Once the Snow Melts (Event Story)
Chapter 7: Once the Rain Stopped
Kamira: That being said, it’s totally fine to do things as you like, Hikarin.
Gotta laugh when you’re feelin’ to laugh, and be bright when you’re feelin’ the bright.
And that’s the steps to be the Hikari that we know!
Hikari: …… !
Kamira: Wait– CRAP! That must’ve been too much talk from my perspective.
Really sorry in case the topics really went to places..!
Hikari: No–! Not at all! In fact it made me feel a lot better.
… But…
…… Um… Hey, Kamira-chan.
Kamira: … What’s wrong?
Hikari: Deep in my heart, I also thought the same way.
It’s better to do what I want, ‘cause that’s how the “usual Hikari Yonaguni” goes, right?
I really want to believe, that everyone in the comments genuinely likes me.
And it’s the same everyone that likes to watch my stream.
Kamira: Right.
Hikari: … But Kamira-chan. You can’t really tell if everyone’s having fun, am I right?
Has that kind of thought ever scared you?
Kamira: …… Ah, yeah.
Hikari: We often see them laughing with us. They’ll also give a lot of praise to us.
But, I wonder… Do they really think so behind the screen?
I really want to believe in them… But the doubts can haunt so often.
Even when I know that it’s judgmental to think like that...
Kamira: ……
… I get it.
I also thought about that before. Like geez, they’ll just be throwing those compliments for anything that we do.
Even for things that kinda made me feel guilty. “It’s not your fault at all, Kamira-chan!” they said.
So yeah, at times I do thought like, “Are they really listenin’ to us?!” .
But then the thing that matter more to me is how each of us making the bond.
The bonding is fun, and there’s so much of them. That’s why I’m still doing my streams.
If seein’ your concern though,
it sounds like you felt the doubts more.
Hikari: … Yeah.
Kamira: Nnngg……
… Then–! Maybe it’s best to stop streaming?
Hikari: Huh?!
Kamira: I mean you can just stop if you don’t want it, or at least that’s what I thought.
If it’s not fun, then you gotta do something more fun instead, am I right?
You’ll be stressed about this in Denki actually. “You have to have fun.”
And “You have to make sure that the audiences are having fun as well.” It’s pretty harsh!
But even back then, I thought that you can always tell if someone’s actually not having fun.
Hence why I suggested that. You can just stop if it’s no longer fun.
Honestly, either that or try to go back to the ‘fun times’.
Hikari: What do you mean by going back?
Kamira: Y’know. Before it feels like “I have to do it well!” or losing the fun, just like what happened to you now.
Try to remember how it usually went.
Like in what kind of times that stream becomes fun to you,
Or the reason why you started streaming, and the motivations to keep going.
Hikari: The reason why I started streaming…
Flashback to Hikari’s 1st stream (Narration: Hikari)
(It’s only been few hours since I enter Gingaza,
But it hit me hard that this is not the place to make ‘friends’.
It’s as what Xue said before: We’re supposed to be rivals who fought for some roles, not playing friends.
I then got messed with my nerves, and before I knew it, I also felt too tired to think.)
Hikari: Nng… Let’s see. Is this good enough?
Hi-ya…! … Um.., I’m Hikari Yonaguni, and I’m from Gingaza.
Comments: “Nice to meet you~” “I’m a new viewer”
“What kind of theatre is Gingaza again?”
Hikari: Nice to meet y’all~ Right-right–! The huge theatre in Ueno. I’m an actress in there.
I wanna have some talk in this spare of time, so I tried to do a streaming.
(The viewers were not much at first.
But because of that, they feel like friends to talk to. We went to talk ‘bout a lot of things.
It’s very fun that I started to talk even more.
When feeling tired from lessons, they’ll also sympathize with me, and it makes me feel better.)
Hikari: Hi-ya! It’s me, Hikari Yonaguni.
Today the calendar’s filled with a loooot of lessons! So I feel really tired now..~
Comments: “Good work with the lessons today~”
“The lesson must be so hard if even the Hikari is tired”
Hikari: Hahaha~ That may be true!
Maybe one could say that theatre and dance muscles are different?
Pikamaru: ”Sorry for coming late! Good work with the lessons, Hikari-chan.
What are you planning to do today?”
Hikari: Ah–! It’s Pikamaru-san!
Today I’m planning to have some talk while eating sweets from my parents!
