Chapter 128

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**In the Recording Studio. (4)**

“Ichinose-san!!”

“Oh, you’re here.”

Monday, after the weekend.

Over the weekend, I had to go all out to stop Nozomi-san from insisting she’d help me, and once we parted ways, I went straight to the CEO’s office.

Why? Because of a certain manager-related request.

In other words, I asked the CEO if Nozomi-san could be assigned as my manager.

Honestly, I didn’t think it would get approved, but to my surprise, the decision came through quite easily, which really caught me off guard.

_”Nozomi-san is still new and hasn’t been given a specific role yet, so it’s fine, but… are you sure about this?”_

_”What do you mean by ‘sure’?”_

_”Well, I just thought that someone more experienced might be better suited to manage you, Summer-san.”_

Although the CEO said they wouldn’t interfere with my decision, their tone was filled with concerns.

It made sense. Assigning a brand-new hire to manage a VTuber probably doesn’t inspire much confidence.

But in my case, I wasn’t exactly someone who needed a manager all that badly.

Or… did I?

I let out a soft breath as I recalled the manager who used to work with me back at Straight.

Someone who seemed clumsy but always looked after me diligently.

Now that I think about it, maybe I should’ve asked for their number.

Anyway—

_”It’s fine. I think growing together will be a good thing. Besides, with the second generation coming soon, wouldn’t it be a good idea to start training another potential manager now?”_

_”Well, you’re not wrong—no, forget it. This is your choice, so I’m sure you’ve thought it through.”_

_”…Isn’t that a bit _too_ much trust?”_

_”It just means we believe in your abilities. After all, bringing your original fanbase into V-Spe already proves what you’re capable of.”_

With that final statement, all concern vanished from the CEO’s face.

_Wow,_ I thought. _That’s some serious trust._

Now that I think about it, everyone seems to believe in me way too much. I’m just a normal person.

Even back when I was Han Yeoreum, and now too.

—

“So, are you really okay with this? If you’re not comfortable, I can talk to the CEO again—”

“No, no! I’m thrilled! Honestly, I’d just been doing office chores and grunt work every day, and it was getting kind of depressing!”

“…Really?”

“Yup! If I’m working with you, Ichinose-san, I might get to do something I enjoy. I’ll happily be your manager!”

Seeing Nozomi-san respond with such seriousness, I gave her a gentle smile.

Then I’ll be counting on you, Nozomi-san.

To be honest, it all happened so fast that I figured she might turn me down—and I wouldn’t have blamed her—but I was relieved she accepted.

—

“So, what should I start with? I’ve never done any managing before, so…”

“You don’t need to worry about that. Just stay with me. I’m picking up where I left off yesterday.”

“…Are you really okay with that?”

This time, it was Nozomi-san asking if _I_ was okay.

Understandable, given the mess I was in yesterday.

But I didn’t want to give up just like that.

I’d finally found a good teacher, and if I kept working hard, maybe I could achieve something.

“I’m really okay. Singing again is… well, it’s a dream I’ve found once more.”

“…”

“It’s kind of a humble dream, huh? Haha…”

To be able to do something I used to take for granted.

That I now called it a “dream” really showed how small I must seem.

But hey, it’s all I want now.

If someone who’s never wished for anything starts to wish for even one thing, then that one thing becomes the most important thing in the world.

For me, singing again had become that one thing.

—

“No.”

“…”

“It’s not a humble dream at all. From now on, it’s a dream we’ll share together.”

“…Ah.”

That single line. That simple, seemingly ordinary line—it meant the world to me.

Ugh… why am I suddenly seeing Toya in Nozomi-san’s face…?

As I carefully took the hand she extended to me, she flashed me a beautiful smile.

I wonder—do they teach people how to say things like that in business school or something?

Maybe public speaking classes are part of employment prep nowadays.

—

“Do you say things like that to everyone?”

“Huh? N-no?! I-I mean, you’re the first, Ichinose-san!”

“…If I’m the first, doesn’t that kind of raise a few flags?”

“I—is it?! I-I’m sorry!”

Realizing how bold her words had been, Nozomi-san’s face went bright red.

This person… I don’t think she realizes what she says half the time.

The world should be grateful she wasn’t born a guy. She would’ve broken a _lot_ of hearts.

Anyway, the moment of embarrassment quickly passed.

We were here to practice singing, after all. I had to focus.

Or so I thought…

—

“Ultimately, the most important thing when singing is stamina!”

“Uh, I was thinking I should start with pitch, actually—”

“Your voice comes from your core! And to engage your core, you need muscles! So let’s work out—exercise!”

“…Exercise?”

“Yes!”

Whoa, that’s scary.

Nozomi-san suddenly leaned in way too close and loudly insisted we exercise. I instinctively looked away.

Exercise, huh.

It’s not like I’ve never done any at all, but have I ever actually devoted an entire day to working out?

Absolutely not.

At most, I’d walk to work with Toya or do some light stretches.

…That probably doesn’t count as “exercise” in Nozomi-san’s book.

—

“They say true health comes from muscles. And since you seem pretty delicate, Ichinose-san, let’s start slow!”

“Uh… I wonder if I can really do it…”

“Of course you can! I did it!”

She said that so confidently, I couldn’t help but laugh awkwardly.

Just because it worked for you doesn’t mean it’ll work for me…

Not that I hate the idea of working out—it’s just… being told this all of a sudden is kind of—

Before I could finish the thought, her next words came flying like an arrow.

—

“I used to be a total study nerd! My lower belly stuck out, I was always tired, no muscle, no strength, no stamina… but exercise changed everything!”

“…Really?”

“You can do it too, Ichinose-san! I promise! I didn’t want to show this, but… here!”

She handed me her phone.

On the screen was a tired-looking girl staring blankly into the camera.

Even though her arms and torso weren’t visible, I could tell she was incredibly thin and haggard.

…Wait, that’s Nozomi-san? Really?

—

“Huh? What is it?”

“I mean… is that really you?”

The person in the photo and the one standing in front of me now looked like completely different people.

Messy hair now neatly styled. No dark circles under the eyes. Hollow cheeks now rounded. Dry, dull skin now bright and smooth.

Even her expression had changed. That dead-eyed stare was now a cheerful smile.

What the heck happened between then and now?

But what really stood out the most was—

—

“U-uh, don’t stare so much, please… it’s kinda embarrassing. Maybe even harassment, you know?”

“…Sorry. It’s just—you’ve changed so much.”

“Ev-everyone has their glow-up phase, you know! Mine just came a little late, that’s all… anyway!”

Moving on.

Whether or not this transformation came _only_ from exercise, I couldn’t say.

But if following her advice could lead to that kind of change, maybe I had a shot too.

Granted, I’ve already changed so much that I practically feel like an entirely different person.

—

“You can do it too! The new and improved me!”

“That sounds like one of those lines you’d hear in a—uh, gym.”

In Japan, “health” clubs (ヘルス) have… more adult connotations.

When I corrected myself, Nozomi-san tilted her head at first, then enthusiastically nodded at the word “gym.”

—

“Exactly! The first place I went to change myself was a gym! I saw a flyer for it on my way home after the national exams and just went!”

…Nozomi-san really has amazing follow-through. Maybe even more than me.

Birds of a feather, huh?

I guess I’ve ended up with a manager who’s a lot like me.

Well—except for the whole exercise fanatic part. That’s _definitely_ not like me.