Chapter 125

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**In the Recording Studio. (1)**

“Ah, hello…”

“Oh my.”

As usual, I came to the company with Toya today, but this time I wasn’t with her—instead, I’d come alone to the recording studio.

They say to strike while the iron is hot, and once I make up my mind, it’s better to start quickly. That’s usually best for the long run.

Anyway, as I stepped into the studio, an unfamiliar face greeted me.

Um, so… hmm…

Faced with someone I’d never seen before, I fumbled for words, unable to speak properly. The person began approaching me slowly.

“Are you lost? This isn’t a place just anyone can enter~”

“Ah, um, well… I’m not exactly lost…”

Since the practice rooms were usually empty, I had assumed the recording studio would be empty too.

I probably should’ve asked the CEO before coming here…

As the person crouched down to meet my gaze, I instinctively looked away. And of course, I took a couple of steps back.

“I came to sing. Um, do you happen to know someone named Ichinose Natsu?”

“Ichinose Natsu?”

Honestly, it was kind of a silly question.

There’s no way someone working at V-Spe wouldn’t know the name Ichinose Natsu.

I didn’t want to come out and say “I _am_ Ichinose Natsu,” but if I didn’t say something, they might just assume I was a lost kid who had wandered in here by mistake.

But one thing I failed to consider was that I look _exactly_ like Ichinose Natsu.

Which meant—if they didn’t recognize me as her, then there’s a good chance they knew basically _nothing_ about Ichinose Natsu.

“Ah, I think I’ve heard the name before… Is she part of the second generation?”

“The second-gen talents haven’t debuted yet.”

“Right… Then… hmm, I don’t remember any first-gen member named Ichinose Natsu—oh.”

“…”

“…Ah.”

They blinked at me, then quickly pulled out their phone. I let out a slightly awkward laugh.

Seems like they’d just realized who I was…

Still, I hadn’t expected someone working at V-Spe to not know who Ichinose Natsu was.

It wasn’t a matter of arrogance or anything. Just—come on, I’ve been debuted for quite a while now. Y’know?

“I—I’m so sorry! I, um, I’m just not that into VTubers, honestly! I kind of treat this place like a regular job, you know? Haha…”

“That’s understandable. I don’t really keep up with Inari or Nagisa’s streams myself, honestly.”

Though I wouldn’t go so far as to forget their names.

Anyway.

I tried to ease the awkwardness and explained a bit about myself.

When I mentioned my age—thanks to how I looked—they got this seriously shocked expression.

Well, yeah. If you saw someone who looks like this and found out they were the same age as Toya, anyone would be shocked.

“I’m really sorry! I didn’t know you were one of V-Spe’s talents!”

“It’s okay. I’m used to being treated like a kid.”

Now that I think about it, I guess there _would_ be people at V-Spe who treat it like just a regular company.

V-Spe is still a company, after all. It needs all kinds of departments to run smoothly.

“Um… I’m not sure what I should call you.”

“Just call me Nozomi!”

“Okay… uh, Nozomi-san?”

“Yep!”

Hmm, she seems a little too stiff.

Ever since she found out I was a talent, Nozomi-san had gone all stiff and formal.

It felt like _I_ was the one intimidating her, even though that wasn’t my intention.

I remember seeing this kind of thing back in school. There was always that one kid in the back of the class who got picked on by others and looked just like this.

“Um, really, there’s no need to be so formal. Please just be comfortable.”

“Y-yes…”

…Yeah, seems like “comfortable” is out of the question.

Nozomi-san looked like she was genuinely sorry, and it made me hesitate to move freely.

I came here to sing, but somehow I ended up looking like I was bullying a stranger.

Maybe I should just call it a day.

As I began inching toward the door to leave, I saw Nozomi-san’s face change.

“Wait, please!”

“Eep?!”

Just as I reached for the doorknob, a hand suddenly grabbed mine.

