Chapter 108: A Slightly Kinder World
In this chapter, Kyoka’s shyness meets the moment where Elf-san becomes a little more than just herself.
"I can only do the things I love, so I gave it everything I had!"
At a small contest where children who prided themselves on their singing gathered, the young Anka, who had just won first place, responded to the interview with a bright smile.
"Ehehe, if I tell her, I wonder if Onii-chan will praise me a lot."
After the award ceremony on stage, while heading toward the exit, Anka spoke to a fellow contestant she happened to pass.
"Ah, great job! Your high notes were really beautiful!"
It was nothing more than a pure, heartfelt compliment. There was no hidden meaning. That’s why she never imagined the other girl would glare at her.
『Only able to do what you love? Then at least think about how it feels to lose even at the thing you love!』
Until the security guards noticed, Anka just stood there frozen in shock.
If she had been older, maybe she could have processed it differently. But that wasn’t the case.
This was something that happened years before she chose the path of being a silent Vtuber.
"Alright, let’s go, third round!"
Top Chat: Elf-san’s still full of energy
Top Chat: Yeah
Top Chat: I think it’s actually gotten pretty tough, though
Top Chat: Better play it safe and stay low-key
Top Chat: Wait, did you come up with a plan to break the anti-Elf alliance?
"Nope."
Top Chat: Oh, guess not
Top Chat: By the way, can we get another "Nope," please?
Top Chat: I want one too
Top Chat: Please, I wanna use it as my ringtone!
Top Chat: You guys, lol
Top Chat: So, what’s the plan then?
"Sweep ’em all away."
Top Chat: Eh
Top Chat: Ah
Top Chat: Hey—
Top Chat: Elf-san wiped them out the moment the match started!
"Guillotine."
Top Chat: There it is again, slicing right overhead
Top Chat: Ooh, total chaos now
Top Chat: She’s literally playing a different game, lol
"Barrel."
Top Chat: Ah, Kyōka-chan just fell
Top Chat: SEIREN—
Top Chat: Seriously, how’s anyone supposed to deal with that, lol
"Onii-chan, aren’t you going way too far!?"
"Hahaha."
"Don’t just laugh it off!?"
Top Chat: This is terrible
Top Chat: Anyway, can we get another "Hahaha," please?
Top Chat: I want one too
Top Chat: I need it as a charm against evil, please!
Top Chat: A charm, lol
"This… I can carry it."
Top Chat: Huh?
Top Chat: Um, that’s like the symbol of the whole game—
Top Chat: So, turns out you can carry it, huh
Top Chat: Hahahahaha
"Take this."
Top Chat: She threw it after all!
Top Chat: Ah, wow—it curved like a boomerang
Top Chat: Somebody got multi-hit and launched way off, lmao
Top Chat: Oh man, total chaos everywhere
"Let’s keep it going!"
"…Onii-chan, if you stand out this much, you’ll be targeted, you know? Are you sure that’s okay?"
"Yeah."
Anka asked cautiously, but Elf answered without hesitation.
Top Chat: So it’s fine then
Top Chat: Is it really fine, though
"It’s fun when you give it your all."
"—!?"
"Kyōka, the only time you can truly go all out is when it’s something you love. If you don’t give your all for the things you love, then when will you?"
Top Chat: Elf-san, lol
Top Chat: She’s not wrong, but dang, that’s blunt
Top Chat: And for some reason, Kyōka-chan looks shocked
Top Chat: This feels familiar!
"…Onii-chan, if you go all out for the thing you love and still lose, what then?"
"In that case—"
"—I’ll smile and ask for a rematch."
Top Chat: That’s literally what’s happening right now
Top Chat: She’s already asked Kirishi-tan for a rematch and is in the middle of 『Ochirite』
Top Chat: You could say it’s a rematch against Kyōka-chan too
"Kyōka, come play. The world’s a little kinder than you think."
"…Just a little, huh."
"And this is part of that ‘little.’"
Top Chat: Ah, greetings, we’re that part
Top Chat: Seiren’s singing is the best!
Top Chat: Watching Kyōka-chan getting along with Elf-san warms my heart!
Top Chat: I can’t do anything, but I love her, so I’ll keep watching forever
Top Chat: Hey, hey, we can cheer for her too, you know!
Top Chat: That’s right! Go, Seiren!
Top Chat: Don’t lose, Kyōka-chan!
"…You’re kind."
"Mm."
A girl who once feared people.
For her to choose again to reach out to others, what she needed was just a little understanding and courage.
"Onii-chan."
"What is it?"
"I’m going all out, so if I lose, let me have a rematch."
"Of course!"
Now that she’d confirmed that much for herself, there was nothing left for her to fear.
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