"Phew, that's all the supplies checked. Just need to put the stage costumes in everyone's lockers, and I'm done," I muttered.
With Hololive on summer break, most staff and Holomems have gone back to their hometowns, leaving the office quieter than usual. I, Sasaki Reiji, am handling inventory alone to prep for the online live event right after the break. My small-town upbringing taught me to stay diligent, so I'm knocking this out now.
"All done! Nothing else to do, so I'll head home," I said.
As I mentioned, most Holomems are off, and Roboco, who's been crashing at my place, found a new home before Mel and Choco's sleepover. She's also out for routine maintenance, so no visits. For once, I'll have some peace and quiet—maybe tackle my Gunpla backlog.
"Alright, time to clock out," I said, packing up.
SLAM!
"Haaachama-chamaaa! Hey, Darling!" a voice squealed.
"Whoa?!" I jumped. "You scared the hell outta me!"
The office door flew open, startling me. That unmistakable greeting could only belong to…
"Jeez, Darling, why so jumpy? Heehee~♪" giggled Akai Haato, Hololive's resident crazy girl, her blonde hair bouncing as she grinned.
"You barging in like that is why, Haachama!" I snapped. "How many times have I told you not to burst in like that?!"
I glared at her, but she just laughed innocently, unfazed. Classic Haachama, Hololive's chaos incarnate.
"And stop calling me 'Darling'! You say it no matter who's around!" I added.
"Ehh, but to Haachama, you're Darling~♪ It's a done deal—you and I are fated to be together, kyahaha~♪" she chirped.
Hopeless. This crazy girl never listens. When we first met, she wasn't this wild. What happened to her?
"Fine, whatever. Why're you here? Everyone's off for summer break—aren't you going home?" I asked.
"Of course I'm going home—to our love nest, Darling~♪" she teased.
"Since when is my place your nest?!" I groaned.
Half the time—okay, most of the time—I can't follow her logic. Seems she's planning to crash at my place. So much for peace. Of all people, it had to be her? Sigh.
"What's with the sighs, Darling? Keep that up, and happiness'll slip away~!" she said.
"Whose fault is that?" I muttered.
No use arguing with Haachama—she's immune to reason. Guess I'm stuck taking her home.
SLAM!
"Konban-dododo! Boss, you here?!" another voice bellowed.
"You too, Watame?!" I yelped.
Just as I was about to leave, Tsunomaki Watame, Hololive's bardic sheep (not emergency food!), burst in. Stop slamming the door, you two! A-chan was pissed when you broke it last time!
"Hey, Boss, you are here~♪" Watame grinned.
"What do you want, you lamb chop?" I grumbled.
"Not lamb chop! I came to hang out with you since it's summer break!" she said.
Hang out? Doesn't she have a home to go to? Oh, right—Watame defied her parents to become a bard before joining Hololive, so she probably can't go back. Her current place is basically a field, and it's scorching this time of year. She's using my place as a summer retreat, isn't she?
"Oh, Watame! You're going to Darling's place too?" Haachama asked.
"Haachama! You're going to Boss's place too?" Watame replied.
"Yup! Gonna get all lovey-dovey with Darling~♪" Haachama giggled.
"Nice! Can I join in?" Watame asked.
"Totally welcome, Watame~♪" Haachama cheered.
"Welcome?! You don't get to decide that!" I snapped. Resigned sigh. The moment Haachama showed up, my peace was doomed. Fine, I'll take them both home.
Sasaki Residence
"Whoa! Boss's living room is insane now!" Watame exclaimed.
"It's like a secret base, kyahaha~♪" Haachama laughed.
"Wash your hands before you go poking around," I said.
They bolted straight for the remodeled living room—thanks, Roboco—without washing up. I get they're excited, but hygiene's important these days!
"Wow, the AC's so cool~♪" Watame sighed, flopping onto the floor.
"It's paradise~♪" Haachama added.
"Stop lounging and set the table—dinner's ready," I said.
""Got it!"" they replied.
It's hot out, but sprawling on the floor is just sloppy. Dinner's ready, so let's eat.
