Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: Welcome Back
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That day felt strangely off from the start.
"Unnie, it's time to get up. I get that you're exhausted after the live stream—a hundred times over—but you've got a recording session at the company today."
"Ugh... Ouriya... Our Ouriya... Can I just sleep ten more minutes? Pretty please?"
"Sure, go ahead. If you want to leave the entire agency staff out on the street, that is."
"Sorry... I'll get up..."
Myth was forcibly pried from the hotel bed by her manager Yuuri's not-quite-a-threat threat, her eyelids still protesting that it was too early.
She'd clearly slept in the suite room provided by the inviting company, yet her body felt inexplicably drained.
Maybe she'd overdone it with the drinks after the live stream.
Her condition was far from normal.
"I'll go check if the other staff are up and wait in the hotel lobby. Just wash up and come down within an hour, unnie."
"Got it. Thanks."
We left Myth behind and headed out of the room first.
Myth let out a sigh as she watched us go.
She was older, but how were we so mature?
All she could feel was gratitude toward the company that had introduced her to such a gem.
"Still, I've got things to do."
Before heading to wash up, Myth grabbed her phone.
It was her routine—something she did the moment she woke up and whenever she thought of it afterward.
It was early this morning, but that shouldn't matter.
...You won't hear it anyway.
Feeling a faint bitterness at that reality, Myth opened Xcode.
- Legend, I'm awake.
- Heading out from the hotel now for some schedule stuff, then to the airport this evening.
- Japan and Korea are close, so I'll come straight to meet you once I land.
- I bought tons of souvenirs—hope I get to give them to you (★≧▽^))★☆
- Picked up this emoticon in Japan; it's super cute (☆ω☆*）
- See you soon!
She logged her daily life.
So that when Legend woke up, it wouldn't feel awkward for Myth.
Sharing days that couldn't quite reach each other.
Afterward, Myth headed into the shower.
"Ooh, nice and warm."
The hot water pouring from the showerhead gently roused Myth's half-submerged mind from sleep.
Unfortunately, only for a moment.
"Huh?! W-wait, what's going on?!"
The water cut off abruptly with a sharp click.
Myth panicked, tapping the showerhead a few times and fiddling with the faucet, but no water came out.
She'd just been about to lather up—talk about awkward timing.
"Unnie! You in there?!"
"Ouriya! No water's coming out!"
"They just said the water main under the hotel burst! Water's out everywhere—oh... you're in the shower."
"W-what do I do?"
"...I'll grab as much bottled water as I can for now. At least rinse off the soap."
Somehow, the day had started on a rotten note.
"Ow?!"
"Myth-unnie?! Oh no, your high heel broke."
"Ugh. These were pretty worn, but I didn't expect them to snap today."
"Hold on, unnie. I'll grab some sneakers from the suitcase."
On the way to the collab recording with the Japanese VTuber, her high heel had broken.
Maybe she'd stepped at just the wrong angle on a jutting stone.
Luckily, no twisted ankle, but the embarrassment was unavoidable.
"Here, sneakers, unnie. What a jinxed day."
"Tell me about it. Gotta watch myself extra on days like this."
At that point, Myth and we had no idea.
That this was just the beginning of a day full of misfortunes.
"Whoa?! Rain?! The sky was clear just a minute ago?!"
"Unnie! Nearest building first... Ah, crosswalk signal's against us now!"
The weather service had called for clear skies all day.
Myth and we ducked into the nearest building to escape the sudden downpour.
"Ugh, so sticky. Good thing there's spare clothes in the suitcase. We'll change before heading into the studio."
"Sounds good. See? Our Ouriya's preparedness is double thorough."
"...Hearing that from the one who made me double thorough feels kinda weird."
Even with the soggy sneakers' gross squish, Myth didn't lose her smile.
"Unnie really never loses that smile, no matter what. How do you do it?"
We—her manager—asked out of pure curiosity.
Myth's mouth opened and closed a few times before she quietly stroked our head.
"I think happiness is just one little step away."
"...I get the feeling."
We shared a story only we could.
Their faces, as they spoke, looked a little sad.
(The italicized text is Japanese.)
Streets where the stars tumble down.
We keep on running endlessly.
Because we believe tomorrow's sky will be blue!!!
The powerful tones of Japan's famous VTuber Mari shook the studio.
Myth ramped up her emotions to match the clean highlight delivery of her collab partner.
"Racing toward the blue sky~"
"Ah, cut cut. Myth, it's 'running,' not 'racing while.'"
"Oh, what am I doing? One more time, please."
Myth bowed her head quickly.
She'd never flubbed lyrics before—only pitch maybe.
Myth cautiously checked her throat.
With all the bad luck today, was her condition off?
The Japanese girl, Mari, approached with a bright smile at Myth's seriousness.
"What, Myth? Nervous in front of a super-genius elite beauty like me?"
"Haha. Guess so, Mari."
