【The Zeros】

Akira stepped out of the car and stared at the two-storey building before him. No banner. No logo. It was not as impressive as he imagined, considering it was the studio of The Zeros. 

The Zeros were an elite group – the influential streamers with international recognition. Along with Akira, there were a total of 5 members in the Japanese branch.

The driver looked at Akira through the rearview mirror, waiting.

"Um, yeah, you can go; I will call Aunt when I am done." Akira looked at the old man, tugging his mask lightly. Though it was pointless, the man had been around ever since Akira was a child. But this was a newly developed habit, something like a paranoia.

The driver nodded and pulled away, leaving Akira alone in the quiet street. 

Today was his first in-person meeting with The Zeros' members. After a hectic 6-month approval phase, he had been accepted. This is it. Let's try being a good sport.

He wasn't great at group work, but this was the opportunity any streamer craved.

A sudden pat on his shoulder snapped him back. He turned around, only to be welcomed by a wave of smoke.

"Get this out of my face!" He yelled, swatting the air as he coughed.

"Do I look like an airbender?" A blond-haired girl scoffed. She moved closer, eyeing him up and down. "Are you Kyroxfun?"

"N-no?" He gave her a nervous, crooked smile.

"Try lying with a different voice—" she pulled the cigarette to her mouth and took a sip. She smirked and exhaled all over his face. "You cover your face in streams too. Idiot."

His eye twitched.

He sighed, grabbing her wrist, and pulled her closer. "Aren't you messing with me? You might win me over~"

"Ehh?" She pushed him back. "Brat, keep your rotten..." She clicked her fingers, picking the perfect word.

"Rotten Behaviour?" He tilted his head.

"Yes, that. Keep that in your streams. And by the way, I am SmoksyNox, the streamer and the main lead for The Zeros".

"T-that SmoksyNox?" He gave her a baffled look. "But you look so cool in your streams—"

She punched him in his gut. "Say that again and you are dead."

He curled on the ground, wailing dramatically. She flicked her cigarette butt and stomped on it. Grabbing him by the collar, she dragged him inside like a mischievous cat.

Up the stairs, first room on the left. She opened it with a thud, tossing him inside.

"HEY! I AM NOT YOUR TOY!" He yelled, brushing his hair off his face. Then he smirked, tilting his head. "But if you want, I—"

She smacked the back of his head. "Cute, I will think about it. Oh, and my real name is Mitsuru."

“M-mitsuru…” Akira mumbled as he glanced around and noticed two more people. A girl with bright blue hair slumped on the table; she seemed to be dozing off, and a short brown-haired guy was seated beside her.

The girl raised her head, and in a weary voice, she spoke. "You are Kyroxfun, right? You are too energetic."

"Ahh, you are Dream_warrior03..." Akira sat down opposite to them.

Mitsuru glared at him. "Oh, you can recognise Sanae but not me."

"What can I say? Who would have thought the famous, stylish SmoksyNox wasn't stylish at all?" 

"I agree with the newbie; I felt the same when I first met Mitsuru." The brown-haired boy chimed in and pointed at Mitsuru.

Akira stared at the boy. "You look familiar, but I am not sure..."

Sanae pointed at the boy's head. "This is Nazuna; he is a cross-dresser. His online persona is a girl; he goes by the name BunBun."

Akira smiled and turned to Mitsuru with a deadpan look. "Today I will leave with trust issues..."

"Mr Trust Issues... Go on, introduce yourself.” Mitsuru sat down next to Akira.

"I am Akira; online I am Kyroxfun..." He tapped his cheek awkwardly. "U-um, can you guys do reintroductions so I can remember?"

"Mitsuru, known as SmoksyNox"

"I am Sanae... I am Dream_Warrior03."

"Nazuna, online a girl and known as BunBun."

Mitsuru leaned back in her chair. "You should have tried knowing us in the group chat."

Akira fidgeted. "I tried, but it was hard to find everyone online, except Jitsuko, I mean Nyn_pi."

