Ch. 120 MtF – Chapter 120
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 120
**Cyber Girl Natsu. (11)**
“You worked hard today, Natsu-chan.”
“No, you’re the one who worked hard, ma’am.”
“Excuse me, but why are you two talking like a teacher and guardian discussing a troubled student?”
After the stream ended, I exchanged some parting words and lighthearted compliments with Inari’s mom.
Inari, clearly, wasn’t a fan of how the conversation sounded.
But it wasn’t serious—both her mom and I were only half-joking, so we just laughed it off.
Even if Inari was still pouting.
“How are you getting home? Should Inari walk you back?”
“Oh, it’s okay. My friend who lives with me said she’d come pick me up after the stream.”
Toya had told me she’d be there when the stream ended, on time, to walk me home.
I’d said I’d just ask Inari to take me, but Toya insisted—she said she’d feel safer coming herself.
…Seems like her trust in Inari is kinda low.
Well, maybe she just really wanted to come get me.
**[Toya: I’m here. I’ll wait out front, so come out whenever you’re ready.]**
“Oh, she’s here. Thank you again for today!”
“Come by again anytime, Natsu-chan~”
“I’ll definitely visit again!”
I gave a deep bow to Inari’s mom as she waved sweetly at me.
Even Inari, who had been sulking just moments before, now looked a little reluctant to say goodbye, so I waved at her too.
Though seriously—you’re gonna see me again soon, no need to act like it’s a big farewell.
Leaving behind the mother-daughter duo that looked like mirror images, I stepped outside and was greeted by a familiar face.
“Toya!”
“Whoa there, if you keep running like that, you’re gonna trip and start bawling~”
“…I’m not a kid.”
“To me, you _look_ just that close to falling.”
As I ran over with quick little steps, Toya greeted me with her usual exaggerated concern and scooped me right up.
We literally saw each other this morning, so why does it feel like it’s been forever?
Even before we got home, just being with Toya made everything feel warm and safe again.
Yeah… this is where I belong.
I buried my face in her chest, and she chuckled softly above me.
“You watched the stream, right?”
“Of course. Like I’d miss a stream with you in it.”
“…But you don’t normally watch Inari’s streams, right?”
“I watched _because_ you were in it.”
With fluid, practiced motion, Toya adjusted me in her arms and started walking.
Lately, I’ve been wondering… haven’t her arms gotten more muscular?
I reached out to touch her arm and—yep. My palm met firm muscle.
She really _has_ been training. Must be from all those lessons…
“Inari’s mom had such a lovely voice.”
“Right? And she was super kind too.”
“I heard she’s a great cook, too… Was it better than mine?”
“Hmmm…”
That needed some serious thought.
Actually, no. There wasn’t really anything to think about.
To me, Toya’s cooking was the best—always had been.
Partly because we’ve lived together for a while now and I’d gotten used to her flavors, and partly because she often tailored meals to my preferences.
Food always tastes best when it suits _you_, after all.
Still, I pretended to hesitate—because I was curious what kind of reaction she’d have.
“By the way, what was _that_ at the end?”
“What was what?”
“When you said, ‘I really hate Toya!’ or whatever.”
“Oh, that was totally fake! Look!”
I quickly pulled out my phone to show her the infamous edit.
It was just a stitched-up mess of clips from my streams!
Toya, clearly amused by my flustered explanation, started petting my head.
Wait, so she _was_ teasing me?!
“When I first saw it, I _was_ a bit shocked, you know? If there hadn’t been a note saying it was edited, I might’ve believed it~”
“Yeah… it _was_ pretty natural-sounding…”
“Would’ve been nicer if it was something like, ‘Toya, I love you~’ though.”
I mean… I _could_ say something like that if I had to—
—Wait, what am I thinking?!
_But… if it was that convincing, then maybe—_
The last clip Inari showed—my voice, spliced from different parts of my streams.
If I can’t sing a whole song at once… couldn’t I record small parts and stitch them together?
Not for an audience. Just… maybe enough to let Toya hear me sing.
A real song, in my real voice.
“Yeoreum? What’s with that look?”
“Hm? Oh, nothing…”
There was still time before Toya’s stream.
I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to finish it by then, but hey—when have I _ever_ succeeded by just sitting around overthinking?
I gave Toya a little shake of my head and smiled.
Let’s call it… a surprise. No need to tell her just yet.
Besides, I kinda want to see her surprised face.
—
**“Are you sure about this?”**
“…I just want to try. At least once.”
**The next day.**
While Toya was at lessons, I went to meet with the CEO.
Rather than just doing things on my own, I figured it’d be best to talk to them first.
After explaining—briefly or thoroughly, depending on how you looked at it—I watched the CEO’s expression closely.
They didn’t look thrilled, but they weren’t disapproving either.
In their eyes, I saw concern… but also a faint glimmer of hope.
“I heard your health’s improved quite a bit, Yeoreum…”
“I can sing short children’s songs now. If I do it the way I explained, I’m sure I can manage.”
“…Hmm.”
It wasn’t a yes.
They were probably just instinctively reacting out of worry that pushing myself could make things worse.
Honestly, I wanted to just sing something on the spot—to _prove_ it.
But if I sang something out of desperation, I couldn’t guarantee it’d be any good.
After a brief silence, they finally spoke.
“If you promise not to overdo it, then I’ll allow it.”
“I’ll… try my best.”
I couldn’t say it _wouldn’t_ be too much, so that was the best I could offer.
…Maybe I should’ve just said I wouldn’t push myself.
But if I said that and _did_ overdo it, then I’d be lying.
After hearing my hesitant reply, the CEO sighed softly.
…Maybe I upset them.
“Every time I see you, Yeoreum, I get the feeling I’ve left a little kid alone by a riverbank.”
“Well… I _am_ pretty short, compared to others…”
“That’s not what I meant. I mean you seem _fragile._”
…Yeah. That made sense.
I had only just debuted before being hospitalized for months.
But even now, I didn’t regret what happened.
Even if I could go back, I’d make the same choice again.
“Just… please don’t get sick again.”
“…Okay.”
Their concern wasn’t some cold, professional thing—it was warm.
Almost like… a parent worrying for their child.
It wasn’t about business. They just wanted me to be okay.
I nodded with no excuses left to give.
Don’t get sick. Don’t get sick. Don’t get sick…
“Oh, right. Have you gotten in touch with Straight yet?”
“…Not yet.”
“I’m not rushing you—but I _did_ tell them you’d probably call soon. I figured someone like you would reach out right after getting their number.”
“I… I’m sorry…”
“No need to apologize. It’s entirely up to you.”
I’d planned to contact them after sorting out my thoughts—but hearing that, I almost wished I’d acted sooner.
Still, at least now I felt somewhat ready.
Even if I didn’t know _exactly_ what to say yet… I couldn’t keep avoiding it forever.
“Thank you, CEO.”
“I should be the one thanking you. See you soon, Yeoreum.”
They gave me one last look—full of quiet worry—as I bowed and left the room.
What used to feel so normal… now felt like a mountain.
Staring down at the phone in my hand, I inhaled slowly.
It wasn’t the same phone as before—but the little Toya keyring attached to it was.
What am I so scared of, Han Yeoreum?
Just call. Like you did back then.
**[…Hello?]**
“…Director.”
**And so, I did.**
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