"Today I think I'll watch Hoshizuki Kaguya's stream for the first time in a while."
It was the night after finishing the music video shoot with Asterisk.
After getting home, I took a breather and pulled out my smartphone.
Yes, I have a smartphone now!
Of course, it's my very own.
Asuka had practically forced it into my hands right before I left work earlier that day.
"Ah, Five. You don't have a smartphone, do you? I might ask you to do some work from now on, so here, take this one. Don't worry about the cost, I'll cover the monthly bill! It already has my contact info saved, so feel free to message me even if it's not work-related, okay?"
I was extremely grateful, even if the way she gave it to me felt a little overwhelming.
And she even pays the bill...
Could I actually be the kept man of the Ashiya family?
No, no. Someday I'll pay for it myself.
"I'm so happy to finally have my own smartphone. The only downside is I can't change the wallpaper."
When she handed it over, I was shocked to see Asuka's photo already set as the background.
I tried to change it, but it was locked. I couldn't do anything about it.
Well... that's fine, I guess!
"It's been years since I last watched a stream. I haven't been able to since I got so busy with support work."
"Hi, everyone! I'm Hoshizuki Kaguya. Today we're going to do some wine crafting!"
"Oh, perfect timing. Looks like she just started. By the way, Winecraft is still super popular."
Winecraft is an open-world game where you build everything from grape farms to full sake breweries and craft the finest wines. It's commonly called WyCra.
It's an older game, but constant updates have kept it alive and thriving.
"Yes! Today I'm going to make wine using these amazing grapes I finally got my hands on from last stream!!"
It still felt strange to think that the Kaguya I was watching right now was actually Himeji-san.
"Listen up, everyone! Those who watched the previous stream already know, but these are super rare grapes that can produce high-status wine. At first glance they look exactly like regular grapes, so it was really hard to get them!"
"Ah! Kaguya-chan, watch out!"
An enemy character suddenly appeared and stole the grapes right from Kaguya's hands.
"Oh no! That's the golden cat demon that spawns when you get these premium grapes! Golden twin-tails!! What kind of thieving cat is that? Those grapes are mine! I'm definitely getting them back!!"
"Haha, Kaguya-chan always gets so fired up."
Looking at the comments:
- Thief cat lol
- She's so mad
- Face is bright red lol
- Angry Kaguya is adorable
The chat was full of messages like that.
From there, Kaguya chased the golden cat in a big battle to reclaim her grapes.
One of the fun parts of Winecraft is that you can actually fight enemy characters.
"Kaguya-chan is supposed to be good at games, but she's really struggling to catch this one. That golden twin-tail must be strong."
After about an hour of chasing and battling, she finally got the grapes back. The stream ended for the day.
"That's all for today's stream! See you next time, everyone!"
"Phew, it's been forever, but it was as fun as I remembered. I'll definitely watch again when I have time. It's getting late, so I should sleep soon. Oh, right... I have to meet Himeji-san tomorrow and apologize..."
After finishing the stream, I felt satisfied and went to bed, already thinking about how I should apologize to Himeji-san the next day for breaking our promise.
○ ●
"So that's what happened... I'm really sorry about yesterday!!"
The next day, I was talking with Himeji-san on the rooftop.
After explaining everything that happened since yesterday, I sincerely apologized for not being able to go shopping with her.
"So that's what it was... It's okay. Don't worry about it! That's not what I meant by dating... That's good..."
For some reason, Himeji-san looked visibly relieved.
Anyway, I was just glad she didn't seem angry.
"Let's go look at makeup tools together today! I got some extra money from the job, so I'll buy you something as an apology!"
"I'd love to look at makeup tools, but I don't want you to buy them for me! I'll pay for my own things, okay? This is money you worked hard to earn, Sakasegawa-kun. You should use it carefully."
"Well, how about I buy you some donuts in front of the station instead? We couldn't go together last time, so how about that?"
"Donuts! But..."
Himeji-san seemed torn between accepting or refusing.
"Uuuu," she murmured, furrowing her brow and pursing her lips slightly.
So cute.
"I'll buy you a shake too."
"Please!"
With that final push, Himeji-san gave in.
She really loves sweets.
○ ●
The next morning, when I arrived at school and entered the classroom, the students were making a huge commotion.
"I saw it this morning, is that real?"
"They just look alike."
"No, that's definitely the real one. I saw her the other day."
"Seriously? If that's true, isn't this bad?"
From what I could overhear, everyone had seen something incredible.
I had no idea what it was about.
The bell rang. The teacher opened the door and walked in.
"Everyone, take your seats! We have another transfer student joining the class today."
Eh? I only just transferred here myself not long ago.
I hate to say it, but another transfer student?
"Excuse me."
I was stunned when I saw who walked in.
It was someone I knew very well.
"Nice to meet you. I transferred from Yumekoshi Academy due to personal reasons. My name is Ashiya Asuka. I look forward to getting along with everyone."
"Whaa..."
"It's really her."
"I wasn't imagining it this morning."
It was none other than Ashiya Asuka, the center of the top idol group Asterisk.
The whole classroom erupted into chaos, almost like a small panic had broken out.
Asuka didn't seem bothered at all. She simply stared straight at me.
"Okay, everyone quiet down and get along. Ashiya, there's an empty seat next to Sakasegawa. Why don't you sit there?"
(Next to me?!)
"Sakasegawa is so unfair."
"I can't believe he's sandwiched between Himeji-san and Ashiya-san."
Intense jealousy rained down on me from every direction.
What is this situation?
Asuka sat down beside me, then turned toward me.
"Hehe, here I come."
She stuck out her tongue with a mischievous grin.
(She's way too cute. Way too cute!!)
"You really came?!"
"Of course. I wanted to go to the same school as you, Five... This time I'm not letting you get away, okay?"
"Y-yes..."
(Does she really want my support that badly? Asterisk is already amazing even without me...)
"And Himeji-san, looking forward to getting along from now on too?"
Asuka leaned over me slightly and spoke directly to Himeji-san.
"Yes, pleased to meet you."
Himeji-san replied with a gentle smile.
"Hehe."
"Hehe."
"Hehehehehehe."
Both of them were smiling, but somehow it felt terrifying!
Why can Himeji-san talk so normally to someone she's just met?!
And more importantly... what on earth is going to happen to my normal high school life now?!