Vtuber no Ending, Kaitorimasu. Volume 1 Chapter 2

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Case 2: Cats Love Chaos

1

When Yonago Kazuomi looks back on his Oshi’s past archived streams, he has already somewhere in his heart prepared himself for what is to come. On the Home of his Oshi’s Youtube channel, the first thing that a viewer would see is the “video that the channel administrator wants you to see”. Underneath the video are the list of membership members, future livestreams, playlists, and other features in the Home screen.

—– Ayanokouji Neiko ch. She had 75,000 subscribers.

She was an individual mid-level Vtuber who was fairly popular. She self-proclaims herself as the Cat Ministers, and her slogan is to colorize the lives of fans who have Vtubers as their Oshi.

Even with just the Home Screen, it shows a lot of easily-understandable information about the Oshi in question.

On the Top Video of Home, there was a video, [My 20 Sides! The Cat Minister Will Show Her True Power!【Individual VTuber/ Ayanokouji Neiko], that shows 20 voice impressions in a row. It had 100,000 replays.

Neiko’s talent, that she wanted to show off to her viewers, is precisely her voice impressions.

Should he watch this last…..

Wistfully thinking, while preparing for what is to come soon, Yonago, at the end, fell into self-hatred. —- I am powerless.

Yonago, at last, clicked the nearest archived stream to his mouse.

It was a recent stream that was done yesterday, just in time for the Tanabata season. When he clicked to start the video, the replay of the chat also started at the same time.

○ If you feel like supporting wild cat watch this

While waiting for the stream to start, the chat was doing a homage to a scene in a certain RPG game where players could be friends with monsters.

This was due to a series of events that Neiko did in a past stream. Without giving a second glance to the monsters who wanted to be friends, she ruthlessly killed them one after another. In a way, it could be seen as a inside-joke among fans.

This was one of the fun ways that Yonago enjoyed, watching the sneaky viewers with their wordplays.

After the icon with a paw crossed over a necktie faded out from the screen, soon a Vtuber with cat ears appeared.

“Nya-hallo~ I will colorize your lives, Cat Ministry. Your Cat Minister, Vtuber, Ayanokouji Neiko here.

○ fur real

○ The Minister came!

○Kon-neko~

With the appearance of their Oshi came the grandiose welcome from the viewers. What appeared was a cat with politician-like unisex white shirts with small ears as a charm point, Vtuber, Ayanokouji Neiko.

The viewers adored the politician Vtuber who gave off the feelings of a gyaru.

Her lisp too were enchanting. When she gave off her name, the “i” in “Neiko” was charmingly indistinguishable to hear, and the emphasis on “[Nei]ko here” was one of the unstoppable enthralment that the fans held about her.

“Thanks for coming todaayyy. My Cat Public Servants, have you already ate-nya~? Hm, let’s start with this, what do you think I had for dinner today?”

She had smoothly gone into a quiz session. This was just a warmup before going into the main free-talk segment.

○ Tuna

○ Tuna

○ Yakiniku

○ Yakinoku

○ Water

○Shichirin

The chat’s message speed sped up.

“Unfortunate. You see, my dinner today was…. Heehee, Bitter Melon Chanpuru. My real Mama has been making this recently a lot.

○Very ordinary

○ It’s trendy nowadays

○ Mom is Okinawan?

Just like that, calmly revealing about her life, gives a sense of intimacy with her viewers.

Neiko, unlike the stiffness of her outfit, had a terrifyingly good sense of trends concerning and especially about manga, anime, and dramas. In her free-talk session she gives popular impressions without any reservation.

She also is a Vtuber who is very candid, often giving frank comments.

Ayanokouji Neiko’s fan name is “Cat Public Servants” —- also known as “benefactors” to the channel. Those who send superchats gets “thanks for paying your tax” from her and people who sends in large amounts are called “high taxpayers”. There were also moments where she makes the comment of “thanks to collecting my fan’s hard earned money, the yakiniku is going to be yummy”, bringing about laughter from her fans.

Probably with just this, even viewers that came to view the stream for the first time would be able to tell the foolish enthusiasm that comes from the Cat Public Servants.

“With that aside, this is today’s plan. It’s a little different from the regular way of doing it.”

Neiko showed the logo onto the screen which was written in her own handwriting.

“Here ya go. 【Writing on a Tanzaku and Wish to the Stars!】! Don don, woo woo!”

Adding sound effects, Neiko also expressed excitement in her voice and livened herself at the same time.

The logo must have been done with a pen tablet. After all, all the characters were all roundish.

Neiko also does drawing streams, but her lines were always curvy. Her drawings look like they were made by a beginner, but her passion in her drawings can be felt from it. Watching Neiko’s innocence, the Cat Public Servants felt like a father protecting his daughter.

“You see, today, let’s turn the regular stuff from the question box into a tanzaku, and read out everyone’s wishes. Let’s get the power from all benefactors in order to have the person who sent in their letter for their wish come true-!” Neiko, at the same time, brought up one of the screenshots of the letters.

“Uh, yup, let’s start with the first tanzaku. Zenjidou Hijiki-san. Neiko-chan, Konbanwa – Konbanya! The thing I wish for from Tanabata, is a celebratory message from my Oshi. Actually, today is my birthday. Would it be possible for you to make a comment? And that’s the wish. Here, I have one thing to say about this! What are you doing, don’t make this kind of message into a tanzaku!”

○ To start off like that, is that fine? Is the person here?

○ If the person isn’t here lol

“Even if that person isn’t here, then I’ll wish them a happy birthday later-nya. Also, there isn’t a single benefactor that won’t watch till the end. Make sure you all wish him one too. Because he is also a party member of my Diet as well. I want to collect as many happy birthdays from you as possible.

○So nice

○ This is admirable

Neiko stopped the BGM, and put echo on her voice.

Within the calm and serious atmosphere, she closed her eyes and relaxed to support her “benefactor” birthday.

“Now, it’s time to start-nya?” And she started humming the intro.

“Now then…. Clap clap clap. Clap clap clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap.”

However, no matter how any of them looked at it, they didn’t hear the happy birthday in the intro. In the first place, for a song that everyone sang from time to time, was there even such a thing as an intro?

○ Isn’t this wrong?

○ The wedding song?

○ That’s a wedding song lol

○ lol

“Ha! Ahahaha I got it wrong!” The crying voice that reverbated due to the echo. “I messed up! I thought this song was for celebratingggggggggg”

○Like from Zexy magazine wwwww

○ Marriageable age?

“……. T-that not it, It was just a natural miss! Let’s start over!”

○lmao

○ Isn’t Zenkidou Hijiki swooned

○ The Case Where Oshi Was Supposed to Celebrate Birthday Actually Was a Wedding Ceremony (Very Light Novel-like scene)

○ hjk envious

○what a cute miss lol

“You, you all better remember this, I’ll get back- Wait no, you shouldn’t, don’t remember it! Ahhh, to mess up on the first tanzaku is so bad….”

The Tanabata stream was going in a peaceful and lively manner. Yonago had thought that within this past half year, it was the best stream even though it was done yesterday. Memories in general are easily overwritten by the best moments in life. That too, is what it means to support an Oshi.

At that moment, Yonago felt a stream of loneliness.

After that, Neiko asked for “sponsorship” again and again, while innocently cramming with her favorite chocolate chip cookies of a brand. Filling the gaps in the heart with the dry carbohydrates. Whether it was a hole that was created today, or was it due to a certain flaming incident one year ago, no one knew. Yonago had no choice but to wait for the confectionery brand’s publicist to find the tweet and connect the promotion with the confectionery company’s promotion with his Oshi.

And that work too, came to nothing.

“Well, today too, I created a legend~. Well with that, I have read all your tanzakus, and now I will announce my wish.”

○ Ohhh

○ I want to hear Neiko-chan’s wish

○ It’s going to be yakiniku hearsay

○ A Shichirin that last a year huh

“Stop with the yakiniku topic!” Neiko yelped at her chat.

“This is something that I put all my emotions inside into one line! So listen carefully, ok-nya?”

Neiko put a tanzaku with her handwriting on it to the screen. It was probably filmed from her smartphone.

“My wish, you see, is a “peaceful end where everyone can laugh” ahaha! Isn’t that simple? Love and Peace, nya. My supporters, if you are suffering or sad, come to my stream. I’ll let you laugh a lot!” Yonago was moved.

“Well, this stream is going to end here. Thanks for coming. Otsu-neko”

If life could be like a playback where you can freely scroll to what part you want to be at, just how wonderful would it be.

Yonago could have brushed his teeth and gone to bed, but he didn’t do it. He had discomfort in his stomach, heart, and throat, and went throughout his body. It would take probably 2 hours till he shut his eyes. In this year, there is only so little to count where he immediately slept.

Especially tonight. There was no way he could sleep tonight.

—– On social media, Ayanokouji Neiko was in the middle of a ferocious flaming.

It was mainly on Twitter, Instagram, and all the places where she was active. For sure, Peing, which is connected to her Instagram account, has to have many malicious comments being sent.

And on her main base of operations, Youtube, comments were appearing here and here whose contents were on the fringe of being against the guidelines.

Flamings of Oshi. For Yonago, it was his second time experiencing it.

The first time was one year ago. The flaming of Hoshigaoka High School’s talent, Mukanae Noa—-

At the time, Yonago thought to separate himself from the world of Vtubers. But, the way that the male and female Vtubers who live in the virtual world could read out comments, and communicate with the fans that exist in real life was something that moved him greatly. There was no way that he could forget that feeling.

Yonago, wearing his baseball cap that he always wears when going out, went out of his house.

Going into his hatchback sedan, he turned on the engine.

It wasn’t like he had to go somewhere. When he has trouble sleeping, his hobby is to invest in driving, and forget everything. From Tsuzuki IC, down to Daisan Keihin Road, making a huge detour around the city center, and headed toward Haneda.

Since there are many lanes, the free-way in this area, around the late-days, is surprisingly empty. Yonago pressed the accelerator pedal.

The Tokyo Bay that can be seen from the Shuto Expressway, the gaudy view had a deep impression. The cluttered warehouses on the wharf and the glittering scenery of the commercial district made him forget his petty worries. He was disconnected from the flaming in the virtual world, and the silence made his heart calm. When he came near the Shibaura pier, the Rainbow Bridge and the Odaiba brilliance scenery stirred his feelings.

While watching the illumination, he remembered that legendary live.

Mukanae Noa’s first solo live. Noa was wearing a dress that resembled a fairy, and performed eagerly despite being inexperienced. It was a reverie-like moment in time.

Noa, who had let him enjoy himself to the fullest, there was also someone who was a big existence in cheering for her

—- Noa’s fan Karugo. Yonago wonders what he is doing now.

Absentmindedly, Yonago headed south the Edobashi JCT, and went to a section in Gokokuji IC. It was a route that would have headed towards the Ikebukuro East area. He was charmed by the angel called Noa there. But on that night—-

“U, uwahh…..” The memories that tightened his chest, his eyes welled up in tears.

Stopping his car at the shoulder of the road, he put his forehead against the wheel. He had not changed since then. As still “Cap’n”, he continued to support Vtubers.

His profile still states in bold letters in social media “Noa’s fan.”

Although, he is now supporting Ayanokouji Neiko. She isn’t represented by any corporation, and is working hard as an individual Vtuber. However, for what is written on his profile, is his fondness towards Hoshigaoka’s Highschool.

