【This_Code : Leviathan Server】
Hanabane Rui
[This week, there's a match between Behemoth vs. Cerberus.]
[Just like the last Gryphon match, we'll be doing a co-stream again.]
[If you can participate, press the heart button.]
♡7
For some reason, all the members of Leviathan ended up participating this time.
Even the owner, Choi Gaho, was included.
"That's unusual."
Choi Gaho always gave off the impression of keeping a distance from the team members. So, I assumed he wouldn't join in on something like this.
It wasn't even a matter of being too busy as a pro gamer—other teams seemed to get along fine with their owners. For example, I'd seen Cerberus' owner playing Path of Exile 2 with the team before.
'Maybe that's why.'
Our Leviathan members had grown pretty close. To be honest, it was hard to say that the owner being left out felt good.
Perhaps Choi Gaho was aware of that and decided to join the collab this time. Maybe he was using this as an opportunity to bond with the team.
And so, the co-stream for the Behemoth vs. Cerberus match was set.
"…It's been a while since I came over, but why is the house such a mess?"
Sora had come to visit.
"What can we do? Rion still comes home late these days."
Honestly, this was only manageable because it was the end of the year and New Year's period. With the holidays and breaks, at least some housework was getting done.
But in February, things would probably pile up again.
There weren’t any major holidays in February, and since it hadn't even been a year since Rion became a manager, she probably wouldn’t have much vacation time.
Until now, people like Chel or Ainatsu had been staying over from time to time, so it wasn’t much of an issue. But starting in February, we might really need to hire a housekeeper.
Anyway.
"So, what brings you here?"
She had mentioned coming over before, but I hadn't heard the exact reason.
When I asked, Sora tilted her head as if confused.
"Do I need a reason at this point? It's not like this is my first time visiting."
"But you don't come over that often, do you?"
"Compared to others, I think I come over pretty frequently."
"Hmm."
The person who had stayed over the longest in a single stretch was probably Ainatsu. The one who visited regularly on a set schedule was Anna.
As for Sora, there was a time when she used to visit often, but lately, she hadn't been around as much.
"…I couldn't help it. I've been busy with the MV lately."
Sora let out a sigh.
"And before that, I was preparing for the Fantasy League application… I think I visited whenever I had the time."
"So basically, you have some free time now?"
"Yeah. The MV recordings are mostly done, and I'll be free until the new outfit stream."
So she came to visit.
That worked out well for me.
"Since you're here, help out with the housework. Oh, and bring me some tea while you're at it."
"…You never change."
She gave me an exasperated look but shrugged as if she was already used to it.
***
Son Narin
[Laura, you mentioned planning to do a 3D stream.]
[We're currently looking into a dance trainer. It looks like it'll work out.]
[But have you decided on a song?]
[I don’t know much about music, but I do know that some songs are easier to choreograph than others.]
[If you're up for it, want to go to karaoke?]
Just as Sora brought out the tea, a message arrived from Son Narin.
"Son Narin…? Come to think of it, you seem to get along well with her."
Sora asked, her tone slightly probing.
"She contacts me often. I guess she likes me as a person."
"…She likes you?"
"Narin and I have some similarities."
We're both pretty serious about gaming.
Of course, there were differences. Son Narin hated losing, while I loved winning.
They might seem like the same thing, but they were actually very different.
"She's kind of a pitiable kid if you think about it."
Son Narin got along well with people, but she had a personality that made it hard for her to form truly close friendships.
In other words, she tended to isolate herself.
Maybe that's why she reached out to me.
There probably weren’t many people in this world who could truly get along with Son Narin.
"…So you're purposely being nice to her?"
"It's not like I'm doing it on purpose. She just reminds me of someone I know."
"Someone you know?"
"Something like that. Anyway, I'm going to karaoke. You should come along too."
I told her.
Son Narin had great timing, as always.
I had been struggling to decide what song to sing for my first 3D stream. It was harder than I expected.
So Son Narin’s suggestion was actually quite helpful.
'The suggestion itself is nice, but I’m not sure if Son Narin herself will be of much help.'
After all, she was just as much of a hardcore gamer as I was. I doubted she knew much about music.
Bringing Sora along would probably be a huge help.
Besides, if I was going out, I couldn't just leave Sora alone at home.
"…Alright, I’ll come. I was curious about what she looks like anyway."
