Hololive Production, Japan Branch—a globally renowned idol agency housing around thirty idols. Right now, the office was in utter chaos. The idols had lost it: some stared blankly at the ceiling, soulless; others sobbed uncontrollably; a few muttered to walls. Some hadn't shown up, holed up at home or halting their channels entirely.
(Why? Why's everyone like this…)
Amid the madness, one person clung to sanity: Ookami Mio, the wolf beastfolk from Hololive Gamers. Keeping her cool, she racked her brain for the cause.
(No need to think—it's obvious. Reiji's not here.)
Yes, Sasaki Reiji was absent—not on vacation, but detached from the office entirely. How did this happen? It all began a month ago…
One Month Ago (One Week After Chapter 5)
"…What? I'm going to the EN branch for a month-long training?" I asked, stunned.
"Yep," YAGOO replied. "The EN branch head specifically requested you. They want your work ethic over there."
I'd just arrived at the office when YAGOO dropped this bomb. The EN branch? I don't speak a lick of English. "With all due respect, I'm not fluent, and there are better employees for this."
"No, it's not just the branch head. Takanotsume-san and Mori-san insisted on you too. They'll handle translation and really want to work with you."
Takanotsume and Mori—Kiara and Calliope. I'd collaborated with them when they visited Japan. Didn't expect that to lead to this. Still, it's a chance to broaden my skills. "Alright, when do I leave?"
"Great! Tomorrow at 2 PM."
"Tomorrow?!" That's sudden.
"Sorry, global circumstances forced the rush. We've got a private jet ready for you."
A private jet? This company's loaded—world's top idol agency for a reason.
So, I was off to the EN branch for a month. With translators, it'd be fine. My only worry? The Holomems. Two months away (including quarantine) was long, but they're not kids (mostly). They'd manage… right?
Present Day
A month later, the office was a nightmare. When the Holomems learned I was gone, they grilled YAGOO but initially resolved to cope for my growth. But as days passed, they unraveled.
"Ehehe, Rei-kun, I'll never let you go~♪" Fubuki clutched a cushion, grinning creepily.
"Reiji-san, we're finally married~♪" Lamy gripped a blank marriage certificate, smiling darkly.
They were beyond saving.
"Uuu~ Auu~" Luna, Subaru, and Nene regressed to infantile babbling.
"Why am I an idol? What's an idol? Who am I?" Sora mumbled robotically.
"AZKi worked hard for Reiji-san's praise, but without him, what's my purpose?" AZKi droned.
"Why do they call me Miko-nya? What's 'nya'?" Miko repeated, broken.
Others were silent, lashing out, or drafting resignations. Roboco? She'd gone into sleep mode in a corner, a sign on her back reading, "Don't wake me until Master returns – Roboco." Total chaos.
(Reiji's been gone a month, and we're only halfway. The office is crumbling… I'm at my limit, but he asked me to hold everyone together!)
Before leaving, Reiji had entrusted Mio and a few others to support the team. They'd barely kept total collapse at bay.
(Ayame, Shion, and Korone aren't here. Shion's with Choco-sensei, Korone's probably with Okayu. I'll check on Ayame.)
Mio packed up to visit Ayame's place.
"Fubuki, I'm heading to Ayame's. Stop moping and go to lessons," Mio called.
"Sure~ Ehehe~♪" Fubuki replied, rubbing her face on the cushion.
Unable to watch, Mio turned away, holding back tears, and left.
One Hour Later, Ayame's Apartment
After a train ride, Mio stood at Ayame's door. The mailbox overflowed with letters. Was she even here? Mio rang the bell.
Ding-dong.
Silence.
"Ayame? You in there?" Mio tried the knob—unlocked. "Huh? That's careless."
She stepped inside and gagged. "Ugh! It's a dump!"
The place was a trash heap: cup noodle containers, snack bags, juice cans, and beer cans littered everywhere. Flies buzzed around rotting bags, and the stench was vile. Curtains blocked all light. A disaster.
"Ayame? You okay? Answer if—" A low growl interrupted from the back. "W-What?!"
"…Mio-chan? Ohayogiri~…" A figure emerged—Nakiri Ayame, the oni with two horns, and her pet Poyo-yo. Ayame's once-lustrous white hair was dull and tangled, her face haggard, clutching a warped box. Poyo-yo looked like a filthy stuffed toy.