ALL NOVEL Chapter 336
“Hmm. I think we need at least one person to tell our situation….”
I nodded along with Natsune’s words.
It was a bit disappointing that it wouldn’t just be a secret between us, but it would be better for one person to know our situation, just in case.
Plus, we needed a helper to put Natsune’s plan into action.
“Maybe it should be Shiro? I believe the other members will trust us, but I’ve always talked to Shiro whenever something happens.”
“I think Suzuha would be good… Oh, I absolutely don’t mean I can’t trust Kurokami senpai, it’s just that Suzuha is the oldest among us, you know?!”
“I know! I know, so calm down, Izumi!”
Seeing me finally breathe a sigh of relief made Natsune start giggling.
“It’s funny hearing you say that with my face.”
…I feel incredibly awkward.
Every person has a natural personality.
And Natsune is always so lively and full of energy, shining like a star that brightens the dark night.
As proof, Natsune laughs a lot both when broadcasting and when we talk like this.
But me… well, to be honest, I’m a natural introvert.
I’m the type who usually just listens during conversations… and meeting new people is a bit uncomfortable….
Anyway, it’s a given that everyone has different personalities.
But to think the me I know… ‘Kayanoh Mina’ is laughing so energetically like that.
Yeah. Totally awkward.
And am I seriously acting in ways I usually do with Natsune’s body?!
…Oh no?
Is this something I should confess with my life?
While I was sinking deep into such negative thoughts…
“…Ah! Right! It’s time for the broadcast!”
Suddenly, Natsune shouted.
★
VTubers usually split into two types of broadcasting.
The first type is where they set a plan for the broadcast.
From casual chat streams to scheduling everything and informing fans.
They never skip a broadcast unless it’s really important, and if they do, they’ll let everyone know through ways like a notifier.
A representative VTuber of this type is Ayaka.
Ayaka informs her fans, the ‘Ayaka’s Kids’, about all her schedules, except for surprise collaborations.
The advantage of this type is that fans can easily coordinate their schedules, but the downside is that there will inevitably be broadcasts that can’t be helped being missed.
And the second type is where they broadcast whenever they want, without much planning.
They turn on the broadcast whenever they feel like it.
For all sorts of reasons.
Because they’re bored. Because they want to talk to someone. Because they want to sleep, etc…
Sometimes they don’t say anything and just take breaks when they don’t want to broadcast.
This type has more downsides than upsides.
But since most of these VTubers are mood-driven, they often end up streaming longer than the first type, hence having more hardcore fans.
A well-known representative of this type is Nekoto.
She often starts collaborations or planned broadcasts without any notice.
And then there’s Natsune Nanase…
“Me? M-Me…?”
“Yeah. I made an announcement about turning on the broadcast during lunch today. Sure, I could do it myself, but my voice sounds way too different in this body…”
No need to say more; it was clearly the first type.
Because for Natsune, broadcasting was sort of like work.
Though she saw it more as a rest time with many external activities as the representative idol of Star’s Flow, broadcasting was still a job.
Eventually, it is about showing her face to people.
That’s why Natsune meticulously kept her broadcasting schedule while separating her activities as a virtual idol and virtual YouTuber… the complete opposite of Izumi, who was more of a second type.
“Izumi knows I’m the eighth star, so she knows my habits well, right? I don’t think anyone will notice. If a problem arises, I’ll help!”
“B-But… How dare I…?”
“It’s okay, it’s okay! If anything goes wrong, just blame it all on me.”
Izumi wanted to refuse Natsune’s suggestion no matter what.
She thought it was unthinkable to follow the person she admired, Natsune.
To copy her was an act of disrespect.
“I trust Izumi, okay?”
But because of her naturally introverted personality, Izumi was weak when it came to pushing back.
She couldn’t refuse easily.
Especially if the opponent was a Star’s Flow member and the person she admired, Natsune.
“Y-Yes! I-I’ll do my best!!!”
In the end, Izumi had no choice but to accept Natsune’s request while losing her mind.
[【Chat】Long time no see in the morning broadcast? Let’s have fun chatting together! #NatsuneNanase#StarsFlow]
-(☆≧▽^))☆☆
-(☆≧▽^))☆☆
And to be honest, Natsune thought Izumi would make tons of mistakes.
No matter how much help she provided, the fundamental differences in personality wouldn’t change.
Thus, at first, she even thought about canceling the broadcast, but the thought of having a morning broadcast for the first time in a long while and a hidden sadistic desire to see Izumi flustered surged.