The cause of Neiko’s flaming was very much different in nature from Noa’s flaming. However, from what he learned from Noa’s case, was there something he could do now in the present?

At the very least, a fan could protect their Oshi.

: Karugo 2021/9/12 Let’s cheer together after Noa’s incident calms down!

Yonago remembers the figure of Karugo who had continued to stick up for his Oshi even though there wasn’t anyone who was helping him.

There was no such fan like Noa’s fan Karugo among Ayanokouji Neiko’s fans. As a result, after the flaming, there would be fans who would easily lose their feelings towards their Oshi, he thought. When Yonago thought about that, he believed that the future of Ayanokouji Neiko would be a more tumultuous and solitary path than Mukanae Noa had faced.

But what could he do?

To blow out all the flames, to help the flames cease, just anything….

Speaking of learning from the past, if there is a resemblance to another case, then wouldn’t he be able to find a way to solve it from researching the past cases?

Yonago pulled out his phone, and searched for similar past flaming incidents.

There aren’t many blogs that can be counted on a single hand that focuses on Vtuber materials. However, despite not having many sites, they have too many articles, and even though they are sites that are focused on summarizing cases, they aren’t “summarized”. Among all of that, there was a website that focused on “Flaming incidents”, [Burn, V!”] that brought attention to his eyes.

Right now, he wanted to know the past cases of flamining incidents. Yonago accessed the website.

The blog owner was a person named Ararat Kazan.

Skimming through the articles on the website, there weren’t any articles that resembled Ayanokouji Neiko’s flaming. What is he supposed to do?

“……”

On the blog, there has to be a section about “gathering information”.

Can this man be of help? It’s suspicious no matter how you look at it for a blogger that concerns himself on flaming to be a sensible individual. But, for some reason, Yonago felt a sense of familiarity.

２

As soon as Mina returned from school, she had finished up making her dinner and shower.

She immediately ran into her room, and after bustling in her room for a long time, sat on the desk chair without any hesitation. Her heart was palpitating fast.

After that, she gently opened her drawer to her desk and picked up the key that was hidden in the depths of it.

—– Mina. I accept you as a fellow Noatomo.

The spectacle was burnt into her eyes — Gou’s straightforward eyes and the power behind the arm that held onto her. With raptured eyes, Mina looked back on it.

Hearing a knock, her mother had called out “Mina” like calling out a cat.

In a panic, Mina put the key back into her desk.

In the worst case, if her mother finds the key that her mother shouldn’t know about, her mother would be very worried. When Mina was going to answer back, by then her mother was looking around the room.

As if she realized what was going on, her mother closed her doubtful eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Mina gave a bitter smile.

“Mina, do you know that boys are people who want to have a girlfriend right as soon as summer starts?” Mina’s mom discourages. “Well, Christmas is also the same. All year long they will have the urge.”

Like she was exasperated, Mina looked up at the ceiling.

Her mother gave a smile, and went back to the living room. It was strange that her mother came to her room without anything to say or do.

It is quite possible that parents have a sixth sense only towards their children.

Realizing that her self-awareness is non-existent, Mina encourages herself to strengthen it. Starting up her computer, she thought about what to come next.

“U…… But…”

Since that time, she always felt guilty. About her Vtuber activities. About her fans.

Gou saved Mina from the demon Besasano. But, the salvation from the flaming incident wasn’t all there was to the incident. Mina had betrayed all her fans’ trust. The flaming incident became a form of a scary lesson of reality for her.

Can she really be a person who can easily restart as a Vtuber again?

Unconsciously, she accessed Gou’s blog, [Burn V!]. As a punishment, everyday here, Mina reads articles about flaming.

– The recent article [Resurrection in Current Era, Julius Caesar! Besasano, a lustful famous illustrator, the die was thrown at a certain famous world event!”

Julius Caesar…. A Roman Emperor in the past. It was probably similar to Besasano who had the charisma and was a lady-killer for that reason they put that kind of title on him. The article had many of Besasano’s annoying messages that were exposed to incite the readers.

Rereading the blog, Mina gave a sigh of admiration to Gou. Generally, his experience as Noa’s fan Karugo is being put into bad usage as Ararat Kazan. However, Mina believed, in a small sliver of hope, that this was actually the birth of the likes of a gentleman thief.

The reason for a Vtuber retirement isn’t always for a good reason.

It could be because of the management that the fans can’t see. The real face behind the persona. Because of a person’s creation of a flaming incident for fun. Or maybe because of a stalker that they wanted to get away from. Anything.

Society is always full of unexplainable darkness in people.

Even though the person himself scorns the Vtuber industry, even if he doesn’t wish for it, the Vtuber community wishes for him. If you just look a bit, look here, it’s there–

“Ah…….” Mina raised her voice.

Indeed, a Vtuber-like name came up on the Twitter trends.

The name was Ayanokouji Neiko. A famous Vtuber, perhaps. It was amazing that good news and sponsorship from a company to get into trend for a trending Vtuber, but for some reason, Mina felt ominous from the wording.

“I feel like I’ve seen her before……”

Ayanokouji Neiko. That person was without doubt her first time seeing that name. But without any hesitation, Mina accessed the channel.

３　

〜♪ Suddenly a notification sound came abruptly to his headphones.

When he checked, it was a Discord notification from 『海』. Gou had thought — again?

“Yes?”

“Karugo-san! Emergency emergency! It’s unbelievable.”

As soon as he picked up the call, Mina’s voice suddenly came into his ears.

“You seriously……”

Gou, like he was fed up, corrected the way he was speaking.

“Mina, you’re only going to talk to me if it’s for an emergency?”

“Eh…。…..？”

“Don’t you have, you know, a more normal thing to talk about?”

『You want to have normal conversations with me?” Mina said embarrassingly.

“Not that kind of meaning.”

“What kind of other meaning is there?” Gou couldn’t answer back.

“If it’s going to be this, then the next call I’ll call when there’s nothing to do then.”

“Just what kind of talk is that?”

“Hm~… Maybe about something fun that happened at school, or delicious meals I had, or drama, manga, or news maybe. Speaking of school, has Karugo-san stopped going to school?”

“I haven’t thought about it.”

“Then if that is the case, then how about where you go when you go out. Ah, if this is fine, on the next break, won’t you come to my house? I haven’t yet given my thanks–”

“Didn’t you have something serious to say earlier?”

“……” Mina was silent. Gou too noticed that the conversation went off course.

“If you’re like that then I guess there wasn’t something wrong.”

“It’s an emergency? Emergency emergency emergency with a capital E!”

“Ok, I get it… So tell me what’s up.” Gou said in an exasperated tone.

A rising trend in itself, Vtubers have the tendency to have confirmation from all listeners.

For example, when singing a song, there will be claps from the viewers, and if there is a talk, “lol” will follow from the viewers.

If there was a dissenter who said something else, that person will be ostracized, and feel a sense of “canceling”. If the person themself doesn’t notice, then the core fans will make a closed-group of their own.

As a result, the fan’s adoration beckons the arrival of Oshi’s mistakes. — Slip of tongue. Conceitedness. Exaggeration of one’s efforts.

“If it’s this girl then I know.”

“Of course you would…”

“Ayanokouji Neiko. She takes the role of a virtual Minister, and has the goal of coloring liveliness into the lives of her viewers as part of the Cat Ministry job. Just passed 70,000 subscribers. Soon, it is expected to reach 100,000 subscribers though.” He stopped in his words. “Since it became like this, it can’t be helped.”

The origin of the flames were clear.

Neiko is a Cat Minister. That is her setting, and had one connection towards politics.

The Cat Minister, Neiko, had made fun of the current political state on Twitter. As a result of her statements, she became flamed just as big as the one being spread in politics.

In response to the current state of the political world in the revision bills that they need to urgently move forward, on Twitter, the hashtag “I protest” is rising up to the tops of trends.

As a pretext to start a newsworthy thing of her own, Ayanokouji Neiko decided to go on the bandwagon and started the hashtag “Neiko and the Cat Ministries would like to protest for yakiniku flavor canned food too-nya!” Absolutely unrelated to the current state of politics, just a stupidly made declaration.

The person went on the bandwagon, and wanted to call out more watchers to join.

However, even though she streams with a lot of dark jokes, it was wrong to bring that atmosphere into social media where antics can easily come into attention.

The regular citizens, who saw the statement that Ayanokouji Neiko made that went on trend, took her as their enemy.

There were 50,000 retweets, and plenty of hateful comments underneath the tweet.

In an instant, anti appears, and they look over Neiko’s past streams and videos, and start to pick up any slip of words in those videos and spread it behind the scenes. That includes even going on real-time to Ayanokouji Neiko’s streams and doubling the amount of viewers that are at the stream.

— And surprisingly, despite being flamed to the bitter ends, she is still streaming free-talks without any hesitation.

“Oooo?? The amount of viewers is insane! It’s still going up!”

Ayanokouji Neiko, on the screen, shrieked while in a merry tone. Whether her tone of voice is of Neiko, or it was the person behind her who mistakenly said it, it is unknown.

○7,000 viewers lol

○Ah….

○This is lol

○ don’t make mention about it

Even for the regular viewers who regularly comment, felt nervous about all the attention.

Ayanokouji Neiko’s streams were normally, on a daily basis, 800 people would be watching. Even Gou too, have noticed that on his investigations. But today, it was 8 times as much. It was the same amount as a corporation Vtuber would be having.

“This is crazy, out of this world. Just what to talk about? What do you want to talk about? Ahhh, I didn’t expect this at alllll”

○Calm down

○ Let’s do it how you normally do it

○ Let’s talk about your love for yakiniku

Despite the attention, the chat flow doesn’t change from the regular chat flows.

There were many lurkers —- viewers who don’t participate in chatting, but just watch. Those are in high amounts. It’s a phenomenon that usually happens when someone gets a bunch of attention all at once.

“Love for Yakiniku right! Ah, yes that. Have you watched my videos? It’s time to give good sincerity thanks for watching. – cough” After clearing up her throat, Neiko started in an austere tone.

“I believe that manufacturing yakiniku-flavor cans is of urgent need for this country. That is my tweet. What’s wrong with cats eating yakiniku? In the first place, cats are carnivores. In the savannah desert, that was the regular thing to eat. Raw meat, in fact. We are not wholly satisfied with the food we get as domestic cats, because as part of the same family of cats, it’s obvious that we want meat. Now, it’s not the idea of being chased everytime when having fish in our mouth, nya. Well, at the end of the day, Yakiniku is served by cooking it on the shichirin grill. And also, the best meat is really Kalbi. Well, I also like Harami meat as well. In other words, what I want to say is that even in the savannah, you can guess it’s the same. At that time, it’s canned food. Yes, canned food. Just think about it. When you open the canned meat, the aromatic smell of the yakiniku comes at once—- But this is just an interesting taste, end of story. What do you think, the citizens? What is the smell that comes from the aromatic curry, ramen and yakiniku? When you feel that feeling, there is a feeling of nostalgia, right? That time too, is when canned food has a yakiniku smell. This is from the heart you know. In short, that is that.”

Neiko, for about 5 minutes, talked like this, and continued to claim things in such a way that doesn’t even make sense.

○This claim is too opinionated lol

○ so you eat yakiniku that much

○ the cats that eats fishes are only thievery cats, final answer

○a passage that goes beyond than what a dirty superchat message can do

“….” Gou without raising his eyebrow, and carefully observed.

