Volume 1 – Chapter 9

Light. Soft, warm, sliding across the curtains like a gentle hand against my cheek.
Waking up felt… strange. But warm. Sometimes, after an especially beautiful dream, you open your eyes and can’t quite tell if it really happened – or if it was just your mind playing tricks on you. That’s how it felt now.

I opened my eyes slowly, afraid to scare the feeling away.
On the nightstand lay the pendant – that pendant – the tiny bottle with a message inside. I picked it up carefully, pressed it to my chest, and smiled.

So it was real. All of it.

Yesterday’s emotions stirred inside me again. The way he looked at me. The way he spoke. Words I never imagined anyone would say to me. Not seriously, anyway. After all… I’m a VTuber. A streamer. A performer. Always pretending to be strong, cheerful, untouchable.

But yesterday… I was myself. With all my flaws and fears. And he didn’t turn away.
He stayed. He held my hand while I cried – and didn’t let go even when I stopped.

I pulled on my hoodie, crawled back under the blanket, and reached for my phone.
Swipe – unlock.
One new message.
From him.

My heart skipped – no, jumped.

Good morning.
I’m still smiling too.
And still thinking about how amazing you are.

I read it once. Twice. A third time.
Then hugged my phone to my chest and giggled like a fool – a happy fool.

He’s thinking about me in the morning too. That means something, right?
It’s not just politeness… right?

I buried my face in the blanket, blushing as if he could somehow see me through the screen. My fingers trembled while I typed a reply.

Good morning, my Senpai.
Thank you – for this, and for yesterday.
I woke up and the world feels different. Brighter. Warmer.
I hope you slept well 💕

I stared at the message.
Too much.
I can’t write everything that’s in my head! Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to be that honest, but… not yet.

Delete. Rephrase. Delete again.

Finally, I left only:

Good morning. Thank you.
I hope you slept well (＾▽＾)

Then I sighed and pressed “Send.”

The message flew off into the digital void, and I curled up tightly, clutching my phone to my chest. The conversation felt fragile, like a delicate thread connecting our two worlds – so thin, yet so precious.

You really are becoming part of my world, aren’t you?

I looked again at the pendant, the tiny note inside.
You matter to many people. And I’m one of them. Always.

He’d written that before our date. He didn’t know how the day would go, or what I’d say. And yet he wrote it – because he felt it.
Only someone deeply kind would do that. Or… someone in love?

…

Thoughts spun in every direction, heart pounding wildly.
I wanted – no, needed – to see him again.

But not just see him.
I wanted another day – something special. A continuation, not a repeat. A chapter of our story.

A day where he’d see not just my shy or fragile side, but my bright, creative one too.
A day where I could give him something – not a gift, but a feeling. Joy. Warmth. The kind of happiness he gave me.

I need to come up with something special… maybe another little quest? Or an aquarium?
Or an amusement park?
Or maybe… a quiet park full of cherry blossoms? We could have a picnic. I’d bake something myself – even if I ruin two kilos of cookies in the process. He’d laugh, I’d puff my cheeks and say, “Then you bake it if you’re so clever!” – and we’d both laugh again.

Or maybe… I’d invite him over. Not for that. Not like that. Just… tea. A blanket. A silly comedy. Laughing together. And then falling asleep side by side – not touching, just breathing the same quiet air.

Too early… too dreamy… and yet – so sweet. So warm.

…

The phone buzzed again. A new message.
From him.

I don’t have plans for the weekend.
If you decide where you want to go – I’m in ❤️

He suggested it himself. He’s waiting. He wants to see me again.

Oh, Senpai… what are you doing to me?..

I typed back quickly, cheeks burning.

Yes – I’m free next weekend.
I want to plan something special.
To surprise you.
The way you surprised me. So wait for it ◕ᴗ◕

Send.

Deep breath. The world feels big again – but not scary.
Because somewhere in this world, there’s him.

The one who looks at me not as a performer or a screen persona…
but as a real girl.
The way I never dared to see myself.

And now… I want to be that real girl. Just for him.