Nazuna gasped. “Ohh, so you got close to her. She never shares her name. She is super secretive.”

Akira blushed and looked at the floor. "Ah, I see."

"You are secretive too...." Mitsuru leaned closer. "You have had this mask on your face the entire time even though your first stream with us will be a face reveal."

Sanae yawned. "Take it off, take it easy."

Akira looked at the three of them, sighed and lowered his mask. The three leaned forward to catch the glimpse of the most notorious streamer on the internet. His eyes fluttered under the intense, expecting gaze, and his lips curled into a shy smile.

He wasn’t sure if he had fabricated this shyness or if it was a real response to the stares.

"Aww, you are cute; don't be shy!" Mitsusru waved her hand.

"I was so ready for an ugly face." Sanae yawned.

He tilted his head; his blue eyes glistened as he let out a chuckle, revealing his canines. "I know I am pretty—"

"Not cute at all."

"Still, it would have been hilarious if the flirtiest streamer was actually a shy boy."

"Okay, jokes apart, you are a pretty face; your face reveal is bound to be a massive hit.” Mitsuru pulled out some papers and handed them to Akira. "You must know by now your fans are obsessed with you."

Akira took the papers. "I know; that's why I also believe having a reveal video with you guys will be a massive hit."

"We were also planning a dance MV... you can dance, right?" Nazuna walked to him.

"Somewhat." Akira sighed.

"We will teach you everything." Mitsuru took the papers and held her hand to him. "Welcome to the team."

.

.

After the entire day of planning schedules and discussing terms and conditions. He arrived back at his apartment. Man, I will have Aunt read those terms and conditions. 

He walked into the room and jumped into the inviting embrace of his bed. He lay on the bed with closed eyes, remembering his day.

*Buzz*

He shot up and reached for his phone. The phone's light glistened in his eye.

Nyn_pi
[Hey, Akira]
[I am sorry I didn’t reply…. I went to sleep last night]
[I also love that series]
[In fact, it was one of my first ever anime.]
[So I am really happy to know you loved it too.]

His lips trembled before turning into a smile. He tapped the phone on his head and stared at the text for some more time before he realised he should reply.

Wait…she will think I was waiting for her text…
Should I wait?
She is online…..

He began typing and clicked send.

[We have so much in common, Nyn_pi.]
[Today I met the other members.]

Staring at his text, he bit his lip. The text suddenly turned ‘read’, and she began typing.

[I hope you liked them.]
[They are all really nice people.]
[I am so happy you are officially one of us. ^w^]

[Me too]
[Though I wish you were there too.]

[From now on we'll get to meet often.]
[So how was the meeting?]

[It was great; they told me you hardly tell your name.]
[But you told me, so I felt happy.]

[Yeah, because we have been talking for months.]
[I felt you are really trustworthy.]

T-trustworthy. His face was flustered even though he was used to praise, but this one was different. It wasn’t about his appearance but something deeper.

[So what is the plan for your upcoming stream with us?]

[Oh, it’s a face reveal.]
[My fans have been asking for it.]
[And everyone says it’s the best approach.]

Her text stopped for a moment, filling Akira with anxiety. Blood popped out of his lip as he pressed too hard.
Did I say something wrong
She was typing; now she isn’t?

[Akira]
[what about you?]
[Are you comfortable with it?]

[It’s for the best and I will have a sudden boost.]
[Even The Zeros have an advantage.]

[No, are you okay with this]
[A face reveal means breaching your privacy.]
[Are you prepared for that?]
[You should think about your personal life too.]

She was still typing, but he decided to end the matter since there was no going back. 

[I am happy with this]
[This is my own decision.]
[Sorry for worrying you.]

[If it’s your wholehearted decision]
[You have my complete support >v<.]

[I need to make dinner, gotta go]

[Bye]

He scrolled, rereading their chat before typing:

[Jitsuko, please stay being nice to me.]
[I love talking to you]

He chuckled bitterly and erased it.

Yeah, as if I did risk scaring her.