“What should I do what should I do what should I do what should I do what should I do I can’t possibly follow Natsune. If I mess up, Natsune’s evaluation will drop…!”
But being pushed to the edge like that made Izumi…
“…Natsune’s evaluation dropping? Because of me?”
Somehow this had the opposite effect and awakened her.
“That should never happen.”
“Eh?”
“Trace on──.”
“Huh?!”
Izumi was, after all, the top-ranked eighth star.
No, she was one of the 13 fans who witnessed the debut of Natsune Nanase, the start of Star’s Flow.
And until now, she was the only eighth star who had Natsune Nanase as their absolute favorite.
Of course, Shoko from Atlas, a third-generation member, had also watched Natsune’s debut broadcast, but her affection was directed at all members of Star’s Flow, which set it apart from her bond with Izumi.
No one knew Natsune better than Izumi as an eighth star.
And now she had awakened here.
“Feel it, conceptualize it, replicate it, imitate it, empathize it, reproduce it, surpass it… and here, tie this illusion, I become Natsune…!”
“Eek?!”
It was 10 o’clock. Time to start the promised Natsune broadcast.
And Izumi…
“Hello everyone! This is Natsune Nanase, the shining star from dreams!”
Began to perfectly recreate Natsune.
“Oh, really? It’s indeed been a long time since we had a morning stream, so I’m super excited too!”
“Is this… Izumi…?”
“Yup! Oh, it’s true! Everyone is too mischievous! Be a little kinder to a girl!”
That sight was astonishing even for the real Natsune.
“Well then, everyone, Mata Natsune~!”
In the end, Izumi successfully wrapped up the broadcast.
It was a flawless broadcast where none of the eighth stars felt awkward, despite having quite a bit of a value-oriented fandom.
And in exchange for the awakening and rush that crossed her limits…
“I’m… done here….”
“Izumi!!!”
She had her eyes closed…
★
“…Yoru, are you not feeling well?”
“Ah, well, um….”
Natsune’s parents had left for work, so it was just the three of us: me, Natsune, and Sei having lunch.
Of course, my body was still Natsune.
That meant I had to act like Natsune in front of Sei.
Honestly, at first, I thought I should confess to Sei… but I couldn’t decline Natsune’s statement, ‘but lying is more fun.’
Fortunately, given I also have an older sister, it wasn’t hard to call Sei ‘sister’, but mimicking that usual atmosphere would be quite difficult.
“Seems like you’re low on energy today… Are you not feeling well?”
“I-I’m not, um….”
“Sei! The food is delicious today!”
“Is it, really? …Rather, Izumi seems very energized today.”
What if she noticed that our bodies had swapped?
That thought crossed my mind, but thankfully such a thing didn’t happen.
Well, if it were Sei, it wouldn’t be a huge problem even if she figured it out.
As I was sneaking glances while eating…
“Ah, sister. You’ve got rice on your cheek again. Always dropping….”
As if it was a common occurrence, Natsune wiped the rice off Sei’s cheek and then put it in her mouth….
“Ah?”
“I-Izumi?!”
“N-Nats…? Iz? Nats? Izumi?!”
“Ah, I-I’m really sorry?! I just saw my, uh, sister do this at home sometimes?!”
My sister has never done that even once?!
“Ah, y-yes… well, that could happen?! Um. Haha….”
W-Was Sei’s face turning red just now? Maybe it’s just my imagination…?
Yeah. She probably just got surprised like that…
★
“I’m sorry…. My sister has a slight ‘ponkotsu’ side, so it’s a habit….”
“Oh, it’s fine…. I think that’s quite possible.”
“Well, since we’re both girls, isn’t that okay…?”
“I-If you say so…?”
“And Izumi often does this too, so it shouldn’t be a problem….”
Huh?
“U-Um, wait a minute?! I’ve never done that!”
“It’s not defamation if it’s a fact! Accept it! I heard it from Tsukasa too!”
“Wha?!”
Huh? Why am I getting scolded for something Natsune did?
As I was being specifically lectured while confused…
“Yoru. Suzuha is here.”
“Ah, yeah…!”
Suzuha, whom I had called earlier before lunch, had arrived, Sei told me.
★
“…Wait a minute.”
Suzuha entered the room where Natsune and I were and seemed to stare at us without saying anything at the door.
Furrowing her brows slightly, as if investigating something.
“Wh-What’s wrong…?”
“Hm. I want to ask something… Is this Izumi?”
“Eh?”
Then Suzuha pointed her hand towards me…
Specifically, towards Yoru’s body.
How on earth?!