arc1 · 016-ch16

Episode 16: Could It Be?

Side: Soramine Umi

After finishing our meal at the family restaurant, we went straight to the station and took the train home.

"Well then, everyone, farewell! Umi-san, please don't forget about that matter!"

"Don't forget! Fugh!"

"You absolutely have to get them!"

We met at school when coming, but on the way back we separated at the station and went to our respective homes. As we parted, they reminded me about a promise I hadn't even made, but I'll just ignore it. More importantly, when I get home, I'll ask Onii-chan to lend me the computer. I want to continue watching the Hyakka Ryouran video I saw on Rei's smartphone before dinner.

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"I'm home!"

"Oh, welcome back!"

When I got home, Onii-chan was there. His reply came from upstairs, so I think he's in his room.

Don't tell me he's been in his room all day since morning? Sometimes he holes up without eating, so I got worried and asked.

"Onii-chan, did you eat lunch properly?"

"...Ah, I was busy and forgot."

Just as I feared! It was just as I was worried about.

"Onii-chan, come downstairs right now."

Thinking this couldn't continue, I called for Onii-chan in the lowest voice I could manage.

Then immediately I heard a click as the door opened, and Onii-chan came downstairs.

"Listen, Onii-chan. I understand how you feel, but if you collapse, I'll be all alone, you know?"

I thought I was exaggerating for Onii-chan's sake, but imagining that scenario for real made tears come out.

"Sorry! Sorry! I'll never do this again, so please forgive me!"

Onii-chan panicked and apologized when he saw my tears. I only meant to give him a little warning—I'm sorry it became such a big deal!

"It's fine as long as you understand. Here, this is a souvenir."

Feeling that Onii-chan truly cares about me, I held back the urge to smile and handed him the donuts I bought as a souvenir.

"Oh, thanks! I'll eat them right away! And that outfit—it's super cute! It looks amazing on you!"

Saying that, Onii-chan washed his hands in the kitchen and started eating the donuts. Being praised by Onii-chan out of the blue made me flustered.

But while he's absorbed in the donuts might be my chance? While Onii-chan was eating the donuts with relish, I told him about today's events.

"Autographs, huh. I think Himehana would do it if I asked, but what about the other members? Since it's your request, Umi, I'll ask, but don't get your hopes up."

Since Onii-chan is kind to me, I thought he wouldn't refuse, but it feels like I'm asking too much, so I feel a little bad.

"Yeah, thanks! But don't push yourself, okay."

I know it's a bit late now, but I at least wanted to convey that he doesn't need to push himself. Yeah, that's something I should have said from the start, huh...

"Umi, I've caused you so much trouble until now, so I want you to be extra happy to make up for it—that's why I'm going to do my best."

Ah, that actually backfired. But knowing he truly cares about me made my heart feel warm.

That said, has Onii-chan been in his room all day? I'm curious what he was doing. Don't tell me he wasn't on a date with Himehana-chan...

Getting worried, I tried to ask as casually as possible?

"So, what did you do today, Onii-chan?"

"Ah, today I was thinking about taking on another job, so I was searching."

Good. Well, not good exactly, but it's better than a date with Himehana-chan.

"Hmm, so did you find a good job? By the way, what kind of work do you do, Onii-chan?"

To hide my relieved feeling, I continued the conversation casually.

"Um, how should I put it—I guess you could say I'm a recorder."

Hmm, a recorder, huh. What kind of records do you take to earn enough money to give me twenty thousand yen as allowance?

"Hmm, a recorder, huh. Sounds suspicious, but whatever. More importantly, Onii-chan, I'd like to borrow the computer for a bit."

"Huh, the computer? That's unusual. What are you going to use it for?"

"Well, today a friend showed me some dungeon streaming videos. There was a really interesting stream, so I wanted to watch the rest."

I deliberately didn't mention that it's Himehana-chan's party's stream.

"Oh, Umi's finally interested in dungeons too. With Umi, you might awaken to an amazing skill!"

It's not like I want to become an explorer, but it doesn't feel bad to be praised by Onii-chan!

"Hehehe, when that happens, I'll earn lots of money and let Mama and Onii-chan live in comfort!"

At my words, Onii-chan teared up. It's painful that Mama collapsed, but having more conversations with Onii-chan like this is simply nice.

"After I eat lunch, I'm going to go out for a bit, so feel free to use it until then."

"Yay! Thank you!"

With Onii-chan's permission, I first made him lunch, then tried on the other clothes I bought today, and washed everything at once. During that time, Onii-chan left carrying a big box, so I immediately went into Onii-chan's room and sat in front of the computer.

Hehehe, it's been a while since I've been in Onii-chan's room! I was surprised it was tidier than I expected. It even smells a little nice.

While thinking about that, I searched for "Hyakka Ryouran." The video I saw before lunch came up right away, so I decided to continue watching from where I left off.

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"Phew, this footage really is incredible."

The quality was so amazing I ended up watching the whole thing in one go. It's frustrating, but Himehana-chan looked really cool too. Did Onii-chan see this footage too? If so, he might fall for Himehana-chan? This needs attention.

When I tried to close the video and turn off the computer, my eyes happened to land on one of the icons on the screen. The title was "Hyakka Ryouran ①." Wondering what it was, I clicked on it and was surprised. The video I had just watched started playing.

But it's slightly different. Wondering what's different, I noticed while watching—this one hasn't been edited at all. The video length is seven hours too. The video I watched earlier was only three hours.

In other words, this appears to be the unedited video. Why is something like this here? Did Onii-chan get asked to edit it?

Wait. Onii-chan said he's doing a recorder job, right? Could it be that Onii-chan filmed this video!?

"But this isn't amazing because Hyakka Ryouran is amazing—it's because the cameraman is amazing!"

Rei's excited words flashed through my mind. Could it be that the job Onii-chan started is as a dungeon stream cameraman? Ah, that big box was a drone!

Everything clicked in my head. But being a dungeon stream cameraman is a dangerous job, right? Rei and the others also said that since radio waves don't reach inside dungeons from the outside, the cameraman should be going in with them.

Hmm, but could Onii-chan actually do something like that? He did go outside carrying a drone, but he was in normal clothes, wasn't he? There's no way that was an outfit for entering a dungeon...

Hmm, there's no point thinking about it here—I'll ask Onii-chan when he gets back.

While preparing dinner, I was thinking about how to ask him.