Chapter 97: Unknowingly seducing those around you, I thought that kind of thing only happened in comic or novels…

[I’m really sorry about yesterday, Izumi.]

I had just woken up and was watching Natchan’s clip when I received a personal call from Aki-chan.

As soon as I picked up the call, Aki-chan suddenly apologized.

“…Yes? Wh-what are you talking about?”

[Yesterday, the Bloody Knight… I thought you might be upset…]

“Aah….”

Now that I think about it, something like that did happen.

In fact, after that match, I had won three consecutive games, and considering the first win, I had accumulated four wins, so one loss didn’t matter at all. I wasn’t even upset about it in the first place.

If I had to pick, it was much better than that Izutomo from the first game.

Not in terms of gameplay, but mentally.

And looking back, Aki-chan’s play wasn’t really the issue—she was playing as Michael, so that was the problem. If it had been another character, it would have been a perfectly reasonable response.

The worst part was that we ended up facing two teams at once. Normally, you’d have to properly monitor both sides and create a triangular standoff, which is the standard.

It was just that Michael had no way to handle things on her own, and that’s what caused the disaster.

…Well, if you asked if I was completely satisfied, I’d be lying, but it wasn’t something that required an apology either.

“I’m fine, Aki-chan… it’s just a game anyway…”

Even though I had the mindset of a South Korean man whose life and family depended on a game, I didn’t want things to get awkward with Aki-chan, who was a fellow gamer.

[But I still need to apologize… M-chan and Suzuka both got upset and said that what happened yesterday was too much… Ah, it’s not that they forced me to apologize, I really feel sorry about it. Sorry…]

“Umm….”

After the broadcast yesterday, I did my usual ego-surfing, and this time, there were quite a few opinions saying that Aki-chan had gone too far. Some even claimed that Aki-chan hated me and was intentionally bullying me, which was absurd.

But as the person involved, I didn’t think much of it, so I just figured it would calm down on its own. However, now that I was receiving this apology, I didn’t even know what to say.

[So as an apology, I’ll grant you one thing you want.]

“…Eh?”

For a moment, my thoughts stopped.

“Wh-what? You’ll grant me anything I want?”

[Yes. I’ll do my best to fulfill whatever I can.]

Wait a minute, Aki-chan. That’s a really dangerous thing to say, isn’t it?

I definitely shouldn’t be responding in this situation. No, I mean, no matter what happens, I should never accept!

Does she not know that my mental age is like that of a 40-year-old man? Well, of course, she wouldn’t know that!

Anyway, she just said she’d grant me anything I wanted.

Of course, it would be natural to refuse, saying that it’s unnecessary.

But thinking about it, I’m the victim here, right?

Aki-chan proposed it sincerely as an apology, so wouldn’t accepting it lead to a better outcome for our relationship?

So, if I think of something I really want and say it…

[And by the way, when I say this, Suzuka said that Izumi would probably think something weird.]

“Eheh…!”

Wait, does Aki-chan know that I’m actually reincarnated and living my second life? Does she know that my mental age is that of a 40-something middle-aged man?

A strange worry started to creep into my mind.

[So, what would you like me to do for you, Izumi?]

“U-um, well… Can I think about it later?”

It’s not that I’m scared of Aki-chan or anything.

It’s just that I can’t think of anything I want right now…?

[Sure. I’m fine with that.]

“Hehe… Well, then, I’ll go now…”

Just as I was about to say that, Aki-chan spoke up again.

[By the way, Izumi, could you meet me tomorrow?]

“…Eh?”

In simple terms, what Aki-chan meant was this.

She wanted to put to rest the rumors about us having a bad relationship and me being bullied by her.

It would be fine to let things be, but isn’t it better to clear things up before the rumors spread? She said her manager suggested it.

[…And also, I’ve never had a private meeting with you, Izumi.]

With Koga-chan, we did an offline collaboration first, and we have a unit called “Pure White Sea.”

Akabane-chan plays the same game and even joined me for a high school cultural festival.

Utsumi-chan and I had a date and then did an offline collaboration that evening.

Among the second-generation members, only Aki-chan hadn’t met me privately, and it seemed like she was somewhat dissatisfied with that.

I had thought Aki-chan didn’t care about such things, so this was quite unexpected.