Sora agreed.
***
Anyone who likes J-POP knows this, but the selection of Japanese songs available in Korea is pretty limited.
Karaoke machine manufacturers have to import the songs from Japan, and that process takes quite a bit of time.
And if a song isn’t popular enough, they won’t even bother importing it.
In some cases, even popular songs don’t make the cut.
For most regular people, that might not be a big deal. But for otakus, it was frustrating.
And who has to cater to otakus?
VTubers, of course.
Viewers don’t particularly enjoy it when VTubers only sing mainstream songs. They’ve already heard them far too many times.
And so, the place we ended up visiting was Tanuki Neko—a karaoke chain that had imported Japanese karaoke machines into Korea.
"…You can actually rent a room for an entire day? I never knew that."
Son Narin murmured as she stepped into Tanuki Neko.
In truth, Narin hadn’t been to karaoke that often.
She was usually the one being invited by juniors rather than inviting someone herself. This was actually her first time suggesting karaoke to someone else.
So, while she had suggested the idea to Laura, the one who actually decided on the place was Sora.
Her enthusiasm had gotten ahead of her planning. …It would’ve been better if she had at least picked the venue before making the suggestion.
That said, the outcome wasn’t necessarily bad.
Although Narin had known about Tanuki Neko’s existence, she hadn’t realized they offered all-day rentals. Maybe she’d find a use for that information someday.
Anyway,
'Ayanokouji Sora… She was someone who focused on singing as her main content.'
Other than that, Narin didn’t know much about her.
That she was in the same generation as Aurora, that she was close with Aurora, that she was on the same Leviathan team as Aurora.
And perhaps, that there were coupling rumors between her and Aurora.
Now that she thought about it, Narin realized she barely knew anything about Sora herself.
'Not that I particularly care.'
Still, she figured it wouldn’t hurt to learn more. After all, Sora was a fellow Leviathan member and someone she’d inevitably cross paths with.
With that thought in mind, Son Narin opened the door.
"You’re here?"
The first thing she saw upon entering was Laura, seated in a chair.
And behind her, a woman who looked like a college student… was styling Laura’s hair.
"…What are you doing?"
"Isn’t it obvious? I’m getting my hair done."
Laura spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, completely entrusting herself to Sora.
"Sora said it’d be better if I changed my hairstyle."
"…I had no choice. You must have noticed, right?"
Sora let out a small sigh.
She brushed Laura’s hair, gathering it near the nape of her neck before twisting it skillfully into a round shape.
A bunned hairstyle.
However, instead of being tied high on her head, it was secured lower, emphasizing elegance rather than cuteness.
Laura already had an inherently graceful aura about her.
She gave off the vibe of a young wealthy lady.
Or perhaps, she had more of a mature elegance.
Some people might even say…
"Damn, that’s hot."
Ssshh.
Son Narin unconsciously took a slow breath.
Her nape was so…
White.
"What do you mean by ‘must have noticed’?"
Son Narin managed to compose herself and ask the question.
Her unshakable mental fortitude—her greatest weapon.
Not that this was a situation where her composure should have wavered, but still.
Anyway.
"On the way here, Sora said someone might have recognized me."
"…Did you think sunglasses alone would be enough? At least change your hair. You already look exactly like your 2D model as it is…."
"That’s why I’m letting her handle my hair now, aren’t I?"
The two continued their conversation. …So that’s what happened.
Since VTubers typically use avatars, they don’t get recognized often.
But at the end of the day, they can’t exactly change their voices, so some people do figure them out.
Narin had never been recognized before, but Aurora… yeah, it was plausible.
Her face and voice stood out too much.
"Anyway, be more careful. It’s not like I’m always at your place. Unless you plan to call me every time you go out, you should at least learn to do your own hair—"
"Are you living with Laura?"
Narin suddenly asked.
She hadn’t even introduced herself yet.
But she couldn’t ignore this.
Something about Sora’s tone was off.
And when she had invited Laura to karaoke, Laura had responded with, "I’m bringing Sora along too. That’s fine, right?"
In hindsight, that was odd.
It must’ve meant that they were together from the start.
Which meant…
"Oh, yeah. I was just visiting Laura’s place."
"I see! So, you were visiting Laura’s place!"
Narin replied.
Oh-ho.
Now that’s…
An interesting story.