Chapter 12: An indelible memory

"Put some proper clothes on!"

"I'm wearing them?"

"That doesn’t count as wearing clothes! Here, put this on!"

"Pfft."

Top Chat: Calling that ‘not wearing’ lmao
Top Chat: I mean… it’s not exactly going-out attire
Top Chat: Kind of a shame, but also kind of a relief
Top Chat: You guys were dead serious about playing just a second ago though lol
Top Chat: Well, that’s that

I adjusted the extra shirt I’d been forced to put on. Ugh. One more layer and it’s already hotter.

"I don’t know about your country, but in ours, sexually suggestive streams can get you banned on the spot. Be careful."

"What’s with that mask?"

Top Chat: That’s the question you go with?
Top Chat: Is this elf invincible?

"Obviously because a V isn’t supposed to show their real face."

Top Chat: Well, yeah, that’s true…
Top Chat: But like, as long as they don’t show the face, isn’t it technically fine?
Top Chat: Uhh… yeah, I don’t know how to feel about that one

After last night, I wouldn’t mistake that voice. Masked Rider—Kirishi-tan. Unlike her avatar, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed nun, her real self was a petite girl with black side-tied hair, wearing a breezy summer blouse and a skirt above the knees.

Top Chat: She’s smaller than I expected
Top Chat: For someone with a "previous life" backstory, surprisingly young
Top Chat: Is she a student? College? High school? Surely not middle school
Top Chat: Hey hey, we all agreed not to bring that stuff up

"Are we not supposed to talk about the person behind the avatar?"

Top Chat: Don’t call it ‘the person inside’ lol
Top Chat: This elf really is invincible, huh?

"…Wait, are you seriously talking to the chat from that distance away from the laptop screen?"

"Mm."

"Seriously? Even standing this close I can’t read it!"

Top Chat: The Masked Rider draws near…
Top Chat: Stop it lol
Top Chat: lmao
Top Chat: But really, how does she do it?
Top Chat: Maybe she’s got some kind of earbud hidden in her elf ears reading the chat aloud?
Top Chat: No way, her reactions are way too fast

"Why can’t we talk about the person behind it?"

"Because it kills the dream."

"Dream?"

"Yes. A dream."

Kirishi-tan, who had been staring at the laptop, turned toward me.

"Actors and idols are human. Outside the screen, they eat, go to the bathroom, tell bad jokes, get angry, fight. They fall in love, get married. They aren’t always cool, and they aren’t always cute. At the end of the day, they’re inseparably human. …But V’s are different."

"Hm?"

"We’re born alongside our lore. We’re fictional characters brought to life with will and personality. Which means even when the camera isn’t on, that character still exists in the viewers’ imagination. A princess who loves her fans is spending her days in the palace, smiling as she looks at fanart. A stranded alien is constantly tinkering with their spaceship to get it running again. That’s something no ordinary human, who reverts back to their private self, can ever do."

She raised a finger and spoke gently.

"So there is no ‘person inside.’ Got it?"

"Mm."

I see. That really is a dream. A fragile fantasy that shouldn’t be broken.

Top Chat: Who’s the lost lamb that peeked behind the curtain?
Top Chat: My heart… it hurts!
Top Chat: I should have kept my faith!!
Top Chat: Aaaaah, I just wanna erase these past few minutes from my memory!
Top Chat: Can’t stop laughing though

"Oh, right. Since we’re at it, can I ask something?"

"What is it? Go ahead, I’ll answer anything."

"Really?"

"Of course. After all, I owe you for last night. At least let me repay you for that."

Well then, no holding back.

"How do you wash ○○○?"

Kirishi-tan’s hand came down in a sharp karate chop right on top of my skull.

Top Chat: Elf-san lmaooo
Top Chat: This elf really is invincible, huh?

"I told you, that kind of thing can get you banned instantly! That’s it—stream’s over! Dismissed!"

――This broadcast has ended――

Top Chat: FORCED. TERMINATION.
Top Chat: Can’t be helped lol
Top Chat: As always, Elf-san can’t end a stream normally
Top Chat: My memories… my poor memories…
Top Chat: The believers still haven’t recovered yet lol