Kaya-no-san’s side.
And someday, I’ll become Kaya-no-san’s real friend and share stories with her.
Building up precious memories like that.
Ah, how beautiful.
- “…I’m sorry. Today, I have an important prior engagement.”
- “Of course, I haven’t built that level of trust yet.”
- “What did you say, Miyauchi?” Huh?
- “…It’s nothing.”
Thus, the misunderstanding of the literary girl deepened.
★
Today, there is a prior engagement I absolutely cannot miss, no matter what.
And that is….
[[Return Broadcast] Return broadcast starts at 3 PM. #KainoIzumi #ReturnBroadcast #StarsFlow]
Of course, it was my return broadcast.
Isn’t it fate that I became a VTuber?
How is it that the end of my hiatus coincides with the start of summer vacation?
Is it a divine message to focus solely on broadcasting for a month starting today?
-(≥▽≦)>Izumi Izumi!
-(27≦)>Izumi Izumi!
-I’ve been waiting for today
-Finally, the strongest among the Starflow 2nd generation, Mei-chan is back
Starflow has been so lonely!
-(≥▽≦)>Izumi Izumi!
Fortunately, the mood isn’t bad.
-Amazing fact: Kaino Izumi has only streamed twice in 16 days since debut
-Is this the boldness of a newbie?
-Saying that makes Mei-chan sound bad
-True, but actually
-Is that so…
Well, that’s not what’s important.
What’s truly important is that I’ve decided to change now.
So, 10 seconds to go.
First, calm the tremors in my chest with a deep breath.
9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.
KonIzumi~. From Starsflow, the mood maker dreaming of a world where everyone can smile… Ka, Ka, Kaino Izumi,
“C-c-co
…It’s me.”
-Hai Izumi!
-Haa… This familiar feeling
-I missed it
-This is how it should be ᄏᄏ Mei-chan is
-Story: No one here has watched Mei-chan’s broadcast more than three times. Scary.
-This is the experience of just the third broadcast…?
Thank for the chap