Streaming while flaming is really bad for the streamer. It puts them in a disadvantageous situation. Antis, picks up any trivial phrases arbitrarily and would cook it up in the back and reveal it behind the scenes on social media.

The streamer would have no choice but to respond to their leading questions without being able to think about their consequences.

It’s like always playing a game of rock paper scissors and the streamer is the one to pick first. Whether Ayanokouji Neiko notices it, or could it be that she enjoys stirring up troubles, from the current state of things it can’t be determined. But, to be like this during a flaming, she was full of guts.

○Where is the apology press

○ Is she really a person from the video?

○ First time viewer. Is the stream for the taxpayer affirmation here?

“First time viewers!!!!! Subscribe to the channel, give a like, and follow me on Twitter and Instagram please!”

First time viewers to Neiko’s channel came here and there.

: Where in the hell is this girl in an emergency Gou asked through discord. He was chatting along with Mina while watching the stream.

: “Um, you see… Don’t you think it’s a big flame?”

: “Neiko herself doesn’t seem to mind at all”

: “But, at this state, there might be more flaming to come.”

: “For sure. The darkness of politics runs deep. Not even just the Vtuber community but she thrusted herself bare into a whole different community. And since she shows no sign of remorse…”

No doubt antis will stick very close to her.

Stirring up trouble arbitrarily is a two edged sword. While it may increase the amount of viewers temporarily with curious onlookers, it’s not the case that all of them will be fans. After the heat subsides, then it’s just old news in the end.

: “Mina, why are you trying so hard to support her? You, are you also a fan too?”

—– To regard her as “You?” While bewildered, Mina answered.

: “Actually, this girl… She is my real-life friend….”

Gou was hardly surprised. After all, just a few days ago, a Vtuber barged into his room and asked to flame her.

: “Have the person in question asked to consult?”

: “No, I just realized she was her today.”

: “Why are we going through this again?”

: “……. Have you seen the apology video?”

Escaping from the stream that was frigid and unknown where it was going to end up as, Gou looked at the apology video in question.

It was a video that was just uploaded two hours before: the eye catching video.

“Regarding the current incident that came from my rash opinions, I have bothered many people with it…..” The video started with her being meek.

However, 30 seconds after the video started, Neiko had turned into a crazy Neiko.

Inside the video, she was mirroring a past scandal of an apology from a project manager from a company. Such an over-the-top prank pierced the viewer’s mind in a bad direction, and the number of views exceeded 30,000 in just two hours. Hundreds of thousands of views may be reached in a day possibly.

At the end, Neiko put out a statement saying, “Announcement of new costume! Apology press conference ver. Sudden!”, ending the video with a smile.

“Her voice impression is the same as my friend’s in real life. It’s bound to make you laugh.”

“The thickness of your friend’s skin is thick.” Gou was astonished.

To see such a Vtuber with this much boldness and nerves. As Ararat Kazan, if he didn’t write an article about it on [Burn V!], it would be unnatural. It’s something that would increase upon his workload.

“Have you confirmed with your friend?”

“Probably because she’s not checking during the stream, she hasn’t given me a reply yet..”

“Well, that must be the case.”

Ayanokouji Neiko, surely, had only thought her flaming would just only give more views.

So that she doesn’t miss the buzz, she brought more fuel with her apology video and live streams.

She is an individual Vtuber. Luckily, her real identity and voice were common enough that she can’t be searched. Most likely whatever controversial thing she does on stream won’t affect her in the real world. It’s basically a free for all.

“With her like this, I feel sorry for the fans.”

It’s a betrayal to all the fans since she went stirring up trouble.

Of course, none of this would lead up to the likes of a lawsuit. Since it’s only burning the improper wording of Neiko and her apology videos, it wasn’t like it was harassment.

However, Ayanokouji Neiko, in the first place, had no sense of sincerity to her fans.

That is what Gou didn’t like.

“Karugo-san, you really care about the viewers huh.”

When Mina thought back to her time as Kagami Moa, she felt bad. But even then, Noa’s fan Karugo has not changed, and remembered her affection for the work policy of Gou.

“Not really,” Gou said completely bluntly. ”It’s just that a viewer from here got into contact with me.”

“What do you mean?”

“As part of Ararat Kazan information gathering.”

Mina thought “aah,” grieved.

It was a flaming that even ended up in Twitter trends. Of course, bloggers who wanted to expose would want those kinds of viewers if they exist—- But, a fan to come willingly? Maybe a fan that turned to an anti?

“I guess even the Cat Public Servants are also going crazy?” Mina cautiously questioned. The end of all this, she wishes that Gou don’t overlap with the Noatomo.

“I wonder. When I contacted the person, they were really depressed.”

“Just what kind of communication was going on?”

“Things like, can you save Neiko.”

Mina felt bright. It was like the sound of dropping a mic.

“There is someone that would want to save her?”

“It’s someone Mina knows very well too.”

“Eh?”

At the words that she couldn’t imagine, Mina raised a dumbfounded voice.

“It’s Cap’n-san.”

Mina ran through her memories, and remembered a man with a cap that she had met at Noa’s first solo live. Even though the virtual world has shown that it is expanding with members and people, it seems that in the end, it’s a small world after all.

“Just why would Cap’n contact Ararat Kazan?”

“Who knows. Friends from way back would come together in the end, just like karma. Like you, like him, just what the hell. Ararat Kazan is someone who flames. Not someone who blows out the fire.”

“But if it’s Karugo-san, then you’ll save them, right?” Mina asked, while hoping.

Gou didn’t give an immediate reply.

He looked back at the live stream, and felt a familiar atmosphere, and remembered about the past.

“Mina started watching Vtubers because of your friend’s recommendation, right?”

“Yes?” Mina understood the point of the question. ”Ah, that girl — Ayane is her name.”

“Was she also a Hoshigaoka’s High school fan too?”

“Of course. Ayane’s favorite Oshi was Rei-chan though.”

“I see.” Gou stopped in his words. “This too is also karma, what comes around goes around.”

“Then, if that….. You’re going to save her!” Mina’s voice became brighter.

“To save, to say in better words….” Gou, once more, compared the state of Neiko and the chat log.

“Aiaiaiaai! Hey hey hey hey! Nanananana!” Not at the very least, showing her good singing voice on the screen.

“What do you think of my divine singing? It’s the greatest, right?”

Forget about saving, did this girl even need help?

４

Since the time he was heading towards the high school that Ayane attends, Gou was puzzled on what face he should be meeting her with.

Mina’s case aside, there is a reluctance to meet with the soul behind a Vtuber. – No, the one to be reluctant should be on the Vtuber side.

Gou, for this past year, has been steadily uploading and exposing the foolish-acting person behind the Vtubers. Taking that as a separate issue, he held the belief that the regular folks should not connect with the real self behind the Vtuber. Even if the person in question is a highschooler like him.

It seems that Neiko’s soul doesn’t think that way, and when she heard about meeting Noa’s fan Karugo, she flew to have a conversation really fast. It was like the joy of meeting with an urban legend or encountering a UFO.

The person behind the flamed Vtuber is too vulnerable…

Although he came to the school’s gate, the amount of students leaving the school is very sparse.

So that he doesn’t seem like a suspicious person loitering, he was hiding near the tree near the gates for the two.

It seems that it was a good private high school. The school uniform too was classy. It gives off the feeling that the students make no distinction between gender. When Gou sees that, he felt something that he can’t describe.

“Hello,” Mina found Gou, and rushed over to him. It was his first time seeing Mina in her uniform.

“Hey.”

“That’s good. I thought that maybe Karugo-san wouldn’t come. I was worried.”

“That won’t ever happen.”

“But you seemed not so happy to come though.”

“I still feel that way even now.” Gou said, like he wasn’t caring that much.

“But you came though?””

”There was something that I wanted to ask her about.” Gou’s answer was indifferent.

Mina, to actually say, she doesn’t really know about Gou. If she put it into an idiom of his current state, it’ll be “carrying out one’s intention”. But, there was also a feeling of “fleeting”.

Although there was a strong will, it was like he was like a corpse that was unsteadily living.

“Where’s Neiko’s soul?”

“….. That’s strange. Usually, she is already packed and ready to leave faster than me.”

Mina looked around restfully in her surroundings.With flashy hair, small things hanging off of her shoe, Ayane. She should be easily seen even from afar.

“I’m riiiight here. Yahallo.”

While making a light greeting, Ayane appeared from behind a tree.

Ayane, with grey hair that was shining like silver, with a blue beretta tied, and a purple hairpiece. She had a well-defined eyeliner, very contrasting to Mina who is very good-looking for Otakus. She was exactly opposite to her Vtuber, who was wearing a firm suit, had a small skirt, and had voluptuous thighs– the gap was very surprising.

That bold attitude was as if she had the attitude of a popular person.

“How long were you there?” Mina asked.

“Hm…. Since forever, I guess.”

“That long?”

“Before the white-hair boy came at the gates.”

“Even though it would have been great if you called out immediately when it happened.”

“No, I couldn’t do that.” Ayane scratched her back hair that was tied up.

“When I heard about THAT Noa’s Fan Karugo, I had to observe you know.”

“Observe……” Gou’s eyes turned white.

“So, Karugo is really this white hair boy?”

Ayane gave a quick smile, and looked at Gou with curiosity.

Those were carnivorous eyes like when observing a strange animal in a cage at a zoo. The students that were going home looked at the strange three with odd eyes. A fawn, a strange animal, and a carnivorous animal were lined up; it was already like a popular zoo.

Gou, feeling troubled that he was being looked at by strangers, looked at Mina in the eyes for help.

Mina raised her eyebrow at Ayane and said.

“Ayane…. Karugo-san isn’t some odd animal at a zoo.”

“Isn’t an odd animal fine.” Ayane excited, while evaluating Gou.

“Fufufu, Noa’s fan Karugo’s real identity is found. It was just a naive inconspicuous boy~ So adorable, Karugo.” Ayane drew out her head and slinked back, repeating the actions. When seeing his hair, “What color is that?” Ayane questioned.

Unable to handle it, Mina stopped her.

“You’re causing trouble to Karugo-san! Scrutinizing like that is not good.”

“What, could it be that Mina is jealous?”

“Eh ….” Mina blatantly colored her cheeks red.

“It’s not like that! It’s because it’s irritating to do that. I also hate it!”

Ayane smiled like a little devil.

“Oh really.”

“Don’t worry about me. Just do what you want.”

“See, look.” Ayane gave a carefree smile.

“Stop..” The one who was the most spiritless was Mina. She was assailed by the fact that Karugo, who she had monopolized, is leaving her. There was no one who could have set this up but Mina though.

“Ayanokouji Neiko, I’m going straight to the main topic.”

“Ayane is fine. Or do you prefer Neiko,nya?” Ayane sticks out her tongue.

“Wow…” Gou slanted his eyes. “I guess seeing you right now, it seems that you want to continue being Ayanokouji Neiko?”

Right now, she was already in flames.

Far from being hesitant, with the attitude in the apology video and in her free-talk streams, it was like she wanted to put more oil into the fire.

Although it was like abandoning her fans till now, now what will she do—-

“Well of course I’m going to continue with it.” Ayane answered bluntly.

“Which is it? Do you want to continue or do you not want to?”

“Hm, to want to do it? Hm, it’s difficult. It’s not like I had a goal to start with anyways.”

Ayane curled her hair with her finger, repeating the action.

