Chapter 8
Chapter 8
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 8
Chapter Title: Why Is My Fan Here?
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Finally, the day of the AGP event had arrived.
I threw on my usual casual clothes and slung an old sling bag from around the house over my shoulder as I got ready to head out.
"Milk, Dad's heading out. Take care of the house."
"Meow."
After bidding farewell to Milk, I stepped out of the house.
Basking in the sunlight, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd been going out a lot more since the Tweet party.
Sure, I occasionally headed out for the gym or personal errands even on normal days, but those felt like just spinning the same old hamster wheel of routine. Outings like this always filled me with anticipation.
⚙ TODAY'S FORTUNE ⚙ Today's fortune is 'Delayed Fate from a Past Life'. A fleeting coincidence from the past returns as destiny today. Don't take meetings lightly. Even if today passes, hold onto the belief that you might reunite—what do you say? On my way to the subway station, I checked today's fortune out of habit, and it held some intriguingly meaningful words.
A past coincidence returning as destiny, huh. Had there been any recent encounter worth that?
"I really hope you know there's someone who thinks the world of you, Cosmo. Sometimes it feels like you don't realize how precious you are."
Racking my brain, one face suddenly came to mind.
If there's anyone I'd want to run into again, it'd be her. Though the odds of that kind of coincidence are slim.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...Insane."
Arriving at the Atex venue where AGP was being held, an exclamation—half awe, half groan—slipped from my lips.
Whoa, what the hell is all this?
People always call crowds "ant swarms," but I never thought I'd see one for real. How many are even here? Can we get in before the day's over?
I should've just skipped if I knew it'd be this bad. The sponsor even said the line would be too long, so no need to bother showing up.
They hadn't sent tickets anyway, so I'd come at my own expense.
Part of me wants to turn back now, but it'd be a waste after coming this far.
Besides, they entrusted an ad to a small-timer like me—I gotta do it right. I can weave in AGP updates with the ad stream later for Just Chatting material.
Yeah, the line's shrinking at a decent pace. Patience brings blessings, as the ancients said. I'll stick it out.
"Excuse me, could you step aside for a moment...!"
"...Huh?"
I'd just pulled out my phone to kill time properly.
Amid the crowd's murmurs, a familiar voice caught my ear. I whipped my head around on reflex.
Wait, isn't that...?
"Pardon me, excuse me. Sorry about that."
She slipped into the line so smoothly I wondered if I'd misseen, but no way I'd mistake that beauty. Convinced, I left my hard-earned spot for the back.
There, my eyes met those of a woman at the very end—and we both widened them in unison.
And well,
"C-Co-Cosmo...!?"
"Huh...? You're the one from the Tweet party, right?"
It was none other than the woman who'd declared herself my fan at the Tweet party.
In that instant, this morning's fortune flashed through my mind like a panorama.
No way, it was actually spot on? That thing's scarily accurate.
"Ah, hello. Fancy running into you here."
She bowed politely in an ivory coat and checkered tennis skirt that looked freezing.
Why'd she dress so thin? Doesn't she feel the cold?
"Yeah. Here for AGP today?"
"Yes. Curious about the game you advertised, and thought I'd check out the rest too."
"I see. You don't strike me as the type into this stuff—surprising."
I'd said it tactfully, but bluntly: someone this pretty didn't seem like she'd hit up an otaku event. She looked more the art gallery type, appreciating fine works.
"Weren't you up front in line? Why back here...?"
"Oh, I heard a familiar voice. Checked it out, saw a face I knew, so I came."
I realized my slip too late.
Not my intent, but from her angle, it might sound like I was hitting on her.
You know, guys don't waste time on girls they're not into. And with her looks, she'd fended off plenty of sly approaches—made me uneasy.
"Ah...! Thank you. I spotted you and wanted to at least say hi, but worried it'd be too much..."
Luckily, she didn't take it wrong. Her smile eased my guilt.
Whew, I thought the same at the party—this sweet, gorgeous fan of mine? Did I save a country in a past life?
"Nah, no bother at all. Sorry if I came off too forward."
"N-No...! It's fine. I'm happy, actually..."
"Glad to hear it."
Being streamer and fan helps here.
In everyday life, approaching a beauty like her after one meeting? She'd probably click her tongue at my nerve.
"Wanna line up together since we met? It's boring; could use the company."
"Company...? I-I'll do my best."
"No need to push yourself..."
Just a casual suggestion, but she clenched her fist with determination, leaving me stunned.
Mature vibe, but surprisingly innocent type.
As we chatted idly—what'd you have for breakfast, line's longer than expected—I noticed she only spoke up with "Um..." or "If you don't mind..."
Hmm, waiting'll take ages. Can't keep doing that the whole time.
"Oh yeah, what should I call you? Didn't catch your Tweet handle at the party..."
Gathering courage, I asked about a name. Her eyes darted wildly, like she was glitching.
"Ah... Um, that is, a name..."
She stammered, clearly flustered, starting and stopping endlessly.
Ah, maybe sharing her name or handle's awkward? Personal reasons?
Some might call it standoffish, but everyone's got circumstances. Prying would be rude.
Compromise time. What could work...? Aha!
"If sharing your name's tricky, how about 'sis'?"
"Y-Yes? S-S-S-Sis?"
My brainstormed idea hit her like a broken puppet repeating "Sis? Sis?"
"You said to call you that at the party. It just popped into my head."
We'd barely talked then—was it too presumptuous? I watched her reaction carefully.
She didn't seem opposed.
"I-I'm fine with it... You sure, Cosmo?"
"No issue for me. Got a real sister, so it's natural."
"Right, you did mention that."
I'd brought her up on stream a few times, so she knew. She nodded vigorously, convinced.
Good, green light.
"Sis it is for today then. Tell me if it's weird; we'll find another way."
"No, I'm thrilled, actually..."
"Haha, that puts me at ease."
No way she's that happy over "sis," but appreciating my comfort means a lot.
"Aren't you cold, sis? Cold wave warning today..."
The name seemed to warm things up, so I pointed out her thin outfit.
Everyone else bundled in puffer jackets or layers; she stood out unprepared.
"I-I'm fine. Pretty tough with cold... Achoo!"
"Doesn't look it."
She tried acting tough, hiding red cheeks, but sneezed mid-sentence.
She'll catch a cold... No choice.
"Pocket this at least. It'll help."
"Huh? This is..."
I handed over the hot pack from my right pocket. She stared blankly at me and it. Knows what it is, right?
"I'm layered enough. Don't worry, use it."
"N-No...! I can manage... Achoo!"
"No stubbornness."
For a close pal, I'd give my jacket, but that'd overwhelm her. This is perfect.
I practically shoved it into her hands with a smile; her already flushed face went beet red.
"Why dress so thin anyway? No one special to impress."
Watching her thaw with the hot pack sparked my curiosity. Boyfriend? Nah, no need to freeze for that.
"J-Just... Looking pretty's nice, right?"
"...?"
Her bland reply came with fiddling the hot pack, staring at it.
Hard to look bad on you, I wanted to say—but couldn't blurt it to her face. Swallowed it down.
How long had we waited?
The line to the building had shrunk fast meanwhile.