【Validation is Validation】

What any person on social media desires is a connection; it can be in the form of love, admiration, hatred, or even exploitative obsession. And it all contributes to viewership and eventually fame.

After the first stream, the highly anticipated second stream arrived. They conducted it at The Zero's studio. 

According to the meeting, Akira was seated next to Sanae. A strategic move to push engagement, and of course, the two of them understood the intent and played along.

"Sooo, I simply enjoyed the dance." Akira leaned closer to Sanae.

The camera zoomed in on him as he maintained his smirk, then it shifted onto Sanae.

She flicked his bangs. "Really?"

"Alright, you two cut it off." Mitsuru chuckled.

The chat continued with a mixed opinion on them.

[There is definitely something between them.]

[LOVE THEM]

And then the backlash.

[That woman is trying to steal our husband.]

[That's a slutty man trying to get our goddess.]

"Alright, now we will conclude the stream." Jitsuko's catgirl model smiled, ears twitching cheerfully. "Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay away from rumours." 

"I am so tired....." Akira stretched on the couch once the camera went dark.

"We are going viral, Akira." Sanae grabbed his arm, pulling him closer and angling her phone towards him.

Akira glanced at her briefly before looking at the screen. She has been really friendly today; does she like me all of a sudden?

The stream had done even better than the last one. As predicted, the hottest topic was their supposed off-screen relationship.

"They say we look cute together." Sanae poked his cheek.

"There is also hatred." Akira pointed at the post above the one Sanae was showing.

"So are you up for a collaborative stream with only us two?" 

"This might fuel more rumours."

Akira's eyes flicked onto Jitsuko. She was laughing with Nazuna at a distance. Sanae's eye followed his onto Jitsuko.

"Think about it." She brushed her hair back as she continued to scroll.

Akira tapped his feet, irritation creeping in. She hardly laughs when I joke. 

He knew it was a lie; she would laugh. And he knew the problem wasn't Nazuna but him. He had developed a habit of talking to her or watching her streams after his own. 

He shot up from his seat and approached them.

"What are you guys doing?" Akira bent closer to Nazuna, poking his forehead. I am not mad at you.

"We are going shopping," Jitsuko replied.

"Well, we should be going ..." Nazuna rubbed his forehead. "Well, see you, Akira. Good work today."

The two moved away from him. Stepping towards the door.

 Akira continued to look at them, uneasiness welling up. Ask me to come along. 

But he already knew where they were headed: a women's clothing store. He would only get in the way.

At the door, Jitsuko turned around, looking at him. "Want to come?"

Akira's eyes widened; he didn't expect her to actually ask. Heat rose from the back of his neck.

Before he could reply, someone grabbed his arm and pulled him back. 

"Sorry, guys." Mitsuru peeked out behind him. "I need him for a while. You two enjoy."

Akira's eye twitched as the other two waved and left.

He mumbled. "Why?"

Mitsuru pulled out a cigarette. "Because I wanted to discuss something." 

"What?" He slumped his shoulders and snatched the cigarette from her. "Got a lighter?"

"Shameless." Mitsuru lit it for him and pulled out another. "You once mentioned something about your aunt managing you."

Akira frowned. He didn't expect her to remember.

"Don't worry, I won't pry." Mitsruru pressed the cigarette between her lips, exhaling the smoke. "We plan on discussing everything with you from now on."

His lips curved into a smirk. He tilted his head back, taking a smoke. "Ah, that's good; I prefer it this way."

"I talked to the manager about your persona change. Well, you can change it if you can maintain the same numbers."

"What do you mean?"

"It means your fans love Kyroxfun." Sanae moved next to him. "You can't expect the same outcome with a new persona." 

"I find Kyroxfun's persona easy. It's simply me." Akira dropped his gaze to his feet. "But I want to be someone less controversial."

 "Akira, you are currently the hot topic." Sanae smiled. "You shouldn't let this flame die. If I were you, I would totally benefit from it instead of thinking about useless matters."

He looked at her faint smile and the sharp gleam in her eyes. Her words heavily settled in his chest.

He had planned to change his persona. It felt cheap and unfair. No effort, no hard work, nothing. Just adoration.

But it doesn't matter. I am loved. Validation is validation, even if it's unfairly earned.

She is right. I should be concerned about how to keep the fame.

"So what should I do?" He asked.

"Let's collaborate," Sanae clapped her hands together.

"Aren't you totally into me?" Akira bent down to her.

"I am not. You are pretty, and you are famous. That's it. I don't like Playboys; no one does. But I like to make it big as a streamer." She took a step away.

By evening, the streaming schedule for the weekend changed for both Kyroxfun and Dream_Warrior03. Stirring chaos in both fandoms. 

Soon, a post by Kyroxfun came out, reading as:

[I will be having my first collaboration, guys!!!]

 The day of the stream arrived.

"Kyroxfun and Dream_warrior03 here~" Akira adjusted the camera, revealing Sanae sitting next to him.