Guessing from the lethargic reaction, there wasn’t a concrete plan from the start. It was coincidentally that the design and the unconventional soul fit perfectly together that it became popular and touched the viewers’ heart with her style of streaming.

“The reason why I’m contacting you, Ayane, is because a certain Cat Public Servant has consulted me on this issue.”

“Wow, you’re going to call me by my first name?” She teasingly smiled. Mina, hasn’t changed from the start, wasn’t enjoyed.

Gou, without caring, continued talking.

“The one who contacted me was a die-hard fan. They were worried about the current state of Neiko, and actually came to me, a blogger that flames, to contact me.”

“Flamer? I thought Karugo loves Vtubers.”

At the unexpected words, Ayane was astonished with her mouth open.

“You see, there was a lot that happened last year.” Mina whispered into Ayane’s ear.

“Aaah. I see.” Ayane guessed.

“So, is this an interview for an article?”

“No.” Gou flatly refused.

“Then what is this? Don’t you want to advertise me?”

Gou narrowed his eyes. He then said in a frightened expression.

“—- There are people who love Ayanokouji Neiko.”

“Huh?”

Ayane’s eyes widened in a playful way at the sudden outspoken words

“You’ve become a part of their otaku’s lifestyle, the fans that cheer for you. What do you think of them?”

“What do I think of that… Of course I feel happy, but what are you trying to get out of this?”

“Do you have any intention to get close to the fan feelings?” Gou said dryly.

Gou, who was pressing for an answer, Ayane who had finally noticed that something was abnormal, her cheerful expression gradually stiffened.

“Mina… Don’t you think this person is strange…?”

“Karugo-san is always like this.” Mina made a bitter smile.

“So it became serious. Now I’m worried if I said something bad…”

Ayane looked

“So what he is saying,” Mina said as a friend admonishing her friend.

“He wants you to notice more of your fan’s feelings. The person who was consulting Karugo-san was really worried about your flaming. Weren’t you really worried when Rei-chan was being flamed, too?”

Hoshigaoka High School Houkouji Rei—

Even though she was a Vtuber who was representing Hoshigaoka Highschool as the blue in the group, she was haughty. Unable to ignore the Hoshigaoka’s highschool antis, she engaged herself in comment battles on Twitter, announcing victories, and instantly deleting her tweets in bad moves. In the end, without any control on the situation, she left the virtual world.

Ayane, who had experienced her Oshi in flames, should be able to understand in depth the fan’s emotions.

Speaking of which, Houkouji Rei and Ayanokouji Neiko. Although the characters are wrong, the words are like homonyms. She must have lingering attachments to her former Oshi.

“No, I don’t understand.” Ayane denied outright.

“Although I felt lonely at Rei-chan retirement, it can’t be helped, I was satisfied with it. After all, Youtube is like that sort of place.”

Gou was irritated. Gou bit his lip and looked at Ayane.

“Then, what do you think you’re going to do in the future?”

“Future?”

“Controversial opinions in politics are nothing to scoff at. Flaming will happen. There will be more antis that will stick close to you, and with that apology video, more oils will be added to the flame. Although it became the form of quarreling in a big space, It will become the state where you won’t be able to continue your activities without taking harassment with it.”

“Then if it becomes bad then I’ll just quit. But if it’s able to get a large amount of views, then I’ll get a lot of money in exchange.”

When Gou heard “money”, his tongue was twisted.

“Thanks for worrying about me with the flaming, Karugo.” Ayane smiled at him.

“I hate being tied down. I want to create a place where I belong where I can do whatever I want that I think would be fun to do. To stand out and stand out, and get the peaceful end of a Cat Minister! And if I complete that, then I’ll be a Vtuber legend. If it’s like that then it’s going to be fun.”

He became clear of Ayane’s disposition.

Gou’s face tightened and with a hoarse voice.

“I now see.”

Mina sensed something and asked.

“Are you ok? Karugo-san.”

“Not really.”

Gou turned his heel and answered..”If that is the case, then there’s nothing to talk about anymore.”

Gou assailed with that, and then with a cold face turned back home.

Mina and Ayane were flabbergasted and were left behind. In the evening, the voices from the sports club, the friction sounds from the gymnasium, the noises from the music practices, soon the sounds turned into a silence.

“Mina. What is with that guy~”

“…. Yeah.”

When Gou heard “money,” he had bluntly changed his attitude.

He had given large amounts of money in the name of “supporting his Oshi” to Mukanae Noa. The cut in money was like a cut in the ring, and the management who had decided that she cannot raise any more money, had ruthlessly killed Noa.

That selfish money-centered decision was a trauma for him.

“Although it was for half-fun, it became serious, huh.”

Ayane put both arms to the air and stretched.

“Well Mina, you should find a better person to date to be honest.”

“Date-…” Mina’s cheeks were the color of the evening sky.

“Well, his appearance isn’t bad. His attitude is very rigid. Now when I think about it, Noa’s fan Karugo is pretty extreme in his actions, I can see why you would be attracted.”

Mina was looking at the path where Gou had disappeared.

In the end, will he become Ayane’s strength? Or–—

Mina’s answer came a little while after.

５

Neiko’s stream was a wasteland of trollers doing whatever they wanted.

Although Neiko had prepared herself to deal with the trollish comments, the anti’s objective was to make the chat section unusable. As she, as a streamer, loses leeway, the ridicule from chat increased with it.

Her comment section was already 80% filled with anti comments. Making references to real age, self-advertisement, sexual harassment comments, and many more. The claims were all over the place with no sense of unity at all during the freetalk topics.

As a result, the true viewers’ comments were buried amidst all the trolling.

Soon, even Neiko reached her limits, and her provocative daily streams ended at its 5th consecutive stream.

As if she was giving up, she deleted her comments that were causing flaming and erased the apology video. —- However, that was a foolish action.

The anti, who have confirmed their victory, as if they have waited for this moment, energetically posted clips of the apology video they have saved, and added information that may and may not be there from the start, and spread it across all video platforms.

It had developed into the environment for internet bullying—-

Gou, who was clicking and clacking on the keyboard doing his work, and he heard the room chime twice and the door knocking about four times in quick succession.

“….. Use your key dammit.” Gou sensed that someone was there on the other side of the door. He came to the door with sluggish steps and opened it, and as one thought, Mina was standing there, with a pale look on her face.

“Karugo-san….! It’s an emergency.”

“It’s amazing to see,” Gou exaggeratedly shrugged his shoulders. “It’s been a perfect streak.”

“This time is even more of an emergency! A lot more!” Mina said without much breath.

“Where’s your key?”

“I have it here.”

“Then use it for once.”

“I don’t feel like it.” Mina shook her head, wondering if she was going to mess up explaining this time around. “Even more than that, Ayane isn’t appearing at school anymore.”

Gou took a look at the calendar. It’s a Wednesday. Five days had passed since Neiko was flamed.

Ayane had streamed lively in her daily livestream. When thinking about the number of times she’s been streaming, she should have fought crazily 5 times the number of antis in her stream. She was brave.

“She isn’t reading her messages on Line… Maybe Ayane was so tired that she….”

Thinking about the worst case scenario, Mina felt her body shiver.

“You are a busy-body huh. You should just leave her alone.”

“Why would you say such a terrible thing?”

“She said it herself that she was doing this for the money. This was the result.”

Mina’s eyes widened about Gou’s cold reply.

“Ayane, even she couldn’t think that this would end up this way terribly! I’m sure that she needs–”

“Then this would be a lesson on the real world.”

“You can’t be for real….. Karugo-san, I didn’t think that you would be that coldhearted.”

“And you haven’t thought of this from the start?”

“…….. I did think… Yes. I did.”

When the final grace was done to Besasano on the phone call, Gou’s state, which seemed very light, was not at all calm, Mina felt.

This man has murdered the social status of a person overnight while having a peaceful face on him. But—

Besasano was truly a trash human. The actions they’ve done were what he had deserved, Mina thought.

But what about Ayane? She was just a female highschooler who had let her fame balloon in arrogance. It just seems strange to treat Besasano’s case and Ayane’s case as the same kind of flaming.

“Karugo-san, if it’s you, then wouldn’t you be able to do something?”

“Do something?”

“Didn’t you save me when I asked for help? Bringing up a B-V article, making a video and adding artificial voices, and even asking your Chinese friend for help–”

“You’re misunderstanding me,” Gou turned back to his desk and said. “I rely on Vtuber contents and expose the bad wolves from the village. The only thing that I can do is to write articles on my blog from my desk. Just why the heck are you saying “Burn V” in a cute abbreviation, no.”

Curtly, Gou went back to working.

It seems that he was busy writing something. Other than Besasano’s case, [Burn V] hasn’t been updated since then. Mina knew that. Then the current article being written now had to be—

“Karugo-san, what are you doing!”

Mina entered the room and looked at the PC screen.

Over there was Ayanokouji Neiko’s name, the link to the video, and screenshots of tweets on the blog’s editing screen. Mina opened her eyes.

“To go this low doing this!”

“Because the readers are waiting.”

Gou nonchalantly was typing on the keyboard.

“Not at the very least, that’s too much! Do you like bullying others? Would you stoop that low?”

“I’m not bullying.”

“But you’re doing it. I’m over it. If you’re going with this kind of attitude, Karugo-san, then I’m going to save Ayane myself!”

Mina dishevels her hair, and quickly puts her loafers on after heading towards the door with stomps.

When she finished, Mina glared at Gou.

“I wonder what Noa-chan would think when seeing the current Karugo-san.”

After spitting those words out, she closed the door firmly.

It’s no wonder why Mina is mad. Even though her friend was a Vtuber, the soul is her real-life classmate. Gou, at the door that was banged shut, said to himself.

“If she is watching me, I wonder how happy it would feel…” Perfectly, at that time, a discord message was received.

６

Two train lines, the JR Yokosuka Line and the Tokyu Toyoko Line, are rapidly approaching on the riverbed of Maruko Bridge, which crosses the Tama River. Therefore, there are many trains and automobiles on a daily basis. As a typical suburban bridge, it is often used for filming movies and dramas.

Many residents walk and jog during the day, but at night, the traffic of trucks from transportation companies intensifies, and the number of pedestrians disappears as if they were driven away by the smoke.

Gou embarked from the train at Tamagawa Station, and headed below the overpass of Maruko Bridge.

It was an early night of summer. The star couldn’t be seen, and the smoke and the damp moisture sticked to the skin.

Insects on the riverside flitted about as if to compete with the dizzying development of civilization overhead. Gou regretted that he should have used insect repellent spray.

At the place where they were supposed to meet on the riverbed, there was a middle-aged man who was wearing a cap.

“Ah…” Cap’n –Yonago– saw Gou who had changed completely. “Thank you for coming, Karugo-san.”

A hair color much like the ash after a destruction happened, the hair being covered with it—

Yonago, when seeing that, had a somber expression on it. A faint reminder of the day when the Oshi died.

“Even in a bustling place like Tokyo there is such a convenient place here to talk, huh.” Gou talked first.

“I am a Taxi driver. My customers usually ask to come here. A good amount of them. To come to the bridge that was featured in a drama. Or want to go to the bridge that was destroyed in a monster movie.”

“Wow…. I see.”

Gou looked up at the bridge and muttered. It was a familiar bridge.

Pilgrimages to sacred places were once a boom only among anime fans, but the same thing is happening in movies and dramas.