My heart nearly dropped from the sudden outburst.

Wow… I… I seriously thought I was gonna die. For real.

Clamping my hands over my mouth to stop the hiccup that had burst out, I tried to hold my breath.

If I didn’t, I’d definitely end up coughing for the next hour straight.

“A-are you okay?!”

“…Mmph.”

I wanted to say I was fine, but I couldn’t risk opening my mouth.

If I did, it would be total disaster.

Nozomi-san now looked like she was on the verge of tears. I felt bad, but there wasn’t much I could do at the moment.

Sorry, Nozomi-san. I’ll say something once I calm down.

“…Hoo.”

“I’m _really_ sorry. Really!”

“No, I share some of the blame too.”

I mean, it _was_ my fault for barging into the studio without checking first.

Still, I was glad I calmed down quickly.

It really showed how much my health had improved.

Before, a scare like that would’ve led to hiccups, coughing, tears, and a runny nose for the entire day.

“By the way, Nozomi-san, would it be okay if I used the studio to work on something?”

“Huh? Oh, yes! Of course! Please feel free to use it!”

“…Really?”

“Yes! The CEO once told us that all facilities should be fully open to our talents. So please, use it however you like!”

Ah, so the CEO said that.

Makes sense, considering most of the facilities at V-Spe exist for the talents’ sake anyway.

The studio, for instance—no one but us four would even really use it.

Wait, then why _was_ Nozomi-san here?

“Um, I was just doing some cleaning. Since it hasn’t been used much lately, I figured there’d be a lot of dust…”

“…Was it that obvious on my face?”

“…I just kind of guessed that’s what you were thinking.”

Ugh. I really need to work on this.

Was my expression that obvious? I reached up and rubbed my cheeks with both hands.

I don’t think I have a particularly expressive face, but people sure catch on fast.

Anyway, when I looked in the direction Nozomi-san pointed, I saw a mop, rags, and a water bucket.

“I’m almost done, so you should be good to go soon! I just need to put these things away, ahaha…”

She hurried to grab the mop and bucket, and I let out a small sigh as I watched her.

I felt like I’d just seriously inconvenienced someone who was just doing their job.

So, to help, I decided to carry the rag for her.

As soon as I picked it up, she gasped—and the water bucket wobbled dangerously. Thankfully, no spills.

Alright, let’s go, let’s go.

“I could’ve carried that…”

“It’s better to make one trip than two, right?”

“Well, yeah, but… I feel kinda guilty.”

“Guilty?”

“You know… making such a tiny kid carry a rag… I mean—oops.”

“…”

“…I’m sorry.”

Was I really okay? Honestly, not _entirely._

But it’s not like I was upset with Nozomi-san for saying that.

I just ended up laughing at myself.

How small _am_ I, seriously?

When my body first changed, my only real reaction was: _Wow, a person’s body can shrink _this_ much?_

If not for Koyuki being the same size as me, I probably would’ve felt resentful every single day.

“It’s fine. My friends say stuff like that all the time.”

I’m not sure about Nagisa, but Inari and Toya? Definitely.

They treat me like a kid whenever I need something from a high shelf or have to walk a long way.

Even if I remind them I’m an adult, it never really sticks—so I’ve half given up on that front.

People just seem to default to treating me like this, I guess.

“Is it okay to put this here?”

“Oh, yes! Thank you so much for helping!”

“No need to thank me. I just carried a rag.”

Can’t say I’ve ever been thanked for carrying a rag before.

I kind of wanted to wash it for her too, but she insisted she’d do it herself.

She’s got major new employee vibes.

…Or maybe she _is_ a new employee? Or an intern?

“Well then, see you next time, Nozomi-san.”

“Ah, yes… I’ll watch your streams! Thank you again!”

She continued thanking me right to the end, even as I headed back toward the studio.

Guess that’s one more Natsumin recruited.

Kinda feels like I accidentally did a sales pitch without meaning to.