"Aw, no fun if you admit it so easy. I'm super nervous in front of the world's top VTuber too, y'know. Don't stress."
"Thanks for saying that."
Her broadcast persona was the classic 'bratty loli,' but reality was different, as expected.
That was the charm of VTubing, after all.
You could be anyone.
A possibility no other job could match.
The recording continued.
- Cut.
- Cut.
- Cut.
Along with the countless cuts from Myth's mistakes.
Normally, they'd halt for the day if a singer's condition was this off, but Myth was Korean.
She had to fly back home tonight.
"Myth, focus a bit more."
"...Yes."
Myth closed her eyes tightly, then opened them.
Yeah, today was definitely a jinxed day.
The recording wrapped 30 minutes past schedule.
"Great take! Looking forward to the final product!"
"Sorry it took so long..."
"No no, happens all the time. You were so cooperative—it was a pleasure."
The director naturally gave a thumbs-up.
30 minutes overrun? Standard in any studio.
If anything, he was grateful for the courtesy from a mega VTuber with 5 million subs.
Not everyone treated fame with respect.
"Fun recording, Myth."
"Sorry, Mari. I dragged it out."
"Nah, if you're gonna overrun, make it longer. Wanted more time together."
"Hehe. Thanks—that means a lot. Wanna follow each other? Come to Korea next time; I'll treat you."
"O-oh!! For real?!"
"Yup. Anytime."
Short meeting, fond farewell behind them, Myth and the staff piled into the van.
"About an hour to the airport, unnie. Rest up."
"Nah, can't sleep while you all work."
"Just sleep. You've got streams tomorrow."
"Right, starting tomorrow—top secret for viewers—five-day all-nighter horror stream? Goal: watch the New Year's bells together!"
"Whoa, for real?! I'll join the live from day one."
"...You've got work tomorrow."
"No rule against checking phone at work."
"There is!"
The lively van set off, and exactly 30 minutes later...
"...Hey, someone wake Myth-unnie."
"This real?"
"Tell me it's fake. Sinkhole in the middle of the highway? Road closed? Come on."
"I'll book flights. Ugh, headache."
"Zzz... Zzz..."
Screams echoed through the van.
Truly, a rotten day all around.
We were supposed to land at 5 p.m., but after endless mishaps and bad luck (not Yuuri), we finally made it back to Korea at 11:30 p.m.
"At least we got in. Was bracing for another night."
"Last flight had exactly four seats left. Lucky."
"You okay, unnie? No visiting tonight like this."
To our words, I gave a wry smile.
"Gotta go now. No overdoing it this time—head home separate. I'll taxi."
"...Unnie, not my place, but you'll get sick. Dawn visits again?"
"Thanks for worrying. But things to do."
While I chatted with us, immigration wrapped up unnoticed.
Stepping out the gate, cool air hit with the murmur of people—all in Korean, so welcoming after just three days away.
Though late night meant the airport wasn't crowded.
"Hey, look over there."
"What?"
Laughter from the staff ahead.
"Foreigner at arrivals holding a 'I'm home' sign."
"Haha, easy mix-up."
Their words turned my head automatically.
"Huh."
And time stopped.
Huh.
Oh.
Ooooh.
Weird.
Thoughts wouldn't sort in my head.
Heart pounding like it might burst.
Where was this again?
The world faded.
The vast airport scenery.
The chattering crowds.
Before me now, only you.
『I'm home.』
You, holding that sign.
You, giving an awkward smile, unsure of your expression.
Weird.
You were getting closer.
Really fast.
It didn't take long to realize it was me running toward you.
I ran.
Ran.
Ignoring stares around me.
Thanks to the delayed flight from all the bad luck, the airport was near-empty.
I never knew I could run this insanely fast.
The sneakers from Japan's misfortunes let me reach you a bit quicker.
Sorry.
Don't know how to stop.
I crashed straight into your arms.
No braking whatsoever.
In your embrace, I tried my best to stifle my bursting heart.
Knowing it was futile.
'Can't lift my head.'
What if it's a mistake?
What if you're gone when I look?
As if sweeping away my fears, your arms pulled me close.
"Hey."
"U-uwaaaah----!!!!!"
A voice I'd gone years without hearing.
The voice I'd longed for all my life.
Your voice, after seven years silent.
Coming from right above me.
My aching, pounding heart commanded me not to look up.
Threatening to explode for real.
Don't care.
Explode then.
I lifted my head.
There you were.
The you I'd watched over for seven years.
"...You're crying a lot, huh?"
You, looking down at me.
Tears overflowing annoyingly blurred my vision.
"A-ugh... Aaaah!!!!"
A wordless wail.
But that's why it conveyed my heart so desperately.
I hope it did.
This bursting feeling.
This aching longing.
"I'm home."
"Welcome... baaack---!!!"
Happiness and sorrow are just one step apart.
And for me, you are that step.
With you, my world is happy.
One December day.
A week shy of New Year's.
You came back to me.
Thank you.