“Getting that aside, it’s surprising that you knew it was me, Cap’n-san.”

“Based on your messages…. I could feel it somewhat.”

When they contacted each other, it was Yonago who had asked Ararat Kazan “Could you be Karugo-san”. Gou wasn’t surprised, but was more perplexed about why he called him by his old name.

He wanted to save Neiko. To talk about their past is careless. The one who betrayed Noa’s fan Karugo first was the Noatomo, even though he had spent all his efforts trying to protect her. Yonago too, was one of those Noatomo.

“Just by the atmosphere alone… I thought you were only going to talk about business and not about me.”

“Well… Let’s just say it’s the intuition of older people.”

Yonago muffled his voice and said. His eyes are hidden behind the brim of her hat, making him completely invisible in the dark. It’s a gesture like going into a confession room and confessing.

“Well, I didn’t have any intention to hide my identity. Then what do you want? What materials do you have?”

It has to be about Ayanokouji Neiko, Gou knew. However, Yonago had asked for Noa’s fan Karugo. Yonago too, must have called him out for that too. Could it be that Yonago was going to be like Mina to appeal to im. Even though he was silent, to do it now—-

“I want you to save her.”

Yonago opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“If you had known about Noa-chan’s graduation beforehand, how would you give her the ending?”

If he had predicted the death of his Oshi—-

Since that night, Gou had seen many times a nightmare of Noa’s flaming. Of course, those kind of things are just a what-if, just a delusional dream, but unexpectedly, Gou had never thought about it.

Noa’s ark is still burning now. Within Gou’s heart.

“At the ending…. What kind of things?…” Gou thought it over.

“When an Oshi needs to be supported, we support. It’s a phrase that is commonly said in the Vtuber community, isn’t it? Although it was unfortunate for Noa-chan, she wasn’t able to retire with a proper goodbye. I, I’m fed up with that depressing ending.”

Yonago, with a calm voice, thought back to his heart at the time. It was like saying that the wistful thinking towards the deceased is long over. That is what it means to be an adult. A kid would stick to some thinking and have a tantrum, but an adult won’t.

What comes will go, and they only have to move forward from it.

Gou looked back in his memories.

Noatomo too, really, if there were calm fans like Cap’n, it would have been great.

After her flaming, Karugo, in vain, struggled and went into a frenzy, and may have cornered Noa with his useless struggles. His anxiety spurred, and Gou, every night, cried out in his sleep watching the burning ark in his nightmares.

—- Did he really love Noa?

Mina’s words echo in his head.

Even during the gloomy rainy season, he could feel the chills of the echoes.

Did he really support her? Was Noa-chan fine that Karugo existed? Was she happy?

“It’s only a matter of time for Neiko to retire.”

Yonago gave a bitter smile and continued.

“For her last days, I want to give something. It doesn’t matter what form. A form of thanks for letting me enjoy myself; a present that has feelings that encapsulate all of it.—– If it’s Karugo, then what would you have done?”

“…..”

He couldn’t give an answer. Whatever he says, would just be lies.

Gou closed his eyes, and asked about the illusion of Noa that is submerged in the oil in his heart.

—– If, at the end of the pilgrimage, what would you have wished for?

This isn’t to answer Yonago’s question. His heart, that’s been full of doubts since Mina had asked a question, needed to find an answer.

—– to earn money? A way to earn profit for the next day?

His goddess couldn’t answer. If he met Noa-chan again in this lifetime, he could hear the answer. But, that wish will never be granted twice. At times, Gou was envious of a man like Cap’n.

“Mukanae Noa is different from Ayanokouji Neiko.”

“But her atmosphere…. The similarity in their work-style…. It’s because of that I to Neiko…”

Gou too, recognize the similarity. The streaming video backgrounds and timer, and the chat arrangement were the same. That’s right, Ayane is a Hoshigaoka’s School fan.

It’s not strange to adopt a similar style.

Yonago too, must have felt the same intuitively, and remembered about Karugo.

“I too, ever since Cap’n had asked for consultation, I have always followed Ayanokouji Neiko. It’s because of that I can say that they are completely different.”

If the management system is different, then the work plans are different. The way they look at their fans are different.

“Her work ideology is far from capitalism.”

“Hm……? Capitalism…..?”

Actually, he had confirmed it in person.

“That is just for a face. Ayanokouji Neiko just wanted to make a fun place and started her activities. She is, in reality, a fan, just like you’re a fan, Cap’n.”

The Hoshigaoka Highschool group style from Ayanokouji Neiko, it wasn’t just the case of what was shown on screen.

It was the ideology of their activities —- The atmosphere of enjoying with the Vtuber.

Enjoying being a Vtuber. And enjoying it as a viewer.

Within the brutal world, Neiko had thrusted into it with a rebellious spirit. While she had said to raise money, she had evaluated that making a Vtuber legend and then splendidly retiring would be fun. She, the soul, was devoted to the task of a Comedian.

“That kind of person would be weak against serious emotions.”

Friends are like-minded individuals. Even if Ayane gave so much dishonesty to her fans, it doesn’t change that she came from the roots of Hoshigaoka’s highschool. Gou too, Mina too, and Yonago are the same.

“Hey…. Just what should I do…” Yonago was puzzled.

“Just hit her with the emotions you’re feeling right now. If it was me, well, if it was towards Mukanae Noa’s, I wouldn’t do it, but if you are a fan of Ayanokouji Neiko, then you should tell her your gratitude just like that. Telling thanks isn’t limited to just chatting in the chat during streams.”

Gou said in a nonchalant way.

That was the most suitable answer. Ayanokouji Neiko, a Vtuber, for that soul, the last support will be burnt by a baptism flame.

“Hm…” Yonago bashfully smiled.

“What is it?”

“As I thought from Karugo-san. It’s a very-like you solution.”

Yonago looked at his smartphone screen.

The screen showed the top page of “Burn V!”. Gou is also Ararat Kazan, a person that is another person to himself, and has turned away from his old persona.

“I am Ararat Kazan.”

Yonago had his face cleared from doubts and clenching onto the tip of his baseball cap, he continued on.

“Hearing that, would it be possible to ask….. For another favor?”

“As former friends from the old days, sure.” Gou with no resistance answer back. “In exchange, there is something I want to know. Would it be fine.”

“Eh, ehh…. If it’s something that I can answer.”

Yonago, on the inside, felt restless. If he said that he doesn’t feel any guilt at all, then that’s a lie. One year ago, he wasn’t able to support Karugo in his efforts in the sensitive time. As an older person, couldn’t he have supported him such that he wouldn’t be cornered from the flamings of Noa?

“What is it?” Yonago swallowed and asked.

“If Ayanokouji Neiko’s soul had reincarnated into a different avatar, would Cap’n still support her all the same?”

Gou pierced through him with his straightforward stare, and Yonago swallowed his breath.

This was a double meaning question. Not about Ayanokouji Neiko, but for Noa’s fan Karugo, if Mukanae Noa reincarnates, what would he do, is that kind of question.

If she reincarnates, would Yonago support her like in the past.

“It’s considering that the avatar is 100% a different person, right?”

“Yes.”

“If I’m able to notice the reincarnation, I will support her.” Yonago said.

“If the Vtuber changes its avatar to a different person, the person too doesn’t want his or her past to be dug up. But, before supporting, it isn’t the avatar but the person behind it that we support. Even if the avatar change, for just the soul to come back, that is what we as fan wants.”

“…..”

Gou’s face hadn’t changed and had listened to the words. Slowly he closed his eyes, and silently reflected, and once again opened his eyes.

“…….. I understand.”

Gou only answered with that. The night sky coolness wrapped him like the river.

７

Mina became worried for Ayane, and came to her house in Saitama.

At every seasonal event, there are a lot of home parties at the Kogarasu house, and of course, she sends an invite to Ayane’s family.

Because of that, Mina has been a friend that often goes to Ayane’s house.

Both of Ayane’s parents work in business. Probably was in insurance and medicine. Because they work late, Ayane’s bedroom was the ideal place to talk in secret.

The sun had completely went down,

Even though it’s getting dark and the first-magnitude stars are barely visible even in the city, Ayane’s room is pitch black outside the apartment.

Mina pressed the button on the first floor entrance.

There was no reaction. Could it be that there was no one in the house?

“Why…..”

Mina put one’s hand on one’s forehead to express one’s anxiety.

Once again, from her iPhone, tried getting into contact in order from Line, Discord, regular phone texting, Twitter DMs. All of that led to no answer. There wasn’t even a read on any of them.

“Please please please please….”

Even visiting her room led to no results of her being there. Couldn’t get into contact with her. No matter what, she didn’t know the whereabouts of Ayane.

Even if there was such a thing called SNS that can communicate with so many people, it immediately turns into junk in this making-fun-of era. Mina didn’t want to throw her iPhone on the wall.

“Oh, isn’t this Mina-chan?”

When turning around at the entrance way, she saw Ayane’s mother standing there wearing a suit and carrying groceries.

She was looking at Mina with a stunned expression.

“Ayane’s mother…”

“Hiya. You look like you’re going to Hogwarts, so adorable.”

Hogwarts has nothing to do with the conversation, Mina thought.

Ayane’s habit of complimenting her when she meets someone seems to be inherited from her mother who works in sales.

“Why are you here, by the way? Are you delivering something to Ayane?

“Do you happen to know where Ayane is?”

“…….. Isn’t she at school?”

Mina felt coldness go up her spine.

Ayane’s mother opened the door for her, and Mina entered Kiritani’s house. Unable to pin down her worry emotions Mina, in contrast, Ayane’s mother was surprisingly calm.

Entering Ayane’s room, turning on the light, seeing that the blanket had a bump.

“Oh, look at this. She’s here, what in the world are you thinking of skipping school.” Ayane’s mother said.

“…..”

“Really, I don’t know what you are thinking, huh.”

With a criticism at the end, Ayane’s mother went to the kitchen to put away her shopping bag.

“Mina-chan too, should join in dinner.” She said in a welcoming tone, like she had read the air, left them by themselves.

“Ayane?”

Mina timidly called out.

“….. Mina…”

Glittering eyes peek out from the bed. I have dark circles under my eyes.

Her hair was unkempt, and her well-groomed gray hair looked like a mountain. Still, Mina is so happy that her eyes are moist.

“This is great….. I thought something happened, I was so worried.”

Mina wipes the corners of her eyes with her fingertips.

“Sorry! … Ah, did you send me a message on LINE?”

“Yeah, but it’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“…..” Ayane searched the bed for a bit and brought out her smartphone when she found it.

“It’s completely dead. It took a lot of notifications for it to become dead. Wow.”

Ayane stretched her arms tightly on the futon and straightened her back. Just like a real cat.

Mina, finding the cushion to the mini table, and immediately sat on it.

“Ayane, are you ok?”

“Hm…. There isn’t really a problem with anything.” Ayane said slovenly.

“But, look at this room.”

Mina said, looking at the disorganized state of the room.

When she last came to play, her room was thoroughly tidy. Although Ayane is like that, she actually liked neatness. That’s why, the current state of the room, she can’t help but to be surprised.

As if she can’t run away from the fact that she is being completely flamed, Ayane went off the bed and sat in front of her behind the mini table. Ayane sat cross-legged, showing off her skin in her camisole and loose-fitting pants.

“Well, I have already come to a resolution.”

Hearing the sudden words Mina too was astonished.

“—– I’ll retire as a Vtuber.”