Kamira: I can see that. You’ll feel more relax when there are less people,
It also kinda feels like having a neat family time!
And the fact that they were there since debut,
You just can’t help but to see ‘em all as soulmates!
Hikari: Yeah…! It’s thanks to them as well that I got used to Tokyo and Gingaza.
And then, even until today, Pikamaru-san is a loyal viewer.
We’re having some fun times together. They’re a fan that I really treasure.
… I wonder what’s up with them now. I want to talk with Pikamaru-san again.
Kamira: Hehehe, I think they’ll have the same mind as you.
Even I often look for my regulars. If they’re not there then I’ll be wonderin’ as well.
Hikari: Right.
… I’ve worried a lot of people, and that’s not good of me, isn’t it?
Kamira: Nah~ Don’t be pressured. Y’know, you can’t control the worries inside others.
But ya see. This is the regulars like Pikamaru-san that we’re talkin’ about!
So they surely will get ‘bout you really well, am I right?
The people who won’t just say “That’s so not like you!” and other nonsense stuff.
I’m sure that they’ll take care of your matter seriously.
Just ask like “What’s the best that I can do?” . Perhaps you'll be able to get some hints from them!
Hikari: Which means it’s best to set the stream as member exclusive?
Kamira: But of course, you don’t have to force yourself if it feels too much.
But what do you think?
Hikari: ……
…… I want to talk, with everyone.
Kamira: That’s good to hear!
And in case you’re still scared, make sure to contact me! A collab should also do the work.
Hikari: Got it.
Thank ya kindly, Kamira-chan!
Kamira: No prob at all~
–Oh, there’s also something that I really need to say.
Hikari: What kind of thing?
Kamira: To tell you the truth… I was the one who decided to call you here.
And I was also the one who made Xie-Xie involved in the first place.
Hikari: Eh–... So I was getting the wrong conclusion and saying all the bad things to her…
Kamira: Ah– Not your fault. I am the one who led you to it!
I’ll take the responsibility and be the one to apologize to her.
Hikari: Oh…
But still, I have to say my sorry to her as well.
I’ll go back to the dormitory. Take care, Kamira-chan!
Kamira: Ah– Then I’ll also go with you!
It’s better to kill two birds with a stone.
Hikari: Is Xue sleeping already?
I tried to check her room, but I don’t think she’s up to talk..
Kamira: Seems unlikely tho? Unless she’s a child, which is definitely not the case.
The time’s still enough for dinner as well.
Hikari: But–
Ramona: Calm down now, Xue! Why are you suddenly running outside?
Xue: Wherever doesn’t matter, right?!
I can’t keep sitting on the chair, y’know!
Hikari: Ah–! Xue?
Xue: Hikari–!
… Do you know what time it is now?!
Hikari: I mean, the sky just went dark, actually…
But actually, what’s wrong with you, Xue? Do you really want to go somewhere from now?
Xue: As if I want to?!
It’s just that you were not back until dinner. It’s so unlike you to me… So……
Kamira: You were worried and about to look for her?
Xue: Urgh– Y- You don’t have to say it like that!!
Hikari: What?!? Xue is worrying about me?!
The same Xue who doesn’t feel a single worry during the early days?!
Xue: Well, I’m sorry if I become different now!
Someone also happens to read me through like a book, so don’t get the wrong idea!
But also–! What’s with you being teaseful all of the sudden?!
Hikari: I mean… You made such distance, so I have to!
Just like back then, when I wanted to have a handshake with you…
Kamira: … Somehow… It seems that they’re getting along?
Ramona: Seems like it to me!
Hikari: Ah–! Xue, where are you going?
Xue: I’m going back since everything is solved!
You’ll also go back home, right?!
Hikari: Oh c’mon now! Wait for me~!!
Kamira: Pfft– Hahahaha!!
Hikari: Xue, you meanie~
Ramo-san too! Let’s go back together!
Ramona: Alright!
Better go quick or else Xue’s special fried rice will be too cold to eat.
Hikari: Wha–?! There’s a fried rice?!?
And it’s the special one?! Now that’s a melody to my stomach…!
Ramona: She made it while complaining, but she’s really putting as many flavors as possible.
Seeing the process made me feel hungry as well.
Hikari: Wah…! Can’t wait to see it…!
And Kamira-chan, thanks again for today!
I’ll make sure to treat you back someday!
Kamira: Loud and clear, ma’am! Glad that everything went well!
Let’s continue the talk by phone later!