Like a Fly That Won't Leave

 I guess it isn’t all that bad that I know who plays Mimie Misumi after all. I still don’t derive the same enjoyment I did before knowing the truth, but it’s not as bad as my initial response to seeing her for the first time.

That said, I’m also grateful that I don’t need to see Sena again as often as I have. After everything I’ve done for her, she shouldn’t be running into any computer problems outside of her doing something like spilling a drink on it. This also means she has less reason to go to this store, as someone like her certainly isn’t interested in technology outside of necessity.

So basically I should be returning to my normal life once more. So why is it that I’m seeing Sena standing right in front of me during lunch time at work?

“Is there something wrong with the computer?” I ask her as we stand before each other at the register.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.” Her first actions to me are to bow down and give a genuine apology. “I forgot to thank you for all your hard work.”

“I was just doing my job.” Somehow I shouldn't be surprised she decided to take time out of her day just for something this simple. After the way she reacted to realizing the fact during the stream, it would be a shock if she weren’t here making an apology that does more to embarrass me. “I get paid for this, so it’s not like you didn’t technically thank me.”

My eyes move left and right as I scan the room for who might be watching this pitiful display. It’s fortunate that we’re not some big name brand or else I might be suffering some more public humiliation.

“But I do still want to repay you for all you’ve done for me.” She stands straight again, clearing her throat as she prepares her offer. “Are you off for lunch right now? I’ll treat you to something nice.” Good thing my lunchtime doesn’t match with hers, so I can reject her without any repercussions or looking bad in anyone’s eyes.

“He would love too.” Before I’m able to answer, a voice speaks up behind me. It’s Jinji, who apparently has overheard our conversation and has decided to butt in. “My wonderful employee’s break has actually just started.”

“What? But it doesn’t for another-”

“Now, he would be honored to take you up on your kind offer.” He doesn’t let me finish as I find myself push away from the counter and towards Sena. “After all, you took the time out of your day and schedule for him. It’s the least he could do.” My boss gives me that look that basically says I have no choice on this matter. It’s either go with her, or go and look for another job.

“Yes, I will go.” I say with a sigh. I swear, this man is probably trying to hook me up with this lady, but I wish he’d understand my age gap with her isn’t something I’m comfortable with. While I don’t know her exact age, she looks to be at least 30. And while for him a decade might not sound long, it is for someone like me, who’s only been on this planet for barely two such decades.

“Great, I got the perfect place for the two of us.” She excitedly takes my hand and drags me out of the store. Ugh, this is so embarrassing. It’s like I’m being led by my mother, even though I’m an adult now. This wouldn’t be so bad if she wasn’t moving along so quick in her excitement, but it’s like I’m trying to play catch up with her.

Which is another complaint I’ve got to levy against her silently. Sena hardly acts her age, if anything she’s like that hyperactive friend you might know in high school. But I guess I don’t know what else to expect from the kind of woman who would choose to be come a VTuber.

“Geez, can’t you slow down a little bit?” I can’t take this anymore and tear my hand from hers. This causes her to come to a stop as she turns to look at me. “It might be easy to forget, but some of us aren’t very expressive in the way we live.”

“Heheh, I guess I forget that sometimes.” She laughs lackadaisically from my concerns. I wish she’d respect my opinion a little more. “Especially with how lively you can be, right AverageMimieEnjoyer?”

“What did you say?” Do my ears deceive me? It sounds as though she knows the truth about me. “What makes you say something like that.” For a moment, I was caught off guard, but I can still save this. I just need to play dumb from her accusation. It’s not as if she has any proof.

“That superchat you sent last night. When you said that I never gave up. I just knew right away it was you.” She answers. “Honestly you did a terrible job of hiding it if you didn’t want me knowing. I thought that was your way of telling me who you actually were.”

“That sounds like coincidence.” I’m really kicking myself mentally for writing that superchat the way I did. “I told you, plenty of people felt that way. Also, why are you talking like this here?” We’re still in public, enough that anyone walking by could hear our conversation. My voice quiets down as I calm myself and realize the situation. “Aren’t you the least bit concerned?”

“I’ve learned that not a lot of people in public know much about an individual VTuber.” She responds. “They might know one, but it doesn’t mean they know all of them. But if you’re that worried about people finding out, then how about you just follow me?”

I don’t know what she means, but it’s not like I’ve any other choice. She was already dragging me to some place for lunch. What I didn’t realize was we were already by the place and it’s far from what I expected.

She took us to one of those fine restaurants where people go for luxury dinner dates. I don’t want the fan in me to take over my mind, but is this supposed to be more than just a lunch to ‘make things even between us’?

“Hey, Sena.” I speak slowly as my jaw drops from this high class establishment. I’ve never once even dreamed I’d be able to step foot in here to actually eat at. “Why did you bring me here?”

“We go here all the time during office parties.” She tells me. “It’s great and they got these amazing private rooms for eating too. I sometimes come here all by myself just to get away from everything.” Her words almost don’t sound like the truth, but the way she delivers it has that level of naivete that I can genuinely believe she doesn’t realize how strange her actions are.

Also seeing this place also explains where the money she gets from donations goes to as it’s obvious it’s not going towards improving her living situation in any way.

“Ah, Sena. It seems that you’re making an appearance here today.” The host says to us when we walk up. Maybe she might’ve been underselling it a bit when she said, sometimes. “This is new, you’ve brought along a guest. It sounds like you’ve gotten yourself quite a lovely partner.”

“Ah, it’s nothing like that.” She gets all bashful again, finally realizing how this looks to the people around us. “He’s been helping me with a lot of things lately, so I wanted to repay him.” Sena explains.

“Either, let me lead you to the usual room.” I don’t think the host believed her, even if it’s the truth. Maybe it’ll be a good idea never to return in the future to avoid any further misunderstandings.

They take us to one of the private rooms, which is very spacious when we enter. I’m surprised this is the room she chooses to eat all by herself. Even just saying that sound lonely, but in something with such a large table, that’s just more depressing. Of course, I say that, but she treats it as anything but. Sena immediately takes her favorite seat with a giddy expression.

“It’s like I’m royalty every time I do this.” She says, pulling out a tablet. This must be how we order.

“Well, I’ll just take whatever’s cheap.” I say as I take the seat directly across from her.

“Why are you sitting so far?” While it’s directly across from her, the style of this table means we’re several meters apart. Even if I laid out on the table, I wouldn’t even reach halfway to her.

“It looks like you like acting like royalty, so I’m just completing the experience.” I replied, getting all the utensils ordered neatly.

“Then as royalty, I command my loyal service to take the seat besides mine.” Is this supposed to be some weird gaming we’re playing? She’s way too old for this, even I’m too old for this. However I do get up and listen to her. If there’s one thing I’ve learned during my short time with her. Is that she’s going to push to get her way, so I might as well give her this one.

I take my seat besides her in this giant room. Despite all this space, she wanted us to stay close in a more cozy position as she slides her chair closer to mine. I respond my sliding mine, just a tiny bit away from her, which only gets her to move again close to me once more.

“It sounds like this queen here has made a royal decree in not respecting my personal space.” She laughs, but I wasn’t making a joke.

Okay fine, it was a joke.