Ayane combed her hair with a hand comb, to the extent of being apologetic, and tied up the back hair with a hair tie. Then, she grabbed a half-drinking plastic bottle that had been left behind and poured the tea down her throat.

It seems like she’s deliberately acting rude, as if she doesn’t care.

“Of course, I agree with you but..”

“But?” Ayane’s brow wrinkled.

“Could it be that Mina too is going to give a sermon like that odd animal boy?”

“Nothing like that.” Mina shook her head with a gentle face.

“I, I felt that Ayane had some sort of regret in her heart…”

“Regret….?”

Ayane twitched her face, and then gradually turned serious and looked at the void.

“Yeah, there was one. One thing I regretted.”

“What was it?”

Mina, today, was completely in listening mode. It was only in that way she could get close to Ayanokouji’s soul. —– No, that is the privilege of being a friend. It’s a way that even Gou, and all the other Cat Public Servants couldn’t do. It’s a role only for Mina to fulfill.

“If there is a regret,” Ayane, while twirling her hair, “—- then Kagami Moa.”

“Eh..”

Mina stopped in her words hearing a name that she never thought of.

“I wanted to collab with Kagami Moa at least once.” Ayane sticks her tongue out and looks at Mina.

“So you knew!”

“Of course. Your voice was too much the same.”

“Heeeee, just when?”

“Since you’ve debuted. There was a time when you stopped talking about Vtubers, and even in the Vtuber community, Besasano’s Vtuber audition was very eye-catching. When I heard Kagami Moa’s voice, it was very Mina-like voice that I laughed.” Ayane, who smiled with laughter with no worry.

When Mina thought of it, Ayane too, recently, stopped talking about Vtubers.

Due to Noa and Rei’s flaming, it was the trigger, Mina had believed, but speaking of the truth, when Kagami Moa’s activities got into trouble, it was Mina who had ran away from the subject.

Sometimes, Ayane had good senses.

Although most of it was guesswork, whether it’s wild instincts, there are times she can sharply notice things.

Mina’s face turned red and pointed her finger.

“But, even if I was still a Vtuber to collab, you’re too famous that our collaboration would be disbalanced.”

“Although when I saw you we were the same though.” Ayane says while reproducing exaggerated backtracking and waving both hands that VTubers often do.

“There were a lot of things to talk about. Like during a collab stream, the viewers could talk about how precious the relationship between us are….. And we could have an off collab, and since we knew each other in real life, there is a lot.”

Ayane looks up at the ceiling as if regretting it.

“But, that will never happen in a lifetime.”

“You can!” Mina leaned forward. “If you reincarnate.” And Mina stopped there.

After lowering her tone, and hesitantly confessed her feelings.

“…. Moa too, she retired in a way that her viewers wouldn’t like. But, I’m thinking about re-debuting in the future. If I’m able to do that, then I won’t do such a way of retirement ever again. That’s why, Ayane, you can do it too.”

“It’s impossible for me….”

Ayane denied in a powerless voice.

Mina, who had thought of a way out, felt cold water on her face.

“Why?” Mina for a second, remembered that she had decided on being the listener.

“You see, I….. I’m at my limits. I’m being flamed ferociously, you remember?”

Ayane’s voice was wavering.

“At first, I was worked up by people I don’t know trying to cancel me. When I challenged them, I thought this would create more fun so I tried my best.”

Ayane, remembering a troubling memory, took a deep breath.

“But, those guys are abnormal-nya No matter what I say back to them they reply back in sophism, and point out things that were said on a whim, nya”.” Ayane changed her speech patterns into the elaborate ending that Neiko puts at the end of her statements.

“It was like the whole world was against me. It drives me crazy-nya–”

“Ayane….”

Mina too, had experience in flaming. But, the evil intentions were never pointed at her.

It was after all, her flaming was an indirect aftereffect from Besasano, who was the lighting rod of it all. Honestly, even then, she was scared during that. In Ayane’s case, it’s a case of direct evil intentions toward her.

“Although their evil words aren’t directly at me, but separately to Neiko, but to be denounced this hard, just what do they think a Vtuber is supposed to be? Do they think that since we come from the 2D, a fictitious character, that we don’t have a heart either? Are we not human to them?”

Ayane wiped the tears that were threatening to fall out of her eyes.

“ーーーー I don’t want to be a Vtuber anymore.”

“Yeah, I can see why….”

She had dug her own grave.

But, did Ayane really deserve that much hate for what she did?

She only said a few ill-words on the internet. Even if it was writing that doxxers would criticize, it’s not like she said a hate-speech.

Making controversial statements in order to gather viewers, there are as many Youtubers who have done it.

Even if it was a blunder, the degree of it had led viewers to looking at her in hate. That’s why Mina thought from the bottom of her heart that it was regretful.

“If you’re in that much pain, then I think it’s fine to end it.” Until you can forget it all, then it should be fine to move away from it for a while. “If you have freetime, I’ll even go with you.”

“Even though Mina is busy these days…. But thank you.” Ayane showed a tooth-filled smile.

Mina, feeling relieved, gave a smile back.

—– But is it ok to leave it like this?

Mina was skeptical about what he had done. In the bitter words of Gou, the only thing she had done was connecting with her as friends. Although she held her chest high that she had done an amazing thing, in reality, the substantial part of the matter, Neiko’s flaming, she had done nothing.

At that moment, conveniently her iPhone rang. It was from Gou.

“Are you with Ayane?” He asked as soon as she answered.

“Yes, but already, there is no need for Karugo to appear. I have—”

“I have nothing to do with this. I just have something to give to Ayane.”

“Something to give to me?”

At this point in time, what is there to be given? It seems unnatural to give a present to a Vtuber who is going to be flamed. Unless the sender is a Cat Public Servant? —- But, her list of things she wants from Amazon is made public, and presents to her are sent through there. Whatever it is, even though Mina had helped heal the pain in Ayane’s heart, wouldn’t this just reopen her wounds?

Having a presence of vigilance, Mina asked.

“What is it?”

“Fan letters.” Gou curtly said.

Even though it’s the most probable thing, Mina thought of those as unexpected. Bewildered beyond words, Ayane looked at her with a worried look.

８　

It was due to the work stance of Ayanokouji Neiko.

She was distant from the fans and their fervent desires to be noticed, and made a policy on not receiving those heavy-emotion. She will only take the feelings of what they wanted through messages on Peing.

The individual Vtuber address was also not public, so she wouldn’t take things addressed to her own house.

Because of that, Mina, seeing Neiko’s fan letter as unfamiliar objects, looked at it with puzzled eyes.

“—– Hey, don’t be rude. This is the fruits of labor from fans, so don’t look at them with that look.” Gou scolded Mina who was looking at the cardboard box in the middle of the room.

“But just how did you collect this much? This many of them…”

The next day after talking alone with Ayane, Umina visited Gou’s room ahead of Ayane. Well over thirty fan letters were stored there.

This was only just the first. According to the talks, there are still more to come. It would be a pain to give it all at once, so it was planned to give the first batch to Ayane first. Ayane would be coming after all.

“I didn’t collect them all. It was Cap’n. He had talked over with all the fans.”

“On SNS, there weren’t that many voices though..”

“There is a Discord fan server. It’s a bit of a semi-closed community, but it’s perfect when giving your Oshi a surprise gift…. With this, you can find fans of the same.”

Gou said expasteradly with a sigh. His face was somehow full of pride.

And it was right then she felt doubt. Having a welling up anger of bringing up past things, Mina asked.

“But, aren’t Neiko’s fans all separated in their feelings though…”

When Muakane Noa was flamed, there was no one who came to Karugo’s aid—-

“Why don’t you take a look? I joined the server, as Ararat Kazan.”

Gou brought out his smartphone and opened the app and gave it to Mina.

In the familiar discord screen, there was a text channel in the discord server “Cat Public Servants Lounge”. It seems like it was

At that moment, the interphone rang, and immediately opened the door.

“Yahallo!”

Ayane appeared with a lukewarm attitude. Mina was relieved, and hid the smartphone that Gou gave her behind her back. Can’t show a fan’s secret in front of the person themselves.

“Ayane, you seem to be fine.”

“Yeah, I got over it. Sorry for the worry.” Ayane said in a bad bashful way.

“Finally you came. This is what is delivered to you.” Gou stared at Ayane while saying that.

Ayanokouji Neiko has been on hiatus since she deleted the apology video. It’s a shame that the current sad state of the soul can only be seen by both Gou and Mina only.

“I heard you—— although you said that, isn’t the truth that you were lonely and wanted to see me? Kon-nyaro. Tehee.”

With a devilish smile, Ayane points her finger at Gou. Gou had a nonchalant face. Gou’s lack of expression toward her made her slightly pissed and started pinching his cheeks.

“Ayane! Here, look at this!”

Mina, who saw that, placed the cardboard box in front of Ayane.

“Hm? What’s this?” Ayane looked with a deep interest.

“What’s this? Isn’t this a box of sweets?”

“Just why would you think that I would give you a box of sweets.”

“Look, it could be because you were worried about me. The other day not only Mina ate some sweets but gobbled up dinner too. I thought it was a return for that.”

Ayane said and stuck out her tongue. Mina, feeling embarrassed about being exposed for being a glutton, had a red face.

Gou looked at the contents of the box.

“They’re fan letters. To Ayanokouji Neiko.”

“Fan…… Letter-?”” Ayane said like those were foreign words.

“Eh….. No way~ I thought the joke was about Yosemite park.”

“Are you an uncle, what the heck.” Gou made a small sigh.

“I’m being serious. Aren’t all the people who gave you this are people who often show up in your stream?”

When Gou said that, Ayane with a doubtful face stretched her hand into the box. Looking over the names on the envelope, Ayane’s eyebrow dropped.

“Why? Why are they sending these things.”

AYane took one, and brought it up to her face so that no one else could see the contents.

[To Ayanokouji Neiko-chan

Are you ok?

I’ve always looked forward to Neiko-chan free-talk stream every week. Although right now may be tough, I’m looking forward for you to come back. When I hear your voice, I feel relieved and feel like I am ok. I am forever a Cat Minister’s supporter. I’m a little embarrassed to post it on Twitter, but if I am able to make you feel the littlest better, I created a picture for you.

Please do your best from now on.

: Underneath, Ayanokouji Neiko’s Illustration for Stream Background]

[Neiko-chan

Everyone makes mistakes, not just you.

I too, there are times where I didn’t read the room and said something that made people laugh at me.

After that, I didn’t go to school for a while, and as a way to kill time, I went on Youtube and found Neiko-chan. That’s why I think that the experience that I had would be of good use now.

Now, it is time to save Neiko-chan. If my letter can give you a little strength. No matter what criticism you’re facing, I will always be Neiko-chan’s comrade.

I have no power, and I’m sorry that I couldn’t do anything. When I heard about the collecting letters project, and although it is selfish, I would like to send my feelings.

Also, even though we haven’t met for a while, I don’t want to say goodbye like this.

But please take care of your health. I think it’s most important that you keep care of yourself mentally and physically. I will always be cheering for you.]

【Ayanokouji Neiko-sama

While the hot weather continues to go on daily, I wonder how you are doing in your break.

The first Vtuber-related video I’ve ever watched was Neiko’s singing video. I thought Vtubers, were just a Youtuber that talks about anything they wanted in the virtual world. I thought it was something I wouldn’t get into. But when I heard Neiko’s singing, my thoughts on Vtuber changed completely. I believe that you have talent. While I think your singing is good, I believe that you have the talent to move people to have fun. Even for a person at an old age like me, Neiko’s witty tone and ironic way of speaking about the current administration made me laugh many times.

