Chapter 55 – Four Men (?) BBQ Celebration

Sрiсе, Сhаraway, Yаtаgarasu, аnd Mr. Murаkаmi—thе fоur оf us hаd comе out for уаkiniku.

It was а рrivаtеlу ownеd restаurant, the kind whеrе thе mеat theу servе is delicious.

Соnfident in their heat оutрut, they used gas burners.

Тhе sizzling meat grilling away gаvе off a trulу wondеrful аrоmа.

“Thanks for todаy, evеrуоne. I aррrеciatе your сooperаtiоn!”

I raised mу bеer, аnd the threе of them eаch liftеd thеir own drinks in unison for a toаst.

We аll gulреd down thе contеnts оf оur glasses аt onсе.

Dеliсiоus!

“Alright, I’ll switсh tо highbаlls for mу sеcond round.”

“I think I’ll go with sake.”

“I’m sticking with beer all the way!”

“As for me… let’s see, I’ll have a lemon sour.”

And as the meat finished grilling, we each took our share in turn.

Basically, Mr. Murakami kept aggressively loading up the grill with meat, while the rest of us could focus solely on eating.

Even here, he’s playing the support role.

Whoa, this kalbi is amazing.

“Sp—oh, sorry, Mr. Shogo, about the sword thing…”

“Ah, yes.”

Using our streamer names in public carries the risk of being identified, so we generally converse using our real names…

Hiding our identities with our real names?

Now that I think about it, that’s pretty strange.

“With what I taught you today, you’ve got all the basics down, so just try using it in practice. Weaker opponents should make for good practice, and as long as you have concurrent viewers, you’ll manage somehow.”

“Thank you! Really, that’s a huge help.”

“Woo-hoo! This guy’s my close-combat master too, ya know! His lifestyle might be a mess, but in his specialty, he’s seriously reliable! Feel free to make full use of him!”

“Well, but isn’t he one of the top members of that agency?”

“They kinda don’t know what to do with him over there too, honestly. Ever since his partner retired the year before last, he’s seemed completely deflated.”

“Ah… that person.”

Mr. Murakami’s gaze grew distant.

Even though he should have been busy grilling meat nonstop, he had secured properly cooked pieces for himself.

When did he even order it? He was eating his over a bowl of white rice.

“I never thought there’d be someone who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the young master. He’s a mutation that appeared out of nowhere from an ordinary background, right? Well, when you hear his little sister is that Kiraboshi Hazuki, it all makes sense.”

“Ikaruga, huh… That guy went and became a company president.”

Ikaruga Entertainment.

A rising streamer company now boasting Kiraboshi Hazuki, a top streamer with enough momentum to knock birds from the sky.

I knew the name Ikaruga too.

Not long ago, he was the top male streamer at Now Fantasy, the industry leader.

They say his retirement shifted the power balance in the streaming world.

Right before my eyes, Yatagarasu was happily devouring fatty, rich-looking meat.

His partner had been Ikaruga.

If I recall correctly, they debuted around the same time.

I used to watch adventure streams for entertainment, so I know a bit about this.

“And then, this Yatagarasu here started getting a bit motivated after you showed up, Sp—Mr. Shogo.”

“Eh, because of me!?”

“Yeah, yeah. Seems like things are getting interesting. It’s exactly like a dash of spice in a boring daily routine. I’m counting on you, so if you get into trouble again, drag me into it, okay?”

“You’re causing trouble for the company you belong to again, young master.”

“I’m properly participating in their large-scale events, so it’s fine, right? It’s just… kinda awkward getting involved with my ex-partner’s little sister…”

Sounds complicated.

But if my presence motivates this top-tier streamer, that’s a good thing.

Plus, he’s coming to my side on his own.

If there’s a Witch battle, I’ll definitely rely on him…

Hmm, Charaway’s connections are truly fearsome.

He’s a truly invaluable person.

I must cherish him.

“Your glass is empty. Here, have some more.”

“Whoa, thanks a bunch! Man, beer after work is the best! Yakiniku washed down with beer, the best! Woo-hoo!”

He raised his glass, so I clinked my highball mug against it.

Just then, I got a LUINE notification on my phone.

Ah, Mashiro!

Right, it’s already evening.

Her work must be over, so she’s messaging to invite me to dinner.

“What’s up? You look conflicted.”

“Well, a junior from my old workplace. She invited me to dinner.”

“Just invite her along. I don’t mind.”

“The young master may look refined, but he’s lawless.”

I’m starting to get a sense of Yatagarasu’s lawlessness.

“But is that really okay? Having a regular person mixed in with streamers…”

At my words, Charaway and Yatagarasu grinned.

“It’s fine, it’s fine! ‘Cause we were originally regular people too, right?”

“Yeah, yeah! Not worrying about that stuff is our style. Bring her along!”

Is this really okay?

Mr. Murakami shrugged and ordered some grilled vegetables.

Well, no choice. I’ll go pick her up.

Mashiro seems to be at the station.

This yakiniku place is pretty close to the station, so I stepped outside and arrived almost immediately.

“Ah, Senpaaai!”

There was Mashiro in her suit.

At my old workplace, she wore work clothes, so this feels fresh, maybe…

“Hey. How’s it going? Work treating you well?”

“It’s going well! It’s tough getting used to it, but everywhere’s short-staffed, so they value me.”

“That’s great! So, about dinner… I’m actually drinking with friends right now. Yakiniku. Wanna join? My treat.”

“I’ll go!! …There aren’t any girls, right?”

“Just guys.”

Mashiro made a strangely relieved face.

What’s that about?

I’m not the type to casually hit on women.

And so, I brought Mashiro to the yakiniku place.

“Woo-hoo! Nice to meet ya!”

“Hello. Nice to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

A flashy guy, a refined-looking guy, a stiff-suited guy.

Since they were all at the same table, Mashiro seemed confused.

“…Wh-what kind of combination is this?”

“They’re people from companies cooperating with the business I’m running.”

“I-I see… You have wide connections… Ah, hello! Thanks for looking after my senpai!”

Mashiro bowed her head repeatedly.

Hmm, my everyday life and my world as a streamer have just intersected.

It’s a strange feeling.

“Mr. Shogo~. I didn’t hear you had such a cute girl around~. Man, you’re full of surprises.”

Charaway said this with a sly grin.

“Whoa, he’s teasing me just like he looks…!!”

“Cu-cute? Uhehehehe.”

Even Mashiro’s mood seemed to brighten.

What am I supposed to do if she starts expecting me to be cute too? Hmm.

But well, this meet-up turned out nicely, so all’s well that ends well.

I went ahead and ordered more meat and white rice for Mashiro.

Just go easy on the alcohol, okay?