"Let's dig in," I said.
""Itadakimasu!"" they chimed.
Tonight's menu: aji and cod fry, miso soup with nameko and fried tofu, and cucumber pickles. All homemade, not store-bought. I can already guess their reactions.
"Darling's food is tasty but… kinda normal," Haachama said.
"Yeah, it's not super delicious, just… tasty-normal," Watame added.
As expected. Everyone says my cooking is "normal but tasty" or "tasty but normal." Even my best dishes get that review. It stings a bit. What does "tasty-normal" even mean?
After Dinner
Dinner's done, and I'm washing dishes while Watame cackles at the TV. Haachama's showering to cool off. Only Marine and these two act this at-home in my place.
"Watame, if you're sweaty, shower after Haachama," I said.
"Ehh, but it's getting to the good part!" she whined.
"No excuses—the show's got an hour left. Go," I said.
"Then you go first, Boss. I'll shower after, savoring your and Haachama's lingering scent~," she teased.
"You perverted sheep," I muttered.
She's among Hololive's top weirdos—some fans even call her "Wata-oji." She should watch those creepy comments.
Click.
"Phew, great shower~♪" Haachama emerged.
"Alright, Watame, Haachama's done—go shower… Haachama?! What the hell are you wearing?!" I yelped, blushing. Or not wearing!
She strolled into the living room stark naked! What's she thinking?!
"No biggie~ It's just you, me, and Watame. You've seen Marine naked before, so you're fine, right?" she giggled.
"That's different! Put some clothes on and have some shame!" I stammered, averting my eyes. This is so awkward! Gotta stay calm. "Sorry, Watame, I'm showering first."
I bolted to the bathroom to cool my head.
"Haachama, that was bold~," Watame said.
"Gotta be to keep up with Mel and Choco," Haachama replied. "They got close to Darling, so we can't lose."
"Yeah, they said they hooked up with Boss. We gotta step up," Watame agreed.
"Exactly. I don't care who Darling's with, but I'm gonna be his number one," Haachama declared.
No matter who—Fubuki, Sora, or Watame—she wouldn't yield. I'll be Reiji's top idol, Haachama, the strongest!
Flashback: One and a Half Years Ago
Back then, I, Akai Haato, was struggling. The debut of the fourth-generation Holomems, including Watame, shook me up.
I was Hololive's classic tsundere idol, but the third gen's unique personalities already had me on edge. Then the even quirkier fourth gen arrived, and I panicked, fearing my fans would flock to the new girls.
Things that used to go smoothly started flopping. I couldn't even sing properly anymore—my passion was slipping. I have to do better, I thought, but nothing worked. That's when…
"Hey, Haato, why so down?" Reiji asked, the staff assigned to the first gen.
"Oh… Reiji, uh, morning~," I mumbled.
"Morning. Seriously, what's got you so glum?" he pressed.
"N-Nothing's wrong…" I lied.
"Don't bullshit me. You've been off lately. Wanna talk? I'm here," he said, offering me a sports drink.
I trusted Reiji by then, so I spilled everything—my fears of losing fans to the new gens.
"I get it. The third and fourth gens are full of characters," he said.
"Yeah… Reiji, what should I do? If this keeps up, I'll lose all my fans…" I admitted.
I hadn't lost them yet, but I was terrified they'd move on. I didn't have the courage to keep going as an idol. But Reiji's response surprised me.
"Why not change your persona?" he suggested.
"Change… my persona?" I asked.
"Yeah. Your tsundere act feels a bit forced. You're naturally pretty straightforward, so maybe try a new vibe," he said.
! He was right. The tsundere role was slapped on me for my looks, but I'm more honest in person. I'd felt it was clunky before—maybe it wasn't me.
"It's your call. Stick with tsundere or try something new. Your true fans won't ditch you just for a change," he said, finishing his coffee, patting my head, and leaving.
That's when it hit me: I could be my true self. So, I became "Haachama." It was tough at first—some fans were confused—but it led to the Haachama I am now.