It’s regrettable that your talents are being cancelled because of people who delight in causing problems.

Although I don’t know your age, from your voice, it seems to be of a young person.

There are many times humans make mistakes. If I’m able to say this, Neiko, who is not afraid of making mistakes and keeps challenging yourself, is a scene that I find brilliant.

Any form is fine, I just want your talents to be used in a good way.

This is what I want to say while concerned】

Reading the second and third, Ayane had tears coming down her eyes. Without making a single sound, she just continued to read letters with her cheeks becoming wet. That face, while also being thankful at the same time, there was also a hint of regret.

Gou, with cold eyes, looked at Ayane from above.

In the past, he was betrayed by a Vtuber. In Gou’s eyes, just how is Ayane portrayed in his eyes? Would his Oshi, at her fan farewell messages, have shed tears too?

Mina too, for a second, she looked down to the screen of Gou’s smartphone.

She was still barely on the lockscreen. But, in the 120 members of the Discord server, Capn’, with a baseball cap icon, could be seen still working hard to support his Oshi.

7/14/2022

○Cap’n

:Through a certain means of communication, I am able to send letters to Neiko. Are there any other fans that would like to tell their feelings to Neiko?

Because outside there is a criticism atmosphere, we aren’t able to share our real feelings in public. But, through letters, we are able to tell our feelings to Neiko. What do you think, about joining

Also, I found this article. [link]

A favorable wind is coming soon. With even just a small voice, it can create big waves, and I’m sure Neiko-chan would be happy.

After each time after calling out, someone would answer, and just like that an avalanche comes soon after with more fans.

Mina became interested in the article that was in favorable wind and secretly pressed the link. There was no need to inspect closely, as it was the blog, [Burn V!].

The article which concerns itself with Ayanokouji Neiko, the edited videos, and the video contents. Mina then looked at the writing.

【Content of Article】

Concerning the case of Ayanokouji Neiko flaming, I will express my views on the topic.

First off, let’s explain from her streaming style.

―Ayanokouji Neiko Activities―

The Vtuber who has 80,000 subscribers to her Youtube Channel. She mainly streams singing and free-talk streams, and sometimes gaming streams. Her belief is to provide a way for her audience to laugh through the materials in her streams.

―Analysis on Widely Seen Videos―

Among all of the videos, the most views comes from this video, ironically.

The link is here, “The 4 Manifesto I live by in the Virutal World”. Although this video was posted by taking advantage of Youtube’s algorithm, at this time, Ayanokouji Neiko had made this manifesto public. There is one line I want to examine, the last one.

“No matter the interference from other countries, unyielding to pressure from foreign countries, Neiko will have fun as her goal!” Like these words, through the hashtags, a flaming has occurred.

―Speech about Controversial Statements On The Government Has Been Seen Before―

On one side, look at this archived stream from two months ago. Please look around the 45 minutes mark.

It is a part of her activities in voice impression that attacks the government, which is in itself a popular way to grab attention. In other words, the person who had analyzed the apology video has not done enough research on her previous streams.

A reliable blogger would have researched properly…. But it could be…..

―High Taxpayers. The Way of Communications with Fans―

I would like to ask once again to those who criticize the “tax” and “high taxpayer” that have become one of the words and deeds that accelerated the flames. Seeing so many examples of her streaming style, I would believe that the readers of the articles till now would have realized her personality.

She is popular because of her sarcasm.

To say it’s like real politics, or she uses sophistry words, without watching the stream, you are unable to judge it. In regards to thanking her fan’s taxes, sometimes, she would worry about her spenders, saying things like “Don’t go overboard, make sure you have enough for yourself” or “do you know about hometown taxes?” making it known about the tax reductions for taxes.

ーーー Link 【Leeet’s talk! ！ Late night Cat Talk】

In addition, in different streams, she had revealed her knowledge about taxes, and gathered her fan’s support.

In other words, she understood to an extent about taxes, and had made no statement in increasing the taxes from her fans. Those guys that are fooling around like a wild animal, if they reflect on ignorance, then they’ll be calm.

That’s why a crazy animal like a cat can stream.

If you look at the video, I’m sure that you can do the same.

【Comment Section Regarding Article】

：Completely contrary, it’s a fan’s emotional blog lol

: It’s strange for Ararat-san to protect a Vtuber

:I don’t hate Ayanokouji Neiko, actually I like her. She is a bit unique

：Not again, another person who was pushed to hiatus

：Thank you, the other blogs are so full of criticism that I don’t know what they’re trying to say

：Thank you

Mina, seeing the things that she couldn’t believe, felt her eyes sparkled.

There was no such thing as a blogger who would take the time to go into so many details about Ayanokouji Neiko’s case.

Onlookers jump on the next story like consumables once they gain enough views by piggybacking on the flaming story. Reporters, not just bloggers, have such qualities.

Until now, Ararat Kazan was the same. However, this time, he went off from what he normally does.

On top of that all, it’s to protect a Vtuber. There were even readers who were surprised and wrote it down in the comment sections.

“Karugo-san…. This..”

“What about it?”

“Why did you write this?”

Mina said in a low voice so that Ayane, who was in tears reading the fan letters, didn’t notice.

“I just put flaming materials into blog posts.” Gou nonchalantly said.

“But the inside…. Isn’t it not protecting?….”

“It’s a technique called being a contrarian. The flaming now had spread out too widely, various groups had already investigated it. It’s just at certain times, these kinds of articles become popular.”

“No, isn’t it because you wanted to protect…?”

“It’s only because I wanted more viewers to my blog.”

“A contrarian wouldn’t have done this much! And, on top of that, although you said “certain times”, according to my memories, this is the first time!”

“Is that so? Go take it however you want.” Soon, Gou turned away.

Mina, flabbergastingly looks at Gou’s side profile.

During Mukanae Noa’s flaming, if this kind of article had existed, then the fan’s emotions could have changed a bit, and maybe Karugo could have gained comrades when he called out to them. The difference between Ayanokouji Neiko and Mukanae Noa was that there was a blogger that would be an ally. Just a little trivial difference ——

Knowing how precious that difference is, Karube Gou understood it painfully. Mina soon smiled. Even though his appearance has changed, he has not yet sold his soul of gold.

“Ayane.”

Gou called at the right time.

“…. Hm?” Ayane looked up while teared-face.

“Do you have any intention to get close to your fan’s feelings?”

Gou asked her, changing the question from a long time ago.

９

○Ayanokouji Neiko @New Video！@Neko_AyanoKoji

I’m sorry. After taking some time to think, I have decided to put in my letter of resignation. But I don’t want you to misunderstand. This retirement is for challenging a new thing. Your voices have certainly reached me! And with this, a blitz announcement! Cat Minister Retirement Stream

2022-07-15 18:11:37

Ayanokouji Neiko, on her Twitter, declared her retirement. Although there were replies of laughter and wins from a certain group of antis, but number-wise, there were more encouragement and blessings from fans overwhelmingly.

The graduation stream is set for evening of Sunday—

Although it’s wrong to say that she had recovered, the pain in her heart that still pains Ayane, with the cooperation of Gou and Mina, is carrying out her last stream at a Vtuber studio.

“I’ll go right now.” Ayane said lightly.

“There is a taxi waiting at the train station. It’s a black highgrade so you’ll know right away.”

Ayane left her apartment and headed towards the front of the train station.

This time, the stream is going to a studio. She hasn’t streamed outside of the flaming incidents, so her nervousness hasn’t cleared up.

“I feel a little bad. You borrowed a studio for me as well as calling out a taxi.”

“Honestly, I was surprised by the high potential you have. Because of you, the access to my blog has increased. This is just for thanks for that.”

For Ayane, the dry statements from Gou seem like a habit.

Although what he says are like thorns, there was a sense of warmth.

“Hey, if I ever reincarnate, then be the top fan for me, Karugo.”

“Hah? Don’t get on your high horse.”

“It’s acknowledgement from before birth happened you know, A longtime fan, it’s already like a match made in heaven. What do you think? Won’t you be happy?”

“My Oshi is Noa only.”

“Ah, the lingering attachment is strong. I’m going to tattletale to Mina!”

Gou sighs tickled her ear.

“That person too is a Noatomo. The same type of person as me.”

“I wonder.” Ayane said evilly with laughter. “Well, it doesn’t change if someone supports someone, hehe.”

“…..?”

Ayane, thinking about how someone’s love interest is facing, she secretly smiled.

Turning off her phone, she headed for the station. She drank all the green tea from a bottle that she bought at a vending machine, and clenched her fist in preparation that she could do it.

Immediately there, the black taxi car had the “reservation” on it.

She called out to the taxi driver, who opened the back door for her.

“Customer, do you have a reservation under Karube-sama?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Hearing Gou’s name, Ayane sat in the seat calmly. It seems that the taxi driver knew where they were headed, and smoothly entered the road.

From Kawaguchi, where Ayane lives, was heading towards Ikebukuro. Putting it into numbers, it was about 30 minutes away.

By the time I crossed the Shin-Arakawa Ohashi Bridge on National Route 122, the road was congested and the number of stops increased.

“Customer, you seem to be nervous, is there something important you have to do?”

The taxi driver started to have a conversation with Ayane while watching the cars move slowly in front.

Although she didn’t really enjoy forced to talk with the taxi driver, it was the reserved car that Gou had reserved. Although it was troublesome to deal with considering the upcoming stream, she can’t ignore to do so. Then she roundabout answered.

“Hm…… Probably important. It’s to change what I’ve done till now and make a new start.”

“I see~. I wish you luck.” For some reason, the taxi driver’s voice was shaking.

“Thanks,”

The normal conversation, Ayane didn’t feel any pain from that. Maybe because she was distracted.

“Hey, aren’t you nervous or something? Your voice is shaking.”

“Ah, no, today is when I’ll be saying goodbye to this car.”

“Really? Are you going to quit your job?” Ayane fell for the sinker.

“Yes. I’m thinking today I will quit my company and become an individual private driver instead.”

“I see. The same as me then.”

“Eh…………？” The taxi driver gave a conused voice.

“Ah, no, it’s a talk about me, hehehe.”

The driver stopped at the intersection in the right turn lane and fixed his hat back on.

“When doing a new thing, I thought for a second about what I would have done differently in the past. Although different from regretting, it’s more like, ah, I should have done this, this way is better, like that.”

“Ah, I get that. The kind of people who are a sentimalatist~”

Ayane had completely let open herself to the taxi driver. It was almost like talking with friends.

“I too, am going to challenge a new thing, but I’m held up by the things in the past really…. Although I can’t get into details, I was doing activities that will pull fans in. But, to throw that all away and take a step forward, I feel like I’m being pulled back.

The taxi driver said, “Oh, I understand too,” he mumbled, and then turned right at the intersection. With two lanes on one side, you have to worry about the timing of changing lanes, and pay attention to motorcycles on the shoulder of the road. He was busy.

Then, the taxi driver restarted the conservation.

“I find it brilliant to have a job that’ll attract fans. When you step forward, there is no doubt there are people who are going to be lonely with you, but.”

“But?”

“If they are a true fan, then they’ll bless you with your challenges in the future.”

It was like the taxi driver’s words had a bit more impact on it.

