Chapter 15: Business…what? (2)

The sudden, widespread shipping that arose from my meeting with Yuu.

Actually, there was no particular reason to explain it.

It was, after all, just one of many broadcasting topics, and we weren’t really dating…

It was fine to drag it out like the usual WWE (playful banter) we always had.

…However, despite that.

There was a reason I went out of my way to shut it down, even if it meant sacrificing potential broadcast content.

Shipping VTubers with each other? That can happen.

It was something I learned from the CEO long ago, and I’ve encountered that kind of depiction many times.

Since I’m active in a somewhat male-oriented market, I naturally understand that much.

It’s not like they’re spreading rumors; they’re just letting their imaginations run wild amongst themselves.

…However.

‘…I have a conscience. It’s a bit much for me to be involved.’

My case is different.

A man intruding on a yuri (girls’ love) pairing is considered a sin…

So, if I, who am half-male, were to get involved?

Maybe not a death sentence… but wouldn’t I at least go to jail?

As long as I don’t reveal it myself, no one will care, but… it’s a somewhat fundamental issue.

‘Yuu doesn’t seem to like it much either.’

Besides, Yuu, the person involved, is also a problem.

Since that incident, I’ve felt like she’s been subtly avoiding me.

‘Was she upset about being shipped with me?’

No, that’s not it.

It’s a somewhat subtle, slightly awkward? A feeling of unnecessarily becoming distant.

…Well, anyway.

For those comprehensive reasons, I quickly tried to shake off the “ants” (fans who cling to a ship)…

[JeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuuJeongshilIsYuu]

(TL Note: Jeongshil (정실) means “legal wife” or “main heroine,” implying Yuu is the main ship for Reina.)

[YuuRei Fanart]

[JeongshilDuo Doodles]

“…What is this.”

…The “ants” actually exploded in number.

Why is this happening, seriously.

“…You really don’t know?”

“Huh?”

I happened to have to go to the company, so I sought advice from the CEO.

And a completely unexpected answer came back.

“A quick-witted kid like you, why are you like this in these matters…”

“…?”

“…No, never mind.”

I couldn’t understand it at all, so I just tilted my head.

The CEO just kept spouting incomprehensible words and then…

“Just do what you’ve been doing. You have to figure it out yourself.”

“No, what the…”

She suddenly uttered such irresponsible words.

‘…No, you’re the CEO.’

‘Is this really okay?’

“Don’t worry. No accident will happen even if you keep doing that.”

“But, is it okay to just leave it like this?”

“The viewers? They’ll happily roll with the fodder. What’s the problem?”

The anxiety stemming from the unknown made my heart feel troubled.

But the CEO dismissed my anxiety with a single sentence.

‘When it comes to broadcasting, is it better not to know?’

‘Since no controversy will erupt anyway, just make broadcast content out of it?’

‘…Would it kill you to tell me a little? I want to know.’

“Anyway. You know your recording today is after Yuu’s, right?”

“Yes, I know.”

The CEO quickly changed the subject.

“You still have a lot of time left, yet you came here to sleep.”

“…Yes. You said it was okay to sleep here.”

…Actually, my work shift was 6 hours later.

My sleep pattern has been a bit messed up lately, so I’m tired…

And trying to get back to a normal pattern, but my schedule is already set.

If I slept at home, I wasn’t confident I’d make it on time.

So, since the company has an overnight duty room…

My plan was to catch some sleep there and then record when the time came.

This way, even if I don’t wake up, a staff member will wake me.

However…

“Before you record, meet Yuu and talk to her a bit. She’s been in a weird state lately.”

“Uh… if I wake up on time?”

“Wake up on time and do it.”

“…Yes.”

I came early for no reason, and now I have an extra task.

…Sad.

A few hours later.

Yuu, who had come to the Lunavis headquarters for her recording schedule…

Just like someone else, was not in good condition.

“…Ugh.”

The reason was, her colleague.

Her colleague whom she happened to meet on her way to record.

Knowing she must have been tired, Yuu would normally have just let her go…

But that day, for some reason, she felt bored, so she dragged her back to the company on the pretext of a meal.

And that insignificant meal, which was just a pretext…

Remained in her memory, constantly swirling in her head.

‘What’s wrong with me, seriously.’

No, it wasn’t the meal.

To be more precise…

The texture of the black and white hair she had touched at the dinner table.

And at the same time…

When she lowered her gaze and observed, the incredible… central part….

(TL Note: “Central part” is a euphemism for Reina’s chest.)

“…What am I doing. I think I’m crazy.”

The moment she urgently shook her head at the delusion that suddenly popped into her mind.

– Vrooom─

A vibration signaling a message woke her.

Of course, the sender likely hadn’t intended it.

Thanks to that, Yuu, who had barely managed to calm her heart…

Took a deep breath and checked the message, but.

[Sajannie] : Are you here?

(TL Note: “Sajannie” (사잔니) is a cutesy/misspelled way of saying “Sajangnim” (사장님 – CEO))

[Sajannie] : Go to the overnight duty room before you record

[Sajannie] : Reina is there

…Her hard-won peace became meaningless as she was thrown into confusion once again.