“Then… um, should we do an offline collaboration?”

Of course, offline collaborations were extremely risky, but in my current state, it wouldn’t be something I couldn’t handle.

If Aki-chan was concerned about this, I could bear with it.

[…Hmm? If Izumi wants to do an offline collaboration, I don’t mind.]

“…Huh? But you said you wanted to calm the rumors first…”

[The rumors can be put to rest after we hang out and talk separately on the broadcast. I was fine leaving things alone, but I really just want to hang out with you, Izumi…]

Hearing that answer, I realized, through all the subculture training I had received, that Aki-chan was an unconscious natural charmer.

She would say things with pure intentions, but to others, it would feel like an invitation—without her even realizing it, she turned everyone around her into her harem.

I never thought this kind of thing would happen outside of manga or novels.

But reality always exceeds imagination.

Still, since I had been trained by subcultures, I immediately realized this and started preparing for it.

Other people probably wouldn’t have noticed.

In fact, the Starsflow members might have already become Aki-chan’s captives…

“Well, I think we’ll just think about that later.”

[Okay. Then, where should we meet tomorrow?]

“U-um…”

Let me think. Where would be a good place to meet Aki-chan?

I prefer staying at home rather than walking around outside.

And it turns out Aki-chan feels the same way.

So, there’s no need for us to go out like I did on my date with Utsumi-chan.

Maybe it would be best if one of us just visits the other’s house?

“Ah, Aki-chan. Then…”

Just as I was about to offer a suggestion to Aki, she made a sudden proposal.

[Izumi, would you like to come over to my house?]

Aki had made such a suggestion.

[Kaino Izumi★Star’s Flow @Kainolzumi. 13 minutes ago] Tomorrow, I’ll be doing an off-collab with Aki out of the blue! https://ontu.be/XXXXXXX #StarsFlow2ndGeneration #KaInoIzumi #AkiNekoto

[Aki Nekoto☆Star’s Flow @AkiNekoto. 3 minutes ago] Tomorrow, it’s an off-collab with Izumi! What we’ll be doing is a secret. https://ontu.be/XXXXXXX #StarsFlow2ndGeneration #AkiNekoto #KaInoIzumi

Lately, I’ve been wondering.

Or rather, since joining Star’s Flow and starting my activities as a VTuber, it seems like I’ve been going out more often.

On the way to Aki’s house, that thought suddenly crossed my mind.

Just during the summer vacation, I barely went out; I could count the times on my fingers.

Aside from going to Akihabara to reserve Natt-chan’s goods and a quick trip to the convenience store to buy cola, I didn’t go out at all.

Of course, Koga had come to our house for an off-collab, but I wasn’t the one going out.

Yet, it feels like I’ve been getting invitations to go out more often recently.

Like when I went to Hatsumode, or the off-collab with Utsumi, and now this promise with Aki…

I never thought I’d be getting invitations like this once a month.

Could it be that I’m starting to become a proper “insider” now?

“Hehe…”

That said, I didn’t expect Aki to suddenly make such a proposal.

I couldn’t help but smile at the thought that Aki considered me close enough to suggest something like this.

Of course, the awkwardness with Aki wasn’t completely gone, but I still wanted to get along better as a colleague.

So, what would we be doing at Aki’s house today?

Since we were meeting at her house, we decided to do an off-collab broadcast as well.

Aki said she would prepare the content, so all I had to do was go and enjoy myself.

・Maybe we’ll just read My Caron like usual?

While thinking this, I finally arrived at Aki’s house.

Aki, like me, lived in a detached house.

And not just any detached house, but a pretty large one.

Now that I think about it, Aki had mentioned she lived with her family.

So, could it be that I’ll meet Aki’s family today?

When that thought crossed my mind, a wave of nervousness swept over me.

Would it be okay if I just turned back now…?

★

Well, of course, there was no way I could do that.

“Huh? Are you nervous about meeting my family? Don’t worry, they’re all nice…”

I wanted to reply with “It’s not that…” but seeing Aki’s innocent eyes, I gave up.

“And besides, everyone’s going to be home late, so it’ll be fine.”

“R-right, that’s a relief… But, what exactly are we doing today?”

“…Hehe, I’ve prepared something fun…”

…W-what on earth has she prepared?