“For example, even if they disappear from your sight, the thankfulness still remains. Although we can’t meet again, we would be deeply moved by the figure that is stepping forward to the future.”

It was like he was talking about himself. Did he have that much passion for changing to a privately owned taxi service?

Ayane felt dumbfounded when hearing about it.

“Although we gain in age, we become stronger against the endless meeting and parting, but we will never forget the thankfulness of meeting someone.”

“I see….”

Would the Cat Public Servants be able to accept this retirement?

Her anxiety won’t disappear until she starts her stream.

“You’ll be fine. At the very least, I believe in that.”

The taxi driver didn’t look back, and opened the back door of the seat. Before she realized it, she was at her destination.

“We have arrived. Please have a nice day. I’m wishing you the best in your activities in the future.”

“…… Yes, thank you, taxi driver.”

Her anxiety before this, strangely disappeared. Before the door closed, “I have received your payment” and the taxi driver had rushed out.

Ayane looked up at the Ikebukuro building absentmindedly. Suddenly, she thought of something.

In a panic, she looked back, trying to look for the taxi. It was no longer to be seen.

“Activities in the future………？” It could have been a cheer with no meaning behind it.

However, Ayane, at the cheer of the taxi driver, felt it overlapped with the many fan letters she had received the other day.

“Yep, I won’t mess up again next time. So please, continue to cheer for me.” Ayane answered back to the figure who had disappeared with the taxi car.

I should check with Gou, she thought. After all, he had reserved the taxi car.

But, not knowing is sometimes better, Ayane thought.

It’s a taboo to contact the soul of a Vtuber. The other person knew of that, so coincidentally she rode on the taxi that he was in, and said a goodbye to her.

Without ever knowing the face nor the name, a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence of a fan and Oshi. That is the world of Vtuber. To be able to work in such a world, she was happy. With that thought in mind, changing her mood, she took a step forward to the studio.

１０

◯If you feel like you’re wavering on supporting Noraneko please look at this stream

◯ Retire you jerk

◯ Flaking out from retiring (otsu)

◯ So, where the apology?

◯If you feel like you’re wavering on supporting Noraneko please look at this stream

◯ An actual retirement?

◯ It has to be again a joke

◯ Ok ok you succeeded in your prank

As one could think, the comment section of the streams were filled with opposition and agreements before the stream started.

The insincerity exhibited by Neiko, is one of Neiko’s trait that the viewers knows very well. However, one part of the viewers were viewers waiting for the regular antics of Neiko. The true fans knows very well that this stream will be the very last of them.

“Nyahallo-”

Always with her lisp. The yawning cat loading screen changed.

And now there was the regular Ayanokouji Neiko wearing her unisex white shirt.

“…….. Colorizing your life, the Cat Ministry’s..” A gulp. “Cat Ministers Vtuber, it’s Ayanokouj Neiko here.”

Neiko sniffled, “Ah, damn it all!” She whispered in a teary voice.

○Do your best

○【¥5,000】

○If you feel like you’re wavering on supporting Noraneko please look at this stream

○¥1,000 A substitution for a mackerel can】

○Although it’s my first time seeing a stream the voice is cute

“Ehehe…. Hanya~ I decided on never ever crying, but when I started the stream, in the end I couldn’t help myself. I’m sorry, everyone.”

Neiko wiped her tears. She must have remembered the Cat Public Servants’s thoughts. After taking as much time needed and taking a deep breath, reopened the stream as expected for a Cat Minister, she told herself.

“Anyhow, I don’t want you to misunderstand-nya”

○ Retire! Retire! Retire now!

○ To not misunderstand, ok ///

○ Cry when you need to

“Today’s retirement has nothing to do with hating my job. To look back at all the experience I accumulated and to say thanks to everyone—— I have prepared a special guest! It’s my secretary’s appearance~nya !”

○ Secretary?

○To look back at one’s dark history, your mental fortitude is too strong

○ Was Neiko’s mental strength her greatest strength since long before?

○ I would be happy to hear the positive reason for retiring

○ 【¥1,220 I don’t know if this will be a farewell gift, but this is for how much I enjoyed you till now】

Neiko reduced the size of her avatar, and aligned herself with the nearby free human-figure icon. It was a crude picture that looks like it came from the early days of Twitter. It looks like an interviewee for a suspicious TV program.

○ This is funny

○ the related personals lmfao

○ At least make it with Vtubers

○ Just what is with this retirement stream

“This person here is my secretary, Kachan.” She dropped the text onto the screen. On the bottom of the icon was “Kachan ” written.

○ Kachan w

○ Kachan is really not good

○ You mean real mother for Kachan?

○ Together with Mother ~Black History~

○ I’ve been in the care of your daughter this whole time

○ J(´ー｀)しThis is a graduation stream, right? …..

○Please give me your mother’s hand in marriage

“Kaachan comes from Karasu-! Who the heck is Takashi here¹. She is someone that’s been with me since I was a stray and became close, nya. Ah, how great of me. A politician’s connections are very wide, nya.”

○ Neiko’s incitements are back

○ For a bit it’s like she has no intention to retire

○ Y 500 I love you

○ Finding Kaachan through connections where is the ingenuity lol

“Thanks for paying the taxes-nya. I’m looking at it properly. Well, Kaachan. Your time to speak.”

“Yees.” A healing-type voice appeared.

“Um, this is Karasu’s Ka. I am Neiko-chan’s secretary.”

○ a cute voice lol

○ Ka LOL

○ Why didn’t you show your secretary sooner

○ This voice has to be a Vtuber where are the doxxers

○ Til the very end very Ayanokouji Neiko-like

As pointed out in the comment section, the atmosphere of the stream was just like the atmosphere before the flaming incident happened. It may not be an exaggeration to say that Neiko Saikoji’s power to turn inferiority into comedy is a natural talent.

“I’m sorry for appearing suddenly. Today, I’ll be the interviewer, and will be the support in Neiko-chan retirement press conference.”

“Kachan, you see, is very adorable, and reliable.” Already very cheerful, Neiko elevated her partner without a pause.

“….. We can’t let me steal the show from the star.”

“But you know, today is the first and last collab with Kachan.”

“Ah, that is the case.”

“Since it is the last, let’s go out with a bang!”

“Just what stream is this supposed to be?”

○ Today is the day this girl is supposed to retire

○ So adorable

○ right off the bat precious

Her helper, was of course, Kogarasu Mina.

When doing a solo stream, then the streamer has to interact with all the commenters by themselves. But, when there is a collab partner, then the mental part changes to two. That is too, one of the merits to a collab stream.

Mina too, had readied herself.

She had made a mistake and let her fans be sad.

But, with her friend, she can still save those viewers. While Neiko made jokes in her press conference, Ka had engaged brilliantly with her trajectory, and the chat moved smoothly. She was her real friend. From the start, their compatibility ws good.

After the atmosphere softens, the trollings and trollers have become insignificant.

Wringing out those people, the viewers who were watching at the time of the stream had decreased to just the fans.

When asked about the most impressive episode, Neiko answered with the “Showcase of Tanzakus on Tanabata ”, and, maybe because the fan’s tears were about to come out, the comment section flow had lessened.

“Do you guys remember what I wrote on my tanzaku for my wish, nya?”

—– A peaceful end where everyone can laugh!

Today was the day to grant that.

As the end time for the stream came, Kachan announced it.

“Now, Minister. It’s soon time to hear your closing words…”

“Yeah,” Neiko nodded boldly as if she had been waiting. ”You see, I feel bad for all the Cat Public Servants with what I’m doing.”

○tears….. Tears

○Neiko-chan isn’t at fault

○You’re going to say this here at the last stream? Ohno

“The reason why I became a Vtuber, was for the simple reason of it being popular…… Not needing to show face. Just by saying something you’ll be easily taken away. It also gives me pocket change. And then when I feel tired of it, then I’ll just quit. Just a fling that can be thrown away easily.” Her voice turned meek.

“I really thought this way. No lies. I want to apologize to everyone..”

Even the comment’s stream had stopped. Everyone was paying attention deeply.

“But you know, to have so many people looking at me, telling me to never give up and cheering for me…. Even during my lowest times, you let your feelings reach me… Even today…..”

Ayane’s voice was clogged.

The current number of people watching was 5,219 people. To have this many people were watching the last minutes of the fate of a Vtuber who had caught on fire and met their disastrous end. They’re trying to watch the end without losing their affections.

In her hands was the stack of fan letters. Gripping on them tightly, she pressed on.

“Today, we all worked together to make this a blast. At this last stream for the girl who is going to retire, you stayed here for a long time…. And….. How to say this? I thought Vtuber today was amazing. For letting me realize this, thank you to all!”

Ayane’s voice was being mixed with her tears.

“I, I love my Cat Public Servants…. No, I mean like-nya…. Ah, I’m so sorry. My head is too much of a mess to keep in character… Just let me say this once.” Ayane, while tears were flowing, took a sigh of relief.

“I love everyone, nya. Even more the feelings you have when you say you like me. That’s why.. Thank you…. I was able to connect with everyone because I was a Vtuber. To this good-for-nothing Vtuber, you showed me all the good sides of being a Vtuber. I love you all. Thank you so so much! This is what I wanted to say the most.”

“Neiko…..”

【¥50,000 Neiko, you are number 1 in my heart】

○You were such a crazy gal but you were such a good kid

○It’s because of you, Neiko I was able to have fun everyday thank you

【¥10,000 Thank you】

○ clap clap clap

“It’s because I love you all so much, that I will depart here now. The evil Cat Minister will graduate and become a good Cat Minister. Because of that, I’ll retire. I’m so sorry.”

○Don’t apologize, we love you

○ Neiko is my one and only, I’ll always support you

○ Take care of your health! Don’t work too hard that you collapse

○【¥715 Thank you for making each stream a blast】

“By the way, to become a good Cat Minister….. Could it be?”

Mina had asked the question that all the listeners had.

“Yeah, let’s not talk about it here. But, I have a positive outlook. Someday, we could meet again.”

“I see~. I’m sure that the Cat Public Servants would be waiting for you to come back.”

Mina was one of them too. As a friend, she was waiting for Ayane’s revival.

Ayane, till her last, acted like Ayanokouji Neiko, and to grant the wish that was on her tanzaku, once more she gave a smile to her Live 2D avatar.

“So, until that day…. I will…… collect a huge amount of taxes from you guys-nya!”

“Yes, we will be waiting patiently for Neiko’s next big reformation.”

With Mina’s interlude, the delivery switches to the closing music.

“Huh! You will be expecting it?”

“So with that, should we start closing with smiles?” A previously arranged, Mina said. Ayane nodded.

“Thank you very much for today. This was the interviewer, Kachan, and?”

“It is the Cat Minister, who will continue to colorize your lives, Ayanokouji Neiko! Goodbye-nya!”

On the screen, it was garnished in big letters “Thank you”, and changed to Ayanokouji Neiko’s clear pose. Neiko’s Mama had drawn it for her gratefully; an illustration that was meant for this day. And superchats were colorfully coloring the chat section.

The comment section and the current screen, till the end, colorized and decorated plenty, and then Ayanokouji Neiko’s channel came to a close.

It’s been a long time since anyone has seen such a refreshing superchat chain.

---

1Reference to the comment section, J(´ー｀)し ←- Was an emoji used in a Japanese 2chan to reference “Mother”. She commonly uses “Takashi” as her son’s name when proclaiming a mother’s love.