Chapter 103
Chapter 103
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 103
Chapter Title: Falling from a Greater Height
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"Ugh... umm..."
Myth opened her eyes precisely at 10 a.m.
It was right after the morning sun hit her face.
The scent of Legend's body filled her nostrils. Unlike the soft fluffiness of her own blanket, the rough texture of his wrapped around her body in a pleasant way.
How did I end up sleeping here?
Her memories after last night were hazy.
That was when she finally noticed something odd about her body.
"Huh? Aren't my clothes a bit thinner than usual...?"
She lifted the blanket slightly and saw a black bikini underneath.
Only then did the events of last night flash back through her mind, a wave of embarrassment crashing over her all at once.
Did I really cause all that chaos yesterday and pass out?
"Kyaaaaah!!!"
Bang bang bang! Her toes kicked the blanket away.
She'd acted all mature and pushed things forward, only to faint from her own embarrassment in the end.
What if Legend's disappointed?
Myth shot up and whipped her head left and right, but Legend was nowhere to be seen.
"He's not here."
Maybe he went for a walk.
...If only I'd woken up a little earlier, I could've seen him sleeping. Myth smacked her lips in regret.
Since he's not here anyway, it should be fine to relax a bit.
Myth grabbed Legend's blanket, hugging it to her chest like a treasure and inhaling deeply.
Her heart tingled as her lungs filled with her boyfriend's scent.
"Sssip... haa..."
After indulging for a while, Myth carefully got out of bed.
Even at home, wandering around in just a bikini felt a bit much.
It might be okay at night when darkness hides everything, but in broad daylight, even indoors, it was embarrassing.
That's when she spotted a single piece of clothing draped over a chair.
A Post-it note was stuck to it.
『Since you don't know the house passcode, I left my clothes here for now. My body's all stiff from working too long, so I'm heading out for a walk.』
"My boyfriend's the best."
Myth smiled happily as she slipped on Legend's shirt.
It was much too big for her.
It felt just like being enveloped in Legend's arms, a deep sense of fulfillment washing over her.
"Gasp, could this be... my boyfriend's shirt...?"
Realizing this was the moment she'd dreamed of, affection surged wildly within her.
As she lay back on the bed rereading the Post-it, she noticed something more written on the back.
"Huh?"
『Also, I finished one this time—could you give it a review?』
A review had to mean the new Myth avatar he'd made.
Up she went.
Myth sprang out of bed.
Being the first to see Legend's new creations was always her privilege.
"Huh. I'm kinda excited."
As she searched for the file, Myth realized she was looking forward to it more than she'd imagined.
Anything Legend made would be great, of course, but this time her heart was racing like never before.
The next evolution of Myth.
The avatar that had reigned at the top of the VTuber world for nearly seven years.
How could she not be excited?
Myth clicked on the absurdly named file: myth_real_final_of_the_final_final_final_final_real_true_end_final_real_true_true_true_end.
"...Wow."
All she could do was let out a genuine exclamation of awe.
...Is this really okay to release to the public?
She had no grudge against Mika, but...
"Sorry, Mika. Looks like I'm winning this one too."
No, I've already won.
Myth flashed a smile brimming with the certainty of victory.
The tangy acidity of tomatoes blended with ketchup's sweetness in perfect harmony, wrapped softly by fluffy eggs.
Today's lunch was homemade tomato egg stir-fry.
I'd been tired of ordering takeout every time, so lately I'd been studying simple recipes—and luckily, Myth loved them.
"It's delicious...! Legend! Sooo good...! Way better than any average Chinese restaurant...!!!!"
Myth's eyes sparkled as she shoveled the tomato egg stir-fry—aka "tom-egg fry"—into her mouth like mad.
She was probably hyping me up on purpose, but I gratefully accepted the praise.
"Thanks. Maybe it's because the recipe's easy, but I'm glad you like it."
"No, this isn't just 'good'—it's... augh!!"
Watching her enjoy it so much made cooking all the more rewarding.
I'd have to research more varied and tasty dishes from now on.
Anyway, lunch time passed, and we settled in front of the TV.
I naturally tried to lie on her thigh, but Myth firmly refused.
"Lying down right after eating can cause acid reflux, Legend."
"Eek."
It wasn't some big issue—just a very practical reason.
"So, when do we reveal the swimsuit? The sooner the better?"
"Hmm..."
Myth tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Let's do it next week, after Mika reveals hers."
"Huh? If we're doing it, shouldn't we go early—or at least at the same time?"
"Doing it simultaneously would feel too much like a showdown. Viewers might love it, but Mika would shatter."
Myth had never wanted to crush Mika or claim an overwhelming first place.
She knew Mika had a fierce competitive spirit toward her, and that she'd poured a ton of effort and expectation into this project.
Hearing that, Legend pulled back slightly.
"...Aren't you overrating my avatar a bit? Worst case, if DreamLive did better, we'd get buried without a sound."
Usually, Myth's planning skills could've pulled it off somehow, but this time was different.
This was a pure avatar showdown, like a weight-class competition—VTuber charm didn't matter much.
The avatar was everything.
This summer was all about surpassing with the avatar alone.
"Hmm... True, there haven't been any real head-to-head battle events like this before. I get the tension."
"Right? So better to hit them with a surprise first strike..."
"But don't worry."
Myth stroked my head.
"No avatar will surpass this one—at least not in the VTuber scene for a while."
Her eyes filled with utter conviction.
"So, for Mika's sake, let's let her have a little fun first."
"...Myth, isn't that just mental torture?"
No, it's just building her up high only to drop her harder.
Myth, you scary girl.
I closed my eyes and silently prayed for Mika.
...Though my contribution was probably bigger, anyway.
"Hehe. It might look that way. Still, let's give her a bit of space."
"So our reveal is..."
"Like I said, a week after Mika's."
Myth's eyes gleamed.
That day would be when the new "me" you created steps into the world.
Aah, my heart's about to burst.
Myth beamed with an ecstatic smile she couldn't contain.
"Hoo. I'm a little nervous."
In DreamLive's massive studio, Mika steadied her breathing.
Stages she'd climbed countless times, cameras she'd faced over and over.
She was so used to it all that her heart hadn't raced before going on stage in years.
But today, the tension felt fresh and long-missed.
"Hey~ Mika-senpai. What's got you nervous?"
"...Ugh, don't call me senpai, Maki."
"I just got excited seeing you tense."
Maki laughed heartily.
"That pumped? If it goes well, you can finally surpass Myth this time?"
"It's not 'if.' I'm definitely surpassing her this time. Myth hasn't even given an official response to our provocations. That's basically her forfeiting."
"Hmph. Kinda looks that way. Personally, my unease hasn't gone away yet."
"Still on that?"
Mika glared at Maki.
Maki shrugged.
What could she do? Her head was convinced DreamLive would win, but her wild instincts screamed otherwise.
Myth and that absurd duo with QWER weren't the type to hand over victory easily.
Mika sighed at Maki's expression.
"Just watch from there. You'll see me claim the top spot today."
"Heh heh, even if we blow up this time, you won't catch up in subscribers right away."
"Who cares if it takes months? Proving I can surpass her is what matters."
—Mika! Please come up to the stage!
At the staff's call, Mika tossed her water to Maki and stood.
"I'll be back."
"Mm. I'll cheer with this body of mine."
Finally, finally.
The moment she'd longed for was approaching.
Mika's eyes burned with competitive fire.