The Tentacle Queen's Eternal Fan
Esther looked far more girlish than her usual carefree, cute little-sister vibe—the one you might expect from her original personality. I'd never seen her this thrilled, not even in her magical girl days. Staring at her flushed face, I let out a proud sigh, completely shedding my tension as I said,
"If you thought that was a perfect answer... looks like the fan club slacked off."
"It was the best answer. Especially when they said my name means 'star,' but that Ash and Rapid were the sun and moon, so it didn't suit me—I was so upset I deleted my profile!"
"Ah~ so that's why you deleted it..."
...It was just an anonymous comment from me. I still remembered it clearly. Though it was a bit different from what Esther recalled.
It was open to interpretation, but I'd meant it as the three of them getting along great and making a perfect trio. Apparently, it rubbed Esther the wrong way. The girl who'd been beaming with joy suddenly froze, her expression stiffening as she asked me,
"So, what do you think? Impressions of meeting Esther herself?"
"The best, the absolute best... overflowing with charm, so cute, so cool."
"Cute and cool? You mean that?"
Esther didn't smile at my answer. Instead, she wore a strange look before leaning in with a cold smile.
"...Out of my current appearance, which part looks the most charming to you?"
It was a simple question, but instinct made my spine tingle. No idea why, but it felt loaded. After a moment's thought, I nodded toward the horns—the biggest change since her Negative infection.
"Obviously the horns! These horns... they give off this little-devil vibe, but with such powerful magic. Isn't it cool? They suit you perfectly."
"Really...? Hmm... You really like the horns? Even after I became a Negative?"
"Negative or not, you're still Esther to me. To me, you're always a magical girl."
"Heh, heh... hehe... Really? You sure know how to talk."
It was a suck-up skill honed from dealing with the octopus department head—makes office life easier. I don't do it often, but when it's hopeless, flattery gets the job done. Lip service any programmer can manage. Truth be told, I hated the horns. Terrifying. Sharp enough to impale me right now. My heart raced from fear.
"You're a weird one. Liking the horns."
"It's not the horns—it's you, Esther."
"Heh, heh... Really?"
"Come to think of it, you wore horns during that Halloween cosplay stream, right? The little-devil costume... maybe that's the image that stuck with me."
Those were tiny headband horns, about a finger-length. The ones on her head now were massive handle-like grips you could grab with both hands. Size, shape, sharpness—all different.
"That was a video from years ago..."
"I watched it just yesterday, though?"
Pure lie. I'd watched it so many times I had it memorized.
"I'm still subscribed to your channel."
"What? Are you insane?! I don't even run it anymore!"
Esther's vlogs sometimes turned into live battles if Negatives attacked. Unlike secretive Rapid and Ash, she flaunted everything—begging to be seen, spilling secrets. Her ViewTube channel was full of appeals and info. If I caught even a hint of Rapid's voice, I'd bolt to collect traces. Truth is, I joined her fan club and paid for premium not for Esther's streams, but for Rapid intel, her voice, and early alerts on her deployments—hard-to-get stuff. That's why I stayed subscribed right up to her infection. I'd prepaid years' worth for the discount. ViewTube requires the owner to approve cancellations. Stuck subscribing to a dead channel for another three years.
"...So, did you see the last video?"
"Uh..."
I swallowed hard at her words. I knew exactly which one. Even after turning Negative, she uploaded while lucid—before her account got banned. Her screaming, wailing video was legendary. Rapid was shattered; Ash announced she'd delete it herself and hunt down anyone with copies, Negative or human. Even MaJinSa purged it. I missed it, tormented by the octopus boss. How to play this? I decided to stonewall.
"Never heard of it."
"What...?"
"No idea."
I hadn't seen it, but pretended ignorance anyway. She probably hated it too—safe bet.
"R-Really...? Doesn't matter, I guess. You're a real fan anyway."
"What does being a true, genuine, diehard fan have to do with it?"
"Ahahaha, you're funny... I only said I'd kill the traitors. Not you... a loyal fan who accepts me as a Negative?"
Good—maybe not the perfect answer, but not wrong. Loyal fan: solid keyword. Rubbing my palms eagerly, I poured on the devotion.
"I was worried you'd lose to that Grape bitch... but you won! Such a relief!"
"As if I'd lose to Grape~ Ahahaha!"
"Nnghhuuu! Ooooh...!"
Suddenly, Grape's legs thrashed—her upper body swallowed by tentacles. But the tentacle plunging her pussy gushed more fluids, as if commanding stillness, and she quieted. Grape bucked wildly, forcing Esther and me to shut up and stare. Our eyes met in a gaze too tender for the Tentacle Queen. She saw me fully as her fan. Negative or not, she still cherished fans. A true fan who'd aced her quiz? No way she'd kill me. Yet the chill and dread lingered.
Voice trembling, I asked the smiling Esther,
"S-So... you'll let me go, right?"
"Ahaha! Of course! Obviously! Oh! One last question! Answer right, and your wish is granted!"
"Phew!"
Her casual attitude—like I'd asked the obvious—convinced me I was safe. She pointed a finger, grinning wide.
"Esther Fan Club: the meaning of Meteor Shower, and the fans' wish?"
"Uh... to become stars following Esther... forever together...?"
"Correct!"
Too easy for a final question. No obscure video knowledge needed—just the fan club site's main banner. But... answering brought an inexplicable chill.
"Do you like tentacles by any chance?"
"I-I like tentacles too..."
"Which kind? Hmm~ You sweet-talk so well, how about lots of Split Mouths, those Swarm ones with bumps... and special Tender ones with knots for massaging me?"
Creepier by the second. Why ask my tentacle preferences...? She'd said she'd spare me—maybe release me now? But no, she plopped me beside her tentacle throne, binding me tight with tentacles like she had no intention of letting go.
"Waa~ Number 1 likes you too! So cute, it's wrapped you up tight."
"...Number 1?"
Chill turned to cold sweat. The tentacle felt... gentle. Not the violent brutality for others—intimate, like a comrade. Lovingly caressing, cradling me.
...Wait, she'd only promised not to kill me if I passed. Never said she'd release me. "Spare" didn't mean free. Denying the worst, voice shaking, I asked,
"...Um, this tentacle..."
"It's Number 1! Number 88's over there~ Didn't like it, so only two penis heads. But for you, tons!"
"...Meteor Shower forever together?"
"Forever together!"
...That's not what I meant?
