Friend Request, Please
"Add me as a friend, please."
"You didn't have to come out to see me off..."
"I couldn't possibly do that after troubling you, Tsukiyo-senpai."
"Ahaha, how kind. Isn't she, Yui-chan?"
Tsukiyo-san covered her mouth lightly as she smiled. That gentle, elegant poise made me feel something truly adult—like a real grown woman, utterly unlike me—and I could only stare blankly.
I stood near the apartment entrance, waving my hand back and forth. Tsukiyo-san would glance back at me now and then until she turned the corner and vanished from sight. Then I slowly walked back to my room.
Truth be told, letting her go like this left a bitter aftertaste, so I'd wanted to at least treat her to dinner. But she clearly didn't want that, so there was nothing for it. I could tell it wasn't just polite refusal.
I still couldn't remember last night, but there were no lingering effects on my body. Normally, after pounding drinks, you'd get a splitting headache, unexplained nausea, or your stomach turning inside out until you were glued to the toilet. None of that happened.
Then again, if what Tsukiyo-san said was true, I blacked out after just a little beer. It'd be weirder if I still had a hangover from that. The alcohol's effects must've worn off completely by now.
In my past life, I'd never heard I was a lightweight. I wasn't one to drink on whims or party with crowds, but I handled it decently by nature. I could down two bottles of soju without much trouble.
I hated how alcohol muddled my mind, making me fear I'd blurt out secrets I kept hidden. But anyway...
Today's stream was done, and it was a bit early for dinner. Suddenly, the day felt empty—what to do? I could hit the gym or take a vocal lesson, but bluntly? Too much hassle.
I considered napping again, but that felt off too. Forcing my habitual flop onto the bed, I sat at my desk instead and booted up the PC.
Much faster boot than my old one. Worth the price for the performance, though it sometimes sparked worries. Streams never showed this screen, so I used it for private stuff, but what if something leaked...?
Silly paranoia, I knew, but my timid nature kept circling back. With a sigh, I opened the browser.
I typed in a site I'd deliberately avoided and searched.
Slow loading, then the results I wanted.
Not much buzz in the gallery, same for Tsukiyo-san. Just a few scattered posts about us.
Shizuri—that is, Tsukiyo-san—got mostly praise, but I drew tons of hate. Strictly about the streams themselves, minus the pandering bits.
Voice doesn't match the pandering, feels like an auntie faking cute, husky from fat, pig bitch... Pages of raw insults.
Surprisingly, I felt nothing. Or rather, I did—a sense of relief.
This was a Korean site, but Japan probably had similar thoughts. Definitely. Realizing that meant I'd perfectly hidden my "Ito Yui" self. Shouldn't I be satisfied?
Getting trashed by randos is massive stress. Celebs and idols always complain about it; I'd experienced it pre-reincarnation too.
Those "petty grudge" boards where, after some drama, someone posts "This guy's total trash, join in roasting." I got archived there once. Not brushed off as "OP's an idiot"—hundreds of comments. Agitators pretending to defend me, real haters raging. Huge flamewar.
Including mine, sure. I wasn't blameless, but the poster fucked up too. Takes two to clap.
Ate every insult imaginable, even in-game whispers from strangers. That's when I got why celebs dread hate comments.
But now? No anger or care toward my haters. Not just tough mentals... My brain hasn't fully linked "Tensai = me." Like watching someone else get flamed, or a villain actor catching heat.
"Tch..."
Head suddenly throbbing, I irritably closed the browser. Ego-searching souring mood was predictable, but this felt different.
No point dwelling; it'd just sour more. I launched the game.
Irritated? Game it.
Headset on. Annoyance since turning girl: flipping hair over ears every time, or it itches annoyingly.
I disliked earbuds for streams; used headset for solo gaming.
Quick load to Valkyries main screen; queued instantly.
No practice range warmups like a normie. True gamers are always ready, peak performance.
Gold rank—average players. Matched in seconds.
Didn't expect pro skills in this body, but FPS like Valkyries? Manageable. Low stamina drain sans focus.
Consistent play? Diamond easy. Objective, not hype—I'm carrying most games, high winrate.
Beyond? Talent or grind. Not confident.
Vicone packed FPS fans—most women VTubers too. Minimum skill essential for collabs, avoid "boosting" gripes.
Stamina limits daily play, slowing climb. Exercise per Reiko-san's "suggestion," but two months won't miracle gains.
Alright... time to slaughter.
As I moved to unseal the demon in my right hand, a voice pierced my ear.
"Please take care of me~"
"Take care of us!!"
"Whoa!?"
"Ah, sorry. Mic settings a bit off."
Cute girl's voice hyped me; startled another's greeting. Mumbled mic excuse.
Meanwhile, scanning for the cute voice owner. You, 4-pick.
Girls everywhere around me—90%+. Reiko-san, Tsukiyo-san, group chats. Easy to game with girls.
But... friends vs. random match? Different thrill. No reason, but morale skyrockets. Must win now.
Perk of girlhood: Flirt without looking creepy. Creepy uncle "Hey ○○-chan, got cash, want anything?" vs. girl asking? Worlds apart.
Girl gamers common, but bubbly greeting from cute voice? Rare. Super hyped.
Last game ever? Fine. Focused.
No slow-mo illusion, but crushed with flashy skill as usual. Babysat the girl too—gentlemanly, probably charmed her?
Post-win, triumphant: "4-pick sis, friend add possible? Duo sometime?"
"Ah, um. Sorry, thanks for the carry!"
"Ah."
She curtly replied and left. Froze staring at empty slot.
Thought she'd accept... Whatever, common. Next queue, new connection...
Ah.