Chapter 253. [Unicorn Issue]

 

“Ughhh, I’m so tired!”

 

≫What’s wrong, Iroha-chan? (U.S.)

 

≫Wasn’t today your first day of high school?

 

≫What happened to your usual greetings?

 

“Oh, yeah. Here it goes, ‘I’m Iroha’.”

 

≫Don’t cut corners!!!! LOL

 

≫Is that okay, though? LOL

 

≫Did something happen at school? (US)

 

“Can I tell you about it?”

 

I was slumped in front of my streaming computer, feeling drained.

 

American high schools are quite different from Japanese high schools.

 

“I thought it would just be the first day and then the entrance ceremony would be it, but America doesn’t have such ceremonies.”

 

Isn’t that a problem!? That’s a bit sad.

 

≫At most, there’s a simple orientation (U.S.)

 

≫If it’s a problem, there are no cultural festivals or school trips like in Japan (U.S.)

 

≫It’s a problem because I always cried from envy while watching Japanese anime (U.S.)

 

≫Well, technically, America has proms and penny carnivals (US)

 

≫Proms aside, penny carnivals are just fundraising events (U.S.)

 

Now that I think about it, they don’t have many events on the annual schedule. Whether one finds it easy and good or lacking depends on the person.

 

“Also, we have to move classrooms for each subject, seats aren’t fixed… Plus, there are many elective courses, so we must register for classes ourselves.”

 

Even classmates may take different classes, which are separated by levels, so you might sometimes be in different rooms.

 

You have to manage the classes you take by yourself.

 

“It’s kinda ‘freedom’, on the flip side, you know?”

 

≫From what I’m hearing, it’s somewhat similar to Japanese universities? (U.S.)

 

≫True.

 

≫Weren’t you confused, Iroha-chan? (U.S.)

 

“Um, I was okay, I think.”

 

In my case, I’ve already experienced college life in a past life.

 

Maybe people who suddenly study abroad might be confused.

 

“In fact, this system here might suit me better.”

 

Because I can cut subjects that are not essential.

 

And if I use the extra time to watch streams. Wow, it’s so efficient!

 

≫Is there no concept of classmates?

 

≫Seems like no time for self-introductions; if I studied abroad in America, I’d struggle to make friends (US)

 

≫Have you made friends already, Iroha? (U.S.)

 

“Ugh!?!?!?”

 

Yeah, that’s the problem!

 

That’s actually the reason why I’m so exhausted right now.

 

“Well, um… I’m kinda popular, I guess?”

 

≫Ah…

 

≫Yeah, you’re popular, Iroha-chan

 

≫It’s kinda touching.

 

≫It’s okay, Iroha-chan. Don’t lie to us (U.S.)

 

≫Instead, you have lots of online friends? (U.S.)

 

≫Sorry for asking.

 

“Don’t apologize! It’s different! I really am popular! Well, in a way…”

 

Saying that, I buried my head in my hands with a sigh.

 

Actually, there was a brief self-introduction time set up at the American high school I studied at.

 

And that only drew more attention to me.

 

Just walking around the school, I would constantly be approached…

 

“I feel like I’m being treated more as a rare creature or mascot than a friend.”

 

Having a few friends is enough, I think.

 

Most of my heart is already devoted to my favorite, and I have very few resources left.

 

Having more people around means less time to watch streams. How am I supposed to find healing from VTubers if I’m constantly caught up in conversations at school!?

 

≫I see, haha

 

≫But hearing that you haven’t made friends yet, I feel relieved (U.S.)

 

≫Honestly, I don’t want you making friends of the opposite sex.

 

“…Ah.”

 

Comments debating whether to pick up or not start scrolling in.

 

Actually, I’ve been receiving such opinions since elementary school.

 

And as I approach adolescence, it seems to be increasing even more.

 

But unfortunately, I still haven’t found the answer.

 

“That’s a really difficult issue.”

 

Half of humanity is of the opposite sex.

 

Even managers, due to staffing needs, can be of the opposite sex.

 

My school is co-ed, and naturally, there are boys too.

 

Oh, what was his nickname again? Something like “Shitennou”?

 

“Just, I totally understand those feelings.”

 

Because if there were opposite-sex friends around my favorite. I’d be super curious!

 

Maybe even about collaborations with the opposite sex.

 

No, I’m not a unicorn!

 

But reason and emotion are separate!

 

“Fans should trust their oshis, right?”

 

Shut up, damn it!

 

“I hope we can find the answer someday.”

 

In my head, I know.

 

I have no right to restrict her (or his) friendships as a fan.

 

But sometimes, we just can’t find common ground.

 

If only I could be with Angu Ogu, Ah-ne, and Ilyena.

 

“…”

 

Maybe I’ll find that answer sooner than expected.

 

And maybe from an unexpected source.

 

***

 

《Hey, hey!? Is it true that a middle school classmate is chasing after Iroha!? Could it be, a stalker!? Alright, let’s eliminate all men approaching Iroha and turn it into a secret service operation》

 

《Stop it》

 

《Ahh!? B-but!》

 

I lightly chop Angu Ogu and stop her.

 

Yeah, even I can see, that solution is definitely wrong!

 

《Come on. It’s time to sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow.》

 

《Ughhh~!》

 

We both crawl into bed.

 

It seems like full-fledged classes and tests will start tomorrow. What on earth will happen?