Chapter 63

Rea​d on Kat​Read​ingCafe

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V-Spe Gamers! (1)

“Today’s the day, right?”

“Yeah, it is. It’s the first time we’re all doing a group stream together.”

“…You’re right.”

It was shortly after Nagisa’s vacation ended.

I hesitated for a bit, wondering if it was okay to ask while she was still resting, but even though I took my time wording the message, the response came back instantly.

She said she’d be more than happy to stream together anytime.

She also added—though she asked me not to tell Toya—that she’d felt a bit lonely since neither Toya nor Inari had joined her for streams.

‘Well, those two do seem like the type who are fine doing things solo…’

Not that Nagisa was bad at streaming or anything—absolutely not.

It was more like… a quiet sense of longing?

She’d even hinted that she’d love to hear Toya sing more. Apparently, Toya was a great singer but didn’t sing very often, which Nagisa found a bit of a shame.

Maybe I should make it my mission today to get Toya to sing, yeah.

“Come to think of it, this is the first time we’re streaming at the office, too.”

“There are four PCs there now, right?”

“Yup. It used to be three, but after you joined, Yeoreum, they added another one.”

I mumbled that it didn’t seem necessary just for me, but the reply was that now each person had their own setup.

They bought it so everyone could stream comfortably for off-collabs and such.

Though… didn’t they say this was the first time the three of them actually did an off-collab?

…Just how badly did they crush the boss’s dreams?

“Well, we have used the office PCs before, like for high-spec games and stuff.”

“And the boss didn’t say anything?”

“Not really? They probably prefer us using them to just letting them sit there gathering dust.”

That’s fair…

It’s better for things to be used—even if it’s not the intended use.

The boss might’ve hoped the first-gen V-Spe members would do regular collabs, but hey, at least it’s happening now.

“Heading straight to the office? Got everything?”

“Hm… I feel like I’m not fully ready yet.”

“Oh? Are you one of those who can’t game properly without their usual keyboard and mouse?”

“Well…”

I used to underestimate how great custom gear could be, but lately I’d really come to appreciate it.

To the point that I couldn’t imagine using anything but my personalized keyboard and mouse.

Especially the mouse. Using a standard one felt like I was in some kind of comedy sketch.

The keyboard was one thing, but the mouse… that thing was just painful.

“All packed.”

“Wah…”

Toya lifted me up with a smile.

What the heck.

I pouted and grumbled in protest.

She always treats me like a little kid.

Even though she still remembered my old voice—how I used to be—Toya always acted like I needed constant looking after.

“Alright, shall we head out?”

“Yeah! I’m really curious what game we’re playing today, so let’s go!”

I kicked my legs excitedly in Toya’s arms, and she said I could look forward to it.

I wasn’t picky about games, but for someone like me who’s played a lot, to be told that this one is worth the hype…

Honestly, I figured it must be one of those games trending lately.

Not that I looked into it. As Toya and Inari said—it’s more fun to go in blind.

“Oh, but don’t get too excited, okay? If it’s not your thing, you’ll be more disappointed.”

“Got it. I’ll keep my expectations in check.”

I nodded. Did I really look that hyped? I didn’t feel that excited.

Well… if Toya said so, maybe I did.

—

“Kontomo! This is V-Spe Gamers’ Yatogami Toya!”
“Otsunagi~ This is V-Spe Gamers’ Minami Nagisa!”
“Hainari~ This is V-Spe Gamers’ Fushimi Inari!”

Oh snap, it’s a collab with all three?!

Looks like they finally listened to the feedback lol

I’ve been dying to see this trio together again… and it’s finally happening

Now that they’re here, they better stream together more often!

Wait… doesn’t Nacchan count as a V-Spe Gamer too?

“Ah, about Natsu…”

Toya glanced over at the couch in the corner of the room.

Was my lap that comfortable?

I never imagined she’d fall asleep on the way here.

I meant to wake her before the stream started… but she looked so peaceful, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Well, she’d probably wake up soon enough.

“She’s napping next to me! You know how little kids always need lots of sleep, right?”

“…If Natsu had heard that just now, she’d have totally flipped.”

“She’s asleep, so it’s fine, right?”

“I’m telling her when she wakes up.”

“Betrayal?!”

Inari looked at me with a “you wouldn’t” face, but I grinned smugly.

Of course I would.

Realizing what I meant, Inari made a face like she’d lost everything.

To be honest, I mostly just wanted to see how Yeoreum would react when she heard it.

Though I might forget by the time she wakes up…

She was asleep?! lol

Nacchan is pretty small, so maybe she needs more sleep to grow ww

Wait, did they seriously not wake her up because it felt wrong?

I mean… it was time to start streaming lol

Is this some kind of hazing for the new member? Or are they just being sweet?

“C’mon, like I’d haze Natsu. I might tease this dumb fox over here, but not Natsu.”

“Hah?! If I’m dumb, that makes you the queen of dummies!”

“Maybe I am—a dummy who only knows Natsu~”

As Inari tried to get a rise out of me, I flipped the tables and stuck out my tongue.

Sorry, but the old Toya who used to fall for your teasing is gone. I’ve evolved, thanks to Yeoreum.

Inari’s frustrated face was kind of funny, but this stream wasn’t just about us.

There was sleeping Yeoreum… and then Nagisa, who hadn’t said anything for a while.

“Hey Nagisa, what are you—Nagisa?!”

“Ah, sorry. I was just… watching Natsu sleep. She’s too cute.”

“Don’t ogle her while she’s sleeping!!”

I shouted in surprise at Nagisa, who was quietly admiring Yeoreum.

I’d been resisting the urge to stare this whole time and she just goes and indulges?!

Dang it… the true threat hides in silence.

Even as we talked, her gaze never left Yeoreum.

“Well, if Nagisa’s going to admire her, then I’ll—boop!”

“You pervy fox! What do you think you’re touching?!”

“Hey! Just her cheek! I was only touching her cheek, okay?!”

Gamerz teetee…

Is this what you call teetee? lol

More like bickering chaos than wholesome content

Since we’re here… can we just have a ‘watching sleeping Nacchan’ stream?

Turn on Nacchan’s avatar cam so we can watch too lol

Startled by Inari poking Yeoreum’s cheek, I grabbed her hand.

What if Yeoreum woke up?!

She could sleep through noise just fine, but she was sensitive to touch.

Yeah, we did have to wake her soon anyway, but still! If someone was gonna wake her, I wanted it to be me!

“She’s still asleep! Still counts as safe, right? Safe!”

“Oh really? Then… Natsu~ Time to wake up. It’s stream time~”

lol

Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t wake her?

You just wanted to be the one to do it, huh?

That sounded exactly like a mom waking her kid

My mom used to talk to me like that too lmao

Wait… is Toya secretly way older than we thought?

What?! Toya already married with kids?!

What the heck are these people talking about…

I brushed back Yeoreum’s slightly tangled white hair as she slowly sat up at my touch and voice.

Yeoreum, groggy and half-awake, was adorable.

Seeing her struggle to open her eyes was so cute that even Nagisa and Inari went completely quiet, just watching her.

“…Why are you all staring at me like that?”

The fact that she was totally unaware made her even more absurdly cute—but that’s a story for another time.